Epeisodion 1
[Episode]
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 couragekinship!There is some corruption in this line; perhaps Monk’s μηδέν᾽ οὖν γένους ἕκατι (Nauck ἄρα for οὔν), supplies the required sense best. Sense is what the general must have;
370
Menelaus
since any man, with ordinary intelligence, can govern a state.Following Hermann’s punctuation. Monk retains the stop after πόλεος, the head of the state must have sense; for every man, if so gifted, is a ruler. Hennig condemns l. 374.
375
Chorus Leader
For brothers to come to words and blows, whenever they disagree, is terrible.
Agamemnon
I wish to rebuke you in turn,Paley follows Markland in reading αὖ for MSS. εὖ. 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?
380
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
385
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,Reading ἧγε δ᾽ with Matthiae for MSS. ἡ δέ γ᾽. 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 itPaley adopts Monk’s ἔτομοι δ᾽ εἰσὶ for γ᾽ οἶμαι δ᾽ εἴσῃ, but follows Dindorf’s punctuation in not making these words parenthetical. Hermann gives ἐγῷμαι, μωρίαν εἴσῃ φρενῶν, thou wilt find out their folly, I expect. in the folly of their hearts; for the deity is not without insight, but is able to discern
390
where oaths have been wrongly pledged or forcibly extorted. I will not slay my children, norIn this difficult and much emended passage Lenting’s κοὐ for καὶ Reiske’s παρὰ δίκης, and τιμωρίᾳ, dat. for nom., are the readings followed. 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.
395
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.
400
Chorus Leader
This differs from your previous declaration, but there is good in it, your child’s reprieve.
Menelaus
Ah me, how sad my lot! I have no friends then after all.
Agamemnon
Friends you have, if you do not seek their destruction.
405
Menelaus
Where will you find any proof that you are sprung from the same father as I?
Agamemnon
It is your moderation, not your madness, that I share by nature.
Menelaus
Friends should sympathize with friends in sorrow.
Agamemnon
Claim my help by kindly service, not by paining me.
Menelaus
So you have no mind to share this trouble with Hellas?
410
Agamemnon
No, Hellas is diseased like you, according to some god’s design.
Menelaus
Go boast of your scepter, after betraying your own brother! whileLines 413-41 are regarded by Kirchhoff as the work of a much later age. Nauck incloses them in brackets, but Paley, Monk, and Hermann agree in retaining them as probably genuine. I will seek some different means and other friends.
Messenger
Agamemnon, lord of Hellas!
