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THE BOOK WAS DRENCHED - OUDL Home

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524 Sophocles [ 814-841 ]<br />

Henceforth I must be a slave again among those whom most I hate, my<br />

father's murderers. Is it not well with me? But never, at least, henceforward,<br />

will I enter the house to dwell with them; nay, at these gates I will<br />

lay me down, and here, without a friend, my days shall wither. Therefore,<br />

if any in the house be wroth, let them slay me; for 'tis a grace, if I die,<br />

but if I live, a pain; I desire life no more.<br />

(The following lines between ELECTRA and the CHORUS are chanted<br />

responsively.)<br />

CHORUS<br />

strophe I<br />

Where are the thunderbolts of Zeus, or where is the bright Sun, if<br />

they look upon these things, and brand them not, but rest?<br />

Woe, woe, ah me, ah me!<br />

ELECTRA<br />

CHORUS<br />

O daughter, why weepest thou?<br />

Alas!<br />

ELECTRA (with hands outstretched to heaven)<br />

Utter no rash cry!<br />

CHORUS<br />

ELECTRA<br />

Thou wilt break my heart!<br />

How meanest thou?<br />

CHORUS<br />

ELECTRA<br />

If thou suggest a hope concerning those who have surely passed to<br />

the realm below, thou wilt trample yet more upon my misery.<br />

CHORUS<br />

antistrophe I<br />

Nay, I know how, ensnared by a woman for a chain of gold, the<br />

prince Amphiaraus found a grave; and now beneath the earth—<br />

Ah me, ah me!<br />

ELECTRA<br />

CHORUS<br />

—he reigns in fulness of force.

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