Aeschylus, Persians, Anna Swanwick (Translator), 113

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XERXES

ANTISTROPHE III.

Ah me! Alas! Woe! Woe!

A thrill of tender pain

For my brave comrades' sake,

Telling of ills most hateful, thou dost wake.
970

Cries out my very heart, yea, cries amain.

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.) — 159-255 focus

Ατοσσα

ταῦτα δὴ λιποῦσ᾽ ἱκάνω χρυσεοστόλμους δόμους

καὶ τὸ Δαρείου τε κἀμὸν κοινὸν εὐνατήριον.
160

καί με καρδίαν ἀμύσσει φροντίς: ἐς δ᾽ ὑμᾶς ἐρῶ

μῦθον, οὐδαμῶς ἐμαυτῆς οὖσ᾽ ἀδείμαντος,¹ φίλοι,

μὴ μέγας πλοῦτος² κονίσας οὖδας ἀντρέψῃ ποδὶ

ὄλβον, ὃν Δαρεῖος ἦρεν οὐκ ἄνευ θεῶν τινός.

ταῦτά μοι διπλῆ μέριμνα φραστός³ ἐστιν ἐν φρεσίν,
165

μήτε χρημάτων ἀνάνδρων πλῆθος ἐν τιμῇ σέβειν

μήτ᾽ ἀχρημάτοισι λάμπειν φῶς ὅσον σθένος πάρα.

ἔστι γὰρ πλοῦτός γ᾽ ἀμεμφής, ἀμφὶ δ᾽ ὀφθαλμῷ⁴ φόβος:

ὄμμα γὰρ δόμων νομίζω δεσπότου παρουσίαν.

πρὸς τάδ᾽ ὡς οὕτως ἐχόντων τῶνδε, σύμβουλοι λόγου
170

τοῦδέ μοι γένεσθε, Πέρσαι, γηραλέα πιστώματα:

πάντα γὰρ τὰ κέδν᾽ ἐν ὑμῖν ἐστί μοι βουλεύματα.

Χορός

εὖ τόδ᾽ ἴσθι, γῆς ἄνασσα τῆσδε, μή σε δὶς φράσαι

μήτ᾽ ἔπος μήτ᾽ ἔργον ὧν ἂν δύναμις⁵ ἡγεῖσθαι θέλῃ:⁶

εὐμενεῖς γὰρ ὄντας ἡμᾶς τῶνδε συμβούλους καλεῖς.
175
176

Ἄτοσσα

πολλοῖς μὲν αἰεὶ⁷ νυκτέροις ὀνείρασιν

ξύνειμ᾽, ἀφ᾽ οὗπερ παῖς ἐμὸς στείλας στρατὸν

Ἰαόνων γῆν οἴχεται πέρσαι θέλων:

ἀλλ᾽ οὔτι πω τοιόνδ᾽ ἐναργὲς εἰδόμην

ὡς τῆς πάροιθεν εὐφρόνης: λέξω δέ σοι.
180

ἐδοξάτην μοι⁸ δύο γυναῖκ᾽ εὐείμονε,

ἡ μὲν πέπλοισι Περσικοῖς ἠσκημένη,

ἡ δ᾽ αὖτε Δωρικοῖσιν, εἰς ὄψιν μολεῖν,

μεγέθει τε τῶν νῦν ἐκπρεπεστάτα πολύ,

κάλλει τ᾽ ἀμώμω, καὶ κασιγνήτα γένους
185

ταὐτοῦ: πάτραν δ᾽ ἔναιον ἡ μὲν Ἑλλάδα

κλήρῳ λαχοῦσα γαῖαν, ἡ δὲ βάρβαρον.

τούτω στάσιν τιν᾽, ὡς ἐγὼ ᾽δόκουν ὁρᾶν,

τεύχειν ἐν ἀλλήλαισι:⁹ παῖς δ᾽ ἐμὸς μαθὼν

κατεῖχε κἀπράυνεν, ἅρμασιν δ᾽ ὕπο
190

ζεύγνυσιν αὐτὼ καὶ λέπαδν᾽ ἐπ᾽ αὐχένων¹⁰

τίθησι. χἠ μὲν τῇδ᾽ ἐπυργοῦτο στολῇ

ἐν ἡνίαισί τ᾽¹¹ εἶχεν εὔαρκτον στόμα,

ἡ δ᾽ ἐσφάδᾳζε, καὶ χεροῖν ἔντη¹² δίφρου

διασπαράσσει, καὶ ξυναρπάζει βίᾳ
195

ἄνευ χαλινῶν καὶ ζυγὸν θραύει μέσον.

πίπτει δ᾽ ἐμὸς παῖς, καὶ πατὴρ παρίσταται

Δαρεῖος οἰκτείρων σφε: τὸν δ᾽ ὅπως ὁρᾷ

Ξέρξης, πέπλους ῥήγνυσιν ἀμφὶ σώματι.

200

καὶ ταῦτα μὲν δὴ νυκτὸς εἰσιδεῖν λέγω.
200

ἐπεὶ δ᾽ ἀνέστην καὶ χεροῖν καλλιρρόου

ἔψαυσα πηγῆς, σὺν θυηπόλῳ χερὶ

βωμὸν προσέστην, ἀποτρόποισι δαίμοσιν

θέλουσα θῦσαι πέλανον, ὧν τέλη τάδε.

ὁρῶ δὲ φεύγοντ᾽ αἰετὸν πρὸς ἐσχάραν
205

Φοίβου: φόβῳ δ᾽ ἄφθογγος ἐστάθην, φίλοι:

μεθύστερον¹³ δὲ κίρκον εἰσορῶ δρόμῳ

πτεροῖς ἐφορμαίνοντα καὶ χηλαῖς κάρα

τίλλονθ᾽: ὁ δ᾽ οὐδὲν ἄλλο γ᾽ ἢ πτήξας δέμας

παρεῖχε. ταῦτ᾽ ἔμοιγε δείματ᾽ εἰσιδεῖν,¹⁴
210

ὑμῖν δ᾽ ἀκούειν. εὖ γὰρ ἴστε, παῖς ἐμὸς

πράξας μὲν εὖ θαυμαστὸς ἂν γένοιτ᾽ ἀνήρ,

κακῶς δὲ πράξασ—οὐχ ὑπεύθυνος πόλει,

σωθεὶς δ᾽ ὁμοίως τῆσδε κοιρανεῖ χθονός.

215

Χορός

οὔ σε βουλόμεσθα, μῆτερ, οὔτ᾽ ἄγαν φοβεῖν λόγοις
215

οὔτε θαρσύνειν.¹⁵ θεοὺς δὲ προστροπαῖς ἱκνουμένη,

εἴ τι φλαῦρον εἶδες, αἰτοῦ τῶνδ᾽ ἀποτροπὴν τελεῖν,

τὰ δ᾽ ἀγάθ᾽¹⁶ ἐκτελῆ γενέσθαι σοί τε καὶ τέκνοις¹⁷ σέθεν

καὶ πόλει φίλοις τε πᾶσι. δεύτερον δὲ χρὴ χοὰς

γῇ τε καὶ φθιτοῖς χέασθαι: πρευμενῶς δ᾽ αἰτοῦ τάδε,
220

σὸν πόσιν Δαρεῖον, ὅνπερ φὴς ἰδεῖν κατ᾽ εὐφρόνην,

ἐσθλά σοι πέμπειν τέκνῳ τε γῆς ἔνερθεν ἐς φάος,

τἄμπαλιν δὲ τῶνδε γαίᾳ κάτοχ᾽ ἀμαυροῦσθαι σκότῳ.

ταῦτα θυμόμαντις ὢν σοὶ πρευμενῶς παρῄνεσα:

εὖ δὲ πανταχῇ τελεῖν σοι τῶνδε κρίνομεν πέρι.
225

Ἄτοσσα

ἀλλὰ μὴν εὔνους γ᾽ ὁ πρῶτος τῶνδ᾽ ἐνυπνίων κριτὴς

παιδὶ καὶ δόμοις ἐμοῖσι τήνδ᾽ ἐκύρωσας φάτιν.

ἐκτελοῖτο δὴ¹⁸ τὰ χρηστά: ταῦτα δ᾽, ὡς ἐφίεσαι,

πάντα θήσομεν θεοῖσι τοῖς τ᾽ ἔνερθε γῆς φίλοις,

εὖτ᾽ ἂν εἰς οἴκους μόλωμεν. κεῖνο¹⁹ δ᾽ ἐκμαθεῖν θέλω,
230

ὦ φίλοι, ποῦ τὰς Ἀθήνας φασὶν ἱδρῦσθαι χθονός.

232

Χορός

τῆλε πρὸς δυσμαῖς ἄνακτος Ἡλίου φθινασμάτων.

Ἄτοσσα

ἀλλὰ μὴν ἵμειρ᾽ ἐμὸς παῖς τήνδε θηρᾶσαι πόλιν;

Χορός

πᾶσα γὰρ γένοιτ᾽ ἂν Ἑλλὰς βασιλέως ὑπήκοος.

Ἄτοσσα

ὧδέ τις πάρεστιν αὐτοῖς ἀνδροπλήθεια στρατοῦ;
235

Χορός

καὶ στρατὸς τοιοῦτος, ἔρξας πολλὰ δὴ Μήδους κακά.

Ἄτοσσα

καὶ τί πρὸς τούτοισιν ἄλλο; πλοῦτος ἐξαρκὴς δόμοις;

Χορός

ἀργύρου πηγή τις αὐτοῖς ἐστι, θησαυρὸς χθονός.

Ἄτοσσα

πότερα γὰρ τοξουλκὸς αἰχμὴ διὰ χερῶν²⁰ αὐτοῖς²¹ πρέπει;

Χορός

οὐδαμῶς: ἔγχη σταδαῖα καὶ φεράσπιδες σαγαί.
240

Ἄτοσσα

τίς δὲ ποιμάνωρ ἔπεστι κἀπιδεσπόζει στρατῷ;

Χορός

οὔτινος δοῦλοι κέκληνται φωτὸς οὐδ᾽ ὑπήκοοι.

Ἄτοσσα

πῶς ἂν οὖν μένοιεν ἄνδρας πολεμίους ἐπήλυδας;

Χορός

ὥστε Δαρείου πολύν τε καὶ καλὸν φθεῖραι στρατόν.

Ἄτοσσα

δεινά τοι λέγεις κιόντων²² τοῖς τεκοῦσι φροντίσαι.
245

Χορός

ἀλλ᾽ ἐμοὶ δοκεῖν τάχ᾽ εἴσει πάντα ναμερτῆ²³ λόγον.

τοῦδε γὰρ δράμημα φωτὸς Περσικὸν πρέπει μαθεῖν,

καὶ φέρει σαφές τι πρᾶγος ἐσθλὸν ἢ κακὸν κλύειν.

249

Ἄγγελος

ὦ γῆς ἁπάσης Ἀσιάδος πολίσματα,

ὦ Περσὶς αἶα καὶ μέγας²⁴ πλούτου λιμήν,
250

ὡς ἐν μιᾷ πληγῇ κατέφθαρται πολὺς

ὄλβος, τὸ Περσῶν δ᾽ ἄνθος οἴχεται πεσόν.

ὤμοι, κακὸν μὲν πρῶτον ἀγγέλλειν κακά:

ὅμως δ᾽ ἀνάγκη πᾶν ἀναπτύξαι πάθος,

Πέρσαι: στρατὸς γὰρ πᾶς ὄλωλε βαρβάρων.
255
256

Πέρσαι Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.) — 159-255 focus

Ἄτοσσα

ταῦτα δὴ λιποῦσʼ ἱκάνω χρυσεοστόλμους δόμους

καὶ τὸ Δαρείου τε κἀμὸν κοινὸν εὐνατήριον.
160

κἀμὲ καρδίαν ἀμύσσει φροντίς· ἐς δʼ ὑμᾶς ἐρῶ

μῦθον οὐδαμῶς ἐμαυτῆς οὖσʼ ἀδείμαντος, φίλοι,

μὴ μέγας πλοῦτος κονίσας οὖδας ἀντρέψῃ ποδὶ

ὄλβον, ὃν Δαρεῖος ἦρεν οὐκ ἄνευ θεῶν τινος.

ταῦτά μοι διπλῆ μέριμνα φραστός ἐστιν ἐν φρεσίν,
165

μήτε χρημάτων ἀνάνδρων πλῆθος ἐν τιμῇ σέβειν

μήτʼ ἀχρημάτοισι λάμπειν φῶς ὅσον σθένος πάρα.

ἔστι γὰρ πλοῦτός γʼ ἀμεμφής, ἀμφὶ δʼ ὀφθαλμῷ φόβος·

ὄμμα γὰρ δόμων νομίζω δεσπότου παρουσίαν.

πρὸς τάδʼ ὡς οὕτως ἐχόντων τῶνδε, σύμβουλοι λόγου
170

τοῦδέ μοι γένεσθε, Πέρσαι, γηραλέα πιστώματα·

πάντα γὰρ τὰ κέδνʼ ἐν ὑμῖν ἐστί μοι βουλεύματα.

Χορός

εὖ τόδʼ ἴσθι, γῆς ἄνασσα τῆσδε, μή σε δὶς φράσαι

μήτʼ ἔπος μήτʼ ἔργον ὧν ἂν δύναμις ἡγεῖσθαι θέλῃ·

εὐμενεῖς γὰρ ὄντας ἡμᾶς τῶνδε συμβούλους καλεῖς.
175

176

Ἄτοσσα

πολλοῖς μὲν αἰεὶ νυκτέροις ὀνείρασιν

ξύνειμʼ, ἀφʼ οὗπερ παῖς ἐμὸς στείλας στρατὸν

Ἰαόνων γῆν οἴχεται πέρσαι θέλων·

ἀλλʼ οὔτι πω τοιόνδʼ ἐναργὲς εἰδόμην

ὡς τῆς πάροιθεν εὐφρόνης· λέξω δέ σοι.
180

ἐδοξάτην μοι δύο γυναῖκʼ εὐείμονε,

ἡ μὲν πέπλοισι Περσικοῖς ἠσκημένη,

ἡ δʼ αὖτε Δωρικοῖσιν, εἰς ὄψιν μολεῖν,

μεγέθει τε τῶν νῦν ἐκπρεπεστάτα πολύ,

κάλλει τʼ ἀμώμω, καὶ κασιγνήτα γένους
185

ταὐτοῦ· πάτραν δʼ ἔναιον ἡ μὲν Ἑλλάδα

κλήρῳ λαχοῦσα γαῖαν, ἡ δὲ βάρβαρον.

τούτω στάσιν τινʼ, ὡς ἐγὼ ʼδόκουν ὁρᾶν,

τεύχειν ἐν ἀλλήλαισι· παῖς δʼ ἐμὸς μαθὼν

κατεῖχε κἀπράυνεν, ἅρμασιν δʼ ὕπο
190

ζεύγνυσιν αὐτὼ καὶ λέπαδνʼ ἐπʼ αὐχένων

τίθησι. χἠ μὲν τῇδʼ ἐπυργοῦτο στολῇ

ἐν ἡνίαισί τʼ εἶχεν εὔαρκτον στόμα,

ἡ δʼ ἐσφάδαζε, καὶ χεροῖν ἔντη δίφρου

διασπαράσσει καὶ ξυναρπάζει βίᾳ
195

ἄνευ χαλινῶν καὶ ζυγὸν θραύει μέσον.

πίπτει δʼ ἐμὸς παῖς, καὶ πατὴρ παρίσταται

Δαρεῖος οἰκτείρων σφε· τὸν δʼ ὅπως ὁρᾷ

Ξέρξης, πέπλους ῥήγνυσιν ἀμφὶ σώματι.

200

καὶ ταῦτα μὲν δὴ νυκτὸς εἰσιδεῖν λέγω.
200

ἐπεὶ δʼ ἀνέστην καὶ χεροῖν καλλιρρόου

ἔψαυσα πηγῆς, σὺν θυηπόλῳ χερὶ

βωμὸν προσέστην, ἀποτρόποισι δαίμοσιν

θέλουσα θῦσαι πέλανον, ὧν τέλη τάδε.

ὁρῶ δὲ φεύγοντʼ αἰετὸν πρὸς ἐσχάραν
205

Φοίβου· φόβῳ δʼ ἄφθογγος ἐστάθην, φίλοι·

μεθύστερον δὲ κίρκον εἰσορῶ δρόμῳ

πτεροῖς ἐφορμαίνοντα καὶ χηλαῖς κάρα

τίλλονθʼ· ὁ δʼ οὐδὲν ἄλλο γʼ ἢ πτήξας δέμας

παρεῖχε. ταῦτʼ ἔμοιγε δείματʼ εἰσιδεῖν,
210

ὑμῖν δʼ ἀκούειν. εὖ γὰρ ἴστε, παῖς ἐμὸς

πράξας μὲν εὖ θαυμαστὸς ἂν γένοιτʼ ἀνήρ,

κακῶς δὲ πράξας, οὐχ ὑπεύθυνος πόλει,

σωθεὶς δʼ ὁμοίως τῆσδε κοιρανεῖ χθονός.

215

Χορός

οὔ σε βουλόμεσθα, μῆτερ, οὔτʼ ἄγαν φοβεῖν λόγοις
215

οὔτε θαρσύνειν. θεοὺς δὲ προστροπαῖς ἱκνουμένη,

εἴ τι φλαῦρον εἶδες, αἰτοῦ τῶνδʼ ἀποτροπὴν τελεῖν,

τὰ δʼ ἀγάθʼ ἐκτελῆ γενέσθαι σοί τε καὶ τέκνοις σέθεν

καὶ πόλει φίλοις τε πᾶσι. δεύτερον δὲ χρὴ χοὰς

Γῇ τε καὶ φθιτοῖς χέασθαι· πρευμενῶς δʼ αἰτοῦ τάδε,
220

σὸν πόσιν Δαρεῖον, ὅνπερ φὴς ἰδεῖν κατʼ εὐφρόνην,

ἐσθλά σοι πέμπειν τέκνῳ τε γῆς ἔνερθεν ἐς φάος,

τἄμπαλιν δὲ τῶνδε γαίᾳ κάτοχα μαυροῦσθαι σκότῳ.

ταῦτα θυμόμαντις ὤν σοι πρευμενῶς παρῄνεσα.

εὖ δὲ πανταχῇ τελεῖν σοι τῶνδε κρίνομεν πέρι.
225

Ἄτοσσα

ἀλλὰ μὴν εὔνους γʼ ὁ πρῶτος τῶνδʼ ἐνυπνίων κριτὴς

παιδὶ καὶ δόμοις ἐμοῖσι τήνδʼ ἐκύρωσας φάτιν.

ἐκτελοῖτο δὴ τὰ χρηστά· ταῦτα δʼ, ὡς ἐφίεσαι,

πάντα θήσομεν θεοῖσι τοῖς τʼ ἔνερθε γῆς φίλοις,

εὖτʼ ἂν εἰς οἴκους μόλωμεν. κεῖνα δʼ ἐκμαθεῖν θέλω,
230

ὦ φίλοι, ποῦ τὰς Ἀθήνας φασὶν ἱδρῦσθαι χθονός.

232

Χορός

τῆλε πρὸς δυσμαῖς ἄνακτος Ἡλίου φθινασμάτων.

Ἄτοσσα

ἀλλὰ μὴν ἵμειρʼ ἐμὸς παῖς τήνδε θηρᾶσαι πόλιν;

Χορός

πᾶσα γὰρ γένοιτʼ ἂν Ἑλλὰς βασιλέως ὑπήκοος.

Ἄτοσσα

ὧδέ τις πάρεστιν αὐτοῖς ἀνδροπλήθεια στρατοῦ;
235

Χορός

καὶ στρατὸς τοιοῦτος, ἔρξας πολλὰ δὴ Μήδους κακά.

Ἄτοσσα

καὶ τί πρὸς τούτοισιν ἄλλο; πλοῦτος ἐξαρκὴς δόμοις;

Χορός

ἀργύρου πηγή τις αὐτοῖς ἐστι, θησαυρὸς χθονός.

Ἄτοσσα

πότερα γὰρ τοξουλκὸς αἰχμὴ διὰ χεροῖν αὐτοῖς πρέπει;

Χορός

οὐδαμῶς· ἔγχη σταδαῖα καὶ φεράσπιδες σαγαί.
240

Ἄτοσσα

τίς δὲ ποιμάνωρ ἔπεστι κἀπιδεσπόζει στρατῷ;

Χορός

οὔτινος δοῦλοι κέκληνται φωτὸς οὐδʼ ὑπήκοοι.

Ἄτοσσα

πῶς ἂν οὖν μένοιεν ἄνδρας πολεμίους ἐπήλυδας;

Χορός

ὥστε Δαρείου πολύν τε καὶ καλὸν φθεῖραι στρατόν.

Ἄτοσσα

δεινά τοι λέγεις ἰόντων τοῖς τεκοῦσι φροντίσαι.
245

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ἐμοὶ δοκεῖν τάχʼ εἴσῃ πάντα νημερτῆ λόγον.

τοῦδε γὰρ δράμημα φωτὸς Περσικὸν πρέπει μαθεῖν,

καὶ φέρει σαφές τι πρᾶγος ἐσθλὸν ἢ κακὸν κλύειν.

249

Ἄγγελος

ὦ γῆς ἁπάσης Ἀσιάδος πολίσματα,

ὦ Περσὶς αἶα καὶ πολὺς πλούτου λιμήν,
250

ὡς ἐν μιᾷ πληγῇ κατέφθαρται πολὺς

ὄλβος, τὸ Περσῶν δʼ ἄνθος οἴχεται πεσόν.

ὤμοι, κακὸν μὲν πρῶτον ἀγγέλλειν κακά·

ὅμως δʼ ἀνάγκη πᾶν ἀναπτύξαι πάθος,

Πέρσαι· στρατὸς γὰρ πᾶς ὄλωλε βαρβάρων.
255

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.)) — 159-255 focus

Atossa

For this very reason I have left the gold-decorated palace

and the chamber which belongs to Darius and myself, and have come here. My heart, too, is racked with anxiety, and to you, my friends, will I make a disclosure. For I am by no means free from apprehension that wealth, grown great, will, raising a cloud of dust upon the ground, trip up the prosperity which Darius raised not without the favor of some god.
160

It is for this reason that there is a double concern in my mind: neither to hold in honor vast wealth without men, and that the light of success does not shine, in proportion to their strength, on men without riches. Our wealth, at all events, is ample, but my anxiety is for the light, the salvation of the house, which I regard to be the presence of its lord.
165

Therefore, since things stand as they do, lend me your counsel in this concern, Persians, my aged trusty servants. For all my hopes of good counsel depend on you.
170

Chorus

Be assured, our country’s Queen, that you need not twice mention either word or deed regarding that in which it is possible for us to direct you.

For we whom you summon as counsellors in these matters are well disposed towards you and your interests.
175

176

Atossa

I have been haunted by a multitude of dreams at night since the time when my son, having despatched his army, departed with intent to lay waste the land of the Ionians. But never yet have I beheld so distinct a vision

as that of the last night. This I will describe to you.
I dreamed that two women in beautiful clothes, one in Persian garb, the other in Dorian attire, appeared before my eyes; both far more striking in stature than are the women of our time,
180

flawless in beauty, sisters of the same family. As for the lands in which they dwelt, to one had been assigned by lot the land of Hellas , to the other that of the barbarians. The two, as I imagined it, seemed to provoke each other to a mutual feud, and my son, when he had become aware of this,
185

attempted to restrain and placate them. He yoked them both to his car and placed the collar-straps upon their necks. The one bore herself proudly in these trappings and kept her mouth obedient to the rein. The other struggled and with her hands
190

tore apart the harness of the car; then, free of the curb, she dragged it violently along with her and snapped the yoke in two. My son was hurled to the ground and his father Darius stood by his side filled with pity. But Xerxes, when he caught sight of him, tore the garments covering his body.
195
200

Such was the vision I beheld in the night. But when I had risen and dipped my hands in the clear-flowing water of a spring, I drew near to an altar with incense in my hand, intending to make an offering of sacrificial cake to the divinities that avert evil, those to whom these rites are due.
200

But I saw an eagle fleeing for safety to the altar of Phoebus—and out of terror, my friends, I stood speechless. Thereupon I caught sight of a falcon rushing at full speed with outstretched wings and with his talons plucking at the head of the eagle, which did nothing but cower and
205

yielded its body to his foe.
These are the terrors I beheld, terrors too for you to hear. Be assured that if my son should suceeed, he would prove to be remarkable indeed, but if he fails, he does not have to answer to the state; if he returns safely, he will hold sway in this land as he did before.
210

215

Chorus

Mother, we would neither alarm you unduly by our words nor raise your hopes too high. If, however, it is something inauspicious that you have seen, visit the gods with supplication and entreat them to avert the evil and to bring to pass what will be beneficial to you, your children, the kingdom, and all else that you hold dear. Next, it is appropriate that you should
215

offer libations to Earth and the dead; and use auspicious words to address your husband Darius, whom you say you have seen in the night, and ask him to send into the light of day from beneath the earth blessings for you and your son; ask too that the reverse of this may be held in bondage beneath the earth and fade away in gloom. Such is the advice I, relying on my instincts, offer you with kind intent.
220

According to our interpretation of these portents, the issue will in all respects prove prosperous to you.
225

Atossa

You, its first interpreter, have indeed read the meaning of my dream with goodwill, at least, toward my son and house. May the outcome then prove beneficial! When I return to the palace, I will perform for the gods and my dear ones beneath the earth all those rites which you recommend. Meanwhile, my friends, I would like to learn

where Athens is located.
230

232

Chorus

Far from here, to the west where the last rays of our Lord the Sun set.

Atossa

Can it then really be that my son had the keen desire to make this city his prey?

Chorus

Yes, for then all Hellas would be subject to the King.

Atossa

Does their army have such a multitude of men?
235

Chorus

Yes, it is an army of such magnitude that it has caused great disaster for the Medes.

Atossa

And what else have they besides? Do they have sufficient wealth in their homes?

Chorus

Of silver they possess a veritable fountain, a treasure chest in their soil.

Atossa

Is the bow-stretching arrow particularly suited to their hands?

Chorus

Far from it; they have lances for close fight and shields that serve them for armor.
240

Atossa

And who is set over them as shepherd and is master of their host?

Chorus

Of no man are they called the slaves or vassals.

Atossa

How then can they withstand the attack of an invading foe?

Chorus

So well as to have destroyed Darius’ great and courageous host.

Atossa

In truth, your words have given the fathers and mothers of those who are now on their way there dire food for thought.
245

Chorus

No, rather I think that you will soon learn the truth of the matter. For here comes one who is beyond a doubt a Persian courier. He bears clear tidings of some issue, be it good or bad.

249

Messenger

O cities of all the land of Asia ,

O realm of Persia , and bounteous haven of wealth, at a single stroke all your plenteous prosperity has been shattered, and the flower of the Persians has fallen and perished! Ah, it is a terrible task to be the first to deliver news of disaster. And yet, Persians, I must relate the entirety of the calamity
250

—the whole barbarian host is lost.
255

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

970. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-950

Τόλμον τ':

tókµov t'

M. Par. A. Ven. B.

Tókuor

, omisso

Vit. et cum plerisque, ut videtur, codicibus Turn.

tóµov

Ald.

τόλμav τ'

, ad

supra scripto, Lips.

Tókuar

Ask. A. Par. L.

Tókuar Tókuar

, adiecta interpretatione

τολμηρόν

, G.

970

970. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-951

αἰχμᾶς:

αἰχμᾶς

G. Par. A.

αἰχμὰς

Μ.

αἰγχοῖς

Vit. Ceteri

αἰχμής

970

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

962-972. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-144

τυρίας, φοινίσσης. ἐκ ναὸς 305. ἔρροντας 732. στυφ. 79. 303. – θείνοντας (in- transitiv), vgl. 303 und 310. Φαρνοῦχος 313. ᾿Αριόμαρδος 38. Λίλαιος 308. Θάρ. 51. 323. - Μασίστρας 30. - ᾿Αρτεμβ. 29. 302. – Ὑσταίχμας wohl nach Analogie von Υστάσπης selbstge- bildet. ἐπανερόμαν: der Aor. drückt Ungeduld aus (gleichsam ,,lange schon ist es her").

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XERXES ANTISTROPHE III. Ah me! Alas! Woe! Woe! A thrill of tender pain For my brave comrades' sake, Telling of ills most hateful, thou dost wake. 970 Cries out my very heart, yea, cries amain.

ANTISTROPHE III.

Current edition Experimental

Χορός τῆλε πρὸς δυσμαῖς ἄνακτος Ἡλίου φθινασμάτων.

Ἄτοσσα ἀλλὰ μὴν ἵμειρ᾽ ἐμὸς παῖς τήνδε θηρᾶσαι πόλιν;

Χορός πᾶσα γὰρ γένοιτ᾽ ἂν Ἑλλὰς βασιλέως ὑπήκοος.

Ἄτοσσα ὧδέ τις πάρεστιν αὐτοῖς ἀνδροπλήθεια στρατοῦ; 235

Χορός καὶ στρατὸς τοιοῦτος, ἔρξας πολλὰ δὴ Μήδους κακά.

Ἄτοσσα καὶ τί πρὸς τούτοισιν ἄλλο; πλοῦτος ἐξαρκὴς δόμοις;

Χορός ἀργύρου πηγή τις αὐτοῖς ἐστι, θησαυρὸς χθονός.

Ἄτοσσα πότερα γὰρ τοξουλκὸς αἰχμὴ διὰ χερῶν 20 αὐτοῖς 21 πρέπει;

Χορός οὐδαμῶς: ἔγχη σταδαῖα καὶ φεράσπιδες σαγαί. 240

Ἄτοσσα τίς δὲ ποιμάνωρ ἔπεστι κἀπιδεσπόζει στρατῷ;

Χορός οὔτινος δοῦλοι κέκληνται φωτὸς οὐδ᾽ ὑπήκοοι.

Ἄτοσσα πῶς ἂν οὖν μένοιεν ἄνδρας πολεμίους ἐπήλυδας;

Χορός ὥστε Δαρείου πολύν τε καὶ καλὸν φθεῖραι στρατόν.

Ἄτοσσα δεινά τοι λέγεις κιόντων 22 τοῖς τεκοῦσι φροντίσαι. 245

Χορός τῆλε πρὸς δυσμαῖς ἄνακτος Ἡλίου φθινασμάτων.

Ἄτοσσα ἀλλὰ μὴν ἵμειρʼ ἐμὸς παῖς τήνδε θηρᾶσαι πόλιν;

Χορός πᾶσα γὰρ γένοιτʼ ἂν Ἑλλὰς βασιλέως ὑπήκοος.

Ἄτοσσα ὧδέ τις πάρεστιν αὐτοῖς ἀνδροπλήθεια στρατοῦ; 235

Χορός καὶ στρατὸς τοιοῦτος, ἔρξας πολλὰ δὴ Μήδους κακά.

Ἄτοσσα καὶ τί πρὸς τούτοισιν ἄλλο; πλοῦτος ἐξαρκὴς δόμοις;

Χορός ἀργύρου πηγή τις αὐτοῖς ἐστι, θησαυρὸς χθονός.

Ἄτοσσα πότερα γὰρ τοξουλκὸς αἰχμὴ διὰ χεροῖν αὐτοῖς πρέπει;

Χορός οὐδαμῶς· ἔγχη σταδαῖα καὶ φεράσπιδες σαγαί. 240

Ἄτοσσα τίς δὲ ποιμάνωρ ἔπεστι κἀπιδεσπόζει στρατῷ;

Χορός οὔτινος δοῦλοι κέκληνται φωτὸς οὐδʼ ὑπήκοοι.

Ἄτοσσα πῶς ἂν οὖν μένοιεν ἄνδρας πολεμίους ἐπήλυδας;

Χορός ὥστε Δαρείου πολύν τε καὶ καλὸν φθεῖραι στρατόν.

Ἄτοσσα δεινά τοι λέγεις ἰόντων τοῖς τεκοῦσι φροντίσαι. 245

Χορός ἀλλʼ ἐμοὶ δοκεῖν τάχʼ εἴσῃ πάντα νημερτῆ λόγον. τοῦδε γὰρ δράμημα φωτὸς Περσικὸν πρέπει μαθεῖν, καὶ φέρει σαφές τι πρᾶγος ἐσθλὸν ἢ κακὸν κλύειν.

Chorus Be assured, our country’s Queen, that you need not twice mention either word or deed regarding that in which it is possible for us to direct you. For we whom you summon as counsellors in these matters are well disposed towards you and your interests. 175

Chorus Far from here, to the west where the last rays of our Lord the Sun set.

Atossa Can it then really be that my son had the keen desire to make this city his prey?

Chorus Yes, for then all Hellas would be subject to the King.

Atossa Does their army have such a multitude of men? 235

Chorus Yes, it is an army of such magnitude that it has caused great disaster for the Medes.

Atossa And what else have they besides? Do they have sufficient wealth in their homes?

Chorus Of silver they possess a veritable fountain, a treasure chest in their soil.

Atossa Is the bow-stretching arrow particularly suited to their hands?

Chorus Far from it; they have lances for close fight and shields that serve them for armor. 240

Atossa And who is set over them as shepherd and is master of their host?

Chorus Of no man are they called the slaves or vassals.

Atossa How then can they withstand the attack of an invading foe?

Chorus So well as to have destroyed Darius’ great and courageous host.

Atossa In truth, your words have given the fathers and mothers of those who are now on their way there dire food for thought. 245

Chorus No, rather I think that you will soon learn the truth of the matter. For here comes one who is beyond a doubt a Persian courier. He bears clear tidings of some issue, be it good or bad.

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

ANTISTROPHE III.

Ah me! Alas! Woe! Woe!

A thrill of tender pain

For my brave comrades' sake,

Telling of ills most hateful, thou dost wake.
970

Cries out my very heart, yea, cries amain.

Χορός

τῆλε πρὸς δυσμαῖς ἄνακτος Ἡλίου φθινασμάτων.

Ἄτοσσα

ἀλλὰ μὴν ἵμειρ᾽ ἐμὸς παῖς τήνδε θηρᾶσαι πόλιν;

Χορός

πᾶσα γὰρ γένοιτ᾽ ἂν Ἑλλὰς βασιλέως ὑπήκοος.

Ἄτοσσα

ὧδέ τις πάρεστιν αὐτοῖς ἀνδροπλήθεια στρατοῦ;
235

Χορός

καὶ στρατὸς τοιοῦτος, ἔρξας πολλὰ δὴ Μήδους κακά.

Ἄτοσσα

καὶ τί πρὸς τούτοισιν ἄλλο; πλοῦτος ἐξαρκὴς δόμοις;

Χορός

ἀργύρου πηγή τις αὐτοῖς ἐστι, θησαυρὸς χθονός.

Ἄτοσσα

πότερα γὰρ τοξουλκὸς αἰχμὴ διὰ χερῶν²⁰ αὐτοῖς²¹ πρέπει;

Χορός

οὐδαμῶς: ἔγχη σταδαῖα καὶ φεράσπιδες σαγαί.
240

Ἄτοσσα

τίς δὲ ποιμάνωρ ἔπεστι κἀπιδεσπόζει στρατῷ;

Χορός

οὔτινος δοῦλοι κέκληνται φωτὸς οὐδ᾽ ὑπήκοοι.

Ἄτοσσα

πῶς ἂν οὖν μένοιεν ἄνδρας πολεμίους ἐπήλυδας;

Χορός

ὥστε Δαρείου πολύν τε καὶ καλὸν φθεῖραι στρατόν.

Ἄτοσσα

δεινά τοι λέγεις κιόντων²² τοῖς τεκοῦσι φροντίσαι.
245

Χορός

τῆλε πρὸς δυσμαῖς ἄνακτος Ἡλίου φθινασμάτων.

Ἄτοσσα

ἀλλὰ μὴν ἵμειρʼ ἐμὸς παῖς τήνδε θηρᾶσαι πόλιν;

Χορός

πᾶσα γὰρ γένοιτʼ ἂν Ἑλλὰς βασιλέως ὑπήκοος.

Ἄτοσσα

ὧδέ τις πάρεστιν αὐτοῖς ἀνδροπλήθεια στρατοῦ;
235

Χορός

καὶ στρατὸς τοιοῦτος, ἔρξας πολλὰ δὴ Μήδους κακά.

Ἄτοσσα

καὶ τί πρὸς τούτοισιν ἄλλο; πλοῦτος ἐξαρκὴς δόμοις;

Χορός

ἀργύρου πηγή τις αὐτοῖς ἐστι, θησαυρὸς χθονός.

Ἄτοσσα

πότερα γὰρ τοξουλκὸς αἰχμὴ διὰ χεροῖν αὐτοῖς πρέπει;

Χορός

οὐδαμῶς· ἔγχη σταδαῖα καὶ φεράσπιδες σαγαί.
240

Ἄτοσσα

τίς δὲ ποιμάνωρ ἔπεστι κἀπιδεσπόζει στρατῷ;

Χορός

οὔτινος δοῦλοι κέκληνται φωτὸς οὐδʼ ὑπήκοοι.

Ἄτοσσα

πῶς ἂν οὖν μένοιεν ἄνδρας πολεμίους ἐπήλυδας;

Χορός

ὥστε Δαρείου πολύν τε καὶ καλὸν φθεῖραι στρατόν.

Ἄτοσσα

δεινά τοι λέγεις ἰόντων τοῖς τεκοῦσι φροντίσαι.
245

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ἐμοὶ δοκεῖν τάχʼ εἴσῃ πάντα νημερτῆ λόγον.

τοῦδε γὰρ δράμημα φωτὸς Περσικὸν πρέπει μαθεῖν,

καὶ φέρει σαφές τι πρᾶγος ἐσθλὸν ἢ κακὸν κλύειν.

Chorus

Be assured, our country’s Queen, that you need not twice mention either word or deed regarding that in which it is possible for us to direct you.

For we whom you summon as counsellors in these matters are well disposed towards you and your interests.
175

Chorus

Far from here, to the west where the last rays of our Lord the Sun set.

Atossa

Can it then really be that my son had the keen desire to make this city his prey?

Chorus

Yes, for then all Hellas would be subject to the King.

Atossa

Does their army have such a multitude of men?
235

Chorus

Yes, it is an army of such magnitude that it has caused great disaster for the Medes.

Atossa

And what else have they besides? Do they have sufficient wealth in their homes?

Chorus

Of silver they possess a veritable fountain, a treasure chest in their soil.

Atossa

Is the bow-stretching arrow particularly suited to their hands?

Chorus

Far from it; they have lances for close fight and shields that serve them for armor.
240

Atossa

And who is set over them as shepherd and is master of their host?

Chorus

Of no man are they called the slaves or vassals.

Atossa

How then can they withstand the attack of an invading foe?

Chorus

So well as to have destroyed Darius’ great and courageous host.

Atossa

In truth, your words have given the fathers and mothers of those who are now on their way there dire food for thought.
245

Chorus

No, rather I think that you will soon learn the truth of the matter. For here comes one who is beyond a doubt a Persian courier. He bears clear tidings of some issue, be it good or bad.

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.