Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/357

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IPHIGENEIA AT AULIS.
329

His meal, his laver-drops of sacrifice, 955
Kalchas the seer shall rue! What is a seer?
A man who speaks few truths, but many lies,
When his shafts hit,—whose ill shots ruin him.
It is not for the bride's sake—brides untold
Are eager for mine hand—that this I say. 960
But King Agamemnon hath insulted me.
He ought to have asked my name's use first of me
To trap his child. Chiefly through trust in me
Did Klytemnestra yield her lord her daughter.
I had granted this to Greece, if only so 965
The voyage to Troy might be,—had not refused
To aid their cause with whom I marched to war.
But now in yon chiefs eyes I am as nought:
To honour me or shame me is all one!
Soon shall my sword know—ere it go to Troy 970
I will distain it with death-dews of blood—
If any man shall wrest from me thy daughter.
Calm thee: as some God strong to save I come,
Though I be none; yet will I prove me such.


Chorus.

Thou speakest, son of Peleus, worthily 975
Of thee, and of the sea-born Goddess dread.


Klytemnestra.

How can I praise thee, and not over-praise,
And yet not mar the grace by stint thereof?
For good men praised do in a manner hate
The praiser, if he praiseth overmuch.[1] 980

  1. ↑ Excessive praise was believed to provoke the Gods' jealousy. Hence no true friend would indulge in it.
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