--- title: "Agamemnon · Ἀγαμέμνων" author: "Aeschylus" translator: "Herbert Weir Smyth" languages: [grc, en] shelf: "Classical Greek" url: https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-agamemnon/ cite: "Aeschylus, tr. Herbert Weir Smyth, Agamemnon · Ἀγαμέμνων. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-agamemnon/" --- # Agamemnon · Ἀγαμέμνων *Aeschylus, tr. Herbert Weir Smyth* The king comes home from Troy to his wife Clytemnestra: the first play of the Oresteia. > Greek: ed. Herbert Weir Smyth, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-greekLit, tlg0085.tlg005, CC BY-SA 4.0). > English: Herbert Weir Smyth, from the Perseus Digital Library (tlg0085.tlg005.perseus-eng3). Notes are not included. > Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence. ## Contents 1. [Lines 1–599](https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-agamemnon/1.md) 2. [Lines 600–1161](https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-agamemnon/2.md) 3. [Lines 1162–1673](https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-agamemnon/3.md) ## 1. Lines 1–599 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-agamemnon/1/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-agamemnon/1/#p-N [¶0] Upon the roof of the palace of Agamemnon at Argos Watchman: Watchman Release from this weary task of mine has been my plea to the gods throughout this long year’s watch, in which, lying upon the palace roof of the Atreidae, upon my bent arm, like a dog, I have learned to know well the gathering of the night’s stars, those radiant potentates conspicuous in the firmament, bringers of winter and summer to mankind [the constellations, when they rise and set]. So now I am still watching for the signal-flame, the gleaming fire that is to bring news from Troy and tidings of its capture. For thus commands my queen, woman in passionate heart and man in strength of purpose. And whenever I make here my bed, restless and dank with dew and unvisited by dreams—for instead of sleep fear stands ever by my side, so that I cannot close my eyelids fast in sleep—and whenever I care to sing or hum (and thus apply an antidote of song to ward off drowsiness), then my tears start forth, as I bewail the fortunes of this house of ours, not ordered for the best as in days gone by. > Greek: Φύλαξ: Φύλαξ θεοὺς μὲν αἰτῶ τῶνδʼ ἀπαλλαγὴν πόνων φρουρᾶς ἐτείας μῆκος, ἣν κοιμώμενος στέγαις Ἀτρειδῶν ἄγκαθεν, κυνὸς δίκην, ἄστρων κάτοιδα νυκτέρων ὁμήγυριν, καὶ τοὺς φέροντας χεῖμα καὶ θέρος βροτοῖς λαμπροὺς δυνάστας, ἐμπρέποντας αἰθέρι [ἀστέρας, ὅταν φθίνωσιν, ἀντολάς τε τῶν]. καὶ νῦν φυλάσσω λαμπάδος τό σύμβολον, αὐγὴν πυρὸς φέρουσαν ἐκ Τροίας φάτιν ἁλώσιμόν τε βάξιν· ὧδε γὰρ κρατεῖ γυναικὸς ἀνδρόβουλον ἐλπίζον κέαρ. εὖτʼ ἂν δὲ νυκτίπλαγκτον ἔνδροσόν τʼ ἔχω εὐνὴν ὀνείροις οὐκ ἐπισκοπουμένην ἐμήν· φόβος γὰρ ἀνθʼ ὕπνου παραστατεῖ, τὸ μὴ βεβαίως βλέφαρα συμβαλεῖν ὕπνῳ· ὅταν δʼ ἀείδειν ἢ μινύρεσθαι δοκῶ, ὕπνου τόδʼ ἀντίμολπον ἐντέμνων ἄκος, κλαίω τότʼ οἴκου τοῦδε συμφορὰν στένων οὐχ ὡς τὰ πρόσθʼ ἄριστα διαπονουμένου. [¶1] But tonight may there come a happy release from my weary task! May the fire with its glad tidings flash through the gloom! The signal fire suddenly flashes out Oh welcome, you blaze in the night, a light as if of day, you harbinger of many a choral dance in Argos in thanksgiving for this glad event! > Greek: νῦν δʼ εὐτυχὴς γένοιτʼ ἀπαλλαγὴ πόνων εὐαγγέλου φανέντος ὀρφναίου πυρός. ὦ χαῖρε λαμπτὴρ νυκτός, ἡμερήσιον φάος πιφαύσκων καὶ χορῶν κατάστασιν πολλῶν ἐν Ἄργει, τῆσδε συμφορᾶς χάριν. [¶2] Hallo! Hallo! To Agamemnon’s queen I thus cry aloud the signal to rise from her bed, and as quickly as she can to lift up in her palace halls a shout of joy in welcome of this fire, if the city of Ilium truly is taken, as this beacon unmistakably announces. And I will make an overture with a dance upon my own account; for my lord’s lucky roll I shall count to my own score, now that this beacon has thrown me triple six. Ah well, may the master of the house come home and may I clasp his welcome hand in mine! For the rest I stay silent; a great ox stands upon my tongue —yet the house itself, could it but speak, might tell a plain enough tale; since, for my part, by my own choice I have words for those who know, and to those who do not know, I’ve lost my memory. He descends by an inner stairway; attendants kindle fires at the altars placed in front of the palace. Enter the chorus of Argive Elders Chorus: This is now the tenth year since Priam’s mighty adversary, king Menelaus, and with him king Agamemnon, the mighty pair of Atreus’ sons, joined in honor of throne and sceptre by Zeus, set forth from this land with an army of a thousand ships manned by Argives, a warrior force to champion their cause. Loud rang the battle-cry they uttered in their rage, just as eagles scream which, in lonely grief for their brood, rowing with the oars of their wings, wheel high over their bed, because they have lost the toil of guarding their nurslings’ nest. > Greek: ἰοὺ ἰού. Ἀγαμέμνονος γυναικὶ σημαίνω τορῶς εὐνῆς ἐπαντείλασαν ὡς τάχος δόμοις ὀλολυγμὸν εὐφημοῦντα τῇδε λαμπάδι ἐπορθιάζειν, εἴπερ Ἰλίου πόλις ἑάλωκεν, ὡς ὁ φρυκτὸς ἀγγέλλων πρέπει· αὐτός τʼ ἔγωγε φροίμιον χορεύσομαι. τὰ δεσποτῶν γὰρ εὖ πεσόντα θήσομαι τρὶς ἓξ βαλούσης τῆσδέ μοι φρυκτωρίας. γένοιτο δʼ οὖν μολόντος εὐφιλῆ χέρα ἄνακτος οἴκων τῇδε βαστάσαι χερί. τὰ δʼ ἄλλα σιγῶ· βοῦς ἐπὶ γλώσσῃ μέγας βέβηκεν· οἶκος δʼ αὐτός, εἰ φθογγὴν λάβοι, σαφέστατʼ ἂν λέξειεν· ὡς ἑκὼν ἐγὼ μαθοῦσιν αὐδῶ κοὐ μαθοῦσι λήθομαι. Χορός: δέκατον μὲν ἔτος τόδʼ ἐπεὶ Πριάμου μέγας ἀντίδικος, Μενέλαος ἄναξ ἠδʼ Ἀγαμέμνων, διθρόνου Διόθεν καὶ δισκήπτρου τιμῆς ὀχυρὸν ζεῦγος Ἀτρειδᾶν στόλον Ἀργείων χιλιοναύτην, τῆσδʼ ἀπὸ χώρας ἦραν, στρατιῶτιν ἀρωγὰν, μέγαν ἐκ θυμοῦ κλάζοντες Ἄρη τρόπον αἰγυπιῶν, οἵτʼ ἐκπατίοις ἄλγεσι παίδων ὕπατοι λεχέων στροφοδινοῦνται πτερύγων ἐρετμοῖσιν ἐρεσσόμενοι, δεμνιοτήρη πόνον ὀρταλίχων ὀλέσαντες· [¶3] But some one of the powers supreme—Apollo perhaps or Pan, or Zeus—hears the shrill wailing scream of the clamorous birds, these sojourners in his realm, and against the transgressors sends vengeance at last though late. > Greek: ὕπατος δʼ ἀίων ἤ τις Ἀπόλλων ἢ Πὰν ἢ Ζεὺς οἰωνόθροον γόον ὀξυβόαν τῶνδε μετοίκων ὑστερόποινον πέμπει παραβᾶσιν Ἐρινύν. [¶4] Even so Zeus, whose power is over all, Zeus, lord of host and guest, sends against Alexander the sons of Atreus, that for the sake of a woman with many husbands he may inflict many and wearying struggles (when the knee is pressed in the dust and the spear is splintered in the onset) on Danaans and on Trojans alike. The case now stands where it stands—it moves to fulfilment at its destined end. Not by offerings burned in secret, not by secret libations, not by tears, shall man soften the stubborn wrath of unsanctified sacrifices. But we, incapable of service by reason of our aged frame, discarded from that martial mustering of long ago, wait here at home, supporting on our canes a strength like a child’s. For just as the vigor of youth, leaping up within the breast, is like that of old age, since the war-god is not in his place; so extreme age, its leaves already withering, goes its way on triple feet, and, no better than a child, wanders, a dream that is dreamed by day. > Greek: οὕτω δʼ Ἀτρέως παῖδας ὁ κρείσσων ἐπʼ Ἀλεξάνδρῳ πέμπει ξένιος Ζεὺς πολυάνορος ἀμφὶ γυναικὸς πολλὰ παλαίσματα καὶ γυιοβαρῆ γόνατος κονίαισιν ἐρειδομένου διακναιομένης τʼ ἐν προτελείοις κάμακος θήσων Δαναοῖσι Τρωσί θʼ ὁμοίως. ἔστι δʼ ὅπη νῦν ἔστι· τελεῖται δʼ ἐς τὸ πεπρωμένον· οὔθʼ ὑποκαίων οὔθʼ ὑπολείβων οὔτε δακρύων ἀπύρων ἱερῶν ὀργὰς ἀτενεῖς παραθέλξει. ἡμεῖς δʼ ἀτίται σαρκὶ παλαιᾷ τῆς τότʼ ἀρωγῆς ὑπολειφθέντες μίμνομεν ἰσχὺν ἰσόπαιδα νέμοντες ἐπὶ σκήπτροις. ὅ τε γὰρ νεαρὸς μυελὸς στέρνων ἐντὸς ἀνᾴσσων ἰσόπρεσβυς, Ἄρης δʼ οὐκ ἔνι χώρᾳ, τό θʼ ὑπέργηρων φυλλάδος ἤδη κατακαρφομένης τρίποδας μὲν ὁδοὺς στείχει, παιδὸς δʼ οὐδὲν ἀρείων ὄναρ ἡμερόφαντον ἀλαίνει. [¶5] But, O daughter of Tyndareos, Queen Clytaemestra, what has happened? What news do you have? On what intelligence and convinced by what report do you send about your messengers to command sacrifice? For all the gods our city worships, the gods supreme, the gods below, the gods of the heavens and of the marketplace, have their altars ablaze with offerings. Now here, now there, the flames rise high as heaven, yielding to the soft and guileless persuasion of holy ointment, the sacrificial oil itself brought from the inner chambers of the palace. Of all this declare whatever you can and dare reveal, and be a healer of my uneasy heart. This now at one moment bodes ill, while then again hope, shining with kindly light from the sacrifices, wards off the biting care of the sorrow that gnaws my heart. > Greek: σὺ δέ, Τυνδάρεω θύγατερ, βασίλεια Κλυταιμήστρα, τί χρέος; τί νέον; τί δʼ ἐπαισθομένη, τίνος ἀγγελίας πειθοῖ περίπεμπτα θυοσκεῖς; πάντων δὲ θεῶν τῶν ἀστυνόμων, ὑπάτων, χθονίων, τῶν τʼ οὐρανίων τῶν τʼ ἀγοραίων, βωμοὶ δώροισι φλέγονται· ἄλλη δʼ ἄλλοθεν οὐρανομήκης λαμπὰς ἀνίσχει, φαρμασσομένη χρίματος ἁγνοῦ μαλακαῖς ἀδόλοισι παρηγορίαις, πελάνῳ μυχόθεν βασιλείῳ. τούτων λέξασʼ ὅ τι καὶ δυνατὸν καὶ θέμις αἰνεῖν, παιών τε γενοῦ τῆσδε μερίμνης, ἣ νῦν τοτὲ μὲν κακόφρων τελέθει, τοτὲ δʼ ἐκ θυσιῶν ἀγανὴ φαίνουσʼ ἐλπὶς ἀμύνει φροντίδʼ ἄπληστον τῆς θυμοβόρου φρένα λύπης. [¶6] Chorus: I have the power to proclaim the augury of triumph given on their way to princely men—since my age still breathes Persuasion upon me from the gods, the strength of song—how the twin-throned command of the Achaeans, the single-minded captains of Hellas’ youth, with avenging spear and arm against the Teucrian land, was sent off by the inspiring omen appearing to the kings of the ships—kingly birds, one black, one white of tail, near the palace, on the spear-hand, in a conspicuous place, devouring a hare with offspring unborn caught in the last effort to escape. Sing the song of woe, the song of woe, but may the good prevail! > Greek: Χορός: κύριός εἰμι θροεῖν ὅδιον κράτος αἴσιον ἀνδρῶν ἐκτελέων· ἔτι γὰρ θεόθεν καταπνεύει πειθὼ μολπᾶν ἀλκὰν σύμφυτος αἰών· ὅπως Ἀχαι- ῶν δίθρονον κράτος, Ἑλλάδος ἥβας ξύμφρονα ταγάν, πέμπει σὺν δορὶ καὶ χερὶ πράκτορι θούριος ὄρνις Τευκρίδʼ ἐπʼ αἶαν, οἰωνῶν βασιλεὺς βασιλεῦσι νε- ῶν ὁ κελαινός, ὅ τʼ ἐξόπιν ἀργᾶς, φανέντες ἴ- κταρ μελάθρων χερὸς ἐκ δοριπάλτου παμπρέπτοις ἐν ἕδραισιν, βοσκόμενοι λαγίναν, ἐρικύμονα φέρματι γένναν, βλαβέντα λοισθίων δρόμων. αἴλινον αἴλινον εἰπέ, τὸ δʼ εὖ νικάτω. [¶7] Chorus: Then the wise seer of the host, noticing how the two warlike sons of Atreus were two in temper, recognized the devourers of the hare as the leaders of the army, and thus interpreted the portent and spoke: “In time those who here issue forth shall seize Priam’s town, and fate shall violently ravage before its towered walls all the public store of cattle.” “Only may no jealous god-sent wrath cast its shadow upon the embattled host, the mighty bit forged for Troy’s mouth, and strike it before it reaches its goal!” “For, in her pity, holy Artemis is angry at the winged hounds of her father, for they sacrifice a wretched timorous thing, together with her young, before she has brought them forth. An abomination to her is the eagles’ feast.” Sing the song of woe, the song of woe, but may the good prevail! > Greek: Χορός: κεδνὸς δὲ στρατόμαντις ἰδὼν δύο λήμασι δισσοὺς Ἀτρεΐδας μαχίμους ἐδάη λαγοδαίτας πομπούς τʼ ἀρχάς· οὕτω δʼ εἶπε τερᾴζων· χρόνῳ μὲν ἀγρεῖ Πριάμου πόλιν ἅδε κέλευθος, πάντα δὲ πύργων κτήνη πρόσθε τὰ δημιοπληθῆ Μοῖρʼ ἀλαπάξει πρὸς τὸ βίαιον· οἶον μή τις ἄγα θεόθεν κνεφά- σῃ προτυπὲν στόμιον μέγα Τροίας στρατωθέν.οἴκτῳ γὰρ ἐπί- φθονος Ἄρτεμις ἁγνὰ πτανοῖσιν κυσὶ πατρὸς αὐτότοκον πρὸ λόχου μογερὰν πτάκα θυομένοισιν στυγεῖ δὲ δεῖπνον αἰετῶν. αἴλινον αἴλινον εἰπέ, τὸ δʼ εὖ νικάτω. [¶8] Chorus: “Although, O Lovely One, you are so gracious to the tender whelps of fierce lions, and take delight in the suckling young of every wild creature that roams the field, promise that the issue be brought to pass in accordance with these signs, portents” “auspicious yet filled with ill. And I implore Paean, the healer, that she may not raise adverse gales with long delay to stay the Danaan fleet from putting forth,” “by urging another sacrifice, one that knows no law, unsuited for feast, worker of family strife, dissolving wife’s reverence for husband. For there abides wrath—” “terrible, not to be suppressed, a treacherous guardian of the home, a wrath that never forgets and that exacts vengeance for a child.” Such utterances of doom, derived from auguries on the march, together with many blessings, did Calchas proclaim to the royal house; and in harmony with this, Sing the song of woe, the song of woe, but may the good prevail! > Greek: Χορός: τόσον περ εὔφρων, καλά, δρόσοισι λεπτοῖς μαλερῶν λεόντων πάντων τʼ ἀγρονόμων φιλομάστοις θηρῶν ὀβρικάλοισι τερπνά, τούτων αἴνει ξύμβολα κρᾶναι, δεξιὰ μέν, κατάμομφα δὲ φάσματα [στρουθῶν]. ἰήιον δὲ καλέω Παιᾶνα, μή τινας ἀντιπνόους Δανα- οῖς χρονίας ἐχενῇδας ἀ- πλοίας τεύξῃ, σπευδομένα θυσίαν ἑτέραν ἄνομόν τινʼ, ἄδαιτον νεικέων τέκτονα σύμφυτον, οὐ δεισήνορα. μίμνει γὰρ φοβερὰ παλίνορτος οἰκονόμος δολία μνάμων μῆνις τεκνόποινος. τοιάδε Κάλχας ξὺν μεγάλοις ἀγαθοῖς ἀπέκλαγξεν μόρσιμʼ ἀπʼ ὀρνίθων ὁδίων οἴκοις βασιλείοις· τοῖς δʼ ὁμόφωνον αἴλινον αἴλινον εἰπέ, τὸ δʼ εὖ νικάτω. [¶9] Chorus: Zeus, whoever he may be,—if by this name it pleases him to be invoked, by this name I call to him—as I weigh all things in the balance, I have nothing to compare save “Zeus,” if in truth I must cast aside this vain burden from my heart. > Greek: Χορός: Ζεύς, ὅστις ποτʼ ἐστίν, εἰ τόδʼ αὐ- τῷ φίλον κεκλημένῳ, τοῦτό νιν προσεννέπω. οὐκ ἔχω προσεικάσαι πάντʼ ἐπισταθμώμενος πλὴν Διός, εἰ τὸ μάταν ἀπὸ φροντίδος ἄχθος χρὴ βαλεῖν ἐτητύμως. [¶10] He who once was mighty, swelling with insolence for every fight, he shall not even be named as having ever existed; and he who arose later, he has met his overthrower and is past and gone. But whoever willingly sings a victory song for Zeus, he shall gain wisdom altogether,— Chorus: Zeus, who sets mortals on the path to understanding, Zeus, who has established as a fixed law that “wisdom comes by suffering.” But even as trouble, bringing memory of pain, drips over the mind in sleep, so wisdom comes to men, whether they want it or not. Harsh, it seems to me, is the grace of gods enthroned upon their awful seats. > Greek: Χορός: οὐδʼ ὅστις πάροιθεν ἦν μέγας, παμμάχῳ θράσει βρύων, οὐδὲ λέξεται πρὶν ὤν· ὃς δʼ ἔπειτʼ ἔφυ, τρια- κτῆρος οἴχεται τυχών. Ζῆνα δέ τις προφρόνως ἐπινίκια κλάζων τεύξεται φρενῶν τὸ πᾶν· Χορός: τὸν φρονεῖν βροτοὺς ὁδώ- σαντα, τὸν πάθει μάθος θέντα κυρίως ἔχειν. στάζει δʼ ἔν θʼ ὕπνῳ πρὸ καρδίας μνησιπήμων πόνος· καὶ παρʼ ἄ- κοντας ἦλθε σωφρονεῖν. δαιμόνων δέ που χάρις βίαιος σέλμα σεμνὸν ἡμένων. [¶11] Chorus: So then the captain of the Achaean ships, the elder of the two— holding no seer at fault, bending to the adverse blasts of fortune, when the Achaean folk, on the shore over against Chalcis in the region where Aulis’ tides surge to and fro, were very distressed by opposing winds and failing stores. > Greek: Χορός: καὶ τόθʼ ἡγεμὼν ὁ πρέ- σβυς νεῶν Ἀχαιικῶν, μάντιν οὔτινα ψέγων, ἐμπαίοις τύχαισι συμπνέων, εὖτʼ ἀπλοίᾳ κεναγγεῖ βαρύ- νοντʼ Ἀχαιικὸς λεώς, Χαλκίδος πέραν ἔχων παλιρρόχ- θοις ἐν Αὐλίδος τόποις· [¶12] Chorus: The breezes that blew from the Strymon, bringing harmful leisure, hunger, and tribulation of spirit in a cruel port, idle wandering of men, and sparing neither ship nor cable, began, by doubling the season of their stay, to rub away and wither the flower of Argos; and when the seer, pointing to Artemis as cause, proclaimed to the chieftains another remedy, more oppressive even than the bitter storm, so that the sons of Atreus struck the ground with their canes and did not stifle their tears— > Greek: Χορός: πνοαὶ δʼ ἀπὸ Στρυμόνος μολοῦσαι κακόσχολοι νήστιδες δύσορμοι, βροτῶν ἄλαι, ναῶν ⟨τε⟩ καὶ πεισμάτων ἀφειδεῖς, παλιμμήκη χρόνον τιθεῖσαι τρίβῳ κατέξαινον ἄν- θος Ἀργείων· ἐπεὶ δὲ καὶ πικροῦ χείματος ἄλλο μῆχαρ βριθύτερον πρόμοισιν μάντις ἔκλαγξεν προφέρων Ἄρτεμιν, ὥστε χθόνα βάκ- τροις ἐπικρούσαντας Ἀτρεί- δας δάκρυ μὴ κατασχεῖν· [¶13] Chorus: Then the elder king spoke and said: “It is a hard fate to refuse obedience, and hard, if I must slay my child, the glory of my home, and at the altar-side stain” “a father’s hand with streams of virgin’s blood. Which of these courses is not filled with evil? How can I become a deserter to my fleet and fail my allies in arms?” “For that they should with all too impassioned passion crave a sacrifice to lull the winds—even a virgin’s blood—stands within their right. May all be for the best.” > Greek: Χορός: ἄναξ δʼ ὁ πρέσβυς τότʼ εἶπε φωνῶν· βαρεῖα μὲν κὴρ τὸ μὴ πιθέσθαι, βαρεῖα δʼ, εἰ τέκνον δαΐ- ξω, δόμων ἄγαλμα, μιαίνων παρθενοσφάγοισιν ῥείθροις πατρῴους χέρας πέλας βωμοῦ· τί τῶνδʼ ἄνευ κακῶν, πῶς λιπόναυς γένωμαι ξυμμαχίας ἁμαρτών; παυσανέμου γὰρ θυσίας παρθενίου θʼ αἵματος ὀρ- γᾷ περιόργως ἐπιθυ- μεῖν θέμις. εὖ γὰρ εἴη. [¶14] Chorus: But when he had donned the yoke of Necessity, with veering of mind, impious, unholy, unsanctified, from that moment he changed his intention and began to conceive that deed of uttermost audacity. For wretched delusion, counsellor of ill, primal source of woe, makes mortals bold. So then he hardened his heart to sacrifice his daughter so that he might further a war waged to avenge a woman, and as an offering for the voyage of a fleet! > Greek: Χορός: ἐπεὶ δʼ ἀνάγκας ἔδυ λέπαδνον φρενὸς πνέων δυσσεβῆ τροπαίαν ἄναγνον ἀνίερον, τόθεν τὸ παντότολμον φρονεῖν μετέγνω. βροτοὺς θρασύνει γὰρ αἰσχρόμητις τάλαινα παρακοπὰ πρωτοπήμων. ἔτλα δʼ οὖν θυτὴρ γενέσθαι θυγατρός, γυναικοποίνων πολέμων ἀρωγὰν καὶ προτέλεια ναῶν. [¶15] Chorus: For her supplications, her cries of “Father,” and her virgin life, the commanders in their eagerness for war cared nothing. Her father, after a prayer, bade his ministers lay hold of her as, enwrapped in her robes, she lay fallen forward, and with stout heart to raise her, as if she were a young goat, high above the altar; and with a gag upon her lovely mouth to hold back the shouted curse against her house— > Greek: Χορός: λιτὰς δὲ καὶ κληδόνας πατρῴους παρʼ οὐδὲν αἰῶ τε παρθένειον ἔθεντο φιλόμαχοι βραβῆς. φράσεν δʼ ἀόζοις πατὴρ μετʼ εὐχὰν δίκαν χιμαίρας ὕπερθε βωμοῦ πέπλοισι περιπετῆ παντὶ θυμῷ προνωπῆ λαβεῖν ἀέρδην, στόματός τε καλλιπρῴρου φυλακᾷ κατασχεῖν φθόγγον ἀραῖον οἴκοις, [¶16] Chorus: by the bit’s strong and stifling might. Then, as she shed to earth her saffron robe, she struck each of her sacrificers with a glance from her eyes beseeching pity, looking as if in a picture, wishing she could speak; for she had often sung where men met at her father’s hospitable table, and with her virgin voice would lovingly honor her dear father’s prayer for blessing at the third libation — > Greek: Χορός: βίᾳ χαλινῶν τʼ ἀναύδῳ μένει. κρόκου βαφὰς δʼ ἐς πέδον χέουσα ἔβαλλʼ ἕκαστον θυτήρ- ων ἀπʼ ὄμματος βέλει φιλοίκτῳ, πρέπουσά θʼ ὡς ἐν γραφαῖς, προσεννέπειν θέλουσʼ, ἐπεὶ πολλάκις πατρὸς κατʼ ἀνδρῶνας εὐτραπέζους ἔμελψεν, ἁγνᾷ δʼ ἀταύρωτος αὐδᾷ πατρὸς φίλου τριτόσπονδον εὔ- ποτμον παιῶνα φίλως ἐτίμα— [¶17] Chorus: What happened next I did not see and do not tell. The art of Calchas was not unfulfilled. > Greek: Χορός: τὰ δʼ ἔνθεν οὔτʼ εἶδον οὔτʼ ἐννέπω· τέχναι δὲ Κάλχαντος οὐκ ἄκραντοι. [¶18] Justice inclines her scales so that wisdom comes at the price of suffering. But the future, that you shall know when it occurs; till then, leave it be—it is just as someone weeping ahead of time. Clear it will come, together with the light of dawn. Enter Clytaemestra But as for what shall follow, may the issue be happy, even as she wishes, our sole guardian here, the bulwark of the Apian land, who stands nearest to our lord. > Greek: Δίκα δὲ τοῖς μὲν παθοῦσ- ιν μαθεῖν ἐπιρρέπει· τὸ μέλλον ⟨δʼ⟩, ἐπεὶ γένοιτʼ, ἂν κλύοις· πρὸ χαιρέτω· ἴσον δὲ τῷ προστένειν. τορὸν γὰρ ἥξει σύνορθρον αὐγαῖς. πέλοιτο δʼ οὖν τἀπὶ τούτοισιν εὖ πρᾶξις, ὡς θέλει τόδʼ ἄγχιστον Ἀ- πίας γαίας μονόφρουρον ἕρκος. [¶19] Chorus: I have come, Clytaemestra, in obedience to your royal authority; for it is fitting to do homage to the consort of a sovereign prince when her husband’s throne is empty. Now whether the news you have heard is good or ill, and you do make sacrifice with hopes that herald gladness, I wish to hear; yet, if you would keep silence, I make no complaint. > Greek: Χορός: ἥκω σεβίζων σόν, Κλυταιμήστρα, κράτος· δίκη γάρ ἐστι φωτὸς ἀρχηγοῦ τίειν γυναῖκʼ ἐρημωθέντος ἄρσενος θρόνου. σὺ δʼ εἴ τι κεδνὸν εἴτε μὴ πεπυσμένη εὐαγγέλοισιν ἐλπίσιν θυηπολεῖς, κλύοιμʼ ἂν εὔφρων· οὐδὲ σιγώσῃ φθόνος. [¶20] Clytaemestra: As herald of gladness, with the proverb, may Dawn be born from her mother Night! You shall hear joyful news surpassing all your hopes—the Argives have taken Priam’s town! > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: εὐάγγελος μέν, ὥσπερ ἡ παροιμία, ἕως γένοιτο μητρὸς εὐφρόνης πάρα. πεύσῃ δὲ χάρμα μεῖζον ἐλπίδος κλύειν· Πριάμου γὰρ ᾑρήκασιν Ἀργεῖοι πόλιν. [¶21] Chorus: What have you said? The meaning of your words has escaped me, so incredible they seemed. > Greek: Χορός: πῶς φής; πέφευγε τοὔπος ἐξ ἀπιστίας. [¶22] Clytaemestra: I said that Troy is in the hands of the Achaeans. Is my meaning clear? > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: Τροίαν Ἀχαιῶν οὖσαν· ἦ τορῶς λέγω; [¶23] Chorus: Joy steals over me, and it challenges my tears. > Greek: Χορός: χαρά μʼ ὑφέρπει δάκρυον ἐκκαλουμένη. [¶24] Clytaemestra: Sure enough, for your eye betrays your loyal heart. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: εὖ γὰρ φρονοῦντος ὄμμα σοῦ κατηγορεῖ. [¶25] Chorus: What then is the proof? Have you evidence of this? > Greek: Χορός: τί γὰρ τὸ πιστόν; ἔστι τῶνδέ σοι τέκμαρ; [¶26] Clytaemestra: I have, indeed; unless some god has played me false. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: ἔστιν· τί δʼ οὐχί; μὴ δολώσαντος θεοῦ. [¶27] Chorus: Do you believe the persuasive visions of dreams? > Greek: Χορός: πότερα δʼ ὀνείρων φάσματʼ εὐπιθῆ σέβεις; [¶28] Clytaemestra: I would not heed the fancies of a slumbering brain. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: οὐ δόξαν ἂν λάβοιμι βριζούσης φρενός. [¶29] Chorus: But can it be some pleasing rumor that has fed your hopes? > Greek: Χορός: ἀλλʼ ἦ σʼ ἐπίανέν τις ἄπτερος φάτις; [¶30] Clytaemestra: Truly you scorn my understanding as if it were a child’s. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: παιδὸς νέας ὣς κάρτʼ ἐμωμήσω φρένας. [¶31] Chorus: But at what time was the city destroyed? > Greek: Χορός: ποίου χρόνου δὲ καὶ πεπόρθηται πόλις; [¶32] Clytaemestra: In the night, I say, that has but now given birth to this day here. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: τῆς νῦν τεκούσης φῶς τόδʼ εὐφρόνης λέγω. [¶33] Chorus: And what messenger could reach here with such speed? > Greek: Χορός: καὶ τίς τόδʼ ἐξίκοιτʼ ἂν ἀγγέλων τάχος; [¶34] Clytaemestra: Hephaestus, from Ida speeding forth his brilliant blaze. Beacon passed beacon on to us by courier-flame: Ida, to the Hermaean crag in Lemnos; to the mighty blaze upon the island succeeded, third, the summit of Athos sacred to Zeus; and, soaring high aloft so as to leap across the sea, the flame, travelling joyously onward in its strength … the pinewood torch, its golden-beamed light, as another sun, passing the message on to the watchtowers of Macistus. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: Ἥφαιστος Ἴδης λαμπρὸν ἐκπέμπων σέλας. φρυκτὸς δὲ φρυκτὸν δεῦρʼ ἀπʼ ἀγγάρου πυρὸς ἔπεμπεν· Ἴδη μὲν πρὸς Ἑρμαῖον λέπας Λήμνου· μέγαν δὲ πανὸν ἐκ νήσου τρίτον Ἀθῷον αἶπος Ζηνὸς ἐξεδέξατο, ὑπερτελής τε, πόντον ὥστε νωτίσαι, ἰσχὺς πορευτοῦ λαμπάδος πρὸς ἡδονὴν … πεύκη τὸ χρυσοφεγγές, ὥς τις ἥλιος, σέλας παραγγείλασα Μακίστου σκοπαῖς· [¶35] He, delaying not nor carelessly overcome by sleep, did not neglect his part as messenger. Far over Euripus’ stream came the beacon-light and signalled to the watchmen on Messapion. They, kindling a heap of withered heather, lit up their answering blaze and sped the message on. The flame, now gathering strength and in no way dimmed, like a radiant moon overleaped the plain of Asopus to Cithaeron’s ridges, and roused another relay of missive fire. > Greek: ὁ δʼ οὔτι μέλλων οὐδʼ ἀφρασμόνως ὕπνῳ νικώμενος παρῆκεν ἀγγέλου μέρος· ἑκὰς δὲ φρυκτοῦ φῶς ἐπʼ Εὐρίπου ῥοὰς Μεσσαπίου φύλαξι σημαίνει μολόν. οἱ δʼ ἀντέλαμψαν καὶ παρήγγειλαν πρόσω γραίας ἐρείκης θωμὸν ἅψαντες πυρί. σθένουσα λαμπὰς δʼ οὐδέπω μαυρουμένη, ὑπερθοροῦσα πεδίον Ἀσωποῦ, δίκην φαιδρᾶς σελήνης, πρὸς Κιθαιρῶνος λέπας ἤγειρεν ἄλλην ἐκδοχὴν πομποῦ πυρός. [¶36] Nor did the warders there disdain the far-flung light, but made a blaze higher than their commands. Across Gorgopus’ water shot the light, reached the mount of Aegiplanctus, and urged the ordinance of fire to make no delay. > Greek: φάος δὲ τηλέπομπον οὐκ ἠναίνετο φρουρὰ πλέον καίουσα τῶν εἰρημένων· λίμνην δʼ ὑπὲρ Γοργῶπιν ἔσκηψεν φάος· ὄρος τʼ ἐπʼ Αἰγίπλαγκτον ἐξικνούμενον ὤτρυνε θεσμὸν μὴ χρονίζεσθαι πυρός. [¶37] Kindling high with unstinted force a mighty beard of flame, they sped it forward so that, as it blazed, it passed even the headland that looks upon the Saronic gulf; until it swooped down when it reached the lookout, near to our city, upon the peak of Arachnaeus; and next upon this roof of the Atreidae it leapt, this very fire not undescended from the Idaean flame. Such are the torch-bearers I have arranged, completing the course in succession one to the other; and the victor is he who ran both first and last. > Greek: πέμπουσι δʼ ἀνδαίοντες ἀφθόνῳ μένει φλογὸς μέγαν πώγωνα, καὶ Σαρωνικοῦ πορθμοῦ κάτοπτον πρῶνʼ ὑπερβάλλειν πρόσω φλέγουσαν· ἔστʼ ἔσκηψεν εὖτʼ ἀφίκετο Ἀραχναῖον αἶπος, ἀστυγείτονας σκοπάς· κἄπειτʼ Ἀτρειδῶν ἐς τόδε σκήπτει στέγος φάος τόδʼ οὐκ ἄπαππον Ἰδαίου πυρός. τοιοίδε τοί μοι λαμπαδηφόρων νόμοι, ἄλλος παρʼ ἄλλου διαδοχαῖς πληρούμενοι· νικᾷ δʼ ὁ πρῶτος καὶ τελευταῖος δραμών. [¶38] This is the kind of proof and token I give you, the message of my husband from Troy to me. > Greek: τέκμαρ τοιοῦτον σύμβολόν τέ σοι λέγω ἀνδρὸς παραγγείλαντος ἐκ Τροίας ἐμοί. [¶39] Chorus: Lady, my prayers of thanksgiving to the gods I will offer soon. But as I would like to hear and satisfy my wonder at your tale straight through to the end, so may you tell it yet again. > Greek: Χορός: θεοῖς μὲν αὖθις, ὦ γύναι, προσεύξομαι. λόγους δʼ ἀκοῦσαι τούσδε κἀποθαυμάσαι διηνεκῶς θέλοιμʼ ἂν ὡς λέγοις πάλιν. [¶40] Clytaemestra: This day the Achaeans hold Troy. Within the town there sounds loud, I believe, a clamor of voices which will not blend. Pour vinegar and oil into the same vessel and you will say that, as foes, they keep apart; so the cries of vanquished and victors greet the ear, distinct as their fortunes are diverse. Those, flung upon the corpses of their husbands and their brothers, children upon the bodies of their aged fathers who gave them life, bewail from lips no longer free the death of their dearest ones, while these— a night of restless toil after battle sets them down famished to break their fast on such fare as the town affords; not faring according to rank, but as each man has drawn his lot by chance. And even now they are quartered in the captured Trojan homes, delivered from the frosts and dew of the naked sky, and like happy men will sleep all the night without a guard. Now if they keep clear of guilt towards the gods of the town—those of the conquered land—and towards their shrines, the captors shall not be made captives in their turn. Only may no mad impulse first assail the army, overmastered by greed, to pillage what they should not! For to win safe passage home they need to travel back the other length of their double course. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: Τροίαν Ἀχαιοὶ τῇδʼ ἔχουσʼ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ. οἶμαι βοὴν ἄμεικτον ἐν πόλει πρέπειν. ὄξος τʼ ἄλειφά τʼ ἐγχέας ταὐτῷ κύτει διχοστατοῦντʼ ἄν, οὐ φίλω, προσεννέποις. καὶ τῶν ἁλόντων καὶ κρατησάντων δίχα φθογγὰς ἀκούειν ἔστι συμφορᾶς διπλῆς. οἱ μὲν γὰρ ἀμφὶ σώμασιν πεπτωκότες ἀνδρῶν κασιγνήτων τε καὶ φυταλμίων παῖδες γερόντων οὐκέτʼ ἐξ ἐλευθέρου δέρης ἀποιμώζουσι φιλτάτων μόρον· τοὺς δʼ αὖτε νυκτίπλαγκτος ἐκ μάχης πόνος νήστεις πρὸς ἀρίστοισιν ὧν ἔχει πόλις τάσσει, πρὸς οὐδὲν ἐν μέρει τεκμήριον, ἀλλʼ ὡς ἕκαστος ἔσπασεν τύχης πάλον. ἐν ⟨δʼ⟩ αἰχμαλώτοις Τρωικοῖς οἰκήμασιν ναίουσιν ἤδη, τῶν ὑπαιθρίων πάγων δρόσων τʼ ἀπαλλαγέντες, ὡς δʼ εὐδαίμονες ἀφύλακτον εὑδήσουσι πᾶσαν εὐφρόνην. εἰ δʼ εὖ σέβουσι τοὺς πολισσούχους θεοὺς τοὺς τῆς ἁλούσης γῆς θεῶν θʼ ἱδρύματα, οὔ τἂν ἑλόντες αὖθις ἀνθαλοῖεν ἄν. ἔρως δὲ μή τις πρότερον ἐμπίπτῃ στρατῷ πορθεῖν ἃ μὴ χρή, κέρδεσιν νικωμένους. δεῖ γὰρ πρὸς οἴκους νοστίμου σωτηρίας κάμψαι διαύλου θάτερον κῶλον πάλιν· [¶41] But even if, without having offended the gods, our troops should reach home, the grievous suffering of the dead might still remain awake—if no fresh disaster transpires. These are my woman’s words; but may the good prevail clearly for all to see! > Greek: θεοῖς δʼ ἀναμπλάκητος εἰ μόλοι στρατός, ἐγρηγορὸς τὸ πῆμα τῶν ὀλωλότων γένοιτʼ ἄν, εἰ πρόσπαια μὴ τύχοι κακά. τοιαῦτά τοι γυναικὸς ἐξ ἐμοῦ κλύεις· τὸ δʼ εὖ κρατοίη μὴ διχορρόπως ἰδεῖν. [¶42] For, choosing thus, I have chosen the enjoyment of many a blessing. > Greek: πολλῶν γὰρ ἐσθλῶν τήνδʼ ὄνησιν εἱλόμην. [¶43] Chorus: Lady, you speak as wisely as a prudent man. And, for my part, now that I have listened to your certain proofs, I prepare to address due prayers of thanksgiving to the gods; for a success has been achieved that well repays the toil. > Greek: Χορός: γύναι, κατʼ ἄνδρα σώφρονʼ εὐφρόνως λέγεις. ἐγὼ δʼ ἀκούσας πιστά σου τεκμήρια θεοὺς προσειπεῖν εὖ παρασκευάζομαι. χάρις γὰρ οὐκ ἄτιμος εἴργασται πόνων. [¶44] Hail, sovereign Zeus, and you kindly Night, you who have given us great glory, you who cast your meshed snare upon the towered walls of Troy, so that neither old nor young could overleap the huge enslaving net of all-conquering Destruction. Great Zeus it is, lord of host and guest, whom I revere—he has brought this to pass. He long kept his bow bent against Alexander until his bolt would neither fall short of the mark nor, flying beyond the stars, be launched in vain. > Greek: Χορός: ὦ Ζεῦ βασιλεῦ καὶ νὺξ φιλία μεγάλων κόσμων κτεάτειρα, ἥτʼ ἐπὶ Τροίας πύργοις ἔβαλες στεγανὸν δίκτυον, ὡς μήτε μέγαν μήτʼ οὖν νεαρῶν τινʼ ὑπερτελέσαι μέγα δουλείας γάγγαμον, ἄτης παναλώτου. Δία τοι ξένιον μέγαν αἰδοῦμαι τὸν τάδε πράξαντʼ ἐπʼ Ἀλεξάνδρῳ τείνοντα πάλαι τόξον, ὅπως ἂν μήτε πρὸ καιροῦ μήθʼ ὑπὲρ ἄστρων βέλος ἠλίθιον σκήψειεν. [¶45] Chorus: “The stroke of Zeus” they may call it; his hand can be traced there. As he determines, so he acts. Someone said that the gods do not trouble themselves to remember mortals who trample underfoot the grace of things not to be touched. But that man was impious! Now it stands revealed! The penalty for reckless crime is ruin when men breathe a spirit of pride above just measure, because their mansions teem with more abundance than is good for them. But let there be such wealth as brings no distress, enough to satisfy a sensible man. For riches do not protect the man who in wantonness has kicked the mighty altar of Justice into obscurity. > Greek: Χορός: Διὸς πλαγὰν ἔχουσιν εἰπεῖν, πάρεστιν τοῦτό γʼ ἐξιχνεῦσαι. [ὡς] ἔπραξεν ὡς ἔκρανεν. οὐκ ἔφα τις θεοὺς βροτῶν ἀξιοῦσθαι μέλειν ὅσοις ἀθίκτων χάρις πατοῖθʼ· ὁ δʼ οὐκ εὐσεβής. πέφανται δʼ ἐκτίνουσʼ ἀτολμήτων ἀρὴ πνεόντων μεῖζον ἢ δικαίως, φλεόντων δωμάτων ὑπέρφευ ὑπὲρ τὸ βέλτιστον. ἔστω δʼ ἀπή- μαντον, ὥστʼ ἀπαρκεῖν εὖ πραπίδων λαχόντα. οὐ γὰρ ἔστιν ἔπαλξις πλούτου πρὸς κόρον ἀνδρὶ λακτίσαντι μέγαν Δίκας βωμὸν εἰς ἀφάνειαν. [¶46] Chorus: Perverse Temptation, the overmastering child of designing Destruction, drives men on; and every remedy is futile. His evil is not hidden; it shines forth, a baleful gleam. > Greek: Χορός: βιᾶται δʼ ἁ τάλαινα πειθώ, προβούλου παῖς ἄφερτος ἄτας. ἄκος δὲ πᾶν μάταιον. οὐκ ἐκρύφθη, πρέπει δέ, φῶς αἰνολαμπές, σίνος· [¶47] Like base metal beneath the touchstone’s rub, when tested he shows the blackness of his grain (for he is like a child who chases a winged bird) and upon his people he brings a taint against which there is no defence. No god listens to his prayers. The man associated with such deeds, him they destroy in his unrighteousness. And such was Paris, who came to the house of the sons of Atreus and dishonoured the hospitality of his host by stealing away a wedded wife. Chorus: But she, bequeathing to her people the clang of shield and spear and army of fleets, and bringing to Ilium destruction in place of dowry, with light step she passed through the gates—daring a deed undareable. Then loud wailed the seers of the house crying, “Alas, alas, for the home, the home, and for the princes! Alas for the husband’s bed and the impress of her form so dear! He sits apart in the anguish of his grief, silent, dishonored but making no reproach. In his yearning for her who sped beyond the sea,” “a phantom will seem to be lord of the house. The grace of fair-formed statues is hateful to him; and in the hunger of his eyes all loveliness is departed.” > Greek: κακοῦ δὲ χαλκοῦ τρόπον τρίβῳ τε καὶ προσβολαῖς μελαμπαγὴς πέλει δικαιωθείς, ἐπεὶ διώκει παῖς ποτανὸν ὄρνιν, πόλει πρόστριμμʼ ἄφερτον ἐνθείς. λιτᾶν δʼ ἀκούει μὲν οὔτις θεῶν· τὸν δʼ ἐπίστροφον τῶν φῶτʼ ἄδικον καθαιρεῖ. οἷος καὶ Πάρις ἐλθὼν ἐς δόμον τὸν Ἀτρειδᾶν ᾔσχυνε ξενίαν τράπε- ζαν κλοπαῖσι γυναικός. Χορός: λιποῦσα δʼ ἀστοῖσιν ἀσπίστοράς τε καὶ κλόνους λογχίμους ναυβάτας ⟨θʼ⟩ ὁπλισμούς, ἄγουσά τʼ ἀντίφερνον Ἰλίῳ φθορὰν βέβακεν ῥίμφα διὰ πυλᾶν ἄτλητα τλᾶσα· πολλὰ δʼ ἔστενον τόδʼ ἐννέποντες δόμων προφῆται· ἰὼ ἰὼ δῶμα δῶμα καὶ πρόμοι, ἰὼ λέχος καὶ στίβοι φιλάνορες. πάρεστι σιγὰς ἀτίμους ἀλοιδόρους ἄλγιστʼ ἀφημένων ἰδεῖν. πόθῳ δʼ ὑπερποντίας φάσμα δόξει δόμων ἀνάσσειν. εὐμόρφων δὲ κολοσσῶν ἔχθεται χάρις ἀνδρί· ὀμμάτων δʼ ἐν ἀχηνίαις ἔρρει πᾶσʼ Ἀφροδίτα. [¶48] Chorus: “Mournful apparitions come to him in dreams, bringing only vain joy; for vainly, whenever in his imagination a man sees delights,” “straightaway the vision, slipping through his arms, is gone, winging its flight along the paths of sleep.” Such are the sorrows at hearth and home, but here are sorrows surpassing these; and at large, in every house of all who went forth together from the land of Hellas, unbearable grief is seen. Many things pierce the heart. Each knows whom he sent forth. But to the home of each come urns and ashes, not living men. > Greek: Χορός: ὀνειρόφαντοι δὲ πενθήμονες πάρεισι δόξαι φέρου- σαι χάριν ματαίαν. μάταν γάρ, εὖτʼ ἂν ἐσθλά τις δοκῶν ὁρᾷ, παραλλάξασα διὰ χερῶν βέβακεν ὄψις οὐ μεθύστερον πτεροῖς ὀπαδοῦσʼ ὕπνου κελεύθοις. τὰ μὲν κατʼ οἴκους ἐφʼ ἑστίας ἄχη τάδʼ ἐστὶ καὶ τῶνδʼ ὑπερβατώτερα. τὸ πᾶν δʼ ἀφʼ Ἕλλανος αἴας συνορμένοις πένθειʼ ἀτλησικάρδιος δόμων ἑκάστου πρέπει. πολλὰ γοῦν θιγγάνει πρὸς ἧπαρ· οὓς μὲν γάρ ⟨τις⟩ ἔπεμψεν οἶδεν, ἀντὶ δὲ φωτῶν τεύχη καὶ σποδὸς εἰς ἑκά- στου δόμους ἀφικνεῖται. [¶49] Chorus: Ares barters the bodies of men for gold; he holds his balance in the contest of the spear; and back from Ilium to their loved ones he sends a heavy dust passed through his burning, a dust cried over with plenteous tears, in place of men sending well made urns with ashes. > Greek: Χορός: ὁ χρυσαμοιβὸς δʼ Ἄρης σωμάτων καὶ ταλαντοῦχος ἐν μάχῃ δορὸς πυρωθὲν ἐξ Ἰλίου φίλοισι πέμπει βαρὺ ψῆγμα δυσδάκρυτον ἀν- τήνορος σποδοῦ γεμί- ζων λέβητας εὐθέτους. [¶50] So they lament, praising now this one: “How skilled in battle!” now that one: “Fallen nobly in the carnage,”—“for another’s wife—” some mutter in secret, and grief charged with resentment spreads stealthily against the sons of Atreus, champions in the strife. But there far from home, around the city’s walls, those in their beauty’s bloom have graves in Ilium— the enemy’s soil has covered its conquerors. > Greek: στένουσι δʼ εὖ λέγοντες ἄν- δρα τὸν μὲν ὡς μάχης ἴδρις, τὸν δʼ ἐν φοναῖς καλῶς πεσόντʼ— ἀλλοτρίας διαὶ γυναι- κός· τάδε σῖγά τις βαΰ- ζει, φθονερὸν δʼ ὑπʼ ἄλγος ἕρ- πει προδίκοις Ἀτρείδαις. οἱ δʼ αὐτοῦ περὶ τεῖχος θήκας Ἰλιάδος γᾶς εὔμορφοι κατέχουσιν· ἐχ- θρὰ δʼ ἔχοντας ἔκρυψεν. [¶51] Chorus: Dangerous is a people’s voice charged with wrath—it acts as a curse of publicly ratified doom. In anxious fear I wait to hear something shrouded still in gloom. The gods are not blind to men with blood upon their hands. In the end the black Spirits of Vengeance bring to obscurity that one who has prospered in unrighteousness and wear down his fortunes by reverse. Once a man is among the unseen, there is no more help for him. Glory in excess is fraught with peril; the lofty peak is struck by Zeus’ thunderbolt. I choose prosperity unassailed by envy. May I not be a sacker of cities, and may I not myself be despoiled and live to see my own life in another’s power! > Greek: Χορός: βαρεῖα δʼ ἀστῶν φάτις ξὺν κότῳ· δημοκράντου δʼ ἀρᾶς τίνει χρέος. μένει δʼ ἀκοῦσαί τί μου μέριμνα νυκτηρεφές. τῶν πολυκτόνων γὰρ οὐκ ἄσκοποι θεοί. κελαι- ναὶ δʼ Ἐρινύες χρόνῳ τυχηρὸν ὄντʼ ἄνευ δίκας παλιντυχεῖ τριβᾷ βίου τιθεῖσʼ ἀμαυρόν, ἐν δʼ ἀί- στοις τελέθοντος οὔτις ἀλ- κά· τὸ δʼ ὑπερκόπως κλύειν εὖ βαρύ· βάλλεται γὰρ ὄσ- σοις Διόθεν κάρανα. κρίνω δʼ ἄφθονον ὄλβον· μήτʼ εἴην πτολιπόρθης μήτʼ οὖν αὐτὸς ἁλοὺς ὑπʼ ἄλ- λων βίον κατίδοιμι. [¶52] (One Elder): Heralded by a beacon of good tidings a swift report has spread throughout the town. Yet whether it is true, or some deception of the gods, who knows? (A Second Elder): Who is so childish or so bereft of sense, once he has let his heart be fired by sudden news of a beacon fire, to despair if the story changes? (A Third Elder): It is just like a woman’s eager nature to yield assent to pleasing news before yet the truth is clear. (A Fourth Elder): Too credulous, a woman’s mind has boundaries open to quick encroachment; but quick to perish is rumor spread by a woman. (Leader Of The Chorus): We shall soon know about this passing on of flaming lights and beacon signals and fires, whether they perhaps are true or whether, dream-like, this light’s glad coming has beguiled our senses. Look! I see approaching from the shore a herald crowned with boughs of olive. The thirsty dust, consorting sister of the mud, assures me that neither by pantomime nor by kindling a flame of mountain wood will he signal with smoke of fire. Either in plain words he will bid us to rejoice the more, or—but I have little love for the report opposite to this! > Greek: Χορός: πυρὸς δʼ ὑπʼ εὐαγγέλου πόλιν διήκει θοὰ βάξις· εἰ δʼ ἐτήτυμος, τίς οἶδεν, ἤ τι θεῖόν ἐστί πῃ ψύθος.— τίς ὧδε παιδνὸς ἢ φρενῶν κεκομμένος, φλογὸς παραγγέλμασιν νέοις πυρωθέντα καρδίαν ἔπειτʼ ἀλλαγᾷ λόγου καμεῖν;— [ἐν] γυναικὸς αἰχμᾷ πρέπει πρὸ τοῦ φανέντος χάριν ξυναινέσαι.— πιθανὸς ἄγαν ὁ θῆλυς ὅρος ἐπινέμεται ταχύπορος· ἀλλὰ ταχύμορον γυναικογήρυτον ὄλλυται κλέος.— Χορός: τάχʼ εἰσόμεσθα λαμπάδων φαεσφόρων φρυκτωριῶν τε καὶ πυρὸς παραλλαγάς, εἴτʼ οὖν ἀληθεῖς εἶτʼ ὀνειράτων δίκην τερπνὸν τόδʼ ἐλθὸν φῶς ἐφήλωσεν φρένας. κήρυκʼ ἀπʼ ἀκτῆς τόνδʼ ὁρῶ κατάσκιον κλάδοις ἐλαίας· μαρτυρεῖ δέ μοι κάσις πηλοῦ ξύνουρος διψία κόνις τάδε, ὡς οὔτʼ ἄναυδος οὔτε σοι δαίων φλόγα ὕλης ὀρείας σημανεῖ καπνῷ πυρός, ἀλλʼ ἢ τὸ χαίρειν μᾶλλον ἐκβάξει λέγων— τὸν ἀντίον δὲ τοῖσδʼ ἀποστέργω λόγον· [¶53] May still further good be added to the good that has appeared! (ANOTHER ELDER): Whoever makes this prayer with other intent toward the state, let him reap himself the fruit of his misguided purpose! Enter a Herald Herald: All hail, soil of Argos, land of my fathers! On this happy day in the tenth year I have come to you. Many hopes have shattered, one only have I seen fulfilled; for I never dared to dream that here in this land of Argos I should die and have due portion of burial most dear to me. Now blessings on the land, blessings on the light of the sun, and blessed be Zeus, the land’s Most High, and the Pythian lord; and may he launch no more his shafts against us. Enough of your hostility did you display by Scamander’s banks; but now, in other mood, be our preserver and our healer, O lord Apollo. And the gods gathered here, I greet them all; him, too, my own patron, Hermes, beloved herald, of heralds all revered; and the heroes who sped us forth, I pray that they may receive back in kindliness the remnant of the host which has escaped the spear. Hail, halls of our kings, beloved roofs, and you august seats, and you divinities that face the sun, if ever you did in days gone by, now after long lapse of years, with gladness in your eyes receive your king. For bearing light in darkness to you and to all assembled here alike, he has returned—Agamemnon, our king. Oh greet him well, as is right, since he has uprooted Troy with the mattock of Zeus the Avenger, with which her soil has been uptorn. Demolished are the altars and the shrines of her gods; and the seed of her whole land has been wasted utterly. Upon the neck of Troy he has cast such a yoke. Now he has come home, our king, Atreus’ elder son, a man of happy fate, worthy of honor beyond all living men. For neither Paris nor his partner city can boast that the deed was greater than the suffering. Convicted for robbery and for theft as well, he has lost the plunder and has razed in utter destruction his father’s house and even the land. The sons of Priam have paid a twofold penalty for their sins. > Greek: εὖ γὰρ πρὸς εὖ φανεῖσι προσθήκη πέλοι.— ὅστις τάδʼ ἄλλως τῇδʼ ἐπεύχεται πόλει, αὐτὸς φρενῶν καρποῖτο τὴν ἁμαρτίαν. Κῆρυξ: ἰὼ πατρῷον οὖδας Ἀργείας χθονός, δεκάτου σε φέγγει τῷδʼ ἀφικόμην ἔτους, πολλῶν ῥαγεισῶν ἐλπίδων μιᾶς τυχών. οὐ γάρ ποτʼ ηὔχουν τῇδʼ ἐν Ἀργείᾳ χθονὶ θανὼν μεθέξειν φιλτάτου τάφου μέρος. νῦν χαῖρε μὲν χθών, χαῖρε δʼ ἡλίου φάος, ὕπατός τε χώρας Ζεύς, ὁ Πύθιός τʼ ἄναξ, τόξοις ἰάπτων μηκέτʼ εἰς ἡμᾶς βέλη· ἅλις παρὰ Σκάμανδρον ἦσθʼ ἀνάρσιος· νῦν δʼ αὖτε σωτὴρ ἴσθι καὶ παιώνιος, ἄναξ Ἄπολλον. τούς τʼ ἀγωνίους θεοὺς πάντας προσαυδῶ, τόν τʼ ἐμὸν τιμάορον Ἑρμῆν, φίλον κήρυκα, κηρύκων σέβας, ἥρως τε τοὺς πέμψαντας, εὐμενεῖς πάλιν στρατὸν δέχεσθαι τὸν λελειμμένον δορός. ἰὼ μέλαθρα βασιλέων, φίλαι στέγαι, σεμνοί τε θᾶκοι, δαίμονές τʼ ἀντήλιοι, εἴ που πάλαι, φαιδροῖσι τοισίδʼ ὄμμασι δέξασθε κόσμῳ βασιλέα πολλῷ χρόνῳ. ἥκει γὰρ ὑμῖν φῶς ἐν εὐφρόνῃ φέρων καὶ τοῖσδʼ ἅπασι κοινὸν Ἀγαμέμνων ἄναξ. ἀλλʼ εὖ νιν ἀσπάσασθε, καὶ γὰρ οὖν πρέπει Τροίαν κατασκάψαντα τοῦ δικηφόρου Διὸς μακέλλῃ, τῇ κατείργασται πέδον. βωμοὶ δʼ ἄιστοι καὶ θεῶν ἱδρύματα, καὶ σπέρμα πάσης ἐξαπόλλυται χθονός. τοιόνδε Τροίᾳ περιβαλὼν ζευκτήριον ἄναξ Ἀτρείδης πρέσβυς εὐδαίμων ἀνὴρ ἥκει, τίεσθαι δʼ ἀξιώτατος βροτῶν τῶν νῦν· Πάρις γὰρ οὔτε συντελὴς πόλις ἐξεύχεται τὸ δρᾶμα τοῦ πάθους πλέον. ὀφλὼν γὰρ ἁρπαγῆς τε καὶ κλοπῆς δίκην τοῦ ῥυσίου θʼ ἥμαρτε καὶ πανώλεθρον αὐτόχθονον πατρῷον ἔθρισεν δόμον. διπλᾶ δʼ ἔτεισαν Πριαμίδαι θἀμάρτια. [¶54] Chorus: Joy to you, Herald from the Achaean host! > Greek: Χορός: κῆρυξ Ἀχαιῶν χαῖρε τῶν ἀπὸ στρατοῦ. [¶55] Herald: I do rejoice. I will no longer refuse to die, if that pleases the gods. > Greek: Κῆρυξ: χαίρω ⟨γε⟩· τεθνάναι δʼ οὐκέτʼ ἀντερῶ θεοῖς. [¶56] Chorus: Was it yearning for this your fatherland that wore you out? > Greek: Χορός: ἔρως πατρῴας τῆσδε γῆς σʼ ἐγύμνασεν; [¶57] Herald: Yes, so that my eyes are filled with tears for joy. > Greek: Κῆρυξ: ὥστʼ ἐνδακρύειν γʼ ὄμμασιν χαρᾶς ὕπο. [¶58] Chorus: It was then a pleasing malady from which you suffered. > Greek: Χορός: τερπνῆς ἄρʼ ἦτε τῆσδʼ ἐπήβολοι νόσου. [¶59] Herald: How so? Teach me, and I shall master what you say. > Greek: Κῆρυξ: πῶς δή; διδαχθεὶς τοῦδε δεσπόσω λόγου. [¶60] Chorus: You were smitten with desire for those who returned your love. > Greek: Χορός: τῶν ἀντερώντων ἱμέρῳ πεπληγμένοι. [¶61] Herald: Do you mean that our land longed for the longing host? > Greek: Κῆρυξ: ποθεῖν ποθοῦντα τήνδε γῆν στρατὸν λέγεις; [¶62] Chorus: Longed so, that often from a darkly brooding spirit I have sighed. > Greek: Χορός: ὡς πόλλʼ ἀμαυρᾶς ἐκ φρενός ⟨μʼ⟩ ἀναστένειν [¶63] Herald: Where did this gloom of melancholy upon your spirit come from? > Greek: Κῆρυξ: πόθεν τὸ δύσφρον τοῦτʼ ἐπῆν θυμῷ στύγος; [¶64] Chorus: Long since have I found silence an antidote to harm. > Greek: Χορός: πάλαι τὸ σιγᾶν φάρμακον βλάβης ἔχω. [¶65] Herald: How so? Did you fear anyone when our princes were gone? > Greek: Κῆρυξ: καὶ πῶς; ἀπόντων κοιράνων ἔτρεις τινάς; [¶66] Chorus: In such fear that now, in your own words, even death would be great joy. > Greek: Χορός: ὡς νῦν, τὸ σὸν δή, καὶ θανεῖν πολλὴ χάρις. [¶67] Herald: Yes, all’s well, well ended. Yet, of what occurred in the long years, one might well say that part fell out happily, and part in turn amiss. But who, unless he is a god, is free from suffering all his days? > Greek: Κῆρυξ: εὖ γὰρ πέπρακται. ταῦτα δʼ ἐν πολλῷ χρόνῳ τὰ μέν τις ἂν λέξειεν εὐπετῶς ἔχειν, τὰ δʼ αὖτε κἀπίμομφα. τίς δὲ πλὴν θεῶν ἅπαντʼ ἀπήμων τὸν διʼ αἰῶνος χρόνον; [¶68] For were I to recount our hardships and our wretched quarters, the scanty space and the sorry berths——what did we not have to complain of... Then again, ashore, there was still worse to loathe; for we had to lie down close to the enemy’s walls, and the drizzling from the sky and the dews from the meadows distilled upon us, working constant destruction to our clothes and filling our hair with vermin. And if one were to tell of the wintry cold, past all enduring, when Ida’s snow slew the birds; or of the heat, when upon his waveless noonday couch, windless the sea sank to sleep—but why should we bewail all this? Our labor’s past; past for the dead so that they will never care even to wake to life again. > Greek: μόχθους γὰρ εἰ λέγοιμι καὶ δυσαυλίας, σπαρνὰς παρήξεις καὶ κακοστρώτους, τί δʼ οὐ στένοντες, οὐ λαχόντες ἤματος μέρος; τὰ δʼ αὖτε χέρσῳ καὶ προσῆν πλέον στύγος· εὐναὶ γὰρ ἦσαν δηΐων πρὸς τείχεσιν· ἐξ οὐρανοῦ δὲ κἀπὸ γῆς λειμώνιαι δρόσοι κατεψάκαζον, ἔμπεδον σίνος ἐσθημάτων, τιθέντες ἔνθηρον τρίχα. χειμῶνα δʼ εἰ λέγοι τις οἰωνοκτόνον, οἷον παρεῖχʼ ἄφερτον Ἰδαία χιών, ἢ θάλπος, εὖτε πόντος ἐν μεσημβριναῖς κοίταις ἀκύμων νηνέμοις εὕδοι πεσών τί ταῦτα πενθεῖν δεῖ; παροίχεται πόνος· παροίχεται δέ, τοῖσι μὲν τεθνηκόσιν τὸ μήποτʼ αὖθις μηδʼ ἀναστῆναι μέλειν. [¶69] Why should we count the number of the slain, or why should the living feel pain at their past harsh fortunes? Our misfortunes should, in my opinion, bid us a long farewell. For us, the remnant of the Argive host, the gain has the advantage and the loss does not bear down the scale; > Greek: τί τοὺς ἀναλωθέντας ἐν ψήφῳ λέγειν, τὸν ζῶντα δʼ ἀλγεῖν χρὴ τύχης παλιγκότου; καὶ πολλὰ χαίρειν ξυμφορὰς καταξιῶ. ἡμῖν δὲ τοῖς λοιποῖσιν Ἀργείων στρατοῦ νικᾷ τὸ κέρδος, πῆμα δʼ οὐκ ἀντιρρέπει· [¶70] so that, as we speed over land and sea, it is fitting that we on this bright day make this boast: “The Argive army, having taken Troy at last, has nailed up these spoils to be a glory for the gods throughout Hellas in their shrines from days of old.” > Greek: ὡς κομπάσαι τῷδʼ εἰκὸς ἡλίου φάει ὑπὲρ θαλάσσης καὶ χθονὸς ποτωμένοις· Τροίαν ἑλόντες δή ποτʼ Ἀργείων στόλος θεοῖς λάφυρα ταῦτα τοῖς καθʼ Ἑλλάδα δόμοις ἐπασσάλευσαν ἀρχαῖον γάνος. [¶71] Whoever hears the story of these deeds must extol the city and the leaders of her host; and the grace of Zeus that brought them to accomplishment shall receive its due measure of gratitude. There, you have heard all that I have to say. > Greek: τοιαῦτα χρὴ κλύοντας εὐλογεῖν πόλιν καὶ τοὺς στρατηγούς· καὶ χάρις τιμήσεται Διὸς τόδʼ ἐκπράξασα.πάντʼ ἔχεις λόγον. [¶72] Chorus: Your words have proved me wrong. I do not deny it; for the old have ever enough youth to learn aright. > Greek: Χορός: νικώμενος λόγοισιν οὐκ ἀναίνομαι· ἀεὶ γὰρ ἥβη τοῖς γέρουσιν εὖ μαθεῖν. [¶73] But these tidings should have most interest for the household and Clytaemestra, and at the same time enrich me. Enter Clytaemestra Clytaemestra: I raised a shout of triumph in my joy long before this, when the first flaming messenger arrived by night, telling that Ilium was captured and overthrown. > Greek: δόμοις δὲ ταῦτα καὶ Κλυταιμήστρᾳ μέλειν εἰκὸς μάλιστα, σὺν δὲ πλουτίζειν ἐμέ. Κλυταιμήστρα: ἀνωλόλυξα μὲν πάλαι χαρᾶς ὕπο, ὅτʼ ἦλθʼ ὁ πρῶτος νύχιος ἄγγελος πυρός, φράζων ἅλωσιν Ἰλίου τʼ ἀνάστασιν. [¶74] Then there were some who chided me and said: “Are you so convinced by beacon-fires as to think that Troy has now been sacked? Truly, it is just like a woman to be elated in heart.” By such taunts I was made to seem as if my wits were wandering. Nevertheless I still held on with my sacrifice, and throughout all the quarters of the city, according to their womanly custom, they raised a shout of happy praise while in the shrines of the gods they lulled to rest the fragrant spice-fed flame. So now why should you rehearse to me the account at length? From the king himself I shall hear the whole tale; > Greek: καί τίς μʼ ἐνίπτων εἶπε, φρυκτωρῶν δία πεισθεῖσα Τροίαν νῦν πεπορθῆσθαι δοκεῖς; ἦ κάρτα πρὸς γυναικὸς αἴρεσθαι κέαρ. λόγοις τοιούτοις πλαγκτὸς οὖσʼ ἐφαινόμην. ὅμως δʼ ἔθυον, καὶ γυναικείῳ νόμῳ ὀλολυγμὸν ἄλλος ἄλλοθεν κατὰ πτόλιν ἔλασκον εὐφημοῦντες ἐν θεῶν ἕδραις θυηφάγον κοιμῶντες εὐώδη φλόγα. καὶ νῦν τὰ μάσσω μὲν τί δεῖ σέ μοι λέγειν; ἄνακτος αὐτοῦ πάντα πεύσομαι λόγον. ## 2. Lines 600–1161 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-agamemnon/2/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-agamemnon/2/#p-N [¶0] but I should hasten to welcome my honored husband best on his return. For what joy is sweeter in a woman’s eyes than to unbar the gates for her husband when God has spared him to return from war? Give this message to my husband: > Greek: ὅπως δʼ ἄριστα τὸν ἐμὸν αἰδοῖον πόσιν σπεύσω πάλιν μολόντα δέξασθαι·—τί γὰρ γυναικὶ τούτου φέγγος ἥδιον δρακεῖν, ἀπὸ στρατείας ἀνδρὶ σώσαντος θεοῦ πύλας ἀνοῖξαι;—ταῦτʼ ἀπάγγειλον πόσει· [¶1] let him come with all speed, his country’s fond desire, come to find at home his wife faithful, even as he left her, a watchdog of his house, loyal to him, a foe to those who wish him ill; yes, for the rest, unchanged in every part; in all this length of time never having broken any seal. Of pleasure from any other man or of scandalous repute I know no more than of dyeing bronze. Exit Herald: A boast like this, loaded full with truth, does not shame the speech of a noble wife. > Greek: ἥκειν ὅπως τάχιστʼ ἐράσμιον πόλει· γυναῖκα πιστὴν δʼ ἐν δόμοις εὕροι μολὼν οἵαν περ οὖν ἔλειπε, δωμάτων κύνα ἐσθλὴν ἐκείνῳ, πολεμίαν τοῖς δύσφροσιν, καὶ τἄλλʼ ὁμοίαν πάντα, σημαντήριον οὐδὲν διαφθείρασαν ἐν μήκει χρόνου. οὐδʼ οἶδα τέρψιν οὐδʼ ἐπίψογον φάτιν ἄλλου πρὸς ἀνδρὸς μᾶλλον ἢ χαλκοῦ βαφάς. Κῆρυξ: τοιόσδʼ ὁ κόμπος τῆς ἀληθείας γέμων οὐκ αἰσχρὸς ὡς γυναικὶ γενναίᾳ λακεῖν. [¶2] Chorus: Thus has she spoken for your schooling, but speciously for those that can interpret right. But, Herald, say—I want to hear of Menelaus. Has he, our land’s dear lord, travelled safe home and has he returned with you? > Greek: Χορός: αὕτη μὲν οὕτως εἶπε μανθάνοντί σοι τοροῖσιν ἑρμηνεῦσιν εὐπρεπῶς λόγον. σὺ δʼ εἰπέ, κῆρυξ, Μενέλεων δὲ πεύθομαι. εἰ νόστιμός τε καὶ σεσωσμένος πάλιν ἥκει σὺν ὑμῖν, τῆσδε γῆς φίλον κράτος. [¶3] Herald: It would be impossible to report false news so fair that those I love should take pleasure for long. > Greek: Κῆρυξ: οὐκ ἔσθʼ ὅπως λέξαιμι τὰ ψευδῆ καλὰ ἐς τὸν πολὺν φίλοισι καρποῦσθαι χρόνον. [¶4] Chorus: Oh if only you could tell tidings true yet good! It is not easy to conceal when true and good are split apart. > Greek: Χορός: πῶς δῆτʼ ἂν εἰπὼν κεδνὰ τἀληθῆ τύχοις; σχισθέντα δʼ οὐκ εὔκρυπτα γίγνεται τάδε. [¶5] Herald: The prince was swept from the sight of the Achaean host, himself, and his ship likewise. I speak no lies. > Greek: Κῆρυξ: ἁνὴρ ἄφαντος ἐξ Ἀχαιικοῦ στρατοῦ, αὐτός τε καὶ τὸ πλοῖον. οὐ ψευδῆ λέγω. [¶6] Chorus: Did he put forth in sight of all from Ilium, or did a storm, distressing all in common, snatch him from the fleet? > Greek: Χορός: πότερον ἀναχθεὶς ἐμφανῶς ἐξ Ἰλίου, ἢ χεῖμα, κοινὸν ἄχθος, ἥρπασε στρατοῦ; [¶7] Herald: Like a master bowman you have hit the mark; a long tale of distress have you told in brief. > Greek: Κῆρυξ: ἔκυρσας ὥστε τοξότης ἄκρος σκοποῦ· μακρὸν δὲ πῆμα συντόμως ἐφημίσω. [¶8] Chorus: Did the general voice of other voyagers bring news of him as alive or dead? > Greek: Χορός: πότερα γὰρ αὐτοῦ ζῶντος ἢ τεθνηκότος φάτις πρὸς ἄλλων ναυτίλων ἐκλῄζετο; [¶9] Herald: None knows to give clear report of this—except only the Sun that fosters life upon the earth. > Greek: Κῆρυξ: οὐκ οἶδεν οὐδεὶς ὥστʼ ἀπαγγεῖλαι τορῶς, πλὴν τοῦ τρέφοντος Ἡλίου χθονὸς φύσιν. [¶10] Chorus: How then do you say rose the storm by the wrath of the gods upon the naval host and passed away? > Greek: Χορός: πῶς γὰρ λέγεις χειμῶνα ναυτικῷ στρατῷ ἐλθεῖν τελευτῆσαί τε δαιμόνων κότῳ; [¶11] Herald: An auspicious day one should not mar with a tale of misfortune—the honor due to the gods keeps them apart. When a messenger with gloomy countenance reports to a people dire disaster of its army’s rout— one common wound inflicted on the State, while from many a home many a victim is devoted to death by the two-handled whip beloved of Ares, destruction double-armed, a gory pair—when, I say, he is packed with woes like this, he should sing the triumph-song of the Avenging Spirits. But when one comes with glad news of deliverance to a city rejoicing in its happiness—how shall I mix fair with foul in telling of the storm, not unprovoked by the gods’ wrath, that broke upon the Achaeans? > Greek: Κῆρυξ: εὔφημον ἦμαρ οὐ πρέπει κακαγγέλῳ γλώσσῃ μιαίνειν· χωρὶς ἡ τιμὴ θεῶν. ὅταν δʼ ἀπευκτὰ πήματʼ ἄγγελος πόλει στυγνῷ προσώπῳ πτωσίμου στρατοῦ φέρῃ, πόλει μὲν ἕλκος ἓν τὸ δήμιον τυχεῖν, πολλοὺς δὲ πολλῶν ἐξαγισθέντας δόμων ἄνδρας διπλῇ μάστιγι, τὴν Ἄρης φιλεῖ, δίλογχον ἄτην, φοινίαν ξυνωρίδα· τοιῶνδε μέντοι πημάτων σεσαγμένον πρέπει λέγειν παιᾶνα τόνδʼ Ἐρινύων. σωτηρίων δὲ πραγμάτων εὐάγγελον ἥκοντα πρὸς χαίρουσαν εὐεστοῖ πόλιν, πῶς κεδνὰ τοῖς κακοῖσι συμμείξω, λέγων χειμῶνʼ Ἀχαιοῖς οὐκ ἀμήνιτον θεῶν; [¶12] For fire and sea, beforehand bitterest of foes, swore alliance and as proof destroyed the unhappy Argive army. In the night-time arose the mischief from the cruel swells. Beneath blasts from Thrace ship dashed against ship; and they, gored violently by the furious hurricane and rush of pelting rain, were swept out of sight by the whirling gust of an evil shepherd. But when the radiant light of the sun rose we beheld the Aegean flowering with corpses of Achaean men and wreckage of ships. Ourselves, however, and our ship, its hull unshattered, some power, divine not human, preserved by stealth or intercession, laying hand upon its helm; and Savior Fortune chose to sit aboard our craft so that it should neither take in the swelling surf at anchorage nor drive upon a rock-bound coast. Then, having escaped death upon the deep, in the clear bright day, scarce crediting our fortune, we brooded in anxious thought over our late mischance, our fleet distressed and sorely buffeted. So now, if any of them still draw the breath of life, they speak of us as lost—and why should they not? We think the same of them. But may all turn out for the best! For Menelaus, indeed; first and foremost expect him to return. At least if some beam of the sun finds him alive and well, by the design of Zeus, who has not yet decided utterly to destroy the race, there is some hope that he will come home again. > Greek: ξυνώμοσαν γάρ, ὄντες ἔχθιστοι τὸ πρίν, πῦρ καὶ θάλασσα, καὶ τὰ πίστʼ ἐδειξάτην φθείροντε τὸν δύστηνον Ἀργείων στρατόν. ἐν νυκτὶ δυσκύμαντα δʼ ὠρώρει κακά. ναῦς γὰρ πρὸς ἀλλήλαισι Θρῄκιαι πνοαὶ ἤρεικον· αἱ δὲ κεροτυπούμεναι βίᾳ χειμῶνι τυφῶ σὺν ζάλῃ τʼ ὀμβροκτύπῳ ᾤχοντʼ ἄφαντοι ποιμένος κακοῦ στρόβῳ. ἐπεὶ δʼ ἀνῆλθε λαμπρὸν ἡλίου φάος, ὁρῶμεν ἀνθοῦν πέλαγος Αἰγαῖον νεκροῖς ἀνδρῶν Ἀχαιῶν ναυτικοῖς τʼ ἐρειπίοις. ἡμᾶς γε μὲν δὴ ναῦν τʼ ἀκήρατον σκάφος ἤτοι τις ἐξέκλεψεν ἢ ʼξῃτήσατο θεός τις, οὐκ ἄνθρωπος, οἴακος θιγών. τύχη δὲ σωτὴρ ναῦν θέλουσʼ ἐφέζετο, ὡς μήτʼ ἐν ὅρμῳ κύματος ζάλην ἔχειν μήτʼ ἐξοκεῖλαι πρὸς κραταίλεων χθόνα. ἔπειτα δʼ Ἅιδην πόντιον πεφευγότες, λευκὸν κατʼ ἦμαρ, οὐ πεποιθότες τύχῃ, ἐβουκολοῦμεν φροντίσιν νέον πάθος, στρατοῦ καμόντος καὶ κακῶς σποδουμένου. καὶ νῦν ἐκείνων εἴ τίς ἐστιν ἐμπνέων, λέγουσιν ἡμᾶς ὡς ὀλωλότας, τί μή; ἡμεῖς τʼ ἐκείνους ταὔτʼ ἔχειν δοξάζομεν. γένοιτο δʼ ὡς ἄριστα. Μενέλεων γὰρ οὖν πρῶτόν τε καὶ μάλιστα προσδόκα μολεῖν. εἰ γοῦν τις ἀκτὶς ἡλίου νιν ἱστορεῖ καὶ ζῶντα καὶ βλέποντα, μηχαναῖς Διός, οὔπω θέλοντος ἐξαναλῶσαι γένος, ἐλπίς τις αὐτὸν πρὸς δόμους ἥξειν πάλιν. [¶13] Hearing so much, be assured that you hear the truth. Exit Chorus: Who can have given a name so altogether true—was it some power invisible guiding his tongue aright by forecasting of destiny?— who named that bride of the spear and source of strife with the name of Helen? For, true to her name, a Hell she proved to ships, Hell to men, Hell to city, when stepping forth from her delicate and costly-curtained bower, she sailed the sea before the breath of earth-born Zephyrus. And after her a goodly host of warrior huntsmen followed on the oars’ vanished track in pursuit of a quarry that had beached its boat on Simois’ leafy banks—in a strife to end in blood. > Greek: τοσαῦτʼ ἀκούσας ἴσθι τἀληθῆ κλύων. Χορός: τίς ποτʼ ὠνόμαζεν ὧδʼ ἐς τὸ πᾶν ἐτητύμως— μή τις ὅντινʼ οὐχ ὁρῶμεν προνοί- αισι τοῦ πεπρωμένου γλῶσσαν ἐν τύχᾳ νέμων;— τὰν δορίγαμβρον ἀμφινει- κῆ θʼ Ἑλέναν; ἐπεὶ πρεπόντως ἑλένας, ἕλανδρος, ἑλέ- πτολις, ἐκ τῶν ἁβροτίμων προκαλυμμάτων ἔπλευσε ζεφύρου γίγαντος αὔρᾳ, πολύανδροί τε φεράσπιδες κυναγοὶ κατʼ ἴχνος πλατᾶν ἄφαντον κελσάντων Σιμόεντος ἀ- κτὰς ἐπʼ ἀεξιφύλλους διʼ ἔριν αἱματόεσσαν. [¶14] Chorus: To Ilium, its purpose fulfilling, Wrath brought a marriage rightly named a mourning, exacting in later time requital for the dishonor done to hospitality and to Zeus, the partaker of the hearth, upon those who with loud voice celebrated the song in honor of the bride, even the bridegroom’s kin to whom it fell that day to raise the marriage-hymn. But Priam’s city has learned, in her old age, an altered strain, and now, I trust, wails a loud song, full of lamentation, calling Paris “evil-wed”; for she has born the burden of a life in which everything was destroyed, a life full of lamentation because of the wretched slaughter of her sons > Greek: Χορός: Ἰλίῳ δὲ κῆδος ὀρθ- ώνυμον τελεσσίφρων μῆνις ἤλασεν, τραπέζας ἀτί- μωσιν ὑστέρῳ χρόνῳ καὶ ξυνεστίου Διὸς πρασσομένα τὸ νυμφότι- μον μέλος ἐκφάτως τίοντας, ὑμέναιον, ὃς τότʼ ἐπέρ- ρεπεν γαμβροῖσιν ἀείδειν· μεταμανθάνουσα δʼ ὕμνον Πριάμου πόλις γεραιὰ πολύθρηνον μέγα που στένει κικλήσκου- σα Πάριν τὸν αἰνόλεκτρον, παμπορθῆ πολύθρηνον αἰῶνα διαὶ πολιτᾶν μέλεον αἷμʼ ἀνατλᾶσα. [¶15] Chorus: Even so a man reared in his house a lion’s whelp, robbed of its mother’s milk yet still desiring the breast. Gentle it was in the prelude of its life, kindly to children, and a delight to the old. Much did it get, held in arms like a nursling child, with its bright eye turned toward his hand, and fawning under compulsion of its belly’s need. > Greek: Χορός: ἔθρεψεν δὲ λέοντος ἶ- νιν δόμοις ἀγάλακτον οὕ- τως ἀνὴρ φιλόμαστον, ἐν βιότου προτελείοις ἅμερον, εὐφιλόπαιδα καὶ γεραροῖς ἐπίχαρτον. πολέα δʼ ἔσχʼ ἐν ἀγκάλαις νεοτρόφου τέκνου δίκαν, φαιδρωπὸς ποτὶ χεῖρα σαί- νων τε γαστρὸς ἀνάγκαις. [¶16] Chorus: But brought to full growth by time it showed the nature it had from its parents. Unbidden, as payment for its fostering, it prepared a feast with ruinous slaughter of the flocks; so that the house was defiled with blood, and whose who lived there could not control their anguish, and great was the carnage far and wide. > Greek: Χορός: χρονισθεὶς δʼ ἀπέδειξεν ἦ- θος τὸ πρὸς τοκέων· χάριν γὰρ τροφεῦσιν ἀμείβων μηλοφόνοισιν ⟨ἐν⟩ ἄταις δαῖτʼ ἀκέλευστος ἔτευξεν· αἵματι δʼ οἶκος ἐφύρθη, ἄμαχον ἄλγος οἰκέταις μέγα σίνος πολυκτόνον. [¶17] A priest of ruin, by order of a god, it was reared in the house. > Greek: ἐκ θεοῦ δʼ ἱερεύς τις ἄ- τας δόμοις προσεθρέφθη. [¶18] Chorus: At first, I would say, there came to Ilium the spirit of unruffled calm, a delicate ornament of wealth, a darter of soft glances from the eye, love’s flower that stings the heart. Then, swerving from her course, she brought her marriage to a bitter end, sped on to the children of Priam under escort of Zeus, the warder of host and guest, ruining her sojourn and her companions, a vengeful Fury who brought tears to brides. > Greek: Χορός: πάραυτα δʼ ἐλθεῖν ἐς Ἰλίου πόλιν λέγοιμʼ ἂν φρόνημα μὲν νηνέμου γαλάνας, ἀκασκαῖον ⟨δʼ⟩ ἄγαλμα πλούτου, μαλθακὸν ὀμμάτων βέλος, δηξίθυμον ἔρωτος ἄνθος. παρακλίνασʼ ἐπέκρανεν δὲ γάμου πικρὰς τελευτάς, δύσεδρος καὶ δυσόμιλος συμένα Πριαμίδαισιν, πομπᾷ Διὸς ξενίου, νυμφόκλαυτος Ἐρινύς. [¶19] Chorus: A venerable utterance proclaimed of old has been fashioned among mankind: the prosperity of man, when it has come to full growth, engenders offspring and does not die childless, and from his good fortune there springs up insatiable misery. But I hold my own mind and think apart from other men. It is the evil deed that afterwards begets more iniquity like its own breed; but when a house is righteous, the lot of its children is blessed always. > Greek: Χορός: παλαίφατος δʼ ἐν βροτοῖς γέρων λόγος τέτυκται, μέγαν τελε- σθέντα φωτὸς ὄλβον τεκνοῦσθαι μηδʼ ἄπαιδα θνῄσκειν, ἐκ δʼ ἀγαθᾶς τύχας γένει βλαστάνειν ἀκόρεστον οἰζύν. δίχα δʼ ἄλλων μονόφρων εἰ- μί· τὸ δυσσεβὲς γὰρ ἔργον μετὰ μὲν πλείονα τίκτει, σφετέρᾳ δʼ εἰκότα γέννᾳ. οἴκων δʼ ἄρʼ εὐθυδίκων καλλίπαις πότμος αἰεί. [¶20] Chorus: But an old Hubris tends to bring forth in evil men, sooner or later, at the fated hour of birth, a young Hubris and that irresistible, unconquerable, unholy spirit, Recklessness, and for the household black Curses, which resemble their parents. > Greek: Χορός: φιλεῖ δὲ τίκτειν Ὕβρις μὲν παλαιὰ νεά- ζουσαν ἐν κακοῖς βροτῶν ὕβριν τότʼ ἢ τόθʼ, ὅτε τὸ κύρ- ιον μόλῃ φάος τόκου, δαίμονά τε τὰν ἄμαχον ἀπόλεμ- ον, ἀνίερον Θράσος, μελαί- νας μελάθροισιν Ἄτας, εἰδομένας τοκεῦσιν. [¶21] Chorus: But Righteousness shines in smoke-begrimed dwellings and esteems the virtuous man. From gilded mansions, where men’s hands are foul, she departs with averted eyes and makes her way to pure homes; she does not worship the power of wealth stamped counterfeit by the praise of men, and she guides all things to their proper end. > Greek: Χορός: Δίκα δὲ λάμπει μὲν ἐν δυσκάπνοις δώμασιν, τὸν δʼ ἐναίσιμον τίει [βίον]. τὰ χρυσόπαστα δʼ ἔδεθλα σὺν πίνῳ χερῶν παλιντρόποις ὄμμασι λιποῦσʼ, ὅσια προσέμολ- ε, δύναμιν οὐ σέβουσα πλού- του παράσημον αἴνῳ· πᾶν δʼ ἐπὶ τέρμα νωμᾷ. [¶22] Chorus: Enter Agamemnon and Cassandra, in a chariot, with a numerous retinue All hail, my King, sacker of Troy, off-spring of Atreus! How shall I greet you? How shall I do you homage, not overshooting or running short of the due measure of courtesy? Many of mortal men put appearance before truth and thereby transgress the right. > Greek: Χορός: ἄγε δή, βασιλεῦ, Τροίας πτολίπορθʼ, Ἀτρέως γένεθλον, πῶς σε προσείπω; πῶς σε σεβίζω μήθʼ ὑπεράρας μήθʼ ὑποκάμψας καιρὸν χάριτος; πολλοὶ δὲ βροτῶν τὸ δοκεῖν εἶναι προτίουσι δίκην παραβάντες. [¶23] Every one is ready to heave a sigh over the unfortunate, but no sting of true sorrow reaches the heart; and in seeming sympathy they join in others’ joy, forcing their faces into smiles. > Greek: τῷ δυσπραγοῦντι δʼ ἐπιστενάχειν πᾶς τις ἕτοιμος· δῆγμα δὲ λύπης οὐδὲν ἐφʼ ἧπαρ προσικνεῖται· καὶ ξυγχαίρουσιν ὁμοιοπρεπεῖς ἀγέλαστα πρόσωπα βιαζόμενοι. [¶24] But whoever is a discerning shepherd of his flock cannot be deceived by men’s eyes which, while they feign loyalty of heart, only fawn upon him with watery affection. Now in the past, when you marshaled the army in Helen’s cause, you were depicted in my eyes (for I will not hide it from you) most ungracefully and as not rightly guiding the helm of your mind in seeking through your sacrifices to bring courage to dying men. > Greek: ὅστις δʼ ἀγαθὸς προβατογνώμων, οὐκ ἔστι λαθεῖν ὄμματα φωτός, τὰ δοκοῦντʼ εὔφρονος ἐκ διανοίας ὑδαρεῖ σαίνειν φιλότητι. σὺ δέ μοι τότε μὲν στέλλων στρατιὰν Ἑλένης ἕνεκʼ, οὐ γάρ ⟨σʼ⟩ ἐπικεύσω, κάρτʼ ἀπομούσως ἦσθα γεγραμμένος, οὐδʼ εὖ πραπίδων οἴακα νέμων θράσος ἐκ θυσιῶν ἀνδράσι θνῄσκουσι κομίζων. [¶25] But now, from the depth of my heart and with no lack of love … their toil is joy to those who have won success. In course of time you shall learn by enquiry who of your people has been an honest, and who an unfitting guardian of the State. > Greek: νῦν δʼ οὐκ ἀπʼ ἄκρας φρενὸς οὐδʼ ἀφίλως … εὔφρων πόνος εὖ τελέσασιν. γνώσῃ δὲ χρόνῳ διαπευθόμενος τόν τε δικαίως καὶ τὸν ἀκαίρως πόλιν οἰκουροῦντα πολιτῶν. [¶26] Agamemnon: Argos first, as is right and proper, I greet, and her local gods who have helped me to my safe return and to the justice I exacted from Priam’s town. For listening to no pleadings by word of mouth, without dissenting voice, they cast into the bloody urn their ballots for the murderous destroying of Ilium; but to the urn of acquittal that no hand filled, Hope alone drew near. The smoke even now still declares the city’s fall. Destruction’s blasts still live, and the embers, as they die, breathe forth rich fumes of wealth. For this success we should render to the gods a return in ever-mindful gratitude, seeing that we have thrown round the city the toils of vengeance, and in a woman’s cause it has been laid low by the fierce Argive beast, brood of the horse, a shield-armed folk, that launched its leap when the Pleiades waned. Vaulting over its towered walls, the ravening lion lapped up his fill of princely blood. For the gods then I have stretched out this prelude. > Greek: Ἀγαμέμνων: πρῶτον μὲν Ἄργος καὶ θεοὺς ἐγχωρίους δίκη προσειπεῖν, τοὺς ἐμοὶ μεταιτίους νόστου δικαίων θʼ ὧν ἐπραξάμην πόλιν Πριάμου· δίκας γὰρ οὐκ ἀπὸ γλώσσης θεοὶ κλύοντες ἀνδροθνῆτας Ἰλίου φθορὰς ἐς αἱματηρὸν τεῦχος οὐ διχορρόπως ψήφους ἔθεντο· τῷ δʼ ἐναντίῳ κύτει ἐλπὶς προσῄει χειρὸς οὐ πληρουμένῳ. καπνῷ δʼ ἁλοῦσα νῦν ἔτʼ εὔσημος πόλις. ἄτης θύελλαι ζῶσι· συνθνῄσκουσα δὲ σποδὸς προπέμπει πίονας πλούτου πνοάς. τούτων θεοῖσι χρὴ πολύμνηστον χάριν τίνειν, ἐπείπερ καὶ πάγας ὑπερκότους ἐφραξάμεσθα καὶ γυναικὸς οὕνεκα πόλιν διημάθυνεν Ἀργεῖον δάκος, ἵππου νεοσσός, ἀσπιδηφόρος λεώς, πήδημʼ ὀρούσας ἀμφὶ Πλειάδων δύσιν· ὑπερθορὼν δὲ πύργον ὠμηστὴς λέων ἄδην ἔλειξεν αἵματος τυραννικοῦ. θεοῖς μὲν ἐξέτεινα φροίμιον τόδε· [¶27] But, touching your sentiments—which I heard and still bear in memory—I both agree and you have in me an advocate. For few there are among men in whom it is inborn to admire without envy a friend’s good fortune. For the venom of malevolence settles upon the heart and doubles the burden of him who suffers from that plague: he is himself weighed down by his own calamity, and groans to see another’s prosperity. From knowledge—for well I know the mirror of companionship—I may call a shadow of a shade those who feigned exceeding loyalty to me. Only Odysseus, the very man who sailed against his will, once harnessed, proved my zealous yoke-fellow. This I affirm of him whether he is alive or dead. But, for the rest, in what concerns the State and public worship, we shall appoint open debates and consider. Where all goes well, we must take counsel so that it may long endure; but whenever there is need of healing remedy, we will by kind appliance of cautery or the knife endeavor to avert the mischief of the disease. And now I will pass to my palace halls and to my household hearth, and first of all pay greeting to the gods. They who sent me forth have brought me home again. May victory, now that it has attended me, remain ever with me constant to the end! He descends from his chariot; enter Clytaemestra, attended by maidservants carrying purple tapestries Clytaemestra: Citizens of Argos, you Elders present here, I shall not be ashamed to confess in your presence my fondness for my husband—with time diffidence dies away in humans. Untaught by others, I can tell of my own weary life all the long while my husband was beneath Ilium’s walls. First and foremost, it is a terrible evil for a wife to sit forlorn at home, severed from her husband, always hearing many malignant rumors, and for one messenger after another to come bearing tidings of disaster, each worse than the last, and cry them to the household. And as for wounds, had my husband received so many as rumor kept pouring into the house, no net would have been pierced so full of holes as he. Or if he had died as often as reports claimed, then truly he might have had three bodies, a second Geryon, and have boasted of having taken on him a triple cloak of earth [ample that above, of that below I speak not], one death for each different shape. Because of such malignant tales as these, many times others have had to loose the high-hung halter from my neck, held in its strong grip. It is for this reason, in fact, that our boy, Orestes, does not stand here beside me, as he should—he in whom rest the pledges of my love and yours. Nor should you think this strange. > Greek: τὰ δʼ ἐς τὸ σὸν φρόνημα, μέμνημαι κλύων, καὶ φημὶ ταὐτὰ καὶ συνήγορόν μʼ ἔχεις. παύροις γὰρ ἀνδρῶν ἐστι συγγενὲς τόδε, φίλον τὸν εὐτυχοῦντʼ ἄνευ φθόνου σέβειν. δύσφρων γὰρ ἰὸς καρδίαν προσήμενος ἄχθος διπλοίζει τῷ πεπαμένῳ νόσον, τοῖς τʼ αὐτὸς αὑτοῦ πήμασιν βαρύνεται καὶ τὸν θυραῖον ὄλβον εἰσορῶν στένει. εἰδὼς λέγοιμʼ ἄν, εὖ γὰρ ἐξεπίσταμαι ὁμιλίας κάτοπτρον, εἴδωλον σκιᾶς δοκοῦντας εἶναι κάρτα πρευμενεῖς ἐμοί. μόνος δʼ Ὀδυσσεύς, ὅσπερ οὐχ ἑκὼν ἔπλει, ζευχθεὶς ἕτοιμος ἦν ἐμοὶ σειραφόρος· εἴτʼ οὖν θανόντος εἴτε καὶ ζῶντος πέρι λέγω. τὰ δʼ ἄλλα πρὸς πόλιν τε καὶ θεοὺς κοινοὺς ἀγῶνας θέντες ἐν πανηγύρει βουλευσόμεσθα. καὶ τὸ μὲν καλῶς ἔχον ὅπως χρονίζον εὖ μενεῖ βουλευτέον· ὅτῳ δὲ καὶ δεῖ φαρμάκων παιωνίων, ἤτοι κέαντες ἢ τεμόντες εὐφρόνως πειρασόμεσθα πῆμʼ ἀποστρέψαι νόσου. νῦν δʼ ἐς μέλαθρα καὶ δόμους ἐφεστίους ἐλθὼν θεοῖσι πρῶτα δεξιώσομαι, οἵπερ πρόσω πέμψαντες ἤγαγον πάλιν. νίκη δʼ ἐπείπερ ἕσπετʼ, ἐμπέδως μένοι. Κλυταιμήστρα: ἄνδρες πολῖται, πρέσβος Ἀργείων τόδε, οὐκ αἰσχυνοῦμαι τοὺς φιλάνορας τρόπους λέξαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς· ἐν χρόνῳ δʼ ἀποφθίνει τὸ τάρβος ἀνθρώποισιν. οὐκ ἄλλων πάρα μαθοῦσʼ, ἐμαυτῆς δύσφορον λέξω βίον τοσόνδʼ ὅσον περ οὗτος ἦν ὑπʼ Ἰλίῳ. τὸ μὲν γυναῖκα πρῶτον ἄρσενος δίχα ἧσθαι δόμοις ἔρημον ἔκπαγλον κακόν, πολλὰς κλύουσαν κληδόνας παλιγκότους· καὶ τὸν μὲν ἥκειν, τὸν δʼ ἐπεσφέρειν κακοῦ κάκιον ἄλλο πῆμα, λάσκοντας δόμοις. καὶ τραυμάτων μὲν εἰ τόσων ἐτύγχανεν ἀνὴρ ὅδʼ, ὡς πρὸς οἶκον ὠχετεύετο φάτις, τέτρηται δικτύου πλέον λέγειν. εἰ δʼ ἦν τεθνηκώς, ὡς ἐπλήθυον λόγοι, τρισώματός τἂν Γηρυὼν ὁ δεύτερος [πολλὴν ἄνωθεν, τὴν κάτω γὰρ οὐ λέγω, ] χθονὸς τρίμοιρον χλαῖναν ἐξηύχει λαβεῖν, ἅπαξ ἑκάστῳ κατθανὼν μορφώματι. τοιῶνδʼ ἕκατι κληδόνων παλιγκότων πολλὰς ἄνωθεν ἀρτάνας ἐμῆς δέρης ἔλυσαν ἄλλοι πρὸς βίαν λελημμένης. ἐκ τῶνδέ τοι παῖς ἐνθάδʼ οὐ παραστατεῖ, ἐμῶν τε καὶ σῶν κύριος πιστωμάτων, ὡς χρῆν, Ὀρέστης· μηδὲ θαυμάσῃς τόδε. [¶28] For he is in the protecting care of our well-intentioned ally, Strophius of Phocis, who warned me of trouble on two scores—your own peril beneath Ilium’s walls, and then the chance that the people in clamorous revolt might overturn the Council, as it is natural for men to trample all the more upon the fallen. Truly such an excuse supports no guile. > Greek: τρέφει γὰρ αὐτὸν εὐμενὴς δορύξενος Στρόφιος ὁ Φωκεύς, ἀμφίλεκτα πήματα ἐμοὶ προφωνῶν, τόν θʼ ὑπʼ Ἰλίῳ σέθεν κίνδυνον, εἴ τε δημόθρους ἀναρχία βουλὴν καταρρίψειεν, ὥστε σύγγονον βροτοῖσι τὸν πεσόντα λακτίσαι πλέον. τοιάδε μέντοι σκῆψις οὐ δόλον φέρει. [¶29] As for myself, the welling fountains of my tears are utterly dried up—not a drop remains. In night-long vigils my eyes are sore with weeping for the beacon-lights set for you but always neglected. The faint whir of the buzzing gnat often waked me from dreams in which I beheld more disasters to you than the time of sleep could have compassed. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: ἔμοιγε μὲν δὴ κλαυμάτων ἐπίσσυτοι πηγαὶ κατεσβήκασιν, οὐδʼ ἔνι σταγών. ἐν ὀψικοίτοις δʼ ὄμμασιν βλάβας ἔχω τὰς ἀμφί σοι κλαίουσα λαμπτηρουχίας ἀτημελήτους αἰέν. ἐν δʼ ὀνείρασιν λεπταῖς ὑπαὶ κώνωπος ἐξηγειρόμην ῥιπαῖσι θωύσσοντος, ἀμφί σοι πάθη ὁρῶσα πλείω τοῦ ξυνεύδοντος χρόνου. [¶30] But now, having born all this, my heart freed from its anxiety, I would hail my husband here as the watchdog of the fold, the savior forestay of the ship, firm-based pillar of the lofty roof, only-begotten son of a father, or land glimpsed by men at sea beyond their hope, dawn most fair to look upon after storm, the gushing stream to thirsty wayfarer—sweet is it to escape all stress of need. Such truly are the greetings of which I deem him worthy. But let envy be far removed, since many were the ills we endured before. And now, I pray you, my dear lord, dismount from your car, but do not set on common earth the foot, my King, that has trampled upon Ilium. To her attendants Why this loitering, women, to whom I have assigned the task to strew with tapestries the place where he shall go? > Greek: νῦν ταῦτα πάντα τλᾶσʼ ἀπενθήτῳ φρενὶ λέγοιμʼ ἂν ἄνδρα τόνδε τῶν σταθμῶν κύνα, σωτῆρα ναὸς πρότονον, ὑψηλῆς στέγης στῦλον ποδήρη, μονογενὲς τέκνον πατρί, καὶ γῆν φανεῖσαν ναυτίλοις παρʼ ἐλπίδα, κάλλιστον ἦμαρ εἰσιδεῖν ἐκ χείματος, ὁδοιπόρῳ διψῶντι πηγαῖον ῥέος· τερπνὸν δὲ τἀναγκαῖον ἐκφυγεῖν ἅπαν. τοιοῖσδέ τοί νιν ἀξιῶ προσφθέγμασιν. φθόνος δʼ ἀπέστω· πολλὰ γὰρ τὰ πρὶν κακὰ ἠνειχόμεσθα. νῦν δέ μοι, φίλον κάρα, ἔκβαινʼ ἀπήνης τῆσδε, μὴ χαμαὶ τιθεὶς τὸν σὸν πόδʼ, ὦναξ, Ἰλίου πορθήτορα. δμῳαί, τί μέλλεθʼ, αἷς ἐπέσταλται τέλος πέδον κελεύθου στρωννύναι πετάσμασιν; [¶31] Quick! With purple let his path be strewn, that Justice may usher him into a home he never hoped to see. The rest my unslumbering vigilance shall order duly, if it please god, even as is ordained. > Greek: εὐθὺς γενέσθω πορφυρόστρωτος πόρος ἐς δῶμʼ ἄελπτον ὡς ἂν ἡγῆται δίκη. τὰ δʼ ἄλλα φροντὶς οὐχ ὕπνῳ νικωμένη θήσει δικαίως σὺν θεοῖς εἱμαρμένα. [¶32] Agamemnon: Offspring of Leda, guardian of my house, your speech fits well with my absence; for you have drawn it out to ample length. But becoming praise—this prize should rightly proceed from other lips. For the rest, pamper me not as if I were a woman, nor, like some barbarian, grovel before me with widemouthed acclaim; and do not draw down envy upon my path by strewing it with tapestries. It is the gods we must honor thus; but it is not possible for a mortal to tread upon embroidered fineries without fear. > Greek: Ἀγαμέμνων: Λήδας γένεθλον, δωμάτων ἐμῶν φύλαξ, ἀπουσίᾳ μὲν εἶπας εἰκότως ἐμῇ· μακρὰν γὰρ ἐξέτεινας· ἀλλʼ ἐναισίμως αἰνεῖν, παρʼ ἄλλων χρὴ τόδʼ ἔρχεσθαι γέρας· καὶ τἄλλα μὴ γυναικὸς ἐν τρόποις ἐμὲ ἅβρυνε, μηδὲ βαρβάρου φωτὸς δίκην χαμαιπετὲς βόαμα προσχάνῃς ἐμοί, μηδʼ εἵμασι στρώσασʼ ἐπίφθονον πόρον τίθει· θεούς τοι τοῖσδε τιμαλφεῖν χρεών· ἐν ποικίλοις δὲ θνητὸν ὄντα κάλλεσιν βαίνειν ἐμοὶ μὲν οὐδαμῶς ἄνευ φόβου. [¶33] I tell you to revere me not as a god, but as a man. Footmats and embroideries sound diverse in the voice of Rumor; to think no folly is the best gift of the gods. Only when man’s life comes to its end in prosperity dare we pronounce him happy; > Greek: λέγω κατʼ ἄνδρα, μὴ θεόν, σέβειν ἐμέ. χωρὶς ποδοψήστρων τε καὶ τῶν ποικίλων κληδὼν ἀυτεῖ· καὶ τὸ μὴ κακῶς φρονεῖν θεοῦ μέγιστον δῶρον. ὀλβίσαι δὲ χρὴ βίον τελευτήσαντʼ ἐν εὐεστοῖ φίλῃ. [¶34] and if I may act in all things as I do now, I have good confidence. > Greek: εἰ πάντα δʼ ὣς πράσσοιμʼ ἄν, εὐθαρσὴς ἐγώ. [¶35] Clytaemestra: Come now, tell me this, in accordance with your mind. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: καὶ μὴν τόδʼ εἰπὲ μὴ παρὰ γνώμην ἐμοί. [¶36] Agamemnon: Purpose! Be assured that I shall not corrupt my mind. > Greek: Ἀγαμέμνων: γνώμην μὲν ἴσθι μὴ διαφθεροῦντʼ ἐμέ. [¶37] Clytaemestra: You would in fear have vowed to the gods to act thus. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: ηὔξω θεοῖς δείσας ἂν ὧδʼ ἔρδειν τάδε. [¶38] Agamemnon: If someone with full knowledge had pronounced this word. > Greek: Ἀγαμέμνων: εἴπερ τις, εἰδώς γʼ εὖ τόδʼ ἐξεῖπον τέλος. [¶39] Clytaemestra: What do you suppose that Priam would have done, if he had achieved your triumph? > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: τί δʼ ἂν δοκεῖ σοι Πρίαμος, εἰ τάδʼ ἤνυσεν; [¶40] Agamemnon: He would have set foot upon the embroideries, I certainly believe. > Greek: Ἀγαμέμνων: ἐν ποικίλοις ἂν κάρτα μοι βῆναι δοκεῖ. [¶41] Clytaemestra: Then do not be be ashamed of mortal reproach. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: μή νυν τὸν ἀνθρώπειον αἰδεσθῇς ψόγον. [¶42] Agamemnon: And yet a people’s voice is a mighty power. > Greek: Ἀγαμέμνων: φήμη γε μέντοι δημόθρους μέγα σθένει. [¶43] Clytaemestra: True, yet he who is unenvied is unenviable. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: ὁ δʼ ἀφθόνητός γʼ οὐκ ἐπίζηλος πέλει. [¶44] Agamemnon: Surely it is not woman’s part to long for fighting. > Greek: Ἀγαμέμνων: οὔτοι γυναικός ἐστιν ἱμείρειν μάχης. [¶45] Clytaemestra: True, but it is right for the happy victor to yield the victory. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: τοῖς δʼ ὀλβίοις γε καὶ τὸ νικᾶσθαι πρέπει. [¶46] Agamemnon: What? is this the kind of victory in strife that you prize? > Greek: Ἀγαμέμνων: ἦ καὶ σὺ νίκην τήνδε δήριος τίεις; [¶47] Clytaemestra: Oh yield! Yet of your own free will entrust the victory to me. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: πιθοῦ· κράτος μέντοι πάρες γʼ ἑκὼν ἐμοί. [¶48] Agamemnon: Well, if you will have your way, quick, let some one loose my sandals, which, slavelike, serve the treading of my foot! As I walk upon these purple vestments may I not be struck from afar by any glance of the gods’ jealous eye. A terrible shame it is for one’s foot to mar the resources of the house by wasting wealth and costly woven work. > Greek: Ἀγαμέμνων: ἀλλʼ εἰ δοκεῖ σοι ταῦθʼ, ὑπαί τις ἀρβύλας λύοι τάχος, πρόδουλον ἔμβασιν ποδός. καὶ τοῖσδέ μʼ ἐμβαίνονθʼ ἁλουργέσιν θεῶν μή τις πρόσωθεν ὄμματος βάλοι φθόνος. πολλὴ γὰρ αἰδὼς δωματοφθορεῖν ποσὶν φθείροντα πλοῦτον ἀργυρωνήτους θʼ ὑφάς. [¶49] So much for this. This foreign girl receive into the house with kindness. A god from afar looks graciously upon a gentle master; for no one freely takes the yoke of slavery. But she, the choicest flower of rich treasure, has followed in my train, my army’s gift. Since I have been forced to obey you and must listen to you in this, I will tread upon a purple pathway as I pass to my palace halls. > Greek: τούτων μὲν οὕτω· τὴν ξένην δὲ πρευμενῶς τήνδʼ ἐσκόμιζε· τὸν κρατοῦντα μαλθακῶς θεὸς πρόσωθεν εὐμενῶς προσδέρκεται. ἑκὼν γὰρ οὐδεὶς δουλίῳ χρῆται ζυγῷ. αὕτη δὲ πολλῶν χρημάτων ἐξαίρετον ἄνθος, στρατοῦ δώρημʼ, ἐμοὶ ξυνέσπετο. ἐπεὶ δʼ ἀκούειν σοῦ κατέστραμμαι τάδε, εἶμʼ ἐς δόμων μέλαθρα πορφύρας πατῶν. [¶50] Clytaemestra: There is the sea (and who shall drain it dry?) producing stain of abundant purple, costly as silver and ever fresh, with which to dye our clothes; and of these our house, through the gods, has ample store; it knows no poverty. Vestments enough I would have devoted to be trampled underfoot had it been so ordered in the seat of oracles when I was devising a ransom for your life. For if the root still lives, leaves come again to the house and spread their over-reaching shade against the scorching dog star; so, now that you have come to hearth and home, you show that warmth has come in wintertime; > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: ἔστιν θάλασσα, τίς δέ νιν κατασβέσει; τρέφουσα πολλῆς πορφύρας ἰσάργυρον κηκῖδα παγκαίνιστον, εἱμάτων βαφάς. οἶκος δʼ ὑπάρχει τῶνδε σὺν θεοῖς ἅλις ἔχειν· πένεσθαι δʼ οὐκ ἐπίσταται δόμος. πολλῶν πατησμὸν δʼ εἱμάτων ἂν ηὐξάμην, δόμοισι προυνεχθέντος ἐν χρηστηρίοις, ψυχῆς κόμιστρα τῆσδε μηχανωμένῃ. ῥίζης γὰρ οὔσης φυλλὰς ἵκετʼ ἐς δόμους, σκιὰν ὑπερτείνασα σειρίου κυνός. καὶ σοῦ μολόντος δωματῖτιν ἑστίαν, θάλπος μὲν ἐν χειμῶνι σημαίνεις μολόν· [¶51] and again, when Zeus makes wine from the bitter grape, then immediately there is coolness in the house when its rightful lord occupies his halls. As Agamemnon enters the palace O Zeus, Zeus, you who bring things to fulfilment, fulfill my prayers! May you see to that which you mean to fulfill! Exit Chorus: Why does this terror so persistently hover standing before my prophetic soul? Why does my song, unbidden and unfed, chant strains of augury? Why does assuring confidence not sit on my heart’s throne and spurn the terror like an uninterpretable dream? But Time has collected the sands of the shore upon the cables cast thereon when the shipborn army sped forth for Ilium. > Greek: ὅταν δὲ τεύχῃ Ζεὺς ἀπʼ ὄμφακος πικρᾶς οἶνον, τότʼ ἤδη ψῦχος ἐν δόμοις πέλει, ἀνδρὸς τελείου δῶμʼ ἐπιστρωφωμένου. Ζεῦ, Ζεῦ τέλειε, τὰς ἐμὰς εὐχὰς τέλει· μέλοι δέ τοι σοὶ τῶν περ ἂν μέλλῃς τελεῖν. Χορός: τίπτε μοι τόδʼ ἐμπέδως δεῖμα προστατήριον καρδίας τερασκόπου ποτᾶται, μαντιπολεῖ δʼ ἀκέλευστος ἄμισθος ἀοιδά, οὐδʼ ἀποπτύσαι δίκαν δυσκρίτων ὀνειράτων θάρσος εὐπειθὲς ἵ- ζει φρενὸς φίλον θρόνον; χρόνος δʼ ἐπὶ πρυμνησίων ξυνεμβολαῖς ψαμμίʼ ἀκτᾶς παρή- μησεν, εὖθʼ ὑπʼ Ἴλιον ὦρτο ναυβάτας στρατός. [¶52] Chorus: Of their coming home I learn with my own eyes and need no other witness. > Greek: Χορός: πεύθομαι δʼ ἀπʼ ὀμμάτων νόστον, αὐτόμαρτυς ὤν· [¶53] Yet still my soul within me, self-inspired, intones the lyreless dirge of the avenging spirit, and cannot wholly win its customary confidence of hope. > Greek: τὸν δʼ ἄνευ λύρας ὅμως ὑμνῳδεῖ θρῆνον Ἐρινύος αὐτοδίδακτος ἔσωθεν θυμός, οὐ τὸ πᾶν ἔχων ἐλπίδος φίλον θράσος. [¶54] Not for nothing is my bosom disquieted as my heart throbs against my justly fearful breast in eddying tides that warn of some event. But I pray that my expectation may fall out false and not come to fulfilment. > Greek: σπλάγχνα δʼ οὔτοι ματᾴ- ζει πρὸς ἐνδίκοις φρεσὶν τελεσφόροις δίναις κυκώμενον κέαρ. εὔχομαι δʼ ἐξ ἐμᾶς ἐλπίδος ψύθη πεσεῖν ἐς τὸ μὴ τελεσφόρον. [¶55] Chorus: Truly blooming health does not rest content within its due bounds; for disease ever presses close against it, its neighbor with a common wall. > Greek: Χορός: μάλα γέ τοι τὸ μεγάλας ὑγιείας ἀκόρεστον τέρμα· νόσος γάρ γείτων ὁμότοιχος ἐρείδει. [¶56] So human fortune, when holding onward in straight course strikes upon a hidden reef. And yet, if with a well-measured throw, caution heaves overboard a portion of the gathered wealth, the whole house, with woe overladen, does not founder nor engulf the hull. Truly the generous gift from Zeus, rich and derived from yearly furrows, makes an end of the plague of famine. > Greek: καὶ πότμος εὐθυπορῶν … ἀνδρὸς ἔπαισεν ἄφαντον ἕρμα. καὶ πρὸ μέν τι χρημάτων κτησίων ὄκνος βαλὼν σφενδόνας ἀπʼ εὐμέτρου, οὐκ ἔδυ πρόπας δόμος πημονᾶς γέμων ἄγαν, οὐδʼ ἐπόντισε σκάφος. πολλά τοι δόσις ἐκ Διὸς ἀμφιλα- φής τε καὶ ἐξ ἀλόκων ἐπετειᾶν νῆστιν ὤλεσεν νόσον. [¶57] Chorus: But a man’s blood, once it has first fallen by murder to earth in a dark tide—who by magic spell shall call it back? Even he who possessed the skill to raise from the dead—did not Zeus make an end of him as warning? > Greek: Χορός: τὸ δʼ ἐπὶ γᾶν πεσὸν ἅπαξ θανάσιμον πρόπαρ ἀνδρὸς μέλαν αἷμα τίς ἂν πάλιν ἀγκαλέσαιτʼ ἐπαείδων; οὐδὲ τὸν ὀρθοδαῆ τῶν φθιμένων ἀνάγειν Ζεὺς ἀπέπαυσεν ἐπʼ εὐλαβείᾳ; [¶58] And unless one fate ordained of the gods restrains another fate from winning the advantage, my heart would outstrip my tongue and pour forth its fears; > Greek: εἰ δὲ μὴ τεταγμένα μοῖρα μοῖραν ἐκ θεῶν εἶργε μὴ πλέον φέρειν, προφθάσασα καρδία γλῶσσαν ἂν τάδʼ ἐξέχει. [¶59] but, as it is, it mutters only in the dark, distressed and hopeless ever to unravel anything in time when my soul’s aflame. Enter Clytaemestra Clytaemestra: Get inside, you too, Cassandra; since not unkindly has Zeus appointed you to share the holy water of a house where you may take your stand, with many another slave, at the altar of the god who guards its wealth. Get down from the car and do not be too proud; > Greek: νῦν δʼ ὑπὸ σκότῳ βρέμει θυμαλγής τε καὶ οὐδὲν ἐπελπομέν- α ποτὲ καίριον ἐκτολυπεύσειν ζωπυρουμένας φρενός. Κλυταιμήστρα: εἴσω κομίζου καὶ σύ, Κασάνδραν λέγω, ἐπεί σʼ ἔθηκε Ζεὺς ἀμηνίτως δόμοις κοινωνὸν εἶναι χερνίβων, πολλῶν μέτα δούλων σταθεῖσαν κτησίου βωμοῦ πέλας· ἔκβαινʼ ἀπήνης τῆσδε, μηδʼ ὑπερφρόνει. [¶60] for even Alcmene’s son, men say, once endured to be sold and eat the bread of slavery. But if such fortune should of necessity fall to the lot of any, there is good cause for thankfulness in having masters of ancient wealth; for they who, beyond their hope, have reaped a rich harvest of possessions, are cruel to their slaves in every way, even exceeding due measure. You have from us such usage as custom warrants. > Greek: καὶ παῖδα γάρ τοί φασιν Ἀλκμήνης ποτὲ πραθέντα τλῆναι δουλίας μάζης τυχεῖν. εἰ δʼ οὖν ἀνάγκη τῆσδʼ ἐπιρρέποι τύχης, ἀρχαιοπλούτων δεσποτῶν πολλὴ χάρις. οἳ δʼ οὔποτʼ ἐλπίσαντες ἤμησαν καλῶς, ὠμοί τε δούλοις πάντα καὶ παρὰ στάθμην. ἔχεις παρʼ ἡμῶν οἷά περ νομίζεται. [¶61] Chorus: It is to you she has been speaking and clearly. Since you are in the toils of destiny, perhaps you will obey, if you are so inclined; but perhaps you will not. > Greek: Χορός: σοί τοι λέγουσα παύεται σαφῆ λόγον. ἐντός δʼ ἂν οὖσα μορσίμων ἀγρευμάτων πείθοιʼ ἄν, εἰ πείθοιʼ· ἀπειθοίης δʼ ἴσως. [¶62] Clytaemestra: Well, if her language is not strange and foreign, even as a swallow’s, I must speak within her comprehension and move her to comply. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: ἀλλʼ εἴπερ ἐστι μὴ χελιδόνος δίκην ἀγνῶτα φωνὴν βάρβαρον κεκτημένη, ἔσω φρενῶν λέγουσα πείθω νιν λόγῳ. [¶63] Chorus: Go with her. With things as they now stand, she gives you the best. Do as she bids and leave your seat in the car. > Greek: Χορός: ἕπου. τὰ λῷστα τῶν παρεστώτων λέγει. πιθοῦ λιποῦσα τόνδʼ ἁμαξήρη θρόνον. [¶64] Clytaemestra: I have no time to waste with this woman here outside; for already the victims stand by the central hearth awaiting the sacrifice—a joy we never expected to be ours. As for you, if you will take any part, make no delay. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: οὔτοι θυραίᾳ τῇδʼ ἐμοὶ σχολὴ πάρα τρίβειν· τὰ μὲν γὰρ ἑστίας μεσομφάλου ἕστηκεν ἤδη μῆλα πρὸς σφαγὰς πάρος, ὡς οὔποτʼ ἐλπίσασι τήνδʼ ἕξειν χάριν. σὺ δʼ εἴ τι δράσεις τῶνδε, μὴ σχολὴν τίθει. [¶65] But if, failing to understand, you do not catch my meaning, then, instead of speech, make a sign with your barbarian hand. > Greek: εἰ δʼ ἀξυνήμων οὖσα μὴ δέχῃ λόγον, σὺ δʼ ἀντὶ φωνῆς φράζε καρβάνῳ χερί. [¶66] Chorus: It is an interpreter and a plain one that the stranger seems to need. She bears herself like a wild creature newly captured. > Greek: Χορός: ἑρμηνέως ἔοικεν ἡ ξένη τοροῦ δεῖσθαι· τρόπος δὲ θηρὸς ὡς νεαιρέτου. [¶67] Clytaemestra: No, she is mad and listens to her wild mood, since she has come here from a newly captured city, and does not know how to tolerate the bit until she has foamed away her fretfulness in blood. No! I will waste no more words upon her to be insulted thus. Exit > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: ἦ μαίνεταί γε καὶ κακῶν κλύει φρενῶν, ἥτις λιποῦσα μὲν πόλιν νεαίρετον ἥκει, χαλινὸν δʼ οὐκ ἐπίσταται φέρειν, πρὶν αἱματηρὸν ἐξαφρίζεσθαι μένος. οὐ μὴν πλέω ῥίψασʼ ἀτιμασθήσομαι. [¶68] Chorus: But I will not be angry, since I pity her. > Greek: Χορός: ἐγὼ δʼ, ἐποικτίρω γάρ, οὐ θυμώσομαι. [¶69] Come, unhappy one, leave the car; yield to necessity and take upon you this novel yoke. > Greek: ἴθʼ, ὦ τάλαινα, τόνδʼ ἐρημώσασʼ ὄχον, εἴκουσʼ ἀνάγκῃ τῇδε καίνισον ζυγόν. [¶70] Cassandra: Woe, woe, woe! O Apollo, O Apollo! > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ὀτοτοτοῖ πόποι δᾶ. Ὦπολλον Ὦπολλον. [¶71] Chorus: Wherefore your cry of “woe” in Loxias’ name? > Greek: Χορός: τί ταῦτʼ ἀνωτότυξας ἀμφὶ Λοξίου; [¶72] He is not the kind of god that has to do with mourners. > Greek: οὐ γὰρ τοιοῦτος ὥστε θρηνητοῦ τυχεῖν. [¶73] Cassandra: Woe, woe, woe! O Apollo, O Apollo! > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ὀτοτοτοῖ πόποι δᾶ. [¶74] Chorus: Once more with ill-omened words she cries to the god who should not be present at times of lamentation. > Greek: Ὦπολλον Ὦπολλον. Χορός: ἡ δʼ αὖτε δυσφημοῦσα τὸν θεὸν καλεῖ οὐδὲν προσήκοντʼ ἐν γόοις παραστατεῖν. [¶75] Cassandra: Apollo, Apollo! God of the Ways, my destroyer! For you have destroyed me—and utterly—this second time. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: Ἄπολλον Ἄπολλον ἀγυιᾶτʼ, ἀπόλλων ἐμός. ἀπώλεσας γὰρ οὐ μόλις τὸ δεύτερον. Χορός: χρήσειν ἔοικεν ἀμφὶ τῶν αὑτῆς κακῶν. [¶76] Chorus: I think that she is about to prophesy about her own miseries. The divine gift still abides even in the soul of one enslaved. Cassandra: Apollo, Apollo! God of the Ways, my destroyer! Ah, what way is this that you have brought me! To what a house! > Greek: μένει τὸ θεῖον δουλίᾳ περ ἐν φρενί. Κασάνδρα: Ἄπολλον Ἄπολλον ἀγυιᾶτʼ, ἀπόλλων ἐμός. ἆ ποῖ ποτʼ ἤγαγές με; πρὸς ποίαν στέγην; [¶77] Chorus: To that of Atreus’ sons. If you do not perceive this, I’ll tell it to you. And you shall not say that it is untrue. > Greek: Χορός: πρὸς τὴν Ἀτρειδῶν· εἰ σὺ μὴ τόδʼ ἐννοεῖς, ἐγὼ λέγω σοι· καὶ τάδʼ οὐκ ἐρεῖς ψύθη. [¶78] Cassandra: No, no, rather to a god-hating house, a house that knows many a horrible butchery of kin, a slaughter-house of men and a floor swimming with blood. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: μισόθεον μὲν οὖν, πολλὰ συνίστορα αὐτόφονα κακὰ καρατόμα, ἀνδροσφαγεῖον καὶ πεδορραντήριον. [¶79] Chorus: The stranger seems keen-scented as a hound; she is on the trail where she will discover blood. > Greek: Χορός: ἔοικεν εὔρις ἡ ξένη κυνὸς δίκην εἶναι, ματεύει δʼ ὧν ἀνευρήσει φόνον. [¶80] Cassandra: Here is the evidence in which I put my trust! Behold those babies bewailing their own butchery and their roasted flesh eaten by their father! > Greek: Κασάνδρα: μαρτυρίοισι γὰρ τοῖσδʼ ἐπιπείθομαι· κλαιόμενα τάδε βρέφη σφαγάς, ὀπτάς τε σάρκας πρὸς πατρὸς βεβρωμένας. [¶81] Chorus: Your fame to read the future had reached our ears; but we have no need of prophets here. > Greek: Χορός: τὸ μὲν κλέος σοῦ μαντικὸν πεπυσμένοι ἦμεν· προφήτας δʼ οὔτινας ματεύομεν. [¶82] Cassandra: Alas, what can she be planning? What is this fresh woe she contrives here within, what monstrous, monstrous horror, beyond love’s enduring, beyond all remedy? And help stands far away! > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἰὼ πόποι, τί ποτε μήδεται; τί τόδε νέον ἄχος μέγα μέγʼ ἐν δόμοισι τοῖσδε μήδεται κακὸν ἄφερτον φίλοισιν, δυσίατον; ἀλκὰ δʼ ἑκὰς ἀποστατεῖ. [¶83] Chorus: These prophesyings pass my comprehension; but those I understood—the whole city rings with them. > Greek: Χορός: τούτων ἄιδρίς εἰμι τῶν μαντευμάτων. ἐκεῖνα δʼ ἔγνων· πᾶσα γὰρ πόλις βοᾷ. [¶84] Cassandra: Ah, damned woman, will you do this thing? Your husband, the partner of your bed, when you have cheered him with the bath, will you—how shall I tell the end? > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἰὼ τάλαινα, τόδε γὰρ τελεῖς, τὸν ὁμοδέμνιον πόσιν λουτροῖσι φαιδρύνασα—πῶς φράσω τέλος; [¶85] Soon it will be done. Now this hand, now that, she stretches forth! > Greek: τάχος γὰρ τόδʼ ἔσται· προτείνει δὲ χεὶρ ἐκ χερὸς ὀρέγματα. [¶86] Chorus: Not yet do I comprehend; for now, after riddles, I am bewildered by dark oracles. > Greek: Χορός: οὔπω ξυνῆκα· νῦν γὰρ ἐξ αἰνιγμάτων ἐπαργέμοισι θεσφάτοις ἀμηχανῶ. [¶87] Cassandra: Ah! Ah! What apparition is this? > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἒ ἔ, παπαῖ παπαῖ, τί τόδε φαίνεται; [¶88] Is it a net of death? No, it is a snare that shares his bed, that shares the guilt of murder. Let the fatal pack, insatiable against the race, raise a shout of jubilance over a victim accursed! > Greek: ἦ δίκτυόν τί γʼ Ἅιδου; ἀλλʼ ἄρκυς ἡ ξύνευνος, ἡ ξυναιτία φόνου. στάσις δʼ ἀκόρετος γένει κατολολυξάτω θύματος λευσίμου. [¶89] Chorus: What Spirit of Vengeance is this that you bid raise its voice over this house? Your words do not cheer me. Back to my heart surge the drops of my pallid blood, even as when they drip from a mortal wound, ebbing away as life’s beams sink low; and death comes speedily. > Greek: Χορός: ποίαν Ἐρινὺν τήνδε δώμασιν κέλῃ ἐπορθιάζειν; οὔ με φαιδρύνει λόγος. ἐπὶ δὲ καρδίαν ἔδραμε κροκοβαφὴς σταγών, ἅτε καιρία πτώσιμος ξυνανύτει βίου δύντος αὐγαῖς· ταχεῖα δʼ ἄτα πέλει. [¶90] Cassandra: Ah, ah, see there, see there! Keep the bull from his mate! She has caught him in the robe and gores him with the crafty device of her black horn! He falls in a vessel of water! It is of doom wrought by guile in a murderous bath that I am telling you. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἆ ἆ, ἰδοὺ ἰδού· ἄπεχε τῆς βοὸς τὸν ταῦρον· ἐν πέπλοισι μελαγκέρῳ λαβοῦσα μηχανήματι τύπτει· πίτνει δʼ ⟨ἐν⟩ ἐνύδρῳ τεύχει. δολοφόνου λέβητος τύχαν σοι λέγω. [¶91] Chorus: I cannot boast that I am a keen judge of prophecies; but these, I think, spell some evil. But from prophecies what word of good ever comes to mortals? Through terms of evil their wordy arts bring men to know fear chanted in prophetic strains. > Greek: Χορός: οὐ κομπάσαιμʼ ἂν θεσφάτων γνώμων ἄκρος εἶναι, κακῷ δέ τῳ προσεικάζω τάδε. ἀπὸ δὲ θεσφάτων τίς ἀγαθὰ φάτις βροτοῖς τέλλεται; κακῶν γὰρ διαὶ πολυεπεῖς τέχναι θεσπιῳδὸν φόβον φέρουσιν μαθεῖν. [¶92] Cassandra: Alas, alas, the sorrow of my ill-starred doom! For it is my own affliction, crowning the cup, that I bewail. Ah, to what end did you bring me here, unhappy as I am? For nothing except to die—and not alone. What else? > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἰὼ ἰὼ ταλαίνας κακόποτμοι τύχαι· τὸ γὰρ ἐμὸν θροῶ πάθος ἐπεγχύδαν. ποῖ δή με δεῦρο τὴν τάλαιναν ἤγαγες; οὐδέν ποτʼ εἰ μὴ ξυνθανουμένην. τί γάρ; [¶93] Chorus: Frenzied in soul you are, by some god possessed, and you wail in wild strains your own fate, like that brown bird that never ceases making lament (ah me!), and in the misery of her heart moans Itys, Itys, throughout all her days abounding in sorrow, the nightingale. > Greek: Χορός: φρενομανής τις εἶ θεοφόρητος, ἀμ- φὶ δʼ αὑτᾶς θροεῖς νόμον ἄνομον, οἷά τις ξουθὰ ἀκόρετος βοᾶς, φεῦ, ταλαίναις φρεσίν Ἴτυν Ἴτυν στένουσʼ ἀμφιθαλῆ κακοῖς ἀηδὼν βίον. [¶94] Cassandra: Ah, fate of the clear-voiced nightingale! The gods clothed her in a winged form and gave to her a sweet life without tears. But for me waits destruction by the two-edged sword. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἰὼ ἰὼ λιγείας μόρον ἀηδόνος· περέβαλον γάρ οἱ πτεροφόρον δέμας θεοὶ γλυκύν τʼ αἰῶνα κλαυμάτων ἄτερ· ἐμοὶ δὲ μίμνει σχισμὸς ἀμφήκει δορί. [¶95] Chorus: From where come these vain pangs of prophecy that assail you? And why do you mold to melody these terrors with dismal cries blended with piercing strains? How do you know the bounds of the path of your ill-boding prophecy? > Greek: Χορός: πόθεν ἐπισσύτους θεοφόρους [τʼ] ἔχεις ματαίους δύας, τὰ δʼ ἐπίφοβα δυσφάτῳ κλαγγᾷ μελοτυπεῖς ὁμοῦ τʼ ὀρθίοις ἐν νόμοις; πόθεν ὅρους ἔχεις θεσπεσίας ὁδοῦ κακορρήμονας; [¶96] Cassandra: Ah, the marriage, the marriage of Paris, that destroyed his friends! Ah me, Scamander, my native stream! Upon your banks in bygone days, unhappy maid, was I nurtured with fostering care; > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἰὼ γάμοι γάμοι Πάριδος ὀλέθριοι φίλων. ἰὼ Σκαμάνδρου πάτριον ποτόν. τότε μὲν ἀμφὶ σὰς ἀϊόνας τάλαινʼ ἠνυτόμαν τροφαῖς· [¶97] but now by Cocytus and the banks of Acheron, I think, I soon must chant my prophecies. > Greek: νῦν δʼ ἀμφὶ Κωκυτόν τε κἀχερουσίους ὄχθας ἔοικα θεσπιῳδήσειν τάχα. ## 3. Lines 1162–1673 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-agamemnon/3/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/aeschylus-agamemnon/3/#p-N [¶0] Chorus: What words are these you utter, words all too plain? A new-born child hearing them could understand. I am smitten with a deadly pain, while, by reason of your cruel fortune, you cry aloud your pitiful moans that break my heart to hear. > Greek: Χορός: τί τόδε τορὸν ἄγαν ἔπος ἐφημίσω; νεόγονος ἂν ἀΐων μάθοι. πέπληγμαι δʼ ὑπαὶ δάκει φοινίῳ δυσαλγεῖ τύχᾳ μινυρὰ [κακὰ] θρεομένας, θραύματʼ ἐμοὶ κλύειν. [¶1] Cassandra: O the sufferings, the sufferings of my city utterly destroyed! Alas, the sacrifices my father offered, the many pasturing cattle slain to save its towers! Yet they provided no remedy to save the city from suffering even as it has; and I, my soul on fire, must soon fall to the ground. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἰὼ πόνοι πόνοι πόλεος ὀλομένας τὸ πᾶν. ἰὼ πρόπυργοι θυσίαι πατρὸς πολυκανεῖς βοτῶν ποιονόμων· ἄκος δʼ οὐδὲν ἐπήρκεσαν τὸ μὴ πόλιν μὲν ὥσπερ οὖν ἔχει παθεῖν. ἐγὼ δὲ θερμόνους τάχʼ ἐν πέδῳ βαλῶ. [¶2] Chorus: Your present speech chimes with your former strain. Surely some malignant spirit, falling upon you with heavy swoop, moves you to chant your piteous woes fraught with death. But the end I am helpless to discover. > Greek: Χορός: ἑπόμενα προτέροισι τάδʼ ἐφημίσω. καί τίς σε κακοφρονῶν τίθη- σι δαίμων ὑπερβαρὴς ἐμπίτνων μελίζειν πάθη γοερὰ θανατοφόρα. τέρμα δʼ ἀμηχανῶ. [¶3] Cassandra: And now, no more shall my prophecy peer forth from behind a veil like a new-wedded bride; but it will rush upon me clear as a fresh wind blowing against the sun’s uprising so as to dash against its rays, like a wave, a woe far mightier than mine. No more by riddles will I instruct you. And bear me witness, as, running close behind, I scent the track of crimes done long ago. For from this roof never departs a choir chanting in unison, but singing no harmonious tune; for it tells not of good. And so, gorged on human blood, so as to be the more emboldened, a revel-rout of kindred Furies haunts the house, hard to be drive away. Lodged within its halls they chant their chant, the primal sin; and, each in turn, they spurn with loathing a brother’s bed, for they bitterly spurn the one who defiled it. Have I missed the mark, or, like a true archer, do I strike my quarry? > Greek: Κασάνδρα: καὶ μὴν ὁ χρησμὸς οὐκέτʼ ἐκ καλυμμάτων ἔσται δεδορκὼς νεογάμου νύμφης δίκην· λαμπρὸς δʼ ἔοικεν ἡλίου πρὸς ἀντολὰς πνέων ἐσᾴξειν, ὥστε κύματος δίκην κλύζειν πρὸς αὐγὰς τοῦδε πήματος πολὺ μεῖζον· φρενώσω δʼ οὐκέτʼ ἐξ αἰνιγμάτων. καὶ μαρτυρεῖτε συνδρόμως ἴχνος κακῶν ῥινηλατούσῃ τῶν πάλαι πεπραγμένων. τὴν γὰρ στέγην τήνδʼ οὔποτʼ ἐκλείπει χορὸς ξύμφθογγος οὐκ εὔφωνος· οὐ γὰρ εὖ λέγει. καὶ μὴν πεπωκώς γʼ, ὡς θρασύνεσθαι πλέον, βρότειον αἷμα κῶμος ἐν δόμοις μένει, δύσπεμπτος ἔξω, συγγόνων Ἐρινύων. ὑμνοῦσι δʼ ὕμνον δώμασιν προσήμεναι πρώταρχον ἄτην· ἐν μέρει δʼ ἀπέπτυσαν εὐνὰς ἀδελφοῦ τῷ πατοῦντι δυσμενεῖς. ἥμαρτον, ἢ θηρῶ τι τοξότης τις ὥς; [¶4] Or am I prophet of lies, a door-to-door babbler? Bear witness upon your oath that I know the deeds of sin, ancient in story, of this house. > Greek: ἢ ψευδόμαντίς εἰμι θυροκόπος φλέδων; ἐκμαρτύρησον προυμόσας τό μʼ εἰδέναι λόγῳ παλαιὰς τῶνδʼ ἁμαρτίας δόμων. [¶5] Chorus: How could an oath, a pledge although given in honor, effect any cure? Yet I marvel at you that, though bred beyond the sea, you speak truth of a foreign city, even as if you had been present there. > Greek: Χορός: καὶ πῶς ἂν ὅρκος, πῆγμα γενναίως παγέν, παιώνιον γένοιτο; θαυμάζω δέ σου, πόντου πέραν τραφεῖσαν ἀλλόθρουν πόλιν κυρεῖν λέγουσαν, ὥσπερ εἰ παρεστάτεις. [¶6] Cassandra: The seer Apollo appointed me to this office. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: μάντις μʼ Ἀπόλλων τῷδʼ ἐπέστησεν τέλει. [¶7] Chorus: Can it be that he, a god, was smitten with desire? > Greek: Χορός: μῶν καὶ θεός περ ἱμέρῳ πεπληγμένος; [¶8] Cassandra: Before now I was ashamed to speak of this. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: προτοῦ μὲν αἰδὼς ἦν ἐμοὶ λέγειν τάδε. [¶9] Chorus: In prosperity all take on airs. > Greek: Χορός: ἁβρύνεται γὰρ πᾶς τις εὖ πράσσων πλέον. [¶10] Cassandra: Oh, but he struggled to win me, breathing ardent love for me. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἀλλʼ ἦν παλαιστὴς κάρτʼ ἐμοὶ πνέων χάριν. [¶11] Chorus: Did you in due course come to the rite of marriage? > Greek: Χορός: ἦ καὶ τέκνων εἰς ἔργον ἤλθετον νόμῳ; [¶12] Cassandra: I consented to Loxias but broke my word. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ξυναινέσασα Λοξίαν ἐψευσάμην. [¶13] Chorus: Were you already possessed by the art inspired of the god? > Greek: Χορός: ἤδη τέχναισιν ἐνθέοις ᾑρημένη; [¶14] Cassandra: Already I prophesied to my countrymen all their disasters. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἤδη πολίταις πάντʼ ἐθέσπιζον πάθη. [¶15] Chorus: How came it then that you were unharmed by Loxias’ wrath? > Greek: Χορός: πῶς δῆτʼ ἄνατος ἦσθα Λοξίου κότῳ; [¶16] Cassandra: Ever since that fault I could persuade no one of anything. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἔπειθον οὐδένʼ οὐδέν, ὡς τάδʼ ἤμπλακον. [¶17] Chorus: And yet to us at least the prophecies you utter seem true enough. > Greek: Χορός: ἡμῖν γε μὲν δὴ πιστὰ θεσπίζειν δοκεῖς. [¶18] Cassandra: Ah, ah! Oh, oh, the agony! > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἰοὺ ἰού, ὢ ὢ κακά. [¶19] Once more the dreadful throes of true prophecy whirl and distract me with their ill-boding onset. Do you see them there—sitting before the house—young creatures like phantoms of dreams? Children, they seem, slaughtered by their own kindred, their hands full of the meat of their own flesh; they are clear to my sight, holding their vitals and their inward parts (piteous burden!), which their father tasted. For this cause I tell you that a strengthless lion, wallowing in his bed, plots vengeance, a watchman waiting (ah me!) for my master’s coming home—yes, my master, for I must bear the yoke of slavery. The commander of the fleet and the overthrower of Ilium little knows what deeds shall be brought to evil accomplishment by the hateful hound, whose tongue licked his hand, who stretched forth her ears in gladness, like treacherous Ate. Such boldness has she, a woman to slay a man. What odious monster shall I fitly call her? An Amphisbaena? Or a Scylla, tenanting the rocks, a pest to mariners, a raging, devil’s mother, breathing relentless war against her husband? And how the all-daring woman raised a shout of triumph, as when the battle turns, the while she feigned to joy at his safe return! And yet, it is all one, whether or not I am believed. What does it matter? > Greek: ὑπʼ αὖ με δεινὸς ὀρθομαντείας πόνος στροβεῖ ταράσσων φροιμίοις ⟨δυσφροιμίοις⟩. ὁρᾶτε τούσδε τοὺς δόμοις ἐφημένους νέους, ὀνείρων προσφερεῖς μορφώμασιν; παῖδες θανόντες ὡσπερεὶ πρὸς τῶν φίλων, χεῖρας κρεῶν πλήθοντες οἰκείας βορᾶς, σὺν ἐντέροις τε σπλάγχνʼ, ἐποίκτιστον γέμος, πρέπουσʼ ἔχοντες, ὧν πατὴρ ἐγεύσατο. ἐκ τῶνδε ποινὰς φημὶ βουλεύειν τινὰ λέοντʼ ἄναλκιν ἐν λέχει στρωφώμενον οἰκουρόν, οἴμοι, τῷ μολόντι δεσπότῃ ἐμῷ· φέρειν γὰρ χρὴ τὸ δούλιον ζυγόν· νεῶν τʼ ἄπαρχος Ἰλίου τʼ ἀναστάτης οὐκ οἶδεν οἷα γλῶσσα μισητῆς κυνὸς λείξασα κἀκτείνασα φαιδρὸν οὖς, δίκην Ἄτης λαθραίου, τεύξεται κακῇ τύχῃ. τοιάδε τόλμα· θῆλυς ἄρσενος φονεὺς ἔστιν. τί νιν καλοῦσα δυσφιλὲς δάκος τύχοιμʼ ἄν; ἀμφίσβαιναν, ἢ Σκύλλαν τινὰ οἰκοῦσαν ἐν πέτραισι, ναυτίλων βλάβην, θύουσαν Ἅιδου μητέρʼ ἄσπονδόν τʼ Ἄρη φίλοις πνέουσαν; ὡς δʼ ἐπωλολύξατο ἡ παντότολμος, ὥσπερ ἐν μάχης τροπῇ, δοκεῖ δὲ χαίρειν νοστίμῳ σωτηρίᾳ. καὶ τῶνδʼ ὅμοιον εἴ τι μὴ πείθω· τί γάρ; [¶20] What is to come, will come. And soon you, yourself present here, shall with great pity pronounce me all too true a prophetess. > Greek: τὸ μέλλον ἥξει. καὶ σύ μʼ ἐν τάχει παρὼν ἄγαν γʼ ἀληθόμαντιν οἰκτίρας ἐρεῖς. [¶21] Chorus: Thyestes’ banquet on his children’s flesh I understood, and I tremble. Terror possesses me as I hear the truth, nothing fashioned out of falsehood to resemble truth. > Greek: Χορός: τὴν μὲν Θυέστου δαῖτα παιδείων κρεῶν ξυνῆκα καὶ πέφρικα, καὶ φόβος μʼ ἔχει κλύοντʼ ἀληθῶς οὐδὲν ἐξῃκασμένα. [¶22] But as for the rest I heard I am thrown off the track. > Greek: τὰ δʼ ἄλλʼ ἀκούσας ἐκ δρόμου πεσὼν τρέχω. [¶23] Cassandra: I say you shall look upon Agamemnon dead. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: Ἀγαμέμνονός σέ φημʼ ἐπόψεσθαι μόρον. [¶24] Chorus: To words propitious, miserable girl, lull your speech. > Greek: Χορός: εὔφημον, ὦ τάλαινα, κοίμησον στόμα. [¶25] Cassandra: Over what I tell no healing god presides. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἀλλʼ οὔτι παιὼν τῷδʼ ἐπιστατεῖ λόγῳ. [¶26] Chorus: No, if it is to be; but may it not be so! > Greek: Χορός: οὔκ, εἴπερ ἔσται γʼ· ἀλλὰ μὴ γένοιτό πως. [¶27] Cassandra: You do but pray; their business is to slay. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: σὺ μὲν κατεύχῃ, τοῖς δʼ ἀποκτείνειν μέλει. [¶28] Chorus: What man is he that contrived this wickedness? > Greek: Χορός: τίνος πρὸς ἀνδρὸς τοῦτʼ ἄγος πορσύνεται; [¶29] Cassandra: Surely you must have missed the meaning of my prophecies. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἦ κάρτα τἄρʼ ἂν παρεκόπης χρησμῶν ἐμῶν [¶30] Chorus: I do not understand the scheme of him who is to do the deed. > Greek: Χορός: τοῦ γὰρ τελοῦντος οὐ ξυνῆκα μηχανήν. [¶31] Cassandra: And yet all too well I understand the Greek language. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: καὶ μὴν ἄγαν γʼ Ἕλληνʼ ἐπίσταμαι φάτιν. [¶32] Chorus: So too do the Pythian oracles; yet they are hard to understand. > Greek: Χορός: καὶ γὰρ τὰ πυθόκραντα· δυσμαθῆ δʼ ὅμως. [¶33] Cassandra: Oh, oh! What fire! It comes upon me! Woe, woe! Lycean Apollo! Ah me, ah me! This two-footed lioness, who mates with a wolf in the absence of the noble lion, will slay me, miserable as I am. Brewing as it were a drug, she vows that with her wrath she will mix requital for me too, while she whets her sword against her husband, to take murderous vengeance for bringing me here. Why then do I bear these mockeries of myself, this wand, these prophetic chaplets on my neck? Breaking her wand, she throws it and the other insignia of her prophetic office upon the ground, and tramples them underfoot You at least I will destroy before I die myself. To destruction with you! And fallen there, thus do I repay you. Enrich with doom some other in my place. Look, Apollo himself is stripping me of my prophetic garb—he that saw me mocked to bitter scorn, even in this bravery, by friends turned foes, with one accord, in vain—but, like some vagrant mountebank, called “beggar,” “wretch,” “starveling,” I bore it all. And now the prophet, having undone me, his prophetess, has brought me to this lethal pass. Instead of my father’s altar a block awaits me, where I am to be butchered in a hot and bloody sacrifice. Yet, we shall not die unavenged by the gods; > Greek: Κασάνδρα: παπαῖ, οἷον τὸ πῦρ· ἐπέρχεται δέ μοι. ὀτοτοῖ, Λύκειʼ Ἄπολλον, οἲ ἐγὼ ἐγώ. αὕτη δίπους λέαινα συγκοιμωμένη λύκῳ, λέοντος εὐγενοῦς ἀπουσίᾳ, κτενεῖ με τὴν τάλαιναν· ὡς δὲ φάρμακον τεύχουσα κἀμοῦ μισθὸν ἐνθήσειν κότῳ ἐπεύχεται, θήγουσα φωτὶ φάσγανον ἐμῆς ἀγωγῆς ἀντιτείσασθαι φόνον. τί δῆτʼ ἐμαυτῆς καταγέλωτʼ ἔχω τάδε, καὶ σκῆπτρα καὶ μαντεῖα περὶ δέρῃ στέφη; σὲ μὲν πρὸ μοίρας τῆς ἐμῆς διαφθερῶ. ἴτʼ ἐς φθόρον· πεσόντα γʼ ὧδʼ ἀμείβομαι. ἄλλην τινʼ ἄτης ἀντʼ ἐμοῦ πλουτίζετε. ἰδοὺ δʼ Ἀπόλλων αὐτὸς ἐκδύων ἐμὲ χρηστηρίαν ἐσθῆτʼ, ἐποπτεύσας δέ με κἀν τοῖσδε κόσμοις καταγελωμένην μέγα φίλων ὑπʼ ἐχθρῶν οὐ διχορρόπως, μάτην— καλουμένη δὲ φοιτὰς ὡς ἀγύρτρια πτωχὸς τάλαινα λιμοθνὴς ἠνεσχόμην— καὶ νῦν ὁ μάντις μάντιν ἐκπράξας ἐμὲ ἀπήγαγʼ ἐς τοιάσδε θανασίμους τύχας. βωμοῦ πατρῴου δʼ ἀντʼ ἐπίξηνον μένει, θερμῷ κοπείσης φοινίῳ προσφάγματι. οὐ μὴν ἄτιμοί γʼ ἐκ θεῶν τεθνήξομεν. [¶34] for there shall come in turn another, our avenger, a scion of the race, to slay his mother and exact requital for his sire; an exile, a wanderer, a stranger from this land, he shall return to put the coping-stone upon these unspeakable iniquities of his house. For the gods have sworn a mighty oath that his slain father’s outstretched corpse shall bring him home. Why then thus raise my voice in pitiful lament? Since first I saw the city of Ilium fare what it has fared, while her captors, by the gods’ sentence, are coming to such an end, I will go in and meet my fate. I will dare to die. This door I greet as the gates of Death. And I pray that, dealt a mortal stroke, without a struggle, my life-blood ebbing away in easy death, I may close these eyes. > Greek: ἥξει γὰρ ἡμῶν ἄλλος αὖ τιμάορος, μητροκτόνον φίτυμα, ποινάτωρ πατρός· φυγὰς δʼ ἀλήτης τῆσδε γῆς ἀπόξενος κάτεισιν, ἄτας τάσδε θριγκώσων φίλοις· ὀμώμοται γὰρ ὅρκος ἐκ θεῶν μέγας, ἄξειν νιν ὑπτίασμα κειμένου πατρός. τί δῆτʼ ἐγὼ κάτοικτος ὧδʼ ἀναστένω; ἐπεὶ τὸ πρῶτον εἶδον Ἰλίου πόλιν πράξασαν ὡς ἔπραξεν, οἳ δʼ εἷλον πόλιν οὕτως ἀπαλλάσσουσιν ἐν θεῶν κρίσει, ἰοῦσα πράξω· τλήσομαι τὸ κατθανεῖν. Ἅιδου πύλας δὲ τάσδʼ ἐγὼ προσεννέπω· ἐπεύχομαι δὲ καιρίας πληγῆς τυχεῖν, ὡς ἀσφάδαστος, αἱμάτων εὐθνησίμων ἀπορρυέντων, ὄμμα συμβάλω τόδε. [¶35] Chorus: O woman, pitiful exceedingly and exceeding wise, long has been your speech. But if, in truth, you have knowledge of your own death, how can you step with calm courage to the altar like an ox, driven by the god? > Greek: Χορός: ὦ πολλὰ μὲν τάλαινα, πολλὰ δʼ αὖ σοφὴ γύναι, μακρὰν ἔτεινας. εἰ δʼ ἐτητύμως μόρον τὸν αὑτῆς οἶσθα, πῶς θεηλάτου βοὸς δίκην πρὸς βωμὸν εὐτόλμως πατεῖς; [¶36] Cassandra: There is no escape; no, my friends, there is none any more. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: οὐκ ἔστʼ ἄλυξις, οὔ, ξένοι, χρόνον πλέω. [¶37] Chorus: Yet he that is last has the advantage in respect of time. > Greek: Χορός: ὁ δʼ ὕστατός γε τοῦ χρόνου πρεσβεύεται, [¶38] Cassandra: The day has come; flight would profit me but little. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἥκει τόδʼ ἦμαρ· σμικρὰ κερδανῶ φυγῇ. [¶39] Chorus: Well, be assured, you brave suffering with a courageous spirit. > Greek: Χορός: ἀλλʼ ἴσθι τλήμων οὖσʼ ἀπʼ εὐτόλμου φρενός. [¶40] Cassandra: None who is happy is commended thus. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: οὐδεὶς ἀκούει ταῦτα τῶν εὐδαιμόνων. [¶41] Chorus: Yet surely to die nobly is a blessing for mortals. > Greek: Χορός: ἀλλʼ εὐκλεῶς τοι κατθανεῖν χάρις βροτῷ. [¶42] Cassandra: Alas for you, my father and for your noble children! She starts back in horror > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἰὼ πάτερ σοῦ σῶν τε γενναίων τέκνων. [¶43] Chorus: What ails you? What terror turns you back? > Greek: Χορός: τί δʼ ἐστὶ χρῆμα; τίς σʼ ἀποστρέφει φόβος; [¶44] Cassandra: Alas, alas! > Greek: Κασάνδρα: φεῦ φεῦ. [¶45] Chorus: Why do you cry “alas”? Unless perhaps there is some horror in your soul. > Greek: Χορός: τί τοῦτʼ ἔφευξας; εἴ τι μὴ φρενῶν στύγος. [¶46] Cassandra: This house stinks of blood-dripping slaughter. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: φόνον δόμοι πνέουσιν αἱματοσταγῆ, [¶47] Chorus: And what of that? It is just the savor of victims at the hearth. > Greek: Χορός: καί πῶς;τόδʼ ὄζει θυμάτων ἐφεστίων. [¶48] Cassandra: It is like a breath from a charnel-house. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ὅμοιος ἀτμὸς ὥσπερ ἐκ τάφου πρέπει, [¶49] Chorus: You are not speaking of proud Syrian incense for the house. > Greek: Χορός: οὐ Σύριον ἀγλάισμα δώμασιν λέγεις. [¶50] Cassandra: Nay, I will go to bewail also within the palace my own and Agamemnon’s fate. Enough of life! > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἀλλʼ εἶμι κἀν δόμοισι κωκύσουσʼ ἐμὴν Ἀγαμέμνονός τε μοῖραν. ἀρκείτω βίος. [¶51] Alas, my friends, not with vain terror do I shrink, as a bird that fears a bush. After I am dead, bear witness for me of this—when for me, a woman, another woman shall be slain, and for an ill-wedded man another man shall fall. > Greek: ἰὼ ξένοι, οὔτοι δυσοίζω θάμνον ὡς ὄρνις φόβῳ ἄλλως· θανούσῃ μαρτυρεῖτέ μοι τόδε, ὅταν γυνὴ γυναικὸς ἀντʼ ἐμοῦ θάνῃ, ἀνήρ τε δυσδάμαρτος ἀντʼ ἀνδρὸς πέσῃ. [¶52] I claim this favor from you now that my hour is come. > Greek: ἐπιξενοῦμαι ταῦτα δʼ ὡς θανουμένη. [¶53] Chorus: Poor woman, I pity you for your death foretold. > Greek: Χορός: ὦ τλῆμον, οἰκτίρω σε θεσφάτου μόρου. [¶54] Cassandra: Yet once more I would like to speak, but not a dirge. I pray to the sun, in presence of his latest light, that my enemies may at the same time pay to my avengers a bloody penalty for slaughtering a slave, an easy prey. Alas for human fortune! When prosperous, a mere shadow can overturn it; if misfortune strikes, the dash of a wet sponge blots out the drawing. > Greek: Κασάνδρα: ἅπαξ ἔτʼ εἰπεῖν ῥῆσιν οὐ θρῆνον θέλω ἐμὸν τὸν αὐτῆς. ἡλίῳ δʼ ἐπεύχομαι πρὸς ὕστατον φῶς τοῖς ἐμοῖς τιμαόροις ἐχθροῖς φονεῦσι τοῖς ἐμοῖς τίνειν ὁμοῦ, δούλης θανούσης, εὐμαροῦς χειρώματος. ἰὼ βρότεια πράγματʼ· εὐτυχοῦντα μὲν σκιά τις ἂν τρέψειεν· εἰ δὲ δυστυχῇ, βολαῖς ὑγρώσσων σπόγγος ὤλεσεν γραφήν. [¶55] And this last I deem far more pitiable than that. Enters the palace Chorus: It is the nature of all human kind to be unsatisfied with prosperity. From stately halls none bars it with warning voice that utters the words “Enter no more.” > Greek: καὶ ταῦτʼ ἐκείνων μᾶλλον οἰκτίρω πολύ. Χορός: τὸ μὲν εὖ πράσσειν ἀκόρεστον ἔφυ πᾶσι βροτοῖσιν· δακτυλοδείκτων δʼ οὔτις ἀπειπὼν εἴργει μελάθρων, μηκέτʼ ἐσέλθῃς, τάδε φωνῶν. [¶56] So the Blessed Ones have granted to our prince to capture Priam’s town; and, divinely-honored, he returns to his home. Yet if he now must pay the penalty for the blood shed by others before him, and by dying for the dead he is to bring to pass retribution of other deaths, what mortal man, on hearing this, can boast that he was born with scatheless destiny? A shriek is heard from within Agamemnon: Alas! I am struck deep with a mortal blow! > Greek: καὶ τῷδε πόλιν μὲν ἑλεῖν ἔδοσαν μάκαρες Πριάμου· θεοτίμητος δʼ οἴκαδʼ ἱκάνει. νῦν δʼ εἰ προτέρων αἷμʼ ἀποτείσῃ καὶ τοῖσι θανοῦσι θανὼν ἄλλων ποινὰς θανάτων ἐπικράνῃ, τίς ἂν ⟨ἐξ⟩εύξαιτο βροτῶν ἀσινεῖ δαίμονι φῦναι τάδʼ ἀκούων; Ἀγαμέμνων: ὤμοι, πέπληγμαι καιρίαν πληγὴν ἔσω. [¶57] Chorus: Silence! Who is this that cries out, wounded by a mortal blow? > Greek: Χορός: σῖγα· τίς πληγὴν ἀυτεῖ καιρίως οὐτασμένος; [¶58] Agamemnon: And once again, alas! I am struck by a second blow. > Greek: Ἀγαμέμνων: ὤμοι μάλʼ αὖθις, δευτέραν πεπληγμένος. [¶59] Chorus: The deed is done, it seems—to judge by the groans of the king. But come, let us take counsel together if there is perhaps some safe plan of action. The members of the Chorus deliver their opinion on the course to be taken —I tell you my advice: summon the townsfolk to bring rescue here to the palace. —To my thinking we must burst in and charge them with the deed while the sword is still dripping in their hands. —I, too, am for taking part in some such plan, and vote for action of some sort. It is no time to keep on delaying. —It is plain. Their opening act marks a plan to set up a tyranny in the State. —Yes, because we are wasting time, while they, trampling underfoot that famous name, Delay, allow their hands no slumber. —I know not what plan I could hit on to propose. It is the doer’s part likewise to do the planning. —I too am of this mind, for I know no way to bring the dead back to life by mere words. —What! To prolong our lives shall we thus submit to the rule of those defilers of the house? —No, it is not to be endured. No, death would be better, for that would be a milder lot than tyranny. —And shall we, upon the evidence of mere groans, divine that our lord is dead? —We should be sure of the facts before we indulge our wrath. For surmise differs from assurance. —I am supported on all sides to approve this course—that we get clear assurance how it stands with Atreus’ son. The bodies of Agamemnon and Cassandra are disclosed; the queen stands by their side > Greek: Χορός: τοὔργον εἰργάσθαι δοκεῖ μοι βασιλέως οἰμώγμασιν. ἀλλὰ κοινωσώμεθʼ ἤν πως ἀσφαλῆ βουλεύματα. Χορός: —ἐγὼ μὲν ὑμῖν τὴν ἐμὴν γνώμην λέγω, πρὸς δῶμα δεῦρʼ ἀστοῖσι κηρύσσειν βοήν.— —ἐμοὶ δʼ ὅπως τάχιστά γʼ ἐμπεσεῖν δοκεῖ καὶ πρᾶγμʼ ἐλέγχειν σὺν νεορρύτῳ ξίφει.— —κἀγὼ τοιούτου γνώματος κοινωνὸς ὢν ψηφίζομαί τι δρᾶν· τὸ μὴ μέλλειν δʼ ἀκμή.— —ὁρᾶν πάρεστι· φροιμιάζονται γὰρ ὡς τυραννίδος σημεῖα πράσσοντες πόλει.— —χρονίζομεν γάρ. οἱ δὲ τῆς μελλοῦς κλέος πέδοι πατοῦντες οὐ καθεύδουσιν χερί.— —οὐκ οἶδα βουλῆς ἧστινος τυχὼν λέγω. τοῦ δρῶντός ἐστι καὶ τὸ βουλεῦσαι πέρι.— —κἀγὼ τοιοῦτός εἰμʼ, ἐπεὶ δυσμηχανῶ λόγοισι τὸν θανόντʼ ἀνιστάναι πάλιν.— —ἦ καὶ βίον τείνοντες ὧδʼ ὑπείξομεν δόμων καταισχυντῆρσι τοῖσδʼ ἡγουμένοις;— —ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἀνεκτόν,ἀλλὰ κατθανεῖν κρατεῖ· πεπαιτέρα γὰρ μοῖρα τῆς τυραννίδος.— —ἦ γὰρ τεκμηρίοισιν ἐξ οἰμωγμάτων μαντευσόμεσθα τἀνδρὸς ὡς ὀλωλότος;— —σάφʼ εἰδότας χρὴ τῶνδε θυμοῦσθαι πέρι· τὸ γὰρ τοπάζειν τοῦ σάφʼ εἰδέναι δίχα.— —ταύτην ἐπαινεῖν πάντοθεν πληθύνομαι, τρανῶς Ἀτρείδην εἰδέναι κυροῦνθʼ ὅπως. [¶60] Clytaemestra: Much have I said before to serve my need and I shall feel no shame to contradict it now. For how else could one, devising hate against a hated foe who bears the semblance of a friend, fence the snares of ruin too high to be overleaped? This is the contest of an ancient feud, pondered by me of old, and it has come, however long delayed. I stand where I dealt the blow; my purpose is achieved. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: πολλῶν πάροιθεν καιρίως εἰρημένων τἀναντίʼ εἰπεῖν οὐκ ἐπαισχυνθήσομαι. πῶς γάρ τις ἐχθροῖς ἐχθρὰ πορσύνων, φίλοις δοκοῦσιν εἶναι, πημονῆς ἀρκύστατʼ ἂν φράξειεν, ὕψος κρεῖσσον ἐκπηδήματος; ἐμοὶ δʼ ἀγὼν ὅδʼ οὐκ ἀφρόντιστος πάλαι νείκης παλαιᾶς ἦλθε, σὺν χρόνῳ γε μήν· ἕστηκα δʼ ἔνθʼ ἔπαισʼ ἐπʼ ἐξειργασμένοις. [¶61] Thus have I done the deed; deny it I will not. Round him, as if to catch a haul of fish, I cast an impassable net—fatal wealth of robe—so that he should neither escape nor ward off doom. Twice I struck him, and with two groans his limbs relaxed. Once he had fallen, I dealt him yet a third stroke to grace my prayer to the infernal Zeus, the savior of the dead. Fallen thus, he gasped away his life, and as he breathed forth quick spurts of blood, he struck me with dark drops of gory dew; while I rejoiced no less than the sown earth is gladdened in heaven’s refreshing rain at the birthtime of the flower buds. Since then the case stands thus, old men of Argos, rejoice, if you would rejoice; as for me, I glory in the deed. > Greek: οὕτω δʼ ἔπραξα, καὶ τάδʼ οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι· ὡς μήτε φεύγειν μήτʼ ἀμύνεσθαι μόρον, ἄπειρον ἀμφίβληστρον, ὥσπερ ἰχθύων, περιστιχίζω, πλοῦτον εἵματος κακόν. παίω δέ νιν δίς· κἀν δυοῖν οἰμωγμάτοιν μεθῆκεν αὑτοῦ κῶλα· καὶ πεπτωκότι τρίτην ἐπενδίδωμι, τοῦ κατὰ χθονὸς Διὸς νεκρῶν σωτῆρος εὐκταίαν χάριν. οὕτω τὸν αὑτοῦ θυμὸν ὁρμαίνει πεσών· κἀκφυσιῶν ὀξεῖαν αἵματος σφαγὴν βάλλει μʼ ἐρεμνῇ ψακάδι φοινίας δρόσου, χαίρουσαν οὐδὲν ἧσσον ἢ διοσδότῳ γάνει σπορητὸς κάλυκος ἐν λοχεύμασιν. ὡς ὧδʼ ἐχόντων, πρέσβος Ἀργείων τόδε, χαίροιτʼ ἄν, εἰ χαίροιτʼ, ἐγὼ δʼ ἐπεύχομαι. [¶62] And had it been a fitting act to pour libations on the corpse, over him this would have been done justly, more than justly. With so many accursed lies has he filled the mixing-bowl in his own house, and now he has come home and himself drained it to the dregs. > Greek: εἰ δʼ ἦν πρεπόντων ὥστʼ ἐπισπένδειν νεκρῷ, τῷδʼ ἂν δικαίως ἦν, ὑπερδίκως μὲν οὖν. τοσῶνδε κρατῆρʼ ἐν δόμοις κακῶν ὅδε πλήσας ἀραίων αὐτὸς ἐκπίνει μολών. [¶63] Chorus: We are shocked at your tongue, how bold-mouthed you are, that over your husband you can utter such a boastful speech. > Greek: Χορός: θαυμάζομέν σου γλῶσσαν, ὡς θρασύστομος, ἥτις τοιόνδʼ ἐπʼ ἀνδρὶ κομπάζεις λόγον. [¶64] Clytaemestra: You are testing me as if I were a witless woman. But my heart does not quail, and I say to you who know it well—and whether you wish to praise or to blame me, it is all one—here is Agamemnon, my husband, now a corpse, the work of this right hand, a just workman. So stands the case. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: πειρᾶσθέ μου γυναικὸς ὡς ἀφράσμονος· ἐγὼ δʼ ἀτρέστῳ καρδίᾳ πρὸς εἰδότας λέγω· σὺ δʼ αἰνεῖν εἴτε με ψέγειν θέλεις ὅμοιον. οὗτός ἐστιν Ἀγαμέμνων, ἐμὸς πόσις, νεκρὸς δέ, τῆσδε δεξιᾶς χερὸς ἔργον, δικαίας τέκτονος. τάδʼ ὧδʼ ἔχει. [¶65] Chorus: Woman, what poisonous herb nourished by the earth have you tasted, what potion drawn from the flowing sea, that you have taken upon yourself this maddened rage and the loud curses voiced by the public? > Greek: Χορός: τί κακόν, ὦ γύναι, χθονοτρεφὲς ἐδανὸν ἢ ποτὸν πασαμένα ῥυτᾶς ἐξ ἁλὸς ὀρόμενον τόδʼ ἐπέθου θύος, δημοθρόους τʼ ἀράς; [¶66] You have cast him off; you have cut him off; and out from the land shall you be cast, a burden of hatred to your people. > Greek: ἀπέδικες ἀπέταμες· ἀπόπολις δʼ ἔσῃ μῖσος ὄβριμον ἀστοῖς. [¶67] Clytaemestra: It’s now that you would doom me to exile from the land, to the hatred of my people and the execration of the public voice; though then you had nothing to urge against him that lies here. And yet he, valuing no more than if it had been a beast that perished—though sheep were plenty in his fleecy folds—he sacrificed his own child, she whom I bore with dearest travail, to charm the blasts of Thrace. Is it not he whom you should have banished from this land in requital for his polluting deed? No! When you arraign what I have done, you are a stern judge. Well, I warn you: threaten me thus on the understanding that I am prepared, conditions equal, to let you lord it over me if you shall vanquish me by force. But if a god shall bring the contrary to pass, you shall learn discretion though taught the lesson late. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: νῦν μὲν δικάζεις ἐκ πόλεως φυγὴν ἐμοὶ καὶ μῖσος ἀστῶν δημόθρους τʼ ἔχειν ἀράς, οὐδὲν τότʼ ἀνδρὶ τῷδʼ ἐναντίον φέρων· ὃς οὐ προτιμῶν, ὡσπερεὶ βοτοῦ μόρον, μήλων φλεόντων εὐπόκοις νομεύμασιν, ἔθυσεν αὑτοῦ παῖδα, φιλτάτην ἐμοὶ ὠδῖνʼ, ἐπῳδὸν Θρῃκίων ἀημάτων. οὐ τοῦτον ἐκ γῆς τῆσδε χρῆν σʼ ἀνδρηλατεῖν, μιασμάτων ἄποινʼ; ἐπήκοος δʼ ἐμῶν ἔργων δικαστὴς τραχὺς εἶ. λέγω δέ σοι τοιαῦτʼ ἀπειλεῖν, ὡς παρεσκευασμένης ἐκ τῶν ὁμοίων χειρὶ νικήσαντʼ ἐμοῦ ἄρχειν· ἐὰν δὲ τοὔμπαλιν κραίνῃ θεός, γνώσῃ διδαχθεὶς ὀψὲ γοῦν τὸ σωφρονεῖν. [¶68] Chorus: You are proud of spirit, and your speech is overbearing. Even as your mind is maddened by your deed of blood, upon your face a stain of blood shows full plain to behold. Bereft of all honor, forsaken of your friends, you shall hereafter atone for stroke with stroke, > Greek: Χορός: μεγαλόμητις εἶ, περίφρονα δʼ ἔλακες. ὥσπερ οὖν φονολιβεῖ τύχᾳ φρὴν ἐπιμαίνεται, λίπος ἐπʼ ὀμμάτων αἵματος εὖ πρέπει· ἀτίετον ἔτι σὲ χρὴ στερομέναν φίλων τύμμα τύμματι τεῖσαι. [¶69] Clytaemestra: Listen then to this too, this the righteous sanction on my oath: by Justice, exacted for my child, by Ate, by the Avenging Spirit, to whom I sacrificed that man, hope does not tread for me the halls of fear, so long as the fire upon my hearth is kindled by Aegisthus, loyal in heart to me as in days gone by. For he is no slight shield of confidence to me. Here lies the man who did me wrong, plaything of each Chryseis at Ilium; > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: καὶ τήνδʼ ἀκούεις ὁρκίων ἐμῶν θέμιν· μὰ τὴν τέλειον τῆς ἐμῆς παιδὸς Δίκην, Ἄτην Ἐρινύν θʼ, αἷσι τόνδʼ ἔσφαξʼ ἐγώ, οὔ μοι φόβου μέλαθρον ἐλπὶς ἐμπατεῖ, ἕως ἂν αἴθῃ πῦρ ἐφʼ ἑστίας ἐμῆς Αἴγισθος, ὡς τὸ πρόσθεν εὖ φρονῶν ἐμοί. οὗτος γὰρ ἡμῖν ἀσπὶς οὐ σμικρὰ θράσους. κεῖται γυναικὸς τῆσδε λυμαντήριος, Χρυσηίδων μείλιγμα τῶν ὑπʼ Ἰλίῳ· [¶70] and here she lies, his captive, and auguress, and concubine, his oracular faithful whore, yet equally familiar with the seamen’s benches. The pair has met no undeserved fate. For he lies thus; while she, who, like a swan, has sung her last lament in death, lies here, his beloved; but to me she has brought for my bed an added relish of delight. > Greek: ἥ τʼ αἰχμάλωτος ἥδε καὶ τερασκόπος καὶ κοινόλεκτρος τοῦδε, θεσφατηλόγος πιστὴ ξύνευνος, ναυτίλων δὲ σελμάτων ἰσοτριβής. ἄτιμα δʼ οὐκ ἐπραξάτην. ὁ μὲν γὰρ οὕτως, ἡ δέ τοι κύκνου δίκην τὸν ὕστατον μέλψασα θανάσιμον γόον κεῖται, φιλήτωρ τοῦδʼ· ἐμοὶ δʼ ἐπήγαγεν εὐνῆς παροψώνημα τῆς ἐμῆς χλιδῆς. [¶71] Chorus: Alas! Ah that some fate, free from excess of suffering, nor yet with lingering bed of pain, might come full soon and bring to us everlasting and endless sleep, now that our most gracious guardian has been laid low, who in a woman’s cause had much endured and by a woman’s hand has lost his life. > Greek: Χορός: φεῦ, τίς ἂν ἐν τάχει, μὴ περιώδυνος, μηδὲ δεμνιοτήρης, μόλοι τὸν αἰεὶ φέρουσʼ ἐν ἡμῖν Μοῖρʼ ἀτέλευτον ὕπνον, δαμέντος φύλακος εὐμενεστάτου [καὶ] πολλὰ τλάντος γυναικὸς διαί· πρὸς γυναικὸς δʼ ἀπέφθισεν βίον. [¶72] O mad Helen, who did yourself alone destroy these many lives, these lives exceeding many, beneath the walls of Troy. Now you have bedecked yourself with your final crown, that shall long last in memory, because of blood not to be washed away. Truly in those days strife, an affliction that has subdued its lord, dwelt in the house. > Greek: Χορός: ἰὼ ⟨ἰὼ⟩ παράνους Ἑλένα μία τὰς πολλάς, τάς πάνυ πολλὰς ψυχὰς ὀλέσασʼ ὑπὸ Τροίᾳ. νῦν [δὲ] τελέαν πολύμναστον ἐπηνθίσω διʼ αἷμʼ ἄνιπτον. ἦ τις ἦν τότʼ ἐν δόμοις ἔρις ἐρίδματος ἀνδρὸς οἰζύς. [¶73] Clytaemestra: Do not burden yourself with thoughts such as these, nor invoke upon yourself the fate of death. Nor yet turn your wrath upon Helen, and deem her a slayer of men, as if she alone had destroyed many a Danaan life and had wrought anguish past all cure. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: μηδὲν θανάτου μοῖραν ἐπεύχου τοῖσδε βαρυνθείς· μηδʼ εἰς Ἑλένην κότον ἐκτρέψῃς, ὡς ἀνδρολέτειρʼ, ὡς μία πολλῶν ἀνδρῶν ψυχὰς Δαναῶν ὀλέσασʼ ἀξύστατον ἄλγος ἔπραξεν. [¶74] Chorus: O Fiend who falls upon this house and Tantalus’ two descendants, you who by the hands of women exert a rule matching their temper, a rule bitter to my soul! Perched over his body like a hateful raven, in hoarse notes she chants her song of triumph. > Greek: Χορός: δαῖμον, ὃς ἐμπίτνεις δώμασι καὶ διφυί- οισι Τανταλίδαισιν, κράτος ⟨τʼ⟩ ἰσόψυχον ἐκ γυναικῶν καρδιόδηκτον ἐμοὶ κρατύνεις. ἐπὶ δὲ σώματος δίκαν [μοι] κόρακος ἐχθροῦ σταθεῖσʼ ἐκνόμως ὕμνον ὑμνεῖν ἐπεύχεται ⟨˘¯⟩ [¶75] Clytaemestra: Now you have corrected the judgment of your lips in that you name the thrice-gorged Fiend of this race. For by him the lust for lapping blood is fostered in the mouth; so before the ancient wound is healed, fresh blood is spilled. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: νῦν δʼ ὤρθωσας στόματος γνώμην, τὸν τριπάχυντον δαίμονα γέννης τῆσδε κικλήσκων. ἐκ τοῦ γὰρ ἔρως αἱματολοιχὸς νείρᾳ τρέφεται, πρὶν καταλῆξαι τὸ παλαιὸν ἄχος, νέος ἰχώρ. [¶76] Chorus: Truly you speak of a mighty Fiend, haunting the house, and heavy in his wrath (alas, alas!)—an evil tale of catastrophic fate insatiate; > Greek: Χορός: ἦ μέγαν οἰκονόμον δαίμονα καὶ βαρύμηνιν αἰνεῖς, φεῦ φεῦ, κακὸν αἶνον ἀτη- ρᾶς τύχας ἀκορέστου· [¶77] woe, woe, done by will of Zeus, author of all, worker of all! For what is brought to pass for mortal men save by will of Zeus? What herein is not wrought of god? > Greek: ἰὴ ἰή, διαὶ Διὸς παναιτίου πανεργέτα· τί γὰρ βροτοῖς ἄνευ Διὸς τελεῖται; τί τῶνδʼ οὐ θεόκραντόν ἐστιν; [¶78] Alas, alas, my King, my King, how shall I bewail you? How voice my heartfelt love for you? To lie in this spider’s web, breathing forth your life in an impious death! Ah me, to lie on this ignoble bed, struck down in treacherous death wrought by a weapon of double edge wielded by the hand of your own wife! > Greek: Χορός: ἰὼ ἰὼ βασιλεῦ βασιλεῦ, πῶς σε δακρύσω; φρενὸς ἐκ φιλίας τί ποτʼ εἴπω; κεῖσαι δʼ ἀράχνης ἐν ὑφάσματι τῷδʼ ἀσεβεῖ θανάτῳ βίον ἐκπνέων. ὤμοι μοι κοίταν τάνδʼ ἀνελεύθερον δολίῳ μόρῳ δαμεὶς ⟨δάμαρτος⟩ ἐκ χερὸς ἀμφιτόμῳ βελέμνῳ. [¶79] Clytaemestra: Do you affirm this deed is mine? Do not imagine that I am Agamemnon’s spouse. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: αὐχεῖς εἶναι τόδε τοὔργον ἐμόν; μηδʼ ἐπιλεχθῇς Ἀγαμεμνονίαν εἶναί μʼ ἄλοχον. [¶80] A phantom resembling that corpse’s wife, the ancient bitter evil spirit of Atreus, that grim banqueter, has offered him in payment, sacrificing a full-grown victim in vengeance for those slain babes. > Greek: φανταζόμενος δὲ γυναικὶ νεκροῦ τοῦδʼ ὁ παλαιὸς δριμὺς ἀλάστωρ Ἀτρέως χαλεποῦ θοινατῆρος τόνδʼ ἀπέτεισεν, τέλεον νεαροῖς ἐπιθύσας. [¶81] Chorus: That you are innocent of this murder—who will bear you witness? How could anyone do so? And yet the evil genius of his father might well be your accomplice. By force amid streams of kindred blood black Havoc presses on to where he shall grant vengeance for the gore of children served for meat. > Greek: Χορός: ὡς μὲν ἀναίτιος εἶ τοῦδε φόνου τίς ὁ μαρτυρήσων; πῶς πῶς; πατρόθεν δὲ συλλή- πτωρ γένοιτʼ ἂν ἀλάστωρ. βιάζεται δʼ ὁμοσπόροις ἐπιρροαῖσιν αἱμάτων μέλας Ἄρης, ὅποι δίκαν προβαίνων πάχνᾳ κουροβόρῳ παρέξει. [¶82] Alas, alas, my King, my King, how shall I bewail you? > Greek: Χορός: ἰὼ ἰὼ βασιλεῦ βασιλεῦ, πῶς σε δακρύσω; [¶83] How voice my heartfelt love for you? To lie in this spider’s web, breathing forth your life in impious death! Alas, to lie on this ignoble bed, struck down in treacherous death wrought by a weapon of double edge wielded by your own wife’s hand! > Greek: φρενὸς ἐκ φιλίας τί ποτʼ εἴπω; κεῖσαι δʼ ἀράχνης ἐν ὑφάσματι τῷδʼ ἀσεβεῖ θανάτῳ βίον ἐκπνέων. ὤμοι μοι κοίταν τάνδʼ ἀνελεύθερον δολίῳ μόρῳ δαμεὶς ἐκ χερὸς ἀμφιτόμῳ βελέμνῳ. [¶84] Clytaemestra: [Neither do I think he met an ignoble death.] And did he not himself by treachery bring ruin on his house? > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: [οὔτʼ ἀνελεύθερον οἶμαι θάνατον] [τῷδε γενέσθαι.] οὐδὲ γὰρ οὗτος δολίαν ἄτην οἴκοισιν ἔθηκʼ; [¶85] Yet, as he has suffered—worthy prize of worthy deed—for what he did to my sweet flower, shoot sprung from him, the sore-wept Iphigenia, let him make no great boasts in the halls of Hades, since with death dealt him by the sword he has paid for what he first began. > Greek: ἀλλʼ ἐμὸν ἐκ τοῦδʼ ἔρνος ἀερθέν. τὴν πολυκλαύτην Ἰφιγενείαν, ἄξια δράσας ἄξια πάσχων μηδὲν ἐν Ἅιδου μεγαλαυχείτω, ξιφοδηλήτῳ, θανάτῳ τείσας ἅπερ ἦρξεν. [¶86] Chorus: Bereft of any ready expedient of thought, I am bewildered where to turn now that the house is tottering. I fear the beating storm of bloody rain that shakes the house; no longer does it descend in drops. > Greek: Χορός: ἀμηχανῶ φροντίδος στερηθεὶς εὐπάλαμον μέριμναν ὅπα τράπωμαι, πίτνοντος οἴκου. δέδοικα δʼ ὄμβρου κτύπον δομοσφαλῆ τὸν αἱματηρόν· ψακὰς δὲ λήγει. [¶87] Yet on other whetstones Destiny is sharpening justice for another evil deed. > Greek: δίκην δʼ ἐπʼ ἄλλο πρᾶγμα θηγάνει βλάβης πρὸς ἄλλαις θηγάναισι μοῖρα. [¶88] O Earth, Earth, if only you had taken me to yourself before ever I had lived to see my lord occupying a lowly bed of a silver-sided bath! Who shall bury him? Who shall lament him? Will you harden your heart to do this—you who have slain your own husband—to lament for him and crown your unholy work with an uncharitable gift to his spirit, atoning for your monstrous deeds? And who, as with tears he utters praise over the hero’s grave, shall sorrow in sincerity of heart? > Greek: Χορός: ἰὼ γᾶ γᾶ, εἴθʼ ἔμʼ ἐδέξω, πρὶν τόνδʼ ἐπιδεῖν ἀργυροτοίχου δροίτης κατέχοντα χάμευναν. τίς ὁ θάψων νιν; τίς ὁ θρηνήσων; ἦ σὺ τόδʼ ἔρξαι τλήσῃ, κτείνασʼ ἄνδρα τὸν αὑτῆς ἀποκωκῦσαι ψυχῇ τʼ ἄχαριν χάριν ἀντʼ ἔργων μεγάλων ἀδίκως ἐπικρᾶναι; τίς δʼ ἐπιτύμβιον αἶνον ἐπʼ ἀνδρὶ θείῳ σὺν δακρύοις ἰάπτων ἀληθείᾳ φρενῶν πονήσει; [¶89] Clytaemestra: To care for that duty is no concern of yours. By our hands down he fell, down to death, and down below shall we bury him—but not with wailings from his household. No! Iphigenia, his daughter, as is due, shall meet her father lovingly at the swift-flowing ford of sorrows, and shall fling her arms around him and kiss him. > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: οὐ σὲ προσήκει τὸ μέλημʼ ἀλέγειν τοῦτο· πρὸς ἡμῶν κάππεσε, κάτθανε, καὶ καταθάψομεν, οὐχ ὑπὸ κλαυθμῶν τῶν ἐξ οἴκων, ἀλλʼ Ἰφιγένειά νιν ἀσπασίως θυγάτηρ, ὡς χρή, πατέρʼ ἀντιάσασα πρὸς ὠκύπορον πόρθμευμʼ ἀχέων περὶ χεῖρε βαλοῦσα φιλήσει. [¶90] Chorus: Reproach thus meets reproach in turn—hard is the struggle to decide. The spoiler is despoiled, the slayer pays penalty. Yet, while Zeus remains on his throne, it remains true that to him who does it shall be done; for it is law. > Greek: Χορός: ὄνειδος ἥκει τόδʼ ἀντʼ ὀνείδους. δύσμαχα δʼ ἔστι κρῖναι. φέρει φέροντʼ, ἐκτίνει δʼ ὁ καίνων. μίμνει δὲ μίμνοντος ἐν θρόνῳ Διὸς παθεῖν τὸν ἔρξαντα· θέσμιον γάρ. [¶91] Who can cast from out the house the seed of the curse? The race is bound fast in calamity. > Greek: τίς ἂν γονὰν ἀραῖον ἐκβάλοι δόμων; κεκόλληται γένος πρὸς ἄτᾳ. [¶92] Clytaemestra: Upon this divine deliverance have you rightly touched. As for me, however, I am willing to make a sworn compact with the Fiend of the house of Pleisthenes that I will be content with what is done, hard to endure though it is. Henceforth he shall leave this house and bring tribulation upon some other race by murder of kin. A small part of the wealth is fully enough for me, if I may but rid these halls of the frenzy of mutual murder. Enter Aegisthus with armed retainers > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: ἐς τόνδʼ ἐνέβης ξὺν ἀληθείᾳ χρησμόν. ἐγὼ δʼ οὖν ἐθέλω δαίμονι τῷ Πλεισθενιδῶν ὅρκους θεμένη τάδε μὲν στέργειν, δύστλητά περ ὄνθʼ· ὃ δὲ λοιπόν, ἰόντʼ ἐκ τῶνδε δόμων ἄλλην γενεὰν τρίβειν θανάτοις αὐθένταισι. κτεάνων τε μέρος βαιὸν ἐχούσῃ πᾶν ἀπόχρη μοι μανίας μελάθρων ἀλληλοφόνους ἀφελούσῃ. [¶93] Aegisthus: Hail gracious light of the day of retribution! At last the hour has come when I can say that the gods who avenge mortal men look down from on high upon the crimes of earth. Now that, to my joy, I behold this man lying here in a robe spun by the Avenging Spirits and making full payment for the deeds contrived in craft by his father’s hand. For Atreus, lord of this land, this man’s father, challenged in his sovereignty, drove forth, from city and from home, Thyestes, who (to speak it clearly) was my father and his own brother. And when he had come back as a suppliant to his hearth, unhappy Thyestes secured such safety for his lot as not himself to suffer death and stain with his blood his native soil. But Atreus, the godless father of this slain man, with welcome more hearty than kind, on the pretence that he was cheerfully celebrating a happy day by serving meat, served up to my father as entertainment a banquet of his own children’s flesh. The toes and fingers he broke off … sitting apart. And when all unwittingly my father had quickly taken servings that he did not recognize, he ate a meal which, as you see, has proved fatal to his race. Now, discovering his unhallowed deed, he uttered a great cry, reeled back, vomiting forth the slaughtered flesh, and invoked an unbearable curse upon the line of Pelops, kicking the banquet table to aid his curse, “thus perish all the race of Pleisthenes!” This is the reason that you see this man fallen here. I am he who planned this murder and with justice. For together with my hapless father he drove me out, me his third child, as yet a baby in swaddling-clothes. But grown to manhood, justice has brought me back again. Exile though I was, I laid my hand upon my enemy, compassing every device of cunning to his ruin. > Greek: Αἴγισθος: ὦ φέγγος εὖφρον ἡμέρας δικηφόρου. φαίην ἂν ἤδη νῦν βροτῶν τιμαόρους θεοὺς ἄνωθεν γῆς ἐποπτεύειν ἄχη, ἰδὼν ὑφαντοῖς ἐν πέπλοις, Ἐρινύων τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδε κείμενον φίλως ἐμοί, χερὸς πατρῴας ἐκτίνοντα μηχανάς. Ἀτρεὺς γὰρ ἄρχων τῆσδε γῆς, τούτου πατήρ, πατέρα Θυέστην τὸν ἐμόν, ὡς τορῶς φράσαι, αὑτοῦ δʼ ἀδελφόν, ἀμφίλεκτος ὢν κράτει, ἠνδρηλάτησεν ἐκ πόλεώς τε καὶ δόμων. καὶ προστρόπαιος ἑστίας μολὼν πάλιν τλήμων Θυέστης μοῖραν ηὕρετʼ ἀσφαλῆ, τὸ μὴ θανὼν πατρῷον αἱμάξαι πέδον, αὐτός· ξένια δὲ τοῦδε δύσθεος πατὴρ Ἀτρεύς, προθύμως μᾶλλον ἢ φίλως, πατρὶ τὠμῷ, κρεουργὸν ἦμαρ εὐθύμως ἄγειν δοκῶν, παρέσχε δαῖτα παιδείων κρεῶν. τὰ μὲν ποδήρη καὶ χερῶν ἄκρους κτένας ἔθρυπτʼ, ἄνωθεν … … … ἀνδρακὰς καθήμενος. ἄσημα δʼ αὐτῶν αὐτίκʼ ἀγνοίᾳ λαβὼν ἔσθει βορὰν ἄσωτον, ὡς ὁρᾷς, γένει. κἄπειτʼ ἐπιγνοὺς ἔργον οὐ καταίσιον ᾤμωξεν, ἀμπίπτει δʼ ἀπὸ σφαγὴν ἐρῶν, μόρον δʼ ἄφερτον Πελοπίδαις ἐπεύχεται, λάκτισμα δείπνου ξυνδίκως τιθεὶς ἀρᾷ, οὕτως ὀλέσθαι πᾶν τὸ Πλεισθένους γένος. ἐκ τῶνδέ σοι πεσόντα τόνδʼ ἰδεῖν πάρα. κἀγὼ δίκαιος τοῦδε τοῦ φόνου ῥαφεύς. τρίτον γὰρ ὄντα μʼ ἐπὶ δυσαθλίῳ πατρὶ συνεξελαύνει τυτθὸν ὄντʼ ἐν σπαργάνοις· τραφέντα δʼ αὖθις ἡ δίκη κατήγαγεν. καὶ τοῦδε τἀνδρὸς ἡψάμην θυραῖος ὤν, πᾶσαν συνάψας μηχανὴν δυσβουλίας. [¶94] So even death would be sweet to me now that I behold him in justice’s net. > Greek: οὕτω καλὸν δὴ καὶ τὸ κατθανεῖν ἐμοί, ἰδόντα τοῦτον τῆς δίκης ἐν ἕρκεσιν. [¶95] Chorus: Aegisthus, excessive triumph amid distress I do not honor. You say that of your own intent you slew this man and did alone plot this pitiful murder. > Greek: Χορός: Αἴγισθʼ, ὑβρίζειν ἐν κακοῖσιν οὐ σέβω. σὺ δʼ ἄνδρα τόνδε φὴς ἑκὼν κατακτανεῖν, μόνος δʼ ἔποικτον τόνδε βουλεῦσαι φόνον· [¶96] I tell you in the hour of justice that you yourself, be sure of that, will not escape the people’s curses and death by stoning at their hand. > Greek: οὔ φημʼ ἀλύξειν ἐν δίκῃ τὸ σὸν κάρα δημορριφεῖς, σάφʼ ἴσθι, λευσίμους ἀράς. [¶97] Aegisthus: You speak like that, you who sit at the lower oar when those upon the higher bench control the ship? Old as you are, you shall learn how bitter it is at your age to be schooled when prudence is the lesson set before you. Bonds and the pangs of hunger are far the best doctors of the spirit when it comes to instructing the old. Do you have eyes and lack understanding? Do not kick against the goads lest you strike to your own hurt. > Greek: Αἴγισθος: σὺ ταῦτα φωνεῖς νερτέρᾳ προσήμενος κώπῃ, κρατούντων τῶν ἐπὶ ζυγῷ δορός; γνώσῃ γέρων ὢν ὡς διδάσκεσθαι βαρὺ τῷ τηλικούτῳ, σωφρονεῖν εἰρημένον. δεσμὸς δὲ καὶ τὸ γῆρας αἵ τε νήστιδες δύαι διδάσκειν ἐξοχώταται φρενῶν ἰατρομάντεις. οὐχ ὁρᾷς ὁρῶν τάδε; πρὸς κέντρα μὴ λάκτιζε, μὴ παίσας μογῇς. [¶98] Chorus: Woman that you are! Skulking at home and awaiting the return of the men from war, all the while defiling a hero’s bed, did you contrive this death against a warrior chief? > Greek: Χορός: γύναι, σὺ τοὺς ἥκοντας ἐκ μάχης μένων οἰκουρὸς εὐνὴν ἀνδρὸς αἰσχύνων ἅμα ἀνδρὶ στρατηγῷ τόνδʼ ἐβούλευσας μόρον; [¶99] Aegisthus: These words of yours likewise shall prove a source of tears. The tongue of Orpheus is quite the opposite of yours. > Greek: Αἴγισθος: καὶ ταῦτα τἄπη κλαυμάτων ἀρχηγενῆ. Ὀρφεῖ δὲ γλῶσσαν τὴν ἐναντίαν ἔχεις. [¶100] He led all things by the rapture of his voice; but you, who have stirred our wrath by your silly yelping, shall be led off yourself. You will appear tamer when put down by force. > Greek: ὁ μὲν γὰρ ἦγε πάντʼ ἀπὸ φθογγῆς χαρᾷ, σὺ δʼ ἐξορίνας νηπίοις ὑλάγμασιν ἄξῃ· κρατηθεὶς δʼ ἡμερώτερος φανῇ. [¶101] Chorus: As if you would ever truly be my master here in Argos, you who did contrive our king’s death, and then had not the courage to do this deed of murder with your own hand! > Greek: Χορός: ὡς δὴ σύ μοι τύραννος Ἀργείων ἔσῃ, ὃς οὐκ, ἐπειδὴ τῷδʼ ἐβούλευσας μόρον, δρᾶσαι τόδʼ ἔργον οὐκ ἔτλης αὐτοκτόνως. [¶102] Aegisthus: Because to ensnare him was clearly the woman’s part; I was suspect as his enemy of old. However, with his gold I shall endeavor to control the people; and whoever is unruly, him I’ll yoke with a heavy collar, and in truth he shall be no well-fed trace-horse! No! Loathsome hunger that houses with darkness shall see him gentle. > Greek: Αἴγισθος: τὸ γὰρ δολῶσαι πρὸς γυναικὸς ἦν σαφῶς· ἐγὼ δʼ ὕποπτος ἐχθρὸς ἦ παλαιγενής. ἐκ τῶν δὲ τοῦδε χρημάτων πειράσομαι ἄρχειν πολιτῶν· τὸν δὲ μὴ πειθάνορα ζεύξω βαρείαις οὔτι μοι σειραφόρον κριθῶντα πῶλον· ἀλλʼ ὁ δυσφιλὴς σκότῳ λιμὸς ξύνοικος μαλθακόν σφʼ ἐπόψεται. [¶103] Chorus: Why then, in the baseness of your soul, did you not kill him yourself, but leave his slaying to a woman, a plague to her country and her country’s gods? Oh, does Orestes perhaps still behold the light, that, with favoring fortune, he may come home and be the slayer of this pair with victory complete? > Greek: Χορός: τί δὴ τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδʼ ἀπὸ ψυχῆς κακῆς οὐκ αὐτὸς ἠνάριζες, ἀλλά νιν γυνὴ χώρας μίασμα καὶ θεῶν ἐγχωρίων ἔκτεινʼ;Ὀρέστης ἆρά που βλέπει φάος, ὅπως κατελθὼν δεῦρο πρευμενεῖ τύχῃ ἀμφοῖν γένηται τοῖνδε παγκρατὴς φονεύς; [¶104] Aegisthus: Oh well, since you plan to act and speak like that, you shall be taught a lesson soon. On guard, my trusty guardsmen, your work lies close to hand. > Greek: Αἴγισθος: ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ δοκεῖς τάδʼ ἔρδειν καὶ λέγειν, γνώσῃ τάχα εἶα δή, φίλοι λοχῖται, τοὔργον οὐχ ἑκὰς τόδε. [¶105] Chorus: On guard then! Let every one make ready his sword with hand on hilt. > Greek: Χορός: εἶα δή, ξίφος πρόκωπον πᾶς τις εὐτρεπιζέτω. [¶106] Aegisthus: My hand too is laid on my sword hilt, and I do not shrink from death. > Greek: Αἴγισθος: ἀλλὰ κἀγὼ μὴν πρόκωπος οὐκ ἀναίνομαι θανεῖν. [¶107] Chorus: “Death for yourself,” you say. We hail the omen. We welcome fortune’s test. > Greek: Χορός: δεχομένοις λέγεις θανεῖν σε· τὴν τύχην δʼ αἱρούμεθα. [¶108] Clytaemestra: No, my dearest, let us work no further ills. Even these are many to reap, a wretched harvest. Of woe we have enough; let us have no bloodshed. Venerable elders, go back to your homes, and yield in time to destiny before you come to harm. What we did had to be done. But should this trouble prove enough, we will accept it, sorely battered as we are by the heavy hand of fate. Such is a woman’s counsel, if any care to learn from it. Aegisthus: But to think that these men should let their wanton tongues thus blossom into speech against me and cast about such insults, putting their fortune to the test! To reject wise counsel and insult their master! > Greek: Κλυταιμήστρα: μηδαμῶς, ὦ φίλτατʼ ἀνδρῶν, ἄλλα δράσωμεν κακά. ἀλλὰ καὶ τάδʼ ἐξαμῆσαι πολλά, δύστηνον θέρος. πημονῆς δʼ ἅλις γʼ ὑπάρχει· μηδὲν αἱματώμεθα. στείχετʼ αἰδοῖοι γέροντες πρὸς δόμους, πεπρωμένοις [τούσδε] πρὶν παθεῖν εἴξαντες ὥρᾳ· χρῆν τάδʼ ὡς ἐπράξαμεν. εἰ δέ τοι μόχθων γένοιτο τῶνδʼ ἅλις, δεχοίμεθʼ ἄν, δαίμονος χηλῇ βαρείᾳ δυστυχῶς πεπληγμένοι. ὧδʼ ἔχει λόγος γυναικός, εἴ τις ἀξιοῖ μαθεῖν. [¶109] Chorus: It would not be like men of Argos to cringe before a man as low as you. Aegisthus: Ha! I will visit you with vengeance yet in days to come. > Greek: Αἴγισθος: ἀλλὰ τούσδʼ ἐμοὶ ματαίαν γλῶσσαν ὧδʼ ἀπανθίσαι κἀκβαλεῖν ἔπη τοιαῦτα δαίμονος πειρωμένους, σώφρονος γνώμης θʼ ἁμαρτεῖν τὸν κρατοῦντά ⟨θʼ ὑβρίσαι⟩. Χορός: οὐκ ἂν Ἀργείων τόδʼ εἴη, φῶτα προσσαίνειν κακόν. [¶110] Chorus: Not if fate shall guide Orestes to return home. > Greek: Αἴγισθος: ἀλλʼ ἐγώ σʼ ἐν ὑστέραισιν ἡμέραις μέτειμʼ ἔτι. [¶111] Aegisthus: From my own experience I know that exiles feed on hope. > Greek: Χορός: οὔκ, ἐὰν δαίμων, Ὀρέστην δεῦρʼ ἀπευθύνῃ μολεῖν. [¶112] Chorus: Keep on, grow fat, polluting justice, since you can. > Greek: Αἴγισθος: οἶδʼ ἐγὼ φεύγοντας ἄνδρας ἐλπίδας σιτουμένους. [¶113] Aegisthus: Know that you shall atone to me for your insolent folly. > Greek: Χορός: πρᾶσσε, πιαίνου, μιαίνων τὴν δίκην, ἐπεὶ πάρα. [¶114] Chorus: Brag in your bravery like a cock beside his hen. > Greek: Αἴγισθος: ἴσθι μοι δώσων ἄποινα τῆσδε μωρίας χάριν. [¶115] Clytaemestra: Do no care for their idle yelpings. I and you will be masters of this house and order it aright. > Greek: Χορός: κόμπασον θαρσῶν, ἀλέκτωρ ὥστε θηλείας πέλας. Κλυταιμήστρα: μὴ προτιμήσῃς ματαίων τῶνδʼ ὑλαγμάτων· ⟨ἐγὼ⟩ καὶ σὺ θήσομεν κρατοῦντε τῶνδε δωμάτων ⟨καλῶς⟩.