Aeschylus, Libation Bearers, ed. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 332

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ΗΛ.

κλῦθί νυν, ὦ πάτερ, ἐν μέρει πολυδάκρυτα πένθη.

δίπαις τοί σ᾽ ἐπιτύμβιος θρῆνος ἀναστενάζει.

τάφος δ᾽ ἱκέτας δέδεκται φυγάδας θ᾽ ὁμοίως.

τί τῶνδ᾽ εὖ, τί δ᾽ ἄτερ κακῶν; οὐκ ἀτρίακτος ἄτα; =
335

Libation Bearers. Aeschylus. ed. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff. Berolini. 1914.

Current edition Experimental

Aeschyli Choephori (OCR draft) (Greek) (Aeschyli Choephori. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.)

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (7)

Χοηφóρoι First1KGreek (Aeschyli Tragoediae. Sidgwick, Arthur, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 315-478 focus

str. 1

Ὀρέστης¹

ὦ πάτερ αἰνόπατες,² τί σοι
315

φάμενος ἢ τί ῥέξας

τύχοιμ᾽ ἂν ἕκαθεν³ οὐρίσας,

ἔνθα σ᾽ ἔχουσιν εὐναί;

σκότῳ φάος ἀντίμοι-

ρον;⁴ χάριτες δ᾽ ὁμοίως
320

κέκληνται γόος εὐκλεὴς

προσθοδόμοις Ἀτρείδαις.

323

str. 2

Χορός⁵

τέκνον, φρόνημα τοῦ

θανόντος οὐ δαμάζει

πυρὸς [ἡ⁶] μαλερὰ γνάθος,
325

φαίνει δ᾽ ὕστερον ὀργάς:

ὀτοτύζεται δ᾽ ὁ θνῄσκων,

ἀναφαίνεται δ᾽ ὁ βλάπτων.

πατέρων τε καὶ τεκόντων

γόος ἔνδικος ματεύει
330

τἄποιν᾽⁷ ἀμφιλαφὴς ταραχθείς.

332

ant. 1

Ἠλέκτρα

κλῦθὶ νυν, ὦ πάτερ, ἐν μέρει

πολυδάκρυτα πένθη.

δίπαις τοί σ᾽⁸ ἐπιτύμβιος⁹

θρῆνος ἀναστενάζει.
335

τάφος δ᾽ ἱκέτας δέδεκται

φυγάδας θ᾽ ὁμοίως.

τί τῶνδ᾽ εὖ, τί δ᾽ ἄτερ κακῶν;

οὐκ ἀτρίακτος ἄτα;

340

Χορός

ἀλλ᾽ ἔτ᾽ ἂν ἐκ τῶνδε θεὸς χρῄζων
340

θείη¹⁰ κελάδους εὐφθογγοτέρους:

ἀντὶ δὲ θρήνων ἐπιτυμβιδίων

παιὰν¹¹ μελάθροις ἐν βασιλείοις

νεοκρᾶτα φίλον κομίσειεν.¹²

345

str. 3

Ὀρέστης

εἰ γὰρ ὑπ᾽ Ἰλίῳ
345

πρός τινος Λυκίων, πάτερ,

δορίτμητος κατηναρίσθης,¹³

λιπὼν ἂν εὔκλειαν ἐν δόμοισι

τέκνων τ᾽ ἐν¹⁴ κελεύθοις

ἐπιστρεπτὸν αἰῶ¹⁵
350

κτίσας πολύχωστον ἂν εἶχες

τάφον διαποντίου γᾶς¹⁶

δώμασιν εὐφόρητον.

354

ant. 2

Χορός

φίλος φίλοισι τοῖς

ἐκεῖ καλῶς θανοῦσιν
355

κατὰ χθονὸς ἐμπρέπων

σεμνότιμος ἀνάκτωρ,

πρόπολός τε τῶν μεγίστων

χθονίων ἐκεῖ τυράννων:

βασιλεὺς γὰρ ἦν,¹⁷ ὄφρ᾽ ἔζης,¹⁸
360

μόριμον λάχος πιπλάντων¹⁹

χειροῖν²⁰ πεισιβρότοῳ τε βάκτρῳ.²¹

363

ant. 3

Ἠλέκτρα

μηδ᾽ ὑπὸ Τρωίας

τείχεσι φθίμενος, πάτερ,

μετ᾽ ἄλλῳ²² δουρικμῆτι λαῷ
365

παρὰ Σκαμάνδρου πόρον τεθάφθαι.²³

πάρος δ᾽ οἱ κτανόντες

νιν οὕτως δαμῆναι

<φίλοις²⁴>, θανατηφόρον αἶσαν

πρόσω²⁵ τινὰ πυνθάνεσθαι
370

τῶνδε πόνων ἄπειρον.

372

Χορός²⁶

ταῦτα μέν, ὦ παῖ, κρείσσονα χρυσοῦ,

μεγάλης δὲ τύχης καὶ ὑπερβορέου

μείζονα φωνεῖς: δύνασαι²⁷ γάρ.

ἀλλὰ διπλῆς γὰρ τῆσδε μαράγνης²⁸
375

δοῦπος ἱκνεῖται: τῶν μὲν ἀρωγοὶ

κατὰ γῆς ἤδη, τῶν δὲ κρατούντων

χέρες οὐχ ὅσιαι στυγερῶν τούτων,

†πᾶσι δὲ μᾶλλον γεγένηται.²⁹

380

str. 4

Ὀρέστης

τοῦτο διαμπερὲς οὖς³⁰
380

ἵκεθ᾽³¹ ἅπερ τι³² βέλος.

Ζεῦ Ζεῦ, κάτωθεν ἀμπέμπων

ὑστερόποινον ἄταν

βροτῶν τλάμονι καὶ πανούργῳ

χειρί, τοκεῦσι δ᾽ ὅμως τελεῖται.
385
386

str. 5

Χορός

ἐφυμνῆσαι γένοιτό μοι πυκά-

εντ᾽³³ ὀλολυγμὸν ἀνδρὸς

θεινομένου, γυναικός τ᾽

ὀλλυμένας: τί γὰρ κεύθω φρενὸς οἷον³⁴ ἔμπας

ποτᾶται; πάροιθεν δὲ πρῴρας
390

δριμὺς ἄηται κραδίας³⁵

θυμὸς ἔγκοτον στύγος.

394

ant. 4

Ὀρέστησ???³⁶

καὶ πότ᾽³⁷ ἂν ἀμφιθαλὴς

Ζεὺς ἐπὶ χεῖρα βάλοι,
395

φεῦ φεῦ, κάρανα δαΐξας;

πιστὰ γένοιτο χώρᾳ.

δίκαν δ᾽ ἐξ ἀδίκων ἀπαιτῶ.

κλῦτε δὲ Γᾶ χθονίων τε τιμαί.³⁸

400

Χορός

ἀλλὰ νόμος³⁹ μὲν φονίας σταγόνας
400

χυμένας ἐς πέδον ἄλλο προσαιτεῖν

αἷμα. βοᾷ γὰρ λοιγὸς Ἐρινὺν⁴⁰

παρὰ τῶν πρότερον⁴¹ φθιμένων ἄτην

ἑτέραν ἐπάγουσαν ἐπ᾽ ἄτῃ.

405

str. 6

Ἠλέκτρα???

πόποι δᾶ⁴² νερτέρων τυραννίδες <τ᾽>,⁴³
405

ἴδετε πολυκρατεῖς Ἀραὶ τεθυμένων,⁴⁴

ἴδεσθ᾽ Ἀτρειδᾶν τὰ λοίπ᾽ ἀμηχάνως

ἔχοντα καὶ δωμάτων

ἄτιμα. πᾷ τις τράποιτ᾽ ἄν,⁴⁵ ὦ Ζεῦ;

410

ant. 5

Χορός⁴⁶

πέπαλται⁴⁷ δ᾽ αὖτέ μοι φίλον κέαρ
410

τόνδε κλύουσαν οἶκτον.

καὶ τότε μὲν δύσελπις,

σπλάγχνα δέ μοι⁴⁸ κελαινοῦ-

ται πρὸς ἔπος κλυούσᾳ.

ὅταν δ᾽ αὖτ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἀλκῆς ἐπάρῃ <μ᾽
415

ἐλπίς,> ἀπέστασεν ἄχος

προσφανεῖσά⁴⁹ μοι καλῶς.

418

ant. 6

Ὀρέστησ???⁵⁰

τί δ᾽ ἂν φάντες⁵¹ τύχοιμεν; ἢ⁵² τάπερ

πάθομεν ἄχεα⁵³ πρός γε τῶν τεκομένων;

πάρεστι σαίνειν, τὰ δ᾽ οὔτι θέλγεται.
420

λύκος γὰρ ὥστ᾽ ὠμόφρων

ἄσαντος ἐκ ματρός ἐστι θυμός.

423

str. 7

Χορός

ἔκοψα κομμὸν Ἄριον ἔν τε Κισσίας⁵⁴

νόμοις ἰηλεμιστρίας,⁵⁵

ἀπριγδόπληκτα πολυπλάνητα⁵⁶ δ᾽ ἦν⁵⁷ ἰδεῖν
425

ἐπασσυτεροτριβῆ τὰ χερὸς ὀρέγματα

ἄνωθεν ἀνέκαθεν, κτύπῳ δ᾽ ἐπερρόθει

κροτητὸν ἀμὸν καὶ πανάθλιον κάρα.

429

str. 8

Ἠλέκτρα

ἰὼ⁵⁸ δαΐα

πάντολμε μᾶτερ, δαΐαις ἐν ἐκφοραῖς
430

ἄνευ πολιτᾶν ἄνακτ᾽,

ἄνευ δὲ πενθημάτων

ἔτλας ἀνοίμωκτον ἄνδρα θάψαι.

434

str. 9

Ὀρέστης⁵⁹

ταφὰς ἀτίμους⁶⁰ ἔλεξας, οἴμοι.

πατρὸς δ᾽ ἀτίμωσιν ἆρα⁶¹ τείσει
435

ἕκατι μὲν δαιμόνων,

ἕκατι δ᾽ ἀμᾶν χερῶν.

ἔπειτ᾽ ἐγὼ νοσφίσας ὀλοίμαν.⁶²

439

ant. 9

Χορός⁶³

ἐμασχαλίσθη⁶⁴ δέ γ᾽, ὡς τόδ᾽ εἰδῇς,⁶⁵

ἔπρασσε δ᾽ ᾇπέρ⁶⁶ νιν ὧδε θάπτει,
440

μόρον κτίσαι⁶⁷ μωμένα

ἄφερτον⁶⁸ αἰῶνι σῷ.

κλύεις⁶⁹ πατρῴους δύας ἀτίμους.⁷⁰

445

ant. 7

Ἠλέκτρα⁷¹

λέγεις πατρῷον μόρον: ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἀπεστάτουν
445

ἄτιμος, οὐδὲν ἀξία.

μυχῷ⁷² δ᾽ ἄφερκτος πολυσινοῦς κυνὸς δίκαν

ἑτοιμότερα γέλωτος ἀνέφερον λίβη,

χέουσα⁷³ πολύδακρυν γόον κεκρυμμένα.

τοιαῦτ᾽ ἀκούων ἐν φρεσὶν γράφου, <πάτερ.⁷⁴ >
450
451

ant. 8

Χορός⁷⁵

δι᾽ ὤτων δὲ συν-

τέτραινε μῦθον ἡσύχῳ φρενῶν⁷⁶ βάσει.

τὰ μὲν γὰρ οὕτως ἔχει,

τὰ δ᾽ αὐτὸς ὄργα⁷⁷ μαθεῖν.

πρέπει δ᾽ ἀκάμπτῳ μένει καθήκειν.
455
456

str. 10

Ὀρέστης

σὲ τοι λέγω, ξυγγενοῦ, πάτερ, φίλοις.⁷⁸

Ἠλέκτρα

ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἐπιφθέγγομαι κεκλαυμένα.

Χορός

στάσις δὲ πάγκοινος ἅδ᾽ ἐπιρροθεῖ:

ἄκουσον ἐς φάος μολών,

ξὺν δὲ γενοῦ πρὸς ἐχθρούς.
460
461

ant. 10

Ὀρέστης

Ἄρης Ἄρει ξυμβαλεῖ,⁷⁹ Δίκᾳ Δίκα.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἰὼ θεοί, κραίνετ᾽ ἐνδίκως <δίκας⁸⁰>.

Χορός

τρόμος μ᾽ ὑφέρπει κλύουσαν εὐγμάτων.

τὸ μόρσιμον μένει πάλαι,

εὐχομένοις δ᾽ ἂν ἔλθοι.
465
466

str. 11

Χορός

ὦ⁸¹ πόνος ἐγγενὴς

καὶ παράμουσος Ἄτας⁸²

αἱματόεσσα πλαγά.

ἰὼ δύστον᾽ ἄφερτα κήδη:

ἰὼ δυσκατάπαυστον ἄλγος.
470
471

ant. 11

Χορός

δώμασιν ἔμμοτον

τῶνδ᾽ ἄκος,⁸³ οὐδ᾽ ἀπ᾽ ἄλλων

ἔκτοθεν, ἀλλ᾽ ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν,

διώκειν ἔριν⁸⁴ αἱματηράν.

θεῶν <τῶν⁸⁵> κατὰ γᾶς ὅδ᾽ ὕμνος.
475
476

Χορός

ἀλλὰ κλύοντες, μάκαρες χθόνιοι,

τῆσδε κατευχῆς πέμπετ᾽ ἀρωγὴν

παισὶν προφρόνως ἐπὶ νίκῃ.⁸⁶⁸⁷

479

Χοηφóρoι Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 2. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1926.) — 315-478 focus

Ὀρέστης

ὦ πάτερ αἰνόπατερ, τί σοι
315

φάμενος ἢ τί ῥέξας

τύχοιμʼ ἂν ἕκαθεν οὐρίσας,

ἔνθα σʼ ἔχουσιν εὐναί,

σκότῳ φάος ἀντίμοι-

ρον; χάριτες δʼ ὁμοίως
320

κέκληνται γόος εὐκλεὴς

προσθοδόμοις Ἀτρείδαις.

323

Χορός

τέκνον, φρόνημα τοῦ

θανόντος οὐ δαμάζει

πυρὸς ἡ μαλερὰ γνάθος,
325

φαίνει δʼ ὕστερον ὀργάς·

ὀτοτύζεται δʼ ὁ θνῄσκων,

ἀναφαίνεται δʼ ὁ βλάπτων.

πατέρων τε καὶ τεκόντων

γόος ἔνδικος ματεύει
330

τὸ πᾶν ἀμφιλαφής ταραχθείς.

332

Ἠλέκτρα

κλῦθὶ νυν, ὦ πάτερ, ἐν μέρει

πολυδάκρυτα πένθη.

δίπαις τοί σʼ ἐπιτύμβιος

θρῆνος ἀναστενάζει.
335

τάφος δʼ ἱκέτας δέδεκται

φυγάδας θʼ ὁμοίως.

τί τῶνδʼ εὖ, τί δʼ ἄτερ κακῶν;

οὐκ ἀτρίακτος ἄτα;

340

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ἔτʼ ἂν ἐκ τῶνδε θεὸς χρῄζων
340

θείη κελάδους εὐφθογγοτέρους·

ἀντὶ δὲ θρήνων ἐπιτυμβιδίων

παιὰν μελάθροις ἐν βασιλείοις

νεοκρᾶτα φίλον κομίσειεν.

345

Ὀρέστης

εἰ γὰρ ὑπʼ Ἰλίῳ
345

πρός τινος Λυκίων, πάτερ,

δορίτμητος κατηναρίσθης·

λιπὼν ἂν εὔκλειαν ἐν δόμοισι

τέκνων τʼ ἐν κελεύθοις

ἐπιστρεπτὸν αἰῶ
350

κτίσας πολύχωστον ἂν εἶχες

τάφον διαποντίου γᾶς

δώμασιν εὐφόρητον,

354

Χορός

φίλος φίλοισι τοῖς

ἐκεῖ καλῶς θανοῦσιν
355

κατὰ χθονὸς ἐμπρέπων

σεμνότιμος ἀνάκτωρ,

πρόπολός τε τῶν μεγίστων

χθονίων ἐκεῖ τυράννων·

βασιλεὺς γὰρ ἦσθʼ, ὄφρʼ ἔζης,
360

μόριμον λάχος πιπλάντων

χεροῖν πεισίβροτόν τε βάκτρον.

363

Ἠλέκτρα

μηδʼ ὑπὸ Τρωίας

τείχεσι φθίμενος, πάτερ,

μετʼ ἄλλῳ δουρικμῆτι λαῷ
365

παρὰ Σκαμάνδρου πόρον τεθάφθαι.

πάρος δʼ οἱ κτανόντες

νιν οὕτως δαμῆναι

φίλοις, θανατηφόρον αἶσαν

πρόσω τινὰ πυνθάνεσθαι
370

τῶνδε πόνων ἄπειρον.

372

Χορός

ταῦτα μέν, ὦ παῖ, κρείσσονα χρυσοῦ,

μεγάλης δὲ τύχης καὶ ὑπερβορέου

μείζονα φωνεῖς· δύνασαι γάρ.

ἀλλὰ διπλῆς γὰρ τῆσδε μαράγνης
375

δοῦπος ἱκνεῖται· τῶν μὲν ἀρωγοὶ

κατὰ γῆς ἤδη, τῶν δὲ κρατούντων

χέρες οὐχ ὅσιαι στυγερῶν τούτων·

παισὶ δὲ μᾶλλον γεγένηται.

380

Ὀρέστης

τοῦτο διαμπερὲς οὖς
380

ἵκεθʼ ἅπερ τι βέλος.

Ζεῦ Ζεῦ, κάτωθεν ἀμπέμπων

ὑστερόποινον ἄταν

βροτῶν τλάμονι καὶ πανούργῳ

χειρὶ—τοκεῦσι δʼ ὅμως τελεῖται.
385

386

Χορός

ἐφυμνῆσαι γένοιτό μοι πυκά-

εντʼ ὀλολυγμὸν ἀνδρὸς

θεινομένου, γυναικός τʼ

ὀλλυμένας· τί γὰρ κεύθω φρενὸς οἷον ἔμπας

ποτᾶται; πάροιθεν δὲ πρῴρας
390

δριμὺς ἄηται κραδίας

θυμὸς ἔγκοτον στύγος.

394

Ἠλέκτρα

καί πότʼ ἂν ἀμφιθαλὴς

Ζεὺς ἐπὶ χεῖρα βάλοι,
395

φεῦ φεῦ, κάρανα δαΐξας;

πιστὰ γένοιτο χώρᾳ.

δίκαν δʼ ἐξ ἀδίκων ἀπαιτῶ.

κλῦτε δὲ Γᾶ χθονίων τε τιμαί.

400

Χορός

ἀλλὰ νόμος μὲν φονίας σταγόνας
400

χυμένας ἐς πέδον ἄλλο προσαιτεῖν

αἷμα. βοᾷ γὰρ λοιγὸς Ἐρινὺν

παρὰ τῶν πρότερον φθιμένων ἄτην

ἑτέραν ἐπάγουσαν ἐπʼ ἄτῃ.

405

Ὀρέστης

πόποι δὴ νερτέρων τυραννίδες,
405

ἴδετε πολυκρατεῖς Ἀραὶ φθινομένων,

ἴδεσθʼ Ἀτρειδᾶν τὰ λοίπʼ ἀμηχάνως

ἔχοντα καὶ δωμάτων

ἄτιμα. πᾷ τις τράποιτʼ ἄν, ὦ Ζεῦ;

410

Χορός

πέπαλται δαὖτὲ μοι φίλον κέαρ
410

τόνδε κλύουσαν οἶκτον

καὶ τότε μὲν δύσελπις,

σπλάγχνα δέ μοι κελαινοῦ-

ται πρὸς ἔπος κλυούσᾳ.

ὅταν δʼ αὖτʼ ἐπʼ ἀλκῆς ἐπάρῃ μʼ
415

ἐλπὶς, ἀπέστασεν ἄχος

προσφανεῖσά μοι καλῶς.

418

Ἠλέκτρα

τί δʼ ἂν φάντες τύχοιμεν ἢ τά περ

πάθομεν ἄχεα πρός γε τῶν τεκομένων;

πάρεστι σαίνειν, τὰ δʼ οὔτι θέλγεται.
420

λύκος γὰρ ὥστʼ ὠμόφρων

ἄσαντος ἐκ ματρός ἐστι θυμός.

423

Χορός

ἔκοψα κομμὸν Ἄριον ἔν τε Κισσίας

νόμοις ἰηλεμιστρίας,

ἀπριγδόπληκτα πολυπλάνητα δʼ ἦν ἰδεῖν
425

ἐπασσυτεροτριβῆ τὰ χερὸς ὀρέγματα

ἄνωθεν ἀνέκαθεν, κτύπῳ δʼ ἐπερρόθει

κροτητὸν ἀμὸν καὶ πανάθλιον κάρα.

429

Ἠλέκτρα

ἰὼ ἰὼ δαΐα

πάντολμε μᾶτερ, δαΐαις ἐν ἐκφοραῖς
430

ἄνευ πολιτᾶν ἄνακτʼ,

ἄνευ δὲ πενθημάτων

ἔτλας ἀνοίμωκτον ἄνδρα θάψαι.

434

Ὀρέστης

τὸ πᾶν ἀτίμως ἔλεξας, οἴμοι.

πατρὸς δʼ ἀτίμωσιν ἆρα τείσει
435

ἕκατι μὲν δαιμόνων,

ἕκατι δʼ ἀμᾶν χερῶν;

ἔπειτʼ ἐγὼ νοσφίσας ὀλοίμαν.

439

Χορός

ἐμασχαλίσθη δέ γʼ, ὡς τόδʼ εἰδῇς·

ἔπρασσε δʼ, ᾇπέρ νιν ὧδε θάπτει,
440

μόρον κτίσαι μωμένα

ἄφερτον αἰῶνι σῷ.

κλύεις πατρῴους δύας ἀτίμους.

445

Ἠλέκτρα

λέγεις πατρῷον μόρον· ἐγὼ δʼ ἀπεστάτουν
445

ἄτιμος, οὐδὲν ἀξία·

μυχῷ δʼ ἄφερκτος πολυσινοῦς κυνὸς δίκαν

ἑτοιμότερα γέλωτος ἀνέφερον λίβη,

χέουσα πολύδακρυν γόον κεκρυμμένα.

τοιαῦτʼ ἀκούων ἐν φρεσὶν γράφου ˘ ¯.
450

451

Χορός

διʼ ὤτων δὲ συν-

τέτραινε μῦθον ἡσύχῳ φρενῶν βάσει.

τὰ μὲν γὰρ οὕτως ἔχει,

τὰ δʼ αὐτὸς ὄργα μαθεῖν.

πρέπει δʼ ἀκάμπτῳ μένει καθήκειν.
455

456

Ὀρέστης

σὲ τοι λέγω, ξυγγενοῦ, πάτερ, φίλοις.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἐγὼ δʼ ἐπιφθέγγομαι κεκλαυμένα.

Χορός

στάσις δὲ πάγκοινος ἅδʼ ἐπιρροθεῖ·

ἄκουσον ἐς φάος μολών,

ξὺν δὲ γενοῦ πρὸς ἐχθρούς.
460

461

Ὀρέστης

Ἄρης Ἄρει ξυμβαλεῖ, Δίκᾳ Δίκα.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἰὼ θεοί, κραίνετʼ ἐνδίκως δίκας.

Χορός

τρόμος μʼ ὑφέρπει κλύουσαν εὐγμάτων.

τὸ μόρσιμον μένει πάλαι,

εὐχομένοις δʼ ἂν ἔλθοι.
465

466

Χορός

ὦ πόνος ἐγγενὴς

καὶ παράμουσος Ἄτας

αἱματόεσσα πλαγά.

ἰὼ δύστονʼ ἄφερτα κήδη·

ἰὼ δυσκατάπαυστον ἄλγος.
470

471

Χορός

δώμασιν ἔμμοτον

τῶνδʼ ἄκος, οὐδʼ ἀπʼ ἄλλων

ἔκτοθεν, ἀλλʼ ἀπʼ αὐτῶν,

διʼ ὠμὰν ἔριν αἱματηράν.

θεῶν τῶν κατὰ γᾶς ὅδʼ ὕμνος.
475

476

Χορός

ἀλλὰ κλύοντες, μάκαρες χθόνιοι,

τῆσδε κατευχῆς πέμπετʼ ἀρωγὴν

παισὶν προφρόνως ἐπὶ νίκῃ.

Χοηφόροι (OCR draft) Experimental (Χοηφόροι. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 332 focus

ΗΛ.

κλῦθί νυν, ὦ πάτερ, ἐν μέρει πολυδάκρυτα

πένθη.

δίπαις τοί σ᾽ ἐπιτύμβιος θρῆνος ἀναστενάζει.
335

τάφος δ᾽ ἱκέτας δέδεκται

φυγάδας θ᾽ ὁμοίως.

τί τῶνδ᾽ εὖ, τί δ᾽ ἄτερ κακῶν; οὐκ ἀτρίακτος

ἄτα;

Χοηφόροι (OCR draft) Experimental (Χοηφόροι. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 332 focus

Ἠλέκτρα
ἀντ. α'.

κλῦθι νυν, ὦ πάτερ, ἐν μέρει

πολυδάκρυτα πένθη.

δίπαις δέ σ' ὅδ᾽ ἐπιτύμβιος
330

θρῆνος ἀναστενάζει.

τάφος δ᾽ ἱκέτας δέδεκται

φυγάδας θ' ὁμοίως.

τί τῶνδ᾽ εὖ; τί δ᾽ ἄτερ κακῶν;

οὐκ ἀτρίακτος ἄτα;
335

ΧΟΗΦΟΡΟΙ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΧΟΗΦΟΡΟΙ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 332 focus

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ
¹

Κλῦθί νυν νῦν, ὦ πάτερ, ἐν μέρει
330
Ant. 1.

πολυδάκρυτα πένθη·

δίπαις τοί σ' τοῖς ἐπιτύμβιος ἐπιτυμβιδίοις

θρῆνος ἀναστενάζει -άξει·

²

τάφος δ' ἱκέτας δέδε-

κται φυγάδας θ' ὁμοίως·
335

τί τῶνδ' εὖ, τί δ' ἄτερ κακῶν ;

οὐκ ἀτρίακτος ἄτα ;

Χοηφόροι (OCR draft) Experimental (Χοηφόροι. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 332 focus

κλυθί νυν, ὦ πάτερ, ἐν μέρει

¹²³⁴⁵⁶⁷⁸⁹¹⁰

ἀντίμοιρον ἀντίμοιρον Erfurdt ἰσοτίμοιρον Μ. κέκληνται κέκληνται Bamberger κέκληνται Μ. nulla personae nota in M: XO. praescripsit Turnebus. μαλερὰ μαλερὰ Ρorson ἡ μαλερὰ Μ. δὲ olim Hermann: τε Μ. τακέντων τακέντων Grotefend τεκόντων Μ. κλύθί νυν paragraphus praefixa in M (item 333, 337): ΗΛ. praescriptum in b. κλύθί νυν Canter κλύθι νῦν Μ.

πολυδάκρυτα πένθη.

δίπαις τοί σ᾽ ἐπιτύμβιος

θρῆνος ἀναστενάζει.

τάφος δ᾽ ἱκέτας δέδεκται

335

φυγάδας θ᾽ ὁμοίως.

τί τῶνδ᾽ εἶ, τί δ᾽ ἄτερ κακῶν;

οὐκ ἀτρίακτος ἄτα;

ΧΟ.

Χοηφόροι (OCR draft) Experimental (Χοηφόροι. Martin L. West, 1990.) — 332 focus

κλῦθί νυν ὦ πάτερ ἐν μέρει

πολυδάκρυτα πένθη·

δίπαις τοί σ᾽ ἐπιτύμβιος

θρῆνος ἀναστενάζει·

335

τάφος δ᾽ ἱκέτας δέδεκται φυγάδας θ᾽ ὁμοίως.

τί τῶνδ᾽ εὖ, τί δ᾽ ἄτερ κακῶν;

οὐκ ἀτρίακτος ἄτα;

¹²³⁴⁵⁶⁷⁸⁹¹⁰¹¹

Translations (9)

Libation Bearers Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 2. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1926. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 315-476 focus

Orestes

O father, unhappy father, by what word or deed of mine can I succeed in sailing from far away to you, where your resting-place holds you, a light to oppose your darkness?
315

Yet a lament in honor of the Atreidae who once possessed our house is none the less a joyous service.
320

323

Chorus

My child, the fire’s ravening jaw does not overwhelm the wits of the dead man,

but afterwards he reveals what stirs him. The murdered man has his dirge; the guilty man is revealed. Justified lament for fathers and for parents,
325

when raised loud and strong, makes its search everywhere.
330

332

Electra

Hear then, O father, as in turn we mourn with plentiful tears. Look, your two children mourn you

in a dirge over your tomb. As suppliants and exiles as well they have sought a haven at your sepulchre. What of these things is good, what free of evil? Is it not hopeless to wrestle against doom?
335

340

Chorus

Yet heaven, if it pleases, may still turn our utterance to more joyfully sounding strains. In place of dirges over a tomb, a song of triumph within the royal halls will welcome back a reunited friend.¹
340

345

Orestes

Ah, my father, if only beneath Ilium ’s walls you had been slain, slashed by some Lycian spearman! Then you would have left a good name for your children in their halls,
345

and in their maturity you would have made their lives admired by men. And in a land beyond the sea you would have found a tomb heaped high with earth, no heavy burden for your house to bear—
350

354

Chorus

—Welcomed there below by your comrades

who nobly fell, a ruler of august majesty, distinguished even beneath the earth, and minister of the mightiest, the deities who rule in the nether world.²
355

For in your life you were a king of those who have the power to assign the portion of death,³ and who wield the staff all mortals obey.
360

363

Electra

No, not even beneath the walls of Troy , father,

would I wish you to have fallen and to be entombed beside Scamander’s waters among the rest of the host slain by the spear. I wish rather that his murderers had been killed by their own loved ones, just as they killed you,
365

so that someone in a distant land who knew nothing of these present troubles should learn of their fatal doom.
370

372

Chorus

In this, my child, your wish is better than gold. It surpasses great good fortune, even that of the supremely blesssed;⁴ for it is easy to wish.

But now the lash of this double scourge⁵ comes home: our cause already has its champions beneath the earth, while the hands of our loathsome opponents, though they have the mastery, are unholy. The children have won the day.
375

380

Orestes

This has pierced the earth and reached your ear⁶ as if it were an arrow. O Zeus, O Zeus, who send long-deferred retribution up from below onto the reckless and wicked deeds done by the hands of mortals. . . .
380

And yet it will be accomplished for our father’s sake.⁷
385

386

Chorus

May it be mine to raise a hearty shout in triumph over the man when he is stabbed and over the woman as she perishes! Why should I try to keep hidden what nevertheless hovers before my soul?

Full against the prow of my heart wrath blows sharply in rancorous hate.
390

394

Electra

And when will mighty Zeus bring down his hand on them

and split their heads open? Let it be a pledge to the land! After injustice I demand justice as my right. Hear, O Earth, and you honored powers below!
395

400

Chorus

And it is the eternal rule that drops of blood spilled on the ground demand yet more blood. Murder cries out on the Fury, which from those killed before brings one ruin in the wake of another.
400

405

Orestes

Alas, you sovereign powers of the world below, behold, you potent Curses of the slain, behold the remnants of the line of Atreus in their helpless plight, cast out from house and home in dishonor. Which way can we turn, O Zeus?
405

410

Chorus

But again my heart throbs as I hear this pitiful lament. At once I am devoid of hope and my viscera are darkened at the words I hear.
410

But when hope once again lifts and strengthens me, it puts away my distress and dawns brightly on me.
415

418

Electra

To what could we more fittingly appeal than to those very miseries we have endured from the woman herself who bore us?

She may fawn upon us, but they are past all soothing. For like a fierce-hearted wolf the temper we have acquired from our mother is implacable.
420

423

Chorus

On my breast I beat⁸ an Arian⁹ dirge in just the same fashion as a Cissian¹⁰ wailing woman.

With clenched fists, raining blows thick and fast, my outstretched hands could be seen descending from above, from far above, now on this side, now on that, till my battered and wretched head resounded with the strokes.
425

429

Electra

Away with you, cruel

and utterly brazen mother! You dared to give your husband a most cruel burial: unmourned, without lamentation, a king unattended by his people.
430

434

Orestes

Ah me, your words spell utter dishonor.

Yet with the help of the gods, and with the help of my own hands, will she not atone for the dishonor she did my father? Let me only take her life, then let me die!
435

439

Chorus

Yes, and I would have you know he was brutally mangled.¹¹

And even as she buried him in this way, she acted with intent to make the manner of his death a burden on your life past all power to bear. You hear the story of the ignominious outrage done to your father.
440

445

Electra

My father was murdered just as you say. But all the while I was kept sequestered, despised, accounted a worthless thing. Kennelled in my room as if I were a vicious cur, I gave free vent to my streaming tears, which came more readily than laughter, as in my concealment I poured out my lament in plentiful weeping.
445

Hear my tale and inscribe it on your heart.
450

451

Chorus

Yes, let it sink deep into your ears, but keep inside a quiet steadfastness of soul. So far things are so. But you yourself be eager to resolve what is to follow.

You must enter the contest with inflexible wrath.
455

456

Orestes

Father, I call on you; side with your loved ones!

Electra

And I in tears join my voice to his.

Chorus

And let all our company blend our voices to echo the prayer. Hear! Come to the light!

Side with us against the foe!
460

461

Orestes

Ares will encounter Ares; Right will encounter Right.

Electra

O you gods, judge rightly the plea of right!

Chorus

A shudder steals over me as I hear these prayers. Doom has long been waiting,

but it will come in answer to those who pray.
465

466

Chorus

Ah, inbred trouble and bloody stroke of ruin striking a discord! Ah, lamentable and grievous sorrows!

Ah, the unstaunched pain!
470

471

Chorus

Our house has a cure to heal these woes, a cure not from outside, from the hands of others, but from itself, by fierce, bloody strife.

This hymn is for the gods beneath the earth.
475

476

Chorus

O you blessed powers below, hear this supplication of ours, and with a favorable will send forth to these children your aid for victory!

The Libation Bearers (OCR draft) Experimental (The Libation Bearers. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 332 focus

Give ear now, O my father, in turn, to my griefs of many tears. The lament of thy two children over thy tomb bewails thee. And thy sepulchre hath received us who are alike suppliants and outcasts. What of these things is well? and what is without ills? Is not ours an invincible calamity?

CHORUS

LES CHOÉPHORES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES CHOÉPHORES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 332 focus

d'un père, à qui l'on doit la vie, la lamentation des siens le poursuit, irrésistible, d'un branle large et pressant.

ÉLECTRE

Écoute donc aussi, père, mes gémissantes douleurs. Tes deux enfants sur ce tombeau font jaillir le
sanglot du thrène ¹. Nous aussi, c'est une tombe qui seule aujourd'hui nous accueille, suppliants et exilés. Où trouver là un réconfort ?

The Choephoræ (OCR draft) Experimental (The Choephoræ. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 332 focus

Hear me too, O my father; in thoſe griefs

Which at thy ſepulchre thy children pour,

I have a mournful part. Thy tomb receives

Alike the ſuppliant and the exile. Which,

Ah, which of these is well? Which without evils?

400

No lenient hand can eaſe our miſeries.

CHORUS.

Eschilo, Le Coefore: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, Le Coefore: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 332 focus

O padre, anche ti giungano

le mie flebili doglie!

190

Levan due figli a gemerti

il canto sepolcrale.

La tomba tua ci accoglie

supplici entrambi e profughi.

Donde non giunge un male?

195

Dove rifulge un bene?

E mille, ahi!, son le pene!

CORIFEA

Aeschylus, Choephori: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Choephori: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 332 focus

Luctus lamentatur.

Buſtum ſupplices ſuſcepit,

Exulesq; ſimiliter.
315

Quid horum uerò bene,

Quid uerò rursus malè non uictum nocumentum?

Aeschylus, Die Totenspende: German translation (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Die Totenspende: German translation. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1919–1923.) — 332 focus

Vater, vernimm auch meine

schluchzenden Trauerrufe.

Beide Kinder am Grabe

335 singen dir Klagelieder,

Bettler beide, Verstoſsene beide.

Soll triumphieren das Böse?

Nirgend ein Schimmer von Freude,

Jammer ringsum.

Chorführerin.

340

English (E. D. A. Morshead, 1889, second edition) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, The Libation-Bearers — Morshead translation. Wikisource transcription; speech corresp and card milestones aligned to Smyth perseus-grc2.) — 332 focus

Hear me too, even me, O father, hear!

Not by one child alone these groans, these tears are shed
395

Upon thy sepulchre.

Each, each, where thou art lowly laid,

Stands, a suppliant, homeless made:

Ah, and all is full of ill,

Comfort is there none to say!
400

Strive and wrestle as we may,

Still stands doom invincible.

Chorus.

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1854; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylos. Deutsch in den Versmaßen der Urschrift. Stuttgart: Hoffmann, 1854. Native Donner line citations, Smyth card correspondence, selected textual readings and metrical facsimiles. Remaining OCR differences and unattributed reading notes are documented in the linked review inventory.) — 332 focus

Höre denn, Vater, auch meines Grams
335

Thränenreiche Klage!

An deinem Grabe klagt von zwei

Kindern ein Lied der Trauer.

Sie stehen verbannt und schublos

Vor deiner Gruft hier.
340

O gramreiches, o herbstes Leid!

Siegt denn ewig das Unheil?

Die Chorführerin.

Commentary

Critical apparatus to The Libation Bearers (OCR draft) (Latin and Greek critical apparatus to Gottfried Hermann's 1852 edition of The Libation Bearers.) focus

334. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg006-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-207

τί δ᾽ ἄτερ κακῶν: Huic versui Electrae persona adscripta in Rob. In M. lineola praefixa. τί δ᾽ ἄτερ κακῶν Rob. et sic eliam M. sed ut άτερ ab eadem manu ex alio vocabulo factum esse videatur. τί δ᾽ ἄτ᾽ ἐν κακῶν G. Ald. et in G. quidem κακῶν sic scriptum, ut compendium, quo ultima syllaba indicatur, antea fuerit illud quo significatur ῶς. Turn. τί δ' αὖτε κακῶς.

334

335. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg006-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-208

ἀτρίακτος ἄτα: Hunc versum Rob. Oresti tribuit. Signum interrogandi Schitzio debetur. De verbo ἀτρίακτος et cognatis v. Salm. Exere. Plin. p. 206. Spanh. ad Iulianum p. 262. Lob. Aglaoph. p. 354.

335

Wecklein’s commentary on Choephoroi / Libation Bearers (1888; German; OCR draft) (Explanatory commentary, pp. 163–234; single HW42J8 OCR witness, conservatively retained. Unresolved OCR and provisional reference mappings are explicitly marked.) focus

83-582. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg006-wecklein1888-com-ger1-38

erstes Epeisodion, geteilt durch einen Kommos (305— 476). Anagnorismos und Vorbereitung der Rache.

305-476. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg006-wecklein1888-com-ger1-176

Kommos, welcher den Rächer weckt (vgl. 326 f.) und die Motive der Handlung entwickelt zur Ermutigung und Stärkung des Orestes (510 ἐπειδὴ δρᾶν κατώρθωσαι φρενί). Derselbe wird durch eine anapästische Partie des Koryphaios eingeleitet und durch eine solche geschlossen und besteht aufserdem aus vier Teilen. Die erste Partie (314-421) zerfällt durch ein anapästisches System des Koryphaios (371-378) in zwei symmetrische Teile, deren Mitte wieder anapästische Systeme des Chorführers einnehmen, die sich entsprechen (339 - 343 = 399 - 403), während zu beiden Seiten eine Strophe des Orestes und eine Antistrophe der Elektra stehen, die auf der einen Seite durch eine Strophe, auf der anderen durch eine Antistrophe des Chors getrennt werden. Die Form des Ganzen ist also folgende: Or. Cho. El. Kor. Or. Cho, El. Kor. Or. Cho. El. Kor. Or. Cho. El.

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Current edition Experimental

Ἠλέκτρα ἰὼ 58 δαΐα πάντολμε μᾶτερ, δαΐαις ἐν ἐκφοραῖς 430 ἄνευ πολιτᾶν ἄνακτ᾽, ἄνευ δὲ πενθημάτων ἔτλας ἀνοίμωκτον ἄνδρα θάψαι. 434

Ὀρέστης 59 ταφὰς ἀτίμους 60 ἔλεξας, οἴμοι. πατρὸς δ᾽ ἀτίμωσιν ἆρα 61 τείσει 435 ἕκατι μὲν δαιμόνων, ἕκατι δ᾽ ἀμᾶν χερῶν. ἔπειτ᾽ ἐγὼ νοσφίσας ὀλοίμαν. 62 439

Χορός 63 ἐμασχαλίσθη 64 δέ γ᾽, ὡς τόδ᾽ εἰδῇς, 65 ἔπρασσε δ᾽ ᾇπέρ 66 νιν ὧδε θάπτει, 440 μόρον κτίσαι 67 μωμένα ἄφερτον 68 αἰῶνι σῷ. κλύεις 69 πατρῴους δύας ἀτίμους. 70 445

Χορός 75 δι᾽ ὤτων δὲ συν- τέτραινε μῦθον ἡσύχῳ φρενῶν 76 βάσει. τὰ μὲν γὰρ οὕτως ἔχει, τὰ δ᾽ αὐτὸς ὄργα 77 μαθεῖν. πρέπει δ᾽ ἀκάμπτῳ μένει καθήκειν. 455 456

Ὀρέστης σὲ τοι λέγω, ξυγγενοῦ, πάτερ, φίλοις. 78

Ἠλέκτρα ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἐπιφθέγγομαι κεκλαυμένα.

Χορός στάσις δὲ πάγκοινος ἅδ᾽ ἐπιρροθεῖ: ἄκουσον ἐς φάος μολών, ξὺν δὲ γενοῦ πρὸς ἐχθρούς. 460 461

Ὀρέστης Ἄρης Ἄρει ξυμβαλεῖ, 79 Δίκᾳ Δίκα.

Ἠλέκτρα ἰὼ θεοί, κραίνετ᾽ ἐνδίκως <δίκας 80 >.

Χορός τρόμος μ᾽ ὑφέρπει κλύουσαν εὐγμάτων. τὸ μόρσιμον μένει πάλαι, εὐχομένοις δ᾽ ἂν ἔλθοι. 465 466

Χορός ὦ 81 πόνος ἐγγενὴς καὶ παράμουσος Ἄτας 82 αἱματόεσσα πλαγά. ἰὼ δύστον᾽ ἄφερτα κήδη: ἰὼ δυσκατάπαυστον ἄλγος. 470 471

Χορός δώμασιν ἔμμοτον τῶνδ᾽ ἄκος, 83 οὐδ᾽ ἀπ᾽ ἄλλων ἔκτοθεν, ἀλλ᾽ ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν, διώκειν ἔριν 84 αἱματηράν. θεῶν <τῶν 85 > κατὰ γᾶς ὅδ᾽ ὕμνος. 475 476

Χορός ἀλλὰ κλύοντες, μάκαρες χθόνιοι, τῆσδε κατευχῆς πέμπετ᾽ ἀρωγὴν παισὶν προφρόνως ἐπὶ νίκῃ. 86 87 479

Ἠλέκτρα καί πότʼ ἂν ἀμφιθαλὴς Ζεὺς ἐπὶ χεῖρα βάλοι, 395 φεῦ φεῦ, κάρανα δαΐξας; πιστὰ γένοιτο χώρᾳ. δίκαν δʼ ἐξ ἀδίκων ἀπαιτῶ. κλῦτε δὲ Γᾶ χθονίων τε τιμαί.

Ἠλέκτρα ἰὼ ἰὼ δαΐα πάντολμε μᾶτερ, δαΐαις ἐν ἐκφοραῖς 430 ἄνευ πολιτᾶν ἄνακτʼ, ἄνευ δὲ πενθημάτων ἔτλας ἀνοίμωκτον ἄνδρα θάψαι.

Ὀρέστης τὸ πᾶν ἀτίμως ἔλεξας, οἴμοι. πατρὸς δʼ ἀτίμωσιν ἆρα τείσει 435 ἕκατι μὲν δαιμόνων, ἕκατι δʼ ἀμᾶν χερῶν; ἔπειτʼ ἐγὼ νοσφίσας ὀλοίμαν.

Χορός ἐμασχαλίσθη δέ γʼ, ὡς τόδʼ εἰδῇς· ἔπρασσε δʼ, ᾇπέρ νιν ὧδε θάπτει, 440 μόρον κτίσαι μωμένα ἄφερτον αἰῶνι σῷ. κλύεις πατρῴους δύας ἀτίμους.

Χορός διʼ ὤτων δὲ συν- τέτραινε μῦθον ἡσύχῳ φρενῶν βάσει. τὰ μὲν γὰρ οὕτως ἔχει, τὰ δʼ αὐτὸς ὄργα μαθεῖν. πρέπει δʼ ἀκάμπτῳ μένει καθήκειν. 455

Ὀρέστης σὲ τοι λέγω, ξυγγενοῦ, πάτερ, φίλοις.

Ἠλέκτρα ἐγὼ δʼ ἐπιφθέγγομαι κεκλαυμένα.

Χορός στάσις δὲ πάγκοινος ἅδʼ ἐπιρροθεῖ· ἄκουσον ἐς φάος μολών, ξὺν δὲ γενοῦ πρὸς ἐχθρούς. 460

Ὀρέστης Ἄρης Ἄρει ξυμβαλεῖ, Δίκᾳ Δίκα.

Ἠλέκτρα ἰὼ θεοί, κραίνετʼ ἐνδίκως δίκας.

Χορός τρόμος μʼ ὑφέρπει κλύουσαν εὐγμάτων. τὸ μόρσιμον μένει πάλαι, εὐχομένοις δʼ ἂν ἔλθοι. 465

Χορός ὦ πόνος ἐγγενὴς καὶ παράμουσος Ἄτας αἱματόεσσα πλαγά. ἰὼ δύστονʼ ἄφερτα κήδη· ἰὼ δυσκατάπαυστον ἄλγος. 470

Χορός δώμασιν ἔμμοτον τῶνδʼ ἄκος, οὐδʼ ἀπʼ ἄλλων ἔκτοθεν, ἀλλʼ ἀπʼ αὐτῶν, διʼ ὠμὰν ἔριν αἱματηράν. θεῶν τῶν κατὰ γᾶς ὅδʼ ὕμνος. 475

Χορός ἀλλὰ κλύοντες, μάκαρες χθόνιοι, τῆσδε κατευχῆς πέμπετʼ ἀρωγὴν παισὶν προφρόνως ἐπὶ νίκῃ.

κλυθί νυν, ὦ πάτερ, ἐν μέρει

ΧΟ.

Orestes O father, unhappy father, by what word or deed of mine can I succeed in sailing from far away to you, where your resting-place holds you, a light to oppose your darkness? 315 Yet a lament in honor of the Atreidae who once possessed our house is none the less a joyous service. 320

Chorus Yet heaven, if it pleases, may still turn our utterance to more joyfully sounding strains. In place of dirges over a tomb, a song of triumph within the royal halls will welcome back a reunited friend. 1 340

Orestes This has pierced the earth and reached your ear 6 as if it were an arrow. O Zeus, O Zeus, who send long-deferred retribution up from below onto the reckless and wicked deeds done by the hands of mortals. . . . 380 And yet it will be accomplished for our father’s sake. 7 385

Chorus May it be mine to raise a hearty shout in triumph over the man when he is stabbed and over the woman as she perishes! Why should I try to keep hidden what nevertheless hovers before my soul? Full against the prow of my heart wrath blows sharply in rancorous hate. 390

Electra And when will mighty Zeus bring down his hand on them and split their heads open? Let it be a pledge to the land! After injustice I demand justice as my right. Hear, O Earth, and you honored powers below! 395

Chorus And it is the eternal rule that drops of blood spilled on the ground demand yet more blood. Murder cries out on the Fury, which from those killed before brings one ruin in the wake of another. 400

Orestes Alas, you sovereign powers of the world below, behold, you potent Curses of the slain, behold the remnants of the line of Atreus in their helpless plight, cast out from house and home in dishonor. Which way can we turn, O Zeus? 405

Chorus But again my heart throbs as I hear this pitiful lament. At once I am devoid of hope and my viscera are darkened at the words I hear. 410 But when hope once again lifts and strengthens me, it puts away my distress and dawns brightly on me. 415

Electra To what could we more fittingly appeal than to those very miseries we have endured from the woman herself who bore us? She may fawn upon us, but they are past all soothing. For like a fierce-hearted wolf the temper we have acquired from our mother is implacable. 420

Electra Away with you, cruel and utterly brazen mother! You dared to give your husband a most cruel burial: unmourned, without lamentation, a king unattended by his people. 430

Orestes Ah me, your words spell utter dishonor. Yet with the help of the gods, and with the help of my own hands, will she not atone for the dishonor she did my father? Let me only take her life, then let me die! 435

Chorus Yes, and I would have you know he was brutally mangled. 11 And even as she buried him in this way, she acted with intent to make the manner of his death a burden on your life past all power to bear. You hear the story of the ignominious outrage done to your father. 440

Chorus Yes, let it sink deep into your ears, but keep inside a quiet steadfastness of soul. So far things are so. But you yourself be eager to resolve what is to follow. You must enter the contest with inflexible wrath. 455

Orestes Father, I call on you; side with your loved ones!

Electra And I in tears join my voice to his.

Chorus And let all our company blend our voices to echo the prayer. Hear! Come to the light! Side with us against the foe! 460

Orestes Ares will encounter Ares; Right will encounter Right.

Electra O you gods, judge rightly the plea of right!

Chorus A shudder steals over me as I hear these prayers. Doom has long been waiting, but it will come in answer to those who pray. 465

Chorus Ah, inbred trouble and bloody stroke of ruin striking a discord! Ah, lamentable and grievous sorrows! Ah, the unstaunched pain! 470

Chorus Our house has a cure to heal these woes, a cure not from outside, from the hands of others, but from itself, by fierce, bloody strife. This hymn is for the gods beneath the earth. 475

Chorus O you blessed powers below, hear this supplication of ours, and with a favorable will send forth to these children your aid for victory!

CHORUS

ÉLECTRE Écoute donc aussi, père, mes gémissantes douleurs. Tes deux enfants sur ce tombeau font jaillir le sanglot du thrène 1 . Nous aussi, c'est une tombe qui seule aujourd'hui nous accueille, suppliants et exilés. Où trouver là un réconfort ?

CHORUS.

CORIFEA

Buſtum ſupplices ſuſcepit, Exulesq; ſimiliter. 315 Quid horum uerò bene, Quid uerò rursus malè non uictum nocumentum?

Chorführerin. 340

Chorus.

Höre denn, Vater, auch meines Grams 335 Thränenreiche Klage! An deinem Grabe klagt von zwei Kindern ein Lied der Trauer. Sie stehen verbannt und schublos Vor deiner Gruft hier. 340 O gramreiches, o herbstes Leid! Siegt denn ewig das Unheil?

Die Chorführerin.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Ἠλέκτρα

ἰὼ⁵⁸ δαΐα

πάντολμε μᾶτερ, δαΐαις ἐν ἐκφοραῖς
430

ἄνευ πολιτᾶν ἄνακτ᾽,

ἄνευ δὲ πενθημάτων

ἔτλας ἀνοίμωκτον ἄνδρα θάψαι.

434

Ὀρέστης

σὲ τοι λέγω, ξυγγενοῦ, πάτερ, φίλοις.⁷⁸

Ἠλέκτρα

ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἐπιφθέγγομαι κεκλαυμένα.

Χορός

στάσις δὲ πάγκοινος ἅδ᾽ ἐπιρροθεῖ:

ἄκουσον ἐς φάος μολών,

ξὺν δὲ γενοῦ πρὸς ἐχθρούς.
460
461

Ὀρέστης

Ἄρης Ἄρει ξυμβαλεῖ,⁷⁹ Δίκᾳ Δίκα.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἰὼ θεοί, κραίνετ᾽ ἐνδίκως <δίκας⁸⁰>.

Χορός

τρόμος μ᾽ ὑφέρπει κλύουσαν εὐγμάτων.

τὸ μόρσιμον μένει πάλαι,

εὐχομένοις δ᾽ ἂν ἔλθοι.
465
466

Χορός

ὦ⁸¹ πόνος ἐγγενὴς

καὶ παράμουσος Ἄτας⁸²

αἱματόεσσα πλαγά.

ἰὼ δύστον᾽ ἄφερτα κήδη:

ἰὼ δυσκατάπαυστον ἄλγος.
470
471

Χορός

δώμασιν ἔμμοτον

τῶνδ᾽ ἄκος,⁸³ οὐδ᾽ ἀπ᾽ ἄλλων

ἔκτοθεν, ἀλλ᾽ ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν,

διώκειν ἔριν⁸⁴ αἱματηράν.

θεῶν <τῶν⁸⁵> κατὰ γᾶς ὅδ᾽ ὕμνος.
475
476

Χορός

ἀλλὰ κλύοντες, μάκαρες χθόνιοι,

τῆσδε κατευχῆς πέμπετ᾽ ἀρωγὴν

παισὶν προφρόνως ἐπὶ νίκῃ.⁸⁶⁸⁷

479

Ἠλέκτρα

ἰὼ ἰὼ δαΐα

πάντολμε μᾶτερ, δαΐαις ἐν ἐκφοραῖς
430

ἄνευ πολιτᾶν ἄνακτʼ,

ἄνευ δὲ πενθημάτων

ἔτλας ἀνοίμωκτον ἄνδρα θάψαι.

Ὀρέστης

τὸ πᾶν ἀτίμως ἔλεξας, οἴμοι.

πατρὸς δʼ ἀτίμωσιν ἆρα τείσει
435

ἕκατι μὲν δαιμόνων,

ἕκατι δʼ ἀμᾶν χερῶν;

ἔπειτʼ ἐγὼ νοσφίσας ὀλοίμαν.

Χορός

ἐμασχαλίσθη δέ γʼ, ὡς τόδʼ εἰδῇς·

ἔπρασσε δʼ, ᾇπέρ νιν ὧδε θάπτει,
440

μόρον κτίσαι μωμένα

ἄφερτον αἰῶνι σῷ.

κλύεις πατρῴους δύας ἀτίμους.

Χορός

διʼ ὤτων δὲ συν-

τέτραινε μῦθον ἡσύχῳ φρενῶν βάσει.

τὰ μὲν γὰρ οὕτως ἔχει,

τὰ δʼ αὐτὸς ὄργα μαθεῖν.

πρέπει δʼ ἀκάμπτῳ μένει καθήκειν.
455

Ὀρέστης

σὲ τοι λέγω, ξυγγενοῦ, πάτερ, φίλοις.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἐγὼ δʼ ἐπιφθέγγομαι κεκλαυμένα.

Χορός

στάσις δὲ πάγκοινος ἅδʼ ἐπιρροθεῖ·

ἄκουσον ἐς φάος μολών,

ξὺν δὲ γενοῦ πρὸς ἐχθρούς.
460

Ὀρέστης

Ἄρης Ἄρει ξυμβαλεῖ, Δίκᾳ Δίκα.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἰὼ θεοί, κραίνετʼ ἐνδίκως δίκας.

Χορός

τρόμος μʼ ὑφέρπει κλύουσαν εὐγμάτων.

τὸ μόρσιμον μένει πάλαι,

εὐχομένοις δʼ ἂν ἔλθοι.
465

Χορός

ὦ πόνος ἐγγενὴς

καὶ παράμουσος Ἄτας

αἱματόεσσα πλαγά.

ἰὼ δύστονʼ ἄφερτα κήδη·

ἰὼ δυσκατάπαυστον ἄλγος.
470

Χορός

δώμασιν ἔμμοτον

τῶνδʼ ἄκος, οὐδʼ ἀπʼ ἄλλων

ἔκτοθεν, ἀλλʼ ἀπʼ αὐτῶν,

διʼ ὠμὰν ἔριν αἱματηράν.

θεῶν τῶν κατὰ γᾶς ὅδʼ ὕμνος.
475

Χορός

ἀλλὰ κλύοντες, μάκαρες χθόνιοι,

τῆσδε κατευχῆς πέμπετʼ ἀρωγὴν

παισὶν προφρόνως ἐπὶ νίκῃ.

Orestes

O father, unhappy father, by what word or deed of mine can I succeed in sailing from far away to you, where your resting-place holds you, a light to oppose your darkness?
315

Yet a lament in honor of the Atreidae who once possessed our house is none the less a joyous service.
320

Chorus

Yet heaven, if it pleases, may still turn our utterance to more joyfully sounding strains. In place of dirges over a tomb, a song of triumph within the royal halls will welcome back a reunited friend.¹
340

Orestes

This has pierced the earth and reached your ear⁶ as if it were an arrow. O Zeus, O Zeus, who send long-deferred retribution up from below onto the reckless and wicked deeds done by the hands of mortals. . . .
380

And yet it will be accomplished for our father’s sake.⁷
385

Chorus

May it be mine to raise a hearty shout in triumph over the man when he is stabbed and over the woman as she perishes! Why should I try to keep hidden what nevertheless hovers before my soul?

Full against the prow of my heart wrath blows sharply in rancorous hate.
390

Electra

And when will mighty Zeus bring down his hand on them

and split their heads open? Let it be a pledge to the land! After injustice I demand justice as my right. Hear, O Earth, and you honored powers below!
395

Chorus

And it is the eternal rule that drops of blood spilled on the ground demand yet more blood. Murder cries out on the Fury, which from those killed before brings one ruin in the wake of another.
400

Orestes

Alas, you sovereign powers of the world below, behold, you potent Curses of the slain, behold the remnants of the line of Atreus in their helpless plight, cast out from house and home in dishonor. Which way can we turn, O Zeus?
405

Chorus

But again my heart throbs as I hear this pitiful lament. At once I am devoid of hope and my viscera are darkened at the words I hear.
410

But when hope once again lifts and strengthens me, it puts away my distress and dawns brightly on me.
415

Electra

To what could we more fittingly appeal than to those very miseries we have endured from the woman herself who bore us?

She may fawn upon us, but they are past all soothing. For like a fierce-hearted wolf the temper we have acquired from our mother is implacable.
420

Electra

Away with you, cruel

and utterly brazen mother! You dared to give your husband a most cruel burial: unmourned, without lamentation, a king unattended by his people.
430

Orestes

Ah me, your words spell utter dishonor.

Yet with the help of the gods, and with the help of my own hands, will she not atone for the dishonor she did my father? Let me only take her life, then let me die!
435

Chorus

Yes, and I would have you know he was brutally mangled.¹¹

And even as she buried him in this way, she acted with intent to make the manner of his death a burden on your life past all power to bear. You hear the story of the ignominious outrage done to your father.
440

Chorus

Yes, let it sink deep into your ears, but keep inside a quiet steadfastness of soul. So far things are so. But you yourself be eager to resolve what is to follow.

You must enter the contest with inflexible wrath.
455

Orestes

Father, I call on you; side with your loved ones!

Electra

And I in tears join my voice to his.

Chorus

And let all our company blend our voices to echo the prayer. Hear! Come to the light!

Side with us against the foe!
460

Orestes

Ares will encounter Ares; Right will encounter Right.

Electra

O you gods, judge rightly the plea of right!

Chorus

A shudder steals over me as I hear these prayers. Doom has long been waiting,

but it will come in answer to those who pray.
465

Chorus

Ah, inbred trouble and bloody stroke of ruin striking a discord! Ah, lamentable and grievous sorrows!

Ah, the unstaunched pain!
470

Chorus

Our house has a cure to heal these woes, a cure not from outside, from the hands of others, but from itself, by fierce, bloody strife.

This hymn is for the gods beneath the earth.
475

Chorus

O you blessed powers below, hear this supplication of ours, and with a favorable will send forth to these children your aid for victory!

ÉLECTRE

Écoute donc aussi, père, mes gémissantes douleurs. Tes deux enfants sur ce tombeau font jaillir le
sanglot du thrène ¹. Nous aussi, c'est une tombe qui seule aujourd'hui nous accueille, suppliants et exilés. Où trouver là un réconfort ?

Buſtum ſupplices ſuſcepit,

Exulesq; ſimiliter.
315

Quid horum uerò bene,

Quid uerò rursus malè non uictum nocumentum?

Chorführerin.

340

Höre denn, Vater, auch meines Grams
335

Thränenreiche Klage!

An deinem Grabe klagt von zwei

Kindern ein Lied der Trauer.

Sie stehen verbannt und schublos

Vor deiner Gruft hier.
340

O gramreiches, o herbstes Leid!

Siegt denn ewig das Unheil?