Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound, Paul Mazon (Editor), 189

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ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ

Οἶδ' ὅτι τραχὺς καὶ παρ' ἑαυτῷ

ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ ΔΕΣΜΩΤΗΣ

ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ

τὸ δίκαιον ἔχων ἔχων Ζεύς, ἀλλ'· ἔμπας, ὀΐω,

μαλακογνώμων ἔσται ποθ', ὅταν

ταύτῃ ῥαισθῇ, τὴν δ' ἀτέραμνον

στορέσας ὀργὴν εἰς ἀρθμὸν ἐμοὶ
200

καὶ φιλότητα

σπεύδων σπεύδοντί ποθ' ἥξει.

Prometheus Bound. Aeschylus. Paul Mazon (Editor). Paris. 1920-1925.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by Schmidt Sciences.

Current edition Experimental

ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ ΔΕΣΜΩΤΗΣ (OCR draft) (Greek) (ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ ΔΕΣΜΩΤΗΣ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.)

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (6)

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης First1KGreek (Aeschyli Tragoediae. Sidgwick, Arthur, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 195-398 focus

Χορός

πάντ᾽ ἐκκάλυψον καὶ γέγων᾽ ἡμῖν λόγον,
195

ποίῳ λαβών σε Ζεὺς ἐπ᾽ αἰτιάματι,

οὕτως ἀτίμως καὶ πικρῶς αἰκίζεται:

δίδαξον ἡμᾶς, εἴ τι μὴ βλάπτει λόγῳ.

Προμηθεύς

ἀλγεινὰ μέν μοι καὶ λέγειν ἐστὶν τάδε,

ἄλγος δὲ σιγᾶν, πανταχῇ δὲ δύσποτμα.
200

ἐπεὶ τάχιστ᾽ ἤρξαντο δαίμονες χόλου

στάσις τ᾽ ἐν ἀλλήλοισιν ὠροθύνετο,

οἱ μὲν θέλοντες ἐκβαλεῖν ἕδρας Κρόνον,

ὡς Ζεὺς ἀνάσσοι δῆθεν, οἱ δὲ τοὔμπαλιν

σπεύδοντες, ὡς Ζεὺς μήποτ᾽ ἄρξειεν θεῶν,
205

ἐνταῦθ᾽ ἐγὼ τὰ λῷστα βουλεύων πιθεῖν

Τιτᾶνας, Οὐρανοῦ τε καὶ Χθονὸς τέκνα,

οὐκ ἠδυνήθην: αἱμύλας δὲ μηχανὰς

ἀτιμάσαντες καρτεροῖς φρονήμασιν

ᾤοντ᾽ ἀμοχθὶ πρὸς βίαν τε δεσπόσειν:
210

ἐμοὶ δὲ μήτηρ οὐχ ἅπαξ μόνον Θέμις,

καὶ Γαῖα, πολλῶν ὀνομάτων μορφὴ μία,

τὸ μέλλον ᾗ κραίνοιτο¹ προυτεθεσπίκει,

ὡς οὐ κατ᾽ ἰσχὺν οὐδὲ πρὸς τὸ καρτερὸν

χρείη,² δόλῳ δὲ³ τοὺς ὑπερσχόντας⁴ κρατεῖν.
215

τοιαῦτ᾽ ἐμοῦ λόγοισιν ἐξηγουμένου

οὐκ ἠξίωσαν οὐδὲ προσβλέψαι τὸ πᾶν.

κράτιστα δή μοι τῶν παρεστώτων τότε

ἐφαίνετ᾽ εἶναι προσλαβόντα⁵ μητέρα

ἑκόνθ᾽ ἑκόντι Ζηνὶ συμπαραστατεῖν.
220

ἐμαῖς δὲ βουλαῖς Ταρτάρου μελαμβαθὴς

κευθμὼν καλύπτει τὸν παλαιγενῆ Κρόνον

αὐτοῖσι συμμάχοισι. τοιάδ᾽ ἐξ ἐμοῦ

ὁ τῶν θεῶν τύραννος ὠφελημένος

κακαῖσι ποιναῖς ταῖσδέ μ᾽ ἀντημείψατο.⁶
225

ἔνεστι γάρ πως τοῦτο τῇ τυραννίδι

νόσημα, τοῖς φίλοισι μὴ πεποιθέναι.

ὃ δ᾽ οὖν ἐρωτᾶτ᾽, αἰτίαν καθ᾽ ἥντινα

αἰκίζεταί με, τοῦτο δὴ σαφηνιῶ.

ὅπως τάχιστα τὸν πατρῷον ἐς θρόνον
230

καθέζετ᾽, εὐθὺς δαίμοσιν νέμει γέρα

ἄλλοισιν ἄλλα, καὶ διεστοιχίζετο

ἀρχήν, βροτῶν δὲ τῶν ταλαιπώρων λόγον

οὐκ ἔσχεν οὐδέν᾽, ἀλλ᾽ ἀιστώσας γένος

τὸ πᾶν ἔχρῃζεν ἄλλο φιτῦσαι νέον.
235

καὶ τοισίδ᾽ οὐδεὶς ἀντέβαινε πλὴν ἐμοῦ.

ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἐτόλμησ᾽:⁷ ἐξελυσάμην βροτοὺς

τὸ μὴ διαρραισθέντας εἰς Ἅιδου μολεῖν.

τῷ τοι τοιαῖσδε πημοναῖσι κάμπτομαι,

πάσχειν μὲν ἀλγειναῖσιν, οἰκτραῖσιν δ᾽ ἰδεῖν:
240

θνητοὺς δ᾽ ἐν οἴκτῳ προθέμενος, τούτου τυχεῖν

οὐκ ἠξιώθην αὐτός, ἀλλὰ νηλεῶς⁸

ὧδ᾽ ἐρρύθμισμαι, Ζηνὶ δυσκλεὴς θέα.

244

Χορός

σιδηρόφρων τε κἀκ πέτρας εἰργασμένος

ὅστις, Προμηθεῦ, σοῖσιν οὐ συνασχαλᾷ
245

μόχθοις: ἐγὼ γὰρ οὔτ᾽ ἂν εἰσιδεῖν τάδε

ἔχρῃζον εἰσιδοῦσά τ᾽ ἠλγύνθην⁹ κέαρ.

Προμηθεύς

καὶ μὴν φίλοις <γ᾽>¹⁰ ἐλεινὸς¹¹ εἰσορᾶν ἐγώ.

Χορός

μή πού τι προύβης τῶνδε καὶ περαιτέρω;

Προμηθεύς

θνητοὺς¹² ἔπαυσα μὴ προδέρκεσθαι μόρον.
250

Χορός

τὸ ποῖον εὑρὼν τῆσδε φάρμακον νόσου;

Προμηθεύς

τυφλὰς ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐλπίδας κατῴκισα.

Χορός

μέγ᾽ ὠφέλημα τοῦτ᾽ ἐδωρήσω βροτοῖς.

Προμηθεύς

πρὸς τοῖσδε μέντοι πῦρ ἐγώ σφιν ὤπασα.

Χορός

καὶ νῦν φλογωπὸν πῦρ¹³ ἔχουσ᾽ ἐφήμεροι;
255

Προμηθεύς

ἀφ᾽ οὗ γε πολλὰς ἐκμαθήσονται τέχνας.

Χορός

τοιοῖσδε δή σε Ζεὺς ἐπ᾽ αἰτιάμασιν

Προμηθεύς

αἰκίζεταί τε κοὐδαμῇ χαλᾷ κακῶν.

Χορός

οὐδ᾽ ἔστιν ἄθλου τέρμα σοι προκείμενον;¹⁴

Προμηθεύς

οὐκ ἄλλο γ᾽ οὐδέν, πλὴν ὅταν κείνῳ δοκῇ.
260

Χορός

δόξει δὲ πῶς; τίς ἐλπίς; οὐχ ὁρᾷς ὅτι

ἥμαρτες; ὡς δ᾽ ἥμαρτες οὔτ᾽ ἐμοὶ λέγειν

καθ᾽ ἡδονὴν σοί τ᾽ ἄλγος. ἀλλὰ ταῦτα μὲν

μεθῶμεν, ἄθλου δ᾽ ἔκλυσιν ζήτει τινά.

265

Προμηθεύς

ἐλαφρὸν ὅστις πημάτων ἔξω πόδα
265

ἔχει παραινεῖν νουθετεῖν τε τὸν κακῶς

πράσσοντ᾽:¹⁵ ἐγὼ δὲ ταῦθ᾽ ἅπαντ᾽ ἠπιστάμην.

ἑκὼν ἑκὼν ἥμαρτον, οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι:

θνητοῖς ἀρήγων αὐτὸς ηὑρόμην πόνους.

οὐ μήν τι ποιναῖς γ᾽ ᾠόμην τοίαισί με¹⁶
270

κατισχνανεῖσθαι πρὸς πέτραις πεδαρσίοις,

τυχόντ᾽ ἐρήμου τοῦδ᾽ ἀγείτονος πάγου.

καί μοι¹⁷ τὰ μὲν παρόντα μὴ δύρεσθ᾽ ἄχη,

πέδοι δὲ βᾶσαι τὰς προσερπούσας τύχας

ἀκούσαθ᾽, ὡς μάθητε διὰ τέλους τὸ πᾶν.
275

πίθεσθέ¹⁸ μοι, πίθεσθε, συμπονήσατε

τῷ νῦν μογοῦντι. ταὐτά τοι¹⁹ πλανωμένη

πρὸς ἄλλοτ᾽ ἄλλον πημονὴ προσιζάνει.

279

Χορός

οὐκ ἀκούσαις ἐπεθώυξας

τοῦτο, Προμηθεῦ.
280

καὶ νῦν ἐλαφρῷ ποδὶ κραιπνόσυτον

θᾶκον προλιποῦσ᾽, αἰθέρα θ᾽ ἁγνὸν

πόρον οἰωνῶν, ὀκριοέσσῃ

χθονὶ τῇδε πελῶ, τοὺς σοὺς δὲ πόνους

χρῄζω διὰ παντὸς ἀκοῦσαι.
285

Ὠκεανός

ἥκω δολιχῆς τέρμα κελεύθου

διαμειψάμενος πρὸς σέ, Προμηθεῦ,

τὸν πτερυγωκῆ τόνδ᾽ οἰωνὸν

γνώμῃ στομίων ἄτερ εὐθύνων:

ταῖς σαῖς δὲ τύχαις, ἴσθι, συναλγῶ.
290

τό τε γάρ με, δοκῶ, συγγενὲς οὕτως

ἐσαναγκάζει,

χωρίς τε γένους οὐκ ἔστιν ὅτῳ

μείζονα μοῖραν νείμαιμ᾽ ἢ σοί.

γνώσει δὲ τάδ᾽ ὡς ἔτυμ᾽, οὐδὲ μάτην
295

χαριτογλωσσεῖν²⁰ ἔνι μοι: φέρε γὰρ

σήμαιν᾽ ὅ τι χρή σοι συμπράσσειν:

οὐ γάρ ποτ᾽ ἐρεῖς ὡς Ὠκεανοῦ

φίλος ἐστὶ βεβαιότερός σοι.

300

Προμηθεύς

ἔα: τί χρῆμα λεύσσω; καὶ σὺ δὴ πόνων ἐμῶν
300

ἥκεις ἐπόπτης; πῶς ἐτόλμησας, λιπὼν

ἐπώνυμόν τε ῥεῦμα καὶ πετρηρεφῆ

αὐτόκτιτ᾽ ἄντρα, τὴν σιδηρομήτορα

ἐλθεῖν ἐς αἶαν; ἢ θεωρήσων τύχας

ἐμὰς ἀφῖξαι καὶ συνασχαλῶν κακοῖς;
305

δέρκου θέαμα, τόνδε τὸν Διὸς φίλον,

τὸν συγκαταστήσαντα τὴν τυραννίδα,

οἵαις ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ πημοναῖσι κάμπτομαι.

Ὠκεανός

ὁρῶ, Προμηθεῦ, καὶ παραινέσαι γέ σοι

θέλω τὰ λῷστα, καίπερ ὄντι ποικίλῳ.
310

γίγνωσκε σαυτὸν καὶ μεθάρμοσαι τρόπους

νέους: νέος γὰρ καὶ τύραννος ἐν θεοῖς.

εἰ δ᾽ ὧδε τραχεῖς καὶ τεθηγμένους λόγους

ῥίψεις, τάχ᾽ ἄν σου καὶ μακρὰν ἀνωτέρω

θακῶν κλύοι Ζεύς, ὥστε σοι τὸν νῦν ὄχλον²¹
315

παρόντα μόχθων παιδιὰν εἶναι δοκεῖν.

ἀλλ᾽, ὦ ταλαίπωρ᾽, ἃς ἔχεις ὀργὰς ἄφες,

ζήτει δὲ τῶνδε πημάτων ἀπαλλαγάς.

ἀρχαῖ᾽ ἴσως σοι φαίνομαι λέγειν τάδε:

τοιαῦτα μέντοι τῆς ἄγαν ὑψηγόρου
320

γλώσσης, Προμηθεῦ, τἀπίχειρα γίγνεται.

σὺ δ᾽ οὐδέπω ταπεινὸς οὐδ᾽ εἴκεις κακοῖς,

πρὸς τοῖς παροῦσι δ᾽ ἄλλα προσλαβεῖν θέλεις.

οὔκουν ἔμοιγε χρώμενος διδασκάλῳ

πρὸς κέντρα κῶλον ἐκτενεῖς, ὁρῶν ὅτι
325

τραχὺς μόναρχος οὐδ᾽ ὑπεύθυνος κρατεῖ.

καὶ νῦν ἐγὼ μὲν εἶμι καὶ πειράσομαι

ἐὰν δύνωμαι τῶνδέ σ᾽ ἐκλῦσαι πόνων:

σὺ δ᾽ ἡσύχαζε μηδ᾽ ἄγαν λαβροστόμει.

ἢ οὐκ οἶσθ᾽ ἀκριβῶς ὢν περισσόφρων ὅτι
330

γλώσσῃ ματαίᾳ ζημία προστρίβεται;

332

Προμηθεύς

ζηλῶ σ᾽ ὁθούνεκ᾽ ἐκτὸς αἰτίας κυρεῖς,

πάντων μετασχὼν²² καὶ τετολμηκὼς ἐμοί.²³

καὶ νῦν ἔασον μηδέ²⁴ σοι μελησάτω.

πάντως γὰρ οὐ πείσεις²⁵ νιν: οὐ γὰρ εὐπιθής.²⁶
335

πάπταινε δ᾽ αὐτὸς μή τι πημανθῇς ὁδῷ.

Ὠκεανός

πολλῷ γ᾽ ἀμείνων τοὺς πέλας φρενοῦν ἔφυς

ἢ σαυτόν: ἔργῳ κοὐ λόγῳ τεκμαίρομαι.

ὁρμώμενον δὲ μηδαμῶς μ᾽²⁷ ἀντισπάσῃς.

αὐχῶ γὰρ αὐχῶ τήνδε δωρεὰν ἐμοὶ
340

δώσειν Δί᾽, ὥστε τῶνδέ σ᾽ ἐκλῦσαι πόνων.

343

Προμηθεύς

τὰ μέν σ᾽ ἐπαινῶ κοὐδαμῇ²⁸ λήξω ποτέ:

προθυμίας γὰρ οὐδὲν ἐλλείπεις. ἀτὰρ

μηδὲν πόνει: μάτην γὰρ οὐδὲν ὠφελῶν

ἐμοὶ πονήσεις, εἴ τι καὶ πονεῖν θέλεις.
345

ἀλλ᾽ ἡσύχαζε σαυτὸν ἐκποδὼν ἔχων:

ἐγὼ γὰρ οὐκ εἰ δυστυχῶ, τοῦδ᾽ οὕνεκα

θέλοιμ᾽ ἂν ὡς πλείστοισι πημονὰς τυχεῖν.

οὐ δῆτ᾽, ἐπεί με χαἰ²⁹ κασιγνήτου τύχαι³⁰

τείρουσ᾽ Ἄτλαντος, ὃς πρὸς³¹ ἑσπέρους τόπους
350

ἕστηκε κίον᾽ οὐρανοῦ τε καὶ χθονὸς

ὤμοις ἐρείδων, ἄχθος οὐκ εὐάγκαλον.

τὸν γηγενῆ τε Κιλικίων οἰκήτορα

ἄντρων ἰδὼν ᾤκτειρα, δάιον τέρας

ἑκατογκάρανον πρὸς βίαν χειρούμενον
355

Τυφῶνα θοῦρον, πᾶσι δ᾽³² ἀντέστη θεοῖς,

σμερδναῖσι γαμφηλαῖσι συρίζων φόβον:³³

ἐξ ὀμμάτων δ᾽ ἤστραπτε γοργωπὸν σέλας,

ὡς τὴν Διὸς τυραννίδ᾽ ἐκπέρσων βίᾳ:

ἀλλ᾽ ἦλθεν αὐτῷ Ζηνὸς ἄγρυπνον βέλος,
360

καταιβάτης κεραυνὸς ἐκπνέων φλόγα,

ὃς αὐτὸν ἐξέπληξε τῶν ὑψηγόρων

κομπασμάτων. φρένας γὰρ εἰς αὐτὰς τυπεὶς

ἐφεψαλώθη κἀξεβροντήθη σθένος.

καὶ νῦν ἀχρεῖον καὶ παράορον³⁴ δέμας
365

κεῖται στενωποῦ πλησίον θαλασσίου

ἰπούμενος³⁵ ῥίζαισιν Αἰτναίαις ὕπο:

κορυφαῖς δ᾽ ἐν ἄκραις ἥμενος μυδροκτυπεῖ

Ἥφαιστος: ἔνθεν ἐκραγήσονταί ποτε

ποταμοὶ πυρὸς δάπτοντες ἀγρίαις γνάθοις
370

τῆς καλλικάρπου Σικελίας λευροὺς γύας:

τοιόνδε Τυφὼς ἐξαναζέσει χόλον

θερμοῖς³⁶ ἀπλάτου³⁷ βέλεσι πυρπνόου ζάλης,

καίπερ κεραυνῷ Ζηνὸς ἠνθρακωμένος.

σὺ δ᾽ οὐκ ἄπειρος, οὐδ᾽ ἐμοῦ διδασκάλου³⁸
375

χρῄζεις: σεαυτὸν σῷζ᾽ ὅπως ἐπίστασαι:

ἐγὼ δὲ τὴν παροῦσαν ἀντλήσω τύχην,

ἔς τ᾽ ἂν Διὸς φρόνημα λωφήσῃ χόλου.

379

Ὠκεανός

οὔκουν, Προμηθεῦ, τοῦτο γιγνώσκεις, ὅτι

ὀργῆς νοσούσης εἰσὶν ἰατροὶ λόγοι;
380

Προμηθεύς

ἐάν τις ἐν καιρῷ γε μαλθάσσῃ κέαρ

καὶ μὴ σφριγῶντα θυμὸν ἰσχναίνῃ³⁹ βίᾳ.

Ὠκεανός

ἐν τῷ προθυμεῖσθαι δὲ καὶ τολμᾶν τίνα

ὁρᾷς ἐνοῦσαν ζημίαν; δίδασκέ με.

Προμηθεύς

μόχθον περισσὸν κουφόνουν τ᾽ εὐηθίαν.
385

Ὠκεανός

ἔα με τῇδε τῇ νόσῳ νοσεῖν, ἐπεὶ

κέρδιστον εὖ φρονοῦντα μὴ φρονεῖν δοκεῖν.

Προμηθεύς

ἐμὸν δοκήσει τἀμπλάκημ᾽ εἶναι τόδε.

Ὠκεανός

σαφῶς μ᾽ ἐς οἶκον σὸς λόγος στέλλει πάλιν.

Προμηθεύς

μὴ γάρ σε θρῆνος οὑμὸς εἰς ἔχθραν βάλῃ.
390

Ὠκεανός

ἦ τῷ νέον θακοῦντι παγκρατεῖς ἕδρας;

Προμηθεύς

τούτου φυλάσσου μή ποτ᾽ ἀχθεσθῇ κέαρ.

Ὠκεανός

ἡ σή, Προμηθεῦ, συμφορὰ διδάσκαλος.

Προμηθεύς

στέλλου, κομίζου, σῷζε τὸν παρόντα νοῦν.

Ὠκεανός

ὁρμωμένῳ μοι τόνδ᾽ ἐθώυξας λόγον.
395

λευρὸν γὰρ οἶμον αἰθέρος ψαίρει πτεροῖς

τετρασκελὴς οἰωνός: ἄσμενος δέ τἂν⁴⁰

σταθμοῖς ἐν οἰκείοισι κάμψειεν γόνυ.

399

Προμηθεὺς δεσμώτης Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.) — 196-398 focus

Χορός

πάντʼ ἐκκάλυψον καὶ γέγωνʼ ἡμῖν λόγον,

ποίῳ λαβών σε Ζεὺς ἐπʼ αἰτιάματι,

οὕτως ἀτίμως καὶ πικρῶς αἰκίζεται·

δίδαξον ἡμᾶς, εἴ τι μὴ βλάπτει λόγῳ.

Προμηθεύς

ἀλγεινὰ μέν μοι καὶ λέγειν ἐστὶν τάδε,
200

ἄλγος δὲ σιγᾶν, πανταχῇ δὲ δύσποτμα.

ἐπεὶ τάχιστʼ ἤρξαντο δαίμονες χόλου

στάσις τʼ ἐν ἀλλήλοισιν ὠροθύνετο,

οἱ μὲν θέλοντες ἐκβαλεῖν ἕδρας Κρόνον,

ὡς Ζεὺς ἀνάσσοι δῆθεν, οἱ δὲ τοὔμπαλιν

σπεύδοντες, ὡς Ζεὺς μήποτʼ ἄρξειεν θεῶν,
205

ἐνταῦθʼ ἐγὼ τὰ λῷστα βουλεύων πιθεῖν

Τιτᾶνας, Οὐρανοῦ τε καὶ Χθονὸς τέκνα,

οὐκ ἠδυνήθην. αἱμύλας δὲ μηχανὰς

ἀτιμάσαντες καρτεροῖς φρονήμασιν

ᾤοντʼ ἀμοχθεὶ πρὸς βίαν τε δεσπόσειν·
210

ἐμοὶ δὲ μήτηρ οὐχ ἅπαξ μόνον Θέμις,

καὶ Γαῖα, πολλῶν ὀνομάτων μορφὴ μία,

τὸ μέλλον ᾗ κραίνοιτο προυτεθεσπίκει,

ὡς οὐ κατʼ ἰσχὺν οὐδὲ πρὸς τὸ καρτερόν

χρείη, δόλῳ δὲ τοὺς ὑπερσχόντας κρατεῖν.
215

τοιαῦτʼ ἐμοῦ λόγοισιν ἐξηγουμένου

οὐκ ἠξίωσαν οὐδὲ προσβλέψαι τὸ πᾶν.

κράτιστα δή μοι τῶν παρεστώτων τότε

ἐφαίνετʼ εἶναι προσλαβόντα μητέρα

ἑκόνθʼ ἑκόντι Ζηνὶ συμπαραστατεῖν.
220

ἐμαῖς δὲ βουλαῖς Ταρτάρου μελαμβαθὴς

κευθμὼν καλύπτει τὸν παλαιγενῆ Κρόνον

αὐτοῖσι συμμάχοισι. τοιάδʼ ἐξ ἐμοῦ

ὁ τῶν θεῶν τύραννος ὠφελημένος

κακαῖσι ποιναῖς ταῖσδὲ μʼ ἐξημείψατο.
225

ἔνεστι γάρ πως τοῦτο τῇ τυραννίδι

νόσημα, τοῖς φίλοισι μὴ πεποιθέναι.

ὃ δʼ οὖν ἐρωτᾶτʼ, αἰτίαν καθʼ ἥντινα

αἰκίζεταί με, τοῦτο δὴ σαφηνιῶ.

ὅπως τάχιστα τὸν πατρῷον ἐς θρόνον
230

καθέζετʼ, εὐθὺς δαίμοσιν νέμει γέρα

ἄλλοισιν ἄλλα καὶ διεστοιχίζετο

ἀρχήν· βροτῶν δὲ τῶν ταλαιπώρων λόγον

οὐκ ἔσχεν οὐδένʼ, ἀλλʼ ἀιστώσας γένος

τὸ πᾶν ἔχρῃζεν ἄλλο φιτῦσαι νέον.
235

καὶ τοῖσιν οὐδεὶς ἀντέβαινε πλὴν ἐμοῦ.

ἐγὼ δʼ ἐτόλμησʼ· ἐξελυσάμην βροτοὺς

τὸ μὴ διαρραισθέντας εἰς Ἅιδου μολεῖν.

τῷ τοι τοιαῖσδε πημοναῖσι κάμπτομαι,

πάσχειν μὲν ἀλγειναῖσιν, οἰκτραῖσιν δʼ ἰδεῖν·
240

θνητοὺς δʼ ἐν οἴκτῳ προθέμενος, τούτου τυχεῖν

οὐκ ἠξιώθην αὐτός, ἀλλὰ νηλεῶς

ὧδʼ ἐρρύθμισμαι, Ζηνὶ δυσκλεὴς θέα.

244

Χορός

σιδηρόφρων τε κἀκ πέτρας εἰργασμένος

ὅστις, Προμηθεῦ, σοῖσιν οὐ συνασχαλᾷ
245

μόχθοις· ἐγὼ γὰρ οὔτʼ ἂν εἰσιδεῖν τάδε

ἔχρῃζον εἰσιδοῦσά τʼ ἠλγύνθην κέαρ.

Προμηθεύς

καὶ μὴν φίλοις γʼ ἐλεινὸς εἰσορᾶν ἐγώ.

Χορός

μή πού τι προύβης τῶνδε καὶ περαιτέρω;

Προμηθεύς

θνητούς γʼ ἔπαυσα μὴ προδέρκεσθαι μόρον.
250

Χορός

τὸ ποῖον εὑρὼν τῆσδε φάρμακον νόσου;

Προμηθεύς

τυφλὰς ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐλπίδας κατῴκισα.

Χορός

μέγʼ ὠφέλημα τοῦτʼ ἐδωρήσω βροτοῖς.

Προμηθεύς

πρὸς τοῖσδε μέντοι πῦρ ἐγώ σφιν ὤπασα.

Χορός

καὶ νῦν φλογωπὸν πῦρ ἔχουσʼ ἐφήμεροι;
255

Προμηθεύς

ἀφʼ οὗ γε πολλὰς ἐκμαθήσονται τέχνας.

Χορός

τοιοῖσδε δή σε Ζεὺς ἐπʼ αἰτιάμασιν—

Προμηθεύς

αἰκίζεταί τε κοὐδαμῇ χαλᾷ κακῶν.

Χορός

οὐδʼ ἔστιν ἄθλου τέρμα σοι προκείμενον;

Προμηθεύς

οὐκ ἄλλο γʼ οὐδέν, πλὴν ὅταν κείνῳ δοκῇ.
260

Χορός

δόξει δὲ πῶς; τίς ἐλπίς; οὐχ ὁρᾷς ὅτι

ἥμαρτες; ὡς δʼ ἥμαρτες οὔτʼ ἐμοὶ λέγειν

καθʼ ἡδονὴν σοί τʼ ἄλγος. ἀλλὰ ταῦτα μὲν

μεθῶμεν, ἄθλου δʼ ἔκλυσιν ζήτει τινά.

265

Προμηθεύς

ἐλαφρὸν ὅστις πημάτων ἔξω πόδα
265

ἔχει παραινεῖν νουθετεῖν τε τὸν κακῶς

πράσσοντʼ· ἐγὼ δὲ ταῦθʼ ἅπαντʼ ἠπιστάμην.

ἑκὼν ἑκὼν ἥμαρτον, οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι·

θνητοῖς ἀρήγων αὐτὸς ηὑρόμην πόνους.

οὐ μήν τι ποιναῖς γʼ ᾠόμην τοίαισί με
270

κατισχνανεῖσθαι πρὸς πέτραις πεδαρσίοις,

τυχόντʼ ἐρήμου τοῦδʼ ἀγείτονος πάγου.

καί μοι τὰ μὲν παρόντα μὴ δύρεσθʼ ἄχη,

πέδοι δὲ βᾶσαι τὰς προσερπούσας τύχας

ἀκούσαθʼ, ὡς μάθητε διὰ τέλους τὸ πᾶν.
275

πίθεσθέ μοι πίθεσθε, συμπονήσατε

τῷ νῦν μογοῦντι. ταὐτά τοι πλανωμένη

πρὸς ἄλλοτʼ ἄλλον πημονὴ προσιζάνει.

279

Χορός

οὐκ ἀκούσαις ἐπεθώυξας

τοῦτο, Προμηθεῦ.
280

καὶ νῦν ἐλαφρῷ ποδὶ κραιπνόσυτον

θᾶκον προλιποῦσʼ, αἰθέρα θʼ ἁγνὸν

πόρον οἰωνῶν, ὀκριοέσσῃ

χθονὶ τῇδε πελῶ, τοὺς σοὺς δὲ πόνους

χρῄζω διὰ παντὸς ἀκοῦσαι.
285

Ὠκεανός

ἥκω δολιχῆς τέρμα κελεύθου

διαμειψάμενος πρὸς σέ, Προμηθεῦ,

τὸν πτερυγωκῆ τόνδʼ οἰωνὸν

γνώμῃ στομίων ἄτερ εὐθύνων·

ταῖς σαῖς δὲ τύχαις, ἴσθι, συναλγῶ.
290

τὸ τε γάρ με, δοκῶ, συγγενὲς οὕτως

ἐσαναγκάζει,

χωρίς τε γένους οὐκ ἔστιν ὅτῳ

μείζονα μοῖραν νείμαιμʼ ἢ σοί.

γνώσῃ δὲ τάδʼ ὡς ἔτυμʼ, οὐδὲ μάτην
295

χαριτογλωσσεῖν ἔνι μοι· φέρε γὰρ

σήμαινʼ ὅ τι χρή σοι συμπράσσειν·

οὐ γάρ ποτʼ ἐρεῖς ὡς Ὠκεανοῦ

φίλος ἐστὶ βεβαιότερός σοι.

300

Προμηθεύς

ἔα· τί χρῆμα λεύσσω; καὶ σὺ δὴ πόνων ἐμῶν
300

ἥκεις ἐπόπτης; πῶς ἐτόλμησας, λιπὼν

ἐπώνυμόν τε ῥεῦμα καὶ πετρηρεφῆ

αὐτόκτιτʼ ἄντρα, τὴν σιδηρομήτορα

ἐλθεῖν ἐς αἶαν; ἦ θεωρήσων τύχας

ἐμὰς ἀφῖξαι καὶ συνασχαλῶν κακοῖς;
305

δέρκου θέαμα, τόνδε τὸν Διὸς φίλον,

τὸν συγκαταστήσαντα τὴν τυραννίδα,

οἵαις ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ πημοναῖσι κάμπτομαι.

Ὠκεανός

ὁρῶ, Προμηθεῦ, καὶ παραινέσαι γέ σοι

θέλω τὰ λῷστα, καίπερ ὄντι ποικίλῳ.
310

γίγνωσκε σαυτὸν καὶ μεθάρμοσαι τρόπους

νέους· νέος γὰρ καὶ τύραννος ἐν θεοῖς.

εἰ δʼ ὧδε τραχεῖς καὶ τεθηγμένους λόγους

ῥίψεις, τάχʼ ἄν σου καὶ μακρὰν ἀνωτέρω

θακῶν κλύοι Ζεύς, ὥστε σοι τὸν νῦν ὄχλον
315

παρόντα μόχθων παιδιὰν εἶναι δοκεῖν.

ἀλλʼ, ὦ ταλαίπωρʼ, ἃς ἔχεις ὀργὰς ἄφες,

ζήτει δὲ τῶνδε πημάτων ἀπαλλαγάς.

ἀρχαῖʼ ἴσως σοι φαίνομαι λέγειν τάδε·

τοιαῦτα μέντοι τῆς ἄγαν ὑψηγόρου
320

γλώσσης, Προμηθεῦ, τἀπίχειρα γίγνεται.

σὺ δʼ οὐδέπω ταπεινὸς οὐδʼ εἴκεις κακοῖς,

πρὸς τοῖς παροῦσι δʼ ἄλλα προσλαβεῖν θέλεις.

οὔκουν ἔμοιγε χρώμενος διδασκάλῳ

πρὸς κέντρα κῶλον ἐκτενεῖς, ὁρῶν ὅτι
325

τραχὺς μόναρχος οὐδʼ ὑπεύθυνος κρατεῖ.

καὶ νῦν ἐγὼ μὲν εἶμι καὶ πειράσομαι

ἐὰν δύνωμαι τῶνδέ σʼ ἐκλῦσαι πόνων.

σὺ δʼ ἡσύχαζε μηδʼ ἄγαν λαβροστόμει.

ἢ οὐκ οἶσθʼ ἀκριβῶς ὢν περισσόφρων ὅτι
330

γλώσσῃ ματαίᾳ ζημία προστρίβεται;

332

Προμηθεύς

ζηλῶ σʼ ὁθούνεκʼ ἐκτὸς αἰτίας κυρεῖς

τούτων μετασχεῖν καὶ τετολμηκὼς ἐμοί.

καὶ νῦν ἔασον μηδέ σοι μελησάτω.

πάντως γὰρ οὐ πείσεις νιν· οὐ γὰρ εὐπιθής.
335

πάπταινε δʼ αὐτὸς μή τι πημανθῇς ὁδῷ.

Ὠκεανός

πολλῷ γʼ ἀμείνων τοὺς πέλας φρενοῦν ἔφυς

ἢ σαυτόν· ἔργῳ κοὐ λόγῳ τεκμαίρομαι.

ὁρμώμενον δὲ μηδαμῶς ἀντισπάσῃς.
340

αὐχῶ γὰρ αὐχῶ τήνδε δωρεὰν ἐμοὶ

δώσειν Δίʼ, ὥστε τῶνδέ σʼ ἐκλῦσαι πόνων.

343

Προμηθεύς

τὰ μὲν σʼ ἐπαινῶ κοὐδαμῇ λήξω ποτέ·

προθυμίας γὰρ οὐδὲν ἐλλείπεις. ἀτὰρ

μηδὲν πόνει. μάτην γὰρ οὐδὲν ὠφελῶν

ἐμοὶ πονήσεις, εἴ τι καὶ πονεῖν θέλεις.
345

ἀλλʼ ἡσύχαζε σαυτὸν ἐκποδὼν ἔχων·

ἐγὼ γὰρ οὐκ, εἰ δυστυχῶ, τοῦδʼ εἵνεκα

θέλοιμʼ ἂν ὡς πλείστοισι πημονὰς τυχεῖν.

οὐ δῆτʼ ἐπεί με καὶ κασιγνήτου τύχαι

τείρουσʼ Ἄτλαντος, ὃς πρὸς ἑσπέρους τόπους
350

ἕστηκε κίονʼ οὐρανοῦ τε καὶ χθονὸς

ὤμοις ἐρείδων, ἄχθος οὐκ εὐάγκαλον.

τὸν γηγενῆ τε Κιλικίων οἰκήτορα

ἄντρων ἰδὼν ᾤκτιρα, δάιον τέρας

ἑκατογκάρανον πρὸς βίαν χειρούμενον
355

Τυφῶνα θοῦρον· πᾶσιν ὅς ἀντέστη θεοῖς,

σμερδναῖσι γαμφηλαῖσι συρίζων φόβον·

ἐξ ὀμμάτων δʼ ἤστραπτε γοργωπὸν σέλας,

ὡς τὴν Διὸς τυραννίδʼ ἐκπέρσων βίᾳ·

ἀλλʼ ἦλθεν αὐτῷ Ζηνὸς ἄγρυπνον βέλος,
360

καταιβάτης κεραυνὸς ἐκπνέων φλόγα,

ὃς αὐτὸν ἐξέπληξε τῶν ὑψηγόρων

κομπασμάτων. φρένας γὰρ εἰς αὐτὰς τυπεὶς

ἐφεψαλώθη κἀξεβροντήθη σθένος.

καὶ νῦν ἀχρεῖον καὶ παράορον δέμας
365

κεῖται στενωποῦ πλησίον θαλασσίου

ἰπούμενος ῥίζαισιν Αἰτναίαις ὕπο·

κορυφαῖς δʼ ἐν ἄκραις ἥμενος μυδροκτυπεῖ

Ἥφαιστος· ἔνθεν ἐκραγήσονταί ποτε

ποταμοὶ πυρὸς δάπτοντες ἀγρίαις γνάθοις
370

τῆς καλλικάρπου Σικελίας λευροὺς γύας·

τοιόνδε Τυφὼς ἐξαναζέσει χόλον

θερμοῖς ἀπλάτου βέλεσι πυρπνόου ζάλης,

καίπερ κεραυνῷ Ζηνὸς ἠνθρακωμένος.

σὺ δʼ οὐκ ἄπειρος, οὐδʼ ἐμοῦ διδασκάλου
375

χρῄζεις· σεαυτὸν σῷζʼ ὅπως ἐπίστασαι·

ἐγὼ δὲ τὴν παροῦσαν ἀντλήσω τύχην,

ἔστʼ ἂν Διὸς φρόνημα λωφήσῃ χόλου.

379

Ὠκεανός

οὔκουν, Προμηθεῦ, τοῦτο γιγνώσκεις, ὅτι

ὀργῆς νοσούσης εἰσὶν ἰατροὶ λόγοι;
380

Προμηθεύς

ἐάν τις ἐν καιρῷ γε μαλθάσσῃ κέαρ

καὶ μὴ σφριγῶντα θυμὸν ἰσχναίνῃ βίᾳ.

Ὠκεανός

ἐν τῷ προθυμεῖσθαι δὲ καὶ τολμᾶν τίνα

ὁρᾷς ἐνοῦσαν ζημίαν; δίδασκέ με.

Προμηθεύς

μόχθον περισσὸν κουφόνουν τʼ εὐηθίαν.
385

Ὠκεανός

ἔα με τῇδε τῇ νόσῳ νοσεῖν, ἐπεὶ

κέρδιστον εὖ φρονοῦντα μὴ φρονεῖν δοκεῖν.

Προμηθεύς

ἐμὸν δοκήσει τἀμπλάκημʼ εἶναι τόδε.

Ὠκεανός

σαφῶς μʼ ἐς οἶκον σὸς λόγος στέλλει πάλιν.

Προμηθεύς

μὴ γάρ σε θρῆνος οὑμὸς εἰς ἔχθραν βάλῃ.
390

Ὠκεανός

ἦ τῷ νέον θακοῦντι παγκρατεῖς ἕδρας;

Προμηθεύς

τούτου φυλάσσου μή ποτʼ ἀχθεσθῇ κέαρ.

Ὠκεανός

ἡ σή, Προμηθεῦ, συμφορὰ διδάσκαλος.

Προμηθεύς

στέλλου, κομίζου, σῷζε τὸν παρόντα νοῦν.

Ὠκεανός

ὁρμωμένῳ μοι τόνδʼ ἐθώυξας λόγον.
395

λευρὸν γὰρ οἷμον αἰθέρος ψαίρει πτεροῖς

τετρασκελὴς οἰωνός· ἄσμενος δέ τἂν

σταθμοῖς ἐν οἰκείοισι κάμψειεν γόνυ.

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης (OCR draft) Experimental (Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 189 focus

ΠΡ.

οἶδ᾽ ὅτι τραχὺς καὶ παρ᾽ ἑαυτῷ

τὸ δίκαιον ἔχων Ζεύς· ἀλλ᾽ ἔμπας

μαλακογνώμων

ἔσται ποθ᾽, ὅταν ταύτῃ ῥαισθῇ·

τὴν δ᾽ ἀτέραμνον στορέσας ὀργὴν
190

εἰς ἀρθμὸν ἐμοὶ καὶ φιλότητα

σπεύδων σπεύδοντί ποθ᾽ ἥξει.

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης (OCR draft) Experimental (Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 189 focus

Προμηθεύς

οἶδ' ὅτι τραχὺς καὶ παρ' ἑαυτῷ

τὸ δίκαιον ἔχων Ζεύς· ἀλλ᾽ ἔμπας

μαλακογνώμων ἔσται ποθ᾽, ὅταν
190

ταύτῃ ῥαισθῇ·

τὴν δ᾽ ἀτέραμνον στορέσας ὀργὴν

εἰς ἀρθμὸν ἐμοὶ καὶ φιλότητα

σπεύδων σπεύδοντί ποθ᾽ ἥξει.

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης (OCR draft) Experimental (Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 189 focus

οἶδ' ὅτι τραχὺς καὶ παρ᾽ ἑαυτῷ

τὸ δίκαιον ἔχων Ζεύς, ἀλλ᾽ ἔμπας, οἴω,

μαλακογνώμων ἔσται ποθ᾽, ὅταν

ταύτῃ ῥαισθῇ·
205

τὴν δ᾽ ἀτέραμνον στορέσας ὀργὴν

εἰς ἀρθμὸν ἐμοὶ καὶ φιλότητα

σπεύδων σπεύδοντι ποθ' ἥξει.

ΧΟ.

Aeschyli Prometheus Vinctus (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Prometheus Vinctus. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 189 focus

ΠΡ.

οἶδ᾽ ὅτι τραχὺς καὶ παρ᾽ ἑαυτῶι

τὸ δίκαιον ἔχων [Ζεύς]· ἀλλ᾽ ἔμπας, οἰῶ,

μαλακογνώμων

ἔσται ποθ᾽, ὅταν ταύτηι ῥαισθῆι,

τὴν δ᾽ ἀτέραμνον στορέσας ὀργὴν
190

εἰς ἀρθμὸν ἐμοὶ καὶ φιλότητα

σπεύδων σπεύδοντί ποθ᾽ ἥξει. =

Translations (9)

Prometheus Bound Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 196-395 focus

Chorus

Unfold the whole story and tell us upon what charge Zeus has caught you and painfully punishes you with such dishonor. Instruct us, unless, indeed, there is some harm in telling.

Prometheus

It is painful to me to tell the tale,

painful to keep it silent. My case is unfortunate every way.
When first the heavenly powers were moved to wrath, and mutual dissension was stirred up among them—some bent on casting Cronus from his seat so Zeus, in truth, might reign; others, eager for
200

the contrary end, that Zeus might never win mastery over the gods—it was then that I, although advising them for the best, was unable to persuade the Titans, children of Heaven and Earth; but they, disdaining counsels of craft, in the pride of their strength
205

thought to gain the mastery without a struggle and by force. Often my mother Themis, or Earth (though one form, she had many names), had foretold to me the way in which the future was fated to come to pass. That it was not by brute strength nor through violence,
210

but by guile that those who should gain the upper hand were destined to prevail. And though I argued all this to them, they did not pay any attention to my words. With all that before me, it seemed best that, joining with my mother, I should place myself,
215

a welcome volunteer, on the side of Zeus; and it is by reason of my counsel that the cavernous gloom of Tartarus now hides ancient Cronus and his allies within it. Thus I helped the tyrant of the gods
220

and with this foul payment he has responded; for it is a disease that is somehow inherent in tyranny to have no faith in friends.
However, you ask why he torments me, and this I will now make clear.
225

As soon as he had seated himself upon his father’s throne, he immediately assigned to the deities their several privileges and apportioned to them their proper powers. But of wretched mortals he took no notice, desiring to bring
230

the whole race to an end and create a new one in its place. Against this purpose none dared make stand except me— I only had the courage; I saved mortals so that they did not descend, blasted utterly, to the house of Hades. This is why I am bent by such grievous tortures,
235

painful to suffer, piteous to behold. I who gave mortals first place in my pity, I am deemed unworthy to win this pity for myself, but am in this way mercilessly disciplined, a spectacle that shames the glory of Zeus.
240

244

Chorus

Iron-hearted and made of stone, Prometheus,

is he who feels no compassion at your miseries. For myself, I would not have desired to see them; and now that I see them, I am pained in my heart.
245

Prometheus

Yes, to my friends indeed I am a spectacle of pity.

Chorus

Did you perhaps transgress even somewhat beyond this offence?

Prometheus

Yes, I caused mortals to cease foreseeing their doom.¹
250

Chorus

Of what sort was the cure that you found for this affliction?

Prometheus

I caused blind hopes to dwell within their breasts.

Chorus

A great benefit was this you gave to mortals.

Prometheus

In addition, I gave them fire.

Chorus

What! Do creatures of a day now have flame-eyed fire?
255

Prometheus

Yes, and from it they shall learn many arts.

Chorus

Then it was on a charge like this that Zeus—

Prometheus

Torments me and in no way gives me respite from pain.

Chorus

And is there no end assigned to your ordeal?

Prometheus

No, none except when it seems good to him.
260

Chorus

But how will it seem good to him? What hope is there? Do you not see that you have wronged? And yet it is not pleasant for me to talk about how you have wronged, and for you it is pain. So, let us quit this theme; and may you seek some release from your ordeal.

265

Prometheus

It is easy for him who keeps his foot free from harm to counsel and admonish him who is in misery. I have known this all the while. Of my own will, yes, of my own will I erred—I will not deny it. By helping mortals I found suffering for myself;
265

nevertheless I did not think I would be punished in this way—wasting away upon cliffs in mid-air, my portion this desolate and dreary crag. And now, bewail no more my present woes; alight on the ground and listen to my
270

oncoming fortunes so that you may be told them from end to end. Consent, I beg you, oh consent. Take part in the trouble of him who is now in sore distress. In truth, affliction wanders impartially abroad and alights upon all in turn.
275

279

Chorus

Not to unwilling ears have you made this appeal,

Prometheus. And so now with light foot I will quit my swift-speeding seat and the pure air, the pathway of birds and draw near to this rugged ground; for I want to hear
280

the whole story of your sorrows.
285

Enter Oceanus on a winged steed

Oceanus

I have come to the end of a long journey in my passage to you, Prometheus, guiding by my own will, without a bridle, this swift-winged bird.

For your fate, you may be sure, I feel compassion. Kinship, I think, constrains me to this; and, apart from blood ties, there is none to whom I should pay greater respect than to you.
290

You shall know this for simple truth and that it is not in me to utter vain and empty words; come, tell me; what aid can I render you? For you shall never say that you have a friend more loyal than Oceanus.
295

300

Prometheus

Ha! What have we here? So then you too have come to stare upon my sufferings? How did you summon courage to quit the stream that bears your name and the rock-roofed caves you yourself have made and come to this land, the mother of iron? Is it that you have come
300

to gaze upon my state and join your grief to my distress? Look upon me here—a spectacle, the friend of Zeus, who helped him to establish his sovereign power, by what anguish I am bent by him!
305

Oceanus

I see, Prometheus; and I want to give you

the best advice, although you yourself are wily. Learn to know yourself and adapt yourself to new ways; for new also is the ruler among the gods. If you hurl forth words so harsh and of such whetted edge, perhaps Zeus may hear you,
310

though throned far off, high in the heavens, and then your present multitude of sorrows shall seem but childish sport. Oh wretched sufferer! Put away your wrathful mood and try to find release from these miseries. Perhaps this advice may seem to you old and dull;
315

but your plight, Prometheus, is only the wages of too boastful speech. You still have not learned humility, nor do you bend before misfortune, but would rather add even more miseries to those you have. Therefore take me as your teacher
320

and do not add insult to injury, seeing that a harsh monarch now rules who is accountable to no one. So now I will depart and see whether I can release you from these sufferings. And may you hold your peace and be not too blustering of speech.
325

Or, can it be that for all your exceeding wisdom, you do not know that chastisement is inflicted on a wagging tongue?
330

332

Prometheus

I envy you because you have escaped blame for having dared to share with me in my troubles.²So now leave me alone and let it not concern you.

Do what you want, you cannot persuade him; for he is not easy to persuade. Beware that you do not do yourself harm by the mission you take.
335

Oceanus

In truth, you are far better able to admonish others than yourself. It is by fact, not by hearsay, that I judge.

So do not hold back one who is eager to go. For I am confident, yes, confident, that Zeus will grant me this favor, to free you from your sufferings.
340

343

Prometheus

I thank you for all this and shall never cease to thank you; in zeal you lack nothing, but do not trouble yourself; for your trouble will be vain and

not helpful to me—if indeed you want to take the pain. No, keep quiet and keep yourself clear of harm. For even if I am in sore plight, I would not wish affliction on everyone else. No, certainly, no! since, besides, I am distressed by the fate
345

of my brother Atlas, who, towards the west, stands bearing on his shoulders the pillar of heaven and earth, a burden not easy for his arms to grasp. Pity moved me, too, at the sight of the earth-born dweller of the Cilician caves curbed by violence, that destructive monster
350

of a hundred heads, impetuous Typhon. He withstood all the gods, hissing out terror with horrid jaws, while from his eyes lightened a hideous glare, as though he would storm by force the sovereignty of Zeus.
355

But the unsleeping bolt of Zeus came upon him, the swooping lightning brand with breath of flame, which struck him, frightened, from his loud-mouthed boasts; then, stricken to the very heart, he was burnt to ashes and his strength blasted from him by the lightning bolt.
360

And now, a helpless and a sprawling bulk, he lies hard by the narrows of the sea, pressed down beneath the roots of Aetna ; while on the topmost summit Hephaestus sits and hammers the molten ore. There, one day, shall burst forth
365

rivers of fire,³with savage jaws devouring the level fields of Sicily , land of fair fruit—such boiling rage shall Typho, although charred by the blazing lightning of Zeus, send spouting forth with hot jets of appalling, fire-breathing surge.
370

But you are not inexperienced, and do not need me to teach you. Save yourself, as you know best; while I exhaust my present lot until the time comes when the mind of Zeus shall abandon its wrath.
375

379

Oceanus

Do you not know then, Prometheus, that

words are the physicians of a disordered temper?
380

Prometheus

If one softens the soul in season, and does not hasten to reduce its swelling rage by violence.

Oceanus

What lurking mischief do you see when daring joins to zeal? Teach me this.

Prometheus

Lost labor and thoughtless simplicity.
385

Oceanus

Leave me to be affected by this, since it is most advantageous, when truly wise, to be deemed a fool.

Prometheus

This fault will be seen to be my own.

Oceanus

Clearly the manner of your speech orders me back home.

Prometheus

So that you won’t win enmity for yourself by lamenting for me.
390

Oceanus

In the eyes of the one who is newly seated on his omnipotent throne?

Prometheus

Beware lest the time come when his heart is angered with you.

Oceanus

Your plight, Prometheus, is my instructor.

Prometheus

Go away, depart, keep your present purpose.

Oceanus

Your urging meets my eagerness; for my four-footed winged beast fans with his wings the smooth pathway of the air; and truly he will be glad to rest his knees in his stall at home. Exit
395

399

Prometheus Bound. (OCR draft) Experimental (Prometheus Bound.. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 189 focus

I know that Jupiter is harsh, and keeps justice to himself: but for all that he shall hereafter be softened in purpose, when he shall be crushed in this way; and, after calming his unyielding temper with eagerness will he hereafter come into league and friendship with me that will eagerly [welcome him.]

CHORUS

PROMÉTHÉE ENCHAINÉ (OCR draft) Experimental (PROMÉTHÉE ENCHAINÉ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 189 focus

toi et t'inflige-t-il cet infâme et amer outrage ? Apprends-le nous, si le récit ne t'en coûte pas trop.

PROMÉTHÉE

En parler, déjà, m'est douloureux ; mais me taire aussi m'est une douleur : de tous côtés, rien que misères ! Du jour où la colère fut entrée dans le cœur des
dieux, tandis que la discorde s'élevait entre eux ¹ — les uns voulant chasser Cronos de son trône, afin que Zeus fût désormais leur maître ;

Prometheus Chained (OCR draft) Experimental (Prometheus Chained. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 189 focus

Stern tho' he be,

And, in the pride of pow'r terrific dreſt,

Rears o'er inſulted right his creſt,

195

Yet gentler thoughts ſhall mitigate his ſoul,

When o'er his head this ſtorm ſhall roll;

Then ſhall his ſtubborn indignation bend,

Submit to ſue, and court me for a friend.

CHORUS.

Eschilo, Prometeo legato: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, Prometeo legato: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 189 focus

né starà, che il suo cuor prima non sazi,

o alcun non valga l'arduo

195

poter con qualche frode strappar dalle sue mani.

PROMETEO

Pur, bisogno di me, ben che stretto

ne l'obbrobrio di dure catene,

Aeschylus, Prometheus vinctus: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Prometheus vinctus: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 189 focus

Novi quòd ferox, si apud se

Iusticiam habet Iupiter: sed tamen puto

Quòd mitiori sententia erit, quado hac liberabitur,

Immitem mitigans iram,
195

Ad concordiam mecum & amorem

Festinans aliquando veniet.

Cho.

Prometheus Bound (OCR draft) Experimental (Prometheus Bound. Anna Swanwick, 1886.) — 189 focus

HERMES

Take heart, O foolish one, take heart at length

To deal discreetly with these present ills.

English (E. D. A. Morshead, 1908) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound — Morshead translation. Wikisource transcription; speech corresp and card milestones aligned to Smyth perseus-grc2.) — 189 focus

Ay, stern is Zeus, and Justice stands,

Wrenched to his purpose, in his hands—

Yet shall he learn, perforce, to know
215

A milder mood, when falls the blow—

His ruthless wrath he shall lay still,

And he and I with mutual will

In concord's bond shall go.

Chorus

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.) — 189 focus

Hart ist er, ich weiß, und erkennt als Gesez

Nur was er will; doch wird er gewiß

Sanftmüthig dereinst,

Wenn also die Noth ihm gebrochen den Troy.

Dann mildert er wohl sein starres Gemüth,
190

Dann stürzt er zum Bunde, zur Freundschaft mir

Sich bereit dem bereiten entgegen.

Die Chorführerin.

Commentary

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

168. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-167

ἦ μὴν ἔτ᾽ ἐμοῦ:

ἢ μὴν ἔτ᾽ ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ

M. sed

ἀπ'

in litura.

169. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-168

γυιοπέδαις:

γυοπέδαις

Μ.

γυιοπέδοις

Lips. 1.

170. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-169

πρύτανις:

πρυτανές

Lips. 2.

171. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-170

ὑφ᾽ ὅτου:

ἀφ' ὅτου

a pr. manu M.

ὑφ᾽ ὅτου

a secunda.

172. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-171

σκῆπτρον τιμάς τ᾽:

σκηπτρόν τε τιμάς τ'

Lips. 1.

172. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-172

ἀποσυλᾶται:

ἀποσυλλᾶται

Lips. 2.

173. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-173

καί μ' οὔτε:

καί μὲ οὔτοι

Μ. Colb. 1. Par. L. Rob.

καί μ' οὔτε

Lips. 2. Aug. et plerique.

καίτοι μὲ οὐ

G. et duo Vindob. pariterque Turnebus. Recte Blomfieldius secutus est Porsonum

καί μ' οὔτε

scribi iubentem. Opponi enim inter se preces et minae debebant.

173. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-174

μελιγλώσσοις:

μελιγλώσσης

Lips. 1. 2. Aug.

174. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-175

ἐπαοιδαῖσιν:

ἐπαιοιδαῖσι

M. G. Lips. 1.

ἐπ' ἀοιδαῖσι

Lips. 2. Aug.

174. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-176

τ':

τ'

omittunt Lips. 2. Aug.

175. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-177

τόδ᾽:

τὸ δ'

Lips. 1.

τώδ'

, superscripto

, Lips. 2.

177. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-178

ποινάς τε:

ποινάς

(sic a pr. manu, a tertia

ποιναὶ

)

τέ μοι τίνειν

Μ.

ποινάς τ᾽ ἐμοὶ

(

τέμου

Lips. 2. Aug.)

τίνειν

(

τείνειν

G.) G. Lips. 1. 2. Aug.

ποινάς τε τίνειν

Turnebus.

178. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-179

τῆσδ':

τῆς

Μ.

180. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-180

ἐνδίδως:

ἐπιχαλᾶς

Μ.

ὑποχαλᾶς

Lips. 1. Vindob. 1.

182. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-181

ἐμὰς:

ἐμοὶ

Aug.

182. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-182

ἠρέθισε: Libri

ἠρέθισε

. Turnebus solus

ερέθισε

, quod ab Elmsleio probatum recepit Blomfieldius: v. ad v. 162.

183. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-183

δέδια δ᾽: Libri

δέδια γάρ

. Porsonus

δέδια δ'

. Vt gemellum comparat Blomfieldius

δέδια δ'

in Soph. Oed. Col. 1468. At ibi non potuit

δέδια γάρ

dici.

183. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-184

σαῖς τύχαις:

σαῖς τύχαι

Lips. 1.

σὰς τύχας

aliquot codices.

184. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-185

πᾷ:

ὅπαι

Μ.

ὅπα

G. Lips. 1. aliique codices.

ὅπα

, superscripto

οι

Lips. 2.

ὅπαιοι

Aug.

ὅπη

vel

ὅποι

alii.

πᾷ

primus Turnebus.

184. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-186

τῶνδε:

τῶν δὲ

185. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-187

NA: In nonnullis codicibus hic est ordo verborum

ποτέ χρή σε τῶνδε πόνων τέρμα

, in Lips. 2. Aug. vitiose scriptum

ποτὲ χρή σε τῶν δαιμόνων τέρμα

186. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-188

ἐςιδεῖν:

εἰσιδεῖν

Lips. 2. Aug. Colb. 2.

ἐπιδεῖν

Par. L.

186. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-189

ἀκίχητα:

Ἀκίχητα, ἀκατάληπτα

Hesychius.

186. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-190

γὰρ:

γὰρ

omittit G.

187. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-191

ἀπαράμυθον:

οὐπαράμυθον

M. G. Ox. Ven. 1. Bess. Par. C. L. Vind. 1. Turn.

οὐπαράμυθον

Lips. 1.

ἀπαράμυθον

Lips. 2. Aug. cum ceteris, credo, codicibus et Ald. Rob.

187. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-192

Κρόνου παῖς:

ὁ κρόνου παῖς

G. Lips. 1.

188. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-193

τραχὺς καὶ:

τραχύς τε καὶ

M. G. Lips. 1.

θρασύς τε καὶ

Lips. 2. Aug. aliique. In Lips. 2. γρ.

τραχύς

superscriptum.

ὡς

(pro

ὅτι

)

τραχύς καὶ

Colb. 1.

θρασὺς καὶ

alii.

τραχὺς καὶ

Turnebus.

189. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-194

NA: Post

ἔχων

libri addunt

οἴῳ

, ut M. a sec. manu (nam a pr. manu habuit

οἵῳ

) et G. Lips. 1. 2. Aug. vel

οἵῳ

, formam verbi non usitatam tragicis. Eiecerunt critici praeter Scholefieldium, qui post eam vocem lacunae signum posuit. Si quid genuini in isto vocabulo est, neque illud ortum est ex

ὅμως

ἔμπας

adscripto, putandum erit

οἵῳ

fuisse, excidisseque tot versus quot requiruntur ad aequandum hoc systema ei quod praecedit. V. ad v. 155. Potuit certe

οἵῳ γάμῳ

dici, sententiaque esse eadem quae v. 911. seqq. continetur.

190. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-195

ὅταν:

ὅτ' ἂν

M. G. Rob.

191. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-196

ῥαισθῇ:

ῥαισθῇ

, ut videtur, M.

ῥαγῇ

Lips. 2. Aug. et plerique codices. Alii codices

ῥαγῇ, ῥαισθῇ, ῥαχθῇ, ῥαγῇ

ταύτῃ

refertur ad ea quae in proximo systemate dixerat Prometheus.

193. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-197

ἀρθμὸν:

ἀρθμὸν

M. aliique libri.

ἁρμὸν

G. Lips. 1. 2. Aug. aliique. γρ.

ἁρμὸν

Lips. 2.

195. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-198

γέγων':

γεγών'

Lips. 1.

196. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-199

αἰτιάματι:

αιτιάματι

Lips. 2. Antiatticista Bekkeri p. 78, 25.

αἰτίαμα. Αισχύλος Προμηθεῖ δεσμώτῃ

198. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-200

βλάπτει: Libri

βλάπτῃ

, nisi quod Lips. 1. ante correctionem

βλάπτειν

199. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-201

ἀλγεινὰ:

ἀλγεινά

, superscripto

οι

, Lips. 2. Aug.

199. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-202

ἐστὶν:

ἔστιν

Μ.

ἐστὶ

200. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-203

δύςποτμα:

δύσποτμος

Par. F.

201. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-204

ἤρξαντο:

ἤρξατο

Lips. 1.

202. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-205

NA: om. Lips. 2. Idem

ὠρθύνετο

English commentary on Prometheus Bound (OCR draft) (N. Wecklein, translated by F. D. Allen. Ginn & Company, 1893; compared with the 1891 printing. Printed commentary pages 31–144. Provisional alignment and unresolved OCR are visibly flagged.) focus

128-192. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-99

;

128-192. Parodos. It is com- matic, that is, divided between actor and chorus. The chorus enter in a winged car (ὄχῳ πτερωτῷ 135, κραι- πνόσυτον θᾶκον 279), moved by the- atrical machinery. The car, advancing from the right side, has gradually approached Prometheus. It is seen by the spectators while still invisible to Prometheus, who can only look straight before him. At 124 the chorus are already very near, and they hear the words of 127 (φοβερόν). - The ᾿Ωκεανίδες are daughters of Oceanus and Tethys; see Hesiod Theog. 362. Hesiod (ibid. 346) enum- erates forty-one by name, and adds πολλαί γε μέν εἶσι καὶ ἄλλαι, τρὶς γὰρ χίλιαί εἰσι τανύσφυροι Ωκεανῖναι. Aes- chylus's chorus consisted of twelve persons. The first strophe gives the motive of the chorus for coming; this is what an unknown grammarian (in the hypothesis to the Persians) calls ' παροδικά, ὅτε λέγει (sc. ὁ χορός) δι᾽ ἣν αἰτίαν πάρεστιν.' - The rhythms ( ῥυθμὸς ᾿Ανακρεόντειός ἐστι κεκλασμένος πρὸς τὸ θρηνητικόν, Schol.) are in keeping with the sorrowful tone of the composition (see 144 ff.); they

;

are furthermore especially appropri- ate to a female chorus.

168. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-129

⁴

;

168. ἐν: more vivid than the sim- ple dative of instrument. Cp. 562, 6, and see on 426. – αἰκιζομένου: here passive; in active sense 195, 227, 256.

170. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-130

⁵

⁶

;

170. νέον : new, and hence danger- ous. So Suppl. 341 πόλεμον αἴρεσθαι νέον. – βούλευμα : περὶ τοῦ ἔρωτος τῆς Θέτιδός φησι, Schol. See Introduc- tion, pp. 9 and 17. - 'Id consilium hic subobscure et ambigue Prome- theus indicat; in quo magna cernitur

;

ars poetae, qui sic et attentionem spectatorum acuit et actionis trag- icae cursum, ne iusto citius ad finem perveniat, inhibet ac suspendit' (Schütz).

171. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-131

⁷

⁸

;

171. ἀποσυλᾶται: the present is here used, without reference to time, to express simply the working out of a result. Cp. 764, 948.

172. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-132

⁹

¹⁰

;

172 ff. οὔτε ... τ᾿ οὔποτε: for οὔτε ... τε ср. 244, 260; and for οὔτε ... τ' οὔ(ποτε) Soph. Ant. 763 ἔμοιγε ... οὔθ᾽ ἥδ᾽ ὀλεῖται πλησία σύ τ᾽ οὐδαμὰ τοὐμὸν προσόψει κρᾶτα, Eur. Hipp. 302 οὔτε γὰρ τότε λόγοις ἐτέγγεθ᾽ ἥδε νῦν τ᾽ οὐ πείθεται, Heracl. 605 οὔτε τούτοις ἥδομαι πεπραγμένοις χρησμοῦ τε μὴ κρανθέντος οὐ βιώσιμον, Thuc. i. 126 οὔτ᾽ ἐκεῖνος ἔτι κατενόησε τό τε μαν- τεῖον οὐκ ἐδήλου. Βy οὔτε .. persuasion and force are contrasted. The change from οὔτε to τ᾽ οὔποτε accompanies the change in structure from θέλξει τo πτήξας κατμηνύσω. Ε... Τε Similarly in the example from Soph. (Ant. 763) quoted above. - μελιγλώσ σοις: recalls Il. i. 249 τοῦ καὶ ἀπὸ γλώσσης μέλιτος γλυκίων ῥέεν αὐδή. Cp. Eur. Frg. 891 εἴ μοι τὸ Νεστόρειον εὔγλωσσον στόμα ... δοίη θεός. - The caesura after the second foot of the anapaestic tetrapody (μελι-γλώσσοις) is not observed with absolute strict- ness before Euripides.

176. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-133

¹¹

¹²

;

176. χαλάσῃ: sc. με. Here tran- sitive, but intransitive in 58 and 179. Cp. λωφᾶν 27.

180. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-134

¹³

¹⁴

;

180. ἐλευθεροστομεῖς : cp. λαβρο- στομεῖν 327, θρασυστομεῖν Suppl. 203, χαριτογλωσσεῖν 294 below.

181. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-135

¹⁵

¹⁶

;

181. ἐρέθισε: see on 135. The tri- brach in the third foot here consists of three syllables which belong in one word; this is admissible only in the melic trimeter. See on 162 and on 2. The aorist as in ἐγέλασα, ἥσθην, ἀπέπτυσα (1070 below). Krüger I, § 53, 6, 3; GMT. 60; Н. 842,

182. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-136

¹⁷

¹⁸

;

182 f. δέδια ... πᾶ πότε: see on

184. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-137

¹⁹

²⁰

;

184. At 100 above, the figure is that of daybreak after darkness; here of reaching land after a stormy and perilous voyage. - ἀκίχητα: an epic word. Cp. Il. xvii. 75 ἀκίχητα διώκων.

185. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-138

²¹

²²

;

185. ἀπαράμυθον : with long a- priv- ative. So, in epic poetry, ἀθάνατος, ἀκάματος, from the necessities of the metre. ἀθάνατος kept this measure- ment throughout, even in Attic po- etry.

186-192. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-139

²³

²⁴

;

186-192. This fourth anapaestic system does not correspond in length to the third (167-177), as the sec- ond (152 ff.) does to the first (137 ff.). Perhaps this is because it forms the close. Cp. Soph. Ai. 257 ff. Possibly, however, some verses have been lost. Weil assumes a gap after ῥαισθῇ.

186. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-140

²⁵

²⁶

;

186 f. παρ' ἑαυτῷ τὸ δίκαιον ἔχων: cp. 403, 150; also Eur. Suppl. 429 οὐδὲν τυράννου δυσμενέστερον πόλει, ὅπου τὸ μὲν πρώτιστον οὐκ εἰσὶν νόμοι κοινοί, κρατεῖ δ᾽ εἷς τὸν νόμον κεκτημένος 195. 200 αὐτὸς παρ᾽ αὑτῷ, Aesch. Suppl. 370 σύ τοι πόλις, σὺ δὲ τὸ δάμιον. For δίκαιον see on 150.

187. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-141

²⁷

²⁸

;

187. ὀίω : = οἶμαι (758), opinor, I trow, I hope. Cp. 11. viii. 536 ἀλλ᾿ ἐν πρώτοισιν, οίω, κείσεται οὐτηθείς. Here with short 4, as in Homer in the middle of the hexameter, while at the end ὀtw is used.

189. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-142

²⁹

³⁰

;

189. ταύτῃ ῥαισθῇ: said with ref- erence to 169 f. See on 170. Prome- theus speaks mysteriously and in a tone of secret exultation over some- thing not disclosed. With ταύτῃ cp. τῶνδε 247.

190. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-143

³¹

³²

;

190. ἀτέραμνον: cp. 1062. ἀτέραμ- vos is an Homeric word. Cp. Od. xxiii. 167 κῆρ ἀτέραμνον. Hesych. defines it, τὸ μὴ ἐνδιδοῦν, σκληρόν. Cp. ὀργὰς ἀτενεῖς Αg. 71. - στορέσας : meta- phorical; the figure is that of calm- ing the waves after a storm.

191. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-144

³³

³⁴

;

191. εἰς ἀρθμὸν καὶ φιλότητα: so Hom. Hymn iii. 524 κατένευσεν ἐπ᾿ ἀρθμῷ καὶ φιλότητι. Cp. Il. vii. 302 ἐν φιλότητι διέτμαγεν ἀρθμήσαντε.

193-396. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-145

³⁵

³⁶

;

193-396. First Episode. 193- 283. First Scene: Prometheus and the Coryphaeus. The scholiast says: τὴν ὑπόθεσιν (that is, the expo- sition of the events supposed to pre- cede the opening of the play) βουλό- μενος διδάξαι, τὸ περίεργον (curiosity) τοῦ γυναικώδους ήθους προσέλαβεν (availed himself of, as a motive). οὐκ ἂν γὰρ ὁ ᾿Ὠκεανds (who enters later) ἠξίωσεν ἐρωτῆσαι εἰδώς. The curiosity of the chorus is a natural conse- quence of their awakened sympathy. Still it is to be observed that Prome- theus on his part is moved to tell his story by the longing to unburden his heart to sympathizing friends (see 198). He needs only the request in order to comply at once. - The Pro- logue and this first scene of the first episode constitute the first act of the drama, which expounds the situation and prepares the way for the follow- ing dramatic development.

196. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-146

³⁷

³⁸

;

196. εἴ τι μή: cp. Pers. 157 θεοῦ δὲ καὶ μήτηρ ἔφυς, εἴ τι μὴ δαίμων παλαιὸς νῦν μεθέστηκε στρατῷ, Suppl. 1016 εἰ ahaad. 205 210- γάρ τι μὴ θεοῖς βεβούλευται νέον. Cp. 763.-It is noteworthy that all the speeches of the coryphaeus (which exceed a single verse) consist of four verses (see 242, 259, 472, 507, 631, 819, 1036) except 698 f. The same tendency in the speeches of other persons, 393, 511, 522, 589, 609.

197. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-147

³⁹

⁴⁰

;

197 f. ἀλγεινὰ μέν ... ἄλγος δέ: for the anaphora, cp. 238 and Pers. 27 φοβεροὶ μὲν ἰδεῖν, δεινοὶ δὲ μάχην.

200. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-148

⁴¹

⁴²

;

200. ὠροθύνετο : an epic word,

201. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-149

⁴³

⁴⁴

;

201. οἱ μὲν θέλοντες: absolute nominative, used as if δαίμονες ἐν ἀλλήλοις ἐστασίαζον had preceded. Cp. Soph. Ant. 259 λόγοι δ᾽ ἐν ἀλλή- λοισιν ἐρρόθουν κακοί, φύλαξ ἐλέγχων φύλακα, Eur. Phoen. 1462 ἦν δ᾽ ἔρις στρατηλάταις, οἱ μὲν πατάξαι πρόσθε Πολυνείκην δορί, οἱ δ᾽ ὡς θανόντων οὐδα- μοῦ νίκη πέλοι, Bacch. 1131 ἦν δὲ πᾶσ᾽ ὁμοῦ βοή, ὁ μὲν στενάζων κτἑ. Krüger I. § 56. 9, 4. See also on 569 below.

202. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-150

⁴⁵

⁴⁶

;

202. δήθεν: scilicet; here with. out the usual tinge of irony (986), or notion of pretence. So Eur. Ion 831 Ιων, ἰόντι δῆθεν ὅτι συνήντετο.

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ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ Οἶδ' ὅτι τραχὺς καὶ παρ' ἑαυτῷ

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Χορός πάντ᾽ ἐκκάλυψον καὶ γέγων᾽ ἡμῖν λόγον, 195 ποίῳ λαβών σε Ζεὺς ἐπ᾽ αἰτιάματι, οὕτως ἀτίμως καὶ πικρῶς αἰκίζεται: δίδαξον ἡμᾶς, εἴ τι μὴ βλάπτει λόγῳ.

Προμηθεύς καὶ μὴν φίλοις <γ᾽> 10 ἐλεινὸς 11 εἰσορᾶν ἐγώ.

Χορός μή πού τι προύβης τῶνδε καὶ περαιτέρω;

Προμηθεύς θνητοὺς 12 ἔπαυσα μὴ προδέρκεσθαι μόρον. 250

Χορός τὸ ποῖον εὑρὼν τῆσδε φάρμακον νόσου;

Προμηθεύς τυφλὰς ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐλπίδας κατῴκισα.

Χορός μέγ᾽ ὠφέλημα τοῦτ᾽ ἐδωρήσω βροτοῖς.

Προμηθεύς πρὸς τοῖσδε μέντοι πῦρ ἐγώ σφιν ὤπασα.

Χορός καὶ νῦν φλογωπὸν πῦρ 13 ἔχουσ᾽ ἐφήμεροι; 255

Προμηθεύς ἀφ᾽ οὗ γε πολλὰς ἐκμαθήσονται τέχνας.

Χορός τοιοῖσδε δή σε Ζεὺς ἐπ᾽ αἰτιάμασιν

Προμηθεύς αἰκίζεταί τε κοὐδαμῇ χαλᾷ κακῶν.

Χορός οὐδ᾽ ἔστιν ἄθλου τέρμα σοι προκείμενον; 14

Προμηθεύς οὐκ ἄλλο γ᾽ οὐδέν, πλὴν ὅταν κείνῳ δοκῇ. 260

Ὠκεανός οὔκουν, Προμηθεῦ, τοῦτο γιγνώσκεις, ὅτι ὀργῆς νοσούσης εἰσὶν ἰατροὶ λόγοι; 380

Προμηθεύς ἐάν τις ἐν καιρῷ γε μαλθάσσῃ κέαρ καὶ μὴ σφριγῶντα θυμὸν ἰσχναίνῃ 39 βίᾳ.

Ὠκεανός ἐν τῷ προθυμεῖσθαι δὲ καὶ τολμᾶν τίνα ὁρᾷς ἐνοῦσαν ζημίαν; δίδασκέ με.

Προμηθεύς μόχθον περισσὸν κουφόνουν τ᾽ εὐηθίαν. 385

Ὠκεανός ἔα με τῇδε τῇ νόσῳ νοσεῖν, ἐπεὶ κέρδιστον εὖ φρονοῦντα μὴ φρονεῖν δοκεῖν.

Προμηθεύς ἐμὸν δοκήσει τἀμπλάκημ᾽ εἶναι τόδε.

Ὠκεανός σαφῶς μ᾽ ἐς οἶκον σὸς λόγος στέλλει πάλιν.

Προμηθεύς μὴ γάρ σε θρῆνος οὑμὸς εἰς ἔχθραν βάλῃ. 390

Ὠκεανός ἦ τῷ νέον θακοῦντι παγκρατεῖς ἕδρας;

Προμηθεύς τούτου φυλάσσου μή ποτ᾽ ἀχθεσθῇ κέαρ.

Ὠκεανός ἡ σή, Προμηθεῦ, συμφορὰ διδάσκαλος.

Προμηθεύς στέλλου, κομίζου, σῷζε τὸν παρόντα νοῦν.

Χορός πάντʼ ἐκκάλυψον καὶ γέγωνʼ ἡμῖν λόγον, ποίῳ λαβών σε Ζεὺς ἐπʼ αἰτιάματι, οὕτως ἀτίμως καὶ πικρῶς αἰκίζεται· δίδαξον ἡμᾶς, εἴ τι μὴ βλάπτει λόγῳ.

Προμηθεύς καὶ μὴν φίλοις γʼ ἐλεινὸς εἰσορᾶν ἐγώ.

Χορός μή πού τι προύβης τῶνδε καὶ περαιτέρω;

Προμηθεύς θνητούς γʼ ἔπαυσα μὴ προδέρκεσθαι μόρον. 250

Χορός τὸ ποῖον εὑρὼν τῆσδε φάρμακον νόσου;

Προμηθεύς τυφλὰς ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐλπίδας κατῴκισα.

Χορός μέγʼ ὠφέλημα τοῦτʼ ἐδωρήσω βροτοῖς.

Προμηθεύς πρὸς τοῖσδε μέντοι πῦρ ἐγώ σφιν ὤπασα.

Χορός καὶ νῦν φλογωπὸν πῦρ ἔχουσʼ ἐφήμεροι; 255

Προμηθεύς ἀφʼ οὗ γε πολλὰς ἐκμαθήσονται τέχνας.

Χορός τοιοῖσδε δή σε Ζεὺς ἐπʼ αἰτιάμασιν—

Προμηθεύς αἰκίζεταί τε κοὐδαμῇ χαλᾷ κακῶν.

Χορός οὐδʼ ἔστιν ἄθλου τέρμα σοι προκείμενον;

Προμηθεύς οὐκ ἄλλο γʼ οὐδέν, πλὴν ὅταν κείνῳ δοκῇ. 260

Ὠκεανός οὔκουν, Προμηθεῦ, τοῦτο γιγνώσκεις, ὅτι ὀργῆς νοσούσης εἰσὶν ἰατροὶ λόγοι; 380

Προμηθεύς ἐάν τις ἐν καιρῷ γε μαλθάσσῃ κέαρ καὶ μὴ σφριγῶντα θυμὸν ἰσχναίνῃ βίᾳ.

Ὠκεανός ἐν τῷ προθυμεῖσθαι δὲ καὶ τολμᾶν τίνα ὁρᾷς ἐνοῦσαν ζημίαν; δίδασκέ με.

Προμηθεύς μόχθον περισσὸν κουφόνουν τʼ εὐηθίαν. 385

Ὠκεανός ἔα με τῇδε τῇ νόσῳ νοσεῖν, ἐπεὶ κέρδιστον εὖ φρονοῦντα μὴ φρονεῖν δοκεῖν.

Προμηθεύς ἐμὸν δοκήσει τἀμπλάκημʼ εἶναι τόδε.

Ὠκεανός σαφῶς μʼ ἐς οἶκον σὸς λόγος στέλλει πάλιν.

Προμηθεύς μὴ γάρ σε θρῆνος οὑμὸς εἰς ἔχθραν βάλῃ. 390

Ὠκεανός ἦ τῷ νέον θακοῦντι παγκρατεῖς ἕδρας;

Προμηθεύς τούτου φυλάσσου μή ποτʼ ἀχθεσθῇ κέαρ.

Ὠκεανός ἡ σή, Προμηθεῦ, συμφορὰ διδάσκαλος.

Προμηθεύς στέλλου, κομίζου, σῷζε τὸν παρόντα νοῦν.

ΧΟ.

Chorus Unfold the whole story and tell us upon what charge Zeus has caught you and painfully punishes you with such dishonor. Instruct us, unless, indeed, there is some harm in telling.

Chorus Iron-hearted and made of stone, Prometheus, is he who feels no compassion at your miseries. For myself, I would not have desired to see them; and now that I see them, I am pained in my heart. 245

Prometheus Yes, to my friends indeed I am a spectacle of pity.

Chorus Did you perhaps transgress even somewhat beyond this offence?

Prometheus Yes, I caused mortals to cease foreseeing their doom. 1 250

Chorus Of what sort was the cure that you found for this affliction?

Prometheus I caused blind hopes to dwell within their breasts.

Chorus A great benefit was this you gave to mortals.

Prometheus In addition, I gave them fire.

Chorus What! Do creatures of a day now have flame-eyed fire? 255

Prometheus Yes, and from it they shall learn many arts.

Chorus Then it was on a charge like this that Zeus—

Prometheus Torments me and in no way gives me respite from pain.

Chorus And is there no end assigned to your ordeal?

Prometheus No, none except when it seems good to him. 260

Chorus But how will it seem good to him? What hope is there? Do you not see that you have wronged? And yet it is not pleasant for me to talk about how you have wronged, and for you it is pain. So, let us quit this theme; and may you seek some release from your ordeal.

Chorus Not to unwilling ears have you made this appeal, Prometheus. And so now with light foot I will quit my swift-speeding seat and the pure air, the pathway of birds and draw near to this rugged ground; for I want to hear 280 the whole story of your sorrows. 285

Prometheus I envy you because you have escaped blame for having dared to share with me in my troubles. 2 So now leave me alone and let it not concern you. Do what you want, you cannot persuade him; for he is not easy to persuade. Beware that you do not do yourself harm by the mission you take. 335

Oceanus In truth, you are far better able to admonish others than yourself. It is by fact, not by hearsay, that I judge. So do not hold back one who is eager to go. For I am confident, yes, confident, that Zeus will grant me this favor, to free you from your sufferings. 340

Oceanus Do you not know then, Prometheus, that words are the physicians of a disordered temper? 380

Prometheus If one softens the soul in season, and does not hasten to reduce its swelling rage by violence.

Oceanus What lurking mischief do you see when daring joins to zeal? Teach me this.

Prometheus Lost labor and thoughtless simplicity. 385

ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ

Οἶδ' ὅτι τραχὺς καὶ παρ' ἑαυτῷ

Προμηθεύς

καὶ μὴν φίλοις <γ᾽>¹⁰ ἐλεινὸς¹¹ εἰσορᾶν ἐγώ.

Χορός

μή πού τι προύβης τῶνδε καὶ περαιτέρω;

Προμηθεύς

θνητοὺς¹² ἔπαυσα μὴ προδέρκεσθαι μόρον.
250

Χορός

τὸ ποῖον εὑρὼν τῆσδε φάρμακον νόσου;

Προμηθεύς

τυφλὰς ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐλπίδας κατῴκισα.

Χορός

μέγ᾽ ὠφέλημα τοῦτ᾽ ἐδωρήσω βροτοῖς.

Προμηθεύς

πρὸς τοῖσδε μέντοι πῦρ ἐγώ σφιν ὤπασα.

Χορός

καὶ νῦν φλογωπὸν πῦρ¹³ ἔχουσ᾽ ἐφήμεροι;
255

Προμηθεύς

ἀφ᾽ οὗ γε πολλὰς ἐκμαθήσονται τέχνας.

Χορός

τοιοῖσδε δή σε Ζεὺς ἐπ᾽ αἰτιάμασιν

Προμηθεύς

αἰκίζεταί τε κοὐδαμῇ χαλᾷ κακῶν.

Χορός

οὐδ᾽ ἔστιν ἄθλου τέρμα σοι προκείμενον;¹⁴

Προμηθεύς

οὐκ ἄλλο γ᾽ οὐδέν, πλὴν ὅταν κείνῳ δοκῇ.
260

Ὠκεανός

οὔκουν, Προμηθεῦ, τοῦτο γιγνώσκεις, ὅτι

ὀργῆς νοσούσης εἰσὶν ἰατροὶ λόγοι;
380

Προμηθεύς

ἐάν τις ἐν καιρῷ γε μαλθάσσῃ κέαρ

καὶ μὴ σφριγῶντα θυμὸν ἰσχναίνῃ³⁹ βίᾳ.

Ὠκεανός

ἐν τῷ προθυμεῖσθαι δὲ καὶ τολμᾶν τίνα

ὁρᾷς ἐνοῦσαν ζημίαν; δίδασκέ με.

Προμηθεύς

μόχθον περισσὸν κουφόνουν τ᾽ εὐηθίαν.
385

Ὠκεανός

ἔα με τῇδε τῇ νόσῳ νοσεῖν, ἐπεὶ

κέρδιστον εὖ φρονοῦντα μὴ φρονεῖν δοκεῖν.

Προμηθεύς

ἐμὸν δοκήσει τἀμπλάκημ᾽ εἶναι τόδε.

Ὠκεανός

σαφῶς μ᾽ ἐς οἶκον σὸς λόγος στέλλει πάλιν.

Προμηθεύς

μὴ γάρ σε θρῆνος οὑμὸς εἰς ἔχθραν βάλῃ.
390

Ὠκεανός

ἦ τῷ νέον θακοῦντι παγκρατεῖς ἕδρας;

Προμηθεύς

τούτου φυλάσσου μή ποτ᾽ ἀχθεσθῇ κέαρ.

Ὠκεανός

ἡ σή, Προμηθεῦ, συμφορὰ διδάσκαλος.

Προμηθεύς

στέλλου, κομίζου, σῷζε τὸν παρόντα νοῦν.

Χορός

πάντʼ ἐκκάλυψον καὶ γέγωνʼ ἡμῖν λόγον,

ποίῳ λαβών σε Ζεὺς ἐπʼ αἰτιάματι,

οὕτως ἀτίμως καὶ πικρῶς αἰκίζεται·

δίδαξον ἡμᾶς, εἴ τι μὴ βλάπτει λόγῳ.

Προμηθεύς

καὶ μὴν φίλοις γʼ ἐλεινὸς εἰσορᾶν ἐγώ.

Χορός

μή πού τι προύβης τῶνδε καὶ περαιτέρω;

Προμηθεύς

θνητούς γʼ ἔπαυσα μὴ προδέρκεσθαι μόρον.
250

Χορός

τὸ ποῖον εὑρὼν τῆσδε φάρμακον νόσου;

Προμηθεύς

τυφλὰς ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐλπίδας κατῴκισα.

Χορός

μέγʼ ὠφέλημα τοῦτʼ ἐδωρήσω βροτοῖς.

Προμηθεύς

πρὸς τοῖσδε μέντοι πῦρ ἐγώ σφιν ὤπασα.

Χορός

καὶ νῦν φλογωπὸν πῦρ ἔχουσʼ ἐφήμεροι;
255

Προμηθεύς

ἀφʼ οὗ γε πολλὰς ἐκμαθήσονται τέχνας.

Χορός

τοιοῖσδε δή σε Ζεὺς ἐπʼ αἰτιάμασιν—

Προμηθεύς

αἰκίζεταί τε κοὐδαμῇ χαλᾷ κακῶν.

Χορός

οὐδʼ ἔστιν ἄθλου τέρμα σοι προκείμενον;

Προμηθεύς

οὐκ ἄλλο γʼ οὐδέν, πλὴν ὅταν κείνῳ δοκῇ.
260

Ὠκεανός

οὔκουν, Προμηθεῦ, τοῦτο γιγνώσκεις, ὅτι

ὀργῆς νοσούσης εἰσὶν ἰατροὶ λόγοι;
380

Προμηθεύς

ἐάν τις ἐν καιρῷ γε μαλθάσσῃ κέαρ

καὶ μὴ σφριγῶντα θυμὸν ἰσχναίνῃ βίᾳ.

Ὠκεανός

ἐν τῷ προθυμεῖσθαι δὲ καὶ τολμᾶν τίνα

ὁρᾷς ἐνοῦσαν ζημίαν; δίδασκέ με.

Προμηθεύς

μόχθον περισσὸν κουφόνουν τʼ εὐηθίαν.
385

Ὠκεανός

ἔα με τῇδε τῇ νόσῳ νοσεῖν, ἐπεὶ

κέρδιστον εὖ φρονοῦντα μὴ φρονεῖν δοκεῖν.

Προμηθεύς

ἐμὸν δοκήσει τἀμπλάκημʼ εἶναι τόδε.

Ὠκεανός

σαφῶς μʼ ἐς οἶκον σὸς λόγος στέλλει πάλιν.

Προμηθεύς

μὴ γάρ σε θρῆνος οὑμὸς εἰς ἔχθραν βάλῃ.
390

Ὠκεανός

ἦ τῷ νέον θακοῦντι παγκρατεῖς ἕδρας;

Προμηθεύς

τούτου φυλάσσου μή ποτʼ ἀχθεσθῇ κέαρ.

Ὠκεανός

ἡ σή, Προμηθεῦ, συμφορὰ διδάσκαλος.

Προμηθεύς

στέλλου, κομίζου, σῷζε τὸν παρόντα νοῦν.

Chorus

Unfold the whole story and tell us upon what charge Zeus has caught you and painfully punishes you with such dishonor. Instruct us, unless, indeed, there is some harm in telling.

Chorus

Iron-hearted and made of stone, Prometheus,

is he who feels no compassion at your miseries. For myself, I would not have desired to see them; and now that I see them, I am pained in my heart.
245

Prometheus

Yes, to my friends indeed I am a spectacle of pity.

Chorus

Did you perhaps transgress even somewhat beyond this offence?

Prometheus

Yes, I caused mortals to cease foreseeing their doom.¹
250

Chorus

Of what sort was the cure that you found for this affliction?

Prometheus

I caused blind hopes to dwell within their breasts.

Chorus

A great benefit was this you gave to mortals.

Prometheus

In addition, I gave them fire.

Chorus

What! Do creatures of a day now have flame-eyed fire?
255

Prometheus

Yes, and from it they shall learn many arts.

Chorus

Then it was on a charge like this that Zeus—

Prometheus

Torments me and in no way gives me respite from pain.

Chorus

And is there no end assigned to your ordeal?

Prometheus

No, none except when it seems good to him.
260

Chorus

But how will it seem good to him? What hope is there? Do you not see that you have wronged? And yet it is not pleasant for me to talk about how you have wronged, and for you it is pain. So, let us quit this theme; and may you seek some release from your ordeal.

Chorus

Not to unwilling ears have you made this appeal,

Prometheus. And so now with light foot I will quit my swift-speeding seat and the pure air, the pathway of birds and draw near to this rugged ground; for I want to hear
280

the whole story of your sorrows.
285

Prometheus

I envy you because you have escaped blame for having dared to share with me in my troubles.²So now leave me alone and let it not concern you.

Do what you want, you cannot persuade him; for he is not easy to persuade. Beware that you do not do yourself harm by the mission you take.
335

Oceanus

In truth, you are far better able to admonish others than yourself. It is by fact, not by hearsay, that I judge.

So do not hold back one who is eager to go. For I am confident, yes, confident, that Zeus will grant me this favor, to free you from your sufferings.
340

Oceanus

Do you not know then, Prometheus, that

words are the physicians of a disordered temper?
380

Prometheus

If one softens the soul in season, and does not hasten to reduce its swelling rage by violence.

Oceanus

What lurking mischief do you see when daring joins to zeal? Teach me this.

Prometheus

Lost labor and thoughtless simplicity.
385

Oceanus

Leave me to be affected by this, since it is most advantageous, when truly wise, to be deemed a fool.

Prometheus

This fault will be seen to be my own.

Oceanus

Clearly the manner of your speech orders me back home.

Prometheus

So that you won’t win enmity for yourself by lamenting for me.
390

Oceanus

In the eyes of the one who is newly seated on his omnipotent throne?