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EURIPIDES.
Phrygian.
Nay, O nay!—but for thine helping cried I:—worthier art thou.
Orestes.
Answer—did the child of Tyndareus by righteous sentence fall?
Phrygian.
Righteous—wholly righteous—though she had three throats to die withal.
Orestes.
Dastard, 'tis thy tongue but truckles: in thine heart thou think'st not so.
Phrygian.
Should she not, who Hellas laid, and Phrygia's folk, in ruin low?1515
Orestes.
Swear—or I will slay thee,—that thou speakest not to pleasure me.
Phrygian.
By my life I swear—an oath I sure should honour sacredly.
Orestes.
Like to thee at Troy did steel fill all the Trojan folk with fear?
Phrygian.
Take, take hence thy sword! It glareth ghastly murder, held so near!
