Agamemnon

Aeschylus

Aeschylus, Volume 2. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1926.

  1. for even Alcmene’s son[*](Heracles, because of his murder of Iphitus, was sold as a slave to Omphale, queen of Lydia.), men say, once endured to be sold and eat the bread of slavery. But if such fortune should of necessity fall to the lot of any, there is good cause for thankfulness in having masters of ancient wealth; for they who, beyond their hope, have reaped a rich harvest of possessions,
  2. are cruel to their slaves in every way, even exceeding due measure. You have from us such usage as custom warrants.
Chorus
  1. It is to you she has been speaking and clearly. Since you are in the toils of destiny, perhaps you will obey, if you are so inclined; but perhaps you will not.