By her I pray thee! . . . (aside) woe for mine affliction!
To what pass am I come! Why grovel thus?[1]
Yet,—'tis for our whole house I make appeal! . . .
O brother of my father, deem that he
Hears this, who lies 'neath earth, that over thee675
His spirit hovers: what I say he saith.
This, urged with tears, moans, pleas of misery,
Have I said, and have claimed my life of thee,
Seeking what all men seek, not I alone.
Chorus.
I too beseech thee, woman though I am,680
To succour those in need: thou hast the power.
Menelaus.
Orestes, verily I reverence thee,
And fain would help thee bear thy load of ills.
Yea, duty bids that, where God gives the power,
Kinsmen should one another's burdens bear,685
Even unto death, or slaying of their foes.
But the power—would the Gods might give it me!
I come, a single spear, with none ally,
Long wandering with travail manifold,
With feeble help of friends yet left to me.690
In battle could we never overcome
Pelasgian Argos. If we might prevail
By soft words, this is our hope's utmost bound.
For with faint means how should a man achieve
Great things?—'twere witless even to wish for this.695
For, in the first rush of a people's rage,
'Twere even as one would quench a ravening fire.
