Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis, ed. Gilbert Murray, 49-163

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Ἀγαμέμνων
¹

Ἐγένοντο Λήδᾳ Θεστιάδι τρεῖς παρθένοι,

Φοίβη Κλυταιμήστρα τʼ, ἐμὴ ξυνάορος,
50

Ἑλένη τε· ταύτης οἱ τὰ πρῶτʼ ὠλβισμένοι

μνηστῆρες ἦλθον Ἑλλάδος νεανίαι.

δειναὶ δʼ ἀπειλαὶ καὶ κατʼ ἀλλήλων φόνος

ξυνίσταθʼ, ὅστις μὴ λάβοι τὴν παρθένον.

τὸ πρᾶγμα δʼ ἀπόρως εἶχε Τυνδάρεῳ πατρί,
55

δοῦναί τε μὴ δοῦναί τε, τῆς τύχης ὅπως

ἅψαιτʼ ἄριστα. καί νιν εἰσῆλθεν τάδε·

ὅρκους συνάψαι δεξιάς τε συμβαλεῖν

μνηστῆρας ἀλλήλοισι καὶ διʼ ἐμπύρων

σπονδὰς καθεῖναι κἀπαράσασθαι τάδε·
60

ὅτου γυνὴ γένοιτο Τυνδαρὶς κόρη,

τούτῳ ξυναμυνεῖν, εἴ τις ἐκ δόμων λαβὼν

οἴχοιτο τόν τʼ ἔχοντʼ ἀπωθοίη λέχους,

κἀπιστρατεύσειν καὶ κατασκάψειν πόλιν

Ἕλληνʼ ὁμοίως βάρβαρόν θʼ ὅπλων μέτα.
65

ἐπεὶ δʼ ἐπιστώθησαν — εὖ δέ πως γέρων

ὑπῆλθεν αὐτοὺς Τυνδάρεως πυκνῇ φρενί —

δίδωσʼ ἑλέσθαι θυγατρὶ μνηστήρων ἕνα,

ὅτου πνοαὶ φέροιεν Ἀφροδίτης φίλαι.

ἣ δʼ εἵλεθʼ, ὅς σφε μήποτʼ ὤφελεν λαβεῖν,
70

Μενέλαον. ἐλθὼν δʼ ἐκ Φρυγῶν ὁ τὰς θεὰς

κρίνων ὅδʼ, ὡς ὁ μῦθος Ἀργείων ἔχει,

Λακεδαίμονʼ, ἀνθηρὸς μὲν εἱμάτων στολῇ

χρυσῷ δὲ λαμπρός, βαρβάρῳ χλιδήματι,

ἐρῶν ἐρῶσαν ᾤχετʼ ἐξαναρπάσας
75

Ἑλένην πρὸς Ἴδης βούσταθμʼ, ἔκδημον λαβὼν

Μενέλαον. ὃ δὲ καθʼ Ἑλλάδʼ οἰστρήσας δρόμῳ

ὅρκους παλαιοὺς Τυνδάρεω μαρτύρεται,

ὡς χρὴ βοηθεῖν τοῖσιν ἠδικημένοις.

80

τοὐντεῦθεν οὖν Ἕλληνες ᾄξαντες δορί,
80

τεύχη λαβόντες στενόπορʼ Αὐλίδος βάθρα

ἥκουσι τῆσδε, ναυσὶν ἀσπίσιν θʼ ὁμοῦ

ἵπποις τε πολλοῖς ἅρμασίν τʼ ἠσκημένοι.

κἀμὲ στρατηγεῖν κἆτα Μενέλεω χάριν

εἵλοντο, σύγγονόν γε. τἀξίωμα δὲ
85

ἄλλος τις ὤφελʼ ἀντʼ ἐμοῦ λαβεῖν τόδε.

ἠθροισμένου δὲ καὶ ξυνεστῶτος στρατοῦ

ἥμεσθʼ ἀπλοίᾳ χρώμενοι κατʼ Αὐλίδα.

Κάλχας δʼ ὁ μάντις ἀπορίᾳ κεχρημένοις

ἀνεῖλεν Ἰφιγένειαν ἣν ἔσπειρʼ ἐγὼ
90

Ἀρτέμιδι θῦσαι τῇ τόδʼ οἰκούσῃ πέδον,

καὶ πλοῦν τʼ ἔσεσθαι καὶ κατασκαφὰς Φρυγῶν

θύσασι, μὴ θύσασι δʼ οὐκ εἶναι τάδε.

κλύων δʼ ἐγὼ ταῦτʼ, ὀρθίῳ κηρύγματι

Ταλθύβιον εἶπον πάντʼ ἀφιέναι στρατόν,
95

ὡς οὔποτʼ ἂν τλὰς θυγατέρα κτανεῖν ἐμήν.

οὗ δή μʼ ἀδελφὸς πάντα προσφέρων λόγον

ἔπεισε τλῆναι δεινά. κἀν δέλτου πτυχαῖς

γράψας ἔπεμψα πρὸς δάμαρτα τὴν ἐμὴν

πέμπειν Ἀχιλλεῖ θυγατέρʼ ὡς γαμουμένην,
100

τό τʼ ἀξίωμα τἀνδρὸς ἐκγαυρούμενος,

συμπλεῖν τʼ Ἀχαιοῖς οὕνεκʼ οὐ θέλοι λέγων,

εἰ μὴ παρʼ ἡμῶν εἶσιν ἐς Φθίαν λέχος·

πειθὼ γὰρ εἶχον τήνδε πρὸς δάμαρτʼ ἐμήν,

ψευδῆ συνάψας ἀντὶ παρθένου γάμον.
105

μόνοι δʼ Ἀχαιῶν ἴσμεν ὡς ἔχει τάδε

Κάλχας Ὀδυσσεὺς Μενέλεώς θʼ. ἃ δʼ οὐ καλῶς

ἔγνων τότʼ, αὖθις μεταγράφω καλῶς πάλιν

ἐς τήνδε δέλτον, ἣν κατʼ εὐφρόνης σκιὰν

λύοντα καὶ συνδοῦντά μʼ εἰσεῖδες, γέρον.
110

ἀλλʼ εἶα χώρει τάσδʼ ἐπιστολὰς λαβὼν

πρὸς Ἄργος. ἃ δὲ κέκευθε δέλτος ἐν πτυχαῖς,

λόγῳ φράσω σοι πάντα τἀγγεγραμμένα·

πιστὸς γὰρ ἀλόχῳ τοῖς τʼ ἐμοῖς δόμοισιν εἶ.

Ἀγαμέμνων
²

Ὦ πρέσβυ, δόμων τῶνδε πάροιθεν
1

στεῖχε.

Πρεσβύτης

στείχω. τί δὲ καινουργεῖς,

Ἀγάμεμνον ἄναξ;

Ἀγαμέμνων

σπεύσεις;

Πρεσβύτης

σπεύδω.

μάλα τοι γῆρας τοὐμὸν ἄυπνον

καὶ ἐπʼ ὀφθαλμοῖς ὀξὺ πάρεστιν.
5

Ἀγαμέμνων

τίς ποτʼ ἄρʼ ἀστὴρ ὅδε πορθμεύει;

Πρεσβύτης

Σείριος ἐγγὺς τῆς ἑπταπόρου

Πλειάδος ᾄσσων ἔτι μεσσήρης.

Ἀγαμέμνων

οὔκουν φθόγγος γʼ οὔτʼ ὀρνίθων

οὔτε θαλάσσης· σιγαὶ δʼ ἀνέμων
10

τόνδε κατʼ Εὔριπον ἔχουσιν.

Πρεσβύτης

τί δὲ σὺ σκηνῆς ἐκτὸς ἀίσσεις,

Ἀγάμεμνον ἄναξ;

ἔτι δʼ ἡσυχία τῇδε κατʼ Αὖλιν

καὶ ἀκίνητοι φυλακαὶ τειχέων.
15

στείχωμεν ἔσω.

Ἀγαμέμνων

ζηλῶ σέ, γέρον,

ζηλῶ δʼ ἀνδρῶν ὃς ἀκίνδυνον

βίον ἐξεπέρασʼ ἀγνὼς ἀκλεής·

τοὺς δʼ ἐν τιμαῖς ἧσσον ζηλῶ.

Πρεσβύτης

καὶ μὴν τὸ καλόν γʼ ἐνταῦθα βίου.
20

Ἀγαμέμνων

τοῦτο δέ γʼ ἐστὶν τὸ καλὸν σφαλερόν,

καὶ τὸ πρότιμον

γλυκὺ μέν, λυπεῖ δὲ προσιστάμενον.

τοτὲ μὲν τὰ θεῶν οὐκ ὀρθωθέντʼ

ἀνέτρεψε βίον, τοτὲ δʼ ἀνθρώπων
25

γνῶμαι πολλαὶ

καὶ δυσάρεστοι διέκναισαν.

Πρεσβύτης

οὐκ ἄγαμαι ταῦτʼ ἀνδρὸς ἀριστέως.

οὐκ ἐπὶ πᾶσίν σʼ ἐφύτευσʼ ἀγαθοῖς,

Ἀγάμεμνον, Ἀτρεύς.
30

δεῖ δέ σε χαίρειν καὶ λυπεῖσθαι·

θνητὸς γὰρ ἔφυς. κἂν μὴ σὺ θέλῃς,

τὰ θεῶν οὕτω βουλόμενʼ ἔσται.

σὺ δὲ λαμπτῆρος φάος ἀμπετάσας

δέλτον τε γράφεις
35

τήνδʼ ἣν πρὸ χερῶν ἔτι βαστάζεις,

καὶ ταὐτὰ πάλιν γράμματα συγχεῖς

καὶ σφραγίζεις λύεις τʼ ὀπίσω

ῥίπτεις τε πέδῳ πεύκην, θαλερὸν

κατὰ δάκρυ χέων,
40

καὶ τῶν ἀπόρων οὐδενὸς ἐνδεῖς

μὴ οὐ μαίνεσθαι.

τί πονεῖς; τί νέον περὶ σοί, βασιλεῦ;

φέρε κοίνωσον μῦθον ἐς ἡμᾶς.

πρὸς δʼ ἄνδρʼ ἀγαθὸν πιστόν τε φράσεις·
45

σῇ γάρ μʼ ἀλόχῳ τότε Τυνδάρεως

πέμπει φερνὴν

συννυμφοκόμον τε δίκαιον.

³ 115

Ἀγαμέμνων

πέμπω σοι πρὸς ταῖς πρόσθεν
115

δέλτους, ὦ Λήδας ἔρνος—

Πρεσβύτης

λέγε καὶ σήμαινʼ, ἵνα καὶ γλώσσῃ

σύντονα τοῖς σοῖς γράμμασιν αὐδῶ.

Ἀγαμέμνων

μὴ στέλλειν τὰν σὰν ἶνιν πρὸς

τὰν κολπώδη πτέρυγʼ Εὐβοίας
120

Αὖλιν ἀκλύσταν.

εἰς ἄλλας ὥρας γὰρ δὴ

παιδὸς δαίσομεν ὑμεναίους.

Πρεσβύτης

καὶ πῶς Ἀχιλεὺς λέκτρων ἀπλακὼν

οὐ μέγα φυσῶν θυμὸν ἐπαρεῖ
125

σοὶ σῇ τʼ ἀλόχῳ;

τόδε καὶ δεινόν· σήμαινʼ ὅ τι φῄς.

Ἀγαμέμνων

ὄνομʼ, οὐκ ἔργον, παρέχων Ἀχιλεὺς

οὐκ οἶδε γάμους, οὐδʼ ὅ τι πράσσομεν,

οὐδʼ ὅτι κείνῳ παῖδʼ ἐπεφήμισα
130

νυμφείους εἰς ἀγκώνων

εὐνὰς ἐκδώσειν λέκτροις.

Πρεσβύτης

δεινά γʼ ἐτόλμας, Ἀγάμεμνον ἄναξ,

ὃς τῷ τῆς θεᾶς σὴν παῖδʼ ἄλοχον

φατίσας ἦγες σφάγιον Δαναοῖς.
135

Ἀγαμέμνων

οἴμοι, γνώμας ἐξέσταν,

αἰαῖ, πίπτω δʼ εἰς ἄταν.

ἀλλʼ ἴθʼ ἐρέσσων σὸν πόδα, γήρᾳ

μηδὲν ὑπείκων.
140

Πρεσβύτης

σπεύδω, βασιλεῦ.

Ἀγαμέμνων

μή νυν μήτʼ ἀλσώδεις ἵζου

κρήνας μήθʼ ὕπνῳ θελχθῇς.

Πρεσβύτης

εὔφημα θρόει.

Ἀγαμέμνων

πάντῃ δὲ πόρον σχιστὸν ἀμείβων

λεῦσσε, φυλάσσων μή τίς σε λάθῃ
145

τροχαλοῖσιν ὄχοις παραμειψαμένη

παῖδα κομίζουσʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἀπήνη

Δαναῶν πρὸς ναῦς.

Πρεσβύτης

ἔσται τάδε.

Ἀγαμέμνων

κλῄθρων δʼ ἐξόρμοις

ἤν νιν πομπαῖς ἀντήσῃς,
150

πάλιν εἰσόρμα, σεῖε χαλινούς,

ἐπὶ Κυκλώπων ἱεὶς θυμέλας.

Πρεσβύτης

πιστὸς δὲ φράσας τάδε πῶς ἔσομαι,

λέγε, παιδὶ σέθεν τῇ σῇ τʼ ἀλόχῳ;

Ἀγαμέμνων

σφραγῖδα φύλασσʼ ἣν ἐπὶ δέλτῳ
155

τήνδε κομίζεις. ἴθι. λευκαίνει

τόδε φῶς ἤδη λάμπουσʼ ἠὼς

πῦρ τε τεθρίππων τῶν Ἀελίου·

σύλλαβε μόχθων.
160

θνητῶν δʼ ὄλβιος ἐς τέλος οὐδεὶς

οὐδʼ εὐδαίμων·

οὔπω γὰρ ἔφυ τις ἄλυπος.

Iphigenia in Aulis. Euripides. ed. Gilbert Murray. Oxford. 1913.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

Ἰφιγένεια ἐν Αὐλίδι (Greek) (Euripides. Euripidis Fabulae, Vol. III. Murray, Gilbert, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1913. (Reprinted 1920-1978))

Translations (3)

Iphigenia at Aulis Perseus (Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 49-160 focus

Agamemnon
Scene. — The sea-coast at Aulis.¹

Leda, the daughter of Thestius, had three children, maidens,

Phoebe, Clytemnestra my wife, and Helen; the foremost of the favored sons of Hellas came to woo Helen; but terrible threats of spilling his rival’s blood were uttered by each of them, if he should fail to win the girl.
50

Now the matter filled Tyndareus, her father, with perplexity, whether to give her or not, how he might best succeed. This thought occurred to him: the suitors should swear to each other and join right hands and pour libations
55

with burnt-sacrifice, binding themselves by this curse: whoever wins the child of Tyndareus for wife, they will assist that man, in case a rival takes her from his house and goes his way, robbing her husband of his rights; and march against that man in armed array and raze his city to the ground,
60

Hellene no less than barbarian.
65

Now when they had once pledged their word and old Tyndareus with no small cleverness had beguiled them by his shrewd device, he allowed his daughter to choose from among her suitors the one towards whom² the sweet breezes of Aphrodite might carry her.

Her choice fell on Menelaus; would she had never taken him! Then there came to Lacedaemon from the Phrygians the man who, Argive legend says, judged the goddesses’ dispute; in robes of gorgeous hue, ablaze with gold, in true barbaric pomp;
70

and he, finding Menelaus gone from home, carried Helen off, in mutual desire, to his steading on Ida. Goaded to frenzy, Menelaus flew through Hellas , invoking the ancient oath exacted by Tyndareus and declaring the duty of helping the injured husband.
75
80

And so the Hellenes, brandishing their spears and donning their harness, came here to the narrow straits of Aulis with armaments of ships and troops, with many horses and chariots, and they chose me to captain them all³ for the sake of Menelaus,
80

since I was his brother. Would that some other had gained that distinction instead of me! But after the army was gathered and come together, we still remained at Aulis weatherbound. In our perplexity, we asked Calchas, the seer,
85

and he answered that we should sacrifice my own child Iphigenia to Artemis, whose home is in this land, and we would sail and sack the Phrygians’ capital if we sacrificed her, but if we did not, these things would not happen.⁴ When I heard this, I commanded Talthybius
90

with loud proclamation to disband the whole army, as I could never bear to slay my daughter. Whereupon my brother, bringing every argument to bear, persuaded me at last to face the crime; so I wrote in a folded scroll and sent to my wife,
95

bidding her despatch our daughter to me on the pretence of wedding Achilles, at the same time magnifying his exalted rank and saying that he refused to sail with the Achaeans, unless a bride of our lineage should go to Phthia . Yes, this was the inducement I offered my wife,
100

inventing, as I did, a sham marriage for the maiden. Of all the Achaeans we alone know the real truth, Calchas, Odysseus, Menelaus and myself; but that which I then decided wrongly, I now rightly countermand again in this scroll, which you, old man, have found me
105

opening and resealing beneath the shade of night. Up now and away with this missive to Argos , and I will tell you by word of mouth all that is written here, the contents of the folded scroll, for you are loyal to my wife and house.
110
1

Old man, come here and stand before my dwelling.
1

⁵

Old man

I come; what new schemes now, king Agamemnon?

Agamemnon

Will you hurry?

Old man

I am hurrying. It is little enough sleep old age allows me

and keenly it watches over my eyes.
5

Agamemnon

What can that star be, steering its course there?

Old man

Sirius, still shooting over the zenith on his way near the Pleiads’ sevenfold track.

Agamemnon
⁶

The birds are still at any rate

and the sea is calm, hushed are the winds, and silence broods over the Euripus.
10

Old man

Then why are you outside your tent, why so restless, my lord Agamemnon? All is yet quiet here in Aulis ,

the watch on the walls is not yet astir. Let us go in.
15

Agamemnon

I envy you, old man, yes, and every man who leads a life secure, unknown and unrenowned; but little I envy those in office.

Old man

And yet it is there that we place the be-all and end-all of existence.⁷
20

Agamemnon

Yes, but that is where the danger comes; and ambition,⁸ sweet though it seems, brings sorrow with its near approach. At one time the unsatisfied claims of the gods

upset our life, at another the numerous peevish fancies of our subjects shatter it.
25

Old man

I do not like these sentiments in one who is a chief. It was not to enjoy all blessings that

Atreus begot you, Agamemnon; but you must experience joy and sorrow alike, mortal as you are. Even though you like it not, this is what the gods decree. But you, after letting your taper spread its light abroad,
30

write the letter which is still in your hands and then erase the same words again, sealing and reopening the tablet, then flinging it to the ground with floods
35

of tears, and leaving nothing undone in your aimless behavior to stamp you mad. What is it that troubles you? what news is there affecting you,⁹ king? Come, share with me your story;
40

you will be telling it to a loyal and trusty heart; for Tyndareus sent me that day to form part of your wife’s dowry and to wait upon the bride with loyalty.
45

115

Agamemnon
¹⁰

Daughter of Leda, in addition to my first letter, I am sending you word —.
115

Old man

Say on and make it plain, that what my tongue utters may accord with what you have written.

Agamemnon

Not to despatch your daughter to

Euboea ’s deep-gulfed wing, to the waveless bay of Aulis , for after all we will celebrate our child’s wedding at another time.
120

Old man

And how will Achilles, cheated of his bride,

curb the fury of his indignation against you and your wife? Here also is a danger.¹¹ Make clear what you are saying.
125

Agamemnon

It is his name, not himself that Achilles is lending, knowing nothing of the marriage or of my scheming

or my professed readiness to betroth my daughter to him for a husband’s embrace.¹²
130

Old man

A dreadful venture yours, king Agamemnon, you that, by promise of your daughter’s hand to the son of the goddess,

were bringing the maid here to be sacrificed for the Danaids.
135

Agamemnon

Ah me! I am utterly distraught; alas! bewilderment comes over me. Away! hurry your steps,

yielding nothing to old age.
140

Old man

I will make haste, king.

Agamemnon

Do not sit down by woodland fountains; scorn the witcheries of sleep.

Old man

Hush!¹³

Agamemnon

And when you pass any place where roads diverge,

cast your eyes all round, taking heed that no mule-wagon eacape you, passing by on rolling wheels, bearing my child to the ships of the Danaids.
145

Old man

It shall be so.

Agamemnon

Start then from the bolted gates,¹⁴

and if you meet the escort, start them back again, and drive at full speed to the abodes of the Cyclopes.
150

Old man

But tell me, how shall my message find credit with your wife or child?

Agamemnon

Preserve the seal which you bear on this tablet. Away! Already the dawn is growing grey, lighting the lamp of day and the fire of the sun’s four steeds;
155

help me in my trouble. Exit Old man. No mortal is prosperous or happy to the last, for no one was ever born to a painless life. Exit Agamemnon.
160

Iphigenia in Aulis (OCR draft) Experimental (Iphigenia in Aulis. Robert Potter's English verse translation, first published in 1781–1783; text from the 1808 Oxford printing.)

No corresponding passage available

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1845; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (Euripides. Deutsch in den Versmaßen der Urschrift. Volume 2, Heidelberg: C. F. Winter, 1845. Harvard OCR compared with an independent BSB copy. Native Donner verse citations, Murray reference cards, explicitly located notes and page facsimiles. Unresolved OCR, verse divisions, unlocated notes and printed errata are documented in the source review.) — 80 focus

Da stürzten Hellas' Volker ungesäumt zum Kampf,

Gehüllt in Waffen, und vor Aulis' Engen hier
80

Erscheinen sie, mit Schiffen, Schilden allzumal,

Mit Rossen viel und Wagen ohne Zahl bewehrt.

Und mich, Menelaos' halber wohl, erkoren sie¹

Zum Oberhaupt, den Bruder. Dieses Ehrenamt,

O hått ein Andrer es erlangt an meiner Statt!
85

Nun, da die ganze Heeresmacht versammelt ist,

Harren wir vor Aulis, weil der Wind uns widerstrebt.

Der Seher Kalchas that den Spruch in dieser Noth,

Wir müßten Iphigenia, mein geliebtes Kind,

Der Tochter Leto's opfern, die dies Land bewohnt:²
90

Dann wehe Fahrwind, Troja stirz' in Trümmer ein;

Doch blute sie nicht, wurde Nichts von dem geschehn.

Ich, das vernehmend, wollte durch Talthybios³

Mit lautem Ruf abdanken Argos' ganzes Heer,

(Denn meine Tochter morden konnt' ich nimmermehr,)
95

Bis, alle Grund' aufbietend, mich der Bruder zwang,

Den Grául zu dulden. Und sofort vertraut ich es

Des Briefes Falten, und gebot der Königin,

Mein Kind zu senden als Achilleus' junge Braut.

Den Werth des Mannes ruhm' ich hoch und wende vor,
100

Er weigre sich, mit Argos' Heere fortzuziehn,

Folg' ihm von uns nicht eine Braut nach Phthia heim.

So tauscht' ich überredend mein Gemahl, indem

Ich ihr der Tochter Ehebund vorspiegelte.

Allein im Heere wissen, wie sich das verhält,
105

Menelaos, Kalchas und Odysseus: aber was

Ich dort nicht gut berathen, mach' ich wieder gut

In diesem Briefe, den du mich in dunkler Nacht

Eröffnen und von neuem siegeln sahst, o Greis.

Doch auf, und gehe, nimm den Brief, und flugs damit
110

Nach Argos! Was in seinen Falten sich verbirgt,

Ich will dir Alles sagen, wie's geschrieben ward;

Denn meiner Gattin bist du treu und meinem Haus.

Der Greis.

So sprich und bezeichn' es, damit mein Wort

Einstimme zu dem, was die Tafel verbirgt.
115
(liest).

Agamemnon

„Zu dem vorigen Schreiben empfängst du

Dies andere, Tochter der Leda.

Nicht sende dein Kind

Zu dem schirmenden Busen Eubda's, wo

Am Gestade von Aulis die See nicht wogt.
120

Denn in anderen Zeiten begehn wir⁴

Die Vermählungsfeier der Jungfrau,"

Der Greis.

Doch wird der Peleid', um die Ehe getäuscht,

Nicht wild aufflammen in Wuth? Auch hier

Droht Unheil dir
125

Und deinem Gemahl. Sprich aus, was du meinst.⁵

Agamemnon.

Nur den Namen, die That nicht, leiht er dazu,

Der Peleid'; er weiß um die Hochzeit nicht,

Nicht, was ich betrieb, noch, daß ich gelobt,

3u brautlicher Wonn' und Umarmung
130

Ihm beizugesellen die Jungfrau.

Der Greis.

Agamemnon, Schreckliches wagst du, mein Herr :

Du verlobst sie zum Scheine der Göttinn Sohn,

Und führtest dem Heer als Opfer sie zu.

Agamemnon.

Weh, weh! Mich verließ die Besinnung!
135

Ach, ach! Ich versink' in das Ungluck!

Doch rühre dich, auf! und beflügle den Fuß,

Und des Alters vergiß.

Der Greis.

Ich spute mich, Herr.

Agamemnon.

Nicht lagre dich heut an den Quellen des Hains,

Noch laß dich vom Schlafe verlocken.
140

Der Greis.

Sprich so nicht, Herr!

Agamemnon.

Und kommst du vorbei, wo sich scheidet der Weg,

Sieh spåhend umher, daß nicht unbemerkt

Vorüber an dir mit geflügeltem Rad

Das Gespann hinrollt, das die Tochter hieher
145

Zu den Danaern trågt.

Denn begegnetest du den Geleitern der Braut,⁶

Dann schuttle die Zugel, und lenke sie flugs

Zu der heiligen Burg der Kyklopen zuruck.⁷

So sei's!
150

Nun eil' an der Pforte hinaus.

Der Greis.

Doch, meld' ich ihr das, wie find' ich Vertraun

Bei der Königin, wie bei der Jungfrau dort?

Agamemnon.

Dies Siegel bewahr'; auf das Tåselchen hier,

Sieh, druckt' ich es ein. Nun gehe! Bereits

Glänzt Eos am Himmel, und fårbt ihn weiß,
155

Und der Sonne Gespann steigt flammend empor.

Theil' unsere Muhn!

(Der Greis geht.)

Kein Sterblicher lebt bis an's Ende beglückt

Und selig; von Schmerz

Frei wurde noch Keiner geboren.
160

(Agamemnon zurück in sein Belt.)

Erste Strophe.

Chor.

Notes on the current edition

Iphigenia in Aulis

1. This edition starts with the traditional line 49. Traditional line 1 appears following line 114. Regular numbering resumes at line 115.

2. This edition starts with the traditional line 49. Traditional line 1 appears following line 114. Regular numbering resumes at line 115.

3. This edition starts with the traditional line 49. Traditional line 1 appears following line 114. Regular numbering resumes at line 115.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Ἀγαμέμνων 2 Ὦ πρέσβυ, δόμων τῶνδε πάροιθεν 1 στεῖχε.

Πρεσβύτης στείχω. τί δὲ καινουργεῖς, Ἀγάμεμνον ἄναξ;

Ἀγαμέμνων σπεύσεις;

Πρεσβύτης σπεύδω. μάλα τοι γῆρας τοὐμὸν ἄυπνον καὶ ἐπʼ ὀφθαλμοῖς ὀξὺ πάρεστιν. 5

Ἀγαμέμνων τίς ποτʼ ἄρʼ ἀστὴρ ὅδε πορθμεύει;

Πρεσβύτης Σείριος ἐγγὺς τῆς ἑπταπόρου Πλειάδος ᾄσσων ἔτι μεσσήρης.

Ἀγαμέμνων οὔκουν φθόγγος γʼ οὔτʼ ὀρνίθων οὔτε θαλάσσης· σιγαὶ δʼ ἀνέμων 10 τόνδε κατʼ Εὔριπον ἔχουσιν.

Πρεσβύτης τί δὲ σὺ σκηνῆς ἐκτὸς ἀίσσεις, Ἀγάμεμνον ἄναξ; ἔτι δʼ ἡσυχία τῇδε κατʼ Αὖλιν καὶ ἀκίνητοι φυλακαὶ τειχέων. 15 στείχωμεν ἔσω.

Ἀγαμέμνων ζηλῶ σέ, γέρον, ζηλῶ δʼ ἀνδρῶν ὃς ἀκίνδυνον βίον ἐξεπέρασʼ ἀγνὼς ἀκλεής· τοὺς δʼ ἐν τιμαῖς ἧσσον ζηλῶ.

Πρεσβύτης καὶ μὴν τὸ καλόν γʼ ἐνταῦθα βίου. 20

Ἀγαμέμνων πέμπω σοι πρὸς ταῖς πρόσθεν 115 δέλτους, ὦ Λήδας ἔρνος—

Πρεσβύτης λέγε καὶ σήμαινʼ, ἵνα καὶ γλώσσῃ σύντονα τοῖς σοῖς γράμμασιν αὐδῶ.

Ἀγαμέμνων μὴ στέλλειν τὰν σὰν ἶνιν πρὸς τὰν κολπώδη πτέρυγʼ Εὐβοίας 120 Αὖλιν ἀκλύσταν. εἰς ἄλλας ὥρας γὰρ δὴ παιδὸς δαίσομεν ὑμεναίους.

Πρεσβύτης καὶ πῶς Ἀχιλεὺς λέκτρων ἀπλακὼν οὐ μέγα φυσῶν θυμὸν ἐπαρεῖ 125 σοὶ σῇ τʼ ἀλόχῳ; τόδε καὶ δεινόν· σήμαινʼ ὅ τι φῄς.

Πρεσβύτης δεινά γʼ ἐτόλμας, Ἀγάμεμνον ἄναξ, ὃς τῷ τῆς θεᾶς σὴν παῖδʼ ἄλοχον φατίσας ἦγες σφάγιον Δαναοῖς. 135

Ἀγαμέμνων οἴμοι, γνώμας ἐξέσταν, αἰαῖ, πίπτω δʼ εἰς ἄταν. ἀλλʼ ἴθʼ ἐρέσσων σὸν πόδα, γήρᾳ μηδὲν ὑπείκων. 140

Πρεσβύτης σπεύδω, βασιλεῦ.

Ἀγαμέμνων μή νυν μήτʼ ἀλσώδεις ἵζου κρήνας μήθʼ ὕπνῳ θελχθῇς.

Πρεσβύτης εὔφημα θρόει.

Ἀγαμέμνων πάντῃ δὲ πόρον σχιστὸν ἀμείβων λεῦσσε, φυλάσσων μή τίς σε λάθῃ 145 τροχαλοῖσιν ὄχοις παραμειψαμένη παῖδα κομίζουσʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἀπήνη Δαναῶν πρὸς ναῦς.

Πρεσβύτης ἔσται τάδε.

Ἀγαμέμνων κλῄθρων δʼ ἐξόρμοις ἤν νιν πομπαῖς ἀντήσῃς, 150 πάλιν εἰσόρμα, σεῖε χαλινούς, ἐπὶ Κυκλώπων ἱεὶς θυμέλας.

Πρεσβύτης πιστὸς δὲ φράσας τάδε πῶς ἔσομαι, λέγε, παιδὶ σέθεν τῇ σῇ τʼ ἀλόχῳ;

Current edition Perseus

Old man I come; what new schemes now, king Agamemnon?

Agamemnon Will you hurry?

Old man I am hurrying. It is little enough sleep old age allows me and keenly it watches over my eyes. 5

Agamemnon What can that star be, steering its course there?

Old man Sirius, still shooting over the zenith on his way near the Pleiads’ sevenfold track.

Agamemnon 6 The birds are still at any rate and the sea is calm, hushed are the winds, and silence broods over the Euripus. 10

Old man Then why are you outside your tent, why so restless, my lord Agamemnon? All is yet quiet here in Aulis , the watch on the walls is not yet astir. Let us go in. 15

Agamemnon I envy you, old man, yes, and every man who leads a life secure, unknown and unrenowned; but little I envy those in office.

Old man And yet it is there that we place the be-all and end-all of existence. 7 20

Agamemnon Yes, but that is where the danger comes; and ambition, 8 sweet though it seems, brings sorrow with its near approach. At one time the unsatisfied claims of the gods upset our life, at another the numerous peevish fancies of our subjects shatter it. 25

Agamemnon 10 Daughter of Leda, in addition to my first letter, I am sending you word —. 115

Old man Say on and make it plain, that what my tongue utters may accord with what you have written.

Agamemnon Not to despatch your daughter to Euboea ’s deep-gulfed wing, to the waveless bay of Aulis , for after all we will celebrate our child’s wedding at another time. 120

Old man And how will Achilles, cheated of his bride, curb the fury of his indignation against you and your wife? Here also is a danger. 11 Make clear what you are saying. 125

Agamemnon It is his name, not himself that Achilles is lending, knowing nothing of the marriage or of my scheming or my professed readiness to betroth my daughter to him for a husband’s embrace. 12 130

Old man A dreadful venture yours, king Agamemnon, you that, by promise of your daughter’s hand to the son of the goddess, were bringing the maid here to be sacrificed for the Danaids. 135

Agamemnon Ah me! I am utterly distraught; alas! bewilderment comes over me. Away! hurry your steps, yielding nothing to old age. 140

Old man I will make haste, king.

Agamemnon Do not sit down by woodland fountains; scorn the witcheries of sleep.

Old man Hush! 13

Agamemnon And when you pass any place where roads diverge, cast your eyes all round, taking heed that no mule-wagon eacape you, passing by on rolling wheels, bearing my child to the ships of the Danaids. 145

Old man It shall be so.

Agamemnon Start then from the bolted gates, 14 and if you meet the escort, start them back again, and drive at full speed to the abodes of the Cyclopes. 150

Old man But tell me, how shall my message find credit with your wife or child?

Der Greis.

So sprich und bezeichn' es, damit mein Wort Einstimme zu dem, was die Tafel verbirgt. 115 (liest).

Agamemnon „Zu dem vorigen Schreiben empfängst du Dies andere, Tochter der Leda. Nicht sende dein Kind Zu dem schirmenden Busen Eubda's, wo Am Gestade von Aulis die See nicht wogt. 120 Denn in anderen Zeiten begehn wir 4 Die Vermählungsfeier der Jungfrau,"

Der Greis. Doch wird der Peleid', um die Ehe getäuscht, Nicht wild aufflammen in Wuth? Auch hier Droht Unheil dir 125 Und deinem Gemahl. Sprich aus, was du meinst. 5

Agamemnon. Nur den Namen, die That nicht, leiht er dazu, Der Peleid'; er weiß um die Hochzeit nicht, Nicht, was ich betrieb, noch, daß ich gelobt, 3u brautlicher Wonn' und Umarmung 130 Ihm beizugesellen die Jungfrau.

Der Greis. Agamemnon, Schreckliches wagst du, mein Herr : Du verlobst sie zum Scheine der Göttinn Sohn, Und führtest dem Heer als Opfer sie zu.

Agamemnon. Weh, weh! Mich verließ die Besinnung! 135 Ach, ach! Ich versink' in das Ungluck! Doch rühre dich, auf! und beflügle den Fuß, Und des Alters vergiß.

Der Greis. Ich spute mich, Herr.

Agamemnon. Nicht lagre dich heut an den Quellen des Hains, Noch laß dich vom Schlafe verlocken. 140

Der Greis. Sprich so nicht, Herr!

Der Greis. Doch, meld' ich ihr das, wie find' ich Vertraun Bei der Königin, wie bei der Jungfrau dort?

Chor.

Notes on the current edition

Stable identifiers

Ἀγαμέμνων
²

Ὦ πρέσβυ, δόμων τῶνδε πάροιθεν
1

στεῖχε.

Πρεσβύτης

στείχω. τί δὲ καινουργεῖς,

Ἀγάμεμνον ἄναξ;

Ἀγαμέμνων

σπεύσεις;

Πρεσβύτης

σπεύδω.

μάλα τοι γῆρας τοὐμὸν ἄυπνον

καὶ ἐπʼ ὀφθαλμοῖς ὀξὺ πάρεστιν.
5

Ἀγαμέμνων

τίς ποτʼ ἄρʼ ἀστὴρ ὅδε πορθμεύει;

Πρεσβύτης

Σείριος ἐγγὺς τῆς ἑπταπόρου

Πλειάδος ᾄσσων ἔτι μεσσήρης.

Ἀγαμέμνων

οὔκουν φθόγγος γʼ οὔτʼ ὀρνίθων

οὔτε θαλάσσης· σιγαὶ δʼ ἀνέμων
10

τόνδε κατʼ Εὔριπον ἔχουσιν.

Πρεσβύτης

τί δὲ σὺ σκηνῆς ἐκτὸς ἀίσσεις,

Ἀγάμεμνον ἄναξ;

ἔτι δʼ ἡσυχία τῇδε κατʼ Αὖλιν

καὶ ἀκίνητοι φυλακαὶ τειχέων.
15

στείχωμεν ἔσω.

Ἀγαμέμνων

ζηλῶ σέ, γέρον,

ζηλῶ δʼ ἀνδρῶν ὃς ἀκίνδυνον

βίον ἐξεπέρασʼ ἀγνὼς ἀκλεής·

τοὺς δʼ ἐν τιμαῖς ἧσσον ζηλῶ.

Πρεσβύτης

καὶ μὴν τὸ καλόν γʼ ἐνταῦθα βίου.
20

Ἀγαμέμνων

πέμπω σοι πρὸς ταῖς πρόσθεν
115

δέλτους, ὦ Λήδας ἔρνος—

Πρεσβύτης

λέγε καὶ σήμαινʼ, ἵνα καὶ γλώσσῃ

σύντονα τοῖς σοῖς γράμμασιν αὐδῶ.

Ἀγαμέμνων

μὴ στέλλειν τὰν σὰν ἶνιν πρὸς

τὰν κολπώδη πτέρυγʼ Εὐβοίας
120

Αὖλιν ἀκλύσταν.

εἰς ἄλλας ὥρας γὰρ δὴ

παιδὸς δαίσομεν ὑμεναίους.

Πρεσβύτης

καὶ πῶς Ἀχιλεὺς λέκτρων ἀπλακὼν

οὐ μέγα φυσῶν θυμὸν ἐπαρεῖ
125

σοὶ σῇ τʼ ἀλόχῳ;

τόδε καὶ δεινόν· σήμαινʼ ὅ τι φῄς.

Πρεσβύτης

δεινά γʼ ἐτόλμας, Ἀγάμεμνον ἄναξ,

ὃς τῷ τῆς θεᾶς σὴν παῖδʼ ἄλοχον

φατίσας ἦγες σφάγιον Δαναοῖς.
135

Ἀγαμέμνων

οἴμοι, γνώμας ἐξέσταν,

αἰαῖ, πίπτω δʼ εἰς ἄταν.

ἀλλʼ ἴθʼ ἐρέσσων σὸν πόδα, γήρᾳ

μηδὲν ὑπείκων.
140

Πρεσβύτης

σπεύδω, βασιλεῦ.

Ἀγαμέμνων

μή νυν μήτʼ ἀλσώδεις ἵζου

κρήνας μήθʼ ὕπνῳ θελχθῇς.

Πρεσβύτης

εὔφημα θρόει.

Πρεσβύτης

ἔσται τάδε.

Ἀγαμέμνων

κλῄθρων δʼ ἐξόρμοις

ἤν νιν πομπαῖς ἀντήσῃς,
150

πάλιν εἰσόρμα, σεῖε χαλινούς,

ἐπὶ Κυκλώπων ἱεὶς θυμέλας.

Πρεσβύτης

πιστὸς δὲ φράσας τάδε πῶς ἔσομαι,

λέγε, παιδὶ σέθεν τῇ σῇ τʼ ἀλόχῳ;

Old man

I come; what new schemes now, king Agamemnon?

Agamemnon

Will you hurry?

Old man

I am hurrying. It is little enough sleep old age allows me

and keenly it watches over my eyes.
5

Agamemnon

What can that star be, steering its course there?

Old man

Sirius, still shooting over the zenith on his way near the Pleiads’ sevenfold track.

Agamemnon
⁶

The birds are still at any rate

and the sea is calm, hushed are the winds, and silence broods over the Euripus.
10

Old man

Then why are you outside your tent, why so restless, my lord Agamemnon? All is yet quiet here in Aulis ,

the watch on the walls is not yet astir. Let us go in.
15

Agamemnon

I envy you, old man, yes, and every man who leads a life secure, unknown and unrenowned; but little I envy those in office.

Old man

And yet it is there that we place the be-all and end-all of existence.⁷
20

Agamemnon

Yes, but that is where the danger comes; and ambition,⁸ sweet though it seems, brings sorrow with its near approach. At one time the unsatisfied claims of the gods

upset our life, at another the numerous peevish fancies of our subjects shatter it.
25

Agamemnon
¹⁰

Daughter of Leda, in addition to my first letter, I am sending you word —.
115

Old man

Say on and make it plain, that what my tongue utters may accord with what you have written.

Agamemnon

Not to despatch your daughter to

Euboea ’s deep-gulfed wing, to the waveless bay of Aulis , for after all we will celebrate our child’s wedding at another time.
120

Old man

And how will Achilles, cheated of his bride,

curb the fury of his indignation against you and your wife? Here also is a danger.¹¹ Make clear what you are saying.
125

Agamemnon

It is his name, not himself that Achilles is lending, knowing nothing of the marriage or of my scheming

or my professed readiness to betroth my daughter to him for a husband’s embrace.¹²
130

Old man

A dreadful venture yours, king Agamemnon, you that, by promise of your daughter’s hand to the son of the goddess,

were bringing the maid here to be sacrificed for the Danaids.
135

Agamemnon

Ah me! I am utterly distraught; alas! bewilderment comes over me. Away! hurry your steps,

yielding nothing to old age.
140

Old man

I will make haste, king.

Agamemnon

Do not sit down by woodland fountains; scorn the witcheries of sleep.

Old man

Hush!¹³

Agamemnon

And when you pass any place where roads diverge,

cast your eyes all round, taking heed that no mule-wagon eacape you, passing by on rolling wheels, bearing my child to the ships of the Danaids.
145

Old man

It shall be so.

Agamemnon

Start then from the bolted gates,¹⁴

and if you meet the escort, start them back again, and drive at full speed to the abodes of the Cyclopes.
150

Old man

But tell me, how shall my message find credit with your wife or child?

So sprich und bezeichn' es, damit mein Wort

Einstimme zu dem, was die Tafel verbirgt.
115
(liest).

Agamemnon

„Zu dem vorigen Schreiben empfängst du

Dies andere, Tochter der Leda.

Nicht sende dein Kind

Zu dem schirmenden Busen Eubda's, wo

Am Gestade von Aulis die See nicht wogt.
120

Denn in anderen Zeiten begehn wir⁴

Die Vermählungsfeier der Jungfrau,"

Der Greis.

Doch wird der Peleid', um die Ehe getäuscht,

Nicht wild aufflammen in Wuth? Auch hier

Droht Unheil dir
125

Und deinem Gemahl. Sprich aus, was du meinst.⁵

Agamemnon.

Nur den Namen, die That nicht, leiht er dazu,

Der Peleid'; er weiß um die Hochzeit nicht,

Nicht, was ich betrieb, noch, daß ich gelobt,

3u brautlicher Wonn' und Umarmung
130

Ihm beizugesellen die Jungfrau.

Der Greis.

Agamemnon, Schreckliches wagst du, mein Herr :

Du verlobst sie zum Scheine der Göttinn Sohn,

Und führtest dem Heer als Opfer sie zu.

Agamemnon.

Weh, weh! Mich verließ die Besinnung!
135

Ach, ach! Ich versink' in das Ungluck!

Doch rühre dich, auf! und beflügle den Fuß,

Und des Alters vergiß.

Der Greis.

Ich spute mich, Herr.

Agamemnon.

Nicht lagre dich heut an den Quellen des Hains,

Noch laß dich vom Schlafe verlocken.
140

Der Greis.

Sprich so nicht, Herr!

Der Greis.

Doch, meld' ich ihr das, wie find' ich Vertraun

Bei der Königin, wie bei der Jungfrau dort?