m AESCHYLUS : AGAMEMNON TEXT AND TRANSLATION • 1 I • - CAMBRIDGE PUBLISHED BY HARVARD UNIVERSITY 1906 The translation is by W. W. Goodwin, Eliot Professor of Greek Literature, Emeritus. The translation has been made as literal as possible, for use at the presentation of the play in June, 1906. Professor Goodwin has also edited the Greek text. For the use of the plates of the text the Classical Depart- ment of Harvard University is indebted to the courtesy of the American Bool: Company. V\ Copyright, 1906, by W. W. Goodwin. As The "Agamemnon " is the first of three connected tragedies which together won the first prize in the dramatic contest at Athens in the spring of 458 B.C. Ten years have passed since Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, and King of Argos and Mycenae, led the expedition against Troy to take vengeance on Paris, Priam's son, who had carried off Helen, wife of his brother Menelaus. To appease the wrath of Artemis whom he had angered, and who therefore restrained the fleet at Aulis, Agamemnon has been compelled to sacrifice his daugh- ter Iphigenia. Filled with desire to avenge on the King the death of her child, Queen Clytaemnestra (Helen's sister), who mean- time held sway at Argos, lent a willing ear to the passion of Prince Aegisthus, son of that Thyestes whom his brother Atreus had caused to feast on the flesh of his own children in requital for the seduction of his wife by Thyestes. The curse resting on the house of Agamemnon had descended from earlier generations ; for Atreus was the son of Pelops, who by foul play had won his bride Hippo- dameia from her father Oenomaus, and Pelops was himself the son of Tantalus. Now it had been foretold that Troy should fall in the tenth year of the siege, and for the space of an entire year a watchman has been stationed on the roof of the palace at Argos, on the lookout for the flaming of the nearest of the series of beacon-fires arranged by Agamemnon to convey intelligence to his Queen that Troy had fallen. — Here the action of the play begins. The " Libation-pourers." — After the murder of Agamemnon, Clytaemnestra and Aegisthus rule at Argos undisturbed for seven years. Though her crime remains unpunished, the Queen has dreamed that she has given birth to a serpent which she has nour- ished at her breast. Now it came to pass that Orestes, her son and Agamemnon's, who had been sent away to Phocis, has grown to manhood and returns, in company with his friend Pylades, in obedience to the command of Apollo, to take vengeance upon his mother. On the day of his arrival his sister Electra, who had remained at home suffering contumely at the hands of her mother, has been despatched by the Queen to the tomb of Agamemnon, iii Μ fii>f>iS IV bearing offerings by which Clytaemnestra hoped to propitiate the shade of her murdered husband. The Princess is accompanied by her handmaidens, consisting of captive Trojan women, who form the chorus of " Libation-pourers." Despite their long separation, brother and sister recognize each other and prepare to avenge their murdered father. Orestes disguises himself and reappears as a stranger, who tells the Queen a false message of his own death, which she receives with feigned grief. Orestes is lodged within the palace, and the absent Aegisthus is sent for, but returns only to meet his death. His cries summon Clytaemnestra, who discovers his dead body, and beside it the stranger in whom she divines her own son. The mother at first appeals for pity, then, regaining courage, threatens her son with madness from the Furies, who avenge the crime of matricide. Clytaemnestra is driven within and killed by Orestes, who reappears bearing the blood-stained robe in which his father had been entangled in the bath. Orestes then declares his purpose to seek purification at Apollo's shrine at Delphi, but sees the avenging Furies of his mother, who are visible to him alone, and rushes forth pursued by them. The "Furies." — Orestes appears as a suppliant in the sanctuary at Delphi overtaken by the dread band of Furies, who have pursued him even to the shrine of his patron God. The ghost of Clytaem- nestra arouses the Furies, who have fallen asleep after their long chase, and stimulates them to their duty of enacting vengeance on a son who has shed a mother's blood. Apollo presents himself to the harassed Orestes and bids him repair to Athens and take sanctu- ary on the Acropolis there under the protection of Athena. The scene shifts to Athens, where a solemn court is instituted on the Areopagus under the presidency of the Athenian goddess. Orestes defends his action as undertaken by the injunction of Apollo, who testifies in his behalf and justifies his counsel. The Furies them- selves are the accusers, and are incensed at the acquittal of their intended victim, who is pronounced guiltless only by the deciding ballot of Athena. Their threats to bring ruin on the land of Athena yield to the entreaties of the Goddess, who promises them honors for all time if they will lay aside their wrath and make Athens their abiding place. And thus the curse of the house of Agamemnon is laid at rest. DRAMATIS PERSONAL• Agamemnon, King of Argos. Clytaemnestra, his Queen. Cassandra, a captive Trojan princess and prophetess. Aegisthus, a prince, cousin of Agamemnon. Watchman. Herald. Chorus of Argive Elders. Scene : before the Royal Palace at Argos. Time : night, and then day. - ' r c ι AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON WATCHMAN I have prayed the Gods for respite from these toils through the length of my year's watch, while, bedded on the roof of the Atreidae, from my bended arm I watch like a dog the assem- blage of the stars of night, those that bring 5 winter and summer to mortals, bright lords gleaming in the sky, — the stars I mean, their settings and their risings. And now I am watch- ing for the signal of the torch, the gleam of fire that is to bring news from Troy and tidings of io her capture; for so commands a woman's manly counselling hopeful heart. But while I keep this night-wandering dewy bed, not visited by dreams, — this bed of mine, for fear is my companion in 15 place of sleep, so that I cannot close my eyes steadily in slumber, — and when I please to sing or hum, taking this medicine of song to keep off sleep, then I weep, bewailing the calamities of this house, which is not as of yore ordered for the 20 best. And now I pray that a happy release from my toils may come, by the signal fire appearing with good tidings through the gloom of night. Hail, light of the night, showing us a light ΑΙΣΧΤΛΟΤ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ ΦΥΛΑΞ ι Θεούς μεν αιτώ τωνδ* άπαλλαγην πόνων, φρουράς ετείας μήκος, ην κοιμώμενος στεγαις Ατρειδών άγκαθεν, κυνός δίκην, οίστρων κάτοιδα νυκτερων ομηγυριν, 5 καί τους φέροντας χεϊμα καϊ θέρος βροτοίς λάμπρους δυνάστας, εμπρεποντας αίθερι, αστέρας, όταν φθίνωσιν, άντολάς τε των. καί νυν φυλάσσω λαμπάδος το σύμβολον, αυγην πυρός φερουσαν εκ Τροίας φατιν ίο άλώσιμόν τε βάξιν • ωδε γαρ κρατεί γυναικός άνδρόβουλον ελπιζον κεαρ. ευτ αν δε νυκτίπλαγκτον ενδροσόν τ εχω εύνην όνείροις ουκ επισκοπουμενην εμην — φόβος γαρ άνθ* ύπνου παραστατεί, ΐ5 το μη βεβαίως βλέφαρα συμβαλεΐν υπνω — όταν δ* άείδειν η μινύρεσθαι δοκω, ύπνου τοδ' άντίμολπον εντεμνων ακος, κλαίω τότ οίκου τούδε συμφοραν στενών^ ούχ ως τά πρόσθ' άριστα δ ιαπ όνου μεν ου. 2ο νυν δ' ευτυχής γενοιτ απαλλαγή πόνων ευαγγελου φανεντος ορφναίου πυρός, ω χαίρε λαμπτηρ νυκτός, ήμερήσιον 3 4 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON bright as the day, and causing many choruses to assemble in Argos to celebrate this event. 25 Huzza! Huzza! I give this loud signal to Aga- memnon's queen, that she rise from her couch with all haste and raise a song of joyous triumph in the palace for this signal-fire, if the city of I lion 30 is really captured, as this bright flame clearly announces. And I myself will dance a prelude ; for I shall count it that our masters' fortunes have taken a lucky turn, since this fire has thrown me treble sixes. May it be my fortune with this 35 hand of mine to lift the loving hand of the master of this house on his return. Of all else I am silent ; a great ox has stept upon my tongue. Yet the house itself, if it should find a voice, might speak most plainly ; but I willingly speak to those who know, and willingly forget to those who know not. CHORUS 40 This is the tenth year since Priam's great adver- saries, King Menelaus and Agamemnon, with double-throned and double-sceptred honor from Zeus, a mighty pair of sons of Atreus, led from 45 this shore the Argive armament of a thousand ships, a vengeful array, shouting the name of mighty Ares from their hearts, like vultures ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ φάος πιφανσκων και χορών κατάστασιν πολλών εν "Αργεί, τησδε συμφοράς χάριν. 25 ίου Ιου. Αγαμέμνονος γυναικι σημαίνω τορώς, εννης επαντείλασαν ώς τάχος δόμους ολολνγμον ενφημονντα τηδε Χαμπάδι επορθιάζειν, εϊπερ *Ιλιου πόλις 3° εαλωκεν, ως 6 φρνκτος άγγέλλων πρέπει • αυτός τ' εγωγε φροίμιον χορενσομαι. τα δεσποτών γάρ εν πεσόντα θησομαι τρϊς εξ βαλονσης τησδε μοι φρυκτωρίας, γένοιτο δ' ονν μολόντος ενφιλη χέρα 35 άνακτος οίκων τηδε βαστάσαι χερί. τα δ' άλλα σιγώ ■ βονς επί γλώσση μέγας βέβηκεν ■ οίκος δ' αυτός, εΐ φθογγην λάβοι, σαφεστατ αν λέζειεν • ώς εκών εγώ μαθονσιν ανδώ κον μαθονσι ληθομαι. XOPOS 4θ δεκατον μεν έτος τοδ' έπεί ΐίριάμον μέγας αντίδικος, Μενέλαος άναζ τ^δ' Αγαμέμνων, διθρόνου Διόθεν καϊ δισκηπτρον τιμής, όχνρον ζεύγος Άτρειδάν, 45 στόλον Άργείων χιλιοναντην τήσδ* από χώρας ήραν, στρατιώτιν άρωγην, μέγαν εκ θνμον κλάζοντες "Αρη τρόπον αίγυπιών, AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON 50 who, in solitary grief for their young, wheel round high above their nests, rowing with the oars of their wings, having lost the labor spent in watching the nests of their young. But some God above, Apollo, Pan or Zeus, hearing the shrill bird-cry of these strangers, sends a late-avenging Fury against the transgressors. 60 Thus the mighty Zeus, God of hospitality, sends the sons of Atreus against Alexander, in vengeance for the woman of many suitors, to impose on Greeks and Trojans alike struggles many and wearying to the limbs, where the knee is pressed in the dust and the spear is shivered in the onset. Things are where they are, but they are coming to pass according to fate ; and no man by secret burnt-offerings or libations, or 70 by tears, will soften the wrath of the Gods excited by unacceptable sacrifices. But we, dishonored with our ancient bodies, left behind by the array which then set forth, remain at home, supporting our child-like strength upon our staves. For when the youthful marrow that rules within the breast becomes oldlike and the God of war is no longer at his post, then in hoary age, now in ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 5ο οίτ εκπατίοις a\yeai παίδων ύπατοι λεγεων στ ροφοδινοννται, πτερύγων ερτμοϊσιν ερεεσσόμενοι, δεμνιοτηρη πόνον όρταλίγων ολεσαντες- 55 ύπατος δ' άΐων η τις Απόλλων 77 ΐίαν η Ζευς οιωνόθροον γόον οζνβόαν τώνδε μετοίκων νστερόποινον πέμπει παραβασιν Έριννν. 6ο οντω δ' Άτρεως παΐδας 6 κρείσσων επ* Άλεξάνδρω πέμπει ζενιος Ζευς πολνάνορος άμφΐ γυναικός, πολλά παλαίσματα και γνιοβαρη γόνατος κονίαισιν ερειδομενον 65 διακναιομενης τ εν προτελειοις κάμακος θήσων Δαναοΐσι Ύρωσι υ ομοίως, εστί ο οπη νυν εστί • τελείται δ' ες το πεπρωμενον * ονθ* νποκαίων ονθ* νπολείβων ηο οϋτε δακρύων άπνρων ίερων οργάς άτενείς παραθελζει. ημείς δ' άτίται σαρκϊ πάλαια, της τότ αρωγής νπολειφθεντες μίμνομεν ισχνν 75 ισόπαιδα νεμοντες επί σκηπτροις. οτε γαρ νεαρός μυελός στέρνων εντός άνάσσων ίσόπρεσβνς, * Αρης δ' ουκ ενι χώρα, AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON the sear and withered leaf, man goes his way 80 on three feet, and, no better than a child, wan- ders a vision in the light of day. But thou daughter of Tyndareus, Queen Clytaemnestra, what is thy need ? What news hast thou ? Per- suaded by what message dost thou kindle these sacrifices sent to all these altars ? And the shrines of all the Gods who rule the city, the Gods above, the Gods below, the Gods in heaven, 90 and the Gods of the market, are flaming with offerings ; and now here, now there, high as heaven rises the flame of the torch, fed with the soft deceitless persuasions of pure unguent, the royal oil from the choicest palace stores. Tell us whatever of this thou canst and what it is right to tell, and become a healer of this our anxiety, 100 which at one moment is fraught with thoughts of evil, while again soothing hope comes to us from thy sacrifices and drives off insatiate care, the grief that is devouring our soul I am empowered to tell of the victory of aveng- ing men that was foreboded on the road, — for per- suasion from the Gods still inspires my song, and ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ ς τόθ* ύπεργηρως, φυλλάδος ήδη 8ο κατακαρφομενης, τρίποδας μεν οδούς στείγει, παιδο? δ* ovSev άρτιων οναρ ήμερόφαντον άλαι^ει. συ δε, Τυνοάρεω θύγατερ, βασίλεια Κλυταιμήστρα, 85 τ ί χρέος ; τί νέον ; τί δ' επαισθομένη, τίνος αγγελίας πειθοι περίπεμπτα θνοσκεϊς ; πάντων δε θέων των αστυνόμων, υπάτων, χθονίων, 9ο των τ ουρανίων των τ αγοραίων, βωμοί δώροισι φλέγονται • άλλ^ δ' άλλοθεν ούρανομηκης \αμπάς άνίσγει, φαρμασσομενη χρίματος αγνού 95 μαλακαϊς άδόλοισι παρηγορίαις, πελάνω μυγόθεν βασιλείω. τούτων \εζαις ο τι και δυνατόν καϊ θέμις αινεϊν, παιώζ^ τε γενου τήσδε μερίμνης, ιοο η νυν τότε μεν κακόφρων τελεθει, τότε δ' εκ θυσιών άγανή φανθεΐσ* ελπϊς άμύνει φροντίδ' άπληστον, την θυμοβόρον φρένα λύπην. κύριος είμι θροεΐν οδιον κράτος αϊσιον άνορων Str. 105 εκτελεων — ετι γαρ θεόθεν καταπνείει πείθω μολπάν ■ ίο AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON my age still gives me strength, — how the two- no throned might of the Achaean s, the harmonious leaders of the youth of Hellas, the fierce bird sends to the Trojan land with spear and avenging hand ; the king of the birds appearing to the kings of the ships, — himself black, with another white-tailed, — appearing near the roof-tree on the spear-hurling hand, in all conspicuous seats, feed- ing on the offspring of a hare pregnant with her 120 brood, stopped in her last course. Sing a song . of woe, a song of woe; but may the good prevail. And the noble prophet of the army seeing the two warrior sons of Atreus unlike in their tempers, recognized the martial leaders in the devourers of the hare. And thus he spake, interpreting the omen : "In time this armament shall capture Priam's city, and fate shall violently destroy all the collected possessions of her towers, the 130 people's abundant wealth ; only let no wrath from the Gods cast a gloom upon the great army now encamped, which is to be a bit for the mouth of Troy, and strike it down before its time. For holy Artemis is full of vengeance against the royal house, the winged hounds of her father, who are devouring the poor timorous hare with all her brood before she gives them birth; and she loathes the eagles' banquet. Sing a song of woe, a song of woe ; but may the good prevail. ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 1 1 άλκάν σύμφυτος αίων — όπως Αχαιών δίθρονον κράτος, 'Ελλάδος ηβας ι ίο ξύμφρονα ταγάν, πέμπει συν δορί καΐ χέρι πράκτορι Θούριος όρνις Ύευκρίδ* eV aiav, οιωνών βασιλεύς /3ασιλεί)(τι νέων, 6 κελαινος, ιΐ5 ο τ εζόπιν άργας, φανεντες ΐκταρ μελάθρων χερος εκ δοριπάλτον παμπρεπτοις εν εδραισι, βοσκόμενοι \ayivav ερικυμάδα φερματι γε'νναν, ΐ2ο βλαβεντα λοίσθιων δρόμων. αΐλινον αϊλινον είπε, το δ' ευ νικάτω. κεδνος δε στρατόμαντις Ιδων δυο λτ^/χασι οισσούϊ Ant. Άτρειδας μάχιμους εδάη λαγοδαίτας πομπούς τ αρχάς • ΐ25 ούτω δ' είπε τεράζων 66 χρόνω μεν άγρεί ΐίριάμου πόλιν άδε κελευθος, πάντα δε πύργων κτήνη προσθετά δημιοπληθη 130 ΜοΓρ' άλαπά^ι προς το βίαιον • οίον μη τις άγα θεόθεν κνεφάση προτυπεν στο- μιον μέγα Ύροιας ΐ35 στρατωθεν. οίκω γαρ επίφθονος * Αρτεμις άγνα, πτανοισιν κυσι πατρός αύτότοκον προ λόχου μογεράν πτάκα θυομενοισι ■ στυγεί δε δεΐπνον αιετών. αϊλινον αϊλινον είπε, το δ' ευ νικατω. 12 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON "So kindly as the beautiful Goddess is to the 140 tender young of savage lions, and delightful as she is to the breast-loving offspring of all the beasts that roam the field, she is begging her father to fulfil what these omens signify, the propitious but also the inauspicious omens of the birds. But I invoke the aid of Apollo, the heal- ing God, that she may cause no long delays to detain the ships by contrary winds, in her eager- 150 ness for a new sacrifice, a lawless one, of which no man can partake, a kindred worker of strife, one that fears not man ; for there abides, — terrible, ever rising afresh, haunting the house, deceitful, never forgetting, — the wrath that avenges a slaughtered child." Such things, mingled with great good, did Calchas proclaim as predicted to the royal house by the omens seen upon the road. In harmony with these, sing a song of woe, a song of woe, but may the good prevail. 160 Zeus, whoever he may be, if it pleases him thus to be called, thus I invoke him. I cannot divine, when I weigh everything except Zeus, whether I have a right truly to cast aside this burden of grief from my soul. He who of old was mighty, swelling with all- ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ ι 3 ΐ4° τόσσον περ ενφρων καλά Epod. ορόσοισι Χεπτοίς μαΧερών Χεόντω-, πάντων τ αγρονόμων φιΚομάστοις θηρών όβρικάΧοισι τερπνά, τούτων αιτεί ζύμβοΧα κράναι, 145 οεζια μεν, κατάμομφα δε φάσματα στρουθών. ιηιον δε καΧεω Παιάνα, μη τινας άντιπνόονς Ααναοις χρονιάς εχενήιοας 150 άπλοιας τενζη, σπενοομενα θνσίαν ετεραν άνομόν τιν\ άοαιτον, νεικεων τεκτονα σνμφντον, ου οεισηνορα. μίμνει γαρ φοβερά παΧίνορτος 155 οικονόμος δόλια μνάμων μηνις τεκνόποινος." τοιάδε Κάλχας ζυν μεγάλοις άγαθοϊς άπεκΧαγζεν μόρσιμ απ' ορνίθων όδίων οϊκοις βασιΧείοις. τοις δ* ομόφωνον αϊΧινον αιΧινον είπε, το δ' ευ νικάτω. ι6ο Ζευς, όστις ποτ εστίν, ει τόο* αν- Str. ι τω φίΧον κεκΧημενω, τοντό vlv προσεννεπω. ουκ εχω προσεικάσαι πάντ επισταθμώ μένος 165 πλην Διός, ει τόδ' εμάς άπο φροντίοος άχθος χρη βαΧεΐν ετητύμως. ούο* όστις πάροιθεν ην μέγας, Ant. ι 14 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON 170 defiant courage, shall not even be mentioned ; he is among the things that were. And he who followed next has found his champion and is gone. But he who zealously shouts the name of Zeus in songs of victory shall gain the whole of wisdom, — Zeus, who set mortals on the road to wisdom by enacting as a fixed law that knowledge cometh by suffering. And o'er the heart in sleep 180 trickle drops of torturing recollection of woe, and thus does discretion come to men even against their will. And this is surely a boon of the Gods, who sit in might upon their awful thrones. And then the elder leader of the Achaean ships, having no blame for any prophet, yielding to the fortunes which smote him, when the Achaean host was pressed by delay which ex- hausted their stores, while they were held fast 190 beyond Chalcis in the refluent region of Aulis ; And when the blasts that blow from the Stry- mon, causing evil delay, hungry blasts, which keep men at anchor to their hurt, which drive mortals astray, unsparing of both ships and cables, ever redoubling the time of their delay, ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 15 παμμάχω θράσει βρύων, 170 ούδε Χέζεται πριν ων • Λ Ο» V » VI ο? ο επειτ εφυ, τρια- κτηρος οϊχεται τυχών. Σηνα οε τις προφρόνως επινίκια κλάζων ΐ75 τευ^εται φρένων το πάν • rol•' φρονείν βροτους όδώ- Str. 2 σαντα, τον πάθει μάθος θεντα κυρίως εχειν. σταςει ο εν υ υπνω προ καροιας ι8ο μνησιπημων πόνος ■ και παρ' ακοντας ήλθε σω- φροι>εΓϊ\ οαιμόνων δε που χάρις βιαίως σέλμα σεμνον ήμένων. 185 και 70$' ηγεμων 6 πρέ- Ant. 2 σ/3υς ρεών Άχαιϊκων, μάντιν οϋτ ινα ψεγων, εμπαίοις τύχαισι συμπνέων, ευτ άπλοια, κεναγγει βαρύνοντ Άχαιικός λεώς, ΐ9° Χαλκίδος πέραν έχων παλιρρό- χθοις εν Αυλίδος τόποις • π^οαι δ' άπο Στρυμόνος μολουσαι Str. 3 κακόσχολοι, ζ^στιδες, ούσορμοι, βροτων αλαι, ΐ95 *>εώι> τε και πεισμάτων άφειοεΐς, παλιμμηκη χρόνον Ti#eicrai 1 6 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON were wasting the flower of the Argives ; and when the prophet proclaimed in the name of Artemis another remedy for the bitter storm, but 200 more terrible still, so that the sons of Atreus smote the ground with their staves and could not restrain their tears, Then the elder king thus spake and said : " Hard is the fate not to obey ; but hard is it if I must slay my child, the ornament of my house, 210 polluting with streams of virgin blood a father's hands before the altar. Which of these is without its terrors ? How can I desert my fleet and lose my allies ? For that they in their temper should intemperately call for a sacrifice to still the wind and for the virgin's blood is right; and may it be for the best." And when he had bowed his neck to neces- sity's yoke, breathing now an impious change of 220 heart, unblessed and unholy, then he turned to contemplate the all-daring deed. For base-coun- selling wretched infatuation, the beginning of woe, emboldens mortals. And he dared to become the sacrificer of his daughter, to aid the war waged to avenge a woman, and as an offering of first-fruits for the ships. ΑΙ2ΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕχλΙΝΩΝ ιη τρίβω κατεζαινον άνθος Άργείων, επεί δε καϊ πικρού γείματος άλλο μηγαρ 2οο βριθύτερον πρόμοισιν μάντις εκλαγζεν προφερων Αρτεμιν, ώστε γθόνα βάκ- τροις επικρούσαντας Ατρείδας δάκρυ μη κατα- σγείν ■ 2θ5 άναζ δ' 6 πρεσβυς τότ είπε φωνών • Ant. 3 " βαρεία μεν κηρ το μη ττιθεσθαι, βαρεία δ', ει τεκνον δαίζω, δόμων αγαλ/χα, μι,αίνων παρθενοσφαγοισι 2ΐο ρείθροις πατρώους χφας πελας βωμού. τί τωνδ* άνευ κακών ; πως Χυπόναυς γενωμαί ξυμμαχίας άμαρτών ; 2ΐ5 παυσ άνεμου yap θυσίας παρθενίου θ* αίματος ορ- γά περιόργως επιθυμείν θέμις, ευ γαρ ειη. επεί δ' άνάγκας εδυ Χεπαονον Str. 4 φρενός πνέων δυσσεβή τροπαιαν 22ο άναγνον, άνίερον, τόθεν το παντότολμον φρονειν μετεγνω. βροτους θρασύνει γαρ αίσχρόμητίς τάΧαινα παρακοπα πρωτοπημων. ετλα δ' ουν θυτηρ γενε- 225 σθαυ θυγατρός, γυναικοποίνων πολέμων αρωγαν καϊ προτε\εια ναών. AGAMEMNON — 2 1 8 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON 230 And the war-loving nobles made of no account her tears and her calling upon her father's name and her virgin age ; and the father, after a prayer, bade the servants with all their courage to raise her, like a kid, above the altar, with neck inclined, enveloped in her falling robes, and, as a guard upon her beautiful mouth, to restrain her voice that might utter a curse upon the house, by the strength and silencing force of gags. And as she let fall to the ground the saffron 240 dye, she smote each of her sacrificers with a piteous glance from the eye ; and she lay beautiful as in a picture, wishing to speak, for oft in her father's hospitable halls she had sung, and a pure virgin with her chaste voice she had lovingly honored her dear father's thrice-blessed joyous life. What followed I neither saw, nor do I tell it ; but the divinations of Calchas never fail in ful- 250 filment. Justice brings knowledge within the reach of those who have suffered ; but as to the future, you can hear it when it comes ; before that bid it farewell ; it is as well as to lament it beforehand, for it will come precisely in accord- ance with those divinations. But may good ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ ι 9 λιτάς δε καΐ κλήδονας πατρώους Ant. 4 παρ' ού$εν αιώνα παρθένειόν τ 230 έθεντο φιλόμαχοι βραβης. φράσεν ο άόζοις πατήρ μετ ενγαν ΰίκαν γιμαίρας νπερθε βωμον πεπλοισι περιπετη παντι θνμω προνωπη λαβείν άερ- 235 hrjv, στόματος τε καλλιπρωρον φνλακαν κατασχέίν φθόγγον άραΐον οικοις βία χαλινών τ' avavhco μένει. Str. 5 κρόκου βαφάς δ' ες πέ'οον γέονσα 240 έβαλλ εκαστον θντηρων απ* όμματος βέλει φί- λο ι κτ ω, πρέπουσα θ* ως εν γραφαΐς, προσεννέπειν θέλονσ\ έπει πολλάκις πατρός κατ άνορωνας εύτραπεζονς 245 εμελ-φεν, α,γνα δ' άτανρωτος αύδα πατρός φίλου τριτόσπονοον ενποτμον αιώ^α φιλως ετίμα. τα δ* ένθεν οντ εΐοον οντ εννεπω • Ant. 5 τέγναι δε Κάλχαντος ουκ άκραντοι. 250 Αί,κα δε τοις μεν παθουσιν μαθεϊν έπιρ ρέπει • το μέλλον ο* επέί γένοιτ' αν κλύοις ■ προ χαιρετώ • ίσον δε τω προστένειν ■ τορον yap ηζει σννορθον ανταίς. 255 πέλοιτο δ* ονν ταπί τοντοισιν ενπραζις, ως 2θ AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON fortune follow these events, for thus prays this nearest and only guard now left to the Apian land. I have come, Clytaemnestra, to do homage to thy authority ; for it is right to honor the wife of a man in power when the husband's throne is 260 left vacant. But I would gladly hear whether thou hast heard anything new, or whether, in lack of news, thou art sacrificing through hope of good tidings ; nor will I grudge it thee if thou art silent. CLYTAEMNESTRA With good tidings, as the proverb says, may the Morn appear from her mother Night ; and you shall learn a joy which is beyond all hope to hear. The Argives have captured the city of Priam. CHORUS LEADER What sayest thou ? Thy word has escaped me from my distrust. CLYTAEMNESTRA Troy is in the hands of the Greeks. Do I speak plainly ? CHORUS LEADER 270 Joy creeps over me and calls forth my tears. CLYTAEMNESTRA Yes, your eye declares that your thoughts are kind. ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 2ΐ θέλει τόδ' άγχιστον Άπιας ycuas μονόφρονρον ερκος. ηκω σεβιζων σον, Κλνταιμηστρα, κράτος ' οίκη γάρ εστί φωτός αρχηγού τίειν 260 γνναΐκ ερημωθεντος αρσενος θρό'ον. σν δ' ει τι κεδνον είτε μη πεπνσμενη εναγγελοισιν εΧπίσιν θνηπολεϊς, κΚνοιμ αν ενφρων • ουδέ σιγώση φθόνος. ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ^ΤΡΑ ενάγγελος μεν, ωσπερ η παροιμία, 265 εως γένοιτο μητρός εύφρόνης πάρα. πενσει δε χάρμα μείζον ελπίδος κλνειν ■ ΤΙριάμον γάρ ηρηκασιν Άργεΐοι πόλιν. ΧΟΡΟ^ πώς φης ; πεφενγε τονπος €ζ απιστίας. KAYTAIMHSTPA Ύροίαν Αχαιών ούσαν ■ ^ τορως Χεγω ; XOPOS 270 χαρά μ' νφερπει οάκρνον εκκαλονμενη. KAYTAIMHSTPA εν γάρ φρονονντος όμμα σον κατηγορεί. 22 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CHORUS LEADER But how ? Hast thou any credible proof of this ? CLYTAEMNESTRA Of course I have, unless a God has deceived me. CHORUS LEADER Dost thou honor as credible visions which come to thee in dreams ? CLYTAEMNESTRA I would not base my judgment on a mind asleep. CHORUS LEADER Well, has any unfledged report elated thee ? CLYTAEMNESTRA You scorn my thoughts as if I were a mere girl. CHORUS LEADER Well, how long then has the city been captured ? CLYTAEMNESTRA Within the night which has just given birth to this day, I tell you. CHORUS LEADER 280 And what messenger, pray, could come with such speed as this? ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 23 XOPOS τί γαρ ; το ττιστόν εστί τωνΰε σοι τέκμαρ ; ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ3ΤΡΑ εστίν ' τί δ' ουχί ; μη δολώσαντος θεού. XOPOS πότερα δ' ονείρων φάσματ ενπιθή σέβεις ; ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ^ΤΡΑ 275 ον δόξαν αν λάβοιμι βριζονσης φρενός. XOPOS αλλ' η σ επίανεν τις άπτερος φάτις ; ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ^ΤΡΑ παιδός νέας ως κάρτ εμωμησω φρενας. XOPOS ποίον χρόνου δε και πεπόρθηται πόλις ; ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ2ΕΤΡΑ της νυν τεκούσης φως τοδ' ενφρόνης λέγω. XOPOS 28ο καϊ τίς τοδ' εξίκοιτ αν άγγελλων τάχος ; 24 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CLYTAEMNESTRA Hephaestus, sending the gleaming signal from Ida. And beacon sent beacon on, sped by the courier flame. Ida sent it to the Hermaean crag of Lemnos ; and thirdly the height of Athos, sacred to Zeus, received the great flame from the island. Then leaping high, so as to skim the sea, the mighty torch, proceeding on its joyous way, bright as a sun, announced the golden-gleaming light of the pine to the watch- 290 man on Macistus. But he, not delaying, nor foolishly overcome by sleep, passed on the mes- senger's duty ; and the light of the torch went far on to the streams of the Euripus, and gave the signal to the guards of Messapium. And they in turn lighted their fire and sped the mes- sage on, kindling a heap of gray heath. And the mighty torch, not yet dimmed, leaped over the plain of the Asopus, like the gleaming moon, to the crags of Cithaeron, and there roused a 300 new succession of the courier flame. And there the guard did not reject the far-sent light, and sent the courier flame mounting to heaven. Then the light darted over Lake Gorgopis, and coming to Mt. Aegiplanctus, exhorted the suc- cession of the fires not to fail. And they sent on a great beard of fire, kindling it with un- stinted might, so that it flamed onward and even overleaped the cliff which looks down upon the Saronic Gulf. Then it darted on, ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 25 ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ3ΤΡΑ ^Ηφαιστος ν ΐδΐ79 λαμπρον εκπεμπων σέλας, φρυκτος δε φρυκτον Sevp* απ άγγάρον πυρός επεμπεν ■ ν ΐδΐ7 μεν προς 'Έ*ρμαΐον λεπας Αημνου • μεγαν δε πανόν εκ νήσου τρίτον 285 Άθωον αιπος Ζηνός ίςζοεζατο * ύπερτελης τε, πόντον ώστε νωτίσαι, Ιο"χυς πορευτου λαμπάδος προς ήδονήν πεύκης το χρυσοφεγγες, ως τις ήλιος, σέλα? παρηγγάρευσε Μακίστου σκοπαίς • 290 6 ο* ούτι μέλλων ούδ' άφρασμόνως υπνω νικωμενος παρηκεν αγγέλου μέρος • εκάς δε φρυκτου φως επ' Ευρίπου ροάς Μεσσαπίου φύλαζι σημαίνει μολόν. ol δ' άντελαμφαν κα\ παρήγγειλαν πρόσω 2 95 γραίας ερείκης θωμον άφαντες πυρί. σθενουσα λαμπάς δ' ούδεπω μαυρουμενη, ύπερθορουσα πεδίον ' Ασωπού, δίκην φαιδράς σελήνης, προς Κιθαιρώνος λεπας ηγειρεν άλλην εκοοχήν πομπού πυρός. 3οο φάος δε τηλεπομπον ουκ ηναίνετο φρουρά, προσαιθ ρίζουσα πόμπιμον φλόγα • λίμνην δ* υπέρ Τοργώπιν εσκηφεν φάος • όρος τ επ' Αιγίπλαγκτον εζικνουμενον ωτρυνε θεσμόν μη γαρίζεσθαι πυρός. 3°5 πεμπουσι δ' άνδαίοντες αφθονώ μένει φλογός μεγαν πώγωνα, και Σαρωνικού πορθμού κάτοπτον πρών ύπερβάλλειν πρόσω 26 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON and then it came to Mt. Arachnaeum, our neigh- boring watch. And then it strikes upon this roof 310 of the Atreidae, this flame, true child of the fire kindled on Ida. Such are the ready stations of the torch-bearers, filled one in succession from another; and the first and the last runners are both victors. Such proof and such token I give to you, my husband having sent me the message from Troy. CHORUS LEADER Hereafter, queen, I will pay my devotions to the Gods; but now I would fain once more hear and wonder at thy story as thou dost tell it. CLYTAEMNESTRA 320 The Achaeans hold Troy this very day. I think that an unmixed cry is to be heard in the city. If you mixed vinegar and oil in the same vessel, you would say that they separated in no friendly way. So there may be heard distinct the voices of the captured and the captors, each for his own fortune. The Trojans, fallen upon the bodies of their brethren and their kinsfolk, children on the bodies of old men, from necks no longer free bewail the fate of their dearest. On the other hand, the night-wandering toil 33° after the battle ranges the Greeks hungry at breakfast on what the city affords, according ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 27 φλεγουσαν • ειτ εσκηψεν, ειτ άφίκετο Άραχναΐον αιπος, άστυγείτονας σκοπάς • 3ΐο κάπειτ Ατρειδών ες τόδε σκήπτει στεγος φάος τόδ' ουκ άπαππον Ιδαίον πυρός, τοιοίδ* έτοιμοι λαμπαδηφόρων νόμοι, άλλο? παρ άλλου διαδοχαις πληρούμενοι • ι>ικα δ' ό πρώτος καϊ τελευταίος δραμών. 315 τεκμαρ τοιούτο σύμβολόν τε σοι λέγω ανδρός παραγγείλαντος εκ Ύροίας εμοί. XOPOS θεοΐς μεν αδ^ις, ω γνναι, προσεύζομαι. λόγους δ' άκουσαι τούσδε κάποθαυμάσαι διανεκώς θελοιμ αν, ως λέγεις, πάλιν. ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ3ΤΡΑ 32ο Ύροίαν Αραιοί τηδ* εχουσ' εν ήμερα, οϊμαι βοήν αμεικτον εν πόλει πρεπειν. όζος τ άλειφα τ εγγεας ταυτω κυτει διγοστατουντ αν ου φίλως προσεννεποις. /cat τών άλόντων καϊ κρατησάντων διχα 325 φθογγάς άκούειν εστί συμφοράς διπλής, οι μεν γαρ άμφϊ σώ/ιασι^ πεπτωκοτες ανδρών κασιγνήτων τε και φυταλμίων — παίδες γερόντων — ούκετ εζ ελευθέρου δερης άποιμώζουσι φιλτάτων μόρον ■ 33° τους δ' αυτέ νυκτίπλαγκτος εκ μάχης πόνος νήστεις προς άρίστοισιν ων εγει πόλις 2 8 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON to no fixed rule and order ; but as each one has drawn fortune's lot, they dwell now in the captive Trojan houses, free from the frosts and dews of the open air, for the poor fellows can now sleep the whole night without guarding. But if they pay due reverence to the Gods which hold the city, those of the conquered land, and the 340 shrines of the Gods, they cannot, after capturing the town, again be captured in their turn. Only I pray that no desire may prematurely fall upon the host to ravage what they should not, tempted by gain ; for to secure a safe return home they have to bend their way back through the other arm of the double race-course. But, even if the army should arrive here without having offended the Gods, the suffering of the perished may still prove wakeful, even if no new calamity befall them. This is what you can hear from me, a woman ; and may the good prevail, so that we may see it in no doubtful light. For many are the bless- ings of which I have promised myself the enjoy- 350 ment. CHORUS LEADER Queen, thou speakest wisely, like a prudent man. But having heard thy trusty proofs, I am preparing to pay due thanks to the Gods ; for a blessing not unworthy of our toils has been wrought. Ο king Zeus, and friendly night who hast put us in possession of mighty honors, who didst throw over the towers of Troy a close net, so ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ τάσσει, προς ούδεν εν μέρει τεκμηριον • αλλ* ως έκαστος έσπασεν τύχης πάλον, εν αίχμαλώτοις Τρωικοί*; οικημασιν 335 ναίονσιν ηδη, των υπαιθρίων πάγων δρόσων τ άπαλλαγέντες, ως δυσδαίμονες άφύλακτον εύδήσουσι πάσαν εύφρόνην. el δ' ευ σέβουσι τους πολισσούχους θεούς, τους της άλούσης γης, θέων θ' ιδρύματα, 34° ου τάν ελόντες αύ^ις άνθαλοίεν αν. έρως δε μη τις πρότερον εμπίπτη στρατω πορθειν α μη χρη, κερδεσιν νικωμένους. δει γαρ προς οίκους νόστιμου σωτηρίας κάμψαι διαύλου θάτερον κωλον πάλιν • 345 θεοϊς δ' άναμπλάκητος ει μόλοι στρατός, εγρηγορος το πημα των όλωλοτων γενοιτ αν, ει πρόσπαια μη τύχοι κακά. τοιαύτα τοι γυναικός εξ εμού κλύεις • το δ' ευ κρατοίη, μη διχορρόπως ίδεΖν • 35° πολλών γαρ εσθλων την όνησιν ειλόμην. XOPOS γυναι 9 κατ άνδρα σώφρον* εύφρόνως λέγεις, έγω δ' άκουσας πιστά σου τεκμήρια θεούς π ροσ ειπείν ευ παρασκευάζομαι, χάρις γαρ ουκ άτιμος εϊργασται πόνων, 355 ω Ζεύ ^ασιλβυ και νύζ φιλία μεγάλων κόσμων κτεατειρα, ητ επί Τροίας πύργοις έβαλες 2 9 30 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON that neither full-grown nor young could escape 360 the great slavery-net of all-conquering Ate. I reverence mighty Zeus, God of hospitality, who has wrought this, who of old had his bow bent against Alexander, that his dart might neither fall short of the mark, nor fly high above the stars. It is a blow from Zeus they have to tell of ; this we may trace out. He (Paris) fared as he (Zeus) willed. There was one who denied that 370 the Gods deign to care for mortals by whom the honor of things sacred is trampled under foot ; but he was no pious man. The truth has been shown to the posterity of insufferable men, who breathe the spirit of war more than is just, whose houses overflow with wealth beyond what is best. But may my lot be free from woe, 380 and yet such as to content one who has a fair share of wisdom. For there is no protection in wealth to hide a man who has once in his inso- lence kicked against the great altar of Justice. Him wretched persuasion drives on, the fore-counselling unbearable child of Ate. And ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 3 1 στεγανον δίκτνον, ώς μήτε μεγαν μήτ ονν νεαρών τιν νπερτελεσαι 360 μέγα δουλείας γάγγαμον ατής παναλώτον. Δια tol ζενιον μεγαν αίδονμαι τον τάδε πράξαντ, επ Άλεξάνδρω τείνοντα πάλαι τόξον, όπως αν 3 6 5 μήτε προ καιρόν μήθ* νπερ άστρων βέλος ήλίθιον σκήψειεν. Διός πλαγάν εχονσιν ειπείν, Str. ι πάρεστι τοντό γ Ιζιχνενο~αι. επραζεν ως εκρανεν. ουκ εφα τις 37° θεούς βροτων άζιονσθαι μελειν όσους άθικτων χάρις πατοΐθ* ' 6 δ' ονκ ευσεβής. πεφανται δ* εκγόνοις 375 άτολμήτων " Αρη πνεόντων μείζον η δικαίως, φλεόντων δωμάτων νπερφεν νπερ το βελτιστον. έστω δ' άπήμαντον, ώστε κάπαρκεΐν 380 ev πραπίδων λαγρντα. ον γαρ εστίν έπαλες πλοντον προς κόρον άνδρί λακτίσαντι μεγαν Αίκας βωμον εις άφάνειαν. 3^5 βιάται δ' ά τάλαινα πειθώ, Ant. ι προβονλόπαις άφερτος άτας. 3 2 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON all help is vain. The mischief is not concealed, but shines, a balefully gleaming light. And 39° like base metal, by rubbing and by striking he becomes blackened when put to the test; for he is like the boy chasing a bird in the air, and he brings unbearable evil to his state. No one of the Gods listens to his prayers ; but they destroy the unjust man who has dealt with deeds like these. So Paris, when he came to 400 the house of the Atreidae, disgraced the hospi- table board by the rapine of the queen. And leaving to her citizens the din of shields and spears and naval armaments, and bearing destruction as her dowry to Ilion, she sped nimbly through the gates, daring what none should dare. And the prophets of the house uttered many lamentations, thus speaking : " Woe! Woe for the 410 palace and the nobles! woe for the nuptial couch and the traces of a wife's affection! *ft t(c 'I* t|c i(c *F And in his longing for her who is beyond the sea a phantom will seem to be queen of his palace. And even the grace of comely statues is odious ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 3 3 άκος δε παν μάταιον. ουκ εκρύφθη, πρέπει, δε, φως αινολαμπες, σίνος • 39° κάκου δε χαλκοί) τρόπον τρίβω re και προσβολαίς μελαμπαγης πελει δικαιωθείς, επει διώκει παις ποτανον όρνιν, 395 ιτόλα πρόστριμμ άφερτον έρθεις, λιταν δ* άκοΰει μεν οΰτις θεών • τον δ' επίστροφον τώνδε φώτ άδικον καθαιρεί. οΐος καλ Παρ 19 ελθών 4°c is δόμον τον Άτρειδάν τ\σγυνε ζενίαν τράπεζαν κλοπαΐσι γυναικός. λυπούσα δ' άστοισιν άσπίστορας Str. 2 405 κλόνους λογγίμους τε και ναυβάτας οπλισμούς, άγουσα τ άντίφερνον Ιλίω φθοραν βεβακεν ρίμφα δια πυλαν ατλατα τλασα • πολλά δ* εστενον τότ εννεποντες δόμων προφηται • 4 χ ο ιώ ιώ δώμα δώμα καΐ πρόμοι, ιώ λεγος και στίβοι φιλάνορες. t πάρεστι σιγάς άτιμος άλοίδορος αοιστος αψεμενων ιοειν. Τ πόθω δ' υπερπόντιας 4*5 φάσμα δόζει δόμων άνάσσειν. εύμόρφων δε κολοσσών εγθεται χάρις άνδρί' AGAMEMNON — 3 34 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON to the man, for in the want of the living eyes all love has vanished. 420 And there come to him sad visions in dreams, bringing empty pleasure; for empty it is when one believes that he sees a noble prize, — and slipping through his hands the vision is gone no sooner than it came, on wings that attend the paths of sleep." The woes seen at home by the hearthstone are these, and still more terrible than these; and everywhere for those who departed from the land 430 of Hellas sorrow that wears the heart is seen in the homes of each. There are many things indeed that touch the heart; for everyone knows whom he sent forth, but, instead of living men, urns and ashes are coming to each one's house. And Ares, the broker who deals in human bodies, and holds the scales in the contest of the spear, is sending home from Troy to the friends 440 the sad dust burnt in the fire, wept with tears, loading the urns with well-packed ashes in the place of men. And they lament, speaking well of one man as skilled in battle, and of another as having fallen nobly in a conflict for another's wife. But there are other things which many a one is muttering silently, and grief mixed with hatred ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 35 ομμάτων δ' εν άχΎ]νίαις ερρει πάσ Άφροοίτα, 42ο ονειρόφαντοι δε πενθήμονες Ant. 2 πάρεισιν δόκαι φερουσαι χάριν ματαίαν. μάταν yap, ευτ αν εσθλά τις δοκών οράν — παραλλάξασα δια γέρων 425 βεβακεν οψις ού μεθύστερον πτεροίς οπαδοί? ύπνου κελεύθοις. τα μεν κατ οίκους εφ* εστίας άχη τάδ' εστί καΐ τωνδ* ύπερβατώτερα. το παν ο' αφ* 'Ελλάδος γάς συνορμενοις 43° πενθεια τλησικάρδιος δόμων εκάστου πρέπει. πολλά γούν θίγγάνευ προς ήπαρ • ους μεν γαρ τις επεμψεν οϊδεν, αντί δε φώτων 435 τεύχη καΐ σποδός είς εκά- στου δόμους άφικνείται. 6 χρυσαμοιβος δ' "Αρης σωμάτων Str. 3 καί ταλαντούχος εν μάχη δορος 44° πυρωθεν εζ Ιλίου φίλοισι πέμπει βαρύ ψήγμα δυσδάκρυτον, άντήνορος σποδού γεμί- ζων λέβητας εύθετου. 445 στενουσι δ' ευ λέγοντες άνδρα τον μεν ώς μάχης ΐδρις, τον δ' εν φοναίς καλώς πεσοντ αλλότριας διαΐ γυναικός, τά δε σιγά τις βαυ- 3 6 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON 450 is creeping upon the avenging sons of Atreus. And there are others who there before the wall in goodly form fill tombs of Trojan earth, and a hostile land has buried its possessors. And the speech of the citizens is heavy with wrath; it acts, the part of a curse ratified by the people. But my anxious heart is waiting to hear 460 something still wrapped in night; for the Gods are ever observant of those who have slain many, and the dark Furies in time bring to obscurity him who is fortunate without justice, when his fortunes are reversed in the wear of life; and after he has once passed among the unseen, no help can reach him. It is dangerous for men to have too great glory, for a thunderbolt from 470 Zeus is hurled into their eyes. I prefer unenvied prosperity. May I not be a destroyer of cities, nor may I ever see myself living as a captive in the hands of others. By this signal fire with its good tidings a swift report has spread through the city; but who knows whether it is true, or whether it is not some divine falsehood ? Who is so childish or so stricken in mind, that, inflamed in heart by the fresh announcement of a signal fire, he 480 must afterwards suffer when the report is changed? It is like a woman's rule to approve ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 37 45° ζ€6. φθονερον δ' υπ άλγος έρπει προδίκοις Άτρείοαις. οί δ* αυτόν περί τείχος θηκας Ίλιάδος γάς 455 εϋμορφοι κατεχουσιν • έχθρα δ' έχοντας εκρυψεν. βαρεία δ* άστωι> φάτις ζυν κότω ■ Ant. 3 δημοκράντου δ' ά/)άς riVei χρέος. μένει δ' άκοί)ο~αι τι μ,ου 46ο μέριμνα νυκτηρεφες. των πολυκτόνων yap ουκ άσκοποι θεοί. κελαι- val δ* 'EjOtz/ue? χρόνω τνχηρον οντ άνευ δικας παλιντυχη 465 τριβα βίου τιθείσ άμαυρόν, εν δ* άΐ- στοις τελεθοντος οΰτις άλκά • το δ' ύπερκότως κλύειν ευ βαρύ ■ βάλλεται γαρ οσσοις 47° Διόθεν κεραυνός. κρίνω δ' άφθονον ολβον. μητ ειην πτολιπόρθης μητ ουν αύτος άλούς υπ' άλλων βίον κατίοοιμι. 475 ττυρος δ' υπ* ευαγγελον Epode 7Γθλιι/ 8ιήκει θοά βάζις ' ει δ' ετητυμος, τίς οϊΰεν, η τοι θείον εστί μη φύθος. τίς ώδε παιδικός τ) φρένων κεκομμενος, 48ο φλογός παραγγελμασιν νεοις πυρωθεντα καρΰίαν επειτ 3 8 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON a thanksgiving before the fact is known. The female sex ranges too credulous, quick in re- sources ; but by a speedy death perishes glory which is woman-heralded. CHORUS LEADER We shall quickly know of this succession of light-bearing torches and signal fires and flame, 490 whether they are truthful, or whether this pleas- ant light has come like a dream to deceive our minds. Here I see a herald coming from the shore, shaded by boughs of olives ; and the thirsty dust, twin sister of the mud, testifies to me this, that not without voice, and not by kindling a flame of mountain forests will he tell his story by the smoke of fire ; but either by plain speech he will bid us rejoice the more, — the opposite of this I shrink from uttering. I pray only that a good 500 sequel may come to that which has begun so well. Whoever prays that this may be otherwise to our state, may he reap the fruits of the folly of his mind. HERALD Hail, paternal soil of this land of Argos ! In the light of this tenth year have I come, with many hopes blasted, successful in but one ; for I never thought that I should die in this Argive land, and here have the right of burial most dear to me. Now hail, Ο land; hail, light of ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ άλλαγα λόγου καμέίν ; γυναικός αιχμα πρέπει προ τον φανέντος χάριν ζννο,ινίσαι. 485 πιθανός ayav ο θήλυς ορός επινέμεται ταχύπορος • άλλα ταχύμορον γυναικογή ρυτον ολλυται κλέος. τάχ εΐσόμεσθα λαμπάδων φαεσφόρων 49° φρυκτωριών τε και πυρός παραλλαγάς, ειτ ουν αληθείς εΐτ όνειράτων δίκην τερπνόν τόδ' ελθον φως εφήλωσεν φρενας. κήρυκ απ' ακτής τόνδ* ορω κατάσκιον κλάδοις ελαιας • μαρτυρεί δέ μοι κάσις 495 πηλού ζύνουρος διψία κόνις τάδε, ώς ουτ άναυδος ούτε σοι δαίων φλόγα ΰλης όρείας σημανεΐ καπνω πυρός, αλλ' ή το χαίρειν μάλλον εκβάζει λέγων, — τον άντίον δε τοΐσδ* αποστέργω λόγον 5οο βδ γαρ προς ευ φανέίσι προσθήκη πέλοι. όστις τάδ* άλλως τήδ* επεύχεται πάλει, αυτός φρένων καρποιτο την άμαρτίαν. ΚΗΡΥΞ ιω πατρωον ουδας * Κργειας χθονός, δεκάτω σε φέγγει τωδ' άφικόμην έτους, 5°5 πολλών ραγεισων ελπίδων μιας τυχών. ου γαρ ποτ ηϋχουν τήδ* εν Άργεία. χθονι θανών μεθέζειν φιλτάτου τάφου μέρος, νυν χοάρε μεν χθων, χαίρε δ' ήλιου φαος, 39 4θ AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON the sun; hail, Zeus, lord of the land; hail, thou 510 Pythian king, mayest thou no longer send upon us darts from thy bow. Sufficiently hostile didst thou show thyself by the Scamander ; but now again be our saviour and our healer, king Apollo. And I pray all the Gods of the market- place, and my protector Hermes, the beloved herald, whom all heralds honor, and the heroes who sent us forth, that again with friendly hearts they may welcome home the army which the spear has spared. Hail, palace of the king, beloved roofs, and high-honored seats, and Gods who face the rising sun, if ever of old, now 520 with those gleaming eyes receive in honor our king after this long lapse of time. For he has come, bringing light in the night to you and to all these together, — king Agamemnon. And reverence him well, for it is his due, now that he has levelled Troy with the spade of avenging Zeus, with which he has dug over the plain. And the altars and the shrines of the Gods have disappeared, and the seed has perished from the whole land. Having thrown such a 530 yoke over the neck of Troy, king Atreides, revered happy man, has now come home ; and he is the most worthy to be honored of all mor- tals who live. For neither Paris nor the city which was his partner now boasts the deed more than the suffering. For cast in a suit for rapine and theft, Paris has lost his prize, and has utterly destroyed his ancestral house and the land on which it stood ; and the sons of Priam have paid a double forfeit. ΑΠΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 4 ι ύπατος τε χώρας Ζενς, 6 Τίνθιός τ' άναζ, 5ΐο robots ιάπτων μηκέτ εις ημάς βέλη• άλις παρά Χκάμανδρον ήσθ* άνάρσιος ■ ι/υζ/ δ* αύτ€ σωτηρ ισθι καί παιώνιος, άναζ "Απολλον. τονς τ άγωνίονς θεονς πάντας προσανδώ, τον τ έμον τιμάορον 515 'Έ^ρμήν, φίλον κήρυκα, κηρύκων σέβας, ηρως τε τους πέμφαντας, ευμενείς πάλιν στρατον οέγζσθαι τον λελειμμένον δορός. ιώ μέλαθρα βασιλέων, φιλαι στέγαι, σεμνοί τε θάκοι, δαίμονες τ αντήλιοι, 520 ει που πάλαι, φαιδροίσι τοισίδ* ομμασι δέζασθε κόσμω /3acnAea πολλω χρόνω. η κει yap νμιν φως εν ενφρόνη φέρων καί τοΐσο* άπασι κοινόν, ' Αγαμέμνων άναζ. αλλ' εν νιν άσπάσασθε, και γαρ ονν πρέπει, 525 Ύροίαν κατασκάφαντα τον δικηφόρον Αιος μακέλλη, τη κατείργασται πέδον. βωμοί δ* άίστοι καί θεών ιδρύματα, και σπέρμα πάσης εξαπόλλνται γθονός. τοιόνδε Τροία περιβολών ζενκτηριον 53° άναζ Άτρείδης πρέσβνς ευδαίμων άνηρ ηκει, τίεσθαι δ' άξιώτατος βροτών τών ννν • ΐΐάρις γαρ οντε σνντελης πολις εζενγεται το δράμα τον πάθονς πλέον, οφλών γαρ αρπάγης τε καί κλοπής δίκην 535 τον ρνσίον θ' ημαρτε καί πανώλεθρον αντόγθονον πατρωον έθρισεν δόμον. δίπλα δ' έτεισαν ΐίριαμίδαι θάμάρτια. 42 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CHORUS LEADER Hail, herald of the Achaeans from the army. HERALD I welcome your greetings, and I will no longer grudge my life to the Gods. CHORUS LEADER 540 Was it love for this your fatherland that ex- ercised you ? HERALD Yes, so that my eyes wept with joy. CHORUS LEADER A pleasant disease this, with which you were taken. HERALD How is that ? Only when instructed shall I master that saying. CHORUS LEADER You were smitten with love of those who loved you in turn. HERALD O, you mean that this land longed for the army which longed for it. CHORUS LEADER Yes, so that we lamented deeply from a sor- rowing heart. HERALD Whence came this grief, of which the army hates to hear ? ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ XOPOS κήρυξ Αχαιών χαίρε των άπο στρατού. ΚΗΡΥΞ χαίρω • τεθναναι δ' ουκετ άντερω θεοΐς. XOPOS 54° έρως πατρώας τήσ ε γής σ εγύμνασεν ; ΚΗΡΥΞ ωστ ενδακρύβιν y ομμασιν χαράς ϋπο. XOPOS τερπνής άρ* ήτε τήσδ* έπη βόλοι νόσου. ΚΗΡΥΞ πως δη ; διδαχθείς τούδε δεσπόσω λόγου. XOPOS των άντερώντων ιμερω πεπληγμενοι. ΚΗΡΥΞ 545 ποθείν ποθουντα τήνδε γήν στρατον λέγεις. XOPOS ως πόλλ' αμαυρας εκ φρενός μ* αυαστενειν. ΚΗΡΥΞ πόθεν το δνσφρον τουτ επήν, στυγος στρατω ; 43 44 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CHORUS LEADER Long ago have I found silence a cure for harm. HERALD But how ? When the kings were absent did you have any to fear ? CHORUS LEADER 550 I repeat your own words : even to die had been great joy for us. HERALD Yes, it has been well done. Of these events in the long lapse of time, we may say that some have turned out well and others are blameworthy. But who except the Gods is ever free from woe through his whole lifetime ? For should I tell of our toils and hard bivouacs, our scanty and hard- bedded landings, but — what did we not have to lament, what did we not receive as our daily por- tion ? And then again, when we reached the land, there was even greater horror ; for our beds 560 were before the very walls of the enemy, and the meadow-dews distilled from heaven and from the earth, a constant destruction to our garments, making our hair like that of beasts. And should I tell of the bird-slaying winter, what an unbear- able one the snow of Ida brought us, or the heat, when the sea in its windless midday bed fell wave- less to sleep ; — but why lament all this? the labor is past ; it is past indeed for those who have fallen ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ XOPOS πάλαι το σιγάν φάρμακον βλάβης εχω. ΚΗΡΥΞ και πως; απόντων κοιράνων ετρεις τυράς; XOPOS 55° ως ννν το σον δη, καϊ θανείν πολλή χάρις. ΚΗΡΥΞ ev γαρ πεπρακται. ταντα δ' iv πολλω χρόνω τά μεν τις αν λεζειεν ενπετως εχειν, τά δ' άντε κάπίμομφα. τις δε πλην θέων απαντ άπημων τον Si αιώνος χρόνον ; 555 μόχθους yap ει λεγοιμι καϊ δνσανλίας, σπαρνάς παρηζεις καϊ κακοστρώτονς, — τι δ' ου στενοντες ου λαχόντες ηματος μέρος; τά δ* άντε χερσω, κα\ προσην πλέον στνγος • eu^at γαρ ήσαν δαΐων προς τείχεσιν 560 4ξ ονρανον δε κάπο γης λει/χώ^αι ορόσοι κατεψάκαζον, εμπεδον σίνος εσθηματων, τιθεντες ενθηρον τρίχα. χειμώνα δ* ει λεγοι τις οίωνοκτόνον, οίον παρεΐχ άφερτον Ίοαία χιών, 565 η θάλπος, εντε πόντος εν μεσημβριναΐς κοίταις άκύμων νηνεμοις ενδοι πεσών τι ταντα πενθείν δει; παροίχεται πόνος' παροίχεται δε, τοϊσι μεν τεθνηκόσιν 45 4 6 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON so that they never even care to rise again. But 570 why should we take account of those who have perished, and why should the living grieve for adverse fortune ? I think it right to bid a long farewell to calamities. And to us who remain of the Argive army the gain prevails, and woe does not weigh down the scale ; for it is fitting for us thus to boast in presence of this light of the sun, as we flit over sea and land : " This Argive host has captured Troy, and has nailed up these spoils to the Gods throughout Greece to be an ancestral 580 glory to their temples." When men hear things like these, they must glorify the city and the generals ; and the grace of Zeus which has accom- plished this shall be honored. You have my whole story. CHORUS LEADER I do not refuse to be overcome by your words ; for it is always youthful for the aged to learn wisdom. But it is right that this should chiefly concern the palace and Clytaemnestra, but that it should also enrich me. CLYTAEMNESTRA Long ago did I raise the song of joy, when the first fiery messenger came by night, announcing 590 the capture and destruction of Ilion. And many a one chided me and said : " Persuaded by fire signals do you now believe that Troy has been sacked ? Surely it is just like a woman to be ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 47 το μηποτ αύθις μηδ* άναστηναι μελειν. 57° τί τους άναλωθεντας εν ψήφψ λέγειν, τον ζώντα δ' άλγεϊν χρη τύχης παλιγκότου ; καϊ πολλά χαίρειν συμφόρους καταζιώ. ημΐν δε τοις λοιποϊσιν Αργείων στρατού νίκα το κέρδος, πήμα δ' ουκ άντιρρεπει. 575 ώς κομπάσαι τωδ' εικός ηλίου φάει ύπερ θαλάσσης καϊ χθονος ποτωμενοις- " Ύροίαν ελόντες δηποτ ' Αργείων στόλος θεοΐς λάφυρα ταύτα τοϊς καθ* Ελλάδα δόμους επασσάλευσαν άρχαίον γάνος." 5δο τοιαύτα χρη κλύοντας εύλογείν πόλιν και τους στρατηγούς- καϊ χάρις τιμησεται Διός τοδ' έκπράζασα. πάντ έχεις λόγον. XOPOS νικώμενος λόγοισιν ουκ άναίνομαι. άει yap ηβα τοις γερουσιν ευ μαθείν. 585 δόμοις δε ταύτα και Κλυταιμηστρα, μελειν εικός μάλιστα, συν δε πλουτίζειν εμε. ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗΣΤΡΑ άνωλόλυζα μεν πάλαι χαράς ύπο, οτ ηλθ' 6 πρώτος νύχιος άγγελος πυρός, φράζων άλωσιν Ιλίου τ' άνάστασιν. 59° και τις μ' ενίπτων είπε, " φρυκτωρών δια πεισθείσα Ύροίαν νυν πεπορθησθαι δοκείς ; η κάρτα προς γυναικός αϊρεσθαι κέαρ." 48 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON thus elated in heart." When such things were said, I appeared like one crazed. But still I made my sacrifices ; and by my woman's com- mand now here, now there, throughout the city they raised the shout of joyous praise, as they lulled to sleep the fragrant sacrificial flame on the altars of the Gods. Now why need you tell me more? I shall soon have an account in full 600 from the king himself. But let me hasten to receive with the highest honor my revered husband on his return ; for what light is more delightful to the eyes of a wife than this, — when God has brought her husband home safe from the army, to open the gates to him ? Bear this message to my husband. Bid him come with all speed, beloved as he is by the city ; and when he arrives, may he find his wife faithful in his house as indeed he left her, a noble watch-dog over his home, a foe to his enemies, and the same in all things else, 610 having broken no seal in this long lapse of time. Nor do I know pleasure nor even scandalous report regarding any other man any more than I know the dyeing of bronze. Such a boast, loaded with truth, is no disgrace for a noble woman to utter. CHORUS LEADER She has spoken her speech thus speciously to you, who have plain interpreters to make it clear. But tell me, herald, — I am asking of Menelaus, — whether he will accompany you and return safe home again, the beloved ruler of this land. ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 49 λόγοις τοιούτοι? πλαγκτος ούσ εφαινόμην. όμως δ' εθυον, καϊ γυναικείω νόμω 595 ολολυγμον άλλος άλλοθεν κατά πτόλιν ελασκον εύφημούντες, εν θεών εδραις θυηφάγον κοιμώντες ευώδη φλόγα, καϊ νυν τά μάσσω μεν τι δει σ* εμοί λέγειν; άνακτος αυτού πάντα πεύσομαι λόγον. 6οο όπως δ* άριστα τον εμον αιδοΐον πόσιν σπεύσω πάλιν μολόντα 8cfacr0(u. τι yap γυναικί τούτου φέγγος ηδιον δρακεΐν, άπο στρατείας άνορί σώσαντος θεού πυλας άνοίζαι; ταυτ άπάγγειλον πόσει• 605 ηκειν όπως τάγιστ εράσμιον πόλεΐ' γυναίκα πίστη ν δ' εν δόμοις εύροι μολών οϊανπερ ουν έλειπε, δωμάτων κύνα εσθλην εκείνω, πολεμίαν τοΐς δύσφροσιν, και ταλλ' ομοίαν πάντα, σημαντηριον 6ιο ούδεν διαφθείρασαν εν μηκει χρόνου, ούδ* οιδα τέρψιν ούδ* επίψογον φάτιν άλλου προς ανδρός μάλλον η χαλκού βαφάς. τοιοσδ' 6 κόμπος της αληθείας γεμων ουκ αισχρός ως γυναικί yevvaCq. λακεϊν. XOPOS 6ΐ5 αύτη μεν ούτως είπε μανθάνοντί σοι τοροίσιν ερμηνεύσιν εύπρεπώς λογον. συ δ' είπε, κηρυζ, Μενελεων δε πεύθομαι, ει νόστιμος τε και σεσωσμενος παλιι^ ηζει συν ύμϊν, τησδε γης φίλον κράτος. AGAMEMNON — 4 5o AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON HERALD It is not possible for me to tell pleasant false- 620 hoods, for my friends to reap the fruit after a long time. CHORUS LEADER But how can you chance to tell us what is both good and true ? These two when separated are not easily concealed. HERALD The man has disappeared from the Achaean hosts, — himself and his ship. I tell you no false story now. CHORUS LEADER Did you see him sail away alone from Ilion ; or did a storm, a common grief, snatch him from your host on the way ? HERALD You have hit the mark like a skilful archer, and have briefly told a long tale of woe. CHORUS LEADER 630 Was he spoken of by the other sailors as living or dead ? HERALD No one knows enough to report it truly, except the Sun who nourishes the life of the earth. ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 5 1 ΚΗΡΥΞ 62ο ουκ εσθ* όπως \4ζαιμι τά ψευδι^ καλά ες τον πολύν φίλοισι καρπουσθαι χρόνον. XOPOS πώς hfjT άν ειπών κεδνά τάληθη τύγοις ; σγισθεντα δ' ουκ εΰκρυπτα γίγνεται τάδε. ΚΗΡΥΞ άνηρ άφαντος ές Άχαακον στρατού, 625 αυτός τε καϊ το πλοϊον. ου ψευδή λέγω. XOPOS πότερον αναχθείς εμφανώς ές 'Ιλίου, η γείμα, κοινον άχθος, ηρπασε στρατού; ΚΗΡΥΞ εκυρσας ώστε τοζότης άκρος σκοπού • μακρόν δε πημα συντόμως εφημίσω. XOPOS 630 πότερα yap αυτού ζώντος η τεθνηκότος φάτις προς άλλων ^αυτιλω^ εκλτ)ζετο ; ΚΗΡΥΞ ουκ οίοεν ουδείς ώστ άπαγγεΐλαι τορώς, πλην του τρεφοντος Ήλιου χθονος φυσιν. 52 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CHORUS LEADER How do you say that this storm began and ended for the naval host through the wrath of the Gods ? HERALD It is not right to pollute a joyous day by a tongue that bears evil tidings. The honor due the Gods forbids. But when a messenger with sad countenance brings to a city a woful tale of a 640 fallen army, — of one public wound for the whole state to feel, and of many men dragged to the sacrifice from many homes by the double scourge which Ares is wont to wield, calamity armed with double lance, a fatal pair, — when he comes loaded down with woes like these, it becomes him to sing this paean of the Furies. But when a messenger of good tidings comes to a city rejoicing in good fortune, — but how can I mix the good with the evil, in telling of this storm which befell the Greeks not without wrath from the Gods ? For the fire and the sea, 650 greatest enemies of old, conspired, and gave pledges to destroy the ill-fated host of the Argives. And by night arose the perils of the stormy waves. For the Thracian blasts dashed the ships upon one another ; and they, violently gored by the whirlwind's storm with the sea- lashed surge, disappeared, whirled out of sight by the evil shepherd. And when the bright ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 53 XOPOS πώς γάρ λέγεις χειμώνα ναυτικω στρατω 635 ελθειν τελευτησαί τε δαιμόνων κότω ; ΚΗΡΥΞ εΰφημον ημαρ ου πρέπει κακαγγελω γλώσση μι,αι,νευν • χωρίς η τιμή θέων. όταν δ' άπευκτά πηματ άγγελος πόλει στυγνω προσώπω πτωσίμου στρατού φέρη, — 640 πόλει μεν έλκος εν το δημιον τυγείν, πολλούς δε πολλών εζαγισθεντας δόμων άνδρας διπλή μάστιγι, την "Αρης φιλει, — δίλογχον άτην, φοινίαν ζυνωρίδα • τοιωνδε μεντοι πημάτων σεσαγμενον 645 πρέπει λέγειν παιαζ/α τόνδ* Ερινυών, σωτηρίων δε πραγμάτων εύάγγελον ηκοντα προς γαίρουσαν ευεστοί πόλιν, — πως κεδνά τοις κακοίσι συμμείζω, λέγων γειμών Αχαιών ουκ άμηνιτον θεοίς ; 6 5° ζυνώμοσαν γάρ, όντες εγθιστοι το πριν, πυρ καλ θάλασσα, και τα πίστ εδειζάτην φθείροντε τον δύστηνον Άργείων στρατόν. εν νυκτί δυσκύμαντα δ' ώρώρει κακά. ναυς γάρ προς άλλήλαισι Θρηκιαι πνοαΐ 6 55 ηρεικον at δε κε ρ οτνπ ου μεν αι βία χειαώι/ι τνφώ συν ζάλη τ ομβροκτύπω, ψχοντ άφαντοι, ποιμενος κάκου στρόβω. επεί δ' ανήλθε λαμπρον ηλίου φάος, 54 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON light of the sun came, we saw the Aegean 660 blossoming with corpses of Achaean men and with wrecks of ships. And as to ourselves, it was some God (no man) who took the helm, and stole or begged us off, with our ship's hull uninjured. And Fortune as a willing saviour sat upon our ship, so that she should neither take in the surging wave at anchorage, nor be dashed upon a rock-bound coast. And afterwards, having escaped a watery grave, in the bright day, not yet trusting our fortune, we brooded in our thoughts over our new calamity, 670 on the sufferings of our army, most wretchedly destroyed. And now if any of them still breathe, they speak of us as dead. Why should they not ? We believe that this has been their fate. But may it be for the best. At least, first and above all expect the return of Menelaus ; for, if any ray of the sun now finds him alive and well, through the help of Zeus who is not yet ready utterly to annihilate our race, there is still hope that he will come back to his home. When you 680 have heard all this, know that you have the truth. CHORUS Who was it who once named her with such perfect truth ? — was it perhaps some one whom we do not see, hi foreknowledge of what was ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ $ 5 ορωμεν ανθούν πέλαγος Αίγάΐον νεκροΐς 66ο ανδρών Αχαιών ναυτικοΐς τ' ερειπίοις. ημάς γε μεν δη ναυν τ* άκηρατον σκάφος ήτοι τις εζεκλεψεν η ^ζητησατο θεός τις, ουκ άνθρωπος, οΐακος θιγών. τνγτ) δε σωτηρ νανν θελουσ* εφεζετο, 665 ως μητ εν ορμώ κύματος ζάλην εχειν μητ εξοκειλαι προς κραταίλεων γθόνα. έπειτα δ' αδην πόντιον πεφευγότες, λευκον κατ ημαρ, ου πεποιθότες τύχη, εβουκολουμεν φροντίσιν νέον πάθος, 670 στρατού καμοντος και κακώς σποδουμενου. και νυν εκείνων ει τις εστίν εμπνέων, λεγουσιν ημάς ως ολωλότας, τι μη ; ημεΐς τ εκείνους ταυτ εγειν δοζάζομεν. γένοιτο δ' ως άριστα. Μενελεων γάρ ουν 675 πρώτον τε και μάλιστα προσδοκά μολεΐν. ει δ' ουν τις άκτίς ηλίου νιν ιστορεί -χλωρόν τε καϊ βλέποντα, μη^αναΐς Διός, ούπω θελοντος efaz^aXoicrcu γένος, ελπίς τις αυτόν προς δόμους ηζειν πάλιν, 68ο τοσαυτ άκουσας ϊσθι τάληθη κλύων. XOPOS / J » / γ ? Ο» Ci. τις ποτ ωνομαζεν ωο Str. ι ες το πάν ετητύμως ; μη τις οντιν ούχ ορώ- μεν προνοιαισι του πεπρωμένου 5 6 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON fated, guiding the tongue in fortune ? — her the spear-wedded, much fought-for Helen ? For being in very truth the destroyer of ships, the destroyer of men, the destroyer of cities, she sailed forth from the rich curtains of her home, 690 driven by the breath of the giant west wind. And hosts of spear-bearing huntsmen followed in their track, after they had plied their oars out of sight to the leafy banks of the Simois, there to rouse bloody strife. But wrath which works its vengeance brought 700 to I lion a κήΒος {marriage or woe), rightly so named, late in time exacting the penalty for the dishonor of hospitality and of hospitable Zeus from those who loudly applauded the nuptial song, which it 710 then fell to the brethren of Paris to sing. But Priam's venerable city is learning a new song, and utters a loud cry of grievous woe, now calling Paris the accursedly wedded, — nF vft rS ?F "$F * ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 5 7 685 γλωσσαν εν τύχα νεμων ; ταν_οορίγαμβρον' άμφινει- κη θ' ' EXeyg y ; inei πρεπόντως ελεναυς, ελανΰρος, ελεπτολις, 690 Ικ των αβροτιμων προ καλυμμάτων έπλευσε ζέφυρου γίγαντος αύρα, πολύανΖροί τε φεράσπιοες 695 κυναγοϊ κατ Ιχνος, πλάταν αφαντον κελσάντων Σιμοζντος άκτας in άεξιφυλλους δι' εριν αίματόεσσαν. Ίλιω δε κήδος 6 ρ- Ant • * 7οο θωνυμον τελεσσίφρων μηνυς ηλασεν, τράπε- ζας άτίμωσιν υστερώ χρόνω καΐ ζυνεστίου Αώς 705 πρασσομένα το νυμφοτι- μον μέλος εκφάτως τίοντας, ύμεναων, ος τότ επερρεπεν γαμβροϊσιν άε'ι'οειν. μεταμανθάνουσα δ' υμνον 7ΐο ΤΙριάμου πόλις γεραια πολύθρηνον μέγα που στ εν ει κικλησκουσα ΤΙάριν τον αΐνόλεκτρον, t παμπρόσθη πολύθρηνον 715 αΙων άμφι πολιταν μελεον αϊμ ά:>ατλασαΛ 5$ AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON So did a man once rear in his house a savage lion, taken unweaned from its mother's breast. 720 In its young life he was gentle, friendly to the children and a joy to the old ; and he was often in their arms, like a new-born babe, with eyes brightening towards the friendly hand, and fawning in its need of food. But after a time he showed the primal nature of his race; for, as thanks for his nurture, by 730 destruction of slaughtered sheep he unbidden prepared a banquet; and the house was stained with blood, a hopeless grief to the servants, a mighty murderous mischief. And now it was seen that a priest of Ate had by God's behest been reared within the house. In like manner, I should say, there came to the 740 city of Ilion (in Helen) a spirit of unruffled calm, a gentle ornament of wealth, a soft glance of the eye, a soul-consuming flower of love. But soon Α12ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 59 εθρεψεν δε λέοντα Str. 2 σίνιν δόμους άγάλακτον ούτως άνηρ φίλομαστον, 72ο εν βυότον ττροτελείοις άμερον, ευφίλόπαι,δα καΐ γεραροΐς επίγαρτον. πολεα ο εσκ εν αγκαΚαις νεοτρόφον τέκνου δίκαν, 725 φαίδρωπος ττοτί χείρα σαί- νων τε γάστρος άνάγκαις. γ^ρονισθεΧς δ' άπεδειζεν Ant. 2 ε#ος το ττρόσθε τοκήων. yapiv τροφάς γαρ αμείβων 73° μηλοφόνουσίν εν άταις δαΓτ' άκελευστος ετευζεν • αίματι δ* οίκο 9 εφύρθη, άμαγον άλγος οίκεταυς μέγα σίνος πολύκτονον, 735 c#c (ζέου ο ιερεύς τις α- τας δόμοις προσεθρεφθη. πάραυτα δ' ελθεΐν ες 'Ιλίου 7Γολιι> Str. 3 λέγοιμ αν φρόνημα μεν 74° νηνεμου γαλατάς, άκασκαων τ αγαλ/χα πλούτου, μαλθακον ομμάτων βέλος, δηζίθυμον έρωτος άνθος. 6o AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON she darted from her course and brought to pass the bitter ends of her marriage, settled with them for woe, befriended with them for woe, rushing upon the sons of Priam, under the guidance of hospitable Zeus, as an avenging Fury which brides bewail. 750 There is a venerable saying, uttered of old among mortals, that man's high fortune, when it is matured, bears offspring, and dies not childless; but that from good fortune there springs by descent insatiate woe. But apart from others I am of my own mind. It is the impious deed 760 that afterwards begets children which are like their race, while the fate of righteous houses is always blessed in its offspring. One ancient outrage is wont from time to time, when the fated moment comes, to beget a new outrage, sporting wantonly in the calamities of men, . . . until at last it breeds the divinity against which none can fight 770 and none can war, the unholy audacity of Ate, who brings darkness into houses, like to her parents. But Justice shines in smoky houses, ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 6 1 745 παρακλίνασ έπέκρανεν δε γάμου πίκρας τελευτάς, $ύσε8ρος καϊ δυσόμιλος συμένα ΙΙριαμίοαισιν, πομπα Διός ξενίου, νυμφόκλαυτος 'Έρινύς. 75° παλαίφατος δ' εν βροτοίς γέρων λόγος Ant. 3 τέτυκται, μέγαν τελε- σθέντα φωτός όλβον τεκνουσθαι μηο* απαιδα θνησκειν, 755 εκ δ' άγαθάς 7υχας yeVei βλαστάνειν άκόρεστον οίζύν. διχα δ* αλλωζ' μονόφρων ειμί • το δυσσεβες γάρ έργον μετά μεν πλείονα τίκτει, 760 σφετέρα δ* εικότα γέννα, οίκων ο αρ ευσυόικων καλλίπαις πότμος αεί. φιλεΐ δε τίκτειν ύβρις Str. 4 μεν παλαιά νεά- 7 6 5 ζούσαν eV κακοις βροτων υμριν τοτ ή 70C7 , 07€ 70 κυριον μο\Ύ) ~\νεαρά φάους κότον,^ δαίμονα τε τάν άμαχον, άπόλεμον, άνίερον 77° θράσος /Λελαιζ/ας μελάθροισιν *Α.τας, ειδομέναν τοκευσιν. Αίκα δε λάμπει μεν εν Ant. 4 ουσκάπνοις δώ/χασΊ^, 62 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON and honors the righteous life; but gilded abodes where hands are unclean she leaves with averted 780 eyes, and comes to pious homes, having no rev- erence for the power of wealth which is falsely stamped with praise; and she guides everything to its destined end. Hail, Ο king, destroyer of Troy, son of Atreus, how shall I address thee, how shall I honor thee, without rising above or falling below the proper meed of thy praise? Many mortals honor the mere semblance of being, transgressing justice; 790 and every one is ready to lament with the unfortu- nate, though no sting of grief comes to his heart ; and men rejoice with counterfeit joy, straining their unsmiling faces. But whoever is a good judge of his flock, can never mistake the eyes which seem to greet from a friendly heart, but only fawn with watery friendship. So then, when thou didst lead forth thy army to avenge 800 Helen (I will not conceal it from thee), thou wert very unfavorably depicted, as not guiding well the helm of thy thoughts, as inspiring with willing courage men who were doomed to death. But ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 63 775 τον δ* εναίσιμον τίει jjSibyl* τά χρυσόπαστα δ* εδεθλα συν πίνω γερών παλιντρόποις ομμασι λιπουσ', όσια προσεμολε, SvvafXLV ου 78ο σέβουσα πλούτου παράσημον αϊνω • παν δ' επί rep μα ν ω μα. άγε δη, βασιΚευ, Τροίας πτολ'ιπορθ* , Άτρέως γενεθλον, 785 πώς σε προσείπω ; πώς σε σεβίζω μήθ* ύπεράρας μήθ* ύποκάμψας καιρόν γάριτος ; πολλοί δε βροτών το δοκεΐν είναυ προτίουσι δίκην παραβάντες. 79ο τω δυσπραγουντι δ* επιστενάγειν πας τις έτοιμος • δήγμα δε λύπης ούδεν εφ* ήπαρ προσικνεϊται • και ζυγγαίρουσιν ομοιοπρεπεϊς αγέλαστα πρόσωπα βιαζόμενοι. 795 όστις δ' αγαθός προ βατ oyv ώμων, ουκ εστί λαθεΐν όμματα φωτός, τά δοκουντ ευφρονος εκ διανοίας ύδαρεΐ crcu^eil•' φιλότητι. συ δε μοι τότε μεν στελλων στρατιαν 8οο 'ΈΧ^νης ενεκ, ου γαρ σ* επικεύσω, κάρτ άπομοΰσως ησθα γεγραμμενος, ούδ' ευ πραπίδων οιακα νεμων θάρσος εκούσιον άνδράσι θνησκουσι κομίζων. 64 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON now from the depths of my heart, and not without friendship, do I say that labor is joyous to those who have finished it well. And thou wilt learn in time by inquiry who of the citizens justly, and who wrongly, directs the state. AGAMEMNON 810 First it is right for me to address Argos, and the Gods of the land who have helped me in my return and in the justice which I exacted from the city of Priam; for the Gods, hearing the cause pleaded (but not by the tongue), cast their votes without dissent into the bloody urn for the murderous destruction of Ilion. And Hope approached the other urn, which no hand had filled. The captured city is even now conspicuous 820 by its smoke. The blasts of calamity still live; but the ashes of the city, as they die with them, send forth rich blasts of wealth. For all this we must pay ever memorable honor to the Gods; for we drew our nets exceeding high, and to avenge a woman the Argive monster levelled the city with the dust, the offspring of a horse, a spear-bearing host, which sprung its leap as the Pleiads were setting; and the savage lion, leaping over the towers, lapped its fill of tyrants' blood. All this prelude have I uttered to the Gods. But as 830 to your friendly spirit, I remember what I have ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 65 So5 νυν δ* ουκ άπ άκρας φρενός ούδ* άφίλως ευφρων πόνος ευ τελεσασι. γνώσει δε χρόνω διαπευθόμενος τόν τε δικαίως /cat τον άκαίρως πόλιν οίκουρουντα πολιτών. ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 8ιο πρώτον μεν Αργός καϊ θεούς εγχώριους δίκη προσειπεϊν, τους εμοί μεταιτίους νόστου δικαίων θ* ων επραζάμην πόλιν ΤΙριάμου • δίκας γαρ ουκ από γλώσσης θεοί κλύοντες άνδροθνητας Ιλίου φθοράς 8ΐ5 εις αιματηρον τεύχος ου διχορρόπως ψήφους εθεντο ■ τω δ* εναντίω κύτει ελπίς προσηει χειρός ου πληρουμενω. καπνω δ* άλουσα νυν ετ ευσημος πόλις. ατής ^υελλαι ζώσι • συνθνήσκουσα δε 82ο σποδός προπεμπει πίονας πλούτου πνοάς. τούτων θεοίσι χρή πολύμνηστον χάριν τίνειν, επείπερ και πάγας υπερκότους επραζάμεσθα, καϊ γυναικός ουνεκα πόλιν διημάθυνεν Άργεϊον δάκος, 825 Ιππου νεοσσός, άσπιδηφόρος λεώς, πηδημ ορούσας άμφϊ ΤΙλειάδων δύσιν • υπερθορών δε πύργον ώμηστης λέων άδην ελειζεν αίματος τυραννικού. θεοίς μεν εζετεινα φροίμιον τόδε • 830 τα δ' ες το σον φρόνημα /xejai^/xai ^λνων AGAMEMNON — 5 66 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON heard; for I say the same, and you have me as your advocate. For there are few men to whom this is native born, to honor a friend who is fortu- nate without jealousy. For hateful poison sits at the heart, and doubles the grief to him who is infected with the disease : he is himself weighed down by his own afflictions, and when he sees the prosperity of another, he laments. I can speak 840 from knowledge; for I know full well men who are a mere mirror of friendship, a shadow of a shade, men who seem to be very kindly disposed to me. But U lysses alone, though he sailed with me against his will, was always by my side as a ready trace-horse, — whether I am speaking of him liv- ing or dead. As to other matters, regarding the state and the Gods, we will hold public assemblies and consult about them in full council; and what is well, we will take council that it may long abide; but for whatever needs healing remedies, either 850 by cautery or by friendly surgery we will try to avert the harm of the disease. And now I must pass into my house and to the hearthstone of my home; and first let me give my thanks to the Gods, who sent me forth and now have brought me home again. And since victory has followed me, may it abide forever. CLYTAEMNESTRA Citizens, old men of Argos who are present, I will not be ashamed to speak to you of my ways ΑΠΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ και φημι ταύτα και συνηγορόν μ ^X e t9. παύροις γαρ ανδρών εστί συγγενές τόδε, φίλον τον εύτυγουντ άνευ φθόνου σεβειν. ούσφρων γαρ ιος καρδίαν προσημενος 8 35 αγθος διπλοιζει τω πεπαμενω νόσον; τοις τ αύτος αυτού ττήμασιν βαρύνεται και τον θυραΐον ολβον είσορών στενει. ειδώς λέγοιμ* αν, ευ γαρ εξεπίσταμαι ομιλίας κάτοπτρον, εΐδωλον σκιάς, 840 δοκουντας elz/cu κάρτα πρευμενείς εμοί. μόνος δ' 'Οδυσσεύς, όσπερ ούχ εκών επλει, ζευχθεϊς έτοιμος ην εμοί σειραφόρος • ειτ ουν θανόντος είτε καΐ ζώντος περί λέγω. τα δ' άλλα προς πόλιν τε καϊ θεούς 845 κοινούς αγώνας θεντες εν πανηγύρει βουλευσόμεσθα. και το μεν καλώς έχον όπως γ^ρονίζον ευ μενεΐ βουλευτεον • οτω δε καϊ δα φαρμάκων παιωνίων, ήτοι κεαντες η τεμόντες ευφρόνως 850 πειρασόμεσθα πημ άποστρέψαι νόσου, νυν ο ες μελαθρα και δόμους εφεστίους ελθών θεοϊσι πρώτα δεζιώσομαι, οιπερ πρόσω πεμφαντες ηγαγον τγοΛιζλ νίκη δ' επείπερ εσπετ, εμπεδως μενοι. ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ3ΤΡΑ 855 άνδρες πολιται, πρεσβος Άργείων τόδε, ουκ αισχυνουμαι τους φιλάν^ρας τρόπους 67 68 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON of affection to my husband; in time timidity dies out in mortals. Not having learned from others, I will tell you of my own wretched life during 860 the whole time while he was absent at Troy. In the first place, it is a terrible evil for a wife to sit deserted in her home without her husband, hear- ing many adverse reports, and for one man to come with ill news and then for another to bring in a tale of woe worse than the first and proclaim it to the house. And if this man had been wounded as often as the reports came running into our house, I must say that he has as many wounds in him as a net has holes. And if he had perished as often as the reports made out, why then like a 870 second three-bodied Geryon, he might boast of having received many a triple coverlet of earth, — all above ground (I have nothing to say of any below), — having died once in each of his three forms. In consequence of such adverse rumors many a time have others had to loosen forcibly halters from my neck, suspended to a beam above. Owing to this our son is not here by my side, the lord of my and thy affections, Orestes. Do not 880 be surprised at this, for a friendly ally is protect- ing him, Strophius of Phocis, who warned me of the twofold dangers which threatened us, first, of thy danger at Troy, and then again, in case anarchy shall be proclaimed by the people and overthrow thy council, as it is natural to mortals to trample all the more upon one who has fallen. ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 69 λε£αι προς υμάς ■ εν χρόνω δ* άποφθίνει το τάρβος άνθρώποισιν. ουκ άλλων πάρα μαθούσ, εμαυτης δύσφορον λέξω βίον 86ο τοσόνδ' όσονπερ ούτος ην υπ* Ίλιω. το μεν γυναίκα πρώτον άρσενος δίχα ησθαυ δόμους ερημον εκπαγλον κακόν, πολλάς κλνονσαν κλήδονας παλιγκότους • και τον μεν ηκειν, τον δ* επεσφερειν κάκου 865 κάκιον άλλο πημα, λάσκοντας δόμοις. καΐ τραυμάτων μεν ει τόσων ετύγχανεν άνηρ όδ\ ώς προς οίκον ώχετεύετο φάτις, τετρωται δικτύου πλέον λέγειν, εί δ' ην τεθνηκώς, ως επληθυον λόγοι, 870 τρισώματός τάν Τηρυών ό δεύτερος πολλην άνωθεν — την κάτω γαρ ου λέγω — χθονος τρίμοιρον χλαΓ^α*/ εζηύχει λαβών, άπαζ εκάστω κατθανών μορφώματι. τοιώνδ* εκατι κληδόνων παλιγκοτων 875 πολλάς άνωθεν άρτάνας εμης δερης έλυσαν άλλοι προς βίαν λελημμενης. εκ τώνδε τοι παίς ενθάδ* ου παραστατεί, εμών τ ε καΐ σών κύριος πιστευματων, ώς χρην, 'Ορέστης • μηδέ θαυμάσης τόδε. 88ο τρέφει γαρ αύτον ευμενής δορύζενος Στρόφιος 6 Φωκεύς, άμφίλεκτα πηματα εμοϊ προφωνών, τόν θ* υπ* Ίλιω σεθεν κίνδυνον, ει τε δημόθρους αναρχία βουλην καταρρίψειεν, ώστε σύγγονον 885 βροτοίσι τον πεσόντα λακτίσαι πλέον. 7o AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON This excuse of mine has no deceit in it. For me now the gushing fountains of my tears are dry ; there is not a drop left in them. And I have suffered in my late-watching eyes, 890 always bewailing the fire signals which were to bring news of thee, but were always neglected ; and in my dreams I was constantly awakened by the gentle buzzing of the humming gnat, seeing more calamities befall thee than the time I was sleeping could have held. Now, having endured all this, with heart free from sorrow, I can ad- dress this man as the watch-dog of the fold, as the mainstay that saves the ship, as the firmly fixed pillar of a lofty roof, as an only born child to a father, and as land seen by sailors when 900 all hope was lost, as a day most beautiful to be- hold after a storm, as the stream of a fountain to a thirsty wayfarer. It is delightful to escape all necessity. With such words do I think it right to address him. But let all jealousy be absent. Many are the woes we have endured hitherto ; but now, dear one, dismount from thy chariot, but do not touch to the ground that foot of thine, Ο king, which has trampled upon Ilion. Servants, why do you delay, you to whom has been given the duty of spreading embroideries 910 over the path on which he is to walk ? Let there immediately be made a way spread with purple into a house he little hoped to enter, as Justice shall guide him. And all else my care, not over- come by sleep, will arrange justly with God's help according to fate. ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ η ι τοιάδε μεντοι σκήψι,ς ου δόλο^ φέρει, εμοιγε μεν δτ) κλαυμάτων επίσσυτοι πηγαΐ κατεσβήκασιν, ούδ* ενι σταγών. εν 6\pLK0LT0L<; δ* ομμασί βλάβας εγω 890 τάς άμφί σοι κλάουσα λαμπτηρουγίας ατημέλητους αίεν. εν δ* όνείρασι λεπταίς ύπαϊ κώνωπος εζηγειρόμην ριπαϊσι θωύσσοντος, άμφί σου πάθη ορωσα πλείω του ζυνεύΰοντος χρόνου. 895 νυν ταύτα πάντα τλάσ* άπενθήτω φρενΐ λεγοιμ αν avSpa τόν$ε των σταθμών κύνα, σωτήρα ναός πρότονον, υψηλής στέγης στυλον ποδήρη, μονογενές τεκνον πατρί, και γήν φανεΊσαν ναυτίλοις παρ* ελπίδα, 90° κάλλιστον ήμαρ είσιοείν εκ γείματος, οδοιπορώ διψώ^τι πηγαίον ρεος. τερπνόν δε τάναγκαΐον εκφυγείν απαι^ τοιοισδε τοί νιν άζίώ προσφθεγμασιν. φθόνος δ' άπεστω • πολλά γαρ τά πρίν κακά 9°5 ήνειγόμεσθα. νυν δε μοι, φίλον κάρα, εκβαιν απήνης τήσδε, μή χαμαΐ τιθεΧς τον σον πόο\ ωναζ, Ιλίου πορθήτορα. δμ,ωαι, τί μελλεθ\ αίς επεσταλται τέλος πέδον κελεύθου στορνύναι πετασμασιν ; 9ΐ° ευθύς γενεσθω πορφυρόστρωτος πόρος ες δωμ* άελπτον ως αν ήγήταί οίκη. τά δ' άλλα φροντίς ούχ ΰπνω νικωμενη θήσει δικαίως συν θεοίς είμαρμενα. 7 2 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON AGAMEMNON Offspring of Leda, guardian of my house, thou hast made a speech which was becoming to my long absence, for thou hast spoken at length ; but to be praised justly, that is a boon that ought to come from others. Moreover, do not treat me effeminately as if I were a woman ; and do not, 920 like a barbarian, open thy mouth to utter a cring- ing cry ; and do not make my way odious by strewing it with costly robes. With these we should honor the Gods ; but for one who is a mortal to walk on these beauties of embroidery is to my mind by no means without its terrors. I beg thee to honor me like a man, not like a God. Without foot-mats and embroideries Fame makes herself heard ; and not to be evil-minded is the greatest gift of the Gods. When a man has ended his life in fair prosperity, we may call him 930 happy. If I can fare in all things as I have done now, I have good courage. CLYTAEMNESTRA Now do not say this to thwart my purpose. AGAMEMNON Purpose ? Understand that I am not going to let my purpose be thwarted. CLYTAEMNESTRA Couldst thou perhaps have promised the Gods in some moment of terror that thou would st act thus ? AI2XYAOY ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 73 ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ Λήδας γενεθλον, δωμάτων εμών φύλαξ, 9ΐ5 απουσία μεν είπας είκότως εμη ' μακράν γαρ έξετεινας ■ αλλ' εναισίμως αΐνείν, παρ' άλλων χρη τοδ' ερχεσθαι γέρας, και τάλλα μη γυναικός iv τρόποις εμε άβρυνε, μηδέ βαρβάρου φωτός δίκην 9 2ο χαμαιπετες βοαμα προσχάνης εμοί, μηδ' είμασι στρώτασ επίφθονον πόρον τίθει ' θεούς τοι τοϊσδε τιμαλφών χρεών • iv ποικίλοις δε θνητον οντά κάλλεσιν βαίνειν εμοί μεν ουδαμώς άνευ φόβου. 925 λέγω κατ άνδρα, μη θεόν, σεβειν εμε. χωρίς ποδοψήστρων τε καΐ των ποικίλων κληδων άϋτεϊ • καΐ το μη κακώς φρονείν θεού μεγιστον δώρον. ολβίσαι δε χρη βίον τελευτησαντ εν εύεστοΐ φίλη. 93ο €t πάντα δ' ως πράσσοιμ άν, ευθαρσής εγώ. KAYTAIMHSTPA καΐ μην τόδ' είπε μη παρά γνώμην εμού ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ γνώμην μεν Ισθι μη διαφθερουντ εμε. KAYTAIMHSTPA ηυξω θεοΐς δείσας αν ωδ' ερδειν τάδε ; 74 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON AGAMEMNON I uttered this determination, if ever a man did, knowing well what I was doing. CLYTAEMNESTRA What dost thou think Priam would have done if he had accomplished all this ? AGAMEMNON Oh, I think he would have walked on the em- broideries. CLYTAEMNESTRA Do not now pay so much regard to the cen- sure of men. AGAMEMNON But a voice uttered by the people has mighty power. CLYTAEMNESTRA The man who is unenvied is not a man to be envied. AGAMEMNON 940 It is not a woman's way to be so eager for a quarrel. CLYTAEMNESTRA But it becomes men in high prosperity even to submit to conquest. AGAMEMNON Is that the kind of conquest that thou holdest in honor ? ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 75 ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ εϊπερ τις, ειδώς γ ευ τόδ' εζείπον τέλος. ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ^ΤΡΑ 935 τί δ' αν δοκεΐ crot, Τίρίαμος, ει τάδ' τ7* / ' υσ ' €Ι/ ; ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ εν ποικίλους αν κάρτα μοι βήναι, δοκεΐ. KAYTAIMHSTPA μη ννν τον άνθρώπειον αίδεσθης φόγον. ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ φήμη γε μεντοι δημόθρους μέγα σθενει. KAYTAIMHSTPA 6 δ' άφθόνητός y ουκ επίζηλος πελει. ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 94° ovtol γυναικός εστίν ιμείρειν μάχης. ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ^ΤΡΑ τοϊς δ' ολβιοις γε καϊ το νικασθαι πρέπει. ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ η κα\ συ νίκην τηνδε δηριος τίεις ; 76 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CLYTAEMNESTRA Obey me. Be willing to let me have my way. AGAMEMNON Well, if this is what thou dost wish, let some one quickly loose the slavish sandals on which my feet tread ; and while I walk on these purple robes, let no jealousy from the eye of any of the Gods strike me from afar. For I feel much shame at my effeminacy in trampling under foot this wealth and these costly webs. So much for 950 this. But take in kindly this foreign woman. God looks from afar with kindness on the gentle conqueror, for no one willingly wears the yoke of slavery. But she, the chosen flower of much wealth, the gift of the army, has accompanied me. Well, since I am compelled to obey thee in this, I will pass beneath my roof tree, treading upon purple. CLYTAEMNESTRA There is an ocean, — who shall drain it dry ? — which affords ever afresh the plenteous juice of 960 purple, precious as silver, to dye our robes; and the house, with God's blessing, Ο king, is well supplied with this ; this palace knows no poverty. Indeed I would have vowed the trampling of many robes, had this been offered to our house in oracles when I was devising votive gifts for the safety of ΑΙ2ΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ η η ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ3ΤΡΑ πιθον ' κράτος μεντοι πάρες y εκών εμοί. ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ αλλ' εΐ δοκεΐ σοι ταύθ\ ύπαί τις αρβύλας 945 λύοι τάχος, πρόδουλον εμβασιν ποδός. καϊ τοΐσδε μ εμβαίνονθ' άλουργεσιν θέων μη τις πρόσωθεν όμματος βάλοι φθόνος, πολλή γαρ αιδώς σωματοφθορεϊν ποσίν φθείροντα πλούτον αργυρωνήτους θ* ύφάς. 95° τούτων μεν ούτως ■ την ζενην δε πρευμενως τηνδ* εσκόμιζε • τον κρατούντα μαλθακώς θεός πρόσωθεν ευμενώς προσδερκεται. εκών yap ουδείς δουλίω χρήται ζυγω. αυτΐ7 δβ, πολλών χρημάτων εζαίρετον 955 άνθος, στρατού δώρημ', εμοί ζυνεσπετο. επεί δ* άκούειν σού κατεστ ραμμαι τάδε, εϊμ ες δόμων μελαθρα πορφύρας πάτων. ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ3ΤΡΑ εστίν θάλασσα, τις δε νιν κατασβεσει ; τρεφουσα πολλής πορφύρας Ισάργυρον 960 κηκϊδα παγκαίνιστον, ειμάτων βαφάς. οίκος δ' υπάρχει τωνδε συν θεοϊς, άνας, εχειν • πενεσθαι δ' ουκ επίσταται δόμος, πολλών πατησμον δ* είμάτων αν ηύζάμην, δόμοισι προυνεγθεντος εν χρηστηρίοις, 78 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON this soul. For while the root remains, foliage spreads over the house, spreading its shade against the fierceness of the dog-star. So when thou hast returned to thy house and home, thou art like warmth appearing in winter; and when 970 Zeus is maturing the wine from the unripe grape, then it is like refreshing cool in the house when the lord and master walks through his home. Ο Zeus, Zeus who dost accomplish all, bring my prayers to pass; and mayest thou have a care for what thou art about to work. CHORUS Why does this flitting phantom continually hover before my foreboding heart ; and why does my song become prophetic, unbidden and 980 unrewarded ? And why do I not spurn all this like indistinguishable dreams, and let confident courage sit on the dear throne of my soul ? 7(t 7|C ^* ^P "Φ *f* — when the naval host set forth for Troy. And now I learn of their return with my own eyes, being myself a witness. But my heart within me, self-taught, nevertheless sings the 990 Furies' lyreless dirge, not having at all the dear ΑΙ2ΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 79 9 6 5 Ψ υ χν$ κόμιστρα τησδε μηγανωμενη. ρίζης γαρ ούσης φυλλάς ικ€τ ες δόμους, σκιάν ύπερτείνασα σειρίου κυνός. καϊ σου μολόντος δωματίτιν εστίαν, θάλπος μεν εν χβίμώνι, σημαίνεις μολόν • 97° όταν δε τεύχη Ζευς απ* όμφακος πίκρας οινον, τότ ηδη ψύχος εν δόμοις πελει, ανδρός τελείου δώμ* επιστρωφωμενου. Ζευ Ζευ τέλειε, τας εμάς εύχάς τέλει ■ μελοι δε τοι σοι τωνπερ αν μελλης τελείν. XOPOS 975 τίπτε μοι τόδ' εμπεδως Str. ι δείγμα προστατηριον καρδίας τερασκόπου ποτάται, μαντιπολεΐ δ' άκελευστος άμισθος άοιδά, 980 ούδ' άποπτύσας δίκαν δυσκρίτων όνειράτων θάρσος εύπιθες ϊζει φρενός φίλον θρόνον ; t χρόνος δ' επει πρυμνησίων ζυνεμβολαϊς 985 ι//αμ.μ,ιας άκάτα παρήβησεν, t ευθ* υπ* "ίλιον ωρτο ναυβάτας στρατός. πεύθομαι δ* απ* ομμάτων Ant. ι νόστον, αύτόμαρτυς ων ■ 99° τον δ' άνευ λύρας όμως ύμνωδει θρηνον Έρινυος αυτοδίδακτος εσωθεν 8o AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON confidence of hope. And my inward parts do not divine in vain, as my heart is whirled by fatal currents upon my justly foreboding breast. But I pray that, contrary to my forebodings, it may iooo all prove false, so as never to be accomplished. The limits of great prosperity are ever insati- ate ; for disease is always pressing as a next-door neighbor, and the fate of man in its onward course often strikes a hidden reef. Then the re- luctant master casts away a part of his rich ioio cargo, and by a moderate sacrifice saves his whole house from falling, though weighed down too deeply with woe, and his ship from sinking ; and the bountiful gifts, which come in abundance from Zeus and from the harvests of the next year, ward off the disease of famine. 1020 But when the life-blood of a man has once fallen to the ground, who by any charms can recall it ? Otherwise Zeus never would, by way of caution, have checked him who rightly knew ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 8 1 θυμός, ου το πάν έχων ελπίδος φίλον θράσος. 995 σπλάγχνα δ' ούτι ματάζει προς ενδίκοις φρ€σϊν τελεσφόρους διι^αις κυκλούμενον κεαρ. εύχομαι δ* ίζ εμάς ελπίδος ψύθη πεσεΐν ιοοο cs το μη τελεσφόρον. μάλα γε τοι το μεγάλας ύγιίας Str. 2 άκόρεστον τέρμα, νόσος γαρ άει γείτων ομότοιχος ερείοει, ιοο5 καΐ πότμος ευθυπορών $£ $£ Φ •5ρ Φ: ι|γ ανδρός επαισεζ^ αφαντον έρμα, και το μεν προ χρημάτων κτησίων όκνος βαλων ιοιο σφεντόνας απ* ευμέτρου, ουκ εδυ πρόπας δό/χος πημονάς γεμων αγαι^, ούδ' επόντισε σκάφος. ιοΐ5 πολλά τοι δοο~ις εκ Διός α/χ- φιλαφης τε και εζ άλόκων επετειάν νηστιν ωλεσεν νόσον. το δ' ε'πί γάν πεσόν άπαξ θανάσιμον Ant. 2 1020 προπάροιθ* άνορος μελαν αί/χα τις αι> πάλιν άγκαλεσαιτ επαείοων ; ουδέ τόϊ> ορθοδαή των φθ ι μεν ων άνάγειν AGAMEMNON — 6 82 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON how to raise the dead. But did I not feel that one fate fixed by the Gods might prevent another fate from gaining more than its right, my heart would anticipate my tongue and pour forth all 1030 that it could say ; but as it is, it moans in dark- ness, sorely grieved, and having no hope that it will ever unravel anything that is timely, while my soul burns within me. CLYTAEMNESTRA Take yourself in too, — I mean you, Cas- sandra, — since Zeus has ordained, not in wrath, that you should be a sharer in the holy water of this house, standing with many slaves near the household altar. Dismount from that chariot, 1040 do not be too proud ; for they say that once even the son of Alcmene endured to be sold and to eat the bread of slavery. If now the necessity of this fortune should fall to one's lot, it is a great boon to have masters of ancient wealth ; but they who have reaped a rich harvest they never hoped for are savage to their slaves in every way, even be- yond measure. You have what you may expect from us. CHORUS LEADER It is a plain speech which she has just spoken to thee. Since thou art now within the meshes of fate, thou canst obey if thou seest fit ; perhaps thou mayest please to disobey. ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 83 Ζευς αν επαυσεν £π ευλάβεια. ιο25 ei δε μη τεταγμένα μοίρα μοίραν εκ θεών εΧργε μη πλέον φερειν, προφθάσασα καρδία γλώσσαν αν τάδ' εζεγει. ιοτ,ο νυν δ' ύπο σκότω βρεμει θυμαλγης τε και ουδέν επελ- πομενα ποτέ καίριον εκτολυπεύσειν, ζωπυρουμενας φρενός. ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ3ΤΡΑ ιο35 είσω κομίζου καΐ σύ, Κασάνδραν λέγω, επεί σ εθηκε Ζευς άμηνίτως δόμους κοινωνον είναι γερνίβων, πολλών μετά δούλων σταθεΐσαν κτησίον βωμού πελας • εκβαιν απήνης τησδε, μηδ* ύπερφρόνει. 1040 και παιδα yap tol φασίν Αλκμήνης ποτέ πραθεντα τληναι δονλίας μάζης τυγείν. ει δ* ουν ανάγκη τήσδ* επιρρεποι τύχης, άργαιοπλούτων δεσποτών πολλή χάρις, οι δ' οϋποτ ελπίσαντες η μη σαν καλώς, ιο45 ώμοι τε δούλους πάντα και παρά στάθμην. έχεις παρ' ημών οϊάπερ νομίζεται. XOPOS σοι τοι λέγουσα παύεται σαφή λογον. εντός δ' αν ούσα μορσίμων αγρευματων πείθοι αν, ει πείθοι • άπειθοίης δ' ιο~ω«?. 8 4 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CLYTAEMNESTRA 1050 But if she is not like a swallow, possessed of some unknown barbarian tongue, then speaking within her apprehension I must persuade her by my words. CHORUS LEADER Follow her. She gives thee the best advice thou canst have. Obey her and leave this seat in the chariot. CLYTAEMNESTRA I have no leisure to wait here at the gate ; for the victims now stand ready for the sacrifice of fire at the central hearth, for us who never ex- pected to have this joy. If you will do anything that I tell you, make no delay ; but if you do not 1060 understand me and take in my words, then speak with your barbarian hand instead of your voice. CHORUS LEADER The strange woman seems to need a skilful interpreter ; but her manner is like that of a newly captured beast. CLYTAEMNESTRA Surely she is mad and listens to evil thoughts, she who has left the newly captured city and come hither; but she knows not how to endure the bit until she has foamed away her strength in blood. I, however, will not disgrace myself by wasting more words on her. ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 85 KAYTAIMHSTPA 1050 αλλ* εϊπερ εστί μη χελιδόνος 8ίκην άγνώτα φωνην βάρβαρον κεκτημένη, έσω φρένων λέγουσα πείθω νιν λόγω. XOPOS έπου. τα λωστα των παρεστώτων λέγει, πίθου λιπουσα τόνο* άμαξήρη θρόνον. KAYTAIMHSTPA ιο55 ούτοι θυραίαν τηο* εμοί σχολή πάρα τρίβειν • τα μεν γαρ εστίας μεσομφάλου εστηκεν ή$η μήλα προς σφαγάς πυρός, ως ουποτ ΙΚττίσασι τήνο* εζειν χάριν, συ δ' ει τι οράσεις τωνδε, μη σχολην τίθει. ιοβο ει δ' άζυνημων ούσα μη *οέχει λόγον, συ δ' αντί φωνής φράζε καρβάνω χ^ρί. XOPOS ερμηνεως έοικεν η ζένη τορου ΰεΐσθαι- τρόπος δβ θηρος ως νεαιρέτου. KAYTAIMHSTPA η μαίνεται γε καΐ κακών κλύει φρενών, 1065 ήτις λιπουσα μεν πόλιν νεαίρετον ηκει, χαλινον δ' ουκ επίσταται φέρειν, πριν αιματηρον εξαφρίζεσθαι μένος, ου μην πλέω ρίφασ* άτιμασθησομαι. 86 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CHORUS LEADER I pity thee and will not be angry. Go, wretched 1070 one ; leave the chariot, yield to this necessity, and bow thy neck beneath the new yoke. CASSANDRA Oh, woe is me ! Alas ! Alas ! Oh, Apollo ! Oh, Apollo ! CHORUS LEADER Why hast thou uttered these shrieks to Loxias? It is not for him to hearken to a mourner's wail- ing. CASSANDRA Oh, woe is me ! Alas ! Alas ! Oh, Apollo ! Oh, Apollo! CHORUS LEADER She in her ill-spoken words calls upon the God who must not be present at lamentations. CASSANDRA 1080 Apollo, Apollo! God of streets, my Apollo! Thou hast ruined me utterly for the second time. CHORUS LEADER She seems to be about to prophesy of her own coming woes ; the divine spirit remains even in her enslaved mind. ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 87 XOPOS εγω S\ εποικτίρω γαρ, ου θυμώσομαι. 1070 W, ω τάΧαινα, τόνδ' ερημώσασ* οχον, εικουσ* άνάγκτ) ττ)δε καίνισον ζυγόν. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ ότοτοτοτοϊ ποποι δα. Str. 1 ωποΧΧον ωποΧΧον. XOPOS τί ταυτ άνωτότυξας άμφι Αοζίου ; ιο75 ου γαρ τοιούτος ώστε θρηνητου τυγειν. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ ότοτοτοτοϊ ποποΐ δά. Ant. ι ωποΧΧον ωποΧΧον. XOPOS ή δ' αυτέ δυσφημούσα τον θεον καΧεΐ ουδέν προσήκοντ* εν γόοίς παραστατεΐν. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ ιο8ο ΑποΧΧον ΑποΧΧον Str. 2 άγυιάτ άπόΧΧων εμός. άπώΧεσας γαρ ου μόΧίς το δεύτερον. XOPOS χρησει,ν εοικεν άμφι των αύτης κακών, μένει το θείον δουΧία περ εν φρενί. 88 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CASSANDRA Apollo, Apollo ! God of streets, my Apollo ! Ah, whither hast thou brought me? To what roof ? CHORUS LEADER To the Atreidae's roof ; if thou dost not know that, I can tell thee. This thou wilt not say is false. CASSANDRA 1^90 Nay, a god-detested roof, conscious of many things ; here are horrors of kindred slaughter, here are nooses, a human slaughter-house, and a floor reeking with blood. CHORUS LEADER The strange woman seems to be quick-scented, like a dog ; and she is searching for those whose murder she can trace out. CASSANDRA Yes, for I am persuaded by these testimonies. Look at those children bewailing their own slaughter and their roasted flesh which their father has tasted! CHORUS LEADER In truth we had heard of thy prophetic fame ; but we want no prophets here. ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 8 9 ΚΑ^ΑΝΔΡΑ 1085 "Απολλον "Απολλον Ant. 2 άγυιατ άπόλλων εμός. ά ποΐ ποτ' ηγαγες με; προς ποίαν στεγην ; XOPOS προς την Ατρειδών • et συ μη τό&* εννοείς, εγω λέγω σοι- καί τάδ' ουκ ερεΐς ψύθη. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ 1090 μισόθεον μεν ονν, πολλά σννίστορα • Str. 3 αντοφόνα κακά και άρταναι, άνοροσφαγεϊον καί πεοορραντήριον. XOPOS εοικεν ενρις η ζενη κννος ΰίκην είναι, ματενει δ' ων άνενρήσει φόνον. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ ιο95 μαρτνρίοισι γαρ τοίσο' επιπείθομαι* Ant. 3 κλαωμενα τάδε βρέφη σφαγάς οπτάς τε σάρκας προς πατρός βεβρωμενας. XOPOS η μην κλέος σον μαντικον πεπυσμενοι ημεν, προφήτας δ' ουτινας ματενομεν. 90 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CASSANDRA iioo Oh woe is me! What is she plotting? What is this new great grief, this mighty evil that she is plotting in this house, unbearable for friends, hopeless ? — and all help stands afar. CHORUS LEADER I do not understand these divinations ; but the others I understood : the whole city rings with them. CASSANDRA Alas, wretched woman ; what ! wilt thou do this deed ? having welcomed thy wedded husband ι no with the bath, — how can I tell the end? But it will quickly come ; and she extends one hand after another. CHORUS LEADER I have not yet understood ; after thy riddles I am perplexed by thy dim divinations. CASSANDRA Ah, alas, alas! What is this that I see ? Is it a net of Hades ? The net is the wife, the ac- complice in murder. Now let the insatiate band utter a shriek over this race for a sacrifice that merits stoning. ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 9 1 ΚΑ^ΑΝΔΡΑ ιιοο Ιω πόποι, τί ποτέ μήδεται ; Str. 4 τί τόδε νέον άγος μέγα μεγ' Ιν δομ,οκτι τοισδε μήΰεται κακόν άφερτον φίλοισιν, Svctloltov ; άλκα δ' εκάς αποστατεί. XOPOS 1105 τούτων άϊ$ρίς α/χι τώ^ μαντενμάτων. εκείνα δ' εγνων πάσα γάρ πόλις βοα. ΚΑΞΑΝΔΡΑ ιώ τάλαινα, τοδε yap τελείς, Ant. 4 τ6^ ομοΰέμνιον πόσιν λοντροΐνι φαι$ρύνασα — πως φράσω τέλος ; 1 1 ίο τάχος γαρ τό5' έσται • προτείνει δε χειρ' ε'κ χζρος ορεγομενα. XOPOS ούπω ζννηκα' νυν γαρ εζ αινιγμάτων επαργεμοισι θεσφάτοις άμηχανώ. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ €17, παπαΐ παποί, τι τόδε φαίνεται; Str. 5 1115 ^ otfcruw τιΛΑιδου; αλλ' άρκνς η ζύνεννος, η ζνναιτία φόνου, στάσις δ* αφόρετος γένει κατο\ο\νζάτω θύματος λενσίμον. 9 2 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CHORUS LEADER What is this avenging Fury that thou dost 1120 summon to raise her cry over this house? Thy words do not delight me. The drop of saffron blood rushes back to my heart ; . . . and mis- fortune strides apace. CASSANDRA Ah, look there ! look there ! Protect the bull from the cow ! Having entangled her black- horned victim in the robes by stratagem, she smites him, and he falls in the urn of water. It is the fortune of a murderously deceitful caldron that I am telling you. CHORUS LEADER 1 130 I cannot boast to be a skilled interpreter of oracles ; but this bodes some calamity. But what good word ever comes to mortals from oracles ? For through a course of evils their wordy arts bring men to know oracular fear. CASSANDRA Alas, alas, the wretched fortunes of me miserable ! Now I speak of my own affliction, pouring this into the cup of woe. To what end didst thou bring me, wretched one, hither? For nothing except to die with thee. For what else ? ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 93 XOPOS ττοίαν Έρινύν τηνδε δώμασυν κε'λει 1120 Ιττορθιάζειν ; ου με φαιδρύνει λόγος, επί δε καρδίαν εοραμε κροκοβαφης σταγών, far ε καιρία πτώσιμος ζυνανύτει βίου δύντος auycu5.t ταγεία δ' άτα πε'λει. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ ιΐ25 άά, ιδού ιδού- απεγε τάς /3οός Ant. 5 tw ταυρον εν πεπλοισι μελαγκερων λαβουσα μηχανήματι τύπτει• ττίτνει δ* εν ενύδρω κύτει. δολοφόνου λεβητος τυγαν σοι λέγω. XOPOS 1 130 ου κομπάσαιμ' αν θεσφάτων γνωμών άκρος είναι, κακω δε τω προσεικάζω τάδε. άπο δε θεσφάτων τίς aya^a φάτις βροτοίς τε'λλεται ; κακών γαρ δια! πολυεπεΐς τεγναι θζσπιωδον 1 1 35 φόβον φερουσιν μαθεΐν. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ Ιω ίω ταλαίνας κακόποτμοι τύχαι • Str. 6 το γαρ εμον θροώ πάθος επεγχεασα. ττοί δη με δευρο την τάλαιναν ηγαγες ; οϋδεν ττοτ εΐ μη ζυνθ ανουμενην . τί γαρ ; 94 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CHORUS LEADER 1 140 Thou art distracted by divine madness, and about thyself thou dost utter an unmelodious song ; as some tawny nightingale insatiate of wailing, alas, from her wretched soul with a cry of " Itys, Itys," bewails her life which is blossoming with sorrows. CASSANDRA Oh, alas for the fate of the clear-voiced nightingale ! For the Gods have given her a winged body and a sweet life without weeping ; but there awaits me to be cleft by the two-edged sword. CHORUS LEADER 1 150 Whence come these vain pangs that rush upon thee through some divine power ? Why dost thou strike these terrible notes with ill- omened cries, and likewise in shrillest strains ? Why dost thou keep to these ill-boding ways of the prophetic road ? CASSANDRA Alas for the nuptials of Paris, destructive to his friends ! Alas for the Scamander, from which my fathers drank ! Once as a child I 1 160 was reared upon thy banks; but now on the banks of Cocytus and of Acheron I seem likely soon to sing my prophetic song. ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ XOPOS 95 1 140 φρενομανης τις €i θεοφόρητος, άμφί δ* αύτάς θροείς νόμον άνομον, οΐά τις ζουθά άκόρετος βοάς, φευ, ταλαίναις φρεσίν *Ιτυν Ιτυν στενουσ αμφιθαλή κακοϊς "45 άτ^δώ^ βίον. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ ιώ ιώ λίγείας μόρον άηδόνος• Ant. 6 περεβαλον γαρ οι πτεροφόρον δέμας θεοί γλυκύν τ' αιώνα κλαυμάτων άτερ' εμοϊ δε μίμνει σχισ/χός άμφηκει δορί. XOPOS 1 150 πόθεν επισσύτους θεοφόρους τ έχεις ματαίους δυας, τα δ' επίφοβα δυσφάτω κλαγγά μελοτυπεϊς ομού τ' όρθίοις εν νόμοις; πόθεν ορούς έχεις θεσπέσιας οδού ιΐ55 κακό ρ ρη μονάς; ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ ιώ γάμοι γάμοι ΤΙάριδος ολέθριοι φίλων. Str. 7 ιώ Σκαμάνδρου πάτριον ποτόν. τότε μεν άμφϊ σας άϊόνας τάλαιν' ηνυτόμαν τροφαϊς- ιι6ο νυν δ' άμφί Κωκυτόν τε κάχερουσίους όχθους εοικα θεσπιωδησειν τάχα. 9 6 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CHORUS LEADER What is this too true word that thou hast uttered ? Even a young child could understand this. But I am smitten with a deadly sting when through thy grievous fortune thou utterest thy tale of woe which it shatters me to hear. CASSANDRA Alas, alas, for my city, utterly destroyed ! Alas for my father's sacrifice of many herds of 1 1 70 grazing cattle to save his towers! But they afforded no help to save his city from suffering as it did ; and I with my burning soul must soon fall to the ground. CHORUS LEADER Thou hast uttered this in accordance with what thou hast said before ; and some God with thoughts of evil, descending upon thee with heavy weight, drives thee to sing of these grievous deadly sufferings. But I am helpless to divine the end. CASSANDRA My oracle shall no longer look forth from beneath her veil, like a newly wedded bride ; 1 1 80 but now it appears ready to burst forth with a clear blast to the rising sun, so that a woe much greater than this shall dash up like a wave into his rays. And I will teach you no longer ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 97 XOPOS τι roBe τορον ayav έπος εφημίσω ; νεογνος ανθρώπων μάθοι. πεπληγμαι δ* ύπαΐ δά /cei φοινίω 1 165 Βυσαλγεϊ τύχα μινυρά θρεομένας, θραύματ εμοι κλύειν. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ Ιω πόνου πόνου πόλεος ολομενας το παν. Ant. 7 ίώ πρόπνργου θυσίαυ πατρός πολυκανεΐς βοτών ποιονόμων ακος ο 1 170 ονδεν επηρκεσαν το μη πόλιν μεν ώσπερ ονν έχει παθεΐν. t €γώ δε θερμόνους τάχ εν πεδω βαλώΛ XOPOS επόμενα προτεροισι τάδ' εφημίσω. καί τις σε κακοφρονών τίθη- ιι 75 σι Βαίμων υπέρβαρης εμπίτνων μελίζειν πάθη γοερά θανατοφορα. τέρμα δ' άμηχανώ. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ και μην 6 χρησμός ούκετ εκ καλυμμάτων εσται ΰεΰορκως νεογάμου νύμφης ΰίκην ιι8ο λάμπρος δ' εοικεν ηλίου προς άντολας πνέω' εσάζειν, ώστε κύματος c ικην κλύζειν προς αύγάς τούδε πηματος πολύ AGAMEMNON — 7 9 8 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON by riddles. Bear witness to me as I closely scent the track of evils which have been wrought of old. There is a band that never leaves this roof, concordant, but not harmonious, for it speaks no good ; and having drunk of human blood so as to be still more emboldened, this 1 190 band of revellers abides in this house, hard to be expelled, this band of kindred Furies. And as they sit upon the roof tree they sing their song of the primeval curse ; and in turn they spurn with loathing the brother's bed, hostile to him who defiled it. Am I wrong, or like a good archer do I hit my mark ? Or am I a false prophet, a vagrant babbler ? Bear witness on your oath that I know the story of the ancient crimes of this house. CHORUS LEADER How can an oath, a security firmly given, prove healing here ? But I am surprised that 1200 thou, reared beyond the sea, dost chance to speak of this foreign city as if thou hadst always lived in it. CASSANDRA The prophet Apollo appointed me to this duty. CHORUS LEADER Can it be that the God was smitten with love of thee ? ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 99 μείζον ' φρενώσω δ' ουκετ ές αινιγμάτων . και μαρτυρείτε συνδρόμων ίχνος κακών 1 185 ρινηλατούση των πάλαι πεπραγμένων. την γάρ στεγην τήνο* ουποτ εκλείπει χορός σύμφθογγος ουκ εϋφωνος- ου γάρ ευ λέγει, και μην πεπωκώς γ\ ως θρασύνεσθαι πλέον, βρότειον αί/χα κώμος εν δόμοις μένει, ιΐ9° δύσπεμπτος εζω, συγγόνων *Έ*ρινύων. ύμνουαι δ* υμνον οώμασιν προσημεναι πρώταργρν άτην εν μέρει δ* άπεπτυσαν ευνάς αδελφοί) τω πατουντι δυσμενείς, ημαρτον, η θηρω τι τοξότης τις ως ; 1 195 η ψευδό μαντίς ει/χι θυροκόπος φλέδων ; εκμαρτύρησον προυμόσας το μ* etoeVat λόγω παλαιάς τωνδ* αμαρτίας δόμων. XOPOS καΐ πως άν όρκος, πήγμα γενναίως παγεν, παιώνιον γένοιτο ; θαυμάζω δε σε ΐ2οο πόντου πέραν τραφεισαν άλλόθρουν πολιι/ κυρείν λεγουσαν, ωσπερ ει παρεστατεις. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ μάντις μ Απόλλων τωδ' επεστησεν τέλει. XOPOS μων και θεός περ ιμέρω πεπληγμενος ; ioo AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CASSANDRA Once I was ashamed to speak of this. CHORUS LEADER Yes, every one when he is in prosperity is more delicate. CASSANDRA Yes, he was a suitor who breathed upon me with great favor. CHORUS LEADER Didst thou ever consent to bear children to him ? CASSANDRA I assented to Loxias, but deceived him. CHORUS LEADER Wert thou already possessed of prophetic arts ? CASSANDRA 1210 I already predicted to my citizens all their sufferings. CHORUS LEADER Then how didst thou escape unpunished by the wrath of Loxias ? CASSANDRA I could make no one believe anything, because I had done him this wrong. ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ ιοί ■■'- : ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ προτού μεν αιδώς ην εμ,οϊ \εγειν τάοε. XOPOS 1205 άβρννεται γαρ πας τις ευ πράσσων πλέον. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ αλλ* ην παλαιστής κάρτ εμοί πνέων γάριν. XOPOS η και τέκνων είς έργον ήλθετην νόμω ; ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ ζυναιν€σασα Αοζίαν εψενσάμ,ην. XOPOS τ/δτ; τεχναισιν ενθεοις ηρημενη ; ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ ΐ2ΐο ήδη πολίταις πάντ εθεσπιζον πάθη. XOPOS πως §ήτ ανατος ησθα Κοζίου κότω ; ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ επειθον ovhiv ουδέν, ώς τάδ' ήμπλακον. io2 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CHORUS LEADER Thou seemst to us at least to divine things that are credible. CASSANDRA Alas, alas ! Oh, woes ! Oh, woes ! Again the terrible suffering of true divination torments me by these bewildering preludes. Do you see those children sitting by the house, like to forms of dreams? There they are, children murdered as it were by their own friends, having 1220 their hands full of the meat of their own flesh, with their hearts and their inwards, a piteous load, of which their father has tasted ! As punishment for this I say that a cowardly lion, lurking in his lair, is lying in wait to watch for my master on his return. I say " my master," for I now must bear the yoke of slavery. And the commander of the ships and the destroyer of Ilion little knows what the tongue of this lewd beast has uttered, and what she has held forth with cheerful countenance, like a deceitful 1230 Ate, and what she will accomplish by evil fortune. So daring is she ; the woman is the murderer of the man. By calling her what odious beast can I hit the mark ? Can I call her an amphisbaena, or a Scylla dwelling in the rocks, the pest of sailors, raging mother of Death, breathing an implacable curse upon her friends ? And how the audacious woman ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 103 XOPOS ημΐν γε μεν δη πίστα θεσπίζειν δοκεϊς. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ ϊ \ » \ ,\ * / lov ιου, ω ω κακά. 1 2ΐ5 υπ* civ με δειλός όρθ ο μαντείας πόνος στροβεΐ ταράσσων φροιμίοις (δυσφροιμίοις). οράτε τούσδε τους δόμοις εφη μένους νέους, ονείρων προσφέρεις μορφωμασι ; παίδες θανόντες ώσπερεϊ προς των φίλων, ΐ22ο -χεΐρας κρεών πληθοντες οικείας βοράς, συν εντεροις τε σπλάγχν, εποίκτιστον γεμος, πρεπουσ έχοντες, ων πατήρ εγεύσατο. εκ τώνδε ποινάς φημι βουλεύειν τινά λεοντ άναλκιν εν λεχει στρωφωμενον 1225 οίκουρόν, οΐμοι, τω μολόντι δεσπότη εμω • φερειν yap χρη το δούλων ζυγόν • νέων τ έπαρχος Ίλιου τ ανάστατης ουκ οΤδεν οία γλώσσα μισητής κυνος λε^ασα κάκτείνασα φαιδρόνους, δίκην 1230 ατής λαθραίου, τεύζεται κακή τύχη. τοιαύτα τολμά • θήλυς άρσενος φονεύς εστίν, τί νιν καλούσα δυσφιλες δάκος τύχοιμ αν ; άμφίσβαιναν, η %κύλλαν τίνα οικούσαν εν πετραισι, ναυτίλων βλάβην, 1235 θύουσαν "Αιδου μητερ , άσπονδόν τ άράν φίλοις πνεουσαν ; ως δ' επωλολύζατο η παντότολμος, ώσπερ εν μάχης τροπή. 104 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON exulted, as if in the turn of battle : and she seems to delight in his safe return. But it is all one whether I make you believe any of this 1240 or not. For why? The future will come; and soon shall you be present as a witness, and in your pity declare me to be only too true a prophetess. CHORUS LEADER The banquet of Thyestes on his children's flesh I know and have shuddered at ; and fear possesses me when I hear thy tale told with no mere semblance of truth. But as to the rest, when I listen, I fall from my course and run wild. CASSANDRA I say that you are to behold the death of Agamemnon. CHORUS LEADER Oh, wretched woman, hush thy mouth in silence. CASSANDRA Ah, no God of healing attends this saying. CHORUS LEADER No, not if it is to be done; but may it not be done. CASSANDRA 1250 You make prayers, while they are concerned with murder. CHORUS LEADER By what ma?i is this grief to be brought about ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 105 δοκεϊ δε χαίρειν νοστίμω σωτηρία, και τωνδ* ομοιον ει τι μη πείθω • τι yap ; 1240 το μέλλον η ζει. καΐ συ μ εν τάχει πάρων άγαν άληθόμαντιν οικτίρας ερεΐς. XOPOS την μεν Θυέστου δαίτα παώείων κρεων ξυνηκα καΐ πεφρικα, καϊ φόβος μ έχει κλύοντ αληθώς ονοεν εξηκασμένα. 1245 τα δ* αλλ' άκουσας 4κ δρόμου πεσων τρέχω. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ Αγαμέμνονος σί φημ επόψεσθαι μόρον. XOPOS εΰφημον, ω τάλαινα, κοίμησον στόμα. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ αλλ' ούτι παιων τωδ* επιστατεί λόγω, XOPOS ουκ, ειπερ Ζσται γ' ■ άλλα μη γένοιτο πως. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ 1250 συ μίν κατεύχη, τοις δ' άποκτείνειν μέλει. XOPOS τίνος προς ανδρός τυυτ άγος πορσύνεται ; io6 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CASSANDRA Surely you must have misapprehended my divinations. CHORUS LEADER For I have not understood the plan of him who is to execute it. CASSANDRA Yet I understand Greek speech only too well. CHORUS LEADER So do the Pythian oracles; but still they are hard to understand. CASSANDRA Alas ! What is this fire ! And it is coming upon me. Woe is me, Lyceian Apollo, woe is me. This two-footed lioness, bedded with the wolf, in the 1260 absence of the noble lion, is to slay me wretched; and like one mixing a potion, she will add to the cup of her wrath also a requital for me. And she boasts, as she is whetting her sword for her hus- band, that she will repay him with murder for bringing me hither. Why do I keep these things that merely bring laughter upon me, my wands and these prophetic fillets on my neck ? Thee I will destroy before I meet my fate. Go ye down to destruction, and I will follow. Enrich some other pest instead of me. Behold, here is Apollo himself stripping me of my oracular robes, after ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 107 ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ rj κάρτ αρ αν παρεσκόπεις χρησμών εμών. XOPOS του γαρ τελούντος ου ξυνήκα μηχανην. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ καΐ μην ayav y ΈΧλην επίσταμαι φάτιν. XOPOS 1255 καΐ yap τα πυθόκραντα • δυσμαθή δ' όμως. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ παπαΓ, οίον το πυρ ■ επέρχεται δε' μοι. οτοτοΐ, Αύκει Απολλον, ol εγω εγώ. αυτή οίπους λεαυ>α συγκοιμωμενη λύκω, λέοντος ευγενούς απουσία, ΐ26ο κτενεί με την τάλαιναν • ως δε φάρμακον τεύχουσα κάμου μισθον ενθησει κότω • κάπεύχεται θηγουσα φωτϊ φάσγανον εμης αγωγής άντιτείσασθαι φόνον. τί %>ήτ εμαυτης καταγέλωτ εχω τάδε, 1265 καϊ σκήπτρα καΐ μαντεία περί ΰέρη στίφη ; σε μεν προ μοίρας της εμης 8υαφθερώ. lt ες ψσορον πεσοντ , εγω ο αμ εψο/χαι ■ αλλην τιν ατην άντ εμού πλουτίζετε. ιοου ο Απόλλων αυτός εκουων εμε io8 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON 1270 he has seen me even in this garb ridiculed among friends by my enemies without dissent, but with- out cause. And I endured like a vagrant wanderer to be called a beggar, a wretch, a starveling. And now the prophet, having undone me a prophetess, has brought me to these fatal fortunes. Instead of my father's altar a butcher's block awaits me, when I am smitten in hot blood by murderous slaughter. But we shall not die dishonored by 1280 the Gods; for there shall come hereafter another to avenge us, a child who will slay his mother and will avenge his father; and he who is now a wan- dering exile, a stranger to this land, will return to put the coping stone to this edifice of calamity for his house. For a mighty oath has been sworn by the Gods, that the fall of his murdered father shall bring him home again. Why now do I abide here thus lamenting, since first I have seen the city of Ilion faring as it has fared, and since I have seen those who held the city come out thus 1290 in the judgment of the Gods? I will go to meet my fate: I will endure to die. These gates that are before me I address as the gates of Hades ; and I pray that I may receive a fatal blow, so that without a struggle, my life-blood flowing in easy death, I may close these eyes. CHORUS LEADER Oh, woman of much grief, but also of much wisdom, thou hast spoken at length; but if thou truly knowest thy own fate, why dost thou step ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ ιο 9 Ι2 7° χρηστηρίαν εσθητ , εποπτεύσας δε με κάν τοισδε κόσμοις καταγελωμενην μέγα φίλων νπ εχθρών, ου διχορρόπως, μάτην, καλούμενη δε, φοιτάς ώς άγύρτρια, πτωχός τάλαινα λιμοθνης ηνεσχόμην. 1275 και νυν 6 μάντις μάντιν εκπράζας εμε άπήγαγ* ες τοιάσδε θανάσιμους τι/^ας. βωμού πατρώου δ* άντ επίζηνον μένει, θερμω κοπείσης φοινίω προσφάγματι. ου μην άτιμοι γ' εκ θεών τεθνηςομεν. ΐ28ο ηζει yap ημών άλλος αυ τιμάορος, μητροκτόνον φίτυμα, ποινατωρ πατρός • φυγάς δ' αλήτης τήσδε γης άπόζενος κάτεισιν, άτας τάετδε θριγκώσων φίλοις • όμώμοται γαρ όρκος εκ θεών μέγας, 1285 άζειν νιν υπτίασμα κείμενου πατρός, τί $ήτ εγώ κάτοικος ώδ' άναστενω, επεί το πρώτον ειδον Ιλίου πόλιν πράζασαν ώς επραζεν, οι δ* ειχον πόλιν ούτως άπαλλάσσουσιν εν θεών κρίσει ; 1 290 ιουσα πράζω • τλησομαι το κατθανεΐν. "Άιδου πύλας δε τάσο* εγώ προσεννεπω • επεύχομαι δε καίριας πληγής τυχεΐν, ώς άσφάδαστος, αιμάτων ευθνησίμων άπορρυεντων, όμμα συμβάλω τόοε. XOPOS 1295 ω πολλά μεν τάλαινα, πολλά δ* αυ σοφή γννα,ι, μακράν ετεινας. ει δ' ετητύμως no AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON to the altar with such calm courage, like an ox whom a God drives to the sacrifice? CASSANDRA There is no escape; there is none, strangers, for a longer time. CHORUS LEADER 1300 And yet he who comes last in time has an advantage. CASSANDRA My day has come; I shall gain little by flight. CHORUS LEADER But know that thou art suffering with a coura- geous heart. CASSANDRA That is a consolation that no happy man ever hears. CHORUS LEADER But it is a boon for a mortal to die nobly. CASSANDRA Alas, oh, father, for thee and for thy noble children! CHORUS LEADER What is it now? What terror turns thee back? ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ μόρον τον αυτής οισθα, πως θεηλάτου βοος δίκην προς βωμον εύτόλμως πατείς ; ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ ουκ έστ αλνξίς, ου, ξένοι, χρόνον πλέω. XOPOS 1300 6 δ' ύστατος γε τον χρόνου πρεσβεύεται. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ ήκει τό& ήμαρ • σμικρά κερδανω φυγή. XOPOS αλλ' ϊσθι τλήμων ουσ* απ* εύτόλμου φρενός. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ ουδείς ακούει ταύτα των εύδαιμόνων. XOPOS αλλ' εύκλεώς τοι κατθανείν χάρις βροτω. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ ΐ3°5 Ιω πάτερ σου σων τε γενναίων τέκνων. ΧΟΡΟΞ τι δ' εστί χρήμα ; τις σ αποστρέφει φόβος ; III ii2 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CASSANDRA Oh, horror! horror! CHORUS LEADER Why hast thou uttered this cry, unless there is some loathing in thy heart? CASSANDRA This house has the scent of murder dripping with blood. CHORUS LEADER But how is that ? This scent is from the sacri- ΐ3 χ ο fices of the central hearth. CASSANDRA It seems like a blast from the tomb. CHORUS LEADER It is no glory of Syrian perfumes that thou ascribest to this house. CASSANDRA I am going into the house, there also to bewail my death and Agamemnon's. Enough of life, Ο strangers. It is not in vain that I shrink from this house in terror as a bird flutters around a bush. When I am dead, bear testimony to this, when a woman shall die to avenge me a woman, and when a man shall fall to avenge an ill-wedded 1320 man. I ask this gift of hospitality from you as one about to die. ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 113 ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ φευ φευ. XOPOS τί τουτ εφευξας ; ει τι μη φρένων στύγος. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ φόνον δό/χοι πνεουσιν αιματοσταγη. XOPOS ΐ3ίο καϊ πως ; τό& όζει Θυμάτων εφεστιων. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ όμοιος άτμος ωσπερ εκ τάφου πρέπει. Χ0Ρ03 ου Σύριον αγλάισμα ΰώμασι,ν λέγεις. ΚΑ3ΑΝΔΡΑ αλλ' είμι καν δό /xoicri κωκύσουα εμην Αγαμέμνονος τε μοίραν. άρκείτω βίος. 1 3 Ι 5 ΐώ ζενοι. ούτοι $υσοίζω θάμνον ως όρνις φόβω άλλως - θανούση μαρτυρείτε μοι τόδε, όταν γυνή γυναικός άντ εμού θανή, άνηρ τε ΰυσΰάμαρτος άντ άνΒρος πεση. ΐ3 2 ° επιζενουμαι ταύτα δ' ως θανουμενη. AGAMEMNON — 8 ii4 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CHORUS LEADER Oh, wretched woman, I pity thee for the death thou hast foretold. CASSANDRA I wish once more to speak, or rather to sing my own dirge; and I pray to the sun in the presence of this last light of his, * * * ****** when I die as a slave, an easy victim. Alas for human fortunes. When they are happy, a mere shadow can overturn them ; but if they are ca- lamitous, a wetted sponge by one stroke obliter- 1330 ates all trace : and for this last I have more pity than for the former. CHORUS LEADER Prosperity is ever insatiate with all mortals ; but no one ever shuts her out from his house say- ing " No longer enter here." So to this man the blessed Gods have granted to capture Priam's city, and honored by God he returns home. But, now, if he is to atone for the blood of former victims, 1340 and dying for those who have died is to pay the penalty for other deaths, what mortal hearing this would ever boast that he was born with a fate free from harm ? ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ ιι 5 XOPOS ώ τλημον, οικτίρω σε Θεσφάτου μόρου. ΚΑ^ΑΝΔΡΑ άπαζ ετ ειπείν ρησιν η θρηνον θέλω εμον τον αυτής. ηλίω δ* επεύχομαι προς ύστατον φως Τ τοις εμοΐς τιμαόροις χ 3 2 5 ίχθροίς φονευσι τοις εμοϊς τίνειν ομου,ί δούλης θανούσης, εύμαρους γειρώματος. ιω βρότεια πράγματ • ευτυγουντα μεν σκιά τις αν τρέψειεν • el he $υστυχτ}, βολαίς ύγρωσσων σπόγγος ωλεσεν γραφην. ΐ33° και ταυτ εκείνων μάλλον οικτίρω πολύ. XOPOS το μεν ευ πράσσειν άκόρεστον εφυ πασι βροτοίσιν • ΰακτυλοΰείκτων δ' ούτις άπειπων ειργει μελάθρων, μηκετ εσελθης, ταοε φωνών. 1335 καΐ τωδε πόλιν μεν ελεϊν εδοσαν μάκαρες Πρίαμου • σεοτιμητος ο οικαο ικανει. νυν δ' ει προτέρων αίμ άποτείση και τοϊσι θανουσι θανών άλλων 134° ποινας θανάτων επικρανη, τις ποτ 9 αν εύζαιτο βροτών άσινεί δα'μονι φυναι τάδ' άκούων ; n6 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON AGAMEMNON Oh, woe is me ! I am struck to the heart with a fatal blow. CHORUS LEADER Silence ! Who cries out, struck with a fatal blow ? AGAMEMNON 1345 Woe is me again, struck with a second blow ! CHORUS LEADER It seems to me, by the wailing of the king, that the deed has been done. But let us take counsel, in case any safe plan shall appear. MEMBERS OF THE CHORUS 1. I give you my opinion, that we should pro- claim to the citizens to bring help hither to the palace. 1350 2. And it seems to me that we should rush in with all speed, and convict the murderer in the act with his newly dripping sword. 3. And I share in the same opinion, and I vote to do something. It is high time for no delay. 4. Yes, we can see ; for they are beginning to act like men who would threaten the state with tyranny. 5. Yes, for we are slow ; but they trample under foot the glory of delay, and are sleepless with their hands. 6. I know not what advice I can find to utter. It is the part of one who acts also to take counsel. ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ ιι 7 ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ ωμοί, πεπληγμαι καιρίαν πληγήν εσω. XOPOS σίγα • τίς πληγήν άϋτεί καιρίως οντασμενος ; ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 1345 ωμοί μάλ* αΰθίς, οευτεραν πεπληγμενος. XOPOS τούργον είργάσθαι Βοκεϊ μου βασιλέως οΐμώγματι • αλλά κοινωσώμεθ* ην πως ασφαλή βουλεύματα. ΧΟΡΕΥΤΑΙ ι. εγω μεν νμίν τήν εμήν γνώμην λέγω, προς $ωμα δευρ* άστοΐσι κηρύσσειν βοήν. 1 35° 2 • εμοϊ ο* όπως τάχιστα y εμπεσείν δοκει καΐ πραγμ ελεγχειν συν νεορρύτω ζίφει. 3• κάγω τοιούτον γνώματος κοινωνός ων ψηφίζομαι τι οραν ■ το μή μελλειν δ* ακμή. 4• οραν πάρεστι ' φροιμιαζονται γαρ ώς 1355 τυραννικός σημεία πράσσοντες πόλει. 5• χρονίζομεν γαρ. οι δε της μελλούς κλέος πε'οοι πατουντες ου καθεύοουσιν χερί. 6. ουκ οιδα βουλής ήστινος τυχών λέγω. του δρωντός εστί καϊ το βουλευσαι περί. u8 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON 1360 7. And I take the same view, for I am at a loss to know how to raise the dead again by words. 8. Shall we let our lives go on, and thus yield to these men in power who are disgracing this house ? 9. That is not endurable: it is better to die, for death is a gentler fate than tyranny. 10. Well now! on the testimonies of mere groans are we to divine that the man is really dead ? 11. We ought to speak on this from clear knowledge ; but guessing is very far from know- ing clearly. 12. (TJie Chorus Leader.) I am supported 1370 from all sides in approving this, that we learn clearly how it really fares with the son of Atreus. CLYTAEMNESTRA Having said much before this to suit the mo- ment, I will not be ashamed now to speak the opposite. For how can any one, who is devising hostility to foes who profess to be friends, sur- round them with woe like a net too high to be leapt over ? To me now this contest, which of old has never been forgetful of a former victory, has come in time, but it has come. I stand where I smote him, with the deed accomplished. And 1380 I so did it, for I will not deny it, that he should neither escape nor ward off his fate. I surround him, like a shoal of fish, with a net which had no outlet, a fatal wealth of robe. And I smite him twice, and with two groans he relaxes his limbs ; ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ ιι 9 1360 7• κάγω τοιούτος είμ, επεϊ ΰυσμηγανω λόγοισι τον θανόντ άνιστάναι πάλιν. 8. η καϊ βίον τείνοντες ωδ' νπείζομεν δόμων καταισχυντη ρσι τοισδ' ηγονμενοις ; 9• αλλ' ουκ άνεκτόν, άλλα κατθανεΐν κρατεί, • ΐ3 6 5 πεπαιτερα yap μοίρα της τυραννικός. ίο. η γαρ τεκμηρίοισιν εζ οίμωγμάτων μαντευσόμεσθα τάνδρος ως ολωλότος ; ιι. σάφ* ε186τας χρη τωνοε μνθείσθαι περί • το γαρ τοπάζειν τον <χάφ' εΙ*οεναι διχα. 1370 ΐ2. ταύτην επαινεΐν πάντοθεν πληθύνομαι, τρανως Άτρείδην ei6eVat, κυροννθ' όπως. ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ^ΤΡΑ πολλών πάροιθεν καιριως είρημενων τάναντι ειπείν ουκ επαισχννθήσομαι. πως γαρ τις εγθροίς εγθρά πορσύνων, φίλοις 1375 ΰοκονσιν etz/at, πημονην άρκνστατ αν φράζειεν, νφος κρείσσον εκπηΰήματος ; εμοι ο άγων οο ουκ αφροντιστος παΚαι νίκης παλαιάς ήλθε, συν χρόνω γε μην ■ εστηκα δ' ενθ* Ιπαισ* eV εξειργασμενοις. ΐ3 8 ° ουΓω δ' έπραξα, καϊ τάδ' ουκ άρνησομαι, ως μήτε φεύγειν μητ άμύνεσθαι μόρον. άπειρον άμφίβληστρον, ωσπερ ιχθύων, περιστιγίζω, πλουτον ειματος κακόν, παίω δε νιν δις ■ καν hvolv οιμωγματοιν χ 3 8 5 μεθηκεν αύτον κωλα ■ και πεπτωκοτι 120 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON and when he has fallen, I add a third blow, a grateful boon to Hades beneath the earth, the saviour of the dead. Thus falling, he pants forth his life; and as he breathes forth the sharp gush 1390 of his life-blood, he strikes me with a dark drop of deadly dew, and I rejoice in it no less than the sown field rejoices in beauty sent from Zeus in the bursting of the flower-cup. Since this is so, aged men of Argos, you may rejoice if so you please ; but I exult. And if it were becoming to pour a libation over this dead man, this would be just, nay, exceeding just. With so many cursed calamities has he filled the cup in this house, and now he has come home to drain it off. CHORUS LEADER We wonder at thy tongue, — how bold-mouthed 1400 thou art, who dost utter such a boastful speech over thy husband. CLYTAEMNESTRA You are trying me as if I were a foolish woman ; but I with fearless heart say to you who know, — and it is all one to me whether you wish to approve or to blame me : " This is Agamem- non, my husband, now dead, the work of this right hand, a righteous worker. So stands the case." CHORUS What evil thing hast thou eaten which grew on earth, or what hast thou drunk which came from the flowing sea, that thou hast placed this ΑΠΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ ι 2 ι τρίτην επενδίδωμι, του κατά. χθονος "Xihov νεκρών σωτηρος εύκταίαν χάριν, ούτω τον αύτοΰ θυμον όρμαίνει πεσών, κάκφυσιων όξείαν αίματος σφαγην 1 39° βάλλει μ ερεμνη ψακάδι, φοινίας δρόσου, χαίρουσαν ουδέν ησσον η διοσδότω γάνει σπορητος κάλυκος εν λοχεύμασιν. ως ώδ* εχόντων, πρεσβος Άργείων τόδε, χαίροιτ αν, εΐ χαίροιτ , εγω δ' επεύχομαι. '395 ei δ' ην πρεπόντων ωστ επισπένδειν νεκρω, τωο αν δικαίως ην, ύπερδίκως μεν ουν. τοσωνδε κρατήρ* εν δόμοις κακών όδε πλησας άραίων αυτός εκπίνει μολών. XOPOS θαυμάζομέν σου γλωσσαν, ως θρασύστομος, 1400 ήτις τοιόνδ* επ* άνδρϊ κομπάζεις λόγον. ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ^ΤΡΑ πειράσθέ μου γυναικός ως άφράσμονος • εγω δ' άτρεστω καρδία προς ειδότας λέγω • συ δ' αΐνείν είτε με \\ίέγειν θέλεις όμοιον. οΰτός εστίν Αγαμέμνων, εμός ΐ4°5 πόσις, νεκρός δε, τησδε δεξιάς χερος έργον, δικαίας τεκτονος. τάδ' ώδ* έχει. XOPOS τι κακόν, ω ywat, χθονοτρεφες εδανον Str. η ποτον πασα /xeVa ρυτάς εξ αλός όρμενον 122 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON incense upon thy head with the people's curses. 1410 Thou hast cast him out, thou hast cut him off; and thou shalt be cut off from the city, a mighty abomination to the citizens. CLYTAEMNESTRA Now you would condemn me to be exiled from the city and to have the hatred of the citizens and the people's curses, when you brought nothing like this against this man, who, regard- ing it as little as if it had been the death of a beast, while sheep were abounding in his fleecy flocks, sacrificed his own daughter, my dearest offspring, to quiet the Thracian blasts. Should you not have banished him from this land as a punishment for his foul deeds ? When you hear 1420 of my acts you are a harsh judge; but I tell you to go on with your threats, for I am prepared on equal terms, if you overpower me by your hands, to let you rule me ; but if God wills it otherwise, taught late in life, you shall learn a lesson of prudence. CHORUS Thou hast grand thoughts, and hast uttered haughty words. Thy mind is maddened, as it were, by thy murderous fortune. A clot of blood is to be seen on thy brow yet unatoned ; and hereafter, bereft of friends, thou must pay 143° blow for blow. ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 123 τόδ' επεθον θνος δημοθρόονς τ' αράς ; 1410 άπέδίκες, άπεταμες • άπόπολυς δ' εστ) μίσος οβριμον αστοις. ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ3ΤΡΑ νυν μεν δικάζεις (κ πόλεως φνγην εμοι και μίσος αστών ΰημόθρονς τ εχειν άράτ, ovhev τόδ' άνΰρΐ τωό εναντίον φέρων * 1415 ος ου προτιμών, ώσπερει βοτον μορον, μήλων φλεόντων ενπόκοις νομενμασιν, εθνσεν αντον παΓδα, φίλτάτην εμοϊ ώ$ϊν\ βπωδό^ θρτ)κίων άηματων. ου τούτον εκ γης τήσοε χρήν σ' άνορηλατείν, 1420 μιασμάτων αποιν ; επηκοος ο εμών έργων οι,καστης τραχύς εϊ. λέγω δε σοι τοιαντ άπειλείν, ως παρεσκενασμενης εκ των ομοίων χειρι* νικήσαντ εμον αρχειν • εάν δε τον μπαλιν κραίντ) θεός, 1425 γνώστ) οιοαχθείς όψε γονν το σωφρονει,ν. X0P0S μεγαλόμητι,ς ει, ττερίφρονα δ* ελακες ■ Ant. ώσπερ ονν φονολιβεΐ τνχα φρην επιμαίνεται • λίπος επ* ομμάτων αίματος εμπ ρέπει άτίετον. ετι σε χρη στερομεναν φίλων 143° τνμμα τνμματι τεισαι. 124 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CLYTAEMNESTRA And now you hear the solemn justice of my oaths. By the accomplished vengeance for my daughter, by Ate and the avenging Fury to whom I sacrificed this man, I have no expectation that fear will tread my house so long as Aegisthus kindles the fire upon my hearth, kindly disposed to me as of old. For he is no slight shield to my courage. Here lies the man who foully wronged this woman, the darling of every Chryseis at Ilion ; 144° and here lies this captive woman, this sorceress, his concubine, his faithful prophetic companion, who shared with him the benches of his ship. They have suffered a fate not undeserved ; for he lies, as you see ; and she, having like a swan sung her last death song, lies here, his lover; and by her death she has brought to me fa dainty dish of new delight, f CHORUS Alas ! Ο that death might come speedily, not 1450 with heavy pangs, nor lingering, and bring to us eternal sleep, now that our most friendly guar- dian has been laid low, who suffered much for a woman's sake ! — and at a woman's hands he has ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 125 ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ3ΤΡΑ και τηνο* άκονεις ορκίων εμων θεμιν ■ μα την τελειον της εμης παιδός Αίκην, *Ατην Έριννν 'θ\ αίσι τόνο' έσφαζ* εγώ, ον μου φόβον μέλαθρον ελπις εμπατειν, Μ35 €ως αν αιθη πνρ εφ εστίας εμης Αίγισθος, ώς το πρόσθεν εν φρονών εμοί. οντος γαρ ημϊν άσπις ον σμικρά θράσονς. κείται γνναικος τήσδε λνμαντηριος, Χρνση'ιδων μείλιγμα των νπ \λίω • 1440 η τ' αιχμάλωτος ή$ε καϊ τερασκόπος η κοινόλεκτρος τονΰε, θεσφατηλόγος πίστη ξννεννος, Ι ναυτίλων οε σελμάτων ισοτριβης.^ άτιμα δ' ονκ επραζάτην. 6 μεν γάρ όντως, η δε τ οι κνκνον οίκην 1445 τον νστατον μελψασα θανασιμον γόον κείται φιλητωρ τονο\ εμοί δ* επηγαγεν ^εννης παροψώνημα της εμης χλιδής.! XOPOS φεν, τίς αν εν τάχει, μη περιώοννος, Str. ι μη$ε ο^μνιοτηρης, ΐ45° μόλοι τον αεί φερονσ εν ημιν ΜοΓρ' άτελεντον νπνον, οαμεντος φνλακος ενμενεστάτον πολεα τλάντος γνναικος οιαί ; προς γνναικος δ' άπεφθισεν βιον. 126 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON lost his life. Alas, alas, infatuated Helen, who alone destroyed the many, the very many lives which were lost at Troy. 1460 ♦♦♦#♦♦ CLYTAEMNESTRA Do not be oppressed by this and invoke on yourselves the fate of death; and do not turn your wrath against Helen, and say that she is a murderess, that she alone destroyed the lives of many Grecian men and wrought this crushing grief. CHORUS Ο divinity, who dost fall upon this house and 147° the double offspring of Tantalus, and dost wield a power of equal might with theirs in women's hands, heartrending to me. Standing over this body like an odious crow, he exults in singing his inharmonious song. CLYTAEMNESTRA Now you have righted the judgment of your mouth, in invoking the thrice-gorged avenging ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 127 1455 I'j) ίω παράνονς 'EXeVa μία τάς πολλάς, τάς πάνυ πολλάς ψυχάς ολεσασ' νπο Τροία. t ννν οε τελείαν . . η πολνμναστον επηνθίσω αίμ άνιπτον, 1460 ήτις ην τότ εν δόμους ερις ερι,οματος ανορος οιζνς. Τ ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ^ΤΡΑ μηδέν θανάτου μοίραν επενγου Anap. τοισδε βαρννθείς • μ/^δ' €l? Έλενην κότον εκτρέψης, 1465 ώς άνδρολετειρ\ ως μία πολλών άντρων ψυγας Δαζ^αωζ^ όλεσασ άζνστατον άλγος έπραξε. XOPOS δαϊμον, δς εμπίτνεις δώμασυ /cat δίφνί- Ant. ι otcrt Ται/ταλιδα,ΜΓΐϊ>> 1470 κράτος τ Ισόψυχον εκ γυναικών καρδίόδηκτον εμοϊ κρατύνεις. επί δε σώματος δίκαν κόρακος εχθρού σταθείσ εκνόμως 9 νμνον νμνειν επενγεται. KAYTAIMHSTPA Η75 ννν δ' ώρθωσας στόματος γνώμην, Anap. τον τριπάγνντον 128 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON Fury of this race. It is owing to him that this passion for lapping blood is nurtured in its inward 1480 parts: before the ancient grief has ceased, new blood is shed. CHORUS It is a mighty deity and one heavy with wrath that thou dost tell of as haunting this house, — alas, in a direful tale of baneful, insatiate for- tune, — alas, through Zeus, the worker of all, the cause of all. For what comes to mortals without Zeus? What of all this is not divinely ordered? 149° Alas, Ο king, Ο king, how shall I weep for thee? From my friendly heart what shall I say to thee? Thou liest in this spider's web, breathing out thy life in impious death. Alas, in this slavish man- ner dost thou lie, overpowered by deceitful death, by a doubly cutting dart from the hand. CLYTAEMNESTRA You declare that this deed is mine; but do not say that I am the wife of Agamemnon ; ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 129 δαίμονα γεννης τησδε κικλησκων. εκ του yap έρως αιματολοιχος νείρττ) τρεφεταυ • πριν καταληξαι 1480 το παλαιον άχος, νέος Ιχωρ. XOPOS rj μεγαν οικονόμον Str. 2 δαίμονα και βαρύμηνιν αίνεΐς, φευ φευ, κακόν aivov άτη- ρας τύχας ακόρεστου • 1485 irj Ir) olol Διός παναιτίου πανεργετα. τί γαρ βροτοις άνευ Διό? τελείται ; τί τωνδ' ου θεόκραντόν εστίν ; ίω ιω βασιλευ βασιλβυ, 149° ττως σε δακρύσω ; φρενός εκ φιλίας τί ποτ' ειπώ ; κείσαι δ' αράχνης εν ύφάσματι τωδ' ασεβεί θανάτω βίον εκπνεων, — ωμοί μοι κοίταν τάνδ* άνελεύθερον 1495 δολίω μόρω δαμείς εκ χερος άμφιτόμω βελεμνω. KAYTAIMHSTPA αυχεΖς είναι τόδε τοΰργον εμόν ■ Αη£ Φ• μηδ* επιλεχθτ}ς Άγαμεμνονίαν eii^ai μ' αλοχον. AGAMEMNON — 9 i 3 o AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON but the ancient grim avenger of Atreus, savage 1500 feaster, likening himself to the wife of this dead man, paid him as a penalty, sacrificing a full- grown man for infant children. CHORUS That thou art guiltless of this murder, who will testify? How, how? And yet the avenging Fury of the father may prove to be thy helper. Black Ares forces his way through streams of kindred blood to a point where he will work ven- 1510 geance for the gore of the devoured children. Alas, Ο king, Ο king, how shall I weep for thee? From my friendly heart what shall I say to thee? Thou liest in this spider's web, breathing out thy life in impious death. Alas, in this slavish man- ner dost thou lie, overpowered by deceitful death, by a doubly cutting dart from the hand. ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ ι 3 ι ΐ5°° φανταζόμενος δε γυναικί νεκρού τόνο 6 παλαιός οριμνς άλάστωρ Ατρεως χαλεπού θοινατηρος τόνο^ άπετεισεν, τέλεον νεαροϊς επιθύσας. XOPOS ΐ5°5 ώς μεν αναίτιος εΧ Ant. 2 τονΒε φόνου τις 6 μαρτυρησων ; πώς πώς ; πατρόθεν δε συλλ^'- πτωρ γενοιτ αν άλάστωρ. βιάζεται δ' ομοσπόροις ΐ5 ίο επιρροαϊσιν αιμάτων μέλας "Αρης οποί h'lKav προβαίνων πάχνα κονροβόρω παρεζει. ιω ιω /3α(τιλεί) /3α<χιλευ, πώς σε ΰακρνσω ; l S l 5 φρενός εκ φιλίας τι ποτ εΐπω ; κείσαι δ' αράχνης εν νφάσματι τωδ' άσεβεΐ θανάτω βίον εκπνοών. ωμοί μοι κοίταν τάνο* άνελεύθερον δολιω μόρω δαμεις 1520 Ικ χερος άμφιτόμω βελεμνω. KAYTAIMHSTPA \οντ άνελεύθερον οιμαι θάνατον τωδε γενέσθαι.] i 3 2 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CLYTAEMNESTRA Has he not brought calamity by deceit to this 1520 house? And to my offspring begotten by him, the much-bewailed Iphigeneia, having done things worthy of his suffering, and now suffering things worthy of his deed, let him not bewail in Hades, when he has atoned for what he did through death by the sword. CHORUS I am at a loss, bereft of thought, for some 1530 ready device, whither I shall turn now the house is falling. I fear the crash of the storm that is to destroy this house, the storm of blood; the drop- pings now cease. And fate is whetting the sword of Justice for a new deed of mischief upon new whetstones. Alas, Ο earth, Ο earth, would that thou hadst received me before I had beheld this king lying 1540 low in the bath with silvered walls! Who now will bury him? Who will lament him? Wilt thou dare to do this, — after slaying thy husband to bewail his soul, and unjustly show him a thank- less favor in requital for thy odious deeds. What funeral eulogy over this godlike man, though 1550 spoken with tears, will grieve in truth of soul? ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 133 ουδέ γαρ ούτος δόλιας ατην Anap. οΐκοισιν εθηκ ; 1525 αλλ e/xol•' εκ τονό ερνος αερσεν, την πολνκλαύτην Ιφιγενειαν, άζία Βράσας ά^ια πάσχων μηδέν iv ""Α ιδού μεγαλαυχείτω, ζιφοδηλήτω θανάτω τείσας άπερ ερζεν. XOPOS 153° άμηχανω φροντίδος στερηθείς Str. 3 ενπάλαμον μεριμναν οπα τράπωμαι, πίτνοντος οικον. δεδοικα δ* ομβρον κτνπον δομοσφαλή τον αίματηρόν ψακάς δε λήγει. 1535 δίκη δ' επ άλλο πράγμ άορ θήγει βλάβης προς άλλαις θηγάναισι Μοίρα. ιω γα γα, ειυ εμ εοεςω, πρίν τόνο* επιδειν άργνροτοίγον 1540 δροίτας κατέχοντα χαμεννην. τίς ο θάψων νιν ; τίς ο θρηνήσων ; η σν τόδ' ερζαι τλήσει, κτείνασ άνδρα τον αυτής, άποκωκυσαι ^45 ψνχνν? άχαριν χάριν άντ έργων μεγάλων αδίκως επικράναι ; τίς δ' επιτύμβιος αίνος iif άι^δρι θείω σνν δάκρνσιν ιάπτων ΐ55° άλαέ^ια φρενών πονήσει ; 134 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CLYTAEMNESTRA It becomes you not to talk thus of this duty. By us he fell, by us he died; and we will bury him, but not with lamentations from the house ; . . . but his daughter Iphigeneia, as is her right, will affectionately meet her father at the swift-flow- ing passage of sorrows, and throw her arms about his neck and kiss him. CHORUS LEADER 1560 This disgrace has come to atone for another disgrace. These are hard quarrels to settle. Some one spoils the spoiler, the slayer pays the penalty; but it abides, while Zeus remains and le endures, that the doer shall suffer, for it is the law. Who can expel from the house the accursed brood ? This race is welded to calamity. CLYTAEMNESTRA You have come with truth upon this oracular saying. And I am ready to make a compact with 1570 the divinity of the Pleisthenidae, that I will ac- \ ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ ι 35 KAYTAIMHSTPA ov σε προσήκει το μέλημα λέγειν Anap. τούτο- προς ημών κάππεσε, κάτθανε, καΐ καταθάψομεν ονχ νπο κλανθμων των εζ οίκων, 1555 αλλ Ιφιγένεια νιν άσπασίως θυγάτηρ, ως χρή, πάτερ άντιάσασα προς ώκνπορον πόρθμευμ άχέων περί χ€.1ρ€ βαλονσα φιλήσει,. XOPOS 1560 όνειδος ήκει τόδ* άντ ονείδους. Ant. 3 hvo -μαγα δ' ecrrt κρίναι. φέρει φεροντ\ εκτίνει δ' ο καινών. μίμνει δε μίμνοντος εν χρόνω Διός παθείν τον ερζαντα. θεσμιον yap • ΐ5 6 5 τίς αν γονάν άραΐον εκβάλοι δόμων ; κεκόλληται γένος προς άτα. «)Γ *JF * * ^* * KAYTAIMHSTPA ες τόνο* ενεβης ζνν άληθεία Anap. •χρησμόν. εγω δ' ονν εθελω δαίμονι τω Τίλεισθενιδών ΐ57° όρκους θεμενη τάδε μεν στεργειν, i 3 6 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON quiesce in this, grievous though it is, and for the future that he shall depart from this house and waste some other race by kindred deaths. And I am satisfied to have a small portion of the wealth, if I may relieve this house from the mad- ness of murdering one another. AEGISTHUS Oh, joyous light of a day of justice ! Now I can say that the Gods as avengers of mortals look from above on the woes of earth, when I 1580 have seen this man to my delight lying in the Furies' woven robes, atoning for the devices of his father's hand. For Atreus, the ruler of this land, this man's father, drove from the city and his home Thyestes, my father and his brother (to tell the whole tale), when his power was dis- puted by him. And wretched Thyestes, returning as a suppliant to his hearthstone, found his fate secure, so that he should not perish on the spot and stain his ancestral pavement with his blood. 1590 But this man's impious father Atreus, by way of hospitality, with more eagerness than friendship, while he professed to be keeping a festal day with good cheer, set before my father a banquet of his own children's flesh. The parts about the feet and the finger-tips he broke off, as he sat by him- self at the head of the table ; and my father in ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 1 37 νστΚητα περ ονυ , ο οε Κοίπον, ίοντ εκ τωνδε δόμων άλλην γενεάν τρίβείν θανάτοίς ανθενταίσί ■ κτεάνων τε μέρος βαίον εχονση πάν άπόχρη μοι 1575 μανίας μελάθρων άλληλοφόνονς άφελονση. ΑΙΓΙΣΘΟ* ω φέγγος ενφρον ημέρας δίκηφόρου. φαίην αν ήδη νυν βροτών τίμαόρους θεούς άνωθεν γης εποπτεύείν άχη, i5 So Ιδών νφαντοΐς εν πέπλους 'Έρίννων τον άνδρα τόνδε κείμενον φίλως εμοί, χερος πατρώας εκτίνοντα μηχανάς. Άτρενς γαρ άρχων τησδε γης, τοντον πατήρ, πάτερα θνεστην τον εμόν, ώς τορώς φράσαί, 1585 αυτοί) δ* άδελφόν, άμφίλεκτος ων κρατεί, ήνδρηλάτησεν εκ πόλεως τε καϊ δόμων, καϊ προστρόπαιος εστίας μόλων πάλιν τλημων Θυέστης μοΐραν ηνρετ ασφαλή, το μη θανών πατρωον αΐμάζαί πεδον ΐ59° αντον • ξενία δε τούδε δνσθεος πατήρ Άτρενς, προθύμως μάλλον η φίλως, πατρί τώμω, κρεονργον ημαρ ενθνμως αγείν δοκών, παρέσχε δαϊτα παίοείων κρεων. τα. μεν ποδηρη καϊ χερών άκρους κτένας 1595 εθρνπτ άνωθεν άνθρακας καθήμενος • 138 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON his ignorance, hastily taking the parts which were not distinguishable, ate food which, as you see, was full of destruction to our race. And after- wards, when he recognized his unholy deed, he groaned and fell back vomiting from the murder- 1600 ous feast ; and he invoked upon the Pelopidae a doom intolerable, uniting the overturn of the table with a general curse that thus might perish the whole race of Pleisthenes. From this you now may see this man lying dead. And I am the righteous planner of this murder ; for he drove me out also, when I was a new-born babe in swad- dling clothes, the third child of my wretched father. And when I had grown up, Justice brought me back again ; and while I was abroad I worked against this man, plotting every device of evil 1610 counsel. So it is delightful for me now even to die, when I have seen this man in the nets of Justice. CHORUS LEADER Aegisthus, I have no respect for insolence amid calamities. You say you slew this man of your free will, and that you alone devised this piteous murder. Be assured, I declare to you, that in justice your head shall not escape the stony curses which the people will hurl. AEGISTHUS Do you talk this way, sitting at the lower oar, when those who sit on the higher bench command the ship ? Old as you are, you shall learn that it is hard for those of your age to be taught when ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 139 άσημα δ' αυτών αντίκ αγνοία λαβών εσθει βοράν άσωτον, ώς οράς, γένει. κάπειτ επιγνονς έργον ου καταίσιον ωμωζεν, άμπίπτει δ* από σφαγής ερών ιβοο μόρον δ' άφερτον ΙΙελοπίδαις επενγεται, λάκτισμα 'οείπνον ζννΰίκως τιθεϊς άρα όντως ολεσθαι παν το ΤΙλεισθένονϊ γένος. εκ τών*οε σοι πεσόντα τόνο* ιοειν πάρα. κάγώ 'οίκαιος τον*οε τον φόνον ραφενς. 1605 τρίτον γαρ οντά μ 3 επίτεκ άθλιω πατρι σννεζελαννει τντθον οντ εν σπαργάνοις • τραφεντα δ' αυ^ί,ς η δίκη κατηγαγεν. και τονΰε τάνορος ήψάμην θνραίος ων, πάσαν σννάφας μ-ηγανην 8νσβονλίας. ιβιο οντω καλόν δτ) καϊ το κατθανειν εμοί, ιδόντα τοντον της ΰίκης εν ερκεσιν. XOPOS Κιγισθ* ι νβριζειν εν κακοισιν ον σεβω. σν δ* άνορα τόν'οε ψτ)ς εκών κατακτανείν, μόνος δ' εποικτον τόνΰε βονλενσαι φόνον 1615 ου φημ άλνζειν εν $ίκτ) το σον κάρα $ημορριφεΐς, σάψ* ΐσθι, λενσίμονς αράς. ΑΙΠ5Θ03 σύ ταύτα φωνείς νερτερα προσημενος κώπτ), κρατούντων των επί ζνγω ΰορός ; γνώσει γέρων ών ως οιοάσκεσθαι βαρν i 4 o AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON you are commanded to be prudent. Chains and 1620 hungry pangs are most powerful healing prophets of the soul to instruct even old age. Do you not see when you behold this ? Don't kick against the pricks, lest you strike and suffer. CHORUS LEADER You woman, you who tarried at home waiting for those who returned from battle, after dis- gracing the man's bed the while, did you plot this death against the great commander ? AEGISTHUS These words too are but the beginning of sor- row. You have a tongue most unlike that of 1630 Orpheus. For he by his voice led all things after him joyously; but you, having aroused men by your mild barkings, will yourself be led captive ; and you will appear gentler when overcome. CHORUS LEADER To talk about your being tyrant of the Argives, — you, who when you had plotted death for this man, did not dare to perform the deed with your own hand ! AEGISTHUS Yes, for plotting was clearly the woman's part ; since I was a suspected enemy from my very birth. But with his wealth I shall try to rule the ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ ι 4 ι ι62ο τω τηλικοντω, σωφρονεΐν ειρημενον. δεσμός δε καϊ το γήρας αϊ τε νήστιδες δυαι διδάσκειν εζοχώταται φρένων Ιατρομαντεις. ουχ οράς ορών τάδε; προς κέντρα μη λάκτιζε, μη τταίσας μογης. XOPOS 1625 γνναυ, συ τους ηκοντας εκ μάχης μένων οίκουρος εννην ανδρός αίσχύνας άμα, άνδρΐ στρατηγώ τόνδ* εβούλευσας μόρον ; AinSOOS και ταντα τάπη κΚαυμάτων άρχηγενη. Όρφεϊ δε γλώσσαν την εναντίαν έχεις. 1630 ο μεν γαρ ηγε πάντ από φθογγης χαρά, συ δ' εξορίνας ηπίοις νλάγμασιν άζεί' κρατηθείς δ' ημερώτερος φάνει. XOPOS ως δη συ μοι τύραννος Άργείων εση, ος ουκ, επειδή τωδ' εβούλευσας μόρον, ι6 35 δράσαι τοδ* έργον ουκ ετλης αύτοκτονως. ΑΙΠ3Θ03 το γαρ δολώσαι προς γυναικός ην σαφώς, εγώ δ* ύποπτος εχθρός η πα\αιγενης. εκ των δε τούδε χρημάτων πειρασομαι i 4 2 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON citizens ; and any one who disobeys me I will put 1640 under a heavy yoke, so that he shall no longer run as a rampant colt in harness. But hateful hunger, with darkness as his companion, will see him made gentle. CHORUS LEADER Why in the baseness of your soul did you not slay this man yourself, but let a woman, the pol- lution of this land and of the Gods of our coun- try, join in the murder ? Does Orestes anywhere still behold the light, that he may return home by kindly fortune and prove an all-powerful de- stroyer of both of these ? AEGISTHUS Well, since you think of acting as well as 1650 talking, you shall quickly find out. Ho now ! friends in ambush, your work is not far off. CHORUS LEADER Ho now ! let every one be ready with hand upon his sword. AEGISTHUS And I, with hand on my sword, do not refuse to die. CHORUS LEADER We hail your word when you speak of death, and we accept that fortune. ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝί2Ν 143 άρχειν πολιτών τον δε μη πειθάνορα 1640 ζεύζω βαρείαις ούτι μη σειραφόρον κριθώντα πώλοι/* αλλ* 6 ουσφιλης σκότω λιμός ξύνοικος μαλθακόν σφ ε'ποψεται. XOPOS τι δτ) τον avhpa τόνο* από ψυχής κακής ουκ αυτός ηνάριζες, αλλά συν γυνή 1645 χώρας /xiacr/xa /cat θεών εγχωρίων εκτειν ; 'Ορέστης αρά που βλέπει φαος, όπως κατελθών οευρο πρευμενεΐ τύχη άμφοΐν γενηται τοΐνΒε παγκρατης φονεύς ; Ainseos αλλ' ε'πει οοκεΐς τάδ' ερΰειν καϊ λέγειν, γνώσε τάχα. 1650 εϊα δη, φίλοι λοχΐταί, τοϋργον ούχ εκάς τόδε. XOPOS εϊα δτ) ? ζίφος πρόκωπον πας τις εύτρεπιζετω. Ainseos άλλα μην κάγώ πρόκωπος ουκ άναίνομαι θανεΐν. XOPOS Βεχομένοις λέγεις θανεΐν σε ■ την τύχην δ* αίρού- μεθα. 144 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON CLYTAEMNESTRA By no means, dearest of men, let us do more evils. It will be a wretched harvest to reap even these many which we have done. Enough of woe we have; let us shed no more blood. Depart with the old men to your proper homes, before committing any fatal act and suffering the pen- alty. What we have already done we had to do. If this should prove to be enough of trouble, we would accept it, grievously smitten 1660 as we are by the heavy hand of fate. This is the word of a woman, if any one sees fit to learn from it. AEGISTHUS But to think that these men should thus hurl upon me the flowers of an empty tongue, and should utter words like these, tempting fate, and that they should miss wise counsel and insult the one in power. CHORUS LEADER This would not be like men of Argos, to fawn upon a base man. AEGISTHUS But I will still pursue you in days to come. CHORUS LEADER Not if fate shall guide Orestes to return hither. ΑΙ2ΧΥΛΟΥ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 145 KAYTAIMHSTPA μηδαμώς, ω φίλτατ άντρων, άλλα δράσωμεν κακά. 1655 άλλα και τάδ' efaurjcrai πολλά δύστηνον θέρος • πημονης δ* άλις γ* υπάρχει • μηδέν αιματώμεθα. στείχε και συ χοΐ γέροντες προς δόμους πεπραγ- μένους, πρίν παθέίν έρζαντ άκαιρον • χρην τάδ* ως επρά- ζαμεν. ει δε τοι μόχθων γένοιτο τωνο* άλις, δεχοίμεθ* αν, ι66ο δαίμονος χηλή βαρεία δυστυχώς πεπληγμένοι. ώδ* έχει λόγος γυναικός, ει τις άζιοί μαθέίν. ΑΙΠ3Θ0:> άλλα τούσδ* εμοϊ ματαίαν γλώσσαν ώδ* άπαν ^ιοται κάκβαλεΐν έπη τοιαύτα δαίμονος πειρωμένους, σώφρονος γνώμης δ' άμαρτέίν τον κρατούντα θ* ύβρίσαι. XOPOS 1665 ουκ αν Άργείων τόδ* ειη, φώτα προσσαίνειν κακόν. Ainseos αλλ εγώ σ εν ύστέραισιν ημέραις μέτειμ έτι. XOPOS ουκ, εάν δαίμων Όρέστην δευρ* άπευθύνη μολεΐν. AGAMEMNON — ΙΟ i 4 6 AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON AEGISTHUS I know that men in exile feed on hopes. CHORUS LEADER Go on, wax wanton, and defile justice. Now is your time. AEGISTHUS 1670 Know that you will pay the penalty for this folly. CHORUS LEADER Boast and be bold, like a cock before the hen. CLYTAEMNESTRA Pay no attention to these vain barkings. You and I in power over this house will set it all right. ΑΙ2ΧΥΛ0Υ ΑΓΑΜΕΜΝΩΝ 147 AinSGOS οιδ* εγώ φεύγοντας άνδρας ελπίδας αιτουμένους. XOPOS πρασσε, πιαίνου, μυαίνων την ΰίκην, επεί πάρα. ΑΙΠ3Θ03 1670 Ισθι μοι $ώτων άποινα τήσδε μωρίας γάριν. XOPOS κόμπασον θαρσών, αλέκτωρ ώστε θηλείας πελας. ΚΛΥΤΑΙΜΗ3ΤΡΑ μη προτίμησης ματαίων τωνο' ύλαγμάτων • εγώ και συ θησομεν κρατουντε τωνδε δωμάτων καλώς. Th LOAN DEPT. Re n ew als mar ^