Yes, so wasted with sorrow that I sigh for it. Electra And my head and hair, close shaven as if by a Scythian’s razor. Orestes Your brother and your dead father perhaps gnaw at your heart. Electra Alas! For what is dearer to me than they? Orestes Ah! What are you to your brother, do you think? Electra He is far away, not here to be my friend. Orestes Why are you living here, far from the city? Electra I am married, stranger; a deadly match. Orestes I pity your brother. Is your husband a Mycenaean? Electra Not one to whom my father ever hoped to give me. Orestes Tell me so that I may hear and inform your brother. Electra I live in his house, at a distance from the city. Orestes A ditch-digger or a herdsman is worthy of the house. Electra He is a man poor but noble, and respectful to me. Orestes What is this respect that your husband has? Electra He has never dared to touch me in bed. Orestes Does he hold some form of religious chastity, or does he think you unworthy? Electra He did not think himself worthy to insult my family. Orestes And how was he not delighted to make such a marriage? Electra He thinks the person who gave me did not have that right, stranger. Orestes I understand; he fears that he may someday be punished by Orestes. Electra He does fear that, but he is also a virtuous man. Orestes Ah! You have described a noble man, and he must be treated well. Electra Yes, if ever the one now absent comes home. Orestes But did your mother, who gave you birth, endure this? Electra Women love their husbands, stranger, not their children. Orestes Why did Aegisthus insult you in this way? Electra He planned for me to bear powerless children, when he gave me to such a man. Orestes So that you might not bear sons to punish him, of course?