HKB
Enter by the Distance Side-door Orestes, Pylades, and attendants, and advance to the Central Door.
Orestes calls loudly for admission, telling the slave who opens that he is a traveller, and must do his message to those within ere night falls; to a lady if a lady rules, though a lord is seemlier. Enter Clytaemnestra, who gives a formal offer of hospitality (having noticed his irreverent tone), and to whom he bluffly gives a message from a fellow traveller, who learning he was bound for Argos, begged him to seek out Orestes' kinsmen and give the news of his death. Clytaemnestra affects a burst of grief; the curse has taken another victim as he was disentangling himself from the net. Orestes regrets he cannot hope for the welcome of those who bear good news. Clytaemnestra (with a dim feeling of suspicion) assures him he shall want for nothing 'that is fitting', orders Orestes to be led one way, and the rest another, and goes to call Aegisthus 'and friends.' Exeunt Clytaemnestra by Left Inferior Door to the Women's Quarters, Orestes and Porter through Central and Pylades, etc., through Right Inferior Door. Chorus, in marching rhythm, catch the touch of suspense, and invoke Hermes and the Spirit of Persuasion for Orestes. {720}
Enter from Women's Quarters, Cilissa, Orestes' Nurse, bidden to seek Aegisthus, as the stranger looks like one meaning to cook some ill. She is in tears at the death of her boy, and details all the petty cares she had over his helpless infancy, and how they are now all profitless.
Chor. And how equipped then doth she bid him come? {753} Nurse How? Speak again that I may better learn. Chor. By spearmen followed, or himself alone? Nurse She bids him bring his guards with lances armed. Chor. Nay, say not that to him thy lord doth hate, But bid him 'come alone,' (that so he hear Without alarm), 'full speed, with joyous mind,' Since 'secret speech with messenger goes best.' Nurse And art thou of good cheer at this my tale? Chor. But what if Zeus will turn the tide of ill? Nurse How so? Orestes, our One hope is gone. Chor. Not yet; a sorry seer might know thus much. Nurse What say'st thou? Know'st thou aught besides my tale? Chor. Go tell thy message; do thine errand well: The Gods for what they care for, care enough. Nurse I then will go, complying with thy words: May all, by God's gift, end most happily! {769}
Exit Nurse by Right Side-Door, signifying neighborhood.
CHORAL INTERLUDE II
in four interwoven Strophes and Antistrophes, with Mesode,
invokes the Gods the house had worshipped. Zeus, father of the Gods, the twin-brothers, Apollo in his glorious shrine at Delphi, Hermes who is the conductor of enterprises: the dear son of the house is harnessed to the car of calamity, moderate its pace--and may Murder cease to breed new Murder. But the Avenger, like Perseus, must not look on the deed as he does it; as she calls the name Mother let him hurl back the cry of Father. {820}
EPISODE III
Aegisthus entering from the Right Side-Door (of Neighborhood) speaks of this summons; it may after all be women's fears 'that leap up high and die away to nought.' The Chorus say there is nothing like asking. Aeg. will do so: they cannot cheat a man with his eyes open. Exit through Central Door. {839}
Chorus, in short lyric burst, mark critical moment that decides success or failure. {853}
Then cries from within, and Porter rushes from Central Door to Door of Women's Quarters* (*Left Inferior), loudly summoning Clytaemnestra, and when she appears informs her 'the dead are slaying the living.' She sees in a moment the truth, and is looking hurriedly for aid, when enter, from Central Door, Orestes, joined at once by Pylades and Attendants, from Right Inferior.