Epeisodion 3
AGAMEMNON.
If all things I might manage thus — brave man, I!
930
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
Come now, this say, nor feign a feeling to me!
AGAMEMNON.
With feeling, know indeed, I do not tamper!
KLUTAIMNESTRA
Vowed’st thou to the gods, in fear, to act thus?
AGAMEMNON.
If any, I well knew resolve I outspoke.
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
What think’st thou Priamos had done, thus victor?
935
AGAMEMNON.
On varied vests — I do think — he had passaged.
KLUTAIMNESTRA
Then, do not, struck with awe at human censure ....
AGAMEMNON.
Well, popular mob-outcry much avails too.
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
Ay, but the unenvied is not the much valued.
AGAMEMNON.
Sure, ’t is no woman’s part to long for battle.
940
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
Why, to the prosperous, even suits a beating.
AGAMEMNON.
What? thou this beating us in war dost prize too?
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
Persuade thee! power, for once, grant me — and willing!
AGAMEMNON.
But if this seem so to thee — shoes, let someone
Loose under, quick — foot’s serviceable carriage!
945
And me, on these sea-products walking, may no
Grudge from a distance, from the god’s eye, strike at!
For great shame were my strewment-spoiling — riches
Spoiling with feet, and silver-purchased textures!
Of these things, thus then. But this female-stranger
950
Tenderly take inside! Who conquers mildly
God, from afar, benignantly regardeth.
For, willing, no one wears a yoke that’s servile:
And she, of many valuables, outpicked
The flower, the army’s gift, myself has followed.
955
So, — since to hear thee, I am brought about thus, —
I go into the palace — purples treading.
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
There is the sea — and what man shall exhaust it? —
Feeding much purple’s worth-its-weight-in-silver
