Agamemnon: Scene. — The sea-coast at Aulis.Leda, the daughter of Thestius, had three children, maidens,Phoebe, Clytemnestra my wife, and Helen; the foremost of the favored sons of Hellas came to woo Helen; but terrible threats of spilling his rival’s blood were uttered by each of them, if he should fail to win the girl.
Ἀγαμέμνων:Ἐγένοντο Λήδᾳ Θεστιάδι τρεῖς παρθένοι,Φοίβη Κλυταιμήστρα τʼ, ἐμὴ ξυνάορος,Ἑλένη τε· ταύτης οἱ τὰ πρῶτʼ ὠλβισμένοιμνηστῆρες ἦλθον Ἑλλάδος νεανίαι.δειναὶ δʼ ἀπειλαὶ καὶ κατʼ ἀλλήλων φόνοςξυνίσταθʼ, ὅστις μὴ λάβοι τὴν παρθένον.
Now the matter filled Tyndareus, her father, with perplexity, whether to give her or not, how he might best succeed. This thought occurred to him: the suitors should swear to each other and join right hands and pour libationswith burnt-sacrifice, binding themselves by this curse: whoever wins the child of Tyndareus for wife, they will assist that man, in case a rival takes her from his house and goes his way, robbing her husband of his rights; and march against that man in armed array and raze his city to the ground,Hellene no less than barbarian.
τὸ πρᾶγμα δʼ ἀπόρως εἶχε Τυνδάρεῳ πατρί,δοῦναί τε μὴ δοῦναί τε, τῆς τύχης ὅπωςἅψαιτʼ ἄριστα. καί νιν εἰσῆλθεν τάδε·ὅρκους συνάψαι δεξιάς τε συμβαλεῖνμνηστῆρας ἀλλήλοισι καὶ διʼ ἐμπύρωνσπονδὰς καθεῖναι κἀπαράσασθαι τάδε·ὅτου γυνὴ γένοιτο Τυνδαρὶς κόρη,τούτῳ ξυναμυνεῖν, εἴ τις ἐκ δόμων λαβὼνοἴχοιτο τόν τʼ ἔχοντʼ ἀπωθοίη λέχους,κἀπιστρατεύσειν καὶ κατασκάψειν πόλινἝλληνʼ ὁμοίως βάρβαρόν θʼ ὅπλων μέτα.
Now when they had once pledged their word and old Tyndareus with no small cleverness had beguiled them by his shrewd device, he allowed his daughter to choose from among her suitors the one towards whom the sweet breezes of Aphrodite might carry her.
ἐπεὶ δʼ ἐπιστώθησαν — εὖ δέ πως γέρωνὑπῆλθεν αὐτοὺς Τυνδάρεως πυκνῇ φρενί —δίδωσʼ ἑλέσθαι θυγατρὶ μνηστήρων ἕνα,ὅτου πνοαὶ φέροιεν Ἀφροδίτης φίλαι.
Her choice fell on Menelaus; would she had never taken him! Then there came to Lacedaemon from the Phrygians the man who, Argive legend says, judged the goddesses’ dispute; in robes of gorgeous hue, ablaze with gold, in true barbaric pomp;and he, finding Menelaus gone from home, carried Helen off, in mutual desire, to his steading on Ida. Goaded to frenzy, Menelaus flew through Hellas, invoking the ancient oath exacted by Tyndareus and declaring the duty of helping the injured husband.
ἣ δʼ εἵλεθʼ, ὅς σφε μήποτʼ ὤφελεν λαβεῖν,Μενέλαον. ἐλθὼν δʼ ἐκ Φρυγῶν ὁ τὰς θεὰςκρίνων ὅδʼ, ὡς ὁ μῦθος Ἀργείων ἔχει,Λακεδαίμονʼ, ἀνθηρὸς μὲν εἱμάτων στολῇχρυσῷ δὲ λαμπρός, βαρβάρῳ χλιδήματι,ἐρῶν ἐρῶσαν ᾤχετʼ ἐξαναρπάσαςἙλένην πρὸς Ἴδης βούσταθμʼ, ἔκδημον λαβὼνΜενέλαον. ὃ δὲ καθʼ Ἑλλάδʼ οἰστρήσας δρόμῳὅρκους παλαιοὺς Τυνδάρεω μαρτύρεται,ὡς χρὴ βοηθεῖν τοῖσιν ἠδικημένοις.
And so the Hellenes, brandishing their spears and donning their harness, came here to the narrow straits of Aulis with armaments of ships and troops, with many horses and chariots, and they chose me to captain them all for the sake of Menelaus,since I was his brother. Would that some other had gained that distinction instead of me! But after the army was gathered and come together, we still remained at Aulis weatherbound. In our perplexity, we asked Calchas, the seer,and he answered that we should sacrifice my own child Iphigenia to Artemis, whose home is in this land, and we would sail and sack the Phrygians’ capital [if we sacrificed her, but if we did not, these things would not happen]. When I heard this, I commanded Talthybiuswith loud proclamation to disband the whole army, as I could never bear to slay my daughter. Whereupon my brother, bringing every argument to bear, persuaded me at last to face the crime; so I wrote in a folded scroll and sent to my wife,bidding her despatch our daughter to me on the pretence of wedding Achilles, at the same time magnifying his exalted rank and saying that he refused to sail with the Achaeans, unless a bride of our lineage should go to Phthia. Yes, this was the inducement I offered my wife,[inventing, as I did, a sham marriage for the maiden. Of all the Achaeans we alone know the real truth, Calchas, Odysseus, Menelaus and myself; but that which I then decided wrongly, I now rightly countermand again in this scroll, which you, old man, have found me][opening and resealing beneath the shade of night. Up now and away with this missive to Argos, and I will tell you by word of mouth all that is written here, the contents of the folded scroll, for you are loyal to my wife and house.]
τοὐντεῦθεν οὖν Ἕλληνες ᾄξαντες δορί,τεύχη λαβόντες στενόπορʼ Αὐλίδος βάθραἥκουσι τῆσδε, ναυσὶν ἀσπίσιν θʼ ὁμοῦἵπποις τε πολλοῖς ἅρμασίν τʼ ἠσκημένοι.κἀμὲ στρατηγεῖν κἆτα Μενέλεω χάρινεἵλοντο, σύγγονόν γε. τἀξίωμα δὲἄλλος τις ὤφελʼ ἀντʼ ἐμοῦ λαβεῖν τόδε.ἠθροισμένου δὲ καὶ ξυνεστῶτος στρατοῦἥμεσθʼ ἀπλοίᾳ χρώμενοι κατʼ Αὐλίδα.Κάλχας δʼ ὁ μάντις ἀπορίᾳ κεχρημένοιςἀνεῖλεν Ἰφιγένειαν ἣν ἔσπειρʼ ἐγὼἈρτέμιδι θῦσαι τῇ τόδʼ οἰκούσῃ πέδον,καὶ πλοῦν τʼ ἔσεσθαι καὶ κατασκαφὰς Φρυγῶν[θύσασι, μὴ θύσασι δʼ οὐκ εἶναι τάδε.]κλύων δʼ ἐγὼ ταῦτʼ, ὀρθίῳ κηρύγματιΤαλθύβιον εἶπον πάντʼ ἀφιέναι στρατόν,ὡς οὔποτʼ ἂν τλὰς θυγατέρα κτανεῖν ἐμήν.οὗ δή μʼ ἀδελφὸς πάντα προσφέρων λόγονἔπεισε τλῆναι δεινά. κἀν δέλτου πτυχαῖςγράψας ἔπεμψα πρὸς δάμαρτα τὴν ἐμὴνπέμπειν Ἀχιλλεῖ θυγατέρʼ ὡς γαμουμένην,τό τʼ ἀξίωμα τἀνδρὸς ἐκγαυρούμενος,συμπλεῖν τʼ Ἀχαιοῖς οὕνεκʼ οὐ θέλοι λέγων,εἰ μὴ παρʼ ἡμῶν εἶσιν ἐς Φθίαν λέχος·πειθὼ γὰρ εἶχον τήνδε πρὸς δάμαρτʼ ἐμήν,[ψευδῆ συνάψας ἀντὶ παρθένου γάμον.][μόνοι δʼ Ἀχαιῶν ἴσμεν ὡς ἔχει τάδε][Κάλχας Ὀδυσσεὺς Μενέλεώς θʼ. ἃ δʼ οὐ καλῶς][ἔγνων τότʼ, αὖθις μεταγράφω καλῶς πάλιν][ἐς τήνδε δέλτον, ἣν κατʼ εὐφρόνης σκιὰν][λύοντα καὶ συνδοῦντά μʼ εἰσεῖδες, γέρον.][ἀλλʼ εἶα χώρει τάσδʼ ἐπιστολὰς λαβὼν][πρὸς Ἄργος. ἃ δὲ κέκευθε δέλτος ἐν πτυχαῖς,][λόγῳ φράσω σοι πάντα τἀγγεγραμμένα·][πιστὸς γὰρ ἀλόχῳ τοῖς τʼ ἐμοῖς δόμοισιν εἶ.]
Old man, come here and stand before my dwelling.
Ἀγαμέμνων:Ὦ πρέσβυ, δόμων τῶνδε πάροιθενστεῖχε.
Old man:I come; what new schemes now, king Agamemnon?
Πρεσβύτης:στείχω. τί δὲ καινουργεῖς,Ἀγάμεμνον ἄναξ;
Agamemnon:Will you hurry?
Ἀγαμέμνων:σπεύσεις;
Old man:I am hurrying. It is little enough sleep old age allows meand keenly it watches over my eyes.
Πρεσβύτης:σπεύδω.μάλα τοι γῆρας τοὐμὸν ἄυπνονκαὶ ἐπʼ ὀφθαλμοῖς ὀξὺ πάρεστιν.
Agamemnon:What can that star be, steering its course there?
Ἀγαμέμνων:τίς ποτʼ ἄρʼ ἀστὴρ ὅδε πορθμεύει;
Old man:Sirius, still shooting over the zenith on his way near the Pleiads’ sevenfold track.
Πρεσβύτης:Σείριος ἐγγὺς τῆς ἑπταπόρουΠλειάδος ᾄσσων ἔτι μεσσήρης.
Agamemnon:The birds are still at any rateand the sea is calm, hushed are the winds, and silence broods over the Euripus.
Ἀγαμέμνων:οὔκουν φθόγγος γʼ οὔτʼ ὀρνίθωνοὔτε θαλάσσης· σιγαὶ δʼ ἀνέμωντόνδε κατʼ Εὔριπον ἔχουσιν.
Old man:Then why are you outside your tent, why so restless, my lord Agamemnon? All is yet quiet here in Aulis,the watch on the walls is not yet astir. Let us go in.
Πρεσβύτης:τί δὲ σὺ σκηνῆς ἐκτὸς ἀίσσεις,Ἀγάμεμνον ἄναξ;ἔτι δʼ ἡσυχία τῇδε κατʼ Αὖλινκαὶ ἀκίνητοι φυλακαὶ τειχέων.στείχωμεν ἔσω.
Agamemnon:I envy you, old man, yes, and every man who leads a life secure, unknown and unrenowned; but little I envy those in office.
Ἀγαμέμνων:ζηλῶ σέ, γέρον,ζηλῶ δʼ ἀνδρῶν ὃς ἀκίνδυνονβίον ἐξεπέρασʼ ἀγνὼς ἀκλεής·τοὺς δʼ ἐν τιμαῖς ἧσσον ζηλῶ.
Old man:And yet it is there that we place the be-all and end-all of existence.
Πρεσβύτης:καὶ μὴν τὸ καλόν γʼ ἐνταῦθα βίου.
Agamemnon:Yes, but that is where the danger comes; and ambition, sweet though it seems, brings sorrow with its near approach. At one time the unsatisfied claims of the godsupset our life, at another the numerous peevish fancies of our subjects shatter it.
Ἀγαμέμνων:τοῦτο δέ γʼ ἐστὶν τὸ καλὸν σφαλερόν,καὶ τὸ πρότιμονγλυκὺ μέν, λυπεῖ δὲ προσιστάμενον.τοτὲ μὲν τὰ θεῶν οὐκ ὀρθωθέντʼἀνέτρεψε βίον, τοτὲ δʼ ἀνθρώπωνγνῶμαι πολλαὶκαὶ δυσάρεστοι διέκναισαν.
Old man:I do not like these sentiments in one who is a chief. It was not to enjoy all blessings thatAtreus begot you, Agamemnon; but you must experience joy and sorrow alike, mortal as you are. Even though you like it not, this is what the gods decree. But you, after letting your taper spread its light abroad,write the letter which is still in your hands and then erase the same words again, sealing and reopening the tablet, then flinging it to the ground with floodsof tears, and leaving nothing undone in your aimless behavior to stamp you mad. What is it that troubles you? what news is there affecting you, king? Come, share with me your story;
Πρεσβύτης:οὐκ ἄγαμαι ταῦτʼ ἀνδρὸς ἀριστέως.οὐκ ἐπὶ πᾶσίν σʼ ἐφύτευσʼ ἀγαθοῖς,Ἀγάμεμνον, Ἀτρεύς.δεῖ δέ σε χαίρειν καὶ λυπεῖσθαι·θνητὸς γὰρ ἔφυς. κἂν μὴ σὺ θέλῃς,τὰ θεῶν οὕτω βουλόμενʼ ἔσται.σὺ δὲ λαμπτῆρος φάος ἀμπετάσαςδέλτον τε γράφειςτήνδʼ ἣν πρὸ χερῶν ἔτι βαστάζεις,καὶ ταὐτὰ πάλιν γράμματα συγχεῖςκαὶ σφραγίζεις λύεις τʼ ὀπίσωῥίπτεις τε πέδῳ πεύκην, θαλερὸνκατὰ δάκρυ χέων,καὶ τῶν ἀπόρων οὐδενὸς ἐνδεῖςμὴ οὐ μαίνεσθαι.τί πονεῖς; τί νέον περὶ σοί, βασιλεῦ;φέρε κοίνωσον μῦθον ἐς ἡμᾶς.
you will be telling it to a loyal and trusty heart; for Tyndareus sent me that day to form part of your wife’s dowry and to wait upon the bride with loyalty.
πρὸς ⟨δʼ⟩ ἄνδρʼ ἀγαθὸν πιστόν τε φράσεις·σῇ γάρ μʼ ἀλόχῳ τότε Τυνδάρεωςπέμπει φερνὴνσυννυμφοκόμον τε δίκαιον.
Agamemnon:“Daughter of Leda, in addition to my first letter, I am sending you word —.”
Ἀγαμέμνων:πέμπω σοι πρὸς ταῖς πρόσθενδέλτους, ὦ Λήδας ἔρνος—
Old man:Say on and make it plain, that what my tongue utters may accord with what you have written.
Πρεσβύτης:λέγε καὶ σήμαινʼ, ἵνα καὶ γλώσσῃσύντονα τοῖς σοῖς γράμμασιν αὐδῶ.
Agamemnon:“Not to despatch your daughter to”“Euboea’s deep-gulfed wing, to the waveless bay of Aulis, for after all we will celebrate our child’s wedding at another time.”
Ἀγαμέμνων:μὴ στέλλειν τὰν σὰν ἶνιν πρὸςτὰν κολπώδη πτέρυγʼ ΕὐβοίαςΑὖλιν ἀκλύσταν.εἰς ἄλλας ὥρας γὰρ δὴπαιδὸς δαίσομεν ὑμεναίους.
Old man:And how will Achilles, cheated of his bride,curb the fury of his indignation against you and your wife? Here also is a danger. Make clear what you are saying.
Πρεσβύτης:καὶ πῶς Ἀχιλεὺς λέκτρων ἀπλακὼνοὐ μέγα φυσῶν θυμὸν ἐπαρεῖσοὶ σῇ τʼ ἀλόχῳ;τόδε καὶ δεινόν· σήμαινʼ ὅ τι φῄς.
Agamemnon:It is his name, not himself that Achilles is lending, knowing nothing of the marriage or of my schemingor my professed readiness to betroth my daughter to him for a husband’s embrace.
Ἀγαμέμνων:ὄνομʼ, οὐκ ἔργον, παρέχων Ἀχιλεὺςοὐκ οἶδε γάμους, οὐδʼ ὅ τι πράσσομεν,οὐδʼ ὅτι κείνῳ παῖδʼ ἐπεφήμισανυμφείους εἰς ἀγκώνωνεὐνὰς ἐκδώσειν λέκτροις.
Old man:A dreadful venture yours, king Agamemnon, you that, by promise of your daughter’s hand to the son of the goddess,were bringing the maid here to be sacrificed for the Danaids.
Πρεσβύτης:δεινά γʼ ἐτόλμας, Ἀγάμεμνον ἄναξ,ὃς τῷ τῆς θεᾶς σὴν παῖδʼ ἄλοχονφατίσας ἦγες σφάγιον Δαναοῖς.
Agamemnon:Ah me! I am utterly distraught; alas! bewilderment comes over me. Away! hurry your steps,yielding nothing to old age.
Ἀγαμέμνων:οἴμοι, γνώμας ἐξέσταν,αἰαῖ, πίπτω δʼ εἰς ἄταν.ἀλλʼ ἴθʼ ἐρέσσων σὸν πόδα, γήρᾳμηδὲν ὑπείκων.
Old man:I will make haste, king.
Πρεσβύτης:σπεύδω, βασιλεῦ.
Agamemnon:Do not sit down by woodland fountains; scorn the witcheries of sleep.
Ἀγαμέμνων:μή νυν μήτʼ ἀλσώδεις ἵζουκρήνας μήθʼ ὕπνῳ θελχθῇς.
Old man:Hush!
Πρεσβύτης:εὔφημα θρόει.
Agamemnon:And when you pass any place where roads diverge,cast your eyes all round, taking heed that no mule-wagon eacape you, passing by on rolling wheels, bearing my child to the ships of the Danaids.
Ἀγαμέμνων:πάντῃ δὲ πόρον σχιστὸν ἀμείβωνλεῦσσε, φυλάσσων μή τίς σε λάθῃτροχαλοῖσιν ὄχοις παραμειψαμένηπαῖδα κομίζουσʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἀπήνηΔαναῶν πρὸς ναῦς.
Old man:It shall be so.
Πρεσβύτης:ἔσται τάδε.
Agamemnon:Start then from the bolted gates,and if you meet the escort, start them back again, and drive at full speed to the abodes of the Cyclopes.
Ἀγαμέμνων:κλῄθρων δʼ ἐξόρμοιςἤν νιν πομπαῖς ἀντήσῃς,πάλιν εἰσόρμα, σεῖε χαλινούς,ἐπὶ Κυκλώπων ἱεὶς θυμέλας.
Old man:But tell me, how shall my message find credit with your wife or child?
Πρεσβύτης:πιστὸς δὲ φράσας τάδε πῶς ἔσομαι,λέγε, παιδὶ σέθεν τῇ σῇ τʼ ἀλόχῳ;
Agamemnon:Preserve the seal which you bear on this tablet. Away! Already the dawn is growing grey, lighting the lamp of day and the fire of the sun’s four steeds;
Ἀγαμέμνων:σφραγῖδα φύλασσʼ ἣν ἐπὶ δέλτῳτήνδε κομίζεις. ἴθι. λευκαίνειτόδε φῶς ἤδη λάμπουσʼ ἠὼςπῦρ τε τεθρίππων τῶν Ἀελίου·
help me in my trouble. Exit Old man. No mortal is prosperous or happy to the last, for no one was ever born to a painless life. Exit Agamemnon.
σύλλαβε μόχθων.θνητῶν δʼ ὄλβιος ἐς τέλος οὐδεὶςοὐδʼ εὐδαίμων·οὔπω γὰρ ἔφυ τις ἄλυπος.
Chorus:To the sandy beachof sea-coast Aulis I have come after a voyage through the tides of narrow Euripus, leaving Chalcis, my city which feeds the watersof far-famed Arethusa near the sea, so that I might behold the army of the Achaeans and the ships rowed by those godlike heroes; for our husbands tell usthat fair-haired Menelaus and high-born Agamemnon are leading them to Troy on a thousand ships in quest of Helen, whom Paris the herdsmancarried off from the banks of reedy Eurotas, his gift from Aphrodite, when that queen of Cyprus entered beauty’s contest with Hera and Pallas at the gushing fountain.
Χορός:—ἔμολον ἀμφὶ παρακτίανψάμαθον Αὐλίδος ἐναλίας,Εὐρίπου διὰ χευμάτωνκέλσασα στενοπόρθμων,Χαλκίδα πόλιν ἐμὰν προλιποῦσʼ,ἀγχιάλων ὑδάτων τροφὸντᾶς κλεινᾶς Ἀρεθούσας,Ἀχαιῶν στρατιὰν ὡς ἐσιδοίμανἈχαιῶν τε πλάτας ναυσιπόρους ἡ-μιθέων, οὓς ἐπὶ Τροίανἐλάταις χιλιόναυσιντὸν ξανθὸν Μενέλαόν θʼἁμέτεροι πόσειςἐνέπουσʼ Ἀγαμέμνονά τʼ εὐπατρίδανστέλλειν ἐπὶ τὰν Ἑλέναν, ἀπʼΕὐρώτα δονακοτρόφουΠάρις ὁ βουκόλος ἃν ἔλαβεδῶρον τᾶς Ἀφροδίτας,ὅτʼ ἐπὶ κρηναίαισι δρόσοιςἭρᾳ Παλλάδι τʼ ἔριν ἔρινμορφᾶς ἁ Κύπρις ἔσχεν.
Chorus:Through the grove of Artemis, rich with sacrifice, I sped my course, my cheek stained with red from maiden modesty, in my eagerness to see the soldiers’ camp,the tents of the mail-clad Danaids, and their crowd of horses. I saw two met together in council; one was Aias, son of Oileus; the other Aias, son of Telamon, crown of glory to the men of Salamis;and I saw Protesilaus and Palamedes, sprung from the son of Poseidon, sitting there amusing themselves with intricate figures at checkers; Diomedes tooat his favorite sport of hurling quoits; and Meriones, Ares’ son, a marvel to mankind, stood at his side; likewise I beheld the son of Laertes, who came from his island hills, and with him Nireus,handsomest of the Achaeans.
Χορός:—πολύθυτον δὲ διʼ ἄλσος Ἀρ-τέμιδος ἤλυθον ὀρομένα,φοινίσσουσα παρῇδʼ ἐμὰναἰσχύνᾳ νεοθαλεῖ,ἀσπίδος ἔρυμα καὶ κλισίαςὁπλοφόρους Δαναῶν θέλουσʼἵππων τʼ ὄχλον ἰδέσθαι.κατεῖδον δὲ δύʼ Αἴαντε συνέδρω,τὸν Οἰλέως Τελαμῶνός τε γόνον, τὸνΣαλαμῖνος στέφανον· Πρω-τεσίλαόν τʼ ἐπὶ θάκοιςπεσσῶν ἡδομένους μορ-φαῖσι πολυπλόκοιςΠαλαμήδεά θʼ, ὃν τέκε παῖς ὁ Ποσει-δᾶνος, Διομήδεά θʼ ἡδο-ναῖς δίσκου κεχαρημένον,παρὰ δὲ Μηριόνην, Ἄρεοςὄζον, θαῦμα βροτοῖσιν,τὸν ἀπὸ νησαίων τʼ ὀρέωνΛαέρτα τόκον, ἅμα δὲ Νι-ρέα, κάλλιστον Ἀχαιῶν.
Chorus:Achilles next, that nimble runner, swift on his feet as the wind, whom Thetis bore and Chiron trained, I sawupon the beach, racing in full armor along the shingle, and straining every nerve to beat a team of four horses,as he sped round the track on foot; and Eumelus, the grandson of Pheres, their driver, was shouting when I saw him, goading on his lovely steeds,with their bits of chased gold-work; the center pair, that bore the yoke, had dappled coats picked out with white, while the tracehorses, on the outside, facing the turning-post in the course,were bays with spotted fetlocks. Close beside them Peleus’ son leapt on his way, in all his harness, keeping abreastthe rail by the axle-box.
Χορός:—τὸν ἰσάνεμόν τε ποδοῖνλαιψηροδρόμον Ἀχιλῆα,τὸν ἁ Θέτις τέκε καὶ Χείρωνἐξεπόνησεν, εἶδοναἰγιαλοῖς παρά τε κροκάλαιςδρόμον ἔχοντα σὺν ὅπλοις·ἅμιλλαν δʼ ἐπόνει ποδοῖνπρὸς ἅρμα τέτρωρονἑλίσσων περὶ νίκας.ὁ δὲ διφρηλάτας ἐβοᾶτʼ,Εὔμηλος Φερητιάδας,ᾧ καλλίστους ἰδόμανχρυσοδαιδάλτους στομίοιςπώλους κέντρῳ θεινομένους,τοὺς μὲν μέσους ζυγίουςλευκοστίκτῳ τριχὶ βαλιούς,τοὺς δʼ ἔξω σειροφόρουςἀντήρεις καμπαῖσι δρόμων,πυρσότριχας, μονόχαλα δʼ ὑπὸ σφυρὰποικιλοδέρμονας· οἷς παρεπάλλετοΠηλεΐδας σὺν ὅπλοισι παρʼ ἄντυγα καὶ σύ-ριγγας ἁρματείους.
Chorus:Next I sought the countless fleet, a wonder to behold, that I might fill my girlish eyes with gazing, a sweet delight.
Χορός:—ναῶν δʼ εἰς ἀριθμὸν ἤλυθονκαὶ θέαν ἀθέσφατον,τὰν γυναικεῖον ὄψιν ὀμμάτωνὡς πλήσαιμι, μέλινον ἁδονάν.
The warlike Myrmidons from Phthia held the right wing with fifty swift cruisers, upon whose sterns, right at the ends, stood Nereid goddessesin golden effigy, the ensign of Achilles’ armament.
καὶ κέρας μὲν ἦνδεξιὸν πλάτας ἔχωνΦθιώτας ὁ Μυρμιδὼν Ἄρηςπεντήκοντα ναυσὶ θουρίαις.χρυσέαις δʼ εἰκόσιν κατʼ ἄκρα Νη-ρῇδες ἕστασαν θεαί,πρύμναις σῆμʼ Ἀχιλλείου στρατοῦ.
Chorus:Near these were moored the Argive ships in equal numbers, over which Mecisteus’son, whom Talaus his grandfather reared, and Sthenelus, son of Capaneus, were in command; next in order, Theseus’ son was stationed at the head of sixty ships from Attica, having the goddessPallas set in a winged chariot drawn by steeds with solid hoof, a lucky sight for mariners.
Χορός:—Ἀργείων δὲ ταῖσδʼ ἰσήρετμοινᾶες ἕστασαν πέλας·ὧν ὁ Μηκιστέως στρατηλάταςπαῖς ἦν, Ταλαὸς ὃν τρέφει πατήρ,Καπανέως τε παῖςΣθένελος· Ἀτθίδας δʼ ἄγωνἑξήκοντα ναῦς ὁ Θησέωςπαῖς ἑξῆς ἐναυλόχει, θεὰνΠαλλάδʼ ἐν μωνύχοις ἔχων πτερω-τοῖσιν ἅρμασιν θετόν,εὔσημόν γε φάσμα ναυβάταις.
Chorus:Then I saw Boeotia’s fleet of fifty sailsdecked with ensigns; these had Cadmus at the stern holding a golden dragon at the beaks of the vessels, and earth-born Leituswas their admiral. And there were ships from Phocis; and from Locris came the son of Oileus with an equal contingent, leaving famed Thronium’s citadel.
Χορός:Βοιωτῶν δʼ ὅπλισμα πόντιονπεντήκοντα νῆας εἰδόμανσημείοισιν ἐστολισμένας·τοῖς δὲ Κάδμος ἦνχρύσεον δράκοντʼ ἔχωνἀμφὶ ναῶν κόρυμβα·Λήιτος δʼ ὁ γηγενὴςἆρχε ναΐου στρατοῦ·Φωκίδος δʼ ἀπὸ χθονὸςΛοκρᾶς τε τοῖσδʼ ἴσας ἄγωνναῦς ⟨ἦλθʼ⟩ Οἰλέως τόκος κλυτὰνΘρονιάδʼ ἐκλιπὼν πόλιν.
Chorus:And from Mycenae, the Cyclopes’ town, Atreus’ son sent a hundred well-manned galleys, and Adrastoshis brother was with him in command, as friend with friend,that Hellas might exact vengeance on the one who had fled her home to wed a foreigner. Also I saw upon Gerenian Nestor’s prows from Pylosthe ensign of his neighbour Alpheus, four-footed like a bull.
Χορός:—Μυκήνας δὲ τᾶς Κυκλωπίαςπαῖς Ἀτρέως ἔπεμπε ναυβάταςναῶν ἑκατὸν ἠθροϊσμένους·σὺν δʼ Ἄδραστος ἦνταγός, ὡς φίλος φίλῳ,τᾶς φυγούσας μέλαθραβαρβάρων χάριν γάμωνπρᾶξιν Ἑλλὰς ὡς λάβοι.ἐκ Πύλου δὲ ΝέστοροςΓερηνίου κατειδόμανπρύμνας σῆμα ταυρόπουν ὁρᾶν,τὸν πάροικον Ἀλφεόν.
Chorus:Moreover there was a squadron of twelve Aenianian sail under King Gouneus; and then near themthe lords of Elis, whom all the people named Epeians; and Eurytus was lord of these; Iikewise he led the Taphian warriors with the white oar-blades, the subjects of Meges,son of Phyleus, who had left the isles of the Echinades, where sailors cannot land.
Χορός:—Αἰνιάνων δὲ δωδεκάστολοινᾶες ἦσαν, ὧν ἄναξΓουνεὺς ἆρχε· τῶνδε δʼ αὖ πέλαςἬλιδος δυνάστορες,οὓς Ἐπειοὺς ὠνόμαζε πᾶς λεώς·Εὔρυτος δʼ ἄνασσε τῶνδε,λευκήρετμον δʼ ἌρηΤάφιον ἦγεν, ὧν Μέγης ἄνασσε,Φυλέως λόχευμα,τὰς Ἐχίνας λιπὼννήσους ναυβάταις ἀπροσφόρους.
Chorus:Lastly, Aias, reared in Salamis,was joining his right wing to the left of those near whom he was posed, closing the line with his outermost ships, twelve barques obedient to the helm, as I heard and thensaw the crews; the one who brings his barbaric boats to grapple Aias shall obtain no safe return. There I sawthe naval armament, but some things I heard at home about the gathered army, of which I still have a recollection.Old man: as Menelaus wrests a letter from him.
Χορός:—Αἴας δʼ ὁ Σαλαμῖνος ἔντροφοςδεξιὸν κέρας πρὸς τὸ λαιὸν ξυνᾶγε,τῶν ἆσσον ὥρμει πλάταισινἐσχάταισι συμπλέκωνδώδεκʼ εὐστροφωτάταισι ναυσίν. ὣςἄιον καὶ ναυβάτανεἰδόμαν λεών·ᾧ τις εἰ προσαρμόσειβαρβάρους βάριδας,νόστον οὐκ ἀποίσεται,ἐνθάδʼ οἷον εἰδόμαννάιον πόρευμα,τὰ δὲ κατʼ οἴκους κλύουσα συγκλήτουμνήμην σῴζομαι στρατεύματος.
Strange daring yours, Menelaus, where you have no right.
Πρεσβύτης:Μενέλαε, τολμᾷς δείνʼ, ἅ σʼ οὐ τολμᾶν χρεών.
Menelaus:Stand back! You carry loyalty to your master too far.
Μενέλαος:ἄπελθε· λίαν δεσπόταισι πιστὸς εἶ.
Old man:The very reproach you have for me is to my credit.
Πρεσβύτης:καλόν γέ μοι τοὔνειδος ἐξωνείδισας.
Menelaus:You shall rue it, if you meddle in matters that do not concern you.
Μενέλαος:κλαίοις ἄν, εἰ πράσσοις ἃ μὴ πράσσειν σε δεῖ.
Old man:You had no right to open a letter, which I was carrying.
Πρεσβύτης:οὐ χρῆν σε λῦσαι δέλτον, ἣν ἐγὼ ʼφερον.
Menelaus:No, nor you to be carrying sorrow to all Hellas.
Μενέλαος:οὐδέ γε φέρειν σὲ πᾶσιν Ἕλλησιν κακά.
Old man:Argue that point with others, but surrender that letter to me.
Πρεσβύτης:ἄλλοις ἁμιλλῶ ταῦτʼ· ἄφες δὲ τήνδʼ ἐμοί.
Menelaus:I shall not let go.
Μενέλαος:οὐκ ἂν μεθείμην.
Old man:Nor will I let loose my hold.
Πρεσβύτης:οὐδʼ ἔγωγʼ ἀφήσομαι.
Menelaus:Why then, this staff of mine will be dabbling your head with blood before long.
Μενέλαος:σκήπτρῳ τάχʼ ἆρα σὸν καθαιμάξω κάρα.
Old man:To die in my master’s cause would be a noble death.
Πρεσβύτης:ἀλλʼ εὐκλεές τοι δεσποτῶν θνῄσκειν ὕπερ.
Menelaus:Let go! you are too wordy for a slave.
Μενέλαος:μέθες· μακροὺς δὲ δοῦλος ὢν λέγεις λόγους.
Old man: seeing Agamemnon approachingMaster, he is wronging me; he snatchedyour letter violently from my grasp, Agamemnon, and will not heed the claims of right.
Πρεσβύτης:ὦ δέσποτʼ, ἀδικούμεσθα. σὰς δʼ ἐπιστολὰςἐξαρπάσας ὅδʼ ἐκ χερῶν ἐμῶν βίᾳ,Ἀγάμεμνον, οὐδὲν τῇ δίκῃ χρῆσθαι θέλει.
Agamemnon:Ah! what is this uproar at the gates, this indecent brawling?
Ἀγαμέμνων:ἔα·τίς ποτʼ ἐν πύλαισι θόρυβος καὶ λόγων ἀκοσμία;
Menelaus:My tale, not his, has the better right to be spoken.
Μενέλαος:οὑμὸς οὐχ ὁ τοῦδε μῦθος κυριώτερος λέγειν.
Agamemnon:You, Menelaus! what quarrel do you have with this man, why are you dragging him here? Exit ATTENDANT.
Ἀγαμέμνων:σὺ δὲ τί τῷδʼ ἐς ἔριν ἀφῖξαι, Μενέλεως, βίᾳ τʼ ἄγεις;
Menelaus:Look me in the face! May that be the prelude to my story.
Μενέλαος:βλέψον εἰς ἡμᾶς, ἵνʼ ἀρχὰς τῶν λόγων ταύτας λάβω.
Agamemnon:Shall I, the son of Atreus, close my eyes from fear?
Ἀγαμέμνων:μῶν τρέσας οὐκ ἀνακαλύψω βλέφαρον, Ἀτρέως γεγώς;
Menelaus:Do you see this tablet, the bearer of a shameful message?
Μενέλαος:τήνδʼ ὁρᾷς δέλτον, κακίστων γραμμάτων ὑπηρέτιν;
Agamemnon:I see it, yes; now, you first of all surrender it.
Ἀγαμέμνων:εἰσορῶ· καὶ πρῶτα ταύτην σῶν ἀπάλλαξον χερῶν.
Menelaus:No, not till I have shown its contents to all the army.
Μενέλαος:οὔ, πρὶν ἂν δείξω γε Δαναοῖς πᾶσι τἀγγεγραμμένα.
Agamemnon:What! have you broken the seal and know already what you should never have known?
Ἀγαμέμνων:ἦ γὰρ οἶσθʼ ἃ μή σε καιρὸς εἰδέναι σήμαντρʼ ἀνείς;
Menelaus:Yes, I opened it and know to your sorrow the secret machinations of your heart.
Μενέλαος:ὥστε σʼ ἀλγῦναί γʼ, ἀνοίξας ἃ σὺ κάκʼ εἰργάσω λάθρᾳ.
Agamemnon:Where did you get it? O gods! what shameless heart you have!
Ἀγαμέμνων:ποῦ δὲ κἄλαβές νιν; ὦ θεοί, σῆς ἀναισχύντου φρενός.
Menelaus:I was awaiting your daughter’s arrival at the camp in Argos.
Μενέλαος:προσδοκῶν σὴν παῖδʼ ἀπʼ Ἄργους, εἰ στράτευμʼ ἀφίξεται.
Agamemnon:What right have you to watch my doings? is not this a proof of shamelessness?
Ἀγαμέμνων:τί δέ σε τἀμὰ δεῖ φυλάσσειν; οὐκ ἀναισχύντου τόδε;
Menelaus:My wish to do it gave the spur, for I am no slave to you.
Μενέλαος:ὅτι τὸ βούλεσθαί μʼ ἔκνιζε· σὸς δὲ δοῦλος οὐκ ἔφυν.
Agamemnon:Infamous! Am I not to be allowed the management of my own house?
Ἀγαμέμνων:οὐχὶ δεινά; τὸν ἐμὸν οἰκεῖν οἶκον οὐκ ἐάσομαι;
Menelaus:No, for you think crooked thoughts, one thing now, another formerly, and something different presently.
Μενέλαος:πλάγια γὰρ φρονεῖς, τὰ μὲν νῦν, τὰ δὲ πάλαι, τὰ δʼ αὐτίκα.
Agamemnon:Most exquisite refining on evil themes! A hateful thing the tongue of cleverness!
Ἀγαμέμνων:εὖ κεκόμψευσαι πονηρά· γλῶσσʼ ἐπίφθονον σοφή.
Menelaus:Yes, but a mind unstable is an unjust possession, disloyal to friends.
Μενέλαος:νοῦς δέ γʼ οὐ βέβαιος ἄδικον κτῆμα κοὐ σαφὲς φίλοις.
Now I am anxious to test you, and do not seek from rage to turn aside from the truth, nor will I on my part overstrain the case. Do you remember when you were all eagerness to captain the Danaids against Troy, making a pretence of declining, though eager for it in your heart; how humble you were then, taking each man by the handand keeping open doors for every fellow-townsman who cared to enter, affording each in turn chance to speak with you, even though some did not wish it, seeking by these methods to purchase popularity from all bidders? Then when you had secured the command, there came a change over your manners; you were no longer so cordial as before to former friends,but hard of access, seldom to be found at home. But the man of real worth ought not to change his manners in the hour of prosperity, but should then show himself most staunch to friends, when his own good fortune can help them most effectually.
βούλομαι δέ σʼ ἐξελέγξαι, καὶ σὺ μήτʼ ὀργῆς ὕποἀποτρέπου τἀληθὲς οὔτʼ αὖ κατατενῶ λίαν ἐγώ.οἶσθʼ, ὅτʼ ἐσπούδαζες ἄρχειν Δαναΐδαις πρὸς Ἴλιον,τῷ δοκεῖν μὲν οὐχὶ χρῄζων, τῷ δὲ βούλεσθαι θέλων,ὡς ταπεινὸς ἦσθα, πάσης δεξιᾶς προσθιγγάνωνκαὶ θύρας ἔχων ἀκλῄστους τῷ θέλοντι δημοτῶνκαὶ διδοὺς πρόσρησιν ἑξῆς πᾶσι — κεἰ μή τις θέλοι —τοῖς τρόποις ζητῶν πρίασθαι τὸ φιλότιμον ἐκ μέσου;κᾆτʼ, ἐπεὶ κατέσχες ἀρχάς, μεταβαλὼν ἄλλους τρόπουςτοῖς φίλοισιν οὐκέτʼ ἦσθα τοῖς πρὶν ὡς πρόσθεν φίλος,δυσπρόσιτος ἔσω τε κλῄθρων σπάνιος. ἄνδρα δʼ οὐ χρεὼντὸν ἀγαθὸν πράσσοντα μεγάλα τοὺς τρόπους μεθιστάναι,ἀλλὰ καὶ βέβαιον εἶναι τότε μάλιστα τοῖς φίλοις,ἡνίκʼ ὠφελεῖν μάλιστα δυνατός ἐστιν εὐτυχῶν.
This was the first cause I had to reprove you, for it was here I first discovered your villainy;
ταῦτα μέν σε πρῶτʼ ἐπῆλθον, ἵνα σε πρῶθʼ ηὗρον κακόν.
but afterwards, when you came to Aulis with all the gathered hosts of Hellas, you were of no account; no! the want of a favorable breeze filled you with consternation at the chance dealt out by the gods. Then the Danaids began demanding that you should send the fleet away instead of vainly toiling on at Aulis; what dismay and confusion was then depicted in your looks, to think that you, with a thousandships at your command, had not occupied the plains of Priam with your armies! And you would ask my counsel, “What am I to do? What scheme can I devise, where find one?”—to save yourself being stripped of your command and losing your fair fame. Next when Calchas bade you offer your daughter in sacrifice to Artemis, declaring that the Danaids should then sail, you were overjoyed,and gladly undertook to offer the girl, and of your own accord—never allege compulsion—you are sending word to your wife to despatch your daughter here on pretence of wedding Achilles. And after all you turn round and have been caught casting your letter to this effect: “I will no longer be my daughter’s murderer.” Exactly so!
ὡς δʼ ἐς Αὖλιν ἦλθες αὖθις χὡ Πανελλήνων στρατός,οὐδὲν ἦσθʼ, ἀλλʼ ἐξεπλήσσου τῇ τύχῃ τῇ τῶν θεῶν,οὐρίας πομπῆς σπανίζων· Δαναΐδαι δʼ ἀφιέναιναῦς διήγγελλον, μάτην δὲ μὴ πονεῖν ἐν Αὐλίδι.ὡς ἄνολβον εἶχες ὄμμα σύγχυσίν τʼ, εἰ μὴ νεῶνχιλίων ἄρχων τὸ Πριάμου πεδίον ἐμπλήσεις δορός.κἀμὲ παρεκάλεις· Τί δράσω; τίνα δὲ πόρον εὕρω πόθεν; —ὥστε μὴ στερέντα σʼ ἀρχῆς ἀπολέσαι καλὸν κλέος.κᾆτʼ, ἐπεὶ Κάλχας ἐν ἱεροῖς εἶπε σὴν θῦσαι κόρηνἈρτέμιδι, καὶ πλοῦν ἔσεσθαι Δαναΐδαις, ἡσθεὶς φρέναςἄσμενος θύσειν ὑπέστης παῖδα· καὶ πέμπεις ἑκών,οὐ βίᾳ — μὴ τοῦτο λέξῃς — σῇ δάμαρτι, παῖδα σὴνδεῦρʼ ἀποστέλλειν, Ἀχιλλεῖ πρόφασιν ὡς γαμουμένην.κᾆθʼ ὑποστρέψας λέληψαι μεταβαλὼν ἄλλας γραφάς,ὡς φονεὺς οὐκέτι θυγατρὸς σῆς ἔσῃ. μάλιστά γε.
This is the same air that heard you say it. Countless others have done the same; they make an effort while in power, and then retire dishonorably, sometimes owing to the senselessness of the citizens, sometimes deservedly, because they are too feeble of themselves to maintain their watch upon the state.
οὗτος αὑτός ἐστιν αἰθὴρ ὃς τάδʼ ἤκουσεν σέθεν.μυρίοι δέ τοι πεπόνθασʼ αὐτό· πρὸς τὰ πράγματαἐκπονοῦσʼ ἔχοντες, εἶτα δʼ ἐξεχώρησαν κακῶς,τὰ μὲν ὑπὸ γνώμης πολιτῶν ἀσυνέτου, τὰ δʼ ἐνδίκωςἀδύνατοι γεγῶτες αὐτοὶ διαφυλάξασθαι πόλιν.
For my part, I am more sorry for our unhappy Hellas, whose purpose was to read these worthless foreigners a lesson, while now she will let them escape and mock her, thanks to you and your daughter. May I never appoint a man to rule my country or lead its warriors because of his couragekinship! Sense is what the general must have;
Ἑλλάδος μάλιστʼ ἔγωγε τῆς ταλαιπώρου στένω,ἥ, θέλουσα δρᾶν τι κεδνόν, βαρβάρους τοὺς οὐδέναςκαταγελῶντας ἐξανήσει διὰ σὲ καὶ τὴν σὴν κόρην.μηδένʼ ἀνδρείας ἕκατι προστάτην θείμην χθονός,μηδʼ ὅπλων ἄρχοντα· νοῦν χρὴ τὸν στρατηλάτην ἔχειν·
since any man, with ordinary intelligence, can govern a state.
πόλεος ὡς ἄρχων ἀνὴρ πᾶς, ξύνεσιν ἢν ἔχων τύχῃ.
Chorus Leader:For brothers to come to words and blows, whenever they disagree, is terrible.
Χορός:δεινὸν κασιγνήτοισι γίγνεσθαι λόγουςμάχας θʼ, ὅταν ποτʼ ἐμπέσωσιν εἰς ἔριν.
Agamemnon:I wish to rebuke you in turn, briefly, not lifting my eyes too high shamelessly, but in more sober fashion,as a brother; for it is a good man’s way to be considerate. Tell me, why this burst of fury, these bloodshot eyes? who wrongs you? what is it you want? are you longing to have a virtuous wife? WeIl, I cannot supply you; for she, whom you once had, was ill-controlled by you. Am I then, a man who never went astray, to suffer for your sins?
Ἀγαμέμνων:βούλομαί σʼ εἰπεῖν κακῶς εὖ, βραχέα, μὴ λίαν ἄνωβλέφαρα πρὸς τἀναιδὲς ἀγαγών, ἀλλὰ σωφρονεστέρως,ὡς ἀδελφὸν ὄντʼ· ἀνὴρ γὰρ χρηστὸς αἰδεῖσθαι φιλεῖ.εἰπέ μοι, τί δεινὰ φυσᾷς αἱματηρὸν ὄμμʼ ἔχων;τίς ἀδικεῖ σε; τοῦ κέχρησαι; χρηστὰ λέκτρʼ ἐρᾷς λαβεῖν;οὐκ ἔχοιμʼ ἄν σοι παρασχεῖν· ὧν γὰρ ἐκτήσω, κακῶςἦρχες. εἶτʼ ἐγὼ δίκην δῶ σῶν κακῶν, ὁ μὴ σφαλείς;
or is it my popularity that galls you? No! it is the longing you have to keep a beautiful woman in your embrace, casting reason and honor to the winds. A bad man’s pleasures are like himself. Am I mad, if I change to wiser counsels, after previously deciding amiss? Yours is the madness rather in wishing to recovera wicked wife, once you had lost her—a stroke of heaven-sent luck. Those foolish suitors swore that oath to Tyndareus in their longing to wed; but Hope was the goddess that led them on, I think, and she it was that brought it about rather than you and your strength. So take the field with them; they are ready for it in the folly of their hearts; for the deity is not without insight, but is able to discernwhere oaths have been wrongly pledged or forcibly extorted. I will not slay my children, nor shall your interests be prospered by justice in your vengeance for a worthless wife, while I am left wasting, night and day, in sorrow for what I did to one of my own flesh and blood, contrary to all law and justice.
οὐ δάκνει σε τὸ φιλότιμον τοὐμόν, ἀλλʼ ἐν ἀγκάλαιςεὐπρεπῆ γυναῖκα χρῄζεις, τὸ λελογισμένον παρεὶςκαὶ τὸ καλόν, ἔχειν. πονηροῦ φωτὸς ἡδοναὶ κακαί.εἰ δʼ ἐγώ, γνοὺς πρόσθεν οὐκ εὖ, μετετέθην εὐβουλίᾳ,μαίνομαι; σὺ μᾶλλον, ὅστις ἀπολέσας κακὸν λέχοςἀναλαβεῖν θέλεις, θεοῦ σοι τὴν τύχην διδόντος εὖ.ὤμοσαν τὸν Τυνδάρειον ὅρκον οἱ κακόφρονεςφιλόγαμοι μνηστῆρες — ἡ δέ γʼ Ἐλπίς, οἶμαι μέν, θεός,κἀξέπραξεν αὐτὸ μᾶλλον ἢ σὺ καὶ τὸ σὸν σθένος —οὓς λαβὼν στράτευε· ἕτοιμοι δʼ εἰσὶ μωρίᾳ φρενῶν.οὐ γὰρ ἀσύνετον τὸ θεῖον, ἀλλʼ ἔχει συνιέναιτοὺς κακῶς παγέντας ὅρκους καὶ κατηναγκασμένους.τἀμὰ δʼ οὐκ ἀποκτενῶ ʼγὼ τέκνα· κοὐ τὸ σὸν μὲν εὖπαρὰ δίκην ἔσται κακίστης εὔνιδος τιμωρίᾳ,ἐμὲ δὲ συντήξουσι νύκτες ἡμέραι τε δακρύοις,ἄνομα δρῶντα κοὐ δίκαια παῖδας οὓς ἐγεινάμην.
Here is your answer shortly given, clear and easy to understand; and if you will not come to your senses, I shall do the best for myself.
ταῦτά σοι βραχέα λέλεκται καὶ σαφῆ καὶ ῥᾴδια·εἰ δὲ μὴ βούλῃ φρονεῖν εὖ, τἄμʼ ἐγὼ θήσω καλῶς.
Chorus Leader:This differs from your previous declaration, but there is good in it, your child’s reprieve.
Χορός:οἵδʼ αὖ διάφοροι τῶν πάρος λελεγμένωνμύθων, καλῶς δʼ ἔχουσι, φείδεσθαι τέκνων.
Menelaus:Ah me, how sad my lot! I have no friends then after all.
Μενέλαος:αἰαῖ, φίλους ἄρʼ οὐχὶ κεκτήμην τάλας.
Agamemnon:Friends you have, if you do not seek their destruction.
Ἀγαμέμνων:εἰ τοὺς φίλους γε μὴ θέλεις ἀπολλύναι.
Menelaus:Where will you find any proof that you are sprung from the same father as I?
Μενέλαος:δείξεις δὲ ποῦ μοι πατρὸς ἐκ ταὐτοῦ γεγώς;
Agamemnon:It is your moderation, not your madness, that I share by nature.
Ἀγαμέμνων:συνσωφρονεῖν σοι βούλομʼ, ἀλλʼ οὐ συννοσεῖν.
Menelaus:Friends should sympathize with friends in sorrow.
Μενέλαος:ἐς κοινὸν ἀλγεῖν τοῖς φίλοισι χρὴ φίλους.
Agamemnon:Claim my help by kindly service, not by paining me.
Ἀγαμέμνων:εὖ δρῶν παρακάλει μʼ, ἀλλὰ μὴ λυπῶν ἐμέ.
Menelaus:So you have no mind to share this trouble with Hellas?
Μενέλαος:οὐκ ἄρα δοκεῖ σοι τάδε πονεῖν σὺν Ἑλλάδι;
Agamemnon:No, Hellas is diseased like you, according to some god’s design.
Ἀγαμέμνων:Ἑλλὰς δὲ σὺν σοὶ κατὰ θεὸν νοσεῖ τινα.
Menelaus:Go boast of your scepter, after betraying your own brother! while I will seek some different means and other friends.Messenger: entering hurriedly.Agamemnon, lord of Hellas!I have come and bring you your daughter, whom you call Iphigenia in your home; and her mother, your wife Clytemnestra, is with her, and the child Orestes, a sight to gladden you after your long absence from your home;
Μενέλαος:σκήπτρῳ νυν αὔχει, σὸν κασίγνητον προδούς.ἐγὼ δʼ ἐπʼ ἄλλας εἶμι μηχανάς τιναςφίλους τʼ ἐπʼ ἄλλους —Αγγελος Α:ὦ Πανελλήνων ἄναξ,Ἀγάμεμνον, ἥκω παῖδά σοι τὴν σὴν ἄγων,ἣν Ἰφιγένειαν ὠνόμαζες ἐν δόμοις.μήτηρ δʼ ὁμαρτεῖ, σῆς Κλυταιμήστρας δέμας,καὶ παῖς Ὀρέστης, ὥς τι τερφθείης ἰδών,χρόνον παλαιὸν δωμάτων ἔκδημος ὤν.
but they had been travelling long and far, they are now resting their tender feet at the waters of a fair spring, they and their horses, for we turned these loose in the grassy meadow to browse their fill. But I have come as their forerunner to prepare you for their reception;for the army knows already of your daughter’s arrival, so quickly did the rumor spread; and all the people are running together to the sight, that they may see your child; for Fortune’s favorites enjoy world-wide fame and have all eyes fixed on them.
ἀλλʼ ὡς μακρὰν ἔτεινον, εὔρυτον παρὰκρήνην ἀναψύχουσι θηλύπουν βάσιν,αὐταί τε πῶλοί τʼ· ἐς δὲ λειμώνων χλόηνκαθεῖμεν αὐτάς, ὡς βορᾶς γευσαίατο.ἐγὼ δὲ πρόδρομος σῆς παρασκευῆς χάρινἥκω· πέπυσται γὰρ στρατός — ταχεῖα γὰρδιῇξε φήμη — παῖδα σὴν ἀφιγμένην.πᾶς δʼ ἐς θένα ὅμιλος ἔρχεται δρόμῳ,σὴν παῖδʼ ὅπως ἴδωσιν· οἱ δʼ εὐδαίμονεςἐν πᾶσι κλεινοὶ καὶ περίβλεπτοι βροτοῖς.
Some say: “Is it a wedding, or what is happening? or has king Agamemnon from fond yearning summoned his daughter here?” From others you would have heard: “They are presenting the maiden to Artemis, queen of Aulis, previous to marriage; who can the bridegroom be, that is to lead her home?”
λέγουσι δʼ· Ὑμέναιός τις ἢ τί πράσσεται;ἢ πόθον ἔχων θυγατρὸς Ἀγαμέμνων ἄναξἐκόμισε παῖδα; τῶν δʼ ἂν ἤκουσας τάδε·Ἀρτέμιδι προτελίζουσι τὴν νεάνιδα,Αὐλίδος ἀνάσσῃ. τίς νιν ἄξεταί ποτε;
Come, then, begin the rites, that is the next step, by getting the baskets ready; crown your heads—you too, lord Menelaus; prepare the wedding hymn; let flutes sound throughout the tents with noise of dancer’s feet; for this is a happy day, that has come for the maid.
ἀλλʼ εἶα, τἀπὶ τοισίδʼ ἐξάρχου κανᾶ,στεφανοῦσθε κρᾶτα καὶ σύ, Μενέλεως ἄναξ,ὑμέναιον εὐτρέπιζε καὶ κατὰ στέγαςλωτὸς βοάσθω καὶ ποδῶν ἔστω κτύπος·φῶς γὰρ τόδʼ ἥκει μακάριον τῇ παρθένῳ.
Agamemnon:You have my thanks; now go within; for the rest it will be well, as Fate proceeds. Exit Messenger.
Ἀγαμέμνων:ἐπῄνεσʼ, ἀλλὰ στεῖχε δωμάτων ἔσω·τὰ δʼ ἄλλʼ ἰούσης τῆς τύχης ἔσται καλῶς.
Ah, woe is me! unhappy wretch, what can I say? where shall I begin? To what cruel straits have I been plunged! A god has outwitted me, proving far clevererthan any cunning of mine. What an advantage humble birth possesses! for it is easy for her sons to weep and tell out all their sorrows; while to the high-born man come these same sorrows, but we heve dignitythroned over our life and are the people’s slaves. I, for instance, am ashamed to weep, and no less ashamed, poor wretch, to check my tears at the dreadful pass to which I am brought. Enough; what am I to tell my wife?
οἴμοι, τί φῶ δύστηνος; ἄρξωμαι πόθεν;ἐς οἷʼ ἀνάγκης ζεύγματʼ ἐμπεπτώκαμεν.ὑπῆλθε δαίμων, ὥστε τῶν σοφισμάτωνπολλῷ γενέσθαι τῶν ἐμῶν σοφώτερος.ἡ δυσγένεια δʼ ὡς ἔχει τι χρήσιμον.καὶ γὰρ δακρῦσαι ῥᾳδίως αὐτοῖς ἔχει,ἅπαντά τʼ εἰπεῖν. τῷ δὲ γενναίῳ φύσινἄνολβα ταῦτα. προστάτην δὲ τοῦ βίουτὸν ὄγκον ἔχομεν τῷ τʼ ὄχλῳ δουλεύομεν.ἐγὼ γὰρ ἐκβαλεῖν μὲν αἰδοῦμαι δάκρυ,τὸ μὴ δακρῦσαι δʼ αὖθις αἰδοῦμαι τάλας,ἐς τὰς μεγίστας συμφορὰς ἀφιγμένος.εἶἑν· τί φήσω πρὸς δάμαρτα τὴν ἐμήν;
how shall I welcome her? with what face meet her? for she too has undone me by coming uninvited in this my hour of sorrow; yet it was only natural she should come with her daughter to prepare the bride and perform the fondest duties, where she will discover my villainy.
πῶς δέξομαί νιν; ποῖον ὄμμα συμβαλῶ;καὶ γάρ μʼ ἀπώλεσʼ ἐπὶ κακοῖς ἅ μοι πάροςἐλθοῦσʼ ἄκλητος. εἰκότως δʼ ἅμʼ ἕσπετοθυγατρὶ νυμφεύσουσα καὶ τὰ φίλταταδώσουσʼ, ἵνʼ ἡμᾶς ὄντας εὑρήσει κακούς.
And for this poor maid—why maid? Death, it seems, will soon make her his bride—how I pity her! Thus will she plead to me, I think: “My father, will you slay me? May you yourself make such a marriage, and whoever is a friend to you!”
τὴν δʼ αὖ τάλαιναν παρθένον — τί παρθένον;Ἅιδης νιν, ὡς ἔοικε, νυμφεύσει τάχα —ὡς ᾤκτισʼ· οἶμαι γάρ νιν ἱκετεύσειν τάδε·Ὦ πάτερ, ἀποκτενεῖς με; τοιούτους γάμουςγήμειας αὐτὸς χὥστις ἐστί σοι φίλος.
While Orestes, from his station near us, will cry in childish accents, inarticulate, yet fraught with meaning. Alas! to what utter ruin Paris, the son of Priam, the cause of these troubles, has brought me by his union with Helen!
παρὼν δʼ Ὀρέστης ἐγγὺς ἀναβοήσεταιοὐ συνετὰ συνετῶς· ἔτι γάρ ἐστι νήπιος.αἰαῖ, τὸν Ἑλένης ὥς μʼ ἀπώλεσεν γάμονγήμας ὁ Πριάμου Πάρις, ὃς εἴργασται τάδε.
Chorus Leader:I pity her myself, as a woman who is a strangermay grieve for the misfortunes of royalty.Menelaus: offering his hand.
Χορός:κἀγὼ κατῴκτιρʼ, ὡς γυναῖκα δεῖ ξένηνὑπὲρ τυράννων συμφορᾶς καταστένειν.
Your hand, brother! let me grasp it.
Μενέλαος:ἀδελφέ, δός μοι δεξιᾶς τῆς σῆς θιγεῖν.
Agamemnon:I give it; yours is the victory, mine the sorrow.
Ἀγαμέμνων:δίδωμι· σὸν γὰρ τὸ κράτος, ἄθλιος δʼ ἐγώ.
Menelaus:By Pelops our reputed grandsire and Atreus our father,I swear to tell you the truth from my heart, without any covert purpose, but only what I think. The sight of you in tears made me pity you, and in return I shed a tear for you myself; I withdraw from my former proposals,ceasing to be a cause of fear to you; yes, and I will put myself in your present position; and I counsel you, do not slay your child or prefer my interests to yours; for it is not just that you should grieve, while I am glad, or that your children should die, while mine still see the light of day.
Μενέλαος:Πέλοπα κατόμνυμʼ, ὃς πατὴρ τοὐμοῦ πατρὸςτοῦ σοῦ τʼ ἐκλήθη, τὸν τεκόντα τʼ Ἀτρέα,ἦ μὴν ἐρεῖν σοι τἀπὸ καρδίας σαφῶςκαὶ μὴ ʼπίτηδες μηδέν, ἀλλʼ ὅσον φρονῶ.ἐγώ σʼ ἀπʼ ὄσσων ἐκβαλόντʼ ἰδὼν δάκρυᾤκτιρα, καὐτὸς ἀνταφῆκά σοι πάλινκαὶ τῶν παλαιῶν ἐξαφίσταμαι λόγων,οὐκ ἐς σὲ δεινός· εἰμὶ δʼ οὗπερ εἶ σὺ νῦν·καί σοι παραινῶ μήτʼ ἀποκτείνειν τέκνονμήτʼ ἀνθελέσθαι τοὐμόν. οὐ γὰρ ἔνδικονσὲ μὲν στενάζειν, τἀμὰ δʼ ἡδέως ἔχειν,θνῄσκειν τε τοὺς σούς, τοὺς δʼ ἐμοὺς ὁρᾶν φάος.
What is it, after all, I seek? If I am set on marriage, could I not find a bride as choice elsewhere? Was I to lose a brother—the last I should have lost—to win a Helen, getting bad for good? I was mad, impetuous as a youth, till I perceived,on closer view, what slaying children really meant. Moreover I am filled with compassion for the hapless maiden, doomed to bleed that I may wed, when I reflect that we are kin. What has your daughter to do with Helen?
τί βούλομαι γάρ; οὐ γάμους ἐξαιρέτουςἄλλους λάβοιμʼ ἄν, εἰ γάμων ἱμείρομαι;ἀλλʼ ἀπολέσας ἀδελφόν, ὅν μʼ ἥκιστα χρῆν,Ἑλένην ἕλωμαι, τὸ κακὸν ἀντὶ τἀγαθοῦ;ἄφρων νέος τʼ ἦ, πρὶν τὰ πράγματʼ ἐγγύθενσκοπῶν ἐσεῖδον οἷον ἦν κτείνειν τέκνα.ἄλλως τέ μʼ ἔλεος τῆς ταλαιπώρου κόρηςἐσῆλθε, συγγένειαν ἐννοουμένῳ,ἣ τῶν ἐμῶν ἕκατι θύεσθαι γάμωνμέλλει. τί δʼ Ἑλένης παρθένῳ τῇ σῇ μέτα;
Let the army be disbanded and leave Aulis; dry those streaming eyes, brother, and do not provoke me to tears. Whatever concern you have in oracles that affect your child, let it be none of mine; into your hands I resign my share.
ἴτω στρατεία διαλυθεῖσʼ ἐξ Αὐλίδος,σὺ δʼ ὄμμα παῦσαι δακρύοις τέγγων τὸ σόν,ἀδελφέ, κἀμὲ παρακαλῶν ἐς δάκρυα.εἰ δέ τι κόρης σῆς θεσφάτων μέτεστι σοί,μὴ ʼμοὶ μετέστω· σοὶ νέμω τοὐμὸν μέρος.
A sudden change, you’ll say, from my dread proposals? A natural course for me; affection for my brother caused the change. These are the ways of a man not devoid of virtue, to pursue on each occasion what is best.
ἀλλʼ ἐς μεταβολὰς ἦλθον ἀπὸ δεινῶν λόγων;εἰκὸς πέπονθα· τὸν ὁμόθεν πεφυκόταστέργων μετέπεσον. ἀνδρὸς οὐ κακοῦ τροπαὶτοιαίδε, χρῆσθαι τοῖσι βελτίστοις ἀεί.
Chorus Leader:A generous speech, worthy of Tantalus, the son of Zeus;you do not shame your ancestry.
Χορός:γενναῖʼ ἔλεξας Ταντάλῳ τε τῷ Διὸςπρέποντα· προγόνους οὐ καταισχύνεις σέθεν.
Agamemnon:I thank you, Menelaus, for this unexpected suggestion; it is an honorable proposal, worthy of you. Sometimes love, sometimes the selfishness of their families, causes a quarrel between brothers; I loathea relationship of this kind which is bitterness to both. But it is useless, for circumstances compel me to carry out the murderous sacrifice of my daughter.
Ἀγαμέμνων:αἰνῶ σε, Μενέλαʼ, ὅτι παρὰ γνώμην ἐμὴνὑπέθηκας ὀρθῶς τοὺς λόγους σοῦ τʼ ἀξίως.ταραχὴ δʼ ἀδελφῶν διά τʼ ἔρωτα γίγνεταιπλεονεξίαν τε δωμάτων· ἀπέπτυσατοιάνδε συγγένειαν ἀλλήλοιν πικράν.ἀλλʼ ἥκομεν γὰρ εἰς ἀναγκαίας τύχας,θυγατρὸς αἱματηρὸν ἐκπρᾶξαι φόνον.
Menelaus:How so? who will compel you to slay your own?
Μενέλαος:πῶς; τίς δʼ ἀναγκάσει σε τήν γε σὴν κτανεῖν;
Agamemnon:The whole Achaean army here assembled.
Ἀγαμέμνων:ἅπας Ἀχαιῶν σύλλογος στρατεύματος.
Menelaus:Not if you send her back to Argos.
Μενέλαος:οὔκ, ἤν νιν εἰς Ἄργος γʼ ἀποστείλῃς πάλιν.
Agamemnon:I might do that unnoticed, but there will be another thing I cannot.
Ἀγαμέμνων:λάθοιμι τοῦτʼ ἄν. ἀλλʼ ἐκεῖνʼ οὐ λήσομεν.
Menelaus:What is that? You must not fear the mob too much.
Μενέλαος:τὸ ποῖον; οὔτοι χρὴ λίαν ταρβεῖν ὄχλον.
Agamemnon:Calchas will tell the Argive army his oracles.
Ἀγαμέμνων:Κάλχας ἐρεῖ μαντεύματʼ Ἀργείων στρατῷ.
Menelaus:Not if he should die before that—an easy matter.
Μενέλαος:οὔκ, ἢν θάνῃ γε πρόσθε· τοῦτο δʼ εὐμαρές.
Agamemnon:The whole tribe of seers is a curse with its ambition.
Ἀγαμέμνων:τὸ μαντικὸν πᾶν σπέρμα φιλότιμον κακόν.
Menelaus:Yes, and good for nothing and useless, when among us.
Μενέλαος:κοὐδέν γʼ ἄχρηστον, οὐδὲ χρήσιμον παρόν.
Agamemnon:Has the thought, which is rising in my mind, no terrors for you?
Ἀγαμέμνων:ἐκεῖνο δʼ οὐ δέδοικας ὃ ἔμʼ ἐσέρχεται;
Menelaus:How can I understand your meaning, unless you declare it?
Μενέλαος:ὃν μὴ σὺ φράζεις, πῶς ὑπολάβοιμʼ ἂν λόγον;
Agamemnon:The son of Sisyphus knows all.
Ἀγαμέμνων:τὸ Σισύφειον σπέρμα πάντʼ οἶδεν τάδε.
Menelaus:Odysseus cannot possibly hurt us.
Μενέλαος:οὐκ ἔστʼ Ὀδυσσεὺς ὅ τι σὲ κἀμὲ πημανεῖ.
Agamemnon:He was ever shifty by nature, siding with the mob.
Ἀγαμέμνων:ποικίλος ἀεὶ πέφυκε τοῦ τʼ ὄχλου μέτα.
Menelaus:True, he is enslaved by the love of popularity, a fearful evil.
Μενέλαος:φιλοτιμίᾳ μὲν ἐνέχεται, δεινῷ κακῷ.
Agamemnon:Don’t you think, then, he will arise among the Argives and tell them the oracles that Calchas delivered,saying of me that I undertook to offer Artemis a victim, and after all am proving false? Then, when he has carried the army away with him, he will bid the Argives slay us and sacrifice the girl; and if I escape to Argos, they will come and destroy the place,razing it to the ground, Cyclopean walls and all. That is my trouble. Woe is me! to what perplexities the gods have brought me at this pass! Take one precaution for me, Menelaus, as you go through the army, that Clytemnestra does not learn this,till I have taken my child and devoted her to death, that my affliction may be attended with the fewest tears. Turning to the Chorus. And you, foreign women, keep silence. Exit Menelaus.
Ἀγαμέμνων:οὐκ οὖν δοκεῖς νιν στάντʼ ἐν Ἀργείοις μέσοιςλέξειν ἃ Κάλχας θέσφατʼ ἐξηγήσατο,κἄμʼ ὡς ὑπέστην θῦμα, κᾆτʼ ἐψευδόμην,Ἀρτέμιδι θύσειν; οὐ ξυναρπάσας στρατόν,σὲ κἄμʼ ἀποκτείναντας Ἀργείους κόρηνσφάξαι κελεύσει; κἂν πρὸς Ἄργος ἐκφύγω,ἐλθόντες αὐτοῖς τείχεσιν Κυκλωπίοιςσυναρπάσουσι καὶ κατασκάψουσι γῆν.τοιαῦτα τἀμὰ πήματʼ· ὦ τάλας ἐγώ,ὡς ἠπόρημαι πρὸς θεῶν τὰ νῦν τάδε.ἕν μοι φύλαξον, Μενέλεως, ἀνὰ στρατὸνἐλθών, ὅπως ἂν μὴ Κλυταιμήστρα τάδεμάθῃ, πρὶν Ἅιδῃ παῖδʼ ἐμὴν προσθῶ λαβών,ὡς ἐπʼ ἐλαχίστοις δακρύοις πράσσω κακῶς.ὑμεῖς τε σιγήν, ὦ ξέναι, φυλάσσετε.
Chorus:Happy are they who find the goddess come in moderate might, sharing with self-restraintin Aphrodite’s gift of marriage and enjoying calm and rest from frenzied passions, where the Love-god, golden-haired, stretches his charmed bow with twin arrows,and one is aimed at happiness, the other at life’s confusion. O lady Cypris, queen of beauty! far from my bridal bower I ban the last. Be mine delight in moderationand pure desires, and may I have a share in love, but shun excess!
Χορός:—μάκαρες οἳ μετρίας θεοῦμετά τε σωφροσύνας μετέ-σχον λέκτρων Ἀφροδίτας,γαλανείᾳ χρησάμενοιμανιάδων οἴστρων, ὅθι δὴδίδυμʼ Ἔρως ὁ χρυσοκόμαςτόξʼ ἐντείνεται χαρίτων,τὸ μὲν ἐπʼ εὐαίωνι πότμῳ,τὸ δʼ ἐπὶ συγχύσει βιοτᾶς.ἀπενέπω νιν ἁμετέρων,Κύπρι καλλίστα, θαλάμων.εἴη δέ μοι μετρία μὲνχάρις, πόθοι δʼ ὅσιοι,καὶ μετέχοιμι τᾶς Ἀφροδί-τας, πολλὰν δʼ ἀποθείμαν.
Chorus:Men’s natures vary, and their habits differ,but virtue is always manifest. Likewise the training that come of education conduces greatly to virtue; for not only is modesty wisdom, but it has also the rare graceof seeing by its better judgment what is right; whereby a glory, ever young, is shed over life by reputation. A great thing it is to hunt virtue, for women when they lovesecretly; while in men, an inborn sense of order, shown in countless ways, adds to a city’s greatness.
Χορός:—διάφοροι δὲ φύσεις βροτῶν,διάφοροι δὲ τρόποι· τὸ δʼ ὀρ-θῶς ἐσθλὸν σαφὲς αἰεί·τροφαί θʼ αἱ παιδευόμεναιμέγα φέρουσʼ ἐς τὰν ἀρετάν·τό τε γὰρ αἰδεῖσθαι σοφία,τάν τʼ ἐξαλλάσσουσαν ἔχειχάριν ὑπὸ γνώμας ἐσορᾶντὸ δέον, ἔνθα δόξα φέρεικλέος ἀγήρατον βιοτᾷ.μέγα τι θηρεύειν ἀρετάν,γυναιξὶ μὲν κατὰ Κύπρινκρυπτάν, ἐν ἀνδράσι δʼ αὖκόσμος ἐνὼν ὁ μυριοπλη-θὴς μείζω πόλιν αὔξει.
Chorus:You came, O Paris, to the place where you were reared to herd the cowsamong the white heifers of Ida, piping in foreign strain and breathing on your reeds an echo of the Phrygian airs Olympus played. Full-uddered cows were browsing at the spotwhere that verdict between goddesses was awaiting you—the cause of your going to Hellas to stand before the ivory palace, kindling love in Helen’sentranced eyes and feeling its flutter in your own breast; from which the fiend of strife brought Hellas with her spear and ships to the towers of Troy.Chorus of Argive men:Oh! great is the bliss the great enjoy. Behold Iphigenia, the king’s child, my lady, and Clytemnestra, the daughter of Tyndareus; how proud their lineage!how high their pinnacle of fortune! These mighty ones, whom wealth attends, are very gods in the eyes of less favored folk.
Χορός:—ἔμολες, ὦ Πάρις, ᾗτε σύ γεβουκόλος ἀργενναῖς ἐτράφηςἸδαίαις παρὰ μόσχοις,βάρβαρα συρίζων, Φρυγίωναὐλῶν Ὀλύμπου καλάμοιςμιμήματα πνείων.εὔθηλοι δὲ τρέφοντο βόες,ὅτε σε κρίσις ἔμηνε θεᾶν,ἅ σʼ Ἑλλάδα πέμπει·ἐλεφαντοδέτων πάροι-θεν δόμων δὲ στὰς Ἑλέναςἐν ἀντωποῖς βλεφάροισινἔρωτά τʼ ἔδωκας, ἔρωτι δʼαὐτὸς ἐπτοάθης.ὅθεν ἔρις ἔρινἙλλάδα σὺν δορὶ ναυσί τʼ ἄγει[ἐς] Τροίας πέργαμα …Χορὸς ἀνδρῶν Ἀργείων:ἰὼ ἰώ· μεγάλαι μεγάλωνεὐδαιμονίαι· τὴν τοῦ βασιλέωςἴδετʼ Ἰφιγένειαν, ἄνασσαν ἐμήν,τὴν Τυνδάρεω τε Κλυταιμήστραν·ὡς ἐκ μεγάλων ἐβλαστήκασʼἐπί τʼ εὐμήκεις ἥκουσι τύχας.θεοί γʼ οἱ κρείσσους οἵ τʼ ὀλβοφόροιτοῖς οὐκ εὐδαίμοσι θνητῶν.