Achilles: Bring not thou thy daughter out for me to see, lady, nor
let us incur the reproach of the ignorant; for an army, when gathered
together without domestic duties to employ it, loves the evil gossip
of malicious tongues. After all, should ye supplicate me, ye will
attain a like result as if I had ne'er been supplicated; for I am
myself engaged in a mighty struggle to rid you of your troubles. One
thing be sure thou hast heard; I will not tell a lie; if I do that
or idly mock thee, may I die, but live if I preserve the maid.
Clytaemnestra: Bless thee for ever succouring the distressed!
Achilles: Hearken then to me, that the matter may succeed.
Clytaemnestra: What is thy proposal? for hear thee I must.
Achilles: Let us once more urge her father to a better frame of mind.
Clytaemnestra: He is something of a coward, and fears the army too
much.
Studies
