ἴυζ᾽ ἄποτμον βοὰν
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.) — 290-547 focus
Ἄτοσσα
σιγῶ πάλαι δύστηνος ἐκπεπληγμένη
290
κακοῖς: ὑπερβάλλει γὰρ ἥδε συμφορά,
τὸ μήτε λέξαι μήτ᾽ ἐρωτῆσαι πάθη.
ὅμως δ᾽ ἀνάγκη πημονὰς βροτοῖς φέρειν
θεῶν διδόντων: πᾶν δ᾽ ἀναπτύξας πάθος
λέξον καταστάς, κεἰ στένεις κακοῖς ὅμως,
295
τίς οὐ τέθνηκε, τίνα δὲ καὶ πενθήσομεν
τῶν ἀρχελείων, ὅστ᾽ ἐπὶ σκηπτουχίᾳ
ταχθεὶς ἄνανδρον τάξιν ἠρήμου θανών.
σιγῶ πάλαι δύστηνος ἐκπεπληγμένη
290
κακοῖς: ὑπερβάλλει γὰρ ἥδε συμφορά,
τὸ μήτε λέξαι μήτ᾽ ἐρωτῆσαι πάθη.
ὅμως δ᾽ ἀνάγκη πημονὰς βροτοῖς φέρειν
θεῶν διδόντων: πᾶν δ᾽ ἀναπτύξας πάθος
λέξον καταστάς, κεἰ στένεις κακοῖς ὅμως,
295
τίς οὐ τέθνηκε, τίνα δὲ καὶ πενθήσομεν
τῶν ἀρχελείων, ὅστ᾽ ἐπὶ σκηπτουχίᾳ
ταχθεὶς ἄνανδρον τάξιν ἠρήμου θανών.
Ἄγγελος
Ξέρξης μὲν αὐτὸς ζῇ τε καὶ βλέπει φάος.
1
Ξέρξης μὲν αὐτὸς ζῇ τε καὶ βλέπει φάος.
1
Ἄτοσσα
ἐμοῖς μὲν εἶπας δώμασιν φάος μέγα
300
καὶ λευκὸν ἦμαρ νυκτὸς ἐκ μελαγχίμου.
ἐμοῖς μὲν εἶπας δώμασιν φάος μέγα
300
καὶ λευκὸν ἦμαρ νυκτὸς ἐκ μελαγχίμου.
Ἄγγελος
Ἀρτεμβάρης δὲ μυρίας ἵππου
2
βραβεὺς
στύφλους παρ᾽ ἀκτὰς θείνεται Σιληνιῶν.
χὠ χιλίαρχος Δαδάκης πληγῇ δορὸς
πήδημα κοῦφον ἐκ νεὼς ἀφήλατο:
305
Τενάγων τ᾽ ἀριστεὺς
3
Βακτρίων ἰθαγενὴς
θαλασσόπληκτον νῆσον Αἴαντος πολεῖ.
Λίλαιος, Ἀρσάμης τε κἀργήστης τρίτος,
οἵδ᾽ ἀμφὶ νῆσον τὴν πελειοθρέμμονα
δινούμενοι
4
κύρισσον ἰσχυρὰν χθόνα:
310
πηγαῖς τε Νείλου γειτονῶν Αἰγυπτίου
Ἀρκτεύς, Ἀδεύης, καὶ Φερεσσάκης
5
τρίτος,
Φαρνοῦχος, οἵδε ναὸς ἐκ μιᾶς πέσον.
Χρυσεὺς Μάταλλος μυριόνταρχος θανών,
ἵππου μελαίνης ἡγεμὼν τρισμυρίας,
315
πυρσὴν
6
ζαπληθῆ δάσκιον γενειάδα
ἔτεγγ᾽, ἀμείβων χρῶτα πορφυρᾷ
7
βαφῇ.
καὶ Μᾶγος Ἄραβος, Ἀρτάβης τε Βάκτριος,
σκληρᾶς μέτοικος γῆς, ἐκεῖ κατέφθιτο.
Ἄμιστρις Ἀμφιστρεύς τε πολύπονον δόρυ
320
νωμῶν, ὅ τ᾽ ἐσθλὸς Ἀριόμαρδος Σάρδεσι
8
πένθος παρασχών, Σεισάμης θ᾽ ὁ Μύσιος,
Θάρυβίς τε πεντήκοντα πεντάκις νεῶν
ταγός, γένος Λυρναῖος, εὐειδὴς ἀνήρ,
κεῖται θανὼν δείλαιος οὐ μάλ᾽ εὐτυχῶς:
325
Συέννεσίς τε πρῶτος εἰς εὐψυχίαν,
Κιλίκων ἔπαρχος,
9
εἷς ἀνὴρ πλεῖστον πόνον
ἐχθροῖς παρασχών, εὐκλεῶς ἀπώλετο.
πολλῶν παρόντων δ᾽
12
ὀλίγ᾽ ἀπαγγέλλω κακά.
330
331
Ἀρτεμβάρης δὲ μυρίας ἵππου
2
βραβεὺς
στύφλους παρ᾽ ἀκτὰς θείνεται Σιληνιῶν.
χὠ χιλίαρχος Δαδάκης πληγῇ δορὸς
πήδημα κοῦφον ἐκ νεὼς ἀφήλατο:
305
Τενάγων τ᾽ ἀριστεὺς
3
Βακτρίων ἰθαγενὴς
θαλασσόπληκτον νῆσον Αἴαντος πολεῖ.
Λίλαιος, Ἀρσάμης τε κἀργήστης τρίτος,
οἵδ᾽ ἀμφὶ νῆσον τὴν πελειοθρέμμονα
δινούμενοι
4
κύρισσον ἰσχυρὰν χθόνα:
310
πηγαῖς τε Νείλου γειτονῶν Αἰγυπτίου
Ἀρκτεύς, Ἀδεύης, καὶ Φερεσσάκης
5
τρίτος,
Φαρνοῦχος, οἵδε ναὸς ἐκ μιᾶς πέσον.
Χρυσεὺς Μάταλλος μυριόνταρχος θανών,
ἵππου μελαίνης ἡγεμὼν τρισμυρίας,
315
πυρσὴν
6
ζαπληθῆ δάσκιον γενειάδα
ἔτεγγ᾽, ἀμείβων χρῶτα πορφυρᾷ
7
βαφῇ.
καὶ Μᾶγος Ἄραβος, Ἀρτάβης τε Βάκτριος,
σκληρᾶς μέτοικος γῆς, ἐκεῖ κατέφθιτο.
Ἄμιστρις Ἀμφιστρεύς τε πολύπονον δόρυ
320
νωμῶν, ὅ τ᾽ ἐσθλὸς Ἀριόμαρδος Σάρδεσι
8
πένθος παρασχών, Σεισάμης θ᾽ ὁ Μύσιος,
Θάρυβίς τε πεντήκοντα πεντάκις νεῶν
ταγός, γένος Λυρναῖος, εὐειδὴς ἀνήρ,
κεῖται θανὼν δείλαιος οὐ μάλ᾽ εὐτυχῶς:
325
Συέννεσίς τε πρῶτος εἰς εὐψυχίαν,
Κιλίκων ἔπαρχος,
9
εἷς ἀνὴρ πλεῖστον πόνον
ἐχθροῖς παρασχών, εὐκλεῶς ἀπώλετο.
πολλῶν παρόντων δ᾽
12
ὀλίγ᾽ ἀπαγγέλλω κακά.
330
Ἄτοσσα
αἰαῖ, κακῶν ὕψιστα δὴ κλύω τάδε,
αἴσχη τε Πέρσαις καὶ λιγέα κωκύματα.
ἀτὰρ φράσον μοι τοῦτ᾽ ἀναστρέψας πάλιν:
πόσον δὲ
13
πλῆθος ἦν νεῶν Ἑλληνίδων,
ὥστ᾽ ἀξιῶσαι Περσικῷ στρατεύματι
335
μάχην συνάψαι ναΐοισιν ἐμβολαῖς;
αἰαῖ, κακῶν ὕψιστα δὴ κλύω τάδε,
αἴσχη τε Πέρσαις καὶ λιγέα κωκύματα.
ἀτὰρ φράσον μοι τοῦτ᾽ ἀναστρέψας πάλιν:
πόσον δὲ
13
πλῆθος ἦν νεῶν Ἑλληνίδων,
ὥστ᾽ ἀξιῶσαι Περσικῷ στρατεύματι
335
μάχην συνάψαι ναΐοισιν ἐμβολαῖς;
Ἄγγελος
πλήθους μὲν ἂν σάφ᾽ ἴσθ᾽ ἕκατι βάρβαρον
14
ναυσὶν κρατῆσαι. καὶ γὰρ Ἕλλησιν μὲν ἦν
ὁ πᾶς ἀριθμὸς ἐς τριακάδας δέκα
ναῶν, δεκὰς δ᾽ ἦν τῶνδε χωρὶς ἔκκριτος:
340
Ξέρξῃ δέ, καὶ γὰρ οἶδα, χιλιὰς μὲν ἦν
ὧν ἦγε πλῆθος, αἱ δ᾽ ὑπέρκοποι
15
τάχει
ἑκατὸν δὶς ἦσαν ἑπτά θ᾽: ὧδ᾽ ἔχει λόγος.
μή σοι δοκοῦμεν τῇδε λειφθῆναι
16
μάχῃ;
ἀλλ᾽ ὧδε δαίμων τις κατέφθειρε στρατόν,
345
τάλαντα βρίσας οὐκ ἰσορρόπῳ τύχῃ.
θεοὶ πόλιν σῴζουσι Παλλάδος
17
θεᾶς.
πλήθους μὲν ἂν σάφ᾽ ἴσθ᾽ ἕκατι βάρβαρον
14
ναυσὶν κρατῆσαι. καὶ γὰρ Ἕλλησιν μὲν ἦν
ὁ πᾶς ἀριθμὸς ἐς τριακάδας δέκα
ναῶν, δεκὰς δ᾽ ἦν τῶνδε χωρὶς ἔκκριτος:
340
Ξέρξῃ δέ, καὶ γὰρ οἶδα, χιλιὰς μὲν ἦν
ὧν ἦγε πλῆθος, αἱ δ᾽ ὑπέρκοποι
15
τάχει
ἑκατὸν δὶς ἦσαν ἑπτά θ᾽: ὧδ᾽ ἔχει λόγος.
μή σοι δοκοῦμεν τῇδε λειφθῆναι
16
μάχῃ;
ἀλλ᾽ ὧδε δαίμων τις κατέφθειρε στρατόν,
345
τάλαντα βρίσας οὐκ ἰσορρόπῳ τύχῃ.
θεοὶ πόλιν σῴζουσι Παλλάδος
17
θεᾶς.
Ἄτοσσα
ἔτ᾽ ἆρ᾽ Ἀθηνῶν ἔστ᾽ ἀπόρθητος πόλις;
ἔτ᾽ ἆρ᾽ Ἀθηνῶν ἔστ᾽ ἀπόρθητος πόλις;
Ἄγγελος
ἀνδρῶν γὰρ ὄντων ἕρκος ἐστὶν ἀσφαλές.
ἀνδρῶν γὰρ ὄντων ἕρκος ἐστὶν ἀσφαλές.
Ἄτοσσα
ἀρχὴ δὲ ναυσὶ συμβολῆς τίς ἦν, φράσον:
350
τίνες κατῆρξαν, πότερον Ἕλληνες, μάχης,
ἢ παῖς ἐμός, πλήθει καταυχήσας νεῶν;
353
ἀρχὴ δὲ ναυσὶ συμβολῆς τίς ἦν, φράσον:
350
τίνες κατῆρξαν, πότερον Ἕλληνες, μάχης,
ἢ παῖς ἐμός, πλήθει καταυχήσας νεῶν;
Ἄγγελος
ἦρξεν μέν, ὦ δέσποινα, τοῦ παντὸς κακοῦ
φανεὶς ἀλάστωρ ἢ κακὸς δαίμων ποθέν.
ἀνὴρ γὰρ Ἕλλην ἐξ Ἀθηναίων στρατοῦ
355
ἐλθὼν ἔλεξε παιδὶ σῷ Ξέρξῃ τάδε,
ὡς εἰ μελαίνης νυκτὸς ἵξεται κνέφας,
Ἕλληνες οὐ μενοῖεν,
18
ἀλλὰ σέλμασιν
ναῶν ἐπενθορόντες
19
ἄλλος ἄλλοσε
δρασμῷ κρυφαίῳ βίοτον ἐκσωσοίατο.
360
ὁ δ᾽ εὐθὺς ὡς ἤκουσεν, οὐ ξυνεὶς δόλον
Ἕλληνος ἀνδρὸς οὐδὲ τὸν θεῶν φθόνον,
πᾶσιν προφωνεῖ τόνδε ναυάρχοις λόγον,
εὖτ᾽ ἂν φλέγων ἀκτῖσιν ἥλιος χθόνα
λήξῃ, κνέφας δὲ τέμενος αἰθέρος λάβῃ,
365
τάξαι νεῶν μὲν στῖφος
20
ἐν στοίχοις τρισὶν
ἔκπλους φυλάσσειν καὶ πόρους ἁλιρρόθους,
ἄλλας δὲ κύκλῳ νῆσον Αἴαντος πέριξ:
ὡς εἰ μόρον φευξοίαθ᾽ Ἕλληνες κακόν,
ναυσὶν κρυφαίως δρασμὸν εὑρόντες τινά,
370
πᾶσιν στέρεσθαι κρατὸς ἦν προκείμενον.
τοσαῦτ᾽ ἔλεξε κάρθ᾽ ὑπ᾽ εὐθύμου φρενός:
οὐ γὰρ τὸ μέλλον ἐκ θεῶν ἠπίστατο.
οἱ δ᾽ οὐκ ἀκόσμως, ἀλλὰ πειθάρχῳ φρενὶ
δεῖπνόν <τ᾽>
21
ἐπορσύνοντο, ναυβάτης τ᾽ ἀνὴρ
375
τροποῦτο κώπην σκαλμὸν ἀμφ᾽ εὐήρετμον.
ἐπεὶ δὲ φέγγος ἡλίου κατέφθιτο
καὶ νὺξ ἐπῄει, πᾶς ἀνὴρ κώπης ἄναξ
ἐς ναῦν ἐχώρει πᾶς θ᾽
22
ὅπλων ἐπιστάτης:
τάξις δὲ τάξιν παρεκάλει νεὼς μακρᾶς:
380
πλέουσι δ᾽ ὡς ἕκαστος ἦν τεταγμένος,
καὶ πάννυχοι δὴ διάπλοον καθίστασαν
ναῶν ἄνακτες πάντα ναυτικὸν λεών.
καὶ νὺξ ἐχώρει, κοὐ μάλ᾽ Ἑλλήνων στρατὸς
κρυφαῖον ἔκπλουν οὐδαμῇ καθίστατο:
385
ἐπεί γε μέντοι λευκόπωλος ἡμέρα
πᾶσαν κατέσχε γαῖαν εὐφεγγὴς ἰδεῖν,
πρῶτον μὲν ἠχῇ κέλαδος Ἑλλήνων πάρα
μολπηδὸν ηὐφήμησεν, ὄρθιον δ᾽ ἅμα
ἀντηλάλαξε νησιώτιδος πέτρας
390
ἠχώ: φόβος δὲ πᾶσι βαρβάροις παρῆν
23
γνώμης ἀποσφαλεῖσιν: οὐ γὰρ ὡς φυγῇ
παιᾶν᾽ ἐφύμνουν σεμνὸν Ἕλληνες τότε,
ἀλλ᾽ ἐς μάχην ὁρμῶντες εὐψύχῳ θράσει:
395
σάλπιγξ δ᾽
24
ἀυτῇ πάντ᾽ ἐκεῖν᾽ ἐπέφλεγεν.
395
εὐθὺς δὲ κώπης ῥοθιάδος ξυνεμβολῇ
ἔπαισαν ἅλμην βρύχιον ἐκ κελεύματος,
θοῶς δὲ πάντες ἦσαν ἐκφανεῖς ἰδεῖν.
τὸ δεξιὸν μὲν πρῶτον εὐτάκτως κέρας
ἡγεῖτο κόσμῳ, δεύτερον δ᾽ ὁ πᾶς στόλος
400
ἐπεξεχώρει, καὶ παρῆν ὁμοῦ κλύειν
πολλὴν βοήν, “ὦ παῖδες Ἑλλήνων ἴτε,
ἐλευθεροῦτε πατρίδ᾽, ἐλευθεροῦτε δὲ
παῖδας, γυναῖκας, θεῶν τε πατρῴων ἕδη,
θήκας τε προγόνων: νῦν ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀγών.”
405
καὶ μὴν παρ᾽ ἡμῶν Περσίδος γλώσσης ῥόθος
ὑπηντίαζε, κοὐκέτ᾽ ἦν μέλλειν ἀκμή.
εὐθὺς δὲ ναῦς ἐν νηὶ χαλκήρη στόλον
ἔπαισεν: ἦρξε δ᾽ ἐμβολῆς Ἑλληνικὴ
ναῦς, κἀποθραύει πάντα Φοινίσσης νεὼς
410
κόρυμβ᾽, ἐπ᾽ ἄλλην δ᾽ ἄλλος ηὔθυνεν δόρυ.
τὰ πρῶτα μέν νυν
25
ῥεῦμα Περσικοῦ στρατοῦ
ἀντεῖχεν: ὡς δὲ πλῆθος ἐν στενῷ νεῶν
ἤθροιστ᾽, ἀρωγὴ δ᾽ οὔτις ἀλλήλοις παρῆν,
παίοντ᾽, ἔθραυον πάντα κωπήρη στόλον,
Ἑλληνικαί τε νῆες οὐκ ἀφρασμόνως
κύκλῳ πέριξ ἔθεινον, ὑπτιοῦτο δὲ
σκάφη νεῶν, θάλασσα δ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ ἦν ἰδεῖν,
ναυαγίων πλήθουσα καὶ φόνου βροτῶν.
420
ἀκταὶ δὲ νεκρῶν χοιράδες τ᾽ ἐπλήθυον,
φυγῇ δ᾽ ἀκόσμῳ
29
πᾶσα ναῦς ἠρέσσετο,
ὅσαιπερ ἦσαν βαρβάρου στρατεύματος.
τοὶ δ᾽ ὥστε θύννους ἤ τιν᾽ ἰχθύων βόλον
ἀγαῖσι κωπῶν θραύμασίν τ᾽ ἐρειπίων
425
ἔπαιον, ἐρράχιζον: οἰμωγὴ
30
δ᾽ ὁμοῦ
κωκύμασιν κατεῖχε πελαγίαν ἅλα,
ἕως κελαινῆς νυκτὸς ὄμμ᾽ ἀφείλετο.
κακῶν δὲ πλῆθος, οὐδ᾽ ἂν εἰ δέκ᾽ ἤματα
στοιχηγοροίην,
31
οὐκ ἂν ἐκπλήσαιμί σοι.
430
εὖ γὰρ τόδ᾽ ἴσθι, μηδάμ᾽
32
ἡμέρᾳ μιᾷ
πλῆθος τοσουτάριθμον
33
ἀνθρώπων θανεῖν.
433
ἦρξεν μέν, ὦ δέσποινα, τοῦ παντὸς κακοῦ
φανεὶς ἀλάστωρ ἢ κακὸς δαίμων ποθέν.
ἀνὴρ γὰρ Ἕλλην ἐξ Ἀθηναίων στρατοῦ
355
ἐλθὼν ἔλεξε παιδὶ σῷ Ξέρξῃ τάδε,
ὡς εἰ μελαίνης νυκτὸς ἵξεται κνέφας,
Ἕλληνες οὐ μενοῖεν,
18
ἀλλὰ σέλμασιν
ναῶν ἐπενθορόντες
19
ἄλλος ἄλλοσε
δρασμῷ κρυφαίῳ βίοτον ἐκσωσοίατο.
360
ὁ δ᾽ εὐθὺς ὡς ἤκουσεν, οὐ ξυνεὶς δόλον
Ἕλληνος ἀνδρὸς οὐδὲ τὸν θεῶν φθόνον,
πᾶσιν προφωνεῖ τόνδε ναυάρχοις λόγον,
εὖτ᾽ ἂν φλέγων ἀκτῖσιν ἥλιος χθόνα
λήξῃ, κνέφας δὲ τέμενος αἰθέρος λάβῃ,
365
τάξαι νεῶν μὲν στῖφος
20
ἐν στοίχοις τρισὶν
ἔκπλους φυλάσσειν καὶ πόρους ἁλιρρόθους,
ἄλλας δὲ κύκλῳ νῆσον Αἴαντος πέριξ:
ὡς εἰ μόρον φευξοίαθ᾽ Ἕλληνες κακόν,
ναυσὶν κρυφαίως δρασμὸν εὑρόντες τινά,
370
πᾶσιν στέρεσθαι κρατὸς ἦν προκείμενον.
τοσαῦτ᾽ ἔλεξε κάρθ᾽ ὑπ᾽ εὐθύμου φρενός:
οὐ γὰρ τὸ μέλλον ἐκ θεῶν ἠπίστατο.
οἱ δ᾽ οὐκ ἀκόσμως, ἀλλὰ πειθάρχῳ φρενὶ
δεῖπνόν <τ᾽>
21
ἐπορσύνοντο, ναυβάτης τ᾽ ἀνὴρ
375
τροποῦτο κώπην σκαλμὸν ἀμφ᾽ εὐήρετμον.
ἐπεὶ δὲ φέγγος ἡλίου κατέφθιτο
καὶ νὺξ ἐπῄει, πᾶς ἀνὴρ κώπης ἄναξ
ἐς ναῦν ἐχώρει πᾶς θ᾽
22
ὅπλων ἐπιστάτης:
τάξις δὲ τάξιν παρεκάλει νεὼς μακρᾶς:
380
πλέουσι δ᾽ ὡς ἕκαστος ἦν τεταγμένος,
καὶ πάννυχοι δὴ διάπλοον καθίστασαν
ναῶν ἄνακτες πάντα ναυτικὸν λεών.
καὶ νὺξ ἐχώρει, κοὐ μάλ᾽ Ἑλλήνων στρατὸς
κρυφαῖον ἔκπλουν οὐδαμῇ καθίστατο:
385
ἐπεί γε μέντοι λευκόπωλος ἡμέρα
πᾶσαν κατέσχε γαῖαν εὐφεγγὴς ἰδεῖν,
πρῶτον μὲν ἠχῇ κέλαδος Ἑλλήνων πάρα
μολπηδὸν ηὐφήμησεν, ὄρθιον δ᾽ ἅμα
ἀντηλάλαξε νησιώτιδος πέτρας
390
ἠχώ: φόβος δὲ πᾶσι βαρβάροις παρῆν
23
γνώμης ἀποσφαλεῖσιν: οὐ γὰρ ὡς φυγῇ
παιᾶν᾽ ἐφύμνουν σεμνὸν Ἕλληνες τότε,
ἀλλ᾽ ἐς μάχην ὁρμῶντες εὐψύχῳ θράσει:
σάλπιγξ δ᾽
24
ἀυτῇ πάντ᾽ ἐκεῖν᾽ ἐπέφλεγεν.
395
εὐθὺς δὲ κώπης ῥοθιάδος ξυνεμβολῇ
ἔπαισαν ἅλμην βρύχιον ἐκ κελεύματος,
θοῶς δὲ πάντες ἦσαν ἐκφανεῖς ἰδεῖν.
τὸ δεξιὸν μὲν πρῶτον εὐτάκτως κέρας
ἡγεῖτο κόσμῳ, δεύτερον δ᾽ ὁ πᾶς στόλος
400
ἐπεξεχώρει, καὶ παρῆν ὁμοῦ κλύειν
πολλὴν βοήν, “ὦ παῖδες Ἑλλήνων ἴτε,
ἐλευθεροῦτε πατρίδ᾽, ἐλευθεροῦτε δὲ
παῖδας, γυναῖκας, θεῶν τε πατρῴων ἕδη,
θήκας τε προγόνων: νῦν ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀγών.”
405
καὶ μὴν παρ᾽ ἡμῶν Περσίδος γλώσσης ῥόθος
ὑπηντίαζε, κοὐκέτ᾽ ἦν μέλλειν ἀκμή.
εὐθὺς δὲ ναῦς ἐν νηὶ χαλκήρη στόλον
ἔπαισεν: ἦρξε δ᾽ ἐμβολῆς Ἑλληνικὴ
ναῦς, κἀποθραύει πάντα Φοινίσσης νεὼς
410
κόρυμβ᾽, ἐπ᾽ ἄλλην δ᾽ ἄλλος ηὔθυνεν δόρυ.
τὰ πρῶτα μέν νυν
25
ῥεῦμα Περσικοῦ στρατοῦ
ἀντεῖχεν: ὡς δὲ πλῆθος ἐν στενῷ νεῶν
ἤθροιστ᾽, ἀρωγὴ δ᾽ οὔτις ἀλλήλοις παρῆν,
παίοντ᾽, ἔθραυον πάντα κωπήρη στόλον,
Ἑλληνικαί τε νῆες οὐκ ἀφρασμόνως
κύκλῳ πέριξ ἔθεινον, ὑπτιοῦτο δὲ
σκάφη νεῶν, θάλασσα δ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ ἦν ἰδεῖν,
ναυαγίων πλήθουσα καὶ φόνου βροτῶν.
420
ἀκταὶ δὲ νεκρῶν χοιράδες τ᾽ ἐπλήθυον,
φυγῇ δ᾽ ἀκόσμῳ
29
πᾶσα ναῦς ἠρέσσετο,
ὅσαιπερ ἦσαν βαρβάρου στρατεύματος.
τοὶ δ᾽ ὥστε θύννους ἤ τιν᾽ ἰχθύων βόλον
ἀγαῖσι κωπῶν θραύμασίν τ᾽ ἐρειπίων
425
ἔπαιον, ἐρράχιζον: οἰμωγὴ
30
δ᾽ ὁμοῦ
κωκύμασιν κατεῖχε πελαγίαν ἅλα,
ἕως κελαινῆς νυκτὸς ὄμμ᾽ ἀφείλετο.
κακῶν δὲ πλῆθος, οὐδ᾽ ἂν εἰ δέκ᾽ ἤματα
στοιχηγοροίην,
31
οὐκ ἂν ἐκπλήσαιμί σοι.
430
εὖ γὰρ τόδ᾽ ἴσθι, μηδάμ᾽
32
ἡμέρᾳ μιᾷ
πλῆθος τοσουτάριθμον
33
ἀνθρώπων θανεῖν.
Ἄτοσσα
αἰαῖ, κακῶν δὴ πέλαγος ἔρρωγεν
34
μέγα
Πέρσαις τε καὶ πρόπαντι βαρβάρων γένει.
αἰαῖ, κακῶν δὴ πέλαγος ἔρρωγεν
34
μέγα
Πέρσαις τε καὶ πρόπαντι βαρβάρων γένει.
Ἄγγελος
εὖ νυν
35
τόδ᾽ ἴσθι, μηδέπω μεσοῦν κακόν:
435
τοιάδ᾽ ἐπ᾽ αὐτοὺς ἦλθε συμφορὰ πάθους,
ὡς τοῖσδε καὶ δὶς ἀντισηκῶσαι ῥοπῇ.
εὖ νυν
35
τόδ᾽ ἴσθι, μηδέπω μεσοῦν κακόν:
435
τοιάδ᾽ ἐπ᾽ αὐτοὺς ἦλθε συμφορὰ πάθους,
ὡς τοῖσδε καὶ δὶς ἀντισηκῶσαι ῥοπῇ.
Ἄτοσσα
καὶ τίς γένοιτ᾽ ἂν τῆσδ᾽
36
ἔτ᾽ ἐχθίων τύχη;
λέξον τίν᾽ αὖ φῂς τήνδε συμφορὰν στρατῷ
ἐλθεῖν κακῶν ῥέπουσαν ἐς τὰ μάσσονα.
440
καὶ τίς γένοιτ᾽ ἂν τῆσδ᾽
36
ἔτ᾽ ἐχθίων τύχη;
λέξον τίν᾽ αὖ φῂς τήνδε συμφορὰν στρατῷ
ἐλθεῖν κακῶν ῥέπουσαν ἐς τὰ μάσσονα.
440
Ἄγγελος
Περσῶν ὅσοιπερ ἦσαν ἀκμαῖοι φύσιν,
ψυχήν τ᾽ ἄριστοι κεὐγένειαν ἐκπρεπεῖς,
αὐτῷ τ᾽ ἄνακτι πίστιν ἐν πρώτοις ἀεί,
τεθνᾶσιν αἰσχρῶς
37
δυσκλεεστάτῳ μόρῳ.
Περσῶν ὅσοιπερ ἦσαν ἀκμαῖοι φύσιν,
ψυχήν τ᾽ ἄριστοι κεὐγένειαν ἐκπρεπεῖς,
αὐτῷ τ᾽ ἄνακτι πίστιν ἐν πρώτοις ἀεί,
τεθνᾶσιν αἰσχρῶς
37
δυσκλεεστάτῳ μόρῳ.
Ἄτοσσα
οἲ ᾽γὼ τάλαινα συμφορᾶς κακῆς, φίλοι.
445
ποίῳ μόρῳ δὲ τούσδε φῂς ὀλωλέναι;
οἲ ᾽γὼ τάλαινα συμφορᾶς κακῆς, φίλοι.
445
ποίῳ μόρῳ δὲ τούσδε φῂς ὀλωλέναι;
Ἄγγελος
νῆσός τις ἐστὶ πρόσθε Σαλαμῖνος τόπων,
βαιά, δύσορμος ναυσίν, ἣν ὁ φιλόχορος
Πὰν ἐμβατεύει, ποντίας ἀκτῆς ἔπι.
ἐνταῦθα πέμπει τούσδ᾽, ὅπως,
38
ὅταν νεῶν
450
φθαρέντες ἐχθροὶ νῆσον ἐκσῳζοίατο,
κτείνοιεν εὐχείρωτον Ἑλλήνων στρατόν,
φίλους δ᾽ ὑπεκσῴζοιεν ἐναλίων πόρων,
κακῶς τὸ μέλλον ἱστορῶν. ὡς γὰρ θεὸς
ναῶν ἔδωκε κῦδος Ἕλλησιν μάχης,
455
αὐθημερὸν φράξαντες εὐχάλκοις δέμας
ὅπλοισι ναῶν ἐξέθρῳσκον: ἀμφὶ δὲ
κυκλοῦντο πᾶσαν νῆσον, ὥστ᾽ ἀμηχανεῖν
ὅποι τράποιντο. πολλὰ μὲν γὰρ ἐκ χερῶν
πέτροισιν ἠράσσοντο, τοξικῆς τ᾽ ἀπὸ
460
θώμιγγος ἰοὶ προσπίτνοντες ὤλλυσαν:
39
τέλος δ᾽ ἐφορμηθέντες ἐξ ἑνὸς ῥόθου
παίουσι, κρεοκοποῦσι δυστήνων μέλη,
ἕως ἁπάντων ἐξαπέφθειραν βίον.
Ξέρξης δ᾽ ἀνῴμωξεν κακῶν ὁρῶν βάθος:
465
ἕδραν γὰρ εἶχε παντὸς εὐαγῆ
40
στρατοῦ,
ὑψηλὸν ὄχθον ἄγχι πελαγίας ἁλός:
ῥήξας δὲ πέπλους κἀνακωκύσας λιγύ,
πεζῷ παραγγείλας ἄφαρ στρατεύματι,
ἵησ᾽
41
ἀκόσμῳ ξὺν φυγῇ. τοιάνδε σοι
470
πρὸς τῇ πάροιθε συμφορὰν στένειν
42
πάρα.
472
νῆσός τις ἐστὶ πρόσθε Σαλαμῖνος τόπων,
βαιά, δύσορμος ναυσίν, ἣν ὁ φιλόχορος
Πὰν ἐμβατεύει, ποντίας ἀκτῆς ἔπι.
ἐνταῦθα πέμπει τούσδ᾽, ὅπως,
38
ὅταν νεῶν
450
φθαρέντες ἐχθροὶ νῆσον ἐκσῳζοίατο,
κτείνοιεν εὐχείρωτον Ἑλλήνων στρατόν,
φίλους δ᾽ ὑπεκσῴζοιεν ἐναλίων πόρων,
κακῶς τὸ μέλλον ἱστορῶν. ὡς γὰρ θεὸς
ναῶν ἔδωκε κῦδος Ἕλλησιν μάχης,
455
αὐθημερὸν φράξαντες εὐχάλκοις δέμας
ὅπλοισι ναῶν ἐξέθρῳσκον: ἀμφὶ δὲ
κυκλοῦντο πᾶσαν νῆσον, ὥστ᾽ ἀμηχανεῖν
ὅποι τράποιντο. πολλὰ μὲν γὰρ ἐκ χερῶν
πέτροισιν ἠράσσοντο, τοξικῆς τ᾽ ἀπὸ
460
θώμιγγος ἰοὶ προσπίτνοντες ὤλλυσαν:
39
τέλος δ᾽ ἐφορμηθέντες ἐξ ἑνὸς ῥόθου
παίουσι, κρεοκοποῦσι δυστήνων μέλη,
ἕως ἁπάντων ἐξαπέφθειραν βίον.
Ξέρξης δ᾽ ἀνῴμωξεν κακῶν ὁρῶν βάθος:
465
ἕδραν γὰρ εἶχε παντὸς εὐαγῆ
40
στρατοῦ,
ὑψηλὸν ὄχθον ἄγχι πελαγίας ἁλός:
ῥήξας δὲ πέπλους κἀνακωκύσας λιγύ,
πεζῷ παραγγείλας ἄφαρ στρατεύματι,
ἵησ᾽
41
ἀκόσμῳ ξὺν φυγῇ. τοιάνδε σοι
470
πρὸς τῇ πάροιθε συμφορὰν στένειν
42
πάρα.
Ἄτοσσα
ὦ στυγνὲ δαῖμον, ὡς ἄρ᾽ ἔψευσας φρενῶν
Πέρσας: πικρὰν δὲ παῖς ἐμὸς τιμωρίαν
κλεινῶν Ἀθηνῶν ηὗρε, κοὐκ ἀπήρκεσαν
43
οὓς πρόσθε Μαραθὼν βαρβάρων ἀπώλεσεν:
475
ὧν ἀντίποινα παῖς ἐμὸς πράξειν δοκῶν
τοσόνδε
44
πλῆθος πημάτων ἐπέσπασεν.
σὺ δ᾽ εἰπέ, ναῶν αἳ πεφεύγασιν μόρον,
ποῦ τάσδ᾽
45
ἔλειπες: οἶσθα σημῆναι τορῶς;
480
ὦ στυγνὲ δαῖμον, ὡς ἄρ᾽ ἔψευσας φρενῶν
Πέρσας: πικρὰν δὲ παῖς ἐμὸς τιμωρίαν
κλεινῶν Ἀθηνῶν ηὗρε, κοὐκ ἀπήρκεσαν
43
οὓς πρόσθε Μαραθὼν βαρβάρων ἀπώλεσεν:
475
ὧν ἀντίποινα παῖς ἐμὸς πράξειν δοκῶν
τοσόνδε
44
πλῆθος πημάτων ἐπέσπασεν.
σὺ δ᾽ εἰπέ, ναῶν αἳ πεφεύγασιν μόρον,
ποῦ τάσδ᾽
45
ἔλειπες: οἶσθα σημῆναι τορῶς;
Ἄγγελος
ναῶν γε
46
ταγοὶ τῶν λελειμμένων σύδην
480
κατ᾽ οὖρον οὐκ εὔκοσμον αἴρονται
47
φυγήν:
στρατὸς δ᾽ ὁ λοιπὸς ἔν τε Βοιωτῶν χθονὶ
διώλλυθ᾽, οἱ μὲν ἀμφὶ κρηναῖον γάνος
δίψῃ πονοῦντες, οἱ δ᾽ ὑπ᾽ ἄσθματος κενοὶ
διεκπερῶμεν ἔς τε Φωκέων χθόνα
485
καὶ Δωρίδ᾽ αἶαν, Μηλιᾶ τε κόλπον, οὗ
Σπερχειὸς ἄρδει πεδίον εὐμενεῖ ποτῷ:
κἀντεῦθεν ἡμᾶς γῆς Ἀχαιίδος πέδον
καὶ Θεσσαλῶν πόλεις
48
ὑπεσπανισμένους
βορᾶς ἐδέξαντ᾽: ἔνθα δὴ πλεῖστοι θάνον
490
δίψῃ τε λιμῷ τ᾽: ἀμφότερα γὰρ ἦν τάδε.
Μαγνητικὴν δὲ γαῖαν ἔς τε Μακεδόνων
χώραν ἀφικόμεσθ᾽, ἐπ᾽ Ἀξίου πόρον,
Βόλβης θ᾽ ἕλειον δόνακα, Πάγγαιόν τ᾽ ὄρος,
Ἠδωνίδ᾽ αἶαν: νυκτὶ δ᾽ ἐν ταύτῃ θεὸς
495
χειμῶν᾽ ἄωρον ὦρσε, πήγνυσιν δὲ πᾶν
ῥέεθρον ἁγνοῦ Στρυμόνος. θεοὺς δέ τις
τὸ πρὶν νομίζων οὐδαμοῦ τότ᾽ ηὔχετο
λιταῖσι, γαῖαν οὐρανόν τε προσκυνῶν.
ἐπεὶ δὲ πολλὰ θεοκλυτῶν ἐπαύσατο
500
στρατός, περᾷ κρυσταλλοπῆγα διὰ πόρον:
χὤστις μὲν ἡμῶν πρὶν σκεδασθῆναι θεοῦ
ἀκτῖνας ὡρμήθη, σεσωσμένος κυρεῖ.
φλέγων γὰρ αὐγαῖς λαμπρὸς ἡλίου κύκλος
μέσον πόρον διῆκε, θερμαίνων φλογί:
505
πῖπτον δ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἀλλήλοισιν: ηὐτύχει
49
δέ τοι
ὅστις τάχιστα πνεῦμ᾽ ἀπέρρηξεν βίου.
ὅσοι δὲ λοιποὶ κἄτυχον σωτηρίας,
Θρῄκην περάσαντες μόγις πολλῷ πόνῳ,
ἥκουσιν ἐκφυγόντες, οὐ πολλοί τινες,
510
ἐφ᾽ ἑστιοῦχον γαῖαν: ὡς στένειν πόλιν
Περσῶν, ποθοῦσαν φιλτάτην ἥβην χθονός.
ταῦτ᾽ ἔστ᾽ ἀληθῆ: πολλὰ δ᾽ ἐκλείπω λέγων
κακῶν ἃ Πέρσαις ἐγκατέσκηψεν θεός.
515
ναῶν γε
46
ταγοὶ τῶν λελειμμένων σύδην
480
κατ᾽ οὖρον οὐκ εὔκοσμον αἴρονται
47
φυγήν:
στρατὸς δ᾽ ὁ λοιπὸς ἔν τε Βοιωτῶν χθονὶ
διώλλυθ᾽, οἱ μὲν ἀμφὶ κρηναῖον γάνος
δίψῃ πονοῦντες, οἱ δ᾽ ὑπ᾽ ἄσθματος κενοὶ
διεκπερῶμεν ἔς τε Φωκέων χθόνα
485
καὶ Δωρίδ᾽ αἶαν, Μηλιᾶ τε κόλπον, οὗ
Σπερχειὸς ἄρδει πεδίον εὐμενεῖ ποτῷ:
κἀντεῦθεν ἡμᾶς γῆς Ἀχαιίδος πέδον
καὶ Θεσσαλῶν πόλεις
48
ὑπεσπανισμένους
βορᾶς ἐδέξαντ᾽: ἔνθα δὴ πλεῖστοι θάνον
490
δίψῃ τε λιμῷ τ᾽: ἀμφότερα γὰρ ἦν τάδε.
Μαγνητικὴν δὲ γαῖαν ἔς τε Μακεδόνων
χώραν ἀφικόμεσθ᾽, ἐπ᾽ Ἀξίου πόρον,
Βόλβης θ᾽ ἕλειον δόνακα, Πάγγαιόν τ᾽ ὄρος,
Ἠδωνίδ᾽ αἶαν: νυκτὶ δ᾽ ἐν ταύτῃ θεὸς
495
χειμῶν᾽ ἄωρον ὦρσε, πήγνυσιν δὲ πᾶν
ῥέεθρον ἁγνοῦ Στρυμόνος. θεοὺς δέ τις
τὸ πρὶν νομίζων οὐδαμοῦ τότ᾽ ηὔχετο
λιταῖσι, γαῖαν οὐρανόν τε προσκυνῶν.
ἐπεὶ δὲ πολλὰ θεοκλυτῶν ἐπαύσατο
500
στρατός, περᾷ κρυσταλλοπῆγα διὰ πόρον:
χὤστις μὲν ἡμῶν πρὶν σκεδασθῆναι θεοῦ
ἀκτῖνας ὡρμήθη, σεσωσμένος κυρεῖ.
φλέγων γὰρ αὐγαῖς λαμπρὸς ἡλίου κύκλος
μέσον πόρον διῆκε, θερμαίνων φλογί:
505
πῖπτον δ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἀλλήλοισιν: ηὐτύχει
49
δέ τοι
ὅστις τάχιστα πνεῦμ᾽ ἀπέρρηξεν βίου.
ὅσοι δὲ λοιποὶ κἄτυχον σωτηρίας,
Θρῄκην περάσαντες μόγις πολλῷ πόνῳ,
ἥκουσιν ἐκφυγόντες, οὐ πολλοί τινες,
510
ἐφ᾽ ἑστιοῦχον γαῖαν: ὡς στένειν πόλιν
Περσῶν, ποθοῦσαν φιλτάτην ἥβην χθονός.
ταῦτ᾽ ἔστ᾽ ἀληθῆ: πολλὰ δ᾽ ἐκλείπω λέγων
κακῶν ἃ Πέρσαις ἐγκατέσκηψεν θεός.
Χορός
ὦ δυσπόνητε δαῖμον, ὡς ἄγαν βαρὺς
515
ποδοῖν ἐνήλλου
50
παντὶ Περσικῷ γένει.
ὦ δυσπόνητε δαῖμον, ὡς ἄγαν βαρὺς
515
ποδοῖν ἐνήλλου
50
παντὶ Περσικῷ γένει.
Ἄτοσσα
οἲ ᾽γὼ
51
τάλαινα διαπεπραγμένου στρατοῦ:
ὦ νυκτὸς ὄψις ἐμφανὴς ἐνυπνίων,
ὡς κάρτα μοι σαφῶς ἐδήλωσας κακά.
ὑμεῖς δὲ φαύλως αὔτ᾽ ἄγαν ἐκρίνατε.
520
ὅμως δ᾽, ἐπειδὴ τῇδ᾽ ἐκύρωσεν φάτις
ὑμῶν, θεοῖς μὲν πρῶτον εὔξασθαι θέλω:
ἔπειτα γῇ τε καὶ φθιτοῖς δωρήματα
ἥξω λαβοῦσα πέλανον ἐξ οἴκων ἐμῶν,—
ἐπίσταμαι μὲν ὡς ἐπ᾽ ἐξειργασμένοις,
525
ἀλλ᾽ ἐς τὸ λοιπὸν εἴ τι δὴ λῷον πέλοι.
ὑμᾶς
52
δὲ χρὴ ᾽πὶ τοῖσδε τοῖς πεπραγμένοις
πιστοῖσι
53
πιστὰ ξυμφέρειν βουλεύματα:
καὶ παῖδ᾽, ἐάν περ δεῦρ᾽ ἐμοῦ πρόσθεν μόλῃ,
παρηγορεῖτε, καὶ προπέμπετ᾽ ἐς δόμους,
530
μὴ καί τι
54
πρὸς κακοῖσι προσθῆται κακόν.
532
οἲ ᾽γὼ
51
τάλαινα διαπεπραγμένου στρατοῦ:
ὦ νυκτὸς ὄψις ἐμφανὴς ἐνυπνίων,
ὡς κάρτα μοι σαφῶς ἐδήλωσας κακά.
ὑμεῖς δὲ φαύλως αὔτ᾽ ἄγαν ἐκρίνατε.
520
ὅμως δ᾽, ἐπειδὴ τῇδ᾽ ἐκύρωσεν φάτις
ὑμῶν, θεοῖς μὲν πρῶτον εὔξασθαι θέλω:
ἔπειτα γῇ τε καὶ φθιτοῖς δωρήματα
ἥξω λαβοῦσα πέλανον ἐξ οἴκων ἐμῶν,—
ἐπίσταμαι μὲν ὡς ἐπ᾽ ἐξειργασμένοις,
525
ἀλλ᾽ ἐς τὸ λοιπὸν εἴ τι δὴ λῷον πέλοι.
ὑμᾶς
52
δὲ χρὴ ᾽πὶ τοῖσδε τοῖς πεπραγμένοις
πιστοῖσι
53
πιστὰ ξυμφέρειν βουλεύματα:
καὶ παῖδ᾽, ἐάν περ δεῦρ᾽ ἐμοῦ πρόσθεν μόλῃ,
παρηγορεῖτε, καὶ προπέμπετ᾽ ἐς δόμους,
530
μὴ καί τι
54
πρὸς κακοῖσι προσθῆται κακόν.
Χορός
ὦ Ζεῦ βασιλεῦ, νῦν <μὲν
55
> Περσῶν
τῶν μεγαλαύχων καὶ πολυάνδρων
στρατιὰν ὀλέσας
ἄστυ τὸ Σούσων ἠδ᾽ Ἀγβατάνων
535
πένθει δνοφερῷ κατέκρυψας:
πολλαὶ δ᾽ ἀταλαῖς
56
χερσὶ καλύπτρας
κατερεικόμεναι
57
διαμυδαλέοις δάκρυσι κόλπους
τέγγουσ᾽, ἄλγους μετέχουσαι.
540
αἱ δ᾽ ἁβρόγοοι Περσίδες ἀνδρῶν
ποθέουσαι ἰδεῖν ἀρτιζυγίαν,
λέκτρων εὐνὰς ἁβροχίτωνας,
χλιδανῆς ἥβης τέρψιν, ἀφεῖσαι,
πενθοῦσι γόοις ἀκορεστοτάτοις.
545
κἀγὼ δὲ μόρον τῶν οἰχομένων
αἴρω δοκίμως πολυπενθῆ.
548
ὦ Ζεῦ βασιλεῦ, νῦν <μὲν
55
> Περσῶν
τῶν μεγαλαύχων καὶ πολυάνδρων
στρατιὰν ὀλέσας
ἄστυ τὸ Σούσων ἠδ᾽ Ἀγβατάνων
535
πένθει δνοφερῷ κατέκρυψας:
πολλαὶ δ᾽ ἀταλαῖς
56
χερσὶ καλύπτρας
κατερεικόμεναι
57
διαμυδαλέοις δάκρυσι κόλπους
τέγγουσ᾽, ἄλγους μετέχουσαι.
540
αἱ δ᾽ ἁβρόγοοι Περσίδες ἀνδρῶν
ποθέουσαι ἰδεῖν ἀρτιζυγίαν,
λέκτρων εὐνὰς ἁβροχίτωνας,
χλιδανῆς ἥβης τέρψιν, ἀφεῖσαι,
πενθοῦσι γόοις ἀκορεστοτάτοις.
545
κἀγὼ δὲ μόρον τῶν οἰχομένων
αἴρω δοκίμως πολυπενθῆ.
Πέρσαι Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.) — 290-547 focus
Ἄτοσσα
σιγῶ πάλαι δύστηνος ἐκπεπληγμένη
290
κακοῖς· ὑπερβάλλει γὰρ ἥδε συμφορὰ
τὸ μήτε λέξαι μήτʼ ἐρωτῆσαι πάθη.
ὅμως δʼ ἀνάγκη πημονὰς βροτοῖς φέρειν
θεῶν διδόντων· πᾶν δʼ ἀναπτύξας πάθος
λέξον καταστάς, κεἰ στένεις κακοῖς ὅμως.
295
τίς οὐ τέθνηκε, τίνα δὲ καὶ πενθήσομεν
τῶν ἀρχελείων, ὅστʼ ἐπὶ σκηπτουχίᾳ
ταχθεὶς ἄνανδρον τάξιν ἠρήμου θανών;
σιγῶ πάλαι δύστηνος ἐκπεπληγμένη
290
κακοῖς· ὑπερβάλλει γὰρ ἥδε συμφορὰ
τὸ μήτε λέξαι μήτʼ ἐρωτῆσαι πάθη.
ὅμως δʼ ἀνάγκη πημονὰς βροτοῖς φέρειν
θεῶν διδόντων· πᾶν δʼ ἀναπτύξας πάθος
λέξον καταστάς, κεἰ στένεις κακοῖς ὅμως.
295
τίς οὐ τέθνηκε, τίνα δὲ καὶ πενθήσομεν
τῶν ἀρχελείων, ὅστʼ ἐπὶ σκηπτουχίᾳ
ταχθεὶς ἄνανδρον τάξιν ἠρήμου θανών;
Ἄγγελος
Ξέρξης μὲν αὐτὸς ζῇ τε καὶ βλέπει φάος.
Ξέρξης μὲν αὐτὸς ζῇ τε καὶ βλέπει φάος.
Ἄτοσσα
ἐμοῖς μὲν εἶπας δώμασιν φάος μέγα
300
καὶ λευκὸν ἦμαρ νυκτὸς ἐκ μελαγχίμου.
ἐμοῖς μὲν εἶπας δώμασιν φάος μέγα
300
καὶ λευκὸν ἦμαρ νυκτὸς ἐκ μελαγχίμου.
Ἄγγελος
Ἀρτεμβάρης δὲ μυρίας ἵππου βραβεὺς
στύφλους παρʼ ἀκτὰς θείνεται Σιληνιῶν.
χὠ χιλίαρχος Δαδάκης πληγῇ δορὸς
πήδημα κοῦφον ἐκ νεὼς ἀφήλατο·
305
Τενάγων τʼ ἀριστεὺς Βακτρίων ἰθαιγενὴς
θαλασσόπληκτον νῆσον Αἴαντος πολεῖ.
Λίλαιος, Ἀρσάμης τε κἈργήστης τρίτος,
οἵδʼ ἀμφὶ νῆσον τὴν πελειοθρέμμονα
δινούμενοι ʼκύρισσον ἰσχυρὰν χθόνα·
310
πηγαῖς τε Νείλου γειτονῶν Αἰγυπτίου
Ἀρκτεύς, Ἀδεύης, καὶ φερεσσάκης τρίτος
Φαρνοῦχος, οἵδε ναὸς ἐκ μιᾶς πέσον.
Χρυσεὺς Μάταλλος μυριόνταρχος θανών,
ἵππου μελαίνης ἡγεμὼν τρισμυρίας,
315
πυρρὰν ζαπληθῆ δάσκιον γενειάδα
ἔτεγγʼ, ἀμείβων χρῶτα πορφυρέᾳ βαφῇ.
καὶ Μᾶγος Ἄραβος, Ἀρτάβης τε Βάκτριος,
σκληρᾶς μέτοικος γῆς, ἐκεῖ κατέφθιτο.
Ἄμιστρις Ἀμφιστρεύς τε πολύπονον δόρυ
320
νωμῶν, ὅ τʼ ἐσθλὸς Ἀριόμαρδος Σάρδεσι
πένθος παρασχών, Σεισάμης θʼ ὁ Μύσιος,
Θάρυβίς τε πεντήκοντα πεντάκις νεῶν
ταγός, γένος Λυρναῖος, εὐειδὴς ἀνήρ,
κεῖται θανὼν δείλαιος οὐ μάλʼ εὐτυχῶς·
325
Συέννεσίς τε πρῶτος εἰς εὐψυχίαν,
Κιλίκων ἄπαρχος, εἷς ἀνὴρ πλεῖστον πόνον
ἐχθροῖς παρασχών εὐκλεῶς ἀπώλετο.
τοσόνδε ταγῶν νῦν ὑπεμνήσθην πέρι.
πολλῶν παρόντων δʼ ὀλίγʼ ἀπαγγέλλω κακά.
330
331
Ἀρτεμβάρης δὲ μυρίας ἵππου βραβεὺς
στύφλους παρʼ ἀκτὰς θείνεται Σιληνιῶν.
χὠ χιλίαρχος Δαδάκης πληγῇ δορὸς
πήδημα κοῦφον ἐκ νεὼς ἀφήλατο·
305
Τενάγων τʼ ἀριστεὺς Βακτρίων ἰθαιγενὴς
θαλασσόπληκτον νῆσον Αἴαντος πολεῖ.
Λίλαιος, Ἀρσάμης τε κἈργήστης τρίτος,
οἵδʼ ἀμφὶ νῆσον τὴν πελειοθρέμμονα
δινούμενοι ʼκύρισσον ἰσχυρὰν χθόνα·
310
πηγαῖς τε Νείλου γειτονῶν Αἰγυπτίου
Ἀρκτεύς, Ἀδεύης, καὶ φερεσσάκης τρίτος
Φαρνοῦχος, οἵδε ναὸς ἐκ μιᾶς πέσον.
Χρυσεὺς Μάταλλος μυριόνταρχος θανών,
ἵππου μελαίνης ἡγεμὼν τρισμυρίας,
315
πυρρὰν ζαπληθῆ δάσκιον γενειάδα
ἔτεγγʼ, ἀμείβων χρῶτα πορφυρέᾳ βαφῇ.
καὶ Μᾶγος Ἄραβος, Ἀρτάβης τε Βάκτριος,
σκληρᾶς μέτοικος γῆς, ἐκεῖ κατέφθιτο.
Ἄμιστρις Ἀμφιστρεύς τε πολύπονον δόρυ
320
νωμῶν, ὅ τʼ ἐσθλὸς Ἀριόμαρδος Σάρδεσι
πένθος παρασχών, Σεισάμης θʼ ὁ Μύσιος,
Θάρυβίς τε πεντήκοντα πεντάκις νεῶν
ταγός, γένος Λυρναῖος, εὐειδὴς ἀνήρ,
κεῖται θανὼν δείλαιος οὐ μάλʼ εὐτυχῶς·
325
Συέννεσίς τε πρῶτος εἰς εὐψυχίαν,
Κιλίκων ἄπαρχος, εἷς ἀνὴρ πλεῖστον πόνον
ἐχθροῖς παρασχών εὐκλεῶς ἀπώλετο.
τοσόνδε ταγῶν νῦν ὑπεμνήσθην πέρι.
πολλῶν παρόντων δʼ ὀλίγʼ ἀπαγγέλλω κακά.
330
Ἄτοσσα
αἰαῖ, κακῶν ὕψιστα δὴ κλύω τάδε,
αἴσχη τε Πέρσαις καὶ λιγέα κωκύματα.
ἀτὰρ φράσον μοι τοῦτʼ ἀναστρέψας πάλιν·
πόσον δὲ πλῆθος ἦν νεῶν Ἑλληνίδων,
ὥστʼ ἀξιῶσαι Περσικῷ στρατεύματι
335
μάχην συνάψαι ναΐοισιν ἐμβολαῖς;
αἰαῖ, κακῶν ὕψιστα δὴ κλύω τάδε,
αἴσχη τε Πέρσαις καὶ λιγέα κωκύματα.
ἀτὰρ φράσον μοι τοῦτʼ ἀναστρέψας πάλιν·
πόσον δὲ πλῆθος ἦν νεῶν Ἑλληνίδων,
ὥστʼ ἀξιῶσαι Περσικῷ στρατεύματι
335
μάχην συνάψαι ναΐοισιν ἐμβολαῖς;
Ἄγγελος
πλήθους μὲν ἂν σάφʼ ἴσθʼ ἕκατι βάρβαρον
ναυσὶν κρατῆσαι. καὶ γὰρ Ἕλλησιν μὲν ἦν
ὁ πᾶς ἀριθμὸς ἐς τριακάδας δέκα
ναῶν, δεκὰς δʼ ἦν τῶνδε χωρὶς ἔκκριτος·
340
Ξέρξῃ δέ, καὶ γὰρ οἶδα, χιλιὰς μὲν ἦν
ὧν ἦγε πλῆθος, αἱ δʼ ὑπέρκοποι τάχει
ἑκατὸν δὶς ἦσαν ἑπτά θʼ· ὧδʼ ἔχει λόγος.
μή σοι δοκοῦμεν τῇδε λειφθῆναι μάχῃ;
ἀλλʼ ὧδε δαίμων τις κατέφθειρε στρατόν,
345
τάλαντα βρίσας οὐκ ἰσορρόπῳ τύχῃ.
θεοὶ πόλιν σῴζουσι Παλλάδος θεᾶς.
πλήθους μὲν ἂν σάφʼ ἴσθʼ ἕκατι βάρβαρον
ναυσὶν κρατῆσαι. καὶ γὰρ Ἕλλησιν μὲν ἦν
ὁ πᾶς ἀριθμὸς ἐς τριακάδας δέκα
ναῶν, δεκὰς δʼ ἦν τῶνδε χωρὶς ἔκκριτος·
340
Ξέρξῃ δέ, καὶ γὰρ οἶδα, χιλιὰς μὲν ἦν
ὧν ἦγε πλῆθος, αἱ δʼ ὑπέρκοποι τάχει
ἑκατὸν δὶς ἦσαν ἑπτά θʼ· ὧδʼ ἔχει λόγος.
μή σοι δοκοῦμεν τῇδε λειφθῆναι μάχῃ;
ἀλλʼ ὧδε δαίμων τις κατέφθειρε στρατόν,
345
τάλαντα βρίσας οὐκ ἰσορρόπῳ τύχῃ.
θεοὶ πόλιν σῴζουσι Παλλάδος θεᾶς.
Ἄτοσσα
ἔτʼ ἆρʼ Ἀθηνῶν ἔστʼ ἀπόρθητος πόλις;
ἔτʼ ἆρʼ Ἀθηνῶν ἔστʼ ἀπόρθητος πόλις;
Ἄγγελος
ἀνδρῶν γὰρ ὄντων ἕρκος ἐστὶν ἀσφαλές.
ἀνδρῶν γὰρ ὄντων ἕρκος ἐστὶν ἀσφαλές.
Ἄτοσσα
ἀρχὴ δὲ ναυσὶ συμβολῆς τίς ἦν, φράσον·
350
τίνες κατῆρξαν, πότερον Ἕλληνες, μάχης,
ἢ παῖς ἐμός, πλήθει καταυχήσας νεῶν;
353
ἀρχὴ δὲ ναυσὶ συμβολῆς τίς ἦν, φράσον·
350
τίνες κατῆρξαν, πότερον Ἕλληνες, μάχης,
ἢ παῖς ἐμός, πλήθει καταυχήσας νεῶν;
Ἄγγελος
ἦρξεν μέν, ὦ δέσποινα, τοῦ παντὸς κακοῦ
φανεὶς ἀλάστωρ ἢ κακὸς δαίμων ποθέν.
ἀνὴρ γὰρ Ἕλλην ἐξ Ἀθηναίων στρατοῦ
355
ἐλθὼν ἔλεξε παιδὶ σῷ Ξέρξῃ τάδε,
ὡς εἰ μελαίνης νυκτὸς ἵξεται κνέφας,
Ἕλληνες οὐ μενοῖεν, ἀλλὰ σέλμασιν
ναῶν ἐπανθορόντες ἄλλος ἄλλοσε
δρασμῷ κρυφαίῳ βίοτον ἐκσωσοίατο.
360
ὁ δʼ εὐθὺς ὡς ἤκουσεν, οὐ ξυνεὶς δόλον
Ἕλληνος ἀνδρὸς οὐδὲ τὸν θεῶν φθόνον,
πᾶσιν προφωνεῖ τόνδε ναυάρχοις λόγον,
εὖτʼ ἂν φλέγων ἀκτῖσιν ἥλιος χθόνα
λήξῃ, κνέφας δὲ τέμενος αἰθέρος λάβῃ,
365
τάξαι νεῶν στῖφος μὲν ἐν στοίχοις τρισὶν
ἔκπλους φυλάσσειν καὶ πόρους ἁλιρρόθους,
ἄλλας δὲ κύκλῳ νῆσον Αἴαντος πέριξ·
ὡς εἰ μόρον φευξοίαθʼ Ἕλληνες κακόν,
ναυσὶν κρυφαίως δρασμὸν εὑρόντες τινά,
370
πᾶσιν στέρεσθαι κρατὸς ἦν προκείμενον.
τοσαῦτʼ ἔλεξε κάρθʼ ὑπʼ εὐθύμου φρενός·
οὐ γὰρ τὸ μέλλον ἐκ θεῶν ἠπίστατο.
οἱ δʼ οὐκ ἀκόσμως, ἀλλὰ πειθάρχῳ φρενὶ
δεῖπνόν τʼ ἐπορσύνοντο, ναυβάτης τʼ ἀνὴρ
375
τροποῦτο κώπην σκαλμὸν ἀμφʼ εὐήρετμον.
ἐπεὶ δὲ φέγγος ἡλίου κατέφθιτο
καὶ νὺξ ἐπῄει, πᾶς ἀνὴρ κώπης ἄναξ
ἐς ναῦν ἐχώρει πᾶς θʼ ὅπλων ἐπιστάτης·
τάξις δὲ τάξιν παρεκάλει νεὼς μακρᾶς·
380
πλέουσι δʼ ὡς ἕκαστος ἦν τεταγμένος,
καὶ πάννυχοι δὴ διάπλοον καθίστασαν
ναῶν ἄνακτες πάντα ναυτικὸν λεών.
καὶ νὺξ ἐχώρει, κοὐ μάλʼ Ἑλλήνων στρατὸς
κρυφαῖον ἔκπλουν οὐδαμῇ καθίστατο·
385
ἐπεί γε μέντοι λευκόπωλος ἡμέρα
πᾶσαν κατέσχε γαῖαν εὐφεγγὴς ἰδεῖν,
πρῶτον μὲν ἠχῇ κέλαδος Ἑλλήνων πάρα
μολπηδὸν ηὐφήμησεν, ὄρθιον δʼ ἅμα
ἀντηλάλαξε νησιώτιδος πέτρας
390
ἠχώ· φόβος δὲ πᾶσι βαρβάροις παρῆν
γνώμης ἀποσφαλεῖσιν· οὐ γὰρ ὡς φυγῇ
παιᾶνʼ ἐφύμνουν σεμνὸν Ἕλληνες τότε,
ἀλλʼ ἐς μάχην ὁρμῶντες εὐψύχῳ θράσει·
395
ἦρξεν μέν, ὦ δέσποινα, τοῦ παντὸς κακοῦ
φανεὶς ἀλάστωρ ἢ κακὸς δαίμων ποθέν.
ἀνὴρ γὰρ Ἕλλην ἐξ Ἀθηναίων στρατοῦ
355
ἐλθὼν ἔλεξε παιδὶ σῷ Ξέρξῃ τάδε,
ὡς εἰ μελαίνης νυκτὸς ἵξεται κνέφας,
Ἕλληνες οὐ μενοῖεν, ἀλλὰ σέλμασιν
ναῶν ἐπανθορόντες ἄλλος ἄλλοσε
δρασμῷ κρυφαίῳ βίοτον ἐκσωσοίατο.
360
ὁ δʼ εὐθὺς ὡς ἤκουσεν, οὐ ξυνεὶς δόλον
Ἕλληνος ἀνδρὸς οὐδὲ τὸν θεῶν φθόνον,
πᾶσιν προφωνεῖ τόνδε ναυάρχοις λόγον,
εὖτʼ ἂν φλέγων ἀκτῖσιν ἥλιος χθόνα
λήξῃ, κνέφας δὲ τέμενος αἰθέρος λάβῃ,
365
τάξαι νεῶν στῖφος μὲν ἐν στοίχοις τρισὶν
ἔκπλους φυλάσσειν καὶ πόρους ἁλιρρόθους,
ἄλλας δὲ κύκλῳ νῆσον Αἴαντος πέριξ·
ὡς εἰ μόρον φευξοίαθʼ Ἕλληνες κακόν,
ναυσὶν κρυφαίως δρασμὸν εὑρόντες τινά,
370
πᾶσιν στέρεσθαι κρατὸς ἦν προκείμενον.
τοσαῦτʼ ἔλεξε κάρθʼ ὑπʼ εὐθύμου φρενός·
οὐ γὰρ τὸ μέλλον ἐκ θεῶν ἠπίστατο.
οἱ δʼ οὐκ ἀκόσμως, ἀλλὰ πειθάρχῳ φρενὶ
δεῖπνόν τʼ ἐπορσύνοντο, ναυβάτης τʼ ἀνὴρ
375
τροποῦτο κώπην σκαλμὸν ἀμφʼ εὐήρετμον.
ἐπεὶ δὲ φέγγος ἡλίου κατέφθιτο
καὶ νὺξ ἐπῄει, πᾶς ἀνὴρ κώπης ἄναξ
ἐς ναῦν ἐχώρει πᾶς θʼ ὅπλων ἐπιστάτης·
τάξις δὲ τάξιν παρεκάλει νεὼς μακρᾶς·
380
πλέουσι δʼ ὡς ἕκαστος ἦν τεταγμένος,
καὶ πάννυχοι δὴ διάπλοον καθίστασαν
ναῶν ἄνακτες πάντα ναυτικὸν λεών.
καὶ νὺξ ἐχώρει, κοὐ μάλʼ Ἑλλήνων στρατὸς
κρυφαῖον ἔκπλουν οὐδαμῇ καθίστατο·
385
ἐπεί γε μέντοι λευκόπωλος ἡμέρα
πᾶσαν κατέσχε γαῖαν εὐφεγγὴς ἰδεῖν,
πρῶτον μὲν ἠχῇ κέλαδος Ἑλλήνων πάρα
μολπηδὸν ηὐφήμησεν, ὄρθιον δʼ ἅμα
ἀντηλάλαξε νησιώτιδος πέτρας
390
ἠχώ· φόβος δὲ πᾶσι βαρβάροις παρῆν
γνώμης ἀποσφαλεῖσιν· οὐ γὰρ ὡς φυγῇ
παιᾶνʼ ἐφύμνουν σεμνὸν Ἕλληνες τότε,
ἀλλʼ ἐς μάχην ὁρμῶντες εὐψύχῳ θράσει·
Ἄγγελος
σάλπιγξ δʼ ἀϋτῇ πάντʼ ἐκεῖνʼ ἐπέφλεγεν.
395
εὐθὺς δὲ κώπης ῥοθιάδος ξυνεμβολῇ
ἔπαισαν ἅλμην βρύχιον ἐκ κελεύματος,
θοῶς δὲ πάντες ἦσαν ἐκφανεῖς ἰδεῖν.
τὸ δεξιὸν μὲν πρῶτον εὐτάκτως κέρας
ἡγεῖτο κόσμῳ, δεύτερον δʼ ὁ πᾶς στόλος
400
ἐπεξεχώρει, καὶ παρῆν ὁμοῦ κλύειν
πολλὴν βοήν,
ὦ παῖδες Ἑλλήνων ἴτε,
ἐλευθεροῦτε πατρίδʼ, ἐλευθεροῦτε δὲ
παῖδας, γυναῖκας, θεῶν τέ πατρῴων ἕδη,
θήκας τε προγόνων· νῦν ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀγών.
405
καὶ μὴν παρʼ ἡμῶν Περσίδος γλώσσης ῥόθος
ὑπηντίαζε, κοὐκέτʼ ἦν μέλλειν ἀκμή.
εὐθὺς δὲ ναῦς ἐν νηὶ χαλκήρη στόλον
ἔπαισεν· ἦρξε δʼ ἐμβολῆς Ἑλληνικὴ
ναῦς, κἀποθραύει πάντα Φοινίσσης νεὼς
410
κόρυμβʼ, ἐπʼ ἄλλην δʼ ἄλλος ηὔθυνεν δόρυ.
τὰ πρῶτα μέν νυν ῥεῦμα Περσικοῦ στρατοῦ
ἀντεῖχεν· ὡς δὲ πλῆθος ἐν στενῷ νεῶν
ἤθροιστʼ ἀρωγὴ δʼ οὔτις ἀλλήλοις παρῆν,
αὐτοὶ δʼ ὑφʼ αὑτῶν ἐμβόλοις χαλκοστόμοις
415
παίοντʼ, ἔθραυον πάντα κωπήρη στόλον,
Ἑλληνικαί τε νῆες οὐκ ἀφρασμόνως
κύκλῳ πέριξ ἔθεινον, ὑπτιοῦτο δὲ
σκάφη νεῶν, θάλασσα δʼ οὐκέτʼ ἦν ἰδεῖν,
ναυαγίων πλήθουσα καὶ φόνου βροτῶν.
420
ἀκταὶ δὲ νεκρῶν χοιράδες τʼ ἐπλήθυον,
φυγῇ δʼ ἀκόσμῳ πᾶσα ναῦς ἠρέσσετο,
ὅσαιπερ ἦσαν βαρβάρου στρατεύματος.
τοὶ δʼ ὥστε θύννους ἤ τινʼ ἰχθύων βόλον
ἀγαῖσι κωπῶν θραύμασίν τʼ ἐρειπίων
425
ἔπαιον, ἐρράχιζον· οἰμωγὴ δʼ ὁμοῦ
κωκύμασιν κατεῖχε πελαγίαν ἅλα,
ἕως κελαινῆς νυκτὸς ὄμμʼ ἀφείλετο.
κακῶν δὲ πλῆθος, οὐδʼ ἂν εἰ δέκʼ ἤματα
στοιχηγοροίην, οὐκ ἂν ἐκπλήσαιμί σοι.
430
εὖ γὰρ τόδʼ ἴσθι, μηδάμʼ ἡμέρᾳ μιᾷ
πλῆθος τοσουτάριθμον ἀνθρώπων θανεῖν.
433
σάλπιγξ δʼ ἀϋτῇ πάντʼ ἐκεῖνʼ ἐπέφλεγεν.
395
εὐθὺς δὲ κώπης ῥοθιάδος ξυνεμβολῇ
ἔπαισαν ἅλμην βρύχιον ἐκ κελεύματος,
θοῶς δὲ πάντες ἦσαν ἐκφανεῖς ἰδεῖν.
τὸ δεξιὸν μὲν πρῶτον εὐτάκτως κέρας
ἡγεῖτο κόσμῳ, δεύτερον δʼ ὁ πᾶς στόλος
400
ἐπεξεχώρει, καὶ παρῆν ὁμοῦ κλύειν
πολλὴν βοήν,
ὦ παῖδες Ἑλλήνων ἴτε,
ἐλευθεροῦτε πατρίδʼ, ἐλευθεροῦτε δὲ
παῖδας, γυναῖκας, θεῶν τέ πατρῴων ἕδη,
θήκας τε προγόνων· νῦν ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀγών.
405
καὶ μὴν παρʼ ἡμῶν Περσίδος γλώσσης ῥόθος
ὑπηντίαζε, κοὐκέτʼ ἦν μέλλειν ἀκμή.
εὐθὺς δὲ ναῦς ἐν νηὶ χαλκήρη στόλον
ἔπαισεν· ἦρξε δʼ ἐμβολῆς Ἑλληνικὴ
ναῦς, κἀποθραύει πάντα Φοινίσσης νεὼς
410
κόρυμβʼ, ἐπʼ ἄλλην δʼ ἄλλος ηὔθυνεν δόρυ.
τὰ πρῶτα μέν νυν ῥεῦμα Περσικοῦ στρατοῦ
ἀντεῖχεν· ὡς δὲ πλῆθος ἐν στενῷ νεῶν
ἤθροιστʼ ἀρωγὴ δʼ οὔτις ἀλλήλοις παρῆν,
αὐτοὶ δʼ ὑφʼ αὑτῶν ἐμβόλοις χαλκοστόμοις
415
παίοντʼ, ἔθραυον πάντα κωπήρη στόλον,
Ἑλληνικαί τε νῆες οὐκ ἀφρασμόνως
κύκλῳ πέριξ ἔθεινον, ὑπτιοῦτο δὲ
σκάφη νεῶν, θάλασσα δʼ οὐκέτʼ ἦν ἰδεῖν,
ναυαγίων πλήθουσα καὶ φόνου βροτῶν.
420
ἀκταὶ δὲ νεκρῶν χοιράδες τʼ ἐπλήθυον,
φυγῇ δʼ ἀκόσμῳ πᾶσα ναῦς ἠρέσσετο,
ὅσαιπερ ἦσαν βαρβάρου στρατεύματος.
τοὶ δʼ ὥστε θύννους ἤ τινʼ ἰχθύων βόλον
ἀγαῖσι κωπῶν θραύμασίν τʼ ἐρειπίων
425
ἔπαιον, ἐρράχιζον· οἰμωγὴ δʼ ὁμοῦ
κωκύμασιν κατεῖχε πελαγίαν ἅλα,
ἕως κελαινῆς νυκτὸς ὄμμʼ ἀφείλετο.
κακῶν δὲ πλῆθος, οὐδʼ ἂν εἰ δέκʼ ἤματα
στοιχηγοροίην, οὐκ ἂν ἐκπλήσαιμί σοι.
430
εὖ γὰρ τόδʼ ἴσθι, μηδάμʼ ἡμέρᾳ μιᾷ
πλῆθος τοσουτάριθμον ἀνθρώπων θανεῖν.
Ἄτοσσα
αἰαῖ, κακῶν δὴ πέλαγος ἔρρωγεν μέγα
Πέρσαις τε καὶ πρόπαντι βαρβάρων γένει.
αἰαῖ, κακῶν δὴ πέλαγος ἔρρωγεν μέγα
Πέρσαις τε καὶ πρόπαντι βαρβάρων γένει.
Ἄγγελος
εὖ νυν τόδʼ ἴσθι, μηδέπω μεσοῦν κακόν·
435
τοιάδʼ ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς ἦλθε συμφορὰ πάθους
ὡς τοῖσδε καὶ δὶς ἀντισηκῶσαι ῥοπῇ.
εὖ νυν τόδʼ ἴσθι, μηδέπω μεσοῦν κακόν·
435
τοιάδʼ ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς ἦλθε συμφορὰ πάθους
ὡς τοῖσδε καὶ δὶς ἀντισηκῶσαι ῥοπῇ.
Ἄτοσσα
καὶ τίς γένοιτʼ ἂν τῆσδʼ ἔτʼ ἐχθίων τύχη;
λέξον τίνʼ αὖ φὴς τήνδε συμφορὰν στρατῷ
ἐλθεῖν κακῶν ῥέπουσαν ἐς τὰ μάσσονα.
440
καὶ τίς γένοιτʼ ἂν τῆσδʼ ἔτʼ ἐχθίων τύχη;
λέξον τίνʼ αὖ φὴς τήνδε συμφορὰν στρατῷ
ἐλθεῖν κακῶν ῥέπουσαν ἐς τὰ μάσσονα.
440
Ἄγγελος
Περσῶν ὅσοιπερ ἦσαν ἀκμαῖοι φύσιν,
ψυχήν τʼ ἄριστοι κεὐγένειαν ἐκπρεπεῖς,
αὐτῷ τʼ ἄνακτι πίστιν ἐν πρώτοις ἀεί,
τεθνᾶσιν αἰσχρῶς δυσκλεεστάτῳ μόρῳ.
Περσῶν ὅσοιπερ ἦσαν ἀκμαῖοι φύσιν,
ψυχήν τʼ ἄριστοι κεὐγένειαν ἐκπρεπεῖς,
αὐτῷ τʼ ἄνακτι πίστιν ἐν πρώτοις ἀεί,
τεθνᾶσιν αἰσχρῶς δυσκλεεστάτῳ μόρῳ.
Ἄτοσσα
οἲ ʼγὼ τάλαινα συμφορᾶς κακῆς, φίλοι.
445
ποίῳ μόρῳ δὲ τούσδε φὴς ὀλωλέναι;
οἲ ʼγὼ τάλαινα συμφορᾶς κακῆς, φίλοι.
445
ποίῳ μόρῳ δὲ τούσδε φὴς ὀλωλέναι;
Ἄγγελος
νῆσός τις ἔστι πρόσθε Σαλαμῖνος τόπων,
βαιά, δύσορμος ναυσίν, ἣν ὁ φιλόχορος
Πὰν ἐμβατεύει, ποντίας ἀκτῆς ἔπι.
ἐνταῦθα πέμπει τούσδʼ, ὅπως, ὅταν νεῶν
450
φθαρέντες ἐχθροὶ νῆσον ἐκσῳζοίατο,
κτείνοιεν εὐχείρωτον Ἑλλήνων στρατόν,
φίλους δʼ ὑπεκσῴζοιεν ἐναλίων πόρων,
κακῶς τὸ μέλλον ἱστορῶν. ὡς γὰρ θεὸς
ναῶν ἔδωκε κῦδος Ἕλλησιν μάχης,
455
αὐθημερὸν φράξαντες εὐχάλκοις δέμας
ὅπλοισι ναῶν ἐξέθρῳσκον· ἀμφὶ δὲ
κυκλοῦντο πᾶσαν νῆσον, ὥστʼ ἀμηχανεῖν
ὅποι τράποιντο. πολλὰ μὲν γὰρ ἐκ χερῶν
πέτροισιν ἠράσσοντο, τοξικῆς τʼ ἄπο
460
θώμιγγος ἰοὶ προσπίτνοντές ὤλλυσαν·
τέλος δʼ ἐφορμηθέντες ἐξ ἑνὸς ῥόθου
παίουσι, κρεοκοποῦσι δυστήνων μέλη,
ἕως ἁπάντων ἐξαπέφθειραν βίον.
Ξέρξης δʼ ἀνῴμωξεν κακῶν ὁρῶν βάθος·
465
ἕδραν γὰρ εἶχε παντὸς εὐαγῆ στρατοῦ,
ὑψηλὸν ὄχθον ἄγχι πελαγίας ἁλός·
ῥήξας δὲ πέπλους κἀνακωκύσας λιγύ,
πεζῷ παραγγείλας ἄφαρ στρατεύματι,
ἵησʼ ἀκόσμῳ ξὺν φυγῇ. τοιάνδε σοι
470
πρὸς τῇ πάροιθε συμφορὰν πάρα στένειν.
472
νῆσός τις ἔστι πρόσθε Σαλαμῖνος τόπων,
βαιά, δύσορμος ναυσίν, ἣν ὁ φιλόχορος
Πὰν ἐμβατεύει, ποντίας ἀκτῆς ἔπι.
ἐνταῦθα πέμπει τούσδʼ, ὅπως, ὅταν νεῶν
450
φθαρέντες ἐχθροὶ νῆσον ἐκσῳζοίατο,
κτείνοιεν εὐχείρωτον Ἑλλήνων στρατόν,
φίλους δʼ ὑπεκσῴζοιεν ἐναλίων πόρων,
κακῶς τὸ μέλλον ἱστορῶν. ὡς γὰρ θεὸς
ναῶν ἔδωκε κῦδος Ἕλλησιν μάχης,
455
αὐθημερὸν φράξαντες εὐχάλκοις δέμας
ὅπλοισι ναῶν ἐξέθρῳσκον· ἀμφὶ δὲ
κυκλοῦντο πᾶσαν νῆσον, ὥστʼ ἀμηχανεῖν
ὅποι τράποιντο. πολλὰ μὲν γὰρ ἐκ χερῶν
πέτροισιν ἠράσσοντο, τοξικῆς τʼ ἄπο
460
θώμιγγος ἰοὶ προσπίτνοντές ὤλλυσαν·
τέλος δʼ ἐφορμηθέντες ἐξ ἑνὸς ῥόθου
παίουσι, κρεοκοποῦσι δυστήνων μέλη,
ἕως ἁπάντων ἐξαπέφθειραν βίον.
Ξέρξης δʼ ἀνῴμωξεν κακῶν ὁρῶν βάθος·
465
ἕδραν γὰρ εἶχε παντὸς εὐαγῆ στρατοῦ,
ὑψηλὸν ὄχθον ἄγχι πελαγίας ἁλός·
ῥήξας δὲ πέπλους κἀνακωκύσας λιγύ,
πεζῷ παραγγείλας ἄφαρ στρατεύματι,
ἵησʼ ἀκόσμῳ ξὺν φυγῇ. τοιάνδε σοι
470
πρὸς τῇ πάροιθε συμφορὰν πάρα στένειν.
Ἄτοσσα
ὦ στυγνὲ δαῖμον, ὡς ἄρʼ ἔψευσας φρενῶν
Πέρσας· πικρὰν δὲ παῖς ἐμὸς τιμωρίαν
κλεινῶν Ἀθηνῶν ηὗρε, κοὐκ ἀπήρκεσαν
οὓς πρόσθε Μαραθὼν βαρβάρων ἀπώλεσεν·
475
ὧν ἀντίποινα παῖς ἐμὸς πράξειν δοκῶν
τοσόνδε πλῆθος πημάτων ἐπέσπασεν.
σὺ δʼ εἰπέ, ναῶν αἳ πεφεύγασιν μόρον,
ποῦ τάσδʼ ἔλειπες· οἶσθα σημῆναι τορῶς;
480
ὦ στυγνὲ δαῖμον, ὡς ἄρʼ ἔψευσας φρενῶν
Πέρσας· πικρὰν δὲ παῖς ἐμὸς τιμωρίαν
κλεινῶν Ἀθηνῶν ηὗρε, κοὐκ ἀπήρκεσαν
οὓς πρόσθε Μαραθὼν βαρβάρων ἀπώλεσεν·
475
ὧν ἀντίποινα παῖς ἐμὸς πράξειν δοκῶν
τοσόνδε πλῆθος πημάτων ἐπέσπασεν.
σὺ δʼ εἰπέ, ναῶν αἳ πεφεύγασιν μόρον,
ποῦ τάσδʼ ἔλειπες· οἶσθα σημῆναι τορῶς;
Ἄγγελος
ναῶν γε ταγοὶ τῶν λελειμμένων σύδην
480
κατʼ οὖρον οὐκ εὔκοσμον αἴρονται φυγήν·
στρατὸς δʼ ὁ λοιπὸς ἔν τε Βοιωτῶν χθονὶ
διώλλυθʼ, οἱ μὲν ἀμφὶ κρηναῖον γάνος
δίψῃ πονοῦντες, οἱ δʼ ὑπʼ ἄσθματος κενοὶ
διεκπερῶμεν ἔς τε Φωκέων χθόνα
485
καὶ Δωρίδʼ αἶαν, Μηλιᾶ τε κόλπον, οὗ
Σπερχειὸς ἄρδει πεδίον εὐμενεῖ ποτῷ·
κἀντεῦθεν ἡμᾶς γῆς Ἀχαιίδος πέδον
καὶ Θεσσαλῶν πόλεις ὑπεσπανισμένους
βορᾶς ἐδέξαντʼ· ἔνθα δὴ πλεῖστοι ʼθάνον
490
δίψῃ τε λιμῷ τʼ· ἀμφότερα γὰρ ἦν τάδε.
Μαγνητικὴν δὲ γαῖαν ἔς τε Μακεδόνων
χώραν ἀφικόμεσθʼ, ἐπʼ Ἀξίου πόρον,
Βόλβης θʼ ἕλειον δόνακα, Πάγγαιόν τʼ ὄρος,
Ἠδωνίδʼ αἶαν· νυκτὶ δʼ ἐν ταύτῃ θεὸς
495
χειμῶνʼ ἄωρον ὦρσε, πήγνυσιν δὲ πᾶν
ῥέεθρον ἁγνοῦ Στρυμόνος. θεοὺς δέ τις
τὸ πρὶν νομίζων οὐδαμοῦ τότʼ ηὔχετο
λιταῖσι, γαῖαν οὐρανόν τε προσκυνῶν.
ἐπεὶ δὲ πολλὰ θεοκλυτῶν ἐπαύσατο
500
στρατός, περᾷ κρυσταλλοπῆγα διὰ πόρον·
χὤστις μὲν ἡμῶν πρὶν σκεδασθῆναι θεοῦ
ἀκτῖνας ὡρμήθη, σεσωσμένος κυρεῖ.
φλέγων γὰρ αὐγαῖς λαμπρὸς ἡλίου κύκλος
μέσον πόρον διῆκε, θερμαίνων φλογί.
505
πῖπτον δʼ ἐπʼ ἀλλήλοισιν· ηὐτύχει δέ τοι
ὅστις τάχιστα πνεῦμʼ ἀπέρρηξεν βίου.
ὅσοι δὲ λοιποὶ κἄτυχον σωτηρίας,
Θρῄκην περάσαντες μόγις πολλῷ πόνῳ,
ἥκουσιν ἐκφυγόντες, οὐ πολλοί τινες,
510
ἐφʼ ἑστιοῦχον γαῖαν· ὡς στένειν πόλιν
Περσῶν, ποθοῦσαν φιλτάτην ἥβην χθονός.
ταῦτʼ ἔστʼ ἀληθῆ· πολλὰ δʼ ἐκλείπω λέγων
κακῶν ἃ Πέρσαις ἐγκατέσκηψεν θεός.
515
ναῶν γε ταγοὶ τῶν λελειμμένων σύδην
480
κατʼ οὖρον οὐκ εὔκοσμον αἴρονται φυγήν·
στρατὸς δʼ ὁ λοιπὸς ἔν τε Βοιωτῶν χθονὶ
διώλλυθʼ, οἱ μὲν ἀμφὶ κρηναῖον γάνος
δίψῃ πονοῦντες, οἱ δʼ ὑπʼ ἄσθματος κενοὶ
διεκπερῶμεν ἔς τε Φωκέων χθόνα
485
καὶ Δωρίδʼ αἶαν, Μηλιᾶ τε κόλπον, οὗ
Σπερχειὸς ἄρδει πεδίον εὐμενεῖ ποτῷ·
κἀντεῦθεν ἡμᾶς γῆς Ἀχαιίδος πέδον
καὶ Θεσσαλῶν πόλεις ὑπεσπανισμένους
βορᾶς ἐδέξαντʼ· ἔνθα δὴ πλεῖστοι ʼθάνον
490
δίψῃ τε λιμῷ τʼ· ἀμφότερα γὰρ ἦν τάδε.
Μαγνητικὴν δὲ γαῖαν ἔς τε Μακεδόνων
χώραν ἀφικόμεσθʼ, ἐπʼ Ἀξίου πόρον,
Βόλβης θʼ ἕλειον δόνακα, Πάγγαιόν τʼ ὄρος,
Ἠδωνίδʼ αἶαν· νυκτὶ δʼ ἐν ταύτῃ θεὸς
495
χειμῶνʼ ἄωρον ὦρσε, πήγνυσιν δὲ πᾶν
ῥέεθρον ἁγνοῦ Στρυμόνος. θεοὺς δέ τις
τὸ πρὶν νομίζων οὐδαμοῦ τότʼ ηὔχετο
λιταῖσι, γαῖαν οὐρανόν τε προσκυνῶν.
ἐπεὶ δὲ πολλὰ θεοκλυτῶν ἐπαύσατο
500
στρατός, περᾷ κρυσταλλοπῆγα διὰ πόρον·
χὤστις μὲν ἡμῶν πρὶν σκεδασθῆναι θεοῦ
ἀκτῖνας ὡρμήθη, σεσωσμένος κυρεῖ.
φλέγων γὰρ αὐγαῖς λαμπρὸς ἡλίου κύκλος
μέσον πόρον διῆκε, θερμαίνων φλογί.
505
πῖπτον δʼ ἐπʼ ἀλλήλοισιν· ηὐτύχει δέ τοι
ὅστις τάχιστα πνεῦμʼ ἀπέρρηξεν βίου.
ὅσοι δὲ λοιποὶ κἄτυχον σωτηρίας,
Θρῄκην περάσαντες μόγις πολλῷ πόνῳ,
ἥκουσιν ἐκφυγόντες, οὐ πολλοί τινες,
510
ἐφʼ ἑστιοῦχον γαῖαν· ὡς στένειν πόλιν
Περσῶν, ποθοῦσαν φιλτάτην ἥβην χθονός.
ταῦτʼ ἔστʼ ἀληθῆ· πολλὰ δʼ ἐκλείπω λέγων
κακῶν ἃ Πέρσαις ἐγκατέσκηψεν θεός.
Χορός
ὦ δυσπόνητε δαῖμον, ὡς ἄγαν βαρὺς
515
ποδοῖν ἐνήλου παντὶ Περσικῷ γένει.
ὦ δυσπόνητε δαῖμον, ὡς ἄγαν βαρὺς
515
ποδοῖν ἐνήλου παντὶ Περσικῷ γένει.
Ἄτοσσα
οἲ ʼγὼ τάλαινα διαπεπραγμένου στρατοῦ·
ὦ νυκτὸς ὄψις ἐμφανὴς ἐνυπνίων,
ὡς κάρτα μοι σαφῶς ἐδήλωσας κακά.
ὑμεῖς δὲ φαύλως αὔτʼ ἄγαν ἐκρίνατε.
520
ὅμως δʼ, ἐπειδὴ τῇδʼ ἐκύρωσεν φάτις
ὑμῶν, θεοῖς μὲν πρῶτον εὔξασθαι θέλω·
ἔπειτα Γῇ τε καὶ φθιτοῖς δωρήματα
ἥξω λαβοῦσα πέλανον ἐξ οἴκων ἐμῶν,—
ἐπίσταμαι μὲν ὡς ἐπʼ ἐξειργασμένοις,
525
ἀλλʼ ἐς τὸ λοιπὸν εἴ τι δὴ λῷον πέλοι.
ὑμᾶς δὲ χρὴ ʼπὶ τοῖσδε τοῖς πεπραγμένοις
πιστοῖσι πιστὰ ξυμφέρειν βουλεύματα·
καὶ παῖδʼ, ἐάν περ δεῦρʼ ἐμοῦ πρόσθεν μόλῃ,
παρηγορεῖτε, καὶ προπέμπετʼ ἐς δόμους,
530
μὴ καί τι πρὸς κακοῖσι προσθῆται κακόν.
532
οἲ ʼγὼ τάλαινα διαπεπραγμένου στρατοῦ·
ὦ νυκτὸς ὄψις ἐμφανὴς ἐνυπνίων,
ὡς κάρτα μοι σαφῶς ἐδήλωσας κακά.
ὑμεῖς δὲ φαύλως αὔτʼ ἄγαν ἐκρίνατε.
520
ὅμως δʼ, ἐπειδὴ τῇδʼ ἐκύρωσεν φάτις
ὑμῶν, θεοῖς μὲν πρῶτον εὔξασθαι θέλω·
ἔπειτα Γῇ τε καὶ φθιτοῖς δωρήματα
ἥξω λαβοῦσα πέλανον ἐξ οἴκων ἐμῶν,—
ἐπίσταμαι μὲν ὡς ἐπʼ ἐξειργασμένοις,
525
ἀλλʼ ἐς τὸ λοιπὸν εἴ τι δὴ λῷον πέλοι.
ὑμᾶς δὲ χρὴ ʼπὶ τοῖσδε τοῖς πεπραγμένοις
πιστοῖσι πιστὰ ξυμφέρειν βουλεύματα·
καὶ παῖδʼ, ἐάν περ δεῦρʼ ἐμοῦ πρόσθεν μόλῃ,
παρηγορεῖτε, καὶ προπέμπετʼ ἐς δόμους,
530
μὴ καί τι πρὸς κακοῖσι προσθῆται κακόν.
Χορός
ὦ Ζεῦ βασιλεῦ, νῦν
γὰρ Περσῶν
τῶν μεγαλαύχων καὶ πολυάνδρων
στρατιὰν ὀλέσας
ἄστυ τὸ Σούσων ἠδʼ Ἀγβατάνων
535
πένθει δνοφερῷ κατέκρυψας·
πολλαὶ δʼ ἀταλαῖς χερσὶ καλύπτρας
κατερεικόμεναι
διαμυδαλέοις δάκρυσι κόλπους
τέγγουσʼ, ἄλγους μετέχουσαι.
540
αἱ δʼ ἁβρόγοοι Περσίδες ἀνδρῶν
ποθέουσαι ἰδεῖν ἀρτιζυγίαν,
λέκτρων εὐνὰς ἁβροχίτωνας,
χλιδανῆς ἥβης τέρψιν, ἀφεῖσαι,
πενθοῦσι γόοις ἀκορεστοτάτοις.
545
κἀγὼ δὲ μόρον τῶν οἰχομένων
αἴρω δοκίμως πολυπενθῆ.
ὦ Ζεῦ βασιλεῦ, νῦν
γὰρ Περσῶν
τῶν μεγαλαύχων καὶ πολυάνδρων
στρατιὰν ὀλέσας
ἄστυ τὸ Σούσων ἠδʼ Ἀγβατάνων
535
πένθει δνοφερῷ κατέκρυψας·
πολλαὶ δʼ ἀταλαῖς χερσὶ καλύπτρας
κατερεικόμεναι
διαμυδαλέοις δάκρυσι κόλπους
τέγγουσʼ, ἄλγους μετέχουσαι.
540
αἱ δʼ ἁβρόγοοι Περσίδες ἀνδρῶν
ποθέουσαι ἰδεῖν ἀρτιζυγίαν,
λέκτρων εὐνὰς ἁβροχίτωνας,
χλιδανῆς ἥβης τέρψιν, ἀφεῖσαι,
πενθοῦσι γόοις ἀκορεστοτάτοις.
545
κἀγὼ δὲ μόρον τῶν οἰχομένων
αἴρω δοκίμως πολυπενθῆ.
Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 280 focus
ΧΟ.
ἴΰζ᾽ ἄποτμον βοὰν
280
δυσαιανῆ Πέρσαις
δάοις, ὡς πάντα παγκάκως
ἔθεσαν, αἰαῖ, στρατοῦ φθαρέντος.
ἴΰζ᾽ ἄποτμον βοὰν
280
δυσαιανῆ Πέρσαις
δάοις, ὡς πάντα παγκάκως
ἔθεσαν, αἰαῖ, στρατοῦ φθαρέντος.
Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 280 focus
Χορός
ἀντ. β'.
ΐϋζ' ἀποτμον δαΐοις
275
δυςαιανῆ βοάν,
ὡς πάντα παγκάκως θεοὶ
ἔθεσαν, αἰαῖ, στρατοῦ φθαρέντος.
ΐϋζ' ἀποτμον δαΐοις
275
δυςαιανῆ βοάν,
ὡς πάντα παγκάκως θεοὶ
ἔθεσαν, αἰαῖ, στρατοῦ φθαρέντος.
ΠΕΡΣΑΙ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΠΕΡΣΑΙ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 280 focus
ΧΟΡΟΣ
Ἴυζ' ἄποτμον
δαΐοις δυσαιανῆ βοάν, Πέρσαις
βοὰν δυσαιανῆ Πέρσαις δαΐοις
Str. 3.
ὡς πάντα παγκάκως
θεοὶ θέσαν
ἔθεσαν· αἰαῖ στρατοῦ φθαρέντος.
280
Ἴυζ' ἄποτμον
δαΐοις δυσαιανῆ βοάν, Πέρσαις
βοὰν δυσαιανῆ Πέρσαις δαΐοις
ὡς πάντα παγκάκως
θεοὶ θέσαν
ἔθεσαν· αἰαῖ στρατοῦ φθαρέντος.
280
Aeschyli Persae (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Persae. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 280 focus
ΧΟ.
ἴυζ᾽ ἄποτμον δαίοις
280
δυσαιανῆ [Πέρσαις] βοάν·
ὡς πάνται παγκάκως
πᾶν θέσαν. αἰαῖ στρατοῦ φθαρέντος. –
ἴυζ᾽ ἄποτμον δαίοις
280
δυσαιανῆ [Πέρσαις] βοάν·
ὡς πάνται παγκάκως
πᾶν θέσαν. αἰαῖ στρατοῦ φθαρέντος. –
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.)) — 290-545 focus
Atossa
Long have I kept silent in my misery, struck with dismay at our disaster; for this calamity is so great that it is not possible to say or even to ask about its extent. Nevertheless mortals must endure affliction when it is heaven-sent.
290
Compose yourself, and even though you groan at our loss, relate the sum of our disaster and speak out! Who is there that is not dead? Whom of our leaders must we bewail? Who, appointed to wield command, by death left his post empty, without its chief?
295
Long have I kept silent in my misery, struck with dismay at our disaster; for this calamity is so great that it is not possible to say or even to ask about its extent. Nevertheless mortals must endure affliction when it is heaven-sent.
290
Compose yourself, and even though you groan at our loss, relate the sum of our disaster and speak out! Who is there that is not dead? Whom of our leaders must we bewail? Who, appointed to wield command, by death left his post empty, without its chief?
295
Messenger
Xerxes himself lives and beholds the light.
Xerxes himself lives and beholds the light.
Atossa
The words you utter bring a great light of joy into my house, and bright day after night wrapped in gloom.
300
The words you utter bring a great light of joy into my house, and bright day after night wrapped in gloom.
300
Messenger
But Artembares, commander of ten thousand cavalrymen, is being battered now against Silenia’s cruel shore. And Dadaces, leader of a thousand men, leapt, struck by a spear,
with a nimble bound from his ship. Tenagon, the true-born Bactrians’ chieftain, is ranging now around the surf-beaten isle of Ajax. Lilaeus and Arsames, and, third, Argestes,
305
kept buffeting against its rugged shore, whirled around about the island,
1
the breeding-place of doves. Arcteus, too, who lived by the waters of the Egyptian Nile, Adeues, and Pharnuchus of the mighty shield—all these were hurled out of one ship. Matallus of
Chrysa
, commander of ten thousand,
310
leader of the Black Cavalry, thirty thousand strong, in death dyed red his thick and shaggy beard, changing its color with a deep crimson stain. Arabus, too, the Magian, perished there, and Bactrian Artabes, a settler now in a rugged land.
315
Amistris, and Amphistreus, wielder of a painful spear, and brave Ariomardus, whose death brought grief to
Sardis
, and Seisames the Mysian, and Tharybis, admiral of five times fifty ships, a Lyrnaean by descent, a man of physical beauty,
320
lies dead in a state of misery, no longer attended by good fortune.
2
Syennesis, also, the governor of the Cilicians, foremost in courage, he whose prowess did the foe most harm, found there a glorious death. Such were the leaders about whom I was making my report.
325
Although our losses were many, I announce but few.
330
331
But Artembares, commander of ten thousand cavalrymen, is being battered now against Silenia’s cruel shore. And Dadaces, leader of a thousand men, leapt, struck by a spear,
with a nimble bound from his ship. Tenagon, the true-born Bactrians’ chieftain, is ranging now around the surf-beaten isle of Ajax. Lilaeus and Arsames, and, third, Argestes,
305
kept buffeting against its rugged shore, whirled around about the island,
1
the breeding-place of doves. Arcteus, too, who lived by the waters of the Egyptian Nile, Adeues, and Pharnuchus of the mighty shield—all these were hurled out of one ship. Matallus of
Chrysa
, commander of ten thousand,
310
leader of the Black Cavalry, thirty thousand strong, in death dyed red his thick and shaggy beard, changing its color with a deep crimson stain. Arabus, too, the Magian, perished there, and Bactrian Artabes, a settler now in a rugged land.
315
Amistris, and Amphistreus, wielder of a painful spear, and brave Ariomardus, whose death brought grief to
Sardis
, and Seisames the Mysian, and Tharybis, admiral of five times fifty ships, a Lyrnaean by descent, a man of physical beauty,
320
lies dead in a state of misery, no longer attended by good fortune.
2
Syennesis, also, the governor of the Cilicians, foremost in courage, he whose prowess did the foe most harm, found there a glorious death. Such were the leaders about whom I was making my report.
325
Although our losses were many, I announce but few.
330
Atossa
Alas! The words I hear put the very crown upon our woes; a disgrace to the Persians and cause for shrill lament. But retrace your tale and tell me this clearly:
how great was the number of the Greek ships which gave them confidence enough to go into battle with their armed prows against the Persian army?
335
Alas! The words I hear put the very crown upon our woes; a disgrace to the Persians and cause for shrill lament. But retrace your tale and tell me this clearly:
how great was the number of the Greek ships which gave them confidence enough to go into battle with their armed prows against the Persian army?
335
Messenger
If numbers had been the only factor, be assured that the barbarians would have gained the victory with their fleet. For the whole number of the ships of
Hellas
amounted to ten times thirty,
and, in addition to these, there was a chosen squadron of ten. But Xerxes, this I know, had under his command a thousand, while those excelling in speed were twice a hundred, and seven more. This is the total of their respective numbers. Do you think that we were simply outnumbered in this contest?
340
No, it was some divine power that tipped the scale of fortune with unequal weight and thus destroyed our host. The gods preserve the city of the goddess Pallas.
345
If numbers had been the only factor, be assured that the barbarians would have gained the victory with their fleet. For the whole number of the ships of
Hellas
amounted to ten times thirty,
and, in addition to these, there was a chosen squadron of ten. But Xerxes, this I know, had under his command a thousand, while those excelling in speed were twice a hundred, and seven more. This is the total of their respective numbers. Do you think that we were simply outnumbered in this contest?
340
No, it was some divine power that tipped the scale of fortune with unequal weight and thus destroyed our host. The gods preserve the city of the goddess Pallas.
345
Atossa
Is then the city of
Athens
not yet despoiled?
Is then the city of
Athens
not yet despoiled?
Messenger
No, while her men still live, her ramparts are impregnable.
No, while her men still live, her ramparts are impregnable.
Atossa
But the beginning of the encounter of the fleets, tell me about it. Who began the onset? Was it the Hellenes? Or my son, exulting in the multitude of his ships?
350
353
But the beginning of the encounter of the fleets, tell me about it. Who began the onset? Was it the Hellenes? Or my son, exulting in the multitude of his ships?
350
Messenger
My Queen, some destructive power or evil spirit, appearing from somewhere or other, caused the beginning of our utter rout.
A Hellene, from the Athenian host, came to your son Xerxes and told this tale: that, when the gloom of black night should set in, the Hellenes would not remain in place, but, springing upon the rowing benches of their ships, would seek, some here, some there,
355
to preserve their lives by stealthy flight. But Xerxes, when he heard this, comprehending neither the cleverness of the Greek nor that the gods grudged him success, straightway gave all his captains orders to this effect—that, when the sun had ceased to illumine the earth with his beams,
360
and darkness had covered the region of the sky, they should bring up in a tight group the main body of the fleet, disposed in triple line, to bar the exits and the sounding straits, and station other ships in a circle around the island of Ajax. He gave them a warning too that, should the Hellenes escape an evil doom,
365
finding by stealth some means of flight for their fleet, it had been decreed that every captain should lose his head. These commands he made with complete confidence of heart, since he knew not the issue intended by the gods. Our crews then, with no lack of order but with an obedient spirit,
370
prepared their evening meal, while each sailor looped his oar about its thole-pin so that it fitted well. But when the light of the sun had faded and night drew on, each master of an oar and each man versed in arms went on board.
375
The long galleys cheered each other, line by line; and they held their course as each captain had been ordered, and all through the night the commanders of the fleet kept their whole force cruising to and fro across the strait. Night began to wane,
380
yet the fleet of the Hellenes in no way attempted to put forth by stealth. When, however, radiant Day with her white horses shone over all the land, a loud cheer like a song of triumph first rang out from the Hellenes, and, at the same instant,
385
clear from the island crags, an echo returned an answering cry. Terror fell on all the barbarians, balked of their purpose; for then the Hellenes chanted their solemn paean, not as in flight, but as men rushing to the onset with the courage of gallant hearts.
390
395
My Queen, some destructive power or evil spirit, appearing from somewhere or other, caused the beginning of our utter rout.
A Hellene, from the Athenian host, came to your son Xerxes and told this tale: that, when the gloom of black night should set in, the Hellenes would not remain in place, but, springing upon the rowing benches of their ships, would seek, some here, some there,
355
to preserve their lives by stealthy flight. But Xerxes, when he heard this, comprehending neither the cleverness of the Greek nor that the gods grudged him success, straightway gave all his captains orders to this effect—that, when the sun had ceased to illumine the earth with his beams,
360
and darkness had covered the region of the sky, they should bring up in a tight group the main body of the fleet, disposed in triple line, to bar the exits and the sounding straits, and station other ships in a circle around the island of Ajax. He gave them a warning too that, should the Hellenes escape an evil doom,
365
finding by stealth some means of flight for their fleet, it had been decreed that every captain should lose his head. These commands he made with complete confidence of heart, since he knew not the issue intended by the gods. Our crews then, with no lack of order but with an obedient spirit,
370
prepared their evening meal, while each sailor looped his oar about its thole-pin so that it fitted well. But when the light of the sun had faded and night drew on, each master of an oar and each man versed in arms went on board.
375
The long galleys cheered each other, line by line; and they held their course as each captain had been ordered, and all through the night the commanders of the fleet kept their whole force cruising to and fro across the strait. Night began to wane,
380
yet the fleet of the Hellenes in no way attempted to put forth by stealth. When, however, radiant Day with her white horses shone over all the land, a loud cheer like a song of triumph first rang out from the Hellenes, and, at the same instant,
385
clear from the island crags, an echo returned an answering cry. Terror fell on all the barbarians, balked of their purpose; for then the Hellenes chanted their solemn paean, not as in flight, but as men rushing to the onset with the courage of gallant hearts.
390
The trumpet with its blast set all their side afire, and instantly, at the word of command, with the even stroke of foaming oars they struck the briny deep. Swiftly they all came clear into view. Their right wing, well marshalled,
395
led on in orderly advance, next their whole army pressed on against us, and at the same time a loud shout met our ears:
On, you men of
Hellas
! Free your native land. Free your children, your wives, the temples of your fathers’ gods,and the tombs of your ancestors. Now you are fighting for all you have. Then from our side arose in response the mingled clamor of Persian speech, and straightaway the ships dashed together their bronze prows. It was a ship of
Hellas
400
that began the charge and chopped off in its entirety the curved stern of a Phoenician boat. Each captain drove his ship straight against some other ship. At first the stream of the Persian army held its own. When, however, the mass of our ships had been crowded in the narrows, and none could render another aid,
410
and each crashed its bronze prow against each of its own line, they splintered their whole bank of oars. Then the Hellenic galleys, not heedless of their chance, hemmed them in and battered them on every side. The hulls of our vessels rolled over, and the sea was hidden from our sight,
415
strewn as it was with wrecks and slaughtered men. The shores and reefs were crowded with our dead, and every ship that formed a part of the barbarian fleet plied its oars in disorderly flight. But, as if our men were tuna or some haul of fish,
420
the foe kept striking and hacking them with broken oars and fragments of wrecked ships. Groans and shrieks together filled the open sea until the face of black night hid the scene. But as for the the full extent of our disasters, this, even if I had ten days in succession to do so, I could not describe to you.
425
However, you can be sure that so great a multitude of men never perished in a single day.
430
433
The trumpet with its blast set all their side afire, and instantly, at the word of command, with the even stroke of foaming oars they struck the briny deep. Swiftly they all came clear into view. Their right wing, well marshalled,
395
led on in orderly advance, next their whole army pressed on against us, and at the same time a loud shout met our ears:
On, you men of
Hellas
! Free your native land. Free your children, your wives, the temples of your fathers’ gods,and the tombs of your ancestors. Now you are fighting for all you have. Then from our side arose in response the mingled clamor of Persian speech, and straightaway the ships dashed together their bronze prows. It was a ship of
Hellas
400
that began the charge and chopped off in its entirety the curved stern of a Phoenician boat. Each captain drove his ship straight against some other ship. At first the stream of the Persian army held its own. When, however, the mass of our ships had been crowded in the narrows, and none could render another aid,
410
and each crashed its bronze prow against each of its own line, they splintered their whole bank of oars. Then the Hellenic galleys, not heedless of their chance, hemmed them in and battered them on every side. The hulls of our vessels rolled over, and the sea was hidden from our sight,
415
strewn as it was with wrecks and slaughtered men. The shores and reefs were crowded with our dead, and every ship that formed a part of the barbarian fleet plied its oars in disorderly flight. But, as if our men were tuna or some haul of fish,
420
the foe kept striking and hacking them with broken oars and fragments of wrecked ships. Groans and shrieks together filled the open sea until the face of black night hid the scene. But as for the the full extent of our disasters, this, even if I had ten days in succession to do so, I could not describe to you.
425
However, you can be sure that so great a multitude of men never perished in a single day.
430
Atossa
Alas! In truth a vast sea of troubles has burst upon the Persians and the entire barbarian race.
Alas! In truth a vast sea of troubles has burst upon the Persians and the entire barbarian race.
Messenger
Be assured of this, not even half of the disaster has as yet been told. A calamity so dreadful as to outweigh these ills twice over befell them.
435
Be assured of this, not even half of the disaster has as yet been told. A calamity so dreadful as to outweigh these ills twice over befell them.
435
Atossa
But what greater misfortune than this could have befallen them? Speak! What is this other disaster you say
came upon our force, sinking the scale to greater weight of ill?
440
But what greater misfortune than this could have befallen them? Speak! What is this other disaster you say
came upon our force, sinking the scale to greater weight of ill?
440
Messenger
Those Persians who were in their life’s prime, bravest in spirit, pre-eminent for noble birth, and always among the foremost in loyalty to the King himself— these have fallen ignobly by a most inglorious doom.
Those Persians who were in their life’s prime, bravest in spirit, pre-eminent for noble birth, and always among the foremost in loyalty to the King himself— these have fallen ignobly by a most inglorious doom.
Atossa
Ah, I am truly reduced to misery through this disaster! By what fate was it that you say they met their end?
445
Ah, I am truly reduced to misery through this disaster! By what fate was it that you say they met their end?
445
Messenger
There Xerxes dispatched these, his choicest troops, in order that when the Hellenic enemy, wrecked from their ships, should flee in search of safety to the island, they might slaughter their force, an easy prey, and rescue their comrades from the straits of the sea. Grievously did he misjudge the issue. For when some god
450
had given the glory to the Hellenes in the battle on the sea, on that same day, fencing their bodies in armor of bronze, they leapt from their ships and encircled the whole island, so that our men were at a loss which way to turn. Often they were struck by stones slung from their hands,
455
and arrows sped from the bow-string kept falling upon them and doing them harm. At last the Hellenes, charging with one shout, struck them and hacked to pieces the limbs of the poor wretches, until they had utterly quenched the life of all.
460
Xerxes groaned aloud when he beheld the extent of the disaster, for he occupied a seat commanding a clear view of the entire army—a lofty headland by the open sea. Tearing his robes and uttering a loud cry, he straightaway gave orders to his force on land
465
and dismissed them in disorderly flight. This, besides the one already told, is the disaster you must bewail.
470
472
There Xerxes dispatched these, his choicest troops, in order that when the Hellenic enemy, wrecked from their ships, should flee in search of safety to the island, they might slaughter their force, an easy prey, and rescue their comrades from the straits of the sea. Grievously did he misjudge the issue. For when some god
450
had given the glory to the Hellenes in the battle on the sea, on that same day, fencing their bodies in armor of bronze, they leapt from their ships and encircled the whole island, so that our men were at a loss which way to turn. Often they were struck by stones slung from their hands,
455
and arrows sped from the bow-string kept falling upon them and doing them harm. At last the Hellenes, charging with one shout, struck them and hacked to pieces the limbs of the poor wretches, until they had utterly quenched the life of all.
460
Xerxes groaned aloud when he beheld the extent of the disaster, for he occupied a seat commanding a clear view of the entire army—a lofty headland by the open sea. Tearing his robes and uttering a loud cry, he straightaway gave orders to his force on land
465
and dismissed them in disorderly flight. This, besides the one already told, is the disaster you must bewail.
470
Atossa
O hateful divinity, how have you foiled the purpose of the Persians! Cruel was the vengeance which my son brought upon himself for his designs against illustrious
Athens
; the barbarians
whom Marathon destroyed were not enough. It was in an effort to exact retribution for them that my son has drawn upon himself so great a multitude of woes. But the ships that escaped destruction—tell me about them. Where did you leave them? Can you give a clear report?
475
480
O hateful divinity, how have you foiled the purpose of the Persians! Cruel was the vengeance which my son brought upon himself for his designs against illustrious
Athens
; the barbarians
whom Marathon destroyed were not enough. It was in an effort to exact retribution for them that my son has drawn upon himself so great a multitude of woes. But the ships that escaped destruction—tell me about them. Where did you leave them? Can you give a clear report?
475
Messenger
The commanders of the ships which still remained fled with a rush in disorder wherever the wind bore them. As for the survivors of the army, they perished in Boeotian territory, some, faint from thirst, beside a refreshing spring, while some of us, exhausted and panting,
480
made our way to the land of the Phocians, to Doris and the Melian gulf, where the Spercheus waters the plain with kindly stream. Coming from there, badly in need of food, we received welcome in the Achaean land and the cities of the Thessalians.
485
There it was that many perished of thirst and hunger, for we were oppressed by both. And we came to the Magnesian land and to the country of the Macedonians, to the ford of the
Axius
and Bolbe’s reedy marsh, and to Mount Pangaeus,
490
in the Edonian land. But on that night the god roused winter before its time and froze the stream of sacred Strymon from shore to shore. Many a man who before that had held the gods in no esteem, implored them then in supplication, doing obeisance to earth and heaven.
495
But when our host had made an end of its fervent invocation of the gods, it ventured to pass across the ice-bound stream. And each of us who started on his way before the sun god dispersed his beams, found himself in safety, for the bright orb of the sun with its burning rays
500
heated the middle section and pierced it with its flames. One after another our men sank in, and fortunate indeed was he who perished soonest. The survivors, after making their way through
Thrace
with great hardship,
505
—and few they were indeed—escaped to the safety of the land of their homes; now the city of the Persians may make lament in regret for the beloved youth of the land. What I say is true, yet much remains untold of the ills launched by Heaven upon the Persians.
Exit
510
515
The commanders of the ships which still remained fled with a rush in disorder wherever the wind bore them. As for the survivors of the army, they perished in Boeotian territory, some, faint from thirst, beside a refreshing spring, while some of us, exhausted and panting,
480
made our way to the land of the Phocians, to Doris and the Melian gulf, where the Spercheus waters the plain with kindly stream. Coming from there, badly in need of food, we received welcome in the Achaean land and the cities of the Thessalians.
485
There it was that many perished of thirst and hunger, for we were oppressed by both. And we came to the Magnesian land and to the country of the Macedonians, to the ford of the
Axius
and Bolbe’s reedy marsh, and to Mount Pangaeus,
490
in the Edonian land. But on that night the god roused winter before its time and froze the stream of sacred Strymon from shore to shore. Many a man who before that had held the gods in no esteem, implored them then in supplication, doing obeisance to earth and heaven.
495
But when our host had made an end of its fervent invocation of the gods, it ventured to pass across the ice-bound stream. And each of us who started on his way before the sun god dispersed his beams, found himself in safety, for the bright orb of the sun with its burning rays
500
heated the middle section and pierced it with its flames. One after another our men sank in, and fortunate indeed was he who perished soonest. The survivors, after making their way through
Thrace
with great hardship,
505
—and few they were indeed—escaped to the safety of the land of their homes; now the city of the Persians may make lament in regret for the beloved youth of the land. What I say is true, yet much remains untold of the ills launched by Heaven upon the Persians.
Exit
510
Chorus
O unearthly power, source of our cruel distress, with what crushing weight have you fallen upon the whole Persian race!
515
O unearthly power, source of our cruel distress, with what crushing weight have you fallen upon the whole Persian race!
515
Atossa
How the utter destruction of our host distresses me! O vivid vision of my dreams at night, how clearly did you signify misfortune to me!
And all too lightly did you in turn interpret it. However, since your explanation determined thus, first of all I wish to offer prayers to the gods, and then I will return after I have brought from the palace a sacrificial cake as a gift to Earth and the dead.
520
I know indeed that it is for what cannot be undone, yet I do this in the hope that something more auspicious may come to pass in the future. But you should confer faithfully with the faithful counsellors in view of what has befallen. And as for my son, if he should come here before I return,
525
comfort him and escort him to the palace, so that he will not inflict on himself some further ill to crown those already ours.
Exit
530
532
How the utter destruction of our host distresses me! O vivid vision of my dreams at night, how clearly did you signify misfortune to me!
And all too lightly did you in turn interpret it. However, since your explanation determined thus, first of all I wish to offer prayers to the gods, and then I will return after I have brought from the palace a sacrificial cake as a gift to Earth and the dead.
520
I know indeed that it is for what cannot be undone, yet I do this in the hope that something more auspicious may come to pass in the future. But you should confer faithfully with the faithful counsellors in view of what has befallen. And as for my son, if he should come here before I return,
525
comfort him and escort him to the palace, so that he will not inflict on himself some further ill to crown those already ours.
Exit
530
Chorus
O sovereign Zeus, by destroying the army of the haughty and multitudinous Persians,
you have shrouded in the gloom of grief the city of
Susa
and of
Agbatana
! Many a woman, who has a share in this sorrow, tears her veil with tender hands
535
and moistens with drenching tears the robe covering her bosom. And the Persian wives, indulging in soft wailing through longing to behold their lords and abandoning the daintily wrought coverlets of their couches, the delight of their youth,
540
mourn with complainings that know no end. So I too sustain the truly woeful fate of those who are gone.
545
O sovereign Zeus, by destroying the army of the haughty and multitudinous Persians,
you have shrouded in the gloom of grief the city of
Susa
and of
Agbatana
! Many a woman, who has a share in this sorrow, tears her veil with tender hands
535
and moistens with drenching tears the robe covering her bosom. And the Persian wives, indulging in soft wailing through longing to behold their lords and abandoning the daintily wrought coverlets of their couches, the delight of their youth,
540
mourn with complainings that know no end. So I too sustain the truly woeful fate of those who are gone.
545
The Persians. (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians.. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 280 focus
Shriek forth a doleful outcry, full of woe to the wretched Persians; for ill did they succeed in all things, alas! when their host was destroyed.
MESSENGER
LES PERSES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES PERSES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 280 focus
était impuissant, et toute notre armée succombait écrasée sous le choc des trières.
LE CHŒUR
The Persians (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 280 focus
How tedious and oppreſſive is the weight
Of age, reſerv'd to hear theſe hopeleſs ills?
MESSENGER.
I ſpeak not from report; but theſe mine eyes
325
Beheld the ruin which my tongue wou'd utter.
I ſpeak not from report; but theſe mine eyes
325
Beheld the ruin which my tongue wou'd utter.
CHORUS.
Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 280 focus
Leva angoscioso un gemito
sui Persïani, un ululo di lutto.
Oh derelitti! Ahi sorte in tutto misera!
Oh esercito distrutto!
ATOSSA
Tacqui finor, misera me, percossa
315
dai miei malanni. La sciagura è tanta,
che parlare io non so, nulla piú chiederti.
È tuttavia necessità per gli uomini
patir gli affanni che i Celesti mandano.
Su, parla, e tutta la sventura svela,
320
pur se mescer dovrai parole e gemiti.
Chi vivo è ancora, e chi dobbiamo piangere
fra i duci? Chi, preposto alle sue schiere.
le lasciò senza capo, e trovò morte?
3
Tacqui finor, misera me, percossa
315
dai miei malanni. La sciagura è tanta,
che parlare io non so, nulla piú chiederti.
È tuttavia necessità per gli uomini
patir gli affanni che i Celesti mandano.
Su, parla, e tutta la sventura svela,
320
pur se mescer dovrai parole e gemiti.
Chi vivo è ancora, e chi dobbiamo piangere
fra i duci? Chi, preposto alle sue schiere.
le lasciò senza capo, e trovò morte?
ARALDO
Serse ancor vive, il sole ancor contempla.
325
Serse ancor vive, il sole ancor contempla.
325
ATOSSA
Oh!, che gran luce alla mia casa annunzi,
che bianca aurora dopo negra notte!
Oh!, che gran luce alla mia casa annunzi,
che bianca aurora dopo negra notte!
ARALDO
Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 280 focus
Clama miferum clamorem,lugubrem Perfis
Miseris, ut omnia admodum malè
Difpofita firm:heu heu, corruptus est exercitus.
255
Nun.
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.) — 280 focus
Shriek out your sorrow's wistful wail!
To their untimely doom they went;
275
Ill strove they, and to no avail,
And minished is their armament!
Shriek out your sorrow's wistful wail!
To their untimely doom they went;
275
Ill strove they, and to no avail,
And minished is their armament!
Messenger
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.) — 280 focus
Hebt über euch Unselige
Des Weh's angstvollen Ruf!
Denn, ach! Leid häuften uns auf Leid
Durch des Heers Untergang die Götter!
265
Hebt über euch Unselige
Des Weh's angstvollen Ruf!
Denn, ach! Leid häuften uns auf Leid
Durch des Heers Untergang die Götter!
265
Der Bote.
Commentary
Critical apparatus to The Persians (OCR draft) (Latin and Greek critical apparatus to Gottfried Hermann's 1852 edition of The Persians.) focus
283.
mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-226
Περσίδων:
τῶν περσίδων Vit. Lips. Mosc.
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
256-289.
mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-37
Kommos, drei Stro- phenpaare des Chors, unterbrochen je durch zwei Trimeter des Boten.
280-289.
mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-42
Drei iambische Verse (1. katal. Pentapodie mit Synkope des dritten u. vierten Iambus, 2. u. 3. Tetrapodie, bez. Pentapodie
᾿Αντιστρ.
γ΄. mit Synkope im zweiten u. dritten Iambus) u. ein logaödischer, be- stehend aus Choriambus (d. h. Dak- tylus u. synk. Trochäus) und drei Trochäen.
δᾶοι wie 239. –
όνομα
Σαλαμίνος
πλεῖστον
ἔχθος
κλύειν wie
ἔχθιστον
κλύειν.
αἰαῖ
στρα-
τοῦ
φθαρέντος ist wie 116 der an- zustimmende Klageruf.
δάοις, Athen seinen Feinden, also hier den Persern.
ὡς . . .
ἔκτισαν ist nicht ein von
μεμνῆσθαι abhängiger Satz, sondern ein kausaler Nebensatz, da sich zu
μεμνῆσθαι aus dem Vor- hergehenden
᾿Αθηνῶν ergänzt. -
μάταν
εὔπαιδας, weil sie die Söhne,
καταπαίδας,
ἀνάνδρους, weil sie die Gatten ver- loren haben.