δεινῶς γε· πεύσει δ᾽, ὥστε μαρτυρεῖν ἐμοί.
Trachiniae. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
Table of Contents
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Editions (1)
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)) — 896 focus
Gewiß; und größer, wenn du gegenwärtig dort
880
Die That gesehen, wäre dein Bedauern noch.
Gewiß; und größer, wenn du gegenwärtig dort
880
Die That gesehen, wäre dein Bedauern noch.
Der Chor.
Und das zu thun, hat eine Frauenhand vermocht?
Und das zu thun, hat eine Frauenhand vermocht?
Die Amme.
Entsezlich! Höre, daß du selbst es mir bezeugst.
Sobald die Herrin, einsam heimgekehrt in's Haus,
Den Sohn im Hofe breiten sah ein Lagerbett,
885
Bevor er seinem Vater wollt' entgegengeh'n:
Da floh sie, sich zu bergen, wo Niemand sie sah,
Und warf sich nieder am Altar, und schluchzte laut,
Sie sei verwaist nun, weinte, welch Geräthe sie
Berühren mochte, dessen sie sich sonst bedient;
890
Dann durch die Wohnung überall umhergestürmt,
Vergoß die Arme Thränen, wann ein liebes Bild
Von Hausgenossen ihrem Blick entgegentrat,
Und klagt ihr eignes Schicksal an und jammert, daß
Ihr Haus in Zukunft erbenlos verblühen soll.
895
Drauf als verstummt ihr Iammer, seh' ich sie sofort
Hinein sich stürzen in's Gemach des Herakles.
Und ich, in Dunkel eingehüllt, stand unbemerkt
Und lauschte, sah dann, wie die Herrin Teppiche
Dort auf Herakles' Lagerstatt ausbreitend warf.
900
Und als sie das vollendet, sprang sie selbst hinauf,
Und ließ sich nieder mitten auf dem Ruhebett,
Und ruft, in heiße Thränenström' ergossen, aus:
mein geliebtes Lager, o mein Brautgemach,
Nun lebet wohl auf ewig, denn nie nehmt ihr mich
905
Hinfort in diesen Räumen auf in seinem Arm!
So rief die Herrin, löste dann mit rascher Hand
Ihr Leibgewand, wo goldgetriebne Spangen es
Zuschlossen vorn am Busen, und entkleidete
Die ganze linke Seite samt des Armes Bug.
910
Und ich, so schnell ich konnte, rannt' in jähem Lauf,
Und that dem Sohne dieses ihr Beginnen kund.
Indeß wir dorthin und zurück in Eile geh'n,
Da seh'n wir, wie der doppelschneidig scharfe Stahl
Schon bis in Herz und Leber ihr die Brust durchbohrt.
915
Der Sohn gewahrt's und jammert; er erkannte wohl,
Daß er im Zorn hervorgerufen solche That,
Zu spät belehrt von seinen Dienern, daß sie nur
Nach Nessos' Rathe willenlos das Werk verübt.
Und nun verstummte nimmermehr der Klageruf
920
Des armen Sohnes, der um sie laut jammerte,
Den Mund an ihre Lippen schloß, und festgeschmiegt
Die Seit' an ihre Seite, viel aufseufzend rief,
Er habe fälschlich böse Schuld auf sie gewälzt,
Und weinte, daß sein Leben nun zwiefach verwaist
925
Hinschwinden werde, vaterlos und mutterlos.
So steht es dort im Hause. Drum wenn Einer sich
Im Geiste zwei, ja mehre Tage noch verheißt,
Den nenn' ich albern; dem gehört das Morgen nicht,
Der nicht das Heute glücklich schon zurückgelegt.
930
(ab in das Haus.)
(allein.)
Erste Strophe.
Entsezlich! Höre, daß du selbst es mir bezeugst.
Sobald die Herrin, einsam heimgekehrt in's Haus,
Den Sohn im Hofe breiten sah ein Lagerbett,
885
Bevor er seinem Vater wollt' entgegengeh'n:
Da floh sie, sich zu bergen, wo Niemand sie sah,
Und warf sich nieder am Altar, und schluchzte laut,
Sie sei verwaist nun, weinte, welch Geräthe sie
Berühren mochte, dessen sie sich sonst bedient;
890
Dann durch die Wohnung überall umhergestürmt,
Vergoß die Arme Thränen, wann ein liebes Bild
Von Hausgenossen ihrem Blick entgegentrat,
Und klagt ihr eignes Schicksal an und jammert, daß
Ihr Haus in Zukunft erbenlos verblühen soll.
895
Drauf als verstummt ihr Iammer, seh' ich sie sofort
Hinein sich stürzen in's Gemach des Herakles.
Und ich, in Dunkel eingehüllt, stand unbemerkt
Und lauschte, sah dann, wie die Herrin Teppiche
Dort auf Herakles' Lagerstatt ausbreitend warf.
900
Und als sie das vollendet, sprang sie selbst hinauf,
Und ließ sich nieder mitten auf dem Ruhebett,
Und ruft, in heiße Thränenström' ergossen, aus:
mein geliebtes Lager, o mein Brautgemach,
Nun lebet wohl auf ewig, denn nie nehmt ihr mich
905
Hinfort in diesen Räumen auf in seinem Arm!
So rief die Herrin, löste dann mit rascher Hand
Ihr Leibgewand, wo goldgetriebne Spangen es
Zuschlossen vorn am Busen, und entkleidete
Die ganze linke Seite samt des Armes Bug.
910
Und ich, so schnell ich konnte, rannt' in jähem Lauf,
Und that dem Sohne dieses ihr Beginnen kund.
Indeß wir dorthin und zurück in Eile geh'n,
Da seh'n wir, wie der doppelschneidig scharfe Stahl
Schon bis in Herz und Leber ihr die Brust durchbohrt.
915
Der Sohn gewahrt's und jammert; er erkannte wohl,
Daß er im Zorn hervorgerufen solche That,
Zu spät belehrt von seinen Dienern, daß sie nur
Nach Nessos' Rathe willenlos das Werk verübt.
Und nun verstummte nimmermehr der Klageruf
920
Des armen Sohnes, der um sie laut jammerte,
Den Mund an ihre Lippen schloß, und festgeschmiegt
Die Seit' an ihre Seite, viel aufseufzend rief,
Er habe fälschlich böse Schuld auf sie gewälzt,
Und weinte, daß sein Leben nun zwiefach verwaist
925
Hinschwinden werde, vaterlos und mutterlos.
So steht es dort im Hause. Drum wenn Einer sich
Im Geiste zwei, ja mehre Tage noch verheißt,
Den nenn' ich albern; dem gehört das Morgen nicht,
Der nicht das Heute glücklich schon zurückgelegt.
930
Der Chor.
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 (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
898-899. mvp-comment-659-1 Cho. And had a woman's hand the firmness for this act?' Nurse. The manner too was dreadful, as you will agree when you have heard me tell it.' Hermann condemned these lines as spurious, and it must be admitted that they are tame for Sophocles. They have the merit, however, of preparing by a further pause for the narration which follows. Cp. supr. 748, where the otherwise feeble line, ποῦ δ᾽ ἐμπελάζεις τὰνδρὶ καὶ παρίστασαι; has the same excuse of being there to give time for the stream to burst forth. τις in 898 (any woman's hand) can hardly be defended, but there are many ways in which this blemish may be removed, e.g. καὶ ταῦτ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἔτλη Χ., κ.τ.λ.