Euripides, Orestes, ed. Gilbert Murray, 71

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Ἑλένη

ὦ παῖ Κλυταιμήστρας τε καὶ Ἀγαμέμνονος,

παρθένε μακρὸν δὴ μῆκος Ἠλέκτρα χρόνου,

πῶς, ὦ τάλαινα, σύ τε κασίγνητός τε σὸς

τλήμων Ὀρέστης μητρὸς ὅδε φονεὺς ἔχει;

προσφθέγμασιν γὰρ οὐ μιαίνομαι σέθεν,
75

ἐς Φοῖβον ἀναφέρουσα τὴν ἁμαρτίαν.

καίτοι στένω γε τὸν Κλυταιμήστρας μόρον,

ἐμῆς ἀδελφῆς, ἥν, ἐπεὶ πρὸς Ἴλιον

ἔπλευσʼ ὅπως ἔπλευσα θεομανεῖ πότμῳ,

οὐκ εἶδον, ἀπολειφθεῖσα δʼ αἰάζω τύχας.
80

Ἠλέκτρα

Ἑλένη, τί σοι λέγοιμʼ ἂν ἅ γε παροῦσʼ ὁρᾷς;

ἐν συμφοραῖσι τὸν Ἀγαμέμνονος δόμον

ἐγὼ μὲν ἄυπνος πάρεδρος ἀθλίῳ νεκρῷ

— νεκρὸς γὰρ οὗτος οὕνεκα σμικρᾶς πνοῆς —

θάσσω· τὰ τούτου δʼ οὐκ ὀνειδίζω κακά.
85

σὺ δʼ εἶ μακαρία μακάριός θʼ ὁ σὸς πόσις.

ἥκετον ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς ἀθλίως πεπραγότας

Ἑλένη

πόσον χρόνον δʼ ἐν δεμνίοις πέπτωχʼ ὅδε;

Ἠλέκτρα

ἐξ οὗπερ αἷμα γενέθλιον κατήνυσεν.

Ἑλένη

ὢ μέλεος· ἡ τεκοῦσά θʼ, ὡς διώλετο.
90

Ἠλέκτρα

οὕτως ἔχει τάδʼ, ὥστʼ ἀπείρηκεν κακοῖς.

Ἑλένη

πρὸς θεῶν, πίθοιʼ ἂν δῆτά μοί τι, παρθένε;

Ἠλέκτρα

ὡς ἄσχολός γε συγγόνου προσεδρίᾳ.

Ἑλένη

βούλῃ τάφον μοι πρὸς κασιγνήτης μολεῖν;

Ἠλέκτρα

μητρὸς κελεύεις τῆς ἐμῆς; τίνος χάριν;
95

Ἑλένη

κόμης ἀπαρχὰς καὶ χοὰς φέρουσʼ ἐμάς.

Ἠλέκτρα

σοὶ δʼ οὐχὶ θεμιτὸν πρὸς φίλων στείχειν τάφον;

Ἑλένη

δεῖξαι γὰρ Ἀργείοισι σῶμʼ αἰσχύνομαι.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὀψέ γε φρονεῖς εὖ, τότε λιποῦσʼ αἰσχρῶς δόμους.

Ἑλένη

ὀρθῶς ἔλεξας, οὐ φίλως δʼ ἐμοὶ λέγεις.
100

Ἠλέκτρα

αἰδὼς δὲ δὴ τίς σʼ ἐς Μυκηναίους ἔχει;

Ἑλένη

δέδοικα πατέρας τῶν ὑπʼ Ἰλίῳ νεκρῶν.

Ἠλέκτρα

δεινὸν γάρ· Ἄργει τʼ ἀναβοᾷ διὰ στόμα.

Ἑλένη

σύ νυν χάριν μοι τὸν φόβον λύσασα δός.

Ἠλέκτρα

οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην μητρὸς ἐσβλέψαι τάφον.
105

Ἑλένη

αἰσχρόν γε μέντοι προσπόλους φέρειν τάδε.

Ἠλέκτρα

τί δʼ οὐχὶ θυγατρὸς Ἑρμιόνης πέμπεις δέμας;

Ἑλένη

ἐς ὄχλον ἕρπειν παρθένοισιν οὐ καλόν.

Ἠλέκτρα

καὶ μὴν τίνοι γʼ ἂν τῇ τεθνηκυίᾳ τροφάς.

Orestes. Euripides. ed. Gilbert Murray. Oxford. 1913.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

Ὀρέστης (Greek) (Euripides. Euripidis Fabulae, Vol. III. Murray, Gilbert, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1913. (Reprinted 1920-1978))

Translations (3)

Orestes Perseus (Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 71 focus

Helen

Daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, unhappy Electra, a maiden for so long, how is it with you and your brother, this ill-starred Orestes who slew his mother?

For referring the sin as I do to Phoebus, I incur no pollution by addressing you; and yet I am truly sorry for the death of my sister Clytemnestra, whom I never saw after I was driven by heaven-sent frenzy to sail as I did to Ilium ;
75

but now that I am parted from her, I bewail our misfortunes.
80

Electra

Helen, why should I speak of that which your own eyes can see? Agamemnon’s house in misfortune?

Beside his wretched corpse I sit, sleepless—for corpse he is, so faint his breath—

not that I reproach him with his sufferings; but you are highly blessed and your husband too. you have come upon us in the hour of adversity
85

Helen

How long has he lain in this way on the couch?

Electra

Ever since he spilt his mother’s blood.

Helen

Unhappy wretch! unhappy mother! what a death she died.
90

Electra

Unhappy enough to succumb to his misery.

Helen

By the gods, would you hear me a moment, maiden?

Electra

Yes, with such leisure as this watching over a brother leaves.

Helen

Will you go for me to my sister’s tomb?

Electra

Would you have me seek my mother’s tomb? Why?
95

Helen

To carry an offering of hair and a libation from me.

Electra

Isn’t it right for you to go to the tomb of one you love?

Helen

No, for I am ashamed to show myself in Argos .

Electra

A late repentance surely for one who left her home so shamefully then.

Helen

You have told the truth, but your telling is not kind to me.
100

Electra

What is this supposed shame before the eyes of Mycenae that possesses you?

Helen

I am afraid of the fathers of those who lie dead at Ilium .

Electra

Good cause for fear; your name is on every tongue in Argos .

Helen

Then free me of my fear and grant me this favor.

Electra

I could not bear to look upon my mother’s grave.
105

Helen

And yet it would be shame indeed for servants to bear these offerings.

Electra

Then why not send your daughter Hermione?

Helen

It is not good for maidens to go into a crowd.

Electra

And yet she would be repaying her dead foster-mother’s care.

Orestes (OCR draft) Experimental (Orestes. 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, 1841; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (Euripides. Deutsch in den Versmaßen der Urschrift. Volume 1, Heidelberg: C. F. Winter, 1841. 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.) — 71 focus

Du, welche Klytamnestra von Agamemnon einst

Empfing, Elektra, unvermählt so lange schon,

Wie wardst du Muttermorderinn, Unselige,

Was übt' Orestes solche That, dein Bruder, aus?

Wohl nicht verunreint werd' ich durch ein Wort mit euch,
75

Indem ich diese Sunde wälz' auf Phobos' Haupt.¹

Doch muß ich Kiytämnestra, muß der Schwester Loos

Beweinen, die ich nimmer sah seit jener Zeit,

Daß ich, gewiß durch eines Gottes Zorn berückt,

Nach Troja fuhr: verlassen klag' ich mein Geschick.
80

Elektra.

Was soll ich dir verkünden, was du siehest hier,

Das Ungemach, das Agamemnons Sohn betraf?

Ich size schlaflos bei dem Todten, Helena;

Todt ist der Arme, leise weht sein Athem nur.

Wohl klag' ich ihn nicht wegen seiner Leiden an:
85

Doch du, Begluckte, dein Gemahl, der Gluckliche,

Ihr treffet hier uns tief versenkt in schweren Gram.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Ἑλένη πόσον χρόνον δʼ ἐν δεμνίοις πέπτωχʼ ὅδε;

Ἠλέκτρα ἐξ οὗπερ αἷμα γενέθλιον κατήνυσεν.

Ἑλένη ὢ μέλεος· ἡ τεκοῦσά θʼ, ὡς διώλετο. 90

Ἠλέκτρα οὕτως ἔχει τάδʼ, ὥστʼ ἀπείρηκεν κακοῖς.

Ἑλένη πρὸς θεῶν, πίθοιʼ ἂν δῆτά μοί τι, παρθένε;

Ἠλέκτρα ὡς ἄσχολός γε συγγόνου προσεδρίᾳ.

Ἑλένη βούλῃ τάφον μοι πρὸς κασιγνήτης μολεῖν;

Ἠλέκτρα μητρὸς κελεύεις τῆς ἐμῆς; τίνος χάριν; 95

Ἑλένη κόμης ἀπαρχὰς καὶ χοὰς φέρουσʼ ἐμάς.

Ἠλέκτρα σοὶ δʼ οὐχὶ θεμιτὸν πρὸς φίλων στείχειν τάφον;

Ἑλένη δεῖξαι γὰρ Ἀργείοισι σῶμʼ αἰσχύνομαι.

Ἠλέκτρα ὀψέ γε φρονεῖς εὖ, τότε λιποῦσʼ αἰσχρῶς δόμους.

Ἑλένη ὀρθῶς ἔλεξας, οὐ φίλως δʼ ἐμοὶ λέγεις. 100

Ἠλέκτρα αἰδὼς δὲ δὴ τίς σʼ ἐς Μυκηναίους ἔχει;

Ἑλένη δέδοικα πατέρας τῶν ὑπʼ Ἰλίῳ νεκρῶν.

Ἠλέκτρα δεινὸν γάρ· Ἄργει τʼ ἀναβοᾷ διὰ στόμα.

Ἑλένη σύ νυν χάριν μοι τὸν φόβον λύσασα δός.

Ἠλέκτρα οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην μητρὸς ἐσβλέψαι τάφον. 105

Ἑλένη αἰσχρόν γε μέντοι προσπόλους φέρειν τάδε.

Ἠλέκτρα τί δʼ οὐχὶ θυγατρὸς Ἑρμιόνης πέμπεις δέμας;

Ἑλένη ἐς ὄχλον ἕρπειν παρθένοισιν οὐ καλόν.

Ἠλέκτρα καὶ μὴν τίνοι γʼ ἂν τῇ τεθνηκυίᾳ τροφάς.

Current edition Perseus

Helen How long has he lain in this way on the couch?

Electra Ever since he spilt his mother’s blood.

Helen Unhappy wretch! unhappy mother! what a death she died. 90

Electra Unhappy enough to succumb to his misery.

Helen By the gods, would you hear me a moment, maiden?

Electra Yes, with such leisure as this watching over a brother leaves.

Helen Will you go for me to my sister’s tomb?

Electra Would you have me seek my mother’s tomb? Why? 95

Helen To carry an offering of hair and a libation from me.

Electra Isn’t it right for you to go to the tomb of one you love?

Helen No, for I am ashamed to show myself in Argos .

Electra A late repentance surely for one who left her home so shamefully then.

Helen You have told the truth, but your telling is not kind to me. 100

Electra What is this supposed shame before the eyes of Mycenae that possesses you?

Helen I am afraid of the fathers of those who lie dead at Ilium .

Electra Good cause for fear; your name is on every tongue in Argos .

Helen Then free me of my fear and grant me this favor.

Electra I could not bear to look upon my mother’s grave. 105

Helen And yet it would be shame indeed for servants to bear these offerings.

Electra Then why not send your daughter Hermione?

Helen It is not good for maidens to go into a crowd.

Electra And yet she would be repaying her dead foster-mother’s care.

Helena. Wie lange liegt er auf der Lagerståtte hier?

Elektra. Seitdem er blutig ausgeübt den Muttermord.

Helena. Unsel'ger Sohn! Unselige, die der Sohn erschlug! 90

Elektra. Schwer beugt das Ungluck; Kraft und Muth versagte mir.

Helena. Bei Zeus, o Jungfrau, willst du mir zu Dienste sein? 2

Elektra. So weit die Sorg' um meinen Bruder mir's vergónnt.

Helena. Du solltest mir zum Grabe meiner Schwester gehn.

Elektra. Zu meiner Mutter Grabe soll ich gehn? Warum? 95

Helena. Mein Todtenopfer, meine Locken ihr zu weihn.

Elektra. Zum Grab der Freunde dürftest du nicht selber gehn?

Helena. Vor Argos Volke mich zu zeigen, trag' ich Scheu.

Elektra. Spåt wirst du weise, die so schmachvoll einst entfloh!

Helena. Wahr sprichst du; freundlich aber war die Rede nicht. 100

Elektra. Und welche Scheu denn hast du vor Mykene's Volk?

Helena. Der Todten Våter fürcht' ich, die bei Troja ruhn.

Elektra. Mit Recht: in Argos schilt dich laut ein jeder Mund.

Helena. Gewähre mir's denn, und der Furcht erlose mich.

Elektra. Nicht anzuschaun vermocht ich meiner Mutter Grab. 105

Helena. Doch schmählich ist es, wenn die Magd es bringen soll.

Elektra. Was schickst du deine Tochter nicht, Hermione'n?

Helena. Im Volke sich zu zeigen, ziemt Jungfrauen nicht.

Elektra. Der hingeschiednen Pflegerinn vergilt sie so.

Helena.

Stable identifiers

Ἑλένη

πόσον χρόνον δʼ ἐν δεμνίοις πέπτωχʼ ὅδε;

Ἠλέκτρα

ἐξ οὗπερ αἷμα γενέθλιον κατήνυσεν.

Ἑλένη

ὢ μέλεος· ἡ τεκοῦσά θʼ, ὡς διώλετο.
90

Ἠλέκτρα

οὕτως ἔχει τάδʼ, ὥστʼ ἀπείρηκεν κακοῖς.

Ἑλένη

πρὸς θεῶν, πίθοιʼ ἂν δῆτά μοί τι, παρθένε;

Ἠλέκτρα

ὡς ἄσχολός γε συγγόνου προσεδρίᾳ.

Ἑλένη

βούλῃ τάφον μοι πρὸς κασιγνήτης μολεῖν;

Ἠλέκτρα

μητρὸς κελεύεις τῆς ἐμῆς; τίνος χάριν;
95

Ἑλένη

κόμης ἀπαρχὰς καὶ χοὰς φέρουσʼ ἐμάς.

Ἠλέκτρα

σοὶ δʼ οὐχὶ θεμιτὸν πρὸς φίλων στείχειν τάφον;

Ἑλένη

δεῖξαι γὰρ Ἀργείοισι σῶμʼ αἰσχύνομαι.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὀψέ γε φρονεῖς εὖ, τότε λιποῦσʼ αἰσχρῶς δόμους.

Ἑλένη

ὀρθῶς ἔλεξας, οὐ φίλως δʼ ἐμοὶ λέγεις.
100

Ἠλέκτρα

αἰδὼς δὲ δὴ τίς σʼ ἐς Μυκηναίους ἔχει;

Ἑλένη

δέδοικα πατέρας τῶν ὑπʼ Ἰλίῳ νεκρῶν.

Ἠλέκτρα

δεινὸν γάρ· Ἄργει τʼ ἀναβοᾷ διὰ στόμα.

Ἑλένη

σύ νυν χάριν μοι τὸν φόβον λύσασα δός.

Ἠλέκτρα

οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην μητρὸς ἐσβλέψαι τάφον.
105

Ἑλένη

αἰσχρόν γε μέντοι προσπόλους φέρειν τάδε.

Ἠλέκτρα

τί δʼ οὐχὶ θυγατρὸς Ἑρμιόνης πέμπεις δέμας;

Ἑλένη

ἐς ὄχλον ἕρπειν παρθένοισιν οὐ καλόν.

Ἠλέκτρα

καὶ μὴν τίνοι γʼ ἂν τῇ τεθνηκυίᾳ τροφάς.

Helen

How long has he lain in this way on the couch?

Electra

Ever since he spilt his mother’s blood.

Helen

Unhappy wretch! unhappy mother! what a death she died.
90

Electra

Unhappy enough to succumb to his misery.

Helen

By the gods, would you hear me a moment, maiden?

Electra

Yes, with such leisure as this watching over a brother leaves.

Helen

Will you go for me to my sister’s tomb?

Electra

Would you have me seek my mother’s tomb? Why?
95

Helen

To carry an offering of hair and a libation from me.

Electra

Isn’t it right for you to go to the tomb of one you love?

Helen

No, for I am ashamed to show myself in Argos .

Electra

A late repentance surely for one who left her home so shamefully then.

Helen

You have told the truth, but your telling is not kind to me.
100

Electra

What is this supposed shame before the eyes of Mycenae that possesses you?

Helen

I am afraid of the fathers of those who lie dead at Ilium .

Electra

Good cause for fear; your name is on every tongue in Argos .

Helen

Then free me of my fear and grant me this favor.

Electra

I could not bear to look upon my mother’s grave.
105

Helen

And yet it would be shame indeed for servants to bear these offerings.

Electra

Then why not send your daughter Hermione?

Helen

It is not good for maidens to go into a crowd.

Electra

And yet she would be repaying her dead foster-mother’s care.

Helena.

Wie lange liegt er auf der Lagerståtte hier?

Elektra.

Seitdem er blutig ausgeübt den Muttermord.

Helena.

Unsel'ger Sohn! Unselige, die der Sohn erschlug!
90

Elektra.

Schwer beugt das Ungluck; Kraft und Muth versagte mir.

Helena.

Bei Zeus, o Jungfrau, willst du mir zu Dienste sein?²

Elektra.

So weit die Sorg' um meinen Bruder mir's vergónnt.

Helena.

Du solltest mir zum Grabe meiner Schwester gehn.

Elektra.

Zu meiner Mutter Grabe soll ich gehn? Warum?
95

Helena.

Mein Todtenopfer, meine Locken ihr zu weihn.

Elektra.

Zum Grab der Freunde dürftest du nicht selber gehn?

Helena.

Vor Argos Volke mich zu zeigen, trag' ich Scheu.

Elektra.

Spåt wirst du weise, die so schmachvoll einst entfloh!

Helena.

Wahr sprichst du; freundlich aber war die Rede nicht.
100

Elektra.

Und welche Scheu denn hast du vor Mykene's Volk?

Helena.

Der Todten Våter fürcht' ich, die bei Troja ruhn.

Elektra.

Mit Recht: in Argos schilt dich laut ein jeder Mund.

Helena.

Gewähre mir's denn, und der Furcht erlose mich.

Elektra.

Nicht anzuschaun vermocht ich meiner Mutter Grab.
105

Helena.

Doch schmählich ist es, wenn die Magd es bringen soll.

Elektra.

Was schickst du deine Tochter nicht, Hermione'n?

Helena.

Im Volke sich zu zeigen, ziemt Jungfrauen nicht.

Elektra.

Der hingeschiednen Pflegerinn vergilt sie so.