Euripides Iphigenia in Aulis 1313

Iphigenia

O mother that bore me! I see a throng of men approaching.

Clytemnestra

It is the goddess’ son you see, child, for whom you came here.

Iphigenia

calling into the tent.

Open the tent-door to me, servants, that I may hide myself

1340

Clytemnestra

Why seek to escape, my child?

Iphigenia

I am ashamed to face Achilles.

Clytemnestra

But why?

Iphigenia

The luckless ending to our marriage causes me to feel abashed.

Clytemnestra

No time for affectation now in face of what has happened. Stay then; reserve will do no good, if we may profit. ¹

Achilles

Daughter of Leda, lady of sorrows!

1345

Clytemnestra

No misnomer that.

Achilles

A fearful cry is heard among the Argives.

Clytemnestra

What is it? tell me.

Achilles

It concerns your child.

Clytemnestra

An evil omen for your words.

Achilles

They say her sacrifice is necessary.

Clytemnestra

And is there no one to say a word against them?

Achilles

Indeed I was in some danger myself from the tumult.

Clytemnestra

In danger of what, stranger?.

Achilles

Of being stoned.

1350

Clytemnestra

Surely not for trying to save my daughter?

Achilles

The very reason.

Clytemnestra

Who would have dared to lay a finger on you?

Achilles

All the men of Hellas .

Clytemnestra

Were not your Myrmidon warriors at your side?

Achilles

They were the first who turned against me.

Clytemnestra

My child! we are lost, it seems.

Achilles

They taunted me as the man whom marriage had enslaved.

Clytemnestra

And what did you answer them?

Achilles

Not to kill the one I meant to wed—

1355

Clytemnestra

Justly so.

Achilles

The wife her father promised me.

Clytemnestra

Yes, and sent to fetch from Argos .

Achilles

But I was overcome by clamorous cries.

Clytemnestra

Truly the mob is a dire mischief.

Achilles

But I will help you for all that.

Clytemnestra

Will you really fight them single-handed?

Achilles

Do you see these warriors here, carrying my arms?

Clytemnestra

Bless you for your kind intent!

Achilles

Well, I shall be blessed.

1360

Clytemnestra

Then my child will not be slaughtered now?

Achilles

No, not with my consent at any rate.

Clytemnestra

But will any of them come to lay hands on the maid?

Achilles

Thousands of them, with Odysseus at their head.

Clytemnestra

The son of Sisyphus?

Achilles

The very same.

Clytemnestra

Acting for himself or by the army’s order?

Achilles

By their choice—and his own.

Clytemnestra

An evil choice indeed, to stain his hands in blood.

Achilles

But I will hold him back.

1365

Clytemnestra

Will he seize and bear her off against her will?

Achilles

Yes, by her golden hair no doubt.

Clytemnestra

What must I do, when it comes to that?

Achilles

Keep hold of your daughter.

Clytemnestra

Be sure that she shall not be slain, as far as that that can help her.

Achilles

Believe me, it will come to this. ²

Iphigenia

Mother, hear me while I speak, for I see that you are angry with your husband

to no purpose; it is hard for us to persist in impossibilities. Our thanks are due to this stranger for his ready help; but you must also see to it that he is not reproached by the army, leaving us no better off and himself involved in trouble.

1370

1374

Listen, mother; hear what thoughts have passed across my mind.

I am resolved to die; and this I want to do with honor, dismissing from me what is mean. Towards this now, mother turn your thoughts, and with me weigh how well I speak; to me the whole of mighty Hellas looks; on me the passage over the sea depends; on me the sack of Troy ;

1375

and in my power it lies to check henceforth barbarian raids on happy Hellas , if ever in the days to come they seek to seize her women, when once they have atoned by death ³ for the violation of Helen’s marriage by Paris . All this deliverance will my death insure, and my fame for setting Hellas free will be a happy one.

1380

Besides, I have no right at all to cling too fondly to my life; for you did not bear me for myself alone, but as a public blessing to all Hellas . What! shall countless warriors, armed with shields, those myriads sitting at the oar, find courage to attack the foe and die for Hellas , because their fatherland is wronged,

1385

and my one life prevent all this? What ⁴ kind of justice is that? could I find a word in answer? Now let us turn to that other point. It is not right that this man should enter into battle with all Argos or be slain for a woman’s sake. Better a single man should see the light than ten thousand women.

1390

If Artemis has decided to take my body, am I, a mortal, to thwart the goddess? no, that is impossible. I give my body to Hellas ; sacrifice it and make an utter end of Troy . This is my enduring monument; marriage, motherhood, and fame—all these is it to me.

1395

And it is right, mother, that Hellenes should rule barbarians, but not barbarians Hellenes, those being slaves, while these are free.

1400

Chorus Leader

You play a noble part, maiden; but the whims of Fate and the goddess are diseased.

Achilles

Daughter of Agamemnon! some god was bent

on blessing me, if I could have won you for my wife. In you I consider Hellas happy, and you in Hellas ; for this that you have said is good and worthy of your fatherland; since you, abandonIng a strife with heavenly powers, which are too strong for you, have fairly weighed advantages and needs. ⁵

1405

But now that I have looked into your noble nature, I feel still more a fond desire to win you for my bride. Look to it; for I want to serve you and receive you in my halls; and, Thetis be my witness, how I grieve to think I shall not save your life by doing battle with the Danaids.

1410

Reflect, I say; a dreadful ill is death.

1415

Iphigenia

This I say, without regard to anyone. ⁶ Enough that the daughter of Tyndareus is causing wars and bloodshed by her beauty; then be not slain yourself, stranger, nor seek to slay another on my account;

but let me, if I can, save Hellas .

1420

Achilles

Heroic spirit! I can say no more to this, since you are so minded; for yours is a noble resolve; why should not one speak the truth? Yet I will speak, for you will perhaps change your mind;

that you may know then what my offer is, I will go and place these arms of mine near the altar, resolved not to permit your death but to prevent; for brave as you are at sight of the knife held at your throat, you will soon avail yourself of what I said.

1425

So I will not let you perish through any thoughtlessness of yours, but will go to the goddess with these arms and await your arrival there. ⁷ Exit Achilles.

1430

Iphigenia

Mother, why so silent, your eyes wet with tears?

Clytemnestra

I have reason, woe is me! to be sad at heart.

Iphigenia

Stop; do not make me a coward; here in one thing obey me.

1435

Clytemnestra

Tell me, my child, for at my hands you shall never suffer injury.

Iphigenia

Cut not off the tresses of your hair for me, nor clothe yourself in sable garb. ⁸

Clytemnestra

Why, my child, what is it you have said? When I have lost you? ⁹

Iphigenia

You wll not lose me; I am saved and you renowned, as far as I can make you.

1440

Clytemnestra

How so? Must I not mourn your death?

Iphigenia

By no means, for I shall have no tomb heaped over me.

Clytemnestra

What then? It is death, not the tomb, that is rightly mourned.

Iphigenia

The altar of the goddess, Zeus’s daughter, will be my tomb.

Clytemnestra

Well, my child, I will let you persuade me, for you speak well.

1445

Iphigenia

Yes, as one who prospers and does Hellas service.

Clytemnestra

What message shall I carry to your sisters?

Iphigenia

Do not put mourning raiment on them either.

Clytemnestra

But is there no fond message I can give the maidens from you?

Iphigenia

Yes, my farewell words; and promise me to rear Orestes to manhood.

1450

Clytemnestra

Press him to your bosom; it is your last look.

Iphigenia

O you that are most dear to me! you have helped your friends as you had means.

Clytemnestra

Is there anything I can do in Argos to please you?

Iphigenia

Yes, do not hate my father, your own husband.

Clytemnestra

Fearful are the trials through which he has to go because of you.

1455

Iphigenia

It was against his will he ruined me for the sake of Hellas .

Clytemnestra

Ah! but he employed base treachery, unworthy of Atreus.

Iphigenia

Who will escort me from here, before my hair is torn?

Clytemnestra

I will go with you—

Iphigenia

No, not you; that is not well saidl.

Clytemnestra

Clinging to your robes.

1460

Iphigenia

Be persuaded by me, mother, stay here; for this is the better way both for me and you; but let one of these attendants of my father conduct me to the meadow of Artemis, where I shall be sacrificed.

Clytemnestra

Are you gone from me, my child?

Iphigenia

Yes, and with no chance of ever returning.

Clytemnestra

Leaving your mother?

1465

Iphigenia

Yes, as you see, undeservedly.

Clytemnestra

Hold! do not leave me!

Iphigenia

I cannot let you shed a tear. To the Chorus. May it be yours, maidens, to hymn in joyous strains Artemis, the child of Zeus, for my hard lot; and let the order for a solemn hush go forth to the Danaids.

Begin the sacrifice with the baskets, let the fire blaze for the purifying meal of sprinkling, and my father pace from left to right about the altar; for I come to bestow on Hellas safety crowned with victory.

1470

Iphigenia

Lead me away, the destroyer of Ilium ’s town and the Phrygians; give me wreaths to cast about me; bring them here; here are my tresses to crown; bring lustral water too.

1475

Dance to Artemis, queen Artemis the blest, around her shrine and altar; for by the blood of my sacrifice I will blot out the oracle,

1480

if it must be.

1485

O mother, lady revered! I will, not give you my tears;

for at the holy rites it is not fitting. ¹⁰

1490

Sing with me, maidens, sing the praises of Artemis, whose temple faces Chalcis ,

where angry spearmen madly chafe, here in the narrow havens of Aulis , because of me.

1495

O Pelasgia, land of my birth, and Mycenae , my home!

Chorus

Is it on Perseus’ citadel you call, that town Cyclopean workmen built?

1500

Iphigenia

To be a light to Hellas did you rear me, and so I do not say No to death.

Chorus

You are right; no fear that fame will ever desert you!

Iphigenia

Hail to you, bright lamp of day and light of Zeus! A different life, a different lot is henceforth mine. Farewell I bid you, light beloved! Exit Iphigenia. .

1505

Chorus

¹¹

Behold the maiden on her way, the destroyer of Ilium ’s town and the Phrygians, with garlands twined about her head, and drops of lustral water on her, soon to be sprinkled with her gushing blood

1510

the altar of a murderous goddess, when her shapely neck is severed. ¹²

1515

For you fair streams of a father’s pouring and lustral waters are in store, for you Achaea ’s army is waiting, eager

to reach the citadel of Ilium . But let us celebrate Artemis, the daughter of Zeus, queen among the gods, as if upon some happy chance.

1520

O lady revered, delighting in human

sacrifice, send on its way to Phrygia ’s land the army of the Hellenes, to Troy ’s abodes of guile, and grant that Agamemnon may wreathe his head with deathless fame,

1525

a crown of fairest glory for the spearmen of Hellas .

1530

¹³

Messenger

Come forth, O Clytemnestra, daughter of Tyndareus, from the tent, to hear my news.

Clytemnestra

I heard your voice and have come

in sad dismay and fearful dread, not sure but what you have arrived with tidings of some fresh trouble for me besides the present woe.

1535

Messenger

No, rather I want to unfold to you a strange and marvellous story about your child.

Clytemnestra

Do not delay, then, but speak at once.

Messenger

Dear mistress, you shall learn all clearly; from the outset will I tell it, unless my memory fails me somewhat and confuses my tongue in its account. As soon as we reached the grove of Artemis, the child of Zeus, and the flowery meadows,

1540

where the Achaean troops were gathered, bringing your daughter with us, at once the Argive army began assembling; but when king Agamemnon saw the maiden on her way to the grove to be sacrificed, he gave one groan, and, turning away his face, let the tears burst

1545

from his eyes, as he held his robe before them. But the maid, standing close by her father, spoke thus: O my father, here I am; willingly I offer my body for my country and all Hellas ,

1550

that you may lead me to the altar of the goddess and sacrifice me, since this is Heaven’s ordinance. May good luck be yours for any help that I afford! and may you obtain the victor’s gift and come again to the land of your fathers. So then let none of the Argives lay hands on me,

1555

for I will bravely yield my neck without a word.

1560

She spoke; and each man marvelled, as he heard the maiden’s brave speech. But in the midst Talthybius stood up, for this was his duty, and bade the army refrain from word or deed;

and Calchas, the seer, drawing a sharp sword from its scabbard laid it in a basket of beaten gold, and crowned the maiden’s head. Then the son of Peleus, taking the basket and with it lustral water in his hand, ran round the altar of the goddess

1565

uttering these words: O Artemis, you child of Zeus, slayer of wild beasts, that wheel your dazzling light amid the gloom, accept this sacrifice which we, the army of the Achaeans and Agamemnon with us, offer to you, pure blood from a beautiful maiden’s neck;

1570

and grant us safe sailing for our ships and the sack of Troy ’s towers by our spears.

1575

Meanwhile the sons of Atreus and all the army stood looking on the ground.

1578

[But the priest, seizing his knife, offered up a prayer and was closely scanning the maiden’s throat to see where he should strike.

It was no slight sorrow filled my heart, as I stood by with bowed head; when there was a sudden miracle! Each one of us distinctly heard the sound of a blow, ¹⁴ but none saw the spot where the maiden vanished. The priest cried out, and all the army took up the cry

1580

at the sight of a marvel all unlooked for, due to some god’s agency, and passing all belief, although it was seen; for there upon the ground lay a deer of immense size, magnificent to see, gasping out her life, with whose blood the altar of the goddess was thoroughly bedewed.

1585

Then spoke Calchas thus—his joy you can imagine— You captains of this leagued Achaean army, do you see this victim, which the goddess has set before her altar, a mountain-roaming deer? This is more welcome to her by far than the maid,

1590

that she may not defile her altar by shedding noble blood. Gladly she has accepted it, and is granting us a prosperous voyage for ¹⁵ our attack on Ilium . Therefore take heart, sailors, each man of you, and away to your ships, for today

1595

we must leave the hollow bays of Aulis and cross the Aegean main.

1600

Then, when the sacrifice was wholly burnt to ashes in the blazing flame, he offered such prayers as were fitting, that the army might win return; but Agamemnon sends me to tell you this,

and say what heaven-sent luck is his, and how he has secured undying fame throughout the length of Hellas . Now I was there myself and speak as an eyewitness; without a doubt your child flew away to the gods. A truce then to your sorrowing, and cease to be angry with your husband;

1605

for the gods’ ways with man are not what we expect, and those whom they love, they keep safe; yes, for this day has seen your daughter dead and living.

1610

Chorus Leader

What joy to hear these tidings from the messenger! He tells you your child is living still, among the gods.

Clytemnestra

Which of the gods, my child, has stolen you? How am I to address you? How can I be sure ¹⁶ that this is not an idle tale told to cheer me, to make me cease my piteous lamentation for you?

1615

Chorus

See! king Agamemnon approaches,

to confirm this story for you.

1620

Agamemnon

Lady, we may be counted ¹⁷ happy, as far as concerns our daughter; for in truth she has fellowship with gods. But you must take this tender ¹⁸ child and start for home, for the army is looking now to sail.

Fare you well! it is long before I shall greet you on my return from Troy ; may it be well with you!

1625

Chorus

Son of Atreus, start for Phrygia ’s land with joy and so return, I pray, after taking from Troy her fairest spoils.