πεμφθεὶς
κελεύθους
κελεύθου LA. κελεύθους C., φίλταθ', ὥς μ᾿ ἀπώλεσας·
1165
Electra. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
Table of Contents
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Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Greek) (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879))
Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.
Editions (1)
Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1232-1287 focus
Ἠλέκτρα
ἰὼ γοναί,
γοναὶ σωμάτων ἐμοὶ φιλτάτων,
ἐμόλετʼ ἀρτίως,
ἐφηύρετʼ, ἤλθετʼ, εἴδεθʼ οὓς ἐχρῄζετε.
1235
ἰὼ γοναί,
γοναὶ σωμάτων ἐμοὶ φιλτάτων,
ἐμόλετʼ ἀρτίως,
ἐφηύρετʼ, ἤλθετʼ, εἴδεθʼ οὓς ἐχρῄζετε.
1235
Ὀρέστης
πάρεσμεν· ἀλλὰ σῖγʼ ἔχουσα πρόσμενε.
πάρεσμεν· ἀλλὰ σῖγʼ ἔχουσα πρόσμενε.
Ἠλέκτρα
τί δʼ ἔστιν;
τί δʼ ἔστιν;
Ὀρέστης
σιγᾶν ἄμεινον, μή τις ἔνδοθεν κλύῃ.
σιγᾶν ἄμεινον, μή τις ἔνδοθεν κλύῃ.
Ἠλέκτρα
ἀλλʼ οὐ μὰ τὴν ἄδμητον αἰὲν Ἄρτεμιν,
τόδε μὲν οὔ ποτʼ ἀξιώσω τρέσαι,
1240
περισσὸν ἄχθος ἔνδον
γυναικῶν ὂν αἰεί.
ἀλλʼ οὐ μὰ τὴν ἄδμητον αἰὲν Ἄρτεμιν,
τόδε μὲν οὔ ποτʼ ἀξιώσω τρέσαι,
1240
περισσὸν ἄχθος ἔνδον
γυναικῶν ὂν αἰεί.
Ὀρέστης
ὅρα γε μὲν δὴ κἀν γυναιξὶν ὡς Ἄρης
ἔνεστιν· εὖ δʼ ἔξοισθα πειραθεῖσά που.
ὅρα γε μὲν δὴ κἀν γυναιξὶν ὡς Ἄρης
ἔνεστιν· εὖ δʼ ἔξοισθα πειραθεῖσά που.
Ἠλέκτρα
ὀτοτοτοτοῖ τοτοῖ,
1245
ἀνέφελον ἐνέβαλες οὔ ποτε καταλύσιμον,
οὐδέ ποτε λησόμενον ἁμέτερον
οἷον ἔφυ κακόν.
1250
ὀτοτοτοτοῖ τοτοῖ,
1245
ἀνέφελον ἐνέβαλες οὔ ποτε καταλύσιμον,
οὐδέ ποτε λησόμενον ἁμέτερον
οἷον ἔφυ κακόν.
1250
Ὀρέστης
ἔξοιδα, παῖ, ταῦτʼ· ἀλλʼ ὅταν παρουσία
φράζῃ, τότʼ ἔργων τῶνδε μεμνῆσθαι χρεών.
ἔξοιδα, παῖ, ταῦτʼ· ἀλλʼ ὅταν παρουσία
φράζῃ, τότʼ ἔργων τῶνδε μεμνῆσθαι χρεών.
Ἠλέκτρα
ὁ πᾶς ἐμοί,
ὁ πᾶς ἂν πρέποι παρὼν ἐννέπειν
τάδε δίκᾳ χρόνος·
1255
μόλις γὰρ ἔσχον νῦν ἐλεύθερον στόμα.
ὁ πᾶς ἐμοί,
ὁ πᾶς ἂν πρέποι παρὼν ἐννέπειν
τάδε δίκᾳ χρόνος·
1255
μόλις γὰρ ἔσχον νῦν ἐλεύθερον στόμα.
Ὀρέστης
ξύμφημι κἀγώ· τοιγαροῦν σῴζου τόδε.
ξύμφημι κἀγώ· τοιγαροῦν σῴζου τόδε.
Ἠλέκτρα
τί δρῶσα;
τί δρῶσα;
Ὀρέστης
οὗ μή ʼστι καιρὸς μὴ μακρὰν βούλου λέγειν.
οὗ μή ʼστι καιρὸς μὴ μακρὰν βούλου λέγειν.
Ἠλέκτρα
τίς οὖν ἂν ἀξίαν γε σοῦ πεφηνότος
1260
μεταβάλοιτʼ ἂν ὧδε σιγὰν λόγων;
ἐπεί σε νῦν ἀφράστως
ἀέλπτως τʼ ἐσεῖδον.
τίς οὖν ἂν ἀξίαν γε σοῦ πεφηνότος
1260
μεταβάλοιτʼ ἂν ὧδε σιγὰν λόγων;
ἐπεί σε νῦν ἀφράστως
ἀέλπτως τʼ ἐσεῖδον.
Ὀρέστης
τότʼ εἶδες, εὖτε θεοί μʼ ἐπώτρυναν μολεῖν
1265
τότʼ εἶδες, εὖτε θεοί μʼ ἐπώτρυναν μολεῖν
Ἠλέκτρα
ἔφρασας ὑπερτέραν
τᾶς πάρος ἔτι χάριτος, εἴ σε θεὸς ἐπόρισεν
ἁμέτερα πρὸς μέλαθρα· δαιμόνιον
αὐτὸ τίθημʼ ἐγώ.
1270
ἔφρασας ὑπερτέραν
τᾶς πάρος ἔτι χάριτος, εἴ σε θεὸς ἐπόρισεν
ἁμέτερα πρὸς μέλαθρα· δαιμόνιον
αὐτὸ τίθημʼ ἐγώ.
1270
Ὀρέστης
τὰ μέν σʼ ὀκνῶ χαίρουσαν εἰργαθεῖν, τὰ δὲ
δέδοικα λίαν ἡδονῇ νικωμένην.
τὰ μέν σʼ ὀκνῶ χαίρουσαν εἰργαθεῖν, τὰ δὲ
δέδοικα λίαν ἡδονῇ νικωμένην.
Ἠλέκτρα
ἰὼ χρόνῳ μακρῷ φιλτάταν ὁδὸν
ἐπαξιώσας ὧδέ μοι φανῆναι,
μή τί με, πολύπονον ὧδʼ ἰδὼν
1275
ἰὼ χρόνῳ μακρῷ φιλτάταν ὁδὸν
ἐπαξιώσας ὧδέ μοι φανῆναι,
μή τί με, πολύπονον ὧδʼ ἰδὼν
1275
Ὀρέστης
τί μὴ ποήσω;
τί μὴ ποήσω;
Ἠλέκτρα
μή μʼ ἀποστερήσῃς
τῶν σῶν προσώπων ἁδονὰν μεθέσθαι.
μή μʼ ἀποστερήσῃς
τῶν σῶν προσώπων ἁδονὰν μεθέσθαι.
Ὀρέστης
ἦ κάρτα κἂν ἄλλοισι θυμοίμην ἰδών.
ἦ κάρτα κἂν ἄλλοισι θυμοίμην ἰδών.
Ἠλέκτρα
ξυναινεῖς;
1280
ξυναινεῖς;
1280
Ὀρέστης
τί μὴν οὔ;
τί μὴν οὔ;
Ἠλέκτρα
ὦ φίλαι, ἔκλυον ἃν ἐγὼ οὐδʼ ἂν ἤλπισʼ αὐδάν,
οὐδʼ ἂν ἔσχον ὁρμὰν
ἄναυδον οὐδὲ σὺν βοᾷ κλύουσα,
τάλαινα. νῦν δʼ ἔχω σε· προυφάνης δὲ
1285
φιλτάταν ἔχων πρόσοψιν,
ἇς ἐγὼ οὐδʼ ἂν ἐν κακοῖς λαθοίμαν.
ὦ φίλαι, ἔκλυον ἃν ἐγὼ οὐδʼ ἂν ἤλπισʼ αὐδάν,
οὐδʼ ἂν ἔσχον ὁρμὰν
ἄναυδον οὐδὲ σὺν βοᾷ κλύουσα,
τάλαινα. νῦν δʼ ἔχω σε· προυφάνης δὲ
1285
φιλτάταν ἔχων πρόσοψιν,
ἇς ἐγὼ οὐδʼ ἂν ἐν κακοῖς λαθοίμαν.
Translations (2)
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1160 focus
klägliches Bild!
1135
Weh, weh!
Auf Pfaden des Grau'ns
(Weh, weh mir!)
Gesendet, o mein Trauter, gabst du mir den Tod,
Sa, gabst den Tod mir, mein geliebtes Bruderhaupt!
1140
So nimm mich auf in dieses enge Haus zu dir,
Zum Staub die Staubgewordne, daß ich drunten dir
Fortan gesellt sei! Als du noch hier oben warst,
Da theilt' ich gleiches Loos mit dir; mun drängt es mich,
Im Tode nicht von deinem Grabe fern zu sein.
1145
Denn nur die Todten, seh' ich, rührt kein Kummer mehr.
klägliches Bild!
1135
Weh, weh!
Auf Pfaden des Grau'ns
Gesendet, o mein Trauter, gabst du mir den Tod,
Sa, gabst den Tod mir, mein geliebtes Bruderhaupt!
1140
So nimm mich auf in dieses enge Haus zu dir,
Zum Staub die Staubgewordne, daß ich drunten dir
Fortan gesellt sei! Als du noch hier oben warst,
Da theilt' ich gleiches Loos mit dir; mun drängt es mich,
Im Tode nicht von deinem Grabe fern zu sein.
1145
Denn nur die Todten, seh' ich, rührt kein Kummer mehr.
Der Chor.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1098-1230 focus
Enter Orestes, with Pylades and two attendants.
1126
1160
1171
1200
Orestes
Ladies, have we been directed aright, and are we on the right path to our goal?
Ladies, have we been directed aright, and are we on the right path to our goal?
Chorus
What do you seek? What desire brings you here?
1100
What do you seek? What desire brings you here?
1100
Orestes
I have long been searching for the home of Aegisthus.
I have long been searching for the home of Aegisthus.
Chorus
Well, you have found it, and your guide is blameless.
Well, you have found it, and your guide is blameless.
Orestes
Which of you, then, would tell those inside of the long-desired presence of us travelers?
Which of you, then, would tell those inside of the long-desired presence of us travelers?
Chorus
She will, if the nearest in kin should announce it.
1105
She will, if the nearest in kin should announce it.
1105
Orestes
Go, lady, enter and make it known that certain men of
Phocis
seek Aegisthus.
Go, lady, enter and make it known that certain men of
Phocis
seek Aegisthus.
Electra
Ah, miserable me! Surely you do not bring proof positive of that rumor which we heard?
Ah, miserable me! Surely you do not bring proof positive of that rumor which we heard?
Orestes
I know nothing of your
rumor; but the aged Strophius ordered me to give report of Orestes.
1110
I know nothing of your
rumor; but the aged Strophius ordered me to give report of Orestes.
1110
Electra
What is it, sir? Ah, how fear creeps over me!
What is it, sir? Ah, how fear creeps over me!
Orestes
We come bearing his scanty remains in a small urn, as you see.
We come bearing his scanty remains in a small urn, as you see.
Electra
Oh, the misery! Here, at last, my eyes look for certain, it seems, upon that grievous burden in your hand.
1115
Oh, the misery! Here, at last, my eyes look for certain, it seems, upon that grievous burden in your hand.
1115
Orestes
If your tears are for any of Orestes’ tribulations, know that this vessel is his body’s home.
If your tears are for any of Orestes’ tribulations, know that this vessel is his body’s home.
Electra
Ah, sir, if this urn indeed contains him, then allow me,
by the gods, to take it in my hands, so that I may weep and wail, not for these ashes alone, but for myself and for all our house with them!
1120
Ah, sir, if this urn indeed contains him, then allow me,
by the gods, to take it in my hands, so that I may weep and wail, not for these ashes alone, but for myself and for all our house with them!
1120
Orestes
To the attendants.
Take it and give it to her, whoever she may be. For she asks this for herself not as if with hostile intent,
but like one who is his friend, or a kinswoman by blood.
The urn is placed in Electra’s hands.
1125
1126
Take it and give it to her, whoever she may be. For she asks this for herself not as if with hostile intent,
but like one who is his friend, or a kinswoman by blood.
The urn is placed in Electra’s hands.
1125
Electra
Memorial of him whom I loved best on earth, sole remnant of Orestes’ vitality! How contrary to the hopes with which I sent you away do I receive you back! Now I raise your nothingness in my hands;
but then, my child, you were radiant, when I sent you away from home! Would that I had first abandoned life, before, stealing you away with these hands, I sent you to a strange land and rescued you from death, in order that you might have lain dead on that same day
1130
and had your share in the tomb of our father!
But now, an exile from home and fatherland, you have perished miserably, far from your sister. Ah, me, these loving hands have not washed or decked your corpse, nor taken up
1135
their sad burden from the all-consuming pyre, as was proper. No! At the hands of strangers, poor Orestes, you have been tended, and so have come to us, a small bulk in a small urn.
Ah, I grieve at the uselessness of my nursing long ago, the service that I often bestowed
1140
on you in sweet labor! For you were never your mother’s darling so much as mine, nor was any in the house your nurse but I, and by you I was ever called
sister. But now all this has vanished in a day
1145
with your death. Like a whirlwind you have swept everything away with you. Our father is gone; I am dead because of you; you yourself are dead and gone; our enemies laugh at us; and our mother, who is no mother, raves with joy. Unknown to her, you often
1150
sent me messages about her, saying that you yourself would appear for vengeance. But our evil fortune, yours and mine, has torn all that away, and has sent you back to me in this state, ash and a useless shade in place of your beloved form.
1155
1160
Memorial of him whom I loved best on earth, sole remnant of Orestes’ vitality! How contrary to the hopes with which I sent you away do I receive you back! Now I raise your nothingness in my hands;
but then, my child, you were radiant, when I sent you away from home! Would that I had first abandoned life, before, stealing you away with these hands, I sent you to a strange land and rescued you from death, in order that you might have lain dead on that same day
1130
and had your share in the tomb of our father!
But now, an exile from home and fatherland, you have perished miserably, far from your sister. Ah, me, these loving hands have not washed or decked your corpse, nor taken up
1135
But now, an exile from home and fatherland, you have perished miserably, far from your sister. Ah, me, these loving hands have not washed or decked your corpse, nor taken up
their sad burden from the all-consuming pyre, as was proper. No! At the hands of strangers, poor Orestes, you have been tended, and so have come to us, a small bulk in a small urn.
Ah, I grieve at the uselessness of my nursing long ago, the service that I often bestowed
1140
Ah, I grieve at the uselessness of my nursing long ago, the service that I often bestowed
on you in sweet labor! For you were never your mother’s darling so much as mine, nor was any in the house your nurse but I, and by you I was ever called
sister. But now all this has vanished in a day
1145
with your death. Like a whirlwind you have swept everything away with you. Our father is gone; I am dead because of you; you yourself are dead and gone; our enemies laugh at us; and our mother, who is no mother, raves with joy. Unknown to her, you often
1150
sent me messages about her, saying that you yourself would appear for vengeance. But our evil fortune, yours and mine, has torn all that away, and has sent you back to me in this state, ash and a useless shade in place of your beloved form.
1155
ah, me, ah, me! O pitiable body! Alas, dear one sent on a most dire journey, how you have destroyed me, destroyed me indeed, my brother!
1160
Therefore accept me into this abode of yours—me, a nothing, into your nothingness,—so that I may dwell with you hereafter below. For when you were on earth, we shared equally, and now I wish to die and not to be left out of your grave,
1165
since I see that the dead are relieved of pain.
1170
1171
ah, me, ah, me! O pitiable body! Alas, dear one sent on a most dire journey, how you have destroyed me, destroyed me indeed, my brother!
1160
Therefore accept me into this abode of yours—me, a nothing, into your nothingness,—so that I may dwell with you hereafter below. For when you were on earth, we shared equally, and now I wish to die and not to be left out of your grave,
1165
since I see that the dead are relieved of pain.
1170
Chorus
Remember, Electra, you are the child of a mortal father, and Orestes was mortal. Therefore do not grieve too much. Death is a debt which all of us must pay.
Remember, Electra, you are the child of a mortal father, and Orestes was mortal. Therefore do not grieve too much. Death is a debt which all of us must pay.
Orestes
Ah, what shall I say? I am at a loss. To what words
can I turn? I no longer have the strength to master my tongue!
1175
Ah, what shall I say? I am at a loss. To what words
can I turn? I no longer have the strength to master my tongue!
1175
Electra
What has troubled you? Why did you say that?
What has troubled you? Why did you say that?
Orestes
Is this the illustrious form of Electra?
Is this the illustrious form of Electra?
Electra
It is, though in a very wretched state.
It is, though in a very wretched state.
Orestes
What pity, then, for this miserable fortune!
What pity, then, for this miserable fortune!
Electra
Surely, stranger, you are not saddened like this on my account?
1180
Surely, stranger, you are not saddened like this on my account?
1180
Orestes
O frame dishonorably, godlessly wasted!
O frame dishonorably, godlessly wasted!
Electra
Those ills of which you speak, stranger, are none other’s than mine.
Those ills of which you speak, stranger, are none other’s than mine.
Orestes
Ah, pity for your unwed, ill-fated life!
Ah, pity for your unwed, ill-fated life!
Electra
Why, stranger, do you stare and grieve in this way?
Why, stranger, do you stare and grieve in this way?
Orestes
How I knew nothing, it seems, of my own sorrows!
1185
How I knew nothing, it seems, of my own sorrows!
1185
Electra
What that has been said made you realize this?
What that has been said made you realize this?
Orestes
It was the sight of you conspicuous in your many sufferings.
It was the sight of you conspicuous in your many sufferings.
Electra
And yet you see but a few of my troubles.
And yet you see but a few of my troubles.
Orestes
And how could there be any more odious to look on than these?
And how could there be any more odious to look on than these?
Electra
Because I share house and table with the murderers.
1190
Because I share house and table with the murderers.
1190
Orestes
Whose murderers? Where lies the guilt at which you point?
Whose murderers? Where lies the guilt at which you point?
Electra
The murderers of my father. And, further, I am forced to slave for them.
The murderers of my father. And, further, I am forced to slave for them.
Orestes
Who is it that binds you with this compulsion?
Who is it that binds you with this compulsion?
Electra
She is called my mother, but in no respect is she like a mother.
She is called my mother, but in no respect is she like a mother.
Orestes
How does she do it? By violence or by inflicting hardship?
1195
How does she do it? By violence or by inflicting hardship?
1195
Electra
By violence and hardships and all manner of evil.
By violence and hardships and all manner of evil.
Orestes
And is there no one to help, or to prevent it?
And is there no one to help, or to prevent it?
Electra
No one. The one I had, his ashes you have put before me.
No one. The one I had, his ashes you have put before me.
Orestes
Unfortunate girl, how seeing you stirs my pity!
1200
Unfortunate girl, how seeing you stirs my pity!
Electra
Then know that you are the first who ever pitied me.
1200
Then know that you are the first who ever pitied me.
1200
Orestes
Yes, for I alone have come and been pained by your troubles .
Yes, for I alone have come and been pained by your troubles .
Electra
Surely you are not some unknown kinsman?
Surely you are not some unknown kinsman?
Orestes
I would tell you, if these women bear you goodwill.
I would tell you, if these women bear you goodwill.
Electra
Indeed they do, so you will speak to trustworthy companions.
Indeed they do, so you will speak to trustworthy companions.
Orestes
Give up this urn, then, and you shall know everything.
1205
Give up this urn, then, and you shall know everything.
1205
Electra
No, by the gods, do not do this to me, stranger!
No, by the gods, do not do this to me, stranger!
Orestes
Do as I say, and you will never be mistaken.
Do as I say, and you will never be mistaken.
Electra
No, I beg you, do not rip from me what I hold most dear!
No, I beg you, do not rip from me what I hold most dear!
Orestes
You must not keep it.
You must not keep it.
Electra
Ah, what misery I will have because of you,
Orestes, if I am robbed of your burial!
1210
Ah, what misery I will have because of you,
Orestes, if I am robbed of your burial!
1210
Orestes
Hush! No ill-omened words! You have no right to grieve.
Hush! No ill-omened words! You have no right to grieve.
Electra
How is it not right for me to grieve for my dead brother?
How is it not right for me to grieve for my dead brother?
Orestes
It is not proper for you to speak of him as you do.
It is not proper for you to speak of him as you do.
Electra
Am I so without rights in the dead?
Am I so without rights in the dead?
Orestes
You are without rights in nothing; but this burial is not your concern.
1215
You are without rights in nothing; but this burial is not your concern.
1215
Electra
Yes it is, if these are the remains of Orestes that I hold.
Yes it is, if these are the remains of Orestes that I hold.
Orestes
They are not his, except inasmuch as fiction alone contrives to make them so.
He gently takes the urn from her.
They are not his, except inasmuch as fiction alone contrives to make them so.
He gently takes the urn from her.
Electra
And where is that sufferer’s tomb?
And where is that sufferer’s tomb?
Orestes
There is none; the living have no tomb.
There is none; the living have no tomb.
Electra
What are you saying, boy?
1220
What are you saying, boy?
1220
Orestes
Nothing that is untrue.
Nothing that is untrue.
Electra
The man is alive?
The man is alive?
Orestes
If there is life in me.
If there is life in me.
Electra
What? Are you he?
What? Are you he?
Orestes
Look at this signet, once our father’s, and know if I speak the truth.
Look at this signet, once our father’s, and know if I speak the truth.
Electra
O blissful day!
O blissful day!
Orestes
Blissful, I am your witness!
Blissful, I am your witness!
Electra
Is this your voice?
1225
Is this your voice?
1225
Orestes
Hear it from no other.
Hear it from no other.
Electra
Do I hold you in my arms?
Do I hold you in my arms?
Orestes
May you hold me so always hereafter!
May you hold me so always hereafter!
Electra
Ah, dear friends and fellow-citizens, see Orestes here, who was dead by design, and now by design has come safely home!
Ah, dear friends and fellow-citizens, see Orestes here, who was dead by design, and now by design has come safely home!
Chorus
We see him, daughter, and for this happy turn of fortune a tear of joy trickles from our eyes.
1230
We see him, daughter, and for this happy turn of fortune a tear of joy trickles from our eyes.
1230