Epeisodion 4
Electra
What has troubled you? Why did you say that?
Orestes
Is this the illustrious form of Electra?
Electra
It is, though in a very wretched state.
Orestes
What pity, then, for this miserable fortune!
Electra
Surely, stranger, you are not saddened like this on my account?
1180
Orestes
O frame dishonorably, godlessly wasted!
Electra
Those ills of which you speak, stranger, are none other’s than mine.
Orestes
Ah, pity for your unwed, ill-fated life!
Electra
Why, stranger, do you stare and grieve in this way?
Orestes
How I knew nothing, it seems, of my own sorrows!
1185
Electra
What that has been said made you realize this?
Orestes
It was the sight of you conspicuous in your many sufferings.
Electra
And yet you see but a few of my troubles.
Orestes
And how could there be any more odious to look on than these?
Electra
Because I share house and table with the murderers.
1190
Orestes
Whose murderers? Where lies the guilt at which you point?
Electra
The murderers of my father. And, further, I am forced to slave for them.
Orestes
Who is it that binds you with this compulsion?
Electra
She is called my mother, but in no respect is she like a mother.
Orestes
How does she do it? By violence or by inflicting hardship?
1195
Electra
By violence and hardships and all manner of evil.
Orestes
And is there no one to help, or to prevent it?
Electra
No one. The one I had, his ashes you have put before me.
Orestes
Unfortunate girl, how seeing you stirs my pity!
Electra
Then know that you are the first who ever pitied me.
1200
Orestes
Yes, for I alone have come and been pained by your troubles .
Electra
Surely you are not some unknown kinsman?
Orestes
I would tell you, if these women bear you goodwill.
Electra
Indeed they do, so you will speak to trustworthy companions.
Orestes
Give up this urn, then, and you shall know everything.
1205
