ELECTRA
To crown her murdered victim’s sepulchre.
Thinkst thou ’tis likely that her buried lord
Will take these honours kindly at her hands
Who slew him without pity like a foe,
Mangled[1] his corse, and for ablution washed
The bloodstains on his head? Say, is it like
These gifts will purge her of blood-guiltiness?
It cannot be. Fling them away and cut
A tress of thine own locks; and for my share
Give him from me—a poor thing, but my best—
This unkempt lock, this girdle unadorned.
Then fall upon thy knees and pray that he
May come, our gracious champion from the dead,
And that the young Orestes yet may live
To trample underfoot his vanquished foes.
So may we some day crown our father’s tomb
With costlier gifts than these poor offerings.
I can but think, ’tis but a thought, that he
Had part in sending her this ominous dream.
Still, sister, do this service and so aid
Thyself and me, and him the most beloved
Of all men, e’en though dead, thy sire and mine.
Chorus
’Tis piously advised, and thou, my daughter,
Wilt do her bidding, if thou art discreet.
Chrysothemis
I will. When duty calls, ’twere lack of sense
For two to wrangle; both should join to act.
- ↑ The full meaning is “to cut off the hands and feet and suspend them to the armpits.” This was done to prevent the victim from taking vengeance.
