Ajax. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
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Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Greek) (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879))
Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.
Editions (3)
Αἴας μαστιγοφόρος First1KGreek (Sophocles. Sophoclis Aiax. Lobeck Christian, editor. Berlin: Weidmann, 1866.) — 172-201 focus
ΧΟΡΟΣ
1
ᾖ ῥά σε Ταυροπόλα Διὸς Ἄρτεμις,
ὦ μεγάλα φάτις, ὦ
μᾶτερ αἰσχύνας ἐμᾶς,
ὥρμασε πανδάμους ἐπὶ βοῦς ἀγελαίας,
175
ἦ πού τινος νίκας ἀκάρπωτον χάριν,
ἤ ῥα κλυτῶν ἐνάρων
ψευσθεῖσ’, ἀδώροις εἴτ’ ὲλαφηβολἐαις.
ἢ χαλκοθώραξ ἥντιν’ Ἐννυάλιος
μομφὰν ἔχων
180
ξυνοῦ δορὸς, ἐννυχίοις μαχαναῖς
ἐτίσατο λώβαν.
ΧΟΡΟΣ
1
Οὐ, τοτε γὰρ φρενόθεν γ’ ἐπ’ ἀριστερὰ,
παῖ Τελαμῶνος, ἔβας
τόσσον ὲν ποίμναις πίτνων·
185
ἥκοι γὰρ ἂν θεία νόσος· ἀλλ’ ἀπερύκοι
καὶ Ζεὺς κακὰν καὶ Φοῖβος Ἀργείων φάτιν ·
εἰ δ’ ὑποβαλλόμενοι
κλέπτουσι μύθους οἱ μεγάλοι βασιλῆς
ἢ τᾶς ἀσώτου Σισυφιδᾶν γενεᾶς,
190
μὴ, μή μ’, ἄναξ,
ἔθ’ ὦδ’ ἐφάλοις κλισίαις ὄμμ’ ἔχων
κακὰν φάτιν ἄρῃ.
ΧΟΡΟΣ
1
Ἀλλ’ ἄνα ἐς ἐδράνων, ὅπου μακραίωνι
στηρίζει ποτὲ τᾷδ’ ἀγωνίῳ σχολᾷ
195
ἄταν οὐρανίαν φλέγων
ἐχθρῶν δ’ ὕβρις ὧδ’ ἀτάρβηθ’
ὁρμᾶται ὲν εὐανέμοις βάσσαις,
πάντων καγχαζόντων
γλώσσαις βαρυάλγητα·
200
200
ἐμοὶ δ’ ἄχος ἕστακεν.
Αἴας First1KGreek (Sophocles. Sophoclis Fabulae. Pearson, Alfred Chilton, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1924.) — 172-200 focus
Χορός
1
ἦ ῥά σε Ταυροπόλα Διὸς Ἄρτεμις,
ὦ μεγάλα φάτις, ὦ
μᾶτερ αἰσχύνας ἐμᾶς, ὥρ-
μασε πανδάμους ἐπὶ βοῦς ἀγελαίας,
175
ἦ πού τινος νίκας ἀκάρπωτον χάριν,
ἤ ῥα κλυτῶν ἐνάρων
ψευσθεῖσʼ, ἀδώροις εἴτʼ ἐλαφαβολίαις;
ἢ χαλκοθώραξ εἴ τινʼ Ἐνυάλιος
μομφὰν ἔχων ξυνοῦ δορὸς ἐννυχίοις
180
μαχαναῖς ἐτείσατο λώβαν;
Χορός
1
οὔποτε γὰρ φρενόθεν γʼ ἐπʼ ἀριστερά,
παῖ Τελαμῶνος, ἔβας
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
τόσσον ἐν ποίμναις πίτνων· ἥ-
κοι γὰρ ἂν θεία νόσος· ἀλλʼ ἀπερύκοι
185
καὶ Ζεὺς κακὰν καὶ Φοῖβος Ἀργείων φάτιν.
εἰ δʼ ὑποβαλλόμενοι
κλέπτουσι μύθους οἱ μεγάλοι βασιλῆς,
ἢ τᾶς ἀσώτου Σισυφιδᾶν γενεᾶς,
μὴ μηκέτʼ, ὦναξ, ὧδʼ ἐφάλοις κλισίαις
190
ὄμμʼ ἔχων κακὰν φάτιν ἄρῃ.
Χορός
ἀλλʼ ἄνα ἐξ ἑδράνων
ὅπου μακραίωνι
στηρίζει ποτὲ τᾷδʼ ἀγωνίῳ σχολᾷ,
ἄταν οὐρανίαν φλέγων.
195
ἐχθρῶν δʼ ὕβρις ὧδʼ ἀτάρβητα
ὁρμᾶτʼ ἐν εὐανέμοις βάσσαις,
πάντων καχαζόντων
γλώσσαις βαρυάλγητα·
ἐμοὶ δʼ ἄχος ἕστακεν.
200
Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 172-200 focus
Χορός
ἦ ῥά σε Ταυροπόλα Διὸς Ἄρτεμις—
ὦ μεγάλα φάτις, ὦ
μᾶτερ αἰσχύνας ἐμᾶς—
ὥρμασε πανδάμους ἐπὶ βοῦς ἀγελαίας,
175
ἦ πού τινος νίκας ἀκάρπωτον χάριν,
ἤ ῥα κλυτῶν ἐνάρων
ψευσθεῖσʼ, ἀδώροις, εἴτʼ ἐλαφαβολίας;
ἢ χαλκοθώραξ μή τινʼ Ἐνυάλιος
μομφὰν ἔχων ξυνοῦ δορὸς ἐννυχίοις
180
μαχαναῖς ἐτίσατο λώβαν;
Χορός
οὔ ποτε γὰρ φρενόθεν γʼ ἐπʼ ἀριστερά,
παῖ Τελαμῶνος, ἔβας
τόσσον, ἐν ποίμναις πίτνων·
185
ἥκοι γὰρ ἂν θεία νόσος· ἀλλʼ ἀπερύκοι
καὶ Ζεὺς κακὰν καὶ Φοῖβος Ἀργείων φάτιν.
εἰ δʼ ὑποβαλλόμενοι
κλέπτουσι μύθους οἱ μεγάλοι βασιλῆς
ἢ τᾶς ἀσώτου Σισυφιδᾶν γενεᾶς,
190
μὴ μή, ἄναξ, ἔθʼ ὧδʼ ἐφάλοις κλισίαις
ὄμμʼ ἔχων κακὰν φάτιν ἄρῃ.
Χορός
ἀλλʼ ἄνα ἐξ ἑδράνων, ὅπου μακραίωνι
στηρίζει ποτὲ τᾷδʼ ἀγωνίῳ σχολᾷ
ἄταν οὐρανίαν φλέγων.
195
ἐχθρῶν δʼ ὕβρις ὧδʼ ἀτάρβητα
ὁρμᾶται ἐν εὐανέμοις βάσσαις,
πάντων καγχαζόντων
γλώσσαις βαρυάλγητα·
ἐμοὶ δʼ ἄχος ἕστακεν.
200
Translations (5)
English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 128 focus
AI
’Tis a foolish hope,
If thou deem’st now to mould me to thy will.
595
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 134 focus
Telamonischer Sohn, der Salamis' Höh'n
1
Am ringsumwogten Gestade beherrscht,
135
Ich freue mich, lächelt das Glück dir.
Doch wann Zeus' Groll und ein zorniges Wort
Aus Danaermunde dich feindlich betraf,
Da faßt mich die Angst, ich erbebe vor Furcht,
Wie das Auge des flatternden Täubchens.
2
140
So hat von der jüngst entschwundenen Nacht
Uns mächtiger Schreck und Entsezen erfüllt
Bei dem schmähenden Ruf, du hab'st in der Au,
In der Rosse Gefild' einstürmend, dem Heer
Das erbeutete Vieh,
145
Das übrig allein von dem Raube noch war,
Mit flammendem Eisen gemordet.
Solch höhnende Reden ersinnt uns keck,
Und zischelt Odysseus Allen in's Ohr,
Und sie glauben ihm leicht; denn er meldet von dir,
150
Was gerne man glaubt, und wer es vernimmt,
Der freut sich noch mehr, denn der es erzählt,
Treibt Spott mit deiner Bedrängniß.
Denn send' auf mächtige Geister den Pfeil,
Nie fehlst du das Ziel; wer aber von uns
155
Solch Arges erzählt, dem glauben sie nicht.
Stets kriecht ja der Neid an die Großen heran.
Und dennoch sind, von den Großen getrennt,
Die Geringen der Burg ein betrüglicher Schuz;
Mit dem Großen ja hebt der Geringe sich leicht,
160
Und der Große, gestüzt von dem Kleinen, empor.
Doch ist es unmöglich, der Thoren Geschlecht
Von diesem Gesez zu belehren.
Solch alberner Männer Geschrei stürmt, Herr,
Auf dich, und uns ward nimmer die Kraft,
165
Dawider zu steh'n, so gesondert von dir.
Denn, flohen sie dir aus den Blicken hinweg,
Dann tosen sie laut, wie Vögel im Schwarm;
Doch bebten sie scheu vor dem mächtigen Aar,
Und verkröchen, sobald du plözlich erschienst,
170
Sich alsbald schweigend und lautlos.
Strophe.
English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 128 focus
Ajax
ACT IV.
Scene I.
There stands my sword, and fixed as it may
best
Perform its office ; 'twas the gift of Hector,
My worst of foes, whom I detested ever :
The steel-devouring stone hath sharpened well
Its keenest edge. Buried in Trojan earth
855
It lies, and now in kindness seems prepared
855
To end my wretched life. Thus far is well.
855
And now, O Jove ! — for first to thee 'tis fit
855
We pay due honours — I address my prayer.
I ask not much : I ask thee but to send
Some passing stranger here to bear the news
Of my unhappy fate to Teuoer's ear,
That he may first behold, and take me hence,
Lest, by my foes discovered, I be cast
A prey to dogs and birds. Forbid it, Jove !
Thee too, great leader of departed souls,
Terrestrial Hermes, thee I call! oh, hear me!
With easy steps, and swift, conduct me safe
To my abode, soon as this fatal sword
Shall reach my breast. And you, ye virgin powers
From whom whate'er befalls of human ill
Cannot be hid, ye goddesses revered,
Swift to pursue the guilty, oh, behold,
"D seize the murd'rers ! By my own sad hand
As I shall perish, let my foes be slain
860
By those wliom most they love ! Quick, fly, begone,
860
Ye vengeful furies ! Gorge yourselves in blood,
860
Nor spiire a man of all the Grecian host.
860
And thou, O Sun ! who diiv'st the flaming car
Along the vaulted sky, when thou shalt see
My native soil, oh ! stop thy golden reins ;
Tell the sad story to my hapless sire
And my afllicted mother. AVhen she hears
The mournful tale, her grief will fill the land
With dreadful lamentations. But 'tis vain
To weep my fate : the business must be done.
O Death ! look on me. Death ; I come to thee —
Soon shall we meet ; but thee, O glorious day !
And yon bright charioteer the sun, no more
Shall I behold : e'en now thou hearst my last,
My dying words. O light ! O sacred soil
Of Salamis, my country, and her gods !
O noble Atliens ! O my loved companions !
Ye rivers, fountains, and fair fields of Troy !
^ And yon, my honoured parents, oh, farewell !
865
/ 'Tis the last word Ajax shall speak on earth :
865
Semiciior. I . Labour on labour, toil go toil ! Oh, whither
865
Have we not wandered 1 Yet no place informs us
865
English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 128 focus
Ajax
I have heard too much.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 172-200 focus
Chorus
Was it Artemis ruler of bulls, Zeus’s daughter, that drove you, O powerful Rumor, O mother of my shame,
drove you against the herds of all our people? Was she exacting retribution, perhaps, for a victory that had paid her no tribute, whether it was because she had been cheated of the glory of captured arms, or because a stag had been slain without gifts for recompense? Or can the bronze-cuirassed Lord of War
175
have had some cause for anger arising out of an alliance of spears, and taken vengeance for the outrage by contrivance shrouded in night?
180
Chorus
For never of your own heart alone, son of Telamon, would you have gone so far down the sinister path
as to fall upon the flocks. When the gods send madness, it cannot but reach its target, but may Zeus and Phoebus avert the evil rumor of the Greeks!
And if it is the great kings who slander you with their furtive stories,
185
or if it is he born of the abject line of Sisyphus, do not, my king, do not win me an evil name by keeping your face still hidden in the tent by the sea.
190
And if it is the great kings who slander you with their furtive stories,
Chorus
Come now, up from your seat, wherever you are settled in this long-lived pause from battle
and are making the flame of disaster blaze up to the sky! The violent insolence of your enemies rushes fearlessly about in the breezy glens, while the tongues of all the army cackle out a load of grief.
195
For me, sorrow stands firmly planted.
200
Commentary
Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))
mvp-comment-98-1 αὐτὸς 1
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
128. mvp-comment-94-1 αὐτός] Odysseus is warned not to do as Ajax had done. Cp. infr. 773. Hence the emphatic pronoun.