Sophocles, Electra, Richard Jebb (Translator), 610

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Chorus

I see her breathing fury; but whether justice is with her, her concern for this I see no longer.
610

Clytaemnestra

And what manner of concern should I use against her, who has abused her mother like this at her mature age? Do you not think

that she would go forward to any deed without shame?
615

Electra

Now be assured that I do feel shame for it, though I seem not to you. I know that my behavior is unsuited to my age and inappropriate. But then the enmity I get from you and your

behavior compel me with harsh necessity to do this; for reprehensible deeds are learned from reprehensible examples.
620

Clytaemnestra

You shameless creature! Truly I and my speech and my deeds give you too much to talk about.

Electra

The words are yours, not mine; for yours

are the deeds, and they find their own expression.
625

Clytaemnestra

Now by our mistress Artemis, you shall not escape the consequences of this audacity once Aegisthus returns.

Electra

You see? You are driven to rage and, even though you grant me free speech, you have no patience to listen.

Clytaemnestra

Will you not allow me to sacrifice without ominous shouting, when I have permitted you to say anything and everything you wished?
630

Electra

I allow it; I exhort you to it: sacrifice! But do not blame my voice, for I would not say another word.

Electra. Sophocles. Richard Jebb (Translator). Cambridge. 1894.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Experimental

Electra (English) (Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 6: The Electra. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1894. (Modernized by Perseus.))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 610 focus

ὁρῶ μένος πνέουσαν· εἰ δὲ σὺν δίκῃ
610

ξύνεστι, τοῦδε φροντίδ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ εἰσορῶ.

ΚΛ.

ποίας δέ μοι δεῖ πρός γε τήνδε φροντίδος,

ἥτις τοιαῦτα τὴν τεκοῦσαν ὕβρισεν,

καὶ ταῦτα τηλικοῦτος τηλικούτως LF. τηλικοῦτος CAL2.? ἆρά ἆρ᾽ οὐ C. ἆρ᾽ οὔ ΑΓ. ἆρά σοι 12. σοι δοκεῖ

χωρεῖν ἂν εἰς πᾶν ἔργον αἰσχύνης ἄτερ;
615

ΗΛ.

εὖ νυν νῦν L. ἐπίστω τῶνδέ μ' αἰσχύνην ἔχειν,

κεἰ μὴ δοκῶ σοι· μανθάνω δ᾽ ὁθούνεκα

ἔξωρα πράσσω κοὐκ ἐμοὶ προσεικότα.

ἀλλ᾽ ἡ γὰρ ἐκ σοῦ δυσμένεια καὶ τὰ σὰ

ἔργ᾽ ἐξαναγκάζει με ταῦτα δρᾶν βίᾳ.
620

αἰσχροῖς γὰρ αἰσχρὰ πράγματ᾽ ἐκδιδάσκεται.

ΚΛ.

ὦ θρέμμ᾽ ἀναιδές, ἢ σ᾽ ἐγὼ καὶ τἄμ᾽ ἔπη

καὶ τἄργα τἀμὰ πόλλ᾽ ἄγαν λέγειν ποιεῖ ποιεῖ L. ποεῖ Γ. ποιεῖ Pal..

ΗΛ.

σύ τοι λέγεις νιν, οὐκ ἐγώ. σὺ γὰρ ποιεῖς ποεῖσ LΓ. ποιεῖς Pal.

τοὔργον· τὰ δ᾽ ἔργα τοὺς λόγους εὑρίσκεται.
625

ΚΛ.

ἀλλ᾽ οὐ μὰ τὴν οὐμάτην L. οὔ μὰ τὴν C. δέσποιναν Ἄρτεμιν θράσους

τοῦδ᾽ οὐκ ἀλύξεις, εὐτ᾿ ἂν Αἴγισθος μόλῃ.

ΗΛ.

ὁρᾷς; πρὸς ὀργὴν ἐκφέρει, μεθεῖσά μοι

λέγειν ἃ χρήζοιμ', οὐδ᾽ ἐπίστασαι κλύειν.

ΚΛ.

οὔκουν ἐάσεις οὐδ᾽ ὑπ᾿ εὐφήμου βοῆς
630

θῦσαί μ', ἐπειδὴ σοί γ᾽ σύ γ' L. σοί γ' C. ἐφῆκα πᾶν λέγειν ;

ΗΛ.

ἐῶ, κελεύω, θῦε· μηδ᾽ ἐπαιτιῶ

τοὐμὸν στόμ᾽, ὡς οὐκ ἂν πέρα λέξαιμ᾽ ἔτι.

ΚΛ.

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 610 focus

Χορός

ὁρῶ μένος πνέουσαν· εἰ δὲ σὺν δίκῃ
610

ξύνεστι, τοῦδε φροντίδʼ οὐκέτʼ εἰσορῶ.

Κλυταιμνήστρα

ποίας δʼ ἐμοὶ δεῖ πρός γε τήνδε φροντίδος,

ἥτις τοιαῦτα τὴν τεκοῦσαν ὕβρισεν,

καὶ ταῦτα τηλικοῦτος; ἆρά σοι δοκεῖ

χωρεῖν ἂν εἰς πᾶν ἔργον αἰσχύνης ἄτερ;
615

Ἠλέκτρα

εὖ νυν ἐπίστω τῶνδέ μʼ αἰσχύνην ἔχειν,

κεἰ μὴ δοκῶ σοι· μανθάνω δʼ ὁθούνεκα

ἔξωρα πράσσω κοὐκ ἐμοὶ προσεικότα.

ἀλλʼ ἡ γὰρ ἐκ σοῦ δυσμένεια καὶ τὰ σὰ

ἔργʼ ἐξαναγκάζει με ταῦτα δρᾶν βίᾳ·
620

αἰσχροῖς γὰρ αἰσχρὰ πράγματʼ ἐκδιδάσκεται.

Κλυταιμνήστρα

ὦ θρέμμʼ ἀναιδές, ἦ σʼ ἐγὼ καὶ τἄμʼ ἔπη

καὶ τἄργα τἀμὰ πόλλʼ ἄγαν λέγειν ποεῖ.

Ἠλέκτρα

σύ τοι λέγεις νιν, οὐκ ἐγώ· σὺ γὰρ ποεῖς

τοὔργον· τὰ δʼ ἔργα τοὺς λόγους εὑρίσκεται.
625

Κλυταιμνήστρα

ἀλλʼ οὐ μὰ τὴν δέσποιναν Ἄρτεμιν θράσους

τοῦδʼ οὐκ ἀλύξεις, εὖτʼ ἂν Αἴγισθος μόλῃ.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὁρᾷς; πρὸς ὀργὴν ἐκφέρει, μεθεῖσά μοι

λέγειν ἃ χρῄζοιμʼ, οὐδʼ ἐπίστασαι κλύειν.

Κλυταιμνήστρα

οὔκουν ἐάσεις οὐδʼ ὑπʼ εὐφήμου βοῆς
630

θῦσαί μʼ, ἐπειδὴ σοί γʼ ἐφῆκα πᾶν λέγειν;

Ἠλέκτρα

ἐῶ, κελεύω, θῦε· μηδʼ ἐπαιτιῶ

τοὐμὸν στόμʼ, ὡς οὐκ ἂν πέρα λέξαιμʼ ἔτι.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 610 focus

().
610

I see her fuming with fresh wrath: the thought
610

Of justice enters not her bosom now.

CLY

What thought of justice should be mine for her,

Who at her age can so insult a mother?

Will shame withhold her from the wildest deed?

EL

Not unashamed, assure thee, I stand here,

Little as thou mayest deem it. Well I feel

My acts untimely and my words unmeet.

But your hostility and treatment force me

Against my disposition to this course.
620

Harsh ways are taught by harshness.

CLY

Brazen thing!

Too true it is that words and deeds of mine

Are evermore informing thy harsh tongue.

EL

The shame is yours, because the deeds are yours.

My words are but their issue and effect.
625

CLY

By sovereign Artemis, whom still I serve,

You’ll rue this boldness when Aegisthus comes.

EL

See now, your anger bears you off, and ne’er

Will let you listen, though you gave me leave.

CLY

Must I not even sacrifice in peace
630

From your harsh clamour, when you’ve had your say?

EL

I have done. I check thee not. Go, sacrifice!

Accuse not me of hindering piety.

CLY

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 610 focus

Ich sehe sie Zorn athmen; aber ob mit Recht

Sie zürne, dieses, seh' ich, wird nicht mehr bedacht.
595

Klytämnestra.

Und was bedenken soll ich denn bei dieser auch,

Die so mit frecher Rede mich, die Mutter, höhnt,

Und das in solchem Alter? Hegst du Zweifel noch,

Daß die sich schamlos jeder That erdreisten wird?

Elektra.

So wisse, daß mich solches Thun mit Scham erfüllt,
600

Wenn du daran auch zweifelst; denn ich handle nicht,

Wie's mir und meinem Alter ziemt, das fühl ich wohl.

Doch dieser Feindeshaß von dir, dein arges Thun,

Sie zwingen mich zu solchem Handeln mit Gewalt.

An bösen Thaten lernt sich fort die böse That.
605

Klytämnestra.

Schamlos Gezücht! Ich freilich und mein Reden und

Mein Thun verstatten allzuviel Schmähworte dir.

Elektra.

Nicht ich, du selber schmähst dich ja; denn du begehst

Die That, und Thaten finden ihre Worte dann.

Klytämnestra.

Ha, bei der Fürstin Artemis, für solchen Troz
610

Entrinnst du nicht der Strafe, kehrt Aegisthos heim!

Elektra.

Siehst du's? Der Unmuth reißt dich fort! Du gönntest mir

Nach Wunsch zu reden, doch zu hören weißt du nicht.

Klytämnestra.

So wirst du selbst nicht ungestört von bösem Laut

Mich opfern lassen, nun ich frei dich reden ließ?
615

Ich duld' es, will es, opfre nur, beschuldige

Nicht meinen Mund mehr; denn ich rede weiter nicht.

(zu einer von ihren Begleiterinnen)

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 610 focus

And should have had Electra's. Well thou knowst

That cruel father, for whom thus thy tears

Incessant flow, that father slew his child :

He, he alone of all the Grecian host
615

Gave up his daughter — horrid sacrifice —

To the offended gods : he never felt

A mother's pangs, and therefore thought not of them,

Or, if he did, why slay the innocent?

For Greece, thou tellst me ! Greece could never claim

A right to what was mine. Or did she fall
630

For Menelaus? He had children too :

I am not base, nor shameless, as thou callst

me,

For know, even now I blush for what is past —

Indecent warmth, and words that ill became

My tender years and virgin modesty ;

But 'twas thy guilt, thy malice urged me to it :

From bad examples bad alone we learn —

I only erred because I followed thee.
620

Cly. Impudent wretch ! And am I then the cause
620

Of all thy clamorous insolence?

Electra

Thou art :

Foul is thy speech, because thy deed was foul ;

For words from actions flow.

Cly. By chaste Diana,
625

Soon as j^gisthus comes thy boldness meets
625

Its just reward.
625

Electra

Is this thy promised leave,

So lately granted, freely to unfold

What, now incensed, thou dost refuse to hear ?

Cly. Have I not heard thee, and in base return

With luckless omen dost thou now retard

My pious sacrifice?

Electra

Oh ! far from me

Be guilt like that ; perform it, I beseech thee.

In holy silence shall these lips be closed,

And not a word escape to thwart thy purpose.

Cly. [speaking to one of her atteyidcints]. Hither do thou

the sacred offerings bring,

Of various fruits composed, that to the god

Whose altars we adorn my fervent prayer

May rise ac«.'ei>leil, ain.!

Hear theu, Apollo ! great protector, hear

My secret vows, for with no friendly ear

My voice is heard : her malice would hetray,

Should I unveil my heart, each word 1 uttered,

And sc«atter idle rumours through the crowd.

Thus then accept my prayers, Lycean Phoebus I [uloiaL

If in the doubtful visions of the night

Which broke my slumbers, aught presaging good

Thou seest, propitious, oh ! confirm it all ;

But if of dire portent, and fraught with ill

To me and mine they came, avert the omen,

And send the evil back upon my foes !

Oh ! if there are whose fraudful arts conspire

To cast me foi'th from all my present bliss,

Let them not prosper, but protect me still !

Grant me to live and i-eign in quiet here,

To spend each happy hour with those I love —

With those my children who have ne'er offended

By malice, pride, and bitterness of soul —

Grant this, indulgent Phoebus ! What remains

I^nasked thou seest ; for nought escapes the eye

Of gods, such knowledge have the sons of Jove.

Governor
SOEN^E II.

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 610 focus

I see she burns with anger: whether justas
610

That anger, no regard, I see, is paid.

Clytemnestra

And what regard from me to her is due,

Who with such rude revilings dares insult

And at that age, her mother? What base deed

Would she not dare unblushing to attempt?
615

Electra

At what hath pass'd, believe me, I now blush.

Whate'er thy thought, I am not now to learn

That nor my age, nor me these things become:

But thy unkindness, and thy deeds, by force

Constrain me. By the base base deeds are taught.

Clytemnestra

Unblushing insolence! Do I, my words,

My deeds, give birth to thy intemperate speech?

Electra

It is thy speech, not mine; for thine the deed;

And deeds will always find according speech.
625

Clytemnestra

Now by Diana, when Ægisthus comes,

This arrogance unpunish'd shall not pass.

Electra

I had thy leave to speak; yet see, with rage

Thou art inflamed: thy passion will not hear.

Clytemnestra

Because thou hadst my leave to speak thy thoughts,
630

Wilt thou disturb me with ill-omen'd words,
630

Nor suffer my oblations to the gods?

Electra

I suffer, I encourage, I approve;:!

Present thy offerings; blame my voice no more;

No word the holy silence shall disturb.

Clytemnestra

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-356-1 ὁρῶ μένος πνέουσαν ¹ μένος πνέουσαν ²

mvp-comment-356-2 σὺν δίκῃ ξύνεστι ³

mvp-comment-356-3 Other interpretations are:—(1) ‘I see that Electra is wroth; but as to whether she is in the right, I see no concern (anywhere),’—a timid way of saying that Clytaemnestra shows no such concern. So the schol. (2) ‘I see that Clytaemnestra is angry, but not that she cares whether she is right’:—an inference from some gesture. Both these versions rely on the fact that

φροντίδος

(612) is plainly an echo of

φροντίδ’

(611). But: ( a) it does not follow that

φροντίδ’

is not Electra's thought. ( b) It is surely clear that

πνέουσαν

must be Electra; and ( c) as in Ant. 471 f., the second clause naturally refers to the same person.

mvp-comment-357-1 ποίας δ’ ἐμοὶ δεῖ ⁴ ἐμοὶ ⁵ μοι ⁶ δεῖ ⁷

mvp-comment-357-2 Others understand: (1) ‘If Electra has no consideration for justice, why should I have any consideration for her,— i.e., show her any tenderness?’ Or: (2) ‘If she heeds not justice, why should I heed her?’ Neither view seems well suited to the context.

mvp-comment-358-1 καὶ ταῦτα ⁸

mvp-comment-358-2 τηλικοῦτος ⁹

mvp-comment-358-3 ἆρα ¹⁰

mvp-comment-358-4 χωρεῖν ἂν ¹¹ εἰς πᾶν ἔργον ¹²

mvp-comment-359-1 εὖ νυν ἐπίστω ¹³

mvp-comment-359-2 ἔξωρα ¹⁴

mvp-comment-359-3 προσεικότα ¹⁵

mvp-comment-360-1 ἀλλὰ … γὰρ ¹⁶

mvp-comment-360-2 ἡ … ἐκ σοῦ δυσμένεια ¹⁷

mvp-comment-360-3 ἐξαναγκάζει ¹⁸ αἰσχροῖς ¹⁹

mvp-comment-360-4 622 f. The word θρέμμα ²⁰

mvp-comment-360-5 ἦ σ’ ἐγὼ ²¹

mvp-comment-361-1 νιν ²²

mvp-comment-361-2 εὑρίσκεται ²³

mvp-comment-361-3 Cp. Milton, Apology for Smectymnuus (in his Prose Works, ed. Symmons, vol. I. p. 236): ‘I might also tell them [the prelates], what Electra in Sophocles, a wise virgin, answered her wicked mother, who thought herself too violently reproved by her the daughter: ‘' Tis you that say it, not I; you do the deeds, | And your ungodly deeds find me the words.’’

mvp-comment-362-1 οὐ μὰ ²⁴

mvp-comment-362-2 δέσποιναν ²⁵

mvp-comment-362-3 Ἄρτεμιν ²⁶

mvp-comment-362-4 θράσους τοῦδ’ οὐκ ἀλύξεις ²⁷ μόλῃ ²⁸

mvp-comment-363-1 ὁρᾷς ²⁹

mvp-comment-363-2 ἐκφέρει ³⁰

mvp-comment-363-3 The v. l. παρεῖσα ³¹

mvp-comment-364-1 οὐδὲ ³²

mvp-comment-364-2 ὑπ’ εὐφήμου βοῆς ³³

mvp-comment-364-3 ἐπειδὴ σοί γ’ ³⁴

mvp-comment-364-4 πᾶν λέγειν ³⁵

mvp-comment-365-1 κελεύω ³⁶

mvp-comment-365-2 τοὐμὸν στόμ’ ³⁷

mvp-comment-365-3 634 f. An altar, and probably an image, of Apollo stand before the palace. The attendant of Clytaemnestra carries offerings of various fruits, which she is now commanded to raise, as with a gesture of solemn oblation ( ἔπαιρε ³⁸

mvp-comment-365-4 ἡ παροῦσά μοι ³⁹

mvp-comment-365-5 θύματα … πάγκαρπα ⁴⁰

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

610. mvp-comment-274-1 ὁρῶ μένος πνέουσαν] Sc. τὴν Κλυταιμνήστραν. This appears from her reply, and also from the comparison οἱ εἰ δὲ σὺν δίκῃ, κ.τ.λ, with supr. 528. Here, as in O. T. 746, Aesch. Ag. 1306, τί δ' ἐστὶ χρῆμα; τίς σ᾽ ἀποστρέφει φόβος; -the dialogue contains a reference to by-play.

614. mvp-comment-275-1 τηλικοῦτος] 'At her age.' Cp. infr. 961, 2:-i.e. Her words are not those of a petulant girl, which might be safely disregarded.

616-619. mvp-comment-276-1 The harshness of Electra is not native to her character, but superinduced, and she is painfully conscious of this.

623. mvp-comment-277-1 πόλλ᾽ ἄγαν λέγειν ποιεῖ] 'Make you to say too much: '-i.e. Are too much the theme of your discourse, in which you say much that you should not.

624. mvp-comment-278-1 viv is here neuter plural = αὐτά.

624-625. mvp-comment-279-1 Translated by Milton:-''Tis you that say it, not I; you do the deeds, And your ungodly deeds find me the words.'

626. mvp-comment-280-1 μὰ τὴν .. "Αρτεμιν] Cp. supr. 565, and note. θράσους is genitive of cause.

627. mvp-comment-281-1 For the repetition of οὐκ, see Essay on L. § 29. p. 48. We are again reminded that Aegisthus is from home. Cp. supr. 517.

628-629. mvp-comment-282-1 μεθεῖσά μοι χρήζοιμ 'After giving me leave to say what I chose.' Supr. 556.

630. mvp-comment-283-1 οὐδ᾽ ὑπ᾿ εὐφήμου βοῆς], 'Not even in silence from clamour:' - i. e. Not even without being pestered by your noise.

632. mvp-comment-284-1 κελεύω] 'I urge it on you:'- i.e. as knowing what need you have to propitiate the gods.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

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Chorus I see her breathing fury; but whether justice is with her, her concern for this I see no longer. 610

Clytaemnestra And what manner of concern should I use against her, who has abused her mother like this at her mature age? Do you not think that she would go forward to any deed without shame? 615

Clytaemnestra You shameless creature! Truly I and my speech and my deeds give you too much to talk about.

Electra The words are yours, not mine; for yours are the deeds, and they find their own expression. 625

Clytaemnestra Now by our mistress Artemis, you shall not escape the consequences of this audacity once Aegisthus returns.

Electra You see? You are driven to rage and, even though you grant me free speech, you have no patience to listen.

Clytaemnestra Will you not allow me to sacrifice without ominous shouting, when I have permitted you to say anything and everything you wished? 630

Electra I allow it; I exhort you to it: sacrifice! But do not blame my voice, for I would not say another word.

Current edition Experimental

ὁρῶ μένος πνέουσαν· εἰ δὲ σὺν δίκῃ 610 ξύνεστι, τοῦδε φροντίδ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ εἰσορῶ.

ΚΛ. ὦ θρέμμ᾽ ἀναιδές, ἢ σ᾽ ἐγὼ καὶ τἄμ᾽ ἔπη καὶ τἄργα τἀμὰ πόλλ᾽ ἄγαν λέγειν ποιεῖ ποιεῖ L. ποεῖ Γ. ποιεῖ Pal..

ΗΛ. σύ τοι λέγεις νιν, οὐκ ἐγώ. σὺ γὰρ ποιεῖς ποεῖσ LΓ. ποιεῖς Pal. τοὔργον· τὰ δ᾽ ἔργα τοὺς λόγους εὑρίσκεται. 625

ΚΛ. ἀλλ᾽ οὐ μὰ τὴν οὐμάτην L. οὔ μὰ τὴν C. δέσποιναν Ἄρτεμιν θράσους τοῦδ᾽ οὐκ ἀλύξεις, εὐτ᾿ ἂν Αἴγισθος μόλῃ.

ΗΛ. ὁρᾷς; πρὸς ὀργὴν ἐκφέρει, μεθεῖσά μοι λέγειν ἃ χρήζοιμ', οὐδ᾽ ἐπίστασαι κλύειν.

ΚΛ. οὔκουν ἐάσεις οὐδ᾽ ὑπ᾿ εὐφήμου βοῆς 630 θῦσαί μ', ἐπειδὴ σοί γ᾽ σύ γ' L. σοί γ' C. ἐφῆκα πᾶν λέγειν ;

ΗΛ. ἐῶ, κελεύω, θῦε· μηδ᾽ ἐπαιτιῶ τοὐμὸν στόμ᾽, ὡς οὐκ ἂν πέρα λέξαιμ᾽ ἔτι.

ΚΛ.

Χορός ὁρῶ μένος πνέουσαν· εἰ δὲ σὺν δίκῃ 610 ξύνεστι, τοῦδε φροντίδʼ οὐκέτʼ εἰσορῶ.

Κλυταιμνήστρα ὦ θρέμμʼ ἀναιδές, ἦ σʼ ἐγὼ καὶ τἄμʼ ἔπη καὶ τἄργα τἀμὰ πόλλʼ ἄγαν λέγειν ποεῖ.

Ἠλέκτρα σύ τοι λέγεις νιν, οὐκ ἐγώ· σὺ γὰρ ποεῖς τοὔργον· τὰ δʼ ἔργα τοὺς λόγους εὑρίσκεται. 625

Κλυταιμνήστρα ἀλλʼ οὐ μὰ τὴν δέσποιναν Ἄρτεμιν θράσους τοῦδʼ οὐκ ἀλύξεις, εὖτʼ ἂν Αἴγισθος μόλῃ.

Ἠλέκτρα ὁρᾷς; πρὸς ὀργὴν ἐκφέρει, μεθεῖσά μοι λέγειν ἃ χρῄζοιμʼ, οὐδʼ ἐπίστασαι κλύειν.

Κλυταιμνήστρα οὔκουν ἐάσεις οὐδʼ ὑπʼ εὐφήμου βοῆς 630 θῦσαί μʼ, ἐπειδὴ σοί γʼ ἐφῆκα πᾶν λέγειν;

Ἠλέκτρα ἐῶ, κελεύω, θῦε· μηδʼ ἐπαιτιῶ τοὐμὸν στόμʼ, ὡς οὐκ ἂν πέρα λέξαιμʼ ἔτι.

(). 610 I see her fuming with fresh wrath: the thought 610 Of justice enters not her bosom now.

CLY What thought of justice should be mine for her, Who at her age can so insult a mother? Will shame withhold her from the wildest deed?

EL Not unashamed, assure thee, I stand here, Little as thou mayest deem it. Well I feel My acts untimely and my words unmeet. But your hostility and treatment force me Against my disposition to this course. 620 Harsh ways are taught by harshness.

CLY Brazen thing! Too true it is that words and deeds of mine Are evermore informing thy harsh tongue.

EL The shame is yours, because the deeds are yours. My words are but their issue and effect. 625

CLY By sovereign Artemis, whom still I serve, You’ll rue this boldness when Aegisthus comes.

EL See now, your anger bears you off, and ne’er Will let you listen, though you gave me leave.

CLY Must I not even sacrifice in peace 630 From your harsh clamour, when you’ve had your say?

EL I have done. I check thee not. Go, sacrifice! Accuse not me of hindering piety.

CLY

Ich sehe sie Zorn athmen; aber ob mit Recht Sie zürne, dieses, seh' ich, wird nicht mehr bedacht. 595

Klytämnestra. Und was bedenken soll ich denn bei dieser auch, Die so mit frecher Rede mich, die Mutter, höhnt, Und das in solchem Alter? Hegst du Zweifel noch, Daß die sich schamlos jeder That erdreisten wird?

Klytämnestra. Schamlos Gezücht! Ich freilich und mein Reden und Mein Thun verstatten allzuviel Schmähworte dir.

Elektra. Nicht ich, du selber schmähst dich ja; denn du begehst Die That, und Thaten finden ihre Worte dann.

Klytämnestra. Ha, bei der Fürstin Artemis, für solchen Troz 610 Entrinnst du nicht der Strafe, kehrt Aegisthos heim!

Elektra. Siehst du's? Der Unmuth reißt dich fort! Du gönntest mir Nach Wunsch zu reden, doch zu hören weißt du nicht.

Klytämnestra. So wirst du selbst nicht ungestört von bösem Laut Mich opfern lassen, nun ich frei dich reden ließ? 615 Ich duld' es, will es, opfre nur, beschuldige Nicht meinen Mund mehr; denn ich rede weiter nicht. (zu einer von ihren Begleiterinnen)

Electra Thou art : Foul is thy speech, because thy deed was foul ; For words from actions flow. Cly. By chaste Diana, 625 Soon as j^gisthus comes thy boldness meets 625 Its just reward. 625

Electra Is this thy promised leave, So lately granted, freely to unfold What, now incensed, thou dost refuse to hear ? Cly. Have I not heard thee, and in base return With luckless omen dost thou now retard My pious sacrifice?

Governor SOEN^E II.

I see she burns with anger: whether justas 610 That anger, no regard, I see, is paid.

Clytemnestra And what regard from me to her is due, Who with such rude revilings dares insult And at that age, her mother? What base deed Would she not dare unblushing to attempt? 615

Electra At what hath pass'd, believe me, I now blush. Whate'er thy thought, I am not now to learn That nor my age, nor me these things become: But thy unkindness, and thy deeds, by force Constrain me. By the base base deeds are taught.

Clytemnestra Unblushing insolence! Do I, my words, My deeds, give birth to thy intemperate speech?

Electra It is thy speech, not mine; for thine the deed; And deeds will always find according speech. 625

Clytemnestra Now by Diana, when Ægisthus comes, This arrogance unpunish'd shall not pass.

Electra I had thy leave to speak; yet see, with rage Thou art inflamed: thy passion will not hear.

Clytemnestra Because thou hadst my leave to speak thy thoughts, 630 Wilt thou disturb me with ill-omen'd words, 630 Nor suffer my oblations to the gods?

Electra I suffer, I encourage, I approve;:! Present thy offerings; blame my voice no more; No word the holy silence shall disturb.

Clytemnestra

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Chorus

I see her breathing fury; but whether justice is with her, her concern for this I see no longer.
610

Clytaemnestra

And what manner of concern should I use against her, who has abused her mother like this at her mature age? Do you not think

that she would go forward to any deed without shame?
615

Clytaemnestra

You shameless creature! Truly I and my speech and my deeds give you too much to talk about.

Electra

The words are yours, not mine; for yours

are the deeds, and they find their own expression.
625

Clytaemnestra

Now by our mistress Artemis, you shall not escape the consequences of this audacity once Aegisthus returns.

Electra

You see? You are driven to rage and, even though you grant me free speech, you have no patience to listen.

Clytaemnestra

Will you not allow me to sacrifice without ominous shouting, when I have permitted you to say anything and everything you wished?
630

Electra

I allow it; I exhort you to it: sacrifice! But do not blame my voice, for I would not say another word.

ὁρῶ μένος πνέουσαν· εἰ δὲ σὺν δίκῃ
610

ξύνεστι, τοῦδε φροντίδ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ εἰσορῶ.

ΚΛ.

ὦ θρέμμ᾽ ἀναιδές, ἢ σ᾽ ἐγὼ καὶ τἄμ᾽ ἔπη

καὶ τἄργα τἀμὰ πόλλ᾽ ἄγαν λέγειν ποιεῖ ποιεῖ L. ποεῖ Γ. ποιεῖ Pal..

ΗΛ.

σύ τοι λέγεις νιν, οὐκ ἐγώ. σὺ γὰρ ποιεῖς ποεῖσ LΓ. ποιεῖς Pal.

τοὔργον· τὰ δ᾽ ἔργα τοὺς λόγους εὑρίσκεται.
625

ΚΛ.

ἀλλ᾽ οὐ μὰ τὴν οὐμάτην L. οὔ μὰ τὴν C. δέσποιναν Ἄρτεμιν θράσους

τοῦδ᾽ οὐκ ἀλύξεις, εὐτ᾿ ἂν Αἴγισθος μόλῃ.

ΗΛ.

ὁρᾷς; πρὸς ὀργὴν ἐκφέρει, μεθεῖσά μοι

λέγειν ἃ χρήζοιμ', οὐδ᾽ ἐπίστασαι κλύειν.

ΚΛ.

οὔκουν ἐάσεις οὐδ᾽ ὑπ᾿ εὐφήμου βοῆς
630

θῦσαί μ', ἐπειδὴ σοί γ᾽ σύ γ' L. σοί γ' C. ἐφῆκα πᾶν λέγειν ;

ΗΛ.

ἐῶ, κελεύω, θῦε· μηδ᾽ ἐπαιτιῶ

τοὐμὸν στόμ᾽, ὡς οὐκ ἂν πέρα λέξαιμ᾽ ἔτι.

Χορός

ὁρῶ μένος πνέουσαν· εἰ δὲ σὺν δίκῃ
610

ξύνεστι, τοῦδε φροντίδʼ οὐκέτʼ εἰσορῶ.

Κλυταιμνήστρα

ὦ θρέμμʼ ἀναιδές, ἦ σʼ ἐγὼ καὶ τἄμʼ ἔπη

καὶ τἄργα τἀμὰ πόλλʼ ἄγαν λέγειν ποεῖ.

Ἠλέκτρα

σύ τοι λέγεις νιν, οὐκ ἐγώ· σὺ γὰρ ποεῖς

τοὔργον· τὰ δʼ ἔργα τοὺς λόγους εὑρίσκεται.
625

Κλυταιμνήστρα

ἀλλʼ οὐ μὰ τὴν δέσποιναν Ἄρτεμιν θράσους

τοῦδʼ οὐκ ἀλύξεις, εὖτʼ ἂν Αἴγισθος μόλῃ.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὁρᾷς; πρὸς ὀργὴν ἐκφέρει, μεθεῖσά μοι

λέγειν ἃ χρῄζοιμʼ, οὐδʼ ἐπίστασαι κλύειν.

Κλυταιμνήστρα

οὔκουν ἐάσεις οὐδʼ ὑπʼ εὐφήμου βοῆς
630

θῦσαί μʼ, ἐπειδὴ σοί γʼ ἐφῆκα πᾶν λέγειν;

Ἠλέκτρα

ἐῶ, κελεύω, θῦε· μηδʼ ἐπαιτιῶ

τοὐμὸν στόμʼ, ὡς οὐκ ἂν πέρα λέξαιμʼ ἔτι.

().
610

I see her fuming with fresh wrath: the thought
610

Of justice enters not her bosom now.

CLY

What thought of justice should be mine for her,

Who at her age can so insult a mother?

Will shame withhold her from the wildest deed?

EL

Not unashamed, assure thee, I stand here,

Little as thou mayest deem it. Well I feel

My acts untimely and my words unmeet.

But your hostility and treatment force me

Against my disposition to this course.
620

Harsh ways are taught by harshness.

CLY

Brazen thing!

Too true it is that words and deeds of mine

Are evermore informing thy harsh tongue.

EL

The shame is yours, because the deeds are yours.

My words are but their issue and effect.
625

CLY

By sovereign Artemis, whom still I serve,

You’ll rue this boldness when Aegisthus comes.

EL

See now, your anger bears you off, and ne’er

Will let you listen, though you gave me leave.

CLY

Must I not even sacrifice in peace
630

From your harsh clamour, when you’ve had your say?

EL

I have done. I check thee not. Go, sacrifice!

Accuse not me of hindering piety.

Ich sehe sie Zorn athmen; aber ob mit Recht

Sie zürne, dieses, seh' ich, wird nicht mehr bedacht.
595

Klytämnestra.

Und was bedenken soll ich denn bei dieser auch,

Die so mit frecher Rede mich, die Mutter, höhnt,

Und das in solchem Alter? Hegst du Zweifel noch,

Daß die sich schamlos jeder That erdreisten wird?

Klytämnestra.

Schamlos Gezücht! Ich freilich und mein Reden und

Mein Thun verstatten allzuviel Schmähworte dir.

Elektra.

Nicht ich, du selber schmähst dich ja; denn du begehst

Die That, und Thaten finden ihre Worte dann.

Klytämnestra.

Ha, bei der Fürstin Artemis, für solchen Troz
610

Entrinnst du nicht der Strafe, kehrt Aegisthos heim!

Elektra.

Siehst du's? Der Unmuth reißt dich fort! Du gönntest mir

Nach Wunsch zu reden, doch zu hören weißt du nicht.

Klytämnestra.

So wirst du selbst nicht ungestört von bösem Laut

Mich opfern lassen, nun ich frei dich reden ließ?
615

Ich duld' es, will es, opfre nur, beschuldige

Nicht meinen Mund mehr; denn ich rede weiter nicht.

(zu einer von ihren Begleiterinnen)

Electra

Thou art :

Foul is thy speech, because thy deed was foul ;

For words from actions flow.

Cly. By chaste Diana,
625

Soon as j^gisthus comes thy boldness meets
625

Its just reward.
625

Electra

Is this thy promised leave,

So lately granted, freely to unfold

What, now incensed, thou dost refuse to hear ?

Cly. Have I not heard thee, and in base return

With luckless omen dost thou now retard

My pious sacrifice?

Governor
SOEN^E II.

I see she burns with anger: whether justas
610

That anger, no regard, I see, is paid.

Clytemnestra

And what regard from me to her is due,

Who with such rude revilings dares insult

And at that age, her mother? What base deed

Would she not dare unblushing to attempt?
615

Electra

At what hath pass'd, believe me, I now blush.

Whate'er thy thought, I am not now to learn

That nor my age, nor me these things become:

But thy unkindness, and thy deeds, by force

Constrain me. By the base base deeds are taught.

Clytemnestra

Unblushing insolence! Do I, my words,

My deeds, give birth to thy intemperate speech?

Electra

It is thy speech, not mine; for thine the deed;

And deeds will always find according speech.
625

Clytemnestra

Now by Diana, when Ægisthus comes,

This arrogance unpunish'd shall not pass.

Electra

I had thy leave to speak; yet see, with rage

Thou art inflamed: thy passion will not hear.

Clytemnestra

Because thou hadst my leave to speak thy thoughts,
630

Wilt thou disturb me with ill-omen'd words,
630

Nor suffer my oblations to the gods?

Electra

I suffer, I encourage, I approve;:!

Present thy offerings; blame my voice no more;

No word the holy silence shall disturb.