Epeisodion 3
[Episode]
Ah! would I could find words to utter your praise without excess, and yet not lose the graciousness of it by stinting it; for when the good are praised, they have some sort of feeling
Clytemnestra
of hatred for those who in their praise exceed the mean. But I am ashamed of intruding a tale of woe, since my affliction touches myself alone and you are not affected by troubles of mine; but still it looks well for the man of worth to assist the unfortunate, even when he is not connected with then.
980
Therefore pity us, for our suffering cries for pity; in the first place, I have harbored an idle hope, in thinking to have you marry my daughter; and next, perhaps, the slaying of my child will be to you an evil omen in your wooing hereafter, against which you must guard yourself.
985
Your words were good, both first and last; for if you will it so, my daughter will be saved.
990
Will you have her clasp your knees as a suppliant? it is no maid’s part; yet if it seems good to you, why, come she shall with the modest look of free-born maid;
but if I shall obtain the same end from you without her coming then let her abide within, for there is dignity in her reserve; still reserve must only go as far as the case allows.
995
Achilles
Paley regards 11. 998-1035 as spurious, pointing out much, that, in his opinion, stamps them as the work of a later hand.Do not bring your daughter out for me to see, lady, nor let us incur the reproach of the ignorant;
for an army, when gathered together without domestic duties to employ it, loves the evil gossip of malicious tongues. After all, should you both supplicate me, you will attain a like result as if I had never been supplicated;Reading ἡν for ᾑς, as Paley suggests; Nauck gives ἀνικετεύτως εἶς, to avoid the un-Attic εἰ . . . ᾔς. for I am myself engaged in a mighty struggle to rid you of your troubles.
1000
One thing be sure you have heard; I will not tell a lie; if I do that or idly mock you, may I die, but live if I preserve the girl.
1005
Clytemnestra
Bless you for always helping the distressed!
Achilles
Hearken then to me, that the matter may succeed.
Clytemnestra
What is your proposal? for hear you I must.
1010
Achilles
Let us once more urgeReading πείθωμεν. her father to a better frame of mind.
Clytemnestra
He is something of a coward, and fears the army too much.
Achilles
Still argument overthrows argument.
Clytemnestra
Cold hope indeed; but tell me what I must do.
Achilles
Supplicate him first not to slay his children; and if he is stubborn, come to me. ForDindorf marks 11. 1017-23 as spurious; the only wonder is, says Paley, that he tolerated the preceding part. if he consents to your request, my intervention need go no further, since this consent insures your safety. I too shall show myself in a better light to my friend,
1015
and the army will not blame me, if I arrange the matter by reason rather than force; while, should things turn out well, the result will prove satisfactory both to you and your friends, even without my interference.
1020
Clytemnestra
How sensibly you speak! I must act as seems best to you;
but should I fail of my object, where am I to see you again, where? Must I turn my wretched steps and find you ready to champion my distress?
1025
Achilles
I will keep watch to guard you, where occasion calls, that none may see you passing through the army of Danaids
with that scared look. Do not shame your father’s house; for Tyndareus does not deserve not to be ill spoken of, being a mighty man in Hellas.Line 1032 is inclosed in brackets by Nauck.
1030
Clytemnestra
It will be so.ἔστιν τάδ᾽. So Paley; but others, with Markland, read ἔσται τάδ᾽ i.e., I will do as you say. Command me; I must play the slave to you. If there are gods, you for your righteous dealing
will find them favorable; if there are none, what need to toil? Exeunt Achilles and Clytemnestra.
1035
