Sophocles, Electra, Robert Potter (Translator), 315

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Electra
1442cont2

I know my duty: for by time my mind

Is taught obedience to the sovereign pow'rs.

Electra. Sophocles. Robert Potter (Translator). London. 1820.

Current edition Experimental

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Robert Potter, 1788))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 275 focus

ἡ δ᾽ ἤδ' L Pal. Schaef. corr. ἡ δ' A. ὧδε τλήμων ὥστε τῷ μιάστορι

275

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 251-471 focus

Χορός

ἐγὼ μέν, ὦ παῖ, καὶ τὸ σὸν σπεύδουσʼ ἅμα

καὶ τοὐμὸν αὐτῆς ἦλθον· εἰ δὲ μὴ καλῶς

λέγω, σὺ νίκα· σοὶ γὰρ ἑψόμεσθʼ ἅμα.

Ἠλέκτρα

αἰσχύνομαι μέν, ὦ γυναῖκες, εἰ δοκῶ

πολλοῖσι θρήνοις δυσφορεῖν ὑμῖν ἄγαν.
255

ἀλλʼ ἡ βία γὰρ ταῦτʼ ἀναγκάζει με δρᾶν,

σύγγνωτε· πῶς γὰρ ἥτις εὐγενὴς γυνή,

πατρῷʼ ὁρῶσα πήματʼ, οὐ δρῴη τάδʼ ἄν;

ἁγὼ κατʼ ἦμαρ καὶ κατʼ εὐφρόνην ἀεὶ

θάλλοντα μᾶλλον ἢ καταφθίνονθʼ ὁρῶ·
260

ᾗ πρῶτα μὲν τὰ μητρός, ἥ μʼ ἐγείνατο,

ἔχθιστα συμβέβηκεν· εἶτα δώμασιν

ἐν τοῖς ἐμαυτῆς τοῖς φονεῦσι τοῦ πατρὸς

ξύνειμι, κἀκ τῶνδʼ ἄρχομαι κἀκ τῶνδέ μοι

λαβεῖν θʼ ὁμοίως καὶ τὸ τητᾶσθαι πέλει.
265

ἔπειτα ποίας ἡμέρας δοκεῖς μʼ ἄγειν,

ὅταν θρόνοις Αἴγισθον ἐνθακοῦντʼ ἴδω

τοῖσιν πατρῴοις, εἰσίδω δʼ ἐσθήματα

φοροῦντʼ ἐκείνῳ ταὐτὰ καὶ παρεστίους

σπένδοντα λοιβὰς ἔνθʼ ἐκεῖνον ὤλεσεν,
270

ἴδω δὲ τούτων τὴν τελευταίαν ὕβριν,

τὸν αὐτοέντην ἡμὶν ἐν κοίτῃ πατρὸς

ξὺν τῇ ταλαίνῃ μητρί, μητέρʼ εἰ χρεὼν

ταύτην προσαυδᾶν τῷδε συγκοιμωμένην·

ἡ δʼ ὧδε τλήμων ὥστε τῷ μιάστορι
275

ξύνεστʼ, ἐρινὺν οὔτινʼ ἐκφοβουμένη·

ἀλλʼ ὥσπερ ἐγγελῶσα τοῖς ποιουμένοις,

εὑροῦσʼ ἐκείνην ἡμέραν, ἐν ᾗ τότε

πατέρα τὸν ἀμὸν ἐκ δόλου κατέκτανεν,

ταύτῃ χοροὺς ἵστησι καὶ μηλοσφαγεῖ
280

θεοῖσιν ἔμμηνʼ ἱερὰ τοῖς σωτηρίοις.

282

Ἠλέκτρα

ἐγὼ δʼ ὁρῶσʼ ἡ δύσμορος κατὰ στέγας

κλαίω, τέτηκα, κἀπικωκύω πατρὸς

τὴν δυστάλαιναν δαῖτʼ ἐπωνομασμένην

αὐτὴ πρὸς αὑτήν. οὐδὲ γὰρ κλαῦσαι πάρα
285

τοσόνδʼ ὅσον μοι θυμὸς ἡδονὴν φέρει.

αὕτη γὰρ ἡ λόγοισι γενναία γυνὴ

φωνοῦσα τοιάδʼ ἐξονειδίζει κακά·

ὦ δύσθεον μίσημα, σοὶ μόνῃ πατὴρ

τέθνηκεν; ἄλλος δʼ οὔτις ἐν πένθει βροτῶν;
290

κακῶς ὄλοιο, μηδέ σʼ ἐκ γόων ποτὲ

τῶν νῦν ἀπαλλάξειαν οἱ κάτω θεοί.

τάδʼ ἐξυβρίζει· πλὴν ὅταν κλύῃ τινὸς

ἥξοντʼ Ὀρέστην· τηνικαῦτα δʼ ἐμμανὴς

βοᾷ παραστᾶσʼ· οὐ σύ μοι τῶνδʼ αἰτία;
295

οὐ σὸν τόδʼ ἐστὶ τοὔργον, ἥτις ἐκ χερῶν

κλέψασʼ Ὀρέστην τῶν ἐμῶν ὑπεξέθου;

ἀλλʼ ἴσθι τοι τίσουσά γʼ ἀξίαν δίκην.

τοιαῦθʼ ὑλακτεῖ, σὺν δʼ ἐποτρύνει πέλας

ὁ κλεινὸς αὐτῇ ταὐτὰ νυμφίος παρών,
300

ὁ πάντʼ ἄναλκις οὗτος, ἡ πᾶσα βλάβη,

ὁ σὺν γυναιξὶ τὰς μάχας ποιούμενος.

ἐγὼ δʼ Ὀρέστην τῶνδε προσμένουσʼ ἀεὶ

παυστῆρʼ ἐφήξειν ἡ τάλαινʼ ἀπόλλυμαι.

μέλλων γὰρ ἀεὶ δρᾶν τι τὰς οὔσας τέ μου
305

καὶ τὰς ἀπούσας ἐλπίδας διέφθορεν.

ἐν οὖν τοιούτοις οὔτε σωφρονεῖν, φίλαι,

οὔτʼ εὐσεβεῖν πάρεστιν· ἀλλʼ ἔν τοι κακοῖς

πολλή ʼστʼ ἀνάγκη κἀπιτηδεύειν κακά.

310

Χορός

φέρʼ εἰπέ, πότερον ὄντος Αἰγίσθου πέλας
310

λέγεις τάδʼ ἡμῖν ἢ βεβῶτος ἐκ δόμων;

Ἠλέκτρα

ἦ κάρτα· μὴ δόκει μʼ ἄν, εἴπερ ἦν πέλας,

θυραῖον οἰχνεῖν· νῦν δʼ ἀγροῖσι τυγχάνει.

Χορός

ἦ κἂν ἐγὼ θαρσοῦσα μᾶλλον ἐς λόγους

τοὺς σοὺς ἱκοίμην, εἴπερ ὧδε ταῦτʼ ἔχει;
315

Ἠλέκτρα

ὡς νῦν ἀπόντος ἱστόρει· τί σοι φίλον;

Χορός

καὶ δή σʼ ἐρωτῶ· τοῦ κασιγνήτου τί φής,

ἥξοντος ἢ μέλλοντος; εἰδέναι θέλω.

Ἠλέκτρα

φησίν γε· φάσκων δʼ οὐδὲν ὧν λέγει ποεῖ.

Χορός

φιλεῖ γὰρ ὀκνεῖν πρᾶγμʼ ἀνὴρ πράσσων μέγα.
320

Ἠλέκτρα

καὶ μὴν ἔγωγʼ ἔσωσʼ ἐκεῖνον οὐκ ὄκνῳ.

Χορός

θάρσει· πέφυκεν ἐσθλός, ὥστʼ ἀρκεῖν φίλοις.

Ἠλέκτρα

πέποιθʼ, ἐπεί τἂν οὐ μακρὰν ἔζων ἐγώ.

Χορός

μὴ νῦν ἔτʼ εἴπῃς μηδέν· ὡς δόμων ὁρῶ

τὴν σὴν ὅμαιμον ἐκ πατρὸς ταὐτοῦ φύσιν,
325

Χρυσόθεμιν, ἔκ τε μητρός, ἐντάφια χεροῖν

φέρουσαν, οἷα τοῖς κάτω νομίζεται.

Χρυσόθεμις

τίνʼ αὖ σὺ τήνδε πρὸς θυρῶνος ἐξόδοις

ἐλθοῦσα φωνεῖς, ὦ κασιγνήτη, φάτιν,

κοὐδʼ ἐν χρόνῳ μακρῷ διδαχθῆναι θέλεις
330

θυμῷ ματαίῳ μὴ χαρίζεσθαι κενά;

καίτοι τοσοῦτόν γʼ οἶδα κἀμαυτήν, ὅτι

ἀλγῶ ʼπὶ τοῖς παροῦσιν· ὥστʼ ἄν, εἰ σθένος

λάβοιμι, δηλώσαιμʼ ἂν οἷʼ αὐτοῖς φρονῶ.

νῦν δʼ ἐν κακοῖς μοι πλεῖν ὑφειμένῃ δοκεῖ,
335

καὶ μὴ δοκεῖν μὲν δρᾶν τι, πημαίνειν δὲ μή·

τοιαῦτα δʼ ἄλλα καὶ σὲ βούλομαι ποεῖν.

καίτοι τὸ μὲν δίκαιον οὐχ ᾗ ʼγὼ λέγω,

ἀλλʼ ᾗ σὺ κρίνεις· εἰ δʼ ἐλευθέραν με δεῖ

ζῆν, τῶν κρατούντων ἐστὶ πάντʼ ἀκουστέα.
340

341

Ἠλέκτρα

δεινόν γέ σʼ οὖσαν πατρὸς οὗ σὺ παῖς ἔφυς,

κείνου λελῆσθαι, τῆς δὲ τικτούσης μέλειν.

ἅπαντα γάρ σοι τἀμὰ νουθετήματα

κείνης διδακτά, κοὐδὲν ἐκ σαυτῆς λέγεις.

ἔπειθʼ ἑλοῦ γε θάτερʼ, ἢ φρονεῖν κακῶς
345

ἢ τῶν φίλων φρονοῦσα μὴ μνήμην ἔχειν·

ἥτις λέγεις μὲν ἀρτίως ὡς, εἰ λάβοις

σθένος, τὸ τούτων μῖσος ἐκδείξειας ἄν,

ἐμοῦ δὲ πατρὶ πάντα τιμωρουμένης

οὔτε ξυνέρδεις τήν τε δρῶσαν ἐκτρέπεις.
350

οὐ ταῦτα πρὸς κακοῖσι δειλίαν ἔχει;

ἐπεὶ δίδαξον, ἢ μάθʼ ἐξ ἐμοῦ, τί μοι

κέρδος γένοιτʼ ἂν τῶνδε ληξάσῃ γόων.

οὐ ζῶ; κακῶς μέν, οἶδʼ, ἐπαρκούντως δʼ ἐμοί.

λυπῶ δὲ τούτους, ὥστε τῷ τεθνηκότι
355

τιμὰς προσάπτειν, εἴ τις ἔστʼ ἐκεῖ χάρις.

σὺ δʼ ἡμὶν ἡ μισοῦσα μισεῖς μὲν λόγῳ,

ἔργῳ δὲ τοῖς φονεῦσι τοῦ πατρὸς ξύνει.

ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν οὐκ ἄν ποτʼ, οὐδʼ εἴ μοι τὰ σὰ

μέλλοι τις οἴσειν δῶρʼ, ἐφʼ οἷσι νῦν χλιδᾷς,
360

τούτοις ὑπεικάθοιμι· σοὶ δὲ πλουσία

τράπεζα κείσθω καὶ περιρρείτω βίος.

ἐμοὶ γὰρ ἔστω τοὐμὲ μὴ λυπεῖν μόνον

βόσκημα· τῆς σῆς δʼ οὐκ ἐρῶ τιμῆς τυχεῖν,

οὐδʼ ἂν σύ, σώφρων γʼ οὖσα. νῦν δʼ ἐξὸν πατρὸς
365

πάντων ἀρίστου παῖδα κεκλῆσθαι, καλοῦ

τῆς μητρός· οὕτω γὰρ φανεῖ πλείστοις κακή,

θανόντα πατέρα καὶ φίλους προδοῦσα σούς.

369

Χορός

μηδὲν πρὸς ὀργήν, πρὸς θεῶν· ὡς τοῖς λόγοις

ἔνεστιν ἀμφοῖν κέρδος, εἰ σὺ μὲν μάθοις
370

τοῖς τῆσδε χρῆσθαι, τοῖς δὲ σοῖς αὕτη πάλιν.

Χρυσόθεμις

ἐγὼ μέν, ὦ γυναῖκες, ἠθάς εἰμί πως

τῶν τῆσδε μύθων· οὐδʼ ἂν ἐμνήσθην ποτέ,

εἰ μὴ κακὸν μέγιστον εἰς αὐτὴν ἰὸν

ἤκουσʼ, ὃ ταύτην τῶν μακρῶν σχήσει γόων.
375

Ἠλέκτρα

φέρʼ εἰπὲ δὴ τὸ δεινόν· εἰ γὰρ τῶνδέ μοι

μεῖζόν τι λέξεις, οὐκ ἂν ἀντείποιμʼ ἔτι.

Χρυσόθεμις

ἀλλʼ ἐξερῶ σοι πᾶν ὅσον κάτοιδʼ ἐγώ.

μέλλουσι γάρ σʼ, εἰ τῶνδε μὴ λήξεις γόων,

ἐνταῦθα πέμψειν ἔνθα μή ποθʼ ἡλίου
380

φέγγος προσόψει, ζῶσα δʼ ἐν κατηρεφεῖ

στέγῃ χθονὸς τῆσδʼ ἐκτὸς ὑμνήσεις κακά.

πρὸς ταῦτα φράζου καί με μή ποθʼ ὕστερον

παθοῦσα μέμψῃ· νῦν γὰρ ἐν καλῷ φρονεῖν.

385

Ἠλέκτρα

ἦ ταῦτα δή με καὶ βεβούλευνται ποεῖν;
385

Χρυσόθεμις

μάλισθʼ· ὅταν περ οἴκαδʼ Αἴγισθος μόλῃ.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἀλλʼ ἐξίκοιτο τοῦδέ γʼ οὕνεκʼ ἐν τάχει.

Χρυσόθεμις

τίνʼ, ὦ τάλαινα, τόνδʼ ἐπηράσω λόγον;

Ἠλέκτρα

ἐλθεῖν ἐκεῖνον, εἴ τι τῶνδε δρᾶν νοεῖ.

Χρυσόθεμις

ὅπως πάθῃς τί χρῆμα; ποῦ ποτʼ εἶ φρενῶν;
390

Ἠλέκτρα

ὅπως ἀφʼ ὑμῶν ὡς προσωτάτω φύγω.

Χρυσόθεμις

βίου δὲ τοῦ παρόντος οὐ μνείαν ἔχεις;

Ἠλέκτρα

καλὸς γὰρ οὑμὸς βίοτος ὥστε θαυμάσαι.

Χρυσόθεμις

ἀλλʼ ἦν ἄν, εἰ σύ γʼ εὖ φρονεῖν ἠπίστασο.

Ἠλέκτρα

μή μʼ ἐκδίδασκε τοῖς φίλοις εἶναι κακήν.
395

Χρυσόθεμις

ἀλλʼ οὐ διδάσκω· τοῖς κρατοῦσι δʼ εἰκαθεῖν.

Ἠλέκτρα

σὺ ταῦτα θώπευʼ· οὐκ ἐμοὺς τρόπους λέγεις.

Χρυσόθεμις

καλόν γε μέντοι μὴ ʼξ ἀβουλίας πεσεῖν.

Ἠλέκτρα

πεσούμεθʼ, εἰ χρή, πατρὶ τιμωρούμενοι.

Χρυσόθεμις

πατὴρ δὲ τούτων, οἶδα, συγγνώμην ἔχει.
400

Ἠλέκτρα

ταῦτʼ ἐστὶ τἄπη πρὸς κακῶν ἐπαινέσαι.

Χρυσόθεμις

σὺ δʼ οὐχὶ πείσει καὶ συναινέσεις ἐμοί;

Ἠλέκτρα

οὐ δῆτα· μή πω νοῦ τοσόνδʼ εἴην κενή.

Χρυσόθεμις

χωρήσομαί τἄρʼ οἷπερ ἐστάλην ὁδοῦ.

Ἠλέκτρα

ποῖ δʼ ἐμπορεύει; τῷ φέρεις τάδʼ ἔμπυρα;
405

Χρυσόθεμις

μήτηρ με πέμπει πατρὶ τυμβεῦσαι χοάς.

Ἠλέκτρα

πῶς εἶπας; ἦ τῷ δυσμενεστάτῳ βροτῶν;

Χρυσόθεμις

ὃν ἔκτανʼ αὐτή· τοῦτο γὰρ λέξαι θέλεις.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἐκ τοῦ φίλων πεισθεῖσα; τῷ τοῦτʼ ἤρεσεν;

Χρυσόθεμις

ἐκ δείματός του νυκτέρου, δοκεῖν ἐμοί;
410

Ἠλέκτρα

ὦ θεοὶ πατρῷοι, συγγένεσθέ γʼ ἀλλὰ νῦν.

Χρυσόθεμις

ἔχεις τι θάρσος τοῦδε τοῦ τάρβους πέρι;

Ἠλέκτρα

εἴ μοι λέγοις τὴν ὄψιν, εἴποιμʼ ἂν τότε.

Χρυσόθεμις

ἀλλʼ οὐ κάτοιδα πλὴν ἐπὶ σμικρὸν φράσαι.

415

Ἠλέκτρα

λέγʼ ἀλλὰ τοῦτο· πολλά τοι σμικροὶ λόγοι
415

ἔσφηλαν ἤδη καὶ κατώρθωσαν βροτούς.

Χρυσόθεμις

λόγος τις αὐτήν ἐστιν εἰσιδεῖν πατρὸς

τοῦ σοῦ τε κἀμοῦ δευτέραν ὁμιλίαν

ἐλθόντος ἐς φῶς· εἶτα τόνδʼ ἐφέστιον

πῆξαι λαβόντα σκῆπτρον οὑφόρει ποτὲ
420

αὐτός, τανῦν δʼ Αἴγισθος· ἐκ δὲ τοῦδʼ ἄνω

βλαστεῖν βρύοντα θαλλόν, ᾧ κατάσκιον

πᾶσαν γενέσθαι τὴν Μυκηναίων χθόνα.

τοιαῦτά του παρόντος, ἡνίχʼ Ἡλίῳ

δείκνυσι τοὔναρ, ἔκλυον ἐξηγουμένου.
425

πλείω δὲ τούτων οὐ κάτοιδα, πλὴν ὅτι

πέμπει με κείνη τοῦδε τοῦ φόβου χάριν.

πρός νυν θεῶν σε λίσσομαι τῶν ἐγγενῶν

ἐμοὶ πιθέσθαι μηδʼ ἀβουλίᾳ πεσεῖν·

εἰ γάρ μʼ ἀπώσει, σὺν κακῷ μέτει πάλιν.
430

431

Ἠλέκτρα

ἀλλʼ, ὦ φίλη, τούτων μὲν ὧν ἔχεις χεροῖν

τύμβῳ προσάψῃς μηδέν· οὐ γάρ σοι θέμις

οὐδʼ ὅσιον ἐχθρᾶς ἀπὸ γυναικὸς ἱστάναι

κτερίσματʼ οὐδὲ λουτρὰ προσφέρειν πατρί·

ἀλλʼ ἢ πνοαῖσιν ἢ βαθυσκαφεῖ κόνει
435

κρύψον νιν, ἔνθα μή ποτʼ εἰς εὐνὴν πατρὸς

τούτων πρόσεισι μηδέν· ἀλλʼ ὅταν θάνῃ

κειμήλιʼ αὐτῇ ταῦτα σῳζέσθω κάτω.

ἀρχὴν δʼ ἄν, εἰ μὴ τλημονεστάτη γυνὴ

πασῶν ἔβλαστε, τάσδε δυσμενεῖς χοὰς
440

οὐκ ἄν ποθʼ ὅν γʼ ἔκτεινε, τῷδʼ ἐπέστεφε.

σκέψαι γὰρ εἴ σοι προσφιλῶς αὐτῇ δοκεῖ

γέρα τάδʼ οὑν τάφοισι δέξεσθαι νέκυς,

ὑφʼ ἧς θανὼν ἄτιμος, ὥστε δυσμενής,

ἐμασχαλίσθη, κἀπὶ λουτροῖσιν κάρᾳ
445

κηλῖδας ἐξέμαξεν. ἆρα μὴ δοκεῖς

λυτήριʼ αὐτῇ ταῦτα τοῦ φόνου φέρειν;

οὐχ ἔστιν. ἀλλὰ ταῦτα μὲν μέθες· σὺ δὲ

τεμοῦσα κρατὸς βοστρύχων ἄκρας φόβας

κἀμοῦ ταλαίνης, σμικρὰ μὲν τάδʼ, ἀλλʼ ὅμως
450

ἅχω, δὸς αὐτῷ, τήνδʼ ἀλιπαρῆ τρίχα

καὶ ζῶμα τοὐμὸν οὐ χλιδαῖς ἠσκημένον.

αἰτοῦ δὲ προσπίτνουσα γῆθεν εὐμενῆ

ἡμῖν ἀρωγὸν αὐτὸν εἰς ἐχθροὺς μολεῖν,

καὶ παῖδʼ Ὀρέστην ἐξ ὑπερτέρας χερὸς
455

ἐχθροῖσιν αὐτοῦ ζῶντʼ ἐπεμβῆναι ποδί,

ὅπως τὸ λοιπὸν αὐτὸν ἀφνεωτέραις

χερσὶν στέφωμεν ἢ τανῦν δωρούμεθα.

οἶμαι μὲν οὖν, οἶμαί τι κἀκείνῳ μέλον

πέμψαι τάδʼ αὐτῇ δυσπρόσοπτʼ ὀνείρατα·
460

ὅμως δʼ, ἀδελφή, σοί θʼ ὑπούργησον τάδε

ἐμοί τʼ ἀρωγὰ τῷ τε φιλτάτῳ βροτῶν

πάντων, ἐν Ἅιδου κειμένῳ κοινῷ πατρί.

464

Χορός

πρὸς εὐσέβειαν ἡ κόρη λέγει· σὺ δέ,

εἰ σωφρονήσεις, ὦ φίλη, δράσεις τάδε.
465

Χρυσόθεμις

δράσω· τὸ γὰρ δίκαιον οὐχ ἔχει λόγον

δυοῖν ἐρίζειν, ἀλλʼ ἐπισπεύδειν τὸ δρᾶν.

πειρωμένῃ δὲ τῶνδε τῶν ἔργων ἐμοὶ

σιγὴ παρʼ ὑμῶν, πρὸς θεῶν, ἔστω, φίλαι·

ὡς εἰ τάδʼ ἡ τεκοῦσα πεύσεται, πικρὰν
470

δοκῶ με πεῖραν τήνδε τολμήσειν ἔτι.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 315 focus

EL

Who is this, brother? I beseech thee, tell.

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 310 focus

Auf, sage, weilt Aegisthos hier, indeß du so

Mir redest, oder ging er aus dem Hause fort?

Elektra.

Ja freilich. Wär' er nahe, traun, ich würde nicht

Hier außen umgeh'n! Nein, er ging auf's Feld hinaus.
305

Der Chor.

So darf auch ich beherzter, darf mich freier wohl

Mit dir ergeh'n in Reden, wenn es also steht.

Elektra.

Sezt ist er ferne; frage denn, was dir beliebt.

Der Chor.

Nun wohl, ich frage: was du mir vom Bruder sagst,

Ob er zurückkehrt oder säumt, das wüßt' ich gern.
310

Elektra.

Er sagt es, aber was er sagt, vollbringt er nicht.

Der Chor.

Zu säumen liebt ja, wer ein großes Werk beginnt,

Elektra.

Und ich gerettet hab' ich ihn und säume nicht.

Der Chor.

Sei ruhig; edel denkt er, hilft den Seinen gern.

Elektra.

Ich glaub' es; denn ich lebte sonst nicht lange mehr.
315

Der Chor.

Nun rede mir nicht weiter: denn Chrysothemis

Tritt aus dem Hause, seh' ich, die vom Vater und

Der Mutter deine Schwester ist, in ihrer Hand

Die Grabesopfer, wie man sie den Schatten weiht.

Chrysothemis. Die Vorigen.

Chrysothemis.

Geliebte Schwester, was erhebst du wiederum,
320

Zum Thor des Hofes kommend, solchen Klageruf?

Und willst du noch nicht lernen in der langen Zeit,

Machtlosem Unmuth nicht umsonst zu huldigen?

Wohl fühl ich selbst auch dieses Leid, das uns betraf,

Bin tief davon ergriffen, und, o würde mir
325

Die Macht, ich zeigte, wie gesinnt ich ihnen sei!

Nun aber zieh' ich in der Noth die Segel ein,

Vor Schein mich hütend, wo die Macht zu schaden fehlt,¹

Und wünsche, Schwester, daß du selbst ein Gleiches thust.

Zwar immer sei das Rechte nicht wo mir's gefällt,
330

Nein dort, wo du dich hingewandt; doch wenn ich frei

Soll leben, muß ich hören auf die Herrscher mur.

Elektra.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 315 focus

Electra

Aye, and a dreadful sight it is to see.

^Gis. Thou art not wont to give me so much joy ;

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 251-470 focus

Chorus

I came, my child, mindful of your interests no less than my own. But if what I say is wrong, let your way prevail; for united we will follow you.

Electra

I am ashamed, my friends, if you judge me

too intolerant with my many laments; but, since rough compulsion forces me to act this way, forgive me. How indeed could any woman of noble nature not act, when she sees her father’s sufferings as I see them day and night continually,
255

and flourishing rather than fading? First, everything to do with the mother who bore me has become most hateful towards me; next, in my own home I live with my father’s murderers; they rule over me and from them
260

equally I either have or do without.
And then think what manner of days I pass, when I see Aegisthus sitting on my father’s throne; when I look on him wearing the very robes which my father wore and
265

pouring libations at the hearth where he killed him; and when I see the chief outrage of them all, the murderer in my father’s bed at my wretched mother’s side, if I must call her mother, even though she shares her bed with that man.
270

So hardened is she that she joins with this polluter, fearing no Erinys. No, as if laughing at her deeds, having found the day on which in the past she treacherously killed my father,
275

she celebrates it with dance and song, and in monthly rites she sacrifices sheep to the gods who worked her deliverance.
280

282

But I, as I joylessly witness it, cry out, waste away in the house and bewail the unholy feast named after my father,

in solitary weeping. For I cannot even grieve to the full extent which would please my heart, since this lady, who is in fact no lady, loudly reproaches me with such shameless taunts as these: Wicked and hateful girl, have you alone lost your father,and is no one else in the world grieving? May your death be harsh, and may the gods below never free you from your current mourning. Just so she abuses me, except when she gets word that Orestes is coming. Then, infuriated,
285

she comes up to me and cries;— Have you not brought this upon me? Is this not your doing, since you stole Orestes from my hands and secretly sent him away? Yes—but rest assured that you will be justly punished. Like this she barks, and in agreement
295

her glorious bridegroom by her side urges her on—that total impotent, that utter plague who fights his battles with the help of women. But my heart is broken by my suffering as I constantly wait for Orestes to come and end these troubles.

300

For the perpetual imminence of his actions has eradicated every hope that I could conceive. In such a state of affairs, then, friends, there is no room for self-restraint or for reverence. Rather, in these dire straits there is much need to pursue a dire course.
305

310

Chorus

Tell me, is Aegisthus nearby as you speak these words to us, or has he left the house?
310

Electra

He is gone, to be sure. Do not think that I would have come to the doors, if he were nearby. He happens now to be in the country.

Chorus

Might I converse with you

more boldly, if this is so?
315

Electra

He is not here, so question me. What is it you want?

Chorus

I ask you, then, what report can you give of your brother? Will he come soon, or is he delaying? I wish to know.

Electra

He says he will come, but although he promises he never does what he says.

Chorus

True, a man will hesitate on the verge of a great undertaking.
320

Electra

And yet I saved him with no hesitation.

Chorus

Take heart: he is noble enough to stand by his friends.

Electra

I believe it; otherwise I would not have remained alive so long.

Chorus

Say no more now, since I see your sister

coming from the house, Chrysothemis, offspring of the same father and mother. In her hands are sepulchral offerings, such as are customary for those in the world below.
325

Enter Chrysothemis, from the house.

Chrysothemis

What is this speech of yours, sister, which you have come forth yet again to speak at the public doors?

Will you not learn with any lapse of time to end your vain indulgence in futile anger? Yet this much I know—that I myself am saddened by our present circumstances; indeed so much so that, could I find the strength, I would bare my feelings towards them.
330

But now, in these evil times I think it best to navigate with shortened sail so that I may not seem to be on the attack, when I am unable to cause harm. I wish that your own conduct were the same! Nevertheless, right is on the side which you favor, not on that which I advise. But if I am to live the life of the freeborn,
335

those in power must be obeyed in all things.
340

341

Electra

It is strange, indeed, that you, the daughter of our father from whom you grew, should forget him and instead show concern for your mother! All your admonitions to me have been taught by her; you speak no word of your own.

So now take your choice: be imprudent, or be prudent, but forgetful of your friends. You have just said that if could you find the strength, you would show your hatred of them; yet, when I am doing my utmost to avenge our father,
345

you do not work with me, but seek to deflect your sister from her deed.
Does this not add cowardice to our miseries? Therefore instruct me, or rather learn from me what gain there might be for me if I ended my lamentation. Am I not now alive? Miserably so, I know, but well enough for me.
350

And I hurt them, and thereby affix an honorable tribute to the dead, in case those in that world can enjoy it and feel gratitude. But you, who tell me of your hatred, hate in word alone, while by your behavior you unite with the murderers of our father. I, however, would never yield to them, not even if
355

one of them were to bring to me the gifts in which you now glory. Let yours be the richly-spread table and superabundant lifestyle. As for me, let my sustenance be only that I do not wound my own conscience—I do not covet such privilege as yours and
360

neither would you, if you had self-control. But now, when you could be called the child of the noblest father among men, be called instead your mother’s daughter, for in this way your corruptness will be evident to the greatest number as you betray your dead father and your true friends.
365

369

Chorus

Away with anger, for the gods’ sake! There is

advantage for both of you in what is urged, if you, Electra, would learn to implement her advice, and she, again, yours.
370

Chrysothemis

For my part, friends, I am not at all unaccustomed to her insults, nor would I have mentioned this, if I had not heard that the greatest disaster is now rushing down on her,

one which will restrain her from her long mourning.
375

Electra

Come then, name this terror! If you can tell me of anything worse than my present condition, I would resist no more.

Chrysothemis

I will tell you all that I know. If you will not cease from your mourning, they intend

to send you where you will never look upon the sun’s brilliance, but passing your life in a covered chamber beyond this land’s borders you will make hymns of your calamity. Think on this, and do not blame me later, when you suffer. Now is the time to think wisely.
380

385

Electra

Have they in fact decided to do this to me?
385

Chrysothemis

They certainly have, as soon as Aegisthus comes home.

Electra

Then for this, may he arrive quickly!

Chrysothemis

Troubled girl, what curse are you laying on yourself?

Electra

That he may come, if he plans to do any of what you said.

Chrysothemis

So that you may suffer? In what way? Where are your wits?
390

Electra

So that I may fly as far as possible from you all.

Chrysothemis

Have you no care for the life you lead now?

Electra

oh, yes, my life is so wondrously fine.

Chrysothemis

It would be, if only you learned good sense.

Electra

Do not teach me to betray my friends.
395

Chrysothemis

I do not, but to bend before the strong.

Electra

Keep your flattery to yourself; it is not in my character.

Chrysothemis

Regardless, it brings no honor to fall through senselessness.

Electra

I will fall, if need be, while honoring my father.

Chrysothemis

But our father, I know, pardons me for this.
400

Electra

It is for cowards to commend such sentiments.

Chrysothemis

So you will not be persuaded to agree with me?

Electra

No, indeed; may I not yet be so devoid of intelligence.

Chrysothemis

Then I will move on to where I was sent.

Electra

And where is it that you go? For whom do you take these offerings to be burned?
405

Chrysothemis

Mother sends me with funeral libations for our father.

Electra

What are you saying? For her deadliest enemy?

Chrysothemis

Whom she herself killed, no doubt you wanted to say this as well.

Electra

What friend persuaded her? Whose idea was it?

Chrysothemis

The cause, I think, was fear induced by some vision in the night.
410

Electra

My father’s Gods! Stand with me now at last!

Chrysothemis

Do you find something heartening in this terror?

Electra

If you would tell me the vision, then I could answer.

Chrysothemis

I know no more than a small part of the story.

415

Electra

Tell me that, anyway; a small tale has often before now tripped men up, or set them upright.
415

Chrysothemis

It is said that she saw the father of you and of me restored to the sunlight and to her company once more. Then he took the scepter—

once his own, but now carried by Aegisthus—and planted it at the hearth. From it branched upward a flourishing limb, by which the whole land of the Mycenaeans was overshadowed. Such was the tale that I heard told by one who was present
420

when she revealed her dream to the Sun-god. More than this I do not know, except that she sent me by reason of this fear of hers. Now, I beg you by our ancestral gods, obey me, and do not fall in your senselessness!
425

If you reject me now, it is in misery that you will next seek me out.
430

431

Electra

Dear sister, let none of these offerings in your hands touch the tomb. For neither divine law nor piety allows you to dedicate funeral gifts or bring libations to our father from his hateful wife.

No! To the winds with them! Or cover them in a deep, dusty hole, where not one of them will ever come near our father’s resting place. Rather let these treasures be preserved for her below when she dies. Were she not by nature the most audacious
435

of all women, she would never at all have tried to pour these ill-willed offerings to the man she killed. Consider whether you believe that the dead in his tomb will welcome this tribute with affection towards her, by whose hand he died dishonored and was mutilated
440

like an enemy? She, who, as if to wash herself clean, wiped off the bloodstains on his head? Surely you do not believe that your bringing these things will absolve her of the murder?
It is not possible. No, be rid of them. Give him instead a lock of your hair’s ends, cut from your own head,
445

and from wretched me, too, give these gifts, poor as they are, though all I have. Take this hair, not glossy with unguents, and this girdle, decked with no rich ornament. Then fall down and pray that he himself may come in kindness to us from the world below, a helper against our enemies;
450

and that young Orestes may live to set his foot upon our enemies in superior might, so that hereafter we may crown our father’s tomb with wealthier hands than those with which we honor him now.
I think, yes, I think that he too had some part
455

in sending her these appalling dreams. Still, sister, do yourself this service and help me, and him, too, that most beloved of all men, who rests in Hades’ domain, our shared father.
460

464

Chorus

The girl’s advice is pious; you,

dear friend, will do what she says, if you are wise.
465

Chrysothemis

I will. In regard to a just deed, it is unreasonable for two people to argue, but reasonable to jump to action. But, by the gods, my friends, when I attempt this task, let me have your silence,

since if my mother hears of it, I believe that this attempt which I will dare shall in the end cause me bitterness. Exit Chrysothemis on the spectators’ right.
470

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-796-1 ναυαγίοις ¹

mvp-comment-797-1 σέ τοι ² κρίνω ³

mvp-comment-798-1 συμφορᾶς ⁴

mvp-comment-798-2 Possibly this is the only ambiguity intended. But

τῆς συμφορᾶς..τῶν ἐμῶν τῆς φιλτάτης

might be genitive of

ἡ συμφορὰ τῶν ἐμῶν ἡ φιλτάτη

, ‘ the most welcome fortune of my kindred,’— i.e., ‘my brother's return.’ Cp. 1273

φιλτάταν

ὁδόν

. To intend this as an inner meaning would certainly be quite in the manner of Sophocles; cp. O. T. 337

ὀργὴν ἐμέμψω τὴν ἐμήν, τὴν σὴν δ’ ὁμοῦ

ναίουσαν οὐ κατεῖδες

.—For other views, see Appendix.

mvp-comment-799-1 φίλης γὰρ προξένου κατήνυσαν ⁵

mvp-comment-800-1 ἦ καὶ ⁶

mvp-comment-800-2 ὡς ἐτητύμως ⁷

mvp-comment-801-1 οὔκ, ἀλλὰ κἀπέδειξαν ⁸ οὐ λόγῳ μόνον ⁹ οὔκ ¹⁰

mvp-comment-802-1 πάρεστ’ ¹¹

mvp-comment-802-2 ὥστε ¹²

mvp-comment-802-3 κἀμφανῆ μαθεῖν ¹³

mvp-comment-803-1 πάρεστι δῆτα ¹⁴ δῆτα ¹⁵ καὶ μάλ’ ¹⁶

mvp-comment-804-1 ἦ πολλὰ χαίρειν μ’ εἶπας ¹⁷

mvp-comment-804-2 1457 While τυγχάνοι ¹⁸ τυγχάνει ¹⁹

mvp-comment-805-1 κἀναδεικνύναι πύλας ²⁰

mvp-comment-806-1 Μυκηναίοισιν ²¹ Ἀργείοις ²²

mvp-comment-806-2 πᾶσιν ²³

mvp-comment-807-1 ἐλπίσιν … ἀνδρὸς ²⁴

mvp-comment-808-1 στόμια ²⁵

mvp-comment-808-2 φύσῃ φρένας ²⁶

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

1398-1441. mvp-comment-660-1 The following passage (1398-1441), although consisting largely of senarii, appears to be antistrophic, nearly corresponding even in the division of the lines. According to this view ll. 1404-1406 are either (1) not to be counted in the strophe, or (2) lines answering to them after l. 1427 must be supposed to have been lost. As the lines in question relate to the sudden cry of Clytemnestra from within, the former supposition is sufficiently probable. Cp. note on O. C. 117 foll., vol. i. p. 298 (Ist column). In the 'strophe,' ll. 1398-1421, Clytemnestra is put to death, -in the 'antistrophe,' ll. 1422-41, the bleeding sword is displayed, and Aegisthus is descried. The young men then retire into the palace, and Electra waits outside.

1440-1441. mvp-comment-680-1 λαθραῖον.. ἀγῶνα] 'That he may rush unawares upon the struggle of doom.' λαθραῖον (with ἀγῶνα) is predicative: i.e. That the struggle may be unforeseen.

1448-1449. mvp-comment-681-1 συμφορᾶς.. φιλτάτης] 'Else I had been a stranger to the fact which most concerns me.' Aegisthus understands, The event which touches Electra's heart most nearly;' to herself she means, 'The event that has filled me with joy.' τῶν ἐμῶν, (1) sc. συμφορῶν, or (2) gen. obj., 'What has happened to my friends.'

1451. mvp-comment-682-1 To Aegisthus Electra means, 'They succeeded in obtaining a kindly welcome'-from Clytemnestra in her gladness, supr. 800. And in this sense κατήνυσαν is construed with the genitive after the analogy of τυγχάνω οι κυρίω. But the word is chosen so as to convey the further meaning-They have made an end of her,' or 'Have accomplished the deed against her.' Cp. Eur. Or. 89.

1453. mvp-comment-683-1 'Nay, more, they showed him to our eyes, it was not a mere tale that came.' Aegisthus does not hear of the urn, but is made to believe that the body of Orestes is there. And so it is,' thinks Electra, 'but in full life.'

1455. mvp-comment-684-1 'There is indeed to be seen a sight I do not envy you.' Aegisthus understands the corpse of Orestes; Electra means that of Clytemnestra.

1457. mvp-comment-685-1 The optative, if right, is to be explained as hinting an uncertainty, 'If so it prove.'

1458. mvp-comment-686-1 σιγᾶν] In accordance with the εὐφημία which Greek sentiment prescribed in the presence of death. Mr. Paley unnecessarily conjectures οἴγειν. κἀναδεικνύναι πύλας] (1) The usual explanation of these words is that given in Wunder's note:- 'Notanda locutio est ἀναδεικνύναι πύλας, significans ἀνεῳγμένων τῶν πυλῶν δεικνύναι τὰ ἐντός, quum vulgo potius δόμον ἀναδεικνύναι dicatur, veluti apud Aristoph. Nub. 304, ἵνα μυστοδόκος δόμος ἐν τελεταῖς ἀναδεικνύται. Nam significat proprie ἀναδεικνύναι tollendo sive patefaciendo aliquid monstrare.' But (2) may not the words mean, by a change of subject, 'and that the gates disclose' what is to be seen within them (sc. ἄνδρα τόνδε νεκρόν)?

1460ff. mvp-comment-687-1 Aegisthus here betrays the fear in which he has been living. There is a reminiscence of Aesch. Ag. 1667, 8.

1461. mvp-comment-688-1 ἀνδρὸς τοῦδε] See Essay on L. § 9. p. 12, d 2.

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Electra 1442cont2 I know my duty: for by time my mind Is taught obedience to the sovereign pow'rs.

Current edition Experimental

Χορός ἐγὼ μέν, ὦ παῖ, καὶ τὸ σὸν σπεύδουσʼ ἅμα καὶ τοὐμὸν αὐτῆς ἦλθον· εἰ δὲ μὴ καλῶς λέγω, σὺ νίκα· σοὶ γὰρ ἑψόμεσθʼ ἅμα.

Χορός φέρʼ εἰπέ, πότερον ὄντος Αἰγίσθου πέλας 310 λέγεις τάδʼ ἡμῖν ἢ βεβῶτος ἐκ δόμων;

Ἠλέκτρα ἦ κάρτα· μὴ δόκει μʼ ἄν, εἴπερ ἦν πέλας, θυραῖον οἰχνεῖν· νῦν δʼ ἀγροῖσι τυγχάνει.

Χορός ἦ κἂν ἐγὼ θαρσοῦσα μᾶλλον ἐς λόγους τοὺς σοὺς ἱκοίμην, εἴπερ ὧδε ταῦτʼ ἔχει; 315

Ἠλέκτρα ὡς νῦν ἀπόντος ἱστόρει· τί σοι φίλον;

Χορός καὶ δή σʼ ἐρωτῶ· τοῦ κασιγνήτου τί φής, ἥξοντος ἢ μέλλοντος; εἰδέναι θέλω.

Ἠλέκτρα φησίν γε· φάσκων δʼ οὐδὲν ὧν λέγει ποεῖ.

Χορός φιλεῖ γὰρ ὀκνεῖν πρᾶγμʼ ἀνὴρ πράσσων μέγα. 320

Ἠλέκτρα καὶ μὴν ἔγωγʼ ἔσωσʼ ἐκεῖνον οὐκ ὄκνῳ.

Χορός θάρσει· πέφυκεν ἐσθλός, ὥστʼ ἀρκεῖν φίλοις.

Ἠλέκτρα πέποιθʼ, ἐπεί τἂν οὐ μακρὰν ἔζων ἐγώ.

Χορός μηδὲν πρὸς ὀργήν, πρὸς θεῶν· ὡς τοῖς λόγοις ἔνεστιν ἀμφοῖν κέρδος, εἰ σὺ μὲν μάθοις 370 τοῖς τῆσδε χρῆσθαι, τοῖς δὲ σοῖς αὕτη πάλιν.

Ἠλέκτρα φέρʼ εἰπὲ δὴ τὸ δεινόν· εἰ γὰρ τῶνδέ μοι μεῖζόν τι λέξεις, οὐκ ἂν ἀντείποιμʼ ἔτι.

Ἠλέκτρα ἦ ταῦτα δή με καὶ βεβούλευνται ποεῖν; 385

Χρυσόθεμις μάλισθʼ· ὅταν περ οἴκαδʼ Αἴγισθος μόλῃ.

Ἠλέκτρα ἀλλʼ ἐξίκοιτο τοῦδέ γʼ οὕνεκʼ ἐν τάχει.

Χρυσόθεμις τίνʼ, ὦ τάλαινα, τόνδʼ ἐπηράσω λόγον;

Ἠλέκτρα ἐλθεῖν ἐκεῖνον, εἴ τι τῶνδε δρᾶν νοεῖ.

Χρυσόθεμις ὅπως πάθῃς τί χρῆμα; ποῦ ποτʼ εἶ φρενῶν; 390

Ἠλέκτρα ὅπως ἀφʼ ὑμῶν ὡς προσωτάτω φύγω.

Χρυσόθεμις βίου δὲ τοῦ παρόντος οὐ μνείαν ἔχεις;

Ἠλέκτρα καλὸς γὰρ οὑμὸς βίοτος ὥστε θαυμάσαι.

Χρυσόθεμις ἀλλʼ ἦν ἄν, εἰ σύ γʼ εὖ φρονεῖν ἠπίστασο.

Ἠλέκτρα μή μʼ ἐκδίδασκε τοῖς φίλοις εἶναι κακήν. 395

Χρυσόθεμις ἀλλʼ οὐ διδάσκω· τοῖς κρατοῦσι δʼ εἰκαθεῖν.

Ἠλέκτρα σὺ ταῦτα θώπευʼ· οὐκ ἐμοὺς τρόπους λέγεις.

Χρυσόθεμις καλόν γε μέντοι μὴ ʼξ ἀβουλίας πεσεῖν.

Ἠλέκτρα πεσούμεθʼ, εἰ χρή, πατρὶ τιμωρούμενοι.

Χρυσόθεμις πατὴρ δὲ τούτων, οἶδα, συγγνώμην ἔχει. 400

Ἠλέκτρα ταῦτʼ ἐστὶ τἄπη πρὸς κακῶν ἐπαινέσαι.

Χρυσόθεμις σὺ δʼ οὐχὶ πείσει καὶ συναινέσεις ἐμοί;

Ἠλέκτρα οὐ δῆτα· μή πω νοῦ τοσόνδʼ εἴην κενή.

Χρυσόθεμις χωρήσομαί τἄρʼ οἷπερ ἐστάλην ὁδοῦ.

Ἠλέκτρα ποῖ δʼ ἐμπορεύει; τῷ φέρεις τάδʼ ἔμπυρα; 405

Χρυσόθεμις μήτηρ με πέμπει πατρὶ τυμβεῦσαι χοάς.

Ἠλέκτρα πῶς εἶπας; ἦ τῷ δυσμενεστάτῳ βροτῶν;

Χρυσόθεμις ὃν ἔκτανʼ αὐτή· τοῦτο γὰρ λέξαι θέλεις.

Ἠλέκτρα ἐκ τοῦ φίλων πεισθεῖσα; τῷ τοῦτʼ ἤρεσεν;

Χρυσόθεμις ἐκ δείματός του νυκτέρου, δοκεῖν ἐμοί; 410

Ἠλέκτρα ὦ θεοὶ πατρῷοι, συγγένεσθέ γʼ ἀλλὰ νῦν.

Χρυσόθεμις ἔχεις τι θάρσος τοῦδε τοῦ τάρβους πέρι;

Ἠλέκτρα εἴ μοι λέγοις τὴν ὄψιν, εἴποιμʼ ἂν τότε.

Χρυσόθεμις ἀλλʼ οὐ κάτοιδα πλὴν ἐπὶ σμικρὸν φράσαι.

Ἠλέκτρα λέγʼ ἀλλὰ τοῦτο· πολλά τοι σμικροὶ λόγοι 415 ἔσφηλαν ἤδη καὶ κατώρθωσαν βροτούς.

Χορός πρὸς εὐσέβειαν ἡ κόρη λέγει· σὺ δέ, εἰ σωφρονήσεις, ὦ φίλη, δράσεις τάδε. 465

EL Who is this, brother? I beseech thee, tell.

Auf, sage, weilt Aegisthos hier, indeß du so Mir redest, oder ging er aus dem Hause fort?

Elektra. Ja freilich. Wär' er nahe, traun, ich würde nicht Hier außen umgeh'n! Nein, er ging auf's Feld hinaus. 305

Der Chor. So darf auch ich beherzter, darf mich freier wohl Mit dir ergeh'n in Reden, wenn es also steht.

Elektra. Sezt ist er ferne; frage denn, was dir beliebt.

Der Chor. Nun wohl, ich frage: was du mir vom Bruder sagst, Ob er zurückkehrt oder säumt, das wüßt' ich gern. 310

Elektra. Er sagt es, aber was er sagt, vollbringt er nicht.

Der Chor. Zu säumen liebt ja, wer ein großes Werk beginnt,

Elektra. Und ich gerettet hab' ich ihn und säume nicht.

Der Chor. Sei ruhig; edel denkt er, hilft den Seinen gern.

Elektra. Ich glaub' es; denn ich lebte sonst nicht lange mehr. 315

Der Chor. Nun rede mir nicht weiter: denn Chrysothemis Tritt aus dem Hause, seh' ich, die vom Vater und Der Mutter deine Schwester ist, in ihrer Hand Die Grabesopfer, wie man sie den Schatten weiht. Chrysothemis. Die Vorigen.

Elektra.

Electra Aye, and a dreadful sight it is to see. ^Gis. Thou art not wont to give me so much joy ;

Chorus I came, my child, mindful of your interests no less than my own. But if what I say is wrong, let your way prevail; for united we will follow you.

Chorus Tell me, is Aegisthus nearby as you speak these words to us, or has he left the house? 310

Electra He is gone, to be sure. Do not think that I would have come to the doors, if he were nearby. He happens now to be in the country.

Chorus Might I converse with you more boldly, if this is so? 315

Electra He is not here, so question me. What is it you want?

Chorus I ask you, then, what report can you give of your brother? Will he come soon, or is he delaying? I wish to know.

Electra He says he will come, but although he promises he never does what he says.

Chorus True, a man will hesitate on the verge of a great undertaking. 320

Electra And yet I saved him with no hesitation.

Chorus Take heart: he is noble enough to stand by his friends.

Electra I believe it; otherwise I would not have remained alive so long.

Chorus Say no more now, since I see your sister coming from the house, Chrysothemis, offspring of the same father and mother. In her hands are sepulchral offerings, such as are customary for those in the world below. 325

Chorus Away with anger, for the gods’ sake! There is advantage for both of you in what is urged, if you, Electra, would learn to implement her advice, and she, again, yours. 370

Chrysothemis For my part, friends, I am not at all unaccustomed to her insults, nor would I have mentioned this, if I had not heard that the greatest disaster is now rushing down on her, one which will restrain her from her long mourning. 375

Electra Come then, name this terror! If you can tell me of anything worse than my present condition, I would resist no more.

Electra Have they in fact decided to do this to me? 385

Chrysothemis They certainly have, as soon as Aegisthus comes home.

Electra
1442cont2

I know my duty: for by time my mind

Is taught obedience to the sovereign pow'rs.

Χορός

ἐγὼ μέν, ὦ παῖ, καὶ τὸ σὸν σπεύδουσʼ ἅμα

καὶ τοὐμὸν αὐτῆς ἦλθον· εἰ δὲ μὴ καλῶς

λέγω, σὺ νίκα· σοὶ γὰρ ἑψόμεσθʼ ἅμα.

Χορός

φέρʼ εἰπέ, πότερον ὄντος Αἰγίσθου πέλας
310

λέγεις τάδʼ ἡμῖν ἢ βεβῶτος ἐκ δόμων;

Ἠλέκτρα

ἦ κάρτα· μὴ δόκει μʼ ἄν, εἴπερ ἦν πέλας,

θυραῖον οἰχνεῖν· νῦν δʼ ἀγροῖσι τυγχάνει.

Χορός

ἦ κἂν ἐγὼ θαρσοῦσα μᾶλλον ἐς λόγους

τοὺς σοὺς ἱκοίμην, εἴπερ ὧδε ταῦτʼ ἔχει;
315

Ἠλέκτρα

ὡς νῦν ἀπόντος ἱστόρει· τί σοι φίλον;

Χορός

καὶ δή σʼ ἐρωτῶ· τοῦ κασιγνήτου τί φής,

ἥξοντος ἢ μέλλοντος; εἰδέναι θέλω.

Ἠλέκτρα

φησίν γε· φάσκων δʼ οὐδὲν ὧν λέγει ποεῖ.

Χορός

φιλεῖ γὰρ ὀκνεῖν πρᾶγμʼ ἀνὴρ πράσσων μέγα.
320

Ἠλέκτρα

καὶ μὴν ἔγωγʼ ἔσωσʼ ἐκεῖνον οὐκ ὄκνῳ.

Χορός

θάρσει· πέφυκεν ἐσθλός, ὥστʼ ἀρκεῖν φίλοις.

Ἠλέκτρα

πέποιθʼ, ἐπεί τἂν οὐ μακρὰν ἔζων ἐγώ.

Χορός

μηδὲν πρὸς ὀργήν, πρὸς θεῶν· ὡς τοῖς λόγοις

ἔνεστιν ἀμφοῖν κέρδος, εἰ σὺ μὲν μάθοις
370

τοῖς τῆσδε χρῆσθαι, τοῖς δὲ σοῖς αὕτη πάλιν.

Ἠλέκτρα

φέρʼ εἰπὲ δὴ τὸ δεινόν· εἰ γὰρ τῶνδέ μοι

μεῖζόν τι λέξεις, οὐκ ἂν ἀντείποιμʼ ἔτι.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἦ ταῦτα δή με καὶ βεβούλευνται ποεῖν;
385

Χρυσόθεμις

μάλισθʼ· ὅταν περ οἴκαδʼ Αἴγισθος μόλῃ.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἀλλʼ ἐξίκοιτο τοῦδέ γʼ οὕνεκʼ ἐν τάχει.

Χρυσόθεμις

τίνʼ, ὦ τάλαινα, τόνδʼ ἐπηράσω λόγον;

Ἠλέκτρα

ἐλθεῖν ἐκεῖνον, εἴ τι τῶνδε δρᾶν νοεῖ.

Χρυσόθεμις

ὅπως πάθῃς τί χρῆμα; ποῦ ποτʼ εἶ φρενῶν;
390

Ἠλέκτρα

ὅπως ἀφʼ ὑμῶν ὡς προσωτάτω φύγω.

Χρυσόθεμις

βίου δὲ τοῦ παρόντος οὐ μνείαν ἔχεις;

Ἠλέκτρα

καλὸς γὰρ οὑμὸς βίοτος ὥστε θαυμάσαι.

Χρυσόθεμις

ἀλλʼ ἦν ἄν, εἰ σύ γʼ εὖ φρονεῖν ἠπίστασο.

Ἠλέκτρα

μή μʼ ἐκδίδασκε τοῖς φίλοις εἶναι κακήν.
395

Χρυσόθεμις

ἀλλʼ οὐ διδάσκω· τοῖς κρατοῦσι δʼ εἰκαθεῖν.

Ἠλέκτρα

σὺ ταῦτα θώπευʼ· οὐκ ἐμοὺς τρόπους λέγεις.

Χρυσόθεμις

καλόν γε μέντοι μὴ ʼξ ἀβουλίας πεσεῖν.

Ἠλέκτρα

πεσούμεθʼ, εἰ χρή, πατρὶ τιμωρούμενοι.

Χρυσόθεμις

πατὴρ δὲ τούτων, οἶδα, συγγνώμην ἔχει.
400

Ἠλέκτρα

ταῦτʼ ἐστὶ τἄπη πρὸς κακῶν ἐπαινέσαι.

Χρυσόθεμις

σὺ δʼ οὐχὶ πείσει καὶ συναινέσεις ἐμοί;

Ἠλέκτρα

οὐ δῆτα· μή πω νοῦ τοσόνδʼ εἴην κενή.

Χρυσόθεμις

χωρήσομαί τἄρʼ οἷπερ ἐστάλην ὁδοῦ.

Ἠλέκτρα

ποῖ δʼ ἐμπορεύει; τῷ φέρεις τάδʼ ἔμπυρα;
405

Χρυσόθεμις

μήτηρ με πέμπει πατρὶ τυμβεῦσαι χοάς.

Ἠλέκτρα

πῶς εἶπας; ἦ τῷ δυσμενεστάτῳ βροτῶν;

Χρυσόθεμις

ὃν ἔκτανʼ αὐτή· τοῦτο γὰρ λέξαι θέλεις.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἐκ τοῦ φίλων πεισθεῖσα; τῷ τοῦτʼ ἤρεσεν;

Χρυσόθεμις

ἐκ δείματός του νυκτέρου, δοκεῖν ἐμοί;
410

Ἠλέκτρα

ὦ θεοὶ πατρῷοι, συγγένεσθέ γʼ ἀλλὰ νῦν.

Χρυσόθεμις

ἔχεις τι θάρσος τοῦδε τοῦ τάρβους πέρι;

Ἠλέκτρα

εἴ μοι λέγοις τὴν ὄψιν, εἴποιμʼ ἂν τότε.

Χρυσόθεμις

ἀλλʼ οὐ κάτοιδα πλὴν ἐπὶ σμικρὸν φράσαι.

Ἠλέκτρα

λέγʼ ἀλλὰ τοῦτο· πολλά τοι σμικροὶ λόγοι
415

ἔσφηλαν ἤδη καὶ κατώρθωσαν βροτούς.

Χορός

πρὸς εὐσέβειαν ἡ κόρη λέγει· σὺ δέ,

εἰ σωφρονήσεις, ὦ φίλη, δράσεις τάδε.
465

EL

Who is this, brother? I beseech thee, tell.

Auf, sage, weilt Aegisthos hier, indeß du so

Mir redest, oder ging er aus dem Hause fort?

Elektra.

Ja freilich. Wär' er nahe, traun, ich würde nicht

Hier außen umgeh'n! Nein, er ging auf's Feld hinaus.
305

Der Chor.

So darf auch ich beherzter, darf mich freier wohl

Mit dir ergeh'n in Reden, wenn es also steht.

Elektra.

Sezt ist er ferne; frage denn, was dir beliebt.

Der Chor.

Nun wohl, ich frage: was du mir vom Bruder sagst,

Ob er zurückkehrt oder säumt, das wüßt' ich gern.
310

Elektra.

Er sagt es, aber was er sagt, vollbringt er nicht.

Der Chor.

Zu säumen liebt ja, wer ein großes Werk beginnt,

Elektra.

Und ich gerettet hab' ich ihn und säume nicht.

Der Chor.

Sei ruhig; edel denkt er, hilft den Seinen gern.

Elektra.

Ich glaub' es; denn ich lebte sonst nicht lange mehr.
315

Der Chor.

Nun rede mir nicht weiter: denn Chrysothemis

Tritt aus dem Hause, seh' ich, die vom Vater und

Der Mutter deine Schwester ist, in ihrer Hand

Die Grabesopfer, wie man sie den Schatten weiht.

Chrysothemis. Die Vorigen.

Electra

Aye, and a dreadful sight it is to see.

^Gis. Thou art not wont to give me so much joy ;

Chorus

I came, my child, mindful of your interests no less than my own. But if what I say is wrong, let your way prevail; for united we will follow you.

Chorus

Tell me, is Aegisthus nearby as you speak these words to us, or has he left the house?
310

Electra

He is gone, to be sure. Do not think that I would have come to the doors, if he were nearby. He happens now to be in the country.

Chorus

Might I converse with you

more boldly, if this is so?
315

Electra

He is not here, so question me. What is it you want?

Chorus

I ask you, then, what report can you give of your brother? Will he come soon, or is he delaying? I wish to know.

Electra

He says he will come, but although he promises he never does what he says.

Chorus

True, a man will hesitate on the verge of a great undertaking.
320

Electra

And yet I saved him with no hesitation.

Chorus

Take heart: he is noble enough to stand by his friends.

Electra

I believe it; otherwise I would not have remained alive so long.

Chorus

Say no more now, since I see your sister

coming from the house, Chrysothemis, offspring of the same father and mother. In her hands are sepulchral offerings, such as are customary for those in the world below.
325

Chorus

Away with anger, for the gods’ sake! There is

advantage for both of you in what is urged, if you, Electra, would learn to implement her advice, and she, again, yours.
370

Chrysothemis

For my part, friends, I am not at all unaccustomed to her insults, nor would I have mentioned this, if I had not heard that the greatest disaster is now rushing down on her,

one which will restrain her from her long mourning.
375

Electra

Come then, name this terror! If you can tell me of anything worse than my present condition, I would resist no more.

Electra

Have they in fact decided to do this to me?
385

Chrysothemis

They certainly have, as soon as Aegisthus comes home.

Electra

Then for this, may he arrive quickly!

Chrysothemis

Troubled girl, what curse are you laying on yourself?

Electra

That he may come, if he plans to do any of what you said.

Chrysothemis

So that you may suffer? In what way? Where are your wits?
390