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1-93

Prologue. Deianeira declares her anxiety concerning Heracles, who has been fifteen months absent. Her son Hyllus sets forth to seek his father in Euboea.

λόγος … ἀνθρώπων , as Archil. fr. 86

α<*>νός τις ἀνθρώπων ὅδε

: Pind. O.7. 54

ἀνθρώπων παλαιαὶ ῥήσιες

, id. Pind. N.9. 6

ἔστι δέ τις λόγος ἀνθρώπων

: Soph. Ai.664

ἡ βροτῶν παροιμία. ἀρχαῖος

goes adverbially with φανείς , ‘put forth of old’; cp. Soph. Ant.593 f.

ἀρχαῖα

... | ...

πίπτοντ’

: and ib. 621

σοφίᾳ γὰρ ἔκ του κλεινὸν ἔπος πέφανται

(n.). L's accentuation, ἔστ’ , is right:

ἐστὶ φανείς

as=

πέφανται

would be weak here. For the order of the words (

ἀνθρώπων

separating

ἀρχαῖος

from

φανείς

), cp. Soph. Ant.944 f. As to the

γνώμη

itself, see Soph. O. T.1529 n.

Boissonade ( Notul. in Trach., 1), replying to the criticism that this

γνώμη

passed as Solon's, quotes a remark of Balzac's to this effect: ‘though Deianeira was older than Solon, she was younger than proverbial philosophy.’ So Ajax cites a maxim ascribed to Bias ( Soph. Ai.679 ).

θάνῃ . The v. l. θάνοι would be possible only if

ἄν

were absent. Cp. 164 cr. n.

οὔτ’ εἴ τῳ : for

τῳ

in the second clause, cp. Ant.257 n.

ἐγὼ δὲ τὸν ἐμόν

κ.τ.λ.

: for the tribrach, cp. Ph.1232 n.—She can dispute the old saying, because she forebodes that her life will be bitter to the end. The pathos here depends less on retrospect than on presentiment: cp. 37 , 46.— This passage illustrates Aristotle's remark that a person who speaks with strong feeling (

παθητικῶς

) may effectively impugn the truth of popular maxims (

τὰ δεδημοσιευμένα

): Rhet.2. 21 § 13.

πατρὸς μὲν

κ.τ.λ.

δέ

answers to this

μέν

. The antithesis is between her woes before and after marriage; of the latter she begins to speak at v. 27.

ναίουσ’ <ἔτ’> ἐν Πλευρῶνι . This insertion of ἔτ’ is the best remedy. The word is forcible, as marking that her sorrows began while she was still a young maiden. Cp. Ph.23 , where, as here, the text of L has lost

ἔτ’

before a word beginning with

To A's reading,

ναίουσ’ ἐνὶ Πλευρῶνι

, there are two objections. ( a) While

ἔνι

ἔνεστι

) is frequent, there is no instance of

ἐνί

for

ἐν

in tragic iambics; though Eur. admits it in lyrics. ( b) There is no example in tragic iambics of a short vowel thus lengthened before πλ at the beginning of the next word; though such lengthening would have been legitimate in the epic hexameter. Cp. W. Christ, Metrik § 18 (2nd ed.).—Paley reads ναίουσα δ’ (with B): but the

δέ

would be weak here.

Πλευρῶνι . The ancient Pleuron stood in a fertile plain of Aetolia, near the mountain called

Κούριον

, a few miles W.N.W. of Calydon. About 230 B.C. that site was deserted, and a new Pleuron was founded more to the S.W., not far from the modern Mesolonghi. ( Strabo 10. 451 : Leake, North. Gr. I. 115 ff. ) In the Iliad Pleuron figures among the chief Aetolian towns (2. 639, with four others: 13. 217, with Calydon only).

Calydon was usually represented as the seat of Oeneus ( Il.9. 529 ff.: Apollod.2. 7. 5 : Diod.4. 34 ); and Ovid calls Deianeira Calydonida ( Ov. Met.9. 112 ). It is not known whether Sophocles was following some earlier poet in preferring Pleuron. But it is noteworthy that a tragedy of Phrynichus, dealing with the death of Meleager, was called

Πλευρώνιαι

( Paus. 10. 31 § 4 ); and the Chorus would naturally belong to the home of Althaea (the wife of Oeneus).

ὄκνον . The v. l. ὄτλον (‘trouble,’ rt

ταλ

) is a less fitting word here: the point is the anguish of her dreadful suspense (15, 24). Though

ὀτλεῖν

is not rare, the noun occurs only in Aesch. Th.18

παιδείας ὄτλον

<*>λγιστον . The positive would be more usual, since εἴ τις follows; but the superl. is not redundant, if taken as absolute (‘very grievous’), and not relative (‘ the most grievous’). Cp. O. C.1006

εἴ τις γῆ θεοὺς ἐπίσταται

τιμαῖς σεβίζειν, ἥδε τῷδ’ ὑπερφέρει

: and Eur. Andr.6

νῦν δ’, εἴ τις ἄλλη, δυστυχεστάτη γυνή

. Soph. has

εἴπερ τις ἄλλος

in Soph. O. T.1118 , but more often

εἰ

εἴπερ τις

simply (as Soph. O. C. 1664 , Soph. Ai.488 ); and so Aesch. Ag.934.

ἔσχον , not εἶχον , because she thinks of the ordeal, not as a process, but as a past moment of life; cp. Ant.225

πολλὰς γὰρ ἔσχον φροντίδων ἐπιστάσεις

. This is better than to give

ἔσχον

its commoner sense, ‘ came to have’ ( Ant.1229 , Ph.1420 ).

μνηστὴρ : this legend had already been treated by Archilochus ( c. 670 B.C.), and by Pindar: see Introd.

Ἀχελῷον . The Acheloüs rises at the centre of Pindus, in Mount Lacmon, the great watershed of northern Greece, and, after a course of some 130 miles from N. to S. , flows into the Ionian Sea. Its lower waters formed the boundary between Acarnania on the west and Aetolia on the east. The modern name, ‘White River’ (Aspropotamo), is due to the yellowish colour which the stream derives from a clayed bed.

To the Greeks, Acheloüs was the king of rivers ( Il.21. 194

κρείων Ἀχελώϊος

). He was the ‘eldest son of Oceanus and Tethys’: Acusilaüs fr. 11 a (Müller Frag. Hist. I. 101)

Ὠκεανὸς δὲ γαμεῖ Τηθὺν ἑαυτοῦ ἀδελφήν· τῶν δὲ γίγνονται τρισχίλιοι ποταμοί· Ἀχελῷος<*> δὲ αὐτῶν πρεσβύτατος καὶ τετίμηται μάλιστα

. The oracle at Dodona,—which was not far west of the river's sources,—‘enjoined sacrifice to Acheloüs in all its responses’ ( schol. Il. 21. 194 ). In Acarnania

ἀγῶνες

were held in his honour (schol. Il.24. 616 ). The cult of this river-god was, however, not merely local, but Panhellenic. Such pre-eminence is enough to explain how he became a type of

πηγαῖον ὕδωρ

generally, without assuming the more than doubtful kinship of

ἀχ

with aqua. For Greek, it should rather be

ἀπ

, as in

Μεσσάπιοι

ἐν τρισὶν μορφαῖσιν . The power of self-transformation, which Greek fancy gave especially to deities of water, was a lively symbol of the unstable element. Proteus exerts that power against Menelaus ( Od.4. 456 ), Nereus against Heracles ( Apollod.2. 5. 11 ), Thetis against Peleus (schol. Pind. N.3. 55 , Soph. fr. 155 and 556). Each is desperate, and must try every resource. And so, here, self-change expresses passionate importunity. Mythology found a reflex in daily speech when Greeks said,

παντοῖος γίγνεται δεόμενος

ἐναργὴς , in visible form, before the eyes of Oeneus: cp. 224 . The word suggests that sense of awe which came to a Greek at the thought of a

δαίμων

actually appearing to a mortal: Il.20. 131

χαλεποὶ δὲ θεοὶ φαίνεσθαι ἐναργεῖς

: ‘'tis perilous when a god is seen face to face.’ Od.16. 161

οὐ γάρ πω πάντεσσι θεοὶ φαίνονται ἐναργεῖς

: ib. 3. 420 (Athena)

ἥ μοι ἐναργὴς ἦλθε

. Verg. Aen. 4. 358

ipse deum manifesto in lumine vidi.

Acheloüs occurs in works of art under each of the three forms which he takes here.

(1) ταῦρος . This regular embodiment of a river-god symbolised both the roar of the torrent, and, as Strabo adds, the twistings of the stream (

καμπαί

ἃς καλοῦσι κέρατα

(10. 458) . Coins of Acarnania (after 300 B.C.) show Acheloüs as a bull with human head; and Soph. may have had this type in mind, for it appears on coins of Magna Graecia as early as 500 B.C.

(2) αἰόλος δράκων ἑλικτός . The image is peculiarly appropriate, since the Acheloüs, in parts of its course, is so tortuous. For

αἰόλος

, ‘gleaming,’ cp. n. on Ph.1157. A vase-painting shows the Acheloüs, in combat with Heracles, as a serpent with the head and arms of a man, and an ox's horns (Gerhard, Auserl. Vasenbilder, vol. 2, no. 115).

(3) ἀνδρείῳ κύτει βούπρῳρος κ.τ.λ. A human figure, with human face, and a shaggy beard, but with the forehead, horns, and ears of an ox. The Acheloüs appears thus on an archaic coin of Meta pontum in Lucania (Millingen, Anc. Coins of Greek Cities and Kings, pl. 1, no. 21). The words

ἐκ δὲ δασκίου γενειάδος, κ.τ.λ.

, coupled with such evidence, make it clear that βούπρῳρος means, ‘with front’ (not, ‘head’) of ox. In this sense, it is fitter than βούκρανος : and Strabo 's reading (cr. n.) is thus confirmed.

κύτει . The word

κύτος

(rt

κυ

) means ‘a cavity,’ then ‘a vessel’: hence, fig., the human body as encasing the vital organs: Plat. Tim. 74 A

ἀπὸ τῆς κεφαλῆς διὰ παντὸς τοῦ κύτους

. See Appendix.

διερραίνοντο , ‘were sprinkled abroad’: a word applied by Arist. to the ‘diffusion’ of fire by rapid movement, Meteor. I. 3 (p. 341 a 30)

τὸ...πῦρ...διαρραίνεσθαιτῇ κινήσει.— κρηναίου ποτοῦ

, the water as it flowed from the

κρήνη

, fount, of the river. This phrase recurs in Ph.21 , and (plur.) in fr. 559. Hesiod Theog. 340 calls the Acheloüs

ἀργυροδίνην

προσδεδεγμένη , ‘expecting’ such a suitor; i.e., looking forward to his becoming her husband (525). Cp. the usage of the epic aor. partic., Il.10. 123

ἐμὴν ποτιδέγμενος ὁρμήν

. The normal Attic sense, ‘having received,’ is inadmissible. She could not yet be doomed to the visits of a wooer who had not even gained her father's consent.

τῆσδε κοίτης . Though the compound

ἐμπελάζειν

elsewhere (as in 748) takes a dat., it can also take a gen., like the simple verb ( Ph.1327

πελασθεὶς φύλακος

). So a gen., instead of the more usual dat., stands with

συντυχών

( Ph.320 ),

ἐντυχών

( ib. 1333),

ὑπαντήσας

( ib. 719).

μέν … δέ : not, indeed, soon enough to prevent the anguish of which she has spoken (v. 16), yet to her joy.

ἀσμένῃ … μοι : O. T.1356 n.

ἐκλύεται , here simply=

ἐκλύει

(cp. Ant.1112 n., and O. T.1003 ), rather than ‘delivers for himself,’ i.e., to be his bride.

διείποιμ’ , tell clearly: O. T.854 n. The place of the first ἂν serves to emphasise τρόπον ( O. T.339 n.).

πόνων , of warfare, Ph.248 n.

τῆς θέας : for the gen., cp. O. T.885

Δίκας ἀφόβητος.— ὅδ’

, after ὅστις , as in Ant.463 f. The drawback to ὁ δ’ here is that it would be unduly emphatic: see Ph.87 , Appendix.

24 f. These two verses are plainly genuine. It is idle to condemn them merely because they are not indispensable. Nauck, who spares v. 24, rejects v. 25 because Deianeira ought to speak of her fate as depending ‘on the issue of the combat, not on her beauty.’ As if her beauty was not the cause of the combat. It might as well be objected to v. 465,

τὸ κάλλος αὐτῆς τὸν βίον διώλεσεν

, that Iolè was the victim of war.

ἐξεύροι : cp. Ph.287

γαστρὶ μὲν τὰ σύμφορα

τόξον τόδ’ ἐξηύρισκε

Ζεὺς ἀγώνιος , the supreme arbiter in all trials of strength,—as at Argos he was

σθένιος

( Paus. 2. 32 § 7 ). So Hermes is

ἀγώνιος

( Pind. I.1. 60 etc.), as patron of the palaestra. The

ἀγώνιοι θεοί

of Aesch. Suppl. 189 , besides these two, are Apollo and Poseidon,—who presided respectively over the Pythian and Isthmian

ἀγῶνες

, as Zeus over the Olympian and Nemean: see ib. 182—194 , and Prof. Tucker's note on v. 163 (=189 Dind.).

27 f. The tone of εἰ δὴ is sceptical, as that of

εἴπερ

is usu. confident: cp. Eur. Or.17 (quoted by Schneidewin),

ὁ κλεινός, εἰ δὴ κλεινός, Ἀγαμέμνων

. The pause after the second foot suits the pensive stress on

εἰ δὴ καλῶς

: cp. Soph. Ant.658

ἀλλὰ κτενῶ. πρὸς ταῦτ’ ἐφυμνείτω Δία

, etc.— λέχος , nom., in the sense of ‘bride’ ( cp. 360 , and Ai.211 ). The accus. in Ai.491 ,

τὸ σὸν λέχος ξυνῆλθον

(‘came into thy bed’), is warranted by the verb of motion, as in Soph. Ph.817 ,

ἡ δὲ σύναιμον λέχος ἦλθεν

. But

λέχος ξυστᾶσά τινι

could not well mean ‘joined to him in marriage’ (as though

λέχος

were a kind of cognate acc.).

κριτὸν , chosen by himself ( cp. 245 ), is also best suited to

λέχος

as= ‘bride.’ For

ξυστᾶσ’

cp. Isocr. Ep. 4 § 8,

ἐπειδὴ ξυνέστηκέ μοι

(‘since he has been associated with me’).

προκηραίνουσα (

κῆρ

), feeling anxiety about him,

μεριμνῶσα κατὰ τὸ κέαρ

(schol.). The compound occurs only here: Eur. has the simple

κηραίνω

as = ‘to be anxious’ ( Eur. Hipp.223 , Eur. H. F.518 ). Distinguish the other

κηραίνω

, from

κήρ

, ‘to harm’ ( Aesch. Eum.128 ,

δρακαίνης ἐξεκήραναν μένος

νὺξ γὰρ εἰσάγει κ.τ.λ.: ‘for one night ushers in a trouble, and another, in succession (to the former night), expels it,’ —to make room for some fresh anxiety. This is a poetical amplification of

ἀεί τιν’ ἐκ φόβου φόβον τρέφω

. Each night torments her, as she lies awake, with some new surmise as to her husband's fate.— πόνον is governed by both verbs.

διαδεδεγμένη is used absolutely: its object, if expressed, would have been

τὴν προτέραν νύκτα

: cp. Her.8. 142

ὡς δὲ ἐπαύσατο λέγων Ἀλέξανδρος, δια δεξάμενοι

(‘in their turn’)

ἔλεγον οἱ ἀπὸ Σπάρτης ἄγγελοι

. Thus

διαδεδεγμένη

serves at once ( a) to show that the words

νὺξ εἰσάγει καὶ νὺξ ἀπωθεῖ

refer to different nights; and ( b) to suggest the new

πόνος

—not expressly mentioned—which the second night brings; since the task in which it is

διάδοχος

to the first is that of harassing the sufferer's mind. See Appendix.

οὓς κεῖνός ποτε

κ.τ.λ.

The point of the comparison, which has been prompted by the word

σπείρων

, is merely the rarity of the visits. ποτέ =‘at some time or other’ (cp.

ὀψέ ποτε, χρόνῳ ποτέ

), or perhaps ‘formerly’—while the labours for Eurystheus were going on: it could not, by itself, mean ‘ only now and then.’ The sentence begins as if

ποτέ

were to be followed by some such general phrase as

διὰ χρόνου

:—

οὓς κεῖνός ποτε...διὰ χρόνου προσεῖδε

, ‘whom he saw only at uncertain intervals.’ The interposed simile, however, leads the poet to employ a phrase adapted to the special case of the

γῄτης

,—viz., σπείρων μόνον κἀξαμῶν ἅπαξ . The

γῄτης

sees his distant field only twice a year. But it is not meant that Heracles visits his home just twice a year. Nor has ἐξαμῶν any figurative application to him, such as ‘reaping the joy’ of seeing his children. It is an irrelevant detail. This is quite Homeric. See, e.g., Il.13. 62 ff., where Poseidon, soaring into the air, is likened to a bird which soars

διώκειν ὄρνεον ἄλλο

: though the sea-god is pursuing no one.

ἅπαξ seems best taken with ἐξαμῶν only.

αἰὼν , fortune in life; Ph.179. — εἰς δόμους τε κἀκ δόμων : this order of words is the most forcible: no sooner did he regain his home, than he had to leave it again. The reversed order (which Brunck prefers) would give greater prominence to his moments of rest.

τῳ : Eurystheus (1049), whose name she shrinks from uttering.

ἄθλων τῶνδ’ , the labours for Eurystheus.

ὑπερτελὴς , rising clear of them: Eur. Ion1549

οἴκων...ὑπερτελής

(appearing above it): Aesch. Ag.359

ὑπερτελέσαι

μέγα δουλείας

γάγγαμον ἄτης.— ἔφυ

seems to be here no more than

ἐγένετο

(as in Soph. El.236 , and often). Some, however, understand, ‘now that his inborn force has prevailed,’ etc.— ταρβήσασ’ ἔχω =

τετάρβηκα

. The periphrasis is somewhat rare when the verb is intrans.; but cp. Soph. O. T.731

οὐδέ π<*> λήξαντ’ ἔχει

ἔκτα , the only Sophoclean example of this form (on which see Monro, Hom. Gr. § 13), though we have

συγ κατακτάς

in Ai.230. Both Aesch. ( Aesch. Eum.460 ) and Eur. ( Eur. Bacch.1290 , etc.) use

κατέκταν

in dialogue, but not

ἔκταν.— Ἰφίτου βίαν

: for the periphrasis, cp. Soph. Ph.314.

ἐν Τραχῖνι . Heracles was dwelling at Tiryns when he slew Iphitus, as related in vv. 270 ff. Then, with Deianeira and his children, he removed from Tiryns to Trachis, and soon afterwards Zeus sent him forth into servitude (276).— ἀνάστατοι ( O. C.429 n.) alludes to compulsion used by Eurystheus: the word would not suit a voluntary migration. This had happened fifteen months ago.

ξένῳ παρ’ ἀνδρὶ : Ceÿx, king of Trachis, who is not named in this play. Scut. 353 (Heracles speaks)

Τρηχῖνα δέ τοι παρελαύνω

ἐς Κήϋκα ἄνακτα· ὁ γὰρ δυνάμει τε καὶ αἰδοῖ

Τρηχῖνος προβέβηκε

. The Hesiodic

Κήϋκος γάμος

described a marriage-feast given by that king, at which Heracles was a guest. Apollodorus (2. 7 § 7) and Diodorus (4. 36 § 57) mention Ceÿx.

ὅπου , not

ὅποι

, since

βέβηκεν

implies, ‘is now’: cp. O. C.52.

πλὴν· cp. O. C.1643

ἀλλ’ ἕρπεθ’

ὡς τάχιστα· πλὴν <*> κύριος

Θησε<*> παρέστω.— ὠδῖνας

: cp. <*>25.

αὑτοῦ , <*>ctive gen.: cp. Ant.858

πατρὸς...ο<*>κτο<*>

( about him): Ph.1039

κέντρον...ἐμοῦ. <*>οῦ

is clearly right: the h<*>shness of αὐτ<*> may be measured by supposing that, <*>stead of it, we had

Ἡρακλέους

τἀνδρος

δέκα … πρὸς ἄλλοις <*>έντε . Twelve years before this time, the <*>acle at Dodona had told Heracles th<*>. at the end of twelve years (824), he <*>ould have rest. Fifteen months befo<*> this time, Heracles had given Deian<*> the

δέλτος

on which h<*> had written <*>own that oracle (1167). <*>e had then to<*> her that, if he did not return at the <*> of fifteen months, she might assume th<*> he was dead (164 ff.)<*>

ἀκήρυκτος . No herald has come, either to announ<*> his approach, or to give any tidings of <*>im.

46 The emphasis is on κἄστιν , not on

δεινόν

. When she ponders the <*>cle, her grave misgiving (43) becomes <*>rtitude.

τοιαύτην , giving the ground for a statement: O. C.747 n.

τὴν , a rare instance of the art. used as relat. pron. in dial gue without metrical necessity: see O. C.747 n. The motive here may have been a wish to avoid four consecutive endings in ν .

πημονῆς ἄτερ . If the

δέλτος

should prove to have foretold the death of Heracles, then she would have received it

σὺν πημονῇ

: it would have been a harbinger of woe.—As to Wunder's rejection of vv<*> 44—48, see Appendix.

πολλὰ μὲν … νῦν δ’ : the thought is, ‘though hitherto I have been silent, now I must speak.’ γοωμένην takes πολλὰ … πανδάκρυτ’ ὀδύρματα as ‘inner’ (or ‘cognate’) accus., and τὴν Ἡρ. ἔξοδον as object: Schneidewin cp. Eur. Med.205

ἄχεα μογερὰ βοᾷ

τὸν ἐν λέχει προδόταν

φρενοῦν , pres., since the act may be conceived as continuing or re peated; but φράσαι , aor., with ref. to the particular utterance: cp. Ph.95

ἐξαμαρτεῖν...νικᾶν

: ib. 667 f.

θιγγάνειν... δοῦναι

κἀμὲ κ.τ.λ. Two constructions are possible: I prefer the first. (1) καί = ‘and,’ depending on εἰ , and the apodosis begins with the direct question,

πῶς κ.τ.λ.

(2) καί =‘even’ (cp. Ant.719 n.,

κἀπ’ ἐμοῦ

), and the apodosis begins with

κἀμὲ χρή

. But the first is more deferential; and the very abruptness of

πῶς κ.τ.λ.

is natural here.

φράσαι τὸ σόν , ‘to prescribe thy part’ ( O.C. 625 n.), i.e., to say what it becomes thee to do. There is only a verbal resemblance to I. A. 1167 (compared by Schneid.),

ἢ )μὲ χρὴ λέγειν τὰ σά

; ‘am I to make thine answer for thee?’—The v. l. τόσον is weaker, whether taken to mean ‘so bold a speech,’ or (with the schol.) ‘just thus much.’ And the form itself is rare in Sophocles ( Ai.277

δὶς τόσ’

: ib. 185 lyr.

τόσσον

τοσοῖσδε . Besides Hyllus, the eldest child of Deianeira, legend gave her three other sons, and one daughter (Apoilod. 2. 7 § 8: Diod.4. 37 : Paus. 1. 32 § 5 ). Cp. vv. 1153 ff . For the parataxis (

πληθύεις μέν, ἀτὰρ οὐ πέμπεις

), cp. O. T.419 n.

κατὰ ζήτησιν : Isocr. or. 17 § 4

χρήματα δοὺς ἐξέπεμψεν ἅμα κατ’ ἐμπορίαν καὶ κατὰ θεωρίαν

εἰ πατρὸς νέμοι τιν’ ὤραν τοῦ … δοκεῖν : instead of

εἰ νέμοι τιν’ ὤραν τοῦ τὸν πατέρα...δοκεῖν

. The gen. πατρὸς , placed at the beginning of the clause, illustrates the normal Greek tendency to announce the subject of the statement at the outset (as in

τοῦτον οἶσθ’ εἰ ζῶν κυρεῖ

, Ph.444 n.). The second gen., τοῦ … δοκεῖν , is ‘epexegetic,’ as defining the

ὤραν

. But it is not in apposition with

πατρός

(‘care for his father,— that is, care for his being deemed,’ etc.). Rather the two genitives are linked to

ὤραν

with slightly different shades of meaning;— ‘care, on his father's account, for his being deemed.’ Instead of τοῦ … δοκεῖν , we might have had a relative clause,

ὅπως ἂν...δοκῇ

. But, since

ὤραν

could take a gen., that constr. was preferred as more compact. Cp. Dem. or. 2 § 4

τούτων οὐχὶ νῦν ὁρῶ τὸν καιρὸν τοῦ λέγειν

(the speaking-time for these things). Id. or. 5 § 22

λαβεῖν ἐβούλετο τὴν δόξαν τοῦ πολέμου τοῦ δοκεῖν δἰ αὑτὸν κρίσιν εἰληφέναι

δοκεῖν here=‘be believed to be’: cp. Thuc.6. 17

ἕως...ὁ Νικίας εὐτυχὴς δοκεῖ

ε<*>ναι

, ‘while he has the reputation of being successful’ (not ‘seems’: he really was so). The meaning is, ‘Hyllus ought to go in search of news, if he cared to dispel our painful anxiety.’ The

τροφός

chooses words which avoid any suggestion of disaster to Heracles, and say only that his welfare has yet to be ascertained.

νέμοι is better attested than νέμει , and also fitter, as implying the deferential

εἰκὸς ἂν εἴη

, not the blunt

εἰκός ἐστιν

. See Appendix.

ἀρτίπους , with opportune foot (

ἀρτίως καὶ ἡρμοσμένως τῷ καιρῷ πορεύεται

, schol.). Cp. the similar phrases for a timely arrival ; O. T.78

εἰς καλόν

: Ant.386

ἐς δέον περᾷ

: 387

ποίᾳ ξύμμετρος προὔβην τύχῃ

; Ai.1168

ἐς αὐτὸν καιρόν

: Aesch. Theb. 373

εἰς ἀρτίκολλον ἀγγέλου λόγου μαθεῖν

. Elsewhere ἀρτίπους =‘with sound foot’ (

ἅρτιος

, well-compacted), as Il.9. 505. And so some take it here, as if it were meant to suggest his fitness for the mission: but this seems frigid. The poet was perhaps thinking of

ἄρτι

rather than of

ἄρτιος

: and

ἄρτι

certainly occurs in composition, not only with verbs (as

ἀρτιθανής

), but also with nouns, as

ἀρτίδακρυς

( Eur. Med.903 ),

ἀρτίπλουτος

( Aesch. Suppl.742 ). Still,

ἀρτίπους

, as used here, could be taken from

ἄρτιος

, in the sense of ‘fitted’ to the occasion,

καίριος.— θρῴσκει δόμους

: Soph. O. C.643

δόμους στείχειν ἐμούς

. He is hastening to tell his mother the news which he has just heard (67).

πρὸς καιρὸν : cp. O. T.325 n.

τοῖς τ’ is clearly right: Deianeira can at once act on the counsel by sending Hyllus. With τοῖς simply, or τοῖς γ’ , the sense would be much weaker: ‘Hyllus can do as I suggest.’

ὦ τέκνον, ὦ παῖ , an affectionate form of address, as in Ph.260 , Eur. Hec.172 , etc.

ἀγεννή<*>ων , prop. ‘not begotten’ ( O. C.973 ), then, ‘of no birth,’ ‘low-born,’ like

ἀγεννής

and

ἀγενής.— καλῶς πίπτουσιν

, fall happily,—a metaphor from dice: Soph. El.1100

τὰ μὲν γὰρ εὖ

, |

τὰ δ’ οὐ καλῶς πίπτοντα δέρκομαι βροτῶν.— ἐλεύθερον

ἐλευθέριον

: cp. Eur. fr. 828

πολλοῖσι δούλοις τοὔνομ’ αἰσχρόν, ἡ δὲ φρὴν

τῶν οὐχὶ δούλων ἔστ’ ἐλευθερωτέρα

διδακτά : for the plur., cp. Ph.524 (

αἰσχρά

), and O. C.554 n. The sing. occurs below O. C., 671.

σὲ … τὸ μὴ πυθέσθαι : for the place of

σέ

, cp. Ant.710

ἀλλ’ ἄνδρα, κεἴ τις ᾖ σοφός, τὸ μανθάνειν

πόλλ’ αἰσχρὸν οὐδέν

. It is needless to conjecture <*>.— ἐξενωμένου : cp. El.865

ξένος...κέκευθεν

(‘he has been buried in a foreign land’). Shaksp. H. VIII. 2. 2. 129

Kept him a foreign man

(=kept him out of England).

ποῦ )στιν : for this mode of writing, cp. Ph.16 n.

φέρειν is a certain correction of φέρει : in answer to his question, she is quoting the slave's speech.

μύθοις , L's reading, is as good as μύθοις γ’ , though no better. L has lost

γε

in some other places (as Ant.648 Ant., 1241 ): but, on the whole, it seems best not to assume such a loss here.

ἱδρῦσθαι . The length of his absence prompts her conjecture that he has fixed his abode somewhere: cp. 101

κλιθείς

μὲν here is not answered by ἀλλ’ in 72.

ἄροτον , ploughing-season ( Hes. Op.448 ), hence, ‘year’: cp. 825 . So

πόα

=‘summer,’ Rhianus ap. Paus. 4. 17 § 6

χείματά τε ποίας τε δύω.— ἐν μήκει χρόνου

, ‘at the full length of that period,’ i.e., from beginning to end of the year.

Λυδῇ : Omphalè: .

εἰ καὶ τοῦτ’ ἔτλη : ‘if he indeed bore this.’

καί

here emphasises

τοῦτ’ ἔτλη

: cp. Ai.1127

δεινόν γ’ εἶπας, εἰ καὶ ζῇς θανών

: and O. T.305 n. If

καί

were taken with

τοῦτο

only (‘ even this’), it would imply former disgraces. Cp. 1218 n.

ἀλλά , like ‘well,’ here refers to D. 's bitter comment: that disgrace, at any rate, is past.

ἢ θανὼν : a fine touch. She is prepared to hear anything now; even that he is dead. And

ἐξαφεῖται

was ambiguous.

Εὐβοῖδα (as in Aesch. fr. 29), contr. for

Εὐβοΐδα

, acc. of

Εὐβοΐς

. In Soph. El.442 the MSS. give

Εὐβοΐδας

, for which Seidler wrote

Εὐβοῖδας

. For the nom., the longer form

Εὐβοιΐς

is used below (237 Soph. El., 401 ).

πόλιν is in appos. with Εὐβοῖδα χώραν . Oechalia in Euboea was the seat of Eurytus, but it is in accor<*>nce with epic precedent to regard him as reigning over the whole island,— like Chalcodon in the Philoctetes (489 n.), and Elephenor in the Iliad (2. 536 ff.).— ἢ μέλλειν ἔτι , sc.

ἐπιστρατεύσειν

: O. C.1074

ἔρδουσ’ ἢ μέλλουσιν

;

ἔλειπε seems to differ from

ἔλιπε

here only as being somewhat more vivid, — i.e., as serving to suggest the moment when he was doing the act ( cp. 47

δέλτον λιπὼν ἔστειχε

). See Appendix.

τῆσδε τῆς χώρας πέρι . There is no reason to suspect

χώρας

. The oracle said that, at this time, he was to go through his last labour. The Euboean war, she infers, is that labour.

ἀγνοῶ . As Heracles had long spared Deianeira a knowledge of the prophecy (158), so she had hitherto spared her son.

τελευτὴν … τελεῖν : cp. Theognis 1166

εὖτ’ ἂν ὁδοῦ τελέῃς τέρματ’ ἐπ’ ἐμπορίην

ἄρας , having taken up, as a burden to be borne. The midd. would be usual in this sense ( Eur. Ion199

αἰρόμενος πόνους

): but the act. is also admissible, just as in Soph. Ph.706

οὐ φορβὰν...αἴρων

(n.). So in Il.23. 736 we have the act.

ἀέθλια δ’ ἶσ’ ἀνελόντες

(‘having won like prizes’), but ib. 823 the midd.,

ἀέθλια ἶσ’ ἀνελέσθαι

εἰς τό γ’ ὕστερον , Reiske's simple correction of εἰς τὸν ὕστερον , is much the best.

τὸν ὕστερον

cannot be defended by understanding

χρόνον

: the two passages in which

τὸν ἀεί

has been explained as

τὸν ἀεὶ χρόνον

are both corrupt ( O. C.1584 , El.1075 ).—The redundancy of

τὸν λοιπὸν ἤδη

after

εἰς τό γ’ ὕστερον

is not greater than that in Ph.1103 ff.

ὃς ἤδη μετ’ οὐδενὸς ὕστερον

ἀνδρῶν εἰσοπίσω τάλας...ὀλοῦμαι

: where the text is certain. For other conjectures, see Appendix.— βίοτον εὐαίων’ : cp. O. T.518

βίου...τοῦ μακραίωνος

ἐν οὖν ῥοπῇ … κειμένῳ : cp. O. C.1510

ἐν τῷ δὲ κεῖσαι τοῦ μόρου τεκμηρίῳ

; (‘what sign of thy fate holds thee in suspense?’)—answering the words,

ῥοπὴ βίου μοι

. Alcaeus ap. Vesp. 1235

ἀντρέψεις ἔτι τὰν πόλιν· ἁ δ’ ἔχεται ῥοπᾶς

(‘its fate hangs in the trembling scale’). For

ῥοπή

cp. also O. T.961 n.

83—

ἡνίκ’ ἢ σεσώσμεθα … οἰχόμεσθ’ ἅμα . Verses 83 and 85 are probably right as they stand, while v. 84 is spurious. The original form of the interpolation was, however, I think,

καὶ πίπτομεν σοῦ πατρὸς ἐξολωλότος

, intended to follow

οἰχόμεσθ’ ἅμα

, in order to supply the condition opposed to

κείνου βίον σώσαντος

. Then it struck a reviser that the passage would be more forcible if

καὶ πίπτομεν

were changed to

ἢ πίπτομεν

, and v. 85 were omitted.

This view of the original text may be supported by a consideration which does not seem to have been noticed. The very circumstance which prompted the interpolation—viz., the absence of the condition for

οἰχόμεσθ’ ἅμα

—is an admirable dramatic touch. For, while Deianeira and her hearers would understand

ἅμα

as meaning,

ἅμα οἰχομένῳ

, her death is really to be linked with his victory.

For a similar piece of textual history, cp. Eur. Andr.6 , where the true text is

νῦν δ’, εἴτις ἄλλη, δυστυχεστάτη γυνή

: but there was another reading, which made two verses of it:—

νῦν δ’ οὔτις

(or

νῦν δὴ τίς

)

ἄλλη δυστυχεστέρα γυνὴ

ἐμοῦ πέφυκεν ἢ γενήσεταί ποτε

. Of the second v., the schol. there says,

οἱ ὑποκριταὶ τὸν ἴαμβον προσέθηκαν

. See Appendix.

The synizesis in ἢ οἰχόμεσθ’ cannot be strictly paralleled: but cp. Ant.535

τὸ μὴ εἰδέναι

. I had thought of ἢ κείμεσθ’ , which derives some support from the fact that

ἢ κ

( sic)

οἰχόμεσθ’

occurs as a variant (cr. n.): but

οἰχόμεσθ’

is better, and is probably sound.

νῦν δ’ ὁ ξυνήθης

κ.τ.λ.

The

νῦν

here, and the

νῦν

in v. 90, are both right: only here we must read εἴα for

ἐᾷ

, with Vauvilliers. The repetition of

νῦν

is excused by the change of sense: in v. 88 it means, ‘ as it was’: in v. 90, simply ‘ now.’ Cp. El.1334 ff. (‘if I had not taken care, ye would have been lost,’)

νῦν δ’ εὐλάβειαν τῶνδε προὐθέμην ἐγώ

. |

καὶ νῦν ἀπαλλαχθέντε κ.τ.λ.

: where the senses of

νῦν

change just as here. It is well to note that repetitions of common words, which would otherwise be awkward, are often justified by such variations of meaning; see, e.g., the double

ἀλλὰ

in Ph.524 ff., and ib. 645 ff.; and the fourfold

δῆτα

ib. 757 ff.

For other instances of

νῦν

with a past tense, cp. O. C.273 , Ai.445 Ai., 1060.

τὸ μὴ : it is unnecessary to write

τὸ μὴ οὐ

: cp. 742 : O. T.1387 f.

οὐκ ἂν ἐσχόμην

τὸ μὴ )ποκλῇσαι

(n.): Ant.443

οὐκ ἀπαρνοῦμαι τὸ μή

: Ph.348 ff.

καὶ γὰρ ὑστέρῳ =

καὶ

(‘ even’)

ὑστέρῳ γάρ

. This use of

καὶ γάρ

,—where

καί

affects a following adj.,—is somewhat rare; but cp. fr. 86. 9

καὶ γὰρ δυσειδὲς σῶμα καὶ δυσώνυμον

γλώσσῃ σοφὸν τίθησιν

etc.: O. T.334

καὶ γὰρ ἂν πέτρου

etc.: Ai.669

καὶ γὰρ τὰ δεινὰ

etc. More often, in such cases,

γάρ

follows that which

καί

affects, as Ph.1268

καὶ τὰ πρὶν γάρ

τό γ’ εὖ | πράσσειν : for the place of the art., cp. O. C.265 n. ‘Even to one who is late, good fortune, if he should ever hear of it, brings gain.’ The general sentiment, ‘better late than never,’ is adapted to the particular case. Hyllus is going in search of tidings; and even now, if he hears good tidings, he will have his reward. The words

ἐπεὶ πύθοιτο

make it clear (I think) that

τὸ εὖ πράσσειν

has here its ordinary sense, ‘faring well,’—not the much rarer sense, ‘acting aright’ (like

πράσσοντα καλῶς

, O. C.1764 n.). The optat. gives abstract generality, which suits a

γνώμη

( Ant.666 n.).

ἐμπολᾷ . Any profitable action may be said, by a metaphor from trading, to ‘bring in’ gain. The bold phrase here is qualified by the fact that

τὸ εὖ πράσσειν

is followed by

ἐπεὶ πύθοιτο

. It is not, strictly, the thing ascertained, but the act of ascertaining it, that

ἐμπολᾷ κέρδος

.— Distinguish the phrase in Ph.303

ἐξεμπολήσει κέρδος

(‘sell off wares at a profit’).

Commentary on Sophocles: Trachiniae. Sir Richard C. Jebb. Cambridge. 1932.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Experimental

Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (English) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (2)

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 1 focus

ΛΟΓΟΣ μέν ἐστ᾽ ἀρχαῖος ἀνθρώπων φανείς,
1

ὡς οὐκ ἂν αἰῶν᾽ ἐκμάθοις ἐκμάθοι ἐκμάθης βροτῶν, πρὶν ἂν

θάνῃ θάνοι τις, οὔτ᾽ εἰ χρηστὸς οὔτ᾽ εἴ τῳ κακός·

ἐγὼ δὲ τὸν ἐμόν, καὶ πρὶν εἰς "Αιδου ῞Αδου μολεῖν,

ἔξοιδ᾽ ἔχουσα δυστυχή τε καὶ βαρύν·
5

ἥτις πατρὸς μὲν ἐν δόμοισιν δόμοισ δόμοισιν σιν Οἰνέως

ναίουσ᾽ ἐνί ναίουσ᾽ ἐν ναίουσ᾽ ἐνὶ ναίουσά γ᾽ ἐν Πλευρῶνι νυμφείων νυμφίων ὄκνον ὅτλον ὄκνον ὄγκον

ἄλγιστον ἄλγιστον ἔσχον ἔσχον, εἴ τις Αἰτωλὶς γυνή.

μνηστὴρ γὰρ ἦν μοι ποταμός, ᾿Αχελῷον λέγω,

ὅς μ᾽ ἐν τρισὶν μορφαῖσιν ἐξῄτει ἐζήτει πατρός,
10

φοιτῶν ἐναργὴς εναργὴς ταῦρος, ἄλλοτ᾽ αἰόλος

δράκων ἑλικτός, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἀνδρείῳ κύτει τύπωι τύπω τύπῳ κύτει

βούπρῳρος βούκρανος βούπραρος· ἐκ δὲ δασκίου γενειάδος

κρουνοὶ διερραίνοντο κρηναίου ποτοῦ.

τοιόνδ᾽ ἐγὼ μνηστῆρα προσδεδεγμένη γ om.
15

δύστηνος αἰεὶ κατθανεῖν κτθανεῖν ἐπευχόμην

πρὶν τῆσδε κοίτης ἐμπελασθῆναί ποτε.

χρόνῳ δ᾽ ἐν ὑστέρῳ μέν, ἀσμένῃ δέ μοι,

ὁ κλεινὸς ἦλθε Ζηνὸς ᾿Αλκμήνης ἀκλμήνης ἀλκμήνης τε παῖς·

ὃς εἰς ἀγῶνα τῷδε συμπεσὼν μάχης
20

ἐκλύεταί με, καὶ τρόπον μὲν ἂν πόνων

οὐκ ἂν διείποιμ· οὐ γὰρ οἶδ᾽· ἀλλ᾽ ὅστις ἦν

θακῶν θαίκων? θώ κῶν θακὼν ἀταρβὴς τῆς θέας, ὅδ᾽ ἂν λέγοι.

ἐγὼ γὰρ ἥμην ἤμην ἥμην ἐκπεπληγμένη φόβῳ,

μή μοι τὸ κάλλος ἄλγος ἐξεύροι ποτέ.
25

τέλος δ᾽ ἔθηκε ἔθηκεν Ζεὺς ἀγώνιος καλῶς,

εἰ δὴ εἰ δεῖ καλῶς· λέχος γὰρ ῾Ηρακλεῖ κριτὸν

ξυστᾶσ᾽, ἀεί ξυνστᾶσ᾽ ἀιεί ξυστᾶσ᾽ ἀεί τιν ἐκ φόβου φόβον τρέφω,

κείνου προκηραίνουσα προκειραίνουσα. νὺξ γὰρ εἰσάγει,

καὶ νὺξ ἀπωθεῖ διαδεδεγμένη διαδεγμένη διαδεδεμένη πόνον.
30

κἀφύσαμεν δὴ παῖδας, οὓς κεῖνός ποτε,

γῄτης ὅπως ἄρουραν ἔκτοπον λαβών,

σπείρων μόνον προσεῖδε κάξαμῶν ἅπαξ.

τοιοῦτος αἰὼν εἰς δόμους τε κἀκ δόμων

ἀεί αἰεὶ τὸν ἄνδρ᾽ ἔπεμπε λατρεύοντά τῳ π του.
35

νῦν δ᾽ ἡνίκ᾽ ἄθλων τῶνδ᾽ ὑπερτελὴς ἔφυ,

ἐνταῦθα δὴ μάλιστα ταρβήσασ᾽ ταρβήσας ταρβήσασ' ἔχω.

ἐξ οὐ γὰρ ἔκτα κεῖνος Ιφίτου βίαν ἰφίτου μίαν,

ἡμεῖς μὲν ἐν Τραχῖνι τῇδ᾽ ἀνάστατοι ἀνάσταστοι

ξένῳ παρ᾿ ἀνδρὶ ναίομεν, κεῖνος δ᾽ ὅπου
40

βέβηκεν οὐδεὶς οἶδε· πλὴν ἐμοὶ πικρὰς

ὠδῖνας αὐτοῦ προσβαλὼν ἀποίχεται.

σχεδὸν δ᾽ ἐπίσταμαί τι πῆμ᾽ ἔχοντά νιν·

χρόνον γὰρ οὐχὶ βαιόν, ἀλλ᾽ ἤδη δέκα

μῆνας πρὸς ἄλλοις πέντ᾿ ἀκήρυκτος μένει.
45

κάστιν τι δεινὸν πῆμα· τοιαύτην ἐμοὶ

δέλτον λιπὼν ἔστειχε, τὴν ἐγὼ θαμὰ

θεοῖς ἀρῶμαι πημονῆς ἄτερ λαβεῖν.

ΘΕΡΑΠΑΙΝΑ.

δέσποινα Δῃάνειρα δηϊάνειρα, πολλὰ μέν σ᾽ ἐγὼ

κατεῖδον ἤδη πανδάκρυτ᾽ ὀδύρματα
50

τὴν ῾Ηράκλειον ἔξοδον γοωμένην·

νῦν δ᾽, εἰ δίκαιον τοὺς ἐλευθέρους φρενοῦν

γνώμαισι δούλαις, κἀμὲ χρὴ φράσαι τὸ σόν το σον τὸ σόν τόσον·

πῶς παισὶ μὲν τοσοῖσδε πληθύεις, ἀτὰρ

ἀνδρὸς κατὰ ζήτησιν οὐ πέμπεις τινά,
55

μάλιστα δ᾽ ὅνπερ εἰκὸς ῞Υλλον, εἰ πατρὸς

νέμοι τιν ὤραν τοῦ καλῶς πράσσειν δοκεῖν;

ἐγγὺς δ᾽ ὅδ᾽ αὐτὸς ἀρτίπους θρώσκει δόμους,

ὥστ᾽ εἴ τί σοι πρὸς καιρὸν ἐννέπειν δοκῶ,

πάρεστι χρῆσθαι τἀνδρὶ τοῖς τ᾿ ἐμοῖς λόγοις.
60

ΔΗ.

ὦ τέκνον, ὦ παῖ, κἀξ ἀγεννήτων ἄρα

μῦθοι καλῶς πίπτουσιν· ἥδε ἦδε ἥδε γὰρ γυνὴ

δούλη μέν, εἴρηκεν δ᾽ ἐλεύθερον λόγον.

ΥΛΛΟΣ.

ποῖον; δίδαξον, μῆτερ, εἰ διδακτά μοι.

ΔΗ.

σὲ πατρὸς οὕτω δαρὸν ἐξενωμένου
65

τὸ μὴ πυθέσθαι ποῦ ᾿στιν πούστιν ποῦ ἐστιν αἰσχύνην φέρειν φέρει φέρειν.

ΥΛ.

ἀλλ᾽ οἶδα, μύθοις εἴ τι πιστεύειν χρεών.

ΔΗ.

καὶ ποῦ κλύεις νιν, τέκνον, ἱδρῦσθαι ἱδρύσθαι χθονός ;

ΥΛ.

τὸν μὲν παρελθόντ᾽ ἄροτον ἄροτρον ἄροτον ἐν μήκει χρόνου

Λυδῇ γυναικί φασί νιν λάτριν πονεῖν.
70

ΔΗ.

πᾶν τοίνυν, εἰ καὶ τοῦτ᾽ ἔτλη, κλύοι τις ἄν.

ΥΛ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἐξαφεῖται τοῦδέ γ', ὡς ἐγὼ κλύω.

ΔΗ.

ποῦ δῆτα νῦν ζῶν ἢ θανὼν ἀγγέλλεται ;

ΥΛ.

Εὐβοῖδα Εὐβοῖδα χώραν φασίν, Εὐρύτου πόλιν,

ἐπιστρατεύειν αὐτόν, ἢ μέλλειν ἔτι.
75

ΔΗ.

ἆρ᾽ οἶσθα δῆτ', ὦ τέκνον, ὡς ἔλειπέ μοι

μαντεῖα πιστὰ τῆσδε τῆς χώρας πέρι;

ΥΛ.

τὰ ποῖα, μῆτερ; τὸν λόγον γὰρ ἀγνοῶ.

ΔΗ.

ὡς ἢ ὥσ οἱ ὡς οἱ ὡς ἡ τελευτὴν τοῦ βίου μέλλει τελεῖν,

ἢ τοῦτον ἄρας ἆθλον ἆθλον, εἰς τὸν ὕστερον
80

τὸ λοιπὸν τὸν λοιπὸν ἤδη βίοτον εὐαίων᾿ ἔχειν.

ἐν οὖν ῥοπῇ τοιᾷδε κειμένῳ, τέκνον,

οὐκ εἶ ξυνέρξων, ἡνίκ ἢ om. σεσώσμεθα

¹

[ἢ πίπτομεν σοῦ πατρὸς ἐξολωλότος]

κείνου βίον σώσαντος, ἢ οἰχόμεσθ᾽ ἅμα;
85

ΥΛ.

ἀλλ᾽ εἶμι εἰμὶ εἶμι, μῆτερ· εἰ δὲ θεσφάτων ἐγὼ

βάξιν κατῄδη κατῄδην κατήδει τῶνδε, κἂν πάλαι παρῆ παρῆν.

πρὶν νῦν δ᾽ ὁ ξυνήθης πότμος οὐκ εἴα ἔα πατρὸς

ἡμᾶς προταρβεῖν οὐδὲ δειμαίνειν ἄγαν.

νῦν δ᾽ ὡς ξυνίημ᾽, οὐδὲν ἐλλείψω τὸ μὴ
90

πᾶσαν πυθέσθαι τῶνδ᾽ ἀλήθειαν πέρι.

ΔΗ.

χώρει νυν νῦν, ὦ παῖ· καὶ γὰρ ὑστέρῳ τό γ' εὖ

πράσσειν, ἐπεὶ πύθοιτο πύθοιο πύθοιτο, κέρδος ἐμπολᾷ.

ΧΟΡΟΣ.

Greek (F. Storr, 1912) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. Storr, 1912)) — 1-93 focus

Δηιάνειρα

λόγος μέν ἐστʼ ἀρχαῖος ἀνθρώπων φανείς,
1

ὡς οὐκ ἂν αἰῶνʼ ἐκμάθοις βροτῶν, πρὶν ἂν

θάνῃ τις, οὔτʼ εἰ χρηστὸς οὔτʼ εἴ τῳ κακός·

ἐγὼ δὲ τὸν ἐμόν, καὶ πρὶν εἰς Ἅιδου μολεῖν,

ἔξοιδʼ ἔχουσα δυστυχῆ τε καὶ βαρύν,
5

ἥτις πατρὸς μὲν ἐν δόμοισιν Οἰνέως

ναίουσʼ ἔτʼ ἐν Πλευρῶνι νυμφείων ὄκνον

ἄλγιστον ἔσχον, εἴ τις Αἰτωλὶς γυνή.

μνηστὴρ γὰρ ἦν μοι ποταμός, Ἀχελῷον λέγω,

ὅς μʼ ἐν τρισὶν μορφαῖσιν ἐξῄτει πατρός,
10

φοιτῶν ἐναργὴς ταῦρος, ἄλλοτʼ αἰόλος

δράκων ἑλικτός, ἄλλοτʼ ἀνδρείῳ κύτει

βούπρῳρος· ἐκ δὲ δασκίου γενειάδος

κρουνοὶ διερραίνοντο κρηναίου ποτοῦ.

τοιόνδʼ ἐγὼ μνηστῆρα προσδεδεγμένη
15

δύστηνος αἰεὶ κατθανεῖν ἐπηυχόμην,

πρὶν τῆσδε κοίτης ἐμπελασθῆναί ποτε.

χρόνῳ δʼ ἐν ὑστέρῳ μέν, ἀσμένῃ δέ μοι,

ὁ κλεινὸς ἦλθε Ζηνὸς Ἀλκμήνης τε παῖς·

ὃς εἰς ἀγῶνα τῷδε συμπεσὼν μάχης
20

ἐκλύεταί με· καὶ τρόπον μὲν ἂν πόνων

οὐκ ἂν διείποιμʼ· οὐ γὰρ οἶδʼ· ἀλλʼ ὅστις ἦν

θακῶν ἀταρβὴς τῆς θέας, ὅδʼ ἂν λέγοι·

ἐγὼ γὰρ ἥμην ἐκπεπληγμένη φόβῳ

μή μοι τὸ κάλλος ἄλγος ἐξεύροι ποτέ.
25

τέλος δʼ ἔθηκε Ζεὺς ἀγώνιος καλῶς,

εἰ δὴ καλῶς. λέχος γὰρ Ἡρακλεῖ κριτὸν

ξυστᾶσʼ ἀεί τινʼ ἐκ φόβου φόβον τρέφω,

κείνου προκηραίνουσα· νὺξ γὰρ εἰσάγει

καὶ νὺξ ἀπωθεῖ διαδεδεγμένη πόνον.
30

κἀφύσαμεν δὴ παῖδας, οὓς κεῖνός ποτε,

γῄτης ὅπως ἄρουραν ἔκτοπον λαβών,

σπείρων μόνον προσεῖδε κἀξαμῶν ἅπαξ.

τοιοῦτος αἰὼν εἰς δόμους τε κἀκ δόμων

αἰεὶ τὸν ἄνδρʼ ἔπεμπε λατρεύοντά τῳ.
35

νῦν δʼ ἡνίκʼ ἄθλων τῶνδʼ ὑπερτελὴς ἔφυ,

ἐνταῦθα δὴ μάλιστα ταρβήσασʼ ἔχω.

ἐξ οὗ γὰρ ἔκτα κεῖνος Ἰφίτου βίαν,

ἡμεῖς μὲν ἐν Τραχῖνι τῇδʼ ἀνάστατοι

ξένῳ παρʼ ἀνδρὶ ναίομεν, κεῖνος δʼ ὅπου
40

βέβηκεν οὐδεὶς οἶδε· πλὴν ἐμοὶ πικρὰς

ὠδῖνας αὐτοῦ προσβαλὼν ἀποίχεται.

σχεδὸν δʼ ἐπίσταμαί τι πῆμʼ ἔχοντά νιν·

χρόνον γὰρ οὐχὶ βαιόν, ἀλλʼ ἤδη δέκα

μῆνας πρὸς ἄλλοις πέντʼ ἀκήρυκτος μένει.
45

κἀστίν τι δεινὸν πῆμα· τοιαύτην ἐμοὶ

δέλτον λιπὼν ἔστειχε, τὴν ἐγὼ θαμὰ

θεοῖς ἀρῶμαι πημονῆς ἄτερ λαβεῖν.

Θεράπαινα

δέσποινα Δῃάνειρα, πολλὰ μέν σʼ ἐγὼ

κατεῖδον ἤδη πανδάκρυτʼ ὀδύρματα
50

τὴν Ἡράκλειον ἔξοδον γοωμένην·

νῦν δʼ, εἰ δίκαιον τοὺς ἐλευθέρους φρενοῦν

γνώμαισι δούλαις, κἀμὲ χρὴ φράσαι τὸ σόν·

πῶς παισὶ μὲν τοσοῖσδε πληθύεις, ἀτὰρ

ἀνδρὸς κατὰ ζήτησιν οὐ πέμπεις τινά,
55

μάλιστα δʼ ὅνπερ εἰκὸς Ὕλλον, εἰ πατρὸς

νέμοι τινʼ ὤραν τοῦ καλῶς πράσσειν δοκεῖν;

ἐγγὺς δʼ ὅδʼ αὐτὸς ἀρτίπους θρῴσκει δόμους,

ὥστʼ εἴ τί σοι πρὸς καιρὸν ἐννέπειν δοκῶ,

πάρεστι χρῆσθαι τἀνδρὶ τοῖς τʼ ἐμοῖς λόγοις.
60

Δηιάνειρα

ὦ τέκνον, ὦ παῖ, κἀξ ἀγεννήτων ἄρα

μῦθοι καλῶς πίπτουσιν· ἥδε γὰρ γυνὴ

δούλη μέν, εἴρηκεν δʼ ἐλεύθερον λόγον.

Ὕλλος

ποῖον; δίδαξον, μῆτερ, εἰ διδακτά μοι.

Δηιάνειρα

σὲ πατρὸς οὕτω δαρὸν ἐξενωμένου
65

τὸ μὴ πυθέσθαι ποῦ ʼστιν, αἰσχύνην φέρειν.

Ὕλλος

ἀλλʼ οἶδα, μύθοις εἴ τι πιστεύειν χρεών.

Δηιάνειρα

καὶ ποῦ κλύεις νιν, τέκνον, ἱδρῦσθαι χθονός;

Ὕλλος

τὸν μὲν παρελθόντʼ ἄροτον ἐν μήκει χρόνου

Λυδῇ γυναικί φασί νιν λάτριν πονεῖν.
70

Δηιάνειρα

πᾶν τοίνυν, εἰ καὶ τοῦτʼ ἔτλη, κλύοι τις ἄν.

Ὕλλος

ἀλλʼ ἐξαφεῖται τοῦδέ γʼ, ὡς ἐγὼ κλύω.

Δηιάνειρα

ποῦ δῆτα νῦν ζῶν ἢ θανὼν ἀγγέλλεται;

Ὕλλος

Εὐβοΐδα χώραν φασίν, Εὐρύτου πόλιν,

ἐπιστρατεύειν αὐτὸν ἢ μέλλειν ἔτι.
75

Δηιάνειρα

ἆρʼ οἶσθα δῆτʼ, ὦ τέκνον, ὡς ἔλειπέ μοι

μαντεῖα πιστὰ τῆσδε τῆς χώρας πέρι;

Ὕλλος

τὰ ποῖα, μῆτερ; τὸν λόγον γὰρ ἀγνοῶ.

Δηιάνειρα

ὡς ἢ τελευτὴν τοῦ βίου μέλλει τελεῖν

ἢ τοῦτον ἄρας ἆθλον εἰς τό γʼ ὕστερον
80

τὸν λοιπὸν ἤδη βίοτον εὐαίωνʼ ἔχειν.

ἐν οὖν ῥοπῇ, τοιᾷδε κειμένῳ, τέκνον,

οὐκ εἶ ξυνέρξων, ἡνίκʼ ἢ σεσώσμεθα

ἢ πίπτομεν σοῦ πατρὸς ἐξολωλότος

κείνου βίον σώσαντος, ἢ οἰχόμεσθʼ ἅμα;
85

Ὕλλος

ἀλλʼ εἶμι, μῆτερ· εἰ δὲ θεσφάτων ἐγὼ

βάξιν κατῄδη τῶνδε, κἂν πάλαι παρῆ·

νῦν δʼ ὁ ξυνήθης πότμος οὐκ εἴα πατρὸς

ἡμᾶς προταρβεῖν οὐδὲ δειμαίνειν ἄγαν.

νῦν δʼ ὡς ξυνίημʼ, οὐδὲν ἐλλείψω τὸ μὴ οὐ
90

πᾶσαν πυθέσθαι τῶνδʼ ἀλήθειαν πέρι.

Δηιάνειρα

χώρει νυν, ὦ παῖ· καὶ γὰρ ὑστέρῳ τό γʼ εὖ

πράσσειν, ἐπεὶ πύθοιτο, κέρδος ἐμπολᾷ.

Translations (5)

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 1 focus

Men say,—’twas old experience gave the word,
1

—‘No lot of mortal, ere he die, can once
1

Be known for good or evil.’ But I know,
1

Before I come to the dark dwelling-place,
1

Mine is a lot, adverse and hard and sore.
1

Who yet at Pleuron, in my father’s home,
1

Of all Aetolian women had most cause
1

To fear my bridal. For a river-god,

Swift Achelôüs, was my suitor there

And sought me from my father in three forms;

Now in his own bull-likeness, now a serpent

Of coiling sheen, and now with manlike build

But bovine front, while from the shadowy beard

Sprang fountain-waters in perpetual spray.

Looking for such a husband, I, poor girl!

Still prayed that Death might find me, ere I knew

That nuptial.—Later, to my glad relief,

Zeus’ and Alcmena’s glorious offspring came,

And closed with him in conflict, and released

My heart from torment. How the fight was won

I could not tell. If any were who saw

Unshaken of dread foreboding, such may speak.

But I sate quailing with an anguished fear,

Lest beauty might procure me nought but pain,

Till He that rules the issue of all strife,

Gave fortunate end—if fortunate! For since,

Assigned by that day’s conquest, I have known

The couch of Heracles, my life is spent

In one continual terror for his fate.
5

Night brings him, and, ere morning, some fresh toil
5

Drives him afar. And I have borne him seed;
5

Which he, like some strange husbandman that farms
5

A distant field, finds but at sowing time
5

And once in harvest. Such a weary life
5

Still tossed him to and fro,—no sooner home
5

But forth again, serving I know not whom.

And when his glorious head had risen beyond

These labours, came the strongest of my fear.

For since he quelled the might of Iphitus,

We here in Trachis dwell, far from our home,

Dependent on a stranger, but where he

Is gone, none knoweth. Only this I know,

His going pierced my heart with pangs for him,

And now I am all but sure he bears some woe.

These fifteen months he hath sent me not one word.

And I have cause for fear. Ere he set forth

He left a scroll with me, whose dark intent

I oft pray Heaven may bring no sorrow down.

ATTENDANT

Queen Dêanira, many a time ere now

Have I beheld thee with all tearful moan

Bewailing the departure of thy lord.

But, if it be permitted that a slave
50

Should tender counsel to the free, my voice
50

May venture this:—Of thy strong band of sons
50

Why is not one commissioned to explore

For Heracles? and why not Hyllus first,

Whom most it would beseem to show regard

For tidings of his father’s happiness?

Ah! here I see him bounding home, with feet

Apt for employment! If you count me wise,

He and my words attend upon your will.

DÊ
Enter HYLLUS .

Dear child, dear boy! even from the lowliest head

Wise counsel may come forth. This woman here,

Though a bond-maiden, hath a free-born tongue.

HYL

What word is spoken, mother? May I know?

DÊ

That, with thy father lost to us so long,
65

’Tis shame thou dost not learn his dwelling-place.

HYL

Yea, I have learnt, if one may trust report.

DÊ

Where art thou told his seat is fixed, my son?

HYL

’Tis said that through the length of this past year

He wrought as bondman to a Lydian girl.
70

DÊ

Hath he borne that? Then nothing can be strange!

HYL

Well, that is over, I am told. He is free.

DÊ

Where is he rumoured, then, alive or dead?

HYL

In rich Euboea, besieging, as they tell,

The town of Eurytus, or offering siege.
75

DÊ

Child, hast thou heard what holy oracles

He left with me, touching that very land?

HYL

What were they, mother, for I never knew?

DÊ

That either he must end his being there,

Or, this one feat performed, his following time
80

Should grace his life with fair prosperity.

Wilt thou not then, my child, when he is held

In such a crisis of uncertain peril,

Run to his aid?—since we must perish with him,

Or owe our lasting safety to his life.
85

HYL

I will go, mother. Had I heard this voice

Of prophecy, long since I had been there.

Fear is unwonted for our father’s lot.

But now I know, my strength shall all be spent

To learn the course of these affairs in full.

DÊ
CHORUS (entering and turning towards the East).

Go then, my son. Though late, to learn and do

What wisdom bids, hath certainty of gain.

Born of the starry night in her undoing,

Lulled in her bosom at thy parting glow,

O Sun! I bid thee show,

What journey is Alcmena’s child pursuing?

What region holds him now,

’Mong winding channels of the deep,

Or Asian plains, or rugged Western steep?

Declare it, thou

Peerless in vision of thy flashing ray

That lightens on the world with each new day.

Sad Dêanira, bride of battle-wooing,

Ne’er lets her tearful eyelids close in rest,

But in love-longing breast,

Like some lorn bird its desolation rueing,

Of her great husband’s way

Still mindful, worn with harrowing fear

Lest some new danger for him should be near,

By night and day

Pines on her widowed couch of ceaseless thought,

With dread of evil destiny distraught:

For many as are billows of the South

Blowing unweariedly, or Northern gale,

One going and another coming on

Incessantly, baffling the gazer’s eye,

Such Cretan ocean of unending toil

Cradles our Cadmus-born, and swells his fame.

But still some power doth his foot recall

From stumbling down to Hades’ darkling hall.

Wherefore, in censure of thy mood, I bring

Glad, though opposing, counsel. Let not hope

Grow weary. Never hath a painless life

Been cast on mortals by the power supreme

Of the All-disposer, Cronos’ son. But joy

And sorrow visit in perpetual round

All mortals, even as circleth still on high

The constellation of the Northern sky.

What lasteth in the world? Not starry night,

Nor wealth, nor tribulation; but is gone

All suddenly, while to another soul

The joy or the privation passeth on.

These hopes I bid thee also, O my Queen!

Hold fast continually, for who hath seen

Zeus so forgetful of his own?

How can his providence forsake his son?

DÊ

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1 focus

Wohl sagt ein Spruch der Menschen schon in alter Zeit,¹
1

Kein irdisch Leben könne man, bevor es schloß,

Erkennen, ob es glücklich, ob unselig sei:

Ich aber weiß von meinem, eh' in Hades' Haus

Ich wandre, daß es bitter ist und jammervoll.
5

Schon, als in Deneus', meines Vaters, Haus ich war,²

Und noch zu Pleuron wohnte, litt ich herbe Qual

Der Ehe wegen, wie noch kein Aetolerweib.

Ein Strom, genannt Acheloos, war mein Freier, der³

Um mich in drei Gestalten bei dem Vater warb:
10

Leibhaft erschien er als ein Stier, dann wand er sich

Als bunter Drache, kam darauf in Mannsgestalt

Mit Stiereshaupte; von dem dichtbeschatteten

Barthaare strömten Bäche lautern Quellentranks.

So war der Freier, dessen ich gewärtig war,
15

Und täglich sehnt' ich Arme mir den Tod herbei,

Bevor ich solchem Manne mich als Braut gesellt.

Doch endlich, spät erst, aber vielwillkommen mir,

Erschien Alkmene's und des Zeus gepries'ner Sohn,

Der mit dem Strome kühn bestand den Kampf der Schlacht,
20

Und mich erlöste. Zwar des Kampfes Gang und Art

Beschreib' ich nicht; wie könnt ich's auch? Wer ohne Furcht

Dem grausen Schauspiel zugeseh'n, erzähle der's!

Denn ich erschüttert saß ich da, voll banger Angst,

Daß mir die Schönheit herben Gram bereite noch.
25

Doch gab ein gutes Ende Zeus, der Kampfeshort,

Wenn's anders gut war. Denn nachdem Herakles mich

Zum Weib erkoren, nähr' ich Sorg' um Sorge ſtets,

Um ihn mich härmend; zeugt ja doch die eine Nacht,

Die andre Nacht, ihr folgend, treibt hinweg das Leid.
30

Ich gab ihm Kinder, die der Vater irgendwann,

So wie der Landmann, der ein fernes Feld bebaut,

Nur bei der Aussaat und der Ernt' Einmal geseh'n.

So war das Leben, welches mir den Gatten stets

In's Haus und aus dem Hause trieb in fremdem Dienst.⁴
35

Doch nun, nachdem er seiner Kämpfe Ziel errang,

Durchwühlt die Sorge mein Gemüth am heftigsten.

Denn seit den tapfern Iphitos sein Arm erschlug,

Sind wir in Trachis, wohnen als Vertrieb'ne hier

Bei'm alten Gastfreund; doch wohin Herakles sich⁵
40

Gewendet, Niemand weiß es; mir nur ließ der Held,

Von hinnen ziehend, bittre Weh'n um sich zurück.

Ia, fast gewiß erkenn' ich's, daß ein Leid ihn traf.

Denn lange her schon ist es, fünfzehn Monde weilt

Er außen, ohne daß von ihm mir Kunde kam.
45

Ein schweres Leid ist's: also zeigt das Blatt mir an,

Das er zurückließ, als er schied; daß dieses mir

Kein Leiden bringe, fleh' ich oft die. Götter an.

Die Dienerin.

O Deianeira, Fürstin, oft gewahrt' ich schon,

Wie du betrübt in thränenreiche Klagen dich
50

Ergossest, daß Herakles ausgezogen sei.

Doch heute, wenn's der Sklavin schlichtem Sinn geziemt,

Dem freien Weib zu rathen, gönn' auch mir ein Wort.

Du bist an soviel Söhnen reich: was sendest du⁶

Nicht ihrer Einen, auszuspäh'n des Mannes Spur?
55

Zumal dem Hyllos ziemte das, vertrau'n wir ihm,

Daß ihn um seines Vaters Wohl die Sorge treibt.

Da kommt er eben leichten Schritt's zum Haus heran,

Daß, wenn dir meine Rede nicht unzeitig dünkt,

Du seinen Beistand nüzen kannst und meinen Rath.
60
Hyllos. Die Vorigen.

Deianeira.

Sohn, Geliebter, aus dem Mund Unedler auch

Fällt oft ein Rath zum Guten; so sprach dieses Weib,

Zwar eine Magd nur, doch ein hochgesinntes Wort.

Hyllos.

Was, Mutter? Laß mich's hören, wenn ich's hören darf.

Deianeira.

Daß du's versäumst, zu forschen, wo dein Vater weilt,
65

Der schon so lang entfernte, bringt Unehre dir.

Hyllos.

Nun, wenn ich Sagen trauen darf, so weiß ich es.

Deianeira.

Und wo des Landes, hörst du, daß er weilt, o Kind?

Hyllos.

Im abgewichnen Sommer fröhnt' er lange Zeit

Als Diener, sagt man, einem Weib in Lydia.
70

Deianeira.

Nun, wenn er das vermochte, kann er Alles thun!

Hyllos.

Doch ward er dieses Joches frei, wie ich vernahm.

Deianeira.

Wo soll er jezt sein, lebt er oder starb er gar?

Hylos.

Er rückte, heißt es, vor die Burg des Eurytos

Im Land Euböa's, oder schickt hiezu sich an.
75

Deianeira.

Und weißt du nicht, Sohn, daß er zuverlässige

Orakel über dieses Land mir hinterließ?

Hyllos.

Und welche, Mutter? Denn ich weiß von diesen Nichts.

Deianeira.

Entweder harre seiner dort der Tage Ziel,

So hieß es, oder wenn er sieg' in diesem Kampf,
80

Verfließ' in lautern Wonnen ihm des Lebens Rest.

Nun also seine Wage schwankt, so gehe, Kind,

Ihm beizustehen, da wir selbst gerettet sind,

Wenn er sich rettet, oder untergeh'n mit ihm.

Hylos.

Ich gehe, Mutter; wäre mir der Götterspruch
85

Bekannt gewesen, wär' ich wohl schon lange dort.

Doch ließ für unsern Vater sein gewohntes Glück

Nichts uns befürchten, noch zu sehr in Sorgen sein.

Jezt, weil ich das vernommen, unterlass' ich Nichts,

Bis ich davon die ganze Wahrheit ausgeforscht.
90

Deianeira.

So gehe, Theurer! Wenn man auch in später Zeit

Vernimmt von einem Glücke, bringt es noch Gewinn.

(Hyllos ab. Der Chor der Jungfrauen aus der Stadt tritt auf, und ordnet sich vor dem Palaste.) Deianeira. Der Chor. Erste Strophe.

Der Chor.

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 1 focus

Of ancient fame, and long for truth received,
1

Hath been the maxim, tliat nor good nor ill
1

Can mortal life be called before we die.
1

Alas ! it is not so ; for, oh ! my friends,
1

Ere to the shades of Orcus I descend,
1

Too well I know that Deianira's life
1

Hath ever been, and ever must be, wretched.

Whilst in my native Pleuron ^neus watched

My tender years with kind paternal care,

If ever woman suffered from the dread

Of hated nuptials, I endured the worst

And bitterest woes, when Achelous came,

The river-god, to ask a father's voice,

And snatched me to his arms. With triple form

He came affrighting — now to sight appeared

A bull, and i»w with motley scales adorned

A wreathed serpent, now with human shape

And bestial head united ; from his beard.

Shadowed with hair, as from a fountain, dripped

The ever-llo\nng water. Horrid form !

This to escape my prayers incessant rose

That I might ratlier die than e'er approach

His hated bed. When lo ! the welcome hovir,
5

Though late, arrived, that brought the son of Jove
5

And fair Alcmena to my aid. He came,
5

He fought, he freed me. How the battle passed
5

Who unconcerned beheld it best can tell.
5

Alas ! I saw it not, oppressed with fear
5

Lest from my fatal beauty should arise

Some sad event. At length, deciding Jove

Gave to the doubtful fight a happy end,

If I may call it so ; for, since the hour

That gave me to Alcides' wished-for bed

Fears rise on fears ; still is my anxious heart

Solicitous for him ; oftiraes the night.

Which brings him to me, bears him from my arms

To other labours and a second toil.

Our children too, alas ! he sees them not,

But as the husbandman who ne'er beholds

His distant lands, save at the needful time

Of seed or harvest. Wandering thus, and thus

Returning ever, is he sent to serve

I know not whom. When crowned with victory,

Then most my feai-s prevail ; for since he slew

We live in exile with our generous friend,

The hospitable Ceyx ; he meantime

Is gone, and none can tell me where. He went

And left me most unhappy. Oh ! some ill

Hath sure befallen him ! for no little time

Hath he been absent ; 'tis full fifteen moons

Since I beheld him, and no messenger

Is come to Deianira. Some misfortune

Doubtless hath happened, for he left behind

A dreadful scroll. Oh ! I have prayed the gods

A thousand times it may contain no ill.

Attendant

My royal mistress, long have I beheld

Thy tears and sorrows for thy lost Alcides ;

But if the counsels of a slave might claim

Attention, I would speak — would ask thee wherefore
50

Amongst thy sons, a numerous progeny,
50

None hath been sent in search of him, and chief

Thy Hyllus, if he holds a father's health

And safety dear : but, e'en as we could wish,

Behold him here ! If what I have advised

Seem fitting, he is come in happiest hour

To execute our purpose.

Hyllus
SCEISE 11.

Deianira, Attendant.

Deianira

O my son I
65

Oft from the meanest tongue the words of truth
65

And safety flow. This woman, though a slave,
65

Hath spoke what would have well become the mouth

Of freedom's self to utter.

Hyllus

May I know

What she hath said ?

Deianira

She says it doth reflect

Disgrace on thee, thy father so long absent,

Not to have gained some knowledge of his fate.

Hyllus

I have already, if I may rely

On what report hath said of him.
70

Deianira

Oh, wliere —

Where is he then, my son ^

Hyllus

These twelve months past,

If fame say true, a Lydian woman held him

In shameful servitude.

Deianira

If it be so,

May every tongue reproach him !

He now is free.

Deianira

And where doth rumour say

He is ? alive or dead.

Hyllus

'Tis said, he leads,

Or means to lead, his forces towards Euboea,

Tlie land of Eurytus.
75

Deianira

Alas ! my son,

Dost thou not know the oracles he left

Touching that kingdom ?

Hyllus

No, I know not of them ;

What were they ?

Deianira

There, he said, or he should die.

Or if he should survive, his life to come
80

Would all be happy. Wilt thou not, my son,

In this important crisis strive to aid

Thy father? If he lives, we too shall live

In safety. If he dies, we perish with him.

Hyllus

Mother, I go. Long since I had been there

But that the oracle did never reach

Mine ears before. Meantime that happy fate,

Which on my father ever wont to smile

Propitious, should not suffer us to fear ;

Thus far informed, I will not let the means

Of truth escape me, but will know it all.

Deianira

Haste then away, my son; and know, good deeds,

Though late performed, are crowned with sure success.

Chorus
Scene III.

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 1 focus

OF old this saying hath 'mongst men been famed,
1

That of man's life, till death hath closed the scene
1

We know not to decide, to term it blest,
1

Or wretched. Of my life I can decide,
1

Ere to the regions of the dead I go;
1

I know it to misfortune doom'd, and grief.
1

E'en with my father Eneus when I dwelt
1

At Pleuron, much I suffer'd through the dread,

More than Ætolian virgin ever felt,

Of hated nuptials; for the River came

My wooer, Achelöus; in three forms

Me of my father he demanded; now

He walk'd a Bull, a Dragon now he roll'd

His spotted wreaths, now wore the human form

With a Bull's head disfigured, copious streams

Of fountain water flowing down his cheeks

With hair thick-shaded. Dreading to receive

A wooer so abhorr'd, my constant wish

Was death, to such a bridal bed preferr'd.

At length, though late, th' illustrious son of Jove

And of Alcmena came, to me what joy!

He with the monster in fierce fight engaged,

And set me free: his dangerous toils distinct

I cannot tell thee, for I know them not;

Whoe'er unterrified beheld that sight,

Let him relate it; all my sense was lost

In fear, lest sorrows fatal to my peace
5

My beauty should perchance produce. At length
5

The arbiter of battles, sovereign Jove,
5

Disposed th' event to glory and to joy,
5

If joy: for wedded now to Hercules,
5

My much-loved hero, fear succeeding fear
5

Anxious for his dear sake I still sustain;

cause.

The inhabitants of Memphis, he says, ended their harvest about the

time when the Sun enters the Bull; that animal therefore became the symbol

of harvest and plenty in that distinguished province: and they gave the Nile

the head of a Bull, to shew that he was the father of the harvests of Ægypt;

and this is the reason why other rivers are described under the same form;

for though they do not overflow, like the Nile, yet they never fail to fertilize

the plains through which they wind their course. Histoire du Ciel poetique.

For the night brings him to me, and the night

Drives him away to toil that follows toil.

I bore him children; these he seldom sees;

As one that hath acquired far distant fields,

Which only when he sows and when he reaps

He visits; such the life, that brings my lord

Back to his house, and ever sends him thence

On some harsh service: now, these toils achieved,

I thence feel greater fears; for since he slew

The mighty Iphitus, at Trachin here

Exiled we dwell, with hospitable rites

Received; but whither he is gone none knows;

But he is gone, with pangs of piercing grief

Rending my heart, for I have cause to fear

That evil hath befall'n him; no short time,

But ten slow months have roll'd away, and five

Added to these, yet absent he remains,

Nor have I tidings of him; there must be

Some dreadful ill; at his departure such

The writing he left with me; to the gods

My earnest supplications oft I pour

That no affliction thence may be derived.

Attendant

My mistress, Deianira, I long time

Have seen thy sorrows and thy frequent tears,

Mourning the absence of thy lord: and now

If by a slave's advice the nobly born

May be admonish'd; me if it becomes
50

So to presume; whence is it that with sons
50

Thus blest, not one of them is sent to seek
50

Thy lord; and Hyllus chief, whom most the charge

Beseems, if aught his father's welfare moves

His anxious care? And see, with manly step

He to the house advances: if my words

Deserve attention, thou hast now the pow'r

To give th' important mandate to the youth.

DEJA. My child, my son, the meanly born may give

Generous advice: this woman, though a slave,

Hath spoken what denotes a liberal mind.

Hyllus
HYLLUS, DEIANIRA, ATTENDANT.

Inform me what, if I may be inform'd.

Deianira

Thy father absent in a distant land
65

So long, she deems it shame that search by thee
65

What region thus detains him is not made.

Hyllus

If credence to report be due, I know.

Deianira

Where doth fame say, my son, that he resides ?

Hyllus

All the past year in sordid tasks employ'd,

And by a Lydian woman held a slave.
70

Deianira

If he bore this, what more may we not hear?

Hyllus

It is reported he hath burst those bonds.

Deianira

Living or dead where is he said to be?

Hyllus

In arms, and in Eubæœa, 'gainst the state

Of Eurytus advanced, or on his march.
75

Deianira

Know'st thou th' unerring prophecies, my son,

That land respecting, which he left with me?

Hyllus

What are they? Never have they reach'd my ear.

Deianira

That there his life will end; or, conquest there

Obtain'd, his future days shall all be bright,
80

Without one cloud of adverse fortune more.

And wilt not thou, my son, whilst now his fate

Hangs doubtful, fly to aid him? For with him

We share one fortune; in his fall we fall,

And in his safety we our safety find.
85

Hyllus

Mother, I go: had this prophetic voice

Been earlier known to me, I had long since

Been present to his aid; now, thus inform'd,

These things attentive I will trace, nor cease

Till all the truth I know: but the success,

My father's arms accustom'd to attend,

Forbids dismay, and all excess of fear.

Deianira

Go then, my son; good fortune, though late known,

Brings a warm welcome to the anxious mind.

Chorus

English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb, 1904)) — 1-92 focus

Deianeira

There is a saying among men, put forth long ago, that you cannot judge a mortal’s life and know whether it is good or bad until he dies. But well I know, even before I have passed away to Hades’ domain, that my life is ill-fortuned and heavy.
1

For I, while still dwelling in the house of my father Oeneus at Pleuron , had such fear of marriage as never any woman of Aetolia had. For my suitor was a river-god, Achelous,
5

who in three shapes was always asking me from my father—coming now as a bull in visible form, now as a serpent, sheeny and coiled, now ox-faced with human trunk, while from his thick-shaded beard wellheads of fountain-water sprayed.
10

In the expectation that such a suitor would get me, I was always praying in my misery that I might die, before I should ever approach that marriage-bed.
But at last, to my joy, the glorious son of Zeus and Alcmena came and
15

closed with him in combat and delivered me. The manner of their fighting I cannot clearly recount. I know it not, but if there be anyone who watched that sight without trembling, he might give an account of it. But I, as I sat there, was struck with terror,
20

lest my beauty should win me sorrow in the end. But Zeus, Arbiter of Contests, accomplished a good ending—if indeed it was good. For since being joined with Heracles as his chosen bride, I nourish one fear after another in my anxiety for him. One night brings distress,
25

and the next night, in turn, drives it out. Children, furthermore, were born to us, whom at the time he looked at only as the farmer looks at a distant field, visiting it only once to sow seed and once to reap. Such was the manner of his life, ever sending him
30

to and from our home in servitude to some master.
But now, when he has risen above those trials—now it is that my fear is keenest. For ever since he slew the mighty Iphitus, we have been dwelling here in Trachis , refugees
35

in the home of a foreign host. But where Heracles is, no one knows. I only know that he is gone, and has caused me sharp pain for him. I am almost sure that he has come to some suffering. The interval has not been brief; rather, he is unheard from ten months already,
40

plus another five. Yes, there has been some terrible misfortune. That tablet which he left with me before departing suggests it to me. I often pray to the gods that I did not receive it to my misfortune.
45

Nurse

Deianeira, my mistress, many are the times already that I have

observed you mourning the departure of Heracles with great weeping and lamentation. But now—if it is proper to school the free-born with the doctrines of a slave, and if I am obliged to point out what you should do—how is it that you so abound in sons, yet
50

you do not send one of them to seek your husband, especially Hyllus? It would be appropriate to send him, if he cared for his father’s sake that he be deemed to fare well. Here he is now, dashing to the house in timely stride. So if in your eyes I speak in season,
55

you can use both my counsel and the man.
60

61 Enter Hyllus.

Deianeira

My child, my son, wise words fall, it seems, from humble lips. For this woman is a slave, but her advice is worthy of the free.

Hyllus

What sort of advice, Mother? Tell me, if I may be told.

Deianeira

It brings shame, she says, that you have not sought to learn of your father and where he is, when he has been abroad for so long.
65

Hyllus

But I know where, if one can put any trust in rumors.

Deianeira

And in what region, my child, do you hear that he has settled?

Hyllus

Last year, they say, through all its length,

he toiled as a slave to a Lydian woman.
70

Deianeira

If he endured even that, then one might believe any and all rumors.

Hyllus

Well, he has been released from that service, as I hear.

Deianeira

Where, then, is he reported to be now—alive, or dead?

Hyllus

He is waging or yet planning a war,

they say, upon Euboea , the realm of Eurytus.
75

Deianeira

Are you aware, my son, that he has left with me sure oracles concerning that land?

Hyllus

What are they, mother? I do not know the oracles you mean.

Deianeira

They read that either he shall meet the end of his life,

or, after taking on this contest, he shall thereafter, at least, enjoy a happy life for its duration. And so, my child, when his fate is thus trembling in the balance, will you not go to assist him? For we are saved,
80

if he finds safety, or we perish along with him.
85

Hyllus

I will go, Mother. Had I known the substance of these prophecies, I would have long been at his side. As it was, my father’s usual good fortune did not allow me to fear for him, nor to be overly anxious.

Now that I have the knowledge, I will spare no pains to learn the whole truth in this matter.
90

Deianeira

Go, then, my son. For prosperity yields advantage even for him who learns of it late. Exeunt Hyllus, on one side, and the Nurse into the house.

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1-93

Current edition Experimental

ΘΕΡΑΠΑΙΝΑ.

ΔΗ.

ὦ τέκνον, ὦ παῖ, κἀξ ἀγεννήτων ἄρα μῦθοι καλῶς πίπτουσιν· ἥδε ἦδε ἥδε γὰρ γυνὴ δούλη μέν, εἴρηκεν δ᾽ ἐλεύθερον λόγον.

ΥΛΛΟΣ. ποῖον; δίδαξον, μῆτερ, εἰ διδακτά μοι.

ΔΗ. σὲ πατρὸς οὕτω δαρὸν ἐξενωμένου 65 τὸ μὴ πυθέσθαι ποῦ ᾿στιν πούστιν ποῦ ἐστιν αἰσχύνην φέρειν φέρει φέρειν.

ΥΛ. ἀλλ᾽ οἶδα, μύθοις εἴ τι πιστεύειν χρεών.

ΔΗ. καὶ ποῦ κλύεις νιν, τέκνον, ἱδρῦσθαι ἱδρύσθαι χθονός ;

ΥΛ. τὸν μὲν παρελθόντ᾽ ἄροτον ἄροτρον ἄροτον ἐν μήκει χρόνου Λυδῇ γυναικί φασί νιν λάτριν πονεῖν. 70

ΔΗ. πᾶν τοίνυν, εἰ καὶ τοῦτ᾽ ἔτλη, κλύοι τις ἄν.

ΥΛ. ἀλλ᾽ ἐξαφεῖται τοῦδέ γ', ὡς ἐγὼ κλύω.

ΔΗ. ποῦ δῆτα νῦν ζῶν ἢ θανὼν ἀγγέλλεται ;

ΥΛ. Εὐβοῖδα Εὐβοῖδα χώραν φασίν, Εὐρύτου πόλιν, ἐπιστρατεύειν αὐτόν, ἢ μέλλειν ἔτι. 75

ΔΗ. ἆρ᾽ οἶσθα δῆτ', ὦ τέκνον, ὡς ἔλειπέ μοι

μαντεῖα πιστὰ τῆσδε τῆς χώρας πέρι;

ΥΛ. τὰ ποῖα, μῆτερ; τὸν λόγον γὰρ ἀγνοῶ.

ΔΗ.

ΥΛ. ἀλλ᾽ εἶμι εἰμὶ εἶμι, μῆτερ· εἰ δὲ θεσφάτων ἐγὼ

ΔΗ. χώρει νυν νῦν, ὦ παῖ· καὶ γὰρ ὑστέρῳ τό γ' εὖ πράσσειν, ἐπεὶ πύθοιτο πύθοιο πύθοιτο, κέρδος ἐμπολᾷ.

ΧΟΡΟΣ.

Δηιάνειρα ὦ τέκνον, ὦ παῖ, κἀξ ἀγεννήτων ἄρα μῦθοι καλῶς πίπτουσιν· ἥδε γὰρ γυνὴ δούλη μέν, εἴρηκεν δʼ ἐλεύθερον λόγον.

Ὕλλος ποῖον; δίδαξον, μῆτερ, εἰ διδακτά μοι.

Δηιάνειρα σὲ πατρὸς οὕτω δαρὸν ἐξενωμένου 65 τὸ μὴ πυθέσθαι ποῦ ʼστιν, αἰσχύνην φέρειν.

Ὕλλος ἀλλʼ οἶδα, μύθοις εἴ τι πιστεύειν χρεών.

Δηιάνειρα καὶ ποῦ κλύεις νιν, τέκνον, ἱδρῦσθαι χθονός;

Ὕλλος τὸν μὲν παρελθόντʼ ἄροτον ἐν μήκει χρόνου Λυδῇ γυναικί φασί νιν λάτριν πονεῖν. 70

Δηιάνειρα πᾶν τοίνυν, εἰ καὶ τοῦτʼ ἔτλη, κλύοι τις ἄν.

Ὕλλος ἀλλʼ ἐξαφεῖται τοῦδέ γʼ, ὡς ἐγὼ κλύω.

Δηιάνειρα ποῦ δῆτα νῦν ζῶν ἢ θανὼν ἀγγέλλεται;

Ὕλλος Εὐβοΐδα χώραν φασίν, Εὐρύτου πόλιν, ἐπιστρατεύειν αὐτὸν ἢ μέλλειν ἔτι. 75

Δηιάνειρα ἆρʼ οἶσθα δῆτʼ, ὦ τέκνον, ὡς ἔλειπέ μοι μαντεῖα πιστὰ τῆσδε τῆς χώρας πέρι;

Ὕλλος τὰ ποῖα, μῆτερ; τὸν λόγον γὰρ ἀγνοῶ.

Δηιάνειρα χώρει νυν, ὦ παῖ· καὶ γὰρ ὑστέρῳ τό γʼ εὖ πράσσειν, ἐπεὶ πύθοιτο, κέρδος ἐμπολᾷ.

ATTENDANT

DÊ Enter HYLLUS .

Dear child, dear boy! even from the lowliest head Wise counsel may come forth. This woman here, Though a bond-maiden, hath a free-born tongue.

HYL What word is spoken, mother? May I know?

DÊ That, with thy father lost to us so long, 65 ’Tis shame thou dost not learn his dwelling-place.

HYL Yea, I have learnt, if one may trust report.

DÊ Where art thou told his seat is fixed, my son?

HYL ’Tis said that through the length of this past year He wrought as bondman to a Lydian girl. 70

DÊ Hath he borne that? Then nothing can be strange!

HYL Well, that is over, I am told. He is free.

DÊ Where is he rumoured, then, alive or dead?

HYL In rich Euboea, besieging, as they tell, The town of Eurytus, or offering siege. 75

DÊ Child, hast thou heard what holy oracles He left with me, touching that very land?

HYL What were they, mother, for I never knew?

DÊ

HYL I will go, mother. Had I heard this voice Of prophecy, long since I had been there. Fear is unwonted for our father’s lot. But now I know, my strength shall all be spent To learn the course of these affairs in full.

DÊ

Die Dienerin.

Deianeira.

Sohn, Geliebter, aus dem Mund Unedler auch Fällt oft ein Rath zum Guten; so sprach dieses Weib, Zwar eine Magd nur, doch ein hochgesinntes Wort.

Hyllos. Was, Mutter? Laß mich's hören, wenn ich's hören darf.

Deianeira. Daß du's versäumst, zu forschen, wo dein Vater weilt, 65 Der schon so lang entfernte, bringt Unehre dir.

Hyllos. Nun, wenn ich Sagen trauen darf, so weiß ich es.

Deianeira. Und wo des Landes, hörst du, daß er weilt, o Kind?

Hyllos. Im abgewichnen Sommer fröhnt' er lange Zeit Als Diener, sagt man, einem Weib in Lydia. 70

Deianeira. Nun, wenn er das vermochte, kann er Alles thun!

Hyllos. Doch ward er dieses Joches frei, wie ich vernahm.

Deianeira. Wo soll er jezt sein, lebt er oder starb er gar?

Hylos. Er rückte, heißt es, vor die Burg des Eurytos Im Land Euböa's, oder schickt hiezu sich an. 75

Deianeira. Und weißt du nicht, Sohn, daß er zuverlässige Orakel über dieses Land mir hinterließ?

Hyllos. Und welche, Mutter? Denn ich weiß von diesen Nichts.

Deianeira.

Entweder harre seiner dort der Tage Ziel, So hieß es, oder wenn er sieg' in diesem Kampf, 80 Verfließ' in lautern Wonnen ihm des Lebens Rest. Nun also seine Wage schwankt, so gehe, Kind, Ihm beizustehen, da wir selbst gerettet sind, Wenn er sich rettet, oder untergeh'n mit ihm.

Deianeira. So gehe, Theurer! Wenn man auch in später Zeit Vernimmt von einem Glücke, bringt es noch Gewinn. (Hyllos ab. Der Chor der Jungfrauen aus der Stadt tritt auf, und ordnet sich vor dem Palaste.) Deianeira. Der Chor. Erste Strophe.

Der Chor.

Attendant

Hyllus SCEISE 11.

Deianira, Attendant.

Deianira O my son I 65 Oft from the meanest tongue the words of truth 65 And safety flow. This woman, though a slave, 65 Hath spoke what would have well become the mouth Of freedom's self to utter.

Hyllus May I know What she hath said ?

Deianira She says it doth reflect Disgrace on thee, thy father so long absent, Not to have gained some knowledge of his fate.

Hyllus I have already, if I may rely On what report hath said of him. 70

Deianira Oh, wliere — Where is he then, my son ^

Hyllus These twelve months past, If fame say true, a Lydian woman held him In shameful servitude.

ὦ τέκνον, ὦ παῖ, κἀξ ἀγεννήτων ἄρα

μῦθοι καλῶς πίπτουσιν· ἥδε ἦδε ἥδε γὰρ γυνὴ

δούλη μέν, εἴρηκεν δ᾽ ἐλεύθερον λόγον.

ΥΛΛΟΣ.

ποῖον; δίδαξον, μῆτερ, εἰ διδακτά μοι.

ΔΗ.

σὲ πατρὸς οὕτω δαρὸν ἐξενωμένου
65

τὸ μὴ πυθέσθαι ποῦ ᾿στιν πούστιν ποῦ ἐστιν αἰσχύνην φέρειν φέρει φέρειν.

ΥΛ.

ἀλλ᾽ οἶδα, μύθοις εἴ τι πιστεύειν χρεών.

ΔΗ.

καὶ ποῦ κλύεις νιν, τέκνον, ἱδρῦσθαι ἱδρύσθαι χθονός ;

ΥΛ.

τὸν μὲν παρελθόντ᾽ ἄροτον ἄροτρον ἄροτον ἐν μήκει χρόνου

Λυδῇ γυναικί φασί νιν λάτριν πονεῖν.
70

ΔΗ.

πᾶν τοίνυν, εἰ καὶ τοῦτ᾽ ἔτλη, κλύοι τις ἄν.

ΥΛ.

ἀλλ᾽ ἐξαφεῖται τοῦδέ γ', ὡς ἐγὼ κλύω.

ΔΗ.

ποῦ δῆτα νῦν ζῶν ἢ θανὼν ἀγγέλλεται ;

ΥΛ.

Εὐβοῖδα Εὐβοῖδα χώραν φασίν, Εὐρύτου πόλιν,

ἐπιστρατεύειν αὐτόν, ἢ μέλλειν ἔτι.
75

ΔΗ.

ἆρ᾽ οἶσθα δῆτ', ὦ τέκνον, ὡς ἔλειπέ μοι

ΥΛ.

τὰ ποῖα, μῆτερ; τὸν λόγον γὰρ ἀγνοῶ.

ΥΛ.

ἀλλ᾽ εἶμι εἰμὶ εἶμι, μῆτερ· εἰ δὲ θεσφάτων ἐγὼ

ΔΗ.

χώρει νυν νῦν, ὦ παῖ· καὶ γὰρ ὑστέρῳ τό γ' εὖ

πράσσειν, ἐπεὶ πύθοιτο πύθοιο πύθοιτο, κέρδος ἐμπολᾷ.

Δηιάνειρα

ὦ τέκνον, ὦ παῖ, κἀξ ἀγεννήτων ἄρα

μῦθοι καλῶς πίπτουσιν· ἥδε γὰρ γυνὴ

δούλη μέν, εἴρηκεν δʼ ἐλεύθερον λόγον.

Ὕλλος

ποῖον; δίδαξον, μῆτερ, εἰ διδακτά μοι.

Δηιάνειρα

σὲ πατρὸς οὕτω δαρὸν ἐξενωμένου
65

τὸ μὴ πυθέσθαι ποῦ ʼστιν, αἰσχύνην φέρειν.

Ὕλλος

ἀλλʼ οἶδα, μύθοις εἴ τι πιστεύειν χρεών.

Δηιάνειρα

καὶ ποῦ κλύεις νιν, τέκνον, ἱδρῦσθαι χθονός;

Ὕλλος

τὸν μὲν παρελθόντʼ ἄροτον ἐν μήκει χρόνου

Λυδῇ γυναικί φασί νιν λάτριν πονεῖν.
70

Δηιάνειρα

πᾶν τοίνυν, εἰ καὶ τοῦτʼ ἔτλη, κλύοι τις ἄν.

Ὕλλος

ἀλλʼ ἐξαφεῖται τοῦδέ γʼ, ὡς ἐγὼ κλύω.

Δηιάνειρα

ποῦ δῆτα νῦν ζῶν ἢ θανὼν ἀγγέλλεται;

Ὕλλος

Εὐβοΐδα χώραν φασίν, Εὐρύτου πόλιν,

ἐπιστρατεύειν αὐτὸν ἢ μέλλειν ἔτι.
75

Δηιάνειρα

ἆρʼ οἶσθα δῆτʼ, ὦ τέκνον, ὡς ἔλειπέ μοι

μαντεῖα πιστὰ τῆσδε τῆς χώρας πέρι;

Ὕλλος

τὰ ποῖα, μῆτερ; τὸν λόγον γὰρ ἀγνοῶ.

Δηιάνειρα

χώρει νυν, ὦ παῖ· καὶ γὰρ ὑστέρῳ τό γʼ εὖ

πράσσειν, ἐπεὶ πύθοιτο, κέρδος ἐμπολᾷ.

DÊ
Enter HYLLUS .

Dear child, dear boy! even from the lowliest head

Wise counsel may come forth. This woman here,

Though a bond-maiden, hath a free-born tongue.

HYL

What word is spoken, mother? May I know?

DÊ

That, with thy father lost to us so long,
65

’Tis shame thou dost not learn his dwelling-place.

HYL

Yea, I have learnt, if one may trust report.

DÊ

Where art thou told his seat is fixed, my son?

HYL

’Tis said that through the length of this past year

He wrought as bondman to a Lydian girl.
70

DÊ

Hath he borne that? Then nothing can be strange!

HYL

Well, that is over, I am told. He is free.

DÊ

Where is he rumoured, then, alive or dead?

HYL

In rich Euboea, besieging, as they tell,

The town of Eurytus, or offering siege.
75

DÊ

Child, hast thou heard what holy oracles

He left with me, touching that very land?

HYL

What were they, mother, for I never knew?

HYL

I will go, mother. Had I heard this voice

Of prophecy, long since I had been there.

Fear is unwonted for our father’s lot.

But now I know, my strength shall all be spent

To learn the course of these affairs in full.

Sohn, Geliebter, aus dem Mund Unedler auch

Fällt oft ein Rath zum Guten; so sprach dieses Weib,

Zwar eine Magd nur, doch ein hochgesinntes Wort.

Hyllos.

Was, Mutter? Laß mich's hören, wenn ich's hören darf.

Deianeira.

Daß du's versäumst, zu forschen, wo dein Vater weilt,
65

Der schon so lang entfernte, bringt Unehre dir.

Hyllos.

Nun, wenn ich Sagen trauen darf, so weiß ich es.

Deianeira.

Und wo des Landes, hörst du, daß er weilt, o Kind?

Hyllos.

Im abgewichnen Sommer fröhnt' er lange Zeit

Als Diener, sagt man, einem Weib in Lydia.
70

Deianeira.

Nun, wenn er das vermochte, kann er Alles thun!

Hyllos.

Doch ward er dieses Joches frei, wie ich vernahm.

Deianeira.

Wo soll er jezt sein, lebt er oder starb er gar?

Hylos.

Er rückte, heißt es, vor die Burg des Eurytos

Im Land Euböa's, oder schickt hiezu sich an.
75

Deianeira.

Und weißt du nicht, Sohn, daß er zuverlässige

Orakel über dieses Land mir hinterließ?

Hyllos.

Und welche, Mutter? Denn ich weiß von diesen Nichts.

Entweder harre seiner dort der Tage Ziel,

So hieß es, oder wenn er sieg' in diesem Kampf,
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Verfließ' in lautern Wonnen ihm des Lebens Rest.

Nun also seine Wage schwankt, so gehe, Kind,

Ihm beizustehen, da wir selbst gerettet sind,

Wenn er sich rettet, oder untergeh'n mit ihm.

Deianeira.

So gehe, Theurer! Wenn man auch in später Zeit

Vernimmt von einem Glücke, bringt es noch Gewinn.

(Hyllos ab. Der Chor der Jungfrauen aus der Stadt tritt auf, und ordnet sich vor dem Palaste.) Deianeira. Der Chor. Erste Strophe.

Hyllus
SCEISE 11.

Deianira

O my son I
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Oft from the meanest tongue the words of truth
65

And safety flow. This woman, though a slave,
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Hath spoke what would have well become the mouth

Of freedom's self to utter.

Hyllus

May I know

What she hath said ?

Deianira

She says it doth reflect

Disgrace on thee, thy father so long absent,

Not to have gained some knowledge of his fate.

Hyllus

I have already, if I may rely

On what report hath said of him.
70

Deianira

Oh, wliere —

Where is he then, my son ^

Hyllus

These twelve months past,

If fame say true, a Lydian woman held him

In shameful servitude.

Deianira

If it be so,

May every tongue reproach him !

He now is free.

Deianira

And where doth rumour say

He is ? alive or dead.

Hyllus

'Tis said, he leads,

Or means to lead, his forces towards Euboea,

Tlie land of Eurytus.
75

Deianira

Alas ! my son,

Dost thou not know the oracles he left

Touching that kingdom ?

Hyllus

No, I know not of them ;

What were they ?

There, he said, or he should die.

Or if he should survive, his life to come
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Would all be happy. Wilt thou not, my son,

In this important crisis strive to aid

Thy father? If he lives, we too shall live

In safety. If he dies, we perish with him.

Deianira

Haste then away, my son; and know, good deeds,

Though late performed, are crowned with sure success.

Chorus
Scene III.

Hyllus
HYLLUS, DEIANIRA, ATTENDANT.

Deianira

Thy father absent in a distant land
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So long, she deems it shame that search by thee
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What region thus detains him is not made.

Hyllus

If credence to report be due, I know.

Deianira

Where doth fame say, my son, that he resides ?

Hyllus

All the past year in sordid tasks employ'd,

And by a Lydian woman held a slave.
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Deianira

If he bore this, what more may we not hear?

Hyllus

It is reported he hath burst those bonds.

Deianira

Living or dead where is he said to be?

Hyllus

In arms, and in Eubæœa, 'gainst the state

Of Eurytus advanced, or on his march.
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Deianira

Know'st thou th' unerring prophecies, my son,

That land respecting, which he left with me?