Euripides Electra 464

Chorus

You have come, you have come, oh, long-delayed day, you have lighted up, you have made visible a beacon to the city, who in long ago exile went forth from his father’s house, unhappily wandering.

585

A god, now, a god brings our victory, my dear. Lift up your hands, lift up your words, send prayers to the gods for your brother with fortune, with fortune,

590

to enter the city.

595

Orestes

Well; I have the loving pleasures of your greeting and later I will give them back in turn. You, old man, for you have come at the right time, tell me, what should I do to avenge myself on my father’s murderer

and on my mother,the partner in his unholy marriage? Do I still have any well-disposed friends in Argos ? Or am I wholly bankrupt, just as my fortunes are? With whom shall I ally myself? By night or day? What course shall I take against my enemies?

600

Old man

Child, you have no friend in your misfortune. For this thing is a godsend indeed, to share in common, both good and bad. But you—for you have been destroyed from the foundations, in the eyes of your friends, and you have left them no hope—hear it from me and know:

605

all that you have is in your own arm and fortune, to win your father’s home and your city.

610

Orestes

What must I do then to accomplish this?

Old man

Kill Thyestes’ son and your mother.

Orestes

I have come for that victor’s crown; but how shall I grasp it?

Old man

Not by going within the walls, even if you wanted to.

615

Orestes

Is he well furnished with garrisons and body-guards?

Old man

You have understood; for, clearly, he is afraid of you, and does not sleep.

Orestes

Well; it is for you to plan the next step, old man.

Old man

Hear me then; for something has just come to me.

Orestes

May you reveal something good, and may I understand it.

620

Old man

I saw Aegisthus, when I was on my way here.

Orestes

I approve what you have said. Where was he?

Old man

Near these fields, at his stables.

Orestes

What was he doing? I see some hope, out of difficulties.

Old man

He was preparing a feast for the Nymphs, I thought.

625

Orestes

In return for the bringing up of children or for a coming birth?

Old man

I only know this: he was preparing to sacrifice an ox.

Orestes

With how many men? Or alone with his slaves?

Old man

No Argive was there, but a band of his own servants.

Orestes

Surely there isn’t anyone who will know me if he sees me, old man?

630

Old man

There are slaves, who have never even seen you.

Orestes

Would they be well disposed to me, if I should prevail?

Old man

Yes, for that is the way of slaves, luckily for you.

Orestes

However might I approach him then?

Old man

By going where he will see you as he sacrifices.

635

Orestes

He has fields by the road, it seems?

Old man

Yes, and when he sees you there, he will invite you to the feast.

Orestes

I shall be a bitter companion in the feast, if the god wishes it.

Old man

After that, you yourself invent something, as it falls out.

Orestes

Well said. But my mother, where is she?

640

Old man

At Argos ; but she will join her husband for the feast.

Orestes

Why didn’t my mother set out with her husband?

Old man

From fear of the citizens’ reproach she stayed behind.

Orestes

I understand; she knows that the city suspects her.

Old man

Something like that; for an unholy woman is an object of hatred.

645

Orestes

How then shall I kill her and him at once?

Electra

I shall prepare my mother’s slaughter!

Orestes

And as for the other matter, fortune will ordain well.

Electra

Let this man here help us with both.

Old man

I will; but how will you find a way to kill your mother?

650

Electra

Go to Clytemnestra, old man, and say this: report that I have given birth to a male child.

Old man

That you have given birth some time ago, or quite recently?

Electra

Ten days ago, in which a woman who has given birth stays pure.

Old man

And how does this grant us the slaughter of your mother?

655

Electra

She will come, when she hears of my childbirth pangs.

Old man

How is that? Do you think she cares for you, child?

Electra

Yes; and she will weep, surely, over my child’s low rank.

Old man

Perhaps; bring your story back again to the turning-point.

Electra

Well then, if she comes, it is clear that she will die.

660

Old man

Yes, she will come right up to the door of your house.

Electra

Won’t it then be a little thing for her to turn aside to Hades?

Old man

May I die, once I have seen this!

Electra

First of all, old man, guide my brother—

Old man

To the place where Aegisthus is now sacrificing to the gods?

665

Electra

Then, going to meet my mother, give her my message.

Old man

So that the very words will seem to have been said by you.

Electra

To Orestes

Your work begins at once; you have drawn the first lot in the slaughter.

Orestes

I would go, if some one would show me the way.

Old man

Yes, I can escort you myself, not against my will.

670

Orestes

O Zeus, god of my fathers, be also the vanquisher of my enemies—

Electra

And have pity on us; for we have suffered pitiably—

Old man

Yes, indeed, have pity on your own descendants.

Electra

And Hera, you who rule Mycenae ’s altars—

Orestes

Give us victory, if we are asking for what is right.

675

Old man

Yes, indeed, give them the right of vengeance for their father.

Orestes

You too, father, living below the earth through an unholy deed—

Electra

And Lady Earth, to whom I give my hands—

Old man

Defend, defend these, your dearest children.

Orestes

Now come and bring with you all the dead as allies.

680

Electra

Those who destroyed the Trojans in war with you—

Old man

And all who hate the unholy and polluted.

Electra

Do you hear me, you who suffered dreadful things from my mother?

Old man

Your father hears everything, I know; but it is time to be on our way.

Electra

And I tell you therefore that Aegisthus is to die; if you fall dead in the struggle, I am also dead, do not count me as alive; for I will strike my heart with a two-edged sword. I will go indoors and make things ready there.

685

So that if a good report comes from you, the whole house will cry aloud in triumph; but, if you die, it will be the opposite of that. These are my words to you.

690

Orestes

I know it all.

Electra

Therefore you must be a man. Exeunt Orestes, Pylades, and Old Man. And you, women, please take care to give

a shout in signal of this contest. I will keep a sword ready, holding it in my hand, for I will not ever, if defeated, submit to my enemies the right to insult my body. Exit Electra.

695