O you that have the spirit of a man, though your body shows you to be a woman, how far more worthy you are to live than to die! Pylades, you will lose such a woman to your sorrow, or if you live, you will have a blessed marriage.PyladesThen may it be so, and may she come to the city of Phocis with all the honors of a happy wedding.OrestesHow soon will Hermione return to the palace? All the rest was very well said, if we succeed in catching this impious father’s cub.ElectraWell, I expect she is near the house already, for the length of time agrees exactly.OrestesGood; you, Electra, my sister, stay before the palace and await the maiden’s approach; keep watch in case any one, whether an ally or my father’s brother, forestalls us by his entry before the murder is complete; and then make a signal to the house, either by beating on a panel of the door or calling to us within.Let us enter now and arm ourselves with swords for the final struggle, Pylades, for you share the labor with me.O father, in your home of gloomy night, your son Orestes calls you to come to the rescue of the destitute. It is on your account I am wrongfully suffering, and it is by your brother that I have been betrayed for doing right; it is his wife I wish to take and kill; you be our accomplice for this deed.ElectraOh father, come! if within the ground you hear the cry of your children, who are dying for your sake.PyladesO kinsman of my father, Agamemnon, hear my prayers also; save your children.OrestesI killed my mother—ElectraI held the sword—PyladesI . . . set them free from fear—OrestesTo aid you, father.ElectraNor did I betray you.PyladesWill you not hear these reproaches and rescue your children?OrestesWith tears I pour you a libation.ElectraAnd I with laments.PyladesCease, and let us set about our business. If prayers really do pierce the ground, he hears. O Zeus, god of my fathers, and holy Justice, give success to him and me and her; for there is one struggle for three friends, and one penalty, for all to live or—pay death’s account. Exeunt Orestes and Pylades.

ElectraMy dear friends of Mycenae, of foremost rank in Argos, the home of the Pelasgians.ChorusWhat are you saying to us, mistress? For this honored name is still left for you in the Danaid town.ElectraStation yourselves, some here along the high road, others there on some other path, to watch the house.ChorusBut why do you call me to this service? Tell me, my dear.ElectraI am afraid that some one, who is stationed at the house for slaughter, may find trouble upon trouble.