that forced the king, sorely against his will, to sacrifice Iphigenia. And as to the doctrine of "blood for blood," if it were put in force, Clytemnestra herself would be the first victim. "Yes," says the maiden, with a fierce look,
"And I own,
Had I but strength, be sure of this, 'twere done."
The Chorus stand too much amazed and terrified at this stormy altercation between mother and daughter to offer advice, or even to speak, and at last Electra's passion exhausts itself. She turns her back upon her mother, and stands aloof in gloomy silence. Then Clytemnestra makes her secret prayer to the Sun-god:—
"Hear thou the while, Phœbus who guard'st our gates,
My secret prayer; for not to friendly ears
Can I speak forth, nor dare I breathe in air
All that I mean, while she stands here beside me.
Yet hear me—thus—as I with heed will speak.
Those visions of the night, whose two-edged sense
I dimly read,—if they be good, O King
Grant them fulfilment! but, if they be evil,
Then launch them back upon mine enemies!
And if there be who by their cunning plots
Would strip me of this wealth, suffer it not;
But grant me still, living an unharmed life,
To wield the sceptre here in Atreus' halls,
Consorting still with whom I consort now,
And happy in such children as may nurse
No secret hate or bitter grudge against me.
Such boon, Apollo, Slayer of the wolf,
Grant of thy grace as fully as we ask it!
