Pylades.
What shall this determine?—tell me, for mine heart is full of dread.
Orestes.
Death or life. The word that names the dateless doom is quickly said.
Pylades.
Flee then: yonder palace-halls forsake thou: with thy sister flee.
Orestes.
Seest thou not?—warded round on every hand by guards are we.760
Pylades.
Lines of spears and shields I marked: the pass of every street they close.
Orestes.
Yea, beleaguered are we, even as a city by her foes.
Pylades.
Ask me also of my plight; for, like to thee, undone am I.
Orestes.
Yea?—of whom? This shall be evil heaped on my calamity.
Pylades.
Strophius banished me mine home: my father's wrath hath thrust me thence.765
Orestes.
What the charge? 'Twixt thee and him?—or hath the nation found offence?
