My child! we are lost, it seems. Achilles They taunted me as the man whom marriage had enslaved. Clytemnestra And what did you answer them? Achilles Not to kill the one I meant to wed— Clytemnestra Justly so. Achilles The wife her father promised me. Clytemnestra Yes, and sent to fetch from Argos . Achilles But I was overcome by clamorous cries. Clytemnestra Truly the mob is a dire mischief. Achilles But I will help you for all that. Clytemnestra Will you really fight them single-handed? Achilles Do you see these warriors here, carrying my arms? Clytemnestra Bless you for your kind intent! Achilles Well, I shall be blessed. Clytemnestra Then my child will not be slaughtered now? Achilles No, not with my consent at any rate. Clytemnestra But will any of them come to lay hands on the maid? Achilles Thousands of them, with Odysseus at their head. Clytemnestra The son of Sisyphus? Achilles The very same. Clytemnestra Acting for himself or by the army’s order? Achilles By their choice—and his own. Clytemnestra An evil choice indeed, to stain his hands in blood. Achilles But I will hold him back. Clytemnestra Will he seize and bear her off against her will? Achilles Yes, by her golden hair no doubt. Clytemnestra What must I do, when it comes to that? Achilles Keep hold of your daughter. Clytemnestra Be sure that she shall not be slain, as far as that that can help her. Achilles Believe me, it will come to this. i.e., to an actual appeal to force.