Orestes: I am loth, indeed, to curb thy gladness, but yet this excess
of joy moves my fear.
Electra: (epode)
O thou who, after many a year, hast deigned thus to gladden mine
eyes by thy return, do not, now that thou hast seen me in all my woe-
Orestes: What is thy prayer?
Electra: -do not rob me of the comfort of thy face; do not force me
to forego it!
Orestes: I should be wroth, indeed, if I saw another attempt it.
Electra: My prayer is granted?
Orestes: Canst thou doubt?
Electra: Ah, friends, I heard a voice that I could never have hoped
to hear; nor could I have restrained my emotion in silence, and without
cry, when I heard it.
Ah me! But now I have thee; thou art come to me with the light of
that dear countenance, which never, even in sorrow, could I forget.
(The chant is concluded.)
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