HANDBOUND AT THE
THE LOEB CLASSICAL LIBRARY EDITED BY E.
T. CAPPS, PH.D., LL.D. W. H. D. ROUSE,
^*
E.
PAGE,
Lirr...
16 downloads
899 Views
15MB Size
Report
This content was uploaded by our users and we assume good faith they have the permission to share this book. If you own the copyright to this book and it is wrongfully on our website, we offer a simple DMCA procedure to remove your content from our site. Start by pressing the button below!
Report copyright / DMCA form
HANDBOUND AT THE
THE LOEB CLASSICAL LIBRARY EDITED BY E.
T. CAPPS, PH.D., LL.D. W. H. D. ROUSE,
^*
E.
PAGE,
Lirr.D.
AESCHYLUS II
'
'T
mti-.d.
'
AESCHYLUS WITH AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY
HERBERT WEIR SMYTH, ELIOT PROFESSOR OF GREEK LITERATURE IN
IN
Ph.D.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
TWO VOLUMES II
AGAMEMNON EUMENIDES FRAGMENTS
LIBATION-BEARERS
LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN NP:vv
YORK:
G. P.
PUTNAM'S SONS
MCMXXVI
2-2>.(I.S^
Printed in Great Britain.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME
II
AGAMEMNON THE LIBATiON-BEARERS
155
EUMENIDES
269
FRAGMENTS
374
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES
522
(i
ata
slip,
Aesch.
— Vol.
II.
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS TO VOL.
I
—
Additions to the List of Editions (p. xxxi ff.). All 1853-54, Buckley. 1920-25, Mazon. the plays Choephoroe 1729, Oxford. 1774, Foulis press. 1776, Vollborth. Eumenides 1901, Plaistowe (w. prose 1901, Barnett. Undated, Haydon. translation). Persians 1847, Paley. Prometheus 1887, Plaistowe and Masom (w. prose translation). 1900, Plaistowe and Mills (w. prose translation). Seven against Thehes 1897 (1900), Plaistowe 1847, Paley. (w. prose translation). :
:
:
;
:
:
Additions to the List of Translations.
—Agamemnon
:
Boyd
(prose). 1839, Fox. 1846, Sewell. 1848, Anon. 1880, Anon, (prose). 1886, Students of the University of Sydney (prose). 1888, Anon, (prose). 1890, Cooper (Oresteia). 1893, Campbell (Oresteia, prose). 1900(1911),
1823,
Sixth
Form Boys
of Bradfield College. 1919, Davis. 1920, 1920, Murray. 1920, Trevelyan (Oresteia). 1921, Robinson in " The Genius of the Greek Drama." Choephoroe, Eumenides : 1890, Cooper (Oresteia), 1893, Campbell (Oresteia, prose). 1923-25, 1920, Trevelyan (Oresteia). Murray. Persians : 1829, Palin. 1855, Wood (prose). Prometheus : 1873, Staunton. 1922, Cookson. 1822, Anon, (prose). 1823, Edwards (prose). 1835, Fox. 1839, Giles. 1846, Swayne. 1848 (1881), Mongan (prose). 1870, Lang. 1870, Perkins (prose). 1903, Bouchier. 1907, Whitelaw. 1916, Wier. 1920, Harman (prose and verse). Seven against Thebes : 1881, 1922, Cookson. Mongan (prose). Suppliants : 1839, 1922, Cookson. Giles (prose). 1922, Cookson. Full List of the Editions of the Fragments. 1619, Meursius. 1663, Stanley. 1745, Pauw, 1805 (1844), Bothe. 1816, Butler. 1821, Schutz. 1830 (1869), Dindorf. 1852 (1859), Hermann. 1855, 1842, E. A. J. Ahrens. Hartung. 1856 (1889), Nauck. 1893 (Berlin), 1896 (Athens), Wecklein. 1899 (1902), Sidgwick. Unlisted fragments: Smyth, Am. Journ. Phil, xli (1920). Ellis.
—
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS TO VOL.
I
Zeus" read "Zeus Shall"
P. 17, line 5: for "shall not
and change punctuation. P. 48, verse 458 put the * after yvvai^l not after hv. P. 49, at bottom read * rvxa." ywaiKwu rdx &v Mark:
:
Wecklein,
:
Tucker. P. 71, line 3, and in note 1 read " Lyceus." P. 103, line 14: for "is our destiny" read "be our
scheffel, ywai^iv
7i)i'ai^' :
destiny,". P. 135, line 2 from below read " Darius in his time so scatheless a lord of the bow unto his people, to the men of Susa a leader dear," P. 180, verse 815 : Kptinh vveanv corr. by Housman to KpTjvis dir€<x(3rjK ; translate " not yet quenched is the spring of their woes ". P. 336, verse 206 : for dirvov read dtrvav (Anon.) and translate " heard the noise of the ". P. 355, line 7 : for " shield " read " shield within ". P. 357, line 10 from below : for " a " read " another ". P. 389, line 14, and p. 391, line 5 from below : read " But ". our princes, of the self-same seed P. 393, line 14 : delete " against his sons ". P. 415, line 7 from below: read "And yet ruthless is a people " ; and line 5 from below : " Let it be ruthless ". :
—
!
AGAMEMNON
VOL.
II
TA TOY APAMAT02 nP02i2nA TAAS
XOPOS KATTAIMHSTPA KHPTS AFAMEMNfiN KASANAPA Ainseos
DRAMATIS PERSONAE Watchman Chorus of Argive Elders Clytaemestra Herald
Agamemnon Cassandra Aegisthus
— — —
Scene. Argos. Time. The heroic age. Date. 458 b.c, at the City Dionysia.
ARGUMENT
,1-^
When that Helen had Jied with Paris to Troyland, her husband Menelaiis and his brother Agamemnon, the sons of Atreus and two-throned Kings of Argos, sought to take vengeance on him who had done outrage to Zeus, the guardian of the rights of hospitality. Before their palace appeared a portent, which the seer Calchas interpreted to them : the two eagles were the Kings themselves and the pregnant hare seized in their talons was the city which held Priam's son a?id Helen and her wealth. But
f
Artemis, she that loves the wild things of the eld, was fvroth with the Kings : and when all their host was gathered at Aulis and would sail with its thousand ships, , ^ she made adverse winds to blow ; so that the ships rotted ^^\^\a,nd the crews lost heart. Then the seer, albeit in darkling V^ords, spake unto Agamemnon : " If thou wilt appease !r{Jj^ the goddess and so free the fleet, thou must sacrifice with And he did V1[ thine own hand thy daughter Iphigenia." even so, and the Greeks sailed away in their ships. J Nine years did they lay siege to Troytown, but they could not take it ; for it was fated that it should%ot be taken until the tenth year. ..^•^.
,
.
J^
Now
when King Agamemnon fared forth from Argos, home his Queen, Clytaemestra, Leda's child and Helen's sister (though she had for father Tyndareus, but Helen s was Zeus himself) ; and in her loneliness and because Agamemnon had slain her daughter, she 4 he
left at
AGAMEMNON gave ear
to the
whisperings of another's love, even of
Aegisthus, son of that Thyestes who had lain with the wife of his brother Atreus ; and for revenge Atreus
slew other of Thyestes' sons and gave their father thereof to eat ; and when Thyestes learned whereof he had eaten, he cursed his brother's race.
With
the
coming of the tenth year of the war, Queen
Clytaemestra, plotting with Aegisthus against her husband's life, ordered that watch be kept upon the roof of her palace at Argos ; for a succession of beacon-fires
was
to flash the news from Troy when the city should captured by Agamemnon. For weary months the watchman has been on the look-out but at last the signal
be
—
blazes forth in the night. In celebration of the glad event, the Quee?i has altar-fires kindled throughout the city. The Chorus of Elders will not credit the tidings ; nor are their doubts resolved until a herald announces the approach of Agamemnon, whose ship had alone escaped the storm that had raged in the night Just passed. Welcomed by his Queen, Agamemnon bespeaks a kindly reception for his captive, Cassandra, Priam's daughter, and on his wife's urgence consents to walk to his palace on costly tapestries. Cassandra seeks in vain to convince the Eiders of their master's peril ; and, conscious also of her own doom, passes within. Agamemnon's death-shriek is heard ; the two corpses are displayed. Clytaemestra exults in her deed and defies the Elders. Aegisthus enters to declare that Agamemnon has been slain in requital for his father's crime. The Elders, on the point of coming to blows with Aegisthus and his body-guard, are restrained by Clytaemestra, but not before
they utter the warning that Orestes will return to exact
vengeance for the murder of his father.
.
AFAMEMNQN *TAAH
Qeovs
fJiev
alroj tcDj/8' dTra?0^ayrjv ttovcov
povpds irelas jxrJKOs, rjv^ KoipiiLfxevos
areyais ^ Arpeihcov dyKadev, kvvos Slktjv, aarpcov /carotSa vvKrepcov ofxtjyvpLv, /cat Tovs (ficpovras x^^H-'^ '6Pos 15
€)(co
ovk e7naKOTrovp,evrjv
yap dvd^
vttvov TTapaararei,
TO fJiTj ^e^aiojs ^X4(f)apa av/jb^aXeZv orav 8 deiSeiv rj fxtvvpeadai Sokco,
vttpco'
VTTVOV ToS' duripLoXiTOV ivre/xvcov* a/co?, /cAaio) tot'
oiKov rovSe avfi^opdv areviov
ios ra irpoad dpiara SLaTTOuovpievov vvv 8' evrvxrjs yevoir diraXXayrj ttovojv
ovx
20 1
'
3' 9jv
MV,
iXirll^uv
7)^
with
FV3N. over w M.
2
Bracketed by Pauw. *
iKrifivwv
FiRom.V3.
AGAMEMNON Watchman [
Upon
the
roof of the palace of Agamemnon at Argos]
Release from this weary task of mine has been my cry unto the gods throughout my long year's watch, wherein, couchant upon the palace roof of the Atreidae, upon my bended arm, like a hound, I have learned to know aright the conclave of the stars of night, yea those radiant potentates conspicuous in the firmament, bringers of winter and summer unto
mankind and rise].
[the constellations,
what time they wane
So now I am still awatch for the signal-flame, the gleaming fire that is to harbinger news from Troy and tidings of its capture. For thus rules my Queen, woman in sanguine heart and man in strength of purpose. And whenever I make here my bed, restless and dank with dew and unvisited by dreams
—for instead of sleep fear stands ever by my cannot close
my
eyelids fast in whenever I am minded to sing or hum a thus apply an antidote of song to ward ness), then it is my tears start forth, as I
that
I
side, so sleep and stave (and off drowsi-
—
bewail the fortunes of this our house, not ordered for the best as in days agone. But to-night may there come 7
AESCHYLUS evayyeXov ^areWoj op^vaiov irvpos. xatpe XafXTTTTjp vvktos, rjfMepr^atov 7n(f>avaK<x)V kol X'^P^^ Karauraaiv TToAAcDv eV "kpyei, rrjaSe avp,<j>opas X^P^^CO
(f>dos
lov lov.
26
*
Ayajxepivovos yvvaLKl a-qp.aivo)^ ropu)S
cvvrjs eTTavreiXaaav (hs
rdxos
So/ioi?
€V(f)'qpi,ovvra TfjSe Aa/x7raot
oXoXvypLov
i'nopdidt,eiv,^ eLTTep 'lAt'ou ttoXis
eaXojKev, d)s 6 ^pvKTos dyyeXXcxJv^ TTpeirer auTO? T eycoye (f)poipiLov ;j(o/5eucro/xat. TO, SecTTTOTcDv yap ev TreaovTa OrjaopiaL
30
rpls e^ ^aXovarjs rrjaSe /xot (f)pvKTcopias. yevoiro 8' ovv pLoXovros ev^iXi] xepa
ovaKTOS OLKOJV rfjSe ^aaraaai xept. rd 8' aAAa aiyu)- ^ovs irri yXwaaj) pbeyas
35
^e^TjKev oLKOs 8' avros, el (f)6oyyr)v Xd^oi, aa^earar dv Xe^etev d)S eKOiV iy 6*
TO
VTTcpyqpcov^ ^uAAaSo?
rjSrj
KaTaKap(f)op,€vrjs rpiirohas p-kv oSouj
80
TratSo? 8' ovhkv dpeicov
arei')(ei,
ovap
rjp,€p6(f)avT0v^ dXatvei.
8e, TvvSdp€0}* dvyarep, ^aaiXeia KXvraifM'^crTpa,^ (TV
Ti XP^'oS";
86
TL viov;
tI S' iTratcrdop^evr],
rlvos dyyeXlas TTeiOoL^ 7T€pL7T€fi7TTa OvoaKels'
TTavTOJV be Oecov tcov darvvopuuiv VTTaTCOV, X^OVLCOV,
TCOV t' ovpavLcov rcbv t' dyopaicov,
90
^(x)p.ol
dXXr] 8
ScopoLCTL^ (jiXiyovTaf
dXXodev ovpavopii^Krjs
Xap,7rds dvtax^L, app,aaaop,€vr] )(pLp,aros
dyvov
piaXaKOLS dSoXoLOL irap-qyopiais, TTcXdvw pLVXoOev ^acfiXeicp. rovroiv Xe^aa' 6 koX Svvarov Kal dep.LS atvcXv,
95
n
nauov T€ yevov ^ v^v Tore p,€V
100
rrjaSe p,€pLp,vr]s, KaKocfypojv reXedei,,
Tore 8' e/c dvaicjv dyavrf ^aivova^ eXnls d/Ltwet <j>povTih' dirXrjcn-ov^^ ^
12
dvdffffwv
!
Herm.
AGAMEMNON frame, discarded from that martial mustering of long ago, bide here at home, supporting on our staves a strength like unto a child's. For as the of youth, leaping up within the breast, unto that of age, since the war-god is not
vigour like
is
in
place
his
so
;
withering, goeth
over-age,
leafage
its
way on
its
triple
better than a child, wandereth, a
feet,
already and, no
dream that
is
dreamed by day.
O
But, mestra,
thou
?
report
daughter of Tyndare6s, Queen Clytae-
what hath befallen ? What tidings hast On what intelligence and convinced by what
is it
that thou sendest about thy messengers to For all the gods our city worships, ?
enjoin sacrifice the gods lieavens
supreme, the gods below, the gods of the
and of the mart, have their
Now
with offerings.
now
here,
altars ablaze
there, the flames
high as
heaven, yielding to the soft and persuasion of hallowed unguent, even the lacrificial oil brought from the inner chambers of •ise
guileless
Of
;he palace.
all
whatsoever thou
declare
this
and durst reveal, and be the healer of my soul Ustraught, which now at one moment bodeth ill, and hen again hope, shining with kindly hght from the ;anst
^
TiOiirepyrjpojs ^ * *
'
M,
rodiirepyrjpws
i]/j.ep6(paTov
Tvv8dpeii3 (a>
M,
made from FN.
VF,
ao) a
and *
K\vTaifjLV7](TTpa
0vo06pov \uw7ji piva
F: Herm. '
irtiOG}
*
M',
Trei^w
'
" 14
:
Ty)v ffvfio^Spov XvTrr)^ (pp^vt
M,
* fioXnctv
VFN M\ fio\irdv M\ /caTaTri/ei'/et
Aristoph. Ran. 1285. * rdf 7ai' M, raydv VFN. Sopl SlKat: 5opi Kai x^pi Aristoph. Han. 1288. » dopvirdXrov Thiersch after Blomfield. : Turn " irapurpiwoi^ (corr. from -irp^irTois M) F. *
• d/rytai
M^.
M,
KaTairvi*ii
ipiKU/jMTa
ij^av:
M,
f(/3as
ipiKVfiova
VFN.
"
vTos ald}v, literally " life that has grown with me," " time of life," here " old age," as the Scholiast takes it. Cp. Mrs. Barbauld, " Life We've been long together." 2 The right hand. !
The
Scholiast, followed by Hermann and some others, takes \ayivav yivvav as a periphrasis for \a-ywbv, with which pXa^evra agrees (cp. iraaa 7^1/m . 5ici,Xov
iariv, el t68' av-
[(Trp.
^.
K€KXrjp,evcp,
TOVrO VIV 7TpO(T€VV€TrOJ. OVK e^ct) npoaeLKdarat TTavT 165
ttXtjv
iTTLaradfjuopbevos
Alos, et to p,drav^ a770 ^povri^os o-xOos
XP"^ ^aXetv irrjTVfJLCos
ovB' ooTts" irdpoiOev
rjv
fieyas,
[dvr. ^.
rrapudxtp dpdaei ^pvcov, ovhe Xe^erat^ TTplv cov o? o eTTeiT e(pv, rpta-
170
KTTJpos OLxerai rvxoiv. ZiTJva Se res 'TTpo<j)p6vois ivLVLKLa KXd^cov revgerdt, ^pevwv ro irdv'
175
rov (f>povetv ^porovg oScoaavra, rov^ TrddcL /xdOos devra Kvpicos e^etr. oraQeL o ev 6^ vtjvu) rrpo KapSias pLViqaLTrrjp,o)v ttovos, /cat trap' dKovrag rjXOc aaxfipoveiv.
180
SaLjxovcxJv Se ttov X^P''^
[o'^'p.
y.
A"
aios* aeXfia aefivov rjfxevcov. /cat
rod^ rjy€p,a)P 6 vpe-
[dvr. y.
cr^vs vetbv ^AxauKuJv,
186
fj.dvriv
ovTLva
i/jeyojv,
18
1
!
AGAMEMNON on the march, together with many bodings of good, did Calchas sound forth to the royal house and in ;
accord therewith Sing the song of woe, the song of woe, but the good prevail
may
—
Zeus, whosoe'er he be, if by this name it well pleaseth him to be invoked, by this name I call to him as I weigh all things in the balance, I can conjecture none save " Zeus," if in very sooth I
—
needs must cast aside this vain burthen from my heart. He^ who aforetime was mighty, swelling with insolence for every fray, he shall not even be named as having ever been and he ^ who arose thereafter, he hath met his overthrower and is past and gone. But whosoe'er, heartily taking thought beforehand, giveth title of victory in triumphant shout to " Zeus," he shall gain wisdom altogether, Zeus, who leadeth mortals the way of understanding, Zeus, who hath stablished as a fixed ordinance that " wisdom cometh by suffering " But even as trouble bringing memory of pain, droppeth o'er the mind in sleep, so to those who would not cometh wisdom. With constraint, methinks, cometh the grace of the powers divine enthroned upon their awful seats. ;
—
.
,
So then the captain of the Achaean ships, the elder holding no seer at fault, bending to
of the twain ''
^
T65e fidrav 3
—
Uranus.
Tw
M
:
:
2
Pauw.
Schiitz.
"
ov8^v \4^ai
:
* jStaiws
Cronus.
H. L. Ahrens. :
Turn.
19
,
AESCHYLUS e/XTratot? rv)(cu,aL avfjUTrvecov
cSt* aTrXoia Kevayyei
^apv-
vovr* *A)(auK6s Xea)s, €)^ojv naAvXlSos tottols'
XaAfctSo? iripav 190 Xippoxdois^ iv TTVoai o
O.TTO ^rpv/jLovos fxoXovaat KaKocrxoXoi vqarLSes SvaopjxoL, PpoTcov aAai, vacov ^ /cat
[o"^P«
S*
195 Treiaixdroiv a^eiSets",
xp^^o^ TideicraL Kare^atvov avOos ^Apyeicov iirel Se Acat niKpov X^iiJiaros aAAo firjxap TTaXLfjLp^iJKT]
rpi^cx)
200 Ppi'Ovrepov Trpofioicnv
lxdvTLseKXay^ev^'7Tpo(j)epa)v''Kpr€ixiv,war€x06va^aKrpois eTTiKpovcravras 'Ar/aetSa? SaKpv firj KaTacrx^lv 205 aiva^ 8' o rrpia^vs tot*' elne ^cuvcDv " Papeia fiev Kr)p to fxr) TTiOeadat,^
Papeia
S',
el
[dvr. 3.
tckvov Sat-
^(o, Sofjicov dyaXjxa, fxiaivojv 7Tapd€voapovovvros
o/>i/xa
aov
Korrjyope'L.
X0P02 Tt
yap t6^
earc rcijvSe aoi rcKfiap;
TTLarov;
KATTAIMHSTPA eariv ri o
ou;(t;
/lit)
ooAioaavrog oeov.
X0P02 TTorepa
8'
oveipoiv <j)dap.aT* evinOrf ae^eis;
KATTAIMH2TPA ou ho^av av Xd^oLfXL ^pL^ovarjs
275
(f)p€v6s'
XOPOS ay\A
a
7)
CTTiavev ris aTrrepos (pans;
KATTAIMH2TPA veas co? Kapr
TraiSos"
(ftpevas.
ifxcofx-qcra)
X0P02 TToiov
xP^^o^ Se
/cat
rreTropO-qrai ttoXls;
KATTAIMH2TPA T^j
vw
'^at
Tis ToB* i^iKOLT* av dyyeXcov
TeKovcrqs
(f>(x)S
Toh^ €V(f)p6v'qs Xeyco.
X0P02 280
^
26
tI
ydp
;
rb
:
Prien.
« tiiveidrj
:
rdxos Blomfield.
AGAMEMNON Clytaemestra Aye, for
'tis
of a loyal heart that thine eye argues
thee.
Chorus
What then this
is
the proof?
Hast thou warranty of
?
Clytaemestra I
have, indeed
;
unless
me
some god hath played
false.
Chorus Dost thou pay regard to the persuasive visions of dreams ? Clytaemestra I
would not heed the fancies of a slumbering brain.
Chorus But can thy hopes
it
be some pleasing rumour that hath fed
?
Clytaemestra Truly thou floutest mine understanding as
it
were
a child's.
Chorus But
at
what time has the
city
been destroyed
?
Clytaemestra In the night, to
I
say, that hath but
now given
birth
yonder sun.
Chorus
And what messenger like
that
could reach here with speed
?
27
,
.
AESCHYLUS KATTAIMH^TPA "H^atCTTos' "ISt^? XafiTTpov (I>Pvkt6s 8e (f)pvKT6u Seup' €iT€p,TT€V' "Ih-q
fjiev
GcXas dyydpov^ TTVpos
€K7T€fj.7Ta)v oltt*
TTpog 'Ep/xatov^ Xiiras
Ariixvov fxeyav 8e Travov^ €k vqaov rpirov 'A^ojoi' aiTTOS Ztjvo? efeSefaro, VTTepTeXiqs re, ttoj'tov ayare VioriaaL, laxvs TTopevrov XafiTrdSos npos rjSovrjv
285
4
'fTTevKT)
TO
coj ti? ijAto?,
;(pucropvKTov ^cD? ctt' Ei)pt7roy poa? MeaaaTTtou (f>vXa^t arjp^aivei p,oX6v.
viKO)p,evos TTaprJKev
oi S' dvrdXap^ifjav /cat 7rap7^yyetAav Trpoaoj
ypaias epeiKiqs^ dojp,6v di/javres iTvpi. adivovaa Xap,7Tds 8' ouScttcd p.avpovp.evq
295
*
VTrepdopovcra rreStov
Actcottov ,'' Slk7]v
(fyatSpds G€Xi]V7]s, irpos K^idaipiovos
Xenas
Tjyeipev dXXrjV eKho)(r^v 7rop,7rov nvpos.
300
<j)dos
8e rrjX€rrop,7Tov ovk 'qvaivero
(f)povpd ttXcov Kaiovcra tcov €lpr)p,€va)V' Xip-VTjv
opos
r*
8'
VTTep VopycvTTiv €aKr)tls€V ^ alxfiaXcoTOLS TpojLKols olKrijMaaiv vaiovaLV "r^hrj, rcjjv VTraidpiiov Trdyiov
ev
335
hpoauiv t' aTraAAayeWe?,^ cu? 8' €vSai[xoves^ a(f)vAaKrov evST^aovcri rrdaav eixftpovriv ei 8 ev ae^ovuL* rovs 7ToXLuaov)(ovs deovs Tovs rrjs dXovar]? yrjs Oecov 9' ISpv/Jbara, Qij ^^p iXovres^ avdis dvdaXoXev^ dv. epcos Be pufj res Trporepov ifiTTiTTrr)'' arpaTip TTopOelv d [jirj XPV> KepSeacv viKcop^evovs Set yap rrpos olkovs voarlfiov aojrrjpLas Kdixifiac SiavXov Odrepov kcoXov ttoXiv'
340
34S
deols 8' dva[jt,7TXdK7]Tos el jjloXol arparos,
eyprjyopos^ to Trij/xa tcov oXujXotojv yevoLT dv, el TTpoanata jxr] rvxoi /ca/ca. Toiavrd tol yvvacKos e^ ifiov AcAyets"'
TO 8 360
eS KpaTOlT) fXT) BixoppoTTCos ISetv. yap eadXiov tt^i'S'^" ovrjaiv elXofjirjv.
TToXXcov
X0P02 dvSpa acoibpov* aKovaas TTiOTa aov
yvvai, /car
eixbpovuts Xeyeis.
eyco o
TeKpbrjpLa
Oeovs TTpoaenrelv ev 7TapaaKevdt,ofxaL. xdpt-s yap ovK aTi/Ao? etpyaoTai ttovojv.
^^
Zeu ^aaiXev
(L
/cat
vv^
(f)iXia
fieydXojv Koafxoiv KTedTetpa, €7tI Tpoia? TTvpyots e^aXes areyavov Slktvov, w£ /x-^re p,iyav
TIT
^
fs
:
dTraWaxd^vrei V, diraWay^vres
Stanley.
7' (\6vTfs
FN,
*
evae^ovai
oi/K di>f\6vTes
aO (Av V) eivoLev
FN
:
V
:
Auratus.
:
FN.
Sc-aligcr.
Herm.
— AGAMEMNON but as each man hath drawn his lot of chance. And even now they are quartered in the captured Trojan homes, dehvered from the frosts and dew of the naked sky, and hke happy men will sleep all the night unsentinelled. Now if they keep them clear of guilt towards the gods of the town those of the conquered land and towards their shrines, the captors shall not be
—
made
Only may no mad
captives in their turn.
impulse first assail the soldiery, overmastered by greed, to ravish what they should not For to win safe passage home they needs must travel back the other length of their double course. But even if, void of such offence towards the gods, our host should reach home, the gi-ievous suffering of the dead might still prove wakeful so be it fresh mischance do not befall. These are my woman's words but may the good prevail and that right clearly For, choosing thus, I have chosen the enjoyment of many a blessing. !
—
; !
Chorus Lady, And, for
prudent
man
thou speakest wisely. have listened to thy certain proofs, I prepare me to address due prayers of thanksgiving to Heaven for a success hath been achieved that well requites the toil. Hail, sovereign Zeus, and thou kindly Night, that hast given us great glory for our possession, thou who didst cast thy meshed snare upon the towered walls of Troy, so that nor old nor young could like a
my
part,
now
that
I
;
' *
ifiiriiTTr)
iypriyopov
:
F^,
i/xiriiTTeL
Porson.
VQL.
n
V,
ifxiriTrroi *
^^
tV
'
D
kMois
F^N.
FN,
/cXueis
V.
Herm. 33
AESCHYLUS fjLiJT
ovv veapcov riv* vnepreXdaai
fxeya SovXelas ydyyajJLOV, drrjs 7TavaXa)rov. Ata TOL ^evLov fxeyav alSov/xaL
360
Tov raSe Trpd^avr' €7r' ' AXe^dvSpo) Teivovra ndXai to^ov, ottojs dv 365
{jL7]re
Tipo
^eXos
Kaipov
jJiijd'
vnep dcrrpcvv
rjXidLOV aK-qipeiev.
Aios TrXaydv exovatv^
elTretv,
TTapeuTLv^ TOVTO y'^ i^L)(V€vaai. [d)s] €7Tpa^€V d)S^ €KpaV€V. OVK 370
[o"^P-
€rJTaL*^"
t(jL»
loj
LCD
oa>p,a ocojLta
Xexos
/cat
/cat
TTpofioi,,
ari^oi ^iXdvopes.
TTapeari criyds drifjiovs aXoiSopovs^^
4^6
dXytar'^^
d(f)r)p.evcuv^*
7t69u) 8'
VTTepTTOvrias
dap,a
ISelv.
8o^et SopLcov dvdaaetv. Be KoXoaacbv
evp,6p(f)U)v
exOerai xapt? dvSpLopLfiaTajv 8' ev dx'rjviai,^
eppei irda' 'A^poStVa. 420
oveip6(f>avTOL 8e Trevd-^fioves
irapeLOL So^at cf)epov-
36
AGAMEMNON beneath the touchstone's rub, when tested he showeth the blackness of his grain (for he is like a child that chaseth a winged bird) and upon his people he bringeth a taint not to be removed. To his prayers all gods are deaf, and the man who is conversant with such deeds, him they destroy in his unrighteousness. Such was even Paris, who came to the house of the sons of Atreus and did dishonour to his hosts' hospitable board by stealing away a wedded wife. But she, bequeathing to her people the clang of shield and spear and armament of fleets, and bringing to Ihum destruction in place of dower, with hght step she passed through the gates daring a deed undareable. Then loud wailed the seers of the house crying, " Alas, alas, for the home, the home, and for the princes thereof! Alas for the husband's bed and Lo, he sits apart the impress of her form so dear in the anguish of his grief, silent, smitten in his honour but upbraiding not. In his yearning for her
—
!
who sped beyond the
a phantom will seem The grace of fair-formed
sea,
be lord of the house.
to
is hateful to him ; and in the hunger of his eyes all lovehness is departed. In dreams there come to him mournful semblances
statues
^
T€ Kal
* irpo^oXah : Pearson. re F. irravov F, irTavov tlv' : Schiitz.
N, '
N
ivdeh N, dels F. * tCov F, tov N. kKovovs XoyxlfJ-ovs re
*
*
*
^^
^^ ^^ 1^
/cat
:
TToXXo. 5' earevov
&di(TTOs
:
lui
and
:
Ahrens.* pVKTOjpicdv re /cat rrvpos
490
repTTVov roh^ iXdov
KTjpvK
d'n
X6ya
495
vXrjs opetas arjpiavel KaTTVch TTvpos,
—
t) to )(^aipetv puaXXov eK^d^ei Xiycxiv Tov dvTLOV he. to taS' aTToarepyoj Xoyov €0 yap Trpos ev (/)aveXcri TrpoaOt^KT] rreXoi.
aAA' 600
oaTis raS
avTos
—
aAAo)? t^S' iTTevx^Tat TToXei, Kapnolro ttjv dfiapTiav.
peva)V
KHPTH 160 rtarpwov ovhas 'Apyeias ;)(^oi'os', heKdrov^ ae (fyeyyet roiS' d(f)LK6iJi7jv erovs, TToXXcijv payeiaaJv iXTriScov /xt.as' rvx^v. ov yap ttot' tjvxovv rfj8^ iu 'A/ayeto, ;\;0ov't Oavoiv p.e6l^€iv ^lAraTou rd(f)ov fxepos.
605
1
11,
489-500 ascribed to Clyt., 501-502 to the Chorus: * ^^iJXwo-e: Person. ' Se/^dry: Wunder.
Scaliger.
* His attire bears evidence of dust and mud. Cp. the description of Sir Walter Blunt, " Stained with the variation of each soil Betwixt that Holmedon and this seat of ours "
{Henry
42
I T.).
AGAMEMNON (A Fourth Elder) Over credulous, a woman's mind has boundaries open to quick encroachment but quick to perish is rumour by a woman voiced. ;
(Leader of the Chorus)
We
know anon about
this passing on of flaming lights and beacon signals and fires, whether they perchance be true or whether, dream-like, this light's glad coming hath beguiled our senses. Lo Yonder, approaching from the shore, I see a herald with boughs of olive overshaded. The thirsty dust, consorting sister of the mire,^ assures me that neither by dumb show nor by kindling a flame of mountain wood will he give sign with smoke of fire, but in plain words will bid us either to rejoice the more, or else but God avert the omen of the contrary To the good that hath appeared may there be addition of good
shall
!
—
!
!
(Another Elder) be one who maketh this prayer with other intent toward the State, let him reap himself the fruit of his misguided purpose If there
!
[Enter a Herald
Herald All hail, soil of Argos, land of my fathers On happy day in the tenth year I am come to thee. Many a hope hath made shipwreck, one only have I seen fulfilled for never dared I to think that here in this land of Argos I should die and have due portion of burial most dear to me. Now blessings !
this
;
43
AESCHYLUS vvv x^^P^ H'^^ X^^^> X^^P^ ^' V^''^^
(f>ao9,
VTtaros re x^P^^S 'Z.evs, 6 UvOcos r' ava^, robots la-nrajv fJLrjKer' els 'qfJiS.? ^eXrj' dXis TTapa TiKOLixavSpov rjod^^ avdpaios'
510
vvv 8' avre
crcorrjp
ai/a^ "AttoAAov.
ladi /cat Traioyvios
rovs
t' ayoiviovs
,^
deovs
TTavras TrpoaavBio, tov t ifiov rifidopov '^pfjirjv, (f)iXov KTipvKa, K'qpvKOiV cre^as,
^1^
re rovs Trepufjavras , ev^ievels ttolXlv arparov Sex^crdai rov AeAet/x/xevov Sopog.
rjpojs
lo)
fieXadpa ^aaiXecov, (f)iXat areyai, re daKoi, Baijjioves t avr'qXtoL,
aefxvot,
620
e'i
TTov^ TTctAai, (j>aihpolai TOiaiB*
o/x/xacri
Se^aaOe* Koapbcp ^aaiXea ttoXXco xP'^^V' 'qKeL yap vfxXv^ (f)6js ev ev Scaliger. Koipdvuv N, Tvpdvvwv F. ' rty e5 : Auratiis.
iirrju
(XTvyoi ffTparifi * '
(hv
yap Kavb
:
:
vvv
:
Schiitz. Scaliger.
Pearson.
— AGAMEMNON Chorus I
So longed that often from a darkly brooding have sighed.
spirit
Herald
Whence came spirit
this
gloom of melancholy upon thy
?
Chorus
Long
since have I found silence
an antidote to
harm.
Herald
How
so ? Wert thou in fear of of our princes ?
any
absence
in the
Chorus In such fear that now, in thy death were great joy.
own words, even
Herald Aye,
Yet, of what occurred one might well say that part fell out happily, and part in turn amiss. But who, save he be a god, is free from suffering all his days ? For were I to recount our hardships and our wretched quarters, the scanted space and the sorry berths what did we not have to complain of .^ Then again, ashore, there was still worse to loathe for we had to lay us down close to the foeman's walls, and the drizzling from the sky and the dews from the meadows distilled upon us, working constant destruction to our clothes and filling our hair with vermin. all's
well, well ended.
in the long years,
.
.
;
^
For \axivT€s
proposed,
e.g.
in 1. 557 numerous emendations have been KXalovres, XdaKovres, X'^-^^^res. i}fj.aTOS fiipos
probably means "as our day's portion." VOL. II E
49
AESCHYLUS el Xeyoi} tls olojvoktovov, OLov TTapelx a.(j>eprov 'ISata x^^^> OoXttos, edre ttovtos iv ixearjix^pLvais "^ X^i'liojva S
565
Koirais aKVfjLOJV vrjvefxois evSoi Treacov
ravra
TL
Trevdelv Set;
—
7rapoL)(erai, ttovos'
7Tapof)(erai Se, rolat pcev redvrjKoaiv
ro
/^t^ttot'
avdcs
fJirjS^
dvaarrjvai fxeXeiv. Xeyeiv, t/j't](p
Tt Tovs avaXoidevras iv
570
Tov ^cbvra
S' dXyeXv XPI t^XV^ TraXiy kotov ; TToAAa x^^P^'-^ ^vfx(f)Opds^ Kara^io). rjpuv he Tols XoLTroiOLV ^Apyelojv arparov /cat
vlkS.
575
to KepSos,
TTTJixa
8'
ovK dvrippeTTei'
KOfiTTaaaL roiS' eiKos rjXlov
COS"
virep daXdaarjs /cat
(fxiet
TTorcofxevoLS'
x^^^^S
" Tpoiav eXovres hrj ttot' ^Apyeicuv aroXos ravra rols /ca^' 'EAAaSa
Oeoig Xd(f)vpa
Sd/Ltots" eTTacradXevaav dpxalov ydvog." roiavra XPV f<Xvovras evXoyelv ttoXlv /cat rovs arparrjyovs' /cat x^P''^ rifn^aerai Aids rdS' eKTTpd^aaa. ttovt' exeig Xoyov.
680
X0P02 viKcofxevos XoyoLGLV
act
yap
OVK dvaivofiai'
y^^rf rols yepovcnv ev fxadetv.
ravra /cat KAyrat^ryar/aa* fieXeiv €LKos fxaXtara, avv he TrXovri^eiv ep,e.
586
hopiois he
KATTAIMH2TPA
avwXoXv^a or ^
'
50
-^Xd
X^7«
N
t;/3^:
6
fiev irdXai xiyyos rfhiov SpaKeZv, aTTO arpareias avSpL aaxravros Oeov
—
TTuXas dvol^ai; 606
—ravr*
7]K€Lv OTTios rd)(iar*
yvvdiKa
ttictttjv
8'
aTrayyetAov Troaei*
epdapnov
iroXei'
iv SofxoLS evpot fioXcjv
oiavTTep ovv e'AetTre, Bcopbdrcov Kvva eadXrjV eKeivcp, TToXefxiav rocs hva<j)poat,v /cat TctAA oiioiav irdvra, cmaavrripiov filO "^"
i IQ ovoev oia KOLvov dx9o9, -qp-TTacrc arparov;
KHPTH
€Kvpaas coare ro^orrjs aKpos aKorrov' fiaKpov 8e TT^fia
crvvro/jicos
i^7]fMLaco.
X0P02 TTorepa
630
drLS ^
»
II.
l^covros
ye Kal : Herm. 622-635 assigned to Clyt.
Ti;xT?s:
54
yap avrov
t]
redvrjKoros
TTpds dXXcDV vavriXoiV eKXrjt,ero;
Person.
«
^|«
:
Karsten. Stanley.
and Herald s
:
d„^p.
Herm.
AGAMEMNON can interpret aright. But, — themof that would learn—hath Menelaiis
speciously for
Herald, say
I
'tis
he, our land's dear lord,
he returned with you
voyaged
safe
home and hath
?
Herald were impossible to report
It
that those
I
false
news
as fair so
love should joy therein for long.
Chorus
Oh 'Tis
that thou couldst
tell tidings
not easy to conceal
when
true yet good
!
true and good are
sundered.
Herald The prince was swept from the sight of the Achaean host
—himself,
truth
and
his ship likewise.
'Tis
no un-
I tell.
Chorus Did he put forth a storm, distressing
the fleet
in sight of all all
in
from Ilium, or did
common, snatch him from
?
Herald Like master bowman thou hast hit the mark a long tale of distress hast thou summed up in brief. ;
Chorus Does the general voice of other voyagers make report of him as alive or dead ? 55
AESCHYLUS KHPYH
ovK olBev ouSei? a)aT^ oLTTayyeXlai ropojs, TrXrjV rov Tpe(f)ovros 'HAtoy )(dovos (pvaiv.
XOP05 7TCOS
yap Xeyei?
vavriKco crrparu)
^^eifxcjva
iXOelv reXevrrjaai re 8aLp,6vojv kotco;
635
KHPTH rjfjiap ov TrpeTret KaKayyiXcp yXwaarj fjnaiveiv x^P^^S rj rifir) decov. orav 8' aTrevKTo. TT'r]p,ar ayyeXog TroAet OTvyvay rrpocrcoTTCO TTTOjaL/jiov crrparov ^^eprj, TToXeL fxev e'A/cos" ev to h-^fjaov tvx^lv, TToXXovs 8e TToAAciiv e^ayioOivTas Sofxcov av^pas SlttXtj /xaartyt, rrjv "Apr]s (jaXel, BiXoyxov arrjv, (f)OLViav ^vvcopiSa'
ev<j)rip,ov
640
TOLcbvSe fievroL TT-qfidnov aeaayfievov^ TTperrei,
645
XcycLV iraidva tovS' 'Epivycov.
awrrjpLcov 8e TTpayp^droiv €vdyyeXov
rjKovra vpos
;!^at/3oi;crai' evearol ttoXlv, Kehvd TOLS KaKOLGi crufxp^ei^oj,^ Xiycov X'e.tp'iiiv' 'AxoLLols^ OVK dpb'qvirov dewv; ^vvwpLoaav yap, ovreg exdicrroL to Trpiv,
TTcos
650
TTvp /cat ddXaacra, /cat
rd
ttictt'
iBei^drrjv
rov Svarrjvov A.pyei(xiV arparov. iv vvKTL hvaKvp,avra 8' (opcvpet /ca/ca. vavs yap irpos oAAr^AatCTt* QprJKiai Trvoal
(f>d€ipovre
^
aeaayfUpuv •
'Axatwi'
.
.
.
cvfi/xl^u
:
Kirchhoff.
Blomfield and Dobree. dW^Xvcri F.
Ocois *
56
*
Schiitz.
:
:
AGAMEMNON Herald
—
None knoweth to give clear report of this save only the Sun that fostereth life upon the earth. Chorus
How wrath
then sayest thou did the storm by Heaven's
rise
upon the naval host and pass away
?
Herald
A
day of happy omen
it befits
not to
mar by
tale
—the honour due to the gods keeps them apart.^ When a messenger with gloomy countenance reports to a people dire disaster of army's rout— one of
ill
its
common wound inflicted on many a home many a victim
the State, while from is devoted to death by the two-handled scourge beloved of Ares, destruction double-armed, a gory pair when, I say, he is packed with woes of such sort as this, it is meet that he sing the triumph-song of the Avenging Spirits. But when one Cometh with glad tidings of deliverance to a city rejoicing in its happiness how shall I mix fair with foul in telling of the storm that broke upon the Achaeans not unprovoked by Heaven's wrath ? For fire and sea, erstwhile bitterest of foes, swore alliance and for proof thereof destroyed the hapless Argive armament. In the night-time arose the mischief from the cruel surge. Beneath blasts from
—
—
Thrace ship dashed against ship
;
and they, rammed
To the Olympian gods belong tales of good, to the Erinyes (1. 645) belong tales of ill. Some interpret the Eassage to mean that the honour due the gods should be ept apart from pollution through the recital of ills. 57
.
AESCHYLUS -qpeiKov^ at Se KeporvTrovfievai,^ ^ia )(€ifj,6jvc rv(f)a> crvv ^dXrj t' ofiPpoKTVTTCo (v^ovr^ d(f>avroL TTOifjuevos KaKov arpopo).
655
CTTel
8'
opojfjiev
dvrjXOe XafXTrpov rjXlov (f)dos,
dvdovv TreXayos Alyalov veKpols
dvhpcov ^Axo-idjv vavriKols t' ipenriois? rjixas ye fxev 817 vavv t' aK'qparov aKacf)og
660
'qroL ris i^eKXeifjev
rj
^^rjTTjaaro
ovK dvOpojTTOs, otaKos diycov. Tvxf] 8e acorr^p vavv BeXova e(j)et,ero, 6e6s
665
Tis",
iv opfjbu) KVfxaros l^dXrjv ep^eiv i^oKctXaL TTpos KpaTaiXewv x^^va.
(hs fi'qr^ fiT^T^
eireira 8' " KS-qv ttovtlov 7T€(f>€vy6res,
XevKov Kar*
rjixap,
ov TreTTOidores tvxJ],
i^ovKoXovfjL€v (f>povTL(nv veov Trddos, arparov Kajxovros /cat KaKcos arToSovpievov.
670
Kal vvv EKeivixiv e'i rig lariv i/XTTvecov, Xeyovaiv rjpids d)S oXcoXoras, tl p^r]; ripLels t' €K€lvovs TauV* ^x^iv So^dl^opiev yevoLTO 8' COS" dpiara. MeveXecov yap ovv TTpdjTov re /cat /LtaAtcrra TTpoaSoKa pioXetv. el yovv^ TLS a/cris' rjXiov vlv laropel Kal ^cStTa /cat ^XeTTovra, pbr^xo-vals Ato?, ovTTOi deXovTos i^avaXcocraL yevos,
675
eXTTLS TLS avrov Trpos Sopuovs rjieiv TrdXiv. ToaavT* aKovaas ladc rdXr^Orj kXvcov.^
680
X0P02 Tt? ttot' CL)v6p,at,€V c58'
is TO irdv eTr)TVpi(jos ^
58
fjptiirov
N,
^
—
Kepwrvn-ovfievai
[^'''P'
:
Wasse.
^'
— AGAMEMNON by the furious hurricane and rush of pelting were swept out of sight by the whirling gust of an evil shepherd,^ But when the radiant light of
violently rain,
the sun uprose we beheld the Aegean flowering with corpses of Achaean men and WTCckage of ships. Ourselves, however, and our ship, its hull unshattered, some power, divine not human, preserved by stealth or intercession, laying hand upon its helm ; and Saviour Fortune willed to sit aboard our barque so that it should neither take in the swelling surf at anchorage nor drive upon a rock-bound coast. Then, having escaped death upon the deep, in the clear bright day, scarce crediting our fortune, we brooded in anxious thought over our late mischance, our distressed and sorely buffeted. So now, if any there be of them that still draw the breath of life, they speak of us as lost and why should they not ? while we imagine like case for them. But may all turn out for the best For Menelaiis, indeed first and foremost expect him to return. At least if some beam of the sun discover him alive and well, by the design of Zeus, who is not yet minded utterly to destroy the race, there is some hope that he will come home again. Hearing so much, be assured that 'tis the truth thou hearest. [Exit fleet
—
— —
!
Chorus
Who ^
can have given a name so altogether true
The "
evil
like sheep,
shepherd "
from
5'
odv
:
the storm that drives the ships,
Auratus. Auratus, Voss.
pavTLKwv T ipnriwv *
is
their course.
:
* *
ravr' : k\v€lv
Casaubon. F^N.
59
.
AESCHYLUS ^
«
/jLTj
fiev
ovx opojTrpovoiaiai^ rov TreTrpcofxevov
ris ovriv
yXoJcraav ev rvxq. vefxcov;
685
—
rav hopiyap-^pov a/x^tveteVei TrpeTTOVTCog KT] 6^ 'EAeVav; iXevas, eXavSpos, iXeTTToXis,
€K ToJv dppoTi.p,cov
690
TTpoKaXvp-jjbdrojv eTrXevae l^e(f)vpov
yiyavTos avpa,
TToXvavhpoi re (f)€pdcr7noes Kvvayol /car' 'ixvos TrXardv^ a.(f>avrov
695
KeXadvTiov Si/xdevTo?
aKTas 8t'
irr*^
de^L^^ dyaXfxa TrXovrov, fiaXdaKov oixfjidrojv jSeAoj, hr^^idvpiov €pa>ros dvdos. irapaKXivaa^^ CTreKpavev 8e ydfiov TTtKpds reXevrds, bvcreSpos Kal SvaofiiXos
Xiyoni 740
745
crvfieva
62
YlpiapLtSaicnv,
[o^^p. y.
AGAMEMNON Even
man
so a
robbed of
Gentle
breast.
reared in his house a
mother's milk yet
its
was
it
still
lion's
whelp,
desiring the
in the prelude of its life,
Much
kindly to children, and a delight to the old.
arms like a nursling child, with its bright eye turned toward his hand, and fawning under compulsion of its belly's need. did
get, held in
it
But brought to forth the nature
it
full growth by time it showed had from its parents. Unbidden,
in requital for its fostering, it
prepared a feast with
so that the house was defiled with blood, and they that dwelt therein could not control their anguish, and great was the carnage far and wide. A priest of ruin, by ordinance of God, was it reared in the house.
ruinous slaughter of the flocks
At
first,
;
methinks, there came to Ilium the
spirit
of unruffled calm, a delicate ornament of wealth,
a darter of soft glances from the eye, love's flower
Then, swerving from her in ruth, sped on to the children of Priam under escort of Zeus, the warder of host and guest, blasting with ruin by her that stingeth the heart.
course, she
^
Conington. Conington.
X^ovra
(TLviv
^
:
Tpo
much
of wine
TToXiiropd'
Musgrave. *
'
is
diluted.
Blomfield. N, Stobaeus, Flor. 112. 12, detyfia F. ^
iKov(nov
:
* :
ddpcros
N, dpdaos F.
H. L. Ahrens.
Lacuna indicated by Schneidewin.
'
eSd tvei
TO rdp^os dvdpojTTOLcnv.
OVK dXXcov Trdpa fiadova
efiavrijs SvGopov Xe^co ^lov
,
Toadi'8' oaovTTep oStos
860
^
70
TTiJ/uaros rp^xj/ai
vtt
'^v
vbaov
:
'lAtoj.
Porson.
AGAMEMNON another's prosperity.
From knowledge
—for well am —
I
acquainted with the mirror of companionship I may call a shadow of a shade those who feigned exceeding loyalty to me.^ Only Odysseus, even he who sailed against his will, once harnessed, proved my zealous yoke-fellow. This I affirm of him be he alive or dead. But, for the rest, in what concerns the State and public worship, we shall appoint general assemblies and deliberate in full conclave. Where all goes well, we must take counsel that so it may long endure but whensoever there is need of healing remedy, we will endeavour to avert the mischief of the malady by kind appliance of cautery or the knife. And now I will pass to my palace halls and to my household hearth, and first of all pay greeting to the gods. They sped me forth and they havebrought me home again. May victory, as it hath attended me, bide ever with me constant to the end [He descends from his chariot; enter ;
!
Clytaemestra,
attended
hy
maid-
servants carrying purple tapestries
Clytaemestra Burghers of Argos, ye Elders present here, I shall not be ashamed to confess in your presence my fondness for my husband with time timidity dies
—
away in man. Untaught by life
all
others, I can tell of my own weary my lord lay beneath
the long while this
^ This version takes o/niXiai Karowrpov to mean that companionship shows the true character of a man's associates. An alternative rendering takes Kdroirrpov in a disparaging sense the semblance as opposed to reality and makes
—
—
KarowTpov, eiBuXov
and
So/coOvras in apposition.
(3
AESCHYLUS TO
fiev
yvvaiKa Trpcbrov dpaevos
Bixo.
KaKov,
So/jiOLS eprjfjiov e/CTrayAov
^jcrOaL
TToXXas KXvovaav KXrjSovas^ iraXiyKOTOvs' Kal rov fxkv rjKeiv, rov 8 e7Tea<j)€peLV KaKov 865
KOLKLOV
dXXo
TTTJfxa,
XdoKovras
Kal rpavjjidrcjv jxkv dvTjp
oS\
(f)dris,
el
Sofxois.
roawv irvyxavev
TTpOS OLKOV d)X€T€V€TO
COS"
Terprjrai^ hiKTvov rrXeov^ Xeyeiv.
€L 8' rjv redvTjKws , d>s eTrXT^dvov* XoyoL, rpcawfxaTos rdv Trjpvwv 6 Sevrepos [TToXXrjv dvoidev, rrjv /caro) yap ov Aeyco,]* X^ovos rpijxoLpov ;){Aatv'av i^-qvxei Aa^etv/ drra^ eKdarcp Kardavcbv /xop^ctj/xart. TOLwvS^ e/cart kXtj^ovcov TraXiyKorcov
870
TroAAd? dvcodev dprdvas
875
Seprjg
ifM'rjs
eXvaav dXXoi Trpos ^iav XeXrjfjbfjLcvrjs. €K rd)vhe rot rrals evddS* ov TrapaarareZ, ,^ ifx(x)v re Kal ad)v Kvpios TTtarojfxdriDV d)s
^OpearrjS' /xt^Sc davfxdurjs roSe.
XPW>
Tpe^ei yap avrov
880
evfjievrjs
TiTp6(f)Los 6 Oco/cevs", efxol TTpocfxjtjvcov ,
rov
Sopv^evos
dpL(j>iXeKTa Trrjpiara 6^ utt' 'lAt'o) aedev
KivSvvov, et T€ ^riixodpovs dvapx^CL ^ovXrjv KarappLi/j€i€v, cSore avyyovov
PporoLGL Tov rreaovra XaKxiaai ttXIov. ToiaSe fievTot. aKrji/jis ov SdAoj^ (f>ep€i. kp,OLy€ p,€V Srj KXavpidraiv eTriaavroi TTTiyal KaTea^r/KaaLV, 01)8' eVt araycov.
886
iv oipiKOLTOLs 8' ofjbp^aaLV ^
72
*
rirpuTai
*
iv\-i)dvvov
-qSovai
:
H. L. Ahrens.
: :
Porson.
pXd^as
exo)
Auratus. ^
ttX^w
:
^ [
]
Dindorf. Schiitz.
— AGAMEMNON Ilium's walls. First and foremost, an evil terror is it for a wife to sit forlorn at
full
of
home,
severed from her husband, forever hearing malignant rumours manifold, and for one messenger after another to come bearing tidings of disaster, each worse than the last, and cry them to the household. And as for wounds, had this my lord received so many as rumour kept pouring into the house, no net had been pierced so full of holes as he. Or had he died as oft as reports were rife, then in sooth he might have had three bodies a second Geryon ^ and have boasted of having taken on him a triple coverture of earth [ample that above of that below I speak not] one death for each several shape. By reason of such malignant tales as these, many a time have others had to loose the high-hung halter from
—
—
—
my
neck, held in its strong grip. 'Tis for this cause, in truth, that our boy, Orestes, stands not here beside
—
me, as he should he in whom rest the pledges of love and thine. Nay, think this not strange. For he is in the protecting care of our well-affected ally, Strophius of Phocis, who gave me warning of trouble on two scores thine own peril beneath Ilium's walls, and then the chance that the people in clamorous revolt might overturn the Council, as it is inborn in men to trample the more upon the
my
—
fallen.
Truly this excuse
is
not fraught with guile.
my tears are utterly dried up not a drop remains therein. In night-long vigils mine eyes are sore with weeping As
for myself, the
welUng fountains of
—
^ Geryon, a monster (here called " three-bodied," but ordinarily " three-headed ") whose oxen were driven away from Spain by Heracles.
^
Xa/3wf
:
Paley.
'
iriffTevixaTusv
:
Spanheira.
73
.
;
AESCHYLUS ras a/z^t aoL KXaiovaa
890
drrjfteX'qTovs ateV.
XafXTTTTjpovxicLS
iv S' oveipaaiv
AeTTTat? VTToi kcovojttos €^rjy€Lp6nr]v piTTalai dcovcTcrovTos,
aix(j>i
aoc TrdOrj
opcoaa irXeico rov ^vvevSovros ;\;povou. vvv ravra Trdvra rXda dTTevdrjTU) (ftpevl XeyoLju, dv dv8pa rovSe rdjv araOfjucov Kvva, a(x)Trjpa vaos irporovov, vijjrjXrjs areyr]? arvXov^ TToSijpr], jxovoyeves reicvov Trarpi, /cat yriv ^aveiaav vavrlXots Trap' iXTrlSa,
896
AcaAAtarov fjixap elcrtSelv e/c x^ipbaros, oSoiTTOpCp SuflcbvTL TTTjyaLOV peos' repTTvov Se rdvayKoiov iK(f)vy€tv dnav.
900
TOLolahe roL viv^ d^ioj TTpoa^deypiaaiv (j)d6vos S'
905
diriarcx)' ttoAAo,
yap Ta
Trplv /ca/ca
rjV€LxdfJi€ada.
vvv 8e eKTjSatv'
/xot,
d7rrivr]9 rrjaSe,
rov GOV TToS
,
(f)iXov
Kdpa,
TcOels cova^, 'lAtou TTopd-qTopa. pirj
x^'-t^^'-
S/xojat/ ri /ue'AAe^', ai? eTriaraXTai reXos* TTehov KeXevdov arrpcovvvvai, TTerdcrpbaaiv
evdvs yeveado) TTop(j>vpoorpairog rropos es Scop, deXirrov d)s dv rjyrjrai SiK-q.
910
rd
8'
aAAa
(f}povrLS
ovx
vttvoj VLKOjp,€vr}
dyjacL SiKaiios crvv deois et/xap/xeVa.
ArAMEMNflN Arjoas yei'eOXov, Sajp,dra}v ifxiov aTTOvaia p,€V elnas eiKorcos ip'fj'
915
^ »
74
N, ardXov F.
ffTvXov iixual
:
Kirchhoff.
* «
povelv deov ixeyiarov hojpov. oX^iaac he XPV ^Lov reXevrriaavr' iv evearoZ (f)LXr).
930
€1
irdvra 8' to?
rrpdcraoLfx,*
dv, evOaparjs^ eyco.
KATTAIMH2TPA /cat
fjLTjv
ToS' etire
fxr]
irapd
yviofJb7]v
efioi.
AFAMEMNriN yva>fjb7)v fxev
taOi
Sta^^epouvr'
(mt)
e/xe.
KATTAIMH2TPA 7]v^co deoLS
Setaa? av cSS' epSeiv rdSe.
AFAMEMNnN CLTTcp Ti?, *
76
ff6j)iJM
F*N.
etOcos"
y
ey too *
c^clttov TeAo?.
irpdffffoifi'
&vev d&paovt
N.
AGAMEMNON hast drawn
it
praise
meed
out to ample length. But becoming should of right proceed from other lips. For the rest, pamper me not after woman's wise, nor, like some barbarian,^ grovel to me with widemouthed acclaim ; and draw not down envy upon my path by strewing it with tapestries. "Tis the gods we must honour thus but for a mortal to tread upon broidered fineries is, to my judgment, -not without ground for dread. I bid thee revere me not as a god, but as a man. Fame needs no carpetings and broideries to make her loud proclaim to think no folly is Heaven's best gift. Only when man's life comes to its end in prosperity dare we
—
this
;
;
pronounce him happy and if in prosper, I have good courage. ;
all
things so
I
might
Clytaemestra
Nay now, speak not
thus to flout
my
purpose.
Agamemnon Purpose
Be assured
!
I shall
not weaken mine.
Clytaemestra
Thou must
in fear
have vowed to Heaven thus
to act.
Agamemnon With word,
if
full
ever
knowledge
man
I
my
pronounced
this
" Nor, as
were a barbaric
final
did.
^ Some take this to mean chieftain, grovel to me."
:
if I
77
AESCHYLUS KATTAIMH2TPA Ti S
936
av 8oK€L^ aoL UplafMOS,
et
raS' rjvvaev;
ArAMEMNflN
Kapra
iv ttoiklXols av
fxoL ^rjvai
hoKel}
KATTAIMH2TPA fXTj
vvv rov dvdpa)7retov alBeadfjs^ t/zoyov.
ArAMEMNHN y^
i'VI^V
8r)fji69povs fieya adevei,.
fJievTot
KATTAIMH2TPA o 8' d(f)d6vrjT6s
y ovK
eTTL^rjXos Tre'Aet.
AFAMEMNflN ovTOi yvvaiKos iariv IpLeipeiv /xdxfjs.
940
KATTAIMH5TPA Tots'
oX^LOLs ye
8
to viKaadai TrpeVet.
/cat
AFAMEMNHN Kal av VLKrjv TtjvSe S-qptos rUiSi
7)
KATTA1MH2TPA
mOov- Kpdros ^
SoKi
:
fievroL
Stanley.
'^
'
78
ndpcs y
aldeffOeis
5okv F.
F\
eKcliv e'/xot. 8oK€t (?)
F^
AGAMEMNON Clytaemestra
What,
think'st
thou, had Priam done, had
achieved thy triumph
he
?
Agamemnon
He would have
set foot
upon the
broideries,
I
do
verily believe.
Clytaemestra
Then be not thou svs^ay ed by fear of men's cavillings.
Agamemnon
And
yet a people's voice
is
a mighty power,
Clytaemestra True, yet he
who
is
unenvied
is
unenviable.
Agamemnon Surely
'tis
not woman's part to be fond of contest.
Clytaemestra Aye, but
it
beseems the happy victor even to
yield the victory.
Agamemnon
What strife
?
Dost thou prize
this sort of victory in
?
Clytaemestra Oh, yield Yet of thy free leave the victory with me. !
accord consent to
79
AESCHYLUS AFAMEMNflN aAA' et So/cet aot ravd^ , v-nai tls dp^vXas XvoL TO-xos, TTpohovXov efx^acriw TroSd?.
945
/cat TOtcrSe firj
yu,'
ifx^aivovO^ dXovpyeaiv decov
TLS TTpoacodev 6pi[j,aros ^dXoi cf)d6vos-
TToXXrj
yap
alScos hoiip,aro(j>dopelv^ iroalv
pTO vav^oLTas OTpaTos. TTevdojxai 8'
OLTT*
op^jxaTcov
\avT. a.
VOGTOV, aVTOfJbapTVS (i>v Tov 8' dvev Xvpas opLcus^^ vpLVcpSel
990
avToSiBaKTos ecrcodev OV TO irdu €)(COV eXntSos (jyiXov dpdaos. OTrXdyxvo. 8' ovtol fiaTa^ei
dprjvov 'EipLvvos^^ dvjJLOS,
995
TTpos cvSlkois 6pov
ixTj
fxdXa ye tol* tg fxeydXas^ vyteias aKopearov ripfxa- voaos yap ®
[(^"^P-
^^
yeLTOJV ofxoroixos epeihei. 1005
/cat TTor/jbos
dvhpos
evOvnopcov
eTTaicrev
Blomfield.
TO fiev irpb
:
^^
Enger.
"
om. N.
aSr' iwava'
:
weabvO'
Hartung.
:
^'^
H. L. Ahrens. »
Tnj/xovas
Auratus.
^^
:
Vict. j^p/^-^^p
avKa^eia. F, d/3Xa/3eta ye
F.
N,
85
AESCHYLUS etpye
ttXcov (f)ep€LV,
fir]
Kaphia yXGioaav av raS' e^ex^t. 'iTpo(f)ddaaaa
1030
vvv 8' V7t6 aKoru) ^pep,€L dvfiaXyijs T€ /cat ovSev ineXTTOfieva^ TTore Kaiptov eKroXvTrevcreLV t,(xiTTvpovp,ivas (f)pev6s.
KATTAIMH2TPA 1035
KaadvSpav
etffw KopLit,ov kol av,
Xeyco,
a
ed-QKe Zeus' dfxrivirois Sofiois KOLVcovov elvai x^P^^^^v, ttoXXwv fxera 67761
SovXcov aradelaav Krrjaiov ficojxov TreXas' €K^atV^ a.TT'^VTJS TTJaSe, /JLTjB^ V7T€p(f)p6v€l. 1040
'v7Js (l>pd^€ Kap^dvo) X'^P'"
X0P02 epfirjvecos eoiKev
heladaf
rj
$€vr)
ropov
rporrros 8e drjpos cLs veatperov.
KATTAIMH2TPA fiatverai,
tJ
1065
tJtls
ye Kal KaKwv KXvei
(f)pevd>v,
XiTTovaa p,ev ttoXlv veaiperov
TJKet, p^oAtvov 8'
ovK erriararai
(fyepeiv,^
TTplv alfjbarrjpov e^atjjpit^eadai p,evos. oi)
• »
88
nrjv' TrXeoi piipaa' drtfjiaad-qaofjiai. veiOov
*
riivd':
M
is
:
Blomfield.
'
Musgrave.
extant for
11.
Ovpaiau *
1068-1158.
«
:
Casaiibon.
Musgrave, /^t? M', /aijc M^
irxipd^:
— AGAMEMNON Clytaemestra Well, if her speech be not strange and outlandish, even as a swallow's, I must speak within the compass of her wits and move her to comply.
Chorus
Go with her.
Of what is thine
thee the best choice. thy seat in the car.
Do
to choose she giveth and quit
as she bids thee
Clytaemestra
—
—
mark me that to dally with here outside for already the victims stand by the central hearth awaiting the sacrifice a joy we never expected to be ours. As for thee, if thou wilt take any part therein, make no delay. But if, failing to understand, thou dost not catch my meaning, then, instead of speech, make sign with thy barbarian hand. I
this
have no leisure
woman
;
Chorus an interpreter and a plain one that the stranger seems to need. She bears herself like a wild creature newly captured. 'Tis
Clytaemestra Nay,
mad
she
since she hath
is
and hearkens to her wild mood,
come hither from a city newly captured,
and knoweth not how to brook the curb until she hath foamed away her fretfulness in blood. No I Twill waste no more words upon her to be insulted !
Ithus.
[Exit
89
.
AESCHYLUS X0P02 1070
iyo) 8', eTTOiKTipco^ y^P> ^^ Ovficoaofiat. rdXaLva, tovS' ipr^/xayaaa oxov, Ld\
w
rfjSe Kaiviaov l,vyov.
eLKOva^ avdyKr]
KA2ANAPA OTOTOTOt
TTOTTOt Stt.*
[P'^'P-
^^
(LttoXXov cottoAAov.*
X0P02 Tt Tttur' dvcDTOTffas" djLt^t
1075
oi)
Ao^lov;
yd/3 TotouToj cocrre dp'f]V7]Tov Tu;(€tr.
KA2ANAPA oToroToi
[avT. a.
8a.
TTOTTOt
cSttoAAop" cottoAAov.
X0P02 a^TC hva(j)r]jxovaa rov Oeov KaXel 1^ ovSev TTpocrr^KOvr' iv yoot? TrapaaTarelv 8'
KA2ANAPA 1080
"AttoAAov "AttoAAov
[o"''P'
dyutdr', dTToAAcoi'
ep.o'S-
dvcLXecras yap ov
judAis"
i^-
ro Sevrepov.
X0P02
KaKwv.
y^pr^aeiv eoiKev dp.^1 raJv avrrjs^ fxlvei *
to delov SovXia
eiroiKTeipu
:
Kirchhoff. 3
11.
lOTiJ,
* U. 1073, 1077 (biroWoi' voc. N). *
90
avTTJi
M.
Trep iv^ (f)pevL.
'
*
e/coiV
:
Rob. (Sophianus).
M, ^noWov M, dwoWov
1077 (5TOTOToror
Trap' ?v
M,
traptf F, Trapd;/
FN
N
:
(u>
over
Schiitz.
— AGAMEMNON Chorus But I will not be angry, since I pity her. Prithee, unhappy one, leave the car yield to necessity and take upon thee this novel yoke. ;
Cassandra
Woe, woe, woe
!
O
Apollo,
O
Apollo
!
Chorus Wherefore thy cry of " woe " in Loxias' name is he that hath to do with those who wail.
?
No god
Cassandra
Woe, woe, woe
!
O
Apollo,
O
Apollo
!
Chorus
Once more with ill-omened words she the god when it beseems not to attend
crieth upon at times of
lamentation.
Cassandra Apollo, Apollo God of the Ways,^ For thou hast destroyed me and second time.^ !
—
my
destroyer! utterly this
—
Chorus She
about to prophesy, methinks, touching her own miseries. The gift divine still abides even in the soul of one enslaved. is
^ Cassandra sees an image of Apollo, the protector on journeys, close to the door leading to the street {dyvid). ^ 'AttoXXwj' is here derived from dirdWvfxi, " destroy " nomen omen. The god had " destroyed " her the first time
making vain his gift of prophecy (1209 became the object of derision in Troy.
in
if.)
;
whereby she 91
AESCHYLUS KA2ANAPA 1085
"AttoAAov "AttoXXov
[dvr. ^.
ayvidr , airoXXcov e/xos. a TTol TTOT rjyayes /xe; Trpos noiav ariyriv;
X0P05 TTpos rrjv 'ArpeiScDv et
av
[jltj
toS
ivuoeZg,
iyoj Xeyco aoi' /cat raS' ovk epels
tfjvdr].
KA2ANAPA 1090
^[xiaodeov fxev ovv, ttoAAo. avviaropa^
W'^P- J-
avT6(f)ova KaKOL /capard/xa,^
dvSpoacfiayeXov^ /cat rreSoppavr'^pLOV .^
X0P02 r) $€vrj kvvos Blktjv elvai, jxarevei^ 8' cSv dvevp-qaet' (f)6vov.
eoLKev evpis
KA2ANAPA 1095
fiaprvploLai^
yap
roXcrS* iTrnrcidofjLaL'^
[dvr. y.
KXaiofieva rdSe Pp€(l)r] cr6pov Befxas
deol yXvKVv t* ala)va'' KXavpudrayv drep' ifjiol
Se
ixtixvet crxLOfios dp,(f>'qK€i
Sopi.
X0P02 1150
TToOcv €7nacrrjTovs deo^opovs
[r']* '^X^^^
jxaraiovs Svas,
rd
S' i7TL(f)o^a^ bva(f>dra)
pLeXoTVTTcZs 6p,ov
r
KXayya
opdiois iv vofxois;
TTodev opovs' ^x^Ls deaneaiag 68ov
1156
KaKoppTJfxovas
KA2ANAPA lO)
ydfiot ydfjiOL
HdpcSos
dXedpioi,
<j)iX(x}v.
[errp. t).
HiKapbavSpov irdrpiov ttotov. Tore p,€V dp,<JH ads dtovas rdXaiv* uii
rjvvTOfiav rpocjiaZs'^^
1160
vvv S'
o^^as"
dp,<j>L
*
o?a
M.
*
/cuTov re Kd^epovaiovs
6oi/ca B€aTncpBrja€Lv 2
M,
rdxa.
^ /Soar? M. dKdpearoi: Aldina. (piXolKToii raXalvais FV3, ipiXolKTOicn N.
AGAMEMNON Chorus art, by some god possessed, and dost wail in wild strains thine own fate, like some brown nightingale that never ceases making lament (ah me !), and in the misery of her heart moans Itys, Itys, throughout all her days abounding
Frenzied in soul thou
in sorrow.
Cassandra
Ah, fate of the tuneful nightingale The gods clothed her in winged form and gave to her a sweet life without tears, ^ But for me waiteth destruction by the two-edged sword. !
Chorus
Whence come
these vain pangs of prophecy that thee ? And wherefore dost thou mould to melody these terrors with dismal cries blent with piercing strains ? Whence knowest thou the bounds of the path of thine ill-boding prophecy ? assail
Cassandra Ah,
bridal, bridal of Paris, fraught with ruin to his
Ah me, Scamander, my native stream Upon thy banks in byegone days, unhappy maid, was I nurtured with fostering care now by Cocytus and the banks of Acheron, methinks, I soon must chant kin
!
!
;
my
prophecies. ^
The wailing ^
* ^
"
M
ir€p€J3d\ovTo
dYiDya
ends,
1144) of the bird
(1.
arjSovos iJ.6pov
M,
MFNV3,
11.
:
1160-1673 in
M
FNV3 Herm. :
*
yp.
FNV3.
unconscious.
Herm.
irepi^aKovres
aiCjva
is
"
fr']
Herm.
6x^°^^' Casaubon.
99
.
.
AESCHYLUS X0P02 dyav enos veoyovos av dicov^ fxadoi.
Tt ToSe Topov
i(f>'r]fj,tao);
TreTrAiyy/xai 8' UTrat^ 8a/cet' (fyoLvio)
1165 ^vcraXyel* rvxq-
dpavpiar^
ynvvpd
[/caKO,]® Opeoiievas,
iixol kAvclu.
KA2ANAPA lu)
TTOvoi TTOvot, TToXeos 6XofJb€VaS^
loj
TTpoTTvpyoi dvaiai Trarpos
TToXvKavels
^orwv
TO
TToiv .
[avT.
TroLovoficov a/co? 8
1170 ovSev eTTrjpKeaav
ro
ttoXlv jxkv
[XTj
wairep ovv
iydi 8e depfMovovs
rd^
€;\;ei*
TraOelv.
iv TreSo)* jSoAcD.
X0P02 Ta8'
iTTOfjLcva TrpoTepoLcrt}"
i(f>'qni,aa).
/cat Tt's ere KaKOpovd)v^^ ridrj-
1175
cri
halfjLcov inrep^aprjs
lX€Xit,eiv irddrj
einrirvwv
yoepd 9avaro(f>6pa.
repp.a 8' dfirjXOLVOj.
KA2ANAPA Koi fjLTjv 6 XP'^I^H'OS ovKer* e/c KaXufipbdrajv earai SeSopKws veoydpbov vvficfi-qs^'^ Slktjv 1180 Xafinpos 8' €olk€v rjXiov rrpo's dvroXdg TTvecov iad^€tv,^^ ware Kvpuaro? hiK-qv kAu^civ^* irpos avyds rov^e Tnqpiaros ttoXv fj.€L^ov (f>p€va}aai 8' ovK^r* i^ alviyfxdTiov *
*
100
i/wal
N,
veSyovoi dvOpuviov iiirb
FV3.
Karsten.
:
'
dr/yfuiTi
:
Herm.
r]
AGAMEMNON Chorus
What words
are these thou utterest, words all too plain ? new-born child hearing them could understand. I am smitten with a deadly pain, the while, by reason of thy cruel fortune, thou criest aloud thy piteous plaint that breaks my heart to hear.
A
Cassandra
O
my city my father
travail, travail of
Alas, the
sacrifices
utterly destroyed offered,
the
!
many
pasturing kine slain to save its towers Yet they availed naught to save the city from suffering even as and I, my soul on fire, must soon fall to the it hath ground. !
;
Chorus
Thy
present speech chimes with thy former strain. Surely some spirit malign, falling upon thee with heavy swoop, moveth thee to chant thy piteous woes fraught with death. But the end I am helpless to discover.
Cassandra
Lo now, no more from behind a 'tis
like to rush
my prophecy peer forth new- wedded bride but clear as a fresh wind blowing
shall
veil like a
upon me
;
against the sun's uprising so as to dash against its rays, like a wave, a woe mightier far than mine. No more by riddles will I instruct you. And do ye bear
I
*
Canter.
^ [(ca/ca] Schiitz. dpa^Har' FV3, OavfiaT N. ' oXu/xivas FV3, oXov/xevas : Casaubon. 9 ifiwidv : Casaubon. ^X" N, ^x^iv FV3. ^^ KaKocppovelv : Schiitz. irpordpots : Pauw.
Si^traYYei:
«
N
8
'°
^^
^^ is ii^eip
:
vAfxtpas F,
Bothe.
pv/.i.ri^ ''*
NV3. icX&eiv
:
Auratus.
101
;
'
AESCHYLUS Kol jxapTvpelre avvhpofjiws lx^os KaKcov pLvrjXaTovar] rcov TrdXai ireTrpaypievcov.
1185
yap areyqv
rrjv
rrjvS^ oi/'ttot' iKXenrei
^vfx^Ooyyos^ ovk ev^ojvog-
x^P^^ ov yap ev Aeyei.
/cat pLrjv 7T€TTOjKO)s y', CO? dpacrvveorOai TrXeov,
^poreiov aljxa Kcofios iv BofMois
fievei,
8va7T€fi7TTOs c^co, (Tvyyovcov 'Eptvucav.^ Vfxvovcn 8' vfjivov hcop^aoLV TTpoar]p,evai
1190
TTpcorapxov^ arrjV iv /Aepet 8' OLTTeTTTvaav evvas d8eA^o{» to) Trarovvri Svafievels. rjfxaprov,
^
1195
rj
to^ottjs tls ms;
drjpo)*' tl
ifjevboixavTis elpn dvpoKOTTOs (jyXeScov;
iKfjuaprvprjaov Tvpovp^oaas to
Xoyo) TraAatas
elSevai
pj*
ap^aprias B6p,0JV.
tcop'S'
X0P02 Kal
av opKOS,
7700?
Tranx)Viov yevocro;
7rrjyp.a^
yevvaiois irayev,
6avp,d^oj 8e aov,
iTOVTOv TTcpav rpa(f>€iaav dXXodpovv ttoXlv
1200
Kvpeiv Xiyovaav,
coCTTrep et
Trap^ardreis
KA2ANAPA fxdvTis
/x'
'AttoAAwv Ta)S*
iTTecrrrjaev riXei.
X0P02 KOL deos nep lp,epcp 7T€7rXrjyp,€Vos
1204
p,a)v
1203
TTpoTov p,ev ttiSco?
KA2ANAPA
'
^viKpdoyyos '
102
T»7puj
:
rjv
vyfj.
XOP02 dAA' taOi rXrinoiv ova
evToXfJiov <j)pevos.
(xtt'
KA2ANAPA ovSeis"
aKovei ravra ra)v evSat/jbovcov
X0P02 dAA'
eu/cAecDs"
rot Kardavelv x^P^^ ^poro).
KA2ANAPA 1305
to)
TTOLTep
crov
acjv'^
re yevvalcov reKVcov.
XOP02 Tt 8' ecrri XPVI^^>
*^*
'^''^
arroarpi^ei (^o^os;
KA2ANAPA X0P02 Ti tout' e<j>€v^as; 1
Xpii-y
:
Tt ^
*
114
e'l
Herm. Twi'
:
/xi)
ttX^w
Auratus.
(f>p€vcbv
FV3,
7r\^(^
arvyos. N.
AGAMEMNON Cassandra
There is no escape none any more.^
no,
;
my
friends,
there
is
Chorus
Yet he that
is
last
has the advantage in respect
of time.
Cassandra
The day
is
come
flight
;
would
profit
me
but
little.
Chorus Well, be assured, thou art patient and of a courageous spirit.
Cassandra
None who
is
happy
is
commended
thus.
Chorus
Yet surely
to die nobly
is
a boon for mortals.
Cassandra Alas for thee, my father and for thy noble children
!
[She starts back in horror
Chorus
What
aileth thee
?
What
terror turns thee
back
}
Cassandra Faugh, faugh
!
Chorus
Why
thou " faugh " ? Unless perchance there be some horror in thy soul. criest
^ Auratus read xpo^o^ irXiwv save for time."
:
" more than that of time,"
115
.
AESCHYLUS KA2ANAPA drov fiopov.
rXrjfjLov,
KA2ANAPA S/TTd^ €t' efJiov
elnelv prjaiv ov* dprjvov deXo)
Tov avTTJs. 1
*
dXX'
lis
:
*
116
6vov
r^Xicp
NS
Herm. oil Herm.
fl:
S'
/xot, 1
TTeTrXrjypiai
dvTpifeuv: Porson. * vp&TTfiv: Porson, *
firjKdri 5' eiffiXdjjs:
TrXrjyrjV ecro). 2
oiKreipui Kirchhoff. *
(3poTo2s
:
:
118
:
Pauw.
Herm.
awoTlati -Tlarj Sidgwick, -reiaei Kirchhoff. iviKpavel: Sidgwick. » ei5|aiTo Schneidewin. •
^
Kaipiav
AGAMEMNON ^ may at the same avengers a bloody penalty for slaughtering a slave, an easy prey. Alas for human fortune When prosperous, a mere shadow can overturn it ; ^ if calamitous, the dash of a wet sponge blots out the drawing. And this last I deem far more pitiable than that. [Enters the palace
mine enemies
latest light, that
time
pay to
my
!
Chorus 'Tis
human kind to be unsatisfied From stately halls none barreth
the nature of
with prosperity. it with warning
all
that uttereth the words So unto our prince the Blessed
voice
" Enter no more."
Ones have granted to capture Priam's town and, honoured of Heaven, he returns to his home. Yet if he now must pay the penalty for the blood shed by others before him, and by dying for the dead he ;
to bring to pass retribution of other deaths,^ what mortal man, on hearing this, can boast that he was born with scatheless destiny ? [A shriek is heard from within
is
Agamemnon
Ay me
!
I
am
smitten deep with a mortal blow
!
Of this corrupt passage no emendation yet made commends itself irresistibly. The translation is based on the ^
reading ixdpo^s (povevcnv .tou^ Bothe, the rest to J. Pearson.
i/xoijs,
where
(povevaiv is
due to
^ Some editors, emending the passage to aKiq. t« hv " one may liken it to a shadow," understand jrpe\peiev, " shadow " either literally or as a " sketch." * If Agamemnon is now to pay the price for his father's killing of Thyestes' children, and by his own death is to atone for his slaying of Iphigenia, and is thus to bring about requital consisting in yet other deaths (Clytaemestra
and Aegis thus). 119
; ;
.
.
AESCHYLUS X0P02 atya' tls
TTXrjyrjv
avreX Kaipicos ovTaaficvos
AFAMEMNriN 1345 oj/zot /xaA' avdis, Sevrdpav TTeirXT^yixivos.
X0P02 rovpyov elpydadai Bokcl fioi ^aaiXecos olfxioyfjiaaLV aAAd Koivojacofxed^ rjv ttojs^ a.apoLp,idt,ovraL yap cos rvpavvihos^crrip.ela Trpdaaovres TroXei. )(^povit,op,ev ydp. ol he rijs p-eXXovs'^ kXcos TTcSot^ TTOTovvres ov KadevSovatv x^P^ovK olSa ^ovXrjs '^cmvos rvxdiv Xeyco. rov SpcovTos icTTi Kal ro ^ovXevaai Trepi. Kdyd) tolovtos clpi' , eTrel 8vap,rjXo.vd) Adyotcrt top davovr dviardvai irdXiv. rj Koi ^loV T€l,VOVT€S* cSS' V7T€L^Op,€V SopLcov Karaiaxvvrrjpai roicrS' rjyovpievoLS dAA' OVK dveKTov, dXXd Kardavelv Kparel'^ 7T€7TaLT€pa ydp pbolpa rrjs rvpavvihos TTpdyp.*
/cat
3. Kaycx)
4.
1356 5.
6.
1360
7.
8.
9.
1365
—
—
—
—
—
—
^
Slv
^
TTjs
irus
fjLeWoOcrr)^ *
120
:
Weil.
/xeWoOs
FV3,
Trypho
fieWoijcrr)^
KTeivovres: Canter.
Tlepl
rpdirwu
N.
(iii.
196 Spengcl), r^s '
*
Kpdrei:
ir^dov
:
Herin.
Casaubon.
AGAMEMNON Chorus
Who Silence by a mortal blow
is
!
this that crieth out,
wounded
?
Agamemnon
And once again, ay second blow.
me
!
I
am
smitten by a
|
Chorus
—
The deed is done, metHinks to judge by the groans of the King. But come, let us take counsel together if there be haply some safe plan of action. [The members of the Chorus deliver their opinions on the course to he taken summon the townsfolk 1. I tell you my advice to bring rescue hither to the palace. 2. To my thinking we must burst in amain and charge them with the deed while the sword is still dripping in their hands. 3. And I am for taking part in some such plan, and vote for action of some sort. 'Tis no time to :
keep on dallying. manifest. Their opening act marks a plan up a tyranny in the State. 5. Aye, because we are wasting time, while they, spurning to earth that lauded name, Delay, allow "their hands no slumber. 6. I know not what plan I could hit on to propose. 4.
'Tis
to set
the doer's part likewise to do the planning. too am of this mind, for I know no way how by mere words to bring the dead back to life. To prolong our lives shall we thus 8. What submit to the rule of those defilers of the house ? No, death were 9. No, it is not to be endured. better, for that were a milder lot than tyranny. 'Tis
7. I
!
121
;
.
-
AESCHYLUS 10.
yap
7^
T€KfJir]pLOi,ai,v
e^ olficoyiJidTcov
—
fiavrevaofMeaOa rdvdpos d)s 6X(i)X6ros; 11. ad(f)' elSoras XPV t^^^^ dvjxovadai^ Trepf
TO yap ro7Tdt,eLV rod
ad(f>^
etSevat, hi-)(a.
—
12. ravrrjv irTaLvelv Trdvrodev TtXrjdvvopiaiy
1370
rpavcos 'ArpelSrjv clSevac Kvpovvd^ ottcos.
KATTAIMH2TPA TToXXwv irdpoidev Kaipicos
clprjfxdvcov
rdvavr" eliretv ovk CTraLaxwd-ijaofMai,. TTCos ydp Tts" ix^P^^^ ^X^P^ iropavvwv, (j>iXois hoKovaiv elvai, Trrjfjiovrjs^ apKyarar' dv^ (f>pd^€i€v, vi/jos KpeZaaov iKTrr^hrjp.aros ifjLol 8' dycbv o8' ovk d<j)p6vriaro£ irdXai veLKTjs* TraXaids rjXOe, avv xP'^vcp ye fMijv' earrjKa o evu enaia ctt e^eipyaafxevois ovroi 8' €7Tpa^a, /cat Ta8' ovk dpvT]crofjiai'
1375
1380
to? fi'qTe (f>evyeLv
fJi'qT^
'd7T€Lpov diJi,cf)L^Xr]aTpov ,
dfMvveadai^ fxopov,
wavep
Ix^vcov,
TrepiaTLXi^co,^ ttXovtov elp,aros
KaKov.
,
8e VLV St's" Kav Svolv olpLCoyjxdroiv^ ixedrJKev avrov^ KwXa' Kal TTenrcoKorL TTaioj
1386
TpLTTjv i7T€v8iBcofJit, Tov « « 10 veKpcov acoTTjpos LOS
Ax
Kara x^ovos '
>
evKraiav
/
^^a/atr.
ovrco TOV avrov^^ dvp,6v opixaivei ireadiv KaKcfjvaLdJv o^elav alfxaros a(j>ayrjv 1390
jSaAAei
/a'
ipeixvfj
*
*
ipaKdSc ^oivias hpoaov,
E. A. J. Ahrens. ^ apKuaraTov Elmsley. * iwecr' F. * afj.}jvaadai vlKr}% Heath. Vict. ' Trepia-Tixi^w N, irepi(TTixi-^pov€lv
eiTrjKoos S' ejxcjv
epycDv SiKaarrjs rpaxys
Xiyo) Be aoi
et.
X0P02 jjLeyaXofxrjTis et,
7T€pi(f)pova 8'
eAa/cey.
ojaTTep ovv (f)OVoXL^eZ Tvxq- (f>pr]v eVt/xatVeratj Xlttos opLfxariov atfiaTos ev TT/oeVet*
eV
en
arierov^
o-e
arepojjLevav ^iXoiV
;^pT^
rvfjifxa rvpifiaTL^ retCTat.'
1430
KATTAIMH2TPA /cat TT^vS'
d/couei? opKLOJV i/xcov 6ep,LV
fia rrjv reXeiov rrjs ifi-qs TraiSos Alktjv,
"Attjv ^Eptvvv^ d\ t65':
*
' *
X/"7
:
I.
126
TOILS'
OpTjKlwv ri (re
2
N)
\r)pL/xd.Tuv
Person.
6 *
'
ato-t
Voss.
Tv/j./xa Ti'ifM/xa
Tiaai: Kirchhoff.
:
:
€a(f)a^'
Canter.
^rlerov I. s
iyo),
avTov: Vict.
N,
ajTieroj'
FV3.
Vbss. emi'j'tJj'
:
Blorafield.
AGAMEMNON Clytaemestra 'Tis now that thou wouldst doom me to exile from the land, to the hatred of my people and the execration of the public voice ; though then thou hadst naught to urge against him that lieth here. And yet he, recking no more than if it had been a beast that perished though sheep were plenty in his he sacrificed his own child, even her fleecy folds I bore with dearest travail, to charm the blasts of Thrace. Is it not he whom thou shouldst have banished from this land in requital for his polluting When thou arraignest what / have deed ? No done, thou art a stern judge. Well, I warn thee menace me thus on the understanding that I am prepared, conditions equal, to let thee lord it over me if thou shalt vanquish me by force. But if God shall bring the contrary to pass, thou shalt learn discretion though taught the lesson late.
—
—
!
:
Chorus
Haughty of
spirit
art thou
and overweening
is
thy speech. Even as thy mind is maddened by thy deed of blood, upon thy visage a stain of blood showeth full plain to behold. Reft of all honour, ibrsaken of thy friends, thou shalt hereafter atone ibr
stroke with stroke.
Clytaemestra This too thou hearest, this the righteous sanction my oath By Justice, exacted for my child, by Vte, by the Avenging Spirit, unto whom I sacrificed
)f
:
127
,
AESCHYLUS ov
fxOL (f)6^ov fjieXaOpov
^^? ^^ aWj]
1436
TTvp
i(f>'
iXnlg ejXTrdrei,
icrrias
ifJ>rjs^
Atyiados, (x)s TO TTpoaOev eS (f>povwv ifjiol. oSros yap rjfjblv danls ov apuKpa} dpdaovs. KeZrai yvvaiKog rrjahe XvjxavTrjpLos yi^pvarjihoiv p.eiXLyjxa rcov v'n
'lAtoj*
o.lxP'dXojTos yjSe /cat repaaKorros
'"'
^
1440
KOLVoXcKTpos TovSe, Qea(f)arr]X6yos
/cat
TnoTT] ^vvevvos, vavriXcov he creXfidTcov
laoTpi^rjS?
artjLta 8'
ovk €7rpa^dr7]v.
6 fxev yap ovTa)s, rj Se rot kvkvov hiK-qv rov vararov fxeXifjaaa Oavdaipiov yoov Kctrai, (f)iX'qTcop* touS' e/xot 8' eiriqyayev
1445
•
evvrjs 7Tapoi/ja)vr)fjia^ rijs ifMrjs ;)(At8i7?.
X0P02 Tt? dv iv rdxec,
€V,
fir)
Trepicohvvos,
[crrp. a.
hefxvtoTTJprjs,
firjhe
TOP atet ^ipova* iv rjfMV dreXevTov vttvov, Sap,€vro9 (f)vXaKos evfieveordrov /cat TToXXd rXdvTos yvvaiKos Stat* TTpos yvvacKos 8' dTri^diacv ^iov.
1460
fjLoXoi
Mot/3
1466
'EAeVa ras TToXXds, rds ndvv iroXXas ijtvxds oXdaaa vno Tpola. ' TTapdvovs'
ui)
[i^
Icrotpvxov
e'/c
yvvauKcbv
KapSioSr^KTOv^ ifiol Kparvvecs. inl 8e acjjjiaros Si/cav jxoi KopaKos ixdpov crradela^ eKvopaos^ 1474 1435
Vjxvov v/JLvetv eTrevx^rai.
.
.
.®
irapdvovs 'EAeVa [icfyvfjiv. rds TToXXds, rds ttovv ttoAAo.? ipvxois oAecracr' vtto Tpoia. vvv [8e] reXcav TToXvfivacjTov eTTrjvOiaoi
€pt,g
KATTAIMH2TPA VVV 8' a)pd(x)cras crrofxaTos Tov TpnrdxvvTov^^
[anap.
yvcofjirjv,
bacfiova yivvrjs TrjaSe klkXtjckcov. ^
iKTpix-n^
' ffiTlTTfis *
180
€V, KaKOV alvOV OTT]-
[o^T'p.
^.
pds rvxas OLKOpecrrov 1485
Irj,
Irj
Siat Atos"
TTavairiov Travepyera-^
yap ^poTols dvev Aioj reAetrac;
Tt
TL TcovS
ov deoKpavTov
icrriv;
^aatXev ^aaiXev, [e^vp,v. ^. ae SaKpvaoj; (f>pev6s €K ^lAta? TL TTOT e'lTTO) KetaaL S' dpa^v-qs iv u^aa^aTt roiS' ao-e^et davdrcp ^iov eKnvewv. d>fxoL p,oi KOirav rai^S' dveXevdepov Id)
Id)
1490
rrdjs
1495
hoXiu) pLopcp 8ap,€ls
<Mp,apTos>*
CK X^P°^ dpb^Lr6p,cp
^eXe/jLvu).
KAYTAIMH2TPA avxels etmi roSe rovpyov epbov; /xr^S'
eTTiXexdfjs
Aya/jLcpvovlav etvai
dXoxov. veKpov Tovh^ 6 TraXaios Spifxvs dXdcrrwp ^
1600
/x'
(f)avTa^6pbevos Se yu^^at/ct
Arpews
X'^^'^^ov doivar-qpos
TOvS' d7T€T€ia€V,^
reXiov vcapols iTTtdvcras.
132
[anap.
AGAMEMNON For from him it cometh that the lust for lapping blood is fostered in the maw ere ever the ancient wound is healed, fresh blood is spilled. this race.
;
Chorus Verily of a mighty Fiend thou tellest, haunting the house, and heavy in his wrath (alas, alas !) an evil tale of baneful fate insatiate woe, woe, by will of Zeus, author of all, worker of all For what is
—
;
!
brought to pass for mortal men save by will of Zeus What herein is not wrought of Heaven ?
my
Alas, alas,
?
my King, how shall I my heartfelt love for
King,
bewail thee ? To lie in this spider's web, breathing forth thy life in impious death Ah me, to lie on this ignoble bed, struck down in treacherous death wrought by a weapon of double edge wielded by the hand of
thee
?
How
voice
!
thine
own
wife
!
Clytaemestra Dost thou affirm
this
deed
is
mine
?
Nay, imagine
am Agamemnon's
spouse. Taking the semblance of the wife of yon corpse, the ancient bitter evil genius of Atreus, that grim banqueter, hath offered him in payment, saci'ificing a full-grown victim in vengeance for those slain babes.
not that
I
^
veipei * *
*
:
Wellauer
oLKois -ro7<xd€
Travepyira
Enger.
N,
{veipri :
Casaiibon).
Schneider.
irapepyirav *
FV3.
awiTiffiv
:
KirchhofF.
133
;
;
AESCHYLUS X0P02 [dvr.
to? fiev dvalrios el
1505
fS.
o jjiaprvprjaajv TTWS TTCos^; TTarpodev Se cruAAr^TTTcop yevoir* dv dXdaTcop.
TOvSe
(f)6vov TLS
jSta^erai 8' opLoaiTopoig
eTTippoalaiv alpbdrcov
1510
ottol SiKav^ Trpo^aivcov^
/xe'Aa? "Ap-qs,
Tidxya Kovpo^opo) irape^ei. Id)
Id)
7T(x)s
^aatXev, SaKpvao);
jSacrtAeu
ere
[eVfMV.
y.
dpyvpoTOLXOV Spolrrjs^ Kare^ovra ^dficvvav.''
TTplv TovS'
1540
CTriSetv
TLS 6 ddifjoiv vtv; rj
(TV
TLS 6 Oprjviqawv
To8' ep^ai rXrjar], Kreivaa'
dvSpa TOV avTTJs dTTOKiOKvaat
^^XV
1545
'^'
dxcptv^ X^P''^
^^'^^
epyoiv
fxeydXcov dSiKcos iniKpavai; TLS 8' e77tTU/xjStoj/ alvov' crvv
€77*
di/8/)t
^eta>
SaKpvoLS Idirrcov
dXrjdeia <j)pevd)v Trovrjaei;
1550
KATTAIMH2TPA ou ae TTpoa-qKci to [xeXrjfM^ oAeyetv" TOUTO' Trpo? rjfxdjv KaTTTTcae, Kdrdave, Kal Karaddi/fOficv,
OVX aAA
1555
V7TO
KXavdfliOV rdJV €^ OLKCDV, 'I^tyeVeia viv^^ doTraaiws
dvydrrip, d)S XP1> TTarep avnaaaaa Trpos oiKViropov TTOpdfievix 7T€pl
136
dx^cov
x^V^" ^aXovaa
^tAi^aei."
[anap.
AGAMEMNON Chorus Bereft of any ready expedient of thought, I am bewildered whither to turn now that the house is tottering. I fear the beating storm of bloody rain that shakes the house no longer doth it descend in drops. Yet on other whetstones Destiny is whetting justice for another deed of bale. O Earth, Earth, would thou hadst taken me to thyself ere ever I had lived to see this my liege the tenant of the lowly bed of a silver-sided laver ;
!
Who
bury him ? Who shall lament him ? Wilt thou harden thy heart to do this thou who hast slain thine own husband to make lament for him and crown thy unholy work with a graceless grace to his spirit in atonement for thy monstrous deeds ? And who, as with tears he utters his praise shall
—
—
over the hero's grave, shall sorrow in sincerity of heart ?
Clytaemestra no concern of thine to care for this office. By our hands he fell, and met his death and at our hands he shall have burial not with wailings from his household. No Iphigenia, his daughter, 'Tis
;
—
!
as is due, shall meet her father lovingly at the swift-flowing ford of sorrows, and flinging round
him her arms ^
euwdXafivov 3 *
*
shall kiss
diKT,
O-nyei
Spoiras
:
Person.
:
FV32N2, Herm.
xj'vxv" ^X'^-P'-" **
/ueXri/xa ^^
X"pa
\eyeiv :
5iKa
^
YS\
^
:
' •
l^-
A.
^eKas : Blomfield. Aiiratus. : O-qydvais : Paiiw.
Ni
dlKOi
Kirchhoff.
:
^
^**
him.
XU/Lcei/cav
iinTvixfii.0% aTvos : I. ^^ 'IcpL-yeveiav Karsten.
Porson.
^^
Solmsen.
:
Ahrens. Voss.
J.
Auratus. Abresch.
'iv' :
(piXriarj {-y)
:
137
.
AESCHYLUS XOP02 \avr. y.
oveiSos rjKei roh^ avr' oveihovs. Bva/Jiaxo- 8' ecTTi Kplvai.
1560
(fidpovr' ,
(f)ep€(,
eKrivei, 8'
o Kaivoiv.
Se fjiifivovros iv Opovco^ Aio?
fjii/jiveL
TTaOetv rov ep^avra- deajxiov yd-p.
yovav dpalov^ ek^oXoi Soficop; KeKoXX-qr at yevos Trpos ara?
TLS dv
1565
6vovs
Airi20O5 (5
(f)€yyos €V(f)pov rjfxepas hiKr](f)6pov
dv TJSr] vvv ^porwv rifxaopovs deovs dvcodev yrjs eTTOTTTeveiv d-)(rj,
(f)aLrjV
1580
1585
1590
1595
tScov vcfjavTols iv TTenXoLs
^pivvcxiv
Tov dvSpa TovSe Keip-evov ^iXcos e//,ot, X^pos TTarpipas eKrivovra p,r}xcivds. ^Arpevs ydp dpxojv rrjaSe yrjs, rovrov rrarrip, Trarepa Qvdarrjv tov ip,6v, d)S ropcos (ftpdcrai, avTov 8'^ dBeXs p,dXXoy rj (f)lXo)s, Trarpl T(i)p,a>, Kpeovpyov rjp.ap evdvp^cos dyeiv hoKUiV, TTapeax^ Satra TraiSeLcov KpedJv. ra fiev TToSrjprj /cat x^pd>^ aKpovs Krevas edpvTTT* , dvcodev
dvSpaKas Kadr^ixevos .^ danrjfia
8'
aurcDv
aurt'/c'
ayvot'a
Xa^wv
eadei fiopdv dacorov, cu? opas, yevei. *
11.
l.)71-7()
/xoi
S'
Canter, trunsp. Erfurdt.
IIO
a\\T)\oovevs;
Airi20O2
oAA
CTret
rdxo. 1Q50 cla
Bt],
raS'
So/eels'
—
(jiiXoi
Xoxjirai,
epSecv
Kal Xiyeiv,
rovpyov ovx
yvcoai
e/ca? roSe.^
XOP02 eta
8r^,
^i(j)os
TrpoKCOTTOV Trds res evTpeTn^ercD.
Airi20O2 oAAct Kdyd)
TrpoKcoTTOs
fjbrjv
ovk
dvalvo/jbat Oavelv.
X0P02
ScxojJbevoLS Xlyeig daveXv ae* ttjv rvxT]v 8' alpovixeda.'
KATTAIMH2TPA
^IXrar* dvSpcov, aAAa Spdacofjieu* /ca/ca. raS' e^afxrjcrai rroXXd, 8vaTr]vov dipos-^
fxrjoajjidJs , c5
1666
oAAa
/cat
TrqfjLovrjs
8
dAi? y' virdpx^i'^ p,rjhev aipiaroiixeda? avv
^
'
^
146
yvvTi]
Given to the Chorus
Spanheim. Aegisthus by Stanley.
:
in mss., to
ipovfieda
:
Auratus.
AGAMEMNON Chorus
Why then, in the baseness of thy soul, didst thou not kill him thyself, but leave his slaying to a woman, pest of her country and her country's gods ? Oh, doth Orestes haply still behold the light, that, with favouring fortune, he may come home and be the slayer of this pair with victory complete ? Aegisthus
Oh well, since thou art minded thus to act and speak, thou shalt be taught a lesson soon. What ho trusty men-at-arms, your work lies close to hand.
My
!
Chorus
What ho
Let every one make ready
!
with hand on
his
sword
hilt.
Aegisthus
My
hand too
is
laid
on
hilt
and
I
shrink not from
death.
Chorus " Death for thyself," thou sayest. omen. We welcome fortune's test.
We
hail the
Clytaemestra Nay, my beloved, let us work no further ills. Even these are many to reap, a wretched harvest. Of woe we have enough let us not spill more blood. ;
* Spdro/Mev *
ijirapxe
:
Vict. : Scaliger.
' '
6
Ipws
Schiitz.
:
Tj/iaribfieOa
:
Stanley,
147
AESCHYLUS areix^r* alholoi yepovres^ npos Sofxovs, 7T€7Tpa>fi€VOLS^ [roucrSe]^ TTplv TTad^tv et^avre?*
wpa- XPl^^ '^^^' ^^
eTrpa^a/xcv.*
8e TOt fjboxdcov yevoLTO rcbvS dXis, Sexotfied ' av, 1660 SalfjLOVos XV^fi iSapeta SyCTTu;;^^/)? TrevrAr/y/xevot. c58' ep^et Aoyo? yuvat/cd?, el' rt? a^tot fxaOeiv. €t
Airi20O2 aAAo, touctS' e^ot® {xaraiav yXcocraav c58' airavdiaai
KOiK^aXelv
€Trrj
roiavra Saifxovos^
aaxfypovos yva>p,rjs 6^^° (x)ra
Airi20O2 aAA' iyo) a* iv vcrrepaiaiv rjfxepaLS
fiercLfji'
en.
XOP02 OVK, edv SatfMcov ^Opecrrrjv Sevp' diTCvdvvrj fioXelv.
Airi20O2 ol8'
iycb (f>€vyovras dvSpas iXTTiBas atrovfJidvovs-
X0P02 Trpdaae, tnaivov, fjnatvcov ttjv Slktjv, irrel irdpa. ^
*
(TTet'xfTe 5' ol
vivpuiijAvovs
:
*
• in-pa^dfirtv
148
y4povTf%
:
H. L. Ahrens.
Madvig.
^
[roi^irSe]
Auratus.
NV3
ip^avTfs F, ip^avra Madvig. : Kaipbv xprjv Headlam {Cipav Housiuan). *
'•
:
Vict.
'
7' ^xo^yuf ^'
:
Martin.
!
AGAMEMNON Venerable Elders, betake ye to your homes, and yield betimes to destiny before ye come to harm. What we did had to be done. But should this trouble prove enough, we will accept it, sore smitten as we are by the heavy hand of fate. Such is a woman's counsel, if any deign to give it heed.
Aegisthus
But to think that these men should let
their
wanton
tongues thus blossom into speech against me and cast about such gibes, putting their fortune to the test To reject wise counsel and insult their master !
Chorus It
would not be
men
like
of Argos to cringe before
a knave,
Aegisthus
Ha to
I'll
!
thee with vengeance yet in days
visit
come.
Chorus Not
if
fate shall guide Orestes to return
home.
Aegisthus
Of myself
I
Keep
grow thee
know
that exiles feed on hope.
Chorus on, thou canst.
TOijffde fj.oi:
I.
Voss.
^^ ^^
fat, polluting justice, since
yvd}/j.7is S'
FN
^ :
dalfiovas daifjLovas
:
Cas; Casaubon.
Stanley.
V3)
Casaubon.
(om. a./j.apT7JT0P : 12 <e' v^piffaL> Blomfield.
149
AESCHYLUS Airi20O2 1670 laOi
fjiOL
Scoaojv aTTOiva T-qaSe ynjjpias xaptt'.
X0P02 KOfXTTaarov dapcribv,^ dXcKTCop Uiare^ drjAeias TreAa?.
KATTAIMH2TPA fjLrj
Koi ^
TTpoTifJi'^crrjs
fxaraicov tcovS' vXayp.arcxiV <eya>>^
ai) d-qcrofjiev
Kparovvre rcovhe SajfiaTcov < KaXcos > .*
6appQ)v ^
150
Porson. Canter. :
-
*
ibairep
:
Scaliger.
Auratus.
AGAMEMNON Aegisthus
Know that thou shalt pay requite thy folly.
me
the
penalty td
Chorus Brag
in thy bravery like a cock besides his hen.
Clytaemestra Care not for their idle yelpings. be masters of this house and order
I it
and thou
will
aright. [^Exeunt
omnes
151
THE LIBATION-BEARERS
TA TOY APAMAT02 HPOSlinA 0PESTH2 XOPOS HAEKTPA OIKETHS KATTAIMHSTPA IITAAAHS TPOOS
Ainseos
DRAMATIS PERSONAE Orestes Chorus of Slave-women Electra A Servant Clytaemestra Pylades
Nurse Aegisthus
—— —
Scene. Argos. Time. ^The heroic age. Date, 458 B.C., at the City Dionysia.
155
ARGUMENT Now
when she had
slain
Agamemnon, Queen
Clytae-
mestra with her lover Aegisthus ruled in the land of Argos. But the spirit of her murdered lord was wroth and sent a baleful vision to distress her soul in sleep. She dreamed that she gave birth to a serpent and that she suckled it, as if it had been a babe ; but together with the mother's milk the noxious thing drew clotted blood from out her breast. With a scream of horror she awoke, and when the seers of the house had interpreted the portent as a sign of the anger of the nether powers, she bade Electro, her daughter, and her servingwomen bear libations to the tomb of Agamemno?i, if haply she might placate his angry spirit. Now Princess Electra dwelt in the palace, but was treated no better than a slave ; but, before that Agamemnon was slain, her brother, Prince Orestes, had been sent to abide with his uncle Strophius in a far country, even in Phocis. There he had grown to youthful manhood, and on the selfsame day that his mother sought to avert the evil omen of her dream, accompanied by his cousin Py lades, he came to Argos seeking vengeance for his father's murder, Ofi the tomb of Agamemnon he places a lock of his hair,
and when Electra discovers
it,
she
is
confident that
must be an offering to the dead made by none other than her brother. She has been recognized by him by reason of 156 it
THE LIBATION-BEARERS her mourning garb; but not until she has had further proof, by signs and tokens, will she be convinced that it is he in very truth. Orestes makes known that he has been divinely com-
missioned to his purpose of vengeance. Lord Apollo himself has commanded him thereto with threats that, if he disobey, he shall be visited with assaults of the Erinyes of his father banned from the habitations of men and the altars of the gods, he shall perish blasted
—
in
mind and body. Grouped about the grave of
their father, brother and aided by the friendly Chorus, implore his ghostly assistance to their just cause. Orestes and Pylades, disguised as Phocian travellers, are given hospitable welcome by Clytaemestra, to whom it is reported that her son is dead. The Queen sends as messenger Orestes' old nurse to summon Aegisthus from outside accompanied by his bodyguard. The Chorus persuades her to alter sister,
message and bid him come unattended. His death quickly followed by that of Clytaemestra, whose appeals Orestes, displaying for mercy are rejected by her son. the
is
the bloody robe in
which his father had been entangled
when struck down, proclaims But his wits begin to wander ;
the justice the Erinyes
of his deed. of his mother,
unseen by the others, appear before his disordered vision ; he rushes from the scene.
157
XOHOPOI OPE2TH2
V^
^ •
y
xdovie, TTarpo)' inoTrTevcDV Kpdrrj,
'
OKOTOV
fxev€L xpovil,ovras^ o-Xf] [^pi^et]/ rovs 8' aKpavTos ep^et vv^. 8t'
aljxaT eKTTodevO^^ vtto x^ovos Xfim^ov [crrp. y.
(f)6vos irernqyev ov StappvSav.* SiaXyrjs *^; ^
jS/auetv.'
/xi^
(e/c
^^ icrdyov
^
alaav)—
8t/cata ap;^as' Trpeirov
alveaai
j8ta cf)pev(x)v jI.
TTLKpov^*
GTvyos KpaTovcrrj.
aKpvo)
vcf)
eiixarcov
fiaraLOiai, SeaTTordv rvxo.i'S, Kpv(f)aioi,s
TrevOecnv Traxvovp^ivrj.^^
HAEKTPA yvvaxKes, Siopbdrajv evdrjp^oves €7ret Trapeare rrjaSe TTpoarpoTTrjg e/zot 7Top,7TOL, yeveade rcurSe crup,PovXot Trepf 8/Li6t>ai
85
ri ^
(f>a)
x^ovaa^^ rdahe KrjSeiovs X^^^>
Xpovi^ovr' : Dindorf. Schiitz. : *
'*
11.
pour these offerings of sorrow, what
Stephanus. Person. with a over ?? Conington.
otyovTi
^^
I
:
:
78-80
^dlvovres : Bamberger. lovaav : Musgrave. fidrriv Scaliger : jxarav Heath.
SiKaia. irpiirovr
"
^^
dpx^?
{a-ir'
dpxaj.Schol.) ^lov
(pepo/xifuv aivicrai triKpCov {iriKpov Schol.)
Ahreiis, irpewov ^*
[5e]
Ti'/(/)w
(ilq.
(ol/nai
Wilam.
t{i).i^i^
ni) 5e
:
^^
x^oi'iTtt
:
ri
^Iq.
pevCiv
Turn. H. L. Ahrens,
irax'''ovixivr)v
;
Turn.
165
..
AESCHYLUS TroJs ev(f)pov^^ etTroj, ttcos /careu^o/xai Trarpi;
TTorepa Xeyovaa Trapa
yvvaiKos dvSpc, t^?
90
(j)iX7]s
(pepeiv
(fiiXco
irdpa;
epirjs fjir]Tp6s
ToivS' ov TTapearc ddpaos, ot)8' exo^ tl
X^ovaa TovSe rreXavov TovTo
ri
CCT^A'^
(f)daK(x)
tovttos, d)s vopios ^porols,
avrihovvaL rolat
•^
crty'
irariqp,
dripLaJS,
Tre/JbTrovcriv^ rctSe
KaKOJv eTra^lav;
aT€(f)7], 86at,v ye* rcov
96
6j,
iv tvjx^o) Trarpos.
axnrep ovv dTTcLXero
rdh^ e/c;^eacra/ yd-norov
;^i;att',
aT€LX^ Kaddpfiad' a)s rts eKnepaJjas TrdXiv SiKovaa revxos daTp6(f)otaLV opLfxaatv; TTJcrh^
100
iare ^ovXrjs,
cL cf}lXaL, pLerairiaL'
Koivov yap exOos iv hofxoLs pirj
TO
K€vder' evSov KapSiag
vop,t^ofx,€V.
tlvos.
(jio^cp
yap rdv r iXevdepov
fji6p(np,ov
/ieVet
Kai Tov TTpos dXXrjs SecnroTovixevov x^pos. Xeyois dv,
105
et rt tcovS'
exois vneprepov
X0P02 alSovfX€vrj aot ^(npiov a>s rvpb^ov Trarpos
Xe^co, KeXevets ydp, rov ck (f>pev6s Xoyov.
HAEKTPA XeyoLS dv, (LaTrep fjSeaco Td(f)ov Trarpos ^
M,
tOpuv tS^ppov' m. • ir^fiwovai : Vict. ^
166
iyx^ovffa
:
2
^(7t':
*
re
Dindorf.
:
Bamberger.
Stanley.
;
THE LIBATION-BEARERS am
to say ? How shall I find gracious words, voice the prayer unto my father ? Shall I say that I bring these offerings to a loved husband from a loving wife from her that is mine own mother ? For that I have not the assurance nor know I what words to say as I pour this draught I
how
—
;
my father's tomb. Or shall I speak the speech that men are wont to use " that to those who send these funeral honours may he make return with good a gift forsooth to match their evil ^ ? Or, in silence and dishonour, even as my father perished, shall I pour them out for the earth to drink, and then retrace my steps, like as one who carries forth refuse from a rite, hurling the vessel from me with averted eyes ? Herein, my friends, be ye my fellow-counsellors for common is the hate we cherish within the house. Hide not your counsel in your hearts thi-ough fear For the fated hour awaits alike the free of any. and him made bondsman by another's might. If thou hast a better course to urge, oh speak upon
:
'
'
—
!
Chorus In reverence for thy father's tomb, like as it were an altar, I will voice my inmost thoughts, since thou
commandest me. Elect RA Speak, even as thou hast reverence for
my father's
grave. ^ " Their evil " is unexpectedly substituted for " their good." The question is ironical, since it was natural for a Greek to return evil for evil (cp. 123).
167
.
AESCHYLUS X0P02
^Oeyyov x^ovaa Kehva} rolaiv
evcfypoaiv.
HAEKTPA Tivas Se TOVTOvs tcov
110
<j>iXo}V
TrpoaevveTTCo;
X0P02 TTpcoTOV fxev avTTjV
;)(ajcrTis"
Atyiadov arvyel.
HAEKTPA e/Liot
re
/cat
aoi rap* eTTev^o/jbai raSe;
X0P05 avrr)
av ravra puavddvova'
r)8r]
(f)pdaai.
HAEKTPA TiV ovv
er' a'AAov rfjSe
piiixvrja
^Opearov, kcI Ovpaiog eaB*
TrpoartOw ardaet;
X0P02 115
.
op^cos-
HAEKTPA
€v rovro, Kd<j>pivcoaas ovx rJKLcrrd
p,€.
X0P02 rot? air LOIS vvv rod ^
^
M< :(/>{.
j
;
AESCHYLUS
07 / ^o
^ cl q,-^
X0P02
eXdetv nv* avrots Sai/MOv'
-^
^poTCov riva
—
HAEKTPA 120.^
TTorepa SiKacrTrjv
hiK'qf ye ttcu? dXco/Jueda dvSpa 8' dvrr^AAa^aro irpo's rrjg reKovarjs AtyiCT^or, ooTTep gov (f)6vov jLteratrto?.
eu;(a?, Trarpcpajv ScofidTcov^
;i':
kXv€,
p,OL,
SeanoT^, i^ dpt,avpds
co^
t
-ai/
m.
Sc-hutz. ae^dco}-. Turn.
fc-a^c^s: *
Rob.
M
^ '-j
THE LIBATION-BEARERS me, I am no better than a slave, Orestes an outcast from his substance, while they in insolence of pride wanton bravely in the winnings of thy toil. Yet may Orestes come home and with happy fortune This is my prayer to thee, and do thou hearken unto me, my father. For myself, oh grant that I may prove in heart more chaste, far more, than my mother and in hand more innocent. These invocations on our behalf but for our foes I implore that there appear one who will avenge thee, father, and that thy slayers may be slain in just retribution. ('Tis thus I interrupt my prayer for good, for them uttering this prayer for evil.) But to us be thou a bringer of blessings to the upper world by favour of the gods and Earth and Justice crowned with victory." [She pours out the libations Such are my prayers, and over them I pour out these libations. 'Tis your due service to crown them with flowers of lamentation, raising your voices in a chant for the dead. for is
—
!
;
Chorus Pour forth your teai's, plashing as they fall for our fallen lord, to accompany this protection against evil this means to avert from the good the loathed pollution of outpoured libations. ^ Hearken unto me, oh hearken, my august lord, with thy gloom-
—
enshrouded
spirit.^
An alternative rendering is : . . . " fallen lord, on this barrier against ill and good {i.e. the tomb), to avert the cursed pollution, now that the libations have been poured ^
out." ^ Or d;aai;pas may mean "feeble," "helpless," to contrast the spirit of the dead with that of the living. But cp. 323.
173
AESCHYLUS OTOTOTOrOTOTOTOL , LTCD TIS^ SopV160
aOevrjs dvqp, dvaXvrrjp hojxcjv,
HkvOiko.
t^
iv ^epoiv TraXivrov*
iv cpycv ^eXr] ^TTnrdXXojv "Aprjs
avroKUiTra
a)(ehia. t'
vcojJioJv il(f>r].^
HAEKTPA yarrorovs* X^a? Trar-qp' veov 8e fivOov rovSe Koivcovqaare. €X€L jxev
166
tJSt]
X0P02
7 "''''
XeyoLs
J
dv
opxetTat^ Se KapSia
(/}6^a).
HAEKTPA opoj TOfxalov TovSe
^oarpvxov
ra.(j)cp.
X0P02 TLVos TTOT
avSpos,
T]
^adv^covov Kop-qs;
HAEKTPA 170
ev^v/jb^oXou ToS' icrrl Travrl So^dcrai.
X0P02 naXacd Trapd vecorepas
ovv;
TTcos
fxddco.
HAEKTPA
ovK eoTLV ^
lu tIs
:
ocrris ttX-^v Ifxov
Bothe. '
174
»
/SAjj
:
ffKvdiTaT
Pauw from
Keipacro vlv^ with
t;?
Schol.
over
t :
Rob.
— THE LIBATION-BEARERS Woe, woe, woe Oh for a man mighty with the spear to dehver the house, a very god of war, brandishing in the fray the Scythian rebounding bow and wielding in close combat his hilted brand [As they conclude, Electra discovers !
!
the lock
of Orestes' hair
Electra
My father hath by now received the libations, which the earth hath quaffed. But here is startling news Share it with me. !
Chorus Speak on
—and yet my heart
is
dancing with fear.
Electra here a lock, a shorn offering for the tomb.
I see
Chorus
Whose can girdled maid's
it
be
—some
man's or some deep-
?
Electra
That
is
easy to conjecture
—anyone may guess.
Chorus
How
then
?
Let
my
age be lessoned by thy
youth.
Electra There
is
no one who could have shorn
it
save
myself. *
Tov
a.ir6,
:
yairhrovs Turn.
After I. 164 Turn. over veiv m)
^ dj'opxeircti *
Keiperd v€lv (with viv
M
has
I.
124.
:
:
Turn.
175
AESCHYLUS X0P02 ixdpol yap ols TrpoarJKC Trevdrjaai TpL^i-
HAEKTPA Koi
6S
fj,7}v
iarl Kapr* IheZv opLoirrepos
—
X0P02 rovro yap diXoi pLadetv.
TTolais idelpais;
175
HAEKTPA avroLGLV 'qfuv Koipra irpoa^epr^s Ihelv.
X0P02 p.cji)v
ovv 'Ope'crrou Kpv^ha hcopov
roSe;
rju^
HAEKTPA eKeivov ^ouTpvxois irpocreiheTai.
jjiaXior
X0P02 Kat
TTOJS
eKclvos Sevp^ eroXpu-qaev jxoXeiv;
HAEKTPA 180
€7re/.n/re
^aiTrjv^ Kovplfirjv X^P''^ Trarpos.
X0P02 ovx ^aaov cvhaKpvTa, ft rrjaSe *
^
:
^ai)5ei
fiOL
Xeyeis raSe,
fX-qnoTC «/raucret* ttoSi. 2
Scholefield. '
176
x^P^^
with
17
over
^^-f^^ey ^aj ^^^ e
m
:
Turn.
.
Vict.
— THE LIBATION-BEARERS Chorus Aye,
for foes are
make such mournful
they
whom
it
had beseemed to
offering of their hair.
Electra
And
further, to look upon,
'tis
very like
Chorus
Whose
locks
?
This
I
fain
would know.
Electra
Our own
—
yes, very like, to look upon.
Chorus
Can here
it
then be that Orestes offered
it
in secret
?
Electra 'Tis his curling locks
that
it
most resembles.
Chorus But how did he venture to come hither
?
Electra
He
hath but
sent this
shorn lock to do honour to
his sire.
Chorus In thy words
he
shall
VOL.
n
greater cause for tears, never more set foot upon this land. lies still
N
if
177
.
AESCHYLUS HAEKTPA KOL^ol TTpoaearrj KapStas kXvScovlov XoXrjs, eTTaiadrjv^ 8' (hs hiavTaicp ^e'Aef
186
€^
8e ScipiOL TTlTTrOVai HOC
O/JLIXOLTOJV
arayoves a(f)paKTOi
hv(y-)(Lpiov TrXrjfxfxvpiSos,
TrXoKafiov ISovar) rovSe-
ttcDs"
yap eXTrlaw
aXXov rijaSe SecTTrd^etv ^oBrj^; aAA ot)8e fJLrjv viv rj Kravova' eKeiparo, ifirj 8e fjLTJTTjp, ovSafjiOJS emovvpiov aarchv riv
190 \
p6vr)ixa Traial
Svcrdeov 7re7ra/xev7^
eyd) 8\ OTTOJS fi€V avTLKpvs raS' alvdaco, €ivaL t68 dyXaLafid fxoi rod (jyiXrdrov
^poTcbv ^Opearov
— aaivojxai
8' vtt^
iXmSoS'
pov''
ovaa
rjv rerfxr^fiepos,
cov eix^ avjjbTrevdeiv e'/zot
ayaXfxa rvfi^ov rovSe /cat TLfjbrjv Trarpos. aXX' elSoras p-ev rovs deovs KaXovp^eda, oioimv €v ;;(ei/xajcri vavrlXcov hLKrjv* arpo^ovp,€d^ el 8e xP'h '^^X^^^ acoTrjplas, ap,LKpov yevoLT dv aTrgp^aros jxeyas 7Tvdp,Tqv. Kai p,rjv otl^ol ye, Sevrepov r€Kp,r]pLov, •
* 206
TTohu)v^ opioioi TOLS
T
ifxoLaiv ipi^epetg
—
fat yap Sv^ iarov Tco8e 7T€pLypadopd.
178
— THE LIBATION-BEARERS Electra
Over
my
heart, too, there sweeps a surge of and I am smitten as if a sword had stabbed me through and through. From my eyes thirsty drops of a stormy flood fall imchecked at sight of this tress. For, how can I expect to find that someone else, some townsman, owns this lock ? Nor yet in truth did she shear it from her head she the bitterness,
—
murderess, my own mother, who towards her children hath taken to herself a godless spirit illaccording with the name of mother. But, for my part, how am I to assent to this outright that it adorned the head of him who is dearest to me in all the world, Orestes ? Ah no hope but flatters me. Ah me If only, like a messenger, it had a kindly voice so that I were not tossed by my distracted thoughts but would plainly bid me spurn away this tress, had it been severed from a hated head or, if it claimed kin to me, would share my grief, an adornment to this tomb and a tribute to my sire.
—
!
!
—
;
But Heaven, which
I invoke, knoweth by what are tossed like men upon the sea. Yet, if it is our fate to win safety, from a little seed may spring a mighty stock. And lo why here are tracks— a second proof tracks of feet, matching each other and like unto my own Yes, for here are two sorts of footprints, his own and some companion's. The heels and markings of the tendons agree in their proportions with mine own tracks. I am in torment, my brain is in a whirl [Enter Orestes
storms
we
!
—
!
!
'
iwaidriv 2
:
aa<pr)vri
Canter. Paley.
*
ixijK^vvvacTbti-qv: *
:
^
iro8u>v 5'
:
diKri
:
Turn.
Aldina.
Turn.
179
;
VA
v'"^
^
OPE2TH2 €Vxov ra Xonrd, rots deols reXea^opovs evxas eTrayyeXXovaa, rvyxdveiv KaXcos.
'"
V
•»*
AESCHYLUS
.
t\
y^.'-^
;
HAEKTPA vvv
CTret TL
SaLfxovwv Kvpco;
e'/cart
OPE2TH2 els oiffiv rJKets covTrep e^rjvxov^ TrdXat.
215
HAEKTPA Kal TLva avvoiaOd
[jlol
KaXovixdvr] ^poTCOv;
OPE2TH2 owoiS'
'Ope'cTTT^v TToAAct
ct'
eKTTayXovfjLevTjv
.^
HAEKTPA Kal Trpos ri Sijra rvyxdvio Karevyixdriov
OPE2TH5 08'
ixdrev^ ifiov fidXXov
ct/xi* fxr)
HAEKTPA
J:^.,va^
—220
(f)iXov.
oAA*
SdAor
ij
Ttr', c5
^cV,
djii^i /xoi irXeKeis
OPE2TH2 auTO? '
'
180
Ktt^'
i^i)VKOV
:
ndiXTdrovs ydp olSa vcpv ovras iriKpovs.
HAEKTPA ^iXrarov fxeXrjfia Scvfxaaiv irarpos, haKpVTOs eXiTLs anepfjuaTos acorrjpLOV,
235
tS
oAktj TTeTToiOws
Scu/Lt'
dvuKTrjar) Trarpos.
reacrapas pioipas e^ov ep,of TTpoaavhdv 8' ear* dvayKaicos ^xov u)
'
'
repiTvov
6fjLp.a
inoiaiv : Turn, • fiiv vvp : Turn.
(nei\//aiTOfir):Turn.
182
*
iyw ce *
•
(nifi/iirpou
1. :
irpovvpiiru
:
Arnaldus.
228, transf. Rob.
Pauw.
''
rcficri^:
Dindorf.
THE LIBATION-BEARERS Electra Nay, thou art fain to mock at
my
distress.
Orestes
At mine own then
also, if
indeed at thine.
Electra
Am
I
then to address thee as in truth Orestes
?
Orestes Nay, though thou seest in me his very self, thou but slow to learn. Yet at sight of this shorn tress of mourning and when thou wast scanning the footprints of my tracks, thy thought took wings and thou didst deem it was I thou didst behold. Put to the spot whence it was shorn the lock of hair thine own brother's and mark how it agrees with And see this piece of weavthat of my head. ing, thy handiwork, the batten strokes and the art
—
—
beasts in the design. Control thyself! For our nearest kin, distraught for joy are bitter foes to us twain. !
Be not I
know,
Electra
O its
in
best beloved darling
of thy
father's
house,
hope of saving seed, longed for with tears, trust thy prowess and thou shalt win again thy father's
O
thou fond presence house. for father four parts of love ;
«
'"
11.
230-229 transf. Bothe.
9r)pioi>
:
Bamberger.
that hath for
needs must
I
»
'^
els
5k:
ixTjKirXayiTJ
:
me call
Turn. Turn.
183
;
AESCHYLUS rrarepa re, Kal to fxr^rpos is oi /xoi /aeTret arepyrjOpov rj Se TravScKivs exdacpeTai'
240
Trjs rvdeiarjs vrjXeojs ojjioaTTopov TTLaros 8' dBeX^os rjod\ i/xol ae^as (f>€po)v
Kal
^
246
Te /cat Alkt] aw ro) jrpLTCp irdvrwv fxeyiara) ZiT]vl avyyevoiro aot}
fjLOVos' K/actTos"
*
OPE2TH2
(_
\
,
.
s
C\.ir, Tf>
>; Jtx J
Zeu Zeu, decDpos ra)vhe
Trpayixdrcov^ yevov-
ISov Be yevvav^ evviv alerov narpos,
davovros iv
TrAe/cratcrt /cat cnreLpafiaaLV*
rovs S' d7Ta>p(f)aviaixevovs ou yap eVreAetsr^
Beivrjs ixiBvTjs-
1
vrjaris Trte^et Ai/xds"
1
dripav TTarpipav^ 7Tpoa(j)€p€LV aKTjvrjixaaLV.
OVTO) Be Kdpbe T7]vBe t
,
^YiXeKrpav Xeyco^
IBeZv Trdpearl aoi, TTarpoareprj yovov, (f)vyr]v e^ovre rrjv avrrjv B6fia)V. rod dvrrjpog /cat ere TifMOJVTOS fieya TTarpos veoaaovs rovaB^ dirotfideipa's nodev c^ei? o/xotas" x^''P^^ evdoivov^ yepas OVT alerov yevedX drro^Oeipas, ttoXiv TTep.TTeiv exois dv aiqp.ar' evTriOif ^porols' ovr dpxtKos aoi irds o8' avavdels 7Tv6p,-r)v ^cofiOLS dp-q^et Povdvrois iv rjp.a(nv}° KopLi^ , diTo ajXLKpov S' dv dpeias^^ [xeyav oofiov, BoKovvra Kdpra vvv ireTTTCOKevaL. dfji(f)co
265
/cat
^ V>LXov OvrjcrKeLV )(p6va)
296
V-
(^lXoottovSov Xi^os,
*-
TToAAot yap els ev avp,7Tirvovaiv^ Ifiepoi, C deov T e^er/xat /cat Trarpos Trivdos /xe'ya, /^^ I /cat npos TTte^et^ ;j^/37^/xaTajv dxrjvia, ''
300
^
TO /xt) TToXiras evKXeeardrovs ^portov, Tpoias dvaararrjpas evSo^o) (f)p€.vi, §t>otv yumt/cotv oiS' vtttjkoovs TreAetv. ^TyAcia yap ^p-qv el he pLiq, rdx e'laerai.
^ /
(f)Ct)vel.
Herm. Herm.
284
'^
:
••
Kparepbs
:
Rob.
Epai Stanley.
— thp: libation-bearers ance, and both madness and groundless terrors out of the night torment and harass the man, Avho seeth clearly, though he moveth his eyebrows in the dark ^ so that, his body marred by the brazen scourge, he be even chased in exile from his country. For an offender such as this 'tis not allowed so the god declared to have part either in the festal bowl or in the genial draught his father's wrath, albeit unseen, bars him from the altar no one receives him or lodges with him ; and at last, unhonoured of all, unfriended, he perishes, shrivelled pitifully by a death that wastes him utterly away. In oracles such as these must I not put my trust ? Nay, even if I trust them not, the deed must still be done. For many impulses conspire to one conclusion besides the god's behest, my keen grief for my father, and withal the pinch of poverty that my countrymen, the most renowned of mankind, who overthrew Troy with gallant spirit, should not thus be at beck and call of a brace of women for woman he is at heart ; or, if he is not, he shall soon put it to the test. ;
—
—
;
;
:
;
Chorus
Ye mighty
Fates, through the power of Zeus vouchsafe fulfilment thus even as Justice now " For word of hate let word of hate be turneth !
said,"
crieth Justice aloud as she exacteth the debt, " and for murderous stroke let murderous " To him that doeth, it shall be stroke be paid."
done by," so saith a precept thrice-aged. ^
He
cannot sleep through terror of the Erinyes of his whom tie has not avenged.
murdered kin *
avixTTLTvovinv '
no'tpe
with
M, ai "
a-v/jLTriiTTovaiv
over
m.
niyavTL
* *
e.
M,
fxiy
dvTet
irpoaine^ei 5iKT)v
mG.
M,
:
Abresch.
diKT]
mG.
AESCHYLUS OPE2TH2 315
(fydfxevos
t]
[(^tR- ^•
croi
ri pe^as
av eKadev^ ovpiaas, evda a exovcriv ewat, GKorq) ^dos avTi/Jiot-
rvxoLfi
320
^'"^,
xa/'iTe? 8' opboicus
pov^;
K€KXr]VTaL ydos" evKXerjs TTpoadohopLOis 'ArpetSat?.
Vk \^U^*S' 326
^
3^
X0P05
f-
.v--^^- 4S
(f)p6vr)iJia rov davovros ov Sajua^et TTVpos [rjY fxaXepd yvddos, (l>aiv€i 8' varepov opyds' 6roTvt,erai 8' o Ov^gkcov,
T€KVOv,
dva<j>aiverai 8' o ^XdirrcuVfi '^'^'^^ TTarepojv re /cat reKovrcov
^ yoo? TO
eVSt/cos'
^
\
fir
,
a
fiepet,
einrvixpios
Td(f)os 8' LKeras 8e8e/crat iryd8as 6^ ofxoioj?.
^'•'^\r
^ N^
OtTrat? roc
-^ i>\
190^
»
o'^'*^
>
'
V
^
arptaKTos ara; ''^^
,^
..
-^
HAEKTPA
dpijvos dvaarcvdi.eL.''
^,ip35
.
P*
rapaxdets.
kXvOl vvv* CO Trdrep, ev TToXvSdKpvra Trevdrj.
y.*i^
,^1)'''
'
[p'^P'
fxarevec
TTav^:dp,^iXa<j>'qs
-«-
y^ '
TTarep alvo-rrarep, ri
ol
\\,avA.^'^^^^^''"''
[avr. a.
THE LIBATION-BEARERS Orestes
ft
O
unhappy
father,
of mine can
I
father,
by what word or deed
succeed in wafting from afar to thee,
where thy resting-place holds thee, a light to oppose thy darkness ? Yet a funeral lament in honour of the Atreidae who erst possessed the house is none the less a joyous service.
Chorus
My
child, the consciousness of the
quelled by thereafter
fire's
what
ravening jaw
and
man
is
raised full loud
is
not
man hath
slain
revealed.
hath just
for parents that
dead
but he bewray eth
The
stirreth him.
his dirge, the guilty
fathers
;
Lament for cause, when
and strong, maketh search on every
hand.
Electra
Hear then,
O
father, as in turn
Lo,
plenteous tears.
'tis
we mourn with
thy children twain that
As
bewail thee in a dirge o'er thy tomb.
and
suppliants
as exiles likewise have they sought harbourage
at thy sepulchre. free
from
doom
ill ?
What
Is it
is
there here of good, what
not hopeless to wrestle against
?
Kadev with ' *
[r/]
Tois
:
f over /cm. Person.
Schiitz. ' dva(XT€vd^ei
^
* ^
M,
Erfurdt. Canter.
laori/j.oipoi'
vOv
:
eirirvjUL^idiois
dfacrrevdl^ei
:
:
Herm.
G.
191
~
AESCHYLUS X0P02 aAA' er' au €K rcjvhe deos XP'oC^^K
340 (.V***'>
1
^
veoKpara
(f)iXov KOfxicrecev .^
0PE2TH2 et
346
yap
'lAt'w
tJtt'
[o't^P-
Trpds" Ttj/o? Ay/ctcoi', ,,~^
^
>t'.'-Tc
J
^-V>We
iv KeXcvdptS^
et;(e?
rd^ov hiaTTOvriov yds^
^^/3/)or6i' Aldina) *
®
Tjv
SiairovTiovras
with
(T
over
v
:
:
:
^'
VOL.
II
:
O
193
.
AESCHYLUS HAEKTPA fXTjS*
VTTo Tpojtas
[dvT. y.
retxecn^ (j>dijxevos, Trdrep, jxer' dXX(p^ SovpiKfjirJTt^ Xaw
365
irapa HKap,dvhpov nopov redd^dai.* TTapos 8 ol Kravovres viv ovTOJS^ Sa/jLrjvai
370
^^, "»,
^
^, davar7](f)6pov alaav TTpoaoiP rivd TTVvddveadai
T(x>vhe TTOvojv aTreipov.
X0P02 ravra
p,ev, co ttol,
fj,€ydXr]s ,
Se rvxrjs
fiei^ova
'^
/cat
TrjaBe^/jiapdyvTjs^ \,o^^^ '^^^
SovTTof LKvetrar Tibv pukv dpcoyol Kara yrjs rjSr], rcbv Se Kparovvrcov X^p€S ovx ocrtat arvyepcov tovtojv ? Tratai Se fidXXovjyeyevrjTai
^..
^^^
OPE5TH2" rovTO Stauirepes oy?"
380
[arn
?i
Zei? Zeu, Kdrcodev dpLTTCfXTrcuv
J -j-'^'pif
X^''P^
,4
XOP02 i(f>vixvrjaat,
yivoiro
/
^..,[ ^,.,.^,J.-cUc)
fioi TWKoi-
[(^tR- c-
r'*> r yap Kevdco ^pevos
Oetvofievov, yvvaiKos
6XXvp,4vas' ri
TTorarai;
optjxvs arjTa OvfJios
otov^ efiTras
Trapoidev 8e 7T£a>pas
KpaSias^
i,
cyKOTOv arvyos.
HAEKTPA Koi TTOT* 395
^i
'r^'^* >
•
civ
[dvT. S.
afji(f)(,daXr]g
Zeyj eVt X^''P°' i^aAot, ^eu ^eu, Kapava Sottas; 7"o-Ta yevoiTo )(a)pa.
sl'^^'V*^''
oiKov o eg aoiKcov arrairoj. kXvt€ 8e Fa ;)^^oi'ta>v re ri/xat.*
y^j
X0P02 aAAa
400
arayovas
u6p,os^ fiev (f)ovlas
;(u/AeVas e? Tre'Sov ctAAo TrpoaaiTeZv af/xa.
^o^
ya/o Aoiyo? 'Eptvj)v^
TTapa rdjv Trporepov' ^dijxivoiv drr^v €T€pav eTTayovcrau ctt' d-rrj. ^
S.rr)v
with a over
Herm. Ouov: Herm.
* t\i/ihovi: * •
Tox^oi'/wj' Tcn/xat
?;
m
(and SO in =*
(with ^v over
1.
irevK-^evr »
:
Kapdias:
/xai
m)
:
403).
Dindorf.
Herm.
H. L. Ahrens.
THE LIBATION-BEARERS dost send up from the world below upon the reckless and wicked deeds wrought by the hands of men their retribution long-deferred and nevertheless it shall be accomplished for a father's sake.^
—
Chorus
May
be mine to
triumph stabbed and over the woman as she perishes Wherefore should I strive to keep hidden what nevertheless hovers before my soul ? Full against my heart's prow wrath bloweth it
over the
raise a lusty shout in
man when he
is
!
keen
in rancorous hate.
Electra
And when
mighty Zeus bring down his hand upon them ah me and cleave their heads asunder ? Let the land have pledges thereof After injustice Hearken, O 'tis justice I demand as of my right. Earth, and ye honoured powers below
—
will
!
—
!
!
Chorus Nay, it is the eternal rule that drops of blood spilt upon the ground demand yet other blood. Murder crieth aloud on the Spirit of Vengeance, which from those slain before bringeth one ruin in another's train.
He thus justifies his (unvoiced) prayer, " slay my mother."
1
8
Xoiybv
ipLvi/i
:
' dXX' Schiitz.
dvofj-os
:
Turn. "
irporepwu
:
Portus.
197
AESCHYLUS OPE2TH2 405
[oTp. I.
veprepcov rvpavviSes,
TTOTTOL^ br)
there TToXvKparels 'Apat ^^tvo/xeVcuv, tSecr^' ^Arpeihav ra Xoltt' dpirjxoivws
exovra
/cat Soifiaraiv
drLfia.
tls
ttS,
rpamoir
av^
w
ZeO;
X0P02 410
TreTraArat*
havre
/xol (f)iXov
Kcap
\dvr.
Tovhe nXvovaav oIktov /cat lOT^^jxeu SucreATrts', aTTXdyxvaqi_ />tot° KeXaivov415
rai irpos eiros KXvovaa. orav 8' aSr* en dXKrjs eTrdprj e^ms>, aTTearaaev dxos
<jx
TTpoaj>ave'iad^ /xot koXcos.
HAEKTPA Tt 8*
[dvr. dv fames' Tvxotfjiev rj^ ravep A. reKopuevoiV rayv ye ; npos ax^a'
Trddofiev.
420
irdpeari aaiv^iv, to. 8' ovtl OeXyeTai.
XvKOS
t,.
"
cSctt' (hpLocjipcov
daavros ^X^!"^ ^^
e/c
jxarpos
iorrL dvpbos.
X0P02 €Koif/a KOfipbov "Kpiov^^ ev re^^ Kiaalas^
[ctT/3. Tj.
voixoLS IrjXepbLaTpLa?,^
Bamberger.
'
TTot TTot
*
Ounivu}v
*
vtTiffTpawoiTav corr.
*
ireTrdXare (ai
*
II.
415-17
iv' d\Krji
(t
over over
^TraX/c^s
i-fipxi
TrpoffipavfTaa
198
:
et
m)
H. L. Ahrens. m. m); Turn. :
' moi'5 Schiitz. OpapfairiffTaffep &xos irpb% rb ave7opais
dvjM TToXndv dva.Kr
,
'%VeV 8e TT€vd7]IJ,dTCOV
I
^rXa?^ dvolfJLOJKTov dvhpa
j;
PPE2TH2,
436
I
TO ndv
drifjicos
narpos
8' drLp,a>aiv
ddifsat,.
,
eXegas, otfxoi.
dpa'
[arp.
ret'cret* ii^iths
p€/cajt /xev SaLjjiovcov,
J
'•-
e/cari 8' d/Aav CTTCtT
x^R^^i
voa^icras oXoLfidv.^
eyct)
X0P02 ipLaaxaXiadri^^ 8c y',
440
CTTpaaae
8',
aTrip^^
w?
rdS* etSi^?-"
*v^ cS8e
[ai/r.
i.
ddrrret,,
fiopov KTiaat}^ fxojfJLeva a€pTov^*
alwvL aa>,
kXvcls^^ 7Tarp(x)c^s 8vas drlixovg.^^ ^
*
Srjv:
dvpiyKTOL
Hob.
• firJTfp '
»
"
iph
:
:
TToXinrdXayKTa
Heath.
»
lo
Sd
ye
Herm.
"
Aire/):
Blomfield. * [
«
iXolnav: Turn. :
:
Stanley.
SchUtz.
5^ T(ocrToar(ldr)s
200
irX-KTo.
» iirippoOii:
^rXr/j
:
Wellauer. ] Dindorf.
rlaei : KirchhoflF. iixaaxO'Mae-qi: Rob.
; wj eiSi?? Canter; t65' Pauw. Portus.
THE LIBATION-BEARERS clenched blows rained thick and fast one might have seen my outstretched hands, now on this side now on that, descending from above from far above till my battered and wretched head resounded with the strokes.
—
—
Electra
Out upon
thee, cruel, all-daring mother In cruel burial, a king unattended by his people, unattended by lamentation, thou didst find the heart to bury thy !
husband unbewailed. Orestes
Ah me,
Yet and by help of mine own hands, shall she not make atonement for the dishonour done my sire ? Let me but take her hfe, then let
by God's
me
die
thy words spell utter dishonour.
help,
!
Chorus Aye, and he was foully mangled,^ I would have thee know. And even as she thus buried him, she viTOUght with the design to make the manner of murder a burthen on thy life, past all power to bear. Thou hear est the story of the ignominious
his
outrage done to thy father. ^ An allusion to the savage custom by which the extremities of the murdered man were cut off, then hung about his neck and tied together under the arm-pits (/^ao-xaXat). At least one object of this " arm-pitting " was to disable the
spirit of
the dead from taking vengeance on the murderer. 1'
^^
Krei-aL
d(pepKToi>
:
with
v in
erasure
Rob. ^^
dvaaTifxovs
:
Stanley. ^^
:
kX^€i
:
Turn.
Stanley.
201
AESCHYLUS HAEKTPA 445 Ae'yei? rrarpwov fxopov eyco 8
aTTcaraTovv
[avT.
rj.
driixos, ovSev a^iafJiVX^O^ S'
a(f)€pKTOS TToXvCTLVOVS^ KVVOS StKav
Y^^V" eroLfiorepa
yeXcoro? avi.*
W./q\
X0P02 rpofxos
TO
fx
v(f)€p7T€L
KXvovaav
€vyfj.dro)v
piopaLfjLOV fxevcL TTaXai,
evxofievoLs S' av eA^ot.
466
[errp. X.
TTovos eyyevT]?
a>
Kal irapdixovaos "Ara?' alfxarocaaa TtXayd. ar]6povg dycovas opdcoaavrt p,ot.
585
TToAAa pLev yd^
OTTCos
X0P02
Seim
rpe(f>€L
[p^P- «•
[/cat]^ Seipidroju dxrj,
TTOvriai r
ay/caAat Kvu)td.X(x)v dvraiojv ^pvovcrc-^^ TrXddovai [^Aao-roucrt]" /cat TTeSatxp-tot 590
XapuTrdSes TreSaopot/'* Boissonade.
^
S6noii'.
*
inj\T)i<Ti:
«
Blomfield. * ^a^w./ changed to /3aX6v Sbinley. /SaXeti/
fi^y
216
Rob.
:
yip
:
SchUtz.
7
;
irapaffrlxovTa
Vict.
changed to ipdov ^^,^. Bamberger.
^pKetof
^^^' ^jj-j^
:
5 ^.
»
erased r
]
:
Blomfield.
Heath.
THE LIBATION-BEARERS visited of Heaven with trouble, then we shall so wait that any who passeth by the house will make surmise and say: " Why then does Aegisthus have his door shut upon his suppliant, if indeed he is at
home and knows But
" ?
once I shall pass the outermost threshold of the gate and shall find that man sitting on my if
father's throne, or if thereafter
—
coming face to face
—
lift and cast down with me he shall mark well his eyes ere ever he can say " Of what land is the stranger?" with my swift sword I'll spit him and lay him dead. The Avenging Spirit that hath no stint of gore shall for her third and crowning draught quaff blood unmixed !
!
Now
strict watch of what passes within the house, that so our plans may fit together well. You [addressing the Chorus] had best keep a discreet tongue -to be silent when there is need and to speak only what occasion bids. For the rest, I call on Him ^ to cast his glance hither and direct for me aright the conflict of the sword. [Exeunt Orestes, Pylades, and Electra
do thou, Electra, keep
—
Chorus Full many are the horrors, dread and appalling, bred of earth, and the arms of the deep teem with hateful monsters. Likewise 'twixt heaven and earth there draw nigh lights ^ hung aloft in the air and ;
Apollo, his champion (11. 269, 558), whose statue stood ^ Meteors. before the palace (cp. Agam. 513). ^
^^
j3poTotai
:
Herm. ^^
ir^ddfj-apoL ni
^^ [ :
]
Kiiick.
Stanley.
217
AESCHYLUS irravd re
/cat 7re8oj3a-
fMOva Koveixoevr
av^
alyihoiv (fypdaai kotov.
•
^
595 ^,
dAA' VTTepToXyiOV (fipovrjfxa ris
.'-^hfips
/cat
yvvoLK^v
[avr. a.
auj-
Xeyoi
<j)p€qlv^ rXafjiovcov^
[/cat]*
TTavToXyiOVS epcoras^ draicri, crvvvofiovs
^v^vyovs
^porcbv;
8' ofjuavXlas
drjXvKparrjS OLTrepco-
ros
600
epctis TrapaviKo,
KVOihdXcjtiv
re
/cat
^poTwv, '-""^
LCFTco 8', ocTTt? oy;( VTro TTTepq s
cj^povrimv
Saels
s(,
rav a TratooAuOeoTta? fi'qaaro
'X
[o"^P' Z^*
(VrW /~^
/^as" TctAati^a
605
TTVpbarJTLV^ TTpOVOLOV,
Karcudovaa^ Traioos
^
SaAoi'
i^At/c',
Sa*'''''Artv - ' -^
.
,
Xoyois tjrvyeiv
[avr. ^.
Kopav,^^^ ar .exvptov vnai ot,viav
615
dTTWiXeaev^^J ' :
^
:
'
Oiro ffKvOpuirbv
eKelvov
:
pevi. €V dyyeXo) yap kvtttos opdovrat Xoyos^
dvco^^d
TP0*02
oAA
-^
pov€ts
€v Tolai vvv rjyycXfievoLs
X0P02 775
aAA'
ei
rponaiav Zey? KaKcov
»
ardxt^v : Aldina. ^: Wellauer.
•
rdx^fT-' d7a