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Diva dei supplici, di Zeus che vigila

tutto, ministra, proteggi, o Tèmide,

385

― questa incolpevole fuga. E me giovine,

odi tu, saggio per bianca età.

Abbi pietà

di chi vien supplice. Degna mercede

ne avrai dai Superi,

390

grati alle offerte dell'uom che ha fede.

PELASGO

Supplices. Aeschylus. Ettore Romagnoli (Translator). Bologna. 1922.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by Schmidt Sciences.

Current edition Experimental

Eschilo, Le Supplici: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) (Italian) (Eschilo, Le Supplici: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.)

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (9)

Ἱκέτιδες First1KGreek (Aeschyli Tragoediae. Sidgwick, Arthur, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 348-437 focus

str. 1

Χορος

Παλαίχθονος τέκος, κλῦθί μου

πρόφρονι καρδίᾳ, Πελασγῶν ἄναξ.

ἴδε με τὰν¹ ἱκέτιν φυγάδα περίδρομον,
350

λυκοδίωκτον² ὡς δάμαλιν ἂμ πέτραις³

ἠλιβάτοις, ἵν᾽⁴ ἀλκᾷ πίσυνος μέμυ-

κε φράζουσα βοτῆρι μόχθους.

354

Βασιλευς

ὁρῶ κλάδοισι νεοδρόποις κατάσκιον

νεύονθ᾽⁵ ὅμιλον τόνδ᾽⁶ ἀγωνίων θεῶν.
355

εἴη δ᾽ ἄνατον πρᾶγμα τοῦτ᾽ ἀστοξένων.

μηδ᾽ ἐξ ἀέλπτων κἀπρομηθήτων πόλει

νεῖκος γένηται: τῶν γὰρ οὐ δεῖται πόλις.

359

ant. 1

Χορος

ἴδοιτο δῆτ᾽⁷ ἄνατον φυγὰν

ἱκεσία Θέμις Διὸς κλαρίου.
360

σὺ δὲ παρ᾽ ὀψιγόνου μάθε γεραιόφρων:⁸

ποτιτρόπαιον αἰδόμενος †οὖνπερ⁹

ἱεροδόκα† . .¹⁰

θεῶν λήματ᾽ ἀπ᾽ ἀνδρὸς ἁγνοῦ.

365

Βασιλευς

οὔτοι κάθησθε δωμάτων ἐφέστιοι
365

ἐμῶν. τὸ κοινὸν δ᾽ εἰ μιαίνεται πόλις,

ξυνῇ μελέσθω λαὸς ἐκπονεῖν¹¹ ἄκη.

ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἂν οὐ κραίνοιμ᾽ ὑπόσχεσιν πάρος,¹²

ἀστοῖς δὲ πᾶσι τῶνδε¹³ κοινώσας πέρι.

370

str. 2

Χορος

σύ τοι πόλις, σὺ δὲ τὸ δάμιον:
370

πρύτανις ἄκριτος ὤν,

κρατύνεις βωμόν, ἑστίαν χθονός,

μονοψήφοισι νεύμασιν σέθεν,

μονοσκήπτροισι δ᾽ ἐν θρόνοις¹⁴ χρέος

πᾶν ἐπικραίνεις: ἄγος¹⁵ φυλάσσου.
375
376

Βασιλευς

ἄγος μὲν εἴη τοῖς ἐμοῖς παλιγκότοις,

ὑμῖν δ᾽ ἀρήγειν οὐκ ἔχω βλάβης ἄτερ:

οὐδ᾽ αὖ τόδ᾽ εὖφρον, τάσδ᾽ ἀτιμάσαι λιτάς.

ἀμηχανῶ δὲ καὶ φόβος μ᾽ ἔχει φρένας

δρᾶσαί τε μὴ δρᾶσαί τε¹⁶ καὶ τύχην ἑλεῖν.
380
381

ant. 2

Χορος

τὸν ὑψόθεν σκοπὸν ἐπισκόπει,¹⁷

φύλακα πολυπόνων

βροτῶν, οἳ τοῖς πέλας προσήμενοι

δίκας οὐ τυγχάνουσιν ἐννόμου.

μένει τοι Ζηνὸς ἱκταίου κότος
385

δυσπαραθέλκτους¹⁸ παθόντος οἴκτοις.

387

Βασιλευς

εἴ τοι κρατοῦσι παῖδες Αἰγύπτου σέθεν

νόμῳ πόλεως, φάσκοντες ἐγγύτατα γένους

εἶναι, τίς¹⁹ ἂν τοῖσδ᾽ ἀντιωθῆναι θέλοι;²⁰

δεῖ τοί σε φεύγειν κατὰ νόμους τοὺς οἴκοθεν,
390

ὡς οὐκ ἔχουσι κῦρος οὐδὲν ἀμφὶ σοῦ.

392

str. 3

Χορος

μή τί ποτ᾽ οὖν γενοίμαν ὑποχείριος²¹

κράτεσιν ἀρσένων. ὕπαστρον δέ τοι

μῆχαρ ὁρίζομαι γάμου δύσφρονος

φυγάν:²² ξύμμαχον δ᾽ ἑλόμενος δίκαν
395

κρῖνε σέβας τὸ πρὸς θεῶν.

397

Βασιλευς

οὐκ εὔκριτον τὸ κρῖμα: μή μ᾽ αἱροῦ κριτήν.

εἶπον δὲ καὶ πρίν, οὐκ ἄνευ δήμου τάδε

πράξαιμ᾽ ἄν, οὐδέ περ κρατῶν, μὴ καί²³ ποτε

εἴπῃ λεώς, εἴ πού τι κἀλλοῖον²⁴ τύχοι,²⁵
400

“ἐπήλυδας²⁶ τιμῶν ἀπώλεσας πόλιν.”

402

ant. 3

Χορος

ἀμφοτέροις²⁷ ὁμαίμων τάδ᾽ ἐπισκοπεῖ

Ζεὺς ἑτερορρεπής, νέμων εἰκότως

ἄδικα μὲν κακοῖς, ὅσια δ᾽ ἐννόμοις.

τί τῶνδ᾽ ἐξ ἴσου ῥεπομένων μεταλ-
405

γὲς²⁸ τὸ δίκαιον ἔρξαι;

407

Βασιλευς

δεῖ τοι βαθείας φροντίδος σωτηρίου,

δίκην κολυμβητῆρος, ἐς βυθὸν μολεῖν

δεδορκὸς ὄμμα, μηδ᾽ ἄγαν ᾠνωμένον:²⁹

ὅπως ἄνατα ταῦτα πρῶτα μὲν πόλει,
410

αὐτοῖσί θ᾽ ἡμῖν ἐκτελευτήσει καλῶς,

καὶ μήτε δῆρις ῥυσίων ἐφάψεται

μήτ᾽ ἐν θεῶν ἕδραισιν ὧδ᾽ ἱδρυμένας

ἐκδόντες ὑμᾶς τὸν πανώλεθρον θεὸν

βαρὺν ξύνοικον θησόμεσθ᾽³⁰ ἀλάστορα,
415

ὃς³¹ οὐδ᾽³² ἐν Ἅιδου τὸν θανόντ᾽ ἐλευθεροῖ.

μῶν οὐ δοκεῖ δεῖν³³ φροντίδος σωτηρίου;

418

str. 4

Χορος

φρόντισον καὶ γενοῦ

πανδίκως εὐσεβὴς

πρόξενος: τὰν φυγάδα μὴ προδῷς,
420

τὰν ἕκαθεν ἐκβολαῖς

δυσθέοις ὀρμέναν:³⁴

423

ant. 4

Χορος

μηδ᾽ ἴδῃς μ᾽ ἐξ ἑδρᾶν

πολυθέων ῥυσια-

σθεῖσαν, ὦ πᾶν κράτος ἔχων χθονός.
425

γνῶθι δ᾽ ὕβριν ἀνέρων

καὶ φύλαξαι κότον.

428

str. 5

Χορος

μή τι τλῇς τὰν³⁵ ἱκέτιν εἰσιδεῖν

ἀπὸ βρετέων βίᾳ

δίκας ἀγομέναν
430

ἱππηδὸν ἀμπύκων,

πολυμίτων³⁶ πέπλων τ᾽ ἐπιλαβὰς ἐμῶν.

433

ant. 5

Χορος

ἴσθι γάρ: παισὶ τάδε καὶ δόμοις,

ὁπότερ᾽ ἂν κτίσῃς,

μένει ἄρ᾽ ἐκτίνειν³⁷
435

ὁμοιΐαν³⁸ θέμιν.

τάδε φράσαι δίκαια Διόθεν κράτη.

438

Ἱκέτιδες Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.) — 348-437 focus

348

Χορός

Παλαίχθονος τέκος, κλῦθί μου

πρόφρονι καρδίᾳ, Πελασγῶν ἄναξ.

ἴδε με τὰν ἱκέτιν φυγάδα περίδρομον,
350

λυκοδίωκτον ὡς δάμαλιν ἂμ πέτραις

ἠλιβάτοις, ἵνʼ ἀλκᾷ πίσυνος μέμυ-

κε φράζουσα βοτῆρι μόχθους.

354

Βασιλεύς

ὁρῶ κλάδοισι νεοδρόποις κατάσκιον

νεύονθʼ ὅμιλον τόνδʼ ἀγωνίων θεῶν.
355

εἴη δʼ ἄνατον πρᾶγμα τοῦτʼ ἀστοξένων.

μηδʼ ἐξ ἀέλπτων κἀπρομηθήτων πόλει

νεῖκος γένηται· τῶν γὰρ οὐ δεῖται πόλις.

359

Χορός

ἴδοιτο δῆτʼ ἄνατον φυγὰν

ἱκεσία Θέμις Διὸς κλαρίου.
360

σὺ δὲ παρʼ ὀψιγόνου μάθε γεραιόφρων·

ποτιτρόπαιον αἰδόμενος οὖνπερ

ἱεροδόκα

θεῶν λήματʼ ἀπʼ ἀνδρὸς ἁγνοῦ.

365

Βασιλεύς

οὔτοι κάθησθε δωμάτων ἐφέστιοι
365

ἐμῶν. τὸ κοινὸν δʼ εἰ μιαίνεται πόλις,

ξυνῇ μελέσθω λαὸς ἐκπονεῖν ἄκη.

ἐγὼ δʼ ἂν οὐ κραίνοιμʼ ὑπόσχεσιν πάρος,

ἀστοῖς δὲ πᾶσι τῶνδε κοινώσας πέρι.

370

Χορός

σύ τοι πόλις, σὺ δὲ τὸ δάμιον.
370

πρύτανις ἄκριτος ὤν,

κρατύνεις βωμόν, ἑστίαν χθονός,

μονοψήφοισι νεύμασιν σέθεν,

μονοσκήπτροισι δʼ ἐν θρόνοις χρέος

πᾶν ἐπικραίνεις· ἄγος φυλάσσου.
375

376

Βασιλεύς

ἄγος μὲν εἴη τοῖς ἐμοῖς παλιγκότοις,

ὑμῖν δʼ ἀρήγειν οὐκ ἔχω βλάβης ἄτερ.

οὐδʼ αὖ τόδʼ εὖφρον, τάσδʼ ἀτιμάσαι λιτάς.

ἀμηχανῶ δὲ καὶ φόβος μʼ ἔχει φρένας

δρᾶσαί τε μὴ δρᾶσαί τε καὶ τύχην ἑλεῖν.
380

381

Χορός

τὸν ὑψόθεν σκοπὸν ἐπισκόπει,

φύλακα πολυπόνων

βροτῶν, οἳ τοῖς πέλας προσήμενοι

δίκας οὐ τυγχάνουσιν ἐννόμου.

μένει τοι Ζηνὸς ἱκταίου κότος
385

δυσπαραθέλκτους παθόντος οἴκτοις.

387

Βασιλεύς

εἴ τοι κρατοῦσι παῖδες Αἰγύπτου σέθεν

νόμῳ πόλεως, φάσκοντες ἐγγύτατα γένους

εἶναι, τίς ἂν τοῖσδʼ ἀντιωθῆναι θέλοι;

δεῖ τοί σε φεύγειν κατὰ νόμους τοὺς οἴκοθεν,
390

ὡς οὐκ ἔχουσιν κῦρος οὐδὲν ἀμφὶ σοῦ.

392

Χορός

μή τί ποτʼ οὖν γενοίμαν ὑποχείριος

κράτεσιν ἀρσένων. ὕπαστρον δέ τοι

μῆχαρ ὁρίζομαι γάμου δύσφρονος

φυγάν· ξύμμαχον δʼ ἑλόμενος δίκαν
395

κρῖνε σέβας τὸ πρὸς θεῶν.

397

Βασιλεύς

οὐκ εὔκριτον τὸ κρῖμα. μή μʼ αἱροῦ κριτήν.

εἶπον δὲ καὶ πρίν, οὐκ ἄνευ δήμου τάδε

πράξαιμʼ ἄν, οὐδέ περ κρατῶν, μὴ καί ποτε

εἴπῃ λεώς, εἴ πού τι μὴ τοῖον τύχοι,
400

ἐπήλυδας τιμῶν ἀπώλεσας πόλιν.

402

Χορός

ἀμφοτέρους ὁμαίμων τάδʼ ἐπισκοπεῖ

Ζεὺς ἑτερορρεπής, νέμων εἰκότως

ἄδικα μὲν κακοῖς, ὅσια δʼ ἐννόμοις.

τί τῶνδʼ ἐξ ἴσου ῥεπομένων μεταλ-
405

γεῖς τὸ δίκαιον ἔρξας;

407

Βασιλεύς

δεῖ τοι βαθείας φροντίδος σωτηρίου,

δίκην κολυμβητῆρος, ἐς βυθὸν μολεῖν

δεδορκὸς ὄμμα, μηδʼ ἄγαν ᾠνωμένον,

ὅπως ἄνατα ταῦτα πρῶτα μὲν πόλει,
410

αὐτοῖσί θʼ ἡμῖν ἐκτελευτήσει καλῶς,

καὶ μήτε δῆρις ῥυσίων ἐφάψεται

μήτʼ ἐν θεῶν ἕδραισιν ὧδʼ ἱδρυμένας

ἐκδόντες ὑμᾶς τὸν πανώλεθρον θεὸν

βαρὺν ξύνοικον θησόμεσθʼ ἀλάστορα,
415

ὃς οὐδʼ ἐν Ἅιδου τὸν θανόντʼ ἐλευθεροῖ.

μῶν οὐ δοκεῖ δεῖν φροντίδος σωτηρίου;

418

Χορός

φρόντισον καὶ γενοῦ

πανδίκως εὐσεβὴς

πρόξενος· τὰν φυγάδα μὴ προδῷς,
420

τὰν ἕκαθεν ἐκβολαῖς

δυσθέοις ὀρμέναν·

423

Χορός

μηδʼ ἴδῃς μʼ ἐξ ἑδρᾶν

πολυθέων ῥυσια-

σθεῖσαν, ὦ πᾶν κράτος ἔχων χθονός.
425

γνῶθι δʼ ὕβριν ἀνέρων

καὶ φύλαξαι κότον.

428

Χορός

μή τι τλῇς τὰν ἱκέτιν εἰσιδεῖν

ἀπὸ βρετέων βίᾳ

δίκας ἀγομέναν
430

ἱππηδὸν ἀμπύκων,

πολυμίτων πέπλων τʼ ἐπιλαβὰς ἐμῶν.

433

Χορός

ἴσθι γάρ· παισὶ τάδε καὶ δόμοις,

ὁπότερʼ ἂν κτίσῃς,

μένει ἄρ ἐκτίνειν
435

ὁμοιΐαν θέμιν.

τάδε φράσαι δίκαια Διόθεν κράτη.

Greek (Editio princeps, 1518) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Suppliants, 1518 edition. Native printed lineation, page markers, and automated correspondence to the Perseus/Smyth edition.) — 359 focus

Χορός

ἴδοιτο δῆτα τὰν ἄνατον φυγάν,

ἱκεσία θέμις λιὸς ἱλαρίου,

σὺ δὲ παρ' ὀψιγόνου μάθε γραφρόνων.

ποτὶ βόπαιον αἰδόμενος οὖν πβ,
310

ἱεροδόχου θεῶν λήµατ' ἀπ' ἀνδρὸς ἀποῦ

Ἱκέτιδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Ἱκέτιδες. Joannes Cornelius de Pauw, 1745.) — 359 focus

Ιδοιτο δῆτα τὰν ἄνατον φυγὰν ¹

Ικεσία θέμις Διὸς κλαρίω.
365

Σὺ δὲ παρ᾿ ὀψιγόνες μάθε γέρων ὢν ²

Ποτιτρόπαιον αἰδόμενος, οὗπερ ³

Ιεροδόκα θεῶν λήμα ⁴

ματ᾿ ἀπ᾿ ἀνδρὸς ἁγνοῦ.

IAMBOI.

Βα.

Ἱκέτιδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Ἱκέτιδες. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 359 focus

ΧΟ.

ἴδοιτο δῆτ᾽ ἄνατον φυγὰν

ἱκεσία θέμις Διὸς κλαρίου.
360

σὺ δὲ παρ᾽ ὀψιγόνου μάθε γεραιόφρων·

ποτιτρόπαιον αἰδόμενος οὖνπερ

ἱεροδόκα θεῶν λήματ᾿ ἀπ᾿ ἀνδρὸς ἁγνοῦ

Ἱκέτιδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Ἱκέτιδες. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 359 focus

Χορός Δαναΐδων
¹

ἴδοιτο δῆτ᾽ ἄνατον φυγὰν

ἱκεσία θέμις Διὸς κλαρίου.
345

σὺ δὲ παρ᾽ ὀψιγόνου μάθε γεραιόφρων,

ποτιτρόπαιον αἰδόμενος οὐ πενεῖ

² ἱεροδόκα ³

θεῶν λήματ᾽ ἀπ᾽ ἀνδρὸς ἁγνοῦ.

ΙΚΕΤΙΔΕΣ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΙΚΕΤΙΔΕΣ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 359 focus

Ἴδοιτο δῆτ' ἄνατον δῆτα τὰν ἄνατον φυγὰν

Ικεσία θέμις Διὸς Κλαρίου·

σὺ δὲ παρ᾽ ὀψιγόνου μάθε γεραρὰ φρονῶν γεραφρόνων·

360

ποτιτρόπαιον αιδόμενος εὐπορείς οὖν περ·

ἱεροδόκα θεῶν

¹ λήματ' ἀπ' ἀνδρὸς ἁγνοῦ.

Ἱκέτιδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Ἱκέτιδες. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 359 focus

ἴδοιτο δῆτ᾽ ἄνατον φυγὰν

ἱκεσία θέμις Διὸς κλαρίου.

σὺ δὲ παρ᾽ ὀψιγόνου μάθε γεραφρόνων·
365

ποτιτρόπαιον ἀ-

δόμενος οὖν περ

ἱεροδόκα θεῶν λή-

ματ᾽ ἀπ᾿ ἀνδρὸς ἁγνοῦ.

ΒΑ.

Aeschyli Supplices (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Supplices. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 359 focus

ΧΟ.

ἴδοιτο δῆτ᾽ ἄνατον φυγὰν

ἱκεσία θέμις Διὸς κλαρίου.
360

σὺ δὲ παρ᾽ ὀψιγόνου μάθε γεραιόφρων·

ποτιτρόπαιον αἰδόμενος †οὖν περ

†ἱεροδόκα θεῶν λήματ᾿ ἀπ᾿ ἀνδρὸς ἁγνοῦ.

Translations (7)

Suppliant Maidens Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 348-435 focus

Son of Palaechthon, lord of the Pelasgians, hear me with a benign heart.

Behold me, your suppliant, a fugitive, running around like a heifer chased by wolves upon precipitous crags, where, confident in his help, she lows to tell the herdsman of her distress.
350

354

King

I see

a company of assembled gods assenting beneath the shade of fresh-plucked boughs. Nevertheless may this affair of claimants to the friendship of our city bring no mischief in its wake! And let no feud come upon the state from causes unforeseen and unforestalled; for the state has no need of such trouble.
355

359

Chorus

Indeed,

may Justice, daughter of Zeus the Apportioner, Justice who protects the suppliant, look upon our flight that it bring no mischief in its wake. But you, aged in experience, learn from one of younger birth. If you show mercy to a suppliant ... from a man of holiness.
360

365

King

It is not my own house at whose hearth you sit. If the state is stained by pollution in its commonalty, in common let the people strive to work out the cure. For myself, I will pledge no promise before I have communicated these events to all the citizens.
365

370

Chorus

You are the state, you are the people. Being subject to no judge, you rule the altar, your country’s hearth by your will’s sole ordinance; and, enthroned in sole sovereignty,
370

you determine every issue. Beware pollution!
375

376

King

Pollution on my enemies! But without harm I do not know how to help you. And yet again, it is not well advised to slight these supplications. I am perplexed, and fear possesses my soul

whether to act, or not to act and take what fortune sends.
380

381

Chorus

Look to him who looks down from above, to him, the guardian of mortals sore-distressed, who appeal to their neighbors, yet do not obtain the justice that is their right.

The wrath of Zeus, the suppliant’s god, remains, and will not be softened by a sufferer’s complaints.
385

387

King

If the sons of Aegyptus have authority over you by the law of your country claiming that they are nearest of kin, who would wish to contest it?

You must plead in accordance with the laws of the land you have fled, that they have no authority over you.
390

392

Chorus

Never, oh never, may I fall subject to the power and authority of these men. I am determined to flee to escape this marriage that offends my soul, piloting my course by the stars.

Take Justice as your ally, and render judgment for the cause deemed righteous by the gods.
395

397

King

The judgment is not easy—do not make me the judge. I have declared already that, though I am ruler, I will not do this thing without the consent of my people, lest hereafter,

if any evil befall, the people should say, You honored aliens and brought ruin upon your own land.
400

402

Chorus

Kindred to both in blood, Zeus surveys both sides alike in this dispute with an impartial scale, apportioning, as is due, to the wicked their wrongdoing and to the godly their works of righteousness.

When these things are thus equally balanced, why do you fear to act justly?
405

407

King

Surely there is need of deep and salutary counsel; need for a keen-sighted eye, not confused, to descend, like some diver, into the depths;

that to the state above all things this matter may not work mischief, but may end well for us; that strife may not seize you for its prize, nor yet that we surrender you from these seats of sanctuary,
410

and bring upon ourselves the dire, abiding vengeance of the all-destroying god, who, even in the realm of Death, does not set his victim free. Surely you cannot think there is no need of salutary counsel?
415

418

Chorus

Take counsel, and, as is your sacred duty, prove yourself our sacred

champion. Do not betray the fugitive who has been impiously cast out and driven from afar.
420

423

And see me not ravished from this sanctuary of many gods,

oh you who hold sovereign power over the land. Recognize men’s wantonness, and guard against wrath.
425

428

Do not see your suppliant dragged, in spite of justice, from the images of the gods,

like a horse by the bridle, and see rude hands laid upon my fine-woven robes.
430

433

For be assured of this—whichever end you bring to pass, to your children and house

does it remain to make full payment.¹Consider these just ordinances of God.
435

The Suppliant Women. (OCR draft) Experimental (The Suppliant Women.. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 359 focus

May Themis, the goddess of suppliants, daughter of lot-directing Jove, regard in truth our harmless flight: but do you, though being an old man in mind, learn from one younger; reverencing a suppliant, you shall not be reduced to want. * * * * gifts offered to the gods from a pure man.

PELASGUS

LES SUPPLIANTES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES SUPPLIANTES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 359 focus

Oui, pour que notre exil ne crée point de
maux, daigne Thémis Suppliante ¹, fille de Zeus qui répartit les destins, jeter un regard sur nous! Malgré ton âge et ton savoir, apprends-le de plus jeune que toi : à qui respecte le suppliant ira la prospérité; les temples divins ouverts aux offrandes

The Suppliants (OCR draft) Experimental (The Suppliants. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 359 focus

May Themis, guardian of the ſuppliant, ſprung

425

From pow'rful Jove, look on our harmless flight.

Nor from a younger let thy age diſdain

To learn the reverence due to ſupplicants,

From whoſe pure hands the fav'ring Gods accept

The grateful offering.
430

PELASGUS.

Aeschylus, Supplices: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Supplices: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 359 focus

Videret uidelicet innocuam fugam,

Iceſia Themis Iouis Clarij filia.

340

Tu ab alienato intellige ſenex cum ſis

Parricidam ueritus, ex quo

Sacra conſilia deorum

A uiro casto.

Rex

English (E. D. A. Morshead, 1908) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Suppliant Maidens — Morshead translation. Wikisource transcription; speech corresp and card milestones aligned to Smyth perseus-grc2.) — 359 focus

Justice, the daughter of right-dealing Zeus,

Justice, the queen of suppliants, look down,
395

That this our plight no ill may loose

Upon your town!

This word, even from the young, let age and wisdom learn:

If thou to suppliants show grace,

Thou shalt not lack Heaven's grace in turn,
400

So long as virtue's gifts on heavenly shrines have place.

The King of Argos

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1854; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylos. Deutsch in den Versmaßen der Urschrift. Stuttgart: Hoffmann, 1854. Native Donner line citations, Smyth card correspondence, selected textual readings and metrical facsimiles. Remaining OCR differences and unattributed reading notes are documented in the linked review inventory.) — 359 focus

Laß uns der Stadt kein Leid bringen, Kind

Des Looslenkers Zeus, Themis, der Flücht'gen Hort!

Und von den jüngeren Frau'n hör' es, erfahrner Greis:

Wenn du den Flüchtling ehrst, mangelt dir's nimmerdar,

Wird dir ein selig Loos! Freudig empfangen Götter
345

Das Opfer von reinen Händen.

Der König.

Commentary

Critical apparatus to The Suppliant Women (OCR draft) (Latin and Greek critical apparatus to Gottfried Hermann's 1852 edition of The Suppliant Women.) focus

365. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-308

μὴ δρᾶσαί τε:

μηδράσητε

Μ.

μὴ δράσητε

G. P.

μὴ δράσαι τε

Rob.

365

366. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-309

ἐπισκόπει:

ἐπισκοπεῖ

M. G.

ἐπισκόπει

Rob.

366

370. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-310

μένει:

μένοι

Rob.

370

370. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-311

ἱκτίου: Libri

ἱκταίου

, nisi quod M.

ϊκταίου

. Guil. Dindorfius

ἱκτίου

, forma probabili. Noluit poeta

ἵκτορος

dicere, quia sequitur vox in

ος

terminata.

370

371. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-312

δυςπαράθελκτος:

ὦ δυσπαρθέλκτοις

Μ. in quo

δυσπαρθενήτοις

adscriptum est.

ὠδυσπαρθέλκτοις

δυςπαραθενήτοις

Ρ.

τοῖς δυσπαρθέλκτοις

Rob. Emendavit Schutzius.

371

372. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-313

εἴ τοι:

εἴ ποι

372

373. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-314

NA: Post

πόλεως

distinguendum esse vidit Marckscheffelius p. 215.

373

374. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-315

τίς ἂν τοῖςδ᾽ ἀντιωθῆναι θέλοι:

τίσδ᾽ ἂν τοῖσδ᾽

(

δ'

a m. secunda)

αντιωθῆναι θέλει

(ultimae syllabae a m. secunda supra adscripto

οι

) M.

τίς δ᾽ ἂν τίς δ᾽ ἀντιωθῆναι θέλοι

τίσδ᾽ ἂν τοῖς δ᾽ ἀντιωθῆναι θέλοι

Rob.

τίς ἂν τίς ἀντ. θέλοι

Turn. Emendate Vict.

374

375. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-316

δεῖ τοί σε:

δεῖ τοῖσε

G. et sic M. a m. prima habuisse videtur.

375

376. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-317

ἔχουσι:

ἔχουσιν

Μ. G. Rob.

ἔχουσι

Turnebus.

376

377. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-318

μή τί πότ᾽ οὖν:

μήτι ποτ' οὖν

Μ. G. Rob.

μήτ' οὖν ποτ᾽ οὖν

Ald.

377

377. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-319

ὑποχείριος:

ὑποχέριος

Μ. G. P.

υποχείριος

Rob.

377

378. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-320

κράτεσιν:

κράτεσσιν

378

380. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-321

φυγᾷ:

φυγαὶ

Μ. G. E.

φυγάς

Rob.

φυγῇ

Turn.

φυγᾷ

Victorius.

380

382. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-322

εὔκριτον:

ἔκκριτον

Rob.

382

382. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-323

κρῖμα:

κρίμα

priore vocali in rasura M.

382

384. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-324

κοὐ μή ποτε: Libri

καὶ μήποτε

. Canterus

μὴ καί ποτε

. Recte Wordsworthius

κοὐ μή ποτε

384

385. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-325

εἴ πού τι μὴ τοῖον τύχοι:

εἴπουτι καὶ μὴ τοῖον τυχθῆ

(

τυχθῇ

G. Ε.) M. G. E. Rob.

εἴ που τὶ μὴ τοῖον τύχῃ

Turn.

τύχοι

Porsonus.

385

386. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-326

ἐπήλυδας:

εἰπήλυδας

M. in quo prius fuerat

επήλυδας

ut in G.

ἐπήλυδας

Rob.

386

387. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-327

ἀμφοτέροις: Libri

ἀμφοτέρους

. Correxit Schutzius.

387

388. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-328

ἑτερορρεπής:

ἑτερορεπής

M. a m. prima.

388

390. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-329

τί τῶνδ᾽ ἐξ ἴσου ῥεπομένων:

τί τῶνδεξισου ρεπομένων

Μ. G.

τί τῶνδε ἐξῆς οὐρ᾽ ἑπομένων

Rob. Correxit Victorius. Notandum

ἑπομένων

forma media.

Μεταλγεῖν

proprie est post aliquid vel post aliquem dolere, ut

μεταστένομαι σὸν ἄλγος

in Medea Euripidis v. 996. Id hic idem fere quod paenitere. Fallitur Schaeferus ad Medeae versum in editione Porsoniana

simul lugeo

cum Elmsleio interpretans

μεταστένομαι

illic et in Hecuba v. 214.

μετακλάομαι

. Nam est potius ibi secundum aliquem lamentari, quod est altero praeeunte.

390

391. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-330

ἔρξαι:

έρξαι

391

Commentary (N. Wecklein, 1902; German; OCR draft) (Suppliants, explanatory commentary pp. 24–120. Single-witness OCR; source readings and all reference placements require scan review.) focus

182-532. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-85

erstes Epeisodion. 1. Szene (182—239): Danaos und der Koryphaios. Danaos kündigt das Nahen des Königs an und gibt seinen Töchtern Verhaltungsmaß- regeln. 2. Szene (240 - 349): Pelas- gos und die Vorigen. Die Danaiden erklären ihre Herkunft von Argos und erflehen als ungerecht Ver- folgte den Schutz des Argivischen Königs. Dieser ist bedenklich wegen der schweren Folgen, welche die Zusage des Schutzes für sein Land haben kann. 3. Kommos (350-422): Fortsetzung der Bitte. 4. Chorikon (423-446), welches das Nachsinnen des Königs zu Gunsten der Da- naiden zu wenden sucht. 5. Dialog des Königs, des Koryphaios und des Danaos (447-532): Der König offenbart seinen Entschluß die Entscheidung dem Volke anheim- zugeben.

350-422. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-208

⁴

Kommos, in welchem die Gründe für und gegen erörtert werden. Auf jede Strophe und Antistrophe des Chors folgen fünf Trimeter des Königs; nur den Ab- schluß der Partie bilden 11 Tri- meter. im

365. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-220

⁵

⁶

Schol. παρ' ἐμοῦ τῆς νεω- τέρας ὁ γέρων. Die Verbesserung von γεραφρόνων ist unsicher: γεραιό φρων Burges, γεραρὰ φρονῶν Marck- scheffel.

366-367. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-221

⁷

⁸

προστρόπαιον, ἱκέτην, vgl. Cho. 21 προστροπή, Schol. ἱκέτις πρόσοδος. αἰδόμενος: zu 198. Die Homerische Form αιδόμενοςauch Eum. 552. εὐπορεῖς C. G. Haupt für οὖν περ nach dem Schol. οὐ πτωχεύσεις: Wer sich des Schutzflehenden erbarmt, der ist nicht in Not; ihm mangelt nicht die gnädige Gesinnung der Götter, welche von dem schuldlosen Manne die geringsten Gaben entgegen- nehmen".

368-369. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-222

⁹

¹⁰

ἱροδόκων ( ἱεροδόκων Butler für ἱεροδόκα nach dem Schol. οἱ θεοὶ δέχονται τὰ ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς ἁγνοῦ ἱερά) θεῶν λαίγματ' (für λήματ' nach Hesych. λαίγματα· πέμματα ἱερά, ἀπάργματα): der Akk. λαίγματα ist von ἱροδόκων wie von δεχομένων abhängig, zu 254. Vgl. Sieb. 686 μελάναιγις ἐκ δ᾽ εἶσι δόμων Ἐρινύς, ὅταν ἐκ χερῶν θεοὶ θυσίαν δέχωνται. Zum Gedanken vgl. Eur. Fragm. 327, 4 ἐγὼ δὲ πολλάκις σοφωτέρους πένητας ἄνδρας εἰσορῶ τῶν πλουσίων καὶ θεοῖσι μικρᾷ χειρί θύοντας τέλη τῶν βουθυτούντων ὄντας εὐσεβεστέρους, 946 εὖ ἴσθ᾽, ὅταν τις εὐσεβῶν θύῃ θεοῖς, κἂν σμικρὰ θύη, τυγχάνει σωτηρίας, Xen. Memor. I 3, 3, Isokr. VII § 30, Anaxim. Rhet. K. 2 S. 180, 20 ovx εἰκὸς τοὺς θεοὺς χαίρειν ταῖς δαπάναις τῶν θυομένων, ἀλλὰ ταῖς εὐσεβείαις τῶν θυόντων, Hor. carm. III 23, 17.

370. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-223

¹¹

¹²

Der König lehnt die Ver- pflichtung den Schutzflehenden Beistand zu leisten für seine Person ab und verweist die Bitte an das Volk der Argiver. Damit wird der größere Umfang und das μέγεθος des Dramas vorbereitet. Von dem Schutzfehenden δωμάτων ἐφέστιος auch Eum. 580, 672. Vgl. unten 512 ἐφέστιον θεῶν.

371. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-224

¹³

¹⁴

τὸ κοινὸν μιαίνεται πόλις (die Gemeinde wird in ihrer All- gemeinheit angetastet) ist das Passiv zu τῇ πόλει τὸ κοινὸν μιαίνειν. Burges vermutet πόλεως.

372. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-225

¹⁵

¹⁶

ξυνῇ, κοινῇ: diese jonische Form auch Sieb. 76 und in einer Chorpartie Soph. Αi. 180. ἄκη, Sühne, Genugtuung.

373. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-226

¹⁷

¹⁸

ὑπόσχεσιν κραίνειν, ein end- gültiges Versprechen geben.

374. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-227

¹⁹

²⁰

κοινώσας, nämlich κραίνοιμ' ἄν oder κρανῶ.

375. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-228

²¹

²²

Die Danaiden lehnen es ab, daß sich der König als bloßen Beamten des Volkes hinstelle, in- dem sie nach orientalischer Auf- fassung die absolute Macht des Königtums (l'état c'est moi, Soph. Ant. 738 οὐ τοῦ κρατοῦντος ἡ πόλις νομίζεται;) geltend machen.

376. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-229

²³

²⁴

πρύτανις wie Prom. 182 μακάρων πρύτανις. In dem προ- τανεῖον ist die κοινὴ ἑστία τῆς πόλεως. ἄκριτος, Schol. ἀνυπ- εύθυνος.

377-378. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-230

²⁵

²⁶

,,Du waltest des Staats- herdes nach eigenmächtigem Willen." μονοψήφοισι bezeichnet den Gegensatz zum Freistaat, wo die größere Anzahl der Stimmen den Willensausdruck des Staates ergibt. Auch v εvua ist bezeich- nend für den höchsten Herrn.

379-380. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-231

²⁷

²⁸

Als Alleinherrscher hast du jegliches Anliegen zu ent- scheiden und bist für alles ver- antwortlich; drum hüte dich vor Sünde." Das Verhältnis der Sätze ist das gleiche wie Prom. 72 δρᾶν ταῦτ᾽ ἀνάγκη, μηδὲν ἐγκέλευ᾽ ἄγαν. ἄγος, weil durch gewaltsame Wegführung der Schutzflehenden das Heiligtum geschändet wird. Vgl. 429f.

381. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-232

²⁹

³⁰

Die Änderung von Paley ἐμοί dient dem Wohllaute. παλιγκότοις, Schol. ἐχθροῖς (Wider- sachern). Der Wunsch wie 1044, Prom. 890 τοιάδ᾽ ἐπ' ἐχθροὺς τοὺς ἐμοὺς ἔλθοι Κύπρις, Ovid. Amor.III 11, 16 eveniat nostris hostibus ille pudor, Tac. hist. III 10 conversus ad signa et bellorum deos hostium potius exercitibus illum furorem, illam discordiam inicerent orabat.

383. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-233

³¹

³²

εὖφρον, verständig, wohl- beraten, wie Cho. 87 πῶς εὔφρον εἴπω. Vielleicht aber ist (mit Burges) ebenso wie Cho. 194 ἔμφρον herzustellen. ἀτιμάσαι: die Ablehnung der Bitte ist mit einer Mißachtung des Bittenden verbunden, zu 177.

384. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-234

³³

³⁴

μ' ἔχει φρένας nach Home- rischer Weise wie Eum. 88 μὴ φόβος σε νικάτω φρένας.

385. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-235

³⁵

³⁶

τύχην ἑλεῖν, Schol. τοῦ συμφέροντος ἐπιτυχεῖν, vielmehr das Los zu wählen" (,, das Risiko zu ergreifen"). Nachgeahmt ist die Stelle Eur. Iph. Α. 55 τὸ πρᾶγμα δ᾽ ἀπόρως εἶχε Τυνδάρεω πατρὶ δοῦναι τε μὴ δοῦναί τε τῆς τύχης θ᾽ ὅπως ἅψαιτ' ἄριστα.

386. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-236

³⁷

³⁸

Schol. τὸν ξένιον καὶ ἱκέσιον Δία. σκοπὸν ἐπισκόπει: der Aus- druck deutet ein kausales Verhält- nis an: da er aus der Höhe auf die Schuld der Menschen hernieder- blickt, so blicke du zu ihm empor und achte auf ihn".

388. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-237

³⁹

⁴⁰

τοῖς πέλας προσήμενοι, τῶν πέλας ἱκετεύοντες. Vgl. Soph. Ο. Τ. 15 προσήμεθα βωμοῖσι τοῖς σοῖς,

389. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-238

⁴¹

⁴²

D. i.,,keine Erhörung ihrer gerechten Bitte finden".

390-391. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg001-wecklein1902-com-ger1-239

⁴³

⁴⁴

,,Der Groll des Zeus er- wartet solche, die gefühllos bleiben bei dem Wehklagen eines Gekränkten" ( δυσπαραθέλκτους Bur- ges für ὦ δυσπαρθέλκτοις). ἱκταίου ist αι verkürzt wie in εὐκταίαν Sieb. 710, εὐκταία ebd. 826, öfters in δείλαιος, γεραιός, bei Homer in ἔμπαιος, χαμαιεύνης u.a. In

Aeschylus Supplices 359

Ettore Romagnoli (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

PELASGO

Current edition Experimental

Χορος

φρόντισον καὶ γενοῦ

πανδίκως εὐσεβὴς

πρόξενος: τὰν φυγάδα μὴ προδῷς,
420

τὰν ἕκαθεν ἐκβολαῖς

δυσθέοις ὀρμέναν:³⁴

423

Χορος

μηδ᾽ ἴδῃς μ᾽ ἐξ ἑδρᾶν

πολυθέων ῥυσια-

σθεῖσαν, ὦ πᾶν κράτος ἔχων χθονός.
425

γνῶθι δ᾽ ὕβριν ἀνέρων

καὶ φύλαξαι κότον.

428

Χορος

μή τι τλῇς τὰν³⁵ ἱκέτιν εἰσιδεῖν

ἀπὸ βρετέων βίᾳ

δίκας ἀγομέναν
430

ἱππηδὸν ἀμπύκων,

πολυμίτων³⁶ πέπλων τ᾽ ἐπιλαβὰς ἐμῶν.

433

Χορος

ἴσθι γάρ: παισὶ τάδε καὶ δόμοις,

ὁπότερ᾽ ἂν κτίσῃς,

μένει ἄρ᾽ ἐκτίνειν³⁷
435

ὁμοιΐαν³⁸ θέμιν.

τάδε φράσαι δίκαια Διόθεν κράτη.

438

Χορός

φρόντισον καὶ γενοῦ

πανδίκως εὐσεβὴς

πρόξενος· τὰν φυγάδα μὴ προδῷς,
420

τὰν ἕκαθεν ἐκβολαῖς

δυσθέοις ὀρμέναν·

Χορός

μηδʼ ἴδῃς μʼ ἐξ ἑδρᾶν

πολυθέων ῥυσια-

σθεῖσαν, ὦ πᾶν κράτος ἔχων χθονός.
425

γνῶθι δʼ ὕβριν ἀνέρων

καὶ φύλαξαι κότον.

Χορός

μή τι τλῇς τὰν ἱκέτιν εἰσιδεῖν

ἀπὸ βρετέων βίᾳ

δίκας ἀγομέναν
430

ἱππηδὸν ἀμπύκων,

πολυμίτων πέπλων τʼ ἐπιλαβὰς ἐμῶν.

Χορός

ἴσθι γάρ· παισὶ τάδε καὶ δόμοις,

ὁπότερʼ ἂν κτίσῃς,

μένει ἄρ ἐκτίνειν
435

ὁμοιΐαν θέμιν.

τάδε φράσαι δίκαια Διόθεν κράτη.

IAMBOI.

Βα.

ΒΑ.

Son of Palaechthon, lord of the Pelasgians, hear me with a benign heart.

Behold me, your suppliant, a fugitive, running around like a heifer chased by wolves upon precipitous crags, where, confident in his help, she lows to tell the herdsman of her distress.
350

Chorus

Indeed,

may Justice, daughter of Zeus the Apportioner, Justice who protects the suppliant, look upon our flight that it bring no mischief in its wake. But you, aged in experience, learn from one of younger birth. If you show mercy to a suppliant ... from a man of holiness.
360

King

It is not my own house at whose hearth you sit. If the state is stained by pollution in its commonalty, in common let the people strive to work out the cure. For myself, I will pledge no promise before I have communicated these events to all the citizens.
365

Chorus

You are the state, you are the people. Being subject to no judge, you rule the altar, your country’s hearth by your will’s sole ordinance; and, enthroned in sole sovereignty,
370

you determine every issue. Beware pollution!
375

King

Pollution on my enemies! But without harm I do not know how to help you. And yet again, it is not well advised to slight these supplications. I am perplexed, and fear possesses my soul

whether to act, or not to act and take what fortune sends.
380

Chorus

Look to him who looks down from above, to him, the guardian of mortals sore-distressed, who appeal to their neighbors, yet do not obtain the justice that is their right.

The wrath of Zeus, the suppliant’s god, remains, and will not be softened by a sufferer’s complaints.
385

King

If the sons of Aegyptus have authority over you by the law of your country claiming that they are nearest of kin, who would wish to contest it?

You must plead in accordance with the laws of the land you have fled, that they have no authority over you.
390

Chorus

Never, oh never, may I fall subject to the power and authority of these men. I am determined to flee to escape this marriage that offends my soul, piloting my course by the stars.

Take Justice as your ally, and render judgment for the cause deemed righteous by the gods.
395

King

The judgment is not easy—do not make me the judge. I have declared already that, though I am ruler, I will not do this thing without the consent of my people, lest hereafter,

if any evil befall, the people should say, You honored aliens and brought ruin upon your own land.
400

Chorus

Kindred to both in blood, Zeus surveys both sides alike in this dispute with an impartial scale, apportioning, as is due, to the wicked their wrongdoing and to the godly their works of righteousness.

When these things are thus equally balanced, why do you fear to act justly?
405

Chorus

Take counsel, and, as is your sacred duty, prove yourself our sacred

champion. Do not betray the fugitive who has been impiously cast out and driven from afar.
420

And see me not ravished from this sanctuary of many gods,

oh you who hold sovereign power over the land. Recognize men’s wantonness, and guard against wrath.
425

Do not see your suppliant dragged, in spite of justice, from the images of the gods,

like a horse by the bridle, and see rude hands laid upon my fine-woven robes.
430

For be assured of this—whichever end you bring to pass, to your children and house

does it remain to make full payment.¹Consider these just ordinances of God.
435

PELASGUS

Nor from a younger let thy age diſdain

To learn the reverence due to ſupplicants,

From whoſe pure hands the fav'ring Gods accept

The grateful offering.
430

PELASGUS.

Rex

The King of Argos

Laß uns der Stadt kein Leid bringen, Kind

Des Looslenkers Zeus, Themis, der Flücht'gen Hort!

Und von den jüngeren Frau'n hör' es, erfahrner Greis:

Wenn du den Flüchtling ehrst, mangelt dir's nimmerdar,

Wird dir ein selig Loos! Freudig empfangen Götter
345

Das Opfer von reinen Händen.

Der König.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

PELASGO

Current edition Experimental

Χορος φρόντισον καὶ γενοῦ πανδίκως εὐσεβὴς πρόξενος: τὰν φυγάδα μὴ προδῷς, 420 τὰν ἕκαθεν ἐκβολαῖς δυσθέοις ὀρμέναν: 34 423

Χορος μηδ᾽ ἴδῃς μ᾽ ἐξ ἑδρᾶν πολυθέων ῥυσια- σθεῖσαν, ὦ πᾶν κράτος ἔχων χθονός. 425 γνῶθι δ᾽ ὕβριν ἀνέρων καὶ φύλαξαι κότον. 428

Χορος μή τι τλῇς τὰν 35 ἱκέτιν εἰσιδεῖν ἀπὸ βρετέων βίᾳ δίκας ἀγομέναν 430 ἱππηδὸν ἀμπύκων, πολυμίτων 36 πέπλων τ᾽ ἐπιλαβὰς ἐμῶν. 433

Χορος ἴσθι γάρ: παισὶ τάδε καὶ δόμοις, ὁπότερ᾽ ἂν κτίσῃς, μένει ἄρ᾽ ἐκτίνειν 37 435 ὁμοιΐαν 38 θέμιν. τάδε φράσαι δίκαια Διόθεν κράτη. 438

Χορός φρόντισον καὶ γενοῦ πανδίκως εὐσεβὴς πρόξενος· τὰν φυγάδα μὴ προδῷς, 420 τὰν ἕκαθεν ἐκβολαῖς δυσθέοις ὀρμέναν·

Χορός μηδʼ ἴδῃς μʼ ἐξ ἑδρᾶν πολυθέων ῥυσια- σθεῖσαν, ὦ πᾶν κράτος ἔχων χθονός. 425 γνῶθι δʼ ὕβριν ἀνέρων καὶ φύλαξαι κότον.

Χορός μή τι τλῇς τὰν ἱκέτιν εἰσιδεῖν ἀπὸ βρετέων βίᾳ δίκας ἀγομέναν 430 ἱππηδὸν ἀμπύκων, πολυμίτων πέπλων τʼ ἐπιλαβὰς ἐμῶν.

Χορός ἴσθι γάρ· παισὶ τάδε καὶ δόμοις, ὁπότερʼ ἂν κτίσῃς, μένει ἄρ ἐκτίνειν 435 ὁμοιΐαν θέμιν. τάδε φράσαι δίκαια Διόθεν κράτη.

IAMBOI.

Βα.

ΒΑ.

Son of Palaechthon, lord of the Pelasgians, hear me with a benign heart. Behold me, your suppliant, a fugitive, running around like a heifer chased by wolves upon precipitous crags, where, confident in his help, she lows to tell the herdsman of her distress. 350

Chorus Indeed, may Justice, daughter of Zeus the Apportioner, Justice who protects the suppliant, look upon our flight that it bring no mischief in its wake. But you, aged in experience, learn from one of younger birth. If you show mercy to a suppliant ... from a man of holiness. 360

King It is not my own house at whose hearth you sit. If the state is stained by pollution in its commonalty, in common let the people strive to work out the cure. For myself, I will pledge no promise before I have communicated these events to all the citizens. 365

Chorus You are the state, you are the people. Being subject to no judge, you rule the altar, your country’s hearth by your will’s sole ordinance; and, enthroned in sole sovereignty, 370 you determine every issue. Beware pollution! 375

King Pollution on my enemies! But without harm I do not know how to help you. And yet again, it is not well advised to slight these supplications. I am perplexed, and fear possesses my soul whether to act, or not to act and take what fortune sends. 380

Chorus Look to him who looks down from above, to him, the guardian of mortals sore-distressed, who appeal to their neighbors, yet do not obtain the justice that is their right. The wrath of Zeus, the suppliant’s god, remains, and will not be softened by a sufferer’s complaints. 385

King If the sons of Aegyptus have authority over you by the law of your country claiming that they are nearest of kin, who would wish to contest it? You must plead in accordance with the laws of the land you have fled, that they have no authority over you. 390

Chorus Never, oh never, may I fall subject to the power and authority of these men. I am determined to flee to escape this marriage that offends my soul, piloting my course by the stars. Take Justice as your ally, and render judgment for the cause deemed righteous by the gods. 395

King The judgment is not easy—do not make me the judge. I have declared already that, though I am ruler, I will not do this thing without the consent of my people, lest hereafter, if any evil befall, the people should say, You honored aliens and brought ruin upon your own land. 400

Chorus Kindred to both in blood, Zeus surveys both sides alike in this dispute with an impartial scale, apportioning, as is due, to the wicked their wrongdoing and to the godly their works of righteousness. When these things are thus equally balanced, why do you fear to act justly? 405

Chorus Take counsel, and, as is your sacred duty, prove yourself our sacred champion. Do not betray the fugitive who has been impiously cast out and driven from afar. 420

And see me not ravished from this sanctuary of many gods, oh you who hold sovereign power over the land. Recognize men’s wantonness, and guard against wrath. 425

Do not see your suppliant dragged, in spite of justice, from the images of the gods, like a horse by the bridle, and see rude hands laid upon my fine-woven robes. 430

For be assured of this—whichever end you bring to pass, to your children and house does it remain to make full payment. 1 Consider these just ordinances of God. 435

PELASGUS

Nor from a younger let thy age diſdain To learn the reverence due to ſupplicants, From whoſe pure hands the fav'ring Gods accept The grateful offering. 430

PELASGUS.

Rex

The King of Argos

Laß uns der Stadt kein Leid bringen, Kind Des Looslenkers Zeus, Themis, der Flücht'gen Hort! Und von den jüngeren Frau'n hör' es, erfahrner Greis: Wenn du den Flüchtling ehrst, mangelt dir's nimmerdar, Wird dir ein selig Loos! Freudig empfangen Götter 345 Das Opfer von reinen Händen.

Der König.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Χορος

φρόντισον καὶ γενοῦ

πανδίκως εὐσεβὴς

πρόξενος: τὰν φυγάδα μὴ προδῷς,
420

τὰν ἕκαθεν ἐκβολαῖς

δυσθέοις ὀρμέναν:³⁴

423

Χορος

μηδ᾽ ἴδῃς μ᾽ ἐξ ἑδρᾶν

πολυθέων ῥυσια-

σθεῖσαν, ὦ πᾶν κράτος ἔχων χθονός.
425

γνῶθι δ᾽ ὕβριν ἀνέρων

καὶ φύλαξαι κότον.

428

Χορος

μή τι τλῇς τὰν³⁵ ἱκέτιν εἰσιδεῖν

ἀπὸ βρετέων βίᾳ

δίκας ἀγομέναν
430

ἱππηδὸν ἀμπύκων,

πολυμίτων³⁶ πέπλων τ᾽ ἐπιλαβὰς ἐμῶν.

433

Χορος

ἴσθι γάρ: παισὶ τάδε καὶ δόμοις,

ὁπότερ᾽ ἂν κτίσῃς,

μένει ἄρ᾽ ἐκτίνειν³⁷
435

ὁμοιΐαν³⁸ θέμιν.

τάδε φράσαι δίκαια Διόθεν κράτη.

438

Χορός

φρόντισον καὶ γενοῦ

πανδίκως εὐσεβὴς

πρόξενος· τὰν φυγάδα μὴ προδῷς,
420

τὰν ἕκαθεν ἐκβολαῖς

δυσθέοις ὀρμέναν·

Χορός

μηδʼ ἴδῃς μʼ ἐξ ἑδρᾶν

πολυθέων ῥυσια-

σθεῖσαν, ὦ πᾶν κράτος ἔχων χθονός.
425

γνῶθι δʼ ὕβριν ἀνέρων

καὶ φύλαξαι κότον.

Χορός

μή τι τλῇς τὰν ἱκέτιν εἰσιδεῖν

ἀπὸ βρετέων βίᾳ

δίκας ἀγομέναν
430

ἱππηδὸν ἀμπύκων,

πολυμίτων πέπλων τʼ ἐπιλαβὰς ἐμῶν.

Χορός

ἴσθι γάρ· παισὶ τάδε καὶ δόμοις,

ὁπότερʼ ἂν κτίσῃς,

μένει ἄρ ἐκτίνειν
435

ὁμοιΐαν θέμιν.

τάδε φράσαι δίκαια Διόθεν κράτη.

Son of Palaechthon, lord of the Pelasgians, hear me with a benign heart.

Behold me, your suppliant, a fugitive, running around like a heifer chased by wolves upon precipitous crags, where, confident in his help, she lows to tell the herdsman of her distress.
350

Chorus

Indeed,

may Justice, daughter of Zeus the Apportioner, Justice who protects the suppliant, look upon our flight that it bring no mischief in its wake. But you, aged in experience, learn from one of younger birth. If you show mercy to a suppliant ... from a man of holiness.
360

King

It is not my own house at whose hearth you sit. If the state is stained by pollution in its commonalty, in common let the people strive to work out the cure. For myself, I will pledge no promise before I have communicated these events to all the citizens.
365

Chorus

You are the state, you are the people. Being subject to no judge, you rule the altar, your country’s hearth by your will’s sole ordinance; and, enthroned in sole sovereignty,
370

you determine every issue. Beware pollution!
375

King

Pollution on my enemies! But without harm I do not know how to help you. And yet again, it is not well advised to slight these supplications. I am perplexed, and fear possesses my soul

whether to act, or not to act and take what fortune sends.
380

Chorus

Look to him who looks down from above, to him, the guardian of mortals sore-distressed, who appeal to their neighbors, yet do not obtain the justice that is their right.

The wrath of Zeus, the suppliant’s god, remains, and will not be softened by a sufferer’s complaints.
385

King

If the sons of Aegyptus have authority over you by the law of your country claiming that they are nearest of kin, who would wish to contest it?

You must plead in accordance with the laws of the land you have fled, that they have no authority over you.
390

Chorus

Never, oh never, may I fall subject to the power and authority of these men. I am determined to flee to escape this marriage that offends my soul, piloting my course by the stars.

Take Justice as your ally, and render judgment for the cause deemed righteous by the gods.
395

King

The judgment is not easy—do not make me the judge. I have declared already that, though I am ruler, I will not do this thing without the consent of my people, lest hereafter,

if any evil befall, the people should say, You honored aliens and brought ruin upon your own land.
400

Chorus

Kindred to both in blood, Zeus surveys both sides alike in this dispute with an impartial scale, apportioning, as is due, to the wicked their wrongdoing and to the godly their works of righteousness.

When these things are thus equally balanced, why do you fear to act justly?
405

Chorus

Take counsel, and, as is your sacred duty, prove yourself our sacred

champion. Do not betray the fugitive who has been impiously cast out and driven from afar.
420

And see me not ravished from this sanctuary of many gods,

oh you who hold sovereign power over the land. Recognize men’s wantonness, and guard against wrath.
425

Do not see your suppliant dragged, in spite of justice, from the images of the gods,

like a horse by the bridle, and see rude hands laid upon my fine-woven robes.
430

For be assured of this—whichever end you bring to pass, to your children and house

does it remain to make full payment.¹Consider these just ordinances of God.
435

Nor from a younger let thy age diſdain

To learn the reverence due to ſupplicants,

From whoſe pure hands the fav'ring Gods accept

The grateful offering.
430

Laß uns der Stadt kein Leid bringen, Kind

Des Looslenkers Zeus, Themis, der Flücht'gen Hort!

Und von den jüngeren Frau'n hör' es, erfahrner Greis:

Wenn du den Flüchtling ehrst, mangelt dir's nimmerdar,

Wird dir ein selig Loos! Freudig empfangen Götter
345

Das Opfer von reinen Händen.