ἡμεῖς μὲν ἐν Τραχῖνι τῇδ᾽
ἀνάστατοι
ἀνάσταστοι
Trachiniae. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
Table of Contents
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Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Greek) (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879))
Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.
Editions (1)
Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1-93 focus
Δηιάνειρα
λόγος μέν ἐστʼ ἀρχαῖος ἀνθρώπων φανείς,
1
ὡς οὐκ ἂν αἰῶνʼ ἐκμάθοις βροτῶν, πρὶν ἂν
θάνῃ τις, οὔτʼ εἰ χρηστὸς οὔτʼ εἴ τῳ κακός·
ἐγὼ δὲ τὸν ἐμόν, καὶ πρὶν εἰς Ἅιδου μολεῖν,
ἔξοιδʼ ἔχουσα δυστυχῆ τε καὶ βαρύν,
5
ἥτις πατρὸς μὲν ἐν δόμοισιν Οἰνέως
ναίουσʼ ἔτʼ ἐν Πλευρῶνι νυμφείων ὄκνον
ἄλγιστον ἔσχον, εἴ τις Αἰτωλὶς γυνή.
μνηστὴρ γὰρ ἦν μοι ποταμός, Ἀχελῷον λέγω,
ὅς μʼ ἐν τρισὶν μορφαῖσιν ἐξῄτει πατρός,
10
φοιτῶν ἐναργὴς ταῦρος, ἄλλοτʼ αἰόλος
δράκων ἑλικτός, ἄλλοτʼ ἀνδρείῳ κύτει
βούπρῳρος· ἐκ δὲ δασκίου γενειάδος
κρουνοὶ διερραίνοντο κρηναίου ποτοῦ.
τοιόνδʼ ἐγὼ μνηστῆρα προσδεδεγμένη
15
δύστηνος αἰεὶ κατθανεῖν ἐπηυχόμην,
πρὶν τῆσδε κοίτης ἐμπελασθῆναί ποτε.
χρόνῳ δʼ ἐν ὑστέρῳ μέν, ἀσμένῃ δέ μοι,
ὁ κλεινὸς ἦλθε Ζηνὸς Ἀλκμήνης τε παῖς·
ὃς εἰς ἀγῶνα τῷδε συμπεσὼν μάχης
20
ἐκλύεταί με· καὶ τρόπον μὲν ἂν πόνων
οὐκ ἂν διείποιμʼ· οὐ γὰρ οἶδʼ· ἀλλʼ ὅστις ἦν
θακῶν ἀταρβὴς τῆς θέας, ὅδʼ ἂν λέγοι·
ἐγὼ γὰρ ἥμην ἐκπεπληγμένη φόβῳ
μή μοι τὸ κάλλος ἄλγος ἐξεύροι ποτέ.
25
τέλος δʼ ἔθηκε Ζεὺς ἀγώνιος καλῶς,
εἰ δὴ καλῶς. λέχος γὰρ Ἡρακλεῖ κριτὸν
ξυστᾶσʼ ἀεί τινʼ ἐκ φόβου φόβον τρέφω,
κείνου προκηραίνουσα· νὺξ γὰρ εἰσάγει
καὶ νὺξ ἀπωθεῖ διαδεδεγμένη πόνον.
30
κἀφύσαμεν δὴ παῖδας, οὓς κεῖνός ποτε,
γῄτης ὅπως ἄρουραν ἔκτοπον λαβών,
σπείρων μόνον προσεῖδε κἀξαμῶν ἅπαξ.
τοιοῦτος αἰὼν εἰς δόμους τε κἀκ δόμων
αἰεὶ τὸν ἄνδρʼ ἔπεμπε λατρεύοντά τῳ.
35
νῦν δʼ ἡνίκʼ ἄθλων τῶνδʼ ὑπερτελὴς ἔφυ,
ἐνταῦθα δὴ μάλιστα ταρβήσασʼ ἔχω.
ἐξ οὗ γὰρ ἔκτα κεῖνος Ἰφίτου βίαν,
ἡμεῖς μὲν ἐν Τραχῖνι τῇδʼ ἀνάστατοι
ξένῳ παρʼ ἀνδρὶ ναίομεν, κεῖνος δʼ ὅπου
40
βέβηκεν οὐδεὶς οἶδε· πλὴν ἐμοὶ πικρὰς
ὠδῖνας αὐτοῦ προσβαλὼν ἀποίχεται.
σχεδὸν δʼ ἐπίσταμαί τι πῆμʼ ἔχοντά νιν·
χρόνον γὰρ οὐχὶ βαιόν, ἀλλʼ ἤδη δέκα
μῆνας πρὸς ἄλλοις πέντʼ ἀκήρυκτος μένει.
45
κἀστίν τι δεινὸν πῆμα· τοιαύτην ἐμοὶ
δέλτον λιπὼν ἔστειχε, τὴν ἐγὼ θαμὰ
θεοῖς ἀρῶμαι πημονῆς ἄτερ λαβεῖν.
49
λόγος μέν ἐστʼ ἀρχαῖος ἀνθρώπων φανείς,
1
ὡς οὐκ ἂν αἰῶνʼ ἐκμάθοις βροτῶν, πρὶν ἂν
θάνῃ τις, οὔτʼ εἰ χρηστὸς οὔτʼ εἴ τῳ κακός·
ἐγὼ δὲ τὸν ἐμόν, καὶ πρὶν εἰς Ἅιδου μολεῖν,
ἔξοιδʼ ἔχουσα δυστυχῆ τε καὶ βαρύν,
5
ἥτις πατρὸς μὲν ἐν δόμοισιν Οἰνέως
ναίουσʼ ἔτʼ ἐν Πλευρῶνι νυμφείων ὄκνον
ἄλγιστον ἔσχον, εἴ τις Αἰτωλὶς γυνή.
μνηστὴρ γὰρ ἦν μοι ποταμός, Ἀχελῷον λέγω,
ὅς μʼ ἐν τρισὶν μορφαῖσιν ἐξῄτει πατρός,
10
φοιτῶν ἐναργὴς ταῦρος, ἄλλοτʼ αἰόλος
δράκων ἑλικτός, ἄλλοτʼ ἀνδρείῳ κύτει
βούπρῳρος· ἐκ δὲ δασκίου γενειάδος
κρουνοὶ διερραίνοντο κρηναίου ποτοῦ.
τοιόνδʼ ἐγὼ μνηστῆρα προσδεδεγμένη
15
δύστηνος αἰεὶ κατθανεῖν ἐπηυχόμην,
πρὶν τῆσδε κοίτης ἐμπελασθῆναί ποτε.
χρόνῳ δʼ ἐν ὑστέρῳ μέν, ἀσμένῃ δέ μοι,
ὁ κλεινὸς ἦλθε Ζηνὸς Ἀλκμήνης τε παῖς·
ὃς εἰς ἀγῶνα τῷδε συμπεσὼν μάχης
20
ἐκλύεταί με· καὶ τρόπον μὲν ἂν πόνων
οὐκ ἂν διείποιμʼ· οὐ γὰρ οἶδʼ· ἀλλʼ ὅστις ἦν
θακῶν ἀταρβὴς τῆς θέας, ὅδʼ ἂν λέγοι·
ἐγὼ γὰρ ἥμην ἐκπεπληγμένη φόβῳ
μή μοι τὸ κάλλος ἄλγος ἐξεύροι ποτέ.
25
τέλος δʼ ἔθηκε Ζεὺς ἀγώνιος καλῶς,
εἰ δὴ καλῶς. λέχος γὰρ Ἡρακλεῖ κριτὸν
ξυστᾶσʼ ἀεί τινʼ ἐκ φόβου φόβον τρέφω,
κείνου προκηραίνουσα· νὺξ γὰρ εἰσάγει
καὶ νὺξ ἀπωθεῖ διαδεδεγμένη πόνον.
30
κἀφύσαμεν δὴ παῖδας, οὓς κεῖνός ποτε,
γῄτης ὅπως ἄρουραν ἔκτοπον λαβών,
σπείρων μόνον προσεῖδε κἀξαμῶν ἅπαξ.
τοιοῦτος αἰὼν εἰς δόμους τε κἀκ δόμων
αἰεὶ τὸν ἄνδρʼ ἔπεμπε λατρεύοντά τῳ.
35
νῦν δʼ ἡνίκʼ ἄθλων τῶνδʼ ὑπερτελὴς ἔφυ,
ἐνταῦθα δὴ μάλιστα ταρβήσασʼ ἔχω.
ἐξ οὗ γὰρ ἔκτα κεῖνος Ἰφίτου βίαν,
ἡμεῖς μὲν ἐν Τραχῖνι τῇδʼ ἀνάστατοι
ξένῳ παρʼ ἀνδρὶ ναίομεν, κεῖνος δʼ ὅπου
40
βέβηκεν οὐδεὶς οἶδε· πλὴν ἐμοὶ πικρὰς
ὠδῖνας αὐτοῦ προσβαλὼν ἀποίχεται.
σχεδὸν δʼ ἐπίσταμαί τι πῆμʼ ἔχοντά νιν·
χρόνον γὰρ οὐχὶ βαιόν, ἀλλʼ ἤδη δέκα
μῆνας πρὸς ἄλλοις πέντʼ ἀκήρυκτος μένει.
45
κἀστίν τι δεινὸν πῆμα· τοιαύτην ἐμοὶ
δέλτον λιπὼν ἔστειχε, τὴν ἐγὼ θαμὰ
θεοῖς ἀρῶμαι πημονῆς ἄτερ λαβεῖν.
Θεράπαινα
δέσποινα Δῃάνειρα, πολλὰ μέν σʼ ἐγὼ
κατεῖδον ἤδη πανδάκρυτʼ ὀδύρματα
50
τὴν Ἡράκλειον ἔξοδον γοωμένην·
νῦν δʼ, εἰ δίκαιον τοὺς ἐλευθέρους φρενοῦν
γνώμαισι δούλαις, κἀμὲ χρὴ φράσαι τὸ σόν·
πῶς παισὶ μὲν τοσοῖσδε πληθύεις, ἀτὰρ
ἀνδρὸς κατὰ ζήτησιν οὐ πέμπεις τινά,
55
μάλιστα δʼ ὅνπερ εἰκὸς Ὕλλον, εἰ πατρὸς
νέμοι τινʼ ὤραν τοῦ καλῶς πράσσειν δοκεῖν;
ἐγγὺς δʼ ὅδʼ αὐτὸς ἀρτίπους θρῴσκει δόμους,
ὥστʼ εἴ τί σοι πρὸς καιρὸν ἐννέπειν δοκῶ,
πάρεστι χρῆσθαι τἀνδρὶ τοῖς τʼ ἐμοῖς λόγοις.
60
61
δέσποινα Δῃάνειρα, πολλὰ μέν σʼ ἐγὼ
κατεῖδον ἤδη πανδάκρυτʼ ὀδύρματα
50
τὴν Ἡράκλειον ἔξοδον γοωμένην·
νῦν δʼ, εἰ δίκαιον τοὺς ἐλευθέρους φρενοῦν
γνώμαισι δούλαις, κἀμὲ χρὴ φράσαι τὸ σόν·
πῶς παισὶ μὲν τοσοῖσδε πληθύεις, ἀτὰρ
ἀνδρὸς κατὰ ζήτησιν οὐ πέμπεις τινά,
55
μάλιστα δʼ ὅνπερ εἰκὸς Ὕλλον, εἰ πατρὸς
νέμοι τινʼ ὤραν τοῦ καλῶς πράσσειν δοκεῖν;
ἐγγὺς δʼ ὅδʼ αὐτὸς ἀρτίπους θρῴσκει δόμους,
ὥστʼ εἴ τί σοι πρὸς καιρὸν ἐννέπειν δοκῶ,
πάρεστι χρῆσθαι τἀνδρὶ τοῖς τʼ ἐμοῖς λόγοις.
60
Δηιάνειρα
ὦ τέκνον, ὦ παῖ, κἀξ ἀγεννήτων ἄρα
μῦθοι καλῶς πίπτουσιν· ἥδε γὰρ γυνὴ
δούλη μέν, εἴρηκεν δʼ ἐλεύθερον λόγον.
ὦ τέκνον, ὦ παῖ, κἀξ ἀγεννήτων ἄρα
μῦθοι καλῶς πίπτουσιν· ἥδε γὰρ γυνὴ
δούλη μέν, εἴρηκεν δʼ ἐλεύθερον λόγον.
Ὕλλος
ποῖον; δίδαξον, μῆτερ, εἰ διδακτά μοι.
ποῖον; δίδαξον, μῆτερ, εἰ διδακτά μοι.
Δηιάνειρα
σὲ πατρὸς οὕτω δαρὸν ἐξενωμένου
65
τὸ μὴ πυθέσθαι ποῦ ʼστιν, αἰσχύνην φέρειν.
σὲ πατρὸς οὕτω δαρὸν ἐξενωμένου
65
τὸ μὴ πυθέσθαι ποῦ ʼστιν, αἰσχύνην φέρειν.
Ὕλλος
ἀλλʼ οἶδα, μύθοις εἴ τι πιστεύειν χρεών.
ἀλλʼ οἶδα, μύθοις εἴ τι πιστεύειν χρεών.
Δηιάνειρα
καὶ ποῦ κλύεις νιν, τέκνον, ἱδρῦσθαι χθονός;
καὶ ποῦ κλύεις νιν, τέκνον, ἱδρῦσθαι χθονός;
Ὕλλος
τὸν μὲν παρελθόντʼ ἄροτον ἐν μήκει χρόνου
Λυδῇ γυναικί φασί νιν λάτριν πονεῖν.
70
τὸν μὲν παρελθόντʼ ἄροτον ἐν μήκει χρόνου
Λυδῇ γυναικί φασί νιν λάτριν πονεῖν.
70
Δηιάνειρα
πᾶν τοίνυν, εἰ καὶ τοῦτʼ ἔτλη, κλύοι τις ἄν.
πᾶν τοίνυν, εἰ καὶ τοῦτʼ ἔτλη, κλύοι τις ἄν.
Ὕλλος
ἀλλʼ ἐξαφεῖται τοῦδέ γʼ, ὡς ἐγὼ κλύω.
ἀλλʼ ἐξαφεῖται τοῦδέ γʼ, ὡς ἐγὼ κλύω.
Δηιάνειρα
ποῦ δῆτα νῦν ζῶν ἢ θανὼν ἀγγέλλεται;
ποῦ δῆτα νῦν ζῶν ἢ θανὼν ἀγγέλλεται;
Ὕλλος
Εὐβοΐδα χώραν φασίν, Εὐρύτου πόλιν,
ἐπιστρατεύειν αὐτὸν ἢ μέλλειν ἔτι.
75
Εὐβοΐδα χώραν φασίν, Εὐρύτου πόλιν,
ἐπιστρατεύειν αὐτὸν ἢ μέλλειν ἔτι.
75
Δηιάνειρα
ἆρʼ οἶσθα δῆτʼ, ὦ τέκνον, ὡς ἔλειπέ μοι
μαντεῖα πιστὰ τῆσδε τῆς χώρας πέρι;
ἆρʼ οἶσθα δῆτʼ, ὦ τέκνον, ὡς ἔλειπέ μοι
μαντεῖα πιστὰ τῆσδε τῆς χώρας πέρι;
Ὕλλος
τὰ ποῖα, μῆτερ; τὸν λόγον γὰρ ἀγνοῶ.
79
τὰ ποῖα, μῆτερ; τὸν λόγον γὰρ ἀγνοῶ.
Δηιάνειρα
ὡς ἢ τελευτὴν τοῦ βίου μέλλει τελεῖν
ἢ τοῦτον ἄρας ἆθλον εἰς τό γʼ ὕστερον
80
τὸν λοιπὸν ἤδη βίοτον εὐαίωνʼ ἔχειν.
ἐν οὖν ῥοπῇ, τοιᾷδε κειμένῳ, τέκνον,
οὐκ εἶ ξυνέρξων, ἡνίκʼ ἢ σεσώσμεθα
ἢ πίπτομεν σοῦ πατρὸς ἐξολωλότος
κείνου βίον σώσαντος, ἢ οἰχόμεσθʼ ἅμα;
85
ὡς ἢ τελευτὴν τοῦ βίου μέλλει τελεῖν
ἢ τοῦτον ἄρας ἆθλον εἰς τό γʼ ὕστερον
80
τὸν λοιπὸν ἤδη βίοτον εὐαίωνʼ ἔχειν.
ἐν οὖν ῥοπῇ, τοιᾷδε κειμένῳ, τέκνον,
οὐκ εἶ ξυνέρξων, ἡνίκʼ ἢ σεσώσμεθα
ἢ πίπτομεν σοῦ πατρὸς ἐξολωλότος
κείνου βίον σώσαντος, ἢ οἰχόμεσθʼ ἅμα;
85
Ὕλλος
ἀλλʼ εἶμι, μῆτερ· εἰ δὲ θεσφάτων ἐγὼ
βάξιν κατῄδη τῶνδε, κἂν πάλαι παρῆ·
νῦν δʼ ὁ ξυνήθης πότμος οὐκ εἴα πατρὸς
ἡμᾶς προταρβεῖν οὐδὲ δειμαίνειν ἄγαν.
νῦν δʼ ὡς ξυνίημʼ, οὐδὲν ἐλλείψω τὸ μὴ οὐ
90
πᾶσαν πυθέσθαι τῶνδʼ ἀλήθειαν πέρι.
ἀλλʼ εἶμι, μῆτερ· εἰ δὲ θεσφάτων ἐγὼ
βάξιν κατῄδη τῶνδε, κἂν πάλαι παρῆ·
νῦν δʼ ὁ ξυνήθης πότμος οὐκ εἴα πατρὸς
ἡμᾶς προταρβεῖν οὐδὲ δειμαίνειν ἄγαν.
νῦν δʼ ὡς ξυνίημʼ, οὐδὲν ἐλλείψω τὸ μὴ οὐ
90
πᾶσαν πυθέσθαι τῶνδʼ ἀλήθειαν πέρι.
Δηιάνειρα
χώρει νυν, ὦ παῖ· καὶ γὰρ ὑστέρῳ τό γʼ εὖ
πράσσειν, ἐπεὶ πύθοιτο, κέρδος ἐμπολᾷ.
χώρει νυν, ὦ παῖ· καὶ γὰρ ὑστέρῳ τό γʼ εὖ
πράσσειν, ἐπεὶ πύθοιτο, κέρδος ἐμπολᾷ.
Translations (5)
English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 39 focus
DÊ
Was’t then before that city he was kept
Those endless ages of uncounted time?
Was’t then before that city he was kept
Those endless ages of uncounted time?
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 49 focus
O Deianeira, Fürstin, oft gewahrt' ich schon,
Wie du betrübt in thränenreiche Klagen dich
50
Ergossest, daß Herakles ausgezogen sei.
Doch heute, wenn's der Sklavin schlichtem Sinn geziemt,
Dem freien Weib zu rathen, gönn' auch mir ein Wort.
Du bist an soviel Söhnen reich: was sendest du
1
Nicht ihrer Einen, auszuspäh'n des Mannes Spur?
55
Zumal dem Hyllos ziemte das, vertrau'n wir ihm,
Daß ihn um seines Vaters Wohl die Sorge treibt.
Da kommt er eben leichten Schritt's zum Haus heran,
Daß, wenn dir meine Rede nicht unzeitig dünkt,
Du seinen Beistand nüzen kannst und meinen Rath.
60
Hyllos. Die Vorigen.
O Deianeira, Fürstin, oft gewahrt' ich schon,
Wie du betrübt in thränenreiche Klagen dich
50
Ergossest, daß Herakles ausgezogen sei.
Doch heute, wenn's der Sklavin schlichtem Sinn geziemt,
Dem freien Weib zu rathen, gönn' auch mir ein Wort.
Du bist an soviel Söhnen reich: was sendest du
1
Nicht ihrer Einen, auszuspäh'n des Mannes Spur?
55
Zumal dem Hyllos ziemte das, vertrau'n wir ihm,
Daß ihn um seines Vaters Wohl die Sorge treibt.
Da kommt er eben leichten Schritt's zum Haus heran,
Daß, wenn dir meine Rede nicht unzeitig dünkt,
Du seinen Beistand nüzen kannst und meinen Rath.
60
Deianeira.
English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 39 focus
Deianira
I am happy —
To see my Hercules with victory crowned
'Tis fit I should rejoice ; and yet, my friends,
If we consider well, we still should fear
For the successful, lest they fall from bliss.
It moves my pity much when I behold
These wretched captives in a foreign land,
295
Without 8, parent and without a home..
295
Thus doomed to slavery here, who once perhaps
295
Enjoyed fair freedom's best inheritance :
O Jove ! averter of each mortal ill,
Let not my children ever feel thy arm
Thus raised against them? or, if 'tis decreed,
Let it not be whilst Deianira Jives :
The sight of these alarms my fears. But tell me
Thou poor afflicted captive, who thou art. \To Idle.
Art thou a mother ? or, as by thy years
Thou seemst, a vii-gin, and of noble birth?
Canst not thou tell me, Lichas, whence she sprang ?
Inform me, for of all these slaves she most
Hath won my pity, and in her alone
Have I observed a firm and generous mind.
300
Lie. Why ask of me 1 I know not who she is;
300
Perhaps of no mean rank.
300
I am happy —
To see my Hercules with victory crowned
'Tis fit I should rejoice ; and yet, my friends,
If we consider well, we still should fear
For the successful, lest they fall from bliss.
It moves my pity much when I behold
These wretched captives in a foreign land,
295
Without 8, parent and without a home..
295
Thus doomed to slavery here, who once perhaps
295
Enjoyed fair freedom's best inheritance :
O Jove ! averter of each mortal ill,
Let not my children ever feel thy arm
Thus raised against them? or, if 'tis decreed,
Let it not be whilst Deianira Jives :
The sight of these alarms my fears. But tell me
Thou poor afflicted captive, who thou art. \To Idle.
Art thou a mother ? or, as by thy years
Thou seemst, a vii-gin, and of noble birth?
Canst not thou tell me, Lichas, whence she sprang ?
Inform me, for of all these slaves she most
Hath won my pity, and in her alone
Have I observed a firm and generous mind.
300
Lie. Why ask of me 1 I know not who she is;
300
Perhaps of no mean rank.
300
English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 39 focus
Deianira
Advanced against this town was he engaged ....
In tedious war all this vast length of time?
Advanced against this town was he engaged ....
In tedious war all this vast length of time?
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1-92 focus
Deianeira
There is a saying among men, put forth long ago, that you cannot judge a mortal’s life and know whether it is good or bad until he dies. But well I know, even before I have passed away to Hades’ domain, that my life is ill-fortuned and heavy.
1
For I, while still dwelling in the house of my father Oeneus at
Pleuron
, had such fear of marriage as never any woman of
Aetolia
had. For my suitor was a river-god, Achelous,
5
who in three shapes was always asking me from my father—coming now as a bull in visible form, now as a serpent, sheeny and coiled, now ox-faced with human trunk, while from his thick-shaded beard wellheads of fountain-water sprayed.
10
In the expectation that such a suitor would get me, I was always praying in my misery that I might die, before I should ever approach that marriage-bed.
But at last, to my joy, the glorious son of Zeus and Alcmena came and
15
closed with him in combat and delivered me. The manner of their fighting I cannot clearly recount. I know it not, but if there be anyone who watched that sight without trembling, he might give an account of it. But I, as I sat there, was struck with terror,
20
lest my beauty should win me sorrow in the end. But Zeus, Arbiter of Contests, accomplished a good ending—if indeed it was good. For since being joined with Heracles as his chosen bride, I nourish one fear after another in my anxiety for him. One night brings distress,
25
and the next night, in turn, drives it out. Children, furthermore, were born to us, whom at the time he looked at only as the farmer looks at a distant field, visiting it only once to sow seed and once to reap. Such was the manner of his life, ever sending him
30
to and from our home in servitude to some master.
But now, when he has risen above those trials—now it is that my fear is keenest. For ever since he slew the mighty Iphitus, we have been dwelling here in
Trachis
, refugees
35
in the home of a foreign host. But where Heracles is, no one knows. I only know that he is gone, and has caused me sharp pain for him. I am almost sure that he has come to some suffering. The interval has not been brief; rather, he is unheard from ten months already,
40
plus another five. Yes, there has been some terrible misfortune. That tablet which he left with me before departing suggests it to me. I often pray to the gods that I did not receive it to my misfortune.
45
49
There is a saying among men, put forth long ago, that you cannot judge a mortal’s life and know whether it is good or bad until he dies. But well I know, even before I have passed away to Hades’ domain, that my life is ill-fortuned and heavy.
1
For I, while still dwelling in the house of my father Oeneus at
Pleuron
, had such fear of marriage as never any woman of
Aetolia
had. For my suitor was a river-god, Achelous,
5
who in three shapes was always asking me from my father—coming now as a bull in visible form, now as a serpent, sheeny and coiled, now ox-faced with human trunk, while from his thick-shaded beard wellheads of fountain-water sprayed.
10
In the expectation that such a suitor would get me, I was always praying in my misery that I might die, before I should ever approach that marriage-bed.
But at last, to my joy, the glorious son of Zeus and Alcmena came and
15
But at last, to my joy, the glorious son of Zeus and Alcmena came and
closed with him in combat and delivered me. The manner of their fighting I cannot clearly recount. I know it not, but if there be anyone who watched that sight without trembling, he might give an account of it. But I, as I sat there, was struck with terror,
20
lest my beauty should win me sorrow in the end. But Zeus, Arbiter of Contests, accomplished a good ending—if indeed it was good. For since being joined with Heracles as his chosen bride, I nourish one fear after another in my anxiety for him. One night brings distress,
25
and the next night, in turn, drives it out. Children, furthermore, were born to us, whom at the time he looked at only as the farmer looks at a distant field, visiting it only once to sow seed and once to reap. Such was the manner of his life, ever sending him
30
to and from our home in servitude to some master.
But now, when he has risen above those trials—now it is that my fear is keenest. For ever since he slew the mighty Iphitus, we have been dwelling here in Trachis , refugees
35
But now, when he has risen above those trials—now it is that my fear is keenest. For ever since he slew the mighty Iphitus, we have been dwelling here in Trachis , refugees
in the home of a foreign host. But where Heracles is, no one knows. I only know that he is gone, and has caused me sharp pain for him. I am almost sure that he has come to some suffering. The interval has not been brief; rather, he is unheard from ten months already,
40
plus another five. Yes, there has been some terrible misfortune. That tablet which he left with me before departing suggests it to me. I often pray to the gods that I did not receive it to my misfortune.
45
Nurse
Deianeira, my mistress, many are the times already that I have
observed you mourning the departure of Heracles with great weeping and lamentation. But now—if it is proper to school the free-born with the doctrines of a slave, and if I am obliged to point out what you should do—how is it that you so abound in sons, yet
50
you do not send one of them to seek your husband, especially Hyllus? It would be appropriate to send him, if he cared for his father’s sake that he be deemed to fare well. Here he is now, dashing to the house in timely stride. So if in your eyes I speak in season,
55
you can use both my counsel and the man.
60
61
Enter Hyllus.
Deianeira, my mistress, many are the times already that I have
observed you mourning the departure of Heracles with great weeping and lamentation. But now—if it is proper to school the free-born with the doctrines of a slave, and if I am obliged to point out what you should do—how is it that you so abound in sons, yet
50
you do not send one of them to seek your husband, especially Hyllus? It would be appropriate to send him, if he cared for his father’s sake that he be deemed to fare well. Here he is now, dashing to the house in timely stride. So if in your eyes I speak in season,
55
you can use both my counsel and the man.
60
Deianeira
My child, my son, wise words fall, it seems, from humble lips. For this woman is a slave, but her advice is worthy of the free.
My child, my son, wise words fall, it seems, from humble lips. For this woman is a slave, but her advice is worthy of the free.
Hyllus
What sort of advice, Mother? Tell me, if I may be told.
What sort of advice, Mother? Tell me, if I may be told.
Deianeira
It brings shame, she says, that you have not sought to learn of your father and where he is, when he has been abroad for so long.
65
It brings shame, she says, that you have not sought to learn of your father and where he is, when he has been abroad for so long.
65
Hyllus
But I know where, if one can put any trust in rumors.
But I know where, if one can put any trust in rumors.
Deianeira
And in what region, my child, do you hear that he has settled?
And in what region, my child, do you hear that he has settled?
Hyllus
Last year, they say, through all its length,
he toiled as a slave to a Lydian woman.
70
Last year, they say, through all its length,
he toiled as a slave to a Lydian woman.
70
Deianeira
If he endured even that, then one might believe any and all rumors.
If he endured even that, then one might believe any and all rumors.
Hyllus
Well, he has been released from that service, as I hear.
Well, he has been released from that service, as I hear.
Deianeira
Where, then, is he reported to be now—alive, or dead?
Where, then, is he reported to be now—alive, or dead?
Hyllus
He is waging or yet planning a war,
they say, upon
Euboea
, the realm of Eurytus.
75
He is waging or yet planning a war,
they say, upon
Euboea
, the realm of Eurytus.
75
Deianeira
Are you aware, my son, that he has left with me sure oracles concerning that land?
Are you aware, my son, that he has left with me sure oracles concerning that land?
Hyllus
What are they, mother? I do not know the oracles you mean.
79
What are they, mother? I do not know the oracles you mean.
Deianeira
They read that either he shall meet the end of his life,
or, after taking on this contest, he shall thereafter, at least, enjoy a happy life for its duration. And so, my child, when his fate is thus trembling in the balance, will you not go to assist him? For we are saved,
80
if he finds safety, or we perish along with him.
85
They read that either he shall meet the end of his life,
or, after taking on this contest, he shall thereafter, at least, enjoy a happy life for its duration. And so, my child, when his fate is thus trembling in the balance, will you not go to assist him? For we are saved,
80
if he finds safety, or we perish along with him.
85
Hyllus
I will go, Mother. Had I known the substance of these prophecies, I would have long been at his side. As it was, my father’s usual good fortune did not allow me to fear for him, nor to be overly anxious.
Now that I have the knowledge, I will spare no pains to learn the whole truth in this matter.
90
I will go, Mother. Had I known the substance of these prophecies, I would have long been at his side. As it was, my father’s usual good fortune did not allow me to fear for him, nor to be overly anxious.
Now that I have the knowledge, I will spare no pains to learn the whole truth in this matter.
90
Deianeira
Go, then, my son. For prosperity yields advantage even for him who learns of it late.
Exeunt Hyllus, on one side, and the Nurse into the house.
Go, then, my son. For prosperity yields advantage even for him who learns of it late.
Exeunt Hyllus, on one side, and the Nurse into the house.