Aeschylus, Persians, Ioannes Sanravius (Translator), 111

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Vacuam effe uiris urbem magnam ſubſidis.

Et Cißinum oppidum obstrepens erit.

Heu caterua plena mulierum uociferantium,

In byßinos peplos cadet ruptura.

Persians. Aeschylus. Ioannes Sanravius (Translator). Basileae. 1555.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by Schmidt Sciences.

Current edition Experimental

Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) (Latin) (Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.)

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.) — 111 focus

Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 111 focus

ΠΕΡΣΑΙ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΠΕΡΣΑΙ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 111 focus

Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 111 focus

φιλόφρων γὰρ σαίνου-

σα τὸ πρῶτον παράγει

βροτὸν εἰς ἄρκυας ἄτας,

100

τόθεν οὐκ ἔστιν ὑπὲρ θνα-

τὸν ἀλύξαντα φυγείν.

Aeschyli Persae (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Persae. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 111 focus

φιλόφρων γὰρ (παρα)σαίνου-

σα τὸ πρῶτον παράγει

βροτὸν εἰς ἄρκυας ἄτα,

τόθεν οὐκ ἔστιν ὑπέκ θνα-

100

τὸν ἀλύξαντα φυγεῖν. –

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.) — 111 focus

For fawning on him at first with kindly disposition it lures a man on within the densest toils, whence it is not possible for mortal to struggle out and make his escape.

LES PERSES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES PERSES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 111 focus

The Persians (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 111 focus

Gentle at firſt with flatt'ring ſmiles

She ſpreads her ſoft enchanting wiles,

So to her toils allures her deſtin'd prey,

Whence man ne'er breaks unhurt away.
110

Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 111 focus

Con benevola parvenza Ate gli efimeri

ne le reti attira e adesca.

Né veruno evvi fra gli uomini

105

che a fuggir quindi riesca.

CORO

Ché la Parca sovra noi dai prischi secoli

per volere dei Celesti ebbe dominio,

ed impose che i Persiani prevalessero

a espugnar torri, negli impeti
110

turbinosi dei cavalli,

a fiaccar muniti valli.

CORO

Indi appresero a mirar con ciglio impavido

la gran selva dei marosi farsi candida

sotto raffiche rapaci; e s'avventurano
115

su gli ordigni ben costrutti

onde l'uom valica i flutti.

CORO

The Persians (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians. Anna Swanwick, 1886.) — 111 focus

XERXES

STROPHE III.

Ah me! Alas! Woe! Woe!

They saw the city hoar,

Athenè’s hated wall,

And with convulsive struggle, one and all,

Poor wretches, were laid gasping on the shore.

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.) — 111 focus

For Até deludes and allures, till round him the meshes are laid,

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.) — 111 focus

Denn so huldreich sie zuerst auch ihm geliebkost,¹

Sie verlockt in die Schlingen des Fanggarns,
90

Und es mag Keiner daraus, den es umstrickt, wieder entflieh'n.

Dritte Strophe.

Commentary

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

93. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-75

λαός:

λαός

M. G. Vit. Lips. aliique et Ald.

λεὼς

Rob. Turn.

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

δολόμητιν δ᾽ ἀπάταν:

δολόμητιν δ᾽ ἀπάτην

G. et

ἀπάτην

etiam Vit.

ἀπάταν

, ultimo

superscripto

, Lips.

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

θνατὸς:

θνητὸς

Vit.

θνατὸς

, superscripto

, Lips.

96-97. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-78

πήδημἅλις εὐπετῶς ἀνάσσων:

πηδήματος

libri omnes. Tum, post hoc ipsum vocabulum,

εὐπετέος

M. G. Vit. aliique et Ald. Rob. Turn.

εὐπατέος

Lips.

εὐπετέως

Mosc. Par. L.

Εὐπετοῦς

Porsonus. In Vit. post hanc vocem

εὐπετέος

, qua in eo libro versus finitur, a sec. manu additum est

τῆς

, superne quidem hoc modo

εὐπετέος ἄτης

sed initiali ductu

litterae usque ad praegressum

descendente, ut non videatur dubitandum esse quin, qui adscripsit

ἄτης

, id Aeschyli verbum esse putaverit, praesertim quum in versu qui infra hunc scriptus est simile quid factum sit in vocabulo

ἀρκύστατα

, cuius primae quattuor litterae ab antiqua manu sunt, '

στατα

autem ab eadem illa manu, quae

ἄτης

scripsit, adiecta. Non deerit fortasse qui suspicetur scriptum alicubi fuisse

πήματος

, eiusque vocabuli explicationem esse

ἄτης

. Sed scholiastes in Vit. coniunxit

πηδήματος τῆς ἄτης ἀνάσσων καὶ κρατῶν

. Porro

ἀνάσσων

M. G. Vit. Lips. ceterique, ut videtur, codd. omnes et Ald. Rob.

ἀναίσσων

Turn.

ἀναΐσσων

Vict. unde Brunckius et qui eum secuti sunt

ἀνάσσων

dederunt. Scholiastae

ἀνάσσων

sequuntur, genitivo

πηδήματος

moti. Sed haud dubie verum est

ἀνάσσων

. Brunckius genitivum illum

ποδί

constructum esse putavit. Nimirum, ut dubium illud

εὐπετέος

mittamus,

ποὺς κραιπνὸς πηδήματος

esset

ποὺς κραιπνῶς πηδῶν

. Verum tamen ista loquendi ratio a gravi simplicitate Aeschyli alienior est quam ut videatur probari posse. Scripsit ille, nisi fallor,

τίς ὁ κραιπνῷ ποδὶ πήδημ᾽ ἅλις εὐπετῶς ἀνάσσων;

Sic infra v. 300.

πήδημα κοῦφον ἐκ νεὼς ἀφήλατο.

Et in Agam. v. 792.

ἵππου νεοσσός, ἀσπιδηφόρος λεώς, πήδημ᾽ ὀρούσας ἀμφὶ Πλειάδων δύσιν.

Apud Euripidem Iph. Taur. v. 315 (308.).

ἔμφρων δ᾽ ἀνάξας ὁ ξένος πεσήματος.

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

ποτισαίνουσα: Libri

σαίνουσα

. Scholiastes

ἡ γὰρ ἐκ θεοῦ, φησίν, ἀμαύρωσις καὶ δόλωσις ἀφυκτός ἐστιν. ἅμα γὰρ δολοῖ καὶ προσαίνει (Γ. προςσαίνει) καὶ κακοποιεῖ

. Scripsi

ποτισαίνουσα

. Lenius hoc quam ingeniosae coniecturae quibus Seidlerus in libro de versibus dochm. p. 407. metra restituere conatus est. Non est autem haec epodus in stropham et antistropham mutanda. παράγει:

παράγε

Lips.

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

βροτὸν:

βροτῶν

Ven. B. et

superscripto Lips. εἰς ἄρκυας ἄτα:

εἰς ἀρκύστατα

libri praeter Rob. in qua est Turnebo memorata scriptura

ἀρκύσακτα

. Diu iam est quum scribendum vidi

εἰς ἄρκυας ἄτα

. Nam scholiastas nomen

ἄτη

in his versibus invenisse ex eo apparet, quod Homericos de

Ἄτῃ

versus afferunt.

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

ὑπὲκ θνατὸν:

ὑπὲρ θνατὸν

M. G. Vit. et ceteri plerique.

ὕπερ θνατὸν

Ald.

ὑπερθνατὸν

Lips.

ὕπερθεν

, omisso

θνατόν

, Rob.

ὕπερθεν τὸν

adnotavit Stephanus.. Ex scholio codicis Vit. in quo est

διὸ οὐκ ἔστιν ἄνθρωπον ὑπεκδραμόντα τὴν ἄτην φυγείν

, optimam et elegantissimam lectionem nanciscimur,

ὑπὲκ θνατόν

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

ἀλύξαντα:

ἀλύξατα

Lips. φυγεῖν:

φυγεῖν

omittit Ven. B.

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

κάτα:

κατὰ

libri. ἐκράτησεν:

ἐκράτησεν

ἐκράτησε

G. Vit. Lips. et edd, ante Brunckium.

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

τὸ:

καὶ

pro

τὸ

Vit.

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

ἱππιοχάρμας:

ἱπποχάρμας

Ald.

ἱππιοχάρμους

Cantabr. 1.

ἱππειοχάρμους

Ven. B.

ἱππιοχάρμονας

Vit. Mosc.

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

πόλεών τ᾿ ἀναστάσεις:

πόλεων δ᾽ ἀναστάσεις

M. (non

ἀνστάσεις

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

τ'

omittit Ven. B.

πόλεών τ' ἀναστάσεις

G. aliique et Rob.

πόλεων τε ἀνστάσεις

Turn.

108-109. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-87

θαλάσσης πολιαινομένης:

θαλάσσης πολιαινομένης

M. G. Lips. Ald. Turn. In Lips. participii

ης

a recentiore manu est.

θαλάσσης

(superscripto

ας

)

πολιαινομένας

Vit.

θαλάσσας πολιαινομένας

Par. A. B. Rob. et, ut videtur, Ven. A. B. λάβρῳ:

λάβρῳ

G. Ald. Rob.

110. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-88

ἐςορᾶν:

ἐσὁρᾶν

ἐς ὁρᾶν

Vit. Ald.

ἐσορῶν

Lips. ἄλσος: γρ.

ἄλγος

Par. B. Suppl. 834.

δι' ἁλίρρυτον ἄλσος

111. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-89

πίσυνοι:

πίσυνοι

Ald. Rob.

πισύνος

112. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-90

τε: omittit Vit. λεπτοδόμοις πείσμασι λαοπόροις τε μηχαναῖς:

λεπτοδόμοις

Scholiastae de solis navibus hic agi putant, Schützius

πείσμασι

ad naves,

λαοπόροις μηχαναῖς

ad pontes refert. In Schutzi explicatione hoc displicet, quod ista navium et pontium distinctio, tam ambigue significata, exilis videtur ideoque indigna Aeschylo. Mihi quidem omnia de pontibus videntur intelligenda esse. Nam si haec de navibus accipiantur, non satis verum est, ideoque ne satis aptum quidem, Persas dici navibus assuefactos esse. Navibus enim non tam ipsi Persae quam socii eorum utebantur, quod recte monuerunt scholiastae. Atqui de his, ut maritimis et pridem deditis navigationi, non recte diceretur nunc eos didicisse artem navigandi. Illud vero ut novum et insolens et quod sollicitudinem, ut statim dicit chorus, afferret commemorari poterat, quod per pontes parum firmos agitatum fluctibus mare transgredi essent ausi. Et sic supra, omninoque saepius in hac fabula pontes illos, ut rem periculi temeritatisque plenam, memorari videmus. Egregie verba quoque cum hac explicatione congruunt, quum non modo

λαόποροι μηχαναί

planius ad pontium fabricationem quam ad navium vehicula ducant, sed etiam

λεπτόδομα πείσματα

de navibus multo minus apte quam de pontibus dicantur, in quibus hoc ipsum maxime temerarium videri debuit, quod machinae istae rudentibus, nimium tenuibus pro tanti operis mole, retinerentur. Inde supra v. 69. poeta dixerat

λινοδέσμῳ σχεδίᾳ

, eadem verborum vi. Prorsus enim reiicienda est eorum sententia, qui

πείσματα

putant

λεπτόδομα

vocari quod ex pluribus tenuibus filis facta sint. Immo nihil aliud, quam quod simplicius

λεπτά

dici poterat, significatur. Describit hos rudentes Herodotus VII. 36.

113. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-91

μοι:

μοι

M. G. aliique nonnulli.

114. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-92

ἀμύσσεται:

ἀμύσεται

M. Idem mox

ὀά

117. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-93

τοῦδε: Post

τοῦδε

comma posuit Turnebus, et sic recentiores editores omnes praeter Schützium in minore editione

τοῦδε

τοῦτο

male mutantem. Iungebant autem

ὀὰ Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος τοῦδε

. Peius etiam Brunckius hos genitivos ad

φρὴν ἀμύσσεται φόβῳ

rettulit. Usus tragicorum monere poterat nullam esse posse post

τοῦδε

interpunctionem. Sic enim iungenda sunt verba,

μὴ πόλις πύθηται ἄστυ Σούσιδος κένανδρον Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος τοῦδε

, ne civitas audiat urbem Susidis hoc Persarum exercitu orbatam. Ita

θεοὶ πολισσοῦχοι χθονός

et alia huiusmodi millena.

119. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-94

Κισσίων:

κισσίων

M. Par. G. L. N.

κασσίων

Ven. B.

κισσίνων

Vit. Lips. Mosc. Rob.

κισσινῶν

κίσσινον

Ald. ceteraeque editiones.

120. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-95

ἔσσεται:

ἔσεται

M. Vit. Par. G. N. Nihil ineptius perversiusve fingi potuit quam C. Burnei

ᾄσεται

, ne scilicet

ἔσσεται

duplicato

diceret scriptor Atticus. Quin ut omnis loci virtus periret Blomfieldius recepta Burnei coniectura verba

ἀντίδουπον — ἀπύων

ut parenthesin ab reliquis separavit. Neque in Wellaueri adnotatione quidquam sani est. Hoc dicit chorus, propterea mihi nigro obscuratum velo cor laceratur metu, hei, ne hoc Persico exercitu orbatam civitas audiat magnam urbem Susidis, et Cissiorum arces, hei clamitans turba feminarum, resonent, byssinaeque vestes rumpantur.

121. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-96

ὀά:

ὀά

122. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-97

τοῦτ᾽ ἔπος: omittunt Ald. Turn. γυναικοπληθὴς:

γυναικοπληθὺς

Lips. et ante correctionem Vit.

γυναικοπληθὴς ἔσται

ex scholio Rob. Hi nominativi non sunt absoluti, sed inserviunt explicandis verbis

τὸ Κισσίων πόλισμα

123. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-98

δ:

δ'

omittunt Ald. Rob.

124. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-99

πέσῃ λακίς:

πέσηι λακίς

, quum prius omissa essent, inter versus adscripta sunt in M.

125. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-100

ἱππηλάτας:

ἱππηλάτης

, ultimae vocali superscripto

, M.

ἱππηλάτας

, superscripto

, Lips. Post hanc vocem

Τε

addit non M. sed Turnebus et qui hunc secuti sunt Vict. Cant. Stanl.

126. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-101

καὶ πεδοστιβὴς λεὼς:

καὶ προδοστηβάς λεως

, ad

superscripto

, Lips.

καὶ πεδοστιβὴς λεως

. γρ.

πεδοτριβὴς, τοῦτ᾽ ἔστι πεζός

Par. B.

127. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-102

ὡς:

ὃς

pro

ὡς

ante correctionem Vit. ἐκλέλοιπεν:

ἐκλέλοιπεν

M. Par. L. Rob. Ceteri

ἐκλέλοιπε

. μελισσᾶν:

μέλισσα

M. Par. L.

μελισσάων

G. Ven. B. et adscripto, ut Faehsius ait,

μελισσών

Par. B.

μελισσῶν

Vit. Lips. Ald. Turn.

μελισσῶν

Cantabr. 1. Rob.

128. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-103

ὀρχάμῳ:

ἀρχάμονι

adnotatum in Par. B.

129-131. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-104

τὸν ἀμφίζευκτον ἐξαμείψας ἀμφοτέρας ἅλιον πρῶνα κοινὸν αἴας:

ἀμείψας

Vit. Fluctuant interpretes, quem dicat Aeschylus

τὸν ἀμφίζευκτον ἀμφοτέρας ἅλιον πρῶνα κοινὸν αἴας

. Dicit vero iunctum utriusque continentis socium litus. Litoris significatione

πρών

vocabulum usurpatum est v. 870.

νασοί θ' αἳ κατὰ πρῶν ἅλιον περίκλυστοι τῇδε γῇ προςήμεναι.

Pariterque in Agam. v. 291.

Σαρωνικού πορθμοῦ κάτοπτον πρῶν ὑπερβάλλειν πρόσω φλέγουσαν.

Sic enim, quae aliter in singulis horum locorum difficultas foret, sponte evanescit.

Κοινόν

, ex quo vocabulo ortae sunt dubitationes, sic dicitur, ut id ipsum effectum esse iungendis litoribus indicetur.

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

87-92. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-15

Unaufhaltsam ist das Heer der Perser und nach mensch- licher Berechnung kann ihm nie- mand widerstehen, wie man nie- manden zutrauen kann, daſs er durch starke Dämme die unbe- zwingliche Hochflut des Meeres zurückhalte. Der Dichter hat Gleich- nis und eigentlichen Ausdruck ohne Vermittlung verbunden.

93-101. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-16

⁴

Aber dem Truge der Götter kann niemand entrinnen; durch Vorspiegelung von Glück und Macht lockt er den Menschen ins Netz des Verderbens, aus dem dieser ohne Schaden zu nehmen nicht entkommt. Die Schuld, die ὕβρις, welche den Neid der Götter weckt, giebt der Dichter 742ff., 782, 808 an.

102-113. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-17

⁵

⁶

Der Chor deutet die trügerische Lockung an, der die Perser Gehör geschenkt haben: sie haben die altbewährte Krieg- führung, zu der das Schicksal sie berufen, verlassen (vgl. den Chorges. 852 ff.) und sich ohne Beruf auf das Meergewagt. παρασαίνει d.i. σαίνου- σα παράγει. – Mit ἄρκυας ἄτας vgl. δίκτυον ἄτης Prom. 1078. Hom. T 91 ἄτην ἢ πάντας ἀᾶται. – θεόθεν ( ἡ ἐκ θεῶν) μοῖρα, Nägelsbach, nachhom. Theol. S. 149f. κατὰ Μοῖρ᾽ ἐκράτησεν (Kr. 11 § 68, 48. A. 4.), sie hat es durchgesetzt und den Persern auferlegt u. s. w. Der Gedanke ist in zwei selbständige Sätze auseinandergelegt wie Ag. 750 λόγος τέτυκται, μέγαν τελεσθέντα φωτὸς ὄλβον τεκνοῦσθαι ἐκ δ᾽ ἀγαθᾶς τύχας γένει βλαστάνειν ἀκόρεστον οἰζύν. πυργοδάϊκτος aktive Bedeutung der passiven Wort- bildung wie ἀνδροδάϊκτος Choeph. 860 u. Ar. ran. 1264; vgl. Ag. 116. ἱππιοχάρμας κλόνους (Ag. 405), rossetummelndes Toben. ἀνα- στάσεις Ag. 589. πολιαινομένας vom gewaltigen Windhauch auf- schäumend, vgl. Hom. πολιῆς ἁλός etc. Catull 64, 13: tortaque remigio spumis incanuit unda. ἐσορᾶν Hor. od. I 3, 19: qui (siccis oculis) vidit mare turgidum. - ἄλσος, vgl. Suppl. 868 ἁλίρρυτον ἄλσος. Das heilige Meer. Vgl. Plaut. Mil. Gl. II 5,3 in locis Neptuniis templisque turbulentis (das Original παρετρα- γώδει). – - λεπτοδόμοις dünngebaut; Meineke λεπτοτόνοις, dünngespannt, aus schwachen Strängen bestehende Taue (der Schiffe). Leichtsinn und Vermessenheit auf dergleichen sich zu verlassen, λαοπόροις μαχαναῖς Schiffe. Dritter Teil, V. 114-139. Zwei Strophenpaare, das erste in kata- lekt. trochäischen Dipodieen (teil- weise auch synkopiert); das zweite in den zwei ersten Versen aus syn- kopierten (katalekt.) troch. Dipo- dieen (= Kretikern), V. 3 aus einem trochäisch - daktylischen Logaöden mit Anakrusis, V. 4 aus einer troch. Tripodie (Ithyphallikus) bestehend. Vgl. Westphal2 11 S. 463 ff. 472 f. Wahrscheinlich wird das erste Strophenpaar von dem einen, das zweite von dem anderen Halbchore vorgetragen. Angst der Zurück- gebliebenen um die Ausgezogenen, lyrische Ausführung von V. 59-64.

114-119. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-18

⁷

⁸

ταῦτα, 159. 165. Kr. 46, 3. A. 4 vgl. zu Ar. nub. 319. Wegen der Gefahr, daſs Xerxes durch Übermut Verschuldung und Strafe sich und seinem Heere zu- ziehe. μελαγχίτων pulla veste indutus, i, e. lugens; vgl. Suppl. 785, Ag. 546 und das homerische φρένες ἀμφιμέλαιναι. – ἀμύσσεται lacera- tur metu; 161. da vae, absicht- lich fremdartiger Klageruf. Über den Gen. bei Interjektionen Kr. 47, 3. A. 2. τοῦτο bezieht sich wie 122 τοῦτ᾽ ἔπος auf den ange- führten Ruf. Vgl. Ag. 1334 ῾μηκέτ' ἐσέλθῃς᾽ τάδε φωνῶν, Eum. 510 τοῦτ᾽ ἔπος θροούμενος εἰὼ δίκα'. πολύ, vgl. Sept. 6 πολὺς κατὰ πτόλιν ὑμνοῦτο. Kr. 57, 5. στέ- νηται wie 62.

120-125. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-19

⁹

¹⁰

Κισσίων 17. – φόβῳ μὴ ... στένηται καὶ ἄσεται καὶ .. πέσῃ, Kr. 54, 8. Α. 5. κ. 12. γυναι- κοπληθής όμιλος ist Apposition zu πόλισμα: die Volksmenge der Stadt besteht nur aus Frauen, da alle Männer in den Krieg gezogen sind ( κένανδρον ἄστυ 119). Im Schmerze werden die Frauen ihre Gewänder zerreiſsen, orientalisches Zeichen der Trauer, 199. 537. 835 f. 1060. Suppl. 131. Choeph. 27 ff.

126-132. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-20

¹¹

¹²

Begründung der Grösse der Besorgnis durch die Grösse der Gefahr. πεδοστιβής wie Suppl. 1000 κνώδαλα πτεροῦντα καὶ πεδοστιβῆ. καταλελοίπασι τὴν πόλιν ἀκολουθοῦντες Ξέρξη ὡς μέλισσαι τὸ σμῆνος Schol. Wie alle Bienen, wenn sie schwärmen, der Königin folgend, den Bienen- stock verlassen, so ist die ganze waffenfähige Mannschaft mit Xerxes ausgezogen. Für τὴν πόλιν (die Heimat) tritt gleich aus dem Gleich- nisse σμῆ σμῆνος ein; σὺν ὀρχάμῳ στρα- τοῦ gehört auch zum Gleichnisse. Die Anakrusis besteht in Str. und Gegenstr. aus τόν. – ἐξαμείψας (69) τὸν ἀμφίζευκτον ἀμφοτέρας αἴας ÄSCHYLOS, Perser. κοινὸν ἄλιον πρῶνα (879. Ag. 307), aggregative Häufung von Bestim- mungen. Πρών von der hohen vor- springenden Küste ( προβλῆτες ἀκταί) 1. ἅλιος πρών wie πόντου προβλής Soph. Phil. 1455. Die von beiden Seiten ( ἀμφι-) zusammen ( κοινόν) gejochte hohe Meeresküste beider Länder d. i. die die Küsten beider Kontinente verbindende Brücke; κοινόν ist eigentlich Attribut zu dem in ἀμφίζευκτον liegenden Be- griff ζυγό ζυγόν (das Brückenjoch ist beiden Kontinenten gemeinsam), hat sich aber in freier Weise an πρῶνα angeschlossen.

Aeschylus Persians 111

Ioannes Sanravius (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Heu caterua plena mulierum uociferantium,

In byßinos peplos cadet ruptura.

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

So to her toils allures her deſtin'd prey,

Whence man ne'er breaks unhurt away.
110

CORO

Ché la Parca sovra noi dai prischi secoli

per volere dei Celesti ebbe dominio,

ed impose che i Persiani prevalessero

a espugnar torri, negli impeti
110

turbinosi dei cavalli,

a fiaccar muniti valli.

CORO

Indi appresero a mirar con ciglio impavido

la gran selva dei marosi farsi candida

sotto raffiche rapaci; e s'avventurano
115

su gli ordigni ben costrutti

onde l'uom valica i flutti.

CORO

XERXES

STROPHE III.

Ah me! Alas! Woe! Woe!

They saw the city hoar,

Athenè’s hated wall,

And with convulsive struggle, one and all,

Poor wretches, were laid gasping on the shore.

STROPHE III.

For Até deludes and allures, till round him the meshes are laid,

Denn so huldreich sie zuerst auch ihm geliebkost,¹

Sie verlockt in die Schlingen des Fanggarns,
90

Und es mag Keiner daraus, den es umstrickt, wieder entflieh'n.

Dritte Strophe.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Heu caterua plena mulierum uociferantium, In byßinos peplos cadet ruptura.

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

So to her toils allures her deſtin'd prey, Whence man ne'er breaks unhurt away. 110

CORO Ché la Parca sovra noi dai prischi secoli per volere dei Celesti ebbe dominio, ed impose che i Persiani prevalessero a espugnar torri, negli impeti 110 turbinosi dei cavalli, a fiaccar muniti valli.

CORO Indi appresero a mirar con ciglio impavido la gran selva dei marosi farsi candida sotto raffiche rapaci; e s'avventurano 115 su gli ordigni ben costrutti onde l'uom valica i flutti.

CORO

XERXES STROPHE III. Ah me! Alas! Woe! Woe! They saw the city hoar, Athenè’s hated wall, And with convulsive struggle, one and all, Poor wretches, were laid gasping on the shore.

STROPHE III.

For Até deludes and allures, till round him the meshes are laid,

Denn so huldreich sie zuerst auch ihm geliebkost, 1 Sie verlockt in die Schlingen des Fanggarns, 90 Und es mag Keiner daraus, den es umstrickt, wieder entflieh'n. Dritte Strophe.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Heu caterua plena mulierum uociferantium,

In byßinos peplos cadet ruptura.

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

So to her toils allures her deſtin'd prey,

Whence man ne'er breaks unhurt away.
110

CORO

Ché la Parca sovra noi dai prischi secoli

per volere dei Celesti ebbe dominio,

ed impose che i Persiani prevalessero

a espugnar torri, negli impeti
110

turbinosi dei cavalli,

a fiaccar muniti valli.

CORO

Indi appresero a mirar con ciglio impavido

la gran selva dei marosi farsi candida

sotto raffiche rapaci; e s'avventurano
115

su gli ordigni ben costrutti

onde l'uom valica i flutti.

XERXES

STROPHE III.

Ah me! Alas! Woe! Woe!

They saw the city hoar,

Athenè’s hated wall,

And with convulsive struggle, one and all,

Poor wretches, were laid gasping on the shore.

Denn so huldreich sie zuerst auch ihm geliebkost,¹

Sie verlockt in die Schlingen des Fanggarns,
90

Und es mag Keiner daraus, den es umstrickt, wieder entflieh'n.

Dritte Strophe.