Euripides The Phoenician Women 69

ed. Gilbert Murray

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τὼ δʼ ἐς φόβον πεσόντε, μὴ τελεσφόρους
εὐχὰς θεοὶ κραίνωσιν οἰκούντων ὁμοῦ,
70
ξυμβάντʼ ἔταξαν τὸν νεώτερον πάρος
φεύγειν ἑκόντα τήνδε Πολυνείκη χθόνα,
Ἐτεοκλέα δὲ σκῆπτρʼ ἔχειν μένοντα γῆς,
ἐνιαυτὸν ἀλλάσσοντε. ἐπεὶ δʼ ἐπὶ ζυγοῖς
καθέζετʼ ἀρχῆς, οὐ μεθίσταται θρόνων,
75
φυγάδα δʼ ἀπωθεῖ τῆσδε Πολυνείκη χθονός.
ὃ δʼ Ἄργος ἐλθών, κῆδος Ἀδράστου λαβών,
πολλὴν ἀθροίσας ἀσπίδʼ Ἀργείων ἄγει·
ἐπʼ αὐτὰ δʼ ἐλθὼν ἑπτάπυλα τείχη τάδε,
πατρῷʼ ἀπαιτεῖ σκῆπτρα καὶ μέρη χθονός.
80
ἐγὼ δʼ ἔριν λύουσʼ ὑπόσπονδον μολεῖν
ἔπεισα παιδὶ παῖδα πρὶν ψαῦσαι δορός.
ἥξειν δʼ ὁ πεμφθείς φησιν αὐτὸν ἄγγελος.
ἀλλʼ, ὦ φαεννὰς οὐρανοῦ ναίων πτυχὰς
Ζεῦ, σῶσον ἡμᾶς, δὸς δὲ σύμβασιν τέκνοις.
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χρὴ δʼ, εἰ σοφὸς πέφυκας, οὐκ ἐᾶν βροτὸν
τὸν αὐτὸν αἰεὶ δυστυχῆ καθεστάναι.

The Phoenician Women. Euripides. ed. Gilbert Murray. Oxford. 1913.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

Φοίνισσαι (Greek) (Euripides. Euripidis Fabulae, Vol. III. Murray, Gilbert, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1913. (Reprinted 1920-1978))

Translations (3)
The Phoenician Maidens Perseus (Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 69 focus
So they were afraid
that the gods might fulfil his prayers if they dwell together; and they made an agreement, that Polyneices, the younger, should first leave the land in voluntary exile, while Eteocles should stay and hold the scepter, and then change places yearly. But as soon as Eteocles was seated on the bench of power,
70
he did not leave the throne, but drove Polyneices into exile from this land. So Polyneices went to Argos and married into the family of Adrastus, and having collected a numerous force of Argives is leading them here; and he has come against these very walls of seven gates,
75
demanding the scepter of his father and his share of the land. Now I, to end their strife, have persuaded one son to meet the other under truce, before seizing arms; and the messenger I sent tells me that he will come. O Zeus, dwelling in the bright folds of heaven,
80
save us, and reconcile my sons! For you, if you are really wise, must not allow the same mortal to be forever wretched. Exit Jocasta.
85
The Phoenician Virgins (OCR draft) Experimental (The Phoenician Virgins. Robert Potter's English verse translation, first published in 1781–1783; text from the 1808 Oxford printing.)

No corresponding passage available

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1841; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (Euripides. Deutsch in den Versmaßen der Urschrift. Volume 1, Heidelberg: C. F. Winter, 1841. 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.) — 69 focus
Voll banger Ahnung, solchen Fluch erfüllt zu sehn
Durch Götterschickung, wohnten sie zusammen hier,
70
Vertragen sich die Brüder, daß der jüngere,
Polyneikes, erst freiwillig meide dieses Land,
Eteokles aber Thebe's Volk ein Jahr hindurch
Beherrsche, dann der andre. Doch Eteokles, izt
Am Staatesruder sizend, weicht vom Throne nicht,
75
Und treibt den Bruder fluchtig aus dem Lande fort.
Der eilt nach Argos, wird Adrastos' Eidam, und
Versammelt viele Schild' um sich aus Argos Volk,
Ruckt auf die sieben Thore dieser Stadt heran,
Und fodert seines Vaters Thron und Theil am Land.
80
Doch ich, den Streit zu schlichten, bat ihn, friedlich hold
Zu nahn dem Bruder, eh' er rührt an seinen Speer.
Er komme, sagt der Bote, den ich ihm gesandt.
Du, der in lichten Himmelshdhen wohnt, o Zeus,
Rett' uns, und meinen Kindern gib Vereinigung!
85
Ja, bist du weise, darfst du nie zulassen, daß
Dieselben Menschen immerdar unselig sei'n.
(ab.)