Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/262

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206
EURIPIDES.

Electra.

How on a stony plain should there be made
Impress of feet? Yea, if such print be there,
Brother's and sister's foot should never match—
A man's and woman's: greater is the male.


Old Man.

Hath he not weft of thine own loom—whereby 540
To know thy brother, if he should return—[1]
Wherein I stole him, years agone, from death?


Electra.

Know'st thou not, when Orestes fled the land,
I was a child?—yea, had I woven vests,
How should that lad the same cloak wear to-day, 545
Except, as waxed the body, vestures grew?


Old Man.

Where be the strangers? I would fain behold
And of thine absent brother question them.


Electra.

Lo, here with light foot step they forth the house.

Re-enter Orestes and Pylades.


Old Man (aside).

High-born of mien:—yet false the coin may be; 550

  1. So Weil. Paley translates—
    "Nought is there, if thy brother should return,
    Whereby to know the weft of thine own loom,
    Wherein, etc."