CLY. Brazen thing! Too true it is that words and deeds of mine Are evermore informing thy harsh tongue. EL. The shame is yours, because the deeds are yours. My words are but their issue and effect. CLY. By sovereign Artemis, whom still I serve, You'll rue this boldness when Aegisthus comes. EL. See now, your anger bears you off, and ne'er Will let you listen, though you gave me leave. CLY. Must I not even sacrifice in peace From your harsh clamour, when you've had your say? EL. I have done. I check thee not. Go, sacrifice! Accuse not me of hindering piety. CLY. (_to an attendant_). Then lift for me those fruitful offerings, While to Apollo, before whom we stand, I raise my supplication for release From doubts and fears that shake my bosom now. And, O defender of our house! attend My secret utterance. No friendly ear Is that which hearkens for my voice. My thought Must not be blazoned with her standing by, Lest through her envious and wide-babbling tongue She fill the city full of wild surmise. List, then, as I shall speak: and grant the dreams Whose two-fold apparition I to-night Have seen, if good their bodement, be fulfilled: If hostile, turn their influence on my foes. And yield not them their wish that would by guile Thrust me from this high fortune, but vouchsafe That ever thus exempt from harms I rule The Atridae's home and kingdom, in full life, Partaking with the friends I live with now All fair prosperity, and with my children, Save those who hate and vex me bitterly. Lykeian Phoebus, favourably hear My prayer, and grant to all of us our need! More is there, which, though I be silent here, A God should understand. No secret thing Is hidden from the all-seeing sons of Heaven. _Enter the_ Old Man. OLD M. Kind dames and damsels, may I clearly know If these be King Aegisthus' palace-halls? CH. They are, sir; you yourself have guessed aright. OLD M. May I guess further that in yonder dame I see his queen? She looks right royally. CH. 'Tis she,--no other,--whom your eyes behold. OLD M. Princess, all hail! To thee and to thy spouse I come with words of gladness from a friend. CLY. That auspice I accept. But I would first Learn from thee who of men hath sent thee forth? OLD M. Phanoteus the Phocian, with a charge of weight. CLY. Declare it, stranger. Coming from a friend, Thou bring'st us friendly tidings, I feel sure. OLD M. Orestes' death. Ye have the sum in brief. EL. Ah me! undone! This day hath ruined me. CLY. What? Let me hear again. Regard her not. OLD M. Again I say it, Orestes is no more. EL. Undone! undone! Farewell to life and hope! CLY. (_to_ ELECTRA). See thou to thine own case! (_To_ Old Man) Now, stranger, tell me In true discourse the manner of his death.