Agamemnon
Aeschylus
Aeschylus. The poetical works of Robert Browning, Volume 13. Browning, Robert, translator; Berdoe, Edward, editor. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1889.
- A corned-up colt! but that bad friend in darkness,
- Famine its housemate, shall behold him gentle.
- Why then, this man here, from a coward spirit,
- Didst not thou slay thyself? But, — helped, — a woman,
- The country’s pest, and that of gods o’ the country,
- Killed him! Orestes, where may he see light now?
- That coming hither back, with gracious fortune,
- Of both these he may be the all-conquering slayer?
- But since this to do thou thinkest — and not talk — thou soon shalt know!
- Up then, comrades dear! the proper thing to do—not distant this!
- Up then! hilt in hold, his sword let everyone aright dispose!
- Ay, but I myself too, hilt in hold, do not refuse to die.
- Thou wilt die, thou say’st, to who accept it. We the chance demand.
- Nowise, O belovedest of men, may we do other ills!
- To have reaped away these, even, is a harvest much to me.
- Go, both thou and these the old men, to the homes appointed each,