Stasimon 2
[Episode]
That would be a grave omen.
Orestes
Yes, silence is clearly better.
Pylades
And you will gain time.
Orestes
There is only one obstacle in my way.
790
Pylades
What fresh objection now?
790
Orestes
I am afraid the goddesses will prevent me by madness.
Pylades
But I will take care of you.
Orestes
It is annoying to have to touch a sick man.
Pylades
Not to me, when it is you.
Orestes
Beware of becoming a partner in my madness.
Orestes
You will not hesitate?
Pylades
No, for hesitation is a grave mischief among friends.
Orestes
On then, pilot of my course!
795
Pylades
A service I am glad to render.
795
Orestes
And guide me to my father’s tomb.
Pylades
For what purpose?
Orestes
That I may appeal to him to save me.
Pylades
Yes, that is the proper way.
Orestes
May I not see my mother’s grave!
Pylades
No; she was an enemy. But hasten, so that the vote of Argos may not catch you first,
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
