Aeschylus, Persians, Edmund Doidge Anderson Morshead (Translator), 73

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

← Previous Next →

From the land to the land they pass over, a herd at the high king's hest;

Some by the way of the waves, and some o'er the planking have pressed.

For the king is a lord and a god: he was born of the golden seed
85

That erst upon Danae fell—his captains are strong at the need!

Persians. Aeschylus. Edmund Doidge Anderson Morshead (Translator). . .

Current edition Experimental

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

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.) — 73 focus

πολυάνδρου δ᾽ Ἀσίας θούριος ἄρχων

ἐπὶ πᾶσαν χθόνα ποιμανόριον θεῖον ἐλαύνει

διχόθεν, πεζονόμοις ἔκ τε θαλάσσας

ἐχυροῖσι πεποιθὼς

στυφελοῖς ἐφέταις, χρυσογόνου γενεᾶς ἰσόθεος

φώς.

Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 73 focus

πολυάνδρου δ Ασίας ού-

ριος ἄρχων ἐπὶ πᾶσαν

χθόνα ποιμανόριον θεῖ-

ον ἐλαύνει διχόθεν, πε-

ζονόμοις ἔκ τε θαλάσσης

ἐχυροῖσι πεποιθὼς

στυφελοῖς ἐφέταις, χρυ-

σογόνου γενεῖς ἰσόθεος φώς.

ΠΕΡΣΑΙ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΠΕΡΣΑΙ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 73 focus

πολυάνδρου δ' Ἀσίας θούριος ἄρχων

Ant. 1.

ἐπὶ πᾶσαν χθόνα ποιμανόριον θεῖ-

ον ἐλαύνει διχόθεν, πεζονόμοις ἔκ

τε θαλάσσας ὀχυροῖσι ἐχυροῖσι πεποιθὼς

στυφελοῖς ἐφέταις, χρυσογόνου χρυσονόμου
75

γενεᾶς ἰσόθεος φώς·

Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 73 focus

πολυάνδρου δ᾽ Ἀσίας θούριος ἄρχων

ἐπὶ πᾶσαν χθόνα ποιμα-

νύριον θεῖον ἐλαύνει

διχόθεν, πεζονόμοις ἔκ

τε θαλάσσης

ἐχυροῖσι πεποιθὼς

στυφέλοις ἐφέταις, χρυ-

σογόνου γενεᾶς ἰσόθεος φώς.

66. πεπέρακεν: κωμῳδεῖται ταῦτα. Εὔπολις (κωμῳδεῖ ταῦτα Εὔπολις Dindorf) ἐν Μαρίκᾳ· »πεπέρακε μὲν ὁ περσέπτολις ἤδη Μαρίκας.«

68. τὴν Εὐρώπην (Gl.).

69. ὡς λινῶν τῶν κάλων ὄντων.

72. γρ. ἔρεισμα· τὴν ναῦν.

73. ἐγεφύρωσε γὰρ τὸ ἑπταστάδιον ταῖς ναυσὶ συνδήσας αὐτὰς καὶ γῆν ἐπιβαλών, ὥστε ὁδὸν ποιῆσαι ἐπὶ τῶν νεῶν. διὸ πολύγομφον ὅδισμα εἶπεν. ζεύξας (συνδέσμῳ addit Paley) νεῶν τὴν θάλασσαν.

75. τὴν Εὐρώπην (Gl.). – ποιμνίον (Gl.). — τὸ ἀνδρικὸν πλῆθος, σημαῖνον τὸ στράτευμα παρὰ τὸ τοὺς βασιλεῖς λέγεσθαι ποιμένας. ποιμανόριον τὸ ἐκ ποίμνης ἀνδρῶν συνηγμένον βασίλειον.

80. σκληροῖς ἡγεμόσιν.

80sq. χρυσονόμου γενεᾶς: νῦν τῆς πλουσίας. τινὲς γὰρ ἀνέγνωσαν (i. e. γρ. et τινὲς ἀνέγνωσαν) χρυσογόνου διὰ τὸ τὸν Περσέα ἀπὸ χρυσοῦ γεγεννῆσθαι· ὃ καὶ βέλτιον. ἄλλως. τῆς Περσέως γενεᾶς ἀπόγονος· ἢ τῆς τῶν χρυσῶν ἀνθρώπων· ἢ πολυχρύσου.

66. πεπέρακε Μ.

68. χώρασ Μ.

77. πεζονόμον τ' Η Stadtmueller.

78. θαλάσσας Blomfield.

79. ἐχυροῖσι Μ.

80sq. χρυσογόνου schol.: χρυσονόμου Μ. 81. ισόθεος recc.: ισόθεον Μ.

8 AESCHYLI

Aeschyli Persae (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Persae. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 73 focus

᾿Ασίας θούριος ἄρχων

ἐπὶ πᾶσαν χθόνα ποιμα-

νόριον θεῖον ἐλαύνει,

διχόθεν πεζονόμοις ἔκ τε θαλάσσης

ἐχυροῖσι πεποιθὼς

στυφέλοις ἐφέταις, χρυ-

σογόνου γενεῖς ἰσόθεος φώς.

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

The Persians. (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians.. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 73 focus

And against every land does the impetuous lord of many-peopled Asia urge forward his godlike armament in two divisions, of infantry, and of forces drawn from the sea, trusting in his strong sturdy commanders, a man equal to the gods of the race that sprung from gold .

LES PERSES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES PERSES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 73 focus

aux mille chevilles ¹ comme un joug au cou de la mer.

L'impétueux monarque de l'Asie populeuse pousse à la conquête du monde son monstrueux troupeau humain par
deux routes à la fois : pour guider son armée

The Persians (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 73 focus

many' an anxious look

Their wives, their parents ſend, count the slow

days,

And tremble at the long-protracted time.

STROPHE 1.

Already o'er the adverſe ſtrand
75

In arms the monarch's martial ſquadrons ſpread;

The threat'ning ruin ſhakes the land,

And each tall city bows its towered head.

Bark bound to bark, their wond'rous way

They bridge acroſs th' indignant ſea;
80

The narrow Helleſpont's vex'd waves diſdain,

His proud neck taught to wear the chain.

Now has the peopled Aſia's warlike lord,

By land, by ſea, with foot, with horſe,

Reſiſtleſs in his rapid courſe,
85

O'er all their realms his warring thouſands pour'd;

Now his intrepid chiefs ſurveys,

And glitt'ring like a God his radiant ſtate diſplays.

ANTISTROPHE 1.

Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 73 focus

Il Signore dei frequenti asíaci popoli

furioso, da due bande spinse d'uomini

una greggia innumerevole

su la terra dei nemici, qua pedoni, là dal pelago.

Fieri i duci saldi, affidano alla prova

questo principe che, ai Numi pari, è germine

della stirpe che nascea dall'aurea piova.

CORO

Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 73 focus

Multos uiros habens Afie bellicofus princeps

In regionem agit gregem regiam

Bipartito, pedibus mari.

Duris confifus afperis iaculatoribus,

Diuitæ generatione uir deo æqualis.

The Persians (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians. Anna Swanwick, 1886.) — 73 focus

DARIUS

Alas, some mighty demon came, and hath befool'd his judgment.

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.) — 73 focus

Der im volkreichen Gefild' Asia's stolzthronende Fürst,

Weit in das Land treibt er die wildstürmende Heerde:

Er gebeut Streitern zu Fuß, Kämpfern des Meeres,
75

Von gewaltigen Feldherrn,

Von verwegnen geschirmt,

Goldenen Thau's himmlischer Sohn, ähnlich den Göttern.

Zweite Strophe.

Commentary

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

64. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-53

δ':

δ'

ex scholiastae adnotatione Blomfieldius. Libri

θ'

. ἡμερολεγδὸν:

ἡμερόλεκτον

G. e correctione. Antea fuerat

ἡμερόλεγδον

, ut in ceteris libris. Proparoxytonon est hoc adverbium apud Lucianum Lexiph. c. 9. apud Etymologum p. 429, 40. apud Photium, apud Suidam. Recte vero oxytonon apud Aristotelem Hist. An. VI. 21. Et sic volebat apud Lucianum Guyetus.

65. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-54

τρομέονται:

τρομαίονται

G. et ante sec. manus correctionem Vit.

τρομέοντα

Lips.

66. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-55

πεπέρακεν μὲν ὁ:

πεπέρασε μὲν ὁ

codd. Ald. Rob.

πεπέρακεν ὁ

Turn. Correxit Porsonus.

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.

71. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-57

Ἕλλας:

Ἕλλας

M. Vit. Ven. A. B. Par. A. B.

Ἕλλης

G. Lips. edd. ante Brunckium.

72. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-58

ὅδισμα:

ὅδησμα

Lips. γρ.

ἔρεισμα

margo Lips. γρ.

ἔρεισμα τὴν ναῦν

adscriptum ad

ὅδισμα

in M.

ἔρεισμα

Rob.

ὅδισμα

vocabulo explicationes

πορείαν. ἔρεισμα. ὁδόν

supra adscriptae in G.

74. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-59

Ἀσίας:

ἀσίης

ante correctionem G.

76. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-60

χθόνα:

χώραν

pro

χθόνα

G. Lips. aliique et Rob. Eustathius p. 212, 42.

τὸ δὲ ποιμὴν λαῶν, ταὐτὸν ἂν τῷ ἀνδρῶν ποιμάνωρ, συνθέτως Αἰσχύλος εἴρηκε, καὶ τὸ τοιοῦτον ποιμνιον ποιμανύριον

. θεῖον:

θεῖτ'

pro

θεῖον

Lips.

77. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-61

ἐλαύνει διχόθεν:

ἐλαύνοι δειχόθεν

78. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-62

θαλάσσης:

θαλάσσας

Blomfieldius. Idem recte sustulit comma quod vulgo post hanc vocem ponebatur, coniungens

ἐχυροῖς ἐκ θαλάσσης στυφελοῖς ἐφέταις

79. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-63

ἐχυροῖσι:

ἐχυροῖσι

Cantabr. 1. Par. B. L. N. et

ad primam syllabam superscripto M. γρ.

ὀχυροῦσι

Par. B.

ὀχυροῖσι

ceteri.

80. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-64

στυφελοῖς:

στυφέλοις

libri.

στυφελοῖς

Blomfieldius. ἐφέταις:

ἀφέταις

Colb. 1. Rob. Hesychius

ἐφέτας, τοὺς ἡγεμόνας τῶν Περσῶν, καταχρηστικῶς

. χρυσογόνου:

χρυσονόμου

M. G. Vit. Lips. Ven. A. B. aliique et Ald. Turn.

χρυσογόνου

. γρ.

καὶ χρυσονόμου

Par. B.

χρυσογόνου

Rob. Vtramque scripturam commemorant scholia. Qui

χρυσονόμου

praeoptat, sic explicare debebit, ut idem sit quod

χρυσοῦς

, neglecto significatu terminationis. Sed in compositis ex

νέμω

hoc fieri non videtur exemplis posse demonstrari. Praestat

χρυσογόνου

81. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-65

γενεᾶς:

γεναιᾶς

γεννεᾶς

Lips. ἰσόθεος φώς:

ἰσόθεον φώς

ἰσόθεον φῶς

, ultima prioris vocabuli littera in

mutata, G. γρ.

ἰσόθεον φῶς

Par. B.

82. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-66

κυάνεον: Scribendum videri potest

κυανόν

. Sed videtur haec forma recentiorum scriptorum propria esse. Male Blomfieldius

κυανοῦν

, quod vulgaris linguae est. Peius etiam Wellauerus

κυάνεον

vocabuli non ultimas, sed primas duas syllabas contrahendas esse putavit. λεύσσων:

λεύσων

M. Cantabr. 1. 2. Ald. Rob.

βλέπων

Vit. sed antiquae sunt tantum litterae

λε

, ceterae a recentiore manu scriptae.

83. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-67

φονίου:

φονίου

M. G. Vit. Lips. Ven. B. aliique et Ald. Rob.

φονίου

Turn. δέργμα:

δέρμα

M. Lips. aliique nonnulli.

84. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-68

πολυναύτης:

πολυναύτας

Vit. Cantabr. 2.

85. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-69

Σύριόν θ':

συριόν

M. ed. Vict.

δουριόν θ'

Vit. Lips. Ven. A. aliique et Ald.

δοσσυριόν θ'

G. Ven. B. aliique et Rob. Turn. Alludi ad oraculum de pugna Salaminia Atheniensibus datum, quod est apud Herodotum VII. 140. in quo erat

Συριγγενὲς ἅρμα διώκων

viderunt et Blomfieldius et Suevernius in diss. Berolini a. 1824. hoc titulo edita, Ueber einige historische und politische anspielungen in der alten tragoedie, p. 4.

86. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-70

δουρικλύτοις:

δουρικλύτοις

M. Rob. Turn.

δουρικλυτοῖς

G. Ald.

δορικλυτοῖς

Lips.

δορυκλύτοις

Vit.

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

1-64. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-1

Parodos ohne Prologos. Der Chor durchschreitet die Orchestra unter dem Takte der Anapäste des Koryphaios: erster Teil der Paro- dos, 1-64. Anapästische Dime- ter; vgl. Westphal¹ II. S. 413f. Das Auftreten des Chors wird V. 140- 149 motiviert.

59-64. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-11

⁴

Zusammenfassung. Stimmung der Zurückgebliebenen hinsichtlich d. Ausgezogenen. Über- leitung vom epischen Teile zum lyrischen. στένεται, Sept. 872. Vgl. τρομέονται 64; εἰδόμην 179; φάσθαι 701; zu Aristoph. nub. 281. τείνοντα, μηκυνόμενον Schol. Zweiter Teil, V. 65-113. Vier Strophenpaare, vorgetragen von dem Gesamtchore, bestehend aus ionici a minori, teilweise anakla- stischen (v. 86-92. 96-101. 107= 113) oder durch Synkope in Ana- päste verwandelten. Das Maſs malt das unruhige Auf- und Abwogen der Empfindungen, das Schwanken zwischen Furcht und Hoffnung. Vgl. Westphal¹ III S. 291 ff. 314f. Nebst II 2. S. 526.

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

⁵

⁶

„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

73-80. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-13

⁷

⁸

„Und überschwemmt und bedroht ganz Europa.“ θού- ριος 754. Um so ruhmvoller war es ihn zu besiegen. ἐπὶ πᾶσαν χθόνα, nicht bloſs Hellas. μανόριον von dem Heere wie ποι- μάνωρ 241 von dem Heerführer. θεῖον: die Grösse der Herde über- schreitet das menschliche Maſs, πεζονόμον τ᾽ ἔκ τε θαλάσσας für πεζονόμον τε καὶ θαλάσσιον ( ναυ- τικόν), Wechsel wie 19 f. - Unter zu- verlässigen tüchtigen Befehlshabern; χρυσο- ὀχυρός ( ἐχυρός) Ag. 44. γονου auro satae, sofern der mythische Stammvater der Perser, Perseus (Herod. VII 150), von seiner Mutter Danaë in Gestalt eines gol- denen Regens empfangen wurde. ἰσόθεος φώς homerisch.

81-86. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-14

⁹

¹⁰

Die Furchtbarkeit des Xerxes. κυάνεον, Hesiod. Scut. 7: βλεφάρων ἄπο κυανεάων. Ibyk. fr. 2: Ἔρως κυανέοισιν ὑπὸ βλεφάροις τάκερ᾽ ὄμμασι δερκόμε- νος. Den Blick der Schlangen hielt der Aberglaube für gefähr- lich; vgl. Basiliskenblick. Reich an Mannschaft, Schiffen u. (Streit-) Wagen (Herod. VII 63: οὗτοι ὑπὸ μὲν Ἑλλήνων ἐκαλέοντο Σύριοι, ὑπὸ δὲ τῶν βαρβάρων ᾿Ασσύριοι ἐκλήθη- σαν. - Auffallende und kaum unbe- wufste (vgl. 348. 727; oben S. 31, A. 12) Ähnlichkeit mit dem Orakel vor der Schlacht bei Salamis, Herod. VII 140: κατὰ γάρ μιν ἐρείπει πῦρ τε καὶ ὀξὺς Αρης, συριηγενὲς ἄρμα διώκων. Die nationale Angriffs- waffe der Hellenen ist das δόρυ ( αἰχμή), der Orientalen (neben αἰχ- μὴ βραχεῖα oder ἀκόντιον, 52. vgl. Jerem. 19, 35-38. Herod. V 49. VII 61) der Bogen. Vgl. 147 f. 239f. Quantität von " Αρη wie Sept. 115.

Aeschylus Persians 73

Edmund Doidge Anderson Morshead (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

From the land to the land they pass over, a herd at the high king's hest;

Some by the way of the waves, and some o'er the planking have pressed.

For the king is a lord and a god: he was born of the golden seed
85

That erst upon Danae fell—his captains are strong at the need!

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

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

L'impétueux monarque de l'Asie populeuse pousse à la conquête du monde son monstrueux troupeau humain par
deux routes à la fois : pour guider son armée

ANTISTROPHE 1.

CORO

Duris confifus afperis iaculatoribus,

Diuitæ generatione uir deo æqualis.

DARIUS

Alas, some mighty demon came, and hath befool'd his judgment.

Der im volkreichen Gefild' Asia's stolzthronende Fürst,

Weit in das Land treibt er die wildstürmende Heerde:

Er gebeut Streitern zu Fuß, Kämpfern des Meeres,
75

Von gewaltigen Feldherrn,

Von verwegnen geschirmt,

Goldenen Thau's himmlischer Sohn, ähnlich den Göttern.

Zweite Strophe.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

From the land to the land they pass over, a herd at the high king's hest; Some by the way of the waves, and some o'er the planking have pressed. For the king is a lord and a god: he was born of the golden seed 85 That erst upon Danae fell—his captains are strong at the need!

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

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

L'impétueux monarque de l'Asie populeuse pousse à la conquête du monde son monstrueux troupeau humain par deux routes à la fois : pour guider son armée

ANTISTROPHE 1.

CORO

Duris confifus afperis iaculatoribus, Diuitæ generatione uir deo æqualis.

DARIUS Alas, some mighty demon came, and hath befool'd his judgment.

Der im volkreichen Gefild' Asia's stolzthronende Fürst, Weit in das Land treibt er die wildstürmende Heerde: Er gebeut Streitern zu Fuß, Kämpfern des Meeres, 75 Von gewaltigen Feldherrn, Von verwegnen geschirmt, Goldenen Thau's himmlischer Sohn, ähnlich den Göttern. Zweite Strophe.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

From the land to the land they pass over, a herd at the high king's hest;

Some by the way of the waves, and some o'er the planking have pressed.

For the king is a lord and a god: he was born of the golden seed
85

That erst upon Danae fell—his captains are strong at the need!

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

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

L'impétueux monarque de l'Asie populeuse pousse à la conquête du monde son monstrueux troupeau humain par
deux routes à la fois : pour guider son armée

Duris confifus afperis iaculatoribus,

Diuitæ generatione uir deo æqualis.

DARIUS

Alas, some mighty demon came, and hath befool'd his judgment.

Der im volkreichen Gefild' Asia's stolzthronende Fürst,

Weit in das Land treibt er die wildstürmende Heerde:

Er gebeut Streitern zu Fuß, Kämpfern des Meeres,
75

Von gewaltigen Feldherrn,

Von verwegnen geschirmt,

Goldenen Thau's himmlischer Sohn, ähnlich den Göttern.

Zweite Strophe.