AGAMEMNON
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ
Watchman Clytæmnestra Agamemnon Chorus of Argive Elders Herald (Talthybios) Cassandra Ægisthos Note.—The unfaithfulness of Clytæmnestra and the murder of Agamemnon had entered into the Homeric cycle of the legends of the house of Atreus. In the Odyssey, however, Ægisthos is the chief agent in this crime (Odyss. iii. 264, iv. 91, 532, xi. 409); and the manner of it differs from that which Æschylos has adopted. Clytæmnestra first appears as slaying both her husband and Cassandra in Pindar (Pyth. xi. 26).
Scene.—Argos. The Palace of Agamemnon; statues of the Gods in front. Watchman on the roof. Time, night.
Watchman. I ask the Gods a respite from these toils, This keeping at my post the whole year round, Wherein, upon the Atreidæ's roof reclined, Like dog, upon my elbow, I have learnt To know night's goodly company of stars, And those bright lords that deck the firmament, And winter bring to men, and harvest-tide; [The rising and the setting of the stars.] And now I watch for sign of beacon-torch, The flash of fire that bringeth news from Troïa, And tidings of its capture. So prevails *A woman's manly-purposed, hoping heart; And when I keep my bed of little ease, Drenched with the dew, unvisited by dreams, (For fear, instead of sleep, my comrade is, So that in sound sleep ne'er I close mine eyes,) And when I think to sing a tune, or hum, (My medicine of song to ward off sleep,) Then weep I, wailing for this house's chance, No more, as erst, right well administered. Well! may I now find blest release from toils, When fire from out the dark brings tidings good. [Pauses, then springs up suddenly, seeing a light in the distance Hail! thou torch-bearer of the night, that shedd'st Light as of morn, and bringest full array Of many choral bands in Argos met, Because of this success. Hurrah! hurrah! So clearly tell I Agamemnon's queen, With all speed rising from her couch to raise Shrill cry of triumph o'er this beacon-fire Throughout the house, since Ilion's citadel Is taken, as full well that bright blaze shows. I, for my part, will dance my prelude now; [Leaps and dances For I shall score my lord's new turn of luck, This beacon-blaze may throw of triple six. Well, would that I with this mine hand may touch The dear hand of our king when he comes home! As to all else, the word is “Hush!” An ox Rests on my tongue; had the house a voice 'Twould tell too clear a tale. I'm fain to speak To those who know, forget with those who know not. [Exit Enter Chorus of twelve Argive elders, chanting as they march to take up their position in the centre of the stage. A procession of women bearing torches is seen in the distance
Lo! the tenth year now is passing Since, of Priam great avengers, Menelaos, Agamemnon, Double-throned and doubled-sceptred, Power from sovran Zeus deriving— Mighty pair of the Atreidæ— Raised a fleet of thousand vessels Of the Argives from our country, Potent helpers in their warfare, Shouting cry of Ares fiercely; E'en as vultures shriek who hover, Wheeling, whirling o'er their eyrie, In wild sorrow for their nestlings, With their oars of stout wings rowing, Having lost the toil that bound them To their callow fledglings' couches. But on high One,—or Apollo, Zeus, or Pan,—the shrill cry hearing, Cry of birds that are his clients, Sendeth forth on men transgressing, Erinnys, slow but sure avenger; So against young Alexandros Atreus' sons the great King sendeth, Zeus, of host and guest protector: He, for bride with many a lover, Will to Danai give and Troïans Many conflicts, men's limbs straining, When the knee in dust is crouching, And the spear-shaft in the onset Of the battle snaps asunder. But as things are now, so are they, So, as destined, shall the end be. Nor by tears, nor yet libations Shall he soothe the wrath unbending Caused by sacred rites left fireless. We, with old frame little honoured, Left behind that host are staying, Resting strength that equals childhood's On our staff: for in the bosom *Of the boy, life's young sap rushing, Is of old age but the equal; Ares not as yet is found there: And the man in age exceeding, When the leaf is sere and withered, Goes with three feet on his journey; Not more Ares-like than boyhood, Like a day-seen dream he wanders. [Enter Clytæmnestra, followed by the procession of torch-bearers Thou, of Tyndareus the daughter, Queen of Argos, Clytæmnestra, What has happened? what news cometh? What perceiving, on what tidings Leaning, dost thou put in motion All this solemn, great procession? Of the Gods who guard the city, Those above and those beneath us, Of the heaven, and of the market, Lo! with thy gifts blaze the altars; And through all the expanse of Heaven, Here and there, the torch-fire rises, With the flowing, pure persuasion Of the holy unguent nourished, *And the chrism rich and kingly From the treasure-store's recesses. Telling what of this thou canst tell, What is right for thee to utter, Be a healer of my trouble, Trouble now my soul disturbing, *While anon fond hope displaying Sacrificial signs propitious, Wards off care that no rest knoweth, Sorrow mind and heart corroding. [The Chorus, taking their places round the central thymele, begin their song
Strophe
Able am I to utter, setting forth The might from omens sprung *What met the heroes as they journeyed on, (For still, by God's great gift, My age, yet linked with strength, *Breathes suasive power of song,) How the Achæans' twin-throned majesty, Accordant rulers of the youth of Hellas, With spear and vengeful hand, Were sent by fierce, strong bird 'gainst Teucrian shore, Kings of the birds to kings of ships appearing, One black, with white tail one, Near to the palace, on the spear-hand side, On station seen of all, A pregnant hare devouring with her young, Robbed of all runs to come: Wail as for Linos, wail, wail bitterly, And yet may good prevail!
Antistrophe
And the wise prophet of the army seeing The brave Atreidæ twain Of diverse mood, knew those that tore the hare, And those that led the host; And thus divining spake: “One day this armament Shall Priam's city sack, and all the herds Owned by the people, countless, by the towers, Fate shall with force lay low. Only take heed lest any wrath of Gods Blunt the great curb of Troïa yet encamped, Struck down before its time; For Artemis the chaste that house doth hate, Her father's wingèd hounds, Who slay the mother with her unborn young, And loathes the eagles' feast. Wail as for Linos, wail, wail bitterly; And yet may good prevail!
Epode
“*For she, the fair One, though so kind of heart *To fresh-dropt dew from mighty lion's womb, And young that suck the teats Of all that roam the fields, *Yet prays Him bring to pass The portents of those birds, The omens good yet also full of dread. And Pæan I invoke As Healer, lest she on the Danai send Delays that keep the ships Long time with hostile blasts, So urging on a new, strange sacrifice, Unblest, unfestivalled, By natural growth artificer of strife, Bearing far other fruit than wife's true fear, For there abideth yet, Fearful, recurring still, Ruling the house, full subtle, unforgetting, Vengeance for children slain.” Such things, with great good mingled, Calchas spake, In voice that pierced the air, As destined by the birds that crossed our path To this our kingly house: And in accord with them, Wail as for Linos, wail, wail bitterly; And yet may good prevail.
Strophe I
O Zeus—whate'er He be, If that Name please Him well, By that on Him I call: Weighing all other names I fail to guess Aught else but Zeus, if I would cast aside, Clearly, in every deed, From off my soul this idle weight of care.
Antistrophe I
Nor He who erst was great, Full of the might to war, *Avails now; He is gone; And He who next came hath departed too, His victor meeting; but if one to Zeus, High triumph-praise should sing, His shall be all the wisdom of the wise;
Strophe II
Yea, Zeus, who leadeth men in wisdom's way, And fixeth fast the law, That pain is gain; And slowly dropping on the heart in sleep Comes woe-recording care, And makes the unwilling yield to wiser thoughts: And doubtless this too comes from grace of Gods, *Seated in might upon their awful thrones.
Antistrophe II
And then of those Achæan ships the chief, The elder, blaming not Or seer or priest; But tempered to the fate that on him smote.... When that Achæan host Were vexed with adverse winds and failing stores, Still kept where Chalkis in the distance lies, And the vexed waves in Aulis ebb and flow;
Strophe III
And breezes from the Strymon sweeping down, Breeding delays and hunger, driving forth Our men in wandering course, On seas without a port. Sparing nor ships, nor rope, nor sailing gear, With doubled months wore down the Argive host; And when, for that wild storm, Of one more charm far harder for our chiefs The prophet told, and spake of Artemis, In tone so piercing shrill, The Atreidæ smote their staves upon the ground, And could not stay their tears.
Antistrophe III
And then the old king lifted up his voice, And spake, “Great woe it is to disobey; Great too to slay my child, The pride and joy of home, Polluting with the streams of maiden's blood Her father's hands upon the altar steps. What course is free from ill? How lose my ships and fail of mine allies? 'Tis meet that they with strong desire should seek A rite the winds to soothe, E'en though it be with blood of maiden pure; May all end well at last!”
Strophe III
So when he himself had harnessed To the yoke of Fate unbending, With a blast of strange, new feeling, Sweeping o'er his heart and spirit, Aweless, godless, and unholy, He his thoughts and purpose altered To full measure of all daring, (Still base counsel's fatal frenzy, Wretched primal source of evils, Gives to mortal hearts strange boldness,) And at last his heart he hardened His own child to slay as victim, Help in war that they were waging, To avenge a woman's frailty, Victim for the good ship's safety.
Antistrophe III
All her prayers and eager callings, On the tender name of Father, All her young and maiden freshness, They but set at nought, those rulers, In their passion for the battle. And her father gave commandment To the servants of the Goddess, When the prayer was o'er, to lift her, Like a kid, above the altar, In her garments wrapt, face downwards,— Yea, to seize with all their courage, And that o'er her lips of beauty Should be set a watch to hinder Words of curse against the houses, With the gag's strength silence-working.
Strophe IV
And she upon the ground Pouring rich folds of veil in saffron dyed, Cast at each one of those who sacrificed A piteous glance that pierced, Fair as a pictured form; And wishing,—all in vain,— To speak; for oftentimes In those her father's hospitable halls She sang, a maiden pure with chastest song, *And her dear father's life That poured its threefold cup of praise to God, Crowned with all choicest good, She with a daughter's love Was wont to celebrate.
Antistrophe IV
What then ensued mine eyes Saw not, nor may I tell, but Calchas' arts Were found not fruitless. Justice turns the scale For those to whom through pain At last comes wisdom's gain. *But for our future fate, *Since help for it is none, *Good-bye to it before it comes, and this Has the same end as wailing premature; For with to-morrow's dawn It will come clear; may good luck crown our fate! So prays the one true guard, Nearest and dearest found, Of this our Apian land. [The Chief of the Chorus turns to Clytæmnestra, and her train of handmaids, who are seen approaching Chor. I come, O Clytæmnestra, honouring Thy majesty: 'tis meet to pay respect To a chief's wife, the man's throne empty left: But whether thou hast heard good news, or else In hopes of tidings glad dost sacrifice, I fain would hear, yet will not silence blame.
Clytæm. May Morning, as the proverb runs, appear Bearing glad tidings from his mother Night! Joy thou shalt learn beyond thy hope to hear; For Argives now have taken Priam's city.
Chor. What? Thy words sound so strange they flit by me.
Clytæm. The Achæans hold Troïa. Speak I clear enough?
Chor. Joy creeps upon me, drawing forth my tears.
Clytæm. Of loyal heart thine eyes give token true.
Chor. What witness sure hast thou of these events?
Clytæm. Full clear (how else?) unless the God deceive.
Chor. Reliest thou on dreams or visions seen?
Clytæm. I place no trust in mind weighed down with sleep.
Chor. Hath then some wingless omen charmed thy soul?
Clytæm. My mind thou scorn'st, as though 'twere but a girl's.
Chor. What time has passed since they the city sacked?
Clytæm. This very night, the mother of this morn.
Chor. What herald could arrive with speed like this?
Clytæm. Hephæstos flashing forth bright flames from Ida: Beacon to beacon from that courier-fire Sent on its tidings; Ida to the rock Hermæan named, in Lemnos: from the isle The height of Athos, dear to Zeus, received A third great torch of flame, and lifted up, So as on high to skim the broad sea's back, The stalwart fire rejoicing went its way; The pine-wood, like a sun, sent forth its light Of golden radiance to Makistos' watch; And he, with no delay, nor unawares Conquered by sleep, performed his courier's part: Far off the torch-light, to Eurîpos' straits Advancing, tells it to Messapion's guards: They, in their turn, lit up and passed it on, Kindling a pile of dry and aged heath. Still strong and fresh the torch, not yet grown dim, Leaping across Asôpos' plain in guise Like a bright moon, towards Kithæron's rock, Roused the next station of the courier flame. And that far-travelled light the sentries there Refused not, burning more than all yet named: And then the light swooped o'er Gorgôpis' lake, And passing on to Ægiplanctos' mount, Bade the bright fire's due order tarry not; And they, enkindling boundless store, send on A mighty beard of flame, and then it passed The headland e'en that looks on Saron's gulf, Still blazing. On it swept, until it came To Arachnæan heights, the watch-tower near; Then here on the Atreidæ's roof it swoops, This light, of Ida's fire no doubtful heir. Such is the order of my torch-race games; One from another taking up the course, But here the winner is both first and last; And this sure proof and token now I tell thee, Seeing that my lord hath sent it me from Troïa.
Chor. I to the Gods, O Queen, will pray hereafter, But fain would I hear all thy tale again, E'en as thou tell'st, and satiate my wonder.
Clytæm. This very day the Achæans Troïa hold. I trow full diverse cry pervades the town: Pour in the same vase vinegar and oil, *And you would call them enemies, not friends; And so from conquerors and from captives now The cries of varied fortune one may hear. For these, low-fallen on the carcases Of husbands and of brothers, children too By aged fathers, mourn their dear ones' death, And that with throats that are no longer free. And those the hungry toil of sleepless guard, After the battle, at their breakfast sets; Not billeted in order fixed and clear, But just as each his own chance fortune grasps, They in the captive houses of the Troïans Dwell, freed at last from all the night's chill frosts, And dews of heaven, for now, poor wretches, they Will sleep all night without the sentry's watch; And if they reverence well the guardian Gods Of that new-conquered country, and their shrines, Then they, the captors, will not captured be. Ah! let no evil lust attack the host Conquered by greed, to plunder what they ought not: For yet they need return in safety home, Doubling the goal to run their backward race. *But should the host come sinning 'gainst the Gods, Then would the curse of those that perishèd Be watchful, e'en though no quick ill might fall. Such thoughts are mine, mere woman though I be. May good prevail beyond all doubtful chance! For I have got the blessing of great joy.
Chor. Thou, lady, kindly, like a sage, dost speak, And I, on hearing thy sure evidence, Prepare myself to give the Gods due thanks; For they have wrought full meed for all our toil. [Exit Clytæm. with her train O Zeus our King! O Night beloved, Mighty winner of great glories, Who upon the towers of Troïa Casted'st snare of closest meshes, So that none full-grown or youthful Could o'erleap the net of bondage, Woe of universal capture;— Zeus, of host and guest protector, Who hath brought these things, I worship; He long since on Alexandros Stretched his bow that so his arrow Might not sweep at random, missing, Or beyond the stars shoot idly.
Strophe I
Yes, one may say, 'tis Zeus whose blow they feel; This one may clearly trace: They fared as He decreed: Yea, one there was who said, “The Gods deign not to care for mortal men By whom the grace of things inviolable Is trampled under foot.” No fear of God had he: *Now is it to the children manifest Of those who, overbold, Breathed rebel War beyond the bounds of Right, Their houses overfilled with precious store *Above the golden mean. *Ah! let our life be free from all that hurts, So that for one who gains Wisdom in heart and soul, That lot may be enough. Since still there is no bulwark strong in wealth Against destruction's doom, For one who in the pride of wantonness Spurns the great altar of the Right and Just.
Antistrophe I
Him woeful, subtle Impulse urges on, Resistless in her might, Atè's far-scheming child: All remedy is vain. It is not hidden, but is manifest, That mischief with its horrid gleaming light; And, like to worthless bronze, By friction tried and tests, It turns to tarnished blackness in its hue: Since, boy-like, he pursues A bird upon its flight, and so doth bring Upon his city shame intolerable: And no God hears his prayer, But bringeth low the unjust, Who deals with deeds like this. Thus Paris came to the Atreidæ's home, And stole its queen away, And so left brand of shame indelible Upon the board where host and guest had sat.
Strophe II
She, leaving to her countrymen at home Wild din of spear and shield and ships of war, And bringing, as her dower, To Ilion doom of death, Passed very swiftly through the palace gates, Daring what none should dare; And many a wailing cry They raised, the minstrel prophets of the house, “Woe for that kingly home! Woe for that kingly home and for its chiefs! Woe for the marriage-bed and traces left Of wife who loved her lord!” *There stands he silent; foully wronged and yet *Uttering no word of scorn, *In deepest woe perceiving she is gone; And in his yearning love For one beyond the sea, A ghost shall seem to queen it o'er the house; The grace of sculptured forms Is loathèd by her lord, And in the penury of life's bright eyes All Aphroditè's charm To utter wreck has gone.
Antistrophe II
And phantom shades that hover round in dreams Come full of sorrow, bringing vain delight; For vain it is, when one Sees seeming shows of good, And gliding through his hands the dream is gone, After a moment's space, On wings that follow still Upon the path where sleep goes to and fro. Such are the woes at home Upon the altar hearth, and worse than these. But on a wider scale for those who went From Hellas' ancient shore, A sore distress that causeth pain of heart Is seen in every house. Yea, many things there are that touch the quick: For those whom each did send He knoweth; but, instead Of living men, there come to each man's home Funeral urns alone, And ashes of the dead.
Strophe III
For Ares, trafficking for golden coin The lifeless shapes of men, And in the rush of battle holding scales, Sends now from Ilion Dust from the funeral pyre, A burden sore to loving friends at home, And bitterly bewailed, Filling the brazen urn With well-smoothed ashes in the place of men; And with high praise they mourn This hero skilled and valiant in the fight, And that who in the battle nobly fell, All for another's wife: And other words some murmur secretly; And jealous discontent Against the Atreidæ, champions in the suit, Creeps on all stealthily; And some around the wall, In full and goodly form have sepulture There upon Ilion's soil, And their foes' land inters its conquerors.
Antistrophe III
And so the murmurs of their subjects rise With sullen discontent, And do the dread work of a people's curse; And now my boding fear Awaits some news of ill, As yet enwrapt in blackness of the night. Not heedless are the Gods Of shedders of much blood, And the dark-robed Erinnyes in due time, By adverse chance of life, Place him who prospers in unrighteousness In gloom obscure; and once among the unseen, There is no help for him: Fame in excess is but a perilous thing; For on men's quivering eyes Is hurled by Zeus the blinding thunderbolt. I praise the good success That rouses not God's wrath; Ne'er be it mine a city to lay waste. Nor, as a prisoner, see My life wear on beneath another's power!
Epode
And now at bidding of the courier flame, The herald of good news, A rumour swift spreads through the city streets, But who knows clearly whether it be true, Or whether God has mingled lies with it? Who is so childish or so reft of sense, As with his heart a-glow At that fresh uttered message of the flame, Then to wax sad at changing rumour's sound? It suits the mood that sways a woman's mind To pour thanksgiving ere the truth is seen: Quickly, with rapid steps, too credulous, The limit which a woman sets to trust Advances evermore; And with swift doom of death A rumour spread by woman perishes. [As the Chorus ends, a Herald is seen approaching, his head wreathed with olive Soon we shall know the sequence of the torches Light-giving, and of all the beacon-fires, If they be true; or if, as 'twere a dream, This sweet light coming hath beguiled our minds. I see a herald coming from the shore, With olive boughs o'ershadowed, and the dust, Dry sister-twin of mire, announces this, That neither without voice, nor kindling blaze Of wood upon the mountains, he will signal With smoke from fire, but either he will come, With clear speech bidding us rejoice, or else ... [pauses The word opposed to this I much mislike. Nay, may good issue good beginnings crown! Who for our city utters other prayers, May he himself his soul's great error reap!
Herald. Hail, soil of this my Argive fatherland. Now in the light of the tenth year I reach thee, Though many hopes are shattered, gaining one. For never did I think in Argive land To die, and share the tomb that most I craved. Now hail! thou land; and hail! thou light of day: Zeus our great ruler, and thou Pythian king, No longer darting arrows from thy bow. Full hostile wast thou by Scamandros' banks, Now be thou Saviour, yea, and Healer found, O king Apollo! and the Gods of war, These I invoke; my patron Hermes too, Dear herald, whom all heralds reverence,— Those heroes, too, that sent us,—graciously To welcome back the host that war has spared. Hail, O ye royal dwellings, home beloved! Ye solemn thrones, and Gods who face the sun! If e'er of old, with cheerful glances now After long time receive our king's array. For he is come, in darkness bringing light To you and all, our monarch, Agamemnon. Salute him with all grace; for so 'tis meet, Since he hath dug up Troïa with the spade Of Zeus the Avenger, and the plain laid waste; Fallen their altars and the shrines of Gods; The seed of all the land is rooted out, This yoke of bondage casting over Troïa, Our chief, the elder of the Atreidæ, comes, A man full blest, and worthiest of high honour Of all that are. For neither Paris' self, Nor his accomplice city now can boast Their deed exceeds its punishment. For he, Found guilty on the charge of rape and theft, Hath lost his prize and brought his father's house, With lands and all, to waste and utter wreck; And Priam's sons have double forfeit paid.
Chor. Joy, joy, thou herald of the Achæan host!
Her. All joy is mine: I shrink from death no more.
Chor. Did love for this thy fatherland so try thee?
Her. So that mine eyes weep tears for very joy,*
Chor. Disease full sweet then this ye suffered from ...
Her. How so? When taught, I shall thy meaning master.
Chor. Ye longed for us who yearned for you in turn.
Her. Say'st thou this land its yearning host yearned o'er?
Chor. Yea, so that oft I groaned in gloom of heart.
Her. Whence came these bodings that an army hates?
Chor. Silence I've held long since a charm for ill.
Her. How, when your lords were absent, feared ye any?
Chor. To use thy words, death now would welcome be.
Her. Good is the issue; but in so long time Some things, one well might say, have prospered well, And some give cause for murmurs. Save the Gods, Who free from sorrow lives out all his life? For should I tell of toils, and how we lodged Full hardly, seldom putting in to shore, And then with couch full hard.... What gave us not Good cause for mourning? What ill had we not As daily portion? And what passed on land, That brought yet greater hardship: for our beds Were under our foes' walls, and meadow mists From heaven and earth still left us wringing wet, A constant mischief to our garments, making Our hair as shaggy as the beasts'. And if One spoke of winter frosts that killed the birds, By Ida's snow-storms made intolerable, Or heat, when Ocean in its noontide couch Windless reclined and slept without a wave.... But why lament o'er this? Our toil is past; Past too is theirs who in the warfare fell, So that no care have they to rise again. Why should I count the number of the dead, Or he that lives mourn o'er a past mischance? To change and chance I bid a long Farewell: With us, the remnant of the Argive host, Good fortune wins, no ills as counterpoise. So it is meet to this bright sun we boast, Who travel homeward over land and sea; “The Argive host who now have captured Troïa, These spoils of battle to the Gods of Hellas Hang on their pegs, enduring prize and joy.” Hearing these things we ought to bless our country And our commanders; and the grace of Zeus That wrought this shall be honoured. My tale's told.
Chor. Thy words o'ercome me, and I say not nay; To learn good keeps youth's freshness with the old. 'Tis meet these things should be a special care To Clytæmnestra and the house, and yet That they should make me sharer in their joy.
Enter Clytæmnestra
Clytæm. I long ago for gladness raised my cry, When the first fiery courier came by night, Telling of Troïa taken and laid waste: And then one girding at me spake, “Dost think, Trusting in beacons, Troïa is laid waste? This heart elate is just a woman's way.” In words like these they made me out distraught; Yet still I sacrificed, and with a strain Shrill as a woman's, they, now here, now there, Throughout the city hymns of blessing raised In shrines of Gods, and lulled to gentle sleep The fragrant flame that on the incense fed. And now why need'st thou lengthen out thy words? I from the king himself the tale shall learn; And that I show all zeal to welcome back My honoured lord on his return (for what Is brighter joy for wife to see than this, When God has brought her husband back from war, To open wide her gates?) tell my lord this, “To come with all his speed, the city's idol;” And “may he find a faithful wife at home, Such as he left her, noble watch-dog still For him, and hostile to his enemies; And like in all things else, who has not broken One seal of his in all this length of time.” No pleasure have I known, nor scandal ill With any other more than ... stains on bronze. Such is my vaunt, and being full of truth, Not shameful for a noble wife to speak. [Exit
Chor. [to Herald.] She hath thus spoken in thy hearing now A goodly word for good interpreters. But tell me, herald, tell of Menelaos, If, coming home again in safety he Is with you, the dear strength of this our land.
Her. I cannot make report of false good news, So that my friends should long rejoice in it.
Chor. Ah! could'st thou good news speak, and also true! These things asunder are not well concealed.
Her. The chief has vanished from the Achæan host, He and his ship. I speak no falsehood here.
Chor. In sight of all when he from Ilion sailed? Or did a storm's wide evil part him from you?
Her. Like skilful archer thou hast hit the mark, And in few words has told of evil long.
Chor. And was it of him as alive or dead The whisper of the other sailors ran?
Her. None to that question answer clear can give, Save the Sun-God who feeds the life of earth.
Chor. How say'st thou? Did a storm come on our fleet, And do its work through anger of the Gods?
Her. It is not meet a day of tidings good To mar with evil news. Apart for each Is special worship. But when courier brings With louring face the ills men pray against, And tells a city that its host has fallen, That for the State there is a general wound, That many a man from many a home is driven, As banned by double scourge that Ares loves, Woe doubly-barbed, Death's two-horsed chariot this.... When with such griefs as freight a herald comes, 'Tis meet to chant the Erinnyes' dolorous song; But for glad messenger of good deeds wrought That bring deliverance, coming to a town Rejoicing in its triumph, ... how shall I Blend good with evil, telling of a storm That smote the Achæans, not without God's wrath? For they a compact swore who erst were foes, Ocean and Fire, and their pledges gave, Wrecking the ill-starred army of the Argives; And in the night rose ill of raging storm: For Thrakian tempests shattered all the ships, Each on the other. Some thus crashed and bruised, By the storm stricken and the surging foam Of wind-tost waves, soon vanished out of sight, Whirled by an evil pilot. And when rose The sun's bright orb, behold, the Ægæan sea Blossomed with wrecks of ships and dead Achæans. And as for us and our uninjured ship, Surely 'twas some one stole or begged us off, Some God, not man, presiding at the helm; And on our ship with good will Fortune sat, Giver of safety, so that nor in haven Felt we the breakers, nor on rough rock-beach Ran we aground. But when we had escaped The hell of waters, then in clear, bright day, Not trusting in our fortune, we in thought O'er new ills brooded of our host destroyed, And eke most roughly handled. And if still Breathe any of them they report of us As having perished. How else should they speak? And we in our turn deem that they are so. God send good ending! Look you, first and chief, For Menelaos' coming; and indeed, If any sunbeam know of him alive And well, by help of Zeus who has not willed As yet to blot out all the regal race, Some hope there is that he'll come back again. Know, hearing this, that thou the truth hast heard. [Exit Herald
Strophe I
Chor. Who was it named her with such wondrous truth? (Could it be One unseen, In strange prevision of her destined work, Guiding the tongue through chance?) Who gave that war-wed, strife-upstirring one The name of Helen, ominous of ill? For all too plainly she Hath been to men, and ships, And towers, as doom of Hell. From bower of gorgeous curtains forth she sailed With breeze of Zephyr Titan-born and strong; And hosts of many men, Hunters that bore the shield, Went on the track of those who steered their boat Unseen to leafy banks of Simois, On her account who came, Dire cause of strife with bloodshed in her train.
Antistrophe I
And so the wrath which works its vengeance out Dear bride to Ilion brought, (Ah, all too truly named!) exacting still After long lapse of time The penalty of foul dishonour done To friendship's board and Zeus, of host and guest The God, from those who paid Their loud-voiced honour then Unto that bridal strain, That hymeneal chorus which to chant Fell to the lot of all the bridegroom's kin. But learning other song, Priam's ancient city now Bewaileth sore, and calls on Paris' name, Wedded in fatal wedlock; all the time *Enduring tear-fraught life *For all the blood its citizens had lost.
Strophe II
So once a lion's cub, A mischief in his house, As foster child one reared, While still it loved the teats; In life's preluding dawn Tame, by the children loved, And fondled by the old, Oft in his arms 'twas held, Like infant newly born, With eyes that brightened to the hand that stroked, And fawning at the hest of hunger keen.
Antistrophe II
But when full-grown, it showed The nature of its sires; For it unbidden made A feast in recompense Of all their fostering care, *By banquet of slain sheep; With blood the house was stained, A curse no slaves could check, Great mischief murderous: By God's decree a priest of Atè thus Was reared, and grew within the man's own house.
Strophe III
So I would tell that thus to Ilion came Mood as of calm when all the air is still, The gentle pride and joy of kingly state, A tender glance of eye, The full-blown blossom of a passionate love, Thrilling the very soul; And yet she turned aside, And wrought a bitter end of marriage feast, Coming to Priam's race, Ill sojourner, ill friend, Sent by great Zeus, the God of host and guest— Erinnys, for whom wives weep many tears.
Antistrophe III
There lives an old saw, framed in ancient days, In memories of men, that high estate Full-grown brings forth its young, nor childless dies, But that from good success Springs to the race a woe insatiable. But I, apart from all, Hold this my creed alone: For impious act it is that offspring breeds, Like to their parent stock: For still in every house That loves the right their fate for evermore Rejoiceth in an issue fair and good.
Strophe IV
But Recklessness of old Is wont to breed another Recklessness, Sporting its youth in human miseries, Or now, or then, whene'er the fixed hour comes: That in its youth, in turn, Doth full-flushed Lust beget, And that dread demon-power unconquerable, Daring that fears not God,— Two curses black within the homes of men, Like those that gendered them.
Antistrophe IV
But Justice shineth bright In dwellings that are dark and dim with smoke, And honours life law-ruled, While gold-decked homes conjoined with hands defiled She with averted eyes Hath left, and draweth near To holier things, nor worships might of wealth, If counterfeit its praise; But still directeth all the course of things Towards its destined goal. [Agamemnon is seen approaching in his chariot, followed by another chariot, in which Cassandra is standing, carrying her prophet's wand in her hand, and wearing fillets round her temples, and by a great train of soldiers bearing trophies. As they come on the stage the Chorus sings its welcome Come then, king, thou son of Atreus, Waster of the towers of Troïa, What of greeting and of homage Shall I give, nor overshooting, Nor due need of honour missing? Men there are who, right transgressing, Honour semblance more than being. O'er the sufferer all are ready Wail of bitter grief to utter, Though the biting pang of sorrow Never to their heart approaches; So with counterfeit rejoicing Men strain faces that are smileless; But when one his own sheep knoweth, Then men's eyes cannot deceive him, When they deem with kindly purpose, And with fondness weak to flatter. Thou, when thou did'st lead thine army For Helen's sake—(I will not hide it)— Wast to me as one whose features Have been limned by unskilled artist, Guiding ill the helm of reason, Giving men to death's doom sentenced *Courage which their will rejected. Now nor from the spirit's surface, Nor with touch of thought unfriendly, All the toil, I say, is welcome, If men bring it to good issue. And thou soon shalt know, enquiring Him who rightly, him who wrongly Of thy citizens fulfilleth Task of office for the city.
Agam. First Argos, and the Gods who guard the land, 'Tis right to greet; to them in part I owe This my return, and vengeance that I took On Priam's city. Not on hearsay proof Judging the cause, with one consent the Gods Cast in their votes into the urn of blood For Ilion's ruin and her people's death; *I' the other urn Hope touched the rim alone, Still far from being filled full. And even yet The captured city by its smoke is seen, *The incense clouds of Atè live on still; And, in the act of dying with its prey, From richest store the dust sends savours sweet. For these things it is meet to give the Gods Thank-offerings long-enduring; for our nets Of vengeance we set close, and for a woman Our Argive monster laid the city low, Foaled by the mare, a people bearing shield, Taking its leap when set the Pleiades; And, bounding o'er the tower, that ravenous lion Lapped up its fill of blood of kingly race. This prelude to the Gods I lengthen out; And as concerns thy feeling (this I well Remember hearing) I with thee agree, And thou in me may'st find an advocate. With but few men is it their natural bent To honour without grudging prosperous friend: For ill-souled envy that the heart besets, Doubles his woe who suffers that disease: He by his own griefs first is overwhelmed, And groans at sight of others' happier lot. *And I with good cause say, (for well I know,) They are but friendship's mirror, phantom shade, Who seemed to be my most devoted friends. Odysseus only, who against his will Sailed with us, still was found true trace-fellow: And this I say of him or dead or living. But as for all that touches on the State, Or on the Gods, in full assembly we, Calling our council, will deliberate: For what goes well we should with care provide How longest it may last; and where there needs A healing charm, there we with all good-will, By surgery or cautery will try To turn away the mischief of disease. And now will I to home and household hearth Move on, and first give thanks unto the Gods Who led me forth, and brought me back again. Since Victory follows, long may she remain!
Enter Clytæmnestra, followed by female attendants carrying purple tapestry
Clytæm. Ye citizens, ye Argive senators, I will not shrink from telling you the tale Of wife's true love. As time wears on one drops All over-shyness. Not learning it from others, I will narrate my own unhappy life, The whole long time my lord at Ilion stayed. For first, that wife should sit at home alone Without her husband is a monstrous grief, Hearing full many an ill report of him, Now one and now another coming still, Bringing news home, worse trouble upon bad. Yea, if my lord had met as many wounds As rumour told of, floating to our house, He had been riddled more than any net; And had he died, as tidings still poured in, Then he, a second Geryon with three lives, Had boasted of a threefold coverlet Of earth above, (I will not say below him,) Dying one death for each of those his forms; And so, because of all these ill reports, Full many a noose around my neck have others Loosed by main force, when I had hung myself. And for this cause no son is with me now, Holding in trust the pledges of our love, As he should be, Orestes. Wonder not; For now a kind ally doth nurture him, Strophios the Phokian, telling me of woes Of twofold aspect, danger on thy side At Ilion, and lest loud-voiced anarchy Should overthrow thy council, since 'tis still The wont of men to kick at those who fall. No trace of guile bears this excuse of mine; As for myself, the fountains of my tears Have flowed till they are dry, no drop remains, And mine eyes suffer from o'er-late repose, Watching with tears the beacons set for thee, Left still unheeded. And in dreams full oft I from my sleep was startled by the gnat With thin wings buzzing, seeing in the night Ills that stretched far beyond the time of sleep. Now, having borne all this, with mind at ease, I hail my lord as watch-dog of the fold, The stay that saves the ship, of lofty roof Main column-prop, a father's only child, Land that beyond all hope the sailor sees, Morn of great brightness following after storm, Clear-flowing fount to thirsty traveller. Yes, it is pleasant to escape all straits: With words of welcome such as these I greet thee; May jealous Heaven forgive them! for we bore Full many an evil in the past; and now, Dear husband, leave thy car, nor on the ground, O King, set thou the foot that Ilion trampled. Why linger ye, [turning to her attendants,] ye maids, whose task it was To strew the pathway with your tapestries? Let the whole road be straightway purple-strown, That Justice lead to home he looked not for. All else my care, by slumber not subdued, Will with God's help work out what fate decrees.
(The handmaids advance, and are about to lay the purple carpets on the ground)
Agam. O child of Leda, guardian of my home, Thy speech hath with my absence well agreed— For long indeed thou mad'st it—but fit praise Is boon that I must seek at other hands. I pray thee, do not in thy woman's fashion Pamper my pride, nor in barbaric guise Prostrate on earth raise full-mouthed cries to me; Make not my path offensive to the Gods By spreading it with carpets. They alone May claim that honour; but for mortal men To walk on fair embroidery, to me Seems nowise without peril. So I bid you To honour me as man, and not as God. Apart from all foot-mats and tapestry My fame speaks loudly; and God's greatest gift Is not to err from wisdom. We must bless Him only who ends life in fair estate. Should I thus act throughout, good hope were mine.
Clytæm. Nay, say not this my purposes to thwart.
Agam. Know I change not for the worse my purpose.
Clytæm. In fear, perchance, thou vowèd'st thus to act.
Agam. If any, I, with good ground spoke my will.
Clytæm. What think'st thou Priam, had he wrought such deeds...?
Agam. Full gladly he, I trow, had trod on carpets.
Clytæm. Then shrink not thou through fear of men's dispraise.
Agam. And yet a people's whisper hath great might.
Clytæm. Who is not envied is not enviable.
Agam. 'Tis not a woman's part to crave for strife.
Clytæm. True, yet the prosperous e'en should sometimes yield.
Agam. Dost thou then prize that victory in the strife?
Clytæm. Nay, list; with all good-will yield me this boon.
Agam. Well, then, if thou wilt have it so, with speed Let some one loose my buskins (servants they Doing the foot's true work), and as I tread Upon these robes sea-purpled, may no wrath From glance of Gods smite on me from afar! Great shame I feel to trample with my foot This wealth of carpets, costliest work of looms; So far for this. This stranger [pointing to Cassandra] lead thou in With kindliness. On him who gently wields His power God's eye looks kindly from afar. None of their own will choose a bondslave's life; And she, the chosen flower of many spoils, Has followed with me as the army's gift. But since I turn, obeying thee in this, I'll to my palace go, on purple treading.
Clytæm. There is a sea,—and who shall drain it dry? Producing still new store of purple juice, Precious as silver, staining many a robe. And in our house, with God's help, O my king, 'Tis ours to boast our palace knows no stint. Trampling of many robes would I have vowed, Had that been ordered me in oracles, When for my lord's return I then did plan My votive gifts. For while the root lives on, The foliage stretches even to the house, And spreads its shade against the dog-star's rage; So when thou comest to thy hearth and home, Thou show'st that warmth hath come in winter time; And when from unripe clusters Zeus matures The wine, then is there coolness in the house, If the true master dwelleth in his home. Ah, Zeus! the All-worker, Zeus, work out for me All that I pray for; let it be thy care To look to what Thou purposest to work. [Exeunt Agamemnon, walking on the tapestry, Clytæmnestra, and her attendants
Strophe I
Chor. Why thus continually Do haunting phantoms hover at the gate Of my foreboding heart? Why floats prophetic song, unbought, unbidden? Why doth no steadfast trust Sit on my mind's dear throne, To fling it from me as a vision dim? Long time hath passed since stern-ropes of our ships Were fastened on the sand, when our great host Of those that sailed in ships Had come to Ilion's towers:
Antistrophe I
And now from these mine eyes I learn, myself reporting to myself, Their safe return; and yet My mind within itself, taught by itself, Chanteth Erinnys' dirge, The lyreless melody, And hath no strength of wonted confidence. Not vain these inner pulses, as my heart Whirls eddying in breast oracular. I, against hope, will pray It prove false oracle.
Strophe II
Of high, o'erflowing health There is no bound that stays the wish for more, For evermore disease, as neighbour close Whom but a wall divides, Upon it presses; and man's prosperous state *Moves on its course, and strikes Upon an unseen rock; But if his fear for safety of his freight, A part, from well-poised sling, shall sacrifice, Then the whole house sinks not, O'erfilled with wretchedness, Nor does he swamp his boat: So, too, abundant gift From Zeus in bounteous fulness, and the fruit Of glebe at harvest tide Have caused to cease sore hunger's pestilence;
Antistrophe II
But blood that once hath flowed In purple stains of death upon the ground At a man's feet, who then can bid it back By any charm of song? Else him who knew to call the dead to life *Zeus had not sternly checked, *As warning unto all; But unless Fate, firm-fixed, had barred our fate From any chance of succour from the Gods, Then had my heart poured forth Its thoughts, outstripping speech. But now in gloom it wails Sore vexed, with little hope At any time hereafter fitting end To find, unravelling, My soul within me burning with hot thoughts.
Re-enter Clytæmnestra
Clytæm. [to Cassandra, who has remained in the chariot during the choral ode] Thou too—I mean Cassandra—go within; Since Zeus hath made it thine, and not in wrath, To share the lustral waters in our house, Standing with many a slave the altar nigh Of Zeus, who guards our goods. Now get thee down From out this car, nor look so over proud. They say that e'en Alcmena's son endured Being sold a slave, constrained to bear the yoke: And if the doom of this ill chance should come, Great boon it is to meet with lords who own Ancestral wealth. But whoso reap full crops They never dared to hope for, these in all, And beyond measure, to their slaves are harsh: From us thou hast what usage doth prescribe.
Chor. So ends she, speaking words full clear to thee: And seeing thou art in the toils of fate, If thou obey, thou wilt obey; and yet, Perchance, obey thou wilt not.
Clytæm. Nay, but unless she, like a swallow, speaks A barbarous tongue unknown, I speaking now Within her apprehension, bid obey.
Chor. [to Cassandra, still standing motionless] Go with her. What she bids is now the best; Obey her: leave thy seat upon this car.
Clytæm. I have no leisure here to stay without: For as regards our central altar, there The sheep stand by as victims for the fire; For never had we hoped such thanks to give: If thou wilt do this, make no more delay; But if thou understandest not my words, Then wave thy foreign hand in lieu of speech. [Cassandra shudders as in horror, but makes no sign Chor. The stranger seems a clear interpreter To need. Her look is like a captured deer's.
Clytæm. Nay, she is mad, and follows evil thoughts, Since, leaving now her city, newly-captured, She comes, and knows not how to take the curb, Ere she foam out her passion in her blood. I will not bear the shame of uttering more. [Exit
Chor. And I—I pity her, and will not rage: Come, thou poor sufferer, empty leave thy car; Yield to thy doom, and handsel now the yoke. [Cassandra leaves the chariot, and bursts into a cry of wailing
Strophe I
Cass. Woe! woe, and well-a-day! Apollo! O Apollo!
Chor. Why criest thou so loud on Loxias? The wailing cry of mourner suits not him.
Antistrophe I
Cass. Woe! woe, and well-a-day! Apollo! O Apollo!
Chor. Again with boding words she calls the God, Though all unmeet as helper to men's groans.
Strophe II
Cass. Apollo! O Apollo! God of all paths, Apollo true to me; For still thou dost appal me and destroy.
Chor. She seems her own ills like to prophesy: The God's great gift is in the slave's mind yet.
Antistrophe II
Cass. Apollo! O Apollo! God of all paths, Apollo true to me; What path hast led me? To what roof hast brought?
Chor. To that of the Atreidæ. This I tell, If thou know'st not. Thou wilt not find it false.
Strophe III
Cass. Ah! Ah! Ah me! Say rather to a house God hates—that knows Murder, self-slaughter, ropes, *A human shamble, staining earth with blood.
Chor. Keen scented seems this stranger, like a hound, And sniffs to see whose murder she may find.
Antistrophe III
Cass. Ah! Ah! Ah me! Lo! [looking wildly, and pointing to the house,] there the witnesses whose word I trust,— Those babes who wail their death, The roasted flesh that made a father's meal.
Chor. We of a truth had heard thy seeress fame, But prophets now are not the race we seek.
Strophe IV
Cass. Ah me! O horror! What ill schemes she now? What is this new great woe? Great evil plots she in this very house, Hard for its friends to bear, immedicable; And help stands far aloof.
Chor. These oracles of thine surpass my ken; Those I know well. The whole town rings with them.
Antistrophe IV
Cass. Ah me! O daring one! what work'st thou here, Who having in his bath Tended thy spouse, thy lord, then ... How tell the rest? For quick it comes, and hand is following hand, Stretched out to strike the blow.
Chor. Still I discern not; after words so dark I am perplexed with thy dim oracles.
Strophe V
Cass. Ah, horror, horror! What is this I see? Is it a snare of Hell? Nay, the true net is she who shares his bed, Who shares in working death. Ha! let the Band insatiable in hate Howl for the race its wild exulting cry O'er sacrifice that calls For death by storm of stones.
Strophe VI
Chor. What dire Erinnys bidd'st thou o'er our house To raise shrill cry? Thy speech but little cheers; And to my heart there rush Blood-drops of saffron hue, *Which, when from deadly wound They fall, together with life's setting rays End, as it fails, their own appointed course: And mischief comes apace.
Antistrophe V
Cass. See, see, I say, from that fell heifer there Keep thou the bull: in robes Entangling him, she with her weapon gores Him with the swarthy horns; Lo! in that bath with water filled he falls, Smitten to death, and I to thee set forth Crime of a bath of blood, By murderous guile devised.
Antistrophe VI
Chor. I may not boast that I keen insight have In words oracular; yet bode I ill. What tidings good are brought By any oracles To mortal men? These arts, In days of evil sore, with many words, Do still but bring a vague, portentous fear For men to learn and know.
Strophe VII
Cass. Woe, woe! for all sore ills that fall on me! It is my grief thou speak'st of, blending it With his. [Pausing, and then crying out.] Ah! wherefore then Hast thou thus brought me here, Only to die with thee? What other doom is mine?
Strophe VIII
Chor. Frenzied art thou, and by some God's might swayed, And utterest for thyself A melody which is no melody, Like to that tawny one, Insatiate in her wail, The nightingale, who still with sorrowing soul, And “Itys, Itys,” cry, Bemoans a life o'erflourishing in ills.
Antistrophe VII
Cass. Ah, for the doom of clear-voiced nightingale! The Gods gave her a body bearing wings, And life of pleasant days With no fresh cause to weep: But for me waiteth still Stroke from the two-edged sword.
Antistrophe VIII
Chor. From what source hast thou these dread agonies Sent on thee by thy God, Yet vague and little meaning; and thy cries Dire with ill-omened shrieks Dost utter as a chant, And blendest with them strains of shrillest grief? Whence treadest thou this track Of evil-boding path of prophecy?
Strophe IX
Cass. Woe for the marriage-ties, the marriage-ties Of Paris that brought ruin on his friends! Woe for my native stream, Scamandros, that I loved! Once on thy banks my maiden youth was reared, (Ah, miserable me!) Now by Cokytos and by Acheron's shores I seem too likely soon to utter song Of wild, prophetic speech.
Strophe X
Chor. What hast thou spoken now With utterance all too clear? *Even a boy its gist might understand; I to the quick am pierced With throe of deadly pain, Whilst thou thy moaning cries art uttering Over thy sore mischance, Wondrous for me to hear.
Antistrophe IX
Cass. Woe for the toil and trouble, toil and trouble Of city that is utterly destroyed! Woe for the victims slain Of herds that roamed the fields, My father's sacrifice to save his towers! No healing charm they brought To save the city from its present doom: And I with hot thoughts wild myself shall cast Full soon upon the ground.
Antistrophe X
Chor. This that thou utterest now With all before agrees. Some Power above dooms thee with purpose ill, Down-swooping heavily, To utter with thy voice Sorrows of deepest woe, and bringing death. And what the end shall be Perplexes in the extreme.
Cass. Nay, now no more from out of maiden veils My oracle shall glance, like bride fresh wed; But seems as though 'twould rush with speedy gales In full, clear brightness to the morning dawn; So that a greater war than this shall surge Like wave against the sunlight. Now I'll teach No more in parables. Bear witness ye, As running with me, that I scent the track Of evil deeds that long ago were wrought: For never are they absent from this house, That choral band which chants in full accord, Yet no good music; good is not their theme. And now, as having drunk men's blood, and so Grown wilder, bolder, see, the revelling band, Erinnyes of the race, still haunt the halls, Not easy to dismiss. And so they sing, Close cleaving to the house, its primal woe, And vent their loathing in alternate strains On marriage-bed of brother ruthless found To that defiler. *Miss I now, or hit, Like archer skilled? or am I seeress false, A babbler vain that knocks at every door? Yea, swear beforehand, ere I die, I know (And not by rumour only) all the sins Of ancient days that haunt and vex this house.
Chor. How could an oath, how firm soe'er confirmed, Bring aught of healing? Lo, I marvel at thee, That thou, though born far off beyond the sea, Should'st tell an alien city's tale as clear As though thyself had stood by all the while.
Cass. The seer Apollo set me to this task.
Chor. Was he a God, so smitten with desire?
Cass. There was a time when shame restrained my speech.
Chor. True; they who prosper still are shy and coy.
Cass. He wrestled hard, breathing hot love on me.
Chor. And were ye one in act whence children spring?
Cass. I promised Loxias, then I broke my vow.
Chor. Wast thou e'en then possessed with arts divine?
Cass. E'en then my country's woes I prophesied.
Chor. How wast thou then unscathed by Loxias' wrath?
Cass. I for that fault with no man gained belief.
Chor. To us, at least, thou seem'st to speak the truth.
Cass. [Again speaking wildly, as in an ecstasy.] Ah, woe is me! Woe's me! Oh, ills on ills! Again the dread pang of true prophet's gift With preludes of great evil dizzies me. See ye those children sitting on the house In fashion like to phantom forms of dreams? Infants who perished at their own kin's hands, Their palms filled full with meat of their own flesh, Loom on my sight, the heart and entrails bearing, (A sorry burden that!) on which of old Their father fed. And in revenge for this, I say a lion, dwelling in his lair, With not a spark of courage, stay-at-home, Plots 'gainst my master, now he's home returned, (Yes mine—for still I must the slave's yoke bear;) And the ship's ruler, Ilion's conqueror, Knows not what things the tongue of that lewd bitch Has spoken and spun out in welcome smooth, And, like a secret Atè, will work out With dire success: thus 'tis she plans: the man Is murdered by the woman. By what name Shall I that loathèd monster rightly call? An Amphisbæna? or a Skylla dwelling Among the rocks, the sailors' enemy? Hades' fierce raging mother, breathing out Against her friends a curse implacable? Ah, how she raised her cry, (oh, daring one!) As for the rout of battle, and she feigns To hail with joy her husband's safe return! And if thou dost not credit this, what then? What will be will. Soon, present, pitying me Thou'lt own I am too true a prophetess.
Chor. Thyestes' banquet on his children's flesh I know and shudder at, and fear o'ercomes me, Hearing not counterfeits of fact, but truths; Yet in the rest I hear and miss my path.
Cass. I say thou'lt witness Agamemnon's death.
Chor. Hush, wretched woman, close those lips of thine!
Cass. For this my speech no healing God's at hand.
Chor. True, if it must be; but may God avert it!
Cass. Thou utterest prayers, but others murder plot.
Chor. And by what man is this dire evil wrought?
Cass. Sure, thou hast seen my bodings all amiss.
Chor. I see not his device who works the deed.
Cass. And yet I speak the Hellenic tongue right well.
Chor. So does the Pythian, yet her words are hard.
Cass. [In another access of frenzy.] Ah me, this fire! It comes upon me now! Ah me, Apollo, wolf-slayer! woe is me! This biped lioness who takes to bed A wolf in absence of the noble lion, Will slay me, wretched me. And, as one Mixing a poisoned draught, she boasts that she Will put my price into her cup of wrath, Sharpening her sword to smite her spouse with death, So paying him for bringing me. Oh, why Do I still wear what all men flout and scorn, My wand and seeress wreaths around my neck? Thee, ere myself I die I will destroy: [breaks her wand] Perish ye thus: [casting off her wreaths] I soon shall follow you: Make rich another Atè in my place; Behold Apollo's self is stripping me Of my divining garments, and that too, When he has seen me even in this garb Scorned without cause among my friends and kin, *By foes, with no diversity of mood. Reviled as vagrant, wandering prophetess, Poor, wretched, famished, I endured to live: And now the Seer who me a seeress made Hath brought me to this lot of deadly doom. Now for my father's altar there awaits me A butcher's block, where I am smitten down By slaughtering stroke, and with hot gush of blood. But the Gods will not slight us when we're dead; Another yet shall come as champion for us, A son who slays his mother, to avenge His father; and the exiled wanderer Far from his home, shall one day come again, Upon these woes to set the coping-stone: For the high Gods have sworn a mighty oath, His father's fall, laid low, shall bring him back. Why then do I thus groan in this new home, When, to begin with, Ilion's town I saw Faring as it did fare, and they who held That town are gone by judgment of the Gods? I too will fare as they, and venture death: So I these gates of Hades now address, And pray for blow that bringeth death at once, That so with no fierce spasm, while the blood Flows in calm death, I then may close mine eyes. [Goes towards the door of the palace Chor. O thou most wretched, yet again most wise: Long hast thou spoken, lady, but if well Thou know'st thy doom, why to the altar go'st thou, Like heifer driven of God, so confidently?
Cass. For me, my friends, there is no time to 'scape.
Chor. Yea; but he gains in time who comes the last.
Cass. The day is come: small gain for me in flight.
Chor. Know then thou sufferest with a heart full brave.
Cass. Such words as these the happy never hear.
Chor. Yet mortal man may welcome noble death.
Cass. [Shrinking back from opening the door.] Woe's me for thee and thy brave sons, my father!
Chor. What cometh now? What fear oppresseth thee?
Cass. [Again going to the door and then shuddering in another burst of frenzy.] Fie on't, fie!
Chor. Whence comes this “Fie?” unless from mind that loathes?
Cass. The house is tainted with the scent of death.
Chor. How so? This smells of victims on the hearth.
Cass. Nay, it is like the blast from out a grave.
Chor. No Syrian ritual tell'st thou for our house.
Cass. Well then I go, and e'en within will wail My fate and Agamemnon's. And for me, Enough of life. Ah, friends! Ah! not for nought I shrink in fear, as bird shrinks from the brake. When I am dead do ye this witness bear, When in revenge for me, a woman, Death A woman smites, and man shall fall for man In evil wedlock wed. This friendly office, As one about to die, I pray you do me.
Chor. Thy doom foretold, poor sufferer, moves my pity.
Cass. I fain would speak once more, yet not to wail Mine own death-song; but to the Sun I pray, To his last rays, that my avengers wreak Upon my hated murderers judgment due For me, who die a slave's death, easy prey. Ah, life of man! when most it prospereth, *It is but limned in outline; and when brought To low estate, then doth the sponge, full soaked, Wipe out the picture with its frequent touch: And this I count more piteous e'en than that. [Passes through the door into the palace Chor. 'Tis true of all men that they never set A limit to good fortune; none doth say, As bidding it depart, *And warding it from palaces of pride, “Enter thou here no more.” To this our lord the Blest Ones gave to take Priam's city; and he comes Safe to his home and honoured by the Gods; But if he now shall pay The forfeit of blood-guiltiness of old, And, dying, so work out for those who died, By his own death another penalty, Who then of mortal men, Hearing such things as this, Can boast that he was born With fate from evil free?
Agam. [from within.] Ah, me! I am struck down with deadly stroke.
Chor. Hush! who cries out with deadly stroke sore smitten?
Agam. Ah me, again! struck down a second time! [Dies Chor. By the king's groans I judge the deed is done; But let us now confer for counsels safe.
Chor. a. I give you my advice to summon here, Here to the palace, all the citizens.
Chor. b. I think it best to rush at once on them, And take them in the act with sword yet wet.
Chor. c. And I too give like counsel, and I vote For deed of some kind. 'Tis no time to pause.
Chor. d. Who will see, may.—They but the prelude work Of tyranny usurped o'er all the State.
Chor. e. Yes, we are slow, but they who trample down The thought of hesitation slumber not.
Chor. f. I know not what advice to find or speak: He who can act knows how to counsel too.
Chor. g. I too think with thee; for I have no hope With words to raise the dead again to life.
Chor. h. What! Shall we drag our life on and submit To these usurpers that defile the house?
Chor. i. Nay, that we cannot bear: To die were better; For death is gentler far than tyranny.
Chor. k. Shall we upon this evidence of groans Guess, as divining that our lord is dead?
Chor. l. When we know clearly, then should we discuss: To guess is one thing, and to know another.
Chor. So vote I too, and on the winning side, Taking the votes all round that we should learn How he, the son of Atreus, fareth now. Enter Clytæmnestra from the palace, in robes with stains of blood, followed by soldiers and attendants. The open doors show the corpses of Agamemnon and Cassandra, the former lying in a silvered bath
Clytæm. Though many words before to suit the time Were spoken, now I shall not be ashamed The contrary to utter: How could one By open show of enmity to foes Who seemed as friends, fence in the snares of death Too high to be o'erleapt? But as for me, Not without forethought for this long time past, This conflict comes to me from triumph old Of his, though slowly wrought. I stand where I Did smite him down, with all my task well done. So did I it, (the deed deny I not,) That he could nor avert his doom nor flee: I cast around him drag-net as for fish, With not one outlet, evil wealth of robe: And twice I smote him, and with two deep groans He dropped his limbs: And when he thus fell down I gave him yet a third, thank-offering true To Hades of the dark, who guards the dead. So fallen, he gasps out his struggling soul, And breathing forth a sharp, quick gush of blood, He showers dark drops of gory rain on me, Who no less joy felt in them than the corn, When the blade bears, in glad shower given of God. Since this is so, ye Argive elders here, Ye, as ye will, may hail the deed, but I Boast of it. And were't fitting now to pour Libation o'er the dead, 'twere justly done, Yea more than justly; such a goblet full, Of ills hath he filled up with curses dire At home, and now has come to drain it off.
Chor. We marvel at the boldness of thy tongue Who o'er thy husband's corpse speak'st vaunt like this.
Clytæm. Ye test me as a woman weak of mind; But I with dauntless heart to you that know Say this, and whether thou dost praise or blame, Is all alike:—here Agamemnon lies, My husband, now a corpse, of this right hand, As artist just, the handiwork: so stands it.
Strophe
Chor. What evil thing, O Queen, or reared on earth, Or draught from salt sea-wave Hast thou fed on, to bring Such incense on thyself, A people's loud-voiced curse? 'Twas thou did'st sentence him, 'Twas thou did'st strike him down; But thou shall exiled be, Hated with strong hate of the citizens.
Clytæm. Ha! now on me thou lay'st the exile's doom, My subjects' hate, and people's loud-voiced curse, Though ne'er did'st thou oppose my husband there, Who, with no more regard than had been due To a brute's death, although he called his own Full many a fleecy sheep in pastures bred, Yet sacrificed his child, the dear-loved fruit Of all my travail-pangs, to be a charm Against the winds of Thrakia. Shouldst thou not Have banished him from out this land of ours, As meed for all his crimes? Yet hearing now My deeds, thou art a judge full stern. But I Tell thee to speak thy threats, as knowing well I am prepared that thou on equal terms Should'st rule, if thou dost conquer. But if God Should otherwise decree, then thou shall learn, Late though it be, the lesson to be wise.
Antistrophe
Chor. Yea, thou art stout of heart, and speak'st big words; And maddened is thy soul As by a murderous hate; And still upon thy brow Is seen, not yet avenged, The stain of blood-spot foul; And yet it needs must be, One day thou, reft of friends, Shall pay the penalty of blow for blow.
Clytæm. Now hear thou too my oaths of solemn dread: By my accomplished vengeance for my child, By Atè and Erinnys, unto whom I slew him as a victim, I look not That fear should come beneath this roof of mine, So long as on my hearth Ægisthos kindles The flaming fire, as well disposed to me As he hath been aforetime. He to us Is no slight shield of stoutest confidence. There lies he, [pointing to the corpse of Agamemnon,] one who foully wronged his wife, The darling of the Chryseïds at Troïa; And there [pointing to Cassandra] this captive slave, this auguress, His concubine, this seeress trustworthy, *Who shared his bed, and yet was as well known To the sailors as their benches!... They have fared Not otherwise than they deserved: for he Lies as you see. And she who, like a swan, Has chanted out her last and dying song, Lies close to him she loved, and so has brought The zest of a new pleasure to my bed.
Strophe I
Chor. Ah me, would death might come Quickly, with no sharp throe of agony, Nor long bed-ridden pain, Bringing the endless sleep; Since he, the watchman most benign of all, Hath now been smitten low, And by a woman's means hath much endured, And at a woman's hand hath lost his life!
Strophe II
Alas! alas! O Helen, evil-souled, Who, though but one, hast slain Many, yea, very many lives at Troïa. · · · · ·
Strophe III
*But now for blood that may not be washed out *Thou hast to full bloom brought *A deed of guilt for ever memorable, For strife was in the house, Wrought out in fullest strength, Woe for a husband's life.
Strophe IV
Clytæm. Nay, pray not thou for destiny of death, Oppressed with what thou see'st; Nor turn thou against Helena thy wrath, As though she murderess were, And, though but one, had many Danaï's souls Brought low in death, and wrought o'erwhelming woe.
Antistrophe I
Chor. O Power that dost attack Our palace and the two Tantalidæ, *And dost through women wield *A might that grieves my heart! And o'er the body, like a raven foul, Against all laws of right, *Standing, she boasteth in her pride of heart That she can chant her pæan hymn of praise.
Antistrophe IV
Clytæm. Now thou dost guide aright thy speech and thought, Invoking that dread Power, *The thrice-gorged evil genius of this house; For he it is who feeds In the heart's depth the raging lust of blood: Ere the old wound is healed, new bloodshed comes.
Strophe V
Chor. Yes, of a Power thou tell'st *Mighty and very wrathful to this house; Ah me! ah me! an evil tale enough Of baleful chance of doom, Insatiable of ill: Yet, ah! it is through Zeus, The all-appointing and all-working One; For what with mortal men Is wrought apart from Zeus? What of all this is not by God decreed?
Strophe VI
Ah me! ah me! My king, my king, how shall I weep for thee? What shall I speak from heart that truly loves? And now thou liest there, breathing out thy life, In impious deed of death, In this fell spider's web,—
Strophe VII
(Yes, woe is me! woe, woe! Woe for this couch of thine dishonourable!)— Slain by a subtle death, With sword two-edged which her right hand did wield.
Strophe VIII
Clytæm. Thou speak'st big words, as if the deed were mine; Yet think thou not of me, As Agamemnon's spouse; But in the semblance of this dead man's wife, The old and keen Avenger of the house Of Atreus, that cruel banqueter of old, Hath wrought out vengeance full On him who lieth here, And full-grown victim slain Over the younger victims of the past.
Antistrophe V
Chor. That thou art guiltless found Of this foul murder who will witness bear? How can it be so, how? And yet, perchance, As helper to the deed, Might come the avenging Fiend Of that ancestral time; And in this rush of murders of near kin Dark Ares presses on, Where he will vengeance work For clotted gore of children slain as food.
Antistrophe VI
Ah me! ah me! My king, my king, how shall I weep for thee? What shall I speak from heart that truly loves? And now thou liest there, breathing out thy life, In impious deed of death, In this fell spider's web,—
Antistrophe VII
(Yes, woe is me! woe, woe! Woe for this couch of thine dishonourable!)— Slain by a subtle death, With sword two-edged which her right hand did wield.
Antistrophe VIII
Clytæm. Nay, not dishonourable His death doth seem to me: Did he not work a doom, In this our house with guile? Mine own dear child, begotten of this man, Iphigeneia, wept with many a tear, He slew; now slain himself in recompense, Let him not boast in Hell, Since he the forfeit pays, Pierced by the sword in death, For all the evil that his hand began.
Strophe IX
Chor. I stand perplexed in soul, deprived of power Of quick and ready thought, Where now to turn, since thus Our home is falling low. I shrink in fear from the fierce pelting storm Of blood that shakes the basement of the house: No more it rains in drops: And for another deed of mischief dire, Fate whets the righteous doom On other whetstones still.
Antistrophe II
O Earth! O Earth! Oh, would thou had'st received me, Ere I saw him on couch Of bath with silvered walls thus stretched in death! Who now will bury him, who wail? Wilt thou, When thou hast slain thy husband, have the heart To mourn his death, and for thy monstrous deeds Do graceless grace? And who will chant the dirge With tears in truth of heart, Over our godlike chief?
Strophe X
Clytæm. It is not thine to speak; 'Twas at our hands he fell, Yea, he fell low in death, And we will bury him, Not with the bitter tears of those who weep As inmates of the house; But she, his child, Iphigeneia, there Shall meet her father, and with greeting kind, E'en as is fit, by that swift-flowing ford, Dark stream of bitter woes, Shall clasp him in her arms, And give a daughter's kiss.
Antistrophe IX
Chor. Lo! still reproach upon reproach doth come; Hard are these things to judge: The spoiler still is spoiled, The slayer pays his debt; Yea, while Zeus liveth through the ages, this Lives also, that the doer dree his weird; For this is law fast fixed. Who now can drive from out the kingly house The brood of curses dark? The race to Atè cleaves.
Antistrophe X
Clytæm. Yes, thou hast touched with truth That word oracular; But I for my part wish, (Binding with strongest oath The evil dæmon of the Pleisthenids,) Though hard it be to bear, To rest content with this our present lot; And, for the future, that he go to vex Another race with homicidal deaths. Lo! 'tis enough for me, Though small my share of wealth, At last to have freed my house From madness that sets each man's hand 'gainst each.
Enter Ægisthos
Ægis. Hail, kindly light of day that vengeance brings! Now I can say the Gods on high look down, Avenging men, upon the woes of earth, Since lying in the robes the Erinnyes wove I see this man, right welcome sight to me, Paying for deeds his father's hand had wrought. Atreus, our country's ruler, this man's father, Drove out my sire Thyestes, his own brother, (To tell the whole truth,) quarrelling for rule, An exile from his country and his home. And coming back a suppliant on the hearth, The poor Thyestes found a lot secure, Nor did he, dying, stain the soil with blood, There in his home. But this man's godless sire, Atreus, more prompt than kindly in his deeds, On plea of keeping festal day with cheer, To my sire banquet gave of children's flesh, His own. The feet and finger-tips of hands *He, sitting at the top, apart concealed; And straight the other, in his blindness taking The parts that could not be discerned, did eat A meal which, as thou see'st, perdition works For all his kin. And learning afterwards The deed of dread, he groaned and backward fell, Vomits the feast of blood, and imprecates On Pelops' sons a doom intolerable, And makes the o'erturning of the festive board, With fullest justice, as a general curse, That so might fall the race of Pleisthenes. And now thou see'st how here accordingly This man lies fallen; I, of fullest right, The weaver of the plot of murderous doom. For me, a babe in swaddling-clothes, he banished With my poor father, me, his thirteenth child; And Vengeance brought me back, of full age grown: And e'en far off I wrought against this man, And planned the whole scheme of this dark device. And so e'en death were now right good for me, Seeing him into the nets of Vengeance fallen.
Chor. I honour not this arrogance in guilt, Ægisthos. Thou confessest thou hast slain Of thy free will our chieftain here,—that thou Alone did'st plot this murder lamentable; Be sure, I say, thy head shall not escape The righteous curse a people hurls with stones.
Ægisth. Dost thou say this, though seated on the bench Of lowest oarsmen, while the upper row Commands the ship? But thou shalt find, though old, How hard it is at such an age to learn, When the word is, “keep temper.” But a prison And fasting pains are admirably apt, As prophet-healers even for old age. Dost see, and not see this? Against the pricks Kick not, lest thou perchance should'st smart for it.
Chor. Thou, thou, O Queen, when thy lord came from war, While keeping house, thy husband's bed defiling, Did'st scheme this death for this our hero-chief.
Ægisth. These words of thine shall parents prove of tears: But this thy tongue is Orpheus' opposite; He with his voice led all things on for joy, But thou, provoking with thy childish cries, Shalt now be led; and then, being kept in check, Thou shall appear in somewhat gentler mood.
Chor. As though thou should'st o'er Argives ruler be, Who even when thou plotted'st this man's death Did'st lack good heart to do the deed thyself?
Ægisth. E'en so; to work this fraud was clearly part Fit for a woman. I was foe, of old Suspected. But now will I with his wealth See whether I his subjects may command, And him who will not hearken I will yoke In heavy harness as a full-fed colt, Nowise as trace-horse; but sharp hunger joined With darksome dungeon shall behold him tamed.
Chor. Why did'st not thou then, coward as thou art, Thyself destroy him? but a woman with thee, Pollution to our land and our land's Gods, She slew him. Does Orestes see the light, Perchance, that he, brought back by Fortune's grace, May for both these prove slayer strong to smite?
Ægisth. Well, since thou think'st to act, not merely talk, Thou shall know clearly.... [Calling his Guards from the palace On then, my troops, the time for deeds is come.
Chor. On then, let each man grasp his sword in hand.
Ægisth. With sword in hand, I too shrink not from death.
Chor. Thou talkest of thy death; we hail the word; And make our own the fortune it implies.
Clytæm. Nay, let us not do other evil deeds, Thou dearest of all friends. An ill-starred harvest It is to have reaped so many. Enough of woe: Let no more blood be shed: Go thou—[to the Chorus]—go ye, Ye aged sires, to your allotted homes, Ere ye do aught amiss and dree your weird: *This that we have done ought to have sufficed; But should it prove we've had enough of ills, We will accept it gladly, stricken low In evil doom by heavy hand of God. This is a woman's counsel, if there be That deigns to hear it.
Ægisth. But that these should fling The blossoms of their idle speech at me, And utter words like these, so tempting Fate, And fail of counsel wise, and flout their master...!
Chor. It suits not Argives on the vile to fawn.
Ægisth. Be sure, hereafter I will hunt thee down.
Chor. Not so, if God should guide Orestes back.
Ægisth. Right well I know how exiles feed on hopes.
Chor. Prosper, wax fat, do foul wrong—'tis thy day.
Ægisth. Know thou shalt pay full price for this thy folly.
Chor. Be bold, and boast, like cock beside his mate.
Clytæm. Nay, care not thou for these vain howlings; I And thou together, ruling o'er the house, Will settle all things rightly. [Exeunt