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'

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Cornell University Library

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3825. A6 1920
Oresteia of Aeschylus

3 1924 026 459 614

Cornell University Library

The
tine

original of

tliis

book

is in

Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright

restrictions in
text.

the United States on the use of the

http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924026459614

THE
ORESTEIA OF AESCHYLUS

PUDLrSHERS.

C^MBRIDG.
LONDON MACMILLAN & Co., Ltd. GLASGOW MACLEHOSE JACKSON &
: :

Co

Copyright

The

Oresteia of Aeschylus
i.

Agamemnon, Choephori, Eumenides

THE GREEK TEXT

as arrangedfor performance at Cambridge

WITH

AN ENGLISH VERSE TRANSLATION

BY

R. C.

TREVELYAN,
Trinity College

B.A.

PRINTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS CAMBRIDGE AND PUBLISHED FOR THE GREEK PLAY COMMITTEE BY
:

BOWES & BOWES

1920

BSb347S

EDITOR'S NOTE
In arranging the text of the Oresteia for performance, the editor has endeavoured to preserve the balance of the composition, due regard being

had

to the fact that the

the producer to obtain

rapidly than
music.

modern orchestra enables his lyrical effects more

inevitably been sacrificed
retain,

was possible with the simpler ancient

he hopes

Though much has

which he would have been glad to

that the Trilogy, as
to the reader to

now

arranged, will not appear

series of disjointed

have become a

episodes.

late

The text owes much to the critical work of the Dr Walter Headlam. For two choral odes in

the Eumenides (pp. I34ff. and 140 ff.), the verse translation composed by the late Dr A. W. Verrall
for an earlier performance of the Eumenides has been retained.

R. C. Trevelyan's vers e trans lation, which, by generous permission, is now printed for the first time, follows the original line for line, and aims at
his

Mr

reproducing the metrical pattern of Greek in the

lyrical parts.

The music for the Cambridge performance has been composed by Mr C. Armstrong Gibbs. The vocal score will shortly be published by Messrs Goodwin and Tabb, Ltd.
J.

T. S.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Agamemnon, King of Argos,
Clytaemnestra,
Orestes,
his son.

son of Atreus.

his wife.

Electra,

his daughter.

Aegisthus, his cousin and enemy, paramour of Clytaemnestra.

Pylades, son of Strophius, friend of Orestes.

Cassandra, daughter of Priam, King of Troy.

A Watchman,

loyal to

Agamemnon.

Herald of Agamemno?i. Nurse of Orestes.

Servant of Aegisthus. Pythian Prophetess.
Apollo.

Athene. Hermes.

Chorus

of

Argive Elders, Trojan Bondwomen, and

Furies.
Retinue of Agamemnon,

Women

attendant on Clytaemnestra,
Areopagites,

Bodyguard of Aegisthus, Women, etc.

Athenian

THE AGAMEMNON
OF

AESCHYLUS

THE AGAMEMNON
Before the royal palace at Argos.
Night.

The Gods have

besought for
vigil,

WATCHMAN my

release

This whole long year of

\

wherein couched

On
I

the Atreidae's roof on bent arms, dogwise,

I have learnt the nightly sessions of the stars, Those chiefly that bring storm and heat to men,

The bright conspicuous dynasts

Still

of the sky.

watching for the signal flame, beam of fire carrjdng news from Troy
I

am

And

tidings of its capture

so dictates

A woman's sanguine heart to a man's will joined. Now when upon my restless dew-damp couch
I

have

laid
:

me down,

this

bed

of

mine where dreams

Haunt not
Oft as
I

for fear instead of sleep stands

by

have a mind to sing or hum,

A tune in slumber's stead by way of salve. Then do I weep the fortunes of this house No more so wisely managed as of old. But now blessed release from toil be mine. And the fire's happy tidings shine through gloom.
Oh
'

hail, thou lamp, that dawnest on the night Like daybreak, heralding in Argos many A choral dance for joy at this good hap

lou! lou!

'

THE AGAMEMNON
Before the royal palace at Argos.
Night.

0YAAS
@eoii9 fiev alrS) t&vS' airaXXajriv irovmv
<ppovpa<! ireia's
fj,rjKO<!, fjv

KOificofievof

crreyaK 'ArpetB&v &yKadev, kvv6<; SUrfv,

aaTpmv KaroiBa vvKrepmv

Kal rov<;
<j>epovTa<i %6t/ia

6firi<yvpiv,

Kal 6epo<; ^poTOK

Xafiirpoiif 8vvd(rTa<;, ifnrpeTrovTa<; aldepi'

Kal vvv (J3vXdaa-a) \afi7rdSo<! to (rvfi^oXov,

avryrjv TTvpoi; (jiipovcrav

Tpola<; (fxiriv

akaxTifiop T6
yvvaiKO'i

^d^iv wSe yap Kparel

10

dvSpo^ovXov ekiri^ov Keap.

ovk eiriaKOTrovixevTjv
fiivupecrdai BokS),

evT av Be vvKTiifKa/yKTOv evhpoaov r 6%o)

evvTjv oveipoi^
e/iifv <l)6^o<;

yap dvff virvov irapaerraTei'

rj

orav

8'

deiSetv

virvov roB' avn/xoKirov ivrefivcov aKOf, Kkaio) TOT o'Ikou TovBe (Tvn^opav aTevav

15

oiy
vvv

a>9 TO, irpocrd'

8'

api<TTa SiaTrovovfievov.

evTV^r/^ ykvovr aTraWayr] irovrnv

ipavevTO<;

evayyikov
60

op^vaiov

irvpo<;.

X**P^ Xa/iTTTi;/), vvKfb<s fjp,epriai,ov ^ao9 "TTKpavaKcov Kal XP^^ KaTda-Taaiv

iroXKav iv "Apyei, TrjaBe
avp,<f)opa<! %a/3fv.

20

THE AGAMEMNON

Agamemnon's queen thus loudly do I summon To arise from her couch and lift within The house forthwith a shout of holy joy To greet yon light, if verily lUum's town Be captured, as the announcing beacon boasts.
For the
rest I

keep silence on
:
:

my
it

tongue
speech, this house

great ox treads

though, had

Might tell a plain tale. I, for folk who know. Speak gladly: for know-nothings I forget.
[Exit
is

Watchman. Clytaemnestra's cry of triumph heard within. Enter Chorus of Elders.]

CHORUS
'Tis the tenth
j

year

now

since Priam's

mighty

Avenging

foe,

Menelaus, and king

Agamemnon

too.

From

the shores of Greece launched forth with a

Argive crews

[thousand

United in armed federation.

Loud rang their wrathful warcry forth. As the scream of vultures robbed of their young.

When

in

mountain solitudes over

their eyrie

They wheel and circle With endless beating of oarhke wings.

Reft of the nestlings
Their watchful labour had tended. But above there is one, be it Apollo, Or Pan, or Zeus, who hearing the shrill Sad cry of those birds, his suppliant wards. Shall one day send Retribution upon the offenders.

Unsolved the event Still waiteth and yet to an issue

:

is

moving.

THE AGAMEMNON
^

A<yafi6/ivovo<! yvvacKl cTTjiiaivoa ropai^

eiivrj^

iiravTelXacrav

cos rd'^o';

SofiOK

25

oXoXvyfibv ev^rj/iovvra rySe Xa/ivdSi,

iiropOi.d^eiv, ei-rrep 'IXt'ov TroXt?

edXwKev,
TO,

ft)?

o (^pvKTo<i

dryyeWmv

Trpe-Trei'
/jueya';

aXKa ciym'

/Sous evl yXaxrcrri

^e^Tifcev

oIko<; S' avr6<;, el ^ffoyyrjp

Xd^oi,

30

cra<f)ea'TaT

av Xe^eiev

a)?

eKwv

iyoo

fiaOovo'iv av8a> kov fj.a6ov<n, Xrjdoixai.

[Exit

is

Watchman. Clytaemnestra's cry of triumph, heard within. Enter Chorus of Elders.]

XOPOS
SeKUTOV
fiev ero? rdS' eVet II pidfiov
fieya<; avriBiKO'},

MeveKao^ dva^
rrfcrK diro
rjpav,
fjiiyav

^S'

'

Ay a/iefivrnv,

35

(TTokov 'Apyeuov 'X^iXiovainrjv

^w/sa?

(TTpaTi&riv apeoy^v,

SK Ovfiov KKa^ovre^ "Apij

rpoirov

alywiwv,

o'Cr

eKtraTLOi';

40

akyecri jraiBwv viraTrjXexeeov

a-Tpo(f)oBivovvTai

irrepiycov ipeTfioieriv epeao'Ofievoi,

Se/JUVlOTIJpT]

irovov opTaXixo>v oXecravre<iviraTO'i

rj

45

K
rj

dicov

r}

Tts 'AttoXXcov

Tlav

Zeii?

oimvoOpoov
p-eroiKcov,

yoov o^v^oav T&vSe

va-Tepmoivov
Trefiirei

irapa^daiv Epivvv.
VVV
S' e?

50

eCTTl O

OTTT)

ecTTi'

reXeirai

to TreTrpafiivov

6
Neither
oil

THE AGAMEMNON
poured over nor
fire lit

beneath

Shall temper the stubborn

Wrath

for the sacrifice unburnt.

[Enter
I

Clytaemnestra.]

V'-

'

'

But thou, O daughter

Of Tyndareus, Clytaemnestra, Queen, ;What hath chanced? What tidings have reached [thine ears. That at every shrine Thou commandest ritual oblations? And of all those Gods that frequent our town. From on high, from beneath, Whether heavenly subhme, or of earthlier power. Glowing with gifts are the altars. And on all sides one by one bright flames
Sk3^ward are leaping,

Medicined and nursed by the innocent

spell

And

soft persuasion of

hallowed gums.

Rich unguent stored for a King's use. Hereof what can and may be revealed Deign thou to declare,

^
Jr

And

so be the healer of this

my

doubt,

Which now to an evil boding sinks. But anon from the sacrifice Hope grown kind
Drives back from the soul those ravening thoughts.

That
I

grief that

gnaws at the

heart-roots.

am

come, Clytaemnestra, reverencing

will; for it is just

Thy
The

sovereign's wife,

that we should honour when the throne lacks its

lord.

Now

whether

certified, or

but in hope
silence.

Fain would

Of happy news, thou makest sacrifice. I know; yet shall not grudge thee

THE AGAMEMNON
oiid'

vTTOKaitov ovr eiriKei^tov

anrvpcov iep&v
opya,';

arevei? vapaOiX^et.

55

[Enter
ci) Be,

Clytaemnestra.J

TvvSapem
rt,

Ovyarep, jSaaiXeia KXvraip.'^a-rpa,

rl'x^peo';;

veov ; tl

S'

iTraiadofievrj,

rivo<i dyiyeXiai;

irevdol irepiTrefiirTa dvoaKei<}

60

iravTtov oe dewv

twv

aa'TWo/icov,

viruTcov, ')(6ovi(ov,

TWV T ovpavuov TWV T

iScofiol SwpotcTL

ajopabcov,

(pXiyovTai'
ovpavop.ijKrji;

aWrj

S'

aXXo0v

65

Xafiira^ dvicfx^ei,

^apfiaaaofievq

'X^pi/xaTO^

dyvov

fiaXaKait dSoXotari,

jrapr]yopiai<;,

ireXdvcp fiv')(66ev ^acnXeuw.

TovTWv Xi^aa 6
Koi
0efii<}

ti koi

Swotov

70

aivelv,
/xepcfj^vij';,

iraiwv re yevov TrjaSe

rj

vvv TOTS fiev icaKo^pwv TeXedei,

8' e/c

TOTe

Ovaiwv

ttjv

Ovfio^opov
75

^povTvK airXTjarov
^aivov.a

dydv

eXirX'i dp/vvei.

rjKW cre^i^wv aov, KXvTaifjL7]a-Tpa, KpdTO<i'

BCkt)

yap iart ^(to9

dpj(7)yov Tieiv
ap<yevo<! dpovov.
fi-rj

yvvaiK iprip.wOevTO'i
ai/ S' ei ti

KeSvov etVe

ireTTvcrfievq

80

evayyiXoicriv iXirlaiv OvrjiroXeK,

KXvoi/ji

av evippwv ovSe

criywcrri <^96vo<;.

THE AGAMEMNON
CLYTAEMNESTRA
With happy
tidings, so the

proverb runs,

dawn issue from her mother night. But hear now joy greater than any hope:
the Ch.
CI.
j '

May

For the Argives have captured Priam's town. How sayst thou? I scarce heard through unbelief The Achaeans now hold Troy. Do I speak plain?

Ch. Joy overwhelms me, calling forth a tear.

CI.

'

Thine eye convicts thee of a loyal joy. Ch. But where's thy warrant ? Hast thou proof of
CI.
I

this ?

have.

Why not?

Unless a

God

deceives me.

Ch. Dost thou respect a dream's delusive phantoms?

CI.

drowsing mind's fancy

should not utter.

Hath some vague unwinged rumour cheered thy soul? CI. My wits thou wouldst disparage Hke a girl's. Ch. How long then is it since the town was sacked? CI. This very night that gives birth to yon dawn.
Ch. Ch.
CI.
I I

And what messenger

could arrive so speedily?

Hephaestus, from Ida flinging the bright glare.

('

Then beacon hitherward with posting flame Sped beacon; Ida first to Hermes' rock On Lemnos from whose isle Athos, the peak Of Zeus, was third to accept the mighty brand; Nor did the watch deny the far-sped glow. But made their bonfire higher than was enjoined. Then over lake Gorgopis the beam shot, And having reached mount Aigiplanctus, there Urged swift performance of the fiery rite.
;

Kindling they launch with generous energy

mighty beard

of flame

which could o'erpass

; ;

THE AGAMEMNON
KAYTAIMH2TPA
evd'^rfeKot ixev, wcrirep
6(B?
rj

Trapoifiia,

yepoiTO

fjLrjrpo^ ev<f>p6v7j<;

vapa.

irevaei he 'X^dp/Ma fiel^ov eXTrtSo?

KKveiv

85

Tipidfiov

yap

riprjicacnv

'Apjeiot irokiv.

Xo. TTW? Xo.

<^J75 ;

'ire<f>eviye

TOVTrof i^ aTrto-ria?.
rj

K\. TpoLav A'x^aiwv ovcrav

X'^P'''
/*'

ropm<; Xeyco

v<f)ep'7reL

ZaKpvov

iKtcaXov/iivr).

K\. e5 yap KX. eartv

Xo. TTorepa

(j)povovvTO<; ofifia

aov Karrjyopel.
TcGi/Se croi reKfiap

Xo. Tt y^p TO TTiaTov;

ri
S'
S'

ecm

out^i; /i^ SoXwixai/TO? deov.

oveipoov <f)da-fiaT' eviriOrj ae^ei<i;

^pv6<;.

KX.

oi5

ho^av av XaKoi/Mi ^pi^ova7i<;

7

Xo. aXX'

cr'

etriavev Tt? aTrrepo?

(f)dTi<; ;

95

KX.

TratSo? veas 609 /tapr'

e/jumfiijcra)

^piva^.

Xo. iToiov xpovov Se at irevopdi^Tai ttoXk ; KX. T?)? j/Oi' TeK0V(T7]<; ^c3? toS' evcjypovrj'i Xeya.

Xo. aj Tt5 ToS' e^iKoiT av dyyiXmv raxof

KX.

"}i<j>ai(7T0<; "I8?j9

Xafnrpov eKirifnrav

treXa?.

100

tj)pvKT6<! Be <f>pvKTbv Sevp' dir

dyydpov

irvpb'i

eirefiirev "ISt;

yu.ei'

ttjoo?

'^pfialov XeTra?

Krinvov
<j>do<;

fjbeyav Se iravov

K vrjaov rpirov

^'AOcoov aiTTo? Zt^vo? e^eBe^aro.

Be TrfKenTOfj/rrov ovk rjvatveTO

105

if>povpa ifKeov
Xifivrfv S' vTrep
opo<;

KaLovaa twv

elprjfievmv,
(f)ao(;'

Yopywirtv eaKfji^ev

eV

AlyujrXayKTOv e^iKVOvfievov
fir)

dorpwe

decr/iov

xpovi^ecyOai, irvpof.
d<f>dovq> fievei

Trifiirovcn S'

avBaiovrei

no

(bXoybi} fieyav ircoyaiva, kclX

'%apwviKov

10

THE AGAMEMNON
cliff

The
Far

that frowns o'er the Saronic gulf

then it alighted, then it reached Arachne's sentinel peak, our city's neighbour.
flaring:

And

last here

on the Atreidae's roof comes home

fire.

This Hght, true-fathered heir of Ida's

These are the stages of

my

torch-racers.

Thus in succession each from each fulfilled. But he's the winner who ran from first to last. Such is the proof and token that I give thee, This message sped to me by my lord from Troy. Ch. Lady, the Gods hereafter would I praise. But first would I fain satisfy my wonder
Hearing thy tale from point to point retold.
CI.

This day do the Achaeans possess Troy.

ween, with cries that blend not weU. Pour vinegar and oil in the same cruse, And you would say they sundered without love. Even so the cries of conquerors and captives Sound distinct as their differing fortunes are. These falling around the bodies of their husbands And brothers slain, children it may be clasping Gray-headed sires, from throats no longer free Bewail the fate of those whom most they loved; While these a weary night of roving sends Hungry from battle to whatever fare
'Tis loud, I

The town

affords,

not marshalled orderly.

Rather, as each has snatched his lot of luck.

Within the captured palaces of Troy are housing now, delivered from the frosts And dews of the bare sky; and blessedly Without watch will they sleep the whole night long. Now if they show due reverence to the Gods

They

THE AGAMEMNON
^Xejovirav
Apa)(yaiop
KaireiT
'

ii

TTopdfiov KaTOTTTOv TTpSiv virep/SdWeiv irpoam

elr eaKij-y^ev, elr a(j)l,K6T0
aiTrov, da-Tvyet,rova<s <yK0ird<;'
crKjjTrret crriyo';

ArpeiBibv e? ToSe

115

(^ao9 T08' ovK dirainrov 'IBaiov irvpo^.

TOtolSe rol fioi XafnraS7}<p6p(ov vofioi,

aWoi;
vikS, 8

Trap'

aXXov

BiaBo-)^ai<i TrXTjpov/jievoi,'

o irp&TO'i KOI Te\,evTaio<; Spafimv.

120

reicfiap toiovto a-vfi^oXov re aol Xiyai

az/S/30? '7rapajyeCXavTo<;
e'/t

Tpoia<;

ifioi.

Xo. 0eot?

fjuev

aSOif,

jvvat, Trpo<7ev^op,at.

X6yov<;

S"

aKovcrai rovaSe KaTroOavfidaai

Si'^veK&<; OiXoifi

av

ta? Xeyot,<; irdXiv.

K\. Tpolav 'A^atot t^S'

o^o<s

e')(pva

iv

rjijuepa.

125

otfiai ^orjv dfiiKTOv iv TroXei, Trpiiretv.

T aXei<pa t

ey)(ea<i

ravTco Kvrei
TrpoaevviiroK.
hi')(a

SfX^otTTaTovvT dv, ov

(j)iXa),

Kal T&v dXovrcov koi KpaTTjcrdvTcov

(f>6oyyd^ dicoveiv eari <TVfi(f)opa<; SnrXrji;.

oi fiev

130

yap dvSp&v KaaLyv^Twv re koI

8epTi<;

dp^tpl erw/iaeriv ireTTTco/coTe';

(fjVTaX/j,ia)v

TratSe's

yepovrcov ovKer i^ iXevOepov

diroifioo^ovcn ^iXTarcov fiopov

Toiii; S'

avre vvKrhrXay/CTO'; ex
ovSeP ep fiipet

fJ>dxv^ ttovoi; 135

vrjaTet,<; Trpo-;

dpiaTOiertp dov e^et 7ro\f?

TeKfjbrjpiop,

rdaaei,

irpo's

dXX'

B? e/cacrro'; ecriraa-ep

tv^V^

'"'dXop,

ep al')(jjiaXa)TOi<; TpcoiKoi<; OLKrjfiacrip

vaiovcLV

rjSr],

rav inraiOpiwv

irdycov

140

Spoa-mp T dTraXXax0evTe<;,

co? S' evSaC/jbopei

d<f)vXaKTOP evhr)aovcri irdaav

el S'

ev(j)p6vrjv.

eS

ai^ovai tou? 7roXKT<Tov^ous

6eov<;

12

THE AGAMEMNON

That guard the conquered land, and spare their shrines. Then may the spoilers not in turn be spoiled.

But

let

no

ill-timed lust assail the host

Mastered by greed to plunder what they ought not. For they have need to win safe passage home.

And

if

the returning host escape Heaven's wrath.

of the

The hatred

dead might haply grow

ill

Less hostileif no sudden

befall.

To such

fears

I,

a woman, must give voice.

Yet may good triumph manifestly past doubt Of many blessings now would I taste the fruit. Ch. Lady, sober like a wise man's is thy speech. Now, having heard proof so trustworthy from thee, I will address myself to thank the Gods. Their grace is recompense for all our toils.
[Exit
!

Clytaemnestra.J

O sovereign Zeus O gracious Night, Who hast won so measureless a glory Who over the towers of Troy didst cast
Such a close-drawn net, that none of the great, of the young should escape the immense Ensnaring mesh Of thraldom and doom universal.

Nor yet

Zeus,

God

of guest-right, great I confess

him.

Who hath wrought this vengeance; against Alexander

His

bow

did he hold long bent, that neither

Short of the mark his bolt should alight. Nor beyond the stars speed idly.
j

From Zeiis ckme the stroke that felled them yea that Is sure truth: clearly may we trace it.
:

As He determined,

so they fared.

The

fool said.

THE AGAMEMNON
TOi)? TT}^

13

aXovarfs

yrj'i

demv

6^ ISpvfiara,

ov Tov ek6vTe<! av9i<; avOdKoiev av.

145

epw? he
Set

fir)

Tt? irporepov i/nriTrTy

firj

aTparm

iropdelv a

XPV'

icepSea-iv viKco/Jiivov^.

yap

ttjOO? oiKov<i vocrrlfiov arcoTijpla'i'

0eoi<; S' dvafiTr\dK7]T0<; el p,6Xoi crrpaTOi!,

evrjyopov TO

yevovT av

Trrjfia

rwv oKaXortav
fir)

150

el

irpoairaia

Tu-)(pi

KaKa.

Toiavrd
TO
S'

toi,

yvvaiKO^ i^ i/xov /cXuets"

fir)

eS Kparobr),

StT^oppoTro)? IBeiv.

yap i<rdXS>v rrjv 6vr)<Tiv eiXofir/v. Xo. yvvai, xar avSpa aoK^pov ev(f>p6vai^ Xiyei'i. iyw S' dKov<ra<s TnaTo, <tov TeKfiijpia 0eovv Trpoaeiirelv aS -irapaaKeva^ofiai.
iroXKoiv
Xdpi'i yo.p ovK
cbTifiO';

155

e'lpyacnab ttovcov.

[Exit

Clytaemnestra.]
vii^ <pi\ta

S Zev
rjT

^a<TiXev Ka\

fieydXcov Koa/xcov KTedreipa,

eifi

160

TpoLa<; iripyou^ 6/8aX.e?

tt)9 fi'rjTe

areyavov Siktvov,
jjbrjT

fieyav

ovv veap&v tvv vTrepreXeaai,

fieya BovKel,a<;

ydyya/iov,

dT7]<s

TravaXwTov.
'A\e^dvBpq>

165

Ala

TOI,

^eviov /j,eyav aiSov/iai,

iir

TOV TaSe Trpd^avT

Telvovra -irdXai to^ov, ottwv av

p/rjTe irpo icaipov fi'^O' virep

acrrpmv
17
i''''P-

/8eXos TJXidLov

(TKifj^^eiev.

'A(o; TrXayav

'e')(pv<nv' elireiv

irdpeaTiv, tovto t e^i'xvevaai.

CTrpa^av w? expavev.

ovk

e<j>a

Tt?

14

THE AGAMEMNON
the loveliness

"The Gods above heed not when Of sanctity is trampled down

By

mortals."

'Tis plain

Oh blasphemy now and manifest

The wage paid for reckless sin, The doom due to insolent presumption,
Whene'er
in kings' houses wealth superfluous
let there

Beyond the mean teemeth. Yea, What contents without want Soberly minded wisdom.

be

No

strong fortress against fate

in wealth's pride

Hath that man who

The mighty
Yet str6ng
is

Spurns from sight as a thing of naught

altar of Justice.

that obstinate Temptation,

The dire child of fore-designing Ate. Then all in vain is remedy unhidden The mischief glows baleful is the gleam Like metal base, touched and rubbed
:
:

thereof.

By

a testing stone, even so

trial

In him too

reveals

A black stain. Like a child A winged bird vainly he pursueth. A dire taint lays he on all his people.
To prayers the Gods' ears are deaf. Whosoe'er Even consorts with such men.
Shares in their guilt and ruin.

Even so Paris, a house-guest Honoured by the Atreidae, Did foul wrong to his host's board By his theft of a woman.

THE AGAMEMNON
deov<;
o<Joi<i

15

^poT&v

d^iova-dai /iiXeiv
175

ddiKTmv %apt? TraToW' 6 S' avK evae^ri<s.

ire^avTUb
8'

ixTivov-

a aToXfiijrmv apd,
irveovTcov fiel^ov
fj

Staia)9,

ipXeovTcov Ba/MaTayv VTreptjiev

virep TO ^ekTKTTOv.

180
dirrj-

eaTto

fiavTov,
efi

war

dirapKelv

TrpairiSav Xa'X^ovra. ov ecrriv jap evaX^i^

irKovTOv

irpo';

Kopov dvSpl

185

XaKTiaavrt fieyav Ai^o?

^cofiov ets d^dveiav.

^idrai

B'

d rdXacva UeiOd),
ovk
eKpix^Or],

[o.i't.

a.

irpo^ovXov Trat? d<f)epTO^ "Ara?.

aK09 Se irafifidTaiov.
irpeirei Si,
(f>(b<i

190

alvoXafiire^, crLvo'i'

KUKOV 8e 'XoXkov rpoirov rpi^a T6 Koi trpoa^oXal's

/ieXa/iiraji]'; ireXei

SiKaiaOel,!;, eVet

i95

Simicei TTtti? TTOTavov opviv,

KoXei irpoaTpififi aijiepTov iv6eL<;.

Xtrdv
Tov

S'

uKOvei

fiev ovri<;

Oemv

iiricTTpo^ov

t&v
200

<j>&t'

dSiKov Kadavpel. Kol ndpif eXdcov

hofiov TOV 'ArpeiSav

oloii
i<s

rja'x^vve ^ev'uav rpdjre-

^av KXoiralcn yvvaiKO'i.

t6

THE AGAMEMNON
stir of

Bequeathing to her countrymen noise of shields

Together clashed, thronging spears,
arming,
vesse

And
With

bearing death instead of dowerto Ilium,

light step

On

reckless venture.

through the gates she is flown Sore the waiUng then

halls, doleful voices
!

Throughout the

cr5ang

"Ah home of woe Home and woeful princes, wail Ah woeful bed, printed yet with love's embrace
Behold the spouse
!

Bowed with shame,

grief.

there he

sit

In silent unreviling

[apai

For her beyond seas he yearns Pined with dreams sits he, a sceptred phantom. Hateful now to his mood seems

The grace

of loveliest statues.

Lost the light of her eyes, and lost

Now
Anon

the love they enkindled.

there

come dream-revealed semblances.

Beguiling shapes. Brief the joy, vain the sweet de

fusion.

For vainly, when he seems to view the phantom bliss Between his arms, lo the vision is flown
!

of slumber." Beside the hearth, within the royal palace, such

And vanishes away beyond recall On shadowy wings down the paths

The grief that haunts, yea and woes transcending these But for the host, all who once launched from Hellas
i

Some woman now with

suffering heart
sits.

[shore

In every house mourning

Wounds enough

pierce

them

to the soul's core.

Whom

they sent to the war, them

THE AGAMEMNON
XtTTOucra o aaToiaiv aaTriaTopwi
[p"rp- /8.

17
205

kKovov; re koI
vavfidra^

Xoy^^ifiovi;

6' OTrXicrfjLov'i,

ajovad t avri^epvov 'Wi(p ^i^uKev pifi^a.hia irvKav

arX/rjTa

(f)dopav

rKaaw

TrdKKa

S'

earevov

210

TOO ivveirovTe'i Sop^cov

'

7rpo(f>rJTaf

too

KB Batfia S&fia koL

irpofioi,

ia> \e')(p'i

koX a-n^oi

(j)iKdvope<s.

TTapecTTi aiya^ dnfjiov; dXoiB6pov<;

aXjiar
<})d<rfia

d<^r)fxev(i)v Ihelv.

215

iroOcp S' virepTTOVTia';

Bo^ei Sofiav dvdaaeiv.

evfiop^cov Be KokoaaSiv
e')(6eTai "xapii;

dvBpi'
220

ofifiaTODv S' ev d')(7)vLai<i

eppei iraa 'AcjipoBira.

6vei,p6(j)avToi Be ireidrjiMove'i

[avT.

/3.

jrdpeiai BS^ai (fiepovcrai X"'P''V fjbaraiav.

fidrav jdp, evr av

eaOXd

rt?

Bokwv opav

225

irapaWd^acra Bia "xepSsv, ^e^aKev oi/rt? ov jJuedixTTepov

TTTepot? oTTaBova-' virvov KeXeiiOoi<;.'
Tffl

fiev

Kar

o'Ikov;

e<p'

eaTca^

aj(7j

TaB' iarl Kal t&vB' virep^aranepa.

230

TO

TTciv B' d(f>'

"EXXavo?
irpeirei,

aiai; crvvopfievoi<i

irevdeV dr\'q(TiKdpBio<;
Bofitav

eKaarov

TToXXa 70UZ'
ov<i fiev

Oi'^'yavei

'irpb<; fjirap.

ydp

ti<; eTrefiiJrev

235

r8
:

THE AGAMEMNON
They know but now in the man's stead Naught comes back to the home of each Save an urn and some ashes.

The merchant Ares

dead men's bodies are his goldpoising fate of war.

He whose scales weigh the From pyres beneath Ihum

To those that loved them sendeth home Heavy sore-lamented dust, Stowing ash that once was man
Into the compass of a
jar.

Then mourning each they tell his praise, How one in craft of war was skilled.

How

that one nobly shed his blood,

"All for a woman, wife to another,"

And against An accusing

So an angry whisper snarls forth the sons of Atreus

grief s_preads.

Others under the wall, slain

In their beauty, possess graves

There 'neath Ilian earth, that now Hides in hate her possessors.

people's talk, charged with wrath,

'tis

is

perilous.

Oft

My

proved potent as a public curse. boding heart waits to hear

still.

Some news that night shroudeth For on men of blood the Gods'
Eyes are
fixed;

and

late or

soon

Will the dark Erinues

doom

The man who thrives unrighteously To waste and dwindle luckless down, Until his light be quenched and once
:

'

THE AGAMEMNON
olSev, avrhtBe (jxar&v
rev)(rj

19

kcu

crnroSoii el<;

eKa-

arov

Bofiov^ affuKveirai.
S'

6 'X^pvcra/MOi^o';

"Apij? acofiarmv
/J'd'xri

l.'^'^P-

7-

Kul raXavTovxo<S ep
irvpcodev ef 'IXtov
(f>LXoL(n ire/iirei
yfrijyfia

Sopbi

240

I3apv

SvaSdKpvTov dv-

T'^vopo^

awoSov

yefil-

^tov Xe^r)Ta<; evderovi.

245

<TT6vov<ri S' ev

Xeyovre? av-

Spa Tov
Tov
'

fiev <B9 fid'xr)^ t'Spt?,

<f)ovai<;

S'

iv

KaXw

ireaovT

250

dWoTpia<; Sial yvvaiKO^''

ti<;

rdBe crtyd

^aij^ei'

<l>6ovepbv 8' vir

aXyo^

epirei

TrpoBtKOii 'Arpet'Sat?.
01 B'

avTOV

irepi Tel')(p<i

Oijicas

'I\kxSo9 ya<i
i-

&jfiop<^oi KaTe')(pvaiV'

255

X^pd
^apeia

B' ixpvTa'i expvyjrev.

B'

dffT&v

<^dTi<i ^iiv

KOTtp

[^avr. y.

BrinoKpavTOV B' dpd<; rivet Xpeo<;.

fievei S'

aKovaai

tl fiov

fiepi/JLva vvKT'qpe<l>e<s.

260

T&v iroXvKTOVwv yap ovk

acKOiroi Qeoi.
val
B' 'E/aivi/e?

iceXai-

XP^9 rvxvpov ovT avev Blku^ 7ra\M/Tu%6t rpi^a ^iov

Tideia dfiavpov, iv B' al2

265

20

THE AGAMEMNON
who
shall help

Lost in the darkness, In excess of glory

him?

is peril.

For on mortals overweening Are the bolts of Zeus sped. Mine be fortune unenvied.

No

walled towns would I conquer.

live to

Nor yet

behold

my

age

Slave to alien masters.

[Enter a Herald.]
\

land of Argos,

HERALD thou my native

soil.

To

thee this tenth-born year do I return.

Of many broken hopes still grasping one. Ne'er could I dream here in this Argive earth

Dying

to share that burial I so longed for.

palace of our kings, beloved abode.

seats,

Ye solemn

and

ye, dawn-fronting Deities,

If e'er of old,

with radiant eyes this day

Welcome with pomp our king so long time gone. For to you and to all these alike returns Prince Agamemnon, bringing hght in gloom. Come, ye must greet him joyfuUy, as beseems.

Who with

the mattock of Avenging Zeus

Hath digged down Troy, and ploughed her soil to dust.

Having laid on Troy so fell a yoke, the elder Of Atreus' children, fortunate among princes.
Returns, of Ch.
all

men

living worthiest praise.

Joy to thee, herald of the Achaean host Her. Joy is mine. Now let me die, if heaven so wills. Ch. Hath longing for thy fatherland so tortured thee ? Her. So that for joy mine eyes weep tears upon it.

THE AGAMEMNON
trTOi<i

21

reXidovTOi; ourts oXko,'

TO

S'

vtrepKoirwi Kkveiv eS

I3apv'

/SaWerat yap
B'

6<T<T0i<i

Atodev Kepavv6<i.

270

Kpivw
firjT
firjT

d(j}6ovov

oX^ov

e'irjv

TTToXiTTopdr]^

ovv avTOi a\ov<; vtt aXjSioi'

Xo)

KaTiBoi/ii.

[Enter a

Herald.]

KHPYS
1(0

Trarp^ov odSa^ ^Apyela<;

')(6ov6<;,

275

SewaTO) ae ^iyyet rmS' d^iKop/rfv erou?,

TToXK&v payeiercSv iXirlSmv

ov

p,ia^

tv^wv.

yap ttot' T]V')(pvv t8' ev 'Apyeia )(6ovX davwv fie0e^eiv i^iXtoltov rai^ov n,epo<;.
Iw fiiXadpa ^aaiKewv,
ffefivok
(f)iXai a-reyat,

280

re daKoi, Baifiovh r dvTrfKioi,

el TTOV jraKai, ^aiBpoicri TotcrtS' ofifiacri

Se^aa-de koct/jm
r)Kei

^aaiXea ttoXX,^

x^povip.

yap v/uv

<pS<;

ev ev^povy <f)epcov
'

Koi TolcrK airaai kolvov Ayafiep,vmv dva^.

285

dXX' eS piv

dcrirdffaa'de, /cal

yap

oJiv Trpeirei,,

Tpouav Karacrxdylravra rov

Aio9 fiaKeXXrj,
TJj

BiK't]<j>6pov

KareipyacTTai ireSov.

TOiovSe Tpoia irepi^aXwv ^evKTTjpiov

dva^

'AT/)eiSi7? 7rpe<r/8u? evhaifiaiv dvijp

290

^Kei, riecrdat 8' d^iooTaTO<;

^porSv,
0eoi<i.

Xo. KTjpv^ ^ Ay^aimv %at/3e twi/ dwo aTparov.

K7. yuipeo.

redvairjv.

ovKer avrepw
y!]<;

Xo.
Krj.

e'jOft)?

iraTpcpa^ rrjaSe
ivSaicpveiv 7'

iyvfivaerev.

&ar

o/j,p,aa-tv

%a/3a9 viro.

295

22
Ch.

THE AGAMEMNON

Her. Ch.
Ch. Ch.

Sweet then was the disease with which you languished. How so? Not yet do I understand your words.

Not unreturned was

this

thy yearning love.

its

Her. Our country pined then for

pining host?

FuU oft with desolate heart we sighed for you. Her. Whence came this gloom, clouding the host's return?
Silence I

have long used, as harm's best

cure.

Her.
Ch.

How

so?

The kings being gone,

didst thou fear

someone?

As thou

didst say but now, 'twere joy to die.

is

Her. Because the event

well

though in

all

those years

Much may we reckon prosperously sped. And much deplorably. Who save a God

May

abide scathless everlastingly?

I to cite

Were

our hardships and ill-lodgings,

and what Did we not lack by day, poor groaning wretches? And then on landthere it was worse distress, Bivouacked close beneath the enemy's walls Down from the sky, and from the fenny ground
Comfortless berths on narrow decks

Rained drizzling dews, a never-ceasing plague. Making our hairy garments full of vermin.

Or should

I tell

of that bird-killing cold,

Unbearable winter gusts from Ida's snows. Or of the heat, when in his noontide couch
Windless and waveless the sea sank to rest

*'

But what need

Past
is it

to complain?

Past

is

that misery.

for the dead, that

nevermore

Will they take trouble even to rise again.

For
Ch.

us, the relics of the

Argive host,

The gain

prevails, the injury is outweighed.

Cheerfully I accept defeat in argument.

THE AGAMEMNON
Xo.
Tepirvrjis

23

ap

rjre TrjcrS' itrri^okov vocrov.

K?;. TTW? hrj;

hiZaj(6e\^ rovhe ^ecrirocra) Xoyov.

7r6irXr]j/j,evoi.
7JJI'

Xo. T&v avrepwvTwv Ifiepm

Kr). irodelv

TTodovvTU rijvSe

crrpaTov Xeyei^.
fi

Xo.

ft)?

ttoXK' afiavpd<s k ^pevo^

avaarheiv.

Ki;. irodev

to Svtr^pov tovt

iirijv, (rTvyo<}

arpaTtp

Xo. iraXat to criyav i^dpfxaKov /SXa^???

K17.

6%(b.
;

KoX
(B?

7rd)9

CLTTOVToav
Bi],

Koipavmv

eTpei'; TLva<;

Xo.
K.rj.

vvv, TO (Tov

Koi duvelv TToWr]

%a/3t9.

ev

jap
S'

ireirpaKTai,.

raOra

S' e'v

TroXkm XP^V 35

Ta ra

/tev Tt?

^v Xi^eiev

ev-7reT&<; e%6ti',

aSre KairifiofK^a.
St'

rts 8e ttX^v ^ewi'

airavT dirrjiMav tov

almvot; 'X^povov

fj.6x&ov<; <yap el \eyoi/j,t

koI SucrauXia?
8'

airapva<; irapei^eK koi KaKO(rTpa>Tov<i, ri

(7TevovTe<; oi)
TO. S'

oi

31^

XaxovTe^ ^/iaros
irpocrriv

/xe/3o?

aSre x^P^'V **' evval yap rj<xav Saiwv

i^ ovpavov Be koltto

nfKeov (rTvyo<;'

irp6<; Teix^criv.

yfj'i

XeifJiutviai
ctiVo?,

Bpoaoi KaTeyfraKa^ov, e/xireBov

3^5

iffOrj/jidTayv Ti^e'i/res evOr)pov T/3t%a.

.

_ XeiP'Siva S' et \670t rt? oIcovoktovov,

olov irapelx a<j)epTov 'ISat'a

J7

XKb'i',

OaX-rrof, evTe irovToq ev fjbea-qfi^pival'i

KoiTait;

aKViMwv

vqvefjboi'i
;

evBoi ireawv

320

Tt

TavTa

irevdelv Bel
Be,

irapoixeTai

Trovot;

Trapoix^Tat

rolai p,ev TedvqKOffiV

/xr;S'

TO nrjTTOT avdii
Tifuv Be
viKO,

dvacrTfjvai

fj,e\ecv.

TOK

Xov-n-ola-iv
irrifia

'Apyeltov aTpaTov

TO KepBo<;,

8'

ovk

avTi-ppeiTei.

325

.Xo.

viKcofJi,evo<;

Xoyoia-iv ovk dvauvofiar

24

THE AGAMEMNON

CI.

'

Old age is always young enough to learn. But the house and Clytaemnestra this news most Should interest, and make me too rich in joy. I lifted up a jubilant cry long since, When first by night came that fire-messenger iTelling of Ilium's capture and destruction. But thou, why tell the full tale now to me? Soon from the king's self shall I learn it all. Rather, that I may best make speed to welcome My revered husband to his home, (for what More sweet to a wife's eyes than that day's light,
to her spouse, whom heaven has saved from war, She unbars the gate?) this to my lord declare: Let him speed hither to meet his people's love; And at home may he find a faithful wife. Even such as he left her, a house-dog kind

When
I
'

To him she

loves, to ill-wishers a foe.

unchanged, ne'er having yet Broken one seal in all that length of time. No more of dalliance, (no, nor of scandal's breath,) With another man do I know, than of dipping bronze.
in all else
[Exit.]

And

Her. Big
I

is

the boast, though weighted well with truth,

to thine understanding hath she spoken,

Scarce seemly for a noble wife to utter.

\Ch.

Thus Most

speciouslyto shrewd interpreters.

[A triumphal march.

Enter

Agamemnon,

Kassandra,

etc.]

Come now, O

king, despoiler of Troy,

Offspring of Atreus

How

shall I hail thee?

How

pay thee homage,

THE AGAMEMNON
del
Bofioi,<;

25

yap T^^a tok yipovaiv evfiadeiv. Se ravTa koX J^vraifiTJa-rpa /xeXeiv

ep,e.

6tK0? fiaXi(7Ta, aiiv Se "TrXovn^eiv

K\. dvcoXoXv^a
(fypd^eov

pLev

irdXai

'yapci'; vtto,

330

OT ^Xd' 6 irpaJTo^

vv'X^io^

dyyeXoi; irvpo^,

aXaeriv 'TXbov t dvacrracnv.

<re yaot

KoX vvv ra pbdcrao) pev tl Set

Xiyeiv

dvaKTO'i avTOV ir'dvra irevaopai Xoyov.

apiara rov ipov alBolov irocriv airevcTw -rrdXiv poXovra Se^acrdai Ti yap
OTra<i S'

335

yvvaiKi tovtov

(jieyyoi; ijSiov

SpaKelv,

diro aTpaTela<; avBpl a'c6eravT0<; Oeov

7rv\a? dvol^ai;
rjKUv

tuvt
8'

airayyeiXov iroaei'
34

OTTta's rd'X^ia'T

ipdapiov iroXef
iv S6poi<; evpoi poXa)i>

yvvaiKa ttictt^v

oiavirep oZv eXenre, ScopaTcov Kvva

icrdXrjv eKeivco, TroXep^Lav T0t9 Sva(f>pocriv,

Kal TaX-X' opLoiav irdvra, arjpavTTjpiov

ovBev Sia<f>6ipacrav iv prjKei "xpovov.
ovh^ olSa repylriv
01)8'

345

etr'u^oyov ^ariv
')(^aXKOv

aXXov

7rp6<;

dvSpb^ p,dXXov ^
[Exit.]

^a^d<:.

Ktj. ToiotrS' 6 Kop/iroi

rrji;

dX'riOeia<;

yepav
350

ovK

aia'X^pb'; a>9

yvvaiKi yevvaia XaKelv.

elire

Xo.

ai/Tt} p,ev

ovtw;

pMvOdvovTU aoi
Xoyov.

Topol<Ti,v epp/qvevcTbv evTrpeir&'i

[A triumphal march.

Enter

Agamemnon,

Kassandra,
aye
TTW?
877,

etc.]

^acriXev, Tpoca^ irToXiiropd',

'Arpeci)? yeve&Xov,
ere

irpoa-eiirw; 7roJ9

ae ae^i^w

26

THE AGAMEMNON
gratulation?

Neither o'ershooting, nor yet scanting

Due

For most men practising outward shows Hide thoughts perverse and unrighteous. Sighs prompt and apt for another's mischance Each hath in plenty; yet ne'er doth an unfeigned
Sting of anguish pierce to the heart-strings

And

copying the looks of those that rejoice

They compel

their hps to a counterfeit smile. Yet should the wisely discerning shepherd Ne'er be deceived by the eyes of fawners, That dissembling a loyal and cordial love Flatter him with watery affection. And of old when thou wast levjdng war

For Helen's sake, then, I deny not. Graceless indeed was the image I formed of thee; Ill-steered did thy wits seem thus to be spending

The life-blood of heroes To redeem a consenting adulteress. But now we greet thee with heart-deep Happy endings make happy labours.
[Enter

love.

Clytaemnestra.]

Thou by inquisition erelong shalt learn Whose stewardship of thy state is now
Proved
faithful,

and whose

unfaithful.

AGAMEMNON
I

Argos and her native Gods my prayers Are due, since they have aided my return,
First to

And
Our

the Justice I have wreaked upon the town

voiceless plea, into the vase of blood

Of Priam. For the Gods, when they had heard

THE AGAMEMNON
fxrjQ

27
355

virepapa'i
')(apiTO<;

iJbrjd^
;

viroKafjuy^ai;

Kaipov

TToXKol he

^poT&v TO BoKelv

elvai

irpoTiovat BiKTjv jrapa^avre';.

TO) BvffTTpayovvTi S' iiri,crTeva')(eiv

Tra? Tt? eTOifio<i'

S'fjjfia

Se Xuttt;?

360

ovBev

e<f)'

rjTrap irpoaiKvelTai
o/jLoioirpe-ireii;

Kai ^vy)(^aipovatv

wyeKaaTa Trpoaw/ra

pia^ofievoi.

offTi? S' dja0b<; irpo^aroyvaificov,

ovK eari Xadeiv o/Mfiara

T.d

(jjaro'},

365

Sokovvt' v(ppovo<;

iic

htavoiaf

vBapei aaiveiv (JuXottjti.

av

Si fioi Tore p-ev

aTeWwv arpaTidv
itriKeva-o),

'EXej/jj? eveK,

ovk

KapT

a.TTop.ovam'i rjo-da yeypafip^ivoi;,

370

ovS" ev TrpatrLhrnv
ddpcro<;

oXaKa

vep.(ov

eKovaiov

dvSpdai 6vriaK0V(Ti Kopi^cov.

vvv

OVK

ott'

aKpa'i

<f)pevo<s

ovK d^'iKw;
375

evcf>pa)v TToz/o?

ev reXeaaaiv.

[Enter Clytaemnestra.J
yvooaei Se x^povq) StairevOopepo'i

Tov T6 Staio)? Koi Tov dKaipco?

TToKiv oiKovpovvTa iroXiT&v.

ArAMEMNQN
irpwTov
fiev "Apjo<s

koi 0eov<! iyx^eopiov;

380

BiKT) irpoa-etTTetv,

tou9 ipol peTaLTiov;

VoaTov BiKaiasv
Tlpidp,ov

6" u>v i7rpa^dp,r]v ttoXiv

StKas yap ovk diro yXwacrrj'^ Oeol

kXuoz/t69 dvBpoKprJTw: 'JXiov <p0opa<;

28

THE AGAMEMNON

For Ilium's overthrowing cast their votes

With one consent; while to the opposite urn Hope of the hand came nigh, yet filled it not. Her smoke still witnesseth the city's fall. The coils of doom yet live, and dying with them The ashes pant forth opulent breaths of richness. For this a memorable return we now Must pay the Gods, since we have woven high Our wrathful toils, and for one woman stolen A town has been laid low by the Argive monster. The horse's brood, the grim shield-bearing folk. Rousing to spring what time the Pleiads set. Yea leaping o'er the wall like a fleshed Uon It lapped its fill of proud and princely blood. This ample prelude to the Gods is due. Now for thy hinting I heard and bear in mind. I say the same, and share in thy suspicions.

How

speak with knowledge, having throughly learned friendship is a mirror, a shadow's ghost.
well.

The hypocrite's pretence to wish me But where we find need of medicinal

cure.

By

wise use of the knife or cautery

We will
Now
I

endeavour to expel disease.

to

my

palace and domestic hearth

first

pass within, there

forth

to greet the Gods,

Who sent me
May
CI.
I

and thus have brought

me home.

victory

still

bide with

me

to the end.

Townsmen

of Argos, reverend counsellors,

blush not to confess to you

fondness.
in us
tell

my love
pass, timidity

And woman's
Wanes
I

As years
life

all.

No

witness but

my own

need to

what grievous

was mine

THE AGAMEMNON
elf aifiarripov Tev')(p<; ov hixoppoiraxi
yjnj<f)ov<;

29

edevTo-

tc5 S'

evavn^ KvTei
TroXt?.

385

6\7rt9 Trpocrrjet 'x^eipof ov 7r\r]pov/ji,eva>.

Kairva 6 aXovcra vvv er ewwij/xo?

arij?

dveWai ^wcrf a-vvOvyaKovaa

deol(Ti

Se

ffTTOoos irpoTre/i-Trei Trtova? irXovrov 7rvod<;.

rovrap

XPV

"n'ok.vfivqcrTOv 'XO'Pi'V

390

Tiveiv, iireiirep koI Traya? inrepKorovi

et^pa^ajxea-Qa xal yvvaiKO'; oiive/ea

iroKiv hiTfixaOvvev 'Apyeiov Sa09,

iirirov veotraof, d(Tvi,SoaTp6<po<; Xeea?,
7rrj8i]fj,'

6pov<Ta<;

d/ji,<f)l

IlXeidSaip hixriv
iQp/r\cTrrj<i

395

VTrepQopav be iTvp<^ov

Xecov

dSrjv eXei^ev a"/j,aro<; TvpavviKov.

6eoi<} fiev

i^ereiva (jjpoifnov roSe"

rd
KoX

S'

69 TO

(fyrjfil

aov (ppovijfia, /MefjLvi}/j,ai kKixov, Tavrd koI arvvTJyopov fi e%6t?.

400

eiha)<s

Xiyoifi av, ev

jap

e^etriaTafiiai,

o/itXta? Ko-TOTTTpov, eXZooKov erKidv,

SoKovvTa<; elvat
OTft)

Kapra

irpevixeveli;

i/jLol.

Se Kal Bel (papfiaKwv Traiwvifov,

rj

riToi KeavTe'i

Tefi6vTe<i ev^povco'i

405

ireipaa6/j,ea0a TTjf/tiaTOS rpeylrai voaov.

vvv

8' 69

jxeXadpa Kal

86fiov<s

e^eariov;

ekOmv
o'iirep

Oeolcri irpSiTa he^icoa-ofiai,

irpoam

ire/Mylravre^ rjyayov iraKvv.

VLKT] B' eireiTrep

eairer, ifiiriBa^ (levoL.

410

K\.

avBpe'i iroXiTai, irpea-^o^ 'Apyeicov roSe,

oiiK alerj^vvovfiai Toiii <j)iXdvopa<i Tpoirovi

Xe^ai TTpof

vfiaii'

ev x^povtp

S'

diro^Oivei

TO Tdpl3o<; dvOpwTTOiaiv.

ovk aXXoav irdpa

^iov
415

fia0ov<r', e/j,avTrjf; Bvcr(popov Xe^o)

30

THE AGAMEMNON
my lord lay
'tis

All that long while

First for a

beneath Ilium.
trial

woman

a woeful

To sit at home forlorn, her husband far, Her ears filled ever with persistent tale, One close upon the other's heels with news Each of some worse disaster than the last. And as for wounds, if my lord had received As many as rumour deluged us withal. No net had been more full of holes than he. And had he died oft as report declared, A second Geryon with triple body

threefold vest of earth he might

for each several

Dying once

have boasted, shape anew.

neck perforce

By

reason of such persistent rumours, oft

others loosened from

Have

my

The hanging noose, foiling my fond desire. Hence too the boy Orestes, the true bond
Of confidence between us, stands not here Beside me, as he should. Nor think it strange. He is in safe keeping with our good ally, Strophius the Phocian, who has warned me oft Of double mischief, thine own peril first Before Troy, and the fear lest turbulent anarchy Might risk some plot against us, as men's wont Is to spurn him the more who has been cast down. Such were my reasons, honest and without guile.

But as for me, the fountains of my tears Have run themselves quite dry. No drop

is left.

And my

late-watching eyes have suffered hurt Weeping thy nightly pOmp of torch-bearers

Neglected ever.

And

the waiHng gnat

With

faintest pulse of

wing would

startle

me

'

THE AGAMEMNON
TOffovS' oaovirep ovto'; rjv vir 'IXt'p.

31

TO

fiev

jwaiKa irp&Tov

apaevo<i

hi')(a

rjaOai Bofioi<; ep-qiMOv exTrayXov KaKOV,

mroXkai; Kkvovcrav icKrj86va<; iraXiyKOTOvv

Koi Tov

fiev rjKeiv,

tov

B' iTre<r<f)epeiv

kukov

420

KUKiov aXKo

-irrj/jLa,

XdcTKOVTa<;

86fioi<;.

Kal rpavftdrmv
dvrjp oS',
ft)?

fiev el

roacov eTvy)(avev

Trpo? oIkov mj^^eTevero

^dri'i, TeTp7)Tai

Biktvov ifKeov Xiyeiv.

el B' r)v Te0VTjKc6<;, Tpia-c6/jbaT6<s

w? iirXijdvov Xojoi,
6 Bevrepo^

425

rav Vripvcav

j^dovo's rpl/MOLpov

y(Xatvav e^7ivj(ei Xa^eiv,

aira^ eicdcrT^ KorOavoiv fiop(f)WfiaTi.

Toi&vB' exart kXtjSovwv iraXiyKOTcov
TToXXaif dvioOev

dprdvas

ip/rjii Beprj';

430

eXvcrav aXXob irpo^ ^iav XeXifLfievr)^.

e/c

T&vBe rot

vrats ivddB' ov TrapaaraTei,

ifian>
to?

re xal crwv Kvpio<; iria'TrnfiaTcov,

'0/360-T7/9firjBe

XPV"'

davfidtry^ roBe.
Bopv^evo'i
435

T/36^et

jdp avTov

eiiixevr]^

'S,Tp6(j>L0<;

6 ^mKev<;, dfKfiiXeKTa Trrjp,ara

0' vtt

efiol

Trpoipavmv, tov
e'i

'YXiai

aedev

KLvBvvov,

Te B7)/M6dpov<i dvap')(ba

^ovXrjv Karappd'yjretev, ware crvyyovov

^poroZai TOV ireaovra XaKTua-ai

TOidSe fievToi
efiOLje
irr/yal
fjbkv Br]
(TKri'\jfi<;

-rrXeov.

440

ov BoXov

(pepei.

KXav/iaTcov eTj-iaavTot

KaTea^rjKaaiv, ovB' evi o'Taycov.

B'

iv oyfriKOLTOt^

ofifiaaiv

^Xd^ai}

e'^j^ta

T^9

a/jbipi

aoi KXaiovaa XafiTTTrjpov^iav

iv B oveipairiv

445

dTr)iJLeXi^T0v<; alev.

XeTTTat? viral

koovcotto'; e^r)yeipofirjv

32

THE AGAMEMNON

From dreams wherein I saw thee pass through morf Than could befall within the time I slept.

Now
The
Or

after all these trials, with heart unpined,

I hail

my husband watch-dog
pillar,

of the fold.

ship's securing stay, the lofty roof's

Firm-grounded
Daylight as
it

the father's sole-born child.

as land espied

by seamen beyond hope.

looks fairest after storm,

fresh spring to the thirsty wayfarer.

Such are the terms I choose to praise him fitly. Let envy keep afar, since woes in plenty We endured before. Now, most dear lord, descend From yonder car; but set not upon earth That foot, O king, wherewith thou hast trampled Troy.
!

Women, delay not. Know ye not your task? Strew ye the path he treads with tapestries.

'

way be carpeted with purple. That Justice lead him to a home scarce hoped For the rest a never-slumbering vigilance
Straight let his
Shall order justly as fate, I trust, intends.

for.

Ag. Offspring of Leda, guardian of

Lengthily, to the measure of

my home. my absence,
:

Hast thou stretched out thy speech but seemly praise, That tribute should proceed from other lips. Moreover shame not me with womanish fopperies, |Nor grovel before me with loud-mouthed clamour. As though I were some oriental king; Nor with strown garments make my steps the gaze Of envy. To the Gods such pomp belongs.

To

tread, a mortal, over broidered fineries.

That to my conscience were a thing of fear. As man, not God, I bid you reverence me.

THE AGAMEMNON
piiraicri 0oov<Taovro<i, afi(f>l <toi TrdOrj

33

opaxra TrXetm tow ^vvevhovTO<s ypovov.

vvv ravra iravra rkaa airevOrjrcp (ppevl

Xeyoifi av

450

avhpa T6vSe r&v crTadfi&v Kvva,

v\lrrfKrj<; <rrejr]<;

tTCOT^pa vao<; irpoTOVOV,

arvXov
Koi yrjv

irohrjpr),

fiovojeve^ reicvov iraTpL,

(ftavelirav vavTbKoi<; Trap' eXiriSa,

KoXXiarov

fip,ap elcnSeiv

Ik

%et/t(.aTo?,

455

oSoiiropq) BiyjrmvTi irriyaTov peo<;.

ToiolaSe Tol vtv a^tw irpoat^dhyfiaaiv.

<f)66vo<; S' aTrecTTa)

iroWa yap
fi-q

to, irplv

kuko,

rivei/)(Ofie(Tda.

vvv Be

fioi, <f)iXov

Kapa,
460

SK^aiv
Tov crov

airrjvr]';

TrjaBe,

')(afia\ TideX<;

TToB',

mva^, 'IXuov iropdijTopa.

al<;

Bfi^ai, tL fj,eWe0\

iirea-ToXTai TeXo<;

ireBov /ceXevOov a-Tpcovvvvao irerdafiaa-LV

ev6v<i yeveaOca jrop^vpocnpwro'i iropo'i

e? Sw/i' aeXiTTOV

w? av ^yrJTat

BLict].

465

ra

8'

aXXa

<j>povrl^

ou%

virvo) viKCOfievrj

dtjaei St/eato)? aiiv deoi<s elfiapfieva.

Ay. Ai;Sa? yeveOXov,

'/jLaKpav

Baj/judrmv ifiwv <f)vXa^,

aTTOva-la fiev etira<i elKorco's enfj

yap e^ereiva^' aXX'

eVato-t/iO)?

470

aivelv, irap

aXXmv XPV
firj

''^'

epxecrOao yepa<;ifie

Ka\

ToXXa

yvvaiKO<; iv rpoTroi^

'd^pvve, /MTjBe

^ap^dpov

(fxarof

BUrjv

XafiaiireTei; iSoafia 'rrpoerxdvr]^ e/xoi,

fiTjV eXfiaai
rid^ei-

aTpwaacr

i-rrKpOovov iropov

475

Oeov'i rot

roiaSe TifiaX4>etv ^P^^^'

oiBafi^ avev <p6^ov.
/mtj

iv irotKLXoi<; Be dvrjTov ovra xaXXecriv

^aiveiv
Xeyto

ifiol fiev

Kar dvBpa,

deov, ae^eov ifie.

34

THE AGAMEMNON
of foot-cloths

No need
!

[Fame's voice rings loud enough.

Is

and embroideries Heaven's

let

greatest
[gift

a sane mind.
life

Happy

him be

called

Whose

has ended in

felicity.

Acting in
CI.

all
if

things thus, naught need I fear.

Come now,

Ag.
CI.

My judgment,
Would you in

judgment sanction, tell me this be assured, I shall not change. peril's hour have vowed this ritual?
it.

Ag. Yes, had advised authority prescribed

CI.

What

think you Priam had done, were his

this

triumph?
\Ag.
CI.

On

broidered robes he doubtless would have trod.

let

Then

not

human

censure

make
is

thee ashamed.

Ag. Yet mighty

CI.

is

the people's murmuring voice.

Who

stirs

no jealousy, neither

he envied.
strife.

Ag. 'Tis not a woman's part to thirst for

CI.

The fortunate may yield victory with grace. Ag. Dost thou too deem this victory worth a contest?
CI.

Yield victor
;

still,

since vanquished willingly.

Ag. Well,

if it

please thee, quick, let one unloose

My shoes,

these insolent slaves beneath

my feet

walk the sacred purples. Some evil glance should strike me from afar. 'Tis shame enough to waste our wealth by trampling
Lest, as with these I

And

spoiling silver-purchased tapestries.

Of that enough. This stranger damsel now Receive with kindness. A gentle master wins Approving glances from God's distant eye.

And
1

she, the

The army's
Since then
I

gift,

chosen flower of our rich spoil. hath followed in my train.

will I

am

To the palace

reduced herein to obey thee. go trampling on purples.

THE AGAMEMNON
%o)pt? TToBo'yjr'ija-Tpmv re Kal

35
480

rwv TroiKtXmv xpv

kKtjowv dvTei'

Kal to

ixr)

KaKw<; <f)poveiv

oeov fieiyiarov StSpov.

jSiov

6\/3[aai 8e

reXevTrjaavT ev evecrTol

<f)l\r}.

eiTTOV

TaS

a><;

irpavcroiij,'
fir)

av ei0apaT)<; iyw.
efioi.

K\. Kal
A7.

iir)v

ToK

elire

irapa f^vdfirjv

485

yvmfir]v fiev

'ladt, fir]

hia^OepovvT
tuS'

ifii.

K\.
Ay.

r/ij^a 0eoi<; Beura'i

av

epSeiv rdSe

eiirep ti?, et'Saj? 7' ei, res' i^eiTrev reXo?.

K\.
KX,.

Tb S'

av SoKei

a-ot UpLap^oi;, el
fioi

raS' rjvvaev

A7. ev
/A?7

TroiKL\oi<;

av Kcipra

^rjvat SoKei.

490

vvv Tov avGpanreiov

alBecr0fj<: yjroyov.

A7.

4'VM'V
S'

7^ fievTot STj/MoOpov; peya adkvei.

iirl^rpy.o's TreXei.

K\. o

d^dovTjToi; 7' ovK

A7. ovToi yvvaiKo^ ea-riv ifieipetv ytta^^?;?. K\. TOK S 6X/8iot9 76 Kal ro viKacrOat Trpeirei. A7. 77 Kal (TV vIktjv TrjvSe Si^pio<; rieit;;
K\.
iridov'
el

495

Kparel^ fievroi irapei^ y eKwv

ip,oL.

A7. aXh!
Xvoi
crui;

SoKei aoi ravff', viral rt? dp^vKa<;

rd')(o<;,

TrpoSovXov e/i^aeyiv ttoSo?,

fi

TaiaBe

ifi^alvovO' dXovpyeaLV Oewv

op^fiaroi;

500

pjT} Tb<i

irpoamOev

l3dXot

tfjOovoi;.

iroXXf)

yap

at'Sco?

Sm/iaTO(f>6opeiv irocrlv
&" v^d<;.

(fiOecpovTa ttXovtov dpyvpcovrjTovi;

TovTcov fiev o&reo'

TijvS' eaKOfii^e'

rifv ^evrjv Be Trpevfieveov

tov Kparovvra

ij,a\daK(S<:

505

0e6<s irp6<Ta>dev ev/jLev(S<;

irpoaBepKeTai.

avTT] Be TToWdSv )(^pr)fidTa)v i^alperov

av0o<s,
etrel S'
elfi

arparov

Boiprj/i, i/iol ^vvecrireTo.

dKoveiv aov KareaTpafifiai, rdBe,

510

e? Bofimv fieXadpa Trop^vpa<; iraT&v.

33

36
CI.

THE AGAMEMNON
is

There

the sea, (and

who

shall drain it dry?)

silver,

Breeding abundant purple, costly as

Forever oozing fresh to dip robes
Is ours. This
in.

And of such, Heaven be thanked, good store, my king,

house knows naught of penury. Full many a robe for trampHng had I vowed. Had the oracles enjoined it, when I sought

Some means to ransom home so dear a life. Thou art the living root whence springs the

foliage
glare.

That screens our house against the dog-star's So thou returning to thy home and hearth

Betokenest warmth in winter's midst returned.

And when Zeus from

the unripe grape's virginity

Matures wine, then like coolness in the house Is the advent of the crowned and perfect lord.
[As
Zeus, Zeus,

Agamemnon
all,

goes in.]

who crownest

crown now

my prayers!

Thereafter as thou wilt mayst thou dispose.

[CLYTAEMNESTRA/oWoreiS AGAMEMNON, but

immediately returns.]
Cl.

Ch.

Thou too, get thee within, Kassaridra, thou. To thee she speaks, plain words, and pauses for

thee.

Snared as thou art within the toils of fate. If so thou canst, yield; or perchance thou canst
Cl.

not.

Nay, unless her speech be like a twittering

swallow's,

Some barbarous,

unintelligible tongue.

She will understand my reasoning and obey. Ch. Go with her. As things stand, she counsels best. Cl. I have no leisure to stand trifling here Outside, when round the central hearth already

THE AGAMEMNON
K\. eariv doKaaaa,
ti9 Se viv Karaa^io'ei,
Tpe<f)OV<Ta TToXX'ij? rrop<f>vpa<! Icrdpyvpov

37

KTjKtSa irajKatvia-rov, elp,dra>v ^a(j>d<;.

oiKo<i S' V7rdp')(ei

rwvBe

aiiv Oeoi^, ava^,

S6/jlo<;.

e^eiv

rrreveaGai S'

ovk iiriaTarai,

515

iroWwv

iraTTjO'fibv 3' eifidrcov

av

r]v^dp/t}v,

Sofioia-i Trpovve'X^devTO's iv 'x^prjaTrjpLoi'i,

'^^XV'> Ko/iicrrpa TrjaSe

pi^r)'i

firj-^^^avcofiivy.

yap

ovctt)';

^vXXd^

iKer e? Sd/tovs,
Kvvot;.

aKiav virepTeivaaa aeipiov

6dXiro<; fiev iv

520

KoL aov fioX6vTO<; SeofiarlTiv eariav,

'X^eificovi, ar]fiaivei,<;

fioKdv

orav Be
olvov,

Tevy(r] Zeii?

dw'

o/j,^aKo<! TriKpa,^
S6fj,oc<;

TOT

rjBr} yjrv'X^o^

iv

TreXet,

avSpof reXeiov

BcSfi

iTri(7Tpa)<f>mfj,vov.

525

[As

Agamemnon
rai

goes in.]
reXei'

Zev Zev

TeXeie,

ifia<; etJp^a?

fieXoi Si Toi aoX Toovirep av fiiXXyi; reXeiv.

[Clytaemnestea follows Agamemnon,

immediately returns.]

but

Xo.

K\. eiam KOfii^ov Kal av, KacrdvSpav Xiym. troi Toi Xiyovaa iraveTai <Ta<^ Xoyov.
eVro?
S'

aXovcra

fiopai/jiiov

dypevp,dT(ov
tVw?.

53"

ireidoC dv, el ireLOoi

dTreiOoirj'i S'

K\. dXX'
ecrco

e'lirep

earl

fir)

')(eXiB6vo^ hmr^v

dr^vwTa

(f)(ovr]v

^dp^apov

KeKTrnxevq,

^pevSv Xeyovcra ireiOa) vw Xoyw. Xo. STTOV. rd Xwara twv irapetrTooTtav Xiyei. K\. ovTOi Ovpaia TJjB' e/j,ol a'XpX'q irdpa rpi^eiv TO, puev yap ecrria^ fiecrop,<f>dXov

535

!!

!!

!!

38

THE AGAMEMNON
served.

The victims wait the sacrifice of fire. No more will I waste words to be so
[Exit

Clytaemnestra.]

Ch.

And

I,

for I feel pity, will not chide.

KASSANDRA
"Otototoi
I ;

O
!

Earth

Earth
callest

Ch.

O Why
He

Apollo

Apollo

upon Loxias

is

thou thus woefully? not one who needeth dirgelike litanies.

Ka. Otototoi

O
!

Earth

Earth

Apollo

Apollo
.

Ch. Once more with ill-omened cries she calls that God

Whose
!

ears

by lamentations

are profaned.

Ka. Apollo Apollo God of Ways, Apollo indeed to me For me thou hast this second time in truth destroyed, Ch. Of her own woes it seems that she will prophesy. Heaven stUl inspires her mind, a slave's though it be. Ka. Apollo! Apollo! God of Ways, ApoUo indeed to

me

Ah

whither hast thou led me? yea, to what abode?

Ch. The Atreidae's palace. If thou knowest not that.

Take

my

assurance: thou shalt not find

it false.

Ka. Nay, 'tis abhorred of Heaven: much Unnatural murders and butcheries,

is it

privy

to.

A human shambles,
I

sprinkled are the floors with blood,

Ch.

Keen
This

as a

trail

hound upon the scent she seems. shall lead her soon where murder lies.

Ka. There are the witnesses-^-there

am

I certified!

THE AGAMEMNON
6crrrjK6P
ijSij fjL-fjXa tt/Oos

39

(r^ayaf Trupo?.

ov

fiTjp

TrXeco pl^jraa drtfiaadr^aofjiai.

[Exit

Clytaemnestra.J
dvfji.d)cro/j,ai,.

Xo. iyw

S',

eiromreipco yap, ov

540

KASANAPA
OTOTOTol
-TTO-rrot

Ba.

[o"''P-

<^-

ce'TToWov anroWov,

Xo. Ti Tawr' dvooTOTv^af

d/jLif)l

Ao^iov

ov yap ToiovTO^ mcrre OprjvTjTov Tv^eiv.

Ka. oTOTOTol
Xo.
S"

TTOTTOi Su.

[avT. a.

545

WTToWov eoTToWov.
17

avre

Bvcrcjtrjfiovcra

tov Oeov KaXel

ovBev TTpoa-ijKovT ev 70049 Trapaa-Tarelv.

Ka.

'

AttoWoi' "AttoWov

W'^P- 0550

ar/viar aTroWcov ifiov.

aTTtoXetra?

yap ov

yu,oXt9

to Bevrepov.
avrrj'; icaKwv.

Xo.

'^pijcretv

koiKev aiM<^l

tmv

fiivei

TO Oelov BovXia irep iv <f>pevL

[oVr. 0.

Ka. "AttoXXov "AiroXXov

ayvMT
a
Xo.

diroXKaiv

6/j,o<;.
;

555
Trpo<;

TTOL TTOT

'Ijyayi'i fie

iroiav

(neyqv

TTjOo? TTjv

^ATpeiBSiv

el <tv fir] toB' evpoeii;,

epet<; -yfrvdr).
["'''"/>

eya)

Xeym aof kuI

tuB' ovk

Ka.

fjLKToOeov /lev oSv,

iroXXa avvicrTopa

7-

avTo^ova KaKa Kat apTafia,

dvSpoa<f)ayetov Kal ireBov pavTijpiov.

560

Xo. eoiKev eiipa

17

^evT]

kvvo^ BvK'qv
dvevprjaeL <^6vov.

etvai, /MaTevei S'

Sv

Ka. fiapTvpiouai yap

TolcrB^

eimreLdofiaf

\dvT. y.

40

THE AGAMEMNON
their sacrifice
flesh

Babes yonder bewailing

Wailing their
Ch.

by a

father roasted

and devoured!

were acquainted with thy mantic fame But of these things we seek no prophet here.
K\3iS\

We

Ka.

What
This

Ye Gods! What is she purposing? this new and monstrous deed, deed of woe she purposes within this
is

house,

Beyond Beyond
Ch.
I

love's enduring,

cure? and aloof stands

these prophes5dngs mean.

Succouring strength afar.

know not what

first I

The
Ka. Oh

guessed: with
!

them the whole

city is loud.
..

cruel, cruel

Verily wilt thou so?

Him who hath shared thy nuptial bed. When thou hast laved and cleansed him how
Apace,
see,

shall I

the deed nearsl

[I tell

the end?

With a

swift reach she shoots forth

Murderous hand upon hand. Ch. Not yet do I understand. Dark riddles Dim-visioned oracles perplex me now.

first,

Ka. Ey! Ey! Papai, papai!

What is this now I see.? Some net of death 'tis surely? But she's the snare, who shared
Of blood. Let
Strife,

[the crime

the bed,

who

shares

ravening against the race,

Utter a jubilant cry

O'er the abhorred sacrifice.

Ch.

What

fiend

is

this

thou bidst

lift

o'er the

house
cheer.

cry of triumph?

Thy words

bring

me no

Back to my heart the drops yellow and pale have run As wh6n 6'er the face of one fallen in fight

THE AGAMEMNON
Kkaiofieva raSe ^pi^yq
a-<j>ajd'i,

41
565

OTTTa? re (rdpKa<; 7rpo9 Trarpo^ ^e^p(>)fieva<;.

Xo.

fjiJLev

Kkeo's

aov fiavrtKov

Tre7rva/j,evof

rovTcov irpo^rjja'i

ovTiva<i fiaTevofiev.
[""''"/'

Ka.

to) TTOTTOt,

Tt TTore

fjLTjBeTai,

t/ ToSe veoy a%o? yu,67a

fiey iv SofJbota-i ToZaSe fnjBerai

57

KaKov
S

d(f>epTov ^iXoKTiv,
eKa<; diroa-TaTel.

hvalaTov

oXk^

Xo. TovTcov
iKeiva

aiBpi<i elfii tcov fiavTevfJidTtov.

S'

eyvav

irdcra

yap

ttoXj? jSoa.

575
[dvr. S.

Ka. Im rdXaiva, roSe ydp

TOV OfloSifMVlOV
"TTOalV

TeXel<i,

Xovrpoiat (patBpvvaa-a
rdxo'i yap
toS'

ttw?

(f>pda-a>

reXo?;
e'/c

earaf

irpoTeivei Se %et/3'

X^po'S opeyfievav.

580 alviyfiaroov

Xo. ovirm ^vvrJKa

vvv yap i^

iirapye/jLoia-L 6eaj>droi<; dp,'ri')(avS).

Ka,

e e, trairal 'jrairal, tI
rj

roSe

(fiaiveTai,

[o'Tp.

e.

SltCTVov Tb

y "A iSov ;
^iivevvo<;,
r)

aXX

apicvi

r]

^vvetma

585

(fiovov.

ffTacrt? 8'

aKopeTO^ yevei

KaroXoXv^dro)
Xo. iroLav

dvfiaTO<s Xevaifiov.

'E/stj/uv rrjv^e Swfiaffiv

fie

eXet

iiropdid^eiv ; ov
iirl Sk

(pacSpvvei X070S.

KapBlav eSpafie KpoKo^a^ij'i

590

(TTO^div,

are Kal 8opl

inaicriixoi^

42
Pallor of death

THE AGAMEMNON
is

spread
sinking rays;

Timed with

life's

And
!

the end neareth swift.

! !

Ka. Ah Ah Beware Beware From his accursed mate

Keep far the bull. In vestments She entangles him, and with her black and crafty horn
1

Gores him.

He

falls

into the cauldron's steam.

Treacherous murdering bath,

Thus thy dark story

Ch.
I

is told.

cannot boast to be a
oracles;

skilful

judge

Of

but

'tis

woe

I spell

from these. naught

else

When from

a prophet's mouth ever to mortal ears

'Tis

Have good tidings sped? Volubly chanted forth, Teaching fear, fear alone.
In skilled monotone.

but woe

Ka. Alas, alas What hapless sorrowful doom is mine For of my own sad fate, mingled with his, I tell. Ah whither hast thou brought me now, the hapless
!

one?

[else?

For naught save only to share death with thee? What Ch. Frenzied and heaven-possessed, ever thine own
In wild, lawless strains
[despair

Thou

art uttering,

even as doth heart-sore,

Never with wailing satiate. Some brown nightingale. Ityn, Ityn she sighs, mourning in anguish Her woe-plenished life.
!

all

Ka. Alas, alas The doom of the musical nightingale For with a winged and soft-feathered form the Gods

THE AGAMEMNON
^vvavvTei ^Lov Svvto^ avyaK.
raxei-

43

a
Ka. a

S'

dra

ireXei.

a, ISoii ISov' air')(e

t!]<;

^ob<;

[dvr.

e.

rov Tavpov iv

ireTrKoieri
fj^rj^y^av^/Mari,'

595

fieXayKepoa Xa^ovcra

TVTTTef TTiTvei

S'

iv ivvBpo) Kvrei.

oaiXotjiovov Xe^TjTO^

Tvvav aot

Xijco.

Xo. ov

KOfjiiraaaifi

av Oec^aTcop

yvco/Mcov aicpo<!

eivai,
ctTTO

KaKw

he

tw

irpoaeiKa^ca rdSe.
ti,<;

600

Se ffetr^drcov

dyada

<f)dri^

^poToi<i (TTeXXeTai,

xaic&v <yap Bial

<f)6l3ov

iroXveireK TtjQiai, Oecr'TriqjSov

<j)6povaip fiadeiv.

Ka.

la) la)

TaXaivai; KaKoirorfioi Tii-^af

e/jbbv

[o''''/'-

K-

TO yap
Trot

Opom

irddo's eTreyx^vSav.

606

B^

p.e

Sevpo
/J,rj

ttjv

rdXaivav

rjyaye'i

ovSev troT el

^vvOavovfievrjv.
d/j,-

ri

ydp ;

Xo.

^pevo/j,av'i]<;
<f)l

rt? el deo<f)6pr)Toii,

8'

avrdi; 6poel<s

610

vofiov dvofiov, old rt?

^ovda

dxopeTo^ ^odf,

(j>ev,

TaXaivaii ^peaiv
dficjudaXfj

"Itw "Iti/i/ (TTevovd

drfBcav ^iov.

kukok

Ka.

tft)

loo

Xiyeia^ p,6pov aiySwos"

\dvT.

^.

trepi^aXov ye ol 7rTepo<j)opov Se/ta?

616

44

THE AGAMEMNON
her, a gentle suffering a tearless change.

Arrayed

But me awaits the cleaving of a two-edged blade. Ch. Agony fierce and vain, passionate mantic throes. Oh whtoce hast thou these.
Such a
terrible

chant in wild harsh

cries

Fashioning forth, yet clear-voiced

In loud rhythmic strains?

What may it be that thus guides and inspires thy word On its ill-boding path? Ka. Lo now my oracle no more through a veil Shall look forth dimly, Uke a bride new- wed
;

and strong towards the rising sun Shall it come blowing, and before it roll Wave-like against the light a woe than this More huge. No longer in riddles will I monish you. This house is ever haunted by a quire Of hideous concord, for the song is foul. Lo, drunken with hunaan blood till they wax bold
clear

But

And

insolent, they abide within, a rout.

Hard to expel, of revelling kindred fiends. They infest the chamber-doors chanting their chant
Of that
first sin
:

anon they execrate

The abhorred

defiler of a brother's bed.

Say, have I missed, or was my shaft aimed home? Or am I a false seer, a prating vagabond? Bear witness with an oath that well I know The ancient tale of the sins of this house. Ch. How should an oath, though ne'er so truly plighted. Bring remedy ? But I much admire that thou. Though bred beyond the sea, shouldst speak as certainly
[there.

Of a strange land as though thou hadst sojourned

; '

THE AGAMEMNON
Oeol

45

yXvKvv r

a<ya)va

KKavfidrmv drep
Sopt.

ifiol Se jMifivei,

a-)(^La- fw's dfjLcjii^Kei

Xo. iroOev eiriaa-inovs

liaraCov; Bva^,

6eo(f}6pov<;

t evet?
620

ra

S'

eTTi^ojSa Svar^drq) KKa/yyd

fieKoTVTreii; o/iov

6pdioi<; ev vo/jloi^

ttdSev opovf e%et? ^ecrTrecrta? oSov

KaKopprip,ova<i

Ka. Koi

firjv

o 'Xp'qa fi.o<;

ovKer

eic

KoXyfifidrmv
SCktjv

625

ecTTai BeBopKco<i veoydfj^ov

vvfjL(f>rj<;

Xa/iTTjOo? S' eoiKev rfkiov 7rpo<s dvTo\d<;

TTvemv iaa^eiv, wcrre Kv/MaTo<; Sixriv

K\v^eiv Trpo? avyd': rovSe

Trifyttaros

ttoXv
630

fiei^ov ^pevaxrw S ovket i^ alviy/idTmv.

Tr)v

yap areyrjv rrjvK ovitot

ovk
ev<j)ci}vo<;

e'/eXetTret

XP^

avft,<l)0oyyo<;

ov yap eS \eyei.

Kal

fj,r]v

7r67rtBA;a)?

y, w? OpaavveaOai irXeov,
ev
B6fj,oi<; fieveb,

PpoTeuov

alfj,a kw/jloi;
e^co,

hvanrefiirro^

crvyyovdav 'Epivvmv.

635

vfivovcrt 8' vfivov Scofiacriv TTpocr'ijfievat

Trpeorap'xov aT7)v' ev fiepei

S"

dtreiTTvaav

eivd<i dBeX<pov ra) iraTovvTi Sucr/iez/e??.

rjfiapTOV,
7}

OrjpSi ti to^ottj? rt?

el/Mi

^9;
640
elSivai

^ ^evSofiavTti;

dvpoKOTroi; (jtXeSaiv
/m

iKfiaprvprja-ov irpovfioaai; to

Xoycp iraXatidi; t&vS' dfiapnai

So/mcov.

Xo. Kal TTWS av

opKO<i, Trrjy/j.a
;

yevvalm^ irayev,

TTaicovio^ yevoiTO

ffavfid^m Se ae

irovTov irepav rpa^elaav

dWoOpovv

iroXiv

645

Kvpetv Xeyovcrav, wo-irep

el irape(TTdrei<;,

46

THE AGAMEMNON
seer Apollo

Ka. The

endowed me with

this skill.

Ch. Smitten with love perchance,

God though he be?

it.

Ka. Hitherto shame forbade me to confess

Ch. Yes,

we
in

are

all

more

delicate in prosperity.

Ka. Vehement and mighty was the love he breathed.

Ch.

And
I

due course came you to child-bearing?

Ka.

gave consent, then kept not faith with Loxias.

Ch. Already wast thou possessed

by power

of prophecy?

Ka. Already Troy's whole agony

Ch.

I foretold.

How then

Couldst thou escape the wrath of Loxias?

:

Ka. None would beheve my words so was I punished.

Ch. Yet to us thy words seem worthy of behef.
loii Oh agony Again dire pangs of clear vision whirl And rack my soul with awful preludings. Behold them there, sitting before the house.
!
!

Ka. lou

Young
Boys

children, like to

phantom shapes
flesh,

in

dream

slain

by

their

own kindred they

with

appear.

Their hands are

filled

The

heart, the inward parts, see, (Oh piteous burden,) whereof their father tasted. For this, I tell you, vengeance is devised By a recreant lion who lurking in the bed Keeps watch, ah me! for the returning lord; My lord; for the slave's yoke I must endure.

yea 'tis their own. they are holding,

The fleet's high captain. Ilium's ravager. He knows not what the abhorred she-hound's tongue After long-drawn fawning welcome what accurst

Treacherous stroke she aims with deadly stealth. wickedness horrible Of her lord the wife
!

; ;

THE AGAMEMNON
Ka. /lavTK;
fi
'

47

AiroWmv

raJS' eireaTTjaev rekei.

Xo. fimv KoX

9e6<; irep tfiiptp 7reTrXr}jfn,evo<;

171/ ifjLol

Ka. irpoTOV

fiev atSco?

Xeyeiv

TciSe.

Xo. ajSpvverai yap

Ka. oKK Xo.
77

Tra?

ti<;

eS Trpdcrtrmv irKeov.
ifiol irvecov

650

rjv

TraKaLaTrjii
ei's

Kapr

ydpiv.
:

at reKveov

epjov rjXOeTrfv vofiw

ey^evadiJi/qv.

Ka. ^vvaiveaaaa Ao^uav

Xo.
^877

Teyyaicnv

evOeoii; yprifievrj

Ka.

^St; TToXtTats Trai/r' iOecrirt^ov irddrj.

S'^t';

655

Xo. TTW?

dvaro';

^aOa Ao^iov

Kora)

Ka. eireidov ovSev ovBiv, w? raS' TjfiirXaKOV.

Xo.
ij/iti'

76

/LI61/

8^ iriaTo. deam^eiv
KaKa.

SoKel<;.

Ka. (ou
VTT

lov,

00 Q)

av

fie

Setvo^ 6p6ofiavTeia<; irovof

<ppoi/j,ioi^ Svo'^poifiioi';.

660

(TTpo^el Tapdacreov

opare TovcrSe
VOV<s,

Toii'; So/i.o{9 i^r)fi,vov<;

oveipmv

7rpo(7<j>epet<; fiop<f)diiJ-a<Ti,;
<j>L\a>v,

TratSes Oavovre^ axyirepel irpo^ rSiV

'Xelpa'i

Kpemv

ifkrjOovTe's olKeid<;

^opat,

665

crvv evTepot<; re a-7r\dy)(v', iiroiicTiaTov ye/MO<i,

Trpeirova

e')(pvTe<s,

wv

Trarrjp iyevffaro.

ex TtovSe TTOivwi

(f)7}fjLi,

j3ovXeveiv riva

XeovT avaXKiv iv
olKovpov,
e/iw

Xey(^ei crTpeoffxofievov

otfioi, Ta>

/MoXovTi SeerTTOTr)

670

<f}epei,v

yap

'x^pr)

to SovXiov ^vyov

ve&v

S' eirap')(p<i

^VXiov t dvacrrdTrj';
fiKrrjTrj^ kvvoi;

OVK olSev oia yX&cra-a

Xe^aaa

/caKreCvacra <f)aihp6vov<i, SiKr/v

675

aTT;? Xadpaiov, Tev^erai KaKrj rv'^r).

Toiade ToXfijl OrjXvs

a.pcrevo'i (j>ovev'i

48
Is murderess.

THE AGAMEMNON
By what
I

Should

describe her fitly?

loathsome monster's name An amphisbaena?

Or some

cliff-lairing Scylla,

bane

of mariners,

demon mother, breathing havoc Against her dearest ? And how she cried in triumph, The all-shameless fiend, as when a battle breaks.
raging

Feigning to glory in his safe return

Herein though

I gain

no credence,
;

'tis all

one.

Ch.

What must be, shall be and thou beholding soon Shalt call me in pity a prophet all too true. Thyestes' banquet of his own children's flesh Shuddering I understood. Yea horror seized me
Hearing the true tale without fabling
told.

But

in all else I

wander
I

far astray.

Ka. Agamemnon's death

Ch. Peace, wretched

say thou shalt behold.

!

Ka. This
Ch.

woman Hush thy Ul-omened word no Healing God can remedy.

must be
so:

lips.

Not

if it

but Heaven avert

it

Ka. While thou prayest, the slayers are making ready.

Ch.

What man

is

the contriver of this woe?

Ka. Wide indeed

of

my warning
how

must thou have

is possible.

looked.

Ch. For I perceive not

the deed

Ka. See now,

know
is

the Greek tongue

all

too well.

Ch. So doth the Pythoness: yet her words are dark.

Ka. Papai

What

this fire

It surges

upon me

Ototoi! Lycean Apollo!

Ay

me, me!
far.

Yonder two-footed lioness, who shares The wolf's couch, while the noble lion is
Shall slay me, hapless
'

woman.

vengeful charm

She

is

brewing, and therein will

mix my recompense.

; ;

THE AGAMEMNON
ea-Tiv.
TV')(pifj,

49

Tb viv

KoXovaa

Bv(7(pi,\e^ Sa/co9

av ; afK^icr^aivav, rj %KvWav Tiva oiKovaav ip trerrpaia-i, vavrlXcov /3Xa/3??t,

6vov<Tav"AiSov
(fiiXoii}
7]

fjurjTep

aairovSov t apifv
iiroakoXv^aTO

680

irveovo'av ;

&><; 8'

7ravTOTo\fio<;, wcrirep iv /xa^i;? TpoTrfj.

SoKel 8e 'Xaipeiv voaTLfio) awTijpia.

Kai T&vS" Ofioiov

TO fieXXov
rj^ei.

ei

rt

fifj

ireLdto

tL 'yap

Koi

<tv

/j,'

iv rd'^ei, irapmv
e'joet?.

685

ayav y
Xo.
TTjv fiev

aXriOofj,avTiv olKTeipw;

ve<TTOv Salra TralSetcov Kpe&v ^vv^Ka KoX ire^piKa, koL <^6fio<; e'^ei kXvovt aKr}d&<; ovSev i^rjKaafiiva.
/jl

ra

8'

aXX' d/covaa<;

e'/c

Spofiov

jrea-mv rpe'x^m.

690

Ko.
Xo.

'

Aja/j.e/ivov6<;

ae

4>Vf^' i'Troyjrecrdai fiopov.

v<f>r]/jiov, CO

raXaiva,

Koufirjcrov arofia.

Ka. dXX' ovTL Tlaimv rmS' hrurraTel Xoytp.

Xo. ovK,

eiirep ecrrai

y' aXXd

/j,r)

yevoiro

ttcb?.

Ka.

ai) fiev /carei/^et, rot? S'

irpb<; dvSpb'i

diroKreiveiv fieXei.
a'xp'i

695

Xo. Ttvo?

tovt

iropavuerai,

Ka. ^ Kapra rap' av

irapeKO'irr)'; 'x^prjcrfi&v efi&v.

Xo. rov yap TeXovvro^ ov

^vvrj/ca

iJLri')(avqv.

Ka. Ka\

/irjv

ayav y"^DCKr}v

iiriaTafiai cfidnv.
8' oficoi;.

Xo. Kai yap ra iivOoKpavra' hvafiaOrj

700

Ka.

irairal, olov

to irvp

iiTep')(eTai 8e /loi.

Avxei "AiroXXov, ot eya eyco. avTi) Siirov^ Xeaiva avyKotfiodfiivr] XvKm, XeovTO<i evyevov<; dirovcria, Krevel fie rrjv rdXatvav ws 8e ^dpfia/cov Tev')(pvaa Kdfiov fiiadbv evdrjcrei kotw
OTOToi,

705


50
.

THE AGAMEMNON
my bringing hither. my own derision bear I these these man tic fillets round my neck?

Sharpening her man-slaying sword, she vows

Bloodily to repay

Why

then to

This wand,

Thee at

least, ere I perish, will I destroy.

Down to the ground I cast you, and thus requite you.

Enrich some other, as ye did me, with doom. But lo, Apollo himself strips off from me.

My
Of

prophet's robe,

now

the spectacle grows stale

his victim in these

vestments laughed to scorn

By friends and foes alike, and all in vain And like a vagabond mountebank such names
As beggar, wretch
or starvehng I endured

jAnd now this seer, being finished with my seership. Has brought me to be murdered in this place.

Where awaiteth me no altar of my home. But a block whereon the last blood yet is warm. Yet not forgotten of Heaven shall we die. There shall come one to vindicate us, born To slay his mother and avenge his sire.

wandering homeless outlaw shall he return

the fabric of ancestral sin.

To cope

For with a mighty oath the Gods have sworn. His father's outstrertched corpse shall draw him home.

Why
I will

then do

stand thus wailing piteously?

fate: I will

endure to die. These gates, as they were Hades' gates, I hail And that the stroke be mortal is my prayer:

meet

my

So swiftly and
Ch.

easily shall

my blood

gush forth.

And without struggle shall I close my eyes. Woman, so hapless, yet withal so wise,
Long hast thou held us
listening; yet
if

verily

THE AGAMEMNON
Ka'irev)(eTai Oijiyovaa
e/4^9 d'yeoyrj<;
(f>Q)Tl

51

(f)d<Tjavov

dvrmcraaOai, ^o^op.

TL SrjT

e/iavTrj'i

KaTwyekwT

6%a) ToZe,
crre<f>r] ;

teal cricrjirTpa

xai fiavreia irepl Bepr)

710

ere fiev -rrpo fiol,pa<; tjj? e'yu,^?

Bia^depw.

IT

e's

<p6opov Trecrovra
cn7)<i

ff'

S8' dfiei'^Ofiai.

oKKt^v Tiv
iSov
S'

dvT

ifiov TrXouTifere.
ifie
/j,e

'A.ir6Wo)v auTOS exSvajv

j(prjaT7)piav icrOrJT, eVoTTTeucra? Se

715

Kciv TOio'Se Koafioii} KarayeXafievriv fieja

(piXmv

vtt' e')(jdp5)v

ov

St'xoppoira)';, p,dTr]v
to?

720

icaXovfiivrj Be
irra)-)(o<i

^oira^

dyvpTpia
^veer'^^o/j/rjp

raXaiva

Xifiodvrj^

KUi vvv o fiavTif fidvTiv iKTrpd^a<;

^cofiov irarpmov

ip,e

dirTjyaj e? TOidcrSe davaaifiovi TV'^a'i.

S'

dvT ewi^rfvov

jxevei,,

depfiov KOTrevTOf

(f>oi,viq)

irpocr^d'yfiaTi.

ov

fiijv

drifioL

i/c

de&v TeOvq^op.ev. av
Tifidopo<i,

ij^ei

yap

^ficov aX\o<s
<f)l,TVfia,

725

p/qTpoKTOvov
^vyd<;

TTOivdrwp irarpo^'

dXrjTTjt;

TTJaSe 7179 diro^epo'i

dpiy/catacop
<f)i\oi<!'

xdreiaiv, aTa<i
Oficofiorai,

rdaSe

yap

opKo<; ex

Oewp

iJbeya<;,

a^eiv viv vTrnaa-/j,a xei/Mepov 7raTp6<;.

Tt Stjt iyo) KdroiicTO';

730
;

wK

dpaaTevfo

lovcra

irpd^w

Tkr]<Top,ai to KaT0aP6ip.

" A iSov irvXa<;

i'n-ev')(pp.at

Se ratrS'

e'lyo)

irpoa-eppiira)
,

Be Kaipia<; irKrjyr)^ Tvxelv,

B? da-^dBaarT0<;,

aCfidTmp evOvqaifiap

735

diToppvePTCop, ofip,a avp^^dXco ToBe.

Xo. a TToWd

fiep

TuXaipa,

TroWa

B ax)

aocjir)

yvvai, fiuKpap eTeipa<;.

el 8' eTr/TV/imii

42

52

THE AGAMEMNON
thine

Thou knowest
led victim,

own doom, how,

as

some heaven-

Patiently to the altar canst thou

move?
is full.

Ka. There

is

no escape,

friends, none,
still is

when time

Ch. Yes, but time's last hour

found the best.

flight.

Ka. The day

is

come. Little were gained by

is

Ch. Truly a patient fortitude

thine.

Ka. Such praise none heareth to

Ch. Yet
is

whom

fate is kind.

there comfort in a glorious death.

father! thou

Ka. Alas
Ch.

my

and thy noble children!

Why

dost thou start?

What
Is it

terror turns thee back?

Ka. Foul! Foul!

Ch.

Why criest
this

thou foul?

some brainsick

loathing?

Ka. Horror Ka.

house exhales from blood-dript walls.

Ch. Nay, nay,

'Tis

'tis

naught but odours of

hearth-sacrifice,

such a reek as riseth from a sepulchre.

will I enter,

Yet

And Agamemnon's.
Alas,
I
j

and there bewail my fate I have Uved long enough.

a bird that dreads a bush

my

friends
like

clamour not

When I am dead confirm my words, / When another woman for my death shall die, j And for a man ill-mated a man falls.
Idly.
I

^\

claim this office as at point to

die..

Ch. Poor wretch, I pity thy prophetic doom.

Ka. Yet once more would

speak

or

is

not this

My own My
For
foes
this

dirge rather?

To

the sun I pray.

This last seen by me, that

when

my champions come,
me
too.

may

pay murder's price for

poor slave's death, their inglorious prey.

THE AGAMEMNON
jMopov Tov avTTJq dlcrda, ttws derfKarov
^oo<s SUt]v Trpo? ^mjJLOv evr6X/ia)<i Traret?
;

53

74

Ka. ovK ear aXv^K, Xo. Ka. Xo.

o S
i)Kei

oii,

^evoi, ^(^povov 7r\e<w.

v(rTaT6<; ye

tov y^povov irpeo'^everai.

a-fiiKpa

ToS

rffiap'

xepBavw

(jivyrj.

aW'

tV^t rKijp.cop oda

wn

evToXpiov ^pev6<;.
745

Ka. ouSeis aKovei ravra r&v

Xo.

evSaifioveov.

aW'
10)

eu/cXew? rot KarOaveiv %a/ot9 jSporw.

Ka. Xo.

iraTep aov

t&v re yevvaimv
;

reKvasv.

Tt

S' eo-ri "xpriixa

rt?

a-'

wirocrTpe^ei ^6^o<;

Ka.
Xo.

^6i) ^ei).

TOVT

e<f>ev^a<;

et tl

firj

(f)pev&v crrvyov.

750

Ka.

<f)6vov 86/101 TTveova-iv aifiaroa-Tayfj.

Xo. Kal TTW?; ToS'

Ko.
6fioio<;

o^et Bv/idrcop e(f)ea'Tb(ov.

e/c

drfioi Sa-irep

ra^ov

irpeirei.

oW'
'

6t/it ai/

Sofioiai KWKvaova-' ifirjv

ap/ceiTo) 0lo<{.

AyafiefJ.vov6<s re /loipav.
^evot.

755

tft)

ovToi Svffoi^a dafivov m? ojovts <f>6^^ aWa9* Oavovcry fiapTvpeire fioi roBe,

orav yvvrj yvvaiKo<; dvT ifiov davy,

dvrjp re BvffSdfiapTO^
ein^evov/jLai

avr avSpo<}

irearj.

760

ravra

8' m<;

0avovfievi}.

Xo. w

rXfjfiov, olicreipdi

ae

6ea-<f>drov /iopov.
rj

Ka. dnra^ er
ifjiov

elirelv 'pyjaiv
avr7j<;.

dprjvov 6i\ca

rov

r]\iov S iirev^ofjbai,
Tip,aopoi<;

rrpo<i

vararov

<^Si<s toi<{ ifJ,oi(;

765

e'XJdpoi)';

<f)6pevaiv tov? ifioi/i riveiv ofiov

SovXt]^ 6avovar]<i, vp,apov<; xeip<o/iaTo<;.

'

54

THE AGAMEMNON
His happiness shadow: but his misery a picture by a wet sponge dashed clean out.
!

Alas for man's estate

Shows
'Tis

like a sketch, a

And

this is the

more

pitiable
[Exit.]

by

far.

Ag.

[within].

Ah me!

am

smitten

to

the heart, a

mortal stroke
Ch. Silence
!

Who
!

is

that cries out as smitten by a

moirtail

wound?
Again
!

Ag.
Cn.
I.

Ah me
Done
is

second time,
I fear

a murderous
the death-

stroke

now

the deed,

me. That

is

groan of the king.

Come
2.

let

us consult,

if

haply some safe counsel we

inay find.

This

is

my

counsel, that

we summon
let

hither

A
3.

rescue of the townsfolk to the palace.

I say,

And And

with

all

speed

us burst

in.

prove the foul deed while the sword yet drips.

to enter the

[As they are about

palace, the scene opens

over the

and

discloses

Clytaemnestra standing

bodies of
CI.

Agamemnon and Kassandra.]

All that I spoke before to serve the time,

no shame now to contradict. For how by avowing open hate to enemies. Presumed to be our friends, could we build up Destruction's toils too high to be overleapt?
I shall feel

By me long since against victory long-deferred Was planned this duel, yet at last it came.
Here stand
I

where

I struck,

njy work achieved.

THE AGAMEMNON
tto

55
fiev

^poreia Trpdyfiar' einvxpvvTa

el Se

aKca Tt? av nrph^eiev

/cat

Bvarvxv^
ypacjyijv.

^oKal<i vypwaa-fov a-Troyyo^ wXecrev

770

TavT

eKeivaiv fiaXXov olKTelpco iroXv.

[Exit.]

Ay.

w/ioi, tre'irXrjy/jLai,
tl<;

Kaipiav
dvrel

irXrjyrjv earn.

Xo. aiya-

irXTjyfjv

Katpla)<; ovTaa-fievof

Ay.

wfioi, fidX' a?i6ii,

Sevrepav

TreTrXijyfiivo^.
fjLoi

Xo.i. Tovpyov
yp,aTi.

eipydcrdai SoKei

^acriX<o<; olfiw-

775

aXXa
V2.

KOivaxrm/jLeO' rjv ttw? d<rcj)aXrj

^ovXev/Mur

eyw

fiev v/xlv ttjv ifirjv yvcofirjv Xeyco,

7rpb<} hSifjua Sew/}'

darrolai KTjpva-creiv 0or]v.

780

3. ifiol B' OTTO)? Td')(i<Trd

e/Mnea-elv SoKei

Koi irpar/p! eKiyyeiv avv veoppvrcp ^i^ec.

[As they are about

to enter the palace, the scene

opens

and

discloses

Clytaemnestea

standing over the

bodies of

Agamemnon and Kassandea.]

elprjfiivcov

K\. iroXXSiv irdpoidev Kaipta^

rdvavTu
7r&<;

elireiv

ovk erraiayyvQriaoybai.
<f>iXoi<i

yap

rts e')(6poK e')(dpd iropavvwv,

irrjiJLOvfjs

ZoKoixTiv elvai,

dpKvaTar av
785

(j)pd^etev, v^jro^ Kpela-aov eKirrfBrifiaro^

ifiol S'

dyav
S'

oS'

ovk a^povTiaTd iraXat

ye
lirjv

veiKT]^ irdXaiai; rfxOe, crvv 'x^povo)

eaTTjKa

evd^ eVatcr'

eV

i^eipyaa-fiivoi,';.

56

THE AGAMEMNON

this too will I not denyso I wrought That neither should he escape nor ward his doom.

Even

A
I

blind entanglement, like a net for

fish,

swathe around him, an evil wealth of robe. And twice do I smite him, till at the second groan

There did his limbs sink down; and as he lies, A third stroke do I deal him, unto Hades, Safe-keeper of dead men, a votive gift. Therewith he lies still, gasping out his life And spouting forth a vehement jet of blood Strikes me with a dark splash of murderous dew.

No

less rejoicing

than in Heaven's sweet rain

The corn doth at the birth-throes of the ear. The truth being such, ye grave elders of Argos, Rejoice, if so ye may; but I exult.
Ch.

We
To Ye

marvel at thine audacity of tongue

glory in such terms over thy slain lord.
assail
I

CI.

me

as though I were a witless

all

But

with heart unshaken what

this is

woman. know

Declare
'Tis all

whether thou praise me or condemn, one Agamemnon, mine

husband, done to death by this right hand's Most righteous workmanship. The case stands so. Ch. Woman, what earth-engendered

Own

Venomous herb, or what evil drug, Scum of the restless sea, canst thou have tasted of. Thus to incur the loud fury of a people's curse? Away thou hast cast, away thou hast cleft, away shall
the city fling thee,

A
CI.

monstrous burden

of loathing.

Yes,

now

city's

thou doomest banishment, loathing and a people's curses

for

me

THE AGAMEMNON
ovro)
S'

57

etrpa^a, Koi

rdS ovk

dpvriaofjbai'

(B? nrjTe <j>ev'yeiv fi'^r

dfivvea-dat fiopov,

790

aireipov dfKJji^XrjaTpov, Scrirep I'^Bvcov,

vXovrov eifiaToi kukov. iratm he viv St?" xdp hvoiv olpboyyiMaaiv lieOrjKev avrov KcoKa- koX TreirrmKOTt Tpirrjv eTrevSiBcofJ-t, rov Kara xdovoi
irepio'Tt'X^i^m,
'

795

AiSov vexpSfv (TWTripos evicTalav

ovT(o Tov

'x^apiv.

avTOv dvfxov

6pp,a[vei irecrwv

KUK^vaiMv o^eiav a'lixaro^ a^a'yrjv ^dXXei epefMvfj yjraKaBi (poivia^ Bpocrov,

fj.'

')(aipov(Tav

ovSev ^acrqv

rj

SioaSoTa

800

jdvei <nroprfTo<; KaXvKO'i iv Xo'^evp.aaiv.

ft)?

08' i'x^ovTcov,

TrpecySo? 'Apyelcov roSe,

eV6i/%o/iat.

iym B' Xo. davfid^ofiev aov yXacraav, w?

^(abpoiT av, el 'xaipoiT,
'r)Ti<;

Qpaavo'Top.o';,

ToiovB'

eV

dvBpl

KOjjLird^ei';
ft)?

Xoyov.

805

KX. Treipdade

p,ov jvvatKO<;

dcfipdafiovoi;

iyw

B'

drpecTTq)

KapBia irpo^

elSorai;

Xiyco'
ofjLOLov.
TTo'crt?,

(TV S' alvelv eire fie fp'ejeiv deXei<;

ovt6<; eoTTiy ^Ayap^ifipcov,

e'/io?

veKpb<; Be, ri^aBe Se^ia? X^P^'^

^^

epyov, BiKaiWi TeKrovo<;.

rdB' wB' 6%et.

Xo. tC kukov,

CO

yvvai, yQovoTpe^e<i eBavov

rj

trorov

traaafieva pura? e^ a\o? opfievov

ToS" eiredov 6vo<i, Br]fio0p6ov<; t dpdi;
d-jreBiKe';
yUrjcro?

direrafii';

aTroTToXt?

8' ecrei

815

o^pifMov daTot'i.

K\. vvv
KoX

fiev

BiKa^eK
dcTT&v

e/e

iroXeco^ (fivyrjv ifiol

/ua-o'i

Brjfj,60pov<s

t e^eiv

dpd'i.

58

THE AGAMEMNON
this

Yet once no whit didst thou withstand

man.

Who
ji

recking not, as 'twere a beast that died,

his woolly flocks bare sheep enough,

Although

Sacrificed his

own

child, that

dear delight
of Thrace.

Born
I

of

my pangs,

to

charm the winds

Ch. Insolent

is thy mood. Thine utterance arrogant. Therefore even As with the deed of blood frenzied is now thy So doth a gory smear fitly adorn thy brow.

soul.

With none to avenge, none to befriend,

Stroke for stroke in reprisal.
This likewise shalt thou hear,

verily yet shall

[you pay

CI.

my solemn oath:

By the Justice here accomplished for my child. By the Sin and Doom, whose victim here I have slain, Not for me doth Hope tread the halls of Fear,
While yet
Aegisthus,
fire

on my hearth is kindled by my kind friend as heretofore.

For yonder, no small shield for our assurance. Lies low the man who outraged his own wife. Darling of each Chryseis under Troy, And by him this bond-slave and auguress.
His oracle-delivering concubine,
1

Who, as his faithful couch-mate, shared with him The mariners' bench. But punished are they now. For he fare thus and she, now she has wailed
:

Swan-like her last lamenting song of death.

Lies .there, his lover, adding a delicate

New
Ch.

seasoning to the luxury of

my

couch.

Oh No

for a

speedy death, painless without a throe,

lingering bedridden sickness,

gentle death, bearing sleep eternal.

THE AGAMEMNON
ovoev tot' dvBpi twS' ivavriov (ftepcov
09 ov irpoTifi&v, mcnrepel

59

^orov

fiopov,

820

jJuqXwv (jiXeovTcov ewTrd/eot? vofievfiaaiv,

edvaev avrov iraiSa, ^iKrar'qv

i/xol

mBiv', eTrmSbv @pr]Kt,(OP drjfjidTcov.

Xo.

fieydkofiTjTii;

el,

irepi^pova
<f)pfiv

S'

e\aKe<}

wcnrep ovv
825

(povoXi^el TV')(a

iiritiaiveraL

XiTTO? eir ofifxaruv aifiaTO'i i/MTrpeTrei'

aTierov

S'

btl <re

%p^

(rrepofievav <f>i\(ov

TVfifia TVfifiaTt Tiaai.

K\. Koi

TTjvS' dKovei<s

opKCWv ifi&v de/MV

iftrj<;

fia Tr)v

TeXeiov tt)?

TrajSo? /^iKr/v,

830

^'Arrfv 'Sipivvv
oij fioi

6', alcri

rovK

ecr^a^' iya>,

<j)6^ov fiiXadpov e'XTrt? ifiTrarei,

e<p'

eto^

av aWr} irvp

JcrTta?

e'/ijj?

Atyiado'i, to? TO irpocrOev eS (ppov&v ifioL

ovTO<}

yap

r]fuv

d(T'iri<;

ov afiiKpa 6pdaov<i.

835

KeiTai yvvaiKO'; rrjerSe Xv/u,avTypto<;,

X-pvarjoScov fielXty/xa

t&v

vtt

'lA,tft)

t' al')(^fid\a)To<i rjSe

Kol repacTKo'Tro'i

Kal KOivo\,eKTpo<; TovSe, Oea^airfKoyoi;

TTio'TTj ^vvevvo<;,

vavriXcov Se creXfidrmv
S'

840

icrorpi^riv.
fiev

arifia
ouTftj?,
17

ovk iirpa^aT-qv.

yap

Si rot kvkvov SiKijv

TOP varaTOv fieX't^aaa Oavdaifiov yoov

KeoTUt
evvfi<;

(j)iXi]Teop

twS', ifioi B iTrrjyayev

efifj'i

irapo'^rnvrnia T'^?

'xXtSijv.

845

Xo.

(})ev,

T19

av iv

Tdj(ei,

fir)

irepi(oBvvo<;,

fiTjSe BefiviOTTipri'i,

fioXoi Tov del

^epova

iv fjfuv

6o

THE AGAMEMNON
is lost.

Sleep without end, for to us the kindest,

Truest of guardians

Who

woman's sin endured toils untold; Yea, and by a woman's hand he fell.
for a

Demon, who o'er the house broodest, and o'er the

Branching Tantalid offspring. And through the' wives, equals in destruction,

twi-

my heart an anguish on the carcase like a loathed Carrion crow perched he stands, and gloryingly Chanting forth croaks his tuneless hymn.
Wieldest a power, to

Now

CI.

Now
The

thy judgment hast thou amended.

thrice-gorged

Since thou accusest

demon

of this whole lineage.

For from him is bred this lust of the heart For blood to be lapped ere yet the old woe Is over and gone, ever fresh gore.

Ch.j Ay
I

me! Ay me My king, my king! shall I weep thee? What word shall I speak from a loving heart?
!

How

In this spider's

web

to be lying thus caught.

By Ah

a foul death gasping thy soul forth

me,

me couched
!

thus shamefully like a slave.

Stricken
Craftily
CI.

down by

a deadly hand

armed with a cleaving sword-blade

Do you

dare to avouch this deed to be mine? Nay, fancy not even

That in me Agamemnon's spouse you behold But disguised as the wife of the man who is slain Yonder, the ancient wrathful Avenger Of Atreus, that grim feaster, hath found

THE AGAMEMNON
Moip' areXevTov virvov, hafiivTOi
<f)v\aKo<s

6i

evfieveaTarov

850

TToXea rKdvTO<; yvvaiKO'i Stat;

TTjOo?

yvvaiKo<i

S'

airi^diaev.
Smfiacri KaX

Saifiov, o?

efiir'tiTvei's

Bi<pvloi&i TavToXCBaiaiv,

Kparo'i T la6'^V)(pv
KapBiioSrjKTOv
i/jbol

e/c

yvvatK&v

855

KparvveK.

iirl Se (rm/jLaToi; Buicav jxoi

KopaKot; e')(6pov <na6el<T Kv6p,<o<i

vfivov vfjLveiv eirev'^eTai.

K\, vvv

S"

wp6(oaa<i ctto/jmto^

lyvco/jbrjv,

860

Tov rpiTrd'xvvTov
haifjuova yivvrj'; rrjaSe KiKKrjaiccov.
iic

TOV yap

ep(0<i

alfiaToKoi'Xp'i

vetpirpoipeiTai, irplv xaTaXyj^ai

TO iraXaiov

a,')(p^,

vio<s

iX^P-

865

Xo.

tft)

lo)

^acriXev jSacriXev,
(76

TTW?

SaKpvcrm ;
iv ix^dcrfiaTi rmS'
ix'Trvemv.

^pevo<! 6 0tXta? Tt ttot' eifTrw

Kela-ai
8' apd')(vrj<;

cuj-e^el

Oavdra 0bov

870

w/ioL fioL

KoiTav TavB' aveXevOepov

dfi^tTOfitp ^eXefiva.

So'\i(p fJ'Oprp Sap.el's

eK

')(epo<;

K\.

av')(eh elvai ToSe

fM]S^ 67rtA.6%0^?

Tovpyov

ifiop

875
fi

'Ayafie/jivovCav etvai

aXo')(pv.

^avTa^o/ievov Be yvvaiKi vexpov

TOvB' 6 TraXaio<; Bpifivt dXaaTtop
'Arpeffls 'X^aXe'TTov doi,vaTripo<;

62

THE AGAMEMNON

Yonder a full-grown
Victim for the ghosts of the children.
Ch, That thou of the blood here shed Art innocent, who shall essay to witness?

Yet the fiend avenging may have aided. And swept along on floods of gore
No, no
!

The

father's sin

From

slaughtered kindred
Strife,

by the red

he comes where he must pay now For the caked blood of the mangled infants.
Deity of
CI.

What, did not he too wreak on As crafty a crime?

his household

Nay but
Even
, ,;

the branch he grafted upon me.

Iphigeneia,
is

My long-wept-for

as he dealt with her, so

he faring:

him not boast now. As he sinned by the sword, So is death by the sword his atonement.
Therefore in Hades let

Ch. In blank amaze, reft of thought's resourceful

Counselling aid, I

Which way
I

to turn,

know not now the house

is falling.

dread the

fierce,

crashing storm that wrecks the home,

The storm of blood. Ceased is now the small rain. But Justice is but whetting for some other deed
Of bale her sword's edge on other whetstones.

Ay me!
Or

Earth, Earth!

Would thou hadst covered me.

I

ere in the silver-sided bath

Outstretched in death

had seen him

Who shall make his grave? Who shall sing his dirge? Who by the tomb of the deified hero weeping

THE AGAMEMNON
TOvS" aireriaev,
"

63
880

TeXeov veapol<; iirtdixra^.

Xo. w?

fiev avaLTio<; el

rovSe ^ovov Tts o fiapTvprjo-aiv

irm 7r&; TrarpoOev Se avXXi^iTTCop yevoiT

av aXdcTTap.

885

^id^erai,

S' op.oairopoi'i

eTTippoalaiv aifidrcop
/j.eKa<:
'

Ap7;9, ottoi SCkuv irpo^aivwv

ird'xya

Kovpo^opw
ovTo<i
;

Trape^ei.

K\. ovSe yap

SoXiav aTrjv

890

o'liKOiaLV e6r)K

aW'
rr)v

ifLov

i/c

touS' epvo'i depdev,

I(j)iyeveiav,

wokvKKavTrjv

a^ia Spda-a<; a^ia irdcr'xwv

/jLTjSev

ev"At,Sov fieyaXavx^eiTco,

895

^KpoSrjX-ijTa)

davdrcp Ttcra? direp ^p^ev.

Xo.

d/irj'^^^avcS <j)povTiSo<;

a-TeprjdeU

evTrdXa/jLov fiepi/xvav

oira rpdirco/Mai, iriTvovTO<; oikov.

900

SiSooKa

8'

6/x/3pov KTVTTOv So/j,oa-(f)a\r]

Xijyei.

Tov alfiarijpov ^aKO.'s Se

AiKT]
irpof
B'

iv'

dXXo

irpdy/jua drjydvel

^Xd^Tj?

dXXaLs Orjydvaiaiv dop.

ya, eia
ep,

tft)

ya

eoe^co,

905

irplv Toz/S' iTTiSeiv dpyvpoTo'i')(pv

BpoLTa<s
Tt9 o

Kare^ovra Qd^asv vbv; rt?

yap.evvriv.
Qpt\vr)<Tmv;

Tt?

S'

eirirvfJb^iov alvov

eV

aj^S/at

^etw

910

64

THE AGAMEMNON
and bowed down

Shall chant his praise,

In unfeigned grief of heart lament him?

CI.
it beseems not herein to concern thee No, for beneath us jHe bowed, he lay dead, and below shall we bury him,

Thee

Not to a mourning household's dirges. But Iphigeneia with welcome blithe. As a daughter should.
Shall encounter her sire at the swift-flowing strait

Of Wailing, and there Fling around him her arms and

I

shall kiss him.

Ch. Reviling thiis answereth reviling.

'

Hard

to adjudge the strife seems.

The
^

pays reprisal. While on his throne Zeus abides, abides the truth Who doth the deed, suffereth so the law stands. Who from the house shall cast the brood of curses
spoiler is spoiled, the slayer
:

forth?

The whole race

CI.

is

welded

fast to ruin. this saw, 'twas truth

When you

stumbled upon
I

Led thee. But With the fiend

now
:

of the Pleisthenid race consent

is

This treaty to swear what

done,

we

accept,

Hard be

it

to bear,

Henceforth this

but quit house, and afflict with kindred

if

he

will

Murder some other race instead. Though mine be a small

Portion of wealth, that in
If I
full shall suffice

me.

thus

may

cleanse

These halls from the frenzy of blood-feud.

THE AGAMEMNON
^vv haKpvoi<} lairTwv

65

aXadeLa

<j)pev&v irovrjcrei

K\. ov ae

irpoarjKei to fieXfjfi dXeyeiv

jrpb<; r^fiSiv

TovTO'

KCLinreae, KwrOave, kol

KaTada^ofiev
o'ikcov,
. .

915

ovx

VTTO KKav0fjimv

rmv i^

aW

I<j>i'yeveid viv aerTracrtto?

OvyciTrjp,

irarep

ws XPV> avriaaaaa
xelpe

Trpo? ooKviropov

TTopdfiev/i d'xeayv
irepX

920
(piXija-ei.

^aXovaa
dvT

Xo.

oveiSo<; fjKei roS'

6vebSov<s.

Sva/ia'X^a 8' ecrri Kpivai.

^epei (pepovT, i/crivei

/lifivei

8'

o Katvwv.

Be fiifivovTo^ ev dpova Ala's

dea-fiiov yap.

925

Tradelv top ep^avraTi5 ai)

yovav dpalov eK^oKoi

yevo<s
'irpo<;

So/jlwv;

KeKoWTjTai
K\.
e?

ara.

TOvS

ive^r)^ ^vv a\.r}0eia

')(p7]afi6v.

iyw

S"

odv
TiXeicrdeviS&v
p-ev a-repyeiv,

930

iOeXo) BaLfwyi

rw

opKovt

defiivT]

TuBe

BvarX'TfTd irep ovd'' o Be Xonrov, iovr

ix rmvBe B6p,cov aXXrjv yeveav

rpi^eiv 0apdToi<; avdevraiai'

935

KTedvav re
^aiov

p,epo';

exoiio'Ti

irav

airo'x^prj p,oi

fiavia<s p,eXddpa)v

dXXr]Xo<p6vov<; d<jieXovffrj.
A.

66
[Enter

THE AGAMEMNON
Aegisthus
attended by a body-guard
of spearmen.

AEGISTHUS

O Now

glad

dawn
I

can
that

day that brings redress say that from above earth Gods
of the

Look down

to avenge the sorrows of mankind,

see this

Now

man

in

woven robes

Of Retribution stretched dead to my joy, Paying in full for a father's crafty sin. For Atreus, lord of Argos, this man's sire, Atreus, with zeal scarce welcome to my father.
Feigning to hold a joyful feasting day,

Served him a banquet of his children's

flesh.

The

extremities, the feet

and fingered hands.

He

kept concealed, the rest disguised he set

Before Thyestes, where he sat apart:

Who at the first unwitting took and ate That food now proved unwholesome to his
Then, recognizing the unhallowed deed,
'

race.

He

groaned, and
fell

falls

back vomiting the

sacrifice,

\iAnd calls a

Kicking the

doom on the sons of Pelops, table away to aid his curse

of Pleisthenes.

That thus might perish all the race For such cause do you see this man

laid low;

And

justly so did I contrive this slaughter.

I

While yet

dwelt abroad I reached

my

foe,

Weaving this dark conspiracy's whole plot. Thus glorious were death itself to me, Now I have seen him caught in toils of Justice.
Ch. Aegisthus, I scorn to insult distress

But dost thou own

wilfully to

have

slain

him.

And

cdone to have contrived this woeful murder,

THE AGAMEMNON
[Enter

67

Aegisthus

attended by a body-guard

of spearmen.]

Ainseos
(o

^6770?

eSc^jOOi/ rjiMepai;
riBrj

BiKTj^opov.

940

^abTjv av
Oeoii^

vvv ^porSiv Ti/jLaopov;

yr)^ iiroiTTeveiv
0L'}(r],

avwOev

ISmv v<f)avToiv ev TreTrXoi^ 'Epivvcov

Tov avBpa TovBe Keifievov
(f)lXo)<; ifioi,

X^pot TraTpoaa? eKTivovra /iT^^ai/a?. 945 Arpeu? yap-dpj^mv rrjcrSe 7^?, tovtov irurrfp
'Arpevi, TrpoQvp.m'i (laXKov
rj (jiiXo)<;,

Trarpl

TWfim, Kpeovpyov rjp.ap evOvfim^ ayeiv

BoK&v,

Trapea-'x^e

Saira TraiSeCtov Kpemv.

950

ra

Kal x^p&v aKpov<; KTeva<; eKpvTTT avadev avSp' e/t^? KaOijfievov

fiev iroSijpr)

aarifi

o S"

avrmv

avTiie

dyvoia Xafiebv
opa<;, yevei.

eaOeir fiopav acrwrov,

w?

KaTreir- iiriyvov'} epyov ov Karaicriov

wfim^ev, dfiTTi/mei

8'

dirb tripayfjv ip&v,

955

jjLopov S' a<l>epTov IIe\o7riSai<; eTreu^erat,

\aKTt<T/j,a Beiirvov ^vvSlkcov Ti6el<; dpa,

ovTa><; oXia-ffai irav

to UXeicrOevovg

yevo<;.

ex TMpBe

crot

TreaSvra tovB' IBelv trdpa.

ff)6vov pa^ev<;.

xdyco B'iKaio^ TovBe tov

Koi TOvBe TavBpb'i

960

^^}rdp,ijp dvpa2o<i wv,

irdaav avvdylra<;
ovTto

firjxavrjv

Bva^ovXCa^.
efioi,

KoXov B^ Kal TO KUTOaveiv

IBovTa TOVTOV T^9

BiKT)^ ip epKcriv.

Xo.

Aiyicrd', vfipi^eiv ev KaKOiaiv ov a-e^eo.

965

av

S'

dvBpa TovBe

<^y<i

eKwv KaTUKTaveiv,

p,6vo<i B'

eTTOiKTOv TovBe ^ov\ev<rai <j)6vov

52


68

THE AGAMEMNON
thine

Know

own

head, judged guilty, shall not scape

oar.

The curses of a people flung in stones. Ae. Thou to prate so, benched at the lowest

While those of the upper tier control the ship Your old age shall be told how bitter it is To be schooled in discreetness at your years. Bonds and the pangs of hunger are supreme Physicians to instruct even senile minds
In wisdom. Doth not this sight

Kick not against the

Ch.

pricks, lest the

make thee see? wound smart.

Thou woman,

in wait for returning warriors.

Lurking at home, defiling a man's bed For a mighty captain didst thou plot this death? Ae. These words likewise shall prove the source of tears.

CA.'Thou to be despot of our Argive folk. Who durst not, when thou hadst contrived his death, Durst not achieve the crime with thine own hand.
j

Ae.

The beguiling was the wife's part manifestly. I was suspected, a foe by my birth.

Now with
/I shall
'

the dead king's treasure will I strive

jTo rule this people: but the mutinous

man

yoke
;

sternly,

not like a corn-fed colt

In traces no, but grim starvation, lodged 'With darkness, shall not leave him till he is tamed. Ch. Why, craven soul, didst thou not kill thy foe Unaided, but must join with thee a woman. Defilement of our country and its Gods,

him? Oh, is Orestes living yet. That he by fortune's grace returning home Victoriously may put both these to death? Ae. Nay, if thus in word and deed you threaten, soon shall you be taught.
slay
'

To

THE AGAMEMNON
oil <]>rifi

69

aXv^etv iv

Slier)

to abv Kapa

Sr)fj,oppi(j)el^, a-d<ji

ia9i, Xevaifiov; apd<;.

At,

a-v

ravra

(jtwvel'i

veprepa

irpoa'^/ievo';

970

KooTrr/,

KparovvTcov t&v

iirl

^vyw Bopo^

yvwaei yepcov wv w?
Tftj

SiSdcr/cecrOai ^apii

TrjXiKOVTw, (^axfipoveiv elpij/iivov.

Be Kal to yrjpai; ai re vtjaTiBei
975

Setrytto?

Svai SiSdar/ceiv e^o')(a)TaTai (ppev&v

i,aTpofidvT6i<}.
!Tpd<:
oi/'x^

opa<;

opmv TuSe
fir)

KevTpa

jxr)

XdiCTl^e,

Tratcra? fiojrj^.

Xo. yvvai,

<rv tov<;

^KOVTa<; sk /Ma'xrj^ fiivmv

d/j^a

olxovpo^ evvr)v dvSp6<i ala-)(vvQ)p

dvSpl (TTpaTr)iya tovK i^ovXevcrai; fiopov ;

At. Kal TavTCL Tcnrr) KXavfiUTCov
dp'xrj'yevfj.
ecret,

980

Xo.

d)s Br) (TV jjLOi

Tvpavvot 'Apyeicop

0? oi/K, itreiSr) twS" e'/SowXeufra? fiopov,

Bpaaai toS' epyov ovk ItXi;?

At.

awroKTOi/ft)?.
fjv

TO yap BoX&crai

tt/jo?

yvvaiKoi;

(ra^axi'

985

iyw
e'

S'

UTTOTTTO?

i')(jdp6^

TrdXaiyevr)!;.

TOiv Be TovBe 'X^pvf^dTwv jreipdaofiat

ap'xeiv

iroXiT&v tov Be
fioi

fii)

veiddvopa
99

^ev^a ^apeiai<; ovti

aeipa^opov
Bva-(j}iXei <tk6tcp
o-<^' i'TroyjreTai.

Kptd&VTa ir&Xop
Xifibi;

dXX' 6

^vvoLKO<i (laXOaKov

Xo.

Tt

Br)

Thv avBpa tovB' aTro

r)vdpil^e<i,

"^vxfjii KaKrj<;

OVK avTdi;

dXXd

viv yvvr)

)(<i>pa<; fiiafffjLa

Kal de&v iyxa'pio'v

995

eKTeiv
OTTMi;

apd ttov /SX^Trei <f>do<!, KaTeXOmv Bevpo irpevfievel tv')(tj

;

'Ope<rTr)<s

dfi^oiv yevr)Tai TOivBe 7rayKpaTr)<;

At.

(f)ovev<!

dXX'

iirel

Boxel^ TdB' epBeiv Kal Xiyeiv, yvtoaei

Td'x^a.

70

THE AGAMEMNON
my
trusty spearmen!

Forward now,

Here

is

work

for us at hand.

SOLDIERS
Forward now His sword unsheathing, each man stand upon his guard. Ch. Nay, I too, my sword unsheathing, shrink not back, though I must die. So. Die, thou sayest. The word is welcome. Ours be
!

CI.

now to make it good. Nay forbear, my dearest husband. Let

further
ill.

us do no

Miseries are here to reap in plenty, a pitiable crop.

Harm enough
spilt.

is

done already

let

no blood by us be

Then
let

if

haply these afHictions prove enough, there

us stop.

by the heavy heel of fate. So doth a woman' s reason coimsel, if so be that any heed.
Sorely smitten thus already

Ae. But for these to

let

their

foolish

tongues thus

blossom into speech.

Flinging out such overweening words, as though to

Ch. Never

tempt their fate was it Argive villainous man.

I'll

fashion

to

fawn

upon a

Ae. Well,

visit this

upon you soon or

if

late in days

to come.

Ch. That thou shalt not,

but Heaven guide Orestes

back to
Ae. Yes,
I

his

home.
full

know

well myself

how banished men

will feed

on hopes.
fat,

Ch.

Do

thy worst; wax

befouling righteousness,

while yet thou mayest.

THE AGAMEMNON
eta
Bi],

71
eKcii ToBe.

(piXoi Xo'^lrai,

Tovpyov ov^

AOXITAI
eia
Brj, ^i<f)0<;

irpoKonrov

ira<;

rt? evrpeirb^eTm.

Xo.
Ao.

dWA

fj,r)v

Kayoo 7rp6;a)7ro? ovk dvaivo/iai Baveiv.

ae' rrjv tv'x^v
S"

Se'X^Ofievoi^ 'Keyei'sdaveiv

aipov1002

fieOa.

K\.

fiTjBafido^,

to

^IXraT dvBp&v, aXka

BpdtTQip,ev

KUKa.

aWa

Kal rdB i^afirjcrai ttoWo. BvaTrjvov 0epo<;'

TTTjfiovrj'i B'

SXk

ry

vvdp'X^eL-

fjLT/Bev

alfiarmfieda.
Be'X^oified^

el Be rot im6')(6cov

yevoiro r&vB^ o\ts,

dv,

1006

Baifiovo^ XVXf/ /3apel,a

cdB'

Bvcrvx^w
e'irii;

ireifKriyp.evoi.

e^et Xoyo'; jvvaiKO'i,

d^iol fiadetv.
wB' dtrav-

At.

dXKa

TovcrS

e/iol

fiaraiav

ykwaaav

Oiaai

vcaK^aXeiv

eirr)

Toiavra

Bat,/iovo<; ireiprnfi^vovs.

Xo.

oiiK

av 'Apyeimv toB^

e'l%

cftmra

irpoaaaiveiv
lOII

KaKOV.
At.

dW'

iyM a
eav

ev

{xnepaiaiv

'^fiepaii; fiireifi

en.

Xo. OVK,

Baifitov

^Ope<TTJ)v

Bevp

direvOvvrj

fioKelv.

At.

otS' iydo (jtevyovTa's

avBpa<i e\7riSas iriTovfievov<i.

Xo. irpacrce, Tnatvov,

iJ,ia[vtov ttjv Blktiv,

eVet irdpa.

72
Ae. Take

THE AGAMEMNON
my
warning; for this folly thou shalt make
valiant like a cock

amends some day.

Ch. Brag: be
CI.

who crows and

struts

beside his hen.

Treat with the contempt they merit these vain

yelpings.

Thou and

I,

Now

the masters in this palace, will rule

all

things

righteously.

THE AGAMEMNON
I
I'
'

73

At.

taOi

fJioi

Smamv

diroiva rfjaSe iMmpia<i vp6va>.

Xo. Ko/iTraaov
TreXa?.

6ap<T&v,

oK^Krap

Sare

0r)\ela<;

K\.

fir) irpo7iiJ,ri<ng<;

fiaraLmv t&vS vKayfidrtop' eya)

Kol

<Tv

Briaofiev

Kparovvre

r&vSe

Bca/idreov

KaX&<i.

1019

THE CHOEPHORI
OF

AESCHYLUS

THE CHOEPHORI
[The grave of Agamemnon, near the palace of Argos.}

ORESTES
Nether Hermes, guardian
Preserve

^5-.~ ''

->--~^
'

of paternal riglits,

me and

fight

Over

this grave's

me at my mound on my sire I
with

prayer.
call

To hearken,
I was not Nor did I

to give heed.

there, father, to wail

thy death,
bier.

stretch
[Enter

my hand
What

towards thy
the

Electra and
is

Chorus.]

What

is it I

see?

this troop of

women

Approaching in conspicuous black robes Of mourning? To what cause should I assign it? Hath some new sorrow faUen upon the house? Or should I guess they are bringing these libations

To appease my father in the world below? Naught else? Yonder, it must be, walks Electra,

My
I

sister.

By

the bitterness of her grief

Zeus, graiit

know

her.

me now

to avenge
fight.

My

sire's

death; on

my side

deign thou to

Pylades, stand

More surely

we aside, that I may learn who these suppliant women are.

CHORUS
"Go," said
Behold,
she,

"from the palace bear

is

Libations forth, with sharp resounding stroke of hand."

my

cheek

newly scarred with crimson.

THE CHOEPHORI
[The grave of

Agamemnon, near

the palace of Argos.]

OPE2THS
^pfirj j(j9ovi6

irarpS
//.oi

iTroirTevoov /epdrr],

atHTTjp ryevov

^v/i/ia^o? t alrovfievo)'

Tv/i^ov S

eV

o'xffo)

TmSe

Krjpvcrcra} Trarpl

Kkveiv, aKovaai.

ov yap Trapmv mjjLai^a gov, irdrep, p,6pov

ou8' e^ereiva X^^p'
^''^'

eK(j>opa veKpov.

[Enter

Eleqtra and
;

the

Chorus.]

Tt XPVH'^ \eva-cra) aTeL^ei yvvaiKKtv

rt? tto^' ^S' ofirjyvpK

<f)dpe<Tiv ixeKa<y')(}fJi.0L<i
;

irpeTTOvaa

iroia ^vfi<j)opa -Trpoa-eiKaaa

irrjfia

TTorepa Bofioiai
7)

irpocrKVpei veov
ti/t^ci)
;

10

Trarpi TmfiS rdaS" iTreiKaaa^

Xoa<; <j)epovcra<i veprepoi'i /MeiXiy/iaTa

ovSev TTOT dXXo

/cal

areix^iv dSeX<priv
trpeirovaav.
iraTpo'i,

yap 'HXe/tTpai/ Sokco rrjv efirfv irivdei XvypS

fie

Zev, So?

ria-aadai fiopop

15

yevov he avftfia^o'; 6iXmv efioL

a-a(f)m';

TivXdhrj, <rTa6&/ji,ev iK-rroBcov, 0)9 av

fiddco

yvvaiK&v

r)Ti<;

rjSe irpocrTpo'Trrj.

XOPOS
taX,To?
e'

Sofiwv e^av

[""''/'

20

Xoa<; irpoTTOfimov o^vxeipi crvv ktvtto).

Trpeirei, iraprjl'} <f)oivioi'i

afivyfioi^

78

THE CHOEPHORI

Rent by the bloodily furrowing nail At all hours feeds'my heart on lamentation ceaselessly. A scream was heard of linen torn. As in my agony I ripped it up,
These folds o'er
Victims of

my breast,
task.
lifted hair.

Robes cruelly mangled.

my joyless

For

thrilling

Fear with

Prophetic to the house in dreams, and breathing wrath

From

sleep, at

dead

of night

with panic outcry

Uttered a shriek from the inner recess,

A fierce wail, bursting on the

And

chamber where the women

[slept.

they who read this dream declared, Pledging a verity by heaven revealed,

That ghosts underground.

Souls wrathfully plaintive.
Still

against their slayers raged.

horror, the impious

To avert such
(Alas, Earth,

woman who
,

sends
forth.

Mother !) Plans a vain appeasement That can ne'er appease. But I Fear to speak the words she bade. For what redemption can there be

[me

for blood once

[spilt?

Woe Woe

for this miserable hearth!

for this house to ruin

doomed

A A

sunless gloom, abhorred of men, shroud of hate broods o'er a house Death-bereaved of its master.

That venerable, resistless, invincible majesty, That once found a way through The ears and hearts of all men.

THE CHOEPHORI
6vv')(^o<;

79

aXoKi veoTOfKp,
^oaKerat, Keap.

Si

aiS>vo<s S' Ivjfiotari,

S'

/Kivp^dopoi

v^aa-fidrmv
25

XaKtSe? 6<j)\aBov vir aXyeaiv,'

irpoarepvoi crroXfiol
iriirXcov ayXda-TOi<;

^Vfi^opaii
TO/JOS

ireTrXTjiyfieveov.
<f)6l3o<;,

yap 6p666pi^

[ai/r. a.

Soficov oveipofiavTK, i^ v-ttpov

TTvecov,

kotov

30

deopovvKTOv dfM^oafjia

fJLVXodev eXaice irepl

^60m,
^apv<; irLrvcav.

ryvvaiieeioia-iv iv Sco/jLUcriv

Kpirai T6 T&vS" oveipdrwv

OeoOev eKuKov viriyyvoi
fiefiAeadat rov'i 7a?
r

35

vepdev ^epidvfio)<s

TOK

KTavovcri t eyKoreiv.

^^
KaicSiv,
[fTjO. /8.

Tot&vSe x^P''^ d^dpiTov dTrSTpoirop Im yala fJio^a,

fim/Miva
jM

idXXei
<j>o0ov-

hvaOeo^ yvvd.
fiai 8' 67ro? ToS'

eK^aXeiv.
45

Tt

yap XvTpov

irecrovro'; at/iaro^ irehoi

la irdvoi^vi earia,
lu>

Karaa-Ka(f)al SofJbav.

dv^Xioi ^poToaTvyel'i
Bv6<f)oi KaXvirTovtri, Sofiovi

Secrirorayv davdroKri.

~-

ae^a<s
St'

S'

a/iaxov dSdfiarov aTroXe/Jiov to irplv [dvr. ^.

cfipevoi

mrav

re

Safiiwi Trepalvov


8o

THE CHOEPHORI
has fallen away.
'Tis

Now

Fear

Reigns instead. Prosperity

That among mortals is a god, and more than god. But Justice, watching with her scale, On some by daylight swiftly swoops, Or in the borderland of dark Her lingering wrath ripening bides Others utterly the night whelms.

ELECTRA
Maidens,

who

serve our house and give

it

order.

While I pour forth these funeral offerings. How must I speak, how pray, to appease my
Shall I say that I bring a gift of love

sire?

From

wife to loving

husband

from my mother?
friends?

Nay, that I dare not. I know not what to say. Ch. While you pour, utter blessings for. the loyal.
El.

To whom

shall I give that

name among our

Ch. First to thyself,

El.

and aU who hate Aegisthus. For myself must I pray then, and for thee?
the truth
:

Ch.
El.

You know

'tis

yours

now

to decide.
I

Whom

else

then to this company should

add?

Ch.

Remember

Orestes, banished though he be.

El. 'Tis well said.

Wisely have you admonished me.

Ch. Next, mindful of those guilty of that bloodshed

what? Direct me: instruct my ignorance. Pray that upon them come some god or mortal Ch. El. To judge or to avenge? Which do you mean? Ch. Say simply this: "one to take life for life."
El. Well,
El.
Is that

a holy prayer for

me

to utter?

Ch.
El.

Why not? to

requite foes with injury!

Mighty Herald between worlds above and under, Aid me, O nether Hermes, summoning

; ;

THE CHOEPHORI
vvv a^LtrraTai.
Tat Si
Ti9.

51

(j)o^eiS'

55

TO

evTV)(eiv

Toh iv

j3poToi<; 6e6<; re

Ka\ deov Tfkeou.

poirrj S' eiriaKO'TTel Sbteaii

ra'^eia tous fiev iv <^dei,

ra B ev
I

fierai'^^filq)

(tkotov

60

fiivei ')(^povL^ovTi

^pvet,
e^^et vv^.

^Tou? o uKparo^

HAEKTPA
Sfiaal yvvaiKe';, SmfiaTcov eu^jfytiove?,
Tt
0ft)

')(kovaa

rdaBe

KrjSeioix; X'^'^

>

7rw9 eii^pov
JTorepa

etTTft),

ttw? Kurev^cofiat irarpi.;

(f)iX'r}<i <j)l,Xq)

65

Xiyovaa irapa
t^s

<f)epetv

ryvvaiKO'; dvSpb,

6/U.77?

p.ijTpm irdpa
e')(a>

TwvK ov
Xo.
(f)dey'yov

irdpecfTi ddpcro'i, ovB'

to

cftS).

x^overa xeSva Tolaiv ev^poaiv.

Ha,. Tiva<; Be tovtov<;

t&v

<f)lXa)v

irpoaevveirm

70

Xo. nrpwrov fievavTrjv %(W(TTi9 AijiaOov aTvyei.

JblA,.

efioi

Te

icab <tol

Tap

eTrev^cc/jiai,

Taoe

Xo. avTT]
Xo.

TavTa fiavOdvova rjBrj <f>pdaai,. H\. nv ovv 6T aXKov TyBe TrpoaTido) aTdaei;
(TV
/jbefMvrjcr'

'OpicTTOv, Kel Ovpai6<; eaff'

ov'X^ rjKicTTd

o/j,C0<;.

75

HX. v TovTO, KOA^pevmaat;

Xo. Tot? alnot^ vvv tov

fie.

<f)6vov /lefivrj/iivrj

H\.

TL i^S)

BiBaa-K aTretpov i^riyovfiivrj.

y)

Xo. iXdelv Tiv avroi<; BaijMOv

^poT&v Tiva
80

H\. TTOTepa

BtKacTTTjv

rj

BiKrjipopov Xeyei<;

Xo. aTrXw? Tt ippd^ova, octtk avrairoKTevel.

HX. Kai Tavrd

Xo. TTw?
B'

fiova-Tiv evae^rj deSiv irdpa

ov TOV i'xdpov avTafiel^eadat KaKol<;;

HX.

icrjpv^ /jiiyia-Te

t&v

dvco Te kol /cdTio,

85

ap7]^ov, 'Ep/ijj ')(66vie, icripv^a^ ifioi,

82

THE CHOEPHORI
to hear

The powers beneath the earth

my

prayers

Uttered for wrongs done to a father's home.

Pouring this lustral water to dead men,

I call upon my sire: Have pity on me. With dear Orestes kindle thy dark halls.

And

for

me

grant that

prove chaster far

Than was
One

my

mother, more innocent

bid

my hand.

For us these prayers. But for our adversaries

to avenge thee, father,
I

rise.

And

that thy slayers justly in turn be slain.

Or. Tell the

Gods that thy prayers have been

hereafter for like good-success.

fulfilled.

And pray
El.

Why,
The

for

what boon have

Or.
El.

sight of that for

I to thank them now? which thou hast prayed so long.

Or.
El.

Whom canst thou know that I was summoning? Whom but Orestes, the idol of thy soul? And what proof have I that my prayers are answered?
Here

Or.
El.

am

I.

Seek no nearer friend than me.

Sir, is this

some snare you are weaving round me?

Or. Against myself then

El. I see

am

framing

it.

you wish

to

mock

at

my

afflictions.

Or.
El.

Or.
El.

Then at my own too, if indeed at thine. As if thou wert Orestes then I bid thee. Nay, 'tis himself thou seest and wilt not know.
. .

thou sweet eye, glancing for

!

me

with love

Fourfold

must needs be given the name Of father to thee falls the love I owe To a mother mine has merited utmost hate
thee
:

To

And

to a sister, cruelly sacrificed.

Proved now a brother true, I reverence thee. Only may Power and Justice, and with these Zeus, mightiest of all, be on thy side.

;;

THE CHOEPHORI
Toii? yrj^

83

evepOe Saifiovai; KKveiv ifiaf

euj^a?, iraTpmcDv Bw/idraiv eVto-ztoTToi;?.

Kaym ykovaa rdaBe ')(epvi^a'i l3poToi<! Xeym KoKovaa Trarep iiroiKTeipov t e/j,e
' ,

^IXov T ^Opearrjv

</)W9

ava^frov iv

B6fJ,oi,<s.

90

airy re
Tifuv fiev

p.01

S09 crco(j)povearTepav iroXv

fiTfTpo^ yevecrOat

xetpa t' evae^ecrripav.' 6v%a? rdaSe, toi<; 8' evavTioi,<s

Xeyw

(^avrjvaL crov, Trarep, rifidopov,

hiKTj.

Kol Tov'i KTavovTa<s avriKarOavelv

95

Op, e&xpv ra \017rd, rots ^6049 TeXea-^6pov<s ev'x^a<i eTrayyeXkovaa, Tvyydveiv KaKS)<;.

H\.

iirel ti

vvv e/cari Saifiovav Kvpm

wvirep
e^ijvj(^ov Trdkai.

Op. eh

Offriv riKei<}

H\. KoL Ttva avvoiadd

Op. avvotS' 'Ope(TTr]v

fioi

KaXovfievj}

^poT&v ;

100

TroWd a

iKTrayXoV/jbivrjp.

HX. Kal irpo^ tL hfjra Tvyx^dva KaTevyfidrmv

Op.
oB'
elfit,'
T}

firj

fidrev epbov fiaXXov

o

cjjiXov.
;

HX. dXX'

SoXov riv,

^ev,

dficjjC p,ot TrXe/eet?

Op. avTo<s KaO' avrov rapa

/jurj'x^avoppacfiS.

105

H\. dXX' ev KUKolai roh ep,oh yeXdv deXei<i, Op. Kav Tol's ip.ol<; ap etirep ev ye rolcn (rol<;. H\. ft)? 6vT 'Opea-T7)v rap' eyco ere Trpovvveiru)
,

Op. avTov

p^ev

oSv opma-a
6p.fj,a

hv<7p,a6el<; ifie.

H\, w Tepirvov
efio'b'

Tea<Tapa<; fioipai eyov

S'

no

irpoaavBdv
re,

ear

dvayicaicoi; ej^oz'

iraripa

Kal to
17

p/rjTpo<i e? ere p,oi peirei

aTepytjOpov
Kal T^s

he vavhiKO)^ i'xdalpeTai'

TvOeio'T)'; vr)Xew<}

ofioairopov

TTtffTO? S' dBeX(fio^ V"'^! ^Z*"^ erica's

^e/awv TpiTa

115

p.6vov

KpaTO? T6 Kal

Aixr]

avv

Tip

jrdvTcav p,eyi(Tr<p Zr]vl crvyyevoiTO aoi.

62

84

THE CHOEPHORI
this

Or. Zeus, Zeus, look

down; witness what here is done. orphan brood of an eagle sire That perished in the twines and writhing coils Of a fell viper. Fatherless are they, gripped By hungry want, for strength is not yet theirs
Behold

To

bring home to the nest their father's prey. Like them mayst thou behold me; and her too,
Electra, children fatherless

Both
Ch.

suffering the

same

exile

and forlorn. from our home.

children, saviours of the ancestral hearth,

Silence, I pray, lest

someone overhear,
all this

And

to ease a babbling tongue report

rule.

To those that
Or.

Ah may

one day watch

Their corpses in the spluttering resinous flame

Never shall Loxias' mighty oracle Betray us. He it was who bade me endure
This
peril,

threatening oft with voice uplifted

cold as winter

Woes
If I

to

make

my warm

heart.

avenged not those that slew my sire. The wrath rising from earth of hostile powers His voice proclaimed to men, citing such plagues

As leprous
Eating
its

ulcers crawling o'er the flesh,

health

away with

cruel jaws:

And how upon

this plague a

white

down

grows.

Yet other onslaughts of the avenging fiends Sprang from a father's blood, so he foretold: For the unseen weapon of the nether powers. Stirred by slain kinsmen calling for revenge. Frenzy and causeless terror of the night. Perturb and harass till by the brazen scourge His marred carcase is chased forth from the town. At last without rites, without friends, he dies,
;

THE CHOEPHORI
Op. Zev Zev, Oecopo^ roSvSe irpwyfiarcov yevov' ISov Be jevvav evviv alerov Trarpo^,
uavovTOf iv ifkeKTala-i koI
Seivfji} ixl'SvT)^.

85

(Tireipdfiao'i

120

Tou?

8' aTr(op^avia-fjievov<s

vfjo'Ti'i irie^ei \ifio<;'

ov y^p eVreXet?

Orjpav irarptfav 7rpo(r(fiepeiv (TKrjv^fiaaiv,

ovT(o 8e Ka/ie Ti]vBe r,

'HXevrpav Xiym,
125

IBelv Trdpecrn aoi, Trarpoa-repfj yovop,

afi^m

(fivyriv

e^ovTe

rrjp avrrjv Sofimv.

k<TTia<s 'rrarp6<;,
tl<;, tu

Xo.

a)

iraiBev,

o-MT^pes

(Tiyaff', OTTO)? fir)

irevcreTai

reKva,

yXwaarjt; ')(apiv Be irdvr dTrayyeiXrj rdBe

7r/3o? Toiii

KparovvTa<i' ou? tBoifi eyco irore

Trtcra-ijpei <l)\,oy6<i.

130

6avovTa<; ev Kr/KiSi

Op, ovToi

TrpoBeoej-ei

Ao^iov

fieyaaOevrji;

j^p97cr/ios

KeXevav TovBe kLvBvvov

irepav,

Ka^opdid^av -rroWa koX Bvay^etfiepovi dra'i v<j> rj-irap Oeppov e^avSwfievo^,

el fir) /lereifii

135

tov Trarjoo? tou9 alTuovi

yrj<i

rh

jjLev

yap eK

Bva^povmv
elire,

firjvofiaTa

0poroi<; irii^avaKmv

rdaB' alvwv v6aov<;

140

aapKwv

eTrafi^aTTJpaf dypiat<; yvdOoii;

XeLyfivai;

e^eadovra^ dpj^aiav

<f>v<Tiv,

Xevica^ Be

Kopaaf
e(l)d)vei,

TrjS'

eiravreXXeiv v6(Tttf

SXKat; T

irpocr^oXa,'; 'Epivvoov

Twv TO yap
ex
6/c

-TraTpcpeov

alfidrav reXov/ievw;-

a/coreivov

rwv evepTepwv /SeXo?

145

irpoaTpotraLoav iv yevei ireirTajKOTav,

Kai

Xvaaa xai

fiaraiof eK vvktwv

(f)6^o<!

Kivel,

Tapdaaei, Ka\ SuoKeaOat TroXew?

TrXdariyyi Xvfiavdev
Befia<;,

j^a\/c9yXTft>

travTwv

S'

drifiov

Ka^iXov OvyaKeiv

')(p6va)

86

THE CHOEPHORI
mummied
corpse.
I

Utterly wasted to a vile

Should

Though
Ch.

I trust

not trust such oracles as these? them not, the deed must yet be done.
let

powerful Fates,

Zeus now send

Prosperous fortune

Unto us whom righteousness aideth. "Enmity of tongue for enmity of tongue Be paid in requital," cries Justice aloud, Exacting the debt that is owed her.
" Murderous blow for murderous blow Let him take for his payment." ''To the deed its So speaks immemorial wisdom. [reward,"
Or. Father,

father of woe,

Am

I to

speak, or

what word what do

To waft this message afar to thee, Where in the grave thou couchest? As darkness and Ught are sundered.
Loving
rites

cannot reach thee,

The

dirge chanted of old to praise

Kings of the house of Atreus.

Ch.

My son,
Of
fire

the ravening jaw

dead.

subdues not wholly

is

The spirit of him who Someday his mood he

revealeth.

When
And

the slain

man

is

bewailed, then

Is the injurer discovered.

a rightful lamentation For a parent hunts and ranges With wide search, till the guilt

is

tracked down.

El.

Hear then,

father, as

we

in turn

Utter our tearful anguish.

THE CHOEPHORI
KaKQ}<} Tapi')(ev6evTa 7rafj,<j)0dpr(p /Moptp.

87
150

ToioiffBe

')(^pr](T/j,oi<;

apa

'x^pr)

Tre'TTOiffivcii

Kei
_Xo.

p-T)

TreiroiOa, Toiipyov

ear epya<nkov.

d\\

<B

p,eyd\ai ^oipai, AioOev

TrjBe Tekevrav,

y TO Blkuiov p,era^aLvet.
'dvTi pv e'XJdpd';
lyXdocrcrr]';

155
i')(6pd

yKwcraa Tekeiffdm' Toixpeikopievov

iTpd(7<Tovaa Aikt] p,iy dvTei'

'dvrl Se

irX7jyfj(; <j)ovia<:
'

^ovLav
160

7r\7jyi]V TiveTco.'

Spdaavri wadelv,'
(jxopei.

Tpiyepcov pvdo<; raSe

Op. w irdrep alvoiradei}, tL aoi

^dp^voii
Tvj^ot/i'
rj

TL pe^a<i
ovpicTa<;,

ayKadev
ej(,ovai,v

v6a

(T

evvat;

165

aKOTOi

(f>do^ dvTip-oi-

pov

'x^dpiTei 8' 0/1010)9

KiKkrjvTai yoo^ evKXefj'}

irpoardoS6p,oi^ 'ArpetSats.

Xo. TKVOV,

<f>p6v7)p,a

TOV

17

dav6vTo<; ov Safid^ei,
TTUjOO?

paXepd
S'
8'

yvd6o<;,

^alvei

vffTepov 6pyd<s'
O dvrjdKCOV,

OTOTV^eTai,

dva^aiveTai

^Xwirrmv.

i75

iraTepav re Kal TSKovTeov

700S evSiKO^ p,aTevei
TO trdv
dfi<f)iXa(f)rj'i

Ta/7a%0et9.

H\. kXvOI

vvv,

&

iraTep, iv p,epei
irevdri.

KoXvhdKpura

180

88

THE CHOEPHORI
two. children are

Thy

we whose

dirge

Wails for thee o'er thy grave-mound.

The suppliant and the exile To thy tomb we draw near.

What

here

is

well?

What

is

free

from woe?

Vain with our doom to wrestle.

Ch.
I beat my breast to an Arian dirge, and in the mode Of Kissian wailing-women slaves, [hands With clutching and bespattering strokes behold my

In quick succession uplifted higher and higher

still

To

fall in

battering blows, until

my miserable

Belaboured head resounds beneath the cruel shock.

El.

Oh

fie

on thee

Cruel fiend
!

Cruel was that funeral. Without kinsfolk, him, a king, Without lament, unbewailed. Thou hadst the heart so to inter a husband.
Or.

Thou wicked mother

No rites at all Was it so then?^ Oh shame Nay verily, for my father's shaming By help of heaven she shall pay,
!

By help of these hands of mine. And then, when I have slain her,

let

me

perish.

Ch. This also know, his limbs were lopped

and mangled. 'Twas her design, hers who so could bury him. To make his death such that thou
Shouldst not endure
still

to live.
sire

Thou now hast heard how thy

Or.
El.

was outraged.

Ch.

On thee I call; father, stand beside thine own. And I to his, all in tears, would add my voice. And we too all cry aloud with one accord

THE CHOEPHORI
StTrat? Toi
<T

89

iiri/rvfi^io';

Bprjvof; avacrrevd^ei.

rd^Qii

S'

iKeTai SeBeKrai,

Ti

Tftii^o

ev, TL o

arep kukwv;

185

ovK aTpbaKTO'i ara ;

Xo. eKOi/ra KOfi/Mov "Apiov ev re Kto-trias
vofioit; lrjXefMi(rTpia<i,

dirpiyKTOTr'KriKTa TToKvirdXaicra S
iiracrcrvTepoTpi^r}
to,

j^j"

tSetj/

%e/30? opeyfiara
8'

190

avcodev dvexaOev, Krvirtp

eTrtppodei

KpoTirfTOV dfjLov iravdffXiov Kapa.

HA..

10)

Im Sata
Batat,<;

irdvTokiie fioLTep,

ev eK<f)opat<s
195

avev TToknav dvuKT^ dvev Se irevOTj/Mdrmv

STXai; dvoifiWKTOv

dvBpa

0d-\jrai.

Op, ra^a? dn/MOV^

eKUTi (iev

e\e^a<;,

o'i/j,oi

Trdrpo'i 8' drifiaxTiv

SaifjLovoov,

apa rtcet
200

eKUTi, S' d/jidv '^(epaiv.

eirecr

ijo) vocr^t,(ra<; dXoifiav.

Xo.

ifiaa-xci'^l'O'^V ^^

7) ^^

'''^^'

^'^5'>

eirpacrcre S' uTrep viv cSSe ddirrei,

fiopov Kriaat /Mw/Meva

d(f>epTov alwvi
crw.

205

Kkvei'i vaTpa>ov<i St/a? drtfiov;.

Op.
Xo.

a-i

TOi Xeyeo, ^vyyevov, -rrdrep,

S' e'incpdi'yyoiJ.ai

(pi'Kot'i.

HX. iym

KeKXavfiiva.
210

cTTacrt? Se -TrdyKoivo'i aS' iirippoOel-

90
Or. El. Ch.

THE CHOEPHORI
Oh
hearken;
visit

thou the hght:

Aid us against our

Or.

foes' hate.

Let sword with sword, right encountering meet with

right.

El.

Ye

deities,

judge the right with righteousness.

hear such prayers.
long,

Ch.

A shudder steals o'er me, as I

Yet
shall

Or. El. Ch.

Though destiny hath bided

your prayer reveal
it.

Or.

father,

who wast

so unkingly slain,

Grant,
El.

implore thee, lordship in thy house.

I

like

boon, father, do
escape,

ask of thee:

Let
Or.
El.

me

and

let

Aegisthus perish.

Earth, release

my

sire to

guide

me

in fight.

Persephassa, grant fair victory.

Or.
El.

Remember the bath wherewith they slew thee, father. Remember what strange cloak-net they devised.
no smith forged thou wast snared,
father.

Or. In fetters

El. Yes, in a wrapping plotted for thy shame.

Or. Art thou not

El.

wakened by these tauntings,

father?

Dost thou not lift up thy beloved head? Or. Either send Justice to fight beside thine own, Or grant us the hke grip of them in turn. If thou by victory wouldst retrieve defeat. El. Hearken once more to this last cry, father. Behold these nestlings crouching at thy tomb. And pity us both, thy daughter and thy son.

Une For thus, though thou hast died, thoujirt not dead. Ch. Come, amply have you lengthened out your dirge,
Or.

And

blot not out this seed of Pelops'

Due

tribute to the tomb's unwept dishonour. For the rest, since now thy heart is set on deeds. Get thee to work forthwith, and test thy fortune.

THE CHOEPHORl
Op. H\. Xo. aKoviTov e? <^do^
/jloXcov,

91

^iiv Be ryevov tt/Oos ej(dpov^.

Op.

"AjOiy?

"Apet ^vfi^aXel, Ata At'wa.

HX. tw

^eot,

Kpalver

evSt'/eoj? St/ca?.

Xo. Tpofiof

fi

vipepirei

KXvova-av evyfjidrav.

215

Op. H\. Xo. TO

fiopcrifiov jxevei iraXai,,

eixo/Jiivotis S' ai* e\Ooi.

Op. irdrep, rpoiroicriv ov Tvpavvt,Kol<i Oavaiu,

alrovfievo)
fioi,

So? KpdTo<s twv <twv

Bo/jlcov.

HX. Kayw,
Op.
Op.

Trdrep, roidvSe

aov

'X^peiav e%a),

220

olicetv fier
a>

dvBpo^ delaav
Be

A.ir/ia6<p fxopov.
ixd')(r]v.

yai', ave<; p,oi irarep

B6<!

iiroirrevaai,

HX. w Ylepae^aaaa,
fiefivijao
p.ep,vr]ao
ireBai<i

evpbopi^ov Kpdro^.

Xovrpwv oh

evoa'(j)b(Td7]<;,

Trdrep.

HX.
Op.

dp,^l^7i<Trpov

tu? eicaivia-a^

d'X^aXKevroia-i dr)pevdeL<;, irdrep,

225

HX.

ala-xpw<; re fiovXevrolcriv iv KoXv/jUfiacriv.

Op. dp' e^eyeipei roiaB' oveiBeaiv, irdrep;

HX. dp' opdov

Op.
Tjrot BCicijv
7j

a'ipei<;

(^bkrarov ro aov Kdpa

(plXoL^,

taXXe <TVfip,axov

230

ra<! 6iMoia<;

dvnBo<i Xa/Sa? Xa^eiv,

<y'

etirep

Kparrideh

dvriviKrjaai dekei<s.

HX. KaX

rfjaB' aKOVcrov

XoiaOiov

0or]<i,

irdrep,

iSmv veoa(Tov<; rovaB'

e(j)rjp,evov<s

rd^w'
235

oiKreipe Orfkvv apaevo<i 6 ofiov yoov.

Op. Koi
Xo. Kal

p.7]

'^aXel'^Tj^ airepp,a

HeXoinBcSv roBe.

ovra yap ov
rifj/qpta

ridvr]Ka<; ovBe irep Oavcov.

/jLTjv dp,eiji,(j)rj

tovB' ereivdrijv Xoyov,

rfj<;

Tvp,^ov

dvoi/iw/crov riixvi<f>pevi,,

rd

S'

dXX', eireiBr) Bpdv KarmpOoaaai

^Bf] Balp,ovo<i ireLpwp,evo<;.

240

epSot? &v

92
Or.

THE CHOEPHORI

That will I. Yet first it were well to enquire, Wherefore she sent libations; what could move her So late to make amends for wrongs past cure? Ch. I know, my son; for I was there. By dreams
'

And

prowling terrors of the night perturbed,

The godless woman sent these offerings. Or. And did you learn the dream? Then tell it me. Ch. She gave birth in her dream to a snake, she says, And" couched it like a babe in swaddling bands. Or. For what food did it crave, this new-born monster?
Ch. She offered
it

her

own
it

breast in her dream,

And

with the milk

sucked a curd of blood.

sleep shrieking for terror;

Then she awoke from

And many

a lamp, whose light the dark had blinded.

Flared up throughout the house at the queen's need.

Therefore these pious offerings she sends.

In hope to lance and cure the mischief

Or.

so.

Now
I

to this earth

and

to

my father's

grave

pray that in me this dream may be fulfilled. She who thus nursed so dread a prodigy

Must
Ch.
I

die

by

force,

and

I,

enserpented.

Shall be her slayer, as this

dream

foretells.

accept thy divination of these signs.

So

may

Telling

it prove. Teach now thy friends their what each should do or should not do.

part.

Or. 'Tis simple.

Let Electra go within. These women I bid keep concealed

my

plan.

Then

as

by

craft they slew a noble prince,

By craft they shall be caught in the same And perish, even as Loxias foretold.
For
like

noose.

a traveller, and in full disguise.

To

the main gate will I

come with Pylades

here.

THE CHOEPHORI
Op. earai' irvdecrdai
iroOev 'xpa<;
S'

93

ovSev ear e^oa Bpofiov,

eK tLvo's Xoyov

eire/x'yjrev,

fiedva-Tepov rifi&cr dv^Kea-rov vra^o?;

Xo. olS\ w TeKvov,

Traprj

jdp

eic

t oveipdratv
nreiraX/jievTi

245

Kai vvKTnrXdyKTdsv Seifidrcov

Xoctl eTrefiyjre

rdaSe Sva6eo<;

71/1/77.

Op.

r)

Kal ireiTva'Oe rovvap,

war 6p6S^
ft)?

(j)pdaai

Xo. TSKelv hpdKOVT eBo^ev,

Op.
^opa<s

avT7j Xiyei.

Kav (TwapydvoKri, iraiSb^

rivo<;

6p/j,i(rai SvKrjv.

250

')(prjl^0VTa, voyeve<i Zdico<s

Xo. avtr)

Trpocreer'^e fia^ov iv TcavelpaJt,

&(TT iv ydXaKTi dpofi^ov aJ/taTO? airdaai.

rj

S'

e^ vTTVov KeKpayev
B'

iirTorffievT}.

iroWoi

dvfjdov, iKTV(j)X(o6evTe'i aKOTio,

255

XafiTTTrjpe'i iv Bofioiai Becnroivrj';

Tre/JLTrei,

'^dpiv

r eireira rdcrSe KriBeiov; xoa?,

Trarpo?

01X09 TOjialov iXiriaaa'a irrjp.draiv.

Op.

aSX

ev')(pp,ai jfj rfiSe /cal

i/juol

ra^w
260
Tepa<;,

Tovveipov elvat tovt

Set roL viv,
ft)?

TeXea^opov.

effpeyfrev

eKirayXov

Oavelv ^iaia)<;' eKBpaKOvrcoOeU

KTeivo) vtv,
ft)?

S" iyco

Tovveipov ivvetrei roBe.

rrnvBe
<r'

Xo. repacTKOirov
ykvoiTo

Brj

alpovfiai irepi.
S'

S' oj^Tft)?.

raXXa

i^rjyov ^iXot<;,

265

Toii^ fiev Ti TTObeiv, tov<; Be jMq ti

Bpdv Xeym.

Op. aTrXoO?
<?

d fivdo^-

T'^vBe fiev a-Teij^eiv eaca,

alviS Be KpvTTTeiv

rdaBe <7vv6rjKa<i ifiaf, av BoXa KTelvavTe'i avBpa np,iov

Xri<l>6oj<Tiv ev

BoXoKTi Kal
dav6vTe<i,

TavTW

^p6')(<p

270

fcal A.o^ia<i i<^r)fiiaev.

^eva yap
rj^co (Tvv

eUm,

iravTeXi] aayr)v
6</>'

e')(^cov,

dvBpl TwB'

epKeiovi TrvXai;


94

THE CHOEPHORI
guest to the house, aye and
of us will
its

A
*

spear-guest too.

And both
Then once

don Parnassian speech,

Copying the accent of a Phocian tongue. I have crossed the threshold of the court. And found him seated in my father's throne, Or if afterwards he meet me face to face And speak dropping his craven eyes, be sure

Ere he can say, " Whence comes this stranger?" dead. Snared by my nimble weapon, will I smite him. The Avenging Spirit, stinted ne'er of slaughter.
Shall drink in blood

unmixed her third

last draught.

Do thou then keep good watch within the house. And you, I charge you, bear a cautious tongue For speech or silence as the moment needs. Last thou, friend, follow me and stand at watch To succour me in the contest of the sword.
Ho, slave open the gates Is any there within doors?
! !

You

hear

Ho,

me

knock.

slave, ho!

GATE-KEEPER
Or.

Enough! I hear. Of what land are you? Whence? Announce me to the masters of the house. The tidings I come bringing are for them. And make haste for night's dusky chariot Comes on apace. 'Tis time we travellers found
;

Some

public guest-house to cast anchor

in.

CLYTAEMNESTRA
Friends, speak your wishes.

At your

service here

Are

all

such comforts as beseem this house.

baths, and to refresh your weariness,

Warm

and true eyes to attend your wants. But if you have affairs, of weightier counsel. That is work for men, to whom we will impart it.
Soft couches,

THE CHOEPHORI
TlvXdBrj- ^evo? Se koI Sopv^evot So/iav
afi<f)a)

95

Se <p<ovrjv rjcofiev Uapprja-cBa,

275

yXa)arar]<i avrr/v ^a)Kl,So<;' fii/MOVfievco.

el B'

ovv

dfiel^fro)

^aXov epKeimv irvKwv

'Trarpo';,

KaKelvov ev dpovoicriv evprjcrm

rj

Koi fio\(ov eireird

fioi

Kara cnofia
6(f)6a\,fiov<; /SaXet,

epei, (7d<p' tadi,

koi icaT

280

irplv

avTov etVetv 'TroSaTTo?

o ^evo?;'

veKpov

Qrjcra),

TToSwKei irepi^aXcov ^(^aKKev/jLaTi.

S' 'Epti'ii? ov'X^ virea'-Travia-fievT)

(povov

axpaTov alfia merai,

vvv odv av
fj,ev

TpirTjv iroaiv.

^vXacrcre rdv o'Ikw KaXw<s,

285

viilv S" eiraiviS yXdoaa'av ev^rj/xov ipepeiv,

aiyav

6'

ottou Bel koi Xiyeiv

rk Kaipia.
fioi.

rk

8'

aXXa

rovTip Sevp' iiroirTevcrai Xeyto,

^i^r)^6pov<i wycova^
jrat iral,

opdwaavri

0vpa<;
CO

aKovaov epxeia^ ktvvov.

Tts evBov,

irai

290

irai, fj,dX^ av, tL<;

ev SofiOK

0IKETH2
elev,

aKovca

'

TroSaTro? o ^evo<; ; iroQev

Op. dyjeXXe roiat Kvpioicri Bcofidrav,

Trpo<;

ovairep

tjkco

koi

cfjepco

Kaivoiif Xoyovf.

Td')(yve B\

w? koI vvKrot

dpfi iireiyerai

295

(TKOTeivov,

&pa

B' efiirtipov;

xadievai

ayKvpav
^evot,

ev BojJLOiat iravBoKoa ^evcov.

KAYTAIMH2TPA
XeyoiT av
e'l

Ber Trdpeari yap

300

oiroldirep Bofioio'i Tolas' iireiKOTa,

Kul depfih Xovrpa Kal irovmv deXxT-^pioi;

aTpwfivri, BiKalcov T o/ifiarav Trapovaia.
el B'

aXXo vpci^ai

Bel

^ovXtmrepov,

dvBptSv ToB^ earlv epyov, otf Koivdxrop.ev.

96
Or. I

THE CHOEPHORI
a Daulian traveller from Phocis.

am

As at my own risk I was carrying goods To Argos, where now my long journey ends, There met me a man I knew not, nor he me,
Strophius, a Phocean, so I learnt in talk.

Having asked my way and told me his, he said " Since anyhow you are bound for Argos, Sir, Bear heedfully in mind to tell his parents That Orestes is dead. Do not forget. So whether his friends resolve to fetch him home. Or bury him, our denizen and guest
Forever, bring

me

their injunctions back.

Meanwhile the curved sides of a brazen urn Enclose his ashes, in due form bewept." I have told my whole message. Whether now
I
I

am

speaking to the rulers, and his kindred,

not; but his parent should be told.
are taken ruthlessly

know
!

CI.

Ah me we

by storm.

O thou all-conquering curse that haunts this house. How wide thy vision with sure aim thy shafts
!

Strike even that

Stripping
Or.

we have hidden with care afar. my dear ones from me, unhappy woman
I

For

my

part certainly

could have wished

With happier tidings to commend myself To hosts so princely, and earn their entertainment.
CI.

Nay, due reward shall none the less be thine, Nor shall you find yourself less welcome here.

Some other would have brought this news instead. But now 'tis the hour when guests, tired by the day's Long journey, should be tended as befits. Take him and lodge him well in the men's chambers With these his fellow-travellers and attendants.

THE CHOEPHORI
Op. ^eva
fiiv eifii
8'

97

AavXteii?

e/e

^coicewv

a-Tei-xpvTa

avro^oprov oiKeia
hevp

a-ayfj

305

et? Apyo';, (oairep

ciTre^vyrjP iroha,

ayvw^

Trpbi dryvwr ehre Krvfi^aXaiv avrjp,

cacjirjiiia-a';
'

i^KTTOprjaat; koX
ZtTp6<f>io<; 6

oBov,

^ooKev^
(S

Trevdop.ai

yhp

ev

Xoya

'eTreiirep

aXXmy,

^ev, el';"Apyo<; tet?,

/j,e/j,vrjjj,evo^

310

TTpo's Tov<!

TeK0VTa<; TTavStKco'i

TeOvemr 'OpecrTriv

elnre, /LtJjSa/AtS?

Xddrj.

eW
e'lT

oiv

KOfjLi^etv

So^a

viKrj(Tet <f>iXeov,

ovv

iJ,eToiKov, et?

to irav del ^evov,

315

ddirreiv, itperp^d^ rdcrBe 7r6pdp,ev(70i> ttoXlv.

vvv yap Xi^r]TO<s 'xciXKeov TrXevpcofiara

ffTToBov

KSKevQev dvBpb<! eS KeKkavfievov.'

elirov.

ToaavT aKOvaa'i

el Be

Tot? Kvpioiai Koi irpoa-qicovaiv

Tvy^dvm Xeywv
320

ovK olSa, TOP reKovra

8'

etKo? elBevai.

K\.

ot 'yd),

Kar

aicpwi vTjXe&v iropdovfieda.

Sco/idTcov dpd,
Kei/x.eva,

w BvairdXaiare TwvBe
0)9

TToW' eVwTra? KaKiroBdiv e5

Tofoi9 Trpoamdev

evcTKcmoi'i ^eipov/jLevrj,

<j)i\asv diroyfriXot^ p,e ttjv

irava&KLav.

325

Op.

eydo fiev oZv ^evoicriv wS' evBaCfioai

KeSvwv exaTi irpayp.dTav av

r]de'kov
'

yvcoaro^ yeveadai, koX ^evcodrjvat

ri

ydp ;
330

K\. ovroi Kvptjaei^

ovB'
?i<T<j-ov

fieiov

d^imv aedev,
Bdifjuacnv (^LXo';.

av yivoto

aWos

S' ofioicoi

^X0ev av rdB' dyyeXmv.

^evov<;

dXX' eaS" 6 Kaip6<; fjfiepevovTa<i

p,aKpd<; KeXevffov Tvyx^dveiv

ra irpocr^opa.

dy avTov

et? dvBpwva<i ev^evovf So/mov,

OTTiaOoirovi; re TovcrBe Kai ^vvep.Tr6pov<i

335

98

THE CHOEPHORI

Let them receive there what beseems our house. I warn you, for their comfort you must answer.
This news meanwhile

we

will

impart to those
friends,

Who bear rule here. Having no lack of We will take counsel on this sad event.
Ch.

reverend Earth,

reverend mound.

Thou

that beneath thee coverest the outworn

Dust of the armed fleet's kingly commander, Deign now to hearken, deign to give succour. Now is the hour when guileful Deceit Must enter to aid us, and Chthonian Hermes,
Patron of stealth, stand sentinel over
This deadly encounter of sword-blades.

Our traveller, it seems, is working mischief. Yonder I see Orestes' nurse in tears. Where are you going, Kilissa, through the gates, With grief to bear you company unhired?

Aegisthus home The mistress bids As quick as may be, to meet these stranger guests. And learn more certainly as man from man This new-told rumour whUe before her servants Behind eyes of pretended gloom she hides A laugh at work done excellently well

NURSE me summon

For her, but miserably for this house, Hearing the tale these strangers told so plain. That heart of his I warrant will be glad When he has learnt their story. Wellaway
All other troubles patiently I bore

But dear

Orestes, the

babe

spent

my

soul on.

THE CHOEPHORI
KUKel KvpovvTCOv Bcofiaaiv
to, 'rrp6a<f>opa.

99

alvw Be wpdaa-eiv
qfieh Se

to?

virevOvvo) rd8e.
Sm/j,dT(ov
<f)LX,wv

Tavra

rot?

Kparovai

Koi,v(ocroiJ.ev

re kov cnravi^ovre';

^ovXevaojjLeada rrjahe

trv/jKJiopai; irepi.

340

Xo.

CO

TTOTVta 'X&COV Kol irOTVi UKTrj

rj

^(o/jiaTO^,

vvv

iirl

vavdp-)(m

crcofiari Keicrat Tip

^aaiKettp,

vvv etraKova-ov, vvv eirdprj^ov

vvv yap UKfid^ei Ueidm SoXiav
^vjKara^rjvat,, 'xBoviov
B' 'Epfirjv

345

Koi Tov vvxiov TOttrS' i^opevaai

^i^oBtjX'^TOiaiv dyMtrtv.

eoiKev dvr)p 6 f^vo? Tev')(eiv

KaKov
KSKXavfjuevrjv.

rpo^ov 8

Opearov

ttjvS

opm

350

TTol Sr) TTfflTets, K.iXi<Taa,

Xvirt] B' dfiK7d6<i

Bwfidrmv irvXa'; ;

earl

(tol ^vvefnropo's.

TP0*02
Acyiadov
7]

Kparovcra

tol<; ^evoi';

KoXeiv

07ra)9 T(v)(i,(TT

dvmyev, m?

cra<f>ea-Tepov

dvr)p diT dvBp6<; rrjv

vedyyeXrov <pdriv

355

eXOwv

TTvdffTai TrjvBe, tt/jos p-ev OLKeTa<;

deTOffKvdpcoirwv evTo<i o/Mfidrmv yeXcov

Kevdova

eV

epyoi's BicCTre7rpayfievoi<;

xaXtS^

Keivrj, B6fj,oi<; Be rotcrSe

(fyij/jbT)';

irar/KaKw; 6%ef,
360

v<f}'

^9 rfyyeiXav ol'^evoi Topw<;.

Br)

kXvcov eKelvo<i ev<j>pavei voov,

(o

evT av TTvOrjTai fivdov.

rdXaiv eyw

rd

fiev

yap aXXa

TXiJii6va><;

rjvTXovv /caxd

^bXov

B' 'OpecTTtjv, TJj? ep,rj^ yfrvxV'S rpi^tjv,

72

100

THE CHOEPHORI
straight

Whom
And And

from

his mother's

womb

took to
night.

nurse....

then those
all

shrill cries

summoning me by

those weary tasks, mere trouble wasted

:

They were
Like a

for a senseless thing one needs

dumb

beast

^how

The cry of a boy in Whether hunger, thirst or wanting to make water Grips him a child's young body will have its way.
:

must nurse by humouring it. swaddhngs tells you nothing.

else

These wants

would forecast but

;

often, it

may

be.

Would
I

guess wrong, and so have to cleanse his linen,

office.

Laundress and nurse reckoning as one

Aye, these two handicrafts both
fell

to me.

When

received Orestes from his father.

!

Now, woe is me I learn that he is dead. So I must fetch the man who has brought this house To ruin. Glad will he be to hear my tale. Ch. Tell us, how does she bid him come arrayed? Nu. "Arrayed?" Speak plain. I understand you not. Ch. Whether with escort, or may be alone? Nu. She bids him bring a bodyguard of spearmen.
Ch. Bear no such message then to our hated master. But bid him come alone, that he may hear

Without alarm, at once, with cheerful heart. Nu. Can you be looking kindly on these tidings? Ch. But what if Zeus should change ill winds to fair? Nu. How, when Orestes, hope of the house, is gone? Ch. Not yet. A seer of small skill might know that. Nu. What Know you aught outside what has been told?
!

Do as thou wert charged. That which concerns the Gods is their concern. Nu. Well, I will go, following thy advice.
Ch. Go, take thy message.

May

it

prove

all for

the best

by the Gods'

grace.

;;

THE CHOEPHORI
ov i^edpeyjra fjur)Tp66ev SeSey/ievT},

loi

i/jLol

365

KUK vvKTiTfKwyicTwv 6p6l(ov KeXev/xdrap

Koi TToXXa Koi
rXdcrrj'

ro
^

iJbO')(6rjp'

dvaxpeKrjr

/ir)

(fipovovv

yap wmrepei

/Sotoz>

rpe^eiv dvdjKr), ttw? yap ov ; TpoTrm

01)
rj

<^pev6';

yap

Tt (peovei iral^ er
SiT^'
el'

wv

iv cnrapydvoi<;,

370

Xifi6<;,

t4?,

rj

Xiyfrovpia

ejfjEi'

vea Be

vrjSi/'i

avrdp/cT}';

reKvwv.
S\ oiofiai,

Tovrmv

irpofiavTi';

ovaa,

voXXd

^evaOelcra, TratSo? a'Trapydvoav ^aiSpvvrpia,

re ravrov ei')(eTrjv eyw SiTrXa? he rdcrSe ')(^eipa)va^ba<;

Kva(f)ei>^ rpoipev'i
e')(pv(T

reXo?.

375

'Opea-Ttjv i^eSe^dfirjv iraTpL-

TedvrjKOTOi; Se vvv
(7T6t%(B 8'
OiKoav,

rdXaiva

Trevdo/J.ai.

eV avSpa

rSivSe Xvfiavrijpiov
irevcreTai,

9eXwv Se rovSe Xey uvOk,

Xoyov.

380

Xo.
Tp.

7r3?

ovv KeXevei viv jMoXelv icrraXfievov

;

Ti TTcS?
el

a>? fiddco <7a<pea-repov.

Xo.
Tp.

^vv

Xo'x^iTai'i eire

koX p,ovo<ni.^r\.

dyeiv KeXevei SopvKJjopovi 6irdova<;.

fji/r)

Xo.

vvv

(TV

ravT ayyeXXe SecnroTOV

crTvyei'

385

dXX' aiiTov iX6elv,

Tp.

S<; dSeifjidvrca'; kXvj],

avw)(0' ocrov rdj^tara yrjOovcrrj <ppevL.

dXX'

rj

^povel<;

eti

rotai vvv rjyyeXix.evoi';

Otjcrei iroTe.

Xo.
Tp.

aW'

el

Tpoiraiav Zev? kukSjv

390

KoX irm'i; 'Opia-Trji;

e'XTTt? o'i'xeTai, Sofiwv.

Xo. oi/TTW KaKoi; ye

Tp.
tI ^27?
;

p,dvri<i

av

yvoir) rdSe.
hi,')(a
;

e^et?

n twv XeXeyfievcov
av
fieXr) irepi.

Xo. ayyeXX'

lovcra,

irpaaae raTreo'TaX/ieva.
395
Treia-ofiai Xoyoif.

fieXet deolcrtv mvirep

Tp. dXlC

elfii KOLi cro2<;

8'

yivoiTO

ravra w? dpi(TTa avv

OeSiv Soaei.

102
Ch.

THE CHOEPHORI
O
reverend mound,
that beneath thee coverest the outworn

reverend Earth,

Thou

Dust of the armed fleet's kingly commander, Deign now to hearken, deign to give succour. Now is the hour when guileful Deceit Must enter to aid us, and Chthonian Hermes, Patron of stealth, stand sentinel over
This deadly encounter of sword-blades.

AEGISTHUS

am come in answer to a summoning message. A strange tale has been brought, so I am told. By travellers, news of no pleasant sort.
I

Orestes' death

a horror-dripping burden
it

Would

that prove, were

too laid on this house

Already mauled and festering with past bloodshed. What should I think? Is it the Uving truth?

Or else mere talk, begotten of women's fears, That leaps into the air to die in smoke? Can you say aught to clear my mind of doubt?
Ch.

We heard indeed;But
And
As
ask of them.

go in to the strangers,

No
must

messenger so sure

to enquire oneself of

him who knows.

,Ae. This

and question further. Whether he was present at the death himself. Or from some phantom rumour learnt his tale. Be sure they shall not cheat a clear-eyed mind.
messenger
I

see

Ch. Zeus, Zeus,

what speech

shall I find?

Whence now

Shall begin

my fervent

prayer to thy Godhead?

How

in loyal zeal

Give utterance due to

my longing?
either the blood-stained

For now

is

the hour

when

;;

THE CHOEPHORI
Xo. w iroTvia
'X^a>fiaTo<i,
')(j9a)v
f)

103

koX ivotvi aKrrj

iirl

vvv

vavap-x^m
400

crwfiari xelaai ra> ^aaikeicp,

vvv iiraKovcrov, vvv iirdprj^ov

vvv yap CLKfid^ei Heidai hokiav
^vyKara^fjvai,
Koi Tov
')(jd6viov 8' 'EpfjLrjv

vvyji,ov tocitB

i^opevcrai,

^i^ohrfKrjToiaiv dywcriv.

405

Ainseos
rjKCo fiev oiiK aicX7)T0<i,

aX\

VTrdyyeKoi;

veav

<j)dTiv

Be Trevdofiai Xeyeiv rivd^

^ivovi fjioXovTWi ovSafji&<; ec^ifiepov,

fiopov
S'

'OpicTTOv.

Kol roS' dfi(pepeiv Sof^oii

(povm
410

yevon' av
rai

d')(6o<i alfj.aTOcrTaye<;

TrpoaOev k\KaLvovcTi

icai SeSriyp,evoi<;.

TTw?
r]

ravT

dXrjdrj koX fikeirovTa So^daeo

irpo'i

yvvaiic&v BeLfiaTOVfievoi \6yoi

ireBdpaioi dpwaKovcn,, OvrjcTKovTO'i fidrrjv

Tt T&vB'

av

eiiroi'i

axTTe SijXSxrai (fjpevi;

415

Xo.

rjKovaajJbev p,ev,
e'lcco
ft)?

irvvOdvov he t&v ^evcov

ovSev dyyeXcov adevof
irepi.

irapeXOdiv.

avTocr avTov dvBpa irevdeaOai

At.

IBelv

iXey^ac t

all

deXa tov dyyeXov,

iyyvdev
nrapcov,

elr avTO<; rjv dv^tr/covTO's

420

eXr e^ dfiavpd<; kXi]B6vo<; Xeyei /juaOmv.

ovTOi

<f)pev'

av KXey^eiev

m/j,fiaT(Ofievr]v.

Xo. Zev Zev,

rdB'

ri,

Xiy(o, iroOev dp^tofMai

eirevx^OfjLevr]

Kairided^ovcr
425
avvcrtofiai,;

vTTo B" evvo'ia<;

7rw9 Xerov eiiroixj

vvv yap iJ,eXXova-i fitavOelffai

104

THE CHOEPHORI

Edges of cleaving man-slaying sword-blades Must utterly whelm in destruction the house Of great Agamemnon for all time; Or else he, kindling a fire and a light For the cause of freedom and lawful rule, Shall win the great wealth of his fathers. Such now is the prize for which, one against two,

Our heaven-guided champion Orestes Must wrestle. Oh yet may he conquer. Ae. {within). Eh! Eh! Otototoi! Ch. Ah! What is it? How is it now? How doth Fate crown the event? Stand we aside while the issue is in doubt, That so we may seem blameless of these woes. For 'tis by the sword the verdict must be sealed.

SERVANT
Woe Woe
is

me

Utter woe

My lord is

slain.

yet once more, a third last farewell cry

is

Aegisthus

no more. But open, open,

And with all speed. Unbar the women's gates. Draw the bolts. And right lusty hands are needed
Though not
lofl! I

to help the

dead

what use were that?

loH!

am

shouting to the deaf and wasting words

On idle sleepers. Where is Clytaemnestra? What doth she? Her own neck is like to fall
Beside the block beneath the stroke of Justice.
CI.

What

is it

now? What clamour

I tell

are

you

raising?

Ser.
CI.

The dead,

you, are murdering the living.

Ay me
Even

read the purport of your riddle.

craft

as

by

we

slew, so

must we

perish.

Haste, someone, give

me

a man-destropng axe.

; ;

THE CHOEPHORI
ireipai
rj

105

Koiravmv avSpoSaiiermv
'

irdvv Oijaeiv Afyafi/j,vovia>p

o'lKcov

oKeSpov Sta iravTOS,

re iroXLctrovofiovi

430

irvp KoX ^0)9 eir e\ev6epia

ap')(a<i
0'

oaimv

irarepav ef et fieyav oX^ov. ToidvBe TraXijv /two? cov 6<])eSpoi;

Bktctoi'!

fieWei Oeio^
eir)

^Ope<rTr]<!
vlkt).

435

ayfreiv.

ein

At.

il],

OTOTOTOt.

Xo. ea ea /laXw
TTw?
'X^6i;

TTW? KeKpavTUi

hajMoii;

airoaTaOSifiev Trpwyfiaro^ reXovfievov,

o'TTft)?

440

BoK&fiev ToovS" dvaLTiac

fid'X7}<}

KaKwv

eivav

yap B^

Ke/cvpcorai, reXo?.

OIKETS
ocfioi, TTavoi/iot,

BeairoTov TreTrKrjyfxivov
}rpocr(j>9e<y/j.aa-iv.

oifioi

fidX aWi<; ev r/aiTot?

AcyiaSo'i ovkIt eariv.

OTTftj? rd'x^ia'Ta,

aX\' dvob^are

445

Kol yvvaiKeiov; TrvXa? koI

fjudX' ij/ScSi'to?

fio'xXo'i'i

'XjoKaTe

Be Bel,

ov^ war dprj^ai BiaTreTrpayfievw

iOV iOV.
1

n ydp
450

>

dvrm Kal KaOevBovcriv fidri^v dxpavra ^d^(o. "TToI KXvraifi-^crrpa ; rlBpa;

K<o<f)oc<i

eoiKe vvv avTrji; eiri^ijvov

ireXa<;

av'XTjv irecreia-dai tt/so? BLkijv ireirXTjy/j.evoi;.

K.X. Tt B' ia-rl
'X^pij/jia ;

riva ^orjv

icttt]^ B6fj,ot<;

Ot.

Tov ^wvTa Kaivetv

tov<; TedvrjKora^ Xeyco.

e'f

455

KX-. ot ^yco.

^vvfJKa toutto?

alviyfidrcov.

B6Xoi,<; oXovfied',

Sairep ovv exreivafiev.

cb? rd-x^o^'

BoLTj Tt?

dvBpoKfirjra ireXeKVV

io6

THE CHOEPHORI
if

Let us know

we

are conquerors or conquered.

To such a pass

this woeful

way has brought me.

it is

Or. 'Tis thee I seek.

CI.

For him,
!

enough.

Ah

me, beloved Aegisthus

lovest the
lie,

Art thou dead?

then in the same grave
in death.

Or.

Thou

man?

Why

Shalt thou
CI.

ne'er to

abandon him

Forbear,

Reverence this, dear child. This breast at which thou oft, slumbering the while. Didst suck with toothless gums the fostering milk.

my son.

Or.

How, Pylades?
mother?

Should awe make

me

spare

my

PYLADES

Who
X/'

then will heed henceforth the voice of Loxias,

His Pythian oracles, aye and the faith of oaths?

Or. I

Rather hold all men enemies than the Gods. approve thy sentence. Well dost thou exhort me. Come now. I mean to slay you at yon man's side.
In his
life

you deemed him better than my sire him then in death since he is the,man You love, and him you should have loved, you hate. CI. I reared thee, and with thee would I grow old. Or. My father's murderess, wouldst thou share my home? CI. Nay, child, the blame in part must lie with Fate. Or. Then this doom also Fate has brought to pass. CI. Hast thou no awe, child, of a parent's curse?
Sleep with
;

Or.
CI.

mother's,

who could
!

cast

me

forth to misery.
forth.

To a

friendly house

That was no casting

son of a free
I

Or. Foully
CI.

was
is

sold, I,

sire.

Where

the price then

received for thee?

Or.
CI.

That taunt for shame I cannot plainly utter. Nay, but speak likewise of thy father's follies.

;; ; ;

THE CHOEPHORIetScS/j,ev el viicwfiev,

rj

107

viKcofieffa.

ivravda jap
Op.
<Te

Sr]

rods' dcpiKOfiriv kukov.

460

Kol fiarevco

TwSe

S'

dpKovvTeo<;

e'%6t.

KX.
Op.

ot 'rym.
(fii,\6i<i

Ketaei.

^iXraT Alyia-Oov ^la. Tov avSpa; roijcip iv ravrw Td<f>a> davovra B' oiiri p,r) 7rpoB<; iroTe.
Tedvr)Ka<!,

K\.

eViCT^e?,

TToi,

TovSe

8'

aiBetrai, tSkvov,
Srj

465

fiaarov, Trpot

w av
;

troXKa

fipi^av ap,a

ovKoiaiv

i^'^fieX^a<; evTpa<j)e<;

ydXa.

Op. UvXaSr},

tC Bpd<T(o

(ir^rep

alSeirdw Kravelv

HYAAAHS
TTOv
St)

ra Xonra Ao^iov fiavrevfiara

TncrTd t evopKcofiara
470

ra

TTvdo'x^prja'Ta,
i'X^dpov';

aTravraq

twv

ffeiSv

^yov irXeov.
fioi a\ft5?.

Op. KpLvco ae

viicav,

xal irapaivel's
ere

iirov, TTjoo?

avrov TovSe

a-^d^ai ffeXw.

Kal ^wvra ydp viv Kpeiaaov rjiy^aa irarpo'i

TOVTO) Bavovaa

^vyKadevS
avv

eirel (jiiXei^

475

TOV dvBpa Tovrov, ov

K.X. iyd)
IT

S' i'x^pfjv

^iXeiv

a'Tvjei<;,

eOpeyjra,

Se jrjpdvai deXco.
^uvoiKija-ei'i ip,oi

Op. iraTpoKTOvovaa yap

K\.

fj

M.olpa TovTcov,

reKvov, irapania.
fiopov.

Op. Kal TovBe TOivvv Mot/a' etropavvev

480

K\. ovBev ere^l^ei yeve&Xiov; apa?, reKvov Op. rcKovaa yap fi eppi^fra^ e? to SucrTu^e?.
K\. ovTOi
(T

direppi^fr

e? B6p,ov<; Sopv^epovf.

Op. alavpw^ K\. TTOV Brjd'

iirpddrjv
6
Ttytto?,

mv iXevdepov

Trar/so?.

ovTiv dvTeSe^d/iTjv
<ra(^a3?.

485

Op. alavvvop^ai

troi

tovt oveioiaai

KX.

aXV

6t</)'

6/iotQ)?

Kal Trarpo? tov <tov

p.dra';.

io8
Or. Idling at

THE CHOEPHORI
home, censure not him who
toils.

CI. 'Tis grief for

a woman, child, to lack a mate.

Or.
CI.

Or.
CI.

Yet man's labour maintains her in idleness. Thou meanest then, my child, to slay thy mother. 'Tis thou wilt be thine own slayer, not I.

Look

to

it

Beware the hounds

of a mother's fury.

Or.
CI.

How

escape

my father's,

if I

shirk this task?

Words then

are vain as a dirge to a dead tomb.

fate brings his
I

Or. Vain, for

CI.

my sire's
This
is

doom upon

thee.

Aye me

the snake

bare and suckled.

terror.

Or. Yes, a true

prophet was that dream-born

You

slew

whom you
.

ought not: suffer what you

^U^y--'
'f, ''^^^Jj^''-' came at last.

should not.

-j^,.,,

Ch. As upon Priam's sons punishment

Heavily fraught with doom. So to the royal house of Agamemnon came A twofold lion, a twofold sword;

Yea to the utmost end The Pytho-crowned fugitive, Sped by the voice divine, his race now has
Utter a cry of joy,

run.

now

that our master's hou.se

Thus hath escaped itswoes, yea and the waste of [wealth By an unclean and guilty pair A hard, weary road
loved treacherous fight, is come Cunningly plotted doom. And in the strife 'twas she guided aright his hand,

Now upon him who

The
She

veritable child of Zeus

Justice the
is

called

name whereby by men truthfully.

Deadly the wrath she breathes against those she hates.

THE CHOEPHORI
OjO.
fir)

109

'\eyx^

''o*'

"Tovovvr

eaa

Kaffrj/ievrj.

K\. aX/yo? yvvai^lv dvSpo^

Op.
Tp(f>ei

eipyecrOat,, reKVOV.

Se

avBpo<i

fi6')(6o<i -^/Mevai;

eaca.

490

K\. KTeveiv
Op. av rot

eotKai,

&

reKvqv, Trjv firfrepa.

ejco,

aeavTi/jv,

ovk

/caraKTeveK.

K\.

opa, (j)v\a^ai /tw/rpo? iyKOTov; Kvvas.

(jivym, irapel^

Op. Tas Tov TraTpo<; Se ttm?

rdSe
495

K\. eoiKa
OjO.

6p7)vetv

^waa

Trpo? tv/m^ov

/juaTTjv.

Trarpo? yap aicra rovBe crapi^ei fiopov.

01 'yoo
rj

K\.
Op.

TSKovcra rovK o^iv

fidvTt<;

idpeyjrd/j.Tjv.
(j)6^o<;.

Kapra

ov^ ovetpdrcov
''^*' """^

eKave<; ov ov XPV'^'

H'V

XP^^^

irdOe.

Xo. e/MoXe

fiev

Sixa TlpiafiiSai^

%/3(Jj/w,

500

^apvBlKO^ TTOivd'
efjLoKe S' 6? Sofiov

rov 'Ayafefj,vovo<;

StTrXoOs Xecov, Bnr\ov<; "Apr)^.

eXacre o e? to irav
6 7rii0o%jO7/crTO9 (j}vyd<;

3/-.

?'

'

rt

505

deoOev v (ftpaBaicrip

dtpfirj/jtevo';.

iiroXdXv^aT
dva<j>vyai

to

Be<nroavveov hofjumv
ical

kukwv

KTedvwv Tpi^d<;
510

VTTO Svoiv /jLiaaTopoiv,

Svcrolfiov Ti)%a9.

e/ioXe

S'

fieKei

KpvTrraSlov yita^a?

SoXio^peov irotvd-

Afo? Kopa Alkuv

ediye

S"

iv fid^a xepo?

eT'^Tv/j.oi;

Si viv

-irpoaayopevofiev ^porol

Tv^ovTa
kotov

koXSi;

515

oKedpbov irviova iv

e')(pol<;

no

THE CHOEPHORI
:

Kindled is now the light gone Holding the house in thrall.

is

the mighty curb

Up

then, arise, ye halls

Grovelling on the ground

Too long have ye been

lying.

Or. Behold this twofold tyranny of our land,

They that slew the

father

and despoiled the house.

Stately they were once, seated on their thrones,

And

loving even now, as from their plight

Is manifest.

True to

its

pledge their oath

still

stands.

Both swore my father's murder, and to die Together. That too has been faithfully kept.
Behold
too,

ye that judge these deeds of woe,

The snare wherewith

For
his

my unhappy sire was bound.

hands a fetter, for his feet a trap. Open it out, and standing round, display

This man-enwrapping sheet, that so the Father, Not mine, but he whose eye sees all things here.

The

sun, may behold my mother's unclean And some day at my trial may appear

work,

To

witness that

wrought

this slaying justly.

My mother's,

(for

Aegisthus' death I count not

His the seducer's penalty by law:)

But she who planned this horror against her lord. Whose children she had borne beneath her girdle, That once dear burden, proved now a deadly foe, What think you of her? Were she sea-snake or viper. Her touch would rot another's flesh unbitten. If cruelty and wicked will could do it.

What can

name

it,

speak

ne'er so mildly?

trap for a beast?

Or

else a coffin-cloth

To wrap

the feet of a corpse?

Nay,

'tis

a net:

THE CHOEPHORI
Trdpa TO
<f)cos

iii

ISelv.

fiiya t

d(l>r)pi6rj

yfrdXiov olKerwv,

avaye fiav

86/j,of

ttoXvp ayav ypovov

520

XafJ.anreTel'; eKeiade.

Op. ioeaOe

')((cpa<i ttjv SiTrXTJi/

TvpavuiSa
Tod'

TraTpoKTOvovi T6 Seofidrmv iropOiJTopa';.

ae/jLVOi fiev fjaav ev 6p6voi<i
T^fievoi,

^ikoi Se

ical viiv, ta?

eirecKdaai Trddrj
525

irapeariv, opKO<; t ififiivei iricrTw/jbao'i.

^vvoo fioaav
/J.ev

ddvarov dOXLw iraTpl

KaKwv,
iraTpi,

Kai ^vvdaveiaOai' koI rdS" ev6pK(o<i e^ei.

Xheffde S' avTe, tcovS" iirTjKooi,

TO

fir/'X^dpTjfia,

Beafiov

dOXua

TreSa? re 'x^eipolv koX iroSotv ^vvcopiSa.

530

eKTeivaT avro koI kvkXo) irapacrTaSbv

(TTeyacTTpov dvBp6<; Bei^aff",
01;^ ovfi6<;,
'

w? iSy

iraT^qp,

aW'
fjuoi

o ttuvt eiroTrreiimv

rdSe

H\i09, dvayva
(B?

fjuriTpb^

epya t^s
hiicri

^fiij^,

av

irapfi

fidpTVi ev

Trore,

535

(B9 TovS" iyco fieTrjXdov ivS[K(o<;

fiopov

Tov /MTjTpo^'
e%ej

Alyiadov

'yap ov

Xeya fiopov
SiK'qv
(7Tvyo<;,

yap

ala")(yvrrlpo<;, eo? v6fio<i,

^Tt9

S' eTr'

dvSpl TOVT ifi'^eraro

ef ov TeKvcov ^vey)^ viro

(fiiXov reasf,

^covrjv ^dpo<;,

540

vvv

S' i')(9p6v, m<i t^aivei,

kukov,

tL (Toi Soicei; jivpaivd

(Trjireiv ffiyovcr

eiT

er)(i,Zv

6(f>v

av aXXov ov heh7)ypAvov

ToXfUJii eKUTl Kduh'tKov ^povTjfiaTO<}.

TL viv irpoa-eLirm,

Kav

Tt/%ft)

p,dX' evaTop,cov

aypevfia

dr}p6<;,

fj

veKpov iroSevBvTov
;

546
o^v,

SpoLTrj^ /carao'KTjvmfia

SIktvov

fjuev

112
Toils

THE CHOEPHORI
you might
say, or long foot-trammelling robes;

Just such a thing some cozener might contrive, One who tricks travellers, practising the trade

Of robbery.

Many

with this knavish snare

Might he destroy, and his heart often glow. With such a woman never may I share

My
Ch.

home. Sooner
!

let

heaven slay me,

childless.

Ah me Ah me 'Twas a wicked deed. By a terrible death thou art laid low.

!

Alas!

Woe
Or.

is

flowering too for the living.

Did she the deed, or did she not? I call This robe to witness, dyed by Aegisthus' sword. 'Tis gushing blood that here hath aided time
In spoiling the embroidery's

Now
And

can

I praise,

as I address

many hues. now wail him where he fell this web that slew my sire,
race.

the crime, the penance, the whole Such victory wins not envy, but pollution. Ch. No mortal man may pass through his life Without scathe, if he pay not in sorrow.
I grieve for

Alas!

Or.

Woe must be, Now hear me,

to-day or hereafter.
for I

know

not

how

it will

end

Yea, like a driver mastered by his steeds.

My

restive wits are whirling

me

astray

Far from the course; while Terror fain would sing To my heart, and set her dancing to his tune.
So while
I I

am

sane, proclaiming to
I slay

my

friends

say, with justice did

sire's foul

my

mother,

My

murderess, abhorred of heaven.

THE CHOEPHORI
apKVV T av
667rot?

113

koI trohiaTrjpa'i TreTrXou?.

<pri\i]Tr](; avrjp,

ToiovTOV av KTrjaaiTO

^evcov diraioKrjfia KapyvpocTTeprj

550

^iov

vofii^cov,

TwSe r av SokcofiaTC
depfiaivoi. (jipeva.
p,r]

TToWous avaip&v TroWa

jevoiToX.oifiT]v

roidS' ifiol ^vvoiKo<; iv hopiOKTi

irpoaQev 6 6eS)v airai^.

Xo. alai alat fieXicov eprymv

555

arvyepw davdrm
e e, fiifivovTi

Bteirpd'^Or]^.

Be kuI 7rddo<; dvdel.

jMOi

Op. ehpaaev

rj

ovk eSpacre ; fiaprvpel Be

ft)?

<f)apoii ToS',

e^ayjrev Alryiadov

^l(j)o<;.

(f)6vov Be kt}kX<!

^vv XjOova) ^vp,^dXKerat,, tov 7rotKt\ynaTos.

560

TToXXa?

/3acf>a^ (j}0eipovcra

vvv avTov aivSi, vvv diroifidi^a) irapcov,

irarpoKTOvov

dXy&

fjbev

6' v^aafia "Trpoa^wvwv roBe epja koI Trddos yevo^ re Trdv,

ci^rfKa viKrj<; ttjctB' e')(wv fiLaa-fiara.

565

Xo.

ovTi<; fiepoirmv daivrj

^Iotov
dp,elyjrei.
,

Sea iravTO^ dvaTO<;

e, fioxOoi;

o o /lev avn'X^

o o rj^ei.

Op. dXX'

ft)?

av

elBrJT

ov yap

olS"

o'tttj

reXei

570

coairep ^vv iTTTrot? '^vio(TTpo(f>ov Bpofiov

e^wTepm
(j)pive<;

<f>epovcri

yap viKWfievov
tt/jo? Be

BvcrapKTOf
17

KapBia ^o^ot
kotco.

aSeiv
ecof

eVot/Cio?

S' v'irop')(eia-Oai,

B eV

e/*^/3ft)j' eifii,
<j)r)fj,t

Krjpvacra) <^tXot?,

KTavelv re

firjrep'

ovk dvev

BiKrj';,

575

irarpoKTOvov fitaaixa xal 6e5)V

A.

crTvyo<;.

114

THE CHOEPHORI
for the spells that

And

nerved

me

to this deed,

I cite

the Pythian oracle of Loxias,

I

That should

act thus, I were clear of blame,

But

if I

failed to act
:

^how name the penalty?

home
of Loxias,

So now behold me furnished with this bough Enwreathed with wool, a suppliant will I go

To the mid-navel

shrine, the

And

to that fire-light,

Exiled for

famed imperishable. kindred bloodshed. To no hearth

Save his did Loxias bid me turn for refuge. wandering, homeless fugitive, I leave Behind me, in life or death, such fame as this. Ch. Nay, thou hast done well. Yoke not then thy hps To ill-omened speech, nor utter boding words.

Or.

Ah Ah
!

Bondwomen,

see

them yonder, Gorgon-Uke,

coils
!

In dusky raiment, twined about with

Of swarming snakes
Ch.

cannot stay here more.

What

fantasies toss thee, aearest of all sons~~

:

Or.

To a father? Stay fear nothing. Thou hast vanquished. To me these horrors are no fantasies. But indeed the sleuth-hounds of my mother's wrath.
is yet fresh on thy hands. Hence the confusion that invades thy soul. Sovereign Apollo, yonder they come now thronging

Ch. 'Tis that the blood

Or.

And from
Ch. In, in
Shall
Or.
!

their eyes

is

dripping a loathsome gore.

The purge of Loxias with a touch free thee from such visionary horrors.

not see these beings, but I see them. hunted by them. I can stay no more. Ch. Blessings go with thee, and may gracious Gods Watch over and keep thee safe with happy chance.
I

Ye do

am

THE CHOEPHORI
Kai ^iXrpa roXfiTji TrjaSe
'irXetcrTTjpb^ofiai
ifiol

115

TOP irvOo/jLavriv Ko^iav,

Trapevra

xp'rjO'avr

irpd^avTi fiev ravT e/eros alTtai

eivat;
B'

ovk ep&
m?

Kaicrj<;

ttjv ^rjfiiav

580

Koi vvv opdre

^iiv

jm,

irapea'Kevaafievo';
ffTecfjei

Tw8e 6a\XtS Kal

ff"

irpocri^ofiai
ireSov,

fieaofL^aXov
TTvpo'i

iSpv/jua,

Ao^Cov
oiiB'

re (^770? a^OiTov KeKXrjfiivov,

(jtevyav toS" atfia

koivov

e(fj'

ear lav

585

aXXrjv Tpa-Tria-dai Ao^l,a<i

i<f>ieTO.

iyw

S'

aX'^TT]^ rijaBe 7?)? airo^evof,

Tedvr)Koo<; raffSe KX'r)S6va<;
fir/S'

^wv Kal

Xiirwv

590

Xo. dXX' eS 7' eirpa^ai;,

^rjliri

eVt^ewj^^^? arojjba
KaKti.

irovrjpa

firjS' iiTl'fKwcra-S)

0/3.

d, d.

hixwal jvvaiKe<i aiSe

ipaio'x^LTCovev

Topyovwv

SiKrjv

Kal n-eTrXeKTavrjfievai

TTVKVoi^

Xo.

Tive<;

SpaKovaiv ovKer av fjueivatp,' iyco. ae So^ai, ^iXraT dvOpmirwv irarpi,

tV^j^e, fir}

595

crrpo^ovaiv ;

<^o^ov, vlk&v iroXv.

Op. OVK elal So^ai r&vBe

(ra<f>a)<;

irrj/xdrcov e/jior

yap aiSe firjTpo<; eyxoToi Kvve^. Xo. TTOTaiviov yap alfid aoi, ^(epolv ert

eK r&vBi rot Tapayp.o<i es

<f)peva<; irirvei.
Brj,

600

Op. Xo.

wa^ "AiroXXov, aUBe

Ka^
ofjb/jjdrcov

irXfjOvova-i

ard^ovaiv atfia

Bvff(piXiv.

el? (7ol Ka6apfia<!

Aorta's Be irpoadiyav
Trrjfjbdrav Kria-ei.

eXevdepov as r&vBe

Op.

v/ielq fiev

ov^ opdre

rdcrB', 670) S'

6p&
eyd>.

605

iXavvofiai Be KOVKer av fieivaifi

X.O.

dXX' evTVxoiv'St

''*' "' e-jroTrrevcov Trp6<f>pcov <7Vfi(^opal<;.

0e6<s <j)vXd<7(roi KaipioKri

82

ii6

THE CHOEPHORI
race,

Thus again for a third time, risen from the Hath a storm swept over The house of our kings and subsided. First was the cruel doom of the children
Slain at the banquet.

Next was the anguish

of a

man,

of a king.

When

the Achaeans' warrior chieftain

fell slain.

In the bath

Now

comes yet a third, a deHverer, nay, Rather destroyer.

What end

shall there be?

When

shaU the fury

Of revenge sink

lulled into

slumber?

THE CHOEPHORI
oSe TOL fiekaOpoi'; rot? ^acn\eboi<;
rpiTois

117

ai

'x^eifimv

610

irvevo'a'; yovia<s ireXea-dr).

iratBo^opoi fiep irp&Tov VTrrjp^av

fio'xdoi,

ToXavef
S'

Sevrepov dvSpo'i ^aaCkeia iradr)'

XovTpoSdiKTO<;

wXeT 'A^atwj;

615

TToXifiapxo'i dvrjp-

vvp
rj

S'

a5

T/31T0S '^\de irodev crcoTtjp,

fjLopov eiirca

jTol

Srjra Kpavel, iroZ KuraXij^ei,

fieraKoi/iio'Oev /levo^ aT'q<;

620

THE EUMENIDES
OF

AESCHYLUS

THE EUMENIDES
[Before the temple of Apollo at Delphi.

Enter the

Pythian Prophetess.]

THE PROPHETESS
First of all gods I worship in

my prayer

The first diviner Earth; after her Themis, The second, legend saith, to take her seat
Here
in her mother's shrine.

Third in succession.

With her consent, no violence done to any,

Another Titan child of Earth took seat, Phoebe who as a birthday gift bestowed it On Phoebus, bearing a narrie from her derived. His mind with divine art did Zeus inspire. And seated him, fourth prophet, on this throne.
:

As Loxias, spokesman

of his father Zeus.

These gods I worship in my opening prayer. Pallas our neighbour too I name with reverence.
I

adore the

Nymphs who haunt

by
birds,

the caverned rock

Corycis, loved

by gods frequented.
and Poseidon's might
all,

The
I

springs of Pleistos

invoke, and Zeus supreme, the crown of

seat myself as prophetess

Then

May

they

now

bless

my

on my throne. entrance more than ever

fall of lot.

In past days.

Let

all

Hellenes present here

Approach, as custom bids, by

As the God leads me, so do

give response.

{The Prophetess enters the shrine, but quickly returns.]

Things terrible to speak, terrible to

see.

Have driven me

forth again from Loxias' house.

THE EUMENIDES
[Before the temple of Apollo at Delphi.

Enter the

Pythian Prophetess.]

nreiAS
Hp&Tov
rj

fiev ev-xfl TJjSe irpea-jSeva deSsv

TTjv TrpojTofiavnv
Srj

Taiav

iic

Se

Trj<}

e/iiv,

TO

fj.rjrpo'i
d)<s

SevTepa toS' e^ero

ovSe

fiavreiov,

X070S rt?* iv Se tw rpLr^

7r/309

Xd'X^ei, 0e\ovari<;,

^iav

Tt,v6<;,

Tiravli aXKrj Trat? K0ovb<; KaOe^ero,

^oi^T)
Ooi/Sft)
'T6')(V7)<i

SiSaai

S'

tj

yeviOkiov Boctv
e^et irapmvv/xov.

TO

^0bl3r}<; B' ovofi

Be viv

Zew? evOeov
ia-Tl

/crttra? (ppeva

tfet

TSTapTov ToiaBe
7rpo(j)')jT7]<; B'

/jluvtiv iv 6p6voi,<;

10

Ato?

Aofia? Trarpof.

TOVTOv; iv

ev'x^ai'i

^poifita^ofiai 6eov<s.
B'

ITaWo.? irpovala

iv \d70t? Trpecr^eveTai.

ae^m

Be vvfi^a'i, evda KtBjOfftit? ireTpa

15

koIXt), ^iKopvi^, Bai/iovoov dvao'Tpo^'^'

nXeicTTOv re Trij^a? Koi IlocretSwi'o? KpaTOi

Kokovaa Koi TeKeiov

eireiTU /idvn'i
e's

vijrKyTov Aia,

dp6vov<; Kadt^dvco.

Koi vvv TVJlelv

fie

t&v
Trap'

irplv

elaoBwv fiaxprn
Tive<i,

dpiaTa Boiev Kel

iTtov

EXXijvtov

20

irdX^

Xa'XpvTe'i,

a><i

vofii^eTai.

/jLavTevo/jiai

yap

to?

av

^yfJTai, de6<;.

[The Prophetess enters the shrine, but quickly returns.]

ri

Beiva Xe^ai, Beivd

/w.'

B' 6(j)6a\fJ,oi<!

Bpaxeiv,

TrdXtv

enefiyfrev iK Boficav

t&v Ao^iov,

122

THE EUMENIDES
I
cell,

When

drew near the wreath-decked inmost Upon the navel-stone I saw a man
Polluted, in a suppliant attitude.

With blood his hands were dripping, and he held A drawn sword and a high-grown branch of olive. Humbly enwreathed with a broad band of wool. Between me and this man a fearful troop Of women slumbered, seated upon chairs. Yet not women Gorgons call them rather. Dusky they are, and loathsome altogether. They snore with such blasts none may venture near; And from their eyes a foul rheum oozes forth.
:

Their garb

is neither fit to approach the statues Of deities, nor to enter homes of men. For what may ensue, let mightiest Loxias, Who is master of this house, himself provide. He is healing seer and judge of prodigies. And can purge houses other than his own.

[Exit

Prophetess. The interior of the shrine is Apollo, Hermes, Orestes and sleeping Furies are discovered.]
closed.

dis-

the

APOLLO
r shall not
Near
fail.

To

the end will I protect thee.

shall I be,

even though far away:

Nor

will I

prove soft to thy enemies.

in sleep the loathly virgins

Awhile thou seest yon ravehers subdued.

Lo sunken

lie,

These hoary ancient maidens, with

whom

never

Hath any god mingled, nor man, nor

Evil was cause of their creation, evil

beast.

The murky pit of Tartarus where they dwell Abhorred by men and by the Olympian gods.

THE EUMENIDES
670) fiev epirco tt/jo? TroXvo-re^jj iJbV')(6v

123
25

opw o

67r

ofJL^aKm fiev avBpa deofivaij

eBpav e'XpvTa irpoaTpoiraiov, ai/Mari

ard^ovra
exovT

'xelpa's

koi veoa-iraBh f t'<^o?

30

iXaia<; 0' v'\ln'yevv7iT0P icXdSov,

Xrjvei fiejiarq) <Tm^p6vo)<; iare/Mfievov,

Trpoirdev Be TavBpo<; rovBe 6dvfia<TTo<; Xd^j^o?

evBei

yvvaiKwv

iv 0p6voi<xiv

ijfievo'!.

ovTOi yvvaiKaf,

dWa
B'

Topyovai; Xerym

ravTa<;, jjuekaivai
piyicovcri B'

e? ro irav ^SeKvKTpoiroi,' 35

ov irXarolcri ^vaidfiaaiv

B' d/i/jLaTOiv

Xeb^ovai Bva-^iXrj Xt/Sa*

irpo'i

Kal KOfffio^ ovre

<j)epeiv BiKaio<;

6ewv dydXfjuna
(rr^ja<s.

ovt e? dvOpwirav

Tavrevdev

tjBt]

rrnvBe BecriroTri Bo/icov

4

aiiTw fie\ea-6(o Aofta fieycurQevet.

iaTpofiavm
Koi TOiaiv
[Exit

B' icrrl

Kal

Tepacr/coiroii'

aWot?

BcofidTav KaOdpaiof.
dis-

Prophetess. The interior of the shrine is closed. Apollo, Hermes, Orestes and

the

sleeping

Furies

are discovered.']

AnOAAQN
OVTOI, TrpoBdcreo

Bia reXou? Be aoi (j>vXa^

iyyv<; irapearco^ Kal irpoffoo S airoGTaroov

ej^Opolai, Tots ffot?

ov yev^ffofiai

Treircov.
*

45

Kal vvv aKovaa<i rdcrBe tA? jutpyovi opa<i

VTTVa ireaovaai,

B'

al KardTrfvaToi Kopai,
al<;

ypaiat, iraXaial iralBe'i,

ov /Aiyvvrai,

Oewv Tt? ou8'

avdp<oiro<; ovBe Qrjp TTore"

iirel

KaKwv

S'

KaTi KayevovT,

Kaaov

(TKOTov vefiovrai 'Ydprapov

HicrrinaT

6" virb x0ov6<i,

dvBpwv koI dewv

OXv/MTTiiov.

124

THE EUMENIDES

Yet do not thou grow faint, but fly far heace.: For they will chase thee across the long mainland, Ever new soil beneath thy wandering tread. And beyond seas and past wave-girded towns. Let not thy heart faint brooding on thy penance.
Till

thou take refuge in the city of Pallas

And

clasp her ancient image in thy arms. There before judges of thy cause, with speech

Of soothing power, we

will discover

means

To

set thee free for ever

I
^

For

from these woes. did counsel thee to slay thy mother.

ORESTEB^
Sovereign Apollo, what
is

just thou knowest:

it

Now

therefore study to neglect

not.

Thy power

to succour needs no warranty.

Ap. Remember: let not fear subdue thy soul. And thou, born of one father, my own brother, Hermes, protect him prove thy title true As Guide, by shepherding my supphant here. The sanctity of an outlaw Zeus respects. When thus with prosperous escort he is sped.
:

[Apollo vanishes. Orestes

by

leaves the temple, guided

Hermes. Enter the Ghost of Clytaemnestra.]

Sleep, would you?

GHOST OF clytaemnestra Shame! What need of sleepers here?

And I by you thus held in slight regard Among the other dead, and followed still By the reproach of murder among the shades.
Yet wronged so foully by my nearest kin. No spirit power shows wrath on my behalf. Though slaughtered by the hands of a matricide. Look now upon these wounds look with thy soul.
;

THE EUMENIDES
o/iox;

135

Se

<j)evye, fiTjSe

fiaX6aKo<i

'yevr),

eK<S(ri

yap as Koi Si ^i^wvT av aiel ttjv

KaX
1X7]

rjireLpov fiaKpai;

irKavocrri^fi -^Qova

55

vtrkp T6 TTOVTOV KOI TTepippvTa'} TTOXet?.

TrpoKa/Mve rovSe ^ovKoKovfievo'i

jrovov fioXmv Se

IlaXXaSo?

ttoti tttoXiv

"^ov iraXaiov ar/Kadev XajScbv Operas-

KUKeZ SiKaarai; rmvSe koi deXKTijplov^

p,v9ov<i 6'XpvTei p/rj')(ava<i eip'^crop.ev

60

S(rT

e's

TO irav ae tcSvB' aTraXXd^ab

<y

irovcov.

Koi yap KTavelv

eireiaa firjrpmov Sefiaf.

0PE2TH2
dva^ " AiroXXov,
iirel S' eVtcTTa,

olcrda fiev to /i^ 'BiKelv

Kal to

fir]

'fieXeiv fidde.

65

a6evo<s Se -iroielv e5 (pepeyyvov to aov.

A.7r. fi/iVT]cro, fxr)

^6^o<}

ere

viKareo ^pevaf.

crv B',

avrdheX^ov
<^vXa<Tae'

alfia Kal koivov Trarpo';,

'Kp/Jbfj,

Kapra

S' (ov e7rcovvfio<!

7rofjbTraio<i ladi,,

TovSe iroi/Maivmv ifiov

70

iKeTTjv.

a-e^ei Tot

Zeu? toS'

iKv6/j,mv cre^Sas,

opficofjievov

^poTObo-iv

evirS/jbTray rrixu-

[Apollo vanishes. Orestes

hy Hermes. Enter the

leaves the temple, guided

Ghost of Clytaemnestra.]

KAYTAIMH2TPAS EIAQAON
evhoiT av,
iyo) S"
v(p''

mtj,

Kal KadevBovawv tl Set;

wS' aTnjTifiacTfiivrj
fiev

iificov

aXXoiaiv iv veKpolcnv, Sv
oveiSo'i iv (f>0iToia-iv

sKTavov

75

ovk

eKXei'jreTai,

jradovcra S' ovToa Seivd ttjOO?

t&v

(jjiXTdreov,

ouSei? vTrep fiov Sacfiovcov

/j,r)vt,eTai,

KaTaa^ayeia-T}^

"rrpbi %ejOwi' /juriTpoKTovcov.

opa

Se 'wX7]ya<;

rdaSe KapSia aedev

80

126

THE EUMENIDES
it sleeps,

For while

the

mind

is lit

with eyes.

Oft indeed of

my

offerings

have you lapped,

Wineless libations, sober soothing draughts,

Dread midnight banquets, when no god but you Is worshipped, on the altar would I sacrifice.
All this, I see,
is

spurned beneath your

feet.

The man
Lightly,

is

gone, escaping like a fawn.

Ay, from the very snares' midst has he sprung

making great mouths

at

you

in scorn.

Hear me. 'Tis for my very soul I plead. Awake, O goddesses of the nether world. In dream now do I, Clytaemnestra, call you.

CHORUS
(Mutterings.)
CI. Yes,

whimper

But the man

is

gone, fled

far.

Ch. (Mutterings.)
CI.

Too deep you drowse, and pity not

Fled
is

my

wrong.

Orestes,

who

slew me, his mother.

Ch. (Moanings.)
CI.

Whining and drowsing

Come,

rise

up forthwith.

Ch. (Moanings.)
CI.

Sleep and fatigue, puissant conspirators.

Have

spoiled the dreadful dragoness of her might.

Ch. (Mutterings redoubled and louder.)

Follow, follow, follow, follow

CI.

Mark

there

In dream you hunt your prey, and give tongue like

What

hound, whose fancy never quits the chase. dost thou? Arise Let not fatigue defeat thee. Let thy heart wince at merited rebuke,
!

Which to the righteous is a very goad. Waft thou thy blood-hot breath upon the man

THE EUMENIDES
e&Bovaa yhp ^prjv
97

127

ofi/iacriv XafiirpvpeTai.

TToXKa

fiev Bri

t&v

ifimv iXei^are,

Xoa's T aoLvov<!, vrjijiaXia /jLeiKiyfjuaTa,

xal vvKTvaefiva Belirv

Kol iravra ravra
6
B'

eV

icr'x^dpa ttu/so?

edvov, copav ovBevoi; tcohvrjv de&v.

85

Xa^ 6p&

-iraTovfieva.
BiKrjv,

i^a\v^a<s

oit')(eTai

ve^pov

Kal ravra

Kov<f>co<i

ex fiea-mv apKvardroav
fier/a.

mpovaev
aKOvaaS'
yjrvxfl^,

vfiiv
a>?

i'^KariWdy^a';

e\efa t^s e/*^? rrepX ^povrjaar w Karh ')(6ovo<i BeaL

,

90

ovap yap

Vila's

vvv KXvTaifirjarpa Ka\&.

XOP02
(/*U7/*6s.)

K\.
Xo.

fjLv^oir

dv, dvrjp

B'

oix^rai

(f)evya)v Trpoo-w.

{fivyfio'i.)

95
irddo';'

K\. dyav virvmaaei'i kov KaroiKrl^eL<;

(poveii'} S'

'Opearr)<i rrjcrBe p/qrpo<s ol'^'^rai.

Xo.

(ft)7/i6?.)
tti'fet?,

K\.
Xo.

v7rv(Bff<ret9"

ovk dvaarrjaei, rdxp'i;

100

(w7/ios.)

K\. virvo<i Tr6vo<s re xvpioi a-vvafiorai

Beivi]^ BpaKaivr}<i

i^eK-qpavav

p,evo<;.

Xo.

(fivyfib<s

SittXoO? ofu?.)
(j>pd^ov.
S"

XajSe

Xa^e Xa^e Xa^e,

BicoKeiq dfjpa,

KX. ovap

KXayyaipeK
ve

airep

105

KVfov fiipi/ivav oviror eKXetircov irovov.

ri Bpa<}; dvLarw,
/ti;

viicdrca ttoi/o?.

dXy7)crov '^irap ivBiKott oveiBecnv

roK

a-to<f>po<riv

ffv S'

yap avrUevrpa yiyverai. alfiarrjpov Trvevp,' ivovpiaaaa rm,

no

128
Shrivel

THE EUMENIDES

him with thy belly's fiery blast. Follow him; wither him with a fresh pursuit.
[Exit the

Ghost of Clytaemnestra.]
I

Ch.

Awake

Do thou wake herwhile

!

wake

thee.

Dost thou sleep? Rise; and Let us see if this warning dream prove
Behold

spurning sleep afar,

false.

Behold wrong
!

Oh shame
I

See,

we have
all

suffered

Much

painful toil have

endured, and
to us.

in vain.

Bitter indeed the

wrong done

Oh

the shame
[is

Defeat hard to bear

gone.

Our game has slipped

right through the meshes,

I

and

By

sleep subdued, lo

have

lost, lost

the prey.

[Apollo re-appears.]
Aha, son
of Zeus Thou art a thief, and knave. Thy youth rides trampUng over elder deities. What is thy suppliant? What but a godless man,
!

cruel son?

Yet him,

This matricide, thou hast stolen from us, thou, a god.

Who dares pretendnone that such deeds are just?

Ap. Out,
you, from these precincts Hence Begone from my prophetic shrine Lest smitten by a winged glistening snake Sped from my gold-wrought bow-string, thou in
I
!

command
!

With speed

anguish
Shouldst spit forth foam darkened with

human blood.

This

is

no dwelling

fit

for

your approach.
are lopped, eyes

Go

rather where

doomed heads

gouged.

Throats cut; where by destruction of the seed

THE EUMENIDES
aTjMm KaTUT'xyaivovaa, vrjSvo^
irvpi,

129

etrov, /idpaive Seure/aot? Btwy/iacriv.

[Exit the

Ghost of Clytaemnestra-.]
Kal
crii

Xo.

eyetp", eyeipe

ti]vS\ iyco Se ae.

ewSet?; avLcrTW, KairoXaKTiaaa vttvov,

ISmfied'
e'i

rovSe ^poifiiov iiard.

iirdOofjuev, ^iXai,/jiaTrjv

115

iov
7]

toil TToira^. Br/

TToWa

iradovaa Kal

iyw,

120

eTraOofiev irddo^ Sutra^e?,

ttottoi,

a^eprov kukov.
i^

dpKvwv

TreirTosicev

ot^erat

&" 6 drjp

VTTVcp KpaTTjOela

aypav mXea-a.
re-appears.]

[Apollo

Iw iral Afo?, iirLKkoTro'i iriXei,

1/60?

Se ypaia^ SaifJbova<; KadiirTrda-m,

Tov i/cerav ae^wv, aOeov avSpa Kal

TOKevaiv TTiKpov,
TOV /j/r/rpaXoiav
S'

e'^ewXei/ra?

wv

deo^.

125

n
A.ir.

Toil's'

ipel rt? St/eatw? e^eiv

e^a, KeXevoo, Twi/Se Sco/jLarmv ra^o?

XtopeiT, aTraWdercrea-de /MavriKwv fivxfiv,

p,7]

Kal

Xa^ovaa

Tmrfvov dpyrjcnriv

o(f)iv,

130

-X^pvariXdTov 0wfiiyyo<s i^opfiw/ievov,

dvfi<; vir

aXyov^ neXav

air dvOpmircov d^pov.

ovroi

B6/jLotcri

rolcrBe 'X^plfiirTeaOai irpeirei,'

dXlC ov KapaviaTripe<i otpBaXfimpvxoi

BUai
A.

a-<f>ayai

re a-irip/MaTO^ r diroi^Oopa
9

135

130

THE EUMENIDES

virile strength of boys is maimed, where men Are sliced or stoned, or wail in long-drawn moans Impaled beneath the spine. Do you hear me? Go, Vile flock without a shepherd; get you hence For such a herd no god has love to give. Ch. Sovereign Apollo, hear now our reply.

The

Thou Thou
Ch.

thyself art not guilty of this in part

alone didst

all;

the whole guilt

I grant thee

is

thine.
far.

Ap. How? Make that

clear.

speech so
then?

Thy
I

voice enjoined this

man

to slay his mother.

sire.

Ap.
Ch.

enjoined

him

to avenge his

What

Ap.

We hunt forth mother-slayers from all homes. How deal you then with wives who slay their lords?
of slight

Ch. That were no true murder of kindred blood.

Ap. Then

The The

troth-plight

honour and no worth you make between Zeus and crowning Hera.

fate-sealed marriage
its rights, is

bed

of

man and

wife,

Fenced with

mightier than aU oaths.

Then without justice you pursue Orestes. But Pallas at this trial shall arbitrate. Ch. And I, drawn by a mother's blood, pursue This man with vengeance, till I hunt him down. Ap. And I will aid my suppUant and protect him. For dreaded among men and gods alike
Is

the appealer's wrath, should I forsake him.

to

[Exeunt omnes. The scene changes

Athens.
at

Enter

Orestes, who takes sanctuary Athena.]

Or.

a shrine of

Goddess Athena, by
I

command

of Loxias

come.

Receive this outcast graciously,

No

suppliant unabsolved with

hand unpurged;

THE EUMENIDES
traihav KaKoinai )(\ovvi<i,
Xev<Tfio<s re,
978'

131

aicpcovia,

koX fiv^ovaiv olKTia-fiov voXiiv

VTTo

pa-)^i,v

irayivTe'i.

ap aKovere;

XfopecT avev ^OTr}po<; alnroXovfievai

7ro[fivrj<;

roiavrr/'i S' owrt? ev^tXr]'; 6emv.

/Mepei.

140

Xo. ava^ AttoXXov, avTctKovaov iv

avTO'i (TV

TOVTwv ov
TTcLv

ixeTaiTio'i ireXet,

aXX
Xo.

ef?

TO

eirpa^a'i
fjirJKOi;

wv

iravaiTio'i.

Air. TToJs Sj;; to<tovto

e'X^pijcras

eKreivov \070u.
fjbtjTpoKTOvelv.

ware rov ^evov

145
firjv

Att. e-)(^pr]aa Troiva<;

rov iraTpcx; irpa^ai.

etc S6fj,cov

ri

Xo. Tov} fn]TpaXoia<;

Air.
Tt,

eKavvo/iev.
vocrcj)i,<Tr]

yap yvvaiKOi

^ti<s

avBpa

Xo. ovK av
Att.
7)
'

yevoitS" o^anLO'i

av9evT7}^

(j)6vov.

KapT arifia koI

reXetas
/cat

Trap" ovSev r]pKe<T<o

150

Hpas
evvfj

Ato? irbaTtofxaTa.

bpKov arl
ov
i^rjfi

yap dvBpl koX yvvaiici fi6pcn/Mo<; fiei^tov ry SIkj) ^povpovfiivT}.

Opearrfv
<t

eVSt/cws dvhprfKareiv.
155

Slkw; Se IiaX\d<; tS>vB' eiroirTeva-ei 6ed.

Xo- ^y<^ 8)
Att.

arfeL

yap

al/jua fit^Tpaiov,

SiKa^

fiirei/M TovSe

(f>c!)Ta

KaKKvvqyeTS).

iyw

dprj^m tov iKeTTjv re pixrofiai,

iv ^poToicri,

SeiVT)

yap

xdv

0eoi<{ vreXet

TOV irpotTTpoiraLov

firjvi'i,

el ttjooSoj to

a^'

eicwv. 160

[Exsuni omnes. The scene changes

Athens.
at

Enter

Orestes, who takes sanctuary

a shrine of

Athena.]
Op. avaaa 'Addva, Ao^iov xeKevirfiaatv
TjKd), he')(pv

he

jrpevfJLev'S'i

aXda-Topa,

ov TrpoaTpoiraiov ovS' d^ol^avTov %e/>a,

92

132

THE EUMENIDES
since the stain
is

Long

By
I

sojournings and journeyings

dimmed and worn away among men.

Obedient

now

to Loxias' oracles

approach thy dwelling and thine image, Goddess. Here clinging, wiU I wait my trial's end.
[Enter the Furies.]

Ch.

Good Here is a clear trace of the man. The smell of human blood smiles sweetly upon me.
!

Again, search again

Spy

into every nook,

For fear the matricide stealthily sUp from our wrath. Yes, there again safe he lurks, Clinging around the image of. the deathless god: Trial he now would claim for his foul handiwork.

But it may not be: a mother's blood, once spilt, is To gather up; hard indeed. [hard That which on earth is shed vanishes and is gone. Now thou in turn must j^eld me from thy living self. Ruddy and rich from the heart, Uquor to lap: and on I mean to thrive, evil draught though it be. [thee I'll wither thee alive and drag thee down below. There to atone, pang for pang, thy mother's agony.
Or. Schooled

by

my

miseries, I

have experience

In purifpng
I

Where speech befits know, where silence too. But in this case
rites.

wise instructor charges

me

to speak.

For the blood sleeps and is fading from my hand: The stain of matricide is washed away. While yet fresh, at divine Apollo's hearth It was expelled by purging blood of swine.

THE EUMENIDES
aXK afi^hv
aWoia-iv
rjSrj

133

TrpoareTpi/jb/jbevov re tTjOo?

oiKoi<i teal iropevfiacrtv

^por&v.

165

a-cp^av e^6T//.a9

xPV"''VP^ov';, irpoaei/Mi Boofia Kal ^peTa<; to aov, 0ed,

(jivXaa-crcov dfjifievoo

Ao^Lov

avTov

reXo?

S^^;?.

[Enter the Furies.]

Xo. eiev

ToS" eVri ra,vSpo<; eKcfyavei; refCfiap.

oa-jMri

^poreicov aifidrcov
fjbaK

fie wpoa-'yeXa,.

170

opa opa

av
firj

Xeva-ffe re irdvra,

Xadr) (f>vjSa /3a?

fiaTpo<f)6vo<; drbTai;.

6')^cov

o o
-Trepi

avTe y axKav

175

^perei irXe'^^OeU

0ea<;

dfi^poTcc

VTToSiKO'i OeXei

yeveaOai vepwv.

TO

S'

ov irdpeanv atp,a jj/qTpMOV

^^a/jLal

SvcrayKOfiiarov, Traval,

TO Siepov ireSoi

j(ii/ievov ot'xerai.

po^elv

180

aX)C dvTiBovvai Set a diro

fcui'TO?

ipvOpov

eie

fieXwv irekavov diro Be cov

^oaxav TTco/MaTOf; Bvcnrorov Kal ^wvrd a-' i(T')(ydva<r dird^ofiai kutco, avTiiroiv w? nvy^ fiaTpo<f)6vov Sva<;.
^epoifiav

185

Op. eym StSaxdel^ ev KaKol<;

em-laTa/jLai,

iroXXov^ Ka6apfJiov<s, Kal Xeyeiv ovov

BiKTj

aijav

ff'

oiJLoimf;'

ev Se reSSe irpdyfiaTi

(fxoveiv eTd')(6'qv tt/so? cro(f>ov

/3pi^ei,

BtSacrKoKov
190
TreXei.

yap

alfia Kal jiapaiveTai %6j0o?,

/jbiaarfia 8'

fiTjTpoKTOvov

eKirXvTov
deov

TTOTaiviov

yap ov

irpo'i ecTTia

<^oL^ov Ka0apfiOK rjXdOr] xoipoKTovoi'i.

134

THE EUMENIDES
with pure
lips, religiously, I

Now
On

caU

this land's

Queen, Athena, that she come

Hither to aid me.

Oh hastea god hears even from afar And bring with thee deliverance from these
Ch. Ne'er shall Apollo nor Athena's might

woes.

Protect thee, but abandoned shalt thou perish.

Finding no place for gladness in thy soul.

Wilt thou not answer, wilt thou scorn

my

words,

Though

for

me

thou art bred and consecrated?

Alive, slain at

no

altar, shalt

Now

shalt thou hear a

hymn

thou feed me. to bind thee fast.

Let us now^ with solemn step

move

in accord.

And show
The

in accord

enthralling might of our music.

Come now let us preach to the sons of men Yea let us tell them of our vengeance Yea let us all make mention of justice. Whoso showeth hands that are undefiled,
Lo he shall suffer nought of us ever, But shall- go unharmed to his ending.
But,
if

he hath sinned,

like

unto this man.

And

covereth hands that are blood-stained.

Then is our witness true to the slain man; And we sue for the blood, sue and pursue for
So that at the
last there is

it,

payment.

Mother mine who bare me. Oh Mother Night,

To be
1

feared of
(lines

them who

see

and

see not

hear

This Ode

2o6-24o)was translated bythe late Dr A. W.

Verrall.

THE EUMENIDES
Kai vvv
Xcopa<i
a(f>'

135 koKS)
195

dyvov

(TTOfiaTOi

6v<f>i]fi(o<;

avaaaav

ttjo-B'

'Adrjvaiav

ifioi

jioXeiv dpayov.
eX0t)i,

xXvei Se koi irpoa-wQev

T&vB'
e/JLol
a-'

cov de6<;,

OTTO)? ryeVOlTO

XvT'^ptO'i.

Xo.

oiiroi

pvcraiT dv

'AiroWwv ovB' 'AOrjvaiai; a-devof axne fir) ov iraprjfieXrj/ievov

fir)

200

eppeiv, TO 'xaipeiv

fiadovO' ottov (f>pvS)v

ovS" dvri<j}a)VK, dXX' aTTOTTTuet? X6'you<;

ifioi

rpa^el^ re koi KaOtepafievoi;

irpb';

Kot ^mv fie BaiaeK ovSe

ijfivov S'

^w/jlS cr^ayei^

aKovcrei rovBe Si(r/Mop aidev.

205

aye B^ xal ^OjOov

fiovcrav

a'yirm/iev, iirel

arvyepdv
Xd')(7],

aTTO^aivecrdat BeBoKr/xev,

Xe^ai re
a><;

rd kut dvOpmirovi
210

iiriveofia crrdaii; dp,d.

B'

evdvBiKaioi,

olofieO'

elvaf

TOP

fiev

Kadapd^

'x^elpai 7rpovep,ovT

ovTCi

iipip-jrei p/rjvi'i d<f)

^/m&v,

dcnvrj'i B' alS>va Bioi'^vei'

ocm<}

S"

dXnaiv

axrirep oS' dvrjp

215

'X^eipai; (j>ovia<; eTrt/cpviTTei,

IxdpTVpe'i 6p0al TOiai

davovaip

Trapayiyvofievat TrpaKTope'i aifiaTO<;

avTw

TeXeo)?

icfydvrjfiev.

fidrep

d /x' ert.Kre'i, m /idrep Nu^, dXaoiai xal BeBopKoaiv

220
iroivdv,

136

THE EUMENIDES
jests at

The young god Apollo, he

our justice,

Covers yon cowering culprit, albeit a mother's blood

hath marked him mine.

spell, Sisters of HeU; Chant him the charm, mighty to harm, Binding the blood, madding the mood; Such the music that we make Quail, ye sons of men, and quake; Bow the heart, and bend, and break.

Sing then the

Even so

'tis

written
!)

(Oh sentence sure

Upon

all

that wild in wickedness dip

hand

In the blood of their birth, in the fount of their

flowing

So shall he pine untU the grave receive him no grace even in the grave.
spell, Sisters of HeU; Chant him the charm, mighty to harm. Binding the blood, madding the mood; Such the music that we make: Quail, ye sons of men, and quake; Bow the heart, and bend, and break.

to find

Sing then the

ATHENA
heard a suppliant cry from far away Beside Scamander's stream.
I

Thence came

speeding with unwearied foot.

To

the wingless rustling of

my

bellying aegis.

Beholding these strange visitants in my land. The sight dismays me not, though it astounds.

Who are you? I would question all alike. Both him who sits a suppliant at my image. And you, so unUke aught begotten of seed.

THE EUMENIDES
KXvd\
6

137

Aarovf y^p

lvi<i fi

arifiov rWrjcri

Tov8' a(j)aipovfjievo'i

TTT&Ka, fiuTpwov ajvicf/^a Kvpiov

<j)6vov.

eVl Se

Tedv/jbivtp

225

ToSe

/ieX-o?,

irapaKOTrd,
i^pevoha\rj<;,

irapa^opa

v/jbvo^ e'f ^Epivvcov,

Bea-fiio'i

^pev&v, d^opfiiKTo^, avova

\d'^o<;

/S/OOTOi?.

TOVTO yap

Biavraia
e-x^eiv,

230

M.olp iireKXtoaev e/^TreSo)?

dvar&v

TOiaiv avTOvpylai ^v/iiricrmaiv /Maraioi,

Toii;

ofiaprelv, o^p"
VTreXdrj'

av
S"

yap

Oavmv

ovk dyav iXevffepo^.

235

iiri Be TcS TeOvfievtp

ToSe

fii\o<;, irapa/coTrd,

Trapa^opcL ^pevoBa'Krj's,
v/ivo^ e tilpivvcov,

Siafiia (jjpev&v, a<^6pfiiKTo^, avova ^poroK. 240

AGHNA
irpoo'taQev e^rjKovaa kXtjSovo^ ^orjv

diro

^KafidvBpov

evOev Skokovct qXOov arpuTov iroSa,

TTTep&v drep poi^Bovcra koKitov aiyLBof.

Kaivrjv
S'

op&cra

t'^vS' ofiiXiav ')(6ovo'i

245

rap^M

fj>ev

ovSep, Qavfia S ofifiaaiv Trapa.

Tive<; TTOT

iare;

irdcri

B iv koivov

Xeyw

/8/36Tas Te TOVfiov
Vfia<; 6' o/Aota?

TffiS' i<f}r)fi6vq)

^ev(p,

ovBevl a-jraprav yevet.

138
Ch.

THE EUMENIDES
shalt hear all in brief, daughter of Zeus.

Thou

We

are Night's eternal children.

earth, the Curses are

In our homes

Below the
Slayers of

we

called.

men we hunt
is

forth from all homes.

Ath.

Ch.
Ath.

Where happiness

Ch.
Ath.

Ch.
Ath.

where is the end of it? no more to be found. Is the flight such whereon you hound this man? Yes, for he dared to be his mother's murderer. Was there no other power, whose wrath he feared? What goad so strong as to compel matricide? There are two parties here, and but one plea.
the slayer's flight

And

Ch. Well, question him, then judge with equity.

Ath.

What
But

reply, stranger,

wouldst thou make to this?

tell

me

first

thy country and thy lineage.

And thy
Or.
I

misfortunes; then repel this charge.

Sovereign Athena,
seek no absolution, nor with

hand

Polluted to thine image do

I cling.

Long

since

have

been duly purified

In Argos was I born. thy question fitly leads.
chieftain of warrior seamen.

Elsewhere, with victim and with lustral stream.

Hear now

my

race.

My sire,

to

whom

Was Agamemnon,

With whose aid thou didst make the city of Troy No more a city. He returning home Died shamefully,, by my black-souled mother slain,
Enveloped in a cunning snare, that still Remained as witness of that murderous bath. So I slew her who bare me, I deny it not,
Requiting thus

my

beloved father's blood.

And
If I

herein Loxias shares the guilt with me.

did right or no, be thou the judge.

Whate'er

my fate,

from thee

will I

accept

it.

THE EUMENIDES
Xo.
irevcrei
17/4649

139
250

ra iravra (rvvTOfim^, Ato? Koprj. yap ia/Msv Ni/kto? alavr) reicva.

8'

'AjOat

iv oiKoi<; 7^? vTrai KeKXruieOa.

SIC

^poTOKTOvovvTWi
AO. Kal

Soficov iXavvoficv.
(pvyfj'i ;

rm ktuvovti

ttov to ripfia rij^

Xo. OTTOV TO ^(alpetv

fir/Safiov vofii^erai.

255

A^.

jf

Kal TOiavra?

tojS' i-Trippoi^el'i (fivydi

Xo. ^ovev<} yap elvai

fi/qTpo^ r/^twa-aro.
rj

A0. aWai<s dvdyKat<;,

nvo'; rpetov kotov ;

Xo. irov yap toctovto Kevrpov ws /irjrpoKTOveiv

A9. Bvotv irapovroiv ruiiavi \6yo<;

Xo.

-rrdpa.

z6o

o\X

i^iXeyx^e, Kpcve B' evdelav BlKrjv.

A0.

Tb TTjOO? rdB' elirelv,

^ev, iv fiepei diXei^

Xel^a? Se y^dopav Kal yevo<; Kal ^vix<^opd<s

Ta<i (rd<;, eireira

tovB'

dfwvadov

yjroyov.

Op. avaaa

'

ABdva,
7rj0oa-T/3O7ratO9,.ovS' e'X^cov
'''Vt^fl

265
/j,v<70<;

QVK elfu

Trpo<i %et/ot

^
a)<;

'^ov

i<f>6^ofJ.ii]v

^perai.

irdXai

Trpb'i

aXXoi'i

ravr

dcjicepoofieOa

oiKOLcn, Kal ^OTOicri Kal pvTol<; Tropoc^.

yepo<; Be Tovfibv

e^ei Trevaei rd'^a.

B' ia-ropel^

270

'Apyeto?
'

el/Ml,
,

iraTepa

KaXm^,

Ayafiifivov

dvBp&v vav^ar&v dpfioaTopa'

ovrof ov a\w?,
viv KeXaivotfypcov
/loXciov
ifir)

^iiv

crii

Tpoiav diroXiv 'TXiov iroXiv

e<f)6i0'

e67}Ka<i.

elf

oIkov ahXd

275

fJi/i]T'rjp

KareKTa, iroiKiXoK dypevfiaa-i,

,

Kpv-\(ra<r

a Xovrp&v e^efiapTvpei
TCKOvaav, ovk

<f)ovov

eKTeiva

ttjv

apprjcrojiai,

dvTiKTOvoi'i TTOivalat

^iXTdrov iraTpof.
fieTairio'^.

Kal TwvBe Koivfj Ao^ia<i

ai) B' el BiKaia)<;

280

ehe

fir)

Kplvov BUtjv

irpd^a'i

yap

ev aol travTaxf TaS' alveaw.

140
Ath.

THE EUMENIDES

The matter is too grave for any mortal To presume to try it: nor may I myself
Lawfully j.udge a case of passionate murder. But since this cause has hghted on our city,
I will

appoint judges of murder, bound

By oath, to be an ordinance for all time. When I have chosen the best among my citizens,
I will

return to

sift this

matter
fail^,

truly.

Ch.

Now
If

shall justice

wholly

Fade and

faint, cease to be.

the slayer's wrongful plaint,

Here in plea, dare prevail. Such a deed Not a sinner but shall find AU too featly to his mind.
Give to fear her proper
Still

seat.

to watch the
sit,

Let her

as

wanton thought just and meet:

these be bought.

Sigh and tear,

Wisdom must with

Praise not thou the slavish lot.

And

the lawless, praise

it

it

not,

Praise
Blest

not.

is

the mean; go thou ever between, and

God

shall prosper the going.

Wisely sayeth the ancient rede,

"Naughtiness gendereth pride, as the

fruit of the

But in the wholesome heart Good hopes, good wishes start

[seed "

And good
1

rewards the sowing.

This Ode (lines 29 J-34I ) was translated by the late

Dr A. W.

Verrall.

THE EUMENIDES
A^. TO
irpaiyfia fiel^ov,
e'i

141

ri^ oierat roSe

/ir/v ifiol di/Mi^

)8/30Tos

BiKa^eLV ovSe

(jiovov Biaipeiv o^VfirjvvTov^

SiKw;-

285

eVet Be irpayfta Sevp' iirea-K'qy^ev roSe,

(povmv SiKacrra'i opKtov<i aipovp-evr)

Oea/Mov Tov
et's

airavT eyoo Otjam

to,

^(^povov.

Kpivacra

S'

acrr&v tmv ifi&v

/SeXrara
290

^^0), Siaipeip

TovTo irpajfi

eTr]TVfMO}<;.

Xo. vvv KaracTTpo^al veoov

6eup,laiv, el KpaTtfj-

aei BbKa re koI

^Xd^a
295

TOvBe p,aTpOKTOVOV.
irdvTa'i
tjSt}

toS' epyov ev')(epei-

crvvap/J,6crei /8/30tous.

eaO' oirov to Seivov ed,

Kol (j)pev&v iiria-KOTTOV

Bet fieveiv KaOrnievov
^v/jL<j>epei

30

o'coSpoveiv vTTO aTevei.

firjT
fjjrjTe

dvdp')(eTov ^iov
BeerTroTOVfievov

alve<77]<;.

ttuvtI p.^co) TO icpdTO<i

Oeo'i m-iracrev,

305

aXX
eTTo? Xeyco,

aXKa

B' i(j}opevei.
B'

^v/jtpeTpov

Svffcre/Sia? /ier v/3/3t9

TCKOS

tt)9

eVu/iCfls"

310

eK o vyiei-

af

(j}peva)v o 7rap,<j)tXo<s

Koi iroXvevKTO^ 6X^o<i.

142

THE EUMENIDES

Then be this thy constant law. Throned Right to hold in awe. Hold in awe:

Which

if

thou spurn for a profit to earn, wait awhile,

then weep thy deception,

When

the balance stands redrest.

father

Honour then

and mother, who looks

to be
[blest;

Give to the stranger too Within the gates his due Let him have large reception.

Who

free of will
still;

Doeth right, shall prosper Mercy comes behind him.

Destroyed quite
Sure ye shall not find him.

The bold

in sin

By

transgression shall not win;

Nor gathered heap

Of guilty
spoil shall keep.

Perforce he scatters bulk and bale.

When from the tops the halyard drops. When sinks the sail, then mind him
He
prays
Wrestles

ravesAh the grasping waves

^he
!

WiU

not be prevented.
for spite contented
fool,

But laugh, Aha

Ha

The

whose pride
waters' worst defied,

Wind and
With
Beating

helpless
off

hand

he beats to land

THE EUMENIDES
es TO iTciv Be aoi, Xeyeo,

143

0a)fiop aiSeaai SiKa<s'

fjirjSe

315

viv

KepBo<i IBojv ddeqy

TToSi

Xh^

aritrj;?'

iroiva fyap eirearrai.

Kvpiov
TTjOo?

/Mevei reXo?.

320

rdSe T19
fiS

rofcicov

or6)8a?

irpoTimv

Kal ^evoTbfiov<s

Bofiwv iiriffTpo^ai;
325

alSo/J.evo'i Tt? ea-Tco.

eKoov S' dvdyKa<! drep BiKuiov

oiiK avoK^o<;

wv

eaTaf
8'

iravoiKe8po<;

ovttot av yevoiro.
(pafii

TOP dvTiToKfwv Be

irap^dBav
dvev
BiKa<;

wyovra iroWii
fiiai(o<;

7ravT6(f)vpT'

330

^vv ^(povm KaOrjcreiv

Xaltpo<;,

OTav Xdj3y ttovo?

Opavofieva^ Kepaw;.

KaXei

S'

dicovovTa^ ovSev ev fiecra

BvairaXel re Biva

335

yeXa

Be Balfioav eir dvBpl depjum,

TOP owttot' av-x^ovvr' IBwv djxa'xdvoiis

Bvat,<;

XatraBvov ovB' virepdeoVT

dxpav

144

THE EUMENIDES
of fate with swift surprise
;

One touch

Wrecks the gay freight he Lost and of none lamented

sinks,

he

dies.

Ath. Proclaim now. Herald: bid the folk be

still.

And

let

the Tyrrhene trumpet, with shriU note

Piercing the heavens, filled with breath of man,

Utter

its

high-pitched message to the throng.

let

In silence

my

ordinance be heard

By this And by

whole

city, for all

time to come.

these, that their suit

Sovereign Apollo, rule what

is

be rightly judged. thine own.

How in
Ap.
I

this business, pray, art

first

thou concerned?

come,

to give witness,
this

for my house.
as suppliant.
of this

My hearth received
And
Of
it

man
I

was

who purged him

murder,

To plead
^-

too for myself; for

was cause

Ath.

Ch.

Open thou the case In such form as thy wisdom may think best. The word is now with you. The case is opened. Many we are, but briefly will we speak. Sentence for sentence do thou make reply.
his mother's slaying.

Say
Or.
I

first,

art thou

thy mother's murderer?

Ch.

no denying. Of the three falls already here is one. But how it was you slew her, you must say.
slew her.
fact there is
I will.

That

Or.

With a sword
suggested,

stabbed her in the throat.

Ch.
Or.

And who
The

oracle of this

who advised the deed? God. He bears me witness.

Ch. Did he, the seer, prompt you to matricide?

Or.

Apollo, be thou witness now: pronounce

Whether

it

was with

justice that I slew her.

THE EUMENIDES
Bi al&vo<; Be

145

rbv irpiv oX^ov

340

epfiari irpocr^aXmv Slku^

wXeT
Ad.

aKXavTo<;, daro^.

Kripv(Tcre, Krjpv^,
Ij

koL arparov KaTeipyadou,

T ovv

StfflTOjpos

aWepoi

Tvpa-rjviKr)

a'aX'TTij^ 0poTet,ov irvevfiaro'; irXrjpovfiiprj

virepTovop y^pvfia

<f)aiveTO}

crrparw.
e/iov<;

345

(Tiyav ap'^jei Kal fiadelv 6e<jp,ov^

jToXiv
Kat,

re iraa-av e? tov alavfj ')(p6vov

rova-K, oirm^ av ev Biayveocrdy Sukt)

ei^et?

350

ava^ "AiroXXov, wv
Att. Kal ixapTvprjcrav
iKeTrji; oB'

avTO? Kpdrei.

TL TovSe aol /neTecTTi iTpa.yiMaro<; Xeye.

^XQov

ecm yap
S'

vo/mo)

dvrjp Kal Soficov e^eo-rto?

epMV,

<f>6vov

Be rovB' 70) Kaddpcrio<;

355

Kal ^vvBiKi](TQ)v

avTOf ahiav
TOV
<f>ovov.

6%a>

T^9 TovBe
07r<J0<;

firjTpos

(TV B' eccraye

BbKrjv.

T eirLo'Ta TrjvBe Kvpoxrov

A6.

iifjLwv

6 fivdo^, eicrdyco Be ttjv BIktiv.

fiev ecTfiep, Xi^op,ev Be tri/VTO/itu?.

Xo. TToWot

eTTO? B' dfiei^ov tt/oo?

TTjv fjLrjrep
elire

eVo? ev
el

p,epei

Ti0et,<;.

npooTov
B'

KaTeKTOva<s.

360

Op. eKTeiva'
Xo. ev

tovtov

ovrif dpvqo'i'; ireKei.

rpiSyv iroKaLO'p.aTaiv.
cr

fiev toB' tjBtj

twv

elirelv

ye fievToi Bel

ottcb? KaTeKTave<;.
tt/Oo? Beprjv re/idv.

Op.

Xeytjo
7r/30?

^i^ovXKm
8'

%6pt

Xo.

TOV

eVeicr^T?? Kal

two? ^ovXevp,aa-t ;
p,ot.

365

Op. Toli TovBe deffcpdroicri fiaprvpel Be Xo. o pdvTi^ e^rjyeiTO

ctol

fMrjTpoKTovelv i^rjyov Be
fMol,

Op.

ijBr) ai) /jLapTvprja-ov.

"AttoXXov,

eo

<T^e aiiv BUrj KareKTavov.

146

THE EUMENIDES

Ap. To you, the high court of Athena, honest Shall be my words. A prophet may not lie. Never from mantic throne have I said aught

Save by

command

of Zeus, the

Olympian Father.

Ch. So Zeus gave thee this oracle, that bade This Orestes to avenge his father's blood Regardless of a mother's claim to awe?

Ap. Nay,

it

was

far worse

shame that a noble man,

die.

Endowed with god-given royalty, should And that by a woman's hand.

Ch. So a father's fate,

you

say, wins

more respect

From Zeus, who himself enchained his old sire Cronos.

Ap.

loathly, brutish monsters,

heaven-abhorred
is

Fetters he might undo: there

cure for that;

Yea many the means to loosen what is bound. But when the dust hath swallowed a man's blood, Once dead, there is no raising of him then. No healing charm hath Zeus my father made For that all else now high now low he shifts
:

And

turns about with no least breath of

it

toil.

Ch. See what

means, thy plea in his defence. His mother's kindred blood he spilt on the earth. Shall his father's house in Argos yet be his?

What altar of public worship shaU he use? What brotherhood will admit him to its rites? Ap. This too will I expound; and mark how justly.
The mother
of her so-called child is not
life sown in her. The male is parent: she, but a stranger to him, Keeps safe his growing plant, unless fate blight it. Of this truth I will show you evidence.

Parent, but nurse of the young

sire

may

beget without a mother.

Here

; ;;

THE EUMENIDES
Att.

147
370

Xe^w

TT/oo? vfia<i toj/S' 'A.diqvaia'; fjue'yav

Oea-fiov SiKaum^, fiavrKs cov S'

ov

yjreva-ofiai.

ovTrcoiroT enrov f^avriKoia-iv ev 6p6voi<i,

ixr)

KeXevaat Zeii?
(9 Xijei<i crv,

'OXv/jLTrceov Trarrjp.

X.O.

Zeu?,

rovBe XRV^f^ov

di'traa-e,

<j)pa^eiv

OpetrTT) rwSe, rov -rrarpdi; (f)6vov

firjrpo^ firiSa/jiov
Tijjba.'s

375

irpa^avra
Att. ov

vefieiv

yap

ti

ravrov avSpa yevvaiov davelv

^loaZoToit; (TKriirrpoiai TifiaX^ovfjuevov,

Kal ravra irpo^ yvvat/co';.

Xo. iraTpo<i irpoTip.a Zeu? fiopov

Att.

too

am Xoyw"
Kpovop.

380

avTb<i S' eStjae iraripa irpea-^VTrji'

TravTOfiiarj

KPmSaXa,

arrvyr) 6e5>v,
aKoi;,

ireoai, fiev

av Xvoeiep, eari tovo

fiij'y^avT)

Kal Kcipra ttoXXt)

dvSp6<;

XvTijpio^'
385

S' i-ireiBav al/j,'

avaanrdarj k6vi<;

aTra^ dav6vT0<;, ovrt? eVr' dvacrTaaif.

Tovrav eVySa? ovk

ovfjL6<;, TO, S'

eTroirfcrev "jraTrjp

aXXa

irdvr avco re Kal Karco

a'Tpe<po)v TbO-qa-iv

ovSev dcrO/jialveov

fievei.
'

Xo. TTW? yap TO (pevyetv rovB' vTrepSiKeii opa

TO fMTjTpo^ alp! ofiaifiov
eireLT
ex'X^ia^ ireSoi

390

ev "Kpyei Smp.ar olKrjaei rrarp6<;

;

TToioicri ^Q)fioL<; j^prnfievo's toi<; Sr]fj,ioi<;

iroCa Be
Att. Kal
oiiK

'x^epvl,^fr

<j)parepcov TrpoaSe^eTai
p,d0^ cb? 6p6S)<; ipa>.

tovto Xe^m, Kal

eaTi
p/TjTTip
rj

395

KeKXr)/j,evov

reKvov

TOKev^,

Tpo(f)d<;

BeKvp,aro<} veoa-Tropov.
rj

riKTei

8'

o dpcpcTKaiv,

B'

airep ^eva> ^evq

eacoaev epva, olai

p,r}

^Xdyfrrj 0eo<;.

reKfjy^piov Be rovBe (rot Bei^io

Xoyov
ireXa^

400

Trarrip p,ev

av

yevot,r

dvev

fj,rjTp6<;-

148

THE EUMENIDES

My witness stands, child of Olympian Zeus, Who grew not in the darkness of a womb,
Ath.

Yet plant so fair no goddess could bring forth. Has enough now been said; and may I bid These judges give their true and honest vote? Ch. For our part, all our shafts have now been shot.
I

wait to hear

how

the issue shall be judged.

And you? Are you content I order so? Ap. You have heard what you have heard. Friends, give your votes; And let your hearts pay reverence to your oath. Ath. Hear now my ordinance, people-of Athens, Judges of the first trial for shed blood. Here for all time to come shall Aegeus' folk Meet as a jurors' council on this rock. The Hill of Ares. Thereon Reverence,
Ath.

And

Fear,

its

kinsman, among

my

citizens
alike.

Shall check wrong-doing night

and day

Neither ungoverned nor tyrannical.

Such

rule I bid you venerate and maintain. Nor wholly from the city banish dread; For what mortal is righteous who fears naught? Such be your reverence and your righteous awe. And you shall have, to guard your land and town,

A bulwark such

as none elsewhere possess.

Not mid the Scythians, nor in Pelops' isle. Pure from corruption, reverend, quick to wrath. Such the tribunal I estabUsh here,

vigilant guardian of the land's repose.

To exhort my citizens for times to come. At such length have I spoken. Now let each

rise

And

take his ballot, and decide the cause With reverence for his oath. My words are ended.

THE EUMENIDES
fidprv; irdpeart rrat? ^OXvfiiriov Ato9,

149

ovK iv (TKOTOtcn vr}Svo^

reOpa/ifiivrj,
deoi;.

dXX
A6.
'^Srj

olov epvo<; ovTif av tskoi,

KeXevco rovers' diro

jvcofirji;

^epeiv

405

\^fj(f)ov

BiKaiav,

a)<;

aXit XeXeyfiivav

Xo. rifuv

fiev ^8y Trdv

rero^evTai jSeXo?.

fievto 8'

aKOVcrai ttw? djcov Kpidija-erai.

trph's

AO. TV '^ap

vfiwv wcS? TiSelo''

afio/j,<j)0';

m
410

Att. rjKovcraO'
\Jr7]<})ov

wv '^Kovcrar, iv S^ KapSia
opKov alBelade, ^evoi.
^ArTiK6<; Xew?,
rjSt) 6e<Tp,6v,

(pepoVre'}

Ad, kXvoit av
Tr/acoTffl?

St/cas Kpivovre'; aCp,aro<; %i;toi).

eaTai Be koI to Xoiirov Atyeo)? crTparm

aiel hiKacTTWv

rovro ^ovXevrijptov,

415
a-e/3a<;

irerpa, irayo^

t "Ajoeto?

iv Se too
jxr]

d<TT(Sv ^6^0'i re ^vyyevrj^ to

ayrjaei, to

'SuceXv
6/j,w<;.

rffiap

koI kut evtppovrjv

TO

ixrjT

avap'xpv

firjTe Bea-iroTovfievov

d<TTol<i

irepKTTeXXovo'i ySovXevw cre^eiv,

420

Kul
Ti<s

firj

TO Seivov irav TroXeco? e^a ^aXelv.

BeSoiKOx; firjSev
evhi,ico<i

jdp

^porwv

ToiovSe Toi Tap^ovvTe<; eVSiKW? ae^a<i

epv/J,d Te ^(B/ja?

xal iroXeco^

a-a>Trjpiov
e')(ei,

ex^oiT dv, olov ovTt? dvQpwTTCov

425

ovT iv ^Kvdaicrtv ovre IleXoTro? iv roTroif.

KepBcov dOiKTOv TOVTO ^ovXevTrjpiov,
alBoiov, o^vffvfiov, evBovTcov v-irep
iyprjyopbi; ^povprjp,a
yrj'i

Ka6l,(TTap,ai,.

Tavrrjv fiev i^ereiv

ep,ol<i

Trapalveaiv

43

darolcnv
Koi

e? to Xoiirov
a'ipeiv

ylrrjifjov

opOovaOai Be %/3^ kal Biayvwvai Blk7)v

eiprjTai Xoyoi.

alBovfJL^vovs rov opKOV.

150
Ch.

THE EUMENIDES
not affront us then,
I

Dangerous visitants are we to your land.

Do

counsel you.

Ap. And Zeus

Ch.

say, dread

my

oracles,

wherein

also speaks his will.

Foil not their fruit.

You

talk

But

I, if I

gain not

my

cause.

Will soon revisit and chastise this land.

Ap.

young gods and the elder too You are despised. The victory shall be mine. Ch. Since thy young violence over-rides our age, I wait to hear the verdict, still in doubt Whether to wreak my wrath against the town. Ath. Mine shall this task be, to give judgment last; ' And this my vote to Orestes wiU I reckon. For of no mother was I born in aU,
the

Among

Save to be wedded, with whole heart

approve

The male.

am

strongly of the father's side.

I less

Therefore a wife's fate shall

esteem.

Who

slew her husband, the master of her house.

Orestes win s, even with equal votes.

Forthwith turn out the ballots from the urns.

Or.

Ch.
Or.

judges to whom that function is assigned. O bright Apollo, how will the judgment go? O Night, dark Mother, dost thou behold these things? For me 'tis now the noose, or Ufe's hght still.

You

Ch. For us, ruin, or worship without end. Ap. Number aright the votes cast out, my

friends.

As you divide them, reverence honesty.

Ath. This

man
!

is is

acquitted of blood-guiltiness;
the

For equal
Or.

number

of the lots.

Pallas

thou saviour of

my house
men
shall say.

Yea, thus to
Restored

my lost
:

fatherland hast thou

Hellas

me and through

THE EUMENIDES
Xo. Koi
fiifp

151

^apelav rrjvK ofiiXiav x^ovo's

435

Att.

^vn^ovXof elfii, fjirjSafj,co<! arifida-at,. Kaywye -x^pr/crfiovii tov<; ifiov^ re Kal Ato?
rap^elv iceXevm
/jlijS'

CLKapirmTovi Kriaai.

Xo. XeysK' iyca Se

/U.^

TV)(ovcra rij? BiKr]^

ofjuXrjcrw irakiv.

^apeia X'^P^

''"^^'

Att. aTOC ev re rot? veocai Kal TraXaiTepoi'i

440

deoti arifio^ el (tv' viKrjam

S'

iyw.

Xo. eVet KaOnrird^ei

SiKr)!;
a><;

fie

irpecr^vTiv veo?,

yevecrdai

ttJitS' 67rjjoo? fiivai,

a/M(j)b^ov\o<; ovcra, 6v[iov(7dai iroXeu.

Ad.

ifiov ToS' epyov,

ylrrj<fiov S'

XoiaOLav Kplvai BbKijv

445

'Opecrrr) ttjvS'
0VTi<i ecTTbv
r)

eyw
/i

'!rpo(r6')]crofiai.

jMrjTqp

yap

iyeivaro,

TO

8'

apaev alvm

-irdvra, irKxiv
S' elfil

ydfLov rvx^iv,

'diravTi dvfjLW,

Kapra

tov irarpo^.
45

ovTco yvvaiKO'i ov TrpoTi/Mrjaa) fiopov

avBpa KTavovar}^ hmfidrwv

viKa
8'

eirio'KO'irov.
'^pi'^jj-

'Opearrj'i, /cap la6'\lr7]<po^

co?

i/e^dWed^
offOLi

rdxi'O'Ta Tev^jjeai' irdXov^,

Teko<;.
;

SiKaa-TWv tout iireaTaXrai,

ttSii;

Op.
Xo.

m ^010"' KttoXKov,
(M

dymv
rj

KpiOrjcreTai

455

Nii^ fiiXatva
wyx^vi'l'!

firfrep,

ap

6pa<;

rdSe
^Xeireiv.

Op. vvv Xo.

f^''

Tepfiar,
r)

(pdo'i

fjiilv

yap

eppeiv,

irpoao) rt/ia? vifieiv.

Att. irefiird^eT 6p0oo<; e'/c/SoXa? yjr^cj^wv, ^evot,

TO

firj

^SiKeiv ai^ovTe'i ev Biaipeaei.

a'ljJkaro';

460

K6.
Op.

dvrjp oS' sKiri^evyev

SIkijv

taov ydp

i(TTi Tdpidfjir]fia

twv irdXwv.
e/jLov<;

m UaXXd'i, w acoaaaa
yala<i

Toii?

Bofiovi,

Trarpma^

ia-Teprjfiivov
ri<;

av toi
465

KaTa>Kia-d<; fie' /cat

''EiXXi^vav ipei,

152
"

THE EUMENIDES
is

He

again an Argive, and

may

dwell

In his

sire's heritage,

by help

of Pallas,

And
On

Loxias, last of

Him who

ordaineth
fate,

all.

The Saviour." Pitying

these,

my sire's

he looked
people

my

mother's advocates, and saved me.

Farewell.

May

thou and this thy

city's

Grapple your foes in a

Till safety

resistless grip,

and victorious arms be yours.

[Exit Orestes.]

Ch.

Oh shame, ye younger deities The old, holy laws Ye have ridden down, and stolen from our hands the
!

prey.

But

I,

dishonoured, grief-afflicted, heavily wroth,

On

this land accurst

Poison, poison,

woe

for woe, drops of sterile influence

Will

drip

down

to earth, hot 'from

my

heart; and

thence
Birth-killing blight, bud-withering,

(Oh revenge !)

Scattering over the ground,

Shall

sow the

soil

with man-destroying blots of

[plague.

Oh wail! wail! How act now? I am mocked, mocked. A sore grief

my wrongs heavy the wrongs We bear, Maids of Night, Mourning our loss of honour.
To Athens be
Alas,

Ath. I pray you, do not grieve thus bitterly.

You

are not vanquished; but in equal votes

The cause ends, fairly, not to your dishonour. Then be not passionate hurl no wrathful threats
;

Against this land, nor cause sterility

THE EUMENIDES
" Apy6io<; avr)p avBoi ev re xpVI^O''^i'V oiKel irarpwoK, TlaWaZo'i koX Ao^iov
etcaTi,

153

Kai tov irdvra KpaivovTO<i Tplrov

'

amrrjpoi;,

o? TrarpSov alSecrdei'} fiopov

(70)^61 fxe, iMrjTpo'i

rdaSe (tvvZLkov; opmv.

xal Ro\iaaov')(p(; Xeto?"
e')(pi<i,

470

Kai

')(alp6,

KOI

ail

waXaicTfj, a(f>VKTOv rot? evavTuoL^

(TUTijpiov T6 Koi Sop6<; viKrj(f>6pov.

[Exit Orestes.]

Xo.

1(0

6eol vecorepot, iraXaioix;

v6fJ,ov<;

Kadi7r7rd<Taa6e
iyco S' aTifjbo^

xax 'X^epaiv ei\e(rde fiov. a rdXaiva ^apvKOToi;

475

iv

yd

TaSe,

(j)ev,

Lov iov avTiirevai]

fiedelcra KapSia<;,

araXayfiov ^(Oovi
480

a<f)opov
Xi')(r)v
la)

iic

Be rov

a^vX,Xo5, aTeKVOf,

BiKa, ireBov eiriavfievo';

^poTO<^d6pov<i KrfKlBa<; ev X<opa /3a\ei.

(TTevd^eo
;

tL pe^o)

yeX&fiai

Bvaoicrra

485

TToXlraK eiraOov
Im fieydXa roi Kopai Bvarv^eli;

NuKTo?
K9.
ifjbol

dri/iOTTevdei^.

TriOeaOe

fir)

^apvcrT6va}<;

(fiepeiv.

ov yap
e^rjXO^
vp,el<i

vevl,K7)a-d\

d\X' icroy^ij^o^
rySe

Siktj

490

dXriOw, ovk drifiia aeOev

p.r]

Be

dvfiovcrde

/jirjBe

yjj

^apiiv Korov

aKijyJrTjTe, fiijB'

aKapiriav

lo

: !

154

THE EUMENIDES
shedding venomous drops of magic dew. I promise you most faithfully
shall sit enthroned.

By

For here

cavern for your shrine in sacred ground,

bright altars you Adored and worshipped by Ch.

Where on

my

citizens.

Oh wail! wail! How act now? I am mocked, mocked. A sore

grief

wrongs Alas, heavy the wrongs We bear, Maids of Night,

To Athens be

my

Mourning our
Ath.

loss of

honour.

Ye

are not dishonoured: then restrain your wrath.

Being gods, plague not with spells a land of mortals. I put my trust in Zeus what need to say it ?
:

Alone of gods

know

the keys that open

The chamber where the thunder is sealed up. But of that there is no need. Be counselled by me

Sow not

the earth with fruit of a wild tongue.

Calm the black billowing wave's fierce violence: Become the revered partner of my home.
Ch.

We We
I

to endure such a

shame
thus
domiciled,

the

primaevally wise!

thus

Dishonouring, shameful thought

[housed

breathe forth passionate rage, uttermost wrath.

Oh! Oh! Shame! Foul! What is this agony this that assails my breast? Hear my fury, O Mother [tricks. Night: for the gods have robbed me by vile crafty

Stolen

my

ancient honours, brought low

for

my

pride.

Alh.l

will indulge
if

But

thy moods, you pass to a land

thou art

elder.

of other folk.

; ;

THE EUMENIDES
rev^riT, a^eiaai Bul/jlovcov a-TaXd'yfjLaTa.
ejQ)

155

yap

vfiiv TravBiKox; virlcryofiai

495

eS/aas re

KaX Kevdfiwva'; ivBCicov )(dovo^

rj/Meva'; iir

Xiirapodpovoio'iv

ecTj(apai'i

e^eiv vtt' aaroov r&vBe

rifJi,aX(\>ovfieva<s.

Xo. arevd^o)

tL

pe^m
500

yeX&fiaf BvaoicTTa 7ro\iTai,<; eiraOov

im fieydXa roi Kopai BvaTV')(el^
^VKTO'i dri/ioirevOei^.

Ad. ovK
deal

6(7t' aTip,oi, /xr)B' VTrep0vfia)<i

ayav
505

^poT&v

KTiarjTe SvaKijXov )(66va.

Kcvym Treiroida Zrjvl, Kal ri Bel Xeyeiv

KOI KXrjBav olBa Sto/iaro?

ev

fx,0V7]

dewv,

Kepavv6<; ecrriv

a-<f)payi(T/jbevo<}'
(rii

dXX' ovSev avrov Set'

yXdiaa7)<; fiaTaiw;
fir)

B'

eiTnOrj^ ifiot
eirr)

^K^dXr)<;
/nrj

^(Oovi,

510

Kapirov (f>epovra iravra

Trpacr'aeiv KdXS)<;.

KObfia KeXatvov KVfiaTO'; iriKpov fievo'i

w?
Xo.
i/Me i/ie

crefivoTifio'i

Kal ^vvoiKrjrmp

efioi.

iradelv rdBe, ipev,

TraXaiocppova Kara re ya(;

oi/ceiv,

515

<f>ev,

drieTov

fivao<;.

TTvea) TOi /Mevoi;

o'lol

airavTa re kotov.

Ba,
fi

(j)6v.
t'i,<;

Tt?

viroBverai,

oBvva TrXevpai;
5^

Ovfibv aie, fidrep

Nvf

diro

fidv Bavaidv

ydp fie de&v

(too

rt-

BvairdXafioL irap' oiiBev ^pav BoXoi.

A0. opydi ^vvobo-co

vfiei^ B" 6?

yepairepa ydp

el.

dXXo^vXov

iXOova-ai x^ova

5^5

156

THE EUMENIDES
will regret

You

our Athens,

forewarn you.

For to her

citizens time's

With

larger honour; whilst thou,

stream shall flow honourably

Enshrined by Erechtheus' temple, shalt receive

From adoring troops of men and women, more Than thou couldst hope in the wide world beside.
Ch.

We We

to endure such a

shame
wise!

the

primaevally

thus

domiciled,

thus

Dishonouring, shameful thought

[housed

Ath. I will not weary of speaking thee fair words.

No,

if

divine Persuasion, the soothing

of

charm

And magic

my
:

tongue, be sacred to thee.

Then here abide but if thou wouldst not stay, Thou canst not justly afflict this city's folk With wrath or hate, or do them any hurt. For thou mayst claim thy portion in her soil
Rightfully, with
all

honourable worship.

Ch. Athena, what

Ath.

is

this

home thou
free.

offerest
it

me?

One from

all

sorrow

Accept

now.

Ch. Say I accept: what privilege shall be mine?

Ath. That without thee no household shall have increase. Ch.

Canst thou endow

Ath. Aye, Ch. Ath. Ch.

we

will bless

me with such power as that? thy votaries with good fortune.

And wilt thou give me warrant for all time? No need to promise what I would not do.
I feel

thy soothing charm

my

wrath abates.

We

accept.
let

Here with Pallas

us dwell.

Scorn we not her citadel

By

almighty Zeus and Ares cherished

fortress of the gods.

As the

THE EUMENIDES
7^9 TtjaS' epaaOrjo-eaOe- irpovvviiro) rdBe.
ovTTippewv ryap Tt/itcoTepos
j(^p6vo<s
crii

157

earai irdXbTat<; TolaSe. eBpav e')(pvaa

Teu^ei Trap'

Koi

rifiiav

tt/so? S6p,oii; ^^pexdeco<s

dvBp&v Kal yvvatKeiosv erroXav,

ovttot av a-'^eOoK /Spormv,

530

oacov Trap'

dWtov

Xo.

ep,e

Tradelv rdSe, <^ev,

ifie iraX,ac6<j)pova

xard

re 7a? oiKeiv,

4>ev,

drieTov

p,vcro^.

A.6. ovToi Kap,ovp,ai aoi

Xeyova-a rdya6d.

535

dW'
av
oil

el fjLep

dyvov

icrrl <tol Ilet^oO? ericas,

yXwcrar]!;
S"

ififi<i

p.eiXiyp.a Kal OekKTrjpiov,

ovv /Mevoi^

av

el 8e

(jltj

0eKei<; p-eveiv,

rdv SiKaieo^
y\

TJjB' eirippe-rroi';
TJ

TToXeb

p,7}viv TiA>

KOTOV Tiv

^\d^7}v crTpaTm.

540

e^eari yap
elvai,

<7oi

rfjaSe yap6p<p j^6ovb<}

Tifj,(op,evri.

BiKaim^ e? to Trav

Xo. dvaaa 'ASdva, riva

fie ^775 e^eti/

eSpav

Ad.
A^.
Xo.

irdcTT]'; dirrjfiov

ol^vo'i'

he-)(ov he

av.
545

Xo. Kol
(B?

Si]
firj

SeBeyfiai

rt's

Se p,oi

Tip,f] p,evei

Tiv oIkov evOevelv dvev aeOev.

TT/sa^et?, &are fie aOevebv roaov; yap ae^ovTi avp,<popd^ 6p6d)ao/j,ev. Tft) Xo. Kai fioi TT/soTraz/To? iyyvrjv O'qaet, xpovov Ad. e^eari ydp fioi fjurj Xiyetv a p,r) reXa.
ail

TOVTO

A0.

55

Xo. deX^eiv
Se^o/iat

fi

eot/cas /cal p^eOlara/iai kotov.

UaXXaSc;

^vvoiKiav,

ovS

drifiaao) iroXiv,
Zeii? o irayKparr)'; "Aprj'i re

rdv Kal

<j)povptov

6e&v

vifiei,

555

158

THE EUMENIDES

Crown of Hellas, guarding The altars of her deities.

Evil breath

Never blow to hurt her trees Such to Athens be my grace. Never trespass hither scorching wind To nip the budding eyes of plants. May no blast of sterile BHghting plague assail her fields.

And

with double births

let

Pan

At the appointed season bless The mothers of the thriving flock; and may rich Teem with abundant offspring, [Earth Gifts to thank the bounteous gods.
Afh.

Hear with what wise speech

into the

pathway

Of blessing they enter. Stern and terrible though they appear, yet Great gain shall they bring you, people of Athens. If you repay them for kindness with kindness

And
And

reverent worship, this shall your fame be.

city in the straight path of justice.
is

To guide both your land

Ch. Joy to you, joy in the wealth that

each man's
[portion

Joy be

to this city's folk

Lovers are you, and beloved.

Of the Virgin throned by Zeus. Timely wisdom now is yours, Sheltered under Pallas' wings,
Sacred in the Father's eyes.
Ath.

Joy to you also But before you I go; For now will I show you your cavern shrines
!

THE EUMENIDES
pval,0Q)fj,ov

159

'EWd-

vcov ayaXfjba Saifiopmv.

SevSpoTTijfjLmv Se

fj.r)

irvioi

^Xd^a,
^vtwp, to
560

Tav ifiav
(pXoy/j.o'i
fir)

X"-pi'V

Xeyw

6fifj,aTO<TTep7]';

irepav opov tottmv,

aKapiro'; ala-

firjS'
vr]<i

e<f)ep7reTa) v6<to<;,

fiTjXa

T evdevovvra

Uav
5^5

^vv ^nrXolaiv

i/jb^pvoti;

Tpe(j)oi 'x^povtp Terayixevto

yovo'i Se

yaf

nfkovTO'xQcav ep/^aiav
Saifiovcov Socrtv Tboi.

A0. dpa
eK

(ppovova-ai, yXa)cra'7]<; d/yaOrji;

;

oSov evplaKovff

570
irpocrdoTrmv

T&v (po^ep&v T&vSe

yap
ev<\>pova<s

fieya Kepho<i opco rolaSe TroXtrat?"

rdcrSe

ev^pove^ del

fiiya rifjLcovTe^ Koi yrjv Koi iroXiv

opdoBUaiov
irpe<^eTe TrdvToo<; 8idyovTe<;.

575

Xo.

'X^aipere

^otper' ev

alcrip-laiai,

ttXovtov.

XMpeT

daTiKd<i Xemt,

iter a p ^/j,eva<;

A to?
580

trapdevov

(j)iXa<; (f>bXoi

aco(ppovovvT<; ev

xpova.

IlaWaSo?

8'

viro inepol';

ovra<i 'd^erai irarijp.

8' A.6. %at/3eT6 xii/MeK Trporepav
i/J^e

XPV
585

cTTei^eti' 6aXdfjLov<; dirohet^ovcrav

i6o

THE EUMENIDES
the sacred light of these your conductors.
city,

By

With solemn sacrifice now let us speed you To your homes in the earth. What will hurt this Emprison it there but whate'er bringeth gain, Send forth to increase her with glory. Lead now these newcomers on their way, You my citizens, children of Kranaos
;

And

still in your hearts For a kind deed let there be kind thoughts.

Ch. Joy to you, joy yet again with a double blessing,

All ye dweUers in this land

Deities a.nd mortal

men

While in Pallas' town ye dwell.

And

our rights as denizens

still,

Reverence
In your

you

shall not find

life's lot

aught unkind.
I

Ath. Your prayers of benediction

commend.

And by

bright-gleaming torch-hght will conduct you

Unto your nether subterraneous homes. Escorted by these ministrants, who guard

My image,

(and with right for

;

'tis

the eye

Of Theseus' land), a fair-famed company Of maidens and of wives and aged dames. Drape now our guests in honourable robes Of crimson. Let the lights move on before.
Erelong shall these new residents show their love

By

prospering the

manhood

of our land.

CHORUS OF THE ESCORT

Pass on your
(Silence

way

in the pride of

your worship.

Night's dread Children, with glad-hearted escort.

now

for our sacred song

!)

THE EUMENIDES
7r/)09 (f)&<;

i6i

lepov rS>vBe jrpoTro/j.Trmv.

ire Kol a-(f)aylo}v raps' inro a-efiv&v

Kara 7^? avfievai ro

%(/) Karexeiv, ro Se
ire/jLTreov

fjuev

drrjpov

KepSaXeov
590

TroXeo)? iirl viKr).

v/*et? S'

^yeiaOe, iroXia-a-ov^oi.
/leroLicoii;.

TTatSe?
eirj B'

^pavaov, ralahe

ayaO&v

ayaOr] Sidvoia nrokirai';.

Xo.

;)^at/3eTe, ')(aipere B'

aSdi^,

eirrj

Bnr\d^(o,

595

Travre? 01

Kara

irroXiv,

Babfiove<; re

koI ^porol,

HaWdBo'}
T6S

iroKiv vifiovS' ifirjv

fiifi-

fieroiKMv

evcre^ovrei; ovri

600

^eade

crvp,(f>opa^

^lov.

Ad. alvm re
'Trifiyjro)

fiv6ov<; rtovBe

r&v Karevyfidriov
yfiovo'i roirovi

re t^eyyei XafiirdScov aeXaa-cjjoptov

69 rail's

evepQe KaX

Karm

^vv irpoairoXoicriv, aire

rovfjuov Bi/cabeo<;.
%7)<TfjBo<;.

^povpovcnv ^pera% 605

'ird<T7]<; ')(6ovo<;

6p.fia

yap

e^iKOir

civ evKXerji; X6')(p'i

rraiBwv, yvvauKmv, KaX ar6Xo<; Trpea^vriBmv.

<f)oiviKo^d'7rroi<;

evBvroi^

ea-6-ijfiacn

ri/idre, Kal to (f>iyyo<; opfidcrffco 7rdpo<i,

OTToj?

610

av

evtppcov

/S' 6/j,(,Xl,a

yOovoii
irpeTrrj.

ro XoiTTOv evdvBpoicrt crvfi^opai<i

nponoMHoi
^dd' oBov, fieydXai ^iX6rip,0L
i<^'<'P-

"

NuTo?

n-aiBe'i, vtt

evif>povi irofi'Tra,

evcfiafielre Be, ^w/Jtrat,

615

i62

THE EUMENIDES

There within Earth's immemorial caverns Ritual worship and offerings await you.
(Silence

aU as we wend along !)

Kind and loyal of heart to our land, Come, ye revered ones, pleased with the festive Flame-devoured torch, as you pass to your home.
(Cry aloud a refrain to our chorus
!)

Let Peace follow with flaring of torches. Burghers of Pallas, unto this ending Zeus the all-seeing and Fate have conspired.
(Cry aloud a refrain to our chorus
!)

THE EUMENIDES
ya<; viro Kevdea-iv myvyloia-iv,
Ti,fiai<;

163
[di/T. a.

Kal

6vaLa,i<i Trepia-eiTTai,

eixpafielTe Se iravSa/Mel.

IXaoi Se Kal ev6v(j)pove'; 7a

Sevp' tre, arefival, ^iiv TrUjOtSaTTTa)
TiMfiTrdSi,

W'^P- ^ 620

repirofMevai Kaff ohov.

fioX7rai<;,

6\o\v^aTe vvv inl

a-TTOvSal
8' ela-OTTiv

evSaiSe<!

'ircov.

[avT.

/S.

IlaWaSo? acTTOK Zeii? iravoTrra^ ovToo Moipd T6 a-vjKare^a.

oXoXv^are vvv
sttI fioXiral's.

625

CAMBRIDGE
J.

PRINTED BY

B.

PEACE, M.A.,

AT THE UNIVERSITY PS'ESS