Stasimon 4
[Episode]
O Zeus, O Zeus, what should I say? Where shall I begin this prayer of mine, this appeal to the gods? How in my loyal zeal can I succeed in finding words to match need? Now is the moment when the blood-stained edges of the blades that lay men low
855
Chorus
are utterly forever to destroy the house of Agamemnon. Or else, kindling a flaming light in the cause of freedom, Orestes will win both the rule over his realm and the rich possessions of his fathers.
860
Our gallant Orestes, with no one to assist him, is now to meet with two in such a contest. And may it be to triumph!
865
Aegisthus
within Oh! Oh! O woe!
Chorus
Ah! Ah! Alas! What is happening? What is being accomplished for our house? Let us stand apart while the matter is still unsettled so that we may be considered blameless in these ills. For the issue of the fighting has now been decided. The Chorus withdraws to the side of the scene; then a servant of Aegisthus rushes in
870
Servant
O woe, oh utter woe! My master is slain! O woe! I cry yet again, for the third time. Aegisthus is no more! Come, with all speed! Unbar and open the women’s door! And a strong arm indeed is needed, but not to help him who is already slain: what good is there in that?
875
Help! Help! Am I shouting to the deaf and fruitlessly wasting my voice on people who are asleep? Where has Clytaemestra gone? What is she doing? Her own neck, near the razor’s edge, is now ready to fall beneath the stroke.
880
Clytaemestra
What is this? What cry for help are you raising in our house?
885
Servant
I tell you the dead are killing the living.The Greek admits either meaning: the dead are killing the living man or the living man is killing the dead.
Clytaemestra
Ah! Indeed I grasp the meaning of the riddle. We are to perish by treachery, just as we committed murder. Someone give me a battle-axe, and quickly! Let us know if we are victors or vanquished:
for I have even come to this in this wretched business. Exit Servant. The door is opened and the corpse of Aegisthus is discovered. Nearby stands Orestes, and at a distance Pylades
890
Orestes
It is you I seek. He over there has had enough.
Clytaemestra
Oh no! My beloved, valiant Aegisthus! You are dead!
Orestes
You love this man? Then you will lie in the same grave,
and you will never abandon him in death.
895
Clytaemestra
Wait, my son! Have pity, child, upon this breast at which many times while you slept you sucked with toothless gums the milk that nourished you.
Orestes
Pylades, what shall I do? Shall I spare my mother out of pity?
Pylades
What then will become in the future of Loxias’ oracles declared at Pytho, and of our sworn pact? Count all men your enemies rather than the gods.
900
Orestes
I judge you victor: you advise me well. To Clytaemestra Come, this way! I mean to kill you by his very side. For while he lived, you thought him better than my father.
Sleep with him in death, since you love him but hate the man you were bound to love.
905
Clytaemestra
It was I who nourished you, and with you I would grow old.
Orestes
What! Murder my father and then make your home with me?
Clytaemestra
Fate, my child, must share the blame for this.
910
Orestes
And fate now brings this destiny to pass.
Clytaemestra
Have you no regard for a parent’s curse, my son?
Orestes
You brought me to birth and yet you cast me out to misery.
Clytaemestra
No, surely I did not cast you out in sending you to the house of an ally.
Orestes
I was sold in disgrace, though I was born of a free father.
915
Clytaemestra
Then where is the price I got for you?
Orestes
I am ashamed to reproach you with that outright.
