And did he give
Some privy message?
Some privy message?
Euripides - Electra
.
.
.
Strangers, forgive his speech.
PEASANT.
What word have they
Of him? At least he lives and sees the day!
ELECTRA.
So fares their tale--and sure I doubt it not!
PEASANT.
And ye two still are living in his thought,
Thou and his father?
ELECTRA.
In his dreams we live.
An exile hath small power.
PEASANT.
And did he give
Some privy message?
ELECTRA.
None: they come as spies
For news of me.
PEASANT.
Thine outward news their eyes
Can see; the rest, methinks, thyself will tell.
ELECTRA.
They have seen all, heard all. I trust them well.
PEASANT.
Why were our doors not open long ago? --
Be welcome, strangers both, and pass below
My lintel. In return for your glad words
Be sure all greeting that mine house affords
Is yours. --Ye followers, bear in their gear! --
Gainsay me not; for his sake are ye dear
That sent you to our house; and though my part
In life be low, I am no churl at heart.
[_The_ PEASANT _goes to the_ ARMED SERVANTS _at the back, to help them
with the baggage. _
ORESTES (_aside to_ ELECTRA).
Strangers, forgive his speech.
PEASANT.
What word have they
Of him? At least he lives and sees the day!
ELECTRA.
So fares their tale--and sure I doubt it not!
PEASANT.
And ye two still are living in his thought,
Thou and his father?
ELECTRA.
In his dreams we live.
An exile hath small power.
PEASANT.
And did he give
Some privy message?
ELECTRA.
None: they come as spies
For news of me.
PEASANT.
Thine outward news their eyes
Can see; the rest, methinks, thyself will tell.
ELECTRA.
They have seen all, heard all. I trust them well.
PEASANT.
Why were our doors not open long ago? --
Be welcome, strangers both, and pass below
My lintel. In return for your glad words
Be sure all greeting that mine house affords
Is yours. --Ye followers, bear in their gear! --
Gainsay me not; for his sake are ye dear
That sent you to our house; and though my part
In life be low, I am no churl at heart.
[_The_ PEASANT _goes to the_ ARMED SERVANTS _at the back, to help them
with the baggage. _
ORESTES (_aside to_ ELECTRA).
