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Orestes
O Zeus, god of my fathers, be also the vanquisher of my enemies— Electra
And have pity on us; for we have suffered pitiably— Old man
Yes, indeed, have pity on your own descendants. Electra
And Hera, you who rule Mycenae's altars— Orestes
[675] Give us victory, if we are asking for what is right. Old man
Yes, indeed, give them the right of vengeance for their father. Orestes
You too, father, living below the earth through an unholy deed— Electra
And Lady Earth, to whom I give my hands— Old man
Defend, defend these, your dearest children. Orestes
[680] Now come and bring with you all the dead as allies. Electra
Those who destroyed the Trojans in war with you— Old man
And all who hate the unholy and polluted. Electra
Do you hear me, you who suffered dreadful things from my mother? Old man
Your father hears everything, I know; but it is time to be on our way. Electra
[685] And I tell you therefore that Aegisthus is to die; if you fall dead in the struggle, I am also dead, do not count me as alive; for I will strike my heart with a two-edged sword. I will go indoors and make things ready there. [690] So that if a good report comes from you, the whole house will cry aloud in triumph; but, if you die, it will be the opposite of that. These are my words to you. Orestes
I know it all. Electra
Therefore you must be a man. Orestes, Pylades, the Old Man and attendants depart.
And you, women, please take care to give [695] a shout in signal of this contest. I will keep a sword ready, holding it in my hand, for I will not ever, if defeated, submit to my enemies the right to insult my body. Electra goes into the hut
Euripides. The Complete Greek Drama, edited by Whitney J. Oates and Eugene O'Neill, Jr. in two volumes. 2. Electra, translated by E. P. Coleridge. New York. Random House. 1938.
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