Sophocles, Electra, Richard Jebb (Translator), 871

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Enter Chrysothemis, from the right.

Chrysothemis

I am pursued by joy, dear sister, and I disregard seemliness in order to come with speed. I bring joyful news to relieve your former troubles and grief.

Electra

And from where could you find help for my sufferings, when no cure for them can be imagined?
875

Chrysothemis

Orestes is with us—know this from my lips—plainly visible, just as you see me now.

Electra

What, are you insane, poor girl?

Do you laugh at my sorrows and your own?
880

Chrysothemis

No, by our father’s hearth, I do not speak in mockery. I tell you that he truly is with us.

Electra

Ah, miserable girl! And from whom on earth have you heard this tale, which you believe so lightly?

Chrysothemis

I have it on my own knowledge, no one else’s; I have seen clear proofs.
885

Electra

What have you seen, poor girl, to warrant your belief? What did you see, that you are warmed by this unquenchable fire?

Chrysothemis

Now, for the gods’ love, listen, so that you may know

the rest from me before deciding whether I am sane or foolish.
890

Electra

Speak on, then, if you find pleasure in speaking.

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)) — 871 focus

ὑφ᾽ ἡδονῆς τοι, φιλτάτη, διώκομαι ο from a L.

τὸ κόσμιον μεθεῖσα σὺν τάχει μολεῖν.

φέρω γὰρ ἡδονάς τε κἀνάπαυλαν ὧν

πάροιθεν εἶχες καὶ κατέστενες κακῶν.

ΗΛ.

πόθεν δ᾽ ἂν εὕροις τῶν ἐμῶν σὺ πημάτων
875

ἄρηξιν, οἷς ἴασιν ἴ. ασιν L. ἴ. ασιν C2 or 3. ἴατισ L2. ἴασιν AL20. οὐκ ἔνεστ᾽ ἰδεῖν ἰδεῖν C². ;

ΧΡ.

πάρεστ᾽ Ὀρέστης ἡμίν ἦμιν LA. ἡμῖν Pal., ἴσθι τοῦτ᾽ ἐμοῦ

κλύουσ᾽, ἐναργῶς, ὥσπερ εἰσορᾶς ἐμέ.

ΗΛ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἦ μέμηνας, ὦ τάλαινα, κἀπὶ τοῖς

σαυτῆς κακοῖσι κἀπὶ τοῖς ἐμοῖς γελᾷς;
880

ΧΡ.

μὰ τὴν πατρῴαν ἑστίαν, ἀλλ᾽ οὐχ ὕβρει ὕβριν L. ὕβρει C.

λέγω τάδ', ἀλλ᾽ ἐκεῖνον ὡς παρόντα νῷν.

ΗΛ.

οἴμοι τάλαινα· καὶ τίνος βροτῶν λόγον

τόνδ᾽ εἰσακούσασ᾽ ὧδε πιστεύεις ἄγαν;

ΧΡ.

ἐγὼ μὲν ἐξ ἐμοῦ τε κοὐκ ἄλλης ἄλλου ACL2 Pal. MM2 VV3. σαφῆ
885

σημεῖ᾿ ἰδοῦσα τῷδε πιστεύω λόγῳ.

ΗΛ.

τίν, ὦ τάλαιν', ἰδοῦσα πίστιν; εἰς τί μοι

βλέψασα κλέψασα (?) LL3. βλέψασα C* mg. Vat. ac. θάλπει τῷδ᾽ ἀνηκέστῳ πυρί;

ΧΡ.

πρός νυν πρὸς νῦν LA. θεῶν ἄκουσον, ὡς μαθοῦσά μου

τὸ λοιπὸν λοιπὸν μ' LFL2. λοιπὸν μ' C2. λοιπὸν ἵν᾿ ἡ A. τὸ λοιπὸν (..) Vat. ac. ἢ φρονοῦσαν ἢ μώραν μωρὰν LA. λέγῃς λέγης A. λέγοισι C. λέγεις FLª Pal..
890

ΗΛ.

σὺ δ᾽ οὖν λέγ', εἴ σοι τῷ λόγῳ τις ἡδονή.

ΧΡ.

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 871 focus

Χρυσόθεμις

ὑφʼ ἡδονῆς τοι, φιλτάτη, διώκομαι

τὸ κόσμιον μεθεῖσα σὺν τάχει μολεῖν·

φέρω γὰρ ἡδονάς τε κἀνάπαυλαν ὧν

πάροιθεν εἶχες καὶ κατέστενες κακῶν

Ἠλέκτρα

πόθεν δʼ ἂν εὕροις τῶν ἐμῶν σὺ πημάτων
875

ἄρηξιν, οἷς ἴασιν οὐκ ἔνεστʼ ἰδεῖν;

Χρυσόθεμις

πάρεστʼ Ὀρέστης ἡμίν, ἴσθι τοῦτʼ ἐμοῦ

κλύουσʼ, ἐναργῶς, ὥσπερ εἰσορᾷς ἐμέ.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἀλλʼ ἦ μέμηνας, ὦ τάλαινα, κἀπὶ τοῖς

σαυτῆς κακοῖσι κἀπὶ τοῖς ἐμοῖς γελᾷς;
880

Χρυσόθεμις

μὰ τὴν πατρῴαν ἑστίαν, ἀλλʼ οὐχ ὕβρει

λέγω τάδʼ, ἀλλʼ ἐκεῖνον ὡς παρόντα νῷν.

Ἠλέκτρα

οἴμοι τάλαινα· καὶ τίνος βροτῶν λόγον

τόνδʼ εἰσακούσασʼ ὧδε πιστεύεις ἄγαν;

Χρυσόθεμις

ἐγὼ μὲν ἐξ ἐμοῦ τε κοὐκ ἄλλης, σαφῆ
885

σημεῖʼ ἰδοῦσα, τῷδε πιστεύω λόγῳ.

Ἠλέκτρα

τίνʼ, ὦ τάλαινʼ, ἔχουσα πίστιν; ἐς τί μοι

βλέψασα θάλπει τῷδʼ ἀνηκέστῳ πυρί;

Χρυσόθεμις

πρός νυν θεῶν ἄκουσον, ὡς μαθοῦσά μου

τὸ λοιπὸν ἢ φρονοῦσαν ἢ μωρὰν λέγῃς.
890

Ἠλέκτρα

σὺ δʼ οὖν λέγʼ, εἴ σοι τῷ λόγῳ τις ἡδονή.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 871 focus

Driven by delight, dear sister, I am come,

Reckless of dignity, with headlong speed.

For news I bear of joy and sweet relief

From ills that drew from thee thy ceaseless moan.

EL

Whence couldst thou hear of succour for my woes,
875

That close in darkness without hope of dawn?

CHR

Here is Orestes, learn it from my mouth,

As certainly as you now look on me.

EL

What? Art thou mad, unhappy one, to laugh

Over thine own calamity and mine?
880

CHR

No, by our father’s hearth, I say not this

In mockery. I tell you he is come.

EL

Me miserable! Who hath given thine ear

The word that so hath wrought on thy belief?

CHR

Myself am the eyewitness, no one else
885

Gained my belief, but proofs I clearly saw.
885

EL

What sign hath so engrossed thine eye, poor girl?

What sight hath fired thee with this quenchless glow?

CHR

But list to me, I pray thee, that henceforth

Thou mayest account me clear eyed, or a fool!
890

EL

By all means, if it pleasure thee, say on.

CHR

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 871 focus

Von Freude hergetrieben, komm' ich, Theuerste,

Nicht auf den Anstand achtend, hier in raschem Lauf.
850

Denn Freuden bring' ich und Erlösung aus dem Leid,

Mit dem du rangst, um das du bittre Klag' erhobst.

Elektra.

Wo fändest du für meinen Sammer Hülfe mir,

Für welchen Heilung nirgend auszuspähen ist?

Chrysothemis.

Orestes ist gekommen, (dies vernimm von mir,
855

Und glaub' es,) wahrhaft, wie du mich vor dir erblickst.

Elektra.

Hat dich der Wahnsinn übermannt, Unselige,

Und treibst du Spott mit deinem und mit meinem Leid?

Chrysothemis.

Bei'm heiligen Herd der Väter, nein, ich sag' es nicht

Zum Hohne: nein, Orestes ist wahrhaftig hier.
860

Elektra.

Ich Arme, weh mir! Und von welchem Sterblichen

Vernahmst du's, daß du solchem Wort so kühn vertraust?

Chrysothemis.

Von mir, von keiner Andern ward mir Kunde: weil

Ich klare Zeichen schaute, glaub' ich diesem Wort.

Elektra.

Und welches Merkmal sahst du? Was, Unsinnige,
865

Hat solches Wahnes tolle Glut in dir entflammt?

Chrysothemis.

So höre, bei den Göttern, daß, vernahmst du mich,

Du mich hinfort klug oder thöricht nennen kannst.

Elektra.

Nun, rede, wenn das Reden dir Vergnügen macht.

Chrysothemis.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 871 focus

No sister there to close
875

His dying eyes, to grace him with a tomb,
875

Or pay the last sad tributary tear.
875

Chrysotitemis. Forgive me, sister, if my hasty steps
875

Press nnexpeotofl on thee ; but I come

With joyful tidings, to relieve thy toils,

And make thee happy.

Electra
ACT III. Scene T.

What canst thou have found

To soften ills that will admit no cure?
880

Chrysothemis

Orestes is arrived ; as sure as here

I stand before thee, the dear youth is come.

Electra

Canst thou then make a mockery of my woes ;

Or dost thou rave ?

CiiRY. No, by our father's gods,

I do not mean to scoff; but he is come.

Electra

Alas ! who told thee so ? What tongue deceived

Thy credulous ear ?

Chrysothemis

Know, from myself alone

I learned the truth, and confirmations strong

Oblige me to believe it.
890

Electra

What firm proof

Canst thou produce? What hast thou seen or known

To raise such flattering hopes ?

Chrysothemis

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 871 focus

With comfort then mislead my sense no more;

Chrysothemis

For from my brother, from th' illustrious son

Electra

Of my great father, I no more have hope.

Chorus

Death to all mortals is the common doom.

Electra

What, when the fiery-footed steeds contend

For conquest, as that poor lamented Youth

To perish, so entangled in the reins!

Chorus

This ill, which no presaging thought, no care-
885

Electra

No care indeed, if in a foreign land

He lies neglected, to his mangled corse

No mournful office by these hands perform'd,

Without a tomb, without my streaming tears.

Chrysothemis

CHRY. Joy, my dear sister, wings my quick return,

And with more speed than decency allows.

I bring thee joy, and rest from all the ills
890

Beneath whose anguish thou so long hast groan'd.
890

Electra

What hast thou found to mitigate my griefs,

Chrysothemis

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-498-1 ὑφ’ ἡδονῆς τοι ¹ τοι ² σοι ³

mvp-comment-499-1 τὸ κόσμιον ⁴

mvp-comment-499-2 873 For the place of ὦν ⁵

mvp-comment-500-1 σὺ ⁶ ἴασιν οὐκ ἔνεστ’ ἰδεῖν ⁷

mvp-comment-501-1 ἐναργῶς ⁸

mvp-comment-502-1 ἀλλ’ ἦ ⁹

mvp-comment-502-2 τοῖς ¹⁰

mvp-comment-503-1 μὰ τὴν πατρῴαν ἑστίαν ¹¹

mvp-comment-503-2 ἀλλ’ οὐχ ὕβρει ¹²

mvp-comment-503-3 ἀλλ’ ἐκεῖνον ¹³ ὡς ¹⁴

mvp-comment-503-4 The v.l.

νόει

for νῷν ¹⁵

mvp-comment-504-1 ἐξ ἐμοῦ ¹⁶ τε καί ¹⁷

mvp-comment-505-1 ἰδοῦσα πίστιν ¹⁸

mvp-comment-505-2 εἰς τί μοι ¹⁹

mvp-comment-505-3 ἀνηκέστῳ ²⁰

mvp-comment-505-4 πυρί ²¹

mvp-comment-506-1 σὺ δ’ οὖν ²²

mvp-comment-506-2 τῷ λόγῳ ²³

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

871. mvp-comment-413-1 What seems the illusion of Chrysothemis only adds poignancy to Electra's sorrow. Sophocles here modifies the well-known incident of the curl found at the tomb. The Electra of Aeschylus is moved by seeing the hair and the other signs of Orestes, but is incredulous when he himself appears. The Electra of Sophocles has heard and believed the news of his death, and disbelieves the signs of him, which her weaker sister has seen. Chrysothemis holding the lock from Orestes' head before Electra, who believes him to be no more, makes one of those contrasts by which Sophocles impresses the situation on the mind of the spectator.

871. mvp-comment-413-2 διώκομαι] 'I am driven,' or 'impelled.' See L. and S. s. ν. διώκω, III. 1.

874. mvp-comment-414-1 εἶχες] Αj. 203, ἔχομεν στοναχάς.

875-876. mvp-comment-415-1 And where should you find relief for my woes, in which no possibility of healing is to be found?' 'σύ, always emphatic,.. with something of contemptuous incredulity.' Paley. Chrysothemis is the last person from whom Electra looks for real help.

878. mvp-comment-416-1 ἐναργῶς.. ἐμέ] 'Unmistakably, even as you see me before you.' ἐναργῶς is stronger than σαφῶς.

879. mvp-comment-417-1 For ἐπί, cp. infr. 1230, 1, ὁρῶμεν, ὦ παῖ, κἀπὶ συμφοραῖσί μοι | γεγηθός ἔρπει δάκρυον ὀμμάτων ἄπο. Electra supposes that Chrysothemis must have heard of Orestes' death. This, she reminds her sister, is a sorrow common to them both.

882. mvp-comment-418-1 ὡς παρόντα νῷν] Sc. λέγω. Cp. supr. 317, 18, and note.

883. mvp-comment-419-1 καὶ τίνος . . ἄγαν] • Who then in the world has told you this, that you believe in it so firmly?'-i.e. in spite of all that we have heard. καί introduces the question with indignant surprise, as in καὶ πῶς. Cp. Αj. 462, 3, καὶ ποῖον ὄμμα, κ.τ.λ.

885. mvp-comment-420-1 The attraction of gender in

885-886. mvp-comment-421-1 ἄλλης is no sufficient reason for rejecting the Laurentian reading here. With ἐξ ἐμοῦ in the answer of Chrysothemis ἰδοῦσα takes the place of εἰσακούσασα.

887-888. mvp-comment-422-1 ἐς τί μοι.. πυρί] 'On what object have you fixed your gaze that has infected you with this fatal fever?' (Mr. Paley doubts whether is τι.. βλέψ. means, What hope have you conceived?' or 'What object have you seen?' But, surely, both meanings are included:What have you seen that has led you to conceive hope?') For fire as an image of passionate illusion, cp. Pind. Pyth. 4. 388, 9. ὄφρα Μηδείας τοκίων ἀφέλοιτ' αἰδῶ, ποθεινὰ δ᾽ Ἑλλὰς αὐτὰν | ἐν φρεσὶ καιομέναν δονέοι μάστιγι πειθούς.

891. mvp-comment-423-1 εἴ σοι ἡδονή] i. e. εἴ πως ἥδει τῷ λέγειν. This is spoken in a tone of languid and supreme indifference.

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Chrysothemis I am pursued by joy, dear sister, and I disregard seemliness in order to come with speed. I bring joyful news to relieve your former troubles and grief.

Electra And from where could you find help for my sufferings, when no cure for them can be imagined? 875

Chrysothemis Orestes is with us—know this from my lips—plainly visible, just as you see me now.

Electra What, are you insane, poor girl? Do you laugh at my sorrows and your own? 880

Chrysothemis No, by our father’s hearth, I do not speak in mockery. I tell you that he truly is with us.

Electra Ah, miserable girl! And from whom on earth have you heard this tale, which you believe so lightly?

Chrysothemis I have it on my own knowledge, no one else’s; I have seen clear proofs. 885

Electra What have you seen, poor girl, to warrant your belief? What did you see, that you are warmed by this unquenchable fire?

Chrysothemis Now, for the gods’ love, listen, so that you may know the rest from me before deciding whether I am sane or foolish. 890

Electra Speak on, then, if you find pleasure in speaking.

Current edition Experimental

ὑφ᾽ ἡδονῆς τοι, φιλτάτη, διώκομαι ο from a L. τὸ κόσμιον μεθεῖσα σὺν τάχει μολεῖν. φέρω γὰρ ἡδονάς τε κἀνάπαυλαν ὧν πάροιθεν εἶχες καὶ κατέστενες κακῶν.

ΗΛ. πόθεν δ᾽ ἂν εὕροις τῶν ἐμῶν σὺ πημάτων 875 ἄρηξιν, οἷς ἴασιν ἴ. ασιν L. ἴ. ασιν C2 or 3. ἴατισ L2. ἴασιν AL20. οὐκ ἔνεστ᾽ ἰδεῖν ἰδεῖν C². ;

ΧΡ. πάρεστ᾽ Ὀρέστης ἡμίν ἦμιν LA. ἡμῖν Pal., ἴσθι τοῦτ᾽ ἐμοῦ κλύουσ᾽, ἐναργῶς, ὥσπερ εἰσορᾶς ἐμέ.

ΗΛ. ἀλλ᾽ ἦ μέμηνας, ὦ τάλαινα, κἀπὶ τοῖς σαυτῆς κακοῖσι κἀπὶ τοῖς ἐμοῖς γελᾷς; 880

ΧΡ. μὰ τὴν πατρῴαν ἑστίαν, ἀλλ᾽ οὐχ ὕβρει ὕβριν L. ὕβρει C. λέγω τάδ', ἀλλ᾽ ἐκεῖνον ὡς παρόντα νῷν.

ΗΛ. οἴμοι τάλαινα· καὶ τίνος βροτῶν λόγον τόνδ᾽ εἰσακούσασ᾽ ὧδε πιστεύεις ἄγαν;

ΧΡ. ἐγὼ μὲν ἐξ ἐμοῦ τε κοὐκ ἄλλης ἄλλου ACL2 Pal. MM2 VV3. σαφῆ 885

σημεῖ᾿ ἰδοῦσα τῷδε πιστεύω λόγῳ.

ΗΛ. τίν, ὦ τάλαιν', ἰδοῦσα πίστιν; εἰς τί μοι βλέψασα κλέψασα (?) LL3. βλέψασα C* mg. Vat. ac. θάλπει τῷδ᾽ ἀνηκέστῳ πυρί;

ΗΛ. σὺ δ᾽ οὖν λέγ', εἴ σοι τῷ λόγῳ τις ἡδονή.

ΧΡ.

Χρυσόθεμις ὑφʼ ἡδονῆς τοι, φιλτάτη, διώκομαι τὸ κόσμιον μεθεῖσα σὺν τάχει μολεῖν· φέρω γὰρ ἡδονάς τε κἀνάπαυλαν ὧν πάροιθεν εἶχες καὶ κατέστενες κακῶν

Ἠλέκτρα πόθεν δʼ ἂν εὕροις τῶν ἐμῶν σὺ πημάτων 875 ἄρηξιν, οἷς ἴασιν οὐκ ἔνεστʼ ἰδεῖν;

Χρυσόθεμις πάρεστʼ Ὀρέστης ἡμίν, ἴσθι τοῦτʼ ἐμοῦ κλύουσʼ, ἐναργῶς, ὥσπερ εἰσορᾷς ἐμέ.

Ἠλέκτρα ἀλλʼ ἦ μέμηνας, ὦ τάλαινα, κἀπὶ τοῖς σαυτῆς κακοῖσι κἀπὶ τοῖς ἐμοῖς γελᾷς; 880

Χρυσόθεμις μὰ τὴν πατρῴαν ἑστίαν, ἀλλʼ οὐχ ὕβρει λέγω τάδʼ, ἀλλʼ ἐκεῖνον ὡς παρόντα νῷν.

Ἠλέκτρα οἴμοι τάλαινα· καὶ τίνος βροτῶν λόγον τόνδʼ εἰσακούσασʼ ὧδε πιστεύεις ἄγαν;

Χρυσόθεμις ἐγὼ μὲν ἐξ ἐμοῦ τε κοὐκ ἄλλης, σαφῆ 885 σημεῖʼ ἰδοῦσα, τῷδε πιστεύω λόγῳ.

Ἠλέκτρα τίνʼ, ὦ τάλαινʼ, ἔχουσα πίστιν; ἐς τί μοι βλέψασα θάλπει τῷδʼ ἀνηκέστῳ πυρί;

Χρυσόθεμις πρός νυν θεῶν ἄκουσον, ὡς μαθοῦσά μου τὸ λοιπὸν ἢ φρονοῦσαν ἢ μωρὰν λέγῃς. 890

Ἠλέκτρα σὺ δʼ οὖν λέγʼ, εἴ σοι τῷ λόγῳ τις ἡδονή.

Driven by delight, dear sister, I am come, Reckless of dignity, with headlong speed. For news I bear of joy and sweet relief From ills that drew from thee thy ceaseless moan.

EL Whence couldst thou hear of succour for my woes, 875 That close in darkness without hope of dawn?

CHR Here is Orestes, learn it from my mouth, As certainly as you now look on me.

EL What? Art thou mad, unhappy one, to laugh Over thine own calamity and mine? 880

CHR No, by our father’s hearth, I say not this In mockery. I tell you he is come.

EL Me miserable! Who hath given thine ear The word that so hath wrought on thy belief?

CHR Myself am the eyewitness, no one else 885 Gained my belief, but proofs I clearly saw. 885

EL What sign hath so engrossed thine eye, poor girl? What sight hath fired thee with this quenchless glow?

CHR But list to me, I pray thee, that henceforth Thou mayest account me clear eyed, or a fool! 890

EL By all means, if it pleasure thee, say on.

CHR

Von Freude hergetrieben, komm' ich, Theuerste, Nicht auf den Anstand achtend, hier in raschem Lauf. 850 Denn Freuden bring' ich und Erlösung aus dem Leid, Mit dem du rangst, um das du bittre Klag' erhobst.

Elektra. Wo fändest du für meinen Sammer Hülfe mir, Für welchen Heilung nirgend auszuspähen ist?

Chrysothemis. Orestes ist gekommen, (dies vernimm von mir, 855 Und glaub' es,) wahrhaft, wie du mich vor dir erblickst.

Elektra. Hat dich der Wahnsinn übermannt, Unselige, Und treibst du Spott mit deinem und mit meinem Leid?

Chrysothemis. Bei'm heiligen Herd der Väter, nein, ich sag' es nicht Zum Hohne: nein, Orestes ist wahrhaftig hier. 860

Elektra. Ich Arme, weh mir! Und von welchem Sterblichen Vernahmst du's, daß du solchem Wort so kühn vertraust?

Chrysothemis. Von mir, von keiner Andern ward mir Kunde: weil Ich klare Zeichen schaute, glaub' ich diesem Wort.

Elektra. Und welches Merkmal sahst du? Was, Unsinnige, 865 Hat solches Wahnes tolle Glut in dir entflammt?

Chrysothemis. So höre, bei den Göttern, daß, vernahmst du mich, Du mich hinfort klug oder thöricht nennen kannst.

Elektra. Nun, rede, wenn das Reden dir Vergnügen macht.

Chrysothemis.

No sister there to close 875 His dying eyes, to grace him with a tomb, 875 Or pay the last sad tributary tear. 875 Chrysotitemis. Forgive me, sister, if my hasty steps 875 Press nnexpeotofl on thee ; but I come With joyful tidings, to relieve thy toils, And make thee happy.

Electra ACT III. Scene T. What canst thou have found To soften ills that will admit no cure? 880

Chrysothemis Orestes is arrived ; as sure as here I stand before thee, the dear youth is come.

Electra Canst thou then make a mockery of my woes ; Or dost thou rave ? CiiRY. No, by our father's gods, I do not mean to scoff; but he is come.

Electra Alas ! who told thee so ? What tongue deceived Thy credulous ear ?

Chrysothemis Know, from myself alone I learned the truth, and confirmations strong Oblige me to believe it. 890

Electra What firm proof Canst thou produce? What hast thou seen or known To raise such flattering hopes ?

Chrysothemis

With comfort then mislead my sense no more;

Chrysothemis For from my brother, from th' illustrious son

Electra Of my great father, I no more have hope.

Chorus Death to all mortals is the common doom.

Electra What, when the fiery-footed steeds contend For conquest, as that poor lamented Youth To perish, so entangled in the reins!

Chorus This ill, which no presaging thought, no care- 885

Electra No care indeed, if in a foreign land He lies neglected, to his mangled corse No mournful office by these hands perform'd, Without a tomb, without my streaming tears.

Chrysothemis CHRY. Joy, my dear sister, wings my quick return, And with more speed than decency allows. I bring thee joy, and rest from all the ills 890 Beneath whose anguish thou so long hast groan'd. 890

Electra What hast thou found to mitigate my griefs,

Chrysothemis

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Chrysothemis

I am pursued by joy, dear sister, and I disregard seemliness in order to come with speed. I bring joyful news to relieve your former troubles and grief.

Electra

And from where could you find help for my sufferings, when no cure for them can be imagined?
875

Chrysothemis

Orestes is with us—know this from my lips—plainly visible, just as you see me now.

Electra

What, are you insane, poor girl?

Do you laugh at my sorrows and your own?
880

Chrysothemis

No, by our father’s hearth, I do not speak in mockery. I tell you that he truly is with us.

Electra

Ah, miserable girl! And from whom on earth have you heard this tale, which you believe so lightly?

Chrysothemis

I have it on my own knowledge, no one else’s; I have seen clear proofs.
885

Electra

What have you seen, poor girl, to warrant your belief? What did you see, that you are warmed by this unquenchable fire?

Chrysothemis

Now, for the gods’ love, listen, so that you may know

the rest from me before deciding whether I am sane or foolish.
890

Electra

Speak on, then, if you find pleasure in speaking.

ὑφ᾽ ἡδονῆς τοι, φιλτάτη, διώκομαι ο from a L.

τὸ κόσμιον μεθεῖσα σὺν τάχει μολεῖν.

φέρω γὰρ ἡδονάς τε κἀνάπαυλαν ὧν

πάροιθεν εἶχες καὶ κατέστενες κακῶν.

ΗΛ.

πόθεν δ᾽ ἂν εὕροις τῶν ἐμῶν σὺ πημάτων
875

ἄρηξιν, οἷς ἴασιν ἴ. ασιν L. ἴ. ασιν C2 or 3. ἴατισ L2. ἴασιν AL20. οὐκ ἔνεστ᾽ ἰδεῖν ἰδεῖν C². ;

ΧΡ.

πάρεστ᾽ Ὀρέστης ἡμίν ἦμιν LA. ἡμῖν Pal., ἴσθι τοῦτ᾽ ἐμοῦ

κλύουσ᾽, ἐναργῶς, ὥσπερ εἰσορᾶς ἐμέ.

ΗΛ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἦ μέμηνας, ὦ τάλαινα, κἀπὶ τοῖς

σαυτῆς κακοῖσι κἀπὶ τοῖς ἐμοῖς γελᾷς;
880

ΧΡ.

μὰ τὴν πατρῴαν ἑστίαν, ἀλλ᾽ οὐχ ὕβρει ὕβριν L. ὕβρει C.

λέγω τάδ', ἀλλ᾽ ἐκεῖνον ὡς παρόντα νῷν.

ΗΛ.

οἴμοι τάλαινα· καὶ τίνος βροτῶν λόγον

τόνδ᾽ εἰσακούσασ᾽ ὧδε πιστεύεις ἄγαν;

ΧΡ.

ἐγὼ μὲν ἐξ ἐμοῦ τε κοὐκ ἄλλης ἄλλου ACL2 Pal. MM2 VV3. σαφῆ
885

ΗΛ.

τίν, ὦ τάλαιν', ἰδοῦσα πίστιν; εἰς τί μοι

βλέψασα κλέψασα (?) LL3. βλέψασα C* mg. Vat. ac. θάλπει τῷδ᾽ ἀνηκέστῳ πυρί;

ΗΛ.

σὺ δ᾽ οὖν λέγ', εἴ σοι τῷ λόγῳ τις ἡδονή.

Χρυσόθεμις

ὑφʼ ἡδονῆς τοι, φιλτάτη, διώκομαι

τὸ κόσμιον μεθεῖσα σὺν τάχει μολεῖν·

φέρω γὰρ ἡδονάς τε κἀνάπαυλαν ὧν

πάροιθεν εἶχες καὶ κατέστενες κακῶν

Ἠλέκτρα

πόθεν δʼ ἂν εὕροις τῶν ἐμῶν σὺ πημάτων
875

ἄρηξιν, οἷς ἴασιν οὐκ ἔνεστʼ ἰδεῖν;

Χρυσόθεμις

πάρεστʼ Ὀρέστης ἡμίν, ἴσθι τοῦτʼ ἐμοῦ

κλύουσʼ, ἐναργῶς, ὥσπερ εἰσορᾷς ἐμέ.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἀλλʼ ἦ μέμηνας, ὦ τάλαινα, κἀπὶ τοῖς

σαυτῆς κακοῖσι κἀπὶ τοῖς ἐμοῖς γελᾷς;
880

Χρυσόθεμις

μὰ τὴν πατρῴαν ἑστίαν, ἀλλʼ οὐχ ὕβρει

λέγω τάδʼ, ἀλλʼ ἐκεῖνον ὡς παρόντα νῷν.

Ἠλέκτρα

οἴμοι τάλαινα· καὶ τίνος βροτῶν λόγον

τόνδʼ εἰσακούσασʼ ὧδε πιστεύεις ἄγαν;

Χρυσόθεμις

ἐγὼ μὲν ἐξ ἐμοῦ τε κοὐκ ἄλλης, σαφῆ
885

σημεῖʼ ἰδοῦσα, τῷδε πιστεύω λόγῳ.

Ἠλέκτρα

τίνʼ, ὦ τάλαινʼ, ἔχουσα πίστιν; ἐς τί μοι

βλέψασα θάλπει τῷδʼ ἀνηκέστῳ πυρί;

Χρυσόθεμις

πρός νυν θεῶν ἄκουσον, ὡς μαθοῦσά μου

τὸ λοιπὸν ἢ φρονοῦσαν ἢ μωρὰν λέγῃς.
890

Ἠλέκτρα

σὺ δʼ οὖν λέγʼ, εἴ σοι τῷ λόγῳ τις ἡδονή.

Driven by delight, dear sister, I am come,

Reckless of dignity, with headlong speed.

For news I bear of joy and sweet relief

From ills that drew from thee thy ceaseless moan.

EL

Whence couldst thou hear of succour for my woes,
875

That close in darkness without hope of dawn?

CHR

Here is Orestes, learn it from my mouth,

As certainly as you now look on me.

EL

What? Art thou mad, unhappy one, to laugh

Over thine own calamity and mine?
880

CHR

No, by our father’s hearth, I say not this

In mockery. I tell you he is come.

EL

Me miserable! Who hath given thine ear

The word that so hath wrought on thy belief?

CHR

Myself am the eyewitness, no one else
885

Gained my belief, but proofs I clearly saw.
885

EL

What sign hath so engrossed thine eye, poor girl?

What sight hath fired thee with this quenchless glow?

CHR

But list to me, I pray thee, that henceforth

Thou mayest account me clear eyed, or a fool!
890

EL

By all means, if it pleasure thee, say on.

Von Freude hergetrieben, komm' ich, Theuerste,

Nicht auf den Anstand achtend, hier in raschem Lauf.
850

Denn Freuden bring' ich und Erlösung aus dem Leid,

Mit dem du rangst, um das du bittre Klag' erhobst.

Elektra.

Wo fändest du für meinen Sammer Hülfe mir,

Für welchen Heilung nirgend auszuspähen ist?

Chrysothemis.

Orestes ist gekommen, (dies vernimm von mir,
855

Und glaub' es,) wahrhaft, wie du mich vor dir erblickst.

Elektra.

Hat dich der Wahnsinn übermannt, Unselige,

Und treibst du Spott mit deinem und mit meinem Leid?

Chrysothemis.

Bei'm heiligen Herd der Väter, nein, ich sag' es nicht

Zum Hohne: nein, Orestes ist wahrhaftig hier.
860

Elektra.

Ich Arme, weh mir! Und von welchem Sterblichen

Vernahmst du's, daß du solchem Wort so kühn vertraust?

Chrysothemis.

Von mir, von keiner Andern ward mir Kunde: weil

Ich klare Zeichen schaute, glaub' ich diesem Wort.

Elektra.

Und welches Merkmal sahst du? Was, Unsinnige,
865

Hat solches Wahnes tolle Glut in dir entflammt?

Chrysothemis.

So höre, bei den Göttern, daß, vernahmst du mich,

Du mich hinfort klug oder thöricht nennen kannst.

Elektra.

Nun, rede, wenn das Reden dir Vergnügen macht.

No sister there to close
875

His dying eyes, to grace him with a tomb,
875

Or pay the last sad tributary tear.
875

Chrysotitemis. Forgive me, sister, if my hasty steps
875

Press nnexpeotofl on thee ; but I come

With joyful tidings, to relieve thy toils,

And make thee happy.

Electra
ACT III. Scene T.

What canst thou have found

To soften ills that will admit no cure?
880

Chrysothemis

Orestes is arrived ; as sure as here

I stand before thee, the dear youth is come.

Electra

Canst thou then make a mockery of my woes ;

Or dost thou rave ?

CiiRY. No, by our father's gods,

I do not mean to scoff; but he is come.

Electra

Alas ! who told thee so ? What tongue deceived

Thy credulous ear ?

Chrysothemis

Know, from myself alone

I learned the truth, and confirmations strong

Oblige me to believe it.
890

Electra

What firm proof

Canst thou produce? What hast thou seen or known

To raise such flattering hopes ?

Chrysothemis

For from my brother, from th' illustrious son

Electra

Of my great father, I no more have hope.

Chorus

Death to all mortals is the common doom.

Electra

What, when the fiery-footed steeds contend

For conquest, as that poor lamented Youth

To perish, so entangled in the reins!

Chorus

This ill, which no presaging thought, no care-
885

Electra

No care indeed, if in a foreign land

He lies neglected, to his mangled corse

No mournful office by these hands perform'd,

Without a tomb, without my streaming tears.

Chrysothemis

CHRY. Joy, my dear sister, wings my quick return,

And with more speed than decency allows.

I bring thee joy, and rest from all the ills
890

Beneath whose anguish thou so long hast groan'd.
890

Electra

What hast thou found to mitigate my griefs,