avenge him on him that had done this wrong.  Also the youth sought counsel of Apollo at his oracle of Delphi, and the god answered him that he should avenge the blood of his father even upon her that bare him.  Therefore, being now grown to manhood, he came to the city of Argos, having disguised himself that no man might know him.  And he had with him Pylades that was the son of Strophius.  Now these two loved each other exceedingly, so that men spake of them in after time as famous among friends.  Also there came with Orestes an old man, a slave that had waited on him from a boy.  Now the three had devised a story wherewith they might deceive the Queen and her husband; and being thus prepared they came into the city at dawn.

[Illustration:  Electra and Orestes.]

Then the old man spake, saying, “Son of Agamemnon, thou seest the city which thou hast long desired to see.  There is the grove of Io, whom the gad-fly drave over the earth, and there on the left hand the temple of Here, which all men know, and before us the palace of the children of Pelops, a house of many woes, from which I carried thee forth in time past, when thy mother would have slain thee.  But now we must take counsel and that speedily, for the sun is risen and hath wakened the birds, and we must be ready before that men come forth to their work.”

Then Orestes made reply, “’Tis well said, old man.  Hearken then to what I purpose.  And first know that when I would hear from Apollo at his oracle in Delphi how I should best avenge my father, he bade me trust neither in shield nor spear, but accomplish the deed by craft.  Do thou then go when occasion shall offer into the palace, and spy out the things that are therein.  For they will not know thee who thou art, so changed art thou.  And thou shalt tell them such a tale about me as shall surely deceive them.  And we meanwhile will do honor to the spirit of my father at his grave, offering hair that has been shorn from my head and drink offerings, and afterwards will return and accomplish what shall remain to be done.”

And when he had so spoken, he prayed, “O my country and ye gods of the land, help me, and thou house of my father which I have come at the bidding of the Gods to cleanse from the guilt of blood.”

Then the old man said, “I hear the voice of some one that groans.”  And Orestes made answer, “Doubtless it is my sister Electra.  Shall we stay and listen to her?” “Not so,” said the old man, “let us do our business without delay.”  So they departed.

And then came forth Electra, making great lamentation for her father, and praying that the Gods would speedily send her brother Orestes to avenge him.  And with her was a company of the daughters of Argos, who sought to comfort her, saying that it was idle to make such weeping and moaning for the dead; and that others also were in like case with her; and that she should have patience, for that time would bring punishment on the evildoers.  Also they would have her curb her tongue, seeing how she angered those that had the rule in her house.