Iphigenia at Aulis

Euripides: Iphigenia in Tauris
Iphigenia recalls the day of her sacrifice, blaming Helen and Menelaus

                            It was Helen's fault,
And his, that Greek hands lifted me at Aulis
And led me like a beast where, at the altar,
My father held the sacrificial knife.
I live it all again. My fingers, groping,
Go out to him like this and clutch his beard
And cling about his knees. I cry to him:
"It is you yourself, yourself, who brought me here,
You who deceived my maidens and my mother!
They sing my marriage song at home, they fill
The house with happiness, while all the time
Here I am dying at my father's hands!
You led me in your chariot to take
Achilles for my lord, but here is death
And the taste of blood, not kisses, on my lips!"

And I had left my home with my white veil
Drawn down. I had not taken in my arms
My brother - dead this day - nor kissed my sister.
I had saved all my kisses and embraces
For the man I was to marry. Even then
My heart was homesick and was faint with hope
That I should soon be back again in Argos.