Search the Perseus Catalog for:

View: By Scene

← Previous Next →

Hyllus

Ah, me, it is wrong to be angry with a sick man, but who could bear to see him have thoughts like these?
1230

Heracles

Your words show no willingness to do as I say.

Hyllus

Who on earth would, when she alone is to blame for my mother’s death, and for your present condition besides?

Who would choose to do so, unless he were infected by avenging fiends? It would be better, Father, that I also die, rather than live united with those whom I most detest!
1235

Heracles

The man will render no due respect, it seems, to my dying prayer. No, be sure that the curse of the gods

will await you for disobeying my commands.
1240

Hyllus

Ah, you will soon show, it seems, how diseased you are!

Heracles

Yes, for you stir me from my slumbering plague.

Hyllus

I am miserable! I have no way out of so many dilemmas!

Heracles

Yes, since you think it wrong to obey your begetter.

Hyllus

But must I then learn to be unholy, Father?
1245

Heracles

It is not unholy, if you gladden my heart.

Hyllus

Do you, then, command me to do this as a clear duty?

Heracles

I do, and I call on the gods to bear me witness!

Hyllus

Then I will do it, and not refuse,

—calling upon the gods to witness your deed. I can never be condemned for obeying you, Father.
1250

Heracles

Your words make a fair ending, and to them, my son, quickly add the gracious deed itself, so that you may place me on the pyre before any pain returns to tear or sting me.

Come, make haste and lift me! This, in truth, is rest from troubles, this is the end, the last end, of Heracles!
1255

Hyllus

Nothing hinders the fulfillment of your wish, since your commandment strongly compels me, Father.

Trachiniae. Sophocles. Richard Jebb (Translator). Cambridge. 1892.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Experimental

Trachiniae (English) (Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 5: The Trachiniae. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1892. (Modernized by Perseus.))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 1230 focus

οἴμοι. τὸ μὲν νοσοῦντι θυμοῦσθαι κακόν,
1230

τὸ τῶι τὸ δ᾽ ὧδ᾽ ὁρᾶν φρονοῦντα τίς ποτ᾽ ἂν φέροι;

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΗΡ.

ὡς ἐργασείων οὐδὲν οὐδὲν οὐδὲν οὐδὲν ὧν λέγω θροεῖς.

ΥΛ.

τίς γάρ ποθ᾽, ἥ μοι μητρὶ μὲν θανεῖν μόνη

μεταίτιος σοί τ᾽ αὖθις ὡς ἔχεις ἔχειν,

τίς ταῦτ᾽ ἄν, ὅστις μὴ ἐξ ἀλαστόρων νοσοῖ,
1235

ἕλοιτο; κρεῖσσον κἀμέ γ', ὦ πάτερ, θανεῖν

ἢ τοῖσιν ἐχθίστοισι ἐχθίστοισιν ἐχθίστοισι συνναίειν συναίειν συνναίειν ὁμοῦ.

ΗΡ.

ἀνὴρ ανὴρ ἀνὴρ ὅδ᾽ ὡς ἔοικεν οὐ νέμειν ἐμοὶ

φθίνοντι μοῖραν· ἀλλά τοι θεῶν ἀρὰ

μενεῖ σ᾽ ἀπιστήσαντα ἀπιστήσαντι ἀπιστήσαντα τοῖς ἐμοῖς λόγοις.
1240

ΥΛ.

οἴμοι ὤμοι οἴμοι, τάχ᾽, ὡς ὥσ ἔοικας, ὡς νοσεῖς φράσεις.

ΗΡ.

σὺ γάρ μ᾽ ἀπ᾿ εὐνασθέντος ἀπευνασθέντος ἐκκινεῖς κακοῦ.

ΥΛ.

δείλαιος, ὡς ἐς πολλὰ τἀπορεῖν ἔχω.

ΗΡ.

οὐ γὰρ δικαιοῖς τοῦ φυτεύσαντος κλύειν κλύειν.

ΥΛ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἐκδιδαχθῶ δῆτα δυσσεβεῖν, πάτερ;
1245

ΗΡ.

οὐ δυσσέβεια δυσέβεια δυσσέβεια, τοὐμὸν εἰ τέρψεις κέαρ.

ΤΡΑΧΙΝΙΑΙ.

ΥΛ.

πράσσειν ἄνωγας οὖν με πανδίκως τάδε;

ΗΡ.

ἔγωγε· τούτων μάρτυρας καλῶ θεούς.

ΥΛ.

τοιγὰρ ποιήσω, κοὐκ ἀπώσομαι, τὸ σὸν

θεοῖσι δεικνὺς δεικνὺς ἔργον. οὐ γὰρ ἄν ποτε
1250

κακὸς φανείην σοί γε πιστεύσας, πάτερ.

ΗΡ.

καλῶς τελευτᾷς, κἀπὶ τοῖσδε τὴν χάριν

ταχεῖαν, ὦ παῖ, πρόσθες· ὡς πρὶν ἐμπεσεῖν

σπαραγμὸν ἤ τιν οἶστρον, ἐς πυράν με θῇς μεθεὶσ με θῇς.

ἄγ᾿ ἐγκονεῖτ᾽, αἴρεσθε, παῦλά τοι κακῶν
1255

αὕτη, τελευτὴ τοῦδε τἀνδρὸς τελευτῆι τοῦδέ τ᾽ ἀνδρὸσ τελευτὴ τοῦδε τἀνδρὸς ὑστάτη.

ΥΛ.

ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲν εἰργει σοὶ τελειοῦσθαι τελειοῦσσθαι τάδε,

ἐπεὶ κελεύεις κἀξαναγκάζεις, πάτερ.

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΗΡ.

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1230 focus

Ὕλλος

οἴμοι· τὸ μὲν νοσοῦντι θυμοῦσθαι κακόν,
1230

τὸ δʼ ὧδʼ ὁρᾶν φρονοῦντα τίς ποτʼ ἂν φέροι;

Ἡρακλῆς

ὡς ἐργασείων οὐδὲν ὧν λέγω θροεῖς.

Ὕλλος

τίς γάρ ποθʼ, ἥ μοι μητρὶ μὲν θανεῖν μόνη

μεταίτιος σοί τʼ αὖθις ὡς ἔχεις ἔχειν,

τίς ταῦτʼ ἄν, ὅστις μὴ ʼξ ἀλαστόρων νοσοῖ,
1235

ἕλοιτο; κρεῖσσον κἀμέ γʼ, ὦ πάτερ, θανεῖν

ἢ τοῖσιν ἐχθίστοισι συνναίειν ὁμοῦ.

Ἡρακλῆς

ἁνὴρ ὅδʼ, ὡς ἔοικεν, οὐ νεμεῖν ἐμοὶ

φθίνοντι μοῖραν· ἀλλά τοι θεῶν ἀρὰ

μενεῖ σʼ ἀπιστήσαντα τοῖς ἐμοῖς λόγοις.
1240

Ὕλλος

ὤμοι, τάχʼ, ὡς ἔοικας, ὡς νοσεῖς φράσεις.

Ἡρακλῆς

σὺ γάρ μʼ ἀπʼ εὐνασθέντος ἐκκινεῖς κακοῦ.

Ὕλλος

δείλαιος, ὡς ἐς πολλὰ τἀπορεῖν ἔχω.

Ἡρακλῆς

οὐ γὰρ δικαιοῖς τοῦ φυτεύσαντος κλύειν.

Ὕλλος

ἀλλʼ ἐκδιδαχθῶ δῆτα δυσσεβεῖν, πάτερ;
1245

Ἡρακλῆς

οὐ δυσσέβεια, τοὐμὸν εἰ τέρψεις κέαρ.

Ὕλλος

πράσσειν ἄνωγας οὖν με πανδίκως τάδε;

Ἡρακλῆς

ἔγωγε· τούτων μάρτυρας καλῶ θεούς.

Ὕλλος

τοιγὰρ ποήσω κοὐκ ἀπώσομαι, τὸ σὸν

θεοῖσι δεικνὺς ἔργον· οὐ γὰρ ἄν ποτε
1250

κακὸς φανείην σοί γε πιστεύσας, πάτερ.

Ἡρακλῆς

καλῶς τελευτᾷς, κἀπὶ τοῖσδε τὴν χάριν

ταχεῖαν, ὦ παῖ, πρόσθες, ὡς πρὶν ἐμπεσεῖν

σπαραγμὸν ἤ τινʼ οἶστρον, ἐς πυράν με θῇς.

ἄγʼ ἐγκονεῖτʼ, αἴρεσθε· παῦλά τοι κακῶν
1255

αὕτη, τελευτὴ τοῦδε τἀνδρὸς ὑστάτη.

Ὕλλος

ἀλλʼ οὐδὲν εἴργει σοὶ τελειοῦσθαι τάδε,

ἐπεὶ κελεύεις κἀξαναγκάζεις, πάτερ.

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 1230 focus

Of Iolè thou speak’st, or I mistake.

HER

Of her. This then is all I urge, my son.

When I am dead, if thou wouldst show thy duty,

Think of thine oath to me, and, on my word,

Make her thy wife: nor let another man

Take her, but only thou; since she hath lain

So near this heart. Obey me, O my boy!

And be thyself the maker of this bond.

To spurn at trifles after great things given,

Were to confound the meed already won.

HYL

Oh, anger is not right, when men are ill!

But who could bear to see thee in this mind?

HER

You murmur, as you meant to disobey.

HYL

How can I do it, when my mother’s death

And thy sad state sprang solely from this girl?

Who, not possessed with furies, could choose this?

Far better, father, for me too to die,

Than to live still with my worst enemy.

HER

This youth withdraws his reverence in my death.

But, if thou yield’st not to thy father’s best,

The curse from Heaven shall dog thy footsteps still.

HYL

Ah! thou wilt tell me that thy pain is come.

HER

Yea, for thou wak’st the torment that had slept.

HYL

Ay me! how cross and doubtful is my way!
1245

HER

Because you will reject your father’s word.

HYL

Must I be taught impiety from thee?

HER

It is not impious to content my heart.

HYL

Then you require this with an absolute will?

HER

And bid Heaven witness to my strong command.

HYL

Then I will do it, for the act is thine.

I will not cast it off. Obeying thee,

My sire, the Gods will ne’er reprove my deed.

HER

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1230 focus

Weh mir!

Hyllos.

Den Kranken reizen, dünkt mir schlimm; doch bei Vernunft¹

Zu thun nach seinem Willen, wer ertrüge das?
1210

Herakles.

Nichts, was ich sage, willst du thun, erklärst du mir?

Hyllos.

Wer möchte sie, die meiner Mutter Tod allein,

Die ganz allein verschuldet, daß dich solches traf,

Wer solch ein Weib sich wählen, wenn kein böser Geist

Ihn quält? Vater, besser ist auch mir der Tod,
1215

Als daß ich lebe, zugesellt dem schlimmsten Feind.

Herakles.

Der Knabe will mir, scheint es, auch im Tode nicht

Mein Recht gewähren. Aber, traun, der Götter Fluch

Wird deiner warten, trozest du des Vaters Wort.

Hyllos.

Bald zeigst du, scheint es, (wehe mir!) wie krank du bist.
1220

Herakles.

Du weckst ja selbst mein Leiden, das entschlummert_war.

Hyllos.

Weh! Zweifel, vielfach, treiben mich rathlos umher!

Herakles.

Weil, auf den Vater hören, dir unwürdig scheint.

Hyllos.

So soll ich üben, Vater, was ein Frevel ist?

Herakles.

Kein Frevel ist es, wenn du mir das Herz erfreust.
1225

Hylos.

Du heißest alles Ernstes denn mich also thun?

Herakles.

Gewiß! Zu Zeugen rus' ich deß die Götter an.

Hyllos.

Wohlan, so thu' ich's, weigr' es nicht: als deines mag

Dies Werk den Göttern gelten! Denn ich werde nie

Als schlecht erscheinen, Vater, folgt' ich deinem Wort.
1230

Herakles.

Ganz schön geendigt! Füge nun in Eile noch

Die Gunst hinzu, Kind: auf die Scheiter lege mich,

Bevor die Zuckung oder Wuth mich neu befällt!

Wohlan, erhebt euch, zögert nicht! Traun, dieses löst

Allein von meinem Leide mich, des Todes Ziel.
1235

Hyllos.

Doch nichts verhindert, daß wir thun nach deinem Wunsch,

Da du's gebeutst, o Vater, und uns nöthigest.

Herakles.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 1230 focus

\ciside\. Alas ! distempered as he is, to chide
1230

him
1230

Were most unkind ; and yet, what madness this !

Hercules

Thou wilt not do it then?

Hyllus

What ! marry her

Who slew my mother ! her, who hath brought thee

To this sad state ! It were an act of frenzy :
1235

Death be my portion rather than to live

With those I hate.

Hercules

\tuming to the Chorus]. He will not pay me

then

The duty which he owes a dying father !

But if thou dost not, curses from the gods

Await thee.
1240

Hyllus

Oh ! thou rav'st ; it is the rage

Of thy distemper makes thee talk so wildly.

Hercules

Thou hast awakened all my woes ; again

They torture now.

Hyllus

Alas ! what doubts arise,

What fears perplex me !

Hercules

Meanst thou to dispute

A father's will ?

Hyllus

Must I then learn of thee
1245

To do a wicked deed ?
1245

Hercules

It is not wicked

If I request it of thee.

Hyllus

Is it just?

Hercules

It is ; the gods are witnesses 'tis just.

Hyllus

Then by those gods I swear I will perform

What thou commandst : I never can be deemed
1250

Or base, or impious, for obeying thee.

Hercules

'Tis well, my son ; one added kindness more,

And I am satisfied : before the racks

Of dire convulsion, and the pangs of madness

Again attack me, throw me on the pile.

Haste then, and bear me to it, there at last
1255

I shall have peace and rest from all my sorrows

Hyllus

Since 'tis thy will, my fatlier, we Rubmit.

Hercules

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 1230 focus

Her, of my mother's death that was alone
1230

The guilty cause, that brought thee to this state,
1230

Her, by the vengeful furies if not urged; li
1230

Who would receive? No; rather let me die, ......

Than dwell with those whom most my soul abhors.

Hercules

This youth, it seems, a dying father's charge

Reveres not, but a curse shall from the gods

Await thy disobedience to my will.

Hyllus

Ah, to thy body not confined, I fear, olti al

Thy reason soon this malady will reachdis

Hercules

And thou the cause, for thou again dost rouse

My sleeping pains, band

Hyllus

Unhappy me, what doubts

Distract my soul!

Hercules

Thy soul averse disdains

A father's mandates.

Hyllus

Shall I then be taught

To do an impious deed?

Hercules

If it delights

My heart, not impious is the deed.

Hyllus

Thy son
1245

Dost thou with justice to this deed impel?
1245

Hercules

I call the gods to witness, it is just.

Hyllus

Then I will do it, nor oppose thy will,

Appealing to the gods that in good truth

This is thy work: nor shall I e'er be deem'd

be impious; Hercules calls the gods to witness that it would not be a deed of

impiety, but of justice; on which Hyllus immediately consents.

Impious, a father's charge whilst I obey.

Hercules

Thou hast concluded well: and now, my son,

To all thy former add one speedy grace;

Ere fierce convulsions seize me, or the whirl

Of madness, lay me on the pyre. Come then,

This toil refuse not, raise me, bear me hence;

This is my rest from ills, this my last end.

Hyllus

Nothing restrains us from this act, thus urged

By thy command, my father, thus compell'd.

Hercules

Now my firm soul, ere this disease return

To torture me, with steel, with adamant

You, who attend, take up your lord: my part

In this sad business justly claims excuse.

But in this horrible event the gods,

Mortal man

Who gave him being, and are fathers call'd,

Yet unconcern'd such sufferings can behold,

Show that their minds are ruthless.

Sees not the future: we the present feel,

Mournful to us, disgraceful to the gods,

But most severe to him who bears these ills.

Chorus

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-642-1 τὸ μὲν νοσοῦντι ¹

mvp-comment-643-1 ὡς ἐργασείων ²

mvp-comment-644-1 τίς γάρ ποθ’ ³ ἥ ⁴ ἥ ⁵ ταῦτ’ ⁶ ταῦτ’ ⁷

mvp-comment-644-2 The ethic dat. μοι ⁸

mvp-comment-644-3 θανεῖν ⁹ μόνη μεταίτιος ¹⁰

mvp-comment-644-4 σοὶ δ’ ¹¹ σοί τ’ ¹²

mvp-comment-644-5 ὡς ἔχεις ἔχειν ¹³

mvp-comment-644-6 ὅστις μὴ … νοσοῖ ¹⁴

mvp-comment-644-7 ἀλαστόρων ¹⁵

mvp-comment-645-1 τοῖσιν ἐχθίστοισι ¹⁶

mvp-comment-645-2 ὁμοῦ ¹⁷

mvp-comment-646-1 ὡς ἔοικεν, οὐ νεμεῖν ¹⁸

mvp-comment-646-2 Paley would get rid of the irregularity by making ὡς ¹⁹

mvp-comment-646-3 νεμεῖν … μοῖραν ²⁰

mvp-comment-646-4 θεῶν ἀρὰ ²¹

mvp-comment-647-1 ὡς ἔοικας ²² φανεῖς ²³

mvp-comment-648-1 ἀπ’ εὐνασθέντος … κακοῦ ²⁴ ἀπευνασθέντος ²⁵

mvp-comment-649-1 ἐς πολλὰ ²⁶

mvp-comment-650-1 κλύειν ²⁷

mvp-comment-651-1 δυσσεβεῖν ²⁸

mvp-comment-652-1 πράσσειν … πανδίκως ²⁹ οὖν ³⁰

mvp-comment-653-1 ἔγωγε ³¹

mvp-comment-654-1 ποήσω ³²

mvp-comment-654-2 τὸ σὸν θεοῖσι δεικνὺς ἔργον ³³

mvp-comment-655-1 καλῶς τελευτᾷς ³⁴

mvp-comment-655-2 κἀπὶ τοῖσδε ³⁵

mvp-comment-655-3 πρὶν ἐμπεσεῖν ³⁶

mvp-comment-655-4 σπαραγμὸν ³⁷

mvp-comment-655-5 οἶστρον ³⁸

mvp-comment-656-1 ἄγ’ ³⁹

mvp-comment-656-2 ἐγκονεῖτ’ ⁴⁰

mvp-comment-656-3 αὕτη ⁴¹

mvp-comment-656-4 τελευτὴ … ὑστάτη ⁴²

mvp-comment-657-1 ἀλλ’ ⁴³

mvp-comment-657-2 οὐδὲν εἴργει ⁴⁴

mvp-comment-657-3 τελειοῦσθαι ⁴⁵

mvp-comment-657-4 ἐπεὶ κελεύεις ⁴⁶

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

1230-1231. mvp-comment-871-1 One ought not to be angry with one in frenzy; but who could bear to be the witness of such a state of mind?'

1233. mvp-comment-872-1 τίς γάρ ποθ'] Sc. ταῦτα δρῴη ἄν, for which ταῦτ᾽ ἂν . . ἕλοιτο is substituted as the sentence proceeds.

1233-1234. mvp-comment-873-1 μόνη | μεταίτιος] ‘Sole sharer of the blame' with Nessus. Cp. supr. 260, 1, τόνδε γὰρ μεταίτιον | μόνον, κ.τ.λ., and note. The form in -os is used here, although τῇ μεταιτίᾳ occurs supr. 447, where Deianira is contrasting Iole with Heracles.

1234. mvp-comment-874-1 σοί τ᾽ αὖθις] Sc. αἰτία. The τε here has been generally changed to δέ, and perhaps rightly.

1235. mvp-comment-875-1 ἐξ ἀλαστόρων] Cp. O. C. 371, νῦν δ᾽ ἐκ θεῶν του κἀξ *ἀλειτηροῦ φρενός, κ.τ.λ.: Eur. Οr. 1669, μή τινος κλύων | ἀλαστόρων δόξαιμι σὴν κλύειν ὄπα.

1238. mvp-comment-876-1 ὡς ἔοικεν, οὐ νέμειν] For this confusion between οὐ νέμει, ὡς ἔοικεν, and ἔοικεν οὐ νέμειν, cp. Hdt. 1. 58, ὡς .. δοκέει, οὐδὲ . . αὐξηθῆναι. For the present-future, cp. supr. 1083, and note. And for the feeling of φθίνοντι, cp. Tennyson's Morte d'Arthur, 'Authority forgets a dying king, | Laid widowed of the power in his eye | That bowed the will.'

1239. mvp-comment-877-1 ἀλλά τοι] These particles are usually separated. τοι means 'however,' i. e. 'Although you think so lightly of my curse.' For θεῶν ἀρά, ‘A curse having a divine sanction,' cp. Ant. 607,8, and notes.

1241. mvp-comment-878-1 ὡς.. φράσεις] 'You will tell us that your trouble is returned.' Hyllus observes the rising expression of pain on his father's countenance, and fears the outburst that is likely to follow.

1242. mvp-comment-879-1 σὺ γὰρ .. κακοῦ] 'For you rouse me from the state in which my pain was lulled' =ἀπὸ τοῦ εὐνασθῆναι τὸ κακόν. Cp. Thuc. 2. 49. § 3, μετὰ ταῦτα λωφήσαντα = μετὰ τὸ λωφῆσαι ταῦτα.

1243. mvp-comment-880-1 ὡς.. ἔχω] 'In how many ways am I straitened!' For τἀπορεῖν ἔχω, cp. О.С. 1617, 8, τὸ γὰρ φιλεῖν οὐκ ἔστιν ἐξ ὅτου πλέον | ἢ τοῦδε τἀνδρὸς ἔσχεθ', οὗ, κ.τ.λ.

1244. mvp-comment-881-1 δικαιοῖς] Cp. Hdt. 1. 89, δικαιῶ ('I think it my duty') σημαίνειν σοί.

1246. mvp-comment-882-1 οὐ δυσσέβεια] For this use of the abstract noun, cp. O. C. 883, ἆρ' οὐχ ὕβρις τάδ᾽;

1247. mvp-comment-883-1 For the position of οὖν, see note on supr. 1185. πανδίκως is to be taken with ἄνωγας, which is the chief word in the sentence. 'Do you order me outright?' i. e. Is it your full and authoritative command? Cp. O. C. 1306. Others interpret, With entire justice,' i. e. 'Is it quite right that a son should burn a father?' (Paley.)

1249. mvp-comment-884-1 κοὐκ ἀπώσομαι] • And will not refuse it.' Cp. supr. 216, 7 οὐδ᾽ ἀπώσομαι | τὸν αὐλόν, κ.τ.λ.: Plat. Rep. B. 4. Ρ. 437 Β, καὶ τὸ προσάγεσθαι τῷ ἀπωθεῖσθαι . . τῶν ἐναντίων ἀλλήλοις θείης.

1249-1250. mvp-comment-885-1 τὸ σὸν | θεοῖσι δεικνὺς ἔργον] Showing to the gods what thou doest,' so that they may not fix the blame on me. The predicate is anticipated, and forms part of the object; i.e. Showing to the gods that it is thy doing.' Hence the article; i.e. τὸ σὸν ἔργον = τὸ ἔργον, σὸν ὄν. Cp. supr. 775, τὸ σὸν μόνης δώρημ᾽ ἔλεξεν (“ He said it was thy special and peculiar gift'), and O. T. 572, τὰς ἐμὰς | οὐκ ἄν ποτ' εἶπε Λαΐου διαφθοράς (‘He would not have spoken, as he has done, of my being Laius' destroyer'). Also Aj. 1013.

1251. mvp-comment-886-1 σοί γε πιστεύσας] (1) Having acted in reliance on thy word.' Cp. Ο. C. 175, σοὶ πιστεύσας καὶ μεταναστάς : Phil. 1374, θεοῖς τε πιστεύσαντα τοῖς τ᾿ ἐμοῖς λόγοις. Or simply, (2) 'Having obeyed thee;' cp. supr. 1228.

1252. mvp-comment-887-1 καλῶς τελευτᾷς] 'You end well, i. e. You show the right spirit at last.

1252-1253. mvp-comment-888-1 κἀπὶ.. πρόσθες] ‘And let the act of kindness follow quickly upon these words.'

1254. mvp-comment-889-1 σπαραγμὸν ἤ τιν' οἶστρον] Some convulsion or some access of fury,' which would make it impossible to carry Heracles up the mountain. Cp. supr. 804, 5. με θῇς] Clearly not μεθῇς here, although μέθες was preferred in l. 799.

1255. mvp-comment-890-1 ἄγε is chiefly addressed to Hyllus, but may be said, like ἴδε, supr. 821, without any distinct reference to number. The following words are addressed to the attendants, who are to carry him with their hands while Hyllus leads the way. αἴρεσθε is subjective middle (= 'Apply your strength to raise me') and is less peremptory than αἴρετε, infr. l. 1264.

1255-1256. mvp-comment-891-1 παῦλα.. ὑστάτη] ‘This is my reprieve from woe, this is the last end of my being' Heracles knows nothing of the bliss which is hereafter to be his portion.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Hyllus Ah, me, it is wrong to be angry with a sick man, but who could bear to see him have thoughts like these? 1230

Heracles Your words show no willingness to do as I say.

Hyllus Who on earth would, when she alone is to blame for my mother’s death, and for your present condition besides? Who would choose to do so, unless he were infected by avenging fiends? It would be better, Father, that I also die, rather than live united with those whom I most detest! 1235

Heracles The man will render no due respect, it seems, to my dying prayer. No, be sure that the curse of the gods will await you for disobeying my commands. 1240

Hyllus Ah, you will soon show, it seems, how diseased you are!

Heracles Yes, for you stir me from my slumbering plague.

Hyllus I am miserable! I have no way out of so many dilemmas!

Heracles Yes, since you think it wrong to obey your begetter.

Hyllus But must I then learn to be unholy, Father? 1245

Heracles It is not unholy, if you gladden my heart.

Hyllus Do you, then, command me to do this as a clear duty?

Heracles I do, and I call on the gods to bear me witness!

Hyllus Then I will do it, and not refuse, —calling upon the gods to witness your deed. I can never be condemned for obeying you, Father. 1250

Heracles Your words make a fair ending, and to them, my son, quickly add the gracious deed itself, so that you may place me on the pyre before any pain returns to tear or sting me. Come, make haste and lift me! This, in truth, is rest from troubles, this is the end, the last end, of Heracles! 1255

Hyllus Nothing hinders the fulfillment of your wish, since your commandment strongly compels me, Father.

Current edition Experimental

οἴμοι. τὸ μὲν νοσοῦντι θυμοῦσθαι κακόν, 1230 τὸ τῶι τὸ δ᾽ ὧδ᾽ ὁρᾶν φρονοῦντα τίς ποτ᾽ ἂν φέροι;

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΗΡ. ὡς ἐργασείων οὐδὲν οὐδὲν οὐδὲν οὐδὲν ὧν λέγω θροεῖς.

ΗΡ. ἀνὴρ ανὴρ ἀνὴρ ὅδ᾽ ὡς ἔοικεν οὐ νέμειν ἐμοὶ φθίνοντι μοῖραν· ἀλλά τοι θεῶν ἀρὰ μενεῖ σ᾽ ἀπιστήσαντα ἀπιστήσαντι ἀπιστήσαντα τοῖς ἐμοῖς λόγοις. 1240

ΥΛ. οἴμοι ὤμοι οἴμοι, τάχ᾽, ὡς ὥσ ἔοικας, ὡς νοσεῖς φράσεις.

ΗΡ. σὺ γάρ μ᾽ ἀπ᾿ εὐνασθέντος ἀπευνασθέντος ἐκκινεῖς κακοῦ.

ΥΛ. δείλαιος, ὡς ἐς πολλὰ τἀπορεῖν ἔχω.

ΗΡ. οὐ γὰρ δικαιοῖς τοῦ φυτεύσαντος κλύειν κλύειν.

ΥΛ. ἀλλ᾽ ἐκδιδαχθῶ δῆτα δυσσεβεῖν, πάτερ; 1245

ΗΡ. οὐ δυσσέβεια δυσέβεια δυσσέβεια, τοὐμὸν εἰ τέρψεις κέαρ.

ΤΡΑΧΙΝΙΑΙ.

ΥΛ. πράσσειν ἄνωγας οὖν με πανδίκως τάδε;

ΗΡ. ἔγωγε· τούτων μάρτυρας καλῶ θεούς.

ΥΛ. τοιγὰρ ποιήσω, κοὐκ ἀπώσομαι, τὸ σὸν θεοῖσι δεικνὺς δεικνὺς ἔργον. οὐ γὰρ ἄν ποτε 1250 κακὸς φανείην σοί γε πιστεύσας, πάτερ.

ΥΛ. ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲν εἰργει σοὶ τελειοῦσθαι τελειοῦσσθαι τάδε, ἐπεὶ κελεύεις κἀξαναγκάζεις, πάτερ.

ΣΟΦΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ

ΗΡ.

Ὕλλος οἴμοι· τὸ μὲν νοσοῦντι θυμοῦσθαι κακόν, 1230 τὸ δʼ ὧδʼ ὁρᾶν φρονοῦντα τίς ποτʼ ἂν φέροι;

Ἡρακλῆς ὡς ἐργασείων οὐδὲν ὧν λέγω θροεῖς.

Ἡρακλῆς ἁνὴρ ὅδʼ, ὡς ἔοικεν, οὐ νεμεῖν ἐμοὶ φθίνοντι μοῖραν· ἀλλά τοι θεῶν ἀρὰ μενεῖ σʼ ἀπιστήσαντα τοῖς ἐμοῖς λόγοις. 1240

Ὕλλος ὤμοι, τάχʼ, ὡς ἔοικας, ὡς νοσεῖς φράσεις.

Ἡρακλῆς σὺ γάρ μʼ ἀπʼ εὐνασθέντος ἐκκινεῖς κακοῦ.

Ὕλλος δείλαιος, ὡς ἐς πολλὰ τἀπορεῖν ἔχω.

Ἡρακλῆς οὐ γὰρ δικαιοῖς τοῦ φυτεύσαντος κλύειν.

Ὕλλος ἀλλʼ ἐκδιδαχθῶ δῆτα δυσσεβεῖν, πάτερ; 1245

Ἡρακλῆς οὐ δυσσέβεια, τοὐμὸν εἰ τέρψεις κέαρ.

Ὕλλος πράσσειν ἄνωγας οὖν με πανδίκως τάδε;

Ἡρακλῆς ἔγωγε· τούτων μάρτυρας καλῶ θεούς.

Ὕλλος τοιγὰρ ποήσω κοὐκ ἀπώσομαι, τὸ σὸν θεοῖσι δεικνὺς ἔργον· οὐ γὰρ ἄν ποτε 1250 κακὸς φανείην σοί γε πιστεύσας, πάτερ.

Ὕλλος ἀλλʼ οὐδὲν εἴργει σοὶ τελειοῦσθαι τάδε, ἐπεὶ κελεύεις κἀξαναγκάζεις, πάτερ.

Of Iolè thou speak’st, or I mistake.

HYL Oh, anger is not right, when men are ill! But who could bear to see thee in this mind?

HER You murmur, as you meant to disobey.

HYL How can I do it, when my mother’s death And thy sad state sprang solely from this girl? Who, not possessed with furies, could choose this? Far better, father, for me too to die, Than to live still with my worst enemy.

HER This youth withdraws his reverence in my death. But, if thou yield’st not to thy father’s best, The curse from Heaven shall dog thy footsteps still.

HYL Ah! thou wilt tell me that thy pain is come.

HER Yea, for thou wak’st the torment that had slept.

HYL Ay me! how cross and doubtful is my way! 1245

HER Because you will reject your father’s word.

HYL Must I be taught impiety from thee?

HER It is not impious to content my heart.

HYL Then you require this with an absolute will?

HER And bid Heaven witness to my strong command.

HYL Then I will do it, for the act is thine. I will not cast it off. Obeying thee, My sire, the Gods will ne’er reprove my deed.

HER

Weh mir!

Hyllos. Den Kranken reizen, dünkt mir schlimm; doch bei Vernunft 1 Zu thun nach seinem Willen, wer ertrüge das? 1210

Herakles. Nichts, was ich sage, willst du thun, erklärst du mir?

Hyllos. Wer möchte sie, die meiner Mutter Tod allein, Die ganz allein verschuldet, daß dich solches traf, Wer solch ein Weib sich wählen, wenn kein böser Geist Ihn quält? Vater, besser ist auch mir der Tod, 1215 Als daß ich lebe, zugesellt dem schlimmsten Feind.

Herakles. Der Knabe will mir, scheint es, auch im Tode nicht Mein Recht gewähren. Aber, traun, der Götter Fluch Wird deiner warten, trozest du des Vaters Wort.

Hyllos. Bald zeigst du, scheint es, (wehe mir!) wie krank du bist. 1220

Herakles. Du weckst ja selbst mein Leiden, das entschlummert_war.

Hyllos. Weh! Zweifel, vielfach, treiben mich rathlos umher!

Herakles. Weil, auf den Vater hören, dir unwürdig scheint.

Hyllos. So soll ich üben, Vater, was ein Frevel ist?

Herakles. Kein Frevel ist es, wenn du mir das Herz erfreust. 1225

Hylos. Du heißest alles Ernstes denn mich also thun?

Herakles. Gewiß! Zu Zeugen rus' ich deß die Götter an.

Hyllos. Wohlan, so thu' ich's, weigr' es nicht: als deines mag Dies Werk den Göttern gelten! Denn ich werde nie Als schlecht erscheinen, Vater, folgt' ich deinem Wort. 1230

Herakles. Ganz schön geendigt! Füge nun in Eile noch Die Gunst hinzu, Kind: auf die Scheiter lege mich, Bevor die Zuckung oder Wuth mich neu befällt! Wohlan, erhebt euch, zögert nicht! Traun, dieses löst Allein von meinem Leide mich, des Todes Ziel. 1235

Hyllos. Doch nichts verhindert, daß wir thun nach deinem Wunsch, Da du's gebeutst, o Vater, und uns nöthigest.

Herakles.

Hyllus

Ah, me, it is wrong to be angry with a sick man, but who could bear to see him have thoughts like these?
1230

Heracles

Your words show no willingness to do as I say.

Hyllus

Who on earth would, when she alone is to blame for my mother’s death, and for your present condition besides?

Who would choose to do so, unless he were infected by avenging fiends? It would be better, Father, that I also die, rather than live united with those whom I most detest!
1235

Heracles

The man will render no due respect, it seems, to my dying prayer. No, be sure that the curse of the gods

will await you for disobeying my commands.
1240

Hyllus

Ah, you will soon show, it seems, how diseased you are!

Heracles

Yes, for you stir me from my slumbering plague.

Hyllus

I am miserable! I have no way out of so many dilemmas!

Heracles

Yes, since you think it wrong to obey your begetter.

Hyllus

But must I then learn to be unholy, Father?
1245

Heracles

It is not unholy, if you gladden my heart.

Hyllus

Do you, then, command me to do this as a clear duty?

Heracles

I do, and I call on the gods to bear me witness!

Hyllus

Then I will do it, and not refuse,

—calling upon the gods to witness your deed. I can never be condemned for obeying you, Father.
1250

Hyllus

Nothing hinders the fulfillment of your wish, since your commandment strongly compels me, Father.

οἴμοι. τὸ μὲν νοσοῦντι θυμοῦσθαι κακόν,
1230

τὸ τῶι τὸ δ᾽ ὧδ᾽ ὁρᾶν φρονοῦντα τίς ποτ᾽ ἂν φέροι;

ΗΡ.

ὡς ἐργασείων οὐδὲν οὐδὲν οὐδὲν οὐδὲν ὧν λέγω θροεῖς.

ΥΛ.

οἴμοι ὤμοι οἴμοι, τάχ᾽, ὡς ὥσ ἔοικας, ὡς νοσεῖς φράσεις.

ΗΡ.

σὺ γάρ μ᾽ ἀπ᾿ εὐνασθέντος ἀπευνασθέντος ἐκκινεῖς κακοῦ.

ΥΛ.

δείλαιος, ὡς ἐς πολλὰ τἀπορεῖν ἔχω.

ΗΡ.

οὐ γὰρ δικαιοῖς τοῦ φυτεύσαντος κλύειν κλύειν.

ΥΛ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἐκδιδαχθῶ δῆτα δυσσεβεῖν, πάτερ;
1245

ΗΡ.

οὐ δυσσέβεια δυσέβεια δυσσέβεια, τοὐμὸν εἰ τέρψεις κέαρ.

ΥΛ.

πράσσειν ἄνωγας οὖν με πανδίκως τάδε;

ΗΡ.

ἔγωγε· τούτων μάρτυρας καλῶ θεούς.

ΥΛ.

τοιγὰρ ποιήσω, κοὐκ ἀπώσομαι, τὸ σὸν

θεοῖσι δεικνὺς δεικνὺς ἔργον. οὐ γὰρ ἄν ποτε
1250

κακὸς φανείην σοί γε πιστεύσας, πάτερ.

ΥΛ.

ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲν εἰργει σοὶ τελειοῦσθαι τελειοῦσσθαι τάδε,

ἐπεὶ κελεύεις κἀξαναγκάζεις, πάτερ.

Ὕλλος

οἴμοι· τὸ μὲν νοσοῦντι θυμοῦσθαι κακόν,
1230

τὸ δʼ ὧδʼ ὁρᾶν φρονοῦντα τίς ποτʼ ἂν φέροι;

Ἡρακλῆς

ὡς ἐργασείων οὐδὲν ὧν λέγω θροεῖς.

Ἡρακλῆς

ἁνὴρ ὅδʼ, ὡς ἔοικεν, οὐ νεμεῖν ἐμοὶ

φθίνοντι μοῖραν· ἀλλά τοι θεῶν ἀρὰ

μενεῖ σʼ ἀπιστήσαντα τοῖς ἐμοῖς λόγοις.
1240

Ὕλλος

ὤμοι, τάχʼ, ὡς ἔοικας, ὡς νοσεῖς φράσεις.

Ἡρακλῆς

σὺ γάρ μʼ ἀπʼ εὐνασθέντος ἐκκινεῖς κακοῦ.

Ὕλλος

δείλαιος, ὡς ἐς πολλὰ τἀπορεῖν ἔχω.

Ἡρακλῆς

οὐ γὰρ δικαιοῖς τοῦ φυτεύσαντος κλύειν.

Ὕλλος

ἀλλʼ ἐκδιδαχθῶ δῆτα δυσσεβεῖν, πάτερ;
1245

Ἡρακλῆς

οὐ δυσσέβεια, τοὐμὸν εἰ τέρψεις κέαρ.

Ὕλλος

πράσσειν ἄνωγας οὖν με πανδίκως τάδε;

Ἡρακλῆς

ἔγωγε· τούτων μάρτυρας καλῶ θεούς.

Ὕλλος

τοιγὰρ ποήσω κοὐκ ἀπώσομαι, τὸ σὸν

θεοῖσι δεικνὺς ἔργον· οὐ γὰρ ἄν ποτε
1250

κακὸς φανείην σοί γε πιστεύσας, πάτερ.

Ὕλλος

ἀλλʼ οὐδὲν εἴργει σοὶ τελειοῦσθαι τάδε,

ἐπεὶ κελεύεις κἀξαναγκάζεις, πάτερ.

HYL

Oh, anger is not right, when men are ill!

But who could bear to see thee in this mind?

HER

You murmur, as you meant to disobey.

HYL

How can I do it, when my mother’s death

And thy sad state sprang solely from this girl?

Who, not possessed with furies, could choose this?

Far better, father, for me too to die,

Than to live still with my worst enemy.

HER

This youth withdraws his reverence in my death.

But, if thou yield’st not to thy father’s best,

The curse from Heaven shall dog thy footsteps still.

HYL

Ah! thou wilt tell me that thy pain is come.

HER

Yea, for thou wak’st the torment that had slept.

HYL

Ay me! how cross and doubtful is my way!
1245

HER

Because you will reject your father’s word.

HYL

Must I be taught impiety from thee?

HER

It is not impious to content my heart.

HYL

Then you require this with an absolute will?

HER

And bid Heaven witness to my strong command.

HYL

Then I will do it, for the act is thine.

I will not cast it off. Obeying thee,

My sire, the Gods will ne’er reprove my deed.

Hyllos.

Den Kranken reizen, dünkt mir schlimm; doch bei Vernunft¹

Zu thun nach seinem Willen, wer ertrüge das?
1210

Herakles.

Nichts, was ich sage, willst du thun, erklärst du mir?

Hyllos.

Wer möchte sie, die meiner Mutter Tod allein,

Die ganz allein verschuldet, daß dich solches traf,

Wer solch ein Weib sich wählen, wenn kein böser Geist

Ihn quält? Vater, besser ist auch mir der Tod,
1215

Als daß ich lebe, zugesellt dem schlimmsten Feind.

Herakles.

Der Knabe will mir, scheint es, auch im Tode nicht

Mein Recht gewähren. Aber, traun, der Götter Fluch

Wird deiner warten, trozest du des Vaters Wort.

Hyllos.

Bald zeigst du, scheint es, (wehe mir!) wie krank du bist.
1220

Herakles.

Du weckst ja selbst mein Leiden, das entschlummert_war.

Hyllos.

Weh! Zweifel, vielfach, treiben mich rathlos umher!

Herakles.

Weil, auf den Vater hören, dir unwürdig scheint.

Hyllos.

So soll ich üben, Vater, was ein Frevel ist?

Herakles.

Kein Frevel ist es, wenn du mir das Herz erfreust.
1225

Hylos.

Du heißest alles Ernstes denn mich also thun?

Herakles.

Gewiß! Zu Zeugen rus' ich deß die Götter an.

Hyllos.

Wohlan, so thu' ich's, weigr' es nicht: als deines mag

Dies Werk den Göttern gelten! Denn ich werde nie

Als schlecht erscheinen, Vater, folgt' ich deinem Wort.
1230

Herakles.

Ganz schön geendigt! Füge nun in Eile noch

Die Gunst hinzu, Kind: auf die Scheiter lege mich,

Bevor die Zuckung oder Wuth mich neu befällt!

Wohlan, erhebt euch, zögert nicht! Traun, dieses löst

Allein von meinem Leide mich, des Todes Ziel.
1235

Hyllos.

Doch nichts verhindert, daß wir thun nach deinem Wunsch,

Da du's gebeutst, o Vater, und uns nöthigest.

\ciside\. Alas ! distempered as he is, to chide
1230

him
1230

Were most unkind ; and yet, what madness this !

Hercules

Thou wilt not do it then?

Hyllus

What ! marry her

Who slew my mother ! her, who hath brought thee

To this sad state ! It were an act of frenzy :
1235

Death be my portion rather than to live

With those I hate.

Hercules

\tuming to the Chorus]. He will not pay me

then

The duty which he owes a dying father !

But if thou dost not, curses from the gods

Await thee.
1240

Hyllus

Oh ! thou rav'st ; it is the rage

Of thy distemper makes thee talk so wildly.

Hercules

Thou hast awakened all my woes ; again

They torture now.

Hyllus

Alas ! what doubts arise,

What fears perplex me !

Hercules

Meanst thou to dispute

A father's will ?

Hyllus

Must I then learn of thee
1245

To do a wicked deed ?
1245

Hercules

It is not wicked

If I request it of thee.

Hyllus

Is it just?

Hercules

It is ; the gods are witnesses 'tis just.

Hyllus

Then by those gods I swear I will perform

What thou commandst : I never can be deemed
1250

Or base, or impious, for obeying thee.