Stasimon 5
[Episode]
O you that were nursed in my mother’s arms, have pity on us and relieve our pain. Come here to the struggle, and I myself will be your guide; for you alone have power over our safety.
1340
Hermione
See, I am hastening to the house;
as far it as rests with me, regard yourselves as safe.
Exit Hermione .
1345
Electra
Now, friends in the house with swords, seize the prey!
1345
Hermione
Oh no! Who are these I see?
Orestes
(within.) Silence! You are here for our safety, not yours.
Electra
Hold her, hold her! Point a sword at her throat,
then wait in silence, that Menelaus may learn that he has found men, not Phrygian cowards, and he has been treated as cowards deserve.
1350
[Choral 1]
Oh, oh, friends! raise a din, a din and shouting before the house, that the murder when done
Chorus
may not inspire the Argives with wild alarm, to make them bring aid to the palace, before I see for certain that Helen’s corpse lies bloody in the house, or hear the news from one of her attendants;
1355
for I know a part of the tragedy, of the rest I am not sure. In justice, retribution from the gods has come to Helen; for she filled all Hellas with tears, through that accursed, accursed Paris of Ida,
1360
who drew Hellas to Troy.
1365
