University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Orestes, Pylades, and Electra.
ORESTES.
Still here, Pylades! with Electra here!
How now Infirm! Is this thy vow to me?
And thou, pale girl, why would'st thou wond'ring stand
In the great thoroughfare of Fate and Death?
Hence to thy distaff or to pray'r. Pylades,
Look how the sun is to a twinkle shrunk.
When all is quench'd to our terrestrial vision,
I'll strike upon my shield. Be you prepar'd,
For at the signal's sound, the men, behind
The colonades, will to the storming rush.

ELECTRA.
Orestes, O my brother!—

ORESTES.
How! still here!
Into the temple, child, or to thy chamber.
Here is no place for thee, nor time for words—
Ha! who are these that from the palace come?—
Swift to thy post, Pylades—I to mine.