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AIGISTHOS.
But since this to do thou thinkest — and not talk — thou soon shalt know!
Up then, comrades dear! the proper thing to do—not distant this!
1650
But since this to do thou thinkest — and not talk — thou soon shalt know!
Up then, comrades dear! the proper thing to do—not distant this!
1650
CHOROS
Up then! hilt in hold, his sword let everyone aright dispose!
Up then! hilt in hold, his sword let everyone aright dispose!
AIGISTHOS.
Ay, but I myself too, hilt in hold, do not refuse to die.
Ay, but I myself too, hilt in hold, do not refuse to die.
CHOROS.
Thou wilt die, thou say’st, to who accept it. We the chance demand.
Thou wilt die, thou say’st, to who accept it. We the chance demand.
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
Nowise, O belovedest of men, may we do other ills!
To have reaped away these, even, is a harvest much to me.
1655
Go, both thou and these the old men, to the homes appointed each,
Ere ye suffer! It behoved one do these things just as we did:
And if of these troubles there should be enough — we may assent
— By the Daimon’s heavy heel unfortunately stricken ones!
So a woman’s counsel hath it — if one judge it learning-worth.
1660
Nowise, O belovedest of men, may we do other ills!
To have reaped away these, even, is a harvest much to me.
1655
Go, both thou and these the old men, to the homes appointed each,
Ere ye suffer! It behoved one do these things just as we did:
And if of these troubles there should be enough — we may assent
— By the Daimon’s heavy heel unfortunately stricken ones!
So a woman’s counsel hath it — if one judge it learning-worth.
1660
AIGISTHOS.
But to think that these at me the idle tongue should thus o’erbloom,
And throw out such words — the Daimon’s power experimenting on —
And, of modest knowledge missing, — me, the ruler, . . .
But to think that these at me the idle tongue should thus o’erbloom,
And throw out such words — the Daimon’s power experimenting on —
And, of modest knowledge missing, — me, the ruler, . . .
CHOROS.
Ne’er may this befall Argeians — wicked man to fawn before!
1665
Ne’er may this befall Argeians — wicked man to fawn before!
1665
AIGISTHOS.
Anyhow, in after days, will I, yes, I, be at thee yet!
Anyhow, in after days, will I, yes, I, be at thee yet!
CHOROS.
Not if hither should the Daimon make Orestes straightway come!
Not if hither should the Daimon make Orestes straightway come!
AIGISTHOS.
O, I know, myself, that fugitives on hopes are pasture-fed!
O, I know, myself, that fugitives on hopes are pasture-fed!
CHOROS.
Do thy deed, get fat, defiling justice, since the power is thine!
Do thy deed, get fat, defiling justice, since the power is thine!
AIGISTHOS.
Know that thou shalt give me satisfaction for this folly’s sake!
1670
Know that thou shalt give me satisfaction for this folly’s sake!
1670
CHOROS.
Boast on, bearing thee audacious, like a cock his females by!
Boast on, bearing thee audacious, like a cock his females by!
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
Have not thou respect for these same idle yelpings! I and thou
Will arrange it, o’er this household ruling excellently well.
Have not thou respect for these same idle yelpings! I and thou
Will arrange it, o’er this household ruling excellently well.
Agamemnon. Aeschylus. London. 1889.
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