ὑπὸ πλάκα Σουνίου,
Ajax. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
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Αἴας First1KGreek (Sophocles. Sophoclis Fabulae. Pearson, Alfred Chilton, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1924.) — 1223-1420 focus
Τεῦκρος
καὶ μὴν ἰδὼν ἔσπευσα τὸν στρατηλάτην
Ἀγαμέμνονʼ ἡμῖν δεῦρο τόνδʼ ὁρμώμενον·
δῆλος δέ μοὐστὶ σκαιὸν ἐκλύσων στόμα.
1225
καὶ μὴν ἰδὼν ἔσπευσα τὸν στρατηλάτην
Ἀγαμέμνονʼ ἡμῖν δεῦρο τόνδʼ ὁρμώμενον·
δῆλος δέ μοὐστὶ σκαιὸν ἐκλύσων στόμα.
1225
Ἀγαμέμνων
σὲ δὴ τὰ δεινὰ ῥήματʼ ἀγγέλλουσί μοι
τλῆναι καθʼ ἡμῶν ὧδʼ ἀνοιμωκτεὶ χανεῖν;
σέ τοι, τὸν ἐκ τῆς αἰχμαλωτίδος λέγω·
ἦ που τραφεὶς ἂν μητρὸς εὐγενοῦς ἄπο
ὑψήλʼ ἐκόμπεις κἀπʼ ἄκρων ὡδοιπόρεις,
1230
ὅτʼ οὐδὲν ὢν τοῦ μηδὲν ἀντέστης ὕπερ,
κοὔτε στρατηγοὺς οὔτε ναυάρχους μολεῖν
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
ἡμᾶς Ἀχαιῶν οὔτε σοῦ διωμόσω,
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς ἄρχων, ὡς σὺ φής, Αἴας ἔπλει.
ταῦτʼ οὐκ ἀκούειν μεγάλα πρὸς δούλων κακά;
1235
ποίου κέκραγας ἀνδρὸς ὧδʼ ὑπέρφρονα,
ποῖ βάντος ἢ ποῦ στάντος οὗπερ οὐκ ἐγώ;
οὐκ ἆρʼ Ἀχαιοῖς ἄνδρες εἰσὶ πλὴν ὅδε;
πικροὺς ἔοιγμεν τῶν Ἀχιλλείων ὅπλων
ἀγῶνας Ἀργείοισι κηρῦξαι τότε,
1240
εἰ πανταχοῦ φανούμεθʼ ἐκ Τεύκρου κακοί,
κοὐκ ἀρκέσει ποθʼ ὑμὶν οὐδʼ ἡσσημένοις
εἴκειν ἃ τοῖς πολλοῖσιν ἤρεσκεν κριταῖς,
ἀλλʼ αἰὲν ἡμᾶς ἢ κακοῖς βαλεῖτέ που
ἢ σὺν δόλῳ κεντήσεθʼ οἱ λελειμμένοι.
1245
ἐκ τῶνδε μέντοι τῶν τρόπων οὐκ ἄν ποτε
κατάστασις γένοιτʼ ἂν οὐδενὸς νόμου,
εἰ τοὺς δίκῃ νικῶντας ἐξωθήσομεν
καὶ τοὺς ὄπισθεν ἐς τὸ πρόσθεν ἄξομεν.
ἀλλʼ εἰρκτέον τάδʼ ἐστίν· οὐ γὰρ οἱ πλατεῖς
1250
οὐδʼ εὐρύνωτοι φῶτες ἀσφαλέστατοι,
ἀλλʼ οἱ φρονοῦντες εὖ κρατοῦσι πανταχοῦ.
μέγας δὲ πλευρὰ βοῦς ὑπὸ σμικρᾶς ὅμως
μάστιγος ὀρθὸς εἰς ὁδὸν πορεύεται.
καὶ σοὶ προσέρπον τοῦτʼ ἐγὼ τὸ φάρμακον
1255
ὁρῶ τάχʼ, εἰ μὴ νοῦν κατακτήσῃ τινά·
ὃς ἀνδρὸς οὐκέτʼ ὄντος, ἀλλʼ ἤδη σκιᾶς,
θαρσῶν ὑβρίζεις κἀξελευθεροστομεῖς.
οὐ σωφρονήσεις; οὐ μαθὼν ὃς εἶ φύσιν
ἄλλον τινʼ ἄξεις ἄνδρα δεῦρʼ ἐλεύθερον ,
1260
ὅστις πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀντὶ σοῦ λέξει τὰ σά;
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
σοῦ γὰρ λέγοντος οὐκέτʼ ἂν μάθοιμʼ ἐγώ·
τὴν βάρβαρον γὰρ γλῶσσαν οὐκ ἐπαΐω.
σὲ δὴ τὰ δεινὰ ῥήματʼ ἀγγέλλουσί μοι
τλῆναι καθʼ ἡμῶν ὧδʼ ἀνοιμωκτεὶ χανεῖν;
σέ τοι, τὸν ἐκ τῆς αἰχμαλωτίδος λέγω·
ἦ που τραφεὶς ἂν μητρὸς εὐγενοῦς ἄπο
ὑψήλʼ ἐκόμπεις κἀπʼ ἄκρων ὡδοιπόρεις,
1230
ὅτʼ οὐδὲν ὢν τοῦ μηδὲν ἀντέστης ὕπερ,
κοὔτε στρατηγοὺς οὔτε ναυάρχους μολεῖν
ἡμᾶς Ἀχαιῶν οὔτε σοῦ διωμόσω,
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς ἄρχων, ὡς σὺ φής, Αἴας ἔπλει.
ταῦτʼ οὐκ ἀκούειν μεγάλα πρὸς δούλων κακά;
1235
ποίου κέκραγας ἀνδρὸς ὧδʼ ὑπέρφρονα,
ποῖ βάντος ἢ ποῦ στάντος οὗπερ οὐκ ἐγώ;
οὐκ ἆρʼ Ἀχαιοῖς ἄνδρες εἰσὶ πλὴν ὅδε;
πικροὺς ἔοιγμεν τῶν Ἀχιλλείων ὅπλων
ἀγῶνας Ἀργείοισι κηρῦξαι τότε,
1240
εἰ πανταχοῦ φανούμεθʼ ἐκ Τεύκρου κακοί,
κοὐκ ἀρκέσει ποθʼ ὑμὶν οὐδʼ ἡσσημένοις
εἴκειν ἃ τοῖς πολλοῖσιν ἤρεσκεν κριταῖς,
ἀλλʼ αἰὲν ἡμᾶς ἢ κακοῖς βαλεῖτέ που
ἢ σὺν δόλῳ κεντήσεθʼ οἱ λελειμμένοι.
1245
ἐκ τῶνδε μέντοι τῶν τρόπων οὐκ ἄν ποτε
κατάστασις γένοιτʼ ἂν οὐδενὸς νόμου,
εἰ τοὺς δίκῃ νικῶντας ἐξωθήσομεν
καὶ τοὺς ὄπισθεν ἐς τὸ πρόσθεν ἄξομεν.
ἀλλʼ εἰρκτέον τάδʼ ἐστίν· οὐ γὰρ οἱ πλατεῖς
1250
οὐδʼ εὐρύνωτοι φῶτες ἀσφαλέστατοι,
ἀλλʼ οἱ φρονοῦντες εὖ κρατοῦσι πανταχοῦ.
μέγας δὲ πλευρὰ βοῦς ὑπὸ σμικρᾶς ὅμως
μάστιγος ὀρθὸς εἰς ὁδὸν πορεύεται.
καὶ σοὶ προσέρπον τοῦτʼ ἐγὼ τὸ φάρμακον
1255
ὁρῶ τάχʼ, εἰ μὴ νοῦν κατακτήσῃ τινά·
ὃς ἀνδρὸς οὐκέτʼ ὄντος, ἀλλʼ ἤδη σκιᾶς,
θαρσῶν ὑβρίζεις κἀξελευθεροστομεῖς.
οὐ σωφρονήσεις; οὐ μαθὼν ὃς εἶ φύσιν
ἄλλον τινʼ ἄξεις ἄνδρα δεῦρʼ ἐλεύθερον ,
1260
ὅστις πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀντὶ σοῦ λέξει τὰ σά;
σοῦ γὰρ λέγοντος οὐκέτʼ ἂν μάθοιμʼ ἐγώ·
τὴν βάρβαρον γὰρ γλῶσσαν οὐκ ἐπαΐω.
Χορός
εἴθʼ ὑμὶν ἀμφοῖν νοῦς γένοιτο σωφρονεῖν·
τούτου γὰρ οὐδὲν σφῷν ἔχω λῷον φράσαι.
1265
εἴθʼ ὑμὶν ἀμφοῖν νοῦς γένοιτο σωφρονεῖν·
τούτου γὰρ οὐδὲν σφῷν ἔχω λῷον φράσαι.
1265
Τεῦκρος
φεῦ, τοῦ θανόντος ὡς ταχεῖά τις βροτοῖς
χάρις διαρρεῖ καὶ προδοῦσʼ ἁλίσκεται,
εἰ σοῦ γʼ ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ οὐδʼ ἐπὶ σμικρὸν λέγων,
Αἴας, ἔτʼ ἴσχει μνῆστιν, οὗ σὺ πολλάκις
τὴν σὴν προτείνων προύκαμες ψυχὴν δορί·
1270
ἀλλʼ οἴχεται δὴ πάντα ταῦτʼ ἐρριμμένα.
ὦ πολλὰ λέξας ἄρτι κἀνόητʼ ἔπη,
οὐ μνημονεύεις οὐκέτʼ οὐδέν, ἡνίκα
ἑρκέων ποθʼ ὑμᾶς οὗτος ἐγκεκλῃμένους,
ἤδη τὸ μηδὲν ὄντας ἐν τροπῇ δορός,
1275
ἐρρύσατʼ ἐλθὼν μοῦνος, ἀμφὶ μὲν νεῶν
ἄκροισιν ἤδη ναυτικοῖς ἑδωλίοις
πυρὸς φλέγοντος, ἐς δὲ ναυτικὰ σκάφη
πηδῶντος ἄρδην Ἕκτορος τάφρων ὕπερ;
τίς ταῦτʼ ἀπεῖρξεν; οὐχ ὅδʼ ἦν ὁ δρῶν τάδε,
1280
ὃν οὐδαμοῦ φής, οὗ σὺ μή, βῆναι ποδί;
ἆρʼ ὑμὶν οὗτος ταῦτʼ ἔδρασεν ἔνδικα;
χὥτʼ αὖθις αὐτὸς Ἕκτορος μόνος μόνου,
λαχών τε κἀκέλευστος, ἦλθʼ ἐναντίος,
οὐ δραπέτην τὸν κλῆρον ἐς μέσον καθείς,
1285
ὑγρᾶς ἀρούρας βῶλον, ἀλλʼ ὃς εὐλόφου
κυνῆς ἔμελλε πρῶτος ἅλμα κουφιεῖν;
ὅδʼ ἦν ὁ πράσσων ταῦτα, σὺν δʼ ἐγὼ παρών,
ὁ δοῦλος, οὑκ τῆς βαρβάρου μητρὸς γεγώς.
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
δύστηνε, ποῖ βλέπων ποτʼ αὐτὰ καὶ θροεῖς;
1290
οὐκ οἶσθα σοῦ πατρὸς μὲν ὃς προύφυ πατὴρ
ἀρχαῖον ὄντα Πέλοπα βάρβαρον Φρύγα;
Ἀτρέα δʼ, ὃς αὖ σʼ ἔσπειρε, δυσσεβέστατον
προθέντʼ ἀδελφῷ δεῖπνον οἰκείων τέκνων;
αὐτὸς δὲ μητρὸς ἐξέφυς Κρήσσης, ἐφʼ ᾗ
1295
λαβὼν ἐπακτὸν ἄνδρʼ ὁ φιτύσας πατὴρ
ἐφῆκεν ἐλλοῖς ἰχθύσιν διαφθοράν.
τοιοῦτος ὢν τοιῷδʼ ὀνειδίζεις σποράν;
ὃς ἐκ πατρὸς μέν εἰμι Τελαμῶνος γεγώς,
ὅστις στρατοῦ τὰ πρῶτʼ ἀριστεύσας ἐμὴν
1300
ἴσχει ξύνευνον μητέρʼ, ἣ φύσει μὲν ἦν
βασίλεια, Λαομέδοντος· ἔκκριτον δέ νιν
δώρημʼ ἐκείνῳ ʼδωκεν Ἀλκμήνης γόνος.
ἆρʼ ὧδʼ ἄριστος ἐξ ἀριστέοιν δυοῖν
βλαστὼν ἂν αἰσχύνοιμι τοὺς πρὸς αἵματος,
1305
οὓς νῦν σὺ τοιοῖσδʼ ἐν πόνοισι κειμένους
ὠθεῖς ἀθάπτους, οὐδʼ ἐπαισχύνῃ λέγων;
εὖ νυν τόδʼ ἴσθι, τοῦτον εἰ βαλεῖτέ που,
βαλεῖτε χἡμᾶς τρεῖς ὁμοῦ συγκειμένους.
ἐπεὶ καλόν μοι τοῦδʼ ὑπερπονουμένῳ
1310
θανεῖν προδήλως μᾶλλον ἢ τῆς σῆς ὑπὲρ
γυναικός, ἢ τοῦ σοῦ γʼ ὁμαίμονος λέγω;
πρὸς ταῦθʼ ὅρα μὴ τοὐμόν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸ σόν.
ὡς εἴ με πημανεῖς τι, βουλήσῃ ποτὲ
καὶ δειλὸς εἶναι μᾶλλον ἢ ʼν ἐμοὶ θρασύς.
1315
φεῦ, τοῦ θανόντος ὡς ταχεῖά τις βροτοῖς
χάρις διαρρεῖ καὶ προδοῦσʼ ἁλίσκεται,
εἰ σοῦ γʼ ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ οὐδʼ ἐπὶ σμικρὸν λέγων,
Αἴας, ἔτʼ ἴσχει μνῆστιν, οὗ σὺ πολλάκις
τὴν σὴν προτείνων προύκαμες ψυχὴν δορί·
1270
ἀλλʼ οἴχεται δὴ πάντα ταῦτʼ ἐρριμμένα.
ὦ πολλὰ λέξας ἄρτι κἀνόητʼ ἔπη,
οὐ μνημονεύεις οὐκέτʼ οὐδέν, ἡνίκα
ἑρκέων ποθʼ ὑμᾶς οὗτος ἐγκεκλῃμένους,
ἤδη τὸ μηδὲν ὄντας ἐν τροπῇ δορός,
1275
ἐρρύσατʼ ἐλθὼν μοῦνος, ἀμφὶ μὲν νεῶν
ἄκροισιν ἤδη ναυτικοῖς ἑδωλίοις
πυρὸς φλέγοντος, ἐς δὲ ναυτικὰ σκάφη
πηδῶντος ἄρδην Ἕκτορος τάφρων ὕπερ;
τίς ταῦτʼ ἀπεῖρξεν; οὐχ ὅδʼ ἦν ὁ δρῶν τάδε,
1280
ὃν οὐδαμοῦ φής, οὗ σὺ μή, βῆναι ποδί;
ἆρʼ ὑμὶν οὗτος ταῦτʼ ἔδρασεν ἔνδικα;
χὥτʼ αὖθις αὐτὸς Ἕκτορος μόνος μόνου,
λαχών τε κἀκέλευστος, ἦλθʼ ἐναντίος,
οὐ δραπέτην τὸν κλῆρον ἐς μέσον καθείς,
1285
ὑγρᾶς ἀρούρας βῶλον, ἀλλʼ ὃς εὐλόφου
κυνῆς ἔμελλε πρῶτος ἅλμα κουφιεῖν;
ὅδʼ ἦν ὁ πράσσων ταῦτα, σὺν δʼ ἐγὼ παρών,
ὁ δοῦλος, οὑκ τῆς βαρβάρου μητρὸς γεγώς.
δύστηνε, ποῖ βλέπων ποτʼ αὐτὰ καὶ θροεῖς;
1290
οὐκ οἶσθα σοῦ πατρὸς μὲν ὃς προύφυ πατὴρ
ἀρχαῖον ὄντα Πέλοπα βάρβαρον Φρύγα;
Ἀτρέα δʼ, ὃς αὖ σʼ ἔσπειρε, δυσσεβέστατον
προθέντʼ ἀδελφῷ δεῖπνον οἰκείων τέκνων;
αὐτὸς δὲ μητρὸς ἐξέφυς Κρήσσης, ἐφʼ ᾗ
1295
λαβὼν ἐπακτὸν ἄνδρʼ ὁ φιτύσας πατὴρ
ἐφῆκεν ἐλλοῖς ἰχθύσιν διαφθοράν.
τοιοῦτος ὢν τοιῷδʼ ὀνειδίζεις σποράν;
ὃς ἐκ πατρὸς μέν εἰμι Τελαμῶνος γεγώς,
ὅστις στρατοῦ τὰ πρῶτʼ ἀριστεύσας ἐμὴν
1300
ἴσχει ξύνευνον μητέρʼ, ἣ φύσει μὲν ἦν
βασίλεια, Λαομέδοντος· ἔκκριτον δέ νιν
δώρημʼ ἐκείνῳ ʼδωκεν Ἀλκμήνης γόνος.
ἆρʼ ὧδʼ ἄριστος ἐξ ἀριστέοιν δυοῖν
βλαστὼν ἂν αἰσχύνοιμι τοὺς πρὸς αἵματος,
1305
οὓς νῦν σὺ τοιοῖσδʼ ἐν πόνοισι κειμένους
ὠθεῖς ἀθάπτους, οὐδʼ ἐπαισχύνῃ λέγων;
εὖ νυν τόδʼ ἴσθι, τοῦτον εἰ βαλεῖτέ που,
βαλεῖτε χἡμᾶς τρεῖς ὁμοῦ συγκειμένους.
ἐπεὶ καλόν μοι τοῦδʼ ὑπερπονουμένῳ
1310
θανεῖν προδήλως μᾶλλον ἢ τῆς σῆς ὑπὲρ
γυναικός, ἢ τοῦ σοῦ γʼ ὁμαίμονος λέγω;
πρὸς ταῦθʼ ὅρα μὴ τοὐμόν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸ σόν.
ὡς εἴ με πημανεῖς τι, βουλήσῃ ποτὲ
καὶ δειλὸς εἶναι μᾶλλον ἢ ʼν ἐμοὶ θρασύς.
1315
Χορός
ἄναξ Ὀδυσσεῦ, καιρὸν ἴσθʼ ἐληλυθώς,
εἰ μὴ ξυνάψων, ἀλλὰ συλλύσων πάρει.
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
ἄναξ Ὀδυσσεῦ, καιρὸν ἴσθʼ ἐληλυθώς,
εἰ μὴ ξυνάψων, ἀλλὰ συλλύσων πάρει.
Ὀδυσσεύς
τί δʼ ἔστιν, ἄνδρες; τηλόθεν γὰρ ᾐσθόμην
βοὴν Ἀτρειδῶν τῷδʼ ἐπʼ ἀλκίμῳ νεκρῷ.
τί δʼ ἔστιν, ἄνδρες; τηλόθεν γὰρ ᾐσθόμην
βοὴν Ἀτρειδῶν τῷδʼ ἐπʼ ἀλκίμῳ νεκρῷ.
Ἀγαμέμνων
οὐ γὰρ κλύοντές ἐσμεν αἰσχίστους λόγους,
1320
ἄναξ Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοῦδʼ ὑπʼ ἀνδρὸς ἀρτίως;
οὐ γὰρ κλύοντές ἐσμεν αἰσχίστους λόγους,
1320
ἄναξ Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοῦδʼ ὑπʼ ἀνδρὸς ἀρτίως;
Ὀδυσσεύς
ποίους; ἐγὼ γὰρ ἀνδρὶ συγγνώμην ἔχω
κλύοντι φλαῦρα συμβαλεῖν ἔπη κακά.
ποίους; ἐγὼ γὰρ ἀνδρὶ συγγνώμην ἔχω
κλύοντι φλαῦρα συμβαλεῖν ἔπη κακά.
Ἀγαμέμνων
ἤκουσεν αἰσχρά· δρῶν γὰρ ἦν τοιαῦτά με.
ἤκουσεν αἰσχρά· δρῶν γὰρ ἦν τοιαῦτά με.
Ὀδυσσεύς
τί γάρ σʼ ἔδρασεν, ὥστε καὶ βλάβην ἔχειν;
1325
τί γάρ σʼ ἔδρασεν, ὥστε καὶ βλάβην ἔχειν;
1325
Ἀγαμέμνων
οὔ φησʼ ἐάσειν τόνδε τὸν νεκρὸν ταφῆς
ἄμοιρον, ἀλλὰ πρὸς βίαν θάψειν ἐμοῦ.
οὔ φησʼ ἐάσειν τόνδε τὸν νεκρὸν ταφῆς
ἄμοιρον, ἀλλὰ πρὸς βίαν θάψειν ἐμοῦ.
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἔξεστιν οὖν εἰπόντι τἀληθῆ φίλῳ
σοὶ μηδὲν ἧσσον ἢ πάρος ξυνηρετεῖν;
ἔξεστιν οὖν εἰπόντι τἀληθῆ φίλῳ
σοὶ μηδὲν ἧσσον ἢ πάρος ξυνηρετεῖν;
Ἀγαμέμνων
εἴπʼ· ἦ γὰρ εἴην οὐκ ἂν εὖ φρονῶν, ἐπεὶ
1330
φίλον σʼ ἐγὼ μέγιστον Ἀργείων νέμω.
εἴπʼ· ἦ γὰρ εἴην οὐκ ἂν εὖ φρονῶν, ἐπεὶ
1330
φίλον σʼ ἐγὼ μέγιστον Ἀργείων νέμω.
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἄκουέ νυν. τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδε πρὸς θεῶν
μὴ τλῇς ἄθαπτον ὧδʼ ἀναλγήτως βαλεῖν·
μηδʼ ἡ βία σε μηδαμῶς νικησάτω
τοσόνδε μισεῖν ὥστε τὴν δίκην πατεῖν.
1335
κἀμοὶ γὰρ ἦν ποθʼ οὗτος ἔχθιστος στρατοῦ,
ἐξ οὗ ʼκράτησα τῶν Ἀχιλλείων ὅπλων,
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸν ἔμπας ὄντʼ ἐγὼ τοιόνδʼ ἐμοὶ
οὐκ οὖν ἀτιμάσαιμʼ ἄν, ὥστε μὴ λέγειν
ἕνʼ ἄνδρʼ ἰδεῖν ἄριστον Ἀργείων, ὅσοι
1340
Τροίαν ἀφικόμεσθα, πλὴν Ἀχιλλέως.
ὥστʼ οὐκ ἂν ἐνδίκως γʼ ἀτιμάζοιτό σοι·
οὐ γάρ τι τοῦτον, ἀλλὰ τοὺς θεῶν νόμους
φθείροις ἄν. ἄνδρα δʼ οὐ δίκαιον, εἰ θάνοι,
βλάπτειν τὸν ἐσθλόν, οὐδʼ ἐὰν μισῶν κυρῇς.
1345
ἄκουέ νυν. τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδε πρὸς θεῶν
μὴ τλῇς ἄθαπτον ὧδʼ ἀναλγήτως βαλεῖν·
μηδʼ ἡ βία σε μηδαμῶς νικησάτω
τοσόνδε μισεῖν ὥστε τὴν δίκην πατεῖν.
1335
κἀμοὶ γὰρ ἦν ποθʼ οὗτος ἔχθιστος στρατοῦ,
ἐξ οὗ ʼκράτησα τῶν Ἀχιλλείων ὅπλων,
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸν ἔμπας ὄντʼ ἐγὼ τοιόνδʼ ἐμοὶ
οὐκ οὖν ἀτιμάσαιμʼ ἄν, ὥστε μὴ λέγειν
ἕνʼ ἄνδρʼ ἰδεῖν ἄριστον Ἀργείων, ὅσοι
1340
Τροίαν ἀφικόμεσθα, πλὴν Ἀχιλλέως.
ὥστʼ οὐκ ἂν ἐνδίκως γʼ ἀτιμάζοιτό σοι·
οὐ γάρ τι τοῦτον, ἀλλὰ τοὺς θεῶν νόμους
φθείροις ἄν. ἄνδρα δʼ οὐ δίκαιον, εἰ θάνοι,
βλάπτειν τὸν ἐσθλόν, οὐδʼ ἐὰν μισῶν κυρῇς.
1345
Ἀγαμέμνων
σὺ ταῦτʼ, Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοῦδʼ ὑπερμαχεῖς ἐμοί;
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σὺ ταῦτʼ, Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοῦδʼ ὑπερμαχεῖς ἐμοί;
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἔγωγʼ· ἐμίσουν δʼ, ἡνίκʼ ἦν μισεῖν καλόν.
ἔγωγʼ· ἐμίσουν δʼ, ἡνίκʼ ἦν μισεῖν καλόν.
Ἀγαμέμνων
οὐ γὰρ θανόντι καὶ πρὸς ἐμβῆναί σε χρή;
οὐ γὰρ θανόντι καὶ πρὸς ἐμβῆναί σε χρή;
Ὀδυσσεύς
μὴ χαῖρʼ, Ἀτρείδη, κέρδεσιν τοῖς μὴ καλοῖς.
μὴ χαῖρʼ, Ἀτρείδη, κέρδεσιν τοῖς μὴ καλοῖς.
Ἀγαμέμνων
τόν τοι τύραννον εὐσεβεῖν οὐ ῥᾴδιον.
1350
τόν τοι τύραννον εὐσεβεῖν οὐ ῥᾴδιον.
1350
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἀλλʼ εὖ λέγουσι τοῖς φίλοις τιμὰς νέμειν.
ἀλλʼ εὖ λέγουσι τοῖς φίλοις τιμὰς νέμειν.
Ἀγαμέμνων
κλύειν τὸν ἐσθλὸν ἄνδρα χρὴ τῶν ἐν τέλει.
κλύειν τὸν ἐσθλὸν ἄνδρα χρὴ τῶν ἐν τέλει.
Ὀδυσσεύς
παῦσαι· κρατεῖς τοι τῶν φίλων νικώμενος.
παῦσαι· κρατεῖς τοι τῶν φίλων νικώμενος.
Ἀγαμέμνων
μέμνησʼ ὁποίῳ φωτὶ τὴν χάριν δίδως.
μέμνησʼ ὁποίῳ φωτὶ τὴν χάριν δίδως.
Ὀδυσσεύς
ὅδʼ ἐχθρὸς ἁνήρ, ἀλλὰ γενναῖός ποτʼ ἦν.
1355
ὅδʼ ἐχθρὸς ἁνήρ, ἀλλὰ γενναῖός ποτʼ ἦν.
1355
Ἀγαμέμνων
τί ποτε ποήσεις; ἐχθρὸν ὧδʼ αἰδῇ νέκυν;
τί ποτε ποήσεις; ἐχθρὸν ὧδʼ αἰδῇ νέκυν;
Ὀδυσσεύς
κινεῖ γὰρ ἁρετή με τῆς ἔχθρας πολύ.
κινεῖ γὰρ ἁρετή με τῆς ἔχθρας πολύ.
Ἀγαμέμνων
τοιοίδε μέντοι φῶτες ἔμπληκτοι βροτῶν.
τοιοίδε μέντοι φῶτες ἔμπληκτοι βροτῶν.
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἦ κάρτα πολλοὶ νῦν φίλοι καὖθις πικροί.
ἦ κάρτα πολλοὶ νῦν φίλοι καὖθις πικροί.
Ἀγαμέμνων
τοιούσδʼ ἐπαινεῖς δῆτα σὺ κτᾶσθαι φίλους;
1360
τοιούσδʼ ἐπαινεῖς δῆτα σὺ κτᾶσθαι φίλους;
1360
Ὀδυσσεύς
σκληρὰν ἐπαινεῖν οὐ φιλῶ ψυχὴν ἐγώ.
σκληρὰν ἐπαινεῖν οὐ φιλῶ ψυχὴν ἐγώ.
Ἀγαμέμνων
ἡμᾶς σὺ δειλοὺς τῇδε θἠμέρᾳ φανεῖς.
ἡμᾶς σὺ δειλοὺς τῇδε θἠμέρᾳ φανεῖς.
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἄνδρας μὲν οὖν Ἕλλησι πᾶσιν ἐνδίκους.
ἄνδρας μὲν οὖν Ἕλλησι πᾶσιν ἐνδίκους.
Ἀγαμέμνων
ἄνωγας οὖν με τὸν νεκρὸν θάπτειν ἐᾶν;
ἄνωγας οὖν με τὸν νεκρὸν θάπτειν ἐᾶν;
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἔγωγε· καὶ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἐνθάδʼ ἵξομαι.
1365
ἔγωγε· καὶ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἐνθάδʼ ἵξομαι.
1365
Ἀγαμέμνων
ἦ πάνθʼ ὁμοῖα· πᾶς ἀνὴρ αὑτῷ πονεῖ.
ἦ πάνθʼ ὁμοῖα· πᾶς ἀνὴρ αὑτῷ πονεῖ.
Ὀδυσσεύς
τῷ γάρ με μᾶλλον εἰκὸς ἢ ʼμαυτῷ πονεῖν;
τῷ γάρ με μᾶλλον εἰκὸς ἢ ʼμαυτῷ πονεῖν;
Ἀγαμέμνων
σὸν ἆρα τοὔργον, οὐκ ἐμὸν κεκλήσεται.
σὸν ἆρα τοὔργον, οὐκ ἐμὸν κεκλήσεται.
Ὀδυσσεύς
ὡς ἂν ποήσῃς, πανταχῇ χρηστός γʼ ἔσῃ.
ὡς ἂν ποήσῃς, πανταχῇ χρηστός γʼ ἔσῃ.
Ἀγαμέμνων
ἀλλʼ εὖ γε μέντοι τοῦτʼ ἐπίστασʼ, ὡς ἐγὼ
1370
σοὶ μὲν νέμοιμʼ ἂν τῆσδε καὶ μείζω χάριν,
οὗτος δὲ κἀκεῖ κἀνθάδʼ ὢν ἔμοιγʼ ὁμῶς
ἔχθιστος ἔσται. σοὶ δὲ δρᾶν ἔξεσθʼ ἃ χρῇς.
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ἀλλʼ εὖ γε μέντοι τοῦτʼ ἐπίστασʼ, ὡς ἐγὼ
1370
σοὶ μὲν νέμοιμʼ ἂν τῆσδε καὶ μείζω χάριν,
οὗτος δὲ κἀκεῖ κἀνθάδʼ ὢν ἔμοιγʼ ὁμῶς
ἔχθιστος ἔσται. σοὶ δὲ δρᾶν ἔξεσθʼ ἃ χρῇς.
Χορός
ὅστις σʼ, Ὀδυσσεῦ, μὴ λέγει γνώμῃ σοφὸν
φῦναι, τοιοῦτον ὄντα, μῶρός ἐστʼ ἀνήρ.
1375
ὅστις σʼ, Ὀδυσσεῦ, μὴ λέγει γνώμῃ σοφὸν
φῦναι, τοιοῦτον ὄντα, μῶρός ἐστʼ ἀνήρ.
1375
Ὀδυσσεύς
καὶ νῦν γε Τεύκρῳ τἀπὸ τοῦδʼ ἀγγέλλομαι,
ὅσον τότʼ ἐχθρὸς ἦ, τοσόνδʼ εἶναι φίλος.
καὶ τὸν θανόντα τόνδε συνθάπτειν θέλω,
καὶ ξυμπονεῖν καὶ μηδὲν ἐλλείπειν ὅσων
χρὴ τοῖς ἀρίστοις ἀνδράσιν πονεῖν βροτούς.
1380
καὶ νῦν γε Τεύκρῳ τἀπὸ τοῦδʼ ἀγγέλλομαι,
ὅσον τότʼ ἐχθρὸς ἦ, τοσόνδʼ εἶναι φίλος.
καὶ τὸν θανόντα τόνδε συνθάπτειν θέλω,
καὶ ξυμπονεῖν καὶ μηδὲν ἐλλείπειν ὅσων
χρὴ τοῖς ἀρίστοις ἀνδράσιν πονεῖν βροτούς.
1380
Τεῦκρος
ἄριστʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ, πάντʼ ἔχω σʼ ἐπαινέσαι
λόγοισι· καί μʼ ἔψευσας ἐλπίδος πολύ.
τούτῳ γὰρ ὢν ἔχθιστος Ἀργείων ἀνὴρ
μόνος παρέστης χερσίν, οὐδʼ ἔτλης παρὼν
θανόντι τῷδε ζῶν ἐφυβρίσαι μέγα,
1385
ὡς ὁ στρατηγὸς οὑπιβρόντητος μολὼν
αὐτός τε χὡ ξύναιμος ἠθελησάτην
λωβητὸν αὐτὸν ἐκβαλεῖν ταφῆς ἄτερ.
τοιγάρ σφʼ Ὀλύμπου τοῦδʼ ὁ πρεσβεύων πατὴρ
μνήμων τʼ Ἐρινὺς καὶ τελεσφόρος Δίκη
1390
κακοὺς κακῶς φθείρειαν, ὥσπερ ἤθελον
τὸν ἄνδρα λώβαις ἐκβαλεῖν ἀναξίως.
σὲ δʼ, ὦ γεραιοῦ σπέρμα Λαέρτου πατρός,
τάφου μὲν ὀκνῶ τοῦδʼ ἐπιψαύειν ἐᾶν,
μὴ τῷ θανόντι τοῦτο δυσχερὲς ποιῶ·
1395
τὰ δʼ ἄλλα καὶ ξύμπρασσε, κεἴ τινα στρατοῦ
θέλεις κομίζειν, οὐδὲν ἄλγος ἕξομεν.
ἐγὼ δὲ τἀμὰ πάντα πορσυνῶ· σὺ δὲ
ἀνὴρ καθʼ ἡμᾶς ἐσθλὸς ὢν ἐπίστασο.
ἄριστʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ, πάντʼ ἔχω σʼ ἐπαινέσαι
λόγοισι· καί μʼ ἔψευσας ἐλπίδος πολύ.
τούτῳ γὰρ ὢν ἔχθιστος Ἀργείων ἀνὴρ
μόνος παρέστης χερσίν, οὐδʼ ἔτλης παρὼν
θανόντι τῷδε ζῶν ἐφυβρίσαι μέγα,
1385
ὡς ὁ στρατηγὸς οὑπιβρόντητος μολὼν
αὐτός τε χὡ ξύναιμος ἠθελησάτην
λωβητὸν αὐτὸν ἐκβαλεῖν ταφῆς ἄτερ.
τοιγάρ σφʼ Ὀλύμπου τοῦδʼ ὁ πρεσβεύων πατὴρ
μνήμων τʼ Ἐρινὺς καὶ τελεσφόρος Δίκη
1390
κακοὺς κακῶς φθείρειαν, ὥσπερ ἤθελον
τὸν ἄνδρα λώβαις ἐκβαλεῖν ἀναξίως.
σὲ δʼ, ὦ γεραιοῦ σπέρμα Λαέρτου πατρός,
τάφου μὲν ὀκνῶ τοῦδʼ ἐπιψαύειν ἐᾶν,
μὴ τῷ θανόντι τοῦτο δυσχερὲς ποιῶ·
1395
τὰ δʼ ἄλλα καὶ ξύμπρασσε, κεἴ τινα στρατοῦ
θέλεις κομίζειν, οὐδὲν ἄλγος ἕξομεν.
ἐγὼ δὲ τἀμὰ πάντα πορσυνῶ· σὺ δὲ
ἀνὴρ καθʼ ἡμᾶς ἐσθλὸς ὢν ἐπίστασο.
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἀλλʼ ἤθελον μέν· εἰ δὲ μή ʼστί σοι φίλον
1400
πράσσειν τάδʼ ἡμᾶς, εἶμʼ ἐπαινέσας τὸ σόν.
ἀλλʼ ἤθελον μέν· εἰ δὲ μή ʼστί σοι φίλον
1400
πράσσειν τάδʼ ἡμᾶς, εἶμʼ ἐπαινέσας τὸ σόν.
Τεῦκρος
ἅλις· ἤδη γὰρ πολὺς ἐκτέταται
χρόνος. ἀλλʼ οἱ μὲν κοίλην κάπετον
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68
χερσὶ ταχύνετε, τοὶ δʼ ὑψίβατον
τρίποδʼ ἀμφίπυρον λουτρῶν ὁσίων
1405
θέσθʼ ἐπίκαιρον·
μία δʼ ἐκ κλισίας ἀνδρῶν ἴλη
τὸν ὑπασπίδιον κόσμον φερέτω.
παῖ, σὺ δὲ πατρός γʼ, ὅσον ἰσχύεις,
φιλότητι θιγὼν πλευρὰς σὺν ἐμοὶ
1410
τάσδʼ ἐπικούφιζʼ· ἔτι γὰρ θερμαὶ
σύριγγες ἄνω φυσῶσι μέλαν
μένος. ἀλλʼ ἄγε πᾶς, φίλος ὅστις ἀνὴρ
φησὶ παρεῖναι, σούσθω, βάτω,
τῷδʼ ἀνδρὶ πονῶν τῷ πάντʼ ἀγαθῷ
1415
κοὐδενί πω λῴονι θνητῶν
Αἴαντος, ὅτʼ ἦν, τότε φωνῶ.
ἅλις· ἤδη γὰρ πολὺς ἐκτέταται
χρόνος. ἀλλʼ οἱ μὲν κοίλην κάπετον
χερσὶ ταχύνετε, τοὶ δʼ ὑψίβατον
τρίποδʼ ἀμφίπυρον λουτρῶν ὁσίων
1405
θέσθʼ ἐπίκαιρον·
μία δʼ ἐκ κλισίας ἀνδρῶν ἴλη
τὸν ὑπασπίδιον κόσμον φερέτω.
παῖ, σὺ δὲ πατρός γʼ, ὅσον ἰσχύεις,
φιλότητι θιγὼν πλευρὰς σὺν ἐμοὶ
1410
τάσδʼ ἐπικούφιζʼ· ἔτι γὰρ θερμαὶ
σύριγγες ἄνω φυσῶσι μέλαν
μένος. ἀλλʼ ἄγε πᾶς, φίλος ὅστις ἀνὴρ
φησὶ παρεῖναι, σούσθω, βάτω,
τῷδʼ ἀνδρὶ πονῶν τῷ πάντʼ ἀγαθῷ
1415
κοὐδενί πω λῴονι θνητῶν
Αἴαντος, ὅτʼ ἦν, τότε φωνῶ.
Χορός
ἦ πολλὰ βροτοῖς ἔστιν ἰδοῦσιν
γνῶναι· πρὶν ἰδεῖν δʼ οὐδεὶς μάντις
τῶν μελλόντων ὅ τι πράξει.
1420
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70
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72
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ἦ πολλὰ βροτοῖς ἔστιν ἰδοῦσιν
γνῶναι· πρὶν ἰδεῖν δʼ οὐδεὶς μάντις
τῶν μελλόντων ὅ τι πράξει.
1420
Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1223-1420 focus
Τεῦκρος
καὶ μὴν ἰδὼν ἔσπευσα τὸν στρατηλάτην
Ἀγαμέμνονʼ ἡμῖν δεῦρο τόνδʼ ὁρμώμενον·
δῆλος δέ μοὐστὶ σκαιὸν ἐκλύσων στόμα.
1225
καὶ μὴν ἰδὼν ἔσπευσα τὸν στρατηλάτην
Ἀγαμέμνονʼ ἡμῖν δεῦρο τόνδʼ ὁρμώμενον·
δῆλος δέ μοὐστὶ σκαιὸν ἐκλύσων στόμα.
1225
Ἀγαμέμνων
σὲ δὴ τὰ δεινὰ ῥήματʼ ἀγγέλλουσί μοι
τλῆναι καθʼ ἡμῶν ὧδʼ ἀνοιμωκτὶ χανεῖν;
σέ τοι, τὸν ἐκ τῆς αἰχμαλωτίδος λέγω,
ἦ που τραφεὶς ἂν μητρὸς εὐγενοῦς ἄπο
ὑψήλʼ ἐκόμπεις κἀπʼ ἄκρων ὡδοιπόρεις,
1230
ὅτʼ οὐδὲν ὢν τοῦ μηδὲν ἀντέστης ὕπερ,
κοὔτε στρατηγοὺς οὔτε ναυάρχους μολεῖν
ἡμᾶς Ἀχαιῶν οὐδὲ σοῦ διωμόσω
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς ἄρχων, ὡς σὺ φής, Αἴας ἔπλει.
ταῦτʼ οὐκ ἀκούειν μεγάλα πρὸς δούλων κακά;
1235
ποίου κέκραγας ἀνδρὸς ὧδʼ ὑπέρφρονα;
ποῖ βάντος ἢ ποῦ στάντος οὗπερ οὐκ ἐγώ;
οὐκ ἆρʼ Ἀχαιοῖς ἄνδρες εἰσὶ πλὴν ὅδε;
πικροὺς ἔοιγμεν τῶν Ἀχιλλείων ὅπλων
ἀγῶνας Ἀργείοισι κηρῦξαι τότε,
1240
εἰ πανταχοῦ φανούμεθʼ ἐκ Τεύκρου κακοί,
κοὐκ ἀρκέσει ποθʼ ὑμὶν οὐδʼ ἡσσημένοις
εἴκειν ἃ τοῖς πολλοῖσιν ἤρεσκεν κριταῖς,
ἀλλʼ αἰὲν ἡμᾶς ἢ κακοῖς βαλεῖτέ που
ἢ σὺν δόλῳ κεντήσεθʼ οἱ λελειμμένοι.
1245
ἐκ τῶνδε μέντοι τῶν τρόπων οὐκ ἄν ποτε
κατάστασις γένοιτʼ ἂν οὐδενὸς νόμου,
εἰ τοὺς δίκῃ νικῶντας ἐξωθήσομεν
καὶ τοὺς ὄπισθεν εἰς τὸ πρόσθεν ἄξομεν.
ἀλλʼ εἰρκτέον τάδʼ ἐστίν· οὐ γὰρ οἱ πλατεῖς
1250
οὐδʼ εὐρύνωτοι φῶτες ἀσφαλέστατοι,
ἀλλʼ οἱ φρονοῦντες εὖ κρατοῦσι πανταχοῦ.
μέγας δὲ πλευρὰ βοῦς ὑπὸ σμικρᾶς ὅμως
μάστιγος ὀρθὸς εἰς ὁδὸν πορεύεται.
καὶ σοὶ προσέρπον τοῦτʼ ἐγὼ τὸ φάρμακον
1255
ὁρῶ τάχʼ, εἰ μὴ νοῦν κατακτήσει τινά·
ὃς ἀνδρὸς οὐκέτʼ ὄντος, ἀλλʼ ἤδη σκιᾶς,
θαρσῶν ὑβρίζεις κἀξελευθεροστομεῖς.
οὐ σωφρονήσεις; οὐ μαθὼν ὃς εἶ φύσιν
ἄλλον τινʼ ἄξεις ἄνδρα δεῦρʼ ἐλεύθερον,
1260
ὅστις πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀντὶ σοῦ λέξει τὰ σά;
σοῦ γὰρ λέγοντος οὐκέτʼ ἂν μάθοιμʼ ἐγώ·
τὴν βάρβαρον γὰρ γλῶσσαν οὐκ ἐπαΐω.
1264
σὲ δὴ τὰ δεινὰ ῥήματʼ ἀγγέλλουσί μοι
τλῆναι καθʼ ἡμῶν ὧδʼ ἀνοιμωκτὶ χανεῖν;
σέ τοι, τὸν ἐκ τῆς αἰχμαλωτίδος λέγω,
ἦ που τραφεὶς ἂν μητρὸς εὐγενοῦς ἄπο
ὑψήλʼ ἐκόμπεις κἀπʼ ἄκρων ὡδοιπόρεις,
1230
ὅτʼ οὐδὲν ὢν τοῦ μηδὲν ἀντέστης ὕπερ,
κοὔτε στρατηγοὺς οὔτε ναυάρχους μολεῖν
ἡμᾶς Ἀχαιῶν οὐδὲ σοῦ διωμόσω
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς ἄρχων, ὡς σὺ φής, Αἴας ἔπλει.
ταῦτʼ οὐκ ἀκούειν μεγάλα πρὸς δούλων κακά;
1235
ποίου κέκραγας ἀνδρὸς ὧδʼ ὑπέρφρονα;
ποῖ βάντος ἢ ποῦ στάντος οὗπερ οὐκ ἐγώ;
οὐκ ἆρʼ Ἀχαιοῖς ἄνδρες εἰσὶ πλὴν ὅδε;
πικροὺς ἔοιγμεν τῶν Ἀχιλλείων ὅπλων
ἀγῶνας Ἀργείοισι κηρῦξαι τότε,
1240
εἰ πανταχοῦ φανούμεθʼ ἐκ Τεύκρου κακοί,
κοὐκ ἀρκέσει ποθʼ ὑμὶν οὐδʼ ἡσσημένοις
εἴκειν ἃ τοῖς πολλοῖσιν ἤρεσκεν κριταῖς,
ἀλλʼ αἰὲν ἡμᾶς ἢ κακοῖς βαλεῖτέ που
ἢ σὺν δόλῳ κεντήσεθʼ οἱ λελειμμένοι.
1245
ἐκ τῶνδε μέντοι τῶν τρόπων οὐκ ἄν ποτε
κατάστασις γένοιτʼ ἂν οὐδενὸς νόμου,
εἰ τοὺς δίκῃ νικῶντας ἐξωθήσομεν
καὶ τοὺς ὄπισθεν εἰς τὸ πρόσθεν ἄξομεν.
ἀλλʼ εἰρκτέον τάδʼ ἐστίν· οὐ γὰρ οἱ πλατεῖς
1250
οὐδʼ εὐρύνωτοι φῶτες ἀσφαλέστατοι,
ἀλλʼ οἱ φρονοῦντες εὖ κρατοῦσι πανταχοῦ.
μέγας δὲ πλευρὰ βοῦς ὑπὸ σμικρᾶς ὅμως
μάστιγος ὀρθὸς εἰς ὁδὸν πορεύεται.
καὶ σοὶ προσέρπον τοῦτʼ ἐγὼ τὸ φάρμακον
1255
ὁρῶ τάχʼ, εἰ μὴ νοῦν κατακτήσει τινά·
ὃς ἀνδρὸς οὐκέτʼ ὄντος, ἀλλʼ ἤδη σκιᾶς,
θαρσῶν ὑβρίζεις κἀξελευθεροστομεῖς.
οὐ σωφρονήσεις; οὐ μαθὼν ὃς εἶ φύσιν
ἄλλον τινʼ ἄξεις ἄνδρα δεῦρʼ ἐλεύθερον,
1260
ὅστις πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀντὶ σοῦ λέξει τὰ σά;
σοῦ γὰρ λέγοντος οὐκέτʼ ἂν μάθοιμʼ ἐγώ·
τὴν βάρβαρον γὰρ γλῶσσαν οὐκ ἐπαΐω.
Χορός
εἴθʼ ὑμὶν ἀμφοῖν νοῦς γένοιτο σωφρονεῖν·
τούτου γὰρ οὐδὲν σφῷν ἔχω λῷον φράσαι.
1265
εἴθʼ ὑμὶν ἀμφοῖν νοῦς γένοιτο σωφρονεῖν·
τούτου γὰρ οὐδὲν σφῷν ἔχω λῷον φράσαι.
1265
Τεῦκρος
φεῦ· τοῦ θανόντος ὡς ταχεῖά τις βροτοῖς
χάρις διαρρεῖ καὶ προδοῦσʼ ἁλίσκεται,
εἰ σοῦ γʼ ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ οὐδʼ ἐπὶ σμικρῶν λόγων,
Αἴας, ἔτʼ ἴσχει μνῆστιν, οὗ σὺ πολλάκις
τὴν σὴν προτείνων προύκαμες ψυχὴν δόρει.
1270
ἀλλʼ οἴχεται δὴ πάντα ταῦτʼ ἐρριμμένα.
ὦ πολλὰ λέξας ἄρτι κἀνόητʼ ἔπη,
οὐ μνημονεύεις οὐκέτʼ οὐδέν, ἡνίκα
ἑρκέων ποθʼ ὑμᾶς οὗτος ἐγκεκλῃμένους,
ἤδη τὸ μηδὲν ὄντας, ἐν τροπῇ δορὸς
1275
ἐρρύσατʼ ἐλθὼν μοῦνος, ἀμφὶ μὲν νεῶν
ἄκροισιν ἤδη ναυτικοῖς ἑδωλίοις
πυρὸς φλέγοντος, εἰς δὲ ναυτικὰ σκάφη
πηδῶντος ἄρδην Ἕκτορος τάφρων ὕπερ;
τίς ταῦτʼ ἀπεῖρξεν; οὐχ ὅδʼ ἦν ὁ δρῶν τάδε,
1280
ὃν οὐδαμοῦ φής, οὗ σὺ μή, βῆναι ποδί;
ἆρʼ ὑμὶν οὗτος ταῦτʼ ἔδρασεν ἔνδικα;
χὤτʼ αὖθις αὐτὸς Ἕκτορος μόνος μόνου
λαχών τε κἀκέλευστος ἦλθʼ ἐναντίος,
οὐ δραπέτην τὸν κλῆρον ἐς μέσον καθείς,
1285
ὑγρᾶς ἀρούρας βῶλον, ἀλλʼ ὃς εὐλόφου
κυνῆς ἔμελλε πρῶτος ἅλμα κουφιεῖν;
ὅδʼ ἦν ὁ πράσσων ταῦτα, σὺν δʼ ἐγὼ παρών,
ὁ δοῦλος, οὑκ τῆς βαρβάρου μητρὸς γεγώς.
1290
φεῦ· τοῦ θανόντος ὡς ταχεῖά τις βροτοῖς
χάρις διαρρεῖ καὶ προδοῦσʼ ἁλίσκεται,
εἰ σοῦ γʼ ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ οὐδʼ ἐπὶ σμικρῶν λόγων,
Αἴας, ἔτʼ ἴσχει μνῆστιν, οὗ σὺ πολλάκις
τὴν σὴν προτείνων προύκαμες ψυχὴν δόρει.
1270
ἀλλʼ οἴχεται δὴ πάντα ταῦτʼ ἐρριμμένα.
ὦ πολλὰ λέξας ἄρτι κἀνόητʼ ἔπη,
οὐ μνημονεύεις οὐκέτʼ οὐδέν, ἡνίκα
ἑρκέων ποθʼ ὑμᾶς οὗτος ἐγκεκλῃμένους,
ἤδη τὸ μηδὲν ὄντας, ἐν τροπῇ δορὸς
1275
ἐρρύσατʼ ἐλθὼν μοῦνος, ἀμφὶ μὲν νεῶν
ἄκροισιν ἤδη ναυτικοῖς ἑδωλίοις
πυρὸς φλέγοντος, εἰς δὲ ναυτικὰ σκάφη
πηδῶντος ἄρδην Ἕκτορος τάφρων ὕπερ;
τίς ταῦτʼ ἀπεῖρξεν; οὐχ ὅδʼ ἦν ὁ δρῶν τάδε,
1280
ὃν οὐδαμοῦ φής, οὗ σὺ μή, βῆναι ποδί;
ἆρʼ ὑμὶν οὗτος ταῦτʼ ἔδρασεν ἔνδικα;
χὤτʼ αὖθις αὐτὸς Ἕκτορος μόνος μόνου
λαχών τε κἀκέλευστος ἦλθʼ ἐναντίος,
οὐ δραπέτην τὸν κλῆρον ἐς μέσον καθείς,
1285
ὑγρᾶς ἀρούρας βῶλον, ἀλλʼ ὃς εὐλόφου
κυνῆς ἔμελλε πρῶτος ἅλμα κουφιεῖν;
ὅδʼ ἦν ὁ πράσσων ταῦτα, σὺν δʼ ἐγὼ παρών,
ὁ δοῦλος, οὑκ τῆς βαρβάρου μητρὸς γεγώς.
Τεῦκρος
δύστηνε, ποῖ βλέπων ποτʼ αὐτὰ καὶ θροεῖς;
1290
οὐκ οἶσθα σοῦ πατρὸς μὲν ὃς προύφυ πατὴρ
ἀρχαῖον ὄντα Πέλοπα βάρβαρον Φρύγα;
Ἀτρέα δʼ, ὃς αὖ σʼ ἔσπειρε δυσσεβέστατον,
προθέντʼ ἀδελφῷ δεῖπνον οἰκείων τέκνων;
αὐτὸς δὲ μητρὸς ἐξέφυς Κρήσσης, ἐφʼ ᾗ
1295
λαβὼν ἐπακτὸν ἄνδρʼ ὁ φιτύσας πατὴρ
ἐφῆκεν ἐλλοῖς ἰχθύσιν διαφθοράν.
τοιοῦτος ὢν τοιῷδʼ ὀνειδίζεις σποράν;
ὃς ἐκ πατρὸς μέν εἰμι Τελαμῶνος γεγώς,
ὅστις στρατοῦ τὰ πρῶτʼ ἀριστεύσας ἐμὴν
1300
ἴσχει ξύνευνον μητέρʼ, ἣ φύσει μὲν ἦν
βασίλεια, Λαομέδοντος· ἔκκριτον δέ νιν
δώρημα κείνῳ ʼδωκεν Ἀλκμήνης γόνος.
ἆρʼ ὧδʼ ἄριστος ἐξ ἀριστέοιν δυοῖν
βλαστὼν ἂν αἰσχύνοιμι τοὺς πρὸς αἵματος,
1305
οὓς νῦν σὺ τοιοῖσδʼ ἐν πόνοισι κειμένους
ὠθεῖς ἀθάπτους, οὐδʼ ἐπαισχύνει λέγων;
εὖ νυν τόδʼ ἴσθι, τοῦτον εἰ βαλεῖτέ που,
βαλεῖτε χἠμᾶς τρεῖς ὁμοῦ συγκειμένους.
ἐπεὶ καλόν μοι τοῦδʼ ὑπερπονουμένῳ
1310
θανεῖν προδήλως μᾶλλον ἢ τῆς σῆς ὑπὲρ
γυναικός, ἢ τοῦ σοῦ γʼ ὁμαίμονος λέγω;
πρὸς ταῦθʼ ὅρα μὴ τοὐμόν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸ σόν·
ὡς εἴ με πημανεῖς τι, βουλήσει ποτὲ
καὶ δειλὸς εἶναι μᾶλλον ἢ ʼν ἐμοὶ θρασύς.
1315
1316
δύστηνε, ποῖ βλέπων ποτʼ αὐτὰ καὶ θροεῖς;
1290
οὐκ οἶσθα σοῦ πατρὸς μὲν ὃς προύφυ πατὴρ
ἀρχαῖον ὄντα Πέλοπα βάρβαρον Φρύγα;
Ἀτρέα δʼ, ὃς αὖ σʼ ἔσπειρε δυσσεβέστατον,
προθέντʼ ἀδελφῷ δεῖπνον οἰκείων τέκνων;
αὐτὸς δὲ μητρὸς ἐξέφυς Κρήσσης, ἐφʼ ᾗ
1295
λαβὼν ἐπακτὸν ἄνδρʼ ὁ φιτύσας πατὴρ
ἐφῆκεν ἐλλοῖς ἰχθύσιν διαφθοράν.
τοιοῦτος ὢν τοιῷδʼ ὀνειδίζεις σποράν;
ὃς ἐκ πατρὸς μέν εἰμι Τελαμῶνος γεγώς,
ὅστις στρατοῦ τὰ πρῶτʼ ἀριστεύσας ἐμὴν
1300
ἴσχει ξύνευνον μητέρʼ, ἣ φύσει μὲν ἦν
βασίλεια, Λαομέδοντος· ἔκκριτον δέ νιν
δώρημα κείνῳ ʼδωκεν Ἀλκμήνης γόνος.
ἆρʼ ὧδʼ ἄριστος ἐξ ἀριστέοιν δυοῖν
βλαστὼν ἂν αἰσχύνοιμι τοὺς πρὸς αἵματος,
1305
οὓς νῦν σὺ τοιοῖσδʼ ἐν πόνοισι κειμένους
ὠθεῖς ἀθάπτους, οὐδʼ ἐπαισχύνει λέγων;
εὖ νυν τόδʼ ἴσθι, τοῦτον εἰ βαλεῖτέ που,
βαλεῖτε χἠμᾶς τρεῖς ὁμοῦ συγκειμένους.
ἐπεὶ καλόν μοι τοῦδʼ ὑπερπονουμένῳ
1310
θανεῖν προδήλως μᾶλλον ἢ τῆς σῆς ὑπὲρ
γυναικός, ἢ τοῦ σοῦ γʼ ὁμαίμονος λέγω;
πρὸς ταῦθʼ ὅρα μὴ τοὐμόν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸ σόν·
ὡς εἴ με πημανεῖς τι, βουλήσει ποτὲ
καὶ δειλὸς εἶναι μᾶλλον ἢ ʼν ἐμοὶ θρασύς.
1315
Χορός
ἄναξ, Ὀδυσσεῦ, καιρὸν ἴσθʼ ἐληλυθώς,
εἰ μὴ ξυνάψων, ἀλλὰ συλλύσων πάρει.
ἄναξ, Ὀδυσσεῦ, καιρὸν ἴσθʼ ἐληλυθώς,
εἰ μὴ ξυνάψων, ἀλλὰ συλλύσων πάρει.
Ὀδυσσεύς
τί δʼ ἔστιν, ἄνδρες; τηλόθεν γὰρ ᾐσθόμην
βοὴν Ἀτρειδῶν τῷδʼ ἐπʼ ἀλκίμῳ νεκρῷ.
τί δʼ ἔστιν, ἄνδρες; τηλόθεν γὰρ ᾐσθόμην
βοὴν Ἀτρειδῶν τῷδʼ ἐπʼ ἀλκίμῳ νεκρῷ.
Ἀγαμέμνων
οὐ γὰρ κλύοντές ἐσμεν αἰσχίστους λόγους,
1320
ἄναξ Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοῦδʼ ὑπʼ ἀνδρὸς ἀρτίως;
οὐ γὰρ κλύοντές ἐσμεν αἰσχίστους λόγους,
1320
ἄναξ Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοῦδʼ ὑπʼ ἀνδρὸς ἀρτίως;
Ὀδυσσεύς
ποίους; ἐγὼ γὰρ ἀνδρὶ συγγνώμην ἔχω
κλύοντι φλαῦρα συμβαλεῖν ἔπη κακά.
ποίους; ἐγὼ γὰρ ἀνδρὶ συγγνώμην ἔχω
κλύοντι φλαῦρα συμβαλεῖν ἔπη κακά.
Ἀγαμέμνων
ἤκουσεν αἰσχρά· δρῶν γὰρ ἦν τοιαῦτά με.
ἤκουσεν αἰσχρά· δρῶν γὰρ ἦν τοιαῦτά με.
Ὀδυσσεύς
τί γάρ σʼ ἔδρασεν, ὥστε καὶ βλάβην ἔχειν;
1325
τί γάρ σʼ ἔδρασεν, ὥστε καὶ βλάβην ἔχειν;
1325
Ἀγαμέμνων
οὔ φησʼ ἐάσειν τόνδε τὸν νεκρὸν ταφῆς
ἄμοιρον, ἀλλὰ πρὸς βίαν θάψειν ἐμοῦ.
οὔ φησʼ ἐάσειν τόνδε τὸν νεκρὸν ταφῆς
ἄμοιρον, ἀλλὰ πρὸς βίαν θάψειν ἐμοῦ.
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἔξεστιν οὖν εἰπόντι τἀληθῆ φίλῳ
σοὶ μηδὲν ἧσσον ἢ πάρος ξυνηρετεῖν;
ἔξεστιν οὖν εἰπόντι τἀληθῆ φίλῳ
σοὶ μηδὲν ἧσσον ἢ πάρος ξυνηρετεῖν;
Ἀγαμέμνων
εἴπʼ· ἦ γὰρ εἴην οὐκ ἂν εὖ φρονῶν, ἐπεὶ
1330
φίλον σʼ ἐγὼ μέγιστον Ἀργείων νέμω.
εἴπʼ· ἦ γὰρ εἴην οὐκ ἂν εὖ φρονῶν, ἐπεὶ
1330
φίλον σʼ ἐγὼ μέγιστον Ἀργείων νέμω.
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἄκουέ νυν. τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδε πρὸς θεῶν
μὴ τλῇς ἄθαπτον ὧδʼ ἀναλγήτως βαλεῖν·
μηδʼ ἡ βία σε μηδαμῶς νικησάτω
τοσόνδε μισεῖν ὥστε τὴν δίκην πατεῖν.
1335
κἀμοὶ γὰρ ἦν ποθʼ οὗτος ἔχθιστος στρατοῦ,
ἐξ οὗ ʼκράτησα τῶν Ἀχιλλείων ὅπλων,
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸν ἔμπας ὄντʼ ἐγὼ τοιόνδʼ ἐμοὶ
οὐκ ἀντατιμάσαιμʼ ἄν, ὥστε μὴ λέγειν
ἕνʼ ἄνδρʼ ἰδεῖν ἄριστον Ἀργείων, ὅσοι
1340
Τροίαν ἀφικόμεσθα, πλὴν Ἀχιλλέως.
ὥστʼ οὐκ ἂν ἐνδίκως γʼ ἀτιμάζοιτό σοι·
οὐ γάρ τι τοῦτον, ἀλλὰ τοὺς θεῶν νόμους
φθείροις ἄν. ἄνδρα δʼ οὐ δίκαιον, εἰ θάνοι,
βλάπτειν τὸν ἐσθλόν, οὐδʼ ἐὰν μισῶν κυρῇς.
1345
1346
ἄκουέ νυν. τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδε πρὸς θεῶν
μὴ τλῇς ἄθαπτον ὧδʼ ἀναλγήτως βαλεῖν·
μηδʼ ἡ βία σε μηδαμῶς νικησάτω
τοσόνδε μισεῖν ὥστε τὴν δίκην πατεῖν.
1335
κἀμοὶ γὰρ ἦν ποθʼ οὗτος ἔχθιστος στρατοῦ,
ἐξ οὗ ʼκράτησα τῶν Ἀχιλλείων ὅπλων,
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸν ἔμπας ὄντʼ ἐγὼ τοιόνδʼ ἐμοὶ
οὐκ ἀντατιμάσαιμʼ ἄν, ὥστε μὴ λέγειν
ἕνʼ ἄνδρʼ ἰδεῖν ἄριστον Ἀργείων, ὅσοι
1340
Τροίαν ἀφικόμεσθα, πλὴν Ἀχιλλέως.
ὥστʼ οὐκ ἂν ἐνδίκως γʼ ἀτιμάζοιτό σοι·
οὐ γάρ τι τοῦτον, ἀλλὰ τοὺς θεῶν νόμους
φθείροις ἄν. ἄνδρα δʼ οὐ δίκαιον, εἰ θάνοι,
βλάπτειν τὸν ἐσθλόν, οὐδʼ ἐὰν μισῶν κυρῇς.
1345
Ἀγαμέμνων
σὺ ταῦτʼ, Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοῦδʼ ὑπερμαχεῖς ἐμοί;
σὺ ταῦτʼ, Ὀδυσσεῦ, τοῦδʼ ὑπερμαχεῖς ἐμοί;
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἔγωγʼ· ἐμίσουν δʼ, ἡνίκʼ ἦν μισεῖν καλόν.
ἔγωγʼ· ἐμίσουν δʼ, ἡνίκʼ ἦν μισεῖν καλόν.
Ἀγαμέμνων
οὐ γὰρ θανόντι καὶ προσεμβῆναί σε χρή;
οὐ γὰρ θανόντι καὶ προσεμβῆναί σε χρή;
Ὀδυσσεύς
μὴ χαῖρʼ, Ἀτρείδη, κέρδεσιν τοῖς μὴ καλοῖς.
μὴ χαῖρʼ, Ἀτρείδη, κέρδεσιν τοῖς μὴ καλοῖς.
Ἀγαμέμνων
τόν τοι τύραννον εὐσεβεῖν οὐ ῥᾴδιον.
1350
τόν τοι τύραννον εὐσεβεῖν οὐ ῥᾴδιον.
1350
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἀλλʼ εὖ λέγουσι τοῖς φίλοις τιμὰς νέμειν.
ἀλλʼ εὖ λέγουσι τοῖς φίλοις τιμὰς νέμειν.
Ἀγαμέμνων
κλύειν τὸν ἐσθλὸν ἄνδρα χρὴ τῶν ἐν τέλει.
κλύειν τὸν ἐσθλὸν ἄνδρα χρὴ τῶν ἐν τέλει.
Ὀδυσσεύς
παῦσαι· κρατεῖς τοι τῶν φίλων νικώμενος.
παῦσαι· κρατεῖς τοι τῶν φίλων νικώμενος.
Ἀγαμέμνων
μέμνησʼ ὁποίῳ φωτὶ τὴν χάριν δίδως.
μέμνησʼ ὁποίῳ φωτὶ τὴν χάριν δίδως.
Ὀδυσσεύς
ὅδʼ ἐχθρὸς ἁνήρ, ἀλλὰ γενναῖός ποτʼ ἦν.
1355
ὅδʼ ἐχθρὸς ἁνήρ, ἀλλὰ γενναῖός ποτʼ ἦν.
1355
Ἀγαμέμνων
τί ποτε ποήσεις; ἐχθρὸν ὧδʼ αἰδεῖ νέκυν;
τί ποτε ποήσεις; ἐχθρὸν ὧδʼ αἰδεῖ νέκυν;
Ὀδυσσεύς
νικᾷ γὰρ ἁρετή με τῆς ἔχθρας πολύ.
νικᾷ γὰρ ἁρετή με τῆς ἔχθρας πολύ.
Ἀγαμέμνων
τοιοίδε μέντοι φῶτες ἔμπληκτοι βροτῶν.
τοιοίδε μέντοι φῶτες ἔμπληκτοι βροτῶν.
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἦ κάρτα πολλοὶ νῦν φίλοι καὖθις πικροί.
ἦ κάρτα πολλοὶ νῦν φίλοι καὖθις πικροί.
Ἀγαμέμνων
τοιούσδʼ ἐπαινεῖς δῆτα σὺ κτᾶσθαι φίλους;
1360
τοιούσδʼ ἐπαινεῖς δῆτα σὺ κτᾶσθαι φίλους;
1360
Ὀδυσσεύς
σκληρὰν ἐπαινεῖν οὐ φιλῶ ψυχὴν ἐγώ.
σκληρὰν ἐπαινεῖν οὐ φιλῶ ψυχὴν ἐγώ.
Ἀγαμέμνων
ἡμᾶς σὺ δειλοὺς τῇδε θἠμέρᾳ φανεῖς.
ἡμᾶς σὺ δειλοὺς τῇδε θἠμέρᾳ φανεῖς.
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἄνδρας μὲν οὖν Ἕλλησι πᾶσιν ἐνδίκους.
ἄνδρας μὲν οὖν Ἕλλησι πᾶσιν ἐνδίκους.
Ἀγαμέμνων
ἄνωγας οὖν με τὸν νεκρὸν θάπτειν ἐᾶν;
ἄνωγας οὖν με τὸν νεκρὸν θάπτειν ἐᾶν;
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἔγωγε· καὶ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἐνθάδʼ ἵξομαι.
1365
ἔγωγε· καὶ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἐνθάδʼ ἵξομαι.
1365
Ἀγαμέμνων
ἦ πάνθʼ ὅμοια πᾶς ἀνὴρ αὑτῷ πονεῖ.
ἦ πάνθʼ ὅμοια πᾶς ἀνὴρ αὑτῷ πονεῖ.
Ὀδυσσεύς
τῷ γάρ με μᾶλλον εἰκὸς ἢ ʼμαυτῷ πονεῖν;
τῷ γάρ με μᾶλλον εἰκὸς ἢ ʼμαυτῷ πονεῖν;
Ἀγαμέμνων
σὸν ἆρα τοὔργον, οὐκ ἐμὸν κεκλήσεται.
σὸν ἆρα τοὔργον, οὐκ ἐμὸν κεκλήσεται.
Ὀδυσσεύς
ὡς ἂν ποήσῃς, πανταχῇ χρηστός γʼ ἔσει.
ὡς ἂν ποήσῃς, πανταχῇ χρηστός γʼ ἔσει.
Ἀγαμέμνων
ἀλλʼ εὖ γε μέντοι τοῦτʼ ἐπίστασʼ ὡς ἐγὼ
1370
σοὶ μὲν νέμοιμʼ ἂν τῆσδε καὶ μείζω χάριν,
οὗτος δὲ κἀκεῖ κἀνθάδʼ ὢν ἔμοιγʼ ὁμῶς
ἔχθιστος ἔσται· σοὶ δὲ δρᾶν ἔξεσθʼ ἃ χρῇς.
ἀλλʼ εὖ γε μέντοι τοῦτʼ ἐπίστασʼ ὡς ἐγὼ
1370
σοὶ μὲν νέμοιμʼ ἂν τῆσδε καὶ μείζω χάριν,
οὗτος δὲ κἀκεῖ κἀνθάδʼ ὢν ἔμοιγʼ ὁμῶς
ἔχθιστος ἔσται· σοὶ δὲ δρᾶν ἔξεσθʼ ἃ χρῇς.
Χορός
ὅστις σʼ, Ὀδυσσεῦ, μὴ λέγει γνώμῃ σοφὸν
φῦναι, τοιοῦτον ὄντα, μῶρός ἐστʼ ἀνήρ.
1375
1376
ὅστις σʼ, Ὀδυσσεῦ, μὴ λέγει γνώμῃ σοφὸν
φῦναι, τοιοῦτον ὄντα, μῶρός ἐστʼ ἀνήρ.
1375
Ὀδυσσεύς
καὶ νῦν γε Τεύκρῳ τἀπὸ τοῦδʼ ἀγγέλλομαι,
ὅσον τότʼ ἐχθρὸς ἦ, τοσόνδʼ εἶναι φίλος.
καὶ τὸν θανόντα τόνδε συνθάπτειν θέλω
καὶ ξυμπονεῖν καὶ μηδὲν ἐλλείπειν ὅσων
χρὴ τοῖς ἀρίστοις ἀνδράσιν πονεῖν βροτούς.
1380
καὶ νῦν γε Τεύκρῳ τἀπὸ τοῦδʼ ἀγγέλλομαι,
ὅσον τότʼ ἐχθρὸς ἦ, τοσόνδʼ εἶναι φίλος.
καὶ τὸν θανόντα τόνδε συνθάπτειν θέλω
καὶ ξυμπονεῖν καὶ μηδὲν ἐλλείπειν ὅσων
χρὴ τοῖς ἀρίστοις ἀνδράσιν πονεῖν βροτούς.
1380
Τεῦκρος
ἄριστʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ, πάντʼ ἔχω σʼ ἐπαινέσαι
λόγοισι, καί μʼ ἔψευσας ἐλπίδος πολύ.
τούτῳ γὰρ ὢν ἔχθιστος Ἀργείων ἀνὴρ
μόνος παρέστης χερσίν, οὐδʼ ἔτλης παρὼν
θανόντι τῷδε ζῶν ἐφυβρίσαι μέγα,
1385
ὡς ὁ στρατηγὸς οὑπιβρόντητος μολὼν
αὐτός τε χὠ ξύναιμος ἠθελησάτην
λωβητὸν αὐτὸν ἐκβαλεῖν ταφῆς ἄτερ.
τοιγάρ σφʼ Ὀλύμπου τοῦδʼ ὁ πρεσβεύων πατὴρ
μνήμων τʼ Ἐρινὺς καὶ τελεσφόρος Δίκη
1390
κακοὺς κακῶς φθείρειαν, ὥσπερ ἤθελον
τὸν ἄνδρα λώβαις ἐκβαλεῖν ἀναξίως.
σὲ δʼ, ὦ γεραιοῦ σπέρμα Λαέρτου πατρός,
τάφου μὲν ὀκνῶ τοῦδʼ ἐπιψαύειν ἐᾶν,
μὴ τῷ θανόντι τοῦτο δυσχερὲς ποιῶ·
1395
τὰ δʼ ἄλλα καὶ ξύμπρασσε, κεἴ τινα στρατοῦ
θέλεις κομίζειν, οὐδὲν ἄλγος ἕξομεν.
ἐγὼ δὲ τἄλλα πάντα πορσυνῶ· σὺ δὲ
ἀνὴρ καθʼ ἡμᾶς ἐσθλὸς ὢν ἐπίστασο.
ἄριστʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ, πάντʼ ἔχω σʼ ἐπαινέσαι
λόγοισι, καί μʼ ἔψευσας ἐλπίδος πολύ.
τούτῳ γὰρ ὢν ἔχθιστος Ἀργείων ἀνὴρ
μόνος παρέστης χερσίν, οὐδʼ ἔτλης παρὼν
θανόντι τῷδε ζῶν ἐφυβρίσαι μέγα,
1385
ὡς ὁ στρατηγὸς οὑπιβρόντητος μολὼν
αὐτός τε χὠ ξύναιμος ἠθελησάτην
λωβητὸν αὐτὸν ἐκβαλεῖν ταφῆς ἄτερ.
τοιγάρ σφʼ Ὀλύμπου τοῦδʼ ὁ πρεσβεύων πατὴρ
μνήμων τʼ Ἐρινὺς καὶ τελεσφόρος Δίκη
1390
κακοὺς κακῶς φθείρειαν, ὥσπερ ἤθελον
τὸν ἄνδρα λώβαις ἐκβαλεῖν ἀναξίως.
σὲ δʼ, ὦ γεραιοῦ σπέρμα Λαέρτου πατρός,
τάφου μὲν ὀκνῶ τοῦδʼ ἐπιψαύειν ἐᾶν,
μὴ τῷ θανόντι τοῦτο δυσχερὲς ποιῶ·
1395
τὰ δʼ ἄλλα καὶ ξύμπρασσε, κεἴ τινα στρατοῦ
θέλεις κομίζειν, οὐδὲν ἄλγος ἕξομεν.
ἐγὼ δὲ τἄλλα πάντα πορσυνῶ· σὺ δὲ
ἀνὴρ καθʼ ἡμᾶς ἐσθλὸς ὢν ἐπίστασο.
Ὀδυσσεύς
ἀλλʼ ἤθελον μέν· εἰ δὲ μή ʼστί σοι φίλον
1400
πράσσειν τάδʼ ἡμᾶς, εἶμʼ ἐπαινέσας τὸ σόν.
ἀλλʼ ἤθελον μέν· εἰ δὲ μή ʼστί σοι φίλον
1400
πράσσειν τάδʼ ἡμᾶς, εἶμʼ ἐπαινέσας τὸ σόν.
Τεῦκρος
ἅλις· ἤδη γὰρ πολὺς ἐκτέταται
χρόνος. ἀλλʼ οἱ μὲν κοίλην κάπετον
χερσὶ ταχύνατε, τοὶ δʼ ὑψίβατον
τρίποδʼ ἀμφίπυρον λουτρῶν ὁσίων
1405
θέσθʼ ἐπίκαιρον·
μία δʼ ἐκ κλισίας ἀνδρῶν ἴλη
τὸν ὑπασπίδιον κόσμον φερέτω.
παῖ, σὺ δὲ πατρός γʼ, ὅσον ἰσχύεις,
φιλότητι θιγὼν πλευρὰς σὺν ἐμοὶ
1410
τάσδʼ ἐπικούφιζʼ· ἔτι γὰρ θερμαὶ
σύριγγες ἄνω φυσῶσι μέλαν
μένος. ἀλλʼ ἄγε πᾶς, φίλος ὅστις ἀνὴρ
φησὶ παρεῖναι, σούσθω, βάτω,
τῷδʼ ἀνδρὶ πονῶν τῷ πάντʼ ἀγαθῷ
1415
κοὐδενί πω λῴονι θνητῶν
Αἴαντος, ὅτʼ ἦν, τότε φωνῶ.
ἅλις· ἤδη γὰρ πολὺς ἐκτέταται
χρόνος. ἀλλʼ οἱ μὲν κοίλην κάπετον
χερσὶ ταχύνατε, τοὶ δʼ ὑψίβατον
τρίποδʼ ἀμφίπυρον λουτρῶν ὁσίων
1405
θέσθʼ ἐπίκαιρον·
μία δʼ ἐκ κλισίας ἀνδρῶν ἴλη
τὸν ὑπασπίδιον κόσμον φερέτω.
παῖ, σὺ δὲ πατρός γʼ, ὅσον ἰσχύεις,
φιλότητι θιγὼν πλευρὰς σὺν ἐμοὶ
1410
τάσδʼ ἐπικούφιζʼ· ἔτι γὰρ θερμαὶ
σύριγγες ἄνω φυσῶσι μέλαν
μένος. ἀλλʼ ἄγε πᾶς, φίλος ὅστις ἀνὴρ
φησὶ παρεῖναι, σούσθω, βάτω,
τῷδʼ ἀνδρὶ πονῶν τῷ πάντʼ ἀγαθῷ
1415
κοὐδενί πω λῴονι θνητῶν
Αἴαντος, ὅτʼ ἦν, τότε φωνῶ.
Χορός
ἦ πολλὰ βροτοῖς ἔστιν ἰδοῦσιν
γνῶναι· πρὶν ἰδεῖν δʼ οὐδεὶς μάντις
τῶν μελλόντων, ὅ τι πράξει.
1420
ἦ πολλὰ βροτοῖς ἔστιν ἰδοῦσιν
γνῶναι· πρὶν ἰδεῖν δʼ οὐδεὶς μάντις
τῶν μελλόντων, ὅ τι πράξει.
1420
Translations (2)
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1223 focus
Wohl kam ich eilend, weil ich Agamemnon hier,
Den Heeresfürsten, gegen uns herschreiten sah;
Und sicher löst er seinen Mund in schnödem Wort.
Wohl kam ich eilend, weil ich Agamemnon hier,
Den Heeresfürsten, gegen uns herschreiten sah;
Und sicher löst er seinen Mund in schnödem Wort.
Agamemnon.
Du wagst es, hör' ich, solch vermess'ne Reden hier
Ausschüttend, straflos wider uns dich aufzublähn?
1180
Dich mein' ich, Sohn des kriegsgefangnen Weibes, dich!
Traun, hätte dich ein edler Mutterschooß gepflegt,
Groß würd'st du prahlen, auf der Zehen Spize gehn,
Nun du, so nichtig, für ein Nichts, den Todten, dich
Voll Trozes hobst und schwurest, nicht des Heeres, nicht
1185
Der Flotte Fürsten, noch die deinen, wären wir:
Nein, selbst ein Heerfürst, wie du prahlst, zog Ajas, aus.
Von Sklaven das zu hören, ist's nicht arge Schmach?
Von welchem Manne sprichst du so voll Uebermuth?
Wo ging er oder stand er, da nicht ich erschien?
1190
Hat Argos' Heer denn keine Männer außer ihm?
Ein Kampf des Unheils war es, den wir dazumal
Dem Volk entboten um Achilleus' Waffenschmuck,
Wenn Teukros seitdem überall uns Frevler schilt,
Und ihr, auch überwunden, euch nie fügen wollt
1195
Dem, was der Richter größre Zahl für recht erkannt,
Nein, immer schmähend uns verfolgt, und ingeheim
Auf uns den Stachel zucket, weil ihr unterlagt.
Auf solchen Wegen aber wird wohl nimmermehr
Der weisen Sazung Dauer und Bestand gewährt,
1200
Wenn wir verstoßen wollen, die mit Recht gesiegt,
Und dem den Vortritt gönnen, der dahinten blieb.
Dem muß man wehren! Nicht die breiten Schultern, nicht
Die breiten Rücken schreiten hin auf sichrer Bahn;
Die Klugen nur erringen überall den Sieg.
1205
Der Stier mit starken Seiten geht, wenn auch gelenkt
Von schwacher Geißel, seinen Weg aufrecht dahin;
Und dieses Zaubermittel seh' ich bald an dich
Herangelangen, wenn du nicht Weisheit erwählst,
Du, der um einen Todten, um den Schatten sich
1210
So muthig aufbläht und so frei die Zunge rührt!
Nie wirst du klüger? Weißt du nicht, woher du stammst,
Und führst du nicht uns einen freien Mann daher,
Der hier vor uns in deinem Namen Rede steht?
Denn deine Reden hör' ich nun nicht länger an;
1215
Der Fremdlingszunge hab' ich nie mein Ohr geliehn.
Du wagst es, hör' ich, solch vermess'ne Reden hier
Ausschüttend, straflos wider uns dich aufzublähn?
1180
Dich mein' ich, Sohn des kriegsgefangnen Weibes, dich!
Traun, hätte dich ein edler Mutterschooß gepflegt,
Groß würd'st du prahlen, auf der Zehen Spize gehn,
Nun du, so nichtig, für ein Nichts, den Todten, dich
Voll Trozes hobst und schwurest, nicht des Heeres, nicht
1185
Der Flotte Fürsten, noch die deinen, wären wir:
Nein, selbst ein Heerfürst, wie du prahlst, zog Ajas, aus.
Von Sklaven das zu hören, ist's nicht arge Schmach?
Von welchem Manne sprichst du so voll Uebermuth?
Wo ging er oder stand er, da nicht ich erschien?
1190
Hat Argos' Heer denn keine Männer außer ihm?
Ein Kampf des Unheils war es, den wir dazumal
Dem Volk entboten um Achilleus' Waffenschmuck,
Wenn Teukros seitdem überall uns Frevler schilt,
Und ihr, auch überwunden, euch nie fügen wollt
1195
Dem, was der Richter größre Zahl für recht erkannt,
Nein, immer schmähend uns verfolgt, und ingeheim
Auf uns den Stachel zucket, weil ihr unterlagt.
Auf solchen Wegen aber wird wohl nimmermehr
Der weisen Sazung Dauer und Bestand gewährt,
1200
Wenn wir verstoßen wollen, die mit Recht gesiegt,
Und dem den Vortritt gönnen, der dahinten blieb.
Dem muß man wehren! Nicht die breiten Schultern, nicht
Die breiten Rücken schreiten hin auf sichrer Bahn;
Die Klugen nur erringen überall den Sieg.
1205
Der Stier mit starken Seiten geht, wenn auch gelenkt
Von schwacher Geißel, seinen Weg aufrecht dahin;
Und dieses Zaubermittel seh' ich bald an dich
Herangelangen, wenn du nicht Weisheit erwählst,
Du, der um einen Todten, um den Schatten sich
1210
So muthig aufbläht und so frei die Zunge rührt!
Nie wirst du klüger? Weißt du nicht, woher du stammst,
Und führst du nicht uns einen freien Mann daher,
Der hier vor uns in deinem Namen Rede steht?
Denn deine Reden hör' ich nun nicht länger an;
1215
Der Fremdlingszunge hab' ich nie mein Ohr geliehn.
Der Chor.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1223-1420 focus
Enter Teucer.
Enter Agamemnon.
1264
1290
1316
Enter Odysseus.
1346
1376
Teucer
Here I am! I hurried back when I saw the supreme commander, Agamemnon, rapidly approaching.
It is plain to me that he will let his clumsy tongue fly.
1225
Enter Agamemnon.
Here I am! I hurried back when I saw the supreme commander, Agamemnon, rapidly approaching.
It is plain to me that he will let his clumsy tongue fly.
1225
Agamemnon
So it is you, they tell me, who dared open your mouth wide to make fierce threats against us—and are you still unpunished? Yes, I mean you—you, the captive slave’s son. No doubt if you were born from a noble mother,
your talk would reach the sky and you would proudly strut about, when now it is the case that, though you are a nobody and a nothing, you have stood up for this other nothing lying here, and have vowed that we came out with no authority either as admirals or as generals to rule the Greeks or you. No, as an autonomous ruler, you say, Ajax set sail.
1230
Does it not shame me that I hear these proud words from slavish mouths? What was the man whom you shout about with such arrogance? Where did he advance, or where did he stand his ground, where I did not do the same? Have the Greeks, then, no other men but him? To our own harm, it seems, we announced
1235
to the Greeks the contests for the arms of Achilles, if on all sides we are accounted corrupt because of Teucer, and if it will never satisfy you Salaminians, even when you are defeated, to accept the verdict which satisfied the majority of the judges. But instead you will always no doubt aim your slanderous arrows at us,
1240
or treacherously lash at our backs when you fall behind us in the race.
Yet in a place where such ways prevail, there could be no settled order for any law, if we are to thrust the rightful winners aside and bring those in the rear up to the front ranks.
1245
These tendencies must be checked. It is not the stout, broad-shouldered men that are the steadiest allies. No, it is the wise who prevail in every engagement. A broad-backed ox is kept straight on the road all the same when only a small whip directs him.
1250
And a dose of this very medicine, I foresee, will find you before long, unless you gain a little good sense. He no longer exists, but is already a shade, yet still you boldly insult us and give your tongue too much freedom. Restrain yourself, I say. Recall your birth, your nature.
1255
Bring someone else here—a man who is freeborn—who can plead your cause before me in your place. For when you speak, I no longer understand— I do not know your barbarian language.
1260
1264
So it is you, they tell me, who dared open your mouth wide to make fierce threats against us—and are you still unpunished? Yes, I mean you—you, the captive slave’s son. No doubt if you were born from a noble mother,
your talk would reach the sky and you would proudly strut about, when now it is the case that, though you are a nobody and a nothing, you have stood up for this other nothing lying here, and have vowed that we came out with no authority either as admirals or as generals to rule the Greeks or you. No, as an autonomous ruler, you say, Ajax set sail.
1230
Does it not shame me that I hear these proud words from slavish mouths? What was the man whom you shout about with such arrogance? Where did he advance, or where did he stand his ground, where I did not do the same? Have the Greeks, then, no other men but him? To our own harm, it seems, we announced
1235
to the Greeks the contests for the arms of Achilles, if on all sides we are accounted corrupt because of Teucer, and if it will never satisfy you Salaminians, even when you are defeated, to accept the verdict which satisfied the majority of the judges. But instead you will always no doubt aim your slanderous arrows at us,
1240
or treacherously lash at our backs when you fall behind us in the race.
Yet in a place where such ways prevail, there could be no settled order for any law, if we are to thrust the rightful winners aside and bring those in the rear up to the front ranks.
1245
Yet in a place where such ways prevail, there could be no settled order for any law, if we are to thrust the rightful winners aside and bring those in the rear up to the front ranks.
These tendencies must be checked. It is not the stout, broad-shouldered men that are the steadiest allies. No, it is the wise who prevail in every engagement. A broad-backed ox is kept straight on the road all the same when only a small whip directs him.
1250
And a dose of this very medicine, I foresee, will find you before long, unless you gain a little good sense. He no longer exists, but is already a shade, yet still you boldly insult us and give your tongue too much freedom. Restrain yourself, I say. Recall your birth, your nature.
1255
Bring someone else here—a man who is freeborn—who can plead your cause before me in your place. For when you speak, I no longer understand— I do not know your barbarian language.
1260
Chorus
If only you both had the sense to exercise self-restraint!
There is no better advice that I could give you two.
1265
If only you both had the sense to exercise self-restraint!
There is no better advice that I could give you two.
1265
Teucer
My, how quickly gratitude to the dead seeps away from men and is found to have turned to betrayal, since this man no longer offers even the slightest praise in remembrance of you, Ajax, even though it was for his sake
you toiled so often in battle, offering your own life to the spear! No, your assistance is dead and gone, all flung aside!
Full and foolish talker, do you no longer remember anything of the time when you were trapped inside your defenses,
1270
when you were all but destroyed in the turn of the battle and he, he alone came and saved you at the moment when the flames were already blazing around the decks at your ships’ sterns and Hector was leaping high over the trench towards the vessels?
1275
Who averted that? Was it not Ajax who did it, the one who, you say, nowhere set foot where you were not? Well, do you grant that he did his duty to you there? And what about when another time, all alone, he confronted Hector in single combat according to the fall of the lots, and not at anyone’s command?
1280
The lot which he cast in was not the kind to flee the challenge; it was no lump of moist earth, but one which would be the first to leap lightly from the crested helmet! It was this man who did those deeds, and I, the slave, the son of the barbarian mother, was at his side.
1285
1290
My, how quickly gratitude to the dead seeps away from men and is found to have turned to betrayal, since this man no longer offers even the slightest praise in remembrance of you, Ajax, even though it was for his sake
you toiled so often in battle, offering your own life to the spear! No, your assistance is dead and gone, all flung aside!
Full and foolish talker, do you no longer remember anything of the time when you were trapped inside your defenses,
1270
Full and foolish talker, do you no longer remember anything of the time when you were trapped inside your defenses,
when you were all but destroyed in the turn of the battle and he, he alone came and saved you at the moment when the flames were already blazing around the decks at your ships’ sterns and Hector was leaping high over the trench towards the vessels?
1275
Who averted that? Was it not Ajax who did it, the one who, you say, nowhere set foot where you were not? Well, do you grant that he did his duty to you there? And what about when another time, all alone, he confronted Hector in single combat according to the fall of the lots, and not at anyone’s command?
1280
The lot which he cast in was not the kind to flee the challenge; it was no lump of moist earth, but one which would be the first to leap lightly from the crested helmet! It was this man who did those deeds, and I, the slave, the son of the barbarian mother, was at his side.
1285
Pitiful creature, how can you be so blind as to argue the way you do? Are you not aware of the fact that your father’s father Pelops long ago was a barbarian, a Phrygian? That Atreus, your own begetter, set before his brother a most unholy feast made from the flesh of his brother’s children?
1290
And you yourself were born from a Cretan mother, whose father found a stranger straddling her and who was consigned by him to be prey for the mute fish. So being of such a kind, can you reproach a man like me for my lineage? I am the son of Telamon,
1295
who won my mother for his consort as prize for valor supreme in the army. And she was the daughter of Laomedon, of royal blood, and it was as the flower of the spoil that Alcmena’s son gave her to Telamon. Thus nobly born as I am from two noble parents,
1300
could I disgrace my own flesh and blood, whom even as he lies here subdued by such massive troubles, you, making your pronouncements without a blush of shame, would thrust out without burial? Now consider this well: wherever you cast him away, with him you will also cast our three corpses.
1305
It is right for me to die before all men’s eyes while I am toiling in his cause, rather than for your wife—or should I say your brother’s? With this in mind, then, look not to my safety, but to yours instead, since if you cause me any grief at all, you will soon wish
1310
that you had been more timid than bold when confronting me.
1315
1316
Enter Odysseus.
Pitiful creature, how can you be so blind as to argue the way you do? Are you not aware of the fact that your father’s father Pelops long ago was a barbarian, a Phrygian? That Atreus, your own begetter, set before his brother a most unholy feast made from the flesh of his brother’s children?
1290
And you yourself were born from a Cretan mother, whose father found a stranger straddling her and who was consigned by him to be prey for the mute fish. So being of such a kind, can you reproach a man like me for my lineage? I am the son of Telamon,
1295
who won my mother for his consort as prize for valor supreme in the army. And she was the daughter of Laomedon, of royal blood, and it was as the flower of the spoil that Alcmena’s son gave her to Telamon. Thus nobly born as I am from two noble parents,
1300
could I disgrace my own flesh and blood, whom even as he lies here subdued by such massive troubles, you, making your pronouncements without a blush of shame, would thrust out without burial? Now consider this well: wherever you cast him away, with him you will also cast our three corpses.
1305
It is right for me to die before all men’s eyes while I am toiling in his cause, rather than for your wife—or should I say your brother’s? With this in mind, then, look not to my safety, but to yours instead, since if you cause me any grief at all, you will soon wish
1310
that you had been more timid than bold when confronting me.
1315
Chorus
Lord Odysseus, you arrive at the right time, if mediation, not division, is your purpose in coming.
Lord Odysseus, you arrive at the right time, if mediation, not division, is your purpose in coming.
Odysseus
What is the trouble, friends? From far off I heard shouting from the Atreidae over this brave man’s corpse.
What is the trouble, friends? From far off I heard shouting from the Atreidae over this brave man’s corpse.
Agamemnon
Is it not because we, Lord Odysseus, have long had to hear the worst, most shameful language from this man?
1320
Is it not because we, Lord Odysseus, have long had to hear the worst, most shameful language from this man?
1320
Odysseus
How so? I can pardon a man a retaliatory barrage of abuse if another has insulted him.
How so? I can pardon a man a retaliatory barrage of abuse if another has insulted him.
Agamemnon
I insulted him, since his conduct toward me was of the same stripe.
I insulted him, since his conduct toward me was of the same stripe.
Odysseus
And what did he do that harmed you?
1325
And what did he do that harmed you?
1325
Agamemnon
He declares that he will not leave this corpse without due burial, but will entomb it in spite of me.
He declares that he will not leave this corpse without due burial, but will entomb it in spite of me.
Odysseus
Then may a friend speak the truth, and still remain your helpmate no less than before?
Then may a friend speak the truth, and still remain your helpmate no less than before?
Agamemnon
Speak. Otherwise I would be less than sane, since I count you my greatest friend among all the Greeks.
1330
Speak. Otherwise I would be less than sane, since I count you my greatest friend among all the Greeks.
1330
Odysseus
Listen, then. In the name of the gods, do not let yourself so ruthlessly cast this man out unburied. Do not in any way let the violence of your hatred overcome you
so much that you trample justice under foot. To me, too, this man was once the most hostile enemy in the army from the day on which I beat him for possession of Achilles’ arms. Yet for all that he was hostile towards me, I would not dishonor him in return or refuse to admit
1335
that in all our Greek force at
Troy
he was, in my view, the best and bravest, excepting Achilles. It would not be just, then, that he should be dishonored by you. It is not he, but the laws given by the gods that you would damage. When a good man is dead, there is no justice
1340
in doing him harm, not even if you hate him.
1345
1346
Listen, then. In the name of the gods, do not let yourself so ruthlessly cast this man out unburied. Do not in any way let the violence of your hatred overcome you
so much that you trample justice under foot. To me, too, this man was once the most hostile enemy in the army from the day on which I beat him for possession of Achilles’ arms. Yet for all that he was hostile towards me, I would not dishonor him in return or refuse to admit
1335
that in all our Greek force at
Troy
he was, in my view, the best and bravest, excepting Achilles. It would not be just, then, that he should be dishonored by you. It is not he, but the laws given by the gods that you would damage. When a good man is dead, there is no justice
1340
in doing him harm, not even if you hate him.
1345
Agamemnon
You, Odysseus—do you champion him against me in this battle?
You, Odysseus—do you champion him against me in this battle?
Odysseus
I do, though I did hate him, when it was honorable for me to hate.
I do, though I did hate him, when it was honorable for me to hate.
Agamemnon
But should you not also trample him now that he is dead?
But should you not also trample him now that he is dead?
Odysseus
Do not take delight, son of Atreus, in that superiority which brings no honor.
Do not take delight, son of Atreus, in that superiority which brings no honor.
Agamemnon
Reverence, I tell you, is not easily practiced by the autocrat.
1350
Reverence, I tell you, is not easily practiced by the autocrat.
1350
Odysseus
But it is easy to grant dispensations to friends when they advise well.
But it is easy to grant dispensations to friends when they advise well.
Agamemnon
A good man should listen to those in charge.
A good man should listen to those in charge.
Odysseus
Stop! Your power is victorious when you surrender to your friends.
Stop! Your power is victorious when you surrender to your friends.
Agamemnon
Remember to what sort of man you show this kindness!
Remember to what sort of man you show this kindness!
Odysseus
The man was once my enemy, yes, but he was also noble.
1355
The man was once my enemy, yes, but he was also noble.
1355
Agamemnon
Why do you do this? Why do you so respect an enemy’s corpse?
Why do you do this? Why do you so respect an enemy’s corpse?
Odysseus
I yield to his excellence much more than his hostility.
I yield to his excellence much more than his hostility.
Agamemnon
Men who act as you do are the unstable sort in humankind.
Men who act as you do are the unstable sort in humankind.
Odysseus
Quite the majority of men, I assure you, are friendly at one time, and bitter at another.
Quite the majority of men, I assure you, are friendly at one time, and bitter at another.
Agamemnon
So then, are these the type of friends that you recommend we make?
1360
So then, are these the type of friends that you recommend we make?
1360
Odysseus
It is not my habit to recommend an inflexible spirit.
It is not my habit to recommend an inflexible spirit.
Agamemnon
You will make us appear to be cowards today.
You will make us appear to be cowards today.
Odysseus
On the contrary, we will be men of justice in the eyes of all the Greeks.
On the contrary, we will be men of justice in the eyes of all the Greeks.
Agamemnon
Then do you truly urge me to allow the burying of the dead?
Then do you truly urge me to allow the burying of the dead?
Odysseus
Yes, for I too shall come to that necessity.
1365
Yes, for I too shall come to that necessity.
1365
Agamemnon
How true it is that in all things alike each man works for himself!
How true it is that in all things alike each man works for himself!
Odysseus
And for whom should I work more than for myself?
And for whom should I work more than for myself?
Agamemnon
It must be called your doing then, not mine.
It must be called your doing then, not mine.
Odysseus
However you do it, in all respects you will at least prove beneficent.
However you do it, in all respects you will at least prove beneficent.
Agamemnon
In any case, be quite certain that to you I would grant a larger favor than this. To that man, however, as on earth, so below I give my hatred. But you can do what you will.
1370
Exit Agamemnon.
In any case, be quite certain that to you I would grant a larger favor than this. To that man, however, as on earth, so below I give my hatred. But you can do what you will.
1370
Chorus
Whoever denies, Odysseus, that you were born wise in judgment
is a total fool since you have shown it just now.
1375
1376
Whoever denies, Odysseus, that you were born wise in judgment
is a total fool since you have shown it just now.
1375
Odysseus
And now I announce that from this point on I am ready to be Teucer’s friend as much as I was once his enemy. And I would like to join in the burying of your dead and share your labors, omitting no service
which mortals should render to their best and bravest warriors.
1380
And now I announce that from this point on I am ready to be Teucer’s friend as much as I was once his enemy. And I would like to join in the burying of your dead and share your labors, omitting no service
which mortals should render to their best and bravest warriors.
1380
Teucer
Good Odysseus, I have only praise for your words. You have greatly belied my fears. Of all the Greeks you were his deadliest enemy, and yet you alone have stood by him with helping hand and did not come here and allow yourself in life
to violate the dead Ajax ruthlessly, as did the crazed general who came, since he and his brother wanted to cast out the outraged corpse without burial. Therefore may the Father supreme on
Olympus
above us,
1385
and the unforgetting Fury and Justice the Fulfiller destroy them for their wickedness with wicked deaths, just as they sought to cast this man out with unmerited, outrageous mistreatment.
But you, progeny of aged Laertes, I hesitate to permit you to touch the corpse in burial,
1390
lest I so offend the dead. In all other tasks do indeed be our partner. And if you wish to bring any soldier of the army with you, he shall be welcome. For the rest, I will make all things ready. But you, Odysseus, know that to us you have been a good and noble friend.
1395
Good Odysseus, I have only praise for your words. You have greatly belied my fears. Of all the Greeks you were his deadliest enemy, and yet you alone have stood by him with helping hand and did not come here and allow yourself in life
to violate the dead Ajax ruthlessly, as did the crazed general who came, since he and his brother wanted to cast out the outraged corpse without burial. Therefore may the Father supreme on
Olympus
above us,
1385
and the unforgetting Fury and Justice the Fulfiller destroy them for their wickedness with wicked deaths, just as they sought to cast this man out with unmerited, outrageous mistreatment.
But you, progeny of aged Laertes, I hesitate to permit you to touch the corpse in burial,
1390
But you, progeny of aged Laertes, I hesitate to permit you to touch the corpse in burial,
lest I so offend the dead. In all other tasks do indeed be our partner. And if you wish to bring any soldier of the army with you, he shall be welcome. For the rest, I will make all things ready. But you, Odysseus, know that to us you have been a good and noble friend.
1395
Odysseus
It was my wish to help, but if it is not pleasing to you that I should assist here, I accept your decision and depart.
1400
Exit Odysseus.
It was my wish to help, but if it is not pleasing to you that I should assist here, I accept your decision and depart.
1400
Teucer
Enough. Already the interval has been long drawn out. Come, hurry some of you to dig the hollow grave; others erect the
cauldron wrapped in fire on its high stand for prompt preparation of the ritual cleansing. Let another company bring from the tent the finery which he wore in battle beneath his shield. And you, too, child, with such strength as you have
1405
lay a loving hand upon your father and help me to lighten his body; for his channels are still warm and spray upwards the dark force of his spirit.
Come, come everyone who claims to be our friend, start forward and move on,
1410
laboring in service to this man of perfect excellence. To a nobler man such service has never yet been rendered
—nobler than Ajax when he lived, I mean.
1415
Enough. Already the interval has been long drawn out. Come, hurry some of you to dig the hollow grave; others erect the
cauldron wrapped in fire on its high stand for prompt preparation of the ritual cleansing. Let another company bring from the tent the finery which he wore in battle beneath his shield. And you, too, child, with such strength as you have
1405
lay a loving hand upon your father and help me to lighten his body; for his channels are still warm and spray upwards the dark force of his spirit.
Come, come everyone who claims to be our friend, start forward and move on,
1410
Come, come everyone who claims to be our friend, start forward and move on,
laboring in service to this man of perfect excellence. To a nobler man such service has never yet been rendered
—nobler than Ajax when he lived, I mean.
1415
Chorus
Many things, I tell you, can be known through mortal eyes; but before he sees it happening, no one can foretell
the future, or what his fate will be.
1420
Many things, I tell you, can be known through mortal eyes; but before he sees it happening, no one can foretell
the future, or what his fate will be.
1420