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But falling he knows not this, through his foolish -distraction: such darkness hovers upon the man on account of his crime, and rumour with many groans proclaims the murky cloud against regard to the house.

Eumenides. Aeschylus. Theodore Alois Buckley (Translator). London. 1849.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by Volunteer.

Current edition Experimental

The Eumenides (OCR draft) (English) (The Eumenides. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.)

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (12)

Εὐμενίδες First1KGreek (Aeschyli Tragoediae. Sidgwick, Arthur, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.) — 397-489 focus

Αθηνα

πρόσωθεν ἐξήκουσα κληδόνος βοὴν

ἀπὸ Σκαμάνδρου γῆν καταφθατουμένη,¹

ἣν δῆτ᾽ Ἀχαιῶν ἄκτορές τε καὶ πρόμοι,

τῶν αἰχμαλώτων χρημάτων λάχος μέγα,
400

ἔνειμαν αὐτόπρεμνον ἐς τὸ πᾶν ἐμοί,

ἐξαίρετον δώρημα Θησέως τόκοις:

ἔνθεν διώκουσ᾽ ἦλθον ἄτρυτον πόδα,

πτερῶν ἄτερ ῥοιβδοῦσα κόλπον αἰγίδος,

πώλοις ἀκμαίοις τόνδ᾽ ἐπιζεύξασ᾽ ὄχον.
405

καινὴν² δ᾽ ὁρῶσα τήνδ᾽ ὁμιλίαν χθονὸς

ταρβῶ μὲν οὐδέν, θαῦμα δ᾽ ὄμμασιν πάρα.

τίνες ποτ᾽ ἐστέ; πᾶσι δ᾽ ἐς κοινὸν λέγω:

βρέτας τε τοὐμὸν τῷδ᾽ ἐφημένῳ ξένῳ,

ὑμᾶς θ᾽ ὁμοίας οὐδενὶ σπαρτῶν γένει,
410

οὔτ᾽ ἐν θεαῖσι πρὸς θεῶν ὁρωμένας³

οὔτ᾽ οὖν βροτείοις ἐμφερεῖς μορφώμασι.

λέγειν δ᾽ ἄμομφον⁴ ὄντα τοὺς πέλας κακῶς

πρόσω δικαίων ἠδ᾽ ἀποστατεῖ θέμις.

Χορός

πεύσει τὰ πάντα συντόμως, Διὸς κόρη.
415

ἡμεῖς γάρ ἐσμεν Νυκτὸς αἰανῆς⁵ τέκνα.

Ἀραὶ⁶ δ᾽ ἐν οἴκοις γῆς ὑπαὶ κεκλήμεθα.

Ἀθηνᾶ

γένος μὲν οἶδα κληδόνας τ᾽ ἐπωνύμους.

Χορός

τιμάς γε μὲν δὴ τὰς ἐμὰς πεύσει τάχα.

Ἀθηνᾶ

μάθοιμ᾽ ἄν, εἰ λέγοι τις ἐμφανῆ λόγον.
420

Χορός

βροτοκτονοῦντας⁷ ἐκ δόμων ἐλαύνομεν.

Ἀθηνᾶ

καὶ τῷ κτανόντι ποῦ τὸ⁸ τέρμα τῆς φυγῆς;⁹

Χορός

ὅπου τὸ χαίρειν μηδαμοῦ νομίζεται.

Ἀθηνᾶ

ἦ καὶ τοιαύτας τῷδ᾽ ἐπιρροιζεῖς¹⁰ φυγάς;

Χορός

φονεὺς γὰρ εἶναι μητρὸς ἠξιώσατο.
425

Ἀθηνᾶ

ἄλλαις ἀνάγκαις,¹¹ ἤ τινος¹² τρέων κότον;

Χορός

ποῦ γὰρ τοσοῦτο κέντρον ὡς μητροκτονεῖν;

Ἀθηνᾶ

δυοῖν παρόντοιν ἥμισυς λόγος¹³ πάρα.

Χορός

ἀλλ᾽ ὅρκον οὐ δέξαιτ᾽ ἄν, οὐ δοῦναι θέλοι.¹⁴

Ἀθηνᾶ

κλύειν δίκαιος¹⁵ μᾶλλον ἢ πρᾶξαι θέλεις.
430

Χορός

πῶς δή; δίδαξον: τῶν σοφῶν γὰρ οὐ πένει.

Ἀθηνᾶ

ὅρκοις τὰ μὴ δίκαια μὴ νικᾶν λέγω.

Χορός

ἀλλ᾽ ἐξέλεγχε, κρῖνε δ᾽ εὐθεῖαν δίκην.

Ἀθηνᾶ

ἦ κἀπ᾽ ἐμοὶ τρέποιτ᾽ ἂν αἰτίας τέλος;

Χορός

πῶς δ᾽ οὔ; σέβουσαί γ᾽ ἀξίαν κἀπ᾽ ἀξίων.¹⁶
435
436

Ἀθηνᾶ

τί πρὸς τάδ᾽ εἰπεῖν, ὦ ξέν᾽, ἐν μέρει θέλεις;

λέξας δὲ χώραν καὶ γένος καὶ ξυμφορὰς

τὰς σάς, ἔπειτα τόνδ᾽ ἀμυναθοῦ¹⁷ ψόγον:

εἴπερ πεποιθὼς τῇ δίκῃ βρέτας τόδε

ἧσαι φυλάσσων ἑστίας ἁμῆς πέλας
440

σεμνὸς προσίκτωρ ἐν¹⁸ τρόποις Ἰξίονος:

τούτοις ἀμείβου πᾶσιν εὐμαθές τί μοι.

Ὀρέστης

ἄνασσ᾽ Ἀθάνα, πρῶτον ἐκ τῶν ὑστάτων

τῶν σῶν ἐπῶν μέλημ᾽ ἀφαιρήσω μέγα.

οὐκ εἰμὶ προστρόπαιος, οὐδ᾽ ἔχων¹⁹ μύσος
445

πρὸς χειρὶ τἠμῇ τὸ σὸν ἐφεζόμην²⁰ βρέτας.

τεκμήριον δὲ τῶνδέ σοι λέξω μέγα:

ἄφθογγον εἶναι τὸν παλαμναῖον νόμος,

ἔς τ᾽ ἂν πρὸς ἀνδρὸς αἵματος καθαρσίου

σφαγαὶ καθαιμάξωσι νεοθήλου²¹ βοτοῦ.
450

πάλαι πρὸς ἄλλοις ταῦτ᾽ ἀφιερώμεθα

οἴκοισι, καὶ βοτοῖσι καὶ ῥυτοῖς πόροις.

ταύτην μὲν οὕτω φροντίδ᾽ ἐκποδὼν λέγω.

γένος δὲ τοὐμὸν ὡς ἔχει πεύσει τάχα.

Ἀργεῖός εἰμι, πατέρα δ᾽ ἱστορεῖς καλῶς,
455

Ἀγαμέμνον᾽, ἀνδρῶν ναυβατῶν ἁρμόστορα:

ξὺν ᾧ σὺ Τροίαν ἄπολιν Ἰλίου πόλιν

ἔθηκας. ἔφθιθ᾽ οὗτος²² οὐ καλῶς, μολὼν

εἰς οἶκον: ἀλλά νιν κελαινόφρων ἐμὴ

μήτηρ κατέκτα, ποικίλοις ἀγρεύμασιν
460

κρύψασ᾽, ἃ²³ λουτρῶν ἐξεμαρτύρει φόνον.

κἀγὼ κατελθών, τὸν πρὸ τοῦ φεύγων χρόνον,

ἔκτεινα τὴν τεκοῦσαν, οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι,

ἀντικτόνοις ποιναῖσι φιλτάτου πατρός.

καὶ τῶνδε κοινῇ Λοξίας ἐπαίτιος,
465

ἄλγη προφωνῶν ἀντίκεντρα καρδίᾳ,

εἰ μή τι τῶνδ᾽ ἔρξαιμι τοὺς ἐπαιτίους.

σὺ δ᾽²⁴ εἰ δικαίως εἴτε μὴ κρῖνον δίκην:

πράξας γὰρ ἐν σοὶ πανταχῇ τάδ᾽ αἰνέσω.

470

Ἀθηνᾶ

τὸ πρᾶγμα μεῖζον, εἴ τις οἴεται τόδε
470

βροτὸς δικάζειν: οὐδὲ μὴν ἐμοὶ θέμις

φόνου²⁵ διαιρεῖν ὀξυμηνίτους²⁶ δίκας:

ἄλλως τε καὶ σὺ μὲν κατηρτυκὼς ἐμοῖς²⁷

ἱκέτης προσῆλθες καθαρὸς ἀβλαβὴς δόμοις:

ἐγὼ²⁸ δ᾽ ἄμομφον ὄντα σ᾽ αἱροῦμαι²⁹ πόλει.
475

αὗται δ᾽ ἔχουσι μοῖραν οὐκ εὐπέμπελον,

καὶ μὴ τυχοῦσαι πράγματος νικηφόρου,

χώρᾳ μεταῦθις³⁰ ἰὸς ἐκ φρονημάτων

πέδοι³¹ πεσὼν ἄφερτος αἰανὴς νόσος.

τοιαῦτα μὲν τάδ᾽ ἐστίν: ἀμφότερα, μένειν
480

πέμπειν τε³² δυσπήμαντ᾽³³ ἀμηχάνως ἐμοί.

ἐπεὶ δὲ πρᾶγμα δεῦρ᾽ ἐπέσκηψεν τόδε,

†φόνων δικαστὰς ὁρκίους αἱρουμένη³⁴

θεσμὸν τὸν εἰς ἅπαντ᾽ ἐγὼ θήσω χρόνον†.³⁵

ὑμεῖς δὲ μαρτύριά τε καὶ τεκμήρια
485

καλεῖσθ᾽, ἀρωγὰ τῆς δίκης ὁρκώματα.

κρίνασα δ᾽ ἀστῶν τῶν ἐμῶν τὰ βέλτατα

ἥξω,³⁶ διαιρεῖν τοῦτο πρᾶγμ᾽ ἐτητύμως,

ὅρκον³⁷ πορόντας³⁸ μηδὲν ἔκδικον φράσειν.³⁹⁴⁰

490

Εὐμενίδες Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 2. Smyth, Herbert Weir, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1926.) — 397-489 focus

Ἀθηνᾶ

πρόσωθεν ἐξήκουσα κληδόνος βοὴν

ἀπὸ Σκαμάνδρου γῆν καταφθατουμένη,

ἣν δῆτʼ Ἀχαιῶν ἄκτορές τε καὶ πρόμοι,

τῶν αἰχμαλώτων χρημάτων λάχος μέγα,
400

ἔνειμαν αὐτόπρεμνον εἰς τὸ πᾶν ἐμοί,

ἐξαίρετον δώρημα Θησέως τόκοις·

ἔνθεν διώκουσʼ ἦλθον ἄτρυτον πόδα,

πτερῶν ἄτερ ῥοιβδοῦσα κόλπον αἰγίδος.

πώλοις ἀκμαίοις τόνδʼ ἐπιζεύξασʼ ὄχον
405

καινὴν δʼ ὁρῶσα τήνδʼ ὁμιλίαν χθονὸς

ταρβῶ μὲν οὐδέν, θαῦμα δʼ ὄμμασιν πάρα.

τίνες ποτʼ ἐστέ; πᾶσι δʼ ἐς κοινὸν λέγω·

βρέτας τε τοὐμὸν τῷδʼ ἐφημένῳ ξένῳ,

ὑμᾶς θʼ ὁμοίας οὐδενὶ σπαρτῶν γένει,
410

οὔτʼ ἐν θεαῖσι πρὸς θεῶν ὁρωμένας

οὔτʼ οὖν βροτείοις ἐμφερεῖς μορφώμασιν.

λέγειν δʼ ἄμομφον ὄντα τοὺς πέλας κακῶς

πρόσω δικαίων ἠδʼ ἀποστατεῖ θέμις.

Χορός

πεύσῃ τὰ πάντα συντόμως, Διὸς κόρη.
415

ἡμεῖς γάρ ἐσμεν Νυκτὸς αἰανῆ τέκνα.

Ἀραὶ δʼ ἐν οἴκοις γῆς ὑπαὶ κεκλήμεθα.

Ἀθηνᾶ

γένος μὲν οἶδα κληδόνας τʼ ἐπωνύμους.

Χορός

τιμάς γε μὲν δὴ τὰς ἐμὰς πεύσῃ τάχα.

Ἀθηνᾶ

μάθοιμʼ ἄν, εἰ λέγοι τις ἐμφανῆ λόγον.
420

Χορός

βροτοκτονοῦντας ἐκ δόμων ἐλαύνομεν.

Ἀθηνᾶ

καὶ τῷ κτανόντι ποῦ τὸ τέρμα τῆς φυγῆς;

Χορός

ὅπου τὸ χαίρειν μηδαμοῦ νομίζεται.

Ἀθηνᾶ

ἦ καὶ τοιαύτας τῷδʼ ἐπιρροιζεῖς φυγάς;

Χορός

φονεὺς γὰρ εἶναι μητρὸς ἠξιώσατο.
425

Ἀθηνᾶ

ἄλλαις ἀνάγκαις, ἤ τινος τρέων κότον;

Χορός

ποῦ γὰρ τοσοῦτο κέντρον ὡς μητροκτονεῖν;

Ἀθηνᾶ

δυοῖν παρόντοιν ἥμισυς λόγου πάρα.

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ὅρκον οὐ δέξαιτʼ ἄν, οὐ δοῦναι θέλοι.

Ἀθηνᾶ

κλύειν δίκαιος μᾶλλον ἢ πρᾶξαι θέλεις.
430

Χορός

πῶς δή; δίδαξον· τῶν σοφῶν γὰρ οὐ πένῃ.

Ἀθηνᾶ

ὅρκοις τὰ μὴ δίκαια μὴ νικᾶν λέγω.

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ἐξέλεγχε, κρῖνε δʼ εὐθεῖαν δίκην.

Ἀθηνᾶ

ἦ κἀπʼ ἐμοὶ τρέποιτʼ ἂν αἰτίας τέλος;

Χορός

πῶς δʼ οὔ; σέβουσαί γʼ ἀξίαν κἀπʼ ἀξίων.
435

436

Ἀθηνᾶ

τί πρὸς τάδʼ εἰπεῖν, ὦ ξένʼ, ἐν μέρει θέλεις;

λέξας δὲ χώραν καὶ γένος καὶ ξυμφορὰς

τὰς σάς, ἔπειτα τόνδʼ ἀμυναθοῦ ψόγον·

εἴπερ πεποιθὼς τῇ δίκῃ βρέτας τόδε

ἧσαι φυλάσσων ἑστίας ἁμῆς πέλας
440

σεμνὸς προσίκτωρ ἐν τρόποις Ἰξίονος.

τούτοις ἀμείβου πᾶσιν εὐμαθές τί μοι.

Ὀρέστης

ἄνασσʼ Ἀθάνα, πρῶτον ἐκ τῶν ὑστάτων

τῶν σῶν ἐπῶν μέλημʼ ἀφαιρήσω μέγα.

οὐκ εἰμὶ προστρόπαιος, οὐδʼ ἔχων μύσος
445

πρὸς χειρὶ τἠμῇ τὸ σὸν ἐφεζόμην βρέτας.

τεκμήριον δὲ τῶνδέ σοι λέξω μέγα.

ἄφθογγον εἶναι τὸν παλαμναῖον νόμος,

ἔστʼ ἂν πρὸς ἀνδρὸς αἵματος καθαρσίου

σφαγαὶ καθαιμάξωσι νεοθήλου βοτοῦ.
450

πάλαι πρὸς ἄλλοις ταῦτʼ ἀφιερώμεθα

οἴκοισι, καὶ βοτοῖσι καὶ ῥυτοῖς πόροις.

ταύτην μὲν οὕτω φροντίδʼ ἐκποδὼν λέγω.

γένος δὲ τοὐμὸν ὡς ἔχει πεύσῃ τάχα.

Ἀργεῖός εἰμι, πατέρα δʼ ἱστορεῖς καλῶς,
455

Ἀγαμέμνονʼ, ἀνδρῶν ναυβατῶν ἁρμόστορα,

ξὺν ᾧ σὺ Τροίαν ἄπολιν Ἰλίου πόλιν

ἔθηκας. ἔφθιθʼ οὗτος οὐ καλῶς, μολὼν

εἰς οἶκον· ἀλλά νιν κελαινόφρων ἐμὴ

μήτηρ κατέκτα, ποικίλοις ἀγρεύμασιν
460

κρύψασʼ, ἃ λουτρῶν ἐξεμαρτύρει φόνον.

κἀγὼ κατελθών, τὸν πρὸ τοῦ φεύγων χρόνον,

ἔκτεινα τὴν τεκοῦσαν, οὐκ ἀρνήσομαι,

ἀντικτόνοις ποιναῖσι φιλτάτου πατρός.

καὶ τῶνδε κοινῇ Λοξίας ἐπαίτιος,
465

ἄλγη προφωνῶν ἀντίκεντρα καρδίᾳ,

εἰ μή τι τῶνδʼ ἔρξαιμι τοὺς ἐπαιτίους.

σὺ δʼ εἰ δικαίως εἴτε μὴ κρῖνον δίκην·

πράξας γὰρ ἐν σοὶ πανταχῇ τάδʼ αἰνέσω.

470

Ἀθηνᾶ

τὸ πρᾶγμα μεῖζον, εἴ τις οἴεται τόδε
470

βροτὸς δικάζειν· οὐδὲ μὴν ἐμοὶ θέμις

φόνου διαιρεῖν ὀξυμηνίτου δίκας·

ἄλλως τε καὶ σὺ μὲν κατηρτυκὼς ἐμοῖς

ἱκέτης προσῆλθες καθαρὸς ἀβλαβὴς δόμοις·

οὕτως δʼ ἄμομφον ὄντα σʼ αἰδοῦμαι πόλει.
475

αὗται δʼ ἔχουσι μοῖραν οὐκ εὐπέμπελον,

καὶ μὴ τυχοῦσαι πράγματος νικηφόρου,

χώρᾳ μεταῦθις ἰὸς ἐκ φρονημάτων

πέδοι πεσὼν ἄφερτος αἰανὴς νόσος.

τοιαῦτα μὲν τάδʼ ἐστίν· ἀμφότερα, μένειν
480

πέμπειν τε δυσπήμαντʼ ἀμηχάνως ἐμοί.

ἐπεὶ δὲ πρᾶγμα δεῦρʼ ἐπέσκηψεν τόδε,

φόνων δικαστὰς ὁρκίους αἱρουμένη

θεσμὸν τὸν εἰς ἅπαντʼ ἐγὼ θήσω χρόνον.

ὑμεῖς δὲ μαρτύριά τε καὶ τεκμήρια
485

καλεῖσθʼ, ἀρωγὰ τῆς δίκης ὁρκώματα·

κρίνασα δʼ ἀστῶν τῶν ἐμῶν τὰ βέλτατα

ἥξω, διαιρεῖν τοῦτο πρᾶγμʼ ἐτητύμως,

ὅρκον πορόντας μηδὲν ἔκδικον φράσειν.

Εὐμενίδες (1518 edition; OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Eumenides, 1518 edition. VLM-assisted OCR with native lineation and automated correspondence to the Smyth edition.) — 377 focus

Χορὸς Εὐμενίδων

ὑπ' ἄφρονι.

λῦμα, τοῖον γὰρ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μῖσος τε-

πόταται.
345

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν' ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος

αὐδᾶται πολύστονος φάτις. μένει γὰρ, ἀμήχανοι

Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Εὐμενίδες. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 377 focus

πίπτων δ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν τόδ᾽ ὑπ᾽ ἄφρονι λύμα.

τοῖον ἐπὶ κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσος πεπόταται,

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος αὐδᾶται

πολύστονος φάτις.
380

Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Εὐμενίδες. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 377 focus

πίπτων δ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν τόδ᾽ ὑπ᾽ ἄφρονι λύμα.

ποῖον ἐπὶ κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσος πεπόταται,
370

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος

αὐδᾶται πολύστονος φάτις.

¹

ΕΥΜΕΝΙΔΕΣ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΕΥΜΕΝΙΔΕΣ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 377 focus

Πίπτων δ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν τόδ' ὑπ᾽ ἄφρονι λύμᾳ·

τοῖον τοῖον γὰρ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσος πεπόταται·

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν' ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος αὐδᾶ-

ται πολύστονος φάτις.

375

Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Εὐμενίδες. Arthur Sidgwick, 1887.) — 377 focus

ΧΟ.

πίπτων δ' οὐκ οἶδεν τόδ᾽ ὑπ᾿ ἄφρονι λύμᾳ·

ἀντ. γ΄.

τοῖον ἐπὶ κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσος πεπόταται,

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν᾿ ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος αὐδᾶ-

ται πολύστονος φάτις.
380

Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Εὐμενίδες. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 377 focus

πίπτων δ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν τόδ' ὑπ᾽ ἄφρονι

λύμᾳ. τοῖον ἐπὶ
380

¹²³⁴⁵⁶

τινα τάσδε τάσδε ⁷ εἰς εἰς ἐσ Ζεὺς ζεὺσ ζεῦ Ζεὺς γὰρ αἱματοσταγὲς Ζεὺς δ᾽ αἱμοσταγές αἱμοσταγές ⁸ ἐπιφθόνοις ἐπιφθόνοις ἐπιφόνοισ ἁλομένα ἁλομένα ἀλλομένα, sed altero eraso ἀνέκαθεν ἀνέκαθεν ἄγκαθεν τοῖον τοῖον τοῖον γὰρ

EVMENIDES. 25

ΧΟ.

κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσος ποπόταται,

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν᾽ ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος

αὐδᾶται πολύστονος φάτις.

4

Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Εὐμενίδες. Martin L. West, 1990.) — 377 focus

πίπτων δ’ οὐχ οἶδεν τόδ’ ὑπ’ ἄφρονι λύμαι·

τοῖον ἐπὶ κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσους πεπόταται,

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν᾽ ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος

αὐδᾶται πολύστονος φάτις.
380

Aeschyli Eumenides (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Eumenides. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 377 focus

πίπτων δ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν τόδ᾽ ὑπ᾽ ἄφρονι λύμαι.

τοῖον [γὰρ] ἐπὶ κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσος πεπόταται,

Numeri:

368-76 = 377-80 stropha: tres pentametri dactylici + dim. troch. ephymnium trochaei paeonis specie, pherecrateus.

Apparatus Criticus

δωμάτων δομάτων τιθασὸς πίθασ(σ)ος φίλον φίλος ¹ ὁμοῖα ὁμοίως² ὑφ᾽ αἵματος ἐφ᾿ αἵμ. σπευδόμενος σπευδόμεναι (-μενα Μ1)³ [δ᾽] δ' delebant⁴ ἐπικραίνων ἐπικραίνειν εἰς ἄγκρισιν ἐς ἔγκρισιν Ζεὺς Ζεῦ Ζεὺς γὰρ αἱμοσταγὲς αἱματοσταγές ⁵ δ᾽ δ' τ' γᾶς γᾶν ἐπιφθόνοις ἐπιφόνοις ἁλομένα άλλομ. ἀλωμ. ἀνέκαθεν ἄγκαθεν (γὰρ) suppleverat⁶ [γὰρ] del.

ΧΟ.

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν᾿ ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος αὐδᾶ-

ται πολύστονος φάτις.
380

Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek text of Aeschylus' Eumenides, edited by F. A. Paley, 1885.) — 377 focus

δόξαι τ᾽ ἀνδρῶν καὶ μάλ᾽ ὑπ᾿ αἰθέρι σεμναὶ στρ. γ΄.

τακόμεναι κατὰ γᾶς μινύθουσιν ἄτιμοι

ἁμετέραις ἐφόδοις μελανείμοσιν,

ὀρχησμοῖς τ᾽ ἐπιφθόνοις ποδός.

πίπτων δ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν τόδ᾽ ὑπ᾿ ἄφρονι λύμᾳ· ἀντ. γ΄.
355

τοῖον ἐπὶ κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσος πεπόταται,

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν᾿ ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος

αὐδᾶται πολύστονος φάτις.

Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek text of Aeschylus' Eumenides, edited by Friedrich Blass, 1907.) — 377 focus

πίπτων δ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν τόδ᾽ ὑπ᾽ ἄφρονι λύμᾶι.

ἀντ. δ

τοῖον ἐπὶ κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσος πεπόταται,

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν᾿ ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος αὐδᾶται

πολύστονος φάτις.

380

στρ. ε

Translations (9)

Eumenides Perseus (Aeschylus, Volume 2. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1926. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 397-485 focus

Enter Athena, wearing the aegis.

Athena

From afar I heard the call of a summons, from the Scamander, while I was taking possession of the land, which the leaders and chiefs of the Achaeans

assigned to me, a great portion of the spoil their spears had won, to be wholly mine forever, a choice gift to Theseus’ sons.¹ From there I have come, urging on my tireless foot, without wings rustling the folds of my aegis,
400

yoking this chariot to colts in their prime.² As I see this strange company of visitors to my land, I am not afraid, but it is a wonder to my eyes. Who in the world are you? I address you all in common—this stranger sitting at my image,
405

and you, who are like no race of creatures ever born, neither seen by gods among goddesses nor resembling mortal forms. But it is far from just to speak ill of one’s neighbor who is blameless, and Right stands aloof.
410

Chorus

Daughter of Zeus, you will hear it all in brief. We are the eternal children of Night. We are called Curses in our homes beneath the earth.
415

Athena

I now know your family and the names by which you are called.

Chorus

You will soon learn my office.

Athena

I shall understand, if someone would tell the story clearly.
420

Chorus

We drive murderers from their homes.

Athena

And where is the end of flight for the killer?

Chorus

Where joy is absent and unknown.³

Athena

And would you drive this man with your shrieks to such flight?

Chorus

Yes, for he thought it right to be his mother’s murderer.
425

Athena

Through other compulsions, or in fear of someone’s wrath?

Chorus

Where is there a spur so keen as to compel the murder of a mother?

Athena

Two parties are present; only half the case is heard.

Chorus

But he will not receive an oath nor does he want to give one.

Athena

You want to be called just rather than to act justly.
430

Chorus

How so? Teach me. For you are not poor in subtleties.

Athena

I say that oaths must not win victory for injustice.

Chorus

Well then, question him, and make a straight judgment.

Athena

Then would you turn over the decision of the charge to me?

Chorus

How not?—since we honor you because you are worthy and of worthy parentage.
435

436

Athena

What do you want to say to this, stranger, in turn? After you name your country and family and fortunes, then defend yourself against this charge; if indeed, relying on the justice of your case,

you sit clinging to my image near my hearth, as a sacred suppliant, like Ixion.⁴ To all this give me a plain answer.
440

Orestes

Lady Athena, first of all I will take away a great anxiety from your last words.

I am not a suppliant in need of purification, nor did I sit at your image with pollution on my hands. I will give you strong proof of this. It is the law for one who is defiled by shedding blood to be barred from speech until he is sprinkled with the blood of
445

a new-born victim by a man who can purify from murder. Long before at other houses I have been thus purified both by victims and by flowing streams.
And so I declare that this concern is out of the way. As to my family, you will soon learn.
450

I am an Argive ; my father—you rightly inquire about him—was Agamemnon, the commander of the naval forces; along with him, you made Troy , the city of Ilion , to be no city. He did not die nobly, after he came home; but my black-hearted
455

mother killed him after she covered him in a crafty snare that still remains to witness his murder in the bath. And when I came back home, having been an exile in the time before, I killed the woman who gave birth to me, I will not deny it, as the penalty in return for the murder of my dearly-loved father.
460

Together with me Loxias is responsible for this deed, because he threatened me with pains, a goad for my heart, if I should fail to do this deed to those who were responsible. You judge whether I acted justly or not; whatever happens to me at your hands, I will be content.
465

470

Athena

The matter is too great, if any mortal thinks to pass judgment on it; no, it is not lawful even for me to decide on cases of murder that is followed by the quick anger of the Furies, especially since you, by rites fully performed, have come a pure and harmless suppliant to my house;
470

and so I respect you, since you do not bring harm to my city. Yet these women have an office that does not permit them to be dismissed lightly; and if they fail to win their cause, the venom from their resentment will fall upon the ground, an intolerable, perpetual plague afterwards in the land.
475

So stands the case: either course—to let them stay, to drive them out—brings disaster and perplexity to me. But since this matter has fallen here, I will select judges of homicide bound by oath, and I will establish this tribunal for all time.
480

Summon your witnesses and proofs, sworn evidence to support your case; and I will return when I have chosen the best of my citizens, for them to decide this matter truly, after they take an oath that they will pronounce no judgment contrary to justice. Exit
485

LES EUMÉNIDES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES EUMÉNIDES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 377 focus

les maléfices de nos pas dansants.

(Fiévreux.)

D'un pied puissant au plus haut je bondis, pour
retomber d'un poids plus lourd —

The Furies (OCR draft) Experimental (The Furies. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 377 focus

Senſeleſs he, perchance, and blind,

Such the frenzy of his mind,

420

Such the deep gloom guilt ſpreads around his walls,

He knows not that he falls.

EPODE.

Eschilo, Le Eumenidi: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, Le Eumenidi: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 377 focus

Né chi rovina, nel turpe delirio, del crollo s'avvede :

come caligine attorno lo scempio gli svola;

e la lor misera fama, sovr'esse le case

410

addensa fra lagrime le tenebre cieche.

Con un gran lancio dall'alto io piombo,

e l'orma somma del mio pie' gravo

sopra i fuggiaschi, gravo a sterminio

le membra, e infliggo la trista sorte.
415

Coro

Aeschylus, Eumenides: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Eumenides: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 377 focus

Membra intolerando detrimento.

360

Cadens uerò non nouit hoc præ imprudentia.

Malum, tale per tenebras uerò odium uolat,

Et tenebroſam aliquam nubem in domo

Vocat fama longè gemens.

Aeschylus, Die Eumeniden: German translation (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Die Eumeniden: German translation. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1919–1923.) — 377 focus

Ahnungslos spürt er nicht der Schande Nah'n.

Dumpfer Blindheit nächt'ge Hülle

wird dem Sünder seine Schuld.

Doch die Menschen flüstern zu einander

schaudervoll: „Über diesem Hause

380 lagern schwarze Schatten".

English (E. D. A. Morshead, 1889, second edition) (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, The Furies — Morshead translation. Wikisource transcription; speech corresp and card milestones aligned to Smyth perseus-grc2.) — 377 focus

Who falls infatuate, he sees not neither knows he
445

That we are at his side;

So closely round about him, darkly flitting,

The cloud of guilt doth glide.

Heavily 'tis uttered, how around his hearthstone

The mirk of hell doth rise.
450

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.) — 377 focus

Stürzend merkt er's nicht in des Wahnes Verblendung;

So mit verdunkelnden Schwingen umflattert die Schuld ihn.

Daß Graun düsterer Nacht um das Haus sich gelagert,
355

Kündet lauten Jammers Ruf.

Vierte Strophe.

English (Smyth; revised Bannon and Nagy, CHS) (OCR draft) Experimental (CHS Primary Sources revision of Herbert Weir Smyth’s translation by Cynthia Bannon and Gregory Nagy, with transliterated Greek terms tagged and aligned to the Smyth edition.)

No corresponding passage available

Commentary

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

mvp-comment-137-1 ὑπὸ ῥάχιν: ὑπὸ ράχιν Μ. Ald. Rob. ὑποβάχιν G. ὑπόρραχιν Ven. Flor. Farn. υποβράχιν Turn. ug' G. Ald. Rob.

Wecklein’s commentary on Eumenides (1888; German; OCR draft) (Explanatory commentary, pp. 251–322; HW42J8 and HXJHA8 OCR collated, with missing comparison pages 294–295 explicitly marked. Unresolved OCR and provisional reference mappings are explicitly marked.) focus

mvp-comment-104-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 265

mvp-comment-104-2 erstes Epeisodion. Apollon tritt wieder hervor und jagt nachher die Erinyen aus seinem Tempel: der Chor tritt also auf die Bühne heraus und Apollon folgt ihnen. Damit wird die zu 63 erwähnte Maschinerie zurückgedreht.

mvp-comment-109-1 Wecklein 1888, p. 266

mvp-comment-109-2 ὑπὸ ῥάχιν ist in der Handschrift vielleicht mit Recht ὑπόρραχιν geschrieben. Wenigstens entspricht dieses der Aussprache.

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Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

Χορός πεύσει τὰ πάντα συντόμως, Διὸς κόρη. 415 ἡμεῖς γάρ ἐσμεν Νυκτὸς αἰανῆς 5 τέκνα. Ἀραὶ 6 δ᾽ ἐν οἴκοις γῆς ὑπαὶ κεκλήμεθα.

Ἀθηνᾶ γένος μὲν οἶδα κληδόνας τ᾽ ἐπωνύμους.

Χορός τιμάς γε μὲν δὴ τὰς ἐμὰς πεύσει τάχα.

Ἀθηνᾶ μάθοιμ᾽ ἄν, εἰ λέγοι τις ἐμφανῆ λόγον. 420

Χορός βροτοκτονοῦντας 7 ἐκ δόμων ἐλαύνομεν.

Ἀθηνᾶ καὶ τῷ κτανόντι ποῦ τὸ 8 τέρμα τῆς φυγῆς; 9

Χορός ὅπου τὸ χαίρειν μηδαμοῦ νομίζεται.

Ἀθηνᾶ ἦ καὶ τοιαύτας τῷδ᾽ ἐπιρροιζεῖς 10 φυγάς;

Χορός φονεὺς γὰρ εἶναι μητρὸς ἠξιώσατο. 425

Ἀθηνᾶ ἄλλαις ἀνάγκαις, 11 ἤ τινος 12 τρέων κότον;

Χορός ποῦ γὰρ τοσοῦτο κέντρον ὡς μητροκτονεῖν;

Ἀθηνᾶ δυοῖν παρόντοιν ἥμισυς λόγος 13 πάρα.

Χορός ἀλλ᾽ ὅρκον οὐ δέξαιτ᾽ ἄν, οὐ δοῦναι θέλοι. 14

Ἀθηνᾶ κλύειν δίκαιος 15 μᾶλλον ἢ πρᾶξαι θέλεις. 430

Χορός πῶς δή; δίδαξον: τῶν σοφῶν γὰρ οὐ πένει.

Ἀθηνᾶ ὅρκοις τὰ μὴ δίκαια μὴ νικᾶν λέγω.

Χορός ἀλλ᾽ ἐξέλεγχε, κρῖνε δ᾽ εὐθεῖαν δίκην.

Ἀθηνᾶ ἦ κἀπ᾽ ἐμοὶ τρέποιτ᾽ ἂν αἰτίας τέλος;

Χορός πῶς δ᾽ οὔ; σέβουσαί γ᾽ ἀξίαν κἀπ᾽ ἀξίων. 16 435 436

Χορός πεύσῃ τὰ πάντα συντόμως, Διὸς κόρη. 415 ἡμεῖς γάρ ἐσμεν Νυκτὸς αἰανῆ τέκνα. Ἀραὶ δʼ ἐν οἴκοις γῆς ὑπαὶ κεκλήμεθα.

Ἀθηνᾶ γένος μὲν οἶδα κληδόνας τʼ ἐπωνύμους.

Χορός τιμάς γε μὲν δὴ τὰς ἐμὰς πεύσῃ τάχα.

Ἀθηνᾶ μάθοιμʼ ἄν, εἰ λέγοι τις ἐμφανῆ λόγον. 420

Χορός βροτοκτονοῦντας ἐκ δόμων ἐλαύνομεν.

Ἀθηνᾶ καὶ τῷ κτανόντι ποῦ τὸ τέρμα τῆς φυγῆς;

Χορός ὅπου τὸ χαίρειν μηδαμοῦ νομίζεται.

Ἀθηνᾶ ἦ καὶ τοιαύτας τῷδʼ ἐπιρροιζεῖς φυγάς;

Χορός φονεὺς γὰρ εἶναι μητρὸς ἠξιώσατο. 425

Ἀθηνᾶ ἄλλαις ἀνάγκαις, ἤ τινος τρέων κότον;

Χορός ποῦ γὰρ τοσοῦτο κέντρον ὡς μητροκτονεῖν;

Ἀθηνᾶ δυοῖν παρόντοιν ἥμισυς λόγου πάρα.

Χορός ἀλλʼ ὅρκον οὐ δέξαιτʼ ἄν, οὐ δοῦναι θέλοι.

Ἀθηνᾶ κλύειν δίκαιος μᾶλλον ἢ πρᾶξαι θέλεις. 430

Χορός πῶς δή; δίδαξον· τῶν σοφῶν γὰρ οὐ πένῃ.

Ἀθηνᾶ ὅρκοις τὰ μὴ δίκαια μὴ νικᾶν λέγω.

Χορός ἀλλʼ ἐξέλεγχε, κρῖνε δʼ εὐθεῖαν δίκην.

Ἀθηνᾶ ἦ κἀπʼ ἐμοὶ τρέποιτʼ ἂν αἰτίας τέλος;

Χορός πῶς δʼ οὔ; σέβουσαί γʼ ἀξίαν κἀπʼ ἀξίων. 435

πίπτων δ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν τόδ᾽ ὑπ᾽ ἄφρονι λύμα. τοῖον ἐπὶ κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσος πεπόταται, καὶ δνοφεράν τιν ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος αὐδᾶται πολύστονος φάτις. 380

πίπτων δ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν τόδ᾽ ὑπ᾽ ἄφρονι λύμα. ποῖον ἐπὶ κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσος πεπόταται, 370 καὶ δνοφεράν τιν ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος αὐδᾶται πολύστονος φάτις. 1

πίπτων δ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν τόδ' ὑπ᾽ ἄφρονι λύμᾳ. τοῖον ἐπὶ 380

ΧΟ. κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσος ποπόταται, καὶ δνοφεράν τιν᾽ ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος αὐδᾶται πολύστονος φάτις. 4

πίπτων δ’ οὐχ οἶδεν τόδ’ ὑπ’ ἄφρονι λύμαι· τοῖον ἐπὶ κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσους πεπόταται,

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν᾽ ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος αὐδᾶται πολύστονος φάτις. 380

Numeri:

Apparatus Criticus

ΧΟ. καὶ δνοφεράν τιν᾿ ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος αὐδᾶ- ται πολύστονος φάτις. 380

πίπτων δ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν τόδ᾽ ὑπ᾽ ἄφρονι λύμᾶι.

ἀντ. δ

στρ. ε

Chorus Daughter of Zeus, you will hear it all in brief. We are the eternal children of Night. We are called Curses in our homes beneath the earth. 415

Athena I now know your family and the names by which you are called.

Chorus You will soon learn my office.

Athena I shall understand, if someone would tell the story clearly. 420

Chorus We drive murderers from their homes.

Athena And where is the end of flight for the killer?

Chorus Where joy is absent and unknown. 3

Athena And would you drive this man with your shrieks to such flight?

Chorus Yes, for he thought it right to be his mother’s murderer. 425

Athena Through other compulsions, or in fear of someone’s wrath?

Chorus Where is there a spur so keen as to compel the murder of a mother?

Athena Two parties are present; only half the case is heard.

Chorus But he will not receive an oath nor does he want to give one.

Athena You want to be called just rather than to act justly. 430

Chorus How so? Teach me. For you are not poor in subtleties.

Athena I say that oaths must not win victory for injustice.

Chorus Well then, question him, and make a straight judgment.

Athena Then would you turn over the decision of the charge to me?

Chorus How not?—since we honor you because you are worthy and of worthy parentage. 435

(Fiévreux.) D'un pied puissant au plus haut je bondis, pour retomber d'un poids plus lourd —

EPODE.

Con un gran lancio dall'alto io piombo, e l'orma somma del mio pie' gravo sopra i fuggiaschi, gravo a sterminio le membra, e infliggo la trista sorte. 415

Coro

Who falls infatuate, he sees not neither knows he 445 That we are at his side; So closely round about him, darkly flitting, The cloud of guilt doth glide. Heavily 'tis uttered, how around his hearthstone The mirk of hell doth rise. 450

Stürzend merkt er's nicht in des Wahnes Verblendung; So mit verdunkelnden Schwingen umflattert die Schuld ihn. Daß Graun düsterer Nacht um das Haus sich gelagert, 355 Kündet lauten Jammers Ruf. Vierte Strophe.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Χορός

πεύσει τὰ πάντα συντόμως, Διὸς κόρη.
415

ἡμεῖς γάρ ἐσμεν Νυκτὸς αἰανῆς⁵ τέκνα.

Ἀραὶ⁶ δ᾽ ἐν οἴκοις γῆς ὑπαὶ κεκλήμεθα.

Ἀθηνᾶ

γένος μὲν οἶδα κληδόνας τ᾽ ἐπωνύμους.

Χορός

τιμάς γε μὲν δὴ τὰς ἐμὰς πεύσει τάχα.

Ἀθηνᾶ

μάθοιμ᾽ ἄν, εἰ λέγοι τις ἐμφανῆ λόγον.
420

Χορός

βροτοκτονοῦντας⁷ ἐκ δόμων ἐλαύνομεν.

Ἀθηνᾶ

καὶ τῷ κτανόντι ποῦ τὸ⁸ τέρμα τῆς φυγῆς;⁹

Χορός

ὅπου τὸ χαίρειν μηδαμοῦ νομίζεται.

Ἀθηνᾶ

ἦ καὶ τοιαύτας τῷδ᾽ ἐπιρροιζεῖς¹⁰ φυγάς;

Χορός

φονεὺς γὰρ εἶναι μητρὸς ἠξιώσατο.
425

Ἀθηνᾶ

ἄλλαις ἀνάγκαις,¹¹ ἤ τινος¹² τρέων κότον;

Χορός

ποῦ γὰρ τοσοῦτο κέντρον ὡς μητροκτονεῖν;

Ἀθηνᾶ

δυοῖν παρόντοιν ἥμισυς λόγος¹³ πάρα.

Χορός

ἀλλ᾽ ὅρκον οὐ δέξαιτ᾽ ἄν, οὐ δοῦναι θέλοι.¹⁴

Ἀθηνᾶ

κλύειν δίκαιος¹⁵ μᾶλλον ἢ πρᾶξαι θέλεις.
430

Χορός

πῶς δή; δίδαξον: τῶν σοφῶν γὰρ οὐ πένει.

Ἀθηνᾶ

ὅρκοις τὰ μὴ δίκαια μὴ νικᾶν λέγω.

Χορός

ἀλλ᾽ ἐξέλεγχε, κρῖνε δ᾽ εὐθεῖαν δίκην.

Ἀθηνᾶ

ἦ κἀπ᾽ ἐμοὶ τρέποιτ᾽ ἂν αἰτίας τέλος;

Χορός

πῶς δ᾽ οὔ; σέβουσαί γ᾽ ἀξίαν κἀπ᾽ ἀξίων.¹⁶
435
436

Χορός

πεύσῃ τὰ πάντα συντόμως, Διὸς κόρη.
415

ἡμεῖς γάρ ἐσμεν Νυκτὸς αἰανῆ τέκνα.

Ἀραὶ δʼ ἐν οἴκοις γῆς ὑπαὶ κεκλήμεθα.

Ἀθηνᾶ

γένος μὲν οἶδα κληδόνας τʼ ἐπωνύμους.

Χορός

τιμάς γε μὲν δὴ τὰς ἐμὰς πεύσῃ τάχα.

Ἀθηνᾶ

μάθοιμʼ ἄν, εἰ λέγοι τις ἐμφανῆ λόγον.
420

Χορός

βροτοκτονοῦντας ἐκ δόμων ἐλαύνομεν.

Ἀθηνᾶ

καὶ τῷ κτανόντι ποῦ τὸ τέρμα τῆς φυγῆς;

Χορός

ὅπου τὸ χαίρειν μηδαμοῦ νομίζεται.

Ἀθηνᾶ

ἦ καὶ τοιαύτας τῷδʼ ἐπιρροιζεῖς φυγάς;

Χορός

φονεὺς γὰρ εἶναι μητρὸς ἠξιώσατο.
425

Ἀθηνᾶ

ἄλλαις ἀνάγκαις, ἤ τινος τρέων κότον;

Χορός

ποῦ γὰρ τοσοῦτο κέντρον ὡς μητροκτονεῖν;

Ἀθηνᾶ

δυοῖν παρόντοιν ἥμισυς λόγου πάρα.

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ὅρκον οὐ δέξαιτʼ ἄν, οὐ δοῦναι θέλοι.

Ἀθηνᾶ

κλύειν δίκαιος μᾶλλον ἢ πρᾶξαι θέλεις.
430

Χορός

πῶς δή; δίδαξον· τῶν σοφῶν γὰρ οὐ πένῃ.

Ἀθηνᾶ

ὅρκοις τὰ μὴ δίκαια μὴ νικᾶν λέγω.

Χορός

ἀλλʼ ἐξέλεγχε, κρῖνε δʼ εὐθεῖαν δίκην.

Ἀθηνᾶ

ἦ κἀπʼ ἐμοὶ τρέποιτʼ ἂν αἰτίας τέλος;

Χορός

πῶς δʼ οὔ; σέβουσαί γʼ ἀξίαν κἀπʼ ἀξίων.
435

πίπτων δ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν τόδ᾽ ὑπ᾽ ἄφρονι λύμα.

τοῖον ἐπὶ κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσος πεπόταται,

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος αὐδᾶται

πολύστονος φάτις.
380

πίπτων δ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν τόδ᾽ ὑπ᾽ ἄφρονι λύμα.

ποῖον ἐπὶ κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσος πεπόταται,
370

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος

αὐδᾶται πολύστονος φάτις.

¹

πίπτων δ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν τόδ' ὑπ᾽ ἄφρονι

λύμᾳ. τοῖον ἐπὶ
380

ΧΟ.

κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσος ποπόταται,

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν᾽ ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος

αὐδᾶται πολύστονος φάτις.

4

πίπτων δ’ οὐχ οἶδεν τόδ’ ὑπ’ ἄφρονι λύμαι·

τοῖον ἐπὶ κνέφας ἀνδρὶ μύσους πεπόταται,

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν᾽ ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος

αὐδᾶται πολύστονος φάτις.
380

ΧΟ.

καὶ δνοφεράν τιν᾿ ἀχλὺν κατὰ δώματος αὐδᾶ-

ται πολύστονος φάτις.
380

Chorus

Daughter of Zeus, you will hear it all in brief. We are the eternal children of Night. We are called Curses in our homes beneath the earth.
415

Athena

I now know your family and the names by which you are called.

Chorus

You will soon learn my office.

Athena

I shall understand, if someone would tell the story clearly.
420

Chorus

We drive murderers from their homes.

Athena

And where is the end of flight for the killer?

Chorus

Where joy is absent and unknown.³

Athena

And would you drive this man with your shrieks to such flight?

Chorus

Yes, for he thought it right to be his mother’s murderer.
425

Athena

Through other compulsions, or in fear of someone’s wrath?

Chorus

Where is there a spur so keen as to compel the murder of a mother?

Athena

Two parties are present; only half the case is heard.

Chorus

But he will not receive an oath nor does he want to give one.

Athena

You want to be called just rather than to act justly.
430

Chorus

How so? Teach me. For you are not poor in subtleties.

Athena

I say that oaths must not win victory for injustice.

Chorus

Well then, question him, and make a straight judgment.

Athena

Then would you turn over the decision of the charge to me?

Chorus

How not?—since we honor you because you are worthy and of worthy parentage.
435

(Fiévreux.)

D'un pied puissant au plus haut je bondis, pour
retomber d'un poids plus lourd —

Con un gran lancio dall'alto io piombo,

e l'orma somma del mio pie' gravo

sopra i fuggiaschi, gravo a sterminio

le membra, e infliggo la trista sorte.
415

Who falls infatuate, he sees not neither knows he
445

That we are at his side;

So closely round about him, darkly flitting,

The cloud of guilt doth glide.

Heavily 'tis uttered, how around his hearthstone

The mirk of hell doth rise.
450

Stürzend merkt er's nicht in des Wahnes Verblendung;

So mit verdunkelnden Schwingen umflattert die Schuld ihn.

Daß Graun düsterer Nacht um das Haus sich gelagert,
355

Kündet lauten Jammers Ruf.

Vierte Strophe.