Agamemnon

Aeschylus

Aeschylus. The poetical works of Robert Browning, Volume 13. Browning, Robert, translator; Berdoe, Edward, editor. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1889.

  1. Partaker of hand-sprinklings, with the many
  2. Slaves stationed, his the Owner’s altar close to.
  3. Descend from out this car, nor be high-minded
  4. And truly they do say Alkmené’s child once
  5. Bore being sold, slaves’ barley-bread his living.
  6. If, then, necessity of this lot o’erbalance,
  7. Much is the favour of old-wealthy masters:
  8. For those who, never hoping, made fine harvest
  9. Are harsh to slaves in all things, beyond measure.
  10. Thou hast — with us — such usage as law warrants.
CHOROS.
  1. To thee it was, she paused plain speech from speaking.
  2. Being inside the fatal nets — obeying,
  3. Thou mayst obey: but thou mayst disobey too!
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
  1. Why, if she is not, in the swallow’s fashion,
  2. Possessed of voice that’s unknown and barbaric,
  3. I, with speech — speaking in mind’s scope — persuade her.