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Orestes
I must go, for to die ignobly is a coward’s part.
I must go, for to die ignobly is a coward’s part.
Pylades
Well said.
Well said.
Orestes
Shall we tell my sister?
Shall we tell my sister?
Pylades
God forbid!
God forbid!
Orestes
True, there might be tears.
True, there might be tears.
Pylades
That would be a grave omen.
That would be a grave omen.
Orestes
Yes, silence is clearly better.
Yes, silence is clearly better.
Pylades
And you will gain time.
And you will gain time.
Orestes
There is only one obstacle in my way.
790
There is only one obstacle in my way.
790
Pylades
What fresh objection now?
What fresh objection now?
Orestes
I am afraid the goddesses will prevent me by madness.
I am afraid the goddesses will prevent me by madness.
Pylades
But I will take care of you.
But I will take care of you.
Orestes
It is annoying to have to touch a sick man.
It is annoying to have to touch a sick man.
Pylades
Not to me, when it is you.
Not to me, when it is you.
Orestes
Beware of becoming a partner in my madness.
Beware of becoming a partner in my madness.
Pylades
Let that pass.
Let that pass.
Orestes
You will not hesitate?
You will not hesitate?
Pylades
No, for hesitation is a grave mischief among friends.
No, for hesitation is a grave mischief among friends.
Orestes
On then, pilot of my course!
795
On then, pilot of my course!
795
Pylades
A service I am glad to render.
A service I am glad to render.
Orestes
And guide me to my father’s tomb.
And guide me to my father’s tomb.
Pylades
For what purpose?
For what purpose?
Orestes
That I may appeal to him to save me.
That I may appeal to him to save me.
Pylades
Yes, that is the proper way.
Yes, that is the proper way.
Orestes
May I not see my mother’s grave!
May I not see my mother’s grave!
Pylades
No; she was an enemy. But hasten, so that the vote of
Argos
may not catch you first,
supporting those limbs, slow from sickness, on mine; for I will carry you through the town, thinking little of the mob and unashamed. For how shall I prove my friendship, if not by helping you in sore distress?
800
No; she was an enemy. But hasten, so that the vote of
Argos
may not catch you first,
supporting those limbs, slow from sickness, on mine; for I will carry you through the town, thinking little of the mob and unashamed. For how shall I prove my friendship, if not by helping you in sore distress?
800
Orestes
Ah! the old saying again,
get friends, not relations only.
For a man who fuses into your ways, though he is an outsider, is better for a man to possess as a friend than a whole host of relations.
Exeunt Orestes and Pylades.
805
Ah! the old saying again,
get friends, not relations only.
For a man who fuses into your ways, though he is an outsider, is better for a man to possess as a friend than a whole host of relations.
Exeunt Orestes and Pylades.
805
Orestes. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
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