Donner does not repeat this refrain at this position. See the earlier occurrence in his translation.
Donner 333
Eumenides. Aeschylus. Johann Jakob Christian Donner (Translator). . .
Table of Contents
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German (J. J. C. Donner, 1854; OCR review) (OCR draft) (German) (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.)
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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
καινὴν
2
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 ὁρωμένας
3
οὔτ᾽ οὖν βροτείοις ἐμφερεῖς μορφώμασι.
λέγειν δ᾽ ἄμομφον
4
ὄντα τοὺς πέλας κακῶς
πρόσω δικαίων ἠδ᾽ ἀποστατεῖ θέμις.
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
καινὴν
2
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 ὁρωμένας
3
οὔτ᾽ οὖν βροτείοις ἐμφερεῖς μορφώμασι.
λέγειν δ᾽ ἄμομφον
4
ὄντα τοὺς πέλας κακῶς
πρόσω δικαίων ἠδ᾽ ἀποστατεῖ θέμις.
Χορός
πεύσει τὰ πάντα συντόμως, Διὸς κόρη.
415
ἡμεῖς γάρ ἐσμεν Νυκτὸς αἰανῆς
5
τέκνα.
Ἀραὶ
6
δ᾽ ἐν οἴκοις γῆς ὑπαὶ κεκλήμεθα.
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.
γένος μὲν οἶδα κληδόνας τ᾽ ἐπωνύμους.
Χορός
τιμάς γε μὲν δὴ τὰς ἐμὰς πεύσει τάχα.
τιμάς γε μὲν δὴ τὰς ἐμὰς πεύσει τάχα.
Ἀθηνᾶ
μάθοιμ᾽ ἄν, εἰ λέγοι τις ἐμφανῆ λόγον.
420
μάθοιμ᾽ ἄν, εἰ λέγοι τις ἐμφανῆ λόγον.
420
Χορός
βροτοκτονοῦντας
7
ἐκ δόμων ἐλαύνομεν.
βροτοκτονοῦντας
7
ἐκ δόμων ἐλαύνομεν.
Ἀθηνᾶ
Χορός
ὅπου τὸ χαίρειν μηδαμοῦ νομίζεται.
ὅπου τὸ χαίρειν μηδαμοῦ νομίζεται.
Ἀθηνᾶ
ἦ καὶ τοιαύτας τῷδ᾽ ἐπιρροιζεῖς
10
φυγάς;
ἦ καὶ τοιαύτας τῷδ᾽ ἐπιρροιζεῖς
10
φυγάς;
Χορός
φονεὺς γὰρ εἶναι μητρὸς ἠξιώσατο.
425
φονεὺς γὰρ εἶναι μητρὸς ἠξιώσατο.
425
Ἀθηνᾶ
Χορός
ποῦ γὰρ τοσοῦτο κέντρον ὡς μητροκτονεῖν;
ποῦ γὰρ τοσοῦτο κέντρον ὡς μητροκτονεῖν;
Ἀθηνᾶ
δυοῖν παρόντοιν ἥμισυς λόγος
13
πάρα.
δυοῖν παρόντοιν ἥμισυς λόγος
13
πάρα.
Χορός
ἀλλ᾽ ὅρκον οὐ δέξαιτ᾽ ἄν, οὐ δοῦναι θέλοι.
14
ἀλλ᾽ ὅρκον οὐ δέξαιτ᾽ ἄν, οὐ δοῦναι θέλοι.
14
Ἀθηνᾶ
κλύειν δίκαιος
15
μᾶλλον ἢ πρᾶξαι θέλεις.
430
κλύειν δίκαιος
15
μᾶλλον ἢ πρᾶξαι θέλεις.
430
Χορός
πῶς δή; δίδαξον: τῶν σοφῶν γὰρ οὐ πένει.
πῶς δή; δίδαξον: τῶν σοφῶν γὰρ οὐ πένει.
Ἀθηνᾶ
ὅρκοις τὰ μὴ δίκαια μὴ νικᾶν λέγω.
ὅρκοις τὰ μὴ δίκαια μὴ νικᾶν λέγω.
Χορός
ἀλλ᾽ ἐξέλεγχε, κρῖνε δ᾽ εὐθεῖαν δίκην.
ἀλλ᾽ ἐξέλεγχε, κρῖνε δ᾽ εὐθεῖαν δίκην.
Ἀθηνᾶ
ἦ κἀπ᾽ ἐμοὶ τρέποιτ᾽ ἂν αἰτίας τέλος;
ἦ κἀπ᾽ ἐμοὶ τρέποιτ᾽ ἂν αἰτίας τέλος;
Χορός
πῶς δ᾽ οὔ; σέβουσαί γ᾽ ἀξίαν κἀπ᾽ ἀξίων.
16
435
436
πῶς δ᾽ οὔ; σέβουσαί γ᾽ ἀξίαν κἀπ᾽ ἀξίων.
16
435
Ἀθηνᾶ
τί πρὸς τάδ᾽ εἰπεῖν, ὦ ξέν᾽, ἐν μέρει θέλεις;
λέξας δὲ χώραν καὶ γένος καὶ ξυμφορὰς
τὰς σάς, ἔπειτα τόνδ᾽ ἀμυναθοῦ
17
ψόγον:
εἴπερ πεποιθὼς τῇ δίκῃ βρέτας τόδε
ἧσαι φυλάσσων ἑστίας ἁμῆς πέλας
440
σεμνὸς προσίκτωρ ἐν
18
τρόποις Ἰξίονος:
τούτοις ἀμείβου πᾶσιν εὐμαθές τί μοι.
τί πρὸς τάδ᾽ εἰπεῖν, ὦ ξέν᾽, ἐν μέρει θέλεις;
λέξας δὲ χώραν καὶ γένος καὶ ξυμφορὰς
τὰς σάς, ἔπειτα τόνδ᾽ ἀμυναθοῦ
17
ψόγον:
εἴπερ πεποιθὼς τῇ δίκῃ βρέτας τόδε
ἧσαι φυλάσσων ἑστίας ἁμῆς πέλας
440
σεμνὸς προσίκτωρ ἐν
18
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᾽ ἔχων
19
μύσος
445
πρὸς χειρὶ τἠμῇ τὸ σὸν ἐφεζόμην
20
βρέτας.
τεκμήριον δὲ τῶνδέ σοι λέξω μέγα:
ἄφθογγον εἶναι τὸν παλαμναῖον νόμος,
ἔς τ᾽ ἂν πρὸς ἀνδρὸς αἵματος καθαρσίου
σφαγαὶ καθαιμάξωσι νεοθήλου
21
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᾽ οὗτος
22
οὐ καλῶς, μολὼν
εἰς οἶκον: ἀλλά νιν κελαινόφρων ἐμὴ
μήτηρ κατέκτα, ποικίλοις ἀγρεύμασιν
460
κρύψασ᾽, ἃ
23
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
ἄνασσ᾽ Ἀθάνα, πρῶτον ἐκ τῶν ὑστάτων
τῶν σῶν ἐπῶν μέλημ᾽ ἀφαιρήσω μέγα.
οὐκ εἰμὶ προστρόπαιος, οὐδ᾽ ἔχων
19
μύσος
445
πρὸς χειρὶ τἠμῇ τὸ σὸν ἐφεζόμην
20
βρέτας.
τεκμήριον δὲ τῶνδέ σοι λέξω μέγα:
ἄφθογγον εἶναι τὸν παλαμναῖον νόμος,
ἔς τ᾽ ἂν πρὸς ἀνδρὸς αἵματος καθαρσίου
σφαγαὶ καθαιμάξωσι νεοθήλου
21
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᾽ οὗτος
22
οὐ καλῶς, μολὼν
εἰς οἶκον: ἀλλά νιν κελαινόφρων ἐμὴ
μήτηρ κατέκτα, ποικίλοις ἀγρεύμασιν
460
κρύψασ᾽, ἃ
23
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.
Ἀθηνᾶ
τὸ πρᾶγμα μεῖζον, εἴ τις οἴεται τόδε
470
βροτὸς δικάζειν: οὐδὲ μὴν ἐμοὶ θέμις
ἄλλως τε καὶ σὺ μὲν κατηρτυκὼς ἐμοῖς
27
ἱκέτης προσῆλθες καθαρὸς ἀβλαβὴς δόμοις:
αὗται δ᾽ ἔχουσι μοῖραν οὐκ εὐπέμπελον,
καὶ μὴ τυχοῦσαι πράγματος νικηφόρου,
χώρᾳ μεταῦθις
30
ἰὸς ἐκ φρονημάτων
πέδοι
31
πεσὼν ἄφερτος αἰανὴς νόσος.
τοιαῦτα μὲν τάδ᾽ ἐστίν: ἀμφότερα, μένειν
480
ἐπεὶ δὲ πρᾶγμα δεῦρ᾽ ἐπέσκηψεν τόδε,
†φόνων δικαστὰς ὁρκίους αἱρουμένη
34
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,
490
τὸ πρᾶγμα μεῖζον, εἴ τις οἴεται τόδε
470
βροτὸς δικάζειν: οὐδὲ μὴν ἐμοὶ θέμις
ἄλλως τε καὶ σὺ μὲν κατηρτυκὼς ἐμοῖς
27
ἱκέτης προσῆλθες καθαρὸς ἀβλαβὴς δόμοις:
αὗται δ᾽ ἔχουσι μοῖραν οὐκ εὐπέμπελον,
καὶ μὴ τυχοῦσαι πράγματος νικηφόρου,
χώρᾳ μεταῦθις
30
ἰὸς ἐκ φρονημάτων
πέδοι
31
πεσὼν ἄφερτος αἰανὴς νόσος.
τοιαῦτα μὲν τάδ᾽ ἐστίν: ἀμφότερα, μένειν
ἐπεὶ δὲ πρᾶγμα δεῦρ᾽ ἐπέσκηψεν τόδε,
†φόνων δικαστὰς ὁρκίους αἱρουμένη
34
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,
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.
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.
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.
γένος μὲν οἶδα κληδόνας τʼ ἐπωνύμους.
Χορός
τιμάς γε μὲν δὴ τὰς ἐμὰς πεύσῃ τάχα.
τιμάς γε μὲν δὴ τὰς ἐμὰς πεύσῃ τάχα.
Ἀθηνᾶ
μάθοιμʼ ἄν, εἰ λέγοι τις ἐμφανῆ λόγον.
420
μάθοιμʼ ἄν, εἰ λέγοι τις ἐμφανῆ λόγον.
420
Χορός
βροτοκτονοῦντας ἐκ δόμων ἐλαύνομεν.
βροτοκτονοῦντας ἐκ δόμων ἐλαύνομεν.
Ἀθηνᾶ
καὶ τῷ κτανόντι ποῦ τὸ τέρμα τῆς φυγῆς;
καὶ τῷ κτανόντι ποῦ τὸ τέρμα τῆς φυγῆς;
Χορός
ὅπου τὸ χαίρειν μηδαμοῦ νομίζεται.
ὅπου τὸ χαίρειν μηδαμοῦ νομίζεται.
Ἀθηνᾶ
ἦ καὶ τοιαύτας τῷδʼ ἐπιρροιζεῖς φυγάς;
ἦ καὶ τοιαύτας τῷδʼ ἐπιρροιζεῖς φυγάς;
Χορός
φονεὺς γὰρ εἶναι μητρὸς ἠξιώσατο.
425
φονεὺς γὰρ εἶναι μητρὸς ἠξιώσατο.
425
Ἀθηνᾶ
ἄλλαις ἀνάγκαις, ἤ τινος τρέων κότον;
ἄλλαις ἀνάγκαις, ἤ τινος τρέων κότον;
Χορός
ποῦ γὰρ τοσοῦτο κέντρον ὡς μητροκτονεῖν;
ποῦ γὰρ τοσοῦτο κέντρον ὡς μητροκτονεῖν;
Ἀθηνᾶ
δυοῖν παρόντοιν ἥμισυς λόγου πάρα.
δυοῖν παρόντοιν ἥμισυς λόγου πάρα.
Χορός
ἀλλʼ ὅρκον οὐ δέξαιτʼ ἄν, οὐ δοῦναι θέλοι.
ἀλλʼ ὅρκον οὐ δέξαιτʼ ἄν, οὐ δοῦναι θέλοι.
Ἀθηνᾶ
κλύειν δίκαιος μᾶλλον ἢ πρᾶξαι θέλεις.
430
κλύειν δίκαιος μᾶλλον ἢ πρᾶξαι θέλεις.
430
Χορός
πῶς δή; δίδαξον· τῶν σοφῶν γὰρ οὐ πένῃ.
πῶς δή; δίδαξον· τῶν σοφῶν γὰρ οὐ πένῃ.
Ἀθηνᾶ
ὅρκοις τὰ μὴ δίκαια μὴ νικᾶν λέγω.
ὅρκοις τὰ μὴ δίκαια μὴ νικᾶν λέγω.
Χορός
ἀλλʼ ἐξέλεγχε, κρῖνε δʼ εὐθεῖαν δίκην.
ἀλλʼ ἐξέλεγχε, κρῖνε δʼ εὐθεῖαν δίκην.
Ἀθηνᾶ
ἦ κἀπʼ ἐμοὶ τρέποιτʼ ἂν αἰτίας τέλος;
ἦ κἀπʼ ἐμοὶ τρέποιτʼ ἂν αἰτίας τέλος;
Χορός
πῶς δʼ οὔ; σέβουσαί γʼ ἀξίαν κἀπʼ ἀξίων.
435
436
πῶς δʼ οὔ; σέβουσαί γʼ ἀξίαν κἀπʼ ἀξίων.
435
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.) — 354 focus
Χορὸς Εὐμενίδων
ἀναβοπάς, ὅταν ἄρης. πίθασος ὢν φίλος ἕλῃ.
ἐπὶ τὸν ὦ, διόμεναι κρατερὸν ὄνθ' ὁμοίως,
μαυροῦμεν ὑφ' αἵματος νέου. σπευδόμεναι δ'
330
ἀναβοπάς, ὅταν ἄρης. πίθασος ὢν φίλος ἕλῃ.
ἐπὶ τὸν ὦ, διόμεναι κρατερὸν ὄνθ' ὁμοίως,
μαυροῦμεν ὑφ' αἵματος νέου. σπευδόμεναι δ'
330
Χορὸς Εὐμενίδων
ᾶς ἀπηξιώσατο . δόξαι τ' ἀνδρῶν καὶ μάλ' ὑπ'
335
ᾶς ἀπηξιώσατο . δόξαι τ' ἀνδρῶν καὶ μάλ' ὑπ'
335
Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Εὐμενίδες. Guilielmus Dindorfius, 1882.) — 354 focus
δωμάτων γὰρ εἰλόμαν
ἀνατροπάς· ὅταν ῎Αρης τιθασὸς ὢν φίλον ἕλῃ,
355
ἐπιτόνως διόμεναι κρατερὸν ὄντα περ ὅμως
μαυροῦμεν νεόαιμον.
δωμάτων γὰρ εἰλόμαν
ἀνατροπάς· ὅταν ῎Αρης τιθασὸς ὢν φίλον ἕλῃ,
355
ἐπιτόνως διόμεναι κρατερὸν ὄντα περ ὅμως
μαυροῦμεν νεόαιμον.
μάλα γὰρ οὖν ἁλομένα ἀνέκαθεν βαρυπεσῆ
καταφέρω ποδὸς ἀκμὰν – σφαλερὰ γὰρ τανυ-
δρόμοις
370
κῶλα – δύσφορον ἄταν.
μάλα γὰρ οὖν ἁλομένα ἀνέκαθεν βαρυπεσῆ
καταφέρω ποδὸς ἀκμὰν – σφαλερὰ γὰρ τανυ-
δρόμοις
370
κῶλα – δύσφορον ἄταν.
Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Εὐμενίδες. Gottfried Hermann, 1852.) — 354 focus
ΕΥΜΕΝΙΔΕΣ (OCR draft) Experimental (ΕΥΜΕΝΙΔΕΣ. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 354 focus
Δωμάτων γὰρ εἱλόμαν
350
ἀνατροπάς, ὅταν Ἄρης
τιθασὸς
πίθασος (-ασσος Tr) ὢν
φίλον
φίλος ἕλῃ·
ἐπὶ τόν, ὤ,
διόμεναι
διαίνομαι
κρατερὸν
ὄνθ' ὅμως (ἀ)μαυ-
ὁμοίως μαυροῦμεν
ροῦμεν
ὑφ'
ἐφ' αἵματος νέου.
355
ΕΥΜΕΝΙΔΕΣ
[ΧΟ.]
κρατερὸν ὄνθ' ὅμως ἀμαυ-
ροῦμεν ὑφ' αἵματος νέου.)
κρατερὸν ὄνθ' ὅμως ἀμαυ-
ροῦμεν ὑφ' αἵματος νέου.)
Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Εὐμενίδες. Arthur Sidgwick, 1887.) — 354 focus
ΧΟ.
δωμάτων γὰρ εἱλόμαν
ἀνατροπάς, ὅταν Ἄρης
355
τιθασὸς ὢν φίλον ἕλῃ·
ἐπὶ τόν, ὦ, διόμεναι
κρατερὸν ὄνθ᾽
ὅμως ἀμαυρ-
οῦμεν αἵματος νέου.
δωμάτων γὰρ εἱλόμαν
ἀνατροπάς, ὅταν Ἄρης
355
τιθασὸς ὢν φίλον ἕλῃ·
ἐπὶ τόν, ὦ, διόμεναι
κρατερὸν ὄνθ᾽
ὅμως ἀμαυρ-
οῦμεν αἵματος νέου.
Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Εὐμενίδες. N. Wecklein, 1885.) — 354 focus
δωμάτων γὰρ εἱλόμαν
355
ἀνατροπάς, ὅταν Ἄρης
τιθασὸς ὢν φίλον ἕλῃ.
ἐπὶ τόν, ὦ, διόμεναι
κρατερὸν ὄνθ᾽ ὁμοίως
μαυροῦμεν ὑφ᾽ αἵματος νέου.
360
δωμάτων γὰρ εἱλόμαν
355
ἀνατροπάς, ὅταν Ἄρης
τιθασὸς ὢν φίλον ἕλῃ.
ἐπὶ τόν, ὦ, διόμεναι
κρατερὸν ὄνθ᾽ ὁμοίως
μαυροῦμεν ὑφ᾽ αἵματος νέου.
360
παραφορὰ φρενοδαλής
παράφρονα φρενοδαλησ
ὕμνος
ὕμνοισ
unus versus in M
ἁμὶν
ἁμὶν
ἁμῖν
ἀπέχειν
δίχ᾽ ἔχειν
γέρας
γέρας
9
συνδαίτωρ
συνδαίτωρ
συνδάτωρ
παλλεύκων
πανλεύκων
10
ἄμοιρος ἄκληρος
ἀνέορτος
11
δωμάτων
δωμάτων
δομάτων
τιθασὸς
τιθασὸς
πίθασοσ
φίλον
φίλον
φίλοσ
ἐπὶ τόν, ὦ, διόμεναι
ὧδ᾽ ἱέμεναι ΕΑΙ
σπεύδομεν αἶδ'
σπευδομεν αΐδ'
σπευδόμενα δ' mut. in σπευδόμεναι δ'
24 AESCHYLI
ΧΟ.
2
σπεύδομεν αἶδ' ἀφελεῖν
2
σπεύδομεν αἶδ' ἀφελεῖν
δόξαι τ᾽ ἀνδρῶν καὶ μάλ᾽ ὑπ᾽ αἰθέρι
δόξαι τ᾽ ἀνδρῶν καὶ μάλ᾽ ὑπ᾽ αἰθέρι
Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Εὐμενίδες. Martin L. West, 1990.) — 354 focus
δωμάτων γὰρ εἱλόμαν
ἀνατροπάς· ὅταν Ἄρης
355
τιθασὸς ὢν φίλον ἕληι,
ἐπὶ τόν, ὤ, διόμεναι
κρατερὸν ὄνθ’ †ὁμοίως
μαυροῦμεν ὑφ’ αἵματος νέου†.
δωμάτων γὰρ εἱλόμαν
ἀνατροπάς· ὅταν Ἄρης
355
τιθασὸς ὢν φίλον ἕληι,
ἐπὶ τόν, ὤ, διόμεναι
κρατερὸν ὄνθ’ †ὁμοίως
μαυροῦμεν ὑφ’ αἵματος νέου†.
Aeschyli Eumenides (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschyli Eumenides. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1914.) — 354 focus
ΧΟ.
δωμάτων γὰρ εἱλόμαν
ἀνατροπάς· ὅταν Ἄρης
τιθασὸς ὢν φίλον ἕληι,
ἐπὶ τόν, ὤ, διόμεναι
κρατερὸν ὄνθ᾽ ὁμοῖα μαυ-
355
ροῦμεν ὑφ᾽ αἵματος νέου. –
δωμάτων γὰρ εἱλόμαν
ἀνατροπάς· ὅταν Ἄρης
τιθασὸς ὢν φίλον ἕληι,
ἐπὶ τόν, ὤ, διόμεναι
κρατερὸν ὄνθ᾽ ὁμοῖα μαυ-
355
ροῦμεν ὑφ᾽ αἵματος νέου. –
〈δωμάτων γὰρ εἱλόμαν
ἀνατροπάς· ὅταν Ἄρης
τιθασὸς ὢν φίλον ἕληι,
ἐπὶ τόν, ὤ, διόμεναι
365
κρατερὸν ὄνθ᾽ ὁμοῖα μαυ-
ροῦμεν ὑφ᾽ αἵματος νέου.〉 –
Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek text of Aeschylus' Eumenides, edited by F. A. Paley, 1885.) — 354 focus
ἀνατροπὰς, ὅταν ῎Αρης
τιθασὸς ὢν φίλον ἕλῃ·
335
ἐπὶ τὸν, ὦ, διόμεναι
κρατερὸν ὄντα περ ὅμως
μαυροῦμεν νέον αἷμα.
ἀνατροπὰς, ὅταν ῎Αρης
τιθασὸς ὢν φίλον ἕλῃ·
335
ἐπὶ τὸν, ὦ, διόμεναι
κρατερὸν ὄντα περ ὅμως
μαυροῦμεν νέον αἷμα.
Εὐμενίδες (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek text of Aeschylus' Eumenides, edited by Friedrich Blass, 1907.) — 354 focus
δωμάτων γὰρ εἰλόμαν
ἀνατροπάς, ὅταν Ἄρης
355
στρ. γ 355
τιθασὸς ὢν φίλον ἕληι.
ἐπὶ τὸν ὧδ᾽ ἱέμεναι
κρατερὸν ὄντα περ ὅμως
μαυροῦμεν νέον αἷμα.
δωμάτων γὰρ εἰλόμαν
ἀνατροπάς, ὅταν Ἄρης
355
τιθασὸς ὢν φίλον ἕληι.
ἐπὶ τὸν ὧδ᾽ ἱέμεναι
κρατερὸν ὄντα περ ὅμως
μαυροῦμεν νέον αἷμα.
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.
436
470
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
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
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.
I now know your family and the names by which you are called.
Chorus
You will soon learn my office.
You will soon learn my office.
Athena
I shall understand, if someone would tell the story clearly.
420
I shall understand, if someone would tell the story clearly.
420
Chorus
We drive murderers from their homes.
We drive murderers from their homes.
Athena
And where is the end of flight for the killer?
And where is the end of flight for the killer?
Chorus
Where joy is absent and unknown.
3
Where joy is absent and unknown.
3
Athena
And would you drive this man with your shrieks to such flight?
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
Yes, for he thought it right to be his mother’s murderer.
425
Athena
Through other compulsions, or in fear of someone’s wrath?
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?
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.
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.
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
You want to be called just rather than to act justly.
430
Chorus
How so? Teach me. For you are not poor in subtleties.
How so? Teach me. For you are not poor in subtleties.
Athena
I say that oaths must not win victory for injustice.
I say that oaths must not win victory for injustice.
Chorus
Well then, question him, and make a straight judgment.
Well then, question him, and make a straight judgment.
Athena
Then would you turn over the decision of the charge to me?
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
How not?—since we honor you because you are worthy and of worthy parentage.
435
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
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
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
And so I declare that this concern is out of the way. As to my family, you will soon learn.
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
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
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
The Eumenides (OCR draft) Experimental (The Eumenides. Theodore Alois Buckley, 1849.) — 354 focus
For I take upon myself the overthrow of houses. when Mars, being kindred, has slain a friend. Him intently pursuing, oh! strong though he be, we destroy, because of newly-shed blood.
LES EUMÉNIDES (OCR draft) Experimental (LES EUMÉNIDES. Paul Mazon, 1920-1925.) — 354 focus
(Fiévreux.)
J'ai pris pour moi la ruine des demeures où,
admis au foyer, Arès
4
J'ai pris pour moi la ruine des demeures où,
admis au foyer, Arès 4
admis au foyer, Arès 4
sommes là, empressées à épargner à d'autres ce souci: nous voulons, par nos soins, en décharger les dieux,
The Furies (OCR draft) Experimental (The Furies. Robert Potter, 1779.) — 354 focus
Him, tho' ſtrong, we rush to ſeize;
And for the new-pour'd blood
400
Demand his purple flood,
Glorying in the ſacrifice;
Duteous haſt'ning to remove
Cares like these from angry Jove;
And ſpare, whilſt fierce for blood my vengeance flies,
405
The terrors of the ſkies.
ANTISTROPHE 2.
Duteous haſt'ning to remove
Cares like these from angry Jove;
And ſpare, whilſt fierce for blood my vengeance flies,
405
The terrors of the ſkies.
Eschilo, Le Eumenidi: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli (OCR draft) Experimental (Eschilo, Le Eumenidi: traduzione italiana di Ettore Romagnoli. Ettore Romagnoli, 1922.) — 354 focus
ch'io m'elessi la rovina
delle case, allor che Marte
entro i letti ov'ha l'amico
nido, compie amica strage.
385
Sopra questo ci avventiamo,
e per quanto sia gagliardo,
l'abbattiam con nuovo sangue.
2
Coro
Orecchio a le preci che a me si volgono, i Numi non prestino,
390
né l'opera nostra inquisiscano.
Coro
Giove di motto non degna la gente odïosa che sangue
da le man' stilla: io rovino,
le lor case, allor che Marte
entro i letti ov'ha tranquillo
395
nido, compie amica strage.
Sopra questo ci avventiamo,
e per quanto sia gagliardo,
l'abbattiam con nuovo sangue.
3
Giove di motto non degna la gente odïosa che sangue
da le man' stilla: io rovino,
le lor case, allor che Marte
entro i letti ov'ha tranquillo
395
nido, compie amica strage.
Sopra questo ci avventiamo,
e per quanto sia gagliardo,
l'abbattiam con nuovo sangue.
Coro
Aeschylus, Eumenides: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Eumenides: versio Latina Ioannis Sanravii. Ioannes Sanravius, 1555.) — 354 focus
Domorum enim elegi
Mutationes, quando Mars manſuetus exiſtens amicus
Intenſè perſequentes
Fortem exiſtentem ſimiliter
345
Obſcurabimus ſanguine recenti.
Has curas,
Deorum uerò imperfectionem
Meis precibus perficere, neq; ad ſummum uenire.
350
Iupiter enim ſanguine diſtillans odio digna gentem
Loquelam hanc dignam putauit
Opiniones uirorum & ualde ſub æthere
Aeschylus, Die Eumeniden: German translation (OCR draft) Experimental (Aeschylus, Die Eumeniden: German translation. Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, 1919–1923.) — 354 focus
Häuser zu stürzen, Geschlechter zu löschen
ist unser Beruf.
Wo blutiger Mord,
gleifsender Heuchler, am Freund sich vergreift -
hussa, zur Hatz
wie hurtig er sei,
wie heifs sein Blut:
wir machen ihn kalt.
360
Häuser zu stürzen,
Geschlechter zu löschen
ist unser Beruf.
Wo blutiger Mord,
gleifsender Heuchler, am Freund sich vergreift -
hussa, zur Hatz
wie hurtig er sei,
wie heifs sein Blut:
wir machen ihn kalt.
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.) — 354 focus
That is mine hour when falls an ancient line—
When in the household's heart
The God of blood doth slay by kindred hands,—
Then do we bear our part:
420
On him who slays we sweep with chasing cry:
Though he be triply strong,
We wear and waste him; blood atones for blood,
New pain for ancient wrong.
That is mine hour when falls an ancient line—
When in the household's heart
The God of blood doth slay by kindred hands,—
Then do we bear our part:
420
On him who slays we sweep with chasing cry:
Though he be triply strong,
We wear and waste him; blood atones for blood,
New pain for ancient wrong.
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