Epeisodion 5
CHOROS 5.
For we waste time; while they, — this waiting’s glory
Treading to ground, — allow the hand no slumber.
CHOROS 6.
I know not — chancing on some plan — to tell it:
’T is for the doer to plan of the deed also.
CHOROS 7.
And I am such another: since I’m schemeless
1360
How to raise up again by words — a dead man!
CHOROS 8.
What, and, protracting life, shall we give way thus
To the disgracers of our home, these rulers?
CHOROS 9.
Why, ’t is unbearable: but to die is better:
For death than tyranny is the riper finish!
1365
CHOROS 10.
What, by the testifying Ah me of him,
Shall we prognosticate the man as perished?
CHOROS 11.
We must quite know ere speak these things concerning:
For to conjecture and quite know are two things.
CHOROS 12.
This same to praise I from all sides abound in —
1370
Clearly to know — Atreides, what he’s doing!
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
Much having been before to purpose spoken,
The opposite to say I shall not shamed be:
For how should one, to enemies, — in semblance,
Friends, — enmity proposing, — sorrow’s net-frame
1375
Enclose, a height superior to outleaping?
To me, indeed, this struggle of old — not mindless
Of an old victory — came: with time, I grant you!
I stand where I have struck, things once accomplished:
And so have done, — and this deny I shall not, —
1380
As that his fate was nor to fly nor ward off.
A wrap-round with no outlet, as for fishes,
I fence about him — the rich woe of the garment:
I strike him twice, and in a double Ah-me!
He let his limbs go — there! And to him, fallen,
1385
