Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/327
"To Artemis, to Aulis' Queen, they pay[1]
The maiden's spousal-rites! The bridegroom who?"
Up then, prepare the maunds for sacrifice; 435
Garland your heads:—thou too, prince Menelaus,
Strike up the bridal hymn, and through the tents
Let the flute ring, with sound of dancing feet;
For gladsome dawns this day upon the maid.
Agamemnon.
'Tis well—I thank thee: pass thou now within. 440
Well shall the rest speed as Fate marcheth on.
[Exit Messenger.
Woe's me! What can I say, or where begin?
Into what bonds of doom have I been cast!
Me Fortune hath outwitted: she hath proved
Too cunning far for all my stratagems! 445
Lo now, what vantage cleaves to lowly birth!
For such may lightly ease their hearts with tears,
And tell out all their grief. The same pangs touch
The high-born; but our life is tyrannized
By dignity: we are the people's thralls. 450
So is it with me, for I shame to weep,
And yet shame not to weep, wretch that I am,
Who am fallen into deepest misery!
Lo now, what shall I say unto my wife,
Or how receive her?—with what countenance meet? 455
She hath undone me, coming midst mine ills
Unbidden! Yet 'twas reason she should come
With her own child, to render to the bride
Love's service—where I shall be villain found!
- ↑ It was customary before a marriage to make offerings to Artemis on behalf of the bride. The tragic irony is obvious.