Sophocles, Electra, ed. Lewis Campbell, 1090

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ζῴης μοι καθύπερθεν καθύπερθε LA. καθύπερθεν Pal.

χειρὶ χερὶ L. καὶ πλούτῳ *τεῶν τῶν MSS. Herm. corr. ἐχθρῶν ὅσον
1090

νῦν ὑπὸ †χεῖρα ναίεις·

ἐπεί σ᾽ ἐφεύρηκα μοίρᾳ μὲν οὐκ ἐν om. LFL2? V³M² add A Vat. ac. ἐπ᾿ Pal. M. ἐσθλᾷ

βεβῶσαν· ἃ δὲ μέγιστ᾽ ἔβλαστε νόμιμα, τῶνδε φερομέναν
1095

ἄριστα τᾷ Ζηνὸς διὸς LL2 Vat, ac VV3. γρ. ἀρίστα ταζηνός C². εὐσεβείᾳ.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ἆρ' om. L. & add C² Pal., ὦ γυναῖκες, ὀρθά τ' εἰσηκούσαμεν,

Electra. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.

Current edition Experimental

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)) — 1097-1231 focus

Ὀρέστης

ἆρʼ, ὦ γυναῖκες, ὀρθά τʼ εἰσηκούσαμεν

ὀρθῶς θʼ ὁδοιποροῦμεν ἔνθα χρῄζομεν;

Χορός

τί δʼ ἐξερευνᾷς καὶ τί βουληθεὶς πάρει;
1100

Ὀρέστης

Αἴγισθον ἔνθʼ ᾤκηκεν ἱστορῶ πάλαι.

Χορός

ἀλλʼ εὖ θʼ ἱκάνεις χὠ φράσας ἀζήμιος.

Ὀρέστης

τίς οὖν ἂν ὑμῶν τοῖς ἔσω φράσειεν ἂν

ἡμῶν ποθεινὴν κοινόπουν παρουσίαν;

Χορός

ἥδʼ, εἰ τὸν ἄγχιστόν γε κηρύσσειν χρεών.
1105

Ὀρέστης

ἴθʼ, ὦ γύναι, δήλωσον εἰσελθοῦσʼ ὅτι

Φωκῆς ματεύουσʼ ἄνδρες Αἴγισθόν τινες,

Ἠλέκτρα

οἴμοι τάλαινʼ, οὐ δή ποθʼ ἧς ἠκούσαμεν

φήμης φέροντες ἐμφανῆ τεκμήρια;

Ὀρέστης

οὐκ οἶδα τὴν σὴν κληδόνʼ· ἀλλά μοι γέρων
1110

ἐφεῖτʼ Ὀρέστου Στρόφιος ἀγγεῖλαι πέρι.

Ἠλέκτρα

τί δʼ ἔστιν, ὦ ξένʼ; ὥς μʼ ὑπέρχεται φόβος.

Ὀρέστης

φέροντες αὐτοῦ σμικρὰ λείψανʼ ἐν βραχεῖ

τεύχει θανόντος, ὡς ὁρᾷς, κομίζομεν.

Ἠλέκτρα

οἲ ʼγὼ τάλαινα, τοῦτʼ ἐκεῖνʼ ἤδη σαφὲς
1115

πρόχειρον ἄχθος, ὡς ἔοικε, δέρκομαι.

Ὀρέστης

εἴπερ τι κλαίεις τῶν Ὀρεστείων κακῶν,

τόδʼ ἄγγος ἴσθι σῶμα τοὐκείνου στέγον.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὦ ξεῖνε, δός νυν, πρὸς θεῶν, εἴπερ τόδε

κέκευθεν αὐτὸν τεῦχος, εἰς χεῖρας λαβεῖν,
1120

ὅπως ἐμαυτὴν καὶ γένος τὸ πᾶν ὁμοῦ

ξὺν τῇδε κλαύσω κἀποδύρωμαι σποδῷ.

Ὀρέστης

δόθʼ, ἥτις ἐστί, προσφέροντες· οὐ γὰρ ὡς

ἐν δυσμενείᾳ γʼ οὖσʼ ἐπαιτεῖται τάδε,

ἀλλʼ ἢ φίλων τις ἢ πρὸς αἵματος φύσιν.
1125

1126

Ἠλέκτρα

ὦ φιλτάτου μνημεῖον ἀνθρώπων ἐμοὶ

ψυχῆς Ὀρέστου λοιπόν, ὥς σʼ ἀπʼ ἐλπίδων

οὐχ ὧνπερ ἐξέπεμπον εἰσεδεξάμην.

νῦν μὲν γὰρ οὐδὲν ὄντα βαστάζω χεροῖν,

δόμων δέ σʼ, ὦ παῖ, λαμπρὸν ἐξέπεμψʼ ἐγώ.
1130

ὡς ὤφελον πάροιθεν ἐκλιπεῖν βίον,

πρὶν ἐς ξένην σε γαῖαν ἐκπέμψαι χεροῖν

κλέψασα ταῖνδε κἀνασώσασθαι φόνου,

ὅπως θανὼν ἔκεισο τῇ τόθʼ ἡμέρᾳ,

τύμβου πατρῴου κοινὸν εἰληχὼς μέρος.
1135

νῦν δʼ ἐκτὸς οἴκων κἀπὶ γῆς ἄλλης φυγὰς

κακῶς ἀπώλου, σῆς κασιγνήτης δίχα,

κοὔτʼ ἐν φίλαισι χερσὶν ἡ τάλαινʼ ἐγὼ

λουτροῖς σʼ ἐκόσμησʼ οὔτε παμφλέκτου πυρὸς

ἀνειλόμην, ὡς εἰκός, ἄθλιον βάρος,
1140

ἀλλʼ ἐν ξέναισι χερσὶ κηδευθεὶς τάλας

σμικρὸς προσήκεις ὄγκος ἐν σμικρῷ κύτει.

οἴμοι τάλαινα τῆς ἐμῆς πάλαι τροφῆς

ἀνωφελήτου, τὴν ἐγὼ θάμʼ ἀμφὶ σοὶ

πόνῳ γλυκεῖ παρέσχον· οὔτε γάρ ποτε
1145

μητρὸς σύ γʼ ἦσθα μᾶλλον ἢ κἀμοῦ φίλος,

οὔθʼ οἱ κατʼ οἶκον ἦσαν, ἀλλʼ ἐγὼ τροφός,

ἐγὼ δʼ ἀδελφὴ σοὶ προσηυδώμην ἀεί.

νῦν δʼ ἐκλέλοιπε ταῦτʼ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ μιᾷ

θανόντι σὺν σοί· πάντα γὰρ συναρπάσας
1150

θύελλʼ ὅπως βέβηκας. οἴχεται πατήρ·

τέθνηκʼ ἐγὼ σοί· φροῦδος αὐτὸς εἶ θανών·

γελῶσι δʼ ἐχθροί· μαίνεται δʼ ὑφʼ ἡδονῆς

μήτηρ ἀμήτωρ, ἧς ἐμοὶ σὺ πολλάκις

φήμας λάθρᾳ προύπεμπες ὡς φανούμενος
1155

τιμωρὸς αὐτός. ἀλλὰ ταῦθʼ ὁ δυστυχὴς

δαίμων ὁ σός τε κἀμὸς ἐξαφείλετο,

ὅς σʼ ὧδέ μοι προύπεμψεν ἀντὶ φιλτάτης

μορφῆς σποδόν τε καὶ σκιὰν ἀνωφελῆ.

1160

Ἠλέκτρα

οἴμοι μοι.
1160

ὦ δέμας οἰκτρόν. φεῦ φεῦ.

ὦ δεινοτάτας, οἴμοι μοι,

πεμφθεὶς κελεύθους, φίλταθʼ, ὥς μʼ ἀπώλεσας·

ἀπώλεσας δῆτʼ, ὦ κασίγνητον κάρα.

τοιγὰρ σὺ δέξαι μʼ ἐς τὸ σὸν τόδε στέγος,
1165

τὴν μηδὲν εἰς τὸ μηδέν, ὡς σὺν σοὶ κάτω

ναίω τὸ λοιπόν· καὶ γὰρ ἡνίκʼ ἦσθʼ ἄνω,

ξὺν σοὶ μετεῖχον τῶν ἴσων, καὶ νῦν ποθῶ

τοῦ σοῦ θανοῦσα μὴ ἀπολείπεσθαι τάφου.

τοὺς γὰρ θανόντας οὐχ ὁρῶ λυπουμένους.
1170

1171

Χορός

θνητοῦ πέφυκας πατρός, Ἠλέκτρα, φρόνει,

θνητὸς δʼ Ὀρέστης. ὥστε μὴ λίαν στένε.

πᾶσιν γὰρ ἡμῖν τοῦτʼ ὀφείλεται παθεῖν.

Ὀρέστης

φεῦ φεῦ. τί λέξω; ποῖ λόγων ἀμηχανῶν

ἔλθω; κρατεῖν γὰρ οὐκέτι γλώσσης σθένω.
1175

Ἠλέκτρα

τί δʼ ἔσχες ἄλγος; πρὸς τί τοῦτʼ εἰπὼν κυρεῖς;

Ὀρέστης

ἦ σὸν τὸ κλεινὸν εἶδος Ἠλέκτρας τόδε;

Ἠλέκτρα

τόδʼ ἔστʼ ἐκεῖνο, καὶ μάλʼ ἀθλίως ἔχον.

Ὀρέστης

οἴμοι ταλαίνης ἆρα τῆσδε συμφορᾶς.

Ἠλέκτρα

οὐ δή ποτʼ, ὦ ξένʼ, ἀμφʼ ἐμοὶ στένεις τάδε;
1180

Ὀρέστης

ὦ σῶμʼ ἀτίμως κἀθέως ἐφθαρμένον.

Ἠλέκτρα

οὔτοι ποτʼ ἄλλην ἢ ʼμὲ δυσφημεῖς, ξένε.

Ὀρέστης

φεῦ τῆς ἀνύμφου δυσμόρου τε σῆς τροφῆς,

Ἠλέκτρα

τί δή ποτʼ, ὦ ξένʼ, ὧδʼ ἐπισκοπῶν στένεις;

Ὀρέστης

ὡς οὐκ ἄρʼ ᾔδη τῶν ἐμῶν οὐδὲν κακῶν.
1185

Ἠλέκτρα

ἐν τῷ διέγνως τοῦτο τῶν εἰρημένων;

Ὀρέστης

ὁρῶν σε πολλοῖς ἐμπρέπουσαν ἄλγεσιν.

Ἠλέκτρα

καὶ μὴν ὁρᾷς γε παῦρα τῶν ἐμῶν κακῶν.

Ὀρέστης

καὶ πῶς γένοιτʼ ἂν τῶνδʼ ἔτʼ ἐχθίω βλέπειν;

Ἠλέκτρα

ὁθούνεκʼ εἰμὶ τοῖς φονεῦσι σύντροφος
1190

Ὀρέστης

τοῖς τοῦ; πόθεν τοῦτʼ ἐξεσήμηνας κακόν;

Ἠλέκτρα

τοῖς πατρός· εἶτα τοῖσδε δουλεύω βίᾳ.

Ὀρέστης

τίς γάρ σʼ ἀνάγκῃ τῇδε προτρέπει βροτῶν;

Ἠλέκτρα

μήτηρ καλεῖται, μητρὶ δʼ οὐδὲν ἐξισοῖ.

Ὀρέστης

τί δρῶσα; πότερα χερσὶν ἢ λύμῃ βίου;
1195

Ἠλέκτρα

καὶ χερσὶ καὶ λύμαισι καὶ πᾶσιν κακοῖς.

Ὀρέστης

οὐδʼ οὑπαρήξων οὐδʼ ὁ κωλύσων πάρα;

Ἠλέκτρα

οὐ δῆθʼ. ὃς ἦν γάρ μοι σὺ προὔθηκας σποδόν.

Ὀρέστης

ὦ δύσποτμʼ, ὡς ὁρῶν σʼ ἐποικτίρω πάλαι.

1200

Ἠλέκτρα

μόνος βροτῶν νυν ἴσθʼ ἐποικτίρας ποτέ.
1200

Ὀρέστης

μόνος γὰρ ἥκω τοῖς ἴσοις ἀλγῶν κακοῖς.

Ἠλέκτρα

οὐ δή ποθʼ ἡμῖν ξυγγενὴς ἥκεις ποθέν;

Ὀρέστης

ἐγὼ φράσαιμʼ ἄν, εἰ τὸ τῶνδʼ εὔνουν πάρα.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἀλλʼ ἐστὶν εὔνουν, ὥστε πρὸς πιστὰς ἐρεῖς.

Ὀρέστης

μέθες τόδʼ ἄγγος νῦν, ὅπως τὸ πᾶν μάθῃς.
1205

Ἠλέκτρα

μὴ δῆτα πρὸς θεῶν τοῦτό μʼ ἐργάσῃ, ξένε.

Ὀρέστης

πείθου λέγοντι κοὐχ ἁμαρτήσει ποτέ.

Ἠλέκτρα

μή, πρὸς γενείου, μὴ ʼξέλῃ τὰ φίλτατα.

Ὀρέστης

οὔ φημʼ ἐάσειν.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὦ τάλαινʼ ἐγὼ σέθεν,

Ὀρέστα, τῆς σῆς εἰ στερήσομαι ταφῆς.
1210

Ὀρέστης

εὔφημα φώνει· πρὸς δίκης γὰρ οὐ στένεις.

Ἠλέκτρα

πῶς τὸν θανόντʼ ἀδελφὸν οὐ δίκῃ στένω;

Ὀρέστης

οὔ σοι προσήκει τήνδε προσφωνεῖν φάτιν.

Ἠλέκτρα

οὕτως ἄτιμός εἰμι τοῦ τεθνηκότος;

Ὀρέστης

ἄτιμος οὐδενὸς σύ· τοῦτο δʼ οὐχὶ σόν.
1215

Ἠλέκτρα

εἴπερ γʼ Ὀρέστου σῶμα βαστάζω τόδε;

Ὀρέστης

ἀλλʼ οὐκ Ὀρέστου, πλὴν λόγῳ γʼ ἠσκημένον.

Ἠλέκτρα

ποῦ δʼ ἔστʼ ἐκείνου τοῦ ταλαιπώρου τάφος;

Ὀρέστης

οὐκ ἔστι· τοῦ γὰρ ζῶντος οὐκ ἔστιν τάφος.

Ἠλέκτρα

πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ;
1220

Ὀρέστης

ψεῦδος οὐδὲν ὧν λέγω.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἦ ζῇ γὰρ ἁνήρ;

Ὀρέστης

εἴπερ ἔμψυχός γʼ ἐγώ.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἦ γὰρ σὺ κεῖνος;

Ὀρέστης

τήνδε προσβλέψασά μου

σφραγῖδα πατρὸς ἔκμαθʼ εἰ σαφῆ λέγω.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὦ φίλτατον φῶς.

Ὀρέστης

φίλτατον, συμμαρτυρῶ.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὦ φθέγμʼ, ἀφίκου;
1225

Ὀρέστης

μηκέτʼ ἄλλοθεν πύθῃ,

Ἠλέκτρα

ἔχω σε χερσίν;

Ὀρέστης

ὡς τὰ λοίπʼ ἔχοις ἀεί.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὦ φίλταται γυναῖκες, ὦ πολίτιδες,

ὁρᾶτʼ Ὀρέστην τόνδε, μηχαναῖσι μὲν

θανόντα, νῦν δὲ μηχαναῖς σεσωσμένον.

Χορός

ὁρῶμεν, ὦ παῖ, κἀπὶ συμφοραῖσί μοι
1230

γεγηθὸς ἕρπει δάκρυον ὀμμάτων ἄπο.

Translations (5)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 1098 focus

Say, dames and damsels, have we heard aright,

And speed we to the goal of our desire?

CH

And what desire or quest hath brought thee hither?
1100

OR

I seek Aegisthus’ dwelling all this while.

CH

Welcome. The tongue that told thee hath no blame.

OR

Which of you all will signify within

Our joint arrival,—not unwelcome here.

CH

This maiden, if the nearest should report.
1105

OR

Mistress, wilt thou go yonder and make known,

That certain Phocians on Aegisthus wait?

EL

Oh! can it be that you are come to bring

Clear proofs of the sad rumour we have heard?

OR

I know not what ye have heard. Old Strophius
1110

Charged me with tidings of Orestes’ fate.

EL

What, stranger? How this terror steals on me!

OR

Bearing scant remnants of his body dead

In this small vase thou seest, we bring them home.

EL

O sorrow! thou art here: I see full well
1115

That burden of my heart in present view.

OR

If thou hast tears for aught Orestes suffered,

Know that he lies within this vessel’s room.

EL

Ah, sir! by all in Heaven, if yonder urn

Hide him, ah! give it once into my hand,
1120

That o’er that dust I may lament and mourn

Myself and mine own house and all our woe!

OR

Bring it and give her, whosoe’er she be.

For not an enemy—this petition shows it—

But of his friends or kindred, is this maid.
1125

EL

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1090 focus

Siegreich über den Feind

Leb' in Macht fortan und Reichthum, wie du jezt

Seiner Gewalt dich beugst.

Obwohl ein unselig Loos über dir gewaltet,

Doch fand ich, wie du dir den Preis errangst, den höchster Pflichten treu,
1070

Indem du Zeus fromme Scheu bewiesest.

Orestes. Pylades. Diener, die eine Urne tragen. Die Vorigen.

Orestes.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 1098 focus

Say, virgins, if by right instruction led

This way, I tend to

Chorus

Whither wouldst thou 1100

Orestes

The palace of ^gisthus.

Chorus

Sti'iinger, well

Wert thou directed ; thou art there already.

Orestes

Who then amongst your train shall Idndly

speak

A friend's approach, who comes with joyful news

Of highest import?

Chorus

{jpointing to Electra]. Be that office hers

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 1098 focus

Say, female Argives, are we well inform'd,

Our steps unerring guided as we wish?

Chorus

What wou'dst thou ask? Why hither art thou come?
1100

Orestes

I seek the mansion where Ægisthus dwells.

Chorus

Right are thy steps: no blame thy guide deserves.

Orestes

To those within which of you will announce

Our presence, charged in common with affairs

Of no unwelcome nature to your lords?

Chorus

She, as by birth nearest to them allied.
1105

Orestes

Go, lady, let them be with speed inform'd

That men from Phocis sent Ægisthus seek.

Electra

Unhappy me! Bring you undoubted proofs

Of that report, which reach'd our ears before ?

Orestes

I know not: of Orestes is my charge
1110

To speak, by aged Strophius hither sent.

Electra

What, stranger? How am I oppress'd with fear!

Orestes

Of the dead youth the poor remains we bear,

As thou may'st see, in this small vase enclosed.

Electra

Then I indeed am wretched: now my grief
1115

Is certain; it is brought before my eyes.

Orestes

If for the poor Orestes flow thy tears,

Know that within this urn his body lies.

Electra

Now by the gods, O stranger, if this vase

Contain Orestes, give it to my hands;
1120

That o'er his ashes as I pour my tears,

Myself and all my race I may bewail.

Orestes

Whoe'er she be, entrust it to her hands;

For not in hatred makes she this request,

But as a friend, or one by blood allied.
1125

Electra

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1098-1230 focus

Enter Orestes, with Pylades and two attendants.

Orestes

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

Orestes

I have long been searching for the home of Aegisthus.

Chorus

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?

Chorus

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.

Electra

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

Electra

What is it, sir? Ah, how fear creeps over me!

Orestes

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

Orestes

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Electra

What has troubled you? Why did you say that?

Orestes

Is this the illustrious form of Electra?

Electra

It is, though in a very wretched state.

Orestes

What pity, then, for this miserable fortune!

Electra

Surely, stranger, you are not saddened like this on my account?
1180

Orestes

O frame dishonorably, godlessly wasted!

Electra

Those ills of which you speak, stranger, are none other’s than mine.

Orestes

Ah, pity for your unwed, ill-fated life!

Electra

Why, stranger, do you stare and grieve in this way?

Orestes

How I knew nothing, it seems, of my own sorrows!
1185

Electra

What that has been said made you realize this?

Orestes

It was the sight of you conspicuous in your many sufferings.

Electra

And yet you see but a few of my troubles.

Orestes

And how could there be any more odious to look on than these?

Electra

Because I share house and table with the murderers.
1190

Orestes

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.

Orestes

Who is it that binds you with this compulsion?

Electra

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

Electra

By violence and hardships and all manner of evil.

Orestes

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.

Orestes

Unfortunate girl, how seeing you stirs my pity!

1200

Electra

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 .

Electra

Surely you are not some unknown kinsman?

Orestes

I would tell you, if these women bear you goodwill.

Electra

Indeed they do, so you will speak to trustworthy companions.

Orestes

Give up this urn, then, and you shall know everything.
1205

Electra

No, by the gods, do not do this to me, stranger!

Orestes

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!

Orestes

You must not keep it.

Electra

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.

Electra

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.

Electra

Am I so without rights in the dead?

Orestes

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.

Orestes

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?

Orestes

There is none; the living have no tomb.

Electra

What are you saying, boy?
1220

Orestes

Nothing that is untrue.

Electra

The man is alive?

Orestes

If there is life in me.

Electra

What? Are you he?

Orestes

Look at this signet, once our father’s, and know if I speak the truth.

Electra

O blissful day!

Orestes

Blissful, I am your witness!

Electra

Is this your voice?
1225

Orestes

Hear it from no other.

Electra

Do I hold you in my arms?

Orestes

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!

Chorus

We see him, daughter, and for this happy turn of fortune a tear of joy trickles from our eyes.
1230

Commentary

Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))

mvp-comment-619-1 καθύπερθεν ¹

mvp-comment-619-2 τεῶν ² τῶν ³ τοσόνδ’ ⁴

mvp-comment-620-1 ὑπόχειρ ⁵

mvp-comment-621-1 μοίρᾳ … οὐκ ἐν ἐσθλᾷ βεβῶσαν ⁶

mvp-comment-622-1 μέγιστα … νόμιμα ⁷

mvp-comment-622-2 ἔβλαστε ⁸

mvp-comment-622-3 τῶνδε φερομέναν ἄριστα ⁹ τῶνδε ¹⁰

mvp-comment-622-4 I formerly understood:—‘in respect to these laws, prospering full well’:

ἄριστα

being then an adv., while

φερομέναν

is used as in Thuc. 2. 60 § 3

καλῶς..φερόμενος τὸ καθ’ ἑαυτόν

: 5. 15 § 2

εὖ φερόμενοι

: 5. 16 § 1

εὖ φερόμενος ἐν στρατηγίαις

. This view is recommended by the fact that

φερομέναν ἄριστα

then forms a clear antithesis to

μοίρᾳ..οὐκ ἐν ἐσθλᾷ βεβῶσαν

. But two points are against it. (1)

τῶνδε

, as a genitive of relation, is somewhat awkward; though we might compare Thuc. 3. 92 § 4

τοῦ πρὸς Ἀθηναίους πολέμου καλῶς ἐδόκει αὐτοῖς ἡ πόλις καθίστασθαι...τῆς τε ἐπὶ Θρᾴκης παρόδου χρησίμως ἕξειν

: and id. 1. 36 § 2

Σικελίας καλῶς παράπλου κεῖται

. (2) The poet's usage, as we have seen, favours the other sense of

φερομέναν

mvp-comment-623-1 τᾷ Ζηνὸς εὐσεβείᾳ ¹¹ Διὸς ¹² Ζηνὸς ¹³

mvp-comment-624-1 εἰσηκούσαμεν ¹⁴

mvp-comment-624-2 ὀρθῶς θ’ ¹⁵ δ’ ¹⁶ θ’ ¹⁷ τε ¹⁸ δέ ¹⁹

mvp-comment-624-3 ἔνθα ²⁰

Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus

1058-1097. mvp-comment-504-1 The Chorus lament, for Agamemnon's sake, over the quarrel between his daughters, which is added to the other troubles of his house, including the supposed death of Orestes, and express their admiration of Electra's attitude. Addressing her in the second strophe, they encourage her with words of sympathy and commendation. While Orestes lived, they bade her hope and trust. Now that they believe him to be dead, they are carried away by the heroism of her despair. That Electra remains upon the stage appears from infr. 1105.

1089. mvp-comment-524-1 σοφά τ᾿ ἀρίστα τε] 'Wise, as well as bravest,' or 'best, Wise, i. e. because holding fast the higher law. Cp. l. 1094.

1089. mvp-comment-524-2 Enter Orestes and Pylades, with attendants, as the ἄνδρες Φωκέων τεταγμένοι of supr. 759. The urn is carried, not by Orestes as might be expected from supr. 54. but by one of the attendants ( infr. 1123).

1090. mvp-comment-525-1 'Mayest thou live, I pray, as far superior to thy foes in wealth and might as now thou art fallen beneath them!' Cp. Hdt. 8. 60, τῶν ἐχθρῶν κατύπερθε γενέσθαι: ΙΙ. 16. 722.

1091. mvp-comment-526-1 *τεῶν is Hermann's correction of τῶν. Others (Lange, Wecklein) read τοσόνδ'.

1093. mvp-comment-527-1 ὑπὸ †χεῖρα] Hermann's conjecture, ὑπόχειρ (cp. ἐπίχειρ), has been received by subsequent editors. But, although it gives regularity to the metre, the word is not found elsewhere, and ὑπὸ χεῖρα appears idiomatic. Hermann himself (1839) read ὑπὸ χέρα.

1094-1095. mvp-comment-528-1 μοίρᾳ . . βεβῶσαν] Not placed in happy fortune.' Cр. О. С. 1358, 59, ὅτ᾽ ἐν πόνῳ | ταὐτῷ βεβηκὼς τυγχάνεις κακῶν ἐμοί.

1095-1097. mvp-comment-529-1 ἃ δὲ μέγιστ᾽ ἔβλαστε.. εὐσεβεία] Either (1) But prospering most highly, through Zeus-loved piety, in respect of those laws that are mightiest in their origin,' or (2) But endowed with the noblest gifts from those laws which are of mightiest origin, because of thy piety to Zeus.' For μέγιστ' ἔβλαστε, ср. О. Т. 865-72, Ant. 454-7. For the genitive τῶνδε in (2), see Essay on L. § 10. p. 14 b. And for τᾷ Ζηνὸς εὐσεβείᾳ in (1), cp. Phil. 1442, 3, ὡς τἄλλα πάντα δεύτερ᾽ ἡγεῖται πατὴρ | Ζεύς· ἡ γὰρ εὐσέβεια συνθνήσκει βροτοῖς. Wecklein reads ἄριστον αἶνον δι' εὐσέβειαν, Nauck, ἄριστα τὰν σὰν δι᾽ εὐσέβειαν.

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ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. ἆρ' om. L. & add C² Pal., ὦ γυναῖκες, ὀρθά τ' εἰσηκούσαμεν,

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Ὀρέστης ἆρʼ, ὦ γυναῖκες, ὀρθά τʼ εἰσηκούσαμεν ὀρθῶς θʼ ὁδοιποροῦμεν ἔνθα χρῄζομεν;

Χορός τί δʼ ἐξερευνᾷς καὶ τί βουληθεὶς πάρει; 1100

Ὀρέστης Αἴγισθον ἔνθʼ ᾤκηκεν ἱστορῶ πάλαι.

Χορός ἀλλʼ εὖ θʼ ἱκάνεις χὠ φράσας ἀζήμιος.

Ὀρέστης τίς οὖν ἂν ὑμῶν τοῖς ἔσω φράσειεν ἂν ἡμῶν ποθεινὴν κοινόπουν παρουσίαν;

Χορός ἥδʼ, εἰ τὸν ἄγχιστόν γε κηρύσσειν χρεών. 1105

Ὀρέστης ἴθʼ, ὦ γύναι, δήλωσον εἰσελθοῦσʼ ὅτι Φωκῆς ματεύουσʼ ἄνδρες Αἴγισθόν τινες,

Ἠλέκτρα οἴμοι τάλαινʼ, οὐ δή ποθʼ ἧς ἠκούσαμεν φήμης φέροντες ἐμφανῆ τεκμήρια;

Ὀρέστης οὐκ οἶδα τὴν σὴν κληδόνʼ· ἀλλά μοι γέρων 1110 ἐφεῖτʼ Ὀρέστου Στρόφιος ἀγγεῖλαι πέρι.

Ἠλέκτρα τί δʼ ἔστιν, ὦ ξένʼ; ὥς μʼ ὑπέρχεται φόβος.

Ὀρέστης φέροντες αὐτοῦ σμικρὰ λείψανʼ ἐν βραχεῖ τεύχει θανόντος, ὡς ὁρᾷς, κομίζομεν.

Ἠλέκτρα οἲ ʼγὼ τάλαινα, τοῦτʼ ἐκεῖνʼ ἤδη σαφὲς 1115 πρόχειρον ἄχθος, ὡς ἔοικε, δέρκομαι.

Ὀρέστης εἴπερ τι κλαίεις τῶν Ὀρεστείων κακῶν, τόδʼ ἄγγος ἴσθι σῶμα τοὐκείνου στέγον.

Ὀρέστης δόθʼ, ἥτις ἐστί, προσφέροντες· οὐ γὰρ ὡς ἐν δυσμενείᾳ γʼ οὖσʼ ἐπαιτεῖται τάδε, ἀλλʼ ἢ φίλων τις ἢ πρὸς αἵματος φύσιν. 1125

Χορός θνητοῦ πέφυκας πατρός, Ἠλέκτρα, φρόνει, θνητὸς δʼ Ὀρέστης. ὥστε μὴ λίαν στένε. πᾶσιν γὰρ ἡμῖν τοῦτʼ ὀφείλεται παθεῖν.

Ὀρέστης φεῦ φεῦ. τί λέξω; ποῖ λόγων ἀμηχανῶν ἔλθω; κρατεῖν γὰρ οὐκέτι γλώσσης σθένω. 1175

Ἠλέκτρα τί δʼ ἔσχες ἄλγος; πρὸς τί τοῦτʼ εἰπὼν κυρεῖς;

Ὀρέστης ἦ σὸν τὸ κλεινὸν εἶδος Ἠλέκτρας τόδε;

Ἠλέκτρα τόδʼ ἔστʼ ἐκεῖνο, καὶ μάλʼ ἀθλίως ἔχον.

Ὀρέστης οἴμοι ταλαίνης ἆρα τῆσδε συμφορᾶς.

Ἠλέκτρα οὐ δή ποτʼ, ὦ ξένʼ, ἀμφʼ ἐμοὶ στένεις τάδε; 1180

Ὀρέστης ὦ σῶμʼ ἀτίμως κἀθέως ἐφθαρμένον.

Ἠλέκτρα οὔτοι ποτʼ ἄλλην ἢ ʼμὲ δυσφημεῖς, ξένε.

Ὀρέστης φεῦ τῆς ἀνύμφου δυσμόρου τε σῆς τροφῆς,

Ἠλέκτρα τί δή ποτʼ, ὦ ξένʼ, ὧδʼ ἐπισκοπῶν στένεις;

Ὀρέστης ὡς οὐκ ἄρʼ ᾔδη τῶν ἐμῶν οὐδὲν κακῶν. 1185

Ἠλέκτρα ἐν τῷ διέγνως τοῦτο τῶν εἰρημένων;

Ὀρέστης ὁρῶν σε πολλοῖς ἐμπρέπουσαν ἄλγεσιν.

Ἠλέκτρα καὶ μὴν ὁρᾷς γε παῦρα τῶν ἐμῶν κακῶν.

Ὀρέστης καὶ πῶς γένοιτʼ ἂν τῶνδʼ ἔτʼ ἐχθίω βλέπειν;

Ἠλέκτρα ὁθούνεκʼ εἰμὶ τοῖς φονεῦσι σύντροφος 1190

Ὀρέστης τοῖς τοῦ; πόθεν τοῦτʼ ἐξεσήμηνας κακόν;

Ἠλέκτρα τοῖς πατρός· εἶτα τοῖσδε δουλεύω βίᾳ.

Ὀρέστης τίς γάρ σʼ ἀνάγκῃ τῇδε προτρέπει βροτῶν;

Ἠλέκτρα μήτηρ καλεῖται, μητρὶ δʼ οὐδὲν ἐξισοῖ.

Ὀρέστης τί δρῶσα; πότερα χερσὶν ἢ λύμῃ βίου; 1195

Ἠλέκτρα καὶ χερσὶ καὶ λύμαισι καὶ πᾶσιν κακοῖς.

Ὀρέστης οὐδʼ οὑπαρήξων οὐδʼ ὁ κωλύσων πάρα;

Ἠλέκτρα οὐ δῆθʼ. ὃς ἦν γάρ μοι σὺ προὔθηκας σποδόν.

Ὀρέστης ὦ δύσποτμʼ, ὡς ὁρῶν σʼ ἐποικτίρω πάλαι.

Ἠλέκτρα μόνος βροτῶν νυν ἴσθʼ ἐποικτίρας ποτέ. 1200

Ὀρέστης μόνος γὰρ ἥκω τοῖς ἴσοις ἀλγῶν κακοῖς.

Ἠλέκτρα οὐ δή ποθʼ ἡμῖν ξυγγενὴς ἥκεις ποθέν;

Ὀρέστης ἐγὼ φράσαιμʼ ἄν, εἰ τὸ τῶνδʼ εὔνουν πάρα.

Ἠλέκτρα ἀλλʼ ἐστὶν εὔνουν, ὥστε πρὸς πιστὰς ἐρεῖς.

Ὀρέστης μέθες τόδʼ ἄγγος νῦν, ὅπως τὸ πᾶν μάθῃς. 1205

Ἠλέκτρα μὴ δῆτα πρὸς θεῶν τοῦτό μʼ ἐργάσῃ, ξένε.

Ὀρέστης πείθου λέγοντι κοὐχ ἁμαρτήσει ποτέ.

Ἠλέκτρα μή, πρὸς γενείου, μὴ ʼξέλῃ τὰ φίλτατα.

Ὀρέστης οὔ φημʼ ἐάσειν.

Ἠλέκτρα ὦ τάλαινʼ ἐγὼ σέθεν, Ὀρέστα, τῆς σῆς εἰ στερήσομαι ταφῆς. 1210

Ὀρέστης εὔφημα φώνει· πρὸς δίκης γὰρ οὐ στένεις.

Ἠλέκτρα πῶς τὸν θανόντʼ ἀδελφὸν οὐ δίκῃ στένω;

Ὀρέστης οὔ σοι προσήκει τήνδε προσφωνεῖν φάτιν.

Ἠλέκτρα οὕτως ἄτιμός εἰμι τοῦ τεθνηκότος;

Ὀρέστης ἄτιμος οὐδενὸς σύ· τοῦτο δʼ οὐχὶ σόν. 1215

Ἠλέκτρα εἴπερ γʼ Ὀρέστου σῶμα βαστάζω τόδε;

Ὀρέστης ἀλλʼ οὐκ Ὀρέστου, πλὴν λόγῳ γʼ ἠσκημένον.

Ἠλέκτρα ποῦ δʼ ἔστʼ ἐκείνου τοῦ ταλαιπώρου τάφος;

Ὀρέστης οὐκ ἔστι· τοῦ γὰρ ζῶντος οὐκ ἔστιν τάφος.

Ἠλέκτρα πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ; 1220

Ὀρέστης ψεῦδος οὐδὲν ὧν λέγω.

Ἠλέκτρα ἦ ζῇ γὰρ ἁνήρ;

Ὀρέστης εἴπερ ἔμψυχός γʼ ἐγώ.

Ἠλέκτρα ἦ γὰρ σὺ κεῖνος;

Ὀρέστης τήνδε προσβλέψασά μου σφραγῖδα πατρὸς ἔκμαθʼ εἰ σαφῆ λέγω.

Ἠλέκτρα ὦ φίλτατον φῶς.

Ὀρέστης φίλτατον, συμμαρτυρῶ.

Ἠλέκτρα ὦ φθέγμʼ, ἀφίκου; 1225

Ὀρέστης μηκέτʼ ἄλλοθεν πύθῃ,

Ἠλέκτρα ἔχω σε χερσίν;

Ὀρέστης ὡς τὰ λοίπʼ ἔχοις ἀεί.

Ἠλέκτρα ὦ φίλταται γυναῖκες, ὦ πολίτιδες, ὁρᾶτʼ Ὀρέστην τόνδε, μηχαναῖσι μὲν θανόντα, νῦν δὲ μηχαναῖς σεσωσμένον.

Χορός ὁρῶμεν, ὦ παῖ, κἀπὶ συμφοραῖσί μοι 1230 γεγηθὸς ἕρπει δάκρυον ὀμμάτων ἄπο.

Say, dames and damsels, have we heard aright, And speed we to the goal of our desire?

CH And what desire or quest hath brought thee hither? 1100

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ἆρ' om. L. & add C² Pal., ὦ γυναῖκες, ὀρθά τ' εἰσηκούσαμεν,

Ὀρέστης

ἆρʼ, ὦ γυναῖκες, ὀρθά τʼ εἰσηκούσαμεν

ὀρθῶς θʼ ὁδοιποροῦμεν ἔνθα χρῄζομεν;

Χορός

τί δʼ ἐξερευνᾷς καὶ τί βουληθεὶς πάρει;
1100

Ὀρέστης

Αἴγισθον ἔνθʼ ᾤκηκεν ἱστορῶ πάλαι.

Χορός

ἀλλʼ εὖ θʼ ἱκάνεις χὠ φράσας ἀζήμιος.

Ὀρέστης

τίς οὖν ἂν ὑμῶν τοῖς ἔσω φράσειεν ἂν

ἡμῶν ποθεινὴν κοινόπουν παρουσίαν;

Χορός

ἥδʼ, εἰ τὸν ἄγχιστόν γε κηρύσσειν χρεών.
1105

Ὀρέστης

ἴθʼ, ὦ γύναι, δήλωσον εἰσελθοῦσʼ ὅτι

Φωκῆς ματεύουσʼ ἄνδρες Αἴγισθόν τινες,

Ἠλέκτρα

οἴμοι τάλαινʼ, οὐ δή ποθʼ ἧς ἠκούσαμεν

φήμης φέροντες ἐμφανῆ τεκμήρια;

Ὀρέστης

οὐκ οἶδα τὴν σὴν κληδόνʼ· ἀλλά μοι γέρων
1110

ἐφεῖτʼ Ὀρέστου Στρόφιος ἀγγεῖλαι πέρι.

Ἠλέκτρα

τί δʼ ἔστιν, ὦ ξένʼ; ὥς μʼ ὑπέρχεται φόβος.

Ὀρέστης

φέροντες αὐτοῦ σμικρὰ λείψανʼ ἐν βραχεῖ

τεύχει θανόντος, ὡς ὁρᾷς, κομίζομεν.

Ἠλέκτρα

οἲ ʼγὼ τάλαινα, τοῦτʼ ἐκεῖνʼ ἤδη σαφὲς
1115

πρόχειρον ἄχθος, ὡς ἔοικε, δέρκομαι.

Ὀρέστης

εἴπερ τι κλαίεις τῶν Ὀρεστείων κακῶν,

τόδʼ ἄγγος ἴσθι σῶμα τοὐκείνου στέγον.

Ὀρέστης

δόθʼ, ἥτις ἐστί, προσφέροντες· οὐ γὰρ ὡς

ἐν δυσμενείᾳ γʼ οὖσʼ ἐπαιτεῖται τάδε,

ἀλλʼ ἢ φίλων τις ἢ πρὸς αἵματος φύσιν.
1125

Χορός

θνητοῦ πέφυκας πατρός, Ἠλέκτρα, φρόνει,

θνητὸς δʼ Ὀρέστης. ὥστε μὴ λίαν στένε.

πᾶσιν γὰρ ἡμῖν τοῦτʼ ὀφείλεται παθεῖν.

Ὀρέστης

φεῦ φεῦ. τί λέξω; ποῖ λόγων ἀμηχανῶν

ἔλθω; κρατεῖν γὰρ οὐκέτι γλώσσης σθένω.
1175

Ἠλέκτρα

τί δʼ ἔσχες ἄλγος; πρὸς τί τοῦτʼ εἰπὼν κυρεῖς;

Ὀρέστης

ἦ σὸν τὸ κλεινὸν εἶδος Ἠλέκτρας τόδε;

Ἠλέκτρα

τόδʼ ἔστʼ ἐκεῖνο, καὶ μάλʼ ἀθλίως ἔχον.

Ὀρέστης

οἴμοι ταλαίνης ἆρα τῆσδε συμφορᾶς.

Ἠλέκτρα

οὐ δή ποτʼ, ὦ ξένʼ, ἀμφʼ ἐμοὶ στένεις τάδε;
1180

Ὀρέστης

ὦ σῶμʼ ἀτίμως κἀθέως ἐφθαρμένον.

Ἠλέκτρα

οὔτοι ποτʼ ἄλλην ἢ ʼμὲ δυσφημεῖς, ξένε.

Ὀρέστης

φεῦ τῆς ἀνύμφου δυσμόρου τε σῆς τροφῆς,

Ἠλέκτρα

τί δή ποτʼ, ὦ ξένʼ, ὧδʼ ἐπισκοπῶν στένεις;

Ὀρέστης

ὡς οὐκ ἄρʼ ᾔδη τῶν ἐμῶν οὐδὲν κακῶν.
1185

Ἠλέκτρα

ἐν τῷ διέγνως τοῦτο τῶν εἰρημένων;

Ὀρέστης

ὁρῶν σε πολλοῖς ἐμπρέπουσαν ἄλγεσιν.

Ἠλέκτρα

καὶ μὴν ὁρᾷς γε παῦρα τῶν ἐμῶν κακῶν.

Ὀρέστης

καὶ πῶς γένοιτʼ ἂν τῶνδʼ ἔτʼ ἐχθίω βλέπειν;

Ἠλέκτρα

ὁθούνεκʼ εἰμὶ τοῖς φονεῦσι σύντροφος
1190

Ὀρέστης

τοῖς τοῦ; πόθεν τοῦτʼ ἐξεσήμηνας κακόν;

Ἠλέκτρα

τοῖς πατρός· εἶτα τοῖσδε δουλεύω βίᾳ.

Ὀρέστης

τίς γάρ σʼ ἀνάγκῃ τῇδε προτρέπει βροτῶν;

Ἠλέκτρα

μήτηρ καλεῖται, μητρὶ δʼ οὐδὲν ἐξισοῖ.

Ὀρέστης

τί δρῶσα; πότερα χερσὶν ἢ λύμῃ βίου;
1195

Ἠλέκτρα

καὶ χερσὶ καὶ λύμαισι καὶ πᾶσιν κακοῖς.

Ὀρέστης

οὐδʼ οὑπαρήξων οὐδʼ ὁ κωλύσων πάρα;

Ἠλέκτρα

οὐ δῆθʼ. ὃς ἦν γάρ μοι σὺ προὔθηκας σποδόν.

Ὀρέστης

ὦ δύσποτμʼ, ὡς ὁρῶν σʼ ἐποικτίρω πάλαι.

Ἠλέκτρα

μόνος βροτῶν νυν ἴσθʼ ἐποικτίρας ποτέ.
1200

Ὀρέστης

μόνος γὰρ ἥκω τοῖς ἴσοις ἀλγῶν κακοῖς.

Ἠλέκτρα

οὐ δή ποθʼ ἡμῖν ξυγγενὴς ἥκεις ποθέν;

Ὀρέστης

ἐγὼ φράσαιμʼ ἄν, εἰ τὸ τῶνδʼ εὔνουν πάρα.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἀλλʼ ἐστὶν εὔνουν, ὥστε πρὸς πιστὰς ἐρεῖς.

Ὀρέστης

μέθες τόδʼ ἄγγος νῦν, ὅπως τὸ πᾶν μάθῃς.
1205

Ἠλέκτρα

μὴ δῆτα πρὸς θεῶν τοῦτό μʼ ἐργάσῃ, ξένε.

Ὀρέστης

πείθου λέγοντι κοὐχ ἁμαρτήσει ποτέ.

Ἠλέκτρα

μή, πρὸς γενείου, μὴ ʼξέλῃ τὰ φίλτατα.

Ὀρέστης

οὔ φημʼ ἐάσειν.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὦ τάλαινʼ ἐγὼ σέθεν,

Ὀρέστα, τῆς σῆς εἰ στερήσομαι ταφῆς.
1210

Ὀρέστης

εὔφημα φώνει· πρὸς δίκης γὰρ οὐ στένεις.

Ἠλέκτρα

πῶς τὸν θανόντʼ ἀδελφὸν οὐ δίκῃ στένω;

Ὀρέστης

οὔ σοι προσήκει τήνδε προσφωνεῖν φάτιν.

Ἠλέκτρα

οὕτως ἄτιμός εἰμι τοῦ τεθνηκότος;

Ὀρέστης

ἄτιμος οὐδενὸς σύ· τοῦτο δʼ οὐχὶ σόν.
1215

Ἠλέκτρα

εἴπερ γʼ Ὀρέστου σῶμα βαστάζω τόδε;

Ὀρέστης

ἀλλʼ οὐκ Ὀρέστου, πλὴν λόγῳ γʼ ἠσκημένον.

Ἠλέκτρα

ποῦ δʼ ἔστʼ ἐκείνου τοῦ ταλαιπώρου τάφος;

Ὀρέστης

οὐκ ἔστι· τοῦ γὰρ ζῶντος οὐκ ἔστιν τάφος.

Ἠλέκτρα

πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ;
1220

Ὀρέστης

ψεῦδος οὐδὲν ὧν λέγω.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἦ ζῇ γὰρ ἁνήρ;

Ὀρέστης

εἴπερ ἔμψυχός γʼ ἐγώ.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἦ γὰρ σὺ κεῖνος;

Ὀρέστης

τήνδε προσβλέψασά μου

σφραγῖδα πατρὸς ἔκμαθʼ εἰ σαφῆ λέγω.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὦ φίλτατον φῶς.

Ὀρέστης

φίλτατον, συμμαρτυρῶ.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὦ φθέγμʼ, ἀφίκου;
1225

Ὀρέστης

μηκέτʼ ἄλλοθεν πύθῃ,

Ἠλέκτρα

ἔχω σε χερσίν;

Ὀρέστης

ὡς τὰ λοίπʼ ἔχοις ἀεί.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὦ φίλταται γυναῖκες, ὦ πολίτιδες,

ὁρᾶτʼ Ὀρέστην τόνδε, μηχαναῖσι μὲν

θανόντα, νῦν δὲ μηχαναῖς σεσωσμένον.

Χορός

ὁρῶμεν, ὦ παῖ, κἀπὶ συμφοραῖσί μοι
1230

γεγηθὸς ἕρπει δάκρυον ὀμμάτων ἄπο.

Say, dames and damsels, have we heard aright,

And speed we to the goal of our desire?

CH

And what desire or quest hath brought thee hither?
1100

OR

I seek Aegisthus’ dwelling all this while.

CH

Welcome. The tongue that told thee hath no blame.

OR

Which of you all will signify within

Our joint arrival,—not unwelcome here.