Aeschylus, Persians, Anna Swanwick (Translator), 111

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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.

Persians. Aeschylus. Anna Swanwick (Translator). London. 1886.

Current edition Experimental

The Persians (OCR draft) (English) (The Persians. Anna Swanwick, 1886.)

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

Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 111 focus

Vacuam effe uiris urbem magnam ſubſidis.

Et Cißinum oppidum obstrepens erit.

Heu caterua plena mulierum uociferantium,

In byßinos peplos cadet ruptura.

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

252. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-198

ὤμοι:

ὤμοι

libri, etiam G. Solus Cantabr. 2.

ἰώ μοί μοί

. ἀγγέλλειν:

ἀγγέλειν

Vit. Lips. Post hunc versum G. Lips. Par. N. hunc inserunt,

στέργει γὰρ οὐδεὶς ἄγγελον κακῶν ἐπῶν

(

κακακῶν ἐπῶν

Lips.), qui versus est 277. Antigonae Sophocleae. Adscriptus est hic versus, sic quidem ut prius

εἰπών

fuerit, in margine M. Post sequentem versum eadem Sophoclis verba habet 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

249-255. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-36

Summarischer Be- richt, zuerst lyrisch (wie Ag. 503 ff.). Hesych. · ταῦς· μέγας. – πλούτου λιμὴν (nachgeahmt von Eur. Or. 1077 καὶ δῶμα πατρὸς καὶ μέγας πλούτου λιμήν), von allen Seiten ist der Reichtum in die Stadt (Susa) eingelaufen und hat in ihr Anker geworfen. - Zu 251 (vgl. 352 und zu 465) s. Westphal II S. 482. Zu 253 vgl. Soph. Ant. 277: στέργει γὰρ οὐδεὶς ἄγγελον κακῶν ἐπῶν. Πέρσαι, 171. Der Bote erblickt zuerst nur den Chor; Atossa bleibt nach der altertümlichen Ökonomie aus dem Spiele, solange der Bote und der Chor mit einander reden. βαρβάρων 187.

Aeschylus Persians 111

Anna Swanwick (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

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.

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

Heu caterua plena mulierum uociferantium,

In byßinos peplos cadet ruptura.

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

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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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

Heu caterua plena mulierum uociferantium,

In byßinos peplos cadet ruptura.

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.