whereReading ὄθι with Hartung. that verdict between goddesses was awaiting you—the cause of your going to Hellas to stand before the ivory palace, kindling love in Helen’sentranced eyes and feeling its flutter in your own breast; from which the fiend of strife brought Hellas with her spear and ships to the towers of Troy.

Chorus of Argive menOh! great is the bliss the great enjoy. Behold Iphigenia, the king’s child, my lady, and Clytemnestra, the daughter of Tyndareus; how proud their lineage!how high their pinnacle of fortune! These mighty ones, whom wealth attends, are very gods in the eyes of less favored folk.

ChorusLet us stand here, maidens of Chalcis, and lift the queen from her chariotto the ground without stumbling, supporting her gently in our arms, with kind intent, that the renowned daughter of Agamemnon, just arrived, may feel no fear; strangers ourselves, let us avoid anything that may disturbor frighten the strangers from Argos.The whole passage from l. 574-606 is regarded by Paley and Dindorf as an interpolation; while most editors concur in regarding 11. 599-606 as undoubtedly spurious.ClytemnestraI take this as a lucky omen, your kindness and auspicious greeting, and have good hope that it is to a happy marriageI conduct the bride. To attendants. Take from the chariot the dowry I am bringing for my daughter and convey it within with careful heed.My daughter, leave the horse-drawn chariot, planting your faltering footstep delicately.κῶλον ἀσθενές θ’ ἅμα, but Hermann’s κῶλον ἀσφαλῶς χαμαί is tempting. To the Chorus. Young women,νεάνιδές, νίν so Pierson for νεανίδασιν. take her in your arms and lift her from the chariot, and let one of you give me the support of her hand, that I may quit my seat in the carriage with fitting grace.Some of you stand at the horses’ heads;for the horse has a timid eye, easily frightened; here, take this child Orestes, son of Agamemnon, baby as he still is.What! sleeping, little one, tired out by your ride in the chariot? Awake to bless your sister’s wedding; for you, my gallant boy,shall get by this marriage a kinsman gallant as yourself, the Nereid’s godlike offspring. Come here to your mother, my daughter, Iphigenia, and seat yourself beside me, and stationed near show my happiness to these strangers;yes, come here and welcome the father you love so dearly.The passages indosed in brackets are regarded by Paley and Dindorf, and, in the main, by Kirchhoff, as spurious. Monk only oraits 11. 627-30, and 11.635-7.IphigeniaThese lines have been rearranged from the print edition.Do not be angry with me, mother, if I run from your side and throw myself on my father’s breast.ClytemnestraHail! my honored lord, king Agamemnon! we have obeyed your commands and have come.These two lines were placed here by Porson instead of after the next distich; the same critic read προσβαλῶ and περιβαλεῖν instead of περιβαλῶ and προσβαλεῖν; both of which changes are followed in the translation, though Paley, while mentioning the second, has not actually adopted it in his text.IphigeniaO my father! I long to outrun others and embrace you after this long while; for I yearn to see your face; do not be angry with me.ClytemnestraYou may do so, daughter; for of all the children I have borne, you have always loved your father best.Iphigeniathrowing herself into Agamemnon’s arms.I see you, father, joyfully after a long time.AgamemnonAnd I, your father, see you; your words do equal duty for both of us.IphigeniaAll hail, father! you did well in bringing me here to you.AgamemnonI know not how I am to say yes or no to that, my child.IphigeniaAh! how wildly you are looking, spite of your joy at seeing me.AgamemnonA man has many cares when he is king and general too.IphigeniaBe mine, all mine today; do not turn to moody thoughts.AgamemnonWhy so I am, all yours today; I have no other thought.IphigeniaThen smooth your knitted brow, unbend and smile.AgamemnonSee! my child, my joy at seeing you is even as it is.