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. pay no heed to it; make light of it.
Clytemnestra
  1. Farewell; I can no longer face you with unfaltering eyes, after being made a liar and suffering undeservedly.
Achilles
  1. It is farewell I bid you too, lady; and I go within the tent to seek your husband.
Old man
  1. Stranger of the race of Aeacus, stay awhile! Ho there! I mean you, O goddess-born, and you, daughter of Leda.
Achilles
  1. Who is it calling through the half-opened door? What fear his voice betrays!
Old man
  1. A slave; of that I am not proud, for fortune does not permit it.
Achilles
  1. Whose slave are you? not mine; for mine and Agamemnon’s goods are separate.
Old man
  1. I belong to this lady who stands before the tent, a gift to her from Tyndareus her father.
Achilles
  1. I am waiting; tell me, if you are desirous, why you have stopped me.
Old man
  1. Are you really all alone here at the door?
Achilles
  1. To us alone will you address yourself; come forth from the king’s tent.
Old man
  1. O Fortune and my own foresight, preserve whom I desire!
Achilles
  1. That speech will save[*](Reading σώσει, Monk’s correction for ἀν ὤση. Others read ἀνοίσε with Markland, or ὀνήσει with Böckh.) them in the future; it has a certain pompous air.
Clytemnestra
  1. Delay not for the sake of touching my right hand, if there is anything that you would say to me.
Old man
  1. Well, you know my character and my devotion to you and your children.
Clytemnestra
  1. I know you have grown old in the service of my house.
Old man
  1. Likewise you know it was in your dowry king Agamemnon received me.
Clytemnestra
  1. Yes, you came to Argos with me, and have been mine this long time past.
Old man
  1. True; and I bear all goodwill to you, less to your husband.
Clytemnestra
  1. Come, come, unfold whatever you have to say.