πότερον ἐγὼ μάταιος, ἢ κλύω τινὸς
Trachiniae. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
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Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Greek) (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879))
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Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 863-946 focus
Ἡμιχόριον 1
πότερον ἐγὼ μάταιος, ἢ κλύω τινὸς
οἴκτου διʼ οἴκων ἀρτίως ὁρμωμένου; τί φημι;
πότερον ἐγὼ μάταιος, ἢ κλύω τινὸς
οἴκτου διʼ οἴκων ἀρτίως ὁρμωμένου; τί φημι;
Ἡμιχόριον 2
ἠχεῖ τις οὐκ ἄσημον, ἀλλὰ δυστυχῆ
865
κωκυτὸν εἴσω, καί τι καινίζει στέγη.
ἠχεῖ τις οὐκ ἄσημον, ἀλλὰ δυστυχῆ
865
κωκυτὸν εἴσω, καί τι καινίζει στέγη.
Ἡμιχόριον
ξύνες δὲ
τήνδʼ ὡς κατηφὴς καὶ συνωφρυωμένη
χωρεῖ πρὸς ἡμᾶς γραῖα σημανοῦσά τι.
870
ξύνες δὲ
τήνδʼ ὡς κατηφὴς καὶ συνωφρυωμένη
χωρεῖ πρὸς ἡμᾶς γραῖα σημανοῦσά τι.
870
Τροφός
ὦ παῖδες, ὡς ἄρʼ ἡμὶν οὐ σμικρῶν κακῶν
ἦρξεν τὸ δῶρον Ἡρακλεῖ τὸ πόμπιμον.
ὦ παῖδες, ὡς ἄρʼ ἡμὶν οὐ σμικρῶν κακῶν
ἦρξεν τὸ δῶρον Ἡρακλεῖ τὸ πόμπιμον.
Χορός
τί δʼ, ὦ γεραιά, καινοποιηθὲν λέγεις;
τί δʼ, ὦ γεραιά, καινοποιηθὲν λέγεις;
Τροφός
βέβηκε Δῃάνειρα τὴν πανυστάτην
ὁδῶν ἁπασῶν ἐξ ἀκινήτου ποδός.
875
βέβηκε Δῃάνειρα τὴν πανυστάτην
ὁδῶν ἁπασῶν ἐξ ἀκινήτου ποδός.
875
Χορός
οὐ δή ποθʼ ὡς θανοῦσα;
οὐ δή ποθʼ ὡς θανοῦσα;
Τροφός
πάντʼ ἀκήκοας.
πάντʼ ἀκήκοας.
Χορός
τέθνηκεν ἡ τάλαινα;
τέθνηκεν ἡ τάλαινα;
Τροφός
δεύτερον κλύεις.
δεύτερον κλύεις.
Χορός
τάλαινʼ ὀλεθρία· τίνι τρόπῳ θανεῖν σφε φής;
τάλαινʼ ὀλεθρία· τίνι τρόπῳ θανεῖν σφε φής;
Τροφός
σχετλιώτατά γε πρὸς πρᾶξιν.
σχετλιώτατά γε πρὸς πρᾶξιν.
Χορός
εἰπὲ τῷ μόρῳ,
880
γύναι, ξυντρέχει.
εἰπὲ τῷ μόρῳ,
880
γύναι, ξυντρέχει.
Τροφός
αὑτὴν διηΐστωσε.
αὑτὴν διηΐστωσε.
Χορός
τίς θυμὸς ἢ τίνες νόσοι
τάνδʼ αἰχμᾷ βέλεος κακοῦ ξυνεῖλε; πως ἐμήσατο
πρὸς θανάτῳ θάνατον ἀνύσασα μόνα;
885
τίς θυμὸς ἢ τίνες νόσοι
τάνδʼ αἰχμᾷ βέλεος κακοῦ ξυνεῖλε; πως ἐμήσατο
πρὸς θανάτῳ θάνατον ἀνύσασα μόνα;
885
Τροφός
στονόεντος ἐν τομᾷ σιδάρου.
στονόεντος ἐν τομᾷ σιδάρου.
Χορός
ἐπεῖδες, ὦ ματαία, τάνδε τὴν ὕβριν;
ἐπεῖδες, ὦ ματαία, τάνδε τὴν ὕβριν;
Τροφός
ἐπεῖδον, ὡς δὴ πλησία παραστάτις.
ἐπεῖδον, ὡς δὴ πλησία παραστάτις.
Χορός
τίς ἦν; πῶς; φέρʼ εἰπέ.
890
τίς ἦν; πῶς; φέρʼ εἰπέ.
890
Τροφός
αὐτὴ πρὸς αὑτῆς χειροποιεῖται τάδε.
αὐτὴ πρὸς αὑτῆς χειροποιεῖται τάδε.
Χορός
τί φωνεῖς;
τί φωνεῖς;
Τροφός
σαφηνῆ.
σαφηνῆ.
Χορός
ἔτεκεν ἔτεκε δὴ μεγάλαν
ἁ νέορτος ἅδε νύμφα
δόμοισι τοῖσδʼ ἐρινύν.
895
ἔτεκεν ἔτεκε δὴ μεγάλαν
ἁ νέορτος ἅδε νύμφα
δόμοισι τοῖσδʼ ἐρινύν.
895
Τροφός
ἄγαν γε· μᾶλλον δʼ, εἰ παροῦσα πλησία
ἔλευσσες οἷʼ ἔδρασε, κάρτʼ ἂν ᾤκτισας.
ἄγαν γε· μᾶλλον δʼ, εἰ παροῦσα πλησία
ἔλευσσες οἷʼ ἔδρασε, κάρτʼ ἂν ᾤκτισας.
Χορός
καὶ ταῦτʼ ἔτλη τις χεὶρ γυναικεία κτίσαι;
καὶ ταῦτʼ ἔτλη τις χεὶρ γυναικεία κτίσαι;
Τροφός
δεινῶς γε· πεύσει δʼ, ὥστε μαρτυρεῖν ἐμοί.
ἐπεὶ γὰρ ἦλθε δωμάτων εἴσω μόνη
900
καὶ παῖδʼ ἐν αὐλαῖς εἶδε κοῖλα δέμνια
στορνύνθʼ, ὅπως ἄψορρον ἀντῴη πατρί,
κρύψασʼ ἑαυτὴν ἔνθα μή τις εἰσίδοι,
βρυχᾶτο μὲν βωμοῖσι προσπίπτουσʼ ὅτι
γένοιντʼ ἔρημοι, ʼκλαιε δʼ ὀργάνων ὅτου
905
ψαύσειεν οἷς ἐχρῆτο δειλαία πάρος·
ἄλλῃ δὲ κἄλλῃ δωμάτων στρωφωμένη,
εἴ του φίλων βλέψειεν οἰκετῶν δέμας,
ἔκλαιεν ἡ δύστηνος εἰσορωμένη,
αὐτὴ τὸν αὑτῆς δαίμονʼ ἀνακαλουμένη
910
καὶ τὰς ἄπαιδας ἐς τὸ λοιπὸν οὐσίας.
ἐπεὶ δὲ τῶνδʼ ἔληξεν, ἐξαίφνης σφʼ ὁρῶ
τὸν Ἡράκλειον θάλαμον εἰσορμωμένην.
κἀγὼ λαθραῖον ὄμμʼ ἐπεσκιασμένη
φρούρουν· ὁρῶ δὲ τὴν γυναῖκα δεμνίοις
915
τοῖς Ἡρακλείοις στρωτὰ βάλλουσαν φάρη.
ὅπως δʼ ἐτέλεσε τοῦτʼ, ἐπενθοροῦσʼ ἄνω
καθέζετʼ ἐν μέσοισιν εὐνατηρίοις,
καὶ δακρύων ῥήξασα θερμὰ νάματα
ἔλεξεν· ὦ λέχη τε καὶ νυμφεῖʼ ἐμά,
920
τὸ λοιπὸν ἤδη χαίρεθʼ, ὡς ἔμʼ οὔποτε
δέξεσθʼ ἔτʼ ἐν κοίταισι ταῖσδʼ εὐνάτριαν.
τοσαῦτα φωνήσασα συντόνῳ χερὶ
λύει τὸν αὑτῆς πέπλον, ᾗ χρυσήλατος
προύκειτο μαστῶν περονίς, ἐκ δʼ ἐλώπισεν
925
πλευρὰν ἅπασαν ὠλένην τʼ εὐώνυμον.
κἀγὼ δρομαία βᾶσʼ, ὅσονπερ ἔσθενον,
τῷ παιδὶ φράζω τῆς τεχνωμένης τάδε.
κἀν ᾧ τὸ κεῖσε δεῦρό τʼ ἐξορμώμεθα,
ὁρῶμεν αὐτὴν ἀμφιπλῆγι φασγάνῳ
930
πλευρὰν ὑφʼ ἧπαρ καὶ φρένας πεπληγμένην.
ἰδὼν δʼ ὁ παῖς ᾤμωξεν· ἔγνω γὰρ τάλας
τοὔργον κατʼ ὀργὴν ὡς ἐφάψειεν τόδε,
ὄψʼ ἐκδιδαχθεὶς τῶν κατʼ οἶκον οὕνεκα
ἄκουσα πρὸς τοῦ θηρὸς ἔρξειεν τάδε.
935
κἀνταῦθʼ ὁ παῖς δύστηνος οὔτʼ ὀδυρμάτων
ἐλείπετʼ οὐδέν, ἀμφί νιν γοώμενος,
οὔτʼ ἀμφιπίπτων στόμασιν, ἀλλὰ πλευρόθεν
πλευρὰν παρεὶς ἔκειτο πόλλʼ ἀναστένων,
ὥς νιν ματαίως αἰτίᾳ βάλοι κακῇ,
940
κλαίων ὁθούνεκʼ ἐκ δυοῖν ἔσοιθʼ ἅμα,
πατρός τʼ ἐκείνης τʼ, ὠρφανισμένος βίον.
τοιαῦτα τἀνθάδʼ ἐστίν· ὥστʼ εἴ τις δύο
ἢ καί τι πλείους ἡμέρας λογίζεται,
μάταιός ἐστιν· οὐ γὰρ ἔσθʼ ἥ γʼ αὔριον,
945
πρὶν εὖ πάθῃ τις τὴν παροῦσαν ἡμέραν.
δεινῶς γε· πεύσει δʼ, ὥστε μαρτυρεῖν ἐμοί.
ἐπεὶ γὰρ ἦλθε δωμάτων εἴσω μόνη
900
καὶ παῖδʼ ἐν αὐλαῖς εἶδε κοῖλα δέμνια
στορνύνθʼ, ὅπως ἄψορρον ἀντῴη πατρί,
κρύψασʼ ἑαυτὴν ἔνθα μή τις εἰσίδοι,
βρυχᾶτο μὲν βωμοῖσι προσπίπτουσʼ ὅτι
γένοιντʼ ἔρημοι, ʼκλαιε δʼ ὀργάνων ὅτου
905
ψαύσειεν οἷς ἐχρῆτο δειλαία πάρος·
ἄλλῃ δὲ κἄλλῃ δωμάτων στρωφωμένη,
εἴ του φίλων βλέψειεν οἰκετῶν δέμας,
ἔκλαιεν ἡ δύστηνος εἰσορωμένη,
αὐτὴ τὸν αὑτῆς δαίμονʼ ἀνακαλουμένη
910
καὶ τὰς ἄπαιδας ἐς τὸ λοιπὸν οὐσίας.
ἐπεὶ δὲ τῶνδʼ ἔληξεν, ἐξαίφνης σφʼ ὁρῶ
τὸν Ἡράκλειον θάλαμον εἰσορμωμένην.
κἀγὼ λαθραῖον ὄμμʼ ἐπεσκιασμένη
φρούρουν· ὁρῶ δὲ τὴν γυναῖκα δεμνίοις
915
τοῖς Ἡρακλείοις στρωτὰ βάλλουσαν φάρη.
ὅπως δʼ ἐτέλεσε τοῦτʼ, ἐπενθοροῦσʼ ἄνω
καθέζετʼ ἐν μέσοισιν εὐνατηρίοις,
καὶ δακρύων ῥήξασα θερμὰ νάματα
ἔλεξεν· ὦ λέχη τε καὶ νυμφεῖʼ ἐμά,
920
τὸ λοιπὸν ἤδη χαίρεθʼ, ὡς ἔμʼ οὔποτε
δέξεσθʼ ἔτʼ ἐν κοίταισι ταῖσδʼ εὐνάτριαν.
τοσαῦτα φωνήσασα συντόνῳ χερὶ
λύει τὸν αὑτῆς πέπλον, ᾗ χρυσήλατος
προύκειτο μαστῶν περονίς, ἐκ δʼ ἐλώπισεν
925
πλευρὰν ἅπασαν ὠλένην τʼ εὐώνυμον.
κἀγὼ δρομαία βᾶσʼ, ὅσονπερ ἔσθενον,
τῷ παιδὶ φράζω τῆς τεχνωμένης τάδε.
κἀν ᾧ τὸ κεῖσε δεῦρό τʼ ἐξορμώμεθα,
ὁρῶμεν αὐτὴν ἀμφιπλῆγι φασγάνῳ
930
πλευρὰν ὑφʼ ἧπαρ καὶ φρένας πεπληγμένην.
ἰδὼν δʼ ὁ παῖς ᾤμωξεν· ἔγνω γὰρ τάλας
τοὔργον κατʼ ὀργὴν ὡς ἐφάψειεν τόδε,
ὄψʼ ἐκδιδαχθεὶς τῶν κατʼ οἶκον οὕνεκα
ἄκουσα πρὸς τοῦ θηρὸς ἔρξειεν τάδε.
935
κἀνταῦθʼ ὁ παῖς δύστηνος οὔτʼ ὀδυρμάτων
ἐλείπετʼ οὐδέν, ἀμφί νιν γοώμενος,
οὔτʼ ἀμφιπίπτων στόμασιν, ἀλλὰ πλευρόθεν
πλευρὰν παρεὶς ἔκειτο πόλλʼ ἀναστένων,
ὥς νιν ματαίως αἰτίᾳ βάλοι κακῇ,
940
κλαίων ὁθούνεκʼ ἐκ δυοῖν ἔσοιθʼ ἅμα,
πατρός τʼ ἐκείνης τʼ, ὠρφανισμένος βίον.
τοιαῦτα τἀνθάδʼ ἐστίν· ὥστʼ εἴ τις δύο
ἢ καί τι πλείους ἡμέρας λογίζεται,
μάταιός ἐστιν· οὐ γὰρ ἔσθʼ ἥ γʼ αὔριον,
945
πρὶν εὖ πάθῃ τις τὴν παροῦσαν ἡμέραν.
Translations (2)
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 863 focus
Hat mich ein Wahn betrogen, oder hör' ich nicht
Ein Jammern, das sich eben jezt im Haus erhebt?
Was sag' ich?
850
Hat mich ein Wahn betrogen, oder hör' ich nicht
Ein Jammern, das sich eben jezt im Haus erhebt?
Was sag' ich?
850
Der zweite Halbchor.
Wohl hallt es nicht undeutlich, herzzerreißend tönt
Wehklage drinnen; neue Noth gebiert das Haus.
siehe,
Wohl hallt es nicht undeutlich, herzzerreißend tönt
Wehklage drinnen; neue Noth gebiert das Haus.
siehe,
Der erste Halbchor.
Wie dort die Greisin kummervoll mit düstern Brau'n
Auf uns herankommt, irgendwas uns kundzuthun!
855
Wie dort die Greisin kummervoll mit düstern Brau'n
Auf uns herankommt, irgendwas uns kundzuthun!
855
Die Amme.
Die Gabe, Kinder, zugesandt dem Herakles,
Welch großes Unheil hat sie nun auf uns gebracht!
Die Gabe, Kinder, zugesandt dem Herakles,
Welch großes Unheil hat sie nun auf uns gebracht!
Der Chor.
Welch neuen Unfall, greise Frau, verkündest du?
Welch neuen Unfall, greise Frau, verkündest du?
Die Amme.
Den lezten aller Pfade ging die Königin,
Herakles' Gattin, mit bewegungslosem Fuß.
860
Den lezten aller Pfade ging die Königin,
Herakles' Gattin, mit bewegungslosem Fuß.
860
Der Chor.
Doch nicht den Pfad des Todes?
Doch nicht den Pfad des Todes?
Die Amme.
Alles hörtest du.
Alles hörtest du.
Der Chor.
Todt ist die Arme?
Todt ist die Arme?
Die Amme.
Hör'
es denn zum andernmal!
Hör'
es denn zum andernmal!
Der Chor.
Elend verlorene! Wie sie starb, o sage mir's.
Elend verlorene! Wie sie starb, o sage mir's.
Die Amme.
Durch grause, kühn verwegne That.
Durch grause, kühn verwegne That.
Der Chor.
In welchen Tod,
Frau, stürzte sie?
865
In welchen Tod,
Frau, stürzte sie?
865
Die Amme.
Sie hat sich selbst getödtet.
Sie hat sich selbst getödtet.
Der Chor.
War es Raserei,
Wahnsinn
War es Raserei,
Wahnsinn
Die Amme.
Entrafft hat sie die Wuth
Der bösen Waffe
Entrafft hat sie die Wuth
Der bösen Waffe
Der Chor.
Wie erdachte sie
Noch zu dem Tode den Tod,
Und vollbracht' es allein?
870
Wie erdachte sie
Noch zu dem Tode den Tod,
Und vollbracht' es allein?
870
Die Amme.
Mit des grauenvollen Stahles Schärfe.
Mit des grauenvollen Stahles Schärfe.
Der Chor.
Und sahst du diesen Frevel an, Unselige?
Und sahst du diesen Frevel an, Unselige?
Die Amme.
Ich sah es, freilich, weil ich ihr ganz nahe stand.
Ich sah es, freilich, weil ich ihr ganz nahe stand.
Der Chor.
Wer that's? Wie? Erzähle!
Wer that's? Wie? Erzähle!
Die Amme.
Sie selbst mit eignen Händen hat die That gethan.
875
Sie selbst mit eignen Händen hat die That gethan.
875
Der Chor.
Was sagst du?
Was sagst du?
Die Amme.
Die Wahrheit.
Die Wahrheit.
Der Chor.
Wohl gebar, wohl gebar
Diese jüngsterkorne Braut
Einen schweren Fluch dem Hause.
Wohl gebar, wohl gebar
Diese jüngsterkorne Braut
Einen schweren Fluch dem Hause.
Die Amme.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 863-945 focus
First Semi-Chorus
Is it fancy, or did I just now hear some cry of grief rushing through the house?
What is this?
865
Is it fancy, or did I just now hear some cry of grief rushing through the house?
What is this?
865
Second Semi-Chorus
It is no uncertain sound, but a wail of anguish from inside. The house has some new trouble.
It is no uncertain sound, but a wail of anguish from inside. The house has some new trouble.
Chorus
And note how strangely, with what consternation on her brow
that old woman approaches to give us some news.
870
Enter the Nurse, from the house.
And note how strangely, with what consternation on her brow
that old woman approaches to give us some news.
870
Nurse
Ah, my daughters, great, indeed, are the sorrows for us that began with the gift sent to Heracles!
Ah, my daughters, great, indeed, are the sorrows for us that began with the gift sent to Heracles!
Chorus
Old woman, what new trouble have you to tell?
Old woman, what new trouble have you to tell?
Nurse
Deianeira has departed on the last
of all her journeys, departed without stirring a foot.
875
Deianeira has departed on the last
of all her journeys, departed without stirring a foot.
875
Chorus
Surely you do not mean she is dead?
Surely you do not mean she is dead?
Nurse
My tale is told.
My tale is told.
Chorus
Dead, the poor woman?
Dead, the poor woman?
Nurse
Again you hear me affirm it.
Again you hear me affirm it.
Chorus
Poor, lost one! Tell me, what was the manner of her death?
Poor, lost one! Tell me, what was the manner of her death?
Nurse
Oh, it was most cruel in its execution!
Oh, it was most cruel in its execution!
Chorus
Speak,
woman, with what end did she meet?
880
Speak,
woman, with what end did she meet?
880
Nurse
She destroyed herself.
She destroyed herself.
Chorus
What impulse drove her? What disease of her mind seized her on the point of its evil shaft? How did she contrive
this death upon death, accomplishing it all on her own?
885
What impulse drove her? What disease of her mind seized her on the point of its evil shaft? How did she contrive
this death upon death, accomplishing it all on her own?
885
Nurse
By a stroke of the sword which gives cause for mourning.
By a stroke of the sword which gives cause for mourning.
Chorus
Did you witness that violent deed, poor helpless one?
Did you witness that violent deed, poor helpless one?
Nurse
I did, yes, since I was standing close by.
I did, yes, since I was standing close by.
Chorus
What was it? How was it done? Oh, speak!
890
What was it? How was it done? Oh, speak!
890
Nurse
Of her own accord she set her hand to the deed.
Of her own accord she set her hand to the deed.
Chorus
What are you saying?
What are you saying?
Nurse
The certain truth.
The certain truth.
Chorus
The firstborn, the firstborn of that newly arisen bride is
a great Erinys on this house!
895
The firstborn, the firstborn of that newly arisen bride is
a great Erinys on this house!
895
Nurse
Too true. And had you been close at hand and seen her do it, you would have pitied her even more.
Too true. And had you been close at hand and seen her do it, you would have pitied her even more.
Chorus
And could a woman’s hand dare to carry out such deeds?
And could a woman’s hand dare to carry out such deeds?
Nurse
Yes, with fierce daring. You shall hear, and then you will bear me witness.
When she came alone into the house and saw her son preparing a deep litter in the court, with which to go back and meet his father, she hid herself where none would see. Falling before the altars, she moaned that
900
they were left desolate, and whenever she touched any household thing that she, poor lady, had habitually used in the past, her tears would flow. If, as she roamed hither and thither through the house, she beheld the form of any well-loved servant, she wept in misery at the sight,
905
crying aloud upon her own fate, and her childless existence thereafter.
But when she finished this, I saw her suddenly rush into the bedchamber of Heracles. I hid in the shadows to keep my observation secret and was watching over her
910
when I saw her spread coverings on the bedstead of Heracles. When she had done this, she sprang up on them and sat in the middle of the bed. Then she broke out in warm streams of tears
915
and said: “Ah, my bridal bed and bridal chamber, farewell now and for ever, since you will never more receive me in these covers as his wife.” She says no more, but with a vehement hand she loosens her robe where the brooch of beaten gold
920
lies above her breasts and bares all her left side and arm. Then I run with all my strength, and warn her son of her intent. But even in the space between my going and our return,
925
we find that she has driven a two-edged sword up through her side to the heart. At that sight, her son gave a great cry. For he knew, poor boy, that in his anger he had driven her to that action. He had learned too late from the servants in the house
930
that she had acted without knowledge and at the will of the monster. Then and there the youth in his misery left no cry of grief unmade as he lamented over her, nor as he fell to kiss her lips; he threw himself at her side, loudly moaning
935
that he had rashly attacked her with a false accusation and weeping that he must now live orphaned of both alike, of his father and of her.
Such are the fortunes of this house. Rash, indeed, is he who reckons on tomorrow, or perchance on days beyond it.
940
There is no tomorrow, until today is safely past.
Exit the Nurse.
945
Yes, with fierce daring. You shall hear, and then you will bear me witness.
When she came alone into the house and saw her son preparing a deep litter in the court, with which to go back and meet his father, she hid herself where none would see. Falling before the altars, she moaned that
900
they were left desolate, and whenever she touched any household thing that she, poor lady, had habitually used in the past, her tears would flow. If, as she roamed hither and thither through the house, she beheld the form of any well-loved servant, she wept in misery at the sight,
905
crying aloud upon her own fate, and her childless existence thereafter.
But when she finished this, I saw her suddenly rush into the bedchamber of Heracles. I hid in the shadows to keep my observation secret and was watching over her
910
But when she finished this, I saw her suddenly rush into the bedchamber of Heracles. I hid in the shadows to keep my observation secret and was watching over her
when I saw her spread coverings on the bedstead of Heracles. When she had done this, she sprang up on them and sat in the middle of the bed. Then she broke out in warm streams of tears
915
and said: “Ah, my bridal bed and bridal chamber, farewell now and for ever, since you will never more receive me in these covers as his wife.” She says no more, but with a vehement hand she loosens her robe where the brooch of beaten gold
920
lies above her breasts and bares all her left side and arm. Then I run with all my strength, and warn her son of her intent. But even in the space between my going and our return,
925
we find that she has driven a two-edged sword up through her side to the heart. At that sight, her son gave a great cry. For he knew, poor boy, that in his anger he had driven her to that action. He had learned too late from the servants in the house
930
that she had acted without knowledge and at the will of the monster. Then and there the youth in his misery left no cry of grief unmade as he lamented over her, nor as he fell to kiss her lips; he threw himself at her side, loudly moaning
935
that he had rashly attacked her with a false accusation and weeping that he must now live orphaned of both alike, of his father and of her.
Such are the fortunes of this house. Rash, indeed, is he who reckons on tomorrow, or perchance on days beyond it.
940
Such are the fortunes of this house. Rash, indeed, is he who reckons on tomorrow, or perchance on days beyond it.
There is no tomorrow, until today is safely past.
Exit the Nurse.
945
Commentary
Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))
mvp-comment-445-1
These eight verses form an epode to the stasimon; three persons take part in the delivery, viz., the two
παραστάται, or leaders of
ἡμιχόρια (HM. A, HM. B), and the coryphaeus (XO.). The third part (868—870) is best assigned to the coryphaeus, who usually announces a new comer, and who would naturally conduct the dialogue with the
τροφός. Similar epodes to stasima are
Eur.
H. F. 815
—821, and
Eur.
Hipp. 1143
— 1152, in each of which three parts can be distinguished. (See W. Christ,
Metrik, § 723, p. 653 2nd ed.)
mvp-comment-445-2
The motive of the whole passage from 863 to 898 is the dramatic necessity of making an impressive preparation for the Nurse's
ῥῆσις. It rests with the Chorus alone to do this, since no actor is present.
mvp-comment-445-3 Hermann supposed that, after the three leading choreutae had spoken (863 —870), each of the other twelve in turn took part in the dialogue. But this seems improbable.
mvp-comment-445-4 μάταιος 1
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
863ff. mvp-comment-636-1 The proscenium has been vacant since the exit (severally) of Deianira and Hyllus. A sound of wailing is now heard from within.
863. mvp-comment-637-1 μάταιος] 'Silly,' i, e. 'Alarmed without cause. For the masc. form, cp. supr. l. 151, and note.