He cannot choose but see thee, passing by, And bid thee stay to share the beast they kill. ORESTES. A bitter fellow-feaster, if God will! OLD MAN. And then ... then swift be heart and brain, to see God's chances! ORESTES. Aye. Well hast thou counselled me. But ... where is she? OLD MAN. In Argos now, I guess; But goes to join her husband, ere the press Of the feast. ORESTES. Why goeth not my mother straight Forth at her husband's side? OLD MAN. She fain will wait Until the gathered country-folk be gone. ORESTES. Enough! She knows what eyes are turned upon Her passings in the land! OLD MAN. Aye, all men hate The unholy woman. ORESTES. How then can I set My snare for wife and husband in one breath? ELECTRA (_coming forward_). Hold! It is I must work our mother's death. ORESTES. If that be done, I think the other deed Fortune will guide. ELECTRA. This man must help our need, One friend alone for both. OLD MAN. He will, he will! Speak on. What cunning hast thou found to fill Thy purpose? ELECTRA. Get thee forth, Old Man, and quick Tell Clytemnestra ... tell her I lie sick, New-mothered of a man-child. OLD MAN. Thou hast borne A son! But when? ELECTRA. Let this be the tenth morn. Till then a mother stays in sanctity, Unseen. OLD MAN. And if I tell her, where shall be The death in this? ELECTRA. That word let her but hear, Straight she will seek me out! OLD MAN. The queen! What care Hath she for thee, or pain of thine? ELECTRA. She will; And weep my babe's low station! OLD MAN. Thou hast skill To know her, child; say on. ELECTRA. But bring her here, Here to my hand; the rest will come. OLD MAN. I swear, Here at the gate she shall stand palpable! ELECTRA. The gate: the gate that leads to me and Hell. OLD MAN. Let me but see it, and I die content. ELECTRA. First, then, my brother: see his steps be bent... OLD MAN. Straight yonder, where Aegisthus makes his prayer! ELECTRA. Then seek my mother's presence, and declare My news. OLD MAN. Thy very words, child, as tho' spoke From thine own lips! ELECTRA. Brother, thine hour is struck. Thou standest in the van of war this day. ORESTES (_rousing himself_). Aye, I am ready.... I will go my way, If but some man will guide me. OLD MAN. Here am I, To speed thee to the end, right thankfully. ORESTES (_turning as he goes and raising his hands to heaven_). Zeus of my sires, Zeus of the lost battle, ELECTRA. Have pity; have pity; we have earned it well! OLD MAN.