Pylades who shared with me the bloody deed, my mother’s murder. Menelaus You are sick from phantom shapes; what sort? Orestes I seemed to see three maidens, black as night. Menelaus I know whom you mean, but I do not want to name them. Orestes Yes, for they are revered; you were well-informed, to avoid naming them. Menelaus Are these the ones that drive you to frenzy, with the curse of kindred blood? Orestes Oh! the torment I endure from their pursuit! Menelaus It is not strange, if those who have done dreadful things should suffer them. Orestes But I have a way to recover from these troubles. Menelaus Do not speak of death; that is not wise. Orestes It is Phoebus, who commanded me to kill my mother. Menelaus Showing a strange ignorance of what is fair and right. Orestes We are slaves to the gods, whatever those gods are. Menelaus And does Loxias not help your affliction? Orestes He will in time; this is the nature of gods. Menelaus How long is it since your mother breathed her last? Orestes This is the sixth day; her funeral pyre is still warm. Menelaus How soon the goddesses arrived to avenge your mother’s blood! Orestes I am not clever, but I am by nature a true friend to my friends. Menelaus Does your father give you any help at all, for your avenging him? Orestes Not yet; I call delay the equal of inaction. Menelaus How do you stand in the city after that deed of yours? Orestes I am so hated that no one will speak to me. Menelaus Have your hands not even been cleaned of blood, according to custom? Orestes No, for wherever I go, the door is shut against me. Menelaus Which citizens are driving you from the land? Orestes Oeax, who refers to my father his reason for hating Troy . Menelaus I understand; he is avenging on you the blood of Palamedes. Orestes That was nothing to do with me; yet I am destroyed for three reasons. Menelaus Who else? Some of the friends of Aegisthus, I suppose?