Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Plumptre 1878).djvu/299

Rh Two sons, who it was fit should die far more

Than this my daughter, seeing they were born

Of father and of mother for whose sake

The armament went forth? Or was it so

That Hades had a special lust to feast

Upon my children rather than on hers?

Or was it that her father cast aside,

Cold-blooded, hard, all yearning for my child,

Yet cared for Menelaos? Was he not

In this a reckless father found, and base?

I answer, Yes, though thou refuse assent;

And she that died would say it, could she speak.

I then feel no remorse for what is done;

But if I seem to thee as base in heart,

First judge thou right, then blame thy next of kin.

Elec. This time, at least, thou wilt not say that I,

Being first to vex, then heard these words from thee;

But, if thou giv'st me leave, I fain would plead

For him who died, and for my sister too.

Clytem. I give thee leave. Had'st thou thus spoken always,

To list to thee had given me less annoy.

Elec. Thus speak I then to thee—Thou say'st thy hand

Did slay my father! Is there aught of shame

Than this more shameful, whether thou can'st urge,

Or not, the plea of justice? But I say

Thou did'st not justly slay him, but wast led

By vile suggestion of the coward base

Who now lives with thee. Next, I pray thee, ask

The huntress Artemis what guilt restrained

The many winds in Aulis; or my voice