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come to avenge the murder of our sire。 But now that he is no more； I
look next to thee； not to flinch from aiding me thy sister to slay our
father's murderer； Aegisthus：… I must have no secret from thee more。
How long art thou to wait inactive？ What hope is left standing； to
which thine eyes can turn？ Thou hast to complain that thou art
robbed of thy father's heritage； thou hast to mourn that thus far
thy life is fading without nuptial song or wedded love。 Nay； and do
not hope that such joys will ever be thine； Aegisthus is not so
ill…advised as ever to permit that children should spring from thee or
me for his own sure destruction。 But if thou wilt follow my
counsels； first thou wilt win praise of piety from our dead sire
below； and from our brother too； next； thou shalt be called free
henceforth； as thou wert born； and shalt find worthy bridals； for
noble natures draw the gaze of all。
Then seest thou not what fair fame thou wilt win for thyself and
for me； by hearkening to my word？ What citizen or stranger； when he
sees us； will not greet us with praises such as these？… 'Behold
these two sisters； my friends； who saved their father's house； who；
when their foes were firmly planted of yore； took their lives in their
hands and stood forth as avengers of blood！ Worthy of love are these
twain； worthy of reverence from all； at festivals； and wherever the
folk are assembled； let these be honoured of all men for their
prowess。' Thus will every one speak of us； so that in life and in
death our glory shall not fail。
Come； dear sister； hearken！ Work with thy sire； share the burden
of thy brother； win rest from woes for me and for thyself；… mindful of
this； that an ignoble life brings shame upon the noble。
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
In such case as this； forethought is helpful for those who speak
and those who hear。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Yea； and before she spake； my friends； were she blest with a sound
mind； she would have remembered caution； as she doth not remember it。
Now whither canst thou have turned thine eyes； that thou art
arming thyself with such rashness； and calling me to aid thee？ Seest
thou not； thou art a woman； not a man； and no match for thine
adversaries in strength？ And their fortune prospers day by day；
while ours is ebbing and coming to nought。 Who； then； plotting to
vanquish a foe so strong； shall escape without suffering deadly
scathe？ See that we change not our evil plight to worse； if any one
hears these words。 It brings us no relief or benefit； if； after
winning fair fame； we die an ignominious death； for mere death is
not the bitterest； but rather when one who wants to die cannot
obtain even that boon。
Nay； I beseech thee； before we are utterly destroyed； and leave
our house desolate； restrain thy rage！ I will take care that thy words
remain secret and harmless； and learn thou the prudence； at last
though late； of yielding； when so helpless； to thy rulers。
LEADER
Hearken； there is no better gain for mortals to win than foresight
and a prudent mind。
ELECTRA
Thou hast said nothing unlooked…for； I well knew that thou wouldst
reject what I proffered。 Well！ I must do this deed with mine own hand；
and alone； for assuredly I will not leave it void。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Alas！ Would thou hadst been so purposed on the day of our father's
death！ What mightst thou not have wrought？
ELECTRA
My nature was the same then； but my mind less ripe。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Strive to keep such a mind through all thy life。
ELECTRA
These counsels mean that thou wilt not share my deed。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
No； for the venture is likely to bring disaster。
ELECTRA
I admire thy prudence； thy cowardice I hate。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
I will listen not less calmly when thou praise me。
ELECTRA
Never fear to suffer that from me。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Time enough in the future to decide that。
ELECTRA
Begone； there is no power to help in thee。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Not so； but in thee； no mind to learn。
ELECTRA
Go； declare all this to thy mother！
CHRYSOTHEMIS
But； again； I do not hate thee with such a hate。
ELECTRA
Yet know at least to what dishonour thou bringest me。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Dishonour； no！ I am only thinking of thy good。
ELECTRA
Am I bound； then； to follow thy rule of right？
CHRYSOTHEMIS
When thou art wise； then thou shalt be our guide。
ELECTRA
Sad； that one who speaks so well should speak amiss！
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Thou hast well described the fault to which thou cleavest。
ELECTRA
How？ Dost thou not think that I speak with justice？
CHRYSOTHEMIS
But sometimes justice itself is fraught with harm。
ELECTRA
I care not to live by such a law。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Well； if thou must do this； thou wilt praise me yet。
ELECTRA
And do it I will； no whit dismayed by thee。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Is this so indeed？ Wilt thou not change thy counsels？
ELECTRA
No； for nothing is more hateful than bad counsel。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Thou seemest to agree with nothing that I urge。
ELECTRA
My resolve is not new； but long since fixed。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Then I will go； thou canst not be brought to approve my words； nor
to commend thy conduct。
ELECTRA
Nay； go within； never will I follow thee； however much thou
mayst desire it； it were great folly even to attempt an idle quest。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Nay； if thou art wise in thine own eyes； be such wisdom thine；
by and by； when thou standest in evil plight； thou wilt praise my
words。
（CHRYSOTHEMIS goes into the palace。）
CHORUS （singing）
strophe 1
When we see the birds of the air； with sure instinct； careful to
nourish those who give them life and nurture； why do not we pay
these debts in like measure？ Nay； by the lightning…flash of Zeus； by
Themis throned in heaven； it is not long till sin brings sorrow。
Voice that comest to the dead beneath the earth； send a piteous
cry； I pray thee； to the son of Atreus in that world； a joyless
message of dishonour；
antistrophe 1
tell him that the fortunes of his house are now distempered；
while； among his children； strife of sister with sister hath broken
the harmony of loving days。 Electra； forsaken； braves the storm alone；
she bewails alway； hapless one； her father's fate； like the
nightingale unwearied in lament； she recks not of death； but is
ready to leave the sunlight； could she but quell the two Furies of her
house。 Who shall match such noble child of noble sire？
strophe 2
No generous soul deigns； by a base life； to cloud a fair repute；
and leave a name inglorious； as thou； too； O my daughter；