Libation Bearers. N. Wecklein. . 2026-09-07.
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Current edition Experimental
Wecklein’s commentary on Choephoroi / Libation Bearers (1888; German; OCR draft) (German) (Explanatory commentary, pp. 163–234; single HW42J8 OCR witness, conservatively retained. Unresolved OCR and provisional reference mappings are explicitly marked.)
Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.
Editions (8)
Χοηφóρoι First1KGreek (Aeschyli Tragoediae. Sidgwick, Arthur, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 1-21 focus
Ὀρέστης
Ἑρμῆ χθόνιε, πατρῷ᾽ ἐποπτεύων κράτη,
1
σωτὴρ γενοῦ μοι ξύμμαχός τ᾽ αἰτουμένῳ:
ἥκω γὰρ ἐς γῆν τήνδε καὶ κατέρχομαι.
τύμβου δ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ὄχθῳ τῷδε κηρύσσω πατρὶ
κλύειν, ἀκοῦσαι . . .
5
. . . πλόκαμον Ἰνάχῳ θρεπτήριον.
οὐ γὰρ παρὼν ᾤμωξα σόν, πάτερ, μόρον
οὐδ᾽ ἐξέτεινα χεῖρ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἐκφορᾷ
3
νεκροῦ.
στείχει γυναικῶν φάρεσιν μελαγχίμοις
πρέπουσα; ποίᾳ ξυμφορᾷ προσεικάσω;
πότερα δόμοισι πῆμα προσκυρεῖ νέον;
ἢ πατρὶ τὠμῷ τάσδ᾽ ἐπεικάσας τύχω
χοὰς φερούσας νερτέροις μειλίγματα;
6
15
οὐδέν ποτ᾽ ἄλλο: καὶ γὰρ Ἠλέκτραν δοκῶ
στείχειν ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν πένθει λυγρῷ
πρέπουσαν. ὦ Ζεῦ, δός με τείσασθαι μόρον
πατρός, γενοῦ δὲ σύμμαχος θέλων ἐμοί.
20
μάθω γυναικῶν ἥτις ἥδε προστροπή.
22
Χοηφóρoι Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 2. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1926.) — 1-21 focus
Ὀρέστης
Ἑρμῆ χθόνιε, πατρῷʼ ἐποπτεύων κράτη,
1
σωτὴρ γενοῦ μοι ξύμμαχός τʼ αἰτουμένῳ·
ἥκω γὰρ ἐς γῆν τήνδε καὶ κατέρχομαι.
τύμβου δʼ ἐπʼ ὄχθῳ τῷδε κηρύσσω πατρὶ
κλύειν, ἀκοῦσαι
5
πλόκαμον Ἰνάχῳ θρεπτήριον.
τὸν δεύτερον δὲ τόνδε πενθητήριον
οὐ γὰρ παρὼν ᾤμωξα σόν, πάτερ, μόρον
οὐδʼ ἐξέτεινα χεῖρʼ ἐπʼ ἐκφορᾷ νεκροῦ.
τί χρῆμα λεύσσω; τίς ποθʼ ἥδʼ ὁμήγυρις
10
στείχει γυναικῶν φάρεσιν μελαγχίμοις
πρέπουσα; ποίᾳ ξυμφορᾷ προσεικάσω;
πότερα δόμοισι πῆμα προσκυρεῖ νέον;
ἢ πατρὶ τὠμῷ τάσδʼ ἐπεικάσας τύχω
χοὰς φερούσας νερτέροις μειλίγματα;
15
οὐδέν ποτʼ ἄλλο· καὶ γὰρ Ἠλέκτραν δοκῶ
στείχειν ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν πένθει λυγρῷ
πρέπουσαν. ὦ Ζεῦ, δός με τείσασθαι μόρον
πατρός, γενοῦ δὲ σύμμαχος θέλων ἐμοί.
Πυλάδη, σταθῶμεν ἐκποδών, ὡς ἂν σαφῶς
20
μάθω γυναικῶν ἥτις ἥδε προστροπή.
Πυλάδη, σταθῶμεν ἐκποδών, ὡς ἂν σαφῶς
Χοηφόροι (OCR draft) Experimental (Χοηφόροι. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 1 focus
ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ.
Ἑρμῆ χθόνιε πατρῷ᾽ ἐποπτεύων κράτη,
1
σωτὴρ γενοῦ μοι ξύμμαχός τ' αἰτουμένῳ·
ἥκω γὰρ ἐς γῆν τήνδε καὶ κατέρχομαι.
τύμβου δ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ὄχθῳ τῷδε κηρύσσω πατρὶ
κλύειν, ἀκοῦσαι.
5
πλόκαμον Ἰνάχῳ θρεπτήριον,
τὸν δεύτερον δὲ τόνδε πενθητήριον
οὐ γὰρ παρὼν ὤμωξα σον, πάτερ, μόρον
οὐδ᾽ ἐξέτεινα χεῖρ᾽ ἐπ' ἐκφορᾶ νεκροῦ.
ἔα.
τί χρῆμα λεύσσω; τίς ποθ᾽ ἤδ᾽ ὁμήγυρις
10
στείχει γυναικῶν φάρεσιν μελαγχίμοις
πρέπουσα; ποίᾳ ξυμφορᾷ προσεικάσω;
πότερα δόμοισι πῆμα προσκυρεῖ νέον;
ἢ πατρὶ τὠμῷ τάσδ' ἐπεικάσας τύχω
χοὰς φερούσας νερτέροις μειλίγματα;
15
οὐδέν ποτ' ἄλλο· καὶ γὰρ Ἠλέκτραν δοκῶ
στείχειν ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν πένθει λυγρῷ
πρέπουσαν. ὦ Ζεῦ, δός με τίσασθαι μόρον
Χοηφόροι (OCR draft) Experimental (Χοηφόροι. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 1 focus
Ὀρέστης
Ἑρμῆ χθόνιε πατρῷ ἐποπτεύων κράτη,
1
σωτὴρ γενοῦ μοι ξύμμαχός τ' αιτουμένῳ·
ἥκω γὰρ ἐς γῆν τήνδε καὶ κατέρχομαι.
τύμβου δ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ὄχθῳ τῷδε κηρύσσω πατρὶ
κλύειν, ἀκοῦσαι.
5
πλόκαμον Ἰνάχῳ θρεπτήριον,
τὸν δεύτερον δὲ τόνδε πενθητήριον.
οὐ γὰρ παρὼν ᾤμωξα σόν, πάτερ, μόρον,
οὐδ᾽ ἐξέτεινα χεῖρ᾽ ἐπ' ἐκφορᾷ νεκροῦ.
τί χρῆμα λεύσσω; τίς ποθ᾽ ἡδ᾽ ὁμήγυρις
10
στείχει γυναικῶν φάρεσιν μελαγχίμοις
πρέπουσα; ποίᾳ ξυμφορᾷ προςεικάσω;
πότερα δόμοισι πῆμα προςκυρεῖ νέον;
ἢ πατρὶ τῷ 'μῷ τάσδ᾽ ἐπεικάσας τύχω
χοὰς φερούσας νερτέροις μειλίγματα;
15
οὐδέν ποτ᾽ ἄλλο· καὶ γὰρ Ἠλέκτραν δοκῶ
στείχειν ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν πένθει λυγρῷ
πρέπουσαν. ὦ Ζεῦ, δός με τίσασθαι μόρον
πατρός, γενοῦ δὲ σύμμαχος θέλων ἐμοί.
Πυλάδη, σταθῶμεν ἐκποδών, ὡς ἂν σαφῶς
20
Ὀρέστης
μάθω γυναικῶν ἥτις ἥδε προςτροπή.
ΧΟΗΦΟΡΟΙ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΧΟΗΦΟΡΟΙ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 1 focus
ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ
Ἑρμῆ χθόνιε, πατρῷ' ἐποπτεύων κράτη,
1
σωτὴρ γενοῦ μοι σύμμαχός τ' αἰτουμένῳ·
ἥκω γὰρ ἐς γῆν τήνδε καὶ κατέρχομαι —
1
Τύμβου δ' ἐπ' ὄχθῳ τῷδε κηρύσσω πατρὶ
κλύειν, ἀκοῦσαι
5
2
πλόκαμον Ἰνάχῳ θρεπτήριον,
τὸν δεύτερον δὲ τόνδε πενθητήριον —
3
Οὐ γὰρ παρὼν ᾤμωξα σόν, πάτερ, μόρον
οὐδ' ἐξέτεινα χεῖρ' ἐπ' ἐκφορᾷ νεκροῦ.
4
Τί χρῆμα λεύσσω ; τίς ποθ' ἥδ' ὁμήγυρις
10
στείχει γυναικῶν φάρεσιν μελαγχίμοις
πρέπουσα ; ποίᾳ ξυμφορᾷ προσεικάσω ;
πότερα δόμοισι πῆμα προσκυρεῖ νέον ;
ἢ πατρὶ τὠμῷ τάσδ' ἐπεικάσας τύχω
χοὰς φερούσας, νερτέροις
μειλίγματα
-μασιν ;
15
Οὐδέν ποτ' ἄλλο· καὶ γὰρ Ἠλέκτραν δοκῶ
στείχειν ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν πένθει λυγρῷ
πρέπουσαν. Ὦ Ζεῦ, δός με
τείσασθαι
τίσ- μόρον
ΧΟΗΦΟΡΟΙ
ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ
πατρός, γενοῦ δὲ σύμμαχος θέλων ἐμοί.
Πυλάδη, σταθῶμεν ἐκποδών, ὡς ἂν σαφῶς
20
μάθω γυναικῶν ἥτις ἥδε προστροπή.
Χοηφόροι (OCR draft) Experimental (Χοηφόροι. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 1 focus
Ἑρμῆ χθόνιε, πατρῷ ἐποπτεύων κράτη
1
σωτὴρ γενοῦ μοι σύμμαχός τ' αἰτουμένῳ·
ἥκω γὰρ ἐς γῆν τήνδε καὶ κατέρχομαι
τύμβου δ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ὄχθῳ τῷδε κηρύσσω πατρὶ
κλύειν, ἀκοῦσαι·
5
πλόκαμον Ἰνάχῳ θρεπτήριον,
τὸν δεύτερον δὲ τόνδε πενθητήριον
οὐ γὰρ παρὼν ᾤμωξα σόν, πάτερ, μύρον
οὐδ᾽ ἐξέτεινα χεῖρ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἐκφορᾷ νεκροῦ.
τί χρῆμα λεύσσω; τίς ποθ᾽ ἦδ᾽ ὁμήγυρις
10
στείχει γυναικῶν φάρεσιν μελαγχίμοις
πρέπουσα; ποίᾳ ξυμφορᾷ προσεικάσω;
πότερα δόμοισι πῆμα προσκυρεῖ νέον;
ἢ πατρὶ τὠμῷ τάσδ᾽ ἐπεικάσας τύχω
χοὰς φερούσας νερτέροις μειλίγματα;
15
οὐδέν ποτ᾽ ἄλλο· καὶ γὰρ Ἠλέκτραν δοκῶ
στείχειν ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν πένθει λυγρῷ
ΧΟ.
1
Χοηφόροι (OCR draft) Experimental (Χοηφόροι. Martin L. West, 1990.) — 1 focus
ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ
Ἑρμῆ χθόνιε, πατρῶι᾽ ἐποπτεύων κράτη,
1
σωτὴρ γενοῦ μοι ξύμμαχός τ᾽ αἰτουμένωι·
ἥκω γὰρ εἰς γῆν τήνδε καὶ κατέρχομαι
(θέλων τιμωρῆσαι τῶι πατρί)
. . . βιαίως ἐκ γυναικείας χερός
δόλοις λαθραίοις . . . ἀπώλετο
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ
τύμβου δ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ὄχθωι τῶιδε κηρύσσω πατρί
κλυεῖν, ἀκοῦσαι. . . . . .
5
. . . πλόκαμον Ἰνάχωι θρεπτήριον,
τὸν δεύτερον δὲ τόνδε πενθητήριον
. . . . . . ⟨ἐν κραταιλέωι πέδωι⟩
οὐ γὰρ παρ⟨ὼν⟩ ὤιμωξα σὸν πάτερ μόρον,
οὐδ᾽ ἐξέτεινα χεῖρ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἐκφορᾶι νεκροῦ
τί χρῆμα λεύσσω; τίς ποθ᾽ ἥδ᾽ ὁμήγυρις
10
στείχει γυναικῶν φάρεσιν μελαγχίμοις
πρέπουσα; ποίαι ξυμφορᾶι προσειχάσω;
πότερα δόμοισι πῆμα προσκυρεῖ νέον,
ἢ πατρὶ τὠμῶι τάσδ᾽ ἐπεικάσας τύχω
χοὰς φερούσαις νερτέροις μειλίγματα;
15
οὐδέν ποτ᾽ ἄλλο· καὶ γὰρ Ἠλέκτραν δοκῶ
στείχειν ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν πένθει λυγρῶι
πρέπουσαν. ὦ Ζεῦ, δός με τείσασθαι μόρον
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ
πατρός, γενοῦ δὲ ξύμμαχος θέλων ἐμοί.
Πυλάδη, σταθῶμεν ἐκποδών, ὡς ἂν σαφῶς
20
μάθω γυναικῶν ἥτις ἥδε προστροπή.
Aeschyli Choephori (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Choephori. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 1 focus
ΟΡΕΣΤΗΣ
Ἑρμῆ χθόνιε πατρῶι᾽ ἐποπτεύων κράτη,
1
σωτήρ γενοῦ μοι σύμμαχός τ᾽ αἰτουμένωι,
ἥκω γὰρ ἐς γῆν τήνδε καὶ κατέρχομαι
τύμβου δ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ὄχθωι τῶιδε κηρύσσω πατρί
κλυεῖν ἀκούσαι –
5
πλόκαμον Ἰνάχωι θρεπτήριον,
τὸν δεύτερον δὲ τόνδε πενθητήριον
οὐ γὰρ παρὼν ὤιμωξα σόν, πάτερ, μόρον
οὐδ᾽ ἐξέτεινα χεῖρ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἐκφορᾶι νεκρού.
τί χρῆμα λεύσσω; τίς ποθ᾽ ἥδ᾽ ὁμήγυρις
10
στείχει γυναικῶν φάρεσιν μελαγχίμοις
πρέπουσα; ποίαι ξυμφορᾶι προσεικάσω;
πότερα δόμοισι πῆμα προσκυρεῖ νέον,
ἢ πατρὶ τὠμῶι τάσδ᾽ ἐπεικάσας τύχω
χοὰς φερούσας, νερτέροις μειλίγματα;
15
οὐδέν ποτ᾽ ἄλλο· καὶ γὰρ Ἠλέκτραν δοκῶ
στείχειν ἀδελφὴν τὴν ἐμὴν πένθει λυγρῶι
πρέπουσαν. ὦ Ζεῦ δός με τείσασθαι μόρον
πατρός, γενοῦ δὲ σύμμαχος θέλων ἐμοί.
Πυλάδη, σταθῶμεν ἐκποδών, ὡς ἂν σαφῶς
20
μάθω, γυναικῶν ἥτις ἥδε προστροπή.
1
Translations (10)
Libation Bearers Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 2. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1926. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 1-20 focus
Orestes
Hermes of the nether world, you who guard the powers that are your father’s,
1
prove yourself my savior and ally, I entreat you, now that I have come to this land and returned from exile. On this mounded grave I cry out to my father
1
to hearken, to hear me
Look, I bring a lock to Inachus
2
in requital for his care, and here, a second, in token of my grief.
For I was not present, father, to lament your death, nor did I stretch forth my hand to bear your corpse.
5
What is this I see? What is this throng of women that moves in state, marked by their sable cloaks? To what calamity should I set this down? Is it some new sorrow that befalls our house? Or am I right to suppose that for my father’s sake
10
they bear these libations to appease the powers below? It can only be for this cause: for indeed I think my own sister Electra is approaching, distinguished by her bitter grief. Oh grant me, Zeus, to avenge my father’s death, and may you be my willing ally!
15
Pylades, let us stand apart,that I may know clearly what this band of suppliant women intends.
Exit Orestes and Pylades. Enter Electra with women carrying libations.
20
Look, I bring a lock to Inachus 2 in requital for his care, and here, a second, in token of my grief.
For I was not present, father, to lament your death, nor did I stretch forth my hand to bear your corpse.
The Libation Bearers (OCR draft) Experimental (The Libation Bearers. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 1 focus
CHORUS
LES CHOÉPHORES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES CHOÉPHORES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 1 focus
ORESTE
Sur le tertre de cette tombe, je somme mon père de me prêter l'oreille, et d'entendre...
Il se coupe une boucle de cheveux qu'il dépose sur la tombe.
Sur le tertre de cette tombe, je somme mon père de me prêter l'oreille, et d'entendre...
ORESTE
A l'Inachos (j'ai offert) une boucle de mes cheveux, pour avoir nourri ma jeunesse : (j'en offre une autre) ici en hommage de deuil...
Je n'ai pas été là, pour pleurer ta mort, ô mon père ; je n'ai pas étendu le bras, à l'heure où ton cadavre a quitté la maison...
Que vois-je ? quel cortège de femmes s'avance ainsi en longs voiles funèbres ? Quel malheur dois-je donc supposer ? Une douleur nouvelle vient-elle frapper ce palais ? Ou dois-je comprendre plutôt que ces femmes portent à
mon père les libations qui apaisent les morts ? Oui, c'est bien cela ; car voici, je crois, Électre qui s'avance, Électre, ma sœur, que trahit sa douleur amère. Ah ! Zeus, donne-
LES CHOÉPHORES
Que vois-je ? quel cortège de femmes s'avance ainsi en longs voiles funèbres ? Quel malheur dois-je donc supposer ? Une douleur nouvelle vient-elle frapper ce palais ? Ou dois-je comprendre plutôt que ces femmes portent à
mon père les libations qui apaisent les morts ? Oui, c'est bien cela ; car voici, je crois, Électre qui s'avance, Électre, ma sœur, que trahit sa douleur amère. Ah ! Zeus, donne-
ORESTE
moi de venger le meurtre d'un père et deviens-moi franc
allié. Arrêtons-nous, Pylade, à l'écart, que je sache exactement ce que veulent ces femmes en pompe
allié. Arrêtons-nous, Pylade, à l'écart, que je sache exactement ce que veulent ces femmes en pompe
The Choephoræ (OCR draft) Experimental (The Choephoræ. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 1 focus
Hear, Mercury, thy ſupplicant, protect,
And
CHORUS.
STROPHE I.
Eschilo, Le Coefore: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, Le Coefore: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 1 focus
E lancio un bando al padre mio, sul clivo
5
di questa tomba, ch'ei m'oda, e m'ascolti.
L'Inaco il primo mio ricciolo s'ebbe,
che nutrito m'avea: questo secondo,
segno di lutto, io qui recido, o padre,
ché lungi, alla tua morte, ero, e non piansi,
10
né le man sovra la tua spoglia io tesi.
Che cosa scorgo? Quale accolta avanza
vêr noi di donne, in negri manti avvolte?
E quale evento io debbo indurre?
Forse
15
CORIFEA
Aeschylus, Choephori: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Choephori: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 1 focus
Aut patri meo has coniectabo
5
Libamina ferentes ſanctis placamentis.
Nihil tandem aliud. etenim Electram uideo
Videre sororem meam luctu graui
Ornatam.
O Iupiter da mihi ulcisci mortem
10
Patris, esto uolens mihi auxiliator.
Pylade recedamus, ut manifeſte
Discam que'nam sit hæc mulierum supplicatio.
Cho.
Aeschylus, Die Totenspende: German translation (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Die Totenspende: German translation. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1919–1923.) — 1 focus
Orestes.
und das Gebet des Sohnes nehm' er gnädig auf
und gnädig dieses Opfer. Von dem Jünglingshaupt
6
schor ich die erste Locke, da des Inachos,
des heimatlichen Flusses Welle meinen Fufs
benetzte, dankbar, dafs der lebenspendende
Urvater mich gedeihen, mich erwachsen liefs,
selbst in der Fremde. Diese zweite Locke schnitt
7
als Traueropfer ich für dich: dir leg' ich sie
aufs Grab, erhab'ner Vater. Da sie deinen Leib
in diesen Hügel betteten, da konnt' ich nicht
den Abschiedsgrufs dir rufen, konnte nicht die Hand
9
zur letzten Huldigung erheben. Kärglich ist
auch heut die Gabe des Verstofs'nen; aber führst
du mich auf deinen Thron zurück, so sollen dir
der reichsten Opfer Ströme rinnen: hochgeehrt
wie keiner wirst du wandeln in der Schatten Schar.
Indem er von dem Grabe heruntersteigt bemerkt er den Zug, der den Zuschauern noch verborgen aus dem entgegengesetzten Gange auf die Bühne zuschreitet.
10
Was muss ich seh'n? Ein Zug von Frauen kommt
daher,
umwallt von schwarzen Mänteln? Was bedeutet dies?
Gilt unsres Hauses Trauer einem frischen Schmerz?
Vermut' ich besser, dafs für meinen Vater sie
15
die Spende bringen, die des Toten Groll versöhnt?
So ist's, gewiss, denn auch Elektra glaub' ich dort,
die Schwester, zu erkennen: herbe Trauer hat
zu deutlich sie gezeichnet. Zeus, vergönne mir,
dafs ich den Vater räche, steh' mir gnädig bei...
20
Lass' uns zur Seite tretend lauschen, Pylades;
ich muſs erfahren, wem der Frauen Bittgang gilt.
Sie treten zur Seite, in den einen der beiden Zugänge, wo sie den Zuschauern verborgen sind. Aus dem andern kommt Elektra, eine Jungfrau, älter als Orestes, mit ganz kurz geschorenem Haare, in schwarzem Trauergewande, ohne jedes Abzeichen, das ihren Stand über die Sklavinnen des Chores erhöbe. Diese haben sich für diesen Gang als Klageweiber gekleidet; einige tragen Krüge mit den Opferspenden; andere schlagen die Brüste, wie die Ceremonie verlangt, u. s. w.
Chor.
The Libation Bearers (OCR draft) Experimental (The Libation Bearers. Anna Swanwick, 1886.) — 1 focus
ORESTES
THEE, shade-escorting Hermes, I invoke,
In Hades guardian of my royal sire,—
To me, thy suppliant, be saviour thou,
My firm ally, for to this land I come
Exile no more ;-on this sepulchral mound
Father I call thee,-hearken to my cry!—
* * * * *
A primal lock, as nurture-gift, I vowed
To Inachos, and now this second lock,
Grief's token, Father, I devote to thee,-
For, absent from thy funeral obsequies,
I could not then as mourner weep thy death,
Nor speed with outstretched hand thy royal bicr.
Chorus
STROPHE I.
Sent from the palace, forth I tread,
Libations bearing to the dead,
With hands swift-clapped and shrill, a doleful train.
Marred is my cheek with many a gory stain,
Nail-ploughed the new-cut furrows bleed,
The while on sateless cries my heart doth feed.
Rending my flaxen-tissued vest,
With smileless passion, uncontrolled,
Grief doth my sorrow-stricken breast
Dismantle of the garment's decent fold.
ANTISTROPHE I.
30
For thrilling, ay hair-bristling Fear,
In Atreus' home dream-prophet-seer,
32
Breathing forth rage in sleep,—at dead of night
From the recesses of these royal halls,
Rang out a cry of wild affright
That heavy on the women's chambers falls.
And dream-interpreters proclaim
Pledged to the truth, in Heaven's name,
That unavenged 'neath earth, the slain
Against their slayers wrathfully complain.
STROPHE II.
40
Such graceless grace, against the threatened ill
Devising cure, (oh fostering earth!)
42
The godless woman sends me to fulfil.
To speak the words prescribed I dread;
For ah! when blood hath once been shed,
Falling to earth, what ransom can be paid?
Woe for the sorrow-stricken hearth,
The home in ruin laid!
By mortals still abhorr'd a cloud,
To sunless darkness wed,
50
Doth through the master's fall the dwelling shroud.
ANTISTROPHE II.
The majesty invincible of old,
Matchless, supreme, who filled the ear
Of faithful lieges, and their heart controlled,
Standeth aloof;-Fear reigneth now,
55
For to Prosperity men bow,
Which they as God, ay more than God, revere.
But Justice' stroke some swift doth whelm
In light who dwell elate ;-
While woes from Darkness' glimmering realm
60
†Lingering on others wait;-
Others sheer Night enshrouds in blackest fate.
STROPHE III.
When nurturing earth is blood-drenched, lo
Fixed is for aye the vengeance-crying gore ;—
And he who shed it, paying Atè's score,
†Doth burgeon out in all-entangling woe.
ANTISTROPHE III.
The bridal couch if man profane,
66
†Hopeless is cure;
though in one common flood,
To purify the hand defiled by blood,
All streams commingling flow, they flow in vain.
EPODE.
70
But for myself, through Heaven's command,
The captured city's doom I share ;-
71
Led hither from my native land,
'Tis mine the menial's lot to bear.
Their acts, whose will my fortune sways,
Just or unjust, I needs must praise:
†Beneath my vest grief's anguished throes
Shrouding, I quell my bitter hate;-
While numbed in heart by secret woes,
75
Of my true lords I weep the hapless fate.
ELECTRA
Ye captive women, ye who tend this home,
Since ye are present to escort with me
These lustral rites, your counsel now I crave.
How, while I pour these off'rings on the tomb,
80
Speak friendly words? and how invoke my Sire?
Shall I declare that from a loving wife
To her dear lord I bear them? from my mother?
My courage fails, nor know I what to speak,
Pouring libations on my father's tomb.
Or shall I pray, as holy wont enjoins,
That to the senders of these chaplets, he
Requital may accord, ay! meed of ill.
Or, with no mark of honour, silently,
For so my father perished, shall I pour
90
These offerings, potion to be drunk by earth,
Then, tossing o'er my head the lustral urn,
(As one who loathed refuse forth has cast,)
With eyes averted, back retrace my steps?
Be ye partakers in my counsel, friends,
For in this house one common hate we share.
Through fear hide not the feelings of your heart;
For what is destined waits alike the free
And him o'ermastered by another's hand;-
If ye have aught more wise to urge, say on.
Chorus
Thy father's tomb revering as an altar,
Since thou commandest, I will speak my thoughts.
ELECTRA
100
As thou my father's tomb reverest, speak.
Chorus
Pour, and high claims uplift for friendly hearts.
ELECTRA
Among his friends whom thus may I address?
Chorus
First name thyself and whoso hates Ægisthos.
ELECTRA
Then for myself and thee pour I this prayer.
Chorus
Hearing my words, do thou interpret them.
ELECTRA
Whom else to number with this friendly band?
Chorus
Think of Orestes though an exile still.
ELECTRA
'Tis well,-not vainly hast thou prompted me.
Chorus
Now for the guilty,—mindful of his death,—
ELECTRA
110
What shall I say? unskilled, instruct me thou.
Chorus
Pray that to them may come or god, or mortal,-
ELECTRA
As judge or as avenger meanest thou?
Chorus
Say plainly, who shall death with death requite.
ELECTRA
May I the gods thus pray nor impious be?
Chorus
How not requite an enemy with ill?
ELECTRA
Of powers above the earth and powers below
Herald supreme, escorter of the shades,
Hermes, now summon to attend my prayer
The guardians of my father's house, dread powers,
120
Throned in the nether world, and mother Earth,
Who all things bringeth forth, who fosters all,
And doth of all receive again the germ.
And I, libations pouring to the dead,
Thus pray, my Sire invoking;-" Pity me,
And dear Orestes pity;-how shall we
Rule in our palace-home? for sold, alas!
By her who bare us, we as outcasts stray;
While, for Ægisthos, 'complice in thy death,
Her lord she bartered ;-slavish is my lot,
130
Orestes exiled from his wealth, the while
Revel the twain, exulting in thy fall.
That home Orestes may at length return,
By glad success escorted, I implore.
Give ear, my father, and vouchsafe to me
A spirit than my mother's chaster far,
And hands more pure. For us these orisons;
But for thy foes, may thine avenger come,
And those be justly slain who slaughtered thee.
Thus intermingled with my pious prayer,
140
For them an evil utterance I pour.
To us upsend these blessings from below,
With gods, and Earth, and Justice conquest-crowned."
Over such prayers, libations, lo! I pour.
Yours be it now, lifting the solemn wail,
To crown with dole the pean of the dead.
English (E. D. A. Morshead, 1889, second edition) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, The Libation-Bearers — Morshead translation. Wikisource transcription; speech corresp and card milestones aligned to Smyth perseus-grc2.) — 1 focus
Lord of the shades and patron of the realm
1
That erst my father swayed, list now my prayer,
Hermes, and save me with thine aiding arm,
Me who from banishment returning stand
On this my country; lo, my foot is set
5
On this grave-mound, and herald-like, as thou,
Once and again, I bid my father hear.
And these twin locks from mine head shorn I bring,
And one to Inachus the river-god,
My young life's nurturer, I dedicate,
10
And one in sign of mourning unfulfilled
I lay, though late, on this my father's grave.
For O my father, not beside thy corse
Stood I to wail thy death, nor was my hand
Stretched out to bear thee forth to burial.
15
What sight is yonder? what this woman-throng
Hitherward coming, by their sable garb
Made manifest as mourners? What hath chanced?
Doth some new sorrow hap within the home?
Or rightly may I deem that they draw near
20
Bearing libations, such as soothe the ire
Of dead men angered, to my father's grave?
Nay, such they are indeed; for I descry
Electra mine own sister pacing hither,
In moody grief conspicuous. Grant, O Zeus,
25
Grant me my father's murder to avenge—
Be thou my willing champion!
Pylades,
Pass we aside, till rightly I descry
Wherefore these women throng in suppliance.
30
[
Exeunt Pylades and Orestes; enter the Chorus bearing vessels for libation; Electra follows them; they pace slowly towards the tomb of Agamemnon.
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.) — 1 focus
Hermes im Abgrund, der des Amtes wahrt von Zeus,
1
1
Sei Retter, sei mir Kampfgenoß, dem Flehenden!
Denn aus dem Banne kehr' ich heim in dieses Land,
Und trat, ich Armer, heimlich auf die Schwelle dort,
Wo mein geliebter Vater einst von Frauenhand
5
Durch arge List gewaltsam hingeopfert sank.
Am Grabeshügel ruf' ich hier den Vater an:
Er höre mich, vernehme meines Mundes Schwur!
Dein Blut zu rächen, Vater, bin ich heimgekehrt,
Von Loxias gesendet, dessen Spruch gebot,
10
Daß dir die Mörder fallen durch Orestes' Hand.
So höre mich, mein Vater, steh mich gnädig an;
Denn jetzt erschien die Stunde, die der Gott bestimmt,
Wo diese Rechte krönen soll der Nache Werk!
O nimm von mir die thränenreiche Spende hier:
15
Die erste Locke schnitt ich ab dem Inachos
Als Pflegedank, und diese zweite weih' ich dir
Als meines Grames treuen Gruß auf deine Gruft!
Denn nicht im Hause war ich, um dein Jammerloos
Zu klagen, Vater, streckte nicht die Hand empor,
20
Dir Lebewohl zu rufen, als man dich begrub.
(Aus der Gesindewohnung kommt der Chor in schwarzen Gewanden und Trauerschleiern, um am Grabmal Agamemnons ein Opfer zu bringen; in gleicher Tracht erscheint Elektra als die letzte des Zuges.)
Ha! Was erblick' ich? Was bedeutet diese Schaar
Von Frauen, die dort schwarzverhüllt in düsteren
Gewanden nah'n? Auf welchen Unfall deut' ich das?
Ob eine neue Trauer wohl das Haus betraf?
Ob meinem Vater diese Fraun, vermuth' ich recht,
25
Trankopfer bringen, Sühne für die Todtenwelt?
Nicht anders ist es; wandelt doch, so dünkt mir, auch
Elektra, meine Schwester, dort, in herbes Leid
Versunken. Laß, Kronide, laß des Vaters Tod
Mich rächen, hilf mir holdgesinnt in diesem Kampf!
30
Gehn wir zur Seite, Pylades, damit ich klar
Erkenne, was der Frauenzug bedeuten mag!
(Orestes und Pylades verbergen sich in der Nähe.)
Chor
Wechselgesang des Chores.
Erste Strophe.
Notes on the current edition
Libation Bearers
Commentary
Critical apparatus to The Libation Bearers (OCR draft) (Latin and Greek critical apparatus to Gottfried Hermann's 1852 edition of The Libation Bearers.) focus
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Wecklein’s commentary on Choephoroi / Libation Bearers (1888; German; OCR draft) (Explanatory commentary, pp. 163–234; single HW42J8 OCR witness, conservatively retained. Unresolved OCR and provisional reference mappings are explicitly marked.) focus
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