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.
- Was this the reason of the cry within?
- Yes, a suppliant cried out as he fell at Helen’s knees—
- Who is he? I know nothing more, if you do not tell me.
- Unhappy Orestes, entreating mercy for himself and me.
- The house then has good reason to shout.
- What else would make someone entreat more earnestly? But come and throw yourself before your mother in her prosperity, join your friends’ supplication that Menelaus may not see us die.
- O you that were nursed in my mother’s arms, have pity on us and relieve our pain. Come here to the struggle, and I myself will be your guide; for you alone have power over our safety.
- See, I am hastening to the house;
- as far it as rests with me, regard yourselves as safe. Exit Hermione .
- Now, friends in the house with swords, seize the prey!
- Oh no! Who are these I see?
- (within.)Silence! You are here for our safety, not yours.
- Hold her, hold her! Point a sword at her throat,
- then wait in silence, that Menelaus may learn that he has found men, not Phrygian cowards, and he has been treated as cowards deserve.
- Oh, oh, friends! raise a din, a din and shouting before the house, that the murder when done
- may not inspire the Argives with wild alarm, to make them bring aid to the palace, before I see for certain that Helen’s corpse lies bloody in the house, or hear the news from one of her attendants;
- for I know a part of the tragedy, of the rest I am not sure. In justice, retribution from the gods has come to Helen; for she filled all Hellas with tears, through that accursed, accursed Paris of Ida,
- who drew Hellas to Troy.
- But the bolts of the palace-doors rattle; be silent; for one of the Phrygians is coming out, from whom we will inquire of the state of matters within.
- (expressing the most abject terror.) I have escaped from death by Argive sword,