Ah! well, so let it be!

Ah! well, so let it be! The story of our sorrows

soon shall reach Electra, my sister!

From death I will now release one of the victims,

and thus nature obey, and my heart, and your wish.

Alas! though I cannot explain it,

for one of these unhappy youths,

whom our severe decree unto death now devotes,

I feel unaccustom'd compassion.

My heart to him is drawn as by some secret bond...

Of just such an age was Orestes,

And his face is by this hapless stranger recall'd,

And he too was inspir'd by a like noble pride.