ἔξοιδα καὶ ταῦτ̓: ‘these things also,’ i.e., the sufferings to which she has just alluded. The change of καὶ to “παῖ” (rightly made in Ph. 79) is needless here. παρουσία may be freely rendered ‘occasion’; it seems to be a purposely vague word, intended to suggest ‘the presence’ of the murderers; a dark hint of the coming vengeance. When their presence admonishes (φράζῃ),—gives the signal for action,—then will be the time to recall their crimes; which are indicated, with a similar reserve, by ἔργων τῶνδε. The scholia attest “παρουσία” as the traditional reading, and suggest two explanations. (1) “ὅταν ἐπιτρέπῃ ὁ καιρὸς καὶ καλῇ”: i.e., “παρουσία”=“τὰ παρόντα”, the circumstances of the moment. Cp. cum res ipsa feret. (2) “ὁπόταν ἡ παρουσία τούτων ᾖ καὶ ὁ καιρὸς ἐπιτήδειος”. Here “τούτων” is evidently neuter, and the meaning is, ‘when these topics come before us,’—when it is the fitting time to discuss them. Neither view is satisfactory. The v.l. παρρησία, doubtless a conjecture, would enfeeble the passage, and would further require us to alter φράζῃ.
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Sophocles: The Plays and Fragments, with critical notes, commentary, and translation in English prose. Part VI: The Electra. Sir Richard C. Jebb. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. 1894.
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