But now to me, since the high Gods have sent
A doom of bondage round my city's walls,
(For from my father's home
They have brought on me fate of slavery,)
Deeds right and wrong alike
Have been as things 'twas meet I should accept, 70
Since this slave-life began,
Where deeds are done by violence and force,—
And I must needs suppress
*The bitter loathing of my inmost heart,
*And now beneath my cloak I weep and wail
*For all the frustrate fortunes of my lords,[406]
Chilled through with secret grief.
_Elect._ Ye handmaids, ye who deftly tend this house,
Since ye are here companions in my task
As suppliants, give me your advice in this,
What shall I say as these funereal gifts
I pour? How shall I speak acceptably? 80
How to my father pray? What? Shall I say
“I bring from loving wife to husband loved
Gifts”—from my mother? No, I am not bold
Enough for that, nor know I what to speak,
Pouring this chrism on my father's tomb,[407]
Or shall I say this prayer, as men are wont,
“Good recompense make thou to those who bring
These garlands,” yea, a gift full well deserved
By deeds of ill? Or dumb, with ignominy
Like that with which he perished, shall I pour
Libations on the earth, and like a man
That flings away the lustral filth, shall I
Throw down the urn and walk with eyes not turned?[408] 90
Be sharers in my counsels, O my friends;
A common hate we cherish in the house;
Hide nothing in your heart through fear of man.
Fate's doom firm-fixed awaits alike the free,
And those in bondage to another's hand.
Speak, if thou can'st a better counsel give. 100
_Chor._ [_laying their hands on Agamemnon's tomb._] Thy father's tomb
as altar honouring,
I, as thou bidd'st, will speak my heart-thoughts out!
_Elect._ Speak, then, as thou my father's tomb dost honour,
_Chor._ Say, as thou pour'st, good words for those that love,
_Elect._ Which of my friends shall I address as such!
_Chor._ First then thyself, and whoso hates Ægisthos.
_Elect._ Shall I for thee, as for myself, pray thus?
_Chor._ Now that thou'rt learning, judge of that thyself.
_Elect._ Whom shall I add then to this company?
_Chor._ Far though Orestes be, forget him not.
_Elect._ Right well is this: thou teachest admirably.
_Chor._ Then, for the blood-stained ones remembering say....
_Elect._ What then? Explain, and teach my ignorance.[409] 110
_Chor._ That there may come to them some God or man....
_Elect._ Shall I “as judge” or as “avenger” say?
_Chor._ Say it out plain! “to give them death for death.”...
_Elect._ May prayers like these consist with piety?
_Chor._ Why not,—a foe with evils to requite?
_Elect._ [_moving to the tomb, and pouring libations as she speaks._]
*O mightiest herald of the Gods on high
And those below, O Hermes of the dark,
Call thou the Powers beneath, and bid them hear
The prayers that look towards my father's house;
And Earth herself, who all things bringeth forth, 120
And rears them and again receives their fruit.
And I to human souls libations pouring,
Say, calling on my father, “Pity me;
How shall we bring our dear Orestes home?”
For now as sold to ill by her who bore us,
We poor ones wander. She as husband gained
Ægisthos, who was partner in thy death;
And I am as a slave, and from his wealth
Orestes now is banished, and they wax
Full haughty in the wealth thy toil had gained. 130
And that Orestes hither with good luck
May come, I pray. Hear thou that prayer, my father!
And to myself grant thou that I may be
Than that my mother wiser far of heart,
Holier in act. For us this prayer I pour;
And for our foes, my father, this I pray,
That Justice may as thine avenger come,
And that thy murderers perish. Thus I place
Midway in prayer for good that now I speak,
My prayer 'gainst them for evil. Be thou then
The escort[410] of these good things that I ask, 140
With help of Gods, and Earth, and conquering Justice.
With prayers like these my votive gifts I pour;
And as for you [_turning to the Chorus_] 'tis meet with cries to crown
The pæan ye utter, wailing for the dead.