Agamemnon I count you happier than myself because you know nothing. Go within—it is wrong for maidens to be seen—after you have given me your hand and a kiss, on the eve of your lengthy sojourn far from your father’s side. Breast, cheek, and golden hair! ah, how grievous you have found Helen and the Phrygians’ city! I can speak no more; the tears come welling to my eyes, the moment I touch you. Go into the house. I beg your pardon, daughter of Leda, if I showed excessive grief at the thought of giving my daughter to Achilles; for though we are sending her to taste of bliss, still it wrings a parent’s heart, when he, the father who has toiled so hard for them, commits his children to the homes of strangers.
Clytemnestra I am not so senseless; But I think I will go through this as well, when I lead the girl from the chamber to the sound of the marriage hymn; so I do not chide you; but custom will combine with time to make the smart grow less. As for him, to whom you have betrothed our daughter, I know his name, it is true, but want to learn his lineage and the land of his birth.
Agamemnon There was one Aegina, the daughter of Asopus.
Clytemnestra Who wedded her? Some mortal or a god?
Agamemnon Zeus, and she bore Aeacus, the prince of Oenone.
Clytemnestra What son of Aeacus secured his father’s halls?
Agamemnon Peleus, who wedded the daughter of Nereus.
Clytemnestra With the god’s consent, or when he had taken her in spite of gods?
Agamemnon Zeus betrothed her, and her guardian gave consent.
Clytemnestra Where did he marry her? in the billows of the sea?
Agamemnon In Chiron’s home, at sacred Pelion’s foot.
Clytemnestra What! the abode ascribed to the race of Centaurs?
Agamemnon It was there the gods celebrated the marriage feast of Peleus.
Clytemnestra Did Thetis or his father train Achilles?
Agamemnon Chiron brought him up, to prevent his learning the ways of the wicked.
Clytemnestra Ah! wise the teacher, still wiser the one who gave his son.
Agamemnon Such is the future husband of your daughter.
Clytemnestra A blameless lord; but what city in Hellas is his?
Agamemnon He dwells on the banks of the river Apidanus, in the borders of Phthia.
Clytemnestra Will you convey our daughter there?
Agamemnon He who takes her to himself will see to that.
Clytemnestra Happiness attend the pair! Which day will he marry her?
Agamemnon As soon as the full moon comes to give its blessing
Clytemnestra Have you already offered the goddess a sacrifice to usher in the maiden’s marriage?
Agamemnon I am about to do so; that is the very thing I was engaged in.
Clytemnestra And then will you celebrate the marriage feast afterwards?
Agamemnon Yes, when I have offered a sacrifice required by the gods of me.
Clytemnestra But where am I to make ready the feast for the women?
Agamemnon Here beside our gallant Argive ships.
Clytemnestra Finely here! but still I must; good come of it for all that!
Agamemnon Do you know what to do, lady? Then obey me.
Clytemnestra In what matter? for I was ever accustomed to obey you.
Agamemnon Here, where the bridegroom is, I will—
Clytemnestra Which of my duties will you perform in the mother’s absence?
Agamemnon Give your child away with help of Danaids.
Clytemnestra And where am I to be then?
Agamemnon Go to Argos, and take care of your unwedded daughters.
Clytemnestra And leave my child? Then who will raise her bridal torch?
Agamemnon I will provide the proper wedding torch.
Clytemnestra That is not the custom; but you think lightly of these things.
Agamemnon It is not good for you to be alone among a soldier-crowd.
Clytemnestra It is good that a mother should give her own child away.
Agamemnon Yes, and that those maidens at home should not be left alone.
Clytemnestra They are well guarded in their maiden bowers.
Agamemnon Obey.
Clytemnestra No, by the goddess-queen of Argos! Go, manage matters out of doors; but in the house it is my place to decide.
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