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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
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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
Ajax. Sophocles. Richard Jebb (Translator). Cambridge. 1893.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.