Epeisodion 2
Clytaemnestra
so that neither by night nor by day could sweet sleep cover me, but the imminent moment made me live always as if I were about to die. Now, however, since today I am rid of terror of him and of this girl—that greater plague
780
who shared my home while consuming undiluted my life-blood—now, I think, for all her threats, I shall pass my days in peace.
785
Electra
Ah, what misery! Now, indeed, Orestes, I must mourn your misfortune, since even dead as you are
you are abused by this woman, your mother! Is it not just fine?
790
Clytaemnestra
You certainly are not, but he is fine as he is.
Electra
Listen to her, Nemesis of the recently departed!
Clytaemnestra
She has heard who should be heard, and has ordained well.
Electra
Abuse us! Fortune is with you today.
Clytaemnestra
You and Orestes will not stop me, then, will you?
795
Electra
It is we who are stopped; we cannot stop you.
Clytaemnestra
Your coming, sir, deserves large recompense, if you have stopped her clamorous tongue.
Paedagogus
Then I would take my leave, if all is well.
Clytaemnestra
Not so; your welcome would then be unworthy of me, and of my ally who sent you. No, come in. Leave her out here to shout out loud her misfortunes and those of her friends. Clytaemnestra and the Paedagogus enter the house.
800
Electra
What do you think? Does it seem to you that she, poor woman, wept and wailed terribly,
like a grieving, anguished woman, over her son thus destroyed? No, she left us with a laugh! Ah, miserable me! Dearest Orestes, how your death has destroyed me! For your passing has torn from my heart
805
the only hopes which still were mine: that you would live to return some day as the avenger of our father, and also of me in my misery. But now, where shall I turn? I am alone, cheated of you, as of my father. Hereafter I must be a slave again
810
among those I most hate, my father’s murderers. Am I not in a fine way? But at least in
the time remaining me I will never enter the house to dwell with them. No,
lying down at these gates, without a friend, I shall wither away my days.
815
Therefore, if anyone in the house be angry, let him kill me. It is a favor, if I die, but a pain, if I live. I desire life no more.
820
