Stasimon 2
[Episode]
Who else? Some of the friends of Aegisthus, I suppose?
435
Orestes
They insult me, and the city listens to them now.
Menelaus
Will the city allow you to keep the scepter of Agamemnon?
Orestes
How, seeing that they will not allow me to remain alive?
Menelaus
What is their method? Can you tell me plainly?
Orestes
A vote will be taken against us today.
440
Menelaus
To leave the city? Or to die, or not to die?
Orestes
Death by stoning at the hands of the citizens.
Menelaus
Then why not cross the border and try to escape?
Orestes
Because we are encircled by men fully armed.
Menelaus
Private foes or Argive troops?
445
Orestes
All the citizens, so that I may die; it is shortly told.
Menelaus
Poor wretch! you have arrived at the extremity of woe.
Orestes
In you I have hopes of escape from my troubles. But since you have come with good fortune,
share with your friends, who are wretched, your prosperity; do not hold aside that goodness for yourself alone; but partake of troubles in your turn, and so pay back my father’s kindness to those who have a claim on you. For such friends as desert us in adversity
450
are friends in name but not in deed.
455
Chorus Leader
And here is Tyndareus, the Spartan, struggling with aged step, clad in black robes, with his hair cut short in mourning for his daughter.
Orestes
Menelaus, I am ruined. See, Tyndareus
approaches us, the man of all others I most shrink from facing, because of the deed I have done. For he nursed me when I was small, and lavished on me many a fond caress, carrying me about in his arms as the son of Agamemnon; and so did Leda;
460
for they both honored me no less than the Dioscuri.
465
Ah me! my wretched heart and soul, it was a sorry return I made them! What darkness can I find for my face? What cloud can I spread before me in my efforts to escape the old man’s eye?
Tyndareus
Where, where may I see Menelaus, my daughter’s husband? For as I was pouring libations on Clytemnestra’s grave I heard that he had come to Nauplia with his wife, safe home again after many years. Lead me to him; for I want to approach him
470
and clasp his hand, as a friend whom at last I see again.
475
Menelaus
Hail, old man, rival of Zeus for a bride!
Tyndareus
All hail to you, Menelaus, my kinsman!
Catching sight of Orestes. Ah! What an evil it is to be ignorant of the future! There is that matricide before the house, a viper darting venomous flashes from his eyes, whom I loathe.
Menelaus, are you speaking to that godless wretch?
480
Menelaus
And why not? He is the son of one whom I loved.
Tyndareus
This is his son, this creature here?
Menelaus
Yes, his son; if he is in misfortune, he ought to be honored.
