did not keep the death-goddesses away from her house?DioskouroiNecessity’s fate led to what must be, and unwise speech from the mouth of Phoebus.ElectraBut what Apollo, what sort of oracles, ordained for me to be my mother’s murderer?DioskouroiThe deeds were shared, the fates were shared; one ancestral curse has ground down both.OrestesAh, my sister, seeing you after a long time, at once I am robbed of your affection,and I must abandon you, abandoned by you.DioskouroiShe has a husband and a home; she does not suffer pitiably, except that she leaves the city of the Argives.ElectraAnd what other unhappiness is greaterthan to leave the boundary of one’s native land?OrestesBut I shall leave my father’s house, and at a stranger’s tribunal undergo trial for my mother’s murder.DioskouroiHave courage; you will goto the holy town of Pallas; only hold out.ElectraClasp me to your breast, my dearest brother; for the curse of our mother’s blood is separating us from our father’s home.OrestesThrow your arms in close embrace about me. Lament as if I were dead, over my grave.DioskouroiAlas! You have said things terrible even for gods to hear. For in me and in the Olympians there ispity for much-suffering mortals.OrestesI shall no longer see you!ElectraNor will I draw near your sight!OrestesThese are my last words to you.ElectraFarewell, my city!And a long farewell to you, my fellow-countrywomen!OrestesAre you going already, most faithful one?ElectraI am going, my young eye wet with tears.OrestesGo, Pylades, and be happy; marry Electra.DioskouroiMarriage will be for them to think of. But go towards Athens, seeking to escape these hounds of hell, for they are pursuing you fearfully,the dark-skinned ones, with snakes for hands, holding a reward of dreadful pains. But we two must go in haste over the Sicilian sea to rescue the seagoing ships. As we go through the plains of the air,we do not come to the aid of those who are polluted; but we save and release from severe hardships those who love piety and justice in their ways of life. And so, let no one wish to act unjustly,or set sail with perjurers; as a god, I give this address to mortals.ChorusFarewell! Any mortal who is able to fare well, and is not worn down by any misfortune, achieves happiness.