453–463
THE CHOËPHOROE
And take it! Be hard, be hard
To smite and not cease!
(Orestes, Electra, and the Leader.)
Orestes.
[Strophe 10
Thee, thee I call. Father, be near thine own.
Electra.
I also cry thee, choked with the tears that flow.
Leader..
Yea, all this band, it crieth to thee as one.
All.
O great King, hear us. Awake thee to the sun.
Be with us against thy foe!
Orestes.
[Antistrophe 10
The slayer shall meet the slayer, wrong smite with wrong.
Electra.
O Zeus, bless thou the murder to be this day.
Leader..
(Dost hear? Oh, fear is upon me and trembling strong.)
All.
The day of Fate is old, it hath lingered long;
It cometh to them that pray.
37
