Orestes: Thou fool dost think I could endure to plunge my sword in
throat of thine, thou that neither art woman nor amongst men hast
any place? The reason I left the palace was to gag thy noisy tongue;
for Argos is quickly roused, once it hears a cry to the rescue. As
for Menelaus, we are not afraid of measuring swords with him; no!
he may go upon his way proud of the golden ringlets on his shoulders;
for if, to avenge the slaying of Helen, he gathers the Argives and
leads them against the palace, refusing to attempt the rescue of me,
my sister, and Pylades my fellow-conspirator, he shall have two corpses
to behold, his daughter's as well as his wife's. (The Phrygian departs
as Orestes re-enters the palace.)
Chorus: (singing) Ah! fortune, fortune! again and yet again the house
is entering on a fearful contest for the race of Atreus.
First Semi-Chorus: (chanting) What are we to do? carry tidings to
the town, or hold our peace?
Second Semi-Chorus: (chanting) It is safer to keep silence, friends.
Studies
