δίεμαι μὲν χαρίσασθαι,
δίεμαι δ᾽ ἀντία φάσθαι,
λέξας δύσλεκτα φίλοισιν.
ΔΑ.
Persians. Aeschylus. ed. N. Wecklein. Berolini. 1885.
Table of Contents
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Πέρσαι First1KGreek (Aeschyli Tragoediae. Sidgwick, Arthur, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 703-851 focus
Δαρεῖος
ἀλλ᾽ ἐπεὶ δέος παλαιὸν σοὶ φρενῶν ἀνθίσταται,
τῶν ἐμῶν λέκτρων γεραιὰ ξύννομ᾽ εὐγενὲς γύναι,
κλαυμάτων λήξασα τῶνδε καὶ γόων σαφές τί μοι
705
λέξον. ἀνθρώπεια δ᾽ ἄν τοι πήματ᾽ ἂν τύχοι βροτοῖς.
πολλὰ μὲν γὰρ ἐκ θαλάσσης, πολλὰ δ᾽ ἐκ χέρσου κακὰ
γίγνεται θνητοῖς, ὁ μάσσων βίοτος ἢν ταθῇ πρόσω.
ἀλλ᾽ ἐπεὶ δέος παλαιὸν σοὶ φρενῶν ἀνθίσταται,
τῶν ἐμῶν λέκτρων γεραιὰ ξύννομ᾽ εὐγενὲς γύναι,
κλαυμάτων λήξασα τῶνδε καὶ γόων σαφές τί μοι
705
λέξον. ἀνθρώπεια δ᾽ ἄν τοι πήματ᾽ ἂν τύχοι βροτοῖς.
πολλὰ μὲν γὰρ ἐκ θαλάσσης, πολλὰ δ᾽ ἐκ χέρσου κακὰ
γίγνεται θνητοῖς, ὁ μάσσων βίοτος ἢν ταθῇ πρόσω.
Ἄτοσσα
ὦ βροτῶν πάντων ὑπερσχὼν ὄλβον εὐτυχεῖ πότμῳ,
1
ὡς ἕως τ᾽ ἔλευσσες αὐγὰς ἡλίου ζηλωτὸς ὢν
710
βίοτον εὐαίωνα Πέρσαις ὡς θεὸς διήγαγες,
νῦν τέ σε ζηλῶ θανόντα, πρὶν κακῶν ἰδεῖν βάθος.
πάντα γάρ, Δαρεῖ᾽, ἀκούσει μῦθον ἐν βραχεῖ χρόνῳ:
2
διαπεπόρθηται τὰ Περσῶν πράγμαθ᾽, ὡς εἰπεῖν ἔπος.
3
715
ὦ βροτῶν πάντων ὑπερσχὼν ὄλβον εὐτυχεῖ πότμῳ,
1
ὡς ἕως τ᾽ ἔλευσσες αὐγὰς ἡλίου ζηλωτὸς ὢν
710
βίοτον εὐαίωνα Πέρσαις ὡς θεὸς διήγαγες,
νῦν τέ σε ζηλῶ θανόντα, πρὶν κακῶν ἰδεῖν βάθος.
πάντα γάρ, Δαρεῖ᾽, ἀκούσει μῦθον ἐν βραχεῖ χρόνῳ:
2
διαπεπόρθηται τὰ Περσῶν πράγμαθ᾽, ὡς εἰπεῖν ἔπος.
3
Δαρεῖος
τίνι τρόπῳ; λοιμοῦ τις ἦλθε σκηπτός, ἢ στάσις πόλει;
715
τίνι τρόπῳ; λοιμοῦ τις ἦλθε σκηπτός, ἢ στάσις πόλει;
715
Ἄτοσσα
οὐδαμῶς: ἀλλ᾽ ἀμφ᾽ Ἀθήνας πᾶς κατέφθαρται στρατός.
οὐδαμῶς: ἀλλ᾽ ἀμφ᾽ Ἀθήνας πᾶς κατέφθαρται στρατός.
Δαρεῖος
τίς δ᾽ ἐμῶν ἐκεῖσε παίδων ἐστρατηλάτει; φράσον.
τίς δ᾽ ἐμῶν ἐκεῖσε παίδων ἐστρατηλάτει; φράσον.
Ἄτοσσα
θούριος Ξέρξης, κενώσας πᾶσαν ἠπείρου πλάκα.
θούριος Ξέρξης, κενώσας πᾶσαν ἠπείρου πλάκα.
Δαρεῖος
πεζὸς ἢ ναύτης δὲ πεῖραν τήνδ᾽ ἐμώρανεν τάλας;
πεζὸς ἢ ναύτης δὲ πεῖραν τήνδ᾽ ἐμώρανεν τάλας;
Ἄτοσσα
Δαρεῖος
πῶς δὲ καὶ στρατὸς τοσόσδε
6
πεζὸς ἤνυσεν περᾶν;
πῶς δὲ καὶ στρατὸς τοσόσδε
6
πεζὸς ἤνυσεν περᾶν;
Ἄτοσσα
μηχαναῖς ἔζευξεν Ἕλλης πορθμόν, ὥστ᾽ ἔχειν πόρον.
μηχαναῖς ἔζευξεν Ἕλλης πορθμόν, ὥστ᾽ ἔχειν πόρον.
Δαρεῖος
καὶ τόδ᾽ ἐξέπραξεν, ὥστε Βόσπορον κλῇσαι μέγαν;
καὶ τόδ᾽ ἐξέπραξεν, ὥστε Βόσπορον κλῇσαι μέγαν;
Ἄτοσσα
ὧδ᾽
7
ἔχει: γνώμης δέ πού τις δαιμόνων ξυνήψατο.
ὧδ᾽
7
ἔχει: γνώμης δέ πού τις δαιμόνων ξυνήψατο.
Δαρεῖος
φεῦ, μέγας τις ἦλθε δαίμων, ὥστε μὴ φρονεῖν καλῶς.
725
φεῦ, μέγας τις ἦλθε δαίμων, ὥστε μὴ φρονεῖν καλῶς.
725
Ἄτοσσα
ὡς ἰδεῖν τέλος πάρεστιν οἷον ἤνυσεν κακόν.
ὡς ἰδεῖν τέλος πάρεστιν οἷον ἤνυσεν κακόν.
Δαρεῖος
καὶ τί δὴ πράξασιν αὐτοῖς ὧδ᾽ ἐπιστενάζετε;
καὶ τί δὴ πράξασιν αὐτοῖς ὧδ᾽ ἐπιστενάζετε;
Ἄτοσσα
ναυτικὸς στρατὸς κακωθεὶς πεζὸν ὤλεσε στρατόν.
ναυτικὸς στρατὸς κακωθεὶς πεζὸν ὤλεσε στρατόν.
Δαρεῖος
ὧδε παμπήδην δὲ λαὸς πᾶς κατέφθαρται δορί;
ὧδε παμπήδην δὲ λαὸς πᾶς κατέφθαρται δορί;
Ἄτοσσα
Δαρεῖος
ὦ πόποι κεδνῆς ἀρωγῆς κἀπικουρίας στρατοῦ.
ὦ πόποι κεδνῆς ἀρωγῆς κἀπικουρίας στρατοῦ.
Ἄτοσσα
Βακτρίων δ᾽ ἔρρει πανώλης δῆμος, οὐδέ
10
τις γέρων.
Βακτρίων δ᾽ ἔρρει πανώλης δῆμος, οὐδέ
10
τις γέρων.
Δαρεῖος
ὦ μέλεος, οἵαν ἄρ᾽ ἥβην ξυμμάχων ἀπώλεσεν.
ὦ μέλεος, οἵαν ἄρ᾽ ἥβην ξυμμάχων ἀπώλεσεν.
Ἄτοσσα
μονάδα δὲ Ξέρξην ἔρημόν φασιν οὐ πολλῶν μέτα—
μονάδα δὲ Ξέρξην ἔρημόν φασιν οὐ πολλῶν μέτα—
Δαρεῖος
πῶς τε δὴ καὶ ποῖ τελευτᾶν; ἔστι τις σωτηρία;
735
πῶς τε δὴ καὶ ποῖ τελευτᾶν; ἔστι τις σωτηρία;
735
Ἄτοσσα
Δαρεῖος
καὶ πρὸς ἤπειρον σεσῶσθαι τήνδε, τοῦτ᾽ ἐτήτυμον;
καὶ πρὸς ἤπειρον σεσῶσθαι τήνδε, τοῦτ᾽ ἐτήτυμον;
Ἄτοσσα
ναί: λόγος κρατεῖ σαφηνὴς τοῦτό γ᾽, οὐδ᾽
13
ἔνι στάσις.
739
ναί: λόγος κρατεῖ σαφηνὴς τοῦτό γ᾽, οὐδ᾽
13
ἔνι στάσις.
Δαρεῖος
φεῦ, ταχεῖά γ᾽ ἦλθε χρησμῶν πρᾶξις, ἐς δὲ παῖδ᾽ ἐμὸν
Ζεὺς ἐπέσκηψεν
14
τελευτὴν θεσφάτων: ἐγὼ δέ που
740
διὰ μακροῦ χρόνου τάδ᾽ ηὔχουν ἐκτελευτήσειν θεούς:
ἀλλ᾽ ὅταν σπεύδῃ τις αὐτός, χὠ θεὸς συνάπτεται.
νῦν κακῶν ἔοικε πηγὴ πᾶσιν ηὑρῆσθαι φίλοις.
παῖς δ᾽ ἐμὸς τάδ᾽ οὐ κατειδὼς ἤνυσεν νέῳ θράσει:
ὅστις Ἑλλήσποντον ἱρὸν δοῦλον ὣς δεσμώμασιν
745
ἤλπισε σχήσειν ῥέοντα, Βόσπορον ῥόον θεοῦ:
καὶ πόρον μετερρύθμιζε, καὶ πέδαις σφυρηλάτοις
περιβαλὼν πολλὴν κέλευθον ἤνυσεν πολλῷ στρατῷ,
καὶ Ποσειδῶνος κρατήσειν. πῶς τάδ᾽ οὐ νόσος
17
φρενῶν
750
εἶχε παῖδ᾽ ἐμόν; δέδοικα μὴ πολὺς πλούτου πόνος
οὑμὸς ἀνθρώποις γένηται τοῦ φθάσαντος ἁρπαγή.
φεῦ, ταχεῖά γ᾽ ἦλθε χρησμῶν πρᾶξις, ἐς δὲ παῖδ᾽ ἐμὸν
Ζεὺς ἐπέσκηψεν
14
τελευτὴν θεσφάτων: ἐγὼ δέ που
740
διὰ μακροῦ χρόνου τάδ᾽ ηὔχουν ἐκτελευτήσειν θεούς:
ἀλλ᾽ ὅταν σπεύδῃ τις αὐτός, χὠ θεὸς συνάπτεται.
νῦν κακῶν ἔοικε πηγὴ πᾶσιν ηὑρῆσθαι φίλοις.
παῖς δ᾽ ἐμὸς τάδ᾽ οὐ κατειδὼς ἤνυσεν νέῳ θράσει:
ὅστις Ἑλλήσποντον ἱρὸν δοῦλον ὣς δεσμώμασιν
745
ἤλπισε σχήσειν ῥέοντα, Βόσπορον ῥόον θεοῦ:
καὶ πόρον μετερρύθμιζε, καὶ πέδαις σφυρηλάτοις
περιβαλὼν πολλὴν κέλευθον ἤνυσεν πολλῷ στρατῷ,
καὶ Ποσειδῶνος κρατήσειν. πῶς τάδ᾽ οὐ νόσος
17
φρενῶν
750
εἶχε παῖδ᾽ ἐμόν; δέδοικα μὴ πολὺς πλούτου πόνος
οὑμὸς ἀνθρώποις γένηται τοῦ φθάσαντος ἁρπαγή.
Ἄτοσσα
ταῦτά τοι
18
κακοῖς ὁμιλῶν ἀνδράσιν διδάσκεται
θούριος Ξέρξης: λέγουσι δ᾽ ὡς σὺ μὲν μέγαν
19
τέκνοις
πλοῦτον ἐκτήσω ξὺν αἰχμῇ, τὸν δ᾽ ἀνανδρίας ὕπο
755
ἔνδον αἰχμάζειν, πατρῷον δ᾽ ὄλβον οὐδὲν αὐξάνειν.
τοιάδ᾽ ἐξ ἀνδρῶν ὀνείδη πολλάκις κλύων κακῶν
τήνδ᾽ ἐβούλευσεν κέλευθον καὶ στράτευμ᾽ ἐφ᾽ Ἑλλάδα.
759
ταῦτά τοι
18
κακοῖς ὁμιλῶν ἀνδράσιν διδάσκεται
θούριος Ξέρξης: λέγουσι δ᾽ ὡς σὺ μὲν μέγαν
19
τέκνοις
πλοῦτον ἐκτήσω ξὺν αἰχμῇ, τὸν δ᾽ ἀνανδρίας ὕπο
755
ἔνδον αἰχμάζειν, πατρῷον δ᾽ ὄλβον οὐδὲν αὐξάνειν.
τοιάδ᾽ ἐξ ἀνδρῶν ὀνείδη πολλάκις κλύων κακῶν
τήνδ᾽ ἐβούλευσεν κέλευθον καὶ στράτευμ᾽ ἐφ᾽ Ἑλλάδα.
Δαρεῖος
τοιγάρ σφιν ἔργον ἐστὶν ἐξειργασμένον
μέγιστον, ἀείμνηστον, οἷον οὐδέπω
760
τόδ᾽ ἄστυ Σούσων ἐξεκείνωσεν πεσόν,
ἐξ οὗτε τιμὴν Ζεὺς ἄναξ τήνδ᾽ ὤπασεν,
ἕν᾽ ἄνδρ᾽ ἁπάσης Ἀσίδος μηλοτρόφου
ταγεῖν, ἔχοντα σκῆπτρον εὐθυντήριον.
Μῆδος γὰρ ἦν
20
ὁ πρῶτος ἡγεμὼν στρατοῦ:
765
ἄλλος δ᾽ ἐκείνου παῖς τόδ᾽ ἔργον ἤνυσεν:
φρένες γὰρ αὐτοῦ θυμὸν ᾠακοστρόφουν.
21
τρίτος δ᾽ ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ Κῦρος, εὐδαίμων ἀνήρ,
ἄρξας ἔθηκε πᾶσιν εἰρήνην φίλοις:
Λυδῶν δὲ λαὸν καὶ Φρυγῶν ἐκτήσατο,
770
Ἰωνίαν τε πᾶσαν ἤλασεν βίᾳ.
θεὸς γὰρ οὐκ ἤχθηρεν, ὡς εὔφρων ἔφυ.
Κύρου δὲ παῖς τέταρτος ηὔθυνε
22
στρατόν.
πέμπτος δὲ Μάρδος
23
ἦρξεν, αἰσχύνη πάτρᾳ
θρόνοισί τ᾽ ἀρχαίοισι: τὸν δὲ σὺν δόλῳ
775
Ἀρταφρένης ἔκτεινεν ἐσθλὸς ἐν δόμοις,
ξὺν ἀνδράσιν φίλοισιν, οἷς τόδ᾽ ἦν χρέος.
κἀγὼ πάλου τ᾽
26
ἔκυρσα τοῦπερ ἤθελον,
κἀπεστράτευσα πολλὰ σὺν πολλῷ στρατῷ.
780
ἀλλ᾽ οὐ κακὸν τοσόνδε προσέβαλον πόλει.
Ξέρξης δ᾽ ἐμὸς παῖς ὢν νέος
27
νέα φρονεῖ,
κοὐ μνημονεύει τὰς ἐμὰς ἐπιστολάς:
εὖ γὰρ σαφῶς τόδ᾽ ἴστ᾽, ἐμοὶ ξυνήλικες,
ἅπαντες ἡμεῖς, οἳ κράτη τάδ᾽ ἔσχομεν,
785
οὐκ ἂν φανεῖμεν πήματ᾽ ἔρξαντες τόσα.
787
τοιγάρ σφιν ἔργον ἐστὶν ἐξειργασμένον
μέγιστον, ἀείμνηστον, οἷον οὐδέπω
760
τόδ᾽ ἄστυ Σούσων ἐξεκείνωσεν πεσόν,
ἐξ οὗτε τιμὴν Ζεὺς ἄναξ τήνδ᾽ ὤπασεν,
ἕν᾽ ἄνδρ᾽ ἁπάσης Ἀσίδος μηλοτρόφου
ταγεῖν, ἔχοντα σκῆπτρον εὐθυντήριον.
Μῆδος γὰρ ἦν
20
ὁ πρῶτος ἡγεμὼν στρατοῦ:
765
ἄλλος δ᾽ ἐκείνου παῖς τόδ᾽ ἔργον ἤνυσεν:
φρένες γὰρ αὐτοῦ θυμὸν ᾠακοστρόφουν.
21
τρίτος δ᾽ ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ Κῦρος, εὐδαίμων ἀνήρ,
ἄρξας ἔθηκε πᾶσιν εἰρήνην φίλοις:
Λυδῶν δὲ λαὸν καὶ Φρυγῶν ἐκτήσατο,
770
Ἰωνίαν τε πᾶσαν ἤλασεν βίᾳ.
θεὸς γὰρ οὐκ ἤχθηρεν, ὡς εὔφρων ἔφυ.
Κύρου δὲ παῖς τέταρτος ηὔθυνε
22
στρατόν.
πέμπτος δὲ Μάρδος
23
ἦρξεν, αἰσχύνη πάτρᾳ
θρόνοισί τ᾽ ἀρχαίοισι: τὸν δὲ σὺν δόλῳ
775
Ἀρταφρένης ἔκτεινεν ἐσθλὸς ἐν δόμοις,
ξὺν ἀνδράσιν φίλοισιν, οἷς τόδ᾽ ἦν χρέος.
κἀγὼ πάλου τ᾽
26
ἔκυρσα τοῦπερ ἤθελον,
κἀπεστράτευσα πολλὰ σὺν πολλῷ στρατῷ.
780
ἀλλ᾽ οὐ κακὸν τοσόνδε προσέβαλον πόλει.
Ξέρξης δ᾽ ἐμὸς παῖς ὢν νέος
27
νέα φρονεῖ,
κοὐ μνημονεύει τὰς ἐμὰς ἐπιστολάς:
εὖ γὰρ σαφῶς τόδ᾽ ἴστ᾽, ἐμοὶ ξυνήλικες,
ἅπαντες ἡμεῖς, οἳ κράτη τάδ᾽ ἔσχομεν,
785
οὐκ ἂν φανεῖμεν πήματ᾽ ἔρξαντες τόσα.
Χορός
τί οὖν, ἄναξ Δαρεῖε, ποῖ καταστρέφεις
λόγων τελευτήν; πῶς ἂν ἐκ τούτων ἔτι
πράσσοιμεν ὡς ἄριστα Περσικὸς λεώς;
τί οὖν, ἄναξ Δαρεῖε, ποῖ καταστρέφεις
λόγων τελευτήν; πῶς ἂν ἐκ τούτων ἔτι
πράσσοιμεν ὡς ἄριστα Περσικὸς λεώς;
Δαρεῖος
εἰ μὴ στρατεύοισθ᾽ ἐς τὸν Ἑλλήνων τόπον,
790
μηδ᾽ εἰ στράτευμα πλεῖον ᾖ τὸ Μηδικόν.
αὐτὴ γὰρ ἡ γῆ ξύμμαχος κείνοις πέλει.
εἰ μὴ στρατεύοισθ᾽ ἐς τὸν Ἑλλήνων τόπον,
790
μηδ᾽ εἰ στράτευμα πλεῖον ᾖ τὸ Μηδικόν.
αὐτὴ γὰρ ἡ γῆ ξύμμαχος κείνοις πέλει.
Χορός
πῶς τοῦτ᾽ ἔλεξας, τίνι τρόπῳ δὲ συμμαχεῖ;
πῶς τοῦτ᾽ ἔλεξας, τίνι τρόπῳ δὲ συμμαχεῖ;
Δαρεῖος
κτείνουσα λιμῷ τοὺς ὑπερπόλλους
28
ἄγαν.
κτείνουσα λιμῷ τοὺς ὑπερπόλλους
28
ἄγαν.
Χορός
ἀλλ᾽ εὐσταλῆ
29
τοι λεκτὸν ἀροῦμεν στόλον.
795
ἀλλ᾽ εὐσταλῆ
29
τοι λεκτὸν ἀροῦμεν στόλον.
795
Δαρεῖος
ἀλλ᾽ οὐδ᾽ ὁ μείνας νῦν ἐν Ἑλλάδος τόποις
30
στρατὸς κυρήσει νοστίμου σωτηρίας.
ἀλλ᾽ οὐδ᾽ ὁ μείνας νῦν ἐν Ἑλλάδος τόποις
30
στρατὸς κυρήσει νοστίμου σωτηρίας.
Χορός
πῶς εἶπας; οὐ γὰρ πᾶν στράτευμα βαρβάρων
περᾷ τὸν Ἕλλης πορθμὸν Εὐρώπης ἄπο;
800
πῶς εἶπας; οὐ γὰρ πᾶν στράτευμα βαρβάρων
περᾷ τὸν Ἕλλης πορθμὸν Εὐρώπης ἄπο;
Δαρεῖος
παῦροί γε πολλῶν, εἴ τι πιστεῦσαι θεῶν
800
χρὴ θεσφάτοισιν, ἐς τὰ νῦν πεπραγμένα
βλέψαντα: συμβαίνει γὰρ οὐ τὰ μέν, τὰ δ᾽ οὔ.
κεἴπερ τάδ᾽ ἐστί, πλῆθος ἔκκριτον στρατοῦ
λείπει κεναῖσιν ἐλπίσιν πεπεισμένος.
μίμνουσι δ᾽ ἔνθα πεδίον Ἀσωπὸς ῥοαῖς
805
ἄρδει, φίλον
31
πίασμα Βοιωτῶν χθονί:
οὗ σφιν κακῶν ὕψιστ᾽ ἐπαμμένει
32
παθεῖν,
ὕβρεως ἄποινα κἀθέων φρονημάτων:
οἳ γῆν μολόντες Ἑλλάδ᾽ οὐ θεῶν βρέτη
ᾐδοῦντο συλᾶν οὐδὲ πιμπράναι νεώς:
810
βωμοὶ δ᾽ ἄιστοι, δαιμόνων θ᾽
33
ἱδρύματα
πρόρριζα φύρδην ἐξανέστραπται βάθρων.
τοιγὰρ κακῶς δράσαντες οὐκ ἐλάσσονα
πάσχουσι, τὰ δὲ μέλλουσι, κοὐδέπω κακῶν
κρηνὶς ἀπέσβηκ᾽,
34
ἀλλ᾽ ἔτ᾽ ἐκπιδύεται.
815
τόσος γὰρ ἔσται πέλανος αἱματοσταγὴς
35
πρὸς γῇ Πλαταιῶν Δωρίδος
36
λόγχης ὕπο:
θῖνες νεκρῶν δὲ καὶ τριτοσπόρῳ γονῇ
ἄφωνα σημανοῦσιν
37
ὄμμασιν βροτῶν
ὡς οὐχ ὑπέρφευ θνητὸν ὄντα χρὴ φρονεῖν.
820
ὕβρις γὰρ ἐξανθοῦσ᾽ ἐκάρπωσεν στάχυν
ἄτης, ὅθεν πάγκλαυτον ἐξαμᾷ θέρος.
τοιαῦθ᾽ ὁρῶντες τῶνδε τἀπιτίμια
μέμνησθ᾽ Ἀθηνῶν Ἑλλάδος τε, μηδέ τις
ὑπερφρονήσας τὸν παρόντα δαίμονα
825
ἄλλων ἐρασθεὶς ὄλβον ἐκχέῃ μέγαν.
Ζεύς τοι κολαστὴς τῶν ὑπερκόμπων ἄγαν
φρονημάτων ἔπεστιν, εὔθυνος βαρύς.
πρὸς ταῦτ᾽ ἐκεῖνον, σωφρονεῖν κεχρημένον,
38
πινύσκετ᾽ εὐλόγοισι νουθετήμασιν,
830
λῆξαι θεοβλαβοῦνθ᾽ ὑπερκόμπῳ θράσει.
σὺ δ᾽, ὦ γεραιὰ μῆτερ ἡ Ξέρξου φίλη,
ἐλθοῦσ᾽ ἐς οἴκους κόσμον ὅστις εὐπρεπὴς
λαβοῦσ᾽ ὑπαντίαζε παιδί. παντὶ
39
γὰρ
κακῶν ὑπ᾽ ἄλγους λακίδες ἀμφὶ σώματι
835
στημορραγοῦσι ποικίλων ἐσθημάτων.
ἀλλ᾽ αὐτὸν εὐφρόνως σὺ πράυνον λόγοις:
μόνης γάρ, οἶδα, σοῦ κλύων ἀνέξεται.
ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἄπειμι γῆς ὑπὸ ζόφον κάτω.
ὑμεῖς δέ, πρέσβεις, χαίρετ᾽, ἐν κακοῖς ὅμως
840
ψυχὴν διδόντες ἡδονῇ
40
καθ᾽ ἡμέραν,
ὡς τοῖς θανοῦσι πλοῦτος οὐδὲν ὠφελεῖ.
843
παῦροί γε πολλῶν, εἴ τι πιστεῦσαι θεῶν
800
χρὴ θεσφάτοισιν, ἐς τὰ νῦν πεπραγμένα
βλέψαντα: συμβαίνει γὰρ οὐ τὰ μέν, τὰ δ᾽ οὔ.
κεἴπερ τάδ᾽ ἐστί, πλῆθος ἔκκριτον στρατοῦ
λείπει κεναῖσιν ἐλπίσιν πεπεισμένος.
μίμνουσι δ᾽ ἔνθα πεδίον Ἀσωπὸς ῥοαῖς
805
ἄρδει, φίλον
31
πίασμα Βοιωτῶν χθονί:
οὗ σφιν κακῶν ὕψιστ᾽ ἐπαμμένει
32
παθεῖν,
ὕβρεως ἄποινα κἀθέων φρονημάτων:
οἳ γῆν μολόντες Ἑλλάδ᾽ οὐ θεῶν βρέτη
ᾐδοῦντο συλᾶν οὐδὲ πιμπράναι νεώς:
810
βωμοὶ δ᾽ ἄιστοι, δαιμόνων θ᾽
33
ἱδρύματα
πρόρριζα φύρδην ἐξανέστραπται βάθρων.
τοιγὰρ κακῶς δράσαντες οὐκ ἐλάσσονα
πάσχουσι, τὰ δὲ μέλλουσι, κοὐδέπω κακῶν
κρηνὶς ἀπέσβηκ᾽,
34
ἀλλ᾽ ἔτ᾽ ἐκπιδύεται.
815
τόσος γὰρ ἔσται πέλανος αἱματοσταγὴς
35
πρὸς γῇ Πλαταιῶν Δωρίδος
36
λόγχης ὕπο:
θῖνες νεκρῶν δὲ καὶ τριτοσπόρῳ γονῇ
ἄφωνα σημανοῦσιν
37
ὄμμασιν βροτῶν
ὡς οὐχ ὑπέρφευ θνητὸν ὄντα χρὴ φρονεῖν.
820
ὕβρις γὰρ ἐξανθοῦσ᾽ ἐκάρπωσεν στάχυν
ἄτης, ὅθεν πάγκλαυτον ἐξαμᾷ θέρος.
τοιαῦθ᾽ ὁρῶντες τῶνδε τἀπιτίμια
μέμνησθ᾽ Ἀθηνῶν Ἑλλάδος τε, μηδέ τις
ὑπερφρονήσας τὸν παρόντα δαίμονα
825
ἄλλων ἐρασθεὶς ὄλβον ἐκχέῃ μέγαν.
Ζεύς τοι κολαστὴς τῶν ὑπερκόμπων ἄγαν
φρονημάτων ἔπεστιν, εὔθυνος βαρύς.
πρὸς ταῦτ᾽ ἐκεῖνον, σωφρονεῖν κεχρημένον,
38
πινύσκετ᾽ εὐλόγοισι νουθετήμασιν,
830
λῆξαι θεοβλαβοῦνθ᾽ ὑπερκόμπῳ θράσει.
σὺ δ᾽, ὦ γεραιὰ μῆτερ ἡ Ξέρξου φίλη,
ἐλθοῦσ᾽ ἐς οἴκους κόσμον ὅστις εὐπρεπὴς
λαβοῦσ᾽ ὑπαντίαζε παιδί. παντὶ
39
γὰρ
κακῶν ὑπ᾽ ἄλγους λακίδες ἀμφὶ σώματι
835
στημορραγοῦσι ποικίλων ἐσθημάτων.
ἀλλ᾽ αὐτὸν εὐφρόνως σὺ πράυνον λόγοις:
μόνης γάρ, οἶδα, σοῦ κλύων ἀνέξεται.
ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἄπειμι γῆς ὑπὸ ζόφον κάτω.
ὑμεῖς δέ, πρέσβεις, χαίρετ᾽, ἐν κακοῖς ὅμως
840
ψυχὴν διδόντες ἡδονῇ
40
καθ᾽ ἡμέραν,
ὡς τοῖς θανοῦσι πλοῦτος οὐδὲν ὠφελεῖ.
Χορός
ἦ πολλὰ καὶ παρόντα καὶ μέλλοντ᾽ ἔτι
ἤλγησ᾽ ἀκούσας βαρβάροισι πήματα.
ἦ πολλὰ καὶ παρόντα καὶ μέλλοντ᾽ ἔτι
ἤλγησ᾽ ἀκούσας βαρβάροισι πήματα.
Ἄτοσσα
ἄλγη, μάλιστα δ᾽ ἥδε συμφορὰ δάκνει,
ἀτιμίαν γε παιδὸς ἀμφὶ σώματι
ἐσθημάτων κλύουσαν, ἥ νιν ἀμπέχει.
ἀλλ᾽ εἶμι, καὶ λαβοῦσα κόσμον ἐκ δόμων
ὑπαντιάζειν παιδί μου
43
πειράσομαι.
850
οὐ γὰρ τὰ φίλτατ᾽ ἐν κακοῖς προδώσομεν.
852
ἄλγη, μάλιστα δ᾽ ἥδε συμφορὰ δάκνει,
ἀτιμίαν γε παιδὸς ἀμφὶ σώματι
ἐσθημάτων κλύουσαν, ἥ νιν ἀμπέχει.
ἀλλ᾽ εἶμι, καὶ λαβοῦσα κόσμον ἐκ δόμων
ὑπαντιάζειν παιδί μου
43
πειράσομαι.
850
οὐ γὰρ τὰ φίλτατ᾽ ἐν κακοῖς προδώσομεν.
Πέρσαι Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.) — 703-851 focus
Δαρεῖος
ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ δέος παλαιὸν σοὶ φρενῶν ἀνθίσταται,
τῶν ἐμῶν λέκτρων γεραιὰ ξύννομʼ εὐγενὲς γύναι,
κλαυμάτων λήξασα τῶνδε καὶ γόων σαφές τί μοι
705
λέξον· ἀνθρώπεια δʼ ἄν τοι πήματʼ ἂν τύχοι βροτοῖς.
πολλὰ μὲν γὰρ ἐκ θαλάσσης, πολλὰ δʼ ἐκ χέρσου κακὰ
γίγνεται θνητοῖς, ὁ μάσσων βίοτος ἢν ταθῇ, πρόσω.
ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ δέος παλαιὸν σοὶ φρενῶν ἀνθίσταται,
τῶν ἐμῶν λέκτρων γεραιὰ ξύννομʼ εὐγενὲς γύναι,
κλαυμάτων λήξασα τῶνδε καὶ γόων σαφές τί μοι
705
λέξον· ἀνθρώπεια δʼ ἄν τοι πήματʼ ἂν τύχοι βροτοῖς.
πολλὰ μὲν γὰρ ἐκ θαλάσσης, πολλὰ δʼ ἐκ χέρσου κακὰ
γίγνεται θνητοῖς, ὁ μάσσων βίοτος ἢν ταθῇ, πρόσω.
Ἄτοσσα
ὦ βροτῶν πάντων ὑπερσχὼν ὄλβον εὐτυχεῖ πότμῳ
ὡς ἕως τʼ ἔλευσσες αὐγὰς ἡλίου ζηλωτὸς ὢν
710
βίοτον εὐαίωνα Πέρσαις ὡς θεὸς διήγαγες,
νῦν τέ σε ζηλῶ θανόντα, πρὶν κακῶν ἰδεῖν βάθος.
πάντα γάρ, Δαρεῖʼ ἀκούσῃ μῦθον ἐν βραχεῖ χρόνῳ.
διαπεπόρθηται τὰ Περσῶν πράγμαθʼ, ὡς εἰπεῖν ἔπος.
715
ὦ βροτῶν πάντων ὑπερσχὼν ὄλβον εὐτυχεῖ πότμῳ
ὡς ἕως τʼ ἔλευσσες αὐγὰς ἡλίου ζηλωτὸς ὢν
710
βίοτον εὐαίωνα Πέρσαις ὡς θεὸς διήγαγες,
νῦν τέ σε ζηλῶ θανόντα, πρὶν κακῶν ἰδεῖν βάθος.
πάντα γάρ, Δαρεῖʼ ἀκούσῃ μῦθον ἐν βραχεῖ χρόνῳ.
διαπεπόρθηται τὰ Περσῶν πράγμαθʼ, ὡς εἰπεῖν ἔπος.
Δαρεῖος
τίνι τρόπῳ; λοιμοῦ τις ἦλθε σκηπτὸς ἢ στάσις πόλει;
715
τίνι τρόπῳ; λοιμοῦ τις ἦλθε σκηπτὸς ἢ στάσις πόλει;
715
Ἄτοσσα
οὐδαμῶς· ἀλλʼ ἀμφʼ Ἀθήνας πᾶς κατέφθαρται στρατός.
οὐδαμῶς· ἀλλʼ ἀμφʼ Ἀθήνας πᾶς κατέφθαρται στρατός.
Δαρεῖος
τίς δʼ ἐμῶν ἐκεῖσε παίδων ἐστρατηλάτει; φράσον.
τίς δʼ ἐμῶν ἐκεῖσε παίδων ἐστρατηλάτει; φράσον.
Ἄτοσσα
θούριος Ξέρξης, κενώσας πᾶσαν ἠπείρου πλάκα.
θούριος Ξέρξης, κενώσας πᾶσαν ἠπείρου πλάκα.
Δαρεῖος
πεζὸς ἢ ναύτης δὲ πεῖραν τήνδʼ ἐμώρανεν τάλας;
πεζὸς ἢ ναύτης δὲ πεῖραν τήνδʼ ἐμώρανεν τάλας;
Ἄτοσσα
ἀμφότερα· διπλοῦν μέτωπον ἦν δυοῖν στρατευμάτοιν.
720
ἀμφότερα· διπλοῦν μέτωπον ἦν δυοῖν στρατευμάτοιν.
720
Δαρεῖος
πῶς δὲ καὶ στρατὸς τοσόσδε πεζὸς ἤνυσεν περᾶν;
πῶς δὲ καὶ στρατὸς τοσόσδε πεζὸς ἤνυσεν περᾶν;
Ἄτοσσα
μηχαναῖς ἔζευξεν Ἕλλης πορθμόν, ὥστʼ ἔχειν πόρον.
μηχαναῖς ἔζευξεν Ἕλλης πορθμόν, ὥστʼ ἔχειν πόρον.
Δαρεῖος
καὶ τόδʼ ἐξέπραξεν, ὥστε Βόσπορον κλῇσαι μέγαν·
καὶ τόδʼ ἐξέπραξεν, ὥστε Βόσπορον κλῇσαι μέγαν·
Ἄτοσσα
ὧδʼ ἔχει· γνώμης δέ πού τις δαιμόνων ξυνήψατο.
ὧδʼ ἔχει· γνώμης δέ πού τις δαιμόνων ξυνήψατο.
Δαρεῖος
φεῦ, μέγας τις ἦλθε δαίμων, ὥστε μὴ φρονεῖν καλῶς.
725
φεῦ, μέγας τις ἦλθε δαίμων, ὥστε μὴ φρονεῖν καλῶς.
725
Ἄτοσσα
ὡς ἰδεῖν τέλος πάρεστιν οἷον ἤνυσεν κακόν.
ὡς ἰδεῖν τέλος πάρεστιν οἷον ἤνυσεν κακόν.
Δαρεῖος
καὶ τί δὴ πράξασιν αὐτοῖς ὧδʼ ἐπιστενάζετε;
καὶ τί δὴ πράξασιν αὐτοῖς ὧδʼ ἐπιστενάζετε;
Ἄτοσσα
ναυτικὸς στρατὸς κακωθεὶς πεζὸν ὤλεσε στρατόν.
ναυτικὸς στρατὸς κακωθεὶς πεζὸν ὤλεσε στρατόν.
Δαρεῖος
ὧδε παμπήδην δὲ λαὸς πᾶς κατέφθαρται δορί;
ὧδε παμπήδην δὲ λαὸς πᾶς κατέφθαρται δορί;
Ἄτοσσα
πρὸς τάδʼ ὡς Σούσων μὲν ἄστυ πᾶν κενανδρίαν στένει.
730
πρὸς τάδʼ ὡς Σούσων μὲν ἄστυ πᾶν κενανδρίαν στένει.
730
Δαρεῖος
ὦ πόποι κεδνῆς ἀρωγῆς κἀπικουρίας στρατοῦ.
ὦ πόποι κεδνῆς ἀρωγῆς κἀπικουρίας στρατοῦ.
Ἄτοσσα
Βακτρίων δʼ ἔρρει πανώλης δῆμος, οὐδέ τις γέρων.
Βακτρίων δʼ ἔρρει πανώλης δῆμος, οὐδέ τις γέρων.
Δαρεῖος
ὦ μέλεος, οἵαν ἄρʼ ἥβην ξυμμάχων ἀπώλεσεν.
ὦ μέλεος, οἵαν ἄρʼ ἥβην ξυμμάχων ἀπώλεσεν.
Ἄτοσσα
μονάδα δὲ Ξέρξην ἔρημόν φασιν οὐ πολλῶν μέτα—
μονάδα δὲ Ξέρξην ἔρημόν φασιν οὐ πολλῶν μέτα—
Δαρεῖος
πῶς τε δὴ καὶ ποῖ τελευτᾶν; ἔστι τις σωτηρία;
735
πῶς τε δὴ καὶ ποῖ τελευτᾶν; ἔστι τις σωτηρία;
735
Ἄτοσσα
ἄσμενον μολεῖν γέφυραν γαῖν δυοῖν ζευκτηρίαν.
ἄσμενον μολεῖν γέφυραν γαῖν δυοῖν ζευκτηρίαν.
Δαρεῖος
καὶ πρὸς ἤπειρον σεσῶσθαι τήνδε, τοῦτʼ ἐτήτυμον;
καὶ πρὸς ἤπειρον σεσῶσθαι τήνδε, τοῦτʼ ἐτήτυμον;
Ἄτοσσα
ναί· λόγος κρατεῖ σαφηνὴς τοῦτό γʼ, οὐδʼ ἔνι στάσις.
739
ναί· λόγος κρατεῖ σαφηνὴς τοῦτό γʼ, οὐδʼ ἔνι στάσις.
Δαρεῖος
φεῦ, ταχεῖά γʼ ἦλθε χρησμῶν πρᾶξις, ἐς δὲ παῖδʼ ἐμὸν
Ζεὺς ἀπέσκηψεν τελευτὴν θεσφάτων· ἐγὼ δέ που
740
διὰ μακροῦ χρόνου τάδʼ ηὔχουν ἐκτελευτήσειν θεούς·
ἀλλʼ ὅταν σπεύδῃ τις αὐτός, χὠ θεὸς συνάπτεται.
νῦν κακῶν ἔοικε πηγὴ πᾶσιν ηὑρῆσθαι φίλοις.
παῖς δʼ ἐμὸς τάδʼ οὐ κατειδὼς ἤνυσεν νέῳ θράσει·
ὅστις Ἑλλήσποντον ἱρὸν δοῦλον ὣς δεσμώμασιν
745
ἤλπισε σχήσειν ῥέοντα, Βόσπορον ῥόον θεοῦ·
καὶ πόρον μετερρύθμιζε, καὶ πέδαις σφυρηλάτοις
περιβαλὼν πολλὴν κέλευθον ἤνυσεν πολλῷ στρατῷ,
θνητὸς ὢν θεῶν τε πάντων ᾤετʼ, οὐκ εὐβουλίᾳ,
καὶ Ποσειδῶνος κρατήσειν. πῶς τάδʼ οὐ νόσος φρενῶν
750
εἶχε παῖδʼ ἐμόν; δέδοικα μὴ πολὺς πλούτου πόνος
οὑμὸς ἀνθρώποις γένηται τοῦ φθάσαντος ἁρπαγή.
φεῦ, ταχεῖά γʼ ἦλθε χρησμῶν πρᾶξις, ἐς δὲ παῖδʼ ἐμὸν
Ζεὺς ἀπέσκηψεν τελευτὴν θεσφάτων· ἐγὼ δέ που
740
διὰ μακροῦ χρόνου τάδʼ ηὔχουν ἐκτελευτήσειν θεούς·
ἀλλʼ ὅταν σπεύδῃ τις αὐτός, χὠ θεὸς συνάπτεται.
νῦν κακῶν ἔοικε πηγὴ πᾶσιν ηὑρῆσθαι φίλοις.
παῖς δʼ ἐμὸς τάδʼ οὐ κατειδὼς ἤνυσεν νέῳ θράσει·
ὅστις Ἑλλήσποντον ἱρὸν δοῦλον ὣς δεσμώμασιν
745
ἤλπισε σχήσειν ῥέοντα, Βόσπορον ῥόον θεοῦ·
καὶ πόρον μετερρύθμιζε, καὶ πέδαις σφυρηλάτοις
περιβαλὼν πολλὴν κέλευθον ἤνυσεν πολλῷ στρατῷ,
θνητὸς ὢν θεῶν τε πάντων ᾤετʼ, οὐκ εὐβουλίᾳ,
καὶ Ποσειδῶνος κρατήσειν. πῶς τάδʼ οὐ νόσος φρενῶν
750
εἶχε παῖδʼ ἐμόν; δέδοικα μὴ πολὺς πλούτου πόνος
οὑμὸς ἀνθρώποις γένηται τοῦ φθάσαντος ἁρπαγή.
Ἄτοσσα
ταῦτά τοι κακοῖς ὁμιλῶν ἀνδράσιν διδάσκεται
θούριος Ξέρξης· λέγουσι δʼ ὡς σὺ μὲν μέγαν τέκνοις
πλοῦτον ἐκτήσω ξὺν αἰχμῇ, τὸν δʼ ἀνανδρίας ὕπο
755
ἔνδον αἰχμάζειν, πατρῷον δʼ ὄλβον οὐδὲν αὐξάνειν.
τοιάδʼ ἐξ ἀνδρῶν ὀνείδη πολλάκις κλύων κακῶν
τήνδʼ ἐβούλευσεν κέλευθον καὶ στράτευμʼ ἐφʼ Ἑλλάδα.
ταῦτά τοι κακοῖς ὁμιλῶν ἀνδράσιν διδάσκεται
θούριος Ξέρξης· λέγουσι δʼ ὡς σὺ μὲν μέγαν τέκνοις
πλοῦτον ἐκτήσω ξὺν αἰχμῇ, τὸν δʼ ἀνανδρίας ὕπο
755
ἔνδον αἰχμάζειν, πατρῷον δʼ ὄλβον οὐδὲν αὐξάνειν.
τοιάδʼ ἐξ ἀνδρῶν ὀνείδη πολλάκις κλύων κακῶν
τήνδʼ ἐβούλευσεν κέλευθον καὶ στράτευμʼ ἐφʼ Ἑλλάδα.
Δαρεῖος
τοιγάρ σφιν ἔργον ἐστὶν ἐξειργασμένον
μέγιστον, ἀείμνηστον, οἷον οὐδέπω
760
τόδʼ ἄστυ Σούσων ἐξεκείνωσεν πεσόν,
ἐξ οὗτε τιμὴν Ζεὺς ἄναξ τήνδʼ ὤπασεν,
ἕνʼ ἄνδρʼ ἁπάσης Ἀσίδος μηλοτρόφου
ταγεῖν, ἔχοντα σκῆπτρον εὐθυντήριον.
Μῆδος γὰρ ἦν ὁ πρῶτος ἡγεμὼν στρατοῦ·
765
ἄλλος δʼ ἐκείνου παῖς τόδʼ ἔργον ἤνυσεν·
φρένες γὰρ αὐτοῦ θυμὸν ᾠακοστρόφουν.
τρίτος δʼ ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ Κῦρος, εὐδαίμων ἀνήρ,
ἄρξας ἔθηκε πᾶσιν εἰρήνην φίλοις·
Λυδῶν δὲ λαὸν καὶ Φρυγῶν ἐκτήσατο,
770
Ἰωνίαν τε πᾶσαν ἤλασεν βίᾳ.
θεὸς γὰρ οὐκ ἤχθηρεν, ὡς εὔφρων ἔφυ.
Κύρου δὲ παῖς τέταρτος ηὔθυνε στρατόν.
πέμπτος δὲ Μάρδος ἦρξεν, αἰσχύνη πάτρᾳ
θρόνοισί τʼ ἀρχαίοισι· τὸν δὲ σὺν δόλῳ
775
Ἀρταφρένης ἔκτεινεν ἐσθλὸς ἐν δόμοις,
ξὺν ἀνδράσιν φίλοισιν, οἷς τόδʼ ἦν χρέος.
ἕκτος δὲ Μάραφις, ἕβδομος δʼ Ἀρταφρένης.
κἀγὼ πάλου τʼ ἔκυρσα τοῦπερ ἤθελον,
κἀπεστράτευσα πολλὰ σὺν πολλῷ στρατῷ·
780
ἀλλʼ οὐ κακὸν τοσόνδε προσέβαλον πόλει.
Ξέρξης δʼ ἐμὸς παῖς ὢν νέος νέα φρονεῖ,
κοὐ μνημονεύει τὰς ἐμὰς ἐπιστολάς·
εὖ γὰρ σαφῶς τόδʼ ἴστʼ, ἐμοὶ ξυνήλικες,
ἅπαντες ἡμεῖς, οἳ κράτη τάδʼ ἔσχομεν,
785
οὐκ ἂν φανεῖμεν πήματʼ ἔρξαντες τόσα.
787
τοιγάρ σφιν ἔργον ἐστὶν ἐξειργασμένον
μέγιστον, ἀείμνηστον, οἷον οὐδέπω
760
τόδʼ ἄστυ Σούσων ἐξεκείνωσεν πεσόν,
ἐξ οὗτε τιμὴν Ζεὺς ἄναξ τήνδʼ ὤπασεν,
ἕνʼ ἄνδρʼ ἁπάσης Ἀσίδος μηλοτρόφου
ταγεῖν, ἔχοντα σκῆπτρον εὐθυντήριον.
Μῆδος γὰρ ἦν ὁ πρῶτος ἡγεμὼν στρατοῦ·
765
ἄλλος δʼ ἐκείνου παῖς τόδʼ ἔργον ἤνυσεν·
φρένες γὰρ αὐτοῦ θυμὸν ᾠακοστρόφουν.
τρίτος δʼ ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ Κῦρος, εὐδαίμων ἀνήρ,
ἄρξας ἔθηκε πᾶσιν εἰρήνην φίλοις·
Λυδῶν δὲ λαὸν καὶ Φρυγῶν ἐκτήσατο,
770
Ἰωνίαν τε πᾶσαν ἤλασεν βίᾳ.
θεὸς γὰρ οὐκ ἤχθηρεν, ὡς εὔφρων ἔφυ.
Κύρου δὲ παῖς τέταρτος ηὔθυνε στρατόν.
πέμπτος δὲ Μάρδος ἦρξεν, αἰσχύνη πάτρᾳ
θρόνοισί τʼ ἀρχαίοισι· τὸν δὲ σὺν δόλῳ
775
Ἀρταφρένης ἔκτεινεν ἐσθλὸς ἐν δόμοις,
ξὺν ἀνδράσιν φίλοισιν, οἷς τόδʼ ἦν χρέος.
ἕκτος δὲ Μάραφις, ἕβδομος δʼ Ἀρταφρένης.
κἀγὼ πάλου τʼ ἔκυρσα τοῦπερ ἤθελον,
κἀπεστράτευσα πολλὰ σὺν πολλῷ στρατῷ·
780
ἀλλʼ οὐ κακὸν τοσόνδε προσέβαλον πόλει.
Ξέρξης δʼ ἐμὸς παῖς ὢν νέος νέα φρονεῖ,
κοὐ μνημονεύει τὰς ἐμὰς ἐπιστολάς·
εὖ γὰρ σαφῶς τόδʼ ἴστʼ, ἐμοὶ ξυνήλικες,
ἅπαντες ἡμεῖς, οἳ κράτη τάδʼ ἔσχομεν,
785
οὐκ ἂν φανεῖμεν πήματʼ ἔρξαντες τόσα.
Χορός
τί οὖν, ἄναξ Δαρεῖε, ποῖ καταστρέφεις
λόγων τελευτήν; πῶς ἂν ἐκ τούτων ἔτι
πράσσοιμεν ὡς ἄριστα Περσικὸς λεώς;
τί οὖν, ἄναξ Δαρεῖε, ποῖ καταστρέφεις
λόγων τελευτήν; πῶς ἂν ἐκ τούτων ἔτι
πράσσοιμεν ὡς ἄριστα Περσικὸς λεώς;
Δαρεῖος
εἰ μὴ στρατεύοισθʼ ἐς τὸν Ἑλλήνων τόπον,
790
μηδʼ εἰ στράτευμα πλεῖον τὸ Μηδικόν.
αὐτὴ γὰρ ἡ γῆ ξύμμαχος κείνοις πέλει.
εἰ μὴ στρατεύοισθʼ ἐς τὸν Ἑλλήνων τόπον,
790
μηδʼ εἰ στράτευμα πλεῖον τὸ Μηδικόν.
αὐτὴ γὰρ ἡ γῆ ξύμμαχος κείνοις πέλει.
Χορός
πῶς τοῦτʼ ἔλεξας, τίνι τρόπῳ δὲ συμμαχεῖ;
πῶς τοῦτʼ ἔλεξας, τίνι τρόπῳ δὲ συμμαχεῖ;
Δαρεῖος
κτείνουσα λιμῷ τοὺς ὑπερπόλλους ἄγαν.
κτείνουσα λιμῷ τοὺς ὑπερπόλλους ἄγαν.
Χορός
ἀλλʼ εὐσταλῆ τοι λεκτὸν ἀροῦμεν στόλον.
795
ἀλλʼ εὐσταλῆ τοι λεκτὸν ἀροῦμεν στόλον.
795
Δαρεῖος
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὁ μείνας νῦν ἐν Ἑλλάδος τόποις
στρατὸς κυρήσει νοστίμου σωτηρίας.
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὁ μείνας νῦν ἐν Ἑλλάδος τόποις
στρατὸς κυρήσει νοστίμου σωτηρίας.
Χορός
πῶς εἶπας; οὐ γὰρ πᾶν στράτευμα βαρβάρων
περᾷ τὸν Ἕλλης πορθμὸν Εὐρώπης ἄπο;
800
πῶς εἶπας; οὐ γὰρ πᾶν στράτευμα βαρβάρων
περᾷ τὸν Ἕλλης πορθμὸν Εὐρώπης ἄπο;
Δαρεῖος
παῦροι γε πολλῶν, εἴ τι πιστεῦσαι θεῶν
800
χρὴ θεσφάτοισιν, ἐς τὰ νῦν πεπραγμένα
βλέψαντα· συμβαίνει γὰρ οὐ τὰ μέν, τὰ δʼ οὔ.
κεἴπερ τάδʼ ἐστί, πλῆθος ἔκκριτον στρατοῦ
λείπει κεναῖσιν ἐλπίσιν πεπεισμένος.
μίμνουσι δʼ ἔνθα πεδίον Ἀσωπὸς ῥοαῖς
805
ἄρδει, φίλον πίασμα Βοιωτῶν χθονί·
οὗ σφιν κακῶν ὕψιστʼ ἐπαμμένει παθεῖν,
ὕβρεως ἄποινα κἀθέων φρονημάτων·
οἳ γῆν μολόντες Ἑλλάδʼ οὐ θεῶν βρέτη
ᾐδοῦντο συλᾶν οὐδὲ πιμπράναι νεώς·
810
βωμοὶ δʼ ἄιστοι, δαιμόνων θʼ ἱδρύματα
πρόρριζα φύρδην ἐξανέστραπται βάθρων.
τοιγὰρ κακῶς δράσαντες οὐκ ἐλάσσονα
πάσχουσι, τὰ δὲ μέλλουσι, κοὐδέπω κακῶν
κρηνὶς ἀπέσβηκʼ ἀλλʼ ἔτʼ ἐκπιδύεται.
815
τόσος γὰρ ἔσται πέλανος αἱματοσφαγὴς
πρὸς γῇ Πλαταιῶν Δωρίδος λόγχης ὕπο·
θῖνες νεκρῶν δὲ καὶ τριτοσπόρῳ γονῇ
ἄφωνα σημανοῦσιν ὄμμασιν βροτῶν
ὡς οὐχ ὑπέρφευ θνητὸν ὄντα χρὴ φρονεῖν.
820
ὕβρις γὰρ ἐξανθοῦσʼ ἐκάρπωσεν στάχυν
ἄτης, ὅθεν πάγκλαυτον ἐξαμᾷ θέρος.
τοιαῦθʼ ὁρῶντες τῶνδε τἀπιτίμια
μέμνησθʼ Ἀθηνῶν Ἑλλάδος τε, μηδέ τις
ὑπερφρονήσας τὸν παρόντα δαίμονα
825
ἄλλων ἐρασθεὶς ὄλβον ἐκχέῃ μέγαν.
Ζεύς τοι κολαστὴς τῶν ὑπερκόμπων ἄγαν
φρονημάτων ἔπεστιν, εὔθυνος βαρύς.
πρὸς ταῦτʼ ἐκεῖνον, σωφρονεῖν κεχρημένον,
πινύσκετʼ εὐλόγοισι νουθετήμασιν,
830
λῆξαι θεοβλαβοῦνθʼ ὑπερκόμπῳ θράσει.
σὺ δʼ, ὦ γεραιὰ μῆτερ ἡ Ξέρξου φίλη,
ἐλθοῦσʼ ἐς οἴκους κόσμον ὅστις εὐπρεπὴς
λαβοῦσʼ ὑπαντίαζε παιδί. πάντα γὰρ
κακῶν ὑπʼ ἄλγους λακίδες ἀμφὶ σώματι
835
στημορραγοῦσι ποικίλων ἐσθημάτων.
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸν εὐφρόνως σὺ πράυνον λόγοις·
μόνης γάρ, οἶδα, σοῦ κλύων ἀνέξεται.
ἐγὼ δʼ ἄπειμι γῆς ὑπὸ ζόφον κάτω.
ὑμεῖς δέ, πρέσβεις, χαίρετʼ, ἐν κακοῖς ὅμως
840
ψυχῇ διδόντες ἡδονὴν καθʼ ἡμέραν,
ὡς τοῖς θανοῦσι πλοῦτος οὐδὲν ὠφελεῖ.
843
παῦροι γε πολλῶν, εἴ τι πιστεῦσαι θεῶν
800
χρὴ θεσφάτοισιν, ἐς τὰ νῦν πεπραγμένα
βλέψαντα· συμβαίνει γὰρ οὐ τὰ μέν, τὰ δʼ οὔ.
κεἴπερ τάδʼ ἐστί, πλῆθος ἔκκριτον στρατοῦ
λείπει κεναῖσιν ἐλπίσιν πεπεισμένος.
μίμνουσι δʼ ἔνθα πεδίον Ἀσωπὸς ῥοαῖς
805
ἄρδει, φίλον πίασμα Βοιωτῶν χθονί·
οὗ σφιν κακῶν ὕψιστʼ ἐπαμμένει παθεῖν,
ὕβρεως ἄποινα κἀθέων φρονημάτων·
οἳ γῆν μολόντες Ἑλλάδʼ οὐ θεῶν βρέτη
ᾐδοῦντο συλᾶν οὐδὲ πιμπράναι νεώς·
810
βωμοὶ δʼ ἄιστοι, δαιμόνων θʼ ἱδρύματα
πρόρριζα φύρδην ἐξανέστραπται βάθρων.
τοιγὰρ κακῶς δράσαντες οὐκ ἐλάσσονα
πάσχουσι, τὰ δὲ μέλλουσι, κοὐδέπω κακῶν
κρηνὶς ἀπέσβηκʼ ἀλλʼ ἔτʼ ἐκπιδύεται.
815
τόσος γὰρ ἔσται πέλανος αἱματοσφαγὴς
πρὸς γῇ Πλαταιῶν Δωρίδος λόγχης ὕπο·
θῖνες νεκρῶν δὲ καὶ τριτοσπόρῳ γονῇ
ἄφωνα σημανοῦσιν ὄμμασιν βροτῶν
ὡς οὐχ ὑπέρφευ θνητὸν ὄντα χρὴ φρονεῖν.
820
ὕβρις γὰρ ἐξανθοῦσʼ ἐκάρπωσεν στάχυν
ἄτης, ὅθεν πάγκλαυτον ἐξαμᾷ θέρος.
τοιαῦθʼ ὁρῶντες τῶνδε τἀπιτίμια
μέμνησθʼ Ἀθηνῶν Ἑλλάδος τε, μηδέ τις
ὑπερφρονήσας τὸν παρόντα δαίμονα
825
ἄλλων ἐρασθεὶς ὄλβον ἐκχέῃ μέγαν.
Ζεύς τοι κολαστὴς τῶν ὑπερκόμπων ἄγαν
φρονημάτων ἔπεστιν, εὔθυνος βαρύς.
πρὸς ταῦτʼ ἐκεῖνον, σωφρονεῖν κεχρημένον,
πινύσκετʼ εὐλόγοισι νουθετήμασιν,
830
λῆξαι θεοβλαβοῦνθʼ ὑπερκόμπῳ θράσει.
σὺ δʼ, ὦ γεραιὰ μῆτερ ἡ Ξέρξου φίλη,
ἐλθοῦσʼ ἐς οἴκους κόσμον ὅστις εὐπρεπὴς
λαβοῦσʼ ὑπαντίαζε παιδί. πάντα γὰρ
κακῶν ὑπʼ ἄλγους λακίδες ἀμφὶ σώματι
835
στημορραγοῦσι ποικίλων ἐσθημάτων.
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸν εὐφρόνως σὺ πράυνον λόγοις·
μόνης γάρ, οἶδα, σοῦ κλύων ἀνέξεται.
ἐγὼ δʼ ἄπειμι γῆς ὑπὸ ζόφον κάτω.
ὑμεῖς δέ, πρέσβεις, χαίρετʼ, ἐν κακοῖς ὅμως
840
ψυχῇ διδόντες ἡδονὴν καθʼ ἡμέραν,
ὡς τοῖς θανοῦσι πλοῦτος οὐδὲν ὠφελεῖ.
Χορός
ἦ πολλὰ καὶ παρόντα καὶ μέλλοντʼ ἔτι
ἤλγησʼ ἀκούσας βαρβάροισι πήματα.
ἦ πολλὰ καὶ παρόντα καὶ μέλλοντʼ ἔτι
ἤλγησʼ ἀκούσας βαρβάροισι πήματα.
Ἄτοσσα
ὦ δαῖμον, ὥς με πόλλʼ ἐσέρχεται κακὰ
845
ἄλγη, μάλιστα δʼ ἥδε συμφορὰ δάκνει,
ἀτιμίαν γε παιδὸς ἀμφὶ σώματι
ἐσθημάτων κλύουσαν, ἥ νιν ἀμπέχει.
ἀλλʼ εἶμι, καὶ λαβοῦσα κόσμον ἐκ δόμων
ὑπαντιάζειν παιδί μου πειράσομαι.
850
οὐ γὰρ τὰ φίλτατʼ ἐν κακοῖς προδώσομεν.
ὦ δαῖμον, ὥς με πόλλʼ ἐσέρχεται κακὰ
845
ἄλγη, μάλιστα δʼ ἥδε συμφορὰ δάκνει,
ἀτιμίαν γε παιδὸς ἀμφὶ σώματι
ἐσθημάτων κλύουσαν, ἥ νιν ἀμπέχει.
ἀλλʼ εἶμι, καὶ λαβοῦσα κόσμον ἐκ δόμων
ὑπαντιάζειν παιδί μου πειράσομαι.
850
οὐ γὰρ τὰ φίλτατʼ ἐν κακοῖς προδώσομεν.
Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 700 focus
ΧΟ.
δίεμαι μὲν χαρίσασθαι, δίεμαι δ᾽ ἀντία φάσθαι,
700
λέξας δύσλεκτα φίλοισιν.
δίεμαι μὲν χαρίσασθαι, δίεμαι δ᾽ ἀντία φάσθαι,
700
λέξας δύσλεκτα φίλοισιν.
Πέρσαι (OCR draft) Experimental (Πέρσαι. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 700 focus
δίεμαι μὲν χαρίσασθαι,
δίεμαι δ᾽ ἀντία φάσθαι,
προλέγων δύςλεκτα φίλοισιν.
Δαρεῖος
ΠΕΡΣΑΙ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΠΕΡΣΑΙ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 700 focus
ΧΟΡΟΣ
Δίεμαι
Δίομαι (uel Δείομαι) μὲν χαρίσασθαι,
Ant.
δίεμαι
δίομαι δ' ἀντία φάσθαι
695
λέξας δύσλεκτα φίλοισιν.
Δίεμαι
Δίομαι (uel Δείομαι) μὲν χαρίσασθαι,
δίεμαι
δίομαι δ' ἀντία φάσθαι
695
λέξας δύσλεκτα φίλοισιν.
Aeschyli Persae (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Persae. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 700 focus
ΧΟ.
δίομαι μὲν χαρίσασθαι,
700
δίομαι δ᾽ ἀντία φάσθαι,
λέξας δύσλεκτα φίλοισιν. =
δίομαι μὲν χαρίσασθαι,
700
δίομαι δ᾽ ἀντία φάσθαι,
λέξας δύσλεκτα φίλοισιν. =
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.)) — 703-850 focus
Darius
Since dread long ingrained in your mind restrains you,
cease, noble woman, venerable partner of my bed, from your tears and laments, speak to me with all frankness. Afflictions ordained for human life must, we know, befall mankind. For many calamities from the sea, many from the land, arise to mortal men if their span of life is extended far.
705
Since dread long ingrained in your mind restrains you,
cease, noble woman, venerable partner of my bed, from your tears and laments, speak to me with all frankness. Afflictions ordained for human life must, we know, befall mankind. For many calamities from the sea, many from the land, arise to mortal men if their span of life is extended far.
705
Atossa
O you who in prosperity surpassed all mortal men by your happy destiny,
since, so long as you gazed upon the beams of the sun, you lived a life of felicity, envied of all, in Persian eyes a god, so now too I consider you fortunate in that you died before you beheld the depth of our calamities. The whole tale, O Darius, you will hear in brief space of time: the power of
Persia
is ruined almost utterly.
710
715
O you who in prosperity surpassed all mortal men by your happy destiny,
since, so long as you gazed upon the beams of the sun, you lived a life of felicity, envied of all, in Persian eyes a god, so now too I consider you fortunate in that you died before you beheld the depth of our calamities. The whole tale, O Darius, you will hear in brief space of time: the power of
Persia
is ruined almost utterly.
710
Darius
How did it happen? Did some stroke of pestilence or factional strife come upon the State?
715
How did it happen? Did some stroke of pestilence or factional strife come upon the State?
715
Atossa
Neither; but near
Athens
our whole host has been brought to ruin.
Neither; but near
Athens
our whole host has been brought to ruin.
Darius
Tell me, what son of mine led our army there?
Tell me, what son of mine led our army there?
Atossa
Impetuous Xerxes, depopulating the whole surface of the continent.
Impetuous Xerxes, depopulating the whole surface of the continent.
Darius
Was it by land or sea that he made this mad expedition, the reckless man?
Was it by land or sea that he made this mad expedition, the reckless man?
Atossa
By both. There was a twofold front of double armies.
720
By both. There was a twofold front of double armies.
720
Darius
But how was it that so vast a land force won a passage to the farther shore?
But how was it that so vast a land force won a passage to the farther shore?
Atossa
By a clever device he yoked the
Hellespont
so as to gain a passage.
By a clever device he yoked the
Hellespont
so as to gain a passage.
Darius
What! Did he succeed in closing the mighty
Bosporus
?
What! Did he succeed in closing the mighty
Bosporus
?
Atossa
Yes indeed. One of the divine powers must have assisted him in his purpose.
Yes indeed. One of the divine powers must have assisted him in his purpose.
Darius
Alas! Some mighty power came upon him so that he was not able to think clearly.
725
Alas! Some mighty power came upon him so that he was not able to think clearly.
725
Atossa
Yes, since we can see the outcome, what ruin he wrought.
Yes, since we can see the outcome, what ruin he wrought.
Darius
And how then did they fare that you now lament them?
And how then did they fare that you now lament them?
Atossa
Disaster to the naval force brought ruin to the force on land.
Disaster to the naval force brought ruin to the force on land.
Darius
And did the whole army utterly perish by the spear?
And did the whole army utterly perish by the spear?
Atossa
Yes, and it is for this reason that the whole city of
Susa
groans at its desolation.
730
Yes, and it is for this reason that the whole city of
Susa
groans at its desolation.
730
Darius
Alas for the loss of our warriors’ valiant force and defence!
Alas for the loss of our warriors’ valiant force and defence!
Atossa
And the host of the Bactrians is lost, wholly destroyed: not even an old man is left.
And the host of the Bactrians is lost, wholly destroyed: not even an old man is left.
Darius
Unhappy man, since he has brought to ruin the youth of our allies.
Unhappy man, since he has brought to ruin the youth of our allies.
Atossa
But Xerxes, alone and forlorn, with scanty train, they say—
But Xerxes, alone and forlorn, with scanty train, they say—
Darius
Met his end, how, tell me, and where? Of his safety is there any hope?
735
Met his end, how, tell me, and where? Of his safety is there any hope?
735
Atossa
To his joy he reached the bridge yoking the two continents.
To his joy he reached the bridge yoking the two continents.
Darius
And reached our continent in safety? Is this certain?
And reached our continent in safety? Is this certain?
Atossa
Yes, a proven report establishes this. Doubt there is none.
739
Yes, a proven report establishes this. Doubt there is none.
Darius
Alas! The fulfilment of the oracles has indeed come swiftly, and it is my son upon whom
Zeus has caused their issue to descend. Yet I was confident that, only after long lapse of time, the gods would in some way bring them to accomplishment; nevertheless, when man hastens to his own undoing, the god too participates with him. A fountain of misfortune has now, I think, been discovered for all I love. A son of mine it was who, in his ignorance, brought these things to pass through youthful recklessness;
740
for he conceived the hope that he could by shackles, as if it were a slave, restrain the current of the sacred
Hellespont
, the
Bosporus
, a stream divine; he set himself to fashion a roadway of a new type, and, by casting upon it hammer-wrought fetters, made a spacious causeway for his mighty host. Mortal though he was, he thought in his folly that he would gain the mastery of all the gods,
745
yes, even over Poseidon. Must this not have been a disease of the soul that possessed my son? I fear that the plenteous treasure amassed by my toil may become the prey of the spoiler.
750
Alas! The fulfilment of the oracles has indeed come swiftly, and it is my son upon whom
Zeus has caused their issue to descend. Yet I was confident that, only after long lapse of time, the gods would in some way bring them to accomplishment; nevertheless, when man hastens to his own undoing, the god too participates with him. A fountain of misfortune has now, I think, been discovered for all I love. A son of mine it was who, in his ignorance, brought these things to pass through youthful recklessness;
740
for he conceived the hope that he could by shackles, as if it were a slave, restrain the current of the sacred
Hellespont
, the
Bosporus
, a stream divine; he set himself to fashion a roadway of a new type, and, by casting upon it hammer-wrought fetters, made a spacious causeway for his mighty host. Mortal though he was, he thought in his folly that he would gain the mastery of all the gods,
745
yes, even over Poseidon. Must this not have been a disease of the soul that possessed my son? I fear that the plenteous treasure amassed by my toil may become the prey of the spoiler.
750
Atossa
This lesson impetuous Xerxes learned through conversation with evil men. For they kept telling him that, whereas you
won plentiful treasure for your children by your spear, he, on his part, through lack of manly spirit, played the warrior at home and did not increase his father’s wealth. Hearing such taunts many a time from evil counsellors, he planned this expedition and army against
Hellas
.
755
759
This lesson impetuous Xerxes learned through conversation with evil men. For they kept telling him that, whereas you
won plentiful treasure for your children by your spear, he, on his part, through lack of manly spirit, played the warrior at home and did not increase his father’s wealth. Hearing such taunts many a time from evil counsellors, he planned this expedition and army against
Hellas
.
755
Darius
Therefore a calamity
dreadful and unforgettable has been caused by him, a desolating calamity such as never before befell this city of
Susa
since our Lord Zeus first ordained that one ruler should bear sway over all
Asia
with its flocks and wield the sceptre of its government.
760
For Medus was first to be the leader of its host; and another, his son, completed his work since wisdom ruled his spirit. Third, after him, Cyrus, blessed in good fortune, came to the throne and established peace for all his people.
765
The Lydians and Phrygians he won to his rule, and the whole of
Ionia
he subdued by force; for he won the favor of the gods through his right-mindedness. Fourth in succession, the son of Cyrus ruled the host. Fifth in the list, Mardus came to power, a disgrace to his native land
770
and to the ancient throne; but he was slain in his palace by the guile of noble Artaphrenes, with the help of friends whose duty this was.
Sixth came Maraphis, and seventh Artaphrenes.
1
And I in turn attained the lot I desired,
775
and many a campaign I made with a valiant force; but disaster so dire as this I brought not upon the state. Yet Xerxes my son, youth that he is, has the mind of youth and does not remember my injunctions. Be sure of this, my age-mates:
780
all of us who have held this sovereign power cannot be shown to have wrought ruin as great as this.
785
787
Therefore a calamity
dreadful and unforgettable has been caused by him, a desolating calamity such as never before befell this city of
Susa
since our Lord Zeus first ordained that one ruler should bear sway over all
Asia
with its flocks and wield the sceptre of its government.
760
For Medus was first to be the leader of its host; and another, his son, completed his work since wisdom ruled his spirit. Third, after him, Cyrus, blessed in good fortune, came to the throne and established peace for all his people.
765
The Lydians and Phrygians he won to his rule, and the whole of
Ionia
he subdued by force; for he won the favor of the gods through his right-mindedness. Fourth in succession, the son of Cyrus ruled the host. Fifth in the list, Mardus came to power, a disgrace to his native land
770
and to the ancient throne; but he was slain in his palace by the guile of noble Artaphrenes, with the help of friends whose duty this was.
Sixth came Maraphis, and seventh Artaphrenes.
1
And I in turn attained the lot I desired,
775
and many a campaign I made with a valiant force; but disaster so dire as this I brought not upon the state. Yet Xerxes my son, youth that he is, has the mind of youth and does not remember my injunctions. Be sure of this, my age-mates:
780
all of us who have held this sovereign power cannot be shown to have wrought ruin as great as this.
785
Chorus
What then, O king Darius? What is the intention of your words? How, after this reverse, may we, the people of
Persia
, best prosper in time to come?
What then, O king Darius? What is the intention of your words? How, after this reverse, may we, the people of
Persia
, best prosper in time to come?
Darius
If you do not take the field against the Hellenes’ land, even if the forces of the Medes outnumber theirs. The land itself is their ally.
790
If you do not take the field against the Hellenes’ land, even if the forces of the Medes outnumber theirs. The land itself is their ally.
790
Chorus
What do you mean? In what way
their ally?
What do you mean? In what way
their ally?
Darius
It wastes with famine an enemy force which is too large.
It wastes with famine an enemy force which is too large.
Chorus
But we will dispatch a force of select and easily managed troops.
795
But we will dispatch a force of select and easily managed troops.
795
Darius
Not even the host which now remains in
Hellas
will be able to return to safety.
Not even the host which now remains in
Hellas
will be able to return to safety.
Chorus
How is that? Will not the whole barbarian army cross from
Europe
over the
Hellespont
?
800
How is that? Will not the whole barbarian army cross from
Europe
over the
Hellespont
?
Darius
Few indeed out of many, if it is right to put any faith in the oracles of Heaven, with regard to what has just been brought to pass; for they are fulfilled, not just some, while others fail. And if this is truth, it is through persuasion of vain hopes that he is leaving behind a body of picked troops.
800
They are now lingering where the plain is watered by the stream of Asopus which nourishes
Boeotia
’s fields. Here they will meet their crowning disaster in requital for their presumptuous pride and impious thoughts. For, on reaching the land of
Hellas
,
805
restrained by no religious awe, they ravaged the images of the gods and set fire to their temples. Altars have been destroyed, statues of the gods have been thrown from their bases in utter ruin and confusion. Therefore, since they wrought such evil, evil they suffer in no less measure; and other evils are still in store:
810
the spring of their woes is not yet quenched, but it still wells forth. For so great will be the mass of clotted gore spilled by the Dorian lance upon Plataean soil that heaps of dead will reveal, even to the third generation, a voiceless record for the eyes of men
815
that mortal man should not vaunt himself excessively. For presumptuous pride, when it has matured, bears as its fruit a crop of calamity, from which it reaps an abundant harvest of tears.
Bear in mind that such are the penalties for deeds like these, and hold
Athens
and
Hellas
in your memory. Let no one of you,
820
through disdain of present fortune and lust for more, squander his abundant wealth. Zeus, in truth, is a chastiser of overweening pride and corrects with heavy hand. Therefore, now that my son has been warned to be prudent by the voice of God,
825
instruct him with admonitions of reason to cease from drawing the punishment of Heaven on himself by his vaunting rashness. And as for you, beloved and venerable mother of Xerxes, withdraw to the palace and bring from there clothing which is suitable for him, and prepare to meet your son. For
830
through grief at his misfortunes, the embroidered apparel which he was wearing has been torn into tattered shreds. Soothe him with words of kindness; for it is to your voice alone, I know, that he will listen. As for me, I depart to the darkness beneath the earth.
835
Farewell, Elders, and despite your troubles, rejoice while each day is yours; for wealth does not profit the dead at all.
The ghost of Darius descends
840
843
Few indeed out of many, if it is right to put any faith in the oracles of Heaven, with regard to what has just been brought to pass; for they are fulfilled, not just some, while others fail. And if this is truth, it is through persuasion of vain hopes that he is leaving behind a body of picked troops.
800
They are now lingering where the plain is watered by the stream of Asopus which nourishes
Boeotia
’s fields. Here they will meet their crowning disaster in requital for their presumptuous pride and impious thoughts. For, on reaching the land of
Hellas
,
805
restrained by no religious awe, they ravaged the images of the gods and set fire to their temples. Altars have been destroyed, statues of the gods have been thrown from their bases in utter ruin and confusion. Therefore, since they wrought such evil, evil they suffer in no less measure; and other evils are still in store:
810
the spring of their woes is not yet quenched, but it still wells forth. For so great will be the mass of clotted gore spilled by the Dorian lance upon Plataean soil that heaps of dead will reveal, even to the third generation, a voiceless record for the eyes of men
815
that mortal man should not vaunt himself excessively. For presumptuous pride, when it has matured, bears as its fruit a crop of calamity, from which it reaps an abundant harvest of tears.
Bear in mind that such are the penalties for deeds like these, and hold Athens and Hellas in your memory. Let no one of you,
820
Bear in mind that such are the penalties for deeds like these, and hold Athens and Hellas in your memory. Let no one of you,
through disdain of present fortune and lust for more, squander his abundant wealth. Zeus, in truth, is a chastiser of overweening pride and corrects with heavy hand. Therefore, now that my son has been warned to be prudent by the voice of God,
825
instruct him with admonitions of reason to cease from drawing the punishment of Heaven on himself by his vaunting rashness. And as for you, beloved and venerable mother of Xerxes, withdraw to the palace and bring from there clothing which is suitable for him, and prepare to meet your son. For
830
through grief at his misfortunes, the embroidered apparel which he was wearing has been torn into tattered shreds. Soothe him with words of kindness; for it is to your voice alone, I know, that he will listen. As for me, I depart to the darkness beneath the earth.
835
Farewell, Elders, and despite your troubles, rejoice while each day is yours; for wealth does not profit the dead at all.
The ghost of Darius descends
840
Chorus
I grieve as I hear the many misfortunes that are now, and are yet to be, the lot of the barbarians.
I grieve as I hear the many misfortunes that are now, and are yet to be, the lot of the barbarians.
Atossa
O God! How much grief assails me! But most of all this sorrow wounds me, to hear of the shameful clothes which are now worn by my son. But I will depart, and when I have brought appropriate garments from the palace,
845
I will make attempt to meet my son; for I will not forsake him whom I love so well in his affliction.
Exit
850
O God! How much grief assails me! But most of all this sorrow wounds me, to hear of the shameful clothes which are now worn by my son. But I will depart, and when I have brought appropriate garments from the palace,
845
I will make attempt to meet my son; for I will not forsake him whom I love so well in his affliction.
Exit
850
The Persians. (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians.. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 700 focus
I dread
1
to comply, and I dread to speak in thy presence, telling things hateful to tell to friends.
GHOST OF DARIUS
LES PERSES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES PERSES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 700 focus
sur les Perses ?
LE CHŒUR
(Un peu traînant.)
Je n'ose te regarder ; je n'ose te parler en face : l'effroi de jadis
Je n'ose te regarder ; je n'ose te parler en face : l'effroi de jadis
The Persians (OCR draft) Experimental (The Persians. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 700 focus
I dread to forge a flatt'ring tale, I dread
To grieve thee with an harſh offenſive truth.
DARIUS.
Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, I Persiani: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 700 focus
Parlar non m'assecuro,
dire dinanzi a te quanto, se l'odano,
troppo agli amici è duro.
800
DARIO
Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Persae: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 700 focus
Cho. Vereor quidem gratificari,
Pudet me contraria dicere,
Dicens ingrata amicis.
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.) — 700 focus
I tremble to reveal,
Yet tremble to conceal
715
Things hard for friends to feel!
I tremble to reveal,
Yet tremble to conceal
715
Things hard for friends to feel!
Ghost of Darius
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.) — 700 focus
Mir verbeut Furcht den Gehorsam,
Mir verbeut Furcht, dir in's Antliß
675
Solch Leid zu verkünden, dem Freunde.
Mir verbeut Furcht den Gehorsam,
Mir verbeut Furcht, dir in's Antliß
675
Solch Leid zu verkünden, dem Freunde.
Dareios.
Commentary
Critical apparatus to The Persians (OCR draft) (Latin and Greek critical apparatus to Gottfried Hermann's 1852 edition of The Persians.) focus
701-702.
mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-579
δίεμαι μὲν χαρίσασθαι, δίεμαι δ᾽ ἀντία φάσθαι:
deíoua in utroque versu M. Vit. Ven. A. Par. A. B. Ald. Rob. Turn. Pauwii commentum
déoμa Brunckius, Schützius, Porsonus receperunt.
Sioua G. Lips. Ven. B. Ne hoc quidem probari potest: nam hoc verbum ubique activam significationem habet. Non satis accurate disputatum est in Parisiensi editione Stephani in v.
Siw. Duo verba sunt, unum
dío, fugio, metuo, ex quo
díouai, fugo, persequor. Ex hoc
δίον, δίε, δίηται, δίωνται, ἀποδίωμαι apud Homerum et
διόμενοι, Sióμεvai apud Aeschylum Suppl. 787. Eum. 352. 377. Alterum verbum est
diru, díɛua, significatu cum forma consentiente. V. Etym. M. p. 273, 14. 280, 38. schol. ad II. XII. 276. XVIII. 584. XXIII. 475. Ex eo est
évdícoɑv II. XVIII. 584. et
dintai coniunctivus apud Apollonium Rhodium H. 330. Perperam coniunctivus in Etym. M. p. 280.
διῶμαι, διῶνται, ut a
διόω vel
διέω, scriptus est. Hic coniunctivus verborum et
díɛuai et
dioµai eandem formam habet, aeque ut infinitivus
Siroda, qui semel tantum apud Homerum ad
diɛua referendus est, Ι. ΧΙΙ. 304.
οὐ ῥά τ' ἀπείρητος μέμονε σταθμοῖο δίεσθαι, quod male Eustathius p. 906, 10.
Soy9va, scholiastes
druzwoev interpretantur. Apud Nicandrum Ther. 755.
dievrai est fugiunt, apud Oppianum Cyn. 1. 425.
Síorra (hoc enim verum) persequuntur. Stephanus quum Suidam
diɛucu a
díru memorare ait, confudit hunc cum Etymologico. Nihil Suidas nisi
δίεται, διέρχεται. Apud Aeschylum aperte scribendum erat
δίεμαι, et potest
δείομαι ortum ex eo esse quod ad
δίομαι supra scriptum erat
ɛ, ut id pro
o ponendum esse indicaretur.
qão da M. G. Vit. Lips. Ald. Rob. Turn. Correxit accentum Porsonus.
703.
mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-580
προλέγων:
703
λsas, quod libri habent, ferri nequit, quum aut praesens requiratur aut futurum, et simul anapaestus. Itaque
оλéуш scripsi.
703.
mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-581
δύςλεκτα:
703
δυσλεκτρα Ven. Β.
δύσκολα Lips.
703.
mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-582
φίλοισιν:
703
qihoot Cantabr. 1. Ald. Rob.
704.
mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-583
παλαιὸν:
704
паhair Cantabr. 1. et circumflexo a sec. manu ex acuto facto Vit.
παλαιῶν σοι φρενῶν ἀνθίσταμαι G. cum hoc scholio,
παλαιῶν φρενῶν, τῶν πάλαι προςόντων σοι ὑπὲρ τῆς ἐμῆς αἰδοῦς λο-your. M. Lips. Ald. Rob. Turn.
nakaóv σo. Correxit, ut metrum indicabat, accentum Porsonus.
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
703-708.
mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg002-teuffel-wecklein1886-com-ger1-103
Die angestammte Furcht stellt sich beim Chor der Besinnung gegenüber, sie verdun- kelnd. Über das Maſs des Mensch- lichen wird es nicht hinausgehen.
αν...
ἂν
ἂν 429 f. Prom. 537
τὸν
μακρὸν
τείνειν
βίον
ἐλπίσι. Anrede des D. und Antwort der Atossa je 6 Verse.