Chrysothemis
What is this speech of yours, sister, which you have come forth yet again to speak at the public doors? Will you not learn with any lapse of time to end your vain indulgence in futile anger? Yet this much I know—that I myself am saddened by our present circumstances; indeed so much so that, could I find the strength, I would bare my feelings towards them. But now, in these evil times I think it best to navigate with shortened sail so that I may not seem to be on the attack, when I am unable to cause harm. I wish that your own conduct were the same! Nevertheless, right is on the side which you favor, not on that which I advise. But if I am to live the life of the freeborn, those in power must be obeyed in all things.
Electra
It is strange, indeed, that you, the daughter of our father from whom you grew, should forget him and instead show concern for your mother! All your admonitions to me have been taught by her; you speak no word of your own. So now take your choice: be imprudent, or be prudent, but forgetful of your friends. You have just said that if could you find the strength, you would show your hatred of them; yet, when I am doing my utmost to avenge our father, you do not work with me, but seek to deflect your sister from her deed. Does this not add cowardice to our miseries? Therefore instruct me, or rather learn from me what gain there might be for me if I ended my lamentation. Am I not now alive? Miserably so, I know, but well enough for me. And I hurt them, and thereby affix an honorable tribute to the dead, in case those in that world can enjoy it and feel gratitude. But you, who tell me of your hatred, hate in word alone, while by your behavior you unite with the murderers of our father. I, however, would never yield to them, not even if one of them were to bring to me the gifts in which you now glory. Let yours be the richly-spread table and superabundant lifestyle. As for me, let my sustenance be only that I do not wound my own conscience—I do not covet such privilege as yours and neither would you, if you had self-control. But now, when you could be called the child of the noblest father among men, be called instead your mother’s daughter, for in this way your corruptness will be evident to the greatest number as you betray your dead father and your true friends.
Chorus Away with anger, for the gods’ sake! There is advantage for both of you in what is urged, if you, Electra, would learn to implement her advice, and she, again, yours.
Chrysothemis For my part, friends, I am not at all unaccustomed to her insults, nor would I have mentioned this, if I had not heard that the greatest disaster is now rushing down on her, one which will restrain her from her long mourning.
Electra Come then, name this terror! If you can tell me of anything worse than my present condition, I would resist no more.
Chrysothemis I will tell you all that I know. If you will not cease from your mourning, they intend to send you where you will never look upon the sun’s brilliance, but passing your life in a covered chamber beyond this land’s borders you will make hymns of your calamity. Think on this, and do not blame me later, when you suffer. Now is the time to think wisely.
Electra Have they in fact decided to do this to me?
Chrysothemis They certainly have, as soon as Aegisthus comes home.
Electra Then for this, may he arrive quickly!
Chrysothemis Troubled girl, what curse are you laying on yourself?
Electra That he may come, if he plans to do any of what you said.
Chrysothemis So that you may suffer? In what way? Where are your wits?
Electra So that I may fly as far as possible from you all.
Chrysothemis Have you no care for the life you lead now?
Electra oh, yes, my life is so wondrously fine.
Chrysothemis It would be, if only you learned good sense.
Electra Do not teach me to betray my friends.
Chrysothemis I do not, but to bend before the strong.
Electra Keep your flattery to yourself; it is not in my character.
Chrysothemis Regardless, it brings no honor to fall through senselessness.
Electra I will fall, if need be, while honoring my father.
Chrysothemis But our father, I know, pardons me for this.
Electra It is for cowards to commend such sentiments.
Chrysothemis So you will not be persuaded to agree with me?
Electra No, indeed; may I not yet be so devoid of intelligence.
Chrysothemis Then I will move on to where I was sent.
Electra And where is it that you go? For whom do you take these offerings to be burned?
Chrysothemis Mother sends me with funeral libations for our father.
Electra What are you saying? For her deadliest enemy?
Chrysothemis Whom she herself killed, no doubt you wanted to say this as well.
Electra What friend persuaded her? Whose idea was it?
Chrysothemis The cause, I think, was fear induced by some vision in the night.
Electra My father’s Gods! Stand with me now at last!
Chrysothemis Do you find something heartening in this terror?
Electra If you would tell me the vision, then I could answer.
Chrysothemis I know no more than a small part of the story.
Electra
Tell me that, anyway; a small tale has often before now tripped men up, or set them upright.
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