Agamemnon

Aeschylus

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

  1. I may say truly, now, that men’s avengers,
  2. The gods from high, of earth behold the sorrows —
  3. Seeing, as I have, i’ the spun robes of the Erinues,
  4. This man here lying, — sight to me how pleasant! —
  5. His father’s hands’ contrivances repaying.
  6. For Atreus, this land’s lord, of this man father,
  7. Thuestes, my own father — to speak clearly —
  8. His brother too, — being i’ the rule contested, —
  9. Drove forth to exile from both town and household:
  10. And, coming back, to the hearth turned, a suppliant,
  11. Wretched Thuestes found the fate assured him
  12. — Not to die, bloodying his paternal threshold
  13. Just there: but host-wise this man’s impious father
  14. Atreus, soul-keenly more than kindly, — seeming
  15. To joyous hold a flesh-day, — to my father
  16. Served up a meal, the flesh of his own children.
  17. The feet indeed and the hands’ top divisions
  18. He hid, high up and isolated sitting:
  19. But, their unshowing parts in ignorance taking,
  20. He forthwith eats food — as thou seest — perdition