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Menelaus
Orestes, you are a man for whom I have a deep regard, and I want to take part in your troubles; it is a duty, too, to help relatives bear their ills,
by dying or killing enemies, if god gives the power to do so. I wish I had that power granted me by the gods. For I have come quite destitute of allies, after my long weary wanderings,
685
with the small strength of my surviving friends. We should never get the better of Pelasgian Argos by fighting; if we should prevail by soothing speeches, we will come to some hope there. For how can you win a great cause by small
690
efforts? It is foolish even to wish it.
695
For when the people fall into a vigorous fury, they are as hard to quench as a raging fire; but if you gently slacken your hold and yield a little to their tension, cautiously watching your opportunity,
they may possibly calm down; if their gusts abate, you may obtain whatever you want from them easily. They have pity, and a hot temper too, an invaluable quality if you watch it closely. So for you I will go and try to persuade Tyndareus
700
and the city to moderation. A ship also dips if its sheet is hauled too taut, but rights itself again if it is let go.
705
The god hates excessive eagerness, and the citizens do also; I must save you, I don’t deny it,
by cleverness, not by violence against those who are stronger. I could not do it by strength, as you perhaps imagine; for it is not easy to triumph single-handed over the troubles that beset you. I would never have tried to bring the
Argive
land over to softness;
710
but it is necessary.
for the wise to be slaves to fortune.
Exit Menelaus.
715
Orestes, you are a man for whom I have a deep regard, and I want to take part in your troubles; it is a duty, too, to help relatives bear their ills,
by dying or killing enemies, if god gives the power to do so. I wish I had that power granted me by the gods. For I have come quite destitute of allies, after my long weary wanderings,
685
with the small strength of my surviving friends. We should never get the better of Pelasgian Argos by fighting; if we should prevail by soothing speeches, we will come to some hope there. For how can you win a great cause by small
690
efforts? It is foolish even to wish it.
695
For when the people fall into a vigorous fury, they are as hard to quench as a raging fire; but if you gently slacken your hold and yield a little to their tension, cautiously watching your opportunity,
they may possibly calm down; if their gusts abate, you may obtain whatever you want from them easily. They have pity, and a hot temper too, an invaluable quality if you watch it closely. So for you I will go and try to persuade Tyndareus
700
and the city to moderation. A ship also dips if its sheet is hauled too taut, but rights itself again if it is let go.
705
The god hates excessive eagerness, and the citizens do also; I must save you, I don’t deny it,
by cleverness, not by violence against those who are stronger. I could not do it by strength, as you perhaps imagine; for it is not easy to triumph single-handed over the troubles that beset you. I would never have tried to bring the
Argive
land over to softness;
710
but it is necessary.
for the wise to be slaves to fortune.
Exit Menelaus.
715
Orestes
O you that have no use, except to lead an army in a woman’s cause! O worst of men in your friends’ defense,
do you turn your back on me and flee, the deeds of Agamemnon lost and gone?
720
After all, father, you had no friends in adversity. Alas! I am betrayed; no longer do I have any hope of finding a refuge where I may escape the death-sentence of
Argos
; for this man was my haven of safety.
But I see Pylades, the best of friends, coming at a run from Phocis—a pleasant sight! A man who can be trusted in troubles is a better sight than a calm to sailors.
725
O you that have no use, except to lead an army in a woman’s cause! O worst of men in your friends’ defense,
do you turn your back on me and flee, the deeds of Agamemnon lost and gone?
720
After all, father, you had no friends in adversity. Alas! I am betrayed; no longer do I have any hope of finding a refuge where I may escape the death-sentence of
Argos
; for this man was my haven of safety.
But I see Pylades, the best of friends, coming at a run from Phocis—a pleasant sight! A man who can be trusted in troubles is a better sight than a calm to sailors.
725
Orestes. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
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