TheTragedie of Euripides called Iphigeneia tranſlated out of Greakeinto Engliſshe.
TheArgument of the Tragadie.
Afterthat the captaines of the grecians withe the nauye and the otherpreparacions of battell, did come together unto the hauen of Aulida,that from thens they mighte ſaile towardes Troye: ther came ſodenlyſuche a calme wether, that for wante of wynde they coulde have nopaſsage. Wherfore the hooste beinge greued that they ſpent theretheir time idlelye, aſked cowncell of the wiſemen, to whom Calchasthe propheciar awnſwered, that if Iphigeneia the daughter ofAgamemnon weare ſacraficed to the goddes Diana of Aulida, that thenthe grecians ſhulde haue a fortunate paſsage to Troye. Wherfore thehooste beinge called together, Menelaus did perſwade his brotherAgamemnon to agree that his daughter might be ſente for. And bicauſethat Clytemnestra her mother ſhulde be the willinger to let hir goo,they fained that ſhe ſhulde be maried to Achilles one of the chechefeste noble men of grece. This excuſe none knewe but onlyAgamemnon, Menelaus, Calchas, and Vlyſses. But Agamẽnon after thathe had written unto his wife of this matter, repented greately thatwhiche he had done, lamentinge moche the deathe of his daughter.Wherfore in the nighte he wrote other letters preuely unto his wife,declaringe that ſhe ſhulde not nede to ſende the uirgine hirdaughter unto Aulyda: for hir mariage ſhulde be deferred unto another time. Thes letters he deliuered afore daye unto an olde manhis ſeruante, that he mighte carye them into grece, declaringe untohim, what they conteined. But Menelaus waitinge afore daye for thecõminge of the uirgine, toke the olde man carienge the letter, anddid reproue Agamemnon uerye uehementlye, for his unconſtanteſie. Inthe meane time one of Clitemnestras company tolde Agamemnon, Menelausbeinge ther preſent, that Iphigeneia withe her mother Clitemnestra,and yonge Orestes hir brother was come unto Aulida, and that all thehooſte knewe of their cõminge. Menelaus then perceiuinge thatAgamemnon colde not ſende his daughter home againe, began fainedlyeto perſwade him not to ſley the uirgine for his ſake. In the meanetime whilste they are reſoninge of this matter, Clitemnestra cõmethein withe Iphigenia hir doughter, thorowe whos cõminge Agamẽnon iswonderfully trobled, bycauſe he purpoſed to keape ſecrete thecownſell of his daughters deathe. Wherfore whilste he goethe aboutto aſke counſell of Calchas, Achilles cõmethe in the meane time tochide withe him. Whom Clitemnestra hearinge, ſhe dothe ſalute himasthoughe he ſholde haue bene hir ſõneinlawe. Achilles beingeignorante of this matter dothe wonder at it. Then Agamemnons ſeruantethe olde man to whom the letters weare deliuered, dothe bewrayAgamẽnons counſell, and declarethe to them the hole matter. ThenAchiles beinge angrie that under the cooler of his name, they haddetermined the deathe of the uirgine, he dothe defende hir in thecowcell of the grecians, that ſhe ſhulde not be ſlaine, but he isouercomed withe the uoice of the cõmon people. Wherfore whan thematter was broughte to ſuche a troble, that the whole hoosterequired the uirgine, and Achilles onlye was redie to contendeagainste them all. Then Iphigenia her ſelfe chaũged hir minde, andperſwadethe hir mother, that it is better for her to dye a gloriousdeathe, then that for the ſafegarde only of hir life either ſo manynoblemẽ ſhoulde fall out within them ſelues, or elſe ſuche anoble enterpriſe, beinge taken in hande, ſhulde ſhamefullye againebe let ſlippe. Wherfore ſhe beinge brought to the aulter of thegoddes, was taken up to the countrie of Taurus, and in hir place wasſente a white harte. And whan the ſacrafice was thus finiſshed thegrecians ſailed to Troye.
Theende of the Argument.
Thenames of the ſpekerſ in this Tragedie.
1.Agamemnon, the kinge.
2.Senex, an olde man his ſeruante.
3.Chorus, a companie of women.
4.Menelaus, Agamẽnons brother.
5.Clytemnestra, Agamẽnons wife.
6.Iphigeneia, the daughter of Clitemnestra and Agamẽnon.
7.Achylles, her fained huſbande.
8.Nuncius, the meſsenger.
Herebeginnethe the tragedie of Euripides called Iphigeneia.
Aga./
Comehether O thou olde man.
Sen.I come, but what is the matter O kinge?
Aga.Thouſhalte knowe anone.
Sen.I make haste to come, for my oulde age is uerie quicke and redie, forbothe the strengthe of my limmes, and alſo the ſighte of mine eyesdothe yet continue.
Aga.But what meanethe this, me thinke I ſee a ſtarre ſhoote?
Sen.It maye be ſo in dede: for it is not yet midnighte, as it may beiudged by the courſe of the ſeven ſtarres.
Aga.I thinke ſo too, for I heare no noiſe of birdes, neither of theſeae, nor yet of the winde, all thinges nowe are quiete and atreſte.
Sen.What is the cauſe, O kinge, that at this time of nighte, thoucõmeſte abrode? for all they that be of this hauen take their reſteſtill: yea and the watchemen as yet are not come from the walles:wherfore I thinke it mete to goo in.
Aga.O thou oulde man thou ſemeste unto me to be uerye happie: for trulieI do thinke that mortall man to be uerye fortunate, whiche beingewitheout honor dothe leade his life quietlye: for I can not iudgetheir estate to be happie, whiche rule in honor.
Sen.Inthes thinges the glorie and ronowne of mans life dothe chefelyeconſiste.
Aga.But this renowne is uerye brickle, for to wiſshe for dignitie, itſemethe uerye pleſant, but it uexethe them that obtaine it: forſometimes the goddes not trulye honored take uengance of mans life,and otherwhiles againe mens mindes withe care and thoughte to bringetheir matters to paſse are wonderfully troubled.
Sen.Ido not praiſe this opinion in a noble man, for O Agamemnon, thouwaste not borne to haue all thinges chaunce happely unto the: forſeinge thou arte a mortall man, thou muste ſometime reioyſe, andſometimes againe be ſorie; for whether you will or no, this mustenedes happen, bycauſe it is ſo appointed by the goddes. But methinkes you are writinge a letter by candle lighte: What is thiswritinge? that you haue in your hande? whiche ſometime you teare,and then write againe: otherwhiles you ſeale it, and anone unſealeit againe, lamẽtinge, and wepinge. For you ſeme to make ſucheſorowe, as thoughe you weare out of your witte: What is the matter,O kinge, What is the matter: If you will ſhewe it me, you ſhalltell it to a truſtie man and a faithefull: for thou knoweſte me tobe one that Tindarus thy wiues father ſente withe hir, as parte ofhir dowrie: bicauſe he thoughte me to be a meſsenger mete for ſuchea ſpouſe.
Aga.Thou knoweste that Leda Thyeſtes daughter, had thre daughtersPhoebes and Clytemnestra, whom I maried: and Helena whom manye noblemen deſired to haue to their wiues: But hir father Tindarusconſideringe what greate destruction was thretened to them thatobtained hir: doughted longe, whether he ſhulde giue hir in mariageto any of them, or noo. Wherfore bycauſe he deſired to haue allthinges to happen proſperouſely, he cauſed all the younge men thatdeſired to marie his daughter, to come all together into the temple,and ther to make a promiſe eche to other before the goddes, that yfany man either grecian or els barbarian woulde goo about to takeHelena from him, whõ ſhe chooſe to be hir huſbande: that thanthey all wolde withe cruell battell take uengance of that man. Andthis beinge thus brought to paſse. Tyndarus gaue her free libertieto choſe amonge them all, whom ſhe liked beste: and ſhe chooſeMenelaus: but I wolde to god it had not happened: for withein a whileafter, Paris. whoo, as the cõmon uoice ſaithe was iudge betwene thegoddes of their bewtie, came to Lacedemon and he beinge a goodlieyonge man, and of noble parentage, began to fall in loue withe herand ſo takinge hir priuelye awaye, broughte hir to a litle uillage,uppon the hill Ida. But as ſone as thes nwes weare broughte toMenelaus, he beinge as one halfe out of his witte for anger, began toreherſe the couenante, whiche he and diuers other noble men had madebetwixte them at the deſire of Tindarus: ſainge that it was metethat they than ſhulde helpe him, ſeinge he was oppreſsed witheſuche a manyfeste iniurye. And the grecians beinge wonderfully mouedwithe his petefull complainte decreed, that they all wolde withebattaile inuade the Troianes, whiche ſo wrongefully had taken awayeHellen. Wherfore after that they had prepared weapons, horſes,charettes, and all other thinges neceſsarie for the battell theychooſe me to be their captaine, bicauſe I was Menelaus brother. ButI wolde that this honor had happened to ſome other in my place: fornowe we hauinge gathered together our hooſte, and, prepared ourſelues ready to battell, are constrayned to tary here idle at thishauen, bicauſe the windes beinge againste us, we can ſaile nofurther. And Calchas the propheſier ſtudienge longe what ſhulde bethe cauſe of it and occaſion, at lengthe hathe anſwered that if mydaughter Ephigeneya be ſlaine and ſacrafiſed to the goddes Dyana,that then the whole hooste ſhall not onlye haue free paſsage toTroye, but alſo uictoriouſly conquer it: But witheout the dethe ofmy daughter, none of all thes thinges can be broughte to paſse, Asſone as I harde of this, I cõmanded that the hooste ſhulde beſente home agayne. For I anſwered that my daughter ſhulde neuer beſlayne throughe my conſent. But I uſinge all maner of meanes toperſwade my brother to the contrarie, yet notwithſtandinge I was ſomoued with his ernest deſire, that at lengthe, I agreinge to hiscruell requeste, wrote a letter to my wife, that ſhe ſhulde ſendemy daughter hether. And bicauſe ſhe ſhulde be the better willingeto let hir goo, I fained that ſhe ſhulde be maried to Achilles:bicauſe he was ſo deſirous of her, that he denied to goo tobattell, witheout he might haue hir to his wife; Soo that nowe I hauedetermined the deathe of my daughter, under the color of mariage, andnone knoweth of this, ſaue only Menelaus, Calchas, and Vliſses. Butnowe I repentinge me of the meſsage whiche I wrote to my wife of,haue here in this letter denied all that I ſaied before. So that ifyou will carie this letter unto greace, I will declare unto you allthat is conteined in it, bicauſe I knowe you to be a faithefullſeruante, bothe to my wife and me.
Sen.Shew me I praye you, what anſwere I ſhall make to your wifeagreable to the letter?
Aga.Tell hir that ſhe ſhall not nede at this time to ſende my daughterhether: for her mariage ſhall be differred unto a nother time.
Sen.Will not Achilles thinke you be angerie, for that under the color ofhim you haue determined the deathe of your doughter?
Aga.Achilles bearethe the name onlye: but he is not partaker of thethinge. Neither knowethe he what crafte we goo aboute.
Sen.Thou haste prepared greuouse thinges, O kinge, for thou hastedetermined to ſacrafice thy owne childe, under the colour ofmariage.
Aga.Alas, I was than wonderfully diſceiued, for the whiche I am nowemeruelouſely trobled. Wherfore I praie thee make haſte, and let notthy oulde age hinderthis thein this iourney.
Sen.I make haste to goo. O kinge.
Aga.Do not ſtaie by the pleſante ſpringes, and tarie not under theſhadoinge trees, neither let any ſlepe hinder the.
Sen.Donot you thinke any ſuche ſlouthefulnes in me O kinge.
Aga.Ipraie you marke well the waye, and loke aboute it diligentely, lestethat my wife preuentinge you, happen to come hether withe my daughterin the meane time.
Sen.Itſhalbe done euen ſo.
Aga.Makehaste I praie the, and if thou mete my wife, turne hir backe againe.
Sen.Butwhat ſhall I do that your wife, and your daughter may beleue me?
Aga.Deliuerthem this token, whiche is encloſed in this letter: go quickely, forthe daye beginnethe to apeare: I pray the helpe me nowe in thismatter: for ther is no man to whom all thinges haue chaunſedhappelye.
Cho.What is this? me thinkes I ſee Menelaius ſtriuinge withe Agamemnonsſeruante.
Sen.Darestthou O Menelaus cõmitte ſo greuous an offence in takinge awaye thosletters, whiche is neither mete, neither lawfull that thou ſhuldestſee.
Mene.Goothy waye thou arte to faithefull to thy maſter.
Sen.Trulyyou haue obiected to me a good reproche.
Mene.Thouhaste deſerued poniſshement.
Sen.Itis not mete that thou ſhuldeste open thos letters, whiche I carie.
Mene.Neitheroughtest thou to bringe ſuche a miſchefe uppon all grece.
Sene.Thoustriueſte in uaine, Menelaius, for I will not deliuer my letters tothe.
Mene.Thouſhalte not paſse withe them.
Senex.AndI will not leue them behinde me.
Me.If thou wilte not deliuer them to me I will breake thy hede withe mymace.
Sen.Ipaſse not for that: for I thinke it a good thinge to dye for mymasters cauſe.
Men.Othou frowarde felowe deliuer me thi letters and make no more buſynesheare.
Sen.HelpeO Agamẽnon I ſuffer iniurie heare of Menelaus: for withe strongehande, he hath taken awaie your letter and he paſsethe not ofhonestie nor yet of righte.
Aga.Howe,what buſines, and contention is ther amongste you?
Sen.Ioughte rather to tell the matter then you Menelaius.
Aga.Whathaue you to do Menelayus withe my ſeruante? or what cauſe haue youto ſtrive withe him, and to take awaie that whiche pertainethe tome?
Mene.Turnetowarde me I praye you that I maye tell you all the matter.
Aga.Thinkeyou, that I the ſone of Atreus am afraide to loke uppon theMenelaus?
Mene.Seestethou O Agamemnon thes thy letters whiche conteine thy craftyecounſell?
Aga.Iſee them uery well, but thou ſhalte not keape them longe.
Mene.SuerlieI will not deliuer them to the before that I haue ſhewed them untothe whole hooste.
Aga.Wiltethou deſire to knowe that whiche dothe not becõme the, and darestthou open the ſeales of my letters?
Mene.As ſone as I had opened thy letter I merueyled what miſchefe hadput thos thinges in thi mynde, whiche thou haste priuely declared inthis letter.
Aga.Whearediddest thou get my letter?
Mene.I toke them from your ſeruante, for I watchinge by the hooste toheare of your daughters cõminge, bi chaunce met withe him.
Aga.Do you thinke it mete, that you ſhulde knowe of my matters, I prayeyou, is not this a token of a naughtie and unshamefaste man?
Me.It was my pleaſure ſo to do: for I owe no dutie to the.
Aga.Thinke you that I can ſuffer this ſo greuous a thinge, that Iſhulde neyther do my buſines, nor yet rule my nowne houſe after myfanſye?
Mene.Suerlye you chaunge your minde oftentimes, for ſometime you thinkeone thinge, and by and by ageyne you are in a nother minde.
Aga.In dede you file your wordes well: but a lerned tonge diſpoſed toeuell is a naughtie thinge.
Mene.Yea, and an unconstante, and a diuers minde is as euell. But nowe Iwill ouercome you withe your owne wordes if you will not denie themfor anger: for I will not ſpeake them gretlye for your prayſe. Donot you remember that whan you deſired to be made captaine ouer thegrecians you ſemed to refuſe it? althoughe in deade you wiſshedfor it: howe lowlie than did you ſhewe your ſelfe, takinge euerieman by the hande, and kepinge open houſeholde, and ſalutinge euerieman after his degree, as thoughe you wolde have bought your honorwithe the good will of the people. But as ſone as you had obtainedthis honor, witheyoubegan to change your condicions: for you refuſed the frendſhipe ofthem, whiche had ſhewed them ſelues frindly to you afore, and thenyou waxed proude, kepinge your ſelfe ſecretly within your houſe.But it dothe not become a good man to chaunge his faſsions afterthat he is in honor. for he oughte than to be more faithefull to hisfrindes, When that he is in place to do them pleaſure. I haueobiected this reproche unto you, bicauſe I my ſelfe have had profeof it. After that you withe the whole hooste weare come to this hauẽ,you weare careles: but whan you coulde haue no paſsage ouer the ſee,and the grecians deſired licenſe to goo home, refuſinge to ſpendetheir time idelly heare, Then you beinge wonderfully trobled,fearinge leaste an euell reporte ſhulde riſe of you, bicauſe youbeinge captaine ouer a thouſande ſhippes ſhulde not ouercomeTroie, you aſked counſell of me what you mighte do, that you mighteneither looſe dignite, nor yet diſhonor your name. Wherfore as ſoneas Calchas the proficier had anſwered that the grecians ſhuldebothe paſse the ſee quiately, and alſo conquer Troye, if yourdaughter weare ſacrafiſed to the goddes Diana, then you weare ueryegladde, and promiſed of your owne accorde to giue your daughter tobe ſacrafiſed: and beinge not compelled by any power, you ſenteunto your wife for your daughter, faininge that ſhe ſholde bemaried to Achilles. But nowe ſodenly you haue chaunged your minde,and haue written other letters: ſaienge that you will not agree tothe deathe of your owne childe: take hede that you do not denie this,for the heauen it ſelfe can beare witnes of your ſaienges. Trulythis ſame dothe happen to diuers other men, whiche in the beginningewhan they take any weightie matter in hande, do labor ueriediligentlie till they haue obteyned it, and then they leue it ofſhamefullye: whiche ſhame dothe chance ſometimes throughe thefearfulnes of the ſubiectes, and ſometimes whan they do rule thecõmon welthe whiche are unmete for it. But nowe I do chefelyelamente the state of the unfortunate grecians, whiche whan they tokein hande a noble enterpriſe againste the barbarians, are constrainedthroughe your occaſion, and your daughters, withe grete diſhonor toleaue the ſame. Wherfore truly I thinke that no captaine ought to bechoſen for dignite, nor yet for fauor, but rather for witte: for hethat ſhulde rule an hooste, oughte in wiſedome to excell all other.
Cho.Suerly it is a greuous thinge that one ſhulde fall out withe another: but ſpeciallie that any contention ſhulde be amongebrethren.
Aga.Nowe I will tell you of your fautes, Menelaus, but in fewe wordes,leste I ſhulde ſeme to be unſhamfaste. Wherfore I will ſpeake toyou as it becũmethe one brother to an other. Tell me I praye you,why you do ſighe ſo? who hathe done you any iniurye? Do you lamentthe takinge awaye of your wife? But we can not promiſe you to gethir againe for you. For you your ſelfe haue bene the occaſion ofyour owne troble. Wherfore ſeinge I haue not offended you: ther isno cauſe that I ſhulde ſuffer poniſshement for that, whiche I amnot giltie of. Dothe my preferment troble you? or els dothe thedeſier of your bewtifull wife uexe you? for euell men diuers timeshaue ſuche like deſiers. And althoughe truly I am to blame, forthat I haue not better determined my matters, yet I feare me lesteyou are moche more to be reprehẽded, for that you beinge deliueredof an euell wife, can not be contented.
Cho.Thesſaienges truly do not agree withe that whiche was ſpoken before.yet notwitheſtandinge they do teache us well, that we oughte notwillingly to hurte our children.
Aga.AlasI wretche haue neuer a frinde.
Mene.Yeſyou haue diuers frindes, excepte you will neglecte them.
Aga.Butit dothe becõme frindes to lamẽte one withe an other.
Mene.If you wolde haue frindes, you weare beste to loue them, whom youdeſier to helpe: and not them whom you wolde hurte.
Aga.Why, do you not thinke that grece nedethe helpe in this matter?
Mene.Yes, but I thinke that bothe you, and grece alſo are bewitched ofſome god.
Aga.Brother me thinkes you are to proude of honor: Wherfore I muste ſeakeſome other waie, and get me other frindes.
Nun.O Agamemnon, thou ualiant captaine, I haue broughte to theEphigeneya, thy daughter, whom thou diddeste ſende for: and withehir is come Clitẽneſtra thy wife, and Orestes, that thou mightestbe comforted withe the ſighte of them. I haue made haste to bringeyou this nwes: bicauſe I ſee all the grecians waitinge for thecõminge of your daughter as it weare for ſome strange thinge, andſome of them ſaye, that you haue ſente for hir bycauſe you aredeſirous to ſee her, other iudge that ſhe ſhulde be maried, andſome thinke the that ſhe ſhulde be ſacraficed to the goddesDyana. Tell me, O kinge, I praye the, to whom ſhall ſhe be maried?But nowe let us leaue to ſpeake of ſuche thinges, for it is nedeand time to prepare that whiche ſhalbe neceſsarie for the weddinge.Wherfore I praye you Menelaius, alſo be merie, for this day as Itruste ſhall be uerie fortunate to Iphigeneya.
Aga.Thouhaste ſaied well, wherfore goo thou in, for all thinges will chancehappely to the. But what ſhall I ſaye whiche am thus in troble, andyet may not bewaile my owne miſerye. for this occaſion they whicheare of meane estate ſeme unto me uerie happie. for they maycomplaine of their miſerie, and bewaile withe teares the deathe oftheir children but to noble men no ſuche thinge is graunted, for Idare not lament my unfortunate chaunce, and yet it greuethe me that Imay not ſhewe my miſerie. Wherfore I knowe not what I ſhulde ſaieunto my wife, nor withe what face I ſhulde loke uppon her. Alas ſhehathe undone me bicauſe of her cõminge, althoughe in dede ſhethinkethe ſhe hath a good occaſion, for ſhe beleuethe that hirdaughter ſhalbe maried, in whiche thinge ſhe ſhall finde me aliar. Againe I haue pitie of the litell gerle, for I knowe ſhe willſpeake thus unto me, O father will you kill me? if you forſake me,of whom ſhall I aſke remedie, Alas what anſwer ſhall I make tothis, ſuerly nature oughte to moue me to pitie, and if that woldenot, yet ſhame ſhulde let me. Alas, Alas: What a greate reproche isit, the father to be an occaſion of thehis owne childes deathe. Howe therfore am I trobled? On this partepitie and ſhame, on the other ſide honor and glorie dothe mochemoue me.
Cho.We alſo lamente your chaunce, ſo moche as it becõmethe women tolamente the miſerie of princes.
Me.I praye you brother let me ſee your hande.
Aga.I giue you libertie: for I will put all the uictorie in your hande.
Me.I will not flatter you brother, but I will ſhewe you faithefully myopinion. Suerly when I ſawe you in ſuche miſerie I was moued withebrotherly pitie, and lamented moche your chaunce. Wherfore nowe Icownſell you, not to ſleye your daughter, neyther to do your ſelfeany domage for my cauſe. for it is not mete, that thorowghe myoccaſion you ſhulde hinder either your ſelfe, or any of yourchildren. For I waienge the matter, conſider what a greuous thingeit is to kille your owne childe. And beſides this I pitie moche hir,bycauſe I do conſider ſhe is my kinſwomã and hathe not deſeruedto dye for Helen’s cauſe. Wherfore I will councell you not toſacrafice your daughter, but rather to ſende home againe the whoolehooste, And as for my parte, I will agre unto you. For I conſideringehowe a father oughte to loue his childe, haue chaunged clene myopinion: for I knowe a good man ought to folowe that whiche is good.
Cho.OMenelayus, you haue ſpoken lyke a noble man.
Aga.Ipraiſe you Menelaus bicauſe you haue chaunged your minde ſogentlelye.
Me.Suerlyeambition and deſire of welthe hathe cauſed moche strife betwenebretherne, howbeit I do abhorre ſoche cruell brotherhoode.
Aga.Althougheyou are agreed, yet I am compelled to ſlee my daughter.
Me.Whie, no bodie will compell you.
Aga.Yestrulye the whole hooste will requier hir of me.
Mene.Ifyou will ſende her home againe, you neade not deliuer her to thegrecians.
Aga.IfI ſhulde deceiue them heare, then they wolde poniſshe me, whan Icome home.
Mene.Yououghte not trulie to feare ſo moche the hooste: for they knowe notof this matter.
Aga.ButI doute leste Calchas ſhewe them of it.
Mene.Youmay remedie that in poniſshinge him.
Aga.Brotherdo you not feare Vliſses?
Mene.Yestrulye, for it dothe lie in his power to hurte either you or me.
Aga.I doughte that for he studiethe uerye moche to get the good will andfauor of the people.
Mene.Heis deſirouſe in dede of ambition and honor.
Aga.If he ſhulde gather the people together, and declare unto them whatCalchas hathe ſaied of my daughter, ſuerlie he might quickelyeperſwade them to ſleye you and me, that thay might get her theeaſelier, But if it ſhulde chaunce that I ſhulde flie, then trulythey wolde not onlie ſeke to destroie me, but alſo my children.Nowe therfore ſeinge that I am in ſoche troble that I knowe notwhat to do, I ſhall deſier you, O Menelaius, not to ſhewe thisnwes unto my wife, before that Iphigeneya be all redie ſacrafiſed,that I may be leſse moued withe hir piteous complainte. And I prayeyou alſo, O ye women, not to open this matter.
Cho.Truly we may ſee nowe, that they are mooste happie, whiche beingeneither in to hye estate, nor yet oppreſsed withe to moche pouertie,may quietly enioye the companie of their frindes. But beholde hearecõmethe Clytemnestra the quene and Iphigeneya her daughter, beingeadorned withe all nobles, Let us therfore mete hir withe mochemirthe, leste ſhe ſhulde be abaſshed at hir cõminge into astrange countrye.
Cly.Thistrulye is a token of good lucke that ſo manye noble women meate us.Let us therfore cõme downe from our charet, that they may bringe usto Agamemnons lodginge.
Iphi.Ipraye you mother be not offended withe me, thoughe I do embrace myfather.
Cly.Okinge Agamemnon I am come hether to fulfill your cõmaundement inthat you ſente for me.
Iphi.And I alſo, O father, am come beinge not a litle ioyous that I mayeſee you.
Aga.Neitheram I ſorie of your companye daughter, for of all my childrẽ I loueyou beste.
Iphi.Whatis the cauſe father, that you ſeame to be ſo ſadde, ſeinge youſaye, you are ſo ioyfull at our comminge.
Aga.You knknowedaughter, that he whiche rulethe an hooste ſhall haue diuersoccations to be trobled.
Iphi.Althoughe in dede a captaine ouer an hooste ſhall be diſquietedwithe ſondrie cauſes, yet I praye you ſet aſide all ſochetrobles, and be merie withe us whiche are therfore come unto you.
Aga.I will folowe your councell daughter, for I will reioyſe as longe asI may haue your companie.
Iphi.But what meanethe this father that you do lament ſo?
Aga.Ihaue good cauſe to morne: for after this daye I ſhall not ſee youageine of a greate while.
Iphi.Ido not understande, O father, what you mene by this.
Aga.Trulyedaughter the more wittely you ſpeake, the more you troble me.
Iphi.Ifit be ſo father, then will I studie to ſeme more foliſshe that youmay be delited.
Aga.SuerlyI am constrained to praiſe gretlye your witte. for I do delite mochein it.
Iphi.Ipraye you than father ſet awaye all other buſines, and tarieamongste us your children.
Aga.Indede I am deſirous ſo to do, althoughe I can not as yet hauelibertie.
Iphi.What is the matter father that you tarie heare ſo longe in thishauen.
Aga.Trulyewe are deſirous to goo hens, but we can haue no paſsage.
Iphi.WhereI praye you dwell thos people whiche are called the troians?
Aga.They are under the kyngdome of Priamus.
Iphi.Iwolde to god I might goo withe you into thos parties.
Aga.Iwill graunte you your requeste daughter, for I am determined to takeyou with me.
Iphi.Shall I goo alone, or els with my mother?
Aga.Notrulie you ſhall neither haue the companie of me, nor yet of yourmother.
Iphi.Whie? will you ſet me in a strange houſe?
Aga.Leaue to enquier of ſuche thinges, for it is not lawfull that womenſhulde knowe them.
Iphi.Make haste O father to goo unto Troye, that you may come quickelyageine from thens.
Aga.So I do daughter, but I muste ſacrafice firste.
Iphi.ShallI be at the ſacrafice father?
Aga.Yedaughter, for you muste be one of the chefeſte.
Iphi.Why?ſhall I dawnce aboute it?
AgaTrulyI counte my ſelfe more happie bicauſe you do not understande me,goo your waye therfore and make you redie withe the other uirgins.But let me fiste take my leaue of you, for this daye ſhall ſeperateyou and me farre aſonder; althoughe this your mariage ſhalbe uerienoble, yet truly it dothe greue me to beſtowe you ſo farre of, whomwithe ſuche care I haue brought up.
Cli.Althougheyou are ſomewhat trobled yet I am not of ſo ſlender a wit, butthat I can eaſely be perſwaded, ſeinge that bothe the cuſtome andalſo time dothe require. but tell me I praye you ſhall not Achillesbe my daughters huſbande?
Aga.Yestrulie.
Cli.Heis a mete mariage in dede, but I am deſirous to knowe wher hedwellethe.
Aga.Hisdwellinge is aboute the flode Aphidna.
Cli.Whan I praye you ſhall the weddinge be?
Aga. Trulie uerie ſhortelie, for we make haste to goo hence.
Cli.Ifit be ſo, then you haue nede to ſacrefice that whiche muste be donebefore the weddinge.
Aga.Iwill goo about it therfore, that the mariage may be done thequickelier.
Cli.WherI pray you ſhall the feste be?
Aga.Hearebicauſe of the hooste.
Cli.Sheweme I praye you the place, that I may be partaker of it.
Aga.Ipraye you wife obey me in this matter.
Cli.Whatcauſe haue you, O kinge, to ſaie ſo, for whan did I euer diſobeyyou?
Aga.Iam determined to marie my daughter here.
Cli.Shallnot I beinge hir mother be at the weddinge?
Aga.Notrulie: for ſhe ſhalbe maried amongste the grecians.
Cli.Whearethen ſhall I tarie?
Aga.Itis beste for you to goo againe to grece.
Cli.IfI leaue my daughter behinde me, who ſhall than be in my steade?
Aga.TrulieI will do your office: for it doth not become you to be amongst ſuchea companye of men.
Cli.Althoughe that it be not mete in dede: yet the mother ought to be atthe mariage of the daughter.
Aga.But I thinke you haue more nede to be amongste your other daughtersat grece: make you redie therfore to go home.
Cli.I will not goo home yet, for you oughte to do ſacrafice onlie: but Imuste ſee all thinges made redie for the mariage.
Aga.I haue labored in uayne: for althoughe I haue uſed deceite andcrafte, yea unto my deareſt frindes: yet I can not fulfill mypurpoſe.
Achyll.Wher is Agamemnon, the captaine of the grecians, or who of hisſeruantes will call him unto me. for I beinge moued withe thepitious complaintes of the people, am compelled to enquire of theircaptaines the cauſe, whi they beinge conſtrayned to forſake bothetheir wiues, their children, and alſo their countrie, nowe lie heareidlely without any ualiant dedes doinge?
Cly.Asſone as I harde your uoice, O Achilles, I came out hastely to meateyou.
Achyll.Whatwoman is this that ſemeth ſo bewtifull?
Cly.Ido not meruell thoughe you knowe not me, whom you neuer ſawe: yetneuertheles, I muste nedes praiſe your ſhamefastenes.
Achill.Whoare you I pray you, that you beinge a woman dare come amongste ſuchea companie of men?
Cly.Myname is Clitemnestra, and I am the daughter of Leda and the wife ofAgamemnon.
Achill.Youhaue declared uerie well in few wordes what you are, and althougheyou be a noble woman, yet is it not lawfull for me to tarie heare.
Cli.Whethergoo you I praye you let us ſhake handes to gether: for I truste thismariage ſhalbe uerie fortunate unto you.
Achil.Itis not lawfull that I ſhulde be ſo familiar withe Agamemnons wife.
Clit.Yestrulie you may well inoughe, ſeinge you ſhall marie my daughter.
Achill.Ido not knowe what mariage you meane, excepte you haue harde ſomenwes, whiche bicauſe you knowe to be untrue, you reporte as a falſetale.
Clit.Ido not meruell, allthoughe you will not be acknowen of this mariage:for it is the faſsion of all younge men to kepe it ſecrete for atime.
Achil.Notrulie I will not diſsemble withe you for in dede I neuer deſiredthe mariage of your daughter.
Clit.Yfit be ſo in dede, then I maruell as moche of your ſaienges as youdid of mine.
Achill.Tellme I praye you wherfore you haue ſpoken thes thinges: for it mayhappen that bothe of us are deceiued.
Clitt.Thinkeyou that it is not a grete ſhame unto me, that I haue tolde ſuche alye, but I will nowe goo, and knowe the truthe of all this matter.
Achill.Tell me I praie you, or you goo hence, wher your huſbande is? for Iam uerie deſirous to ſpeake withe him.
Sen.Tarie I praie you, O Achilles, for I muste ſpeake bothe withe you,and alſo withe Clitemnestra.
Clit.Who dothe call me ſo hastelye?
Sen.It is euen I the ſeruant of Agamẽnon.
Clit.If you haue any thinge to ſaie to us come neare, and tell itquickelie witheout any circumſtance, for you neade not to doughteus, for I knowe you haue euer ſerued diligentlye bothe me and alſodiuers of myne awnciters.
Sen.Bicauſe I haue bene euer faithefull unto you, therfore nowe I musteopen unto you a uerye ſecrete thinge, trulie Agamnon hathedetermined to ſleye Iphigeneya his daughter in ſacrafice.
Clit.SuerlieI thinke either you be madde to tell ſuche an unlikelie tale, or elsif it be ſo in dede, Agamemnon to be halfe out of his witte to agreeto ſuche a cruell murther.
Sen.Notrulie he is not madde thoughe in dede he hathe plaied the madde mansparte.
Clit.WherforeI praye you hathe he pretended to do ſo cruell a dede.
Sen.Trulye he is compelled to do ſo: for Calchas the propheciar hathanſwered that the grecians can not ſayle to troie without thedeathe of your daughter.
Cli.Ifthis be true, wherfore than did he faine, that ſhe ſhulde bemaried.
Sen.Thatwas bicauſe you ſhulde be the better willinge to let hir come.
Cli.Howe I praye you, do you knowe this.
Sen.Agamemnon him ſelfe ſhewed me of this thinge: for once he didrepente him ſelfe ſo moche of the conſentinge to his daughtersdeathe, that he was determined to ſende you a nother letter by me,whiche was contrarie to the firſte.
Cli.Whie did you not deliuer them to me?
Sen.As I was bringinge them, I happened to mete withe Menelaus, who witheuiolence toke them from me.
Cly.Heare you this O Achilles?
Achill.Yea truly I heare it well, and I pitie you moche: for I do euenabhorre this cruell dede of your huſbande.
Clit.Nowe therfore ſeinge this thinge is chaunſed ſo unfortunately untome, I ſhall moste ernestelie deſier you O Achilles, to helpe menowe in this miſerie: for the reproche ſhalbe yours, ſeinge mydaughter beinge ſente for under the color of your name, ſhall nowebe ſlaine. Beſides this yf you do not helpe us, we can bi no meanesauoide this miſchefe: for I alone beinge a woman can not perſwadeAgamemnon: And if you forſake us, none ſhall dare to take ourparte.
Cho.Trulyit is a uerie trobleſome thinge to haue childrẽ: for we are euenby nature compelled to be ſorie for their miſhappes.
Achill.Myminde is trobled more and more, for I am wonderfullie moued witheyour pitious complainte: Wherfore ſeinge you haue required helpe atmy hande I will promiſe you to deliuer bothe you, and your daughterfrom this miſerie, if by any meanes I maye withestande the cruellpretence of Agamemnon and his brother. for this matter pertainetheunto me alſo, bicauſe that if ſhe beinge ſent for in my nameſhulde be ſlaine, then truly it wolde turne to no ſmall diſhonorto me. Wherfore I am compelled to helpe your daughter ſo moche asſhall lie in my power: not onlye for that I am moued withe pitie,but alſo bicauſe it ſhoulde ſounde to no litell reproche to me,if that throughe my occation your daughter ſhulde be ſlaine.
Cli.Suerlie you have ſpoken uerie well and like a noble man. How besttherfore I praye you ſhall I giue you thankes worthie your deſertes:for if I ſhulde prayſe you to moche, I feare leste I ſhulde moueyou to hatred, rather then to pitie, for then you wolde iudge me tobe a flatterer, whiche of all noble men is to be abhorred, Againe ifI ſhulde giue you fewer thankes, thã you deſerue, then I may wellbe counted unthankefull: ſo that now I doughte what to do: butſeinge you ſo gentlely haue promiſed me your helpe, I will ſubmitbothe me, and my daughter under your rule: Wherfore if it pleaſe youI will ſende for her hether, that ſhe hir ſelfe may require helpeat your hande.
Achill.No trulie I thinke it not mete, that ſhe ſhulde come abrode, forſuerly men wolde iudge euell of hir, if ſhe ſhulde come mocheamongste companie. It is beste therfore that you kepe hir at home,and as for my parte trulie I will do as moche for hir as ſhall liein my power. But I thinke it beste, that you ſhulde proue firste ifyou can perſwade her father not to deliuer her.
Clit.Suerlye I ſhall not preuaile withe him: for he is ſo fearfull, thathe dareth do nothinge witheout the conſent of the whoole hooste.
Achil.Althoughe you thinke you ſhall not perſwade him, yet it is metethat firste you ſhoulde ſhewe him, what a greuous thinge it is tobe called a deſtroyar of his owne children, and if he be nothingemoued withe that, then you may lawfully ſeke helpe at other folkeshandes.
Clit.You haue ſpoken uerie well. Wherfore I will folowe your counſell.but tell me I praye you wher ſhall I finde you, that I may ſhew youwhat anſwer he dothe make me?
Achil.I will tarie heare till you come againe, for ſuerly if I ſhulde goowith you, you ſhoulde be ſclandered by me.
Clit.In all this matter I will be ruled by you, wherfore if I obtaine myſwte the thankes ſhall be yours and not mine, But nowe heare cõmethAgamemnon, ſhew me I praye you therfore what I ſhulde anſwer himif he aſke for my daughter, ſeinge that ſhe maketh ſoche mone.
Aga.I am gladde that I haue met withe you O Clitemnestra: for I hauediuers thinges to talke withe you of.
Clit.If you haue any thinge to ſaie to me, tell me I pray you, for I amredie to heare.
Aga.Firste call out my daughter that ſhe maye goo withe me to the templeof the goddes Diana, for I haue prepared all thinge redie for theſacrafice.
Clit.You haue ſpoken well, thoughe in dede your doinges do not agre witheyour wordes, but goo your waies daughter withe your father, and takewithe you your brother Orestes.
Aga.Whydo you wepe and lament ſo daughter?
Iphi.Alas?how ſhoulde I ſuffer this troble, ſeinge that all mortall men aruexed bothe in the beginninge, the middeste, and the endinge of theirmiſerie.
Aga.Whatis the cauſe, that all you are ſo ſorowfull?
Clit.Iwill ſhewe you, if you will promiſe me to tell me one thinge,whiche I will require.
Aga.Yestrulie I will graunte you your requeſte, for I did thinke to haueaſked it of you.
Clit.Iheare ſaie that you goo aboute to ſleye your owne childe.
Aga.What, you haue ſpoken thos thinges, whiche you oughte neither toſaye, nor yet to thinke.
Clit.Anſwer me I praye you to this question, as you promiſed.
Aga.It is not lawfull for me to anſwer you to thos thinges, whiche youought not to knowe.
Clit.Ihaue not enquired of any thinge that dothe not becõme me: but takeyou hede rather, leste you make ſuche an anſwer as you ought not.
Aga.Who hathe done you any iniurye, or who hathe giuen you cauſe to ſaieſo?
Clit.Aſkeyou this queſtion of me? as thoughe your crafte coulde not beperceiued.
Aga.Alas,I am trobled more and more, for all my ſecrete councell is noweopenlie declared.
Clit.Indede I haue harde of all that, whiche you haue prepared for yourdaughter: yea and you your ſelfe haue partelie confeſsed it inholdinge your peace.
Aga.I am conſtrained to holde my peace, bicauſe I haue tolde you ſomanifeſt a lye that I can not denie it.
Clit.Herken nowe I praye you therfore: for I muste nedes tell you of yourfaute. Do you not remember, that you maried me withe out the goodwill of all my frindes, takinge me awaye withe stronge hande, afterthat you had ſlaine my other huſbande Tantalus, whiche cruell dedesmy brother Castor and Pollux wolde haue reuenged, excepte Tindarus myfather had deliuered you out of that parell: ſo that by his meanes,you did obtaine me to be your wife, who after I was maried neuerſhewed my ſelfe diſobedient unto you in any thinge. And then Ihappened to haue thre ſones at one birthe, and afterwarde onedaughter, and will you nowe ſleye hir, knowinge no iuste cauſewhie? For if any man ſhoulde aſke of you the cauſe of the deatheof your daughter, you wolde anſwer for Helens ſake, whiche can beno lawfull cauſe, for it is not mete, that we ſholde ſleye ourowne childe for a naughtie womans ſake: neither deſtroie thos thatby nature we oughte to loue, for their cauſe only whiche are hatedof all men. Beſides this, if you kille my daughter, what lamentacionmuste I nedes make, Whan I ſhall goo home, and wante the companie ofher? conſideringe that ſhe was ſlaine bi the handes of her ownefather: Wherfore if you will not be moued withe pitie, take hedeleste you compelle me to ſpeke thos thinges, that do not become agood wife: yea and you your ſelfe do thos thinges that a good manought not. But tell me nowe I praie you, what good do you obtaine bythe deathe of your daughter? do you loke for a fortunate returne?trulye you can not by this meanes get that, for that iournye can notende happely whiche is begõne withe miſchefe. Beſides this ſuerlieyou ſhall ſtirre up the goddes to anger againste you. for they doeven hate them, that are manquellers. Agayne you can not enioye thecompanie of our other children whan you come home, for they will euenfeare and abhorre you, ſeinge that willinglie you do destroie yourdaughter, and you ſhall not only fall into this miſchefe, but alſoyou ſhall purchaſe your ſelfe the name of a cruell tyrante. Foryou weare choſen the captaine ouer the grecians to execute iusticeto all men, and not to do bothe me and alſo your children ſuche aniniurie: For it is not mete that your children ſhuld be poniſshedfor that whiche pertaineth not to you, neyther ought I to looſe mydaughter for Helenas cauſe who hathe neuer ſhewed her ſelfefaithefull to hir huſbande.
Cho.Itis mete, O Agamemnon, that you ſhulde folowe your wiues councell.for it is not lawfull that a father ſhulde destroy his childe.
Iphi.NoweO father I knelinge uppon my knees and makinge moste humble ſute, domooste ernestely deſier you to haue pitie uppon me your daughter,and not to ſleye me ſo cruelly. for you knowe it is geuen to allmortall men to be deſirous of life. Ageine remember that I am yourdaughter, and howe you ſemed euer to loue me beste of all yourchildren, in ſo moche that you weare wonte euer to deſier, that youmight ſee me maried to one worthie of my degree, and I did euerwiſshe agayne, that I might liue to ſee you an olde man, that youmight haue moche ioye bothe of me, and alſo of your other children.And will you nowe conſent to my dethe? forgettinge bothe that whicheyou weare wonte to ſaye, and alſo what paine you and my mother tokein bringinge me up, knowing no cauſe in me worthie of deathe? forwhat haue I to do withe Helena. But nowe father ſeinge you arenothinge moued withe my lamentation, I will call hether my yongebrother Orestes, for I knowe he will be ſorye to ſee his ſister beſlayne, and againe you can not chooſe, but you muste nedes hauepitie either of him, or els of me, conſideringe what a lawfullrequeste we do deſier, for you knowe that all men are deſirous oflyfe, and ther is no wiſe man, but he will chooſe rather to liue inmiſerie than to die.
Aga.Iknowe in what thinges I ought to ſhewe pitie, and wherin I oughtnot, and I loue my children as it becõmethe a father, for I do notthis of my ſelfe, nor yet for my brothers ſake, but rather bycompulſion of the hooste: for the goddes haue anſwered that theycan not paſse the ſee without your dethe, and they are ſo deſirousto go thither, that they care not what troble and miſerie theyſuffer: ſo that they may ſee it. Wherfore it lieth not in my powerto withstande them: for I am not able to make any reſistanceagainste them. I am therfore compelled daughter to deliver you tothem.
Cli.Alas,daughter into what miſerie are bothe you and I driuen, ſeinge thatyour owne father will concente to your deathe.
Iphi.Alasmother this is the laste daie, that ever I ſhall ſee you. O VnhappiTroye whiche haste noriſshed and brought up that wicked man Paris: OVnfortunate Venus whiche diddeſt promiſe to giue Hellena to him,for you haue bene the cauſe of my destruction, thoughe in dede Ithroughe my deathe ſhall purchaſe the grecians a glorious uictorie.Alas mother in what an unluckye time was I borne, that myne ownefather whiche hathe concented unto my deathe, dothe nowe forſake mein this miſerie. I wolde to god that the grecians had neuer taken inhande this iornie. But me thinkes mother, I ſee a grete companie ofmen cõminge hether, what are they I praye you?
Clit.Trulyeyonder is Achilles.
Iphi.Letme then I praie you go hens that I may hide my face: for I amaſhamed.
Clit.Whatcauſe haue you ſo to do?
Iphi.Truliebicauſe it was ſaied that I ſhulde haue bene his wife.
Clit.Daughter,you muste laie awaie all ſhamefastenes nowe, for you may uſe nonicenes: but rather proue by what meanes you maye beste ſaue yourlife.
Cho.AlasClitemnestra howe unhappi arte thou for truly ther is grete talkingeof the in the whoole citie.
Clit.WherofI pray you?
Cho.Ofyour daughter how ſhe ſhalbe ſlaine.
Clit.Youhave brought me uerie euell nwes, but tell me I praye you doth nobodie ſpeake againste it?
Achil.YesI my ſelfe haue bene in dawnger of my life, bicauſe I toke yourdaughters parte.
Clit.WhoI pray you dare hurte you?
Achil.Trulythe whoole hooste.
Clit.Donot your owne contrie men of Mirmido helpe you?
Achil.Notruly, for euen they alſo did ſpeke againſte me ſaienge, that Iwas in loue withe her, and therfore I did preferre myne ownepleaſure, aboue the cõmodite of my countrie.
Clit.What anſwer then made you unto them?
Achil.I ſaied that I ought not to ſuffer her to be ſlaine whiche wasreported by hir owne father that ſhe ſhoulde haue bene my wife.
Clit.You ſaied well in dede: for Agamemnon ſente for her from grece,faininge that is was for that purpoſe.
Achil.But thoughe I coulde not preuaile againste ſuche a multitude ofpeople, yet I will do as moche as ſhall lie in my power for you.
Clit.Alas then you alone ſhalbe compelled to ſtriue againste many.
Achil.Do you not ſee a greate companye of harneste men?
Clit.I praye god they be your frindes.
Achil.Yes trulye that they be.
Clit.Than I hope my daughter ſhall not die.
Achil.No that ſhe ſhall not, if I can helpe hir.
Clit.But will ther come any bodie hether to ſleye hir?
Achil.Yea truly Vliſses will be heare anone withe a greate companie of mento take her awaie.
Clit.Ishe cõmanded to do ſo, or dothe he it but of his owne heade?
Achil.Notruly he is not cõmanded.
Cli.Alasthen he hathe taken uppon him a wicked dede, ſeinge he will defilehim ſelfe withe the daunger and deathe of my daughter.
Achil.Trulybut I will not ſuffer him.
Clit.Butif he goo aboute to take my daughter awaye withe stronge power whatſhall I do then?
Achil.Youware beste to kepe her by you, for the matter ſhalbe driuen to thatpointe.
Iphi.HerkenO mother I praye you unto my wordes. for I perceiue you are angriewithe your huſband, whiche you may not do. for you can not obtaineyour purpoſe by that meanes: And you ought rather to haue thankedAchilles, bicauſe he ſo gentelly hathe promiſed you his helpe,whiche maye happen to bringe him into a greate miſchefe. I woldecounſell you therfore to ſuffer this troble paciently, for I mustenedes die, and will ſuffer it willingelye. Conſider I praie youmother, for what a lawfull cauſe I ſhalbe ſlaine. Dothe not bothethe deſtruction of Troie, and alſo the welthe of grece, whiche isthe mooste frutefull countrie of the worlde hange upon my deathe? Andif this wicked enterpriſe of the Troians be not reuenged, than trulythe grecians ſhall not kepe neither their children, nor yet theirwiues in peace: And I ſhall not onlie remedie all thes thinges withemy deathe: but alſo get a glorious renowne to the grecians for euer.Againe remember how I was not borne for your ſake onlie, but ratherfor the cõmodite of my countrie, thinke you therfore that it ismete, that ſuche a companie of men beinge gathered together toreuenge the greate iniurie, whiche all grece hathe ſuffered ſhouldebe let of their iournye for my cauſe. Suerlie mother we can notſpeke againste this, for do you not thinke it to be better that Iſhulde die, then ſo many noble men to be let of their iournye forone womans ſake? for one noble man is better than a thouſandewomen. Beſides this ſeinge my deathe is determined amongste thegoddes, trulie no mortall man oughte to witſtande it. Wherfore Iwill offer my ſelfe willingly to deathe, for my countrie: for bythis meanes I ſhall not only leaue a perpetuall memorie of mydeathe, but I ſhall cauſe alſo the grecians to rule ouer thebarbarians, whiche dothe as it weare properly belonge to them. forthe grecians bi nature are free, like as the barbarias are borne tobondage.
Cho.Suerlieyou are happie O Iphigeneya, that you can ſuffer ſo pacientlye allthis troble.
Achil.TrulieI wolde counte my ſelfe happi if I mighte obteine the O Iphigeneyato be my wife, and I thinke the O grece to be uerie fortunate bicauſethou haste noriſshed ſoche a one; for you haue ſpoken uerie well,in that you will not ſtriue againste the determinacion of thegoddess. Wherfore I beinge not onlie moued withe pitie, for that Iſee you brought into ſuche a neceſsite, but alſo stirred up morewithe loue towardes you, deſiringe to have you to my wife, willpromiſe you faithefullye to withstande the grecians, as moche asſhall lye in my power, that they ſhall not ſleye you.
Iphi.SuerlieI have ſpoken euen as I thoughte in dede: Wherfore I ſhall deſieyou O Achilles, not to put your ſelfe in daunger for my cauſe: butſuffer me rather to ſaue all grece withe my deathe.
Achil.TrulieI wonder gretelie at the bouldenes of your minde. And bicauſe youſeme to be ſo willinge to die, I can not ſpeake againste you: yetneuertheles I will promiſe to helpe you still, leste you ſhuldehappen to chaunge your minde.
Iphi.Wherfore,mother, do you holde your peace lamentinge ſo with in your ſelfe.
Clit.Alas, I wretched creature haue greate cauſe to mourne.
Iphi.Be of good comforte mother I praie you, and folowe my councell, anddo not teare your clothes ſo.
Cli.Howe can I do otherwiſe, ſeinge I ſhall looſe you.
Iphi.I praie you mother, studie not to ſaue my life, for I ſhall get youmoche honor by my deathe.
Clyt.What ſhall not I lament your deathe?
Iphi.No truly you oughte not, ſeinge that I ſhall bothe be ſacraficedto the goddes Dyana and alſo ſaue grece.
Cly.Well I will folowe your cownſell daughter, ſeinge you haue ſpokenſo well: but tell me, what ſhall I ſaye to your ſiſters fromyou?
Iphi.Deſier them I praie you, not to mourne for my deathe.
Clit.And what ſhall I ſaye unto the other uirgins from you.
Iphi.Bid them all farewell in my name, and I praye you for my ſake bringeup my litell brother Orestes, till he come to mans age.
Clit.Take your leaue of him, for this is the laste daie, that euer youſhall ſee him.
Iphi.Farewell my welbeloued brother, for I am euen as it weare compelledto loue you, bicauſe you ware ſo glad to helpe me.
Clit.Isther any other thinge, that I may do for you at grece?
Iphi.Notruly, but I praie you not to hate my father for this dede: for he iscompelled to do it for the welthe and honor of grece.
Clit.If he hath done this willinglye then trulye he hathe cõmitted a dedefarre unworthie of ſuche a noble man as he is.
Iphi.Whois this, that will carie me hence ſo ſone?
Clit.Iwill goo withe you O daughter.
Iphi.Takehede I praye you leste you happen to do that whiche ſhall not becomeyou: Wherfore O Mother I praye you folowe my councell and tarie heareſtill, for I muste nedes goo to be ſacrafiſed unto the goddesDiana.
Clit.Andwill you go awaye, O daughter, leuinge me your mother heare?
Iphi.Yeaeſuerlye mother, I muste goo from you unto ſuche a place, fromwhence I ſhall neuer come ageine, althoughe I haue not deſerued it.
Clit.Ipray you daughter tarie, and do not forſake me nowe.
Iphi.SuerlyeI will goo hence Mother, for if I did tarie, I ſhulde moue you tomore lamentation. Wherfore I ſhall deſier all you women to ſingeſome ſonge of my deathe, and to prophecie good lucke unto thegrecians: for withe my deathe I ſhall purchaſe unto them a gloriousuictorie; bringe me therfore unto the aultor of the temple of thegoddes Diana, that withe my blode I maye pacifie the wrathe of thegoddes againste you.
Cho.OQuene Clitemnestra of moste honor, after what faſsion ſhall welament, ſeinge we may not ſhewe any token of ſadnes at theſacrafice.
Iphi.Iwolde not haue you to mourne for my cauſe, for I will not refuſe todie.
Cho.Indede by this meanes you ſhall get your ſelfe a perpetuall renownefor euer.
Iphi.Alas thou ſone, whiche arte comforte to mans life, O thou lightwhiche doeste make ioyfull all creatures, I ſhalbe compelled by andby to forſake you all and to chaunge my life.
Cho.Beholde yonder goethe the uirgine to be ſacraficed withe a gretecompanye of ſouldiers after hir, whos bewtifull face and faire bodianone ſhalbe defiled withe hir owne blode. Yet happie arte thou, OIphigeneya, that withe thy deathe. thou ſhalte purchaſe unto thegrecians a quiet paſsage, whiche I pray god may not only happenfortunatelie unto them, but alſo that they may returne againeproſperouſely withe a glorious uictorie.
Nun.Come hether, O Clitemneſtra for I muste ſpeke withe you.
Clit.Tell me I praie you what woulde you withe me, that you call ſohastely, is ther any more miſchefe in hande that I muste heare of?
Nun.I muste tell you of a wonder, whiche hathe happened at theſacrafiſinge of your daughter.
Clit.Shew me I pray you quickely what it is?
Nun.As we wente unto the place wher the ſacrafice ſhulde be, and paſsedthorowe the pleſant fildes, wher the whole hooste waited for yourdaughter: Agamemnon ſeinge hir brought unto her deathe, began tolament and wepe. But ſhe perceyuinge what mone hir father made ſaiedunto him thes wordes, O father, I am come hether to offer my bodiewillinglie for the wellthe of my countrie: Wherfore ſeinge that Iſhall be ſacraficed for the cõmodite of all grece, I do deſieryou, that none of the grecians may ſlaie me preuilie: for I willmake no reſistance ageinste you. And whan ſhe had ſpoken theswordes, all they whiche weare preſent, weare wonderfullye aſtoniedat the stoutenes of her minde: So after this, Achilles withe thereste of the whole hooste began to deſier the goddes Diana, that ſhewolde accepte the ſacrafice of the uirgins blode, and that ſhewolde graunte them a proſperous ſucces of their iorney. And whanthey had made an ende: the preſte takinge the ſworde in his hande,began to loke for a place conuenient, wher he might ſle yourdaughter; ſodenly there chaunced a grete wonder, for althoughe allthe people harde the uoice of the stroke, yet ſhe uaniſshedſodenlye awaye, And whan all they mervelinge at it, began to giue agreate ſkritche; then ther appeared unto them a white harte liengebefore the aultor, ſtrudgelinge for life. And Calchas beinge thenpreſent, and ſeinge what had happened, did wonderfully reioyſe,and tolde the capitaines, that this harte was ſente of the goddes,bicauſe ſhe wolde not haue hir aulter defiled withe the blode ofyour daughter. Moreouer he ſaied that this was a token of goodlucke, and that their iournie ſhoulde chaunce proſperouſely untothem. Wherfore he willed that they ſhulde tarye no lenger here. Andwhan this was ſo finiſshed, Agamemnon willed me to ſhewe all thesthinges unto you, bicauſe that I my ſelfe was preſent ther:Wherfore I ſhall deſier you, to thinke no unkindnes in the kingeyour huſbande: for ſuerlie the ſecrete power of the goddes willſaue them whom they loue: for this daie your daughter hathe benebothe aliue and deade.
Cho.SuerlyO Clitemnestra you oughte to reioiſe of this nwes, that yourdaughter is taken up into heauen.
Clit.ButI am in doughte whether I ſhulde beleue that thou, O daughter, arteamongste the goddes, or els, that they haue fained it to comforte me.
Cho.Beholdeyonder cõmeth Agamemnon, who can tell the truthe of all this matter.
Aga.Trulye wife, we are happie for our daughters ſake, for ſuerlie ſheis placed in heuen: But nowe I thinke it beste that you goo home,ſeinge that we ſhall take our iournye ſo ſhortely unto Troy:Wherfore nowe fare you well. And of this matter I will cõmune moreat my returne, and in the meane ſeaſon I praie god ſende you wellto do, and your hartes deſier.
Cho.O happie Agamemnon, the goddes graunte the a fortunate iournie untoTroye, and a mooste proſperous returne againe.
Finis.