Stasimon 6
[Episode]
You are spared.
1525
Phrygian
How well you said that!
1525
Orestes
Now it’s time to change my plans.
Phrygian
You didn’t say that well!
Orestes
You fool! Do you think I could endure to make your throat bloody? You weren’t born a woman, nor do you belong among men. The reason I left the palace was to stop your shouting;
for Argos is quickly roused, once it hears a cry to the rescue. As for Menelaus, I am not afraid of measuring swords with him; let him come, proud of the golden ringlets on his shoulders; for if, to avenge the slaying of Helen, he gathers the Argives and leads them against the palace, refusing to attempt the rescue of me,
1530
my sister, and Pylades, my fellow conspirator, he will have two corpses to behold, his daughter’s as well as his wife’s.
Exeunt Orestes and The Phrygian Slave.
1535
[Choral 1]
Ah, fortune! Again and yet again the house comes to a fearful contest, for the race of Atreus.
Chorus
What are we to do? Carry tidings to the town?
Or hold our peace? It is safer, friends.
1540
Look, look at that sudden rush of smoke to the sky in front of the palace, telling its tale!
They are kindling torches to fire the halls of Tantalus; nor do they hold back from murder.
A god determines the end where he wishes, for mortals.
1545
Great is the power; by avenging fiends, this house has fallen, fallen, through blood, by reason of the hurling Myrtilus from the chariot.
