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Ajax
Aiai! Who would ever have thought that my name would so descriptively suit my troubles? For well now may Ajax cry
Aiai—yes, twice and three times. Such are the harsh troubles with which I have met. Look, I am one whose father’s
430
prowess won him the fairest prize of all the army, whose father brought every glory home from this same land of Ida; but I, his son, who came after him to this same ground of
Troy
with no less might and proved the service of my hand in no meaner deeds,
435
I am ruined as you see by dishonor from the Greeks. And yet of this much I feel sure: if Achilles lived, and had been called to award the first place in valor to any claimant of his arms, no one would have grasped them before me.
440
But now the Atreidae have made away with them to a man without scruples and thrust away the triumphs of Ajax. And if these eyes and this warped mind had not swerved from the purpose that was mine, they would have never in this way procured votes in judgment against another man.
445
As it was, the daughter of Zeus, the grim-eyed, unconquerable goddess, tripped me up at the instant when I was readying my hand against them, and shot me with a plague of frenzy so that I might bloody my hands in these grazers. And those men exult to have escaped me—
450
not that I wanted their escape. But if a god sends harm, it is true that even the base man can elude the worthier.
And now what shall I do, when I am plainly hated by the gods, abhorred by the Greek forces and detested by all
Troy
and all these plains?
455
Shall I leave my station at the ships and the Atreidae to their own devices in order to go home across the
Aegean
? And how shall I face my father Telamon, when I arrive? How will he bear to look on me, when I stand before him stripped, without that supreme prize of valor
460
for which he himself won a great crown of fame? No, I could not bear to do it! But then shall I go against the bulwark of the Trojans, attacking alone in single combats and doing some valuable service, and finally die? But, in so doing I might, I think, gladden the Atreidae.
465
That must not happen. Some enterprise must be sought whereby I may prove to my aged father that in nature, at least, his son is not gutless. It is a stain upon a man to crave the full term of life, when he finds no variation from his ignominious troubles.
470
What joy is there in day following day, now advancing us towards, now drawing us back from the verge of death? I would not buy at any price the man who feels the glow of empty hopes.
475
The options for a noble man are only two: either live with honor, or make a quick and honorable death. You have heard all.
480
481
Aiai! Who would ever have thought that my name would so descriptively suit my troubles? For well now may Ajax cry
Aiai—yes, twice and three times. Such are the harsh troubles with which I have met. Look, I am one whose father’s
430
prowess won him the fairest prize of all the army, whose father brought every glory home from this same land of Ida; but I, his son, who came after him to this same ground of
Troy
with no less might and proved the service of my hand in no meaner deeds,
435
I am ruined as you see by dishonor from the Greeks. And yet of this much I feel sure: if Achilles lived, and had been called to award the first place in valor to any claimant of his arms, no one would have grasped them before me.
440
But now the Atreidae have made away with them to a man without scruples and thrust away the triumphs of Ajax. And if these eyes and this warped mind had not swerved from the purpose that was mine, they would have never in this way procured votes in judgment against another man.
445
As it was, the daughter of Zeus, the grim-eyed, unconquerable goddess, tripped me up at the instant when I was readying my hand against them, and shot me with a plague of frenzy so that I might bloody my hands in these grazers. And those men exult to have escaped me—
450
not that I wanted their escape. But if a god sends harm, it is true that even the base man can elude the worthier.
And now what shall I do, when I am plainly hated by the gods, abhorred by the Greek forces and detested by all Troy and all these plains?
455
And now what shall I do, when I am plainly hated by the gods, abhorred by the Greek forces and detested by all Troy and all these plains?
Shall I leave my station at the ships and the Atreidae to their own devices in order to go home across the
Aegean
? And how shall I face my father Telamon, when I arrive? How will he bear to look on me, when I stand before him stripped, without that supreme prize of valor
460
for which he himself won a great crown of fame? No, I could not bear to do it! But then shall I go against the bulwark of the Trojans, attacking alone in single combats and doing some valuable service, and finally die? But, in so doing I might, I think, gladden the Atreidae.
465
That must not happen. Some enterprise must be sought whereby I may prove to my aged father that in nature, at least, his son is not gutless. It is a stain upon a man to crave the full term of life, when he finds no variation from his ignominious troubles.
470
What joy is there in day following day, now advancing us towards, now drawing us back from the verge of death? I would not buy at any price the man who feels the glow of empty hopes.
475
The options for a noble man are only two: either live with honor, or make a quick and honorable death. You have heard all.
480
Chorus
No man shall say that you have spoken a bastard word, Ajax, or one not bred of your own heart. Yet at least pause; dismiss these thoughts, and grant friends the power to rule your purpose.
No man shall say that you have spoken a bastard word, Ajax, or one not bred of your own heart. Yet at least pause; dismiss these thoughts, and grant friends the power to rule your purpose.
Tecmessa
Ajax, my lord, the fortune that humans are compelled to endure is their gravest evil. I was the daughter of a free-born father mighty in wealth, if any Phrygian was. Now I am a slave, for somehow the gods so ordained,
485
and even more so did your strong hand. Therefore, since I have come into your bed, I wish you well, and I do beg you, by the Zeus of our hearth, by your marriage-bed in which you coupled with me, do not condemn me to the cruel talk
490
of your enemies, do not leave me to the hand of a stranger! On whatever day you die and widow me by your death, on that same day, be sure, I shall also be seized forcibly by the Greeks and, with your son, shall obtain a slave’s portion.
495
Then one of my masters will name me bitterly, shooting me with taunts:
See the concubine of Ajax, who was the mightiest man in the army. See what menial tasks she tends to, in place of such an enviable existence! Such things will men say, and so will destiny afflict me
500
while the shame of these words will stain you and your family. Show respect to your father, whom you abandon in miserable old age, and respect your mother with her share of many years, who often prays to the gods that you may come home alive.
505
Pity, too, my king, your son. Pity him the great sorrow which at your death you will bequeath both to him and to me, if robbed of nurturing care he must spend his days apart from you, an orphan tended by guardians who are neither family nor friends.
I have nothing left to which I can look,
510
save you, and you are the reason. Your spear ravaged my country to nothingness, and another fate has brought down my mother and father, giving them a home in Hades in their death. What homeland, then, could I have without you? What wealth? My welfare is entirely in your hands.
515
So remember me, too. A true man should cherish remembrance, if anywhere he takes some pleasure. It is kindness that always begets kindness. But whoever lets the memory of benefits seep from him, he can no longer be a noble man.
520
525
Ajax, my lord, the fortune that humans are compelled to endure is their gravest evil. I was the daughter of a free-born father mighty in wealth, if any Phrygian was. Now I am a slave, for somehow the gods so ordained,
485
and even more so did your strong hand. Therefore, since I have come into your bed, I wish you well, and I do beg you, by the Zeus of our hearth, by your marriage-bed in which you coupled with me, do not condemn me to the cruel talk
490
of your enemies, do not leave me to the hand of a stranger! On whatever day you die and widow me by your death, on that same day, be sure, I shall also be seized forcibly by the Greeks and, with your son, shall obtain a slave’s portion.
495
Then one of my masters will name me bitterly, shooting me with taunts:
See the concubine of Ajax, who was the mightiest man in the army. See what menial tasks she tends to, in place of such an enviable existence! Such things will men say, and so will destiny afflict me
500
while the shame of these words will stain you and your family. Show respect to your father, whom you abandon in miserable old age, and respect your mother with her share of many years, who often prays to the gods that you may come home alive.
505
Pity, too, my king, your son. Pity him the great sorrow which at your death you will bequeath both to him and to me, if robbed of nurturing care he must spend his days apart from you, an orphan tended by guardians who are neither family nor friends.
I have nothing left to which I can look,
510
I have nothing left to which I can look,
save you, and you are the reason. Your spear ravaged my country to nothingness, and another fate has brought down my mother and father, giving them a home in Hades in their death. What homeland, then, could I have without you? What wealth? My welfare is entirely in your hands.
515
So remember me, too. A true man should cherish remembrance, if anywhere he takes some pleasure. It is kindness that always begets kindness. But whoever lets the memory of benefits seep from him, he can no longer be a noble man.
520
Chorus
Ajax, I wish that pity touched your heart as it does mine. Then you would approve her words.
525
Ajax, I wish that pity touched your heart as it does mine. Then you would approve her words.
525
Ajax
She will have approval as far as I am concerned, if only she takes heart and graciously does my bidding.
She will have approval as far as I am concerned, if only she takes heart and graciously does my bidding.
Tecmessa
Dear Ajax, I will obey you in everything.
Dear Ajax, I will obey you in everything.
Ajax
Then bring me my son, so that I may see him.
530
Then bring me my son, so that I may see him.
530
Tecmessa
But in my fear I released him from my keeping.
But in my fear I released him from my keeping.
Ajax
Because of these troubles of mine? Or what do you mean?
Because of these troubles of mine? Or what do you mean?
Tecmessa
Yes, for fear that somehow the poor child would get in your way, and die.
Yes, for fear that somehow the poor child would get in your way, and die.
Ajax
Yes, that would have been truly worthy of my destiny.
Yes, that would have been truly worthy of my destiny.
Tecmessa
Well, at least I took care to avert that disaster.
535
Well, at least I took care to avert that disaster.
535
Ajax
I approve of your action and of your foresight.
I approve of your action and of your foresight.
Tecmessa
How, then, can I serve you, as things stand now?
How, then, can I serve you, as things stand now?
Ajax
Let me speak to him and see him face to face.
Let me speak to him and see him face to face.
Tecmessa
Oh, yes—he is close by, watched by our servants.
Oh, yes—he is close by, watched by our servants.
Ajax
Then why is his presence delayed?
540
Then why is his presence delayed?
540
Tecmessa
My child, your father calls you. Bring him here, servant, whichever of you is guiding his steps.
My child, your father calls you. Bring him here, servant, whichever of you is guiding his steps.
Ajax
Is the man coming? Or has he missed your call?
Is the man coming? Or has he missed your call?
Tecmessa
Here now one of the servants approaches with him.
545
Enter the Servant and Eurysaces.
Here now one of the servants approaches with him.
Ajax
Lift him; lift him up here. Doubtless he will not shrink to look on this newly-shed blood, if he is indeed my true-born son and heir to his father’s manners. But he must at once be broken into his father’s harsh ways and moulded to the likeness of my nature.
545
Ah, son, may you prove luckier than your father, but in all else like him. Then you would not prove base. Yet even now I may well envy you on this account, that you have no perception of these evils about us. Yes, life is sweetest when one lacks sense,
for lack of sensation is a painless evil
550
that is, until one learns to know joy or pain. But when you come to that knowledge, then you must be sure to prove among your father’s enemies of what mettle and of what lineage you are. Meanwhile feed on light breezes, and nurse your tender life for your mother’s joy.
555
There is no Greek—I know it for certain—who will do violence to you with hard outrages, even when you are without me. So trusty is the guard, Teucer himself, whom I will leave at your gates. He will not falter in his care for you, although now he walks a far path, busied with the hunt of enemies.
560
O my warriors, my seafaring comrades! On you as on him, I lay this shared task of love: give my command to Teucer! Let him take this child to my home and set him before the face of Telamon, and of my mother, Eriboea,
565
so that he may become the comfort of their age into eternity
until they come to the deep hollows of the god below. And order him that no commissioners of games, nor he who is my destroyer, should make my arms a prize for the Greeks. No, you take this for my sake, Son, my broad shield from which you have your name.
570
Hold it and wield it by the sturdy thong, this sevenfold, spear-proof shield! But the rest of my arms shall be my gravemates.
575
To Tecmessa.
Come, take the child right away, shut tight the doors and make no laments before the house.
God, what a weepy thing is woman. Quick, close the house! It is not for a skilful doctor to moan incantations over a wound that craves the knife.
580
583
Lift him; lift him up here. Doubtless he will not shrink to look on this newly-shed blood, if he is indeed my true-born son and heir to his father’s manners. But he must at once be broken into his father’s harsh ways and moulded to the likeness of my nature.
545
Ah, son, may you prove luckier than your father, but in all else like him. Then you would not prove base. Yet even now I may well envy you on this account, that you have no perception of these evils about us. Yes, life is sweetest when one lacks sense,
for lack of sensation is a painless evil
550
that is, until one learns to know joy or pain. But when you come to that knowledge, then you must be sure to prove among your father’s enemies of what mettle and of what lineage you are. Meanwhile feed on light breezes, and nurse your tender life for your mother’s joy.
555
There is no Greek—I know it for certain—who will do violence to you with hard outrages, even when you are without me. So trusty is the guard, Teucer himself, whom I will leave at your gates. He will not falter in his care for you, although now he walks a far path, busied with the hunt of enemies.
560
O my warriors, my seafaring comrades! On you as on him, I lay this shared task of love: give my command to Teucer! Let him take this child to my home and set him before the face of Telamon, and of my mother, Eriboea,
565
so that he may become the comfort of their age into eternity
until they come to the deep hollows of the god below. And order him that no commissioners of games, nor he who is my destroyer, should make my arms a prize for the Greeks. No, you take this for my sake, Son, my broad shield from which you have your name.
570
Hold it and wield it by the sturdy thong, this sevenfold, spear-proof shield! But the rest of my arms shall be my gravemates.
575
Come, take the child right away, shut tight the doors and make no laments before the house.
God, what a weepy thing is woman. Quick, close the house! It is not for a skilful doctor to moan incantations over a wound that craves the knife.
580
Chorus
I am afraid when I hear this eager haste. Your tongue’s sharp edge does not please me.
I am afraid when I hear this eager haste. Your tongue’s sharp edge does not please me.
Tecmessa
Ajax, my lord, what can you have in mind?
585
Ajax, my lord, what can you have in mind?
585
Ajax
Do not keep asking me, do not keep questioning. Self-restraint is a virtue.
Do not keep asking me, do not keep questioning. Self-restraint is a virtue.
Tecmessa
Ah, how I despair! Now, by your child, by the gods, I implore you, do not betray us!
Ah, how I despair! Now, by your child, by the gods, I implore you, do not betray us!
Ajax
You annoy me too much. Do you not know
that I no longer owe any service to the gods?
590
You annoy me too much. Do you not know
that I no longer owe any service to the gods?
590
Tecmessa
Hush, no impiety!
Hush, no impiety!
Ajax
Speak to those who hear.
Speak to those who hear.
Tecmessa
You will not listen?
You will not listen?
Ajax
Already your words have been too many.
Already your words have been too many.
Tecmessa
Yes, because I am afraid, my king!
Yes, because I am afraid, my king!
Ajax
To the Attendants.
Close the doors this instant!
Close the doors this instant!
Tecmessa
In the name of the gods, be softened!
In the name of the gods, be softened!
Ajax
You have foolish hope, I think,
if you plan so late to begin schooling my temper.
595
Ajax is shut into the tent. Exit Tecmessa with Eurysaces.
You have foolish hope, I think,
if you plan so late to begin schooling my temper.
595
Ajax. Sophocles. Richard Jebb (Translator). Cambridge. 1893.
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Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.