δι ὠτὸς ἂν παῦρά γ᾽ ὡς
ἠπίως
νηπίωι
ἠπίωσ ἐννέπειν
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))
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Editions (1)
Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1442-1510 focus
Αἴγισθος
τίς οἶδεν ὑμῶν ποῦ ποθʼ οἱ Φωκῆς ξένοι,
οὕς φασʼ Ὀρέστην ἡμὶν ἀγγεῖλαι βίον
λελοιπόθʼ ἱππικοῖσιν ἐν ναυαγίοις;
σέ τοι, σὲ κρίνω, ναὶ σέ, τὴν ἐν τῷ πάρος
1445
χρόνῳ θρασεῖαν· ὡς μάλιστα σοὶ μέλειν
οἶμαι, μάλιστα δʼ ἂν κατειδυῖαν φράσαι.
τίς οἶδεν ὑμῶν ποῦ ποθʼ οἱ Φωκῆς ξένοι,
οὕς φασʼ Ὀρέστην ἡμὶν ἀγγεῖλαι βίον
λελοιπόθʼ ἱππικοῖσιν ἐν ναυαγίοις;
σέ τοι, σὲ κρίνω, ναὶ σέ, τὴν ἐν τῷ πάρος
1445
χρόνῳ θρασεῖαν· ὡς μάλιστα σοὶ μέλειν
οἶμαι, μάλιστα δʼ ἂν κατειδυῖαν φράσαι.
Ἠλέκτρα
ἔξοιδα· πῶς γὰρ οὐχί; συμφορᾶς γὰρ ἂν
ἔξωθεν εἴην τῶν ἐμῶν τῆς φιλτάτης.
ἔξοιδα· πῶς γὰρ οὐχί; συμφορᾶς γὰρ ἂν
ἔξωθεν εἴην τῶν ἐμῶν τῆς φιλτάτης.
Αἴγισθος
ποῦ δῆτʼ ἂν εἶεν οἱ ξένοι; δίδασκέ με.
1450
ποῦ δῆτʼ ἂν εἶεν οἱ ξένοι; δίδασκέ με.
1450
Ἠλέκτρα
ἔνδον· φίλης γὰρ προξένου κατήνυσαν.
ἔνδον· φίλης γὰρ προξένου κατήνυσαν.
Αἴγισθος
ἦ καὶ θανόντʼ ἤγγειλαν ὡς ἐτητύμως;
ἦ καὶ θανόντʼ ἤγγειλαν ὡς ἐτητύμως;
Ἠλέκτρα
οὔκ, ἀλλὰ κἀπέδειξαν, οὐ λόγῳ μόνον.
οὔκ, ἀλλὰ κἀπέδειξαν, οὐ λόγῳ μόνον.
Αἴγισθος
πάρεστʼ ἄρʼ ἡμῖν ὥστε κἀμφανῆ μαθεῖν;
πάρεστʼ ἄρʼ ἡμῖν ὥστε κἀμφανῆ μαθεῖν;
Ἠλέκτρα
πάρεστι δῆτα, καὶ μάλʼ ἄζηλος θέα.
1455
πάρεστι δῆτα, καὶ μάλʼ ἄζηλος θέα.
1455
Αἴγισθος
ἦ πολλὰ χαίρειν μʼ εἶπας οὐκ εἰωθότως.
ἦ πολλὰ χαίρειν μʼ εἶπας οὐκ εἰωθότως.
Ἠλέκτρα
χαίροις ἄν, εἴ σοι χαρτὰ τυγχάνοι τάδε.
χαίροις ἄν, εἴ σοι χαρτὰ τυγχάνοι τάδε.
Αἴγισθος
σιγᾶν ἄνωγα κἀναδεικνύναι πύλας
πᾶσιν Μυκηναίοισιν Ἀργείοις θʼ ὁρᾶν,
ὡς εἴ τις αὐτῶν ἐλπίσιν κεναῖς πάρος
1460
ἐξῄρετʼ ἀνδρὸς τοῦδε, νῦν ὁρῶν νεκρὸν
στόμια δέχηται τἀμὰ μηδὲ πρὸς βίαν
ἐμοῦ κολαστοῦ προστυχὼν φύσῃ φρένας.
σιγᾶν ἄνωγα κἀναδεικνύναι πύλας
πᾶσιν Μυκηναίοισιν Ἀργείοις θʼ ὁρᾶν,
ὡς εἴ τις αὐτῶν ἐλπίσιν κεναῖς πάρος
1460
ἐξῄρετʼ ἀνδρὸς τοῦδε, νῦν ὁρῶν νεκρὸν
στόμια δέχηται τἀμὰ μηδὲ πρὸς βίαν
ἐμοῦ κολαστοῦ προστυχὼν φύσῃ φρένας.
Ἠλέκτρα
καὶ δὴ τελεῖται τἀπʼ ἐμοῦ· τῷ γὰρ χρόνῳ
νοῦν ἔσχον, ὥστε συμφέρειν τοῖς κρείσσοσιν.
1465
1466
καὶ δὴ τελεῖται τἀπʼ ἐμοῦ· τῷ γὰρ χρόνῳ
νοῦν ἔσχον, ὥστε συμφέρειν τοῖς κρείσσοσιν.
1465
Αἴγισθος
ὦ Ζεῦ, δέδορκα φάσμʼ ἄνευ φθόνου μὲν οὐ
πεπτωκός· εἰ δʼ ἔπεστι νέμεσις, οὐ λέγω.
χαλᾶτε πᾶν κάλυμμʼ ἀπʼ ὀφθαλμῶν, ὅπως
τὸ συγγενές τοι κἀπʼ ἐμοῦ θρήνων τύχῃ.
ὦ Ζεῦ, δέδορκα φάσμʼ ἄνευ φθόνου μὲν οὐ
πεπτωκός· εἰ δʼ ἔπεστι νέμεσις, οὐ λέγω.
χαλᾶτε πᾶν κάλυμμʼ ἀπʼ ὀφθαλμῶν, ὅπως
τὸ συγγενές τοι κἀπʼ ἐμοῦ θρήνων τύχῃ.
Ὀρέστης
αὐτὸς σὺ βάσταζʼ· οὐκ ἐμὸν τόδʼ, ἀλλὰ σόν,
1470
τὸ ταῦθʼ ὁρᾶν τε καὶ προσηγορεῖν φίλως.
αὐτὸς σὺ βάσταζʼ· οὐκ ἐμὸν τόδʼ, ἀλλὰ σόν,
1470
τὸ ταῦθʼ ὁρᾶν τε καὶ προσηγορεῖν φίλως.
Αἴγισθος
ἀλλʼ εὖ παραινεῖς κἀπιπείσομαι· σὺ δέ,
εἴ που κατʼ οἶκόν μοι Κλυταιμνήστρα, κάλει.
ἀλλʼ εὖ παραινεῖς κἀπιπείσομαι· σὺ δέ,
εἴ που κατʼ οἶκόν μοι Κλυταιμνήστρα, κάλει.
Ὀρέστης
αὕτη πέλας σοῦ· μηκέτʼ ἄλλοσε σκόπει.
αὕτη πέλας σοῦ· μηκέτʼ ἄλλοσε σκόπει.
Αἴγισθος
οἴμοι, τί λεύσσω;
1475
οἴμοι, τί λεύσσω;
1475
Ὀρέστης
τίνα φοβεῖ; τίνʼ ἀγνοεῖς;
τίνα φοβεῖ; τίνʼ ἀγνοεῖς;
Αἴγισθος
τίνων ποτʼ ἀνδρῶν ἐν μέσοις ἀρκυστάτοις πέπτωχʼ ὁ τλήμων;
τίνων ποτʼ ἀνδρῶν ἐν μέσοις ἀρκυστάτοις πέπτωχʼ ὁ τλήμων;
Ὀρέστης
οὐ γὰρ αἰσθάνει πάλαι
ζῶντας θανοῦσιν οὕνεκʼ ἀνταυδᾷς ἴσα;
οὐ γὰρ αἰσθάνει πάλαι
ζῶντας θανοῦσιν οὕνεκʼ ἀνταυδᾷς ἴσα;
Αἴγισθος
οἴμοι, ξυνῆκα τοὔπος· οὐ γὰρ ἔσθʼ ὅπως
1480
ὅδʼ οὐκ Ὀρέστης ἔσθʼ ὁ προσφωνῶν ἐμέ.
οἴμοι, ξυνῆκα τοὔπος· οὐ γὰρ ἔσθʼ ὅπως
1480
ὅδʼ οὐκ Ὀρέστης ἔσθʼ ὁ προσφωνῶν ἐμέ.
Ὀρέστης
καὶ μάντις ὢν ἄριστος ἐσφάλλου πάλαι.
καὶ μάντις ὢν ἄριστος ἐσφάλλου πάλαι.
Αἴγισθος
ὄλωλα δὴ δείλαιος. ἀλλά μοι πάρες
κἂν σμικρὸν εἰπεῖν.
ὄλωλα δὴ δείλαιος. ἀλλά μοι πάρες
κἂν σμικρὸν εἰπεῖν.
Ἠλέκτρα
μὴ πέρα λέγειν ἔα
πρὸς θεῶν, ἀδελφέ, μηδὲ μηκύνειν λόγους.
1485
τί γὰρ βροτῶν ἂν σὺν κακοῖς μεμιγμένων
θνῄσκειν ὁ μέλλων οὐ χρόνου κέρδος φέροι;
ἀλλʼ ὡς τάχιστα κτεῖνε καὶ κτανὼν πρόθες
ταφεῦσιν, ὧν τόνδʼ εἰκός ἐστι τυγχάνειν,
ἄποπτον ἡμῶν· ὡς ἐμοὶ τόδʼ ἂν κακῶν
1490
μόνον γένοιτο τῶν πάλαι λυτήριον.
1491
μὴ πέρα λέγειν ἔα
πρὸς θεῶν, ἀδελφέ, μηδὲ μηκύνειν λόγους.
1485
τί γὰρ βροτῶν ἂν σὺν κακοῖς μεμιγμένων
θνῄσκειν ὁ μέλλων οὐ χρόνου κέρδος φέροι;
ἀλλʼ ὡς τάχιστα κτεῖνε καὶ κτανὼν πρόθες
ταφεῦσιν, ὧν τόνδʼ εἰκός ἐστι τυγχάνειν,
ἄποπτον ἡμῶν· ὡς ἐμοὶ τόδʼ ἂν κακῶν
1490
μόνον γένοιτο τῶν πάλαι λυτήριον.
Ὀρέστης
χωροῖς ἂν εἴσω σὺν τάχει· λόγων γὰρ οὐ
νῦν ἐστιν ἁγών, ἀλλὰ σῆς ψυχῆς πέρι.
χωροῖς ἂν εἴσω σὺν τάχει· λόγων γὰρ οὐ
νῦν ἐστιν ἁγών, ἀλλὰ σῆς ψυχῆς πέρι.
Αἴγισθος
τί δʼ ἐς δόμους ἄγεις με; πῶς, τόδʼ εἰ καλὸν
τοὔργον, σκότου δεῖ κοὐ πρόχειρος εἶ κτανεῖν;
τί δʼ ἐς δόμους ἄγεις με; πῶς, τόδʼ εἰ καλὸν
τοὔργον, σκότου δεῖ κοὐ πρόχειρος εἶ κτανεῖν;
Ὀρέστης
μὴ τάσσε· χώρει δʼ ἔνθαπερ κατέκτανες
1495
πατέρα τὸν ἀμόν, ὡς ἂν ἐν ταὐτῷ θάνῃς.
μὴ τάσσε· χώρει δʼ ἔνθαπερ κατέκτανες
1495
πατέρα τὸν ἀμόν, ὡς ἂν ἐν ταὐτῷ θάνῃς.
Αἴγισθος
ἦ πᾶσʼ ἀνάγκη τήνδε τὴν στέγην ἰδεῖν
τά τʼ ὄντα καὶ μέλλοντα Πελοπιδῶν κακά;
ἦ πᾶσʼ ἀνάγκη τήνδε τὴν στέγην ἰδεῖν
τά τʼ ὄντα καὶ μέλλοντα Πελοπιδῶν κακά;
Ὀρέστης
τὰ γοῦν σʼ· ἐγώ σοι μάντις εἰμὶ τῶνδʼ ἄκρος.
τὰ γοῦν σʼ· ἐγώ σοι μάντις εἰμὶ τῶνδʼ ἄκρος.
Αἴγισθος
ἀλλʼ οὐ πατρῴαν τὴν τέχνην ἐκόμπασας.
1500
ἀλλʼ οὐ πατρῴαν τὴν τέχνην ἐκόμπασας.
1500
Ὀρέστης
πόλλʼ ἀντιφωνεῖς, ἡ δʼ ὁδὸς βραδύνεται.
ἀλλʼ ἕρφʼ.
πόλλʼ ἀντιφωνεῖς, ἡ δʼ ὁδὸς βραδύνεται.
ἀλλʼ ἕρφʼ.
Αἴγισθος
ὑφηγοῦ.
ὑφηγοῦ.
Ὀρέστης
σοὶ βαδιστέον πάρος.
σοὶ βαδιστέον πάρος.
Αἴγισθος
ἦ μὴ φύγω σε;
ἦ μὴ φύγω σε;
Ὀρέστης
μὴ μὲν οὖν καθʼ ἡδονὴν
θάνῃς· φυλάξαι δεῖ με τοῦτό σοι πικρόν.
χρῆν δʼ εὐθὺς εἶναι τήνδε τοῖς πᾶσιν δίκην,
1505
ὅστις πέρα πράσσειν τι τῶν νόμων θέλει,
κτείνειν· τὸ γὰρ πανοῦργον οὐκ ἂν ἦν πολύ.
1508
μὴ μὲν οὖν καθʼ ἡδονὴν
θάνῃς· φυλάξαι δεῖ με τοῦτό σοι πικρόν.
χρῆν δʼ εὐθὺς εἶναι τήνδε τοῖς πᾶσιν δίκην,
1505
ὅστις πέρα πράσσειν τι τῶν νόμων θέλει,
κτείνειν· τὸ γὰρ πανοῦργον οὐκ ἂν ἦν πολύ.
Χορός
ὦ σπέρμʼ Ἀτρέως, ὡς πολλὰ παθὸν
διʼ ἐλευθερίας μόλις ἐξῆλθες
τῇ νῦν ὁρμῇ τελεωθέν.
1510
ὦ σπέρμʼ Ἀτρέως, ὡς πολλὰ παθὸν
διʼ ἐλευθερίας μόλις ἐξῆλθες
τῇ νῦν ὁρμῇ τελεωθέν.
1510
Translations (2)
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1442 focus
Wer unter euch weiß, wo die Phokergäste sind,
Die, heißt es, uns verkünden, daß Orestes jüngst
1405
Im Wagenkampfe scheitert' und das Leben ließ?
(zu Elektra)
Dich, dich, ja dich befrag' ich, die du früher stets
So trozig warest: dich am ersten kümmert's wohl;
So, denk' ich, weißt du's auch am ersten kundzuthun.
Wer unter euch weiß, wo die Phokergäste sind,
Die, heißt es, uns verkünden, daß Orestes jüngst
1405
Im Wagenkampfe scheitert' und das Leben ließ?
Dich, dich, ja dich befrag' ich, die du früher stets
So trozig warest: dich am ersten kümmert's wohl;
So, denk' ich, weißt du's auch am ersten kundzuthun.
Elektra.
Ich weiß es; wie denn sollt' ich nicht? Fremd wär' ich sonst
1410
Dem Loos der Meinen, welche mir so theuer sind.
Ich weiß es; wie denn sollt' ich nicht? Fremd wär' ich sonst
1410
Dem Loos der Meinen, welche mir so theuer sind.
Aegisthos.
Wo sind sie denn, die Gäste? Das bedeute mir.
Wo sind sie denn, die Gäste? Das bedeute mir.
Elektra.
Im Hause, bei der lieben Wirthin eingeführt.
Im Hause, bei der lieben Wirthin eingeführt.
Aegisthos.
Und daß er todt sei, melden sie unzweifelhaft?
Und daß er todt sei, melden sie unzweifelhaft?
Elektra.
Und gaben auch Beweise, nicht durch Worte nur.
1415
Und gaben auch Beweise, nicht durch Worte nur.
1415
Aegisthos.
So steht mir frei, mit eignen Augen es zu seh'n?
So steht mir frei, mit eignen Augen es zu seh'n?
Elektra.
Frei steht der Anblick; doch er ist kein lieblicher.
Frei steht der Anblick; doch er ist kein lieblicher.
Aegisthos.
Du sagst mir viel zur Freude, wie du nie gepflegt.
Du sagst mir viel zur Freude, wie du nie gepflegt.
Elektra.
Wohl, freue du dich, wenn es dir erfreulich ist.
Wohl, freue du dich, wenn es dir erfreulich ist.
Aegisthos.
Nun still, gebiet' ich; thut des Hauses Pforten auf;
1420
Denn ganz Mykene soll es, Argos soll es schaun,
Daß Jeder, der sich etwa sonst auf diesen Mann
Mit eitler Hoffnung wiegte, todt ihn schaue nun,
Und mein Gebiß annehme, wenn nicht meine Zucht
Vorher gewaltsam zur Vernunft ihn bringen soll.
1425
Nun still, gebiet' ich; thut des Hauses Pforten auf;
1420
Denn ganz Mykene soll es, Argos soll es schaun,
Daß Jeder, der sich etwa sonst auf diesen Mann
Mit eitler Hoffnung wiegte, todt ihn schaue nun,
Und mein Gebiß annehme, wenn nicht meine Zucht
Vorher gewaltsam zur Vernunft ihn bringen soll.
1425
Elektra.
Ich thue schon das Meine; denn mich hat die Zeit
Gelehrt, zu folgen, wenn gebeut ein Stärkerer.
(Sie öffnet die Thür; man erblickt die verhüllte Leiche Klytämnestra's.)
Orestes. Pylades. Der Pfleger. Die Vorigen.
Ich thue schon das Meine; denn mich hat die Zeit
Gelehrt, zu folgen, wenn gebeut ein Stärkerer.
Aegisthos.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1442-1510 focus
Enter Aegisthus.
1466
A shrouded corpse is disclosed.Orestes and Pylades stand near it.
1491
1508
Aegisthus
Which of you can tell me where those Phocian strangers are, who are said to have brought report for us that Orestes passed away amidst the shipwrecked chariots?
You, you I ask, yes, you, who were in former days so bold. It seems to me that this concerns you most, so you must know best, and can best tell me.
1445
Which of you can tell me where those Phocian strangers are, who are said to have brought report for us that Orestes passed away amidst the shipwrecked chariots?
You, you I ask, yes, you, who were in former days so bold. It seems to me that this concerns you most, so you must know best, and can best tell me.
1445
Electra
I do know. How could I not? Otherwise I would be an alien to the fortune of my nearest kinsmen.
I do know. How could I not? Otherwise I would be an alien to the fortune of my nearest kinsmen.
Aegisthus
Where, then, may the strangers be? Tell me.
1450
Where, then, may the strangers be? Tell me.
1450
Electra
Inside. They have found a way to the heart of their hostess.
Inside. They have found a way to the heart of their hostess.
Aegisthus
Have they in fact reported him truly dead?
Have they in fact reported him truly dead?
Electra
No, not reported only. They have shown him.
No, not reported only. They have shown him.
Aegisthus
Then I can identify the corpse myself?
Then I can identify the corpse myself?
Electra
You can, indeed, though it is no enviable sight.
1455
You can, indeed, though it is no enviable sight.
1455
Aegisthus
You have indeed given me a joyful greeting, beyond your custom.
You have indeed given me a joyful greeting, beyond your custom.
Electra
May joy be yours, if joy is what you find in these things.
May joy be yours, if joy is what you find in these things.
Aegisthus
Silence, I say, and throw wide the gates for all Mycenaeans and Argives to see,
so that, if any one of them were once buoyed by empty hopes in this man, now by seeing his corpse, he may welcome my bit in his mouth, instead of waiting until my punishment makes him grow wits by force!
1460
Silence, I say, and throw wide the gates for all Mycenaeans and Argives to see,
so that, if any one of them were once buoyed by empty hopes in this man, now by seeing his corpse, he may welcome my bit in his mouth, instead of waiting until my punishment makes him grow wits by force!
1460
Electra
All will be done on my part. Time
has given me the sense to comply with the stronger.
1465
1466
A shrouded corpse is disclosed.Orestes and Pylades stand near it.
All will be done on my part. Time
has given me the sense to comply with the stronger.
1465
Aegisthus
O Zeus, I see an image which could not have fallen without divine spite—but, if Nemesis attend what I say, let it be unsaid!
To Orestes. Undo the coverings from his eyes, so that our kinship, at least, may receive due mourning from me also.
O Zeus, I see an image which could not have fallen without divine spite—but, if Nemesis attend what I say, let it be unsaid!
To Orestes. Undo the coverings from his eyes, so that our kinship, at least, may receive due mourning from me also.
Orestes
Lift the veil yourself. It is not for me, but for you to look upon these remains and greet them kindly.
1470
Lift the veil yourself. It is not for me, but for you to look upon these remains and greet them kindly.
1470
Aegisthus
You advise well, and I will obey you.
To Electra. But you, call Clytaemnestra for me, if she is at home.
You advise well, and I will obey you.
To Electra. But you, call Clytaemnestra for me, if she is at home.
Orestes
She is near you; do not look elsewhere.
She is near you; do not look elsewhere.
Aegisthus
Aegisthus removes the cloth from the face of the corpse.
O, what sight is this!
1475
O, what sight is this!
1475
Orestes
Why so scared? Is the face so strange?
Why so scared? Is the face so strange?
Aegisthus
Who are the men into whose nets I have miserably fallen?
Who are the men into whose nets I have miserably fallen?
Orestes
Do you not perceive how you have long been addressing the living in terms suited to the dead?
Do you not perceive how you have long been addressing the living in terms suited to the dead?
Aegisthus
Ah, I read the riddle! It cannot be that
this is not Orestes who speaks to me!
1480
Ah, I read the riddle! It cannot be that
this is not Orestes who speaks to me!
1480
Orestes
And, though so good a prophet, were you deceived so long?
And, though so good a prophet, were you deceived so long?
Aegisthus
Oh, I am destroyed, undone! Yet allow me to speak just a little.
Oh, I am destroyed, undone! Yet allow me to speak just a little.
Electra
By the gods, brother, do not allow him to speak any more or to plead at length!
When mortals are embroiled in misfortunes, how can one who is to die benefit from lapse of time? No, kill him as quickly as you can, and throw his corpse to the creatures from whom his kind should have burial, throw it far from our sight! For in my eyes this
1485
alone can bring us release from the misery of the past.
1490
1491
By the gods, brother, do not allow him to speak any more or to plead at length!
When mortals are embroiled in misfortunes, how can one who is to die benefit from lapse of time? No, kill him as quickly as you can, and throw his corpse to the creatures from whom his kind should have burial, throw it far from our sight! For in my eyes this
1485
alone can bring us release from the misery of the past.
1490
Orestes
To Aegisthus. Go in, and quickly. Words are not at stake here, but your life.
To Aegisthus. Go in, and quickly. Words are not at stake here, but your life.
Aegisthus
Why take me into the house? If this deed is just, what need is there of darkness? Why is your hand not quick to strike?
Why take me into the house? If this deed is just, what need is there of darkness? Why is your hand not quick to strike?
Orestes
Do not give orders, but go to where you struck down my father, so that in that very place you may die.
1495
Do not give orders, but go to where you struck down my father, so that in that very place you may die.
1495
Aegisthus
Is this dwelling doomed to see all the sufferings of us descendants of Pelops, both now and in time to come?
Is this dwelling doomed to see all the sufferings of us descendants of Pelops, both now and in time to come?
Orestes
Yours, at least. I am for you a consummate prophet in these matters.
Yours, at least. I am for you a consummate prophet in these matters.
Aegisthus
The skill you boast about did not belong to your father.
1500
The skill you boast about did not belong to your father.
1500
Orestes
You bandy words, and our going is delayed. Move forward!
You bandy words, and our going is delayed. Move forward!
Aegisthus
You lead.
You lead.
Orestes
You must go first.
You must go first.
Aegisthus
Lest I escape you?
Lest I escape you?
Orestes
No, lest you die in a manner which pleases you. I must be sure that your death is bitter for you.
This just penalty ought to come straightaway upon all who would break the laws: the penalty of death. Then wrongdoing would not abound.
1505
1508
No, lest you die in a manner which pleases you. I must be sure that your death is bitter for you.
This just penalty ought to come straightaway upon all who would break the laws: the penalty of death. Then wrongdoing would not abound.
1505
Chorus
O seed of Atreus, through how many sufferings have you sprouted up at last in freedom,
fulfilled by this day’s enterprise!
1510
O seed of Atreus, through how many sufferings have you sprouted up at last in freedom,
fulfilled by this day’s enterprise!
1510
Commentary
Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
1398-1441. mvp-comment-660-1 The following passage (1398-1441), although consisting largely of senarii, appears to be antistrophic, nearly corresponding even in the division of the lines. According to this view ll. 1404-1406 are either (1) not to be counted in the strophe, or (2) lines answering to them after l. 1427 must be supposed to have been lost. As the lines in question relate to the sudden cry of Clytemnestra from within, the former supposition is sufficiently probable. Cp. note on O. C. 117 foll., vol. i. p. 298 (Ist column). In the 'strophe,' ll. 1398-1421, Clytemnestra is put to death, -in the 'antistrophe,' ll. 1422-41, the bleeding sword is displayed, and Aegisthus is descried. The young men then retire into the palace, and Electra waits outside.
1435. mvp-comment-677-1 It is unnecessary, with Erfurdt, to take the words ᾖ νοεῖς from Orestes. The Chorus had not completed their sentence, and Orestes wishes to show that he understands their drift. Thus, 'Thought leaps out to wed with thought, Ere thought can wed itself to speech.' Electra wants neither thoughts nor words, but action. Hence she briefly says, ἔπειγέ νυν.