Paedagogus

Orestes was driving last, keeping his horses behind, as his trust was in the race’s end.

Now, therefore, Orestes, and you, best of allies, Pylades, our plan of action must be quickly laid;

in all the contests that the judges announced, he carried away the prize, and men deemed him happy as often as the herald proclaimed him an Argive, by name Orestes, son of

Aged retainer of my father Erechtheus while yet he lived and saw the light of day, mount to the god’s prophetic shrine that thou mayst share my gladness, if haply Loxias, great king, vouchsafe an answer touching my hopes of offspring;

Mine is a heritage of suffering and woe that poisons life, good friends.

Herein hast thou declared a further evil crowning all, a grief for me to mourn.

Antigone, famous child in your father’s house, although your mother allowed you at your entreaty to leave your maiden chamber for the topmost story of the house, to see the Argive army, wait, so that I may first investigate the path, whether there be any of the citizens visible on the road, and reproach, a slight matter to a slave like me, should come to you, my royal mistress;

Exeunt Antigone and the old servant.

Old servant: