O Earth, and Zeus who sees all mortal acts, look at these loathsome bloody deeds, these two bodieslying on the earth at the blow from my hand, atonement for my suffering . . .ElectraToo many tears, my brother, and I am the cause. Unhappy, that I came to fiery rage against this woman, who was my mother!ChorusAlas for your fate; you gave birth to unbearable pain, and you suffered it, miserably and beyond, from your children. Yet you have rightly paid for their father’s murder.

OrestesAh, Phoebus! you proclaimed in song unclear justice, but you have brought about clear woes, and granted me a bloody destiny far from the land of Hellas. To what other city can I go?What host, what pious man will look at me, who killed my mother?ElectraAh me! Where can I go, to what dance, to what marriage? What husband will receive meinto the bridal bed?ChorusAgain, again your thought changes with the breeze; for now you think piously, though you did not before, and you did dreadful things,