Orestes
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Original / primary: Perseus Eng2
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and your mother—but I pass that by, for it is not seemly to mention it—and for him to possess your home, though it was by Agamemnon’s prowess that he recovered his bride. May I die, if we do not draw our swords upon her! But if we do not accomplish Helen’s death,
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we will set fire to the house and die. For we will not fail to achieve one distinction, an honorable death or an honorable escape.
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Chorus Leader
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The daughter of Tyndareus, who has brought shame on her sex, has justly earned the hatred of every woman.
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Orestes
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Ah! there is nothing better than a trusty friend, neither wealth nor monarchy; a crowd of people is of no account in exchange for a noble friend. You were the one who devised the vengeance against Aegisthus, and stood by me in danger,
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and now again you are offering me a means to punish my foes and do not stand aside—but I will cease praising you, for there is something wearisome even in being praised to excess. Now since in any case I must breathe my last, I want to do something to my enemies before my death,
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so that I may requite with ruin those who betrayed me, and so that those who made me suffer may grieve. Yes! I am the son of Agamemnon, who was considered worthy to rule Hellas, no tyrant but yet god-like in power; I will not disgrace him
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by submitting to die like a slave; my last breath shall be free and I will take vengeance on Menelaus. For if we could secure one object, we would be lucky, if a means of safety should unexpectedly come our way from somewhere, and we should be the slayers, not the slain; this is what I pray for.
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This wish of mine is a pleasant dream to cheer the heart, without cost, by means of the mouth’s winged words.
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Electra
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I think I have it, brother, a means of safety for you, and for him and thirdly for myself.
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Orestes
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You mean divine providence. But why do I say that?
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Since I know the natural shrewdness of your heart.
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Electra
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Listen to me now; and you (to Pylades) pay attention also.
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Orestes
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Speak; the prospect of good news holds a certain pleasure.
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Electra
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You know Helen’s daughter? Of course you do.
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Orestes
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I know her, Hermione, whom my mother reared.
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Electra
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She has gone to Clytemnestra’s tomb.
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Orestes
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To do what? What hope are you hinting at?
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Electra
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She was going to pour a libation over the tomb of our mother.
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Orestes
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Well, how does what you have said lead to our safety?
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Electra
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Seize her as a hostage on her way back.
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Orestes
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What good can your suggested remedy do us three friends?
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Electra
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If, after Helen’s slaughter, Menelaus tries to do anything to you or to Pylades and me—for this bond of friendship is wholly one—say that you will kill Hermione; you must draw your sword and hold it to the maiden’s throat.
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If Menelaus, when he sees Helen fallen in her blood, tries to save you to insure the girl’s life, allow him to take his daughter to his arms; but if he makes no effort to curb the angry outburst and leaves you to die, then cut the maiden’s throat.
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And I think if he puts in a mighty appearance at first, he will calm down in time; for he is not bold or brave by nature. That is my line of defense for our safety. My speech is over.
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Orestes
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O you that have the spirit of a man,
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though your body shows you to be a woman, how far more worthy you are to live than to die! Pylades, you will lose such a woman to your sorrow, or if you live, you will have a blessed marriage.
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Pylades
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Then may it be so, and may she come to the city of Phocis
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with all the honors of a happy wedding.
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Orestes
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How soon will Hermione return to the palace? All the rest was very well said, if we succeed in catching this impious father’s cub.
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Electra
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Well, I expect she is near the house already,
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for the length of time agrees exactly.
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Orestes
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Good; you, Electra, my sister, stay before the palace and await the maiden’s approach; keep watch in case any one, whether an ally or my father’s brother, forestalls us by his entry before the murder is complete;
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and then make a signal to the house, either by beating on a panel of the door or calling to us within.
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Let us enter now and arm ourselves with swords for the final struggle, Pylades, for you share the labor with me.
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O father, in your home of gloomy night, your son Orestes calls you to come to the rescue of the destitute. It is on your account I am wrongfully suffering, and it is by your brother that I have been betrayed for doing right; it is his wife I wish to take
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and kill; you be our accomplice for this deed.
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Electra
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Oh father, come! if within the ground you hear the cry of your children, who are dying for your sake.
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Pylades
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O kinsman of my father, Agamemnon, hear my prayers also; save your children.
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Orestes
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I killed my mother—
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Pylades
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I . . . set them free from fear—
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Orestes
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To aid you, father.
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Pylades
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Will you not hear these reproaches and rescue your children?
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Orestes
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With tears I pour you a libation.
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Pylades
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Cease, and let us set about our business. If prayers really do pierce the ground, he hears. O Zeus, god of my fathers, and holy Justice, give success to him and me and her; for there is one struggle for three friends, and one penalty,
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for all to live or—pay death’s account. Exeunt Orestes and Pylades.
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Electra
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My dear friends of Mycenae, of foremost rank in Argos, the home of the Pelasgians.
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Chorus
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What are you saying to us, mistress?
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For this honored name is still left for you in the Danaid town.
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Electra
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Station yourselves, some here along the high road, others there on some other path, to watch the house.
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Chorus
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But why do you call me to this service? Tell me, my dear.
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Electra
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I am afraid that some one, who is stationed at the house for slaughter, may find trouble upon trouble.
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First Semi-Chorus
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Let us make haste and go on; I will keep careful watch upon this road towards the east.
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Second Semi-Chorus
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And I on this one, that leads westward.
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Electra
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Throw a glance sideways.
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Chorus
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Here and there, then we are looking back again,
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as you tell us.
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Electra
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Cast your eyes around, let them see everything, through your tresses.
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First Semi-Chorus
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Who is that on the road? Who is this
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country-man wandering round your house?
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Electra
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Ah! friends, we are ruined; he will at once reveal to our enemies the armed ambush.
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Second Semi-Chorus
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(Reconnoitring. Calm your fears; the road is not occupied, as you think, my dear.
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Electra
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(Turning to the other watchers.) Well? Is your side still secure? Give me a good report, if the space before the court-yard is deserted.
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First Semi-Chorus
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All goes well here; look to your own watch, for no Danaid is approaching us.
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Second Semi-Chorus
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Your report agrees with mine; there is no noise here either.
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Electra
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Well then, I will listen in the gateway.
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Chorus
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(Calling through the door.) You within the house, why are you delaying to spill your victim’s blood,
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now that all is quiet?
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Electra
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They do not hear; alas for my troubles! Can it be that her beauty has blunted their swords?
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Soon some Argive in full armor, hurrying
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to her rescue, will attack the palace.
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Keep a better look-out; it is not a contest of sitting still; turn about, some here, some there.
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Chorus
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I am looking everywhere in turn along the road.
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Helen
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Oh, Pelasgian Argos! I am being foully murdered.
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Chorus
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Did you hear? The men have put their hand to the slaughter.
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It is Helen screaming, at a guess.
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Electra
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O eternal might of Zeus, of Zeus, only come to help my friends!
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Helen
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Menelaus, I am dying, but you do not help me, though you are near.
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Electra
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Slay her, kill her, destroy her! Stab with your twin double-edged swords
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the woman who left her father, left her husband, and killed so many of the men of Hellas, slain beside the river-bank, where tears rained down, by the iron darts
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all round the eddies of Scamander.
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Chorus Leader
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Hush! hush! I caught the sound of a foot-fall on the road near the house.
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Electra
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My dearest friends, it is Hermione advancing into the middle of the bloodshed; let our clamor cease.
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For she comes headlong into the meshes of the net. The prey will be good, if it is caught. Take up your places again with looks composed and faces not betraying what has happened; I too will have a gloomy look,
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as if I knew nothing of what has been done. Addressing Hermione as she approaches. Ah! maiden, have you come from wreathing Clytemnestra’s grave and pouring libations to the dead?
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Hermione
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Yes, I have returned after securing her favor; but I was filled with some alarm about a cry I heard from the palace
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as I was still at a distance.
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Electra
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But why? Our present lot gives cause for groans.
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Hermione
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Oh, don’t say so! What is your news?
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Electra
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Argos has sentenced Orestes and me to death.
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Hermione
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Oh no! not my own relatives!
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Electra
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It is decreed; we have put on the yoke of necessity.
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Hermione
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Was this the reason of the cry within?
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Electra
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Yes, a suppliant cried out as he fell at Helen’s knees—
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Hermione
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Who is he? I know nothing more, if you do not tell me.
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Electra
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Unhappy Orestes, entreating mercy for himself and me.
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Hermione
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The house then has good reason to shout.
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Electra
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What else would make someone entreat more earnestly? But come and throw yourself before your mother in her prosperity, join your friends’ supplication that Menelaus may not see us die.
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O you that were nursed in my mother’s arms, have pity on us and relieve our pain. Come here to the struggle, and I myself will be your guide; for you alone have power over our safety.
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Hermione
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See, I am hastening to the house;
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as far it as rests with me, regard yourselves as safe. Exit Hermione .