Chorus Leader
Oh, oh! My friends, did you hear a noise—or did an empty notion come to me?—like the underground rumbling from Zeus? Look, the breeze rises, bringing with it a sign. [750] Mistress, Electra, leave the house! Electra
Rushing out
My friends, what is it? How do we stand in the contest? Leader
I only know this; I hear a wailing that means bloodshed. Electra
I heard it also, far off, but still heard. Leader
Yes, the sound is coming a long way, but it is clear. Electra
[755] The groan was of an Argive; was it from my friends? Leader
I don't know; for the whole tune of the shout is confused. Electra
You are calling out to me my death; why do I delay? Leader
Hold back, to learn your fortune clearly. Electra
No, no; we are vanquished; where are the messengers? Leader
[760] They will come; it is no trivial matter to kill a king. A Messenger enters in haste
Messenger
O victorious maidens of Mycenae, I report to all his friends that Orestes has conquered, and Aegisthus, the murderer of Agamemnon, lies on the ground; but we must offer prayers to the gods. Electra
[765] Who are you? How trustworthy is your announcement? Messenger
Don't you know your brother's servant when you look at me? Electra
O best of friends! I could not recognize your face out of fear; but now I know you well. What are you saying? Is my father's hated murderer dead? Messenger
[770] He is dead; I am telling you twice what you certainly want to hear. Electra
O gods, and all-seeing justice, at last you have come. In what way and by what form of death did he kill Thyestes' son? I would like to learn.