Supplices. Aeschylus. ed. N. Wecklein. Berolini. 1885.
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Ἱκέτιδες (OCR draft) (Greek) (Ἱκέτιδες. N. Wecklein, 1885.)
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Ἱκέτιδες First1KGreek (Aeschyli Tragoediae. Sidgwick, Arthur, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 176-347 focus
Δαναος
1
παῖδες, φρονεῖν χρή: ξὺν φρονοῦντι δ᾽ ἥκετε
2
πιστῷ γέροντι τῷδε ναυκλήρῳ πατρί.
καὶ τἀπὶ χέρσου νῦν προμηθίαν λαβὼν
3
αἰνῶ φυλάξαι τἄμ᾽ ἔπη δελτουμένας.
ὁρῶ κόνιν, ἄναυδον ἄγγελον στρατοῦ:
180
σύριγγες οὐ σιγῶσιν ἀξονήλατοι:
ὄχλον δ᾽ ὑπασπιστῆρα καὶ δορυσσόον
λεύσσω, ξὺν ἵπποις καμπύλοις τ᾽ ὀχήμασιν:
τάχ᾽ ἂν πρὸς ἡμᾶς τῆσδε γῆς ἀρχηγέται
ὀπτῆρες εἶεν ἀγγέλων πεπυσμένοι.
185
ἀλλ᾽ εἴτ᾽ ἀπήμων εἴτε καὶ τεθηγμένος
4
ὠμῇ ξὺν ὀργῇ τόνδ᾽ ἐπόρνυται στόλον,
ἄμεινόν ἐστι παντὸς εἵνεκ᾽, ὦ κόραι,
πάγον προσίζειν τόνδ᾽
5
ἀγωνίων θεῶν.
κρείσσων δὲ πύργου βωμός, ἄρρηκτον σάκος.
190
ἀλλ᾽ ὡς τάχιστα βᾶτε, καὶ λευκοστεφεῖς
ἱκτηρίας,
6
ἀγάλματ᾽ αἰδοίου Διός,
ξένους ἀμείβεσθ᾽, ὡς ἐπήλυδας πρέπει,
195
τορῶς λέγουσαι τάσδ᾽ ἀναιμάκτους φυγάς.
φθογγῇ
11
δ᾽ ἑπέσθω πρῶτα μὲν τὸ μὴ θρασύ,
τὸ μὴ μάταιον δ᾽ ἐκ σεσωφρονισμένων
12
ἴτω προσώπων ὄμματος παρ᾽ ἡσύχου.
καὶ μὴ πρόλεσχος μηδ᾽ ἐφολκὸς ἐν λόγῳ
200
γένῃ: τὸ τῇδε κάρτ᾽ ἐπίφθονον γένος.
μέμνησο δ᾽ εἴκειν: χρεῖος εἶ ξένη
13
φυγάς.
θρασυστομεῖν γὰρ οὐ πρέπει τοὺς ἥσσονας.
παῖδες, φρονεῖν χρή: ξὺν φρονοῦντι δ᾽ ἥκετε
2
πιστῷ γέροντι τῷδε ναυκλήρῳ πατρί.
καὶ τἀπὶ χέρσου νῦν προμηθίαν λαβὼν
3
αἰνῶ φυλάξαι τἄμ᾽ ἔπη δελτουμένας.
ὁρῶ κόνιν, ἄναυδον ἄγγελον στρατοῦ:
σύριγγες οὐ σιγῶσιν ἀξονήλατοι:
ὄχλον δ᾽ ὑπασπιστῆρα καὶ δορυσσόον
λεύσσω, ξὺν ἵπποις καμπύλοις τ᾽ ὀχήμασιν:
τάχ᾽ ἂν πρὸς ἡμᾶς τῆσδε γῆς ἀρχηγέται
ὀπτῆρες εἶεν ἀγγέλων πεπυσμένοι.
185
ἀλλ᾽ εἴτ᾽ ἀπήμων εἴτε καὶ τεθηγμένος
4
ὠμῇ ξὺν ὀργῇ τόνδ᾽ ἐπόρνυται στόλον,
ἄμεινόν ἐστι παντὸς εἵνεκ᾽, ὦ κόραι,
πάγον προσίζειν τόνδ᾽
5
ἀγωνίων θεῶν.
κρείσσων δὲ πύργου βωμός, ἄρρηκτον σάκος.
190
ἀλλ᾽ ὡς τάχιστα βᾶτε, καὶ λευκοστεφεῖς
ἱκτηρίας,
6
ἀγάλματ᾽ αἰδοίου Διός,
ξένους ἀμείβεσθ᾽, ὡς ἐπήλυδας πρέπει,
195
τορῶς λέγουσαι τάσδ᾽ ἀναιμάκτους φυγάς.
φθογγῇ
11
δ᾽ ἑπέσθω πρῶτα μὲν τὸ μὴ θρασύ,
τὸ μὴ μάταιον δ᾽ ἐκ σεσωφρονισμένων
12
ἴτω προσώπων ὄμματος παρ᾽ ἡσύχου.
καὶ μὴ πρόλεσχος μηδ᾽ ἐφολκὸς ἐν λόγῳ
200
γένῃ: τὸ τῇδε κάρτ᾽ ἐπίφθονον γένος.
μέμνησο δ᾽ εἴκειν: χρεῖος εἶ ξένη
13
φυγάς.
θρασυστομεῖν γὰρ οὐ πρέπει τοὺς ἥσσονας.
Χορος
πάτερ, φρονούντως πρὸς φρονοῦντας ἐννέπεις.
φυλάξομαι δὲ τάσδε μεμνῆσθαι σέθεν
205
κεδνὰς ἐφετμάς: Ζεὺς δὲ γεννήτωρ ἴδοι.
207
πάτερ, φρονούντως πρὸς φρονοῦντας ἐννέπεις.
φυλάξομαι δὲ τάσδε μεμνῆσθαι σέθεν
205
κεδνὰς ἐφετμάς: Ζεὺς δὲ γεννήτωρ ἴδοι.
Δαναος
ἴδοιτο δῆτα πρευμενοῦς ἀπ᾽ ὄμματος.
14
ἴδοιτο δῆτα πρευμενοῦς ἀπ᾽ ὄμματος.
14
Χορος
θέλοιμ᾽ ἂν ἤδη σοὶ πέλας θρόνους ἔχειν.
θέλοιμ᾽ ἂν ἤδη σοὶ πέλας θρόνους ἔχειν.
Δαναος
μή νυν
15
σχόλαζε, μηχανῆς δ᾽ ἔστω κράτος.
μή νυν
15
σχόλαζε, μηχανῆς δ᾽ ἔστω κράτος.
Χορος
Δαναος
κείνου θέλοντος εὖ τελευτήσει τάδε.
κείνου θέλοντος εὖ τελευτήσει τάδε.
Χορος
Δαναος
Χορος
καλοῦμεν αὐγὰς ἡλίου σωτηρίους,—
καλοῦμεν αὐγὰς ἡλίου σωτηρίους,—
Δαναος
ἁγνόν τ᾽ Ἀπόλλω, φυγάδ᾽ ἀπ᾽ οὐρανοῦ θεόν.
ἁγνόν τ᾽ Ἀπόλλω, φυγάδ᾽ ἀπ᾽ οὐρανοῦ θεόν.
Χορος
εἰδὼς ἂν αἶσαν τήνδε συγγνοίη
21
βροτοῖς.
215
εἰδὼς ἂν αἶσαν τήνδε συγγνοίη
21
βροτοῖς.
215
Δαναος
συγγνοῖτο δῆτα καὶ παρασταίη πρόφρων.
συγγνοῖτο δῆτα καὶ παρασταίη πρόφρων.
Χορος
τίν᾽ οὖν κικλήσκω
22
τῶνδε δαιμόνων ἔτι;
τίν᾽ οὖν κικλήσκω
22
τῶνδε δαιμόνων ἔτι;
Δαναος
ὁρῶ τρίαιναν τήνδε σημεῖον θεοῦ.
ὁρῶ τρίαιναν τήνδε σημεῖον θεοῦ.
Χορος
ἀλλ᾽ εὖ τ᾽ ἔπεμψεν εὖ τε δεξάσθω χθονί.
ἀλλ᾽ εὖ τ᾽ ἔπεμψεν εὖ τε δεξάσθω χθονί.
Δαναος
Ἑρμῆς ὅδ᾽ ἄλλος τοῖσιν
23
Ἑλλήνων νόμοις.
220
Ἑρμῆς ὅδ᾽ ἄλλος τοῖσιν
23
Ἑλλήνων νόμοις.
220
Χορος
ἐλευθέροις νυν
24
ἐσθλὰ κηρυκευέτω.
ἐλευθέροις νυν
24
ἐσθλὰ κηρυκευέτω.
Δαναος
πάντων δ᾽ ἀνάκτων τῶνδε κοινοβωμίαν
σέβεσθ᾽: ἐν ἁγνῷ δ᾽ ἑσμὸς
25
ὡς πελειάδων
ἵζεσθε κίρκων
26
τῶν ὁμοπτέρων φόβῳ,
ἐχθρῶν ὁμαίμων καὶ μιαινόντων γένος.
225
ὄρνιθος ὄρνις πῶς ἂν ἁγνεύοι
27
φαγών;
πῶς δ᾽ ἂν γαμῶν ἄκουσαν ἄκοντος πατρὸς
ἁγνὸς γένοιτ᾽ ἄν; οὐδὲ μὴ ʼν
28
Ἅιδου θανὼν
φύγῃ ματαίων
29
αἰτίας, πράξας τάδε.
κἀκεῖ δικάζει τἀμπλακήμαθ᾽, ὡς
30
λόγος,
230
Ζεὺς ἄλλος ἐν καμοῦσιν ὑστάτας δίκας.
σκοπεῖτε, κἀμείβεσθε τόνδε τὸν τρόπον,
31
ὅπως ἂν ὑμῖν πρᾶγος εὖ νικᾷ τόδε.
234
πάντων δ᾽ ἀνάκτων τῶνδε κοινοβωμίαν
σέβεσθ᾽: ἐν ἁγνῷ δ᾽ ἑσμὸς
25
ὡς πελειάδων
ἵζεσθε κίρκων
26
τῶν ὁμοπτέρων φόβῳ,
ἐχθρῶν ὁμαίμων καὶ μιαινόντων γένος.
225
ὄρνιθος ὄρνις πῶς ἂν ἁγνεύοι
27
φαγών;
πῶς δ᾽ ἂν γαμῶν ἄκουσαν ἄκοντος πατρὸς
ἁγνὸς γένοιτ᾽ ἄν; οὐδὲ μὴ ʼν
28
Ἅιδου θανὼν
φύγῃ ματαίων
29
αἰτίας, πράξας τάδε.
κἀκεῖ δικάζει τἀμπλακήμαθ᾽, ὡς
30
λόγος,
230
Ζεὺς ἄλλος ἐν καμοῦσιν ὑστάτας δίκας.
σκοπεῖτε, κἀμείβεσθε τόνδε τὸν τρόπον,
31
ὅπως ἂν ὑμῖν πρᾶγος εὖ νικᾷ τόδε.
Βασιλευς
ποδαπὸν ὅμιλον τόνδ᾽ ἀνελληνόστολον
32
πέπλοισι βαρβάροισι καὶ πυκνώμασι
235
χλίοντα προσφωνοῦμεν; οὐ
33
γὰρ Ἀργολὶς
ἐσθὴς γυναικῶν οὐδ᾽ ἀφ᾽ Ἑλλάδος τόπων.
ὅπως δὲ χώραν οὔτε
34
κηρύκων ὕπο,
ἀπρόξενοί τε, νόσφιν ἡγητῶν, μολεῖν
ἔτλητ᾽ ἀτρέστως,
35
τοῦτο θαυμαστὸν πέλει.
240
κλάδοι γε μὲν δὴ κατὰ νόμους ἀφικτόρων
κεῖνται παρ᾽ ὑμῖν πρὸς θεοῖς ἀγωνίοις:
μόνον τόδ᾽ Ἑλλὰς χθὼν συνοίσεται στόχῳ.
καὶ τἄλλα πόλλ᾽ ἔτ᾽ εἰκάσαι
36
δίκαιον ἦν,
εἰ μὴ παρόντι φθόγγος ἦν ὁ σημανῶν.
245
ποδαπὸν ὅμιλον τόνδ᾽ ἀνελληνόστολον
32
πέπλοισι βαρβάροισι καὶ πυκνώμασι
235
χλίοντα προσφωνοῦμεν; οὐ
33
γὰρ Ἀργολὶς
ἐσθὴς γυναικῶν οὐδ᾽ ἀφ᾽ Ἑλλάδος τόπων.
ὅπως δὲ χώραν οὔτε
34
κηρύκων ὕπο,
ἀπρόξενοί τε, νόσφιν ἡγητῶν, μολεῖν
ἔτλητ᾽ ἀτρέστως,
35
τοῦτο θαυμαστὸν πέλει.
240
κλάδοι γε μὲν δὴ κατὰ νόμους ἀφικτόρων
κεῖνται παρ᾽ ὑμῖν πρὸς θεοῖς ἀγωνίοις:
μόνον τόδ᾽ Ἑλλὰς χθὼν συνοίσεται στόχῳ.
καὶ τἄλλα πόλλ᾽ ἔτ᾽ εἰκάσαι
36
δίκαιον ἦν,
εἰ μὴ παρόντι φθόγγος ἦν ὁ σημανῶν.
245
Χορος
εἴρηκας ἀμφὶ κόσμον ἀψευδῆ λόγον.
ἐγὼ δὲ πρός σε πότερον ὡς ἔτην λέγω,
εἴρηκας ἀμφὶ κόσμον ἀψευδῆ λόγον.
ἐγὼ δὲ πρός σε πότερον ὡς ἔτην λέγω,
Βασιλευς
πρὸς ταῦτ᾽ ἀμείβου καὶ λέγ᾽ εὐθαρσὴς
39
ἐμοί.
τοῦ γηγενοῦς γάρ εἰμ᾽ ἐγὼ Παλαίχθονος
250
ἶνις Πελασγός,
40
τῆσδε γῆς ἀρχηγέτης.
ἐμοῦ δ᾽ ἄνακτος εὐλόγως ἐπώνυμον
γένος Πελασγῶν τήνδε καρποῦται χθόνα.
Στρυμών, τὸ πρὸς δύνοντος ἡλίου, κρατῶ.
255
ὁρίζομαι δὲ τήν τε
43
Περραιβῶν χθόνα,
Πίνδου τε τἀπέκεινα, Παιόνων πέλας,
ὄρη τε Δωδωναῖα: συντέμνει δ᾽ ὅρος
ὑγρᾶς θαλάσσης: τῶνδε τἀπὶ τάδε
44
κρατῶ.
αὐτῆς δὲ χώρας Ἀπίας πέδον τόδε
260
πάλαι κέκληται φωτὸς ἰατροῦ χάριν.
Ἆπις
45
γὰρ ἐλθὼν ἐκ πέρας Ναυπακτίας
ἰατρόμαντις παῖς Ἀπόλλωνος χθόνα
τήνδ᾽ ἐκκαθαίρει κνωδάλων βροτοφθόρων,
τὰ δὴ
46
παλαιῶν αἱμάτων μιάσμασι
265
δρακονθόμιλον
49
δυσμενῆ ξυνοικίαν.
τούτων ἄκη τομαῖα καὶ λυτήρια
πράξας ἀμέμπτως Ἆπις
50
Ἀργείᾳ χθονὶ
μνήμην ποτ᾽ ἀντίμισθον
51
ηὕρετ᾽ ἐν λιταῖς.
270
γένος τ᾽
53
ἂν ἐξεύχοιο καὶ λέγοις πρόσω.
274
πρὸς ταῦτ᾽ ἀμείβου καὶ λέγ᾽ εὐθαρσὴς
39
ἐμοί.
τοῦ γηγενοῦς γάρ εἰμ᾽ ἐγὼ Παλαίχθονος
250
ἶνις Πελασγός,
40
τῆσδε γῆς ἀρχηγέτης.
ἐμοῦ δ᾽ ἄνακτος εὐλόγως ἐπώνυμον
γένος Πελασγῶν τήνδε καρποῦται χθόνα.
Στρυμών, τὸ πρὸς δύνοντος ἡλίου, κρατῶ.
255
ὁρίζομαι δὲ τήν τε
43
Περραιβῶν χθόνα,
Πίνδου τε τἀπέκεινα, Παιόνων πέλας,
ὄρη τε Δωδωναῖα: συντέμνει δ᾽ ὅρος
ὑγρᾶς θαλάσσης: τῶνδε τἀπὶ τάδε
44
κρατῶ.
αὐτῆς δὲ χώρας Ἀπίας πέδον τόδε
πάλαι κέκληται φωτὸς ἰατροῦ χάριν.
Ἆπις
45
γὰρ ἐλθὼν ἐκ πέρας Ναυπακτίας
ἰατρόμαντις παῖς Ἀπόλλωνος χθόνα
τήνδ᾽ ἐκκαθαίρει κνωδάλων βροτοφθόρων,
τὰ δὴ
46
παλαιῶν αἱμάτων μιάσμασι
265
δρακονθόμιλον
49
δυσμενῆ ξυνοικίαν.
τούτων ἄκη τομαῖα καὶ λυτήρια
πράξας ἀμέμπτως Ἆπις
50
Ἀργείᾳ χθονὶ
μνήμην ποτ᾽ ἀντίμισθον
51
ηὕρετ᾽ ἐν λιταῖς.
270
γένος τ᾽
53
ἂν ἐξεύχοιο καὶ λέγοις πρόσω.
Χορος
βραχὺς τορός θ᾽ ὁ μῦθος: Ἀργεῖαι γένος
ἐξευχόμεσθα, σπέρματ᾽ εὐτέκνου βοός:
275
καὶ ταῦτ᾽ ἀληθῆ πάντα προσφύσω λόγῳ.
βραχὺς τορός θ᾽ ὁ μῦθος: Ἀργεῖαι γένος
ἐξευχόμεσθα, σπέρματ᾽ εὐτέκνου βοός:
275
καὶ ταῦτ᾽ ἀληθῆ πάντα προσφύσω λόγῳ.
Βασιλευς
ἄπιστα
56
μυθεῖσθ᾽, ὦ ξέναι, κλύειν ἐμοί,
ὅπως τόδ᾽ ὑμῖν ἐστιν Ἀργεῖον γένος.
Λιβυστικαῖς γὰρ μᾶλλον ἐμφερέστεραι
γυναιξίν
57
ἐστε κοὐδαμῶς ἐγχωρίαις.
280
καὶ Νεῖλος ἂν θρέψειε τοιοῦτον φυτόν,
Κύπριος χαρακτήρ τ᾽ ἐν γυναικείοις τύποις
εἰκὼς πέπληκται τεκτόνων πρὸς ἀρσένων:
παρ᾽ Αἰθίοψιν ἀστυγειτονουμένας.
εἰ τοξοτευχεῖς ἦτε, κάρτ᾽ ἂν ᾔκασα
ὑμᾶς. διδαχθεὶς <δ᾽
65
> ἂν τόδ᾽ εἰδείην πλέον,
ὅπως γένεθλον σπέρμα τ᾽ Ἀργεῖον τὸ σόν.
290
291
ἄπιστα
56
μυθεῖσθ᾽, ὦ ξέναι, κλύειν ἐμοί,
ὅπως τόδ᾽ ὑμῖν ἐστιν Ἀργεῖον γένος.
Λιβυστικαῖς γὰρ μᾶλλον ἐμφερέστεραι
γυναιξίν
57
ἐστε κοὐδαμῶς ἐγχωρίαις.
280
καὶ Νεῖλος ἂν θρέψειε τοιοῦτον φυτόν,
Κύπριος χαρακτήρ τ᾽ ἐν γυναικείοις τύποις
εἰκὼς πέπληκται τεκτόνων πρὸς ἀρσένων:
παρ᾽ Αἰθίοψιν ἀστυγειτονουμένας.
εἰ τοξοτευχεῖς ἦτε, κάρτ᾽ ἂν ᾔκασα
ὑμᾶς. διδαχθεὶς <δ᾽
65
> ἂν τόδ᾽ εἰδείην πλέον,
ὅπως γένεθλον σπέρμα τ᾽ Ἀργεῖον τὸ σόν.
290
Χορος
κλῃδοῦχον Ἥρας φασὶ δωμάτων ποτὲ
66
Ἰὼ γενέσθαι τῇδ᾽ ἐν
67
Ἀργείᾳ χθονί.
κλῃδοῦχον Ἥρας φασὶ δωμάτων ποτὲ
66
Ἰὼ γενέσθαι τῇδ᾽ ἐν
67
Ἀργείᾳ χθονί.
Βασιλευς
ἦν ὡς μάλιστα, καὶ φάτις πολλὴ κρατεῖ.
68
μὴ καὶ λόγος τις Ζῆνα μιχθῆναι βροτῷ;
295
ἦν ὡς μάλιστα, καὶ φάτις πολλὴ κρατεῖ.
68
μὴ καὶ λόγος τις Ζῆνα μιχθῆναι βροτῷ;
295
Χορος
Βασιλευς
πῶς οὖν τελευτᾷ βασιλέων νείκη τάδε;
πῶς οὖν τελευτᾷ βασιλέων νείκη τάδε;
Χορος
βοῦν τὴν
71
γυναῖκ᾽ ἔθηκεν Ἀργεία θεός.
βοῦν τὴν
71
γυναῖκ᾽ ἔθηκεν Ἀργεία θεός.
Βασιλευς
οὔκουν πελάζει Ζεὺς ἐπ᾽
72
εὐκραίρῳ βοΐ;
300
οὔκουν πελάζει Ζεὺς ἐπ᾽
72
εὐκραίρῳ βοΐ;
300
Χορος
φασίν, πρέποντα
73
βουθόρῳ ταύρῳ δέμας.
φασίν, πρέποντα
73
βουθόρῳ ταύρῳ δέμας.
Βασιλευς
Χορος
τὸν πάνθ᾽ ὁρῶντα φύλακ᾽ ἐπέστησεν βοΐ.
τὸν πάνθ᾽ ὁρῶντα φύλακ᾽ ἐπέστησεν βοΐ.
Βασιλευς
ποῖον πανόπτην οἰοβουκόλον λέγεις;
ποῖον πανόπτην οἰοβουκόλον λέγεις;
Χορος
Ἄργον, τὸν Ἑρμῆς παῖδα γῆς κατέκτανεν.
305
Ἄργον, τὸν Ἑρμῆς παῖδα γῆς κατέκτανεν.
305
Βασιλευς
τί οὖν ἔτευξεν
77
ἄλλο δυσπότμῳ βοΐ;
τί οὖν ἔτευξεν
77
ἄλλο δυσπότμῳ βοΐ;
Χορος
βοηλάτην μύωπα κινητήριον.
βοηλάτην μύωπα κινητήριον.
Βασιλευς
Χορος
Βασιλευς
καὶ ταῦτ᾽ ἔλεξας πάντα συγκόλλως ἐμοί.
310
καὶ ταῦτ᾽ ἔλεξας πάντα συγκόλλως ἐμοί.
310
Χορος
καὶ μὴν Κάνωβον κἀπὶ Μέμφιν ἵκετο.
καὶ μὴν Κάνωβον κἀπὶ Μέμφιν ἵκετο.
Βασιλευς
Χορος
καὶ Ζεύς γ᾽ ἐφάπτωρ χειρὶ φιτύει
82
γόνον.
καὶ Ζεύς γ᾽ ἐφάπτωρ χειρὶ φιτύει
82
γόνον.
Βασιλευς
Χορος
Ἔπαφος ἀληθῶς ῥυσίων ἐπώνυμος.
315
Ἔπαφος ἀληθῶς ῥυσίων ἐπώνυμος.
315
Βασιλευς
Χορος
Λιβύη, μέγιστον γῆς <πέδον
85
> καρπουμένη.
Λιβύη, μέγιστον γῆς <πέδον
85
> καρπουμένη.
Βασιλευς
τίν᾽ οὖν ἔτ᾽ ἄλλον τῆσδε βλαστημὸν λέγεις;
τίν᾽ οὖν ἔτ᾽ ἄλλον τῆσδε βλαστημὸν λέγεις;
Χορος
Βῆλον δίπαιδα, πατέρα τοῦδ᾽ ἐμοῦ πατρός.
Βῆλον δίπαιδα, πατέρα τοῦδ᾽ ἐμοῦ πατρός.
Βασιλευς
τὸ πάνσοφον νῦν ὄνομα τούτου
86
μοι φράσον.
320
τὸ πάνσοφον νῦν ὄνομα τούτου
86
μοι φράσον.
320
Χορος
Βασιλευς
καὶ τοῦδ᾽ ἄνοιγε
89
τοὔνομ᾽ ἀφθόνῳ λόγῳ.
323
καὶ τοῦδ᾽ ἄνοιγε
89
τοὔνομ᾽ ἀφθόνῳ λόγῳ.
Χορος
Αἴγυπτος. εἰδὼς δ᾽
90
ἁμὸν ἀρχαῖον γένος
πράσσοις ἄν, ὡς Ἀργεῖον ἀνστήσεις
91
στόλον.
Αἴγυπτος. εἰδὼς δ᾽
90
ἁμὸν ἀρχαῖον γένος
πράσσοις ἄν, ὡς Ἀργεῖον ἀνστήσεις
91
στόλον.
Βασιλευς
δοκεῖτε <δή
92
> μοι τῆσδε κοινωνεῖν χθονὸς
325
τἀρχαῖον. ἀλλὰ πῶς πατρῷα δώματα
λιπεῖν ἔτλητε; τίς κατέσκηψεν τύχη;
δοκεῖτε <δή
92
> μοι τῆσδε κοινωνεῖν χθονὸς
325
τἀρχαῖον. ἀλλὰ πῶς πατρῷα δώματα
λιπεῖν ἔτλητε; τίς κατέσκηψεν τύχη;
Χορος
ἄναξ Πελασγῶν, αἰόλ᾽ ἀνθρώπων κακά.
ἐπεὶ τίς ηὔχει τήνδ᾽ ἀνέλπιστον φυγὴν
330
κέλσειν
95
ἐς Ἄργος κῆδος ἐγγενὲς τὸ πρίν,
ἔχθει μεταπτοιοῦσαν
96
εὐναίων γάμων;
ἄναξ Πελασγῶν, αἰόλ᾽ ἀνθρώπων κακά.
ἐπεὶ τίς ηὔχει τήνδ᾽ ἀνέλπιστον φυγὴν
330
κέλσειν
95
ἐς Ἄργος κῆδος ἐγγενὲς τὸ πρίν,
ἔχθει μεταπτοιοῦσαν
96
εὐναίων γάμων;
Βασιλευς
τί φῂς ἱκνεῖσθαι τῶνδ᾽ ἀγωνίων θεῶν,
λευκοστεφεῖς ἔχουσα νεοδρέπτους κλάδους;
τί φῂς ἱκνεῖσθαι τῶνδ᾽ ἀγωνίων θεῶν,
λευκοστεφεῖς ἔχουσα νεοδρέπτους κλάδους;
Χορος
ὡς μὴ γένωμαι δμωὶς Αἰγύπτου γένει.
335
ὡς μὴ γένωμαι δμωὶς Αἰγύπτου γένει.
335
Βασιλευς
πότερα κατ᾽ ἔχθραν, ἢ τὸ μὴ θέμις λέγεις;
πότερα κατ᾽ ἔχθραν, ἢ τὸ μὴ θέμις λέγεις;
Χορος
τίς δ᾽ ἂν φίλους ὄνοιτο
97
τοὺς κεκτημένους;
τίς δ᾽ ἂν φίλους ὄνοιτο
97
τοὺς κεκτημένους;
Βασιλευς
σθένος μὲν οὕτως μεῖζον αὔξεται βροτοῖς.
98
σθένος μὲν οὕτως μεῖζον αὔξεται βροτοῖς.
98
Χορος
καὶ δυστυχούντων γ᾽
99
εὐμαρὴς ἀπαλλαγή.
καὶ δυστυχούντων γ᾽
99
εὐμαρὴς ἀπαλλαγή.
Βασιλευς
πῶς οὖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς εὐσεβὴς ἐγὼ πέλω;
340
πῶς οὖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς εὐσεβὴς ἐγὼ πέλω;
340
Χορος
αἰτοῦσι μὴ ʼκδοὺς
100
παισὶν Αἰγύπτου πάλιν.
αἰτοῦσι μὴ ʼκδοὺς
100
παισὶν Αἰγύπτου πάλιν.
Βασιλευς
βαρέα σύ γ᾽ εἶπας, πόλεμον ἄρασθαι
101
νέον.
βαρέα σύ γ᾽ εἶπας, πόλεμον ἄρασθαι
101
νέον.
Χορος
ἀλλ᾽ ἡ δίκη γε ξυμμάχων ὑπερστατεῖ.
ἀλλ᾽ ἡ δίκη γε ξυμμάχων ὑπερστατεῖ.
βασιλεύς
εἴπερ γ᾽ ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς πραγμάτων κοινωνὸς
102
ἦν.
εἴπερ γ᾽ ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς πραγμάτων κοινωνὸς
102
ἦν.
Χορος
αἰδοῦ σὺ πρύμναν πόλεος ὧδ᾽ ἐστεμμένην.
103
345
αἰδοῦ σὺ πρύμναν πόλεος ὧδ᾽ ἐστεμμένην.
103
345
Βασιλευς
Χορος
βαρύς γε μέντοι Ζηνὸς ἱκεσίου κότος.
348
βαρύς γε μέντοι Ζηνὸς ἱκεσίου κότος.
Ἱκέτιδες Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.) — 176-347 focus
176
207
234
274
291
323
Δαναός
παῖδες, φρονεῖν χρή· ξὺν φρονοῦντι δʼ ἥκετε
πιστῷ γέροντι τῷ δε ναυκλήρῳ πατρί.
καὶ τἀπὶ χέρσου νῦν προμηθίαν λαβὼν
αἰνῶ φυλάξαι τἄμʼ ἔπη δελτουμένας.
ὁρῶ κόνιν, ἄναυδον ἄγγελον στρατοῦ·
180
σύριγγες οὐ σιγῶσιν ἀξονήλατοι·
ὄχλον δʼ ὑπασπιστῆρα καὶ δορυσσόον
λεύσσω, ξὺν ἵπποις καμπύλοις τʼ ὀχήμασιν·
τάχʼ ἂν πρὸς ἡμᾶς τῆσδε γῆς ἀρχηγέται
ὀπτῆρες εἶεν ἀγγέλων πεπυσμένοι.
185
ἀλλʼ εἴτʼ ἀπήμων εἴτε καὶ τεθηγμένος
ὠμῇ ξὺν ὀργῇ τόνδʼ ἐπόρνυται στόλον,
ἄμεινόν ἐστι παντὸς εἵνεκʼ, ὦ κόραι,
πάγον προσίζειν τόνδʼ ἀγωνίων θεῶν.
κρεῖσσον δὲ πύργου βωμός, ἄρρηκτον σάκος
190
ἀλλʼ ὡς τάχιστα βᾶτε, καὶ λευκοστεφεῖς
ἱκετηρίας, ἁγάλματʼ αἰδοίου Διός,
σεμνῶς ἔχουσαι διὰ χερῶν εὐωνύμων,
αἰδοῖα καὶ γοεδνὰ καὶ ζαχρεῖʼ ἔπη
ξένους ἀμείβεσθʼ, ὡς ἐπήλυδας πρέπει,
195
τορῶς λέγουσαι τάσδʼ ἀναιμάκτους φυγάς.
φθογγῇ δʼ ἑπέσθω πρῶτα μὲν τὸ μὴ θρασύ,
τὸ μὴ μάταιον δʼ ἐκ μετωποσωφρόνων
ἴτω προσώπων ὄμματος παρʼ ἡσύχου.
καὶ μὴ πρόλεσχος μηδʼ ἐφολκὸς ἐν λόγῳ
200
γένῃ. τὸ τῇδε κάρτʼ ἐπίφθονον γένος.
μέμνησο δʼ εἴκειν· χρεῖος εἶ ξένη φυγάς.
θρασυστομεῖν γὰρ οὐ πρέπει τοὺς ἥσσονας.
παῖδες, φρονεῖν χρή· ξὺν φρονοῦντι δʼ ἥκετε
πιστῷ γέροντι τῷ δε ναυκλήρῳ πατρί.
καὶ τἀπὶ χέρσου νῦν προμηθίαν λαβὼν
αἰνῶ φυλάξαι τἄμʼ ἔπη δελτουμένας.
ὁρῶ κόνιν, ἄναυδον ἄγγελον στρατοῦ·
σύριγγες οὐ σιγῶσιν ἀξονήλατοι·
ὄχλον δʼ ὑπασπιστῆρα καὶ δορυσσόον
λεύσσω, ξὺν ἵπποις καμπύλοις τʼ ὀχήμασιν·
τάχʼ ἂν πρὸς ἡμᾶς τῆσδε γῆς ἀρχηγέται
ὀπτῆρες εἶεν ἀγγέλων πεπυσμένοι.
185
ἀλλʼ εἴτʼ ἀπήμων εἴτε καὶ τεθηγμένος
ὠμῇ ξὺν ὀργῇ τόνδʼ ἐπόρνυται στόλον,
ἄμεινόν ἐστι παντὸς εἵνεκʼ, ὦ κόραι,
πάγον προσίζειν τόνδʼ ἀγωνίων θεῶν.
κρεῖσσον δὲ πύργου βωμός, ἄρρηκτον σάκος
190
ἀλλʼ ὡς τάχιστα βᾶτε, καὶ λευκοστεφεῖς
ἱκετηρίας, ἁγάλματʼ αἰδοίου Διός,
σεμνῶς ἔχουσαι διὰ χερῶν εὐωνύμων,
αἰδοῖα καὶ γοεδνὰ καὶ ζαχρεῖʼ ἔπη
ξένους ἀμείβεσθʼ, ὡς ἐπήλυδας πρέπει,
195
τορῶς λέγουσαι τάσδʼ ἀναιμάκτους φυγάς.
φθογγῇ δʼ ἑπέσθω πρῶτα μὲν τὸ μὴ θρασύ,
τὸ μὴ μάταιον δʼ ἐκ μετωποσωφρόνων
ἴτω προσώπων ὄμματος παρʼ ἡσύχου.
καὶ μὴ πρόλεσχος μηδʼ ἐφολκὸς ἐν λόγῳ
200
γένῃ. τὸ τῇδε κάρτʼ ἐπίφθονον γένος.
μέμνησο δʼ εἴκειν· χρεῖος εἶ ξένη φυγάς.
θρασυστομεῖν γὰρ οὐ πρέπει τοὺς ἥσσονας.
Χορός
πάτερ, φρονούντως πρὸς φρονοῦντας ἐννέπεις.
φυλάξομαι δὲ τάσδε μεμνῆσθαι σέθεν
205
κεδνὰς ἐφετμάς. Ζεὺς δὲ γεννήτωρ ἴδοι·
207
πάτερ, φρονούντως πρὸς φρονοῦντας ἐννέπεις.
φυλάξομαι δὲ τάσδε μεμνῆσθαι σέθεν
205
κεδνὰς ἐφετμάς. Ζεὺς δὲ γεννήτωρ ἴδοι·
Δαναός
ἴδοιτο δῆτα πρευμενοῦς ἀπʼ ὄμματος·
ἴδοιτο δῆτα πρευμενοῦς ἀπʼ ὄμματος·
Χορός
θέλοιμʼ ἂν ἤδη σοὶ πέλας θρόνους ἔχειν.
θέλοιμʼ ἂν ἤδη σοὶ πέλας θρόνους ἔχειν.
Δαναός
μή νυν σχόλαζε, μηχανῆς δʼ ἔστω κράτος.
μή νυν σχόλαζε, μηχανῆς δʼ ἔστω κράτος.
Χορός
ὦ Ζεῦ, κόπων οἴκτιρε μὴ ἀπολωλότας.
210
ὦ Ζεῦ, κόπων οἴκτιρε μὴ ἀπολωλότας.
210
Δαναός
κείνου θέλοντος εὖ τελευτήσει τάδε.
κείνου θέλοντος εὖ τελευτήσει τάδε.
Χορός
Δαναός
καὶ Ζηνὸς ὄρνιν τόνδε νῦν κικλῄσκετε.
καὶ Ζηνὸς ὄρνιν τόνδε νῦν κικλῄσκετε.
Χορός
καλοῦμεν αὐγὰς ἡλίου σωτηρίους,—
καλοῦμεν αὐγὰς ἡλίου σωτηρίους,—
Δαναός
ἁγνόν τʼ Ἀπόλλω, φυγάδʼ ἀπʼ οὐρανοῦ θεόν.
ἁγνόν τʼ Ἀπόλλω, φυγάδʼ ἀπʼ οὐρανοῦ θεόν.
Χορός
εἰδὼς ἂν αἶσαν τήνδε συγγνοίη βροτοῖς.
215
εἰδὼς ἂν αἶσαν τήνδε συγγνοίη βροτοῖς.
215
Δαναός
συγγνοῖτο δῆτα καὶ παρασταίη πρόφρων.
συγγνοῖτο δῆτα καὶ παρασταίη πρόφρων.
Χορός
τίνʼ οὖν κικλῄσκω τῶνδε δαιμόνων ἔτι;
τίνʼ οὖν κικλῄσκω τῶνδε δαιμόνων ἔτι;
Δαναός
ὁρῶ τρίαιναν τήνδε σημεῖον θεοῦ.
ὁρῶ τρίαιναν τήνδε σημεῖον θεοῦ.
Χορός
ἀλλʼ εὖ τʼ ἔπεμψεν εὖ τε δεξάσθω χθονί.
ἀλλʼ εὖ τʼ ἔπεμψεν εὖ τε δεξάσθω χθονί.
Δαναός
Ἑρμῆς ὅδʼ ἄλλος τοῖσιν Ἑλλήνων νόμοις.
220
Ἑρμῆς ὅδʼ ἄλλος τοῖσιν Ἑλλήνων νόμοις.
220
Χορός
ἐλευθέροις νυν ἐσθλὰ κηρυκευέτω.
ἐλευθέροις νυν ἐσθλὰ κηρυκευέτω.
Δαναός
πάντων δʼ ἀνάκτων τῶνδε κοινοβωμίαν
σέβεσθʼ· ἐν ἁγνῷ δʼ ἑσμὸς ὡς πελειάδων
ἵζεσθε κίρκων τῶν ὁμοπτέρων φόβῳ,
ἐχθρῶν ὁμαίμων καὶ μιαινόντων γένος.
225
ὄρνιθος ὄρνις πῶς ἂν ἁγνεύοι φαγών;
πῶς δʼ ἂν γαμῶν ἄκουσαν ἄκοντος πάρα
ἁγνὸς γένοιτʼ ἄν; οὐδὲ μὴ ʼν Ἅιδου θανὼν
φύγῃ ματαίων αἰτίας, πράξας τάδε.
κἀκεῖ δικάζει τἀπλακήμαθʼ, ὡς λόγος,
230
Ζεὺς ἄλλος ἐν καμοῦσιν ὑστάτας δίκας.
σκοπεῖτε, κἀμείβεσθε τόνδε τὸν τρόπον,
ὅπως ἂν ὑμῖν πρᾶγος εὖ νικᾷ τόδε.
234
πάντων δʼ ἀνάκτων τῶνδε κοινοβωμίαν
σέβεσθʼ· ἐν ἁγνῷ δʼ ἑσμὸς ὡς πελειάδων
ἵζεσθε κίρκων τῶν ὁμοπτέρων φόβῳ,
ἐχθρῶν ὁμαίμων καὶ μιαινόντων γένος.
225
ὄρνιθος ὄρνις πῶς ἂν ἁγνεύοι φαγών;
πῶς δʼ ἂν γαμῶν ἄκουσαν ἄκοντος πάρα
ἁγνὸς γένοιτʼ ἄν; οὐδὲ μὴ ʼν Ἅιδου θανὼν
φύγῃ ματαίων αἰτίας, πράξας τάδε.
κἀκεῖ δικάζει τἀπλακήμαθʼ, ὡς λόγος,
230
Ζεὺς ἄλλος ἐν καμοῦσιν ὑστάτας δίκας.
σκοπεῖτε, κἀμείβεσθε τόνδε τὸν τρόπον,
ὅπως ἂν ὑμῖν πρᾶγος εὖ νικᾷ τόδε.
Βασιλεύς
ποδαπὸν ὅμιλον τόνδʼ ἀνελληνόστολον
πέπλοισι βαρβάροισι καὶ πυκνώμασι
235
χλίοντα προσφωνοῦμεν; οὐ γὰρ Ἀργολὶς
ἐσθὴς γυναικῶν οὐδʼ ἀφʼ Ἑλλάδος τόπων.
ὅπως δὲ χώραν οὔτε κηρύκων ὕπο,
ἀπρόξενοί τε, νόσφιν ἡγητῶν, μολεῖν
ἔτλητʼ ἀτρέστως, τοῦτο θαυμαστὸν πέλει.
240
κλάδοι γε μὲν δὴ κατὰ νόμους ἀφικτόρων
κεῖνται παρʼ ὑμῖν πρὸς θεοῖς ἀγωνίοις·
μόνον τόδʼ Ἑλλὰς χθὼν συνοίσεται στόχῳ.
καὶ τἄλλα πόλλʼ ἔτʼ εἰκάσαι δίκαιον ἦν,
εἰ μὴ παρόντι φθόγγος ἦν ὁ σημανῶν.
245
ποδαπὸν ὅμιλον τόνδʼ ἀνελληνόστολον
πέπλοισι βαρβάροισι καὶ πυκνώμασι
235
χλίοντα προσφωνοῦμεν; οὐ γὰρ Ἀργολὶς
ἐσθὴς γυναικῶν οὐδʼ ἀφʼ Ἑλλάδος τόπων.
ὅπως δὲ χώραν οὔτε κηρύκων ὕπο,
ἀπρόξενοί τε, νόσφιν ἡγητῶν, μολεῖν
ἔτλητʼ ἀτρέστως, τοῦτο θαυμαστὸν πέλει.
240
κλάδοι γε μὲν δὴ κατὰ νόμους ἀφικτόρων
κεῖνται παρʼ ὑμῖν πρὸς θεοῖς ἀγωνίοις·
μόνον τόδʼ Ἑλλὰς χθὼν συνοίσεται στόχῳ.
καὶ τἄλλα πόλλʼ ἔτʼ εἰκάσαι δίκαιον ἦν,
εἰ μὴ παρόντι φθόγγος ἦν ὁ σημανῶν.
245
Χορός
εἴρηκας ἀμφὶ κόσμον ἀψευδῆ λόγον.
ἐγὼ δὲ πρὸς σὲ πότερον ὡς ἔτην λέγω,
ἢ ῥήτορʼ ἱεροράβδον, ἢ πόλεως ἀγόν;
εἴρηκας ἀμφὶ κόσμον ἀψευδῆ λόγον.
ἐγὼ δὲ πρὸς σὲ πότερον ὡς ἔτην λέγω,
ἢ ῥήτορʼ ἱεροράβδον, ἢ πόλεως ἀγόν;
Βασιλεύς
πρὸς ταῦτʼ ἀμείβου καὶ λέγʼ εὐθαρσὴς ἐμοί.
τοῦ γηγενοῦς γάρ εἰμʼ ἐγὼ Παλαίχθονος
250
ἶνις Πελασγός, τῆσδε γῆς ἀρχηγέτης.
ἐμοῦ δʼ ἄνακτος εὐλόγως ἐπώνυμον
γένος Πελασγῶν τήνδε καρποῦται χθόνα.
καὶ πᾶσαν αἶαν, ἧς διʼ ἁγνὸς ἔρχεται
Στρυμών, τὸ πρὸς δύνοντος ἡλίου, κρατῶ.
255
ὁρίζομαι δὲ τήν τε Περραίβων χθόνα,
Πίνδου τε τἀπέκεινα, Παιόνων πέλας,
ὄρη τε Δωδωναῖα. συντέμνει δʼ ὅρος
ὑγρᾶς θαλάσσης· τῶνδε τἀπὶ τάδε κρατῶ.
αὐτῆς δὲ χώρας Ἀπίας πέδον τόδε
260
πάλαι κέκληται φωτὸς ἰατροῦ χάριν.
Ἆπις γὰρ ἐλθὼν ἐκ πέρας Ναυπακτίας
ἰατρόμαντις παῖς Ἀπόλλωνος χθόνα
τήνδʼ ἐκκαθαίρει κνωδάλων βροτοφθόρων,
τὰ δὴ παλαιῶν αἱμάτων μιάσμασιν
265
χρανθεῖσʼ ἀνῆκε γαῖα μηνιταῖʼ ἄχη
δρακονθόμιλον δυσμενῆ ξυνοικίαν.
τούτων ἄκη τομαῖα καὶ λυτήρια
πράξας ἀμέμπτως Ἆπις Ἀργείᾳ χθονὶ
μνήμην ποτʼ ἀντίμισθον ηὕρετʼ ἐν λιταῖς.
270
ἔχουσα δʼ ἤδη τἀπʼ ἐμοῦ τεκμήρια
γένος τʼ ἂν ἐξεύχοιο καὶ λέγοις πρόσω.
μακράν γε μὲν δὴ ῥῆσιν οὐ στέργει πόλις.
274
πρὸς ταῦτʼ ἀμείβου καὶ λέγʼ εὐθαρσὴς ἐμοί.
τοῦ γηγενοῦς γάρ εἰμʼ ἐγὼ Παλαίχθονος
250
ἶνις Πελασγός, τῆσδε γῆς ἀρχηγέτης.
ἐμοῦ δʼ ἄνακτος εὐλόγως ἐπώνυμον
γένος Πελασγῶν τήνδε καρποῦται χθόνα.
καὶ πᾶσαν αἶαν, ἧς διʼ ἁγνὸς ἔρχεται
Στρυμών, τὸ πρὸς δύνοντος ἡλίου, κρατῶ.
255
ὁρίζομαι δὲ τήν τε Περραίβων χθόνα,
Πίνδου τε τἀπέκεινα, Παιόνων πέλας,
ὄρη τε Δωδωναῖα. συντέμνει δʼ ὅρος
ὑγρᾶς θαλάσσης· τῶνδε τἀπὶ τάδε κρατῶ.
αὐτῆς δὲ χώρας Ἀπίας πέδον τόδε
πάλαι κέκληται φωτὸς ἰατροῦ χάριν.
Ἆπις γὰρ ἐλθὼν ἐκ πέρας Ναυπακτίας
ἰατρόμαντις παῖς Ἀπόλλωνος χθόνα
τήνδʼ ἐκκαθαίρει κνωδάλων βροτοφθόρων,
τὰ δὴ παλαιῶν αἱμάτων μιάσμασιν
265
χρανθεῖσʼ ἀνῆκε γαῖα μηνιταῖʼ ἄχη
δρακονθόμιλον δυσμενῆ ξυνοικίαν.
τούτων ἄκη τομαῖα καὶ λυτήρια
πράξας ἀμέμπτως Ἆπις Ἀργείᾳ χθονὶ
μνήμην ποτʼ ἀντίμισθον ηὕρετʼ ἐν λιταῖς.
270
ἔχουσα δʼ ἤδη τἀπʼ ἐμοῦ τεκμήρια
γένος τʼ ἂν ἐξεύχοιο καὶ λέγοις πρόσω.
μακράν γε μὲν δὴ ῥῆσιν οὐ στέργει πόλις.
Χορός
βραχὺς τορός θʼ ὁ μῦθος· Ἀργεῖαι γένος
ἐξευχόμεσθα, σπέρματʼ εὐτέκνου βοός·
275
καὶ ταῦτʼ ἀληθῆ πάντα προσφύσω λόγῳ.
βραχὺς τορός θʼ ὁ μῦθος· Ἀργεῖαι γένος
ἐξευχόμεσθα, σπέρματʼ εὐτέκνου βοός·
275
καὶ ταῦτʼ ἀληθῆ πάντα προσφύσω λόγῳ.
Βασιλεύς
ἄπιστα μυθεῖσθʼ, ὦ ξέναι, κλύειν ἐμοί,
ὅπως τόδʼ ὑμῖν ἐστιν Ἀργεῖον γένος.
Λιβυστικαῖς γὰρ μᾶλλον ἐμφερέστεραι
γυναιξίν ἐστε κοὐδαμῶς ἐγχωρίαις.
280
καὶ Νεῖλος ἂν θρέψειε τοιοῦτον φυτόν,
Κύπριος χαρακτήρ τʼ ἐν γυναικείοις τύποις
εἰκὼς πέπληκται τεκτόνων πρὸς ἀρσένων·
τοίας τʼ ἀκούω νομάδας ἱπποβάμοσιν
εἶναι καμήλοις ἀστραβιζούσας, χθόνα
285
παρʼ Αἰθίοψιν ἀστυγειτονουμένας.
καὶ τὰς ἀνάνδρους κρεοβόρους τʼ Ἀμαζόνας,
εἰ τοξοτευχεῖς ἦτε, κάρτʼ ἂν ᾔκασα
ὑμᾶς. διδαχθεὶς
δʼ ἂν τόδʼ εἰδείην πλέον,
ὅπως γένεθλον σπέρμα τʼ Ἀργεῖον τὸ σόν.
290
291
ἄπιστα μυθεῖσθʼ, ὦ ξέναι, κλύειν ἐμοί,
ὅπως τόδʼ ὑμῖν ἐστιν Ἀργεῖον γένος.
Λιβυστικαῖς γὰρ μᾶλλον ἐμφερέστεραι
γυναιξίν ἐστε κοὐδαμῶς ἐγχωρίαις.
280
καὶ Νεῖλος ἂν θρέψειε τοιοῦτον φυτόν,
Κύπριος χαρακτήρ τʼ ἐν γυναικείοις τύποις
εἰκὼς πέπληκται τεκτόνων πρὸς ἀρσένων·
τοίας τʼ ἀκούω νομάδας ἱπποβάμοσιν
εἶναι καμήλοις ἀστραβιζούσας, χθόνα
285
παρʼ Αἰθίοψιν ἀστυγειτονουμένας.
καὶ τὰς ἀνάνδρους κρεοβόρους τʼ Ἀμαζόνας,
εἰ τοξοτευχεῖς ἦτε, κάρτʼ ἂν ᾔκασα
ὑμᾶς. διδαχθεὶς
δʼ ἂν τόδʼ εἰδείην πλέον,
ὅπως γένεθλον σπέρμα τʼ Ἀργεῖον τὸ σόν.
290
Χορός
κλῃδοῦχον Ἥρας φασὶ δωμάτων ποτὲ
Ἰὼ γενέσθαι τῇ δʼ ἐν Ἀργείᾳ χθονί;
κλῃδοῦχον Ἥρας φασὶ δωμάτων ποτὲ
Ἰὼ γενέσθαι τῇ δʼ ἐν Ἀργείᾳ χθονί;
Βασιλεύς
ἦν ὡς μάλιστα, καὶ φάτις πολλὴ κρατεῖ.
ἦν ὡς μάλιστα, καὶ φάτις πολλὴ κρατεῖ.
Χορός
μὴ καὶ λόγος τις Ζῆνα μειχθῆναι βροτῷ;
295
μὴ καὶ λόγος τις Ζῆνα μειχθῆναι βροτῷ;
295
Βασιλεύς
κἄκρυπτά γʼ Ἥρας ταῦτα τἀμπαλάγματα.
κἄκρυπτά γʼ Ἥρας ταῦτα τἀμπαλάγματα.
Χορός
πῶς οὖν τελευτᾷ βασιλέων νείκη τάδε;
πῶς οὖν τελευτᾷ βασιλέων νείκη τάδε;
Βασιλεύς
βοῦν τὴν γυναῖκʼ ἔθηκεν Ἀργεία θεός.
βοῦν τὴν γυναῖκʼ ἔθηκεν Ἀργεία θεός.
Χορός
οὔκουν πελάζει Ζεὺς ἐπʼ εὐκραίρῳ βοΐ;
300
οὔκουν πελάζει Ζεὺς ἐπʼ εὐκραίρῳ βοΐ;
300
Βασιλεύς
φασίν, πρέποντα βουθόρῳ ταύρῳ δέμας.
φασίν, πρέποντα βουθόρῳ ταύρῳ δέμας.
Χορός
τί δῆτα πρὸς ταῦτʼ ἄλοχος ἰσχυρὰ Διός;
τί δῆτα πρὸς ταῦτʼ ἄλοχος ἰσχυρὰ Διός;
Βασιλεύς
τὸν πάνθʼ ὁρῶντα φύλακʼ ἐπέστησεν βοΐ.
τὸν πάνθʼ ὁρῶντα φύλακʼ ἐπέστησεν βοΐ.
Χορός
ποῖον πανόπτην οἰοβουκόλον λέγεις;
ποῖον πανόπτην οἰοβουκόλον λέγεις;
Βασιλεύς
Ἄργον, τὸν Ἑρμῆς παῖδα γῆς κατέκτανεν.
305
Ἄργον, τὸν Ἑρμῆς παῖδα γῆς κατέκτανεν.
305
Χορός
τί οὖν ἔτευξεν ἄλλο δυσπότμῳ βοΐ;
τί οὖν ἔτευξεν ἄλλο δυσπότμῳ βοΐ;
Βασιλεύς
βοηλάτην μύωπα κινητήριον.
βοηλάτην μύωπα κινητήριον.
Χορός
οἶστρον καλοῦσιν αὐτὸν οἱ Νείλου πέλας.
οἶστρον καλοῦσιν αὐτὸν οἱ Νείλου πέλας.
Βασιλεύς
τοιγάρ νιν ἐκ γῆς ἤλασεν μακρῷ δρόμῳ.
τοιγάρ νιν ἐκ γῆς ἤλασεν μακρῷ δρόμῳ.
Χορός
καὶ ταῦτʼ ἔλεξας πάντα συγκόλλως ἐμοί.
310
καὶ ταῦτʼ ἔλεξας πάντα συγκόλλως ἐμοί.
310
Βασιλεύς
καὶ μὴν Κάνωβον κἀπὶ Μέμφιν ἵκετο.
καὶ μὴν Κάνωβον κἀπὶ Μέμφιν ἵκετο.
Χορός
καὶ Ζεύς γʼ ἐφάπτωρ χειρὶ φιτύει γόνον.
καὶ Ζεύς γʼ ἐφάπτωρ χειρὶ φιτύει γόνον.
Βασιλεύς
τίς οὖν ὁ Δῖος πόρτις εὔχεται βοός;
τίς οὖν ὁ Δῖος πόρτις εὔχεται βοός;
Χορός
Ἔπαφος ἀληθῶς ῥυσίων ἐπώνυμος.
315
Ἔπαφος ἀληθῶς ῥυσίων ἐπώνυμος.
315
Βασιλεύς
Χορός
Λιβύη, μέγιστον γῆς
πέδον καρπουμένη.
Λιβύη, μέγιστον γῆς
πέδον καρπουμένη.
Βασιλεύς
Χορός
Βασιλεύς
τίνʼ οὖν ἔτʼ ἄλλον τῆσδε βλαστημὸν λέγεις;
τίνʼ οὖν ἔτʼ ἄλλον τῆσδε βλαστημὸν λέγεις;
Χορός
Βῆλον δίπαιδα πατέρα τοῦδʼ ἐμοῦ πατρός.
Βῆλον δίπαιδα πατέρα τοῦδʼ ἐμοῦ πατρός.
Βασιλεύς
τὸ πάνσοφον νῦν ὄνομα τοῦτό μοι φράσον.
320
τὸ πάνσοφον νῦν ὄνομα τοῦτό μοι φράσον.
320
Χορός
Δαναός, ἀδελφὸς δʼ ἐστὶ πεντηκοντάπαις.
Δαναός, ἀδελφὸς δʼ ἐστὶ πεντηκοντάπαις.
Βασιλεύς
καὶ τοῦδʼ ἄνοιγε τοὔνομʼ ἀφθόνῳ λόγῳ.
323
καὶ τοῦδʼ ἄνοιγε τοὔνομʼ ἀφθόνῳ λόγῳ.
Χορός
Αἴγυπτος. εἰδὼς δʼ ἁμὸν ἀρχαῖον γένος
πράσσοις ἂν ὡς Ἀργεῖον ἀνστήσῃς στόλον.
Αἴγυπτος. εἰδὼς δʼ ἁμὸν ἀρχαῖον γένος
πράσσοις ἂν ὡς Ἀργεῖον ἀνστήσῃς στόλον.
Βασιλεύς
δοκεῖτε
δή μοι τῆσδε κοινωνεῖν χθονὸς
325
τἀρχαῖον. ἀλλὰ πῶς πατρῷα δώματα
λιπεῖν ἔτλητε; τίς κατέσκηψεν τύχη;
δοκεῖτε
δή μοι τῆσδε κοινωνεῖν χθονὸς
325
τἀρχαῖον. ἀλλὰ πῶς πατρῷα δώματα
λιπεῖν ἔτλητε; τίς κατέσκηψεν τύχη;
Χορός
ἄναξ Πελασγῶν, αἰόλʼ ἀνθρώπων κακά.
πόνου δʼ ἴδοις ἂν οὐδαμοῦ ταὐτὸν πτερόν·
ἐπεὶ τίς ηὔχει τήνδʼ ἀνέλπιστον φυγὴν
330
κέλσειν ἐς Ἄργος κῆδος ἐγγενὲς τὸ πρίν,
ἔχθει μεταπτοιοῦσαν εὐναίων γάμων;
ἄναξ Πελασγῶν, αἰόλʼ ἀνθρώπων κακά.
πόνου δʼ ἴδοις ἂν οὐδαμοῦ ταὐτὸν πτερόν·
ἐπεὶ τίς ηὔχει τήνδʼ ἀνέλπιστον φυγὴν
330
κέλσειν ἐς Ἄργος κῆδος ἐγγενὲς τὸ πρίν,
ἔχθει μεταπτοιοῦσαν εὐναίων γάμων;
Βασιλεύς
τί φὴς ἱκνεῖσθαι τῶνδʼ ἀγωνίων θεῶν,
λευκοστεφεῖς ἔχουσα νεοδρέπτους κλάδους;
τί φὴς ἱκνεῖσθαι τῶνδʼ ἀγωνίων θεῶν,
λευκοστεφεῖς ἔχουσα νεοδρέπτους κλάδους;
Χορός
ὡς μὴ γένωμαι δμωὶς Αἰγύπτου γένει.
335
ὡς μὴ γένωμαι δμωὶς Αἰγύπτου γένει.
335
Βασιλεύς
πότερα κατʼ ἔχθραν, ἢ τὸ μὴ θέμις λέγεις;
πότερα κατʼ ἔχθραν, ἢ τὸ μὴ θέμις λέγεις;
Χορός
τίς δʼ ἂν φίλους ὠνοῖτο τοὺς κεκτημένους;
τίς δʼ ἂν φίλους ὠνοῖτο τοὺς κεκτημένους;
Βασιλεύς
σθένος μὲν οὕτως μεῖζον αὔξεται βροτοῖς.
σθένος μὲν οὕτως μεῖζον αὔξεται βροτοῖς.
Χορός
καὶ δυστυχούντων γʼ εὐμαρὴς ἀπαλλαγή.
καὶ δυστυχούντων γʼ εὐμαρὴς ἀπαλλαγή.
Βασιλεύς
πῶς οὖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς εὐσεβὴς ἐγὼ πέλω;
340
πῶς οὖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς εὐσεβὴς ἐγὼ πέλω;
340
Χορός
αἰτοῦσι μὴ ʼκδοὺς παισὶν Αἰγύπτου πάλιν.
αἰτοῦσι μὴ ʼκδοὺς παισὶν Αἰγύπτου πάλιν.
Βασιλεύς
βαρέα σύ γʼ εἶπας, πόλεμον ἄρασθαι νέον.
βαρέα σύ γʼ εἶπας, πόλεμον ἄρασθαι νέον.
Χορός
ἀλλʼ ἡ δίκη γε ξυμμάχων ὑπερστατεῖ.
ἀλλʼ ἡ δίκη γε ξυμμάχων ὑπερστατεῖ.
βασιλεύς
εἴπερ γʼ ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς πραγμάτων κοινωνὸς ἦν.
εἴπερ γʼ ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς πραγμάτων κοινωνὸς ἦν.
Χορός
αἰδοῦ σὺ πρύμναν πόλεος ὧδʼ ἐστεμμένην.
345
αἰδοῦ σὺ πρύμναν πόλεος ὧδʼ ἐστεμμένην.
345
Βασιλεύς
πέφρικα λεύσσων τάσδʼ ἕδρας κατασκίους.
πέφρικα λεύσσων τάσδʼ ἕδρας κατασκίους.
Χορός
βαρύς γε μέντοι Ζηνὸς ἱκεσίου κότος.
βαρύς γε μέντοι Ζηνὸς ἱκεσίου κότος.
Greek (Editio princeps, 1518) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Suppliants, 1518 edition. Native printed lineation, page markers, and automated correspondence to the Perseus/Smyth edition.) — 162 focus
Χορός
ἀλην ἱστίω. μῆνις μάκαρ ἐκ θεῶν.
120
κοννωσάταν γαμετ' ὀρανόνεικον.
χαλεπῶ γὰρ ἐκ πνώματος εἶσι χειμών.
ἀλην ἱστίω. μῆνις μάκαρ ἐκ θεῶν.
120
κοννωσάταν γαμετ' ὀρανόνεικον.
χαλεπῶ γὰρ ἐκ πνώματος εἶσι χειμών.
Ἱκέτιδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Ἱκέτιδες. Joannes Cornelius de Pauw, 1745.) — 162 focus
Ω Ζεῦ, Ιοὺς
1
Ἱκέτιδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Ἱκέτιδες. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 162 focus
ὦ Ζὴν, Ἰοῦς ἰω
μῆνις μάστειρ᾽ ἐκ θεῶν.
κοννῶ δ᾽ ἄταν γαμετᾶς
οὐρανόνικον. χαλεποῦ γὰρ ἐκ πνεύματος εἶσι
165
χειμών.
Ἱκέτιδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Ἱκέτιδες. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 162 focus
ὦ Ζεῦ, Ἰοῦς ἰῷ μῆνις
μάστειρ᾽ ἐκ θεῶν· ξυννῶ δ᾽ ἄταν
145
γαμετᾶς σᾶς οὐρανόνικον.
χαλεποῦ γὰρ ἐκ
πνεύματος εἶσι χειμών.
ὦ Ζεῦ, Ἰοῦς ἰῷ μῆνις
μάστειρ᾽ ἐκ θεῶν· ξυννῶ δ᾽ ἄταν
145
γαμετᾶς σᾶς οὐρανόνικον.
χαλεποῦ γὰρ ἐκ
πνεύματος εἶσι χειμών.
ΙΚΕΤΙΔΕΣ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΙΚΕΤΙΔΕΣ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 162 focus
Ἆ Ζήν, Ἰούς, ιώ,
160
μῆνις μάστειρ᾽ ἐκ θεῶν·
κοννῶ δ'
ἄγαν
Σταν
γαμετᾶς
γαμετουρανόνεικον
ΙΚΕΤΙΔΕΣ
ΧΟΡΟΣ
οὐρανόνικον· χαλεπού
γὰρ ἐκ πνεύματος εἶσι χειμών.
οὐρανόνικον· χαλεπού
γὰρ ἐκ πνεύματος εἶσι χειμών.
Aeschyli Supplices (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Supplices. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 162 focus
Ζήν, Ἰοῦς ἰῶι
μῆνις μάστειρ᾽ ἐκ θεῶν.
κοννῶ δ᾽ ἄγαν γαμετᾶς οὐρανόνικον.
χαλεποῦ γὰρ ἐκ πνεύματος εἶσι χειμών.
165
Translations (9)
Suppliant Maidens Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 176-347 focus
Danaus
My children, you must be prudent. A prudent captain of your voyage was your reliable old father here with whom you came. And now that I have considered with foresight what may befall us here on land, I charge you, record my injunctions on the tablets of your minds and guard them.
I see dust, the voiceless herald of an army; the axle-driven wheels are not silent in their sockets. I behold a throng, armed with shields and holding spears, with steeds and curved chariots. Perhaps they are the princes of the land
180
come to look on us, informed by messengers. But whether a harmless man or one driven by savage wrath rouses this expedition, it is better, damsels, in any case, to seat yourselves at that mound sacred to the assembled gods.
1
185
Stronger than a castle is an altar—an impenetrable shield. As quick as you can, gather in your left hands your white-wreathed suppliant boughs, sacred emblems of Zeus the merciful.
190
Reply to the strangers, as is fitting for aliens, in piteous and plaintive language of necessity, telling them clearly of your flight, how it was unstained by deed of blood. Above all let no arrogance accompany your speech, and reveal nothing impious in your peaceful eyes, from your respectful face.
195
In your speech neither interrupt, nor hesitate—for this would offend these people. And remember to be submissive: you are an alien, a fugitive, and in need. Bold speech does not suit the weak.
200
My children, you must be prudent. A prudent captain of your voyage was your reliable old father here with whom you came. And now that I have considered with foresight what may befall us here on land, I charge you, record my injunctions on the tablets of your minds and guard them.
I see dust, the voiceless herald of an army; the axle-driven wheels are not silent in their sockets. I behold a throng, armed with shields and holding spears, with steeds and curved chariots. Perhaps they are the princes of the land
180
come to look on us, informed by messengers. But whether a harmless man or one driven by savage wrath rouses this expedition, it is better, damsels, in any case, to seat yourselves at that mound sacred to the assembled gods.
1
185
Stronger than a castle is an altar—an impenetrable shield. As quick as you can, gather in your left hands your white-wreathed suppliant boughs, sacred emblems of Zeus the merciful.
190
Reply to the strangers, as is fitting for aliens, in piteous and plaintive language of necessity, telling them clearly of your flight, how it was unstained by deed of blood. Above all let no arrogance accompany your speech, and reveal nothing impious in your peaceful eyes, from your respectful face.
195
In your speech neither interrupt, nor hesitate—for this would offend these people. And remember to be submissive: you are an alien, a fugitive, and in need. Bold speech does not suit the weak.
200
Chorus
Father, your words are prudent, and they fall on prudent ears.
I will take heed of your wise words, and hold them in memory. May Zeus, the author of our race, behold us!
205
207
Father, your words are prudent, and they fall on prudent ears.
I will take heed of your wise words, and hold them in memory. May Zeus, the author of our race, behold us!
205
Danaus
May he indeed behold you, and with a gracious eye.
2
May he indeed behold you, and with a gracious eye.
2
Chorus
I would like even now to be seated by your side.
I would like even now to be seated by your side.
Danaus
Then do not delay, but put your purpose into action.
3
Then do not delay, but put your purpose into action.
3
Chorus
O Zeus, have pity upon our troubles lest we are ruined.
4
210
O Zeus, have pity upon our troubles lest we are ruined.
4
210
Danaus
If he wishes it so, all will end well.
If he wishes it so, all will end well.
Chorus
Danaus
Invoke now also that bird of Zeus
Invoke now also that bird of Zeus
Chorus
We invoke the saving beams of the sun.
We invoke the saving beams of the sun.
Danaus
Pure Apollo, too, who, though a god, was exiled once from heaven.
Pure Apollo, too, who, though a god, was exiled once from heaven.
Chorus
Knowing our lot, he may well have pity on mortals.
215
Knowing our lot, he may well have pity on mortals.
215
Danaus
May he have pity indeed, and stand by ready to defend.
May he have pity indeed, and stand by ready to defend.
Chorus
Whom, further, of these divinities must I invoke?
Whom, further, of these divinities must I invoke?
Danaus
I behold a trident here, the token of its god.
I behold a trident here, the token of its god.
Chorus
Well did he send us here and well may he receive us in this land.
Well did he send us here and well may he receive us in this land.
Danaus
Here, too, is Hermes, according to the Hellenic custom.
220
Here, too, is Hermes, according to the Hellenic custom.
220
Chorus
May he then announce good tidings to the free!
May he then announce good tidings to the free!
Danaus
Honor to the mutual altar of all these protecting powers; and seat yourselves on holy ground like a flock of doves in dread of hawks of the same feathered tribe—
kindred, yet foes, who would defile their race. If bird prey on bird, how can it be pure? And how can man be pure who would seize from an unwilling father an unwilling bride? For such an act, not even in Hades, after death, shall he escape arraignment for outrage.
225
There also among the dead, so men tell, another Zeus holds a last judgment upon misdeeds. Take heed and reply in this manner, that victory may attend your cause.
230
234
Enter the King of
Argos
with men-at-arms
Honor to the mutual altar of all these protecting powers; and seat yourselves on holy ground like a flock of doves in dread of hawks of the same feathered tribe—
kindred, yet foes, who would defile their race. If bird prey on bird, how can it be pure? And how can man be pure who would seize from an unwilling father an unwilling bride? For such an act, not even in Hades, after death, shall he escape arraignment for outrage.
225
There also among the dead, so men tell, another Zeus holds a last judgment upon misdeeds. Take heed and reply in this manner, that victory may attend your cause.
230
King
From where comes this band we address,
clothed in foreign attire and luxuriating in closely-woven and barbaric robes? For your apparel is not that of the women of
Argos
, nor yet of any part of
Hellas
. How you have gained courage thus fearlessly to come to this land, unheralded and friendless and without guides,
235
this makes me wonder. And yet, truly, I see that branches usually carried by suppliants are laid by your side before the gods assembled here—as to this alone can
Hellas
guess with confidence.
5
As for the rest, there is still much I should with reason leave to conjecture,
240
if your voice were not here to inform me.
245
From where comes this band we address,
clothed in foreign attire and luxuriating in closely-woven and barbaric robes? For your apparel is not that of the women of
Argos
, nor yet of any part of
Hellas
. How you have gained courage thus fearlessly to come to this land, unheralded and friendless and without guides,
235
this makes me wonder. And yet, truly, I see that branches usually carried by suppliants are laid by your side before the gods assembled here—as to this alone can
Hellas
guess with confidence.
5
As for the rest, there is still much I should with reason leave to conjecture,
240
if your voice were not here to inform me.
245
Chorus
You have not spoken falsely about our clothing. But, for my part, how am I to address you? As commoner, as spokesman, bearer of the sacred wand,
6
or as ruler of the realm?
You have not spoken falsely about our clothing. But, for my part, how am I to address you? As commoner, as spokesman, bearer of the sacred wand,
6
or as ruler of the realm?
King
As for that, answer and speak to me with confidence.
For I am Pelasgus, offspring of Palaechthon, whom the earth brought forth, and lord of this land; and after me, their king, is rightly named the race of the Pelasgi, who harvest the land. Of all the region through which the pure
250
Strymon flows, on the side toward the setting sun, I am the lord. There lies within the limits of my rule the land of the Perrhaebi, the parts beyond Pindus close to the Paeonians, and the mountain ridge of
Dodona
; the edge of the watery sea borders my kingdom. I rule up to these boundaries.
255
The ground where we stand is Apian land itself, and has borne that name since antiquity in honor of a healer. For Apis, seer and healer, the son of Apollo, came from
Naupactus
on the farther shore and purified this land of monsters deadly to man, which Earth,
260
defiled by the pollution of bloody deeds of old, caused to spring up—plagues charged with wrath, an ominous colony of swarming serpents. Of these plagues Apis worked the cure by sorcery and spells to the content of the
Argive
land,
265
and for reward thereafter earned for himself remembrance in prayers.
Now that you have my testimony, declare your lineage and speak further—yet our people do not take pleasure in long discourse.
270
274
As for that, answer and speak to me with confidence.
For I am Pelasgus, offspring of Palaechthon, whom the earth brought forth, and lord of this land; and after me, their king, is rightly named the race of the Pelasgi, who harvest the land. Of all the region through which the pure
250
Strymon flows, on the side toward the setting sun, I am the lord. There lies within the limits of my rule the land of the Perrhaebi, the parts beyond Pindus close to the Paeonians, and the mountain ridge of
Dodona
; the edge of the watery sea borders my kingdom. I rule up to these boundaries.
255
The ground where we stand is Apian land itself, and has borne that name since antiquity in honor of a healer. For Apis, seer and healer, the son of Apollo, came from
Naupactus
on the farther shore and purified this land of monsters deadly to man, which Earth,
260
defiled by the pollution of bloody deeds of old, caused to spring up—plagues charged with wrath, an ominous colony of swarming serpents. Of these plagues Apis worked the cure by sorcery and spells to the content of the
Argive
land,
265
and for reward thereafter earned for himself remembrance in prayers.
Now that you have my testimony, declare your lineage and speak further—yet our people do not take pleasure in long discourse.
270
Now that you have my testimony, declare your lineage and speak further—yet our people do not take pleasure in long discourse.
Chorus
Our tale is brief and clear. Argives
we claim to be by birth, offspring of a cow blest in its children. And the truth of this I shall confirm in full.
275
Our tale is brief and clear. Argives
we claim to be by birth, offspring of a cow blest in its children. And the truth of this I shall confirm in full.
275
King
Foreign maidens, your tale is beyond my belief—how your race can be from
Argos
. For you are more similar to the
women of
Libya
and in no way similar to those native to our land. The
Nile
, too, might foster such a stock, and like yours is the Cyprian impress stamped upon female images by male craftsmen. And of such aspect, I have heard, are nomad women, who
280
ride on camels for steeds, having padded saddles, and dwell in a land neighboring the Aethiopians. And had you been armed with the bow, certainly I would have guessed you to be the unwed, flesh-devouring Amazons. But inform me, and I will better comprehend
285
how it is that you trace your race and lineage from
Argos
.
290
291
Foreign maidens, your tale is beyond my belief—how your race can be from
Argos
. For you are more similar to the
women of
Libya
and in no way similar to those native to our land. The
Nile
, too, might foster such a stock, and like yours is the Cyprian impress stamped upon female images by male craftsmen. And of such aspect, I have heard, are nomad women, who
280
ride on camels for steeds, having padded saddles, and dwell in a land neighboring the Aethiopians. And had you been armed with the bow, certainly I would have guessed you to be the unwed, flesh-devouring Amazons. But inform me, and I will better comprehend
285
how it is that you trace your race and lineage from
Argos
.
290
Chorus
Is there a report that once in this land of
Argos
Io was ward of Hera’s house?
Is there a report that once in this land of
Argos
Io was ward of Hera’s house?
King
Certainly she was; the tradition prevails far and wide.
Certainly she was; the tradition prevails far and wide.
Chorus
And is there some story, too, that Zeus was joined in love with a mortal?
295
And is there some story, too, that Zeus was joined in love with a mortal?
295
King
This entanglement was not secret from Hera.
This entanglement was not secret from Hera.
Chorus
What then was the result of this royal strife?
What then was the result of this royal strife?
King
The goddess of Argos transformed the woman into a cow.
The goddess of Argos transformed the woman into a cow.
Chorus
And while she was a horned cow, did not Zeus approach her?
300
And while she was a horned cow, did not Zeus approach her?
300
King
So they say, making his form that of a bull lusting for a mate.
So they say, making his form that of a bull lusting for a mate.
Chorus
What answer then did Zeus’ stubborn consort give?
What answer then did Zeus’ stubborn consort give?
King
She placed the all-seeing one to stand watch over the cow.
She placed the all-seeing one to stand watch over the cow.
Chorus
What manner of all-seeing herdsman with a single duty do you mean?
What manner of all-seeing herdsman with a single duty do you mean?
King
Argus, a son of Earth, whom Hermes slew.
305
Argus, a son of Earth, whom Hermes slew.
305
Chorus
What else did she contrive against the unfortunate cow?
What else did she contrive against the unfortunate cow?
King
A sting, torment of cattle, constantly driving her on.
A sting, torment of cattle, constantly driving her on.
Chorus
They call it a gadfly, those who dwell by the
Nile
.
They call it a gadfly, those who dwell by the
Nile
.
King
Well then, it drove her by a long course out of the land.
Well then, it drove her by a long course out of the land.
Chorus
Your account agrees with mine in all respects.
310
Your account agrees with mine in all respects.
310
King
Chorus
And Zeus begot a son by the touching of his hand.
And Zeus begot a son by the touching of his hand.
King
Who is it then that claims to be the cow’s Zeus-begotten calf?
Who is it then that claims to be the cow’s Zeus-begotten calf?
Chorus
Epaphus, and truly named from
laying on of hands.
315
Epaphus, and truly named from
laying on of hands.
315
King
And who was begotten of Epaphus?
And who was begotten of Epaphus?
Chorus
Libya
, who reaps the fruit of the largest portion of the earth.
Libya
, who reaps the fruit of the largest portion of the earth.
King
What offspring, then, did Libya have?
What offspring, then, did Libya have?
Chorus
Agenor was her first child born.
Agenor was her first child born.
King
And who was his offspring?
And who was his offspring?
Chorus
Belus, who had two sons and was father of my father here.
Belus, who had two sons and was father of my father here.
King
Now tell me his wisely-given name.
7
320
Now tell me his wisely-given name.
7
320
Chorus
Danaus: and he has a brother with fifty sons.
Danaus: and he has a brother with fifty sons.
King
Reveal his name ungrudgingly.
323
Reveal his name ungrudgingly.
Chorus
King
I think you indeed have some share in this land from old. But how did you bring yourselves to leave the home of your fathers? What stroke of fortune befell you?
325
I think you indeed have some share in this land from old. But how did you bring yourselves to leave the home of your fathers? What stroke of fortune befell you?
325
Chorus
Lord of the Pelasgians, of varying color are the ills of mankind, and nowhere can you find trouble of the same plume.
For who dreamed that a kindred race, sprung of old, would thus in unexpected flight find haven at
Argos
, fleeing in terror through loathing of the marriage-bed?
330
Lord of the Pelasgians, of varying color are the ills of mankind, and nowhere can you find trouble of the same plume.
For who dreamed that a kindred race, sprung of old, would thus in unexpected flight find haven at
Argos
, fleeing in terror through loathing of the marriage-bed?
330
King
Why have you come as suppliants of these gods congregated here, holding in your hands those white-wreathed, fresh-plucked boughs?
Why have you come as suppliants of these gods congregated here, holding in your hands those white-wreathed, fresh-plucked boughs?
Chorus
So as not to be made slave to
Aegyptus
’ race.
335
So as not to be made slave to
Aegyptus
’ race.
335
King
By reason of hatred? Or do you speak of unlawfulness ?
By reason of hatred? Or do you speak of unlawfulness ?
Chorus
Who would purchase their lords from among their kin?
Who would purchase their lords from among their kin?
King
In this way families have enhanced their power.
In this way families have enhanced their power.
Chorus
And it is easy then, if things go ill, to separate from a wife.
And it is easy then, if things go ill, to separate from a wife.
King
How then am I to deal with you in accordance with my sacred duty?
340
How then am I to deal with you in accordance with my sacred duty?
340
Chorus
By not surrendering us at the demand of
Aegyptus
’ sons.
By not surrendering us at the demand of
Aegyptus
’ sons.
King
A serious request—to take upon myself a dangerous war.
A serious request—to take upon myself a dangerous war.
Chorus
But Justice protects her champions.
But Justice protects her champions.
King
True, if she had a share in the matter from the beginning.
True, if she had a share in the matter from the beginning.
Chorus
Show reverence for the ship of state thus crowned.
9
345
Show reverence for the ship of state thus crowned.
9
345
King
I shrink as I gaze upon these shaded shrines.
I shrink as I gaze upon these shaded shrines.
Chorus
Yet heavy is the wrath of Zeus, god of the suppliant.
Yet heavy is the wrath of Zeus, god of the suppliant.
The Suppliant Women. (OCR draft) Experimental (The Suppliant Women.. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 162 focus
O Jove
5
, O wrath from the deities pursuing Io! But I ken the vengeance of the wife [of Jove,] which overcomes heaven: for a tempest will come from a fell blast.
LES SUPPLIANTES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES SUPPLIANTES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 162 focus
The Suppliants (OCR draft) Experimental (The Suppliants. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 162 focus
Eschilo, Le Supplici: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, Le Supplici: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 162 focus
orrido, la procella!
8
CORO
Aeschylus, Supplices: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Supplices: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 162 focus
O Iupiter iens ira ſcrutatrix à dijs.
Cognosco uerò nocumentum uxoris cælestis contētiosæ,
150
Ex molefto uento it tempestas.
Ex molefto uento it tempestas.
The Suppliants (OCR draft) Experimental (The Suppliants. Anna Swanwick, 1886.) — 162 focus
DANAOS
No speedy task the menage of a fleet,
Nor yet to fix its moorings, nor ashore
Safely to bring the stern-ropes; nor at once
Are shepherds of swift galleys wont to trust
Their anchor-hold, the more when they approach
A region harbourless, what time the sun
Sinks into night; for anxious travail-throes
750
In wary pilot night is wont to breed.
Trust me, the army will not disembark,
Till in her moorings safe the galley rides;
Though fear-oppressed, beware, slight not the gods,
Who thee have helped; nor shall the city blame
Your herald, old, but young in eloquence.
*
No speedy task the menage of a fleet,
Nor yet to fix its moorings, nor ashore
Safely to bring the stern-ropes; nor at once
Are shepherds of swift galleys wont to trust
Their anchor-hold, the more when they approach
A region harbourless, what time the sun
Sinks into night; for anxious travail-throes
750
In wary pilot night is wont to breed.
Trust me, the army will not disembark,
Till in her moorings safe the galley rides;
Though fear-oppressed, beware, slight not the gods,
Who thee have helped; nor shall the city blame
Your herald, old, but young in eloquence.
*
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.) — 162 focus
Zeus, hear and save!
The searching, poisonous hate, that Io vexed and drave,
180
Was of a goddess: well I know
The bitter ire, the wrathful woe
Of Hera, queen of heaven—
A storm, a storm her breath, whereby we yet are driven!
Zeus, hear and save!
The searching, poisonous hate, that Io vexed and drave,
180
Was of a goddess: well I know
The bitter ire, the wrathful woe
Of Hera, queen of heaven—
A storm, a storm her breath, whereby we yet are driven!
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.) — 162 focus
Zeus! Jo's Gericht, von Hera verhängt,
Wohl geißelt's auch uns; ich erkenne den Fluch
145
Der gewaltigsten Macht im Olympos.
Von grimmem Hauch
Wehte der Sturm hernieder.
Zeus! Jo's Gericht, von Hera verhängt,
Wohl geißelt's auch uns; ich erkenne den Fluch
145
Der gewaltigsten Macht im Olympos.
Von grimmem Hauch
Wehte der Sturm hernieder.