Persians. Aeschylus. ed. N. Wecklein. Berolini. 1885.
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Πέρσαι (OCR draft) (Greek) (Πέρσαι. N. Wecklein, 1885.)
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Editions (6)
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 πλοῦτος
2
κονίσας οὖδας ἀντρέψῃ ποδὶ
ὄλβον, ὃν Δαρεῖος ἦρεν οὐκ ἄνευ θεῶν τινός.
ταῦτά μοι διπλῆ μέριμνα φραστός
3
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᾽ ὀφθαλμῷ
4
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
εὐμενεῖς γὰρ ὄντας ἡμᾶς τῶνδε συμβούλους καλεῖς.
175
176
Ἄτοσσα
πολλοῖς μὲν αἰεὶ
7
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 μοι
8
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᾽ αὐχένων
10
τίθησι. χἠ μὲν τῇδ᾽ ἐπυργοῦτο στολῇ
ἐν ἡνίαισί τ᾽
11
εἶχεν εὔαρκτον στόμα,
ἡ δ᾽ ἐσφάδᾳζε, καὶ χεροῖν ἔντη
12
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:
μεθύστερον
13
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
καὶ ταῦτα μὲν δὴ νυκτὸς εἰσιδεῖν λέγω.
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,
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 δὴ
18
τὰ χρηστά: ταῦτα δ᾽, ὡς ἐφίεσαι,
πάντα θήσομεν θεοῖσι τοῖς τ᾽ ἔνερθε γῆς φίλοις,
εὖτ᾽ ἂν εἰς οἴκους μόλωμεν. κεῖνο
19
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
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
ἀλλ᾽ ἐμοὶ δοκεῖν τάχ᾽ εἴσει πάντα ναμερτῆ
23
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 μέγας
24
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
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.
καὶ ταῦτα μὲν δὴ νυκτὸς εἰσιδεῖν λέγω.
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.) — 115 focus
Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 115 focus
Χορὸς Γερόντων.
δρον μέγ' ἄστυ Σουσίδος,
ΠΕΡΣΑΙ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΠΕΡΣΑΙ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 115 focus
Ταῦτά
μου
μοι μελαγχίτων
Str. 1.
φρὴν ἀμύσσεται φόβῳ,
« ὀᾶ Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος »,
τοῦδε μὴ πόλις πύθη-
110
ΧΟΡΟΣ
ται, κένανδρον μέγ' ἄστυ Σουσίδος,
Aeschyli Persae (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Persae. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 115 focus
ταῦτά μοι μελαγχίτων
φρὴν ἀμύσσεται φόβωι,
115
Περσικοῦ στρατεύματος
τοῦδε μὴ πόλις πύθη-
Apparatus Criticus
ἀπάταν ἀπάτην θνατὸς θνητός ἀνάισσων ἀνάσσων recte legit Brunck. (παρα)σαίνου- 1 ἄρκυας ἄτα ἀρκύστατα corr. Herm. ὑπέκ ὑπὲr (ὕπερ Ρ ὑπέρ Ργρ) ὑπέκ θνατὸn θάνατον μοῖρ᾽ ἐκράτησεν μοῖρα κράτ. πυργοδαΐκτους πυρσοδ. ἱππιοχάρμας ἱππιοχάρμους -χάρμονας πόλεών τ᾽ πόλεών τ' καὶ πολ. πόλ. δ' ἀναστάσεις πόλ. ἀν. θαλάσσας θαλάσσας θαλάσσης πολιαινομένας πολιαινομένας πολιαινομένης ἄλσος ἄλγος πίσυνοι πίσσυνοι τε om μοι μοι μου ἀμύσσεται ἀμύσεται
ΧΟ.
ται, κένανδρον μέγ᾽ ἄστυ Σουσίδος
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.)) — 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
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,
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.
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.) — 115 focus
LES PERSES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES PERSES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 115 focus
Mais voici qu'ils ont appris, sur les larges routes des mers,
que blanchit le vent fougueux,
que blanchit le vent fougueux,
The Persians (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 115 focus
Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 115 focus
CORO
Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 115 focus
The Persians (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians. Anna Swanwick, 1886.) — 115 focus
XERXES
STROPHE IV.
For lost are they our host who led.
STROPHE IV.
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.) — 115 focus
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—
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.) — 115 focus
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.
Commentary
Critical apparatus to The Persians (OCR draft) (Latin and Greek critical apparatus to Gottfried Hermann's 1852 edition of The Persians.) focus
4-5.
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66.
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68-69.
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71.
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96-97.
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108-109.
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110.
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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
1-64.
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1-7.
mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-2
8-15.
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16-20.
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21-58.
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29-32.
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33-40.
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41-48.
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49-55.
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56-58.
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59-64.
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65-72.
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73-80.
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81-86.
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87-92.
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93-101.
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102-113.
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114-119.
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120-125.
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