ORES.  Speak, since the existing prospect of good affords some pleasure.

ELEC.  Art thou acquainted with the daughter of Helen?  Thou knowest her of whom I ask.

ORES.  I know her, Hermione, whom my mother brought up.

ELEC.  She is gone to Clytaemnestra’s tomb.

ORES.  For what purpose? what hope dost thou suggest?

ELEC.  To pour libations on the tomb in behalf of her mother.

ORES.  And what is this, thou hast told me of, that regards our safety?

ELEC.  Seize her as a pledge as she is coming back.

ORES.  What remedy for the three friends is this thou sayest?

ELEC.  When Helen is dead, if Menelaus does any harm to thee or Pylades, or me (for this firm of friendship is all one), say that thou wilt kill Hermione; but thou oughtest to draw thy sword, and hold it to the neck of the virgin.  And if indeed Menelaus save thee, anxious that the virgin may not die; when he sees Helen’s corse weltering in blood, give back the virgin for her father to enjoy; but should he, not governing his angry temper, slay thee, do thou also plunge the sword into the virgin’s neck, and I think that he, though at first he come to us very big, will after a season soften his heart; for neither is he brave nor valiant:  this is the fortress of our safety that I have; my arguments on the subject have been spoken.

ORES.  O thou that hast indeed the mind of a man, but a form among women beautiful, to what a degree art thou more worthy of life than death!  Pylades, wilt thou miserably be disappointed of such a woman, or dwelling with her obtain this happy marriage?

PYL.  For would it could be so! and she could come to the city of the
Phocians meeting with her deserts in splendid nuptials!

ORES.  But when will Hermione come to the house?  Since for the rest thou saidst most admirably, if we could succeed in taking the whelp of the impious father.

ELEC.  Even now I guess that she must be near the house, for with this supposition the space itself of the time coincides.

ORES.  It is well; do thou therefore, my sister Electra, waiting before the house, meet the arrival of the virgin.  And watch, lest any one, either some ally, or the brother of my father, should be beforehand with us coming to the palace:  and make some noise toward the house, either knocking at the doors, or sending thy voice within.  But let us, O Pylades (for thou undertakest this labor with me), entering in, arm our hands with the sword to one last attempt.  O my father, that inhabitest the realms of gloomy night, Orestes thy son invokes thee to come a succor to thy suppliants; for on thy account I wretched suffer unjustly, and am betrayed by thy brother, myself having acted justly:  whose wife I wish to take and destroy; but be thou our accomplice in this affair.

ELEC.  O father, come then, if beneath the earth thou hearest thy children calling, who die for thee.