Search the Perseus Catalog for:

← Previous Next →

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΥΜΝΙΣ

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Ἐν δὲ τῇ πρὸς τοὺς Γαλάτας μάχῃ εἰπέ, ὦ Χηνίδα, ὅπως μὲν προεξήλασα τῶν ἄλλων ἱππέων ἐπὶ τοῦ ἵππου τοῦ λευκοῦ, ὅπως δὲ οἱ Γαλάται καίτοι ἄλκιμοι ὄντες ἔτρεσάν μ'¹ εὐθὺς ὡς εἶδον καὶ οὐθεὶς ἔτι ὑπέστη. τότε τοίνυν ἐγὼ τὴν μὲν λόγχην ἀκοντίσας διέπειρα τὸν ἵππαρχον αὐτὸν καὶ τὸν ἵππον, ἐπὶ δὲ τὸ συνεστηκὸς ἔτι αὐτῶν—ἦσαν γάρ τινες οἳ ἔμενον διαλύσαντες μὲν τὴν φάλαγγα, ἐς πλαίσιον δὲ συναγαγόντες αὑτούς—ἐπὶ τούτους ἐγὼ σπασάμενος τὴν σπάθην ἅπαντι τῷ θυμῷ ἐπελάσας ἀνατρέπω μὲν ὅσον ἑπτὰ τοὺς προεστῶτας αὐτῶν τῇ ἐμβολῇ τοῦ ἵππου· τῷ ξίφει δὲ 316 κατενεγκὼν διέτεμον τῶν λοχαγῶν ἑνὸς ἐς δύο τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτῷ κράνει. ὑμεῖς δέ, ὦ Χηνίδα, μετ' ὀλίγον ἐπέστητε ἤδη φευγόντων.

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ

Ὅτε γάρ, ὦ Λεόντιχε, περὶ Παφλαγονίαν ἐμονομάχησας τῷ σατράπῃ, οὐ ² μεγάλα ἐπεδείξω καὶ τότε;

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Καλῶς ὑπέμνησας οὐκ ἀγεννοῦς οὐδ’ ἐκείνης τῆς πράξεως· ὁ γὰρ σατράπης μέγιστος ὤν, ὁπλομάχων ἄριστος δοκῶν εἶναι, καταφρονήσας τοῦ Ἑλληνικοῦ, προπηδήσας ἐς τὸ μέσον προὐκαλεῖτο εἴ τις ἐθέλοι αὐτῷ μονομαχῆσαι. οἱ μὲν οὖν ἄλλοι κατεπεπλήγεσαν οἱ λοχαγοὶ καὶ οἱ ταξίαρχοι καὶ ὁ ἡγεμὼν αὐτὸς καίτοι οὐκ ἀγεννὴς ἄνθρωπος ὤν· Ἀρίσταιχμος γὰρ ἡμῶν ³ ἡγεῖτο Αἰτωλὸς ἀκοντιστὴς ἄριστος, ἐγὼ δὲ ἐχιλιάρχουν ἔτι. τολμήσας δ’ ὅμως καὶ τοὺς ἑταίρους ἐπιλαμβανομένους ἀποσεισάμενος, ἐδεδοίκεσαν γὰρ ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ ὁρῶντες ἀποστίλβοντα μὲν τὸν βάρβαρον ἐπιχρύσοις τοῖς ὅπλοις, μέγαν δὲ καὶ φοβερὸν ὄντα τὸν λόφον, κραδαίνοντα τὴν λόγχην—

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ

Κἀγὼ ἔδεισα τότε, ὦ Λεόντιχε, καὶ οἶσθα ὡς εἰχόμην σου δεόμενος μὴ προκινδυνεύειν· ἀβίωτα γὰρ ἦν μοι σοῦ ἀποθανόντος.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Ἀλλ' ἐγὼ τολμήσας παρῆλθον ἐς τὸ μέσον οὐ χεῖρον τοῦ Παφλαγόνος ὡπλισμένος, ἀλλὰ πάγχρυσος καὶ αὐτός, ὥστε βοὴ εὐθὺς ἐγένετο καὶ παρ' ἡμῶν καὶ παρὰ τῶν βαρβάρων· ἐγνώρισαν γάρ με κἀκεῖνοι ἰδόντες ἀπὸ τῆς πέλτης μάλιστα καὶ τῶν φαλάρων καὶ τοῦ λόφου. εἰπέ, ὦ Χηνίδα, τίνι με τότε πάντες εἴκαζον;

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ

Τίνι δὲ ἄλλῳ ἢ Ἀχιλλεῖ νὴ Δία τῷ Θέτιδος καὶ Πηλέως;

317

οὕτως ἔπρεπέ μέν σοι ἡ κόρυς, ἡ φοινικὶς δὲ ἐπήνθει καὶ ἡ πέλτη ἐμάρμαιρεν.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Ἐπεὶ δὲ συνέστημεν, ὁ βάρβαρος πρότερος ⁴ τιτρώσκει με ὀλίγον ὅσον ἐπιψαῦσαι ⁵ τῷ δόρατι μικρὸν ὑπὲρ τὸ γόνυ, ἐγὼ δὲ διελάσας τὴν ἀσπίδα τῇ σαρίσῃ παίω διαμπὰξ ἐς τὸ στέρνον, εἶτ' ἐπιδραμὼν ἀπεδειροτόμησα τῇ σπάθῃ ῥᾳδίως καὶ τὰ ὅπλα ἔχων ἐπανῆλθον ἅμα καὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν ἐπὶ τῆς σαρίσης πεπηγυῖαν κομίζων λελουμένος τῷ φόνῳ.

ΥΜΝΙΣ

Ἄπαγε, ὦ Λεόντιχε, μιαρὰ ταῦτα καὶ φοβερὰ περὶ σαυτοῦ διηγῇ, καὶ οὐκ ἂν ἔτι σε οὐδὲ προσβλέψειέ τις οὕτω χαίροντα τῷ λύθρῳ, οὐχ ὅπως συμπίοι ἢ συγκοιμηθείη. ἔγωγ' οὖν ἄπειμι.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Διπλάσιον ἀπόλαβε τὸ μίσθωμα.

ΥΜΝΙΣ

Οὐκ ἂν ὑπομείναιμι ἀνδροφόνῳ συγκαθεύδειν.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Μὴ δέδιθι, ὦ Ὑμνί· ἐν Παφλαγόσιν ἐκεῖνα πέπρακται, νῦν δὲ εἰρήνην ἄγω.

ΥΜΝΙΣ

Ἀλλ' ἐναγὴς ἄνθρωπος εἶ, καὶ τὸ αἷμα κατέσταζέ σου ἀπὸ τῆς κεφαλῆς τοῦ βαρβάρου, ἣν ἔφερες ἐπὶ τῇ σαρίσῃ. εἶτ' ἐγὼ τοιοῦτον ἄνδρα περιβάλω ⁶ καὶ φιλήσω; μή, ὦ Χάριτες, γένοιτο· οὐδὲν γὰρ οὗτος ἀμείνων τοῦ δημίου.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Καὶ μὴν εἴ με εἶδες ἐν τοῖς ὅπλοις, εὖ οἶδα, ἠράσθης ἄν.

ΥΜΝΙΣ

Ἀκούουσα μόνον, ὦ Λεόντιχε, ναυτιῶ καὶ φρίττω καὶ τὰς σκιάς μοι δοκῶ ὁρᾶν καὶ τὰ εἴδωλα τῶν πεφονευμένων καὶ μάλιστα τοῦ ἀθλίου λοχαγοῦ ἐς δύο τὴν κεφαλὴν διῃρημένου. τί οἴει, τὸ ἔργον αὐτὸ καὶ τὸ αἷμα εἰ ἐθεασάμην ⁷ καὶ κειμένους τοὺς νεκρούς;

318

ἐκθανεῖν δή ⁸ μοι δοκῶ· οὐδ’ ἀλεκτρυόνα πώποτε φονευόμενον εἶδον.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Οὕτως ἀγεννής, ὦ Ὑμνί, καὶ μικρόψυχος εἶ; ἐγὼ δὲ ᾤμην ἡσθήσεσθαί σε ἀκούουσαν.

ΥΜΝΙΣ

Ἀλλὰ τέρπε τοῖς διηγήμασι τούτοις εἴ τινας Λημνιάδας ἢ Δαναΐδας εὕροις· ἐγὼ δ’ ἀποτρέχω παρὰ τὴν μητέρα, ἕως ἔτι ἡμέρα ἐστίν. ἕπου καὶ σύ, ὦ Γραμμί· σὺ δὲ ἔρρωσο, χιλιάρχων ἄριστε καὶ φονεῦ ὁπόσων ἂν ἐθέλῃς.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Μεῖνον, ὦ Ὑμνί, μεῖνον—ἀπελήλυθε.

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ

Σὺ γάρ, ὦ Λεόντιχε, ἀφελῆ παιδίσκην κατεφόβησας ἐπισείων λόφους καὶ ἀπιθάνους ἀριστείας διεξιών· ἐγὼ δὲ ἑώρων εὐθὺς ὅπως χλωρὰ ἐγένετο ἔτι σου τὰ κατὰ τὸν λοχαγὸν ἐκεῖνα διηγουμένου καὶ συνέστειλε τὸ πρόσωπον καὶ ὑπέφριξεν, ἐπεὶ διακόψαι τὴν κεφαλὴν ἔφης.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Ὤιμην ἐρασμιώτερος αὐτῇ φανεῖσθαι. ἀλλὰ καὶ σύ με προσαπολώλεκας, ὦ Χηνίδα, τὸ μονομάχιον ὑποβαλών.

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ

Οὐκ ἔδει γὰρ συνεπιψεύδεσθαί σοι ὁρῶντα τὴν αἰτίαν τῆς ἀλαζονείας; σὺ δὲ πολὺ φοβερώτερον ⁹ αὐτὸ ἐποίησας. ἔστω γάρ, ἀπέτεμες τοῦ κακοδαίμονος Παφλαγόνος τὴν κεφαλήν, τί καὶ κατέπηξας αὐτὴν ἐπὶ τῆς σαρίσης, ὥστε σου καταρρεῖν τὸ αἷμα;

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Τοῦτο μιαρὸν ὡς ἀληθῶς, ὦ Χηνίδα, ἐπεὶ τά γε ἄλλα οὐ κακῶς συνεπέπλαστο. ἄπιθι δ’ οὖν καὶ πεῖσον αὐτὴν συγκαθευδήσουσαν.

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ

Λέγω οὖν ὡς ἐψεύσω ἅπαντα γενναῖος αὐτῇ δόξαι βουλόμενος;

319

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Αἰσχρόν, ὦ Χηνίδα.

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ

Καὶ μὴν οὐκ ἄλλως ἀφίκοιτο. ἑλοῦ τοίνυν θάτερον ἢ μισεῖσθαι ἀριστεὺς εἶναι δοκῶν ἢ καθεύδειν μετὰ Ὑμνίδος ἐψεῦσθαι ὁμολογῶν.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Χαλεπὰ μὲν ἄμφω· αἱροῦμαι δ’ ὅμως τὴν Ὑμνίδα. ἄπιθι οὖν καὶ λέγε, ὦ Χηνίδα, ἐψεῦσθαι μέν, μὴ πάντα δέ.

Dialogi meretricii. Lucian of Samosata. ed. Matthew Donald Macleod. Medford, MA. Perseus 5.0.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

Ἑταιρικοὶ διάλογοι (Greek) (Lucian, Vol. 7. Macleod, Matthew Donald, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1961 (unrenewed copyright).)

Editions (1)

Ἑταιρικοὶ Διάλογοι Perseus (Lucian. Luciani Samosatensis Opera, Vol. 3. Jacobitz, Karl, editor. Leipzig: Teubner, 1913.) — 13 focus

Λεόντιχος, Χηνίδας και Ὑμνίς.

Λεόντιχος

ἐν δὲ τῇ πρὸς τοὺς Γαλάτας μάχῃ εἰπέ, ὦ Χηνίδα, ὅπως μὲν προεξήλασα τῶν ἄλλων ἱππέων ἐπὶ τοῦ ἵππου τοῦ λευκοῦ, ὅπως δὲ οἱ Γαλάται καίτοι ἄλκιμοι ὄντες ἔτρεσαν εὐθὺς ὡς εἶδόν με καὶ οὐδεὶς ἔτι ὑπέστη. τότε τοίνυν ἐγὼ τὴν μὲν λόγχην ἀκοντίσας διέπειρα τὸν ἵππαρχον αὐτῶν καὶ τὸν ἵππον, ἐπὶ δὲ τὸ συνεστηκὸς ἔτι αὐτῶν — ἦσαν γάρ τινες οἳ ἔμενον διαλύσαντες μὲν τὴν φάλαγγα, ἐς πλαίσιον δὲ συναγαγόντες αὑτούς — ἐπὶ τούτους ἐγὼ σπασάμενος τὴν σπάθην ἅπαντα τῷ θυμῷ ἐπελάσας ἀνατρέπω μὲν ὅσον ἑπτὰ τοὺς προεστῶτας αὐτῶν τῇ ἐμβολῇ τοῦ ἵππου· τῷ ξίφει δὲ κατενεγκὼν διέτεμον v.2.p.316 τῶν λοχαγῶν ἑνὸς ἐς δύο τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτῷ κράνει. ὑμεῖς δέ, ὦ Χηνίδα, μετʼ ὀλίγον ἐπέστητε ἤδη φευγόντων.

Χηνίδας

ὅτε γάρ, ὦ Λεόντιχε, περὶ Παφλαγονίαν ἐμονομάχησας τῷ σατράπῃ, οὐ μεγάλα ἐπεδείξω καὶ τότε;

Λεόντιχος

καλῶς ὑπέμνησας οὐκ ἀγεννοῦς οὐδʼ ἐκείνης τῆς πράξεως· ὁ γὰρ σατράπης μέγιστος ὤν, ὁπλομάχων ἄριστος δοκῶν εἶναι, καταφρονήσας τοῦ Ἑλληνικοῦ, προπηδήσας ἐς τὸ μέσον προὐκαλεῖτο εἴ τις ἐθέλοι αὐτῷ μονομαχῆσαι. οἱ μὲν οὖν ἄλλοι κατεπεπλήγεσαν οἱ λοχαγοὶ καὶ οἱ ταξίαρχοι καὶ ὁ ἡγεμὼν αὐτὸς καίτοι οὐκ ἀγεννὴς ἄνθρωπος ὤν· Ἀρίσταιχμος γὰρ ἡμῶν ἡγεῖτο Αἰτωλὸς ἀκοντιστὴς ἄριστος, ἐγὼ δὲ ἐχιλιάρχουν ἔτι. τολμήσας δʼ ὅμως καὶ τοὺς ἑταίρους ἐπιλαμβανομένους ἀποσεισάμενος, ἐδεδοίκεσαν γὰρ ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ ὁρῶντες ἀποστίλβοντα μὲν τὸν βάρβαρον ἐπιχρύσοις τοῖς ὅπλοις, μέγαν δὲ καὶ φοβερὸν ὄντα τὸν λόφον καὶ κραδαίνοντα τὴν λόγχην...

Χηνίδας

κἀγὼ ἔδεισα τότε, ὦ Λεόντιχε, καὶ οἶσθα ὡς εἰχόμην σου δεόμενος μὴ προκινδυνεύειν· ἀβίωτα γὰρ εἶναί μοι σοῦ ἀποθανόντος.

Λεόντιχος

ἀλλʼ ἐγὼ τολμήσας παρῆλθον ἐς τὸ μέσον οὐ χεῖρον τοῦ Παφλαγόνος ὡπλισμένος, ἀλλὰ πάγχρυσος καὶ αὐτός, ὥστε βοὴ εὐθὺς ἐγένετο καὶ παρʼ ἡμῶν καὶ παρὰ τῶν βαρβάρων· ἐγνώρισαν γὰρ με κἀκεῖνοι ἰδόντες ἀπὸ τῆς πέλτης μάλιστα καὶ τῶν φαλάρων καὶ τοῦ λόφου. εἰπέ, ὦ Χηνίδα, τίνι με τότε πάντες εἴκαζον;

Χηνίδας

τίνι δὲ ἄλλῳ ἢ Ἀχιλλεῖ νὴ Δία τῷ Θέτιδος καὶ Πηλέως; οὕτως ἔπρεπέ μέν σοι ἡ κόρυς, ἡ φοινικὶς v.2.p.317 δὲ ἐπήνθει καὶ ἡ πέλτη ἐμάρμαιρεν.

Λεόντιχος

ἐπεὶ δὲ συνέστημεν, ὁ βάρβαρος πρότερος τιτρώσκει με ὀλίγον ὅσον ἐπιψαύσας τῷ δόρατι μικρὸν ὑπὲρ τὸ γόνυ, ἐγὼ δὲ διελάσας τὴν ἀσπίδα τῇ σαρίσῃ παίω διαμπὰξ ἐς τὸ στέρνον. εἶτʼ ἐπιδραμὼν ἀπεδειροτόμησα τῇ σπάθῃ ῥᾳδίως καὶ τὰ ὅπλα ἔχων ἐπανῆλθον ἅμα καὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν ἐπὶ τῆς σαρίσης πεπηγυῖαν κομίσων λελουμένος τῷ φόνῳ.

Ὑμνίς

ἄπαγε, ὦ Λεόντιχε, μιαρὰ ταῦτα καὶ φοβερὰ περὶ σαυτοῦ διηγῇ, καὶ οὐκ ἂν ἔτι σε οὐδὲ προσβλέψειέ τις οὕτω χαίροντα τῷ λύθρῳ, οὐχ ὅπως συμπίοι ἢ συγκοιμηθείη. ἔγωγε οὖν ἄπειμι.

Λεόντιχος

διπλάσιον ἀπόλαβε τὸ μίσθωμα.

Ὑμνίς

οὐκ ἂν ὑπομείναιμι ἀνδροφόνῳ συγκαθεύδειν.

Λεόντιχος

μὴ δέδιθι, ὦ Ὑμνί· ἐν Παφλαγόσιν ἐκεῖνα πέπρακται, νῦν δὲ εἰρήνην ἄγω.

Ὑμνίς

ἀλλʼ ἐναγὴς ἄνθρωπος εἶ, καὶ τὸ αἷμα κατέσταζέ σου ἀπὸ τῆς κεφαλῆς τοῦ βαρβάρου, ἣν ἔφερες ἐπὶ τῇ σαρίσῃ. εἶτʼ ἐγὼ τοιοῦτον ἄνδρα περιβαλῶ καὶ φιλήσω; μή, ὦ Χάριτες, γένοιτο· οὐδὲν γὰρ οὗτος ἀμείνων τοῦ δημίου.

Λεόντιχος

καὶ μὴν εἴ με εἶδες ἐν τοῖς ὅπλοις, εὖ οἶδα, ἠράσθης ἄν.

Ὑμνίς

ἀκούουσα μόνον, ὦ Λεόντιχε, ναυτιῶ καὶ φρίττω καὶ τὰς σκιάς μοι δοκῶ ὁρᾶν καὶ τὰ εἴδωλα τῶν πεφονευμένων καὶ μάλιστα τοῦ ἀθλίου λοχαγοῦ ἐς δύο τὴν κεφαλὴν διῃρημένου. τί οἴει, τὸ ἔργον αὐτὸ καὶ τὸ αἷμα εἰ θεασαίμην καὶ κειμένους τοὺς νεκρούς; ἐκθανεῖν v.2.p.318 γάρ μοι δοκῶ, ἣ οὐδʼ ἀλεκτρυόνα πώποτε φονευόμενον εἶδον.

Λεόντιχος

οὕτως ἀγεννής, ὦ Ὑμνί, καὶ μικρόψυχος εἶ; ἐγὼ δὲ ᾤμην ἡσθήσεσθαί σε ἀκούουσαν.

Ὑμνίς

ἀλλὰ τέρπε τοῖς διηγήμασι τούτοις εἴ τινας Λημνιάδας ἢ Δαναΐδας εὕροις· ἐγὼ δʼ ἀποτρέχω παρὰ τὴν μητέρα, ἕως ἔτι ἡμέρα ἐστίν. ἕπου καὶ σύ, ὦ Γραμμί· σὺ δὲ ἔρρωσο, χιλιάρχων ἄριστε καὶ φονεῦ ὁπόσων ἂν ἐθέλῃς.

Λεόντιχος

μεῖνον, ὦ Ὑμνί, μεῖνον — ἀπελήλυθε.

Χηνίδας

σὺ γάρ, ὦ Λεόντιχε, ἀφελῆ παιδίσκην κατεφόβησας ἐπισείων λόφους καὶ ἀπιθάνους ἀριστείας διεξιών· ἐγὼ δὲ ἑώρων εὐθὺς ὅπως χλωρὰ ἐγένετο ἔτι σου τὰ κατὰ τὸν λοχαγὸν ἐκεῖνα διηγουμένου καὶ συνέστειλε τὸ πρόσωπον καὶ ὑπέφριξεν, ἐπεὶ καὶ διακόψαι τὴν κεφαλὴν ἔφης.

Λεόντιχος

ὤιμην ἐρασμιώτερος αὐτῇ φανεῖσθαι. ἀλλὰ καὶ σύ με προσαπολώλεκας, ὦ Χηνίδα, τὸ μονομάχιον ὑποβαλών.

Χηνίδας

οὐκ ἔδει γὰρ συνεπιψεύδεσθαί σοι ὁρῶντα τὴν αἰτίαν τῆς ἀλαζονείας; σὺ δὲ πολὺ φοβερώτερον αὐτὸ ἐποίησας. ἔστω γάρ, ἀπέτεμες τοῦ κακοδαίμονος Παφλαγόνος τὴν κεφαλήν, τί καὶ κατέπηξας αὐτὴν ἐπὶ τῆς σαρίσης, ὥστε σου καταρρεῖν τὸ αἷμα;

Λεόντιχος

τοῦτο μιαρὸν ὡς ἀληθῶς, ὦ Χηνίδα, ἐπεὶ τά γε ἄλλα οὐ κακῶς συνεπέπλαστο, ἄπιθι δʼ οὖν καὶ πεῖσον αὐτὴν συγκαθευδήσουσαν.

Χηνίδας

λέγω οὖν ὡς ἐψεύσω ἅπαντα γενναῖος αὐτῇ δόξαι βουλόμενος;

Λεόντιχος

αἰσχρόν, ὦ Χηνίδα. v.2.p.319

Χηνίδας

καὶ μὴν οὐκ ἄν ἄλλως ἀφίκοιτο. ἑλοῦ τοίνυν θάτερον ἢ μισεῖσθαι ἀριστεὺς εἶναι δοκῶν ἢ καθεύδειν μετὰ Ὑμνίδος ἐψεῦσθαι ὁμολογῶν.

Λεόντιχος

χαλεπὰ μὲν ἄμφω· αἱροῦμαι δʼ ὅμως τὴν Ὑμνίδα. ἄπιθι οὖν καὶ λέγε, ὦ Χηνίδα, ἐψεῦσθαι μέν, μὴ πάντα δέ.

Translations (2)

Dialogues of the Courtesans Perseus (Lucian, Vol. 7. Macleod, Matthew Donald, translator. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1961 (unrenewed copyright).) — 13 focus

Leontichus, Chenidas and Hymnis

LEONTICHUS

And tell us, Chenidas, how in the battle with the Galatians I rode out ahead of all the other cavalrymen on my white horse, and how the Galatians for all their courage were stricken with fear the moment they saw me, and not one of them stood his ground. On that occasion I hurled my lance like a javelin and sent it through the leader of their cavalry and his horse as well, and then turning against those of them that still offered concerted resistance—for there were a few still remaining who, instead of the phalanx, had now adopted a rectangular formation—turning against these, I drew my blade, and, charging with all my fury, knocked over half a dozen or so of their front rank by the onset of my horse, and, bringing my sword down on the head of one of their captains, I split it in two, helmet and all. The rest of you came up, Chenidas, a little later, when the enemy were already in flight.

CHENIDAS

Yes, Leontichus, and when you fought in single combat with the satrap in Paphlagonia, wasn’t that another great exhibition of your prowess?

LEONTICHUS

Thank you for reminding me of another not ignoble exploit. The satrap, a gigantic man, and reputed to excel all other warriors in heavy armour, despising the Greek forces, leapt out between the two armies and challenged all comers to offer him single combat. All our other officers were terrified, and that included even our General himself, though he’s a man of spirit. At the time, you know, we were under the command of Aristaechmus, the Aetolian, whose skill with the javelin is unrivalled, and I was still a mere colonel. I, however, acted boldly and shaking off my comrades who were holding me back through fear for me when they saw the barbarian resplendent in his golden armour, a mighty figure with fearsome crest, brandishing his lance——

CHENIDAS

I was another who was afraid on that occasion, Leontichus, and you know how I clung to you, begging you not to court danger ahead of us, for my life would not have been worth living, if you had been killed.

LEONTICHUS

But I acted boldly and advanced out there, wearing just as fine armour as the Paphlagonian, and encased in gold from head to toe just like him, so that a shout arose immediately, both from our men and from the barbarians, for they too recognised me by my shield in particular and by my spangles and my crest. Tell us, Chenidas, whom did they all think I resembled then?

CHENIDAS

Achilles, of course, son of Peleus and Thetis. So distinguished was your helmet, so bright your purple, so resplendent your shield.

LEONTICHUS

When we met, the barbarian struck first, wounding me slightly by grazing me with his spear just above the knee, but I drove my lance through his shield, and penetrated right through to his chest. Then I rushed at him, lopped off his head with my blade without any difficulty, and returned, not only with his arms, but carrying his head fixed on my lance, and bathed in blood.

HYMNIS

Stop, Leontichus. Your stories about yourself are repulsive and gruesome, and no girl would ever look again at a fellow who takes such pleasure in bloodshed, far less drink with him, or spend the night with him. So I’ll be off.

LEONTICHUS

I offer you double the money.

HYMNIS

I couldn’t bear to sleep with a murderer.

LEONTICHUS

Don’t be afraid, Hymnis. These exploits are all over and happened in Paphlagonia; for the moment I’m at peace.

HYMNIS

But you’re unclean, and the blood dripped over you from his head, when you carried it on your spear. And then you expect me to embrace and kiss a fellow like that? May the Graces save me from that! He’s no better than the public executioner.

LEONTICHUS

But, if you’d seen me in heavy armour, I’m sure you’d have fallen in love with me.

HYMNIS

Merely to listen to you, Leontichus, makes me feel sick and shudder and imagine I see the ghosts and phantoms of those you butchered and particularly of that poor captain with his head split in two. What do you think would have happened if I’d seen the deed itself, and the blood, and the dead bodies lying there? I think I went faint as it was. I’ve never to this day even seen a cock being killed.

LEONTICHUS

Are you really so cowardly and poor-spirited, Hymnis? I thought you’d be delighted to hear my tale.

HYMNIS

Keep such tales for the delight of any women of Lemnos or daughters of Danaus ¹ you find; but I’m running away to mother, while it’s still daylight. And you’d better come with me, Grammis. Goodbye, bravest colonel, you murderer of as many as you choose.

LEONTICHUS

Stay, Hymnis, stay.—She’s gone.

CHENIDAS

Yes, Leontichus. You frightened the simple young girl by brandishing your plumes and recounting your incredible feats. I could see at once how pale she grew before you’d finished that story about the captain, and how she puckered her brow, and shivered when you said you’d split his head.

LEONTICHUS

I thought it would make me seem more attractive to her; but you helped to spoil things for me, Chenidas, by suggesting the single combat.

CHENIDAS

Well, wasn’t I to help by adding my lies to yours, when I saw why you were boasting? But you made the story much too frightening. It was all very well for you to cut off the head of that poor Paphlagonian, but why did you go on to stick it on your spear, so that the blood poured over you?

LEONTICHUS

That was indeed repulsive, Chenidas; the tale we’d made up hadn’t been at all bad up till then! But be off with you and coax her into spending the night with me.

CHENIDAS

Am I to say, then, that your whole story was a pack of lies, because you wished to appear a hero in her eyes?

LEONTICHUS

I’d be ashamed if you did.

CHENIDAS

But that’s the only way she’ll come. You’ve only two choices; you can either be hated and retain your reputation for valour, or you can spend the night with Hymnis and admit you’ve been lying.

LEONTICHUS

Either choice goes against the grain; but I choose Hymnis. So go, Chenidas, and tell her that I did He, but it wasn’t all lies.

Dialogues of the Hetaerae Perseus (The Works of Lucian of Samosata, Vol. 4. Fowler, Henry Watson and Fowler, Francis George, translators. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1905.) — 13 focus

XIII

Leontichus

Chenidas

Hymnis

[1]

Leontichus

And then that battle with the Galatians; tell her about that, Chenidas—how I rode out in front on the grey, and the Galatians (brave fellows, those Galatians, too)—but they ran away directly they saw me; not a man stood his ground. That time, you know, I used my lance for a javelin, and sent it through their captain and his horse as well; and then, as some of them were left—the phalanx was broken up, you see, but a certain number had rallied—well, I pulled out my trusty blade, rode at them as hard as I could go, knocked over half a dozen of the front rank with the mere rush of my horse, brought down my sword on one of the officers, and clove his head in two halves, helmet and all. The rest of you came up shortly, you remember, when they were already running.

[2]

Chenidas

Oh, but that duel of yours with the satrap in Paphlagonia! that was a fine display, too.

Leontichus

Well remembered; yes, that was not so bad, either. A great big fellow that satrap was, supposed to be a champion fighter too—thought nothing of Greek science. Out he came, and challenged all comers to single combat. There was consternation among our officers, from the lowest to the general himself—though he was a pretty good man. Aristaechmus the Aetolian he was—very strong on the javelin; I was only a colonel then. However, I was not afraid. I shook off the friends who clung to me—they were anxious about me when they saw the barbarian resplendent in his gilded armour, towering high with his terrible plume and brandishing his lance—

Chenidas

Yes, I was afraid that time; you remember how I clung to you and besought you not to sacrifice yourself; life would not have been worth living, if you had fallen.

[3]

Leontichus

I ventured it, though. Out I went, as well armed as the Paphlagonian, all gold like him. What a shout there was on both sides! the barbarians recognized me too; they knew my buckler and medals and plume. Who was it they all compared me to, Chenidas?

Chenidas

Why, who should it be? Achilles, of course; the son of Peleus and Thetis, of course. Your helmet was so magnificent, your purple so rich, your buckler so dazzling.

Leontichus

We met. The barbarian drew first blood—just a scratch with his lance a little above the knee; but my great spear drove through his shield and right into the breast-bone. Then I ran up, just sliced his head off with my sword, and came back carrying his arms, the head spiked on my spear dripping gore upon me.

[4]

Hymnis

How horrid, Leontichus! what disgusting frightful tales you tell about yourself! What girl would look at a man who likes such nastiness—let alone drink or sleep with him? I am going away.

Leontichus

Pooh! I double your pay.

Hymnis

No, nothing shall induce me to sleep with a murderer.

Leontichus

Don’t be afraid, my dear. All that was in Paphlagonia. I am a man of peace now.

Hymnis

No, you are unclean; the blood of the barbarian’s head on the spear has dripped over you! I embrace and kiss a man like that? the Graces forbid! he is no better than the executioner.

Leontichus

I am certain you would be in love with me if you had seen me in my armour.

Hymnis

I tell you it makes me sick and frightened even to hear of such things; I see the shades and ghosts of the slain; that poor officer with his head cloven! what would it be if I saw the thing done, and the blood, and the bodies lying there? I am sure I should die; I never saw a chicken killed, even.

Leontichus

Such a coward, girl? so poor of heart? I thought you would like to hear it.

Hymnis

Well, try the Lemnian women, or the daughters of Danaus, if you want to please with that sort of tale. I shall run home to my mother, while there is some daylight left. Come along, Grammis. Good-bye, mightiest of colonels, and murderer of however many it is!

[5]

Leontichus

Stay, girl, stay. —Why, she is gone!

Chenidas

Well, Leontichus, you frightened the simple little thing with your nodding plumes and your incredible exploits. I saw her getting pale as far back as the officer story; her face was all puckered up and quivering when you split his head.

Leontichus

I thought it would make me more attractive. Well, but it was your fault too; you started the duel.

Chenidas

Well, I had to chime in when I saw what you were bragging for. But you laid it on so thick. Pass the cutting off the wretched Paphlagonian’s head, what did you want to spike it on a spear for, and let the blood run down on you?

[6]

Leontichus

That was a bit too strong, I admit; the rest was rather well put together. Well, go and persuade her to come back.

Chenidas

Shall I tell her you lied to make her think you a fine fellow?

Leontichus

Oh, plague upon it!

Chenidas

It’s the only way. Choose—a mighty champion, and loathed, or a confessed liar, and—Hymnis?

Leontichus

Bad is the best; but I say Hymnis. Go to her, then, Chenidas, and say I lied—in parts,

Henry Watson Fowler

Notes on the current edition

Ἑταιρικοὶ διάλογοι

1. μ' addidit Mras.

2. οὐ rec.: σὺ βγ.

3. ἡμῶν Struve: ἡγεμὼν codd..

4. πρότερον β.

5. ἐπιψαύσας rec..

6. περιβαλῶ β.

7. θεασαίμην γ.

8. δὴ γ om. β: ἂν Mras.

9. φοβερώτερον recc.: φοβερὸν βγ.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΥΜΝΙΣ

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ Ὅτε γάρ, ὦ Λεόντιχε, περὶ Παφλαγονίαν ἐμονομάχησας τῷ σατράπῃ, οὐ 2 μεγάλα ἐπεδείξω καὶ τότε;

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ Κἀγὼ ἔδεισα τότε, ὦ Λεόντιχε, καὶ οἶσθα ὡς εἰχόμην σου δεόμενος μὴ προκινδυνεύειν· ἀβίωτα γὰρ ἦν μοι σοῦ ἀποθανόντος.

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ Τίνι δὲ ἄλλῳ ἢ Ἀχιλλεῖ νὴ Δία τῷ Θέτιδος καὶ Πηλέως;

οὕτως ἔπρεπέ μέν σοι ἡ κόρυς, ἡ φοινικὶς δὲ ἐπήνθει καὶ ἡ πέλτη ἐμάρμαιρεν.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ Διπλάσιον ἀπόλαβε τὸ μίσθωμα.

ΥΜΝΙΣ Οὐκ ἂν ὑπομείναιμι ἀνδροφόνῳ συγκαθεύδειν.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ Μὴ δέδιθι, ὦ Ὑμνί· ἐν Παφλαγόσιν ἐκεῖνα πέπρακται, νῦν δὲ εἰρήνην ἄγω.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ Καὶ μὴν εἴ με εἶδες ἐν τοῖς ὅπλοις, εὖ οἶδα, ἠράσθης ἄν.

ἐκθανεῖν δή 8 μοι δοκῶ· οὐδ’ ἀλεκτρυόνα πώποτε φονευόμενον εἶδον.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ Οὕτως ἀγεννής, ὦ Ὑμνί, καὶ μικρόψυχος εἶ; ἐγὼ δὲ ᾤμην ἡσθήσεσθαί σε ἀκούουσαν.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ Μεῖνον, ὦ Ὑμνί, μεῖνον—ἀπελήλυθε.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ Ὤιμην ἐρασμιώτερος αὐτῇ φανεῖσθαι. ἀλλὰ καὶ σύ με προσαπολώλεκας, ὦ Χηνίδα, τὸ μονομάχιον ὑποβαλών.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ Τοῦτο μιαρὸν ὡς ἀληθῶς, ὦ Χηνίδα, ἐπεὶ τά γε ἄλλα οὐ κακῶς συνεπέπλαστο. ἄπιθι δ’ οὖν καὶ πεῖσον αὐτὴν συγκαθευδήσουσαν.

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ Λέγω οὖν ὡς ἐψεύσω ἅπαντα γενναῖος αὐτῇ δόξαι βουλόμενος;

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ Αἰσχρόν, ὦ Χηνίδα.

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ Καὶ μὴν οὐκ ἄλλως ἀφίκοιτο. ἑλοῦ τοίνυν θάτερον ἢ μισεῖσθαι ἀριστεὺς εἶναι δοκῶν ἢ καθεύδειν μετὰ Ὑμνίδος ἐψεῦσθαι ὁμολογῶν.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ Χαλεπὰ μὲν ἄμφω· αἱροῦμαι δ’ ὅμως τὴν Ὑμνίδα. ἄπιθι οὖν καὶ λέγε, ὦ Χηνίδα, ἐψεῦσθαι μέν, μὴ πάντα δέ.

Current edition Perseus

Λεόντιχος, Χηνίδας και Ὑμνίς.

Χηνίδας ὅτε γάρ, ὦ Λεόντιχε, περὶ Παφλαγονίαν ἐμονομάχησας τῷ σατράπῃ, οὐ μεγάλα ἐπεδείξω καὶ τότε;

Χηνίδας κἀγὼ ἔδεισα τότε, ὦ Λεόντιχε, καὶ οἶσθα ὡς εἰχόμην σου δεόμενος μὴ προκινδυνεύειν· ἀβίωτα γὰρ εἶναί μοι σοῦ ἀποθανόντος.

Χηνίδας τίνι δὲ ἄλλῳ ἢ Ἀχιλλεῖ νὴ Δία τῷ Θέτιδος καὶ Πηλέως; οὕτως ἔπρεπέ μέν σοι ἡ κόρυς, ἡ φοινικὶς v.2.p.317 δὲ ἐπήνθει καὶ ἡ πέλτη ἐμάρμαιρεν.

Λεόντιχος διπλάσιον ἀπόλαβε τὸ μίσθωμα.

Ὑμνίς οὐκ ἂν ὑπομείναιμι ἀνδροφόνῳ συγκαθεύδειν.

Λεόντιχος μὴ δέδιθι, ὦ Ὑμνί· ἐν Παφλαγόσιν ἐκεῖνα πέπρακται, νῦν δὲ εἰρήνην ἄγω.

Λεόντιχος καὶ μὴν εἴ με εἶδες ἐν τοῖς ὅπλοις, εὖ οἶδα, ἠράσθης ἄν.

Λεόντιχος οὕτως ἀγεννής, ὦ Ὑμνί, καὶ μικρόψυχος εἶ; ἐγὼ δὲ ᾤμην ἡσθήσεσθαί σε ἀκούουσαν.

Λεόντιχος μεῖνον, ὦ Ὑμνί, μεῖνον — ἀπελήλυθε.

Λεόντιχος ὤιμην ἐρασμιώτερος αὐτῇ φανεῖσθαι. ἀλλὰ καὶ σύ με προσαπολώλεκας, ὦ Χηνίδα, τὸ μονομάχιον ὑποβαλών.

Λεόντιχος τοῦτο μιαρὸν ὡς ἀληθῶς, ὦ Χηνίδα, ἐπεὶ τά γε ἄλλα οὐ κακῶς συνεπέπλαστο, ἄπιθι δʼ οὖν καὶ πεῖσον αὐτὴν συγκαθευδήσουσαν.

Χηνίδας λέγω οὖν ὡς ἐψεύσω ἅπαντα γενναῖος αὐτῇ δόξαι βουλόμενος;

Λεόντιχος αἰσχρόν, ὦ Χηνίδα. v.2.p.319

Χηνίδας καὶ μὴν οὐκ ἄν ἄλλως ἀφίκοιτο. ἑλοῦ τοίνυν θάτερον ἢ μισεῖσθαι ἀριστεὺς εἶναι δοκῶν ἢ καθεύδειν μετὰ Ὑμνίδος ἐψεῦσθαι ὁμολογῶν.

Λεόντιχος χαλεπὰ μὲν ἄμφω· αἱροῦμαι δʼ ὅμως τὴν Ὑμνίδα. ἄπιθι οὖν καὶ λέγε, ὦ Χηνίδα, ἐψεῦσθαι μέν, μὴ πάντα δέ.

Leontichus, Chenidas and Hymnis

CHENIDAS Yes, Leontichus, and when you fought in single combat with the satrap in Paphlagonia, wasn’t that another great exhibition of your prowess?

CHENIDAS I was another who was afraid on that occasion, Leontichus, and you know how I clung to you, begging you not to court danger ahead of us, for my life would not have been worth living, if you had been killed.

CHENIDAS Achilles, of course, son of Peleus and Thetis. So distinguished was your helmet, so bright your purple, so resplendent your shield.

HYMNIS Stop, Leontichus. Your stories about yourself are repulsive and gruesome, and no girl would ever look again at a fellow who takes such pleasure in bloodshed, far less drink with him, or spend the night with him. So I’ll be off.

LEONTICHUS I offer you double the money.

HYMNIS I couldn’t bear to sleep with a murderer.

LEONTICHUS Don’t be afraid, Hymnis. These exploits are all over and happened in Paphlagonia; for the moment I’m at peace.

HYMNIS But you’re unclean, and the blood dripped over you from his head, when you carried it on your spear. And then you expect me to embrace and kiss a fellow like that? May the Graces save me from that! He’s no better than the public executioner.

LEONTICHUS But, if you’d seen me in heavy armour, I’m sure you’d have fallen in love with me.

LEONTICHUS Are you really so cowardly and poor-spirited, Hymnis? I thought you’d be delighted to hear my tale.

HYMNIS Keep such tales for the delight of any women of Lemnos or daughters of Danaus 1 you find; but I’m running away to mother, while it’s still daylight. And you’d better come with me, Grammis. Goodbye, bravest colonel, you murderer of as many as you choose.

LEONTICHUS Stay, Hymnis, stay.—She’s gone.

LEONTICHUS I thought it would make me seem more attractive to her; but you helped to spoil things for me, Chenidas, by suggesting the single combat.

LEONTICHUS That was indeed repulsive, Chenidas; the tale we’d made up hadn’t been at all bad up till then! But be off with you and coax her into spending the night with me.

CHENIDAS Am I to say, then, that your whole story was a pack of lies, because you wished to appear a hero in her eyes?

LEONTICHUS I’d be ashamed if you did.

CHENIDAS But that’s the only way she’ll come. You’ve only two choices; you can either be hated and retain your reputation for valour, or you can spend the night with Hymnis and admit you’ve been lying.

LEONTICHUS Either choice goes against the grain; but I choose Hymnis. So go, Chenidas, and tell her that I did He, but it wasn’t all lies.

XIII

Leontichus

Chenidas

Hymnis

Leontichus

Chenidas

Leontichus

Chenidas

Leontichus

Chenidas

Leontichus

Hymnis

Leontichus

Hymnis

Leontichus

Hymnis

Leontichus

Hymnis

Leontichus

Hymnis

Leontichus

Chenidas

Leontichus

Chenidas

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ

Ὅτε γάρ, ὦ Λεόντιχε, περὶ Παφλαγονίαν ἐμονομάχησας τῷ σατράπῃ, οὐ ² μεγάλα ἐπεδείξω καὶ τότε;

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ

Κἀγὼ ἔδεισα τότε, ὦ Λεόντιχε, καὶ οἶσθα ὡς εἰχόμην σου δεόμενος μὴ προκινδυνεύειν· ἀβίωτα γὰρ ἦν μοι σοῦ ἀποθανόντος.

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ

Τίνι δὲ ἄλλῳ ἢ Ἀχιλλεῖ νὴ Δία τῷ Θέτιδος καὶ Πηλέως;

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Διπλάσιον ἀπόλαβε τὸ μίσθωμα.

ΥΜΝΙΣ

Οὐκ ἂν ὑπομείναιμι ἀνδροφόνῳ συγκαθεύδειν.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Μὴ δέδιθι, ὦ Ὑμνί· ἐν Παφλαγόσιν ἐκεῖνα πέπρακται, νῦν δὲ εἰρήνην ἄγω.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Καὶ μὴν εἴ με εἶδες ἐν τοῖς ὅπλοις, εὖ οἶδα, ἠράσθης ἄν.

ἐκθανεῖν δή ⁸ μοι δοκῶ· οὐδ’ ἀλεκτρυόνα πώποτε φονευόμενον εἶδον.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Οὕτως ἀγεννής, ὦ Ὑμνί, καὶ μικρόψυχος εἶ; ἐγὼ δὲ ᾤμην ἡσθήσεσθαί σε ἀκούουσαν.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Μεῖνον, ὦ Ὑμνί, μεῖνον—ἀπελήλυθε.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Ὤιμην ἐρασμιώτερος αὐτῇ φανεῖσθαι. ἀλλὰ καὶ σύ με προσαπολώλεκας, ὦ Χηνίδα, τὸ μονομάχιον ὑποβαλών.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Τοῦτο μιαρὸν ὡς ἀληθῶς, ὦ Χηνίδα, ἐπεὶ τά γε ἄλλα οὐ κακῶς συνεπέπλαστο. ἄπιθι δ’ οὖν καὶ πεῖσον αὐτὴν συγκαθευδήσουσαν.

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ

Λέγω οὖν ὡς ἐψεύσω ἅπαντα γενναῖος αὐτῇ δόξαι βουλόμενος;

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Αἰσχρόν, ὦ Χηνίδα.

ΧΗΝΙΔΑΣ

Καὶ μὴν οὐκ ἄλλως ἀφίκοιτο. ἑλοῦ τοίνυν θάτερον ἢ μισεῖσθαι ἀριστεὺς εἶναι δοκῶν ἢ καθεύδειν μετὰ Ὑμνίδος ἐψεῦσθαι ὁμολογῶν.

ΛΕΟΝΤΙΧΟΣ

Χαλεπὰ μὲν ἄμφω· αἱροῦμαι δ’ ὅμως τὴν Ὑμνίδα. ἄπιθι οὖν καὶ λέγε, ὦ Χηνίδα, ἐψεῦσθαι μέν, μὴ πάντα δέ.

Χηνίδας

ὅτε γάρ, ὦ Λεόντιχε, περὶ Παφλαγονίαν ἐμονομάχησας τῷ σατράπῃ, οὐ μεγάλα ἐπεδείξω καὶ τότε;

Χηνίδας

κἀγὼ ἔδεισα τότε, ὦ Λεόντιχε, καὶ οἶσθα ὡς εἰχόμην σου δεόμενος μὴ προκινδυνεύειν· ἀβίωτα γὰρ εἶναί μοι σοῦ ἀποθανόντος.

Χηνίδας

τίνι δὲ ἄλλῳ ἢ Ἀχιλλεῖ νὴ Δία τῷ Θέτιδος καὶ Πηλέως; οὕτως ἔπρεπέ μέν σοι ἡ κόρυς, ἡ φοινικὶς v.2.p.317 δὲ ἐπήνθει καὶ ἡ πέλτη ἐμάρμαιρεν.

Λεόντιχος

διπλάσιον ἀπόλαβε τὸ μίσθωμα.

Ὑμνίς

οὐκ ἂν ὑπομείναιμι ἀνδροφόνῳ συγκαθεύδειν.

Λεόντιχος

μὴ δέδιθι, ὦ Ὑμνί· ἐν Παφλαγόσιν ἐκεῖνα πέπρακται, νῦν δὲ εἰρήνην ἄγω.

Λεόντιχος

καὶ μὴν εἴ με εἶδες ἐν τοῖς ὅπλοις, εὖ οἶδα, ἠράσθης ἄν.

Λεόντιχος

οὕτως ἀγεννής, ὦ Ὑμνί, καὶ μικρόψυχος εἶ; ἐγὼ δὲ ᾤμην ἡσθήσεσθαί σε ἀκούουσαν.

Λεόντιχος

μεῖνον, ὦ Ὑμνί, μεῖνον — ἀπελήλυθε.

Λεόντιχος

ὤιμην ἐρασμιώτερος αὐτῇ φανεῖσθαι. ἀλλὰ καὶ σύ με προσαπολώλεκας, ὦ Χηνίδα, τὸ μονομάχιον ὑποβαλών.

Λεόντιχος

τοῦτο μιαρὸν ὡς ἀληθῶς, ὦ Χηνίδα, ἐπεὶ τά γε ἄλλα οὐ κακῶς συνεπέπλαστο, ἄπιθι δʼ οὖν καὶ πεῖσον αὐτὴν συγκαθευδήσουσαν.

Χηνίδας

λέγω οὖν ὡς ἐψεύσω ἅπαντα γενναῖος αὐτῇ δόξαι βουλόμενος;

Λεόντιχος

αἰσχρόν, ὦ Χηνίδα. v.2.p.319

Χηνίδας

καὶ μὴν οὐκ ἄν ἄλλως ἀφίκοιτο. ἑλοῦ τοίνυν θάτερον ἢ μισεῖσθαι ἀριστεὺς εἶναι δοκῶν ἢ καθεύδειν μετὰ Ὑμνίδος ἐψεῦσθαι ὁμολογῶν.

Λεόντιχος

χαλεπὰ μὲν ἄμφω· αἱροῦμαι δʼ ὅμως τὴν Ὑμνίδα. ἄπιθι οὖν καὶ λέγε, ὦ Χηνίδα, ἐψεῦσθαι μέν, μὴ πάντα δέ.

CHENIDAS

Yes, Leontichus, and when you fought in single combat with the satrap in Paphlagonia, wasn’t that another great exhibition of your prowess?

CHENIDAS

I was another who was afraid on that occasion, Leontichus, and you know how I clung to you, begging you not to court danger ahead of us, for my life would not have been worth living, if you had been killed.

CHENIDAS

Achilles, of course, son of Peleus and Thetis. So distinguished was your helmet, so bright your purple, so resplendent your shield.

HYMNIS

Stop, Leontichus. Your stories about yourself are repulsive and gruesome, and no girl would ever look again at a fellow who takes such pleasure in bloodshed, far less drink with him, or spend the night with him. So I’ll be off.

LEONTICHUS

I offer you double the money.

HYMNIS

I couldn’t bear to sleep with a murderer.

LEONTICHUS

Don’t be afraid, Hymnis. These exploits are all over and happened in Paphlagonia; for the moment I’m at peace.

HYMNIS

But you’re unclean, and the blood dripped over you from his head, when you carried it on your spear. And then you expect me to embrace and kiss a fellow like that? May the Graces save me from that! He’s no better than the public executioner.

LEONTICHUS

But, if you’d seen me in heavy armour, I’m sure you’d have fallen in love with me.

LEONTICHUS

Are you really so cowardly and poor-spirited, Hymnis? I thought you’d be delighted to hear my tale.

HYMNIS

Keep such tales for the delight of any women of Lemnos or daughters of Danaus ¹ you find; but I’m running away to mother, while it’s still daylight. And you’d better come with me, Grammis. Goodbye, bravest colonel, you murderer of as many as you choose.

LEONTICHUS

Stay, Hymnis, stay.—She’s gone.

LEONTICHUS

I thought it would make me seem more attractive to her; but you helped to spoil things for me, Chenidas, by suggesting the single combat.

LEONTICHUS

That was indeed repulsive, Chenidas; the tale we’d made up hadn’t been at all bad up till then! But be off with you and coax her into spending the night with me.

CHENIDAS

Am I to say, then, that your whole story was a pack of lies, because you wished to appear a hero in her eyes?

LEONTICHUS

I’d be ashamed if you did.

CHENIDAS

But that’s the only way she’ll come. You’ve only two choices; you can either be hated and retain your reputation for valour, or you can spend the night with Hymnis and admit you’ve been lying.

LEONTICHUS

Either choice goes against the grain; but I choose Hymnis. So go, Chenidas, and tell her that I did He, but it wasn’t all lies.