W. S. Teuffel Persians 140-154.comm-140-154

ed. N. Wecklein

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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.) — 100 focus
Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 100 focus
ἔμαθον δ᾽ εὐρυπόροιο θαλάσσης
πολιαινομένης πνεύματι λάβρῳ
ἐςορᾶν πόντιον ἄλσος,
110
πίσυνοι λεπτοδόμοις πει-
σμασι λαοπόροις τε μηχαναῖς.
ταῦτά μοι μελαγχίτων
φρὴν ἀμύσσεται φόβῳ,
ὀά,
115
Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος
τοῦδε μὴ πόλις πύθηται κέναν-
καὶ τὸ Κισσίων πόλισμ
ἀντίδουπον ἔσσεται,
120
ὀά,
τοῦτ᾽ ἔπος γυναικοπλη-
θὴς ὅμιλος ἀπύων, βυσσίνοις δ
ἐν πέπλοις πέσῃ λακίς.
πᾶς γὰρ ἱππηλάτας
125
καὶ πεδοστιβὴς λεὼς
σμῆνος ὡς ἐκλέλοιπεν μελισ-
σᾶν σὺν ὀρχάμῳ στρατοῦ,
τὸν ἀμφίζευκτον ἐξαμείψας
ἀμφοτέρας ἅλιον
130
πρῶνα κοινὸν αἴας.
λέκτρα δ᾽ ἀνδρῶν πόθῳ
πίμπλαται δακρύμασιν·
Περσίδες δ᾽ ἀκροπενθεῖς, ἑκά-
στα πόθῳ φιλάνορι
135
τὸν αἰχμάεντα τοῦρον εἶνα-
τῆρα προπεμψαμένα
λείπεται μονόζυξ.
ἀλλ᾽ ἄγε, Πέρσαι,
τόδ᾽ ἐνεζόμενοι στέγος ἀρχαῖον
140
φροντίδα κεδνὴν καὶ βαθύβουλον
θώμεθα· χρεία δὲ προςήκει·
πῶς ἄρα πράσσει
Ξέρξης βασιλεὺς Δαρειογενής,
τὸ πατρωνύμιον γένος ἁμέτερον·
145
πότερον τόξου ῥῦμα τὸ νικῶν,
ἢ δορυκράνου
ΠΕΡΣΑΙ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΠΕΡΣΑΙ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 100 focus
ἔμαθον δ' εὐρυπόροιο θαλάσσας
Ant. 4.
πολιαινομένας πνεύματι λάβρῳ
ἐσορᾶν πόντιον ἄλσος, πίσυνοι λεπ-
τοδόμοις πείσμασι λα-
105
οπόροις τε μηχαναῖς.
Ταῦτά μου μοι μελαγχίτων
Str. 1.
φρὴν ἀμύσσεται φόβῳ,
« ὀᾶ Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος »,
τοῦδε μὴ πόλις πύθη-
110
καὶ τὸ Κισσίων πόλισμ'
Ant. 1.
ἀντίδουπον ἔσσεται ἔσεται,
« ὀᾶ », τοῦτ' ἔπος γυναικοπλη-
θὴς ὅμιλος ἀπύων,
115
βυσσίνοις δ' ἐν πέπλοις πέσῃ λακίς.
Πᾶς γὰρ ἱππηλάτας
Str. 2.
καὶ πεδοστιβὴς λεώς
σμῆνος ὣς ἐκλέλοι-
πεν μελισσᾶν σὺν ὀρχάμῳ στρατοῦ,
120
τὸν ἀμφίζευκτον ἐξαμείψας
ἀμφοτέρας ἅλιον
πρῶνα κοινὸν αἴας·
λέκτρα δ' ἀνδρῶν πόθῳ
Ant. 2.
πίμπλαται δακρύμασιν·
125
Περσίδες δ' ἁβροπενθεῖς ἀκροπενθεῖς
ἑκάστα πόθῳ φιλάνορι
τὸν αἰχμήεντα θοῦρον εὐνα-
τῆρα προπεμψαμένα ἀποπεμψαμένα
λείπεται μονόζυξ.
130
Ἀλλ' ἄγε, Πέρσαι, τόδ' ἐνεζόμενοι
στέγος ἀρχαῖον, φροντίδα κεδνὴν
καὶ βαθύβουλον
θώμεθα — χρεία δὲ προσήκει —
πῶς ἄρα πράσσει Ξέρξης βασιλεὺς
135
Δαρειογενής, τὸ πατρωνύμιον
γένος ἡμέτερον ἁμέτερον· πότερον τόξου
ῥῦμα τὸ νικῶν, ἢ δορυκράνου δορικράνου
λόγχης ἰσχὺς κεκράτηκεν.
Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 107 focus
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.
ἔμαθον δ᾽ εὐρυπόροι-
110
ο θαλάσσης πολιαι-
νομένης πνεύματι λάβρῳ
ἐσορᾶν πόντιον ἄλσος,
πίσυνοι λεπτοδόμοις πεί-
σμασι λα-
115
οπόροις τε μηχαναῖς.
Ταῦτά μου μελαγχίτων
φρὴν ἀμύσσεται φόβῳ,
δᾶ
Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος
120
τοῦδε μὴ πόλις πύθη-
ται κένανδρον μέγ᾽ ἄστυ Σουσίδος,
καὶ τὸ Κισσίων πόλισμ᾽
ἀντίδουπον ᾄσεται,
δᾶ,
125
τοῦτ᾽ ἔπος γυναικοπλη-
θὴς ὅμιλος ἀπύων,
βυσσίνοις δ᾽ ἐν πέπλοις πέσῃ λακίς.
Πᾶς γὰρ ἱππηλάτης
καὶ πεδοστιβὴς λεὼς
130
σμήνος ὡς ἐκλέλοι-
πεν μέλισσαι σὺν ὀρχάμῳ στρατοῦ,
λέκτρα δ᾽ ἀνδρῶν πόθῳ
πίμπλαται δακρύμασιν·
Περσίδες δ᾽ ἀκροπεν-
θεῖς ἑκάστα πόθῳ φιλάνορι
τὸν αἰχμήεντα θοῦρον εὐνα-
140
τῆρ᾽ ἀποπεμψαμένη
λείπεται μονόζυξ.
ἀλλ᾽ ἄγε, Πέρσαι, τόδ᾽ ἐνεζόμενοι
στέγος ἀρχαῖον,
φροντίδα κεδνὴν καὶ βαθύβουλον
145
θώμεθα, χρεία δὲ προσήκει,
πῶς ἄρα πράσσει Ξέρξης βασιλεὺς
Δαρειογενής, τὸ πατρωνύμιον
γένος ἡμέτερον
πότερον τόξου ῥῦμα τὸ νικῶν,
150
Aeschyli Persae (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Persae. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 100 focus
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. –
ταῦτά μοι μελαγχίτων
φρὴν ἀμύσσεται φόβωι,
115
Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος
τοῦδε μὴ πόλις πύθη-
καὶ τὸ Κισσίων πόλισμ᾽
ἀντίδουπον ἄισεται
120
τοῦτ᾽ ἔπος, γυναικοπλη-
θὴς ὅμιλος ἀπύων·
βυσσίνοις δ᾽ ἐν πέπλοις πέσηι λακίς. =
πᾶς γὰρ ἱππηλάτας
καὶ πεδοστιβὴς λεὼς
125
σμῆνος ὡς ἐκλέλοιπεν μελισ-
σᾶν σὺν ὀρχάμωι στρατοῦ,
τὸν ἀμφίζευκτον ἐξαμείψας
ἀμφοτέρας ἅλιον
πρῶνα κοινὸν αἴας. –
130
λέκτρα δ᾽ ἀνδρῶν πόθωι
πίμπλαται δακρύμασιν·
Περσίδες δ᾽ ἁβροπενθεῖς ἑκά-
στα πόθωι φιλάνορι
τὸν αἰχμήεντα θοῦρον εὐνα-
135
τῆρα προπεμψαμένα
λείπεται μονόζυξ. –
ἀλλ᾽ ἄγε Πέρσαι, τόδ᾽ ἐνεζόμενοι
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.) — 107 focus
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.
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].
By reason of these things my soul, wrapt in gloom, is torn by terror, alas! for this army of the Persians! lest the state should learn that the mighty city of the Susian district is drained of its warriors,
and the fortress of the Cissians; (the crowded assemblage of women uttering 1
this word, alas! will re-echo the strain,) and rending shall fall upon the finely-woven vestments.
For all the host that drive the steed, and that tramp along the plain, hath gone off like a swarm of bees, along with the leader of the army, having crossed the ocean promontory common to both continents 2
, united to either side.
And through regret for their lords, the couches are filled with tears: and the matrons of Persia in excessive grief, each one of them in tenderness for her lord, having sent off her fierce warrior consort, is left behind in solitude.
But come, Persians, let us seat ourselves beneath in this ancient dwelling, and take wary and well-pondered care,-for the necessity has arrived-how haply fares our king Xerxes, offspring of Darius, being of the same ancestral race with us 3
. Is it the drawing of the bow that prevails, or hath the might of the barbed spear got the mastery? But here comes forth a light like to the eyes of gods, the mother of our sovereign, and my queen, I do lowly homage. And fitting it is that we all address her with, words of salutation. Enter Atossa.
LES PERSES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES PERSES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 100 focus
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
se vont heurtant les cavaliers, les renversements de cités.
Mais voici qu'ils ont appris, sur les larges routes des mers,
que blanchit le vent fougueux,
à contempler l'étendue sacrée des eaux, confiants dans de frêles édifices de cordes, dans des engins à transporter les hommes 1 !
Vif et mordant.

Voilà pourquoi mon âme en deuil est déchirée par l'angoisse. «
Oâh ! sur l'armée perse ! » est-ce là la nouvelle
la citadelle des Kissiens 2 ? « Oâh ! »
est-ce là ce qu'un jour criera une foule confuse de femmes, tandis que sur leurs robes de lin leurs mains s'abattront pour les mettre en lambeaux ?
Un peu élargi.
Hélas ! tout un peuple de cavaliers, de fantassins s'en est allé, pareil à un essaim d'abeilles, derrière son conducteur
d'armée. Il a franchi les caps marins aujourd'hui réunis et communs aux deux continents.
Et le regret des hommes emplit les lits de larmes. Chaque
femme perse, en son deuil languissant, a donné l'escorte d'un regret amoureux à son belliqueux et bouillant époux et demeure seule du couple d'antan.
Mélodrame.
The Persians (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 107 focus
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
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.
For this with many' a ſad and gloomy thought
125
My tortur'd breaſt is fraught:
Ah me! for Perſia's abſent ſons I ſigh;
For whilſt in foreign fields they fight,
Our towns expos'd to wild affright
An eaſy prey to the invader lie:
130
Where, mighty Suſa, where thy pow'rs,
To wield the warrior's arms, and guard thy regal
tow'rs?
For all her youth in martial pride,
140
Like bees that, cluſt'ring round their king,
Their dark-embodied ſquadrons bring,
Attend their ſcepter'd monarch's ſide,
And ſtreich acroſs the watry way
From ſhore to ſhore their long array.
145
The Perſian dames with many' a tender fear
In grief's ſad vigils keep the midnight hour;
Shed on the widow'd couch the ſtreaining tear,
And the long abſence of their loves deplore.
Each lonely matron feels her penſive breaſt
150
Throb with defire, with aching fondneſs glow,
Since in bright arms her daring warrior dreſt
Left her to languiſh in her love-lorn woe.
Now ye grave Perſians, that your honour'd ſeats
Hold in this ancient houſe, with prudent care
155
And deep deliberation, ſo the ſtate
Requires, conſult we, pond'ring the event
Of this great war, which our imperial lord,
The mighty Xerxes from Darius ſprung,
The ſtream of whoſe rich blood flows in our veins,
160
Leads againſt Greece;
whether his arrowy ſhow'r
Shot from the ſtrong-braced bow, or the huge ſpear
High brandiſh'd, in the deathful field prevails.
But ſee, the monarch's mother: like the Gods
165
Her luſtre blazes on our eyes: My queen,
Proſtrate I fall before her b
: All advance
With reverence, and in duteous phraſe addreſs her.
Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 100 focus
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.
Però, cinto di gramaglia,
il mio cuore si travaglia:
ahimè!
120
Temo ognor pel nostro esercito,
e che a Susa tal notizia
non arrivi
che dei suoi figli la privi.
E dei Cissi la città
125
al suo grido eco farà:
ahimè!
Leveranno un pianto simile
le caterve delle femmine;
ed il bisso
130
d'ogni manto cadrà scisso.
Però che tutti mossero,
cavalieri e pedestri moltitudini,
simili a sciame d'api,
col signor delle schiere; e valicarono
135
lo stretto pei due capi
che l'una e l'altra terra
fanno comuni, e un giogo ora li serra.
Umidi son di lagrime
pel desiderio degli sposi i talami.
140
Aspro affanno travaglia
le spose persïane.
Esse già videro
muovere alla battaglia
lo sposo prediletto
145
tutto furore: ed or vedovo è il letto.
1
Or su via, Persïani, che in questo
risediamo vetusto palagio,
con profondo sincero consiglio
si ricerchi ché incalzan gli eventi
150
in che sorti si trovi il re Serse
figliuolo di Dario,
la cui stirpe al mio popol die' nome:
se vinceva la furia dei dardi
o la forza di ferrëe cuspidi.
155
Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 100 focus
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.
Omnis enim equestris pedestris populus
95
Reliquit urbem, tanquam examen
Apum cum duce exercitus,
Fretum traijciens
Vtriufq; marinum prominens commune
Terre:lecti uerò uirorum amore
100
Implentur lachrymis.
Perſides uerò admodum flentes,
Vnaquæq; ad bellum uiri amore
Impetuofum, maritum dimittens,
Triſtatur fold.
105
Sed agite Perfe, fedentes in hac antiqua fede,
Curam probam & profundum confilium
Ponamus:nam conuenit hoc negotium.
Quomodo fanè agit Xerxes rex
Dariogena, patrinominis est genus noſtrum
110
Vtrum arcus impetus uicerit,
Aut hastatæ lancee robur fuperauerit,
Sed dijs æquale oculis noftris
Lumen proficifcitur mater regis,
Regina mea, procido,
115
Et opus est claris ipſam
Omnes uerbis falutare.
The Persians (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians. Anna Swanwick, 1886.) — 96 focus
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.
1 2
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
4
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
CHORUS
We for another mourn,
Of Mardia's myriad host the head,
Xanthos;—Anchares, Arian-born,
Diæxis and Arsaces, who
Afield our mounted forces led,
Kigdagatas and Lythimnas,
War-craving Tolmos—these, alas,
These mourn we too.
980
Sorrow astounds, ah me,
Sorrow astounds my mind
These chiefs on tented cars no more to see
Thy royal pomp behind.
XERXES
CHORUS
Lost amid the nameless dead.
XERXES
Woe! Woe! Alas! Woe! Woe!
CHORUS
Woe! Woe! in sooth, for lo!
Ill so unlooked-for and pre-eminent
As Atè ne'er beheld, the gods have sent.
XERXES
CHORUS
Stricken, in sooth, too plain our woe.
XERXES
Fresh griefs, fresh griefs, ah me!
CHORUS
Meeting Ionian seamen, we
Have now, alas, encountered dire disgrace;
Unfortunate in war is Persia's race.
XERXES
CHORUS
Perished hath Persia's high estate.
XERXES
Dost see this remnant of my warlike gear?
CHORUS
Yea, I behold.
1000
XERXES
This also—arrows that should hold?
CHORUS
What sayest saved hath been?
XERXES
Casket for missiles keen.
CHORUS
Small rest of ample store.
XERXES
None left to aid us more.
CHORUS
Ionia's people flee not from the spear.
XERXES
CHORUS
Wilt tell of flight and naval overthrow?
XERXES
At this sad chance my robes I rent.
CHORUS
Ah me! Ah me!
1010
XERXES
Worse than ah me! ay, worse!
CHORUS
Double, ay, threefold curse.
XERXES
Joyful to foes, to us despair.
CHORUS
Maimed prowess we lament.
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.) — 107 focus
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,
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.
Therefore my gloom-wrapped heart is rent with sorrow
For what may hap to-morrow!
Alack, for all the Persian armament—
105
Alack, lest there be sent
Dread news of desolation, Susa's land
Bereft, forlorn, unmanned—
Lest the grey Kissian fortress echo back
The wail, Alack, Alack!
110
The sound of women's shriek, who wail and mourn,
With fine-spun raiment torn!
The charioteers went forth nor come again,
And all the marching men
Even as a swarm of bees have flown afar,
115
Drawn by the king to war—
Crossing the sea-bridge, linked from side to side,
That doth the waves divide:
And the soft bridal couch of bygone years
Is now bedewed with tears,
120
Each princess, clad in garments delicate,
Wails for her widowed fate—
Alas my gallant bridegroom, lost and gone,
And I am left alone!
But now, ye warders of the state,
125
Here, in this hall of old renown,
Behoves that we deliberate
In counsel deep and wise debate,
For need is surely shown!
How fareth he, Darius' child,
130
The Persian king, from Perseus styled?
Comes triumph to the eastern bow,
Or hath the lance-point conquered now?
[ Enter Atossa.
See, yonder comes the mother-queen,
Light of our eyes, in godlike sheen,
135
The royal mother of the king!—
Fall we before her! well it were
That, all as one, we sue to her,
And round her footsteps cling!
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.) — 107 focus
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.
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.
Drum zerreißt mir bange Furcht
Meine nachtumhüllte Brust,
(O Gram!)
Furcht, das Volk vernehme bald,
Daß, beraubt des Perserheers, männerleer
105
Stehe Susa's große Stadt.
Vierte Gegenstrophe.
Und die Mauer Kissia's,
Fürcht' ich, hallt die Klage nach;
( Gram!)
Jammernd zieht der Weheruf
Durch der Frauen dichte Reih'n; wild entzwei
110
Reißt der Schmerz das Byssoskleid,
Fünfte Strophe.
Alles Volk, kampfbereit,
Stürmte hin zu Fuß und Roß;
Einem Schwarm Bienen gleich, zog es aus,
Seinem Heergebieter nach,
115
Und schritt kühn über jenes Joch hin,
Das die Gestade vereint
Beider Länderveſten.
Fünfte Gegenstrophe.
Doch daheim nezt der Frau'n
Lager sehnsuchtheißer Schmerz;
120
Persis' Frau'n, gramgebeugt, jede weint
Bang dem Heißgeliebten nach,
Dem muthvoll ungestümen Streiter,
Den sie gesandt in den Kampf,
Härmt sich ab vereinsamt.
125
Nun, Perser, wohlan! Hier sehen wir uns
An den alten Palast,
Und pflegen mit Ernst tiefsinnigen Rath;
Denn drängend gebeut es die Noth uns.
Wie mag es um ihn,
130
Um Xerxes steh'n, des Dareios Sohn,
Durch Perseus unserem Stamme verwandt?
Ob über den Feind das geschnellte Geschoß,
Ob die Lanze den Sieg
Mit der eisernen Stirn sich erkämpfte?
135
(Aus der Pforte des königlichen Palastes wird Atossa im höchsten Schmucke der Königin auf goldenem Throne herausgetragen; großes Gefolge.)

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

140. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-109

τόδ᾽ ἐνεζόμενοι στέγος:
τὸ δὲνεζόμενοι στέος
M.

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

θώμεθα· χρεία:
θώμεθ' α. χρεία
M. προςήκει:
προσήκοι
Cantabr. 2. Colb. 2.

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

ἄρα:
ἆρα
M. πράσσει:
πράξει
Lips.

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

πατρωνύμιον:
πρωνύμιον
G.
πατρώνυμον
Vit. Mosc. Genus, inquiunt, a Perseo ductum, unde nos nomen habemus, ideoque nobis cognatum. Formam vocabuli tuetur Pindaricum
ἐπωνύμιος
. ἁμέτερον:
ἁμέτερον
, superscripto primae litterae
f
, Lips.

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

πότερον:
πότερ'
or cum litura inter
ρ
et
o
M. νικῶν:
νικών
Vit.

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

δορυκράνου:
δορικράνου
G. Lips. Ven. A. Par. G. Ald. Rob.
δορυκράνου
M. Vit. Turn. Recte, ut videtur.

148. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-115

κεκράτηκεν:
κεκράτηκε
Vit.

149. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-116

NA: Prodit regina splendido ornatu et curru vecta, ut ex v. 610. intelligitur. ἴσον:
ἴσον
M. G. Lips. Turn.
ἶσον
Vit. Ald. Rob.

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

φάος:
φῶς
Lips. aliique pauci et Ald. ὁρμᾶται:
ὁρᾶται
Ven. B. et adscripto
ὁρμᾶται
Par. B.

151. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-118

βασίλεια δ᾽ ἐμή· προπίτνω, * προπίτνω· *: Libri
β. δ' ἐμὴ, προσπιτνῶ
, nisi quod
προσπιτνῶ (προσπίτνω M.) προσκυνῶ
habent M. Par. L. N. explicatione in textum admissa, quae in Vit. Lips. supra scripta est. Putavi scribendum esse
προπίτνω, προπίτνω
. Sic v. 591.
ἐς γᾶν προπίτνοντες
. Sophocles El. 1380.
αἰτῶ, προπίτνω, λίσσομαι
. Euripides Suppl. 93.
ὁσίως οὔχ, ὑπ᾽ ἀνάγκας δὲ προπίπτουσα, προςαιτοῦσ᾽ ἔμολον.

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

προςφθόγγοις:
πρὸς φθόγγοις
G.
προσφθόγκοις
Lips. χρεὼν:
χερῶν
Lips.

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

Περσίδων: Hunc et sequentem versum affert Maximus Planudas in Bachmanni Anecd. II. p. 99, 27.
δαιμόνων
pro
Περσίδων
Ven. B.

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

140-154. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-22

1
2
Fortsetzung des ersten Teils und Ankündigung der auftretenden Königin-Mutter, ge- sprochen vom Koryphaios. Vier Systeme anapästischer Dimeter; vgl. Westphal2 II S. 414. Der Chor setzt sich (bis 150) auf die Stufen, die zur Bühne (somit hier zum Königs- palast) hinaufführen, und stellt, in Ermanglung positiver Nachrichten, Betrachtungen an, wie es wohl dem Xerxes und seinem Heere gehen möge. – χρεία δὲ προσήκει paratak- tisch. – πατρωνύμιον γένος, sofern die Πέρσαι den Namen von dem Urahnen des Xerxes, Perseus, tra- gen; vgl. 80. Ob das Bogen- anziehen (Bogenschiefsen, also die Perser, s. 85) das Siegende ist oder die Hellenen ( δορυκράνου, vgl. 84). δορύκρανος (von δόρυ κ. κάρανον) λόγχη, die Spitze am Kopfe des Speerschaftes. Mit V. 150 erscheint aus der Mittel- thüre des Hintergrundes der Bühne (auf einem Thronsessel getragen, vgl. 607) Atossa und wird von dem Chor ehrfurchtsvoll begrüfst. Atossa war nach Herod. VII 2 eine Tochter des Kyros und die zweite Gemahlin des Dareios Hystaspis, auf den sie grofsen Einfluss übte ( ἡ γὰρ Ἄτοσσα εἶχε τὸ πᾶν κράτος, ib. 3), und von ihm Mutter des Xerxes. Vgl. S. 34, A. 22. θεῶν ὀφθαλμοῖς, ein Glanz wie er aus Götteraugen strahlt. προσπίτνω (zu V. 32) s. v. a. προσκυνῶ; was der Koryphaios thut, macht der übrige Chor nach. Älian v. h. Ι 21: νόμος ἐστὶν ἐπιχώριος Πέρ- σαις τὸν εἰς ὀφθαλμοὺς ἐλθόντα τοῦ βασιλέως μὴ πρότερον λόγου μεταλαγχάνειν πρὶν ἢ προσκυνῆσαι αὐτόν. Εur. Οr. 1507: προσκυνώ σ᾽, ἄναξ, νόμοισι βαρβάροισι προσπίτ- νων. χρεών ( ἐστι), 95. 147. Επεισόδιον πρῶτον (155-531), die Mittel- und Hauptpartie des Stücks, dialogisch gehalten teils in dem altertümlichen Maſse des Dialogs, dem tetram. troch. cat. (Westphal2 II S. 452), teils, bei der einfachen Erzählung, im iambischen Trimeter.