第2章

ELECTRA Sostandsthycase；yet，ifthouwilthearkentome，thouwiltlightentheloadofourpresenttrouble。 CHRYSOTHEMIS CanIeverraisethedeadtolife？ ELECTRA Imeantnotthat；Iamnotsofoolish。 CHRYSOTHEMIS Whatbiddestthou，then，forwhichmystrengthavails？ ELECTRA ThatthoubebraveindoingwhatIenjoin。 CHRYSOTHEMIS Nay，ifanygoodcanbedone，Iwillnotrefuse，ELECTRA Remember，nothingsucceedswithouttoil。 CHRYSOTHEMIS Iknowit，andwillsharethyburdenwithallmypower。 ELECTRA Hear，then，howIamresolvedtoact。Asforthesupportoffriends，thouthyselfmustknowthatwehavenone；Hadeshathtakenourfriendsaway。andwetwoareleftalone。I，solongasIheardthatmybrotherstilllivedandprospered，hadhopesthathewouldyetcometoavengethemurderofoursire。Butnowthatheisnomore，I looknexttothee，nottoflinchfromaidingmethysistertoslayourfather’smurderer，Aegisthus:—Imusthavenosecretfromtheemore。 Howlongartthoutowaitinactive？Whathopeisleftstanding，towhichthineeyescanturn？Thouhasttocomplainthatthouartrobbedofthyfather’sheritage；thouhasttomournthatthusfarthylifeisfadingwithoutnuptialsongorweddedlove。Nay，anddonothopethatsuchjoyswilleverbethine；Aegisthusisnotsoill—advisedasevertopermitthatchildrenshouldspringfromtheeormeforhisownsuredestruction。Butifthouwiltfollowmycounsels，firstthouwiltwinpraiseofpietyfromourdeadsirebelow，andfromourbrothertoo；next，thoushaltbecalledfreehenceforth，asthouwertborn，andshaltfindworthybridals；fornoblenaturesdrawthegazeofall。 Thenseestthounotwhatfairfamethouwiltwinforthyselfandforme，byhearkeningtomyword？Whatcitizenorstranger，whenheseesus，willnotgreetuswithpraisessuchasthese？—’Beholdthesetwosisters，myfriends，whosavedtheirfather’shouse；who，whentheirfoeswerefirmlyplantedofyore，tooktheirlivesintheirhandsandstoodforthasavengersofblood！Worthyoflovearethesetwain，worthyofreverencefromall；atfestivals，andwhereverthefolkareassembled，letthesebehonouredofallmenfortheirprowess。’Thuswilleveryonespeakofus，sothatinlifeandindeathourgloryshallnotfail。 Come，dearsister，hearken！Workwiththysire，sharetheburdenofthybrother，winrestfromwoesformeandforthyself，—mindfulofthis，thatanignoblelifebringsshameuponthenoble。 LEADEROFTHECHORUS Insuchcaseasthis，forethoughtishelpfulforthosewhospeakandthosewhohear。 CHRYSOTHEMIS Yea，andbeforeshespake，myfriends，weresheblestwithasoundmind，shewouldhaverememberedcaution，asshedothnotrememberit。 Nowwhithercanstthouhaveturnedthineeyes，thatthouartarmingthyselfwithsuchrashness，andcallingmetoaidthee？Seestthounot，thouartawoman，notaman，andnomatchforthineadversariesinstrength？Andtheirfortuneprospersdaybyday，whileoursisebbingandcomingtonought。Who，then，plottingtovanquishafoesostrong，shallescapewithoutsufferingdeadlyscathe？Seethatwechangenotourevilplighttoworse，ifanyonehearsthesewords。Itbringsusnorelieforbenefit，if，afterwinningfairfame，wedieanignominiousdeath；formeredeathisnotthebitterest，butratherwhenonewhowantstodiecannotobtaineventhatboon。 Nay，Ibeseechthee，beforeweareutterlydestroyed，andleaveourhousedesolate，restrainthyrage！Iwilltakecarethatthywordsremainsecretandharmless；andlearnthoutheprudence，atlastthoughlate，ofyielding，whensohelpless，tothyrulers。 LEADER Hearken；thereisnobettergainformortalstowinthanforesightandaprudentmind。 ELECTRA Thouhastsaidnothingunlooked—for；IwellknewthatthouwouldstrejectwhatIproffered。Well！Imustdothisdeedwithmineownhand，andalone；forassuredlyIwillnotleaveitvoid。 CHRYSOTHEMIS Alas！Wouldthouhadstbeensopurposedonthedayofourfather’sdeath！Whatmightstthounothavewrought？ ELECTRA Mynaturewasthesamethen，butmymindlessripe。 CHRYSOTHEMIS Strivetokeepsuchamindthroughallthylife。 ELECTRA Thesecounselsmeanthatthouwiltnotsharemydeed。 CHRYSOTHEMIS No；fortheventureislikelytobringdisaster。 ELECTRA Iadmirethyprudence；thycowardiceIhate。 CHRYSOTHEMIS Iwilllistennotlesscalmlywhenthoupraiseme。 ELECTRA Neverfeartosufferthatfromme。 CHRYSOTHEMIS Timeenoughinthefuturetodecidethat。 ELECTRA Begone；thereisnopowertohelpinthee。 CHRYSOTHEMIS Notso；butinthee，nomindtolearn。 ELECTRA Go，declareallthistothymother！ CHRYSOTHEMIS But，again，Idonothatetheewithsuchahate。 ELECTRA Yetknowatleasttowhatdishonourthoubringestme。 CHRYSOTHEMIS Dishonour，no！Iamonlythinkingofthygood。 ELECTRA AmIbound，then，tofollowthyruleofright？ CHRYSOTHEMIS Whenthouartwise，thenthoushaltbeourguide。 ELECTRA Sad，thatonewhospeakssowellshouldspeakamiss！ CHRYSOTHEMIS Thouhastwelldescribedthefaulttowhichthoucleavest。 ELECTRA How？DostthounotthinkthatIspeakwithjustice？ CHRYSOTHEMIS Butsometimesjusticeitselfisfraughtwithharm。 ELECTRA Icarenottolivebysuchalaw。 CHRYSOTHEMIS Well，ifthoumustdothis，thouwiltpraisemeyet。 ELECTRA AnddoitIwill，nowhitdismayedbythee。 CHRYSOTHEMIS Isthissoindeed？Wiltthounotchangethycounsels？ ELECTRA No，fornothingismorehatefulthanbadcounsel。 CHRYSOTHEMIS ThouseemesttoagreewithnothingthatIurge。 ELECTRA Myresolveisnotnew，butlongsincefixed。 CHRYSOTHEMIS ThenIwillgo；thoucanstnotbebroughttoapprovemywords，nortocommendthyconduct。 ELECTRA Nay，gowithin；neverwillIfollowthee，howevermuchthoumaystdesireit；itweregreatfollyeventoattemptanidlequest。 CHRYSOTHEMIS Nay，ifthouartwiseinthineowneyes，besuchwisdomthine； byandby，whenthoustandestinevilplight，thouwiltpraisemywords。 （CHRYSOTHEMISgoesintothepalace。） CHORUS（singing） strophe1 Whenweseethebirdsoftheair，withsureinstinct，carefultonourishthosewhogivethemlifeandnurture，whydonotwepaythesedebtsinlikemeasure？Nay，bythelightning—flashofZeus，byThemisthronedinheaven，itisnotlongtillsinbringssorrow。 Voicethatcomesttothedeadbeneaththeearth，sendapiteouscry，Ipraythee，tothesonofAtreusinthatworld，ajoylessmessageofdishonour； antistrophe1 tellhimthatthefortunesofhishousearenowdistempered； while，amonghischildren，strifeofsisterwithsisterhathbrokentheharmonyoflovingdays。Electra，forsaken，bravesthestormalone； shebewailsalway，haplessone，herfather’sfate，likethenightingaleunweariedinlament；sherecksnotofdeath，butisreadytoleavethesunlight，couldshebutquellthetwoFuriesofherhouse。Whoshallmatchsuchnoblechildofnoblesire？ strophe2 Nogeneroussouldeigns，byabaselife，tocloudafairrepute，andleaveanameinglorious；asthou，too，Omydaughter，hastchosentomournallthydayswiththosethatmourn，andhastspurneddishonour，thatthoumightestwinatonceatwofoldpraise，aswise，andasthebestofdaughters。 antistrophe2 MayIyetseethyliferaisedinmightandwealthabovethyfoes，evenasnowitishumbledbeneaththeirhand！ForIhavefoundtheeinnoprosperousestate；andyet，forobservanceofnature’shighestlaws，winningthenoblestrenown，bythypietytowardsZeus。 （ORESTESenters，withPYLADES andtwoattendants，oneofthemcarryingafuneralurn。） ORESTES Ladies，havewebeendirectedaright，andareweontherightpathtoourgoal？ LEADEROFTHECHORUS Andwhatseekestthou？Withwhatdesirehastthoucome？ ORESTES IhavebeensearchingforthehomeofAegisthus。 LEADER Well，thouhastfoundit；andthyguideisblameless。 ORESTES Whichofyou，then，willtellthosewithinthatourcompany，longdesired，hatharrived？ LEADER Thismaiden，—ifthenearestshouldannounceit。 ORESTES Ipraythee，mistress，makeitknowninthehousethatcertainmenofPhocisseekAegisthus。 ELECTRA Ah，woeisme！Surelyyearenotbringingthevisibleproofsofthatrumourwhichweheard？ ORESTES Iknownothingofthy’rumour’；buttheagedStrophiuschargedmewithtidingsofOrestes。 ELECTRA Whatarethey，sir？Ah，howIthrillwithfear！ ORESTES Heisdead；andinasmallurn，asthouseest，webringthescantyrelicshome。 ELECTRA Ahmeunhappy！There，atlast，beforemineeyes，IseethatwofulburdeninyourhandsORESTES IfthytearsareforaughtwhichOresteshathsuffered，knowthatyondervesselholdshisdust。 ELECTRA Ah，sir，allowme，then，Iimplorethee，ifthisurnindeedcontainshim，totakeitinmyhands，—thatImayweepandwail，notfortheseashesalone，butformyselfandforallourhousetherewith！ ORESTES（totheattendants） Bringitandgiveither，whoe’ershebe；forshewhobegsthisboonmustbeonewhowishedhimnoevil，butafriend，orhaplyakinswomaninblood。 （TheurnisplacedinELECTRA’Shands。） ELECTRA Ah，memorialofhimwhomIlovedbestonearth！Ah，Orestes，whoselifehathnorelicleftsavethis，—howfarfromthehopeswithwhichIsenttheeforthisthemannerinwhichIreceivetheeback！ NowIcarrythypoordustinmyhands；butthouwertradiant，mychild，whenIspedtheforthfromhome！WouldthatIhadyieldedupmybreath，ere，withthesehands，Istoletheeaway，andsenttheetoastrangeland，andrescuedthefromdeath；thatsothoumightesthavebeenstrickendownonthatself—sameday，andhadthyportioninthetombofthysire！ Butnow，anexilefromhomeandfatherland，thouhastperishedmiserably，farfromthysister；woeisme，theselovinghandshavenotwashedordeckedthycorpse，nortakenup，aswasmeet，theirsadburdenfromtheflamingpyre。No！atthehandsofstrangers，haplessone，thouhasthadthoserites，andsoartcometous，alittledustinanarrowurn。 Ah，woeismeformynursinglongago，sovain，thatIoftbestowedontheewithlovingtoilIForthouwastneverthymother’sdarlingsomuchasmine；norwasanyinthehousethynursebutI；andbytheeIwasevercalled’sister。’Butnowallthishathvanishedinaday，withthydeath；likeawhirlwind，thouhastsweptallawaywiththee。Ourfatherisgone；Iamdeadinregardtothee；thouthyselfhastperished:ourfoesexult；thatmother，whoisnone，ismadwithjoy，—sheofwhomthoudidstoftsendmesecretmessages，thyheralds，sayingthatthouthyselfwouldstappearasanavenger。Butourevilfortune。thineandmine，hathreftallthataway，andhathsenttheeforthuntomethus，—nomoretheformthatIlovedsowell，butashesandanidleshade。 Ahme，ahme！Opiteousdust！Alas，thoudearone，sentonadirejourney，howhastundoneme，—undonemeindeed，Obrothermine！ Thereforetakemetothisthyhome，mewhoamasnothing，tothynothingness，thatImaydwellwiththeehenceforthbelow；forwhenthouwertonearth，wesharedalike；andnowIfainwoulddie，thatImaynotbepartedfromtheeinthegrave。ForIseethatthedeadhaverestfrompain。 LEADER Bethinkthee，Electra，thouartthechildofmortalsire，andmortalwasOrestes；thereforegrievenottoomuch。Thisisadebtwhichallofusmustpay。 ORESTES Alas，whatshallIsay？Whatwordscanservemeatthispass？I canrestrainmylipsnolonger！ ELECTRA Whathathtroubledthee？Whydidstthousaythat？ ORESTES IsthistheformoftheillustriousElectrathatIbehold？ ELECTRA Itis；andverygrievousisherplight。 ORESTES Alas，then，forthismiserablefortune！ ELECTRA Surely，sir，thylamentisnotforme？ ORESTES Oformcruelly，godlesslymisused！ ELECTRA Thoseill—omenedwords，sir，fitnoonebetterthanme。 ORESTES Alasforthylife，unweddedandallunblest！ ELECTRA Whythissteadfastgaze，stranger，andtheselaments？ ORESTES HowignorantwasI，then，ofmineownsorrows！ ELECTRA Bywhatthathathbeensaidhastthouperceivedthis？ ORESTES Byseeingthysufferings，somanyandsogreat。 ELECTRA Andyetthouseestbutafewofmywoes。 ORESTES Couldanybemorepainfultobehold？ ELECTRA This，thatIsharethedwellingofthemurderers。 ORESTES Whosemurderers？Whereliestheguiltatwhichthouhintest？ ELECTRA Myfather’s；—andthenIamtheirslaveperforce。 ORESTES Whoisitthatsubjectstheetothisconstraint？ ELECTRA Amother—inname，butnomotherinherdeeds。 ORESTES Howdothsheoppressthee？Withviolenceorwithhardship？ ELECTRA Withviolence，andhardships，andallmannerofill。 ORESTES Andistherenonetosuccour，ortohinder？ ELECTRA None。Ihadone；andthouhastshownmehisashes。 ORESTES Haplessgirl，howthissighthathstirredmypity！ ELECTRA Know，then，thatthouartthefirstwhoeverpitiedme。 ORESTES Noothervisitorhatheversharedthypain。 ELECTRA Surelythouartnotsomeunknownkinsman？ ORESTES Iwouldanswer，ifthesewerefriendswhohearus。 ELECTRA Oh，theyarefriends；thoucanstspeakwithoutmistrust。 ORESTES Giveupthisurn，then，andthoushaltbetoldall。 ELECTRA Nay，Ibeseechtheebenotsocrueltome，sir！ ORESTES DoasIsay，andneverfeartodoamiss。 ELECTRA Iconjurethee，robmenotofmychieftreasure！ ORESTES Thoumustnotkeepit。 ELECTRA Ahwoeismeforthee，Orestes，ifIamnottogivetheeburialORESTES Hush！—nosuchword！—Thouhastnorighttolament。 ELECTRA Norighttolamentformydeadbrother？ ORESTES Itisnotmeetfortheetospeakofhimthus。 ELECTRA AmIsodishonouredofthedead？ ORESTES Dishonouredofnone:—butthisisnotthypart。 ELECTRA Yes，ifthesearetheashesofOrestesthatIhold。 ORESTES Theyarenot；afictiondothedthemwithhisname。 （Hegentlytakestheurnfromher。） ELECTRA Andwhereisthatunhappyone’stomb？ ORESTES Thereisnone；thelivinghavenotomb。 ELECTRA Whatsayestthou，boy？ ORESTES Nothingthatisnottrue。 ELECTRA Themanisalive？ ORESTES Iftherebelifeinme。 ELECTRA What？Artthouhe？ ORESTES Lookatthissignet，onceourfather’s，andjudgeifIspeaktruth。 ELECTRA Oblissfulday！ ORESTES Blissful，inverydeed！ ELECTRA Isthisthyvoice？ ORESTES Letnoothervoicereply。 ELECTRA DoIholdtheeinmyarms？ ORESTES Asmayestthouholdmealways！ ELECTRA Ah，dearfriendsandfellow—citizens，beholdOresteshere，whowasfeigneddead，andnow，bythatfeigninghathcomesafelyhome！ LEADER Weseehim，daughter；andforthishappyfortuneatearofjoytricklesfromoureyes。 （ThefollowinglinesbetweenORESTES andELECTRAarechantedresponsively。） ELECTRA stropheOffspringofhimwhomIlovedbest，thouhastcomeevennow，thouhastcome，andfoundandseenherwhomthyheartdesired！ ORESTES Iamwiththee；—butkeepsilenceforawhile。 ELECTRA Whatmeanestthou？ ORESTES ’Tisbettertobesilent，lestsomeonewithinshouldhear。 ELECTRA Nay，byever—virginArtemis，Iwillneverstooptofearwomen，stay—at—homes，vainburdensoftheground！ ORESTES Yetrememberthatinwomen，too，dwellsthespiritofbattle；thouhasthadgoodproofofthat，Iween。 ELECTRA Alas！ahme！Thouhastremindedmeofmysorrow，onewhich，fromitsnature，cannotbeveiled，cannotbedoneawaywith，cannotforget！ ORESTES Iknowthisalso；butwhenoccasionprompts，thenwillbethemomenttorecallthosedeeds。 ELECTRA antistropheEachmomentofalltime，asitcomes，wouldbemeetoccasionforthesemyjustcomplaints；scarcelynowhaveIhadmylipssetfree。 ORESTES Igrantit；thereforeguardthyfreedom。 ELECTRA WhatmustIdo？ ORESTES Whentheseasonservesnot，donotwishtospeaktoomuch。 ELECTRA Nay，whocouldfitlyexchangespeechforsuchsilence，whenthouhastappeared？FornowIhaveseenthyface，beyondallthoughtandhope！ ORESTES Thousawestit，whenthegodsmovedmetocome…… ELECTRA Thouhasttoldmeofagraceabovethefirst，ifagodhathindeedbroughttheetoourhouse；Iacknowledgethereintheworkofheaven。 ORESTES Iamloth，indeed，tocurbthygladness，butyetthisexcessofjoymovesmyfear。 ELECTRA epodeOthouwho，aftermanyayear，hastdeignedthustogladdenmineeyesbythyreturn，donot，nowthatthouhastseenmeinallmywoe— ORESTES Whatisthyprayer？ ELECTRA —donotrobmeofthecomfortofthyface；donotforcemetoforegoit！ ORESTES Ishouldbewroth，indeed，ifIsawanotherattemptit。 ELECTRA Myprayerisgranted？ ORESTES Canstthoudoubt？ ELECTRA Ah，friends，IheardavoicethatIcouldneverhavehopedtohear；norcouldIhaverestrainedmyemotioninsilence，andwithoutcry，whenIheardit。 Ahme！ButnowIhavethee；thouartcometomewiththelightofthatdearcountenance，whichnever，eveninsorrow，couldIforget。 （Thechantisconcluded。） ORESTES Spareallsuperfluouswords；tellmenotofourmother’swickedness，orhowAegisthusdrainsthewealthofourfather’shousebylavishluxuryoraimlesswaste；forthestorywouldnotsuffertheetokeepduelimit。Tellmeratherthatwhichwillserveourpresentneed，—wherewemustshowourselves，orwaitinambush，thatthisourcomingmayconfoundthetriumphofourfoes。 Andlookthatourmotherreadnotthysecretinthyradiantface，whenwetwainhaveadvancedintothehouse，butmakelament，asforthefeigneddisaster；forwhenwehaveprospered，thentherewillbeleisuretorejoiceandexultinfreedom。 ELECTRA Nay，brother，asitpleasesthee，soshallbemyconductalso；forallmyjoyisagiftfromthee，andnotmineown。NorwouldI consenttowingreatgoodformyselfatthecostoftheleastpaintothee；forsoshouldIillservethedivinepowerthatbefriendsusnow。 Butthouknowesthowmattersstandhere，Idoubtnot:thoumusthavebeardthatAegisthusisfromhome，butourmotherwithin；—andfearnotthatshewilleverseemyfacelitupwithsmiles；formineoldhatredofherhathsunkintomyheart；and，sinceIhavebeheldthee，forveryjoyIshallneverceasetoweep。HowindeedshouldI cease，whohaveseentheecomehomethisday，firstasdead，andtheninlife？Strangelyhastthouwroughtonme；sothat，ifmyfathershouldreturnalive，Ishouldnolongerdoubtmysenses，butshouldbelievethatIsawhim。Now，therefore，thatthouhastcometomesowondrously，commandmeasthouwilt；for，hadIbeenalone，Ishouldhaveachievedoneoftwothings，—anobledeliverance，oranobledeath。 ORESTES Thouhadstbestbesilent；forIhearsomeonewithinpreparingtogoforth。 ELECTRA（toORESTESandPYLADES） Enter，sirs；especiallyasyebringthatwhichnoonecouldrepulsefromthesedoors，thoughhereceiveitwithoutjoy。 （ThePAEDAGOGUSentersfromthepalace。） PAEDAGOGUS Foolishandsenselesschildren！Areyewearyofyourlives，orwastherenowitborninyou，thatyeseenothowyestand，notonthebrink，butintheverymidstofdeadlyperils？Nay，hadInotkeptwatchthislongwhileatthesedoors，yourplanswouldhavebeeninthehousebeforeyourselves；but，asitis，mycareshieldedyoufromthat。Nowhavedonewiththislongdiscourse，theseinsatiatecriesofjoy，andpasswithin；forinsuchdeedsdelayisevil，and’tiswelltomakeanend。 ORESTES What，then，willbemyprospectswhenIenter？ PAEDAGOGUS Good；forthouartsecuredfromrecognition。 ORESTES Thouhastreportedme，Ipresume，asdead？ PAEDAGOGUS Knowthatherethouartnumberedwiththeshades。 ORESTES Dotheyrejoice，then，atthesetidings？Orwhatsaythey？ PAEDAGOGUS Iwilltelltheeattheend；meanwhile，alliswellforusontheirparty—eventhatwhichisnotwell。 ELECTRA Whoisthis，brother？Ipraythee，tellme。 ORESTES Dostthounotperceive？ ELECTRA Icannotguess。 ORESTES Knowestthounotthemantowhosehandsthougavestmeonce？ ELECTRA Whatman？Howsayestthou？ ORESTES Bywhosehands，throughthyforethought，IwassecretlyconveyedforthtoPhociansoil。 ELECTRA Isthisheinwhom，aloneofmany，Ifoundatrueallyofold，whenoursirewasslain？ ORESTES ’Tishe；questionmenofurther。 ELECTRA Ojoyousday！OsolepreserverofAgamemnon’shouse，howhastthoucome？Artthouheindeed，whodidstsavemybrotherandmyselffrommanysorrows？Odearesthands；Omessengerwhosefeetwerekindlyservants！Howcouldstthoubewithmesolong，andremainunknown，norgivearayoflight，butafflictmebyfables，whilepossessedoftruthsmostsweet？Hail，father，—for’tisafatherthatIseemtobehold！Allhail，—andknowthatIhavehatedthee，andlovedthee，inoneday，asnevermanbefore！ PAEDAGOGUS Enough，methinks；asforthestoryofthepast，manyarethecirclingnights，anddaysasmany，whichshallshowitthee，Electra，initsfulness。（ToORESTESandPYLADES）Butthisismycounseltoyoutwain，whostandthere—nowisthetimetoact；nowClytemnestraisalone，—nomanisnowwithin:but，ifyepause，considerthatyewillhavetofight，notwiththeinmatesalone，butwithotherfoesmorenumerousandbetterskilled。 ORESTES Pylades，thisourtaskseemsnolongertocravemanywords，butratherthatweshouldenterthehouseforthwith，—firstadoringtheshrinesofmyfather’sgods，whokeepthesegates。 （ORESTESandPYLADESenterthePalace，followedbythePAEDAGOGUS。—ELECTRAremainsoutside。） ELECTRA OKingApollo！graciouslyhearthem，andhearmebesides，whosoofthavecomebeforethinealtarwithsuchgiftsasmydevouthandcouldbring！Andnow，OLyceanApollo，withsuchvowsasIcanmake，I praythee，Isupplicate，Iimplore，grantusthybenignantaidinthesedesigns，andshowmenhowimpietyisrewardedbythegods！ （ELECTRAentersthepalace。） CHORUS（singing） BeholdhowAresmovesonward，breathingdeadlyvengeance，againstwhichnonemaystrive！ Evennowthepursuersofdarkguilthavepassedbeneathyonroof，thehoundswhichnonemayflee。Thereforethevisionofmysoulshallnotlongtarryinsuspense。 Thechampionofthespiritsinfernalisusheredwithstealthyfeetintothehouse，theancestralpalaceofhissire，bearingkeen—edgeddeathinhishands；andHermes，sonofMaia，whohathshroudedtheguileindarkness，leadshimforward，eventotheend，anddelaysnomore。 （ELECTRAentersfromthepalace。） ELECTRA stropheAh，dearestfriends，inamomentthemenwilldothedeed；—butwaitinsilence。 CHORUS Howisit？—whatdotheynow？ ELECTRA Sheisdeckingtheurnforburial，andthosetwostandclosetoherCHORUS Andwhyhastthouspedforth？ ELECTRA ToguardagainstAegisthusenteringbeforeweareaware。 CLYTEMNESTRA（within） Alas！Woeforthehouseforsakenoffriendsandfilledwithmurderers！ ELECTRA Acrygoesupwithin:—hearyenot，friends？ CHORUS Iheard，ahme，soundsdiretohear，andshuddered！ CLYTEMNESTRA（within） OhaplessthatIam！—Aegisthus，where，whereartthou？ ELECTRA Hark，oncemoreavoiceresoundsI CLYTEMNESTRA（within） Myson，myson，havepityonthymother！ ELECTRA Thouhadstnoneforhim，norforthefatherthatbegathim。 CHORUS Ill—fatedrealmandrace，nowthefatethathathpursuedtheedaybydayisdying，—isdying！ CLYTEMNESTRA（within） Oh，Iamsmitten！ ELECTRA Smite，ifthoucanst，oncemore！ CLYTEMNESTRA（within） Ah，woeismeagain！ ELECTRA WouldthatthewoewereforAegisthustoo！ CHORUS Thecursesareatwork；theburiedlive；bloodflowsforblood，drainedfromtheslayersbythosewhodiedofyore。 （ORESTESandPYLADESenterfromthepalace。） antistropheBehold，theycome！ThatredhandreekswithsacrificetoAres；norcanIblamethedeed。 ELECTRA Orestes，howfareye？ ORESTES Alliswellwithinthehouse，ifApollo’soraclespakewell。 ELECTRA Theguiltyoneisdead？ ORESTES Fearnomorethatthyproudmotherwilleverputtheetodishonour。 CHORUS Cease；forIseeAegisthusfullinview。 ELECTRA Rashboys，back，back！ ORESTES Whereseeyetheman？ ELECTRA Yonder，atourmercy，beadvancesfromthesuburb，fullofjoy。 CHORUS Makewithallspeedforthevestibule；that，asyourfirsttaskprospered。sothisagainmayprospernow。 ORESTES Fearnot，—wewillperformit。 ELECTRA Haste，then，whitherthouwouldst。 ORESTES See，Iamgone。 ELECTRA Iwilllooktomattershere。 （ORESTESandPYLADESgobackintothepalace。） CHORUS ’Twerewelltosoothehisearwithsomefewwordsofseeminggentleness，thathemayrushblindlyuponthestrugglewithhisdoom。 （AEGISTHUSenters。） AEGISTHUS Whichofyoucantellme，wherearethosePhocianstrangers，who，’tissaid，havebroughtustidingsofOrestesslaininthewreckofhischariot？Thee，theeIask，yes，thee，informerdayssobold，—formethinksittouchestheemostnearly；thoubestmustknow，andbestcansttell。 ELECTRA Iknowassuredly；elsewereIastrangertothefortuneofmynearestkinsfolk。 AEGISTHUS Wherethenmaybethestrangers？Tellme。 ELECTRA Within；theyhavefoundawaytotheheartoftheirhostess。 AEGISTHUS Havetheyintruthreportedhimdead？ ELECTRA Nay，notreportedonly；theyhaveshownhim。 AEGISTHUS CanI，then，seethecorpsewithmineowneyes？ ELECTRA Thoucanst，indeed；and’tisnoenviablesight。 AEGISTHUS Indeed，thouhastgivenmeajoyfulgreeting，beyondthywont。 ELECTRA Joybethine，ifinthesethingsthoufindestjoy。 AEGISTHUS Silence，Isay，andthrowwidethegates，forallMycenaeansandArgivestobehold；that，ifanyofthemwereoncebuoyedonemptyhopesfromthisman，now，seeinghimdead，theymayreceivemycurb，insteadofwaitingtillmychastisementmakethemwiseperforce！ ELECTRA Noloyaltyislackingonmypart；timehathtaughtmetheprudenceofconcordwiththestronger。 （Thecentraldoorsofthepalacearethrownopenandashroudedcorpseisdisclosed。ORESTESandPYLADESstandnearit。） AEGISTHUS OZeus，IbeholdthatwhichhathnotfallensavebythedoomofjealousHeaven；but，ifNemesisattendthatword，beitunsaid！ Takeallthecoveringfromtheface，thatkinship，atleast，mayreceivethetributeoflamentfrommealso。 ORESTES Lifttheveilthyself；notmypartthis，butthine，tolookupontheserelics，andtogreetthemkindly。 AEGISTHUS ’Tisgoodcounsel，andIwillfollowit。—（ToELECTRA）Butthou—callmeClytemnestra，ifsheiswithin。 ORESTES Lo，sheisnearthee:turnnotthineeyeselsewhere。 （AEGISTHUSremovestheface—clothfromthecorpse。） AEGISTHUS O，whatsightisthis！ ORESTES Whysoscared？Isthefacesostrange？ AEGISTHUS WhoarethemenintowhosemidtoilsIhavefallen，haplessthatI am？ ORESTES Nay，hastthounotdiscoverederenowthatthedead，asthoumiscallestthem，areliving？ AEGISTHUS Alas，Ireadtheriddle:thiscanbenonebutOresteswhospeakstome！ ORESTES And，thoughsogoodaprophet，thouwastdeceivedsolong？ AEGISTHUS Ohlost，undone！Yetsuffermetosayoneword…… ELECTRA Inheaven’sname，mybrother，sufferhimnottospeakfurther，ortopleadatlength！Whenmortalsareinthemeshesoffate，howcansuchrespiteavailonewhoistodie？No，—slayhimforthwith，andcasthiscorpsetothecreaturesfromwhomsuchasheshouldhaveburial，farfromoursight！Tome，nothingbutthiscanmakeamendsforthewoesofthepast。 ORESTES（toAEGISTHUS） Goin，andquickly；theissuehereisnotofwords，butofthylife。 AEGISTHUS Whytakemeintothehouse？Ifthisdeedbefair，whatneedofdarkness？Whyisthyhandnotprompttostrike？ ORESTES Dictatenot，butgowherethoudidstslaymyfather，thatinthesameplacethoumayestdie。 AEGISTHUS IsthisdwellingdoomedtoseeallwoesofPelops’line，now，andintimetocome？ ORESTES Thine，atleast；trustmypropheticskillsofar。 AEGISTHUS Theskillthouvauntestbelongednottothysire。 ORESTES Thoubandiestwords，andourgoingisdelayed。Moveforward！ AEGISTHUS Leadthou。 ORESTES Thoumustgofirst。 AEGISTHUS LestIescapethee？ ORESTES No，butthatthoumayestnotchoosehowtodie；Imustnotsparetheeanybitternessofdeath。Andwellitwereifthisjudgmentcamestraight—wayuponallwhodealtinlawlessdeeds，eventhejudgmentofthesword:soshouldnotwickednessabound。 （ORESTESandPYLADESdriveAEGISTHUSintothepalace。） CHORUS（singing） OhouseofAtreus，throughhowmanysufferingshastthoucomeforthatlastinfreedom，crownedwithgoodbythisday’senterprise！