cle:

That I myself unarmed with shield or host {36}
Should subtly work the righteous deed of blood,

and details his plan: the Attendant, whose age will save him from
recognition, shall announce the death of Orestes, while Orestes and
Pylades shall perform the rites enjoined at his father's tomb; then,
when the wrong-doers believe themselves secure, the avenger will easily
gain admittance. [_At this moment a woman's wail is heard within._]
Orestes wonders if it may be his own Electra and would stop, the
Attendant hurries him away to do the God's behest. {85}

_Exeunt Orestes and Pylades on left to Tomb of Agamemnon; Attendant
back through the Distance side-door. Enter from Palace Electra moaning
and weeping._

MONODY

_Electra in Lyric Monody_. The light, the air, the loathed house and
bed she sleeps on, all are witnesses of her ceaseless misery and woe,
orphaned as she is of a father foully slain. She calls on the Curses,
the Furies and other dread Powers who watch over evil slaughter to send
Orestes, she can no longer bear up with sorrow's great burden cast into
the balance. {120}

_Enter by the Orchestral door Chorus of Argive Maidens to condole with
Electra._

LYRIC CONCERTO (FOR PARODE)

_Cho._ Why mourn for ever the guileful slaughter of thy Father,
accursed deed?--_Electra._ I know your kind and tender friendship, yet
will never be dissuaded.--_Cho._ Yet what groans and prayers can raise
thy sire from the doomed pool of Hades? you go from woes bearable to
woes beyond bearing.--_Elec._ It is weak to forget parents so lost;
rather for me the nightingale that ever wails 'Itys,' or Niobe weeping
in stone.--_Cho._ Thou art not the only one who feels sorrow: there are
thy sisters, and another now mourning in a youth obscure, but who will
one day return to save.--_Elec._ Ah! him I yearn for, but he mocks my
messages, and promises yet never comes.--_Cho._ Take heart: Time is a
calm and patient deity; trusting in Zeus you will find neither Orestes
nor the God of Acheron forgetful.--_Elec._ Yet meanwhile the larger
portion of my life is gone; orphaned, un-wed, an alien stranger I serve
in the house where I was wont to reign.--_Cho._ Ah! that sad day!
Guile devised the blow and lust struck it!--_Elec._ Oh, most horrible
day, most horrible night! the foul banquet! the dread forms of death he
met with at their accursed hands, he who was my life!--_Cho._ But take
care: excess of grief ma