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Euripides · Iphigenia in Aulis §957-1031

Achilles's Indignation and Advice to Save Iphigenia

Passage 12 of 19 · Greek

Summary

Achilles expresses his outrage that his name was used without permission as a pretext for the marriage, promises to save Iphigenia, urges Clytemnestra to first try to persuade Agamemnon, and promises his protection if she fails.

§957ὃς ὀλίγʼ ἀληθῆ, πολλὰ δὲ ψευδῆ λέγει §958τυχών, ὅταν δὲ μὴ τύχῃ, διοίχεται;
[Achilles] who, when he hits the mark, speaks few truths but many lies, [Achilles] and when he fails, is gone?
§959οὐ τῶν γάμων ἕκατι — μυρίαι κόραι §960θηρῶσι λέκτρον τοὐμόν — εἴρηται τόδε· §961ἀλλʼ ὕβριν ἐς ἡμᾶς ὕβρισʼ Ἀγαμέμνων ἄναξ.
[Achilles] It is not for the sake of the marriage—countless maidens hunt after my bed— [Achilles] that this has been said; [Achilles] but because King Agamemnon has committed an outrage against me.
§962χρῆν δʼ αὐτὸν αἰτεῖν τοὐμὸν ὄνομʼ ἐμοῦ πάρα, §963θήραμα παιδός· ἡ Κλυταιμήστρα δʼ ἐμοὶ §964μάλιστʼ ἐπείσθη θυγατέρʼ ἐκδοῦναι πόσει.
[Achilles] He ought to have asked my name from me, as a lure for his child; and Clytemnestra [Achilles] would have been persuaded most of all by me to give her daughter to a husband.
§965ἔδωκά τἂν Ἕλλησιν, εἰ πρὸς Ἴλιον §966ἐν τῷδʼ ἔκαμνε νόστος· οὐκ ἠρνούμεθʼ ἂν §967τὸ κοινὸν αὔξειν ὧν μέτʼ ἐστρατευόμην.
[Achilles] I would have given it to the Greeks, if the voyage to Ilium flagged in this; [Achilles] I would not have refused to advance the common cause of those with whom [Achilles] I was campaigning.
§968νῦν δʼ οὐδέν εἰμι, παρὰ δὲ τοῖς στρατηλάταις §969ἐν εὐμαρεῖ με δρᾶν τε καὶ μὴ δρᾶν κακῶς.
[Achilles] But now I am nothing, and in the eyes of the generals it is an easy matter [Achilles] to treat me ill or not treat me so.
§970τάχʼ εἴσεται σίδηρος, ὃν πρὶν ἐς Φρύγας §971ἐλθεῖν, φόνου κηλῖσιν αἵματι χρανῶ, §972εἴ τίς με τὴν σὴν θυγατέρʼ ἐξαιρήσεται.
[Achilles] Soon the sword will know, which before going to the Phrygians, I shall stain [Achilles] with the defilement of blood, if anyone tries to rob me of your daughter.
§973ἀλλʼ ἡσύχαζε· θεὸς ἐγὼ πέφηνά σοι §974μέγιστος, οὐκ ὤν· ἀλλʼ ὅμως γενήσομαι.
[Achilles] So be calm; I have appeared to you as a greatest god, though I am not; [Achilles] but nevertheless I shall be.
§975ἔλεξας, ὦ παῖ Πηλέως, σοῦ τʼ ἄξια §976καὶ τῆς ἐναλίας δαίμονος, σεμνῆς θεοῦ.
[Chorus] You have spoken, O son of Peleus, things worthy of you [Chorus] and of the sea divinity, the revered goddess.
§977φεῦ·
[Clytemnestra] Ah!
§977aπῶς ἄν σʼ ἐπαινέσαιμι μὴ λίαν λόγοις, §978μηδʼ ἐνδεὴς τοῦδʼ ἀπολέσαιμι τὴν χάριν;
How might I praise you not too much in words, [Clytemnestra] nor, being deficient in this, lose your favor?
§979αἰνούμενοι γὰρ οἱ ἀγαθοὶ τρόπον τινὰ §980μισοῦσι τοὺς αἰνοῦντας, ἢν αἰνῶσʼ ἄγαν.
[Clytemnestra] For noble men, when praised, in a way hate those who praise them, [Clytemnestra] if they praise too much.
§981αἰσχύνομαι δὲ παραφέρουσʼ οἰκτροὺς λόγους, §982ἰδίᾳ νοσοῦσα· σὺ δʼ ἄνοσος κακῶν ἐμῶν.
[Clytemnestra] And I am ashamed to bring forward piteous words, suffering privately; [Clytemnestra] whereas you are free from my troubles.
§983ἀλλʼ οὖν ἔχει τοι σχῆμα, κἂν ἄπωθεν ᾖ §984ἀνὴρ ὁ χρηστός, δυστυχοῦντας ὠφελεῖν.
[Clytemnestra] But still, it is noble, even if the good man is unrelated, [Clytemnestra] to help those in misfortune.
§985οἴκτιρε δʼ ἡμᾶς· οἰκτρὰ γὰρ πεπόνθαμεν·
[Clytemnestra] Pity us, for we have suffered piteous things.
§986ἣ πρῶτα μέν σε γαμβρὸν οἰηθεῖσʼ ἔχειν, §987κενὴν κατέσχον ἐλπίδʼ·
[Clytemnestra] I, who first thought indeed to have you as a son-in-law, held an empty hope.
εἶτά σοι τάχα §988ὄρνις γένοιτʼ ἂν τοῖσι μέλλουσιν γάμοις §989θανοῦσʼ ἐμὴ παῖς, ὅ σε φυλάξασθαι χρεών.
[Clytemnestra] And then, my daughter's death might quickly become an ill omen [Clytemnestra] for your future marriage, which you must guard against.
§990ἀλλʼ εὖ μὲν ἀρχὰς εἶπας, εὖ δὲ καὶ τέλη· §991σοῦ γὰρ θέλοντος παῖς ἐμὴ σωθήσεται.
[Clytemnestra] But you spoke well in the beginning, and well also in the end; [Clytemnestra] for if you are willing, my child will be saved.
§992βούλῃ νιν ἱκέτιν σὸν περιπτύξαι γόνυ;
[Clytemnestra] Do you wish her to clasp your knee as a suppliant?
§993ἀπαρθένευτα μὲν τάδʼ· εἰ δέ σοι δοκεῖ, §994ἥξει, διʼ αἰδοῦς ὄμμʼ ἔχουσʼ ἐλεύθερον.
[Clytemnestra] These things are indeed unbecoming for a maiden; but if it seems good to you, [Clytemnestra] she will come, keeping her frank eye modest.
§995εἰ δʼ οὐ παρούσης ταὐτὰ τεύξομαι σέθεν, §996μενέτω κατʼ οἴκους· σεμνὰ γὰρ σεμνύνεται.
[Clytemnestra] But if I shall obtain the same things from you without her presence, [Clytemnestra] let her remain in the tent; for she is proud with noble pride.
§997ὅμως δʼ ὅσον γε δυνατὸν αἰδεῖσθαι χρεών.
[Achilles] Yet, as far as possible, one must show respect.
§998σὺ μήτε σὴν παῖδʼ ἔξαγʼ ὄψιν εἰς ἐμήν, §999μήτʼ εἰς ὄνειδος ἀμαθὲς ἔλθωμεν, γύναι·
[Achilles] Do not bring your child out into my sight, [Achilles] nor let us fall into vulgar reproach, lady.
§1000στρατὸς γὰρ ἀθρόος, ἀργὸς ὢν τῶν οἴκοθεν, §1001λέσχας πονηρὰς καὶ κακοστόμους φιλεῖ.
[Achilles] For a gathered army, being idle from domestic chores, [Achilles] loves wicked and slanderous gossip.
§1002πάντως δέ μʼ ἱκετεύοντέ θʼ ἥξετʼ εἰς ἴσον, §1003εἴ τʼ ἀνικέτευτος·
[Achilles] In any case, whether you come as suppliants or un-supplicated, [Achilles] you will reach the same result with me.
εἷς ἐμοὶ γάρ ἐστʼ ἀγὼν §1004μέγιστος ὑμᾶς ἐξαπαλλάξαι κακῶν.
For my one greatest struggle [Achilles] is to deliver you from evils.
§1005ὡς ἕν γʼ ἀκούσασʼ ἴσθι, μὴ ψευδῶς μʼ ἐρεῖν·
[Achilles] Know this at least, having heard one thing: that I shall not speak falsely.
§1006ψευδῆ λέγων δὲ καὶ μάτην ἐγκερτομῶν, §1007θάνοιμι· μὴ θάνοιμι δʼ, ἢν σῴσω κόρην.
[Achilles] If I speak falsely and mock you in vain, may I die; but may I not die if I save the maiden!
§1008ὄναιο συνεχῶς δυστυχοῦντας ὠφελῶν.
[Clytemnestra] May you prosper continuously, by helping those in misfortune!
§1009ἄκουε δή νυν, ἵνα τὸ πρᾶγμʼ ἔχῃ καλῶς.
[Achilles] Hear then now, so that the matter may turn out well.
§1010τί τοῦτʼ ἔλεξας;
[Clytemnestra] What is this you say?
ὡς ἀκουστέον γέ σου.
How I must indeed listen to you!
§1011πειθώμεθʼ αὖτις πατέρα βέλτιον φρονεῖν.
[Achilles] Let us persuade her father again to be of better mind.
§1012κακός τίς ἐστι καὶ λίαν ταρβεῖ στρατόν.
[Clytemnestra] He is a coward and fears the army too much.
§1013ἀλλʼ οἱ λόγοι γε καταπαλαίουσιν λόγους.
[Achilles] But words at least wrestle down words.
§1014ψυχρὰ μὲν ἐλπίς· ὅ τι δὲ χρή με δρᾶν φράσον.
[Clytemnestra] Cold is the hope; but tell me what I must do.
§1015ἱκέτευʼ ἐκεῖνον πρῶτα μὴ κτείνειν τέκνα· §1016ἢν δʼ ἀντιβαίνῃ, πρὸς ἐμέ σοι πορευτέον.
[Achilles] First, entreat him not to kill his child; [Achilles] but if he opposes, you must come to me.
§1017ᾗ γὰρ τὸ χρῇζον ἐπίθετʼ, οὐ τοὐμὸν χρεὼν §1018χωρεῖν· ἔχει γὰρ αὐτὸ τὴν σωτηρίαν.
[Achilles] For if he yields to your wish, there is no need for my action to proceed; [Achilles] for this itself has salvation.
§1019κἀγώ τʼ ἀμείνων πρὸς φίλον γενήσομαι, §1020στρατός τʼ ἂν οὐ μέμψαιτό μʼ, εἰ τὰ πράγματα §1021λελογισμένως πράσσοιμι μᾶλλον ἢ σθένει.
[Achilles] And I shall both be on better terms with my friend, [Achilles] and the army would not blame me, if I manage matters [Achilles] with reason rather than with force.
§1022καλῶς δὲ κρανθέντων πρὸς ἡδονὴν φίλοις §1023σοί τʼ ἂν γένοιτο κἂν ἐμοῦ χωρὶς τάδε.
[Achilles] And if these things are accomplished well, to the pleasure of your friends, [Achilles] it would turn out so for you even without my help.
§1024ὡς σώφρονʼ εἶπας.
[Clytemnestra] How wisely you have spoken!
δραστέον δʼ ἅ σοι δοκεῖ.
We must do what seems best to you.
§1025ἢν δʼ αὖ τι μὴ πράσσωμεν ὧν ἐγὼ θέλω, §1026ποῦ σʼ αὖθις ὀψόμεσθα, ποῦ;
[Clytemnestra] But if we do not achieve any of the things I wish, [Clytemnestra] where shall we see you again, where?
χρή μʼ ἀθλίαν §1027ἐλθοῦσαν εὑρεῖν σὴν χέρʼ ἐπίκουρον κακῶν;
Where must I, wretched woman, go [Clytemnestra] to find your hand as a helper against evils?
§1028ἡμεῖς σε φύλακες οὗ χρεὼν φυλάξομεν, §1029μή τίς σʼ ἴδῃ στείχουσαν ἐπτοημένην §1030Δαναῶν διʼ ὄχλου·
[Achilles] We shall guard you as guards where necessary, [Achilles] lest anyone see you walking in alarm through the crowd of the Danai.
μηδὲ πατρῷον δόμον §1031αἴσχυνʼ· ὁ γάρ τοι Τυνδάρεως οὐκ ἄξιος
[Achilles] And do not shame your father's house; for Tyndareus [Achilles] is indeed not worthy of insult.

Notes

  1. 957τυχών — The aorist active participle of `τυγχάνω` (nominative masculine singular), meaning "happening to hit the mark" or "by chance succeeding". In contrast with the following subjunctive clause `ὅταν δὲ μὴ τύχῃ` (when he does not hit it), it mockingly highlights the accidental and unreliable nature of a seer's predictions.
  2. 962ἡ Κλυταιμήστρα δʼ ἐμοὶ μάλιστʼ ἐπείσθη θυγατέρʼ ἐκδοῦναι πόσει — The dative `ἐμοὶ` serves as the complement of the passive verb `ἐπείσθη` (aorist passive of `πείθω`), meaning "was persuaded by me" or "yielded to me". In context, it refers to the fact that Clytemnestra agreed to give away her daughter precisely because Achilles (and his high reputation) was used as the pretext for the marriage.
  3. 965ἔδωκά τἂν ... εἰ πρὸς Ἴλιον ἐν τῷδʼ ἔκαμνε νόστος — `ἔδωκά τἂν` is a crasis of `ἔδωκα τοι ἄν`. Combined with `εἰ ... ἔκαμνε` (imperfect indicative), it forms a past counterfactual condition. `ἔκαμνε` (from `κάμνω`) means "to flag, be stalled, or be weary"; the phrase implies that if the Greek departure/return (`νόστος`) to Troy were stalled on this point (i.e., dependent on using Achilles' name), he would have readily granted it.
  4. 977aπῶς ἄν σʼ ἐπαινέσαιμι μὴ λίαν λόγοις, / μηδʼ ἐνδεὴς τοῦδʼ ἀπολέσαιμι τὴν χάριν — Two optatives (`ἐπαινέσαιμι` and `ἀπολέσαιμι`) are coupled with the particle `ἄν` to express potentiality in a deliberative question. The conditional participles/adverbs with `μή` (`μὴ λίαν` [not too much] and `μηδʼ ἐνδεὴς` [nor falling short]) are placed in parallel, expressing Clytemnestra's dilemma of wanting to praise Achilles adequately without causing offense through flattery or coldness.
  5. 1017ᾗ γὰρ τὸ χρῇζον ἐπίθετʼ, οὐ τοὐμὸν χρεὼν / χωρεῖν — `ᾗ` is an adverbial dative of manner/condition. `τὸ χρῇζον` (the thing desired/needed) acts as the subject of `ἐπίθετο` (3rd person singular aorist middle of `ἐπιπείθομαι`, "yielded/obeyed"). The clause means "for if he yields to your desire", which logically leads to `οὐ τοὐμὸν χρεὼν χωρεῖν` ("there is no need for my action to proceed").

Cite this passage

Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis §957-1031. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0006.tlg018.humanitext-grc2:957-1031

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