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Old man
Where, where is my young queen and mistress, Agamemnon’s child, whom I once brought up? How steep is the approach to her house,
for a wrinkled old man to ascend with this foot! Still, for these friends, I must drag along my back bent double and sinking knees. Oh, daughter—for I see you now before the house—I have come, bringing you from my own sheep
490
this newborn nursling of the flock, having drawn it away from its mother, and garlands, and cheeses I have taken from the press, and this old treasure of Dionysus, furnished with fragrance, small, but sweet to pour a cup of it into a weaker drink.
495
Let some one carry these gifts into the house for the guests. I have moistened my eyes with tears, and wish to wipe them off on this shred of my robe.
500
Where, where is my young queen and mistress, Agamemnon’s child, whom I once brought up? How steep is the approach to her house,
for a wrinkled old man to ascend with this foot! Still, for these friends, I must drag along my back bent double and sinking knees. Oh, daughter—for I see you now before the house—I have come, bringing you from my own sheep
490
this newborn nursling of the flock, having drawn it away from its mother, and garlands, and cheeses I have taken from the press, and this old treasure of Dionysus, furnished with fragrance, small, but sweet to pour a cup of it into a weaker drink.
495
Let some one carry these gifts into the house for the guests. I have moistened my eyes with tears, and wish to wipe them off on this shred of my robe.
500
Electra
Why are your eyes wet, old man? Have my troubles stirred your memory, after an interval of time?
Or are you groaning over the sad exile of Orestes, and over my father, whom you once held in your arms and brought up, in vain for you and for your friends?
505
Why are your eyes wet, old man? Have my troubles stirred your memory, after an interval of time?
Or are you groaning over the sad exile of Orestes, and over my father, whom you once held in your arms and brought up, in vain for you and for your friends?
505
Old man
In vain; but still I could not endure this: for I came to his grave, an addition to my journey,
and falling on it I wept for its desolation; then I opened the wine-skin which I am bringing to the guests, and poured a libation, and set myrtle-sprigs round the tomb. On the alter itself I saw a black-fleeced ram as an offering, and there was blood, not long poured out,
510
and severed locks of yellow hair. And I wondered, child, who ever dared come to the the tomb; for it was no
Argive
at least. But perhaps your brother has somehow come secretly and on his return has done honor to his father’s wretched grave.
515
Go look to see if the color of the cut lock is the same as yours, putting it to your own hair; it is usual for those who have the same paternal blood to have a close bodily resemblance in most points.
520
524
In vain; but still I could not endure this: for I came to his grave, an addition to my journey,
and falling on it I wept for its desolation; then I opened the wine-skin which I am bringing to the guests, and poured a libation, and set myrtle-sprigs round the tomb. On the alter itself I saw a black-fleeced ram as an offering, and there was blood, not long poured out,
510
and severed locks of yellow hair. And I wondered, child, who ever dared come to the the tomb; for it was no
Argive
at least. But perhaps your brother has somehow come secretly and on his return has done honor to his father’s wretched grave.
515
Go look to see if the color of the cut lock is the same as yours, putting it to your own hair; it is usual for those who have the same paternal blood to have a close bodily resemblance in most points.
520
Electra
Old man, your words are unworthy of a wise man,
if you think my own brave brother would come to this land secretly for fear of Aegisthus. Then, how will a lock of hair correspond, the one made to grow in the wrestling schools of a well-bred man, the other, a woman’s lock, by combing? No, it is impossible.
525
But you could find in many people hair very similar, although they are not of the same blood, old man.
530
Old man, your words are unworthy of a wise man,
if you think my own brave brother would come to this land secretly for fear of Aegisthus. Then, how will a lock of hair correspond, the one made to grow in the wrestling schools of a well-bred man, the other, a woman’s lock, by combing? No, it is impossible.
525
But you could find in many people hair very similar, although they are not of the same blood, old man.
530
Old man
Then stand in the footprint and see if the tread of the boot will measure with your own foot, child.
Then stand in the footprint and see if the tread of the boot will measure with your own foot, child.
Electra
How could there be an imprint of feet on a stony plot of ground?
And if there is, the foot of brother and sister would not be the same in size, for the male conquers.
535
How could there be an imprint of feet on a stony plot of ground?
And if there is, the foot of brother and sister would not be the same in size, for the male conquers.
535
Old man
There is not, even if your brother, coming to this land . . . by which you might know your loom’s weaving,
in which I once stole him away from death?
540
There is not, even if your brother, coming to this land . . . by which you might know your loom’s weaving,
in which I once stole him away from death?
540
Electra
Don’t you know that I was still young when Orestes was driven out of the land? And even if I had woven him a robe, how could he, a child then, have the same one now, unless his clothes grew together with his body?
But either a stranger, taking pity on his grave. . .
545
547
Don’t you know that I was still young when Orestes was driven out of the land? And even if I had woven him a robe, how could he, a child then, have the same one now, unless his clothes grew together with his body?
But either a stranger, taking pity on his grave. . .
545
Old man
Where are the guests? I want to see them and question them about your brother.
Where are the guests? I want to see them and question them about your brother.
Electra
There they are, coming quickly out of the house.
There they are, coming quickly out of the house.
Old man
They are well-born, but that may ring false; for many of the well-born are base. However; I give the guests welcome.
550
They are well-born, but that may ring false; for many of the well-born are base. However; I give the guests welcome.
550
Orestes
Welcome, old man! To which of your friends, Electra, does this ancient remnant of a man belong?
Welcome, old man! To which of your friends, Electra, does this ancient remnant of a man belong?
Electra
This is the one who brought up my father, stranger.
555
This is the one who brought up my father, stranger.
555
Orestes
What are you saying? Is this the one who stole away your brother?
What are you saying? Is this the one who stole away your brother?
Electra
This is the one who saved him, if indeed he is still alive.
This is the one who saved him, if indeed he is still alive.
Orestes
Oh! Why does he look at me, as if he were examining the clear mark impressed on a silver coin? Is he comparing me to someone?
Oh! Why does he look at me, as if he were examining the clear mark impressed on a silver coin? Is he comparing me to someone?
Electra
Perhaps he is glad to see in you a companion of Orestes.
560
Perhaps he is glad to see in you a companion of Orestes.
560
Orestes
A beloved man, yes. But why is he circling all around me?
A beloved man, yes. But why is he circling all around me?
Electra
I too am amazed, looking at this, stranger.
I too am amazed, looking at this, stranger.
Old man
O mistress, daughter Electra, pray to the gods.
O mistress, daughter Electra, pray to the gods.
Electra
For what thing, present or absent?
For what thing, present or absent?
Old man
To have a beloved treasure, which the god is revealing.
565
To have a beloved treasure, which the god is revealing.
565
Electra
See: I call on the gods. Or whatever do you mean, old man?
See: I call on the gods. Or whatever do you mean, old man?
Old man
Look now at this man, my child, your dearest one.
Look now at this man, my child, your dearest one.
Electra
I have been looking for a long time, to see whether you have lost your mind.
I have been looking for a long time, to see whether you have lost your mind.
Old man
Lost my mind, because I see your brother?
Lost my mind, because I see your brother?
Electra
What do you mean, old man, by this word, unhoped for?
570
What do you mean, old man, by this word, unhoped for?
570
Old man
That I see Orestes here, Agamemnon’s son.
That I see Orestes here, Agamemnon’s son.
Electra
What mark do you see, by which I shall be persuaded?
What mark do you see, by which I shall be persuaded?
Old man
A scar along his brow, where he fell and drew blood one day in his father’s home when chasing a fawn with you.
A scar along his brow, where he fell and drew blood one day in his father’s home when chasing a fawn with you.
Electra
What are you saying? I see the sign of the fall.
575
What are you saying? I see the sign of the fall.
575
Old man
Then do you hesitate to embrace your dearest one?
Then do you hesitate to embrace your dearest one?
Electra
Not any longer, old man; for my heart is persuaded by your tokens. O you who have appeared at last, I hold you, beyond all hope.
Not any longer, old man; for my heart is persuaded by your tokens. O you who have appeared at last, I hold you, beyond all hope.
Orestes
And you are held by me at last.
And you are held by me at last.
Electra
I never expected it.
580
I never expected it.
580
Orestes
Nor did I hope.
Nor did I hope.
Electra
Are you that one?
Are you that one?
Orestes
Yes, your one ally. If I draw back the cast of the net I am aiming for—but I have confidence; or else we must no longer believe in gods, if wrong is to be victorious over right.
585
Yes, your one ally. If I draw back the cast of the net I am aiming for—but I have confidence; or else we must no longer believe in gods, if wrong is to be victorious over right.
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
596
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
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
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?
What must I do then to accomplish this?
Old man
Kill Thyestes’ son and your mother.
Kill Thyestes’ son and your mother.
Orestes
I have come for that victor’s crown; but how shall I grasp it?
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
Not by going within the walls, even if you wanted to.
615
Orestes
Is he well furnished with garrisons and body-guards?
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.
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.
Well; it is for you to plan the next step, old man.
Old man
Hear me then; for something has just come to me.
Hear me then; for something has just come to me.
Orestes
May you reveal something good, and may I understand it.
620
May you reveal something good, and may I understand it.
620
Old man
I saw Aegisthus, when I was on my way here.
I saw Aegisthus, when I was on my way here.
Orestes
I approve what you have said. Where was he?
I approve what you have said. Where was he?
Old man
Near these fields, at his stables.
Near these fields, at his stables.
Orestes
What was he doing? I see some hope, out of difficulties.
What was he doing? I see some hope, out of difficulties.
Old man
He was preparing a feast for the Nymphs, I thought.
625
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?
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.
I only know this: he was preparing to sacrifice an ox.
Orestes
With how many men? Or alone with his slaves?
With how many men? Or alone with his slaves?
Old man
No
Argive
was there, but a band of his own servants.
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
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.
There are slaves, who have never even seen you.
Orestes
Would they be well disposed to me, if I should prevail?
Would they be well disposed to me, if I should prevail?
Old man
Yes, for that is the way of slaves, luckily for you.
Yes, for that is the way of slaves, luckily for you.
Orestes
However might I approach him then?
However might I approach him then?
Old man
By going where he will see you as he sacrifices.
635
By going where he will see you as he sacrifices.
635
Orestes
He has fields by the road, it seems?
He has fields by the road, it seems?
Old man
Yes, and when he sees you there, he will invite you to the feast.
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.
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.
After that, you yourself invent something, as it falls out.
Orestes
Well said. But my mother, where is she?
640
Well said. But my mother, where is she?
640
Old man
At
Argos
; but she will join her husband for the feast.
At
Argos
; but she will join her husband for the feast.
Orestes
Why didn’t my mother set out with her husband?
Why didn’t my mother set out with her husband?
Old man
From fear of the citizens’ reproach she stayed behind.
From fear of the citizens’ reproach she stayed behind.
Orestes
I understand; she knows that the city suspects her.
I understand; she knows that the city suspects her.
Old man
Something like that; for an unholy woman is an object of hatred.
645
646
Something like that; for an unholy woman is an object of hatred.
645
Orestes
How then shall I kill her and him at once?
How then shall I kill her and him at once?
Electra
I shall prepare my mother’s slaughter!
I shall prepare my mother’s slaughter!
Orestes
And as for the other matter, fortune will ordain well.
And as for the other matter, fortune will ordain well.
Electra
Let this man here help us with both.
Let this man here help us with both.
Old man
I will; but how will you find a way to kill your mother?
650
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.
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?
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.
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
And how does this grant us the slaughter of your mother?
655
Electra
She will come, when she hears of my childbirth pangs.
She will come, when she hears of my childbirth pangs.
Old man
How is that? Do you think she cares for you, child?
How is that? Do you think she cares for you, child?
Electra
Yes; and she will weep, surely, over my child’s low rank.
Yes; and she will weep, surely, over my child’s low rank.
Old man
Perhaps; bring your story back again to the turning-point.
Perhaps; bring your story back again to the turning-point.
Electra
Well then, if she comes, it is clear that she will die.
660
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.
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?
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!
May I die, once I have seen this!
Electra
First of all, old man, guide my brother—
First of all, old man, guide my brother—
Old man
To the place where Aegisthus is now sacrificing to the gods?
665
To the place where Aegisthus is now sacrificing to the gods?
665
Electra
Then, going to meet my mother, give her my message.
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.
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.
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.
I would go, if some one would show me the way.
Old man
Yes, I can escort you myself, not against my will.
670
671
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—
O Zeus, god of my fathers, be also the vanquisher of my enemies—
Electra
And have pity on us; for we have suffered pitiably—
And have pity on us; for we have suffered pitiably—
Old man
Yes, indeed, have pity on your own descendants.
Yes, indeed, have pity on your own descendants.
Electra
And Hera, you who rule
Mycenae
’s altars—
And Hera, you who rule
Mycenae
’s altars—
Orestes
Give us victory, if we are asking for what is right.
675
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.
Yes, indeed, give them the right of vengeance for their father.
Orestes
You too, father, living below the earth through an unholy deed—
You too, father, living below the earth through an unholy deed—
Electra
And Lady Earth, to whom I give my hands—
And Lady Earth, to whom I give my hands—
Old man
Defend, defend these, your dearest children.
Defend, defend these, your dearest children.
Orestes
Now come and bring with you all the dead as allies.
680
Now come and bring with you all the dead as allies.
680
Electra
Those who destroyed the Trojans in war with you—
Those who destroyed the Trojans in war with you—
Old man
And all who hate the unholy and polluted.
And all who hate the unholy and polluted.
Electra
Do you hear me, you who suffered dreadful things from my mother?
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.
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
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.
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
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
Electra. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.