N. Wecklein Prometheus Bound 137.comm-137

F. D. Allen (Translator)

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Prometheus Bound. N. Wecklein. F. D. Allen (Translator). . .

Current edition Experimental

English commentary on Prometheus Bound (OCR draft) (English) (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.)

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (7)
Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης First1KGreek (Aeschyli Tragoediae. Sidgwick, Arthur, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 128-194 focus
Προμηθεὺς δεσμώτης Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.) — 128-195 focus
Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης (OCR draft) Experimental (Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 128 focus
Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης (OCR draft) Experimental (Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 128 focus
ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ ΔΕΣΜΩΤΗΣ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ ΔΕΣΜΩΤΗΣ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 128 focus
Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης (OCR draft) Experimental (Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 128 focus
μηδὲν φοβηθῇς· φιλία
130
γὰρ ἥδε τάξις
πτερύγων θοαῖς ἁμίλλαις
προσέβα τόνδε πάγον, πατρῴας
μόγις παρειποῦσα φρένας.
κραιπνοφόροι δέ μ' ἔπεμψαν αὖραι·
135
κτύπου γὰρ ἀχὼ χάλυβος
διῇξεν ἄντρων
μυχόν, ἐκ δ᾽ ἔπληξέ μου
τὰν θεμερῶπιν αἰδῶ·
σύθην δ' ἀπέδιλος ὄχῳ πτερωτῷ.
140
αἰαι αἰαι,
τῆς πολυτέκνου Τηθύος ἔκγονα,
τοῦ περὶ πᾶσαν θ' εἱλισσομένου
χθόν᾽ ἀκοιμήτῳ ῥεύματι παῖδες
πατρὸς Ὠκεανοῦ,
145
δέρχθητ᾽, ἐσίδεσθ' οἵῳ δεσμῷ
προσπορπατὸς τῆσδε φάραγγος
σκοπέλοις ἐν ἄκροις
φρουρὰν ἄζηλον ὀχήσω.
λεύσσω, Προμηθεῦ· φοβερὰ
150
δ᾽ ἐμοῖσιν ὄσσοις
ὁμίχλη προσῇξε πλήρης
δακρύων, σὸν δέμας εἰσιδοῦσα
πέτραις προσαυαινόμενον
ταῖσδ᾽ ἀδαμαντοδέτοισι λύμαις·
155
νέοι γὰρ οἰακονόμοι
κρατοῦσ᾽ Ὀλύμπου,
νεοχμοῖς δὲ δὴ νόμοις
Ζεὺς ἀθέτως κρατύνει.
τὰ πρὶν δὲ πελώρια νῦν ἀιστοῖ.
160
Aeschyli Prometheus Vinctus (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Prometheus Vinctus. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 128 focus
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.)) — 128-195 focus
Prometheus Bound. (OCR draft) Experimental (Prometheus Bound.. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 128 focus
Dread thou nothing; for this is a friendly band that has come with the fleet rivalry of their pinions to this rock, after prevailing with difficulty on the mind of our father. And the swiftly-wafting breezes escorted me: for the echo of the clang of steel pierced to the recess of our grots, and banished my demure-looking reserve; and I sped without my sandals in my winged chariot.
Alas! alas! ye offspring of prolific Thetys, and daughters of Ocean your sire, who rolls around the whole earth in his unslumbering stream; look upon me, see clasped in what bonds I shall keep an unenviable watch on the topmost crags of this ravine.
I see, Prometheus: and a fearful mist full of tears darts over mine eyes, as I looked on thy frame withering on the rocks
in these galling adamantine fetters: for new pilots are the masters of Olympus; and Jove, contrary to right, lords it with new laws, and things aforetime had in reverence he is obliterating.
PROMÉTHÉE ENCHAINÉ (OCR draft) Experimental (PROMÉTHÉE ENCHAINÉ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 128 focus
Ne crains rien : c'est une troupe amie 1 que
des ailes, luttant de vitesse, ont amenée à ce rocher. Mes paroles ont, à grand peine, triomphé du vouloir d'un père, et, rapides, les vents m'ont portée. Car les chocs bruyants du fer, pénétrant au fond de mon antre, ont chassé de moi la
sans jamais dormir,
roule autour de la terre immense, voyez, contemplez les chaînes qui m'agrafent au sommet de ce précipice rocheux, où je dois monter une garde que nul jamais ne m'enviera.
au nom de lois nouvelles, Zeus exerce un pouvoir sans règle et détruit aujourd'hui les colosses d'antan.
Prometheus Chained (OCR draft) Experimental (Prometheus Chained. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 128 focus
Forbear thy fears: a friendly train f
On buſy pennons flutt'ring light,
135
We come, our ſire not aſk'd in vain,
And reach this promontory's height.
The clanging iron's horrid ſound
Reecho'd thro' our caves profound;
And tho' my cheek glows with ſhame's crimſon dye,
140
Thus with unſandal'd foot with winged ſpeed I fly.
Ah me! Ah me!
Ye virgin ſiſters, who derive your race
From fruitful Thetis, and th' embrace
Of old Oceanus, your ſire, that rolls
145
Around the wide world his unquiet waves,
This way turn your eyes, behold
With what a chain fix'd to this rugged ſteep
Th' unenvied ſtation of the rock I keep.
I ſee, I ſee; and o'er my eyes,
150
Surcharg'd with ſorrow's tearful rain,.
Dark'ning the miſty clouds ariſe;
I ſee thy adamantine chain;
In its ſtrong graſp thy limbs confin'd,
And withering in the parching wind:
155
Such the ſtern pow'r of heav'n's newſceptred lord,
And lawcontrolling Jove's irrevocable word.
Eschilo, Prometeo legato: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, Prometeo legato: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 128 focus
Ah!, quale odo d'augelli
novo strepito? L'ètere sibila
145
sotto i battiti fitti dell'ali.
M'è terror tutto ciò che s'appressa!
Qui m'addusser del vento i soffî rapidi,
poi che del padre a stento ebbi il consenso.
Come echeggiò dei ferrei colpi l'eco
nel fondo del mio speco.
ogni pudico senso
155
discacciato da me,
scalzo lanciai su alato cocchio il pie'.
Ahimè, ahimè!
Aeschylus, Prometheus vinctus: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Prometheus vinctus: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 128 focus
Nihil time, amica eſt hæc caterua,
Alarum celeribus congreſsuibus
135
Acceſsit hoc saxum, paternas
Vix perſuadens mentes.
Volucres uerò me miserunt aure.
Reſonantis enim ſonus chalybis subijt antrum,
Et exterruit meum uerecundum pudorem,
140
In Scythiam discalceatus curru alato ueni.
Heu heu, multiparæ Tethyos prolés,
Et totam ambientis
Terram inquieto fluctû filiæ
Patris Oceani: reſpicite, uidete,
145
Quali uinculó uinctus sum,
Huius uallis in altis ſcopulis,
Cuſtodiam minimè expetendam sustinebó.
Videó Prometheu, horrida meis oculis
Nebula incidit, plena
150
Lachrymis, tuum corpus uidens,
In lapidibus contabefactum
Adamantinis uinculis.
Nouì gubernatores imperant Olympo,
Nouis uerò legibus Iupiter nefarie imperat:
155
Saturnalia quæ antea erant, iam sunt exautorata.
Prometheus Bound (OCR draft) Experimental (Prometheus Bound. Anna Swanwick, 1886.) — 128 focus
PROMETHEUS
That thus it shall be it is thine to learn.
IO
By whom despoiled of his tyrannic sway?

PROMETHEUS
Spoiled by himself and his own senseless plans.
IO
But how? Declare, if telling bring no harm.
PROMETHEUS
A match contracting he shall one day rue.
IO
Divine, or human? If permitted, speak.
PROMETHEUS
What matters it? This may not be disclosed.
IO
Shall then his consort drive him from his throne?
PROMETHEUS
Ay, a son bearing stronger than his sire.
IO
Is there for him no refuge from this doom?
PROMETHEUS
No, none; unless I be from bonds released.
IO
Who shall release thee 'gainst the will of Zeus?

PROMETHEUS
One of thine own descendants it must be.
IO
How so? shall child of mine free thee from bale?
PROMETHEUS
Count ten descents, and after them a third.
IO
Not easy is this oracle to spell.
PROMETHEUS
So neither seek thy proper grief to learn.
IO
Nay, hold not forth a boon and straight withdraw it.
PROMETHEUS
Of two narrations I will grant thee one.
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.) — 128 focus
Ah, fear us not! as friends, with rivalry
Of swiftly-vying wings, we came together
Unto this rock and thee!
With our sea-sire we pleaded hard, until
145
We won him to our will,
And swift the wafting breezes bore us hither.
The heavy hammer's steely blow
Thrilled to our ocean-cavern from afar,
Banished soft shyness from our maiden brow,
150
And with unsandalled feet we come, in wingèd car!
Ah well-a-day! ye come, ye come
From the Sea-Mother's teeming home—
Children of Tethys and the sire
Who around Earth rolls, gyre on gyre,
155
His sleepless ocean-tide!
Look on me—shackled with what chain,
Upon this chasm's beetling side
I must my dismal watch sustain!
Yea, I behold, Prometheus! and my fears
160
Draw swiftly o'er mine eyes a mist fulfilled of tears,
When I behold thy frame
Bound, wasting on the rock, and put to shame
By adamantine chains!
The rudder and the rule of Heaven
165
Are to strange pilots given:
Zeus with new laws and strong caprice holds sway,
Unkings the ancient Powers, their might constrains,
And thrusts their pride away!
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.) — 128 focus
O fürchte Nichts! Freundlichen Sinnes kam die Schaar hier
Mit der Schwingen raschem Wettflug
Zu den Felshöhen heran, nachdem wir
Den Vater kaum flehend erweicht.
130
Eilender Lüfte Geleit' entführt' uns.
Denn dröhnend scholl Eisengeklirr
In meiner Kluft heimlichsten Raum,
Und trieb die Scham schreckend vom ernsten Auge:
Ich eilt' unbeschuht in dem Fluggespann her,
135
Ach, ach!
Ich seh's, Prometheus; um das Auge lagert grauend
Vor Entseyen, schwer von Thränen,
Ein Gewölk, daß ich in Qualen also
145
Dich sehen muß schmachtend am Fels,
Duldend die Last diamant'ner Bande !
Denn neue Herrn walten am Steu=
er im Olymp, und der Kroni=
de herrscht, gemäß neuem Gesek, geseklos:
150
Das früher Gewaltige stürzt er nieder.

Notes on the current edition

Prometheus Bound

1. Two-source OCR draft: unmatched words are bracketed; readings, punctuation, possible marginalia and note boundaries remain unverified. Agreement between OCR sources is not proof of correctness.
2. Reference placement provisional: local window supported by running Greek. Source note 137; verify numbering and scope.

Commentary

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

1
2
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.

137. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-107

3
4
137. πολυτέκνου: see on 128. Cp. Il. xiv. 201 Ωκεανόν τε, θεῶν γένεσιν, καὶ μητέρα Τηθύν.