Classical Mythology

(^432) THE GREEK SAGAS: GREEK LOCAL LEGENDS
properly. You had a husband in no way inferior to Aegisthus, whom Hellas
chose as its commander-in-chief. Furthermore, in contrast to Helen, your sister,
who did such terrible things, you could have won for yourself great renown for
virtue since evil actions present a foil to enhance the good for all to see. If, as
you say, my father killed your daughter, in what way have I or my brother done
you wrong? After you killed our father why didn't you include us in the an-
cestral estate? Instead, you gave what was not really yours as a dowry for your
lover and bought your marriage with him. Your husband Aegisthus is not ban-
ished because of your son Orestes nor has he died on my account, even though
he has inflicted a living death upon me, twice as painful as the death of Iphi-
genia. If slaughter demands slaughter as a just penalty, then I and your son
Orestes will kill you to avenge our father. If your actions are just, ours would
be too.
CLYTEMNESTRA: My child, it is ingrained in your nature to love your father
always. This is the way things are. Some are attached to the fathers, others love
their mothers more than their fathers. I will forgive you, for in truth I am not
that exultant at all about the things that I have done, my daughter. But you so
unwashed and so unkempt in your dress, have you just recently given birth and
become a mother? Alas, poor me and my plots! I drove myself into a fury against
my husband, more than I should have.
ELECTRA: Too late for bewailing when you have no remedy for your plight.
My father is dead, so why don't you recall your son who wanders far from
home?
CLYTEMNESTRA: I am afraid to. I must look to my own safety, not his, since
they say that he is enraged at the murder of his father.
ELECTRA: Why do you allow your husband Aegisthus to treat me so cruelly?
CLYTEMNESTRA: That's the way he is; and you are inherently stubborn.
ELECTRA: I am suffering, yet I will put an end to my fury.
CLYTEMNESTRA: If so he will persecute you no longer.
ELECTRA: He is arrogant because he lives in my house.
CLYEMNESTRA: You see, you are at it again, kindling a fresh inflammatory
quarrel.
ELECTRA: I'll be quiet, for I fear him, how I fear him!
CLYTEMNESTRA: Stop such talk. Why did you summon me here, my child?
ELECTRA: You have heard, I know, about the birth of my child. Make the
proper sacrifice for me—I don't know how—as it is ordained for a son after he
is born. I have no experience in this because until now I have been childless.
CLYTEMNESTRA: This is not my duty but that of the woman who delivered
the child.
ELECTRA: I gave birth alone and delivered the child myself.
CLYTEMNESTRA: Is your home so bereft of friendly neighbors?
ELECTRA: No one wants to have friends who are poor.
CLYTEMNESTRA: I will go and sacrifice to the gods as is appropriate after
the child's birth, and when I have done this favor for you, I will go out to the
countryside, where my husband is offering sacrifice to the Nymphs. Servants,
take the horses out to pasture and when you think that I have finished this sac-
rifice to the gods, be back here, for I must also oblige my husband.