Iphigenia Do not be angry with me, mother, if I run from your side and throw myself on my father’s breast.
Clytemnestra Hail! my honored lord, king Agamemnon! we have obeyed your commands and have come.
Iphigenia for I yearn to see your face; do not be angry with me.
Clytemnestra You may do so, daughter; for of all the children I have borne, you have always loved your father best.
Iphigenia I see you, father, joyfully after a long time.
Agamemnon And I, your father, see you; your words do equal duty for both of us.
Iphigenia All hail, father! you did well in bringing me here to you.
Agamemnon I know not how I am to say yes or no to that, my child.
Iphigenia Ah! how wildly you are looking, spite of your joy at seeing me.
Agamemnon A man has many cares when he is king and general too.
Iphigenia Be mine, all mine today; do not turn to moody thoughts.
Agamemnon Why so I am, all yours today; I have no other thought.
Iphigenia Then smooth your knitted brow, unbend and smile.
Agamemnon See! my child, my joy at seeing you is even as it is.
Iphigenia And do you then have tears streaming from your eyes?
Agamemnon Yes, for long is the absence from each other, that awaits us.
Iphigenia I do not know, dear father, I do not know of what you are speaking.
Agamemnon You are moving my pity all the more by speaking so sensibly.
Iphigenia My words shall turn to senselessness if that will cheer you more.
Agamemnon Alas! this silence is too much. You have my thanks.
Iphigenia Stay with your children at home, father.
Agamemnon My own wish! But to my sorrow I may not
Iphigenia Ruin seize their wars and the woes of Menelaus!
Agamemnon First will that, which has been my life-long ruin, bring ruin to others.
Iphigenia How long you were absent in the bays of Aulis!
Agamemnon Yes, and there is still a hindrance to my sending the army forward.
Iphigenia Where do men say the Phrygians live, father?
Agamemnon In a land where I wish Paris, the son of Priam, never had dwelt.
Iphigenia It is a long voyage you are bound on, father, after you leave me.
Agamemnon You will meet your father again, my daughter.
Iphigenia Ah! would it were seemly for you to take me as a fellow voyager!
Agamemnon You too have a voyage to make to a haven where you will remember your father.
Iphigenia Shall I sail there with my mother or alone?
Agamemnon All alone, without father or mother.
Iphigenia What! have you found me a new home, father?
Agamemnon Enough of this! it is not for girls to know such things.
Iphigenia Please hurry home from Troy, father, as soon as you have triumphed there.
Agamemnon There is a sacrifice I have first to offer here.
Iphigenia Yes, it is your duty to heed religion with aid of holy rites.
Agamemnon You will witness it, for you will be standing near the libations.
Iphigenia Am I to lead the dance then round the altar, father?
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