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A woman is a foolish thing, I don’t deny it; but, this granted, whenever a husband goes astray and rejects his own bed, the woman is likely to imitate her husband and find another love. And then in us the blame shines clearly,
1035
while the men, who caused this, are not badly spoken of. Now if Menelaus had been secretly snatched from his home, should I have killed Orestes to save Menelaus, my sister’s husband? How would your father have endured this? And so isn’t it right for him to die
1040
when he had killed what was mine, since I would have suffered at his hands? I killed him, I turned where indeed it was possible to go—to his enemies. For which one of your father’s friends would have joined me in his murder? Speak, if you want to say anything, and make your retort with frankness,
1045
in what way your father died unfairly.
1050
A woman is a foolish thing, I don’t deny it; but, this granted, whenever a husband goes astray and rejects his own bed, the woman is likely to imitate her husband and find another love. And then in us the blame shines clearly,
1035
while the men, who caused this, are not badly spoken of. Now if Menelaus had been secretly snatched from his home, should I have killed Orestes to save Menelaus, my sister’s husband? How would your father have endured this? And so isn’t it right for him to die
1040
when he had killed what was mine, since I would have suffered at his hands? I killed him, I turned where indeed it was possible to go—to his enemies. For which one of your father’s friends would have joined me in his murder? Speak, if you want to say anything, and make your retort with frankness,
1045
in what way your father died unfairly.
1050
Chorus Leader
Justly spoken, but this justice is shameful. For a woman should yield to her husband in all things, if she has sense; anyone who does not agree does not come within the scope of what I say.
Justly spoken, but this justice is shameful. For a woman should yield to her husband in all things, if she has sense; anyone who does not agree does not come within the scope of what I say.
Electra
Remember, mother, those last words of yours, giving me frankness towards you.
1055
Remember, mother, those last words of yours, giving me frankness towards you.
1055
Clytemnestra
I say it again, and I do not deny it, child.
I say it again, and I do not deny it, child.
Electra
Then will you treat me badly, when you hear it?
Then will you treat me badly, when you hear it?
Clytemnestra
No, no, I will give some pleasure to your heart.
No, no, I will give some pleasure to your heart.
Electra. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
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