Ch. How is it?—what do they now?1400
El. She is decking the urn for burial, and those two stand close to her.
Ch. And why hast thou sped forth?
El. To guard against Aegisthus entering before we are aware.
Clytaemnestra (within). Alas! Woe for the house forsaken of friends and filled with murderers!
El. a cry goes up within:—hear ye not, friends?
Ch. I heard, ah me, sounds dire to hear, and shuddered!
Clyt. (within). O hapless that I am!—Aegisthus, where, where art thou?
El. Hark, once more a voice resounds!
Clyt. (within). My son, my son, have pity on thy mother!1410
El. Thou hadst none for him, nor for the father that begat him.
Ch. Ill-fated realm and race, now the fate that hath pursued thee day by day is dying,—is dying!
Clyt. (within). Oh, I am smitten!
El. Smite, if thou canst, once more!
Clyt. (within). Ah, woe is me again!
El. Would that the woe were for Aegisthus too!
Ch. The curses are at work; the buried live; blood flows for blood, drained from the slayers by those who died of yore.1420
[Enter Orestes and Pylades from the house.
ant. Behold, they come! That red hand reeks with sacrifice to Ares; nor can I blame the deed.
