OR. Thyself, a female, sacrificing males with the sword?
IPH. Not so; but I shall lave around thy head with the lustral stream.
OR. But who is the slayer, if I may ask this?
IPH. Within the house are they whose office is this.
OR. And what manner of tomb will receive me, when I die?
IPH. The holy flame within, and the dark chasm of the rock.[[81]]
OR. Alas! Would that a sister's hand might lay me out.[[82]]
IPH. A vain prayer hast thou uttered, whoever thou art, O stranger, for she dwells far from this barbarian land. Nevertheless, since thou art an Argive, I will not fail to do thee kindness in what is possible. For on thy tomb will I place much adornment, and with the tawny oil will I cause thy body to be soon consumed,[[83]] and on thy pyre will I pour the flower-sucked riches of the swarthy bee. But I will go and fetch the letter from the shrines of the Goddess. But do thou not bear ill will against me. Guard them, ye servants, [but] without fetters.[[84]] Perchance I shall send unexpected tidings to some one of my friends at Argos, whom I chiefly love, and the letter, telling to him that she lives whom he thinks dead, will announce a faithful pleasure.
CHOR. I deplore thee now destined to the gory streams of the lustral waters.[[85]]
OR. 'Tis piteous, truly;[[86]] but fare ye well, stranger ladies.