, she cast away the tokens of prophecy that she carried,
the staff from her hand, and the necklace from about her neck. And when
she had done this she went to the palace gates, knowing that she went to
her death. But first she said that there should come an avenger who
should execute vengeance for his father that had been slain and also
for her. And when she was arrived at the door of the palace, at the
first she started back, for the smell of blood smote her in the face;
but then she took heart again and passed on. Only first she turned and
said, "O Sun, whose light I see now for the last time, grant that the
hand that taketh vengeance for the King may take it also for the
slave-woman whom they slay--a conquest, in good sooth, right easy to be
made."

But while the old men doubted what these things might mean, saying that
no man could trust in prosperous fortune, if the King, who had won such
a victory over the city of Troy, should himself perish, there came a
dreadful voice from within, crying out, "Woe is me! I am smitten with a
mortal blow!" And while they doubted, it came again, crying, "Woe again!
I am smitten with a second blow!" Then they debated what were best to
do; and one would have them call to the citizens for help, and another
that they should rush into the palace; and some doubted whether aught
might now avail. And lo! the great doors of the palace were thrown back
and there appeared a dreadful sight--two dead bodies, covered each with
a veil, and the Queen, with an axe in her hand, standing beside them,
who said--

"I spake before words fitting the time, and now I am not ashamed to
speak that which is contrary to them. For this is in truth an old
purpose that I have executed. Yea, from the day that he shed the
innocent blood, even the blood of Iphigenia, my daughter, it hath been
in my heart to slay him. I threw a net about him, whence there was no
escape, entangling his limbs in a royal robe. Twice I smote him; twice
he groaned, stretching out his limbs in death; aye, and a third blow I
added--my offering of thanks to the Ruler of the dead. Right glad was I
when the blood spirted on me; glad as the seed when the increase-giving
rain cometh down from the sky."

Then the old men, the counsellors of the city, cried shame upon her that
she had done so foul a deed, saying that the people should curse her and
cast her out. But she was not one whit fearful or ashamed, saying that
he whom she had slain was