Euripides, The Suppliant Maidens, Johann Jakob Christian Donner (Translator), 598

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O, der verlorenen Heerführer verlorne Mütter!

Weh, von erbleichender Furcht bebt mir das Herz im Busen!
590

Zweiter Halbchor.

Ha, welch unselig Wort entfiel dir da?

Erster Halbchor.

Wie, Pallas' Volk, wirst du schlichten diesen Streit?

Zweiter Halbchor.

Du meinst mit Waffen, oder durch ein Friedenswort?

Erster Halbchor.

Gewinn wohl war' es; doch wenn Mord und Kampf

Der Schlachten Gott wieder erweckt dort im Land,
595

Und Brust um Brust vom Schlage dröhnt:

Welches Wort, Unglückliche,

Erheb' ich, die daran die Schuld hat?¹

Zweiter Halbchor.

The Suppliant Maidens. 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)

Ἱκέτιδες Perseus (Euripides. Euripidis Fabulae, Vol. II. Murray, Gilbert, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1913. (Reprinted 1921-1962)) — 598-633 focus

Χορός

— ὦ μέλεαι μελέων ματέρες λοχαγῶν,

ὥς μοι ὑφʼ ἥπατι χλωρὸν δεῖμα θάσσει —

— τίνʼ αὐδὰν τάνδε προσφέρεις νέαν;
600

— στράτευμα πᾷ Παλλάδος κριθήσεται;

— διὰ δορὸς εἶπας, ἢ λόγων ξυναλλαγαῖς;

— γένοιτʼ ἂν κέρδος· εἰ δʼ ἀρείφατοι

φόνοι μάχαι στερνοτυπεῖς τʼ ἀνὰ πτόλιν

κτύποι φανήσονται, τάλαι-
605

να, τίνα λόγον, τίνʼ ἂν τῶνδʼ αἰτία λάβοιμι;

608

Χορός

— ἀλλὰ τὸν εὐτυχίᾳ λαμπρὸν ἄν τις αἱροῖ

μοῖρα πάλιν· τόδε μοι θράσος ἀμφιβαίνει.

— δικαίους δαίμονας σύ γʼ ἐννέπεις.
610

— τίνες γὰρ ἄλλοι νέμουσι συμφοράς;

— διάφορα πολλὰ θεῶν βροτοῖσιν εἰσορῶ.

— φόβῳ γὰρ τῷ πάρος διόλλυσαι·

δίκα δίκαν δʼ ἐκάλεσε καὶ φόνος φόνον,

κακῶν δʼ ἀναψυχὰς θεοὶ
615

βροτοῖς νέμουσι, πάντων τέρμʼ ἔχοντες αὐτοί.

618

Χορός

— τὰ καλλίπυργα πεδία πῶς ἱκοίμεθʼ ἄν,

Καλλίχορον θεᾶς ὕδωρ λιποῦσαι —

— ποτανὰν εἴ σέ τις θεῶν κτίσαι.
620

— διπόταμον ἵνα πόλιν μόλω.

— εἰδείης ἂν φίλων εἰδείης ἂν τύχας.

— τίς ποτʼ αἶσα, τίς ἄρα πότμος

ἐπιμένει τὸν ἄλκιμον

τᾶσδε γᾶς ἄνακτα;
625

626

Χορός

— κεκλημένους μὲν ἀνακαλούμεθʼ αὖ θεούς·

— ἀλλὰ φόβων πίστις ἅδε πρώτα.

— ἰὼ Ζεῦ, τᾶς παλαιομάτορος

παιδογόνε πόριος Ἰνάχου.

— πόλει μοι ξύμμαχος γενοῦ τᾷδʼ εὐμενής.
630

— τὸ σὸν ἄγαλμα, τὸ σὸν ἵδρυμα

πόλεος, ἐκκομίζομαι

πρὸς πυρὰν ὑβρισθέν.

Translations (2)

The Suppliants Perseus (Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Vol. I. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1906.) — 598-631 focus

The following lines between the Semi-Choruses are chanted responsively.

1st Half-Chorus

Unhappy mothers of those hapless chiefs! How wildly in my heart pale fear stirs up alarm!

2nd Half-Chorus

What is this new cry thou utterest?
600

1st Half-Chorus

I fear the issue of the strife, whereto the hosts of Pallas march.

2nd Half-Chorus

Dost speak of issues of the sword, or interchange of words?

1st Half-Chorus

That last were gain indeed; but if the carnage of battle, fighting, and

the noise of beaten breasts again be heard in the land, what, alas! will be said of me, who am the cause thereof?
605

608

2nd Half-Chorus

Yet may fate again bring low the brilliant victor; ’tis this brave thought that twines about my heart.

1st Half-Chorus

Thou speak’st of the gods as if they were just.
610

2nd Half-Chorus

For who but they allot whate’er betides?

1st Half-Chorus

I see many a contradiction in their dealings with men.

2nd Half-Chorus

The former fear hath warped thy judgment. Vengeance calls vengeance forth; slaughter calls for slaughter,

but the gods give respite from affliction, holding in their own hands each thing’s allotted end.
615

618

1st Half-Chorus

Would I could reach yon plains with turrets crowned, leaving Callichorus, fountain of the goddess!

2nd Half-Chorus

O that some god would give me wings to fly to the city of rivers twain!
620

1st Half-Chorus

So might’st thou see and know the fortunes of thy friends.

2nd Half-Chorus

What fate, what issue there awaits the valiant

monarch of this land?
625

626

1st Half-Chorus

Once more do we invoke the gods we called upon before; yea, in our fear this is our first and chiefest trust.

2nd Half-Chorus

O Zeus, father to the child the heifer-mother bore in days long past, that daughter of Inachus!

1st Half-Chorus

O be gracious, I pray, and champion this city!
630

2nd Half-Chorus

’Tis thy own darling, thy own settler in the city of Argos that I¹ am striving to rescue for the funeral pyre from outrageous insult.

The Supplicants (OCR draft) Experimental (The Supplicants. 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

The Suppliant Maidens

1. [OCR note; compare the printed page.] Ε. τίν ἄν, τῶνδ' αἰτία, λάβοιμι;

Euripides The Suppliant Maidens 598

Johann Jakob Christian Donner (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

O, der verlorenen Heerführer verlorne Mütter!

Weh, von erbleichender Furcht bebt mir das Herz im Busen!
590

Zweiter Halbchor.

Ha, welch unselig Wort entfiel dir da?

Erster Halbchor.

Wie, Pallas' Volk, wirst du schlichten diesen Streit?

Zweiter Halbchor.

Du meinst mit Waffen, oder durch ein Friedenswort?

Erster Halbchor.

Gewinn wohl war' es; doch wenn Mord und Kampf

Der Schlachten Gott wieder erweckt dort im Land,
595

Und Brust um Brust vom Schlage dröhnt:

Welches Wort, Unglückliche,

Erheb' ich, die daran die Schuld hat?¹

Zweiter Halbchor.

Current edition Experimental

1st Half-Chorus

Unhappy mothers of those hapless chiefs! How wildly in my heart pale fear stirs up alarm!

2nd Half-Chorus

What is this new cry thou utterest?
600

1st Half-Chorus

I fear the issue of the strife, whereto the hosts of Pallas march.

2nd Half-Chorus

Dost speak of issues of the sword, or interchange of words?

1st Half-Chorus

That last were gain indeed; but if the carnage of battle, fighting, and

the noise of beaten breasts again be heard in the land, what, alas! will be said of me, who am the cause thereof?
605

2nd Half-Chorus

Yet may fate again bring low the brilliant victor; ’tis this brave thought that twines about my heart.

1st Half-Chorus

Thou speak’st of the gods as if they were just.
610

2nd Half-Chorus

For who but they allot whate’er betides?

1st Half-Chorus

I see many a contradiction in their dealings with men.

2nd Half-Chorus

The former fear hath warped thy judgment. Vengeance calls vengeance forth; slaughter calls for slaughter,

but the gods give respite from affliction, holding in their own hands each thing’s allotted end.
615

1st Half-Chorus

Would I could reach yon plains with turrets crowned, leaving Callichorus, fountain of the goddess!

2nd Half-Chorus

O that some god would give me wings to fly to the city of rivers twain!
620

1st Half-Chorus

So might’st thou see and know the fortunes of thy friends.

2nd Half-Chorus

What fate, what issue there awaits the valiant

monarch of this land?
625

1st Half-Chorus

Once more do we invoke the gods we called upon before; yea, in our fear this is our first and chiefest trust.

2nd Half-Chorus

O Zeus, father to the child the heifer-mother bore in days long past, that daughter of Inachus!

1st Half-Chorus

O be gracious, I pray, and champion this city!
630

2nd Half-Chorus

’Tis thy own darling, thy own settler in the city of Argos that I¹ am striving to rescue for the funeral pyre from outrageous insult.

Notes on the current edition

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

O, der verlorenen Heerführer verlorne Mütter! Weh, von erbleichender Furcht bebt mir das Herz im Busen! 590

Zweiter Halbchor. Ha, welch unselig Wort entfiel dir da?

Erster Halbchor. Wie, Pallas' Volk, wirst du schlichten diesen Streit?

Zweiter Halbchor. Du meinst mit Waffen, oder durch ein Friedenswort?

Erster Halbchor. Gewinn wohl war' es; doch wenn Mord und Kampf Der Schlachten Gott wieder erweckt dort im Land, 595 Und Brust um Brust vom Schlage dröhnt: Welches Wort, Unglückliche, Erheb' ich, die daran die Schuld hat? 1

Zweiter Halbchor.

Current edition Experimental

1st Half-Chorus Unhappy mothers of those hapless chiefs! How wildly in my heart pale fear stirs up alarm!

2nd Half-Chorus What is this new cry thou utterest? 600

1st Half-Chorus I fear the issue of the strife, whereto the hosts of Pallas march.

2nd Half-Chorus Dost speak of issues of the sword, or interchange of words?

1st Half-Chorus That last were gain indeed; but if the carnage of battle, fighting, and the noise of beaten breasts again be heard in the land, what, alas! will be said of me, who am the cause thereof? 605

2nd Half-Chorus Yet may fate again bring low the brilliant victor; ’tis this brave thought that twines about my heart.

1st Half-Chorus Thou speak’st of the gods as if they were just. 610

2nd Half-Chorus For who but they allot whate’er betides?

1st Half-Chorus I see many a contradiction in their dealings with men.

2nd Half-Chorus The former fear hath warped thy judgment. Vengeance calls vengeance forth; slaughter calls for slaughter, but the gods give respite from affliction, holding in their own hands each thing’s allotted end. 615

1st Half-Chorus Would I could reach yon plains with turrets crowned, leaving Callichorus, fountain of the goddess!

2nd Half-Chorus O that some god would give me wings to fly to the city of rivers twain! 620

1st Half-Chorus So might’st thou see and know the fortunes of thy friends.

2nd Half-Chorus What fate, what issue there awaits the valiant monarch of this land? 625

1st Half-Chorus Once more do we invoke the gods we called upon before; yea, in our fear this is our first and chiefest trust.

2nd Half-Chorus O Zeus, father to the child the heifer-mother bore in days long past, that daughter of Inachus!

1st Half-Chorus O be gracious, I pray, and champion this city! 630

2nd Half-Chorus ’Tis thy own darling, thy own settler in the city of Argos that I 1 am striving to rescue for the funeral pyre from outrageous insult.

Notes on the current edition

Stable identifiers

O, der verlorenen Heerführer verlorne Mütter!

Weh, von erbleichender Furcht bebt mir das Herz im Busen!
590

Zweiter Halbchor.

Ha, welch unselig Wort entfiel dir da?

Erster Halbchor.

Wie, Pallas' Volk, wirst du schlichten diesen Streit?

Zweiter Halbchor.

Du meinst mit Waffen, oder durch ein Friedenswort?

Erster Halbchor.

Gewinn wohl war' es; doch wenn Mord und Kampf

Der Schlachten Gott wieder erweckt dort im Land,
595

Und Brust um Brust vom Schlage dröhnt:

Welches Wort, Unglückliche,

Erheb' ich, die daran die Schuld hat?¹

1st Half-Chorus

Unhappy mothers of those hapless chiefs! How wildly in my heart pale fear stirs up alarm!

2nd Half-Chorus

What is this new cry thou utterest?
600

1st Half-Chorus

I fear the issue of the strife, whereto the hosts of Pallas march.

2nd Half-Chorus

Dost speak of issues of the sword, or interchange of words?

1st Half-Chorus

That last were gain indeed; but if the carnage of battle, fighting, and

the noise of beaten breasts again be heard in the land, what, alas! will be said of me, who am the cause thereof?
605

2nd Half-Chorus

Yet may fate again bring low the brilliant victor; ’tis this brave thought that twines about my heart.

1st Half-Chorus

Thou speak’st of the gods as if they were just.
610

2nd Half-Chorus

For who but they allot whate’er betides?

1st Half-Chorus

I see many a contradiction in their dealings with men.

2nd Half-Chorus

The former fear hath warped thy judgment. Vengeance calls vengeance forth; slaughter calls for slaughter,

but the gods give respite from affliction, holding in their own hands each thing’s allotted end.
615

1st Half-Chorus

Would I could reach yon plains with turrets crowned, leaving Callichorus, fountain of the goddess!

2nd Half-Chorus

O that some god would give me wings to fly to the city of rivers twain!
620

1st Half-Chorus

So might’st thou see and know the fortunes of thy friends.

2nd Half-Chorus

What fate, what issue there awaits the valiant

monarch of this land?
625

1st Half-Chorus

Once more do we invoke the gods we called upon before; yea, in our fear this is our first and chiefest trust.

2nd Half-Chorus

O Zeus, father to the child the heifer-mother bore in days long past, that daughter of Inachus!

1st Half-Chorus

O be gracious, I pray, and champion this city!
630

2nd Half-Chorus

’Tis thy own darling, thy own settler in the city of Argos that I¹ am striving to rescue for the funeral pyre from outrageous insult.