Stasimon 2
[Episode]
Then, going to meet my mother, give her my message.
Old man
So that the very words will seem to have been said by you.
Electra
Your work begins at once; you have drawn the first lot in the slaughter.
Orestes
I would go, if some one would show me the way.
Old man
Yes, I can escort you myself, not against my will.
670
Orestes
O Zeus, god of my fathers, be also the vanquisher of my enemies—
Electra
And have pity on us; for we have suffered pitiably—
Old man
Yes, indeed, have pity on your own descendants.
Electra
And Hera, you who rule Mycenae’s altars—
Orestes
Give us victory, if we are asking for what is right.
675
Old man
Yes, indeed, give them the right of vengeance for their father.
Orestes
You too, father, living below the earth through an unholy deed—
Electra
And Lady Earth, to whom I give my hands—
Old man
Defend, defend these, your dearest children.
Orestes
Now come and bring with you all the dead as allies.
680
Electra
Those who destroyed the Trojans in war with you—
Old man
And all who hate the unholy and polluted.
Electra
Do you hear me, you who suffered dreadful things from my mother?
Old man
Your father hears everything, I know; but it is time to be on our way.
Electra
And I tell you therefore that Aegisthus is to die; if you fall dead in the struggle, I am also dead, do not count me as alive; for I will strike my heart with a two-edged sword. I will go indoors and make things ready there.
685
So that if a good report comes from you, the whole house will cry aloud in triumph; but, if you die, it will be the opposite of that. These are my words to you.
690
Electra
Therefore you must be a man. Exeunt Orestes, Pylades, and Old Man. And you, women, please take care to give
a shout in signal of this contest. I will keep a sword ready, holding it in my hand, for I will not ever, if defeated, submit to my enemies the right to insult my body.
Exit Electra.
695
[Choral 1]
The story remains in old legends
Chorus
that Pan, the keeper of wild beasts, breathing sweet-voiced music on his well-joined pipes, once brought from its tender mother on Argive hills
700
a lamb with beautiful golden fleece. A herald stood on the stone platform and cried aloud, To assembly, Mycenaeans, go to assembly
705
to see the omens given to our blessed rulers. . . . and they honored the house of Atreus.
710
The altars of beaten gold were set out; and through the town the
altar fires of the Argives blazed; the flute, handmaid of the Muse’s song, sounded its note sweetly, and lovely songs of the golden lamb swelled forth, saying that Thyestes had the luck; for he
715
