Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis, ed. Gilbert Murray, 855

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Πρεσβύτης

ὦ ξένʼ, Αἰακοῦ γένεθλον, μεῖνον· ὦ, σέ τοι λέγω,
855

τὸν θεᾶς γεγῶτα παῖδα, καὶ σέ, τὴν Λήδας κόρην.

Ἀχιλλεύς

τίς ὁ καλῶν πύλας παροίξας; ὡς τεταρβηκὼς καλεῖ.

Πρεσβύτης

δοῦλος, οὐχ ἁβρύνομαι τῷδʼ· ἡ τύχη γὰρ οὐκ ἐᾷ.

Ἀχιλλεύς

τίνος; ἐμὸς μὲν οὐχί· χωρὶς τἀμὰ καὶ Ἀγαμέμνονος.

Πρεσβύτης

τῆσδε τῆς πάροιθεν οἴκων, Τυνδάρεω δόντος πατρός.
860

Ἀχιλλεύς

ἕσταμεν· φράζʼ, εἴ τι χρῄζεις, ὧν μʼ ἐπέσχες οὕνεκα.

Πρεσβύτης

ἦ μόνω παρόντε δῆτα ταῖσδʼ ἐφέστατον πύλαις;

Ἀχιλλεύς

ὡς μόνοιν λέγοις ἄν, ἔξω δʼ ἐλθὲ βασιλείων δόμων.

Πρεσβύτης

ὦ Τύχη πρόνοιά θʼ ἡμή, σῴσαθʼ οὓς ἐγὼ θέλω.

Ἀχιλλεύς

ὁ λόγος ἐς μέλλοντʼ ἂν ὤση χρόνον· ἔχει δʼ ὄγκον τινά.
865

Κλυταιμήστρα

δεξιᾶς ἕκατι μὴ μέλλʼ, εἴ τί μοι χρῄζεις λέγειν.

Πρεσβύτης

οἶσθα δῆτʼ ἔμʼ, ὅστις ὢν σοὶ καὶ τέκνοις εὔνους ἔφυν;

Κλυταιμήστρα

οἶδά σʼ ὄντʼ ἐγὼ παλαιὸν δωμάτων ἐμῶν λάτριν.

Πρεσβύτης

χὥτι μʼ ἐν ταῖς σαῖσι φερναῖς ἔλαβεν Ἀγαμέμνων ἄναξ;

Κλυταιμήστρα

ἦλθες εἰς Ἄργος μεθʼ ἡμῶν καὶ ἐμὸς ἦσθʼ ἀεί ποτε.
870

Πρεσβύτης

ὧδʼ ἔχει. καὶ σοὶ μὲν εὔνους εἰμί, σῷ δʼ ἧσσον πόσει.

Κλυταιμήστρα

ἐκκάλυπτε νῦν ποθʼ ἡμῖν οὕστινας λέγεις λόγους.

Πρεσβύτης

παῖδα σὴν πατὴρ ὁ φύσας αὐτόχειρ μέλλει κτενεῖν.

Κλυταιμήστρα

πῶς; ἀπέπτυσʼ, ὦ γεραιέ, μῦθον· οὐ γὰρ εὖ φρονεῖς.

Πρεσβύτης

φασγάνῳ λευκὴν φονεύων τῆς ταλαιπώρου δέρην.
875

Κλυταιμήστρα

ὦ τάλαινʼ ἐγώ. μεμηνὼς ἆρα τυγχάνει πόσις;

Πρεσβύτης

ἀρτίφρων, πλὴν ἐς σὲ καὶ σὴν παῖδα· τοῦτο δʼ οὐ φρονεῖ.

Κλυταιμήστρα

ἐκ τίνος λόγου; τίς αὐτὸν οὑπάγων ἀλαστόρων;

Πρεσβύτης

θέσφαθʼ, ὥς γέ φησι Κάλχας, ἵνα πορεύηται στρατός.

Κλυταιμήστρα

ποῖ; τάλαινʼ ἐγώ, τάλαινα δʼ ἣν πατὴρ μέλλει κτενεῖν.
880

Πρεσβύτης

Δαρδάνου πρὸς δώμαθʼ, Ἑλένην Μενέλεως ὅπως λάβῃ.

Κλυταιμήστρα

εἰς ἄρʼ Ἰφιγένειαν Ἑλένης νόστος ἦν πεπρωμένος;

Πρεσβύτης

πάντʼ ἔχεις· Ἀρτέμιδι θύσειν παῖδα σὴν μέλλει πατήρ.

Κλυταιμήστρα

ὁ δὲ γάμος τίνʼ εἶχε πρόφασιν, ᾧ μʼ ἐκόμισεν ἐκ δόμων;

Πρεσβύτης

ἵνʼ ἀγάγοις χαίρουσʼ Ἀχιλλεῖ παῖδα νυμφεύσουσα σήν.
885

Κλυταιμήστρα

ὦ θύγατερ, ἥκεις ἐπʼ ὀλέθρῳ καὶ σὺ καὶ μήτηρ σέθεν.

Πρεσβύτης

οἰκτρὰ πάσχετον δύʼ οὖσαι· δεινὰ δʼ Ἀγαμέμνων ἔτλη.

Κλυταιμήστρα

οἴχομαι τάλαινα, δακρύων τʼ ὄμματʼ οὐκέτι στέγω.

Πρεσβύτης

εἴπερ ἀλγεινὸν τὸ τέκνων στερόμενον, δακρυρρόει.

Κλυταιμήστρα

σὺ δὲ τάδʼ, ὦ γέρον, πόθεν φῂς εἰδέναι πεπυσμένος;
890

Πρεσβύτης

δέλτον ᾠχόμην φέρων σοι πρὸς τὰ πρὶν γεγραμμένα.

Κλυταιμήστρα

οὐκ ἐῶν ἢ ξυγκελεύων παῖδʼ ἄγειν θανουμένην;

Πρεσβύτης

μὴ μὲν οὖν ἄγειν· φρονῶν γὰρ ἔτυχε σὸς πόσις τότʼ εὖ.

Κλυταιμήστρα

κᾆτα πῶς φέρων γε δέλτον οὐκ ἐμοὶ δίδως λαβεῖν;

Πρεσβύτης

Μενέλεως ἀφείλεθʼ ἡμᾶς, ὃς κακῶν τῶνδʼ αἴτιος.
895

Κλυταιμήστρα

ὦ τέκνον Νηρῇδος, ὦ παῖ Πηλέως, κλύεις τάδε;

Ἀχιλλεύς

ἔκλυον οὖσαν ἀθλίαν σε, τὸ δʼ ἐμὸν οὐ φαύλως φέρω.

Κλυταιμήστρα

παῖδά μου κατακτενοῦσι σοῖς δολώσαντες γάμοις.

Ἀχιλλεύς

μέμφομαι κἀγὼ πόσει σῷ, κοὐχ ἁπλῶς οὕτω φέρω.

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.)) — 855 focus

Old man
calling through the tent door.

Stranger of the race of Aeacus, stay awhile! Ho there! I mean you, O goddess-born, and you, daughter of Leda.
855

Achilles

Who is it calling through the half-opened door? What fear his voice betrays!

Old man

A slave; of that I am not proud, for fortune does not permit it.

Achilles

Whose slave are you? not mine; for mine and Agamemnon’s goods are separate.

Old man

I belong to this lady who stands before the tent, a gift to her from Tyndareus her father.
860

Achilles

I am waiting; tell me, if you are desirous, why you have stopped me.

Old man

Are you really all alone here at the door?

Achilles

To us alone will you address yourself; come forth from the king’s tent.

Old man
coming out.

O Fortune and my own foresight, preserve whom I desire!

Achilles

That speech will save¹ them in the future; it has a certain pompous air.
865

Clytemnestra

Delay not for the sake of touching my right hand, if there is anything that you would say to me.

Old man

Well, you know my character and my devotion to you and your children.

Clytemnestra

I know you have grown old in the service of my house.

Old man

Likewise you know it was in your dowry king Agamemnon received me.

Clytemnestra

Yes, you came to Argos with me, and have been mine this long time past.
870

Old man

True; and I bear all goodwill to you, less to your husband.

Clytemnestra

Come, come, unfold whatever you have to say.

Old man

Her father, he that begot her, is on the point of slaying your daughter with his own hand.

Clytemnestra

How? That for your story, old man! you are mad.

Old man

Severing with a sword the hapless girl’s white throat.
875

Clytemnestra

Ah, alas for me! Does my husband happen to have gone mad?

Old man

No; he is sane, except where you and your daughter are concerned; there he is mad.

Clytemnestra

What is his reason? what vengeful fiend impels him?

Old man

Oracles, at least so Calchas says, in order that the army may start—

Clytemnestra

Where? Alas for me, and for the one her father is going to kill!
880

Old man

To the halls of Dardanus, that Menelaus may recover Helen.

Clytemnestra

So Helen’s return then was fated to affect Iphigenia?

Old man

You know all; her father is about to offer your child to Artemis.

Clytemnestra

But that marriage—what pretext had it for bringing me from home?

Old man

An inducement to you to bring your daughter cheerfully, to wed her to Achilles.
885

Clytemnestra

On a deadly errand have you come, my daughter, both you, and I, your mother.

Old man

Piteous the lot of both of you, and dreadful Agamemnon’s venture.

Clytemnestra

Alas, I am undone; my eyes can no longer hold their tears.

Old man

If the loss² of children is painful, shed your tears.

Clytemnestra

From where, old man, do you say you had this news?
890

Old man

I had started to carry you a letter referring to the former writing.

Clytemnestra

Forbidding or combining to urge my bringing the child to her death?

Old man

No, forbidding it, for your lord was then in his sober senses.

Clytemnestra

How comes it then, if you were really bringing me a letter, that you do not now deliver it into my hands?

Old man

Menelaus snatched it from me, he who caused this trouble.
895

Clytemnestra

Do you hear that, son of Peleus, the Nereid’s child?

Achilles

I have been listening to the tale of your sufferings, and I do not bear my own lightly.

Clytemnestra

They will slay my child; they have tricked her with your marriage.

Achilles

Like you I blame your lord, nor do I view it with mere indifference.

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.) — 855 focus

Edler Fremdling, Aeakide, bleibe noch! Dich red' ich an,
845

Den der Göttin Schooß geboren, und, o Leda's Tochter, dich.

Achilleus.

Wer, das Thor halb öffnend, ruft hier? Ruft er doch, wie außer sich.

Der Greis.

Sklave bin ich, kann darauf nicht trozig thun; mein Stand verwehrt's.

Achilleus.

Wessen? Nicht der meine; fremd sind Agamemnons Diener mir.

Der Greis.

Dieser; aus dem Vaterhause gab mich ihr Tyndareos.¹
850

Achilleus.

Nun, wir stehn. Sprich, was begehrst du? Wozu hältst du

Der Greis.

mich zurück?

Aber seid ihr beide wirklich auch allein an diesem Thor?

Achilleus.

Rede; wir sind ganz allein hier. Tritt heraus zum Königszelt!

Der Greis.

Hohes Glück und meine Vorsicht, rette, die ich retten will!

Achilleus.

Lange dehnt sich seine Rede, gar gewichtig thut der Mann.²
855

Klytamnestra.

Hast du mir etwas zu sagen, zögre nicht; hier meine Hand!

Der Greis.

Wer ich sei, wie zugethan dir und den Kindern, weißt du ja.

Klytamnestra.

Wohl; ich weiß, von alter Zeit her dienst du meinem Hause schon.

Der Greis.

Weißt auch, daß in deiner Mitgift Agamemnon mich empfing.

Klytamnestra.

Ja, du kamst mit uns nach Argos, und der Meine warst
860

Der Greis.

du stets.

Also war's, und dir ergeben bin ich, mehr als deinem Herrn.

Klytamnestra.

Offenbar' uns endlich einmal, was du mir zu sagen hast.

Der Greis.

Morden will dein Kind der Vater, der's gezeugt, mit eigner

Hand.

Klytamnestra.

Was? Entsezen weckt dein Wort mir; bist du nicht bei Sinnen, Greis?

Der Greis.

O der Armen! Mit dem Mordstahl trifft er ihr den weißen
865

Hals.

Klytamnestra.

Ueber mich Elende! Rasend also wäre mein Gemahl?

Der Greis.

Ganz bei Sinnen, rast er gegen dich und deine Tochter nur.

Klytamnestra.

Und warum denn? Welcher unheilschwangre Geist hat ihn berückt?

Der Greis.

Göttersprich' aus Kalchas' Munde, daß Achaa's Heere ziehn -

Klytamnestra.

Ziehn wohin? Weh mir und weh ihr, die der Vater mor-
870

Der Greis.

den will!

Troja zu, dem Arm des Gatten zuzuführen Helena.

Klytamnestra.

Also bringt Iphigeneien Helena's Rückkehr den Tod?

Der Greis.

Alles weißt du: deine Tochter opfert er der Artemis.

Klytamnestra.

Doch die Heirath, die von Haus mich lockte, was erlog er die?

Der Greis.

Daß du gern die Tochter bråchtest als Achilleus' junge Braut.
875

Klytamnestra.

Kind, du selbst und deine Mutter, weh, zum Tode kamen wir!

Der Greis.

Kläglich, was ihr beide duldet, gråßlich, was der König that!

Klytamnestra.

Hin ich Arme! Långer birgt mein Auge nicht die Thrane mehr.³

Der Greis.

Bittre Thränen, wenn die Mutter um verlorne Kinder weint!

Klytamnestra.

Doch woher, Greis, kam von diesem dir so sichre Kunde zu?
880

Der Greis.

Bringen follt' ich dir ein andres Schreiben nach dem ersten

Brief.

Klytamnestra.

Welches abrieth oder nochmals sie zum Tode führen hieß?

Der Greis.

Das dich abmahnt'; umgestimmt war dein Gemahl zur Milde nun.

Klytamnestra.

Doch warum denn, Alter, gabst du nicht an mich das Schreiben ab?

Der Greis.

Uns entriß es Menelaos, der verschuldet dieses Leid.
885

Klytamnestra.

Edles Kind der Nereïde, Sohn des Peleus, horst du das?

Achilleus.

Ja, du bist unglucklich, hort' ich; auch das Meine druckt mich schwer.

Klytamnestra.

Einen Bund mit dir erlügend, morden sie die Tochter mir.

Achilleus.

Ich auch grolle deinem Gatten, und so leicht hin neom' ich's nicht.

Klytamnestra.

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Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Πρεσβύτης ὦ ξένʼ, Αἰακοῦ γένεθλον, μεῖνον· ὦ, σέ τοι λέγω, 855 τὸν θεᾶς γεγῶτα παῖδα, καὶ σέ, τὴν Λήδας κόρην.

Ἀχιλλεύς τίς ὁ καλῶν πύλας παροίξας; ὡς τεταρβηκὼς καλεῖ.

Πρεσβύτης δοῦλος, οὐχ ἁβρύνομαι τῷδʼ· ἡ τύχη γὰρ οὐκ ἐᾷ.

Ἀχιλλεύς τίνος; ἐμὸς μὲν οὐχί· χωρὶς τἀμὰ καὶ Ἀγαμέμνονος.

Πρεσβύτης τῆσδε τῆς πάροιθεν οἴκων, Τυνδάρεω δόντος πατρός. 860

Ἀχιλλεύς ἕσταμεν· φράζʼ, εἴ τι χρῄζεις, ὧν μʼ ἐπέσχες οὕνεκα.

Πρεσβύτης ἦ μόνω παρόντε δῆτα ταῖσδʼ ἐφέστατον πύλαις;

Ἀχιλλεύς ὡς μόνοιν λέγοις ἄν, ἔξω δʼ ἐλθὲ βασιλείων δόμων.

Πρεσβύτης ὦ Τύχη πρόνοιά θʼ ἡμή, σῴσαθʼ οὓς ἐγὼ θέλω.

Ἀχιλλεύς ὁ λόγος ἐς μέλλοντʼ ἂν ὤση χρόνον· ἔχει δʼ ὄγκον τινά. 865

Κλυταιμήστρα δεξιᾶς ἕκατι μὴ μέλλʼ, εἴ τί μοι χρῄζεις λέγειν.

Πρεσβύτης οἶσθα δῆτʼ ἔμʼ, ὅστις ὢν σοὶ καὶ τέκνοις εὔνους ἔφυν;

Κλυταιμήστρα οἶδά σʼ ὄντʼ ἐγὼ παλαιὸν δωμάτων ἐμῶν λάτριν.

Πρεσβύτης χὥτι μʼ ἐν ταῖς σαῖσι φερναῖς ἔλαβεν Ἀγαμέμνων ἄναξ;

Κλυταιμήστρα ἦλθες εἰς Ἄργος μεθʼ ἡμῶν καὶ ἐμὸς ἦσθʼ ἀεί ποτε. 870

Πρεσβύτης ὧδʼ ἔχει. καὶ σοὶ μὲν εὔνους εἰμί, σῷ δʼ ἧσσον πόσει.

Κλυταιμήστρα ἐκκάλυπτε νῦν ποθʼ ἡμῖν οὕστινας λέγεις λόγους.

Πρεσβύτης παῖδα σὴν πατὴρ ὁ φύσας αὐτόχειρ μέλλει κτενεῖν.

Κλυταιμήστρα πῶς; ἀπέπτυσʼ, ὦ γεραιέ, μῦθον· οὐ γὰρ εὖ φρονεῖς.

Πρεσβύτης φασγάνῳ λευκὴν φονεύων τῆς ταλαιπώρου δέρην. 875

Κλυταιμήστρα ὦ τάλαινʼ ἐγώ. μεμηνὼς ἆρα τυγχάνει πόσις;

Πρεσβύτης ἀρτίφρων, πλὴν ἐς σὲ καὶ σὴν παῖδα· τοῦτο δʼ οὐ φρονεῖ.

Κλυταιμήστρα ἐκ τίνος λόγου; τίς αὐτὸν οὑπάγων ἀλαστόρων;

Πρεσβύτης θέσφαθʼ, ὥς γέ φησι Κάλχας, ἵνα πορεύηται στρατός.

Κλυταιμήστρα ποῖ; τάλαινʼ ἐγώ, τάλαινα δʼ ἣν πατὴρ μέλλει κτενεῖν. 880

Πρεσβύτης Δαρδάνου πρὸς δώμαθʼ, Ἑλένην Μενέλεως ὅπως λάβῃ.

Κλυταιμήστρα εἰς ἄρʼ Ἰφιγένειαν Ἑλένης νόστος ἦν πεπρωμένος;

Πρεσβύτης πάντʼ ἔχεις· Ἀρτέμιδι θύσειν παῖδα σὴν μέλλει πατήρ.

Κλυταιμήστρα ὁ δὲ γάμος τίνʼ εἶχε πρόφασιν, ᾧ μʼ ἐκόμισεν ἐκ δόμων;

Πρεσβύτης ἵνʼ ἀγάγοις χαίρουσʼ Ἀχιλλεῖ παῖδα νυμφεύσουσα σήν. 885

Κλυταιμήστρα ὦ θύγατερ, ἥκεις ἐπʼ ὀλέθρῳ καὶ σὺ καὶ μήτηρ σέθεν.

Πρεσβύτης οἰκτρὰ πάσχετον δύʼ οὖσαι· δεινὰ δʼ Ἀγαμέμνων ἔτλη.

Κλυταιμήστρα οἴχομαι τάλαινα, δακρύων τʼ ὄμματʼ οὐκέτι στέγω.

Πρεσβύτης εἴπερ ἀλγεινὸν τὸ τέκνων στερόμενον, δακρυρρόει.

Κλυταιμήστρα σὺ δὲ τάδʼ, ὦ γέρον, πόθεν φῂς εἰδέναι πεπυσμένος; 890

Πρεσβύτης δέλτον ᾠχόμην φέρων σοι πρὸς τὰ πρὶν γεγραμμένα.

Κλυταιμήστρα οὐκ ἐῶν ἢ ξυγκελεύων παῖδʼ ἄγειν θανουμένην;

Πρεσβύτης μὴ μὲν οὖν ἄγειν· φρονῶν γὰρ ἔτυχε σὸς πόσις τότʼ εὖ.

Κλυταιμήστρα κᾆτα πῶς φέρων γε δέλτον οὐκ ἐμοὶ δίδως λαβεῖν;

Πρεσβύτης Μενέλεως ἀφείλεθʼ ἡμᾶς, ὃς κακῶν τῶνδʼ αἴτιος. 895

Κλυταιμήστρα ὦ τέκνον Νηρῇδος, ὦ παῖ Πηλέως, κλύεις τάδε;

Ἀχιλλεύς ἔκλυον οὖσαν ἀθλίαν σε, τὸ δʼ ἐμὸν οὐ φαύλως φέρω.

Κλυταιμήστρα παῖδά μου κατακτενοῦσι σοῖς δολώσαντες γάμοις.

Ἀχιλλεύς μέμφομαι κἀγὼ πόσει σῷ, κοὐχ ἁπλῶς οὕτω φέρω.

Current edition Perseus

Old man calling through the tent door. Stranger of the race of Aeacus, stay awhile! Ho there! I mean you, O goddess-born, and you, daughter of Leda. 855

Achilles Who is it calling through the half-opened door? What fear his voice betrays!

Old man A slave; of that I am not proud, for fortune does not permit it.

Achilles Whose slave are you? not mine; for mine and Agamemnon’s goods are separate.

Old man I belong to this lady who stands before the tent, a gift to her from Tyndareus her father. 860

Achilles I am waiting; tell me, if you are desirous, why you have stopped me.

Old man Are you really all alone here at the door?

Achilles To us alone will you address yourself; come forth from the king’s tent.

Old man coming out. O Fortune and my own foresight, preserve whom I desire!

Achilles That speech will save 1 them in the future; it has a certain pompous air. 865

Clytemnestra Delay not for the sake of touching my right hand, if there is anything that you would say to me.

Old man Well, you know my character and my devotion to you and your children.

Clytemnestra I know you have grown old in the service of my house.

Old man Likewise you know it was in your dowry king Agamemnon received me.

Clytemnestra Yes, you came to Argos with me, and have been mine this long time past. 870

Old man True; and I bear all goodwill to you, less to your husband.

Clytemnestra Come, come, unfold whatever you have to say.

Old man Her father, he that begot her, is on the point of slaying your daughter with his own hand.

Clytemnestra How? That for your story, old man! you are mad.

Old man Severing with a sword the hapless girl’s white throat. 875

Clytemnestra Ah, alas for me! Does my husband happen to have gone mad?

Old man No; he is sane, except where you and your daughter are concerned; there he is mad.

Clytemnestra What is his reason? what vengeful fiend impels him?

Old man Oracles, at least so Calchas says, in order that the army may start—

Clytemnestra Where? Alas for me, and for the one her father is going to kill! 880

Old man To the halls of Dardanus, that Menelaus may recover Helen.

Clytemnestra So Helen’s return then was fated to affect Iphigenia?

Old man You know all; her father is about to offer your child to Artemis.

Clytemnestra But that marriage—what pretext had it for bringing me from home?

Old man An inducement to you to bring your daughter cheerfully, to wed her to Achilles. 885

Clytemnestra On a deadly errand have you come, my daughter, both you, and I, your mother.

Old man Piteous the lot of both of you, and dreadful Agamemnon’s venture.

Clytemnestra Alas, I am undone; my eyes can no longer hold their tears.

Πρεσβύτης

ὦ ξένʼ, Αἰακοῦ γένεθλον, μεῖνον· ὦ, σέ τοι λέγω,
855

τὸν θεᾶς γεγῶτα παῖδα, καὶ σέ, τὴν Λήδας κόρην.

Ἀχιλλεύς

τίς ὁ καλῶν πύλας παροίξας; ὡς τεταρβηκὼς καλεῖ.

Πρεσβύτης

δοῦλος, οὐχ ἁβρύνομαι τῷδʼ· ἡ τύχη γὰρ οὐκ ἐᾷ.

Ἀχιλλεύς

τίνος; ἐμὸς μὲν οὐχί· χωρὶς τἀμὰ καὶ Ἀγαμέμνονος.

Πρεσβύτης

τῆσδε τῆς πάροιθεν οἴκων, Τυνδάρεω δόντος πατρός.
860

Ἀχιλλεύς

ἕσταμεν· φράζʼ, εἴ τι χρῄζεις, ὧν μʼ ἐπέσχες οὕνεκα.

Πρεσβύτης

ἦ μόνω παρόντε δῆτα ταῖσδʼ ἐφέστατον πύλαις;

Ἀχιλλεύς

ὡς μόνοιν λέγοις ἄν, ἔξω δʼ ἐλθὲ βασιλείων δόμων.

Πρεσβύτης

ὦ Τύχη πρόνοιά θʼ ἡμή, σῴσαθʼ οὓς ἐγὼ θέλω.

Ἀχιλλεύς

ὁ λόγος ἐς μέλλοντʼ ἂν ὤση χρόνον· ἔχει δʼ ὄγκον τινά.
865

Κλυταιμήστρα

δεξιᾶς ἕκατι μὴ μέλλʼ, εἴ τί μοι χρῄζεις λέγειν.

Πρεσβύτης

οἶσθα δῆτʼ ἔμʼ, ὅστις ὢν σοὶ καὶ τέκνοις εὔνους ἔφυν;

Κλυταιμήστρα

οἶδά σʼ ὄντʼ ἐγὼ παλαιὸν δωμάτων ἐμῶν λάτριν.

Πρεσβύτης

χὥτι μʼ ἐν ταῖς σαῖσι φερναῖς ἔλαβεν Ἀγαμέμνων ἄναξ;

Κλυταιμήστρα

ἦλθες εἰς Ἄργος μεθʼ ἡμῶν καὶ ἐμὸς ἦσθʼ ἀεί ποτε.
870

Πρεσβύτης

ὧδʼ ἔχει. καὶ σοὶ μὲν εὔνους εἰμί, σῷ δʼ ἧσσον πόσει.

Κλυταιμήστρα

ἐκκάλυπτε νῦν ποθʼ ἡμῖν οὕστινας λέγεις λόγους.

Πρεσβύτης

παῖδα σὴν πατὴρ ὁ φύσας αὐτόχειρ μέλλει κτενεῖν.

Κλυταιμήστρα

πῶς; ἀπέπτυσʼ, ὦ γεραιέ, μῦθον· οὐ γὰρ εὖ φρονεῖς.

Πρεσβύτης

φασγάνῳ λευκὴν φονεύων τῆς ταλαιπώρου δέρην.
875

Κλυταιμήστρα

ὦ τάλαινʼ ἐγώ. μεμηνὼς ἆρα τυγχάνει πόσις;

Πρεσβύτης

ἀρτίφρων, πλὴν ἐς σὲ καὶ σὴν παῖδα· τοῦτο δʼ οὐ φρονεῖ.

Κλυταιμήστρα

ἐκ τίνος λόγου; τίς αὐτὸν οὑπάγων ἀλαστόρων;

Πρεσβύτης

θέσφαθʼ, ὥς γέ φησι Κάλχας, ἵνα πορεύηται στρατός.

Κλυταιμήστρα

ποῖ; τάλαινʼ ἐγώ, τάλαινα δʼ ἣν πατὴρ μέλλει κτενεῖν.
880

Πρεσβύτης

Δαρδάνου πρὸς δώμαθʼ, Ἑλένην Μενέλεως ὅπως λάβῃ.

Κλυταιμήστρα

εἰς ἄρʼ Ἰφιγένειαν Ἑλένης νόστος ἦν πεπρωμένος;

Πρεσβύτης

πάντʼ ἔχεις· Ἀρτέμιδι θύσειν παῖδα σὴν μέλλει πατήρ.

Κλυταιμήστρα

ὁ δὲ γάμος τίνʼ εἶχε πρόφασιν, ᾧ μʼ ἐκόμισεν ἐκ δόμων;

Πρεσβύτης

ἵνʼ ἀγάγοις χαίρουσʼ Ἀχιλλεῖ παῖδα νυμφεύσουσα σήν.
885

Κλυταιμήστρα

ὦ θύγατερ, ἥκεις ἐπʼ ὀλέθρῳ καὶ σὺ καὶ μήτηρ σέθεν.

Πρεσβύτης

οἰκτρὰ πάσχετον δύʼ οὖσαι· δεινὰ δʼ Ἀγαμέμνων ἔτλη.

Κλυταιμήστρα

οἴχομαι τάλαινα, δακρύων τʼ ὄμματʼ οὐκέτι στέγω.

Πρεσβύτης

εἴπερ ἀλγεινὸν τὸ τέκνων στερόμενον, δακρυρρόει.

Κλυταιμήστρα

σὺ δὲ τάδʼ, ὦ γέρον, πόθεν φῂς εἰδέναι πεπυσμένος;
890

Πρεσβύτης

δέλτον ᾠχόμην φέρων σοι πρὸς τὰ πρὶν γεγραμμένα.

Κλυταιμήστρα

οὐκ ἐῶν ἢ ξυγκελεύων παῖδʼ ἄγειν θανουμένην;

Πρεσβύτης

μὴ μὲν οὖν ἄγειν· φρονῶν γὰρ ἔτυχε σὸς πόσις τότʼ εὖ.

Κλυταιμήστρα

κᾆτα πῶς φέρων γε δέλτον οὐκ ἐμοὶ δίδως λαβεῖν;

Πρεσβύτης

Μενέλεως ἀφείλεθʼ ἡμᾶς, ὃς κακῶν τῶνδʼ αἴτιος.
895

Κλυταιμήστρα

ὦ τέκνον Νηρῇδος, ὦ παῖ Πηλέως, κλύεις τάδε;

Ἀχιλλεύς

ἔκλυον οὖσαν ἀθλίαν σε, τὸ δʼ ἐμὸν οὐ φαύλως φέρω.

Κλυταιμήστρα

παῖδά μου κατακτενοῦσι σοῖς δολώσαντες γάμοις.

Ἀχιλλεύς

μέμφομαι κἀγὼ πόσει σῷ, κοὐχ ἁπλῶς οὕτω φέρω.

Old man
calling through the tent door.

Stranger of the race of Aeacus, stay awhile! Ho there! I mean you, O goddess-born, and you, daughter of Leda.
855

Achilles

Who is it calling through the half-opened door? What fear his voice betrays!

Old man

A slave; of that I am not proud, for fortune does not permit it.

Achilles

Whose slave are you? not mine; for mine and Agamemnon’s goods are separate.

Old man

I belong to this lady who stands before the tent, a gift to her from Tyndareus her father.
860

Achilles

I am waiting; tell me, if you are desirous, why you have stopped me.

Old man

Are you really all alone here at the door?

Achilles

To us alone will you address yourself; come forth from the king’s tent.

Old man
coming out.

O Fortune and my own foresight, preserve whom I desire!

Achilles

That speech will save¹ them in the future; it has a certain pompous air.
865

Clytemnestra

Delay not for the sake of touching my right hand, if there is anything that you would say to me.

Old man

Well, you know my character and my devotion to you and your children.

Clytemnestra

I know you have grown old in the service of my house.

Old man

Likewise you know it was in your dowry king Agamemnon received me.

Clytemnestra

Yes, you came to Argos with me, and have been mine this long time past.
870

Old man

True; and I bear all goodwill to you, less to your husband.

Clytemnestra

Come, come, unfold whatever you have to say.

Old man

Her father, he that begot her, is on the point of slaying your daughter with his own hand.

Clytemnestra

How? That for your story, old man! you are mad.

Old man

Severing with a sword the hapless girl’s white throat.
875

Clytemnestra

Ah, alas for me! Does my husband happen to have gone mad?

Old man

No; he is sane, except where you and your daughter are concerned; there he is mad.

Clytemnestra

What is his reason? what vengeful fiend impels him?

Old man

Oracles, at least so Calchas says, in order that the army may start—

Clytemnestra

Where? Alas for me, and for the one her father is going to kill!
880

Old man

To the halls of Dardanus, that Menelaus may recover Helen.

Clytemnestra

So Helen’s return then was fated to affect Iphigenia?

Old man

You know all; her father is about to offer your child to Artemis.

Clytemnestra

But that marriage—what pretext had it for bringing me from home?

Old man

An inducement to you to bring your daughter cheerfully, to wed her to Achilles.
885

Clytemnestra

On a deadly errand have you come, my daughter, both you, and I, your mother.

Old man

Piteous the lot of both of you, and dreadful Agamemnon’s venture.

Clytemnestra

Alas, I am undone; my eyes can no longer hold their tears.

Old man

If the loss² of children is painful, shed your tears.

Clytemnestra

From where, old man, do you say you had this news?
890

Old man

I had started to carry you a letter referring to the former writing.