wrecked me in my fleet, Nor hostile warriors smote me on the land, But that Aegisthus, bent upon my death, Plotted against me with my guilty wife, And bade me to his house and slew me there, Even at the banquet, as a hind might slay A bullock at the stall. With me they slew My comrades, as a herd of white-toothed swine Are slaughtered for some man of large estates, Who makes a wedding or a solemn feast. Thou hast seen many perish by the sword In the hard battle, one by one, and yet Thou wouldst have pitied us, hadst thou beheld The slain beside the wine-jar, and beneath The loaded tables, while the pavement swam With blood. I heard Cassandra’s piteous cry, The cry of Priam’s daughter, stricken down By treacherous Clytemnestra at my side. And there I lay, and, dying, raised my hands To grasp my sword. The shameless woman went Her way, nor stayed to close my eyes, nor press My mouth into its place, although my soul Was on its way to Hades. There is naught That lives more horrible, more lost to shame, Than is the woman who has brought her mind To compass deeds like these—the wretch who plans So foul a crime—the murder of the man Whom she a virgin wedded. I had looked For a warm welcome from my children here, And all my household in my ancient home. This woman, deep in wickedness, hath brought Disgrace upon herself and all her sex, Even those who give their thoughts to doing good.’
“He spake, and I replied: ‘O, how the God Who wields the thunder, Jupiter, must hate The house of Atreus for the women’s sake! At first we fell by myriads in the cause Of Helen; Clytemnestra now hath planned This guile against thee while thou wert afar.’
“I spake, and instantly his answer came:— ‘Therefore be not compliant to thy wife, Nor let her hear from thee whatever lies Within thy knowledge. Tell her but a part, And keep the rest concealed. Yet is thy life, Ulysses, in no danger from thy spouse; For wise and well instructed in the rules Of virtuous conduct is Penelope, The daughter of Icarius. When we went To war, we left her a young bride; a babe Was at her