Slumbering just now in a short-lived sleep such a ghastly dream did I see--may some god forbid its fulfilment and never mayst thou win for thyself bitter care on thy sons' account." She spake, making trial of her sister to see if she first would entreat help for her sons.

And utterly unbearable grief surged over Chalciope's soul for fear at what she heard; and then she replied: "Yea, I myself too have come to thee in eager furtherance of this purpose, if thou wouldst haply devise with me and prepare some help.

But swear by Earth and Heaven that thou wilt keep secret in thy heart what I shall tell thee, and be fellow-worker with me.

I implore thee by the blessed gods, by thyself and by thy parents, not to see them destroyed by an evil doom piteously; or else may I die with my dear sons and come back hereafter from Hades an avenging Fury to haunt thee." Thus she spake, and straightway a torrent of tears gushed forth, and low down she clasped her sister's knees with both hands and let her head sink on to her breast.

Then they both made piteous lamentation over each other, and through the halls rose the faint sound of women weeping in anguish.