Epeisodion 1
Orestes
I pity your brother. Is your husband a Mycenaean?
Electra
Not one to whom my father ever hoped to give me.
Orestes
Tell me so that I may hear and inform your brother.
250
Electra
I live in his house, at a distance from the city.
Orestes
A ditch-digger or a herdsman is worthy of the house.
Electra
He is a man poor but noble, and respectful to me.
Orestes
What is this respect that your husband has?
Electra
He has never dared to touch me in bed.
255
Orestes
Does he hold some form of religious chastity, or does he think you unworthy?
Electra
He did not think himself worthy to insult my family.
Orestes
And how was he not delighted to make such a marriage?
Electra
He thinks the person who gave me did not have that right, stranger.
Orestes
I understand; he fears that he may someday be punished by Orestes.
260
Electra
He does fear that, but he is also a virtuous man.
Orestes
Ah! You have described a noble man, and he must be treated well.
Electra
Yes, if ever the one now absent comes home.
Orestes
But did your mother, who gave you birth, endure this?
Electra
Women love their husbands, stranger, not their children.
265
Orestes
Why did Aegisthus insult you in this way?
Electra
He planned for me to bear powerless children, when he gave me to such a man.
Orestes
So that you might not bear sons to punish him, of course?
Electra
That was his plan; may he make amends to me for it!
Orestes
Does your mother’s husband know that you are a virgin?
270
Electra
He does not know; we steal that from him by our silence.
Orestes
Are these women who hear our talk friends of yours ?
Electra
They will keep both your words and mine well hidden.
Orestes
What then could Orestes do in this matter if he comes to Argos?
Electra
Do you ask this? You have said a shameful word; isn’t it the critical time now?
275
Orestes
But if he does come, how might he kill his father’s murderers?
Electra
By daring such things as his enemies dared against my father.
