Sophocles, Trachiniae, ed. Francis Storr, 588

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Χορός

ἀλλʼ εἴ τις ἐστὶ πίστις ἐν τοῖς δρωμένοις,

δοκεῖς παρʼ ἡμῖν οὐ βεβουλεῦσθαι κακῶς.

Δηιάνειρα

οὕτως ἔχει γʼ ἡ πίστις, ὡς τὸ μὲν δοκεῖν
590

ἔνεστι, πείρᾳ δʼ οὐ προσωμίλησά πω·

Χορός

ἀλλʼ εἰδέναι χρὴ δρῶσαν, ὡς οὐδʼ εἰ δοκεῖς

ἔχειν, ἔχοις ἂν γνῶμα, μὴ πειρωμένη.

Δηιάνειρα

ἀλλʼ αὐτίκʼ εἰσόμεσθα, τόνδε γὰρ βλέπω

θυραῖον ἤδη· διὰ τάχους δʼ ἐλεύσεται.
595

μόνον παρʼ ὑμῶν εὖ στεγοίμεθʼ· ὡς σκότῳ

κἂν αἰσχρὰ πράσσῃς, οὔποτʼ αἰσχύνῃ πεσεῖ.

Λίχας

τί χρὴ ποεῖν; σήμαινε, τέκνον Οἰνέως,

ὡς ἐσμὲν ἤδη τῷ μακρῷ χρόνῳ βραδεῖς.

Trachiniae. Sophocles. ed. Francis Storr. London. 1913.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Experimental

Τραχίνιαι (Greek) (Sophocles, Volume 2. Storr, Francis, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann Ltd.; The Macmillan Company, 1913.)

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (1)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 588 focus

ἀλλ᾽ εἴ τις ἥτις εἴ τις ἐστὶ πίστις ἐν τοῖς δρωμένοις,

δοκεῖς παρ᾿ ἡμῖν οὐ βεβουλεῦσθαι κακῶς.

ΔΗ.

οὕτως ἔχει γ' ἡ πίστις, ὡς τὸ μὲν δοκεῖν
590

ἔνεστι, πείρᾳ δ᾽ οὐ προσωμίλησά πω.

ΧΟ.

ἀλλ᾽ εἰδέναι χρὴ δρῶσαν, ὡς οὐδ᾽ εἰ δοκεῖς οὐδοκεῖσ οὐδ᾽ εἰ δοκεῖς

ἔχειν, ἔχοις ἂν γνῶμα ἄγνωμα τὸ γνῶμα ἂν γνῶμα, μὴ πειρωμένη.

ΔΗ.

ἀλλ᾽ αὐτίκ᾽ εἰσόμεσθα· τόνδε γὰρ βλέπω

θυραῖον ἤδη. διὰ τάχους δ᾽ ἐλεύσεται.
595

μόνον παρ' ὑμῶν εὐ στεγοίμεθ᾽· ὡς σκότῳ

κἂν αἰσχρὰ πράσσῃς πράσσηις πράσσῃς, οὔποτ' αἰσχύνῃ πεσεῖ αἰσχύνη πεσῆι αἰσχύνῃ πεσεῖ.

ΛΙ.

τί χρὴ ποιεῖν ποεῖν; σήμαινε, τέκνον Οἰνέως,

ὡς ἐσμὲν ἤδη τῷ μακρῷ χρόνῳ βραδεῖς.

ΔΗ.

Translations (5)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 588 focus

If any ground of confidence approve

Thine act, we cannot check thy counsel here.

DÊ

My confidence is grounded on belief,
590

Though unconfirmed as yet by actual proof.

CH

Well, do it and try. Assurance cannot come

Till action bring experience after it.

DÊ

The truth will soon be known. The man e’en now

Is coming forth, and quickly will be there.
595

Screen ye but well my counsel. Doubtful deeds,

Wrapt close, will not deliver us to shame.

LICH
Enter LICHAS .

Daughter of Oeneus, tell me thy commands.

Already time rebukes our tardiness.

DÊ

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 588 focus

Wohl, wenn Vertrauen irgend ist bei dieser That,

Scheint uns der Plan nicht übel, den du ausgedacht.

Deianeira.

Ich habe wohl Vertrauen; doch es gründet sich

Auf bloßen Glauben, kein Versuch erprobt' es noch.
580

Der Chor.

So mußt du handeln, weil du, wenn auch glaubend, dir

Doch keine Kenntniß unversucht gewinnen kannst.

Deianeira.

Wir werden's bald erfahren; denn ich sehe schon

Ihn vor dem Hausthor; ungesäumt erscheint er hier.

Nur mein Geheimniß berget wohl; Schmachvolles auch,
585

Verübtest du's im Dunkel, bringt dir keine Schmach.

Lichas. Die Vorigen.

Lichas.

Was soll ich thun? Kind des Deneus, sage mir's:

Denn schon verspätet säumen wir die lange Zeit.

Deianeira.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 588 focus

Chorus.

Deianira

My guest, in pity to the captive train,
590

Laments their woes, and takes his kind farewell ;
590

Meantime, my friends, in secret came I here
590

To pour forth all my miseries, and impart
590

To you my inmost thoughts — my last resolve.
590

Alas ! within these walls I have received,
590

Like the poor sailor, an unhappy freight
590

To sink me down : no virgin, but a wife —
590

The wife of my Alcides ; his loved arms
590

Now must embrace us both. My faithful lord —
590

Faithful and good I thought him — thus rewards
590

My tender cares, and all the tedious toils
590

I suffered for him ; but I will be calm,
590

For 'tis an evil I have felt before.
590

And yet to live with her ! with her to share
590

My husband's bed ! What woman can support it?
590

Her youth is stealing onward to its prime.
590

Whilst mine is withered ; and the eye which longs
590

To pluck the opening flower from the dry leaf
590

Will turn aside. Her younger charms, I fear,
590

Have conquered, and henceforth in name alone
590

Shall Deianira be Alcides' wife.
590

But ill do rage and violence become
590

The prudent matron ; therefore, mark me well,
590

And hear what I have purposed to relieve
590

My troubled heart. Within a brazen urn,
590

Concealed from every eye, I long have kept
590

That ancient gift which Nessus did bequeath me —
590

The hoary centaur, who was wont for hire
590

To bear the traveller o'er the rapid flood
590

Of deep Evenus. Not with oars or sail

He stemmed the torrent, but with nervous arm

Opposed and passed it. Me, when first a bride

I left my father's hospitable roof

With my Alcides, in his arms he bore

Athwart the current ; half way o'er, he dared

To offer vi.olence. I shrieked aloud.

When lo ! the son of Jove, his bow swift bent,

Sent forth a shaft and pierced the monster's breast,

Who with his dying voice did thus address me :

" Daughter of CEneus, listen to my words.

So shalt thou profit by the last sad journey

Which I shall ever go. If in thy hand

Thou take the drops outflowing from the wound

This arrow made, dipped in the envenomed blood

Of the Lernaean hydra, with that charm

Mayst thou subdue the heart of thy Alcides,

Nor shall another ever gain his love."

Mindful of this, my friends — for from that hour

In secret have I kept the precious gift —

Behold a garment, dipped i' th' very blood.

He gave me ; nor did I forget to add

What he enjoined, but have prepared it all.

I know no evil arts, nor would I learn them.

For they who practise such are hateful to me.

I only wish the charm may be of power

To win Alcides from this virgin's love,

And bring him back to Deianira's arms,

If he shall deem it lawful, but if not

I'll go no farther.

Chorus

Could we be assurec^

Such is indeed th' eflfect, 'tis well determined.

TPACHINIjE,

Deianira

I cannot but believe it, tliough as yet

Experience never hath confirmed it to me.

Ciioii. Thou shouldst be certain ; thou but seemst to
595

know

If thou hast never tried.

Deianira

Deianira, Chorus.

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 588 focus

If thou hast aught of confidence in deeds

Like this, we judge that thou hast purposed well.

Deianira

My confidence is only such as gives
590

Strength to opinion, not assured by proof.

Chorus

Then put it to the proof; opinion else,

Though built on reason, no assurance yields.

Deianira

We soon shall know, for Lichas from the gate

I see advance; he quickly will be here.
595

Only be secret; for e'en shameful things

In dark concealment are secured from shame.

Lichas
LICHAS, DEIANIRA, CHORUS.

Daughter of Eneus, give me thy commands;

Too long already I have linger'd here.

Deianira

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 588 focus

Chorus

On the contrary. If there is any reason for confidence in these actions, we think that your plan is not wrong.

Deianeira

My reason for confidence is this: there is the appearance of success in the plan. But the proof I have not yet essayed.
590

Chorus

Your knowledge must come after you act. For you can have no test which is not fanciful except by making the attempt.

Deianeira

Well, we shall know shortly, for there I see the man

already at the doors. He will soon depart. Only I ask that I may be well sheltered by you! When you accomplish even shameful deeds under the cover of darkness, you will never fall into disgrace.
595

Enter Lichas.

Lichas

What are your instructions? Tell me, daughter of Oeneus, for already I am tardy because of my long stay.

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-304-1 πίστις ¹

mvp-comment-304-2 590 f. The whole phrase οὕτως ἔχει ² γε ³ πίστις ⁴

mvp-comment-304-3 ὡς ⁵ οὕτως ⁶

mvp-comment-304-4 τὸ μὲν δοκεῖν ⁷

mvp-comment-304-5 πείρᾳ δ’ οὐ προσωμίλησα ⁸

mvp-comment-305-1 δρῶσαν ⁹ γνῶμα ¹⁰

mvp-comment-306-1 ἀλλ’ αὐτίκ’ ¹¹ ἐλεύσεται ¹²

mvp-comment-307-1 μόνον ¹³

mvp-comment-307-2 παρ’ ὑμῶν ¹⁴ παρ’ ὑμῖν ¹⁵ στεγώμεθ’ ¹⁶

mvp-comment-307-3 αἰσχύνῃ πεσεῖ ¹⁷

mvp-comment-308-1 τῷ μακρῷ χρόνῳ ¹⁸

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

531-632. mvp-comment-400-1 Deianira, who has already prepared the charmed robe, confides her intention to the Trachinian maidens, and, on Lichas' coming forth, entrusts the gift to him, with the appropriate commands.

588. mvp-comment-443-1 πίστις . . 590. ἡ πίστις] The πίστις of which the Chorus speaks is more objective = Ground of confidence; that which Deianira means is more subjective, = 'The confidence I have.'

589. mvp-comment-444-1 οὐ . . κακῶς expresses a cautious approval. Cp. Fr. 154, ἔχοιμ᾽ ἂν αὐτὸ μὴ κακῶς ἀπεικάσαι.

590. mvp-comment-445-1 γ' marks the limitation under which she assents to εἴ τις ἐστὶ πίστις supra.

591. mvp-comment-446-1 ἔνεστι] Sc. τῇ πίστει or τῷ βουλεύματι. πείρᾳ δ᾽ οὐ προσωμίλησά πω.] - But I have not yet made acquaintance with the proof of it; i.e. My plan has not been tested by experience.

593. mvp-comment-447-1 γνῶμα] The meaning of words signifying mental processes or results is not yet fixed in tragic diction, and is still relative to the several meanings of the corresponding verb. Thus γνῶμα = ἐγνωσμένον τι, which in the present context would signify, Anything clearly discerned or determined.' μὴ πειρωμένη = εἰ μὴ πεῖραν λάβοις.

594. mvp-comment-448-1 αὐτίκ᾽ εἰσόμεσθα] Deianira, in her eagerness, under-estimates the time that must still pass before Heracles' arrival. It is thus that tragic feeling helps the conventional abridgment of time that is necessary to the composition of tragedy : πόνου γὰρ ἄκρον οὐκ ἔχει χρόνον. τόνδε] Lichas, whom she does not care to name, and who is treated slightingly throughout. His fate 'is but a trifle here' (Shak. K. Lear, 5. 3. 295).

595. mvp-comment-449-1 ἐλεύσεται] 'He will make his way' to Cenaeum, where his master is.

596. mvp-comment-450-1 στεγοίμεθ'] She expresses a wish and not a command, and this in the passive voice, not only as a gentler, but also as a more earnest way of speaking. Might I only have my secret well kept by you.' σκότῳ] i. e. ἐν σκότῳ, 'Under covert of darkness:' the dative of place passing into a dative of circumstance. Essay on L. § 11. p. 18, § 14. p. 20.

597. mvp-comment-451-1 The dative αἰσχύνῃ is either (1) causal By reason of shame,' or (2) = ès αἰσχύνην: cp. Ο. C. 483, αὐτῇ . . τιθείς : infr. 789, χθονὶ ῥίπτων ἑαυτόν: probably the former (1). E. on L. § 11. p. 18, 3 a.

599. mvp-comment-452-1 ὡς .. βραδείς] 'Since we are belated by reason of the length of time,' viz. which we are spending in the fulfilment of our mission.

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Χορός ἀλλʼ εἴ τις ἐστὶ πίστις ἐν τοῖς δρωμένοις, δοκεῖς παρʼ ἡμῖν οὐ βεβουλεῦσθαι κακῶς.

Δηιάνειρα οὕτως ἔχει γʼ ἡ πίστις, ὡς τὸ μὲν δοκεῖν 590 ἔνεστι, πείρᾳ δʼ οὐ προσωμίλησά πω·

Χορός ἀλλʼ εἰδέναι χρὴ δρῶσαν, ὡς οὐδʼ εἰ δοκεῖς ἔχειν, ἔχοις ἂν γνῶμα, μὴ πειρωμένη.

Λίχας τί χρὴ ποεῖν; σήμαινε, τέκνον Οἰνέως, ὡς ἐσμὲν ἤδη τῷ μακρῷ χρόνῳ βραδεῖς.

Current edition Experimental

ἀλλ᾽ εἴ τις ἥτις εἴ τις ἐστὶ πίστις ἐν τοῖς δρωμένοις, δοκεῖς παρ᾿ ἡμῖν οὐ βεβουλεῦσθαι κακῶς.

ΔΗ. οὕτως ἔχει γ' ἡ πίστις, ὡς τὸ μὲν δοκεῖν 590 ἔνεστι, πείρᾳ δ᾽ οὐ προσωμίλησά πω.

ΧΟ. ἀλλ᾽ εἰδέναι χρὴ δρῶσαν, ὡς οὐδ᾽ εἰ δοκεῖς οὐδοκεῖσ οὐδ᾽ εἰ δοκεῖς ἔχειν, ἔχοις ἂν γνῶμα ἄγνωμα τὸ γνῶμα ἂν γνῶμα, μὴ πειρωμένη.

ΛΙ. τί χρὴ ποιεῖν ποεῖν; σήμαινε, τέκνον Οἰνέως, ὡς ἐσμὲν ἤδη τῷ μακρῷ χρόνῳ βραδεῖς.

ΔΗ.

If any ground of confidence approve Thine act, we cannot check thy counsel here.

DÊ My confidence is grounded on belief, 590 Though unconfirmed as yet by actual proof.

CH Well, do it and try. Assurance cannot come Till action bring experience after it.

DÊ The truth will soon be known. The man e’en now Is coming forth, and quickly will be there. 595 Screen ye but well my counsel. Doubtful deeds, Wrapt close, will not deliver us to shame.

LICH Enter LICHAS . Daughter of Oeneus, tell me thy commands. Already time rebukes our tardiness.

DÊ

Wohl, wenn Vertrauen irgend ist bei dieser That, Scheint uns der Plan nicht übel, den du ausgedacht.

Deianeira. Ich habe wohl Vertrauen; doch es gründet sich Auf bloßen Glauben, kein Versuch erprobt' es noch. 580

Der Chor. So mußt du handeln, weil du, wenn auch glaubend, dir Doch keine Kenntniß unversucht gewinnen kannst.

Deianeira. Wir werden's bald erfahren; denn ich sehe schon Ihn vor dem Hausthor; ungesäumt erscheint er hier. Nur mein Geheimniß berget wohl; Schmachvolles auch, 585 Verübtest du's im Dunkel, bringt dir keine Schmach. Lichas. Die Vorigen.

Lichas. Was soll ich thun? Kind des Deneus, sage mir's: Denn schon verspätet säumen wir die lange Zeit.

Deianeira.

Chorus.

Chorus Could we be assurec^ Such is indeed th' eflfect, 'tis well determined. TPACHINIjE,

Deianira I cannot but believe it, tliough as yet Experience never hath confirmed it to me. Ciioii. Thou shouldst be certain ; thou but seemst to 595 know If thou hast never tried.

Deianira

Deianira, Chorus.

If thou hast aught of confidence in deeds Like this, we judge that thou hast purposed well.

Deianira My confidence is only such as gives 590 Strength to opinion, not assured by proof.

Chorus Then put it to the proof; opinion else, Though built on reason, no assurance yields.

Deianira We soon shall know, for Lichas from the gate I see advance; he quickly will be here. 595 Only be secret; for e'en shameful things In dark concealment are secured from shame.

Lichas LICHAS, DEIANIRA, CHORUS. Daughter of Eneus, give me thy commands; Too long already I have linger'd here.

Deianira

Chorus On the contrary. If there is any reason for confidence in these actions, we think that your plan is not wrong.

Deianeira My reason for confidence is this: there is the appearance of success in the plan. But the proof I have not yet essayed. 590

Chorus Your knowledge must come after you act. For you can have no test which is not fanciful except by making the attempt.

Deianeira Well, we shall know shortly, for there I see the man already at the doors. He will soon depart. Only I ask that I may be well sheltered by you! When you accomplish even shameful deeds under the cover of darkness, you will never fall into disgrace. 595

Lichas What are your instructions? Tell me, daughter of Oeneus, for already I am tardy because of my long stay.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Χορός

ἀλλʼ εἴ τις ἐστὶ πίστις ἐν τοῖς δρωμένοις,

δοκεῖς παρʼ ἡμῖν οὐ βεβουλεῦσθαι κακῶς.

Δηιάνειρα

οὕτως ἔχει γʼ ἡ πίστις, ὡς τὸ μὲν δοκεῖν
590

ἔνεστι, πείρᾳ δʼ οὐ προσωμίλησά πω·

Χορός

ἀλλʼ εἰδέναι χρὴ δρῶσαν, ὡς οὐδʼ εἰ δοκεῖς

ἔχειν, ἔχοις ἂν γνῶμα, μὴ πειρωμένη.

Λίχας

τί χρὴ ποεῖν; σήμαινε, τέκνον Οἰνέως,

ὡς ἐσμὲν ἤδη τῷ μακρῷ χρόνῳ βραδεῖς.

ἀλλ᾽ εἴ τις ἥτις εἴ τις ἐστὶ πίστις ἐν τοῖς δρωμένοις,

δοκεῖς παρ᾿ ἡμῖν οὐ βεβουλεῦσθαι κακῶς.

ΔΗ.

οὕτως ἔχει γ' ἡ πίστις, ὡς τὸ μὲν δοκεῖν
590

ἔνεστι, πείρᾳ δ᾽ οὐ προσωμίλησά πω.

ΧΟ.

ἀλλ᾽ εἰδέναι χρὴ δρῶσαν, ὡς οὐδ᾽ εἰ δοκεῖς οὐδοκεῖσ οὐδ᾽ εἰ δοκεῖς

ἔχειν, ἔχοις ἂν γνῶμα ἄγνωμα τὸ γνῶμα ἂν γνῶμα, μὴ πειρωμένη.

ΛΙ.

τί χρὴ ποιεῖν ποεῖν; σήμαινε, τέκνον Οἰνέως,

ὡς ἐσμὲν ἤδη τῷ μακρῷ χρόνῳ βραδεῖς.

If any ground of confidence approve

Thine act, we cannot check thy counsel here.

DÊ

My confidence is grounded on belief,
590

Though unconfirmed as yet by actual proof.

CH

Well, do it and try. Assurance cannot come

Till action bring experience after it.

DÊ

The truth will soon be known. The man e’en now

Is coming forth, and quickly will be there.
595

Screen ye but well my counsel. Doubtful deeds,

Wrapt close, will not deliver us to shame.

LICH
Enter LICHAS .

Daughter of Oeneus, tell me thy commands.

Already time rebukes our tardiness.

Wohl, wenn Vertrauen irgend ist bei dieser That,

Scheint uns der Plan nicht übel, den du ausgedacht.

Deianeira.

Ich habe wohl Vertrauen; doch es gründet sich

Auf bloßen Glauben, kein Versuch erprobt' es noch.
580

Der Chor.

So mußt du handeln, weil du, wenn auch glaubend, dir

Doch keine Kenntniß unversucht gewinnen kannst.

Deianeira.

Wir werden's bald erfahren; denn ich sehe schon

Ihn vor dem Hausthor; ungesäumt erscheint er hier.

Nur mein Geheimniß berget wohl; Schmachvolles auch,
585

Verübtest du's im Dunkel, bringt dir keine Schmach.

Lichas. Die Vorigen.

Lichas.

Was soll ich thun? Kind des Deneus, sage mir's:

Denn schon verspätet säumen wir die lange Zeit.

Chorus

Could we be assurec^

Such is indeed th' eflfect, 'tis well determined.

TPACHINIjE,

Deianira

I cannot but believe it, tliough as yet

Experience never hath confirmed it to me.

Ciioii. Thou shouldst be certain ; thou but seemst to
595

know

If thou hast never tried.

If thou hast aught of confidence in deeds

Like this, we judge that thou hast purposed well.

Deianira

My confidence is only such as gives
590

Strength to opinion, not assured by proof.

Chorus

Then put it to the proof; opinion else,

Though built on reason, no assurance yields.

Deianira

We soon shall know, for Lichas from the gate

I see advance; he quickly will be here.
595

Only be secret; for e'en shameful things

In dark concealment are secured from shame.

Lichas
LICHAS, DEIANIRA, CHORUS.

Daughter of Eneus, give me thy commands;

Too long already I have linger'd here.

Chorus

On the contrary. If there is any reason for confidence in these actions, we think that your plan is not wrong.

Deianeira

My reason for confidence is this: there is the appearance of success in the plan. But the proof I have not yet essayed.
590

Chorus

Your knowledge must come after you act. For you can have no test which is not fanciful except by making the attempt.

Deianeira

Well, we shall know shortly, for there I see the man

already at the doors. He will soon depart. Only I ask that I may be well sheltered by you! When you accomplish even shameful deeds under the cover of darkness, you will never fall into disgrace.
595

Lichas

What are your instructions? Tell me, daughter of Oeneus, for already I am tardy because of my long stay.