Sophocles, Electra
Sir Richard Jebb, Ed.

Electra
[1200] Then know that you are the first who ever pitied me.

Orestes
Yes, for I alone have come and been pained by your troubles .

Electra
Surely you are not some unknown kinsman?

Orestes
I would tell you, if these women bear you goodwill.

Electra
Indeed they do, so you will speak to trustworthy companions.

Orestes
[1205] Give up this urn, then, and you shall know everything.

Electra
No, by the gods, do not do this to me, stranger!

Orestes
Do as I say, and you will never be mistaken.

Electra
No, I beg you, do not rip from me what I hold most dear!

Orestes
You must not keep it.

Electra
Ah, what misery I will have because of you, [1210] Orestes, if I am robbed of your burial!

Orestes
Hush! No ill-omened words! You have no right to grieve.

Electra
How is it not right for me to grieve for my dead brother?

Orestes
It is not proper for you to speak of him as you do.

Electra
Am I so without rights in the dead?

Orestes
[1215] You are without rights in nothing; but this burial is not your concern.

Electra
Yes it is, if these are the remains of Orestes that I hold.

Orestes
They are not his, except inasmuch as fiction alone contrives to make them so.He gently takes the urn from her.

Electra
And where is that sufferer's tomb?

Orestes
There is none; the living have no tomb.

Electra
[1220] What are you saying, boy?

Orestes
Nothing that is untrue.

Electra
The man is alive?

Orestes
If there is life in me.

Electra
What? Are you he?

Orestes
Look at this signet, once our father's, and know if I speak the truth.

Electra
O blissful day!

Orestes
Blissful, I am your witness!

Electra
[1225] Is this your voice?

Orestes
Hear it from no other.

Electra
Do I hold you in my arms?

Orestes
May you hold me so always hereafter!

Electra
Ah, dear friends and fellow-citizens, see Orestes here, who was dead by design, and now by design has come safely home!

Chorus
[1230] We see him, daughter, and for this happy turn of fortune a tear of joy trickles from our eyes.