The Electra of Euripides Part 3

ORESTES.

And what to him, thy brother, half so dear As thou?

ELECTRA.

His is a distant love, not near At need.

ORESTES.

But why this dwelling place, this life Of loneliness?

ELECTRA (_with sudden bitterness_).

Stranger, I am a wife....

O better dead!

ORESTES.

That seals thy brother's doom!

What Prince of Argos...?

ELECTRA.

Not the man to whom My father thought to give me.

ORESTES.

Speak; that I May tell thy brother all.

ELECTRA.

'Tis there, hard by, His dwelling, where I live, far from men's eyes.

ORESTES.

Some ditcher's cot, or cowherd's, by its guise!

ELECTRA (_struck with shame for her ingrat.i.tude_).

A poor man; but true-hearted, and to me G.o.d-fearing.

ORESTES.

How? What fear of G.o.d hath he?

ELECTRA.

He hath never held my body to his own.

ORESTES.

Hath he some vow to keep? Or is it done To scorn thee?

ELECTRA.

Nay; he only scorns to sin Against my father's greatness.

ORESTES.

But to win A princess! Doth his heart not leap for pride?

ELECTRA.

He honoureth not the hand that gave the bride.

ORESTES.

I see. He trembles for Orestes' wrath?

ELECTRA.

Aye, that would move him. But beside, he hath A gentle heart.

ORESTES.

Strange! A good man.... I swear He well shall be requited.

ELECTRA.

Whensoe'er Our wanderer comes again!

ORESTES.

Thy mother stays Unmoved 'mid all thy wrong?

ELECTRA.

A lover weighs More than a child in any woman's heart.

ORESTES.

But what end seeks Aegisthus, by such art Of shame?

ELECTRA.

To make mine unborn children low And weak, even as my husband.

ORESTES.