Libation Bearers (495-505)

Father, are you not roused by taunts such as these?

Are you not raising that dearest head of yours?

Either send Justice to battle for those dear to you, or grant us in turn to get a similar grip[*] on them, if indeed after defeat you would in turn win victory.

So listen, father, to this last appeal of mine as you behold these fledglings crouching at your tomb. Have compassion on your offspring, on the woman and on the man as well, and let not this seed of Pelops’ line be blotted out: for then, in spite of death, you are not dead.

For children are voices of salvation to a man, though he is dead; like corks, they buoy up the net, saving the flaxen cord from out of the deep. Hear! For your own sake we make this lament. By honoring this plea of ours you save yourself.