Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound, ed. N. Wecklein, 420

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Ἀραβίας τ᾽ ἄρειον ἄνθος,

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμουσιν,

δάιος στρατός, ὀξυπρώροι-

σι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

440

Prometheus Bound. Aeschylus. ed. N. Wecklein. Berolini. 1885.

Current edition Experimental

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης (OCR draft) (Greek) (Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης. N. Wecklein, 1885.)

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (6)

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης First1KGreek (Aeschyli Tragoediae. Sidgwick, Arthur, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 436-525 focus

Προμηθεύς

μή τοι χλιδῇ δοκεῖτε μηδ᾽ αὐθαδίᾳ

σιγᾶν με: συννοίᾳ δὲ δάπτομαι κέαρ,

ὁρῶν ἐμαυτὸν ὧδε προυσελούμενον.¹

καίτοι θεοῖσι τοῖς νέοις τούτοις γέρα

τίς ἄλλος ἢ ᾽γὼ παντελῶς διώρισεν;
440

ἀλλ᾽ αὐτὰ σιγῶ. καὶ γὰρ εἰδυίαισιν ἂν

ὑμῖν λέγοιμι: τἀν βροτοῖς δὲ πήματα

ἀκούσαθ᾽, ὥς σφας² νηπίους ὄντας τὸ πρὶν

ἔννους ἔθηκα καὶ φρενῶν ἐπηβόλους.

λέξω δέ, μέμψιν οὔτιν᾽ ἀνθρώποις ἔχων,
445

ἀλλ᾽ ὧν δέδωκ᾽ εὔνοιαν ἐξηγούμενος:

οἳ πρῶτα μὲν βλέποντες ἔβλεπον μάτην,

κλύοντες οὐκ ἤκουον, ἀλλ᾽ ὀνειράτων

ἀλίγκιοι μορφαῖσι τὸν μακρὸν βίον

ἔφυρον εἰκῆ πάντα, κοὔτε πλινθυφεῖς
450

δόμους προσείλους³ ᾖσαν, οὐ ξυλουργίαν:

κατώρυχες δ᾽ ἔναιον ὥστ᾽ ἀήσυροι

μύρμηκες ἄντρων ἐν μυχοῖς ἀνηλίοις.

ἦν δ᾽ οὐδὲν αὐτοῖς οὔτε χείματος τέκμαρ

οὔτ᾽ ἀνθεμώδους ἦρος οὔτε καρπίμου
455

θέρους βέβαιον, ἀλλ᾽ ἄτερ γνώμης τὸ πᾶν

ἔπρασσον, ἔστε δή σφιν ἀντολὰς ἐγὼ

ἄστρων ἔδειξα τάς τε δυσκρίτους δύσεις.

καὶ μὴν ἀριθμόν, ἔξοχον σοφισμάτων,⁴

ἐξηῦρον αὐτοῖς, γραμμάτων τε συνθέσεις,
460

μνήμην θ᾽⁵ ἁπάντων, μουσομήτορ᾽ ἐργάνην.⁶

κἄζευξα πρῶτος ἐν ζυγοῖσι κνώδαλα

ζεύγλαισι δουλεύοντα σάγμασίν⁷ θ᾽, ὅπως

θνητοῖς μεγίστων διάδοχοι μοχθημάτων

γένοινθ᾽,⁸ ὑφ᾽ ἅρμα τ᾽ ἤγαγον φιληνίους
465

ἵππους, ἄγαλμα τῆς ὑπερπλούτου χλιδῆς.

θαλασσόπλαγκτα δ᾽ οὔτις ἄλλος ἀντ᾽ ἐμοῦ

λινόπτερ᾽ ηὗρε ναυτίλων⁹ ὀχήματα.

τοιαῦτα μηχανήματ᾽ ἐξευρὼν τάλας

βροτοῖσιν, αὐτὸς οὐκ ἔχω σόφισμ᾽ ὅτῳ¹⁰
470

τῆς νῦν παρούσης πημονῆς ἀπαλλαγῶ.

472

Χορός

πέπονθας αἰκὲς¹¹ πῆμ᾽: ἀποσφαλεὶς φρενῶν

πλανᾷ, κακὸς δ᾽ ἰατρὸς ὥς τις ἐς νόσον

πεσὼν ἀθυμεῖς καὶ σεαυτὸν οὐκ ἔχεις

εὑρεῖν ὁποίοις φαρμάκοις ἰάσιμος.
475

Προμηθεύς

τὰ λοιπά μου κλύουσα θαυμάσει πλέον,

οἵας τέχνας τε καὶ πόρους ἐμησάμην.

τὸ μὲν μέγιστον, εἴ τις ἐς νόσον πέσοι,

οὐκ ἦν ἀλέξημ᾽ οὐδέν, οὔτε¹² βρώσιμον,

οὐ χριστόν, οὔτε πιστόν, ἀλλὰ φαρμάκων
480

χρείᾳ κατεσκέλλοντο, πρίν γ᾽ ἐγώ σφισιν

ἔδειξα κράσεις ἠπίων ἀκεσμάτων,

αἷς τὰς ἁπάσας ἐξαμύνονται νόσους.

τρόπους τε πολλοὺς μαντικῆς ἐστοίχισα,

κἄκρινα πρῶτος ἐξ ὀνειράτων ἃ χρὴ
485

ὕπαρ γενέσθαι, κληδόνας τε δυσκρίτους

ἐγνώρισ᾽ αὐτοῖς: ἐνοδίους τε συμβόλους:

γαμψωνύχων τε πτῆσιν οἰωνῶν σκεθρῶς

διώρισ᾽, οἵτινές τε δεξιοὶ φύσιν

εὐωνύμους τε, καὶ δίαιταν ἥντινα
490

ἔχουσ᾽ ἕκαστοι, καὶ πρὸς ἀλλήλους τίνες

ἔχθραι τε καὶ στέργηθρα καὶ συνεδρίαι:

σπλάγχνων τε λειότητα, καὶ χροιὰν τίνα

ἔχοντ᾽ ἂν εἴη δαίμοσιν πρὸς ἡδονήν,

χολῆς λοβοῦ τε ποικίλην εὐμορφίαν:
495

κνίσῃ τε κῶλα συγκαλυπτὰ καὶ μακρὰν

ὀσφῦν πυρώσας δυστέκμαρτον ἐς τέχνην

ὥδωσα θνητούς, καὶ φλογωπὰ σήματα

ἐξωμμάτωσα, πρόσθεν ὄντ᾽ ἐπάργεμα.

τοιαῦτα μὲν δὴ ταῦτ᾽: ἔνερθε δὲ χθονὸς
500

κεκρυμμέν᾽ ἀνθρώποισιν ὠφελήματα,

χαλκόν, σίδηρον,¹³ ἄργυρον, χρυσόν τε¹⁴ τίς

φήσειεν ἂν πάροιθεν ἐξευρεῖν ἐμοῦ;

οὐδείς, σάφ᾽ οἶδα, μὴ μάτην φλύσαι θέλων.

βραχεῖ δὲ μύθῳ πάντα¹⁵ συλλήβδην μάθε,
505

πᾶσαι τέχναι βροτοῖσιν ἐκ Προμηθέως.

507

Χορός

μή νυν βροτοὺς μὲν ὠφέλει καιροῦ πέρα,

σαυτοῦ δ᾽ ἀκήδει δυστυχοῦντος: ὡς ἐγὼ

εὔελπίς εἰμι τῶνδέ σ᾽ ἐκ δεσμῶν ἔτι

λυθέντα μηδὲν μεῖον ἰσχύσειν Διός.
510

Προμηθεύς

οὐ ταῦτα ταύτῃ Μοῖρά πω τελεσφόρος

κρᾶναι πέπρωται, μυρίαις δὲ πημοναῖς

δύαις τε καμφθεὶς ὧδε δεσμὰ φυγγάνω:

τέχνη δ᾽ ἀνάγκης ἀσθενεστέρα μακρῷ.

Χορός

τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος;
515

Προμηθεύς

Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τ᾽ Ἐρινύες.

Χορός

τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς

οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός

τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν¹⁶ ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς

τοῦτ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει.
520

Χορός

ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Προμηθεύς

ἄλλου λόγου μέμνησθε, τόνδε δ᾽ οὐδαμῶς

καιρὸς γεγωνεῖν, ἀλλὰ συγκαλυπτέος

ὅσον μάλιστα: τόνδε γὰρ σῴζων ἐγὼ

δεσμοὺς ἀεικεῖς καὶ δύας ἐκφυγγάνω.
525
526

Προμηθεὺς δεσμώτης Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.) — 436-525 focus

Προμηθεύς

μή τοι χλιδῇ δοκεῖτε μηδʼ αὐθαδίᾳ

σιγᾶν με· συννοίᾳ δὲ δάπτομαι κέαρ,

ὁρῶν ἐμαυτὸν ὧδε προυσελούμενον.

καίτοι θεοῖσι τοῖς νέοις τούτοις γέρα

τίς ἄλλος ἢ ʼγὼ παντελῶς διώρισεν;
440

ἀλλʼ αὐτὰ σιγῶ· καὶ γὰρ εἰδυίαισιν ἂν

ὑμῖν λέγοιμι· τἀν βροτοῖς δὲ πήματα

ἀκούσαθʼ, ὥς σφας νηπίους ὄντας τὸ πρὶν

ἔννους ἔθηκα καὶ φρενῶν ἐπηβόλους.

λέξω δέ, μέμψιν οὔτινʼ ἀνθρώποις ἔχων,
445

ἀλλʼ ὧν δέδωκʼ εὔνοιαν ἐξηγούμενος·

οἳ πρῶτα μὲν βλέποντες ἔβλεπον μάτην,

κλύοντες οὐκ ἤκουον, ἀλλʼ ὀνειράτων

ἀλίγκιοι μορφαῖσι τὸν μακρὸν βίον

ἔφυρον εἰκῇ πάντα, κοὔτε πλινθυφεῖς
450

δόμους προσείλους, ᾖσαν, οὐ ξυλουργίαν·

κατώρυχες δʼ ἔναιον ὥστʼ ἀήσυροι

μύρμηκες ἄντρων ἐν μυχοῖς ἀνηλίοις.

ἦν δʼ οὐδὲν αὐτοῖς οὔτε χείματος τέκμαρ

οὔτʼ ἀνθεμώδους ἦρος οὔτε καρπίμου
455

θέρους βέβαιον, ἀλλʼ ἄτερ γνώμης τὸ πᾶν

ἔπρασσον, ἔστε δή σφιν ἀντολὰς ἐγὼ

ἄστρων ἔδειξα τάς τε δυσκρίτους δύσεις.

καὶ μὴν ἀριθμόν, ἔξοχον σοφισμάτων,

ἐξηῦρον αὐτοῖς, γραμμάτων τε συνθέσεις,
460

μνήμην ἁπάντων, μουσομήτορʼ ἐργάνην.

κἄζευξα πρῶτος ἐν ζυγοῖσι κνώδαλα

ζεύγλαισι δουλεύοντα σάγμασὶν θʼ, ὅπως

θνητοῖς μεγίστων διάδοχοι μοχθημάτων

γένοινθʼ , ὑφʼ ἅρμα τʼ ἤγαγον φιληνίους
465

ἵππους, ἄγαλμα τῆς ὑπερπλούτου χλιδῆς.

θαλασσόπλαγκτα δʼ οὔτις ἄλλος ἀντʼ ἐμοῦ

λινόπτερʼ ηὗρε ναυτίλων ὀχήματα.

τοιαῦτα μηχανήματʼ ἐξευρὼν τάλας

βροτοῖσιν, αὐτὸς οὐκ ἔχω σόφισμʼ ὅτῳ
470

τῆς νῦν παρούσης πημονῆς ἀπαλλαγῶ.

472

Χορός

πέπονθας αἰκὲς πῆμʼ· ἀποσφαλεὶς φρενῶν

πλανᾷ, κακὸς δʼ ἰατρὸς ὥς τις ἐς νόσον

πεσὼν ἀθυμεῖς καὶ σεαυτὸν οὐκ ἔχεις

εὑρεῖν ὁποίοις φαρμάκοις ἰάσιμος.
475

Προμηθεύς

τὰ λοιπά μου κλύουσα θαυμάσῃ πλέον,

οἵας τέχνας τε καὶ πόρους ἐμησάμην.

τὸ μὲν μέγιστον, εἴ τις ἐς νόσον πέσοι,

οὐκ ἦν ἀλέξημʼ οὐδέν, οὔτε βρώσιμον,

οὐ χριστόν, οὐδὲ πιστόν, ἀλλὰ φαρμάκων
480

χρείᾳ κατεσκέλλοντο, πρίν γʼ ἐγώ σφισιν

ἔδειξα κράσεις ἠπίων ἀκεσμάτων,

αἷς τὰς ἁπάσας ἐξαμύνονται νόσους.

τρόπους τε πολλοὺς μαντικῆς ἐστοίχισα,

κἄκρινα πρῶτος ἐξ ὀνειράτων ἃ χρὴ
485

ὕπαρ γενέσθαι, κληδόνας τε δυσκρίτους

ἐγνώρισʼ αὐτοῖς ἐνοδίους τε συμβόλους·

γαμψωνύχων τε πτῆσιν οἰωνῶν σκεθρῶς

διώρισʼ, οἵτινές τε δεξιοὶ φύσιν

εὐωνύμους τε, καὶ δίαιταν ἥντινα
490

ἔχουσʼ ἕκαστοι, καὶ πρὸς ἀλλήλους τίνες

ἔχθραι τε καὶ στέργηθρα καὶ συνεδρίαι·

σπλάγχνων τε λειότητα, καὶ χροιὰν τίνα

ἔχουσʼ ἂν εἴη δαίμοσιν πρὸς ἡδονὴν

χολή, λοβοῦ τε ποικίλην εὐμορφίαν.
495

κνίσῃ τε κῶλα συγκαλυπτὰ καὶ μακρὰν

ὀσφῦν πυρώσας δυστέκμαρτον ἐς τέχνην

ὥδωσα θνητούς, καὶ φλογωπὰ σήματα

ἐξωμμάτωσα, πρόσθεν ὄντʼ ἐπάργεμα.

τοιαῦτα μὲν δὴ ταῦτʼ· ἔνερθε δὲ χθονὸς
500

κεκρυμμένʼ, ἀνθρώποισιν ὠφελήματα,

χαλκόν, σίδηρον, ἄργυρον, χρυσόν τε τίς

φήσειεν ἂν πάροιθεν ἐξευρεῖν ἐμοῦ;

οὐδείς, σάφʼ οἶδα, μὴ μάτην φλύσαι θέλων.

βραχεῖ δὲ μύθῳ πάντα συλλήβδην μάθε,
505

πᾶσαι τέχναι βροτοῖσιν ἐκ Προμηθέως.

507

Χορός

μή νυν βροτοὺς μὲν ὠφέλει καιροῦ πέρα,

σαυτοῦ δʼ ἀκήδει δυστυχοῦντος. ὡς ἐγὼ

εὔελπίς εἰμι τῶνδέ σʼ ἐκ δεσμῶν ἔτι

λυθέντα μηδὲν μεῖον ἰσχύσειν Διός.
510

Προμηθεύς

οὐ ταῦτα ταύτῃ Μοῖρά πω τελεσφόρος

κρᾶναι πέπρωται, μυρίαις δὲ πημοναῖς

δύαις τε καμφθεὶς ὧδε δεσμὰ φυγγάνω·

τέχνη δʼ ἀνάγκης ἀσθενεστέρα μακρῷ.

Χορός

τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος;
515

Προμηθεύς

Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τʼ Ἐρινύες

Χορός

τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς

οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός

τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς

τοῦτʼ οὐκέτʼ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει.
520

Χορός

ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Προμηθεύς

ἄλλου λόγου μέμνησθε, τόνδε δʼ οὐδαμῶς

καιρὸς γεγωνεῖν, ἀλλὰ συγκαλυπτέος

ὅσον μάλιστα· τόνδε γὰρ σῴζων ἐγὼ

δεσμοὺς ἀεικεῖς καὶ δύας ἐκφυγγάνω.
525

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης (OCR draft) Experimental (Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 420 focus

Ἀραβίας τ᾽ ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται,

δάϊος στρατὸς, ὀξυπρῴροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης (OCR draft) Experimental (Προμηθεὺς Δεσμώτης. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 420 focus

Σαρματᾶν τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα,

Καυκάσου πύλας, νέμονται,

δάϊος στρατός, ὀξυπρώ-

ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

στρ. γ'.

ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ ΔΕΣΜΩΤΗΣ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΠΡΟΜΗθΕΥΣ ΔΕΣΜΩΤΗΣ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 420 focus

Ἀραβίας τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420
Ant. 2.

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ θ' οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται νέμουσι,

δάϊος στρατὸς ὀξυπρῴ-

ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Aeschyli Prometheus Vinctus (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Prometheus Vinctus. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 420 focus

Ἀραβίας τ᾽ Ἄρειον ἄνθος,

420

ὑψίκρημνον [θ᾽] οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται,

δάιος στρατὸς ὀξυπρώι-

ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς. =

Translations (8)

Prometheus Bound Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 436-525 focus

Prometheus

No, do not think it is from pride or even from wilfulness that I am silent. Painful thoughts devour my heart as I behold myself maltreated in this way. And yet who else but I definitely assigned

their prerogatives to these upstart gods? But I do not speak of this; for my tale would tell you nothing except what you know. Still, listen to the miseries that beset mankind—how they were witless before and I made them have sense and endowed them with reason.
440

I will not speak to upbraid mankind but to set forth the friendly purpose that inspired my blessing.
First of all, though they had eyes to see, they saw to no avail; they had ears, but they did not understand ; but, just as shapes in dreams, throughout their length of days,
445

without purpose they wrought all things in confusion. They had neither knowledge of houses built of bricks and turned to face the sun nor yet of work in wood; but dwelt beneath the ground like swarming ants, in sunless caves. They had no sign either of winter
450

or of flowery spring or of fruitful summer, on which they could depend but managed everything without judgment, until I taught them to discern the risings of the stars and their settings, which are difficult to distinguish.
Yes, and numbers, too, chiefest of sciences,
455

I invented for them, and the combining of letters, creative mother of the Muses’ arts, with which to hold all things in memory. I, too, first brought brute beasts beneath the yoke to be subject to the collar and the pack-saddle, so that they might bear in men’s stead their
460

heaviest burdens; and to the chariot I harnessed horses and made them obedient to the rein, to be an image of wealth and luxury. It was I and no one else who invented the mariner’s flaxen-winged car that roams the sea.
Wretched that I am—such are the arts I devised
465

for mankind, yet have myself no cunning means to rid me of my present suffering.
470

472

Chorus

You have suffered sorrow and humiliation. You have lost your wits and have gone astray; and, like an unskilled doctor, fallen ill, you lose heart and cannot

discover by which remedies to cure your own disease.
475

Prometheus

Hear the rest and you shall wonder the more at the arts and resources I devised. This first and foremost: if ever man fell ill, there was no defence—no healing food,

no ointment, nor any drink—but for lack of medicine they wasted away, until I showed them how to mix soothing remedies with which they now ward off all their disorders. And I marked out many ways by which they might read the future,
480

and among dreams I first discerned which are destined to come true; and voices baffling interpretation I explained to them, and signs from chance meetings. The flight of crook-taloned birds I distinguished clearly— which by nature are auspicious,
485

which sinister—their various modes of life, their mutual feuds and loves, and their consortings; and the smoothness of their entrails, and what color the gall must have to please
490

the gods, also the speckled symmetry of the liver-lobe; and the thigh-bones, wrapped in fat, and the long chine I burned and initiated mankind into an occult art. Also I cleared their vision to discern signs from flames,which were obscure before this.
495

Enough about these arts. Now as to the benefits to men that lay concealed beneath the earth—bronze, iron, silver, and gold—who would claim to have discovered them before me? No one, I know full well, unless he likes to babble idly.
500

Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word—every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.
505

507

Chorus

Do not benefit mortals beyond reason and disregard your own distress; although, I am confident that you will be freed

from these bonds and will have power in no way inferior to Zeus.
510

Prometheus

Not in this way is Fate, who brings all to fulfillment, destined to complete this course. Only when I have been bent by pangs and tortures infinite am I to escape my bondage. Skill is weaker by far than Necessity.

Chorus

Who then is the helmsman of Necessity?
515

Prometheus

The three-shaped Fates and mindful Furies.

Chorus

Can it be that Zeus has less power than they do?

Prometheus

Yes, in that even he cannot escape what is foretold.

Chorus

Why, what is fated for Zeus except to hold eternal sway?

Prometheus

This you must not learn yet; do not be over-eager.
520

Chorus

It is some solemn secret, surely, that you enshroud in mystery.

Prometheus

Think of some other subject, for it is not the proper time to speak of this. No matter what, this must be kept concealed; for it is by safeguarding it that

I am to escape my dishonorable bonds and outrage.
525

526

Prometheus Bound. (OCR draft) Experimental (Prometheus Bound.. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 420 focus

and the warlike flower of Arabia , who occupy a fortress on the craggy heights in the neighbourhood of Caucasus, a warrior-host, clamouring amid sharply-barbed spears.

PROMÉTHÉE ENCHAINÉ (OCR draft) Experimental (PROMÉTHÉE ENCHAINÉ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 420 focus

et les hordes de Scythie, qui occupent les confins du monde, autour du Méotis stagnant ¹ ;

PROMÉTHÉE ENCHAINÉ

LE CHŒUR

Et la floraison guerrière d'Arabie ², peuples nichés dans leur citadelle de rocs escarpés, aux abords du Caucase, tribus
belliqueuses

Prometheus Chained (OCR draft) Experimental (Prometheus Chained. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 420 focus

Arabia's martial race, that wield

The ſharp lance in th' embattled field,

Thro' all their rockbuilt cities moan,

The crags of Caucaſus return the groan.

Eschilo, Prometeo legato: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, Prometeo legato: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 420 focus

e il prode fior d'Arabia,

la cui città sul Caucaso

surge, su vette estreme,

formidoloso esercito,

485

che, recinto da cuspidi

di lance aguzze, freme.

3 Strofe III

CORO

Aeschylus, Prometheus vinctus: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Prometheus vinctus: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 420 focus

Paludem inhabitant, Arabiæq; martialis natio,

420

Et qui oppidum Caucafum altiiugum

Prope habitant, infestus exercitus

Resonans cum hastis acutis.

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.) — 420 focus

And the blossom of battling hordes, that flowers upon Caucasus' height,
455

With clashing of lances that pierce, and with clamour of swords that smite.

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.) — 420 focus

Und Arabia's Heldenblüte,

Und, die steilgethürmte Burgen
420

Nah' am Kaukasos bewohnen,

Wilde Schaaren, im Kampfe mit

Spiziger Lanze tosend.

Schlußgesang.

Commentary

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

436. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-489

οἰκτρόν:

πικρόν

pro

οἰκτρόν

Vit. et pauci alii.

437. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-490

μή τοι:

μήτι

G. Vit. cum paucis codicibus et Ald.

μήτοι

ceteri et Rob.

437. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-491

μηδ':

μηδ'

M. G. Vit. Lips. Aug. et ceteri ut videtur codices.

μήτ'

editiones veteres.

437. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-492

αὐθαδίᾳ:

αὐθαδείᾳ

ἀθυμίᾳ

Vit. Par. C.

αὐθαδίᾳ

supra adscriptum in Vit.

439. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-493

προςσελούμενον:

προσηλούμενον

, super

a sec. manu adscripto

, Μ.

προσηλούμενον

G. Par. G. D. F. N. Vind. 3. Cantabr. 1. 2. et pro varia lectione Par. Β.

προσελούμενον

Vit. Lips. Aug. Par. B. Vind. 1. 2. 4. Ald. Rob.

προσσελλούμενον

Ven. 3.

προσσελλούμενον

Turnebus, qui has scripturas adnotavit,

προσηλούμενον

προσεούμενον

. Brunckius ex Dawesii sententia in Misc. crit. p. 163.

προςἑλούμενον

. Porsonus, ut antea Askewius voluerat,

προσσελούμενον

, quod plerique receperunt. Ex Kiddii adnotatis ad Dawesii librum p. 295. cognovimus Bentleium, quod in uno codice Stobaei

προηγελοῦμεν

et apud Hesychium

προυγελεῖν

invenerat,

προϋγελούμενον

veram esse lectionem pronuntiasse. Mirae illae et inauditae formae

προυγελεῖν

προσελεῖν

qua radice ortae sint, qua analogia defendi possint, qua significationis derivatione commendentur, altum et apud ipsos et apud eorum pedisequos silentium. Solus, quod sciam, Buttmannus perplexam quandam viam in Lexilogi vol. II. p. 159. init, ut adhibita littera Aeolica et

προηγελεῖν

προυσελεῖν

tueretur, dirimi litem ratus Creticis

πρείους, πείγιστος, πρεινήϊον, πρειγευτής

πρέσβυς

deflexis. De his Creticis copiose disseruit Valckenarius ad Theocriti Adoniazusas p. 319. seq. At haec non videntur comparari posse cum isto

προηγελεῖν

vel

προυσελεῖν

. Quod verbum etsi, quia rarissimum est, videri potest peregrinum esse, tamen nisi ostendatur et qui Doriensium

προυγελεῖν

usurpaverint et Attici quomodo id in multo magis mirabilem formam

προυσελεῖν

mutaverint, suspecta potius utraque forma, quam altera alteri praeferenda aut alterutra omnino admittenda censeri debet. Invenitur hoc verbum, quod hodie sciamus, apud duas dumtaxat antiquos scriptores, hoc in Aeschyli versu et apud Aristophanem in Ranis v. 730. Ibi haec leguntur,

τῶν πολιτῶν θ᾽ οὓς μὲν ἴσμεν εὐγενεῖς καὶ σώφρονας ἄνδρας ὄντας, καὶ δικαίους, καὶ καλούς τε καγαθούς, καὶ τραφέντας ἐν παλαίστραις καὶ χοροῖς καὶ μουσικῇ, προσελοῦμεν

. Tertium exemplum, in quo recte idem verbum agnovit Lobeckius ad Ai. p. 252. ed. pr. 159. ed. alt. Aeliani est in epistola tertia, sed illud, ut videtur, ex Promethei versu sumptum,

καὶ γὰρ ἂν εἰκότως μοι στενάξαι τὰ τῶν προγόνων ἠρία, εἰ Εὐπειθείδης ὁ Κορυδαλλεὺς ἐμαυτὸν περιοψοίμην προσηλούμενον, καὶ ταῦτα ἀνδραπόδου ἴσως δυεῖν μναῖν ἀξίου

. Videamus nunc de scriptura. Atque apud Aeschylum nullus liber nec

προσσελούμενον

nec

προγελούμενον

praebet. Apud Aristophanem autem liber Ravennas

προυσελοῦμεν

. Ceteri libri, in quibus Venetus est, non minoris ille quam Ravennas auctoritatis,

προσελοῦμεν

, in duobus, quos Dobraeus contulit, alterum

supra scriptum est. Etiam Suidas

προσελοῦμεν

habet. Sed apud Stobaeum XLIII. 28. ubi Aristophanis versus leguntur, codex N. non A. quem Grotius nominat, in quo libro non legitur iste locus, et editio princeps habent

προηγελοῦμεν

. Hesychius

προϋγελεῖν, προπηλακίζειν, ὑβρίζειν

. Sed idem etiam

προσέλει, προπηλακίζει

. Incertum est pertineatne huc quod apud eundem sic scriptum legitur,

προσελα, προύτελα, προτελεῖ

. Tum in Etym. Μ. in v.

προσέληνοι

p. 690, 12.

προυσελλεῖν λέγουσι τὸ ὑβρίζειν. καὶ οἱ Ἀρκάδες, ἐπειδὴ λοιδορητικοί εἰσιν. οὕτως ἐν ὑπομνήματι Προμηθέως δεσμώτου

. Ex eodem fonte haustum est scholion cod. M. ad Aeschyli versum,

ὑβριζόμενον. ὅθεν καὶ Ἀρκάδες προσέληνοι. ὑβρισταὶ γὰρ μέμψιν ἀνθρώπων ἔχων

. Similiter scholia aliorum codicum. Tzetzes ad Lycophr. 482. de Arcadibus

ἢ ὅτι προσέληνοι οἱ ὑβρισταὶ λέγονται. προσελεῖν γὰρ τὸ ὑβρίζειν

. Sic etiam repetens illa Favorinus. Et idem

προσελεῖν τὸ ὑβρίζειν κατὰ Ἀρκάδας· ἐπειδὴ οἱ Ἀρκάδες λοιδορητικοί εἰσιν. Ἀριστοφάνης “ἐν ταῖς παλαίστραις καὶ χοροῖς καὶ μουσικῇ προσελοῦμεν.”

Hinc in Tzetzae Chil. I. 882. et IV. 813. quibus in locis

προσελοῦν

legebatur,

προσελεῖν

restituit Kiesslingius. Viroque loco Tzetzes dicit

τὸ γὰρ ὑβρίζειν προσελεῖν καλεῖται παρ' Ἀρκάσιν

, nisi quod in priore, fortasse per errorem,

παρ' ἑτέροις

legitur. Eadem forma in scholiis Aristophanis, quae hoc verbum Atticis tribuunt. Tam multis testibus

προσελεῖν

, tam paucis

προϋσελεῖν

προυγελεῖν

cognitum habemus. Et quis, si hoc verbum

προυγελεῖν

vel

προυσελεῖν

fuisset, a

προσελήνοις

illud repetivisset Arcadibus? Mihi quidem sapientior fuisse videtur Dobraeus, qui in addendis ad Aristophanica p. (124) et

υγ

ex illa litterarum forma ortum esse iudicavit, qua in codicibus

σσ

scribi solet. Haec et in forma verbi et in significatione explicanda aptissima est et minimae obscuritatis ratio. Namque ut a

τέλλειν τελεῖν

, sic a

σέλλειν σελεῖν

est deductum.

Σέλλειν

autem, cognatum illud cum

εἴλειν, ἔλλειν

, quod

ὁρμᾶν

significaret, commemoravit Eustathius p. 1041, 29. 32. et ex eo Favorinus in v.

ξυσσέλμοιο νηός

. Videtur id proprie crispantem motum, quo aliquid rotatur, iactatur, vibratur, notasse. Inde

σόλος

, eodem loco memoratus Eustathio, ut a

δικεῖν δίσκος

. Inde

σέλας, σελήνη, σέλμα, Σελλήεις

et aliquot alia nomina. Nisi fallor, pertinet huc etiam

σελλίζειν

. Hesychius

σελλίζεσθαι, ψελλίζεσθαι. τινὲς δέ, σελλίζει, ἀλαζονεύει

. Id verbum grammatici a quodam Sello repetunt, quem vereor ne ipsi finxerint, quoniam Aeschinem quendam ab Aristophane in Vespis v. 325. et 1243.

τὸν Σελλοῦ

et v. 459.

τὸν Σελλαρτίου

appellatum videbant. At non Sellus, sed Aeschines propter vanitatis insolentiam famosus erat: quare istiusmodi feroces iactatores

αἰσχινίζειν

potius quam

σελλίζειν

essent dicti. Hinc colligi posse videtur Aeschinem istum non quod patrem haberet Sellum, sed quod temere gloriosus esset,

τὸν σελλοῦ

, i. e. iactatoris filium, vulgo esse appellatum: quam appellationem propter eandem caussam Aristophanes etiam ad Amynian transtulit, in eadem illum fabula v. 1267.

Ἀμυνίαν τὸν σελλοῦ

vocans. Ac titubant, eoque confirmant suspicionem nostram scholiastae, quos non mirandum est Sellum istum patrem putasse Aeschinis, quia qui illi pater fuerit non est proditum. Scholiastes Aristophanis ad Av. 824. de Aeschine

καὶ οὗτος πένης, θρυπτόμενος καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπὶ πλούτῳ καὶ λέγων ἑαυτὸν πλούσιον. ἦν δὲ Αἰσχίνης Σελλοῦ. ἔλεγον δὲ ἐκ μεταφορᾶς τοὺς τοιούτους σελλούς. καὶ τὸ ἀλαζονεύεσθαι δὲ σελλίζειν

. Qui eadem habet Suidas in

Θεαγένους χρήματα

, apud eum scriptum est

ἦν δὲ Αἰσχίνης σέλλος

. Scholiastes ad Vesp. 1259.

κομήτης ὁ Ἀμυνίας, Προνάπου υἱός. ὁ γὰρ Σέλλος οὐκ ἦν αὐτοῦ πατήρ, ἀλλ᾽ Αἰσχίνου. ἵνα οὖν καὶ τὸν Ἀμυνίαν καὶ τὸν Αἰσχίνην κωμωδήσῃ ὡς πένητας, τοῦτο εἶπεν

· et paullo post

Σέλλου δὲ εἶπεν, ἐπειδὴ πένης Αἰσχίνης ὁ Σέλλου

. Hesychius

σεσσελλίσαι. Φρύνιχος ἐν Κρονίῳ ἄγαμαι Διονύσου στόματος, ὡς στελλίσαι κεκομμένα πολλάκις

. Αἰσχίνης τις ὑπῆρχε Σέλλου καλούμενος, ἀλάζων καὶ ἐν τῷ διαλέγεσθαι καὶ ἐν τῷ προςποιεῖσθαι πλουτεῖν, πενόμενος καθ᾽ ὑπερβολήν, ὡς τοὺς παραπλησίους οὕτω καλεῖσθαι. Corrigendum puto Φρύνιχος ἐν Κρόνῳ

ἄγαμαι, Διονῦ, σοῦ στόματος, ὡς σεσέλλισαι· καὶ κωμικοὶ πολλάκις

. Neque non huc referendum, quod idem Hesychius habet,

σελληγορεῖ, εὐχερείας ἀναφώνημα

. Scribe

εὐχερείας ἀναφωνεῖ

, i. e. temeritates loquitur. Cognatum cum

προςσελεῖν

esse

σίλλος

iam ab aliis observatum est, quod nomen ipsum quoque ab

εἴλλειν

ἴλλειν

habet originem, recteque, ut opinor, Valckenarius ad fragmenta Callimachi p. 282. etiam

ἕλλετε

, quod in fr. 292. pro

ἔρρετε

dictum tradidit Eustathius p. 756, 37. non ille tamen Heraclide auctore, ut Hemsterhusius ad fr. 121. ait, ex eadem radice natum suspicabatur. Ex his quae disputavi apparebit cur in Aeschyli versu scripserim

προςσελούμενον

440. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-494

καίτοι:

καίτι

Vit.

440. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-495

τοῖς νέοις:

τοῖς νέοις

supra versum scriptum in Lips. omissum in Aug.

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

436-525. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-305

;

436-525. Second Episode. Prometheus and the Coryphaeus. Prometheus calls to mind the benefits he has conferred on gods and men, and his bitterness increases as he contrasts these with his present treat- ment.

436. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-306

⁴

;

436. μή τοι: see on 625.

437. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-307

⁵

⁶

;

437. σιγάν: see Introduction, pp. 23 and 27. – συννοίᾳ : cp. Soph. Ant. 278 ἐμοί τοι, μή τι καὶ θεήλατον τοὔργον τόδ᾽, ἡ ξύννοια βουλεύει πάλαι, Hdt. i. 88 ὁ δὲ συννοίῃ ἐχόμενος ἥσυχος ἦν. The nature of the 'brooding thoughts' suggested by his pains is hinted at in the words καίτοι... διώρισεν. - δάπτο- μαι κέαρ: cp. Od. i. 48 δαίεται ἦτορ, Il. vi. 202 ὃν θυμὸν κατέδων.

439. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-308

⁷

⁸

;

439. τούτοις : = istis, spoken with contempt.

440. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg003-wecklein-allen1893-com-eng1-309

⁹

¹⁰

;

440. τίς ἄλλος ἢ ᾿γώ: διὰ τὸ συμβα- λέσθαι Διὶ κατὰ τῶν Τιτάνων, Schol. Cp. 219 with 229. Hence παντελώς, finally, after all, if one goes to the bottom of the matter.

Aeschylus Prometheus Bound 420

ed. N. Wecklein

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

Χορός

τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος;
515

Προμηθεύς

Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τ᾽ Ἐρινύες.

Χορός

τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς

οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός

τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν¹⁶ ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς

τοῦτ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει.
520

Χορός

ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Χορός

τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος;
515

Προμηθεύς

Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τʼ Ἐρινύες

Χορός

τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς

οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός

τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς

τοῦτʼ οὐκέτʼ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει.
520

Χορός

ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Ἀραβίας τ᾽ ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται,

δάϊος στρατὸς, ὀξυπρῴροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Σαρματᾶν τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα,

Καυκάσου πύλας, νέμονται,

δάϊος στρατός, ὀξυπρώ-

ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

στρ. γ'.

Ἀραβίας τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420
Ant. 2.

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ θ' οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται νέμουσι,

δάϊος στρατὸς ὀξυπρῴ-

ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Chorus

You have suffered sorrow and humiliation. You have lost your wits and have gone astray; and, like an unskilled doctor, fallen ill, you lose heart and cannot

discover by which remedies to cure your own disease.
475

Chorus

Do not benefit mortals beyond reason and disregard your own distress; although, I am confident that you will be freed

from these bonds and will have power in no way inferior to Zeus.
510

Prometheus

Not in this way is Fate, who brings all to fulfillment, destined to complete this course. Only when I have been bent by pangs and tortures infinite am I to escape my bondage. Skill is weaker by far than Necessity.

Chorus

Who then is the helmsman of Necessity?
515

Prometheus

The three-shaped Fates and mindful Furies.

Chorus

Can it be that Zeus has less power than they do?

Prometheus

Yes, in that even he cannot escape what is foretold.

Chorus

Why, what is fated for Zeus except to hold eternal sway?

Prometheus

This you must not learn yet; do not be over-eager.
520

Chorus

It is some solemn secret, surely, that you enshroud in mystery.

Prometheus

Think of some other subject, for it is not the proper time to speak of this. No matter what, this must be kept concealed; for it is by safeguarding it that

I am to escape my dishonorable bonds and outrage.
525

LE CHŒUR

Et la floraison guerrière d'Arabie ², peuples nichés dans leur citadelle de rocs escarpés, aux abords du Caucase, tribus
belliqueuses

CORO

Resonans cum hastis acutis.

And the blossom of battling hordes, that flowers upon Caucasus' height,
455

With clashing of lances that pierce, and with clamour of swords that smite.

Und Arabia's Heldenblüte,

Und, die steilgethürmte Burgen
420

Nah' am Kaukasos bewohnen,

Wilde Schaaren, im Kampfe mit

Spiziger Lanze tosend.

Schlußgesang.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

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Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

Προμηθεύς οὐ ταῦτα ταύτῃ Μοῖρά πω τελεσφόρος κρᾶναι πέπρωται, μυρίαις δὲ πημοναῖς δύαις τε καμφθεὶς ὧδε δεσμὰ φυγγάνω: τέχνη δ᾽ ἀνάγκης ἀσθενεστέρα μακρῷ.

Χορός τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος; 515

Προμηθεύς Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τ᾽ Ἐρινύες.

Χορός τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν 16 ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς τοῦτ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει. 520

Χορός ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Προμηθεύς οὐ ταῦτα ταύτῃ Μοῖρά πω τελεσφόρος κρᾶναι πέπρωται, μυρίαις δὲ πημοναῖς δύαις τε καμφθεὶς ὧδε δεσμὰ φυγγάνω· τέχνη δʼ ἀνάγκης ἀσθενεστέρα μακρῷ.

Χορός τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος; 515

Προμηθεύς Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τʼ Ἐρινύες

Χορός τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς τοῦτʼ οὐκέτʼ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει. 520

Χορός ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Ἀραβίας τ᾽ ἄρειον ἄνθος, 420 ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται, δάϊος στρατὸς, ὀξυπρῴροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Σαρματᾶν τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος, 420 ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα, Καυκάσου πύλας, νέμονται, δάϊος στρατός, ὀξυπρώ- ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς. στρ. γ'.

Ἀραβίας τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος, 420 Ant. 2. ὑψίκρημνον οἳ θ' οἳ πόλισμα Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται νέμουσι, δάϊος στρατὸς ὀξυπρῴ- ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Chorus You have suffered sorrow and humiliation. You have lost your wits and have gone astray; and, like an unskilled doctor, fallen ill, you lose heart and cannot discover by which remedies to cure your own disease. 475

Chorus Do not benefit mortals beyond reason and disregard your own distress; although, I am confident that you will be freed from these bonds and will have power in no way inferior to Zeus. 510

Prometheus Not in this way is Fate, who brings all to fulfillment, destined to complete this course. Only when I have been bent by pangs and tortures infinite am I to escape my bondage. Skill is weaker by far than Necessity.

Chorus Who then is the helmsman of Necessity? 515

Prometheus The three-shaped Fates and mindful Furies.

Chorus Can it be that Zeus has less power than they do?

Prometheus Yes, in that even he cannot escape what is foretold.

Chorus Why, what is fated for Zeus except to hold eternal sway?

Prometheus This you must not learn yet; do not be over-eager. 520

Chorus It is some solemn secret, surely, that you enshroud in mystery.

Prometheus Think of some other subject, for it is not the proper time to speak of this. No matter what, this must be kept concealed; for it is by safeguarding it that I am to escape my dishonorable bonds and outrage. 525

LE CHŒUR Et la floraison guerrière d'Arabie 2 , peuples nichés dans leur citadelle de rocs escarpés, aux abords du Caucase, tribus belliqueuses

CORO

Resonans cum hastis acutis.

And the blossom of battling hordes, that flowers upon Caucasus' height, 455 With clashing of lances that pierce, and with clamour of swords that smite.

Und Arabia's Heldenblüte, Und, die steilgethürmte Burgen 420 Nah' am Kaukasos bewohnen, Wilde Schaaren, im Kampfe mit Spiziger Lanze tosend. Schlußgesang.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Χορός

τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος;
515

Προμηθεύς

Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τ᾽ Ἐρινύες.

Χορός

τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς

οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός

τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν¹⁶ ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς

τοῦτ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει.
520

Χορός

ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Χορός

τίς οὖν ἀνάγκης ἐστὶν οἰακοστρόφος;
515

Προμηθεύς

Μοῖραι τρίμορφοι μνήμονές τʼ Ἐρινύες

Χορός

τούτων ἄρα Ζεύς ἐστιν ἀσθενέστερος;

Προμηθεύς

οὔκουν ἂν ἐκφύγοι γε τὴν πεπρωμένην.

Χορός

τί γὰρ πέπρωται Ζηνὶ πλὴν ἀεὶ κρατεῖν;

Προμηθεύς

τοῦτʼ οὐκέτʼ ἂν πύθοιο μηδὲ λιπάρει.
520

Χορός

ἦ πού τι σεμνόν ἐστιν ὃ ξυναμπέχεις.

Ἀραβίας τ᾽ ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται,

δάϊος στρατὸς, ὀξυπρῴροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Σαρματᾶν τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ πόλισμα,

Καυκάσου πύλας, νέμονται,

δάϊος στρατός, ὀξυπρώ-

ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

στρ. γ'.

Ἀραβίας τ' ἄρειον ἄνθος,
420
Ant. 2.

ὑψίκρημνον οἳ θ' οἳ πόλισμα

Καυκάσου πέλας νέμονται νέμουσι,

δάϊος στρατὸς ὀξυπρῴ-

ροισι βρέμων ἐν αἰχμαῖς.

Chorus

You have suffered sorrow and humiliation. You have lost your wits and have gone astray; and, like an unskilled doctor, fallen ill, you lose heart and cannot

discover by which remedies to cure your own disease.
475

Chorus

Do not benefit mortals beyond reason and disregard your own distress; although, I am confident that you will be freed

from these bonds and will have power in no way inferior to Zeus.
510

Prometheus

Not in this way is Fate, who brings all to fulfillment, destined to complete this course. Only when I have been bent by pangs and tortures infinite am I to escape my bondage. Skill is weaker by far than Necessity.

Chorus

Who then is the helmsman of Necessity?
515

Prometheus

The three-shaped Fates and mindful Furies.

Chorus

Can it be that Zeus has less power than they do?

Prometheus

Yes, in that even he cannot escape what is foretold.

Chorus

Why, what is fated for Zeus except to hold eternal sway?

Prometheus

This you must not learn yet; do not be over-eager.
520

Chorus

It is some solemn secret, surely, that you enshroud in mystery.

Prometheus

Think of some other subject, for it is not the proper time to speak of this. No matter what, this must be kept concealed; for it is by safeguarding it that

I am to escape my dishonorable bonds and outrage.
525

LE CHŒUR

Et la floraison guerrière d'Arabie ², peuples nichés dans leur citadelle de rocs escarpés, aux abords du Caucase, tribus
belliqueuses

And the blossom of battling hordes, that flowers upon Caucasus' height,
455

With clashing of lances that pierce, and with clamour of swords that smite.

Und Arabia's Heldenblüte,

Und, die steilgethürmte Burgen
420

Nah' am Kaukasos bewohnen,

Wilde Schaaren, im Kampfe mit

Spiziger Lanze tosend.

Schlußgesang.