OR. She is, ay, coming unluckily to one of mine. IPH. And where is she? For she has incurred an old debt of evil with me also. OR. She dwells in Sparta with her former consort. IPH. O hateful pest among the Greeks, not to me only! OR. I also have received some fruits of her nuptials. IPH. And did the return of the Greeks take place, as is reported? OR. How dost thou question me, embracing all matters at once! IPH. For I wish to obtain this before that thou diest. OR. Examine me, since thou hast this longing, and I will speak. IPH. Has a certain seer named Calchas returned from Troy? OR. He perished, as the story ran, at Mycenæ. IPH. O revered Goddess, how well it is! And how fares the son of Laertes? OR. He has not yet returned to his home, but he is alive, as report goes. IPH. May he perish, never obtaining a return to his country! OR. Invoke nothing--all his affairs are in a sickly state. IPH. But is the son of Thetis, the daughter of Nereus, yet alive? OR. He is not. In vain he held his wedding in Aulis. IPH. A crafty [wedding] it was, as those who have suffered say. OR. Who canst thou be? How well dost ken the affairs of Greece! IPH. I am from thence. While yet a child I was undone. OR. With reason thou desirest to know the affairs there, O lady. IPH. But how [fares] the general, who they say is prosperous. OR. Who? For he whom I know is not of the fortunate. IPH. A certain king Agamemnon was called the son of Atreus. OR. I know not--cease from these words, O lady. IPH. Nay, by the Gods, but speak, that I may be rejoiced, O stranger. OR. The wretched one is dead, and furthermore hath ruined one.[70] IPH. Is dead? By what mishap? O wretched me! OR. But why dost mourn this? Was he a relation of thine? IPH. I bemoan his former prosperity. OR. [Ay, well mayest thou,] for he has fallen, slain shamefully by a woman. IPH. O all grievous she that slew and he that fell! OR. Cease now at least, nor question further. IPH. Thus much at least, does the wife of the unhappy man live? OR. She is no more. The son she brought forth, he slew her. IPH. O house all troubled! with what intent, then?[71] OR. Taking satisfaction on her for the death of his father. IPH. Alas! how well he executed an evil act of justice.[72] OR. But, though just, he hath not good fortune from the Gods. IPH. But does Agamemnon leave any other child in his house? OR. He has left a single virgin [daughter,] Electra. IPH. What! Is there no report of his sacrificed daughter?[73] OR. None indeed, save that being dead she beholds not the light. IPH. Hapless she, and the father who slew her! OR. She perished, a thankless offering[74] because of a bad woman. IPH. But is the son of the deceased father at Argos? OR. He, wretched man, is nowhere and every where. IPH. Away, vain dreams, ye were then of naught!