them with the false tidings that this my body is no more, but has been consumed with fire and turned to ashes. Why should the omen trouble me, when by a feigned death I find life indeed, and win renown?60 I trow, no word is ill-omened, if fraught with gain. Often ere now have I seen wise men die in vain report; then, when they return home, they are held in more abiding honour: as I trust that from this rumour I also shall emerge in radiant life, and yet shine like a star upon my foes.
O my fatherland, and ye gods of the land, receive me with good fortune in this journey,—and ye also, halls of my fathers, for I come with a divine mandate to cleanse70 you righteously; send me not dishonoured from the land, but grant that I may rule over my possessions, and restore my house!
Enough;—be it now thy care, old man, to go and heed thy task; and we twain will go forth ; for so occasion bids, chief ruler of every enterprise for men.
Electra (within).
Ah me, ah me!
Pae. Hark, my son,—from the doors, methought, came the sound of some handmaid moaning within.
Or. Can it be the hapless Electra?80 Shall we stay here, and listen to her laments?
Pae. No, no: before all else, let us seek to obey the command of Loxias, and thence make a fair beginning, by pouring libations to thy sire; that brings victory within our grasp, and gives us the mastery in all that we do.
