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Orestes
All right, then.
All right, then.
Menelaus
No, no! Don’t do it!
No, no! Don’t do it!
Orestes
Silence! Your sufferings are just; endure them.
Silence! Your sufferings are just; endure them.
Menelaus
Well, is it just that you should live?
1600
Well, is it just that you should live?
1600
Orestes
And rule a kingdom, yes.
And rule a kingdom, yes.
Menelaus
A kingdom, where?
A kingdom, where?
Orestes
Here in Pelasgian Argos.
Here in Pelasgian Argos.
Menelaus
You are so well qualified to handle holy water!
You are so well qualified to handle holy water!
Orestes
And why not?
And why not?
Menelaus
And to slay victims before battle!
And to slay victims before battle!
Orestes
Well, are you?
Well, are you?
Menelaus
Yes, my hands are clean.
Yes, my hands are clean.
Orestes
But not your heart.
But not your heart.
Menelaus
Who would speak to you?
1605
Who would speak to you?
1605
Orestes
The one who loves his father.
The one who loves his father.
Menelaus
And the one who honors his mother?
And the one who honors his mother?
Orestes
He was born fortunate.
He was born fortunate.
Menelaus
Not like you!
Not like you!
Orestes
No, for I do not delight in these wicked women.
No, for I do not delight in these wicked women.
Menelaus
Remove that sword from my daughter!
Remove that sword from my daughter!
Orestes
You are a liar.
You are a liar.
Menelaus
Will you kill my daughter?
Will you kill my daughter?
Orestes
Now you are not a liar!
Now you are not a liar!
Menelaus
Ah me! what shall I do?
1610
Ah me! what shall I do?
1610
Orestes
Go to the Argives and persuade them—
Go to the Argives and persuade them—
Menelaus
Persuade them what?
Persuade them what?
Orestes
Not to kill us; entreat the city.
Not to kill us; entreat the city.
Menelaus
Or you will slay my child?
Or you will slay my child?
Orestes
That is correct.
That is correct.
Menelaus
O wretched Helen—
O wretched Helen—
Orestes
Am I not wretched?
Am I not wretched?
Menelaus
I brought you back from
Troy
to be a victim—
I brought you back from
Troy
to be a victim—
Orestes
If only she had been!
If only she had been!
Menelaus
After innumerable troubles.
1615
After innumerable troubles.
1615
Orestes
Except where I was concerned.
Except where I was concerned.
Menelaus
I have suffered dreadfully!
I have suffered dreadfully!
Orestes
Yes, for you would not help me then.
Yes, for you would not help me then.
Menelaus
You have me there.
You have me there.
Orestes
Your own cowardice has you.
Calling from the roof to Electra Fire the palace from beneath, Electra; and, Pylades, my most trusty friend,
kindle the parapet of these walls.
The palace is seen to be ablaze.
1620
Your own cowardice has you.
Calling from the roof to Electra Fire the palace from beneath, Electra; and, Pylades, my most trusty friend,
kindle the parapet of these walls.
The palace is seen to be ablaze.
1620
Menelaus
O Danaid earth! Dwellers in
Argos
, city of horses, put on your armor and come to help! For this fellow is forcing his life from your whole city, though he has caused pollution by shedding his mother’s blood.
O Danaid earth! Dwellers in
Argos
, city of horses, put on your armor and come to help! For this fellow is forcing his life from your whole city, though he has caused pollution by shedding his mother’s blood.
Orestes. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
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