Pylades who shared with me the bloody deed, my mother’s murder.MenelausYou are sick from phantom shapes; what sort?OrestesI seemed to see three maidens, black as night.MenelausI know whom you mean, but I do not want to name them.OrestesYes, for they are revered; you were well-informed, to avoid naming them.MenelausAre these the ones that drive you to frenzy, with the curse of kindred blood?OrestesOh! the torment I endure from their pursuit!MenelausIt is not strange, if those who have done dreadful things should suffer them.OrestesBut I have a way to recover from these troubles.MenelausDo not speak of death; that is not wise.OrestesIt is Phoebus, who commanded me to kill my mother.MenelausShowing a strange ignorance of what is fair and right.OrestesWe are slaves to the gods, whatever those gods are.MenelausAnd does Loxias not help your affliction?OrestesHe will in time; this is the nature of gods.MenelausHow long is it since your mother breathed her last?OrestesThis is the sixth day; her funeral pyre is still warm.MenelausHow soon the goddesses arrived to avenge your mother’s blood!OrestesI am not clever, but I am by nature a true friend to my friends.MenelausDoes your father give you any help at all, for your avenging him?OrestesNot yet; I call delay the equal of inaction.MenelausHow do you stand in the city after that deed of yours?OrestesI am so hated that no one will speak to me.MenelausHave your hands not even been cleaned of blood, according to custom?OrestesNo, for wherever I go, the door is shut against me.MenelausWhich citizens are driving you from the land?OrestesOeax, who refers to my father his reason for hating Troy.MenelausI understand; he is avenging on you the blood of Palamedes.OrestesThat was nothing to do with me; yet I am destroyed for three reasons.MenelausWho else? Some of the friends of Aegisthus, I suppose?