Electra

Euripides

Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891.

  1. You are calling out to me my death; why do I delay?
Leader
  1. Hold back, to learn your fortune clearly.
Electra
  1. No, no; we are vanquished; where are the messengers?
Leader
  1. They will come; it is no trivial matter to kill a king.
Messenger
  1. O victorious maidens of Mycenae, I report to all his friends that Orestes has conquered, and Aegisthus, the murderer of Agamemnon, lies on the ground; but we must offer prayers to the gods.
Electra
  1. Who are you? How trustworthy is your announcement?
Messenger
  1. Don’t you know your brother’s servant when you look at me?
Electra
  1. O best of friends! I could not recognize your face out of fear; but now I know you well. What are you saying? Is my father’s hated murderer dead?
Messenger
  1. He is dead; I am telling you twice what you certainly want to hear.