162
EURIPIDES.
Those in sore need. For thy sake suffer I
Wrongfully—by thy brother am betrayed,
Though I wrought righteousness. I fain would seize
His wife, and slay: be thou our help herein!1230
Electra.
Come, father, come, if thou in earth's embrace
Hearest thy children cry, who die for thee!
Pylades.
My father's kinsman,[1] to my prayers withal,
Agamemnon, hearken; save thy children thou.
Orestes.
I slew my mother—
Pylades.
But I grasped the sword!—1235
Electra.
I cheered thee on, snapped trammels of delay!—
Orestes.
Sire, for thine help!
Electra.
Nor I abandoned thee!
Pylades.
Wilt thou not hear this challenge—save thine own?
Orestes.
I pour thee tears for offerings!
- ↑ Pylades' mother was Agamemnon's sister.
