Iphigenia in Aulis

Euripides

Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891.

  1. but let me, if I can, save Hellas.
Achilles
  1. Heroic spirit! I can say no more to this, since you are so minded; for yours is a noble resolve; why should not one speak the truth? Yet I will speak, for you will perhaps change your mind;
  2. that you may know then what my offer is, I will go and place these arms of mine near the altar, resolved not to permit your death but to prevent; for brave as you are at sight of the knife held at your throat, you will soon avail yourself of what I said.
  3. So I will not let you perish through any thoughtlessness of yours, but will go to the goddess with these arms and await your arrival there.[*](Lines 1431-3 are rejected by Monk. Nauck, on Dindorf’s authority, also incloses 1. 1426 and ll. 1429-33 in brackets.) Exit Achilles.
Iphigenia
  1. Mother, why so silent, your eyes wet with tears?