Stasimon 5
[Episode]
and Calchas, the seer, drawing a sharp sword from its scabbard laid it in a basket of beaten gold, and crowned the maiden’s head. Then the son of Peleus, taking the basket and with it lustral water in his hand, ran round the altar of the goddess
1565
Messenger
uttering these words: O Artemis, you child of Zeus, slayer of wild beasts, that wheel your dazzling light amid the gloom, accept this sacrifice which we, the army of the Achaeans and Agamemnon with us, offer to you, pure blood from a beautiful maiden’s neck;
1570
and grant us safe sailing for our ships and the sack of Troy’s towers by our spears.
1575
Meanwhile the sons of Atreus and all the army stood looking on the ground.
[But the priest, seizing his knife, offered up a prayer and was closely scanning the maiden’s throat to see where he should strike.
It was no slight sorrow filled my heart, as I stood by with bowed head; when there was a sudden miracle! Each one of us distinctly heard the sound of a blow,Reading πληγῆς σαφῶς γὰρ πᾶς τις ᾔσθετο κτύπον (Weil). but none saw the spot where the maiden vanished. The priest cried out, and all the army took up the cry
1580
at the sight of a marvel all unlooked for, due to some god’s agency, and passing all belief, although it was seen; for there upon the ground lay a deer of immense size, magnificent to see, gasping out her life, with whose blood the altar of the goddess was thoroughly bedewed.
1585
Then spoke Calchas thus—his joy you can imagine—You captains of this leagued Achaean army, do you see this victim, which the goddess has set before her altar, a mountain-roaming deer? This is more welcome to her by far than the maid,
1590
that she may not defile her altar by shedding noble blood. Gladly she has accepted it, and is granting us a prosperous voyage forReading Ἰλίου πρὸς for Ἰλίου τ᾽ with Hermann. our attack on Ilium. Therefore take heart, sailors, each man of you, and away to your ships, for today
1595
we must leave the hollow bays of Aulis and cross the Aegean main.
1600
Then, when the sacrifice was wholly burnt to ashes in the blazing flame, he offered such prayers as were fitting, that the army might win return; but Agamemnon sends me to tell you this,
and say what heaven-sent luck is his, and how he has secured undying fame throughout the length of Hellas. Now I was there myself and speak as an eyewitness; without a doubt your child flew away to the gods. A truce then to your sorrowing, and cease to be angry with your husband;
1605
for the gods’ ways with man are not what we expect, and those whom they love, they keep safe; yes, for this day has seen your daughter dead and living.
1610
Chorus Leader
What joy to hear these tidings from the messenger! He tells you your child is living still, among the gods.
Clytemnestra
Which of the gods, my child, has stolen you? How am I to address you? How can I be sureBy omitting the stop after φῶ as Nauck edits, and making the sentence continuous, perhaps the simplest explanation of this passage is obtained. that this is not an idle tale told to cheer me, to make me cease my piteous lamentation for you?
1615
Chorus
See! king Agamemnon approaches,
to confirm this story for you.
1620
Agamemnon
Lady, we may be countedTo correct the scansion Hennann proposes ὀλβιζοίμεθ᾽ ἄν. happy, as far as concerns our daughter; for in truth she has fellowship with gods. But you must take this tenderνεαγενῆ, for which Porson gives εὐγενῆ to correct the metre. child and start for home, for the army is looking now to sail.
Fare you well! it is long before I shall greet you on my return from Troy; may it be well with you!
1625
Chorus
Son of Atreus, start for Phrygia’s land with joy and so return, I pray, after taking from Troy her fairest spoils.
