the vision of my soul hang in suspense.

ChorusThe champion of the spirits infernal is ushered on guileful feet into the house, the rich, ancestral palace of his father, and he bears keen-edged death in his hands.Maia’s son Hermes, who has shrouded the guile in darkness, leads him right to his goal and delays no longer.

Enter Electra from the house.ElectraMy dearest friends, in a moment the men will do the deed. But wait in silence.ChorusHow do they fare? What are they doing now?ElectraShe is decking the urn for burial; the two of them stand close to her.ChorusAnd why have you hurried out?ElectraTo guard against Aegisthus entering before we are aware.ClytaemnestraWithin.Oh! Oh! Our houseis empty of friends and filled with murderers!ElectraSomeone shouts inside. Do you not hear, friends?ChorusI heard, ah, me, sounds unfit to be heard, and I shudder!ClytaemnestraWithin.Ah, misery! Aegisthus, where, where are you?ElectraLook, once more someone cries out!ClytaemnestraWithin.My son, my son, have pity on your mother!ElectraWhy? You had none for him, nor for the father that begot him.ChorusWretched city, wretched race, now the fate that has held you day by day perishes—it perishes!ClytaemnestraWithin.Oh, I am wounded!ElectraStab her doubly, if you can!ClytaemnestraWithin.Ah, wounded again!