The stranger seems to be working mischief. But I see the nurse of Orestes coming hither, in tears. On what errand Cilissa, art thou treading the outlet
1
of the palace? and no hireling sorrow is it that accompanies thee on thy way.
NURSE
My mistress bade me call Ægisthus with all speed for the strangers
2
, that having come, man may learn more clearly from man the tidings just reported. Before the domestics, indeed, she suppressed her laughter within her scowling eyes, concealing it over deeds that have been done well for her, but for this house all unhappily, in consequence of the tale which the strangers clearly reported. Verily he, when he hears it, will rejoice in his mind, when he shall have learned the news. Alas, wretch that I am! how did the ancient blended sorrows, hard to be endured, that happened to this mansion of Atreus, afflict with anguish my heart within my bosom! But never yet did I undergo any suffering such as this. For the rest of my calamities I bore through with patience; but my dear Orestes, the care of my soul, whom I reared up, having received him from the moment of his birth
3
and from his arousing cries, disturbing me by night many fruitless toils have been endured by me in vain. For [the infant] that has no sense one must needs rear just as if it were an animal, for how can it be otherwise? according to his humour; for a child while yet in swaddling-clothes speaks not, whether hunger, or thirst, or a call of nature beset him; and the belly of an infant works its own relief. I, fore-warned of these things, but in many cases deceived, I ween, was a washer of the baby's wrappings; the fuller and the nurse had one and the same office
1
. And I having this twofold manual occupation, I received Orestes from his father
2
. But now I wretched hear of his having died. And I am going to a man that hath done foul wrong to this house; and willingly will he hear these tidings.
My mistress bade me call Ægisthus with all speed for the strangers
2
, that having come, man may learn more clearly from man the tidings just reported. Before the domestics, indeed, she suppressed her laughter within her scowling eyes, concealing it over deeds that have been done well for her, but for this house all unhappily, in consequence of the tale which the strangers clearly reported. Verily he, when he hears it, will rejoice in his mind, when he shall have learned the news. Alas, wretch that I am! how did the ancient blended sorrows, hard to be endured, that happened to this mansion of Atreus, afflict with anguish my heart within my bosom! But never yet did I undergo any suffering such as this. For the rest of my calamities I bore through with patience; but my dear Orestes, the care of my soul, whom I reared up, having received him from the moment of his birth
3
and from his arousing cries, disturbing me by night many fruitless toils have been endured by me in vain. For [the infant] that has no sense one must needs rear just as if it were an animal, for how can it be otherwise? according to his humour; for a child while yet in swaddling-clothes speaks not, whether hunger, or thirst, or a call of nature beset him; and the belly of an infant works its own relief. I, fore-warned of these things, but in many cases deceived, I ween, was a washer of the baby's wrappings; the fuller and the nurse had one and the same office
1
. And I having this twofold manual occupation, I received Orestes from his father
2
. But now I wretched hear of his having died. And I am going to a man that hath done foul wrong to this house; and willingly will he hear these tidings.
CHORUS
Libation Bearers. Aeschylus. Theodore Alois Buckley (Translator). London. 1849.
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