upset our life, at another the numerous peevish fancies of our subjects shatter it. Old man I do not like these sentiments in one who is a chief. It was not to enjoy all blessings that Atreus begot you, Agamemnon; but you must experience joy and sorrow alike, mortal as you are. Even though you like it not, this is what the gods decree. But you, after letting your taper spread its light abroad, write the letter which is still in your hands and then erase the same words again, sealing and reopening the tablet, then flinging it to the ground with floods of tears, and leaving nothing undone in your aimless behavior to stamp you mad. What is it that troubles you? what news is there affecting you, περί σοι , but Monk’s πάρα σοι , what news has reached thee? is a plausible emendation. king? Come, share with me your story; you will be telling it to a loyal and trusty heart; for Tyndareus sent me that day to form part of your wife’s dowry and to wait upon the bride with loyalty. Agamemnon This edition starts with the traditional line 49. Traditional line 1 appears following line 114. Regular numbering resumes at line 115. The print source represents these lines in the usual order. Daughter of Leda, in addition to my first letter, I am sending you word —. Old man Say on and make it plain, that what my tongue utters may accord with what you have written. Agamemnon Not to despatch your daughter to Euboea ’s deep-gulfed wing, to the waveless bay of Aulis , for after all we will celebrate our child’s wedding at another time. Old man And how will Achilles, cheated of his bride, curb the fury of his indignation against you and your wife? Here also is a danger. Paley follows Musgrave in assigning these words to Agamemnon, assuming that the king passes over the servant’s last remark and adds a new cause of alarm, viz., the fraud that is being practiced on Achilles. Make clear what you are saying. Agamemnon It is his name, not himself that Achilles is lending, knowing nothing of the marriage or of my scheming or my professed readiness to betroth my daughter to him for a husband’s embrace. Lines 124-32 are rejected by some editors. Hennig supposes them to be the work of the younger Euripides. Old man A dreadful venture yours, king Agamemnon, you that, by promise of your daughter’s hand to the son of the goddess, were bringing the maid here to be sacrificed for the Danaids. Agamemnon Ah me! I am utterly distraught; alas! bewilderment comes over me. Away! hurry your steps, yielding nothing to old age. Old man I will make haste, king. Agamemnon Do not sit down by woodland fountains; scorn the witcheries of sleep. Old man Hush! The old man cuts short Agamemnon’s warnings, as being an un-called-for reflection on his own loyalty. Agamemnon And when you pass any place where roads diverge, cast your eyes all round, taking heed that no mule-wagon eacape you, passing by on rolling wheels, bearing my child to the ships of the Danaids. Old man It shall be so. Agamemnon Start then from the bolted gates, Paley retains the MSS. κλήθρων δ᾽ ἐξόρμα , omitting νιν with Monk in 1. 150; Wecklein, reading ἐξορμώσαις to agree with πομπαῖς retains νιν . Hermann transposes the verse after 1. 152, and so Nauck edits. and if you meet the escort, start them back again, and drive at full speed to the abodes of the Cyclopes. Old man But tell me, how shall my message find credit with your wife or child? Agamemnon Preserve the seal which you bear on this tablet. Away! Already the dawn is growing grey, lighting the lamp of day and the fire of the sun’s four steeds; help me in my trouble. Exit Old man. 
No mortal is prosperous or happy to the last, for no one was ever born to a painless life. Exit Agamemnon. 
 Chorus To the sandy beach