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.
- I know her, Hermione, whom my mother reared.
- She has gone to Clytemnestra’s tomb.
- To do what? What hope are you hinting at?
- She was going to pour a libation over the tomb of our mother.
- Well, how does what you have said lead to our safety?
- Seize her as a hostage on her way back.
- What good can your suggested remedy do us three friends?
- If, after Helen’s slaughter, Menelaus tries to do anything to you or to Pylades and me—for this bond of friendship is wholly one—say that you will kill Hermione; you must draw your sword and hold it to the maiden’s throat.
- If Menelaus, when he sees Helen fallen in her blood, tries to save you to insure the girl’s life, allow him to take his daughter to his arms; but if he makes no effort to curb the angry outburst and leaves you to die, then cut the maiden’s throat.
- And I think if he puts in a mighty appearance at first, he will calm down in time; for he is not bold or brave by nature. That is my line of defense for our safety. My speech is over.
- O you that have the spirit of a man,
- though your body shows you to be a woman, how far more worthy you are to live than to die! Pylades, you will lose such a woman to your sorrow, or if you live, you will have a blessed marriage.
- Then may it be so, and may she come to the city of Phocis
- with all the honors of a happy wedding.
- How soon will Hermione return to the palace? All the rest was very well said, if we succeed in catching this impious father’s cub.
- Well, I expect she is near the house already,
- for the length of time agrees exactly.
- Good; you, Electra, my sister, stay before the palace and await the maiden’s approach; keep watch in case any one, whether an ally or my father’s brother, forestalls us by his entry before the murder is complete;
- and then make a signal to the house, either by beating on a panel of the door or calling to us within.
- Let us enter now and arm ourselves with swords for the final struggle, Pylades, for you share the labor with me.