Stasimon 5
[Choral 1]
Behold how Ares stalks onward,
Chorus
breathing bloody vengeance that is hard to oppose. Just now have the hunters of wicked crimes passed beneath that roof there, the hounds which none may flee. And so not long shall
1385
the vision of my soul hang in suspense.
1390
The champion of the spirits infernal is ushered on guileful feet into the house, the rich, ancestral palace of his father, and he bears keen-edged death in his hands.
Maia’s son Hermes, who has shrouded
the guile in darkness, leads him right to his goal and delays no longer.
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[Choral 2]
My dearest friends, in a moment the men will do the deed. But wait in silence.
Chorus
How do they fare? What are they doing now?
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Electra
She is decking the urn for burial; the two of them stand close to her.
Chorus
And why have you hurried out?
Electra
To guard against Aegisthus entering before we are aware.
Clytaemnestra
Oh! Oh! Our house
is empty of friends and filled with murderers!
1405
Electra
Someone shouts inside. Do you not hear, friends?
Chorus
I heard, ah, me, sounds unfit to be heard, and I shudder!
Clytaemnestra
Ah, misery! Aegisthus, where, where are you?
Electra
Look, once more someone cries out!
Clytaemnestra
My son, my son, have pity on your mother!
1410
Electra
Why? You had none for him, nor for the father that begot him.
Chorus
Wretched city, wretched race, now the fate that has held you day by day perishes—it perishes!
Clytaemnestra
Oh, I am wounded!
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