Iphigenia at Aulis (329-409)

What right have you to watch my doings? is not this a proof of shamelessness?

My wish to do it gave the spur, for I am no slave to you.

Infamous! Am I not to be allowed the management of my own house?

No, for you think crooked thoughts, one thing now, another formerly, and something different presently.

Most exquisite refining on evil themes![*] A hateful thing the tongue of cleverness!

Yes, but a mind unstable is an unjust possession, disloyal to friends.

Now I am anxious to test you, and do not seek from rage to turn aside from the truth, nor will I on my part overstrain[*] the case. Do you remember when you were all eagerness to captain the Danaids against Troy, making a pretence of declining, though eager for it in your heart; how humble you were then, taking each man by the hand

and keeping open doors for every fellow-townsman who cared to enter, affording each in turn chance to speak with you, even though some did not wish it, seeking by these methods to purchase popularity from all bidders? Then when you had secured the command, there came a change over your manners; you were no longer so cordial as before to former friends,

but hard of access, seldom to be found at home. But the man of real worth ought not to change his manners in the hour of prosperity, but should then show himself most staunch to friends, when his own good fortune can help them most effectually.

This was the first cause I had to reprove you, for it was here I first discovered your villainy;

but afterwards, when you came[*] to Aulis with all the gathered hosts of Hellas, you were of no account; no! the want of a favorable breeze filled you with consternation at the chance dealt out by the gods.[*] Then the Danaids began demanding that you should send the fleet away instead of vainly toiling on at Aulis; what dismay and confusion was then depicted in your looks, to think that you, with a thousand

ships at your command, had not occupied the plains of Priam with your armies! And you would ask my counsel, What am I to do? What scheme can I devise, where find one?—to save yourself being stripped of your command and losing your fair fame. Next when Calchas bade you offer your daughter in sacrifice to Artemis, declaring that the Danaids should then sail, you were overjoyed,[*]

and gladly undertook to offer the girl, and of your own accord—never allege compulsion—you are sending word to your wife to despatch your daughter here on pretence of wedding Achilles. And after all you turn round and have been caught casting your letter to this effect: I will no longer be my daughter’s murderer. Exactly so![*]

This is the same air that heard you say it.[*] Countless others have done the same; they make an effort while in power, and then retire dishonorably, sometimes owing to the senselessness of the citizens, sometimes deservedly, because they are too feeble of themselves to maintain their watch upon the state.

For my part, I am more sorry for our unhappy Hellas, whose purpose was to read these worthless foreigners a lesson, while now she will let them escape and mock her, thanks to you and your daughter. May I never appoint a man to rule my country or lead its warriors because of his ![*] Sense is what the general must have;

since any man, with ordinary intelligence, can govern a state.[*]

For brothers to come to words and blows, whenever they disagree, is terrible.

I wish to rebuke you in turn,[*] briefly, not lifting my eyes too high shamelessly, but in more sober fashion,

as a brother; for it is a good man’s way to be considerate. Tell me, why this burst of fury, these bloodshot eyes? who wrongs you? what is it you want? are you longing to have a virtuous wife? WeIl, I cannot supply you; for she, whom you once had, was ill-controlled by you. Am I then, a man who never went astray, to suffer for your sins?

or is it my popularity that galls you? No! it is the longing you have to keep a beautiful woman in your embrace, casting reason and honor to the winds. A bad man’s pleasures are like himself. Am I mad, if I change to wiser counsels, after previously deciding amiss? Yours is the madness rather in wishing to recover

a wicked wife, once you had lost her—a stroke of heaven-sent luck. Those foolish suitors swore that oath to Tyndareus in their longing to wed; but Hope was the goddess that led them on,[*] I think, and she it was that brought it about rather than you and your strength. So take the field with them; they are ready for it[*] in the folly of their hearts; for the deity is not without insight, but is able to discern

where oaths have been wrongly pledged or forcibly extorted. I will not slay my children, nor[*] shall your interests be prospered by justice in your vengeance for a worthless wife, while I am left wasting, night and day, in sorrow for what I did to one of my own flesh and blood, contrary to all law and justice.

Here is your answer shortly given, clear and easy to understand; and if you will not come to your senses, I shall do the best for myself.