1354.
mvp-comment-634-1
ὦ.. φῶς] ‘O joyful day!' The words have the same meaning as in supr. 1224, though they do not carry the same strength of feeling.
1356.
mvp-comment-635-1
The Paedagogus had proved his faithfulness by saving both Electra and Orestes from danger, before she entrusted him with the precious charge. Cp. supr. 1351, 2.
1357.
mvp-comment-636-1
'She addresses the hands, which she is holding in her own.' Wecklein.
1357-1358.
mvp-comment-637-1
ἥδιστον.. ὑπηρέτημα] ‘And thou whose feet have done most precious service;' viz. in going to and returning from Phocis.
1359.
mvp-comment-638-1
οὐδ᾽ ἔφαινες] 'And not make thyself known.' The use of the active voice is softened by the possible resumption of ξυνών, i. e. συνόντα σέ. But it is also justified by the implied metaphor from a body shining with its own light. Cp. Aesch. Ag. 101, 2, ἀγανὰ φαίνουσ᾽ | ἐλπίς.
1360.
mvp-comment-639-1
ἔργ᾽.. ἐμοί] 'While engaged in a course of action most delightful to me.'
1361.
mvp-comment-640-1
'Hail, father! For methinks I see a father in thee.' In such words of affection, Electra's long repressed feelings naturally overflow. Cp. supr. 1220, πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ; and note.
1364.
mvp-comment-641-1
τοὺς . . λόγους] ‘For as to what has happened in the interval.' The turn of expression in the next line (πολλαὶ κυκλοῦνται, κ.τ.λ.) leaves this accusative out of construction, and it is resumed in ταῦτα (1366).
1365.
mvp-comment-642-1
κυκλοῦνται] The change to κυκλοῦσι in some MSS. may have been occasioned either by the wish to obtain a construction for λόγους, or by the similarity of δείξουσι. It is better therefore to retain κυκλοῦνται.
1370-1371.
mvp-comment-643-1
σοφωτέροις πλείοσιν] 'Not only with these, but with others who have superior cunning and superior numbers.' σοφωτέροις, because men and not women; πλείοσιν, because the guards of Aegisthus would overpower the Phocian men.'
1372-1373.
mvp-comment-644-1
οὐκ ἂν . . τοὔργον] It would seem, Pylades, that our business here no longer has to do with words.'
1374.
mvp-comment-645-1
χωρεῖν] Sc. ἔργον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν.
1374-1375.
mvp-comment-646-1
'Having first bowed before the shrines of my father's gods.' ὅσοιπερ .. τάδε] Cp. Aesch. Ag. 509-19, where Zeus, Apollo (supr. 637), Hermes, are expressly mentioned, and other deities spoken of as δαίμονες ἀντήλιοι.
1375.
mvp-comment-647-1
- After some moments of silent devotion, Orestes, Pylades, the Paedagogus, and their attendants, enter the palace. Electra remains outside and prays aloud to Apollo.
1377.
mvp-comment-648-1
σε is governed by λιπαρεῖ προὔστην χερί = ἱκέτευσά σε.
1378.
mvp-comment-649-1
λιπαρεῖ . . χερί] 'Came before thee with ever-instant hand.' The gloss of Suidas, λιπαρεῖ· ἀφθόνῳ, πλουσίᾳ, must be attributed to misapprehension.
1379.
mvp-comment-650-1
ἐξ οἴων ἔχω] Sc. εὐχομένη, 'Vowing of such things as I have.' Cp. Aesch. Cho. 486-8, ΗΛ. κἀγὼ χοάς σοι τῆς ἐμῆς παγκληρίας | οἴσω πατρῳων ἐκ δόμων γαμηλίους· | πάντων δὲ πρῶτον τόνδε πρεσβεύσω τάφον. This and the following lines are said by Electra in an attitude of prayer, and fitly prepare the spectator for the solemn strain which is raised by the Chorus after she has entered the palace at l. 1383.
1382-1383.
mvp-comment-651-1
τἀπιτίμια.. θεοί] ‘What reward the gods bestow upon impiety.'
