Θησέα καὶ τὰς διστόλους
1055
Oedipus at Colonus. Sophocles. ed. Lewis Campbell. Oxford. 1879.
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Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Greek) (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879))
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Editions (1)
Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1044-1097 focus
Χορός
εἴην ὅθι δαΐων
ἀνδρῶν τάχʼ ἐπιστροφαὶ
1045
τὸν χαλκοβόαν Ἄρη
μείξουσιν, ἢ πρὸς Πυθίαις
ἢ λαμπάσιν ἀκταῖς,
οὗ πότνιαι σεμνὰ τιθηνοῦνται τέλη
1050
θνατοῖσιν, ὧν καὶ χρυσέα
κλῂς ἐπὶ γλώσσᾳ βέβακε
προσπόλων Εὐμολπιδᾶν·
ἔνθʼ οἶμαι τὸν ἐγρεμάχαν
Θησέα καὶ τὰς διστόλους
1055
ἀδμῆτας ἀδελφὰς
αὐτάρκει τάχʼ ἐμμίξειν βοᾷ
τούσδʼ ἀνὰ χώρους·
εἴην ὅθι δαΐων
ἀνδρῶν τάχʼ ἐπιστροφαὶ
1045
τὸν χαλκοβόαν Ἄρη
μείξουσιν, ἢ πρὸς Πυθίαις
ἢ λαμπάσιν ἀκταῖς,
οὗ πότνιαι σεμνὰ τιθηνοῦνται τέλη
1050
θνατοῖσιν, ὧν καὶ χρυσέα
κλῂς ἐπὶ γλώσσᾳ βέβακε
προσπόλων Εὐμολπιδᾶν·
ἔνθʼ οἶμαι τὸν ἐγρεμάχαν
Θησέα καὶ τὰς διστόλους
1055
ἀδμῆτας ἀδελφὰς
αὐτάρκει τάχʼ ἐμμίξειν βοᾷ
τούσδʼ ἀνὰ χώρους·
Χορός
ἤ που τὸν ἐφεσπέρου
πέτρας νιφάδος πελῶσʼ
1060
Οἰάτιδος εἰς νόμον,
πώλοισιν ἢ ῥιμφαρμάτοις
φεύγοντες ἁμίλλαις.
ἁλώσεται· δεινὸς ὁ προσχώρων Ἄρης,
1065
δεινὰ δὲ Θησειδᾶν ἀκμά.
πᾶς γὰρ ἀστράπτει χαλινός,
πᾶσα δʼ ὁρμᾶται καθεῖσʼ
ἀμπυκτήρια στομίων
ἄμβασις, οἳ τὰν ἱππίαν
1070
τιμῶσιν Ἀθάναν
καὶ τὸν πόντιον γαιάοχον
Ῥέας φίλον υἱόν.
ἤ που τὸν ἐφεσπέρου
πέτρας νιφάδος πελῶσʼ
1060
Οἰάτιδος εἰς νόμον,
πώλοισιν ἢ ῥιμφαρμάτοις
φεύγοντες ἁμίλλαις.
ἁλώσεται· δεινὸς ὁ προσχώρων Ἄρης,
1065
δεινὰ δὲ Θησειδᾶν ἀκμά.
πᾶς γὰρ ἀστράπτει χαλινός,
πᾶσα δʼ ὁρμᾶται καθεῖσʼ
ἀμπυκτήρια στομίων
ἄμβασις, οἳ τὰν ἱππίαν
1070
τιμῶσιν Ἀθάναν
καὶ τὸν πόντιον γαιάοχον
Ῥέας φίλον υἱόν.
Χορός
ἔρδουσʼ ἢ μέλλουσιν; ὡς
προμνᾶταί τί μοι
1075
γνώμα τάχʼ ἀντάσειν
τᾶν δεινὰ τλασᾶν, δεινὰ δʼ εὑρουσᾶν πρὸς αὐθαίμων πάθη.
τελεῖ τελεῖ Ζεύς τι κατʼ ἆμαρ
μάντις εἴμʼ ἐσθλῶν ἀγώνων.
εἴθʼ ἀελλαία ταχύρρωστος πελειὰς
αἰθερίας νεφέλας κύρσαιμʼ ἄνωθʼ ἀγώνων
1080
αἰωρήσασα τοὐμὸν ὄμμα.
ἔρδουσʼ ἢ μέλλουσιν; ὡς
προμνᾶταί τί μοι
1075
γνώμα τάχʼ ἀντάσειν
τᾶν δεινὰ τλασᾶν, δεινὰ δʼ εὑρουσᾶν πρὸς αὐθαίμων πάθη.
τελεῖ τελεῖ Ζεύς τι κατʼ ἆμαρ
μάντις εἴμʼ ἐσθλῶν ἀγώνων.
εἴθʼ ἀελλαία ταχύρρωστος πελειὰς
αἰθερίας νεφέλας κύρσαιμʼ ἄνωθʼ ἀγώνων
1080
αἰωρήσασα τοὐμὸν ὄμμα.
Χορός
ἰὼ θεῶν πάνταρχε, παντ-
1085
όπτα Ζεῦ, πόροις
γᾶς τᾶσδε δαμούχοις
σθένει ʼπινικείῳ τὸν εὔαγρον τελειῶσαι λόχον,
σεμνά τε παῖς Παλλὰς Ἀθάνα.
1090
καὶ τὸν ἀγρευτὰν Ἀπόλλω
καὶ κασιγνήταν πυκνοστίκτων ὀπαδὸν
ὠκυπόδων ἐλάφων στέργω διπλᾶς ἀρωγὰς
μολεῖν γᾷ τᾷδε καὶ πολίταις.
ὦ ξεῖνʼ ἀλῆτα, τῷ σκοπῷ μὲν οὐκ ἐρεῖς
1095
ὡς ψευδόμαντις· τὰς κόρας γὰρ εἰσορῶ
τάσδʼ ἆσσον αὖθις ὧδε προσπολουμένας.
ἰὼ θεῶν πάνταρχε, παντ-
1085
όπτα Ζεῦ, πόροις
γᾶς τᾶσδε δαμούχοις
σθένει ʼπινικείῳ τὸν εὔαγρον τελειῶσαι λόχον,
σεμνά τε παῖς Παλλὰς Ἀθάνα.
1090
καὶ τὸν ἀγρευτὰν Ἀπόλλω
καὶ κασιγνήταν πυκνοστίκτων ὀπαδὸν
ὠκυπόδων ἐλάφων στέργω διπλᾶς ἀρωγὰς
μολεῖν γᾷ τᾷδε καὶ πολίταις.
ὦ ξεῖνʼ ἀλῆτα, τῷ σκοπῷ μὲν οὐκ ἐρεῖς
1095
ὡς ψευδόμαντις· τὰς κόρας γὰρ εἰσορῶ
τάσδʼ ἆσσον αὖθις ὧδε προσπολουμένας.
Translations (2)
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1059 focus
Wenn etwa gen Westen nicht
Zum schneeigen Felsen sie
1055
Aus Dea's Gelände floh'n,
1
Auf Rossen eilend oder leicht
Hinrollenden Wagen.
Man wird sie fah'n! Stark ist der Landbewohner Muth,
2
Und stark der Theseussöhne Kraft.
1060
Denn es blizt ein jeder Zügel, alle Männer, hoch zu Roß
Mit prangendem Stirnschmuck,
Stürmen heran, die, Pallas, dich,
Die reisige Göttin, und
Den Meerherrscher feiern, Nhea's Sohn,
1065
Welcher das Land schirmt.
Zweite Strophe.
Wenn etwa gen Westen nicht
Zum schneeigen Felsen sie
1055
Aus Dea's Gelände floh'n,
1
Auf Rossen eilend oder leicht
Hinrollenden Wagen.
Man wird sie fah'n! Stark ist der Landbewohner Muth,
2
Und stark der Theseussöhne Kraft.
1060
Denn es blizt ein jeder Zügel, alle Männer, hoch zu Roß
Mit prangendem Stirnschmuck,
Stürmen heran, die, Pallas, dich,
Die reisige Göttin, und
Den Meerherrscher feiern, Nhea's Sohn,
1065
Welcher das Land schirmt.
English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1044-1095 focus
Chorus
Oh, to be where the enemy, turned to fight,
will soon join in Ares’ clash of bronze, by the shores of Apollo, perhaps, or by that torch-lit beach
1045
where the Great Goddesses maintain awful rites for mortals on whose lips the ministering Eumolpidae have laid the golden seal of silence. There, I think, the war-rousing
1050
Theseus and the two maiden sisters will soon meet within our borders, amid the war-cry of resisting men!
1055
Oh, to be where the enemy, turned to fight,
will soon join in Ares’ clash of bronze, by the shores of Apollo, perhaps, or by that torch-lit beach
1045
where the Great Goddesses maintain awful rites for mortals on whose lips the ministering Eumolpidae have laid the golden seal of silence. There, I think, the war-rousing
1050
Theseus and the two maiden sisters will soon meet within our borders, amid the war-cry of resisting men!
1055
Chorus
Or perhaps they will soon draw near to the pastures on the west of Oea’s snowy rock,
fleeing on young horses or in chariots racing full speed. He will be caught!
1060
Terrible is the neighboring Ares, terrible the might of the followers of Theseus. Yes, the steel of every bridle flashes,
1065
and against their opponents charges forward our whole cavalry, who honor horse-riding Athena, and the earth-girdling Sea-god, the dear son of Rhea.
1070
Or perhaps they will soon draw near to the pastures on the west of Oea’s snowy rock,
fleeing on young horses or in chariots racing full speed. He will be caught!
1060
Terrible is the neighboring Ares, terrible the might of the followers of Theseus. Yes, the steel of every bridle flashes,
1065
and against their opponents charges forward our whole cavalry, who honor horse-riding Athena, and the earth-girdling Sea-god, the dear son of Rhea.
1070
Chorus
Is the battle now or yet to be?
For somehow my mind presages to me that soon I will meet the maidens who have suffered fearfully, who have found fearful suffering at the hands of a kinsman.
Today Zeus will bring something to completion.
1075
I predict noble struggles. Oh, to be a dove with the strength and swiftness of a whirlwind, that I might reach an airy cloud, and hang my gaze above the fight!
1080
Is the battle now or yet to be?
For somehow my mind presages to me that soon I will meet the maidens who have suffered fearfully, who have found fearful suffering at the hands of a kinsman.
Today Zeus will bring something to completion.
1075
Today Zeus will bring something to completion.
I predict noble struggles. Oh, to be a dove with the strength and swiftness of a whirlwind, that I might reach an airy cloud, and hang my gaze above the fight!
1080
Chorus
Hear, all-ruling lord of the gods, all-seeing Zeus! Grant to the guardians of this land to achieve with triumphant might the capture that gives the prize into their hands! And may your daughter grant it too, dread Pallas Athena!
1085
And Apollo, the hunter, and his sister, who follows the spotted, swift-footed deer—I wish that they would come, a double help
1090
to this land and to its people.
1095
Hear, all-ruling lord of the gods, all-seeing Zeus! Grant to the guardians of this land to achieve with triumphant might the capture that gives the prize into their hands! And may your daughter grant it too, dread Pallas Athena!
1085
And Apollo, the hunter, and his sister, who follows the spotted, swift-footed deer—I wish that they would come, a double help
1090
to this land and to its people.
1095
Commentary
Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))
mvp-comment-772-1 Θησέα 1
mvp-comment-772-2 αὐτάρκει βοᾷ 2
mvp-comment-772-3
Many critics, however, now regard
καὶ as spurious: for
Θησέα καὶ Dindorf proposes
Αἰγεΐδαν : for
Θησέα καὶ τὰς Wecklein
Θησέα παῖδας . The sense would then be:—
"Theseus will soon
bring the sisters
into (
i.e. , will soon raise around them) a battle-cry of confident prowess,"—by attacking their captors. This is possibly right: but a change of
καὶ τὰς into
παῖδας is hardly likely. In
Ph. 79
παῖ, which Erfurdt changed to
καί , is clearly sound.
mvp-comment-772-4 διστόλους 3
mvp-comment-772-5 αὐτάρκει 4
mvp-comment-772-6 τούσδ’ ἀνὰ χ. 5
mvp-comment-772-7
The poet has left the details of the rescue indistinct. Creon's guards first carried off the girls (844), and Theseus sent mounted Athenians in pursuit (897). Afterwards, Theseus commands Creon to lead him to where the girls are; if they are
"in these regions" (1020
ἐν τόποισι τοῖσδ’ ), Theseus himself will recover them: if, however, the guards are already flying with them, then
Theseus has nothing to do; the mounted Athenians, who have already started, will pursue (1020 ff.). But from the words of Theseus in 1148 it is plain that they have been rescued by his personal prowess, of which he forbears to boast (
κομπεῖν , 1149): and the same inference must be drawn from Antigone's words (1117). How are these facts to be reconciled? We can only suppose that the mounted Athenians, who started first, halted to watch the
δίστομοι ὁδοί (900), while Creon's guards also halted somewhere in concealment, to await their master. Theseus, with Creon, was thus enabled to overtake his Athenians before the struggle. The fact is that Sophocles did not care to think out these points, about which an Athenian audience in the theatre would not trouble themselves. Cp. on
O. T. 758
.
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
1026-1077. mvp-comment-551-1 In catching, you are caught; and fortune has taken you as you were pursuing after your prey.' The substitution of δίκη for τύχη is unnecessary and wrong. Fortune is continually regarded as the instrument of the Divine will. Cp. Phil. 1317, τὰς μὲν ἐκ θεῶν | τύχας δοθείσας: Shak. Hamlet, Act 3, Sc. 4. 'Take thy fortune; Thou find'st to be too busy is some danger.'
1054-1057. mvp-comment-565-1 ἔνθ᾽ Bo Where (i. e. somewhere on the sacred way) methinks that Theseus and the two virgin sisters will soon mingle in the fray of battle which is to deliver them:'or, taking αὐτάρκει in a more general sense, in the valorous combat, the rescue that achieves its purpose.'
1055. mvp-comment-567-1 Θησέα. So φονέα, Eur. Hec. 882.
1055.
mvp-comment-567-2
διστόλους i. e. δύο δισσῶς ἐσταλμέ- The word recalls the two bands of Thebans who had carried off Ismene and Antigone and would now resist their rescue. But the second part of the compound is subordinate. Elmsley says,
διστόλους ἀδελφάς dixit pro δισσῶν ἀδελφῶν στόλον. The maidens and their captors are spoken of in a single phrase, as in supr. 902, 1016.