Stasimon 2
[Episode]
But how did you dare that dreadful deed with our mother?
Orestes
Let us be silent on that; I was avenging my father.
925
Iphigenia
What reason did she have to kill her husband?
Orestes
Let our mother’s affairs be; nor is it good for you to hear.
Iphigenia
I am silent; does Argos now look to you?
Orestes
Menelaus rules there; I am an exile from my country
Iphigenia
Our uncle has surely not maltreated our afflicted house, has he?
930
Orestes
No, but fear of the Furies drives me out of the land.
Iphigenia
That was the madness that they reported there on the shore?
Orestes
That was not the first time that I was seen to be wretched.
Iphigenia
I know; the goddesses were driving you for the sake of your mother.
Orestes
So as to put a bloody bit in my mouth.
935
Iphigenia
Why have you made a journey to this land?
Orestes
I have come at the commands of Phoebus’ oracles.
Iphigenia
To do what? Can you speak of it, or must you be silent?
Orestes
I will tell you; this is the beginning of my many troubles.
When my mother’s evil deeds, that I cannot speak of, came into my hands, I was driven to flight by the Furies’ pursuit; then Loxias sent me to Athens, to stand trial with the goddesses who may not be named.
940
For there is a holy tribunal there, which Zeus once established for Ares, when his hands were stained with blood-pollution. I came there . . . at first, no host would willingly take me in, as one hated by the gods; then some who felt shame offered me a table apart, as a guest,
945
themselves being under the same roof, and in silence they kept me from speaking, so that I might be apart from them in food and drink, and into each private cup they poured an equal measure of wine and had their delight.
950
And I did not think it right to blame my hosts, but I grieved in silence and seemed not to know, while I sighed deeply, that I was the murderer of my mother. I hear that my misfortunes have become a festival at Athens, and they still hold this custom
955
