_Clytæm._ Ah, thou hast told how utterly our ruin Is now complete! O Curse of this our house, Full hard to wrestle with! How many things, 680 Though lying out of reach, thou aimest at, And with well-darted arrows from afar Dost bring them low! And now thou strippest me, Most wretched one, of all that most I loved. A lucky throw Orestes now was making, Getting his feet from out destruction's slough; But now the hope of high, exulting joy, *Which this house had as healer, he scores down As present in this fashion that we see. _Orest._ I could have wished to come to prosperous hosts, As known and welcomed for my tidings good; For who to hosts is friendlier than a guest? 690 But 'twould have been as impious in my thoughts Not to complete this matter for my friends, By promise bound and pledged as guest to host. _Clytæm._ Thou shalt not meet with less than thou deserv'st; Nor wilt thou be to this house less a friend; Another would have brought news all the same: But since 'tis time that strangers who have made A long day's journey find the things they need, Lead him [_to her Slave, pointing to_ ORESTES] to these our hospitable halls, And these his fellow-travellers and servants: 700 There let them meet with what befits our house. I bid thee act as one who gives account; And we unto the masters of our house Will tell this news, and with no lack of friends Deliberate of this calamity.[441] [_Exeunt_ CLYTÆMNESTRA, ORESTES, PYLADES, _and Attendants_ _Chor._ Come then, handmaids of the palace, When shall we with full-pitched voices Show our feeling for Orestes? O earth revered! thou height revered, too, Of the mound piled o'er the body Of our navy's kingly captain, 710 Oh, hear us now; oh, come and help us; For 'tis time for subtle Suasion[442] To go with them to the conflict, And that Hermes act as escort, He who dwells in earth's deep darkness, In the strife where swords work mischief. _Enter_ KILISSA _Chor._ The stranger seems about to work some ill; And here I see Orestes' nurse in tears. Where then, Kilissa, art thou bound, that thus Thou tread'st the palace-gates, and with thee comes Grief as a fellow-traveller unbidden? 720