Sophocles, Electra, Richard Jebb (Translator), 920

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Electra

Oh, what foolishness! How I have been pitying you!
920

Chrysothemis

What, is my news unpleasing to you?

Electra

You do not know where on earth or into what dreams you wander.

Chrysothemis

How could I not know what I have plainly seen?

Electra

He is dead, poor girl, and your

salvation by him is gone. Do not look to him.
925

Chrysothemis

Ah, miserable me! From whom have you heard this?

Electra

From the man who was present when he perished.

Chrysothemis

And where is he? Amazement steals over my mind.

Electra

He is inside, a welcome guest, not unpleasing to our mother.

Chrysothemis

Ah, misery! Who, then, can have made those ample offerings to my father’s tomb?
930

Electra

Most likely, I think, someone placed those gifts in memory of the dead Orestes.

Chrysothemis

Oh, my misfortune! And I was hurrying here

with such joyous nows, ignorant after all of our downfall. But now that I have arrived, I find fresh sorrows added to the old!
935

Electra

So it stands with you. Yet if you will be persuaded by me, you will lighten the load of our present trouble.

Chrysothemis

How can I ever raise the dead back to life?
940

Electra

That is not what I meant; I was not born so foolish.

Chrysothemis

What do you urge, then, of those things that I am capable of doing?

Electra

That you be brave in executing what I recommend.

Chrysothemis

If any good can be done, I will not refuse.

Electra

Remember, nothing succeeds without toil.
945

Chrysothemis

I know it, and I will share your burden with all my power.

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)) — 920 focus

φεῦ φ L. φευ C²., τῆς ἀνοίας ὥς σ᾽ ἐποικτείρω πάλαι.
920

ΧΡ.

τί δ' ἔστιν; οὐ πρὸς ἡδονὴν λέγω τάδε;

ΗΛ.

οὐκ οἶσθ᾽ ὅποι γῆς οὐδ᾽ ὅποι γνώμης φέρει φέρηι L. φέρηι C* Pal. Vat. ac. γρ. ἔφυσ C³. φέρει γρ. ἔφυς L2..

ΧΡ.

πῶς δ᾽ οὐκ ἐγὼ κάτοιδ᾽ ἅ γ' εἶδον ἐμφανῶς;

ΗΛ.

τέθνηκεν, ὦ τάλαινα· τἀκείνου δέ σοι

σωτήρι ἔρρει· μηδὲν εἰς κεῖνόν γ᾽ ὅρα.
925

ΧΡ.

οἴμοι τάλαινα· τοῦ τάδ᾽ ἤκουσας βροτῶν;

ΗΛ.

τοῦ πλησίον παρόντος, ἡνίκ᾽ ὤλλυτο.

ΧΡ.

καὶ ποῦ ᾿στιν οὗτος; θαῦμά τοί μ᾽ ὑπέρχεται.

ΗΛ.

κατ᾿ οἶκον ἡδὺς οὐδὲ μητρὶ δυσχερής γρ. δυσμενής C². δυσχερής gl. κάκιστος Pal..

ΧΡ.

οἴμοι τάλαινα· τοῦ γὰρ ἀνθρώπων ποτ᾽ ἦν
930

τὰ πολλὰ πατρὸς πρὸς τάφον κτερίσματα;

ΗΛ.

οἶμαι μάλιστ᾽ ἔγωγε τοῦ τεθνηκότος

μνημεῖ᾽ Ορέστου ταῦτα προσθεῖναί τινα.

ΧΡ.

ὦ δυστυχής· ἐγὼ δὲ σὺν . σὺν . C6 or 1. χαρᾷ λόγους

τοιούσδ᾽ from τούσδ' L. ἔχουσ᾽ ἔσπευδον, οὐκ εἰδυῖ᾽ ἄρα
935

ἵν ἦμεν ἄτης· ἀλλὰ νῦν, ὅθ᾽ ἱκόμην,

τά τ᾽ ὄντα πρόσθεν ἄλλα θ᾽ εὑρίσκω κακά.

ΗΛ.

οὕτως ἔχει σοι ταῦτ᾽· ἐὰν δέ μοι πίθῃ πιθῆι LA Pal. πιθῆς Γ (γρ. πιθῆ Γ).,

τῆς νῦν παρούσης πημονῆς λύσεις βάρος.

ΧΡ.

ἢ τοὺς θανόντας ἐξαναστήσω ποτέ;
940

ΗΛ.

οὐκ ἔσθ᾽ ὅ γ' ὅδ' LFL. ὅ C ὅγ' A Pal. Vat. ac. οὐκ ἐσ τόδ' M. εἶπον· οὐ γὰρ ὧδ᾽ ἄφρων ἔφυν.

ΧΡ.

τί γὰρ κελεύεις ὧν ἐγὼ φερέγγυος ;

ΗΛ.

τλῆναί σε δρῶσαν ἂν 'ἂν LL². ἅγ' Γ. ἃ ἂν ἐγὼ Pal. ἐγὼ παραινέσω.

ΧΡ.

ἀλλ᾽ εἴ εἴ L. τις ὠφέλειά γ', οὐκ ἀπώσομαι.

ΗΛ.

ὅρα, πόνου πόνου(ς) L. τοι χωρὶς οὐδὲν εὐτυχεῖ.
945

ΧΡ.

ὁρῶ. ξυνοίσω πᾶν ὅσονπερ ἂν σθένω.

ΗΛ.

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 920 focus

Ἠλέκτρα

φεῦ, τῆς ἀνοίας ὥς σʼ ἐποικτίρω πάλαι.
920

Χρυσόθεμις

τί δʼ ἔστιν; οὐ πρὸς ἡδονὴν λέγω τάδε;

Ἠλέκτρα

οὐκ οἶσθʼ ὅποι γῆς οὐδʼ ὅποι γνώμης φέρει.

Χρυσόθεμις

πῶς δʼ οὐκ ἐγὼ κάτοιδʼ ἅ γʼ εἶδον ἐμφανῶς;

Ἠλέκτρα

τέθνηκεν, ὦ τάλαινα, τἀκείνου δέ σοι

σωτήριʼ ἔρρει· μηδὲν εἰς κεῖνόν γʼ ὅρα.
925

Χρυσόθεμις

οἴμοι τάλαινα· τοῦ τάδʼ ἤκουσας βροτῶν;

Ἠλέκτρα

τοῦ πλησίον παρόντος, ἡνίκʼ ὤλλυτο.

Χρυσόθεμις

καὶ ποῦ ʼστιν οὗτος; θαῦμά τοί μʼ ὑπέρχεται.

Ἠλέκτρα

κατʼ οἶκον, ἡδὺς οὐδὲ μητρὶ δυσχερής.

Χρυσόθεμις

οἴμοι τάλαινα· τοῦ γὰρ ἀνθρώπων ποτʼ ἦν
930

τὰ πολλὰ πατρὸς πρὸς τάφον κτερίσματα;

Ἠλέκτρα

οἶμαι μάλιστʼ ἔγωγε τοῦ τεθνηκότος

μνημεῖʼ Ὀρέστου ταῦτα προσθεῖναί τινα.

Χρυσόθεμις

ὦ δυστυχής· ἐγὼ δὲ σὺν χαρᾷ λόγους

τοιούσδʼ ἔχουσʼ ἔσπευδον, οὐκ εἰδυῖʼ ἄρα
935

ἵνʼ ἦμεν ἄτης· ἀλλὰ νῦν, ὅθʼ ἱκόμην,

τά τʼ ὄντα πρόσθεν ἄλλα θʼ εὑρίσκω κακά.

Ἠλέκτρα

οὕτως ἔχει σοι ταῦτʼ· ἐὰν δέ μοι πίθῃ,

τῆς νῦν παρούσης πημονῆς λύσεις βάρος.

Χρυσόθεμις

ἦ τοὺς θανόντας ἐξαναστήσω ποτέ;
940

Ἠλέκτρα

οὐκ ἔσθʼ ὅ γʼ εἶπον· οὐ γὰρ ὧδʼ ἄφρων ἔφυν.

Χρυσόθεμις

τί γὰρ κελεύεις ὧν ἐγὼ φερέγγυος;

Ἠλέκτρα

τλῆναί σε δρῶσαν ἃν ἐγὼ παραινέσω.

Χρυσόθεμις

ἀλλʼ εἴ τις ὠφέλειά γʼ, οὐκ ἀπώσομαι.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὅρα, πόνου τοι χωρὶς οὐδὲν εὐτυχεῖ.
945

Χρυσόθεμις

ὁρῶ. ξυνοίσω πᾶν ὅσονπερ ἂν σθένω.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 920 focus

Oh how I pity thine infatuate mind!
920

CHR

Why? Dost thou find no comfort in my news?

EL

You know not where you roam. Far wide! far wide!

CHR

Not know? when I have seen it with mine eyes?

EL

Dear, he is dead. Look not to him, poor girl!

Salvation comes to thee no more from him.
925

CHR

Oh me, unfortunate! Who told thee this?

EL

He who stood by and saw his life destroyed.

CHR

Amazement seizes me. Where is that man?

EL

Right welcome to the mother there within.

CHR

Me miserable! Who then can have decked
930

With all those ceremonies our father’s tomb?

EL

I cannot but suppose some hand hath brought

These gifts in memory of Orestes dead.

CHR

O cruel fate! While I in ecstasy

Sped with such news, all ignorant, it seems,
935

Of our dire fortune; and, arriving, find

Fresh sorrows added to the former woe.

EL

It is so, sister; yet if thou wilt list

To me, thou mayest disperse this heaviness.

CHR

What? Shall I raise the dead again to life?
940

EL

I did not mean so. I am not so fond.

CHR

What bid you then that I have power to do?

EL

To endure courageously what I enjoin.

CHR

So it make profit, I will not refuse.

EL

Remember, without toil no plan may thrive!
945

CHR

I know it, and will aid thee to my power.

EL

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 920 focus

Weh, deine Thorheit, lange schon beklag' ich sie!

Chrysothemis.

Was hast du? Sagt' ich dieses nicht zur Freude dir?

Elektra.

Nicht weißt du, weder wo du bist, noch was du denkst.
900

Chrysothemis.

Wie sollt' ich denn nicht wissen, was ich deutlich sah?

Elektra.

Todt ist er, Arme, und für dich sein rettender

Beistand entschwunden; richte nicht auf ihn den Blick!

Chrysothemis.

Ich Arme, weh mir! Und von wem vernahmst du dies?

Elektra.

Von Einem, der's gesehen, als er unterging.
905

Chrysothemis.

Und dieser, wo verweilt er? Staunen faßt mich au.

Elektra.

Im Haus, der Mutter angenehm, nicht lästig ihr.

Chrysothemis.

Ich Arme, weh mir! Doch von wem auf Erden sind

Die reichen Todtenspenden auf des Vaters Grab?

Elektra.

Das Wahre scheint mir, daß den hingeschiedenen
910

Orestes Jemand ehren will mit diesem Mal?

Chrysothemis.

Ach, Armer! Und ich eilte flugs in frohem Muth

Mit solcher Botschaft her zu dir und wußte nicht

Um unser Unglück; aber nun, nachdem ich kam,

Das alte find' ich und dazu dies andre Leid.
915

Elektra.

So steht's mit uns hier; aber folgst du meinem Wort,

So lösest du des neuen Leides schwere Last.

Chrysothemis.

Kann ich die Todten wecken aus des Grabes Nacht?

Elektra.

Nicht also meint' ich's; so verstandlos bin ich nicht.

Chrysothemis.

Und was verlangst du, das zu thun ich fähig sei?
920

Elektra.

Du sollst es wagen, keck zu thun nach meinem Rath.

Chrysothemis.

Nun, kann es irgend frommen, weis' ich's nicht zurück.

Elektra.

Bedenke: sonder Mühe lacht uns nie das Glück.

Chrysothemis.

Ich weiß es, helfen will ich dir, so weit ich kann.

Elektra.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 920 focus

If to tell thy tale
920

Can give thee pleasure, say it ; I attend.
920

Chrysothemis

Know, then, that soon as to our father's tomb

Eager I came, my wondering eyes beheld

Down from its side a milky fountain flow,

As lately poured by some benignant hand ;

With various flowers the sacred spot adorned

Increased my doubts : on every side I looked

And listened long impatient for the tread

Of human footsteps there ; but all was peace.

Fearless approaching then the hallowed spot,

I saw it spread with fresh devoted hair ;

Instant my soul recalled its dearest hope,

Nor doubted whence the pious offerings came ;

I snatched them up and silent gazed, while joy

Sprang in my heart, and filled my eyes with tears —

They were, they must be his ; ourselves alone

Excepted, who could bring them? 'twas not I,

And 'tis not given to thee to leave these walls

E'en for the gods : our mother scarce would do

So good an office ; or e'en grant she might.

We must have known it soon. Be confident,

Sister, rejoice ! Whe same destructive power

Doth not for ever rule.^/ Behold at last

A milder god, and happier days appear !

Electra

Madness and folly ! How I pity thee !

Chrysothemis

Have I not brought most joyful tidings to

thee?

Electra

Alas ! Thou knowst not where nor what thou

art?
925

Chrysothemis

ISTot know it? Not believe what I have seen?

Electra

I tell thee, wretched as thou art, he 's dead ;

He and thy hoped-for bliss are gone together.

Thou must not think of it.

Chrysothemis

A wretch indeed

I am, if this be so ; but oh ! from whom.

Where didst thou learn the fatal news?

Electra

From one

Who was a witness of his death.

Chrysothemis

Where is he?
930

Amazement chills my soul.

Electra

He is within ;

And no unwelcome guest to Clytemnestra.

Chrysothemis

Alas ! who then could bring those pious gifts?

Electra

Some friend of lost Orestes placed them there.

Chry I flew with joy to tell thee better news,

And little thought to hear so sad a tale.

The griefs I came to cure are present still,

And a new weight of woes is come upon us.

Electra

But know, my sister, all may yet be well.

If thou wilt hear me.

Chuv. Can J raise the dead ?

Elf.c. I am not mad that 1 should ask it of thee

Chrysothemis

What wouldst thou have me do ?

Elf/'. I'd have thee act

As 1 shall dictate to thee.

Chrysothemis

If aught good

It may produce, I do consent.

Electra

Remember
945

That if we hope to prosper, we must bear ;
945

Success in all that's human must depend
945

On patience and on toil.
945

Chrysothemis

I know it well,

And stand resolved to bear my part in all.

Electra

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 920 focus

Thy own misfortunes sure have hurt thy sense,
920

Or makest thou at thy ills, and mine, a mock?
920

Chrysothemis

CHRY. No, by the gods that guard our father's house,

This is no mock: Orestes now is here.

Electra

And from what mortal hath thine ear received

This vain report, which wins thy firm belief?

Chrysothemis

CHRY. Not from another, from myself I speak;

I saw th' undoubted proofs, and thence believe..

Electra

What proof, what confirmation hast thou seen,

Which warms thy soul with this distemper'd heat?

CHRY. Nay, by the gods, my sister, hear me; hear
925

Chrysothemis

The whole; and of my reason then pronounce.

Electra

Well, if in speaking thou hast pleasure, speak.

CHRY. Then I will tell thee all that I beheld.

My father's honour'd tomb as I approach'd,

White on the summit of the mound I saw

Large streams of milk late pour'd; the sepulchre,

Wherein he lies inurn'd, with wreaths of flow'rs,

Glowing in all their various dies, hung round.

I saw, and wonder'd, and on each side turn'd

Mine eyes, if any mortal might be nigh;

But all was still: then nearer I approach'd

The tomb, and on the pyre's remotest verge

Saw crisped locks fresh severed from the head.

Forthwith Orestes rush'd upon my thought,

Such as my mind had imaged him of old;

And these I deem'd the pledges of the Youth

Dear to my heart: I took them in my hands,

Chrysothemis

And from my eyes gush'd tears; account not these

Omens of ill, for they were tears of joy.

And now, as then, my soul is well assured

That from him only could these honours come :

For to what mortal else, save thee or me,

Could this accord? I did it not, I know,

Nor thou; for from this house thou darest not move

E'en to the gods. Nor doth my mother's soul

Harbour such thoughts; nor could she do the deed

Unnoticed. These sepulchral honours then

Come from Orestes. Let despair no more

Sink thee, my dearest sister: the same god

O'er the same mortals doth not always rule;

Stern was his pow'r; but now perchance this day

On a firm base shall build our happier state.

Electra

Alas thy frenzy, how I pity thee!

Chrysothemis

CHRY. What, in my tidings dost thou not rejoice ?

Electra

Thou know'st not where thou art, nor what thou say'st.

Chrysothemis

CHRY. Not know what in bright day these eyes beheld !

Electra

Oh, he is dead, my sister: all thy hopes

In him are vanish'd: look to him no more.

CHRY. Ah wretched me, who hath arrived to bring

These mournful tidings ?

One, who when he died.

Was near, was present.

Where is he? My heart

Sinks with astonishment.

Chrysothemis

Within these gates,
940

And to my mother no unwelcome guest.
940

CHRY. Unhappy me! What mortal then could bring
940

These solemn honours to our father's tomb?
940

Electra
CHRY.

Some friend, as I conjecture, placed them there,

Memorials of Orestes now no more.

CHRY. O wretched state! Joy wing'd my steps to bear

These tidings to thee: little did I know

Chrysothemis

What woes were gather'd round us: when I came,

In their full force our former ills I find,

Their horror heighten'd by more recent griefs.

Electra

This is our state. But wou'dst thou be advised

By me, thou soon wilt free us from the ills

Which now oppress us.

Can I raise the dead

Again to life?

I mean not that; my mind

Hath not such frenzy.

Chrysothemis

What wou'dst thou propose

Within my pow'r to aid thee?

Dare to act

As I shall give thee charge.

If it produce

Aught of advantage, I shall not refuse

My aid.

Electra
CHRY. CHRY. CHRY.

But weigh this well: no great design

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-520-1 φεῦ τῆς ἀνοίας ὥς ¹

mvp-comment-521-1 ὅποι γῆς … φέρει ²

mvp-comment-522-1 πῶς δ’ οὐκ ἐγὼ κάτοιδ’ ³

mvp-comment-523-1 τἀκείνου … σωτήρια ⁴

mvp-comment-524-1 καὶ ποῦ ⁵

mvp-comment-524-2 ὑπέρχεται ⁶

mvp-comment-525-1 μητρὶ ⁷

mvp-comment-526-1 τὰ πολλὰ ⁸ πρὸς τάφον ⁹

mvp-comment-527-1 μάλιστ’ ¹⁰

mvp-comment-527-2 μνημεἶ ¹¹

mvp-comment-528-1 ὦ δυστυχής ¹²

mvp-comment-528-2 τοιούσδ’ ¹³

mvp-comment-529-1 ἵν’ ἦμεν ἄτης ¹⁴

mvp-comment-530-1 λύσεις ¹⁵

mvp-comment-531-1 οὐκ ἔσθ’ ὅ γ’ εἶπον ¹⁶

mvp-comment-532-1 φερέγγυος ¹⁷

mvp-comment-533-1 τλῆναι … δρῶσαν ¹⁸

mvp-comment-534-1 ὠφέλειά γ’ ¹⁹

mvp-comment-535-1 ὅρα ²⁰

mvp-comment-535-2 πόνου … εὐτυχεῖ ²¹

mvp-comment-536-1 ξυνοίσω ²²

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

920. mvp-comment-445-1 Wecklein punctuates differently, φεῦ τῆς ἀνοίας, ὥς σ᾽ ἐποικτείρω πάλαι.

922. mvp-comment-446-1 'You know not where you are, nor what you say.' The metaphorical ὅποι γῆς is explained by the more literal ὅποι γνώμης.

923. mvp-comment-447-1 Cp. supr. 878.

927. mvp-comment-448-1 τοῦ . . παρόντος] The individualizing article, by adding a touch of ἐνάργεια, helps to mark the certainty of Electra's belief. Cp. supr. 424.

929. mvp-comment-449-1 μητρί is added with the second clause to mark the unnaturalness of Clytemnestra. A welcome messenger, not displeasing to the mother there.'

930. mvp-comment-450-1 γάρ = ' then,' asks for explanation. The death of Orestes is certain. The offerings came then from another. Who can this be? Cp. Phil. 327, 8, εὐ γ', ὦ τέκνον, τίνος γὰρ ὧδε τὸν μέγαν | χόλον κατ᾿ αὐτῶν ἐγκαλῶν ἐλήλυθas;

931. mvp-comment-451-1 πρὸς τάφον] The accusative, because of the notion of 'bringing' implied in κτερίσματα.

934. mvp-comment-452-1 ὦ δυστυχής] Sc. ἐγώ.

935. mvp-comment-453-1 τοιούσδ'] 'Such,' ie. So full of joy.

938. mvp-comment-454-1 οὕτως.. ταῦτ᾽] Electra says this with the quietness of despair.

941. mvp-comment-455-1 Electra ironically waives rejoinder to the frigid question which is ⚫ strangely distasteful to her, and makes it felt that she has something of real practical importance in her mind. γε implies, Be that as it may, it was not my meaning.' Some read ἐς τόδ' with M.

943. mvp-comment-456-1 τλῆναι.. δρῶσαν] The participle, as with πειρᾶσθαι.

945-946. mvp-comment-457-1 ὅρα.. ὁρῶ.] Consider -.' 'I see that clearly.' Cp. Phil. 589, ὅρα τί ποιεῖς, παῖ. ΝΕ. σκοπῶ κἀγὼ πάλαι : and for the γνώμη, Fr. 364, οὗτοι ποθ' ἅψει τῶν ἄκρων ἄνευ πόνου.

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Electra Oh, what foolishness! How I have been pitying you! 920

Chrysothemis What, is my news unpleasing to you?

Electra You do not know where on earth or into what dreams you wander.

Chrysothemis How could I not know what I have plainly seen?

Electra He is dead, poor girl, and your salvation by him is gone. Do not look to him. 925

Chrysothemis Ah, miserable me! From whom have you heard this?

Electra From the man who was present when he perished.

Chrysothemis And where is he? Amazement steals over my mind.

Electra He is inside, a welcome guest, not unpleasing to our mother.

Chrysothemis Ah, misery! Who, then, can have made those ample offerings to my father’s tomb? 930

Electra Most likely, I think, someone placed those gifts in memory of the dead Orestes.

Chrysothemis Oh, my misfortune! And I was hurrying here with such joyous nows, ignorant after all of our downfall. But now that I have arrived, I find fresh sorrows added to the old! 935

Electra So it stands with you. Yet if you will be persuaded by me, you will lighten the load of our present trouble.

Chrysothemis How can I ever raise the dead back to life? 940

Electra That is not what I meant; I was not born so foolish.

Chrysothemis What do you urge, then, of those things that I am capable of doing?

Electra That you be brave in executing what I recommend.

Chrysothemis If any good can be done, I will not refuse.

Electra Remember, nothing succeeds without toil. 945

Chrysothemis I know it, and I will share your burden with all my power.

Current edition Experimental

φεῦ φ L. φευ C²., τῆς ἀνοίας ὥς σ᾽ ἐποικτείρω πάλαι. 920

ΧΡ. τί δ' ἔστιν; οὐ πρὸς ἡδονὴν λέγω τάδε;

ΗΛ. οὐκ οἶσθ᾽ ὅποι γῆς οὐδ᾽ ὅποι γνώμης φέρει φέρηι L. φέρηι C* Pal. Vat. ac. γρ. ἔφυσ C³. φέρει γρ. ἔφυς L2..

ΧΡ. πῶς δ᾽ οὐκ ἐγὼ κάτοιδ᾽ ἅ γ' εἶδον ἐμφανῶς;

ΗΛ. τέθνηκεν, ὦ τάλαινα· τἀκείνου δέ σοι σωτήρι ἔρρει· μηδὲν εἰς κεῖνόν γ᾽ ὅρα. 925

ΧΡ. οἴμοι τάλαινα· τοῦ τάδ᾽ ἤκουσας βροτῶν;

ΗΛ. τοῦ πλησίον παρόντος, ἡνίκ᾽ ὤλλυτο.

ΧΡ. καὶ ποῦ ᾿στιν οὗτος; θαῦμά τοί μ᾽ ὑπέρχεται.

ΗΛ. κατ᾿ οἶκον ἡδὺς οὐδὲ μητρὶ δυσχερής γρ. δυσμενής C². δυσχερής gl. κάκιστος Pal..

ΧΡ. οἴμοι τάλαινα· τοῦ γὰρ ἀνθρώπων ποτ᾽ ἦν 930 τὰ πολλὰ πατρὸς πρὸς τάφον κτερίσματα;

ΗΛ. οἶμαι μάλιστ᾽ ἔγωγε τοῦ τεθνηκότος μνημεῖ᾽ Ορέστου ταῦτα προσθεῖναί τινα.

ΗΛ. οὕτως ἔχει σοι ταῦτ᾽· ἐὰν δέ μοι πίθῃ πιθῆι LA Pal. πιθῆς Γ (γρ. πιθῆ Γ)., τῆς νῦν παρούσης πημονῆς λύσεις βάρος.

ΧΡ. ἢ τοὺς θανόντας ἐξαναστήσω ποτέ; 940

ΗΛ. οὐκ ἔσθ᾽ ὅ γ' ὅδ' LFL. ὅ C ὅγ' A Pal. Vat. ac. οὐκ ἐσ τόδ' M. εἶπον· οὐ γὰρ ὧδ᾽ ἄφρων ἔφυν.

ΧΡ. τί γὰρ κελεύεις ὧν ἐγὼ φερέγγυος ;

ΗΛ. τλῆναί σε δρῶσαν ἂν 'ἂν LL². ἅγ' Γ. ἃ ἂν ἐγὼ Pal. ἐγὼ παραινέσω.

ΧΡ. ἀλλ᾽ εἴ εἴ L. τις ὠφέλειά γ', οὐκ ἀπώσομαι.

ΗΛ. ὅρα, πόνου πόνου(ς) L. τοι χωρὶς οὐδὲν εὐτυχεῖ. 945

ΧΡ. ὁρῶ. ξυνοίσω πᾶν ὅσονπερ ἂν σθένω.

ΗΛ.

Ἠλέκτρα φεῦ, τῆς ἀνοίας ὥς σʼ ἐποικτίρω πάλαι. 920

Χρυσόθεμις τί δʼ ἔστιν; οὐ πρὸς ἡδονὴν λέγω τάδε;

Ἠλέκτρα οὐκ οἶσθʼ ὅποι γῆς οὐδʼ ὅποι γνώμης φέρει.

Χρυσόθεμις πῶς δʼ οὐκ ἐγὼ κάτοιδʼ ἅ γʼ εἶδον ἐμφανῶς;

Ἠλέκτρα τέθνηκεν, ὦ τάλαινα, τἀκείνου δέ σοι σωτήριʼ ἔρρει· μηδὲν εἰς κεῖνόν γʼ ὅρα. 925

Χρυσόθεμις οἴμοι τάλαινα· τοῦ τάδʼ ἤκουσας βροτῶν;

Ἠλέκτρα τοῦ πλησίον παρόντος, ἡνίκʼ ὤλλυτο.

Χρυσόθεμις καὶ ποῦ ʼστιν οὗτος; θαῦμά τοί μʼ ὑπέρχεται.

Ἠλέκτρα κατʼ οἶκον, ἡδὺς οὐδὲ μητρὶ δυσχερής.

Χρυσόθεμις οἴμοι τάλαινα· τοῦ γὰρ ἀνθρώπων ποτʼ ἦν 930 τὰ πολλὰ πατρὸς πρὸς τάφον κτερίσματα;

Ἠλέκτρα οἶμαι μάλιστʼ ἔγωγε τοῦ τεθνηκότος μνημεῖʼ Ὀρέστου ταῦτα προσθεῖναί τινα.

Ἠλέκτρα οὕτως ἔχει σοι ταῦτʼ· ἐὰν δέ μοι πίθῃ, τῆς νῦν παρούσης πημονῆς λύσεις βάρος.

Χρυσόθεμις ἦ τοὺς θανόντας ἐξαναστήσω ποτέ; 940

Ἠλέκτρα οὐκ ἔσθʼ ὅ γʼ εἶπον· οὐ γὰρ ὧδʼ ἄφρων ἔφυν.

Χρυσόθεμις τί γὰρ κελεύεις ὧν ἐγὼ φερέγγυος;

Ἠλέκτρα τλῆναί σε δρῶσαν ἃν ἐγὼ παραινέσω.

Χρυσόθεμις ἀλλʼ εἴ τις ὠφέλειά γʼ, οὐκ ἀπώσομαι.

Ἠλέκτρα ὅρα, πόνου τοι χωρὶς οὐδὲν εὐτυχεῖ. 945

Χρυσόθεμις ὁρῶ. ξυνοίσω πᾶν ὅσονπερ ἂν σθένω.

Oh how I pity thine infatuate mind! 920

CHR Why? Dost thou find no comfort in my news?

EL You know not where you roam. Far wide! far wide!

CHR Not know? when I have seen it with mine eyes?

EL Dear, he is dead. Look not to him, poor girl! Salvation comes to thee no more from him. 925

CHR Oh me, unfortunate! Who told thee this?

EL He who stood by and saw his life destroyed.

CHR Amazement seizes me. Where is that man?

EL Right welcome to the mother there within.

CHR Me miserable! Who then can have decked 930 With all those ceremonies our father’s tomb?

EL I cannot but suppose some hand hath brought These gifts in memory of Orestes dead.

CHR O cruel fate! While I in ecstasy Sped with such news, all ignorant, it seems, 935 Of our dire fortune; and, arriving, find Fresh sorrows added to the former woe.

EL It is so, sister; yet if thou wilt list To me, thou mayest disperse this heaviness.

CHR What? Shall I raise the dead again to life? 940

EL I did not mean so. I am not so fond.

CHR What bid you then that I have power to do?

EL To endure courageously what I enjoin.

CHR So it make profit, I will not refuse.

Electra

Oh, what foolishness! How I have been pitying you!
920

Chrysothemis

What, is my news unpleasing to you?

Electra

You do not know where on earth or into what dreams you wander.

Chrysothemis

How could I not know what I have plainly seen?

Electra

He is dead, poor girl, and your

salvation by him is gone. Do not look to him.
925

Chrysothemis

Ah, miserable me! From whom have you heard this?

Electra

From the man who was present when he perished.

Chrysothemis

And where is he? Amazement steals over my mind.

Electra

He is inside, a welcome guest, not unpleasing to our mother.

Chrysothemis

Ah, misery! Who, then, can have made those ample offerings to my father’s tomb?
930

Electra

Most likely, I think, someone placed those gifts in memory of the dead Orestes.

Chrysothemis

Oh, my misfortune! And I was hurrying here

with such joyous nows, ignorant after all of our downfall. But now that I have arrived, I find fresh sorrows added to the old!
935

Electra

So it stands with you. Yet if you will be persuaded by me, you will lighten the load of our present trouble.

Chrysothemis

How can I ever raise the dead back to life?
940

Electra

That is not what I meant; I was not born so foolish.

Chrysothemis

What do you urge, then, of those things that I am capable of doing?

Electra

That you be brave in executing what I recommend.

Chrysothemis

If any good can be done, I will not refuse.

Electra

Remember, nothing succeeds without toil.
945

Chrysothemis

I know it, and I will share your burden with all my power.

φεῦ φ L. φευ C²., τῆς ἀνοίας ὥς σ᾽ ἐποικτείρω πάλαι.
920

ΧΡ.

τί δ' ἔστιν; οὐ πρὸς ἡδονὴν λέγω τάδε;

ΗΛ.

οὐκ οἶσθ᾽ ὅποι γῆς οὐδ᾽ ὅποι γνώμης φέρει φέρηι L. φέρηι C* Pal. Vat. ac. γρ. ἔφυσ C³. φέρει γρ. ἔφυς L2..

ΧΡ.

πῶς δ᾽ οὐκ ἐγὼ κάτοιδ᾽ ἅ γ' εἶδον ἐμφανῶς;

ΗΛ.

τέθνηκεν, ὦ τάλαινα· τἀκείνου δέ σοι

σωτήρι ἔρρει· μηδὲν εἰς κεῖνόν γ᾽ ὅρα.
925

ΧΡ.

οἴμοι τάλαινα· τοῦ τάδ᾽ ἤκουσας βροτῶν;

ΗΛ.

τοῦ πλησίον παρόντος, ἡνίκ᾽ ὤλλυτο.

ΧΡ.

καὶ ποῦ ᾿στιν οὗτος; θαῦμά τοί μ᾽ ὑπέρχεται.

ΗΛ.

κατ᾿ οἶκον ἡδὺς οὐδὲ μητρὶ δυσχερής γρ. δυσμενής C². δυσχερής gl. κάκιστος Pal..

ΧΡ.

οἴμοι τάλαινα· τοῦ γὰρ ἀνθρώπων ποτ᾽ ἦν
930

τὰ πολλὰ πατρὸς πρὸς τάφον κτερίσματα;

ΗΛ.

οἶμαι μάλιστ᾽ ἔγωγε τοῦ τεθνηκότος

μνημεῖ᾽ Ορέστου ταῦτα προσθεῖναί τινα.

ΗΛ.

οὕτως ἔχει σοι ταῦτ᾽· ἐὰν δέ μοι πίθῃ πιθῆι LA Pal. πιθῆς Γ (γρ. πιθῆ Γ).,

τῆς νῦν παρούσης πημονῆς λύσεις βάρος.

ΧΡ.

ἢ τοὺς θανόντας ἐξαναστήσω ποτέ;
940

ΗΛ.

οὐκ ἔσθ᾽ ὅ γ' ὅδ' LFL. ὅ C ὅγ' A Pal. Vat. ac. οὐκ ἐσ τόδ' M. εἶπον· οὐ γὰρ ὧδ᾽ ἄφρων ἔφυν.

ΧΡ.

τί γὰρ κελεύεις ὧν ἐγὼ φερέγγυος ;

ΗΛ.

τλῆναί σε δρῶσαν ἂν 'ἂν LL². ἅγ' Γ. ἃ ἂν ἐγὼ Pal. ἐγὼ παραινέσω.

ΧΡ.

ἀλλ᾽ εἴ εἴ L. τις ὠφέλειά γ', οὐκ ἀπώσομαι.

ΗΛ.

ὅρα, πόνου πόνου(ς) L. τοι χωρὶς οὐδὲν εὐτυχεῖ.
945

ΧΡ.

ὁρῶ. ξυνοίσω πᾶν ὅσονπερ ἂν σθένω.

Ἠλέκτρα

φεῦ, τῆς ἀνοίας ὥς σʼ ἐποικτίρω πάλαι.
920

Χρυσόθεμις

τί δʼ ἔστιν; οὐ πρὸς ἡδονὴν λέγω τάδε;

Ἠλέκτρα

οὐκ οἶσθʼ ὅποι γῆς οὐδʼ ὅποι γνώμης φέρει.

Χρυσόθεμις

πῶς δʼ οὐκ ἐγὼ κάτοιδʼ ἅ γʼ εἶδον ἐμφανῶς;

Ἠλέκτρα

τέθνηκεν, ὦ τάλαινα, τἀκείνου δέ σοι

σωτήριʼ ἔρρει· μηδὲν εἰς κεῖνόν γʼ ὅρα.
925

Χρυσόθεμις

οἴμοι τάλαινα· τοῦ τάδʼ ἤκουσας βροτῶν;

Ἠλέκτρα

τοῦ πλησίον παρόντος, ἡνίκʼ ὤλλυτο.

Χρυσόθεμις

καὶ ποῦ ʼστιν οὗτος; θαῦμά τοί μʼ ὑπέρχεται.

Ἠλέκτρα

κατʼ οἶκον, ἡδὺς οὐδὲ μητρὶ δυσχερής.

Χρυσόθεμις

οἴμοι τάλαινα· τοῦ γὰρ ἀνθρώπων ποτʼ ἦν
930

τὰ πολλὰ πατρὸς πρὸς τάφον κτερίσματα;

Ἠλέκτρα

οἶμαι μάλιστʼ ἔγωγε τοῦ τεθνηκότος

μνημεῖʼ Ὀρέστου ταῦτα προσθεῖναί τινα.

Ἠλέκτρα

οὕτως ἔχει σοι ταῦτʼ· ἐὰν δέ μοι πίθῃ,

τῆς νῦν παρούσης πημονῆς λύσεις βάρος.

Χρυσόθεμις

ἦ τοὺς θανόντας ἐξαναστήσω ποτέ;
940

Ἠλέκτρα

οὐκ ἔσθʼ ὅ γʼ εἶπον· οὐ γὰρ ὧδʼ ἄφρων ἔφυν.

Χρυσόθεμις

τί γὰρ κελεύεις ὧν ἐγὼ φερέγγυος;

Ἠλέκτρα

τλῆναί σε δρῶσαν ἃν ἐγὼ παραινέσω.

Χρυσόθεμις

ἀλλʼ εἴ τις ὠφέλειά γʼ, οὐκ ἀπώσομαι.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὅρα, πόνου τοι χωρὶς οὐδὲν εὐτυχεῖ.
945

Χρυσόθεμις

ὁρῶ. ξυνοίσω πᾶν ὅσονπερ ἂν σθένω.

Oh how I pity thine infatuate mind!
920

CHR

Why? Dost thou find no comfort in my news?

EL

You know not where you roam. Far wide! far wide!

CHR

Not know? when I have seen it with mine eyes?

EL

Dear, he is dead. Look not to him, poor girl!

Salvation comes to thee no more from him.
925

CHR

Oh me, unfortunate! Who told thee this?

EL

He who stood by and saw his life destroyed.

CHR

Amazement seizes me. Where is that man?

EL

Right welcome to the mother there within.

CHR

Me miserable! Who then can have decked
930

With all those ceremonies our father’s tomb?

EL

I cannot but suppose some hand hath brought

These gifts in memory of Orestes dead.

CHR

O cruel fate! While I in ecstasy

Sped with such news, all ignorant, it seems,
935

Of our dire fortune; and, arriving, find

Fresh sorrows added to the former woe.

EL

It is so, sister; yet if thou wilt list

To me, thou mayest disperse this heaviness.

CHR

What? Shall I raise the dead again to life?
940

EL

I did not mean so. I am not so fond.

CHR

What bid you then that I have power to do?

EL

To endure courageously what I enjoin.

CHR

So it make profit, I will not refuse.

EL

Remember, without toil no plan may thrive!
945

CHR

I know it, and will aid thee to my power.

Chrysothemis.

Was hast du? Sagt' ich dieses nicht zur Freude dir?

Elektra.

Nicht weißt du, weder wo du bist, noch was du denkst.
900