Euripides, Heracleidae, Johann Jakob Christian Donner (Translator), 371

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Ich verlange nach Frieden nur;

Doch du, thörichter Herrscher, wirst,

Wenn du kameſt an unsre Stadt,

Nicht so leicht, was du wahnst, erlangen.
370

Du schaltest ja nicht allein

Mit ehernem Schild und Lanze.

Erschuttere denn mit dem Speere,¹

Kriegslustiger, nicht die Stadt mir,

Die gerne mit Dank dir lohnte;²
375

Nein, zähme den Ingrimm!

Demophoon. Jolaos. Der Chor.

Jolaos.

Heracleidae. Euripides. Johann Jakob Christian Donner (Translator). . .

Current edition Experimental

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1852; OCR review) (OCR draft) (German) (Euripides. Deutsch in den Versmaßen der Urschrift. Volume 3, Heidelberg: C. F. Winter, 1852. Harvard OCR compared with an independent BSB copy. Native Donner verse citations, Murray reference cards, explicitly located notes and page facsimiles. Unresolved OCR, verse divisions, unlocated notes and printed errata are documented in the source review.)

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (1)

Ἡρακλεῖδαι Perseus (Euripides. Euripidis Fabulae, Vol. I. Murray, Gilbert, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 381-607 focus

Ἰόλαος

ὦ παῖ, τί μοι σύννοιαν ὄμμασιν φέρων

ἥκεις; νέον τι πολεμίων λέξεις πέρι;

μέλλουσιν ἢ πάρεισιν ἢ τί πυνθάνῃ;

οὐ γάρ τι μὴ ψεύσῃς γε κήρυκος λόγους·

ὁ γὰρ στρατηγὸς εὐτυχὴς τὰ πρὸς θεῶν
385

εἶσιν, σάφʼ οἶδα, καὶ μάλʼ οὐ σμικρὸν φρονῶν,

ἐς τὰς Ἀθήνας. ἀλλὰ τῶν φρονημάτων

ὁ Ζεὺς κολαστὴς τῶν ἄγαν ὑπερφρόνων.

Δημοφῶν

ἥκει στράτευμʼ Ἀργεῖον Εὐρυσθεύς τʼ ἄναξ·

ἐγώ νιν αὐτὸς εἶδον. ἄνδρα γὰρ χρεών,
390

ὅστις στρατηγεῖν φησʼ ἐπίστασθαι καλῶς,

οὐκ ἀγγέλοισι τοὺς ἐναντίους ὁρᾶν.

πεδία μὲν οὖν γῆς ἐς τάδʼ οὐκ ἐφῆκέ πω

στρατόν, λεπαίαν δʼ ὀφρύην καθήμενος

σκοπεῖ — δόκησιν δὴ τόδʼ ἂν λέγοιμί σοι —
395

ποίᾳ προσάξει στρατόπεδον τὰ νῦν δορὸς

ἐν ἀσφαλεῖ τε τῆσδʼ ἱδρύσεται χθονός.

καὶ τἀμὰ μέντοι πάντʼ ἄραρʼ ἤδη καλῶς·

πόλις τʼ ἐν ὅπλοις, σφάγιά θʼ ἡτοιμασμένα

ἕστηκεν οἷς χρὴ ταῦτα τέμνεσθαι θεῶν,
400

τροπαῖά τʼ ἐχθρῶν καὶ πόλει σωτήρια,

θυηπολεῖται δʼ ἄστυ μάντεων ὕπο.

χρησμῶν δʼ ἀοιδοὺς πάντας εἰς ἓν ἁλίσας

ἤλεγξα καὶ βέβηλα καὶ κεκρυμμένα

λόγια παλαιά, τῇδε γῇ σωτήρια.
405

καὶ τῶν μὲν ἄλλων διάφορʼ ἐστὶ θεσφάτοις

πόλλʼ· ἓν δὲ πᾶσι γνῶμα ταὐτὸν ἐμπρέπει·

σφάξαι κελεύουσίν με παρθένον Κόρῃ

Δήμητρος, ἥτις ἐστὶ πατρὸς εὐγενοῦς.

ἐγὼ δʼ ἔχω μέν, ὡς ὁρᾷς, προθυμίαν
410

τοσήνδʼ ἐς ὑμᾶς· παῖδα δʼ οὔτʼ ἐμὴν κτενῶ

οὔτʼ ἄλλον ἀστῶν τῶν ἐμῶν ἀναγκάσω

ἄκονθʼ· ἑκὼν δὲ τίς κακῶς οὕτω φρονεῖ,

ὅστις τὰ φίλτατʼ ἐκ χερῶν δώσει τέκνα;

καὶ νῦν πικρὰς ἂν συστάσεις ἂν εἰσίδοις,
415

τῶν μὲν λεγόντων ὡς δίκαιον ἦν ξένοις

ἱκέταις ἀρήγειν, τῶν δὲ μωρίαν ἐμὴν

κατηγορούντων· εἰ δὲ δὴ δράσω τόδε,

οἰκεῖος ἤδη πόλεμος ἐξαρτύεται.

ταῦτʼ οὖν ὅρα σὺ καὶ συνεξεύρισχʼ ὅπως
420

αὐτοί τε σωθήσεσθε καὶ πέδον τόδε,

κἀγὼ πολίταις μὴ διαβληθήσομαι.

οὐ γὰρ τυραννίδʼ ὥστε βαρβάρων ἔχω·

ἀλλʼ, ἢν δίκαια δρῶ, δίκαια πείσομαι.

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ἦ πρόθυμον οὖσαν οὐκ ἐᾷ θεὸς
425

ξένοις ἀρήγειν τήνδε χρῄζουσιν πόλιν;

427

Ἰόλαος

ὦ τέκνʼ, ἔοιγμεν ναυτίλοισιν, οἵτινες

χειμῶνος ἐκφυγόντες ἄγριον μένος

ἐς χεῖρα γῇ συνῆψαν, εἶτα χερσόθεν

πνοιαῖσιν ἠλάθησαν ἐς πόντον πάλιν.
430

οὕτω δὲ χἡμεῖς τῆσδʼ ἀπωθούμεσθα γῆς

ἤδη πρὸς ἀκταῖς ὄντες ὡς σεσῳσμένοι.

οἴμοι· τί δῆτʼ ἔτερψας ὦ τάλαινά με

ἐλπὶς τότʼ, οὐ μέλλουσα διατελεῖν χάριν;

συγγνωστὰ γάρ τοι καὶ τὰ τοῦδʼ, εἰ μὴ θέλει
435

κτείνειν πολιτῶν παῖδας· αἰνέσαι δʼ ἔχω

καὶ τἀνθάδ’· εἰ θεοῖσι δὴ δοκεῖ τάδε

πράσσειν ἔμʼ, οὔτοι σή γʼ ἀπόλλυται χάρις.

ὦ παῖδες, ὑμῖν δʼ οὐκ ἔχω τί χρήσομαι.

ποῖ τρεψόμεσθα; τίς γὰρ ἄστεπτος θεῶν;
440

ποῖον δὲ γαίας ἕρκος οὐκ ἀφίγμεθα;

ὀλούμεθʼ, ὦ τέκνʼ· ἐκδοθησόμεσθα δή.

κἀμοῦ μὲν οὐδὲν εἴ με χρὴ θανεῖν μέλει,

πλὴν εἴ τι τέρψω τοὺς ἐμοὺς ἐχθροὺς θανών·

ὑμᾶς δὲ κλαίω καὶ κατοικτίρω, τέκνα,
445

καὶ τὴν γεραιὰν μητέρʼ Ἀλκμήνην πατρός.

ὦ δυστάλαινα τοῦ μακροῦ βίου σέθεν,

τλήμων δὲ κἀγὼ πολλὰ μοχθήσας μάτην.

χρῆν χρῆν ἄρʼ ἡμᾶς ἀνδρὸς εἰς ἐχθροῦ χέρας

πεσόντας αἰσχρῶς καὶ κακῶς λιπεῖν βίον.
450

ἀλλʼ οἶσθ’ ὅ μοι σύμπραξον; οὐχ ἅπασα γὰρ

πέφευγεν ἐλπὶς τῶνδέ μοι σωτηρίας·

ἔμʼ ἔκδος Ἀργείοισιν ἀντὶ τῶνδʼ, ἄναξ,

καὶ μήτε κινδύνευε, σωθήτω τέ μοι

τέκνʼ· οὐ φιλεῖν δεῖ τὴν ἐμὴν ψυχήν· ἴτω.
455

μάλιστα δʼ Εὐρυσθεύς με βούλοιτʼ ἂν λαβὼν

τὸν Ἡράκλειον σύμμαχον καθυβρίσαι·

σκαιὸς γὰρ ἁνήρ. τοῖς σοφοῖς δʼ εὐκτὸν σοφῷ

ἔχθραν συνάπτειν, μὴ ἀμαθεῖ φρονήματι·

πολλῆς γὰρ αἰδοῦς καὶ δίκης τις ἂν τύχοι.
460

Χορός

ὦ πρέσβυ, μή νυν τήνδʼ ἐπαιτιῶ πόλιν·

τάχʼ ἂν γὰρ ἡμῖν ψευδὲς ἀλλʼ ὅμως κακὸν

γένοιτʼ ὄνειδος ὡς ξένους προυδώκαμεν.

Δημοφῶν

γενναῖα μὲν τάδʼ εἶπας, ἀλλʼ ἀμήχανα.

οὐ σοῦ χατίζων δεῦρʼ ἄναξ στρατηλατεῖ·
465

τί γὰρ γέροντος ἀνδρὸς Εὐρυσθεῖ πλέον

θανόντος; ἀλλὰ τούσδε βούλεται κτανεῖν.

δεινὸν γὰρ ἐχθροῖς βλαστάνοντες εὐγενεῖς,

νεανίαι τε καὶ πατρὸς μεμνημένοι

λύμας· ἃ κεῖνον πάντα προσκοπεῖν χρεών.
470

ἀλλʼ, εἴ τινʼ ἄλλην οἶσθα καιριωτέραν

βουλήν, ἑτοίμαζʼ, ὡς ἔγωγʼ ἀμήχανος

χρησμῶν ἀκούσας εἰμὶ καὶ φόβου πλέως.

474

Μακαρία

ξένοι, θράσος μοι μηδὲν ἐξόδοις ἐμαῖς

προσθῆτε· πρῶτον γὰρ τόδʼ ἐξαιτήσομαι·
475

γυναικὶ γὰρ σιγή τε καὶ τὸ σωφρονεῖν

κάλλιστον, εἴσω θʼ ἥσυχον μένειν δόμων.

τῶν σῶν δʼ ἀκούσασʼ, Ἰόλεως, στεναγμάτων

ἐξῆλθον, οὐ ταχθεῖσα πρεσβεύειν γένους.

ἀλλʼ, εἰμὶ γάρ πως πρόσφορος, μέλει δέ μοι
480

μάλιστ’ ἀδελφῶν, τῶνδε κἀμαυτῆς πέρι

θέλω πυθέσθαι, μὴ ’πὶ τοῖς πάλαι κακοῖς

προσκείμενόν τι πῆμα σὴν δάκνει φρένα.

Ἰόλαος

ὦ παῖ, μάλιστα σʼ οὐ νεωστὶ δὴ τέκνων

τῶν Ἡρακλείων ἐνδίκως αἰνεῖν ἔχω.
485

ἡμῖν δὲ δόξας εὖ προχωρῆσαι δρόμος

πάλιν μεθέστηκʼ αὖθις ἐς τἀμήχανον·

χρησμῶν γὰρ ᾠδούς φησι σημαίνειν ὅδε,

οὐ ταῦρον οὐδὲ μόσχον, ἀλλὰ παρθένον

σφάξαι Κόρῃ Δήμητρος ἥτις εὐγενής,
490

εἰ χρὴ μὲν ἡμᾶς, χρὴ δὲ τήνδʼ εἶναι πόλιν.

ταῦτʼ οὖν ἀμηχανοῦμεν· οὔτε γὰρ τέκνα

σφάξειν ὅδʼ αὑτοῦ φησιν οὔτʼ ἄλλου τινός.

κἀμοὶ λέγει μὲν οὐ σαφῶς, λέγει δέ πως,

εἰ μή τι τούτων ἐξαμηχανήσομεν,
495

ἡμᾶς μὲν ἄλλην γαῖαν εὑρίσκειν τινά,

αὐτὸς δὲ σῶσαι τήνδε βούλεται χθόνα.

Μακαρία

ἐν τῷδε κἀχόμεσθα σωθῆναι λόγῳ;

Ἰόλαος

ἐν τῷδε, τἄλλα γʼ εὐτυχῶς πεπραγότες.

Μακαρία

μή νυν τρέσῃς ἔτʼ ἐχθρὸν Ἀργεῖον δόρυ·
500

ἐγὼ γὰρ αὐτὴ πρὶν κελευσθῆναι, γέρον,

θνῄσκειν ἑτοίμη καὶ παρίστασθαι σφαγῇ.

τί φήσομεν γάρ, εἰ πόλις μὲν ἀξιοῖ

κίνδυνον ἡμῶν οὕνεκʼ αἴρεσθαι μέγαν,

αὐτοὶ δὲ προστιθέντες ἄλλοισιν πόνους,
505

παρόν σφε σῷσαι, φευξόμεσθα μὴ θανεῖν;

οὐ δῆτʼ, ἐπεί τοι καὶ γέλωτος ἄξια,

στένειν μὲν ἱκέτας δαιμόνων καθημένους,

πατρὸς δʼ ἐκείνου φύντας οὗ πεφύκαμεν

κακοὺς ὁρᾶσθαι· ποῦ τάδʼ ἐν χρηστοῖς πρέπει;
510

κάλλιον, οἶμαι, τῆσδʼ — ἃ μὴ τύχοι ποτέ —

πόλεως ἁλούσης, χεῖρας εἰς ἐχθρῶν πεσεῖν,

κἄπειτα τινὰ πατρὸς οὖσαν εὐγενοῦς

παθοῦσαν Ἅιδην μηδὲν ἧσσον εἰσιδεῖν.

ἀλλʼ ἐκπεσοῦσα τῆσδʼ ἀλητεύσω χθονός;
515

κοὐκ αἰσχυνοῦμαι δῆτ’, ἐὰν δή τις λέγῃ·

Τί δεῦρʼ ἀφίκεσθʼ ἱκεσίοισι σὺν κλάδοις

αὐτοὶ φιλοψυχοῦντες; ἔξιτε χθονός·

κακοὺς γὰρ ἡμεῖς οὐ προσωφελήσομεν.

520

ἀλλʼ οὐδὲ μέντοι, τῶνδε μὲν τεθνηκότων,
520

αὐτὴ δὲ σωθεῖσʼ, ἐλπίδʼ εὖ πράξειν ἔχω·

— πολλοὶ γὰρ ἤδη τῇδε προύδοσαν φίλους. —

τίς γὰρ κόρην ἔρημον ἢ δάμαρτʼ ἔχειν,

ἢ παιδοποιεῖν ἐξ ἐμοῦ βουλήσεται;

οὐκ οὖν θανεῖν ἄμεινον ἢ τούτων τυχεῖν
525

ἀναξίαν; ἄλλῃ δὲ κἂν πρέποι τινὶ

μᾶλλον τάδʼ, ἥτις μὴ ’πίσημος ὡς ἐγώ.

ἡγεῖσθʼ ὅπου δεῖ σῶμα κατθανεῖν τόδε

καὶ στεμματοῦτε καὶ κατάρχεσθʼ, εἰ δοκεῖ·

νικᾶτε δʼ ἐχθρούς· ἥδε γὰρ ψυχὴ πάρα
530

ἑκοῦσα κοὐκ ἄκουσα· κἀξαγγέλλομαι

θνῄσκειν ἀδελφῶν τῶνδε κἀμαυτῆς ὕπερ.

εὕρημα γάρ τοι μὴ φιλοψυχοῦσʼ ἐγὼ

κάλλιστον ηὕρηκ’, εὐκλεῶς λιπεῖν βίον.

Χορός

φεῦ φεῦ, τί λέξω παρθένου μέγαν λόγον
535

κλύων, ἀδελφῶν ἣ πάρος θέλει θανεῖν;

τούτων τίς ἂν λέξειε γενναίους λόγους

μᾶλλον, τίς ἂν δράσειεν ἀνθρώπων ἔτι;

Ἰόλαος

ὦ τέκνον, οὐκ ἔστʼ ἄλλοθεν τὸ σὸν κάρα,

ἀλλʼ ἐξ ἐκείνου σπέρμα τῆς θείας φρενὸς
540

πέφυκας Ἡράκλειος· οὐδʼ αἰσχύνομαι

τοῖς σοῖς λόγοισι, τῇ τύχῃ δʼ ἀλγύνομαι.

ἀλλʼ ᾗ γένοιτʼ ἂν ἐνδικωτέρως φράσω·

πάσας ἀδελφὰς τῆσδε δεῦρο χρὴ καλεῖν,

κᾆθʼ ἡ λαχοῦσα θνῃσκέτω γένους ὕπερ·
545

σὲ δʼ οὐ δίκαιον κατθανεῖν ἄνευ πάλου.

Μακαρία

οὐκ ἂν θάνοιμι τῇ τύχῃ λαχοῦσʼ ἐγώ·

χάρις γὰρ οὐ πρόσεστι· μὴ λέξῃς, γέρον.

ἀλλʼ, εἰ μὲν ἐνδέχεσθε καὶ βούλεσθέ μοι

χρῆσθαι προθύμως, τὴν ἐμὴν ψυχὴν ἐγὼ
550

δίδωμʼ ἑκοῦσα τοῖσδʼ, ἀναγκασθεῖσα δʼ οὔ.

Ἰόλαος

φεῦ·

ὅδʼ αὖ λόγος σοι τοῦ πρὶν εὐγενέστερος·

κἀκεῖνος ἦν ἄριστος· ἀλλʼ ὑπερφέρεις

τόλμῃ τε τόλμαν καὶ λόγῳ χρηστῷ λόγον.
555

οὐ μὴν κελεύω γʼ οὐδʼ ἀπεννέπω, τέκνον,

θνῄσκειν σʼ· ἀδελφοὺς δʼ ὠφελεῖς θανοῦσα σούς.

Μακαρία

σοφῶς κελεύεις· μὴ τρέσῃς μιάσματος

τοὐμοῦ μετασχεῖν, ἀλλʼ ἐλευθέρως θάνω.

ἕπου δέ, πρέσβυ· σῇ γὰρ ἐνθανεῖν χερὶ
560

θέλω· πέπλοις δὲ σῶμʼ ἐμὸν κρύψον παρών·

ἐπεὶ σφαγῆς γε πρὸς τὸ δεινὸν εἶμʼ ἐγώ,

εἴπερ πέφυκα πατρὸς οὗπερ εὔχομαι.

Ἰόλαος

οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην σῷ παρεστάναι μόρῳ.

Μακαρία

σὺ δʼ ἀλλὰ τοῦδε χρῇζε, μή μʼ ἐν ἀρσένων,
565

ἀλλʼ ἐν γυναικῶν, χερσὶν ἐκπνεῦσαι βίον.

567

Δημοφῶν

ἔσται τάδʼ, ὦ τάλαινα παρθένων, ἐπεὶ

κἀμοὶ τόδʼ αἰσχρόν, μή σε κοσμεῖσθαι καλῶς,

πολλῶν ἕκατι, τῆς τε σῆς εὐψυχίας

καὶ τοῦ δικαίου· τλημονεστάτην δὲ σὲ
570

πασῶν γυναικῶν εἶδον ὀφθαλμοῖς ἐγώ.

ἀλλʼ, εἴ τι βούλῃ, τούσδε τὸν γέροντά τε

χώρει προσειποῦσʼ ὑστάτοις προσφθέγμασιν.

Μακαρία

ὦ χαῖρε, πρέσβυ, χαῖρε καὶ δίδασκέ μοι

τοιούσδε τούσδε παῖδας, ἐς τὸ πᾶν σοφούς,
575

ὥσπερ σύ, μηδὲν μᾶλλον· ἀρκέσουσι γάρ.

πειρῶ δὲ σῶσαι μὴ θανεῖν, πρόθυμος ὤν·

σοὶ παῖδές ἐσμεν, σαῖν χεροῖν τεθράμμεθα.

ὁρᾷς δὲ κἀμὲ τὴν ἐμὴν ὥραν γάμου

διδοῦσαν ἀντὶ τῶνδε κατθανουμένην.
580

ὑμεῖς τʼ, ἀδελφῶν ἡ παροῦσʼ ὁμιλία,

εὐδαιμονοῖτε, καὶ γένοιθʼ ὑμῖν ὅσων

ἡμὴ πάροιθε καρδία σφαγήσεται.

καὶ τὸν γέροντα τήν τʼ ἔσω γραῖαν δόμων

τιμᾶτε πατρὸς μητέρʼ Ἀλκμήνην ἐμοῦ
585

ξένους τε τούσδε. κἂν ἀπαλλαγὴ πόνων

καὶ νόστος ὑμῖν εὑρεθῇ ποτʼ ἐκ θεῶν,

μέμνησθε τὴν σώτειραν ὡς θάψαι χρεών.

κάλλιστά τοι δίκαιον· οὐ γὰρ ἐνδεὴς

ὑμῖν παρέστην, ἀλλὰ προύθανον γένους.
590

τάδʼ ἀντὶ παίδων ἐστί μοι κειμήλια

καὶ παρθενείας, εἴ τι δὴ κάτω χθονός·

εἴη γε μέντοι μηδέν. εἰ γὰρ ἕξομεν

κἀκεῖ μερίμνας οἱ θανούμενοι βροτῶν,

οὐκ οἶδ’ ὅποι τις τρέψεται· τὸ γὰρ θανεῖν
595

κακῶν μέγιστον φάρμακον νομίζεται.

Ἰόλαος

ἀλλʼ, ὦ μέγιστον ἐκπρέπουσʼ εὐψυχίᾳ

πασῶν γυναικῶν, ἴσθι, τιμιωτάτη

καὶ ζῶσʼ ὑφʼ ἡμῶν καὶ θανοῦσʼ ἔσῃ πολύ·

καὶ χαῖρε· δυσφημεῖν γὰρ ἅζομαι θεάν,
600

ᾗ σὸν κατῆρκται σῶμα, Δήμητρος κόρην.

ὦ παῖδες, οἰχόμεσθα· λύεται μέλη

λύπῃ· λάβεσθε κεἰς ἕδραν μʼ ἐρείσατε

αὐτοῦ πέπλοισι τοῖσδε κρύψαντες, τέκνα.

ὡς οὔτε τούτοις ἥδόμαι πεπραγμένοις,
605

χρησμοῦ τε μὴ κρανθέντος οὐ βιώσιμον·

μείζων γὰρ ἄτη· συμφορὰ δὲ καὶ τάδε.

Translations (2)

Heracleidae Perseus (Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Vol. I. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1906.) — 381-605 focus

Iolaus

My son, why, prithee, art thou returned with that anxious look? Hast thou news of the enemy? Are they coming, are they here, or what thy tidings? For of a surety yon herald will not play us false.

No! sure I am their captain, prosperous heretofore, will come, with thoughts exceeding proud against Athens. But Zeus doth punish overweening pride.
385

Demophon

The host of Argos is come, and Eurystheus its king;

my own eyes saw him, for the man who thinks he knows good generalship must see the foe not by messengers alone. As yet, however, he hath not sent his host into the plain, but, camped upon a rocky brow,
390

is watching—I only tell thee what I think this means—to see by which road to lead his army hither without fighting, and how to take up a safe position in this land. However, all my plans are by this time carefully laid; the city is under arms, the victims
395

stand ready to be slain to every god, whose due this is; my seers have filled the town with sacrifices, to turn the foe to flight and keep our country safe. All those who chant prophetic words have I assembled, and have examined ancient oracles, both public and secret,
400

as means to save this city. And though the several answers differ in many points, yet in one is the sentiment of all clearly the same; they bid me sacrifice to Demeter’s¹ daughter some maiden from a noble father sprung.
405

Now I, though in your cause I am as zealous as thou seest, yet will not slay my child, nor will I compel any of my subjects to do so against his will; for who of his own will doth harbour such an evil thought as to yield with his own hands the child he loves?
410

And now thou mayest² see angry gatherings, where some declare, ’tis right to stand by suppliant strangers, while others charge me with folly; but if I do³ this deed, a civil war is then and there on foot.
415

Do thou then look to this and help to find a way to save yourselves and this country without causing me to be slandered by the citizens. For I am no despot like a barbarian monarch; but provided⁴ I do what is just, just will my treatment be.
420

Chorus

Can it be that heaven forbids this city to help strangers, when it hath the will and longing so to do?
425

427

Iolaus

My children, we are even as those mariners, who have escaped the storm’s relentless rage, and have the land almost within their reach, but after all are driven back from shore by tempests to the deep again.

Even so we, just as we reach the shore in seeming safety, are being thrust back from this land. Ah me! Why, cruel hope, didst thou then cheer my heart, though thou didst not mean to make the boon complete?
430

The king may well be pardoned, if he will not slay his subjects’ children; and with my treatment here I am content; if indeed ’tis heaven’s will, I thus should fare, still is my gratitude to thee in no wise lost. Children, I know not what to do for you.
435

Whither shall we turn? for what god’s altar have we left uncrowned? to what fenced city have we failed to go? Ruin and surrender are our instant lot, poor children! If I must die, ’tis naught to me, save that thereby I give those foes of mine some cause for joy.
440

But you, children, I lament and pity, and that aged mother of your sire, Alcmena. Ah, woe is thee for thy long span of life! and woe is me for all my idle toil! ’Twas after all our destined doom to fall into the hands of our hated foe,
445

and die a death of shame and misery. But lend me thine aid, thou knowest how; for all hope of these children’s safety has not yet left me. Give me up instead of them to the Argives, O king; run no risk, but let me save
450

the children; to love my life becomes me not; let it pass. Me⁵ will Eurystheus be most glad to take and treat despitefully, as I was Heracles’ companion; for the man is but a boor; wherefore wise men ought to pray to get a wise man for their foe, and not a proud senseless fool;
455

for so, even if by fortune⁶ flouted, one would meet with much consideration.
460

Chorus

Old man, blame⁷ not this city; for though perhaps a gain⁸ to us, yet would it be a foul reproach that we betrayed strangers.

Demophon

A generous scheme is thine, but impossible.

’Tis not in quest of thee yon king comes marching hither; what would Eurystheus gain by the death of one so old? Nay, ’tis these children’s blood he wants. For there is danger to a foe in the youthful scions of a noble race, whose memory dwells upon their father’s wrongs;
465

all this Eurystheus must foresee. But if thou hast any scheme besides, that better suits the time, be ready with it, for, since I heard that oracle, I am at a loss and full of fear. [Exit Demophon.
470

474

Macaria

Sirs, impute not boldness to me, because

I venture forth; this shall be my first request, for a woman’s fairest crown is this, to practise silence and discretion, and abide at home in peace. But when I heard thy lamentations, Iolaus, I came forth, albeit I was not appointed to take the lead in my family.
475

Still in some sense am I fit to do so, for these my brothers are my chiefest care, and I fain would ask, as touching myself, whether some new trouble, added to the former woes, is gnawing at thy heart.
480

Iolaus

My daughter, ’tis nothing new that I should praise thee, as I justly may,

above all the children of Heracles. Our house seemed to be prospering, when back it fell again into a hopeless state; for the king declares the prophets signify that he must order the sacrifice, not of bull or heifer, but of some tender maid
485

of noble lineage, if we and this city are to exist. Herein is our perplexity; the king refuses either to sacrifice his own or any other’s child. ⁹ Wherefore, though he use not terms express, yet doth he hint,
490

that, unless we find some way out of this perplexity, we must seek some other land, for he this country fain would save.
495

Macaria

Are these indeed the terms on which our safety depends?

Iolaus

Yea, on these; if, that is, we are successful otherwise.

Macaria

No longer then cower before the hated Argive spear; for I, of my own free will, or ever they bid me, am ready to die and offer myself as a victim. For what excuse have we, if, while this city deems it right to incur a great danger on our behalf,
500

we, though we might save ourselves, fly from death, by foisting our trouble on others? No! indeed, ’twere surely most ridiculous to sit and mourn as suppliants of the gods, and show ourselves but cowards, children as we are of that illustrious sire.
505

Where among the brave is such conduct seen? Better, I suppose, this city should be taken and I (which Heaven forefend!) fall into the hands of the enemy, and then, for all I am my noble father’s child, meet an awful doom, and face the Death-god none the less.
510

Shall I wander as an exile from this land? Shall I not feel shame then, when someone says, as say they will, Why are ye come hither with suppliant boughs, loving your lives too well? Begone from our land! for we will not succour cowards.
515
520

Nay, if these be slain and I alone be saved, I have no hope in any wise of being happy, though many ere now have in this hope betrayed their friends. For who will care to wed a lonely maid or make me mother of his children?
520

’Tis better I should die than meet such treatment, ¹⁰ little as I merit it. This were fitter treatment for some other, one that is not born to fame as I am. Conduct me to the scene of death, ¹¹ crown me with garlands, and begin the rites, if so it please you;
525

then be victorious o’er the foe, for here I offer my life freely and without constraint, and for my brothers and myself I undertake to die. ¹² For I, by loving not my life too well, have found a treasure very fair, a glorious means to leave it.
530

Chorus

Ah, what shall I say on hearing the maid’s brave words, she that is ready to die for her brothers? Who can speak more noble words or do more noble deeds henceforth for ever?
535

Iolaus

Daughter, thou art his own true child, no other man’s but Heracles’,

that godlike soul; proud am I of thy words, though I sorrow for thy lot. Yet will I propose a fairer method: ’tis right to summon hither all the sisters of this maiden,
540

and then let her, on whom the lot shall fall, die for her family; for that thou shouldst die without the lot is not just.
545

Macaria

My death shall no chance lot decide; there is no graciousness in that; peace! old friend. But if ye accept and will avail you

of my readiness, freely do I offer my life for these, and without constraint.
550

Iolaus

Ah, this is even nobler than thy former word; that was matchless, but thou dost now surpass

thy bravery and noble speech. I cannot bid, will not forbid thy dying, Omy daughter! for¹³ by thy death thou dost thy brothers serve.
555

Macaria

A cautious bidding thine! Fear not to take a stain of guilt from me; only let me die as one whose death is free.

Follow me, old friend, for in thy arms I fain would die; stand by and veil my body with my robe, for I will go even to the dreadful doom of sacrifice, seeing whose daughter I avow myself.
560

Iolaus

I cannot stand by and see thee bleed.

Macaria

At least do thou beg me this boon of the king, that I may breathe out my life in women’s arms instead of men’s.
565

567

Demophon

It shall be so, unhappy maid; for this were shame to me to refuse thee honour due, for many reasons: because thou hast a soul so brave; because

’tis right; and thou hast shown more courage than any of thy sex my eyes have ever seen. Now, if thou hast aught to say to these children or thy aged guide, oh¹⁴! say the last thou hast to say—then go.
570

Macaria

Farewell, old friend, farewell! and prithee teach

these children to be like thyself, wise at every point; let them strive no further, for that will suffice them. And seek to save them from death, even as thou art anxious to do; thy children are we, thy care it was that nurtured us. Thou seest how I yield my bridal
575

bloom to die for them. For you, my brothers gathered here, may you be happy! and may every blessing be yours, for the which my blood shall pay the price!¹⁵ Honour this old friend, and her that is within the house,
580

Alcmena, the aged mother of my sire, and these strangers too. And if ever heaven for you devise release from trouble and a return to your home, remember the burial due to her that saved you, a funeral fair¹⁶ as I deserve; for I have not failed,
585

but stood by you, and died to save my race. This shall be my pearl of price instead of children, and for the maiden life I leave, if there be really aught beyond the grave—God grant there may not be! For if, e’en there, we who are to die shall find a life of care,
590

I know not whither one shall turn; for death is held a sovereign cure for every ill.
595

Iolaus

Maiden of heroic soul, transcending all thy race, be sure the fame that thou shalt win from us, in life, in death, shall leave the rest of women far behind;

farewell to thee! I dare not say harsh words of her to whom thou art devoted, the goddess-daughter of Demeter. [Exit Macaria.] Children, I am undone, grief unnerves my limbs; take hold and support me to a seat hard by, when ye have drawn my mantle o’er my face, my sons.
600

For I am grieved at what hath happened, and yet, were it not fulfilled, we could not live; thus were the mischief worse, though this is grief enough.
605

The Heraclidae (OCR draft) Experimental (The Heraclidae. Robert Potter's English verse translation, first published in 1781–1783; text from the 1808 Oxford printing.)

No corresponding passage available

Notes on the current edition

Heracleidae

1. [OCR note; compare the printed page.] 2. ἀλλ', ὦ πολέμων ἐραςά.

2. [OCR note; compare the printed page.] Ε. τὰν εὐχαρίτως ἔχεσαν.

Euripides Heracleidae 371

Johann Jakob Christian Donner (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Jolaos.

Current edition Experimental

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ἦ πρόθυμον οὖσαν οὐκ ἐᾷ θεὸς
425

ξένοις ἀρήγειν τήνδε χρῄζουσιν πόλιν;

Χορός

ὦ πρέσβυ, μή νυν τήνδʼ ἐπαιτιῶ πόλιν·

τάχʼ ἂν γὰρ ἡμῖν ψευδὲς ἀλλʼ ὅμως κακὸν

γένοιτʼ ὄνειδος ὡς ξένους προυδώκαμεν.

Μακαρία

ἐν τῷδε κἀχόμεσθα σωθῆναι λόγῳ;

Ἰόλαος

ἐν τῷδε, τἄλλα γʼ εὐτυχῶς πεπραγότες.

Ἰόλαος

οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην σῷ παρεστάναι μόρῳ.

Μακαρία

σὺ δʼ ἀλλὰ τοῦδε χρῇζε, μή μʼ ἐν ἀρσένων,
565

ἀλλʼ ἐν γυναικῶν, χερσὶν ἐκπνεῦσαι βίον.

Chorus

Can it be that heaven forbids this city to help strangers, when it hath the will and longing so to do?
425

Chorus

Old man, blame⁷ not this city; for though perhaps a gain⁸ to us, yet would it be a foul reproach that we betrayed strangers.

Macaria

Are these indeed the terms on which our safety depends?

Iolaus

Yea, on these; if, that is, we are successful otherwise.

Chorus

Ah, what shall I say on hearing the maid’s brave words, she that is ready to die for her brothers? Who can speak more noble words or do more noble deeds henceforth for ever?
535

Macaria

My death shall no chance lot decide; there is no graciousness in that; peace! old friend. But if ye accept and will avail you

of my readiness, freely do I offer my life for these, and without constraint.
550

Iolaus

Ah, this is even nobler than thy former word; that was matchless, but thou dost now surpass

thy bravery and noble speech. I cannot bid, will not forbid thy dying, Omy daughter! for¹³ by thy death thou dost thy brothers serve.
555

Iolaus

I cannot stand by and see thee bleed.

Macaria

At least do thou beg me this boon of the king, that I may breathe out my life in women’s arms instead of men’s.
565

Notes on the current edition

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Jolaos.

Current edition Experimental

Χορός ἀλλʼ ἦ πρόθυμον οὖσαν οὐκ ἐᾷ θεὸς 425 ξένοις ἀρήγειν τήνδε χρῄζουσιν πόλιν;

Χορός ὦ πρέσβυ, μή νυν τήνδʼ ἐπαιτιῶ πόλιν· τάχʼ ἂν γὰρ ἡμῖν ψευδὲς ἀλλʼ ὅμως κακὸν γένοιτʼ ὄνειδος ὡς ξένους προυδώκαμεν.

Μακαρία ἐν τῷδε κἀχόμεσθα σωθῆναι λόγῳ;

Ἰόλαος ἐν τῷδε, τἄλλα γʼ εὐτυχῶς πεπραγότες.

Χορός φεῦ φεῦ, τί λέξω παρθένου μέγαν λόγον 535 κλύων, ἀδελφῶν ἣ πάρος θέλει θανεῖν; τούτων τίς ἂν λέξειε γενναίους λόγους μᾶλλον, τίς ἂν δράσειεν ἀνθρώπων ἔτι;

Ἰόλαος οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην σῷ παρεστάναι μόρῳ.

Μακαρία σὺ δʼ ἀλλὰ τοῦδε χρῇζε, μή μʼ ἐν ἀρσένων, 565 ἀλλʼ ἐν γυναικῶν, χερσὶν ἐκπνεῦσαι βίον.

Chorus Can it be that heaven forbids this city to help strangers, when it hath the will and longing so to do? 425

Chorus Old man, blame 7 not this city; for though perhaps a gain 8 to us, yet would it be a foul reproach that we betrayed strangers.

Macaria Are these indeed the terms on which our safety depends?

Iolaus Yea, on these; if, that is, we are successful otherwise.

Chorus Ah, what shall I say on hearing the maid’s brave words, she that is ready to die for her brothers? Who can speak more noble words or do more noble deeds henceforth for ever? 535

Macaria My death shall no chance lot decide; there is no graciousness in that; peace! old friend. But if ye accept and will avail you of my readiness, freely do I offer my life for these, and without constraint. 550

Iolaus Ah, this is even nobler than thy former word; that was matchless, but thou dost now surpass thy bravery and noble speech. I cannot bid, will not forbid thy dying, Omy daughter! for 13 by thy death thou dost thy brothers serve. 555

Iolaus I cannot stand by and see thee bleed.

Macaria At least do thou beg me this boon of the king, that I may breathe out my life in women’s arms instead of men’s. 565

Notes on the current edition

Stable identifiers

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ἦ πρόθυμον οὖσαν οὐκ ἐᾷ θεὸς
425

ξένοις ἀρήγειν τήνδε χρῄζουσιν πόλιν;

Χορός

ὦ πρέσβυ, μή νυν τήνδʼ ἐπαιτιῶ πόλιν·

τάχʼ ἂν γὰρ ἡμῖν ψευδὲς ἀλλʼ ὅμως κακὸν

γένοιτʼ ὄνειδος ὡς ξένους προυδώκαμεν.

Μακαρία

ἐν τῷδε κἀχόμεσθα σωθῆναι λόγῳ;

Ἰόλαος

ἐν τῷδε, τἄλλα γʼ εὐτυχῶς πεπραγότες.

Ἰόλαος

οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην σῷ παρεστάναι μόρῳ.

Μακαρία

σὺ δʼ ἀλλὰ τοῦδε χρῇζε, μή μʼ ἐν ἀρσένων,
565

ἀλλʼ ἐν γυναικῶν, χερσὶν ἐκπνεῦσαι βίον.

Chorus

Can it be that heaven forbids this city to help strangers, when it hath the will and longing so to do?
425

Chorus

Old man, blame⁷ not this city; for though perhaps a gain⁸ to us, yet would it be a foul reproach that we betrayed strangers.

Macaria

Are these indeed the terms on which our safety depends?

Iolaus

Yea, on these; if, that is, we are successful otherwise.

Chorus

Ah, what shall I say on hearing the maid’s brave words, she that is ready to die for her brothers? Who can speak more noble words or do more noble deeds henceforth for ever?
535

Macaria

My death shall no chance lot decide; there is no graciousness in that; peace! old friend. But if ye accept and will avail you

of my readiness, freely do I offer my life for these, and without constraint.
550

Iolaus

Ah, this is even nobler than thy former word; that was matchless, but thou dost now surpass

thy bravery and noble speech. I cannot bid, will not forbid thy dying, Omy daughter! for¹³ by thy death thou dost thy brothers serve.
555

Iolaus

I cannot stand by and see thee bleed.

Macaria

At least do thou beg me this boon of the king, that I may breathe out my life in women’s arms instead of men’s.
565