View:
By Scene
Iphigenia
O mother that bore me! I see a throng of men approaching.
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.
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
Open the tent-door to me, servants, that I may hide myself
1340
Clytemnestra
Why seek to escape, my child?
Why seek to escape, my child?
Iphigenia
I am ashamed to face Achilles.
I am ashamed to face Achilles.
Clytemnestra
But why?
But why?
Iphigenia
The luckless ending to our marriage causes me to feel abashed.
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
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
Daughter of Leda, lady of sorrows!
1345
Clytemnestra
No misnomer that.
No misnomer that.
Achilles
A fearful cry is heard among the Argives.
A fearful cry is heard among the Argives.
Clytemnestra
What is it? tell me.
What is it? tell me.
Achilles
It concerns your child.
It concerns your child.
Clytemnestra
An evil omen for your words.
An evil omen for your words.
Achilles
They say her sacrifice is necessary.
They say her sacrifice is necessary.
Clytemnestra
And is there no one to say a word against them?
And is there no one to say a word against them?
Achilles
Indeed I was in some danger myself from the tumult.
Indeed I was in some danger myself from the tumult.
Clytemnestra
In danger of what, stranger?.
In danger of what, stranger?.
Achilles
Of being stoned.
1350
Of being stoned.
1350
Clytemnestra
Surely not for trying to save my daughter?
Surely not for trying to save my daughter?
Achilles
The very reason.
The very reason.
Clytemnestra
Who would have dared to lay a finger on you?
Who would have dared to lay a finger on you?
Achilles
All the men of
Hellas
.
All the men of
Hellas
.
Clytemnestra
Were not your Myrmidon warriors at your side?
Were not your Myrmidon warriors at your side?
Achilles
They were the first who turned against me.
They were the first who turned against me.
Clytemnestra
My child! we are lost, it seems.
My child! we are lost, it seems.
Achilles
They taunted me as the man whom marriage had enslaved.
They taunted me as the man whom marriage had enslaved.
Clytemnestra
And what did you answer them?
And what did you answer them?
Achilles
Not to kill the one I meant to wed—
1355
Not to kill the one I meant to wed—
1355
Clytemnestra
Justly so.
Justly so.
Achilles
The wife her father promised me.
The wife her father promised me.
Clytemnestra
Yes, and sent to fetch from
Argos
.
Yes, and sent to fetch from
Argos
.
Achilles
But I was overcome by clamorous cries.
But I was overcome by clamorous cries.
Clytemnestra
Truly the mob is a dire mischief.
Truly the mob is a dire mischief.
Achilles
But I will help you for all that.
But I will help you for all that.
Clytemnestra
Will you really fight them single-handed?
Will you really fight them single-handed?
Achilles
Do you see these warriors here, carrying my arms?
Do you see these warriors here, carrying my arms?
Clytemnestra
Bless you for your kind intent!
Bless you for your kind intent!
Achilles
Well, I shall be blessed.
1360
Well, I shall be blessed.
1360
Clytemnestra
Then my child will not be slaughtered now?
Then my child will not be slaughtered now?
Achilles
No, not with my consent at any rate.
No, not with my consent at any rate.
Clytemnestra
But will any of them come to lay hands on the maid?
But will any of them come to lay hands on the maid?
Achilles
Thousands of them, with Odysseus at their head.
Thousands of them, with Odysseus at their head.
Clytemnestra
The son of Sisyphus?
The son of Sisyphus?
Achilles
The very same.
The very same.
Clytemnestra
Acting for himself or by the army’s order?
Acting for himself or by the army’s order?
Achilles
By their choice—and his own.
By their choice—and his own.
Clytemnestra
An evil choice indeed, to stain his hands in blood.
An evil choice indeed, to stain his hands in blood.
Achilles
But I will hold him back.
1365
But I will hold him back.
1365
Clytemnestra
Will he seize and bear her off against her will?
Will he seize and bear her off against her will?
Achilles
Yes, by her golden hair no doubt.
Yes, by her golden hair no doubt.
Clytemnestra
What must I do, when it comes to that?
What must I do, when it comes to that?
Achilles
Keep hold of your daughter.
Keep hold of your daughter.
Clytemnestra
Be sure that she shall not be slain, as far as that that can help her.
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
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
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
Iphigenia in Aulis. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.