Albeit in body woman manifest,[1]1205
How worthier far art thou to live than die!
Such woman, Pylades, shalt thou, alas!
Forfeit, or living win in wedlock blest.
Pylades.
God grant it so, that to the Phocians' burg
She come, for honour meet of spousals proud!1210
Orestes.
But to the house when comes Hermionê?
For all that thou hast said is passing well,
So we may take this impious father's whelp.
Electra.
In sooth, I ween, she is nigh the palace now,
For the time's lapse runs consonant thereto.1215
Orestes.
'Tis well. Sister Electra, tarry thou
Before the halls to meet the maiden's steps.
Keep watch lest any,—brother of our sire,
Or ally—ere this deed be wrought, draw near
The house, forestalling us. Give token thou—1220
Smite on the door, or send a cry within.
Now pass we in, and for this latest strife
Arm we our hands with falchions, Pylades:
For thou art fellow-toiler in my toil.
Father, who dwellest in dark halls of night,1225
Thy son Orestes bids thee come to help
- ↑ Another interpretation, "But a form peerless among womankind."
