Helen Daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, unhappy Electra, a maiden for so long, how is it with you and your brother, this ill-starred Orestes who slew his mother? For referring the sin as I do to Phoebus, I incur no pollution by addressing you; and yet I am truly sorry for the death of my sister Clytemnestra, whom I never saw after I was driven by heaven-sent frenzy to sail as I did to Ilium; but now that I am parted from her, I bewail our misfortunes.
Electra Helen, why should I speak of that which your own eyes can see? Beside his wretched corpse I sit, sleepless—for corpse he is, so faint his breath— not that I reproach him with his sufferings; but you are highly blessed and your husband too.
Helen How long has he lain in this way on the couch?
Electra Ever since he spilt his mother’s blood.
Helen Unhappy wretch! unhappy mother! what a death she died.
Electra Unhappy enough to succumb to his misery.
Helen By the gods, would you hear me a moment, maiden?
Electra Yes, with such leisure as this watching over a brother leaves.
Helen Will you go for me to my sister’s tomb?
Electra Would you have me seek my mother’s tomb? Why?
Helen To carry an offering of hair and a libation from me.
Electra Isn’t it right for you to go to the tomb of one you love?
Helen No, for I am ashamed to show myself in Argos.
Electra A late repentance surely for one who left her home so shamefully then.
Helen You have told the truth, but your telling is not kind to me.
Electra What is this supposed shame before the eyes of Mycenae that possesses you?
Helen I am afraid of the fathers of those who lie dead at Ilium.
Electra Good cause for fear; your name is on every tongue in Argos.
Helen Then free me of my fear and grant me this favor.
Electra I could not bear to look upon my mother’s grave.
Helen And yet it would be shame indeed for servants to bear these offerings.
Electra Then why not send your daughter Hermione?
Helen It is not good for maidens to go into a crowd.
Electra And yet she would be repaying her dead foster-mother’s care.
Helen You have told the truth and have convinced me, maiden. Hermione, my child, come out, before the palace. Take these libations and these tresses of mine in your hands, and go pour round Clytemnestra’s tomb a mingled cup of honey, milk, and frothing wine; then stand upon the heaped-up grave, and say this: Helen, your sister, sends you these libations as her gift, fearing herself to approach your tomb from terror of the Argive mob and bid her harbor kindly thoughts towards me and you and my husband; towards these two wretched sufferers, too, whom the gods have destroyed. And promise that I will pay in full whatever funeral gifts are due from me to a sister. Now go, my child, and hurry; and soon as you have made the libations at the tomb, think of your return.
Electra O human nature, how great an evil you are in men! and what salvation, too, to those who have a goodly heritage there. Did you see how she cut off her hair only at the ends, to preserve its beauty? She is the same woman as of old. May the gods hate you! for you have proved the ruin of me and my brother and all Hellas. Alas! here are my friends once more, coming to unite their plaintive dirge with mine; they will soon put an end to my brother’s peaceful sleep, and cause my tears to flow when I see him in frenzy.
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