Aeschylus, Persians, Theodore Alois Buckley (Translator), 107

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But what mortal man shall elude the treacherous deceit of the deity? Who is he that with an agile foot, of easy spring , can bound over it?

Persians. Aeschylus. Theodore Alois Buckley (Translator). London. 1849.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by Volunteer.

Current edition Experimental

The Persians. (OCR draft) (English) (The Persians.. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.)

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (7)

Πέρσαι First1KGreek (Aeschyli Tragoediae. Sidgwick, Arthur, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 65-158 focus

str. 1

Χορός

πεπέρακεν¹ μὲν ὁ περσέπτολις ἤδη
65

βασίλειος στρατὸς εἰς ἀν-

τίπορον γείτονα χώραν,

λινοδέσμῳ σχεδίᾳ πορ-

θμὸν ἀμείψας

Ἀθαμαντίδος Ἕλλας,
70

πολύγομφον ὅδισμα

ζυγὸν ἀμφιβαλὼν αὐχένι πόντου.

73

ant. 1

Χορός

πολυάνδρου δ᾽ Ἀσίας θούριος ἄρχων

ἐπὶ πᾶσαν χθόνα ποιμα-

νόριον θεῖον ἐλαύνει
75

διχόθεν, πεζονόμον² τ᾽ ἔκ

τε θαλάσσας,

ἐχυροῖσι πεποιθὼς

στυφελοῖς ἐφέταις, χρυ-

σογόνου³ γενεᾶς ἰσόθεος⁴ φώς.
80
81

str. 2

Χορός

κυανοῦν⁵ δ᾽ ὄμμασι λεύσσων

φονίου⁶ δέργμα⁷ δράκοντος,

πολύχειρ καὶ πολυναύτας,

Σύριόν θ᾽ ἅρμα διώκων,

ἐπάγει δουρικλύτοις ἀν-
85

δράσι τοξόδαμνον Ἄρη.

87

ant. 2

Χορός

δόκιμος δ᾽ οὔτις ὑποστὰς

μεγάλῳ ῥεύματι φωτῶν

ἐχυροῖς ἕρκεσιν εἴργειν

ἄμαχον κῦμα θαλάσσας:
90

ἀπρόσοιστος γὰρ ὁ Περσᾶν⁸

στρατὸς ἀλκίφρων τε λαός.

93

str. 3

Χορός

δολόμητιν δ᾽ ἀπάταν θεοῦ

τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει;

τίς ὁ κραιπνῷ ποδὶ πήδη-
95

μα⁹ τόδ᾽ εὐπετῶς¹⁰ ἀνᾴσσων;¹¹

97

ant. 4

Χορός

φιλόφρων γὰρ παρασαίνει¹²

βροτὸν εἰς ἄρκυας Ἄτα,¹³

τόθεν οὐκ ἔστιν ὕπερθέν

νιν ἄνατον ἐξαλύξαι.¹⁴
100

θεόθεν γὰρ κατὰ Μοῖρ᾽

ἐκράτησεν τὸ παλαι-

όν, ἐπέσκηψε δὲ Πέρσαις

πολέμους πυργοδαΐκτους

διέπειν ἱππιοχάρμας
105

τε κλόνους

πόλεών τ᾽ ἀναστάσεις.

108

ant. 3

Χορός

ἔμαθον δ᾽¹⁵ εὐρυπόροι-

ο θαλάσσας πολιαι-

νομένας πνεύματι λάβρῳ
110

ἐσορᾶν πόντιον ἄλσος,

πίσυνοι λεπτοδόμοις πεί-

σμασι λα-

οπόροις τε μαχαναῖς.

115

str. 5

Χορός

ταῦτά μοι¹⁶ μελαγχίτων
115

φρὴν ἀμύσσεται φόβῳ,

ὀᾶ, Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος

τοῦδε, μὴ πόλις¹⁷ πύθη-

ται κένανδρον μέγ᾽ ἄστυ Σουσίδος,

120

ant. 5

Χορός

καὶ τὸ Κισσίων πόλισμ᾽
120

ἀντίδουπον ᾄσεται,¹⁸

ὀᾶ, τοῦτ᾽ ἔπος γυναικοπλη-

θὴς ὅμιλος ἀπύων,

βυσσίνοις δ᾽ ἐν πέπλοις πέσῃ λακίς.¹⁹
125
126

str. 6

Χορός

πᾶς γὰρ ἱππηλάτας

καὶ πεδοστιβὴς λεὼς

σμῆνος ὣς ἐκλέλοιπεν μελισ-

σᾶν²⁰ σὺν ὀρχάμῳ στρατοῦ,

τὸν ἀμφίζευκτον ἐξαμείψας
130

ἀμφοτέρας ἅλιον

πρῶνα κοινὸν αἴας.

133

ant. 6

Χορός

λέκτρα δ᾽ ἀνδρῶν πόθῳ²¹

πίμπλαται δακρύμασιν:

Περσίδες δ᾽ ἁβροπενθεῖς²² ἑκά-
135

στα²³ πόθῳ φιλάνορι

τὸν αἰχμάεντα θοῦρον εὐνα-

τῆρ᾽ ἀποπεμψαμένα²⁴

λείπεται μονόζυξ.

140

Χορός

ἀλλ᾽ ἄγε, Πέρσαι, τόδ᾽ ἐνεζόμενοι
140

στέγος²⁵ ἀρχαῖον,

φροντίδα κεδνὴν καὶ βαθύβουλον

θώμεθα, χρεία δὲ προσήκει,

πῶς ἄρα²⁶ πράσσει Ξέρξης βασιλεὺς

Δαρειογενής,
145

τὸ πατρωνύμιον γένος ἡμέτερον:

πότερον τόξου ῥῦμα τὸ νικῶν,

ἢ δορικράνου²⁷

λόγχης ἰσχὺς κεκράτηκεν.

ἀλλ᾽ ἥδε θεῶν ἴσον ὀφθαλμοῖς
150

φάος ὁρμᾶται μήτηρ βασιλέως,

βασίλεια δ᾽ ἐμή, προσπίτνω:²⁸

καὶ προσφθόγγοις δὲ χρεὼν αὐτὴν

πάντας μύθοισι προσαυδᾶν.

155

Χορός

ὦ βαθυζώνων ἄνασσα Περσίδων ὑπερτάτη,
155

μῆτερ ἡ Ξέρξου γεραιά, χαῖρε, Δαρείου γύναι:

θεοῦ μὲν εὐνάτειρα²⁹ Περσῶν, θεοῦ δὲ καὶ μήτηρ ἔφυς,

εἴ τι μὴ δαίμων παλαιὸς νῦν μεθέστηκε στρατῷ.

159

Πέρσαι Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.) — 65-158 focus

Χορός

πεπέρακεν μὲν ὁ περσέπτολις ἤδη
65

βασίλειος στρατὸς εἰς ἀν-

τίπορον γείτονα χώραν,

λινοδέσμῳ σχεδίᾳ πορθ-

μὸν ἀμείψας

Ἀθαμαντίδος Ἕλλας,
70

πολύγομφον ὅδισμα

ζυγὸν ἀμφιβαλὼν αὐχένι πόντου.

Χορός

πολυάνδρου δʼ Ἀσίας θούριος ἄρχων

ἐπὶ πᾶσαν χθόνα ποιμα-

νόριον θεῖον ἐλαύνει
75

διχόθεν, πεζονόμον τʼ ἔκ

τε θαλάσσας,

ἐχυροῖσι πεποιθὼς

στυφελοῖς ἐφέταις, χρυ-

σογόνου γενεᾶς ἰσόθεος φώς.
80

Χορός

κυάνεον δʼ ὄμμασι λεύσσων

φονίου δέργμα δράκοντος,

πολύχειρ καὶ πολυναύτας,

Σύριόν θʼ ἅρμα διώκων,

ἐπάγει δουρικλύτοις ἀν-
85

δράσι τοξόδαμνον Ἄρη.

Χορός

δόκιμος δʼ οὔτις ὑποστὰς

μεγάλῳ ῥεύματι φωτῶν

ἐχυροῖς ἕρκεσιν εἴργειν

ἄμαχον κῦμα θαλάσσας·
90

ἀπρόσοιστος γὰρ ὁ Περσᾶν

στρατὸς ἀλκίφρων τε λαός.

Χορός

θεόθεν γὰρ κατὰ Μοῖρʼ

ἐκράτησεν τὸ παλαι-

όν, ἐπέσκηψε δὲ Πέρσαις
95

πολέμους πυργοδαΐκτους

διέπειν ἱππιοχάρμας

τε κλόνους

πόλεών τʼ ἀναστάσεις.

100

Χορός

ἔμαθον δʼ εὐρυπόροι-
100

ο θαλάσσας πολιαι-

νομένας πνεύματι λάβρῳ

ἐσορᾶν πόντιον ἄλσος,

πίσυνοι λεπτοδόμοις πεί-

σμασι λα-
105

οπόροις τε μαχαναῖς.

107

Χορός

δολόμητιν δʼ ἀπάταν θεοῦ

τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει;

τίς ὁ κραιπνῷ ποδὶ πήδη-

μα τόδʼ εὐπετῶς ἀνᾴσσων;
110

111

Χορός

φιλόφρων γὰρ παρασαίνει

βροτὸν εἰς ἄρκυας Ἄτα,

τόθεν οὐκ ἔστιν ὕπερθέν

νιν ἄνατον ἐξαλύξαι.

115

Χορός

ταῦτά μοι μελαγχίτων
115

φρὴν ἀμύσσεται φόβῳ,

ὀᾶ, Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος

τοῦδε, μὴ πόλις πύθη-

ται κένανδρον μέγʼ ἄστυ Σουσίδος,

120

Χορός

καὶ τὸ Κισσίων πόλισμʼ
120

ἀντίδουπον ᾄσεται,

ὀᾶ, τοῦτʼ ἔπος γυναικοπλη-

θὴς ὅμιλος ἀπύων,

βυσσίνοις δʼ ἐν πέπλοις πέσῃ λακίς.
125

126

Χορός

πᾶς γὰρ ἱππηλάτας

καὶ πεδοστιβὴς λεὼς

σμῆνος ὣς ἐκλέλοιπεν μελισ-

σᾶν σὺν ὀρχάμῳ στρατοῦ,

τὸν ἀμφίζευκτον ἐξαμείψας
130

ἀμφοτέρας ἅλιον

πρῶνα κοινὸν αἴας.

133

Χορός

λέκτρα δʼ ἀνδρῶν πόθῳ

πίμπλαται δακρύμασιν·

Περσίδες δʼ ἁβροπενθεῖς ἑκά-
135

στα πόθῳ φιλάνορι

τὸν αἰχμάεντα θοῦρον εὐνα-

τῆρʼ ἀποπεμψαμένα

λείπεται μονόζυξ.

140

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ἄγε, Πέρσαι, τόδʼ ἐνεζόμενοι
140

στέγος ἀρχαῖον,

φροντίδα κεδνὴν καὶ βαθύβουλον

θώμεθα, χρεία δὲ προσήκει,

πῶς ἄρα πράσσει Ξέρξης βασιλεὺς

Δαρειογενής,
145

τὸ πατρωνύμιον γένος ἡμέτερον·

πότερον τόξου ῥῦμα τὸ νικῶν,

ἢ δορικράνου

λόγχης ἰσχὺς κεκράτηκεν.

ἀλλʼ ἥδε θεῶν ἴσον ὀφθαλμοῖς
150

φάος ὁρμᾶται μήτηρ βασιλέως,

βασίλεια δʼ ἐμή· προσπίτνω·

καὶ προσφθόγγοις δὲ χρεὼν αὐτὴν

πάντας μύθοισι προσαυδᾶν.

155

Χορός

ὦ βαθυζώνων ἄνασσα Περσίδων ὑπερτάτη,
155

μῆτερ ἡ Ξέρξου γεραιά, χαῖρε, Δαρείου γύναι·

θεοῦ μὲν εὐνάτειρα Περσῶν, θεοῦ δὲ καὶ μήτηρ ἔφυς,

εἴ τι μὴ δαίμων παλαιὸς νῦν μεθέστηκε στρατῷ.

Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 107 focus

Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 107 focus

ΠΕΡΣΑΙ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΠΕΡΣΑΙ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 107 focus

Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 107 focus

δολόμητιν δ᾽ ἀπάταν θεοῦ

τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει;

τίς ὁ κραιπνῷ ποδὶ πηδή-

ματος εὐπετέος ἀνάσσων;

85. Σύριόν θ᾽ ἅρμα: ἀντὶ τοῦ Ἀσσύριον· οἱ γὰρ Πέρσαι τὸ πρότερον Ἀσσύριοι (ἀσύριοι m) ἐκαλοῦντο.

86. τοῖς Ἀθηναίοις.

87. τὸν τῶν Περσῶν· τοξόται γάρ.

88. δόκιμος: ἀνδρεῖος, δόκησιν περὶ ἑαυτοῦ ἔχων μεγάλην. — ἀντιστάς, ἀντιμαχησάμενος.

90. »οὔτ᾽ ἄρα ἕρκεα ἴσχει« (Hom. Ε 90). τάξεσιν (Gl.).

91. ἄμαχον κῦμα θαλάσσης): τὴν προσβολὴν τῶν Περσῶν.

92. ἀκαταμάχητος (Gl.).

93. ἐπὶ τοῦ αὐτοῦ στρατὸς καὶ λαός.

94. δολύμητιν δ᾽ ἀπάτ(αν): ὡς ἔδει παρατέτακται ὁ Ξέρξης. εἰ δὲ θεοῦ ἐπιβουλῇ τὰ τῆς νίκης ἀναβάλλεται (ἀναβάλεται m), τίς ὁ νικήσων θεόν;

96sq. πηδήματος εὐπετέος: εὐκινήτου. Ὅμηρος (Ι 501) »ἡ δ' Ἄτη σθεναρή τε καὶ ἀρτίπος, φθάνει δέ τε πᾶσαν ἐπ᾽ αἶαν.«

(98) ἡ γὰρ ἐκ θεοῦ, φησίν, ἀμαύρωσις καὶ δόλωσις ἄφυκτός ἐστιν. ἅμα γὰρ δολοῖ καὶ προσαίνει (προσσαίνει Hermann) καὶ κακοποιεῖ.

82. λεύσων Μ.

83. φονίου Turnebus: φοινίου Μ. δέργμα recc. : δέρμα Μ.

84. πολυναύτας recc.

87. τοξόδαμνον Μ, ξ superscr. m.

90. εἵργειν ante corr. Μ.

97. εὐπετέως c. ἀνάσσων Brunck. πήδημα τόδ' εὐπετῶς ἀνάσσων Emperius.

PERSAE. 9

Aeschyli Persae (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Persae. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 107 focus

δολόμητιν δ᾽ ἀπάταν θεοῦ

τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει;

τίς ὁ κραιπνῶι ποδὶ πηδή-
95

ματος εὐπετέος ἀνάισσων;

Translations (8)

Persians Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 65-155 focus

Chorus

The royal army, dealing destruction to cities, has already passed to the neighboring land upon the facing shore, and this they did by crossing the Hellespont ,
65

named for the daughter of Athamas, on a bridge of boats made fast with cables, thereby casting a tightly constructed roadway as a yoke upon the neck of the sea.
70

Chorus

The fiery lord of populous Asia

is leading his wondrous warrior-flock against the whole earth in two divisions, on foot and by the sea, putting his trust in his stalwart and stern commanders; he himself,
75

a god-like hero whose race is sprung from gold.¹
80

Chorus

With eyes flashing with the dark glare of a deadly dragon, attended by soldiers and mariners in great numbers, and speeding his Syrian chariot,

he leads against a people renowned for the spear a warlike host of archers.
85

Chorus

And there is no man skilled to withstand the mighty stream of men, and with strong barriers keep out the sea’s invincible surge;

for Persia ’s host cannot be withstood, and her men are courageous.
90

Chorus

For by the will of the gods Fate has held sway

since ancient time, and has ordained for the Persians the pursuit of rampart-destroying war, the turmoil of fighting horsemen, and the storming of cities.
95

100

Chorus

And they have learned to look upon the precinct of the deep when the broad-wayed sea whitens to foam beneath the tempest’s blast, trusting in their finely wrought
100

cables and their devices which give passage to their army.
105

107

Chorus

Yet the insidious guile of god—what mortal man can escape it? Who with agile foot can lightly overleap

and escape its toils?
110

111

Chorus

For Delusion, with her fair appearance, lures men astray into her snares, from which it is not possible to escape without meeting with disaster.

115

Chorus

Therefore my heart is wrapped in gloom and is racked with fear for the Persian army lest the state learn that the mighty capital of Susa is empty of men.
115

120

Chorus

Fearful I am too that as bands of women cry aloud woe, the Cissian stronghold will raise a resounding shout responsive to the beating of breasts,
120

and that there will be a tearing of fine linen robes.
125

126

Chorus

For all the men-at-arms, those who urge on steeds and those who march along the plain, have left the city and gone forth, like bees in a swarm, together with the captain of the host.

They have crossed the headland, projecting into the sea and common to either continent, through which both shores are bridged.
130

133

Chorus

And marriage-beds are filled with tears through longing for husbands;

each Persian woman has sent to the field her warlike and fiery consort, and now in grief and longing for her beloved lord, is left forsaken by her mate.
135

140

Chorus

But come, Persians, let us take our place on the steps of this ancient palace and devise some wise and deeply-pondered counsel—for need of this has come upon us—as to how Xerxes our King,
140

Darius’ son, scion of our own race as his forefather’s name declares, is faring. Is it the drawing of the bow that has triumphed, or is it the might of the sharp spear-head which has prevailed? Enter Atossa, richly dressed, on a chariot and attended by a numerous retinue
145

But look, here is a light like the eyes of the god, the mother of our king, my Queen. I bow low before her. It is fitting also that we all address her with words of salutation. The elders prostrate themselves and then rise to their feet. Their leader continues
150

155

Chorus

O Queen, most exalted of Persia ’s deep-girdled women, venerable mother of Xerxes, wife of Darius, all hail! You were the consort of the Persian’s god, and of another god the mother, that is, unless its former good fortune has now forsaken our host.
155

LES PERSES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES PERSES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 107 focus

The Persians (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 107 focus

For when misfortune's fraudful hand

Prepares to pour the vengeance of the ſky,

What mortal ſhall her force withſtand,

105

What rapid ſpeed th' impending fury fly?

Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 107 focus

Ma chi mai, nato mortale, dall'insidia

frodolenta dei Celesti

100

può sfuggire? Con salto agile

trarre in salvo piedi presti?

CORO

Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 107 focus

Propter has mihi mens mæſta pungitur

Timore, heu Perficum exercitum:

Huius ne urbs intelligat
90

The Persians (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians. Anna Swanwick, 1886.) — 107 focus

XERXES

STROPHE II.

Our ship-fenced Ares from the Ionian's might

Dire mischief did sustain,

In shock of changeful fight;
930

The mournful-fated coast shearing * and land-bound main. †

English (E. D. A. Morshead, 1908) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Persians — Morshead translation. Wikisource transcription; speech corresp and card milestones aligned to Smyth perseus-grc2.) — 107 focus

But the guile of the god is deceitful, and who shall elude him by flight?

And who is the lord of the leap, that can spring and alight and evade?
95

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.) — 107 focus

Doch der trugspinnenden Gottheit, wo entrinnt ihr ein Geborener,

Und entspringt ihr mit behendfliehendem Fuße leichten Schwunges?

Commentary

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

68-69. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-56

γείτονα χώραν:

γείτονα χώραν

omittit Ven. B.

χώρας

, superscripto

, M.

χθόνα

pro

χώραν

G. Lips. aliique et Rob.

Commentary (W. S. Teuffel; revised by N. Wecklein, 1886; German; OCR draft) (Persians, explanatory commentary pp. 43–97. Single-witness OCR; source readings and all reference placements require scan review.) focus

65-72. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-12

„Das Heer ist über den Hellespont gegangen" (auf einer Schiffbrücke). περσέπτολις ihre Absicht, 178, das homerische πτο- λίπορθος. ἀντίπορον (Suppl. 544 f.) auf der anderen Seite des Sundes gelegen. λινοδέσμῳ σχε- δίᾳ per rates lineis vinculis inter se iunctas. Die einzelnen Schiffe waren zusammengenagelt ( πολύ- γομφον, vgl. Suppl. 846) und dann unter einander durch Stricke ver- bunden. Vgl. Herod. VII 36. Helle war Tochter des Thessaliers Athamas und der Nephele. vielgenietete (feste) Bahn (die Schiffbrücke, deren Zweck war als Bahn zu dienen) als Joch umwer- fend dem Nacken des Meeres. Vgl. 745 u. das Orakel des Bakis bei Herod. VIII 20 ὅταν ζυγὸν εἰς ἄλα βάλλῃ βύβλινον. Die ποι

Aeschylus Persians 107

Theodore Alois Buckley (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

Χορός

δολόμητιν δ᾽ ἀπάταν θεοῦ

τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει;

τίς ὁ κραιπνῷ ποδὶ πήδη-
95

μα⁹ τόδ᾽ εὐπετῶς¹⁰ ἀνᾴσσων;¹¹

97

Χορός

ἔμαθον δ᾽¹⁵ εὐρυπόροι-

ο θαλάσσας πολιαι-

νομένας πνεύματι λάβρῳ
110

ἐσορᾶν πόντιον ἄλσος,

πίσυνοι λεπτοδόμοις πεί-

σμασι λα-

οπόροις τε μαχαναῖς.

115

Χορός

ταῦτά μοι¹⁶ μελαγχίτων
115

φρὴν ἀμύσσεται φόβῳ,

ὀᾶ, Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος

τοῦδε, μὴ πόλις¹⁷ πύθη-

ται κένανδρον μέγ᾽ ἄστυ Σουσίδος,

120

Χορός

καὶ τὸ Κισσίων πόλισμ᾽
120

ἀντίδουπον ᾄσεται,¹⁸

ὀᾶ, τοῦτ᾽ ἔπος γυναικοπλη-

θὴς ὅμιλος ἀπύων,

βυσσίνοις δ᾽ ἐν πέπλοις πέσῃ λακίς.¹⁹
125
126

Χορός

κυάνεον δʼ ὄμμασι λεύσσων

φονίου δέργμα δράκοντος,

πολύχειρ καὶ πολυναύτας,

Σύριόν θʼ ἅρμα διώκων,

ἐπάγει δουρικλύτοις ἀν-
85

δράσι τοξόδαμνον Ἄρη.

Χορός

θεόθεν γὰρ κατὰ Μοῖρʼ

ἐκράτησεν τὸ παλαι-

όν, ἐπέσκηψε δὲ Πέρσαις
95

πολέμους πυργοδαΐκτους

διέπειν ἱππιοχάρμας

τε κλόνους

πόλεών τʼ ἀναστάσεις.

Χορός

ἔμαθον δʼ εὐρυπόροι-
100

ο θαλάσσας πολιαι-

νομένας πνεύματι λάβρῳ

ἐσορᾶν πόντιον ἄλσος,

πίσυνοι λεπτοδόμοις πεί-

σμασι λα-
105

οπόροις τε μαχαναῖς.

Χορός

δολόμητιν δʼ ἀπάταν θεοῦ

τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει;

τίς ὁ κραιπνῷ ποδὶ πήδη-

μα τόδʼ εὐπετῶς ἀνᾴσσων;
110

Χορός

φιλόφρων γὰρ παρασαίνει

βροτὸν εἰς ἄρκυας Ἄτα,

τόθεν οὐκ ἔστιν ὕπερθέν

νιν ἄνατον ἐξαλύξαι.

Χορός

ταῦτά μοι μελαγχίτων
115

φρὴν ἀμύσσεται φόβῳ,

ὀᾶ, Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος

τοῦδε, μὴ πόλις πύθη-

ται κένανδρον μέγʼ ἄστυ Σουσίδος,

Χορός

καὶ τὸ Κισσίων πόλισμʼ
120

ἀντίδουπον ᾄσεται,

ὀᾶ, τοῦτʼ ἔπος γυναικοπλη-

θὴς ὅμιλος ἀπύων,

βυσσίνοις δʼ ἐν πέπλοις πέσῃ λακίς.
125

δολόμητιν δ᾽ ἀπάταν θεοῦ

τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει;

τίς ὁ κραιπνῶι ποδὶ πηδή-
95

ματος εὐπετέος ἀνάισσων;

Chorus

The fiery lord of populous Asia

is leading his wondrous warrior-flock against the whole earth in two divisions, on foot and by the sea, putting his trust in his stalwart and stern commanders; he himself,
75

a god-like hero whose race is sprung from gold.¹
80

Chorus

With eyes flashing with the dark glare of a deadly dragon, attended by soldiers and mariners in great numbers, and speeding his Syrian chariot,

he leads against a people renowned for the spear a warlike host of archers.
85

Chorus

And there is no man skilled to withstand the mighty stream of men, and with strong barriers keep out the sea’s invincible surge;

for Persia ’s host cannot be withstood, and her men are courageous.
90

Chorus

For by the will of the gods Fate has held sway

since ancient time, and has ordained for the Persians the pursuit of rampart-destroying war, the turmoil of fighting horsemen, and the storming of cities.
95

Chorus

And they have learned to look upon the precinct of the deep when the broad-wayed sea whitens to foam beneath the tempest’s blast, trusting in their finely wrought
100

cables and their devices which give passage to their army.
105

Chorus

Yet the insidious guile of god—what mortal man can escape it? Who with agile foot can lightly overleap

and escape its toils?
110

Chorus

For Delusion, with her fair appearance, lures men astray into her snares, from which it is not possible to escape without meeting with disaster.

Chorus

Therefore my heart is wrapped in gloom and is racked with fear for the Persian army lest the state learn that the mighty capital of Susa is empty of men.
115

Chorus

Fearful I am too that as bands of women cry aloud woe, the Cissian stronghold will raise a resounding shout responsive to the beating of breasts,
120

and that there will be a tearing of fine linen robes.
125

Chorus

And marriage-beds are filled with tears through longing for husbands;

each Persian woman has sent to the field her warlike and fiery consort, and now in grief and longing for her beloved lord, is left forsaken by her mate.
135

Chorus

O Queen, most exalted of Persia ’s deep-girdled women, venerable mother of Xerxes, wife of Darius, all hail! You were the consort of the Persian’s god, and of another god the mother, that is, unless its former good fortune has now forsaken our host.
155

CORO

Huius ne urbs intelligat
90

XERXES

STROPHE II.

Our ship-fenced Ares from the Ionian's might

Dire mischief did sustain,

In shock of changeful fight;
930

The mournful-fated coast shearing * and land-bound main. †

STROPHE II.

But the guile of the god is deceitful, and who shall elude him by flight?

And who is the lord of the leap, that can spring and alight and evade?
95

Doch der trugspinnenden Gottheit, wo entrinnt ihr ein Geborener,

Und entspringt ihr mit behendfliehendem Fuße leichten Schwunges?

Commentary

Stable identifiers

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Current edition Experimental

Χορός κυανοῦν 5 δ᾽ ὄμμασι λεύσσων φονίου 6 δέργμα 7 δράκοντος, πολύχειρ καὶ πολυναύτας, Σύριόν θ᾽ ἅρμα διώκων, ἐπάγει δουρικλύτοις ἀν- 85 δράσι τοξόδαμνον Ἄρη. 87

Χορός δολόμητιν δ᾽ ἀπάταν θεοῦ τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει; τίς ὁ κραιπνῷ ποδὶ πήδη- 95 μα 9 τόδ᾽ εὐπετῶς 10 ἀνᾴσσων; 11 97

Χορός ἔμαθον δ᾽ 15 εὐρυπόροι- ο θαλάσσας πολιαι- νομένας πνεύματι λάβρῳ 110 ἐσορᾶν πόντιον ἄλσος, πίσυνοι λεπτοδόμοις πεί- σμασι λα- οπόροις τε μαχαναῖς. 115

Χορός ταῦτά μοι 16 μελαγχίτων 115 φρὴν ἀμύσσεται φόβῳ, ὀᾶ, Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος τοῦδε, μὴ πόλις 17 πύθη- ται κένανδρον μέγ᾽ ἄστυ Σουσίδος, 120

Χορός καὶ τὸ Κισσίων πόλισμ᾽ 120 ἀντίδουπον ᾄσεται, 18 ὀᾶ, τοῦτ᾽ ἔπος γυναικοπλη- θὴς ὅμιλος ἀπύων, βυσσίνοις δ᾽ ἐν πέπλοις πέσῃ λακίς. 19 125 126

Χορός κυάνεον δʼ ὄμμασι λεύσσων φονίου δέργμα δράκοντος, πολύχειρ καὶ πολυναύτας, Σύριόν θʼ ἅρμα διώκων, ἐπάγει δουρικλύτοις ἀν- 85 δράσι τοξόδαμνον Ἄρη.

Χορός δόκιμος δʼ οὔτις ὑποστὰς μεγάλῳ ῥεύματι φωτῶν ἐχυροῖς ἕρκεσιν εἴργειν ἄμαχον κῦμα θαλάσσας· 90 ἀπρόσοιστος γὰρ ὁ Περσᾶν στρατὸς ἀλκίφρων τε λαός.

Χορός θεόθεν γὰρ κατὰ Μοῖρʼ ἐκράτησεν τὸ παλαι- όν, ἐπέσκηψε δὲ Πέρσαις 95 πολέμους πυργοδαΐκτους διέπειν ἱππιοχάρμας τε κλόνους πόλεών τʼ ἀναστάσεις.

Χορός ἔμαθον δʼ εὐρυπόροι- 100 ο θαλάσσας πολιαι- νομένας πνεύματι λάβρῳ ἐσορᾶν πόντιον ἄλσος, πίσυνοι λεπτοδόμοις πεί- σμασι λα- 105 οπόροις τε μαχαναῖς.

Χορός δολόμητιν δʼ ἀπάταν θεοῦ τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει; τίς ὁ κραιπνῷ ποδὶ πήδη- μα τόδʼ εὐπετῶς ἀνᾴσσων; 110

Χορός φιλόφρων γὰρ παρασαίνει βροτὸν εἰς ἄρκυας Ἄτα, τόθεν οὐκ ἔστιν ὕπερθέν νιν ἄνατον ἐξαλύξαι.

Χορός ταῦτά μοι μελαγχίτων 115 φρὴν ἀμύσσεται φόβῳ, ὀᾶ, Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος τοῦδε, μὴ πόλις πύθη- ται κένανδρον μέγʼ ἄστυ Σουσίδος,

Χορός καὶ τὸ Κισσίων πόλισμʼ 120 ἀντίδουπον ᾄσεται, ὀᾶ, τοῦτʼ ἔπος γυναικοπλη- θὴς ὅμιλος ἀπύων, βυσσίνοις δʼ ἐν πέπλοις πέσῃ λακίς. 125

δολόμητιν δ᾽ ἀπάταν θεοῦ τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει; τίς ὁ κραιπνῶι ποδὶ πηδή- 95 ματος εὐπετέος ἀνάισσων;

Chorus The fiery lord of populous Asia is leading his wondrous warrior-flock against the whole earth in two divisions, on foot and by the sea, putting his trust in his stalwart and stern commanders; he himself, 75 a god-like hero whose race is sprung from gold. 1 80

Chorus With eyes flashing with the dark glare of a deadly dragon, attended by soldiers and mariners in great numbers, and speeding his Syrian chariot, he leads against a people renowned for the spear a warlike host of archers. 85

Chorus And there is no man skilled to withstand the mighty stream of men, and with strong barriers keep out the sea’s invincible surge; for Persia ’s host cannot be withstood, and her men are courageous. 90

Chorus For by the will of the gods Fate has held sway since ancient time, and has ordained for the Persians the pursuit of rampart-destroying war, the turmoil of fighting horsemen, and the storming of cities. 95

Chorus And they have learned to look upon the precinct of the deep when the broad-wayed sea whitens to foam beneath the tempest’s blast, trusting in their finely wrought 100 cables and their devices which give passage to their army. 105

Chorus Yet the insidious guile of god—what mortal man can escape it? Who with agile foot can lightly overleap and escape its toils? 110

Chorus For Delusion, with her fair appearance, lures men astray into her snares, from which it is not possible to escape without meeting with disaster.

Chorus Therefore my heart is wrapped in gloom and is racked with fear for the Persian army lest the state learn that the mighty capital of Susa is empty of men. 115

Chorus Fearful I am too that as bands of women cry aloud woe, the Cissian stronghold will raise a resounding shout responsive to the beating of breasts, 120 and that there will be a tearing of fine linen robes. 125

Chorus And marriage-beds are filled with tears through longing for husbands; each Persian woman has sent to the field her warlike and fiery consort, and now in grief and longing for her beloved lord, is left forsaken by her mate. 135

Chorus O Queen, most exalted of Persia ’s deep-girdled women, venerable mother of Xerxes, wife of Darius, all hail! You were the consort of the Persian’s god, and of another god the mother, that is, unless its former good fortune has now forsaken our host. 155

CORO

Huius ne urbs intelligat 90

XERXES STROPHE II. Our ship-fenced Ares from the Ionian's might Dire mischief did sustain, In shock of changeful fight; 930 The mournful-fated coast shearing * and land-bound main. †

STROPHE II.

But the guile of the god is deceitful, and who shall elude him by flight? And who is the lord of the leap, that can spring and alight and evade? 95

Doch der trugspinnenden Gottheit, wo entrinnt ihr ein Geborener, Und entspringt ihr mit behendfliehendem Fuße leichten Schwunges?

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Χορός

δολόμητιν δ᾽ ἀπάταν θεοῦ

τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει;

τίς ὁ κραιπνῷ ποδὶ πήδη-
95

μα⁹ τόδ᾽ εὐπετῶς¹⁰ ἀνᾴσσων;¹¹

97

Χορός

ἔμαθον δ᾽¹⁵ εὐρυπόροι-

ο θαλάσσας πολιαι-

νομένας πνεύματι λάβρῳ
110

ἐσορᾶν πόντιον ἄλσος,

πίσυνοι λεπτοδόμοις πεί-

σμασι λα-

οπόροις τε μαχαναῖς.

115

Χορός

ταῦτά μοι¹⁶ μελαγχίτων
115

φρὴν ἀμύσσεται φόβῳ,

ὀᾶ, Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος

τοῦδε, μὴ πόλις¹⁷ πύθη-

ται κένανδρον μέγ᾽ ἄστυ Σουσίδος,

120

Χορός

καὶ τὸ Κισσίων πόλισμ᾽
120

ἀντίδουπον ᾄσεται,¹⁸

ὀᾶ, τοῦτ᾽ ἔπος γυναικοπλη-

θὴς ὅμιλος ἀπύων,

βυσσίνοις δ᾽ ἐν πέπλοις πέσῃ λακίς.¹⁹
125
126

Χορός

κυάνεον δʼ ὄμμασι λεύσσων

φονίου δέργμα δράκοντος,

πολύχειρ καὶ πολυναύτας,

Σύριόν θʼ ἅρμα διώκων,

ἐπάγει δουρικλύτοις ἀν-
85

δράσι τοξόδαμνον Ἄρη.

Χορός

θεόθεν γὰρ κατὰ Μοῖρʼ

ἐκράτησεν τὸ παλαι-

όν, ἐπέσκηψε δὲ Πέρσαις
95

πολέμους πυργοδαΐκτους

διέπειν ἱππιοχάρμας

τε κλόνους

πόλεών τʼ ἀναστάσεις.

Χορός

ἔμαθον δʼ εὐρυπόροι-
100

ο θαλάσσας πολιαι-

νομένας πνεύματι λάβρῳ

ἐσορᾶν πόντιον ἄλσος,

πίσυνοι λεπτοδόμοις πεί-

σμασι λα-
105

οπόροις τε μαχαναῖς.

Χορός

δολόμητιν δʼ ἀπάταν θεοῦ

τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει;

τίς ὁ κραιπνῷ ποδὶ πήδη-

μα τόδʼ εὐπετῶς ἀνᾴσσων;
110

Χορός

φιλόφρων γὰρ παρασαίνει

βροτὸν εἰς ἄρκυας Ἄτα,

τόθεν οὐκ ἔστιν ὕπερθέν

νιν ἄνατον ἐξαλύξαι.

Χορός

ταῦτά μοι μελαγχίτων
115

φρὴν ἀμύσσεται φόβῳ,

ὀᾶ, Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος

τοῦδε, μὴ πόλις πύθη-

ται κένανδρον μέγʼ ἄστυ Σουσίδος,

Χορός

καὶ τὸ Κισσίων πόλισμʼ
120

ἀντίδουπον ᾄσεται,

ὀᾶ, τοῦτʼ ἔπος γυναικοπλη-

θὴς ὅμιλος ἀπύων,

βυσσίνοις δʼ ἐν πέπλοις πέσῃ λακίς.
125

δολόμητιν δ᾽ ἀπάταν θεοῦ

τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει;

τίς ὁ κραιπνῶι ποδὶ πηδή-
95

ματος εὐπετέος ἀνάισσων;

Chorus

The fiery lord of populous Asia

is leading his wondrous warrior-flock against the whole earth in two divisions, on foot and by the sea, putting his trust in his stalwart and stern commanders; he himself,
75

a god-like hero whose race is sprung from gold.¹
80

Chorus

With eyes flashing with the dark glare of a deadly dragon, attended by soldiers and mariners in great numbers, and speeding his Syrian chariot,

he leads against a people renowned for the spear a warlike host of archers.
85

Chorus

And there is no man skilled to withstand the mighty stream of men, and with strong barriers keep out the sea’s invincible surge;

for Persia ’s host cannot be withstood, and her men are courageous.
90

Chorus

For by the will of the gods Fate has held sway

since ancient time, and has ordained for the Persians the pursuit of rampart-destroying war, the turmoil of fighting horsemen, and the storming of cities.
95

Chorus

And they have learned to look upon the precinct of the deep when the broad-wayed sea whitens to foam beneath the tempest’s blast, trusting in their finely wrought
100

cables and their devices which give passage to their army.
105

Chorus

Yet the insidious guile of god—what mortal man can escape it? Who with agile foot can lightly overleap

and escape its toils?
110

Chorus

For Delusion, with her fair appearance, lures men astray into her snares, from which it is not possible to escape without meeting with disaster.

Chorus

Therefore my heart is wrapped in gloom and is racked with fear for the Persian army lest the state learn that the mighty capital of Susa is empty of men.
115

Chorus

Fearful I am too that as bands of women cry aloud woe, the Cissian stronghold will raise a resounding shout responsive to the beating of breasts,
120

and that there will be a tearing of fine linen robes.
125

Chorus

And marriage-beds are filled with tears through longing for husbands;

each Persian woman has sent to the field her warlike and fiery consort, and now in grief and longing for her beloved lord, is left forsaken by her mate.
135

Chorus

O Queen, most exalted of Persia ’s deep-girdled women, venerable mother of Xerxes, wife of Darius, all hail! You were the consort of the Persian’s god, and of another god the mother, that is, unless its former good fortune has now forsaken our host.
155

Huius ne urbs intelligat
90

XERXES

STROPHE II.

Our ship-fenced Ares from the Ionian's might

Dire mischief did sustain,

In shock of changeful fight;
930

The mournful-fated coast shearing * and land-bound main. †

But the guile of the god is deceitful, and who shall elude him by flight?

And who is the lord of the leap, that can spring and alight and evade?
95

Doch der trugspinnenden Gottheit, wo entrinnt ihr ein Geborener,

Und entspringt ihr mit behendfliehendem Fuße leichten Schwunges?