Epeisodion 4
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
Take thyself in, thou too — I say, Kassandra!
1035
Since Zeus — not angrily—in household placed thee
Partaker of hand-sprinklings, with the many
Slaves stationed, his the Owner’s altar close to.
Descend from out this car, nor be high-minded
And truly they do say Alkmené’s child once
1040
Bore being sold, slaves’ barley-bread his living.
If, then, necessity of this lot o’erbalance,
Much is the favour of old-wealthy masters:
For those who, never hoping, made fine harvest
Are harsh to slaves in all things, beyond measure.
1045
Thou hast — with us — such usage as law warrants.
CHOROS.
To thee it was, she paused plain speech from speaking.
Being inside the fatal nets — obeying,
Thou mayst obey: but thou mayst disobey too!
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
Why, if she is not, in the swallow’s fashion,
1050
Possessed of voice that’s unknown and barbaric,
I, with speech — speaking in mind’s scope — persuade her.
CHOROS.
Follow! The best — as things now stand — she speaks of.
Obey thou, leaving this thy car-enthronement!
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
Well, with this thing at door, for me no leisure
1055
To waste time: as concerns the hearth mid-navelled,
Already stand the sheep for fireside slaying
By those who never hoped to have such favour.
If thou, then, aught of this wilt do, delay not!
But if thou, being witless, tak’st no word in,
1060
Speak thou, instead of voice, with hand as Kars do!
CHOROS.
She seems a plain interpreter in need of,
The stranger! and her way — a beast’s new-captured!
KLUTAIMNESTRA.
Why, she is mad, sure, — hears her own bad senses, —
Who, while she comes, leaving a town new-captured,
1065
Yet knows not how to bear the bit o’ the bridle
Before she has out-frothed her bloody fierceness.
Not I — throwing away more words — will shamed be!
CHOROS.
But I, — for I compassionate, — will chafe not.
Come, O unhappy one, this car vacating,
1070
Yielding to this necessity, prove yoke’s use!