Orestes
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.
- Oh! spare me that death! Enough that this unhappy wretch is already slain by Argives; let our present sufferings be.
- Alas for your unhappy youth, Orestes, and for your fated
- untimely death! When you should have lived, you are going to die.
- By the gods, do not unman me, bringing me to tears by the recollection of my sorrows.
- We are about to die; it is not possible for me not to grieve over our troubles; it is a piteous thing for all men to lose life, that is so sweet.
- This is the day appointed for us; we must fit the dangling noose about our necks or whet the sword for use.
- You be the one to kill me, brother, so that no Argive may insult Agamemnon’s son by my death.
- Enough that I have a mother’s blood upon me; I will not kill you,
- but die by your own hand, however you wish.
- Agreed; I will not be behind you in using the sword; only I long to throw my arms about your neck.
- Enjoy that empty satisfaction, if embraces have any joy for those who have come so near to death.
- My dearest, you who have a name that sounds most loved and sweet to your sister, partner in one soul with her!
- Oh, you will melt my heart! I want to give you back a fond embrace. And why should such a wretch as I still feel any shame? Embracing Electra Heart to heart, my sister! how sweet to me this close embrace!
- In place of children and the marriage bed this greeting is all that is possible to us poor sufferers.
- Ah! If only the same sword, if it is right, could kill us both, and one coffin of cedar-wood receive us!
- That would be very sweet; but surely you see
- we are too destitute of friends to be allowed one tomb between us.
- Did that coward Menelaus, that traitor to my father, not even speak for you, or make an effort to save your life?
- He did not even show himself, but, with his hopes centered on the throne, he was careful not to attempt the rescue of his friends.
- But let us see how we may die a noble death, one most worthy of Agamemnon. I, for my part, will let the city see my noble spirit when I plunge the sword to my heart, and you in turn must imitate my daring.