πάλαι φυλάσσων, ἣν ἂν ὑμὶν ἐν δόμοις
Electra. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
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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)) — 1288-1383 focus
Ὀρέστης
τὰ μὲν περισσεύοντα τῶν λόγων ἄφες,
καὶ μήτε μήτηρ ὡς κακὴ δίδασκέ με,
μήθʼ ὡς πατρῴαν κτῆσιν Αἴγισθος δόμων
1290
ἀντλεῖ, τὰ δʼ ἐκχεῖ, τὰ δὲ διασπείρει μάτην·
χρόνου γὰρ ἄν σοι καιρὸν ἐξείργοι λόγος.
ἃ δʼ ἁρμόσει μοι τῷ παρόντι νῦν χρόνῳ
σήμαινʼ, ὅπου φανέντες ἢ κεκρυμμένοι
γελῶντας ἐχθροὺς παύσομεν τῇ νῦν ὁδῷ.
1295
οὕτω δʼ ὅπως μήτηρ σε μὴ ʼπιγνώσεται
φαιδρῷ προσώπῳ νῷν ἐπελθόντοιν δόμους·
ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐπʼ ἄτῃ τῇ μάτην λελεγμένῃ
στέναζʼ· ὅταν γὰρ εὐτυχήσωμεν, τότε
χαίρειν παρέσται καὶ γελᾶν ἐλευθέρως.
1300
τὰ μὲν περισσεύοντα τῶν λόγων ἄφες,
καὶ μήτε μήτηρ ὡς κακὴ δίδασκέ με,
μήθʼ ὡς πατρῴαν κτῆσιν Αἴγισθος δόμων
1290
ἀντλεῖ, τὰ δʼ ἐκχεῖ, τὰ δὲ διασπείρει μάτην·
χρόνου γὰρ ἄν σοι καιρὸν ἐξείργοι λόγος.
ἃ δʼ ἁρμόσει μοι τῷ παρόντι νῦν χρόνῳ
σήμαινʼ, ὅπου φανέντες ἢ κεκρυμμένοι
γελῶντας ἐχθροὺς παύσομεν τῇ νῦν ὁδῷ.
1295
οὕτω δʼ ὅπως μήτηρ σε μὴ ʼπιγνώσεται
φαιδρῷ προσώπῳ νῷν ἐπελθόντοιν δόμους·
ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐπʼ ἄτῃ τῇ μάτην λελεγμένῃ
στέναζʼ· ὅταν γὰρ εὐτυχήσωμεν, τότε
χαίρειν παρέσται καὶ γελᾶν ἐλευθέρως.
1300
Ἠλέκτρα
ἀλλʼ ὦ κασίγνηθʼ, ὧδʼ ὅπως καὶ σοὶ φίλον
καὶ τοὐμὸν ἔσται τῇδʼ· ἐπεὶ τὰς ἡδονὰς
πρὸς σοῦ λαβοῦσα κοὐκ ἐμὰς ἐκτησάμην,
κοὐδʼ ἄν σε λυπήσασα δεξαίμην βραχὺ
αὐτὴ μέγʼ εὑρεῖν κέρδος· οὐ γὰρ ἂν καλῶς
1305
ὑπηρετοίην τῷ παρόντι δαίμονι.
ἀλλʼ οἶσθα μὲν τἀνθένδε, πῶς γὰρ οὔ; κλύων
ὁθούνεκʼ Αἴγισθος μὲν οὐ κατὰ στέγας,
μήτηρ δʼ ἐν οἴκοις· ἣν σὺ μὴ δείσῃς ποθʼ ὡς
γέλωτι τοὐμὸν φαιδρὸν ὄψεται κάρα.
1310
μῖσός τε γὰρ παλαιὸν ἐντέτηκέ μοι,
κἀπεί σʼ ἐσεῖδον, οὔ ποτʼ ἐκλήξω χαρᾷ
δακρυρροοῦσα· πῶς γὰρ ἂν λήξαιμʼ ἐγώ,
ἥτις μιᾷ σε τῇδʼ ὁδῷ θανόντα τε
καὶ ζῶντʼ ἐσεῖδον; εἴργασαι δέ μʼ ἄσκοπα·
1315
ὥστʼ εἰ πατήρ μοι ζῶν ἵκοιτο, μηκέτʼ ἂν
τέρας νομίζειν αὐτό, πιστεύειν δʼ ὁρᾶν.
ὅτʼ οὖν τοιαύτην ἡμὶν ἐξήκεις ὁδόν,
ἄρχʼ αὐτὸς ὥς σοι θυμός· ὡς ἐγὼ μόνη
οὐκ ἂν δυοῖν ἥμαρτον· ἢ γὰρ ἂν καλῶς
1320
ἔσωσʼ ἐμαυτὴν ἢ καλῶς ἀπωλόμην.
1322
ἀλλʼ ὦ κασίγνηθʼ, ὧδʼ ὅπως καὶ σοὶ φίλον
καὶ τοὐμὸν ἔσται τῇδʼ· ἐπεὶ τὰς ἡδονὰς
πρὸς σοῦ λαβοῦσα κοὐκ ἐμὰς ἐκτησάμην,
κοὐδʼ ἄν σε λυπήσασα δεξαίμην βραχὺ
αὐτὴ μέγʼ εὑρεῖν κέρδος· οὐ γὰρ ἂν καλῶς
1305
ὑπηρετοίην τῷ παρόντι δαίμονι.
ἀλλʼ οἶσθα μὲν τἀνθένδε, πῶς γὰρ οὔ; κλύων
ὁθούνεκʼ Αἴγισθος μὲν οὐ κατὰ στέγας,
μήτηρ δʼ ἐν οἴκοις· ἣν σὺ μὴ δείσῃς ποθʼ ὡς
γέλωτι τοὐμὸν φαιδρὸν ὄψεται κάρα.
1310
μῖσός τε γὰρ παλαιὸν ἐντέτηκέ μοι,
κἀπεί σʼ ἐσεῖδον, οὔ ποτʼ ἐκλήξω χαρᾷ
δακρυρροοῦσα· πῶς γὰρ ἂν λήξαιμʼ ἐγώ,
ἥτις μιᾷ σε τῇδʼ ὁδῷ θανόντα τε
καὶ ζῶντʼ ἐσεῖδον; εἴργασαι δέ μʼ ἄσκοπα·
1315
ὥστʼ εἰ πατήρ μοι ζῶν ἵκοιτο, μηκέτʼ ἂν
τέρας νομίζειν αὐτό, πιστεύειν δʼ ὁρᾶν.
ὅτʼ οὖν τοιαύτην ἡμὶν ἐξήκεις ὁδόν,
ἄρχʼ αὐτὸς ὥς σοι θυμός· ὡς ἐγὼ μόνη
οὐκ ἂν δυοῖν ἥμαρτον· ἢ γὰρ ἂν καλῶς
1320
ἔσωσʼ ἐμαυτὴν ἢ καλῶς ἀπωλόμην.
Ὀρέστης
σιγᾶν ἐπῄνεσʼ ὡς ἐπʼ ἐξόδῳ κλύω τῶν ἔνδοθεν χωροῦντος.
σιγᾶν ἐπῄνεσʼ ὡς ἐπʼ ἐξόδῳ κλύω τῶν ἔνδοθεν χωροῦντος.
Ἠλέκτρα
εἴσιτʼ, ὦ ξένοι,
ἄλλως τε καὶ φέροντες οἷʼ ἂν οὔτε τις
δόμων ἀπώσαιτʼ οὔτʼ ἂν ἡσθείη λαβών.
1325
εἴσιτʼ, ὦ ξένοι,
ἄλλως τε καὶ φέροντες οἷʼ ἂν οὔτε τις
δόμων ἀπώσαιτʼ οὔτʼ ἂν ἡσθείη λαβών.
1325
Παιδαγωγός
ὦ πλεῖστα μῶροι καὶ φρενῶν τητώμενοι,
πότερα παρʼ οὐδὲν τοῦ βίου κήδεσθʼ ἔτι
ἢ νοῦς ἔνεστιν οὔτις ὑμὶν ἐγγενής,
ὅτʼ οὐ παρʼ αὐτοῖς, ἀλλʼ ἐν αὐτοῖσιν κακοῖς
τοῖσιν μεγίστοις ὄντες οὐ γιγνώσκετε;
1330
ἀλλʼ εἰ σταθμοῖσι τοῖσδε μὴ ʼκύρουν ἐγὼ
πάλαι φυλάσσων, ἦν ἂν ὑμὶν ἐν δόμοις
τὰ δρώμενʼ ὑμῶν πρόσθεν ἢ τὰ σώματα·
νῦν δʼ εὐλάβειαν τῶνδε προυθέμην ἐγώ.
καὶ νῦν ἀπαλλαχθέντε τῶν μακρῶν λόγων
1335
καὶ τῆς ἀπλήστου τῆσδε σὺν χαρᾷ βοῆς
εἴσω παρέλθεθʼ, ὡς τὸ μὲν μέλλειν κακὸν
ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις ἔστʼ, ἀπηλλάχθαι δʼ ἀκμή.
1339
ὦ πλεῖστα μῶροι καὶ φρενῶν τητώμενοι,
πότερα παρʼ οὐδὲν τοῦ βίου κήδεσθʼ ἔτι
ἢ νοῦς ἔνεστιν οὔτις ὑμὶν ἐγγενής,
ὅτʼ οὐ παρʼ αὐτοῖς, ἀλλʼ ἐν αὐτοῖσιν κακοῖς
τοῖσιν μεγίστοις ὄντες οὐ γιγνώσκετε;
1330
ἀλλʼ εἰ σταθμοῖσι τοῖσδε μὴ ʼκύρουν ἐγὼ
πάλαι φυλάσσων, ἦν ἂν ὑμὶν ἐν δόμοις
τὰ δρώμενʼ ὑμῶν πρόσθεν ἢ τὰ σώματα·
νῦν δʼ εὐλάβειαν τῶνδε προυθέμην ἐγώ.
καὶ νῦν ἀπαλλαχθέντε τῶν μακρῶν λόγων
1335
καὶ τῆς ἀπλήστου τῆσδε σὺν χαρᾷ βοῆς
εἴσω παρέλθεθʼ, ὡς τὸ μὲν μέλλειν κακὸν
ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις ἔστʼ, ἀπηλλάχθαι δʼ ἀκμή.
Ὀρέστης
πῶς οὖν ἔχει τἀντεῦθεν εἰσιόντι μοι;
πῶς οὖν ἔχει τἀντεῦθεν εἰσιόντι μοι;
Παιδαγωγός
καλῶς· ὑπάρχει γάρ σε μὴ γνῶναί τινα.
1340
καλῶς· ὑπάρχει γάρ σε μὴ γνῶναί τινα.
1340
Ὀρέστης
ἤγγειλας, ὡς ἔοικεν, ὡς τεθνηκότα.
ἤγγειλας, ὡς ἔοικεν, ὡς τεθνηκότα.
Παιδαγωγός
εἷς τῶν ἐν Ἅιδου μάνθανʼ ἐνθάδʼ ὢν ἀνήρ.
εἷς τῶν ἐν Ἅιδου μάνθανʼ ἐνθάδʼ ὢν ἀνήρ.
Ὀρέστης
χαίρουσιν οὖν τούτοισιν; ἢ τίνες λόγοι;
χαίρουσιν οὖν τούτοισιν; ἢ τίνες λόγοι;
Παιδαγωγός
τελουμένων εἴποιμʼ ἄν· ὡς δὲ νῦν ἔχει,
καλῶς τὰ κείνων πάντα, καὶ τὰ μὴ καλῶς.
1345
τελουμένων εἴποιμʼ ἄν· ὡς δὲ νῦν ἔχει,
καλῶς τὰ κείνων πάντα, καὶ τὰ μὴ καλῶς.
1345
Ἠλέκτρα
τίς οὗτός ἐστʼ, ἀδελφέ; πρὸς θεῶν φράσον.
τίς οὗτός ἐστʼ, ἀδελφέ; πρὸς θεῶν φράσον.
Ὀρέστης
οὐχὶ ξυνίης;
οὐχὶ ξυνίης;
Ἠλέκτρα
οὐδέ γʼ ἐς θυμὸν φέρω.
οὐδέ γʼ ἐς θυμὸν φέρω.
Ὀρέστης
οὐκ οἶσθʼ ὅτῳ μʼ ἔδωκας εἰς χέρας ποτέ;
οὐκ οἶσθʼ ὅτῳ μʼ ἔδωκας εἰς χέρας ποτέ;
Ἠλέκτρα
ποίῳ; τί φωνεῖς;
ποίῳ; τί φωνεῖς;
Ὀρέστης
οὗ τὸ Φωκέων πέδον
ὑπεξεπέμφθην σῇ προμηθίᾳ χεροῖν.
1350
οὗ τὸ Φωκέων πέδον
ὑπεξεπέμφθην σῇ προμηθίᾳ χεροῖν.
1350
Ἠλέκτρα
ἦ κεῖνος οὗτος, ὅν ποτʼ ἐκ πολλῶν ἐγὼ
μόνον προσηῦρον πιστὸν ἐν πατρὸς φόνῳ;
ἦ κεῖνος οὗτος, ὅν ποτʼ ἐκ πολλῶν ἐγὼ
μόνον προσηῦρον πιστὸν ἐν πατρὸς φόνῳ;
Ὀρέστης
ὅδʼ ἐστί· μή μʼ ἔλεγχε πλείοσιν λόγοις.
1354
ὅδʼ ἐστί· μή μʼ ἔλεγχε πλείοσιν λόγοις.
Ἠλέκτρα
ὦ φίλτατον φῶς, ὦ μόνος σωτὴρ δόμων
Ἀγαμέμνονος, πῶς ἦλθες; ἦ σὺ κεῖνος εἶ,
1355
ὃς τόνδε κἄμʼ ἔσωσας ἐκ πολλῶν πόνων;
ὦ φίλταται μὲν χεῖρες, ἥδιστον δʼ ἔχων
ποδῶν ὑπηρέτημα, πῶς οὕτω πάλαι
ξυνών μʼ ἔληθες οὐδʼ ἔφαινες, ἀλλά με
λόγοις ἀπώλλυς, ἔργʼ ἔχων ἥδιστʼ ἐμοί;
1360
χαῖρʼ, ὦ πάτερ· πατέρα γὰρ εἰσορᾶν δοκῶ·
χαῖρʼ· ἴσθι δʼ ὡς μάλιστά σʼ ἀνθρώπων ἐγὼ
ἤχθηρα κἀφίλησʼ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ μιᾷ.
ὦ φίλτατον φῶς, ὦ μόνος σωτὴρ δόμων
Ἀγαμέμνονος, πῶς ἦλθες; ἦ σὺ κεῖνος εἶ,
1355
ὃς τόνδε κἄμʼ ἔσωσας ἐκ πολλῶν πόνων;
ὦ φίλταται μὲν χεῖρες, ἥδιστον δʼ ἔχων
ποδῶν ὑπηρέτημα, πῶς οὕτω πάλαι
ξυνών μʼ ἔληθες οὐδʼ ἔφαινες, ἀλλά με
λόγοις ἀπώλλυς, ἔργʼ ἔχων ἥδιστʼ ἐμοί;
1360
χαῖρʼ, ὦ πάτερ· πατέρα γὰρ εἰσορᾶν δοκῶ·
χαῖρʼ· ἴσθι δʼ ὡς μάλιστά σʼ ἀνθρώπων ἐγὼ
ἤχθηρα κἀφίλησʼ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ μιᾷ.
Παιδαγωγός
ἀρκεῖν δοκεῖ μοι· τοὺς γὰρ ἐν μέσῳ λόγους
πολλαὶ κυκλοῦνται νύκτες ἡμέραι τʼ ἴσαι,
1365
αἳ ταῦτά σοι δείξουσιν, Ἠλέκτρα, σαφῆ.
σφῷν δʼ ἐννέπω γε τοῖν παρεστώτοιν ὅτι
νῦν καιρὸς ἔρδειν· νῦν Κλυταιμνήστρα μόνη,
νῦν οὔτις ἀνδρῶν ἔνδον· εἰ δʼ ἐφέξετον,
φροντίζεθʼ ὡς τούτοις τε καὶ σοφωτέροις
1370
ἄλλοισι τούτων πλείοσιν μαχούμενοι.
1372
ἀρκεῖν δοκεῖ μοι· τοὺς γὰρ ἐν μέσῳ λόγους
πολλαὶ κυκλοῦνται νύκτες ἡμέραι τʼ ἴσαι,
1365
αἳ ταῦτά σοι δείξουσιν, Ἠλέκτρα, σαφῆ.
σφῷν δʼ ἐννέπω γε τοῖν παρεστώτοιν ὅτι
νῦν καιρὸς ἔρδειν· νῦν Κλυταιμνήστρα μόνη,
νῦν οὔτις ἀνδρῶν ἔνδον· εἰ δʼ ἐφέξετον,
φροντίζεθʼ ὡς τούτοις τε καὶ σοφωτέροις
1370
ἄλλοισι τούτων πλείοσιν μαχούμενοι.
Ὀρέστης
οὐκ ἂν μακρῶν ἔθʼ ἡμὶν οὐδὲν ἂν λόγων,
Πυλάδη, τόδʼ εἴη τοὔργον, ἀλλʼ ὅσον τάχος
χωρεῖν ἔσω, πατρῷα προσκύσανθʼ ἕδη
θεῶν, ὅσοιπερ πρόπυλα ναίουσιν τάδε.
1375
οὐκ ἂν μακρῶν ἔθʼ ἡμὶν οὐδὲν ἂν λόγων,
Πυλάδη, τόδʼ εἴη τοὔργον, ἀλλʼ ὅσον τάχος
χωρεῖν ἔσω, πατρῷα προσκύσανθʼ ἕδη
θεῶν, ὅσοιπερ πρόπυλα ναίουσιν τάδε.
1375
Ἠλέκτρα
ἄναξ Ἄπολλον, ἵλεως αὐτοῖν κλύε
ἐμοῦ τε πρὸς τούτοισιν, ἥ σε πολλὰ δὴ
ἀφʼ ὧν ἔχοιμι λιπαρεῖ προύστην χερί.
νῦν δʼ, ὦ Λύκειʼ Ἄπολλον, ἐξ οἵων ἔχω
αἰτῶ, προπίτνω, λίσσομαι, γενοῦ πρόφρων
1380
ἡμῖν ἀρωγὸς τῶνδε τῶν βουλευμάτων,
καὶ δεῖξον ἀνθρώποισι τἀπιτίμια
τῆς δυσσεβείας οἷα δωροῦνται θεοί.
ἄναξ Ἄπολλον, ἵλεως αὐτοῖν κλύε
ἐμοῦ τε πρὸς τούτοισιν, ἥ σε πολλὰ δὴ
ἀφʼ ὧν ἔχοιμι λιπαρεῖ προύστην χερί.
νῦν δʼ, ὦ Λύκειʼ Ἄπολλον, ἐξ οἵων ἔχω
αἰτῶ, προπίτνω, λίσσομαι, γενοῦ πρόφρων
1380
ἡμῖν ἀρωγὸς τῶνδε τῶν βουλευμάτων,
καὶ δεῖξον ἀνθρώποισι τἀπιτίμια
τῆς δυσσεβείας οἷα δωροῦνται θεοί.
Translations (2)
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1339 focus
Wie steht es aber, wenn ich eingetreten dort?
Wie steht es aber, wenn ich eingetreten dort?
Der Pfleger.
Sehr wohl; das Schicksal fügt es, das Niemand dich kennt.
Sehr wohl; das Schicksal fügt es, das Niemand dich kennt.
Orestes.
Du brachtest, denk' ich, Kunde wohl von meinem Tod?
Du brachtest, denk' ich, Kunde wohl von meinem Tod?
Der Pfleger.
Ein Mann des Todes, wisse, bist du jenen dort.
1310
Ein Mann des Todes, wisse, bist du jenen dort.
1310
Orestes.
Sie freu'n sich wohl darüber? Nun, was sagen sie?
Sie freu'n sich wohl darüber? Nun, was sagen sie?
Der Pfleger.
Nachdem's gethan ist, red' ich: wie die Sachen steh'lu,
Geht Alles gut mit ihnen, auch was übel ist.
Nachdem's gethan ist, red' ich: wie die Sachen steh'lu,
Geht Alles gut mit ihnen, auch was übel ist.
Elektra.
Wer ist der Mann hier, Bruder? Bei den Göttern, sprich!
Wer ist der Mann hier, Bruder? Bei den Göttern, sprich!
Orestes.
Ihn kennst du nicht mehr?
1315
Ihn kennst du nicht mehr?
1315
Elektra.
Nicht entsinnen kann ich mich.
1315
Nicht entsinnen kann ich mich.
1315
Orestes.
So weißt du nimmer, wem du mich einst übergabst?
So weißt du nimmer, wem du mich einst übergabst?
Elektra.
Wem? Was erwähnst du?
Wem? Was erwähnst du?
Orestes.
Dessen Arm mich ehedem,
Dank deiner Vorsicht, ingeheim nach Phokis trug.
Dessen Arm mich ehedem,
Dank deiner Vorsicht, ingeheim nach Phokis trug.
Elektra.
Wie? Sener ist es, welchen ich aus Vielen einst
Allein getreu erfunden bei des Vaters Tod?
1320
Wie? Sener ist es, welchen ich aus Vielen einst
Allein getreu erfunden bei des Vaters Tod?
1320
Orestes.
Der ist es: aber frage nun nicht weiter mehr.
Der ist es: aber frage nun nicht weiter mehr.
Elektra.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1288-1380 focus
Orestes
Spare all superfluous words, and inform me neither of our mother’s wickedness,
nor how Aegisthus drains the wealth of our father’s house—what part he pours on the ground and what he squanders at random. For the story would preclude you from the opportunity afforded by the moment. Instead tell me that which will suit our present circumstances: where, either openly or in ambush,
1290
we may put an end to our enemies’ laughter by means of my coming. Make sure that our mother does not discover you by your radiant face, when we two have gone into the house. Rather, make lament, as if for the feigned disaster. For when we succeed, then
1295
there will be opportunity to rejoice and exult in freedom.
1300
Spare all superfluous words, and inform me neither of our mother’s wickedness,
nor how Aegisthus drains the wealth of our father’s house—what part he pours on the ground and what he squanders at random. For the story would preclude you from the opportunity afforded by the moment. Instead tell me that which will suit our present circumstances: where, either openly or in ambush,
1290
we may put an end to our enemies’ laughter by means of my coming. Make sure that our mother does not discover you by your radiant face, when we two have gone into the house. Rather, make lament, as if for the feigned disaster. For when we succeed, then
1295
there will be opportunity to rejoice and exult in freedom.
1300
Electra
Brother, be assured that my conduct will be as pleases you, since all my joy derives from you, and is not my own. Nor would I consent
to win a great good for myself at the cost of the slightest pain to you. For in doing so I would not honorably support the divine power that attends us now.
But you know how matters stand here. I do not doubt it. You must have heard that Aegisthus is away from home, but that our mother is inside. And never fear that she
1305
will ever see my face lit up with smiles. My old hatred of her has been welded to my heart, and since I have seen you, for very joy I will never cease to weep. How indeed could I stop when I have seen you come home on this one day first as dead,
1310
and then in life? What you have done to me is inconceivable—so much so that, if my father were to return to me alive, I would no longer think it a portent, but would believe that I truly saw him. Therefore now that you have come to me by such a path, command me as your spirit bids you. For had I been alone,
1315
I would not have failed in one of two things: a noble salvation, or a noble destruction.
1320
1322
Brother, be assured that my conduct will be as pleases you, since all my joy derives from you, and is not my own. Nor would I consent
to win a great good for myself at the cost of the slightest pain to you. For in doing so I would not honorably support the divine power that attends us now.
But you know how matters stand here. I do not doubt it. You must have heard that Aegisthus is away from home, but that our mother is inside. And never fear that she
1305
But you know how matters stand here. I do not doubt it. You must have heard that Aegisthus is away from home, but that our mother is inside. And never fear that she
will ever see my face lit up with smiles. My old hatred of her has been welded to my heart, and since I have seen you, for very joy I will never cease to weep. How indeed could I stop when I have seen you come home on this one day first as dead,
1310
and then in life? What you have done to me is inconceivable—so much so that, if my father were to return to me alive, I would no longer think it a portent, but would believe that I truly saw him. Therefore now that you have come to me by such a path, command me as your spirit bids you. For had I been alone,
1315
I would not have failed in one of two things: a noble salvation, or a noble destruction.
1320
Orestes
Silence! I hear someone walking inside as if to come out.
Silence! I hear someone walking inside as if to come out.
Electra
To Orestes and Pylades.
Go in, strangers, especially since you bring a thing which no one
could either turn away from these doors, or rejoice at receiving.
1325
Enter the Paedagogus.
Go in, strangers, especially since you bring a thing which no one
could either turn away from these doors, or rejoice at receiving.
1325
Paedagogus
Utterly foolish and senseless children! Are you weary of your lives, or is there no wit inborn in you, that you do not see how you stand not on the brink, but in the very midst
of immense danger? Had I not long kept watch at these doors, your doings would have been in the house before your bodies. But as it was, I put myself the task of averting that.
1330
Be done now with your long speeches and this insatiable shouting for joy, and go inside. In dealings of this sort delay is harmful, but the time is ripe for being done.
1335
1339
Utterly foolish and senseless children! Are you weary of your lives, or is there no wit inborn in you, that you do not see how you stand not on the brink, but in the very midst
of immense danger? Had I not long kept watch at these doors, your doings would have been in the house before your bodies. But as it was, I put myself the task of averting that.
1330
Be done now with your long speeches and this insatiable shouting for joy, and go inside. In dealings of this sort delay is harmful, but the time is ripe for being done.
1335
Orestes
Then how will things inside stand when I enter?
Then how will things inside stand when I enter?
Paedagogus
All is well. The fact is that no one will know you.
1340
All is well. The fact is that no one will know you.
1340
Orestes
You have reported me as dead, I presume?
You have reported me as dead, I presume?
Paedagogus
Know that here you are a man numbered with the shades.
Know that here you are a man numbered with the shades.
Orestes
Do they rejoice, then, at the news? Or what do they say?
Do they rejoice, then, at the news? Or what do they say?
Paedagogus
I will tell when all is completed. Meanwhile,
all is favorable for us on their part, even that which is not favorable.
1345
I will tell when all is completed. Meanwhile,
all is favorable for us on their part, even that which is not favorable.
1345
Electra
Who is this, brother? By the gods, tell me.
Who is this, brother? By the gods, tell me.
Orestes
Do you not know who he is?
Do you not know who he is?
Electra
No, nor can I imagine.
No, nor can I imagine.
Orestes
Do you not know the man to whose hands you gave me once?
Do you not know the man to whose hands you gave me once?
Electra
What man? What do you mean?
What man? What do you mean?
Orestes
I mean him, by whose hands and through your forethought
I was secretly conveyed away to Phocian soil.
1350
I mean him, by whose hands and through your forethought
I was secretly conveyed away to Phocian soil.
1350
Electra
Is this he in whom alone out of many I once found a true ally at the time of our father’s murder?
Is this he in whom alone out of many I once found a true ally at the time of our father’s murder?
Orestes
This is he; question me no further.
1354
This is he; question me no further.
Electra
O joyous day! O sole preserver of Agamemnon’s house,
how did you come here? Are you indeed the man who saved my brother and myself from many sorrows? O dearest hands, O messenger whose feet were kindly servants! How could you be with me so long and remain unknown, without giving a ray of illumination,
1355
but instead afflicting me with stories, while possessed of sweetest reality? Welcome, Father, for it is a father that I seem to behold! Welcome, and know that in one day I have hated you and loved you as no man ever before!
1360
O joyous day! O sole preserver of Agamemnon’s house,
how did you come here? Are you indeed the man who saved my brother and myself from many sorrows? O dearest hands, O messenger whose feet were kindly servants! How could you be with me so long and remain unknown, without giving a ray of illumination,
1355
but instead afflicting me with stories, while possessed of sweetest reality? Welcome, Father, for it is a father that I seem to behold! Welcome, and know that in one day I have hated you and loved you as no man ever before!
1360
Paedagogus
That is enough, I think. As for the recounting of intervening events,
many are the circling nights and an equal number of days which will reveal them to you clearly, Electra.
1365
That is enough, I think. As for the recounting of intervening events,
many are the circling nights and an equal number of days which will reveal them to you clearly, Electra.
1365
To Orestes and Pylades.
And this is my advice to you two, since you stand there: now is your opportunity to act, now Clytaemnestra is alone, now no man is inside. But if you pause,
consider that you will have to fight both those inside and others mightier and better skilled.
1370
1372
And this is my advice to you two, since you stand there: now is your opportunity to act, now Clytaemnestra is alone, now no man is inside. But if you pause,
consider that you will have to fight both those inside and others mightier and better skilled.
1370
Orestes
Pylades, in no way does our task call any longer for many words, but rather demands that we enter the house immediately, after first adoring the shrines of my father’s
gods, the keepers of these gates.
Orestes and Pylades enter the house, followed by the Paedagogus. Electra remains outside.
1375
Pylades, in no way does our task call any longer for many words, but rather demands that we enter the house immediately, after first adoring the shrines of my father’s
gods, the keepers of these gates.
Orestes and Pylades enter the house, followed by the Paedagogus. Electra remains outside.
1375
Electra
King Apollo! Hear them with favor, and hear me besides, who so often have come before your altar with hands rich in such gifts as I could obtain! And now, O Lycean Apollo, with what means I have
I pray to you, I supplicate you, I implore you, be our ready champion in these designs, and show what rewards the gods bestow on humans in return for their impiety!
Exit Electra, into the house.
1380
King Apollo! Hear them with favor, and hear me besides, who so often have come before your altar with hands rich in such gifts as I could obtain! And now, O Lycean Apollo, with what means I have
I pray to you, I supplicate you, I implore you, be our ready champion in these designs, and show what rewards the gods bestow on humans in return for their impiety!
Exit Electra, into the house.
1380