_Or._ And wherefore? _Pyl._ Give it me. _Or._ Take it. _Pyl._ Oh listen! We may not tarry longer Within these borders; come-- _Or._ But what-- _El_. Oh speak! Where's Clytemnestra? _Or._ Leave her; she is perchance Kindling the pyre unto her traitor husband. _Pyl._ Oh, thou hast far more than fulfilled thy vengeance. Come, now, and ask no more. _Or._ What dost thou say? _El._ Our mother! I beseech thee yet again! Pylades--Oh what chill is this that creeps Through all my veins? _Pyl._ The heavens-- _El._ Ah, she is dead! _Or._ Hath turned her dagger, maddened, on herself? _El._ Alas, Pylades! Why dost thou not answer? _Or._. Speak! What hath been? _Pyl._ Slain-- _Or._ And by whose hand? _Pyl._ Come! _El._ (_To_ ORESTES.) Thou slewest her! _Or._ I parricide? _Pyl._ Unknowing Thou plungèdst in her heart thy sword, as blind With rage thou rannest on Aegisthus-- _Or._ Oh, What horror seizes me! I parricide? My sword! Pylades, give it me; I'll have it-- _Pyl._ It shall not be. _El._ Brother-- _Or._ Who calls me brother? Thou, haply, impious wretch, thou that didst save me To life and matricide? Give me my sword! My sword! O fury! Where am I? What is it That I have done? Who stays me? Who follows me? Ah, whither shall I fly, where hide myself?-- O father, dost thou look on me askance? Thou wouldst have blood of me, and this is blood; For thee alone--for thee alone I shed it! _El._ Orestes, Orestes--miserable brother! He hears us not! ah, he is mad! Forever, Pylades, we must go beside him. _Pyl._ Hard, Inevitable law of ruthless Fate! IV