Classic Greek Drama_ 10 Plays by Euripides in a Single File [NOOK Book] - Euripides [36]
ELEC. Oh thou most dear! oh thou that hast the desirable and most sweet name, and one soul with thy sister!
ORES. Thou wilt melt me; and still I wish to answer thee in the endearment of encircling arms, for why am I any longer ashamed? O bosom of my sister, O dear object of my caresses, these embraces are allowed to us miserable beings instead of children and the bridal bed.
ELEC. Alas! How can the same sword (if this request be lawful) kill us, and one tomb wrought of cedar receive us?
ORES. This would be most sweet; but thou seest how destitute we are, in respect to being able to share our sepulture.
ELEC. Did not Menelaus speak in behalf of thee, taking a decided part against thy death, the base man, the deserter of my father? [Note [G].]
ORES. He showed it not even in his countenance, but keeping his hopes on the sceptre, he was cautious how he saved his friends. But let be, he will die acting in a manner nobly, and most worthily of Agamemnon. And I indeed will show my high descent to the city, striking home to my heart with the sword; but thee, on the other hand, it behooveth to act in concert with my bold attempts. But do thou, Pylades, be the umpire of our death, and well compose the bodies of us when dead, and bury us together, bearing us to our father's tomb. And farewell--but I am going to the deed, as thou seest.
PYL. Hold. This one thing indeed first I bring in charge against thee--Dost thou think that I can wish to live when thou diest?[35]
ORES. For how does it concern thee to die with me?
PYL. Dost ask? But how does it to live without thy company?
ORES. Thou didst not slay my mother, as I did, a wretch.
PYL. With thee I did at least; I ought also to suffer these things in common with thee.
ORES. Take thyself back to thy father, do not die with me. For thou indeed hast a city (but I no longer have), and the mansion of thy father, and a great harbor of wealth. But thou art frustrated in thy marriage with this unhappy virgin, whom I betrothed to thee, revering thy friendship. Nevertheless do thou, contracting other nuptials, be a blest father, but the connection between me and thee no longer subsists, But thou, O darling name of my converse, farewell, be happy, for this is not allowed me, but it is to thee; for we, the dead, are deprived of happiness.
PYL. Surely thou art wide astray from my purposes. Nor may the fruitful plain receive my blood, nor the bright air, if ever I betraying thee, having freed myself, forsake thee; for I committed the slaughter with thee (I will not deny it), and I planned all things, for which now thou sufferest vengeance. Die then I must with thee and her together, for her, whose marriage I have courted, I consider as my wife; for what good excuse ever shall I give, going to the Delphian land to the citadel of the Phocians, I, who was present with you, your friend, before indeed you were unfortunate, but now, when you are unfortunate, am no longer thy friend? It is not possible--but these things are my care also. But since we are about to die, let us come to a common conference, how Menelaus may be involved in our calamity.
ORES. O thou dearest man: for would I see this and die.
PYL. Be persuaded then, but defer the slaughtering sword.
ORES. I will defer, if any how I can avenge myself on my enemy.
PYL. Be silent then, for I have but small confidence in women.
ORES. Do not at all fear these, for they are friends that are present.
PYL. Let us kill Helen, which will cause great grief to Menelaus.
ORES. How? for the will is here, if it can be done with glory.
PYL. Stabbing her; but she is lurking in thy house.
ORES. Yes indeed, and is putting her seal on all my effects.
PYL. But she shall seal no more, having Pluto for her bridegroom.
ORES. And how can this be? for she has a train of barbarian attendants.
PYL. Whom? for