Dear mistress,thou shalt learn all clearly;from the outset will Itell it,unless my memory fail me somewhat and confuse my tongue in its account.As soon as we reached the grove of Artemis,the child of Zeus,and the meadows gay with flowers,where the Achaean troops were gathered,bringing thy daughter with us,forthwith the Argive host began assembling;but when king Agamemnon saw the maiden on her way to the grove to be sacrificed,he gave one groan,and,turning away his face,let the tears burst from his eyes,as he held his robe before them.But the maid,standing close by him that begot her,spake on this wise,"Omy father,here am Ito do thy bidding;freely Ioffer this body of mine for my country and all Hellas,that ye may lead me to the altar of the goddess and sacrifice me,since this is Heaven's ordinance.Good luck be yours for any help that Iafford!and may ye obtain the victor's gift and come again to the land of your fathers.So then let none of the Argives lay hands on me,for Iwill bravely yield my neck without a word."She spake;and each man marvelled,as he heard the maiden's brave,unflinching speech.But in the midst up stood Talthybius-for his this duty was-and bade the host refrain from word or deed;and Calchas,the seer,drawing a sharp sword from out its scabbard laid it in a basket of beaten gold,crowning the maiden's head the while.Then the son of Peleus,taking the basket and with it lustral water in his hand,ran round the altar of the goddess uttering these words,"OArtemis,thou child of Zeus,slayer of wild beasts,that wheelest thy dazzling light amid the gloom,accept this sacrifice,which we,the host of the Achaeans and king Agamemnon with us,offer to thee,even pure blood from a beauteous maiden's neck;and grant us safe sailing for our ships and the sack of Troy's towers by our spears."Meantime the sons of Atreus and all the host stood looking on the ground,while the priest,seizing his knife,offered up a prayer and was closely scanning the maiden's throat to see where he should strike.'Twas no slight sorrow filled my heart,as Istood by with bowed head;when lo!a sudden miracle!Each one of us distinctly heard the sound of a blow,but none saw the spot where the maiden vanished.Loudly the priest cried out,and all the host took up the cry at the sight of a marvel all unlooked for,due to some god's agency,and passing all belief,although 'twas seen;for there upon the ground lay a hind of size immense and passing fair to sec,gasping out her life,with whose blood the altar of the goddess was thoroughly bedewed.Whereon spake Calchas thus-his joy thou canst imagine-"Ye captains of this leagued Achaean host,do ye see this victim,which the goddess has set before her altar,a mountain roaming hind?This is more welcome to her by far than the maid,that she may not defile her altar by shedding noble blood.Gladly has she accepted it and is granting us a prosperous voyage for our attack on Ilium.Wherefore take heart,sailors,each man of you,and away to your ships,for to-day must we leave the hollow bays of Aulis and cross the Aegean main."Then,when the sacrifice was wholly burnt to ashes in the blazing flame,he offered such prayers as were meet,that the army might win return;but me Agamemnon sends to tell thee this,and say what Heaven-sent luck is his,and how he hath secured undying fame throughout the length of Hellas.Now Iwas there myself and speak as an eye-witness;without a doubt thy child flew away to the gods.Atruce then to thy sorrowing,and cease to be wroth with thy husband;for God's ways with man are not what we expect,and those whom he loves,he keepeth safe;yea,for this day hath seen thy daughter dead and brought to life again.
Exit MESSENGER.
CHORUS
What joy to hear these tidings from the messenger!He tells thee thy child is living still,among the gods.
CLYTAEMNESTRA
Which of the gods,my child,hath stolen thee?How am Ito address thee?How can Ibe sure that this is not an idle tale told to cheer me,to make me cease my piteous lamentation for thee?
CHORUS
Lo!king Agamemnon approaches,to confirm this story for thee.
Enter AGAMEMNON.
AGAMEMNON
Happy may we be counted,lady,as far as concerns our daughter;for she hath fellowship with gods in very sooth.But thou must take this tender babe and start for home,for the host is looking now to sail.Fare thee well!'tis long ere Ishall greet thee on my return from Troy;may it be well with thee!
CHORUS
Son of Atreus,start for Phrygia's land with joy and so return,Ipray,after taking from Troy her fairest spoils.
Exeunt OMNES.
THEEND