Epeisodion 1
[Episode]
I see it, yes; now, you first of all surrender it.
Menelaus
No, not till I have shown its contents to all the army.
Agamemnon
What! have you broken the seal and know already what you should never have known?
325
Menelaus
Yes, I opened it and know to your sorrow the secret machinations of your heart.
Agamemnon
Where did you get it? O gods! what shameless heart you have!
Menelaus
I was awaiting your daughter’s arrival at the camp in Argos.
Agamemnon
What right have you to watch my doings? is not this a proof of shamelessness?
Menelaus
My wish to do it gave the spur, for I am no slave to you.
330
Agamemnon
Infamous! Am I not to be allowed the management of my own house?
Menelaus
No, for you think crooked thoughts, one thing now, another formerly, and something different presently.
Agamemnon
Most exquisite refining on evil themes!Reading εὖ κεκόμψευσαι πονηρά with Ruhnken and Monk. A hateful thing the tongue of cleverness!
Menelaus
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 overstrainReading οὔτε κατατενῶ with Hermann. 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
335
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,
340
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.
345
This was the first cause I had to reprove you, for it was here I first discovered your villainy;
but afterwards, when you cameReading ἧλθες with Monk. 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.Nauck, following Dindorf’s suggestion, regards 11. 351 and 354-5 as interpolations, foisted in to supply gaps in the MSS., and he therefore omits them, marking a lacuna after 1. 353. 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
350
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,Line 359 is regarded by Nauck as spurious.
355
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!μάλιστά γε. L. Dindorf proposed κάλλιστά γε, ironical very fine! Both this and the previous line are omitted in Nauck’s text as spurious.
360
This is the same air that heard you say it.This line was thus transposed by Paley from its usual position after l. 365. 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.
365
