Victory, Maids of Argos, Victory! Orestes ... all that love him, list to me!... Hath conquered! Agamemnon's murderer lies Dead! O give thanks to God with happy cries! ELECTRA. Who art thou? I mistrust thee.... 'Tis a plot! MESSENGER. Thy brother's man. Look well. Dost know me not? ELECTRA. Friend, friend; my terror made me not to see Thy visage. Now I know and welcome thee. How sayst thou? He is dead, verily dead, My father's murderer...? MESSENGER. Shall it be said Once more? I know again and yet again Thy heart would hear. Aegisthus lieth slain! ELECTRA. Ye Gods! And thou, O Right, that seest all, Art come at last?... But speak; how did he fall? How swooped the wing of death?... I crave to hear. MESSENGER. Forth of this hut we set our faces clear To the world, and struck the open chariot road; Then on toward the pasture lands, where stood The great Lord of Mycenae. In a set Garden beside a channelled rivulet, Culling a myrtle garland for his brow, He walked: but hailed us as we passed: "How now, Strangers! Who are ye? Of what city sprung, And whither bound?" "Thessalians," answered young Orestes: "to Alpheüs journeying, With gifts to Olympian Zeus." Whereat the king: "This while, beseech you, tarry, and make full The feast upon my hearth. We slay a bull Here to the Nymphs. Set forth at break of day To-morrow, and 'twill cost you no delay. But come"--and so he gave his hand, and led The two men in--"I must not be gainsaid; Come to the house. Ho, there; set close at hand Vats of pure water, that the guests may stand At the altar's verge, where falls the holy spray." Then quickly spake Orestes: "By the way We cleansed us in a torrent stream. We need No purifying here. But if indeed Strangers may share thy worship, here are we Ready, O King, and swift to follow thee."