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.
- I have reason, woe is me! to be sad at heart.
- Stop; do not make me a coward; here in one thing obey me.
- Tell me, my child, for at my hands you shall never suffer injury.
- Cut not off the tresses of your hair for me, nor clothe yourself in sable garb.[*](This line was rejected by Hermann, Burges, and most other editors.)
- Why, my child, what is it you have said? When I have lost you?[*](The aposiopesis may be supplied by forbear to mourn.)
- You wll not lose me; I am saved and you renowned, as far as I can make you.
- How so? Must I not mourn your death?
- By no means, for I shall have no tomb heaped over me.
- What then? It is death, not the tomb, that is rightly mourned.
- The altar of the goddess, Zeus’s daughter, will be my tomb.
- Well, my child, I will let you persuade me, for you speak well.
- Yes, as one who prospers and does Hellas service.
- What message shall I carry to your sisters?
- Do not put mourning raiment on them either.
- But is there no fond message I can give the maidens from you?
- Yes, my farewell words; and promise me to rear Orestes to manhood.
- Press him to your bosom; it is your last look.
- O you that are most dear to me! you have helped your friends as you had means.
- Is there anything I can do in Argos to please you?
- Yes, do not hate my father, your own husband.