Scaife ATLAS

CTS Library / Orestes

Orestes (1525c-1581)

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0006.tlg016.perseus-eng2:1525c-1581
Refs {'start': {'reference': '1525c', 'human_reference': 'Line 1525c'}, 'end': {'reference': '1581', 'human_reference': 'Line 1581'}}
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How well you said that!
Orestes
Now it’s time to change my plans.
Phrygian
You didn’t say that well!
Orestes
You fool! Do you think I could endure to make your throat bloody? You weren’t born a woman, nor do you belong among men. The reason I left the palace was to stop your shouting;
for Argos is quickly roused, once it hears a cry to the rescue. As for Menelaus, I am not afraid of measuring swords with him; let him come, proud of the golden ringlets on his shoulders; for if, to avenge the slaying of Helen, he gathers the Argives and leads them against the palace, refusing to attempt the rescue of me,
my sister, and Pylades, my fellow conspirator, he will have two corpses to behold, his daughter’s as well as his wife’s. Exeunt Orestes and The Phrygian Slave.
1537
Chorus
Ah, fortune! Again and yet again the house comes to a fearful contest, for the race of Atreus.
What are we to do? Carry tidings to the town?
Or hold our peace? It is safer, friends.
Look, look at that sudden rush of smoke to the sky in front of the palace, telling its tale!
They are kindling torches to fire the halls of Tantalus; nor do they hold back from murder.
A god determines the end where he wishes, for mortals.
Great is the power; by avenging fiends, this house has fallen, fallen, through blood, by reason of the hurling Myrtilus from the chariot.
1549
Chorus Leader
But look! I see Menelaus approaching the palace
in haste; no doubt he has heard what is happening here. Descendants of Atreus within, make haste and secure the doors with bars. A man in luck is a dangerous adversary for luckless wretches like you, Orestes.
Orestes and Pylades appear on the roof, holding Hermione.
1554
Menelaus
I have come at the report of strange and violent deeds perpetrated
by a pair of lions, men I do not call them. What I heard was that my wife was not dead, but had vanished out of sight, an idle rumor which someone fooled by his own fear brought me. But that is a plot
of the matricide’s—ridiculous!
Open the doors! I tell my servants to force the gates, so that I may rescue my child at any rate from the hands of those blood-stained men and recover my poor wretched wife,
while the ones who destroyed her must die at my hands.
Orestesfrom the roof.
You there! Keep your hands off those bolts; I mean you, Menelaus, towering in your audacity! Or I will tear off the ancient parapet, the work of masons,
and shatter your skull with this coping-stone. The doors are bolted and barred, which will prevent your eagerness to bring aid and keep you from entering.
Menelaus
Oh! What is this? I see a blaze of torches and men standing at bay on the top of the house,
with a sword guarding my daughter’s throat.
Orestes
Would you question me or hear me speak?
Menelaus
Neither; but I suppose I must hear you.
Orestes
I intend to kill your daughter, if you want to know.
Menelaus
After slaying Helen, you will add murder to murder?
Orestes
Would I had accomplished that, instead of being duped by the gods!
Menelaus
Do you deny having slain her, and say this out of wanton insult?

Tokens

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