Chorus
Then arrayed how does she tell him to come?
Nurse
Arrayed how? Say it again so that I may catch your meaning better.
Chorus
With his guards or perhaps unattended?
Nurse
She tells him to come with his retinue of spearmen.
Chorus
Well, do not give this message to our loathed master,
[770]
but with all haste and with a cheerful heart tell him to come himself, alone, so that he may be told without alarm. For in the mouth of a messenger a crooked message is made straight.1
Nurse
What! Are you gladdened at heart by the present news?
Chorus
Why not, if Zeus at last may cause our ill wind to change?
[775]
Nurse
But how can that be? Orestes, the hope of our house, is gone.
Chorus
Not yet; he would be a poor prophet who would so interpret.
Nurse
What are you saying? Do you know something beyond what has been told?
Chorus
Go, deliver your message! Do what you are asked to do! The gods take care of what they take care of.
[780]
Nurse
Well, I will go and do your bidding. With the gods' blessing may everything turn out for the best!Exit