Euripides, Rhesus, Gilbert Murray (Translator), 264

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SHEPHERD.

Ho, Master! Enter HECTOR from tent.

I would it ofttimes were my luck to share

As goodly news with thee as now I bear.
265

HECTOR.

What dulness hangs about these shepherds! Block,¹

Com’st thou to us with tidings of thy flock

Here in the field in arms? Who wants thee here?

Thou know’st my house; thou know’st my father’s.

There
270

Tell all about thy lucky lambs.—Now go.

SHEPHERD.

Dull wits, we shepherds! Aye, ’twas alway so.

Yet still, there is some good news to be told.

HECTOR.

A truce there to thy gossip of the fold!

Our dealings are of war, of sword and spear.

He turns to go.

SHEPHERD.

Aye; so were mine. That is what brought me here.
275
HECTOR’S manner changes.

A chief comes yonder, leading a great band

Of spears, with help to thee and all the land.

HECTOR.

From whence? How do his name and lineage run?

SHEPHERD.

He comes from Thrace , the River Strymon’s son.

HECTOR.

Rhesus! Not Rhesus, here on Trojan soil?
280

SHEPHERD.

Thou hast guessed. That eases me of half my toil.

HECTOR.

What makes he there towards Ida? All astray

Thus from the plain and the broad waggon-way!

Rhesus. Euripides. Gilbert Murray (Translator). London. 1913.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Current edition Perseus

Rhesus (English) (Euripides. The Rhesus of Euripides. Murray, Gilbert, translator. London: George Allen and Company, Ltd., 1913.)

Editions (1)

Ῥῆσος Perseus (Euripides. Euripidis Fabulae, Vol. III. Murray, Gilbert, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1913. (Reprinted 1920-1978)) — 264 focus

Ἄγγελος Ποιμήν

ἄναξ, τοιούτων δεσπόταισιν ἄγγελος

εἴην τὸ λοιπὸν οἷά σοι φέρω μαθεῖν.
265

Ἕκτωρ

ἦ πόλλʼ ἀγρώταις σκαιὰ πρόσκειται φρενί·

καὶ γὰρ σὺ ποίμνας δεσπόταις τευχεσφόροις

ἥκειν ἔοικας ἀγγελῶν ἵνʼ οὐ πρέπει.

οὐκ οἶσθα δῶμα τοὐμὸν ἢ θρόνους πατρός,

οἷ χρῆν γεγωνεῖν σʼ εὐτυχοῦντα ποίμνια;
270

Ἄγγελος

σκαιοὶ βοτῆρές ἐσμεν· οὐκ ἄλλως λέγω.

ἀλλʼ οὐδὲν ἧσσον σοι φέρω κεδνοὺς λόγους.

Ἕκτωρ

παῦσαι λέγων μοι τὰς προσαυλείους τύχας·

μάχας πρὸ χειρῶν καὶ δόρη βαστάζομεν.

Ἄγγελος

τοιαῦτα κἀγὼ σημανῶν ἐλήλυθα·
275

ἀνὴρ γὰρ ἀλκῆς μυρίας στρατηλατῶν

στείχει φίλος σοὶ σύμμαχός τε τῇδε γῇ.

Ἕκτωρ

ποίας πατρῴας γῆς ἐρημώσας πέδον;

Ἄγγελος

Θρῄκης· πατρὸς δὲ Στρυμόνος κικλήσκεται.

Ἕκτωρ

Ῥῆσον τιθέντʼ ἔλεξας ἐν Τροίᾳ πόδα;
280

Ἄγγελος

ἔγνως· λόγου δὲ δὶς τόσου μʼ ἐκούφισας.

Ἕκτωρ

καὶ πῶς πρὸς Ἴδης ὀργάδας πορεύεται,

πλαγχθεὶς πλατείας πεδιάδος θʼ ἁμαξιτοῦ;

Translations (2)

Rhesus Perseus (Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Vol. I. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1906. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 264 focus

Messenger

Lord, in days to come may it be mine

to bring my masters such news as I am bearing to you now.
265

Hector

Often the rustic mind is afflicted with dullness; so you have probably come to this ill-suited place to tell your master, in armor, about the sheep! Do you not know my palace or my father’s throne,

where you should carry your tale when you have prospered with your flocks?
270

Messenger

Dull we herdsmen are; I do not dispute it. But none the less I bring joyful news to you.

Hector

Cease your tale of how the sheep-fold fares; I have battles to fight and spears to wield.

Messenger

The very things of which I, too, came to tell you; for a chieftain of a countless army is on his way to join you as your friend and ally of this land.
275

Hector

His country? and the home that he has left?

Messenger

Thrace ; men call his father Strymon.

Hector

Did you say that Rhesus was setting foot in Troy ?
280

Messenger

You have it; and lighten me of half my speech.

Hector

How is it that he comes to Ida’s meadows, wandering from the broad wagon track across the plain?

Rhesus (OCR draft) Experimental (Rhesus. 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

Rhesus

1. P. 16, 1. 267. Hector is as bluff and hasty here as he is impulsively obstinate in 1. 319 ff., p. 19, impulsively frank to Rhesus in 1. 393 ff., p. 23, and splendidly courteous under the gibes of the wounded charioteer, 1. 856 ff., p. 47. A fine stage character, if not a very subtle study.

Euripides Rhesus 264

Gilbert Murray (Translator)

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SHEPHERD.

Ho, Master! Enter HECTOR from tent.

I would it ofttimes were my luck to share

As goodly news with thee as now I bear.
265

HECTOR.

What dulness hangs about these shepherds! Block,¹

Com’st thou to us with tidings of thy flock

Here in the field in arms? Who wants thee here?

Thou know’st my house; thou know’st my father’s.

There
270

Tell all about thy lucky lambs.—Now go.

SHEPHERD.

Dull wits, we shepherds! Aye, ’twas alway so.

Yet still, there is some good news to be told.

HECTOR.

A truce there to thy gossip of the fold!

Our dealings are of war, of sword and spear.

SHEPHERD.

Aye; so were mine. That is what brought me here.
275
HECTOR’S manner changes.

A chief comes yonder, leading a great band

Of spears, with help to thee and all the land.

HECTOR.

From whence? How do his name and lineage run?

SHEPHERD.

He comes from Thrace , the River Strymon’s son.

HECTOR.

Rhesus! Not Rhesus, here on Trojan soil?
280

SHEPHERD.

Thou hast guessed. That eases me of half my toil.

HECTOR.

What makes he there towards Ida? All astray

Thus from the plain and the broad waggon-way!

Current edition Perseus

Ἄγγελος Ποιμήν

ἄναξ, τοιούτων δεσπόταισιν ἄγγελος

εἴην τὸ λοιπὸν οἷά σοι φέρω μαθεῖν.
265

Ἄγγελος

σκαιοὶ βοτῆρές ἐσμεν· οὐκ ἄλλως λέγω.

ἀλλʼ οὐδὲν ἧσσον σοι φέρω κεδνοὺς λόγους.

Ἕκτωρ

παῦσαι λέγων μοι τὰς προσαυλείους τύχας·

μάχας πρὸ χειρῶν καὶ δόρη βαστάζομεν.

Ἄγγελος

τοιαῦτα κἀγὼ σημανῶν ἐλήλυθα·
275

ἀνὴρ γὰρ ἀλκῆς μυρίας στρατηλατῶν

στείχει φίλος σοὶ σύμμαχός τε τῇδε γῇ.

Ἕκτωρ

ποίας πατρῴας γῆς ἐρημώσας πέδον;

Ἄγγελος

Θρῄκης· πατρὸς δὲ Στρυμόνος κικλήσκεται.

Ἕκτωρ

Ῥῆσον τιθέντʼ ἔλεξας ἐν Τροίᾳ πόδα;
280

Ἄγγελος

ἔγνως· λόγου δὲ δὶς τόσου μʼ ἐκούφισας.

Ἕκτωρ

καὶ πῶς πρὸς Ἴδης ὀργάδας πορεύεται,

πλαγχθεὶς πλατείας πεδιάδος θʼ ἁμαξιτοῦ;

Messenger

Lord, in days to come may it be mine

to bring my masters such news as I am bearing to you now.
265

Hector

Often the rustic mind is afflicted with dullness; so you have probably come to this ill-suited place to tell your master, in armor, about the sheep! Do you not know my palace or my father’s throne,

where you should carry your tale when you have prospered with your flocks?
270

Messenger

Dull we herdsmen are; I do not dispute it. But none the less I bring joyful news to you.

Hector

Cease your tale of how the sheep-fold fares; I have battles to fight and spears to wield.

Messenger

The very things of which I, too, came to tell you; for a chieftain of a countless army is on his way to join you as your friend and ally of this land.
275

Hector

His country? and the home that he has left?

Messenger

Thrace ; men call his father Strymon.

Hector

Did you say that Rhesus was setting foot in Troy ?
280

Messenger

You have it; and lighten me of half my speech.

Hector

How is it that he comes to Ida’s meadows, wandering from the broad wagon track across the plain?

Notes on the current edition

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

SHEPHERD. Ho, Master! Enter HECTOR from tent. I would it ofttimes were my luck to share As goodly news with thee as now I bear. 265

HECTOR. What dulness hangs about these shepherds! Block, 1 Com’st thou to us with tidings of thy flock Here in the field in arms? Who wants thee here? Thou know’st my house; thou know’st my father’s. There 270 Tell all about thy lucky lambs.—Now go.

SHEPHERD. Dull wits, we shepherds! Aye, ’twas alway so. Yet still, there is some good news to be told.

HECTOR. A truce there to thy gossip of the fold! Our dealings are of war, of sword and spear.

SHEPHERD. Aye; so were mine. That is what brought me here. 275 HECTOR’S manner changes. A chief comes yonder, leading a great band Of spears, with help to thee and all the land.

HECTOR. From whence? How do his name and lineage run?

SHEPHERD. He comes from Thrace , the River Strymon’s son.

HECTOR. Rhesus! Not Rhesus, here on Trojan soil? 280

SHEPHERD. Thou hast guessed. That eases me of half my toil.

HECTOR. What makes he there towards Ida? All astray Thus from the plain and the broad waggon-way!

Current edition Perseus

Ἄγγελος Ποιμήν ἄναξ, τοιούτων δεσπόταισιν ἄγγελος εἴην τὸ λοιπὸν οἷά σοι φέρω μαθεῖν. 265

Ἄγγελος σκαιοὶ βοτῆρές ἐσμεν· οὐκ ἄλλως λέγω. ἀλλʼ οὐδὲν ἧσσον σοι φέρω κεδνοὺς λόγους.

Ἕκτωρ παῦσαι λέγων μοι τὰς προσαυλείους τύχας· μάχας πρὸ χειρῶν καὶ δόρη βαστάζομεν.

Ἄγγελος τοιαῦτα κἀγὼ σημανῶν ἐλήλυθα· 275 ἀνὴρ γὰρ ἀλκῆς μυρίας στρατηλατῶν στείχει φίλος σοὶ σύμμαχός τε τῇδε γῇ.

Ἕκτωρ ποίας πατρῴας γῆς ἐρημώσας πέδον;

Ἄγγελος Θρῄκης· πατρὸς δὲ Στρυμόνος κικλήσκεται.

Ἕκτωρ Ῥῆσον τιθέντʼ ἔλεξας ἐν Τροίᾳ πόδα; 280

Ἄγγελος ἔγνως· λόγου δὲ δὶς τόσου μʼ ἐκούφισας.

Ἕκτωρ καὶ πῶς πρὸς Ἴδης ὀργάδας πορεύεται, πλαγχθεὶς πλατείας πεδιάδος θʼ ἁμαξιτοῦ;

Messenger Lord, in days to come may it be mine to bring my masters such news as I am bearing to you now. 265

Hector Often the rustic mind is afflicted with dullness; so you have probably come to this ill-suited place to tell your master, in armor, about the sheep! Do you not know my palace or my father’s throne, where you should carry your tale when you have prospered with your flocks? 270

Messenger Dull we herdsmen are; I do not dispute it. But none the less I bring joyful news to you.

Hector Cease your tale of how the sheep-fold fares; I have battles to fight and spears to wield.

Messenger The very things of which I, too, came to tell you; for a chieftain of a countless army is on his way to join you as your friend and ally of this land. 275

Hector His country? and the home that he has left?

Messenger Thrace ; men call his father Strymon.

Hector Did you say that Rhesus was setting foot in Troy ? 280

Messenger You have it; and lighten me of half my speech.

Hector How is it that he comes to Ida’s meadows, wandering from the broad wagon track across the plain?

Notes on the current edition

Stable identifiers

SHEPHERD.

Ho, Master! Enter HECTOR from tent.

I would it ofttimes were my luck to share

As goodly news with thee as now I bear.
265

HECTOR.

What dulness hangs about these shepherds! Block,¹

Com’st thou to us with tidings of thy flock

Here in the field in arms? Who wants thee here?

Thou know’st my house; thou know’st my father’s.

There
270

Tell all about thy lucky lambs.—Now go.

SHEPHERD.

Dull wits, we shepherds! Aye, ’twas alway so.

Yet still, there is some good news to be told.

HECTOR.

A truce there to thy gossip of the fold!

Our dealings are of war, of sword and spear.

SHEPHERD.

Aye; so were mine. That is what brought me here.
275
HECTOR’S manner changes.

A chief comes yonder, leading a great band

Of spears, with help to thee and all the land.

HECTOR.

From whence? How do his name and lineage run?

SHEPHERD.

He comes from Thrace , the River Strymon’s son.

HECTOR.

Rhesus! Not Rhesus, here on Trojan soil?
280

SHEPHERD.

Thou hast guessed. That eases me of half my toil.

HECTOR.

What makes he there towards Ida? All astray

Thus from the plain and the broad waggon-way!

Ἄγγελος Ποιμήν

ἄναξ, τοιούτων δεσπόταισιν ἄγγελος

εἴην τὸ λοιπὸν οἷά σοι φέρω μαθεῖν.
265

Ἄγγελος

σκαιοὶ βοτῆρές ἐσμεν· οὐκ ἄλλως λέγω.

ἀλλʼ οὐδὲν ἧσσον σοι φέρω κεδνοὺς λόγους.

Ἕκτωρ

παῦσαι λέγων μοι τὰς προσαυλείους τύχας·

μάχας πρὸ χειρῶν καὶ δόρη βαστάζομεν.

Ἄγγελος

τοιαῦτα κἀγὼ σημανῶν ἐλήλυθα·
275

ἀνὴρ γὰρ ἀλκῆς μυρίας στρατηλατῶν

στείχει φίλος σοὶ σύμμαχός τε τῇδε γῇ.

Ἕκτωρ

ποίας πατρῴας γῆς ἐρημώσας πέδον;

Ἄγγελος

Θρῄκης· πατρὸς δὲ Στρυμόνος κικλήσκεται.

Ἕκτωρ

Ῥῆσον τιθέντʼ ἔλεξας ἐν Τροίᾳ πόδα;
280

Ἄγγελος

ἔγνως· λόγου δὲ δὶς τόσου μʼ ἐκούφισας.

Ἕκτωρ

καὶ πῶς πρὸς Ἴδης ὀργάδας πορεύεται,

πλαγχθεὶς πλατείας πεδιάδος θʼ ἁμαξιτοῦ;

Messenger

Lord, in days to come may it be mine

to bring my masters such news as I am bearing to you now.
265

Hector

Often the rustic mind is afflicted with dullness; so you have probably come to this ill-suited place to tell your master, in armor, about the sheep! Do you not know my palace or my father’s throne,

where you should carry your tale when you have prospered with your flocks?
270

Messenger

Dull we herdsmen are; I do not dispute it. But none the less I bring joyful news to you.

Hector

Cease your tale of how the sheep-fold fares; I have battles to fight and spears to wield.

Messenger

The very things of which I, too, came to tell you; for a chieftain of a countless army is on his way to join you as your friend and ally of this land.
275

Hector

His country? and the home that he has left?

Messenger

Thrace ; men call his father Strymon.

Hector

Did you say that Rhesus was setting foot in Troy ?
280

Messenger

You have it; and lighten me of half my speech.

Hector

How is it that he comes to Ida’s meadows, wandering from the broad wagon track across the plain?