Euripides, Electra, ed. Gilbert Murray, 596

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Ὀρέστης

εἶἑν· φίλας μὲν ἡδονὰς ἀσπασμάτων

ἔχω, χρόνῳ δὲ καὖθις αὐτὰ δώσομεν.

σὺ δʼ, ὦ γεραιέ — καίριος γὰρ ἤλυθες —

λέξον, τί δρῶν ἂν φονέα τεισαίμην πατρός;

μητέρα τε κοινωνὸν ἀνοσίων γάμων;
600

ἔστιν τί μοι κατʼ Ἄργος εὐμενὲς φίλων;

ἢ πάντʼ ἀνεσκευάσμεθʼ, ὥσπερ αἱ τύχαι;

τῷ ξυγγένωμαι; νύχιος ἢ καθʼ ἡμέραν;

ποίαν ὁδὸν τραπώμεθʼ εἰς ἐχθροὺς ἐμούς;

Πρέσβυς

ὦ τέκνον, οὐδεὶς δυστυχοῦντί σοι φίλος.
605

εὕρημα γάρ τοι χρῆμα γίγνεται τόδε,

κοινῇ μετασχεῖν τἀγαθοῦ καὶ τοῦ κακοῦ.

σὺ δʼ — ἐκ βάθρων γὰρ πᾶς ἀνῄρησαι φίλοις

οὐδʼ ἐλλέλοιπας ἐλπίδʼ — ἴσθι μου κλύων,

ἐν χειρὶ τῇ σῇ πάντʼ ἔχεις καὶ τῇ τύχῃ,
610

πατρῷον οἶκον καὶ πόλιν λαβεῖν σέθεν.

Ὀρέστης

τί δῆτα δρῶντες τοῦδʼ ἂν ἐξικοίμεθα;

Πρέσβυς

κτανὼν Θυέστου παῖδα σήν τε μητέρα.

Ὀρέστης

ἥκω ʼπὶ τόνδε στέφανον· ἀλλὰ πῶς λάβω;

Πρέσβυς

τειχέων μὲν ἐλθὼν ἐντὸς οὐδʼ ἂν εἰ θέλοις.
615

Ὀρέστης

φρουραῖς κέκασται δεξιαῖς τε δορυφόρων;

Πρέσβυς

ἔγνως· φοβεῖται γάρ σε κοὐχ εὕδει σαφῶς.

Ὀρέστης

εἶἑν· σὺ δὴ τοὐνθένδε βούλευσον, γέρον.

Πρέσβυς

κἀμοῦ γʼ ἄκουσον· ἄρτι γάρ μʼ ἐσῆλθέ τι.

Ὀρέστης

ἐσθλόν τι μηνύσειας, αἰσθοίμην δʼ ἐγώ.
620

Πρέσβυς

Αἴγισθον εἶδον, ἡνίχʼ εἷρπον ἐνθάδε.

Ὀρέστης

προσηκάμην τὸ ῥηθέν. ἐν ποίοις τόποις;

Πρέσβυς

ἀγρῶν πέλας τῶνδʼ ἱπποφορβίων ἔπι.

Ὀρέστης

τί δρῶνθʼ; ὁρῶ γὰρ ἐλπίδʼ ἐξ ἀμηχάνων.

Πρέσβυς

Νύμφαις ἐπόρσυνʼ ἔροτιν, ὡς ἔδοξέ μοι.
625

Ὀρέστης

τροφεῖα παίδων ἢ πρὸ μέλλοντος τόκου;

Πρέσβυς

οὐκ οἶδα πλὴν ἕν· βουσφαγεῖν ὡπλίζετο.

Ὀρέστης

πόσων μετʼ ἀνδρῶν; ἢ μόνος δμώων μέτα;

Πρέσβυς

οὐδεὶς παρῆν Ἀργεῖος, οἰκεία δὲ χείρ.

Ὀρέστης

οὔ πού τις ὅστις γνωριεῖ μʼ ἰδών, γέρον;
630

Πρέσβυς

δμῶες μέν εἰσιν, οἳ σέ γʼ οὐκ εἶδόν ποτε.

Ὀρέστης

ἡμῖν ἂν εἶεν, εἰ κρατοῖμεν, εὐμενεῖς;

Πρέσβυς

δούλων γὰρ ἴδιον τοῦτο, σοὶ δὲ σύμφορον.

Ὀρέστης

πῶς οὖν ἂν αὐτῷ πλησιασθείην ποτέ;

Πρέσβυς

στείχων ὅθεν σε βουθυτῶν ἐσόψεται.
635

Ὀρέστης

ὁδὸν παρʼ αὐτήν, ὡς ἔοικʼ, ἀγροὺς ἔχει;

Πρέσβυς

ὅθεν γʼ ἰδών σε δαιτὶ κοινωνὸν καλεῖ.

Ὀρέστης

πικρόν γε συνθοινάτορʼ, ἢν θεὸς θέλῃ.

Πρέσβυς

τοὐνθένδε πρὸς τὸ πῖπτον αὐτὸς ἐννόει.

Ὀρέστης

καλῶς ἔλεξας. — ἡ τεκοῦσα δʼ ἐστὶ ποῦ;
640

Πρέσβυς

Ἄργει· παρέσται δʼ οὖν πόσει θοίνην ἔπι.

Ὀρέστης

τί δʼ οὐχ ἅμʼ ἐξωρμᾶτʼ ἐμὴ μήτηρ πόσει;

Πρέσβυς

ψόγον τρέμουσα δημοτῶν ἐλείπετο.

Ὀρέστης

ξυνῆχʼ· ὕποπτος οὖσα γιγνώσκει πόλει.

Πρέσβυς

τοιαῦτα· μισεῖται γὰρ ἀνόσιος γυνή.
645

Electra. Euripides. ed. Gilbert Murray. Oxford. 1913.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

Ἠλέκτρα (Greek) (Euripides. Euripidis Fabulae, Vol. II. Murray, Gilbert, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1913. (Reprinted 1921-1962))

Translations (3)

Electra Perseus (Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 596 focus

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

Electra (OCR draft) Experimental (Electra. Robert Potter's English verse translation, first published in 1781–1783; text from the 1808 Oxford printing.)

No corresponding passage available

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1852; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (Euripides. Deutsch in den Versmaßen der Urschrift. Volume 3, Heidelberg: C. F. Winter, 1852. Harvard OCR compared with an independent BSB copy. Native Donner verse citations, Murray reference cards, explicitly located notes and page facsimiles. Unresolved OCR, verse divisions, unlocated notes and printed errata are documented in the source review.) — 596 focus

Wohlan! Des Grußes holde Lust ward mir zu Theil,

Und spåt hernach noch wollen wir die Lust erneu'n.

Nun aber, Alter, der so ganz gelegen kam,

Sprich, wie des Vaters Mörder ich bestrafen mag,

Und wie die Mutter, die des Frevlers Lager theilt?
590

Sind wohl in Argos Freunde mir noch zugethan?

Ach, oder schwand mir Alles, wie mein Gluck, dahin?

Wem zugesellen darf ich mich? Nachts oder Tags?

Auf welchem Pfade stürzen wir auf meinen Feind ?

Der Greis.

Mein Sohn, du bist unglucklich, hoff' auf keinen Freund!
595

Ein unverhoffter, seltner Fund ist solcher Schaz,

Daß Einer so das Bose, wie das Gute, theilt.

Doch du, von Grund aus bist du für die Freunde todt,

Und keine Hoffnung blüht dir mehr: so hore mich.

In deiner Hand ruht und im Glück all deine Macht,
600

Womit du Stadt und Vaterhaus gewinnen mußt.

Orestes.

Doch was beginnend, kommen wir an dieses Ziel ?

Der Greis.

Thyestes' Sohn und deine Mutter todtest du.

Orestes.

Nach diesem Kranz verlangt mich: doch wie wird er mir?

Der Greis.

Nicht innerhalb der Mauern, ob du wolltest auch.
605

Orestes.

Von Wachen, Lanzenträgern ist die Stadt umringt?

Der Greis.

Gewiß! Vor dir sich fürchtend, schläft er wenig nur.

Orestes.

Wohlan, so gib du deinen Nath uns jezt, o Greis!

Der Greis.

Und höre du mich; eben fiel mir Etwas ein.

Orestes.

D mögst du Heil verkunden, und verstånd' ich es!
610

Der Greis.

Ich sah Vegisthos, als ich herkam diesen Pfad -

Orestes.

Ich hör' es gerne, dieses Wort. Wo sahst du ihn?

Der Greis.

Nicht weit vom Feld hier, wo die Nosse weidend gehn.

Orestes.

Was thut er? Hoffnung seh' ich blüh'n aus herbem Leid.

Der Greis.

Ein Fest der Nymphen ordnet er, so schien es mir.
615

Orestes.

Für schon geborne Kinder oder kunstige?

Der Greis.

Nur Eines weiß ich: Stieresopfer rüstet' er.

Orestes.

Mit was für Männern? War er nur mit Knechten da?

Der Greis.

Bloß sein Gesinde, kein Argeier war mit ihm.

Orestes.

Nicht einer, der mich, såh' er mich, erkennte, Greis?
620

Der Greis.

Nur Knechte sind es, welche dich niemals gesehn.

Orestes.

Sie würden, wenn wir siegten, übergehn zu mir?

Der Greis.

Das ist so Sklavensitte, vortheilhaft für dich.

Orestes.

Wie mag es mir gelingen, ihm zu nah'n, o Greis?

Der Greis.

Geh' hin, wo Stiere schlachtend er dich sehen muß -
625

Orestes.

Wohl hat er dicht am Wege seinen Meierhof?

Der Greis.

Dich dort erblickend, ruft er dich zum Opfermahl.

Orestes.

Den schlimmsten Tischgenossen, wenn ein Gott es will!

Der Greis.

Wie's dann sich weiter findet, sieh am Orte selbst.

Orestes.

Ganz wohl! Doch meine Mutter, wo verweilt sie jezt?
630

Der Greis.

In Argos: später wohnt sie noch dem Mahle bei.

Orestes.

Was folgte sie dem Gatten nicht sogleich dahin?

Der Greis.

Den Hohn der Bürger fürchtet sie und blieb daheim.

Orestes.

Das Volk, sie weiß es, nimmt an ihr wohl Aergerniß.

Der Greis.

So ist es: Alle hassen sie, die Frevlerin.
635

Orestes.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Ὀρέστης τί δῆτα δρῶντες τοῦδʼ ἂν ἐξικοίμεθα;

Πρέσβυς κτανὼν Θυέστου παῖδα σήν τε μητέρα.

Ὀρέστης ἥκω ʼπὶ τόνδε στέφανον· ἀλλὰ πῶς λάβω;

Πρέσβυς τειχέων μὲν ἐλθὼν ἐντὸς οὐδʼ ἂν εἰ θέλοις. 615

Ὀρέστης φρουραῖς κέκασται δεξιαῖς τε δορυφόρων;

Πρέσβυς ἔγνως· φοβεῖται γάρ σε κοὐχ εὕδει σαφῶς.

Ὀρέστης εἶἑν· σὺ δὴ τοὐνθένδε βούλευσον, γέρον.

Πρέσβυς κἀμοῦ γʼ ἄκουσον· ἄρτι γάρ μʼ ἐσῆλθέ τι.

Ὀρέστης ἐσθλόν τι μηνύσειας, αἰσθοίμην δʼ ἐγώ. 620

Πρέσβυς Αἴγισθον εἶδον, ἡνίχʼ εἷρπον ἐνθάδε.

Ὀρέστης προσηκάμην τὸ ῥηθέν. ἐν ποίοις τόποις;

Πρέσβυς ἀγρῶν πέλας τῶνδʼ ἱπποφορβίων ἔπι.

Ὀρέστης τί δρῶνθʼ; ὁρῶ γὰρ ἐλπίδʼ ἐξ ἀμηχάνων.

Πρέσβυς Νύμφαις ἐπόρσυνʼ ἔροτιν, ὡς ἔδοξέ μοι. 625

Ὀρέστης τροφεῖα παίδων ἢ πρὸ μέλλοντος τόκου;

Πρέσβυς οὐκ οἶδα πλὴν ἕν· βουσφαγεῖν ὡπλίζετο.

Ὀρέστης πόσων μετʼ ἀνδρῶν; ἢ μόνος δμώων μέτα;

Πρέσβυς οὐδεὶς παρῆν Ἀργεῖος, οἰκεία δὲ χείρ.

Ὀρέστης οὔ πού τις ὅστις γνωριεῖ μʼ ἰδών, γέρον; 630

Πρέσβυς δμῶες μέν εἰσιν, οἳ σέ γʼ οὐκ εἶδόν ποτε.

Ὀρέστης ἡμῖν ἂν εἶεν, εἰ κρατοῖμεν, εὐμενεῖς;

Πρέσβυς δούλων γὰρ ἴδιον τοῦτο, σοὶ δὲ σύμφορον.

Ὀρέστης πῶς οὖν ἂν αὐτῷ πλησιασθείην ποτέ;

Πρέσβυς στείχων ὅθεν σε βουθυτῶν ἐσόψεται. 635

Ὀρέστης ὁδὸν παρʼ αὐτήν, ὡς ἔοικʼ, ἀγροὺς ἔχει;

Πρέσβυς ὅθεν γʼ ἰδών σε δαιτὶ κοινωνὸν καλεῖ.

Ὀρέστης πικρόν γε συνθοινάτορʼ, ἢν θεὸς θέλῃ.

Πρέσβυς τοὐνθένδε πρὸς τὸ πῖπτον αὐτὸς ἐννόει.

Ὀρέστης καλῶς ἔλεξας. — ἡ τεκοῦσα δʼ ἐστὶ ποῦ; 640

Πρέσβυς Ἄργει· παρέσται δʼ οὖν πόσει θοίνην ἔπι.

Ὀρέστης τί δʼ οὐχ ἅμʼ ἐξωρμᾶτʼ ἐμὴ μήτηρ πόσει;

Πρέσβυς ψόγον τρέμουσα δημοτῶν ἐλείπετο.

Ὀρέστης ξυνῆχʼ· ὕποπτος οὖσα γιγνώσκει πόλει.

Πρέσβυς τοιαῦτα· μισεῖται γὰρ ἀνόσιος γυνή. 645

Current edition Perseus

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. Doch was beginnend, kommen wir an dieses Ziel ?

Der Greis. Thyestes' Sohn und deine Mutter todtest du.

Orestes. Nach diesem Kranz verlangt mich: doch wie wird er mir?

Der Greis. Nicht innerhalb der Mauern, ob du wolltest auch. 605

Orestes. Von Wachen, Lanzenträgern ist die Stadt umringt?

Der Greis. Gewiß! Vor dir sich fürchtend, schläft er wenig nur.

Orestes. Wohlan, so gib du deinen Nath uns jezt, o Greis!

Der Greis. Und höre du mich; eben fiel mir Etwas ein.

Orestes. D mögst du Heil verkunden, und verstånd' ich es! 610

Ὀρέστης

τί δῆτα δρῶντες τοῦδʼ ἂν ἐξικοίμεθα;

Πρέσβυς

κτανὼν Θυέστου παῖδα σήν τε μητέρα.

Ὀρέστης

ἥκω ʼπὶ τόνδε στέφανον· ἀλλὰ πῶς λάβω;

Πρέσβυς

τειχέων μὲν ἐλθὼν ἐντὸς οὐδʼ ἂν εἰ θέλοις.
615

Ὀρέστης

φρουραῖς κέκασται δεξιαῖς τε δορυφόρων;

Πρέσβυς

ἔγνως· φοβεῖται γάρ σε κοὐχ εὕδει σαφῶς.

Ὀρέστης

εἶἑν· σὺ δὴ τοὐνθένδε βούλευσον, γέρον.

Πρέσβυς

κἀμοῦ γʼ ἄκουσον· ἄρτι γάρ μʼ ἐσῆλθέ τι.

Ὀρέστης

ἐσθλόν τι μηνύσειας, αἰσθοίμην δʼ ἐγώ.
620

Πρέσβυς

Αἴγισθον εἶδον, ἡνίχʼ εἷρπον ἐνθάδε.

Ὀρέστης

προσηκάμην τὸ ῥηθέν. ἐν ποίοις τόποις;

Πρέσβυς

ἀγρῶν πέλας τῶνδʼ ἱπποφορβίων ἔπι.

Ὀρέστης

τί δρῶνθʼ; ὁρῶ γὰρ ἐλπίδʼ ἐξ ἀμηχάνων.

Πρέσβυς

Νύμφαις ἐπόρσυνʼ ἔροτιν, ὡς ἔδοξέ μοι.
625

Ὀρέστης

τροφεῖα παίδων ἢ πρὸ μέλλοντος τόκου;

Πρέσβυς

οὐκ οἶδα πλὴν ἕν· βουσφαγεῖν ὡπλίζετο.

Ὀρέστης

πόσων μετʼ ἀνδρῶν; ἢ μόνος δμώων μέτα;

Πρέσβυς

οὐδεὶς παρῆν Ἀργεῖος, οἰκεία δὲ χείρ.

Ὀρέστης

οὔ πού τις ὅστις γνωριεῖ μʼ ἰδών, γέρον;
630

Πρέσβυς

δμῶες μέν εἰσιν, οἳ σέ γʼ οὐκ εἶδόν ποτε.

Ὀρέστης

ἡμῖν ἂν εἶεν, εἰ κρατοῖμεν, εὐμενεῖς;

Πρέσβυς

δούλων γὰρ ἴδιον τοῦτο, σοὶ δὲ σύμφορον.

Ὀρέστης

πῶς οὖν ἂν αὐτῷ πλησιασθείην ποτέ;

Πρέσβυς

στείχων ὅθεν σε βουθυτῶν ἐσόψεται.
635

Ὀρέστης

ὁδὸν παρʼ αὐτήν, ὡς ἔοικʼ, ἀγροὺς ἔχει;

Πρέσβυς

ὅθεν γʼ ἰδών σε δαιτὶ κοινωνὸν καλεῖ.

Ὀρέστης

πικρόν γε συνθοινάτορʼ, ἢν θεὸς θέλῃ.

Πρέσβυς

τοὐνθένδε πρὸς τὸ πῖπτον αὐτὸς ἐννόει.

Ὀρέστης

καλῶς ἔλεξας. — ἡ τεκοῦσα δʼ ἐστὶ ποῦ;
640

Πρέσβυς

Ἄργει· παρέσται δʼ οὖν πόσει θοίνην ἔπι.

Ὀρέστης

τί δʼ οὐχ ἅμʼ ἐξωρμᾶτʼ ἐμὴ μήτηρ πόσει;

Πρέσβυς

ψόγον τρέμουσα δημοτῶν ἐλείπετο.

Ὀρέστης

ξυνῆχʼ· ὕποπτος οὖσα γιγνώσκει πόλει.

Πρέσβυς

τοιαῦτα· μισεῖται γὰρ ἀνόσιος γυνή.
645

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.

Doch was beginnend, kommen wir an dieses Ziel ?

Der Greis.

Thyestes' Sohn und deine Mutter todtest du.

Orestes.

Nach diesem Kranz verlangt mich: doch wie wird er mir?

Der Greis.

Nicht innerhalb der Mauern, ob du wolltest auch.
605

Orestes.

Von Wachen, Lanzenträgern ist die Stadt umringt?

Der Greis.

Gewiß! Vor dir sich fürchtend, schläft er wenig nur.

Orestes.

Wohlan, so gib du deinen Nath uns jezt, o Greis!

Der Greis.

Und höre du mich; eben fiel mir Etwas ein.

Orestes.

D mögst du Heil verkunden, und verstånd' ich es!
610

Der Greis.

Ich sah Vegisthos, als ich herkam diesen Pfad -

Orestes.

Ich hör' es gerne, dieses Wort. Wo sahst du ihn?

Der Greis.

Nicht weit vom Feld hier, wo die Nosse weidend gehn.