Sophocles, Trachiniae, Thomas Francklin (Translator), 166

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Hercules
1143

Undone, Alcides !

1157

I die, my child ; there is no life for me.

vVlas ! I see it now ; I see my woes ;

Trachiniae. Sophocles. Thomas Francklin (Translator). London. 1758–1759.

Current edition Experimental

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 166 focus

τότ᾽ ἢ θανεῖν χρείη σφε χρεῖ᾽ ἤσφε χρεῖ᾽ ἦσφε τῷδε τῷ χρόνῳ,

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 141-204 focus

Δηιάνειρα

πεπυσμένη μέν, ὡς ἀπεικάσαι, πάρει

πάθημα τοὐμόν· ὡς δʼ ἐγὼ θυμοφθορῶ,

μήτʼ ἐκμάθοις παθοῦσα νῦν τʼ ἄπειρος εἶ.

τὸ γὰρ νεάζον ἐν τοιοῖσδε βόσκεται

χώροισιν αὑτοῦ, καί νιν οὐ θάλπος θεοῦ
145

οὐδʼ ὄμβρος οὐδὲ πνευμάτων οὐδὲν κλονεῖ,

ἀλλʼ ἡδοναῖς ἄμοχθον ἐξαίρει βίον

ἐς τοῦθʼ ἕως τις ἀντὶ παρθένου γυνὴ

κληθῇ λάβῃ τʼ ἐν νυκτὶ φροντίδων μέρος,

ἤτοι πρὸς ἀνδρὸς ἢ τέκνων φοβουμένη.
150

τότʼ ἄν τις εἰσίδοιτο, τὴν αὑτοῦ σκοπῶν

πρᾶξιν, κακοῖσιν οἷς ἐγὼ βαρύνομαι.

πάθη μὲν οὖν δὴ πόλλʼ ἔγωγʼ ἐκλαυσάμην·

ἓν δʼ, οἷον οὔπω πρόσθεν, αὐτίκʼ ἐξερῶ.

ὁδὸν γὰρ ἦμος τὴν τελευταίαν ἄναξ
155

ὡρμᾶτʼ ἀπʼ οἴκων Ἡρακλῆς, τότʼ ἐν δόμοις

λείπει παλαιὰν δέλτον ἐγγεγραμμένην

ξυνθήμαθʼ, ἁμοὶ πρόσθεν οὐκ ἔτλη ποτέ,

πολλοὺς ἀγῶνας ἐξιών, οὔπω φράσαι,

ἀλλʼ ὥς τι δράσων εἷρπε κοὐ θανούμενος.
160

νῦν δʼ ὡς ἔτʼ οὐκ ὢν εἶπε μὲν λέχους ὅ τι

χρείη μʼ ἑλέσθαι κτῆσιν εἶπε δʼ ἣν τέκνοις

μοῖραν πατρῴας γῆς διαιρετὸν νέμοι,

χρόνον προτάξας ὡς τρίμηνον ἡνίκα

χώρας ἀπείη κἀνιαύσιον βεβώς,
165

τότʼ ἢ θανεῖν χρείη σφε τῷδε τῷ χρόνῳ

ἢ τοῦθʼ ὑπεκδραμόντα τοῦ χρόνου τέλος

τὸ λοιπὸν ἤδη ζῆν ἀλυπήτῳ βίῳ.

τοιαῦτʼ ἔφραζε πρὸς θεῶν εἱμαρμένα

τῶν Ἡρακλείων ἐκτελευτᾶσθαι πόνων,
170

ὡς τὴν παλαιὰν φηγὸν αὐδῆσαί ποτε

Δωδῶνι δισσῶν ἐκ Πελειάδων ἔφη.

καὶ τῶνδε ναμέρτεια συμβαίνει χρόνου

τοῦ νῦν παρόντος, ὡς τελεσθῆναι χρεών·

ὥσθʼ ἡδέως εὕδουσαν ἐκπηδᾶν ἐμὲ
175

φόβῳ, φίλαι, ταρβοῦσαν, εἴ με χρὴ μένειν

πάντων ἀρίστου φωτὸς ἐστερημένην.

Χορός

εὐφημίαν νῦν ἴσχʼ· ἐπεὶ καταστεφῆ

στείχονθʼ ὁρῶ τινʼ ἄνδρα πρὸς χαρὰν λόγων.

180

Ἄγγελος

δέσποινα Δῃάνειρα, πρῶτος ἀγγέλων
180

ὄκνου σε λύσω· τὸν γὰρ Ἀλκμήνης τόκον

καὶ ζῶντʼ ἐπίστω καὶ κρατοῦντα κἀκ μάχης

ἄγοντʼ ἀπαρχὰς θεοῖσι τοῖς ἐγχωρίοις.

Δηιάνειρα

τίνʼ εἶπας, ὦ γεραιέ, τόνδε μοι λόγον;

Ἄγγελος

τάχʼ ἐς δόμους σοὺς τὸν πολύζηλον πόσιν
185

ἥξειν φανέντα σὺν κράτει νικηφόρῳ.

Δηιάνειρα

καὶ τοῦ τόδʼ ἀστῶν ἢ ξένων μαθὼν λέγεις;

Ἄγγελος

ἐν βουθερεῖ λειμῶνι πρὸς πολλοὺς θροεῖ

Λίχας ὁ κῆρυξ ταῦτα· τοῦδʼ ἐγὼ κλύων

ἀπῇξʼ, ὅπως τοι πρῶτος ἀγγείλας τάδε
190

πρὸς σοῦ τι κερδάναιμι καὶ κτῴμην χάριν.

Δηιάνειρα

αὐτὸς δὲ πῶς ἄπεστιν, εἴπερ εὐτυχεῖ;

Ἄγγελος

οὐκ εὐμαρείᾳ χρώμενος πολλῇ, γύναι.

κύκλῳ γὰρ αὐτὸν Μηλιεὺς ἅπας λεὼς

κρίνει παραστάς, οὐδʼ ἔχει βῆναι πρόσω·
195

τὸ γὰρ ποθοῦν ἕκαστος ἐκμαθεῖν θέλων

οὐκ ἂν μεθεῖτο, πρὶν καθʼ ἡδονὴν κλύειν.

οὕτως ἐκεῖνος οὐχ ἑκών, ἑκοῦσι δὲ

ξύνεστιν· ὄψει δʼ αὐτὸν αὐτίκʼ ἐμφανῆ.

Δηιάνειρα

ὦ Ζεῦ, τὸν Οἴτης ἄτομον ὃς λειμῶνʼ ἔχεις,
200

ἔδωκας ἡμῖν ἀλλὰ σὺν χρόνῳ χαράν.

φωνήσατʼ, ὦ γυναῖκες, αἵ τʼ εἴσω στέγης

αἵ τʼ ἐκτὸς αὐλῆς, ὡς ἄελπτον ὄμμʼ ἐμοὶ

φήμης ἀνασχὸν τῆσδε νῦν καρπούμεθα.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 166 focus

CH
1112

O Hellas, how I grieve for thy distress!

How thou wilt mourn in losing him we see!

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 180 focus

Ich bin der erste Bote, der von deiner Angst

Dich löst, o Deianeira; denn Alkmene's Sohn
175

Er lebt, und kommt als Sieger, und vom Kampfe bringt

Er unsers Landes Göttern hier die Erstlinge.

Deianeira.

Was sagst du, Greis, welch eine Kunde bringst du mir?

Der Bote.

Bald werd' in deinem Hause dein gefeierter

Gemahl erscheinen im Geleit siegreicher Macht.
180

Deianeira.

Wer sagte dir's von Bürgern oder Fremdlingen?

Der Bote.

Sein Diener hat es auf der nahen Rinderau

Erzählt, der Herold Lichas. Ich enteilte flugs,

Sobald ich's hörte, daß ich als der Erste dir's

Verkünd' und du mir spendest Lohn und zollest Dank.
185

Deianeira.

Was säumt er selbst denn außen, wenn er Gutes bringt?

Der Bote.

Viel Unbequemes legt sich dort in seinen Weg.

Denn rings umsteht ihn alles Volk aus Melia,¹

Und forscht und drängt ihn, und er kann nicht weiter geh'n.

Denn Jeder will vernehmen, was sein Herz begehrt,
190

Und Keiner läßt ihn, bis er hört nach Herzenslust.

So säumt er gegen seinen Wunsch, von Wünschenden

Umgeben; doch du siehst ihn bald von Angesicht.

Deianeira.

Zeus, der in Oeta's ungemähten Gauen thront,²

So hast du doch uns Freude, wenn auch spät, gewährt!
195

Nun, liebe Frauen, jauchzet, ihr im Hause dort,

Und ihr im Vorhof: denn ein Licht, mir unverhofft,

Geht uns aus dieser Kunde jezt heilbringend auf.

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 166 focus

Attendant
1017

Have you repaid? O Jove, with what fierce pains

Hast thou afflicted me? This dire disease,

Whose unextinguish'd rage to madness fires

My bursting veins, oh that I had not known!

What potent charm, what skill medicinal

Can mitigate, without the pow'r of Jove,

These agonizing pangs? Oh might I see

This miracle, though distant! Let me lie,

Ah, let me lie reposed. Why dost thou touch,

Why dost thou raise me up? Each touch is death.

Thou hast awaken'd pangs that were at rest.

Again my tortures are inflamed, again

They rush upon me. Ah, where are you now,

Ye most unjust of all the Grecian race?

With many toils th' infested seas I clear'd,

And all the ruffian-haunted woods; yet now

I miserably perish; not a man

Will bring or fire or sword to put an end

To my afflictions; not a man will come

Willing to rend from me this hated life.

O thou his son, this task requires a strength

Greater than mine; assist him thou, thine eye

Quicker than mine sees what may give him aid.

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 141-495 focus

Deianeira

You have heard of my trouble, I would guess, and that has brought you here. But the anguish which consumes my heart—may you never come to know it through your own experience!—to that now you are total strangers. Yes, a young life grows in those sheltered regions

of its own, and the Sun-god’s heat disturbs it not, nor rain, nor any wind. Rather it takes up a toilless existence amidst pleasure, until such time as she is called “wife” instead of “maiden”, and takes her portion of anxious thoughts in the night,
145

fearing for husband or for children. At that point a woman could understand the burden of my misfortunes by recalling her own experience.
As a matter of fact, I have had many a trouble to weep for, but I am going to speak of one that none of the previous could equal.
150

When lord Heracles was setting out from home on his last journey, he left in the house an ancient tablet, inscribed with signs which he had never before brought himself to explain to me when going out on one of his many labors.
155

He had always departed as if to conquer, not to die. But now, as if he were a doomed man, he told me what I should take for my marriage portion, and what share of their father’s land he wished divided for his children. And he fixed the time for the division, saying that, when he had been gone
160

from our land for a year and three months, he was fated either to die at that time, or by escaping the end of the period to live thereafter an untroubled life. That, he explained, was the fate ordained by the gods
165

to be the end of the labors of Heracles just as, he said, the ancient oak at Dodona had once told him through the mouths of the two Peleiades. And it is in the present time that the truth of these prophecies is coming to pass, so that they must be fulfilled.
170

As a result I leap up from sweet sleep in fear, dear maidens, terrified at the possibility that I must remain widowed of the noblest man of all.
175

Chorus

Hush—no more ill-omened words! I see a man approaching who is crowned with garlands as if for joyous news.

180 Enter the Messenger.

Messenger

Queen Deianeira, I shall be the first messenger to free you from fear. Know that Alcmena’s son lives and triumphs, and from battle brings the first-fruits to the gods of this land.
180

Deianeira

What news is this, old man, that you give me?

Messenger

That your much-admired husband will soon come to your house, revealed in his victorious might.
185

Deianeira

From what citizen or what stranger did you learn these tidings?

Messenger

In the meadow, the summer haunt of oxen, Lichas the herald is proclaiming it to many. From him I heard it,

and dashed away so that, in all honesty, having been the first to report this news, I might profit in some way by you and win your favor.
190

Deianeira

And why is he not here, if he is so successful?

Messenger

He does not, my lady, enjoy ease of movement. The entire Malian populace

stands about him in a circle and questions him, and he cannot move forward. Each person is bent on learning according to his desire, and will not release the man until he has heard his pleasure. Thus against his wishes, but in keeping with theirs, he is with them. Yet you will soon see him face to face.
195

Deianeira

O Zeus, ruler of the sacred uncut meadow of Oeta, at last, though after much delay, you have given us joy! Uplift your voices, you women within the house and you beyond our gates, since now we enjoy the brightness of this message, which has risen on us beyond my hope!
200

205

Chorus

Let the brides of tomorrow raise a joyous cry for the house with shouts of triumph at the hearth. Among them let the yell of the men go up in unison for Apollo of the bright quiver, our defender! And at the same time,
205

maidens, lift up a paean, cry aloud to his sister, Ortygian Artemis, huntress of deer, goddess with torch in each hand,
210

and to the nymphs her neighbors!
I am uplifted, I will not spurn the flute—O you master of my heart! Behold, his ivy stirs me! Euoe!
215

Quickly it wheels me round in Bacchus’s race! Oh, oh, Paean! Look, dear lady! All is taking shape, plain to see, before your gaze.
220

225

Deianeira

I see it, dear maidens; the sight has not escaped my watchful eyes. I see that procession. I bid the herald joyous welcome after his long absence!—if indeed you bring anything that gives joy.
225

Enter Lichas, followed by captive maidens.

Lichas

We are happy in our return, and happy in your greeting,

lady, in accordance with the deed achieved. For when a man has fair fortune, it is his right to win good welcome.
230

Deianeira

Most welcome man, tell me first what first I would know—shall I receive Heracles alive?

Lichas

I certainly left him alive and well,

in vigorous health, unburdened by disease.
235

Deianeira

Where, tell me—in his ancestral land, or on barbarian soil?

Lichas

There is a headland of Euboea , where to Cenaean Zeus he marks out altars and fruitful ground in tribute.

Deianeira

In payment of a vow, or at the command of an oracle?

Lichas

For a vow, made when he was seeking to conquer and plunder the country of these women whom you see before you.
240

Deianeira

And these—who are they, by the gods, and whose daughters? They deserve pity, unless their misfortune deceives me.

Lichas

These are captives whom he

selected as choice spoils for himself and for the gods when he sacked the city of Eurytus.
245

Deianeira

Was it in fact the war against that city which kept him away so long, beyond all forecast, past all count of days?

248

Lichas

No. The greater part of the time he was detained in Lydia , no free man, as he declares,

but sold into servitude. No offense should be taken at my tale, lady, when the deed is found to be Zeus’ work. He passed a whole year, as he himself says, a bought slave to the barbarian Omphale. And so stung was he by the shame of it,
250

that he bound himself by a solemn oath, swearing one day to enslave with wife and child the man who had brought that suffering upon him. And not in vain did he speak the oath; but, when he had been purified, he gathered a mercenary army and went against the city
255

of Eurytus. For, Heracles asserted, that man alone of mortals had a share in causing his suffering. For when Heracles, a guest-friend of long standing, came to his house and hearth, Eurytus roared against him with insults of ruinous intent,
260

saying that, although Heracles had inevitable shafts in his hands, he fell short of his own sons in the contest of the bow. Next he shouted that Heracles was a freeman’s slave, a broken hulk, and then at a banquet, when his guest was full of wine, he tossed him from his home. 270 Furious at this treatment,
265

when afterward Iphitus came to the hill of Tiryns on the track of horses that had strayed, Heracles seized a moment when the man’s eyes were one place and his thoughts another, and hurled him from a towering summit. But in anger at that deed, the king,
270

the father of all, Olympian Zeus, sent him away to be sold, and did not tolerate that this once, he killed a man by guile. Had he achieved his vengeance openly, Zeus would surely have pardoned him the righteous triumph.
275

For the gods do not love criminal behavior either.
So those men, who gloried in bitter speech, are themselves residents of Hades, all of them, and their city is enslaved. And the women whom you see, fallen from happiness to misery,
280

are sent here to you. For that was your husband’s command, which I, his faithful servant, perform. As for the man himself, know that he will come, once he has made pure sacrifice to Zeus of his fathers for the sacking of the city. After all the good news
285

that has been told, this, indeed, is the sweetest word to hear.
290

291

Chorus

Now, O Queen, your joy is plainly revealed; part is with you, and of the rest you have foreknowledge.

Deianeira

Yes, how would I not rejoice with dutiful spirit, when I hear of my husband’s successful venture?

My rejoicing is bound to keep pace with his success. And yet a prudent mind can see room for fear, lest he who prospers should one day stumble. For a strange pity came over me, friends, at the sight of these ill-fated exiles,
295

homeless and fatherless in a foreign land. Though they were once the daughters perhaps of freeborn men, they now live the life of slaves. O Zeus, god who turns the tide of battle, may I never see you stalking against a child of my line on any occasion;
300

no, if you do some such thing, let it not be while I am still alive! So great is my fear, as I look upon these girls.
305

To Iole.

Unfortunate girl, who are you? Are you without a man, or are you a mother? To judge by your appearance, you are untried in those roles, but someone of noble birth.

Lichas, whose daughter is this stranger? Who is her mother, who the father who begot her? Speak; I pity her more than all the rest, when I look at her, inasmuch as she alone knows self-control.
310

314

Lichas

Why would I know? Why would you ask me? Perhaps

she is the offspring of not the lowest family in that land.
315

Deianeira

Can she be of the ruling family? Was she a child of Eurytus?

Lichas

I do not know; I did not in fact make a long investigation.

Deianeira

And you do not know her name from one of her fellow captives?

Lichas

No, indeed. In silence I completed my task.

Deianeira

Unhappy girl, tell it to me, anyway, from your own mouth. It is indeed distressing to me not to know who you are.
320

Lichas

It will not, I assure you, be at all on a par with time past if she moves her lips. She has not said a word, large or small,

but has been constantly laboring with the heavy pains of her misfortune and weeping, poor girl, since she left her windswept fatherland. Her condition is indeed bad—for her, anyway—but claims our forbearance.
325

Deianeira

Then let her be left in peace, and go beneath our roof

as it pleases her. Let her not in addition to her existing troubles take fresh grief from me; she has enough already. Now let us all go in, so that you may go speedily on your journey, while I make all things ready in the house. Exit Lichas, followed by the Captives, into the house.
330

335

Messenger
Coming nearer to Deianeira.

Do go in, but first remain here a short while, so that you may learn, apart from these others, who they are whom you take into your home, and gain necessary knowledge of the facts which you have not heard. For of these I am in full possession.
335

Deianeira

What do you mean? Why do you stay my departure?

Messenger

Stop and listen. My former report was not a waste of your time, and neither, I believe, will this one be.
340

Deianeira

Shall I call those others back again? Or do you wish to speak before me and these women?

Messenger

To you and the women I can speak freely. Never mind the others.

Deianeira

Well, they are gone. Now let your speech signal your meaning.
345

Messenger

That man Lichas spoke nothing of what he just told you in strict accordance with the truth. He was just now lying, or else he was dishonest in his earlier report.

Deianeira

What do you say? Explain to me clearly all that you mean,

for I cannot understand what you said.
350

351

Messenger

I heard this man declare, before many witnesses, that it was for the sake of this girl that Heracles overthrew Eurytus and the high towers of Oechalia : Eros,

alone of the gods, enchanted him into doing those deeds of arms, not the toilsome servitude to Omphale in Lydia , nor the death to which Iphitus was hurled. But now the herald has thrust Eros aside and tells a different tale. Well, when Heracles could not persuade him whose seed produced the child
355

to give him the girl for his secret concubine, he devised some petty complaint as a pretext, and made war upon her fatherland, in which, as the herald said, that Eurytus ruled. He killed the king, her father, and
360

sacked her city. And now, as you see, he makes his return, sending her to this house not without consideration, lady, and not as if she were to be a slave. No, do not expect that; it is not likely, if his heart has been kindled with desire. On this account, my Queen, I resolved to reveal to you all
365

that I had heard from that man. Many others were listening to it, as I was, in the public place where the Trachinians were assembled, so they can convict him. If my words are unwelcome, I am grieved; but nevertheless I have spoken the truth.
370

375

Deianeira

Ah, misery! What is happening to me? What secret plague have I welcomed beneath my roof? Ah, me! So, she was born without a name, as her escort swore?
375

Messenger

No, illustrious by name, as by birth;

she is the daughter of Eurytus, and was once called Iole. But he could say nothing of her birth, because, of course, he made no investigation.
380

Chorus

May destruction seize not all wrongdoers—no, only the man who practices stealthy wrongdoing that is shameful to his rank!

Deianeira

Ah, friends, what should I do? I am dumbstruck by this latest news!
385

Chorus

Go and question Lichas, since he might tell the truth, if you were willing to compel him by threat of force to answer.

Deianeira

I will go. Your advice does not lack good judgment.

Messenger

And I, shall I wait here? Or what do you require?
390

Deianeira

Stay here—since he is coming out from the house without my summons, but of his own accord.

393 Enter Lichas.

Lichas

My lady, what message shall I bear to Heracles? Instruct me, for, as you see, I am going.

Deianeira

How quickly you rush away, when your arrival had been so tardy—before we have even resumed our talk.
395

Lichas

Well, if there is anything you must ask, I am at your service.

Deianeira

Will you indeed give me the honest truth?

Lichas

Yes, be great Zeus my witness—in anything that I know.

Deianeira

Who is the woman, then, whom you escorted here?
400

Lichas

She is Euboean. But whose offspring, I cannot say.

Messenger

You there, look at me. To whom do you think you speak?

Lichas

And you, to what end have you asked me such a question?

Messenger

Dare to answer my question, if you are sensible.

Lichas

I speak to the royal Deianeira, daughter of Oeneus, wife of Heracles and, unless my eyes deceive me, my mistress.
405

Messenger

The very word that I wished to hear from you—you admit that she is your mistress?

Lichas

Yes, it is only right to do so.

Messenger

Well, then, what penalty would you think it right to pay, if you should be found to be behaving wrongly towards her?
410

Lichas

Wrongly? What fiction have you created?

Messenger

None. Rather it is you, to be sure, who do this.

Lichas

I am leaving—I was foolish to listen to you so long.

Messenger

No, not until you have answered a small question.
415

Lichas

Speak, if you require something. You are not the silent type.

Messenger

That captive, whom you escorted into the house, you know whom I mean?

Lichas

Yes. But why do you ask?

Messenger

Did you not avow that she, on whom you look as if in ignorance,

was Iole, the seed of Eurytus, your captive?
420

Lichas

To whom on earth did I say it? Who and where is the man who heard me say it and will be your witness?

Messenger

To many of our own citizens you said it. In the public gathering of Trachinians a great crowd heard this much, at least, from you.

Lichas

Sure,

they said they heard. But it does not amount to the same thing to tell one’s fancy and to give an accurate report.
425

Messenger

What do you mean, fancy! Did you not speak on your oath when you said that you were bringing her as a bride for Heracles?

Lichas

I? Bringing a bride? In the name of the gods, dear

mistress, tell me who on earth this stranger is?
430

Messenger

I am a man who heard from your own lips that the conquest of the whole city was due to desire for this girl and that the Lydian woman did not destroy it, but the passion which arose for the girl.

Lichas

Lady, send this creature away.

To babble with the insane is not the mark of a sensible man.
435

436

Deianeira

No, I implore you by Zeus whose strikes lightning down along the high glens of Oeta, do not rob me of a true report! Your words will not fall on the ears of a cruel woman, nor has she yet to learn the fate of humanity,

how by our nature we are often inconstant in our pleasures. He does not use good sense, then, who like a boxer opposes the blows of Eros. For Eros rules the gods as he pleases, and he rules me as well—that is certain. Why not another woman, just like me?
440

And so I am crazed indeed, if I blame my husband because that disease has seized him or because he was seized by this woman, his partner in a thing which is no shame to them, and no wrong to me. Impossible! If it was from him that you learned
445

to lie, it was not a noble lesson. But if you are your own teacher in this, you will be seen as cruel when it is your wish to prove kind. No, tell me the whole truth, since to a free-born man the name of liar attaches like an ugly stain.
450

If your hope is to escape detection, that cannot come to pass: many are those whom you told and who will inform me. And if you are afraid, your fear is mistaken, since it is not learning the truth that would pain me. But to know it, what is terrible in that? Has
455

Heracles not all by himself already mated with a multitude of other women? And never yet has one of them come away with a harsh word or reproach from me, nor shall this girl, even if she should melt in her passion. Indeed, I felt a profound pity when I saw her because
460

her beauty has destroyed her life, and she, unfortunate one, has against her will devastated her fatherland and enslaved it.
Well, those things must go with the wind. But as for you, I tell you, be dishonest to others, but always speak the truth to me.
465

470

Chorus

Obey her good and kind advice, and hereafter you will neither have cause to complain of this lady, nor lack my thanks.
470

Lichas

Indeed, then, dear mistress. Since I see that you think as mortals should think and not without good judgment, I will tell you the whole truth, and not hide it.

Yes, it is just as this one says. That terrible longing for the girl long ago shot through Heracles, and for her sake the desolate Oechalia , her father’s land, was leveled by his spear. But he—I must say what is in his favor—
475

he never ordered me to conceal the fact and never denied it. Instead I, lady, fearing to wound your heart by such news, erred—if you regard this in any way an error.
Since, however, you now know the whole story,
480

for his sake and for yours equally bear with the woman, and be willing that the gentle words which you spoke about her have been spoken unalterably. For though by the strength of his hands he is victorious in all else, Heracles has been utterly subdued by his passion for this girl.
485

Deianeira

My own thoughts move me to act as you advise. Rest assured that I will not earn another affliction for myself by waging a fruitless fight against the gods. But let us go into the house, so that you may carry him my messages and since gifts should be given in due recompense for gifts received,
490

so that you may take these also. It would not be right that you should go back with empty hands, after coming with such a rich cargo. Exit Lichas, the Messenger and Deianeira into the house.
495

Commentary

Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))

mvp-comment-590-1 ἰοὺ ἰοὺ ¹

mvp-comment-590-2 δύστηνος ²

mvp-comment-590-3 οἴχομαι ³

mvp-comment-591-1 φέγγος οὐκέτ’ ἔστι μοι ⁴

mvp-comment-592-1 κάλει … κάλει δὲ ⁵

mvp-comment-592-2 ὁμαιμόνων ⁶

mvp-comment-592-3 Ἀλκμήνην ⁷

mvp-comment-592-4 μάτην ⁸

mvp-comment-592-5 τελευταίαν … φήμην … θεσφάτων ⁹ πύθησθε ¹⁰

mvp-comment-592-6 The oracles can be only the two which are told to Hyllus (1159—1171). If there had been others, they also must have been confided to him, as representing the absent kinsfolk. Heracles wishes to gather his family around him at a solemn farewell,—to convince them, by the

θέσφατα

, that he is in the hand of Zeus,—and, with that sanction, to lay his last commands upon them all.

mvp-comment-593-1 ἀλλ’ … ἀλλ’ ¹¹

mvp-comment-593-2 οὔτε ¹² δὲ ¹³

mvp-comment-593-3 ἐπακτίᾳ Τίρυνθι ¹⁴

mvp-comment-593-4 συμβέβηκεν ¹⁵ ἔχειν ¹⁶ ὥστε ¹⁷

mvp-comment-593-5 Sophocles glances here at parts of the story which do not come within the scope of the play. Alcmena, daughter of Electryon king of Mycenae, had been betrothed to her first cousin, Amphitryon, son of Alcaeus king of Tiryns. Amphitryon accidentally killed his uncle, Electryon, and then fled from Tiryns to Thebes with his betrothed. At Thebes Alcmena bore Heracles to Zeus. Heracles afterwards went to Argolis and served Eurystheus,—with the hope that his toils would purchase a return to Tiryns for the exiled Amphitryon and Alcmena ( Eur. H. F.19 ). When these toils were over, Heracles dwelt in freedom at Tiryns with his family, including Alcmena,—Amphitryon being dead ( Diod.4. 33 ). He afterwards slew Iphitus, and then sought a refuge for his household at Trachis (39). But, in the course of the fifteen months since he departed for Lydia, Alcmena had returned to Tiryns, (Eurystheus having no cause to fear the aged widow,)—and had taken some of her grandchildren with her, in order to lighten the burden on the hospitality of Ceÿx.— ξυλλαβοῦς’ ¹⁸

mvp-comment-594-1 τὸ Θήβης ἄστυ ¹⁹

mvp-comment-595-1 ὅσοι πάρεσμεν ²⁰

mvp-comment-595-2 ἐξυπηρετήσομεν ²¹

mvp-comment-596-1 σὺ δ’ οὖν ἄκουε ²²

mvp-comment-596-2 τοὔργον ²³

mvp-comment-597-1 γὰρ ²⁴

mvp-comment-597-2 πρόφαντον ἐκ πατρὸς ²⁵

Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus

1143-1145. mvp-comment-809-1 The three single lines, each followed by an asyndeton, have a striking effect in expressing the mood of Heracles, who by the mention of Nessus is brought to a sudden pause.

1143. mvp-comment-810-1 The situation here may be compared with that in the ninth book of the Odyssey (507), where Odysseus has revealed his name to the Cyclops, who is thus reminded of the ancient prophecy concerning himself.

1145. mvp-comment-811-1 φρονῶ.. ἕσταμεν] ‘I know now whither Fate has brought me.'

1149. mvp-comment-812-1 μάτην] Because Zeus appears to have forsaken her son.

1149-1150. mvp-comment-813-1 ὡς ... ἐγώ] · That you may hear from me in my last moments the utterance of what prophecies I know.' The Scholiast explains τελευταίαν ἐμοῦ φήμην differently: 'The final voice concerning me,' i. e. The oracle concerning my end.' For φήμην, cp. О. Т. 43, 86, etc. ὅσ᾽ οἶδ᾽ ἐγώ is added to limit the expression, according to a usual idiom, but may remind us that Heracles did not know all.

1151. mvp-comment-814-1 For οὔτε followed by δέ (l. 1153), see Essay on L. § 36. p. 65f.

1151-1152. mvp-comment-815-1 ἀλλ' ἐπακτίᾳ.. ἕδραν] (1) 'But she has obtained leave to dwell at Tiryns by the shore.' συμβέβηκεν = σύμβασιν ἐποιήσατο, SC. τῷ Εὐρυσθεῖ. Or (2), She happens to be dwelling.'

1153. mvp-comment-816-1 παίδων] 'Of thy sons.' Alcmena had taken some of her grandchildren with her to live at Tiryns. Cp. σῶν ὁμαιμόνων, supr. 1147. If we are further to suppose consistency with supr. l. 54, other sons besides Hyllus must be imagined as present, and included in the phrase ὅσοι πάρεσμεν in l. 1155. The general meaning is, 'All your sons are not here, but those who are will execute your will.'

1154. mvp-comment-817-1 ἂν.. μάθοις] Sc. εἰ πυνθάνοιο.

1156. mvp-comment-818-1 ἐξυπηρετήσομεν] 'Will obediently carry out.' ἐκ as in ἐκπονεῖν.

1157. mvp-comment-819-1 σὺ δ᾽ οὐν] Well, then '- however that may be; i.e. If the others are absent, Hyllus must act for them. τοὔργον] 'The thing which has to be done,' the business.' For ἔργον, of an act in contemplation, cp. Aj. 466, οὐκ ἔστι τοὔργον τλητών. Heracles is already thinking, as the words ἐξήκεις ... καλεῖ show, of the command with which he means to conclude. Cp. Od. 16. 300, εἰ δ᾽ ἐτεόν γ᾽ ἐμός ἐσσι καὶ αἵματος ἡμετέροιο.

1159. mvp-comment-820-1 πρόφαντον] Cp. supr. l. 851, προφαίνει, and note.

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Hercules 1143 Undone, Alcides ! 1157 I die, my child ; there is no life for me. vVlas ! I see it now ; I see my woes ;

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Χορός εὐφημίαν νῦν ἴσχʼ· ἐπεὶ καταστεφῆ στείχονθʼ ὁρῶ τινʼ ἄνδρα πρὸς χαρὰν λόγων.

Δηιάνειρα τίνʼ εἶπας, ὦ γεραιέ, τόνδε μοι λόγον;

Ἄγγελος τάχʼ ἐς δόμους σοὺς τὸν πολύζηλον πόσιν 185 ἥξειν φανέντα σὺν κράτει νικηφόρῳ.

Δηιάνειρα καὶ τοῦ τόδʼ ἀστῶν ἢ ξένων μαθὼν λέγεις;

Δηιάνειρα αὐτὸς δὲ πῶς ἄπεστιν, εἴπερ εὐτυχεῖ;

CH 1112 O Hellas, how I grieve for thy distress! How thou wilt mourn in losing him we see!

Ich bin der erste Bote, der von deiner Angst Dich löst, o Deianeira; denn Alkmene's Sohn 175 Er lebt, und kommt als Sieger, und vom Kampfe bringt Er unsers Landes Göttern hier die Erstlinge.

Deianeira. Was sagst du, Greis, welch eine Kunde bringst du mir?

Der Bote. Bald werd' in deinem Hause dein gefeierter Gemahl erscheinen im Geleit siegreicher Macht. 180

Deianeira. Wer sagte dir's von Bürgern oder Fremdlingen?

Der Bote. Sein Diener hat es auf der nahen Rinderau Erzählt, der Herold Lichas. Ich enteilte flugs, Sobald ich's hörte, daß ich als der Erste dir's Verkünd' und du mir spendest Lohn und zollest Dank. 185

Deianeira. Was säumt er selbst denn außen, wenn er Gutes bringt?

Deianeira. Zeus, der in Oeta's ungemähten Gauen thront, 2 So hast du doch uns Freude, wenn auch spät, gewährt! 195 Nun, liebe Frauen, jauchzet, ihr im Hause dort, Und ihr im Vorhof: denn ein Licht, mir unverhofft, Geht uns aus dieser Kunde jezt heilbringend auf.

Chorus Hush—no more ill-omened words! I see a man approaching who is crowned with garlands as if for joyous news.

Messenger Queen Deianeira, I shall be the first messenger to free you from fear. Know that Alcmena’s son lives and triumphs, and from battle brings the first-fruits to the gods of this land. 180

Deianeira What news is this, old man, that you give me?

Messenger That your much-admired husband will soon come to your house, revealed in his victorious might. 185

Deianeira From what citizen or what stranger did you learn these tidings?

Messenger In the meadow, the summer haunt of oxen, Lichas the herald is proclaiming it to many. From him I heard it, and dashed away so that, in all honesty, having been the first to report this news, I might profit in some way by you and win your favor. 190

Deianeira And why is he not here, if he is so successful?

Deianeira O Zeus, ruler of the sacred uncut meadow of Oeta, at last, though after much delay, you have given us joy! Uplift your voices, you women within the house and you beyond our gates, since now we enjoy the brightness of this message, which has risen on us beyond my hope! 200

Deianeira I see it, dear maidens; the sight has not escaped my watchful eyes. I see that procession. I bid the herald joyous welcome after his long absence!—if indeed you bring anything that gives joy. 225

Lichas We are happy in our return, and happy in your greeting, lady, in accordance with the deed achieved. For when a man has fair fortune, it is his right to win good welcome. 230

Deianeira Most welcome man, tell me first what first I would know—shall I receive Heracles alive?

Lichas I certainly left him alive and well, in vigorous health, unburdened by disease. 235

Deianeira Where, tell me—in his ancestral land, or on barbarian soil?

Lichas There is a headland of Euboea , where to Cenaean Zeus he marks out altars and fruitful ground in tribute.

Deianeira In payment of a vow, or at the command of an oracle?

Lichas For a vow, made when he was seeking to conquer and plunder the country of these women whom you see before you. 240

Deianeira And these—who are they, by the gods, and whose daughters? They deserve pity, unless their misfortune deceives me.

Lichas These are captives whom he selected as choice spoils for himself and for the gods when he sacked the city of Eurytus. 245

Deianeira Was it in fact the war against that city which kept him away so long, beyond all forecast, past all count of days?

Chorus Now, O Queen, your joy is plainly revealed; part is with you, and of the rest you have foreknowledge.

Lichas Why would I know? Why would you ask me? Perhaps she is the offspring of not the lowest family in that land. 315

Deianeira Can she be of the ruling family? Was she a child of Eurytus?

Lichas I do not know; I did not in fact make a long investigation.

Deianeira And you do not know her name from one of her fellow captives?

Lichas No, indeed. In silence I completed my task.

Deianeira Unhappy girl, tell it to me, anyway, from your own mouth. It is indeed distressing to me not to know who you are. 320

Messenger Coming nearer to Deianeira. Do go in, but first remain here a short while, so that you may learn, apart from these others, who they are whom you take into your home, and gain necessary knowledge of the facts which you have not heard. For of these I am in full possession. 335

Deianeira What do you mean? Why do you stay my departure?

Messenger Stop and listen. My former report was not a waste of your time, and neither, I believe, will this one be. 340

Deianeira Shall I call those others back again? Or do you wish to speak before me and these women?

Messenger To you and the women I can speak freely. Never mind the others.

Deianeira Well, they are gone. Now let your speech signal your meaning. 345

Messenger That man Lichas spoke nothing of what he just told you in strict accordance with the truth. He was just now lying, or else he was dishonest in his earlier report.

Deianeira What do you say? Explain to me clearly all that you mean, for I cannot understand what you said. 350

Deianeira Ah, misery! What is happening to me? What secret plague have I welcomed beneath my roof? Ah, me! So, she was born without a name, as her escort swore? 375

Messenger No, illustrious by name, as by birth; she is the daughter of Eurytus, and was once called Iole. But he could say nothing of her birth, because, of course, he made no investigation. 380

Chorus May destruction seize not all wrongdoers—no, only the man who practices stealthy wrongdoing that is shameful to his rank!

Deianeira Ah, friends, what should I do? I am dumbstruck by this latest news! 385

Chorus Go and question Lichas, since he might tell the truth, if you were willing to compel him by threat of force to answer.

Deianeira I will go. Your advice does not lack good judgment.

Messenger And I, shall I wait here? Or what do you require? 390

Deianeira Stay here—since he is coming out from the house without my summons, but of his own accord.

Lichas My lady, what message shall I bear to Heracles? Instruct me, for, as you see, I am going.

Deianeira How quickly you rush away, when your arrival had been so tardy—before we have even resumed our talk. 395

Lichas Well, if there is anything you must ask, I am at your service.

Deianeira Will you indeed give me the honest truth?

Lichas Yes, be great Zeus my witness—in anything that I know.

Deianeira Who is the woman, then, whom you escorted here? 400

Lichas She is Euboean. But whose offspring, I cannot say.

Messenger You there, look at me. To whom do you think you speak?

Lichas And you, to what end have you asked me such a question?

Messenger Dare to answer my question, if you are sensible.

Lichas I speak to the royal Deianeira, daughter of Oeneus, wife of Heracles and, unless my eyes deceive me, my mistress. 405

Messenger The very word that I wished to hear from you—you admit that she is your mistress?

Lichas Yes, it is only right to do so.

Messenger Well, then, what penalty would you think it right to pay, if you should be found to be behaving wrongly towards her? 410

Lichas Wrongly? What fiction have you created?

Messenger None. Rather it is you, to be sure, who do this.

Lichas I am leaving—I was foolish to listen to you so long.

Messenger No, not until you have answered a small question. 415

Lichas Speak, if you require something. You are not the silent type.

Messenger That captive, whom you escorted into the house, you know whom I mean?

Lichas Yes. But why do you ask?

Hercules
1143

Undone, Alcides !

1157

I die, my child ; there is no life for me.

vVlas ! I see it now ; I see my woes ;

Χορός

εὐφημίαν νῦν ἴσχʼ· ἐπεὶ καταστεφῆ

στείχονθʼ ὁρῶ τινʼ ἄνδρα πρὸς χαρὰν λόγων.

Δηιάνειρα

τίνʼ εἶπας, ὦ γεραιέ, τόνδε μοι λόγον;

Ἄγγελος

τάχʼ ἐς δόμους σοὺς τὸν πολύζηλον πόσιν
185

ἥξειν φανέντα σὺν κράτει νικηφόρῳ.

Δηιάνειρα

καὶ τοῦ τόδʼ ἀστῶν ἢ ξένων μαθὼν λέγεις;

Δηιάνειρα

αὐτὸς δὲ πῶς ἄπεστιν, εἴπερ εὐτυχεῖ;

CH
1112

O Hellas, how I grieve for thy distress!

How thou wilt mourn in losing him we see!

Ich bin der erste Bote, der von deiner Angst

Dich löst, o Deianeira; denn Alkmene's Sohn
175

Er lebt, und kommt als Sieger, und vom Kampfe bringt

Er unsers Landes Göttern hier die Erstlinge.

Deianeira.

Was sagst du, Greis, welch eine Kunde bringst du mir?

Der Bote.

Bald werd' in deinem Hause dein gefeierter

Gemahl erscheinen im Geleit siegreicher Macht.
180

Deianeira.

Wer sagte dir's von Bürgern oder Fremdlingen?

Der Bote.

Sein Diener hat es auf der nahen Rinderau

Erzählt, der Herold Lichas. Ich enteilte flugs,

Sobald ich's hörte, daß ich als der Erste dir's

Verkünd' und du mir spendest Lohn und zollest Dank.
185

Deianeira.

Was säumt er selbst denn außen, wenn er Gutes bringt?

Deianeira.

Zeus, der in Oeta's ungemähten Gauen thront,²

So hast du doch uns Freude, wenn auch spät, gewährt!
195

Nun, liebe Frauen, jauchzet, ihr im Hause dort,

Und ihr im Vorhof: denn ein Licht, mir unverhofft,

Geht uns aus dieser Kunde jezt heilbringend auf.

Chorus

Hush—no more ill-omened words! I see a man approaching who is crowned with garlands as if for joyous news.

Messenger

Queen Deianeira, I shall be the first messenger to free you from fear. Know that Alcmena’s son lives and triumphs, and from battle brings the first-fruits to the gods of this land.
180

Deianeira

What news is this, old man, that you give me?

Messenger

That your much-admired husband will soon come to your house, revealed in his victorious might.
185

Deianeira

From what citizen or what stranger did you learn these tidings?

Messenger

In the meadow, the summer haunt of oxen, Lichas the herald is proclaiming it to many. From him I heard it,

and dashed away so that, in all honesty, having been the first to report this news, I might profit in some way by you and win your favor.
190

Deianeira

And why is he not here, if he is so successful?

Deianeira

O Zeus, ruler of the sacred uncut meadow of Oeta, at last, though after much delay, you have given us joy! Uplift your voices, you women within the house and you beyond our gates, since now we enjoy the brightness of this message, which has risen on us beyond my hope!
200

Deianeira

I see it, dear maidens; the sight has not escaped my watchful eyes. I see that procession. I bid the herald joyous welcome after his long absence!—if indeed you bring anything that gives joy.
225

Lichas

We are happy in our return, and happy in your greeting,

lady, in accordance with the deed achieved. For when a man has fair fortune, it is his right to win good welcome.
230

Deianeira

Most welcome man, tell me first what first I would know—shall I receive Heracles alive?

Lichas

I certainly left him alive and well,

in vigorous health, unburdened by disease.
235

Deianeira

Where, tell me—in his ancestral land, or on barbarian soil?

Lichas

There is a headland of Euboea , where to Cenaean Zeus he marks out altars and fruitful ground in tribute.

Deianeira

In payment of a vow, or at the command of an oracle?

Lichas

For a vow, made when he was seeking to conquer and plunder the country of these women whom you see before you.
240

Deianeira

And these—who are they, by the gods, and whose daughters? They deserve pity, unless their misfortune deceives me.

Lichas

These are captives whom he

selected as choice spoils for himself and for the gods when he sacked the city of Eurytus.
245

Deianeira

Was it in fact the war against that city which kept him away so long, beyond all forecast, past all count of days?

Chorus

Now, O Queen, your joy is plainly revealed; part is with you, and of the rest you have foreknowledge.

Lichas

Why would I know? Why would you ask me? Perhaps

she is the offspring of not the lowest family in that land.
315

Deianeira

Can she be of the ruling family? Was she a child of Eurytus?

Lichas

I do not know; I did not in fact make a long investigation.

Deianeira

And you do not know her name from one of her fellow captives?

Lichas

No, indeed. In silence I completed my task.

Deianeira

Unhappy girl, tell it to me, anyway, from your own mouth. It is indeed distressing to me not to know who you are.
320

Messenger
Coming nearer to Deianeira.

Do go in, but first remain here a short while, so that you may learn, apart from these others, who they are whom you take into your home, and gain necessary knowledge of the facts which you have not heard. For of these I am in full possession.
335

Deianeira

What do you mean? Why do you stay my departure?

Messenger

Stop and listen. My former report was not a waste of your time, and neither, I believe, will this one be.
340

Deianeira

Shall I call those others back again? Or do you wish to speak before me and these women?

Messenger

To you and the women I can speak freely. Never mind the others.

Deianeira

Well, they are gone. Now let your speech signal your meaning.
345

Messenger

That man Lichas spoke nothing of what he just told you in strict accordance with the truth. He was just now lying, or else he was dishonest in his earlier report.

Deianeira

What do you say? Explain to me clearly all that you mean,

for I cannot understand what you said.
350

Deianeira

Ah, misery! What is happening to me? What secret plague have I welcomed beneath my roof? Ah, me! So, she was born without a name, as her escort swore?
375

Messenger

No, illustrious by name, as by birth;

she is the daughter of Eurytus, and was once called Iole. But he could say nothing of her birth, because, of course, he made no investigation.
380

Chorus

May destruction seize not all wrongdoers—no, only the man who practices stealthy wrongdoing that is shameful to his rank!

Deianeira

Ah, friends, what should I do? I am dumbstruck by this latest news!
385

Chorus

Go and question Lichas, since he might tell the truth, if you were willing to compel him by threat of force to answer.

Deianeira

I will go. Your advice does not lack good judgment.

Messenger

And I, shall I wait here? Or what do you require?
390

Deianeira

Stay here—since he is coming out from the house without my summons, but of his own accord.

Lichas

My lady, what message shall I bear to Heracles? Instruct me, for, as you see, I am going.

Deianeira

How quickly you rush away, when your arrival had been so tardy—before we have even resumed our talk.
395

Lichas

Well, if there is anything you must ask, I am at your service.

Deianeira

Will you indeed give me the honest truth?

Lichas

Yes, be great Zeus my witness—in anything that I know.

Deianeira

Who is the woman, then, whom you escorted here?
400

Lichas

She is Euboean. But whose offspring, I cannot say.

Messenger

You there, look at me. To whom do you think you speak?

Lichas

And you, to what end have you asked me such a question?

Messenger

Dare to answer my question, if you are sensible.

Lichas

I speak to the royal Deianeira, daughter of Oeneus, wife of Heracles and, unless my eyes deceive me, my mistress.
405

Messenger

The very word that I wished to hear from you—you admit that she is your mistress?

Lichas

Yes, it is only right to do so.

Messenger

Well, then, what penalty would you think it right to pay, if you should be found to be behaving wrongly towards her?
410

Lichas

Wrongly? What fiction have you created?

Messenger

None. Rather it is you, to be sure, who do this.

Lichas

I am leaving—I was foolish to listen to you so long.

Messenger

No, not until you have answered a small question.
415

Lichas

Speak, if you require something. You are not the silent type.

Messenger

That captive, whom you escorted into the house, you know whom I mean?

Lichas

Yes. But why do you ask?

Messenger

Did you not avow that she, on whom you look as if in ignorance,

was Iole, the seed of Eurytus, your captive?
420

Lichas

To whom on earth did I say it? Who and where is the man who heard me say it and will be your witness?

Messenger

To many of our own citizens you said it. In the public gathering of Trachinians a great crowd heard this much, at least, from you.