Agamemnon

Aeschylus

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

  1. Adducing Artemis,
  2. So that the Atreidai striking staves on earth
  3. Could not withhold the tear) —
  1. Then did the king, the elder, speak this clear.
  2. Heavy the fate, indeed, — to disobey!
  3. Yet heavy if my child I slay,
  4. The adornment of my household: with the tide
  5. Of virgin-slaughter, at the altar-side,
  6. A father’s hands defiling: which the way
  7. Without its evils, say?
  8. How shall I turn fleet-fugitive,
  9. Failing of duty to allies?
  10. Since for a wind-abating sacrifice
  11. And virgin blood, — ’t is right they strive,
  12. Nay, madden with desire.
  13. Well may it work them — this that they require!