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AGAMEMNON.
But if this seem so to thee — shoes, let someone
Loose under, quick — foot’s serviceable carriage!
945
And me, on these sea-products walking, may no
Grudge from a distance, from the god’s eye, strike at!
For great shame were my strewment-spoiling — riches
Spoiling with feet, and silver-purchased textures!
Of these things, thus then. But this female-stranger
950
Tenderly take inside! Who conquers mildly
God, from afar, benignantly regardeth.
For, willing, no one wears a yoke that’s servile:
And she, of many valuables, outpicked
The flower, the army’s gift, myself has followed.
955
So, — since to hear thee, I am brought about thus, —
I go into the palace — purples treading.
But if this seem so to thee — shoes, let someone
Loose under, quick — foot’s serviceable carriage!
945
And me, on these sea-products walking, may no
Grudge from a distance, from the god’s eye, strike at!
For great shame were my strewment-spoiling — riches
Spoiling with feet, and silver-purchased textures!
Of these things, thus then. But this female-stranger
950
Tenderly take inside! Who conquers mildly
God, from afar, benignantly regardeth.
For, willing, no one wears a yoke that’s servile:
And she, of many valuables, outpicked
The flower, the army’s gift, myself has followed.
955
So, — since to hear thee, I am brought about thus, —
I go into the palace — purples treading.
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
There is the sea — and what man shall exhaust it? —
Feeding much purple’s worth-its-weight-in-silver
Dye, ever fresh and fresh, our garments’ tincture;
960
At home, such wealth, king, we begin — by gods’ help —
With having, and to lack, the household knows not.
Of many garments had I vowed a treading
(In oracles if fore-enjoined the household)
Of this dear soul the safe-return-price scheming!
965
For, root existing, foliage goes up houses,
O’erspreading shadow against Seirios dog-star;
And, thou returning to the hearth domestic,
Warmth, yea, in winter dost thou show returning.
And when, too, Zeus works, from the green-grape acrid,
970
Vine — then, already, cool in houses cometh —
The perfect man his home perambulating!
Zeus, Zeus Perfecter, these my prayers perfect thou!
Thy care be — yea — of things thou mayst make perfect!
There is the sea — and what man shall exhaust it? —
Feeding much purple’s worth-its-weight-in-silver
Dye, ever fresh and fresh, our garments’ tincture;
960
At home, such wealth, king, we begin — by gods’ help —
With having, and to lack, the household knows not.
Of many garments had I vowed a treading
(In oracles if fore-enjoined the household)
Of this dear soul the safe-return-price scheming!
965
For, root existing, foliage goes up houses,
O’erspreading shadow against Seirios dog-star;
And, thou returning to the hearth domestic,
Warmth, yea, in winter dost thou show returning.
And when, too, Zeus works, from the green-grape acrid,
970
Vine — then, already, cool in houses cometh —
The perfect man his home perambulating!
Zeus, Zeus Perfecter, these my prayers perfect thou!
Thy care be — yea — of things thou mayst make perfect!
Agamemnon. Aeschylus. London. 1889.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.