Aeschylus, Seven Against Thebes, Robert Potter (Translator), 840

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Thou fell, ill-omen'd, cruel spear,

Cou'd'st thou the father's curses hear,

And wing'd with fury drink the brother's gore?

Now, Laius, boast the frantic deed:

950

Thy disobedience has its meed;

The fatal oracle delays no more.

These are your works; and round them stand

Horrors, and death's avenging band.

EPODE.

Seven Against Thebes. Aeschylus. Robert Potter (Translator). London. 1779.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Current edition Experimental

The Seven Chiefs against Thebes (OCR draft) (English) (The Seven Chiefs against Thebes. Robert Potter, 1779.)

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (7)

Ἑπτὰ ἐπὶ Θήβας First1KGreek (Aeschyli Tragoediae. Sidgwick, Arthur, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 822-956 focus

Χορος

ὦ μεγάλε Ζεῦ καὶ πολιοῦχοι¹

δαίμονες, οἳ δὴ Κάδμου πύργους²

τούσδε ῥύεσθε,

πότερον χαίρω κἀπολολύξω
825

πόλεως ἀσινεῖ †σωτῆρι . .,³

ἢ τοὺς μογεροὺς καὶ δυσδαίμονας

ἀτέκνους κλαύσω πολεμάρχους;

οἳ δῆτ᾽ ὀρθῶς κατ᾽ ἐπωνυμίαν

καὶ⁴ πολυνεικεῖς
830

ὤλοντ᾽ ἀσεβεῖ διανοίᾳ.

832

str. 1

Χορος

ὦ μέλαινα καὶ τελεία

γένεος Οἰδίπου τ᾽ ἀρά,

κακόν με καρδίαν⁵ τι περιπίτνει κρύος.

ἔτευξα τύμβῳ μέλος
835

Θυιὰς ὥς, αἱμοσταγεῖς⁶

νεκροὺς κλύουσα δυσμόρως⁷

θανόντας: ἦ δύσορνις ἅ-

δε ξυναυλία δορός.

840

ant. 1

Χορος

ἐξέπραξεν, οὐδ᾽ ἀπεῖπεν
840

πατρόθεν εὐκταία φάτις:

βουλαὶ δ᾽ ἄπιστοι Λαΐου διήρκεσαν.

μέριμνα δ᾽ ἀμφὶ πτόλιν:

θέσφατ᾽ οὐκ ἀμβλύνεται.

ἰὼ πολύστονοι, τόδ᾽ εἰρ-
845

γάσασθ᾽ ἄπιστον: ἦλθε δ᾽ αἰ-

ακτὰ πήματ᾽ οὐ λόγῳ.

τάδ᾽ αὐτόδηλα, προῦπτος⁸ ἀγγέλου λόγος:

διπλαῖ μέριμναι, διδυμάνορα⁹

κάκ᾽ αὐτοφόνα, δίμοιρα τέ-
850

λεια τάδε πάθη. τί φῶ;—

τί δ᾽ ἄλλο γ᾽ ἢ πόνοι πόνων

δόμων ἐφέστιοι;—

ἀλλὰ γόων,¹⁰ ὦ φίλαι, κατ᾽ οὖρον

ἐρέσσετ᾽ ἀμφὶ κρατὶ πόμπιμον χεροῖν
855

πίτυλον, ὃς αἰὲν δι᾽ Ἀχέροντ᾽ ἀμείβεται,

μελάγκροκον ναῦν ἄστολον¹¹ [ναύστολον¹²] θεωρίδα,

τὰν ἀστιβῆ ʼπόλλωνι, τὰν ἀνάλιον,

πάνδοκον εἰς ἀφανῆ τε χέρσον.¹³
860

ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἥκουσ᾽ αἵδ᾽ ἐπὶ πρᾶγος

πικρὸν Ἀντιγόνη τ᾽ ἠδ᾽ Ἰσμήνη,

θρῆνον ἀδελφοῖν: οὐκ ἀμφιβόλως

οἶμαί σφ᾽ ἐρατῶν ἐκ βαθυκόλπων

στηθέων ἥσειν ἄλγος ἐπάξιον.
865

ἡμᾶς δὲ δίκη πρότερον φήμης

<τῶνδε κλυούσας¹⁴>

τὸν δυσκέλαδόν θ᾽ ὕμνον Ἐρινύος

ἀχεῖν¹⁵ Ἀίδα τ᾽

ἐχθρὸν παιᾶν᾽ ἐπιμέλπειν.
870

ἰώ. δυσαδελφόταται πασῶν ὁπόσαι

στρόφον ἐσθῆσιν περιβάλλονται,

κλαίω, στένομαι, καὶ δόλος οὐδεὶς

μὴ ʼκ φρενὸς ὀρθῶς με λιγαίνειν.

875

str. 1

Χορος

ἰὼ ἰὼ δύσφρονες,
875

φίλων ἄπιστοι καὶ κακῶν ἀτρύμονες,

δόμους πατρῴους¹⁶ ἑλόν-

τες μέλεοι σὺν αἰχμᾷ.¹⁷

Χορος

μέλεοι δῆθ᾽ οἳ μελέους θανάτους

ηὕροντο δόμων ἐπὶ λύμῃ.
880
881

ant. 1

Χορος

ἰὼ ἰὼ δωμάτων

ἐρειψίτοιχοι¹⁸ καὶ πικρὰς μοναρχίας

ἰδόντες, ἤδη διήλ-

λαχθε σὺν σιδάρῳ.¹⁹
885

Χορος

κάρτα δ᾽ ἀληθῆ πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα

πότνι᾽ Ἐρινὺς ἐπέκρανεν.

888

str. 2

Χορος

δι᾽ εὐωνύμων τετυμμένοι,

τετυμμένοι δῆθ᾽,

ὁμοσπλάγχνων τε πλευρωμάτων
890

²⁰

αἰαῖ δαιμόνιοι,

αἰαῖ δ᾽ ἀντιφόνων

<δὴ²¹> θανάτων ἀραί.

διανταίαν λέγεις [πλαγὰν²²] δόμοισι καὶ
895

σώμασιν πεπλαγμένους, [ἐννέπω²³]

ἀναυδάτῳ μένει

ἀραίῳ τ᾽ ἐκ πατρὸς

<οὐ²⁴> διχόφρονι πότμῳ.

900

ant. 2

Χορος

διήκει δὲ καὶ πόλιν στόνος,
900

στένουσι πύργοι,

στένει πέδον φίλανδρον: μενεῖ

κτέανα τάδ᾽²⁵ ἐπιγόνοις,

δι᾽ ὧν αἰνομόροις,

δι᾽ ὧν νεῖκος ἔβα
905

καὶ θανάτου τέλος.

ἐμοιράσαντο δ᾽ ὀξυκάρδιοι

κτήμαθ᾽, ὥστ᾽ ἴσον λαχεῖν.

διαλλακτῆρι δ᾽ οὐκ
ἀμεμφεία²⁶ φίλοις,

οὐδ᾽ ἐπίχαρις Ἄρης.
910
911

str. 3

Χορος

σιδαρόπλακτοι²⁷ μὲν ὧδ᾽ ἔχουσιν,

σιδαρόπλακτοι δὲ τοὺς μένουσι,

τάχ᾽ ἄν τις εἴποι, τίνες;

τάφων πατρῴων λαχαί.

δόμων μάλ᾽ ἀχάεσσ᾽²⁸ ἰὰ τοὺς
915

προπέμπει δαϊκτὴρ γόος αὐ-

τόστονος, αὐτοπήμων,

δαϊόφρων,²⁹ οὐ φιλογαθής, ἐτύμως

δακρυχέων ἐκ³⁰ φρενός, ἃ

κλαιομένας μου μινύθει
920

τοῖνδε δυοῖν³¹ ἀνάκτοιν.

922

ant. 3

Χορος

πάρεστι δ᾽ εἰπεῖν ἐπ᾽ ἀθλίοισιν

ὡς ἐρξάτην πολλὰ μὲν πολίτας,³²

ξένων τε πάντων στίχας³³

πολυφθόρους ἐν δαΐ.
925

<ἰὼ> δυσαίων³⁴ σφ᾽³⁵ ἁ τεκοῦσα

πρὸ πασᾶν³⁶ γυναικῶν ὁπόσαι

τεκνογόνοι κέκληνται.

παῖδα τὸν αὑτᾶς πόσιν αὑτᾷ θεμένα

τούσδ᾽ ἔτεχ᾽, οἱ δ᾽ ὧδ᾽ ἐτελεύ-
930

τασαν ὑπ᾽ ἀλλαλοφόνοις

χερσὶν ὁμοσπόροισιν.

933

str. 4

Χορος

ὁμόσποροι δῆτα καὶ πανώλεθροι,³⁷

διατομαῖς ἀφίλοις,³⁸

ἔριδι μαινομένᾳ,
935

νείκεος ἐν τελευτᾷ.

Χορος

πέπαυται δ᾽ ἔχθος, ἐν δὲ γαίᾳ

ζόα φονορύτῳ³⁹

μέμικται: κάρτα δ᾽ εἴσ᾽ ὅμαιμοι.

πικρὸς λυτὴρ νεικέων ὁ πόντιος
940

ξεῖνος ἐκ πυρὸς συθεὶς

θηκτὸς σίδαρος: πικρὸς δὲ χρημάτων

κακὸς δατητὰς Ἄρης ἀρὰν πατρῴ-

αν⁴⁰ τιθεὶς ἀλαθῆ.

945

ant. 4

Χορος

ἔχουσι μοῖραν λαχόντες, ὦ⁴¹ μέλεοι,⁴²
945

διοδότων⁴³ ἀχέων:

ὑπὸ δὲ σώματι γᾶς

πλοῦτος ἄβυσσος ἔσται.

Χορος

ἰὼ πολλοῖς ἐπανθίσαντες⁴⁴

πόνοισι γενεάν:
950

τελευταῖαι δ᾽⁴⁵ ἐπηλάλαξαν

Ἀραὶ τὸν ὀξὺν νόμον, τετραμμένου

παντρόπῳ φυγᾷ γένους.

ἕστακε δ᾽ Ἄτας τροπαῖον ἐν πύλαις,

ἐν αἷς ἐθείνοντο, καὶ δυοῖν κρατή-
955

σας ἔληξε δαίμων.

957

Ἑπτὰ ἐπὶ Θήβας Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.) — 822-956 focus

Χορός

ὦ μεγάλε Ζεῦ καὶ πολιοῦχοι

δαίμονες, οἳ δὴ Κάδμου πύργους

τούσδε ῥύεσθε,

πότερον χαίρω κἀπολολύξω
825

πόλεως ἀσινεῖ σωτῆρι . .,

ἢ τοὺς μογεροὺς καὶ δυσδαίμονας

ἀτέκνους κλαύσω πολεμάρχους;
830

οἳ δῆτʼ ὀρθῶς κατʼ ἐπωνυμίαν

καὶ πολυνεικεῖς

ὤλοντʼ ἀσεβεῖ διανοίᾳ.

833

Χορός

ὦ μέλαινα καὶ τελεία

γένεος Οἰδίπου τʼ ἀρά,

κακόν με καρδίαν τι περιπίτνει κρύος.

ἔτευξα τύμβῳ μέλος
835

Θυιὰς αἱματοσταγεῖς

νεκροὺς κλύουσα δυσμόρως

θανόντας· ἦ δύσορνις ἅ-

δε ξυναυλία δορός.

840

Χορός

ἐξέπραξεν, οὐδʼ ἀπεῖπεν
840

πατρόθεν εὐκταία φάτις·

βουλαὶ δʼ ἄπιστοι Λαΐου διήρκεσαν.

μέριμνα δʼ ἀμφὶ πτόλιν·

θέσφατʼ οὐκ ἀμβλύνεται.

ἰὼ πολύστονοι, τόδʼ ἠρ-
845

γάσασθʼ ἄπιστον· ἦλθε δʼ αἰ-

ακτὰ πήματʼ οὐ λόγῳ.

848

Χορός

τάδʼ αὐτόδηλα, προῦπτος ἀγγέλου λόγος·

διπλαῖ μέριμναι, διδυμάνορα

κάκʼ αὐτοφόνα, δίμοιρα τέ-
850

λεια τάδε πάθη. τί φῶ;

τί δʼ ἄλλο γʼ ἢ πόνοι πόνων

δόμων ἐφέστιοι;

ἀλλὰ γόων, ὦ φίλαι, κατʼ οὖρον

ἐρέσσετʼ ἀμφὶ κρατὶ πόμπιμον χεροῖν
855

πίτυλον, ὃς αἰὲν διʼ Ἀχέροντʼ ἀμείβεται

τὰν ἄστολον μελάγκροκον ναύστολον θεωρίδα,

τὰν ἀστιβῆ Ἀπόλλωνι, τὰν ἀνάλιον

πάνδοκον εἰς ἀφανῆ τε χέρσον.
860

ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἥκουσʼ αἵδʼ ἐπὶ πρᾶγος

πικρὸν Ἀντιγόνη τʼ ἠδʼ Ἰσμήνη,

θρῆνον ἀδελφοῖν· οὐκ ἀμφιβόλως

οἶμαί σφʼ ἐρατῶν ἐκ βαθυκόλπων

στηθέων ἥσειν ἄλγος ἐπάξιον.
865

ἡμᾶς δὲ δίκη πρότερον φήμης

τὸν δυσκέλαδόν θʼ ὕμνον Ἐρινύος

ἰαχεῖν Ἀίδα τʼ

ἐχθρὸν παιᾶνʼ ἐπιμέλπειν.
870

ἰώ, δυσαδελφόταται πασῶν ὁπόσαι

στρόφον ἐσθῆσιν περιβάλλονται,

κλαίω, στένομαι, καὶ δόλος οὐδεὶς

μὴ ʼκ φρενὸς ὀρθῶς με λιγαίνειν.

875

Χορός

ἰὼ ἰὼ δύσφρονες,
875

φίλων ἄπιστοι καὶ κακῶν ἀτρύμονες,

δόμους πατρῴους ἑλόν-

τες μέλεοι σὺν αἰχμᾷ.

μέλεοι δῆθʼ οἳ μελέους θανάτους

εὕροντο δόμων ἐπὶ λύμῃ.
880

881

Χορός

ἰὼ ἰὼ δωμάτων

ἐρειψίτοιχοι καὶ πικρὰς μοναρχίας

ἰδόντες, ἤδη διήλ-

λαχθε σὺν σιδάρῳ.
885

κάρτα δʼ ἀληθῆ πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα

πότνιʼ Ἐρινὺς ἐπέκρανεν.

888

Χορός

διʼ εὐωνύμων τετυμμένοι,

τετυμμένοι δῆθʼ,

ὁμοσπλάγχνων τε πλευρωμάτων
890

αἰαῖ δαιμόνιοι,

αἰαῖ δʼ ἀντιφόνων

θανάτων ἀραί.

διανταίαν λέγεις πλαγὰν δόμοισι καὶ
895

σώμασιν πεπλαγμένους, ἐννέπω

ἀναυδάτῳ μένει

ἀραίῳ τʼ ἐκ πατρὸς

οὐ διχόφρονι πότμῳ.

900

Χορός

διήκει δὲ καὶ πόλιν στόνος,
900

στένουσι πύργοι,

στένει πέδον φίλανδρον· μένει

κτέανα δʼ ἐπιγόνοις,

διʼ ὧν αἰνομόροις,

διʼ ὧν νεῖκος ἔβα
905

καὶ θανάτου τέλος.

ἐμοιράσαντο δʼ ὀξυκάρδιοι

κτήμαθʼ, ὥστʼ ἴσον λαχεῖν.

διαλλακτῆρι δʼ οὐκ

ἀμεμφεία φίλοις,

οὐδʼ ἐπίχαρις Ἄρης.
910

911

Χορός

σιδαρόπλακτοι μὲν ὧδʼ ἔχουσιν,

σιδαρόπλακτοι δὲ τοὺς μένουσι,

τάχʼ ἄν τις εἴποι, τίνες;

τάφων πατρῴων λαχαί.

ὅδʼ ἁμῶν μάλʼ ἀχέτας τοὺς
915

προπέμπει δαϊκτὴρ γόος αὐ-

τόστονος, αὐτοπήμων,

δαϊόφρων δʼ·, οὐ φιλογαθής, ἐτύμως

δακρυχέων ἐκ φρενός, ἃ

κλαιομένας μου μινύθει
920

τοῖνδε δυοῖν ἀνάκτοιν.

922

Χορός

πάρεστι δʼ εἰπεῖν ἐπʼ ἀθλίοισιν

ὡς ἐρξάτην πολλὰ μὲν πολίτας,

ξένων τε πάντων στίχας

πολυφθόρους ἐν δαΐ.
925

δυσδαίμων σφιν ἁ τεκοῦσα

πρὸ πασᾶν γυναικῶν ὁπόσαι

τεκνογόνοι κέκληνται.

παῖδα τὸν αὑτᾶς πόσιν αὑτᾷ θεμένα

τούσδʼ ἔτεχʼ, οἱ δʼ ὧδʼ ἐτελεύ-
930

τασαν ὑπʼ ἀλλαλοφόνοις

χερσὶν ὁμοσπόροισιν.

933

Χορός

ὁμόσποροι δῆτα καὶ πανώλεθροι,

διατομαῖς οὐ φίλοις,

ἔριδι μαινομένᾳ,
935

νείκεος ἐν τελευτᾷ.

πέπαυται δʼ ἔχθος, ἐν δὲ γαίᾳ

ζόα φονορύτῳ

μέμεικται· κάρτα δʼ εἴσʼ ὅμαιμοι.

πικρὸς λυτὴρ νεικέων ὁ πόντιος
940

ξεῖνος ἐκ πυρὸς συθεὶς

θακτὸς σίδαρος· πικρὸς δὲ χρημάτων

κακὸς δατητὰς Ἄρης ἀρὰν πατρῴ-

αν τιθεὶς ἀλαθῆ.

945

Χορός

ἔχουσι μοῖραν λαχόντες οἱ μέλεοι
945

διοδότων ἀχθέων·

ὑπὸ δὲ σώματι γᾶς

πλοῦτος ἄβυσσος ἔσται.

ἰὼ πολλοῖς ἐπανθίσαντες

πόνοισι γενεάν·
950

τελευταῖαι δʼ ἐπηλάλαξαν

Ἀραὶ τὸν ὀξὺν νόμον, τετραμμένου

παντρόπῳ φυγᾷ γένους.

ἕστακε δʼ Ἄτας τροπαῖον ἐν πύλαις,

ἐν αἷς ἐθείνοντο, καὶ δυοῖν κρατή-
955

σας ἔληξε δαίμων.

Ἑπτὰ ἐπὶ θήβας (OCR draft) Experimental (Ἑπτὰ ἐπὶ θήβας. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 840 focus

ἐξέπραξεν, οὐδ᾽ ἀπεῖπε

840

πατρόθεν εὐκταία φάτις·

βουλαὶ δ᾽ ἄπιστοι Λαΐου διήρκεσαν.

μέριμνα δ᾽ ἀμφὶ πτόλιν·

θέσφατ᾽ οὐκ ἀμβλύνεται.

ἰὼ πολύστονοι, τόδ᾽ εἰργάσασθ᾽ ἄπιστον· ἦλθε δ᾽ αἰακτὰ πήματ᾽ οὐ λόγῳ.

845

Ἑπτὰ ἐπὶ θήβας (OCR draft) Experimental (Ἑπτὰ ἐπὶ θήβας. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 840 focus

ἐξέπραξεν, οὐδ᾽ ἀπεῖπε
820

πατρόθεν εὐκταία φάτις,

βουλαὶ δ᾽ ἄπιστοι Λαΐου διήρκεσαν·

μέριμνα δ᾽ ἀμφὶ πτόλιν·

θέσφατ᾽ οὐκ ἀμβλύνεται.

ἰὼ πολύστονοι, τόδ᾽ εἰρ-
825

γάσασθ᾽ ἄπιστον· ἦλθε δ᾽ αἰ-

ακτὰ πήματ' οὐ λόγῳ.

στρ. β'.

ΕΠΤΑ ΕΠΙ θΗΒΑΣ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΕΠΤΑ ΕΠΙ θΗΒΑΣ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 840 focus

Ἐξέπραξεν, οὐδ' ἀπεῖπεν
840
Ant. 1.

πατρόθεν εὐκταία φάτις·

βουλαὶ δ' ἄπιστοι Λαΐου διήρκεσαν·

μέριμνα δ' ἀμφὶ πτόλιν·

θέσφατ' οὐκ ἀμβλύνεται.

Ἰὼ πολύστονοι, τόδ' εἰρ-
845

γάσασθ' ἄπιστον· ἦλθε δ' αἰ-

ακτὰ πήματ' οὐ λόγῳ.

Ἑπτὰ ἐπὶ θήβας (OCR draft) Experimental (Ἑπτὰ ἐπὶ θήβας. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 840 focus

ἐξέπραξεν, οὐδ᾽ ἀπεῖπεν
825

πατρόθεν εὐκταία φάτις·

βουλαὶ δ᾽ ἄπιστοι Λαΐου διήρκεσαν.

μέριμνα δ᾽ ἀμφὶ πτόλιν·

θέσφατ᾽ οὐκ ἀμβλύνεται.

ἰὼ πολύστονοι, τόδ᾽ εἰρ-
830

γάσασθ᾽ ἄπιστον· ἦλθε δ᾽ αἰ-

ακτὰ πήματ' οὐ λόγῳ.

Aeschyli Septem contra Thebas (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Septem contra Thebas. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 840 focus

ἐξέπραξεν οὐδ᾽ ἀπεῖπεν

πατρόθεν εὐκταία φάτις·

840

βουλαὶ δ᾽ ἄπιστοι Λαΐου διήρκεσαν.

μέριμνα σ᾽ ἀμφὶ πτόλιν·

θέσφατ᾽ οὐκ ἀμβλύνεται.

ἰὼ πολύστονοι τόδ᾽ εἰρ-

γάσασθ᾽ ἄπιστον· ἦλθε δ᾽ αἰ-

845

ακτὰ πήματ᾿ οὐ λόγωι. =

Translations (7)

Seven Against Thebes Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 822-955 focus

Chorus

O great Zeus and the divine powers that guard our city, you who indeed protect these walls of Cadmus,

should I rejoice and shout in triumph for the unharmed safety of the city, or should I lament our leaders in war,
825

now wretched, ill-fated and childless? Indeed, in exact accordance with their name and as men of much strife, they have perished through their impious intent.
830

833

Chorus

O black curse on the family, Oedipus’ curse, now brought to fulfillment! A chill of horror falls about my heart.

In frenzy like a maenad I make my song for the grave as I hear of their corpses dripping with blood, how they died through the workings of cruel fate. This song of the spear, sung to the flute, is indeed born of an ill omen.¹
835

840

Chorus

The curseful utterance of their father has done its work and not fallen short. Laius’ plans, made in disobedience, have kept their force. I am anxious for our city; divine decrees do not lose their edge. The funeral procession with the bodies of the brothers comes into view.
840

Chorus

O bringers of immense grief, you have done in this a deed beyond belief, yet lamentable troubles have indeed come.
845

848

The events are self-evident; the messenger’s report is plain to see. Twofold is our distress—double disaster

of kindred murder, this double suffering has come to fulfillment. What shall I say? What else indeed than that sorrow born of sorrows surround this house’s hearth?
But sail upon the wind of lamentation, my friends,
850

and about your head row with your hands’ rapid stroke in conveyance of the dead,² that stroke which always causes the sacred slack-sailed, black-clothed ship to pass over Acheron to the unseen land where Apollo does not walk,
855

the sunless land that receives all men.
But here come Antigone and Ismene to do their bitter duty, the dirge over their brothers both. With all sincerity, I think, will they
860

pour forth their fitting grief from their lovely, deep-bosomed breasts. But it is right for us, before their singing, to cry out the awful hymn of the Erinys and thereafter
865

sing the hated victory song of Hades.
Ah, sisters most unfortunate in your kin of all women who clasp their girdle about their robes, I weep, I groan, and there is no feigning in the shrill cries that come straight from my heart.
870

875

Chorus

Ah, pity you senseless men, whom friends could not persuade and evils could not wear down! To your misery you have captured your father’s house with the spear.
875

Chorus

To their misery, indeed,

they found a miserable death in the outrage done their house.
880

881

Ah, you brothers who were poised to cast over the walls of your home and looked—to your sorrow—for sole rule, now you have been

reconciled by the iron sword.
The great Erinys of your father Oedipus has fulfilled it all truly.
885

888

Chorus

Pierced through your left sides, pierced indeed—

through those sides that were born from one womb! Ah, strange ones! Ah, the curses that demand death for death!
890

Right through, as you say, were they struck, with blows to house and body by an unspeakable wrath and by the doom, called down by their father’s curse, which they shared without discord.
895

900

Chorus

Groaning spreads throughout the city, too: the walls groan; the land that loves its sons groans. But for those who come after them there remains their property, on which account the strife
900

of those terrible-fated men came to fulfillment in death.
In their haste to anger they apportioned their property so that each has an equal share. To those who loved them their reconciler is not blameless,
905

nor is Ares agreeable.
910

911

Chorus

Under strokes of iron they are come to this, and under strokes of iron there await them—what, one might perhaps ask—shares in their father’s tomb.³

Our shrill, heart-rending wail goes with them—product of lamentation and pain felt of its own accord—a wail from a distressed mind, joyless, pouring forth tears from a heart
915

that wastes away as I weep for these two princes.
920

922

Chorus

Over these poor men it can be said that they did much to harm our citizens and also the ranks of all the foreigners

who died in abundance in the fighting.
Ill-fated beyond all women who are called by the name of mother is she who bore them. After she made her own child her own husband,
925

she gave birth to these sons, who have thus ended their lives with kindred hands giving death for death.
930

933

Chorus

Of the same seed, in truth, they were utterly destroyed in unloving divisions,

in maddened discord, in the ending of their strife.
Their hatred has ceased. Their life has been mingled in the blood-soaked earth. Now truly their blood is one.
935

Ruthless is that which resolved their strife, the stranger from across the sea, sharpened iron rushed from the fire. Ruthless, too, was Ares, the cruel divider of their property, who made their father’s curses come true.
940

945

Chorus

They hold in misery their allotted portion of god-given sorrows. Beneath their corpses there will be boundless wealth of earth.
Ah, you have wreathed
945

your race with many troubles! In the final outcome the Curses have raised their piercing cry, now that the family is turned to flight in all directions. A trophy to Ruin now stands at the gate
950

where they struck each other and where, having conquered them both, the divine power stayed its hand.
955

The Seven against Thebes. (OCR draft) Experimental (The Seven against Thebes.. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 840 focus

The imprecation of the father hath taken full effect, and hath not failed: and the unbelieving schemes of Laïus have lasted even until now;—and care is through our city, and the divine declarations lose not their edge—Alas! worthy of many a sigh, ye have accomplished this horror surpassing credence; and lamentable sufferings have come in deed.

LES SEPT CONTRE THÈBES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES SEPT CONTRE THÈBES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 840 focus

Elle est de sinistre augure, cette rencontre de lances !
Elle a été au but sans défaillance, la parole qui portait le vœu d'un père ; l'indocilité de Laïos a prolongé ses effets. Et une angoisse étreint la ville : les oracles ne s'émoussent
pas ! Ah ! lamentables guerriers, vous avez accompli ce qu'on n'eût osé croire ! Voici donc venus de pitoyables malheurs, il ne s'agit plus de

Eschilo, I Sette a Tebe: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, I Sette a Tebe: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 840 focus

Non reluttante a compierlo

930

s'adoperò del padre il triste augurio.

Causa ne fu di Laio il mal consiglio.

Volle che fosse principe

di Tebe un proprio figlio:

ma non furono mai vani gli oracoli.

935

Ahi, quale orrida gesta

compieste! - Ahimè, ché d'opere,

non di parole, è la doglia funesta.

Alcuni guerrieri trasportano sulla scena i cadaveri dei due fratelli.

CORIFEA

Aeschylus, Septem ad Thebas: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Septem ad Thebas: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 840 focus

Confilia incredula Laij adimpleta funt.

785

Solicitudo uerò circa urbem oracula non remittuntur.

O lugubres, hoc incredibile fecistis.

Venerunt deflenda malá, non sermone

English (E. D. A. Morshead, 1908) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes — Morshead translation. Wikisource transcription; speech corresp and card milestones aligned to Smyth perseus-grc2.) — 840 focus

The curse a father on his children spake

Hath faltered not, nor failed!

Nought, Laïus! thy stubborn choice availed—
850

First to beget, then, in the after day

And for the city's sake,

The child to slay!

For nought can blunt nor mar

The speech oracular!
855

Children of teen! by disbelief ye erred—

Yet in wild weeping came fulfilment of the word!

[ Antigone and Ismene approach, with a train of mourners, bearing the bodies of Eteocles and Polynices.

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.) — 840 focus

Nicht verhallte, klar erfüllte

Sich des Vaters grauser Fluch!

Fort wirkte Lajos' starrer unbeugsamer Sinn.

Und meine Sorg' endet nie,
815

Der Götter Sprüche leben fort.

Ihr Vielbeweinten thatet, ach!

Das Unerhörte: thränenreich

Kam ein unaussprechlich Leid.

(Die Leichen der gefallenen Brüder werden in ernstem Trauerzuge auf die Bühne gebracht.) Schlußgesang.

Commentary

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

947. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg004-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-999

φίλον

Antigonae

nota praefixa et sic porro personae permutatae in G. Vit.

φίλος

Par. L.

947

948. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg004-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-1000

λέγειν

πάρεστιν

post

λέγειν

addunt Vit. Mosc. 1. Par. N. Colb. 1.

948

950. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg004-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-1001

ἄχεα δοιὰ τάδ᾽ ἔγγυθεν

ἀχέων τοίων τάδ᾽ ἐγγύθεν

M. Vit. Lips. Par. B. Ald. Turn.

ἀχέων τοίων τάδ' ἐγγύθι

Par. N. Colb. 1. γρ.

ἐγγύθι

Par. B.

γόων τοίων τάδ᾽ ἐγγύθεν

Arund. Cantabr. 1. Par. F. K. Ask. A. Colb. 2. Rob. Supra scriptum

ἀχέων

in Par. F. Colb. 2.

γόων ποίων τάδ᾽ ἐγγύθεν

G. Mosc. 2. In margine M. recentior manus adscripsit

ἀχέω ἤγουν θρηνῶ

, atque secundus scholiastes, qui

γόων

legit, postquam

τοίων

per

διπλῶν

ex antecedentibus sumptum explicavit, haec addit,

εὕρηται δὲ καὶ ἐν παλαίῳ βιβλίῳ ἀχέω τάδ᾽ ἐγγύθεν, ἤγουν ἐκ τοῦ πλησίον θρηνῶ, ὅπερ ἐστὶ κρεῖττον. μαρτυρεῖ δὲ καὶ τὸ ἐπαγόμενον τὸ πέλας δ' αἱ δ᾽ ἀδελφαὶ ἀδελφῶν

. Ineptum est

τοίων

vel

ποίων

. Scripsi

ἄχεα δοιὰ τάδ᾽ ἐγγύθεν

. Cohaerent haec et sequentia cum praegressis.

950

951. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg004-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-1002

πέλας ἀδελφὰ δ᾽ ἀδελφεῶν Personae notam omittunt Lips. Arund. Ald. Rob. Turn. Antigonae versum tribuunt G. Vit.

πέλας δ' αΐδ᾽ ἀδελφοὶ ἀδελφῶν

M. G. (

ἀδελφῶν

G.) Vit. Lips. Arund. Cantabr. 1. Par. A. B. F.

πέλαδ' αἱ δ᾽ ἀδελφαὶ ἀδελφεῶν

Rob.

πέλας αἱ δ᾽ ἀδελφαὶ ἀδελφῶν

Ald. Turn. Scripsi

πέλας ἀδελφὰ δ᾽ ἀδελφεῶν

, paria fratrum mala. Sophocles Antig. v. 192.

καὶ νῦν ἀδελφὰ τῶνδε κηρύξας ἔχω ἀστοῖσι

951

952-953. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg004-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-1003

ὀλοὰ λέγειν. ὀλοὰ δ᾽ ὁρᾶν. Hi duo versus in libris post v. 976. collocati sunt, ad quem locum quare eos hic posuerim explicabitur.

954. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg004-hermann1852-appcrit-lat1-1004

βαρυδότειρα Hunc versum Ismenae tribuit Vit. hunc et duos sequentes Ismenae G. Lips. Rob. Antigonae Ald. Turn.

βαρυσδότειρα

Par. C.

954

Commentary (N. Wecklein, 1902; German; OCR draft) (Seven Against Thebes, explanatory commentary pp. 15–100. Single-witness OCR; source readings and all reference placements require scan review.) focus

941-995. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg004-wecklein1902-com-ger1-605

θρῆνος der Antigone und Ismene. Antigone steht an der Leiche des Polynikes, Ismene an der des Eteokles. Der Gesang besteht aus vier Teilen; im ersten und dritten entspricht immer die Partie der Ismene der Partie der Antigone, im zweiten Teile besteht außer dieser Responsion noch die Responsion eines größeren Strophen- paares, das mit einem Ephymnion der beiden Schwestern schließt; im letzten Teile entsprechen sich zwei Verse, die wieder von Antigone und Ismene gemeinsam gesungen werden, und zwei Verse, von denen der eine der Antigone, der andere der Ismene gehört. Eine ähnliche Gestalt der Responsion findet sich nur noch Eur. Androm. 1197 ff.

949. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg004-wecklein1902-com-ger1-608

⁴

κατακτάς auch Eur. Alk. 3 und 696, Iph. T. 715, Hom. X 323.

952. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg004-wecklein1902-com-ger1-609

⁵

⁶

μαίνεται, vgl. Θυιάς 821.

953. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg004-wecklein1902-com-ger1-610

⁷

⁸

ἐν (für ἐντὸς Burney) ad- verbiell vor δέ wie Soph. Ο. Τ. 182, Trach. 207, hier wohl im Sinne von ἐντός.

954. mvp-aeschylus-tlg0085-tlg004-wecklein1902-com-ger1-611

⁹

¹⁰

πάνδυρτε für πανδάκρυτε Ritschl um des Versmaßes willen; Pers. 943 und 946 ist πάνδυρτον für πανόδυρτον hergestellt worden. Die Tragiker bedienen sich der Form δύρομαι um des Versmaßes willen. Hermann schreibt δακρυτέ, welches vielleicht um der genaueren Responsion willen vorzuziehen ist.

Aeschylus Seven Against Thebes 840

Robert Potter (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

EPODE.

Current edition Experimental

Χορος

ἰὼ ἰὼ δύσφρονες,
875

φίλων ἄπιστοι καὶ κακῶν ἀτρύμονες,

δόμους πατρῴους¹⁶ ἑλόν-

τες μέλεοι σὺν αἰχμᾷ.¹⁷

Χορος

μέλεοι δῆθ᾽ οἳ μελέους θανάτους

ηὕροντο δόμων ἐπὶ λύμῃ.
880
881

Χορος

ἰὼ ἰὼ δωμάτων

ἐρειψίτοιχοι¹⁸ καὶ πικρὰς μοναρχίας

ἰδόντες, ἤδη διήλ-

λαχθε σὺν σιδάρῳ.¹⁹
885

Χορος

κάρτα δ᾽ ἀληθῆ πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα

πότνι᾽ Ἐρινὺς ἐπέκρανεν.

888

Χορος

ὁμόσποροι δῆτα καὶ πανώλεθροι,³⁷

διατομαῖς ἀφίλοις,³⁸

ἔριδι μαινομένᾳ,
935

νείκεος ἐν τελευτᾷ.

Χορος

ἔχουσι μοῖραν λαχόντες, ὦ⁴¹ μέλεοι,⁴²
945

διοδότων⁴³ ἀχέων:

ὑπὸ δὲ σώματι γᾶς

πλοῦτος ἄβυσσος ἔσται.

Χορός

ἰὼ ἰὼ δωμάτων

ἐρειψίτοιχοι καὶ πικρὰς μοναρχίας

ἰδόντες, ἤδη διήλ-

λαχθε σὺν σιδάρῳ.
885

κάρτα δʼ ἀληθῆ πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα

πότνιʼ Ἐρινὺς ἐπέκρανεν.

Chorus

The curseful utterance of their father has done its work and not fallen short. Laius’ plans, made in disobedience, have kept their force. I am anxious for our city; divine decrees do not lose their edge. The funeral procession with the bodies of the brothers comes into view.
840

Chorus

O bringers of immense grief, you have done in this a deed beyond belief, yet lamentable troubles have indeed come.
845

Chorus

Ah, pity you senseless men, whom friends could not persuade and evils could not wear down! To your misery you have captured your father’s house with the spear.
875

Chorus

To their misery, indeed,

they found a miserable death in the outrage done their house.
880

Ah, you brothers who were poised to cast over the walls of your home and looked—to your sorrow—for sole rule, now you have been

reconciled by the iron sword.
The great Erinys of your father Oedipus has fulfilled it all truly.
885

Ahi, quale orrida gesta

compieste! - Ahimè, ché d'opere,

non di parole, è la doglia funesta.

CORIFEA

O lugubres, hoc incredibile fecistis.

Venerunt deflenda malá, non sermone

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

EPODE.

Current edition Experimental

Χορος ἰὼ ἰὼ δύσφρονες, 875 φίλων ἄπιστοι καὶ κακῶν ἀτρύμονες, δόμους πατρῴους 16 ἑλόν- τες μέλεοι σὺν αἰχμᾷ. 17

Χορος μέλεοι δῆθ᾽ οἳ μελέους θανάτους ηὕροντο δόμων ἐπὶ λύμῃ. 880 881

Χορος ἰὼ ἰὼ δωμάτων ἐρειψίτοιχοι 18 καὶ πικρὰς μοναρχίας ἰδόντες, ἤδη διήλ- λαχθε σὺν σιδάρῳ. 19 885

Χορος κάρτα δ᾽ ἀληθῆ πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα πότνι᾽ Ἐρινὺς ἐπέκρανεν. 888

Χορος ὁμόσποροι δῆτα καὶ πανώλεθροι, 37 διατομαῖς ἀφίλοις, 38 ἔριδι μαινομένᾳ, 935 νείκεος ἐν τελευτᾷ.

Χορος ἔχουσι μοῖραν λαχόντες, ὦ 41 μέλεοι, 42 945 διοδότων 43 ἀχέων: ὑπὸ δὲ σώματι γᾶς πλοῦτος ἄβυσσος ἔσται.

Χορός ἰὼ ἰὼ δωμάτων ἐρειψίτοιχοι καὶ πικρὰς μοναρχίας ἰδόντες, ἤδη διήλ- λαχθε σὺν σιδάρῳ. 885 κάρτα δʼ ἀληθῆ πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα πότνιʼ Ἐρινὺς ἐπέκρανεν.

Chorus The curseful utterance of their father has done its work and not fallen short. Laius’ plans, made in disobedience, have kept their force. I am anxious for our city; divine decrees do not lose their edge. The funeral procession with the bodies of the brothers comes into view. 840

Chorus O bringers of immense grief, you have done in this a deed beyond belief, yet lamentable troubles have indeed come. 845

Chorus Ah, pity you senseless men, whom friends could not persuade and evils could not wear down! To your misery you have captured your father’s house with the spear. 875

Chorus To their misery, indeed, they found a miserable death in the outrage done their house. 880

Ah, you brothers who were poised to cast over the walls of your home and looked—to your sorrow—for sole rule, now you have been reconciled by the iron sword. The great Erinys of your father Oedipus has fulfilled it all truly. 885

Ahi, quale orrida gesta compieste! - Ahimè, ché d'opere, non di parole, è la doglia funesta.

CORIFEA

O lugubres, hoc incredibile fecistis. Venerunt deflenda malá, non sermone

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Χορος

ἰὼ ἰὼ δύσφρονες,
875

φίλων ἄπιστοι καὶ κακῶν ἀτρύμονες,

δόμους πατρῴους¹⁶ ἑλόν-

τες μέλεοι σὺν αἰχμᾷ.¹⁷

Χορος

μέλεοι δῆθ᾽ οἳ μελέους θανάτους

ηὕροντο δόμων ἐπὶ λύμῃ.
880
881

Χορος

ἰὼ ἰὼ δωμάτων

ἐρειψίτοιχοι¹⁸ καὶ πικρὰς μοναρχίας

ἰδόντες, ἤδη διήλ-

λαχθε σὺν σιδάρῳ.¹⁹
885

Χορος

κάρτα δ᾽ ἀληθῆ πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα

πότνι᾽ Ἐρινὺς ἐπέκρανεν.

888

Χορος

ὁμόσποροι δῆτα καὶ πανώλεθροι,³⁷

διατομαῖς ἀφίλοις,³⁸

ἔριδι μαινομένᾳ,
935

νείκεος ἐν τελευτᾷ.

Χορος

ἔχουσι μοῖραν λαχόντες, ὦ⁴¹ μέλεοι,⁴²
945

διοδότων⁴³ ἀχέων:

ὑπὸ δὲ σώματι γᾶς

πλοῦτος ἄβυσσος ἔσται.

Χορός

ἰὼ ἰὼ δωμάτων

ἐρειψίτοιχοι καὶ πικρὰς μοναρχίας

ἰδόντες, ἤδη διήλ-

λαχθε σὺν σιδάρῳ.
885

κάρτα δʼ ἀληθῆ πατρὸς Οἰδιπόδα

πότνιʼ Ἐρινὺς ἐπέκρανεν.

Chorus

The curseful utterance of their father has done its work and not fallen short. Laius’ plans, made in disobedience, have kept their force. I am anxious for our city; divine decrees do not lose their edge. The funeral procession with the bodies of the brothers comes into view.
840

Chorus

O bringers of immense grief, you have done in this a deed beyond belief, yet lamentable troubles have indeed come.
845

Chorus

Ah, pity you senseless men, whom friends could not persuade and evils could not wear down! To your misery you have captured your father’s house with the spear.
875

Chorus

To their misery, indeed,

they found a miserable death in the outrage done their house.
880

Ah, you brothers who were poised to cast over the walls of your home and looked—to your sorrow—for sole rule, now you have been

reconciled by the iron sword.
The great Erinys of your father Oedipus has fulfilled it all truly.
885

Ahi, quale orrida gesta

compieste! - Ahimè, ché d'opere,

non di parole, è la doglia funesta.

O lugubres, hoc incredibile fecistis.

Venerunt deflenda malá, non sermone