Sophocles, Trachiniae, Richard Jebb (Translator), 723

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Chorus

Fear is necessary when terrible deeds are done, but one should not judge one’s expectations before the outcome is known.

Deianeira

There is no room for expectation when one’s plans are bad, at least the kind of expectation which lends confidence.
725

Chorus

And yet in the case of those whose mistakes were unwitting, men’s anger is softened. So it should be for you.

Deianeira

No, such words are not for one who took part in the wrongdoing,

but only for him who has no trouble at his own door.
730

Chorus

It would suit you to refrain from saying anything more, unless you would reveal anything to your own son. For he is here, the one who earlier went to seek his father.

Hyllus

O Mother, how I wish I could choose one of three fates for you!

I wish that you no longer lived, or, if you remained, that someone else called you “Mother”, or that some new and kinder heart had been exchanged for your present one!
735

Deianeira

My son, what have I done to cause your hate?

Hyllus

Listen to me! You have killed

your husband, my father—my father!
740

Deianeira

oh, no! What is this you have blurted out, Hyllus?

Hyllus

Only what cannot but be fulfilled. For who could undo what has happened?

Deianeira

What do you mean, son? From whom did you hear this

that you charge me with a crime so awful?
745

Hyllus

I have seen my father’s overwhelming misfortune with my own eyes. I did not learn of it by hearsay.

Deianeira

Where did you find him? Where were you with him?

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)) — 723 focus

ταρβεῖν μὲν ἔργα δείν δεῖν δείν' ἀναγκαίως ἔχει,

τὴν δ᾽ ἐλπίδ᾽ οὐ χρὴ τῆς τύχης κρίνειν πάρος.

ΔΗ.

οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τοῖς μὴ καλοῖς βουλεύμασιν
725

οὐδ᾽ ἐλπίς, ἥτις καὶ θράσος τι προξενεῖ.

ΧΟ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἀμφὶ τοῖς σφαλεῖσι μὴ ἐξ ἑκουσίας

ὀργὴ πέπειρα, τῆς σε τυγχάνειν πρέπει.

ΔΗ.

τοιαῦτα δ᾽ ἂν λέξειεν οὐχ ὁ τοῦ κακοῦ

κοινωνός, ἀλλ᾽ ᾧ μηδέν ἐστ᾽ ἐστιν ἐστ' *οἴκοι οἴκοις βαρύ.
730

ΧΟ.

σιγᾶν ἂν ἁρμόζοι σε τὸν πλείω λόγον χρόνον λόγον,

εἰ μή τι λέξεις παιδὶ τῷ σαυτῆς σ'αυτῆσ· ἐπεὶ

πάρεστι, μαστὴρ om. πατρὸς ὃς πρὶν ᾤχετο.

ΥΛΛΟΣ.

ὦ μῆτερ, ὡς ἂν ἐκ τριῶν σ᾽ ἓν εἰλόμην,

ἢ μηκέτ᾽ εἶναι ζῶσαν, ἢ σεσωσμένην
735

ἄλλου ἄλλου κεκλῆσθαι μητέρ' μητέρα σ' μητέρ', ἢ λῴους φρένας

τῶν νῦν παρουσῶν τῶνδ᾽ ἀμείψασθαί ποθεν.

ΔΗ.

τί δ᾽ ἐστίν, ὦ παῖ, πρός γ'᾽ ἐμοῦ στυγούμενον ;

ΥΛ.

τὸν ἄνδρα τὸν σὸν ἴσθι, τὸν δ᾽ ἐμὸν λέγω

πατέρα, κατακτείνασα τῇδ᾽ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ.
740

ΔΗ.

οἴμοι, τίν ἐξήνεγκας, ὦ τέκνον, λόγον ;

ΥΛ.

ὃν οὐχ οἷόν τε μὴ τελεσθῆναι· τὸ γὰρ

φανθὲν τίς ἂν δύναιτ' ἂν om. ἀγένητον ἀγέννητον ποιεῖν ποεῖν ποιεῖν?

ΔΗ.

πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ; τοῦ παρ᾿ ἀνθρώπων μαθὼν

ἄζηλον οὕτως ἔργον εἰργάσθαι με φής φῇς?
745

ΥΛ.

αὐτὸς βαρεῖαν ξυμφορὰν ἐν ὄμμασιν

πατρὸς δεδορκὼς κοὐ καὶ κατὰ γλῶσσαν κλύων.

ΔΗ.

ποῦ δ᾽ ἐμπελάζεις ει from ηι ἐμπελάζεις τἀνδρὶ καὶ παρίστασαι;

ΥΛ.

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 723 focus

Χορός

ταρβεῖν μὲν ἔργα δείνʼ ἀναγκαίως ἔχει,

τὴν δʼ ἐλπίδʼ οὐ χρὴ τῆς τύχης κρίνειν πάρος.

Δηιάνειρα

οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τοῖς μὴ καλοῖς βουλεύμασιν
725

οὐδʼ ἐλπίς, ἥτις καὶ θράσος τι προξενεῖ.

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ἀμφὶ τοῖς σφαλεῖσι μὴ ʼξ ἑκουσίας

ὀργὴ πέπειρα, τῆς σε τυγχάνειν πρέπει.

Δηιάνειρα

τοιαῦτα δʼ ἂν λέξειεν οὐχ ὁ τοῦ κακοῦ

κοινωνός, ἀλλʼ ᾧ μηδέν ἐστʼ οἴκοι βαρύ.
730

Χορός

σιγᾶν ἂν ἁρμόζοι σε τὸν πλείω λόγον,

εἰ μή τι λέξεις παιδὶ τῷ σαυτῆς· ἐπεὶ

πάρεστι, μαστὴρ πατρὸς ὃς πρὶν ᾤχετο.

Ὕλλος

ὦ μῆτερ, ὡς ἂν ἐκ τριῶν σʼ ἓν εἱλόμην,

ἢ μηκέτʼ εἶναι ζῶσαν, ἢ σεσωσμένην
735

ἄλλου κεκλῆσθαι μητέρʼ, ἢ λῴους φρένας

τῶν νῦν παρουσῶν τῶνδʼ ἀμείψασθαί ποθεν.

Δηιάνειρα

τί δʼ ἐστίν, ὦ παῖ, πρός γʼ ἐμοῦ στυγούμενον;

Ὕλλος

τὸν ἄνδρα τὸν σὸν ἴσθι, τὸν δʼ ἐμὸν λέγω

πατέρα, κατακτείνασα τῇδʼ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ.
740

Δηιάνειρα

οἴμοι, τινʼ ἐξήνεγκας, ὦ τέκνον, λόγον;

Ὕλλος

ὃν οὐχ οἷόν τε μὴ οὐ τελεσθῆναι· τὸ γὰρ

φανθὲν τίς ἂν δύναιτʼ ἂν ἀγένητον ποεῖν;

Δηιάνειρα

πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ; τοῦ παρʼ ἀνθρώπων μαθὼν

ἄζηλον οὕτως ἔργον εἰργάσθαι με φής;
745

Ὕλλος

αὐτὸς βαρεῖαν ξυμφορὰν ἐν ὄμμασιν

πατρὸς δεδορκὼς κοὐ κατὰ γλῶσσαν κλύων.

Δηιάνειρα

ποῦ δʼ ἐμπελάζεις τἀνδρὶ καὶ παρίστασαι;

Translations (4)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 723 focus

Horrid mischance must needs occasion fear.

But Hope is not condemned before the event.

DÊ

In ill-advised proceeding not even Hope
725

Remains to minister a cheerful mind.

CH

Yet to have erred unwittingly abates

The fire of wrath; and thou art in this case.

DÊ

So speaks not he who hath a share of sin,

But who is clear of all offence at home.
730

CH

’Twere well to say no more, unless thou hast aught

To impart to thine own son: for he is here,

Who went erewhile to find his father forth.

HYLLUS
HYLLUS (re-entering).

O mother, mother! I would to heaven one of three things were true:

Either that thou wert dead, or, living, wert

No mother to me, or hadst gained a mind
735

Furnished with better thoughts than thou hast now!
735

DÊ

My son! what canst thou so mislike in me?

HYL

I tell thee thou this day hast been the death

Of him that was thy husband and my sire.
740

DÊ

What word hath passed thy lips? my child, my child!

HYL

A word that must be verified. For who

Can make the accomplished fact as things undone?

DÊ

Alas, my son! what saidst thou? Who hath told

That I have wrought a deed so full of woe?
745

HYL

’Twas I myself that saw with these mine eyes

My father’s heavy state:—no hearsay word.

DÊ

And where didst thou come near him and stand by?

HYL

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 723 focus

Wohl unvermeidlich wohnt die Furcht bei schwerer That;

Doch richt' Erwartung vor der That Erfolge nicht.

Deianeira.

Es wohnt in ungerechten Unternehmungen

Auch nicht Erwartung, die Vertrau'n und Muth gewährt.
715

Der Chor.

Wohl aber straft den ohne Vorsaz Fehlenden

Gelindes Zürnen; also ziemt es dir von ihm.

Deianeira.

Nicht also sagt wohl Einer, den die Noth bedrängt;

So sprechen die nur, welche Nichts daheim betrübt.

Der Chor.

Dir ziemte wohl zu hemmen jedes weitre Wort,
720

Wenn du dem eignen Sohne Nichts verrathen willst;

Der jüngst den Vater suchen ging, er ist zurück.

Hyllos. Die Vorigen.

Hyllos.

Mutter, Eines wünscht' ich wohl aus Dreien mir:

O daß du todt wärst, oder daß ein Anderer

Dich Mutter nennte, oder daß dir bessern Sinn
725

Eingäb' ein Gott, als diesen, der dich jezt beseelt!

Deianeira.

Was that ich, Sohn, das solches Hasses würdig war?

Hyllos.

So wisse, deinen Gatten, der mein Vater hieß,

Ihu hast du hingemordet heut an diesem Tag.

Deianeira.

Weh! Welches Wort kam über deine Lippen, Sohn?
730

Hyllos.

Das nimmer ungeschehen wird; denn wer vermag

Das ungescheh'n zu machen, was vollendet ist?

Deianeira.

Wie sagst du? Welchem Menschen sprichst du's nach, o Kind,

Ich hätte solch unselig grause That verübt?

Hyllos.

Ich sah's mit eignen Augen an, das schwere Leid
735

Des Vaters, nicht aus fremdem Munde hört' ich es.

Deianeira.

Wo kamst du deinem Vater nah' und warst um ihn?

Hylos.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 723 focus

'Tis fit we tremble at a deed of horror ;

But 'tis not fitting, ere we know th' event,

To give up hope, and yield us to despair.

Deianira

There is no hope where evil counsel 's ta'en.

Chorus

But when we err from ignorance alone,

Small is the crime and slight tjie punishment ;

Such is thy fault.

Deianira

The guiltless may talk thus,

Who know no ill ; not those who are unhappy.
730

Chorus

No more ; unless thou meanst thy son should

hear thee,

Who now returns in search of thy Alcides ;

Behold him here.

Hyllus
Scene IT.

Deianira, Chorus.

Hyllus

Oh ! would that thou wert dead !

Would I were not thy son ! or, being so,

Would I could change thy wicked heart !
740

Deianira

My son,

What means this passion?

Hyllus

Thou hast slain thy husband ;

This very day my father hast thou slain.

Deianira

Alas I luy eliild, wliat sayst tlioii

And therefore must be ; who can e'er undo

The deed tliat's done ?

Deianira
\V1lMt W

But who could say I did it \

Hyllus

1 saw it with these eyes ; 1 heaid it all

From his own lips.

Deianira

Where didst thou see him tlien ?

Tell me, oh ! quickly tell me.

Hyllus

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 723 focus

Horror at dreadful deeds must seize the soul;

But ere th' event hope should not be renounced.

Deianira

But in designs, which honour does not own,
725

There is no hope that harbours confidence.

Chorus

To those who err in judgment, not in will,

Anger is gentle: Lady, such be thine.

Deianira

The stranger to affliction thus may speak;

But not the wretch who shares the dreadful ill.
730

Chorus

The time now calls for silence; on this theme

Unless thou wou'dst hold converse with thy son,

Who went to seek his father; he is here.

Hyllus
HYLLUS, DEIANIRA, CHORUS.

My mother, oh that thou wert now no more;

Or, if alive, that to some other son

Thou wert a mother; or to holier thoughts
735

The present temper of thy mind were changed.
735

Deianira

What have I done that merits this rebuke?

Hyllus

Know then the dire event: this fatal day

Thy husband and my father thou hast slain.

DEIA: Ah wretched me ! What hast thou said, my son?
740

Hyllus

What cannot be recall'd: the deed once done,

Where is the pow'r can render it not done?

Deianira

What may this mean, my son? By whom inform'd

Say'st thou that I have done this hateful deed?
745

Hyllus

I saw my father's suff'rings, with these eyes

I saw them, nor by others was inform'd.

Deianira

Where didst thou see him? where attend him? say.

Hyllus

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-378-1 ἔργα δείν’ ¹

mvp-comment-378-2 ἐλπίδ’ ²

mvp-comment-379-1 τοῖς μὴ καλοῖς β. ³ προξενεῖ ⁴

mvp-comment-380-1 ἀμφὶ ⁵

mvp-comment-380-2 μὴ )ξ ἑκουσίας ⁶

mvp-comment-380-3 πέπειρα ⁷

mvp-comment-381-1 τοιαῦτα δ’ ⁸

mvp-comment-381-2 οἴκοι ⁹

mvp-comment-382-1 ἂν ἁρμόζοι ¹⁰

mvp-comment-382-2 τὸν πλείω λόγον ¹¹ λέξεις ¹²

mvp-comment-382-3 μαστὴρ πατρὸς ¹³

mvp-comment-383-1 ἂν … εἱλόμην ¹⁴

mvp-comment-383-2 σε ¹⁵ ἓν ¹⁶ σε ἢ μηκέτ’ εἶναι ¹⁷ σε ¹⁸

mvp-comment-383-3 ἐκ τριῶν ἓν ¹⁹

mvp-comment-383-4 κεκλῆσθαι ²⁰

mvp-comment-384-1 τί δ’ ἔστιν … πρός γ’ ἐμοῦ στυγού‐ ²¹ μενον ²² πρός γ’ ἐμοῦ ²³

mvp-comment-385-1 τὸν δ’ ἐμὸν ²⁴ δέ ²⁵ λέγω ²⁶ λέγω ²⁷

mvp-comment-386-1 ἐξήνεγκας ²⁸

mvp-comment-387-1 δν οὐχ ο<*>όν τε ²⁹ μὴ οὐ ³⁰ μὴ ³¹

mvp-comment-387-2 τὸ … φανθὲν ³² τὸ γὰρ ³³

mvp-comment-387-3 τίς ἂν δύναιτ’ ἂν ³⁴

mvp-comment-387-4 ἀγένητον ³⁵

mvp-comment-387-5 744 f. For ἀνθρώπων ³⁶

mvp-comment-387-6 ἄζηλον ³⁷

mvp-comment-388-1 ἐν ὄμμασιν ³⁸

mvp-comment-388-2 κατὰ γλῶσσαν ³⁹

mvp-comment-389-1 ἐμπελάζεις … καὶ παρίστασαι ⁴⁰

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

723. mvp-comment-538-1 ἔργα δεινά] (1) ‘A terrible fact,' such as the portent of the crumbling piece of wool. Or (2) 'Actions which are fearful,' as the sending of the robe now proves to have been.

724. mvp-comment-539-1 τὴν δ᾽ ἐλπίδ᾽ οὐ χρὴ .. κρίνειν] This has been explained in two different ways: (1) 'One ought not to judge of a hope,' and (2) One ought not to decide one's judgment of the future.' The first suits the context best. The 'hope' is that with which Deianira had sent the robe (cp. supr. l. 667), and the Chorus urge that it is too soon to condemn that hope as having been ill-founded.

726. mvp-comment-540-1 ἥ τις .. προξενεῖ] Mr. Blaydes unnecessarily questions the indicative here. It makes the reference to the actual circumstances more pointed.

727. mvp-comment-541-1 ἐξ ἑκουσίας] For this adverbial expression, cp. supr. l. 395.

728. mvp-comment-542-1 Cp. Thuc. 3. 40, ξύγγνωμον δ' ἐστὶ τὸ ἀκούσιον, πέπειρα is (a) predicative, (b) attributive, as part of the antecedent of τῆς.

729-730. mvp-comment-543-1 i. e. That is for you to say, who have no share in the crime, but not for me, who have committed it.' *οἴκοι] At home,' i. e. within the sphere of his own life. The MS. reading οἴκοις is indefensible. For the figure, cp. O. T. 1390, τὴν φροντίδ᾽ ἔξω τῶν κακῶν οἰκεῖν γλυκύ.

731-733. mvp-comment-544-1 These quiet words precede the climax of horror. Cp. O. T. 1110, and note. ἁρμόζοι, sc. τῷ καιρῷ, i.e. καιρὸς εἴη. τὸν πλείω λόγον] 'Anything more which you have to say.' Cp. Eur. Med. 609, ὡς οὐ κρινοῦμαι τώνδέ σοι τὰ πλείονα.

732. mvp-comment-545-1 εἰ μή τι λέξεις] · Unless you mean to speak.'

733. mvp-comment-546-1 μαστὴρ . . ᾤχετο] Cp. O. C. 35, σκοπὸς προσήκεις: ib. 70, πομπὸς μόλοι.

734. mvp-comment-547-1 The pronominal phrase, ἐκ τριῶν ἓν, takes the place of an infinitive, of which σε is the subject. Cp. similar constructions with δυοῖν θάτερον, οὐδὲν ἄλλο ἤ, τί ἄλλο ἤ, and the like expressions.

738. mvp-comment-548-1 τί.. στυγούμενον] These words have been needlessly suspected. The abstract use of the neuter participle is more easily explained in the passive than in the active voice (e.g. τὸ .. ποθοῦν, supra 196). 'What cause of dislike is there that proceeds from me?' i.e. 'What cause have I given for your abhorrence?' See E. on L. § 31. p. 54.

739-740. mvp-comment-549-1 τὸν δ᾽ ἐμὸν λέγω | πατέρα] Hyllus corrects himself, as if he had admitted too much in speaking of his father as Deianira's husband. Thy husband? no, I mean my father.' Cp. infr. 807. τῇδ᾽ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ] This shows that the action is imagined as lasting only for a day. Cp. supr. 660, πανάμερος, and note.

741. mvp-comment-550-1 τίν᾿ ἐξήνεγκας.. λόγον] ‘What hast thou uttered?" Deianira, stunned by her anguish, falters this out half-consciously. τίνα is nearly = οἷον. Cp. Εl. 388, τίν', ὦ τάλαινα, τόνδ᾽ ἐπηράσω λόγον ; ἐξήνεγκας] ἐκφέρειν is literally to produce that which one has in possession.

742-743. mvp-comment-551-1 τὸ.. φανθέν] 'That which has come into existence,' superasque evasit in auras.

743. mvp-comment-552-1 τίς ἂν δύναιτ' ἄν] For a similar reduplication of av in an emphatic passage, cp. O. T. 339, 40, τίς γὰρ τοιαῦτ᾽ ἂν οὐκ ἂν ὀργίζοιτ᾽ ἔπη | κλύων; Suidas (s. v. rr.) has preserved the true reading, for ἀγέννητον is unsuitable here.

745. mvp-comment-553-1 ἄζηλον = ἀνόλβιον. So horrible a deed.' Cp. Εl. 1455, ἄζηλος θέα.

746-747. mvp-comment-554-1 αὐτὸς .. πατρός] Nauck's inversion of these words injures the effect. αὐτός is made much stronger by being separated from δεδορκώς and put first in the sentence.

748. mvp-comment-555-1 ἐμπελάζεις .. παρίστασαι] Historical present. τἀνδρί is pronominal = 'to him.' These words are said in a subdued tone. Though heart-broken, she still wishes to hear more of Heracles.

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Chorus Fear is necessary when terrible deeds are done, but one should not judge one’s expectations before the outcome is known.

Deianeira There is no room for expectation when one’s plans are bad, at least the kind of expectation which lends confidence. 725

Chorus And yet in the case of those whose mistakes were unwitting, men’s anger is softened. So it should be for you.

Deianeira No, such words are not for one who took part in the wrongdoing, but only for him who has no trouble at his own door. 730

Chorus It would suit you to refrain from saying anything more, unless you would reveal anything to your own son. For he is here, the one who earlier went to seek his father.

Hyllus O Mother, how I wish I could choose one of three fates for you! I wish that you no longer lived, or, if you remained, that someone else called you “Mother”, or that some new and kinder heart had been exchanged for your present one! 735

Deianeira My son, what have I done to cause your hate?

Hyllus Listen to me! You have killed your husband, my father—my father! 740

Deianeira oh, no! What is this you have blurted out, Hyllus?

Hyllus Only what cannot but be fulfilled. For who could undo what has happened?

Deianeira What do you mean, son? From whom did you hear this that you charge me with a crime so awful? 745

Hyllus I have seen my father’s overwhelming misfortune with my own eyes. I did not learn of it by hearsay.

Deianeira Where did you find him? Where were you with him?

Current edition Experimental

ταρβεῖν μὲν ἔργα δείν δεῖν δείν' ἀναγκαίως ἔχει, τὴν δ᾽ ἐλπίδ᾽ οὐ χρὴ τῆς τύχης κρίνειν πάρος.

ΔΗ. οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τοῖς μὴ καλοῖς βουλεύμασιν 725 οὐδ᾽ ἐλπίς, ἥτις καὶ θράσος τι προξενεῖ.

ΧΟ. ἀλλ᾽ ἀμφὶ τοῖς σφαλεῖσι μὴ ἐξ ἑκουσίας ὀργὴ πέπειρα, τῆς σε τυγχάνειν πρέπει.

ΔΗ. τοιαῦτα δ᾽ ἂν λέξειεν οὐχ ὁ τοῦ κακοῦ κοινωνός, ἀλλ᾽ ᾧ μηδέν ἐστ᾽ ἐστιν ἐστ' *οἴκοι οἴκοις βαρύ. 730

ΧΟ. σιγᾶν ἂν ἁρμόζοι σε τὸν πλείω λόγον χρόνον λόγον, εἰ μή τι λέξεις παιδὶ τῷ σαυτῆς σ'αυτῆσ· ἐπεὶ πάρεστι, μαστὴρ om. πατρὸς ὃς πρὶν ᾤχετο.

ΥΛΛΟΣ. ὦ μῆτερ, ὡς ἂν ἐκ τριῶν σ᾽ ἓν εἰλόμην, ἢ μηκέτ᾽ εἶναι ζῶσαν, ἢ σεσωσμένην 735

ἄλλου ἄλλου κεκλῆσθαι μητέρ' μητέρα σ' μητέρ', ἢ λῴους φρένας τῶν νῦν παρουσῶν τῶνδ᾽ ἀμείψασθαί ποθεν.

ΔΗ. τί δ᾽ ἐστίν, ὦ παῖ, πρός γ'᾽ ἐμοῦ στυγούμενον ;

ΥΛ. τὸν ἄνδρα τὸν σὸν ἴσθι, τὸν δ᾽ ἐμὸν λέγω πατέρα, κατακτείνασα τῇδ᾽ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ. 740

ΔΗ. οἴμοι, τίν ἐξήνεγκας, ὦ τέκνον, λόγον ;

ΥΛ. ὃν οὐχ οἷόν τε μὴ τελεσθῆναι· τὸ γὰρ φανθὲν τίς ἂν δύναιτ' ἂν om. ἀγένητον ἀγέννητον ποιεῖν ποεῖν ποιεῖν?

ΔΗ. πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ; τοῦ παρ᾿ ἀνθρώπων μαθὼν ἄζηλον οὕτως ἔργον εἰργάσθαι με φής φῇς? 745

ΥΛ. αὐτὸς βαρεῖαν ξυμφορὰν ἐν ὄμμασιν πατρὸς δεδορκὼς κοὐ καὶ κατὰ γλῶσσαν κλύων.

ΔΗ. ποῦ δ᾽ ἐμπελάζεις ει from ηι ἐμπελάζεις τἀνδρὶ καὶ παρίστασαι;

ΥΛ.

Χορός ταρβεῖν μὲν ἔργα δείνʼ ἀναγκαίως ἔχει, τὴν δʼ ἐλπίδʼ οὐ χρὴ τῆς τύχης κρίνειν πάρος.

Δηιάνειρα οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τοῖς μὴ καλοῖς βουλεύμασιν 725 οὐδʼ ἐλπίς, ἥτις καὶ θράσος τι προξενεῖ.

Χορός ἀλλʼ ἀμφὶ τοῖς σφαλεῖσι μὴ ʼξ ἑκουσίας ὀργὴ πέπειρα, τῆς σε τυγχάνειν πρέπει.

Δηιάνειρα τοιαῦτα δʼ ἂν λέξειεν οὐχ ὁ τοῦ κακοῦ κοινωνός, ἀλλʼ ᾧ μηδέν ἐστʼ οἴκοι βαρύ. 730

Χορός σιγᾶν ἂν ἁρμόζοι σε τὸν πλείω λόγον, εἰ μή τι λέξεις παιδὶ τῷ σαυτῆς· ἐπεὶ πάρεστι, μαστὴρ πατρὸς ὃς πρὶν ᾤχετο.

Δηιάνειρα τί δʼ ἐστίν, ὦ παῖ, πρός γʼ ἐμοῦ στυγούμενον;

Ὕλλος τὸν ἄνδρα τὸν σὸν ἴσθι, τὸν δʼ ἐμὸν λέγω πατέρα, κατακτείνασα τῇδʼ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ. 740

Δηιάνειρα οἴμοι, τινʼ ἐξήνεγκας, ὦ τέκνον, λόγον;

Ὕλλος ὃν οὐχ οἷόν τε μὴ οὐ τελεσθῆναι· τὸ γὰρ φανθὲν τίς ἂν δύναιτʼ ἂν ἀγένητον ποεῖν;

Δηιάνειρα πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ; τοῦ παρʼ ἀνθρώπων μαθὼν ἄζηλον οὕτως ἔργον εἰργάσθαι με φής; 745

Ὕλλος αὐτὸς βαρεῖαν ξυμφορὰν ἐν ὄμμασιν πατρὸς δεδορκὼς κοὐ κατὰ γλῶσσαν κλύων.

Δηιάνειρα ποῦ δʼ ἐμπελάζεις τἀνδρὶ καὶ παρίστασαι;

Horrid mischance must needs occasion fear. But Hope is not condemned before the event.

DÊ In ill-advised proceeding not even Hope 725 Remains to minister a cheerful mind.

CH Yet to have erred unwittingly abates The fire of wrath; and thou art in this case.

DÊ So speaks not he who hath a share of sin, But who is clear of all offence at home. 730

CH ’Twere well to say no more, unless thou hast aught To impart to thine own son: for he is here, Who went erewhile to find his father forth.

HYLLUS HYLLUS (re-entering). O mother, mother! I would to heaven one of three things were true: Either that thou wert dead, or, living, wert No mother to me, or hadst gained a mind 735 Furnished with better thoughts than thou hast now! 735

DÊ My son! what canst thou so mislike in me?

HYL I tell thee thou this day hast been the death Of him that was thy husband and my sire. 740

DÊ What word hath passed thy lips? my child, my child!

HYL A word that must be verified. For who Can make the accomplished fact as things undone?

DÊ Alas, my son! what saidst thou? Who hath told That I have wrought a deed so full of woe? 745

HYL ’Twas I myself that saw with these mine eyes My father’s heavy state:—no hearsay word.

DÊ And where didst thou come near him and stand by?

HYL

Wohl unvermeidlich wohnt die Furcht bei schwerer That; Doch richt' Erwartung vor der That Erfolge nicht.

Deianeira. Es wohnt in ungerechten Unternehmungen Auch nicht Erwartung, die Vertrau'n und Muth gewährt. 715

Der Chor. Wohl aber straft den ohne Vorsaz Fehlenden Gelindes Zürnen; also ziemt es dir von ihm.

Deianeira. Nicht also sagt wohl Einer, den die Noth bedrängt; So sprechen die nur, welche Nichts daheim betrübt.

Der Chor. Dir ziemte wohl zu hemmen jedes weitre Wort, 720 Wenn du dem eignen Sohne Nichts verrathen willst; Der jüngst den Vater suchen ging, er ist zurück. Hyllos. Die Vorigen.

Hyllos. Mutter, Eines wünscht' ich wohl aus Dreien mir: O daß du todt wärst, oder daß ein Anderer Dich Mutter nennte, oder daß dir bessern Sinn 725 Eingäb' ein Gott, als diesen, der dich jezt beseelt!

Deianeira. Was that ich, Sohn, das solches Hasses würdig war?

Hyllos. So wisse, deinen Gatten, der mein Vater hieß, Ihu hast du hingemordet heut an diesem Tag.

Deianeira. Weh! Welches Wort kam über deine Lippen, Sohn? 730

Hyllos. Das nimmer ungeschehen wird; denn wer vermag Das ungescheh'n zu machen, was vollendet ist?

Deianeira. Wie sagst du? Welchem Menschen sprichst du's nach, o Kind, Ich hätte solch unselig grause That verübt?

Hyllos. Ich sah's mit eignen Augen an, das schwere Leid 735 Des Vaters, nicht aus fremdem Munde hört' ich es.

Deianeira. Wo kamst du deinem Vater nah' und warst um ihn?

Hylos.

'Tis fit we tremble at a deed of horror ; But 'tis not fitting, ere we know th' event, To give up hope, and yield us to despair.

Deianira There is no hope where evil counsel 's ta'en.

Chorus But when we err from ignorance alone, Small is the crime and slight tjie punishment ; Such is thy fault.

Deianira The guiltless may talk thus, Who know no ill ; not those who are unhappy. 730

Chorus No more ; unless thou meanst thy son should hear thee, Who now returns in search of thy Alcides ; Behold him here.

Hyllus Scene IT. Deianira, Chorus.

Hyllus Oh ! would that thou wert dead ! Would I were not thy son ! or, being so, Would I could change thy wicked heart ! 740

Deianira My son, What means this passion?

Hyllus Thou hast slain thy husband ; This very day my father hast thou slain.

Chorus

Fear is necessary when terrible deeds are done, but one should not judge one’s expectations before the outcome is known.

Deianeira

There is no room for expectation when one’s plans are bad, at least the kind of expectation which lends confidence.
725

Chorus

And yet in the case of those whose mistakes were unwitting, men’s anger is softened. So it should be for you.

Deianeira

No, such words are not for one who took part in the wrongdoing,

but only for him who has no trouble at his own door.
730

Chorus

It would suit you to refrain from saying anything more, unless you would reveal anything to your own son. For he is here, the one who earlier went to seek his father.

Hyllus

O Mother, how I wish I could choose one of three fates for you!

I wish that you no longer lived, or, if you remained, that someone else called you “Mother”, or that some new and kinder heart had been exchanged for your present one!
735

Deianeira

My son, what have I done to cause your hate?

Hyllus

Listen to me! You have killed

your husband, my father—my father!
740

Deianeira

oh, no! What is this you have blurted out, Hyllus?

Hyllus

Only what cannot but be fulfilled. For who could undo what has happened?

Deianeira

What do you mean, son? From whom did you hear this

that you charge me with a crime so awful?
745

Hyllus

I have seen my father’s overwhelming misfortune with my own eyes. I did not learn of it by hearsay.

Deianeira

Where did you find him? Where were you with him?

ταρβεῖν μὲν ἔργα δείν δεῖν δείν' ἀναγκαίως ἔχει,

τὴν δ᾽ ἐλπίδ᾽ οὐ χρὴ τῆς τύχης κρίνειν πάρος.

ΔΗ.

οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τοῖς μὴ καλοῖς βουλεύμασιν
725

οὐδ᾽ ἐλπίς, ἥτις καὶ θράσος τι προξενεῖ.

ΧΟ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἀμφὶ τοῖς σφαλεῖσι μὴ ἐξ ἑκουσίας

ὀργὴ πέπειρα, τῆς σε τυγχάνειν πρέπει.

ΔΗ.

τοιαῦτα δ᾽ ἂν λέξειεν οὐχ ὁ τοῦ κακοῦ

κοινωνός, ἀλλ᾽ ᾧ μηδέν ἐστ᾽ ἐστιν ἐστ' *οἴκοι οἴκοις βαρύ.
730

ΧΟ.

σιγᾶν ἂν ἁρμόζοι σε τὸν πλείω λόγον χρόνον λόγον,

εἰ μή τι λέξεις παιδὶ τῷ σαυτῆς σ'αυτῆσ· ἐπεὶ

πάρεστι, μαστὴρ om. πατρὸς ὃς πρὶν ᾤχετο.

ΥΛΛΟΣ.

ὦ μῆτερ, ὡς ἂν ἐκ τριῶν σ᾽ ἓν εἰλόμην,

ἢ μηκέτ᾽ εἶναι ζῶσαν, ἢ σεσωσμένην
735

ἄλλου ἄλλου κεκλῆσθαι μητέρ' μητέρα σ' μητέρ', ἢ λῴους φρένας

τῶν νῦν παρουσῶν τῶνδ᾽ ἀμείψασθαί ποθεν.

ΔΗ.

τί δ᾽ ἐστίν, ὦ παῖ, πρός γ'᾽ ἐμοῦ στυγούμενον ;

ΥΛ.

τὸν ἄνδρα τὸν σὸν ἴσθι, τὸν δ᾽ ἐμὸν λέγω

πατέρα, κατακτείνασα τῇδ᾽ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ.
740

ΔΗ.

οἴμοι, τίν ἐξήνεγκας, ὦ τέκνον, λόγον ;

ΥΛ.

ὃν οὐχ οἷόν τε μὴ τελεσθῆναι· τὸ γὰρ

φανθὲν τίς ἂν δύναιτ' ἂν om. ἀγένητον ἀγέννητον ποιεῖν ποεῖν ποιεῖν?

ΔΗ.

πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ; τοῦ παρ᾿ ἀνθρώπων μαθὼν

ἄζηλον οὕτως ἔργον εἰργάσθαι με φής φῇς?
745

ΥΛ.

αὐτὸς βαρεῖαν ξυμφορὰν ἐν ὄμμασιν

πατρὸς δεδορκὼς κοὐ καὶ κατὰ γλῶσσαν κλύων.

ΔΗ.

ποῦ δ᾽ ἐμπελάζεις ει from ηι ἐμπελάζεις τἀνδρὶ καὶ παρίστασαι;

Χορός

ταρβεῖν μὲν ἔργα δείνʼ ἀναγκαίως ἔχει,

τὴν δʼ ἐλπίδʼ οὐ χρὴ τῆς τύχης κρίνειν πάρος.

Δηιάνειρα

οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τοῖς μὴ καλοῖς βουλεύμασιν
725

οὐδʼ ἐλπίς, ἥτις καὶ θράσος τι προξενεῖ.

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ἀμφὶ τοῖς σφαλεῖσι μὴ ʼξ ἑκουσίας

ὀργὴ πέπειρα, τῆς σε τυγχάνειν πρέπει.

Δηιάνειρα

τοιαῦτα δʼ ἂν λέξειεν οὐχ ὁ τοῦ κακοῦ

κοινωνός, ἀλλʼ ᾧ μηδέν ἐστʼ οἴκοι βαρύ.
730

Χορός

σιγᾶν ἂν ἁρμόζοι σε τὸν πλείω λόγον,

εἰ μή τι λέξεις παιδὶ τῷ σαυτῆς· ἐπεὶ

πάρεστι, μαστὴρ πατρὸς ὃς πρὶν ᾤχετο.

Δηιάνειρα

τί δʼ ἐστίν, ὦ παῖ, πρός γʼ ἐμοῦ στυγούμενον;

Ὕλλος

τὸν ἄνδρα τὸν σὸν ἴσθι, τὸν δʼ ἐμὸν λέγω

πατέρα, κατακτείνασα τῇδʼ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ.
740

Δηιάνειρα

οἴμοι, τινʼ ἐξήνεγκας, ὦ τέκνον, λόγον;

Ὕλλος

ὃν οὐχ οἷόν τε μὴ οὐ τελεσθῆναι· τὸ γὰρ

φανθὲν τίς ἂν δύναιτʼ ἂν ἀγένητον ποεῖν;

Δηιάνειρα

πῶς εἶπας, ὦ παῖ; τοῦ παρʼ ἀνθρώπων μαθὼν

ἄζηλον οὕτως ἔργον εἰργάσθαι με φής;
745

Ὕλλος

αὐτὸς βαρεῖαν ξυμφορὰν ἐν ὄμμασιν

πατρὸς δεδορκὼς κοὐ κατὰ γλῶσσαν κλύων.

Δηιάνειρα

ποῦ δʼ ἐμπελάζεις τἀνδρὶ καὶ παρίστασαι;

Horrid mischance must needs occasion fear.

But Hope is not condemned before the event.

DÊ

In ill-advised proceeding not even Hope
725

Remains to minister a cheerful mind.

CH

Yet to have erred unwittingly abates

The fire of wrath; and thou art in this case.

DÊ

So speaks not he who hath a share of sin,

But who is clear of all offence at home.
730

CH

’Twere well to say no more, unless thou hast aught

To impart to thine own son: for he is here,

Who went erewhile to find his father forth.

HYLLUS
HYLLUS (re-entering).

O mother, mother! I would to heaven one of three things were true:

Either that thou wert dead, or, living, wert

No mother to me, or hadst gained a mind
735

Furnished with better thoughts than thou hast now!
735

DÊ

My son! what canst thou so mislike in me?

HYL

I tell thee thou this day hast been the death

Of him that was thy husband and my sire.
740

DÊ

What word hath passed thy lips? my child, my child!

HYL

A word that must be verified. For who

Can make the accomplished fact as things undone?

DÊ

Alas, my son! what saidst thou? Who hath told

That I have wrought a deed so full of woe?
745

HYL

’Twas I myself that saw with these mine eyes

My father’s heavy state:—no hearsay word.

DÊ

And where didst thou come near him and stand by?

Wohl unvermeidlich wohnt die Furcht bei schwerer That;

Doch richt' Erwartung vor der That Erfolge nicht.

Deianeira.

Es wohnt in ungerechten Unternehmungen

Auch nicht Erwartung, die Vertrau'n und Muth gewährt.
715

Der Chor.

Wohl aber straft den ohne Vorsaz Fehlenden

Gelindes Zürnen; also ziemt es dir von ihm.

Deianeira.

Nicht also sagt wohl Einer, den die Noth bedrängt;

So sprechen die nur, welche Nichts daheim betrübt.

Der Chor.

Dir ziemte wohl zu hemmen jedes weitre Wort,
720

Wenn du dem eignen Sohne Nichts verrathen willst;

Der jüngst den Vater suchen ging, er ist zurück.

Hyllos. Die Vorigen.

Hyllos.

Mutter, Eines wünscht' ich wohl aus Dreien mir:

O daß du todt wärst, oder daß ein Anderer

Dich Mutter nennte, oder daß dir bessern Sinn
725

Eingäb' ein Gott, als diesen, der dich jezt beseelt!

Deianeira.

Was that ich, Sohn, das solches Hasses würdig war?

Hyllos.

So wisse, deinen Gatten, der mein Vater hieß,

Ihu hast du hingemordet heut an diesem Tag.

Deianeira.

Weh! Welches Wort kam über deine Lippen, Sohn?
730

Hyllos.

Das nimmer ungeschehen wird; denn wer vermag

Das ungescheh'n zu machen, was vollendet ist?

Deianeira.

Wie sagst du? Welchem Menschen sprichst du's nach, o Kind,

Ich hätte solch unselig grause That verübt?

Hyllos.

Ich sah's mit eignen Augen an, das schwere Leid
735

Des Vaters, nicht aus fremdem Munde hört' ich es.

Deianeira.

Wo kamst du deinem Vater nah' und warst um ihn?

'Tis fit we tremble at a deed of horror ;

But 'tis not fitting, ere we know th' event,

To give up hope, and yield us to despair.

Deianira

There is no hope where evil counsel 's ta'en.

Chorus

But when we err from ignorance alone,

Small is the crime and slight tjie punishment ;

Such is thy fault.

Deianira

The guiltless may talk thus,

Who know no ill ; not those who are unhappy.
730

Chorus

No more ; unless thou meanst thy son should

hear thee,

Who now returns in search of thy Alcides ;

Behold him here.

Hyllus
Scene IT.

Deianira, Chorus.

Hyllus

Oh ! would that thou wert dead !

Would I were not thy son ! or, being so,

Would I could change thy wicked heart !
740

Deianira

My son,

What means this passion?

Hyllus

Thou hast slain thy husband ;

This very day my father hast thou slain.

Deianira

Alas I luy eliild, wliat sayst tlioii

And therefore must be ; who can e'er undo

The deed tliat's done ?

Deianira
\V1lMt W

But who could say I did it \

Hyllus

1 saw it with these eyes ; 1 heaid it all

From his own lips.

Deianira

Where didst thou see him tlien ?

Tell me, oh ! quickly tell me.

Horror at dreadful deeds must seize the soul;

But ere th' event hope should not be renounced.

Deianira

But in designs, which honour does not own,
725

There is no hope that harbours confidence.