20
EURIPIDES
Orestes (trying her).
Thou art well stayed
With friends. And could Orestes give thee aid
In aught, if e'er . . .
Electra.
Shame on thee! Seest thou not?
Is it not time?
Orestes (catching her excitement).
How time? And if he sought
To slay, how should he come at his desire?
Electra.
By daring, as they dared who slew his sire!
Orestes.
Wouldst thou dare with him, if he came, thou too,
To slay her?
Electra.
Yes; with the same axe that slew
My father!
Orestes.
'Tis thy message? And thy mood
Unchanging?
Electra.
Let me shed my mother's blood,
And I die happy.
