having torn
off the heads [of the citizens] cut from their necks, having completely
ravaged the city of Troy, he will make the daughters and wife of Priam shed
many tears. But Helen, the daughter 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 m