Pylades Stop! there is first one point I have to blame you for, if you thought I would care to live when you are dead.
Orestes But why are you called on to die with me?
Pylades Do you ask? What is life to me without your companionship?
Orestes You did not kill your mother, as I did to my sorrow.
Pylades At least I helped you; and so I ought to suffer the same penalty.
Orestes Surrender to your father, do not die with me. You still have a city, while I no longer have, and your father’s home, and a great refuge of wealth. You have failed to marry my poor sister, whom I betrothed to you from a deep regard for your companionship; but find another bride and rear a family; for the marriage-tie which bound us is no more. Farewell, be happy, my beloved friend; we cannot, but you may; for we, the dead, are robbed of happiness.
Pylades How far you are from grasping what I mean! May the fruitful earth, the radiant sky refuse to hold my blood, if ever I turn traitor and desert you when I have freed myself. For I shared in the murder, which I will not deny, and also schemed the whole plot, for which you are now paying the penalty; and so I ought to die together with you and her. For I consider her, whom you betrothed to me, as my wife. Whatever shall I say, when I reach Delphi, the citadel of Phocis, if I was your friend before your misfortunes, but ceased to be your friend, when you were unfortunate? That must not be; no, this concerns me, too. But since we are to die, let us take counsel together that Menelaus may share our misfortune.
Orestes Best of friends! if only I could see this before I die.
Pylades Listen to me, and delay the stroke of the sword.
Orestes I will, if I may take vengeance on my enemy.
Pylades Hush now! I have small confidence in women.
Orestes Have no fear of these; for they are our friends who are here.
Pylades Let us kill Helen, a bitter grief to Menelaus.
Orestes How? I am ready, if there is any chance of success.
Pylades With our swords; she is hiding in your house.
Orestes Indeed she is; and already she is putting her seal on everything.
Pylades No longer, after she is married to Hades.
Orestes But how? She has her barbarian attendants.
Pylades Barbarians indeed! I am not the man to fear any Phrygian.
Orestes They are only fit to look after mirrors and perfumes!
Pylades Has she brought Trojan luxury with her here?
Orestes So much so, that Hellas is too small for her to live in.
Pylades The race of slaves is nothing to those who are free.
Orestes Well, if I can do this deed, I do not shrink from dying twice over.
Pylades No, nor I either, if it is you I am avenging.
Orestes Explain the matter, and continue describing your plan.
Pylades We will enter the house on the pretence of going to our death.
Orestes So far I follow you, but not beyond.
Pylades We will lament our sufferings to her.
Orestes So that she will shed tears, although her heart is glad.
Pylades And our condition will be like hers.
Orestes How shall we proceed next in our contest?
Pylades We shall have swords concealed in our cloaks.
Orestes Will we dispose of her attendants first?
Pylades We will shut them up in different parts of the house.
Orestes And whoever refuses to be quiet, we must kill.
Pylades And then the deed itself shows us where we must exert ourselves.
Orestes To kill Helen; I understand that watchword.
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