λόγων γ᾽
λόγωντ᾽ ἀκοῦσαι ζῶν ποτ'
ἠθέλησ᾽
εἰθέληισ
ἠθέλησ᾽ ἐμῶν.
1070
Ajax. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
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Editions (3)
Αἴας μαστιγοφόρος First1KGreek (Sophocles. Sophoclis Aiax. Lobeck Christian, editor. Berlin: Weidmann, 1866.) — 1161-1196 focus
str.
1
1
ΧΟΡΟΣ
1185
Τις ἄρα νέατος; ἐς πότε λήξει
πολυπλάγκτων ἐτέων ἀριθμὸς,
τὰν ἄπαυστον αἰὲν ἐμοὶ
δορυσσόντων μόχθων
ἄταν ἐπάγων
1165
1190
ἀνὰ τὰν εὐρώδη Τροίαν.
δύστανον ὄνειδος
1185
Τις ἄρα νέατος; ἐς πότε λήξει
πολυπλάγκτων ἐτέων ἀριθμὸς,
τὰν ἄπαυστον αἰὲν ἐμοὶ
δορυσσόντων μόχθων
ἄταν ἐπάγων
1165
1190
ἀνὰ τὰν εὐρώδη Τροίαν.
δύστανον ὄνειδος
ant.
1
1
ὄφελε πρότερον αἰθέρα δῦναι
μέγαν ἢ τὸν πολύκοινον Ἅιδαν
κεῖνος ἀνὴρ, ὃς στυγερῶν
1170
1195
ἔδειξ’ ὅπλων Ἕλλα-
σιν κοινὸν Ἄρη.
ὦ πόνοι πρόγονοι πόνων.
κεῖνος γὰρ ἔπερσεν ἀνθρώπους.
str.
2
ΧΟΡΟΣ
2
ἐκεῖνος οὐ στεφάνων,
1175
1200
οὔτε βαθειᾶν κυλίκων
νεῖμεν ἐμοὶ τέρψιν ὁμιλεῖν,
οὔτε γλυκὺν αὐλῶν ὄτοβον,
δύςμορος, οὔτ’ ἐννυχίαν
τέρψιν ἰαύειν· ἐρώτων δ’
1180
1205
ἐρώτων ἀπέπαυσεν, ὤ μοι!
κεῖμαι δ’ ἀμέριμνος οὕτως,
ἀεὶ πυκιναῖς δρόσοις
τεγγόμενος κόμας,
λυγρᾶς μνήματα Τροίας.
1210
1185
2
ἐκεῖνος οὐ στεφάνων,
1175
1200
οὔτε βαθειᾶν κυλίκων
νεῖμεν ἐμοὶ τέρψιν ὁμιλεῖν,
οὔτε γλυκὺν αὐλῶν ὄτοβον,
δύςμορος, οὔτ’ ἐννυχίαν
τέρψιν ἰαύειν· ἐρώτων δ’
1180
1205
ἐρώτων ἀπέπαυσεν, ὤ μοι!
κεῖμαι δ’ ἀμέριμνος οὕτως,
ἀεὶ πυκιναῖς δρόσοις
τεγγόμενος κόμας,
λυγρᾶς μνήματα Τροίας.
1210
1185
ant.
2
ΧΟΡΟΣ
2
Καὶ πρὶν μὲν ἐννυχίου
δείματος ἦν μοι προβολὰ
καὶ βελέων θούριος Αἴας·
νῦν δ’ οὗτος ἀνεῖται στυγερῷ
δαίμονι· τίς μοι, τίς ἔτ’ οὖν
1215
1190
τέρψις ὲπέσται,- γενοίμαν,
ἵν’ ὑλᾶεν ἔπεστι πόντου
πρόβλημ’ ἁλίκλυστον, ἄκραν
1220
ὑπὸ πλάκα Σουνίου,
τὰς ἱερὰς ὅπως
1195
προςείποιμ’ ἂν Ἀθανᾶς.
2
Καὶ πρὶν μὲν ἐννυχίου
δείματος ἦν μοι προβολὰ
καὶ βελέων θούριος Αἴας·
νῦν δ’ οὗτος ἀνεῖται στυγερῷ
δαίμονι· τίς μοι, τίς ἔτ’ οὖν
1215
1190
τέρψις ὲπέσται,- γενοίμαν,
ἵν’ ὑλᾶεν ἔπεστι πόντου
πρόβλημ’ ἁλίκλυστον, ἄκραν
1220
ὑπὸ πλάκα Σουνίου,
τὰς ἱερὰς ὅπως
1195
προςείποιμ’ ἂν Ἀθανᾶς.
Αἴας First1KGreek (Sophocles. Sophoclis Fabulae. Pearson, Alfred Chilton, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1924.) — 961-1184 focus
Τέκμησσα
οἳ δʼ οὖν γελώντων κἀπιχαιρόντων κακοῖς
τοῖς τοῦδʼ. ἴσως τοι, κεἰ βλέποντα μὴ ʼπόθουν,
θανόντʼ ἂν οἰμώξειαν ἐν χρείᾳ δορός.
οἱ γὰρ κακοὶ γνώμαισι τἀγαθὸν χεροῖν
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
ἔχοντες οὐκ ἴσασι, πρίν τις ἐκβάλῃ.
965
ἐμοὶ πικρὸς τέθνηκεν ᾗ κείνοις γλυκύς,
αὑτῷ δὲ τερπνός. ὧν γὰρ ἠράσθη τυχεῖν
ἐκτήσαθʼ αὑτῷ, θάνατον ὅνπερ ἤθελεν.
τί δῆτα τοῦδʼ ἐπεγγελῷεν ἂν κάτα;
θεοῖς τέθνηκεν οὗτος, οὐ κείνοισιν, οὔ.
970
πρὸς ταῦτʼ Ὀδυσσεὺς ἐν κενοῖς ὑβριζέτω.
Αἴας γὰρ αὐτοῖς οὐκέτʼ ἐστίν, ἀλλʼ ἐμοὶ
λιπὼν ἀνίας καὶ γόους διοίχεται.
οἳ δʼ οὖν γελώντων κἀπιχαιρόντων κακοῖς
τοῖς τοῦδʼ. ἴσως τοι, κεἰ βλέποντα μὴ ʼπόθουν,
θανόντʼ ἂν οἰμώξειαν ἐν χρείᾳ δορός.
οἱ γὰρ κακοὶ γνώμαισι τἀγαθὸν χεροῖν
ἔχοντες οὐκ ἴσασι, πρίν τις ἐκβάλῃ.
965
ἐμοὶ πικρὸς τέθνηκεν ᾗ κείνοις γλυκύς,
αὑτῷ δὲ τερπνός. ὧν γὰρ ἠράσθη τυχεῖν
ἐκτήσαθʼ αὑτῷ, θάνατον ὅνπερ ἤθελεν.
τί δῆτα τοῦδʼ ἐπεγγελῷεν ἂν κάτα;
θεοῖς τέθνηκεν οὗτος, οὐ κείνοισιν, οὔ.
970
πρὸς ταῦτʼ Ὀδυσσεὺς ἐν κενοῖς ὑβριζέτω.
Αἴας γὰρ αὐτοῖς οὐκέτʼ ἐστίν, ἀλλʼ ἐμοὶ
λιπὼν ἀνίας καὶ γόους διοίχεται.
Τεῦκρος
ἰώ μοί μοι.
ἰώ μοί μοι.
Χορός
σίγησον· αὐδὴν γὰρ δοκῶ Τεύκρου κλύειν
975
βοῶντος ἄτης τῆσδʼ ἐπίσκοπον μέλος.
σίγησον· αὐδὴν γὰρ δοκῶ Τεύκρου κλύειν
975
βοῶντος ἄτης τῆσδʼ ἐπίσκοπον μέλος.
Τεῦκρος
ὦ φίλτατʼ Αἴας, ὦ ξύναιμον ὄμμʼ ἐμοί,
ἆρʼ ἠμπόληκας ὥσπερ ἡ φάτις κρατεῖ;
ὦ φίλτατʼ Αἴας, ὦ ξύναιμον ὄμμʼ ἐμοί,
ἆρʼ ἠμπόληκας ὥσπερ ἡ φάτις κρατεῖ;
Χορός
ὄλωλεν ἁνήρ, Τεῦκρε, τοῦτʼ ἐπίστασο.
ὄλωλεν ἁνήρ, Τεῦκρε, τοῦτʼ ἐπίστασο.
Τεῦκρος
ὤμοι βαρείας ἆρα τῆς ἐμῆς τύχης.
980
ὤμοι βαρείας ἆρα τῆς ἐμῆς τύχης.
980
Χορός
ὡς ὧδʼ ἐχόντων
ὡς ὧδʼ ἐχόντων
Τεῦκρος
ὦ τάλας ἐγώ, τάλας.
ὦ τάλας ἐγώ, τάλας.
Χορός
πάρα στενάζειν.
πάρα στενάζειν.
Τεῦκρος
ὦ περισπερχὲς πάθος.
ὦ περισπερχὲς πάθος.
Χορός
ἄγαν γε, Τεῦκρε.
ἄγαν γε, Τεῦκρε.
Τεῦκρος
φεῦ τάλας· τί γὰρ τέκνον
τὸ τοῦδε, ποῦ μοι γῆς κυρεῖ τῆς Τρῳάδος;
φεῦ τάλας· τί γὰρ τέκνον
τὸ τοῦδε, ποῦ μοι γῆς κυρεῖ τῆς Τρῳάδος;
Χορός
μόνος παρὰ σκηναῖσιν.
985
μόνος παρὰ σκηναῖσιν.
985
Τεῦκρος
οὐχ ὅσον τάχος
δῆτʼ αὐτὸν ἄξεις δεῦρο, μή τις ὡς κενῆς
σκύμνον λεαίνης δυσμενῶν ἀναρπάσῃ;
ἴθʼ, ἐγκόνει, σύγκαμνε. τοῖς θανοῦσί τοι
φιλοῦσι πάντες κειμένοις ἐπεγγελᾶν.
οὐχ ὅσον τάχος
δῆτʼ αὐτὸν ἄξεις δεῦρο, μή τις ὡς κενῆς
σκύμνον λεαίνης δυσμενῶν ἀναρπάσῃ;
ἴθʼ, ἐγκόνει, σύγκαμνε. τοῖς θανοῦσί τοι
φιλοῦσι πάντες κειμένοις ἐπεγγελᾶν.
Χορός
καὶ μὴν ἔτι ζῶν, Τεῦκρε, τοῦδέ σοι μέλειν
990
ἐφίεθʼ ἁνὴρ κεῖνος, ὥσπερ οὖν μέλει.
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
καὶ μὴν ἔτι ζῶν, Τεῦκρε, τοῦδέ σοι μέλειν
990
ἐφίεθʼ ἁνὴρ κεῖνος, ὥσπερ οὖν μέλει.
Τεῦκρος
ὦ τῶν ἁπάντων δὴ θεαμάτων ἐμοὶ
ἄλγιστον ὧν προσεῖδον ὀφθαλμοῖς ἐγώ,
ὁδός θʼ ὁδῶν πασῶν ἀνιάσασα δὴ
μάλιστα τοὐμὸν σπλάγχνον, ἣν δὴ νῦν ἔβην,
995
ὦ φίλτατʼ Αἴας, τὸν σὸν ὡς ἐπῃσθόμην
μόρον διώκων κἀξιχνοσκοπούμενος.
ὀξεῖα γάρ σου βάξις ὡς θεοῦ τινος
διῆλθʼ Ἀχαιοὺς πάντας ὡς οἴχῃ θανών.
ἁγὼ κλύων δύστηνος ἐκποδὼν μὲν ὢν
1000
ὑπεστέναζον, νῦν δʼ ὁρῶν ἀπόλλυμαι.
οἴμοι.
ἴθʼ, ἐκκάλυψον, ὡς ἴδω τὸ πᾶν κακόν.
δυσθέατον ὄμμα καὶ τόλμης πικρᾶς,
ὅσας ἀνίας μοι κατασπείρας φθίνεις.
1005
ποῖ γὰρ μολεῖν μοι δυνατόν, ἐς ποίους βροτούς,
τοῖς σοῖς ἀρήξαντʼ ἐν πόνοισι μηδαμοῦ;
ἦ πού
με Τελαμών, σὸς πατὴρ ἐμός θʼ ἅμα,
δέξαιτʼ ἂν εὐπρόσωπος ἵλεώς τʼ ἴσως
χωροῦντʼ ἄνευ σοῦ. πῶς γὰρ οὔχ; ὅτῳ πάρα
1010
μηδʼ εὐτυχοῦντι μηδὲν ἥδιον γελᾶν.
οὗτος τί κρύψει; ποῖον οὐκ ἐρεῖ κακόν,
τὸν ἐκ δορὸς γεγῶτα πολεμίου νόθον,
τὸν δειλίᾳ προδόντα καὶ κακανδρίᾳ
σέ, φίλτατʼ Αἴας, ἢ δόλοισιν, ὡς τὰ σὰ
1015
κράτη θανόντος καὶ δόμους νέμοιμι σούς.
τοιαῦτʼ ἀνὴρ δύσοργος, ἐν γήρᾳ βαρύς
ἐρεῖ, πρὸς οὐδὲν εἰς ἔριν θυμούμενος.
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
τέλος δʼ ἀπωστὸς γῆς ἀπορριφθήσομαι,
δοῦλος λόγοισιν ἀντʼ ἐλευθέρου φανείς.
1020
τοιαῦτα μὲν κατʼ οἶκον· ἐν Τροίᾳ δέ μοι
πολλοὶ μὲν ἐχθροί, παῦρα δʼ ὠφελήσιμα.
καὶ ταῦτα πάντα σοῦ θανόντος ηὑρόμην.
οἴμοι, τί δράσω; πῶς σʼ ἀποσπάσω πικροῦ
τοῦδʼ αἰόλου κνώδοντος, ὦ τάλας, ὑφʼ οὗ
1025
φονέως ἄρʼ ἐξέπνευσας; εἶδες ὡς χρόνῳ
ἔμελλέ σʼ Ἕκτωρ καὶ θανὼν ἀποφθίσαι;
σκέψασθε, πρὸς θεῶν, τὴν τύχην δυοῖν βροτοῖν.
Ἕκτωρ μέν, ᾧ δὴ τοῦδʼ ἐδωρήθη πάρα
ζωστῆρι πρισθεὶς ἱππικῶν ἐξ ἀντύγων
1030
ἐκνάπτετʼ αἰέν, ἔστʼ ἀπέψυξεν βίον·
οὗτος δʼ ἐκείνου τήνδε δωρειὰν ἔχων
πρὸς τοῦδʼ ὄλωλε θανασίμῳ πεσήματι.
ἆρʼ οὐκ Ἐρινὺς τοῦτʼ ἐχάλκευσε ξίφος
κἀκεῖνον Ἅιδης, δημιουργὸς ἄγριος;
1035
ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν καὶ ταῦτα καὶ τὰ πάντʼ ἀεὶ
φάσκοιμʼ ἂν ἀνθρώποισι μηχανᾶν θεούς·
ὅτῳ δὲ μὴ τάδʼ ἐστὶν ἐν γνώμῃ φίλα,
κεῖνός τʼ ἐκεῖνα στεργέτω κἀγὼ τάδε.
ὦ τῶν ἁπάντων δὴ θεαμάτων ἐμοὶ
ἄλγιστον ὧν προσεῖδον ὀφθαλμοῖς ἐγώ,
ὁδός θʼ ὁδῶν πασῶν ἀνιάσασα δὴ
μάλιστα τοὐμὸν σπλάγχνον, ἣν δὴ νῦν ἔβην,
995
ὦ φίλτατʼ Αἴας, τὸν σὸν ὡς ἐπῃσθόμην
μόρον διώκων κἀξιχνοσκοπούμενος.
ὀξεῖα γάρ σου βάξις ὡς θεοῦ τινος
διῆλθʼ Ἀχαιοὺς πάντας ὡς οἴχῃ θανών.
ἁγὼ κλύων δύστηνος ἐκποδὼν μὲν ὢν
1000
ὑπεστέναζον, νῦν δʼ ὁρῶν ἀπόλλυμαι.
οἴμοι.
ἴθʼ, ἐκκάλυψον, ὡς ἴδω τὸ πᾶν κακόν.
δυσθέατον ὄμμα καὶ τόλμης πικρᾶς,
ὅσας ἀνίας μοι κατασπείρας φθίνεις.
1005
ποῖ γὰρ μολεῖν μοι δυνατόν, ἐς ποίους βροτούς,
τοῖς σοῖς ἀρήξαντʼ ἐν πόνοισι μηδαμοῦ;
ἦ πού
με Τελαμών, σὸς πατὴρ ἐμός θʼ ἅμα,
δέξαιτʼ ἂν εὐπρόσωπος ἵλεώς τʼ ἴσως
χωροῦντʼ ἄνευ σοῦ. πῶς γὰρ οὔχ; ὅτῳ πάρα
1010
μηδʼ εὐτυχοῦντι μηδὲν ἥδιον γελᾶν.
οὗτος τί κρύψει; ποῖον οὐκ ἐρεῖ κακόν,
τὸν ἐκ δορὸς γεγῶτα πολεμίου νόθον,
τὸν δειλίᾳ προδόντα καὶ κακανδρίᾳ
σέ, φίλτατʼ Αἴας, ἢ δόλοισιν, ὡς τὰ σὰ
1015
κράτη θανόντος καὶ δόμους νέμοιμι σούς.
τοιαῦτʼ ἀνὴρ δύσοργος, ἐν γήρᾳ βαρύς
ἐρεῖ, πρὸς οὐδὲν εἰς ἔριν θυμούμενος.
τέλος δʼ ἀπωστὸς γῆς ἀπορριφθήσομαι,
δοῦλος λόγοισιν ἀντʼ ἐλευθέρου φανείς.
1020
τοιαῦτα μὲν κατʼ οἶκον· ἐν Τροίᾳ δέ μοι
πολλοὶ μὲν ἐχθροί, παῦρα δʼ ὠφελήσιμα.
καὶ ταῦτα πάντα σοῦ θανόντος ηὑρόμην.
οἴμοι, τί δράσω; πῶς σʼ ἀποσπάσω πικροῦ
τοῦδʼ αἰόλου κνώδοντος, ὦ τάλας, ὑφʼ οὗ
1025
φονέως ἄρʼ ἐξέπνευσας; εἶδες ὡς χρόνῳ
ἔμελλέ σʼ Ἕκτωρ καὶ θανὼν ἀποφθίσαι;
σκέψασθε, πρὸς θεῶν, τὴν τύχην δυοῖν βροτοῖν.
Ἕκτωρ μέν, ᾧ δὴ τοῦδʼ ἐδωρήθη πάρα
ζωστῆρι πρισθεὶς ἱππικῶν ἐξ ἀντύγων
1030
ἐκνάπτετʼ αἰέν, ἔστʼ ἀπέψυξεν βίον·
οὗτος δʼ ἐκείνου τήνδε δωρειὰν ἔχων
πρὸς τοῦδʼ ὄλωλε θανασίμῳ πεσήματι.
ἆρʼ οὐκ Ἐρινὺς τοῦτʼ ἐχάλκευσε ξίφος
κἀκεῖνον Ἅιδης, δημιουργὸς ἄγριος;
1035
ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν καὶ ταῦτα καὶ τὰ πάντʼ ἀεὶ
φάσκοιμʼ ἂν ἀνθρώποισι μηχανᾶν θεούς·
ὅτῳ δὲ μὴ τάδʼ ἐστὶν ἐν γνώμῃ φίλα,
κεῖνός τʼ ἐκεῖνα στεργέτω κἀγὼ τάδε.
Χορός
μὴ τεῖνε μακράν, ἀλλʼ ὅπως κρύψεις τάφῳ
1040
φράζου τὸν ἄνδρα, χὥ τι μυθήσῃ τάχα.
βλέπω γὰρ ἐχθρὸν φῶτα, καὶ τάχʼ ἂν κακοῖς
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
γελῶν ἃ δὴ κακοῦργος ἐξίκοιτʼ ἀνήρ.
μὴ τεῖνε μακράν, ἀλλʼ ὅπως κρύψεις τάφῳ
1040
φράζου τὸν ἄνδρα, χὥ τι μυθήσῃ τάχα.
βλέπω γὰρ ἐχθρὸν φῶτα, καὶ τάχʼ ἂν κακοῖς
γελῶν ἃ δὴ κακοῦργος ἐξίκοιτʼ ἀνήρ.
Τεῦκρος
τίς δʼ ἐστὶν ὅντινʼ ἄνδρα προσλεύσσεις στρατοῦ;
τίς δʼ ἐστὶν ὅντινʼ ἄνδρα προσλεύσσεις στρατοῦ;
Χορός
Μενέλαος, ᾧ δὴ τόνδε πλοῦν ἐστείλαμεν.
1045
Μενέλαος, ᾧ δὴ τόνδε πλοῦν ἐστείλαμεν.
1045
Τεῦκρος
ὁρῶ· μαθεῖν γὰρ ἐγγὺς ὢν οὐ δυσπετής.
ὁρῶ· μαθεῖν γὰρ ἐγγὺς ὢν οὐ δυσπετής.
Μενέλαος
οὗτος, σὲ φωνῶ τόνδε τὸν νεκρὸν χεροῖν
μὴ συγκομίζειν, ἀλλʼ ἐᾶν ὅπως ἔχει.
οὗτος, σὲ φωνῶ τόνδε τὸν νεκρὸν χεροῖν
μὴ συγκομίζειν, ἀλλʼ ἐᾶν ὅπως ἔχει.
Τεῦκρος
τίνος χάριν τοσόνδʼ ἀνήλωσας λόγον;
τίνος χάριν τοσόνδʼ ἀνήλωσας λόγον;
Μενέλαος
δοκοῦντʼ ἐμοί, δοκοῦντα δʼ ὃς κραίνει στρατοῦ.
1050
δοκοῦντʼ ἐμοί, δοκοῦντα δʼ ὃς κραίνει στρατοῦ.
1050
Τεῦκρος
οὔκουν ἂν εἴποις ἥντινʼ αἰτίαν προθείς;
οὔκουν ἂν εἴποις ἥντινʼ αἰτίαν προθείς;
Μενέλαος
ὁθούνεκʼ αὐτὸν ἐλπίσαντες οἴκοθεν
ἄγειν Ἀχαιοῖς ξύμμαχόν τε καὶ φίλον,
ἐξηύρομεν ζητοῦντες ἐχθίω Φρυγῶν·
ὅστις στρατῷ ξύμπαντι βουλεύσας φόνον
1055
νύκτωρ ἐπεστράτευσεν, ὡς ἕλοι δορί·
κεἰ μὴ θεῶν τις τήνδε πεῖραν ἔσβεσεν,
ἡμεῖς μὲν ἂν τήνδʼ ἣν ὅδʼ εἴληχεν τύχην
θανόντες ἂν προυκείμεθʼ αἰσχίστῳ μόρῳ,
οὗτος δʼ ἂν ἔζη. νῦν δʼ ἐνήλλαξεν θεὸς
1060
τὴν τοῦδʼ ὕβριν πρὸς μῆλα καὶ ποίμνας πεσεῖν.
ὧν οὕνεκʼ αὐτὸν οὔτις ἔστʼ ἀνὴρ σθένων
τοσοῦτον ὥστε σῶμα τυμβεῦσαι τάφῳ,
ἀλλʼ ἀμφὶ χλωρὰν ψάμαθον ἐκβεβλημένος
ὄρνισι φορβὴ παραλίοις γενήσεται.
1065
πρὸς ταῦτα μηδὲν δεινὸν ἐξάρῃς μένος.
εἰ γὰρ βλέποντος μὴ ʼδυνήθημεν κρατεῖν,
πάντως θανόντος γʼ ἄρξομεν, κἂν μὴ θέλῃς,
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
χερσὶν παρευθύνοντες. οὐ γὰρ ἔσθʼ ὅπου
λόγων ἀκοῦσαι ζῶν ποτʼ ἠθέλησʼ ἐμῶν.
1070
καίτοι κακοῦ πρὸς ἀνδρὸς ἄνδρα δημότην
μηδὲν δικαιοῦν τῶν ἐφεστώτων κλύειν.
οὐ γάρ ποτʼ οὔτʼ ἂν ἐν πόλει νόμοι καλῶς
φέροιντʼ ἄν, ἔνθα μὴ καθεστήκῃ δέος,
οὔτʼ ἂν στρατός γε σωφρόνως ἄρχοιτʼ ἔτι,
1075
μηδὲν φόβου πρόβλημα μηδʼ αἰδοῦς ἔχων.
ἀλλʼ ἄνδρα χρή, κἂν σῶμα γεννήσῃ μέγα,
δοκεῖν πεσεῖν ἂν κἂν ἀπὸ σμικροῦ κακοῦ.
δέος γὰρ ᾧ πρόσεστιν αἰσχύνη θʼ ὁμοῦ,
σωτηρίαν ἔχοντα τόνδʼ ἐπίστασο·
1080
ὅπου δʼ ὑβρίζειν δρᾶν θʼ ἃ βούλεται παρῇ,
ταύτην νόμιζε τὴν πόλιν χρόνῳ ποτὲ
ἐξ οὐρίων δραμοῦσαν ἐς βυθὸν πεσεῖν.
ἀλλʼ ἑστάτω μοι καὶ δέος τι καίριον,
καὶ μὴ δοκῶμεν δρῶντες ἃν ἡδώμεθα
1085
οὐκ ἀντιτείσειν αὖθις ἃν λυπώμεθα.
ἕρπει παραλλὰξ ταῦτα. πρόσθεν οὗτος ἦν
αἴθων ὑβριστής, νῦν δʼ ἐγὼ μέγʼ αὖ φρονῶ.
καί σοι προφωνῶ τόνδε μὴ θάπτειν, ὅπως
μὴ τόνδε θάπτων αὐτὸς ἐς ταφὰς πέσῃς.
1090
ὁθούνεκʼ αὐτὸν ἐλπίσαντες οἴκοθεν
ἄγειν Ἀχαιοῖς ξύμμαχόν τε καὶ φίλον,
ἐξηύρομεν ζητοῦντες ἐχθίω Φρυγῶν·
ὅστις στρατῷ ξύμπαντι βουλεύσας φόνον
1055
νύκτωρ ἐπεστράτευσεν, ὡς ἕλοι δορί·
κεἰ μὴ θεῶν τις τήνδε πεῖραν ἔσβεσεν,
ἡμεῖς μὲν ἂν τήνδʼ ἣν ὅδʼ εἴληχεν τύχην
θανόντες ἂν προυκείμεθʼ αἰσχίστῳ μόρῳ,
οὗτος δʼ ἂν ἔζη. νῦν δʼ ἐνήλλαξεν θεὸς
1060
τὴν τοῦδʼ ὕβριν πρὸς μῆλα καὶ ποίμνας πεσεῖν.
ὧν οὕνεκʼ αὐτὸν οὔτις ἔστʼ ἀνὴρ σθένων
τοσοῦτον ὥστε σῶμα τυμβεῦσαι τάφῳ,
ἀλλʼ ἀμφὶ χλωρὰν ψάμαθον ἐκβεβλημένος
ὄρνισι φορβὴ παραλίοις γενήσεται.
1065
πρὸς ταῦτα μηδὲν δεινὸν ἐξάρῃς μένος.
εἰ γὰρ βλέποντος μὴ ʼδυνήθημεν κρατεῖν,
πάντως θανόντος γʼ ἄρξομεν, κἂν μὴ θέλῃς,
χερσὶν παρευθύνοντες. οὐ γὰρ ἔσθʼ ὅπου
λόγων ἀκοῦσαι ζῶν ποτʼ ἠθέλησʼ ἐμῶν.
1070
καίτοι κακοῦ πρὸς ἀνδρὸς ἄνδρα δημότην
μηδὲν δικαιοῦν τῶν ἐφεστώτων κλύειν.
οὐ γάρ ποτʼ οὔτʼ ἂν ἐν πόλει νόμοι καλῶς
φέροιντʼ ἄν, ἔνθα μὴ καθεστήκῃ δέος,
οὔτʼ ἂν στρατός γε σωφρόνως ἄρχοιτʼ ἔτι,
1075
μηδὲν φόβου πρόβλημα μηδʼ αἰδοῦς ἔχων.
ἀλλʼ ἄνδρα χρή, κἂν σῶμα γεννήσῃ μέγα,
δοκεῖν πεσεῖν ἂν κἂν ἀπὸ σμικροῦ κακοῦ.
δέος γὰρ ᾧ πρόσεστιν αἰσχύνη θʼ ὁμοῦ,
σωτηρίαν ἔχοντα τόνδʼ ἐπίστασο·
1080
ὅπου δʼ ὑβρίζειν δρᾶν θʼ ἃ βούλεται παρῇ,
ταύτην νόμιζε τὴν πόλιν χρόνῳ ποτὲ
ἐξ οὐρίων δραμοῦσαν ἐς βυθὸν πεσεῖν.
ἀλλʼ ἑστάτω μοι καὶ δέος τι καίριον,
καὶ μὴ δοκῶμεν δρῶντες ἃν ἡδώμεθα
1085
οὐκ ἀντιτείσειν αὖθις ἃν λυπώμεθα.
ἕρπει παραλλὰξ ταῦτα. πρόσθεν οὗτος ἦν
αἴθων ὑβριστής, νῦν δʼ ἐγὼ μέγʼ αὖ φρονῶ.
καί σοι προφωνῶ τόνδε μὴ θάπτειν, ὅπως
μὴ τόνδε θάπτων αὐτὸς ἐς ταφὰς πέσῃς.
1090
Χορός
Μενέλαε, μὴ γνώμας ὑποστήσας σοφὰς
εἶτʼ αὐτὸς ἐν θανοῦσιν ὑβριστὴς γένῃ.
Μενέλαε, μὴ γνώμας ὑποστήσας σοφὰς
εἶτʼ αὐτὸς ἐν θανοῦσιν ὑβριστὴς γένῃ.
Τεῦκρος
οὐκ ἄν ποτʼ, ἄνδρες, ἄνδρα θαυμάσαιμʼ ἔτι,
ὃς μηδὲν ὢν γοναῖσιν εἶθʼ ἁμαρτάνει,
ὅθʼ οἱ δοκοῦντες εὐγενεῖς πεφυκέναι
1095
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
τοιαῦθʼ ἁμαρτάνουσιν ἐν λόγοις ἔπη.
ἄγʼ, εἴπʼ ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς αὖθις, ἦ σὺ φὴς ἄγειν
τόνδʼ ἄνδρʼ Ἀχαιοῖς δεῦρο σύμμαχον λαβών;
οὐκ αὐτὸς ἐξέπλευσεν ὡς αὑτοῦ κρατῶν;
ποῦ σὺ στρατηγεῖς τοῦδε; ποῦ δὲ σοὶ λεὼν
1100
ἔξεστʼ ἀνάσσειν ὧν ὅδʼ ἡγεῖτʼ οἴκοθεν;
Σπάρτης ἀνάσσων ἦλθες, οὐχ ἡμῶν κρατῶν·
οὐδʼ ἔσθʼ ὅπου σοὶ τόνδε κοσμῆσαι πλέον
ἀρχῆς ἔκειτο θεσμὸς ἢ καὶ τῷδε σέ.
ὕπαρχος ἄλλων δεῦρʼ ἔπλευσας, οὐχ ὅλων
1105
στρατηγός, ὥστʼ Αἴαντος ἡγεῖσθαί ποτε.
ἀλλʼ ὧνπερ ἄρχεις ἄρχε, καὶ τὰ σέμνʼ ἔπη
κόλαζʼ ἐκείνους· τόνδε δʼ, εἴτε μὴ σὺ φὴς
εἴθʼ ἅτερος στρατηγός, ἐς ταφὰς ἐγὼ
θήσω δικαίως, οὐ τὸ σὸν δείσας στόμα.
1110
οὐ γάρ τι τῆς σῆς οὕνεκʼ ἐστρατεύσατο
γυναικός, ὥσπερ οἱ πόνου πολλοῦ πλέῳ,
ἀλλʼ οὕνεχʼ ὅρκων οἷσιν ἦν ἐνώμοτος,
σοῦ δʼ οὐδέν· οὐ γὰρ ἠξίου τοὺς μηδένας.
πρὸς ταῦτα πλείους δεῦρο κήρυκας λαβὼν
1115
καὶ τὸν στρατηγὸν ἧκε· τοῦ δὲ σοῦ ψόφου
οὐκ ἂν στραφείην, ἕως ἂν ᾖς οἷός περ εἶ.
οὐκ ἄν ποτʼ, ἄνδρες, ἄνδρα θαυμάσαιμʼ ἔτι,
ὃς μηδὲν ὢν γοναῖσιν εἶθʼ ἁμαρτάνει,
ὅθʼ οἱ δοκοῦντες εὐγενεῖς πεφυκέναι
1095
τοιαῦθʼ ἁμαρτάνουσιν ἐν λόγοις ἔπη.
ἄγʼ, εἴπʼ ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς αὖθις, ἦ σὺ φὴς ἄγειν
τόνδʼ ἄνδρʼ Ἀχαιοῖς δεῦρο σύμμαχον λαβών;
οὐκ αὐτὸς ἐξέπλευσεν ὡς αὑτοῦ κρατῶν;
ποῦ σὺ στρατηγεῖς τοῦδε; ποῦ δὲ σοὶ λεὼν
1100
ἔξεστʼ ἀνάσσειν ὧν ὅδʼ ἡγεῖτʼ οἴκοθεν;
Σπάρτης ἀνάσσων ἦλθες, οὐχ ἡμῶν κρατῶν·
οὐδʼ ἔσθʼ ὅπου σοὶ τόνδε κοσμῆσαι πλέον
ἀρχῆς ἔκειτο θεσμὸς ἢ καὶ τῷδε σέ.
ὕπαρχος ἄλλων δεῦρʼ ἔπλευσας, οὐχ ὅλων
1105
στρατηγός, ὥστʼ Αἴαντος ἡγεῖσθαί ποτε.
ἀλλʼ ὧνπερ ἄρχεις ἄρχε, καὶ τὰ σέμνʼ ἔπη
κόλαζʼ ἐκείνους· τόνδε δʼ, εἴτε μὴ σὺ φὴς
εἴθʼ ἅτερος στρατηγός, ἐς ταφὰς ἐγὼ
θήσω δικαίως, οὐ τὸ σὸν δείσας στόμα.
1110
οὐ γάρ τι τῆς σῆς οὕνεκʼ ἐστρατεύσατο
γυναικός, ὥσπερ οἱ πόνου πολλοῦ πλέῳ,
ἀλλʼ οὕνεχʼ ὅρκων οἷσιν ἦν ἐνώμοτος,
σοῦ δʼ οὐδέν· οὐ γὰρ ἠξίου τοὺς μηδένας.
πρὸς ταῦτα πλείους δεῦρο κήρυκας λαβὼν
1115
καὶ τὸν στρατηγὸν ἧκε· τοῦ δὲ σοῦ ψόφου
οὐκ ἂν στραφείην, ἕως ἂν ᾖς οἷός περ εἶ.
Χορός
οὐδʼ αὖ τοιαύτην γλῶσσαν ἐν κακοῖς φιλῶ·
τὰ σκληρὰ γάρ τοι, κἂν ὑπέρδικʼ ᾖ, δάκνει.
οὐδʼ αὖ τοιαύτην γλῶσσαν ἐν κακοῖς φιλῶ·
τὰ σκληρὰ γάρ τοι, κἂν ὑπέρδικʼ ᾖ, δάκνει.
Μενέλαος
ὁ τοξότης ἔοικεν οὐ σμικρὸν φρονεῖν.
1120
ὁ τοξότης ἔοικεν οὐ σμικρὸν φρονεῖν.
1120
Τεῦκρος
οὐ γὰρ βάναυσον τὴν τέχνην ἐκτησάμην.
οὐ γὰρ βάναυσον τὴν τέχνην ἐκτησάμην.
Μενέλαος
μέγʼ ἄν τι κομπάσειας, ἀσπίδʼ εἰ λάβοις.
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
μέγʼ ἄν τι κομπάσειας, ἀσπίδʼ εἰ λάβοις.
Τεῦκρος
κἂν ψιλὸς ἀρκέσαιμι σοί γʼ ὡπλισμένῳ.
κἂν ψιλὸς ἀρκέσαιμι σοί γʼ ὡπλισμένῳ.
Μενέλαος
ἡ γλῶσσά σου τὸν θυμὸν ὡς δεινὸν τρέφει.
ἡ γλῶσσά σου τὸν θυμὸν ὡς δεινὸν τρέφει.
Τεῦκρος
ξὺν τῷ δικαίῳ γὰρ μέγʼ ἔξεστιν φρονεῖν.
1125
ξὺν τῷ δικαίῳ γὰρ μέγʼ ἔξεστιν φρονεῖν.
1125
Μενέλαος
δίκαια γὰρ τόνδʼ εὐτυχεῖν κτείναντά με;
δίκαια γὰρ τόνδʼ εὐτυχεῖν κτείναντά με;
Τεῦκρος
κτείναντα; δεινόν γʼ εἶπας, εἰ καὶ ζῇς θανών.
κτείναντα; δεινόν γʼ εἶπας, εἰ καὶ ζῇς θανών.
Μενέλαος
θεὸς γὰρ ἐκσῴζει με, τῷδε δʼ οἴχομαι.
θεὸς γὰρ ἐκσῴζει με, τῷδε δʼ οἴχομαι.
Τεῦκρος
μή νυν ἀτίμα θεούς, θεοῖς σεσωμένος.
μή νυν ἀτίμα θεούς, θεοῖς σεσωμένος.
Μενέλαος
ἐγὼ γὰρ ἂν ψέξαιμι δαιμόνων νόμους;
1130
ἐγὼ γὰρ ἂν ψέξαιμι δαιμόνων νόμους;
1130
Τεῦκρος
εἰ τοὺς θανόντας οὐκ ἐᾷς θάπτειν παρών.
εἰ τοὺς θανόντας οὐκ ἐᾷς θάπτειν παρών.
Μενέλαος
τούς γʼ αὐτὸς αὑτοῦ πολεμίους· οὐ γὰρ καλόν.
τούς γʼ αὐτὸς αὑτοῦ πολεμίους· οὐ γὰρ καλόν.
Τεῦκρος
ἦ σοὶ γὰρ Αἴας πολέμιος προύστη ποτέ;
ἦ σοὶ γὰρ Αἴας πολέμιος προύστη ποτέ;
Μενέλαος
μισοῦντʼ ἐμίσει· καὶ σὺ τοῦτʼ ἠπίστασο.
μισοῦντʼ ἐμίσει· καὶ σὺ τοῦτʼ ἠπίστασο.
Τεῦκρος
κλέπτης γὰρ αὐτοῦ ψηφοποιὸς ηὑρέθης.
1135
κλέπτης γὰρ αὐτοῦ ψηφοποιὸς ηὑρέθης.
1135
Μενέλαος
ἐν τοῖς δικασταῖς, κοὐκ ἐμοί, τόδʼ ἐσφάλη.
ἐν τοῖς δικασταῖς, κοὐκ ἐμοί, τόδʼ ἐσφάλη.
Τεῦκρος
πόλλʼ ἂν κακῶς λάθρᾳ σὺ κλέψειας κακά.
πόλλʼ ἂν κακῶς λάθρᾳ σὺ κλέψειας κακά.
Μενέλαος
τοῦτʼ εἰς ἀνίαν τοὔπος ἔρχεται τινί.
τοῦτʼ εἰς ἀνίαν τοὔπος ἔρχεται τινί.
Τεῦκρος
οὐ μᾶλλον, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἢ λυπήσομεν.
οὐ μᾶλλον, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἢ λυπήσομεν.
Μενέλαος
ἕν σοι φράσω· τόνδʼ ἐστὶν οὐχὶ θαπτέον.
1140
ἕν σοι φράσω· τόνδʼ ἐστὶν οὐχὶ θαπτέον.
1140
Τεῦκρος
σὺ δʼ ἀντακούσῃ τοῦτον ὡς τεθάψεται.
σὺ δʼ ἀντακούσῃ τοῦτον ὡς τεθάψεται.
Μενέλαος
ἤδη ποτʼ εἶδον ἄνδρʼ ἐγὼ γλώσσῃ θρασὺν
ναύτας ἐφορμήσαντα χειμῶνος τὸ πλεῖν,
ᾧ φθέγμʼ ἂν οὐκ ἂν ηὗρες, ἡνίκʼ ἐν κακῷ
χειμῶνος εἴχετʼ, ἀλλʼ ὑφʼ εἵματος κρυφεὶς
1145
πατεῖν παρεῖχε τῷ θέλοντι ναυτίλων.
οὕτω δὲ καὶ σὲ καὶ τὸ σὸν λάβρον στόμα
σμικροῦ νέφους τάχʼ ἄν τις ἐκπνεύσας μέγας
χειμὼν κατασβέσειε τὴν πολλὴν βοήν.
ἤδη ποτʼ εἶδον ἄνδρʼ ἐγὼ γλώσσῃ θρασὺν
ναύτας ἐφορμήσαντα χειμῶνος τὸ πλεῖν,
ᾧ φθέγμʼ ἂν οὐκ ἂν ηὗρες, ἡνίκʼ ἐν κακῷ
χειμῶνος εἴχετʼ, ἀλλʼ ὑφʼ εἵματος κρυφεὶς
1145
πατεῖν παρεῖχε τῷ θέλοντι ναυτίλων.
οὕτω δὲ καὶ σὲ καὶ τὸ σὸν λάβρον στόμα
σμικροῦ νέφους τάχʼ ἄν τις ἐκπνεύσας μέγας
χειμὼν κατασβέσειε τὴν πολλὴν βοήν.
Τεῦκρος
ἐγὼ δέ γʼ ἄνδρʼ ὄπωπα μωρίας πλέων,
1150
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
ὃς ἐν κακοῖς ὕβριζε τοῖσι τῶν πέλας.
κᾆτʼ αὐτὸν εἰσιδών τις ἐμφερὴς ἐμοὶ
ὀργήν θʼ ὁμοῖος εἶπε τοιοῦτον λόγον,
ὤνθρωπε, μὴ δρᾶ τοὺς τεθνηκότας κακῶς·
εἰ γὰρ ποήσεις, ἴσθι πημανούμενος.
1155
τοιαῦτʼ ἄνολβον ἄνδρʼ ἐνουθέτει παρών.
ὁρῶ δέ τοί νιν, κἄστιν, ὡς ἐμοὶ δοκεῖ,
οὐδείς ποτʼ ἄλλος ἢ σύ. μῶν ᾐνιξάμην;
ἐγὼ δέ γʼ ἄνδρʼ ὄπωπα μωρίας πλέων,
1150
ὃς ἐν κακοῖς ὕβριζε τοῖσι τῶν πέλας.
κᾆτʼ αὐτὸν εἰσιδών τις ἐμφερὴς ἐμοὶ
ὀργήν θʼ ὁμοῖος εἶπε τοιοῦτον λόγον,
ὤνθρωπε, μὴ δρᾶ τοὺς τεθνηκότας κακῶς·
εἰ γὰρ ποήσεις, ἴσθι πημανούμενος.
1155
τοιαῦτʼ ἄνολβον ἄνδρʼ ἐνουθέτει παρών.
ὁρῶ δέ τοί νιν, κἄστιν, ὡς ἐμοὶ δοκεῖ,
οὐδείς ποτʼ ἄλλος ἢ σύ. μῶν ᾐνιξάμην;
Μενέλαος
ἄπειμι· καὶ γὰρ αἰσχρόν, εἰ πύθοιτό τις
λόγοις κολάζειν ᾧ βιάζεσθαι πάρα.
1160
ἄπειμι· καὶ γὰρ αἰσχρόν, εἰ πύθοιτό τις
λόγοις κολάζειν ᾧ βιάζεσθαι πάρα.
1160
Τεῦκρος
ἄφερπέ νυν. κἀμοὶ γὰρ αἴσχιστον κλύειν
ἀνδρὸς ματαίου φλαῦρʼ ἔπη μυθουμένου.
ἄφερπέ νυν. κἀμοὶ γὰρ αἴσχιστον κλύειν
ἀνδρὸς ματαίου φλαῦρʼ ἔπη μυθουμένου.
Χορός
ἔσται μεγάλης ἔριδός τις ἀγών.
ἀλλʼ ὡς δύνασαι, Τεῦκρε, ταχύνας
σπεῦσον κοίλην κάπετόν τινʼ ἰδεῖν
1165
τῷδʼ, ἔνθα βροτοῖς τὸν ἀείμνηστον
τάφον εὐρώεντα καθέξει.
ἔσται μεγάλης ἔριδός τις ἀγών.
ἀλλʼ ὡς δύνασαι, Τεῦκρε, ταχύνας
σπεῦσον κοίλην κάπετόν τινʼ ἰδεῖν
1165
τῷδʼ, ἔνθα βροτοῖς τὸν ἀείμνηστον
τάφον εὐρώεντα καθέξει.
Τεῦκρος
καὶ μὴν ἐς αὐτὸν καιρὸν οἵδε πλησίοι
πάρεισιν ἀνδρὸς τοῦδε παῖς τε καὶ γυνή,
τάφον περιστελοῦντε δυστήνου νεκροῦ.
1170
ὦ παῖ, πρόσελθε δεῦρο, καὶ σταθεὶς πέλας
ἱκέτης ἔφαψαι πατρός, ὅς σʼ ἐγείνατο.
θάκει δὲ προστρόπαιος ἐν χεροῖν ἔχων
κόμας ἐμὰς καὶ τῆσδε καὶ σαυτοῦ τρίτου,
ἱκτήριον θησαυρόν. εἰ δέ τις στρατοῦ
1175
βίᾳ σʼ ἀποσπάσειε τοῦδε τοῦ νεκροῦ,
κακὸς κακῶς ἄθαπτος ἐκπέσοι χθονός,
γένους ἅπαντος ῥίζαν ἐξημημένος,
αὔτως ὅπωσπερ τόνδʼ ἐγὼ τέμνω πλόκον.
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
ἔχʼ αὐτόν, παῖ, καὶ φύλασσε, μηδέ σε
1180
κινησάτω τις, ἀλλὰ προσπεσὼν ἔχου.
ὑμεῖς τε μὴ γυναῖκες ἀντʼ ἀνδρῶν πέλας
παρέστατʼ, ἀλλʼ ἀρήγετʼ, ἔστʼ ἐγὼ μόλω
τάφου μεληθεὶς τῷδε, κἂν μηδεὶς ἐᾷ.
καὶ μὴν ἐς αὐτὸν καιρὸν οἵδε πλησίοι
πάρεισιν ἀνδρὸς τοῦδε παῖς τε καὶ γυνή,
τάφον περιστελοῦντε δυστήνου νεκροῦ.
1170
ὦ παῖ, πρόσελθε δεῦρο, καὶ σταθεὶς πέλας
ἱκέτης ἔφαψαι πατρός, ὅς σʼ ἐγείνατο.
θάκει δὲ προστρόπαιος ἐν χεροῖν ἔχων
κόμας ἐμὰς καὶ τῆσδε καὶ σαυτοῦ τρίτου,
ἱκτήριον θησαυρόν. εἰ δέ τις στρατοῦ
1175
βίᾳ σʼ ἀποσπάσειε τοῦδε τοῦ νεκροῦ,
κακὸς κακῶς ἄθαπτος ἐκπέσοι χθονός,
γένους ἅπαντος ῥίζαν ἐξημημένος,
αὔτως ὅπωσπερ τόνδʼ ἐγὼ τέμνω πλόκον.
ἔχʼ αὐτόν, παῖ, καὶ φύλασσε, μηδέ σε
1180
κινησάτω τις, ἀλλὰ προσπεσὼν ἔχου.
ὑμεῖς τε μὴ γυναῖκες ἀντʼ ἀνδρῶν πέλας
παρέστατʼ, ἀλλʼ ἀρήγετʼ, ἔστʼ ἐγὼ μόλω
τάφου μεληθεὶς τῷδε, κἂν μηδεὶς ἐᾷ.
Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 961-1184 focus
Τέκμησσα
οἱ δʼ οὖν γελώντων κἀπιχαιρόντων κακοῖς
τοῖς τοῦδʼ· ἴσως τοι, κεἰ βλέποντα μὴ ʼπόθουν,
θανόντʼ ἂν οἰμώξειαν ἐν χρείᾳ δορός.
οἱ γὰρ κακοὶ γνώμαισι τἀγαθὸν χεροῖν
ἔχοντες οὐκ ἴσασι, πρίν τις ἐκβάλῃ.
965
ἐμοὶ πικρὸς τέθνηκεν ἢ κείνοις γλυκύς,
αὑτῷ δὲ τερπνός· ὧν γὰρ ἠράσθη τυχεῖν
ἐκτήσαθʼ αὑτῷ, θάνατον ὅνπερ ἤθελεν.
τί δῆτα τοῦδʼ ἐπεγγελῷεν ἂν κάτα;
θεοῖς τέθνηκεν οὗτος, οὐ κείνοισιν, οὔ.
970
πρὸς ταῦτʼ Ὀδυσσεὺς ἐν κενοῖς ὑβριζέτω.
Αἴας γὰρ αὐτοῖς οὐκέτʼ ἐστίν, ἀλλʼ ἐμοὶ
λιπὼν ἀνίας καὶ γόους διοίχεται.
οἱ δʼ οὖν γελώντων κἀπιχαιρόντων κακοῖς
τοῖς τοῦδʼ· ἴσως τοι, κεἰ βλέποντα μὴ ʼπόθουν,
θανόντʼ ἂν οἰμώξειαν ἐν χρείᾳ δορός.
οἱ γὰρ κακοὶ γνώμαισι τἀγαθὸν χεροῖν
ἔχοντες οὐκ ἴσασι, πρίν τις ἐκβάλῃ.
965
ἐμοὶ πικρὸς τέθνηκεν ἢ κείνοις γλυκύς,
αὑτῷ δὲ τερπνός· ὧν γὰρ ἠράσθη τυχεῖν
ἐκτήσαθʼ αὑτῷ, θάνατον ὅνπερ ἤθελεν.
τί δῆτα τοῦδʼ ἐπεγγελῷεν ἂν κάτα;
θεοῖς τέθνηκεν οὗτος, οὐ κείνοισιν, οὔ.
970
πρὸς ταῦτʼ Ὀδυσσεὺς ἐν κενοῖς ὑβριζέτω.
Αἴας γὰρ αὐτοῖς οὐκέτʼ ἐστίν, ἀλλʼ ἐμοὶ
λιπὼν ἀνίας καὶ γόους διοίχεται.
Τεῦκρος
ἰώ μοί μοι.
ἰώ μοί μοι.
Χορός
σίγησον· αὐδὴν γὰρ δοκῶ Τεύκρου κλύειν
975
βοῶντος ἄτης τῆσδʼ ἐπίσκοπον μέλος.
σίγησον· αὐδὴν γὰρ δοκῶ Τεύκρου κλύειν
975
βοῶντος ἄτης τῆσδʼ ἐπίσκοπον μέλος.
Τεῦκρος
ὦ φίλτατʼ Αἴας, ὦ ξύναιμον ὄμμʼ ἐμοί,
ἆρʼ ἠμπόληκας, ὥσπερ ἡ φάτις κρατεῖ;
ὦ φίλτατʼ Αἴας, ὦ ξύναιμον ὄμμʼ ἐμοί,
ἆρʼ ἠμπόληκας, ὥσπερ ἡ φάτις κρατεῖ;
Χορός
ὄλωλεν ἁνήρ, Τεῦκρε, τοῦτʼ ἐπίστασο.
ὄλωλεν ἁνήρ, Τεῦκρε, τοῦτʼ ἐπίστασο.
Τεῦκρος
ὤμοι βαρείας ἆρα τῆς ἐμῆς τύχης.
980
ὤμοι βαρείας ἆρα τῆς ἐμῆς τύχης.
980
Χορός
ὡς ὧδʼ ἐχόντων
ὡς ὧδʼ ἐχόντων
Τεῦκρος
ὦ τάλας ἐγώ, τάλας.
ὦ τάλας ἐγώ, τάλας.
Χορός
πάρα στενάζειν.
πάρα στενάζειν.
Τεῦκρος
ὦ περισπερχὲς πάθος.
ὦ περισπερχὲς πάθος.
Χορός
ἄγαν γε, Τεῦκρε.
ἄγαν γε, Τεῦκρε.
Τεῦκρος
φεῦ τάλας· τί γὰρ τέκνον
τὸ τοῦδε, ποῦ μοι γῆς κυρεῖ τῆς Τρῳάδος;
φεῦ τάλας· τί γὰρ τέκνον
τὸ τοῦδε, ποῦ μοι γῆς κυρεῖ τῆς Τρῳάδος;
Χορός
μόνος παρὰ σκηναῖσιν.
985
μόνος παρὰ σκηναῖσιν.
985
Τεῦκρος
οὐχ ὅσον τάχος
δῆτʼ αὐτὸν ἄξεις δεῦρο, μή τις ὡς κενῆς
σκύμνον λεαίνης δυσμενῶν ἀναρπάσῃ;
ἴθʼ, ἐγκόνει, σύγκαμνε· τοῖς θανοῦσί τοι
φιλοῦσι πάντες κειμένοις ἐπεγγελᾶν.
οὐχ ὅσον τάχος
δῆτʼ αὐτὸν ἄξεις δεῦρο, μή τις ὡς κενῆς
σκύμνον λεαίνης δυσμενῶν ἀναρπάσῃ;
ἴθʼ, ἐγκόνει, σύγκαμνε· τοῖς θανοῦσί τοι
φιλοῦσι πάντες κειμένοις ἐπεγγελᾶν.
Χορός
καὶ μὴν ἔτι ζῶν, Τεῦκρε, τοῦδέ σοι μέλειν
990
ἐφίεθʼ ἁνὴρ κεῖνος, ὥσπερ οὖν μέλει.
992
καὶ μὴν ἔτι ζῶν, Τεῦκρε, τοῦδέ σοι μέλειν
990
ἐφίεθʼ ἁνὴρ κεῖνος, ὥσπερ οὖν μέλει.
Τεῦκρος
ὦ τῶν ἁπάντων δὴ θεαμάτων ἐμοὶ
ἄλγιστον ὧν προσεῖδον ὀφθαλμοῖς ἐγώ,
ὁδός θʼ ὁδῶν πασῶν ἀνιάσασα δὴ
μάλιστα τοὐμὸν σπλάγχνον, ἣν δὴ νῦν ἔβην.
995
ὦ φίλτατʼ Αἴας, τὸν σὸν ὡς ἐπῃσθόμην
μόρον διώκων κἀξιχνοσκοπούμενος.
ὀξεῖα γάρ σου βάξις ὡς θεοῦ τινος
διῆλθʼ Ἀχαιοὺς πάντας ὡς οἴχει θανών.
ἁγὼ κλύων δύστηνος ἐκποδὼν μὲν ὢν
1000
ὑπεστέναζον, νῦν δʼ ὁρῶν ἀπόλλυμαι.
οἴμοι.
ἴθʼ, ἐκκάλυψον, ὡς ἴδω τὸ πᾶν κακόν.
ὦ δυσθέατον ὄμμα καὶ τόλμης πικρᾶς,
ὅσας ἀνίας μοι κατασπείρας φθίνεις.
1005
ποῖ γὰρ μολεῖν μοι δυνατόν, εἰς ποίους βροτούς,
τοῖς σοῖς ἀρήξαντʼ ἐν πόνοισι μηδαμοῦ;
ἦ πού με Τελαμών, σὸς πατὴρ ἐμός θʼ ἅμα,
δέξαιτʼ ἂν εὐπρόσωπος ἵλεώς τʼ ἴσως
χωροῦντʼ ἄνευ σοῦ. πῶς γὰρ οὔχ; ὅτῳ πάρα
1010
μηδʼ εὐτυχοῦντι μηδὲν ἥδιον γελᾶν.
οὗτος τί κρύψει; ποῖον οὐχ ἐρεῖ κακὸν
τὸν ἐκ δορὸς γεγῶτα πολεμίου νόθον,
τὸν δειλίᾳ προδόντα καὶ κακανδρίᾳ
σέ, φίλτατʼ Αἴας, ἢ δόλοισιν, ὡς τὰ σὰ
1015
κράτη θανόντος καὶ δόμους νέμοιμι σούς.
τοιαῦτʼ ἀνὴρ δύσοργος, ἐν γήρᾳ βαρύς,
ἐρεῖ, πρὸς οὐδὲν εἰς ἔριν θυμούμενος.
τέλος δʼ ἀπωστὸς γῆς ἀπορριφθήσομαι,
δοῦλος λόγοισιν ἀντʼ ἐλευθέρου φανείς.
1020
τοιαῦτα μὲν κατʼ οἶκον· ἐν Τροίᾳ δέ μοι
πολλοὶ μὲν ἐχθροί, παῦρα δʼ ὠφελήσιμα.
καὶ ταῦτα πάντα σοῦ θανόντος ηὑρόμην.
οἴμοι, τί δράσω; πῶς σʼ ἀποσπάσω πικροῦ·
τοῦδʼ αἰόλου κνώδοντος, ὦ τάλας, ὑφʼ οὗ
1025
φονέως ἄρʼ ἐξέπνευσας; εἶδες ὡς χρόνῳ
ἔμελλέ σʼ Ἕκτωρ καὶ θανὼν ἀποφθίσειν;
σκέψασθε, πρὸς θεῶν, τὴν τύχην δυοῖν βροτοῖν.
Ἕκτωρ μέν, ᾧ δὴ τοῦδʼ ἐδωρήθη πάρα,
ζωστῆρι πρισθεὶς ἱππικῶν ἐξ ἀντύγων
1030
ἐκνάπτετʼ αἰέν, ἔστʼ ἀπέψυξεν βίον·
οὗτος δʼ ἐκείνου τήνδε δωρεὰν ἔχων
πρὸς τοῦδʼ ὄλωλε θανασίμῳ πεσήματι.
ἆρʼ οὐκ Ἐρινὺς τοῦτʼ ἐχάλκευσεν ξίφος
κἀκεῖνον Ἅιδης, δημιουργὸς ἄγριος;
1035
ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν καὶ ταῦτα καὶ τὰ πάντʼ ἀεὶ
φάσκοιμʼ ἂν ἀνθρώποισι μηχανᾶν θεούς·
ὅτῳ δὲ μὴ τάδʼ ἐστὶν ἐν γνώμῃ φίλα,
κεῖνός τʼ ἐκεῖνα στεργέτω κἀγὼ τάδε.
1040
ὦ τῶν ἁπάντων δὴ θεαμάτων ἐμοὶ
ἄλγιστον ὧν προσεῖδον ὀφθαλμοῖς ἐγώ,
ὁδός θʼ ὁδῶν πασῶν ἀνιάσασα δὴ
μάλιστα τοὐμὸν σπλάγχνον, ἣν δὴ νῦν ἔβην.
995
ὦ φίλτατʼ Αἴας, τὸν σὸν ὡς ἐπῃσθόμην
μόρον διώκων κἀξιχνοσκοπούμενος.
ὀξεῖα γάρ σου βάξις ὡς θεοῦ τινος
διῆλθʼ Ἀχαιοὺς πάντας ὡς οἴχει θανών.
ἁγὼ κλύων δύστηνος ἐκποδὼν μὲν ὢν
1000
ὑπεστέναζον, νῦν δʼ ὁρῶν ἀπόλλυμαι.
οἴμοι.
ἴθʼ, ἐκκάλυψον, ὡς ἴδω τὸ πᾶν κακόν.
ὦ δυσθέατον ὄμμα καὶ τόλμης πικρᾶς,
ὅσας ἀνίας μοι κατασπείρας φθίνεις.
1005
ποῖ γὰρ μολεῖν μοι δυνατόν, εἰς ποίους βροτούς,
τοῖς σοῖς ἀρήξαντʼ ἐν πόνοισι μηδαμοῦ;
ἦ πού με Τελαμών, σὸς πατὴρ ἐμός θʼ ἅμα,
δέξαιτʼ ἂν εὐπρόσωπος ἵλεώς τʼ ἴσως
χωροῦντʼ ἄνευ σοῦ. πῶς γὰρ οὔχ; ὅτῳ πάρα
1010
μηδʼ εὐτυχοῦντι μηδὲν ἥδιον γελᾶν.
οὗτος τί κρύψει; ποῖον οὐχ ἐρεῖ κακὸν
τὸν ἐκ δορὸς γεγῶτα πολεμίου νόθον,
τὸν δειλίᾳ προδόντα καὶ κακανδρίᾳ
σέ, φίλτατʼ Αἴας, ἢ δόλοισιν, ὡς τὰ σὰ
1015
κράτη θανόντος καὶ δόμους νέμοιμι σούς.
τοιαῦτʼ ἀνὴρ δύσοργος, ἐν γήρᾳ βαρύς,
ἐρεῖ, πρὸς οὐδὲν εἰς ἔριν θυμούμενος.
τέλος δʼ ἀπωστὸς γῆς ἀπορριφθήσομαι,
δοῦλος λόγοισιν ἀντʼ ἐλευθέρου φανείς.
1020
τοιαῦτα μὲν κατʼ οἶκον· ἐν Τροίᾳ δέ μοι
πολλοὶ μὲν ἐχθροί, παῦρα δʼ ὠφελήσιμα.
καὶ ταῦτα πάντα σοῦ θανόντος ηὑρόμην.
οἴμοι, τί δράσω; πῶς σʼ ἀποσπάσω πικροῦ·
τοῦδʼ αἰόλου κνώδοντος, ὦ τάλας, ὑφʼ οὗ
1025
φονέως ἄρʼ ἐξέπνευσας; εἶδες ὡς χρόνῳ
ἔμελλέ σʼ Ἕκτωρ καὶ θανὼν ἀποφθίσειν;
σκέψασθε, πρὸς θεῶν, τὴν τύχην δυοῖν βροτοῖν.
Ἕκτωρ μέν, ᾧ δὴ τοῦδʼ ἐδωρήθη πάρα,
ζωστῆρι πρισθεὶς ἱππικῶν ἐξ ἀντύγων
1030
ἐκνάπτετʼ αἰέν, ἔστʼ ἀπέψυξεν βίον·
οὗτος δʼ ἐκείνου τήνδε δωρεὰν ἔχων
πρὸς τοῦδʼ ὄλωλε θανασίμῳ πεσήματι.
ἆρʼ οὐκ Ἐρινὺς τοῦτʼ ἐχάλκευσεν ξίφος
κἀκεῖνον Ἅιδης, δημιουργὸς ἄγριος;
1035
ἐγὼ μὲν οὖν καὶ ταῦτα καὶ τὰ πάντʼ ἀεὶ
φάσκοιμʼ ἂν ἀνθρώποισι μηχανᾶν θεούς·
ὅτῳ δὲ μὴ τάδʼ ἐστὶν ἐν γνώμῃ φίλα,
κεῖνός τʼ ἐκεῖνα στεργέτω κἀγὼ τάδε.
Χορός
μὴ τεῖνε μακράν, ἀλλʼ ὅπως κρύψεις τάφῳ
1040
φράζου τὸν ἄνδρα χὤ τι μυθήσει τάχα.
βλέπω γὰρ ἐχθρὸν φῶτα, καὶ τάχʼ ἂν κακοῖς
γελῶν ἃ δὴ κακοῦργος ἐξίκοιτʼ ἀνήρ.
μὴ τεῖνε μακράν, ἀλλʼ ὅπως κρύψεις τάφῳ
1040
φράζου τὸν ἄνδρα χὤ τι μυθήσει τάχα.
βλέπω γὰρ ἐχθρὸν φῶτα, καὶ τάχʼ ἂν κακοῖς
γελῶν ἃ δὴ κακοῦργος ἐξίκοιτʼ ἀνήρ.
Τεῦκρος
τίς δʼ ἐστὶν ὅντινʼ ἄνδρα προσλεύσσεις στρατοῦ;
τίς δʼ ἐστὶν ὅντινʼ ἄνδρα προσλεύσσεις στρατοῦ;
Χορός
Μενέλαος, ᾧ δὴ τόνδε πλοῦν ἐστείλαμεν.
1045
Μενέλαος, ᾧ δὴ τόνδε πλοῦν ἐστείλαμεν.
1045
Τεῦκρος
ὁρῶ· μαθεῖν γὰρ ἐγγὺς ὢν οὐ δυσπετής.
ὁρῶ· μαθεῖν γὰρ ἐγγὺς ὢν οὐ δυσπετής.
Μενέλαος
οὗτος, σὲ φωνῶ τόνδε τὸν νεκρὸν χεροῖν
μὴ συγκομίζειν, ἀλλʼ ἐᾶν ὅπως ἔχει.
οὗτος, σὲ φωνῶ τόνδε τὸν νεκρὸν χεροῖν
μὴ συγκομίζειν, ἀλλʼ ἐᾶν ὅπως ἔχει.
Τεῦκρος
τίνος χάριν τοσόνδʼ ἀνήλωσας λόγον;
τίνος χάριν τοσόνδʼ ἀνήλωσας λόγον;
Μενέλαος
δοκοῦντʼ ἐμοί, δοκοῦντα δʼ ὃς κραίνει στρατοῦ.
1050
δοκοῦντʼ ἐμοί, δοκοῦντα δʼ ὃς κραίνει στρατοῦ.
1050
Τεῦκρος
οὔκουν ἂν εἴποις ἥντινʼ αἰτίαν προθείς;
οὔκουν ἂν εἴποις ἥντινʼ αἰτίαν προθείς;
Μενέλαος
ὁθούνεκʼ αὐτὸν ἐλπίσαντες οἴκοθεν
ἄγειν Ἀχαιοῖς ξύμμαχόν τε καὶ φίλον,
ἐξηύρομεν ζητοῦντες ἐχθίω Φρυγῶν·
ὅστις στρατῷ ξύμπαντι βουλεύσας φόνον
1055
νύκτωρ ἐπεστράτευσεν, ὡς ἕλοι δόρει·
κεἰ μὴ θεῶν τις τήνδε πεῖραν ἔσβεσεν,
ἡμεῖς μὲν ἂν τήνδʼ ἣν ὅδʼ εἴληχεν τύχην
θανόντες ἂν προυκείμεθʼ αἰσχίστῳ μόρῳ,
οὗτος δʼ ἂν ἔζη. νῦν δʼ ἐνήλλαξεν θεὸς
1060
τὴν τοῦδʼ ὕβριν πρὸς μῆλα καὶ ποίμνας πεσεῖν.
ὧν εἵνεκʼ αὐτὸν οὔτις ἔστʼ ἀνὴρ σθένων
τοσοῦτον ὥστε σῶμα τυμβεῦσαι τάφῳ,
ἀλλʼ ἀμφὶ χλωρὰν ψάμαθον ἐκβεβλημένος
ὄρνισι φορβὴ παραλίοις γενήσεται.
1065
πρὸς ταῦτα μηδὲν δεινὸν ἐξάρῃς μένος.
εἰ γὰρ βλέποντος μὴ ʼδυνήθημεν κρατεῖν,
πάντως θανόντος γʼ ἄρξομεν, κἂν μὴ θέλῃς,
χερσὶν παρευθύνοντες· οὐ γὰρ ἔσθʼ ὅπου
λόγων γʼ ἀκοῦσαι ζῶν ποτʼ ἠθέλησʼ ἐμῶν.
1070
καίτοι κακοῦ πρὸς ἀνδρὸς ὄντα δημότην
μηδὲν δικαιοῦν τῶν ἐφεστώτων κλύειν.
οὐ γάρ ποτʼ οὔτʼ ἂν ἐν πόλει νόμοι καλῶς
φέροιντʼ ἄν, ἔνθα μὴ καθεστήκῃ δέος,
οὔτʼ ἂν στρατός γε σωφρόνως ἄρχοιτʼ ἔτι,
1075
μηδὲν φόβου πρόβλημα μηδʼ αἰδοῦς ἔχων.
ἀλλʼ ἄνδρα χρή, κἂν σῶμα γεννήσῃ μέγα,
δοκεῖν πεσεῖν ἂν κἂν ἀπὸ σμικροῦ κακοῦ.
δέος γὰρ ᾧ πρόσεστιν αἰσχύνη θʼ ὁμοῦ,
σωτηρίαν ἔχοντα τόνδʼ ἐπίστασο·
1080
ὅπου δʼ ὑβρίζειν δρᾶν θʼ ἃ βούλεται παρῇ,
ταύτην νόμιζε τὴν πόλιν χρόνῳ ποτὲ
ἐξ οὐρίων δραμοῦσαν εἰς βυθὸν πεσεῖν.
ἀλλʼ ἑστάτω μοι καὶ δέος τι καίριον,
καὶ μὴ δοκῶμεν δρῶντες ἃν ἡδώμεθα
1085
οὐκ ἀντιτίσειν αὖθις ἂν λυπώμεθα.
ἕρπει παραλλὰξ ταῦτα. πρόσθεν οὗτος ἦν
αἴθων ὑβριστής, νῦν δʼ ἐγὼ μέγʼ αὖ φρονῶ.
καί σοι προφωνῶ τόνδε μὴ θάπτειν, ὅπως
μὴ τόνδε θάπτων αὐτὸς εἰς ταφὰς πέσῃς.
1090
1091
ὁθούνεκʼ αὐτὸν ἐλπίσαντες οἴκοθεν
ἄγειν Ἀχαιοῖς ξύμμαχόν τε καὶ φίλον,
ἐξηύρομεν ζητοῦντες ἐχθίω Φρυγῶν·
ὅστις στρατῷ ξύμπαντι βουλεύσας φόνον
1055
νύκτωρ ἐπεστράτευσεν, ὡς ἕλοι δόρει·
κεἰ μὴ θεῶν τις τήνδε πεῖραν ἔσβεσεν,
ἡμεῖς μὲν ἂν τήνδʼ ἣν ὅδʼ εἴληχεν τύχην
θανόντες ἂν προυκείμεθʼ αἰσχίστῳ μόρῳ,
οὗτος δʼ ἂν ἔζη. νῦν δʼ ἐνήλλαξεν θεὸς
1060
τὴν τοῦδʼ ὕβριν πρὸς μῆλα καὶ ποίμνας πεσεῖν.
ὧν εἵνεκʼ αὐτὸν οὔτις ἔστʼ ἀνὴρ σθένων
τοσοῦτον ὥστε σῶμα τυμβεῦσαι τάφῳ,
ἀλλʼ ἀμφὶ χλωρὰν ψάμαθον ἐκβεβλημένος
ὄρνισι φορβὴ παραλίοις γενήσεται.
1065
πρὸς ταῦτα μηδὲν δεινὸν ἐξάρῃς μένος.
εἰ γὰρ βλέποντος μὴ ʼδυνήθημεν κρατεῖν,
πάντως θανόντος γʼ ἄρξομεν, κἂν μὴ θέλῃς,
χερσὶν παρευθύνοντες· οὐ γὰρ ἔσθʼ ὅπου
λόγων γʼ ἀκοῦσαι ζῶν ποτʼ ἠθέλησʼ ἐμῶν.
1070
καίτοι κακοῦ πρὸς ἀνδρὸς ὄντα δημότην
μηδὲν δικαιοῦν τῶν ἐφεστώτων κλύειν.
οὐ γάρ ποτʼ οὔτʼ ἂν ἐν πόλει νόμοι καλῶς
φέροιντʼ ἄν, ἔνθα μὴ καθεστήκῃ δέος,
οὔτʼ ἂν στρατός γε σωφρόνως ἄρχοιτʼ ἔτι,
1075
μηδὲν φόβου πρόβλημα μηδʼ αἰδοῦς ἔχων.
ἀλλʼ ἄνδρα χρή, κἂν σῶμα γεννήσῃ μέγα,
δοκεῖν πεσεῖν ἂν κἂν ἀπὸ σμικροῦ κακοῦ.
δέος γὰρ ᾧ πρόσεστιν αἰσχύνη θʼ ὁμοῦ,
σωτηρίαν ἔχοντα τόνδʼ ἐπίστασο·
1080
ὅπου δʼ ὑβρίζειν δρᾶν θʼ ἃ βούλεται παρῇ,
ταύτην νόμιζε τὴν πόλιν χρόνῳ ποτὲ
ἐξ οὐρίων δραμοῦσαν εἰς βυθὸν πεσεῖν.
ἀλλʼ ἑστάτω μοι καὶ δέος τι καίριον,
καὶ μὴ δοκῶμεν δρῶντες ἃν ἡδώμεθα
1085
οὐκ ἀντιτίσειν αὖθις ἂν λυπώμεθα.
ἕρπει παραλλὰξ ταῦτα. πρόσθεν οὗτος ἦν
αἴθων ὑβριστής, νῦν δʼ ἐγὼ μέγʼ αὖ φρονῶ.
καί σοι προφωνῶ τόνδε μὴ θάπτειν, ὅπως
μὴ τόνδε θάπτων αὐτὸς εἰς ταφὰς πέσῃς.
1090
Χορός
Μενέλαε, μὴ γνώμας ὑποστήσας σοφὰς
εἶτʼ αὐτὸς ἐν θανοῦσιν ὑβριστὴς γένῃ.
Μενέλαε, μὴ γνώμας ὑποστήσας σοφὰς
εἶτʼ αὐτὸς ἐν θανοῦσιν ὑβριστὴς γένῃ.
Τεῦκρος
οὐκ ἄν ποτʼ, ἄνδρες, ἄνδρα θαυμάσαιμʼ ἔτι,
ὃς μηδὲν ὢν γοναῖσιν εἶθʼ ἁμαρτάνει,
ὅθʼ οἱ δοκοῦντες εὐγενεῖς πεφυκέναι
1095
τοιαῦθʼ ἁμαρτάνουσιν ἐν λόγοις ἔπη·
ἄγʼ εἴπʼ ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς αὖθις, ἦ σὺ φὴς ἄγειν
τόνδʼ ἄνδρʼ Ἀχαιοῖς δεῦρο σύμμαχον λαβών;
οὐκ αὐτὸς ἐξέπλευσεν ὡς αὑτοῦ κρατῶν;
ποῦ σὺ στρατηγεῖς τοῦδε; ποῦ δὲ σοὶ λεῶν
1100
ἔξεστʼ ἀνάσσειν ὧν ὅδʼ ἤγαγʼ οἴκοθεν;
Σπάρτης ἀνάσσων ἦλθες, οὐχ ἡμῶν κρατῶν·
οὐδʼ ἔσθʼ ὅπου σοὶ τόνδε κοσμῆσαι πλέον
ἀρχῆς ἔκειτο θεσμὸς ἢ καὶ τῷδε σέ.
ὕπαρχος ἄλλων δεῦρʼ ἔπλευσας, οὐχ ὅλων
1105
στρατηγός, ὥστʼ Αἴαντος ἡγεῖσθαί ποτε.
ἀλλʼ ὧνπερ ἄρχεις ἄρχε καὶ τὰ σέμνʼ ἔπη
κόλαζʼ ἐκείνους· τόνδε δʼ, εἴτε μὴ σὺ φὴς
εἴθʼ ἅτερος στρατηγός, εἰς ταφὰς ἐγὼ
θήσω δικαίως, οὐ τὸ σὸν δείσας στόμα.
1110
οὐ γάρ τι τῆς σῆς εἵνεκʼ ἐστρατεύσατο
γυναικός, ὥσπερ οἱ πόνου πολλοῦ πλέῳ,
ἀλλʼ εἵνεχʼ ὅρκων οἷσιν ἦν ἐνώμοτος,
σοῦ δʼ οὐδέν· οὐ γὰρ ἠξίου τοὺς μηδένας.
πρὸς ταῦτα πλείους δεῦρο κήρυκας λαβὼν
1115
καὶ τὸν στρατηγὸν ἧκε, τοῦ δὲ σοῦ ψόφου
οὐκ ἂν στραφείην, ἕως ἂν ᾖς οἷός περ εἶ.
οὐκ ἄν ποτʼ, ἄνδρες, ἄνδρα θαυμάσαιμʼ ἔτι,
ὃς μηδὲν ὢν γοναῖσιν εἶθʼ ἁμαρτάνει,
ὅθʼ οἱ δοκοῦντες εὐγενεῖς πεφυκέναι
1095
τοιαῦθʼ ἁμαρτάνουσιν ἐν λόγοις ἔπη·
ἄγʼ εἴπʼ ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς αὖθις, ἦ σὺ φὴς ἄγειν
τόνδʼ ἄνδρʼ Ἀχαιοῖς δεῦρο σύμμαχον λαβών;
οὐκ αὐτὸς ἐξέπλευσεν ὡς αὑτοῦ κρατῶν;
ποῦ σὺ στρατηγεῖς τοῦδε; ποῦ δὲ σοὶ λεῶν
1100
ἔξεστʼ ἀνάσσειν ὧν ὅδʼ ἤγαγʼ οἴκοθεν;
Σπάρτης ἀνάσσων ἦλθες, οὐχ ἡμῶν κρατῶν·
οὐδʼ ἔσθʼ ὅπου σοὶ τόνδε κοσμῆσαι πλέον
ἀρχῆς ἔκειτο θεσμὸς ἢ καὶ τῷδε σέ.
ὕπαρχος ἄλλων δεῦρʼ ἔπλευσας, οὐχ ὅλων
1105
στρατηγός, ὥστʼ Αἴαντος ἡγεῖσθαί ποτε.
ἀλλʼ ὧνπερ ἄρχεις ἄρχε καὶ τὰ σέμνʼ ἔπη
κόλαζʼ ἐκείνους· τόνδε δʼ, εἴτε μὴ σὺ φὴς
εἴθʼ ἅτερος στρατηγός, εἰς ταφὰς ἐγὼ
θήσω δικαίως, οὐ τὸ σὸν δείσας στόμα.
1110
οὐ γάρ τι τῆς σῆς εἵνεκʼ ἐστρατεύσατο
γυναικός, ὥσπερ οἱ πόνου πολλοῦ πλέῳ,
ἀλλʼ εἵνεχʼ ὅρκων οἷσιν ἦν ἐνώμοτος,
σοῦ δʼ οὐδέν· οὐ γὰρ ἠξίου τοὺς μηδένας.
πρὸς ταῦτα πλείους δεῦρο κήρυκας λαβὼν
1115
καὶ τὸν στρατηγὸν ἧκε, τοῦ δὲ σοῦ ψόφου
οὐκ ἂν στραφείην, ἕως ἂν ᾖς οἷός περ εἶ.
Χορός
οὐδʼ αὖ τοιαύτην γλῶσσαν ἐν κακοῖς φιλῶ·
τὰ σκληρὰ γάρ τοι, κἂν ὑπέρδικʼ ᾖ, δάκνει.
1120
οὐδʼ αὖ τοιαύτην γλῶσσαν ἐν κακοῖς φιλῶ·
τὰ σκληρὰ γάρ τοι, κἂν ὑπέρδικʼ ᾖ, δάκνει.
Μενέλαος
ὁ τοξότης ἔοικεν οὐ σμικρὸν φρονεῖν.
1120
ὁ τοξότης ἔοικεν οὐ σμικρὸν φρονεῖν.
1120
Τεῦκρος
οὐ γὰρ βάναυσον τὴν τέχνην ἐκτησάμην.
οὐ γὰρ βάναυσον τὴν τέχνην ἐκτησάμην.
Μενέλαος
μέγʼ ἄν τι κομπάσειας, ἀσπίδʼ εἰ λάβοις.
μέγʼ ἄν τι κομπάσειας, ἀσπίδʼ εἰ λάβοις.
Τεῦκρος
κἂν ψιλὸς ἀρκέσαιμι σοί γʼ ὡπλισμένῳ.
κἂν ψιλὸς ἀρκέσαιμι σοί γʼ ὡπλισμένῳ.
Μενέλαος
ἡ γλῶσσά σου τὸν θυμὸν ὡς δεινὸν τρέφει.
ἡ γλῶσσά σου τὸν θυμὸν ὡς δεινὸν τρέφει.
Τεῦκρος
ξὺν τῷ δικαίῳ γὰρ μέγʼ ἔξεστιν φρονεῖν.
1125
ξὺν τῷ δικαίῳ γὰρ μέγʼ ἔξεστιν φρονεῖν.
1125
Μενέλαος
δίκαια γὰρ τόνδʼ εὐτυχεῖν κτείναντά με;
δίκαια γὰρ τόνδʼ εὐτυχεῖν κτείναντά με;
Τεῦκρος
κτείναντα; δεινόν γʼ εἶπας, εἰ καὶ ζῇς θανών.
κτείναντα; δεινόν γʼ εἶπας, εἰ καὶ ζῇς θανών.
Μενέλαος
θεὸς γὰρ ἐκσῴζει με, τῷδε δʼ οἴχομαι.
θεὸς γὰρ ἐκσῴζει με, τῷδε δʼ οἴχομαι.
Τεῦκρος
μή νυν ἀτίμα θεούς, θεοῖς σεσωσμένος.
μή νυν ἀτίμα θεούς, θεοῖς σεσωσμένος.
Μενέλαος
ἐγὼ γὰρ ἂν ψέξαιμι δαιμόνων νόμους;
1130
ἐγὼ γὰρ ἂν ψέξαιμι δαιμόνων νόμους;
1130
Τεῦκρος
εἰ τοὺς θανόντας οὐκ ἐᾷς θάπτειν παρών.
εἰ τοὺς θανόντας οὐκ ἐᾷς θάπτειν παρών.
Μενέλαος
τούς γʼ αὐτὸς αὑτοῦ πολεμίους. οὐ γὰρ καλόν.
τούς γʼ αὐτὸς αὑτοῦ πολεμίους. οὐ γὰρ καλόν.
Τεῦκρος
ἦ σοὶ γὰρ Αἴας πολέμιος προύστη ποτέ;
ἦ σοὶ γὰρ Αἴας πολέμιος προύστη ποτέ;
Μενέλαος
μισοῦντʼ ἐμίσει· καὶ σὺ τοῦτʼ ἠπίστασο.
μισοῦντʼ ἐμίσει· καὶ σὺ τοῦτʼ ἠπίστασο.
Τεῦκρος
κλέπτης γὰρ αὐτοῦ ψηφοποιὸς ηὑρέθης.
1135
κλέπτης γὰρ αὐτοῦ ψηφοποιὸς ηὑρέθης.
1135
Μενέλαος
ἐν τοῖς δικασταῖς, κοὐκ ἐμοί, τόδʼ ἐσφάλη.
ἐν τοῖς δικασταῖς, κοὐκ ἐμοί, τόδʼ ἐσφάλη.
Τεῦκρος
πόλλʼ ἂν κακῶς λάθρᾳ σὺ κλέψειας κακά.
πόλλʼ ἂν κακῶς λάθρᾳ σὺ κλέψειας κακά.
Μενέλαος
τοῦτʼ εἰς ἀνίαν τοὔπος ἔρχεταί τινι.
τοῦτʼ εἰς ἀνίαν τοὔπος ἔρχεταί τινι.
Τεῦκρος
οὐ μᾶλλον, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἢ λυπήσομεν.
οὐ μᾶλλον, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἢ λυπήσομεν.
Μενέλαος
ἕν σοι φράσω· τόνδʼ ἐστὶν οὐχὶ θαπτέον.
1140
ἕν σοι φράσω· τόνδʼ ἐστὶν οὐχὶ θαπτέον.
1140
Τεῦκρος
ἀλλʼ ἀντακούσει τοῦτον ὡς τεθάψεται.
ἀλλʼ ἀντακούσει τοῦτον ὡς τεθάψεται.
Μενέλαος
ἤδη ποτʼ εἶδον ἄνδρʼ ἐγὼ γλώσσῃ θρασὺν
ναύτας ἐφορμήσαντα χειμῶνος τὸ πλεῖν,
ᾧ φθέγμʼ ἂν οὐκ ἂν ηὗρες, ἡνίκʼ ἐν κακῷ
χειμῶνος εἴχετʼ, ἀλλʼ ὑφʼ εἵματος κρυφεὶς
1145
πατεῖν παρεῖχε τῷ θέλοντι ναυτίλων.
οὕτω δὲ καὶ σὲ καὶ τὸ σὸν λάβρον στόμα
σμικροῦ νέφους τάχʼ ἄν τις ἐκπνεύσας μέγας
χειμὼν κατασβέσειε τὴν πολλὴν βοήν.
1150
ἤδη ποτʼ εἶδον ἄνδρʼ ἐγὼ γλώσσῃ θρασὺν
ναύτας ἐφορμήσαντα χειμῶνος τὸ πλεῖν,
ᾧ φθέγμʼ ἂν οὐκ ἂν ηὗρες, ἡνίκʼ ἐν κακῷ
χειμῶνος εἴχετʼ, ἀλλʼ ὑφʼ εἵματος κρυφεὶς
1145
πατεῖν παρεῖχε τῷ θέλοντι ναυτίλων.
οὕτω δὲ καὶ σὲ καὶ τὸ σὸν λάβρον στόμα
σμικροῦ νέφους τάχʼ ἄν τις ἐκπνεύσας μέγας
χειμὼν κατασβέσειε τὴν πολλὴν βοήν.
Τεῦκρος
ἐγὼ δέ γʼ ἄνδρʼ ὄπωπα μωρίας πλέων,
1150
ὃς ἐν κακοῖς ὕβριζε τοῖσι τῶν πέλας.
κᾆτʼ αὐτὸν εἰσιδών τις ἐμφερὴς ἐμοὶ
ὀργήν θʼ ὅμοιος εἶπε τοιοῦτον λόγον·
ὤνθρωπε, μὴ δρᾶ τοὺς τεθνηκότας κακῶς·
εἰ γὰρ ποήσεις, ἴσθι πημανούμενος.
1155
τοιαῦτʼ ἄνολβον ἄνδρʼ ἐνουθέτει παρών.
ὁρῶ δέ τοί νιν, κἄστιν, ὡς ἐμοὶ δοκεῖ,
οὐδείς ποτʼ ἄλλος ἢ σύ. μῶν ᾐνιξάμην;
ἐγὼ δέ γʼ ἄνδρʼ ὄπωπα μωρίας πλέων,
1150
ὃς ἐν κακοῖς ὕβριζε τοῖσι τῶν πέλας.
κᾆτʼ αὐτὸν εἰσιδών τις ἐμφερὴς ἐμοὶ
ὀργήν θʼ ὅμοιος εἶπε τοιοῦτον λόγον·
ὤνθρωπε, μὴ δρᾶ τοὺς τεθνηκότας κακῶς·
εἰ γὰρ ποήσεις, ἴσθι πημανούμενος.
1155
τοιαῦτʼ ἄνολβον ἄνδρʼ ἐνουθέτει παρών.
ὁρῶ δέ τοί νιν, κἄστιν, ὡς ἐμοὶ δοκεῖ,
οὐδείς ποτʼ ἄλλος ἢ σύ. μῶν ᾐνιξάμην;
Μενέλαος
ἄπειμι· καὶ γὰρ αἰσχρόν, εἰ πύθοιτό τις
λόγοις κολάζειν ᾧ βιάζεσθαι πάρα.
1160
ἄπειμι· καὶ γὰρ αἰσχρόν, εἰ πύθοιτό τις
λόγοις κολάζειν ᾧ βιάζεσθαι πάρα.
1160
Τεῦκρος
ἄφερπέ νυν· κἀμοὶ γὰρ αἴσχιστον κλύειν
ἀνδρὸς ματαίου φλαῦρʼ ἔπη μυθουμένου.
1163
ἄφερπέ νυν· κἀμοὶ γὰρ αἴσχιστον κλύειν
ἀνδρὸς ματαίου φλαῦρʼ ἔπη μυθουμένου.
Χορός
ἔσται μεγάλης ἔριδός τις ἀγών.
ἀλλʼ ὡς δύνασαι, Τεῦκρε, ταχύνας
σπεῦσον κοίλην κάπετόν τινʼ ἰδεῖν
1165
τῷδʼ, ἔνθα βροτοῖς τὸν ἀείμνηστον
τάφον εὐρώεντα καθέξει.
ἔσται μεγάλης ἔριδός τις ἀγών.
ἀλλʼ ὡς δύνασαι, Τεῦκρε, ταχύνας
σπεῦσον κοίλην κάπετόν τινʼ ἰδεῖν
1165
τῷδʼ, ἔνθα βροτοῖς τὸν ἀείμνηστον
τάφον εὐρώεντα καθέξει.
Τεῦκρος
καὶ μὴν ἐς αὐτὸν καιρὸν οἵδε πλησίοι
πάρεισιν ἀνδρὸς τοῦδε παῖς τε καὶ γυνή,
τάφον περιστελοῦντε δυστήνου νεκροῦ.
1170
ὦ παῖ, πρόσελθε δεῦρο καὶ σταθεὶς πέλας
ἱκέτης ἔφαψαι πατρός, ὅς σʼ ἐγείνατο.
θάκει δὲ προστρόπαιος ἐν χεροῖν ἔχων
κόμας ἐμὰς καὶ τῆσδε καὶ σαυτοῦ τρίτου,
ἱκτήριον θησαυρόν. εἰ δέ τις στρατοῦ
1175
βίᾳ σʼ ἀποσπάσειε τοῦδε τοῦ νεκροῦ,
κακὸς κακῶς ἄθαπτος ἐκπέσοι χθονός,
γένους ἅπαντος ῥίζαν ἐξημημένος,
αὔτως ὅπωσπερ τόνδʼ ἐγὼ τέμνω πλόκον.
ἔχʼ αὐτόν, ὦ παῖ, καὶ φύλασσε, μηδέ σε
1180
κινησάτω τις, ἀλλὰ προσπεσὼν ἔχου.
ὑμεῖς τε μὴ γυναῖκες ἀντʼ ἀνδρῶν πέλας
παρέστατʼ, ἀλλʼ ἀρήγετʼ, ἔστʼ ἐγὼ μολὼν
τάφου μεληθῶ τῷδε, κἂν μηδεὶς ἐᾷ.
καὶ μὴν ἐς αὐτὸν καιρὸν οἵδε πλησίοι
πάρεισιν ἀνδρὸς τοῦδε παῖς τε καὶ γυνή,
τάφον περιστελοῦντε δυστήνου νεκροῦ.
1170
ὦ παῖ, πρόσελθε δεῦρο καὶ σταθεὶς πέλας
ἱκέτης ἔφαψαι πατρός, ὅς σʼ ἐγείνατο.
θάκει δὲ προστρόπαιος ἐν χεροῖν ἔχων
κόμας ἐμὰς καὶ τῆσδε καὶ σαυτοῦ τρίτου,
ἱκτήριον θησαυρόν. εἰ δέ τις στρατοῦ
1175
βίᾳ σʼ ἀποσπάσειε τοῦδε τοῦ νεκροῦ,
κακὸς κακῶς ἄθαπτος ἐκπέσοι χθονός,
γένους ἅπαντος ῥίζαν ἐξημημένος,
αὔτως ὅπωσπερ τόνδʼ ἐγὼ τέμνω πλόκον.
ἔχʼ αὐτόν, ὦ παῖ, καὶ φύλασσε, μηδέ σε
1180
κινησάτω τις, ἀλλὰ προσπεσὼν ἔχου.
ὑμεῖς τε μὴ γυναῖκες ἀντʼ ἀνδρῶν πέλας
παρέστατʼ, ἀλλʼ ἀρήγετʼ, ἔστʼ ἐγὼ μολὼν
τάφου μεληθῶ τῷδε, κἂν μηδεὶς ἐᾷ.
Translations (2)
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1091 focus
Menelaos, hast du weise Lehren aufgestellt,
Dann übe selbst an Todten keinen Uebermuth.
Menelaos, hast du weise Lehren aufgestellt,
Dann übe selbst an Todten keinen Uebermuth.
Teukros.
Nie, Männer, wundr' ich über einen Mann mich mehr,
Der, niedrer Art entsprossen, sich durch Sünd' entweiht,
Wenn, die sich rühmen edler Art entstammt zu sein,
1050
So schwer in ihren Worten sich versündigen.
Wohlan, noch Einmal sag' es: hast du wirklich ihn
Dem Argosheer als Kampfgenossen zugeführt?
Sprich: zog er nicht freiwillig als sein eigner Herr?
Wo warest du sein Führer? Wo gebührte dir
1055
Des Volkes Herrschaft, welches ihm von Haus gefolgt?
Als Herrscher Sparta's kamst du, nicht als unser Fürst:
Dir wurde nirgend über ihn ein größ'res Recht
Der Oberherrschaft, als es ihm ward über dich.
Ja, pflichtig Andern zogst du her, nicht Oberherr
1060
Des Ganzen, daß dir Ajas unterworfen sei.
Beherrsche, deren Herr du bist, und strafe sie
Mit stolzen Worten: diesen Mann, wehrst du's mir auch,
Wehrt's auch der andre Führer, werd' ich nach Gebühr
Im Grabe bergen, ohne Scheu vor deinem Wort.
1065
Denn deiner Frau zuliebe zog er nicht zu Feld,
Gleich Abenteurern, die sich vielgeschäftig müh'n;
Ihn trieb der Eidschwur, welchem er verpflichtet war,
1
Du nicht; er ehrte nimmerdar den schwachen Mann.
Deshalb enteile, rufe mehr Herolde noch,
1070
Laß selbst den Feldherrn kommen; denn mich kümmert nicht
Dein eitler Lärm, so lang du bleibest, der du bist!
Nie, Männer, wundr' ich über einen Mann mich mehr,
Der, niedrer Art entsprossen, sich durch Sünd' entweiht,
Wenn, die sich rühmen edler Art entstammt zu sein,
1050
So schwer in ihren Worten sich versündigen.
Wohlan, noch Einmal sag' es: hast du wirklich ihn
Dem Argosheer als Kampfgenossen zugeführt?
Sprich: zog er nicht freiwillig als sein eigner Herr?
Wo warest du sein Führer? Wo gebührte dir
1055
Des Volkes Herrschaft, welches ihm von Haus gefolgt?
Als Herrscher Sparta's kamst du, nicht als unser Fürst:
Dir wurde nirgend über ihn ein größ'res Recht
Der Oberherrschaft, als es ihm ward über dich.
Ja, pflichtig Andern zogst du her, nicht Oberherr
1060
Des Ganzen, daß dir Ajas unterworfen sei.
Beherrsche, deren Herr du bist, und strafe sie
Mit stolzen Worten: diesen Mann, wehrst du's mir auch,
Wehrt's auch der andre Führer, werd' ich nach Gebühr
Im Grabe bergen, ohne Scheu vor deinem Wort.
1065
Denn deiner Frau zuliebe zog er nicht zu Feld,
Gleich Abenteurern, die sich vielgeschäftig müh'n;
Ihn trieb der Eidschwur, welchem er verpflichtet war,
1
Du nicht; er ehrte nimmerdar den schwachen Mann.
Deshalb enteile, rufe mehr Herolde noch,
1070
Laß selbst den Feldherrn kommen; denn mich kümmert nicht
Dein eitler Lärm, so lang du bleibest, der du bist!
Der Chor.
Auch solche Sprache lieb' ich nicht im Ungemach;
Das harte Wort schmerzt immer, sei's auch ganz gerecht.
Auch solche Sprache lieb' ich nicht im Ungemach;
Das harte Wort schmerzt immer, sei's auch ganz gerecht.
Menelaos.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 961-1180 focus
Tecmessa
Then let them mock and rejoice at this man’s misery. Perhaps, even though they did not cherish him while he lived, they will lament his death, when they meet with the difficulties of war. Men of crooked judgment do not know what good
they have in their hands until they have thrown it away. His death is more bitter to me than it is sweet to the Greeks; but in any case to Ajax himself it is a joy, since he has accomplished all that he desired to get—his longed-for death. So why should they exult over him?
965
He died before the gods, not at all before them—no! And so let Odysseus toss his insults in empty glee. For them Ajax is no more; for me he is gone, abandoning me to anguish and mourning.
970
Then let them mock and rejoice at this man’s misery. Perhaps, even though they did not cherish him while he lived, they will lament his death, when they meet with the difficulties of war. Men of crooked judgment do not know what good
they have in their hands until they have thrown it away. His death is more bitter to me than it is sweet to the Greeks; but in any case to Ajax himself it is a joy, since he has accomplished all that he desired to get—his longed-for death. So why should they exult over him?
965
He died before the gods, not at all before them—no! And so let Odysseus toss his insults in empty glee. For them Ajax is no more; for me he is gone, abandoning me to anguish and mourning.
970
Teucer
Approaching.
Ah! Ah, no!
Ah! Ah, no!
Chorus
Quiet—I think I hear the voice of Teucer striking a note that points to this disaster.
975
Enter Teucer.
Quiet—I think I hear the voice of Teucer striking a note that points to this disaster.
975
Teucer
Beloved Ajax, brother whose face was so dear to me, have you truly fared as the mighty rumor says?
Beloved Ajax, brother whose face was so dear to me, have you truly fared as the mighty rumor says?
Chorus
He is dead, Teucer. Take it as fact.
He is dead, Teucer. Take it as fact.
Teucer
Then I am destroyed by my heavy fortune!
980
Then I am destroyed by my heavy fortune!
980
Chorus
When things stand as they do—
When things stand as they do—
Teucer
Ah, misery, misery!
Ah, misery, misery!
Chorus
—you have cause to mourn.
—you have cause to mourn.
Teucer
O rash passion!
O rash passion!
Chorus
Yes, Teucer, far too rash.
Yes, Teucer, far too rash.
Teucer
Ah, misery—what about the man’s child? Where in all of
Troy
can I find him?
Ah, misery—what about the man’s child? Where in all of
Troy
can I find him?
Chorus
He is alone near the tent.
985
He is alone near the tent.
985
Teucer
To Tecmessa.
Then bring him here right away, so that we may prevent some enemy from snatching him away, as a hunter snatches a cub from a lioness and leaves her barren! Go quickly; give me your help! It is the habit of men everywhere to laugh in triumph over the dead when they are mere corpses on the ground.
Exit Tecmessa.
Then bring him here right away, so that we may prevent some enemy from snatching him away, as a hunter snatches a cub from a lioness and leaves her barren! Go quickly; give me your help! It is the habit of men everywhere to laugh in triumph over the dead when they are mere corpses on the ground.
Chorus
Yes, while still alive, Teucer, Ajax ordered you to care for the child, just as you are in fact doing.
990
992
Yes, while still alive, Teucer, Ajax ordered you to care for the child, just as you are in fact doing.
990
Teucer
This sight is truly most painful to me of all that my eyes have seen.
And the journey truly loathsome to my heart above all other journeys is this one that I have just now made while pursuing and scouting out your footsteps, dearest Ajax, once I learned of your fate! For a swift rumor about you, as if sent from some god, passed throughout all the Greek army, telling that you were dead and gone.
995
I heard the rumor while still far away from you, and I groaned quietly in sadness. But now that I see its truth, my heart is utterly shattered! Oh, god!
Come, uncover him; let me see the worst.
The corpse of Ajax is uncovered.
O face painful to look upon and full of cruel boldness,
1000
what a full crop of sorrows you have sown for me in your death! Where can I go? What people will receive me, when I have failed to help you in your troubles? No doubt Telamon, your father and mine, will likely greet me with a smile and kind words,
1005
when I return without you. Yes, of course he will—a man who, even when enjoying good fortune, tends not to smile more brightly than before! What will a man like him leave unsaid? What insult will he forego against
the bastard offspring of his spear’s war-prize, against your
cowardly, unmanly betrayer, dear Ajax,
1010
or better yet, your
treacherous betrayer with designs to govern your domain and your house after your death? So will he insult me; he is a man quick to anger, severe in old age, and his rage seeks quarrels without cause. And in the end I shall be thrust out of our land, and cast off,
1015
branded by his taunts as a slave instead of a freeman. These are my prospects at home. At
Troy
, on the other hand, my enemies are many, while I have few things to help me. All this have I gained from your death! Ah, me, what shall I do? How shall I draw your poor corpse
1020
off the sharp tooth of this gleaming sword, the murderer who, it seems, made you breathe your last? Now do you see how in time Hector, though dead, was to destroy you?
By the gods, note the fortune of this mortal pair.
1025
First Hector with the very warrior’s belt given to him by Ajax was lashed to the chariot-rail and shredded without end, until his life fled with his breath. Now Ajax here had this gift from Hector, and by this he has perished in his deadly fall. Was it not the Fury who forged this blade,
1030
was not that belt the product of Hades, the grim artificer? I, for my part, would affirm that these happenings and all happenings ever are designed by the gods for men. But if there is anyone in whose judgment my words are unacceptable, let him cherish his own thoughts, as I do mine.
1035
1040
This sight is truly most painful to me of all that my eyes have seen.
And the journey truly loathsome to my heart above all other journeys is this one that I have just now made while pursuing and scouting out your footsteps, dearest Ajax, once I learned of your fate! For a swift rumor about you, as if sent from some god, passed throughout all the Greek army, telling that you were dead and gone.
995
I heard the rumor while still far away from you, and I groaned quietly in sadness. But now that I see its truth, my heart is utterly shattered! Oh, god!
Come, uncover him; let me see the worst. The corpse of Ajax is uncovered.
O face painful to look upon and full of cruel boldness,
1000
Come, uncover him; let me see the worst. The corpse of Ajax is uncovered.
O face painful to look upon and full of cruel boldness,
what a full crop of sorrows you have sown for me in your death! Where can I go? What people will receive me, when I have failed to help you in your troubles? No doubt Telamon, your father and mine, will likely greet me with a smile and kind words,
1005
when I return without you. Yes, of course he will—a man who, even when enjoying good fortune, tends not to smile more brightly than before! What will a man like him leave unsaid? What insult will he forego against
the bastard offspring of his spear’s war-prize, against your
cowardly, unmanly betrayer, dear Ajax,
1010
or better yet, your
treacherous betrayer with designs to govern your domain and your house after your death? So will he insult me; he is a man quick to anger, severe in old age, and his rage seeks quarrels without cause. And in the end I shall be thrust out of our land, and cast off,
1015
branded by his taunts as a slave instead of a freeman. These are my prospects at home. At
Troy
, on the other hand, my enemies are many, while I have few things to help me. All this have I gained from your death! Ah, me, what shall I do? How shall I draw your poor corpse
1020
off the sharp tooth of this gleaming sword, the murderer who, it seems, made you breathe your last? Now do you see how in time Hector, though dead, was to destroy you?
By the gods, note the fortune of this mortal pair.
1025
By the gods, note the fortune of this mortal pair.
First Hector with the very warrior’s belt given to him by Ajax was lashed to the chariot-rail and shredded without end, until his life fled with his breath. Now Ajax here had this gift from Hector, and by this he has perished in his deadly fall. Was it not the Fury who forged this blade,
1030
was not that belt the product of Hades, the grim artificer? I, for my part, would affirm that these happenings and all happenings ever are designed by the gods for men. But if there is anyone in whose judgment my words are unacceptable, let him cherish his own thoughts, as I do mine.
1035
Chorus
Do not go on at length, but consider how you will bury him and what you will next say. For I see our enemy approaching, and chances are that he comes to mock at our sorrows, like one who would do us harm.
1040
Do not go on at length, but consider how you will bury him and what you will next say. For I see our enemy approaching, and chances are that he comes to mock at our sorrows, like one who would do us harm.
1040
Teucer
What man of the army do you see?
What man of the army do you see?
Chorus
Menelaus, the beneficiary of this expedition.
1045
Menelaus, the beneficiary of this expedition.
1045
Teucer
I see him; he is not hard to recognize when near.
Enter Menelaus.
I see him; he is not hard to recognize when near.
Menelaus
You there, I tell you not to lift that corpse for burial, but leave it where it lies.
You there, I tell you not to lift that corpse for burial, but leave it where it lies.
Teucer
Why do you waste your breath on this arrogant command?
Why do you waste your breath on this arrogant command?
Menelaus
It conveys my decree, and the decree of the army’s supreme ruler.
1050
It conveys my decree, and the decree of the army’s supreme ruler.
1050
Teucer
Would you mind, then, telling me what reason you pretend?
Would you mind, then, telling me what reason you pretend?
Menelaus
This—that when we had hoped we were bringing Ajax from home to be an ally and a friend for the Greeks, we found him on closer examination to be an enemy worse than the Phrygians,
since he plotted the murder of the entire army and marched by night against us in order to take us with his spear. And if some god had not smothered this attempt, we would have been allotted the fate which he now has, and we would be dead and lie prostrate by an ignoble doom,
1055
while he would be living. But now a god has turned his outrage aside, so that it fell on the sheep and cattle.
For this reason there is no man so powerful that he will be able to entomb the corpse of Ajax. Instead he shall be cast forth somewhere on the yellow sand
1060
to become forage for the birds of the seashore. So then do not inflame the terrible force of your spirit. If we were unable to master him while he lived, in any case in death, at least, we shall rule him despite your opposition and control him by force of our hands. For while he lived, there never was a time
1065
when he would obey my commands.
Now it is, in truth, the mark of a base nature when a commoner does not think it right to obey those who stand over him. Never can the laws maintain a prosperous course in a city where fear has no fixed place,
1070
nor can a camp be ruled any more with moderation, if it lacks the guarding force of fear and reverence. A man, though he grow his body great and mighty, must expect to fall, even from a light blow. Whoever knows fear and shame both,
1075
you can be certain that he has found his salvation; but where there is license to attack others and act at will, do not doubt that such a State, though she has run before a favoring wind, will eventually sink with time into the depths.
No, let me see fear, too, established, where fear is fitting;
1080
let us not think that we can act on our desires without paying the price in pain. These things come by turns. He was once the hot attacker, now it is my hour to glory. And so I warn you not to bury him,
1085
so that you can avoid falling into your own grave.
1090
1091
This—that when we had hoped we were bringing Ajax from home to be an ally and a friend for the Greeks, we found him on closer examination to be an enemy worse than the Phrygians,
since he plotted the murder of the entire army and marched by night against us in order to take us with his spear. And if some god had not smothered this attempt, we would have been allotted the fate which he now has, and we would be dead and lie prostrate by an ignoble doom,
1055
while he would be living. But now a god has turned his outrage aside, so that it fell on the sheep and cattle.
For this reason there is no man so powerful that he will be able to entomb the corpse of Ajax. Instead he shall be cast forth somewhere on the yellow sand
1060
For this reason there is no man so powerful that he will be able to entomb the corpse of Ajax. Instead he shall be cast forth somewhere on the yellow sand
to become forage for the birds of the seashore. So then do not inflame the terrible force of your spirit. If we were unable to master him while he lived, in any case in death, at least, we shall rule him despite your opposition and control him by force of our hands. For while he lived, there never was a time
1065
when he would obey my commands.
Now it is, in truth, the mark of a base nature when a commoner does not think it right to obey those who stand over him. Never can the laws maintain a prosperous course in a city where fear has no fixed place,
1070
Now it is, in truth, the mark of a base nature when a commoner does not think it right to obey those who stand over him. Never can the laws maintain a prosperous course in a city where fear has no fixed place,
nor can a camp be ruled any more with moderation, if it lacks the guarding force of fear and reverence. A man, though he grow his body great and mighty, must expect to fall, even from a light blow. Whoever knows fear and shame both,
1075
you can be certain that he has found his salvation; but where there is license to attack others and act at will, do not doubt that such a State, though she has run before a favoring wind, will eventually sink with time into the depths.
No, let me see fear, too, established, where fear is fitting;
1080
No, let me see fear, too, established, where fear is fitting;
let us not think that we can act on our desires without paying the price in pain. These things come by turns. He was once the hot attacker, now it is my hour to glory. And so I warn you not to bury him,
1085
so that you can avoid falling into your own grave.
1090
Chorus
Menelaus, after laying down wise precepts, do not then violate the dead.
Menelaus, after laying down wise precepts, do not then violate the dead.
Teucer
Never again, my fellow Salaminians, will I be amazed if some nobody by birth does wrong,
when those who are reputed to be born of noble blood employ such wrongful sentiments in their arguments.
Come, tell me from the first once more—do you really say that you brought Ajax here to the Greeks as an ally personally recruited by you? Did he not sail of his own accord? As his own master?
1095
On what grounds are you his commander? On what grounds have you a right to kingship over the men whom he brought from home? It was as
Sparta
’s king that you came, not as master over us. Nowhere was it established among your lawful powers that you should order him any more than he you.
1100
You sailed here under the command of others, not as a supreme commander who might at any time exercise authority over Ajax.
No, rule the troops you rule, and use your reverend words to punish them! But this man, whether you or the other general forbid it, I will lay
1105
in the grave as justice demands, and I will not fear your tongue. It was not at all for your wife’s sake that Ajax made this expedition, as did those toil-worn drudges. No, it was for the sake of the oath by which he had sworn, and not at all for you, since it was not his habit to value nobodies.
1110
And so when you come here again, bring more heralds, and the leader of the expedition, too. Your bluster could not make me turn to notice you, so long as you are what you are.
1115
Never again, my fellow Salaminians, will I be amazed if some nobody by birth does wrong,
when those who are reputed to be born of noble blood employ such wrongful sentiments in their arguments.
Come, tell me from the first once more—do you really say that you brought Ajax here to the Greeks as an ally personally recruited by you? Did he not sail of his own accord? As his own master?
1095
Come, tell me from the first once more—do you really say that you brought Ajax here to the Greeks as an ally personally recruited by you? Did he not sail of his own accord? As his own master?
On what grounds are you his commander? On what grounds have you a right to kingship over the men whom he brought from home? It was as
Sparta
’s king that you came, not as master over us. Nowhere was it established among your lawful powers that you should order him any more than he you.
1100
You sailed here under the command of others, not as a supreme commander who might at any time exercise authority over Ajax.
No, rule the troops you rule, and use your reverend words to punish them! But this man, whether you or the other general forbid it, I will lay
1105
No, rule the troops you rule, and use your reverend words to punish them! But this man, whether you or the other general forbid it, I will lay
in the grave as justice demands, and I will not fear your tongue. It was not at all for your wife’s sake that Ajax made this expedition, as did those toil-worn drudges. No, it was for the sake of the oath by which he had sworn, and not at all for you, since it was not his habit to value nobodies.
1110
And so when you come here again, bring more heralds, and the leader of the expedition, too. Your bluster could not make me turn to notice you, so long as you are what you are.
1115
Chorus
Again, I say, in these troubles I cannot approve of such a tone. Harsh words sting, however just they are.
1120
Again, I say, in these troubles I cannot approve of such a tone. Harsh words sting, however just they are.
Menelaus
The bowman seems to feel no little grandeur.
1120
The bowman seems to feel no little grandeur.
1120
Teucer
I do, since it is no lowly skill that I possess.
I do, since it is no lowly skill that I possess.
Menelaus
How you would boast, if you had a shield!
How you would boast, if you had a shield!
Teucer
Even without a shield I would be a match for you fully armed.
Even without a shield I would be a match for you fully armed.
Menelaus
What a tongue you have! What dreadful anger it feeds!
What a tongue you have! What dreadful anger it feeds!
Teucer
When right is with him, a man’s thoughts may be grand.
1125
When right is with him, a man’s thoughts may be grand.
1125
Menelaus
What, is it right that the man who murdered me should prosper?
What, is it right that the man who murdered me should prosper?
Teucer
Murdered you? It is truly a strange happening, if in fact you live after being killed.
Murdered you? It is truly a strange happening, if in fact you live after being killed.
Menelaus
A god rescued me. So far as that corpse is concerned, I am in Hades.
A god rescued me. So far as that corpse is concerned, I am in Hades.
Teucer
Then since it was the gods who saved you, do not dishonor the gods.
Then since it was the gods who saved you, do not dishonor the gods.
Menelaus
What, would I find fault with divine law?
1130
What, would I find fault with divine law?
1130
Teucer
Yes, if by your presence here you prevent burial of the dead.
Yes, if by your presence here you prevent burial of the dead.
Menelaus
Prevent it I do, since he was at war with me and I with him. Burial in such a case would not be right.
Prevent it I do, since he was at war with me and I with him. Burial in such a case would not be right.
Teucer
What do you mean? Did Ajax ever stand forth publicly to war with you?
What do you mean? Did Ajax ever stand forth publicly to war with you?
Menelaus
He hated me as I hated him, and you knew it, too.
He hated me as I hated him, and you knew it, too.
Teucer
Yes, he hated you because you had been caught fixing the votes in order to rob him.
1135
Yes, he hated you because you had been caught fixing the votes in order to rob him.
1135
Menelaus
At the hands of the jurymen, not mine, he suffered that loss.
At the hands of the jurymen, not mine, he suffered that loss.
Teucer
You could make a thousand stealthy crimes look pretty.
You could make a thousand stealthy crimes look pretty.
Menelaus
That sentiment leads to pain for someone I know.
That sentiment leads to pain for someone I know.
Teucer
The pain will be no greater, I think, than that which we will inflict.
The pain will be no greater, I think, than that which we will inflict.
Menelaus
I will tell you once and for all—there is to be no burial for him.
1140
I will tell you once and for all—there is to be no burial for him.
1140
Teucer
And hear my reply—he shall be buried immediately.
And hear my reply—he shall be buried immediately.
Menelaus
Once I saw a bold-tongued man who had urged sailors to set sail during wintertime. Yet in him you could have found no voice
when the worst of the storm was upon him. No, hidden beneath his cloak he allowed the crew to trample on him at will. And so it is with you and your raging speech—perhaps a great storm, even if its blast comes from a small cloud, will extinguish your shouting.
1145
1150
Once I saw a bold-tongued man who had urged sailors to set sail during wintertime. Yet in him you could have found no voice
when the worst of the storm was upon him. No, hidden beneath his cloak he allowed the crew to trample on him at will. And so it is with you and your raging speech—perhaps a great storm, even if its blast comes from a small cloud, will extinguish your shouting.
1145
Teucer
Yes, and I have seen a man stuffed with foolishness who exulted in his neighbor’s misfortunes. It turned out that a man like me and of similar temperament stared at him and said,
Man, do not wrong the dead; for, if you do, rest assured that you will come to harm. So he warned the misguided man before him. Take note—I see him now, and I think that he is no one but you. Have I spoken in riddles?
1150
Yes, and I have seen a man stuffed with foolishness who exulted in his neighbor’s misfortunes. It turned out that a man like me and of similar temperament stared at him and said,
Man, do not wrong the dead; for, if you do, rest assured that you will come to harm. So he warned the misguided man before him. Take note—I see him now, and I think that he is no one but you. Have I spoken in riddles?
1150
Menelaus
I will go—it would be a disgrace to have it known
that I argue when I have the power to use force.
1160
I will go—it would be a disgrace to have it known
that I argue when I have the power to use force.
1160
Teucer
Leave then! The worst disgrace for me is that I should listen to a fool’s empty chatter.
Exit Menelaus.
1163
Leave then! The worst disgrace for me is that I should listen to a fool’s empty chatter.
Chorus
A trial of this great discord will soon come about. But you, Teucer, with all the speed you can muster,
be quick to seek a hollow grave for Ajax, where he shall establish his dank tomb, a constant memorial for mortals.
1165
A trial of this great discord will soon come about. But you, Teucer, with all the speed you can muster,
be quick to seek a hollow grave for Ajax, where he shall establish his dank tomb, a constant memorial for mortals.
1165
Enter Tecmessa and Eurysaces.
Teucer
And now just in time his son and his wife approach
to arrange the burial of the pitiable corpse. Come here, nephew. Take your place near him, and grasp in supplication your father, your begetter. Kneel and pray for help, with locks of hair in your hand from me, her, and thirdly you;
1170
they are the suppliant’s only resource. But if any soldier from the army should tear you by violence from this body, then for his wickedness may he be wickedly cast out of his country and get no burial, but be severed at the root with all his race, just as I shear this lock.
1175
Take it, Nephew, and keep it safe. Let no one move you, but kneel there and cling to the dead.
And you there, do not stand idly by like women, not men. Help defend us until I return, when I have seen to a grave for him, though all the world forbids it.
1180
Exit Teucer.
And now just in time his son and his wife approach
to arrange the burial of the pitiable corpse. Come here, nephew. Take your place near him, and grasp in supplication your father, your begetter. Kneel and pray for help, with locks of hair in your hand from me, her, and thirdly you;
1170
they are the suppliant’s only resource. But if any soldier from the army should tear you by violence from this body, then for his wickedness may he be wickedly cast out of his country and get no burial, but be severed at the root with all his race, just as I shear this lock.
1175
Take it, Nephew, and keep it safe. Let no one move you, but kneel there and cling to the dead.
And you there, do not stand idly by like women, not men. Help defend us until I return, when I have seen to a grave for him, though all the world forbids it.
1180
And you there, do not stand idly by like women, not men. Help defend us until I return, when I have seen to a grave for him, though all the world forbids it.
Commentary
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
1069-1070. mvp-comment-687-1 i.e. 'I knew him too well in life to suppose that he will listen to reason.' Such appears to be the force of the opposition between χερσίν and λόγων here. This, said of the dead man, of course conveys the acme of brutal scorn. Cp. Shakespeare, Hamlet, 3. 4, “Indeed, this counsellor | Is now most still, most secret, and most grave.” For ὅπου, transferred from place to occasion, cp. infr. 1100.