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. a wicked wife, once you had lost her—a stroke of heaven-sent luck. Those foolish suitors swore that oath to Tyndareus in their longing to wed; but Hope was the goddess that led them on,[*](Reading ἧγε δ᾽ with Matthiae for MSS. ἡ δέ γ᾽.) I think, and she it was that brought it about rather than you and your strength. So take the field with them; they are ready for it[*](Paley adopts Monk’s ἔτομοι δ᾽ εἰσὶ for γ᾽ οἶμαι δ᾽ εἴσῃ, but follows Dindorf’s punctuation in not making these words parenthetical. Hermann gives ἐγῷμαι, μωρίαν εἴσῃ φρενῶν, thou wilt find out their folly, I expect.) in the folly of their hearts; for the deity is not without insight, but is able to discern
  2. where oaths have been wrongly pledged or forcibly extorted. I will not slay my children, nor[*](In this difficult and much emended passage Lenting’s κοὐ for καὶ Reiske’s παρὰ δίκης, and τιμωρίᾳ, dat. for nom., are the readings followed.) shall your interests be prospered by justice in your vengeance for a worthless wife, while I am left wasting, night and day, in sorrow for what I did to one of my own flesh and blood, contrary to all law and justice.
  3. Here is your answer shortly given, clear and easy to understand; and if you will not come to your senses, I shall do the best for myself.
Chorus Leader
  1. This differs from your previous declaration, but there is good in it, your child’s reprieve.
Menelaus
  1. Ah me, how sad my lot! I have no friends then after all.