[Coming down from path at back.] My chief, the dawn is drawing close.
Orestes.
Ay, get you gone before any worshippers come.
Pylades.
As you will, then. And Apollo be your guard!
[Exeunt Pylades and Armed Man. Orestes wraps his mantle round him and sits in silence.
Enter from the right, Priest of Thetis, with a bowl in his hands. He climbs a rock at the back and watches the sunrise.
Priest.
Not yet. Not quite yet. Ah, there it catches the crag-top: now the trees:—yes, there is the glint far off upon the sea! [Comes down towards the shrine and prays.] Hail, Thetis! Accept this wine and honey I bring thee at first touch of dawn. Keep thy Priest in wealth and honour, even as I keep thy worship. And, as the sunlight drives the Things of darkness from thy waters—— [Seeing Orestes.] Averter of evil! Who is this that has sat through the darkness under the Holy Rock? Stranger, whence come you here?
Orestes.