Epeisodion 2
Old man
Where, where is my young queen and mistress, Agamemnon’s child, whom I once brought up? How steep is the approach to her house,
for a wrinkled old man to ascend with this foot! Still, for these friends, I must drag along my back bent double and sinking knees. Oh, daughter—for I see you now before the house—I have come, bringing you from my own sheep
490
this newborn nursling of the flock, having drawn it away from its mother, and garlands, and cheeses I have taken from the press, and this old treasure of Dionysus, furnished with fragrance, small, but sweet to pour a cup of it into a weaker drink.
495
Let some one carry these gifts into the house for the guests. I have moistened my eyes with tears, and wish to wipe them off on this shred of my robe.
500
Electra
Why are your eyes wet, old man? Have my troubles stirred your memory, after an interval of time?
Or are you groaning over the sad exile of Orestes, and over my father, whom you once held in your arms and brought up, in vain for you and for your friends?
505
Old man
In vain; but still I could not endure this: for I came to his grave, an addition to my journey,
and falling on it I wept for its desolation; then I opened the wine-skin which I am bringing to the guests, and poured a libation, and set myrtle-sprigs round the tomb. On the alter itself I saw a black-fleeced ram as an offering, and there was blood, not long poured out,
510
and severed locks of yellow hair. And I wondered, child, who ever dared come to the the tomb; for it was no Argive at least. But perhaps your brother has somehow come secretly and on his return has done honor to his father’s wretched grave.
515
Go look to see if the color of the cut lock is the same as yours, putting it to your own hair; it is usual for those who have the same paternal blood to have a close bodily resemblance in most points.
520
Electra
Old man, your words are unworthy of a wise man,
if you think my own brave brother would come to this land secretly for fear of Aegisthus. Then, how will a lock of hair correspond, the one made to grow in the wrestling schools of a well-bred man, the other, a woman’s lock, by combing? No, it is impossible.
525
But you could find in many people hair very similar, although they are not of the same blood, old man.
530
Old man
Then stand in the footprint and see if the tread of the boot will measure with your own foot, child.
Electra
How could there be an imprint of feet on a stony plot of ground?
And if there is, the foot of brother and sister would not be the same in size, for the male conquers.
535
Old man
There is not, even if your brother, coming to this land . . . by which you might know your loom’s weaving,
in which I once stole him away from death?
540
Electra
Don’t you know that I was still young when Orestes was driven out of the land? And even if I had woven him a robe, how could he, a child then, have the same one now, unless his clothes grew together with his body?
But either a stranger, taking pity on his grave. . .
545
Old man
Where are the guests? I want to see them and question them about your brother.
Electra
There they are, coming quickly out of the house.
Old man
They are well-born, but that may ring false; for many of the well-born are base. However; I give the guests welcome.
550
Orestes
Welcome, old man! To which of your friends, Electra, does this ancient remnant of a man belong?
Electra
This is the one who brought up my father, stranger.
555
Orestes
What are you saying? Is this the one who stole away your brother?
Electra
This is the one who saved him, if indeed he is still alive.
Orestes
Oh! Why does he look at me, as if he were examining the clear mark impressed on a silver coin? Is he comparing me to someone?
Electra
Perhaps he is glad to see in you a companion of Orestes.
560
Orestes
A beloved man, yes. But why is he circling all around me?
Electra
I too am amazed, looking at this, stranger.
Old man
O mistress, daughter Electra, pray to the gods.
Electra
For what thing, present or absent?
Old man
To have a beloved treasure, which the god is revealing.
565
Electra
See: I call on the gods. Or whatever do you mean, old man?
Old man
Look now at this man, my child, your dearest one.
Electra
I have been looking for a long time, to see whether you have lost your mind.
Old man
Lost my mind, because I see your brother?
Electra
What do you mean, old man, by this word, unhoped for?
570
Old man
That I see Orestes here, Agamemnon’s son.
Electra
What mark do you see, by which I shall be persuaded?
Old man
A scar along his brow, where he fell and drew blood one day in his father’s home when chasing a fawn with you.
Electra
What are you saying? I see the sign of the fall.
575
Old man
Then do you hesitate to embrace your dearest one?
Electra
Not any longer, old man; for my heart is persuaded by your tokens. O you who have appeared at last, I hold you, beyond all hope.
Orestes
And you are held by me at last.
Electra
I never expected it.
580
Orestes
Nor did I hope.
580
Electra
Are you that one?
Orestes
Yes, your one ally. If I draw back the cast of the net I am aiming for—but I have confidence; or else we must no longer believe in gods, if wrong is to be victorious over right.