of Jove, will sit+ in sad lamentation, having left her husband.  Never upon me or upon my children’s children may this expectation come, such as the wealthy Lydian and Phrygian wives possess while at their spinning, conversing thus with each other.  Who,[64] dragging out my fair-haired tresses, will choose me as his spoil despite my tears, while my country is perishing?  Through thee [forsooth,] the offspring of the long-necked swan, if indeed the report is true, that Leda + met with[65] a winged bird, when the body of Jove was transformed, and then in the tablets of the muses fables spread these reports among men, inopportunely, and in vain.

[Enter ACHILLES.]

ACHILLES.  Where about here is the general of the Greeks?  Who of the servants will tell him that Achilles, the son of Peleus, is seeking him at the gates?  For we do not remain by the Euripus in equal condition; for some of us being unyoked in nuptials, having left our solitary homes, sit here upon the shore, but others, having wives and children:[66] so violent a passion for this expedition has fallen upon Greece, not without the will of the Gods.  It is therefore right that I should speak of what concerns me, and whoever else wishes will himself speak for himself.  For leaving the Pharsalian land, and Peleus, I am waiting for these light gales of Euripus,[67] restraining the Myrmidons, who are continually pressing me, and saying, “Achilles, why tarry we? what manner of time must the armament against Troy yet measure out?  At any rate act, if you are going to do any thing, or lead the army home, not abiding the delays of the Atrides.”

CLY.  O son of the Goddess, daughter of Nereus, hearing from within thy words, I have come out before the house.

ACH.  O hallowed modesty, who can this woman be whom I behold here, possessing a fair-seeming form?

CLY.  It is no wonder that you know me not, whom you have never seen before, but I commend you because you respect modesty.

ACH.  But who art thou?  And wherefore hast thou come to the assembly of the Greeks, a woman to men guarded with shields?

CLY.  I am the daughter of Leda, and Clytaemnestra is my name, and my husband is king Agamemnon.

ACH.  Well hast thou in few words spoken what is seasonable.  But it is unbecoming for me to converse with women. (Is going.)

CLY.  Remain, (why dost thou fly?) at least join thy right hand with mine, as a happy commencement of betrothal.

ACH.  What sayest thou?  I [give] thee my right hand?  I should be ashamed of Agamemnon, if I touched what is not lawful for me.

CLY.  It is particularly lawful, since you are going to wed my daughter, O son of the sea Goddess, daughter of Nereus.

ACH.  What marriage dost thou say?  Surprise possesses me, lady, unless, being beside yourself, you speak this new thing.

CLY.  This is the nature of all people, to be ashamed when they behold new friends, and are put in mind of nuptials.