Search the Perseus Catalog for:

View: By Commline

← Previous Next →

1098-1383

Third

ἐπεισόδιον

. Orestes and Pylades present themselves as Phocians, followed by two attendants (1123), one of whom carries a bronze urn.

Orestes reveals himself to Electra, who gives utterance to her joy (1098—1287).

He then speaks of his plans. The Paedagogus enters (1326), and urges them to lose no more time. Orestes and Pylades, with their attendants and the Paedagogus, enter the house (1375).

Electra, after a brief prayer, follows them in (1383).

εἰσηκούσαμεν , i.e., from some one in the neighbourhood. These envoys from Strophius (1111) are not supposed to have travelled with the messenger from Phanoteus (670). The poet has skilfully varied the dialogue from the similar one in 660 ff.

ὀρθῶς θ’ . The v. l. δ’ for θ’ , though it has the better authority, is improbable here. For instances in which τε can fitly be followed by δέ , see Ant. 1096 (n.), Tr. 143 (n.).

ἔνθα here=‘whither’: Ph. 1466.

Αἴγισθον : for the constr., cp. Ph. 444

τοῦτον οἶσθ’ εἰ ζῶν κυρεῖ

; (n.)— ᾤκηκεν , ‘has fixed his abode,’—a light touch of dramatic irony, since his tenure of it is so nearly at an end. Legg. 666 E

οὐκ ἐν ἄστεσι κατῳκηκότων

(but nomads).

ἀλλ’ , ‘well’: cp. Tr. 229

ἀλλ’ εὖ μὲν ἵγμεθ’.

χὡ φράσας : cp. Pind. P. 4. 117

δόμους πατέρων

.. |

φράσσατέ μοι

: Suppl. 492

ὀπάονας δὲ φρά<*> <*>ράς τ’ ἐγχωρίων

: Xen. Cyr. 5. 4. 40

δῶν φραστῆρα.

ἀζήμιος , i.e.

οὐκ ἔνοχος ζημίᾳ

: schol.

ἄμεμπτος

τίς … φράσειεν ἄν ; For the form of the request, cp. 660 (n.); O. C. 70

ἆρ’ ἄν τις αὐτῷ πομπὸς ἐξ ὑμῶν μόλοι

; For the doubled

ἄν

, O. C. 333 (n.).

ποθεινὴν , passive, ‘desired,’ as in Ph. 1445 (the only other place where Soph. has the word). Cp. 666 f.,

σοὶ φέρων ἥκω λόγους

ἡδεῖς

. The Chorus are meant to understand that the arrival of the new comers has been expected, and will prove welcome, as confirming the news from Phocis. To the ear of the spectator

ποθεινὴν

suggests the longing of Electra for her brother's return.

κοινόπουν (found only here) recalls

κοινόπλουν

(

ὁμιλίαν

) in Ai. 872.

τὸν ἄγχιστον : i.e., nearest of kin to Clyt. and Aegisthus; the Chorus do not surmise her relationship to the young Phocian. For the general masc., cp. 145 , 1026.

ἴθ’, ὦ γύναι . As

ἴθι

was used in entreaty ( O. T. 46 ), it is not, in itself, abrupt; but the tone of the direction implies ignorance of Electra's rank, and is thus in keeping with the part of the Phocian

ξένος

. Orestes,—who thought that he recognised her voice when it was heard from within (v. 80),—can, of course, be in no doubt as to her identity. Verse 1125 already indicates this. After v. 1148, at any rate, he would know the fact, if he had been so dull as not to discover it sooner. But he pretends not to know who she is until he hears her name pronounced by the Chorus (1171).

οὐ δή ποθ’ : cp. Tr. 876

οὐ δή ποθ’ ὡς θανοῦσα

; (n.).

τὴν σὴν κληδόν’ : cp. Ph. 1251

τὸν σὸν οὐ ταρβῶ φόβον.

Στρόφιος : . The name occurs nowhere else in the play.

φέροντες , ‘carrying’ (in the urn), refers simply to the mode of conveyance; κομίζομεν , ‘we bring,’ expresses the care with which they perform their mission. In

κομίζω

, ‘care’ is indeed the primary notion (cp.

κομιδή

): that of ‘taking a thing to a place’ is secondary.

φέρω

and

κομίζω

are similarly combined in Isaeus or. 8 § 21 (referring to a funeral):

εἰσελθὼν δὲ εἴσω κομίζειν οἷος ἦν, ἔχων τοὺς οἴσοντας

: ‘I was disposed to remove the body, having bearers with me.’

τοῦτ’ ἐκεῖν’

κ.τ.λ.

Three modes of punctuation are possible; the first is perhaps the best, though the second is also satisfactory. (1) To place no point either after

ἐκεῖν’

or after

σαφές

. ‘There, it seems, I clearly see that sorrow (=the sorrow which I foreboded) in your hands.’

σαφὲς

is then equiv. to an adv. with

δέρκομαι

: and the combination of

σαφὲς

with

πρόχειρον

is like that in Tr. 223

τάδ’ ἀντίπρῳρα δή σοι

βλέπειν πάρεστ’ ἐναργῆ

. (2) To place a point after

σαφές

. ‘This is what I feared (

ἐκεῖνο

), now placed beyond a doubt; I see,’ etc. The only objection to this is that the words

πρόχειρον κ.τ.λ.

then become a little abrupt and obscure. (3) To place a point after

ἐκεῖν’

, and none after

σαφές

. ‘That is it; I now see clearly,’ etc. Cp. Ar. Av. 354

τοῦτ’ ἐκεῖνο· ποῖ φύγω δύστηνος

; But this colloquialism, though used by Eur. ( Eur. Or. 804

τοῦτ’ ἐκεῖνο, κτᾶσθ’ ἑταίρους

), seems too homely for the style of Sophocles. In 1178 we have merely

τόδ’ ἔστ’ ἐκεῖνο

: in Soph. O. C. 137

ὅδ’ ἐκεῖνος ἐγώ

πρόχειρον , ‘ready in the hand’: Ph. 747

πρόχειρον εἴ τί σοι, τέκνον, πάρα

ξίφος χεροῖν

(n.).

ἄχθος , i.e., the urn, but with ref. to the figurative sense, ‘woe’ ( cp. 120 , 204): Ant. 1172

τί δ’ αὖ τόδ’ ἄχθος βασιλέων ἥκεις φέρων

;

κέκευθεν , trans., as in Il. 22. 118

ὅσσα πτόλις ἥδε κέκευθε

, and Od. 3. 18

μῆτιν ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κέκευθε

(the only Homeric examples of this perf.). In Attic it is elsewhere intrans.

1122 Cp. Aesch. P. V. 637

ὡς τἀποκλαῦσαι κἀποδύρασθαι τύχας

δότε (

αὐτῇ

), ἥτις ἐστί : cp. Ant. 35

ὃς ἂν τούτων τι δρᾷ

, |

φόνον προκεισθαι

(n.).

ἐπαιτεῖται : the only instance of the midd.: in O.T. 1416 and O.C. 1364 we have the ordinary act. form. In

ἀπαιτεῖν

, too, the midd. forms are avoided.

πρὸς αἵματος : cp. Ai. 1305

τοὺς πρὸς αἵματος

: Arist. Pol. 2. 3 , § 7 (

συγγένειαν

)

ἢ πρὸς αἵματος ἢ κατ’ οἰκειότητα καὶ κηδείαν.

φύσιν : cp. 325 n.

ψυχῆς Ὀρέστου λοιπόν , lit., ‘remaining from the life of Orestes.’

ἀπ’ ἐλπίδων , far away from my hopes, contrary to them: cp. Apoll. Rh. 2. 863

μάλα πολλὸν ἀπ’ ἐλπίδος ἔπλετο νόστος

. So

ἀπὸ δόξης

, contrary to expectation ( Il. 10. 324 , Od. 11. 344 ):

ἀπὸ θυμοῦ

, unpleasing to one ( Il. 1. 562 ):

οὐκ ἀπὸ γνώμης

, not unwisely ( Tr. 389 ): and often

οὐκ ἀπὸ τρόπου

, not unreasonably:

οὐκ ἀπὸ καιροῦ

οὐκ ἀπὸ σκοποῦ

Then οὐχ ὧνπερ (if sound) is best explained as standing, by attraction to

ἐλπίδων

, for

οὐχ αἷσπερ

: and the sense is: —‘In a manner how contrary to my hopes—not with those hopes wherewith I sent thee forth—have I received thee back.’ The notion of contrariety is thus expressed twice over; first by

ἀπό

, then by

οὐχ

. If this is awkward in grammar, yet it has a certain pathetic emphasis.

Other possibilities are the following. (1) Keeping both

οὐχ ὧνπερ

and

ἀπ’

, to take

ἀπ’ ἐλπίδων

as=‘ with hopes.’ The prep. would then be used as when it denotes a resource: 1378

ἀφ’ ὧν ἔχοιμι

: Thuc. 1. 91 § 7

ἀπὸ ἀντιπάλου παρασκευῆς

. (Observe that in Soph. Tr. 667

ἀπ’ ἐλπίδος καλῆς

is not really similar; it means, ‘as the outcome of a fair hope.’) The prevailing usage of

ἀπό

condemns this view.

(2) Still keeping

οὐχ ὧνπερ

, to change

ἀπ’

, with Schaefer, to

ὑπ’

. Cp. Eur. Hec. 351

ἐθρέφθην ἐλπίδων καλῶν ὕπο

. This is possible; though

ὑπό

, when thus used, commonly denotes an external accompaniment ( Soph. Tr. 419 n.); as, indeed, even in Hec. l. c., the hopes are not merely Polyxena's own, but those of her friends. Further:

ὥς σ’ ἀπ’ ἐλπίδων— ἀπό

meaning ‘contrary to’—strikes the note of despair more forcibly.

(3) Keeping

ἀπ’

as=‘contrary to,’ to alter

οὐχ ὧνπερ

either to οὐχ ὅνπερ or to οὐχ ὥσπερ . Each of these occurs in one or more of the later MSS., though probably either by conjecture or by error. Of the two,

οὐχ ὥσπερ

gives the simplest sense, while

οὐχ ὅνπερ

is perhaps superior in vigour and pathos.

On the whole, I retain the traditional reading, though not without a suspicion that either

ἀπ’

ὧνπερ

is unsound.

νῦν μὲν γὰρ

κ.τ.λ.

The schol. on 1126 quotes Il. 19. 288 (Briseïs mourning Patroclus):

ζωὸν μέν σε ἔλειπον ἐγὼ κλισίηθεν ἰοῦσα

, |

νῦν δέ σε τεθνηῶτα κιχάνομαι

(from which Hermann infers,— surely somewhat fancifully,—that the schol. read

οὐχ ὅνπερ

in 1128).

οὐδὲν ὄντα : cp. 1166

τὸ μηδέν.

βαστάζω : cp. 905 n.

λαμπρὸν refers to the bright light of life in the young face. Cp. O.T. 81

λαμπρὸς ὥσπερ ὄμματι

: Eur. Ion 475

τέκνων οἷς ἂν...λάμπωσιν ἐν θαλάμοις

| ...

νεανίδες ἧβαι

. Nauck brackets these two vv., because (1)

λαμπρὸν

is strange; and (2) the verses are irrelevant to the ‘hopes’ mentioned in 1127. But the fitness of

λαμπρόν

, as poetically used here, is precisely that it suggests the bright promise of the life on which those hopes rested.

ὡς ὤφελον : cp. Il. 3. 428

ὡς ὤφελες αὐτόθ’ ὀλέσθαι

. With Homer,

ὡς

and

αἴθ’

are alike frequent in this phrase: Attic usage prefers

εἴθ’

(1021), though

ὡς

also occurs (as in Ar. Ran. 955 , Eur. Ion 286 ). The simple

ὤφελον

stands in O.T. 1157, and with

μή

in Ph. 969 , Tr. 998.

The v.l. ὤφελες is excluded by κλέψασα , since we should then require (

ἐμὲ

)

κλέψασαν

: it would also forestall v. 1134. Electra's self-reproach is that her action, without ultimately saving his life, deprived him of funeral rites at home. She goes on to lament that she herself had not rendered those rites (1138 ff.). That regret might seem inconsistent with her wish in 1131; but it represents a separate thought which rises in her mind as she pictures him perishing among strangers.

τοῖνδε , the fem. form in Attic inscriptions ( O.T. 1462 cr. n.).

κἀνασώσασθαι , ‘rescue’: so the act. in O.T. 1351

ἀπό τε φόνου

ἔρρυτο κἀνέσωσε

. The word means esp. to ‘recover’ what has been lost. Her. 3. 65

μὴ δὲ ἀνασωσαμένοισι τὴν ἀρχήν, μηδ’ ἐπιχειρήσασι ἀνασῴζειν.

φόνου : cp. 11 .

ὅπως … ἔκεισο , lit., ‘in order that thou mightest have lain’: see on O.T. 1319

ἵν’ ἦ τυφλός τε καὶ κλύων μηδέν

, and ib. 1392

ὡς ἔδειξα μήποτε κ.τ.λ.

τύμβου πατρῴου : cp. n. on 893.

φυγὰς : as Clyt. says (776 f.),

φυγὰς

ἀπεξενοῦτο

: and Electra (865 ff.),

ξένος

ἄτερ ἐμᾶν χερῶν

| ...

κέκευθεν

ἐν , instrumental ( Ant. 764 n.).

φίλαισι , as opp. to

ξέναισι

(1141). Cp. Pope's Elegy, vv. 47 ff.: ‘What can atone, oh ever-injured shade! | Thy fate unpity'd, and thy rites unpaid? | No friend's complaint, no kind domestic tear | Pleas'd thy pale ghost, or grac'd thy mournful bier. | By foreign hands thy dying eyes were clos'd, | By foreign hands thy decent limbs compos'd, | By foreign hands thy humble grave adorn'd, | By strangers honour'd, and by strangers mourn'd!’

λουτροῖς σ’ ἐκόσμης’ : not merely, ‘honoured with washings,’ but rather, ‘washed and dressed’ for the

πρόθεσις

. The sense is thus the same as in Ant. 900 f.

θανόντας αὐτόχειρ ὑμᾶς ἐγὼ

ἔλουσα κἀκόσμησα

. For

κοσμεῖν

in ref. to funeral rites, cp. 1401 : Ant. 395

τάφον

κοσμοῦσα

(‘showing grace to the dead’— by sprinkling dust and pouring libations). Similarly O.C. 1602

λουτροῖς τέ νιν

ἐσθῆτί τ’ ἐξήσκησαν

. Isaeus or. 8 § 22

λεγούσης ὅτι βούλοιτ’ ἂν αὐτὴ τὸ σῶμα τὸ ἐκείνου συμμεταχειρίζεσθαι

(referring esp. to the washing of the corpse)

μεθ’ ἡμῶν καὶ κοσμῆσαι

. Lucian De luctu 11 mentions washing, anointing with perfumes, crowning with flowers and dressing.

ἄθλιον βάρος , the calcined bones. So in Il. 24. 793 (at Hector's funeral), when the body had been burned and the pyre quenched with wine,

ὀστέα λευκὰ λέγοντο κασίγνητοί θ’ ἕταροί τε

. They then place them in a

λάρναξ

or urn, which is laid in a grave (

κάπετος

), and over this a mound (

σῆμα

) is raised.

ἐν ξέναισι χερσὶ κηδευθεὶς : cp. Demades

ὑπὲρ τῆς δωδεκαετίας

§ 9 (in Baiter and Sauppe's Oratores Attici, vol. 11. p. 314)

χιλίων ταφὴ Ἀθηναίων μαρτυρεῖ μοι, κηδευθεῖσα ταῖς τῶν ἐναντίων χερσίν

(a reminiscence of this verse?). Kaibel Epigr. Gr. 604. 3

Μαρκιανὸς δέ μ’ ἔθαψε καὶ ἐκήδευσεν.

σμικρὸς … ὄγκος : cp. 758 n.

τῆς ἐμῆς … τρ. ἀνωφελήτου : for the order of words, cp. 133 n.

παρέσχον , not

παρεῖχον

, because she is looking back on a closed chapter of her life: cp. VI. Thuc. 92. § 3

ἐπολιτεύθην

ἢ κἀμοῦ : for the redundant

καί

, see on O.C. 53

ὅσ’ οἶδα κἀγώ.

μητρὸς … φίλος , her ‘dear one,’ ‘darling.’ The objections made to

φίλος

, on the ground that it must mean ‘friend,’ illustrate the danger of identifying a word with its conventional equivalent in another language. The conjectures are all bad (

γάνος, θάλος, τέκος, φάος

, and, worst of all,

)φελος

, i.e.

ὄφελος

The schol. on 1146 has,

τὸ δὲ φίλος ἀντὶ ὄφελος

. But P. N. Papageorgius corrects

ὄφελος

ὦ φίλος

( Scholia in Soph. Trag. Vetera, Leipsic, 1888). And this is confirmed by the first part of the same scholium:

οὐκ ἦσθα τῆς μητρὸς ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον καὶ ἐμοῦ

: i.e., the scholiast understood, ‘for thou didst not belong to thy mother more than to me,’ and took

φίλος

as=a vocative.

οἱ κατ’ οἶκον , here=

οἱ οἰκέται

, as in Tr. 934

τῶν κατ’ οἶκον

. In Aesch. Cho. 749 ff. it is a domestic, the

τροφός

, who dwells on her care for the infancy of Orestes. ἦσαν , sc.

τροφοί.

ἀλλ’ ἐγὼ τροφός , sc.

ἦ

. [Not,

ἐγὼ

(

μὲν

)

τροφός, ἐγὼ δ’ ἀδελφὴ..προσηυδώμην

ἀδελφὴ σοὶ , rather than

ἀδελφή σοι

, since a slight emphasis on the pron. better marks the reciprocity of affection; ‘I was thy nurse; and by thee I was ever called “sister.”’ He had other sisters, but it was she who stood in the child's mind for all that ‘sister’ means.

προσηυδώμην : cp. 274 .

ἐκλέλοιπε : 19 n.

θανόντι , in its simple pathos, is better than the v.l.

θανόντα

, for which Brunck quotes Eur. H. F. 69

καὶ νῦν ἐκεῖνα μὲν θανόντ’ ἀνέπτατο.

συναρπάσας , like the more homely

συλλαβὼν

in O.T. 971 (n.).

θύελλ’ : Il. 13. 39

φλογὶ ἶσοι ἀολλέες ἠὲ θυέλλῃ

τέθνηκ’ ἐγὼ σοί : ‘I am dead in relation to thee.’ For Electra, this is another way of saying, ‘I am dead, so far as any aim or joy in life is concerned’; since the only hopes which made life tolerable to her were centred in her brother. See her words in 808 ff.,

ὥς μ’ ἀπώλεσας θανών·

ἀποσπάσας γὰρ κ.τ.λ.

For the dat. σοί , cp. Ph. 1030

τέθνηχ’ ὑμῖν πάλαι

. These words are usu. written τέθνηκ’ ἐγώ σοι : but the enclitic

σοι

destroys the point.

Others explain: (1) ‘I am dead because of thee’; ‘thou hast been the death of me.’ The dat. is then like that in Ai. 1128

τῷδε δ’ οἴχομαι

(‘in his purpose, I am dead’). But this is less suitable to the context. (2) ‘I am dead to thee, as thou to me,’— i.e., we are now parted from each other by the barrier between earth and Hades.—The objection to τέθνηκ’ ἐγώ· σὺ κ.τ.λ. is that the unqualified

τέθνηκα

would be unfitting when a reference to actual death immediately follows.

μήτηρ ἀμήτωρ : cp. O.T. 1214

τὸν ἄγαμον γάμον

: Ai. 665

ἄδωρα δῶρα

: P.V. 544

ἄχαρις χάρις.

ἧς , ‘concerning whom,’ depends primarily on

φήμας προὔπεμπες

( cp. 317 n.), but also denotes the object of

τιμωρός

. It must not be taken with

λάθρᾳ

: the messages were of course secret; the point here is their tenor and their frequency. Cp. 169 f.

1160—

οἴμοι μοί

κ.τ.λ.

These three verses are divided as above in L, and now in most editions. Hermann wrote

οἴ μοι

. |

ὦ δέμας οἰκτρόν

. |

φεῦ, φεῦ

. |

ὦ δεινοτάτας

οἴ μοι

.—For anapaestic verses inserted in dialogue, cp. Tr. 1081

αἰαῖ, ὦ τάλας, αἰαῖ

, and ib. 1085

ὦναξ Ἀΐδη, δέξαι μ’

, |

ὦ Διὸς ἀκτίς, παῖσον

. This is one of the traits from which it may be inferred that the Electra was a comparatively late play. Cp. 1502 .

κελεύθους , from Crisa to Mycenae:

δεινοτάτας

, since the expected avenger returns as dust. For the poetical plur., cp. 68

ταῖσδε ταῖς ὁδοῖς

. The plur. might, indeed, mean the journey from Mycenae to Phocis, and the return; but this is less natural.

ἀπώλεσας : cp. 808 .

δῆτ’ : 842 n.

τοιγὰρ σὺ δέξαι μ’

κ.τ.λ.

: cp. Romeo and Juliet, act 5, sc. 3, 106: ...‘I still will stay with thee, | And never from this palace of dim night | Depart again: here, here will I remain | With worms that are thy chamber-maids; O, here | Will I set up my everlasting rest’...

τὴν μηδὲν , as in Ai. 1231

τοῦ μηδὲν

τοῦ θανόντος.

τὸ μηδὲν also can be said of a person who is dead ( Eur. fr. 522, quoted on 244 ff.), or doomed to death, Soph. Tr. 1107

κἂν τὸ μηδὲν ὦ

: but here, following

τὴν μηδὲν

, it rather suggests the state, ‘thy nothingness.’ On these phrases generally cp. Soph. Ant. 1325 n.

μετεῖχον τῶν ἴσων : cp. Dem. or. 21 § 96

τῶν ἴσων μετεῖχε τοῖς <*>λλοις ἡμῖν.

μὴ ἀπολείπεσθαι : this mode of writing, which implies synizesis, is now more usual than

μἀπο‐

(crasis), or

μὴ )πο‐

(prodelision): see n. on Ph. 782 ,

ἀπολείπεσθαι

=‘to be left behind by,’ and so, ‘to be parted from,’ ‘deprived of’: Eur. Med. 35

πατρῴας μὴ ἀπολείπεσθαι χθονός

: Eur. Or. 216

τῶν πρὶν ἀπολειφθεὶς φρενῶν

τοὺς .. θανόντας κ.τ.λ. This verse has been rejected (cr. n.) as a commonplace not suitable here. But it is surely one which might naturally occur in any utterance of weary despair. It closes her lament with a cadence like that which we find twice elsewhere near the end of a speech: O.C. 955

θανεῖν· θανόντων δ’ οὐδὲν ἄλγος ἅπτεται

: Tr. 1173

τοῖς γὰρ θανοῦσι μόχθος οὐ προσγίγνεται

θνητοῦ

κ.τ.λ.

: ‘as thy father was a mortal, so his son, thy brother, was but mortal also’: with θνητὸς supply

ἦν.

φρόνει , ‘bethink thee’ (not, ‘be patient’).—Nauck would change

πέφυκας

γεγῶσα

, and

θνητὸς δ’

θανόντ’

, because (1) it is ‘absurd’ to call a dead man

θνητός

: (2) it is no comfort for Electra that her father was mortal: and (3) the parenthetic

φρόνει

is unusual.

πᾶσιν γὰρ ἡμῖν . Bergk rejects this verse, thinking that it was probably interpolated from Euripides (cp. Alc. 419

ὡς πᾶσιν ἡμῖν κατθανεῖν ὀφείλεται

, and ib. 782). Itis true that the comment of the Chorus on an actor's speech is usu. limited to two verses. But we find three above, It 369 —371, and in O. T. 1073 — 1075. Few will think with Dindorf that τοῦτ’ (=

τὸ θανεῖν

, implied in

θνητὸς

) is too obscure.

φεῦ φεῦ, τί λέξω ; Orestes, deeply moved, speaks to himself, though loud enough for Electra to hear. A similar ‘aside’ (if it can be called so) marks the crisis in the purpose of Neoptolemus, Ph. 895 f.:

ΝΕ. παπαῖ· τί δῆτ’ ἂν δρῷμ’ ἐγὼ τοὐνθένδε γε; ΦΙ. τί δ’ ἔστιν, ὦ παῖ; ποῖ ποτ’ ἐξέβης λόγῳ;

λόγων goes with ποῖ , not with ἀμηχανῶν . Cp. O.C. 310

ὦ Ζεῦ, τί λέξω; ποῖ φρενῶν ἔλθω, πάτερ;

Ph. 897

οὐκ οἶδ’ ὅποι χρὴ τἄπορον τρέπειν ἔπος

1176-1226

It is well to observe the delicately gradual process which leads up to the recognition.

(i) 1176—1187. She is surprised that her woes should affect the stranger, and he hints that they are his own. (ii) 1188 —1198. She is thus led to speak more in detail of her sorrows, and of her despair,—caused by her brother's death. (iii) 1199—1204. He once more expresses his pity,—and this time in words which cause her to ask whether he can be a kinsman. He does not give a direct answer, but inquires whether the Chorus are friendly, and is assured that they are so.

The preparation is now complete: the actual disclosure follows. (i) 1205— 1210. He asks her to give him the urn which is in her hands: she entreats that she may be allowed to keep it, and to pay it the last honours. (ii) 1211—1217. He tells her that she ought not to mourn for her brother. ‘Why,’ she asks: ‘if these are his ashes?’ ‘They are not so,’ he replies,—taking the urn from her hands. (iii) 1218—1221. ‘Where, then,’ she asks, ‘is his grave?’ ‘The living have no grave.’ ‘He lives?’ ‘Yes,—as surely as I live.’

ἔσχες ἄλγος : cp. 897

ἔσχον θαῦμα

: and for the sense of the aor., 1256, 1465.

κλεινὸν , as a daughter of the great Agamemnon, the names of whose children were widely known: so Iolè, daughter of Eurytus, is

κάρτα λαμπρὰ καὶ κατ’ ὄνομα καὶ φύσιν

( Tr. 379 ). Cp. Ph. 575

ὅδ’ ἔσθ’ ὁ κλεινός σοι Φιλοκτήτης, ξένε

.—Though joined with

εἶδος, κλεινὸν

should not be taken as referring to the fame of her beauty; it is equivalent to

κλεινῆς

, by the common idiom (785).

1178-1184

Bergk has an ingenious (though, I think, mistaken) theory concerning this passage. Seeing that v. 1180 resembles v. 1184, he suggests that 1180 was an inferior variant for 1184: and, on similar grounds, that 1183 was a feebler substitute for 1179. That is, there were two different texts of this passage. ( a) In one of them, the better, verses 1180 and 1183 were absent, and the rest stood in this order, 1178, 1181, 1182, 1179, 1184. ( b) In the other, verses 1179 and 1184 were absent, and the rest stood in this order, 1178, 1181, 1182, 1183, 1180. The present text arose from an attempt to harmonise the other two.

We have only to read the dialogue with attention to perceive that this hypothesis of variants is arbitrary. Verse 1183 expresses sympathy in a more definite and emphatic manner than v. 1179: verse 1184 expresses surprise more directly and decidedly than v. 1180. There is a gradual accentuation of the stranger's interest and of Electra's perplexity. This development is the internal proof that our text has not arisen from a dittographia.

καὶ μάλ’ : here, as in 1455, the

καὶ

=‘and’; sometimes, however,

καὶ μάλα

= vel maxime (cp.

καὶ πολύ, καὶ λίαν

), as in Xen. Cyr. 6. 1. 36

ἀνθρώπους..καὶ μάλα δοκοῦντας φρονίμους εἶναι

ταλαίνης is better taken with συμφορᾶς than with

σοῦ

understood. Cp. Aesch. Th. 695

τάλαιν’ ἀρά

: Aesch. Ch. 1069

μόχθοι τάλανες

. Soph. Ai. 980

ὤμοι βαρείας ἆρα τῆς ἐμῆς τύχης

: where, as here, and in O.T. 1395, O.C. 409,

ἆρα

=simply

ἄρα

οὐ

δή ποτ’

, the reading of the scholiast, is clearly better than that which prevails in our MSS.,

τί δήποτ’

. It expresses her first feeling of surprise: she can hardly believe that his pity is for her. In 1184, on the other hand,

τί δή ποτ’

is fitting: she has recognised the fact, and asks the cause. Cp. 1108 .

ἀτίμως , ruthlessly: cp. 444 n.— κἀθέως , in the act. sense of

ἄθεος

, ‘disregarding the gods,’ ‘impious.’ Kinsfolk have wronged their kinswoman. Cp. 124

ἀθεώτατα

: Antiphon or. 1 § 21

ἀθέως καὶ ἀκλεῶς πρὸ τῆς εἱμαρμένης ὑφ’ ὧν ἥκιστ’ ἐχρῆν τὸν βίον ἐκλιπών

ἢ )μὲ : Ant. 83

μὴ )μοῦ προτάρβει

: ib. 736

ἢ )μοί.

δυσφημεῖς : cp. 905 n. The schol. gives the sense rightly,

τὰ δύσφημα ταῦτα ἂ λέγεις ἐμοὶ καὶ οὐκ ἄλλῳ τινὶ ἁρμόζει

. For the fem. ἄλλην , cp. 100 . The words express, courteously, yet with a certain reserve and dignity, her surprise that a stranger should make the comment; ξένε is significant.

ἀνύμφου , as her forlorn appearance shows ( cp. 188

φίλος οὔτις ἀνὴρ ὑπερίσταται

: also 165, 962).

τροφῆς , way of life: Ai. 499

δουλίαν ἕξειν τροφήν

τί δή ποτ’ .

δή

, which the scribe of L appears to have regarded as the true reading (cr. n.), is slightly better here than μοι , which would be an ethic dat. (‘I pray thee’: cp. 144 ):

μοι

could not depend on ἐπισκοπῶν , which would require the acc. The partic. is absolute (‘with this steadfast gaze’); it does not govern τί (as=‘with what meaning?’).

ἐν τῷ … τῶν εἰρημένων , ‘by means of what that has been said?’: cp. Plat. Prot.p. 324

Ε ἐν τούτῳ..λύεται ἡ ἀπορία

ὁρῶν σὲ

κ.τ.λ.

‘What,’ she asks, ‘has quickened this sense of thy woes?’ ‘The sight of thine,’ he answers. Clearly we must write σὲ , not σε : the antithesis with τῶν ἐμῶν (1185) requires it, and otherwise the point is lost. [A school ed. published by me in 1867 was the first, so far as I know, which gave σέ . Mr Blaydes (ed. of 1873) approved this (p. 322), and adopted it.]

ἐμπρέπουσαν . Cp. Aesch. Ch. 17 (Electra)

πένθει λυγρῷ

πρέπουσαν

: which refers to all the outward signs of grief, and not merely to dress. Suppl. 116 (if sound)

ἰηλέμοισιν ἐμπρεπῆ

(

ἐμφερῆ

Tucker)

ζῶσα γόοις με τιμῶ

πόθεν , predicate:

πόθεν ἐστὶ τοῦτο τὸ κακὸν ὃ ἐξεσήμηνας

; Cp. Ph. 26

τοὔργον οὐ μακρὰν λέγεις

(n.).

εἶτα marks a further aggravation of her lot. His murderers though they are, she is their slave.

δουλεύω : 190 n.

ἀνάγκῃ … προτρέπει . Cp. Il. 6. 336

ἥμην ἐν θαλάμῳ, ἔθελον δ’ ἄχεϊ προτραπέσθαι

, ‘to turn forwards towards’ grief, and so, ‘to yield myself up to it.’ It seems possible that this Homeric use of the middle was that on which Sopho cles modelled his use of the act. here. ‘Who causes thee to yield to this necessity,’—‘subjects thee’ to it? No dative occurs with this verb elsewhere; nor is any emendation probable. [I formerly understood, ‘ impels thee with this necessity.’ But this is awkward: in Ant. 269 f.

ὅς πάντας ἐς πέδον κάρα

νεῦσαι φόβῳ προὔτρεψεν

, the sense is, indeed, ‘impelled,’ but the inf. aids it, as in O. T. 358

σὺ γάρ μ’ ἄκοντα προὐτρέψω λέγειν

ἐξισοῖ , trans., as in 738 and elsewhere in Sophocles: schol.

οὐκ ἴσα πράττει τῷ τῆς μητρὸς ὀνόματι

. Cp. Tr. 818

μηδὲν ὡς τεκοῦσα δρᾷ

. It is needless to assume an intrans. use here (‘resembles’). Such an use is generally recognised, indeed, in Thuc. 5. 71 § 2, and 6. 87 § 5; though in each place it is possible to supply an acc. from the context.

χερσὶν , personal violence, hinted at in 627, 912: λύμη βίου , in respect of food, lodging, dress, etc.; 189 ff. Cp. Tr. 793

λυμαντὴν βίου

οὑπαρήξων : cp. O. T. 297 n.

προὔθηκας , set before me, presented: cp. Ai. 1294

προθέντ’ ἀδελφῷ δεῖπνον

ποτέ is right; the v.l. ἐμέ was probably due to a fancied need for the pron., which, however, can easily be understood; cp. Ph. 801

ἔμπρησον

(n.). If it were required, it would be simplest to read νύν μ’ .

τοῖσι σοῖς was the prevalent reading here, while τοῖς ἴσοις can claim to be the original reading of L: but, in a case where confusion was so easy, the authority of our MSS. is not great. In O. T. 648

πάρεισί σοι

has been made in L from

πάρεισ’ ἴσοι

: and in Vesp. 747

τοῖς ἴσοις

was a v.l. for the true

τοῖσι σοῖς

The word ξυγγενὴς in 1202 is the point which inclines me to prefer τοῖσι σοῖς . If he had said τοῖς ἴσοις ,—‘equal,’ or ‘equivalent,’ woes,—that would have explained, indeed, why he should feel sympathy; but it would not have warranted the surmise that he was a kinsman. The objection that, with

τοῖσι σοῖς

, v. 1201 merely repeats 1200, is un founded. He pities her woes, he says, because he feels them (

ἀλγῶν

). Cp. Aesch. Cho. 222 (shortly before the

ἀναγνώρισις

ΗΛ. ἀλλ’ ἐν κακοῖσι τοῖς ἐμοῖς γελᾶν θέλεις

; |

ΟΡ. κἀν τοῖς ἐμοῖς ἄῤ, εἴπερ ἔν γε τοῖσι σοῖς

. While preferring

τοῖσι σοῖς

, however, I recognise that

τοῖς ἴσοις

is also quite tenable.

τὸ τῶνδε =

αἵδε

. Cp. Legg. p. 657

Δ οἱ μὲν νέοι...τὸ δὲ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων

νυν refers to the assurance just given,

πρὸς πιστὰς ἐρεῖς

: it is clearly better than

νῦν

πιθοῦ : cp. Tr. 470

πιθοῦ λεγούσῃ

. L, with most MSS., has πείθου : .

πρὸς γενείου : a formula of solemn appeal, accompanied, perhaps. by the gesture of raising her right hand towards his face. In Il. 1. 500 f. Thetis clasps the knees of Zeus with her left hand, and places her right under his chin. The same two acts of supplication are associated in Eur. H. F. 1207 , Eur. Andr. 573 , etc. Cp. Eur. Hec. 344

μή σου προσθίγω γενειάδος

The reading of the MSS., μ<*> )ξέλη , is stronger and more pathetic than μ’ ἐξέλῃ : and

με

is easily understood. For the reiterated

μή

, cp. O. C. 210

μή, μή μ’ ἀνέρῃ

: Ai. 191

μή, μή μ’, ἄναξ

,.. | ..

κακὰν φάτιν ἄρῃ.

ἐξέλῃ , properly, ‘take out of my keeping,’ while

ἀφέλῃ

would be simply ‘take away from me.’ So Her. 3. 137

ἑξαιρεθέντες τε τὸν Δημοκήδεα καὶ τὸν γαῦλον..ἀπαιρεθέντες.

τὰ φίλτατα : cp. O. C. 1110

ἔχω τὰ φίλτατ’

(his daughters): Ph. 434

σοῦ πατρὸς ἦν τὰ φίλτατα

(Patroclus).

οὐ φήμ’ ἐάσειν . Cp. Ph. 816 f.

ΦΙ. μέθες, μέθες με

... |

ΝΕ. οὐ φήμ’ ἐάσειν

. He approaches her; she clings to the urn, and at v. 1216 is still holding it; then his words,

ἀλλ’ οὐκ Ὀρέστου

(1217), reconcile her to parting with it, and he gently takes it from her hands.

The division of the trimeter (

ἀντιλαβή

) marks agitation, as again in 1220—1226, 1323, etc. Cp. also O. T. 627 , O. C. 722 , Ph. 54 , etc.

τάλαιν’ ἐγὼ σέθεν : cp. Tr. 972

οἴμοι ἐγὼ σοῦ μέλεος

εἰ στερήσομαι . For

εἰ

with

ὦ φίλτατον φῶς . Cp. Ph. 530

ὦ φίλτατον μὲν ἦμαρ, <*>διστος δ’ ἀνήρ

ὦ φθέγμ’ . A beautifully natural expression of her new joy in his living presence. So the solitary Philoctetes welcomes the sound of Greek speech,—

ὦ φίλτατον φώνημα

( Ph. 234 ). Cp. Ai. 14

ὦ φθέγμ’ Ἀθάνας

. O. C. 863 (Oed. to Creon)

ὦ φθέγμ’ ἀναιδές.

μηκέτ’ ἄλλοθεν πύθῃ . Cp. 1474 : O. C. 1266

τἀμὰ μὴ )ξ ἄλλων πύθῃ

. For

μηκέτ’

, cp. Pind. O. 1. 114

μηκέτι πάπταινε πόρσιον

ἔχω … ἔχοις ἀεί . Cp. Eur. El. 578

ὦ χρόνῳ φανείς

, |

ἔχω σ’ ἀέλπτως

ΟΠ. κἀξ ἐμοῦ γ’ ἔχει χρόνῳ

πολίτιδες : cp. 251 n.: 1413.

μηχαναῖσι : as Hamlet (3. 4. 188) is ‘mad in craft.’

σεσωσμένον : cp. 60 . Here the word implies, ‘brought safely home’ ( Tr. 610

ἐς δόμους

| ..

σωθέντ’

συμφοραῖσι . Eustathius p. 647. 37:

καὶ ἡ συμφορὰ δὲ οὐ μόνον ἀποτρόπαιος ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀγαθή, ὡς δηλοῖ σὺν ἄλλοις καὶ ὁ εἰπὼν ἐπ’ ἀγαθῷ τὸ ἐπὶ συμφοραῖς γεγηθὸς...ἄπο

. Ar. Eq. 406 (from Simonides)

πῖνε πῖν’ ἐπὶ συμφοραῖς.

γεγηθὸς … δάκρυον : cp. Ant. 527

φιλάδελφα κάτω δάκρὐ εἰβομένη

1232-1287

μέλος ἀπὸ σκηνῆς

between Electra and Orestes. Strophe, 1232—1352,=antistr. 1253—1272 (a verse being lost after 1264). Epode, 1273— 1287. For metres see Metrical Analysis.

γοναὶ σωμάτων

κ.τ.λ.

This phrase seems to gain in fulness and force if taken as meaning, ‘son of the father whom I so loved,’ rather than as a mere periphrasis for

σώματα φίλτατα

, ‘dearest of all men ever born’: the latter would be weaker than ( e.g.)

τέκνων σῶν..δίπτυχος γονή

( Eur. Med. 1136 ), though it is tenable. In either case the use of the plur.

σωμάτων

instead of

σώματος

(schol.

ἀντὶ τοῦ ἑνικοῦ

) is very bold, and seemingly unique. ( Cp. 206 , n. on

θανάτους

.) It is confirmed, however, by the fact that Latin poetry tolerates a corresponding use of corpora: Ovid Her. Epist. 8. 113

male corpora tacta relinquo

, the (living) body of Pyrrhus. (Conversely in Eur. Med. 1108

σῶμα τέκνων

= ib. 1111

σώματα τέκνων

.) The plur. certainly cannot be explained by supposing a reference to Pylades also.

ἀρτίως marks her sense of the sudden change from the despair which she was feeling but a few moments before.

οὓς , meaning herself: for the plur., cp. O. T. 1184

ξὺν οἷς τ’

οὐ χρῆν ὁμιλῶν, οὕς τέ μ’ οὐκ ἔδει κτανών.

ἐχρήζετε : cp. 171 .

σῖγ’ ἔχουσα : so Ph. 258

<*>γ’ ἔχοντες

ἀλλ’ οὐ μὰ

κ.τ.λ.

Far the most probable account of the text here is that an iambic trimeter was corrupted, first by an accidental transposition of words and then by attempted correction, into the form which appears in most MSS. (cr. n.),

ἀλλ’ οὐ τὰν Ἄρτεμιν τὰν αἰὲν ἀδμήταν

. A strong argument for this is the antistrophic verse, 1260,

τίς οὖν ἂν ἀξίαν γε σοῦ πεφηνότος

: where

ἂν

, though omitted by the scribe of L, was supplied by another early hand, and appears in A, as in most other MSS., and in the Aldine. The inference is confirmed by the manner in which pairs of iambic trimeters alternate with lyrics throughout this strophe: 1235 f., 1243 f., 1251 f.—For other views, see Appendix.

τὴν ἄδμητον : cp. the prayer of the Danaïdes to Artemis, Suppl. 149

ἀδμάτας ἀδμάτα

ῥύσιος γενέσθω.

Ἄρτεμιν : 626 n.

τόδε μὲν … ὂν ἀεί . These words express her new exultation in the sense that she has a brother for her champion.

περισσὸν ἄχθος , vainly burdening the ground: cp. fr. 859

ὡς οὐδέν ἐσμεν πλὴν σκιαῖς ἐοικότες

, |

βάρος περισσὸν γῆς ἀναστρωφώμενοι

. Od. 20. 378

οὐδέ τι ἔργων

ἔμπαιον οὐδὲ βίης, ἀλλ’ αὔτως ἄχθος ἀρούρης

. Il. 18. 104

ἀλλ’ ἧμαι παρὰ νηυσὶν ἐτώσιον ἄχθος ἀρούρης.

ἔνδον … ὂν ἀεί . Cp. O. C. 343 n.: Eur. Or. 928

τἄνδον οἰκουρήμαθ’

γε μὲν δὴ : cp. Tr. 484

ἐπεί γε μὲν δὴ

(n.).

Ἄρης , the warlike spirit: cp. Aesch. Ag. 78

Ἄρης δ’ οὐκ ἐνὶ χώρᾳ

: id. Suppl. 749

γυνὴ μονωθεῖσ’ οὐδέν· οὐκ ἔνεστ’ Ἄρης

εὖ δ’ ἔξοισθα κ.τ.λ. These words prove the genuineness of the verse (which Triclinius rejected, cr. n.): for it is this allusion to her sufferings at the hands of Clyt. that prompts Electra's reply.

ἀνέφελον … κακόν . Her sorrow—the long and bitter strife with her mother—is one over which, from its nature (

οἷον ἔφυ

), no veil can be drawn; it is manifest to all, and fierce, like the sun in a cloudless summer sky. It is a sorrow which can never be done away with,

οὔ ποτε καταλύσιμον

, because no reconciliation is possible. And it is one of which no time can efface the memory (

οὐδέ ποτε λησόμενον

The author of the scholium on 1245 read ἐνέβαλες :—

ἐπείπερ ὑπέμνησεν αὐτὴν τῆς τοῦ πατρὸς ἀναιρέσεως, διὰ τῶν προειρημένων δύο στίχων φησὶν ὅτι ἐνέβαλές μοι κακὸν ἀνέφελον

. This yields a good sense; ‘thou hast mentioned’ ( mentionem iniecisti). Cp. Plat. Rep. 344

Δ οἷον ἐμβαλὼν λόγον ἐν νῷ ἔχεις ἀπιέναι

. The traditional ἐπέβαλες has been explained in two ways. (1) ‘You have mentioned.’ For this sense there is no parallel. (2) ‘You have laid the burden of the woe upon me,’— i.e., ‘brought it to my recollection.’ This is perhaps just possible: but it is so artificial as to seem improbable. ὑπέβαλες , ‘you have suggested,’ would be an easy correction: cp. 833

ὑποίσεις

. Ph. 1170

παλαιὸν ἄλγημ’ ὑπέμνασας

. If, however, it was the original word, the corruption to

ἐπέβαλες

is strange, since the sense would have been clear.

καταλύσιμον , fitting here, as suggestive of

καταλύεσθαι ἔχθραν, πόλεμον, κ.τ.λ.

λησόμενον : ‘that never its own burden can forget,’ as Whitelaw renders. The

κακόν

is half-personified here, though not in the preceding clauses; precisely as in Ph. 1167 the

κήρ

(disease) is

οἰκτρὰ.. βόσκειν, ἀδαὴς δ’

ἔχειν μυρίον ἄχθος ὃ ξυνοικεῖ

(n.).

The usual explanation is, ‘that cannot be forgotten’; but

λήσομαι

is nowhere passive. There is, indeed, no classical fut. pass. of

λανθάνω

, for (

ἐπι

)

λησθήσομαι

occurs only in later Greek (LXX. Ps. ix. 19 , etc.). Even

λελήσεται

=‘will forget,’ Eur. Alc. 198. —

λησόμενον

could mean, ‘that cannot escape notice’; for, though the act.

λήσω

is more usual in this sense ( Soph. Tr. 455 , Il. 23. 416 ), the midd.

λήσομαι

is so used by Hippocrates (2. 170), Arist. ( Pr. Anal. 2. 19), Lucian, etc. But here, especially after

ἀνέφελον

, such a sense would evidently be too weak.

ἔξοιδα καὶ ταῦτ’ : ‘these things also,’ i.e., the sufferings to which she has just alluded. The change of καὶ to

παῖ

(rightly made in Ph. 79 ) is needless here.

παρουσία may be freely rendered ‘occasion’; it seems to be a purposely vague word, intended to suggest ‘the presence’ of the murderers; a dark hint of the coming vengeance. When their presence admonishes ( φράζῃ ),—gives the signal for action,—then will be the time to recall their crimes; which are indicated, with a similar reserve, by ἔργων τῶνδε .

The scholia attest

παρουσία

as the traditional reading, and suggest two explanations. (1)

ὅταν ἐπιτρέπῃ ὁ καιρὸς καὶ καλῇ

: i.e.,

παρουσία

τὰ παρόντα

, the circumstances of the moment. Cp. cum res ipsa feret. (2)

ὁπόταν ἡ παρουσία τούτων ᾖ καὶ ὁ καιρὸς ἐπιτήδειος

. Here

τούτων

is evidently neuter, and the meaning is, ‘when these topics come before us,’—when it is the fitting time to discuss them. Neither view is satisfactory.

The v.l. παρρησία , doubtless a conjecture, would enfeeble the passage, and would further require us to alter φράζῃ .

ὁ πᾶς … χρόνος , ‘all time’ to come: cp. Isocr. or. 1 § 11

ἐπιλίποι δ’ ἂν ἡμᾶς ὁ πᾶς χρόνος, εἰ πάσας τὰς ἐκείνου πράξεις καταριθμησαίμεθα

. In Pind. P. 1. 46

ὁ πᾶς χρόνος

has a like sense. παρὼν , ‘when present,’ i.e., ‘as it comes.’ There can be no moment at which she might not fitly make her just complaints. δίκᾳ goes with ἐννέπειν , not with πρέποι .

μόλις γὰρ κ.τ.λ.: i.e., having waited so long for freedom of utterance, she should not now be required to keep silence.— ἔσχον , ‘have obtained’: cp. 1176 n.

σῴζου τόδε , i.e. the

ἐλεύθερον στόμα

. If she is overheard in the house, she may yet lose the newly-gained free dom. Except in the sense of ‘remembering’ (993 n.), the midd. of the simple

σῴζω

is somewhat rare; but cp. Ar. Eq. 1017

σῴζεσθαί σ’ ἐκέλευσ’ ἱερὸν κύνα

μακρὰν … λέγειν : Ar. Th. 382

μακρὰν ἔοικε λέξειν

. Cp. Soph. Ai. 1040

μ<*> τεῖνε μακράν

: Aesch. Ag. 916

μακρὰν γὰρ ἐξέτεινας

τίς οὖν , a remonstrance, in which

οὖν

may be rendered by ‘Nay.’ ἀξίαν is predicative, and equiv. to an adverb, ‘worthily,’ ‘fitly’; cp. the schol.,

τίς ἄν, φησί, σοῦ φανέντος δικαίως ἕλοιτο ἀντὶ λόγων σιωπήν

; I agree with the schol. also in taking σοῦ πεφηνότος as a gen. absol., rather than as depending on

ἀξίαν

. For the absolute use of the latter, cp. 298

ἀξίαν δίκην

: O. T. 1004

χάριν.. ἀξίαν

: ib. 133

ἀξίως.

Join λόγων with μεταβάλοιτ’ , not with

σιγὰν

: cp. Antiphon or. 5 § 79

ἠλλάξαντο..εὐδαιμονίας.. κακοδαιμονίαν.

<*>δε , as thou biddest.

1264 After τότ’ εἶδες , the MSS. have ὅτε : but the tribrach in the second foot, while there is no caesura in the third, makes an intolerably lame verse. Read εὖτε instead of ὅτε , and scan θεοὶ as a monosyllable by synizesis. In the other trimeters of Sophocles where

θεὸς

belongs to the third foot, it is always so scanned: O. C. 964 , Ph. 1020 , Ai. 489 , Ai. 1129. ὅτε arose from τότ’ .

ἐπώτρυναν , by the oracle (35): an answer to the reproach unconsciously conveyed by

ἀέλπτως

(1263). He came as soon as Apollo gave the word. After this verse, a trimeter has been lost, as the strophe shows, where v. 1244 (

ἔνεστιν κ.τ.λ.

) is certainly genuine.

χάριτος , a grace shown to her, a matter for thankfulness.

ἐπόρισεν is the best correction of the corrupt

ἐπόρσεν

ἐπῶρσεν

. It is true that

πορίζω

has not elsewhere the special sense of

πορεύω

, ‘to convey,’ ‘bring’: but how easily a poet might transfer that sense to it, is suggested by the similar case of

πορεῖν

in O. C. 1457 , (

πῶς ἄν τις

)

δεῦρο Θησέα πόροι

, ‘fetch him hither.’

δαιμόνιον : cp. Xen. Mem. 1. 3. § 5

εἰ μή τι δαιμόνιον εἴη

. Dem. or. 2 § 1

δαιμονίᾳ τινὶ καὶ θείᾳ παντάπασιν ἔοικεν εὐεργεσίᾳ.

τίθημ’ =

τίθεμαι

: Ant. 1166

οὐ τίθημ’ ἐγὼ

ζῆν τοῦτον

Electra remembers the warning dream (417 ff.), in which she had already surmised a supernatural agency (411: 459). It is indeed

δαιμόνιον

that Orestes, sent by Apollo, should arrive at this moment.

The punctuation given in the text seems best. The Aldine has only a comma after

μέλαθρα

: but then we should need a colon after

χάριτος

τὰ μὲν … τὰ δὲ (adverbial), ‘on the one hand,’ ‘on the other’: Tr. 534 f.

ὁδὸν … φανῆναι : cp. 1318

ἐξήκεις ὁδόν

. Here, too, the acc. is ‘cognate,’ since the verb implies

ἐλθεῖν

. (It is not really like Ai. 878 ,

κέλευθον..φανείς

, where the acc. denotes the ground which the search has traversed.)

τί μὴ ποήσω ; He interrupts her entreaty,

μή τί με

—, by asking, ‘what am I not to do?’ (the negative form of the delib. subjunct.).

μή μ’ ἀποστερήσῃς … ἁδονὰν : the double acc. with

ἀποστερεῖν

, though less frequent than acc. of person and gen. of thing, is not rare: cp. Antiphon Tetral.

β. γ.

§ 2

τὸ ἥμισυ τῆς κατηγορίας ἐμαυτὸν ἂν ἀπεστέρησα

: Isaeus or. 8 § 43

τὰ.. χρήματα ἡμᾶς ἀποστερήσων

: Xen. An. 7. 6. 9

ἡμᾶς..ἀποστερεῖ τὸν μισθόν.

μεθέσθαι , sc.

αὐτῆς

, epexegetic inf.:

δαίσασθαι

. Cp. Eur. Med. 736

ἄγουσιν οὐ μεθεἶ ἂν ἐκ γαίας ἐμέ

, where the acc. depends on the part., and

ἐμοῦ

is to be supplied with the verb. (Porson, in his note on that v., suggests

ἁδονᾶν

here, comparing the plur.

ἡδονὰς

in 1302.)

ξυναινεῖς , as in 402, Ph. 122.

τί μὴν οὔ ; ‘why should I not?’ =‘of course I do.’ Cp. [Eur. ] Rhes. 706

ΗΜ. Α. δοκεῖς γάρ; ΗΜ. Β. τί μὴν οὔ;

Similarly, without

οὔ

, Aesch. Eum. 203

ἔχρησα ποινὰς τοῦ πατρὸς πέμψαι· τί μήν

; (‘what then?’ i.e. ‘I was right in doing so.’)

ὦ φίλαι . It seems fitting that, towards the close of these lyrics, Electra should address some words to the sympathetic Chorus,—as she did before, just after the discovery (1227); though at v. 1285 she again speaks to Orestes. The emendation ὦ φίλ’, ὅτ’ (Wunder), like others designed to alter φίλαι , is hardly probable.

αὐδάν is unquestionably the living voice of Orestes, which ‘she could never have hoped to hear,’ after the apparent proofs of his death. Cp. 1225

ὦ φθέγὐ, ἀφίκου

: and with οὐδ’ ἂν ἤλπις’ , cp. 1263

ἀέλπτως

: 832 f.

εἰ τῶν φανερῶς οἰχομένων

εἰς Ἀΐδαν ἐλπίδ’ ὑποίσεις

: and 858 f. The first and best scholium on 1281 recognises that

αὐδάν

denotes a source of joy, not of grief, to her (

καὶ γὰρ ἡ ἡδονὴ προετρέπετο αὐτὴν βοῆσαι

), though wrongly explaining the word as

φήμην περὶ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ

(news of his safety). If

αὐδάν

meant the report of his death, the words

ἃν ἐγὼ οὐδ’ ἂν ἤλπισ’

would lose all force.

1283 f. There can be no doubt that something has been lost before ἔσχον . Arndt supplies οὐδ’ ἂν , which might easily have been omitted, either through its likeness to

αὐδάν

just before it, or through the

οὐδ’ ἂν

above it. ὁρμὰν , for the traditional

ὀργὰν

, is due to Blomfield ( Mus. Crit. 1. 214).

ὀργή

in Sophocles means either (1) ‘anger,’ or (2) ‘disposition’: Ant. 875

αὐτόγνωτος..ὀργά

: ib. 355

ἀστυνομους ὀργάς

: Ai. 639

συντρόφοις ὀργαῖς

. Neither sense can be fitted into any probable interpretation. Some have supposed the meaning to be that Electra ‘restrained her anger in silence,’ when Clyt. was exulting in the death of Orestes; but, in fact, her anger found a voice (see 792). Others understand that she ‘restrained her emotion’ (of grief), on hearing the sad news; but she did not do so (see 823—870): nor could

ὀργὰν

mean ‘emotion’ in that sense.

On the other hand

ὀργή

and

ὁρμή

were easily confused in MSS. Thus in Tr. 720 , where

ὁρμῇ

is right,

has been written over

in L, and

ὀργῇ

is actually the reading of A, and of the Aldine. Cp. also O. T. 337.

The context is the best guide to the sense which should be restored. Through out these lyrics, Orestes has been endeavouring to repress Electra's cries, lest she should be overheard (1236, 1238, 1251 f., 1257, 1259, 1271 f.). The corrupt words probably referred to this. ὁρμὰν is the ‘impulse’ or ‘emotion’ which compelled her to utter her new joy. She turns to these sympathetic women, and excuses her incaution by her happiness.

οὐδ’ ἂν ἔσχον is the potential indicative: see Goodwin, Moods and Tenses, new ed., § 244. Cp. Dem. or. 37 § 57

πῶς ἂν...ἐγώ τί σε ἠδίκησα

; (‘how could I possibly have wronged thee?’). ἄναυδον , proleptic: Aesch. Ag. 1247

εὔφημον... κοίμησον στόμα

Other interpretations and conjectures will be found in the Appendix.

τάλαινα is a comment on her own joyous emotion, precisely as in 902

κεὐθὺς τάλαιν’ ὡς εἶδον κ.τ.λ.

1288-1383

The first part of the third

ἐπεισόδιον

began, at 1098, with the entrance of Orestes. Now, after the

μέλος ἀπὸ σκηνῆς

(1232—1287), comes the second part, going down to the point at which the avengers pass into the house, followed by Electra.

τὰ … περισς. τῶν λόγων : cp. Ph. 24

τἀπίλοιπα τῶν λόγων

(n.).

καὶ μήτε μήτηρ

κ.τ.λ.

These verses plainly intimate the poet's opinion that it would be a fault in art to retard the action at this point by a long narrative. A similar criticism is implied in O. C. 1115 f.,

καί μοι τὰ πραχθέντ’ εἴπαθ’ ὡς βράχιστ’, ἐπεὶ

ταῖς τηλικαῖσδε σμικρὸς ἐξαρκεῖ λόγος

(n.).

Conington ( Journ. of Philology, I. p. 156) supposes an allusion to Eur. El. 300—338 , where Electra, speaking to the disguised Orestes, mentions her own sufferings, her mother's splendours, and the insolence of Aegisthus. But such an allusion seems improbable: that speech is not long; it comes in with dramatic fitness; nor does it refer to the wasteful profusion of Aegisthus, which is the main point here. A later speech of Electra's in the same play ( Eur. El. 907—951 ) would in some respects suit the words here better; but that is spoken over the corpse of Aegisthus, and could scarcely be regarded as delaying the action.

Another theory, that Sophocles alludes to the earlier part of the Choephori, is certainly mistaken. Possibly he had no particular work in view, but was merely glancing at a tendency which he had noticed in contemporary drama.

πατρῴαν , properly the epithet of δόμων (492 n.): cp. 960 .—(

τὰ μὲν

) ἀντλεῖ, τὰ δ’ ἐκχεῖ : cp. O. T. 1228

ὅσα

κεύθει, τὰ δ’ αὐτίκ’ εἰς τὸ φῶς φανεῖ κακά

: Tr. 117

στρέφει, τὸ δ’ αὔξει

ἐκχεῖ , effundit: Aesch. Pers. 826

ὄλβον ἐκχέῃ μέγαν

: Anth. Pal. 9. 367

τὸν πατρικὸν πλοῦτον

... |

αἰσχρῶς εἰς ἀκρατεῖς ἐξέχεεν δαπάνας

. As dist. from

ἐκχεῖ

(profuse outlay on luxury), διασπείρει μάτην expresses aimless waste, which obtains no return. ἀντλεῖ , exhaurit, is properly the general term, while the other two verbs denote special modes of it. But, since

τὰ μὲν

is implied in

τὰ δέ

, the sentence is in form a rhetorical climax,— ‘spends,’ ‘spends profusely,’ ‘spends aimlessly.

χρόνου … καιρὸν , temporis modum, due limit or measure of time. Cp. Pind. N. 7. 58

τὶν δ’ ἐοικότα καιρὸν ὄλβου

δίδωσι

(

Μοῖρα

): Aesch. Ag. 785

πῶς σε σεβίζω

, |

μήθ’ ὑπεράρας μήθ’ ὑποκάμψας

καιρὸν χάριτος

; (‘the due measure of courtesy’).

ἐξείργοι , ‘shut out,’ ‘preclude.’

Hermann took

χρόνου καιρὸν

as=

τὸ καίριον τοῦ χρόνου

, ‘the opportune moment of time.’ The meaning would then be that the

λόγος

might hinder them from seizing that moment. But the phrase is a strange one, scarcely to be justified by Sertor. 16, where

χρόνος

is virtually personified,—

εὐμενὴς ὢν σύμμαχος τοῖς δεχομένοις λογισμῷ τὸν καιρὸν αὐτοῦ

The schol. has:

ἀφαιρεῖται γάρ, φησι, τὴν εὐκαιρίαν τῶν πραχθέντων τῶν λόγων ἡ ἀδολεσχία

. This only shows that he took

καιρὸν

as ‘opportunity,’ not as ‘due limit.’ It does not warrant the view that, instead of

χρόνου

, he read

ἔργου

πόνου

φανέντες , if it be safe for them to enter the house (as it is, cp. 1308 ): κεκρυμμένοι , if it be necessary to wait in concealment until they can safely enter.— γελῶντας : cp. 1153 .

οὕτω δὲ (

σκόπει

) ὅπως : cp. Ar. Ran. 905

ἀλλ’ ὡς τάχιστα χρὴ λέγειν· οὕτω δ’ ὅπως ἐρεῖτον

ἀστεῖα

. Without

οὕτω

, Soph. O. T. 1518

γῆς μ’ ὅπως πέμψεις ἄποικον

(n.).

)πιγνώσεται , ‘detect’: the dat. is instrumental.

νῷν , Orestes and Pylades: cp. 1372 f.

ἐπελθόντοιν δόμους : cp. Ant. 152 f.

ναοὺς χοροῖς

| ..

ἐπέλθωμεν

μάτην , falsely: 63 n.—The conjecture μὴ for τῇ would mean, ‘as if the calamity were not a fiction’; but the vulgate is manifestly better.

εὐτυχησωμεν is strictly the ‘ingressive’ aorist, ‘when we shall have become prosperous.’

καὶ σοὶ , ‘to thee, on thy part’ ( cp. 1146 n.): followed by

καὶ τοὐμὸν

, as in O. T. 165 f.

εἴ ποτε καὶ προτέρας ἄτας

is followed by

ἔλθετε καὶ νῦν

: Nub. 356

εἴπερ τινὶ κἄλλῳ

, |

οὐρανομήκη ῥήξατε κἀμοὶ φωνήν

ὧδ’ … τῇδε : cp. 643 .

τῇδε

is here redundant, repeating the sense of

<*>δε

for emphasis.

τοὐμὸν =‘my conduct’: cp. Tr. 53

φράσαι τὸ σόν

(n.).—For φίλον , cp. O. C. 1205

ἔστω δ’ οὖν ὅπως ὑμῖν φίλον

κοὐκ ἐμὰς , lit., ‘and not as my own,’— i.e., as the fruit of my own efforts. He has a right to restrict the joys which he has bestowed.

κοὐδ’ . The adverbial

οὐδὲ

goes with βραχὺ , though separated from it; cp. Il. 1. 354

νῦν δ’ οὐδέ με τυτθὸν ἔτισεν.

καὶ precedes it as in Xen. An. 3. 2. 4

καὶ οὐδὲ Δία Ξένιον ᾐδέσθη

.—The part. λυπήσασα expresses the condition of δεξαίμην : cp. Andoc. or. 1. § 3

πάντα τὰ ἀγαθὰ ἔχειν στερόμενος τῆς πατρίδος οὐκ ἂν δεξαίμην

: Aeschin. or. 3. § 217

οὔτε τὰ αὐτὰ τούτῳ δημηγορήσας ἐδεξάμην ἂν ζῆν

ὑπηρετοίην is a certain correction of the MS. ὑπηρετοίμην . The midd. is not found in classical writers, though it was frequent later. Metre proves the active form in five of the seven places where Soph. uses the verb (996; Soph. O. T. 217 ; Soph. O. C. 283 ; Soph. Ph. 15 , Soph. Ph. 990 ): only here and in Soph. Ph. 1024 is the midd. even possible. Blaydes ingeniously suggests that

ὑπηρετοίμην

may have come from

ὑπηρετμοίην. ὑπηρετμεῖν

, however, does not occur.— δαίμονι , the god who has brought him home ( cp. 1266 ff.). Her brother is the

καθαρτὴς πρὸς θεῶν ὡρμημένος

(70).

τἀνθένδε =

τὰ ἐνθάδε

: cp. Eur. Bacch. 48

εἰς δ’ ἄλλην χθόνα

, |

τἀνθένδε θέμενος εὖ, μεταστήσω πόδα

.—Not, ‘what should be done next’ (as in Soph. O. T. 1267

τἀνθένδ’

=‘the sequel’). That was, indeed, the regular sense of the sing.

τοὐνθένδε

( Soph. Ph. 895 ).

στέγας and οἴκοις are synonyms; cp. 986 f.

συμπόνει..σύγκαμν’

(n.). —Electra here gives the information which was to have been brought by the old man (41). He, however, has been in the house since v. 803. At v. 1368 he repeats these facts.

δείσῃς … ὡς … ὄψεται : cp. 1426 f.: Xen. Cyr. 5. 2. 12

ἀνδρὸς μὴ φοβοῦ ὡς ἀπο‐

ρήσεις ἀξίου

. So with

ὅπως

: Eur. Heracl. 248

μὴ τρέσῃς ὅπως σέ τις

σὺν παισὶ βωμοῦ τοῦδ’ ἀποσπάσει βίᾳ

.—Distinguish the wholly different use of

ὅπως μή

, instead of a simple

μή

, after a verb of fearing ( Soph. O. T. 1074

δέδοιχ’ ὅπως

μὴ..ἀναρρήξει

, ‘I fear that it will break forth’). Here, for example,

δείσῃς ὅπως μὴ ὄψεται

would mean the same thing as

δείσῃς ὡς

(or

ὅπως

)

ὄψετᾳι

ἐντέτηκε : cp. Plat. Menex.p. 245 D

ὅθεν καθαρὸν τὸ μῖσος ἐντέτηκε τῇ πόλει τῆς ἀλλοτρίας φύσεως

. Lucian Peregr. 22

τοσοῦτος ἔρως τῆς δόξης ἐντέτηκεν αὐτῷ

. The word leans to a bad sense (like ‘inveterate’): yet cp. Julian p. 130 C

ἐντέτηκέ μοι δεινὸς τοῦ θεοῦ πόθος

. See also Tr 463 (n.).

χαρᾷ is right. The objection to the MS. χαρᾶς , which Hermann and Paley keep, is the sense. She means that her tears of joy will be mistaken by Clyt. for tears of sorrow. But if we read

χαρᾶς

, too much stress is laid on that feeling of joy which she is to conceal, and δακρυρροοῦσα then becomes ambiguous; since the words could mean, as Triclinius saw,

οὔποτε παύσομαι τοῦ χαίρειν

χαρᾶς

κἂν εἰς δάκρυα ἔλθω

(‘even though I weep’).

ἥτις , with causal force: cp. 187 .

ἐσεῖδον suits

θανόντα

no less than

ζῶντα

, since she had seen the urn: cp. 1129

νῦν μὲν γὰρ οὐδὲν ὄντα βαστάζω χεροῖν.

ᾶσκοπα , in a way which she could not have imagined beforehand; cp. 864 . As the next verses show, the meaning is not merely, ‘thou hast given me an unlooked-for joy,’ but rather, ‘thou hast wrought upon my mind with a bewildering effect of joy,—so that, if the dead returned, I should scarcely marvel.’

ὅτε , causal: cp. 38 .

τοιαύτην , so wondrous; prompted and conducted by a god (1266 ff.).

ὥς σοι is better than ὡς σοὶ , because, after the emphatic

αὐτός

, the next stress should fall rather on

θυμός

than on

σοι

(‘rule me thyself, as thou wilt’).

οὐκ ἂν δυοῖν ἥμαρτον , i.e., would have secured one of the two things. Classical Greek idiom preferred this negative form to a positive (such as

δυοῖν θατέρου ἂν ἔτυχον

). The modes of stating the dilemma vary; thus we find: (1)

ἢ γὰρ..ἢ

, as here; Andoc. or. 1 § 4

δυοῖν.. οὐκ ἦν αὐτῷ ἁμαρτεῖν· ἢ γὰρ..μηνῦσαι.. ἢ ἀποκτεῖναι

: so Dem. or. 19 § 151 , etc. (2)

ἢ..ἢ

, as Thuc. 1. 33 § 3

μηδὲ δυοῖν φθάσαι ἁμάρτωσιν

(not fail to be beforehand with us in one of two things),

ἢ κακῶσαι..ἢ βεβαιώσασθαι

n. (3)

εἰ μὲν γὰρ..εἰ δὲ

, as Isocr. or. 11 § 43 .—Remark that the modification of this phrase used by Eur. Or. 1151 ,

ἑνὸς γὰρ οὐ σφαλέντες ἕξομεν κλέος

, |

καλῶς θανόντες ἢ καλῶς σεσωσμένοι

,—where

δυοῖν

is merely a bad conjecture,—is due to the fact that the principal verb,

ἕξομεν

, is positive.

σιγᾶν … χωροῦντος . Although it is usually the Chorus that announces a new comer, it is best to follow the MSS. in ascribing these words to Orestes, who has already so often enjoined silence (1236, etc.). The

ἀντιλαβή

in 1323 confirms the MSS., since a trimeter is seldom divided between the Chorus and another speaker. (The altercation between the Chorus and Creon in O. C. 829 ff. is an exception.)

ἐπῄνες’ : for the aor., cp. 668 .

ἐπ’ ἐξόδῳ : cp. Tr. 532

ὡς ἐπ’ ἐξόδῳ.

τῶν ἔνδοθεν , sc.

τινός

: cp. 697 (n.).

ἄλλως τε καὶ φέροντες : i.e., besides the general claim of

ξένοι

, they have this special claim. So fr. 61 (a short speech befits

τοῖς φρονοῦσι σώφρονα

ἄλλως τε καὶ κόρῃ τε κἀργείᾳ γένος

. Aeschylus uses

ἄλλως τε πάντως καὶ

( P. V. 636 , Pers. 689 ).

οἷ’ ἂν … ἀπώσαιτ’ : i.e., ostensibly, the relics of a kinsman; in her secret meaning, retribution.

τητώμενοι : 265 n. The faithful old servant scolds them as if he was still their

παιδαγωγός

παρ’ οὐδὲν , ‘of no account,’ is usu. joined with

εἶναι

(as O. T. 983 ), or with verbs of ‘esteeming,’ such as

ἄγειν

( Ant. 35 ). The phrase here may be compared with Ant. 466

παρ’ οὐδὲν ἄλγος

(

ἐστί

), n.

οὐ παρ’ αὐτοῖς

κ.τ.λ.

Here

παρά

has its simple locative sense, ‘beside.’

παρὰ κακοῖς

differs from

ἐν κακοῖς

just as

παρὰ πυρὶ

( Od. 7. 154 ) from

ἐν πυρί

. They stand, not ‘just on the verge,’ but ‘just in the midst,’ of deadly perils. αὐτοῖς is repeated, because it intensifies each of the prepositions. ( Cp. 720

ὑπ’ αὐτὴν.. στήλην

, n.)

σταθμοῖσι , the door-posts. Cp. Od. 22. 181 (with ref. to the watchers at the door of the armoury),

τὼ δ’ ἔσταν ἑκάτερθε παρὰ σταθμοῖσι μένοντε

. For the dat. of place, see 174 n. He stood there to intercept any inmate whom the sound of voices outside might have brought to the doors.

ὑμὶν … ὑμῶν : the repeated pron. has a certain sarcastic force; ‘ye would have had your plans in the house,’ etc. If any change were needed,

ἡμὶν

for

ὗμὶν

would be the best.

τὰ δρώμεν’ : 85 n. A listener at the doors must quickly have discovered that Orestes had returned; and Clyt. would have been warned. τὰ σώματα is a hint that the lives of the avengers would then have paid the penalty.

νῦν δ’ … καὶ νῦν . Cp. Tr. 88

νῦν δ’

(= ‘but as it was’), followed in 90 by

νῦν δ’

(= ‘but now’).

σὺν χαρᾷ βοῆς has been rashly changed to

σὺν βοῇ χαρᾶς

(cr. n.). The latter would throw the emphasis on

χαρᾶς

: but it is the

βοή

, not the

χαρά

, which he deprecates.

ἀπηλλάχθαι : for the perf. (implying ‘at once’), cp. 64 n.: Ai. 479

ἀλλ’ ἢ καλῶς ζῆν ἢ καλῶς τεθνηκέναι

τὸν εὐγενῆ χρή

. In 1335 we had

ἀπαλλαχθέντε

: cp. 163 , n. on

γᾶν

1339-1345

It has been held that these verses, or at least 1340—1344, are spurious (cr. n.). Certainly Orestes has already heard from Electra that Clytaemnestra exults in the news of his death (1153—1156). Still, it is natural that he should make some reference (as he does in 1341) to his emissary's performance of the task. Not less natural is the question in 1343, since the old man, who entered the house at v. 803, is the only person who can tell whether the feeling described by Electra still exists.

τἀντεῦθεν , ‘the next things,’ i.e., the conditions with which he will have to deal as soon as he enters. Cp. 728

κἀντεῦθεν

, and 1307 n. on

τἀνθένδε

ὑπάρχει

κ.τ.λ.

, ‘it is secured that no one shall recognise thee’: cp. Eur. Heracl. 181

ἄναξ, ὑπάρχει μὲν τόδ’ ἐν τῇ σῇ χθονί

, |

εἰπεῖν ἀκοῦσαί τ’ ἐν μέρει πάρεστί μοι.

Dem. or. 3 § 15

τοῦτ’ οὖν δεῖ προσεῖναι, τὰ δ’ ἄλλα ὑπάρχει

.—For the verbal ambiguity of σε … τινά , cp. Soph. Ant. 288 (n.).

ὡς ἔοικεν, ὡς τεθν .: for the double

ὡς

, cp. Ant. 735

ὁρᾷς τόδ’ ὡς εἴρηκας ὡς ἄγαν νέος

; and Tr. 394. The pron.

με

is easily understood; cp. 1200 .

εἷς τῶν ἐν Ἅιδου … ἀνήρ , ‘one of the dead’: for this indefinite use of

εἷς

, cp. Isocr. or. 20 § 11

ὧν οὗτος εἷς ὢν τυγχάνει

. More often

τις

is added, as Ar. fr. 418. 2

τῶν ἀδολεσχῶν εἷς γέ τις

(cp. Soph. Ant. 269

τις εἷς

, n.). Here

ἀνήρ

virtually=

τις

. —Campbell renders: ‘I would have you know that you are the only dead man who is in the light of day’ (

ἐνθάδε

, as opp. to

ἐν Ἅιδου

). But ἐνθάδε must surely mean, ‘in the house.’

χαίρουσιν οὖν τούτοισιν ..; Though ἐν has L's support, οὖν , the prevalent reading, is far better. With

ἐν

, the sense would be, ‘rejoice under these circumstances’ (not, ‘ in these things’); see on Tr. 1118

ἐν οἷς

χαίρειν προθυμεῖ

τελουμένων cannot mean ‘when the deed of vengeance is being done.’ Rather it is a purposely vague phrase; ‘when our task is being finished’; ‘towards the end’: i.e., when, the vengeance having been taken, that work is being crowned by re-establishing a rightful rule in the house. Cp. Eur. Andr. 997 (

μηχανὴ

)

ἣν πάρος μὲν οὐκ ἐρῶ

, |

τελουμένων δὲ Δελφὶς εἴσεται πέτρα

: where the phrase has a similar tone of mystery and reserve. —For the neut. plur. part. in the gen. abs., without subject, cp. Aesch. Th. 274

ε<*> ξυντυχόντων

: I. A. 1022

καλῶς δὲ κρανθέντων

: Thuc. 1. 116 § 3

ἐσαγγελθέντων

: Xen. Cyr. 1. 4. 18

σημανθέντων

ὡς δὲ νῦν ἔχει , but, as things stand now, τὰ κείνων πάντα καλῶς (

ἔχει

), all the conditions on their part (that of Clyt. and Aeg.) are good (for us), καὶ τὰ μὴ καλῶς (

ἔχοντα

), even those which are not morally good,—viz., Clytaemnestra's joy at the death of her son, and those insults which expressed her new sense of security (773—803).

οὐχὶ ξυνίης ; The

ἀντιλαβή

marks the interest of the moment: cp. 1209 n.

οὐδέ γ’ εἰς θυμὸν φέρω : lit., ‘No, I cannot even bring (a conjecture) into my mind’; ‘I cannot form an idea.’ The phrase occurs nowhere else, and is not really like O.T. 975,

μή νυν ἔτ’ αὐτῶν μηδὲν ἐς θυμὸν βάλῃς

(‘lay to heart’). As οὐδέ shows, the Greek would not be adequately rendered by our phrase, ‘bring to mind’ (= ‘recall to memory’). When we say that an impression is ‘borne in upon’ the mind, the analogy is nearer.

ποίῳ is conformed to ὅτῳ in 1348, since the acc. for οἶσθα is suppressed; the practice being that, in a curt question such as this,

ποῖος

takes the case of the word to which it refers ( e.g., O. T. 1176

ποίων

; Ai. 1322

ποίους

; ). It implies that, for the moment, she fails not only to recognise the man but to recall the occasion: cp. O. T. 1129

ποῖον ἄνδρα καὶ λέγεις

;

οὗ … χεροῖν : the long space between the words is noteworthy; cp. Ph. 598 f. (

τίνος..χάριν

), n.

πέδον : cp. O. C. 643

δόμους στείχειν

(n.).

ὑπεξεπέμφθην : cp. 297

ὑπεξέθου

(n.).

σῇ προμηθίᾳ : cp. 12 , 1132 f.

προσηῦρον πιστὸν , ‘ found a true ally’:

πρός

denoting the acquisition. Cp. Polyb. 1. 59. 6

προσηυρέθη ἡ πρὸς τὴν συντέλειαν

(

χορηγία

), ‘the funds for the completion of the enterprise were made up.’ Classical prose preferred

προσεξευρίσκω

(Isocr.), or

προσεπεξευρίσκω

(Thuc. ).

φῶς , day, as in 1224.

τόνδε κἄμ’ : he saved Orestes from murder, and Electra from that bereavement.

ἔσωσας , not

ἔσωσεν

, in spite of κεῖνος . Cp. Eur. Heracl. 945 ff.

ἐκεῖνος εἶ σύ

, followed by

ὃς..ἠξίωσας

. So, when a speaker has referred to himself in the 3rd person, he quickly reverts to the first, as in Soph. O. C. 6 (n.)

ἐμοί

follows

Οἰδίπουν

in v. 3.

ὦ … χεῖρες : she takes his hands in her own. This explains why the poet has not written

φιλτάτας..χεῖρας

: we see, too, how natural is the transition to

ἔχων

, as she is looking in her old friend's face. The sense is,

ἔχων πόδας οἳ τὰ ἥδιστα ὑπηρέτησαν

, viz., in the journeys to and from Phocis.

οὐδ’ ἔφαινες , ‘and didst not give any light.’ This absolute use of the word is sufficiently interpreted by the context; it is scarcely needful to supply ( e.g.)

τὴν ἀλήθειαν

, or

συνόντα σεαυτόν.—φαίνω

is never really intrans. (= ‘to appear’) except in the epic aor.

φάνεσκον

( Il. 11. 64 , Od. 12. 241 , etc.).—For ἀλλά με cp. Ai. 361.

ἔργ’ ἔχων , ‘possessed of them,’ ‘knowing them’:

ἔργα

being ‘facts’ as opp. to

λόγοι

(59 f.

ὅταν λόγῳ θανὼν

ἔργοισι σωθῶ

). Cp. Ant. 9

ἔχεις τι κεἰσήκουσας

; —Others explain, ‘while engaged in a course of action’ (cp. Ant. 300

πανουργίας...ἔχειν

, n.).—For ἐμοί , after με , cp. O. C. 811

μηδέ με

φύλασσ’ ἐφορμῶν ἔνθα χρὴ ναίειν ἐμέ

(n.).

πατέρα . This is the only tragic trimeter in which the third foot is formed by a single word of three short syllables. When the third foot is a tribrach there is usu. a caesura both in the third and in the fourth foot (as O. T. 248

κακὸν κακῶς νιν ἄμορον ἐκτρῖψαι βίον

: cp. Eur. Tro. 497 ): or at least in the third foot (as Soph. Ant. 31 ). But it should be observed that the pause after χαῖῤ, ὦ πάτερ makes a vital difference. The movement of the verse begins afresh at πατέρα , and the effect of that word to the ear is like that of a tribrach in the first, rather than in the third, place of a trimeter. Hence we may defend the text here, and yet concede that no tragic poet could have written such a verse without the pause ( e.g.

ἦλθ’ ἄσμενος πατέρα ποτ’ εἰσορᾶν δοκῶν

τοὺς … ἐν μέσῳ λόγους , the story of the brother's and sister's experiences in the interval since Orestes left Mycenae. Cp. O. C. 583

τὰ..ἐν

μέσῳ

(the needs of the interval, until death): Eur. Med. 819

περισσοὶ πάντες οὑν μέσῳ λόγοι

(between the present moment, and her deed): Eur. Or. 16

τὰς γὰρ ἐν μέσῳ σιγῶ τύχας

(the fortunes of the house in the interval).

The acc. τοὺς … λόγους is resumed in 1366 by ταῦτα , because the sentence

πολλαὶ κ.τ.λ.

has intervened. Cp. Thuc. 2. 62

τὸν δὲ πόνον...ἀρκείτω μὲν ὑμῖν καὶ ἐκεῖνα ἐν οἷς ἄλλοτε..ἀπέδειξα οὐκ ὀρθῶς αὐτὸν ὑποπτευόμενον

: Soph. Tr. 287

αὐτὸν δ’ ἐκεῖνον

, resumed in 289 by

νιν

κυκλοῦνται , the form originally written by the scribe of L, is confirmed by usage, though the other reading, κυκλοῦσι , displaced it in most MSS. See on Tr. 129

κυκλοῦσιν

, the only instance of

κυκλεῖν

used intransitively which occurs in Greek before Aristotle.

σφῷν δ’ ἐννέπω γε : ‘And further’ ( γε , i.e. besides counselling Electra), ‘I tell you,’ etc.: cp. Ai. 1150

ἐγὼ δέ γ’ ἄνδρ’ ὄπωπα κ.τ.λ.

: Eur. Or. 1236

ἐγὼ δέ γ’ ἐπεκέλευσα

. (This is better than to take

γε

as emphasising

ἐννέπω

only; ‘I warn you,’—whether you will heed me or not.) Hermann's conjecture,

ἐννέπω )γὼ

, is no improvement.

τούτοις refers to

ἀνδρῶν

in 1369, the male domestics, who are supposed to be now busied out of doors. ἄλλοισι are the body-guards,

δορυφόροι

, of Aegisthus, who may be expected to return ere long from the country (313); σοφωτέροις (

μάχεσθαι

), as being trained to arms. Since the two comparatives,

σοφωτέροις

and

πλείοσιν

, are not linked by a conjunction, τούτων cannot be construed with both; it is perhaps best taken with

πλείοσιν

. ‘Ye will have to fight both with these men (the

οἰκέται

), and with others of greater skill, more numerous than these.’

Another view is that

ἀνδρῶν

in 1369 refers to Aegisthus and his armed followers, while τούτοις in 1370 means Clytaemnestra and her women-servants: this seems less natural.

οὐδὲν is adv.: lit., ‘this task would no longer seem to be in any way (

οὐδὲν

) a case for many words, but for entering,’ etc. The two constructions of

ἔργον ἐστίν

, as= opus est, are here combined. (1) For the gen., cp. Plut. 1154

οὐκ ἔργον ἔστ’ οὐδὲν στροφῶν

: (2) for the inf., Ai. 11

καί σ’ οὐδὲν εἵσω τῆσδε παπταίνειν πύλης

ἔτ’ ἔργον ἐστίν

. The peculiarity here is that, instead of the simple

ἔργον

, we have

τόδε τοὔργον

, from which

ἔργον

has to be supplied with the gen. and with the inf. Cp. Eur. Andr. 551

οὐ γάρ, ὡς ἔοικέ μοι

, |

σχολῆς τόδ’ ἔργον

πατρῷα , instead of

πατρῴων

: cp. 1290 n.

ἕδη , images of the gods ( O. T. 886

δαιμόνων ἕδη

, n.), placed in the πρόπυλα , here a statelier term for

πρόθυρον

, the porch or vestibule of the house. Cp. Vesp. 875

ὦ δέσποτ’ ἄναξ, γεῖτον Ἀγυιεῦ τοὐμοῦ προθύρου προπύλαιε

. The gods of the entrance were esp. Apollo Agyieus ( cp. 637

προστατήριε

), and Hermes. It is these who, with Zeus, are invoked by the returning herald in Aesch. Ag. 509 —515: cp. ib. 519

σεμνοί τε θᾶκοι δαίμονές τ’ ἀντήλιοι

προσκύσαντε : the worshipper stretched forth his right arm towards the image, presenting to it the flat of his hand, by bending back the wrist; then kissed his hand, and wafted a salute to the god. Orestes and Pylades perform this act of reverence before each

ἕδος

in the vestibule. Meanwhile, turning towards the statue of Apollo Lykeios which stands in front of the palace (645), Electra makes her prayer.

ἀφ’ ὧν : for

ἀπό

, denoting one's resources, cp. 1127 n.

ἔχοιμι : optat. of indefinite frequency in past time; cp. Ph. 289 n.: Tr. 905

κλαῖε δ’ ὀργάνων ὅτου

ψαύσειεν

λιπαρεῖ , earnest, devout: cp. 451 n.—

προὔστην σε

, presented myself (as a suppliant) at thy shrine. Similarly

προστάτης

is ‘one who presents himself before a god,’ ‘a suppliant,’ O. C. 1171 , O. C. 1278. The only other trace of

προστῆναι

as = ‘to approach,’ with an acc., is in a fragment from the

Τυρώ

of Sophocles (fr. 599, Nauck 2nd ed.). Athenaeus, in illustrating the word

καρχήσιον

, quotes it as follows (p. 475 A):

Σοφοκλῆς δὲ Τυροῖ

προστῆναι μέσην

τράπεζαν ἀμφὶ σίτια

(

σῖτα

Macrobius)

καὶ καρχήσια

: adding,

πρὸς τὴν τράπεζαν φάσκων προσεληλυθέναι τοὺς δράκοντας κ.τ.λ.

The meaning was, then, that the serpents ‘approached the table’; a parallel for the use here. Schweighäuser, indeed, conjectured

προσστῆναι

(cp. Aesch. Pers. 203

βωμὸν προσέστην

), and Bergk, less well,

προσπτῆναι

Blaydes and Wecklein read )πέστην : but

ἐπέστην σε

as = ‘approached thee’ would be unexampled (see on Tr. 339 ).

ἐξ οἵων ἔχω | αἰτῶ : lit., ‘I make the prayer with such means as I have’; i.e., no longer with offerings— since none are at hand—but with heartfelt vows. Schol.

ὡς δυνάμεως ἔχω, λόγοις ἀξιοῦν, οὐ θύειν

1380 I read προπίπτω , as metre requires, not προπίτνω . The first syllable of

πίτνω

is never long. Thus, where ι^ is needed, Aesch. Pers. 588 has

προπίτνοντες

, and Soph. O. C. 1754

προσπίτνομεν

: but, requiring ι— , Suppl. 63 writes

προπίπτουσα

τἀπιτίμια . Eur. Hec. 1086

δράσαντι δ’ αἰσχρὰ δεινὰ τἀπιτίμια

. Josephus Bell. Iud. 1. 30 § 6

ἀπέχω τῆς ἀσεβείας τὸ ἐπιτίμιον

Commentary on Sophocles: Electra. Sir Richard C. Jebb. Cambridge. 1907.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Experimental

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

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 1098 focus

ὀρθῶς θ᾽ ὁδοιποροῦμεν ἔνθα χρήζομεν ;

ΧΟ.

τί δ᾽ ἐξερευνᾷς καὶ τί βουληθεὶς πάρει;
1100

ΟΡ.

Αἴγισθον ἔνθ᾽ ᾤκηκεν ἱστορῶ γρ. μαστεύω C2. πάλαι.

ΧΟ.

ἀλλ᾽ εὐ θ᾽ ἱκάνεις χώ φράσας ἀζήμιος.

ΟΡ.

τίς οὖν ἂν ὑμῶν τοῖς ἔσω φράσειεν ἂν

ἡμῶν ποθεινὴν κοινόπουν παρουσίαν ;

ΧΟ.

ἥδ᾽, εἰ τὸν ἄγχιστόν γε κηρύσσειν χρεών.
1105

ΟΡ.

ἴθ᾽, ὦ γύναι, δήλωσον εἰσελθοῦσ᾽ ὅτι

Φωκῆς ματεύουσ᾽ μα. στεύουσ' L. ματεύουσ' A. μαστεύουσ᾽ FL2 Pal. ἄνδρες Αἴγισθόν τινες.

ΗΛ.

οἴμοι τάλαιν, οὐ δή ποθ᾿ ἧς ἠκούσαμεν

φήμης φέροντες ἐμφανῆ τεκμήρια;

ΟΡ.

οὐκ οἶδα τὴν σὴν κληδόν· ἀλλά μοι γέρων
1110

ἐφεῖτ᾽ Ὀρέστου Στρόφιος στροφίος L. ἀγγεῖλαι πέρι.

ΗΛ.

τί δ᾽ ἔστιν, ὦ ξέν᾽; ὥς μ᾽ ὑπέρχεται φόβος.

ΟΡ.

φέροντες αὐτοῦ σμικρὰ λείψαν ἐν βραχεῖ

τεύχει θανόντος, ὡς ὁρᾷς, κομίζομεν.

ΗΛ.

οἴ ἐγὼ οἱ ἐγὼ LA Pal. Vat. ac. τάλαινα, τοῦτ᾽ ἐκεῖν᾽ ἤδη σαφές.
1115

πρόχειρον ἄχθος, ὡς ἔοικε, δέρκομαι.

ΟΡ.

εἴπερ τι κλαίεις τῶν Ὀρεστείων κακῶν,

τόδ᾽ ἄγγος ἴσθι σῶμα τοὐκείνου στέγον.

ΗΛ.

ὦ ξεῖνε, δός νυν δὸς νῦν LA Pal. πρὸς θεῶν, εἴπερ τόδε

κέκευθεν αὐτὸν τεῦχος, εἰς χεῖρας λαβεῖν,
1120

ὅπως ἐμαυτὴν καὶ γένος τὸ πᾶν ὁμοῦ

ξὺν τῇδε κλαύσω κἀποδύρωμαι σποδῷ.

ΟΡ.

δόθ᾽ ἥτις ἐστὶ προσφέροντες· οὐ γὰρ ὡς

ἐν δυσμενείᾳ γ᾽ οὖσ᾽ ἐπαιτεῖται τάδε ἐπαιτεῖ τόδε L. ἐπαιτεῖται τάδε AC7.,

ἀλλ᾽ ἢ φίλων τις, ἢ πρὸς αἵματος φύσιν.
1125

ΗΛ.

ὦ φιλτάτου μνημεῖον ἀνθρώπων ἐμοὶ

ψυχῆς Ὀρέστου λοιπόν, ὥς σ᾽ om. MSS. add Brunck. ἀπ᾿ ἐλπίδων

οὐχ ὧνπερ ἐξέπεμπον εἰσέπεμπον LL2. ἐξέπεμπον CA. εἰσεδεξάμην.

νῦν μὲν γὰρ οὐδὲν ὄντα βαστάζω χεροῖν·

δόμων δέ σ᾽, ὦ παῖ, λαμπρὸν ἐξέπεμψ᾽ ἐγώ.
1130

ὡς ὤφελον ὤφελες L Vat. a MCV30. ὤφελον C A FVV MM² Vat. c pr. V³ pr. L². γρ. ὤφελες Γ. ὄφελον Pal. πάροιθεν ἐκλιπεῖν βίον,

πρὶν ἐς ξένην σε γαῖαν ἐκπέμψαι ἐκπέμψαι C6 or 7. χεροῖν

κλέψασα κλεψασα" C7. ταῖνδε κἀνασώσασθαι κἀνασώσασθαι C'. φόνου·

ὅπως θανὼν ἔκεισο τῇ τόθ᾽ ἡμέρᾳ,

τύμβου πατρῴου κοινὸν εἰληχὼς μέρος.
1135

νῦν δ᾽ ἐκτὸς οἴκων κἀπὶ κἀπὸ L. κἀπὶ C6. γῆς ἄλλης φυγὰς

κακῶς κακῶ L. κακῶς C2. ἀπώλου, σῆς κασιγνήτης δίχα·

κοὔτ᾽ ἐν φίλαισι χερσὶν ἡ τάλαιν ἐγὼ

λουτροῖς σ᾽ om. L add L². ἐκόσμησ᾽ οὔτε παμφλέκτου πυρὸς πρ. σ L. πυρὸσ C2 or 3.

ἀνειλόμην, ὡς εἰκός, ἄθλιον βάρος.
1140

ἀλλ᾽ ἐν ξέναισι ξένηισι LPL2, ξέναισι A. χερσὶ κηδευθεὶς τάλας

σμικρὸς προσήκεις ὄγκος ἐν σμικρῷ κύτει.

οἴμοι τάλαινα τῆς ἐμῆς πάλαι τροφῆς

ἀνωφελήτου, τὴν ἐγὼ θάμ᾽ ἀμφὶ σοὶ

πόνῳ γλυκεῖ παρέσχον, οὔτε γάρ ποτε
1145

μητρὸς σύ γ᾽ ἦσθα μᾶλλον ἢ κἀμοῦ φίλος,

οὔθ᾽ οἱ κατ᾿ οἶκον ἦσαν, ἀλλ᾽ ἐγὼ τροφός,

ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἀδελφὴ σοὶ σοι L. σοὶ AM². σὴ VL2. σὴ M. προσηυδώμην προσηυδόμην LF Pal. προσηυδώμην CAL2. ἀεί.

νῦν δ᾽ ἐκλέλοιπε ταῦτ᾽ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ μιᾷ

θανόντι σὺν σοί. πάντα γὰρ συναρπάσας
1150

θύελλ᾽ ὅπως βέβηκας. οἴχεται πατήρ·

τέθνηκ᾽ ἐγώ σοι· φροῦδος αὐτὸς εἶ θανών·

γελῶσι δ᾽ ἐχθροί· μαίνεται δ᾽ ὑφ᾽ ἡδονῆς

μήτηρ ἀμήτωρ, ἧς ἐμοὶ σὺ πολλάκις

φήμας λάθρᾳ προὔπεμπες ὡς φανούμενος
1155

τιμωρὸς αὐτός, ἀλλὰ ταῦθ᾽ ὁ δυστυχὴς

δαίμων ὁ σός τε κἀμὸς ἐξαφείλετο ἐξαφείλατο LF. ἐξαφείλετο C.,

ὅς σ᾽ ὧδέ μοι προὔπεμψεν, ἀντὶ φιλτάτης φιλτάτου L.

μορφῆς σποδόν σπονδόν L. τε καὶ σκιὰν ἀνωφελῆ.

οἴμοι μοι οἴ μοι μοί L..
1160

ὦ δέμας οἰκτρόν.

φεῦ φεῦ.

ὦ δεινοτάτας,

οἴμοι μοι,

πεμφθεὶς κελεύθους κελεύθου LA. κελεύθους C., φίλταθ', ὥς μ᾿ ἀπώλεσας·
1165

ἀπώλεσας δῆτ᾽, ὦ κασίγνητον κάρα.

τοιγὰρ σὺ δέξαι μ᾽ ἐς τὸ σὸν τόδε στέγος,

τὴν μηδὲν εἰς τὸ μηδέν, ὡς σὺν σοὶ κάτω

ναίω τὸ λοιπόν, καὶ γὰρ ἡνίκ᾽ ἦσθ᾽ ἄνω,

ξὺν σοὶ μετεῖχον κατείχον L. μετεῖχον C6. τῶν ἴσων· καὶ νῦν ποθῶ
1170

τοῦ σοῦ θανοῦσα μἀπολείπεσθαι μὴ ἀπολείπεσθαι L. μὴ ᾿πολείπεσθαι A Vat. ac. μὴ ἐξαπολείπεσθαι L2 Pal. μὴ ἐκλείπεσθαι Γ. τάφου.

τοὺς γὰρ θανόντας οὐχ ὁρῶ λυπουμένους.

ΧΟ.

θνητοῦ πέφυκας πατρός, Ηλέκτρα, φρόνει·

θνητὸς δ᾽ Ορέστης· ὥστε μὴ λίαν στένε.

πᾶσιν γὰρ ἡμῖν τοῦτ᾽ ὀφείλεται παθεῖν.
1175

ΟΡ.

φεῦ φεῦ. τί λέξω; ποῖ λόγων ἀμηχάνων

ἔλθω; κρατεῖν γὰρ οὐκέτι γλώσσης γνώσσης L. γλωσσης C¹. γνώμης ΓL2 Pal. σθένω.

ΗΛ.

τί δ᾽ ἔσχες ἄλγος; πρὸς τί τοῦτ᾽ εἰπὼν κυρεῖς;

ΟΡ.

ἢ σὸν τὸ κλεινὸν εἶδος Ηλέκτρας ἠλέκτρα LF. ἠλέκτρας CAL2. Pal. τόδε ;

ΗΛ.

τόδ᾽ ἔστ᾽ ἐκεῖνο, καὶ μάλ᾽ ἀθλίως ἔχον.
1180

ΟΡ.

οἴμοι ταλαίνης ἆρα τῆσδε συμφορᾶς.

ΗΛ.

ο ὐ ὐ] τί L. τί AFL3 δὴ] δὴ AΓL". δή ποτ', ὦ ξέν, ἀμφ᾿ ἐμοὶ στένεις τάδε;

ΟΡ.

ὦ σῶμ᾽ ἀτίμως κάθέως ἐφθαρμένον.

ΗΛ.

οὔτοι ποτ᾿ ἄλλην ἢ ἐμὲ δυσφημεῖς, ξένε.

ΟΡ.

φεῦ τῆς ἀνύμφου δυσμόρου τε σῆς τροφῆς.
1185

ΗΛ.

τί μοι μοι ποτ', ὦ ξέν, ὧδ᾽ ἐπισκοπῶν στένεις ;

ΟΡ.

ὡς οὐκ ἄρ᾽ ᾔδη ᾔδειν LA. ἤδειν Pal. Brunck corr. τῶν ἐμῶν οὐδὲν ἐγὼ L. οὐδὲν C3 or 4. κακῶν.

ΗΛ.

ἐν τῷ διέγνως τοῦτο τῶν εἰρημένων;

ΟΡ.

ὁρῶν σε πολλοῖς ἐμπρέπουσαν ἄλγεσιν.

ΗΛ.

καὶ μὴν ὁρᾷς γε παῦρα τῶν ἐμῶν κακῶν.
1190

ΟΡ.

καὶ πῶς γένοιτ' ἂν τῶνδ᾽ ἔτ᾽ τῶνδέτ᾽ LAL² Pal. ἐχθίω βλέπειν ;

ΗΛ.

ὁθούνεκ εἰμὶ τοῖς φονεῦσι σύντροφος.

ΟΡ.

τοῖς τοῦ; πόθεν τοῦτ᾽ ἐξεσήμηνας ἐξεσήμηνες L. ἐξεσήμηνας CA. ἐξεσήμανας L2. κακόν;

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

τοῖς πατρός. εἶτα τοῖσδε δουλεύω βίᾳ.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

τίς γάρ σ' γὰρ γὰρ σε ἀνάγκῃ ἀνάγκη τῇδε προτρέπει βροτῶν ;

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

μήτηρ καλεῖται, μητρὶ δ᾽ οὐδὲν ἐξισοῖ.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

τί δρῶσα; πότερα χερσίν, ἢ λύμῃ βίου;
1195

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

καὶ χερσὶ καὶ λύμαισι καὶ πᾶσιν πᾶσι πᾶσιν κακοῖς.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

οὐδ᾽ ὁ οὔθ᾽ ὁ παρήξων οὐδ᾽ ὁ κωλύσων πάρα;

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

οὐ δῆθ᾽ δῆτ' δῆθ᾽· ὃς ἦν γάρ μοι σὺ προὔθηκας προὔθηκα προὔθηκας σποδόν.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ὦ δύσποτμ, ὡς ὁρῶν σ᾽ ἐпоικτείρω πάλαι.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

μόνος βροτῶν νυν νῦν ἴσθ᾽ ἐποικτείρας ποτέ.
1200

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

μόνος γὰρ ἥκω τοῖς ἴσοις τοῖσι σοῖς σισοῖς τοῖς σοῖς ἀλγῶν κακοῖς.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

οὐ δή ποθ᾽ ἡμῖν ξυγγενὴς ἥκεις ποθέν;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ἐγὼ φράσαιμ ἄν, εἰ τὸ τῶνδ᾽ εὔνουν πάρα.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἐστὶν εὔνουν, ὥστε πρὸς πιστὰς ἐρεῖς.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

μέθες τόδ᾽ ἄγγος νῦν, ὅπως τὸ πᾶν μάθῃς.
1205

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

μὴ δῆτα πρὸς θεῶν τοῦτό μ᾽ ἐργάσῃ, ξένε.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

πείθου λέγοντι κοὐχ ἁμαρτήσει ποτέ.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

μή, πρὸς γενείου, μὴ 'ξέλῃ τὰ φίλτατα.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

οὔ φημ᾽ ἐάσειν.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ὦ τάλαιν ἐγὼ σέθεν,
1210

Ὀρέστα, τῆς σῆς εἰ στερήσομαι ταφῆς.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

εὔφημα φώνει· πρὸς δίκης γὰρ οὐ στένεις.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

πῶς τὸν θανόντ᾽ ἀδελφὸν οὐ δίκῃ στένω;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

οὔ σοι προσήκει τήνδε προσφωνεῖν φάτιν.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

οὕτως ἄτιμός εἰμι τοῦ τεθνηκότος;
1215

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ἄτιμος οὐδενὸς σύ· τοῦτο δ᾽ οὐχὶ σόν.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

εἴπερ γ' Ὀρέστου σῶμα βαστάζω βαστάσω βαστάζω τόδε.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ἀλλ᾽ οὐκ Ὀρέστου, πλὴν λόγῳ γ' ἠσκημένον.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ποῦ δ᾽ ἔστ᾽ ἔστι ἐκείνου τοῦ ταλαιπώρου τάφος;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

οὐκ κ from γ' ἔστι τοῦ γὰρ ζῶντος οὐκ ἔστιν τάφος.
1220

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ψεῦδος οὐδὲν ὧν λέγω.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ἢ ζῇ γὰρ ἁνήρ ἀνὴρ;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

εἴπερ ἔμψυχός γ᾽ ἐγώ.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ἢ γὰρ σὺ κεῖνος;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

τήνδε προσβλέψασά μου

σφραγῖδα πατρὸς ἔκμαθ᾽ εἰ σαφῆ λέγω.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ὦ φίλτατον φῶς.
1225

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

φίλτατον, συμμαρτυρῶ.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ὦ φθέγμ᾽, ἀφίκου;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

μηκέτ᾽ ἄλλοθεν πύθῃ (ψ)ύθῃ or (φ)ύθῃ πύθῃ.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.
ἔχω σε χερσίν χεροῖν γρ. χερσὶ χερσίν ;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.
ὡς ω from ο τὰ λοίπ᾽ ἔχοις ἔχεις ἄχοις ἀεί.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ὦ φίλταται γυναῖκες, ὦ πολίτιδες,

ὁρᾶτ᾽ ὁραῖτ᾽ Ὀρέστην τόνδε, μηχαναῖσι μὲν

θανόντα, νῦν δὲ μηχαναῖς σεσωσμένον.

ΧΟΡΟΣ.

ὁρῶμεν, ὦ παῖ, κἀπὶ συμφοραῖσί μοι
1230

γεγηθὸς ἕρπει δάκρυον ὀμμάτων ἄπο.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ἰὼ γοναί,

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

γοναὶ add σωμάτων ἐμοὶ φιλτάτων,

ἐμόλετ᾿ ἀρτίως,

ἐφεύρετ᾽, ἤλθετ᾽, εἴδεθ᾽ οὓς ἐχρήζετε.
1235

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

πάρεσμεν· ἀλλὰ σῖγ᾽ ἔχουσα πρόσμενε.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

τί δ᾽ ἔστιν ἔστι ἔστιν ;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

σιγᾶν ἄμεινον, μή τις ἔνδοθεν κλύῃ.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ἀλλ᾽ οὐ τὰν ἀλλ᾽ οὐ μὰ τὰν οὓ τἂν Ἄρτεμιν τὰν αἰὲν ἀδμήταν

τόδε μὲν οὐ ποτ᾿ ἀξιώσω τρέσαι
1240

περισσὸν ἄχθος ἔνδον

γυναικῶν ὂν ἀεί.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ὅρα γε μὲν δὴ κἀν γυναιξὶν ὡς Ἄρης

ἔνεστιν· εὖ δ᾽ ἔξοισθα πειραθεῖσά που.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

*ὀτοτοτοῖ ὀττοτοῖ ,
1245

ἀνέφελον ἐπέβαλες 2nd ε from ι ὑπέβαλες οὔ ποτε καταλύσιμον,

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

οὐδέ ποτε λησόμενον, ἁμέτερον

οἷον ἔφυ κακόν.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ἔξοιδα καὶ ταῦτ᾽· ἀλλ᾽ ὅταν παρουσία

φράζῃ, τότ᾽ ἔργων τῶνδε μεμνῆσθαι χρεών.
1250

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ὁ πᾶς ἐμοὶ

ὁ πᾶς ἂν πρέποι παρὼν ἐννέπειν

τάδε δίκᾳ τάδε δίκαια γρ. τάδε δίκα χρόνος.

μόλις γὰρ ἔσχον ἔχων ἔσχον ἔχω νῦν ἐλεύθερον στόμα.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ξύμφημι κἀγώ, τοιγαροῦν σώζου τόδε.
1255

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

τί δρῶσα;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

οὗ μή ᾿στι καιρὸς μὴ μακρὰν βούλου λέγειν.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

τίς οὖν ἂν add ἂν οὖν ἀξίαν γε σοῦ πεφηνότος

μεταβάλοιτ᾽ ἂν ὧδε σιγὰν λόγων;

ἐπεί σε νῦν ἀφράστως

ἀέλπτως τ᾽ ἐσεῖδον.
1260

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

τότ᾽ εἶδες, ὅτε θεοί μ' *ἐπώτρυναν ώτρυναν μολεῖν.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ἔφρασας ὑπερτέραν

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

τᾶς πάρος ἔτι χάριτος, εἴ σε θεὸς *ἐπόρισεν ἐπόρσεν ἐπῶρσεν ἐπῶρ. σεν ἐπῶσεν

ἁμέτερα ἀμετρα or ἀμτερα ἁμετερα πρὸς μέλαθρα, δαιμόνιον

αὐτὸ τίθημ᾽ ἐγώ.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

τὰ μέν σ᾽ ὀκνῶ χαίρουσαν εἰργάθειν, τὰ δὲ

δέδοικα λίαν ἡδονῇ νικωμένην.
1270

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ἰὼ χρόνῳ μακρῷ φιλτάταν

ὁδὸν ἐπαξιώσας ὧδέ μοι φανῆναι,

μή τί με, πολύπονον πολύστονον ὧδ᾿ ἰδὼν

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

τί μὴ ποιήσω;

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

μή μ᾿ ἀποστερήσῃς
1275

τῶν σῶν προσώπων ἁδονὰν ἡδονὰν ἡδονὴν μεθέσθαι.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ἢ κάρτα κἂν ἄλλοισι θυμοίμην ἰδών.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ξυναινεῖς ;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

τί *μὴν μὴ οὔ;

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ὦ φίλαι, ἔκλυον ἂν ἂν av ἄν ἐγὼ οὐδ᾽ ἂν ἤλπισ᾿ αὐδάν.

ἔσχον ὀργὰν
1280

ἄναυδον οὐδὲ σὺν βοᾷ κλύουσα,

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

τάλαινα.

νῦν δ᾽ ἔχω σε· προὐφάνης δὲ

φιλτάταν ἔχων πρόσοψιν,

ἃς ἐγὼ οὐδ᾽ ἂν ἐν κακοῖς λαθοίμαν.
1285

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

τὰ μὲν περισσεύοντα τῶν λόγων ἄφες,

καὶ μήτε μήτηρ ὡς κακὴ δίδασκέ με

μήθ᾽ ὡς πατρῴαν κτῆσιν Αἴγισθος δόμων

ἀντλεῖ, τὰ δ᾽ ἐκχεῖ, τὰ δὲ διασπείρει μάτην.

χρόνου γὰρ ἄν σοι καιρὸν ἐξείργοι λόγος.
1290

ἃ δ᾽ ἁρμόσει μοι τῷ παρόντι νυν χρόνῳ

σήμαιν, ὅπου φανέντες ἢ κεκρυμμένοι

γελῶντας ἐχθροὺς παύσομεν τῇ νῦν ὁδῷ.

οὕτω οὕτως δ᾽ ὅπως μήτηρ σε μὴ ἐπιγνώσεται

φαιδρῷ προσώπῳ νῷν ἐπελθόντοιν ἐπελθόντων ἐπελθόντων ἐπελθόντοιν δόμους·
1295

ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἐπ᾿ ἄτῃ τῇ μάτην λελεγμένῃ δεδειγμένηι δεδειγμένηι λελεγμένηι λεγομένη

στέναζ᾽· ὅταν γὰρ εὐτυχήσωμεν, τότε

χαίρειν παρέσται καὶ γελᾶν ἐλευθέρως.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ἀλλ᾽, ὦ κασίγνηθ᾽, ὧδ᾽ ὅπως καὶ σοὶ φίλον

καὶ τοὐμὸν ἔσται τῇδ᾽· ἐπεὶ τὰς ἡδονὰς
1300

πρὸς σοῦ λαβοῦσα κοὐκ ἐμὰς ἐκτησάμην.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

κοὐδ᾽ ἄν σε λυπήσασα δεξαίμην λεξαίμην βουλοίμην βουλοίμαν βραχὺ βραχὺ

αὐτὴ μέγ' εὑρεῖν κέρδος· οὐ γὰρ ἂν καλῶς
1305

ὑπηρετοίην ὑπηρετοίμην τῷ παρόντι δαίμονι.

ἀλλ᾽ οἶσθα μὲν τἀνθένδε, πῶς γὰρ οὔ; κλύων

ὁθούνεκ Αἴγισθος μὲν οὐ κατὰ στέγας,

μήτηρ δ᾽ ἐν οἴκοις· ἣν σὺ μὴ δείσῃς ποθ᾽ ὡς

γέλωτι τοὐμὸν φαιδρὸν ὄψεται κάρα.
1310

μισός τε om. γὰρ παλαιὸν ἐντέτηκέ μοι,

κἀπεί σ᾽ ἐσεῖδον, οὔ ποτ᾿ ἐκλήξω ἐκπλήξω χαρᾷ χαρᾶς

δακρυρροοῦσα. πῶς γὰρ ἂν λήξαιμ᾽ ἐγώ λήξαιμέν᾽ ὧι λήξαιμ᾽ ἐγὼ,

ἥτις μιᾷ σε τῇδ᾽ ὁδῷ θανόντα τε

καὶ ζῶντ᾽ ἐσεῖδον; εἴργασαι a δέ μ' ἄσκοπα·
1315

ὥστ᾽ εἰ πατήρ μοι ζῶν ἵκοιτο, μηκέτ᾽ ἂν

τέρας νομίζειν αὐτό, πιστεύειν δ᾽ ὁρᾶν.

ὅτ᾽ οὖν τοιαύτην ἡμὶν ἦμιν ἡμὶν ἡμῖν ἐξήκεις ὁδόν,

ἄρχ᾽ αὐτὸς ὡς σοι θυμός. ὡς ἐγὼ μόνη

οὐκ ἂν δυοῖν ἥμαρτον· ἢ γὰρ ἂν καλῶς
1320

ἔσωσ᾽ ἐμαυτήν, ἢ καλῶς ἀπωλόμην.

ΟΡ.

σιγᾶν ἐπῄνεσ᾽· ὡς ἐπ᾿ ἐξόδῳ κλύω

τῶν ἔνδοθεν χωροῦντος.

ΗΛ.

εἴσιτ᾽, ὦ ξένοι,

ἄλλως τε καὶ φέροντες οἱ᾽ ἂν οὔτε τις

δόμων ἀπώσαιτ᾽ ἀπώσετ' ἀπώσαιτ᾿ οὔτ᾽ ἂν ἡσθείη ἠισθείη λαβών.
1325

ΠΑ.

ὦ πλεῖστα μῶροι καὶ φρενῶν τητώμενοι,

πότερα παρ᾿ οὐδὲν τοῦ βίου κήδεσθ᾽ ἔτι,

ἢ νοῦς ἔνεστιν οὔτις ὑμὶν ἐγγενής ἐκγενὴς ἐγγενὴσ εὐγενὴσ γρ. ἐκγενής ἐνγενής,

ὅτ᾽ οὐ παρ᾿ αὐτοῖς, ἀλλ᾽ ἐν αὐτοῖσιν κακοῖς

τοῖσιν μεγίστοις ὄντες οὐ γιγνώσκετε γινώσκετε ;
1330

ἀλλ᾽ εἰ σταθμοῖσι σταθμοῖσιν τοῖσδε μὴ ᾿κύρουν ἐγὼ

πάλαι φυλάσσων, ἣν ἂν ὑμὶν ἐν δόμοις

τὰ δρώμεν ὑμῶν πρόσθεν ἢ τὰ σώματα·

νῦν δ᾽ εὐλάβειαν τῶνδε προὐθέμην ἐγώ.

καὶ νῦν ἀπαλλαχθέντε τῶν μακρῶν λόγων
1335

καὶ τῆς ἀπλήστου ἀπλείστου τῆσδε σὺν χαρᾷ συγχαρᾶι βοῆς

εἴσω παρέλθεθ᾽, ὡς τὸ μὲν μέλλειν μέλειν μέλλειν κακὸν

ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις ἔστ᾽, ἀπηλλάχθαι δ᾽ ἀκμή.

ΟΡ.

πῶς οὖν ἔχει τἀντεῦθεν εἰσιόντι μοι;

ΠΑ.

καλῶς· ὑπάρχει γάρ σε μὴ γνῶναί τινα.
1340

ΟΡ.

ἤγγειλας, ὡς ἔοικεν, ὡς τεθνηκότα.

ΠΑ.

εἷς τῶν ἐν "Αιδου μάνθαν ἐνθάδ᾽ ἂν ἀνήρ.

ΟΡ.

χαίρουσιν οὖν ἐν οὖν τούτοισιν; ἢ τίνες λόγοι;

ΠΑ.

τελουμένων εἴποιμ᾽ ἄν· ὡς δὲ νῦν ἔχει,

καλῶς τὰ κείνων τἀκείνων πάντα, καὶ τὰ μὴ καλῶς.
1345

ΗΛ.

τίς οὗτός ἐστ᾽, ἀδελφέ; πρὸς θεῶν φράσον.

ΟΡ.

οὐχὶ ξυνίης;

ΗΛ.

οὐδέ γ' εἰς θυμὸν φέρω.

ΟΡ.

οὐκ οἶσθ᾽ ὅτῳ μ᾽ ἔδωκας ἐς χέρας ποτέ;

ΗΛ.

ποίῳ; τί φωνεῖς;

OP.

οὗ τὸ Φωκέων πέδον

ὑπεξεπέμφθην σῇ προμηθίᾳ προμηθίαι προμηθείαι προμηθία προθυμίᾳ χεροῖν.
1350

ΗΛ.

ἢ ἡ κεῖνος οὗτος ὅν ποτ᾽ ἐκ πολλῶν ἐγὼ

μόνον προσεῦρον πιστὸν ἐν πατρὸς φόνῳ;

ΟΡ.

ὅδ᾽ ἐστί, μή μ' ἔλεγχε πλείοσιν λόγοις.

ΗΛ.

ὦ φίλτατον φῶς, ὦ μόνος σωτὴρ δόμων

Ἀγαμέμνονος, πῶς ἦλθες; ἢ σὺ κεῖνος εἶ,
1355

ὃς τόνδε κἄμ᾽ ἔσωσας ἐκ πολλῶν πόνων;

ὦ φίλταται μὲν χεῖρες, ἥδιστον δ᾽ ἔχων

ποδῶν ὑπηρέτημα, πῶς οὕτω πάλαι

ξυνών μ᾽ ἔληθες, οὐδ᾽ ἔφαινες, ἀλλά με

λόγοις ἀπώλλυς, ἔργ᾽ ἔχων ἥδιστ᾽ ἐμοί;
1360

χαῖρ, ὦ πάτερ· πατέρα γὰρ εἰσορᾶν δοκῶ·

χαῖρ᾽· ἴσθι δ' ἰσθ ἴσθι δ' ἴσθι ὡς μάλιστά σ᾽ ἀνθρώπων μάλιστα τἀνθρώπων ἐγὼ

ἤχθηρα κἀφίλησ᾽ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ μιᾷ.

ΠΑ.

ἀρκεῖν δοκεῖ μοι· τοὺς γὰρ ἐν μέσῳ λόγους,

πολλαὶ κυκλοῦνται κυκλοῦσι κυκλοῦνται νύκτες ἡμέραι τ᾽ ἴσαι,
1365

αὶ ταῦτά σοι δείξουσιν, Ηλέκτρα, σαφῆ.

σφῶν δ᾽ ἐννέπω γε τοῖν παρεστώτοιν ὅτι

νῦν καιρὸς ἔρδειν· νῦν Κλυταιμνήστρα μόνη·

νῦν οὔτις ἀνδρῶν ἔνδον· εἰ δ᾽ ἐφέξετον,

φροντίζεθ᾽ ὡς τούτοις τε καὶ σοφωτέροις
1370

ἄλλοισι τούτων πλείοσιν μαχούμενοι.

ΟΡ.

οὐκ ἂν μακρῶν ἔθ᾽ ἡμὶν ἡμιν ἡμῖν οὐδὲν ἂν λόγων,

Πυλάδη, τόδ' εἴη τοὔργον, ἀλλ᾽ ὅσον τάχος

χωρεῖν ἔσω, πατρῷα p προσκύσανθ᾽ ἕδη

θεῶν, ὅσοιπερ ὅσοι πρόπυλα ναίουσιν τάδε.
1375

ΗΛ.

ἄναξ Ἄπολλον, ἵλεως αὐτοῖν κλύε,

ἐμοῦ τε πρὸς τούτοισιν, ἤ σε πολλὰ δὴ

ἀφ᾽ ὧν ἔχοιμι λιπαρεῖ προὔστην προστην προὔστῃν χερί.

νῦν δ᾽, ὦ Λύκει Ἄπολλον, ἐξ οἵων ἔχω

αἰτῶ αἰτῶ, προπίτνω προπιτνῶ προσπιτνῶ, λίσσομαι, γενοῦ πρόφρων
1380

ἡμῖν ἀρωγὸς τῶνδε τῶν βουλευμάτων,

καὶ δεῖξον ἀνθρώποισι τἀπιτίμια

τῆς στ δυσσεβείας οἷα δωροῦνται θεοί.

ΧΟ.

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1232-1287 focus

Ἠλέκτρα

ἰὼ γοναί,

γοναὶ σωμάτων ἐμοὶ φιλτάτων,

ἐμόλετʼ ἀρτίως,

ἐφηύρετʼ, ἤλθετʼ, εἴδεθʼ οὓς ἐχρῄζετε.
1235

Ὀρέστης

πάρεσμεν· ἀλλὰ σῖγʼ ἔχουσα πρόσμενε.

Ἠλέκτρα

τί δʼ ἔστιν;

Ὀρέστης

σιγᾶν ἄμεινον, μή τις ἔνδοθεν κλύῃ.

Ἠλέκτρα

ἀλλʼ οὐ μὰ τὴν ἄδμητον αἰὲν Ἄρτεμιν,

τόδε μὲν οὔ ποτʼ ἀξιώσω τρέσαι,
1240

περισσὸν ἄχθος ἔνδον

γυναικῶν ὂν αἰεί.

Ὀρέστης

ὅρα γε μὲν δὴ κἀν γυναιξὶν ὡς Ἄρης

ἔνεστιν· εὖ δʼ ἔξοισθα πειραθεῖσά που.

Ἠλέκτρα

ὀτοτοτοτοῖ τοτοῖ,
1245

ἀνέφελον ἐνέβαλες οὔ ποτε καταλύσιμον,

οὐδέ ποτε λησόμενον ἁμέτερον

οἷον ἔφυ κακόν.
1250

Ὀρέστης

ἔξοιδα, παῖ, ταῦτʼ· ἀλλʼ ὅταν παρουσία

φράζῃ, τότʼ ἔργων τῶνδε μεμνῆσθαι χρεών.

1253

Ἠλέκτρα

ὁ πᾶς ἐμοί,

ὁ πᾶς ἂν πρέποι παρὼν ἐννέπειν

τάδε δίκᾳ χρόνος·
1255

μόλις γὰρ ἔσχον νῦν ἐλεύθερον στόμα.

Ὀρέστης

ξύμφημι κἀγώ· τοιγαροῦν σῴζου τόδε.

Ἠλέκτρα

τί δρῶσα;

Ὀρέστης

οὗ μή ʼστι καιρὸς μὴ μακρὰν βούλου λέγειν.

Ἠλέκτρα

τίς οὖν ἂν ἀξίαν γε σοῦ πεφηνότος
1260

μεταβάλοιτʼ ἂν ὧδε σιγὰν λόγων;

ἐπεί σε νῦν ἀφράστως

ἀέλπτως τʼ ἐσεῖδον.

Ὀρέστης

τότʼ εἶδες, εὖτε θεοί μʼ ἐπώτρυναν μολεῖν

1265

Ἠλέκτρα

ἔφρασας ὑπερτέραν

τᾶς πάρος ἔτι χάριτος, εἴ σε θεὸς ἐπόρισεν

ἁμέτερα πρὸς μέλαθρα· δαιμόνιον

αὐτὸ τίθημʼ ἐγώ.
1270

Ὀρέστης

τὰ μέν σʼ ὀκνῶ χαίρουσαν εἰργαθεῖν, τὰ δὲ

δέδοικα λίαν ἡδονῇ νικωμένην.

1273

Ἠλέκτρα

ἰὼ χρόνῳ μακρῷ φιλτάταν ὁδὸν

ἐπαξιώσας ὧδέ μοι φανῆναι,

μή τί με, πολύπονον ὧδʼ ἰδὼν
1275

Ὀρέστης

τί μὴ ποήσω;

Ἠλέκτρα

μή μʼ ἀποστερήσῃς

τῶν σῶν προσώπων ἁδονὰν μεθέσθαι.

Ὀρέστης

ἦ κάρτα κἂν ἄλλοισι θυμοίμην ἰδών.

Ἠλέκτρα

ξυναινεῖς;
1280

Ὀρέστης

τί μὴν οὔ;

Ἠλέκτρα

ὦ φίλαι, ἔκλυον ἃν ἐγὼ οὐδʼ ἂν ἤλπισʼ αὐδάν,

οὐδʼ ἂν ἔσχον ὁρμὰν

ἄναυδον οὐδὲ σὺν βοᾷ κλύουσα,

τάλαινα. νῦν δʼ ἔχω σε· προυφάνης δὲ
1285

φιλτάταν ἔχων πρόσοψιν,

ἇς ἐγὼ οὐδʼ ἂν ἐν κακοῖς λαθοίμαν.

Ὀρέστης

τὰ μὲν περισσεύοντα τῶν λόγων ἄφες,

καὶ μήτε μήτηρ ὡς κακὴ δίδασκέ με,

μήθʼ ὡς πατρῴαν κτῆσιν Αἴγισθος δόμων
1290

ἀντλεῖ, τὰ δʼ ἐκχεῖ, τὰ δὲ διασπείρει μάτην·

χρόνου γὰρ ἄν σοι καιρὸν ἐξείργοι λόγος.

ἃ δʼ ἁρμόσει μοι τῷ παρόντι νῦν χρόνῳ

σήμαινʼ, ὅπου φανέντες ἢ κεκρυμμένοι

γελῶντας ἐχθροὺς παύσομεν τῇ νῦν ὁδῷ.
1295

οὕτω δʼ ὅπως μήτηρ σε μὴ ʼπιγνώσεται

φαιδρῷ προσώπῳ νῷν ἐπελθόντοιν δόμους·

ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐπʼ ἄτῃ τῇ μάτην λελεγμένῃ

στέναζʼ· ὅταν γὰρ εὐτυχήσωμεν, τότε

χαίρειν παρέσται καὶ γελᾶν ἐλευθέρως.
1300

Ἠλέκτρα

ἀλλʼ ὦ κασίγνηθʼ, ὧδʼ ὅπως καὶ σοὶ φίλον

καὶ τοὐμὸν ἔσται τῇδʼ· ἐπεὶ τὰς ἡδονὰς

πρὸς σοῦ λαβοῦσα κοὐκ ἐμὰς ἐκτησάμην,

κοὐδʼ ἄν σε λυπήσασα δεξαίμην βραχὺ

αὐτὴ μέγʼ εὑρεῖν κέρδος· οὐ γὰρ ἂν καλῶς
1305

ὑπηρετοίην τῷ παρόντι δαίμονι.

ἀλλʼ οἶσθα μὲν τἀνθένδε, πῶς γὰρ οὔ; κλύων

ὁθούνεκʼ Αἴγισθος μὲν οὐ κατὰ στέγας,

μήτηρ δʼ ἐν οἴκοις· ἣν σὺ μὴ δείσῃς ποθʼ ὡς

γέλωτι τοὐμὸν φαιδρὸν ὄψεται κάρα.
1310

μῖσός τε γὰρ παλαιὸν ἐντέτηκέ μοι,

κἀπεί σʼ ἐσεῖδον, οὔ ποτʼ ἐκλήξω χαρᾷ

δακρυρροοῦσα· πῶς γὰρ ἂν λήξαιμʼ ἐγώ,

ἥτις μιᾷ σε τῇδʼ ὁδῷ θανόντα τε

καὶ ζῶντʼ ἐσεῖδον; εἴργασαι δέ μʼ ἄσκοπα·
1315

ὥστʼ εἰ πατήρ μοι ζῶν ἵκοιτο, μηκέτʼ ἂν

τέρας νομίζειν αὐτό, πιστεύειν δʼ ὁρᾶν.

ὅτʼ οὖν τοιαύτην ἡμὶν ἐξήκεις ὁδόν,

ἄρχʼ αὐτὸς ὥς σοι θυμός· ὡς ἐγὼ μόνη

οὐκ ἂν δυοῖν ἥμαρτον· ἢ γὰρ ἂν καλῶς
1320

ἔσωσʼ ἐμαυτὴν ἢ καλῶς ἀπωλόμην.

1322

Ὀρέστης

σιγᾶν ἐπῄνεσʼ ὡς ἐπʼ ἐξόδῳ κλύω τῶν ἔνδοθεν χωροῦντος.

Ἠλέκτρα

εἴσιτʼ, ὦ ξένοι,

ἄλλως τε καὶ φέροντες οἷʼ ἂν οὔτε τις

δόμων ἀπώσαιτʼ οὔτʼ ἂν ἡσθείη λαβών.
1325

Παιδαγωγός

ὦ πλεῖστα μῶροι καὶ φρενῶν τητώμενοι,

πότερα παρʼ οὐδὲν τοῦ βίου κήδεσθʼ ἔτι

ἢ νοῦς ἔνεστιν οὔτις ὑμὶν ἐγγενής,

ὅτʼ οὐ παρʼ αὐτοῖς, ἀλλʼ ἐν αὐτοῖσιν κακοῖς

τοῖσιν μεγίστοις ὄντες οὐ γιγνώσκετε;
1330

ἀλλʼ εἰ σταθμοῖσι τοῖσδε μὴ ʼκύρουν ἐγὼ

πάλαι φυλάσσων, ἦν ἂν ὑμὶν ἐν δόμοις

τὰ δρώμενʼ ὑμῶν πρόσθεν ἢ τὰ σώματα·

νῦν δʼ εὐλάβειαν τῶνδε προυθέμην ἐγώ.

καὶ νῦν ἀπαλλαχθέντε τῶν μακρῶν λόγων
1335

καὶ τῆς ἀπλήστου τῆσδε σὺν χαρᾷ βοῆς

εἴσω παρέλθεθʼ, ὡς τὸ μὲν μέλλειν κακὸν

ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις ἔστʼ, ἀπηλλάχθαι δʼ ἀκμή.

1339

Ὀρέστης

πῶς οὖν ἔχει τἀντεῦθεν εἰσιόντι μοι;

Παιδαγωγός

καλῶς· ὑπάρχει γάρ σε μὴ γνῶναί τινα.
1340

Ὀρέστης

ἤγγειλας, ὡς ἔοικεν, ὡς τεθνηκότα.

Παιδαγωγός

εἷς τῶν ἐν Ἅιδου μάνθανʼ ἐνθάδʼ ὢν ἀνήρ.

Ὀρέστης

χαίρουσιν οὖν τούτοισιν; ἢ τίνες λόγοι;

Παιδαγωγός

τελουμένων εἴποιμʼ ἄν· ὡς δὲ νῦν ἔχει,

καλῶς τὰ κείνων πάντα, καὶ τὰ μὴ καλῶς.
1345

Ἠλέκτρα

τίς οὗτός ἐστʼ, ἀδελφέ; πρὸς θεῶν φράσον.

Ὀρέστης

οὐχὶ ξυνίης;

Ἠλέκτρα

οὐδέ γʼ ἐς θυμὸν φέρω.

Ὀρέστης

οὐκ οἶσθʼ ὅτῳ μʼ ἔδωκας εἰς χέρας ποτέ;

Ἠλέκτρα

ποίῳ; τί φωνεῖς;

Ὀρέστης

οὗ τὸ Φωκέων πέδον

ὑπεξεπέμφθην σῇ προμηθίᾳ χεροῖν.
1350

Ἠλέκτρα

ἦ κεῖνος οὗτος, ὅν ποτʼ ἐκ πολλῶν ἐγὼ

μόνον προσηῦρον πιστὸν ἐν πατρὸς φόνῳ;

Ὀρέστης

ὅδʼ ἐστί· μή μʼ ἔλεγχε πλείοσιν λόγοις.

1354

Ἠλέκτρα

ὦ φίλτατον φῶς, ὦ μόνος σωτὴρ δόμων

Ἀγαμέμνονος, πῶς ἦλθες; ἦ σὺ κεῖνος εἶ,
1355

ὃς τόνδε κἄμʼ ἔσωσας ἐκ πολλῶν πόνων;

ὦ φίλταται μὲν χεῖρες, ἥδιστον δʼ ἔχων

ποδῶν ὑπηρέτημα, πῶς οὕτω πάλαι

ξυνών μʼ ἔληθες οὐδʼ ἔφαινες, ἀλλά με

λόγοις ἀπώλλυς, ἔργʼ ἔχων ἥδιστʼ ἐμοί;
1360

χαῖρʼ, ὦ πάτερ· πατέρα γὰρ εἰσορᾶν δοκῶ·

χαῖρʼ· ἴσθι δʼ ὡς μάλιστά σʼ ἀνθρώπων ἐγὼ

ἤχθηρα κἀφίλησʼ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ μιᾷ.

Παιδαγωγός

ἀρκεῖν δοκεῖ μοι· τοὺς γὰρ ἐν μέσῳ λόγους

πολλαὶ κυκλοῦνται νύκτες ἡμέραι τʼ ἴσαι,
1365

αἳ ταῦτά σοι δείξουσιν, Ἠλέκτρα, σαφῆ.

σφῷν δʼ ἐννέπω γε τοῖν παρεστώτοιν ὅτι

νῦν καιρὸς ἔρδειν· νῦν Κλυταιμνήστρα μόνη,

νῦν οὔτις ἀνδρῶν ἔνδον· εἰ δʼ ἐφέξετον,

φροντίζεθʼ ὡς τούτοις τε καὶ σοφωτέροις
1370

ἄλλοισι τούτων πλείοσιν μαχούμενοι.

1372

Ὀρέστης

οὐκ ἂν μακρῶν ἔθʼ ἡμὶν οὐδὲν ἂν λόγων,

Πυλάδη, τόδʼ εἴη τοὔργον, ἀλλʼ ὅσον τάχος

χωρεῖν ἔσω, πατρῷα προσκύσανθʼ ἕδη

θεῶν, ὅσοιπερ πρόπυλα ναίουσιν τάδε.
1375

Ἠλέκτρα

ἄναξ Ἄπολλον, ἵλεως αὐτοῖν κλύε

ἐμοῦ τε πρὸς τούτοισιν, ἥ σε πολλὰ δὴ

ἀφʼ ὧν ἔχοιμι λιπαρεῖ προύστην χερί.

νῦν δʼ, ὦ Λύκειʼ Ἄπολλον, ἐξ οἵων ἔχω

αἰτῶ, προπίτνω, λίσσομαι, γενοῦ πρόφρων
1380

ἡμῖν ἀρωγὸς τῶνδε τῶν βουλευμάτων,

καὶ δεῖξον ἀνθρώποισι τἀπιτίμια

τῆς δυσσεβείας οἷα δωροῦνται θεοί.

Translations (5)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 1098 focus

Say, dames and damsels, have we heard aright,

And speed we to the goal of our desire?

CH

And what desire or quest hath brought thee hither?
1100

OR

I seek Aegisthus’ dwelling all this while.

CH

Welcome. The tongue that told thee hath no blame.

OR

Which of you all will signify within

Our joint arrival,—not unwelcome here.

CH

This maiden, if the nearest should report.
1105

OR

Mistress, wilt thou go yonder and make known,

That certain Phocians on Aegisthus wait?

EL

Oh! can it be that you are come to bring

Clear proofs of the sad rumour we have heard?

OR

I know not what ye have heard. Old Strophius
1110

Charged me with tidings of Orestes’ fate.

EL

What, stranger? How this terror steals on me!

OR

Bearing scant remnants of his body dead

In this small vase thou seest, we bring them home.

EL

O sorrow! thou art here: I see full well
1115

That burden of my heart in present view.

OR

If thou hast tears for aught Orestes suffered,

Know that he lies within this vessel’s room.

EL

Ah, sir! by all in Heaven, if yonder urn

Hide him, ah! give it once into my hand,
1120

That o’er that dust I may lament and mourn

Myself and mine own house and all our woe!

OR

Bring it and give her, whosoe’er she be.

For not an enemy—this petition shows it—

But of his friends or kindred, is this maid.
1125

EL

O monument of him whom o’er all else

I loved! sole relic of Orestes’ life,

How cold in this thy welcome is the hope

Wherein I decked thee as I sent thee forth!

Then bright was thy departure, whom I now

Bear lightly, a mere nothing, in my hands.

Would I had gone from life, ere I dispatched

Thee from my arms that saved thee to a land

Of strangers, stealing thee from death! For then

Thou hadst been quiet on that far off day,

And had thy portion in our father’s tomb

Now thou hast perished in the stranger land

Far from thy sister, lorn and comfortless
1130

And I, O wretchedness! neither have bathed
1130

And laid thee forth, nor from the blazing fire
1130

Collected the sad burden, as was meet

But thou, when foreign hands have tended thee

Com’st a small handful in a narrow shell

Woe for the constant care I spent on thee

Of old all vainly, with sweet toil! For never

Wast thou thy mother’s darling, nay, but mine,

And I of all the household most thy nurse,

While ‘sister, sister,’ was thy voice to me

But now all this is vanished in one day,

Dying in thy death. Thou hast carried all away

As with a whirlwind, and art gone. No more

My father lives, thyself art lost in death,
1135

I am dead, who lived in thee. Our enemies
1135

Laugh loudly, and she maddens in her joy,
1135

Our mother most unmotherly, of whom

Thy secret missives ofttimes told me, thou

Wouldst be the punisher. But that fair hope

The hapless Genius of thy lot and mine

Hath reft away, and gives thee thus to me,—

For thy loved form thy dust and fruitless shade

O bitterness! O piteous sight! Woe! woe!

Oh! sent on thy dire journey, dearest one,

How thou hast ruined me! Thou hast indeed,

Dear brother! Then receive me to thyself,

Hide me in this thy covering, there to dwell,

Me who am nothing, with thy nothingness,

For ever! Yea, when thou wert here above,
1140

I ever shared with thee in all, and now
1140

I would not have thee shut me from thy tomb.
1140

Oh! let me die and follow thee! the dead,

My mind assures me now, have no more pain.

CH

Electra, think! Thou hadst a mortal sire,

And mortal was thy brother. Grieve not far.

OR

O me! What shall I speak, or which way turn

The desperate word? I cannot hold my tongue.

EL

What pain o’ercomes thee? Wherefore speak’st thou so?

OR

Can this be famed Electra I behold?

EL

No other. In sad case, as you may see
1180

OR

Ah! deep indeed was this calamity!

EL

Is’t possible that thou shouldst grieve for me?

OR

O ruined form! abandoned to disgrace!

EL

’Tis me you mean, stranger, I feel it now.

OR

Woe ’s me! Untrimmed for bridal, hapless maid!
1185

EL

Why this fixed gaze, O stranger! that deep groan?

OR

How all unknowing was I of mine ill!

EL

What thing hath passed to make it known to thee?

OR

The sight of thee attired with boundless woe.

EL

And yet thine eye sees little of my pain.
1190

OR

Can aught be still more hateful to be seen?

EL

I have my dwelling with the murderers—

OR

Of whom? What evil would thy words disclose?

EL

Of him who gave me birth. I am their slave.

OR

Whose power compels thee to this sufferance?

EL

One called my mother, most unmotherly.

OR

How? by main force, or by degrading shames?
1195

EL

By force and shames, and every kind of evil.

OR

And is there none to succour or prevent?

EL

None. Him I had, you give me here in dust.

OR

How mine eye pities thee this while, poor maid!

EL

Know now, none ever pitied me but you.
1200

OR

None ever came whose heart like sorrow wrung.

EL

Is’t possible we have some kinsman here?

OR

I will tell it, if these women here be friendly.

EL

They are. They may be trusted. Only speak.

OR

Let go yon vase, that thou may’st learn the whole.
1205

EL

Nay, by the Gods! be not so cruel, sir!

OR

Obey me and thou shalt not come to harm.

EL

Ah, never rob me of what most I love!

OR

You must not hold it.

EL

O me miserable
1210

For thee, Orestes, if I lose thy tomb!

OR

Speak no rash word. Thou hast no right to mourn.

EL

No right to mourn my brother who is gone?

OR

Such utterance belongs not to thy tongue,

EL

Oh, am I thus dishonoured of the dead?
1215

OR

Far from dishonour. But this ne’er was thine.

EL

Is’t not Orestes’ body that I bear?

OR

Nay, but the idle dressing of a tale.

EL

And where is his poor body’s resting-place?

OR

Nowhere. Seek not the living with the dead,
1220

EL

My son, what saidst thou?

OR

Nought but what is true.

EL

Doth he yet live?

OR

If I have life in me.

EL

Art thou Orestes?

OR

Let my signet here,

That was our father’s, tell thine eyes, I am.

EL

O day of days!
1225

OR

Time hath no happier hour.

EL

Is it thy voice?

OR

Hearken not otherwhere.

EL

Have my arms caught thee?

OR

Hold me so for aye!

EL

O dearest women, Argives of my home!

Ye see Orestes, dead in craft, but now

By that same craft delivered and preserved.

CH

We see, dear daughter, and the gladsome tear

Steals from our eye to greet the bright event.

EL

Offspring of him I loved beyond all telling!

Ah! thou art come,—hast found me, eye to eye

Behold’st the face thou didst desire to see.
1235

OR

True, I am here; but bide in silence still.

EL

Wherefore?

OR

Hush! speak not loud, lest one within should hearken.

EL

By ever-virgin Artemis, ne’er will I

Think worthy of my fear

This useless mass of woman-cowardice
1240

Burdening the house within,

Not peering out of door.

OR

Yet know that women too have might in war.

Of that methinks thou hast feeling evidence.

EL

Ah me! thou hast unveiled
1245

And thrust before my gaze

That burning load of my distress

No time will soothe, no remedy will heal.

OR

I know that too. But when we are face to face

With the evildoers,—then let remembrance work.
1250

EL

All times alike are fit with instant pain

Justly to mind me of that dreadful day;

Even now but hardly hath my tongue been free.

OR

Yes, that is it. Therefore preserve this boon.
1255

EL

Whereby?

OR

Put limits to unseasonable talk.

EL

Ah! brother, who, when thou art come,

Could find it meet to exchange

Language for silence, as thou bidst me do?

Since beyond hope or thought

Was this thy sight to me.
1260

OR

God gave me to your sight when so he willed.

EL

O heaven of grace beyond

The joy I knew but now!

If God hath brought thee to our roof,

A miracle of bounty then is here.

OR

I hate to curb the gladness of thy spirit,

But yet I fear this ecstasy of joy.
1270

EL

Oh! after all these years,

Now thou at length hast sped

Thy dearest advent on the wished-for way,

Do not, in all this woe

Thou seest surrounding me—

OR

What means this prayer?

EL

Forbid me not my joy,
1275

Nor make me lose the brightness of thy face!

OR

Deep were my wrath at him who should attempt it.

EL

Is my prayer heard?

OR

Why doubt it?

EL

Friends, I learned

A tale beyond my thought; and hearing I restrained
1280

My passion, voiceless in my misery,

Uttering no cry. But now

I have thee safe; now, dearest, thou art come,

With thy blest countenance, which I

Can ne’er forget, even at the worst of woe.
1285

OR

A truce now to unnecessary words.

My mother’s vileness and Aegisthus’ waste,

Draining and squandering with spendthrift hand

Our patrimony, tell me not anew.

Such talk might stifle opportunity.

But teach me, as befits the present need,
1290

What place may serve by lurking vigilance

Or sudden apparition to o’erwhelm

Our foes in the adventure of to-day.

And, when we pass within, take heedful care

Bright looks betray thee not unto our mother.
1295

But groan as for the dire calamity

Vainly reported:—Let’s achieve success,

Then with free hearts we may rejoice and laugh.

EL

Dear brother, wheresoe’er thy pleasure leads,

My will shall follow, since the joys I know,
1300

Not from myself I took them, but from thee.

And ne’er would I consent thy slightest grief

Should win for me great gain. Ill should I then
1305

Serve the divinity of this high hour!

Thou knowest how matters in the palace stand.

Thou hast surely heard, Aegisthus is from home,

And she, our mother, is within. Nor fear

She should behold me with a smiling face.
1310

Mine ancient hate of her hath sunk too deep.

And from the time I saw thee, tears of joy

Will cease not. Wherefore should I stint their flow?

I, who in this thy coming have beheld

Thee dead and living? Strangely hast thou wrought
1315

On me;—that should my father come alive,

I would not think the sight were miracle,

But sober truth. Since such thy presence, then,

Lead as thy spirit prompts. For I alone

Of two things surely had achieved one,
1320

Noble deliverance or a noble death.

OR

Be silent; for I hear within the house

A footstep coming forth.

EL

(). Strangers, go in!

For none within the palace will reject

Your burden, nor be gladdened by the event.
1325

OLD M
Enter the Old Man .

O lost in folly and bereft of soul!

Is’t that your care for life hath ebbed away,

Or were you born without intelligence,

When fallen, not near, but in the midst of ill,

And that the greatest, ye perceive it not?
1330

Had I not watched the doors this while, your deeds

Had gone within the palace ere yourselves.

But, as things are, my care hath fenced you round.

Now, then, have done with long-protracted talk,

And this insatiable outburst of joy,
1335

And enter, for in such attempts as these

Delay is harmful: and ’tis more than time.

OR

But how shall I find matters there within?

OLD M

Well. You are shielded by their ignorance.
1340

OR

That means you have delivered me as dead.

OLD M

Alone of dead men thou art here above.

OR

Doth this delight them, or how went the talk?

OLD M

I will report, when all is done. Meanwhile,

Know, all is well with them, even what is evil.
1345

EL

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

OR

Dost not perceive?

EL

I cannot even imagine.

OR

Know’st not into whose hands thou gav’st me once?

EL

Whose hands? How say you?

OR

His, who through thy care

Conveyed me secretly to Phocis’ plain.
1350

EL

What! is this he, whom I, of all the band,

Found singly faithful in our father’s death?

OR

He is that man. No more!

EL

O gladsome day!

Dear only saviour of our father’s house,

How earnest thou hither? Art thou he indeed,

That didst preserve Orestes and myself
1355

From many sorrows? O dear hands, kind feet,
1355

Swift in our service,—how couldst thou so long

Be near, nor show one gleam, but didst destroy

My heart with words, hiding the loveliest deeds?

Father!—in thee methinks I see my father.

O welcome! thou of all the world to me

Most hated and most loved in one short hour.

OLD M

Enough, dear maiden! Many nights and days

Are circling hitherward, that shall reveal
1365

In clear recountment all that came between.

But to you two that stand beside I tell,

Now is your moment, with the Queen alone,

And none of men within; but if you pause,

Know that with others of profounder skill
1370

You’ll have to strive, more than your present foes.

OR

Then, Pylades, we need no more to dwell

On words, but enter on this act with speed,

First worshipping the holy shrines o’ the Gods

That were my father’s, harboured at the gate.
1375

EL

O King Apollo! hear them graciously,

And hear me too, that with incessant hand

Honoured thee richly from my former store!

And now, fierce slayer, I importune thee,

And woo thee with such gifts as I can give,

Be kindly aidant to this enterprise,

And make the world take note, what meed of bane

Heaven still bestows on man’s iniquity.

Lo, where the War-god moves

With soft, sure footstep, on to his design,

Breathing hot slaughter of an evil feud!

Even now the inevitable hounds that track
1380

Dark deeds of hideous crime
1380

Are gone beneath the covert of the domes.
1380

Not long in wavering suspense shall hang

The dreaming presage of my wistful soul.

For lo! within is led

With crafty tread the avenger of the shades,

Even to his father’s throne of ancient power,

And in his hand the bright new-sharpened death!

And Hermes, Maia’s son,

Is leading him, and hath concealed the guile

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1098 focus

Ihr Frauen, sagt uns, haben wir auch recht gehört,

Sind wir auf rechtem Wege hier nach unserm Ziel?

Der Chor.

Was willst du wissen, welch Verlangen führt dich her?

Orestes.

Wo hier Aegisthos wohne, forsch' ich lange schon.
1075

Der Chor.

Recht gingst du: der dir's sagte, hat dich nicht getäuscht.

Orestes.

Wer unter euch wohl kündet dort im Haus es an,

Daß wir zusammen, längstersehnt, gekommen sind?

(auf Elektra deutend)

Der Chor.

Hier diese, wenn's die Nächstverwandte melden soll.

Orestes.

Frau, geh' hinein und sage, daß hier Einige
1080

Den König suchen, Männer aus dem Phokerland.

Elektra.

Ihr kommt doch nicht, die Sage, die wir hörten, ach!

Mit klaren, sichern Zeichen uns bekräftigend?

Orestes.

Ich weiß von deiner Sache nicht; mit Kunden von

Orestes hat mich Strophios, der Greis, gesandt.
1085

Elektra.

Was ist es, Fremdling? Wie die Furcht mich übermannt!

Orestes.

In kleiner Urne bringen wir vom Todten hier

Die kleinen Ueberreste, wie du siehst, o Frau.

Elektra.

Ich Arme, weh! Das ist es: sichtbar seh' ich jezt

Vor meinen Augen, scheint es, diese Schmerzenslast!
1090

Orestes.

Wenn deine Klag' Orestes' herbem Loose gilt,

So wisse: dieses Erzgefäß birgt seinen Leib.

Gib denn, o Fremdling, wenn die Urne hier ihn birgt,

Gib, bei den Göttern, das Gefäß in meine Hand,

Auf daß ich mich und meinen ganzen Stamm zugleich
1095

Mit dieser Asche weinen und betrauern mag.

(zu den Dienern)

Gebt, wer sie sein mag, bringt es ihr; denn sicher nicht

Als eine Feindin bittet sie sich solches aus,

Nein, als die Freundin, oder ihm durch Blut verwandt.

(die Urne umfassend)

Elektra.

Denkmal des liebsten Menschen, das mir übrig blieb
1100

Von seinem Leben, wie so ganz mit anderen

Hoffnungen, als ich dich entließ, empfang' ich dich!

Nun Staub geworden trag' ich dich in meiner Hand,

Und sandte dich so blühend, Kind, von Haus himveg!

hätte diesem Leben mich ein Gott entrückt,
1105

Bevor mit diesen Händen ich dich raubte, dich

Hinsandt' in fremde Fernen und dem Mord entriß!

Dann lagst du jenes Tages todt als Leiche da,

Am Grab des Vaters hättest du dein Theil mit ihm.

Nun starbst du, fern von Hause, fern in fremdes Land
1110

Gebannt, in Elend, und der Schwesterlieb' entrückt,

Und nicht in treuen Händen hab' ich Arme dich

Geschmückt, gebadet, und aus flammenvoller Glut

Dich arme Last erhoben, wie mir's wohl gebührt.

Beschickt in fremden Händen, Unglückseliger,
1115

Ein kleiner Umfang nahst du mir in kleinem Raum.

Ich Arme, weh mir! Also war die Pflege denn

Unnüz, verloren, die ich einst an dich so oft

Gewandt mit süßer Mühe! Denn nie warest du

So heiß von unsrer Mutter, als von mir, geliebt;
1120

Nicht unsre Hausgenossen, ich nur pflegte dich,

lud mich, die Schwester, sprachest du beständig an.

Nun ist an Einem Tage dies entschwunden, ist

Mit dir gestorben: Alles ja, dem Sturme gleich,

Mit dir entraffend, schiedest du. Der Vater starb,
1125

Ich bin gestorben und du selbst dahin und todt:

Die Feinde lachen, und es tobt in wilder Lust

Die schnöde Mutter, der du selbst ein Nächer einst

Erscheinen wolltest, wie du mir durch Boten oft

Geheim verkünden ließest. Nun hat alles dies
1130

Dein böser Dämon und der meine mir entrückt,

Der also dich mir sandte, statt der theuersten

Gestalt, ein nichtig Schattenbild und Asche nur.

Ach, weh, weh!

klägliches Bild!
1135

Weh, weh!

Auf Pfaden des Grau'ns

(Weh, weh mir!)

Gesendet, o mein Trauter, gabst du mir den Tod,

Sa, gabst den Tod mir, mein geliebtes Bruderhaupt!
1140

So nimm mich auf in dieses enge Haus zu dir,

Zum Staub die Staubgewordne, daß ich drunten dir

Fortan gesellt sei! Als du noch hier oben warst,

Da theilt' ich gleiches Loos mit dir; mun drängt es mich,

Im Tode nicht von deinem Grabe fern zu sein.
1145

Denn nur die Todten, seh' ich, rührt kein Kummer mehr.

Der Chor.

Bedenk', Elektra: sterblich war, der dich gezeugt,

Orestes sterblich; jammre denn nicht allzusehr.

Orestes.

Was sag' ich? Weh mir! Wo verirrt mein zweifelnd Wort

Sich hin? Gebieten kann ich nicht der Zunge mehr.
1150

Elektra.

Was schmerzt dich also? Was bedeutet dieses Wort?

Orestes.

Du wärst Elektra? Wäre dies dein edles Bild?

Wohl ist es dieses, und ein unglückseliges.

Weh! Wie so graunvoll faßte dich dies Ungemach!

Elektra.

Doch nicht um mich, o Fremdling, rufst du solches Weh?
1155

Orestes.

Ha, dieser gottlos frevelhaft entstellte Leib!

Elektra.

Mir, Fremdling, keiner Andern, gilt dein Klageruf.

Orestes.

Weh, daß in Elend ehelos dein Leben schwand!

Elektra.

Was blickst du, Fremdling, so mich an, was jammerst du?

Orestes.

So hatt' ich also Nichts gewußt von meinem Leid.
1160

Elektra.

Und welche meiner Reden hat es dir enthült?

Orestes.

Mir sagt's des Jammers Uebermaß, das dich umringt.

Elektra.

Und meiner Leiden siehst du doch nur wenige.

Orestes.

Und wie vermöcht' ich schlimm're noch, als die, zu schaun?

Den Mördern leb' ich zugesellt in Einem Haus.
1165

Wie? Wessen Mördern? Welcher That gedenkst du da?

Elektra.

Des Vaters: und bei diesen muß ich Sklavin sein.

Orestes.

Doch wer auf Erden bürdet solchen Zwang dir auf?

Elektra.

Sie nennt sich Mutter; doch der Mutter gleicht sie nicht.

Orestes.

Wie? Zwingt sie dich durch Mangel oder durch Gewalt?
1170

Elektra.

Durch Mangel zwingt sie, durch Gewalt und jede Noth.

Orestes.

Ist nicht ein Helfer, Keiner da, der solches wehrt?

Elektra.

Nein; der's gewesen, dessen Asche bringst du mir.

Orestes.

Ach Arme, lange fühl ich schon Mitleid mit dir!

Elektra.

Allein auf Erden fühltest du Mitleid mit mir.
1175

Orestes.

Allein auch komm' ich schmerzerfüllt von gleicher Noth.

Elektra.

Doch nicht verwandt uns kommst du her aus fernem Land?

Orestes.

Ich werd' es sagen, sind die Frau'n hier wohlgesinnt.

Elektra.

Wohl sind sie das: zu Trenergebnen redest du.

Orestes.

So seze weg die Urne, daß du Alles hörst.
1180

Elektra.

Um alle Götter, thue das mir nicht, o Freund.

(die Urne umfassend)

Orestes.

O folge meinem Worte nur: dann fehlst du nie.

Elektra.

Bei deinem Antliz, nimm mir nicht mein Theuerstes!

Ich lass' es niemals.

(die Urne nehmend)

Weh mir Armen ohne dich,

Orestes! Auch von deiner Urne trennt man mich.
1185

Orestes.

Sprich gute Worte; denn du seufzest ohne Grund.

Elektra.

Was? Um den todten Bruder seufz' ich ohne Grund?

Orestes.

Den Namen ihm zu geben ziemt dir nimmermehr.

Elektra.

So sehr verschmäht der hingeschiedne Bruder mich?

Orestes.

Niemand verschmäht dich! aber dies berührt dich nicht.
1190

Elektra.

Doch, wenn Orestes' Asche ruht in meiner Hand!

Orestes.

Das ist Orestes' Asche ja zum Scheine nur.

Elektra.

Wo ist die Gruft denn dieses Unglückseligen?

Orestes.

Gar nirgend: hat doch keine Grust ein Lebender,

Elektra.

Wie sagst du, Jüngling?
1195

Orestes.

Keine Lüge sag' ich dir.

Elektra.

So lebt Orestes?

Orestes.

Wenn ich selbst am Leben bin.

Elektra.

Du bist es selber?

Orestes.

Sieh des Vaters Siegel hier

An meiner Hand, zum Zeichen, daß ich Wahres sprach.

Elektra.

schönster Tag!

Orestes.

schönster also sag' auch ich!

Elektra.

Du kamst?
1200

Stimme!

Orestes.

Hör' es nicht von Andern mehr!

Elektra.

Du bist in meinen Armen?

Orestes.

Bleib' es immer so!

Elektra.

Geliebte Frau'n, ihr Bürgerinnen dieser Stadt,

Seht hier Orestes, welcher erst durch schlaue List

Gestorben, nun durch schlaue List erhalten blieb!

Der Chor.

Wir sehen ihn, o Tochter, und die Thräne rinnt
1205

Bei solcher Fügung freudig aus dem Auge mir.

Otheurer Sproß,

Strophe.

Elektra.

Sproß jenes uns, ach, so geliebten Manns,

Du kamst endlich, ja,

Du kamest, fandest, sahest, die dein Herz ersehnt!
1210

Orestes.

Ich bin gekommen; aber schweigend harre noch.

Warum das?

Wohl ziemt zu schweigen, eh man uns im Haus vernimmt.

Elektra.

Nein, bei der ewig unbezwungnen Artemis!¹

Wahrlich, ich fürchte nicht die nuzlose Last,
1215

Dies Volk der Weiber mehr, das im Haus stets sich umtreibt.

Orestes.

Doch sei behutsam, auch in Weiberseelen glüht

Kampfmuth: du weißt es; denn Erfahrung lehrte dich's.

Elektra.

Oweh, o Graun, o Graun!

Du nennst unverhüllt das unvertilgbare,
1220

In der Erinnerung nie zu verschmerzende,

Das Leid, das ich litt!

Orestes.

Wohl weiß ich das; doch dieses Jammers mußt du mir

Dann erst gedenken, wann die rechte Zeit erscheint.

Zu jeder Zeit,
1225
Gegenstrophe.

Elektra.

Ja wohl jeder Zeit geziemt's uns mit Fug

Sein zu gedenken, Kind;

Denn kaum gewann ich eben erst die Zunge frei.

Orestes.

Das mein' ich selbst auch; schüze dir denn solches Gut.

Wie soll ich das?
1230

Wo nicht die Zeit ist, fasse dich in Neden kurz.

Elektra.

Wer mag mit Recht, o Bruder, nun du mir erschienst,

Hemmen der Worte Strom, scheu zu verstummen hier?

Denn plözlich, ungeahnt, unverhofft, kamst du wieder.

Orestes.

Du sahst mich, als zu kommen mir ein Gott gebot.
1235

Elektra.

Noch größ're Freude, denn zuvor,

Kündest du' da mir an, wenn dich in unser Haus

Himmlische Götter gesendet: ein göttliches

Walten erkenn' ich hier.

Orestes.

Zwar deiner Freude wehren will ich nicht; indeß
1240

Ich fürchte, daß die Freude dich zu sehr beherrscht.

Schlußgesang.

Elektra.

Du, der mich seines Anblickes würdigend,

Auf langersehntem Pfade mir erschienen,

O, weil du so mich siehst in Noth,

Orestes.

Was soll ich?
1245

Elektra.

Naube mir doch nicht die Wonne,

An deinem Anblick, Trauter, mich zu weiden!

Orestes.

Selbst Andern zürnt' ich, gönnten sie dir solches nicht.

Elektra.

Du gönnst mir's?

Orestes.

Warum nicht?

Elektra.

Eben ward mir eine Kunde,

Die ich nie geahnt, ihr Theuren:
1250

Alles Leid ertrug ich lautlos,

Sonder Angstausruf es hörend.

Jezo hab' ich dich; du kamest,

Zeigtest mir dein theures Antliz,

Das ich auch im Leide nie vergäße.²
1255

Orestes.

Des überflüssig eitlen Worts enthalte dich,

Und weder sag' uns, wie die Mutter Frevel übt,

Noch wie des Hauses Ahnengut Aegisthos uns

Erschöpft, hinauswirft und gedankenlos verstreut:

Das Reden raubt die wohlgelegne Stunde dir.³
1260

Nur was in diesem Augenblick mir dienlich sei,

Erkläre, wo, verborgen oder offen, ich

Der Feinde Jubel hemmen mag auf diesem Gang.

Doch daß am heitern Blicke nicht die Mutter, was

Du sinnst, erkenne, traten wir in's Haus hinein;
1265

Nein, jammre, wie betroffen durch das Mißgeschick,

Von dem die falsche Sage sprach: gelang das Wert,

Daun steh'n dir ohne Schranke Lust und Lachen frei.

Elektra.

Ja, theurer Bruder, so wie dir genehm es ist,

So sei es mir auch: hab' ich doch die Freude nur
1270

Durch dich empfangen, nicht ich selbst errang sie mir.

Die kleinste Kränkung auch an dir ich möchte nicht

Um großen Lohn sie kaufen; denn ich diente dann

Nicht würdig jenem Gotte, der uns jezt beschirmt.

Doch wie es hier steht, weißt du ja; du hörtest doch,
1275

Aegisthos weile nicht im Haus, wohl aber sei

Die Mutter innen; diese wird das fürchte nicht!

Niemals von Freude mein Gesicht erheitert sehu.

Denn tief in meinem Herzen lebt der alte Haß,

Und seit ich dich erblickte, rinnt mein Auge stets
1280

Von Wonnethränen. Wie versiegten diese mir,

Nachdem ich todt und lebend dich auf Einem Gang

Geseh'n? Du thatest, was ich nie geahnt, an mir;

Ja, wenn der Vater lebend käm', ich achtet' es

Nicht mehr für Blendwerk, sondern glaubt' ihn selbst zu seh'n.
1285

Und nun du dieses Weges uns gekommen bist,

Geh selbst voran nach deinem Sinn! Blieb ich allein,

Errang ich Eins von Zweien wohl: ich hätte mich

Ruhmvoll gerettet, oder fand ruhmvoll den Tod.

Orestes.

Sei still, ich bitte; denn heran zur Pforte naht Jemand von innen.
1290
(sich verstellend)

Elektra.

Geht hinein, ihr Fremdlinge,

Zumal ihr bringet, was im Hause Keiner wohl

Verschmähend abweist, noch empfängt in frohem Muth.

Der Pfleger. Die Vorigen.

Der Pfleger.

Ihr argen Thoren, ihr an Sinn Verblendeten!

Drängt euch um euer Leben nicht die Sorge mehr?
1295

Wie? Oder lebt kein angeborner Geist in euch,

Daß ihr dem Leid nicht nahe, nein, im Leide selbst,

Dem größten, euch befindet, und es nicht erkennt?

Hätt' ich an dieser Pforte nicht schon lang gewacht,

So wären eure Plane wohl im Hause dort
1300

Ruchbar geworden, eh' ihr selbst hineingelangt:

Ich habe dies durch meine Vorsicht abgewandt.

Und mun erspart die langen Reden euch und laßt

Von diesem Freudenlärme, der nicht enden will,

Und tretet ein, da Zaudern unheilbringend ist
1305

Bei solchen Dingen und die Zeit zum Ende drängt.

Orestes.

Wie steht es aber, wenn ich eingetreten dort?

Der Pfleger.

Sehr wohl; das Schicksal fügt es, das Niemand dich kennt.

Orestes.

Du brachtest, denk' ich, Kunde wohl von meinem Tod?

Der Pfleger.

Ein Mann des Todes, wisse, bist du jenen dort.
1310

Orestes.

Sie freu'n sich wohl darüber? Nun, was sagen sie?

Der Pfleger.

Nachdem's gethan ist, red' ich: wie die Sachen steh'lu,

Geht Alles gut mit ihnen, auch was übel ist.

Elektra.

Wer ist der Mann hier, Bruder? Bei den Göttern, sprich!

Orestes.

Ihn kennst du nicht mehr?
1315

Elektra.

Nicht entsinnen kann ich mich.
1315

Orestes.

So weißt du nimmer, wem du mich einst übergabst?

Elektra.

Wem? Was erwähnst du?

Orestes.

Dessen Arm mich ehedem,

Dank deiner Vorsicht, ingeheim nach Phokis trug.

Elektra.

Wie? Sener ist es, welchen ich aus Vielen einst

Allein getreu erfunden bei des Vaters Tod?
1320

Orestes.

Der ist es: aber frage nun nicht weiter mehr.

Elektra.

schönster Tag! Des Vaterhauses einziger

Erretter! Wie nur kamst du? Bist du wirklich der,

Der ihn und mich gerettet aus so vielem Leid?

Ihr theuren Hände! Du getreuer, süßer Dienst
1325

Der Füße! Wie nur warst du mir so lange nah,

Und warst mir doch verborgen und vernichtetest

Durch Worte mich, indeß du Wonnethaten bringst?

Heil, Vater! Denn den Vater, dünkt mir, seh' ich hier:

Heil! Wisse, daß ich unter allen Menschen dich
1330

Gehaßt am meisten und geliebt an Einem Tag!

Der Pfleger.

Nun scheint's genug mir. Wohl, Elektra, werden ja

Sich viele Tag' und Nächte noch im Kreise dreh'n,

Die dir getreu verkünden, was indeß geschah.

Euch Beiden sag' ich, die ihr hier noch steht: es ist
1335

Zum Handeln Zeit; die Tochter Tyndars ist allein,

Der Männer keiner innen! Wenn ihr säumen wollt,

So wißt: ihr müßt mit diesen und mit anderen

Zahlreichern und Geschicktern noch den Kampf besteh'n.

Orestes.

Zu langen Reden haben wir, o Pylades,
1340

Jezt keine Zeit mehr; nein, es gilt nur ungesäumt

Hineinzutreten und der Götter altes Bild

Zu grüßen, die hier walten auf des Hauses Flur.

(Sie knieen vor dem Altar des Apollon nieder, und gehen dann in den Palast.)

Elektra.

O Fürst Apollon, höre sie voll Gnaden an,

Und mich mit ihnen, die ich dir so Vieles schon,
1345

Was ich vermochte, dargebracht mit voller Hand!

Auch nun, Lykeier Phöbos, wie ich's jezt vermag,

Beschwör' ich, knieend ruf' ich dich: willfährig sei

Ein Helfer uns bei dieser wohlerwognen That,

Und zeige du den Menschen, welch gerechten Lohn
1350

Ruchlosigkeit aus hoher Götter Hand empfängt!

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 1098 focus

Say, virgins, if by right instruction led

This way, I tend to

Chorus

Whither wouldst thou 1100

Orestes

The palace of ^gisthus.

Chorus

Sti'iinger, well

Wert thou directed ; thou art there already.

Orestes

Who then amongst your train shall Idndly

speak

A friend's approach, who comes with joyful news

Of highest import?

Chorus

{jpointing to Electra]. Be that office hers

Whom bound by Nature's ties it best befits.

Orestes

Go then, and say from Phocis are arrived

Who beg admittance to the king.

Eleo. Alas !

And com'st thou then to prove the dreadful tale

Already told ?

Orestes

What you have heard I know not,
1110

But of Orestes came I here to speak

Electra
By Strophius's command.

What is it, say ;

Oh, how I dread thy message !

Orestes

[showing the l^rn]. Here behold

His poor remains

'Tis then too plain, and misery is complete.

Orestes

If for Orestes thus thy sorrows flow,

Know that within this urn his ashes lie.

Electra

Do they indeed ? Then let me, by the gods

1 do entreat thee, let me snatch them from thee !
1120

Let me embrace them — let me weep my fate,

And mourn our hapless race.

Orestes

Give her the urn,

Whoe'er she be ; for not with hostile mind

She craves the boon ; perhaps some friend, perhaps

By blood united.
1125

Electra

[taking the Urn]. O ye dear remains

Of my Orestes, the most loved of men !

How do I see thee now ! How much unlike

What my fond hopes presaged, when List we parted l

I sent thee forth with all the bloom of youth

Fresh on thy cheek, and now, O dismal change !

I bear thee in these hands an empty shade.

Would I had died ere X had sent thee hence,

Ere I had saved tliee from the tyrant's hand !

Would thou liadst died thyself that dreadful day,

And joined thy murdered father in the tomb,

Rather than thus a wretched exile fallen,
1130

Far from thy sister, in a foreign land I
1130

I was not there with pious hands to wash

Thy breathless corpse, or from the greedy flame

To gather up thy ashes. What have all

My pleasing toils, my fruitless cares availed,

E'en from thy infant years, that as a mother

I watched thee still, and as a mother loved ?

I would not trust thee to a servant's hand.

But was myself the guardian of thy youth,

Thy dear companion. All is gone with thee !

Alas ! thy death, like the devouring storm,

Hath borne down all. Thy father is no more,

And thou art gone, and I am going too.
1135

Our foes rejoice. Our mother, mad with joy,
1135

Smiles at our miseries — that unnatural mother,

She whom thou oft hast promised to destroy.

But cruel fate hath blasted all my hopes,

And for my dear Orestes left me naught

But this poor shadow. Oh ! th' accursed place

Where I had sent thee ! Oh ! my hapless brother,

Oh ! take me to thee ! Let this urn enclose

My ashes too, and dust to dust be joined,

That we may dwell together once again :

In life united by one hapless fate,

I would not wish in death to be divided.
1140

The dead are free from sorrows.
1140

Do not indulge thy griefs ; but, oh ! remember,
1140

Sprung from a mortal like thyself, Orestes

Was mortal too — that we are mortal all.

Orestes

[aside]. What shall I say? TI can refrain no

longer.

Electra

Why this emotion?

Orestes

\looMng at Electra]. Can it be Electra,

That lovely form ?

Electra

It is indeed that wretch.
1180

Orestes

Oh, dreadful !

Electra

Stranger, dost thou weep for me?

Orestes

By impious hands to perish thus !

Electra

For me

Doubtless thou weepst, for I am changed indeed.

Orestes

Of nuptial rites, and each domestic joy
1185

To live deprived !
1185

Electra

Why dost thou gaze upon me?

Orestes

Alas ! I did not know I was so wretched.

Electra

Why, what hath made thee so ?

Orestes

I see thy woes.

Electra

Not half of them.
1190

Orestes

Can there be worse than these ?

Electra

To live with murderers !

Orestes

What murderers, whom?

Electra

The murderers of my father ; bound to serve

them.

Orestes

Who binds thee ?

Electra

One who calls herself a mother;

A name she little merits.

Orestes

But say, how ]
1195

Doth she withhold the means of life, or act
1195

With brutal violence to thee?
1195

Electra

Both, alas !

Are my hard lot ; she tries a thousand means

To make me wretched.

Orestes

And will none assist,

Will none defend thee ?

Electra

None. My only hope

Lies buried there.

Orestes

Oh ! how I pity thee !

Electra

'Tis kindly done ; for none will pity me —
1200

None but thyself. Art thou indeed a stranger,
1200

Or doth some nearer tie unite our sorrows?
1200

Orestes

I could unfold a tale. But — say, these

virgins.

May I depend on them?

Electra

They are our friends,

And faithful all.

Orestes

Then lay the urn aside,

And I^vvill tell thee.

sr,

Elec'. Do not take it from me

Do not, dear stranger.

Orestes

But I must indeed.
1205

Electra

Do not, T beg thee.

Orestes

Come, you'll not repent it.

Electra

O my poor brother ! If thy dear remains

Are wrest-ed from me, I am most unhappy.

Orestes

No more ; fh

Eleo. Not grieve

For my Orestes ?

Orestes

No ; you should not weep.

Electra

Am I unwortliy of him then 1

Orestes

Oh, no !

But do not grieve.

Electra

Not when I bear the ashes
1215

Of my dear brother 1
1215

Orestes

But they are not tliere

"Unless by fiction and a well-wrought tale,

That hath deceived thee.

Electra

Where then is his tomb?

Orestes

The li\dng need none.

Electra

Ha ! what sayst thou 1

Orestes

' Truth.
1220

Electra

Does he then live 1

Orestes

If I have life, he lives.

Electra

And art thou he 1

Orestes

Look here, and be convinced ;

'i his mark, 'tis from our father.

Electra

O blest hour !

Orestes

Blessed indeed !

Electra

Art thou then here 1
1225

Orestes

I am.

Electra

Do I embrace thee ?

Orestes

Mayst thou do it long !

Electra

O my companions ! O my dearest friends !

Do ye not see Orestes, once by art

And cruel fiction torn from life and me,

But now by better art to life restored 1

Chorus

Daughter, we do ; and see 'midst all our
1230

woes
1230

From every eye fa,st flow the tears of jo.y.

Electra

Oh ! ye are come, my friends, in happiest hour,

E'en to behold, to find again the man

Whom your souls wished for, ye are come.

Chorus

We are ;

Electra

Wherefore in silence ?

Chorus

Lest our foes within

Should hear thee.

Electra

Never, by the virgin power

Of chaste Diana, will I hide my joys,
1240

Nor meanly stoop to fear an idle throng

Of helpless women.

Orestes

Women have their power,

And that thou knowest.

Electra

Alas ! and so I do ;
1245

For oh ! thou hast called back the sad remembrance

Of that misfortune which admits no cure,

And ne'er can be forgot.

Orestes

A fitter time

May come when we must think of that.
1250

Electra

All times.

All hours are fit to talk of justice in,

And best the present, now when I am free.

Orestes

Thou art so, be so still.
1255

Electra

What's to be done?

Orestes

Talk not, when prudence should restrain tliy

tongue.

Electra

Who shall restrain it? Who shall bind Electra

To fearful silence, when Orestes comes?

When thus I see thee here, beyond my thoughts,

Beyond my hopes !
1260

Orestes

The gods have sent me to thee ;

Xliey bade me come.

Electra

Indeed ! More grateful still

Is thy return. If by the gods' command

Thou cam'st, the gods will sure protect thee here.

Orestes

I would not damp thy joys, and yet I fear-

Lest they should carry thee too far.
1270

Electra

Oh, no !

But after so long absence^ thus returned

To thy afflicted sister, sure thou wouldst not

Orestes

Do what?

Electra

Thou wouldst not grudge me the dear pleasure
1275

Of looking on thee.

Orestes

No ; nor suffer any

To rob thee of it.

Electra

Shall I then !

Orestes

No doubt.

Electra

I hear that voice, my friends, I never thought

To hear again. Ye know, when I received
1280

The dreadful news, I kept my grief witliin,

Silent and sad ; but now I have thee here.

Now I behold thee, now I fix my eyes

On that dear form, which never was forgotten.

Orestes

Spend not thy time in fruitless words, nor tell

me

How Clytemnestra lives, nor how ^gisthus

Hath lavished all our wealth. The present hour

Demands our strict attention. Tell me how,

Whether by fraud, or open force, our foes

May best be vanquished. Let no cheerful smile

Betray thee to thy mother. Seem to grieve
1295

As thou wert wont. When we have done the deed,

J oy shall appear, and we will smile in safety.

Electra

Thy will is mine. Not to myself I owe

My present bliss ; I have it all from thee —

From thee, my brother ; nor should aught persuade me
1300

To give Orestes e'en a moment's pain.

That were ungrateful to th' indulgent power

Who thus hath smiled propitious. Know, -^gisthus
1305

Has left the palace ; Clytemnestra's there ;

And for thy needless fears that I should smile,

Or wear a cheerful face, I never shall —

Hatred so strong is rooted in my soul,

The sight of them will make me sad enough.
1310

The tears of joy perhaps may flow for thee,

And add to the deceit ; for flow they must,

When I behold thee in one happy hour

Thus snatched from life, and thus to life restored.

I could not hope it. Oh I 'tis passing strange !

If from the tomb our father should arise
1315

And R.'iv he lived, I think I should believe liini :

And oh ! when thou art come so far, 'tis fit

I yield to thee in all. Do thou direct

My every step ; but know, had I been left

Alone, e'en I would not have failed in all,
1320

But conquered bravely, or as bravely fell.

Orestes

No more. I hear the footsteps as of one

Coming this way.

Electra

Strangers, go in, and bear

That which with joy they cannot but receive.

But which with joy they will not long possess.

Governor of Orestes, Electra, Orestes, Chorus.
1325

Governor
Scene II.

Madness and folly thus to linger here !

Have ye no thought ? Is life not worth your care ?

Do ye not know the dangers that surround you ?

Had I not watched myself before the palace.

Ere ye had entered, all your secret plan

Had been discovered to our foes within.

Wherefore no more of this tumultuous joy.

And lengthened converse ; 'tis not fitting now.
1335

Go in ; away, delays are dangerous

At such an hour ; cur fate depends upon it.

Orestes

May I with safety ? Is all well within ?

Governor

None can suspect you.
1340

Orestes

Spake you of my death

As we determined ?

Governor

Living as thou art,

They do account thee one among the dead.

Orestes

And are they glad ? What say they ?

Governor

By-and-by

We'll talk of that ; let it suffice that all

Is right within ; and that which most they think so,
1345

May prove most fatal to them.
1345

Electra

[pointing to the Governor]. Who is this ?

Orestes

Do you not know ?

Electra

I cannot recollect him.

Orestes

Not know the man to whom you trusted me !

Under whose care

ijO

ELF.CTRA.

Eleo. Wlion ? ho^v ?

Orestes

To Phocis sent,

I 'scaped the tymnt.
1350

Electra

Can it then be he,

Among the faithless only faithful found

When our dear father fell ?

Orestes

It is the same.

Electra

\io the Governor]. Deax'est of men, great

guardian of our race,
1355

Art thou then here 1 Thou, who hast saved us both

From countless woes ! Swift were thy feet to bring

Glad tidings to me, and thy hand stretched forth

Its welcome succour. But, oh ! why deceive me 1

Why wouldst thou kill me with thy dreadful tiilo,

E'en when thou hadst such happiness in store?

Hail ! father, hail ! — for I must caU thee so —
1380

Know, thou hast been to me, in one short day,

Both the most hated and most loved of men.

Governor

ISTo more of that We shall have time enough

To talk of it hereafter. Let us go.
1365

This is the hour ; the queen is now alone.

And not a man within. If ye delay,

Expect to meet more formidable foes,

In wisdom and in numbers far superior.

Orestes

We will not talk, my Pylades, but act.

Let us go in. But to the gods who guard

This place be first due adoration paid.

Electra

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 1098 focus

Say, female Argives, are we well inform'd,

Our steps unerring guided as we wish?

Chorus

What wou'dst thou ask? Why hither art thou come?
1100

Orestes

I seek the mansion where Ægisthus dwells.

Chorus

Right are thy steps: no blame thy guide deserves.

Orestes

To those within which of you will announce

Our presence, charged in common with affairs

Of no unwelcome nature to your lords?

Chorus

She, as by birth nearest to them allied.
1105

Orestes

Go, lady, let them be with speed inform'd

That men from Phocis sent Ægisthus seek.

Electra

Unhappy me! Bring you undoubted proofs

Of that report, which reach'd our ears before ?

Orestes

I know not: of Orestes is my charge
1110

To speak, by aged Strophius hither sent.

Electra

What, stranger? How am I oppress'd with fear!

Orestes

Of the dead youth the poor remains we bear,

As thou may'st see, in this small vase enclosed.

Electra

Then I indeed am wretched: now my grief
1115

Is certain; it is brought before my eyes.

Orestes

If for the poor Orestes flow thy tears,

Know that within this urn his body lies.

Electra

Now by the gods, O stranger, if this vase

Contain Orestes, give it to my hands;
1120

That o'er his ashes as I pour my tears,

Myself and all my race I may bewail.

Orestes

Whoe'er she be, entrust it to her hands;

For not in hatred makes she this request,

But as a friend, or one by blood allied.
1125

Electra

Thou sad memorial, now the sole remains

Of what was once Orestes, to my heart

Most dear, with other hopes I sent thee hence,

Not to receive thee thus; for in my hands

I bear thee, nothing now; a splendid Youth,

To glory born, I sent thee from this house.
1130

Oh hadst thou died, ere by these hands preserved,

And, snatch'd from slaughter, to a foreign land

I sent thee! Hadst thou died in that sad day,

Some little portion of thy father's tomb

Thou wou'dst have shared: but thou hast perish'd now
1135

Far from thy house, and from thy country far,

A wandering exile, from thy sister far.

Nor in the cleansing lavers did I bathe

With these fond hands thy corse, nor, as became

A sister, bear from the consuming flames
1140

The mournful burden. By a stranger's hands

Theseus

thou comest a little dust

Closed in a little urn. Unhappy me,

How vain is all my former nurturing care,

All the sweet toil for thee employ'd, how lost!

E'en for thy mother thou didst never show

More fondness than for me; no menial hand

Around thee was engaged; thou wast my charge,

And thy fond tongue still lisp'd thy sister's name.

All these endearments in one day are lost,
1130

With thee they died; thou, like a rushing storm
1130

Hast pass'd away, and with thee swept them all.

My father is no more, I am no more,

And death hath snatch'd thee hence; our foes exult;

My mother, how unworthy of that name!

Is wild with joy: yet secret message oft

Aforetime hast thou sent, that thou wou'dst come

Dreadful in vengeance; but unhappy fate,

Thy fate and mine, hath check'd the great intent,

And, for my loved Orestes, sent thee thus,
1135

Cold ashes, and an unavailing shade.
1135

Wretched remains! And what a wretch am I!

Thus art thou come? How mournful! Woe is me!

What ruin on thy sister hast thou brought!

Yes, dear Orestes, ruin on my head

Thy death hath brought. O miserable me!

Receive me then within thy sheltering urn.

Nothing to nothing; that henceforth with thee

I in the realms beneath may ever dwell.

For whilst thou here hadst life, with thee I shared
1140

One common fortune: now it is my wish
1140

In death to share thy tomb. The dead are free

From all the various woes of mortal life.

Chorus

Thou from a mortal father drew'st thy birth;

Thence be admonish'd: thy Orestes too

Was mortal; let that thought assuage thy grief.

Death is the debt of nature all must pay.
1175

Orestes

Oh, I must speak; to my distracted thoughts

I must give utterance; struggling in my breast

These strong emotions will break forth in words.

Electra

What grief is thine? Why this impassion'd speech?

Orestes

See I in thee Electra's honour'd form?

Electra

I am Electra, and a very wretch.
1180

Orestes

Ah, my heart bleeds to see thee thus.

Electra

For me

Why, stranger, dost thou grieve ?

Orestes

Oh, how disgraced

With foul and impious treatment!

Electra

Such my state,

Such as by thee deplored.

Orestes

Of nuptial rites
1185

Deprived, and train'd to misery!
1185

Electra

Thus on me

Why dost thou gaze, and sigh?

Orestes

I till this hour

Knew nothing of my ills.

Electra

How from my words

Dost thou now know them?

Orestes

I behold thee now

In many ills conspicuous.

Electra

Of my ills
1190

Thou seest but few.
1190

Orestes

How more abhorr'd than these

Can I behold?

Electra

With murderers that I dwell

By sad constraint.

Orestes

Murderers of whom? What ill

Doth this denote?

Electra

My father: and to them

I live perforce a slave.

Orestes

By whom compell'd

To this necessity?

Electra

A mother's name

She bears; a mother's tenderness for me

She never felt.

Orestes

How? Cruel is her hand?
1195

Or doth she feed thee 'mongst her slaves?
1195

Electra

E'en thus

She treats me, and with every barbarous ill.

Orestes

Has thou no friend to aid thee? From such wrongs

None to protect thee?

Electra

None; I had a friend,

His ashes thou hast brought.

Orestes

Thy wretched state

With pity I behold.

Electra

Of all mankind
1200

Thou alone pityest me.
1200

Orestes

For I alone

Am come with sorrow for thy sufferings moved.

Electra

Art thou by blood allied ?

Orestes

If these were friends,

I would speak freely.

Electra

Speak then: they are friends

In whom thou may'st confide.

Orestes

Give back that urn
1205

And thou shalt know the whole.
1205

Electra

Oh, by the gods,

Deal not thus with me!

Orestes

Let my words prevail;

No ill do they intend thee.

Electra

This dear pledge

I pray thee take not from me.

Orestes

To thy pray'r

I cannot yield.

Electra

How wretched shall I be,
1210

If, loved Orestes, of thy tomb deprived !

Orestes

Speak words of happier omen; for no cause

Hast thou to mourn.

Electra

Have I no cause to mourn

A brother's death?

Orestes

Thy state it suits not thus

To speak.

Electra

Am I unworthy of the dead?
1215

Orestes

Of none art thou unworthy: but to thee

This now is no concern.

Electra

Not though I bear

His ashes in this urn!

Orestes

That was a tale

Framed to deceive. Orestes lies not there.

Electra

Where then is my unhappy brother's tomb ?

Orestes

It is not: for the living hath no tomb.
1220

Electra

Young man, what say'st thou?

Orestes

Nothing false I speak.

Electra

Doth he then live?

Orestes

If here I stand alive.

Electra

Art thou Orestes ?

Orestes

Mark this signet well;

It was my father's: this will prove my truth.

Electra

O welcome day!
1225

Orestes

Most welcome to us both.

Electra

Is it thy voice I hear? Art thou then come?

And in these arms Orestes do I hold ?

Orestes

And henceforth ever may'st thou hold him thus!

Electra

Ye daughters of Mycenæ, my loved friends,

You see Orestes but by fiction dead,

And by that honest fiction thus preserved.

Chorus

We see him; in thy fortune we are blest,
1230

And tears of joy steal trickling from our eyes.

Electra

Thou gem, thou offspring of the dearest man,
1245

To me for ever dear, art thou then come-

Thus hast thou found-at length art thou arrived---

And dost thou see whom thou hast wish'd to see!

Orestes

Behold me here: but check thy transports, wait

In silence the event.
1250

Electra

Why silent wait?

Orestes

Within these hostile gates lest any hear.
1255

Electra

Now by Diana, chaste unconquer'd queen,

My soul disdains to tremble at a rout

Of helpless women here for ever throng'd.

Orestes

Yet women sometimes feel the martial flame,

And greatly dare: of this thou hast strong proof.

Electra

Oh, thou hast touch'd upon a dreadful ill,

For ever open to the light of heav'n,

Inexpiable, monstrous, from the mind

Never to be effaced, our mournful lot.
1260

Orestes

I know it well; and when the proper time

Shall warn me, will remember the foul deed.

Electra

All times to me are proper, and all times

Warn me to speak what justly I may speak:

Scarce is the liberty of speech now mine.

Orestes

Preserve that liberty, by knowing well

This is no time to give thy speech free scope.
1270

Electra

Hath silence then such merit, that my words

Must yield to it, whilst thou art in my sight,

Thus unexpected, thus beyond my hopes?

Orestes

Soon as the gods commanded me, I came.

Electra

This to my former pleasure gives new life :
1275

If by the mandate of the gods thou comest,
1275

That gives a presage of their heav'nly aid.

Orestes

I would not check thy pleasure; but I fear

Its wild excess thy reason will o'erpow'r.

Electra

After such length of time since thou hast deign'd

To make me happy with thy dear return,

Do not, since thou hast found me thus oppress'd

With many sorrows, do not take from me

The heart-felt pleasure which thy presence gives.

Orestes

That pleasure none shall dare to take from thee.

Electra

Dost thou assent?

Orestes

How can I but assent?

Electra

O my loved friends, I hear that pleasing voice

I could not hope to hear. But when I heard

I should not think it as mere shadowy form,

I would believe I saw the real man:

Since on this dangerous task thou art return'dol

Be the whole conduct thine. Had I been left

Alone, I had not fail'd myself to save",

With glory, or with glory to have died

ORES. I wish thee to be silent, for I hear

The steps of one advancing to these gates.

Electra

Strangers, go in: you bear what in the house:il!

Old Man

None will reject, nor will receive with joy.

Attendant

What madness this? Is life no more your care?

Where is your prudence? Where your heedful thought

Of danger? Know you not that you now stand

Not on the verge, but in the midst of ills,

The greatest ills? And had not I long watch'd

Within this portal, your designs had found T

An entrance ere yourselves; my cautious care()

To this I have opposed. But now break off! //

Your long discourse, and these wild cries of jby,

And enter: the important moment calls

For action: mischief lurks beneath delay.l

Orestes

How, when I enter, shall I find the state

Of things within? Na botal Ioved modT

Old Man

A's thou cou'dst wish: not one)

Is there who knows thee.

Report me dead?
1345

Didst thou, as behoved;
1345

Attendant

Though thou art living here,

There thou art deem'd one of the shades below.

Orestes

Do they rejoice at this? What did they say?

Attendant

First do the deed, then thou shalt know. With them

All now is well, e'en things that are not well.

Electra

Who, I conjure thee tell me, is this man?

OR E. Dost thou not know-

My mind retains no trace.

Orestes

Him, to whose hands assign'd thy prudent care

In secret sent me to the Phocian realms?
1350

Electra

Is this the man, when my lov'd father fell

'Mongst many faithless only faithful found?

Orestes

This is the man: but ask me now no more,

Electra

O thou dear light! Preserver of the house

Attendant

Of Agamemnon, sole preserver! How-

Art thou come back? Art thou that faithful man,

Who from a thousand threatening ills preserved

My brother and myself? Blest be thy hands
1365

That bore him hence. How pleasant are the steps
1365

Of thy return! But when we late conversed,

Why keep thyself unknown? Why not disclose

The ancient friend? Why pierce my heart with words

When thou hadst deeds to fill my soul with joy?

Hail, O my father! For methinks I see

My father: hail! Of all mankind this day

Thee have I hated most, and most have loved.

Cease thy inquiries. What remains untold

The rolling course of many nights and days:

Will show thee. Now, O princes, is the time

To act; now Clytemnestra is alone;
1370

Now not a man is in the house; if now
1370

You make delay, with others wiser far

Than these, and more in number, you must fight,

Orestes

Not words, my Pylades, but deeds must now

Take place: this instant let us enter, first

With reverence bending to my father's gods,

That in this portal have their hallow'd seats.
1375

Electra

Royal Apollo, hear them, favouring hear;

Me too, for oft before thee have I stood,

Offering with pious hand whate'er was mine

To offer, hear me. Now, Lycæan king,

I bring thee all I have, my pray'rs, my vows,
1380

My adoration: in our great attempt

Propitious give us aid, and show mankind

The vengeance of the gods on impious deeds!

Chorus
STRO. ANTIS.

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1098-1230 focus

Enter Orestes, with Pylades and two attendants.

Orestes

Ladies, have we been directed aright, and are we on the right path to our goal?

Chorus

What do you seek? What desire brings you here?
1100

Orestes

I have long been searching for the home of Aegisthus.

Chorus

Well, you have found it, and your guide is blameless.

Orestes

Which of you, then, would tell those inside of the long-desired presence of us travelers?

Chorus

She will, if the nearest in kin should announce it.
1105

Orestes

Go, lady, enter and make it known that certain men of Phocis seek Aegisthus.

Electra

Ah, miserable me! Surely you do not bring proof positive of that rumor which we heard?

Orestes

I know nothing of your rumor; but the aged Strophius ordered me to give report of Orestes.
1110

Electra

What is it, sir? Ah, how fear creeps over me!

Orestes

We come bearing his scanty remains in a small urn, as you see.

Electra

Oh, the misery! Here, at last, my eyes look for certain, it seems, upon that grievous burden in your hand.
1115

Orestes

If your tears are for any of Orestes’ tribulations, know that this vessel is his body’s home.

Electra

Ah, sir, if this urn indeed contains him, then allow me,

by the gods, to take it in my hands, so that I may weep and wail, not for these ashes alone, but for myself and for all our house with them!
1120

Orestes
To the attendants.

Take it and give it to her, whoever she may be. For she asks this for herself not as if with hostile intent,

but like one who is his friend, or a kinswoman by blood. The urn is placed in Electra’s hands.
1125

1126

Electra

Memorial of him whom I loved best on earth, sole remnant of Orestes’ vitality! How contrary to the hopes with which I sent you away do I receive you back! Now I raise your nothingness in my hands;

but then, my child, you were radiant, when I sent you away from home! Would that I had first abandoned life, before, stealing you away with these hands, I sent you to a strange land and rescued you from death, in order that you might have lain dead on that same day
1130

and had your share in the tomb of our father!
But now, an exile from home and fatherland, you have perished miserably, far from your sister. Ah, me, these loving hands have not washed or decked your corpse, nor taken up
1135

their sad burden from the all-consuming pyre, as was proper. No! At the hands of strangers, poor Orestes, you have been tended, and so have come to us, a small bulk in a small urn.
Ah, I grieve at the uselessness of my nursing long ago, the service that I often bestowed
1140

on you in sweet labor! For you were never your mother’s darling so much as mine, nor was any in the house your nurse but I, and by you I was ever called sister. But now all this has vanished in a day
1145

with your death. Like a whirlwind you have swept everything away with you. Our father is gone; I am dead because of you; you yourself are dead and gone; our enemies laugh at us; and our mother, who is no mother, raves with joy. Unknown to her, you often
1150

sent me messages about her, saying that you yourself would appear for vengeance. But our evil fortune, yours and mine, has torn all that away, and has sent you back to me in this state, ash and a useless shade in place of your beloved form.
1155

1160

ah, me, ah, me! O pitiable body! Alas, dear one sent on a most dire journey, how you have destroyed me, destroyed me indeed, my brother!
1160

Therefore accept me into this abode of yours—me, a nothing, into your nothingness,—so that I may dwell with you hereafter below. For when you were on earth, we shared equally, and now I wish to die and not to be left out of your grave,
1165

since I see that the dead are relieved of pain.
1170

1171

Chorus

Remember, Electra, you are the child of a mortal father, and Orestes was mortal. Therefore do not grieve too much. Death is a debt which all of us must pay.

Orestes

Ah, what shall I say? I am at a loss. To what words

can I turn? I no longer have the strength to master my tongue!
1175

Electra

What has troubled you? Why did you say that?

Orestes

Is this the illustrious form of Electra?

Electra

It is, though in a very wretched state.

Orestes

What pity, then, for this miserable fortune!

Electra

Surely, stranger, you are not saddened like this on my account?
1180

Orestes

O frame dishonorably, godlessly wasted!

Electra

Those ills of which you speak, stranger, are none other’s than mine.

Orestes

Ah, pity for your unwed, ill-fated life!

Electra

Why, stranger, do you stare and grieve in this way?

Orestes

How I knew nothing, it seems, of my own sorrows!
1185

Electra

What that has been said made you realize this?

Orestes

It was the sight of you conspicuous in your many sufferings.

Electra

And yet you see but a few of my troubles.

Orestes

And how could there be any more odious to look on than these?

Electra

Because I share house and table with the murderers.
1190

Orestes

Whose murderers? Where lies the guilt at which you point?

Electra

The murderers of my father. And, further, I am forced to slave for them.

Orestes

Who is it that binds you with this compulsion?

Electra

She is called my mother, but in no respect is she like a mother.

Orestes

How does she do it? By violence or by inflicting hardship?
1195

Electra

By violence and hardships and all manner of evil.

Orestes

And is there no one to help, or to prevent it?

Electra

No one. The one I had, his ashes you have put before me.

Orestes

Unfortunate girl, how seeing you stirs my pity!

1200

Electra

Then know that you are the first who ever pitied me.
1200

Orestes

Yes, for I alone have come and been pained by your troubles .

Electra

Surely you are not some unknown kinsman?

Orestes

I would tell you, if these women bear you goodwill.

Electra

Indeed they do, so you will speak to trustworthy companions.

Orestes

Give up this urn, then, and you shall know everything.
1205

Electra

No, by the gods, do not do this to me, stranger!

Orestes

Do as I say, and you will never be mistaken.

Electra

No, I beg you, do not rip from me what I hold most dear!

Orestes

You must not keep it.

Electra

Ah, what misery I will have because of you,

Orestes, if I am robbed of your burial!
1210

Orestes

Hush! No ill-omened words! You have no right to grieve.

Electra

How is it not right for me to grieve for my dead brother?

Orestes

It is not proper for you to speak of him as you do.

Electra

Am I so without rights in the dead?

Orestes

You are without rights in nothing; but this burial is not your concern.
1215

Electra

Yes it is, if these are the remains of Orestes that I hold.

Orestes

They are not his, except inasmuch as fiction alone contrives to make them so. He gently takes the urn from her.

Electra

And where is that sufferer’s tomb?

Orestes

There is none; the living have no tomb.

Electra

What are you saying, boy?
1220

Orestes

Nothing that is untrue.

Electra

The man is alive?

Orestes

If there is life in me.

Electra

What? Are you he?

Orestes

Look at this signet, once our father’s, and know if I speak the truth.

Electra

O blissful day!

Orestes

Blissful, I am your witness!

Electra

Is this your voice?
1225

Orestes

Hear it from no other.

Electra

Do I hold you in my arms?

Orestes

May you hold me so always hereafter!

Electra

Ah, dear friends and fellow-citizens, see Orestes here, who was dead by design, and now by design has come safely home!

Chorus

We see him, daughter, and for this happy turn of fortune a tear of joy trickles from our eyes.
1230

Electra

O seed, seed of the person to me most dear, you have just now come,

you have come, and have found and seen her whom your heart desired!
1235

Orestes

I am with you; but keep silence and wait.

Electra

What do you mean?

Orestes

It is better to be silent so that no one inside may hear.

Electra

No, by ever-virgin Artemis,

I will never think it right to tremble before eternally house-bound women, that useless burden on the ground!
1240

Orestes

Yes, but remember that Ares dwells in women, too. You know this well by experience, I believe.

Electra

oh, no! ah, me! You have reminded me of my sorrow, one which by its nature cannot be veiled,
1245

cannot be done away with, cannot be forgotten!
1250

Orestes

I know this, too; but when occasion prompts, we must recall those crimes.

1253

Electra

Each moment of all time, as it comes, would be a proper occasion

for me to make these just complaints. Scarcely now have I had my lips set free.
1255

Orestes

Yes, I agree; therefore guard your freedom.

Electra

What must I do?

Orestes

When it is inopportune, do not want to speak too much.

Electra

No, who could exchange due silence for speech, when you have appeared? For now my eyes have seen you, beyond all thought and hope!
1260

Orestes

You saw me when the gods moved me to come.

Electra

You have told me of a grace higher still than the first, if a god brought you to our house;
1265

I acknowledge in it the work of the divine.
1270

Orestes

On the one hand I hesitate to curb your gladness, but on the other I fear that you may be overwhelmed by too much joy.

1273

Electra

O you who, after such a long time, saw fit to make your most happy journey and appear to me,

do not, now that you have seen me in all my misery—
1275

Orestes

What should I not do?—

Electra

—Do not rob me of the comfort of your face; do not force me to forego it!

Orestes

I would be angry, indeed, if I saw another attempt it.

Electra

You give your consent?

Orestes

Why would I not?
1280

Electra

My friends, I heard a voice that I could never have hoped to hear; nor could I have restrained my emotion in silence and without a cry, when I heard it.

ah, me! But now I have you. You have appeared with that dear face, which I could never, even in misery, forget.
1285

Orestes

Spare all superfluous words, and inform me neither of our mother’s wickedness,

nor how Aegisthus drains the wealth of our father’s house—what part he pours on the ground and what he squanders at random. For the story would preclude you from the opportunity afforded by the moment. Instead tell me that which will suit our present circumstances: where, either openly or in ambush,
1290

we may put an end to our enemies’ laughter by means of my coming. Make sure that our mother does not discover you by your radiant face, when we two have gone into the house. Rather, make lament, as if for the feigned disaster. For when we succeed, then
1295

there will be opportunity to rejoice and exult in freedom.
1300

Electra

Brother, be assured that my conduct will be as pleases you, since all my joy derives from you, and is not my own. Nor would I consent

to win a great good for myself at the cost of the slightest pain to you. For in doing so I would not honorably support the divine power that attends us now.
But you know how matters stand here. I do not doubt it. You must have heard that Aegisthus is away from home, but that our mother is inside. And never fear that she
1305

will ever see my face lit up with smiles. My old hatred of her has been welded to my heart, and since I have seen you, for very joy I will never cease to weep. How indeed could I stop when I have seen you come home on this one day first as dead,
1310

and then in life? What you have done to me is inconceivable—so much so that, if my father were to return to me alive, I would no longer think it a portent, but would believe that I truly saw him. Therefore now that you have come to me by such a path, command me as your spirit bids you. For had I been alone,
1315

I would not have failed in one of two things: a noble salvation, or a noble destruction.
1320

1322

Orestes

Silence! I hear someone walking inside as if to come out.

Electra
To Orestes and Pylades.

Go in, strangers, especially since you bring a thing which no one

could either turn away from these doors, or rejoice at receiving.
1325

Enter the Paedagogus.

Paedagogus

Utterly foolish and senseless children! Are you weary of your lives, or is there no wit inborn in you, that you do not see how you stand not on the brink, but in the very midst

of immense danger? Had I not long kept watch at these doors, your doings would have been in the house before your bodies. But as it was, I put myself the task of averting that.
1330

Be done now with your long speeches and this insatiable shouting for joy, and go inside. In dealings of this sort delay is harmful, but the time is ripe for being done.
1335

1339

Orestes

Then how will things inside stand when I enter?

Paedagogus

All is well. The fact is that no one will know you.
1340

Orestes

You have reported me as dead, I presume?

Paedagogus

Know that here you are a man numbered with the shades.

Orestes

Do they rejoice, then, at the news? Or what do they say?

Paedagogus

I will tell when all is completed. Meanwhile,

all is favorable for us on their part, even that which is not favorable.
1345

Electra

Who is this, brother? By the gods, tell me.

Orestes

Do you not know who he is?

Electra

No, nor can I imagine.

Orestes

Do you not know the man to whose hands you gave me once?

Electra

What man? What do you mean?

Orestes

I mean him, by whose hands and through your forethought

I was secretly conveyed away to Phocian soil.
1350

Electra

Is this he in whom alone out of many I once found a true ally at the time of our father’s murder?

Orestes

This is he; question me no further.

1354

Electra

O joyous day! O sole preserver of Agamemnon’s house,

how did you come here? Are you indeed the man who saved my brother and myself from many sorrows? O dearest hands, O messenger whose feet were kindly servants! How could you be with me so long and remain unknown, without giving a ray of illumination,
1355

but instead afflicting me with stories, while possessed of sweetest reality? Welcome, Father, for it is a father that I seem to behold! Welcome, and know that in one day I have hated you and loved you as no man ever before!
1360

Paedagogus

That is enough, I think. As for the recounting of intervening events,

many are the circling nights and an equal number of days which will reveal them to you clearly, Electra.
1365

To Orestes and Pylades.

And this is my advice to you two, since you stand there: now is your opportunity to act, now Clytaemnestra is alone, now no man is inside. But if you pause,

consider that you will have to fight both those inside and others mightier and better skilled.
1370

1372

Orestes

Pylades, in no way does our task call any longer for many words, but rather demands that we enter the house immediately, after first adoring the shrines of my father’s

gods, the keepers of these gates. Orestes and Pylades enter the house, followed by the Paedagogus. Electra remains outside.
1375

Electra

King Apollo! Hear them with favor, and hear me besides, who so often have come before your altar with hands rich in such gifts as I could obtain! And now, O Lycean Apollo, with what means I have

I pray to you, I supplicate you, I implore you, be our ready champion in these designs, and show what rewards the gods bestow on humans in return for their impiety! Exit Electra, into the house.
1380

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

1098-1383

1176-1226

1178-1184

1232-1287

1288-1383

1339-1345

Current edition Experimental

ὀρθῶς θ᾽ ὁδοιποροῦμεν ἔνθα χρήζομεν ;

ΧΟ. τί δ᾽ ἐξερευνᾷς καὶ τί βουληθεὶς πάρει; 1100

ΟΡ. Αἴγισθον ἔνθ᾽ ᾤκηκεν ἱστορῶ γρ. μαστεύω C2. πάλαι.

ΧΟ. ἀλλ᾽ εὐ θ᾽ ἱκάνεις χώ φράσας ἀζήμιος.

ΟΡ. τίς οὖν ἂν ὑμῶν τοῖς ἔσω φράσειεν ἂν ἡμῶν ποθεινὴν κοινόπουν παρουσίαν ;

ΧΟ. ἥδ᾽, εἰ τὸν ἄγχιστόν γε κηρύσσειν χρεών. 1105

ΟΡ. ἴθ᾽, ὦ γύναι, δήλωσον εἰσελθοῦσ᾽ ὅτι Φωκῆς ματεύουσ᾽ μα. στεύουσ' L. ματεύουσ' A. μαστεύουσ᾽ FL2 Pal. ἄνδρες Αἴγισθόν τινες.

ΗΛ. οἴμοι τάλαιν, οὐ δή ποθ᾿ ἧς ἠκούσαμεν φήμης φέροντες ἐμφανῆ τεκμήρια;

ΟΡ. οὐκ οἶδα τὴν σὴν κληδόν· ἀλλά μοι γέρων 1110 ἐφεῖτ᾽ Ὀρέστου Στρόφιος στροφίος L. ἀγγεῖλαι πέρι.

ΗΛ. τί δ᾽ ἔστιν, ὦ ξέν᾽; ὥς μ᾽ ὑπέρχεται φόβος.

ΟΡ. φέροντες αὐτοῦ σμικρὰ λείψαν ἐν βραχεῖ τεύχει θανόντος, ὡς ὁρᾷς, κομίζομεν.

ΗΛ. οἴ ἐγὼ οἱ ἐγὼ LA Pal. Vat. ac. τάλαινα, τοῦτ᾽ ἐκεῖν᾽ ἤδη σαφές. 1115 πρόχειρον ἄχθος, ὡς ἔοικε, δέρκομαι.

ΟΡ. εἴπερ τι κλαίεις τῶν Ὀρεστείων κακῶν, τόδ᾽ ἄγγος ἴσθι σῶμα τοὐκείνου στέγον.

ΗΛ.

ΧΟ.

θνητοῦ πέφυκας πατρός, Ηλέκτρα, φρόνει· θνητὸς δ᾽ Ορέστης· ὥστε μὴ λίαν στένε. πᾶσιν γὰρ ἡμῖν τοῦτ᾽ ὀφείλεται παθεῖν. 1175

ΟΡ. φεῦ φεῦ. τί λέξω; ποῖ λόγων ἀμηχάνων ἔλθω; κρατεῖν γὰρ οὐκέτι γλώσσης γνώσσης L. γλωσσης C¹. γνώμης ΓL2 Pal. σθένω.

ΗΛ. τί δ᾽ ἔσχες ἄλγος; πρὸς τί τοῦτ᾽ εἰπὼν κυρεῖς;

ΟΡ. ἢ σὸν τὸ κλεινὸν εἶδος Ηλέκτρας ἠλέκτρα LF. ἠλέκτρας CAL2. Pal. τόδε ;

ΗΛ. τόδ᾽ ἔστ᾽ ἐκεῖνο, καὶ μάλ᾽ ἀθλίως ἔχον. 1180

ΟΡ. οἴμοι ταλαίνης ἆρα τῆσδε συμφορᾶς.

ΗΛ. ο ὐ ὐ] τί L. τί AFL3 δὴ] δὴ AΓL". δή ποτ', ὦ ξέν, ἀμφ᾿ ἐμοὶ στένεις τάδε;

ΟΡ. ὦ σῶμ᾽ ἀτίμως κάθέως ἐφθαρμένον.

ΗΛ. οὔτοι ποτ᾿ ἄλλην ἢ ἐμὲ δυσφημεῖς, ξένε.

ΟΡ. φεῦ τῆς ἀνύμφου δυσμόρου τε σῆς τροφῆς. 1185

ΗΛ. τί μοι μοι ποτ', ὦ ξέν, ὧδ᾽ ἐπισκοπῶν στένεις ;

ΟΡ. ὡς οὐκ ἄρ᾽ ᾔδη ᾔδειν LA. ἤδειν Pal. Brunck corr. τῶν ἐμῶν οὐδὲν ἐγὼ L. οὐδὲν C3 or 4. κακῶν.

ΗΛ. ἐν τῷ διέγνως τοῦτο τῶν εἰρημένων;

ΟΡ. ὁρῶν σε πολλοῖς ἐμπρέπουσαν ἄλγεσιν.

ΗΛ. καὶ μὴν ὁρᾷς γε παῦρα τῶν ἐμῶν κακῶν. 1190

ΟΡ. καὶ πῶς γένοιτ' ἂν τῶνδ᾽ ἔτ᾽ τῶνδέτ᾽ LAL² Pal. ἐχθίω βλέπειν ;

ΗΛ. ὁθούνεκ εἰμὶ τοῖς φονεῦσι σύντροφος.

ΟΡ. τοῖς τοῦ; πόθεν τοῦτ᾽ ἐξεσήμηνας ἐξεσήμηνες L. ἐξεσήμηνας CA. ἐξεσήμανας L2. κακόν;

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. τοῖς πατρός. εἶτα τοῖσδε δουλεύω βίᾳ.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. τίς γάρ σ' γὰρ γὰρ σε ἀνάγκῃ ἀνάγκη τῇδε προτρέπει βροτῶν ;

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. μήτηρ καλεῖται, μητρὶ δ᾽ οὐδὲν ἐξισοῖ.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. τί δρῶσα; πότερα χερσίν, ἢ λύμῃ βίου; 1195

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. καὶ χερσὶ καὶ λύμαισι καὶ πᾶσιν πᾶσι πᾶσιν κακοῖς.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. οὐδ᾽ ὁ οὔθ᾽ ὁ παρήξων οὐδ᾽ ὁ κωλύσων πάρα;

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. οὐ δῆθ᾽ δῆτ' δῆθ᾽· ὃς ἦν γάρ μοι σὺ προὔθηκας προὔθηκα προὔθηκας σποδόν.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. ὦ δύσποτμ, ὡς ὁρῶν σ᾽ ἐпоικτείρω πάλαι.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

μόνος βροτῶν νυν νῦν ἴσθ᾽ ἐποικτείρας ποτέ. 1200

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. μόνος γὰρ ἥκω τοῖς ἴσοις τοῖσι σοῖς σισοῖς τοῖς σοῖς ἀλγῶν κακοῖς.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. οὐ δή ποθ᾽ ἡμῖν ξυγγενὴς ἥκεις ποθέν;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. ἐγὼ φράσαιμ ἄν, εἰ τὸ τῶνδ᾽ εὔνουν πάρα.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. ἀλλ᾽ ἐστὶν εὔνουν, ὥστε πρὸς πιστὰς ἐρεῖς.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. μέθες τόδ᾽ ἄγγος νῦν, ὅπως τὸ πᾶν μάθῃς. 1205

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. μὴ δῆτα πρὸς θεῶν τοῦτό μ᾽ ἐργάσῃ, ξένε.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. πείθου λέγοντι κοὐχ ἁμαρτήσει ποτέ.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. μή, πρὸς γενείου, μὴ 'ξέλῃ τὰ φίλτατα.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. οὔ φημ᾽ ἐάσειν.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. ὦ τάλαιν ἐγὼ σέθεν, 1210 Ὀρέστα, τῆς σῆς εἰ στερήσομαι ταφῆς.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. εὔφημα φώνει· πρὸς δίκης γὰρ οὐ στένεις.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. πῶς τὸν θανόντ᾽ ἀδελφὸν οὐ δίκῃ στένω;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. οὔ σοι προσήκει τήνδε προσφωνεῖν φάτιν.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. οὕτως ἄτιμός εἰμι τοῦ τεθνηκότος; 1215

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. ἄτιμος οὐδενὸς σύ· τοῦτο δ᾽ οὐχὶ σόν.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. εἴπερ γ' Ὀρέστου σῶμα βαστάζω βαστάσω βαστάζω τόδε.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. ἀλλ᾽ οὐκ Ὀρέστου, πλὴν λόγῳ γ' ἠσκημένον.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. ποῦ δ᾽ ἔστ᾽ ἔστι ἐκείνου τοῦ ταλαιπώρου τάφος;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. οὐκ κ from γ' ἔστι τοῦ γὰρ ζῶντος οὐκ ἔστιν τάφος. 1220

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. ψεῦδος οὐδὲν ὧν λέγω.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. ἢ ζῇ γὰρ ἁνήρ ἀνὴρ;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. εἴπερ ἔμψυχός γ᾽ ἐγώ.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. ἢ γὰρ σὺ κεῖνος;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. τήνδε προσβλέψασά μου σφραγῖδα πατρὸς ἔκμαθ᾽ εἰ σαφῆ λέγω.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. ὦ φίλτατον φῶς. 1225

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ. φίλτατον, συμμαρτυρῶ.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ. ὦ φθέγμ᾽, ἀφίκου;

ΧΟ.

τί δ᾽ ἐξερευνᾷς καὶ τί βουληθεὶς πάρει;
1100

ΟΡ.

Αἴγισθον ἔνθ᾽ ᾤκηκεν ἱστορῶ γρ. μαστεύω C2. πάλαι.

ΧΟ.

ἀλλ᾽ εὐ θ᾽ ἱκάνεις χώ φράσας ἀζήμιος.

ΟΡ.

τίς οὖν ἂν ὑμῶν τοῖς ἔσω φράσειεν ἂν

ἡμῶν ποθεινὴν κοινόπουν παρουσίαν ;

ΧΟ.

ἥδ᾽, εἰ τὸν ἄγχιστόν γε κηρύσσειν χρεών.
1105

ΟΡ.

ἴθ᾽, ὦ γύναι, δήλωσον εἰσελθοῦσ᾽ ὅτι

Φωκῆς ματεύουσ᾽ μα. στεύουσ' L. ματεύουσ' A. μαστεύουσ᾽ FL2 Pal. ἄνδρες Αἴγισθόν τινες.

ΗΛ.

οἴμοι τάλαιν, οὐ δή ποθ᾿ ἧς ἠκούσαμεν

φήμης φέροντες ἐμφανῆ τεκμήρια;

ΟΡ.

οὐκ οἶδα τὴν σὴν κληδόν· ἀλλά μοι γέρων
1110

ἐφεῖτ᾽ Ὀρέστου Στρόφιος στροφίος L. ἀγγεῖλαι πέρι.

ΗΛ.

τί δ᾽ ἔστιν, ὦ ξέν᾽; ὥς μ᾽ ὑπέρχεται φόβος.

ΟΡ.

φέροντες αὐτοῦ σμικρὰ λείψαν ἐν βραχεῖ

τεύχει θανόντος, ὡς ὁρᾷς, κομίζομεν.

ΗΛ.

οἴ ἐγὼ οἱ ἐγὼ LA Pal. Vat. ac. τάλαινα, τοῦτ᾽ ἐκεῖν᾽ ἤδη σαφές.
1115

πρόχειρον ἄχθος, ὡς ἔοικε, δέρκομαι.

ΟΡ.

εἴπερ τι κλαίεις τῶν Ὀρεστείων κακῶν,

τόδ᾽ ἄγγος ἴσθι σῶμα τοὐκείνου στέγον.

θνητοῦ πέφυκας πατρός, Ηλέκτρα, φρόνει·

θνητὸς δ᾽ Ορέστης· ὥστε μὴ λίαν στένε.

πᾶσιν γὰρ ἡμῖν τοῦτ᾽ ὀφείλεται παθεῖν.
1175

ΟΡ.

φεῦ φεῦ. τί λέξω; ποῖ λόγων ἀμηχάνων

ἔλθω; κρατεῖν γὰρ οὐκέτι γλώσσης γνώσσης L. γλωσσης C¹. γνώμης ΓL2 Pal. σθένω.

ΗΛ.

τί δ᾽ ἔσχες ἄλγος; πρὸς τί τοῦτ᾽ εἰπὼν κυρεῖς;

ΟΡ.

ἢ σὸν τὸ κλεινὸν εἶδος Ηλέκτρας ἠλέκτρα LF. ἠλέκτρας CAL2. Pal. τόδε ;

ΗΛ.

τόδ᾽ ἔστ᾽ ἐκεῖνο, καὶ μάλ᾽ ἀθλίως ἔχον.
1180

ΟΡ.

οἴμοι ταλαίνης ἆρα τῆσδε συμφορᾶς.

ΗΛ.

ο ὐ ὐ] τί L. τί AFL3 δὴ] δὴ AΓL". δή ποτ', ὦ ξέν, ἀμφ᾿ ἐμοὶ στένεις τάδε;

ΟΡ.

ὦ σῶμ᾽ ἀτίμως κάθέως ἐφθαρμένον.

ΗΛ.

οὔτοι ποτ᾿ ἄλλην ἢ ἐμὲ δυσφημεῖς, ξένε.

ΟΡ.

φεῦ τῆς ἀνύμφου δυσμόρου τε σῆς τροφῆς.
1185

ΗΛ.

τί μοι μοι ποτ', ὦ ξέν, ὧδ᾽ ἐπισκοπῶν στένεις ;

ΟΡ.

ὡς οὐκ ἄρ᾽ ᾔδη ᾔδειν LA. ἤδειν Pal. Brunck corr. τῶν ἐμῶν οὐδὲν ἐγὼ L. οὐδὲν C3 or 4. κακῶν.

ΗΛ.

ἐν τῷ διέγνως τοῦτο τῶν εἰρημένων;

ΟΡ.

ὁρῶν σε πολλοῖς ἐμπρέπουσαν ἄλγεσιν.

ΗΛ.

καὶ μὴν ὁρᾷς γε παῦρα τῶν ἐμῶν κακῶν.
1190

ΟΡ.

καὶ πῶς γένοιτ' ἂν τῶνδ᾽ ἔτ᾽ τῶνδέτ᾽ LAL² Pal. ἐχθίω βλέπειν ;

ΗΛ.

ὁθούνεκ εἰμὶ τοῖς φονεῦσι σύντροφος.

ΟΡ.

τοῖς τοῦ; πόθεν τοῦτ᾽ ἐξεσήμηνας ἐξεσήμηνες L. ἐξεσήμηνας CA. ἐξεσήμανας L2. κακόν;

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

τοῖς πατρός. εἶτα τοῖσδε δουλεύω βίᾳ.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

τίς γάρ σ' γὰρ γὰρ σε ἀνάγκῃ ἀνάγκη τῇδε προτρέπει βροτῶν ;

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

μήτηρ καλεῖται, μητρὶ δ᾽ οὐδὲν ἐξισοῖ.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

τί δρῶσα; πότερα χερσίν, ἢ λύμῃ βίου;
1195

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

καὶ χερσὶ καὶ λύμαισι καὶ πᾶσιν πᾶσι πᾶσιν κακοῖς.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

οὐδ᾽ ὁ οὔθ᾽ ὁ παρήξων οὐδ᾽ ὁ κωλύσων πάρα;

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

οὐ δῆθ᾽ δῆτ' δῆθ᾽· ὃς ἦν γάρ μοι σὺ προὔθηκας προὔθηκα προὔθηκας σποδόν.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ὦ δύσποτμ, ὡς ὁρῶν σ᾽ ἐпоικτείρω πάλαι.

μόνος βροτῶν νυν νῦν ἴσθ᾽ ἐποικτείρας ποτέ.
1200

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

μόνος γὰρ ἥκω τοῖς ἴσοις τοῖσι σοῖς σισοῖς τοῖς σοῖς ἀλγῶν κακοῖς.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

οὐ δή ποθ᾽ ἡμῖν ξυγγενὴς ἥκεις ποθέν;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ἐγὼ φράσαιμ ἄν, εἰ τὸ τῶνδ᾽ εὔνουν πάρα.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἐστὶν εὔνουν, ὥστε πρὸς πιστὰς ἐρεῖς.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

μέθες τόδ᾽ ἄγγος νῦν, ὅπως τὸ πᾶν μάθῃς.
1205

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

μὴ δῆτα πρὸς θεῶν τοῦτό μ᾽ ἐργάσῃ, ξένε.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

πείθου λέγοντι κοὐχ ἁμαρτήσει ποτέ.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

μή, πρὸς γενείου, μὴ 'ξέλῃ τὰ φίλτατα.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

οὔ φημ᾽ ἐάσειν.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ὦ τάλαιν ἐγὼ σέθεν,
1210

Ὀρέστα, τῆς σῆς εἰ στερήσομαι ταφῆς.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

εὔφημα φώνει· πρὸς δίκης γὰρ οὐ στένεις.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

πῶς τὸν θανόντ᾽ ἀδελφὸν οὐ δίκῃ στένω;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

οὔ σοι προσήκει τήνδε προσφωνεῖν φάτιν.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

οὕτως ἄτιμός εἰμι τοῦ τεθνηκότος;
1215

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ἄτιμος οὐδενὸς σύ· τοῦτο δ᾽ οὐχὶ σόν.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

εἴπερ γ' Ὀρέστου σῶμα βαστάζω βαστάσω βαστάζω τόδε.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ἀλλ᾽ οὐκ Ὀρέστου, πλὴν λόγῳ γ' ἠσκημένον.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ποῦ δ᾽ ἔστ᾽ ἔστι ἐκείνου τοῦ ταλαιπώρου τάφος;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

οὐκ κ from γ' ἔστι τοῦ γὰρ ζῶντος οὐκ ἔστιν τάφος.
1220

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ψεῦδος οὐδὲν ὧν λέγω.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ἢ ζῇ γὰρ ἁνήρ ἀνὴρ;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

εἴπερ ἔμψυχός γ᾽ ἐγώ.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ἢ γὰρ σὺ κεῖνος;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

τήνδε προσβλέψασά μου

σφραγῖδα πατρὸς ἔκμαθ᾽ εἰ σαφῆ λέγω.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ὦ φίλτατον φῶς.
1225

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

φίλτατον, συμμαρτυρῶ.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ὦ φθέγμ᾽, ἀφίκου;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

μηκέτ᾽ ἄλλοθεν πύθῃ (ψ)ύθῃ or (φ)ύθῃ πύθῃ.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.
ἔχω σε χερσίν χεροῖν γρ. χερσὶ χερσίν ;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.
ὡς ω from ο τὰ λοίπ᾽ ἔχοις ἔχεις ἄχοις ἀεί.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ὦ φίλταται γυναῖκες, ὦ πολίτιδες,

ὁρᾶτ᾽ ὁραῖτ᾽ Ὀρέστην τόνδε, μηχαναῖσι μὲν

θανόντα, νῦν δὲ μηχαναῖς σεσωσμένον.

ΧΟΡΟΣ.

ὁρῶμεν, ὦ παῖ, κἀπὶ συμφοραῖσί μοι
1230

γεγηθὸς ἕρπει δάκρυον ὀμμάτων ἄπο.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

γοναὶ add σωμάτων ἐμοὶ φιλτάτων,

ἐμόλετ᾿ ἀρτίως,

ἐφεύρετ᾽, ἤλθετ᾽, εἴδεθ᾽ οὓς ἐχρήζετε.
1235

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

πάρεσμεν· ἀλλὰ σῖγ᾽ ἔχουσα πρόσμενε.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

τί δ᾽ ἔστιν ἔστι ἔστιν ;

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

σιγᾶν ἄμεινον, μή τις ἔνδοθεν κλύῃ.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

ἀλλ᾽ οὐ τὰν ἀλλ᾽ οὐ μὰ τὰν οὓ τἂν Ἄρτεμιν τὰν αἰὲν ἀδμήταν

τόδε μὲν οὐ ποτ᾿ ἀξιώσω τρέσαι
1240

περισσὸν ἄχθος ἔνδον

γυναικῶν ὂν ἀεί.

ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.

ὅρα γε μὲν δὴ κἀν γυναιξὶν ὡς Ἄρης

ἔνεστιν· εὖ δ᾽ ἔξοισθα πειραθεῖσά που.

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

*ὀτοτοτοῖ ὀττοτοῖ ,
1245

ἀνέφελον ἐπέβαλες 2nd ε from ι ὑπέβαλες οὔ ποτε καταλύσιμον,

ΗΛΕΚΤΡΑ.

οὐδέ ποτε λησόμενον, ἁμέτερον

οἷον ἔφυ κακόν.