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This is the point at which the play sort of morphs from a tragedy into a buddy road trip, by way of a lot of recap.
(Assumed stage direction here: Menelaus exits.)
Orestes:
Good for nothing else but leading a war for the sake of a woman! Worst at avenging family! Are you running away, abandoning me, and leaving Agamemnon’s affairs ruined? Father, you’re friendless, faring terribly. Alas, I am betrayed, without a hope of turning and fleeing from Argive-dealt death; for he was a savior, a refuge for me.
But I see Pylades, the dearest man to me, racing from Phocis, a lovely sight; a trustworthy man in bad times looks sweeter than a calm sea does to sailors.
Pylades:
I came faster than necessary, going through the town, because I heard (and even clearly saw it myself) the city assembly on you and your sister, about killing you immediately. But what’s this? How are you doing? How do you fare, most beloved of my peers, of my friends, and of my relatives? (For you’re all these things to me.)
Orestes:
I’m done for, as I will reveal to you briefly regarding my troubles.
Pylades:
You’d destroy us*; for these things are shared among friends.
Orestes:
Menelaus has been most wicked towards me and my sister.
Pylades:
Naturally, the husband of a wicked wife becomes wicked.
Orestes:
His coming did as much for me as not coming.
Pylades:
So he’s really come to this land without secrecy?
Orestes:
At long last; but all the same he was swiftly found out as bad to his friends.**
Pylades:
Has he packed his wicked wife onto a ship home?
Orestes:
It’s not him, but her who’s led him here.
Pylades:
Where is she, the one woman who’s destroyed the most men of the Argives?
Orestes:
In my house, if it’s right to call it mine.
Pylades:
What words did you say to your father’s brother?
Orestes:
Not to see me and my sister killed by the townsfolk.
Pylades:
By the gods, what did he say about that? Oh, I want to know that.
Orestes:
He was cautious; it’s what bad friends do to their friends.
Pylades:
Standing on what excuse? I have everything when I understand this.
Orestes:
That man came--the father who begat the noblest daughters.
Pylades:
You speak of Tyndareos; perhaps he was angry at you over his daughter?
Orestes:
You’ve got it. And the other man holds to this in-law of his more than my father.
Pylades:
And he didn’t attempt to take up some of your burdens, being here?
Orestes:
He’s not sprung up from a warrior, but he’s brave concerning a woman.
Pylades:
Now you’re in the greatest troubles; is it necessary that you die?
Orestes:
The citizens must vote on us regarding the murder.
Pylades:
What things are they judging by this? Speak; for I’m moving through fear.
Orestes:
Whether to die or to live; the speech isn’t big, concerning big issues.
Pylades:
So leave the house now and flee with your sister!
Orestes:
Don’t you see? We’re surrounded by guards in every direction.
Pylades:
I saw the streets of the town fenced in with weapons.***
Orestes:
Just like a town by its enemies, we’re besieged in this house.
Pylades:
Now ask me how I’m doing; for I’m likewise done for.
Orestes:
By whom is this trouble added to my existing troubles?
Pylades:
Strophius--my father--drove me into flight from the house, since he was enraged.
Orestes:
Was it a personal accusation he brought against you, or one common to the city?
Pylades:
Since I took part in the murder of your mother, he says I’m unholy.
Orestes:
Poor man! Likely my troubles will bring grief to even you.
Pylades:
I don’t have the habits of Menelaus. I’ll bear it.
Orestes:
Aren’t you afraid that Argos will want to kill you, just like me?
Pylades:
I don’t come to them for punishment, but to the land of Phocis.
Orestes:
Many men are a dangerous thing, whenever they have villainous leaders.
Pylades:
But whenever they take honest ones, they always make good plans.
Orestes:
Well. Time to speak of common plans.
Pylades:
Concerning what’s necessary?
Orestes:
If I go to the townsfolk and say--
Pylades:
That you acted justly?
Orestes:
Having avenged my father--
Pylades:
They wouldn’t receive you gladly.
Orestes:
Ought I die cowering in silence?
Pylades:
That would be terrible.
Orestes:
So how should I act?
Pylades:
Do you have any salvation if you stay here?
Orestes:
I have not.
Pylades:
But is there hope of safety from evils in going?
Orestes:
If there’s luck, there could be.
Pylades:
Then it’s certainly better than staying.
Orestes:
But...do I go?^
Pylades:
At least then if you die this way, you die more gracefully.
Orestes:
Good point; this way I’ll flee cowardice.
Pylades:
Better than by staying!
Orestes:
And my deeds were just.
Pylades:
Only pray for the belief of that.
Orestes:
Just in case someone might take pity on me--
Pylades:
Since your royal blood is a big deal!
Orestes:
--being vexed at my father’s death--
Pylades:
All these things are in sight!
Orestes:
--then I must go, as it’s unmanly to die without glory.
Pylades:
I approve of this.
Orestes:
So should we tell my sister?
Pylades:
By the gods, no!
Orestes:
Surely then there’d be tears.
Pylades:
And this would be a serious omen.
Orestes:
Clearly better to stay silent.
Pylades:
And you’d gain so much time!
Orestes:
The only problem for me--
Pylades:
What’s this new thing you’re talking about?
Orestes:
--is that the goddesses might restrain me with their madness.
Pylades:
But I’ll take care of you.
Orestes:
It’s uncomfortable to take hold of a diseased man.
Pylades:
Not when it’s me and you.
Orestes:
Watch out for catching my madness!
Pylades:
Oh, let it be.
Orestes:
You won’t shrink back from me?
Pylades:
No, that’s a terrible evil among friends.
Orestes:
Walk slowly, as leader to my feet--
Pylades:
Yes, holding love for my in-law.^^
Orestes:
--and bring me to the tomb of my father.
Pylades:
What for?
Orestes:
So that I may beseech him to save me.
Pylades:
Justice has that.
Orestes:
But may I never see the memorial to my mother!
Pylades:
Since she was an enemy. Now hurry, lest the Argive vote seize you first, resting your disease-slowed side against mine; I’ll take you through the town, little considering the crowd, ashamed of nothing. For how would I demonstrate my friendship, if I’m not strong enough for you in your terrible misfortunes?
Orestes:
That’s the thing; get yourself friends, not only relatives;^^^ whatever man joins you by his character, despite being an outsider, surpasses a thousand relatives as a good man to get for yourself.
---
* Cicero and Euripides both often use the plural in the first person when they’re actually meaning the first person; it’s not exactly the royal we, but a bit similar in being a poetic/formal device. It makes it really hard to tell when Orestes is complaining for the sake of his sister, too, or just himself. So right here I honestly don’t know if Pylades is using the poetic plural, or referring to some unmentioned but implied other folks, or means “you’d destroy you and me together.” Alas for languages that don’t clarify this on pronouns!
** Sometimes I’m translating φίλοις as “relatives”, sometimes “friends”, sometimes “dear ones” or “loved ones”. It can mean any--or all!--of those, and it’s not always entirely clear which. So I guess based on context. Translation!
*** Between this and the “Hey, what’s that assembly that I just saw voting on your death actually voting on?” question, I begin to believe that Pylades is about as bright as Menelaus. This is not a family blessed with sharp wits.
^ Not. Sharp-witted. I am just saying.
^^ Apparently Pylades is a relative in the by-marriage sense rather than by-blood sense, but given all the people keeling over around this family, I’m not really sure in which direction.
^^^ Here, he actually distinguishes friends (“companions”) from relatives (“with the same blood”), rather than using the “loved ones” construction to refer to them all.
(Assumed stage direction here: Menelaus exits.)
Orestes:
Good for nothing else but leading a war for the sake of a woman! Worst at avenging family! Are you running away, abandoning me, and leaving Agamemnon’s affairs ruined? Father, you’re friendless, faring terribly. Alas, I am betrayed, without a hope of turning and fleeing from Argive-dealt death; for he was a savior, a refuge for me.
But I see Pylades, the dearest man to me, racing from Phocis, a lovely sight; a trustworthy man in bad times looks sweeter than a calm sea does to sailors.
Pylades:
I came faster than necessary, going through the town, because I heard (and even clearly saw it myself) the city assembly on you and your sister, about killing you immediately. But what’s this? How are you doing? How do you fare, most beloved of my peers, of my friends, and of my relatives? (For you’re all these things to me.)
Orestes:
I’m done for, as I will reveal to you briefly regarding my troubles.
Pylades:
You’d destroy us*; for these things are shared among friends.
Orestes:
Menelaus has been most wicked towards me and my sister.
Pylades:
Naturally, the husband of a wicked wife becomes wicked.
Orestes:
His coming did as much for me as not coming.
Pylades:
So he’s really come to this land without secrecy?
Orestes:
At long last; but all the same he was swiftly found out as bad to his friends.**
Pylades:
Has he packed his wicked wife onto a ship home?
Orestes:
It’s not him, but her who’s led him here.
Pylades:
Where is she, the one woman who’s destroyed the most men of the Argives?
Orestes:
In my house, if it’s right to call it mine.
Pylades:
What words did you say to your father’s brother?
Orestes:
Not to see me and my sister killed by the townsfolk.
Pylades:
By the gods, what did he say about that? Oh, I want to know that.
Orestes:
He was cautious; it’s what bad friends do to their friends.
Pylades:
Standing on what excuse? I have everything when I understand this.
Orestes:
That man came--the father who begat the noblest daughters.
Pylades:
You speak of Tyndareos; perhaps he was angry at you over his daughter?
Orestes:
You’ve got it. And the other man holds to this in-law of his more than my father.
Pylades:
And he didn’t attempt to take up some of your burdens, being here?
Orestes:
He’s not sprung up from a warrior, but he’s brave concerning a woman.
Pylades:
Now you’re in the greatest troubles; is it necessary that you die?
Orestes:
The citizens must vote on us regarding the murder.
Pylades:
What things are they judging by this? Speak; for I’m moving through fear.
Orestes:
Whether to die or to live; the speech isn’t big, concerning big issues.
Pylades:
So leave the house now and flee with your sister!
Orestes:
Don’t you see? We’re surrounded by guards in every direction.
Pylades:
I saw the streets of the town fenced in with weapons.***
Orestes:
Just like a town by its enemies, we’re besieged in this house.
Pylades:
Now ask me how I’m doing; for I’m likewise done for.
Orestes:
By whom is this trouble added to my existing troubles?
Pylades:
Strophius--my father--drove me into flight from the house, since he was enraged.
Orestes:
Was it a personal accusation he brought against you, or one common to the city?
Pylades:
Since I took part in the murder of your mother, he says I’m unholy.
Orestes:
Poor man! Likely my troubles will bring grief to even you.
Pylades:
I don’t have the habits of Menelaus. I’ll bear it.
Orestes:
Aren’t you afraid that Argos will want to kill you, just like me?
Pylades:
I don’t come to them for punishment, but to the land of Phocis.
Orestes:
Many men are a dangerous thing, whenever they have villainous leaders.
Pylades:
But whenever they take honest ones, they always make good plans.
Orestes:
Well. Time to speak of common plans.
Pylades:
Concerning what’s necessary?
Orestes:
If I go to the townsfolk and say--
Pylades:
That you acted justly?
Orestes:
Having avenged my father--
Pylades:
They wouldn’t receive you gladly.
Orestes:
Ought I die cowering in silence?
Pylades:
That would be terrible.
Orestes:
So how should I act?
Pylades:
Do you have any salvation if you stay here?
Orestes:
I have not.
Pylades:
But is there hope of safety from evils in going?
Orestes:
If there’s luck, there could be.
Pylades:
Then it’s certainly better than staying.
Orestes:
But...do I go?^
Pylades:
At least then if you die this way, you die more gracefully.
Orestes:
Good point; this way I’ll flee cowardice.
Pylades:
Better than by staying!
Orestes:
And my deeds were just.
Pylades:
Only pray for the belief of that.
Orestes:
Just in case someone might take pity on me--
Pylades:
Since your royal blood is a big deal!
Orestes:
--being vexed at my father’s death--
Pylades:
All these things are in sight!
Orestes:
--then I must go, as it’s unmanly to die without glory.
Pylades:
I approve of this.
Orestes:
So should we tell my sister?
Pylades:
By the gods, no!
Orestes:
Surely then there’d be tears.
Pylades:
And this would be a serious omen.
Orestes:
Clearly better to stay silent.
Pylades:
And you’d gain so much time!
Orestes:
The only problem for me--
Pylades:
What’s this new thing you’re talking about?
Orestes:
--is that the goddesses might restrain me with their madness.
Pylades:
But I’ll take care of you.
Orestes:
It’s uncomfortable to take hold of a diseased man.
Pylades:
Not when it’s me and you.
Orestes:
Watch out for catching my madness!
Pylades:
Oh, let it be.
Orestes:
You won’t shrink back from me?
Pylades:
No, that’s a terrible evil among friends.
Orestes:
Walk slowly, as leader to my feet--
Pylades:
Yes, holding love for my in-law.^^
Orestes:
--and bring me to the tomb of my father.
Pylades:
What for?
Orestes:
So that I may beseech him to save me.
Pylades:
Justice has that.
Orestes:
But may I never see the memorial to my mother!
Pylades:
Since she was an enemy. Now hurry, lest the Argive vote seize you first, resting your disease-slowed side against mine; I’ll take you through the town, little considering the crowd, ashamed of nothing. For how would I demonstrate my friendship, if I’m not strong enough for you in your terrible misfortunes?
Orestes:
That’s the thing; get yourself friends, not only relatives;^^^ whatever man joins you by his character, despite being an outsider, surpasses a thousand relatives as a good man to get for yourself.
---
* Cicero and Euripides both often use the plural in the first person when they’re actually meaning the first person; it’s not exactly the royal we, but a bit similar in being a poetic/formal device. It makes it really hard to tell when Orestes is complaining for the sake of his sister, too, or just himself. So right here I honestly don’t know if Pylades is using the poetic plural, or referring to some unmentioned but implied other folks, or means “you’d destroy you and me together.” Alas for languages that don’t clarify this on pronouns!
** Sometimes I’m translating φίλοις as “relatives”, sometimes “friends”, sometimes “dear ones” or “loved ones”. It can mean any--or all!--of those, and it’s not always entirely clear which. So I guess based on context. Translation!
*** Between this and the “Hey, what’s that assembly that I just saw voting on your death actually voting on?” question, I begin to believe that Pylades is about as bright as Menelaus. This is not a family blessed with sharp wits.
^ Not. Sharp-witted. I am just saying.
^^ Apparently Pylades is a relative in the by-marriage sense rather than by-blood sense, but given all the people keeling over around this family, I’m not really sure in which direction.
^^^ Here, he actually distinguishes friends (“companions”) from relatives (“with the same blood”), rather than using the “loved ones” construction to refer to them all.