Orestes In you I have hopes of escape from my troubles. But since you have come with good fortune, share with your friends, who are wretched, your prosperity; do not hold aside that goodness for yourself alone; but partake of troubles in your turn, and so pay back my father’s kindness to those who have a claim on you. For such friends as desert us in adversity are friends in name but not in deed.
Chorus Leader And here is Tyndareus, the Spartan, struggling with aged step, clad in black robes, with his hair cut short in mourning for his daughter.
Orestes Menelaus, I am ruined. See, Tyndareus approaches us, the man of all others I most shrink from facing, because of the deed I have done. For he nursed me when I was small, and lavished on me many a fond caress, carrying me about in his arms as the son of Agamemnon; and so did Leda; for they both honored me no less than the Dioscuri. Ah me! my wretched heart and soul, it was a sorry return I made them! What darkness can I find for my face? What cloud can I spread before me in my efforts to escape the old man’s eye?
Tyndareus Where, where may I see Menelaus, my daughter’s husband? For as I was pouring libations on Clytemnestra’s grave I heard that he had come to Nauplia with his wife, safe home again after many years. Lead me to him; for I want to approach him and clasp his hand, as a friend whom at last I see again.
Menelaus Hail, old man, rival of Zeus for a bride!
Tyndareus All hail to you, Menelaus, my kinsman! Ah! What an evil it is to be ignorant of the future! There is that matricide before the house, a viper darting venomous flashes from his eyes, whom I loathe. Menelaus, are you speaking to that godless wretch?
Menelaus And why not? He is the son of one whom I loved.
Tyndareus This is his son, this creature here?
Menelaus Yes, his son; if he is in misfortune, he ought to be honored.
Tyndareus You have been so long among barbarians that you have become one of them.
Menelaus Always to honor one’s kin is a custom in Hellas.
Tyndareus And another custom is to yield a willing deference to the laws.
Menelaus The wise hold that everything which depends on necessity is a slave.
Tyndareus Keep that wisdom for yourself; I will not have it.
Menelaus Yes, for you are angry, and also old age is not wise.
Cite This Text