All that I saw, I will recount to thee. When to our old ancestral tomb I came, I saw a stream of milk fresh running down, From the mound's summit, and our father's grave Crowned with a wreath of all the flowers that grow. The sight amazed me and I looked around, Fearing lest some intruder might be near. But when I saw that all around was still, I drew near to the tomb, and on its edge I found a lock of hair, freshly cut off. When I beheld that lock, into my soul Rushed a familiar image, and meseemed Orestes must have laid that token there. I took it up, I opened not my lips, But in my eyes the tears of joy o'erflowed. That from one hand alone this gift could come Is now, as then it was, my sure belief. Who else could lay it there save you or me? That 'twas not I, is certain, and no less That 'twas not you, when scarcely you have leave To go forth to the temples of the gods; While, for our mother, she has little mind To do such things, nor could she go unseen. It is Orestes that his homage pays. Be of good cheer, my sister; destiny Unkind to-day, to-morrow may be kind. So far it has been adverse, but this hour, Perchance, may prove the dawn of happiness. ELECTRA. I pity as I hear thy foolish talk. CHRYSOTHEMIS. Why? Is not what I say sweet to thine ear? ELECTRA. Thou know'st not what thou dost or where thou art. CHRYSOTHEMIS. Not know the thing which my own eyes beheld? ELECTRA. He's dead, poor foolish heart. These proofs of thine Are good for nothing. Look for him no more. CHRYSOTHEMIS. Unhappy me; who was it told thee this? ELECTRA. One that was present when he met his end. CHRYSOTHEMIS. Amazement fills my soul! Where is this man? ELECTRA. Within there, and our mother's welcome guest. CHRYSOTHEMIS. Thy words o'erwhelm me. Who, then, could have laid Affection's offerings on our father's grave? ELECTRA. That some one brought them as memorials Of dead Orestes, likeliest seems to me. CHRYSOTHEMIS. Unhappy that I am! And full of joy I hastened with these tidings, ignorant Of our dark fate. I left the cup of grief Full, and I come to see it overflow. ELECTRA. So stands it now, but do what I advise, And thou mayest lighten yet this load of woe. CHRYSOTHEMIS. How? Can I bring the dead to life again? ELECTRA. I meant not that, nor was so void of sense. CHRYSOTHEMIS. What wouldst thou have, that is within my power? ELECTRA. I'd have thee bravely do what I enjoin. CHRYSOTHEMIS. So it be helpful, I will not refuse. ELECTRA. Look, without effort nothing will go well. CHRYSOTHEMIS. 'Tis true, and I will aid with all my might. ELECTRA.