Epeisodion 3
[Episode]
I belong to this lady who stands before the tent, a gift to her from Tyndareus her father.
860
Achilles
I am waiting; tell me, if you are desirous, why you have stopped me.
Old man
Are you really all alone here at the door?
Achilles
To us alone will you address yourself; come forth from the king’s tent.
Old man
O Fortune and my own foresight, preserve whom I desire!
Achilles
That speech will saveReading σώσει, Monk’s correction for ἀν ὤση. Others read ἀνοίσε with Markland, or ὀνήσει with Böckh. them in the future; it has a certain pompous air.
865
Clytemnestra
Delay not for the sake of touching my right hand, if there is anything that you would say to me.
Old man
Well, you know my character and my devotion to you and your children.
Clytemnestra
I know you have grown old in the service of my house.
Old man
Likewise you know it was in your dowry king Agamemnon received me.
Clytemnestra
Yes, you came to Argos with me, and have been mine this long time past.
870
Old man
True; and I bear all goodwill to you, less to your husband.
Clytemnestra
Come, come, unfold whatever you have to say.
Old man
Her father, he that begot her, is on the point of slaying your daughter with his own hand.
Clytemnestra
How? That for your story, old man! you are mad.
Old man
Severing with a sword the hapless girl’s white throat.
875
Clytemnestra
Ah, alas for me! Does my husband happen to have gone mad?
Old man
No; he is sane, except where you and your daughter are concerned; there he is mad.
Clytemnestra
What is his reason? what vengeful fiend impels him?
Old man
Oracles, at least so Calchas says, in order that the army may start—
Clytemnestra
Where? Alas for me, and for the one her father is going to kill!
880
Old man
To the halls of Dardanus, that Menelaus may recover Helen.
Clytemnestra
So Helen’s return then was fated to affect Iphigenia?
Old man
You know all; her father is about to offer your child to Artemis.
Clytemnestra
But that marriage—what pretext had it for bringing me from home?
Old man
An inducement to you to bring your daughter cheerfully, to wed her to Achilles.
885
Clytemnestra
On a deadly errand have you come, my daughter, both you, and I, your mother.
Old man
Piteous the lot of both of you, and dreadful Agamemnon’s venture.
Clytemnestra
Alas, I am undone; my eyes can no longer hold their tears.
Old man
If the lossReading with Wecklein εἴπερ ἄλλ᾽ εἰκὸς. Paley retains the old reading εἴπερ ἀλγεινὸν. Hartung gives οὐ γὰρ ἄλογόν ἐστι. Kirchhoff οὐ γὰρ ἀλλ᾽ εἰκὸς. of children is painful, shed your tears.
