Choephori Or The Libation Bearers Essay Example For Students

Choephori Or The Libation Bearers Essay A monologue from the play by Aeschylus NOTE: This monologue is reprinted from The Dramas of Aeschylus. Trans. Anna Swanwick. London: George Bell and Sons, 1907. ELECTRA: Ye captive women, ye who tend this home,Since ye are present to escort with meThese lustral rites, your counsel now I crave.How, while I pour these offrings on the tomb,Speak friendly words? and how invoke my Sire?Shall I declare that from a loving wifeTo her dear lord I bear them? from my mother?My courage fails, now know I what to speak,Pouring libations on my fathers tomb.Or shall I pray, as holy wont enjoins,That to the senders of these chaplets, heRequital may accord, ay! meed of ill.Or, with no mark of honour, silently,For so my father perished, shall I pourThese offerings, potion to be drunk by earth,Then, tossing oer my head the lustral urn,(As one who loathed refuse forth has cast,)With eyes averted, back retrace my steps?Be ye partakers in my counsel, friends,For in this house one common hate we share.Through fear hide not the feelings of your heart;For what is destined waits alike the freeAnd him oermastered by anothers hand;If ye have aught more wise to urge, say on.