Stasimon 2
[Episode]
No; she was an enemy. But hasten, so that the vote of Argos may not catch you first,
Pylades
supporting those limbs, slow from sickness, on mine; for I will carry you through the town, thinking little of the mob and unashamed. For how shall I prove my friendship, if not by helping you in sore distress?
800
Orestes
Ah! the old saying again, get friends, not relations only.
For a man who fuses into your ways, though he is an outsider, is better for a man to possess as a friend than a whole host of relations.
Exeunt Orestes and Pylades.
805
[Choral 1]
The great prosperity and the prowess, proudly boasted throughout Hellas and by the streams of Simois,
Chorus
went back again from good fortune for the Atreidae long ago, from an old misfortune to their house, when strife came to the sons of Tantalus over a golden ram, to end in most pitiable banqueting and
810
the slaughter of high-born children; and this is why murder exchanges for murder, through blood, and does not leave the two Atreidae.
815
What seemed good was not good,
to cut a mother’s flesh with ruthless hand and show the sword stained black with blood to the sun’s bright beams; to commit a noble crime is an impious, subtle, malignant madness!
820
The wretched daughter of Tyndareus in terror of death screamed to him: My son, this is unholy, your bold attempt upon your mother’s life; do not, while honoring your father,
825
fasten on yourself an eternity of shame.
830
[Choral]
What affliction on earth surpasses this? What calls for keener grief or pity, than to shed with your hand a mother’s blood? Oh! what a dreadful crime he committed,
Chorus
and now is raving mad, a prey to the Furies, whirling blood with racing eyes, the son of Agamemnon! O the wretch! when
835
he saw a mother’s bosom over her robe of golden weave, and yet he made her his victim, in recompense for his father’s sufferings.
840
