αὕτη δ᾽, Ὀρέστα, τοῦ λυκοκτόνου θεοῦ
Electra. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
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Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1-120 focus
Παιδαγωγός
ὦ τοῦ στρατηγήσαντος ἐν Τροίᾳ ποτὲ
1
Ἀγαμέμνονος παῖ, νῦν ἐκεῖνʼ ἔξεστί σοι
παρόντι λεύσσειν, ὧν πρόθυμος ἦσθʼ ἀεί.
τὸ γὰρ παλαιὸν Ἄργος οὑπόθεις τόδε,
τῆς οἰστροπλῆγος ἄλσος Ἰνάχου κόρης·
5
αὕτη δʼ, Ὀρέστα, τοῦ λυκοκτόνου θεοῦ
ἀγορὰ Λύκειος· οὑξ ἀριστερᾶς δʼ ὅδε
Ἥρας ὁ κλεινὸς ναός· οἷ δʼ ἱκάνομεν,
φάσκειν Μυκήνας τὰς πολυχρύσους ὁρᾶν
πολύφθορόν τε δῶμα Πελοπιδῶν τόδε,
10
ὅθεν σε πατρὸς ἐκ φονῶν ἐγώ ποτε
πρὸς σῆς ὁμαίμου καὶ κασιγνήτης λαβὼν
ἤνεγκα κἀξέσωσα κἀξεθρεψάμην
τοσόνδʼ ἐς ἥβης, πατρὶ τιμωρὸν φόνου.
νῦν οὖν, Ὀρέστα καὶ σὺ φίλτατε ξένων
15
Πυλάδη, τί χρὴ δρᾶν ἐν τάχει βουλευτέον·
ὡς ἡμὶν ἤδη λαμπρὸν ἡλίου σέλας
ἑῷα κινεῖ φθέγματʼ ὀρνίθων σαφῆ
μέλαινά τʼ ἄστρων ἐκλέλοιπεν εὐφρόνη.
πρὶν οὖν τινʼ ἀνδρῶν ἐξοδοιπορεῖν στέγης,
20
ξυνάπτετον λόγοισιν· ὡς ἐνταῦθʼ ἐμέν,
ἵνʼ οὐκέτʼ ὀκνεῖν καιρός, ἀλλʼ ἔργων ἀκμή.
23
ὦ τοῦ στρατηγήσαντος ἐν Τροίᾳ ποτὲ
1
Ἀγαμέμνονος παῖ, νῦν ἐκεῖνʼ ἔξεστί σοι
παρόντι λεύσσειν, ὧν πρόθυμος ἦσθʼ ἀεί.
τὸ γὰρ παλαιὸν Ἄργος οὑπόθεις τόδε,
τῆς οἰστροπλῆγος ἄλσος Ἰνάχου κόρης·
5
αὕτη δʼ, Ὀρέστα, τοῦ λυκοκτόνου θεοῦ
ἀγορὰ Λύκειος· οὑξ ἀριστερᾶς δʼ ὅδε
Ἥρας ὁ κλεινὸς ναός· οἷ δʼ ἱκάνομεν,
φάσκειν Μυκήνας τὰς πολυχρύσους ὁρᾶν
πολύφθορόν τε δῶμα Πελοπιδῶν τόδε,
10
ὅθεν σε πατρὸς ἐκ φονῶν ἐγώ ποτε
πρὸς σῆς ὁμαίμου καὶ κασιγνήτης λαβὼν
ἤνεγκα κἀξέσωσα κἀξεθρεψάμην
τοσόνδʼ ἐς ἥβης, πατρὶ τιμωρὸν φόνου.
νῦν οὖν, Ὀρέστα καὶ σὺ φίλτατε ξένων
15
Πυλάδη, τί χρὴ δρᾶν ἐν τάχει βουλευτέον·
ὡς ἡμὶν ἤδη λαμπρὸν ἡλίου σέλας
ἑῷα κινεῖ φθέγματʼ ὀρνίθων σαφῆ
μέλαινά τʼ ἄστρων ἐκλέλοιπεν εὐφρόνη.
πρὶν οὖν τινʼ ἀνδρῶν ἐξοδοιπορεῖν στέγης,
20
ξυνάπτετον λόγοισιν· ὡς ἐνταῦθʼ ἐμέν,
ἵνʼ οὐκέτʼ ὀκνεῖν καιρός, ἀλλʼ ἔργων ἀκμή.
Ὀρέστης
ὦ φίλτατʼ ἀνδρῶν προσπόλων, ὥς μοι σαφῆ
σημεῖα φαίνεις ἐσθλὸς εἰς ἡμᾶς γεγώς.
ὥσπερ γὰρ ἵππος εὐγενής, κἂν ᾖ γέρων,
25
ἐν τοῖσι δεινοῖς θυμὸν οὐκ ἀπώλεσεν,
ἀλλʼ ὀρθὸν οὖς ἵστησιν, ὡσαύτως δὲ σὺ
ἡμᾶς τʼ ὀτρύνεις καὐτὸς ἐν πρώτοις ἕπει.
τοιγὰρ τὰ μὲν δόξαντα δηλώσω, σὺ δὲ
ὀξεῖαν ἀκοὴν τοῖς ἐμοῖς λόγοις διδούς,
30
εἰ μή τι καιροῦ τυγχάνω, μεθάρμοσον.
ἐγὼ γὰρ ἡνίχʼ ἱκόμην τὸ Πυθικὸν
μαντεῖον, ὡς μάθοιμʼ ὅτῳ τρόπῳ πατρὶ
δίκας ἀροίμην τῶν φονευσάντων πάρα,
χρῇ μοι τοιαῦθʼ ὁ Φοῖβος ὧν πεύσει τάχα·
35
ἄσκευον αὐτὸν ἀσπίδων τε καὶ στρατοῦ
δόλοισι κλέψαι χειρὸς ἐνδίκους σφαγάς.
ὅτʼ οὖν τοιόνδε χρησμὸν εἰσηκούσαμεν,
σὺ μὲν μολών, ὅταν σε καιρὸς εἰσάγῃ,
δόμων ἔσω τῶνδʼ, ἴσθι πᾶν τὸ δρώμενον,
40
ὅπως ἂν εἰδὼς ἡμὶν ἀγγείλῃς σαφῆ.
οὐ γάρ σε μὴ γήρᾳ τε καὶ χρόνῳ μακρῷ
γνῶσʼ, οὐδʼ ὑποπτεύσουσιν ὧδʼ ἠνθισμένον.
λόγῳ δὲ χρῶ τοιῷδʼ, ὅτι ξένος μὲν εἶ
Φωκέως παρʼ ἀνδρὸς Φανοτέως ἥκων· ὃ γὰρ
45
μέγιστος αὐτοῖς τυγχάνει δορυξένων.
ἄγγελλε δʼ ὅρκον προστιθεὶς ὁθούνεκα
τέθνηκʼ Ὀρέστης ἐξ ἀναγκαίας τύχης,
ἄθλοισι Πυθικοῖσιν ἐκ τροχηλάτων
δίφρων κυλισθείς· ὧδʼ ὁ μῦθος ἑστάτω.
50
51
ὦ φίλτατʼ ἀνδρῶν προσπόλων, ὥς μοι σαφῆ
σημεῖα φαίνεις ἐσθλὸς εἰς ἡμᾶς γεγώς.
ὥσπερ γὰρ ἵππος εὐγενής, κἂν ᾖ γέρων,
25
ἐν τοῖσι δεινοῖς θυμὸν οὐκ ἀπώλεσεν,
ἀλλʼ ὀρθὸν οὖς ἵστησιν, ὡσαύτως δὲ σὺ
ἡμᾶς τʼ ὀτρύνεις καὐτὸς ἐν πρώτοις ἕπει.
τοιγὰρ τὰ μὲν δόξαντα δηλώσω, σὺ δὲ
ὀξεῖαν ἀκοὴν τοῖς ἐμοῖς λόγοις διδούς,
30
εἰ μή τι καιροῦ τυγχάνω, μεθάρμοσον.
ἐγὼ γὰρ ἡνίχʼ ἱκόμην τὸ Πυθικὸν
μαντεῖον, ὡς μάθοιμʼ ὅτῳ τρόπῳ πατρὶ
δίκας ἀροίμην τῶν φονευσάντων πάρα,
χρῇ μοι τοιαῦθʼ ὁ Φοῖβος ὧν πεύσει τάχα·
35
ἄσκευον αὐτὸν ἀσπίδων τε καὶ στρατοῦ
δόλοισι κλέψαι χειρὸς ἐνδίκους σφαγάς.
ὅτʼ οὖν τοιόνδε χρησμὸν εἰσηκούσαμεν,
σὺ μὲν μολών, ὅταν σε καιρὸς εἰσάγῃ,
δόμων ἔσω τῶνδʼ, ἴσθι πᾶν τὸ δρώμενον,
40
ὅπως ἂν εἰδὼς ἡμὶν ἀγγείλῃς σαφῆ.
οὐ γάρ σε μὴ γήρᾳ τε καὶ χρόνῳ μακρῷ
γνῶσʼ, οὐδʼ ὑποπτεύσουσιν ὧδʼ ἠνθισμένον.
λόγῳ δὲ χρῶ τοιῷδʼ, ὅτι ξένος μὲν εἶ
Φωκέως παρʼ ἀνδρὸς Φανοτέως ἥκων· ὃ γὰρ
45
μέγιστος αὐτοῖς τυγχάνει δορυξένων.
ἄγγελλε δʼ ὅρκον προστιθεὶς ὁθούνεκα
τέθνηκʼ Ὀρέστης ἐξ ἀναγκαίας τύχης,
ἄθλοισι Πυθικοῖσιν ἐκ τροχηλάτων
δίφρων κυλισθείς· ὧδʼ ὁ μῦθος ἑστάτω.
50
Ὀρέστης
ἡμεῖς δὲ πατρὸς τύμβον, ὡς ἐφίετο,
λοιβαῖσι πρῶτον καὶ καρατόμοις χλιδαῖς
στέψαντες εἶτʼ ἄψορρον ἥξομεν πάλιν,
τύπωμα χαλκόπλευρον ἠρμένοι χεροῖν,
ὃ καὶ σὺ θάμνοις οἶσθά που κεκρυμμένον,
55
ὅπως λόγῳ κλέπτοντες ἡδεῖαν φάτιν
φέρωμεν αὐτοῖς, τοὐμὸν ὡς ἔρρει δέμας
φλογιστὸν ἤδη καὶ κατηνθρακωμένον.
τί γάρ με λυπεῖ τοῦθʼ, ὅταν λόγῳ θανὼν
ἔργοισι σωθῶ κἀξενέγκωμαι κλέος;
60
δοκῶ μέν, οὐδὲν ῥῆμα σὺν κέρδει κακόν.
ἤδη γὰρ εἶδον πολλάκις καὶ τοὺς σοφοὺς
λόγῳ μάτην θνῄσκοντας· εἶθʼ, ὅταν δόμους
ἔλθωσιν αὖθις, ἐκτετίμηνται πλέον·
ὡς κἄμʼ ἐπαυχῶ τῆσδε τῆς φήμης ἄπο
65
δεδορκότʼ ἐχθροῖς ἄστρον ὣς λάμψειν ἔτι.
ἀλλʼ, ὦ πατρῴα γῆ θεοί τʼ ἐγχώριοι,
δέξασθέ μʼ εὐτυχοῦντα ταῖσδε ταῖς ὁδοῖς,
σύ τʼ, ὦ πατρῷον δῶμα· σοῦ γὰρ ἔρχομαι
δίκῃ καθαρτὴς πρὸς θεῶν ὡρμημένος·
70
καὶ μή μʼ ἄτιμον τῆσδʼ ἀποστείλητε γῆς,
ἀλλʼ ἀρχέπλουτον καὶ καταστάτην δόμων.
εἴρηκα μέν νυν ταῦτα· σοὶ δʼ ἤδη, γέρον,
τὸ σὸν μελέσθω βάντι φρουρῆσαι χρέος.
νὼ δʼ ἔξιμεν· καιρὸς γάρ, ὅσπερ ἀνδράσιν
75
μέγιστος ἔργου παντός ἐστʼ ἐπιστάτης.
77
ἡμεῖς δὲ πατρὸς τύμβον, ὡς ἐφίετο,
λοιβαῖσι πρῶτον καὶ καρατόμοις χλιδαῖς
στέψαντες εἶτʼ ἄψορρον ἥξομεν πάλιν,
τύπωμα χαλκόπλευρον ἠρμένοι χεροῖν,
ὃ καὶ σὺ θάμνοις οἶσθά που κεκρυμμένον,
55
ὅπως λόγῳ κλέπτοντες ἡδεῖαν φάτιν
φέρωμεν αὐτοῖς, τοὐμὸν ὡς ἔρρει δέμας
φλογιστὸν ἤδη καὶ κατηνθρακωμένον.
τί γάρ με λυπεῖ τοῦθʼ, ὅταν λόγῳ θανὼν
ἔργοισι σωθῶ κἀξενέγκωμαι κλέος;
60
δοκῶ μέν, οὐδὲν ῥῆμα σὺν κέρδει κακόν.
ἤδη γὰρ εἶδον πολλάκις καὶ τοὺς σοφοὺς
λόγῳ μάτην θνῄσκοντας· εἶθʼ, ὅταν δόμους
ἔλθωσιν αὖθις, ἐκτετίμηνται πλέον·
ὡς κἄμʼ ἐπαυχῶ τῆσδε τῆς φήμης ἄπο
65
δεδορκότʼ ἐχθροῖς ἄστρον ὣς λάμψειν ἔτι.
ἀλλʼ, ὦ πατρῴα γῆ θεοί τʼ ἐγχώριοι,
δέξασθέ μʼ εὐτυχοῦντα ταῖσδε ταῖς ὁδοῖς,
σύ τʼ, ὦ πατρῷον δῶμα· σοῦ γὰρ ἔρχομαι
δίκῃ καθαρτὴς πρὸς θεῶν ὡρμημένος·
70
καὶ μή μʼ ἄτιμον τῆσδʼ ἀποστείλητε γῆς,
ἀλλʼ ἀρχέπλουτον καὶ καταστάτην δόμων.
εἴρηκα μέν νυν ταῦτα· σοὶ δʼ ἤδη, γέρον,
τὸ σὸν μελέσθω βάντι φρουρῆσαι χρέος.
νὼ δʼ ἔξιμεν· καιρὸς γάρ, ὅσπερ ἀνδράσιν
75
μέγιστος ἔργου παντός ἐστʼ ἐπιστάτης.
Ἠλέκτρα
ἰώ μοί μοι δύστηνος.
ἰώ μοί μοι δύστηνος.
Παιδαγωγός
καὶ μὴν θυρῶν ἔδοξα προσπόλων τινὸς
ὑποστενούσης ἔνδον αἰσθέσθαι, τέκνον.
καὶ μὴν θυρῶν ἔδοξα προσπόλων τινὸς
ὑποστενούσης ἔνδον αἰσθέσθαι, τέκνον.
Ὀρέστης
ἆρʼ ἐστὶν ἡ δύστηνος Ἠλέκτρα· θέλεις
80
μείνωμεν αὐτοῦ κἀπακούσωμεν γόων;
ἆρʼ ἐστὶν ἡ δύστηνος Ἠλέκτρα· θέλεις
80
μείνωμεν αὐτοῦ κἀπακούσωμεν γόων;
Παιδαγωγός
ἥκιστα· μηδὲν πρόσθεν ἢ τὰ Λοξίου
πειρώμεθʼ ἔρδειν κἀπὸ τῶνδʼ ἀρχηγετεῖν,
πατρὸς χέοντες λουτρά· ταῦτα γὰρ φέρει
νίκην τʼ ἐφʼ ἡμῖν καὶ κράτος τῶν δρωμένων.
85
86
ἥκιστα· μηδὲν πρόσθεν ἢ τὰ Λοξίου
πειρώμεθʼ ἔρδειν κἀπὸ τῶνδʼ ἀρχηγετεῖν,
πατρὸς χέοντες λουτρά· ταῦτα γὰρ φέρει
νίκην τʼ ἐφʼ ἡμῖν καὶ κράτος τῶν δρωμένων.
85
Ἠλέκτρα
ὦ φάος ἁγνὸν
καὶ γῆς ἰσόμοιρʼ ἀήρ, ὥς μοι
πολλὰς μὲν θρήνων ᾠδάς,
πολλὰς δʼ ἀντήρεις ᾔσθου
στέρνων πληγὰς αἱμασσομένων,
90
ὁπόταν δνοφερὰ νὺξ ὑπολειφθῇ·
τὰ δὲ παννυχίδων ἤδη στυγεραὶ
ξυνίσασʼ εὐναὶ μογερῶν οἴκων,
ὅσα τὸν δύστηνον ἐμὸν θρηνῶ
πατέρʼ, ὃν κατὰ μὲν βάρβαρον αἶαν
95
φοίνιος Ἄρης οὐκ ἐξένισεν,
μήτηρ δʼ ἡμὴ χὠ κοινολεχὴς
Αἴγισθος ὅπως δρῦν ὑλοτόμοι
σχίζουσι κάρα φονίῳ πελέκει,
κοὐδεὶς τούτων οἶκτος ἀπʼ ἄλλης
100
ἢ ʼμοῦ φέρεται, σοῦ, πάτερ, οὕτως
αἰκῶς οἰκτρῶς τε θανόντος.
103
ὦ φάος ἁγνὸν
καὶ γῆς ἰσόμοιρʼ ἀήρ, ὥς μοι
πολλὰς μὲν θρήνων ᾠδάς,
πολλὰς δʼ ἀντήρεις ᾔσθου
στέρνων πληγὰς αἱμασσομένων,
90
ὁπόταν δνοφερὰ νὺξ ὑπολειφθῇ·
τὰ δὲ παννυχίδων ἤδη στυγεραὶ
ξυνίσασʼ εὐναὶ μογερῶν οἴκων,
ὅσα τὸν δύστηνον ἐμὸν θρηνῶ
πατέρʼ, ὃν κατὰ μὲν βάρβαρον αἶαν
95
φοίνιος Ἄρης οὐκ ἐξένισεν,
μήτηρ δʼ ἡμὴ χὠ κοινολεχὴς
Αἴγισθος ὅπως δρῦν ὑλοτόμοι
σχίζουσι κάρα φονίῳ πελέκει,
κοὐδεὶς τούτων οἶκτος ἀπʼ ἄλλης
100
ἢ ʼμοῦ φέρεται, σοῦ, πάτερ, οὕτως
αἰκῶς οἰκτρῶς τε θανόντος.
Ἠλέκτρα
ἀλλʼ οὐ μὲν δὴ
λήξω θρήνων στυγερῶν τε γόων,
ἔστʼ ἂν παμφεγγεῖς ἄστρων
105
ῥιπάς, λεύσσω δὲ τόδʼ ἦμαρ,
μὴ οὐ τεκνολέτειρʼ ὥς τις ἀηδὼν
ἐπὶ κωκυτῷ τῶνδε πατρῴων
πρὸ θυρῶν ἠχὼ πᾶσι προφωνεῖν.
ὦ δῶμʼ Ἀΐδου καὶ Περσεφόνης,
110
ὦ χθόνιʼ Ἑρμῆ καὶ πότνιʼ Ἀρὰ
σεμναί τε θεῶν παῖδες Ἐρινύες,
αἳ τοὺς ἀδίκως θνῄσκοντας ὁρᾶθʼ,
αἳ τοὺς εὐνὰς ὑποκλεπτομένους,
ἔλθετʼ, ἀρήξατε, τίσασθε πατρὸς
115
φόνον ἡμετέρου,
καί μοι τὸν ἐμὸν πέμψατʼ ἀδελφόν·
μούνη γὰρ ἄγειν οὐκέτι σωκῶ
λύπης ἀντίρροπον ἄχθος.
120
ἀλλʼ οὐ μὲν δὴ
λήξω θρήνων στυγερῶν τε γόων,
ἔστʼ ἂν παμφεγγεῖς ἄστρων
105
ῥιπάς, λεύσσω δὲ τόδʼ ἦμαρ,
μὴ οὐ τεκνολέτειρʼ ὥς τις ἀηδὼν
ἐπὶ κωκυτῷ τῶνδε πατρῴων
πρὸ θυρῶν ἠχὼ πᾶσι προφωνεῖν.
ὦ δῶμʼ Ἀΐδου καὶ Περσεφόνης,
110
ὦ χθόνιʼ Ἑρμῆ καὶ πότνιʼ Ἀρὰ
σεμναί τε θεῶν παῖδες Ἐρινύες,
αἳ τοὺς ἀδίκως θνῄσκοντας ὁρᾶθʼ,
αἳ τοὺς εὐνὰς ὑποκλεπτομένους,
ἔλθετʼ, ἀρήξατε, τίσασθε πατρὸς
115
φόνον ἡμετέρου,
καί μοι τὸν ἐμὸν πέμψατʼ ἀδελφόν·
μούνη γὰρ ἄγειν οὐκέτι σωκῶ
λύπης ἀντίρροπον ἄχθος.
120
Translations (5)
English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 6 focus
OLD M
Not so. Before all else begin the attempt
To execute Apollo’s sovereign will,
Pouring libation to thy sire: this makes
85
Victory ours, and our success assured.
Not so. Before all else begin the attempt
To execute Apollo’s sovereign will,
Pouring libation to thy sire: this makes
85
Victory ours, and our success assured.
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1 focus
O Sohn des Feldherrn, der in Troas einst gebot,
1
1
Des Agamemnon, endlich ist es dir vergönnt,
Zu schaun mit Augen, was zu schaun dich stets verlangt.
Dein graues Argos, deiner Sehnsucht Land, ist hier,
2
Der wuthgeschlagnen Inachid' uralter Hain;
5
Das dort, Orestes, ist der Markt des Lykiers,
Des wolferlegenden Gottes, und zur Liuken hier
Der Hera stolzer Tempel: wo wir hingelangt,
Schaust du Mykenä's Veste, reich an goldnem Schaz,
Und hier der Pelopsenkel unheilschwangres Haus,
10
Wo nach des Vaters grausem Tod ich ehedem
Von deiner Schwester dich empfing und weiter trug
Und rettet' und zu solcher Jugendblüte dich
Aufzog, dereinst zu rächen deines Vaters Mord.
Nun denn, Orestes, und o du, mein Pylades,
15
Der Freunde liebster, was zu thun, berathet schnell:
Denn schon erweckt der Sonne strahlenvoller Glanz
Der Vögel Morgenstimmen uns zu hellem Schall;
Die schwarze Nacht der Sterne schwand in's Dunkel hin.
Drum eh' ein Mann aus dieses Hauses Pforte tritt,
20
Beredet euch zusammen; denn wir stehen da,
Wo's nimmer gilt zu säumen, wo's der That bedarf.
O Sohn des Feldherrn, der in Troas einst gebot,
1
1
Des Agamemnon, endlich ist es dir vergönnt,
Zu schaun mit Augen, was zu schaun dich stets verlangt.
Dein graues Argos, deiner Sehnsucht Land, ist hier,
2
Der wuthgeschlagnen Inachid' uralter Hain;
5
Das dort, Orestes, ist der Markt des Lykiers,
Des wolferlegenden Gottes, und zur Liuken hier
Der Hera stolzer Tempel: wo wir hingelangt,
Schaust du Mykenä's Veste, reich an goldnem Schaz,
Und hier der Pelopsenkel unheilschwangres Haus,
10
Wo nach des Vaters grausem Tod ich ehedem
Von deiner Schwester dich empfing und weiter trug
Und rettet' und zu solcher Jugendblüte dich
Aufzog, dereinst zu rächen deines Vaters Mord.
Nun denn, Orestes, und o du, mein Pylades,
15
Der Freunde liebster, was zu thun, berathet schnell:
Denn schon erweckt der Sonne strahlenvoller Glanz
Der Vögel Morgenstimmen uns zu hellem Schall;
Die schwarze Nacht der Sterne schwand in's Dunkel hin.
Drum eh' ein Mann aus dieses Hauses Pforte tritt,
20
Beredet euch zusammen; denn wir stehen da,
Wo's nimmer gilt zu säumen, wo's der That bedarf.
Orestes.
English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 6 focus
Electra
My noble friends and partners in affliction,
86
Who thus, to soothe my sorrows, kindly try
Each art which love and friendship can inspire ;
Ye come to comfort me, I know ye do.
I know my tears are fruitless all and vain ;
90
But, oh ! permit me to indulge my griefs,
For I must weep.
My noble friends and partners in affliction,
Who thus, to soothe my sorrows, kindly try
Each art which love and friendship can inspire ;
Ye come to comfort me, I know ye do.
I know my tears are fruitless all and vain ;
90
But, oh ! permit me to indulge my griefs,
For I must weep.
English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 6 focus
Attendant
[within.
Wilt thou we stay and listen to her moans?
That must not be: no deed may we attempt
Ere we perform the mandates of the god.
Begin with these; and at thy father's tomb
85
Pour the libations: that will give us strength
85
To act, and conquest to our toils ensure.
Wilt thou we stay and listen to her moans?
That must not be: no deed may we attempt
Ere we perform the mandates of the god.
Begin with these; and at thy father's tomb
85
Pour the libations: that will give us strength
85
To act, and conquest to our toils ensure.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1-120 focus
Paedagogus
Son of him who once commanded our forces at
Troy
, son of Agamemnon!—now you may survey all that your heart has desired for so long. There is the ancient
Argos
of your yearning,
1
that consecrated land from which the gad-fly drove the daughter of Inachus; there, Orestes, is the Lycean market place, named from the wolf-slaying god; there on the left is Hera’s famous temple; and in this place to which we have come, know that you see
Mycenae
, the rich in gold,
5
and here the house of Pelops’ heirs, so often stained with bloodshed. Long ago from here, away from the murder of your father, I carried you for her whose blood is yours, your sister, and saved you and reared you up to manhood to be the avenger of your murdered father.
10
Now, therefore, Orestes, and you, best of allies, Pylades, our plan of action must be quickly laid; for look, already the sun’s bright ray is stirring the birds’ songs into clarity, and the kindly darkness of the stars is spent.
15
Before, then, anyone comes out from the house, we must make our plans, since we are at the point where it is no longer opportune to hesitate, but it is the moment for action.
20
23
Son of him who once commanded our forces at
Troy
, son of Agamemnon!—now you may survey all that your heart has desired for so long. There is the ancient
Argos
of your yearning,
1
that consecrated land from which the gad-fly drove the daughter of Inachus; there, Orestes, is the Lycean market place, named from the wolf-slaying god; there on the left is Hera’s famous temple; and in this place to which we have come, know that you see
Mycenae
, the rich in gold,
5
and here the house of Pelops’ heirs, so often stained with bloodshed. Long ago from here, away from the murder of your father, I carried you for her whose blood is yours, your sister, and saved you and reared you up to manhood to be the avenger of your murdered father.
10
Now, therefore, Orestes, and you, best of allies, Pylades, our plan of action must be quickly laid; for look, already the sun’s bright ray is stirring the birds’ songs into clarity, and the kindly darkness of the stars is spent.
15
Before, then, anyone comes out from the house, we must make our plans, since we are at the point where it is no longer opportune to hesitate, but it is the moment for action.
20
Orestes
True friend and follower, how well you prove your loyalty to our house!
Just as a thoroughbred mount, even if advanced in years, does not lose courage in danger, but pricks up his ears, so you speed us forward and follow in the first ranks. I will tell you, then, what I have determined.
25
Listen closely to my words and correct me, if I miss the mark in any way.
When I went to the Pythian oracle to learn how I might avenge my father on his murderers,
30
Phoebus gave me the commandment which you will now hear: that alone, and by stealth, without the aid of arms or large numbers, I should carry off my right hand’s just slaughters. Accordingly, since I received this divine declaration, you must go into that house there
35
when opportunity gives you entrance, and learn all that is happening, so that you may report to us out of sure knowledge. Your age and the lapse of time will prevent them from recognizing you; they will never suspect who you are with that silvered hair. Let your story be that you are a Phocian stranger
40
sent by Phanoteus, since he is the greatest of their allies. Tell them, and affirm it with your oath, that Orestes has perished by a fatal chance, hurled at the Pythian games
45
from his speeding chariot. Let that be the substance of your message. Meanwhile, we will first crown my father’s tomb as the god ordered with libations and the luxuriant tribute of a severed lock; then we will return here, bearing in our hands an urn of hammered bronze
50
—now hidden, as you no doubt know, in the brushwood—so that we may gladden them with the false tidings that this body of mine exists no more, but has been consumed with fire and reduced to ashes. How does it hurt me, when by feigned death
55
I find true life and win renown? No word is ill-omened, I trust, if it yields gain. For often before now I have seen clever men die in false report; then, when they return home, they are held in greater honor.
60
And so for myself I trust that as a result of this rumor I, too, shall live, shining down like a star upon my enemies.
But you, O my fatherland and native gods of my soil, receive me with good fortune in this journey, and you also, house of my ancestors,
65
since I come by divine mandate to cleanse you as justice demands. Do not dismiss me from this land in dishonor, but grant that I may rule over my possessions and restore my house!
I have said enough. Go now, old one, and take care to watch over your task.
70
The two of us will depart; for so opportunity bids, chief ruler of every enterprise for men.
75
77
Within.
True friend and follower, how well you prove your loyalty to our house!
Just as a thoroughbred mount, even if advanced in years, does not lose courage in danger, but pricks up his ears, so you speed us forward and follow in the first ranks. I will tell you, then, what I have determined.
25
Listen closely to my words and correct me, if I miss the mark in any way.
When I went to the Pythian oracle to learn how I might avenge my father on his murderers,
30
When I went to the Pythian oracle to learn how I might avenge my father on his murderers,
Phoebus gave me the commandment which you will now hear: that alone, and by stealth, without the aid of arms or large numbers, I should carry off my right hand’s just slaughters. Accordingly, since I received this divine declaration, you must go into that house there
35
when opportunity gives you entrance, and learn all that is happening, so that you may report to us out of sure knowledge. Your age and the lapse of time will prevent them from recognizing you; they will never suspect who you are with that silvered hair. Let your story be that you are a Phocian stranger
40
sent by Phanoteus, since he is the greatest of their allies. Tell them, and affirm it with your oath, that Orestes has perished by a fatal chance, hurled at the Pythian games
45
from his speeding chariot. Let that be the substance of your message. Meanwhile, we will first crown my father’s tomb as the god ordered with libations and the luxuriant tribute of a severed lock; then we will return here, bearing in our hands an urn of hammered bronze
50
—now hidden, as you no doubt know, in the brushwood—so that we may gladden them with the false tidings that this body of mine exists no more, but has been consumed with fire and reduced to ashes. How does it hurt me, when by feigned death
55
I find true life and win renown? No word is ill-omened, I trust, if it yields gain. For often before now I have seen clever men die in false report; then, when they return home, they are held in greater honor.
60
And so for myself I trust that as a result of this rumor I, too, shall live, shining down like a star upon my enemies.
But you, O my fatherland and native gods of my soil, receive me with good fortune in this journey, and you also, house of my ancestors,
65
But you, O my fatherland and native gods of my soil, receive me with good fortune in this journey, and you also, house of my ancestors,
since I come by divine mandate to cleanse you as justice demands. Do not dismiss me from this land in dishonor, but grant that I may rule over my possessions and restore my house!
I have said enough. Go now, old one, and take care to watch over your task.
70
I have said enough. Go now, old one, and take care to watch over your task.
The two of us will depart; for so opportunity bids, chief ruler of every enterprise for men.
75
Electra
ah, me, ah, joyless me!
ah, me, ah, joyless me!
Paedagogus
Listen, my son; from the doors of the house, I think, came the sound of some serving girl moaning inside.
Listen, my son; from the doors of the house, I think, came the sound of some serving girl moaning inside.
Orestes
Can it be my joyless Electra? Shall we remain here and listen to her cries?
80
Can it be my joyless Electra? Shall we remain here and listen to her cries?
80
Paedagogus
No, no; before all else, let us strive to obey the commands of Loxias and from them make a fair beginning by pouring libations to your father. For such actions bring
victory within our grasp and give us mastery in all our doings.
Exeunt Paedagogus on the spectators left, Orestes and Pylades on the right.
85
86
Enter Electra, from the house.
No, no; before all else, let us strive to obey the commands of Loxias and from them make a fair beginning by pouring libations to your father. For such actions bring
victory within our grasp and give us mastery in all our doings.
Exeunt Paedagogus on the spectators left, Orestes and Pylades on the right.
85
Electra
O you pure sunlight, and you air, light’s equal partner over earth, how often have you heard the chords of my laments
and the thudding blows against this bloodied breast at the time of gloomy night’s leaving off! My accursed bed in that house of suffering there knows well already how I observe my night-long rites—how often I bewail my miserable
90
father, whom bloody Ares did not welcome with deadly gifts in a foreign land, but my mother and her bedfellow Aegisthus split his head with murderous axe, just as woodmen chop an oak.
95
And for this crime no pitying cry bursts from any lips but mine, when you, Father, have died a death so cruel and so deserving of pity!
100
103
O you pure sunlight, and you air, light’s equal partner over earth, how often have you heard the chords of my laments
and the thudding blows against this bloodied breast at the time of gloomy night’s leaving off! My accursed bed in that house of suffering there knows well already how I observe my night-long rites—how often I bewail my miserable
90
father, whom bloody Ares did not welcome with deadly gifts in a foreign land, but my mother and her bedfellow Aegisthus split his head with murderous axe, just as woodmen chop an oak.
95
And for this crime no pitying cry bursts from any lips but mine, when you, Father, have died a death so cruel and so deserving of pity!
100
But never will I end from cries and bitter lamentation,
while I look on the stars’ glistening flashes or on this light of day. No, like the nightingale, slayer of her offspring, I will wail without ceasing, and cry aloud to all here at the doors of my father.
105
O House of Hades and Persephone! O Hermes of the shades! O potent Curse, and you fearsome daughters of the gods, the Erinyes, who take note when a life is unjustly taken, when a marriage-bed is thievishly dishonored,
110
come, help me, bring vengeance for the murder of my father and send me my brother. I no longer have the strength to hold up alone against
115
the load of grief that crushes me.
120
But never will I end from cries and bitter lamentation,
while I look on the stars’ glistening flashes or on this light of day. No, like the nightingale, slayer of her offspring, I will wail without ceasing, and cry aloud to all here at the doors of my father.
105
O House of Hades and Persephone! O Hermes of the shades! O potent Curse, and you fearsome daughters of the gods, the Erinyes, who take note when a life is unjustly taken, when a marriage-bed is thievishly dishonored,
110
come, help me, bring vengeance for the murder of my father and send me my brother. I no longer have the strength to hold up alone against
115
the load of grief that crushes me.
120
Commentary
Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
4-7. mvp-comment-6-1 The description passes from what is general and remote to what is nearest to the eye. 'Argos' here includes the plain of Argos (as even in Thuc. 6. 105, ἐς τὸ ᾿Αργος ἐσέβαλον). Mycenae is the seat of government, and the site of the future city of Argos, supposed at this time to be still inhabited village-wise,' is marked by the ἀγορὰ Λύκειος. It is not necessary to suppose that all the objects mentioned here could really be taken into one view. But the site of Mycenae commands the whole plain. The Heraeum, according to Pausanias, would really be on the left hand of those approaching Mycenae by way of Corinth. See Mr. Paley's note. Apollo Lyceius is here the wolf-slayer, i. e. the protector of the flock, perhaps with reference to Aegisthus, who is called a wolf in Aesch. Ag. 1259. Aeschylus (S. c. T. 145) connects Λύκειος with λύκος in a different way (Λύκει' ἄναξ, Λύκειος γενοῦ στρατῷ δαΐῳ).