Stasimon 2
[Episode]
Oh! great is the bliss the great enjoy. Behold Iphigenia, the king’s child, my lady, and Clytemnestra, the daughter of Tyndareus; how proud their lineage!
590
Chorus of Argive men
how high their pinnacle of fortune! These mighty ones, whom wealth attends, are very gods in the eyes of less favored folk.
595
Chorus
Let us stand here, maidens of Chalcis, and lift the queen from her chariot
to the ground without stumbling, supporting her gently in our arms, with kind intent, that the renowned daughter of Agamemnon, just arrived, may feel no fear; strangers ourselves, let us avoid anything that may disturb
600
or frighten the strangers from Argos.The whole passage from l. 574-606 is regarded by Paley and Dindorf as an interpolation; while most editors concur in regarding 11. 599-606 as undoubtedly spurious.
605
Clytemnestra
I take this as a lucky omen, your kindness and auspicious greeting, and have good hope that it is to a happy marriage
I conduct the bride. To attendants. Take from the chariot the dowry I am bringing for my daughter and convey it within with careful heed.
610
My daughter, leave the horse-drawn chariot, planting your faltering footstep delicately.κῶλον ἀσθενές θ’ ἅμα, but Hermann’s κῶλον ἀσφαλῶς χαμαί is tempting. To the Chorus.
Young women,νεάνιδές, νίν so Pierson for νεανίδασιν. take her in your arms and lift her from the chariot, and let one of you give me the support of her hand, that I may quit my seat in the carriage with fitting grace.
615
Some of you stand at the horses’ heads;
for the horse has a timid eye, easily frightened; here, take this child Orestes, son of Agamemnon, baby as he still is.
620
What! sleeping, little one, tired out by your ride in the chariot? Awake to bless your sister’s wedding; for you, my gallant boy,
shall get by this marriage a kinsman gallant as yourself, the Nereid’s godlike offspring. Come here to your mother, my daughter, Iphigenia, and seat yourself beside me, and stationed near show my happiness to these strangers;
625
yes, come here and welcome the father you love so dearly.The passages indosed in brackets are regarded by Paley and Dindorf, and, in the main, by Kirchhoff, as spurious. Monk only oraits 11. 627-30, and 11.635-7.
630
Iphigenia
Do not be angry with me, mother, if I run from your side and throw myself on my father’s breast.
Clytemnestra
Hail! my honored lord, king Agamemnon! we have obeyed your commands and have come.These two lines were placed here by Porson instead of after the next distich; the same critic read προσβαλῶ and περιβαλεῖν instead of περιβαλῶ and προσβαλεῖν; both of which changes are followed in the translation, though Paley, while mentioning the second, has not actually adopted it in his text.
Iphigenia
O my father! I long to outrun others and embrace you after this long while; for I yearn to see your face; do not be angry with me.
635
Clytemnestra
You may do so, daughter; for of all the children I have borne, you have always loved your father best.
Iphigenia
I see you, father, joyfully after a long time.
640
Agamemnon
And I, your father, see you; your words do equal duty for both of us.
Iphigenia
All hail, father! you did well in bringing me here to you.
Agamemnon
I know not how I am to say yes or no to that, my child.
Iphigenia
Ah! how wildly you are looking, spite of your joy at seeing me.
Agamemnon
A man has many cares when he is king and general too.
645
Iphigenia
Be mine, all mine today; do not turn to moody thoughts.
Agamemnon
Why so I am, all yours today; I have no other thought.
Iphigenia
Then smooth your knitted brow, unbend and smile.
Agamemnon
See! my child, my joy at seeing you is even as it is.
Iphigenia
And do you then have tears streaming from your eyes?
650
Agamemnon
Yes, for long is the absence from each other, that awaits us.
