Orestes (1204-1255)

O you that have the spirit of a man,

though your body shows you to be a woman, how far more worthy you are to live than to die! Pylades, you will lose such a woman to your sorrow, or if you live, you will have a blessed marriage.

Then may it be so, and may she come to the city of Phocis

with all the honors of a happy wedding.

How soon will Hermione return to the palace? All the rest was very well said, if we succeed in catching this impious father’s cub.

Well, I expect she is near the house already,

for the length of time agrees exactly.

Good; you, Electra, my sister, stay before the palace and await the maiden’s approach; keep watch in case any one, whether an ally or my father’s brother, forestalls us by his entry before the murder is complete;

and then make a signal to the house, either by beating on a panel of the door or calling to us within.

Let us enter now and arm ourselves with swords for the final struggle, Pylades, for you share the labor with me.

O father, in your home of gloomy night, your son Orestes calls you to come to the rescue of the destitute. It is on your account I am wrongfully suffering, and it is by your brother that I have been betrayed for doing right; it is his wife I wish to take

and kill; you be our accomplice for this deed.

Oh father, come! if within the ground you hear the cry of your children, who are dying for your sake.

O kinsman of my father, Agamemnon, hear my prayers also; save your children.

I killed my mother—

I held the sword—

I . . . set them free from fear—

To aid you, father.

Nor did I betray you.

Will you not hear these reproaches and rescue your children?

With tears I pour you a libation.

And I with laments.

Cease, and let us set about our business. If prayers really do pierce the ground, he hears. O Zeus, god of my fathers, and holy Justice, give success to him and me and her; for there is one struggle for three friends, and one penalty,

for all to live or—pay death’s account. Exeunt Orestes and Pylades.