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. Fearful are the trials through which he has to go because of you.
Iphigenia
  1. It was against his will he ruined me for the sake of Hellas.
Clytemnestra
  1. Ah! but he employed base treachery, unworthy of Atreus.
Iphigenia
  1. Who will escort me from here, before my hair is torn?
Clytemnestra
  1. I will go with you—
Iphigenia
  1. No, not you; that is not well saidl.
Clytemnestra
  1. Clinging to your robes.
Iphigenia
  1. Be persuaded by me, mother, stay here; for this is the better way both for me and you; but let one of these attendants of my father conduct me to the meadow of Artemis, where I shall be sacrificed.
Clytemnestra
  1. Are you gone from me, my child?
Iphigenia
  1. Yes, and with no chance of ever returning.
Clytemnestra
  1. Leaving your mother?
Iphigenia
  1. Yes, as you see, undeservedly.
Clytemnestra
  1. Hold! do not leave me!
Iphigenia
  1. I cannot let you shed a tear. To the Chorus. May it be yours, maidens, to hymn in joyous strains Artemis, the child of Zeus, for my hard lot; and let the order for a solemn hush go forth to the Danaids.
  2. Begin the sacrifice with the baskets, let the fire blaze for the purifying meal of sprinkling, and my father pace from left to right about the altar; for I come to bestow on Hellas safety crowned with victory.
Iphigenia
  1. Lead me away, the destroyer of Ilium’s town and the Phrygians; give me wreaths to cast about me; bring them here; here are my tresses to crown; bring lustral water too.
  2. Dance to Artemis, queen Artemis the blest, around her shrine and altar; for by the blood of my sacrifice I will blot out the oracle,
  3. if it must be.
  4. O mother, lady revered! I will, not give you my tears;
  5. for at the holy rites it is not fitting.[*](Lines 1488-90 are assigned by some editors to the Chorus, but there seems little reason for the arrangement.)