ĪPHIGENĪA (5)
Dīxit, et vultū
serēnō ad āram prōcessit, et vītam cum sanguine fūdit. Ubi Graecī,
misericordiae et amōris plēnī, virginem fortem vīdērunt, ex omnibus mīlitibus
nēmō ferē lacrimās retinuit, sed omnēs gemitum profundum dedērunt.
Graecī igitur,
simul ac Diānae nūmen virginis sanguine plācāvērunt, vēla candida ventō secundō
dedērunt, et ad Asiae ōram nāvigāvērunt. Ibi multōs annōs Troiam vī et armīs
frūstrā oppugnābant. Tandem, deōrum immortālium auxiliō, urbem incendērunt et
praedam ingentem domum reportāvērunt. Helenam quoque Menelāus Spartam ad rēgiam
redūxit.
Nōnne nōbilem
praeclāramque virginem Īphigenīam putātis? Īphigenīam memoriā semper tenēte,
nam prō patriā libenter ē vītā excessit. Nōnne aliī multī prō patriā ē vītā
excessērunt? Multī et Graecī et Rōmānī et Britannī vītam prō patriā libenter
dēdidērunt.
Sparta, -ae [1/f]:
Sparta, a town in Greece
[i]
amor, -ōris [3/m]:
love
auxilium, -ī
[2/n]: help
gemitus, -ūs
[4/m]: groan
[ii]
ingēns, -gentis:
huge
[iii]
dēdō, -ere [3]:
give up
fundō, -ere [3]:
pour
putō, -āre [1]:
think
[iv]
ferē: about,
almost
nēmō, -inis: no
one
____________________
She spoke, and
with a calm expression went forward to the altar and poured out her life
together with her blood. When the Greeks, full of pity and love, saw the brave
maiden, almost no one among all the soldiers could hold back his tears, but all
uttered a deep groan.
Accordingly, as
soon as they had appeased Diana's divine power with the maiden's blood, the
Greeks set their white sails before a favourable wind and sailed to the coast
of Asia. There for many years they attacked Troy by force and arms, but in
vain. At last, with the help of the immortal gods, they burned the city and
carried a huge amount of booty home. Menelaus also brought Helen back to
Sparta, to his palace.
Do you not think
Iphigenia was a noble and illustrious maiden? Always keep Iphigenia in your
memory, for she willingly gave up her life for her country. Have not many
others also given up their lives for their country? Many Greeks, Romans, and
Britons have willingly given their lives for their country.