Upon our fated house? Or, do they come

To soothe the ancient anger of the dead

With sweet libations for my father’s tomb?

’Tis even so: for lo! Electra comes—

My sister—with them in unblissful grief

Pre-eminent. O Jove, be thou mine aid,[n3]

And nerve my hand to avenge my father’s wrong!

Stand we aside, my Pylades, that we

May learn the purpose of the murky pomp. [They go aside.

Chorus.
(dressed in sable vestments, bearing vessels with libations.)
STROPHE I.