Scaife ATLAS

CTS Library / Orestes

Orestes (810-859)

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0006.tlg016.perseus-eng2:810-859
Refs {'start': {'reference': '810', 'human_reference': 'Line 810'}, 'end': {'reference': '859', 'human_reference': 'Line 859'}}
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went back again from good fortune for the Atreidae long ago, from an old misfortune to their house, when strife came to the sons of Tantalus over a golden ram, to end in most pitiable banqueting and
the slaughter of high-born children; and this is why murder exchanges for murder, through blood, and does not leave the two Atreidae.
819
Chorus
What seemed good was not good,
to cut a mother’s flesh with ruthless hand and show the sword stained black with blood to the sun’s bright beams; to commit a noble crime is an impious, subtle, malignant madness!
The wretched daughter of Tyndareus in terror of death screamed to him: My son, this is unholy, your bold attempt upon your mother’s life; do not, while honoring your father,
fasten on yourself an eternity of shame.
831
Chorus
What affliction on earth surpasses this? What calls for keener grief or pity, than to shed with your hand a mother’s blood? Oh! what a dreadful crime he committed,
and now is raving mad, a prey to the Furies, whirling blood with racing eyes, the son of Agamemnon! O the wretch! when
he saw a mother’s bosom over her robe of golden weave, and yet he made her his victim, in recompense for his father’s sufferings.
844
Electra
Women, has my poor Orestes left the house,
mastered by the heaven-sent madness?
Chorus Leader
Not at all; he has gone to the Argive people to stand the appointed trial for his life, in which he and you must live or die.
Electra
Oh! Why did he do it? Who persuaded him?
Chorus Leader
Pylades; but this messenger will no doubt soon tell us what happened to your brother there.
Messenger
Wretched, unhappy daughter of the general Agamemnon, my lady Electra, hear the sad tidings I bring you.
Electra
Alas! we are ruined; your words show it; you have clearly come with tidings of woe.
Messenger
The Pelasgians have decided by vote that you, poor lady, and your brother are to die this day.
Electra
Alas! my expectations are realized; I have long feared this,

Tokens

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