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THE. ‘AGAMEMNON 4: 


ὶ AESCHYLUS 


AS PERFORMED AT CAMBRIDGE 
NOVEMBER 16—21, 1900. 


WITH THE VERSE TRANSLATION 


BY 





Miss ANNA SWANWICK. 


CAMBRIDGE: 


PRINTED FOR THE COMMITTEE AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS 
AND SOLD BY 
MACMILLAN AND BOWES. 


1900 





[AW Rights reserved.| 


Price Two Shillings net. 











THE AGAMEMNON 


OF 


ΠΕ ΟΠ 


Cambridge: 
PRINTED BY J. AND C. F. CLAY, 
AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS. 


THE AGAMEMNON 


OF 


Roe S Cl Ye θὲς 


AS PERFORMED AT CAMBRIDGE 
NOVEMBER 16—21, 1900. 


WITH THE VERSE TRANSLATION 
BY 


Miss ANNA SWANWICK. 


GAMBRIDGE: 


PRINTED FOR THE COMMITTEE AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS 
AND SOLD BY 
MACMILLAN AND BOWES. 


1900 


[All Rights reserved.| 


The translation by Miss SWANWICK is printed here by 
kind permission of her publishers, Messrs BELL ἃ Co. It 
should be noted that the Authoress used a text which differs 
in many places from that of ARTHUR SIDGWICK, M.A., 
Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and formerly 
Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, which has been 


used for this representation. 


COMMITTEE. 


PROFESSOR SiR RicHarD Jess, Litt.D., M.P., Trinity 
College, President. 


OscaR Browninc, M.A., King’s College. 


J. W. Ciark, M.A., Trinity College, Zveasurer, Secre- 
tary, and Stage Manager. 


WaLTER DurRnForD, M.A., King’s College. 

H. J. Epwarps, M.A., Peterhouse, Stage Manager. 
Henry Jackson, Litt.D., Trinity College, Vice-President. 
fF. J. H. Jenkinson, M.A., Trinity College, Auditor. 
5. M. Leatues, M.A., Trinity College. 

PROFESSOR Newton, M.A., Magdalene College. 

J. E. Sanpys, Litt.D., St John’s College, Vice-President. 
A. H. Situ, M.A., Trinity College. 

A. A. TiLLey, M.A., King’s College. 

A. W. VERRALL, Litt.D., Trinity College. 


PROFESSOR C. WALDSTEIN, Litt.D., King’s College. 


TA TOY APAMATOS ΠΡΟΣΏΠΑ 


ATAMEMNON 
KAYTAIMHSTPA 
KASANAPA 
ΑἸΤΊΣΘΟΣ 
ΦΥΛΑΞ 

ΚΗΡΥΞ 

ΧΟΡΟΣ 


CHARACTERS. 


Agamemnon ... .. Mr H. H. Kinc, Pembroke College. 
Clytaemnestra ... Mr F. H. Lucas, Trinity College. 
Cassandra < ... Mr J. F. Crace, King’s College. 
Aegisthus ... she Mr I. G. Back, Trinity Hall. 

A Watchman ... .. Mr E. 5. Monracu, Trinity College. 
A Herald... ae Mr E. L. Wart, Trinity Hall. 


Leader ofthe Chorus’ Mr F. Srpcwick, Trinity College. 


Chorus of Argive Elders, Attendants on Clytaemnestra, 


Guards, Citizens of Argos. 


The three plays dealing with the story of Agamemnon, 
viz. the Agamemnon, the Choéphoroe, and the Eumenides, 
were represented at Athens B.c. 458. The poet won the 


first prize. 


ARGUMENT. 


CLYTAEMNESTRA, in the absence of her husband 
Agamemnon at the siege of Troy, has been ruling 
Argos for ten years with her paramour Aegisthus, 
and is expecting the news of the fall of Troy, which 
is to be announced by beacon-fires. 


Act I. The first scene is on the roof of the 
palace, where the watchman awaits the signal. 
The beacon-fire flares up, and he goes to tell the 
queen. In the second scene the Chorus sing the 
story of the sacrifice of Iphigeneia, the daughter of 
Clytaemnestra. The queen appears, and announces 
the news of the fall of Troy to the Chorus, who sing 
first a thanksgiving, and then the fate of Paris. A 
Herald enters, and after describing the sufferings 
at Troy, and the storm which has shattered the 
fleet, is sent by the queen to greet Agamemnon. 
Another choric song concludes the Act. 


Act II. The Chorus sing a welcome to Aga- 
memnon, who enters in triumph with Cassandra 
crouching at his feet. He is met by Clytaemnestra, 


Χ ARGUMENT 


who greets him and lures him into the palace. 
Soon the queen returns, orders Cassandra to follow 
her, and retires. Cassandra breaks into cries of 
inspiration, and at length utters a prophecy, fore- 
telling death to Agamemnon and herself, and enters 
the palace. 


Act Ill, After a short choric song of doubt, 
the death-cry of Agamemnon is heard. The Chorus 
are hurriedly consulting, when the palace-doors are 
suddenly thrown open, and Clytaemnestra, with a 
weapon in her hand, is seen standing over the 
bodies of Agamemnon and Cassandra. The queen 
justifies her deed ; it is the avenging of Iphigeneia. 
Aegisthus enters and defies the Chorus, who up- 
braid him for cowardice; the strife is quelled at 
length by the queen, who leads Aegisthus into 
the palace. 


ΤῊΒ; AGAMEMNON 


OF 


AESCHYLUS 





ACT UE 


Scene I. Zhe roof of the palace of AGAMEMNON at 
Argos. A WatcHMAN is discovered. Night. 


WATCHMAN. 


I pray the gods deliverance from these toils, 
Release from year-long watch, which, couch’d aloft 
On these Atreidan roofs, dog-like, I keep, 
Marking the stars which nightly congregate ; 

And those bright potentates who bring to mortals 
Winter and summer, signal in the sky, 

What time they wane I note, their risings too. 
And for the beacon’s token now I watch, 

The blaze of fire, bearing from Troy a tale, 
Tidings of capture; for so proudly hopes 

A woman’s heart, with manly counsel fraught. 
Dew-drenched and restless is my nightly couch, 
By dreams unvisited, for at my side, 

Fear stands, in place of sleep, nor suffers me 
Soundly, in slumberous rest, my lids to close. 
Then when I think to chant a strain, or hum, 
(Such against sleep may tuneful counter-charm,) 





AQT I. 


Scene 1. The roof of the palace of AGAMEMNON at 
Argos. A WatcHMan is discovered. Night. 


®YAAE. 


\ \ lal a / 
Θεοὺς μὲν αἰτῶ τῶνδ᾽ ἀπαλλαγὴν πόνων, 
φρουρᾶς ἐτείας μῆκος, ἣν κοιμώμενος 

M ’ A A Ν / 
στέγαις ᾿Ατρειδῶν ἄγκαθεν, κυνὸς δίκην, 

» , ia / 
ἄστρων κάτοιδα νυκτέρων ὁμήγυριν, 
καὶ τοὺς φέροντας χεῖμα καὶ θέρος βροτοῖς 
λαμπροὺς δυνάστας, ἐμπρέποντας αἰθέρι. 
καὶ νῦν φυλάσσω λαμπάδος τὸ σύμβολον, 

> \ \ / ’ r / / 
αὐγὴν πυρὸς φέρουσαν ἐκ Τροίας φάτιν 

ε ͵ , e \ a 
ἁλώσιμόν τε βάξιν: ὧδε yap κρατεῖ 
γυναικὸς ἀνδρόβουλον ἐλπίζον κέαρ. 

δ, SK \ / ” / 2) SP: 
εὖτ᾽ ἂν δὲ νυκτίπλαγκτον ἔνδροσόν τ᾽ ἔχω 
εὐνὴν ὀνείροις οὐκ ἐπισκοπουμένην 
> / / \ 3 Seer a 
ἐμήν: φόβος yap ἀνθ᾽ ὕπνου παραστατεῖ, 
τὸ μὴ βεβαίως βλέφαρα συμβαλεῖν ὕπνῳ" 
e ᾽ δ᾽ ον * / lal 
ὅταν δ᾽ ἀείδειν ἢ μινύρεσθαι δοκώ, 
ὕπνου τόδ᾽ ἀντίμολπον ἐντέμνων ἄκος, 


1—2 


4 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


Moaning, I wail the sorrows of this house, 

Not wisely governed as in days of old. 

But may glad respite from these toils be mine, 
When fire, joy’s herald, through the darkness gleams. 


A beacon-fire appears in the distance. 


Hail lamp of night, forth shining lke the day, 
Of many a festive dance in Argos’ land, 
Through joy at this event, the harbinger. 
Hurrah! Hurrah! To Agamemnon’s queen, 
Thus with shrill ery I give th’ appointed sign, 
That from her couch up-rising with all speed, 
She in the palace jubilant may lift 
The joyous shout, to gratulate this torch, 
If Ilion’s citadel in truth is ta’en, 
As, shining forth, this beacon-fire proclaims. 
The joyous prelude I myself will dance, 
For to my lords good fortune I shall score, 
Now that this torch hath cast me triple six. 
Well! be it mine, when comes this mansion’s lord, 
In this my hand his much-loved hand to hold! 
The rest I speak not; o’er my tongue hath passed 
An ox with heavy tread: the house itself, 
Had it a voice, would tell the tale full clear; 
And I, with those who know, am fain to speak, 
With others, who know nothing, I forget. 

[ Lait. 


56. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 


/ Roe ΕΣ rc \ / 
κλαίω TOT οἴκου τοῦδε συμφορὰν στένων, 
> ¢ \ / , A / 
οὐχ ws Ta πρόσθ᾽ ἄριστα διαπονουμένου. 
rf i > | / i) ’ AN / 
νῦν δ᾽ εὐτυχὴς γένοιτ᾽ ἀπαλλαγὴ πόνων 
> / / 5 / / 
evayyédou φανέντος ὀρφναίου πυρός. 
A beacon-fire appears γι the distance. 
ὦ χαῖρε λαμπτὴρ νυκτός, ἡμερήσιον 
φάος πιφαύσκων καὶ χορῶν κατάστασιν 
πολλῶν ἐν “Apyer, τῆσδε συμφορᾶς χάριν. 
ἰοῦ ἰοῦ. 
, ΄ \ / A 
Ayapeuvovos γυναικὶ σημαίνω τορῶς 
’ an 5 , © / / 
εὐνῆς ἐπαντείλασαν ws τάχος δόμοις 
ὀλολυγμὸν εὐφημοῦντα τῇδε λαμπάδι 
ἐπορθιάζειν, εἴπερ ᾿Ιλίου πόλις 
u ¢ e \ . 
ἑάλωκεν, ὡς ὁ φρυκτὸς ἀγγέλλων πρέπει" 
αὐτός T ἔγωγε φροίμιον χορεύσομαι. 
Ta δεσποτῶν γὰρ εὖ πεσόντα θήσομαι 
ἃ / fo / 
τρὶς ἕξ βαλούσης τῆσδέ μοι φρυκτωρίας. 
> ’ fal 
γένοιτο δ᾽ οὖν μολόντος εὐφιλῆ χέρα 
» ” a / / 
ἄνακτος οἴκων τῇδε βαστάσαι χερί. 
A “-“ , / 
τὰ © ἄλλα σιγῶ: βοῦς ἐπὶ yAWoon μέγας 
53 , , > \ , 
βέβηκεν" οἶκος δ᾽ αὐτός. εἰ φθογγὴν λάβοι, 
͵ Ρ Ξ ς CaN \ 
σαφέστατ᾽ ἂν λέξειεν᾽ ὡς ἑκὼν ἐγὼ 


μαθοῦσιν αὐδῶ κοὐ μαθοῦσι λήθομαι. 


0 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


Scene II. The court of the palace of AGAMEMNON 
at Argos. 


It is night, but daybreak is at hand. 
Enter the Cuoorus oF ARGIVE ELDERS. 


Cho. Lo, the tenth year rolls apace 
Since Priam’s mighty challenger, 
Lord Menelas and Atreus’ heir, 
Stalwart Atridae,—by heaven’s grace 
Twin-throned, twin-sceptred,—from this land 
A thousand sail, with Argives manned, 
Unmoor’d,—a martial armament, 
Warriors on just reprisal bent, 
Fierce battle clanging from their breast, 
Like vultures of their young bereaved, 
Who, for their nestlings sorely grieved, 
Wheel, eddying high above their nest, 
By oarage of strong pennons driven, 
Missing the eyrie-watching care 
Of callow fledglings; but from heaven, 
Some guilt-avenging deity, 
Of all-retrieving Zeus, doth lend 
An ear attentive to the cry 
Of birds, shrill-wailing, sore-distrest, 
And doth upon the guilty send 
Krinys, late-avenging pest. 
So for the dame, by many wooed, 
Doth mighty Zeus, who shields the guest, 
’Gainst Paris send th’ Atridan brood ; 
Struggles limb-wearing, knees earth-pressed 


& 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 


Scene II. The court of the palace of AGAMEMNON 
at Argos. 


It is night, but daybreak is at hand. 


Enter the CHorus oF ARGIVE ELDERS. 


ΧΟΡΟΣ, 


/ \ yy , ’ ’ \ / 
δέκατον μὲν ἔτος τόδ᾽ ἐπεὶ ΤΙριάμου 
μέγας ἀντίδικος, 

Μενέλαος ἄναξ 75 ᾿Αγαμέμνων, 
διθρόνου Διόθεν καὶ δισκήπτρου 
lal > \ a ’ la) 
τιμῆς ὀχυρὸν ζεῦγος ᾿Ατρειδᾶν 
͵ 51 , ΄ 
στόλον ᾿Αργείων χιλιοναύτην 

τῆσδ᾽ ἀπὸ χώρας 

ἦραν, στρατιῶτιν ἀρωγήν, 

γ᾽ 5 rn , wv 
μέγαν ἐκ θυμοῦ κλάζοντες “Apn, 
τρόπον αἰγυπιῶν, οἵτ᾽ ἐκπατίοις 
” / e / 
ἄλγεσι παίδων ὕπατοι λεχέων 
στροφοδινοῦνται 
πτερύγων ἐρετμοῖσιν ἐρεσσόμενοι, 
δεμνιοτήρη 

/ 2: / >| / 

πόνον ορταλίχων ολέσαντες" 
ὕπατος δ᾽ ἀΐων ἢ τις ᾿Απόλλω!' 
ἢ Πὰν ἢ Ζεὺς οἰωνόθροον 

, 5 / A / 
γόον ὀξυβόαν τῶνδε μετοίκων 
ὑστερόποινον 

, la) EN iy) / 

πέμπει παραβᾶσιν ’Kpevuv. 
οὕτω δ᾽ ᾿Ατρέως παῖδας ὁ κρείσσων 
ἐπ᾿ ᾿Αλεξάνδρῳ πέμπει ξένιος 

‘ if, \ 
Ζεὺς πολυάνορος ἀμφὶ γυναικὸς, 
πολλὰ παλαίσματα καὶ γυιοβαρῆ, 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


The spear-shaft, rudely snapt in twain 
In war’s initial battle,—these 
For Danai as for Trojans he decrees. 
As matters stand, they stand; the yet to be 
Must issue as ordained by destiny. 
Nor altar fires, nor lustral rain 
Poured forth, nor tear-drops shed in vain, 
The wrath relentless can appease 
Of violated sanctities. 


Enter CLYTAEMNESTRA from the Palace attended. She 


offers incense on the altar in front of the Palace. 


But we, unhonoured, weak of frame, 

Excluded from that proud array, 

Tarry at home, and, age-oppressed, 

On staves our child-like strength we lean; 

In tender years and age, the same, 

Life’s current feebly sways the breast ; 

His station Ares holds no more; 

Decrepid Eld, with leafage hoar, 

No stronger than a child for war, 

Treadeth his triple-footed way, 

Like dream in daylight seen. 

But Clytaemnestra, thou, 

Tyndareus’ daughter, Argos’ queen, 

What hath befallen? What hast heard ? 

Confiding in what tidings now 

Sendest thou round the altar-kindling word ? 

Of all the gods who guard the state, 

Supernal, or of realms below, 

In heaven, or in the mart who wait, 
With gifts the altars glow. 


sc. 11] OF AESCHYLUS 9 


γόνατος κονίαισιν ἐρειδομένου 
διακναιομένης T ἐν προτελείοις 
κάμακος θήσων Δαναοῖσι 
Τρωσί θ᾽ ὁμοίως. ἔστι δ᾽ ὅπη νῦν 
ἔστι" τελεῖται δ᾽ ἐς τὸ πεπρωμένον" 
οὔθ᾽ ὑποκαίων οὔθ᾽ ὑπολείβων 
οὔτε δακρύων ἀπύρων ἱερῶν 
ὀργὰς ἀτενεῖς παραθέλξει. 


Enter ΟἿ ΤΑΈΜΝΈΒΤΗΑ from the Palace attended. She 
offers incense on the altar in front of the Palace. 


ἡμεῖς δ᾽ ἀτίται σαρκὶ παλαιᾷ 
τῆς τότ᾽ ἀρωγῆς ὑπολειφθέντες 
μίμνομεν ἰσχὺν 
ἰσόπαιδα νέμοντες ἐπὶ σκήπτροις. 
ὅ τε γὰρ νεαρὸς μυελὸς στέρνων 
ἐντὸς ἀνάσσων 
ἰσόπρεσβυς, "Ἄρης δ᾽ οὐκ ἔνι χώρᾳ, 
τό θ᾽ ὑπέργηρων φυλλάδος ἤδη 
κατακαρφομένης τρίποδας μὲν ὁδοὺς 
στείχει, παιδὸς δ᾽ οὐδὲν ἀρείων 
ὄναρ ἡμερόφαντον ἀλαίνει. 
σὺ δέ, Τυνδάρεω 
θύγατερ, βασίλεια Κλυταιμήστρα, 
τί χρέος; τί νέον; τί δ᾽ ἐπαισθομένη, 
τίνος ἀγγελίας 
πευθοῖ περίπεμπτα θυοσκεῖς ; 
πάντων δὲ θεῶν τῶν ἀστυνόμων, 
ὑπάτων, χθονίων, 
τῶν T οὐρανίων τῶν T ἀγοραίων, 


βωμοὶ δώροισι φλέγονται" 


10 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


Now here, now yonder, doth a torch arise, 
Streaming aloft to reach the skies, 

Charmed with pure unguent’s soothing spell, 
Guileless and suasive, from the royal cell. 


What here ’tis lawful to declare, 

What may be told proclaim ; 

Be healer of this care 

Which now a lowering form doth wear, 

Till fawning Hope, from out the flame 

Of sacrifice, with gentle smile 

Doth sateless grief’s soul-gnawing pang beguuile. 


Exit CLYTAEMNESTRA. 


The way-side omen mine it is to sing, 
The leaders’ prosperous might fore-shadowing, 
For still my age, unquenched its natal power, 
Doth suasive song inspire, a heaven-sent dower, 
How the rapacious bird, the feathered king, 
Sends forth against the Teucrid land, 
With spear and with avenging hand, 
Achaia’s double-throned Might, 
Accordant chiefs of Hellas’ martial flower. 
Toward spear-poising hand, the palace near, 
On lofty station, manifest to sight, 
The bird-kings to the navy-kings appear, 
One black, and one with hinder plumage white ; 
A hare with embryo young, in evil hour, 
Amerced of future courses, they devour. 
Chant the dirge, uplift the wail! 
But may the right prevail ! 


Sei 11] OF AESCHYLUS 11 


ἄλλη δ᾽ ἄλλοθεν οὐρανομήκης 
λαμπὰς ἀνίσχει, 
φαρμασσομένη χρίματος ἁγνοῦ 
μαλακαῖς ἀδόλοισι παρηγορίαις, 
πελάνῳ μυχόθεν βασιλείῳ. 

/ / , “ \ Ν 
τούτων λέξασ᾽ ὅ τι καὶ δυνατὸν 
καὶ θέμις αἰνεῖν, 
παιών τε γενοῦ τῆσδε μερίμνης, 

\ la) \ \ t / 
ἣ νῦν τοτὲ μὲν κακόφρων τελέθει, 

\ ’ > A 2 \ , ’ 
τοτὲ δ᾽ ἐκ θυσιῶν ayavn φαίνουσ 
ἐλπὶς ἀμύνει φροντίδ᾽ ἄπληστον 

lal f / 

τῆς θυμοβόρου φρένα λύπης. 


Exit CLYTAEMNESTRA. 


κύριός εἰμι θροεῖν ὅδιον κράτος αἴσιον ἀνδρῶν 
BI / ” \ / / , 
ἐκτελέων: ἔτι yap θεόθεν καταπνείει ἴστρ. α΄. 
πειθοῖ μολπῶᾶν 
’ \ / EME - 
αλκὰν σύμφυτος αἰὼν 
ὅπως ᾿Αχαιῶν 
δίθρονον κράτος, ‘EXXados Bas 
ξύμφρονε ταγώ, 
/ \ 
πέμπει σὺν δορὶ Kal χερὶ πράκτορι 
θούριος ὄρνις 'Γευκρίδ᾽ ἐπ᾽ αἶαν, 
οἰωνῶν βασιλεὺς βασιλεῦσι νε- 
“ e , a ’ ’ “ > “Ὁ 
OV ὁ κελαινός, ὅ T ἐξόπιν ἀργᾶς, 
φανέντες ixtap μελάθρων 
χερὸς ἐκ δοριπάλτου 
παμπρέπτοις ἐν ἕδραισι, 
βοσκόμενοι λαγίναν, ἐρικύμονα φέρματα, γένναν, 
βλαβέντα λοισθίων δρόμων. 
” ” DLAs \ ᾽ > ΄, 
αἴλινον αἴλινον εἶπέ, τὸ δ᾽ εὖ νικάτω. 


12 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


Then the sagacious army-seer, aware 
How diverse-minded the Atridan kings, 
In the hare-renders sees the martial pair, 
And thus, the augury expounding, sings ;— 
“Priam’s stronghold in time this martial raid 
Captures, but first the city’s store, 
The people’s wealth, shall fate destroy ; 
Now from no god may jealous ire 
O’ercloud the mighty curb forged against Troy, 
Marshalled for battle; for the holy Maid 
Is angered at the house, since of her sire 
The winged hounds the wretched trembler tare, 
Mother and young unborn, her special care ; 
Therefore doth she the eagles’ meal abhor. 
Chant the dirge, uplift the wail! 
But may the right prevail ! 


For she, the beauteous goddess, loves 
The tender whelps, new-dropped, of creatures rude, 
Sparing the udder-loving brood 
Of every beast through field or wood that roves,— 
Hence with Apollo pleads the seer that he 
From these events fair omens will fulfil, 
Judging the way-side augury, 
Partly auspicious, partly fraught with ill. 
Oh! God of healing! thee I supplicate, 
Let not the Huntress on the Danai bring 
Dire ship-detaining blasts and adverse skies, 
Preluding other sacrifice, 
Lawless, unfestive, natal spring 
Of feudal jar and mortal hate, 
By husband-fear unawed ; 


sc. 11] OF AESCHYLUS 13 


\ \ ‘ 2 x / / ” 
Kedvos δὲ στρατόμαντις ἰδὼν δύο λήμασιν ἴσους 
᾿Ατρεΐδας μαχίμους ἐδάη λαγοδαίτας [ἀντ. α΄. 
πομπούς τ᾽ ἀρχάς" 

“ > 9 / A 

οὕτω δ᾽ εἶπε τεράζων 

c 

“χρόνῳ μὲν ἀγρεῖ 

Πριάμου πόλιν ἅδε κέλευθος, 
πάντα δὲ πύργων 
κτήνη πρόσθε τὰ δημιοπληθῆ 
Μοῖρ᾽ ἀλαπάξει πρὸς τὸ βίαιον" 
οἷον μή τις ἄγα θεόθεν κνεφά- 

on προτυπὲν στόμιον μέγα Tpoias 
στρατωθέν. οἴκτῳ γὰρ ἐπί- 
φθονος "Ἄρτεμις ἁγνὰ 
πτανοῖσιν κυσὶ πατρὸς, 
αὐτότοκον πρὸ λόχου μογερᾶν πτάκω θυομένοισι" 
στυγεῖ δὲ δεῖπνον αἰετῶν. 


” yy ps ay? \ 5) 5 ΄ 
αἴλινον αἴλινον €lL7TE, TO ὃ εὖ νικάτω. 


τόσον περ εὔφρων, καλά, μεσῳδ. 
, “-“ A / 
δρόσοισι λεπτοῖς μαλερῶν λεόντων 
, , 
πάντων T ἀγρονόμων φιλομάστοις 
Lp , , ΄ 
θηρῶν ὀβρικάλοισι τερπνά, 
τούτων αἴνει ξύμβολα κρᾶναι, 
δεξιὰ μέν, κατάμομφα δὲ φάσματα. 
/ a 
inuov δὲ καλέω Ἰ]αιᾶνα, 
/ ,’ 
μή τινας ἀντυπνόους 
a / cr 
Aavaois ypovias éxevndas 
ἀπλοίας τεύξῃ, 
/ / e / ” / +) ” 
σπευδομένα θυσίαν ἑτέραν ἄνομόν τιν᾽, ἄδαιτον, 


/ , 
νεικέων τέκτονα σύμφυτον, 


14 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


For child-avenging wrath, with fear and fraud, 
Dread palace-warden, doth untiring wait.” 


Such woes, with high successes blent, 
By Fate on the twain royal houses sent, 
Did Calchas from the way-side auguries 
Bodeful proclaim :—Then consonant with these, 
Chant the dirge, uplift the wail! 
But may the right prevail ! 


Zeus, whoe’er he be, this name 

If it pleaseth him to claim, 

This to him will I address; 

Weighing all, no power I know 

Save only Zeus, if I aside would throw 
In sooth as vain this burthen of distress. 


Nor doth he so great of yore, 

With all-defying boldness rife, 

Longer avail; his reign is o’er. 

The next, thrice vanquished in the strife, 
Hath also passed; but who the victor-strain 
To Zeus uplifts, true wisdom shall obtain. 


To sober thought Zeus paves the way, 
And wisdom links with pain. 
In sleep the anguish of remembered ill 
Drops on the troubled heart; against their will 
Rebellious men are tutored to be wise ; 
A grace I ween of the divinities, 
Who mortals from their holy seats arraign. 


E’en so the elder of the twain, 
Achaia’s fleet who swayed, 


sc. 11] OF AESCHYLUS 15 


» , , " \ 7ὔ 
οὐ δεισήνορα. μίμνει γὰρ φοβερὰ παλίνορτος 
, Γ -“ Ul 
οἰκονόμος δολία μνάμων μῆνις TEKVOTFOLVOS.” 
, , lol 3 ff 
τοιάδε Κάλχας ξὺν μεγάλοις ἀγαθοῖς ἀπέκλαγξεν 
/ τὰ :} ’ > ey e / Μ , 
μόρσιμ᾽ ἀπ᾽ ὀρνίθων ὁδίων οἴκοις βασιλείοις " 
τοῖς δ᾽ ὁμόφωνον 
» ” > / \ ’ > ’ 
aidwov αἴλινον εἰπέ, τὸ δ᾽ εὖ νικάτω. 


5» 


Ζεύς, ὅστις ποτ᾽ ἐστίν, εἰ τόδ᾽ av- στρ. β΄. 
TO φίλον κεκλημένῳ, 
τοῦτό νιν προσεννέπω. 
οὐκ ἔχω προσεικάσαι 
πάντ᾽ ἐπισταθμώμενος 
\ / , \ [2 
πλὴν Διὸς, εἰ TO μάταν 
ἀπὸ φροντίδος ἄχθος 
\ a 2 / 
χρὴ βαλεῖν ἐτητύμως. 

Jw “ , 3 / ’ , 
οὐδ᾽ ὅστις πάροιθεν HY μέγας, ἀντ. β΄. 
παμμάχῳ θράσει βρύων, 

. \ ΄ a vv 
οὐδὲ λέξεται πρὶν BV 
«“ ᾽ », 5 ” 

Os δ᾽ ἔπειτ᾽ ἔφυ, τρια- 

κτῆρος οἴχεται τυχών. 

Ζῆνα δέ τις προφρόνως 

5 / / 

ἐπινίκια κλάξων 

τεύξεται φρενῶν τὸ πᾶν" 

τὸν φρονεῖν βροτοὺς ὁδώ- στρ. γ΄. 
σαντα, τὸν πάθει μάθος 

, Te » 
θέντα κυρίως ἔχειν. 
στάζει δ᾽ ἔν θ᾽ ὕπνῳ πρὸ καρδίας 
μνησιπήμων πόνος" καὶ παρ᾽ ἄ- 
κοντας ἦλθε σωφρονεῖν. 
δαιμόνων δέ που χάρις βίαιος 
σέλμα σεμνὸν ἡμένων. 

Ν , 4» id \ ς / ᾽ 
και τόθ γεμὼν ὁ πρεσ- avr. y. 
Bus νεῶν ᾿Αχαιϊκών, 


16 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


No seer upbraiding, bowed, with grief suppressed, 
His soul to fortune’s stroke; what time the host, 
In front of Chalcis, tossing off the coast 
Of wave-vexed Aulis, lingered, sore-distressed, 
While store-exhausting gales their progress stayed. 
Blasts, dire delay and famine in their train, 
And evil-anchorage, from Strymon sweep,— 
Ruin to mortals; with malignant power, 
Ruthless to ships and cordage, they 
Doubling the sojourn on the deep 
Wither the Argive flower. 
But to the chiefs of that array, 
When, than the bitter storm, the seer 
A cure shrieked forth, weighted with deadlier bane,— 
In name of Artemis,—the Atridan twain, 
Smiting on earth their sceptres, strove in vain 
To quell the rising tear. 
Then thus aloud the elder chieftain cried :— 
“Grievous, in sooth, the doom to disobey, 
But grievous too if I my child must slay, 
My home’s fair ornament, my pride, 
Defiling these paternal hands, 
E’en at the altar’s side, 
With virgin-slaughter’s gory tide. 
What course exempt from evil? Say, 
The fleet can I desert, the leaguéd bands 
Failing? With hot desire to crave the spell 
Of virgin blood, the storm that shall allay, 
Is just. May all be well!” 


Then harnessed in Necessity’s stern yoke 
An impious change-wind in his bosom woke, 


SC. Π| OF AESCHYLUS 17 


4 BA / 
μάντιν ovtiwa ψέγων, 
ἐμπαίοις τύχαισι συμπνέων, 
e:237 os ΄, an , 
εὖτ᾽ ἀπλοίᾳ κεναγγεῖ βαρύ- 
» » - \ / 
vovt Ἀχαιϊκὸς λεώς, 
͵ 3, , 
Χαλκίδος πέραν ἔχων παλιρρό- 
χθοις ἐν Αὐλίδος τόποις" 


πνοαὶ 8 ἀπὸ Στρυμόνος μολοῦσαι στρ. δ'. 
κακόσχολοι, νήστιδες, δύσορμοι, 
βροτῶν ἄλαι, 

ial \ / ᾽ a 
νεῶν TE καὶ πεισμάτων ἀφειδεῖς, 
παλιμμήκη χρόνον τιθεῖσαι 

Ud ye ” v 
τρίβῳ κατέξαινον ἄνθος “Apryous. 
ἐπεὶ δὲ καὶ πικροῦ 
χείματος ἄλλο μῆχαρ 
βριθύτερον πρόμοισιν 

΄ ” , ” “ 
μάντις ἔκλαγξεν, προφέρων Αρτεμιν, ὥστε 

χθόνα βά- 
) ΄ yy ͵ ΄, \ 
KTpols ἐπικρούσαντας ᾿Ατρείδας δάκρυ μὴ κατα- 
σχεῖν" 
ἄναξ δ᾽ ὁ πρέσβυς τότ᾽ εἶπε φωνῶν: ἀντ. δ΄. 
“βαρεῖα μὲν κὴρ τὸ μὴ πιθέσθαι, 
βαρεῖα δ᾽, εἰ 
τέκνον δαΐξω, δόμων ἄγαλμα, 
μιαίνων παρθενοσφάγοισι 
ῥείθροις πατρῴους χέρας πρὸ βωμοῦ. 
τί τῶνδ᾽ ἄνευ κακῶν ; 
πῶς λιπόναυς γένωμαι 
ξυμμαχίας ἁμαρτών; 
/ \ ' , , [24 » 

παυσανέμου γὰρ θυσίας παρθενίου θ᾽ αἵματος ὀρ- 
γᾷ περιόργῳ σφ᾽ ἐπιθυμεῖν θέμις. εὖ γὰρ εἴη. 


ἐπεὶ δ᾽ ἀνάγκας ἔδυ λέπαδνον στρ. ε΄. 
φρενὸς πνέων δυσσεβῆ τροπαίαν, 
A. 2 


18 THE AGAMEMNON [act I 


Profane, unhallowed, with dire evil fraught, 
His soul perverting to all daring thought. 

For frenzy, that from primal guilt doth spring, 
Emboldens mortals, prompting deeds of il; 
Thus, armed a woman to avenge, the king 

In sacrifice his daughter dared to kill; 

The fleet’s initial rite accomplishing. 


Her prayers, her cries of “Father,” her young life 
Were nought to those stern umpires, breathing strife: 
So, after prayer, her sire the servants bade, 
Stooping, with steeléd hearts, to lift the maid 
Robe-tangled, kid-like, as for sacrifice, 

High o’er the altar; them he also bade, 
Guarding her lovely mouth, her bodeful cries, 
Stern curse entailing on their houses twain, 
With voiceless muzzles forceful to restrain. 


Then letting fall her veil of saffron dye, 
She smote, with piteous arrow from her eye, 
Each murderer; while, passing fair, 
Like to a pictured image, voiceless there, 
Strove she to speak; for oft in other days, 
She in her father’s hospitable halls, 
With her chaste voice had carolled forth his praise, 
What time the walls 
Rang to the Paean’s sound, 
Gracing her sire, with third libation crowned. 


What next befel I know not, nor relate; 
Not unfulfill’d were Calchas’ words of fate. 
For justice doth for sufferers ordain 

To purchase wisdom at the cost of pain. 


τέχναι δὲ Κάλχαντος οὐκ ἄκραντοι. 
Δίκα δὲ τοῖς μὲν παθοῦ- 

σιν μαθεῖν ἐπιρρέπει" τὸ μέλλον δ᾽ 
ἐπεὶ γένοιτ᾽ ἂν κλύοις" πρὸ χαιρέτω" 


se. 11] OF AESCHYLUS 19 
Μ ? ,ὔ / 
ἄναγνον, ἀνίερον, τόθεν 
a / 
TO παντότολμον φρονεῖν μετέγνω. 
7 \ / 
βροτοὺς θρασύνει yap αἰσχρόμητις 
τάλαινα παρακοπὰ πρωτοπήμων. 
" 5 = \ ΄ 
ἔτλα δ᾽ οὖν θυτὴρ γενέ- 
σθαι θυγατρός, γυναικοποί- 
νων πολέμων ἀρωγὰν 
καὶ προτέλεια ναῶν. 
λιτὰς δὲ καὶ κληδόνας πατρῴους ἀντ. ε΄ 
> lal / 3 
παρ᾽ οὐδὲν αἰῶνα παρθένειόν τ 
4 / a 
ἔθεντο φιλόμαχοι βραβῆς. 
\ 
φράσεν δ᾽ ἀόζοις πατὴρ μετ᾽ εὐχὰν 
δίκαν χιμαίρας ὕπερθε βωμοῦ 
πέπλοισι περιπετῆ παντὶ θυμῷ 
προνωπῆ λαβεῖν ἀέρ- 
δην, στόματός τε καλλιπρώ- 
ρου φυλακᾷ κατασχεῖν 
/ a 
φθόγγον ἀραῖον οἴκοις, 
/ a 3 > ΄ / ΄ 
βίᾳ χαλινῶν τ᾽ ἀναύδῳ μένει. στρ. ς΄. 
Ld \ as / , 
κρόκου βαφὰς δ᾽ ἐς πέδον χέουσα 
ἔβαλλ᾽ ἕκαστον θυτή- 
> » 
pov ἀπ᾽ ὄμματος βέλει φιλοίκτῳ, 
, 7 > ε mn 
πρέπουσά θ᾽ ws ἐν γραφαῖς, προσεννέπειν 
΄, 5 : / 
θέλουσ᾽, ἐπεὶ πολλάκις 
\ Ψ lal 
πατρὸς κατ᾿ ἀνδρῶνας εὐτραπέζους 
ἔμελψεν, ayva δ᾽ ἀταύρωτος αὐδᾷ πατρὸ 
μ ΤΥ ρωτος avec ρὸς 
/ » 
φίλου τριτόσπονδον εὔποτμον 
παιᾶνα φίλως ἐτίμα. 
\ > yA Ane 2 3 wv 9 bd 7 ᾽ ΄ 
τὰ δ᾽ ἔνθεν οὔτ᾽ εἶδον οὔτ᾽ ἐννέπω" ἀντ. ς΄. 


20 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


Why seek to read the future? Let it go! 
Since dawns the issue clear with dawning day, 
What boots it to forestal our date of woe ? 
Come weal at last! 
So prays, these mischiefs past, 
Of Apia’s land this one sole guard and stay. 


Enter CLyTAEMNESTRA from the palace, c. 


Hail Clytaemnestra! Hither am I come 

Thy majesty revering. For ’tis meet 

When the male throne is empty, that we pay 

To our high captain’s consort honour due. 

If thou hast heard auspicious news, or not, 

That with joy-vouching hope thou lghtest up 

The altar fires, I, as a friend, would know,— 

Yet shall thy silence nought unkind be deemed. 

Cly. Joy's harbinger, be radiant Morning born 
From kindly mother Night! So runs the saw. 
But thou of joy beyond all hope shalt hear, 
For Priam’s city have the Argives won. 

Cho. How, queen! through unbelief I miss thy word. 

Cly. Troy is in Argive hands; now speak I plain ? 

Cho. Joy, stealing o’er my heart, calls forth the tear. 

Cly. ’Tis true, thine eye thy loyalty bewrays. 

Cho. Of these great tidings what the certain proof ? 

Cly. Warrant I have;—how not? or Heaven de- 

ceives me. 

Cho. Trusting the suasive augury of dreams ? 

Cly. The fancies of the sleep-bound soul I heed not. 

Cho. But hath some wingless rumour buoy’d thee up? 

Cly. Thou chidest me as were I a young girl. 


sc. 11] OF AESCHYLUS 21 


Ka. 


¥ \ ΝΥ , 
ἴσον δὲ τῷ προστένειν. 
Ν \ “ἤ / > lal 
Topov yap ἥξει σύνορθρον αὐγαῖς. 
, ᾽ 3 3.1.4. ἃ ΄ 5 A ς 
πέλοιτο δ᾽ οὖν ταπὶ τούτοισιν εὖ πρᾶξις, ὡς 
, ΄ / 
θέλει τόδ᾽ ἄγχιστον ᾿Απίας 


γαίας μονόφρουρον ἕρκος. 


Enter CLYTAEMNESTRA from the palace, C. 


ἥκω σεβίζων σόν, Κλυταιμήστρα, κράτος" 
/ / > Ν δι “ / 
δίκη yap ἐστι φωτὸς ἀρχηγοῦ τίειν 
γυναῖκ᾽ ἐρημωθέντος ἄρσενος θρόνου. 
\ ’ "» Ν ” \ / 
σὺ © εἴ τι κεδνὸν εἴτε μὴ πεπυσμένη 
εὐαγγέλοισιν ἐλπίσιν θυηπολεῖς, 


κλύοιμ᾽ ἂν εὔφρων: οὐδὲ σιγώσῃ φθόνος. 


εὐάγγελος μέν, ὥσπερ ἡ παροιμία, 

ἕως γένοιτο μητρὸς εὐφρόνης πάρα. 
πεύσει δὲ χάρμα μεῖζον ἐλπίδος κλύειν" 
Πριάμου γὰρ ἡρήκασιν ᾿Αργεῖοι πόλιν. 

- / / ” > > / 

πῶς pns; πέφευγε τοὔπος ἐξ ἀπιστίας. 
Τροίαν ᾿Αχαιῶν οὖσαν. ἢ τορῶς λέγω; 
χαρά μ᾽ ὑφέρπει δάκρυον ἐκκαλουμένη. 


Lo \ “ v a a 
εὐ yap φρονοῦντος ομμα σου ΚατΉγορει. 


/ \ \ ΄ la lal / 
. τί γὰρ TO πιστόν; ἔστι τῶνδέ σοι τέκμαρ; 
/ ᾽ U \ / la 
. ἔστιν" τί δ᾽ οὐχί; μὴ δολώσαντος θεοῦ. 


. πότερα δ᾽ ὀνείρων φάσματ᾽ εὐπιθῆ σέβεις; 


οὐ δόξαν ἂν λάβοιμι βριζούσης φρενός. 
ἀλλ᾽ ἢ σ᾽ ἐπίανέν τις ἄπτερος φάτις; 


\ / a , ᾽ > , ,ὕ 
παιδὸς νέας ὡς κάρτ᾽ ἐμωμήσω φρένας. 


THE AGAMEMNON [AcT I 


But since what time was Priam’s city spoiled ? 
This very night now bringing forth the day. 
What messenger could travel with such speed ? 
Hephiestos, a bright flash from Ida sending. 
Hither through swift relays of courier-flame, 
Beacon transmitted beacon. Ida first 
To the Hermaean rock on Lemnos’ Isle: 
Thence Athos’ summit, dedicate to Zeus, 
The third in order, caught the mighty glow. 
Upsoaring, bridging in its might the sea, 
With gathered strength, the onward speeding 
torch, 
In golden splendour, like another sun, 
Its message to Makistos’ watch-tower sends, 
Who, nor delaying, nor by Sleep o’erpowered, 
The courier’s duty faithfully discharged. 
The torch, far-gleaming to Euripos’ stream, 
Gives signal to Messapios’ sentinels. 
Firing of withered heath a giant pile, 
With answering blaze, they pass the message on. 
The stalwart flame, unwearied and undimm’d, 
Like a bright moon, o’erleaps Asopos’ plain, 
And wakens, on Cithaeron’s lofty crag, 
Another speeder of the fiery post. 
The warder hailing the far-journeying fire, 
Kindles a beacon of surpassing glow ; 
Bounded the radiance o’er Gorgopis’ lake, 
And reaching Aegiplanctos’ mountain peak 
Urged on without delay the fiery chain. 
With vigour unimpaired they onward send, 
Kindled anew, a mighty beard of flame, 
That, flaring from afar, the headland crossed 


sc. 11] OF AESCHYLUS 23 


Χο. ποίου χρόνου δὲ καὶ πεπόρθηται πόλις; 
Κλ. τῆς νῦν τεκούσης φῶς τόδ᾽ εὐφρόνης λέγω. 
Χο. καὶ τίς τόδ᾽ ἐξίκοιτ᾽ ἂν ἀγγέλων τάχος; 
Κλ. Ἥφαιστος ἤδης λαμπρὸν ἐκπέμπων σέλας. 
\ \ \ lal , > 5 3 , Ν 
φρυκτὸς δὲ φρυκτὸν δεῦρ᾽ ἀπ ayyapou πυρὸς 
» ” \ \ ¢ lal 7 
ἔπεμπεν" Ἴδη μὲν πρὸς ᾿Ερμαῖον λέπας 
Λήμνου: μέγαν δὲ πανὸν ἐκ νήσου τρίτον 
᾿Αθῷον αἷπος Ζηνὸς ἐξεδέξατο, 
ὑπερτελής τε, πόντον ὥστε νωτίσαι, 
ἰσχὺς πορευτοῦ λαμπάδος πρὸς ἡδονὴν 
πέμπει τὸ χρυσοφεγγές, ὥς τις ἥλιος, 
/ / / an 
σέλας παραγγείλασα Μακίστου σκοπαῖς" 
ὁ δ᾽ οὔτι μέλλων οὐδ᾽ ἀφρασμόνως ὕπνῳ 
νικώμενος παρῆκεν ἀγγέλου μέρος" 
ἑκὰς δὲ φρυκτοῦ φῶς ἐπ᾿ Εὐρίπου ῥοὰς 
Μεσσαπίου φύλαξι σημαίνει μολόν. 
οἱ δ᾽ ἀντέλαμψαν καὶ παρήγγειλαν πρόσω 
γραίας ἐρείκης θωμὸν ἅψαντες πυρί. 
σθένουσα λαμπὰς δ᾽ οὐδέπω μαυρουμένη, 
ὑπερθοροῦσα πεδίον ᾿Ασωποῦ, δίκην 
φαιδρᾶς σελήνης, πρὸς Κιθαιρῶνος λέπας 
ἤγειρεν ἄλλην ἐκδοχὴν πομποῦ πυρός. 
φάος δὲ τηλέπομπον οὐκ ἠναίνετο 
Ν , , 
φρουρὰ προσαιθρίζουσα πόμπιμον φλόγα, 
λίμνην δ᾽ ὑπὲρ Γοργῶπιν ἔσκηψεν φάος" 
” 3, ’ ,’ > / ’ , 
ὄρος T em Αἰγίπλαγκτον ἐξικνούμενον 
@tpuve θεσμὸν μηχανήσασθαι πυρός. 
πέμπουσι δ᾽ ἀνδαίοντες ἀφθόνῳ μένει 
φλογὸς μέγαν πώγωνα, καὶ Σαρωνικοῦ 


πορθμοῦ κάτοπτον πρῶν ὑπερβάλλειν πρόσω 


Cho. 


Cly. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


O’erlooking Saron’s gulf. Down shooting then, 
The blaze, alighting on Arachnae’s height, 
The city’s nearest watch-tower, reached its goal ; 
Thence to the roof of Atreus’ son this light 
Darted,—true scion of Idaian fire. 
Thus in succession, flame awakening flame 
Fulfilled the order of the fiery course: 
The first and last are victors in the race. 
Such is the proof, the warrant that I give 
Of tidings sent me by my Lord from Troy. 
The gods, O queen, will I invoke hereafter. 
But now I fain would marvel at thy words, 
Heard more at large so thou wouldst speak 
again. 
Troy on this very day th’ Achaians hold. 
I ween ill-blending clamour fills the town: 
Pour in one vessel vinegar and oil, 
They will not lovingly consort, I trow ; 
So now from captives and from captors rise 
Two voices, telling of their two-fold fate. 
For those, flung prostrate on the lifeless forms 
Of husbands and of brothers, children too, 
Prone on their aged sires, lamenting wail ; 
While these, night-stragglers after toilsome 
fight, 
Keen for all viands that the city yields, 
Upon no order standing, but as each 
Hath snatched the lot of fortune, take their fill. 
At length from frost and skiey dews set free, 
They dwell in Ilion’s spear-won halls, and sleep 
The live-long night, unsentinelled like gods. 
If now the tutelary powers they fear, 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 


Xo. 


Ka. 


er » » 5 ’ , 
φλέγουσαν, ἔστ᾽ ἔσκηψεν. εὖτ᾽ ἀφίκετο 
τ lal 4 ’ , 

Apayvatov αὐπος, ἀστυγείτονας σκοπάς" 


” «3 A I , , / 
κἄπειτ᾽ ᾿Ατρειδῶν ἐς τόδε σκήπτει στέγος 


, ΄ , >, ” > , / 
φάος τόδ᾽ οὐκ ἄπαππον Ἰδαίου πυρός. 
τοιοίδε TOL μοι λαμπαδηφόρων νόμοι, 


ἄχλος Tap ἄλλου διαδοχαῖς πληρούμενοι" 
νικᾷ δ᾽ ὁ πρῶτος καὶ τελευταῖος δραμών. 


͵ “-“ , ,ὔ \ / 
τέκμαρ τοιοῦτο σύμβολον TE σοὶ λέγω 
᾽ Ν ΄ 5 5 / 
ἀνδρὸς παραγγείλαντος ἐκ Tpoias ἐμοί. 
A \ 5 3 ͵ 
θεοῖς μὲν αὖθις, ὦ γύναι, προσεύξομαι. 
/ ᾽ >’ r / » / 
λόγους δ᾽ ἀκοῦσαι τούσδε κἀποθαυμάσαι 
fal / ’ x id / 4 
διηνεκῶς θέλοιμ᾽ ἂν ὡς λέγοις πάλιν. 
/ “et \ aD ΓΚ 3 ᾽ . / 
Τροίαν ᾿Αχαιοὶ τῇδ᾽ ἔχουσ᾽ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ. 
a) \ yA ' , 
οἶμαι βοὴν ἄμικτον ἐν πόλει πρέπειν. 
" > BA “ τὰ 3 / > a / 
ὄξος T ἄλειφά T ἐγχέας ταύτῳ KUTEL 


lal ’ x ΕῚ “ / 
διχοστατοῦντ αν ου φίλως προσεννεποίς. 


καὶ τῶν ἁλόντων καὶ κρατησάντων δίχα 
φθογγὰς ἀκούειν ἔστι συμφορᾶς διπλῆς. 
οἱ μὲν γὰρ ἀμφὶ σώμασιν πεπτωκότες 
ἀνδρῶν κασιγνήτων τε καὶ φυταλμίων 

rn ‘ ’ fz J > ο / 
παῖδες γερόντων οὐκέτ᾽ ἐξ ἐλευθέρου 
δέρης ἀποιμώζουσι φιλτάτων μόρον" 


25 


τοὺς δ᾽ αὖτε νυκτίπλαγκτος ἐκ μάχης πόνος 


η ‘ yf τ ” ͵ 
νήστεις πρὸς ἀρίστοισιν ὧν ἔχει πόλις 
/ \ 5 Ν / A 
τάσσει, πρὸς οὐδὲν ἐν μέρει τεκμήριον, 
> ’ ς a ” / , 
ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἕκαστος ἔσπασεν τύχης πάλον. 
> ᾽ > , mr “ ἮΝ > / 
ἐν δ᾽ αἰχμαλώτοις Tpwikots οἰκημασιν 
/ wv a / ͵ 
ναίουσιν ἤδη, τῶν ὑπαιθρίων πάγων 


δρόσων T ἀπαλλαγέντες, ὡς δ᾽ εὐδαίμονες 
ρ Y μ 


ἀφύλακτον εὑδήσουσι πᾶσαν εὐφρόνην. 


εἰ δ᾽ εὖ σέβουσι τοὺς πολισσούχους θεοὺς 


Cho. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


Who hold the conquered land, and spare their 
shrines, 

Captors, they shall not captured be in turn. 

But may no greedy passion seize the host 

To plunder things unlawful, smit with gain. 

A safe return has yet to be secured, 

And half the double course is yet to run. 

But guilty to the gods if come the host, 

Wakeful may rise the sorrows of the slain 

For vengeance, though no sudden ill befal. 

These words from me, a woman thou hast heard ; 

But may the good in overpoise prevail ! 

For I of many blessings choose this joy. 

Like prudent man well hast thou spoken, 
lady.— 

But I, on hearing of thy certain proofs, 

Forthwith prepare me to salute the gods, 

For no unworthy meed requites our toil. 


Exit CLYTAEMNESTRA into palace. The Cuorus sing 
Jirst a thanksgiving, then the Doom of Paris. 


Hail, sovereign Zeus, and friendly Night, 
Mistress of mighty glories, hail! 
Thou who o’er Troia’s tower-erowned height, 
A snare so closely meshed has flung, 
That none, or fully grown or young, 
Thraldom’s huge drag-net may avail 
To overleap. Vast ruin captures all. 
Great guardian of the guest, 
Thee I adore :— 
Wrought were those deeds at thy behest : 


Sc. 11] OF AESCHYLUS 


XO. 


Exit CLYTAEMNESTRA into palace. 


\ A ¢ , fol a Ἰ € / 
Tous τῆς ἁλούσης γῆς θεῶν θ᾽ ἱδρύματα, 
» 3 , Ξ᾿ A , 
οὔ τἂν ἑλόντες αὖθις ἀνθαλοῖεν ἄν. 

᾽ , ’ὔ - 
ἔρως δὲ μή τις πρότερον ἐμπίπτῃ στρατῷ 
a \ ᾿ ΄ 
πορθεῖν ἃ μὴ χρή, κέρδεσιν νικωμένους. 
δεῖ γὰρ πρὸς οἴκους νοστίμου σωτηρίας 
, , n 
κάμψαι διαύλου θάτερον κῶλον πάλιν" 
lal > 5 / ’ , / 

θεοῖς δ᾽ ἀναμπλάκητος εἰ μόλοι στρατος, 
> \ \ fol a > , 
ἐγρηγορὸς TO πῆμα τῶν ὀλωλότων 

, ’ v > 
γένοιτ᾽ ἀν, εἰ πρόσπαια μὴ τύχοι κακά. 

r \ lal , 

τοιαῦτά τοι γυναικὸς ἐξ ἐμοῦ κλύεις" 

Ν es] ον / Ἂν , > “- 
τὸ δ᾽ εὖ κρατοίη, μὴ διχορρόπως ἰδεῖν. 


πολλῶν γὰρ ἐσθλῶν τήνδ᾽ ὄνησιν εἱλόμην. 


γύναι, κατ᾽ ἄνδρα σώφρον᾽ εὐφρόνως λέγεις. 


ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἀκούσας πιστά σου τεκμήρια 
θεοὺς προσειπεῖν εὖ παρασκευάζομαι. 


χάρις γὰρ οὐκ ἄτιμος εἴργασται πόνων. 


Jirst a thanksgiving, then the Doom of Parts. 


ὦ Ζεῦ βασιλεῦ καὶ νὺξ φιλία 
μεγάλων κόσμων κτεάτειρα, 
nr ἐπὶ Τροίας πύργοις ἔβαλες 
στεγανὸν δίκτυον, ὡς μήτε μέγαν 
μήτ᾽ οὖν νεαρῶν τιν᾽ ὑπερτελέσαι 
μέγα δουλείας 

γάγγαμον, ἄτης παναλώτου. 
Δία τοι ξένιον μέγαν αἰδοῦμαι 


τὸν τάδε πράξαντ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ᾿Αλεξάνδρῳ 


21 


The Cuorus sing 


bo 
οο 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


The bow thou didst of yore 
‘Gainst Alexander. strain, | 
That nor the destined hour before, | 
Nor shooting o’er the stars, in vain | 
The shaft might fall. 


‘Tis Zeus who smote them, this we may aver, 
For easy ’tis to trace; 
The end he shaped as he decreed. 
Yet gods supernal, some declare, 
To sinful mortals give no heed 
Who trample under foot the grace 
Of sacred things. But such are reprobate ;— 
Kindred they claim with those, in heaven’s despite, 
Who rebel war breathe forth, transgressing right. 
Wealth in excess breeds mischief, and o’erturns 
The balance of the constant mind; 
No bulwark ’gainst destructive fate 
In riches shall that mortal find 
Who Justice’ mighty altar rudely spurns. 


Frenzy’s unhappy suasion, fraught with bane 
To hapless children, sways the will; 
Against the mischief cure is vain; 

Not hidden is the flagrant ill; 
Baleful it bursts upon the sight; 
Like spurious coin, his metal base 
Use and the touchstone bring to light, 
Who, boy-like, to a winged bird gives chase, 
And whelms his native soil in hopeless night. 
His orisons the heavenly powers disclaim, 
But sweep to doom the sinful wight 
Practised in guile ;—thus Paris came 


Sc. IT] OF AESCHYLUS 29 


/ , ς Ὁ XN 
τείνοντα πάλαι τόξον, ὅπως ἂν 
, \ a \ Ul 
μήτε πρὸ καιροῦ μήθ᾽ ὑπὲρ ἄστρων 
/ / 
βέλος ἠλίθιον σκήψειεν. 
Διὸς πλαγὰν ἔχουσιν εἰπεῖν, στρ. de 
" ~ > a 
πάρεστιν τοῦτό γ᾽ ἐξιχνεῦσαι. 
5) / 
ἔπραξαν ὡς éxpavev. οὐκ ἔφα τις 
A cal / 
θεοὺς βροτῶν ἀξιοῦσθαι μέλειν 
ὅσοις ἀθίκτων χάρις 
ey) [ 3 ’ 3 Υ 
πατοῖθ᾽. ὁ δ᾽ οὐκ εὐσεβῆς. 
/ ’ 5 / 
πέφανται δ᾽ ἐκτίνου- 
, lal v 
ca τόλμα τῶν “Apn 
’ an “Ὁ /, 
πνεόντων μεῖζον ἢ δικαίως, 
/ if Ἐ. / 
φλεόντων δωμάτων ὑπέρφευ 
ς Ν Ν , ” ᾿ 3 / 
ὑπὲρ τὸ βέλτιστον. ἔστω δ᾽ ἀπή- 
μαντον, ὥστ᾽ ἀπαρκεῖν 
εὖ πραπίδων λαχόντα. 
+t \ ” yy 
οὐ yap ἔστιν ἔπαλξις 
πλούτου πρὸς κόρον ἀνδρὶ 
FF. 
λακτίσαντι μέγαν Δίκας 
βωμὸν εἰς ἀφάνειαν. 
βιᾶται δ᾽ a τάλαινα πειθώ, ἀντ. α΄. 
lal ͵ f 
mpoBovrov παῖς ἄφερτος ἄτας. 
” \ a id ᾿ ΡῚ , 
ἄκος δὲ πᾶν μάταιον. οὐκ ἐκρύφθη, 
lal / / 
πρέπει δέ, φῶς αἰνολαμπές, σίνος" 
κακοῦ δὲ χαλκοῦ τρόπον 
/ \ lal 
τρίβῳ τε Kai προσβολαῖς 
\ , 
μελαμπαγὴς πέλει 
δικαιωθείς, ἐπεὶ 
΄ “ \ 
διώκει παῖς ποτανὸν ὄρνιν, 
U U > ” 2 / 
πόλει πρόστριμμ᾽ ἄφερτον ἐνθείς. 
lal > , ον lal 
λιτῶν δ᾽ ἀκούει μὲν οὔτις θεῶν" 
\ 2] bd / a 
Tov © ἐπίστροφον τῶν 
a 3 “ tal 
pot ἄδικον καθαιρεῖ. 
οἷος καὶ ἸΪάρις ἐλθὼν 


80 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


To Atreus’ halls ;—the friendly board 
He shamed, the consort luring from her lord. 


Bequeathing to her people deadly stour 
Of shielded hosts, of spears, and ships’ array, 
And Ihion’s ruin bearing as her dower, 
She through the portal swiftly took her way, 
Daring what none may dare ;—with many a wail, 
The palace seers peal’d forth the tale. 
“Woe for the house, the house and chieftains, woe! 
Woe for the couch, the trace of her once true!” 
Wronged, yet without reproach, in speechless woe 
There stands he, yearning still her form to view 
Lost o’er the far sea-wave: his dreamy pain 
Conjures her phantom in his home to reign. 
He loathes the sculptor’s plastic skill 
Which living grace belies ; 
Not Aphrodite’s self can still 
The hunger of his eyes. 


And dreamy fancies, coinage of the brain, 
Come o’er the troubled heart with vain delight; 
For vain the rapture, the illusion vain, 
When forms beloved in visions of the night, 
With changeful aspect, mock our grasp, and sweep 
On noiseless wing adown the paths of sleep. 
Such sorrows o’er the hearth brood evermore, 
And woes o’ertowering these. The warrior train, 
Comrades in danger, steered from Hellas’ shore, 
Leaving in Hellas’ homes heart-withering pain; 
Full many sorrows at the core. 

Those whom he sent each holds in ken. 

But to their homes return 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 


\ vd “- 
ἐς δόμον τὸν ᾿Ατρειδᾶν 
/ 

ἤσχυνε ξενίαν τράπε- 
fav κλοπαῖσι γυναικός. 


rn >] » ral > ot U 
λιποῦσα δ᾽ ἀστοῖσιν ἀσπίστορας στρ. 


τε καὶ κλόνους λογχίμους 
ναυβάτας θ᾽ ὁπλισμούς, 

ἄγουσά T ἀντίφερνον ᾿Ἰλίῳ φθοράν, 
βέβακεν ῥίμφα διὰ πυλᾶν 
ἄτλητα τλᾶσα πολλὰ δ᾽ ἔστενον 
τόδ᾽ ἐννέποντες δόμων προφῆται" 
“ἰὼ ἰὼ δώμα δῶμα καὶ πρόμοι, 
ἰὼ λέχος καὶ στίβοι φιλάνορες. 
πάρεστι σιγὰς ἀτίμους ἀλοιδόρους 
ἄλγιστ᾽ ἀφημένων ἰδεῖν. 

πόθῳ δ᾽ ὑπερποντίας 

φάσμα δόξει δόμων ἀνάσσειν. 
εὐμόρφων δὲ κολοσσῶν 

ἔχθεται χάρις ἀνδρί" 

ὀμμάτων δ᾽ ἐν ἀχηνίαις 

ἔρρει πᾶσ᾽ ᾿Αφροδίτα. 


ὀνειρόφαντοι δὲ πενθήμονες ἀντ. 


πάρεισι δόξαι φέρου- 

σαι χάριν ματαίαν. 

μάταν γάρ, εὖτ᾽ ἂν ἐσθλά τις δοκῶν ὁρᾷ, 
παραλλάξασα διὰ χερῶν, 

βέβακεν ὄψις οὐ μεθύστερον 

πτεροῖς ὀπαδοῦσ᾽ ὕπνου κελεύθοις. 

τὰ μὲν κατ᾽ οἴκους ἐφ᾽ ἑστίας ἄχη 

τάδ᾽ ἐστὶ καὶ τῶνδ᾽ ὑπερβατώτερα. 

τὸ πᾶν δ᾽ ἀφ᾽ "EXXavos αἴας συνορμένοις 
πένθεια τλησικάρδιος 

δόμων ἑκάστου πρέπει. 

πολλὰ γοῦν θιγγάνει πρὸς ἧπαρ" 

οὺς μὲν “γάρ τις ἔπεμψεν 

οἶδεν " ἀντὶ δὲ φωτών 


91 


32 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


Armour and in the funeral urn, 
Ashes instead of men. 


For Ares, bartering for gold 

The flesh of men, the scales doth hold 
In battle of the spear. 

From Ilion, back to sorrowing friends, 

Rich dust, fire-purified, he sends, 
Wash’'d with full many a tear. 

No living warriors greet them, but instead 

Urns filled with ashes smoothly spread. 

Groaning, each hero’s praise they tell; 

How this excelled in martial strife ; 

And that in fields of carnage fell, 

Right nobly for another’s wife. 

Breathing such murmurs, jealous hate 

Doth on the Atridan champions wait. 

Achaians, cast in fairest mould, 

Ensépulchred “neath Ilion’s wall, 

The foughten shore now firmly hold, 
The hostile sod their pall. 


Direful the people’s voice, to hate 
Attuned, which worketh soon or late 
As ban of public doom. 
Now oer my spirit anxious fear 
Broodeth, lest tidings I should hear 
That night still shrouds in gloom; 
For blind to deeds of blood the gods are not. 
In Time the swarthy brood of Night 
With slow eclipse reverse his lot, 
Who Fortune reareth in despite 
Of Justice. Reft of succour [168 


ΟΣ 10} OF AESCHYLUS 33 


, , [2 
τεύχη καὶ σποδὸς εἰς ἑκά- 
στου δόμους ἀφικνεῖται. 


id \ air) / ΄ 
ὁ χρυσαμοιβὸς δ᾽ "Ἄρης σωμάτων στρ. γ΄. 
καὶ ταλαντοῦχος ἐν μάχῃ δορὸς 
πυρωθὲν ἐξ ᾿Ιλίου 

’, , \ 
φίλοισι πέμπει βραχὺ 
ψῆγμα δυσδάκρυτον ἀν- 
τήνορος σποδοῦ γεμί- 
ζων λέβητας εὐθέτους. 

/ » 5 / ” 
στένουσι δ᾽ εὖ λέγοντες av- 
ὃρα τὸν μὲν ὡς μάχης ἴδρις, 

ἊΝ , , nr a ,ὔ » 
τὸν δ᾽ ἐν φοναῖς καλῶς πεσὸντ 
ἀλλοτρίας διαὶ γυναι- 

, \ ὯΝ an v2 ΠΑ 
κός" τὰ δὲ σῖγά τις βαΐὔ- 

\ , ς ’ ΒΥ “ 
ζει. φθονερὸν δ᾽ ὑπ᾽ ἄλγος ἕρ- 
met προδίκοις ᾿Δτρείδαις. 
οἱ δ᾽ αὐτοῦ περὶ τεῖχος 
θήκας ᾿Ιλιάδος γᾶς 
εὔμορφοι κατέχουσιν" ἐ- 


χθρὰ δ᾽ ἔχοντας ἔκρυψεν. 


rn > > lal / \ / ’ 
βαρεῖα δ᾽ ἀστῶν φάτις ξὺν κοτῳ" ἀντ. γ. 
δημοκράντου δ᾽ ἀρᾶς τίνει χρέος. 
μένει δ᾽ ἀκοῦσαί τί μου 
μέριμνα νυκτηρεφές. 
τῶν πολυκτόνων γὰρ οὐκ 
ἄσκοποι θεοί. κελαι- 
ναὶ δ᾽ ᾿Ερινύες χρόνῳ 

\ » ae, / 

τυχηρὸν ὄντ᾽ ἄνευ δίκας 
παλιντυχεῖ τριβᾷ βίου 

an) > f > > > f. 
τιθεῖσ᾽ ἀμαυρόν, ἐν δ᾽ ai- 


A. 3 


94 THE AGAMEMNON (Acie 


The wretch once prone. Excessive praise 
Is bodeful ever; ’gainst men’s eyes 
Zeus hurls his blinding rays. 
But may ungrudged success be mine! 
No city-spoiler let me be! 
Nor, subject to another, pine 

Myself in slavery. 


Borne by the joy-announcing flame 
Swift through the town the tidings fly; 
But whether true who may proclaim, 
Or not a heavenly [167 

For who so childish, so distraught, 
To warm his spirit at the beacon’s glow, 

When other news, with evil fraught, 

His joy may change to woe? 
‘Tis woman’s way the boon, ere seen, to prize; 
Too credulous, her fancy open lies 
To rumour’s rapid inroad, but the fame 
Published by women quickly dies. 
The Chorus Leader speaks. 

Soon shall we know whether the signal fires, 
The swift relays of courier-light be true, 
Or whether, dreamlike, they beguiled our minds 
With grateful splendour ;—Yonder, from the coast, 
A herald comes, shaded with laurel boughs; 
While Clay’s twin-brother, thirsty Dust attests 
That neither voiceless, nor of mountain wood 
Kindling the blaze, will he report in smoke ; 
No,—either will his voice announce more joy, 
Or,—but ill-omened words I deprecate. 
Be omens fair with fair assurance crown’d ! 


50: 10] OF AESCHYLUS 35 


, ld > 
στοις τελέθοντος οὔτις ἀλ- 
Le \ 5 c / / 
κά: TO δ᾽ ὑπερκόπως κλύειν 
5 \ , 
εὖ βαρύ: βάλλεται γὰρ ὄσ- 
/ / 
σοις Διόθεν κεραυνὸς. 
Ψ 
κρίνω δ᾽ ἄφθονον ὄλβον" 
(po) ” / 
PNT εἰην πτολιπόρθης 
Thee) > aoa ec \ :νῪν 
μήτ᾽ οὖν αὐτὸς ἅλους ὑπ αλ- 
, ΄ 
λων βίον κατίδοιμι. 


Mm 

Ξ 
Ee 

ao 


Ν . e τὸ > / 
πυρὸς δ᾽ ὑπ᾽ εὐαγγέλου 
/ 3S 
πόλιν διήκει Goa 
/ > ’ 3 / 
Baku: εἰ δ᾽ ἐτήτυμος, 
, 3 al , ΄ 
τίς older, ἤ τι θεῖόν ἐστί πῃ ψύθος.--- 
͵ - \ Ἂ A , 
τίς ὧδε TALOVOS ἢ φρενῶν κεκομμένος, 
ss 
φλογὸς παραγγέλμασιν 
/ / f: ’ 
νέοις πυρωθέντα καρδίαν ἔπειτ 
A / lal 
ἀλλαγᾷ λόγου καμεῖν ;— 
x “ / 
γυναικὸς αἰχμᾷ πρέπει 
\ “ ΄ / 
πρὸ τοῦ φανέντος χάριν ξυναινέσαι.-- 
\ ͵ ς lal ¢ / 
πιθανὸς ἄγαν ὁ θῆλυς ὅρος ἐπινέμεται 
/ > SS / 
ταχύπορος᾽ ἀλλὰ ταχύμορον 
/ v / 
γυναικογήρυτον ὄλλυται KNEOS.— 
, > / 4 / 
Tay εἰσόμεσθα λαμπάδων φαεσφόρων 
r \ 
φρυκτωριῶν TE Kal πυρὸς Tapadrayas, 
Ogee Lo 2 lal yd b] / , 
εἴτ᾽ οὖν ἀληθεῖς εἴτ᾽ ὀνειράτων δίκην 
ἣν / “ 
τερπνὸν τόδ᾽ ἐλθὸν φῶς ἐφήλωσεν φρένας. 
7 , > rn / € ral 
κήρυκ᾽ ἀπ᾽ ἀκτῆς τόνδ᾽ ὁρῶ κατάσκιον 
/ ~ / rn / / 
κλάδοις ἐλαίας: μαρτυρεῖ δέ μοι κάσις 
lal / , 
πηλοῦ Evvoupos διψία κόνις τάδε, 
¢ ἂψ. 5 ” ” / , 
ὡς οὔτ᾽ ἄναυδος οὔτε σοι δαίων φλόγα 
ef ’ / a lal / 
ὕλης ὀρείας σημανεῖ καπνῷ πυρὸς, 
* lal 7 be / 
ἀλλ᾽ ἢ TO χαίρειν μᾶλλον ἐκβάξει λέγων" 
\ ᾿] / “ , 
τὸν ἀντίον δὲ τοῖσδ᾽ ἀποστέργω λόγον" 
5 \ \ 5 n / , 
εὖ γὰρ πρὸς εὖ φανεῖσι προσθήκη πέλοι.--- 
3—2 


90 


THE AGAMEMNON [act I 


May he who ’gainst the state breathes other 
prayer, 
First reap the fruit of his malignant thought. 


Enter a HERALD, L. 


᾿ς Oh soil of Argos, oh my native land, 


In light of this tenth year to thee I come; 
While many a hope hath snapt, this one still 
holds, 
For ne’er I counted, dying here, to share 
Beloved sepulture in Argive soil. 
Now hail, O earth, bright sunlight hail, and 
Zeus, 
Supreme o’er Argos. Thou too, Pythian king, 
With thy fell darts assailing us no more; 
Let it suffice that on Scamander’s banks 
Thy mien was hostile ;—now, Apollo, lord, 
Be thou the Saviour,—be the Healer thou! 
Ye Gods of Council, all I now invoke, 
Thee, my protector Hermes, Herald dear, 
Whom Heralds venerate,—and Heroes, ye 
Who sent us forth, now kindly welcome back 
The Argive host, poor remnant of the spear. 
Hail royal palace! roofs beloved, hail! 
Ye seats august, ye powers that front the sun, 
If e’er of yore, now, with those cheerful eyes 
Receive in state the monarch absent long, 
For he returns bringing in darkness light 
Common to you and all assembled here, 
King Agamemnon. Welcome, as beseems, 
Him who with mattock of avenging Zeus 
Hath Ilion razed, her under-soil uptorn. 


Sc. Π] OF AESCHYLUS 


ὅστις τάδ᾽ ἄλλως THO ἐπεύχεται πόλει, 
Ν ἴω wn ΄ 
αὐτὸς φρενῶν καρποῖτο τὴν ἁμαρτίαν. 
Enter a HERALD, L. 
>\ A = > , , 
ἰὼ πατρῷον οὖδας ᾿Αργείας χθονός, 
δεκάτῳ σε φέ τῷδ᾽ ἀφικόμην ἔ 
wo σε φέγγει THO ἀφικόμην ετους, 
πολλῶν ῥαγεισῶν ἐλπίδων μιᾶς τυχών. 
> ΄ὔ , vv - , ’ , / \ 
ov yap ποτ᾽ ηὔχουν τῇδ᾽ ἐν ᾿Αργείᾳ χθονὶ 
θανὼν μεθέξειν φιλτάτου τάφου μέρος. 
νῦν χαῖρε μὲν χθών, χαῖρε δ᾽ ἡλίου φάος, 
ὕπατός τε χώρας Ζεύς, ὁ [Πὐθιός τ᾽ ava€, 
/ Φι / " » ἔν lal 4 e 
τόξοις ἰάπτων μηκέτ᾽ εἰς ἡμᾶς βέλη 
ἅλις παρὰ Σκάμανδρον ἦσθ᾽ ἀνάρσιος" 
a > 5 \ " \ , 
νῦν δ᾽ αὖτε σωτὴρ ἴσθι καὶ παιώνιος, 
ἄναξ "Απολλον. τούς T ἀγωνίους θεοὺς 
πάντας προσαυδῶ, τόν T ἐμὸν τιμάορον 
(yl fol f- 
Ερμῆν, φίλον κήρυκα, κηρύκων σέβας, 
“ i lu > a ΄ 
ἥρως τε τοὺς πέμψαντας, εὐμενεῖς πάλιν 
7 / 
στρατὸν δέχεσθαι τὸν λελειμμένον δορός. 
ἰὼ μέλαθρα βασιλέων, φίλαι στέγαι, 
/ an / Uf 3, b / 
σεμνοί τε θᾶκοι, δαίμονές τ᾽ ἀντήλιοι, 
εἴ που πάλαι, φαιδροῖσι τοισίδ᾽ ὄμμασι 
Os / / an / 
δέξασθε κόσμῳ βασιλέα πολλῷ χρόνῳ. 
ef \ ig a aA ) > , , 
ἥκει yap ὑμῖν φῶς ἐν εὐφρόνῃ φέρων 


Ν “ ᾿] 6 \ Py / ” 
καὶ τοῖσδ᾽ ἅπασι κοινὸν ᾿Αγαμέμνων ἄναξ. 


91 


? τ 3 > / \ \ > , 
ἀλλ᾽ εὖ νιν ἀσπάσασθε, καὶ γὰρ οὖν πρέπει, 


Τροίαν κατασκάψαντα τοῦ δικηφόρου 


Διὸς μακέλλῃ, τῇ κατείργασται πέδον. 


Cho. 


Her. 


Cho. 
Her. 


Cho. 


Her. 


Cho. 


Her. 


Cho. 


Her. 


Cho. 


Her. 


Cho. 


Her. 


THE AGAMEMNON [act I 


Quenched are the fanes, the altars of the gods, 
And of the land entire the seed is crushed. 
Such yoke round Troy hath Atreus’ elder son 
Fastened: and lo! blest by the gods, he comes 
Of living men most worthy of renown. 
Nor Paris now nor his associate town 
Their deed may vaunt as greater than their woe 
Cast in a suit for rapine and for theft, 
His surety forfeit, he to utter doom 
Hath mowed his natal home. Thus Priam’s sons 
With twofold forfeit have atoned their crime. 
Hail, herald of Achaia’s host ! 

All hail! 
So please the gods, I grudge not now to die. 
Love for thy father-land thy heart hath wrung! 
So wrung that from mine eyes fall tears of joy. 
Sweet the heart-sickness that o’ercame you 

thus. 
The key I lack which may thy words unlock. 
Smit with desire for those who longed for you. 
Hath Argos yearned then for the yearning host? 
Ay, so that oft from darken’d soul I groaned. 
Whence this sad gloom, abhorrent to the host? 
Silence I long have held bale’s safest cure. 
How ! Aught didst fear in absence of thy lords? 
To die was oft my wish as whilom thine. 
Well ended, all is well, But, m long years, 
Some chances, one might say, fell happily, 
While others adverse were. For who, save gods, 
Lives through the whole of life by grief un- 
scathed ? 

For should I tell of toils, of lodgment rude, 


Sc. 11] OF AESCHYLUS 39 


XO. 


ΚΗ. 


ΧΟ. 


ΚΗ. 


XO. 


Ku. 


XO. 


KH. 


XO. 


KH. 


Χο. 


ΚΗ. 


Χο. 


ΚΗ. 


\ oy Mae \ lal e 4 
βωμοὶ δ᾽ dioto καὶ θεῶν ἱδρύματα, 
/ , 5 , 
καὶ σπέρμα πάσης ἐξαπόλλυται χθονός. 
/ ! \ / 
τοιόνδε Τροίᾳ περιβαλὼν ἕευκτήριον 

U Ε 
ἄναξ ᾿Ατρείδης πρέσβυς εὐδαίμων ἀνὴρ 
ἥκει, τίεσθαι δ᾽ ἀξιώτατος βροτῶν 
τῶν νῦν" ἸΙάρις γὰρ οὔτε συντελὴς πόλις 
5. / \ ’ lal rn , / 
ἐξεύχεται TO δρᾶμα τοῦ πάθους πλέον. 

Ψ fol fol 
ὀφλὼν yap ἁρπαγῆς Te Kal κλοπῆς δίκην 

fa ε ee \ ’ 
τοῦ ῥυσίου θ᾽ ἥμαρτε καὶ πανώλεθρον 

> , ἴω », / 
αὐτόχθονον πατρῴον ἔθρισεν δόμον. 

rn ,’ / , 
διπλᾶ δ᾽ ἔτισαν ἸΤριαμίδαι θἀμάρτια. 

a 5 lal “ =~ a 
κῆρυξ ᾿Αχαιῶν χαῖρε τῶν ἀπὸ στρατοῦ. 
χαίρω ye’ τεθνάναι δ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ ἀντερῶ θεοῖς. 
ἔρως πατρῴας τῆσδε γῆς σ᾽ ἐγύμνασεν. 
ὥστ᾽ ἐνδακρύειν γ᾽ ὄμμασιν χαρᾶς ὕπο. 

A y> 2. κι ΤΣ ΞΕ , ’ 
τερπνῆς ap ἦτε τῆσδ᾽ ἐπήβολοι νόσου. 

“ ἴω / 
πῶς δή; διδαχθεὶς τοῦδε δεσπόσω λόγου. 
τῶν ἀντερώντων ἱμέρῳ πεπληγμένοι. 

an la) / fol \ fe 
ποθεῖν ποθοῦντα τήνδε γῆν στρατὸν λέγεις. 

id , ’ , lal 5 UG ’ 3 / 
ως TOAN apaupas ἐκ φρενὸς pw αναστένειν. 

/ i / oe) ’ nN / aA 
πόθεν τὸ δύσφρον τοῦτ᾽ ἐπῆν στύγος φρενῶν; 
πάλαι τὸ συγᾶν φάρμακον βλάβης ἔχω. 
καὶ πῶς; ἀπόντων κοιράνων ἔτρεις τινάς ; 
ὡς νῦν τὸ σὸν δή, καὶ θανεῖν πολλὴ χάρις. 
5 \ / lal 3) 3 tal , 
εὖ γὰρ πέπρακται. ταῦτα δ᾽ ἐν πολλῷ χρόνῳ 

\ 2 xX / > lal v 
τὰ μέν τις av λέξειεν εὐπετῶς ἔχειν, 
τὰ δ᾽ αὖτε κἀπίμομφα. τίς δὲ πλὴν θεῶν 
ἅπαντ᾽ ἀπήμων τὸν δι᾿ αἰῶνος χρόνον; 


μόχθους γὰρ εἰ λέγοιμι καὶ δυσαυλίας, 


40 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


Infrequent landings, vexed by dangerous surf, 
What portion of the day exempt from groans ? 
Still more abhorrent was our life ashore ;— 
For close to hostile walls our beds were strewn ; 
Dank vapours fell from heaven, while from the 
earth 
Drizzled the meadow dews,—our raiment’s 
canker, 
Matting, like savage beast’s, our shaggy hair. 
Or spake I of bird-killing winter’s cold, 
Unbearable, from snows of Ida born; 
Or summer’s heat, when, stretched on noonday 
couch, 
By breeze unruftled, slept the waveless sea ? 
But why lament these hardships? Past the toil! 
Past now and gone,—past also for the dead, 
Who ne’er will trouble them again to rise. 
Why call the spectral army-roll? and why, 
Living, bemoan reverses? Nay, I claim 
With many a farewell to salute mischance. 
For us, the remnant of the Argive host, 
Joy triumphs, nor can Sorrow tilt the scale. 
Winging o’er land and sea our homeward flight. 
We to the sun-light well may make this boast, 
“The Argive host, captors at length of Troy, 
These spoils, an off’ring to Achaia’s gods, 
Hang up, bright glory of their ancient shrines.” 
Whoso these tidings hears must needs extol 
The city and the leaders of the host; 
Also the consummating grace of Zeus 
Due honour shall attain. My tale is told. 


Cho. Ungrudged surrender yield I to thy words. 


Sc. IT] OF AESCHYLUS 41 


\ / / ᾽ 
σπαρνὰς παρήξεις καὶ κακοστρώτους, τί δ᾽ οὐ 
/ 
στένοντες, OV λαχόντες ἤματος μέρος; 
\ ’ 3 , a 7 ΄ὔ 
τὰ δ᾽ αὖτε χέρσῳ καὶ προσῆν πλέον στύγος" 
\ \ of , 
εὐναὶ γὰρ ἦσαν δαΐων πρὸς τείχεσιν. 
> ὩΣ lal \ Ψ \ na / 
ἐξ οὐρανοῦ δὲ κἀπὸ γῆς λειμώνιαι 
, , » ΄, 
δρόσοι κατεψάκαζον, ἔμπεδον σίνος 
9 / / ” ΄, 
ἐσθημάτων τιθέντες ἔνθηρον τρίχα. 
χειμῶνα δ᾽ εἰ λέγοι τις οἰωνοκτόνον, 
- lal 2) » 3 / / 
οἷον παρεῖχ ἄφερτον ᾿Ιδαία χιών, 
Ἃ ͵ 5 , > A 
ἢ θάλπος, εὖτε πόντος ἐν μεσημβριναῖς 
͵ ἈΠ , eo / 
κοίταις ἀκύμων νηνέμοις εὕδοι πεσών--- 
“-“ Lal “Ὁ / / 
τί ταῦτα πενθεῖν δεῖ; παροίχεται πόνος" 
/ ’ r \ , 
παροίχεται δέ, τοῖσι μὲν τεθνηκόσιν 
Ν / ’ 3 ’ 3 fol 7 
τὸ μήποτ᾽ αὖθις μηδ᾽ ἀναστῆναι μέλειν. 
‘ / / 
τί TOUS ἀναλωθέντας ἐν ψήφῳ λέγειν, 
\ A > ,’ a ‘ / / 
τὸν ζῶντα δ᾽ ἀλγεῖν χρὴ τύχης παλιυγκότου; 
\ \ a 
Kal πολλὰ χαίρειν ξυμφορὰς καταξιῶ. 
Cae \ A Lal 2 / fa) 
ἡμῖν δὲ τοῖς λοιποῖσιν ᾿Αργείων στρατοῦ 
fa) ἊΝ / fal ’ > 3 / 
νικᾷ TO κέρδος, πῆμα δ᾽ οὐκ ἀντιρρέπει" 
ς / an > \ id / , 
ὡς κομπάσαι TOO εἰκὸς ἡλίου φάει 
΄ \ / ‘ \ ‘ A 
ὑπὲρ θαλάσσης καὶ χθονὸς ποτωμένοις 
/ ΄ , Bae: / / 
«Τροίαν ἑλόντες δήποτ᾽ ᾿Αργείων στόλος 
ca , lal lal See, , 
θεοῖς λάφυρα ταῦτα τοῖς καθ᾽ “Ελλάδα 
, ; , Ε ΄, ͵ 
δόμων ἐπασσάλευσαν ἀρχαίων γάνος. 
a \ / ’ “ ἤ 
τοιαῦτα χρὴ κλύοντας εὐλογεῖν πόλιν 
‘ \ / “ / 
καὶ TOUS στρατηγούς" καὶ χάρις τιμήσεται 
Διὸς τόδ᾽ ἐκπράξασα. πάντ᾽ ἔχεις λόγον. 


, , 2) 
Χο. νικώμενος λόγοισιν οὐκ ἀναίνομαι" 


42 


Cly. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT 1 


Age still is young enough for grateful lore. 
But Atreus’ halls and Clytaemnestra most 
These news concern; me also they enrich. 


Enter CLYTAEMNESTRA from the palace. 


The shout of jubilee erewhile I raised, 

When first by night the fiery herald came, 

Telling of Ilion captured and o’erthrown. 

Then some one spake and taunting asked, 
“Dost think, 

Trusting the beacon-light, that Troy is sacked ἢ 

"Tis woman’s way to be elate of heart.” 

By such bold utt’rance was my wit misprised: 

Yet still I sacrificed: and through the town 

With woman’s note they tuned the joyous trill, 

Peans uplifting in the gods’ abodes, 

The while they lulled the fragrant incense- 
flames. 

And now, what need that thou shouldst tell 
me more ? 

I from the king himself the tale shall hear. 

With honour due, my venerated lord 

To welcome home, myself will hasten: for— 

What sight for woman sweeter than the day 

Which to her spouse, Heaven-shielded from the 
fight, 

Throws wide the gates? Then hither bid my 
lord, 

Beloved of Argos, to return with speed. 

Arriving, may he find a faithful wife, 

Such as he left her, watch-dog of his house, 


sc. 11] OF AESCHYLUS 


Ka. 


3 N \ “ tal , 5 - 
ἀεὶ γὰρ ἥβη τοῖς γέρουσιν εὖ μαθεῖν. 

, \ A \ r , ͵ 
δόμοις δὲ ταῦτα καὶ Κλυταιμήστρᾳ μέλειν 


> \ , A \ 
εἰκὸς μάλιστα, σὺν δὲ πλουτίζειν ἐμέ. 


Enter CLYTAEMNESTRA from the palace. 


> , / a δ 
ἀνωλόλυξα μὲν πάλαι χαρᾶς ὕπο, 
“5 5 y © r / A / 
ὅτ᾽ AO ὁ πρῶτος νύχιος ἄγγελος πυρός, 
, id 5 , 
φράζων ἅλωσιν ᾿Ιλίου τ᾽ ἀνάστασιν. 
/ 7, 3 ΤΥ > P a \ 
Kal τίς μ᾽ ἐνίπτων εἶπε, ‘ppuKTwpeV διὰ 
an / r fel “-“ 
πεισθεῖσα Τροίαν νῦν πεπορθῆσθαι δοκεῖς ; 
δ , ἣν Ν / 
ἢ κάρτα πρὸς γυναικὸς αἴρεσθαι κέαρ. 

, / \ 3 > 5 Ud 
λόγοις τοιούτοις πλαγκτὸς οὖσ ἐφαινομην. 
“ἢ > ” \ , / 
ὅμως δ᾽ ἔθυον, καὶ γυναικείῳ νόμῳ 

Yi 7 , 
ὀλολυγμὸν ἄλλος ἄλλοθεν κατὰ πτόλιν 


ἔλασκον εὐφημοῦντες ἐν θεών ἕδραις 


θυηφάγον κοιμῶντες εὐώδη φλόγα. 


43 


lal \ / \ ͵ fal / / 
καὶ νῦν τὰ μάσσω μὲν TL δεῖ σέ μοι λέγειν; 


/ ’ fal / 
ἄνακτος αὐτοῦ πάντα πεύσομαι λόγον. 
“ 2 », \ > \ 5 a / 
ὅπως δ᾽ ἄριστα τὸν ἐμὸν αἰδοῖον πόσιν 
7 , , / / \ 
σπεύσω πάλιν μολόντα δέξασθαι- τί yap 
\ ’ / JA “- 
γυναικὶ τούτου φέγγος ἥδιον δρακεῖν, 
’ \ fd 5» \ , fal 
ἀπὸ στρατείας ἀνδρὶ σώσαντος θεοῦ 
,, 3 a ΝΣ J / / 
πύλας avoi~at;—TavT ἀπάγγειλον πόσει" 
“ “ / Seed / Ξ 
ἥκειν ὅπως τάχιστ᾽ ἐράσμιον πόλει 
a \ 5 > / ef \ 
γυναῖκα πιστὴν δ᾽ ἐν δόμοις εὕροι μολὼν 


“ 5 ” / ΄ 
OLAVTTEP ουν ἐλείπε, δωμάτων KUVa 


44 


Cho. 


Her. 


Cho. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


To him devoted, hostile to his foes, 

In all points like herself, no single seal 
Through these long years invaded by her hand. 
Pleasure, or blameful word from other man, 
Foreign to me as dyer’s hue to brass. 

A boast like this, fraught as it is with truth, 
The lip misseems not of a high-born dame. 


Hart CLYTAEMNESTRA, 


Behold! The queen herself hath tutored thee ; 

Decorous words her clear interpreters. 

But tell me, Herald, touching Menelas, 

Doth he in safety homeward with the host 

Hither return, prince to his country dear? 

False news were I to tell, in flatt’rmg terms, 

Not long would friends enjoy the fair deceit. 

Oh, could’st thou speak auspicious words yet 
true! 

That here they sundered are is all too plain. 


. The man is vanished from th’ Achaian host; 


Himself and galley. No untruth I tell. 
Steering ahead from Troy? or hath a storm, 
A common terror, snatched him from the host? 
Like skilful archer thou hast hit the mark; 
And hast in brief a mighty woe declared. 
Say, doth the voice of other mariners 
Report of him as living, or as dead ? 


. No one so knoweth as to speak his doom, 


Save the bright Sun, feeder of teeming earth. 
How! Burst the tempest on the naval host. 
Through anger of the gods? say, what the end ? 


ν΄ Auspicious day with ill-announcing tongue 


sc. 11] OF AESCHYLUS 45 


XO. 


Κη. 


Χο. 


ΚΗ. 


Χο. 


ΚΗ. 


Χο. 


ΚΗ. 


Χο. 


ΚΗ. 


ἐσθλὴν ἐκείνῳ, πολεμίαν τοῖς δύσφροσιν, 
καὶ τἄλλ᾽ ὁμοίαν πάντα, σημαντήριον 
5 χ / 3 / , 
οὐδὲν διαφθείρασαν ἐν μήκει χρόνου. 
οὐδ᾽ oda τέρψιν οὐδ᾽ ἐπίψογον φάτιν 
ἄλλου πρὸς ἀνδρὸς μᾶλλον ἢ χαλκοῦ βαφάς. 
τοιόσδ ὁ κόμπος τῆς ἀληθείας γέμων 
\ c a 
οὐκ αἰσχρὸς ὡς γυναικὶ γενναίᾳ λακεῖν. 


Exit CLYTAEMNESTRA. 


αὕτη μὲν οὕτως εἶπε μανθάνοντί σοι 
τοροῖσιν ἑρμηνεῦσιν εὐπρεπῶς λόγον. 

σὺ δ᾽ εἰπέ, κῆρυξ, Μενέλεων δὲ πεύθομαι, 
εἰ νόστιμός τε καὶ σεσωσμένος πάλιν 
ἥξει σὺν ὑμῖν, τῆσδε γῆς φίλον κράτος. 
οὐκ ἔσθ᾽ ὅπως λέξαιμι τὰ ψευδῆ καλὰ 

ἐς τὸν πολὺν φίλοισι καρποῦσθαι χρόνον. 
πῶς δῆτ᾽ ἂν εἰπὼν κεδνὰ τἀληθῆ τύχοις; 
σχισθέντα δ᾽ οὐκ εὔκρυπτα γίγνεται τάδε. 
ἁνὴρ ἄφαντος ἐξ ᾿Αχαιϊκοῦ στρατοῦ, 
αὐτός τε καὶ τὸ πλοῖον. οὐ ψευδῆ λέγω. 
πότερον ἀναχθεὶς ἐμφανῶς ἐξ ᾽Ιλίου, 

ἢ χεῖμα, κοινὸν ἄχθος, ἥρπασε στρατοῦ; 
ἔκυρσας ὥστε τοξότης ἄκρος σκοποῦ" 
μακρὸν δὲ πῆμα συντόμως ἐφημίσω. 
πότερα γὰρ αὐτοῦ ζῶντος ἢ τεθνηκότος 
φάτις πρὸς ἄλλων ναυτίλων ἐκλήζετο; 
οὐκ οἶδεν οὐδεὶς ὥστ᾽ ἀπαγγεῖλαι τορῶς, 
πλὴν τοῦ τρέφοντος “Ἡλίου χθονὸς φύσιν. 
πῶς γὰρ λέγεις χειμῶνα ναυτικῷ στρατῷ 
ἐλθεῖν τελευτῆσαί τε δαιμόνων κότῳ; 
εὔφημον ἦμαρ οὐ πρέπει κακαγγέλῳ 


40 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


Beseems not to defile. In weal and woe 
Diverse the honour due unto the gods. 

When messenger, sad-visaged, tidings dire 

Of routed armies to the city bears, 

A common wound inflicting on the state, 

While many men from many homes are banned, 
Smit by the twofold scourge which Ares loves, 
Twin-speared Calamity, a gory pair ;— 

Whoso is laden with such woes as these 

The pean of the Furies well may raise. 

But coming to a town in jubilee, 

Glad messenger of safety and success, 

How shall I tidings mingle fair and foul, 

The tale unfolding of the storm that smote 
The Achaian host, not without wrath of Heaven 7 
For fire and ocean, bitter foes of yore, 

Sware true alliance and redeemed their pledge, 
Whelming Achaia’s luckless armament. 

Then in the night foul-surging mischiefs rose : 
Beneath the Thracian blasts ship against ship 
Dashed wildly; they, sore-butted by the storm, 
With furious wind and stress of pelting rain, 
Vanished from sight, ‘neath whirl of shepherd dire. 
And when uprose the sun’s fair light, behold, 
The Aegean sea with flowerage overstrewn,— 
Corpses of Grecian men and wrecks of ships. 
Us, and our vessel with undamaged hull, 

Some god, I ween, (not mortal was the power,) 
Ruling the helm, hath saved, by stealth or prayer. 
But Saviour Fortune lighting on our ship, 

At moorage she nor felt the billows’ strain, 

Nor drave against the iron-girded coast. 


50. It] OF AESCHYLUS 


/ / \ e \ a 
γλώσδῃ μιαίνειν χωρὶς ἡ τιμὴ θεῶν. 
A ,’ » \ / , ” / 
ὅταν δ᾽ ἀπευκτὰ πήματ᾽ ἄγγελος πόλει 
a , ΄ ἴω ΄ 
στυγνῷ προσώπῳ πτωσίμου στρατοῦ φέρῃ, 
΄ \ es. Δ \ / a 
πόλει μὲν ἕλκος Ev TO δήμιον τυχεῖν, 
\ fal / 
πολλοὺς δὲ πολλῶν ἐξαγισθέντας δόμων 
fal / \ ͵ a 
ἄνδρας διπλῇ μάστιγι, τὴν "Apns φιλεῖ, 
, 7 ΄ / 
δίλογχον ἄτην, φοινίαν ξυνωρίδα" 
lal / , 
τοιῶνδε μέντοι πημάτων σεσαγμένον 
/ / nr / be | / 
πρέπει λέγειν παιᾶνα τόνδ᾽ ᾿ὑρινύων. 
\ / / 
σωτηρίων δὲ πραγμάτων εὐάγγελον 
“, \ , a / 
ἥκοντα πρὸς χαίρουσαν εὐεστοῖ πόλιν, 
A \ Ἂ Ἂ , 
πῶς κεδνὰ τοῖς κακοῖσι συμμίξω, λέγων 
BD 19 a 5 ’ / lal 
χειμών ᾿Αχαιοῖς οὐκ ἀμήνιτον θεῶν; 

Vj » / 
ξυνώμοσαν yap, ὄντες ἔχθιστοι TO πρίν, 
lal \ / \ \ , ’ 2 / 
πῦρ καὶ θάλασσα, καὶ Ta πίστ᾽ ἐδειξάτην 

\ i: 5 a / 
φθείροντε Tov δύστηνον ᾿Αργείων στρατόν. 
/ , 
ἐν νυκτὶ δυσκύμαντα δ᾽ ὠρώρει κακά. 
a \ \ > , 
ναῦς γὰρ πρὸς ἀλλήλαισι Θρήκιαι πνοαὶ 
ἤρεικον: αἱ δὲ κεροτυπούμεναι βία 
ip ρ μ ; 
lal - r) > / 
χειμῶνι τυφῶ σὺν ζάλῃ τ᾽ ὀμβροκτύπῳ, 
ΕΣ ,’ ” / fal / 
ὥχοντ᾽ ἄφαντοι, ποιμένος κακοῦ στρόβῳ. 
2 fal 
ἐπεὶ δ᾽ ἀνῆλθε λαμπρὸν ἡλίου φάος, 
cd lal r / lal lal 
ὁρῶμεν ἀνθοῦν πέλαγος Alyaiov νεκροῖς 
ἀνδρών ᾿Αχαιῶν ναυτικοῖς τ᾽ ἐρειπίοις. 
id lal \ \ lal ΕΣ τὰ U / 
ἡμᾶς ye μὲν δὴ ναῦν τ᾽ ἀκήρατον σκάφος 
ἤτοι τις ἐξέκλεψεν ἢ ᾿ξητήσατο 
> A byA Ud 
θεός Tis, οὐκ ἄνθρωπος, οἴακος θυγών. 
/ \ la f ? 
τύχη δὲ σωτὴρ ναῦν θέλουσ᾽ ἐφέζετο, 
nS μήτ᾽ ἐν ὅ ἤματος ζάλην ἔχειν 
ὡς μήτ᾽ ἐν ὅρμῳ κύματος ζάλην ἔχ 


μήτ᾽ ἐξοκεῖλαι πρὸς Kpataihewy χθόνα. 


48 THE AGAMEMNON [act I 


Then safe at last, from watery Hades snatch’d, 

In genial daylight, still mistrusting chance, 

With anxious thought o’er this new grief we 
brooded,— 

Our host sore wearied, and in evil plight. 

And doubtless now, if any still survive, 

They speak of us as dead. Why should they not ? 

As we imagine a like fate for them. 

But may the best befal! For Menelas, 

Foremost and chief, expect him to arrive; 

If any sunbeam knows of him as safe, 

Rejoicing in the light, (through the device 

Of Zeus, not willing yet the race to whelm,) 

Good hope there is that he may yet return. 

Hearing this tale, know, thou the truth hast heard. 


Exit HERALD. 


Cho. Who, oh who, with truest aim, 
Did the battle-wedded dame, 
Prize of conflict, Helen name ? 
Was it not one, unseen, in happy hour, 
Guiding his tongue with Fate-presaging power ? 
Helen, the captor ;—titled fittingly, — 
Captor of ships, of men, of cities, she 
From dainty curtained bower hath fled, 
By Titan zephyr borne along; 
Straight in her quarrel mustered strong 
The shielded hunters’ mighty throng, 
Marshalled for battle ;—forth they sped, 
Swift on their track whose viewless oar 
Harbour had found on Simois’ leafy shore. 


Sc. 11] OF AESCHYLUS 49 


XO. 


2 e/ , , 
ἔπειτα δ᾽ “Αἰδην πόντιον πεφευγότες, 
δι / / 
λευκὸν κατ᾽ Huap, ov πεποιθότες τύχῃ, 
r / / 
ἐβουκολοῦμεν φροντίσιν νέον πάθος, 
rn / lal ff 
στρατοῦ καμόντος καὶ κακῶς σποδουμένου. 
lo) \ / 
Kal νῦν ἐκείνων εἴ τις ἐστὶν ἐμπνέων, 
rn {4 / / fA 
λέγουσιν ἡμᾶς Ws OXWAOTAS, τί μήν; 
id a] 3 2 / er eA ὃ / 
ἡμεῖς T ἐκείνους ταὔτ᾽ ἔχειν δοξάζομεν. 
,ὔ ᾿] Φ ” , \ 5S 
γένοιτο δ᾽ ws ἄριστα. Μενέλεων yap οὖν 
- ,ὔ lal 
πρῶτόν τε Kal μάλιστα προσδόκα μολεῖν. 
io ' ΄ -“ 
εἰ δ᾽ οὖν τις ἀκτὶς ἡλίου νιν ἱστορεῖ 
ΝΝ / an re 
καὶ ζῶντα καὶ βλέποντα, μηχαναῖς Atos, 
A ΄ > a / 
οὔπω θέλοντος ἐξαναλῶσαι γένος, 
> / > \ δ / “ f 
ἐλπίς τις αὐτὸν πρὸς δόμους ἥξειν πάλιν. 
(alee) > / Μ > lal t 
τοσαῦτ᾽ ἀκούσας ἴσθι τἀληθῆ κλύων. 


FEait AERALD. 


/ , > 7 aay F 
τίς Trot ὠνόμαζεν WO στρ. α΄. 
τ Ἢ A 7, 
ἐς τὸ πᾶν ἐτητύμως--- 
i - ΄ ~ 
μή τις ὅντιν᾽ οὐχ ὁρώ- 
, rn / 
μεν προνοίαισι τοῦ πεπρωμένου 
lal / / 
γλῶσσαν ἐν τύχᾳ νέμων ;— 
\ , 
τὰν δορίγαμβρον ἀμφινει- 
n ὩΥ €. / 5 Ν / 
Kn θ᾽ “Endévav; ἐπεὶ πρεπόντως 
΄ / ει € , 
ἑλένας, ἕλανδρος, ἑλέπτολις, 
ἐκ τῶν ἁβροτίμων 
/ ” 
TPOKANUMLLATWV ἔπλευσε 
/ / ” 
ζεφύρου γίγαντος avpa, 
/ 
πολύανδροί τε φεράσπιδες 
\ ’ lal 
κυναγοὶ κατ᾽ ἴχνος πλατᾶν ἄφαντον 
΄ 
κελσάντων Σιμόεντος 
Ν +) 
ἀκτὰς ἐπ᾽ ἀεξιφύλλους 
> la 6 fd 
δι᾿ ἔριν αἱματόεσσαν. 
A. 4 


50 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


Wrath, with direful issue fraught, 
Thus to hapless Ilion brought 
Dear alliance, dearly bought: 
Requiter of the outraged festal board, 
And of high Zeus, the hearth’s presiding Lord; 
Late vengeance wreaking on the guilty throng, 
Who carol jubilant the bridal song, 
Which, fate-impelled, the bridegroom’s kin prolong. 
But aged Priamss city hoar 
A novel hymn doth now intone, 
From many a voice; with mighty groan, 
Woe upon Paris’ bridal bed 
She utters;—she who long before 
A dirgeful life, alas! had led, 
Weeping her sons in wretched slaughter sped. 


So once did wight incautious rear 
A suckling lon, for the breast 
Still yearning, to the house a pest. 
Tame in life’s early morning, dear 
To childhood, and by Eld caressed. 
Carried full oft in fondling play, 
Like to a babe in arms he lay; 
The hand with winning glances wooed, 
And, smit with pangs of hunger, fawned for food. 


But time the temper doth bewray 
Inherent in his race. Due meed 
Of gentle nurture to repay, 
Rending the flocks with cruel greed, 
Unbidden he prepares the feast, 
And mars with gory stain the halls. 


sc. 11] OF AESCHYLUS 


Ἰλίῳ δὲ κῆδος ὀρθ- ἀντ. 


ὦώνυμον τελεσσίφρων 

μῆνις ἤλασεν, τραπέ- 

ἕας ἀτίμωσιν ὑστέρῳ χρόνῳ 
καὶ ξυνεστίου Διὸς 
πρασσομένα τὸ νυμφότι- 
μον μέλος ἐκφάτως τίοντας, 
ὑμέναιον, ὃς τότ᾽ ἐπέρρεπεν 
γαμβροῖσιν ἀείδειν. 
μεταμανθάνουσα δ᾽ ὕμνον 
Πριάμου πόλις γεραιὰ 
πολύθρηνον μέγα που στένει 
κικλήσκουσα ἸΙάριν τὸν αἰνόλεκτρον, 
παμπορθῆ πολύθρηνον 
αἰῶνα διαὶ πολιτᾶν 

μέλεον αἷμ᾽ ἀνατλᾶσα. 


ἔθρεψεν δὲ λέοντος é- στρ. 


/ > , ef 
νιν δόμοις ἀγάλακτον ov- 
> δὴ / 
τως ἀνὴρ φιλομαστον, 
ἐν βιότου προτελείοις 
ἅμερον, εὐφιλόπαιδα 
καὶ γεραροῖς ἐπίχαρτον. 

/ τ Μ . > > U 
πολέα © ἔσκ᾽ ἐν ἀγκάλαις 
νεοτρόφου τέκνου δίκαν, 
φαιδρωπὸς ποτὶ χεῖρα σαί- 
νων τε γαστρὸς ἀνάγκαις. 


χρονισθεὶς δ᾽ ἀπέδειξεν n- ἀντ. 


θος τὸ πρὸς τοκέων᾽ χάριν 

\ a > / 
yap Tpopedow ἀμείβων 

/ \ ” 

μηλοφόνοισι σὺν ἄταις 

ΡΞ vt et? 
Sait’ ἀκέλευστος ἔτευξεν" 
αἵματι δ᾽ οἶκος ἐφύρθη, 


Bi 


52 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


Resistless, dire, athirst for prey, 
The pest the menial train appals, 
Reared for the house by Heaven, fell Ate’s priest. 


So came to Troia’s walls, in evil hour, 

Spirit of breathless calm, fair pride 

Of riches, love’s soul-piercing flower, 
The eyes’ soft dart; but from the course aside 
Swerving, to wedlock bitter end she wrought. 
To Priam’s offspring came she, mischief fraught, 
Evil companion, bringing evil dower. 
By Zeus escorted, guardian of the guest, 


She sped, dire Fury, bridal pest. 


Lives among men this saw, voiced long ago; 
“Success consummate breeds apace, 
Nor childless dies, but to the race 
From prosperous Fortune springeth cureless Woe.” 
Apart I hold my solitary creed. 
Prolific truly is the impious deed ; 
Like to the evil stock, the evil seed; 
But fate ordains that righteous homes shall aye 
Rejoice in goodly progeny. 


But ancient Arrogance, or soon or late, 
When strikes the hour ordained by Fate, 
Breedeth new Arrogance, which still 
Revels, wild wantoner in human ill; 
And the new birth another brood 
Unhallowed, in the house doth bear ;— 
Gorged Insolence, and, not to be withstood, 
Defiant Boldness, demon unsubdued ;— 
Swart curses twain, their parents’ mien that wear. 


Sc. iT] OF AESCHYLUS 


ἄμαχον ἄλγος οἰκέταις 

μέγα σίνος πολύκτονον. 

ἐκ θεοῦ δ᾽ ἱερεύς τις ἄ- 

τας δόμοις προσεθρέφθη. 
πάραυτα δ᾽ ἐλθεῖν ἐς ᾿Ιλίου πόλιν 
λέγοιμ᾽ ἂν φρόνημα μὲν 
νηνέμου. γαλάνας, 

ἀκασκαῖον δὶ ἄγαλμα πλούτου, 
μαλθακὸν ὀμμάτων βέλος, 
δηξίθυμον ἔρωτος ἄνθος. 
παρακλίνασ᾽ ἐπέκρανεν 

δὲ γάμου πικρὰς τελευτάς, 
δύσεδρος καὶ δυσόμιλος 
συμένα Πριαμίδαισιν, 

πομπᾷ Διὸς ξενίου, 
νυμφόκλαυτος *Epuyvs. 


lal 7 
παλαίφατος δ᾽ ἐν βροτοῖς γέρων λόγος 
τέτυκται, μέγαν τελε- 
σθέντα φωτὸς ὄλβον 

lal 2 BA , 
τεκνοῦσθαι μηδ᾽ ἄπαιδα θνήσκειν, 
ἐκ δ᾽ ἀγαθᾶς τύχας γένει 
βλαστάνειν ἀκόρεστον οἰζύν. 
δίχα δ᾽ ἄλλων μονόφρων εἰ- 
μί. τὸ δυσσεβὲς γὰρ ἔργον 
μετὰ μὲν πλείονα τίκτει, 
σφετέρᾳ δ᾽ εἰκότα γέννᾳ. 

yy £5 49,19 ’ , é 
οἴκων δ᾽ ap εὐθυδίκων 
καλλίπαις πότμος ἀεί. 
A , τ 
φιλεῖ δὲ τίκτειν ὕβρις 
μὲν παλαιὰ νεά- 
ζουσαν ἐν κακοῖς βροτῶν 
μη ros ἃ "Δ᾽ “ \ ’ , 
ὕβριν ToT ἢ TOO, ὅτε τὸ κύριον μόλῃ 
φάος τόκου, 
δαίμονά τε τὰν ἄμαχον, ἀπόλεμον, 
ἀνίερον θράσος, μελαί- 
vas μελάθροισιν “Aras, 
εἰδομένας τοκεῦσιν. 


στρ. 


ἀντ. 


στρ. 


Or 
we 


γ΄. 


y': 


δ4 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT I 


But Justice doth the smoke-begrimed cell 
Illumine with celestial sheen, 
And loves with honest worth to dwell. 
Gold-spangled palaces with hands unclean, 
Forsaking with averted eyes, 
To holy Innocence she flies. 
The power of wealth, if falsely stamped with 
praise, 
With homage she disdains to recognize, 
And to their fated issue all things sways. 


End of Act I. 


sc. 11} OF AESCHYLUS 


Δίκα δὲ λάμπει μὲν ἐν ἀντ. 


δυσκάπνοις δώμασιν, 

\ ᾽ b ,ὔ / 
Tov δ᾽ ἐναίσιμον τίει. 

\ , > ” \ ,ὔ al 
Ta χρυσόπαστα δ᾽ ἔδεθλα σὺν πίνῳ χερῶν 
παλιντροποις 
v Gy ae) “ ΄ 
ὄμμασι λιποῦσ, ὁσια προσέμολε 

t Φ 
δύναμιν οὐ σέβουσα πλού- 

, v 
του παράσημον aiv@ 


an 2 > \ , al 
πᾶν δ᾽ ἐπὶ τέρμα νωμᾷ. 


End of Act I. 





ACL lik 


Scene. The court of the palace of AGAMEMNON 
7 ) 


as before. 
Enter the CHORUS. 


Cho. Hail, royal lord! Stormer of Ihon, hail ! 
Scion of Atreus! How compose my speech, 
How due obeisance render thee, 

Yet neither overshoot the mark, nor fail 

The goal of fitting compliment to reach ? 
For many men, transgressing right, there be 

Semblance who place above reality. 

To him who groans beneath attiction’s smart, 

Allmen have prompt condolence; but the sting 
Of feignéd sorrow reaches not the heart. 

So men with others’ joy rejoicing, bring 
Over their visage an enforced smile: 

But the discerning shepherd knows his flock, 
And his unerring glance detects their guile, 
Who simulating love, with glozing art 

And watery kindness fawn, but inly mock. 
But thou, O King, (I speak without disguise,) 

In Helen’s quarrel busking war’s array, 

A mien didst wear unseemly in mine eyes, 
Guiding not well the rudder of thy mind, 
Who didst, on death-devoted men, essay 





JOM BELLS 


Scene. The court of the palace of AGAMEMNON, 


as before. 


Enter the CHorus. 


r / ᾽ 
ἄγε δή, βασιλεῦ, Τροίας πτολίπορθ᾽, 
᾿Ατρέως γένεθλον, 
πῶς σε προσείπω; πῶς σε σεβίζω 

/ ’ ¢ , 7 , ΄ / 
μήθ᾽ ὑπεράρας μήθ᾽ ὑποκάμψας 
καιρὸν χάριτος; 
πολλοὶ δὲ βροτῶν τὸ δοκεῖν εἶναι 
προτίουσι δίκην παραβάντες. 
a lal ,’ 5 / 
τῷ δυσπραγοῦντι δ᾽ ἐπιστενάχειν 
πᾶς τις ἕτοιμος: δῆγμα δὲ λύπης 
J 3 “- “- 
οὐδὲν ἐφ᾽ ἧπαρ προσικνεῖται" 
καὶ ξυγχαίρουσιν ὁμοιοπρεπεῖς 
ἀγέλαστα πρόσωπα βιαζόμενοι. 
ὅστις δ᾽ ἀγαθὸς προβατογνώμων, 
, ” Wore ” / 
οὐκ ἔστι λαθεῖν ὄμματα φωτός, 
\ a > ” Ε / 
τὰ δοκοῦντ᾽ evdpovos ἐκ διανοίας 
΄ -“ / / 
ὑδαρεῖ σαίνειν φιλότητι. 

/ , \ \ 
σὺ δέ μοι τότε μὲν στέλλων στρατιὰν 
“EXé Ξ (ee ee oe) ’ ΄ ᾽ 2 , 

ένης ἕνεκ᾽, οὐ γάρ σ᾽ ἐπικεύσω, 
/ / 3 , 
κάρτ᾽ ἀπομούσως ἤσθα γεγραμμένος, 
οὐδ᾽ εὖ πραπίδων οἴακα νέμων 


58 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


Courage to urge, by sacrifice. 
But those who have achieved the great emprize, 
Not from the surface of my mind alone, 
I welcome now, with feelings not unkind; 
And inquest made, in time shall it be known, 
Who of thy citizens at home the while 
Guarded thy state with truth, and who with guile, 


Enter in triumph, t, AGAMEMNON. He is in a chariot 
drawn by slaves. CASSANDRA is seated at his feet. 
CLYTAEMNESTRA, attended, enters from the palace. 


Ag. First Argos and her tutelary gods, 
Who with me wrought to compass my return, 
And visit Priam’s town with vengeance due, 
Justly I hail. For in this cause the gods, 
Swayed by no hearsay, in the bloody urn 
Without dissentient voice the pebbles cast, 
Sealing the doom of Ilion and her sons. 
But to the rival urn, by no hand filled, 
Hope only came. Smoke still uprising marks 
The captured city; Ate’s incense-fires 
Are living still, but, dying as they die, 
The ash sends upward costly fumes of wealth. 
Wherefore ’tis meet to render to the gods 
Memorial thanks ; since round them we have cast 
Our vengeful toils, and in a woman’s cause 
The Argive monster, offspring of the horse, 
Host shield-accoutred, made its deadly leap, 
And Priam’s city levelled to the dust, 
What time the Pleiades in ocean waned; 
So, bounding o’er the towers, of princely blood 
The raw-devouring lion lapped his fill. 


56. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 59 


θράσος ἑκούσιον 
BI) vis / / 
ἀνδράσι θνήσκουσι κομίζων. 

νῦν δ᾽ οὐκ aw ἄκρας φρενὸς οὐδ᾽ ἀφίλως 
εὔφρων πόλις εὖ τελέσασιν. 

γνώσει δὲ χρόνῳ διαπευθόμενος 

τόν τε δικαίως καὶ τὸν ἀκαίρως 


, , lal a 
πολιν OLKOUPOVVTa TONLT@V. 


Enter in triwmph, t, AGAMEMNON. He is in a chariot 


AY. 


drawn by slaves. CASSANDRA is seated at his feet. 
CLYTAEMNESTRA, attended, enters from the palace. 


πρῶτον μὲν "Άργος καὶ θεοὺς ἐγχωρίους 
“-“ ’ 

δίκη προσειπεῖν, τοὺς ἐμοὶ μεταιτίους 
νόστου δικαίων θ᾽ ὧν ἐπραξάμην πόλιν 
Πριάμου: δίκας γὰρ οὐκ ἀπὸ γλώσσης θεοὶ 
κλύοντες ἀνδροθνῆτας ᾿Ιλίου φθορὰς 
εἰς αἱματηρὸν τεῦχος οὐ διχορρόπως 

/ »” lal >] ’ ,ὔ 72 
ψήφους ἔθεντο: τῷ δ᾽ ἐναντίῳ κύτει 
ἐλπὶς προσήει χειρὸς οὐ πληρουμένῳ. 

a ’ € a rn 9 7 , 
καπνῷ δ᾽ ἁλοῦσα νῦν ἔτ᾽ εὔσημος πολις. 
ἄτης θύελλαι ζῶσι: συνθνήσκουσα δὲ 
σποδὸς προπέμπει πίονας πλούτου πνοάς. 
τούτων θεοῖσι χρὴ πολύμνηστον χάριν 

U id , 
τίνειν, ἐπείπερ καὶ πάγας ὑπερκότους 
> A \ \ ef 
ἐφραξάμεσθα καὶ γυναικὸς οὕνεκα 
πόλιν διημάθυνεν ᾿Αργεῖον δάκος, 
“ ΄ , , , 
ἵππου νεοσσός, ἀσπιδοστρόφος λεῶς, 
πήδημ᾽ ὀρούσας ἀμφὶ Πλειάδων δύσιν" 
id \ \ , 5» \ / 
ὑπερθορὼν δὲ πύργον ὠμηστὴς λέων 


v 5, “, cal 
ἄδην ἔλειξεν αἵματος τυραννικοῦ. 


00 


Cly. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


This lengthened prelude to the gods! and now 
Weighing the judgment ye erewhile expressed, 
I say the same, and am with you agreed. 
To few is it congenial, envy-free, 

To venerate the friend whom Fortune crowns. 
The jealous poison, lodged within the heart, 
Tortures with twofold pang whom it infects ; 
By his own griefs oppressed, the envious man 
Groans also to behold another's joy. 

Out of my proof I speak, for, well I wot, 
Who friendship most pretended, only were 
Its mirrored image, shadow of a shade. 
None but Odysseus, who unwilling sailed, 
Once harnessed, was my trusty yoke-fellow ; 
This I affirm, be he alive or dead. 

But for the rest, what to the state pertains, 
And to the gods, a full assembly called, 
We'll weigh in free debate. Counsel we need, 
That where the state is sound, we keep it so; 
But where disease the healer’s art requires, 
By kind excision, or by cautery, 

We shall attempt to remedy the harm. 
Now to my palace and my household hearth 
Returning, first will I the gods salute, 

Who forward sped me, and who lead me home ; 
Since victory so far hath followed me, 

Here may she henceforth stedfastly abide! 
Men of our city, Argive elders here, 

I shame not in your presence to avow 

My witely temper; bashful Fear in time 
From mortals dieth: not by others taught, 
But from myself, the wretched life [1] tell 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 61 


-“ \ » ,ὔ ’, , = 
θεοῖς μὲν ἐξέτεινα φροίμιον τόδε 
\ , > \ \ / / ’ 
τὰ δ᾽ ἐς τὸ cov φρόνημα, μέμνημαι κλύων, 
καὶ φημὶ ταὐτὰ καὶ συνήγορόν μ᾽ ἔχεις. 
/ ’ r 
παύροις yap ἀνδρῶν ἐστι συγγενὲς τόδε, 
, \ ’ lal ΕῚ wv / / 
φίλον τὸν εὐτυχοῦντ᾽ ἄνευ φθόνου σέβειν. 
, ͵ Ν \ 
δύσφρων yap ἰὸς καρδίαν προσήμενος 
” / “- / ‘ 
ἄχθος διπλοίζει τῷ πεπαμένῳ νόσον, 
r ¢ r / 
τοῖς τ᾽ αὐτὸς αὑτοῦ πήμασιν βαρύνεται 
\ \ a“ ” » lal / 
καὶ τὸν θυραῖον ὄλβον εἰσορῶν στένει. 
> \ / " ΕΣ μ \ 3 / 
εἰδὼς λέγοιμ᾽ av, ev yap ἐξεπίσταμαι, 
ὁμιλίας κάτοπτρον, εἴδωλον σκιᾶς, 
ἴω Φ “-“ 
δοκοῦντας εἶναι κάρτα πρευμενεῖς ἐμοί. 
΄ + et | , “ 5 [ \ »» 
μόνος δ᾽ ᾿Οδυσσεύς, ὅσπερ οὐχ ἑκὼν ἔπλει, 
ζευχθεὶς ἕτοιμος ἦν ἐμοὶ σειραφόρος" 
εἴτ᾽ οὖν θανόντος εἴτε καὶ ζῶντος πέρι 
\ ᾽ U \ 
λέγω. τὰ δ᾽ ἄλλα πρὸς πόλιν TE καὶ θεοὺς 
κοινοὺς ἀγῶνας θέντες ἐν πανηγύρει 
/ \ \ \ a » 
βουλευσόμεσθα. καὶ τὸ μὲν καλῶς ἔχον 
ef ͵ 5S lal ,, 
ὅπως χρονίζον εὖ μενεῖ βουλευτέον" 
“ \ \ lal / / 
ὅτῳ δὲ καὶ δεῖ φαρμάκων παιωνίων, 
/ » / / 
ἤτοι κέαντες ἢ τεμόντες εὐφρόνως 
/ fol ΄ 
πειρασόμεσθα πῆμ᾽ ἀποστρέψαι νόσου. 
re >) , , 
νῦν δ᾽ ἐς μέλαθρα καὶ δόμους ἐφεστίους 
ἐλθὼν θεοῖσι πρῶτα δεξιώσομαι, 
6 / , 
οἵπερ πρόσω πέμψαντες ἤγαγον πάλιν. 
, ’ 5 , / 
νίκη δ᾽ ἐπείπερ ἕσπετ᾽, ἐμπέδως μένοι. 
ae / 
ἄνδρες πολῖται, πρέσβος ᾿Αργείων τόδε, 
r / 
οὐκ αἰσχυνοῦμαι τοὺς φιλάνορας τρόπους 
rs , , 3 / 
λέξαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς: ἐν χρόνῳ δ᾽ ἀποφθίνει 
\ / > , > A / 
τὸ τάρβος ἀνθρώποισιν. οὐκ ἄλλων Tapa 
rn a , , 
μαθοῦσ᾽, ἐμαυτῆς δύσφορον λέξω βίον 


02 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


"Twas mine to lead while this man was at Troy. 
First, for a woman severed from her mate, 

To sit forlorn at home is grievous woe, 

Hearing malignant murmurs manifold. 

One courier comes, another in his train 

Worse tidings brings to echo through the house; 
And as for wounds, had my dear lord received 

As many as report kept pouring in, 

A net methinks had not been more transpierced. 
Or had he died oft as reported then, 

A second triple-bodied Geryon, 

Enduring death in every form he wore. 

Thus harassed by these ever-rife reports, 

Full often from my neck have forceful hands 
Seized and untied the beam-suspended noose. 
And for this cause our son, pledge of our troth, 
Of mine and thine, stands not beside me now, 
As stand he should, Orestes. Marvel not, 

For him thy trusty spear-guest nourisheth ; 
Strophius, the Phocian, who hath me forewarned 
Of twofold peril, thine ‘neath Ilion’s wall, 

And next lest clamour-fostered Anarchy 

Hazard the plot, for tis with men inborn 

To trample further him already down. 

This pretext, trust me, carries no deceit. 

But for myself the gushing founts of grief 

Are all dried up, no single tear is left; 

Sore with late watching are my weary eyes, 
Weeping the fiery beacons set for thee 
Neglected ever. Often from my dreams 

Was I awakened by the tiny hum 

Of buzzing gnat, seeing, endured by thee, 


sc. I] OF AESCHYLUS 


, , eo - 3 [ 3. ἘὮ , 
τοσόνδ᾽ ὅσονπερ οὗτος ἦν ὑπ᾽ ᾿Ιλίῳ. 
\ an cal “ , 
τὸ μὲν γυναῖκα πρῶτον ἄρσενος δίχα 
» / 
ἧσθαι δόμοις ἔρημον ἔκπαγλον κακόν, 
πολλὰς κλύουσαν κληδόνας παλιυγκότους" 

\ id \ 5 / “ 
καὶ τὸν μὲν ἥκειν, τὸν δ᾽ ἐπεσφέρειν κακοῦ 
κάκιον ἄλλο πῆμα, λάσκοντας δόμοις. 
καὶ τραυμάτων μὲν εἰ τόσων ἐτύγχανεν 
e o \ a ’ 
ἁνὴρ ὅδ᾽, ὡς πρὸς οἶκον ὠχετεύετο 

΄ / / f / 
φάτις, TETPNTAL δικτύου πλέον λέγειν. 
εἰ δ᾽ ἦν τεθνηκώς, ὡς ἐπλήθυον λόγοι, 
τρισώματός τἂν Τ᾿ηρυὼν ὁ δεύτερος 

\ / a b) / “- 
χθονὸς τρίμοιρον χλαῖναν ἐξηύχει λαβεῖν, 
ἅπαξ ἑκάστῳ κατθανὼν μορφώματι. 

a > ΄ "ἢ 
τοιῶνδ᾽ ἕκατι κληδόνων παλιγκότων 
πολλὰς ἄνωθεν ἀρτάνας ἐμῆς δέρης 

7 Ν , 
ἔλυσαν ἄλλοι πρὸς βίαν λελημμένης. 

A ,ὕ A ἢ a 
ἐκ τῶνδέ TOL παῖς ἐνθάδ᾽ οὐ παραστατεΐῖ, 
ἐμῶν τε καὶ σῶν κύριος πιστωμάτων, 

id nr ’ / \ / , 
ὡς χρῆν, Opéotns: μηδὲ θαυμάσῃς τόδε. 

/ \ > Ν 2) \ / 
τρέφει yap αὐτὸν εὐμενὴς δορύξενος 

΄ € / 

Xtpodios ὁ Φωκεύς, ἀμφίλεκτα πήματα 
ἐμοὶ προφωνῶν, τόν θ᾽ ὑπ᾽ Ἰλίῳ σέθεν 
κίνδυνον, εἴ τε δημόθρους ἀναρχία 

\ , Ξ 
βουλὴν καταρρίψειεν, ὥστε σύγγονον 

r \ ΄ / 
βροτοῖσι τὸν πεσόντα λακτίσαι πλέον. 

, , an 7, 
τοιάδε μέντοι σκῆψις οὐ δόλον φέρει. 
, \ \ > , 
ἔμοιγε μὲν δὴ κλαυμάτων ἐπίσσυτοι 

.) , 
πηγαὶ κατεσβήκασιν, οὐδ᾽ ἔνι σταγών. 
> ,’ > 

ἐν ὀψικοίτοις δ᾽ ὄμμασιν βλάβας ἔχω 

\ ᾽ ΄ 
τὰς ἀμφί σοι κλαίουσα λαμπτηρουχίας 

/ 2 

ἀτημελήτους αἰέν. ἐν δ᾽ ὀνείρασιν 
λεπταῖς ὑπαὶ κώνωπος ἐξηγειρόμην 
Ω al οἵ, Le 
ῥιπαῖσι θωὕσσοντος, ἀμφί σοι πάθη 


64 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


More woes than could have filled mine hour of 
sleep. 
These sorrows past, now with a heart unwrung 
I hail my husband, watchdog of the fold, 
Sure forestay of the ship; of lofty roof 
Pillar firm based; Sire’s sole-begotten child ; 
Land beyond hope looming to marmers; 
Day after storm most brilliant to behold; 
To thirsty wayfarer clear gushing spring. 
Sooth, sweet it is to ’scape from harsh con- 
straint ; 
With such addresses do I honour him. 
Let Envy stand aloof! for we have borne 
Ere this full many a woe. Now dear my lord 
Come from thy car ; but on the ground, O King, 
Plant not the foot that trampled Ilion. 


Slaves advance from the palace, bringing with them a 


purple carpet which they spread from the doors of 
the palace to the chariot of AGAMEMNON. 


Maidens, why tarry ye, whose duty ’tis 
With carpets to bespread his stepping-floor ? 
Swift, purple-strew his passage to a home 
Unlooked for, e’en as Justice may conduct ; 
What further she decreeth with the gods, 
Thought, not by sleep o’ermastered, shall 
dispose. 

Daughter of Leda! Guardian of my home! 
Such as my absence was, is now thy speech, 
Drawn out to ample length. With better grace 
My praise had come from others than from thee. 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 65 


€ an J r / / 
ὁρῶσα πλείω τοῦ ξυνεύδοντος χρόνου. 
fal rn , lal , > / \ 
νῦν ταῦτα πάντα τλᾶσ᾽ ἀπενθήτῳ φρενὶ 
/ , > a fal 
λέγοιμ᾽ av ἄνδρα τόνδε τῶν σταθμῶν κύνα, 
fol Ν , id a / 
σωτῆρα ναὸς πρότονον, ὑψηλῆς στέγης 
στῦλον ποδήρη, μονογενὲς τέκνον πατρί, 
καὶ γῆν φανεῖσαν ναυτίλοις παρ᾽ ἐλπίδα, 
Ff Ὁ > a > / 
κάλλιστον ἦμαρ εἰσιδεῖν ἐκ χείματος, 
τῷ / ὃ a a ev 
ὁδοιπόρῳ διψῶντι πηγαῖον ῥέος. 
τερπνὸν δὲ τἀναγκαῖον ἐκφυγεῖν ἅπαν. 
τοιοῖσδέ τοί νιν ἀξιῶ προσφθέγμασιν. 

, > ? / \ \ \ \ \ 
φθόνος δ᾽ ἀπέστω' πολλὰ yap τὰ πρὶν κακὰ 
ἠνειχόμεσθα. νῦν δέ μοι, φίλον κάρα, 

” ’ > / “ \ \ \ 
éxBaw ἀπήνης τῆσδε, μὴ χαμαὶ τιθεὶς 


τὸν σὸν πόδ᾽, ὠναξ, ᾿Ιλίου πορθήτορα. 


Slaves advance from the palace, bringing with them a 


AT: 


purple carpet which they spread from the doors of 
the palace to the chariot of AGAMEMNON. 


duwai, τί μέλλεθ᾽, ais ἐπέσταλται τέλος 
/ ͵7ὔ 72 / 
πέδον κελεύθου στρωννύναι πετάσμασιν; 
> \ / / 
εὐθὺς γενέσθω πορφυρόστρωτος πόρος 
3 A 4}, «ς XN - ‘al / 
ἐς δῶμ᾽ ἄελπτον ὡς ἂν ἡγῆται δίκη. 
\ 3. ἐν \ ᾽ [ἡ LU 
τὰ δ᾽ ἄλλα φροντὶς οὐχ ὕπνῳ νικωμένη 
a ΄ / 
θήσει δικαίως σὺν θεοῖς εἱμαρμένα. 
Λήδας γένεθλον, δωμάτων ἐμῶν φύλαξ, 
ἀπουσίᾳ μὲν εἶπας εἰκότως ἐμῇ" 
\ \ es ’ ’ b] / 
μακρὰν yap ἐξέτεινας: add ἐναισίμως 
> al ’ ” \ ‘yr ον , 
αἰνεῖν, Tap ἄλλων χρὴ τόδ᾽ ἔρχεσθαι γέρας" 
Α. Ὁ 


00 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT Il 


And for the rest, seek not in woman’s guise 
To pamper me, nor, gaping forth loud cries, 
Bow down to me, as to barbaric wight. 
Make not my path with tapestries bestrewn 
A mark for envy. To the gods belong 
Such signal honours; but for mortal man, 
On bright-hued broidery to plant his foot, 

I own it, is to me not free from dread; 

As mortal honour me, but not as god; 
Without foot-carpeting or gorgeous web, 
Glory resounds; a constant mind to keep 
Is Heaven’s best gift; him only call we blest 
Who ends in fair prosperity his days. 

If thus I bear myself I need not fear. 
Against my settled purpose speak not thus. 
Deem not my sober purpose I will mar. 
Haply thou thus to act hast vowed in fear. 
Final and sure my word as man e’er spake. 
What, thinkest thou, had Priam done if victor? 
Purples, I ween, he verily had trod. 

Then stand not thou in fear of human blame. 
Yet hath the people’s rumour mighty power. 
Life envy-free 15. life unenviable. 

‘Tis not for woman to be fond of strife. 

But it becomes the fortunate to yield. 

Does conquest in this struggle rate so high ? 
Yield thee; thy will bend willingly to mine. 
If thou wilt have it so, let one with speed 
These buskins loosen, vassals of the foot ; 
Lest, if with them sea-tinctured robes I tread, 
Some jealous eye of gods smite me from far. 
For much it shameth me, with wanton feet 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 67 


Κλ. 


AT. 
Ka. 
AT. 
Ka. 
AY, 
Ka. 
Ar. 
Ka. 
AY, 
Ka. 
AY. 


Ka. 


AY. 


\ v \ \ > 4 5 \ 
καὶ τἄλλα μὴ γυναικὸς ἐν τρόποις ἐμὲ 
ἅβρυνε, μηδὲ βαρβάρου φωτὸς δίκην 
χαμαιπετὲς βόαμα προσχάνῃς ἐμοί, 

᾿] 6 , / 
μηδ᾽ εἵμασι στρώσασ᾽ ἐπίφθονον πόρον 
τίθει" θεούς τοι τοῖσδε τιμαλφεῖν χρεών" 
ἐν ποικίλοις δὲ θνητὸν ὄντα κάλλεσιν 

, > \ \ > a wv / 
βαίνειν ἐμοὶ μὲν οὐδαμῶς ἄνευ φόβου. 
λέγω κατ᾽ ἄνδρα, μὴ θεόν, σέβειν ἐμέ. 
χωρὶς ποδοψήστρων τε καὶ τῶν ποικίλων 
κληδὼν ἀύὐτεῖ: καὶ τὸ μὴ κακῶς φρονεῖν 

fal / lal > / \ \ 
θεοῦ μέγιστον δῶρον. ὀλβίσαι δὲ χρὴ 

’ὔ 7 > > > n /- 
βίον τελευτήσαντ᾽ ἐν εὐεστοῖ φίλῃ. 

᾽ ΄ 3... ὧν , 7) oF ᾽ \ ΠΝ, 
εἰ πάντα δ᾽ ὡς πράσσοιμ᾽ av, εὐθαρσὴς ἐγώ. 
καὶ μὴν τόδ᾽ εἰπὲ μὴ παρὰ γνώμην ἐμοί. 
γνώμην μὲν ἴσθι μὴ διαφθεροῦντ᾽ ἐμέ. 
ηὔξω θεοῖς δείσας ἂν ὧδ᾽ ἔρδειν τάδε; 

" Ὁ 7 > a BOY Sie , 
εἴπερ τις, εἰδώς γ᾽ εὖ τόδ᾽ ἐξεῖπον τέλος. 

,ὔ > Xx lal / > Ὁ» " 
τί δ᾽ ἂν δοκεῖ σοι Πρίαμος, εἰ τάδ᾽ ἤνυσεν; 
ἐν ποικίλοις ἂν κάρτα μοι βῆναι δοκεῖ. 

/ \ ’ / > “ ,ὔ 
μή νυν τὸν ἀνθρώπειον αἰδεσθῆς ψόγον. 
φήμη γε μέντοι δημόθρους μέγα σθένει. 

ὁ 8 ἀαφθονητὸς γ᾽ οὐκ ἐπίζηλος πέλει. 
οὔτοι γυναικός ἐστιν ἱμείρειν μάχης. 

“ >] ’ / \ x nr / 
τοῖς δ᾽ ὀλβίοις ye Kal TO νικᾶσθαι πρέπει. 
ἢ καὶ σὺ νίκην τήνδε δήριος Ties ; 
πιθοῦ: κράτος μέντοι πάρες γ᾽ ἑκὼν ἐμοί. 
ἀλλ᾽ εἰ δοκεῖ σοι ταῦθ᾽, ὑπαί τις ἀρβύλας 
λύοι τάχος, πρόδουλον ἔμβασιν ποδός. 
καὶ τοῖσδέ μ᾽ ἐμβαίνονθ᾽ ἁλουργέσιν θεῶν 
μή τις πρόσωθεν ὄμματος βάλοι φθόνος. 
πολλὴ γὰρ αἰδὼς δωματοφθορεῖν ποσὶν 


5—2 


08 


Cly. 


THE AGAMEMNON [AcT lI 


To mar this wealth of silver-purchased web. 
Of this enough. This stranger damsel now 
Kindly receive. Zeus, with propitious eye, 
Beholds the victor’s sway with mercy crowned. 
For willingly none bears the captive yoke ; 
But she, the chosen flower of many a spoil, 
Fair present from the host, hath followed me, 
But since herein I yield me to thy will, 
Treading on purple to my halls I go. 


Slaves take off the sandals of AGAMEMNON. 


A sea there is (which who may drain?) that 
breeds 
Abundant purple, fresh from many a shell, 
Precious as silver, brilliant dye of robes, 
Whereof, through favour of the gods, these halls 
May boast, O King, a store right plentiful ; 
And poverty is stranger to our house. 
Trampling of many garments had I vowed, 
Had thus the oracles our house enjoined, 
Ransom devising for this precious life. 
For while the root lives on, the leafage spreads, 
Screening the mansion from the dog-star’s ray. 
So now, returning to thy household hearth, 
As warmth in winter doth thy presence show. 
And when Zeus breweth from the acrid grape 
Rich wine, then coolness thro’ the halls is shed, 
Where, crowner of the home, the husband 
dwells. 


AGAMEMNON descends from the chariot assisted by 


CLYTAEMNESTRA, and enters the palace. 


50. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 


Ka. 


φθείροντα πλοῦτον ἀργυρωνήτους θ᾽ ὑφάς. 

τούτων μὲν οὕτω: τὴν ξένην δὲ πρευμενῶς 
/ 5 ,’ / Ἂς a lal 

τήνδ᾽ ἐσκόμιζε: τὸν κρατοῦντα μαλθακῶς 

θεὸς πρόσωθεν εὐμενῶς προσδέρκεται. 

ς \ \ > \ / a a 

ἑκὼν yap οὐδεὶς δουλίῳ χρῆται ζυγῷ. 

αὕτη δὲ πολλῶν χρημάτων ἐξαίρετον 

v “ 7 τὸ ’ \ / 

ἄνθος, στρατοῦ δώρημ᾽, ἐμοὶ ξυνέσπετο. 

ἐπεὶ δ᾽ ἀκούειν σοῦ κατέστραμμαι τάδε, 


εἶμ᾽ ἐς δόμων μέλαθρα πορφύρας πατῶν. 
Slaves take off the sandals of AGAMEMNON. 


ἔστιν θάλασσα, Tis δέ νιν κατασβέσει; 
lel , ,ὔ 

τρέφουσα πολλῆς πορφύρας ἰσάργυρον 

κηκῖδα παγκαίνιστον, εἱμάτων Badas. 

> > ¢ , A \ ~ 7 

οἶκος δ᾽ ὑπάρχει τῶνδε σὺν θεοῖς, ava€, 

y / > 2 ’ / / 

ἔχειν: πένεσθαι δ᾽ οὐκ ἐπίσταται δόμος. 
Ὁ Ν 3 e / x ’ / 

πολλῶν πατησμὸν δ᾽ εἱμάτων av ηὐξάμην, 

δόμοισι προυνεχθέντος ἐν χρηστηρίοις, 
fol , a 

ψυχῆς κόμιστρα τῆσδε μηχανωμένῃ. 

ev ἣν 5 \ 0 ᾽ b) ΄ 

ῥίζης γὰρ οὔσης φυλλὰς ἵκετ᾽ ἐς δόμους, 

σκιὰν ὑπερτείνασα σειρίου κυνός. 

καὶ σοῦ μολόντος δωματῖτιν ἑστίαν, 

θάλπος μὲν ἐν χειμῶνι σημαίνεις μολόν" 

4 \ , \ ’ A) v fal 

ὅταν δὲ τεύχῃ Ζεὺς ἀπ᾽ ὄμφακος πικρᾶς 

, , b] lal , 
οἶνον, TOT ἤδη ψῦχος ἐν δόμοις πέλει, 


ἀνδρὸς τελείου δῶμ᾽ ἐπιστρωφωμένου. 


AGAMEMNON descends from the chariot assisted by 


CLYTAEMNESTRA, and enters the palace. 


69 


70 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


Zeus, Zeus, all-crowner, my petitions crown: 
Thine be the care of that which crown thou wilt. 


CLYTAEMNESTRA follows him into the palace. 


Cho. Whence this dread portent, that untired 
Before my bodeful spirit floats / 





Wherefore, unbidden and unhired, ἢ 

Waken these dark prophetic notes ? 

Why sits not on my bosom’s throne 

The direful presage to disown 

As riddling dream, assurance strong ¢ 
Time’s youth hath flown 

Sinee the stern-cables from the boats 

Were flung, what time the ship-borne host 

Marched on to Ilion from the sandy coast. 


After long absence their return 
With self-informing eyes I learn; 
Yet in its depths my soul, self-taught, 
Chanteth Erinys’ lyreless strains ; 
My hopes, of courage reft, depart ; 
Not vainly throb my inmost reins; 
Whirleth on eddies of dark thought 
My bodeful heart ; 

Yet, against hope, the gods I pray, 
That, false to augury, my lay 

Futile may fall, with vain foreboding fraught. 


Never will perfect health confess 

Her limit sated; though disease, 
Neighbour, with party-wall, against her press. 

Sailing with prosperous course elate, 


ἘΠ: 1 OF AESCHYLUS 71 


XO. 


“- a , \ \ 
Zed Zed τέλειε, τὰς ἐμὰς εὐχὰς τέλει" 
μέλοι δέ τοι σοὶ τῶνπερ ἂν μέλλῃς τελεῖν. 


CLYTAEMNESTRA follows him into the palace. 


/ ro > / 
τίπτε μοι TOO ἐμπέδως στρ. α΄. 
δεῖμα προστατήριον 
καρδίας τερασκόπου ποτᾶταιυ, 

lal ’ , / vv 5 , 
μαντιπολεῖ δ᾽ ἀκέλευστος ἄμισθος ἀοιδα, 

ΩΣ , 
οὐδ᾽ ἀποπτύσαι δίκαν 
δυσκρίτων ὀνειράτων 

/ 9 \ “ 
θάρσος εὐπιθὲς ἵζει 

x , , 
φρενὸς φίλον θρόνον; χρόνος δ᾽ ἐπὶ 
πρυμνησίων ξυνεμβολαῖς 
ψαμμίας ἀκάτας παρή- 
βησεν, εὖθ᾽ ὑπ᾽ “Tov 
ὦρτο ναυβάτας στρατός. 

/ > uJ Ἕ 3 , ᾽ 
πεύθομαι δ᾽ ἀπ᾿ ὀμμάτων ἀντ. α΄. 

/ a] 
νόστον, αὐτόμαρτυς ὧν' 

\ > + ͵ “ ς τ 
τὸν © ἄνευ λύρας ὅμως ὑμνῳδεῖ 

aw > Ba co | / ’ ‘ » 
θρῆνον ᾿ϑρινύος αὐτοδίδακτος ἔσωθεν 

/ ’ lal 3 
θυμός, οὐ τὸ πᾶν ἔχων 
ἐλπίδος φίλον θράσος. 
σπλάγχνα δ᾽ οὔτι ματάζει 

τλαΎΧ ὕτι ματαζε 

\ οὶ / \ , 
πρὸς ἐνδίκοις φρεσὶν τελεσφόροις 

Ἢ) 
δίναις κυκλούμενον κέαρ. 
εὔχομαι δ᾽ ἀπ᾽ ἐμᾶς τοιαῦτ᾽ 
ἐλπίδος ψύθη πεσεῖν 
b] \ \ / 
ἐς TO μὴ τελεσφόρον. 

/ / Ἂ vA e / , 
μάλα ye τοι TO μεγάλας υγιείας στρ. β΄. 
ἀκόρεστον τέρμα. νόσος γὰρ ἀεὶ 

c , 3 ,ὔ 

γείτων ὁμότοιχος ἐρείδει, 
, “ 
καὶ πότμος εὐθυπορῶν 


. . . . . . 


72 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


Strikes on the hidden reef man’s proud estate. 
Then if reluctant Fear, with well-poised sling, 
His bales doth into the ocean fling, 
Riseth once more the bark; and though 
With evil freighted to the full, 
Floateth secure the lightened hull. 
So likewise, gift of ample worth 
From Zeus, the year’s increase, 
Whose teeming harvests in the furrows grow, 
(uells the disease of dearth. 


But when on earth the crimson gore 
Of man hath fallen, never more 
May charm or spell the vanished life evoke; 
Hence he of old, whose mystic lore 
Was skilled the dead from Hades to restore, 
Fell, blasted by the Thunderer’s warning stroke. 
Now did not Fate—a heaven-sent Fate— 
Baffle my impulse, ere too late, 
Leaving behind the lagging tongue, 
My heart its bodeful strain had sung. 
But now it raves; no cheering rays 
My anguished spirit knows, 
And hopeless to unravel Fate’s dark maze 
With fiery ardour glows. 


CLYTAEMNESTRA returns and addresses CASSANDRA, 
who is still crouching in the chariot. 


Cly. Come thou too in, Cassandra, thee I mean; 
For not in wrath Zeus placed thee in our house 
A sharer in our lustral rites to stand, 
With many slaves beside his household altar, 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 73 


> \ »Μ » Φ 
ἀνδρὸς ἔπαισεν ἄφαντον ἕρμα. 
καὶ τὸ μὲν πρὸ χρημάτων 
’ wv Ἁ 
κτησίων ὄκνος βαλὼν 
/ > ΟἹ > 4 
σφενδόνας ἀπ᾽ εὐμέτρου, 
5 / 
οὐκ ἔδυ πρόπας δόμος 
πημονᾶς γέμων ἄγαν, 
PANG > / / 
οὐδ᾽ ἐπόντισε σκάφος. 
\ 
πολλά τοι δόσις ἐκ Διὸς ἀμ- 
φιλαφής τε καὶ ἐξ ἀλόκων ἐπετειᾶν 
νῆστιν ὥλεσεν νόσον. 
Ν ’ > \ an \ “ / 2 , 
τὸ δ᾽ ἐπὶ γᾶν πεσὸν ἅπαξ θανάσιμον ἀντ. β΄. 
/ ’ > \ / Φ , ΩΝ 
προπάροιθ᾽ ἀνδρὸς μέλαν αἷμα τίς ἂν 
/ > / ’ b] / 
πάλιν ἀγκαλέσαιτ᾽ ἐπαείδων; 
οὐδὲ τὸν ὀρθοδαῆ 
a / ᾿ if 
τῶν φθιμένων ἀνάγειν 
Ζεὺς ἀπέπαυσεν ἐπ᾽ εὐλαβείᾳ; 
\ , 
εἰ δὲ μὴ τεταγμένα 
μοῖρα μοῖραν ἐκ θεών 
53 \ f / 
εἰργε μὴ πλέον φέρειν, 
/ , 
προφθάσασα καρδία 
“- Δ / 5 > / 
γλώσσαν av τάδ᾽ ἐξέχει. 
D δ᾽ id \ KO B / 
νῦν δ᾽ ὑπὸ σκότῳ βρέμει 
/ \ \ > 
θυμαλγής τε καὶ οὐδὲν ἐπελ- 
/ / 
TOMEVA ποτὲ καίριον ἐκτολυπεύσειν 
/ 
ζωπυρουμένας φρενός. 


CLYTAEMNESTRA returns and addresses CASSANDRA, 
who is still crouching in the chariot. 


Ka. εἴσω κομίζου καὶ σύ, ΚΚασάνδραν λέγω, 
> / od 4 9 \ > , / 
ἐπεί σ᾽ ἔθηκε Leds ἀμηνίτως δόμοις 
\ 3 / a \ 
κοινωνὸν εἶναι χερνίβων, πολλῶν μετὰ 
4 “- / a / 
δούλων σταθεῖσαν κτησίου βωμοῦ πέλας. 


74 


Cho. 


Cly. 


Cho. 


Cly. 


Cho. 


Cly. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


Now from this car descend; be not too proud, 
For e’en Alcmena’s son,—so runs the tale,— 
Sold as a slave, endured the forceful yoke ; 
But if such fate befal thee, great the boon 
Heirs of ancestral wealth to own as lords; 
For upstarts, beyond hope who fortune reap,— 
These reckless are and cruel to their slaves. 
From us thou hast what usage warranteth. 
Thee in clear words she hath addressed, and 
thou, 
Meshed as thou art within the toils of Fate, 
Yield if thou canst; mayhap thou wilt not 
yield. 
Nay, and she be not, swallow-like, possessed 
Of an unknown, barbaric tongue, my words, 
Reaching her mind, must move her to comply. 
Follow! She counsels for thy need the best: 
Be thou persuaded ;—leave thy chariot-seat. 
No leisure have I here before the gates 
To linger; for, beside the central hearth, 
The victims wait the sacrificial fire ; 
A favour that our fondest hope transcends. 
But thou, if aught wilt do of what I say, 
Make no delay; but if, of sense bereft, 
Thou canst not catch the meaning of my words, 
In lieu of voice, speak with barbarian hand. 
A clear interpreter the stranger needs: 
Distraught she seems, like creature newly 
caught. 
Nay, she is mad; to her distempered thoughts 
She listens; from a newly-captured town 
She cometh here, nor knows the yoke to bear, 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 


XO. 


Κλ. 


Χο. 


Κλ. 


Χο. 


a , / 
éexBaw ἀπήνης τῆσδε, μηδ᾽ ὑπερφρόνει. 
“ ’ / 
καὶ παῖδα yap τοι φασὶν ᾿Αλκμήνης ποτὲ 

“ / ΄“ 
πραθέντα τλῆναι δουλίας μάζης τυχεῖν. 
᾽ > 5 > ΄ A Cee) , 7, 
εἰ δ᾽ οὖν ἀνάγκη τῆσδ᾽ ἐπιρρέποι τύχης, 
- \ / 
ἀρχαιοπλούτων δεσποτὼν πολλὴ χάρις. 
οἱ δ᾽ οὔποτ᾽ ἐλπίσαντες ἤμησαν καλῶς, 
᾽ / ΄ ΄ \ \ sf 
@mol τε δούλοις πάντα Kal Tapa στάθμην. 
-“ ’ ¢ Le) ate / 
ἕξεις παρ᾽ ἡμῶν οἷάπερ νομίζεται. 
7] lal Τὰ 
σοί τοι λέγουσα παύεται σαφῆ λόγον. 
> \ ’ ς r / > ΄ 
ἐντὸς δ᾽ ἁλοῦσα μορσίμων ἀγρευμάτων 
, ’ sy 
melo. av, εἰ πείθοι" ἀπειθοίης δ᾽ ἴσως. 
ἀλλ᾽ εἴπερ ἐστὶ μὴ χελιδόνος δίκην 
’ a \ / ΄ 
ἀγνῶτα φωνὴν βάρβαρον κεκτημένη, 
ἔσω φρενῶν λέγουσα πείθω νιν λόγῳ. 
ἕπου. τὰ λῷστα τῶν παρεστώτων λέγει. 
πιθοῦ λιποῦσα τόνδ᾽ ἁμαξήρη θρόνον. 
οὔτοι θυραίᾳ τῆδ᾽ ἐμοὶ σχολὴ Ta 
ραίᾳ τῇδ᾽ ἐμοὶ σχολὴ πάρα 
, ὃ \ \ \ ε / , 
τρίβειν. τὰ μὲν yap ἑστίας μεσομφάλου 
Ὁ ” a \ \ / 
ἕστηκεν ἤδη μῆλα πρὸς σφαγὰς πυρός, 
«ς ” 5 5 / / oe , 
ὡς οὔποτ᾽ ἐλπίσασι τήνδ᾽ ἕξειν χαριν. 
, a \ 
σὺ δ᾽ εἴ τι δράσεις τῶνδε, μὴ σχολὴν τίθει. 
5 \ ͵ , 
εἰ δ᾽ ἀξυνήμων οὖσα μὴ δέχει λόγον, 
σὺ δ᾽ ἀντὶ φωνῆς φράζε καρβάνῳ χερί. 
ἑρμηνέως ἔοικεν ἡ ξένη τοροῦ 


δεῖσθαι τρόπος δὲ θηρὸς ὡς νεαιρέτου. 


ΩΣ ' / \ “ / fal 
. ἢ μαίνεταί ye Kal κακῶν κλύει φρενών, 


v4 le \ / / 
ἥτις λιποῦσα μὲν πολιν VEALPETOV 


dA \ , > > / , 
ἥκει, χαλινὸν δ᾽ οὐκ ἐπίσταται φέρειν, 


75 


76 THE AGAMEMNON [acT Π 


Till quelled in foam the passion of her blood. 
But words I’ll waste no more, thus to be scorned. 


Exit CLYTAEMNESTRA into palace. 


Cho. But I, by pity moved, will not be wroth; 
Come, wretched sufferer, this car forsake ; 
To Fortune yielding, hansel this new yoke. 


CassANDRA leaves the chariot, restless with growing 
inspiration. 


Cass. Ah me! alas! Gods, Earth! 
Apollo, O Apollo! 
Cho. Why raise for Loxias these cries of bale ? 
Not he the god to need the mourner’s wail. 


Cass. Ah me! alas! Gods, Earth! 
Apollo, O Apollo! 
Cho. Once more she calleth with ill-omened cry, 
The god who hath no part in misery. 


Cass. Apollo, O Apollo! 

Thou way-god! my destroyer ! 

Once more thou hast destroyed me utterly. 
Cho. She seems about to augur her own ills; 

Heaven’s breathing e’en in bonds her spirit fills. 
Cass. Apollo, O Apollo! 

Thou way-god! my destroyer! 

Ah, whither hast thou led me? to what roof ? 
Cho. To the Atreidan; an thou dost not know 

I tell thee; thou’lt not say it is not so. 
Cass. Ah! Ah! 


A heaven-detested house, whose walls of yore. 


50. 1] OF AESCHYLUS {{{| 


πρὶν αἱματηρὸν ἐξαφρίζεσθαι μένος. 
οὐ μὴν πλέω ῥίψασ᾽ ἀτιμασθήσομαι. 


Exit CLYTAEMNESTRA into palace. 


> \ ’ > ’ , » , 

Χο. ἐγὼ δ᾽, ἐποικτείρω γάρ, οὐ θυμώσομαι. 
vf > / , ] > / 2 »” 
ἴθ᾽, ὦ τάλαινα, τόνδ᾽ ἐρημώσασ᾽ ὄχον, 
Vy ’ ’ lal ΄ , 
εἴκουσ᾽ ἀνάγκῃ τῆδε καίνισον ζυγόν. 


CassanprA leaves the chariot, restless with growing 
inspiration. 


KA. ὀτοτοτοτοῖ πόποι δᾶ. στρ. α΄. 
ὦπολλον ὦπολλον. 

Χο. τί ταῦτ᾽ ἀνωτότυξας ἀμφὶ Λοξίου; 
οὐ γὰρ τοιοῦτος ὥστε θρηνητοῦ τυχεῖν. 


Κα. ὀτοτοτοτοῖ πόποι δᾶ. ἀντ. α΄. 
ὦπολλον ὦπολλον. 

Χο. ἡ δ᾽ αὖτε δυσφημοῦσα τὸν θεὸν καλεῖ 
οὐδὲν προσήκοντ᾽ ἐν γόοις παραστατεῖν. 


Ka. "Απολλον "Απολλον στρ. β΄. 
ρ 
» a3: 9 / > / 
ayulaT ἀπολλων eos. 
’ / nN > / \ 4 
ἀπώλεσας γὰρ οὐ μόλις τὸ δεύτερον. 
Χο. χρήσειν ἔοικεν ἀμφὶ τῶν αὑτῆς κακῶν. 
/ ἂς “ 5 / 
μένει TO θεῖον Sovdia περ ἐν φρενί. 


Ka. "AzroAXov "Απολλον ἀντ. β΄. 
’ ee) 2) U 5 , 
ayviatT ἀαπολλων εμος. 
lal , / Ν ,ὔ 
ὦ ποῖ ToT ἤγαγές με; πρὸς ποίαν στέγην; 
Ν Ν > - \ rn 
Χο. πρὸς τὴν ᾿Ατρειδῶν᾽ εἰ σὺ μὴ τόδ᾽ ἐννοεῖς, 
ἐγὼ λέγω σοι" καὶ τάδ᾽ οὐκ ἐρεῖς ψύθη. 
Ka. μισόθεον μὲν οὖν, πολλὰ συνίστορα στρ. γ΄. 
αὐτόφονα κακὰ καὶ ἀρτάνας, 


78 


Cho. 


Cass. 


Cho. 


Cass. 


Cho. 


Cass. 


Cho. 


Cass. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


Halters have seen, and streams of kindred gore; 
A human shambles with blood-reeking floor. 
Keen scented seems the stranger, like a 


hound ; 
Ay, and the blood she’s tracking will be 
found. 
Ah! Ah! 


Lo! witnesses trust-worthy! Vouchers dire! 

These babes, who weep their death-wound, 
faith inspire, 

Their roasted members eaten by their sire! 
Thy fame oracular hath reached our ear ; 
But certes seek we now no prophet here. 


Alas! ye gods! 
What is she plotting? what new blow? 
A mighty mischief plots she ‘neath this roof; 
An unimaginable cureless woe, 
Unbearable to friends. Help stands aloof. 
Dark are these oracles; the first I knew; 
For, them the city voucheth wholly true. 


Ah wretched one! 

The deed wilt consummate? With guile 
Wilt in the bath thy wedded consort cheer ? 
How speak the issue? Soon it will be here ;— 
Hand after hand is lifted. Woe the while! 
I comprehend her not; this mystic lore, 
These blear-eyed oracles perplex me sore. 


Woe! woe! Look! look! What see I there ? 
Is it, ye gods, a net of hell? 
The wife herself, joint-slayer, is the snare, 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 79 


» ὃ ‘ - Ἂν «ὃ id / 
ἀνδρὸς σφαγεῖον καὶ πέδον ῥαντήριον. 
Χο. ἔοικεν εὔρις ἡ ξένη κυνὸς δίκην 


3 / J τ ᾽ / / 
εἶναι, watever δ᾽ ὧν ἀνευρήσει φόνον. 


΄ 


Ka. μαρτυρίοισι γὰρ τοῖσδ᾽ ἐπιπείθομαι" ἀντ. γ΄. 
κλαιόμενα τάδε βρέφη σφαγᾶς, 
ὀπτάς τε σάρκας πρὸς πατρὸς βεβρωμένας. 

ry a / ἴω \ / 

XO. ἦμεν κλέος σοῦ μαντικὸν πεπυσμένοι" 


͵] / ’ ΕΣ / 
τούτων προφήτας δ᾽ οὔτινας ματεύομεν. 


>\ f / ΄, ἢ 
KA. ἰὼ πόποι, τί ποτε μήδεται; στρ. δ΄. 
/ , 4 ” / 
τί τόδε νέον ἄχος μέγα 
/ » ’ / Cal / \ 
μέγ᾽ ἐν δόμοισι τοῖσδε μήδεται κακὸν 
I / 2 \ oJ 
ἄφερτον φίλοισιν, δυσίατον; ἀλκὰ ὃ 
\ ’ A 
ἑκὰς ἀποστατεῖ. 
/ Mew ΄ ᾽ a / 
Χο. τούτων aidpis εἰμι τῶν μαντευμάτων. 


2 al > », la) \ / a 
ἐκεῖνα δ᾽ ἔγνων. πᾶσα yap πόλις βοᾷ. 


Κα. ἰὼ τάλαινα, τόδε γὰρ τελεῖς, ἀντ. δ΄. 
τὸν ὁμοδέμνιον πόσιν 
λουτροῖσι φαιδρύνασα---πῶς φράσω τέλος; 

, Ν ὧν » , \ \ > 
τάχος yap τόδ᾽ ἔσται" προτείνει δὲ χεὶρ ἐκ 
χερὸς ὀρέγματα. 

Χο. οὔπω ξυνῆκα: νῦν γὰρ ἐξ αἰνιγμάτων 


ἐπαργέμοισι θεσφάτοις ἀμηχανώ. 


δ Υ lal lal / / / , 
Ka. ἐ ἔ, παπαῖ παπαῖ, τί τόδε φαίνεται; στρ. ε΄. 

- / A 

ἢ δίκτυόν te” Avoov; 


ἀλλ᾽ ἄρκυς ἡ Evvevvos, ἡ ξυναιτία 


80 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


Now o’er the accursed rite 
Let the dread brood of Night, 
Unglutted with the race, their chorus swell! 
Cho. What Fury ’gainst this house doth summon ? 
What, 
The shriek to raise? Such utt’rance cheers 
me not. 
Pallid through every vein 
Blood to my heart doth run, 
Which to the battle-slain 
Quencheth life’s sun ; 
But Até comes amain. 


Cass. Hold! hold! Woe! woe! The heifer there 
Keep from the bull. In meshes fell 
Of black-woofed garb entangled,—guileful 
snare,— 
Catching,—she smites him dead ;— 
Prone to his watery bed 
He falls. The laver’s guileful doom I tell. 
Cho. I boast not to be skilled in auguries, 
Yet mischief here I cannot but surmise, 
Through spells, say, if ye know, 
To mortals here below, 
What grateful cheer is sent ? 
Their wordy arts from human woe 
Breed dark presentiment. 


Cass. Woe! woe! my wretched ill-starred lot! 
Wailing another’s fate mine own I mourn; 
Why hast thou led me hither, all forlorn, 
Unless with thee to perish? Wherefore not? 
Cho. Thou’rt frenzied, by some god possest, 


sc. I] OF AESCHYLUS 81 


φόνου. στάσις δ᾽ ἀκόρετος γένει 
, / De 
κατολολυξάτω θύματος λευσίμου. 
Χο. ποίαν ᾿ρινὺν τήνδε δώμασιν κέλει 

ἐπορθιάζειν; οὔ με φαιδρύνει λόγος. 
ἐπὶ δὲ καρδίαν ἔδραμε κροκοβαφὴς 
σταγών, ἅτε καιρία πτώσιμος 

ig / 4 > a 
ξυνανύτει βίου δύντος αὐγαῖς. 


ταχεῖα δ᾽ ἄτα πέλει. 


Ka. ἃ a, ἰδοὺ ἰδού: ἄπεχε τῆς βοὸς ἀντ. ε΄. 
\ “ > / 
τὸν ταῦρον" ἐν πεπλοισι 
7 “ / 
μελαγκέρῳ λαβοῦσα μηχανήματι 
, 2 / ig ae Sen, ΄ 
τύπτει" πίτνει δ᾽ ἐν ἐνύδρῳ τεύχει. 
t / ee / 
δολοφόνου λέβητος τύχαν σοι λέγω. 
Χο. οὐ κομπάσαιμ᾽ ἂν θεσφάτων γνώμων ἄκρος 
Ξ- A , , , 
εἶναι, κακῷ δέ τῳ προσεικάζω τάδε. 
ἀπὸ δὲ θεσφάτων τίς ἀγαθὰ φάτις 
βροτοῖς στέλλεται; κακῶν γὰρ διαὶ 
lal Υ͂ ‘ 
πολυεπεῖς τέχναι θεσπιῳδὸν 


φόβον φέρουσιν μαθεῖν. 


> ἢ / , 
KA. ἰὼ ἰὼ ταλαίνας κακόποτμοι τύχαι" στρ. ς΄. 
\ \ τ Ν a / > / 
TO yap ἐμὸν θροῶ πάθος ἐπεγχέαι. 
a / fal ‘ / ” 
ποῖ δή με δεῦρο THY τάλαιναν ἤγαγες; 
>, / , > \ / / / 
οὐδέν ποτ᾽ εἰ μὴ ξυνθανουμένην. τί yap; 


Χο. φρενομανής τις εἶ θεοφόρητος, ἀμ- 
A. 6 


82 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


And tuneless quirest forth thy doom, 
Like nightingale, with dusky plume 
Sateless of song. From heart opprest, 
Ceaseless her Itys, Itys, flows, 
Her life bewailing, rich alone in woes, 


Cass. Woe! woe! Clear-voicéd bird, arrayed 
In pluméd shape, by powers divine ; 
Sweet life, unmarred by tears, is thine: 
But me awaits the double-edgéd blade. 
Cho. Whence hast thou these prophetic throes, 
Rushing athwart thy soul, in vain? 
Why body forth in dismal strain, 
Blent with shrill cries, these direful woes ? 
Whence cometh thus to vex thy soul 
Of prophecy the dark, ill-omened goal ? 


Cass. Oh, nuptial rite, oh, nuptial rite, 
Of Paris, fraught with doom ! 
Scamander! whence my fathers drank, 
Nourished of yore upon thy bank, 
I throve in youthful bloom. 
Me now Cocytos and the streams of night 
To augur on their dismal shores invite. 
Cho. What thought hast uttered all too clear? 
An infant might interpret here. 
Smitten within am I with gory sting, 
The while thy bird-like cry to hear 
My heart doth wring. 
Cass. Oh deadly coil, oh, deadly coil 
Of Ilion, doomed to fall! 
Alas, the flower-cropping kine 
Slain by my father at the shrine 


Sc. I] 


5 


ΚΑ. 


OF AESCHYLUS 83 


gi δ᾽ αὑτᾶς θροεῖς 

Μ φ΄'’ \ 
νόμον ἄνομον, ota τις ξουθὰ 
ἀκόρετος βοᾶς, φεῦ, ταλαίναις φρεσὶν 
v f , 3 a - 
ἴτυν Ἴτυν στένουσ᾽ ἀμφιθαλῆ κακοῖς 


ἀηδὼν βίον. 


ἰὼ ἰὼ λιγείας μόρον ἀηδόνος" ἀντ. ς΄. 
/ , ΄ , 

περίβαλον γάρ οἱ πτεροφόρον δέμας 

θεοὶ γλυκύν T αἰῶνα κλαυμάτων ἄτερ" 

ἐμοὶ δὲ μίμνει σχισμὸς ἀμφήκει δορί. 


Χο. πόθεν ἐπισσύτους θεοφόρους τ᾽ ἔχεις 


ΚΑ. 


Ka. 


ματαίους dvas, 
Ν ΕῚ 5 ἢ ΄ - 
τὰ δ᾽ ἐπίφοβα δυσφάτῳ κλαγγᾷ 
a e lal ’ , / 
μελοτυπεῖς ὁμοῦ τ᾽ ὀρθίοις ἐν νόμοις ; 
πόθεν ὅρους ἔχεις θεσπεσίας ὁδοῦ 
κακορρήμονας ; 


ἰὼ γάμοι γάμοι ἸΤάριδος ὀλέθριοι φίλων. στρ. § . 
ἰὼ Σκαμάνδρου πάτριον ποτόν. 

/ \ > \ \ 9... 7 / , 
τότε μὲν ἀμφὶ σὰς adiovas Tadaw 
ἠνυτόμαν τροφαῖς" 

a yO) \ ; , 5 ΄, 
νῦν δ᾽ ἀμφὶ Κωκυτόν τε κἀχερουσίους 
ὄχθας ἔοικα θεσπιῳδήσειν τάχα. 

/ / \ v Μ 2 / 
τί τόδε τορὸν ἄγαν ἔπος ἐφημίσω; 
veoyovos ἂν ἀΐων μάθοι. 
πεπληγμαι δ᾽ ὑπαὶ δάκει φοινίῳ 

“ / ‘ Le 
δυσαλγεῖ τύχᾳ μινυρὰ θρεομένας, 
θραύματ᾽ ἐμοὶ κλύειν. 


γΝ ΄, , ͵ ᾽ ΄ \ a A ἢ 
ἰὼ πόνοι πόνοι πόλεος OAOMEVAS τὸ πᾶν. ἀντ. ζ΄. 
, / Ν 
ἰὼ πρόπυργοι θυσίαι πατρὸς 
lal lal t , > 
πολυκανεῖς βοτῶν ποιονόμων: ἄκος ὃ 
6—2 


S4 


Cho. 


Cass. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ ACT Il 


To save her sacred wall! 
But cure was none: she perished ; vain the toil ! 
I too, soul-kindled, soon shall press the soil. 
This tallies with thy former strain ; 
Sure some ill demon smites thy brain, 
And falling on thee moves thee thus to tell 
In piteous chant thy doleful pain. 
The end I cannot spell. 


CASSANDRA’S prophecy begins. 


In sooth the oracle no more shall peer 
Forth from a veil, like newly wedded bride ; 
But flashing on the soul, like wind that blows 
Sunward, it dasheth ’gainst the orient beams 
A mighty surge that doth this grief o’ertop. 
No more through dark enigmas will I teach! 
And bear me witness, how in eager chase 
The track I scent of crimes wrought long ago. 
For from this roof departeth never more 
A choir, concordant but unmusical, 
To evil tuned. Ay, drunk with human blood, 
And by the draught made bold, within these 
halls 
Abides a rout, not easy to eject, 
Of sister Furies; lodged within these walls 
They chant in chorus the primeval curse. 
Hostile to him his brother’s couch who trod, 
In turn they tell their loathing. Have I missed, 
Or, like true archer, have I hit the mark ? 
Or strolling cheat, or lymg prophet am I? 
Before I die, attest ye now on oath 
That of these halls the hoary crimes I know. 


ΠΟΤ =" OF AESCHYLUS 85 


ΚΑ. 


οὐδὲν ἐπήρκεσαν 

τὸ μὴ πόλιν μὲν ὥσπερ οὖν ἔχει παθεῖν. 
ἐγὼ δὲ θερμὴν οὐ στάγ᾽ ἐν πέδῳ βαλῶ ; 
ἑπόμενα προτέροισι τάδ᾽ ἐφημίσω. 

καί τίς σε κακοφρονῶν τίθη- 

σι δαίμων ὑπερβαρὴς ἐμπίτνων 

μελίζειν πάθη γοερὰ θανατοφόρα. 

τέρμα δ᾽ ἀμηχανῶ. 


CassANDRA’s prophecy begins. 


ς ’ ΄ 
καὶ μὴν ὁ χρησμὸς οὐκέτ᾽ ἐκ καλυμμάτων 
ἔσται δεδορκὼς νεογάμου νύμφης δίκην" 

\ ’ τ 
λαμπρὸς δ᾽ ἔοικεν ἡλίου πρὸς ἀντολὰς 
if 7 
πνέων ἐσάξειν, ὥστε κύματος δίκην 
, \ ee ΤΑῚ a , \ 
κλύζειν πρὸς αὐγὰς τοῦδε πήματος πολὺ 
“-“ 7ὔ > > ΤΩ.) 3) >) U 
μεῖζον: φρενώσω δ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ ἐξ αἰνιγμάτων. 
καὶ μαρτυρεῖτε συνδρόμως ἔχνος κακῶν 
ῥινηλατούσῃ τῶν πάλαι πεπραγμένων. 
τὴν γὰρ στέγην τήνδ᾽ οὔποτ᾽ ἐκλείπει χορὸς 
/ ’ A > \ > , 
σύμφθογγος οὐκ εὔφωνος" ov yap εὖ λέγει. 
/ f , 
καὶ μὴν πεπωκώς γ᾽, ὡς θρασύνεσθαι πλέον, 
βρότειον αἷμα κῶμος ἐν δόμοις μένει, 
δύσπεμπτος ἔξω, συγγόνων ᾿ὑρινύων. 
ὑμνοῦσι δ᾽ ὕμνον δώμασιν προσήμεναι 
΄ " > 5 
πρώταρχον ἄτην" ἐν μέρει δ᾽ ἀπέπτυσαν 
εὐνὰς ἀδελφοῦ τῷ πατοῦντι δυσμενεῖς. 
ξ΄ 3 n , “ 
ἥμαρτον, ἢ θηρῶ τι τοξότης τις ὥς; 
, / 
ἢ ψευδόμαντίς εἰμι θυροκόπος φλέδων; 
΄ , ’ ΄ 
ἐκμαρτύρησον προυμόσας τό μ᾽ εἰδέναι 
f \ a ’ εξ ΄ , 
λόγῳ παλαιὰς τῶνδ᾽ ἁμαρτίας δόμων. 


80 
Cho. 


Cass. 


Cho. 


Cass. 


Cho. 


Cass. 


Cho. 


Cass. 


Cho. 


Cass. 


Cho. 


Cass. 


Cho. 


Cass. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


And how can oath be healer of a woe 

Inherent in the race? Yet marvel I 

That, nurtured o’er the sea, thou know’st to 
speak 

Of foreign city as though native there. 

Loxias, the seer, me with this grace endowed. 

How! passion-smitten was he, though a god ? 

Till now it shamed me to speak of this. 

True; for who fareth well grows over-nice. 

Love-wrestler was he, warm his favour breathed. 

Came ye in course to rite conjugial 7 

Consent I gave, but cheated Loxias. 

Mistress already of presaging art ? 

Ay, to the townsmen all their woes I spelled. 

How then by wrath of Loxias unharmed ? 

No credence won I after this offence. 

To us thy oracles seem too true. 

Woe! woe! alas! alas! ye miseries ! 

Of faithful augury the direful toil 

Racks me once more, with bodeful preludings 

Vexing my soul.—Seated within these halls, 

See, tender boys, lke dreamy phantoms; 
children, 

As by their dear ones done to death, their 
hands 

Filled with their proper flesh, for nutriment ; 

Their hearts and vitals,—loathsome, piteous, 
meal ,— 

Look, how they hold,—their sire has tasted, 
look! 

For these, I say, vengeance devising, waits 

A dastard lion, wallowing in bed ; 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 87 


\ “ x “ fol / / 
Χο. καὶ πῶς ἂν ὅρκος, πῆγμα γενναίως παγέν, 
, / / / 
παιώνιος γένοιτο; θαυμάζω δέ σε 
πόντου πέραν τραφεῖσαν ἀλλόθρουν πόλιν 
κυρεῖν λέγουσαν, ὥσπερ εἰ παρεστάτεις. 
/ ag 
KA. μάντις μ᾽ ᾿Απόλλων τῷδ᾽ ἐπέστησεν τέλει. 
lol / e /, 
Χο. μῶν καὶ θεός περ ἱμέρῳ πεπληγμένος ; 
ΚΑ. προτοῦ μὲν αἰδὼς ἣν ἐμοὶ λέγειν τάδε. 
Χο. ἁβρύνεται γὰρ πᾶς τις εὖ πράσσων πλέον. 
Ka. ἀλλ᾽ ἦν παλαιστὴς κάρτ᾽ ἐμοὶ πνέων χάριν. 
Χο. ἢ καὶ τέκνων εἰς ἔργον ἠλθέτην νόμῳ; 
Κα. ξυναινέσασα Λοξίαν ἐψευσάμην. 
Γ΄ UA ς 
Χο. ἤδη τέχναισιν ἐνθέοις ἡρημένη ; 
KA. ἤδη πολίταις πάντ᾽ ἐθέσπιζον πάθη. 
Χο. πῶς δῆτ᾽ ἄνατος ἦσθα Λοξίου κότῳ; 
Ka. ἔπειθον οὐδέν᾽ οὐδέν, ὡς τάδ᾽ ἤμπλακον. 
Χο. ἡμῖν γε μὲν δὴ πιστὰ θεσπίζειν δοκεῖς. 
δ a 
ΚΑ. lov tov, ὦ ὦ κακά. 
e =) 93 Ν » / s 
ὑπ᾽ αὖ με δεινὸς ὀρθομαντείας πόνος 
στροβεῖ ταράσσων φροιμίοις δυσφροιμίοις. 
e rn / \ / > / 
ὁρᾶτε τούσδε τοὺς δόμοις ἐφημένους 
/ γ᾽ / lal ΄ὔ 
νέους, ὀνείρων προσφερεῖς μορφώμασι; 
“ , ε \ \ lal , 
παῖδες θανόντες ὠσπερεὶ πρὸς τῶν φίλων, 
nr “ / > , fal 
χεῖρας κρεῶν πλήθοντες οἰκείας βορᾶς, 
σὺν ἐντέροις τε σπλάγχν᾽, ἐποίκτιστον γέμος, 
πρέπουσ᾽ ἔχοντες, ὧν πατὴρ ἐγεύσατο. 
rn / 
ἐκ τῶνδε ποινάς φημι βουλεύειν τινὰ 


/ J / 
λέοντ᾽ ἄναλκιν ἐν λέχει στρωφώμενον 


88 


Cho. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


House-warden, sooth, to him that’s come, my 
master, 

For the slave’s yoke, alas! I needs must bear. 

The naval leader, leveller of Troy, 

He knows not that the fell she-dog, whose 
tongue 

Spoke words of guileful welcome, long drawn 
out, 

Like lurking At®, will achieve his doom. 

Such things she dares; the female slays the 
male ! 

Her,—what detested monster may I name 

And hit the mark ?—Some basilisk, or Scylla 

Housing in rocks, deadly to mariners, 

Infuriate dam of Hades, breathing forth, 

Against her dearest, curse implacable ? 

What triumph-notes exultantly she raised, 

All daring one, as in the turn of fight, 

Feigning to gratulate his safe return! 

What boots it whether I persuade or no? 

The doomed must come ; ere long to pity moved, 

Me thou wilt own a prophet all too true. 

Thyestes’ banquet of his children’s flesh 

I knew and shudder at; fear takes my soul, 

Hearing the truth, no imaged counterfeit. 

The rest I heard, but follow not the track. 


Cass. On Agamemnon dead, I say, thowlt look. 


Cho. 


Lull, poor forlorn one, thy ill-omened tongue. 


Cass. Yet o’er this speech no healing god presides. 


Cho. 


If be it must; but may it never be; 


Cass. The while thou prayest, theirs it is to slay. 


Cho. 


What man deviseth this accursed deed ? 


—- = 


Sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 


Χο. 


ΚΑ. 
Χο. 


ΚΑ. 
Χο. 


’ fe v a , , 
οἰκουρόν, οἴμοι, τῷ μολόντι δεσπότῃ 
5 al , ἊΝ / , 
ἐμῷ" φέρειν yap χρὴ τὸ δούλιον ζυγόν" 
-“ " » Ψ ΄ , 5 / 
νεῶν δ᾽ ἔπαρχος ᾿Ιλίου τ᾿ ἀναστάτης 
’ oe a lal fal \ 
οὐκ οἷδεν οἵα γλῶσσα μισητῆς κυνὸς 
Ν i / 
λείξασα κἀκτείνασα φαιδρὸν οὖς, δίκην 
»Μ iA / a VA 
ἄτης λαθραίου, τεύξεται κακῇ τύχῃ. 
A / a , \ 
τοιᾷδε τόλμῃ θῆλυς ἄρσενος φονεὺς 
/ rc ’ 
ἔστιν. τί νιν καλοῦσα δυσφιλὲς δάκος 
’ / δ / \ 
τύχοιμ᾽ av; ἀμφίσβαιναν, ἢ Σκύλλαν τινὰ 
a , ΄ /. 
οἰκοῦσαν ἐν πέτραισι, ναυτίλων βλάβην, 
΄ Pee) , 
θύουσαν “Αιδου μητέρ᾽ ἄσπονδόν τ᾽ "Δρη 
i: c ἢ ff 
φίλοις πνέουσαν; ws δ᾽ ἐπωλολύξατο 
c / “ > 4 “. 
ἡ παντότολμος, ὥσπερ ἐν μάχης τροπῇ. 
ἴω \ / t / 
δοκεῖ δὲ χαίρειν νοστίμῳ σωτηρίᾳ. 
\ al ’ “ v \ ‘ ͵ / 
Kal τῶνδ᾽ ὅμοιον εἴ TL μὴ πείθω: TL γάρ; 
\ , “ \ ΄, ’ b] , \ 
TO μέλλον ἥξει. καὶ σύ μ᾽ ἐν τάχει παρὼν 
BA ’ ’ , > / > fal 
ἄγαν γ᾽ ἀληθόμαντιν οἰκτείρως ἐρεῖς. 
᾿Ὶ A “ 
τὴν μὲν Θυέστου δαῖτα παιδείων κρεῶν 
fal / f 5 
ξυνῆκα καὶ πέφρικα, καὶ φόβος μ᾽ ἔχει 


bh ’ ’ rn \ / 
κλύοντ᾽ ἀληθῶς οὐδὲν ἐξηκασμένα. 


89 


\ ] ” > > / 5 / \ / 
τὰ δ᾽ ἄλλ᾽ ἀκούσας ἐκ δρόμου πεσὼν τρέχω. 


’ / / / 5 , / 
Αγαμέμνονός σέ φημ᾽ ἐπόψεσθαι μόρον. 

» τς , / , 
εὔφημον, ὦ τάλαινα, κοίμησον στόμα. 

’ 2 V4 \ ag) “-“ Ud 
ἀλλ᾽ οὔτι παιὼν τῷδ᾽ ἐπιστατεῖ λόγῳ. 

” ” Μ ? 3 \ \ / 4 
οὐκ, εἴπερ ἐσται yY* ἀλλα μὴ YEVOLTO TOS. 
\ \ / lal ’ » / / 
σὺ μὲν κατεύχει, τοῖς δ᾽ ἀποκτείνειν μέλει. 


τίνος πρὸς ἀνδρὸς τοῦτ᾽ ἄχος πορσύνεται; 


90 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


Cass. Widely thy glance hath missed mine oracles, 
Cho. Ay, for the plotter’s scheme to me is dark. 
Cass. Yet in Hellenic speech my words are couched. 
Cho. So too are Pythian chants, yet hard to spell. 
Cass. Alas! what fire is this! It seizes me. 


Woe! woe! Lykeian god! Apollo! Woe! 

The biped lioness, that with the wolf 

In absence of the noble lion couched, 

Will me, her victim, slaughter, and as one 

Poison who mixeth, she my doom will add 

To crown her vengeance; whetting ’gainst her 
lord 

The murderous knife, she boasteth to exact 

His death, as payment for escorting me. 

Why longer wear this scorn-provoking gear, 

This wand, these wreaths prophetic round my 
neck ? 

Thee I will shatter ere myself am doomed. 

Hence to destruction: I will follow soon; 

Another, in my place, enrich with woes. 

Behold, Apollo's self doth strip me bare 

Of the prophetic robe; coldly he gazed, 

What time, in these adornments vainly tricked, 

To friends and enemies, with one consent, 

All undeserved, a laughter I became: 

Vagrant yclept, poor hunger-stricken wretch, 

A strolling mountebank, I bare it all; 

And now the seer (his vengeance wreaked on me 

The seeress) calls me to this deadly fate. 

My father at the altar fell, but me 

The slaughter-block awaiteth, smitten down 

By stroke relentless, reeking with hot gore. 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 91 


ΚΑ. 
Χο. 
KA. 
Xo. 
Ka, 


> U vind x , “- A 
ἢ κάρτα Tap ἂν παρεκόπης χρησμῶν ἐμῶν. 
\ los fol 
τοὺς yap τελοῦντας ov ξυνῆκα μηχανήν. 
\ \ v / > , 
Kal μὴν ἄγαν γ᾽ “EXAnv’ ἐπίσταμαι φάτιν. 
\ \ \ , a Ὁ .“ 
καὶ γὰρ τὰ πυθόκραντα: δυσμαθῆ δ᾽ ὅμως. 
Lal - \ fa) ΄ Ε / 
παπαῖ, οἷον τὸ Tip: ἐπέρχεται δέ μοι. 
, cal / » > 
ὀτοτοῖ, Λύκει᾽ “AzrodXor, οἱ ἐγὼ ἐγώ. 
WA / / 7 
αὕτη δίπους λέαινα συγκοιμωμένη 
, ΄ » lal 3 / 
λύκῳ, NEOVTOS εὐγενοῦς ἀπουσίᾳ, 
a \ U e \ , 
KTEVEL με τὴν τάλαιναν: ὡς δὲ φάρμακον 


, 5) a \ / , 
τεύχουσα κἀμοῦ μισθὸν ἐνθήσειν κότῳ 


3 “ / \ , 
, ἐπεύχεται θήγουσα φωτὶ φάσγανον 


5 fol » lal > / / 
ἐμῆς ἀγωγῆς ἀντιτίσασθαι φόνον. 
,ὕ ra EE eS) A , Soy, ͵ 
τί δῆτ᾽ ἐμαυτῆς κατωγέλωτ᾽ ἔχω τάδε, 
καὶ σκῆπτρα καὶ μαντεῖα περὶ δέρῃ στέφη; 
\ \ \ 7, A A A 
σὲ μὲν πρὸ μοίρας τῆς ἐμῆς διαφθερῶ. 
it ἐς φθόρον: πεσόντα θ᾽ ὧδ᾽ ἀμείψομαι. 
ἄλλην τιν᾽ ἄτης ἀντ᾽ ἐμοῦ πλουτίζετε. 
ἰδοὺ δ᾽ ᾿Απόλλων αὐτὸς ἐκδύων ἐμὲ 
/ > Aw: ’ / / 
χρηστηρίαν ἐσθῆτ᾽, ἐποπτεύσας δέ με 
κἀν τοῖσδε κόσμοις καταγελωμένην μέγα 
" e > b lal > 4 / 
φίλων ὑπ᾽ ἐχθρῶν ov διχορρόπως, μάτην--- 
4 \ \ « ’ U 
καλουμένη δὲ φοιτὰς ὡς ἀγύρτρια 
Ν , \ > / 
πτωχὸς τάλαινα λιμοθνὴς ἠνεσχόμην--- 
lol e , 
καὶ νῦν ὁ μάντις μάντιν ἐκπράξας ἐμὲ 
> / 3 > U , / 
ἀπήγαγ᾽ ἐς τοιάσδε θανασίμους τύχας. 
fal » 7. , , τὶ / / 
βωμοῦ πατρῴου δ᾽ ἀντ᾽ ἐπίξηνον μένει, 


θερμῷ κοπείσης φοινίῳ προσφάγματι. 


92 


Cho. 


Cass 
Cho. 
Cass 
Cho. 
Cass 
Cho. 
Cass 


Cho. 


Cass. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


Yet not unhonoured of the gods we fall; 
For other champion of our cause shall come, 
Seed matricidal, venger of his sire. 
An exiled wanderer, from this land estranged, 
Returns, this vengeance for his friends to crown. 
For, lo, the gods a mighty oath have sworn, 
His father’s prostrate form shall lead him home. 
But why, an alien here, pour I my wail? 
When that I first have seen my Ilion fare 
As fared it hath, and they who won the town 
In sorry plight, through judgment of the gods. 
Pll do! Tl suffer! I will dare to die. 
These gates, as gates of Hades, I adjure, 
One prayer I offer, “mortal be the stroke ;” 
Free from convulsive throes, in easy death, 
While ebbs my life-blood, may I close mine 

eyes, 
Oh woman, thou most wretched and most wise ; 
Lengthy thy speech hath been; but if thou 

knowest 
Truly thine own sad doom, how walkest thou 
Like heaven-led victim, boldly to the altar? 
There’s no escape; brief respite, nothing more. 
Yet to be last is gain at least of time. 
The day is come, small were my gain by flight. 
Enduring art thou, and of dauntless mind. 
Such words none heareth from the fortunate. 
Yet dear to mortals is a glorious death. 
Alas, my sire, for thee and thy brave sons! 
What may this mean? What terror drives 

thee back ? 

Alas! alas! 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 


XO. 
ΚΑ. 


> \ Vv , 5 > rn / 
ov μὴν ἀτιμοί γ᾽ ἐκ θεῶν τεθνήξομεν. 
“ \ A v > ͵ 
ἥξει γὰρ ἡμῶν ἄλλος αὖ τιμάορος, 
μητροκτόνον φίτυμα, ποινάτωρ πατρός" 
ΩΝ 2 > / A lol > U 
φυγὰς δ᾽ ἀλήτης τῆσδε γῆς ἀπόξενος 
, v ' , / Ξ 
κάτεισιν, ἄτας τάσδε θρυγκώσων φίλοις 
, \ “ A / 
ὀμώμοται yap ὅρκος ἐκ θεῶν μέγας, 
/ / / 
πράξειν νιν ὑπτίασμα κειμένου πατρὸς. 
, Aus. 5» \ U eo? > / 
τί δῆτ᾽ ἐγὼ KaTOLKTOS ὧδ᾽ ἀναστένω; 
\ wn εὖ 2 , 
ἐπεὶ τὸ πρῶτον εἶδον ᾿Ιλίου πόλιν 
͵ ΄ " δ τ / 
πράξασαν ws ἔπραξεν, οἱ δ᾽ εἷλον πόλιν 
ef » / ΟῚ ἴον ΄ 
οὕτως ἀπαλλάσσουσιν ἐν θεῶν κρίσει, 


3 cal , / \ fal 
ἰοῦσα πράξω: τλήσομαι τὸ κατθανεῖν. 


“Αἰδου πύλας δὲ τάσδ᾽ ἐγὼ προσεννέπω" 


ἐπεύχομαι δὲ καιρίας πληγῆς τυχεῖν, 
ξ , . , , 
ὡς ἀσφάδαστος, αἱμάτων εὐθνησίμων 


3 ΄ ” “ / 
ἀπορρυέντων, ὄμμα συμβάλω τόδε. 


τὰ \ \ > 
ὦ πολλὰ μὲν τάλαινα, πολλὰ δ᾽ αὖ σοφὴ 


Ν 7 
γύναι, μακρὰν ἔτεινας. εἰ δ᾽ ἐτητύμως 


ῃ ~ 53 a 
μόρον Tov αὑτῆς οἶσθα, πῶς θεηλάτου 


\ / \ \ > / -“ 
βοὸς δίκην πρὸς βωμὸν εὐτόλμως πατεῖς; 


lj » » 
οὐκ ἔστ᾽ ἄλυξις, ov, ξένοι, χρόνον πλέω. 
id "ἢ ee / “ , 
ὁ δ᾽ ὕστατός γε τοῦ χρόνου πρεσβεύεται. 


“ Ὁ 4 \ A a 
ἥκει TOO ἦμαρ' σμικρὰ κερδανῶ φυγῇ. 


9 


ἀλλ᾽ ἴσθι τλήμων οὖσ᾽ ἀπ᾽ εὐτόλμου φρενός. 


\ , / rn ~ 
οὐδεὶς ἀκούει ταῦτα τῶν εὐδαιμόνων. 

> a “ ΄ lal 
ἀλλ᾽ εὐκλεῶς τοι κατθανεῖν χάρις βροτῷ. 


ἣν , “ A / / 
ἰὼ TTATEP σου τῶν TE YEVVALMVY τέκνων. 


τί δ᾽ ἐστὶ χρῆμα; τίς σ᾽ ἀποστρέφει φόβος; 


φεῦ φεῦ. 


3 


04 
Cho. 


Cass. 


Cho. 
Cass. 
Cho. 


Cass. 


Cho. 


Cass. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


Why this alas, unless some horror scare thee ? 
Blood-reeking murder breatheth from these 
halls. 
‘Tis but the scent of victims at the hearth. 
Nay, but such breath as issues from a tomb. 
No Syrian odour tell’st thou for the house. — 
Well! I will go, within these palace halls 
To wail mine own and Agamemnon’s doom. 
Enough of life! Strangers! Alas! Alas! 
Yet quail I not, as birdé at the brake, 
Idly; in death my vouchers be in this, 
When, in my place, woman for woman dies, 
And when for man ill-wedded, man shall fall. 
Dying, this hospitable grace I crave. 
Poor wretch; Thy fateful doom my pity moves. 
Once more I fain would speak, but not to pour 
Mine own funereal wail; but to the Sun, 
Looking my last upon his beams, I pray 
That my avengers pay my murderers back, 
Requiting me, poor slave, their easy prey. 
Alas, for man’s estate! If Fortune smile, 
A shadow may o’erturn it; should she frown, 
A moistened sponge the picture doth destroy. 
More than the first this doom my pity moves. 


CassANDRA goes wp the steps of the palace, and enters. 


End of Act II. 


sc. I] OF AESCHYLUS 95 


XO. 


Ka 


XO. 
Ka. 
Χο. 
ΚΑ. 


Χο. 
ΚΑ. 


/ a? »Μ » \ a / 
τί τοῦτ᾽ édevEas; εἴ Te μὴ φρενῶν στύγος. 

, e A 
φόνον δόμοι πνέουσιν αἱματοσταγῆ. 

\ “Ὁ AN Μ / > / 
καὶ πῶς; τόδ᾽ ὄζει θυμάτων ἐφεστίων. 
ει » / / 
ὅμοιος ἀτμὸς ὥσπερ ἐκ τάφου TpeTeL. 

fae / / 

ov Σύριον ἀγλαΐσμα δώμασιν λέγεις. 
bd ’ 3 ,’ , ΄ ’ > \ 
ἀλλ᾽ εἶμι Kav δόμοισι κωκύσουσ᾽ ἐμὴν 

/ ΄ ’ , / 
᾿Αγαμέμνονός τε μοῖραν. ἀρκείτω Bios. 
ἰὼ ξένοι. 
» / eu / 
οὔτοι δυσοίζω θάμνον ὡς ὄρνις φόβῳ 
” ὋΣ , nf t 
ἄλλως" θανούσῃ μαρτυρεῖτέ μοι τόδε, 
π- \ 3. -5 A ͵ 
ὅταν γυνὴ γυναικὸς ἀντ᾽ ἐμοῦ θάνῃ, 
,’ / , » - ΟῚ 
ἀνήρ τε δυσδάμαρτος ἀντ᾽ ἀνδρὸς πέσῃ. 

lal an ’ 
ἐπιξενοῦμαι ταῦτα δ᾽ ὡς θανουμένη. 
= a 7, ͵ , 
ὦ τλῆμον, οἰκτείρω σε θεσφάτου μόρου. 
vf vey ’ a en > a / 
ἅπαξ ἔτ᾽ εἰπεῖν ῥῆσιν ov θρῆνον θέλω 
2 \ \ > lal id / ’ 5 ͵ 
ἐμὸν τὸν αὐτῆς. ἡλίου δ᾽ ἐπεύχομαι 

\ lal \ ΕΣ 
πρὸς ὕστατον φῶς τοὺς ἐμοὺς τιμαόρους 

/ lal a rn c rn 
δίκην φονεῦσι τοῖς ἐμοῖς τίνειν ὁμοῦ, 

/ / ’ lal ͵ὔ 
δούλης θανούσης, εὐμαροῦς χειρώματος. 
NX / / ’ r \ 
ἰὼ βρότεια πράγματ᾽" εὐτυχοῦντα μὲν 

fal xX / lal 
σκιᾷ τις ἂν πρέψειεν" εἰ δὲ δυστυχῆ, 
ἴω id / / Vv 
βολαῖς ὑγρώσσων σπόγγος ὦλεσεν γραφήν. 
8.9 , “ 
καὶ ταῦτ᾽ ἐκείνων μᾶλλον οἰκτείρω πολύ. 


CASSANDRA goes up the steps of the palace, and enters. 


End of Act II. 


ἜΞΕΕΝ ΤῊΣ 





Cho. 


A 


AC Tia: 


The Cuorus express in song their doubts for 
the future. 


All are of boundless weal insatiate ;— 
None warneth from his halls 
Him at whom Envy points, as rich or great, 
Saying, “Come here no more.”— 
So to this man the Blessed Ones have given 
To capture Priam’s walls ;— 
Home he returns, beloved of Heaven ;— 
But must he now the blood repay 
Of ancient murder; must he die, 
And dying expiate, 
With his own death, their deaths who died 
of yore; 
Who, being mortal, this can hear, nor pray, 
That he were born to scathless destiny ? 


groan is heard from the interior of the palace. 


Aa. ( from within). Woe’s me! I’m smitten with a 
g 


Cho. 
Ag. 


deadly blow ! 
Hush! Wounded unto death who lifts this ery ? 
Woes me! Again! a second time I’m struck. 





ACTS LET. 


The Cuorvus express in song their doubts for 
the future. 


5 f 
Xo. τὸ μὲν εὖ πράσσειν ἀκόρεστον ἔφυ 
Ὁ) lal , 
πᾶσι βροτοῖσιν" δακτυλοδείκτων ὃ 
BA 3 \ ” ͵ 
οὔτις ἀπειπὼν εἴργει μελάθρων, 
/ ’ / 5 
μηκέτ᾽ ἐσέλθης, τάδε φωνῶν. 
a " a , 
καὶ τῷδε πόλιν μὲν ἑλεῖν ἔδοσαν 
ty i / 
μάκαρες ἱ]ριάμου" 
/ , > ΄ ͵ 
θεοτίμητος δ᾽ οἴκαδ᾽ ἱκάνει. 
a ᾽ > , ry acim ΑἹ / 
νῦν © εἰ προτέρων αἷμ᾽ ἀποτίσῃ 
καὶ τοῖσι θανοῦσι θανὼν ἄλλων 
ποινὰς θανάτων ἐπικράνῃ, 
/ x ” \ Δ » a 
τίς av εὔξαιτο βροτὸς wy ασινεῖ 


δαίμονι φῦναι Tad ἀκούων; 
μ 


A groan is heard from the interior of the palace. 


AT. ὦμοι, πέπληγμαι καιρίαν πληγὴν ἔσω. 
Χο. ciya’ τίς πληγὴν ἀντεῖ καιρίως οὐτασμένος; 


AP. ὦμοι μάλ᾽ αὖθις, δευτέραν πεπληγμένος. 


7 


98 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT III 


The Cuorus advise one another confusedly. 


Cho. By the groaning of the monarch, wrought 
methinks is now the deed; 
But together taking counsel, weave we now 
some prudent scheme. 


1. To you my counsel is to raise the cry, 
And to the palace call the citizens. 


i. To me seems best, at quickest, breaking in, 
To prove the deed by newly-dripping blade. 
ut. I, this opinion sharing, give my vote 
For action ;—not to dally is the point. 


Iv. Tis manifest; for they, thus preluding, 
Give to the city the signs of tyranny. 


v. Ay, we delay ;—they, treading under foot 
All thoughts of dalliance, sleep not with the 
hand. 


vi. No plan I know to fashion or propose ; 
Against the guilty doer we must plot. 


vit. That view I share, for no device I know, 
By words, the dead man to restore to life. 


vill. What! dragging on our lives, shall we obey 
These home-polluters? Them our leaders 
make ? 


Ix. That were past hearing, better far to die; 
For milder doom were death than tyranny. 


x. How! may we not on evidence of groans 
Augur full surely that the man is dead ? 


sc. I] OF AESCHYLUS 99 


The Cuorus advise one another confusedly. 


> a / / 
Χο. τοὔργον εἰργάσθαι δοκεῖ μοι βασιλέως οἰμώγ- 
ματι. 
ἀλλὰ κοινωσώμεθ᾽ ἤν πως ἀσφαλῆ βουλευ- 
pat 7.— 
> \ \ « r \ ’ \ / / 
1. ἐγὼ μὲν ὑμῖν THY ἐμὴν γνώμην λέγω, 
a rn ΟΣ a , t 
πρὸς δῶμα δεῦρ᾽ ἀστοῖσι κηρύσσειν Bonv.— 
> \ > ὦ , , Sts A a 
2, ἐμοὶ δ᾽ ὅπως τάχιστά γ᾽ ἐμπεσεῖν δοκεῖ 
\ a ΘΝ τὸ ἢ \ , ͵ 
καὶ πρᾶγμ᾽ ἐλέγχειν σὺν νεορρύτῳ ξιφει.--- 
3. κἀγὼ τοιούτου γνώματος κοινωνὸς ὧν 
ψηφίζομαί τι δρᾶν" τὸ μὴ μέλλειν δ᾽ ἀκμή.--- 
4. ὁρᾶν πάρεστι" φροιμιάζονται γὰρ ὡς 
τυραννίδος σημεῖα πράσσοντες πόλει.--- 
5. χρονίζομεν γάρ. οἱ δὲ τῆς μελλοῦς κλέος 


΄ la) > , / 
πέδοι σῖατουντες OU καθεύδουσιν χερί.-- 


6. οὐκ οἶδα βουλῆς ἧστινος τυχὼν λέγω. 


lal ὃ ω / ἊΝ \ \ al / 
τοῦ δρῶντός ἐστι καὶ TO βουλεῦσαι περι.--- 
, \ cal , » 3. “ \ A 
7. κἀγὼ τοιοῦτός εἰμ᾽, ἐπεὶ δυσμηχανῶ 
, Ἁ , , , / , 
λόγοισι τὸν θανόντ᾽ avictavat πάλιν .--- 
Θ \ / Φ ¢ / 
8. ἦ καὶ βίον τείνοντες ὧδ᾽ ὑπείξομεν 
, ~ » ᾽ ¢ / 
δόμων καταισχυντῆρσι τοῖσδ᾽ ἡγουμένοις ;— 
τὶ , 7! ,’ / , \ a A 
9. ἀλλ᾽ οὐκ ἀνεκτόν, ἀλλὰ κατθανεῖν κρατεῖ" 
, tal “ 
πεπαιτέρα γὰρ μοῖρα τῆς τυραννίδος.--- 
Θ' \ / ’ ? / 
10.) γὰρ τεκμηρίοισιν ἐξ οἰμωγμάτων 
/ Σ᾽ \ ¢ > , 
μαντευσόμεσθα τανδρὸς ὡς ὀλωλοτος ;— 
7—2 


100 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT ΠῚ 


. Ere we can argue, we must know the facts ; 


Assurance differs widely from surmise. 


This I commend, taking the general vote, 
Plainly to know how fareth Atreus’ son. 


The doors of the palace are suddenly opened, and 


CLYTAEMNESTRA is seen standing beside the bodies 
of AGAMEMNON and CASSANDRA. 


Cly. 


She comes slowly forward. 


Though much to suit the times before was said, 
It shames me not the opposite to speak: 
For, plotting against foes,—our seeming 
friends,— 
How else contrive with Ruin’s wily snare, 
Too high to overleap, to fence them round ? 
To me, not mindless of an ancient feud, 
Hath come at last this contest ;—late indeed. 
The deed achieved, here stand I, where I slew. 
So was it wrought (and this I'll not deny), 
That he could neither scape, nor ward his doom; 
Around him, like a fish-encircling net, 
This garment’s deadly splendour did I cast ;— 
Him twice I smote, and he, with twofold groan, 
His limbs relaxed:—then, prostrate where 
he lay, 
Him with third blow I dowered, votive gift 
To nether Hades, saviour of the dead. 
Thus as he fell he chafed his soul away ; 
And gurgling forth the swift death-tide of blood, 
He smites me with black drops of gory dew, 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 101 


11. σάφ᾽ εἰδότας χρὴ τῶνδε θυμοῦσθαι πέρι" 
τὸ γὰρ τοπάζειν τοῦ σάφ᾽ εἰδέναι δίχα. 
, ᾽ a , ᾿ 
ταύτην ἐπαινεῖν πάντοθεν πληθύνομαι, 


τρανῶς ᾿Ατρείδην εἰδέναι κυροῦνθ᾽ ὅπως. 


The doors of the palace are suddenly opened, and 
CLYTAEMNESTRA is seen standing beside the bodies 
of AGAMEMNON and CASSANDRA. 


She comes slowly forward. 


fal / 
Κλ. πολλῶν πάροιθεν καιρίως εἰρημένων 
’ “ 
τἀναντί᾽ εἰπεῖν οὐκ ἐπαισχυνθήσομαι. 

r / > - ? \ / / 
πῶς yap τις ἐχθροῖς ἐχθρὰ πορσύνων, φίλοις 
δοκοῦσιν εἶναι, πημονῆς ἀρκύστατ᾽ ἂν 

/ ef A 2 / 
φράξειεν, ὕψος κρεῖσσον ἐκπηδήματος; 
> \ 2] 5 \ ANS. ᾽ ᾽ / / 
ἐμοὶ δ᾽ ἀγὼν ὅδ᾽ οὐκ ἀφρόντιστος πάλαι 

/ lal 3 \ / 7 
νείκης παλαιᾶς ἦλθε, σὺν χρόνῳ γε μήν" 
“ ” ᾽ 3, Ψ 5 ’ > / 
ἕστηκα δ᾽ ἔνθ᾽ ἔπαισ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἐξειργασμένοις. 

.“ > A \ 7 ΕῚ > / 
οὕτω δ᾽ ἔπραξα, καὶ τάδ᾽ οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι" 
« is tL free > / / 
ὡς μήτε φεύγειν μήτ᾽ ἀμύνεσθαι μόρον, 

7 ΄ 
ἄπειρον ἀμφίβληστρον, ὥσπερ ἰχθύων, 
περιστιχίζω, πλοῦτον εἵματος κακόν. 

΄ ͵ ὦ > Lal > 4 
παίω δέ νιν δίς" κἀν δυοῖν οἰμωγμάτοιν 
μεθῆκεν αὐτοῦ κῶλα" καὶ πεπτωκότι 

, > / r \ \ 
τρίτην ἐπενδίδωμι, τοῦ κατὰ χθονὸς 
“Αἰδου νεκρῶν σωτῆρος εὐκταίαν χάριν. 
οὕτω τὸν αὑτοῦ θυμὸν ὁρμαίνει πεσών" 

. lal nd “ “, \ 
κἀκφυσιῶν ὀξεῖαν αἵματος σφαγὴν 


βάλλει μ᾽ ἐρεμνῇ ψακάδι φοινίας δρόσου, 


Cho. 


Cly. 


Cho. 


Cly. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT Il 


Not less exultant than, with heaven-sent joy 

The corn-sown land, in birth-hour of the ear. 

For this great issue, Argive Senators, 

Joy ye, if joy ye can, but I exult. 

Nay, o’er the slain were off'rings meet,—with 
night 

Here were they poured,— with emphasis of right. 

Such goblet having filled with cursed ills 

At home,—himself on his return drains off. 

We marvel at thy tongue, how bold thy speech, 

Who o'er thy husband makest so thy vaunt. 

As witless woman are ye proving me; 

But I with stedfast heart, to you who know, 

Proclaim,—and whether ye will praise or blame, 

It recks me not,—this man is Agamemnon,— 

My husband, dead, the work of this nght hand, 

Doer of righteous deed ;—so stands the case. 


O woman, what earth-nurtured bane, 
What potion, upsent from the wind-ruffled sea, 
Hast tasted, that on thine own head dost heap 
Curses, for incense, folk-mutter’d and deep! 

Hast cast off, hast slain ;— 

Outcast, uncitied, thyself shalt be, 

Huge hate of the townsmen blasting thee. 

Me thou dost doom to exile,—to endure 

The people’s hate, their curse deep-muttered,— 
thou, 

Who ’gainst this man of yore hadst naught 
to urge. 

He, all unmoved, as though brute life he 
quenched, 


—— =, 


56. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 103 


XO. 


XO. 


Ka. 


, ΠῚ e a ’ 
χαίρουσαν οὐδὲν ἧσσον ἢ διοσδότῳ 
/ \ / > / 
yavel σπορητὸς κάλυκος εν λοχεύμασιν. 
« ’ὔ 3 ᾿ 
ὡς ὧδ᾽ ἐχόντων, πρέσβος ᾿Αργείων τόδε, 
/ , ” > f ») ’ \ ᾽ > / 
χαίροιτ᾽ ἄν, εἰ χαίροιτ᾽, ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἐπεύχομαι. 
> » 3 ΄ “ , Γ᾽ / a 
εἰ δ᾽ ἦν πρεπόντων ὥστ᾽ ἐπισπένδειν νεκρῷ, 
DO xX ὃ ἐπ Φ e δί δὴ 8 
τῷδ᾽ ἂν δικαίως ἦν, ὑπερδίκως μὲν οὖν. 
/ QQ > > / fal “ 
τοσόνδε κρατῆρ᾽ ἐν δόμοις κακῶν ὅδε 
/ > / 3 \ > / / 
TANTAS ἀραίων AUTOS ἐκπίνει MOY. 

/ / “ id / 
θαυμάζομέν cov γλῶσσαν, ὡς θρασύστομος, 
“ , ’ 3᾽ δα b \ / , 
ἥτις τοιόνδ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἀνδρὶ κομπάζεις λόγον. 

cal / Ν ς » / 
πειρᾶσθέ μου γυναικὸς ὡς ἀφράσμονος" 
> \ ’ ’ f ,ὔ Ν δὴ / 
ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἀτρέστῳ καρδίᾳ πρὸς εἰδότας 
᾿] lol » / 
λέγω: σὺ δ᾽ αἰνεῖν εἴτε με ψέγειν θέλεις 
“ - / 5] ’ / ’ \ 
ὅμοιον. οὗτός ἐστιν ᾿Αγαμέμνων, ἐμὸς 
, 4 fol ἴω 
πόσις, νεκρὸς δέ, τῆσδε δεξιᾶς χερὸς 


x ΄ ,ὕ ~ an oo 
epyov, δικαίας τέκτονος. τάδ ὠὸ EXEL. 


/ / 53 / \ > N 
τί κακόν, ὦ γύναι, χθονοτρεφὲς ἐδανὸν 
Ὁ \ , € “ 3 € Ν ” 
ἢ ποτὸν πασαμένα putas ἐξ ἁλὸς ὄρμενον 
Ὁ , : , 
τόδ᾽ ἐπέθου θύος, δημοθρόους τ᾽ ἀράς; 
> f > / / » > / ’ » 
ἀπέδικες ἀπέταμές T* ἀπόπολις δ᾽ ἔσει 
“A ” > rn 
μῖσος ὄβριμον ἀστοῖς. 
νῦν μὲν δικάζεις ἐκ πόλεως φυγὴν ἐμοὶ 
‘ “ » ἴω , ,’ » ᾽ / 
καὶ μῖσος ἀστῶν δημόθρους τ᾽ ἔχειν ἀράς, 
\ / \ a , 
οὐδὲν τότ᾽ ἀνδρὶ τῷδ᾽ ἐναντίον φέρων" 


e Lal \ lal , 
ὃς οὐ προτιμῶν, ὡσπερεὶ βοτοῦ μόρον, 


104 


Cho. 


Cly. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT ΤΠ 


The while his fleecy pastures teem’d with flocks, 

His own child slaughtered,-of my travail 
throes 

To me the dearest,—charm for Thracian blasts. 

Him shouldst thou not have chased from land 
and home 

Just guerdon for foul deed? Stern judge 
thou art 

When me thou dost arraign;—but, mark my 
words, 

(Nerved as I am to threat on equal terms,) 

If with strong hand ye conquer me, then rule ;— 

But should the god decree the opposite, 

Though late, to sober sense shalt thou be 
schooled. 


O haughty of counsel art thou ;— 

And haughtily-minded thou vauntest amain, 

As raveth thy mind ‘neath blood-reeking fate. 

Calling for vengeance, glares forth on thy brow 
Of blood the foul stain ;— 

Forsaken of friends, the common hate, 

Death-blow with death-blow shalt expiate. 


This solemn sanction of mine oaths thou 
hearest ; 

By the accomplished vengeance of my child, 

By Até, by Erinyes, unto whom 

I slew this man,—Expectancy for me 

Treads not the halls of Fear, while on my hearth, 

Agisthos, kind as heretofore, burns fire ; 

For he of boldness is no puny shield. 

There prostrate lies this woman’s outrager, 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 105 


Χο. 


Κλ. 


/ / > / ΄, 
μήλων φλεόντων εὐπόκοις νομεύμασιν, 
e a al 4 Σ \ 
ἔθυσεν αὑτοῦ παῖδα, φιλτάτην ἐμοὶ 
lal 7 | ΄’΄ 
ὠδῖν᾽, ἐπωδὸν Θρῃκίων ἀημαάτων. 
> lal ’ fal “ fol 3 > lal 
οὐ τοῦτον ἐκ γῆς τῆσδε χρῆν σ᾽ ἀνδρηλατεῖν, 
΄ ” ’ Sees, 5. 159. JA 
μιασμάτων ἄποιν᾽ ; ἐπήκοος δ᾽ ἐμῶν 
» \ \ 3 / / 
ἔργων δικαστὴς τραχὺς εἶ. λέγω δέ σοι 
Pes, “ e , 
τοιαῦτ᾽ ἀπειλεῖν, ὡς παρεσκευασμένης 
aA ΄ , \ , > an 
ἐκ TOV ὁμοίων χειρὶ νικήσαντ᾽ ἐμοῦ 
» e ΥΝ \ vo / θ / 
apyew* ἐὰν δὲ τοὔμπαλιν Kpawy θεὸς, 


γνώσει διδαχθεὶς ὀψὲ γοῦν τὸ σωφρονεῖν. 


, ω t » 
μεγαλόμητις el, περίφρονα δ᾽ ἔλακες" 
“ > A ᾽ 
ὥσπερ οὖν φονολιβεῖ τύχᾳ φρὴν ἐπιμαίνεται" 
λίβος ἐπ᾽ ὀμμάτων αἵματος ἐμπρέπει" 
’ / 4 \ \ / / 
ἀτίετον ἔτι σὲ χρὴ στερομέναν φίλων 


/ / r 
τύμμα τύμματι TLOAL. 


\ / 3 > / e ’ > lal 7 ὃ 
καὶ τήνδ᾽ ἀκούεις ὁρκίων ἐμῶν θέμιν 
\ \ / fel ᾽ fol 60 / / 
μὰ τὴν τέλειον τῆς ἐμῆς παιδὸς Δίκην, 
hy , ᾿ , e ΄ 5. Ν 5) , 
"Arnv Ἐρινύν θ᾽, αἷσι τόνδ᾽ ἔσφαξ᾽ ἐγώ, 
, lal 
ov μοι φόβου μέλαθρον ἐλπὶς ἐμπατεῖ, 
μή x ἴ0 lal ’ εἰ e ! > - 
ἕως ἂν αἴθῃ πῦρ ἐφ ἐστιας ἐμῆς 
« \ , a A , 
Αἴγισθος, ws TO πρόσθεν εὖ φρονῶν ἐμοί. 
ae \ id lal ’ \ 9 ny / 
οὗτος yap ἡμῖν ἀσπὶς ov σμικρὰ θράσους. 


κεῖται γυναικὸς τῆσδε λυμαντήριος, 


100 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT Ill 


Minion to each Chryseis under Troy. 

There too, this captive slave, this auguress, 

And this man’s concubine,—this prophetess, 

His faithful bedfellow, who shared with him 

The sailor's bench. Not unrequited wrought 
they ; 

For he lies—thus. While she, in swan-like 
fashion, 

Having breathed forth her last, her dying wail, 

Lies here, to him a paramour, and so 

Adds keener relish to my sweet revenge. 


The Lament of the Cuorvus, broken by the retorts 


Cho. 


of CLYTAEMNESTRA. 


Oh might some sudden Fate 
Not tethered to a weight 

Of couch-enchaining anguish, hither waft 
The boon of endless sleep ! 

For our most gracious guardian slain we weep, 
In woman’s cause of yore 
Full many a pang who bore, 

And now lies smitten by a woman’s craft. 


Woe! frenzied Helen, woe! 
Through thee alone, through one, 
How many souls, how many, were undone ; 
Whathavoc dire neath Troia thou hast wrought. 
And now the cureless woe, 
Heirloom of blood, shed long ago, 
Through thee hath blossomed, causing 
strife 
Unquenchable, with husband-murder rife. 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 107 


oA fe » Ψ " 
Χρυσηΐδων μείλιγμα τῶν ὑπ᾽ Ἰλίῳ: 
“ > > ΄ “ Ν , 
ἥ τ᾽ αἰχμάλωτος ἥδε καὶ τερασκόπος 
΄' Qn / 
Kal KOLVONEKTPOS τοῦδε, θεσφατηλόγος 
, / 
πιστὴ Evvevvos, ναυτίλων δὲ σελμάτων 
> / v ’ > ’ / 
ἰσοτριβής. ἄτιμα δ᾽ οὐκ ἐπραξάτην. 

ὁ μὲν γὰρ οὕτως, ἡ δέ τοι κύκνου δίκην 
Ν “ ΄ / Le 
τὸν ὕστατον μέλψασα θανάσιμον γόον 

"“- rt . 5 
κεῖται φιλήτωρ τῷδ᾽, ἐμοὶ δ᾽ ἐπήγαγεν 


εὐνῆς παροψώνημα τῆς ἐμῆς χλιδῆς. 


The Lament of the Cuorus, broken by the retorts 
of CLYTAEMNESTRA. 


ΧΟ φεῦ / xX > / \ γὃ ͵ 
. φεῦ, τίς ἂν ἐν τάχει, μὴ περιώδυνος, στρ. α΄. 
\ ὃ / 
μηδὲ δεμνιοτήρης, 
ῃ \ ΓΙ ΑΝ , " > CoA 
μόλοι Tov aet φερουσ εν ἡμῖν 
rae) 3, ΄ “ cA 
Μοῖρ᾽ ἀτέλευτον ὕπνον, δαμέντος 
φύλακος εὐμενεστάτου 
πολέα τλάντος γυναικὸς διαί; 


πρὸς γυναικὸς & ἀπέφθισεν βίον. 


«. J , , 
ἰὼ ἰὼ παράνους “Edéva ἐφυμν. α΄. (στρ. β΄.) 
μία τὰς πολλάς, τὰς πάνυ πολλὰς 

ψυχὰς ὀλέσασ᾽ ὑπὸ Τροίᾳ. 
ἐ 
νῦν δὲ τελείαν. 

t > , ’ os.) ” 
πολύμναστον ἐπηνθίσω δι᾿ αἷμ᾽ ἄνιπτον, 
“ ΒΕ fee fe OS) / 
ἥτις ἣν TOT ἐν δόμοις 


ἔρις ἐρίδματος ἀνδρὸς οἰζύς. 


108 
Cly. 


Cho. 


Cly. 


Cho. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


Bowed beneath sorrow’s weight, 
Invoke not deadly Fate, 
Nor in thine anger Helen thus arraign, 
As though through her, through one, 
Fell many a Danaan son ;— 
She-man-destroyer, working cureless bane! 
Demon, who now dost fall 
Ruthless on Atreus’ hall 
Making the twin Tantalidae thy prey, 
Through women’s haughty reign, 
Gnawing my heart, thou dost confirm thy sway. 
Like bodeful raven hoarse, 
She standeth o’er the corse, 
And chants exulting her discordant strain. 
Ay now thy speech in sooth 
Runs even with the truth, 
Calling the thrice-dread demon of this race ; 
For in their veins is nursed, 
By him, the quenchless thirst 
For blood; ere pales the trace 
Of ancient pang, new ichor flows apace. 
Mighty the demon, dire his hate, 
Whom here thou boasteth to preside ; 
Woe! woe! ill-omened praise of Fate, 
Baneful and still unsatisfied ! 
Alas! ’Tis Zeus, in will, in deed, 
Sole cause, sole fashioner; for say 
What comes to mortals undecreed 
By Zeus, what here, that owneth not his sway? 
Woe! woe! 
King! King! how thee shall I bewail? 


SC. Π|} OF AESCHYLUS 


Ka. μηδὲν θανάτου μοῖραν ἐπεύχου 


Χο. 


Κλ. 


τοῖσδε βαρυνθείς:" 
μηδ᾽ εἰς “EXévnyv κότον ἐκτρέψης, 
ὡς ἀνδρολέτειρ᾽, ὡς μία πολλῶν 
A lal , 
ἀνδρῶν ψυχὰς Δαναῶν ὀλέσασ 
J “ ΝΜ ” 
ἀξύστατον ἄλγος ἔπραξε. 


δαῖμον, ὃς ἐμπίτνεις δώμασι καὶ 
διφυίοισι 'Γανταλίδαισιν, 

κράτος T ἰσόψυχον ἐκ γυναικῶν 
καρδιόδηκτον ἐμοὶ κρατύνεις. 

ἐπὶ δὲ σώματος δίκαν μοι 
κόρακος ἐχθροῦ σταθεῖσ᾽ ἐκνόμως 
ὕμνον ὑμνεῖν ἐπεύχεται [δόμοις]. 


νῦν δ᾽ ὦρθωσας στόματος γνώμην, 
τὸν τριπάχυντον 

δαίμονα γέννης τῆσδε κικλήσκων. 
ἐκ τοῦ γὰρ ἔρως αἱματολοιχὸς 
νείρῃ τρέφεται, πρὶν καταλῆξαι 
τὸ παλαιὸν ἄχος, νέος ἰχώρ. 


ἢ μέγαν οἰκονόμον 

δαίμονα καὶ βαρύμηνιν αἰνεῖς, 
φεῦ φεῦ, κακὸν αἶνον ἀτη- 
ρᾶς τύχας ἀκορέστου" 

in) ἰὴ διαὶ Διὸς 

παναιτίου πανεργέτα" 


\ lal a 
τί yap βροτοῖς ἄνευ Διὸς τελεῖται; 


΄ A > ’ , , 3 
τί τῶνδ᾽ οὐ θεόκραντόν ἐστιν; 


Ὁ 5 


ἰὼ ἰὼ βασιλεῦ βασιλεῦ, 
πῶς σε δακρύσω; 


109 


στρ. γ΄. 


ἀντ. α΄. 


στρ. δ΄. 


ἐφυμν. β'. 


110 


Cly. 


Cho. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT ΠῚ 


How voice my heartfelt grief? Thou liest there 

Entangled in the spider's guileful snare ; 

In impious death thy life thou dost exhale. 
Ah me! ab me! to death betrayed, 
Sped by the two-edged blade, 


On servile couch now ignominious laid. 


Dost boast as mine this deed ? 
Then wrongly thou dost read, 

To count me Agamemnon’s wife ;—not so; 
Appearing in the mien 
Of this dead monarch’s queen, 

The ancient fiend of Atreus dealt the blow ;— 
Requiting his grim feast, 
For the slain babes, as priest, 

The full-grown victim now he layeth low. 


That thou art guiltless of this blood 
Who will attest? Yet by thy side, 
Haply, as thy accomplice, stood 
The Fury who doth here preside. 
Through streams of kindred gore 
Presseth grim Ares on to claim 
Requital for the deed of shame ;— 

The clotted blood of babes devoured of yore. 


Woe! woe! 

King! King! thee how shall I bewail ? 
How voice my heartfelt grief? Thou liest there 
Entangled in the spider's guileful snare, 

In impious death thy hfe thou dost exhale. 

Ah me! ah me! to death betrayed, 

Sped by the two-edged blade, 


On servile couch now ignominious laid. 


sc. I] OF AESCHYLUS 


Ka. 


XO. 


\ b] / fe ’ ” 

φρενὸς ἐκ φιλίας τι TOT ELT; 
-“ (J an 

κεῖσαι δ᾽ ἀράχνης ἐν ὑφάσματι τῷδ 
> a / f τς / 
ἀσεβεῖ θανάτῳ βίον ἐκπνέων. 

wv / ͵7 , , , 

ὦμοι μοι κοίταν τάνδ᾽ ἀνελεύθερον 

δολίῳ μόρῳ δαμεὶς δάμαρτος 

> \ » / 

ἐκ χερὸς ἀμφιτόμῳ βελέμνῳ. 


αὐχεῖς εἶναι τόδε τοὔργον ἐμόν" 
μηδ᾽ ἐπιλεχθῆς 
τὰ / τ / Jo. 
Ayapeuvoviav €lval & ἄλοχον. 
φανταζόμενος δὲ γυναικὶ νεκροῦ 

lal ’ Ὁ Ἂν \ > / 
τοῦδ᾽ ὁ παλαιὸς δριμὺς ἀλάστωρ 
᾿Ατρέως χαλεποῦ θοινατῆρος 
τόνδ᾽ ἀπέτισεν, 

7 - ’ U 
τέλεον veapois ἐπιθύσας. 


ὡς μὲν ἀναίτιος εἶ 

τοῦδε φόνου τίς ὁ μαρτυρήσων; 
TO πῶ; πατρόθεν δε συλλή- 
πτωρ γένοιτ᾽ ἂν ἀλάστωρ. 

βιάζεται δ᾽ ὁμοσπόροις 

ἐπιρροαῖσιν αἱμάτων 

μέλας "Αρης, ὅποι δίκαν προβαίνων 
πάχνᾳ κουροβόρῳ παρέξει. 


ἰὼ ἰὼ βασιλεῦ βασιλεῦ, 
πῶς σε δακρύσω; 

\ 5 / / ’ » 
φρενὸς ἐκ φιλίας τί ποτ εἴπω; 
lal ’ , / b} 6 U an 

κεῖσαι δ᾽ ἀράχνης ἐν ὑφάσματι THO 
’ a , , > / 
ἀσεβεῖ θανάτῳ βίον ἐκπνέων. 
Ὑ / / ’ 3 / 
ὦμοι μοι κοίταν τάνδ᾽ ἀνελεύθερον 
/ / / 
δολίῳ μόρῳ δαμεὶς δάμαρτος 
> \ > / / 
ἐκ χερὸς ἀμφιτόμῳ βελέμνῳ. 


111 


στρ. ε΄. 


ἐφυμν. β΄. 


112 


Cly. 


Cho. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT III 


By no unjust decree 

Perished this man, for he 
Through guile hath household death enacted 

here :— 

His proper child he slew, 

Sweet bud from me that grew, 
Iphigenia, wept with many a tear. 

Foul quittance for foul deed ;— 

He reaped the sword’s due meed, . 
Hence no proud boast from him let Hades hear ! 


Perplexed I am, bewildered sore 

Which way to turn; escape is vain 
Totters the house; I dread the crimson rain 
That with loud plashing shakes these walls; 

no more 

Falleth in niggard droppings now the gore. 
And bent on deed of mischief, Fate anew 
On other whetstones, whetteth vengeance due. 


Earth! Earth! oh hadst thou been 
My shroud ere I my king 
Prone in the silver-sided bath hath seen! 
Who will inter him? Who his dirge shall sing ? 
So hardy thou? Wilt thou who didst assail 
Thy husband’s life, thyself uplift the wail ἢ 
Wilt to his shade, for the great deeds he 
wrought, 
Render a graceless grace, with malice fraught? 
With tears of honest grief 
Weeping the godlike chief, 
Above the tomb who now shall raise 
The funeral hymn? Who speak the hero’s praise ¢ 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 113 


Ka. οὐδὲ yap οὗτος δολίαν ἄτην ἀντ. ε΄. 
ν Μ » 
οἴκοισιν ἔθηκ᾽ ; 
ἀλλ᾽ ἐμὸν ἐκ τοῦδ᾽ ἔρνος ἀερθέν, 
τὴν πολυκλαύτην ᾿Ιφιγενείαν, 
ἄξια δράσας ἄξια πάσχων 
μηδὲν ἐν “Aidouv μεγαλαυχείτω, 
, 
ξιφοδηλήτῳ 


θ / / “ 3 
ανάτῳ τίσας ἅπερ ἦρξεν. 


Χο. ἀμηχανῶ φροντίδος στερηθεὶς στρ. 5"΄. 
εὐπάλαμον μέριμναν 
ὅπα τράπωμαι, πίτνοντος οἴκου. 
δέδοικα δ᾽ ὄμβρου κτύπον δομοσφαλῆ 
τὸν αἱματηρόν: Ψακὰς δὲ λήγει. 
δίκην δ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἄλλο πρᾶγμα θηγάνει βλάβης 
πρὸς ἄλλαις θηγάναισι Μοῖρα. 


ἰὼ ya ya, εἴθ᾽ ἔμ᾽ ἐδέξω, ἐφ. γ΄. (ἀντ. β΄.) 
\ , ᾿] > ro » a 

πρὶν τόνδ᾽ ἐπιδεῖν ἀργυροτοίχου 
δροίτας κατέχοντα χαμεύνην. 

τίς ὁ θάψων νιν; τίς ὁ θρηνήσων; 

3 \ ον» » /, / > 

ἢ σὺ τόδ᾽ ἔρξαι τλήσει, κτείνασ 

ἄνδρα τὸν αὑτῆς ἀποκωκῦσαι, 

ψυχῇ T ἄχαριν χάριν ἀντ᾽ ἔργων 
μεγάλων ἀδίκως ἐπικρᾶναι; 

τίς δ᾽ ἐπιτύμβιον aivov ἐπ᾽ ἀνδρὶ θείῳ 

σὺν δακρύοις ἰάπτων 

9 / a , 

ἀλαθείᾳ φρενῶν πονήσει; 


Α. 8 


114 
Cly. 


Cho. 


Cly. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


Not thine the task to counsel here. 
By us he fell: this man we slew; 
Ours be it to inurn him too; 
Borne from the palace, o’er the bier 
Shall sound no notes of wailing ;—no, 
But him, with blandishments, shall meet 
Iphigenia; by the rapid streams 
Of Acheron, his daughter, as beseems, 
Facing her father, shall around him throw 
Her loving arms, and him with kisses greet. 


That taunt still answers taunt we see. 
Here to adjudge is hard indeed. 
Spoiled be the spoiler; who sheds blood must 
bleed. 
While Zeus surviveth shall this law survive. 
Doer must suffer; ‘tis the Fates’ decree ; 
Who from the house the fated curse may drive / 
The race is welded to calamity. 


Ay! now on Truth thou dost alight! 
I with the demon of this race— 
The Pleisthenid—an oath will plight. 
My doom, though grievous, I embrace. 
But for the rest, hence let him haste! 
Leaving this house, let him another race 
Harass with kindred murders. For myself, 
When from these halls blood-frenzy I have 
chased, 
Small pittance shall I crave of worldly pelf. 


Exit CLYTAEMNESTRA. 


sc. I] OF AESCHYLUS 115 


Ka. 


᾽ \ , \ , Scary, : 
οὐ σὲ προσήκει TO μέλημ᾽ ἀλέγειν στρ. ¢. 
τοῦτο᾽ πρὸς ἡμῶν 
/ / ἣν / 
κάππεσε, κάτθανε, καὶ καταθάψομεν 
3 [ \ a a ’ by 
οὐχ ὑπὸ κλαυθμῶν τῶν ἐξ οἴκων,. 
ἀλλ᾽ ᾿Ιφιγένειά νιν ἀσπασίως 
’ ec / 
θυγάτηρ, ὡς χρή, 
, 5» , 5» , 
πατέρ᾽ ἀντιάσασα πρὸς ὠκύπορον 
, Ἂν ’ 
πόρθμευμ᾽ ἀχέων 
\ “ lal / 
περὶ χεῖρε βαλοῦσα φιλήσει. 


ὄνειδος ἥκει τόδ᾽ ἀντ᾽ ὀνείδους. ἀντ. 5’. 
δύσμαχα δ᾽ ἔστι κρῖναι. 
,ὔ / ,’ ’ , , e ¥) 
φέρει φέροντ᾽, ἐκτίνει δ᾽ ὁ καίνων. 
μίμνει δὲ μίμνοντος ἐν θρόνῳ Διὸς 
παθεῖν τὸν ἔρξαντα᾽ θέσμιον γάρ. 
΄ Xx Ν ’ al > , , 
τίς ἂν γονὰν ἀραῖον ἐκβάλοι δόμων; 
κεκόλληται γένος πρὸς ἄτᾳ. 


ἐς τόνδ᾽ ἐνέβη ξὺν ἀληθείᾳ ἀντ. ζ΄. 
χρησμός. ἐγὼ δ᾽ οὖν 

ἐθέλω δαίμονι τῷ ΠΠλεισθενιδῶν 

ὅρκους θεμένη τάδε μὲν στέργειν, 

/ / v ᾽ ἃ \ / Dist. ’ 
δύστλητά περ ὄνθ᾽: ὃ δὲ λοιπόν, ἰόντ 
ἐκ τῶνδε δόμων ἄλλην γενεὰν 

/ , » , 
τρίβειν θανάτοις αὐθένταισι" 
κτεάνων τε μέρος 
βαιὸν ἐχούσῃ πᾶν ἀπόχρη μοι 
μανίας μελάθρων 

ἀλληλοφόνους ἀφελούσῃ. 


Exit CLYTAEMNESTRA. 


110 THE AGAMEMNON [ACT III 


Enter A®GISTHUS. 


Aeg. Hail, joyous light of justice-bearing day! 
At length I can aver that gods supernal, 
Judges of men, look down on earthly woes, 
Beholding, in the Erinyes’ woven robes, 
This man, thus prostrate, welcome sight to me, 
The wiles atoning compassed by his sire. 
For Atreus, Argos’ ruler, this man’s father, 
Did from the city and his home expel 
Thyestes, rival in the sovereignty,— 
My father, to be plain, and his own brother. 
But coming back, a supplant of the hearth, 
Wretched Thyestes found a lot secure, 
Not doomed his natal soil with blood to stain, 
Here in his home: but this man’s godless sire, 
Atreus, with zeal officious more than kind, 
Feigning a joyous banquet-day to hold, 
Served to my sire, for food, his children’s flesh. 
Their feet indeed, the members of their 

hands,— 
Seated aloof, in higher place, he hides. 
Partaking of the undistinguished parts, 
In ignorance, Thyestes eats the food, 
Curse-laden, as thou seest, to the race. 
Discerning then the impious deed, he shrieked, 
And back recoiling the foul slaughter spewed. 
Spurning, with righteous curse, th’ insulted 
board 

Dread doom he vows to the Pelopidee ;— 
“So perish the whole race of Pleisthenes.” 
Hence is it that ye see this man laid low 


86. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 117 


Enter AX®GISTHUS. 


κὺ ΄ 
Al. ὦ φέγγος εὖφρον ἡμέρας δικηφόρου. 

φαίην ἂν ἤδη νῦν βροτῶν τιμαόρους 

θεοὺς ἄνωθεν γῆς ἐποπτεύειν ἄχη, 

ἰδὼν ὑφαντοῖς ἐν πέπλοις ᾿Βρινύων 

τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδε κείμενον φίλως ἐμοί, 

χερὸς πατρῴας ἐκτίνοντα μηχανάς. 

᾿Ατρεὺς γὰρ ἄρχων τῆσδε γῆς, τούτου πατήρ, 

πατέρα Θυέστην τὸν ἐμόν, ὡς τορῶς φράσαι, 

αὑτοῦ δ᾽ ἀδελφόν, ἀμφίλεκτος ὧν κράτει, 

ἠνδρηλάτησεν ἐκ πόλεώς τε καὶ δόμων. 

καὶ προστρόπαιος ἑστίας μολὼν πάλιν 

τλήμων Θυέστης μοῖραν ηὕρετ᾽ ἀσφαλῆ, 

τὸ μὴ θανὼν πατρῷον αἱμάξαι πέδον. 

ξένια δὲ τοῦδε δύσθεος πατήρ, πατρὶ 

τὠμῷ, κρεουργὸν ἦμαρ εὐθύμως ἄγειν 

δοκῶν, παρέσχε δαῖτα παιδείων κρεῶν. 

τὰ μὲν ποδήρη καὶ χερῶν ἄκρους κτένας 

” , ΕΣ > \ if 

ἔθρυπτ᾽ ἄνωθεν ἀνδρακὰς καθήμενος 

yA , ¢ ’ ’ a > foe) ΩΣ , \ 

ἄσημ᾽" ὁ δ᾽ αὐτῶν αὐτίκ᾽ ἀγνοίᾳ λαβὼν 

» \ ” « € « / 

ἔσθει βορὰν ἄσωτον, ὡς ὁρᾷς, γένει. 

κἄπειτ᾽ ἐπιγνοὺς ἔργον οὐ καταίσιον 

v ’ / ’ » \ \ 3 a 

ᾧμωξεν, ἀμπίπτει δ᾽ ἀπὸ σφαγὴν ἐρῶν, 

μόρον δ᾽ ἄφερτον Ἰ]ελοπίδαις ἐπεύχεται, 

λάκτισμα δείπνου ξυνδίκως τιθεὶς ἀρᾷ, 

οὕτως ὀλέσθαι πᾶν τὸ Τ]λεισθένους γένος. 


ἊΝ -“ ,ὔ , / » .} A / 
ἐκ τῶνδέ σοι πεσόντα τόνδ᾽ ἰδεῖν πάρα. 


118 


Cho. 


Aeg. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT ΠῚ 


The righteous planner of his death am I. 
For me, the thirteenth child, in swathing 
clothes, 
He with my wretched sire, to exile drove. 
But, grown to manhood, Justice led me back, 
And I, although aloof, have reached this man, 
The threads combining of the fatal plot. 
Now for myself ’twere glorious to die, 
Seeing this man entrapped in Justice’ toils. 
To honour insolence in guilt, Aigisthos, 
I know not ;—that with purpose thou didst kill 
This man, thou boastest; of his piteous doom 
Sole author thou :—I tell thee thine own head 
To Justice brought, be sure shall not escape 
The curse of stoning by the people’s hand. 
Plying the lowest oar, dost menace us 
Who from the upper benches sway the helm? 
Being old thou know’st how bitter at thy years 
Wisdom by stern necessity to learn. 
But bonds and hunger-pangs, to cure the mind 
Of stubborn eld, are skilful leeches found. 
Hast eyes, yet seest not this? Against the 
pricks 
Kick not, [for fear thou strike them to thy 
hurt. 
Woman, in watch for men who warred afar! 
Home-keeping stainer of a warrior’s bed! 
Plotter of death for him who led the host !]* 


. These words will fountains be of bitter tears. 


Thy tongue the opposite to Orpheus is; 
For he drew all by rapture of his voice, 
While thou, by idle bark, dost all things stir 


* Altered from Miss Swanwick’s version, in accordance with 
the revised text. 


Sern} OF AESCHYLUS 119 


A 
2 


ΑΙ. 


Χο. 


Al. 


κἀγὼ δίκαιος τοῦδε τοῦ φόνου pagers. 
Δ Ν ” 5 > \ / Ν 
τρίτον γὰρ ὄντα μ᾽ ἐπὶ δυσαθλίῳ πατρὶ 
ve \ ” ’ ᾽ / ὃ 
συνεξελαύνει τυτθὸν ὄντ ἐν σπαργάνοις 
τραφέντα δ᾽ αὖθις ἡ δίκη κατήγαγεν. 
καὶ τοῦδε τἀνδρὸς ἡψάμην θυραῖος ὧν, 
πᾶσαν συνάψας μηχανὴν δυσβουλίας. 

ef x \ \ \ ral ΕῚ / 

οὕτω καλὸν δὴ Kal TO κατθανεῖν ἐμοί, 
» / cr nan ΄ ? 4 
ἰδόντα τοῦτον τῆς δίκης ἐν ἕρκεσιν. 
Αἴγισθ᾽, ὑβρίζειν ἐν κακοῖσιν οὐ σέβω. 

\ ᾿ Vv / \ e ἣν lal 
σὺ δ᾽ ἄνδρα τόνδε φὴς ἑκὼν κατακτανεῖν, 
μόνος δ᾽ ἔποικτον τόνδε βουλεῦσαι φόνον" 
οὔ pnw’ ἀλύξειν ἐν δίκῃ τὸ σὸν Kapa 

a ’ / 
δημορριφεῖς, σάφ᾽ ἴσθι, λευσίμους ἀράς. 

\ fal lal / / 
σὺ ταῦτα φωνεῖς νερτέρᾳ προσήμενος 
κώπῃ, κρατούντων τῶν ἐπὶ ζυγῷ δορός; 
γνώσει γέρων ὧν ws διδάσκεσθαι βαρὺ 
τῷ τηλικούτῳ, σωφρονεῖν εἰρημένον. 

Ν \ x \ n “ 7 
δεσμὸς δὲ καὶ τὸ γῆρας αἵ τε νήστιδες 
δύαι διδάσκειν ἐξοχώταται φρενών 
ἰατρομάντεις. οὐχ ὁρᾷς ὁρῶν τάδε; 

\ lol 
πρὸς κέντρα μὴ λάκτιζε, μὴ παίσας μογῆς. 
γύναι, σὺ τοὺς ἥκοντας ἐκ μάχης μένων 

, x > δὴ 5 Ν 5 , “ 
οἰκουρὸς εὐνὴν ἀνδρὸς αἰσχύνας ἅμα 
᾽ \ rn / > Ὁ ͵ ͵ 
ἀνδρὶ στρατηγῷ τόνδ᾽ ἐβούλευσας μόρον; 
καὶ ταῦτα τἄπη κλαυμάτων ἀρχηγενῆ. 

» “ Ν - ’ / » 
Ορφεῖ δὲ γχώσσαν τὴν ἐναντίαν ἔχεις. 

¢ \ \ 4 , ’ ᾿ \ θ a a 
ὁ μὲν yap Hye πάντ᾽ ἀπὸ φθογγῆς Kapa, 


\ J εἰ / / e ͵ 
σὺ δ᾽ ἐξορίνας νηπίοις ὑλαγμασιν 


Cho. 


Aeg. 


Cho. 


Aeg. 


Cho. 


Aeg. 


Cho. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT Ill 


To hate;—when conquered, thou wilt tamer 
show. 

Shalt thou be ruler of the Argives, thou, 

Who, when that thou hadst plotted this man’s 
death, 

Didst courage lack to strike the blow thyself ? 

To spread the snare was plainly woman’s part, 

For I, his ancient foeman, was suspect ; 

But armed with this man’s treasure, be it mine 

To rule the citizens. Th’ unruly colt 

That, barley-fed, turns restive, I will bind 

With heavier thong than yokes the trace- 
horse ;—him, 

Darkness’ grim comrade, Famine, shall see 
tamed. 

This man why didst thou not, O base of soul, 

Slaughter thyself? But him his wife, with thee, 

The land polluting, and her country’s gods, 

Hath slain. Orestes, sees he still the light, 

That, home-returning with auspicious Fate, 

He may, with mighty stroke, deal death to 
both ? 

Since thou art minded thus to act, not talk 
alone, know quickly. 

Come on, my faithful body-guard, the fray is 
not far distant. 

Come on then, and with hand on hilt, his 
sword let each make ready. 

Be well assured, with hand on hilt, to die I 
too refuse not. 

To die,—thine utterance we accept, and take 
as thy death-omen. 


sc. I] OF AESCHYLUS 121 


Χο. 


Χο. 


ἄξει: κρατηθεὶς δ᾽ ἡμερώτερος φανεῖ. 
ws \ / , > / »” 
ὡς δὴ σύ μοι τύραννος ᾿Αργείων ἔσει, 
ὃς οὐκ, ἐπειδὴ TOS ἐβούλευσας μόρον, 
“ ον ” > yA > / 
δρᾶσαι τόδ᾽ ἔργον οὐκ ἔτλης αὐτοκτόνως. 
\ \ fal \ \ 3 a 
τὸ yap δολῶσαι πρὸς γυναικὸς ἦν σαφῶς" 
> \ ie ie. >? \ τὰ / 
ἐγὼ δ᾽ ὕποπτος ἐχθρὸς ἢ παλαιγενής. 
’ tal \ “ ͵ , 
ἐκ τῶν δὲ τοῦδε χρημάτων πειράσομαι 
v lal \ \ \ U 
ἄρχειν πολιτῶν" τὸν δὲ μὴ πειθάνορα 
ζεύξω βαρείαις οὔτι μοι σειραφόρον 
κριθῶντα πῶλον" ἀλλ᾽ ὁ δυσφιλεῖ σκότῳ 
λιμὸς ξύνοικος μαλθακόν σφ᾽ ἐπόψεται. 
τί δὴ τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδ᾽ ἀπὸ ψυχῆς κακῆς 
οὐκ αὐτὸς ἠνάριζες, ἀλλά νιν γυνὴ 
χώρας μίασμα καὶ θεῶν ἐγχωρίων 
ἔκτειν᾽; ᾿Ορέστης dpa που βλέπει φάος, 
A \ fal “ ᾿ 
ὅπως κατελθὼν δεῦρο πρευμενεῖ τύχῃ 
’ a / lal \ / 
ἀμφοῖν γένηται τοῖνδε παγκρατὴς φονεὺς; 
ἀλλ᾽ ἐπεὶ δοκεῖς τάδ᾽ ἔρδειν καὶ λέγειν, γνώσει 


τάχα. 


sy ie . . . 


εἶα δή, φίλοι λοχῖται, τοὔργον οὐχ ἑκὰς τόδε. 


3 , / , lal ’ ,ὔ 
,. εἶα δή, ξίφος πρόκωπον πᾶς τις εὐτρεπιζέτω. 


, %& \ ,’ \ / > > ,ὔ aA 
ἀλλὰ μὴν καγὼ πρόκωπος οὐκ ἀναίνομαι θανεῖν. 


. δεχομένοις λέγεις θανεῖν ce’ τὴν τύχην δ᾽ αἱ- 


ρούμεθα. 


Cly. 


Aeg. 


Cho. 


Aeg. 


Cho. 


Aeg. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT II 


CLYTAEMNESTRA ‘re-enters. 


Dearest of husbands let us not, I pray, work 
further mischief. 

Already in our many woes reaped have we 
wretched harvests. 

Of sorrow there hath been enough; let us 
forbear more bloodshed. 

Go thou, and ye too aged men, seek your 
appointed mansions, 

Ere aught ye do to work mischance. As fate 
enjoined we've acted. 

If trouble is the lot of man, enough have we 
encountered ; 

Sore smitten by the heavy hoof of some 
avenging demon. 

Thus ye a woman’s counsel have, if any deign 
to hearken. 
To think that their vain tongue ’gainst me 
into such speech should blossom ;— 
That they should hurl forth words like these, 
their proper doom thus tempting: 
They against sober reason err, thus to insult 
their ruler. 

Upon the evil man to fawn is not the wont 
of Argives. 

But, be assured, some future day, I yet shall 
*overtake you. 

Not so if hither to return some god should 
guide Orestes. 

Full well I know that exiles still on hopes 
are wont to batten. 


sc. 1] OF AESCHYLUS 123 


Ka. 


Al. 


Χο. 


ΑΙ. 


CLYTAEMNESTRA ‘re-enters. 
μηδαμῶς, ὦ φίλτατ᾽ ἀνδρῶν, ἄλλα δράσωμεν 
κακά. 
ἀλλὰ καὶ τάδ᾽ ἐξαμῆσαι πολλὰ δύστηνον θέρος" 
fol » of aoe ‘ \ e , 
πημονῆς δ᾽ ἅλις γ᾽ ὑπάρχει" μηδὲν αἱματώμεθα. 
στεῖχε καὶ σὺ χοὶ γέροντες πρὸς δόμους πεπ- 
ρωμένους, 
ΟΥ̓ lal A ’ a“ fal 7>9 «ς 
πρὶν παθεῖν ἔρξαντες: ἀρκεῖν χρῆν τάδ᾽ ὡς 
’ / 
ἐπράξαμεν. 
εἰ δέ τοι μόχθων γένοιτο τῶνδ᾽ ἅλις, δεχοίμεθ᾽ ἄν, 
/ lal / lal ff 
δαίμονος χηλῇ βαρείᾳ δυστυχῶς πεπληγμένοι. 
eo) ” / , ” > “-“ fal 
ὧδ᾽ ἔχει λόγος γυναικός, εἴ τις ἀξιοῖ μαθεῖν. 
ἀλλὰ τούσδ᾽ ἐμοὶ ματαίαν γλῶσσαν ὧδ᾽ ἀπαν- 
θίσαι 
5» -“ » Lal / , 
κἀκβαλεῖν ἔπη τοιαῦτα δαίμονος πειρωμένους, 
, ’ 7 . a \ fa) r 
σώφρονος γνώμης δ᾽ ἁμαρτεῖν τὸν κρατοῦντά 


θ᾽ ὑβρίσαι. 


> Xv ᾽ / ΓΟ» » el / 
. οὐκ ἂν ᾿Αργείων τόδ᾽ εἴη, φῶτα προσσαίνειν 


κακόν. 
᾽ » τι , ᾽ > « / τς , / We tay 
αλλ ἔγω σ EV υστέραισιν NMEpals METELM ETL. 
\ U , lal , Lal 
οὔκ, ἐὰν δαίμων ᾿Ορέστην δεῦρ᾽ ἀπευθύνῃ μολεῖν. 


οἶδ᾽ ἐγὼ φεύγοντας ἄνδρας ἐλπίδας σιτουμένους. 


124 
Cho. 


Aeg. 


Cho. 


Oly. 


THE AGAMEMNON [ACT Ill 


Work as thou listest. Gorge thy fill. Stain 
justice. Thou canst do it. 

Be sure that thou to me shalt pay the forfeit 
of thy folly. 

Be boastful and be bold, like cock beside his 
partner strutting. 

These senseless barkings heed not thou ; thy- 
self and I together, 

Ruling within these royal halls, will all things 
wisely order. 


Hxeunt CLYTAEMNESTRA and AEGISTHUS into palace. 


The Cuorus cross the stage slowly and disappear 
through the Lion Gate. 


End of Acy Il. 


sc. ἢ OF AESCHYLUS 125 

XO. πρᾶσσε, πιαίνου, μιαίνων τὴν δίκην, ἐπεὶ πάρα. 

Al, ἔσθιε μοι δώσων ἄποινα τῆσδε μωρίας χάριν. 

Χο. κόμπασον θαρσῶν, ἀλέκτωρ ὥστε θηλείας πέλας. 

KA. μὴ προτιμήσῃς ματαίων τῶνδ᾽ ὑλαγμάτων" ἐγὼ 
καὶ σὺ θήσομεν κρατοῦντε τῶνδε δωμάτων 

καλῶς. 
Exeunt CLYTAEMNESTRA and AXEGISTHUS into palace. 


The Cuorus cross the stage slowly and disappear 
through the Lion Gate. 


End of Act III. 


Cambridge : 


PRINTED BY J. & C. F. CLAY, 
AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS. 





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