Chorus Leader
Look, here comes your brother, condemned to die, and with him Pylades, most loyal of friends, true as a brother, guiding his feeble steps, his yoke-fellow, pacing carefully.
Electra Alas! I weep to see you stand before the tomb, my brother, face to face with the funeral pyre. Alas, again! as I take my last look at you, my senses leave me.
Orestes Be silent! an end to womanish lamenting! resign yourself to your fate. It is piteous, but nevertheless
Electra How can I be silent, when we poor sufferers are no longer to gaze upon the sun-god’s light?
Orestes Oh! spare me that death! Enough that this unhappy wretch is already slain by Argives; let our present sufferings be.
Electra Alas for your unhappy youth, Orestes, and for your fated untimely death! When you should have lived, you are going to die.
Orestes By the gods, do not unman me, bringing me to tears by the recollection of my sorrows.
Electra We are about to die; it is not possible for me not to grieve over our troubles; it is a piteous thing for all men to lose life, that is so sweet.
Orestes This is the day appointed for us; we must fit the dangling noose about our necks or whet the sword for use.
Electra You be the one to kill me, brother, so that no Argive may insult Agamemnon’s son by my death.
Orestes Enough that I have a mother’s blood upon me; I will not kill you, but die by your own hand, however you wish.
Electra Agreed; I will not be behind you in using the sword; only I long to throw my arms about your neck.
Orestes Enjoy that empty satisfaction, if embraces have any joy for those who have come so near to death.
Electra My dearest, you who have a name that sounds most loved and sweet to your sister, partner in one soul with her!
Orestes Oh, you will melt my heart! I want to give you back a fond embrace. And why should such a wretch as I still feel any shame? Heart to heart, my sister! how sweet to me this close embrace! In place of children and the marriage bed.
Electra Ah! If only the same sword, if it is right, could kill us both, and one coffin of cedar-wood receive us!
Orestes That would be very sweet; but surely you see we are too destitute of friends to be allowed one tomb between us.
Electra Did that coward Menelaus, that traitor to my father, not even speak for you, or make an effort to save your life?
Orestes He did not even show himself, but, with his hopes centered on the throne, he was careful not to attempt the rescue of his friends. But let us see how we may die a noble death, one most worthy of Agamemnon. I, for my part, will let the city see my noble spirit when I plunge the sword to my heart, and you in turn must imitate my daring. Pylades, be the arbitrator of our slaughter and, when we both are dead, lay out our bodies decently; carry them to our father’s grave and bury us there with him. Farewell, now; I am leaving for the deed, as you see.
Cite This Text