That ground will take no
footprint!
Euripides - Electra
Nay, and if it were,
What likeness could there be? My brother's hair
Is as a prince's and a rover's, strong
With sunlight and with strife: not like the long
Locks that a woman combs. . . . And many a head
Hath this same semblance, wing for wing, tho' bred
Of blood not ours. . . . 'Tis hopeless. Peace, old man.
OLD MAN.
The footprints! Set thy foot by his, and scan
The track of frame and muscles, how they fit!
ELECTRA.
That ground will take no footprint! All of it
Is bitter stone. . . . It hath? . . . And who hath said
There should be likeness in a brother's tread
And sister's? His is stronger every way.
OLD MAN.
But hast thou nothing. . . ?
What likeness could there be? My brother's hair
Is as a prince's and a rover's, strong
With sunlight and with strife: not like the long
Locks that a woman combs. . . . And many a head
Hath this same semblance, wing for wing, tho' bred
Of blood not ours. . . . 'Tis hopeless. Peace, old man.
OLD MAN.
The footprints! Set thy foot by his, and scan
The track of frame and muscles, how they fit!
ELECTRA.
That ground will take no footprint! All of it
Is bitter stone. . . . It hath? . . . And who hath said
There should be likeness in a brother's tread
And sister's? His is stronger every way.
OLD MAN.
But hast thou nothing. . . ?
