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Chorus
O famous ships, you that once with countless oars went to
Troy
, conducting dances with the Nereids,
where the music-loving dolphin leapt and rolled at your dark-blue prows, bringing Achilles, the son of Thetis, light in the leap of his foot,
435
with Agamemnon to the banks of Trojan Simois.
440
O famous ships, you that once with countless oars went to
Troy
, conducting dances with the Nereids,
where the music-loving dolphin leapt and rolled at your dark-blue prows, bringing Achilles, the son of Thetis, light in the leap of his foot,
435
with Agamemnon to the banks of Trojan Simois.
440
Chorus
The Nereids, leaving
Euboea
’s headlands, brought from Hephaestus’ anvil his shield-work of golden armor,
up to
Pelion
and the glens at the foot of holy Ossa, the Nymphs’ watch-tower . . . where his father, the horseman, was training the son of Thetis as a light for
Hellas
,
445
sea-born, swift-footed for the sons of Atreus.
450
The Nereids, leaving
Euboea
’s headlands, brought from Hephaestus’ anvil his shield-work of golden armor,
up to
Pelion
and the glens at the foot of holy Ossa, the Nymphs’ watch-tower . . . where his father, the horseman, was training the son of Thetis as a light for
Hellas
,
445
sea-born, swift-footed for the sons of Atreus.
450
Chorus
on the circle of your famous shield, O son of Thetis, were wrought these signs, a terror to the Phrygians: on the surrounding base of the shield’s rim, Perseus the throat-cutter, over
455
the sea with winged sandals, was holding the Gorgon’s body, with Hermes, Zeus’ messenger, the rustic son of
Maia
.
460
on the circle of your famous shield, O son of Thetis, were wrought these signs, a terror to the Phrygians: on the surrounding base of the shield’s rim, Perseus the throat-cutter, over
455
the sea with winged sandals, was holding the Gorgon’s body, with Hermes, Zeus’ messenger, the rustic son of
Maia
.
460
Chorus
In the center of the shield the sun’s bright circle
was shining on winged horses, and the heavenly chorus of stars, Pleiades, Hyades, bringing defeat to the eyes of Hector;
465
and upon his gold-forged helmet were sphinxes, bearing in their talons prey from singing. On his breast-plate a lioness, breathing flame, was eager in flight, with her claws,
470
seeing the colt of Pirene.
475
In the center of the shield the sun’s bright circle
was shining on winged horses, and the heavenly chorus of stars, Pleiades, Hyades, bringing defeat to the eyes of Hector;
465
and upon his gold-forged helmet were sphinxes, bearing in their talons prey from singing. On his breast-plate a lioness, breathing flame, was eager in flight, with her claws,
470
seeing the colt of Pirene.
475
Chorus
On the bloody hilt four-footed horses were prancing, while over their backs black dust rose up. But your adultery killed the lord of such mighty warriors,
evil-minded daughter of Tyndareus! For this the gods of heaven will one day send you to death;
480
truly the day will come when I shall see, under your red throat, blood gushing forth at the sword.
485
On the bloody hilt four-footed horses were prancing, while over their backs black dust rose up. But your adultery killed the lord of such mighty warriors,
evil-minded daughter of Tyndareus! For this the gods of heaven will one day send you to death;
480
truly the day will come when I shall see, under your red throat, blood gushing forth at the sword.
485
Electra. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.