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Will you have her clasp your knees as a suppliant? it is no maid’s part; yet if it seems good to you, why, come she shall with the modest look of free-born maid;
but if I shall obtain the same end from you without her coming then let her abide within, for there is dignity in her reserve; still reserve must only go as far as the case allows.
995
Will you have her clasp your knees as a suppliant? it is no maid’s part; yet if it seems good to you, why, come she shall with the modest look of free-born maid;
but if I shall obtain the same end from you without her coming then let her abide within, for there is dignity in her reserve; still reserve must only go as far as the case allows.
995
Achilles
1
Do not bring your daughter out for me to see, lady, nor let us incur the reproach of the ignorant;
for an army, when gathered together without domestic duties to employ it, loves the evil gossip of malicious tongues. After all, should you both supplicate me, you will attain a like result as if I had never been supplicated;
2
for I am myself engaged in a mighty struggle to rid you of your troubles.
1000
One thing be sure you have heard; I will not tell a lie; if I do that or idly mock you, may I die, but live if I preserve the girl.
1005
1
Do not bring your daughter out for me to see, lady, nor let us incur the reproach of the ignorant;
for an army, when gathered together without domestic duties to employ it, loves the evil gossip of malicious tongues. After all, should you both supplicate me, you will attain a like result as if I had never been supplicated;
2
for I am myself engaged in a mighty struggle to rid you of your troubles.
1000
One thing be sure you have heard; I will not tell a lie; if I do that or idly mock you, may I die, but live if I preserve the girl.
1005
Clytemnestra
Bless you for always helping the distressed!
Bless you for always helping the distressed!
Achilles
Hearken then to me, that the matter may succeed.
Hearken then to me, that the matter may succeed.
Clytemnestra
What is your proposal? for hear you I must.
1010
What is your proposal? for hear you I must.
1010
Achilles
Let us once more urge
3
her father to a better frame of mind.
Let us once more urge
3
her father to a better frame of mind.
Clytemnestra
He is something of a coward, and fears the army too much.
He is something of a coward, and fears the army too much.
Achilles
Still argument overthrows argument.
Still argument overthrows argument.
Clytemnestra
Cold hope indeed; but tell me what I must do.
Cold hope indeed; but tell me what I must do.
Achilles
Supplicate him first not to slay his children; and if he is stubborn, come to me. For
4
if he consents to your request, my intervention need go no further, since this consent insures your safety. I too shall show myself in a better light to my friend,
1015
and the army will not blame me, if I arrange the matter by reason rather than force; while, should things turn out well, the result will prove satisfactory both to you and your friends, even without my interference.
1020
Supplicate him first not to slay his children; and if he is stubborn, come to me. For
4
if he consents to your request, my intervention need go no further, since this consent insures your safety. I too shall show myself in a better light to my friend,
1015
and the army will not blame me, if I arrange the matter by reason rather than force; while, should things turn out well, the result will prove satisfactory both to you and your friends, even without my interference.
1020
Clytemnestra
How sensibly you speak! I must act as seems best to you;
but should I fail of my object, where am I to see you again, where? Must I turn my wretched steps and find you ready to champion my distress?
1025
How sensibly you speak! I must act as seems best to you;
but should I fail of my object, where am I to see you again, where? Must I turn my wretched steps and find you ready to champion my distress?
1025
Achilles
I will keep watch to guard you, where occasion calls, that none may see you passing through the army of Danaids
I will keep watch to guard you, where occasion calls, that none may see you passing through the army of Danaids
Clytemnestra
It will be so.
6
Command me; I must play the slave to you. If there are gods, you for your righteous dealing
will find them favorable; if there are none, what need to toil?
Exeunt Achilles and Clytemnestra.
1035
It will be so.
6
Command me; I must play the slave to you. If there are gods, you for your righteous dealing
will find them favorable; if there are none, what need to toil?
Exeunt Achilles and Clytemnestra.
1035
Iphigenia in Aulis. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
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