W. S. Teuffel Persians 102-113.comm-102-113

ed. N. Wecklein

Table of Contents

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

← Previous Next →

Persians. W. S. Teuffel. ed. N. Wecklein. . .

Current edition Experimental

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

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (7)
Πέρσαι First1KGreek (Aeschyli Tragoediae. Sidgwick, Arthur, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 65-158 focus
Πέρσαι Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.) — 65-158 focus
Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 65 focus
Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 65 focus
πεπέρακεν μὲν ὁ περσέ-
πτολις ἤδη βασίλειος
στρατὸς εἰς ἀντίπορον γεί-
τονα χώραν, λινοδέσμῳ
σχεδίᾳ πορθμὸν ἀμείψας
70
Αθαμαντίδος Ἕλλας,
πολύγομφον ὅδισμα,
ζυγὸν ἀμφιβαλὼν αὐχένι πόντου.
πολυάνδρου δ Ασίας ού-
ριος ἄρχων ἐπὶ πᾶσαν
75
χθόνα ποιμανόριον θεῖ-
ον ἐλαύνει διχόθεν, πε-
ζονόμοις ἔκ τε θαλάσσης
ἐχυροῖσι πεποιθὼς
στυφελοῖς ἐφέταις, χρυ-
80
σογόνου γενεῖς ἰσόθεος φώς.
κυάνεον δ᾽ ὄμμασι λεύσσων
φονίου δέργμα δράκοντος,
πολύχειρ καὶ πολυναύτης,
Σύριόν θ' ἅρμα διώκων,
85
ἐπάγει δουρικλύτοις ἀν-
δρασι τοξόδαμνον Αρη.
δόκιμος δ᾽ οὔτις υποστὰς
μεγάλῳ δεύματι φωτῶν
ἐχυροῖς ἕρκεσιν εἴργειν
90
ἄμαχον κῦμα θαλάσσης.
ἀπρόςοιστος γὰρ ὁ Περσῶν
στρατὸς ἀλκίφρων τε λαός.
δολόμητιν δ᾽ ἀπάταν θεοῦ
τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει;
95
τίς ὁ κραιπνῷ ποδι πήδημ
ἅλις εὐπετῶς ἀνάσσων;
φιλόφρων γὰρ ποτισαίνου-
σα τὸ πρῶτον, παράγει
βροτὸν εἰς ἄρκυας ἄτα,
100
τόθεν οὐκ ἔστιν ὑπὲκ να-
τὸν ἀλύξαντα φυγεῖν.
θεόθεν γὰρ κάτα Μοῖρ᾽ ἐκράτησεν
τὸ παλαιόν, ἐπέσκηψε δὲ Πέρσαις
πολέμους πυργοδαΐκτους
105
διέπειν ἱππιοχάρμας
τε κλόνους, πόλεών τ᾿ ἀναστάσεις.
ἔμαθον δ᾽ εὐρυπόροιο θαλάσσης
πολιαινομένης πνεύματι λάβρῳ
ἐςορᾶν πόντιον ἄλσος,
110
πίσυνοι λεπτοδόμοις πει-
σμασι λαοπόροις τε μηχαναῖς.
ΠΕΡΣΑΙ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΠΕΡΣΑΙ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 65 focus
Πεπέρακεν πεπέρακε μὲν ὁ περσέπτολις ἤδη
65
Str. 1.
βασίλειος στρατὸς εἰς ἀντίπορον γεί-
τονα χώραν, λινοδέσμῳ σχεδίᾳ πορθ-
μὸν ἀμείψας Ἀθαμαντίδος Ἕλλας,
πολύγομφον ὅδισμα ζυγὸν ἀμ-
φιβαλὼν αὐχένι πόντου·
70
πολυάνδρου δ' Ἀσίας θούριος ἄρχων
Ant. 1.
ἐπὶ πᾶσαν χθόνα ποιμανόριον θεῖ-
ον ἐλαύνει διχόθεν, πεζονόμοις ἔκ
τε θαλάσσας ὀχυροῖσι ἐχυροῖσι πεποιθὼς
στυφελοῖς ἐφέταις, χρυσογόνου χρυσονόμου
75
γενεᾶς ἰσόθεος φώς·
κυάνεον δ' ὄμμασι λεύσσων
Str. 2.
φονίου φοινίου δέργμα δράκοντος,
πολύχειρ καὶ πολυ ναύτας,
Σύριόν θ' ἅρμα διώκων,
80
ἐπάγει δουρικλύτοις ἀν-
δράσι τοξόδαμνον Ἄρη·
φιλόφρων γὰρ παρασαίνει σαίνουσα τὸ πρῶτον παράγει
Ant. 3.
βροτὸν εἰς ἄρκυας Ἄτα ἀρκύστατα,
τόθεν οὐκ ἔστιν ὑπὲρ θνα-
95
τὸν ἀλύξαντα φυγεῖν.
θεόθεν γὰρ κατὰ Μοῖρ' ἐκράτησεν
Str. 4.
τὸ παλαιόν, ἐπέσκηψε δὲ Πέρσαις
πολέμους πυργοδαΐκτους διέπειν ἱπ-
πιοχάρμας τε κλόνους
100
πόλεών τ' δ' ἀναστάσεις·
ἔμαθον δ' εὐρυπόροιο θαλάσσας
Ant. 4.
πολιαινομένας πνεύματι λάβρῳ
ἐσορᾶν πόντιον ἄλσος, πίσυνοι λεπ-
τοδόμοις πείσμασι λα-
105
οπόροις τε μηχαναῖς.
Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 65 focus
πεπέρακεν μὲν ὁ περσέπτολις ἤδη
βασίλειος στρατὸς εἰς ἀν-
τίπορον γείτονα χώραν,
λινοδέσμῳ σχεδίᾳ πορ-
θμὸν ἀμείψας
70
Ἀθαμαντίδος Ἕλλας,
πολύγομφον ὅδισμα
ζυγὸν ἀμφιβαλὼν αὐχένι πόντου.
πολυάνδρου δ᾽ Ἀσίας θούριος ἄρχων
ἐπὶ πᾶσαν χθόνα ποιμα-
75
νύριον θεῖον ἐλαύνει
διχόθεν, πεζονόμοις ἔκ
τε θαλάσσης
ἐχυροῖσι πεποιθὼς
στυφέλοις ἐφέταις, χρυ-
80
σογόνου γενεᾶς ἰσόθεος φώς.
κυάνεον δ᾽ ὄμμασι λεύσσων
φονίου δέργμα δράκοντος,
πολύχειρ καὶ πολυναύτης,
Σύριόν θ᾽ ἅρμα διώκων,
85
ἐπάγει δουρικλύτοις ἀν-
δράσι τοξόδαμνον Ἄρη.
δόκιμος δ᾽ οὔτις ὑποστὰς
μεγάλῳ ῥεύματι φωτῶν
ἐχυροῖς ἕρκεσιν εἴργειν
90
ἄμαχον κῦμα θαλάσσης·
ἀπρόσοιστος γὰρ ὁ Περσῶν
στρατὸς ἀλκίφρων τε λαός.
δολόμητιν δ᾽ ἀπάταν θεοῦ
τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει;
95
τίς ὁ κραιπνῷ ποδὶ πηδή-
ματος εὐπετέος ἀνάσσων;
φιλόφρων γὰρ σαίνου-
σα τὸ πρῶτον παράγει
βροτὸν εἰς ἄρκυας ἄτας,
100
τόθεν οὐκ ἔστιν ὑπὲρ θνα-
τὸν ἀλύξαντα φυγείν.
θεόθεν γὰρ κατὰ μοῖρ᾽
ἐκράτησεν τὸ παλαι-
όν, ἐπέσκηψε δὲ Πέρσαις
105
πολέμους πυργοδαΐκτους
διέπειν ἱππιοχάρμας
τε κλόνους
πόλεών τ᾿ ἀναστάσεις.
ἔμαθον δ᾽ εὐρυπόροι-
110
ο θαλάσσης πολιαι-
νομένης πνεύματι λάβρῳ
ἐσορᾶν πόντιον ἄλσος,
πίσυνοι λεπτοδόμοις πεί-
σμασι λα-
115
οπόροις τε μηχαναῖς.
Aeschyli Persae (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Persae. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 65 focus
πεπέρακεν μὲν ὁ περσέπτολις ἤδη
65
βασίλειος στρατὸς εἰς ἀν-
᾿Ασίας θούριος ἄρχων
ἐπὶ πᾶσαν χθόνα ποιμα-
νόριον θεῖον ἐλαύνει,
75
διχόθεν πεζονόμοις ἔκ τε θαλάσσης
ἐχυροῖσι πεποιθὼς
στυφέλοις ἐφέταις, χρυ-
σογόνου γενεῖς ἰσόθεος φώς.
κυάνεον δ᾽ ὄμμασι λεύσσων
80
φονίου δέργμα δράκοντος
πολύχειρ καὶ πολυναύτης
Σύριόν θ᾽ ἅρμα διώκων
ἐπάγει δουρικλύτοις ἀν-
δράσι τοξόδαμνον ῎Αρη. –
85
δόκιμος δ᾽ οὔτις ὑποστὰς
μεγάλωι ῥεύματι φωτῶν
ἐχυροῖς ἕρκεσιν εἴργειν
ἄμαχον κύμα θαλάσσης·
ἀπρόσοιστος γὰρ ὁ Περσῶν
90
στρατὸς ἀλκίφρων τε λαός. –
ἔμαθον δ᾽ εὐρυπόροι-
ο θαλάσσας πολιαι-
νομένας πνεύματι λάβρωι
110
ἐσορᾶν πόντιον ἄλσος,
πίσυνοι λεπτοδόμοις πεί-
σμασι λαοπόροις τε μηχαναῖς.
δολόμητιν δ᾽ ἀπάταν θεοῦ
τίς ἀνὴρ θνατὸς ἀλύξει;
τίς ὁ κραιπνῶι ποδὶ πηδή-
95
ματος εὐπετέος ἀνάισσων;
φιλόφρων γὰρ (παρα)σαίνου-
σα τὸ πρῶτον παράγει
βροτὸν εἰς ἄρκυας ἄτα,
τόθεν οὐκ ἔστιν ὑπέκ θνα-
100
τὸν ἀλύξαντα φυγεῖν. –
Translations (9)
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
The Persians. (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians.. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 65 focus
The royal armament that makes havoc of cities, hath some time since passed over to the adjoining opposite region, having crossed the frith of Helle daughter of Athamas 1
, on a cable-fastened raft, after flinging a many-rivetted causeway by way of yoke over the neck of Ocean.
And against every land does the impetuous lord of many-peopled Asia urge forward his godlike armament in two divisions, of infantry, and of forces drawn from the sea, trusting in his strong sturdy commanders, a man equal to the gods of the race that sprung from gold 2
.
And flashing from his eyes the dark-blue glare of the deadly serpent, appointed with many a warrior and many a mariner, and urging on his Syrian 3
car, he is leading on a war victorious with the bow against men who are famous for the spear 4
.
And no one is of such approved prowess as that, having made stand against a mighty torrent of men, he can repulse, by mighty bulwarks, the irresistible billow of the sea. For terrible to approach is the army of Persians, and valiant of soul the host.
But what mortal man shall elude the treacherous deceit of the deity? Who is he that with an agile foot, of easy spring 5
, can bound over it?
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.
For destiny, fixed by heaven, prevailed in the olden time, and enjoined on the Persians to carry on wars that beat down towers, and the tumults of cavalry warfare, and demolitions of cities.
They learned, too, to look upon the ocean fields of the wide-winding sea when it whitens with the violent blast, putting confidence in their slightly-constructed tackling, and the machines in which hosts are wafted [across the deep].
LES PERSES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES PERSES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 65 focus
doute, elle a atteint déjà, la royale armée dévastatrice, le rivage adverse du continent voisin et, sur sa passerelle aux câbles de lin, franchi le détroit d'Hellé
l'Athamantide 1 , en jetant sa route
aux mille chevilles 2 comme un joug au cou de la mer.
L'impétueux monarque de l'Asie populeuse pousse à la conquête du monde son monstrueux troupeau humain par
deux routes à la fois : pour guider son armée
et sa flotte, il se fie à ses solides et rudes chefs, le fils de la pluie d'or 3 ,
mortel égal aux dieux.
Un peu mieux marqué.
En ses yeux luit le regard bleu sombre du dragon sanglant. Il meut mille bras
et mille vaisseaux, et, pressant son attelage
assyrien 4 , il conduit à l'attaque des héros qu'illustra la lance l'Arès à l'arc triomphant.
Oui, mais au piège qu'a tendu le dessein perfide d'un
dieu quel mortel pourrait échapper ? Qui sait alors, d'un pied agile, prendre son élan pour un bond heureux 5 ?
Caressante et douce,
Até égare l'homme en ses panneaux, et nul mortel ne peut ensuite s'en évader d'un saut et fuir.
En élargissant.
Le destin que les dieux ont de tout temps fait aux Perses
leur impose de poursuivre les guerres où croulent les remparts, les mêlées où
The Persians (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 65 focus
the light lance
The Myſians ſhake. A mingled multitude
60
Swept from her wide dominions, ſkill'd to draw
Th' unerring bow, in ſhips Euphrates ſends
From golden Babylon.
With falchions arm'd
From all th' extent of Aſia move the hoſts
65
Obedient to their monarch's ſtern command.
Thus march'd the flow'r of Perſia, whoſe lov'd
youth
The world of Aſia nouriſh'd, and with ſighs
Laments their abſence;
70
many' an anxious look
Their wives, their parents ſend, count the slow
days,
And tremble at the long-protracted time.
Fierce as the dragon ſcal'd in gold
Thro' the deep files he darts his glowing eye;
90
And pleas'd their order to behold,
His gorgeous ſtandard blazing to the ſky,
Rolls onward his Aſſyrian car,
Directs the thunder of the war,
Bids the wing'd arrows' iron ſtorm advance,
95
Againſt the ſlow and cumbrous lance.
What ſhall withſtand the torrent of his ſway,
When dreadful o'er the yielding ſhores
Th' impetuous tide of battle roars,
And ſweeps the weak-oppoſing mounds away?
100
So Perſia with reſiſtleſs might
Rolls her unnumber'd hoſts of heroes to the fight.
For when misfortune's fraudful hand
Prepares to pour the vengeance of the ſky,
What mortal ſhall her force withſtand,
105
What rapid ſpeed th' impending fury fly?
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
For thus from ancient times the Fates ordain,
That Perſia's ſons ſhou'd greatly dare,
Unequal'd in the works of war;
Shake with their thund'ring ſteeds th' enſanguin'd
plain,
115
Dreadful the hoſtile walls ſurround,
And lay their rampir'd tow'rs in ruins on the
ground.
Taught to behold with fearleſs eyes
The whitening billows foam beneath the gale,
120
They bid the naval foreſts riſe,
Mount the ſlight bark, unfurl the flying ſail,
And o'er the angry ocean bear
To diſtant realms the ſtorm of war.
Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 65 focus
A sterminio di città mosse l'esercito
del Gran Re, la terra invase che finitima
surge contro il suolo d'Asia:
75
su compagini di tronchi, su compagini di canapi,
superò d'Elle Atamàntide il tragitto,
poi che un giogo, un ponte tutto irto di cunei
del mar sopra la cervice ebbe confitto.
Il Signore dei frequenti asíaci popoli
80
furioso, da due bande spinse d'uomini
una greggia innumerevole
su la terra dei nemici, qua pedoni, là dal pelago.
Fieri i duci saldi, affidano alla prova
questo principe che, ai Numi pari, è germine
85
della stirpe che nascea dall'aurea piova.
Saettando egli dall'occhio,
quasi drago sanguinario, azzurro sguardo,
con gran flotta, con molti uomini,
sospingendo assirio cocchio,
90
contro genti valorose a trattar cuspidi e lancie
guida un'oste esperta al dardo.
Niun v'ha tanto valoroso
che, opponendosi di tanti uomini al flutto,
frenar possa con saldi argini
95
l'invincibile maroso.
Niun potrebbe troppo è valido l'esercito
persïano, e il popol tutto.
Ma chi mai, nato mortale, dall'insidia
frodolenta dei Celesti
100
può sfuggire? Con salto agile
trarre in salvo piedi presti?
Con benevola parvenza Ate gli efimeri
ne le reti attira e adesca.
Né veruno evvi fra gli uomini
105
che a fuggir quindi riesca.
Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 65 focus
Pertranſiuit iam urbium euerfor
Regius exercitus in contraria
Vicinam regionem, funibus uinta,
Rate fretum traijciens
65
Athamatidis Helles, multis clauis adaptatum ſuſtenaculum
Iugum inijciens ceruice ponti.
Multos uiros habens Afie bellicofus princeps
In regionem agit gregem regiam
Bipartito, pedibus mari.
70
Duris confifus afperis iaculatoribus,
Diuitæ generatione uir deo æqualis.
Fufcum uerò oculis uidens,
Cruenti afpectum Draconis.
Multas habens naues, manus,
75
Et Aßyrium currum impellens,
Adducit hafta inclytis uiris,
Arcu domantem Martem: infignis nullus reſiſtens
Magno fluento uirorum munimento firmo,
Vt arceat inexpugnabilem fluctum maris.
80
Inacceffus enim est Perſarum
Exercitus, fortis populus.
Didicerunt uerò Latiuadi maris
Cani uento magno
Videre pontinum lucum, confift
85
Subtilibus perfuafionibus, machinationibus po
pulo prebitis.
Propter has mihi mens mæſta pungitur
Timore, heu Perficum exercitum:
Huius ne urbs intelligat
90
Vacuam effe uiris urbem magnam ſubſidis.
Et Cißinum oppidum obstrepens erit.
Heu caterua plena mulierum uociferantium,
In byßinos peplos cadet ruptura.
The Persians (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians. Anna Swanwick, 1886.) — 56 focus
CHORUS
O royal lady, to whom Persians bow,
Do thou, to halls below, libations send,
While we in solemn lay
Those who escort the dead will pray
Beneath the earth their gracious aid to lend.
Dread Powers who dwell below,
630
Hermes and Earth and Thou,
Monarch of Hades, do ye now
His spirit to the light upsend;
For, if a cure for these dire ills he know,
633
Alone of mortals he may speak the end.
DARIUS
O faithful of the faithful, ye whilome
My youth's compeers, elders of Persia, say
With what sore travail travaileth the state?
The land, breast-smitten and with furrowed cheek, *
Moaneth, and I, beholding near my tomb
680
My consort, troubled am, but graciously
Her off'rings I received; ye also stand
Lifting the dirge beside my sepulchre,
And, shouting loud with shade-evoking strains,
Piteously call me: but the upward path
Lies not too open; for the gods below
More ready are to seize than to let loose.
Yet, rank among them holding, I am come;
But haste, that time rebuke not my delay.
What this new ill that weighs the Persians down?
2
CHORUS
To look upon thee awes me;
690
To speak before thee awes me:
By ancient fear subdued.
DARIUS
But since from Hades I have come, by thy complaints persuaded,
Give to mine ear no long discourse, but tell thy tale concisely;
Laying aside thine awe of me, reveal the whole full quickly.
CHORUS
I tremble to obey thee,
Tremble to speak before thee
Things harsh for friends to hear.
DARIUS
Well, since thine ancient reverence thy spirit thus impedeth,
Hoar partner of my royal couch, do thou, much honoured lady,
700
These cries and lamentations leave, and somewhat tell distinctly.
That upon mortal men should come afflictions, is but human.
Many calamities by sea, many by land still happen
To mortals, if to wider scope their life should be extended.
ATOSSA
O thou in happy fortune blest beyond the lot of mortals,
In envied glory, while thine eyes still gazed upon the sunlight,
Leading a life of happiness, a god unto the Persians.
Happy, in sooth, I deem thee now, dying before thou sawest
Our depth of ill. Thou in brief space the tale shall hear, Darius.
In utter ruin, so to speak, prostrate lies Persia's fortune.
710
DARIUS
How, prithee? Came contagion's blast or discord o'er the city?
ATOSSA
By neither, but near Athens' walls hath our whole host been routed.
DARIUS
What son of mine an armament hath thither led? Inform me.
ATOSSA
Impetuous Xerxes, all the life of wide-spread Asia draining.
DARIUS
By land or sea, unhappy man, made he this mad endeavour?
ATOSSA
By both in sooth; a twofold front there was of twofold army.
DARIUS
But how could armament so vast on foot pass from the mainland?
ATOSSA
O'er Hellè's strait he artful threw a bridge, and so found passage.
DARIUS
Thus hath he wrought, and so hemm'd in the Bosphoros' strong current!
ATOSSA
So was it, yet some demon-power did haply aid his purpose.
720
DARIUS
Alas, some mighty demon came, and hath befool'd his judgment.
ATOSSA
True, for the issue clearly shows what evil he accomplished.
DARIUS
And what hath been the fate of those o'er whom ye groan, lamenting?
ATOSSA
The naval army, worsted, drew the land force to destruction.
DARIUS
So utterly by hostile spear hath the whole army perished?
ATOSSA
Ay, emptied of her warriors, moans all the town of Susa.
DARIUS
Woe for our levies vainly made, and many-nationed army!
ATOSSA
Perished hath Bactria's martial strength, and not her elders only.
DARIUS
O hapless son, of our allies the youth how hath he ruined?
ATOSSA
Alone, abandoned, so they say, Xerxes, with but few others—
730
DARIUS
How hath he met his end, and where? or is there hope of safety?
ATOSSA
Was fain to reach the bridge that links two continents together.
DARIUS
And hath he to this mainland come in safety? Is this certain?
ATOSSA
Ay, so prevaileth the report; in that is no dissension.
DARIUS
Alas! full speedily hath come the oracles' fulfilment,
Upon my son hath Zeus hurled down the end of the predictions;
I hoped it would be long indeed, ere Heaven these ills accomplished;
But when in haste man presses on, the god still keeps beside him.
A fount of ills for all my friends seems now to be discovered;
All this my son through ignorance hath wrought and youthful daring,
740
Who Hellè's sacred tide, forsooth, as it had been his vassal,
And Bosporos, the stream of god, did hope to curb with fetters;
The current fashioned he anew, and hammer-beaten shackles
Casting around, for mighty host achieved a mighty causeway.
Though mortal, all the gods he thought, infatuate, to master,
Ay, e'en Poseidon; was not this sheer frenesy of spirit
That held my son? In fear I am lest all the ample treasure
My toil amassed, become to men the spoil of the first comer.
ATOSSA
Converse with evil-minded men hath taught impetuous Xerxes
Such lessons; for thy spear, they say, won for thy sons vast riches,
750
While he, through cowardice of soul, his spear at home still wieldeth,
Thus adding nothing to the wealth bequeathed him by his father.
Hearing from evil-minded men full often these reproaches,
This expedition did he plan and armament to Hellas.
DARIUS
Therefore by him hath ruin been achieved
Portentous, aye to be remembered, such
As ne'er before on Susa's city fell
To drain it utterly, since Sovereign Zeus
Ordained this honour, that one potentate
O'er all sheep-pasturing Asia sway should bear,
760
The sceptre wielding of command; for first
A Median led the host; another then,
His son, succeeding, the emprize achieved,
For reason swayed the rudder of his mind.
Third after him, Cyrus, god-favoured man,
Reigned, and for all his friends established peace;
O'er Lydia's host and Phrygia spread his rule,
And all Ionia forcibly subdued,
For, such his wisdom, God was not his foe.
A son of Cyrus fourth the army ruled;
770
Fifth, Mardos governed, to his fatherland
An outrage, and to Persia's ancient throne;
And him, by stratagem, brave Artaphren,
In league with friendly chiefs whose work this was, *
Slew in his palace.—Next myself obtained
The lot I craved, and with a mighty host
Full many a warlike expedition led;
But ne'er on Susa brought I bale like this.
But Xerxes, young in years, is young of soul,
And my paternal charge remembers not.
For, be assured, ye my compeers in age,
780
Not all of us, of yore these powers who held,
Shall e'er be proven to have wrought such ills.
3
CHORUS
What then, O King Darius? What the goal
To which thine utterance tends? How in this strait
May we, thy Persians, fare hereafter best?
DARIUS
March ye no more against the Hellenes' land,
Not though the Median host outnumber theirs;
The soil itself to them is an ally.
CHORUS
How meanest thou? In what way their ally?
DARIUS
By famine slaying bloated armaments.
790
CHORUS
What if choice force we levy, well-equipped?
DARIUS
Not e'en the army which remains behind
In Hellas, will achieve a safe return.
CHORUS
How say'st thou? Doth not all the Asian host
Cross back from Europe over Hellè’s strait?
DARIUS
Of many few, if it behoveth one,
Beholding things accomplished, to have faith
In god-sent oracles; for ne'er of these
Do some fulfilment find while others fail.
If this be so, persuaded by vain hopes,
A large and chosen force he leaves behind.
800
These linger where Asopos floods the plain,
Kind source of fatness to Bœotia’s fields.
There them awaits to bear of ills the crown,
Just meed of insolence and godless thoughts.
For reaching Hellas, awe forbade them not
Statues of gods to spoil or shrines to fire.
Altars are swept away, and hallowed fanes,
Uprooted from their basement, ruined lie;
Hence, having evil wrought, evil themselves
Not less they suffer, and shall suffer more;
810
Not yet is reached the bottom of their woe,
But still it welleth up, a quenchless flood; *
Such gouts of bloody slaughter shall there lie
Upon Platæa's soil from Dorian spear—
Yea, and to children's children, heaps of slain
Voiceless, shall record bear to eyes of men,
That thoughts too lofty suit not mortal man;
For bursting into blossom, Insolence
Its harvest-ear, Delusion, ripeneth,
And reaps most tearful crop. Beholding then,
Such the requital of these impious deeds,
820
Remember Athens, Hellas,—and let none
Disdaining present fortune, lusting still
For other, squander great prosperity.
For Zeus, chastiser of o'erweening thoughts,
Is aye at hand, an auditor * severe.
Wherefore, with timely warning, counsel him,
Lacking in wisdom, that he henceforth cease
'Gainst Heaven to sin, with overweening pride.
But thou, O Xerxes' aged mother dear,
Enter thy home, and taking fit attire
830
Go meet thy son; for the embroidered robes,
Through grief of heart at these calamities,
Around his person all are torn to shreds;
Soothe him with kindly words, for well I wot,
Thy voice alone will he endure to hear.
But I to nether darkness now depart.
Farewell, ye elders; although ills surround,
Yet to your souls give joyance, day by day,
For to the dead no profit is in wealth.
4 5
CHORUS
Hearing of Persia's sorrows manifold,
840
Present and yet to come, sorely I grieved.
ATOSSA
O Fate unblest! How many grievous ills
Upon me fall, yet most this sorrow stings,
That of my son's dishonour I must hear,
His royal limbs in tatter'd garb arrayed.
But I will go, and taking from my home
Costly attire, meet, if I may, my son.
For ne'er will we our dearest fail in woe.
CHORUS
XERXES
7
Ah, wretched me, whom Fate
With most unlook’d-for blow
Hath smitten! With what hate
A God on Persia's race
Hath trampled! What dire woe
Is mine! Unhappy wight!
Loosed is my strength of thew,
These elders meeting face to face.
Would that, O Zeus, me too,
With the brave men laid low,
900
Death's doom had veiled in night.
CHORUS
Woe, king, for our brave army! Woe
For honours vast of Persia's reign,
Her warriors of renown,
Whom Fate hath now mown down!
Earth mourns her martial bloom,
Growth of her soil, by Xerxes slain,
Who crowds with Persians Hades' gloom.
†Full many chiefs, our country's flower,
Lords of the conquering bow,
Now tread the paths of doom,
910
For multitudinous the power
Of men by death laid low.
Woe for our trusty forces! woe!
For Asia's land, upon her knee,
In direful fall, O king! sinks direfully.
XERXES
1st CHORUS
And I, thy home-return to hail,
An evil-omened dirge will trill,
A voice well versed in pain;
Like Mariandyne mourner's strain,
920
A doleful, tear-fraught wail.
XERXES
2nd CHORUS
With groans I too will pay
Due honour to our city's bale
Our sea-inflicted woes;
Yea, like the anguished throes
Of child-reft sire, shall sound my tear-fraught wail.
XERXES
CHORUS
Cry woe! search out the worst; woe, woe!
Where now the friendly band
Wont at thy side to stand?
Such was Pharandaces,
Susas, Pelagon, Psammis, Dotamas,
Such Agdabates, such Susiscanes,
Agbatana who left. Oh say
Where now be they?
940
XERXES
CHORUS
Where thy Pharnuchos? Woe, on woe!
Brave Ariomard and he,
Warrior of high degree,
Lilaios and the king
Seualces; Memphis where and Tharybis,
Where are Masistras, and brave Artembar,
950
Ay, and Hystæchmas? Say, oh say,
Where now be they?
XERXES
CHORUS
Him, thine all-trusty eye,
The hosts of Persia who told o'er
960
By ten times fifty score,
Alphistos, Batanochos' heir,
Sesames' son, who owed his birth
To Megabates, him didst leave,
Parthos and great Œbares there
Didst leave to die?
Unhappy men! ah me!
Persians of highest worth!
For them dire ills on ills I hear from thee,
And sighs of anguish heave.
XERXES
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.) — 65 focus
Ere now they have passed o'er the sea, the manifold host of the king—
They have gone forth to sack and to burn; ashore on the Westland they spring!
With cordage and rope they have bridged the sea-way of Helle, to pass
O'er the strait that is named by thy name, O daughter of Athamas!
80
They have anchored their ships in the current, they have bridled the neck of the sea—
The Shepherd and Lord of the East hath bidden a roadway to be!
From the land to the land they pass over, a herd at the high king's hest;
Some by the way of the waves, and some o'er the planking have pressed.
For the king is a lord and a god: he was born of the golden seed
85
That erst upon Danae fell—his captains are strong at the need!
And dark is the glare of his eyes, as eyes of a serpent blood-fed,
And with manifold troops in his train and with manifold ships hath he sped—
Yea, sped with his Syrian cars: he leads on the lords of the bow
To meet with the men of the West, the spear-armed force of the foe!
90
Can any make head and resist him, when he comes with the roll of a wave?
No barrier nor phalanx of might, no chief, be he ever so brave!
For stern is the onset of Persia, and gallant her children in fight.
But the guile of the god is deceitful, and who shall elude him by flight?
And who is the lord of the leap, that can spring and alight and evade?
95
For Até deludes and allures, till round him the meshes are laid,
And no man his doom can escape! it was writ in the rule of high Heaven,
That in tramp of the steeds and in crash of the charge the war-cry of Persia be given:
They have learned to behold the forbidden, the sacred enclosure of sea,
Where the waters are wide and in stress of the wind the billows roll hoary to lee!
100
And their trust is in cable and cordage, too weak in the power of the blast,
And frail are the links of the bridge whereby unto Hellas they passed.
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.) — 65 focus
In die jenseitigen nachbarlichen Gau'n brachen die burg-
ftürmenden Heerschaaren des Großkönigs hindurch schon
In dem wohlfugenden Boot über den Sund der
Athamantischen Helle:
70
Um den Nacken der See
Schlang sich das Joch, schlang sich der dichtbalkige Heerpfad.
Erste Gegenstrophe.
Der im volkreichen Gefild' Asia's stolzthronende Fürst,
Weit in das Land treibt er die wildstürmende Heerde:
Er gebeut Streitern zu Fuß, Kämpfern des Meeres,
75
Von gewaltigen Feldherrn,
Von verwegnen geschirmt,
Goldenen Thau's himmlischer Sohn, ähnlich den Göttern.
Zweite Strophe.
Wie der morddürstende Felsdrache mit blaufunkelndem Glutblick,
So mit viel Armen und viel Schiffen beschwingt jener den Mordpfeil
80
Von dem Streitwagen Assyriens
In die speerberühmten Festen.
Zweite Gegenstrophe.
Es vermag Keiner zu steh'n wider den stolzflutenden Heerstrom,
Und ein Bollwerk vor die unzwingbare Meerwoge zu thürmen.
Denn unnahbar in der Schlacht steht,
85
Ungebeugt das Volk der Perser.
Nachgesang.
Doch der trugspinnenden Gottheit, wo entrinnt ihr ein Geborener,
Und entspringt ihr mit behendfliehendem Fuße leichten Schwunges?
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.
Das Geschick waltete schon in der Urzeit,
Von den Göttern verhängt, zwang es die Perser,
An der burgstürmenden Feldschlacht,
An dem roßtummelnden Kriegstanz
95
Sich zu weiden, an stolzer Festen Fall.
Dritte Gegenstrophe.
Und das Volk lernte die weiten Gefilde,
Von des wilden Orkans Schauern erschäumend,
Und der See wogenden Hain schau'n,
Dem Geflecht schwankender Taue
100
Und der völkergeleitenden Brücke trau'n.
Vierte Strophe.

Notes on the current edition

Persians

1. Single-witness OCR: uncollated. Source layout and readings require scan review; automatic flags are not exhaustive.
2. Reference placement provisional: provisional local reference window from running Greek. Verify the printed source numbering and note scope against the scan.

Commentary

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

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
M.
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
M.
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
G.

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.

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

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

1
2
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.