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V
BOHN'S CLASSICAL LIBRARY.
THE DEAMAS OF iESCHYLUS.
THE
DRAMAS OF ^SCHYLUS.
TRANSLATED BVT
ANNA SWANWICK.
FOURTH EDITION REVISED.
LONDON: GEORGE BELL & SONS, YORK STREET COVENT GARDEN. ^
188fi.
LONDON' :
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS. LIMITED,
tTAHFOOD STREET AND CHAKIKG CB06S.
^^^^
nM')
^
CONTENTS.
|
Introduction to the Trilogy |
, . xvii |
|
Agamemnon |
1 |
|
Choephoki |
. 79 |
|
EVMENIDES |
. 139 |
|
The Persians .... |
. 190 |
|
Seven against TnEBiiS . , |
. 261 |
|
Prometheus Bound |
. 3?,1 |
|
The Suppliants ^,^ . . . |
. 399 |
PEEFACE TO TEE TPJLOGY.
It has been tnily remarked by Shelley, " tliat the jury which sits in judgment upon a poet must be composed of his peers ; it must be empanelled by time from the seleetest of the wise of many generations." By the verdict of this august tribunal, ^Eschylus takes rank rath Homer, Dante, and Shakespeare, and may -justly be rcgarded as one of " the unacknowledged legislators of the world."
As it may appear presumptuous to offer to the public a new translation of the yEschylean trilogy, the grandest dramatic work of classical antiquity, I may perhaps be allowed to state that I have not entered upon the task altogether uninvited. On the publica- tion of my translation of " Faust," and the other master- works of Goethe, in Bohn's Standard Library, I was strongly urged by the late Baron Bunscn to undertake the translation of the Greek dramas. I felt honoured by the proposal ; and though I was not immediately impelled to act upon the suggestion, his words have dwelt in my memory, and have encouraged me to com- plete an arduous and very difficult undertaking.
Considerable diversity of opinion prevails respecting the propriety of employing rhymed metres as sub-
viii Preface.
stitutes for the complex forms of classical poetry; henco it may not be inexpedient briefly to state my reasons for adopting them, as aflfording in my judgment the only adequate vehicle for reproducing the choral odes of the Greek dramas.
"With regard to the principles which should guide the translator in the execution of his task, it is, I believe, universally recognized that a translation ought, CIS faithfully as possible, to reflect the original, both in spirit and in form, and that any wilful or unacknow- ledged deviation from it is tantamount to a breach of trust. The difficulty of rigidly applying these prin- ciples to the translation of the choral odes will be apparent when we remember that the medium through which the thought of the ancient poet has to be re- embodied differs so essentially from that of the original as to render the principle of imitation, with reference to their musical intonations, inapplicable. The futility of attempting to imitate the forms of classical poetry in a language the metres of which are governed not by Time, but by Accent, has been pointed out by Professor Newman, in the preface to his admirable translation of the Iliad, the excellence of which can only bo fully appreciated by a careful comparison with the original.
"An accented metre," he says, "in a language loaded with consonants cannot have the same sort of sounding beauty as a quantitative metre in a highly vocalized language. It is not audible sameness of nctrc, but a likeness of moral genius which is to bo
Preface. ix
aimed .it," The translator, having thus no authorita- tive models to necessitate the adoption of particular forms, is at liberty, without incurring the charge of unfaithfulness, to adopt those metres, rhymed or uui-hymed, which approve themselves to his judgment as most in harmony with the spirit of the original. In order to fulfil this condition, however, he must take into consideration the highly lyrical character of the choral odes, which associated themselves not only with music, but also with the choral dance.
Now, this lyrical element of ancient poetry, not admitting of translation, requires to be born anew, and for this purpose we have a most felicitous adjunct in rhyme, which, when judiciously employed, may be regarded as a musical accompaniment, pervading the choral harmonies, enhancing their beauty, and at the same time serving to mark the time.
The only possible objection to the use of an ornament 80 attractive and significant, and at the same time so conformable to the English language, is the notion, very generally entertained, that " the exigencies of rhyme forbid faithfulness." Holding fidelity to the spirit of the original to be the cardinal virtue of a translator, I should, if this opinion were well founded, abandon rhyme without hesitation. It appears to me, however, that the objection is overstated, and that it is better to aim at the true lyrical ideal, however difficult of realization. The solution of the problem can only be worked out by experience. How far I have succeeded in combining scrupulous fidelity to the
X Freface.
original ^nth the employment of rhyme, it is not for me to judge; metrical translation must always be a matter of compromise, and no one can be so sensitively awaro of tbe sbortcomings of a translation as tbe translator.
My desire to bespeak for tbe dramas of i^schylus that intelligent study which is essential for their true appreciation has induced me to attempt in my intro- duction a very slight sketch of the progress of religious thought, as manifested through a few of the great master-works of literature and art. Poets are repre- sentative men ; and poetry, under its higher aspects, may justly be regarded as the fairest flower of the age and country which gave it birth, drawing its nourish- ment from the deepest roots of national life, and con- cealing beneath its delicate petals the germs of the future. Hence every great poem requires for its elucidation, not only to be studied in connection with contemporaneous history, but also to bo brought into comparison with the kindred productions of other ages and nations. New insight is thus gained into the developments of history, and the tendencies of modern thought are more clearly interpreted when brought face to face with the conceptions and aspira- tions of tho old pagan world. If a complete history of religious development were to be given, it would of course lo necessary to go back to tho prior Jlonothcisni which probably preceded tho earliest rautheistic nature- worship of which wo liavo any record, and also to investigate tho links of transition from tho Vcdio
Treface. xi
Dmnities to the ideal Personalities of Olympus. Sach an inq[uiry would, however, exceed the scope of an introduction.
In considering the Zeus of ^schylus I have con- fined myself almost entirely to the conception of the Olympian king embodied in the Orestcia, leaving untouched the apparent discrepancy between the character there portrayed and that depicted in the Prometheus Bound. I agi'ee with those critics who believe that the discrepancy is only apparent, and would vanish had we the opportunity of studying the other members of the Prc«nethean trilogy. Critics are agreed that the Suppliants ought also to be regarded as a member of a trilogy, in association with the lost dramas of the ^gyptii and the Danaidcs. These fragmentary works can, I believe, be only satisfactorily interpreted when studied in connection with the Orestcia. The investigation would, however, necessitate a reference to the remaining dramas of iEschylus, and must therefore be postponed to a future opportunity.
All true lovers of Art, who recognize her legitimate function as a revealer of truth, a mediator between the Finite and the Infinite, cannot fail to regi'ct the sub- ordinate position to which she is condemned in the pre- sent day, when she is too often regarded in the light of a mere elegant superfluity, as one of the costly adjuncts of our modern civilization. The true dignity of art has been nobly vindicated by Hegel in his celebrated work, entitled " Vorlesungen iiber die Aestlietik." As
xii Preface.
this work is, I believe, comparatively little known in England, I have ventured to recast, with some modifi- cations, a few of his leading ideas, and to embody them in my introduction. I refer more especially to his analysis of the Greek dramas, and to his exposition of the fundamental ideas which characterize the three great eras — the symbolical, classical, and romantic — which mark alike the history of religion and of art. I have also availed myself of C O. Miiller's admirable dissertations on *' the Eumenides," together with Pro- fessor Max Miiller's lectures on language, second series, and his history of ancient Sanscrit literature. With regard to mythological lore, I am chiefly in- debted to Wclcker's " Griechische Gotterlehre," Kuhn's " Herabkunft des Feuers," and also to Guigniant'a "Eeligionsdo I'Antiquite," translated from the German of Creuzer.
Eegents Pace, June 18G5,
PKEFACE TO THE FOUE PLAYS.
The kind reception accorded to my version of tlie Oresteian trilogy has encouraged me to complete my task by translating the remaining dramas of the great Athenian bard.
It is impossible to determine with accuracy the original number of the -3l]schylean dramas ; the lowest estimate is seventy-five, the highest one hundred. Of this treasure of poetry seven dramas only, together with a few isolated fragments, have escaped the wreck of time, ^schylus has been compared, not inaptly, to the Sphinx of the Egyptian desert, buried up to its shoulders beneath the accumulated sands of ages. " Enseveli et eternel, le front sortant du sepulcre, Eschyle regarde les generations."
The influence of his genius has been far-reaching in space, as well as enduring in time : — it is interesting to consider the vast area over which the spirit and language of Hellas were diffused by means of her colonies, which were found scattered and isolated in every region of the known world ; from Spain in the west to the countries bordering upon the Euxine in the east ; from Pannonia in the north to Libya in the south.
xiv Preface.
The importance of poetry as one of the great civiliz- ing forces of humanity was not overlooked by these Hellenic communities. They recognized the prime truth that " the mind of a nation constitutes its firmest bulwark." Theatres accordingly were erected beside their citadels. These edifices, it must be remembered, were not, as with us, mere places of amusement. Owing to the religious element, which from its cradle pervaded the Athenian drama, the Hellenic theatres were invested with somewhat of a sacred character, and their dramatic performances constituted a characteristic feature of the national life. .^Eschylus, we are told, was the favourite poet of the Hellenic colonists.
•'^schylus present, Hellas was not altogether absent. His colossal genius thus protected these infant com- munities from the inroads of surrounding barbarism, and maintained them in the circle of Hellenic civilization."
It would bo well if the civilizing agency of poetry were more universally recognized. The human mind requires to be lifted occasionally above the level of ordinary life, where it is exposed to the perpetual harass of material cares. Poetry, the highest embodi- ment of idealized passion and imaginative thought, must ever bo regarded as u mighty agent for the accomplishment of this object. Poets of the highest order belong, however, not to one ago or country, but to humanity. It is thcrcforo important that the productions of those master-spirits should bo adequately translated and thus rendered generally occossiblo.
Prfface. xv
This is more especially true at tlie present time, when, with the spread of educatiou, the multitude of readers will be indefinitely increased.
Shakespeare has been not inappropriately styled " the modern ^schylus ;" an association which, to the English reader at least, invests with peculiar interest the prophetic poet of the ancient world. The perusal of his master-works, like those of his great compeer, illustrates the truth proclaimed by the Apostle from the Athenian Areopagus, " that God has made of one blood all nations of men ;" notwithstanding the diver- sity of external surrounding, we discern, in the per- sonages of the ^schylean dramas, whether human or superhuman, beings of like passions with ourselves, endowed with the same mental constitution, and subject to the moral laws impressed by the Creator upon our common humanity. In bis sublimer passages we soar with the poet as on eagle's wings, and anon we come upon pregnant utterances which
" fix themselves
Deep in the heart as meteor stones in earth Dropped from some higher sphere."
" "Who can mistake great thoughts?
They seize upon the mind, — arrest and search And shake it ; bow the tall soul as by wind, — Pvusb over it like rivers over reeds, Which quaver in the current."
Such are the thoughts of .^schylus I From all this wealth of poetry many readers are, however, practically excluded, not only by the foreign
xvi Preface.
language in which it is embodied, but nlso by their unfamiliarity with the mythological lore of Hellas. Like travellers in a foreign country, they shrink from the exertion of exploring an unknown region without the assistance of a guide. In order in some measure to supply this want, I have prefixed to each drama a brief introduction, setting forth the main incidents of the situation, together with other explanatory details. In these introductions I make no claim to originality ; I have consulted the various works, bearing upon the subject, to which I had access, and from them I have endeavoured to bring together, as concisely as possible, such materials as seemed subservient to the object which I had in view.
With regard to Prometheus, I have felt the im- possibility of treating adequately, within the narrow limits of an introduction, a subject so vast, and with reference to which such diverse opinions are enter- tained. ■ The theory propounded by Schoemann appears to me to be one of the most successful attempts to reconcile the apparent discrepancy between the cha- racter of Zeus as portrayed in the Prometheus Bound, and that depicted in the remaining dramas of .■Eschylns, more especially in the Suppliants and the Orestoian trilogy. I have accordingly given, in my introduction, a brief epitome of some leading ideas embodied in Schocmann's essay, and to that I must refer the reader for a more complete exposition of his views.
In the introduction to my translation of the Ores- toian trilogy, I liavo alluded at some length to the
Preface. xvii
tlieory which refers the origin of the Hellenic mytho- logy to the phenomena of the natural world ; and which, through the researches of Prof. Max Muller and other mythologists, is shown to rest upon a basis of fact. The application of the tlieory to the legendary lore of Hellas has given rise to so. much controversy, and has opened so wide a field of speculation, that I have abstained from entering upon the subject, and must refer the reader to the Eev. G. W. Cox's " Mythology of the Aryan Nations,' where it is fully discussed.
Having in the choral odes of my second volume observed the arrangement of Strophe and Antistrophe, which forms a characteristic feature of the original, I have thought it advisable to bring my version of the Oresteian trilogy, in this respect, into harmony with the remaining dramas of iEschylus, and have moreover carefully revised the whole.
In conclusion, I have great pleasure in expressing my grateful acknowledgments to my friend Professor Newman, for his most kind and valuable assistance. This assistance has reference not merely to the inter- pretation of the more obscure passages of the original, the difficulty of which is greatly enhanced by the corrupt condition of the text, but also to his proposed corrections, for which I refer the reader to the notes printed, as in the Trilogy, at the end of each drama. I have in addition to thank him lor important aid in rendering the original into English. The whole of my translation has been submitted to his revision, and, with his permission, I have freely availed myself
xviii Preface.
of the numerous proposed emendations with which ho has from time to time most kindly favoured me.
I am also indebted to my friend Mr. W. W. Lloyd for several valuable suggestions, for which I beg to express my cordial thanks. I moreover gladly acknowledge my obligation to previous commentators and translators.
In the preparation of my introductions I have consulted the following works, from which, for the most part, I have borrowed my materials. Grote's ' History of Greece ;' Bunsen's ' Gott in der Geschichte ;' ' Ariadne,' von 0. F. Gnippe ; ' Die Aeschylische Trilogie Prometheus,' etc., von F, G. Welcker ; ' Des Aeschylos gcfesselter Prometheus,' von G. F. Schoemann ;
* Des Aeschylos Werke,' iibersetzt von J. G. Droysen ; Hegel's ' Vorlcsungen iibcr die Aesthetik.' I am also indebted to an interesting essay on the religion of ^schylus, by Brook F. Westcott, which appeared in the
* Contemporary Review.' In the preface to my second volume I have borrowed some thoughts from Victor Hugo's ' Shakespeare.'
I am happy to state that in a separate volume my translation of the j^schylcan dramas is asssociated with Flaxmau's illustrations.
Kegenx's Park, 1872.
INTEODUCTION TO THE TRILOGY.
In order to appreciate the poetry of antiquity, it is necessary to take into consideration the religious ideas which lie at its root, which also in the course of their development have determined the character alike of ancient literature and art ; when we consider, moreover, the immeuse influence which the stream of Aryan thought, by its interfusion with Christianity, has exerted over the culture of the Western world, a new and twofold interest attaches to each of the great master-works of classical antiquity, as exhibiting not only the level which the religious thought of the age had alrearly reached, but also as indicating the direc- tion of its future development.
Accordingly, in offering to the public a new version of the Orestcia, the only complete trilogy which has escaped the wreck of time, it may not be altogether irrelevant if I endeavour to determine the position of iEschylus among those kindlers of the beacon-fire, through whose agency the light of ancient wisdom was transmitted from age to age before the advent of Christianity.
With this view it will bo necessary to give a sketch
XX The Trilogy.
(necessarily very meagre and imperfect) of the progress of religious thought, both before and after his appear- ance on the stage of history, and as art has its root in the religious nature of man, we shall thus obtain a key to tho three great epochs which mark the artistic dcvcloijmcnt of humanity, which have been charac- terized as the Symbolical, the Classical, and tho Komantic eras.
When the rays of tradition first dawn upon our planet, we discover the primeval ancestors of tho Aryan race, before their dispersion from their common home, still g;izing with awe and wonder upon the working of the vast nature-powers by which they were cnvironctl. While led through tho religious instincts implanted in human nature to recognize the existence of a Being or Eeings who hear and answer prayer, they were unable to separate tho idea of mind, as a causal power, from the aspects of external nature. Accordingly, tho shadowy divinities of tho Vedic Pantheon, Indra, Agni, Varuna, can hardly be regarded as distinct personalities, holding definite relations to each other, or to their worshippers. As in the fluctu- ating scenery of the diurnal drama the sun is obscured by clouds, v.'hich in their turn are scattered and anon collected again, so these deified impersonations of physical phenomena loom dimly before our mental vision, each supremo and absolute in turn ; nor is it easy to deterraino whether beliind these innumerable divinities, tho conception of Ouo infinite Spirit had yet d.t\aied upon the Ai'yau mind.
The Trihgij. xxi
The deities of the Vedas vanish from our gaze, lost " In the deep backward and abysm of time."
After the lapse of ages they reappear upon the ptago,, so modified, however, that it is difficult to recoguize their identity : on the southern side of the Himalayahs they assume the form of the great Brahminical trinity, Vishnu, Brahma, and Siva, emerging from a back- ground of Pantheism ; while in Greece we beliold them metamorphosed into the hierarchy of the Olympian gods. So striking is the contrast between the deities apostrophized by the Vedic bards, and the grand impersonations of Grecian poetry and art, that without conclusive evidence the connection between them could hardly be recognized. This evidence is twofold ; — in the first place, comparative philology reveals the fact that the sacred names of the Greek Pantheon are in the Vedas intelligible words, expres- sive of natural phenomena ; while in the Iliad we are introduced to the Olympian deities during the process of transformation ; we detect their forms gradually dis- engaging themselves from the physical phenomena with which they were associated, of which also they may bo regarded as the spiritual but almost impalpable essence.
This transformation of physical into humanized deities has been compared by "Wclclier to the myste- rious process by which the chrysalis passes into its more perfect form. " The Nature-god," he sajs, "became enveloped in a web of mythical fable, and emerged as a divine, humanized personality." For
xxii The Trilogy.
the principle which lies at the root of this meta- morphosis, he points to the gradual development of human nature, to the growing consciousness of free- will, accompanied by the recognition of mind as a higher manifestation of deity than any material pheno- mena, and consequently of man as the true Shckinah.
As, however, in the earlier Vcdic worship men were unable to separate the idea of mind, as a causal power, from the varied aspects of external nature, so, when they began to direct their thoughts within, they were equally embarrassed to distinguish between the divine and human elements in the soul of man. Every inward movement which appeared at all exceptional was ascribed to the prompting of a deity ; not only were the nobler emotions of courage and self-restraint referred to divine inspiration (of which in the Iliad we find innumerable examples), but the gods are also represented as the authors of delusion (ii. 8, xxii. 24) and treachery (iv. 93), as when Zeus sends the deceitful dream to Agamemnon, and Athena prompts Pandarus to violate the treaty. One of the most noteworthy instances to this perplexity is found in Agamemnon's exculpation of himself touching the outrage upon Achilles (xix. 85) :
•*I am not pnilty, Jove ami Fate | and the duslx-roamin^ Fury— Tia these who in assembly fuM | my breast witk savago frenzy." •
• I have avftilcil my.M-If here and in subsequent quot&tioos ol Prcfcssor Nuwiuans translation.
The Trilogy, xxiii
A plea, the justice of whicli is admitted by Achilles, who echoes the sentiment of Agamemnon :
" 0 Father Jove, great frenesies | to men thou truly sendcst."
Iiloreover, on the first transference of human passion and emotion, together with the co'nditions of human existence, to the super-mundane sphere, the very con- ception of divine existence, as absolved from restraint, would lead to the deification of human infirmity to- gether with the higher attributes of humanity r of this we have a memorable example in the character of the Homeric Zeus. This tendency would doubtless be accelerated by the phenomena expounded by Prof. Max Miiller, in his " Lectiires on Language." As the several branches of the Aryan stock dispersed, migrating from their common home in Central Asia, the original signification of words was forgotten or obscured ; and thus, language originally descriptive of natural pheno- mena became transferred to the conditions of human life — a translation which totally metamorphosed the character of the occurrence.
The transference of human faith and worship from the vague nature-powers of the Vedas to the humanized deities of Olympus, together with the association of the latter into a celestial hierarchy, under the supre- macy of Zeus, assumed in Grecian mythology the form of a revolution, and was symbolized under the grand old allegory of the battle between the Titans and the Olympian gods. This revolution, involving a variety of complex phenomena, especially the fusion of the
xxiv Tlie Trilogy.
mythology of different tribes or nations into one, was doubtless accomplished in its main features in the ages iinterior to Homer.
However, as we have no Grecian literature to illus- trate this period, we are unable to trace the history of tho transition, nor can we determine how far the current mythology of his age was modified by the individual genius of the great epic bard, whose immortal work, while inaugurating a new epoch in the history of civilization, at tho same time exhibits, as has been truly said, tho last lingering traces of the primeval age. A superficial acquaintance with tho Iliad suffices to reveal the original elemental character of the Homeric divinities, a fact which would bo more generally recognized, were we not accustomed to carry to the perusal of tho earlier poet the conceptions derived from the artistic impersonations of a later age. This transitional character of the Homeric mythology will be more apparent if we carry back to their original root in natural phenomena a few of tho Olympian divinities, and then follow the process of their develop- ment, as they appear successively in the Iliad and in the Orcstcia. Tho connection between Jupiter and thp sky, familiar to Greek and Latin scholars, may bo traced down to tho latest period of classical poetry; 60 Horace— " Manet sub Jovo frigido vcnator." It was reserved, however, for tho science of comparative philology to point out the origin of this connection. Tims wo learn that " Zeus, tho most sacred name in GrcL-k mythology is tho samo word as Dyaua in
The TriJogy. xxv
Sanscrit, whicli means the sky; and that originally Dyu was the bright heavenly deity in India, as well as i:i Greece."
It is remarked by Welcker, that " the greatest fact, when we go back to the highest Grecian antiquity, is the idea of God, as the Supreme Being, associated with a natnre-worship, never entirely suppressed, together with the conception of a divine family derived from Zeus."
Accordingly, we recognize in the Homeric Zeus three distinct elements, the divine, the physical, and the human, welded together into an artificial unity, and exhibiting a character of marvellous incongruity, en- dowed with attributes the most inconsistent and con- tradictory. Thus, in not a few passages, he is re- presented as the supreme deity —
" Who reigneth mighty over all, both mortals and immortals." (IL xii. 242.) "Whose decree, once sanctioned by the nod, is neither deceptive, nor re- vokable." (II. i. 527.) " The Counsellor, greatest and best ; Father of gods and men ; the Guardian of the oath." (iv. 235.) " The Vindicator of righteous law." (xxi. 3S7.) The High Arbiter of war." (xix. 224.) His superiority over the other gods is forcibly brought out in the beginning of the 8th book (18 — 27,) where the other dwellers in Olympus are invited to grasp the gulden chain dropped from Heaven's heights, and held immovably in the hand of Zeus :
" Lay bold, and throw your force on it, all gods both male a:id female,
XX vi The Trilogy.
Yet never shall ye down to earth, drag from the lofty
hoaven Zeus the supreme deviser." *
It is as the god of compassion that the diviner aspect of his character is the most conspicuous (ix. 502) : when we consider the savagery of an age in which human victims were sacrificed to appease the Manes of the dead, and where tendencies to cannibalism may perhaps be detected (iv. 35), (xxii. 345), (xxiv. 212), the prominence given to compassion as an attri- bute of the supreme Deity is very remarkable.
Notwithstanding these high attributes, no exercise of providential power is ever assigned to the Homeric Zeus ; ho is beguiled by Hera, yet swayed by her counsel (xvi. 4G0), and though desirous to save Ilium, yet, at her entreaty, he surrenders it to destruction (iv. 43). Like the heavens, now bright with sunshine, and anon dark with storm, he exhibits all the capricious fluctuations of an elemental power, being alternately malignant and benign, without any apparent motive beyond his own caprice, uninfluenced by moral con- siderations. Then, again, with regard to his supre- macy, not only is it questioned by Poseidon (xv. 185), it is actually imperilled by that deity, in conjunction with Hera and Athena (i. 3P6 — 400), and is only rescued from their machinations by the intervention of Briarcus.
• Crcuzer baa pointed out the s;uiic image in a pissage of the Bliajravat-^rita.
Tlie Trilogy. xxvii
These legends probably symbolizo convulsions of the elements, which threaten to blot out the sky, of which Zeus is the impersonation. In this character, as an elemental god, ho is not only the father of rivers, he also presides over all meteorological pheno- mena.
Thus with his iEgis, the dark storm-cloud, he veils the summit of Mount Ida (xvii. 593), and even ocean shudders at his dreadful bolt. He rains (xii. 5). He snows (xii. 280). He deviseth hail and piercing sleet, and rainy flood (x. 5). He uproots the sturdy oak (xiv. 415), and he snaps the bow-string of Teucer (xv. 469). Occasionally the moral and physical elements are most curiously blended, as in the elaborate descrip- tion of the rain deluge with which he punishes the crooked verdict of the unjust judge (xvi. 385). Many other passages of a similar character might be cited.
But it is in his relation with Hera, and the various heroines who are represented as the objects of his love, that the human element in the conception of the Homeric Zeus appears under its most revolting aspect.
His character has accordingly been described as the most repulsive in the whole circle of Olympian life, exhibiting the very temper of the most advanced depravity.* " It is the Jupiter of Homer in whom we see first the most complete surrender of personal morality and self-government to mere appetite, and the most thoroughly selfish groundwork of character.
Gladstone's Homer.
xsviii The Trilogy.
Abandonment to gross pa'^sion, ungovernable self- indulgence rises to its climax in him."
We seem to inhale a purer atmosphere when, by the ai<l of comparative philology, we are enabled to trans- late back into natural phenomena occurrences which, when transferred to the sphere of human life, are repulsive and revolting. Thus it is not difficult to recognize the physical idea which underlies the con- ception of Hera, whose name — derived, according to Wtlcker, from cpa,* the earth — sufficiently indicates the original conception symbolized by her marriage with Zeus, the sky. Ge, the earth, is invoked in the Iliad, with Zeus and other divinities (ii. 277 ; xix. 258). Of the three goddesses, Hera, Dione, and Dt meter, in whom the primeval goddess reappears mythically metamorphosed (who also originally held the same relation to Ztus as seen on ancient coins), Htra is alone distinguished in the Hiad as the Queen of Heaven, while Demeter, without Divine significance, is alluded to in connection with agriciiltural pursuits (xiii. 322; v. 500), and Dione appears as the mother of Aphrodite (v. 370).
It was through the Archtean race that Hera acquired
* Prof. Max Miillcr and other Sanskrit acholara, while recorrni7,in;j; tliat in many of her traits Hera is tlio Earth, maintain that the derivation of her name from tpa is im- jKissilile. '1 hoy consider that it may be safely derived from Svaryil, an adjective of Svar, sky. Hera became o^unOpoyos witli Zeus, and it is siiggestiHl by Prof. Max Miiller that in that cajMicity ouo of her many cognoiniua uiay have bocumo her noinen.
The Trilogy. xxix
her high position in the Olympian theogony : among a warlike people, who abandoned agriculture to their dependants, the physical attributes of the goddess were gradually cb^'^ured, and accordingly we find her in the Iliad as the peculiar patroness of Achilles, chief of the battle-loving myrmidons (i. 208; ix. 254). Though the physical attributes of Hera are almost entirely suppressed in the Iliad, we trace a curious lingering of the natuT'j element in the Theogamia, described with such luxuriance of imagery in the 14th book (345- 351) : " As the story of the Olympian Father descend- ing as golden rain into the prison of Danai was meant lor the bright sky, delivering earth from the bonds of winter ; " so the union of Zeus and Hera, shrouded in golden mist, doubtless typified the same natural pheno- menon, followed as it was by a new outgrowth of tender herbage, " the lotus, the crocus, and the hya- cinth." A similar remnant of natural symbolism might probably be detected in other Homeric legends, which in their human aspect are puerile and revolting : as when the refractory spouse of Zeus hangs suspended by a golden chain, a pair of anvils attached to her ankles (xv. 19). How far Homer recognized the original significance of these legends is an interesting but still unsettled question. — Miiller (Prol. 279).
If from the thundering, cloud-compelling Zeus of the Hiad, we turn to the Zeus of the Oresteia, the contrast is so remarkable, that it would almost appear as if the great dramatist, by the very emphasis with which he brings out the providential charact r of the Supreme liuler, desired, like his contempt )rary, Pindar,
XXX The Trilogy.
to enter his protest against tlic unworthy conception of the Epic bard. This hypothesis seems the more plausible when we consider that the age of iEschylus immediately succeeded that of Pisistratus, who had given his sanction to the enactments of Solon, " by which tho Iliad was raised into a liturgy, periodically rehearsed by Jaw at the preatest of the Athenian fes- tivals ; " "exhibiting for the first and last time in-thj history of the world the preservation of a poet's com- positions made an object of permanent ]>ub]ic policy." Accordingly, in the opening chorus of the Agamem- non, Zeus is represented as conducting in person the grand judicial retribution which, in consequence of the crime of Paris, involves Ilium in ruin. In the second chorus this providential action of Zeus is brought out with even stronger emphasis ; he is there represented as having with prescient might foreordained the blow which fell at length in accomplishment of his decree. The mighty net of Divine retribution is cast over the devoted city, and the character of Zeus is vindi- cated as the righteous governor of men. So again in the third chorus, it is Zeus, protector of the guest, who sends Helen, a fury fraught with destruction, to avenge on the sons of Priam the violated rights of hospitality ; and whereas, in the Iliad, there is division in heaven, the deities, swayed by motives purely personal, and often of the lowest character (xxiv. 30 ; iv. 48), take part in the quarrel, and aj)pear arrayed against one another in the hostile ranks ; — in the Orcsteia. on the contrary, they aru represented as leagued with Zeus in cariyiug out the great ends of justice. Thus, when
The Trihgy. xxxi
the cause is brought before the celestial tribunal, " without dissentient voice they cast their votes into the bloody urn, sealing the doom of Troy." (Ag. 789.) Zeus is not only represented as exercising supreme authority in the moral government of mankind —
" In will, in deed, Sole cause, sole fashioner" (Ag. 1462);
he also acts inwardly on the souls of men : it is Zeus whose highest gift is an untainted mind (Ag. 900) ; who leads men to wisdom through suffering (Ag. 169); a function in which he is aided by the subordinate deities (Ag. 175), who are represented as the exponents of his will. (Eum. 588.)
In the Suppliants, together with a curious lingering of the mythological element; we find the grandest ascriptions of omnii^otence to the Olympian king. Thus, he is invoked as " King of kings, most blessed of the blest, among the Perfect, Power most perfect, Zeus, supreme in bliss ! " (Sup. 518.) He is charac- terized as "Mighty Zeus, Protector of the guest, the Highest, who directs Destiny by hoary law." (Sup. 655.) "Zeus, Lord of ceaseless time" (Sup. 567), "almighty Euler of the earth." (Sup. 795.) He is likewise ai)ostrophized"as the gre it Artificer, supreme Kuler, who knows no superior, whose deed is prompt as his word to execute the designs of his deep-counsel- ling mind. (Sup, 587.) Thus the mythological vesture, woven of Nature and Humanity, which had well-nigh shrouded the grander feature s of the Homeric Zeus, is partially withdrawn in .^schlylus, and we behold a
xxxii The Trilofjij.
Being whom men could worship without degradation, till in the fullness of time the light of celestial Truth burst with clear efifulgence on the heathen world.
We can hardly imagine that the capricious elemental deity of the Iliad should have been metamorphose 1 into the venerable deity of the Oresteia by the slow process of spiritual development alone, without the action of external agency : if we consider the affinity between the Hellenic and the Persian races, and the close contact into which they were brought in Asia Minor, the modification of Grecian thought by the interfusion of Persian elements will not a2)i)car re- markable. In support of this hypothesis, I might appeal not only to the high spiritual character attri- buted to Ahura-Mazda, the Zeus of the ZL'ud-A vesta, but also to the sharp contrast there exhibited between the principles of Good and Evil, a feature which strikingly distinguishes the theogony of iEschylus from that of Homer.
The relics of ancient sun-worship which are dis covered in various k>calities of Greece bear witness to the vast iuflueuco exerted by the celestial luminary over the imaginations and the religious emotions of the primeval world, an influence which is also attested by tlie numerous iliviuities in whom the Sun-god reappears, mythically Uiutamorphoscd. Helios, in tho Iliad, is eliaraetrrizf' ^ us " the Unweariable ; " " the Bringer of light ; " lik. Mithra, who has a thousand ears and ten thousand eyes, " Ho overscoth all, and hcarkoneth to nil things " (iii. 277). On tho roconciliation of Aga- momuou and Aeh Iks, a boar is sarriliced to Helios
TJie Trilogrj. xsxiii
and to Zeus (xix. 197). The Trojans sacrifice to the Earth and to Helios, the Achasans to Zens (iii. 104).
Id the opening chorus of the Agamemnon, the ancient Arcadian Suu-god, Pan,* whose name is not mentioned in the Iliad, is associated with Zeus and Apollo, as sending the Fury to punish crime. The original charac- ter of this divinity, who \vith Zeus and Apollo shares the epithet Lykeios, is betrayed by many significant symbols, associated with his effigies and his worship. Among the various impersonations of the Sun, how- ever, there is none which can compare in interest and significance with Dionysos and Apollo, both solar divinities, whose worship, nevertheless, offers many remarkable points of opposition and contact.
The celestial luminary was imagined to sleep during the winter and to awake to consciousness in spring ; accordingly Dionysos, rising from the sea at the vernal equinox to inaugui'ate the new solar year, was hailed with transports of joy by his enthusiastic votaries. The fluctuating character of Dionysos reminds us of the nature deities of the Yedas; Proteus-like, he assumes every variety of form and age ; he is the god of summer and of winter, of darkness and of light ; he holds in his hand the inebriating chalice, together with the eosmical mirror, exhibiting the images of all things. His worship is of peculiar interest, from its association with the Greek drama. Grecian tragedy, as is well
* In my revised version I have followed Prof. Newman's reading of this passage, which omits the name of " Pan " in this connection. c
xxsiv The Trilogy.
known, was an expansion of the choruses chanted at the Diouysic festivals, which rehearsed the vicissitudes of the solar god, in his progress through the heavenly signs. This circumstance exerted " an overruling effect upon the quality of the Athenian drama ; " " from this early cradle of tragedy arose a sanctity which compelled all things to modulate into the same religious key."*
Peculiar interest moreover attaches to Dionysos, from his association with the mysteries which exerted so powerful an influence over the Grecian mind.
The story of Dionysos, embodying some of the main features of his worship, appears in the Iliad (vi. 132), invested, however, with ethical, not religious signifi- cance. " It is a remarkable circumstance that pre- cisely those divinities, Demeter and Dionysos, whose truly religious influence was most profound and pervading in Greece, are all but unmentioned in Homer, and may be said, in fact, to be excluded from his scheme of the divine community ."f An interesting question arises as to the cause of this omission on the part of the great epic bard. Are we to imagine that the peculiar sanctity whicli attached to these divinities induced him deliberately to avoid the subject ; or must wo conclude that in the Homeric age their worship Lad not yet assumed that mysterious and impressive character which subsequently distinguislicd it ? I confess I am unable to decide the question, but incline to the litter hypothesis.
* Tlioory of Greek Tragedy. Do Quincey. t Homer, his Art and his Age. W. Watkiss Lloyoi Classical Museum, XXH.
Tlie Trilogy. xxxv
The original solar signification of Apollo is main- tiiued among other eminent scholars by Creuzer, "Welcker, and Gerhard, who appeal alike to ancient monuments and coins, and to vestiges of ancient Sun- worship found in various localities in Greece. " If we desire," says Creuzer, " in studying Greek mythology, to reach its ultimate roots, we must explore the ancient literatures of Persia and India. If from this point of view we investigate the original identity of tha Sun- god and Apollo, we shall find in the figurative language of the Vedas the primitive occasion of the transition from the former to the latter."
One of the most striking features of the ancient Sun- worship was its dualistic character, founded upon the twofold aspect of the solar luminary, as at the same time a beneficent and a destroying power, as conquer- ing and conquered, as dying, yet endowed with ever- renovated life ; a conception which explains the enigma said to be uttered by the oracle of Apollo at Claros, in Ionia, " I am Jupiter Ammon in Spring, and black Pluto in Winter." In order to understand the more terrible aspects of the ancient Sun-god, we have only to remember the annual fevers occasioned by his scorching rays, and the danger of famine from failure of the crops : after the lightning of Zeus, there was no natural agent so destructive as the arrow of Helios ; as calamity, moreover, was regarded in ancient times as the expression of Divine anger, expiatory and peniten- tial rites formed an essential element of the ancient Sun-worship. This twofold aspect of Helios finds
xxxvi Tlie Trilogy.
expression also in the name of the latter Sun-god, Apollo, which, in the ancient Doric ^olian form, was not 'Atto'XXov, the Destroyer, but 'ATrf'XXuf, the Averter. It is under his darker aspect "as the Minister of Vengeance, and the Chastiser of Ai-rogance," that he appears for the most part in the poetry of Homer. " His punishments are pestilence and death ;" "Achilles, to whom he is particularly hostile, calls him the most pernicious of all the gods."*
While the Homeric Apollo, in liis relation with mortals, appears thus in the light of a malevolent and destroying power, among the Olympians ho is introduced in association with the Muses, as the god of Music, charming the assembled deities with his harp (i. 603). The notion that the stars and the other heavenly bodies accomplished their- revolutions to the sound of music is expressed in the ancient poetry of India, and also in that of the Persians. As the rhytlim of the cosmical movements depended upon the solar luminary, the great ordercr of times and seasons, it is not surprising that from the most remoto antiquity the Sun god was represented as playing on the cithara ; in this character he is portrayed on the oldest Archaic vases, cncu'cled by the dancing hours.
Although in the Oresteia Apollo is introduced inci- dentally as a destroying and avenging deity, as in the passage already quoted in the 1st Chorus of the Agamemnon, and also where ho is invoked by Cassandra
• C. 0. Miillcr's Uistory of tbo Dorians.
Tlie Trilogy. sxxvii
as her destroyer (1047), he nevertheless wears, for the most part, a more benignant aspect. He is emphatically the Healer, the Prophet-leech, who purifies from all defilement (Eum. 62) ; the god of joy, whom it befits not to invoke with words of sorrow (Ag. 1056) : the most striking point of divergence from the Homeric conception of Apollo is to be foimd in his relation to Zeus, with whom he appears in the most intimate association. As the god of prophecy, the guardian of the sacred oracles, he declares most emphatically that he is simply the expounder of his father's will, and consequently that he cannot lie. (Eum, 585, 588.) It is under this aspect, as the god of Truth, that a deep significance attaches to the func- tion which he assumes in the court of Areopagus as Exegetes, or expounder of the imwritten law. " At Athens, the Exegetea, who presided over the purification of blood-guilty persons, were elected, or at least their election was ratified, by the Delphic Oracle."* In this character, Apollo appears before the Areopagites, to expound the law in relation to homicide, and thus the deep-thoughted poet enforces the important principle that the judicial proceedings of human tribunals must be under the presidency of Truth.
According to Welcker, however, the Moon appears of all natural objects to have been the most universally adored. Several tribes in Africa and America are said at the present day to worship the moon without the
Dissertations on the Eumenides. C. 0. Miiller.
xsxviii The Trilogij.
suu, wliile no nation Las been known to whom the sun is sacred without the moon. In primeval ages the computations of time were based upon the changes of the moon, which accordingly in the Indo-Germanic languages is known as " The Measurer ; " and so deeply did the lunar phenomena appeal to the religioiis emotions of humanity, that among all early nations, as well as among the Jews, the new-moon festivals were celebrated with peculiar solemnity. In warm climates, moreover, vegetation is nourished almost entirely by the dew, which falls most copiously when the moon is full ; hence Selene was early characterized as the mother of Herse, the Bringer of the Dew. It would be very interesting to trace the various media of tran- sition by which the bright nocturnal luminary was gradually metamorphosed into the Huntress Diana —
" Fair silver-shafted queen for ever chaste, Who set at nought the frivolous bolts of Cupid."
So great, however, is the diversity of form under which the Moon-goddess has been conceived, exhibiting a diflerent physiognomy in every different locality, ac- cording to the varied aspect under which she has been regarded, that I must contentmyself with a brief notice of her characteristics, as she appears in the Iliad and the Oresteia.
To the goddess of the green-wood and the glade belonged of right all animals both tamo and wild ; accordingly sho is chnractcrized in the Iliad as (roTi'ta Oipwi), " Queen of all Vonisou " (ixi. 470),
The TriJogif. xxxix
and iu the Agamemnon she is rci)rcsGntcd as taking under bcr especial care —
" The tender whelps, new-dropped, of creat'jres rude,
Sparing the udder-loving brood
Of every beast through field or wood that roves," — (Ag. 139.)
While thus gracious to the lower animals, towards humanity, on the contrary, she, like the Homeric Apollo, wears the aspect of a destroying rather than of a benignant power. Thus she is represented as made by Zeus (X/oi/ra -ywai^t), " a lion unto women, to whom he hath granted might to slay whomso she willeth" (xsi. 484). Accordingly, in her anger she slew Laodamia, daughter of Bellerophontes (vi. 205), and wrathful, on account of her neglected rites, she sends the savage, white-tusked boar —
" Who visited with dire annoy | the orchard-grounds of CEneus." (ix. 540.)
Andromache, too, in her address to Hector, alludes to her mother slain by " arrow-pouring Artemis." (vi. 428.)
In the Agamemnon she appears under the same dark aspect, as the goddess for whose propitiation the sacrifice of Iphigenia was consummated, a tragedy which, by calling down upon her husband the ven- geance of Clytemnestra, forms the groundwork of the drama.
Far more prominent, however, is the position as- signed to the Maiden Goddess, Pallas Athena, who may be justly regarded as the bright, consummate flower
xl Tlie Trilogtj.
of Grecian mythology ; and most interesting it is to trace the history of her growth from her rise in the land of the Aryans to her culmination in the majestic goddess of the Eumenidcs.
The elemental character of the Homeric Zeus sug- gests the idea of some natural phenomenon underlying the extraordinary birth of his brilliant offspring, " from no mother born." Accordingly her name has been regarded as corresponding to the Sanscrit Ahana, a recognised appellation of the dawn in the Veda ; and thus her miraculous birth from the head of Zeus, trans- lated back into Sanscrit, implies that Ushas, the Dawn, sprang from the East, the forehead of the sky.* Welcker gives a different interpretation of her name. " The Grecians," he says, " brought with them from their distant home the conception of an element of light and warmth above the atmosphere, independent of the sun." He derives her name from aiO, to bum, with the ancient suffix r^vrj, and regards her as the impersonation of the pure Ether, the abode of Zeus.
The peculiar rites with which her worship was celebrated in different localities, together ^^-ith the symbolism associated with her effigy on ancient vases and coins, attest, according to Welcker, the original elemental character of the goddess. This deified im- personation of a uaturc-power, whether identified with the Ether or the Dawn, became gradually invested with a variety of attributes, human and superhuman ; accord-
* Max MuUcr. Lectures on Language. 2nd Series.
TJie TrUogy. xli
ingly, the Athena of the Iliad, though more sharply defined than the Olympian Zeus, nevertheless exhibits the same transitional character which marks the other deities of the Homeric theogony. In her divine capacity she is the goddess of war and of industrial art, the re- presentative of practical sagacity as opposed to poetic inspiration, which was assigned to Apollo. She hears and answers prayer ; she acts inwardly on the minds of the Hellenic heroes ; she restrains the wrath of Achilles (i. 198) ; she imparts aid to Tydeus (iv. 390). Many similar examples might be adduced. Neverthe- less she is not above the practice of deceit, as when she persuades Pandarus to violate the treaty (iv. 94), and also where she lures Hector with guile. Moreover, the intimate connection between the bright, heaven-sprung goddess and her father, which in the later mythology forms one of her most striking characteristics, is only slightly indicated in the Iliad (viii. 38, 373). In general, her relation to the Thunderer is one of hostility ; she is represented as leagued with Hera and Poseidon in their attempt to shackle Zeus, for whom she ex- presses her contempt in no measured terms, while with Hera she appears most intimately associated :
*• Close sat they, side by side, and woes against the Trojans
plotted, Truly Athena dumb abode before her proper Father, Though wounded by his argument, and seized with fierce
displeasure, (viii. 458; iv. 21.)
Traces of meteoric symbolism in connection with the virgin goddess may, I think, be traced in the Uiad.
xlii The Trilogy.
Thus, in girdiug herself for battle, sLo lets fall upon the starry pavement of her father the brilliant robe —
"Whose tissue she herself had wrought, and with her hand embroidered ;"
her ^gis is the terrible storm-cloud ; her casque, all golden, measured to contain a hundred cities' footmen, recalls the vaulted sky. She descends from heaven like a meteor (iv. 70), or like a rainbow wrapped in purple cloud (xvii. 551). Thus, too, she is described as blowing with gentle breath the spear of Hector (xx. 4-10), and as becoming invisible by assuming the casque of Aides (v. 845).
The flaming chariot, with its golden-trapped steeds, in which she descends with Hera to the assistance of the Greeks (v. 720, 748), while suggesting to the imagination the bright rays of light, which spring with the speed of lightning through the portals of the east, recalls also the Vedic invocation to Ushas (the dawn) to come in her ample and beautifid chariot, dispersing the darkness; or we think of the Golden chariot of Savitri, or of Indra, decorated with golden ornaments, his white-footed coursers harnessed to his car with a golden yoke.
The function assigned to birds in tho Iliad seems also like an echo of tho Vcdas, Thus, when Athena is despatched by Zeus to distil nectar and ambrosia into Achilles —
"She plunged in semblance of a hinl, the Icngthy-featherM os]irey. Shrill screnming down from upjicr sky." (xix. 349.)
The Trilogij. xliii
It is interesting to remember in tliis connection the Aryan myth according to which the gods allowed the heavenly soma- drink, the Vedic prototype of the Grecian nectar, to be brought down to earth by a falcon. In illustration of this subject Kuhn quotes two Vedic hymns (R. iv. 26), (R. iv. 27), in the first of which occurs the following passage : — " The speeding falcon, the strong bird, allied to the gods, brought the quicken- ing, invigorating soma from afar, stealing it from highest heaven."
When Athena and Apollo
" Over the ainnes take their seats, in guise of plumM vultures, Upon the lofty beech of Zeus, the ^gis-holding Father,"
(vii. 59.)
they remind us of the two birds who sit in friendly fashion upon the summit of the soma-bearing tree of the Yedas. Thus, too, she sends a heron to greet Ulysses and Diomede; they recognized the cry, and rejciced in the divine message (x. 275). Welcker detects a figurative allusion to meteoric fact in the epithets yKavKmnis and rptToyeVeta, by which the Homeric Athena is distinguished.
If we turn now to the Athena of iEschylus, the grand impersonation of the wisdom, benignity, and might of her father, we recognise, as before, the emergence of the classic ideal from the symbolizing tendencies of the earlier nature-worship. Seldom has the imagination of poet been haunted by a more majestic image than the Athena of the Eumenides ; and
xliv The Trilogy.
as we picture her " like an orator on the B^/xa," organizing tlie court of the Areopagus, she recalls the grand vision of Divine Wisdom recorded in the book of Proverbs (viii.). She, too, standeth in the top of high places, and her voice is heard, unfolding the great truth that human laws and institutions are entitled to reverence only in so far as they are based upon the strong foundations of eternal justice and morality.
" By me kings reign and princes decree justice ; By me princes rale, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth." Prov. viii. 15, 16 ; compare Eum. (461, 535).
Most emphatically does the Grecian poet proclaim through the lips of Athena, that righteousness must be based upon reverence and holy fear, thus coinciding with the highest utterance of Hebrew wisdom ; " The fear of the Lord is to hate evil " (Prov. viii. 13), (Eum. 661, 669). Thus, too, wisdom is represented by the Grecian as by the Hebrew bard, as presiding over the phenomena of external nature (Prov. viii. 27), (Eum. 792). Yet while Athena alone milocks the sealed thunder-halls of Zeus, she, like her Hebrew prototype, " rejoiceth in the habitable parts of the earth," and as a gardener cherishes his saplings, so " she loves the race of righteous men, exempt from suffering " (Eum. 872). This recognition of moral distinctions as the ground of divine favour forms, pci'haps, the most striking point of divergence between Homer and JEschylus, and forcibly recalls the high moral tone of the religion of Ahura-Muzda.
Tlie Trilogy. xlv
Truly it may be said of the Virgin Goddess that, like the golden dawn, which she is thought to imper- sonate, she brightens more and more, still heralding by her effulgent but imperfect light the advent of the perfect day. In following the history of the Virgin Goddess, it is interesting to remember that the dis- appearance of her colossal statue from the Parthenon in the fifth century was coincident with the hymn addressed to her by her passionate worshipper, the neo- Platonist, Proclus ; thus at the last " she makes a swan-like end, fading in music," and vanishes from history, after commanding, for upwards of a thousand years, the love and veneration of her votaries.
In connection with the study of ancient poetry, as recording the religious life of humanity, it is interesting to consider the history of plastic art, which may be regarded as its sensible expression, and as manifesting, through the medium of ideal forms, the successive stages of its development. Thus if we revert to that phase of the religious life which is embodied in the earliest literary relics of the Aryan race, we shall re- cognize the impossibility of embodying in harmonious forms beings so impalpable as the deities apostrophized by the Vedic bards. In the poetry of those eaiiy times we discern the working of the untutored mind struggling to body forth, through the imagery of external nature, its religious yearnings and aspirations ; embarrassed by the complexity of unintelligible pheno- mena, and destitute of any principle of selection, the imagination runs riot, blends together images the most
xlvi TJie Trilogy.
incongruous, and exhibits that tendency to symbolism which subsequently blossomed out into the colossal systems of India and Eleusis.
The transference of human faith and worship from vague nature-powers, dimly recognized as personal agencies, to veritable personalities, endowed with con- sciousness and wiU, and distinguished by diversity of attribute, moral and intellectual, constitutes, as we have seen, the second great stage in the history of human progress. This emancipation of the divine idea from its association with natural phenomena would lead to the recognition of the human form as affording the solo adequate medium for the manifestation of spiritual existence, a discovery which lies at the root of classic art, and inaugurates the second epoch in the artistic development of humanity. V/e have only to pass from the Hall of Egyptian Antiquities, in the British Museum, to the gallery of the Elgin Marbles, in order to appreciate the importance of the transition.
The Greeks thus realizing the idea that their divini- ties manifested themselves throngli the human form, and striving to glorify the temple hallowed by the presence of Deity, were led to discover the essential charac- teristics of the human organism as a vehicle of superior intelligence. In reproducing their impressions through tlie medium of art, they have given birth to models of ideal beauty, which show us how fiiir is the tabcnmclo of the immortal soul, when the lower propensities ore subjected to higher needs. They detected tlio Diviuo idea with rcferenco to the human form, and accordingly.
The Trilogy. xlvii
in contemplating tlicse glorious creations we exi^erienco that indescribable content wbicli invariably comes over the soul, "when, by any agency, we are lifted above the limitations of the finite and phenomenal into the region of eternal truth.
Grand and beautiful as are the classic gods, they nevertheless fail to touch the deepest springs of human feeling. Though invested with the attributes of humanity, we feci that in their emancipation from the Eorrows and sufferings incident to our mortal life they are not true exponents of human nature, while as symbols of Deity they are inadequate to shadow forth the one infinite and eternal mind. From their cold though perfect beauty, the heart of suffering humanity turns to the thorn-crowned figure of the Son of Man, and recognizes in the man of sorrows its true type and representative.
By revealing God as a spirit immanent in the human Boul, imparting authority to the oracles of conscience, and sanctity to the inner life, Chiistianity has dispersed the crowd of heathen divinities, and exalted to the throne of the universe a Heavenly Father whose glory is reflected in the Son of Man. Christ's realization of conscious union between the divine and human spirit, wrought out through the discipline of sorrow, and issuing in perfect love, has revealed a depth of spiritual life of which in the profoundcst myths of classical antiquity we see only a dim but most wonderful fore- shadowing.
The transition from the classical to the romantic era
xlviii TJie Trilogy.
finds its explanation in these grand central truths of Christianity, which have left their impress alike on art and on literature. Thus, in the head of our Saviour in the Cena of Leonardo da Vinci, we see that marvellous union of sublimity and pathos, which, while lifting the soul into a higher atmosphere, at the same time appeals to the deepest sympathies of the human heart. Thus, too, the gi'aud figures of the Sistine Chapel, the pro- phets and sibyls of Michael Angelo, while exhibiting the human form cast in the majestic mould of the Olympian gods, bear traces, at the same time, of those inner life-struggles which impart to every noteworthy countenance so deep and often so tragic an interest. The literary productions of the romantic era also bear witness to the deeper significance which attaches to human nature since the advent of Christianity — a phe- nomenon the recognition of which is essential to the true appreciation of classical literature. I The fundamental distinction between the ancient and Imodein drama will be more fully recognized if we ibring into closer comparison the two great fathers of 'dramatic art, -^schylus and Shakespeare, who, though separated from one another by an interval of nearly twenty centuries, yet oftcr some rcmai'kable points both of analogy and contrast.
In studying the dramas of iEschylus, whon we penetrate below the surface, wo lind that the solution of problems, ethical and religious, bearing upon man's nature and destiny, constitutes their essence, an object to whicli the delineation of character is made subscr-
The Trilogy. xlix
vient ; whereas in the dramas of Shakespeare the de- velopment of character constitutes the primary aim, to which he subordinates the underlying idea of the whole ; accordingly we should vainly seek in the im- personations of the ancient bard that marvellous insight into the more subtle phenomena of human nature which imparts so intense an interest to the productions of Shakespeare. In iEschylus the collision between moral principles, whose harmonious action is essential to the moral order of the world, is set forth by personages, hAiman and superhimian, whose charac- ters are drawn in bold relief, without exhibiting that delicate shading which charms us in the delineation of the modern bard. These personages are led in obedience to one moral principle to violate another, which in its turn finds advocates and champions. The collision between these opposing interests and the various passions evoked in the struggle sustain the interest of the drama, while the denouement exhibits the vindication of eternal order by the triumph of that principle which is of primary obligation. If Ave apply these principles to the Oresteia, we find that while the several members of the trilogy are linked together by a chain of ethical sequence, which resolves itself into the great doctrine of retribution, each drama is at the same time devoted to the solution of a particular problem, and constitutes accordingly a complete and independent whole.
The collision of duties set forth in the Agamemnon is of peculiar interest, as illustrating a struggle which
d
1 The Trilogy.
has its counterpart in the most toucliing narrative of Jewish, history. Agamemnon, as king and army chief, receives what he believes to be a divine command to propitiate /Vi-tcmis by the sacrifice of his daughter ; an ordeal, the terrible reality of which can only be ap- preciated when we consider the proneness to human sacrifice which characterized the early ages of society. Abraham, when subjected to a like trial or temptation, after manifesting his perfect submission to what appeared to him to be a divine monition, was led to recognize the true voice of God as harmonizing with the most sacred intuitions of the human heart, and accordingly forbore to slay his child.* Agamemnon, on the contrary, yields to the suggestion of Calchas, and by the sacrifice of Iphigenia violates his obli- gations to his daughter and his ^vife. Clytemnestra appears as the avenger of her child, and in vindication of nature's violated rights, prepares for her husband an ignominious death. The stern reprobation of Aga- memnon expressed by the Chorus may be compared to the sublime protest of Micah, and other Hebrew prophets, against such deeds of blood. Thus tho cruel perversion of religion which foimd expression in human sacrifice was condemned by tho Grecian poet no less than by tho Hebrew sago, a consideration which invests tho /Eschylcan drama with profound signifi- cance.
• I have followed Dean Stanley's interpretation of this nanative.
The Trilogy, H
In order to appreciate the fundamental idea which underlies the drama of the Choephori we must take into consideration the sacred duty of avenging blood, " recognized by the earliest customs and national laws of the East as well as of the West."* On the murder of Agamemnon by Clytemnestra, it was the bounden duty of his sou Orestes to avenge his death ; the ghost of his murdered father and the Delphic god demand it of him. The collision, therefore, which forms the groundwork of the drama is between the duty of Orestes as the avenger of his father, and his instinctive recognition of the reverence due to his mother, which tends to withhold him from the commission of tho deed. "With admirable skill the poet makes us feel the terrible nature of the struggle, and the religious motives which decide the issue. When Orestes, almost overcome by his mother's agonizing entreaties, hesitates to commit the bloody act, Pyladcs, who has accom- panied him as a representative of the god, admonishes him of his duty, exclaiming —
" Choose all for foemen rather than the Gods."
A profound thought underlies the greater heinousncss attached to the murder of Agamemnon by Clytem- nestra, than to the murder of Clytemnestra by Orestes. The bond which unites the mother and the son, which Orestes is required to violate, is instinctive, resting Upon a law of nature ; the tie which unites the
Dissertations on the Eumenides. C. 0. Miiller.
lii The Trilogy,
husband and the wife is of a different order, involving intelligent volition and reciprocal engagement. The institution of marriage, morever, lies at the root of all law and order, and with the consequent permanence and sanctity of the domestic relations is the sole guarantee 'for the healthy development of society; hence the conjugal tie requires to be placed under the special guardianship of the gods and of eternal justice. Hera, who in the Iliad plays so prominent and often so undignified a part, is introduced in the Oresteia in her grand matronly character, her union with Zeus being alluded to as imparting sanctity to the marriage tie. A comparison between the Choephori of ^schylus and the Hamlet of Shakespeare may serve to exhibit more strikingly the fundamental difference between the ancient and modern diama. In both tragedies the father of the hero has been murdered, and the mother has married the miu:derer ; in both, the son is urged by supernatural visitations to avenge the crime, and both are prompted by the same motives of disappointed ambition. In the ancient drama, however, the death of Agamemnon is represented as the vindication of a moral principle, violated in the person of Clytemncstra. Accordingly, when pleading fur her life, she not only appeals to the filial reverence of her son, but also represents herself as having, by the death of hor husband, accomplishLd tho ends of divine justice. In the modern drama tho murder of the king is repre- eented as an act of pure wickedness ; hence when Hamlet i8 summoned to avenge his father's death, uo
The Trilogij. \m
external object which claims his reverence intervenes to check his purpose. The hesitancy must therefore come from within ; accordingly the collision is found not in opposing moral principles, but in the personal character of Hamlet. His soul is not organized to perpetrate this deed of horror ; consequently, wavering in his resolution, and overwhelmed with disgust at the world and at life, he perishes in the consummation of his revenge. So marvellous is the skill with which the character of Hamlet is drawn, so absorbing the in- terest which it awakens, that in studying it we are apt to forget the fundamental idea which underlies the drama, the denouement of which, like that of the several members of the Oresteia, sets forth the great law of retribution, and vindicates the moral order of the Divine government.
In the third member of the trilogy, the poet, whUe making his drama subservient to objects connected with the political state of Athens, nevertheless subor- dinates these local interests to the exposition of higher truth. Among these political objects the most impor- tant was the defence of the Areopagus, the existence of which was threatened by the growing ascendency of the democracy. It would be difi&cult to imagine a more impressive means of recommending this tribunal to the reverence of the Athenians thiin thus to introduce the celestial powers as assisting at its inauguration. Of far higher significance, however, is the ethical conception which underlies the drama. The word Erinys in Greek has been defined to mean " the feeling
liv Tlie Trilogy.
of deep offencej of bitter displeasure, when sacred rights belonging to us are impiously violated by persons who ought most to have respected them." These vengeance- prompting feelings, personified as active, ever-wakeful spirits, became associated with the great nature-power, Demeter, under her more malignant aspect, and hence arose the worship of the dread goddess, Demeter Erinys. Both these names have been traced back to the Sanscrit ; the Greek Demeter being identified with Dyava Mutar, the Mother, corresponding to Dyaus Pitar, the Father, and the Erinyes being identified with the Sanscrit Saranyu. Thus it appears that the venerable goddesses, like Zeus and Athena, have their root in the Vedas, " In early Greek mythology they ■were attributed more especially to the Father, the Mother, and the Elder Brother, whenever their sacred rights had been impiously violated." They are thus introduced iu the Iliad (ix. 449 ; ix. 572 ; xv. 204), where they are represented as avenging any violation of the natural order.
In this character they also appear at the conclusion of the Choephori, and in the opening scenes of tho Eumcnides, where, like blood-thirsty hounds, they pursue Orestes for the murder of his mother : they take cognizance only of the outward act, and excrciso their functions with tho inflexibility of natural law. They would not tho less have claimed him as their prey had ho left unavenged tho murder of his father (Choeph. 283, Oil). In tliia fatal collision Athena appears as umpire : by establishing the court of
Tfie Trihgij. Iv
Areopagus slio proclaims the great priuciple, " tHat the highest tribunal upon earth is the collective conscience of humanity."* The cause is tried before this august assembly ; righteous regard is had for the special circumstances of the deed ; Orestes is acquitted, the sanctity of the primeval goddesses is recognized ; their wrath is appeased, and thus the intuitive thirst for revenge is transmuted into the principle of eternal justice. Thus the drama of the Eumenides exhibits, under one of its grandest phases, the contest between the Titans and the Olympian gods, issuing in the triumph of free will and moral power over blind instinct and necessity, while the transmutation of the Erinyes into the Eumenides symbolizes the profound thought that even the instinctive tendencies in human nature are implanted there by its Divine Author, and consequently that man's highest well-being demands, not their suppression or annihilation, but their harmo- nious subordination to the higher faculties of the soul. Classical poetry affords the true key to classic art ; it is, therefore, interesting to turn from the study of ^schylus to the contemplation of the Parthenon, where the Athenians beheld translated into marble the same profound ideas which the great di-amatist has embodied in his immortal works. Thus the sculptures of the eastern pediment, having reference to the birth of Athena, indicate, by the presence of the Fates and other divine personages, the deep significance attached
* ' Gott in dcr Gcscliichte.' Bunsen,
Ivi Tlie Trilogy.
by the sculptor to the manifestation of Divine Wisdom in the person of the Virgin Goddess ; while in the grand composition of the western pediment, which set forth the contention of Poseidon and Athena for supremacy over the country of Attica, we trace, as in the Eumenides, the association of interests purely local and national with truths of higher significance. Thus the contending divinities have been regarded as typifying the antagonism between agi'icultural and maritime pursuits, which formed one main feature of Athenian life ; and also as reflecting the conflicting powers of land and sea, as exhibited in the topography of the interior and the coast.* I doubt not, however, that there rose also before the mental vision of Phidias the grand old allegory of the battle between the Titans and the Gods, which may bo regarded as the mythical expression of that eternal struggle between the lower and higher elements of being, of which the drama of the Eumenides afibrds so impressive and magnificent a symbol : this hypothesis appears the more plausible when wo consider the iutimato mythological connection which obtained between Poseidon and Demetcr- Erinys.
Another most interesting illustration of the intimate association which, in classical times, existed between Poetry and her sister arts is to bo found in the paint- ings of Polygnotus in the Leschc at Delphi, of which
* r.xplanation of tlic Groups in the "NVcstonj Pediment of the rarihcnon. * Chissical Museum.' W. Watkiss Lloyd.
TJie Trilogy. Ivii
a minute description is given by Pausanias, and which have been admirably restored by Fr. and Joh. Eiepen- hausen.* The first picture exhibits the capture of Ilion, the desecration of her sanctuaries, and brings before the mental eye the outrage committed against Athena in the person of Cassandra, thus setting forth the origin of the disasters which befell the returning armament of the Greeks : it would be impossible for the beholders of this picture not to recall the speech of Clytemnestra in the Agamemnon (320), in which she forcibly describes the contrast between the state of victors and vanquished in the captured city, the desolation of which is touchingly symbolized in the painting by the empty cuirass that lies on the altar to which a child is clinging. The exhibition of the very crimes so earnestly deprecated by the poet (330), prepares the mind for the second picture, exhibiting the descent of Ulysses to Hades, to learn from the prophet the means by which a safe return might be secured. The punishment of the sacrilegious Tityus, and the retaliation on the undutiful son, could not fail to suggest to the mind of the spectator those passages of the Eumenides in which the poet, with terrible earnestness, describes the direful fate which in the lower regions is the sure award of filial impiety and sacrilege (260).
The schools of design which are springing up
• On the paintings of Polygnotus in the Lesche at Delphi, * Classical Museum,' vol. i, W. Watkiss Lloyd.
Iviii Tlie Trilogy.
tlirougliout the length and breadth of the land bear witness to the importance which is now attached to artistic culture in England.
It must not bo forgotten, however, that imagination constitutes the vital principle of art ; that the jiractised eye and well-trained hand are powerless except as instruments to embody the conceptions of the creative mind. Hence the study of poetry acquires new significance, not only as throwing light upon the master-works of classical antiquity, the recognized models of ideal form, but also as enriching the imagi- nation, while at the same time it opens both eye and soul to discern the familiar beauty of common life.
What Joubcrt has said of Plato may bo applied with equal truth to poetry : — " Platon ne fait rien voir, r#is il eclaire, il met dc la lumicre dans nos yeux, et place en nous ime clarte, dont tous les objcts dcviennent ensuite illumines. Comme I'air des montagnes sa lecture aiguise les organcs, et donne le gout des bons aliments."
" Of imagination, fancy, taste, of the highest cul- tivation in all its forms, this great nation has abun- dance; of industry, skill, perseverance, mechanical contrivance, it has a yet larger stock, which overflows our narrow bounds and floods the world. The one great want is to bring tlicso two groups of qualities harmoniously together.''* I believe that in poetry will
* Wcdfzcwocxl, an aiUrcss by the lU. Hon. W. E\ Gladstone, M.P.
The Trilogy. lix
be found one of tlie missing links through whoso agency this alliance between the spheres of beauty and utility is to be consummated. Milton speaks of " the glorious, the magnificent, uses which may be made of poetry both in divine and human things;" while Shelley characterized it as "a fountain for ever flowing with the waters of wisdom and delight." It becomes, therefore, a question of deep national interest to con- sider by what agencies these renovating and purifying influences may be diffused, and brought home to the heart of this great nation. From Greece, " the fountain of all instruction in matters of art," we may perhaps take a bint as to one large and important department of national education.
In this connection I am tempted to quote a passage from Grote's History of Greece, where, after alluding to the abundance in the productions of the tragic muse, at Athens, he proceeds : — " All this abundance founds its way to the minds of the great body of the citizens, not excepting even the poorest. So powerful a body of poetic influence has probably never been brought to act upon the emotions of any other popula- tion ; and when we consider the extraordinary beauty of these immortal compositions, which first stamped tragedy as a separate department of poetry, and gave to it a dignity never since reached, we shall be satisfied that the tastes, the sentiments, and the intel- lectual standard of the Athenian multitude must have been sensibly improved and exalted by such lessons. The reception of such pleasures through the eye and
Is The Trilogy.
ear, as well as amidst a sympatliizing crowd, was a fact of no small importance in the mental history of Athens. It contributed to exalt their imagination, like the grand edifices and ornaments added during the same period to the Acropolis."
The designs of Flaxman from Homer and iEschylus are wrought into our damask and engraved upon our glass ; it is time that the thoughts of the great poets, from whom he drew his inspiration, should be brought home, with all their rich treasure of imagery to the hearts and minds of our people. What noble enter- tainment might not be drawn from " Heroic poems and Attic tragedies of stateliest and most regal omament," if, appealing as they do to the feelings of our common humanity, they were made appreciable to the popular understanding by illustrations drawn from history and art!
With reference to the moral influence of poetry, Joubcrt says, "Vouloz-vous conuaitre la morale? Lisez les poetes ; ce qui tous plait chez eux, appro- fondissez-le ; c'est le vrai ; ils doivent etre la grando etude du philosoiihc qui veut connaitro I'homme."
Believing that iEschylus strikingly corroborates this utterance, in all humility I offer to the public this version of his greatest work.
AGAMEMNON.
AGAMEMNON.
[The Watchman is discovered reclining on the flat roof of the palace.^
Watchman.
I PRAY the gods deliverance from these toils, Release from year-loDg watch, which, couch'd aloft
On these Atreidan roofs, dog-like, I keep.
Marking the stars which nightly congregate ;
And those bright potentates who bring to mortals
Winter and summer, signal in the sky, |"What time they wane I note, their risings too.
And for the beacon's token now I watch,
The blaze of fire, bearing from Troy a tale, j Tidings of capture ; for so proudly hopes 10*
A woman's heart, with manly counsel fraught.
Dew-drenched and restless in my nightly couch,
By dreams unvisited, for at my side.
Fear stands, in place of sleep, nor suffers me
* The figures correspond to the number of lines in the original.
t The obelisks refer to the conjectural emendations of the text at the end of each drama.
4 Agamemnon.
Soimclly, in shimbcrous rest, my lids to close.
Then wlien I tliink to chant a strain, or hum,
(Such against sleep my tuneful counter-charm,)
Moaning, I wail tlie sorrows of this house,
Not wisely governed as in days of old.
But may glad respite from these toils be mine, 20
When fire, joy's hefrald, through the darkness gleams.
[£e suddenly beholds the heacon-h'fjhf and starts to h\sfeet.'\ Hail lamp of night, forth shining like the day, Of many a festive dance in Argos' land, Through joy at this event, the harbinger.
Hurrah! Hurrah! To Agamemnon's queen,
Thus with shrill cry 1 give th' appointed sign.
That from her couch up-rising with all speed.
She in the palace jubilant may lift
The joyous shout, to gratulate this torch,
If Ilion's citadel in truth is ta'en,
As, shining forth, this beacon-fire proclaims. oO
The joyous prelude I myself will dance. For to my lords good fortune I shall score, Now that this torch hath cast me triple six. Well ! be it mine, when comes this mansion's lord, In this my hand his much-loved hand to hold 1
The rest I speak not ; o'er my tongue hath passed
An ox with heavy tread : the house itself,
Had it a voice, would tell the tale full clear ;
And I, with those who know, am fain to sjicak,
With others, who know nothing, I forget.
[Exit.
Agamemnon. 5
[Enter in rank and file the Chorus of Argive Eldeks, each leaning on his staff; during their sloiv and measured advance they sing tde following Ode, the conclusion of which brings them in front of the staged]
Chorus. Lo the tenth year rolls apace 40
Since Priam's mighty challenger, Lord Menelas and Atreus' heir, Stalwart Atridfe, — by heaven's grace Twin-throned, twin-eceptered, — from this land A thousand sail, with Argives manned, Unmoor'd, — a martial armament. Warriors on just reprisal bent. Fierce battle clanging from their breast, Like vultures of their young bereaved. Who, for their nestlings sorely grieved, Wheel, eddying high above their nest, By oarage of strong pennons driven, 50
Missing the eyrie-watching care Of callow fledglings ; but from heaven. Some guilt-avenging deity, Or all-retrieving Zeus, doth lend An ear attentive to the cry Of birds, shrill-wailing, sore-distrest, And doth upon the guilty send Eriuys, late-avenging pest. So for the dame, by many wooed. Doth mighty Zeus, who shields the guest, 'Gainst Paris send th' Atridan brood ; GO
Struggles limb-wearing, knees earth-pressed
6 Agamemnon.
The spear-shaftj rudely snapt in twain
In war's initial battle, — these
For Danaoi as for Trojans be decrees.
As matters stand, they stand ; the yet to be
Must issue as ordained by destiny.
Nor altar fires, nor lustral rain
Poured forth, nor tear-drops shed in vain,
The wrath relentless can appease
Of violated sanctities. 70
But we, unhonoured, weak of frame, Excluded from that proud array. Tarry at home, and, age-oppressed, On staves our child-like strength we lean ; In tender years and age, the same, Life's current feebly sways the breast; His station Ares holds no more j Decrepid Eld, with leafage hoar, No stronger than a child for war, Treadeth his triple-footed way, Like dream in daylight seen. 80
[Enter Clytemxestra, followed hy a female train. The Chorus sings the following Ode as it advances to take up its ustial position round the altar of Zeus, adorned with a statue of the godJ]
But Clytemnestra, thou,
Tyndarous' daughter, Argos queen,
What hath befallen ? What hast heard ?
Confiding in what tidings now
Sendest thou round the altar-kindling word ?
Of all the gods who guard the state,
Supernal, or of realms below,
Agamemnon. 7
In heaven, or in the mart who wait,
With gifts the altars glow. 90
Now here, now yonder, doth a torch arise. Streaming aloft to reach the skies, Charmed with pure unguent's soothing spell, Guileless and suasive, from the royal cell.
What here 'tis lawful to declare,
What may be told proclaim ;
Be healer of this care
Which now a lowering form doth wear, 100
Till fawning Hope, from out the flame
Of sacrifice, with gentle smile
Doth sateless grief's soul-gnawing pang beguile.
[^Wltile Clytemnestha offers sacrifice, the following Ode is sung hy the Chorus from the altar of Zevs,"]
Strophe. The way-side omen mine it is to sing,* The leaders' prosperous might fore-shadowing, For still my age, unquenched its natal power, Doth suasive song inspire, a heaven-sent dower, How the rapacious bird, the feathered king. Sends forth against the Teucrid land. With spear and with avenging hand, Achaia's double-throned Might, 110
Accordant chiefs of Hellas' martial flower.
* The original being here in oracular style is purposely obscure, and cannot be fitly rendered otherwise in the trans- lation.
8 Agamemnon.
Toward spcar-poising hand, tlio palace near,
On lofty station, manifest to sight.
The bird-kings to the navy-kings appear,
One black, and one %\'ith hinder plumage white ;
A hare with embryo young, in evil hour,
Amerced of future courses, they devour.
Chant the dirge, uplift the wail !
But may the right prevail! 120
Antistbophe. Then the sagacious army-seer, aware How diverse-minded the Atridan kings, In the hare-renders sees the martial pair, And thus, the augury expounding, sings ; — " Priam's stronghold in time this martial raid Captures, but first the city's store, The people's wealth, shall fate destroy ; Now from no god may jealous ire O'crcloud the mighty curb forged against Troy,* 130 Marshalled for battle ; for the holy Maid Is angered at the house, since of her sire The winged hounds the wretched trembler tare, Mother and young unborn, her special care; Therefore doth she the eagles' meal abhor. Chant the dirge, uplift the wail! But may the right prevail !
Epode.
■fFor she, the beauteous goddess, loves
• By a harsh metaphor the Greek army is called a curb forged against Troy.
Agamemnon. 9
The tender wlielps, new-dropped, of creatures rude, Sparing the udder-loving brood Of every beast through field or wood that roves, — Hence with Apollo pleads the seer that he 140
From these events fair omens will fulfil,
Judging the way-side augury, Partly auspicious, partly fraught with ill. Oh ! God of healing ! thee I supplicate, Let not the Huntress on the Danai bring Dire ship-detaining blasts and adverse skies,
Preluding other sacrifice.
Lawless, unfestivc, natal spring
Of feudful jar and mortal hate,
By husband-fear unawed ; For child-avenging wrath, with fear and fraud. Dread palace-warden, doth untiring wait." 150
Such woes, with high successes blent, By Fate on the twain royal houses sent, Did Calchas from the way-side auguries Bodeful proclaim : — Then consonant with these,
Chant the dirge, uplift the wail I
But may the right prevail !
Strophe I. Zeus, whoe'er he be, this name If it pleaseth him to claim, This to him will I address ; Weighing all, no power I know Save only Zeus, if I aside would throw 160
Li sooth as vain this burthen of distress.
1.0 Agamemnon.
Antistrophe I. Nor doth he so great of yore,* With all-defying boldness rife, fLonger avail ; his reign is o'er. The next, thrice vanquished in the strife, Hath also passed ; but who the victor-strain To Zeus uplifts, true wisdom shall obtain.
Strophe II. To sober thought Zeus paves the way, 170
And wisdom links with pain. In sleep the anguish of remembered ill Drops on the troubled heart ; against their will Rebellious men are tutored to be wise ; I A grace I ween of the divinities, Who mortals from their holy seats arraign.
Antistrophe II.
E'en so the elder of the twain,
Achaia's fleet who swayed, No seer upbraiding, bowed, with grief suppressed, His soul to fortune's stroke ; what time the host. In front of Chalcis, tossing off the coast 180
Of wave-vexed Aulis, lingered, sore-distressed. While store-exhausting gales their progress stayed.
Strophe III. Blasts, dire delay and famine in their train. And evil-anchorage, from Strymon sweep, — Ruin to mortals ; with malignant power, Ruthless to ships and cordage, they * The combatants probably are Uratios, father ol Eronos ; and Kronos, fatlicr of Zeus.
Agamemnon. 11
DouMing the sojourn on the deep
Wither the Argive flower. 190
But to the chiefs of that array, When, than the bitter storm, the seer A cure shrieked forth, weighted with deadlier bane, — In name of Artemis, — the Atridan twain. Smiting on earth their sceptres, strove in vain To quell the rising tear.
Antistrophe III. Then thus aloud the elder chieftain cried : — " Grievous, in sooth, the doom to disobey, But grievous too if I my child must slay, 200
My home's fair ornament, my pride,
Defiling these paternal hands. E'en at the altar's side, With virgin-slaughter's gory tide. What course exempt from evil ? Say, The fleet can I desert, the leagued bands Failing ? With hot desire to crave the spell Of virgin blood, the storm that shall allay,
Is just. May all be well ! " 210
Strophe IV. Then harnessed in Necessity's stern yoke An impious change-wind in his bnsom woke, Profane, unhallowed, with dire evil fraught, His soul perverting to all daring thought. For frenzy, that from primal guilt doth spring, Emboldens mortals, prompting deeds of ill ; Thus, armed a woman to avenge, the king In sacrifice his daughter dared to kill ; The fleet's initial rite accomplishing.
12 Agamemnon.
Antistrophe IV.
Her prayers, her cries of " Father," her young life 220 Were nought to those stern ximpires, breathing strife : So, after prayer, her sire the servants bade, fStooping, with steeled hearts, to lift the maid Robe-tangled, kid-like, as for sacrifice, High o'er the altar ; them he also bade, Guarding her lovely mouth, her bodeful cries, Stern curse entailiug on their houses twain, With voiceless muzzles forceful to restrain.
Strophe V. Then letting fall her veil of saffron dye, 230
She smote, with piteous arrow from her eye, Each murderer ; while, passing fair, fLikc to a pictiired image, voiceless there, Stro\e she to speak ; for oft in other days. She in her father's hospitable balls, With her chaste voice had carolled forth his praise. What time the walls Eang to the Plan's sound. Gracing her sire, with third libation crowned.
Antistrophe V. What next bcfel I know not, nor relate ; Not unfulfill'd were Calchas' words of fate. 240
For justice doth for sufferers ordain To jnirchase wisdom at the cost of paiu. Why seek to reail the future ? Let it go ! Since dawns the issue clear with dawning day,
Agamemnon. 13
What boots it to forcstal our date of woe? Come weal at last ! So prays, these miscliiefs past, Of Apia's land tliis one sole guard and stay.
Hail Clytemnestra ! Hither am I come
Tby majesty revering. For 'tis meet
When the male throne is empty, that we pay 2o0
To our high captain's consort honour due.
If thou hast heard auspicious news, or not,
That with joy-votiching hope thou lightest up
The altar fires, I, as a friend, would kuow, —
Yet shall thy silence nought unkind be deemed.
Clytemnestra. Joy's harbinger, be radiant Morning born From kindly, mother Night ! So runs the saw. But thou of joy beyond all hope shalt hear. For Priam's city have the Argives won.
Chorus. How queen I through imbelief I miss thy word.
Clytemnestra. Troy is in Argive hands; now speak I plain ? 260
Chortis. Joy, stealing o'er my heart, calls forth the tear.
Clttemnkstea. 'Tis true, thine eye thy loyalty bewrays.
14 Agamemnon.
Chorus. Of these great tidings what the certain proof?
Cli-teainestra. Warrant I have ; — how not ? or Heaven deceives me.
Choru8. Trusting the suasive augury of dreams ?
Cl"ktemnestba. The fancies of the sleep-bound soul I heed not.
Chorus. But hath some wingless rumour buoy'd thee up ?
Clttemnestra. Thou chidest me as were I a young girl.
Chorus. But since what time was Priam's city spoiled ?
Clytemnestra. This very night now bringing forth the day. 270
Chorus. What messenger could travel with such speed ?
Clytemnestba. Hephaestos, a bright flush from Ida sending. Hither through swift relays of conricr-flamo. Beacon transmitted beacon. Ida first To the Hermaean rock on Lemnos' Isle ; Thence Athos' summit, dedicate to Zeus,
Agamemnon. 15
The third in order, caught the mighty glow. [Ipsoaring, bridging in its might the sea, With gathered strength, the onward speeding torch, In golden splendour, like another sun, Its message to Makistos' watch-tower sends. Who, nor delaying, nor by Sleep o'erpowered, The courier's duty fiiithfully discharged. The torch, far-gleaming to Euripos' stream, Gives signal to Messapios' sentinels. Firing of withered heath a giant pile, With answering blaze, they pass the message on. The stalwart flame, unwearied and undimm'd. Like a bright moon, o'erleaps Asopos' plain, And wakens, on Cithaeron's lofty crag, Another speeder of the fiery post. 290
The warder hailing the far-journeying fire. Kindles a beacon of surpassing glow ; Bounded the radiance o'er Gorgopis' lake, And reaching Aegiplanctos' mountain peak Urged on without delay the fiery chain. AMth vigour unimpaired they onward send. Kindled anew, a mighty beard of flame, That, flaring from afar, the headland crossed fO'erlooking Saron's gulf, Down shooting then. The blaze, alighting on Arachnae's height, 300
The city's nearest watch-tower, reached its goal ; Thence to the roof of Atreus' son this light Darted, — true scion of Idaian fire. Thus in succession, flame awakening flame Fulfilled the order of the fiery course :
16 Agamemnon.
The first and last are victors in the race. Such is the proof, the warrant that I give Of tidings sent me bv mj Lord from Troy.
CJiorits. The gods, 0 queen, will I invoke hereafter. But now I fain would marvel at thy words, Heard more at large so thou wouldst speak again. 310
Clttemnestba. Troy on this very day th' Achaians hold. I ween ill-blcudiug clamour fills the town : Pour in one vessel vinegar and oil. They will not lovingly consort, I trow ; So now from captives and froin captors rise Two voices, telling of their two-fold fate. For those, flung prostrate on the lifeless forms Of husbands and of brothers, children too, Prone on their aged sirep, lamenting wail • While these, night-stragglers after toilsome fight, Keen for all viands that the city yields, Upon no order standing, but as each Hath snatched the lot of fortune, take their fill. At length from fi'ost and skicy dews set free, They dwell in Iliou's spear-won halls, and sleep tThe live-long night, unsentincUcd like gods. If now the tutelary powers they fear, Who hold the conquered land, and spare their Bhrincs, 330
Captors, they phnll not captured be in turn. P»ut may no greedy passion seize the host
Agamemnon. 17
To plunder things unlawful, smit with gain. A safe return has yet to be secured, And haK the double course is yet to run. But guilty to the gods if come the host. Wakeful may rise the sorrows of the slain For vengeance, though no sudden ill befal. These words from me, a woman thou hast heard ; But may the good in overpoise prevail ! 340
For I of many blessings choose this joy.
Chorus. Like prudent man well hast thou spoken, lady. — But I, on hearing of thy certain proofs, Forthwith prepare me to salute the gods. For no unworthy meed requites our toil.
[Exit Clytemnestea. Hail, sovereign Zeus, and friendly Night, Mistress of mighty glories, hail ! Thou who o'er Troia's tower-crowned height, A snare so closely meshed hast flung. That none, or fully grown or young. Thraldom's huge drag-net may avail To overleap. Vast ruin caj^tures all. Great guardian of the guest, Thee I adore ; — Wrought were those deeds at thy behest : The bow thou didst of yore 'Gainst Alexander strain. That nor the destined hour before, Nor shooting o'er the stars, in vain The shaft might falL
18 Agamemnon.
Strophe I. 'Tis Zeus who smote them, this we may aver, For easy 'tis to trace ; The end he shaped as he decreed. 360
Yet gods supernal, some declare, To sinful mortals give no heed Who trample under foot the grace Of sacred things. But such are reprobate ; — Kindred they claim with those, in heaven's- despite, fWho rebel war breathe forth, transgressing right. Wealth in excess breeds mischief, and o'erturns
The balance of the constant mind ; 370
No bulwark 'gainst destructive fate In riches shall that mortal find Who Justice' mighty altar rudely spurns.
Antistuophe I. Frenzy's unhappy suasion, fraught with bane To hapless children, sways the will ; Against the mischief cure is vain ; Not hidden is the Hagrant ill ; — Baleful it bursts upon the sight ; 380
Like spurious coin, his metal base Use and the touchstone bring to light, Who, boy-like, to a mngod bird gives chase, And whelms his native soil in hopeless night His orisons the heavenly powers disclaim, But sweep to doom the sinful wight Practised in guile; — thus Paris camo To Atrcus' halls ;— the friendly board S'JO Ho shamed, tho consort luring from licr lord.
Agamemnon. 1 9
Stbophe II.
Bequeathing to lier peoi^le deadly stour
Of shielded hosts, of spears, and ships' array,
And Ilion's ruin bearing as her dower,
She through the portal swiftly took her way,
Daring what none may dare ; — with many a wail,
The palace seers peal'd forth the tale.
[400 " Woe for the house, the house and chieftains, woe ! Woe for the couch, the trace of her once true ! " Wronged, yet without reproach, in speechless woe ' There stands he, yearning still her form to view Lost o'er the far sea-wave : his dreamy pain Conjures her phantom in his home to reign.
He loathes the sculptor's plastic skill Which living grace belies ;
Not Aphrodite's self can still The hunger of his eyes.
Antistrophe n.
And dreamy fancies, coinage of the brain, 410
Come o'er the troubled heart with vain delight ; For vain the rapture, the illusion vain, When forms beloved in visions of the night, With changeful aspect, mock our grasp, and sweep On noiseless wing adown the paths of sleep. Such sorrows o'er the hearth brood evermore. And woes o'ertowering these. The warrior train Comrades in danger, steered from Hellas' shore, Leaving in Hellas' homes heart-withering pain ;
20 Agamemnon.
Full many sorrows rankle at the core. 420
Those whom he sent each holds in ken,
But to their homes return Armour and in the funeral urn, Ashes instead of men.
Strophe III,
For Ares, bartering for gold
The flesh of men, the scales doth hold
In battle of the spear. From Ilion, back to sorrowing friends, Rich dust, fire-purified, he sends,
Wash'd with full many a tear. No living warriors greet them, but in^tesid Urns filled with ashes smoothly spread. 430
Groaning, each hero's praise they tell ; How this excelled in martial strife ; And that in fields of carnage fell, Right mbly for another's w.fo. Breathing such murmurs, jealous hate Doth on the Atridan champions wait Achaians, cast in fairest mould, Ensepulchrcd 'neath Ilion 's wall. The foughten shore now firmly hold, 440
The hostile sod their pall.
Antistkophe III.
Direful the people's voice, to hato Attuned, which worlu th soon or lat,e As ban of public doom-
Agamemnon. 21
Now o'er my spirit anxious fear Broodeth, lest tidings I should hear
That night still shrouds in gloom ; For blind to deeds of blood the gods are not.
In Time the swarthy brood of Xight
With slow eclipse reverse his lot,
Who Fortune reareth in despite
Of Justice. Eeft of succour lies 450
The wretch once prone. Excessive praise
Is bodeful ever ; 'gainst men's eyes
Zeus hurls his blinding rays.
But may ungrudged success be mine !
No city-spoiler let me be !
Nor, subject to another, pine Myself in slavery.
Epode.
Borne by the joy-announcing flame
Swift through the town the tidings fly ; 460
But whether true who may proclaim,
Or not a heavenly lie? For who so childish, so distraught, To warm his spirit at the beacon's glow, When other news, with evil fraught,
His joy may change to woe ? 'Tis woman's way the boon, ere seen, to prize ; Too credulous, her fancy open lies To rumour's rapid inroad, but the fame -^70
Published by women quickly dies.
22 Agamemnon.
Chorus Leader.
Soon shall we know whether the signal fires. The swift relays of courier-light be true, Or whether, dreamlike, they beguiled our minds With grateful splendour ; — Yonder, from the coast, A herald comes, shaded with laurel boughs ; While Clay's twin-brother, thirsty Dust, attests That neither voiceless, nor of mountain wood Kindling the blaze, will he report in smoke ; 480 No, — either will his voice announce more joy, Or, — but ill-omened words I deprecate. Be omens fair with fair assurance crown'd ! May he who 'gainst the state breathes other prayer. First reap the fruit of his malignant thought.
[Enter Herald.'] Herald. Oh soil of Argos, oh my native land, In light of this tenth year to thee I come ; While many a hope hath snapt, this one still holds, For ne'er I counted, dying here, to share Beloved sepulture in Ai'give soil. 490
Now hail, 0 earth, bright sunlight hail, and Zeus, Supreme o'er Argos.
[Here the Herald salutes the statues of the gods in the orchestra.]
Thou too, Pythian king. With thy fell darts assailing us no more ; Let it suflice that on Scamnndcr's bonks Thy mien was hostile ; — now, Apollo, lord,
Agamemnon. 23
Be thou the Saviour, — be the Healer thou I
Ye Gods of Council, all I now invoke,
Thee, my protector Hermes, Herald dear,
Whom Heralds venerate, — and Heroes, ye
Who sent us forth, now kindly welcome back
The Argive host, poor remnant of the spear. 500
[i?e turns to the stage.'] Hail royal palace ! roofs beloved, hail 1 Ye seats august, ye powers that front the sun, If e'er of yore, now, with those cheerful eyes Receive in state the monarch absent long. For he returns bringing in darkness light Common to you and all assembled here. King Agamemnon. Welcome, as beseems, Him who with mattock of avenging Zeus Hath Ilion razed, her under-soil uptorn. Quenched are the fanes, the altars of the gods, 510 And of the land entire the seed is crushed. Such yoke round Troy hath Atreus' elder son Fastened : and lo ! blest by the gods, he comes Of living men most worthy of renown. Nor Paris now nor his associate town Their deed may vaunt as greater than their woe Cast in a suit for rapine and for theft, His surety forfeit, he to utter doom Hath mowed his natal home. Thus Priam's sons With twofold forfeit have atoned their crime. 520
Chorus. Hail, herald of Achaia's host 1
24 Agamemnon.
Hebald.
All hail 1 So please the gods, I grudge not now to die.
Chorus. Love for thy father-laud thy heirt hath wrung !
Hebald So wrung that from mine eyes fall tears of joy.
Chorus. Sweet the heart-sickness that o'ercame you thus.
Herald. The key I lack which may thy words unlock.
Chorus. Smit with desire for those who longed for you.
Hebald. Hath Argos yearned then for the yearning host ?
Chorus, Ay, so that oft from darkcn'd soul I groaned.
Herald. Whence this sad gloom, abhorrent to the host? 530
Chnrns. Silence I long have held halo's safest cure.
Uekald. How ! Aught didst fear in absence of thy lords?
Chorus. To die was oft my wish as whilom thino.
Agamemnon, 25
Herald. Well ended, all is well. But, in long years, Some chances, one might say, fell happily. While others adverse were. For who, save gods, Lives through the whole of life by grief unscathed ? For should I tell of toils, of lodgment rude. Infrequent landings, vexed by dangerous surf, tWhat portion of the day exempt from groans? 540 Still more abhorrent was our life ashore ; — For close to hostile walls our beds were strewn ; Dank vapours fell from heaven, while from the earth Drizzled the meadow dews, — our raiment's canker, Matting, like savage beast's, our shaggy hair. Or spake I of bird-killing winter's cold, Unbearable, from snows of Ida born ; Or summer's heat, when, stretched on noonday couch, By breeze unruffled, slept the waveless sea ? But why lament these hardships ? Past the toil ! Past now and gone, — past also for the dead, 550
Who ne'er will trouble them again to rise. Why oall the spectral army-roll? and why. Living, bemoan reverses ? Nay, I claim With many a farewell to salute mischance. For us, the remnant of the Argivc host, Joy triumphs, nor can Sorrow tilt the scale. Winging o'er land and sea our homeward flight. We to the sun-light well may make this boast, " The Argi ve host, captors at length of Troy, 560 These spoils, an off'ring to Achaia's gods, Hang up, bright glory of their ancient shrines." Whoso these tidings hears must needs extol
26 Agamemnon.
The city and the leaders of the host ; Also the consummating grace of Zeus Due honour shall attain. My tale is told.
Chorus. Ungrudged surrender yield I to thy words. Age still is young enough for grateful lore. But Atreus' halls and Clytemnestra most These news concern ; me also they enrich.
{^Enter Clytemnestra.]
Clytemnestra. The shout of jubilee ercwhile I raised, 570
When first by night the fiery herald came, Telling of Ilion captured and o'erthrown. Then some one spake and taunting asked, " Dost think Trusting the beacon-light, that Troy is sacked ? 'Tis woman's way to be elate of heart." By such bold utt'rance was my wit misprised : Yet still I sacrificed : and through the town With woman's note they tuned the joyous trill, Pffians uplifting in the gods' abodes, The while they lulled the fragrant incense-flames. 580 And now, what need that thou shouldst tell me more ? I from the king himself the tale shall hear. With honour due, mv venerated lord To welcome home, myself will hasten : for — Wliat sight for woman sweeter than the day Which to her spouse, Ilcavon-shicldod from the fight, Tlirows wide the gates? Thou hither bid my lord. Beloved of Argos, to return with speed.
Agamemnon. 27
Arriviug, may he find a faithful wife,
Such as he left her, watch-dog of his house, 590
To him devoted, hostile to his foes,
In all points like herself, no single seal
Through these long years invaded by her hand.
Pleasure, or blameful word from other man,
Foreign to me as dyer's hue to brass.
A boast like this, fi-aught as it is with truth,
The lip misseems not of a high-born dame.
lExit Clytemnestba.
Chorus. Behold ! The queen herself hath tutored thee ; Decorous words her clear interpreters. But tell me. Herald, touching Menelas, 600
Doth he in safety homeward with the host Hither return, prince to his country dear ?
Herald. False news were I to tell, in flatt'ring terms, Not long would friends enjoy the fair deceit.
Chorus. Oh, could'st thou speak auspicious words yet true I That here they sundered are is all too plain.
Herald. The man is vanished from th' Achaian host ; Himself and galley. No untruth I tell.
Chorus. Steering ahead from Troy ? or hath a storm, A common terror, snatched him from the host? 610
28 Agamemnon.
Hebald. Like skilful archer thou hast hit the mark j And hast in brief a mighty woe declared.
Chorus. Say, doth the voice of other mariners Report of hiTn as living, or as dead ?
Herald. Not one so knoweth as to speak his doom, Save the bright Sun, feeder of teeming earth.
Chorus. How ! Burst the tempest on the'naval host Through anger of the gods ? say, what the end ? ,
Herald. Auspicious day with ill-aunouncing tongue Beseems not to defile. In weal and woe 620
Diverse the honour due unto the gods. When messenger, sad-visagcd, tidings dire Of routed armies to the city bears, A common wound inflicting on the state. While many men from many homes are bannoi]. Sniit by the twofold scourge which Arcs U)vcs, Twin-speared Calamity, a gory pair : — Whoso is laden with such woes as these The ptcan of the Furies well may raise. But coming to a town in jubilee, 630
Glad messeng(^r of safety and sucross, How shall I tidings mingle fair and foul,
Agamemnon. 29
The tale unfolding of the storm that smote
The Achaian host, not without wrath of Heaven ?
For fire and ocean, bitter foes of yore,
Sware true alliance and redeemed their pledge,
Whelming Achaia's luckless armament.
Then in the night foul-siu:ging mischiefs rose :
Beneath the Thracian blasts ship against ship
Dashed wildly ; they, sore-butted by the storm.
With furious wind and stress of pelting rain,
Vanished from sight, 'neath whirl of shepherd dire. G-ii)
And when uprose the sun's fair light, behold.
The ^gean sea with flowerage overstrewn, —
Corpses of Grecian men and wrecks of ships.
Us, and our vessel with imdamaged hull,
Some god, I ween, (not mortal was the power,)
Ruling the helm, hath saved, by stealth or prayer.
But Saviour Fortune lighting on our ship,
At moorage she nor felt the billows' strain,
Nor drave against the iron-girded coast.
Then safe at last, from watery Hades snatch'd, G50
In genial daylight, still mistrusting chance,
"With anxious thought o'er this new grief we brooded, —
Our host sore wearied, and in evil plight.
And doubtless now, if any still survive,
They speak of us as dead. Why should they notV
As we imagine a like fate for them.
But may the best befal 1 For Menelas,
Foremost and chief, expect him to arrive ;
If any sunbeam knows of him as safe,
Rejoicing in the light, (through the device 060
30 Agamemnon.
Of Zeus, not willing yet the race to whelm,) Good hope there is that he may yet return. Hearing this tale, know, thou the truth hast heard. Chorus. Strophe I.
Who, oh who, with truest aim.
Did the battle-wedded dame.
Prize of conflict, Helen name ? "Was it not one, unseen, in happy hour, Guiding his tongue with Fate-presaging power? Helen, the captor ; — titled fittingly, — 670
Captor of ships, of men, of cities, she
From dainty curtained bower hath fled,
By Titan zephyr borne along ;
Straight in her quarrel mustered strong
The shielded hunters' mighty throng,
IMarshalled for battle ; — forth they sped,
Swift on their track whose viewless oar HarboTir had found on Simois' leafy shore. 680
Antistrophh I.
Wrath, with direful issue fraught,
Thus to hapless Ilion brought
Dear alliance, dearly bought : Kequiter of the outraged fostal boanl, And of high Zeus, the hearth's presiding Lord ; Late vengeance wreaking on the guilty throng. Who carol jubilant the bridal song, Which, fate-impelled, the bridegroom's kin prolong.
But aged Priam's city hoar 690
A novel hymn doth now intone.
From many a voice; with mighty groan,
Agamemnon. 81
Woe upon Paris' bridal bed She utters ; — she who long before A dirgeful life, alas ! had led, Weeping her sons in wretched slaughter sped.
Strophe II. So once did wight incautious rear A suckling lion, for the breast Still yearning, to the house a pest. Tame in life's early morning, dear 700
To childhood, and by Eld caressed. Carried full oft in fondling play. Like to a babe in arms he lay ; The hand with winning glances wooed. And, smit with pangs of hunger, fawned for food.
Antistkophe II. But time the temper doth bewray Inherent in his race. Due raced Of gentle nurture to repay, Eending the flocks ^-ith cruel greed, Unbidden he prepares the feast, 710
And mars with gory stain the halls. Eesistless, dire, athirst for prey. The pest the menial train appals. Reared for the house by Heaven, fell Ate's priest.
Steophk III.
So came to Troia's walls, in evil hour, Spirit of breathless calm, fair pride Of riches, love's soul-jnercing flower, 720
The eyes' soft dart ; but from her course aside
32 Agamemnon.
Swerving, to wedlock bitter end she wrought. To Priam's offspring came she, mischief fraught, Evil companion, bringing evil dower. By Zeus escorted, guardian of the guest. She sped, dire Fury, bridal pest,
Antistrophe III. Lives among men this saw, voiced long ago ; •' Success consummate breeds apace.
Nor childless dies, but to the race 730
From prosperous Fortune springeth cureless Woe." Apart I hold my solitary creed. Prolific truly is the impious deed ; Like to the evil stock, the evil seed ; But fate ordains that righteous homes shall aye
Rejoice in goodly progeny.
Stbophe IV. fBut ancient Arrogance, or soon or late.
When strikes the hour ordained by Fate, 740 Breedeth new Arrogance, which still Revels, wild wantoner in human ill ; And the new birth another brood Unhallowed, in the house doth bear ; — Gorged Insolence, and, not to be withstood, Defiant Boldness, demon unsubdued ; — Swart curses twain, their parents' mien that wear.
Antistrophe IV. But Justice doth the smoke-begrimed coll Illumine with celestial shecu,
Agamemnon. 33
And loves with honest wortli to dwell. Gold-spangled palaces with hands unclean, 760
Forsaking with averted eyes,
To holy Innocence she flies. The power of wealth, if falsely stamped with praise, With homage she disdains to recognize. And to their fated issue all things sways.
[Enter warriors and captives; at last Agamemkon appears, seated on a cJiariot, with Cassa>"dba at his side ; soon after Clytemkestra, accompanied ly female attendants, issues from the palace.'\
Chorus.
Hail, royal lord! Stormer of Hion, hail !
Scion of Atreus ! How compose my speech,
How due obeisance render thee, Yet neither overshoot the mark, nor fail
The goal of fitting compliment to reach ? 7G0
For many men, transgressing right, there be
Semblance who place above reality. To him who groans beneath aflliction's smart,
All men have prompt condolence ; but the sting Of feigned sorrow reaches not the heart.
So men with others' joy rejoicing, bring Over their visage an enforced smile :
But the discerning shepherd knows his fleck. And his unerring glance detects their guile, Who simulating love, with glozing art 770
And watery kindness fawn, but inly mock.
But thou, O King, (I speak without disguise,)
D
3^ Agamemnon.
In Helen's quarrel T*nsldng war's array, A mien didst wear unseemly in mine eyes. Guiding not well the rudder of thy mind, Who didst, on death-devoted men, essay
Courage to urge, by sacrifice. But those who have achieved the great emprize, Not from the surface of my mind alone, I welcome now, with feelings not unkind ; And inquest made, in time shall it be known, 780 Who of thy citizens at home the while Guarded thy state with truth, and who with guile.
Agamemnon, spealdng from the chariot. First Argos and her tutelary gods. Who with me wi-ought to compass my return, And visit Priam's town with vengeance due, Justly I hail. For in this cause the gods, Swayed by no hearsay, in the bloody urn Without dissentient voice the pebbles cast. Sealing the doom of Ilion and her sons. But to the rival urn, by no liand filled, 790
Hope only came. Smoke still uprising marks The captui'ed city ; Ate's incense-fires Ai-e living still, but, dying as they die, The ash sends upward costly fumes of wealth. Wherefore 'tis meet to render to the gods Memorial thanks ; since round them we Lave oast Our vengeful toils, and in a woman's cause The Argivo monster, offspring of the horse, Host sliicild-accnutred, niudo its deadly leap. And Priam't: city levelled to the dust,
I
Agamemnon. 35
What time the Pleiades in ocean waned ;
So, bounding o'er the towers, of princely blood 800
The raw-devouring lion lapped his fill.
This lengthened prelude to the gods ! and now
Weighing the judgment ye crcwhile expressed,
I say the same, and am with you agreed.
To few is it congenial, envy-free,
To venerate the friend whom Fortune crowns.
The jealous poison, lodged within the heart,
Tortures with twofold pang whom it infects ;
By his own griefs oppressed, the envious man
Groans also to behold another's joy. 810
Out of my proof I speak, for, well I wot,
Who friendship most pretended, only were
Its mirrored image, shadow of a shade.
None but Odysseus, who unwilliug sailed,
Once harnessed, was my trusty yoke-fellow;
This I affirm, be he alive or dead.
But for the rest, what to the state pertains,
And to the gods, a full assembly called.
We'll weigh in free debate. Counsel we need.
That where the state is sound, we keep it so ; 820
But where disease the healer's art requires.
By kind excision, or by cautery.
We shall attempt to remedy the harm.
Now to my palace and my household hearth
Returning, first will I the gods salute,
Who forward sped me, and who lead me home ;
Since victory so far hath followed me.
Here may she henceforth stedfastly abide ]
36 Agamemnon.
Clttemnestba. Men of onr city, Argive elders here, I sliame not in your presence to avow My wifely temper ; bashful Fear in time 830
From mortals dieth : not by others taught, But from myself, the wretched life I'll tell 'Twas mine to lead while this man was at Troy. First, for a woman severed from her mate, To sit forlorn at home is grievous woe. Hearing malignant murmurs manifold. One courier comes, another in his train Worse tidings brings to echo through the house ; And as for wounds, had my dear lord received As many as report kept pouring in, 840
A net methinks had not been more transpierced. Or had he died oft as reported then, A second triple-bodied Geryon,* ■|"A threefold cloak of earth he must have donned,^ Enduring death in every form he wore. Thus harassed by these ever-rife reports. Full often from my neck have forceful hands Seized and untied the beam-Guspended noose. And for this cause our son, pledge of our troth, Of mine and thine, stands not beside me now, As stand he should, Orestes. Marvel not, • Geryon, a monster represented by the poets as having three bodies and three licads, and located by them in the fabulous island of Erythcia. The capture of the oxen of Geryou was one of the twelve labours of Heracles. % [noXXi7f HVuBev, rrju kotu yap ov Xtyu).]
I a^Tce with those critics who reject this lino as spurious.
Agamemnon. 37
For Lira tby trusty spcar-gnest uourislicth ; *
Stropliius, the Phocian, who hatli me forewarned
Of twofold peril, thine 'ueath Ilion's wall,
And next lest clamour-fostered Auarchy
Hazard the plot, for 'tis with men inborn
To trample further him already down.
This pretext, trust me, carries no deceit.
Bat for myself the gushing founts of grief 8G0
Are all dried up, no single tear is left ;
Sore with late watching are my weary eyes,
Weeping the fiery l)eacons set for thee
Neglected ever. Often from my dreams
Was I awakened by the tiny hum
Of buzzing gnat, seeing, endured by thee,
More woes than could have filled mine hour of sleep.
These sorrows past, now with a heart unwrung
I hail my husband, watchdog of the fold,
Sure forestay of the ship ; of lofty roof 870
Pillar firm based ; Sire's sole-begotten child ;
Land beyond hope looming to mariners ;
Day after storm most brilliant to behold ;
To thirsty wayfarer clear gushing spring.
Sooth, sweet it is to 'scape from harsh constraint ;
With such addresses do I honour him.
Let Envy stand aloof! for we have borne
Ere this full many a woe. Now dear my lord
Come from thy car ; but on the ground, 0 King,
* Spear-guest. The Greek word Bopv^evos is explained by Plutarch, whom Bishop Thirlwall follows, as exj^ressing the relation established when a prisoner of war dismissed on parole has honourably paid liis ransom.
38 Agamemnon.
Plant not the foot that trampled Ilion. 880
Maidens, why tarry ye, whose duty 'tis With carpets to bespread his stepping-floor? Sudft, purple-strew his passage to a home Unlocked for, e'en as Justice may conduct ; What further she decreeth with the gods, Thought, not by sleep o'ermastered, shall dispose.
Agamemnon.
Daughter of Leda ! Guardian of my home !
Such as my absence was, is now thy speech.
Drawn out to ample length. With better gi-iice
My praise had come from others than from thee. 890
And for the rest, seek not in woman's guiso
To pamper me, nor, gaping forth loud cries,
Bow down to me, as to barbaric wight.
IMakc not my path with tapestries bestrewn
A mark for envy. To the gods belong
Such signal honours ; but for mortal man,
On biight-hued broidery to plant his foot,
I own it, is to me not free from dread ;
As mortal honour mo, but not as god ;
Without foot- carpeting or gorgeous web,
Glotv resounds ; a constant mind to keep 900
Is Heaven's best gift ; him only call we blest
Who ends in fair prosjxjrity his days.
If thus I bear myself I need not fear.
Clttemnestba. Against my settled purpose speak not thus.
Agamemnon. 39
Agamemnon. Deem not my sober purpose I will mar.
Clytemnestba. Haply thou thus to act hast vowed in fear.
Agamemnon. Final and sure my word as man e'er spake.
Cl-YTEMNESTRA
What, thinkest thou, had Priam done if victor ?
Agamemnon. Purples, I ween, he verily had trod.
Clytemnestba. Then stand not thou in fear of human blame. 910
Agamemnon. Yet hath the people's rmnom: mighty power,
CIjTTEMNESTRA.
Life envy-free is life imenviable.
Agamemnon. 'Tis not for woman to be fond of strife.
Clytemnestba. But it becomes the fortunate to yield.
Agamemnon. Does conquest in this struggle rate so high ?
40 Agamemnon.
Clytemnestra. Yield thee ; thy will bend willingly to mine.
Agamemnon.
If thou wilt have it so, let one with speed
These buskius loosen, vassals of the foot ;
Lest, if with them sea-tinctured robes I tread,
Some jealous eye of gods smite me from far. 920
For much it shameth me, with wanton feet
To mar this wealth of silver-purchased web.
Of this enough. This stranger damsel now
Kindly receive. Zeus, with propitious eye.
Beholds the victor's sway with mercy crowned.
For v;illingly none bears the captive yoke ;
But she, the chosen flower of many a spoil,
Fair present from the host, hath followed me.
But since herein I yield mo to thy will.
Treading on purple to my balls I go. 930
Clytemnestba, A sea there is (which who may drain ?) that breeds Abundant purple, fresh from many a shell, Precious as silver, brilliant dye of robes, Whereof, through favour of the gods, these balls May boast, O King, a store right plentiful ; And poverty is stranger to our house Trampling of many garments had I vowed, Had thus the oracles our house enj<Mned, Hansom devising for this precious life. For while the root lives on, the leafage spreads.
Agamemnon. 41
Screening tlie mansion from the clog-star's ray. 940 So now, returning to thy household hearth, A.S warmth in winter doth thy presence show. And when Zeus breweth from the acrid grape Rich wine, then coolness thro' the halls is shod, Where, crowner of the home, the husband dwells, Zeus, Zeus, all-crowner, my petitions croT\-n : Thine be the care of that which crown thou wilt.
\_Exeunt Clytehxestra and Agameiixon- into the imlace.']
Cliorus. Steophe I.
Whence this dread portent, that untircd
Before my bodeful spirit floats ? 950
Wherefore, unbidden and unhired,
Waken these dark prophetic notes ?
Why sits not on my bosom's throne
The direful presage to disown
As riddling dream, assurance strong?
Time's youth hath flown Since the stern-cables from the boats Were flung, what time the ship-borne host Marched on to Ilion from the sandy coast.
Antistrophe I.
After long absence their return 960
With self- informing eyes I learn ;
Yet in its depths my soul, self-taught,
Chanteth Erinys' lyreless strains ;
My hopes, of courage reft, depart ;
Not vainly throb my inmost reins ;
42 Agame.mnon.
Whirleth on eddies of dark thought
My bodeful heart ; Yet, against hope, the gods I pray, That, false to augury, my lay 970
Futile may fall, with vain foreboding fraught
Stbophe II.
Never will perfect health confess
Her limit sated ; though disease, Neighbour, with party-wall, against her press.
Sailing with prosijerous course elate. Strikes on the hidden reef man's proud estate. Then if reluctant Fear, with well-poised sling, 980
His bales doth into ocean fling,
Riseth once more the bark ; and though
With evil freighted to the full,
Floateth secure the lightened hulL
So likewise, gift of ample worth From Zeus, the year's increase, Whose teeming harvests in the furrows grow, Quells the disease of dearth.
Antistrophe n. But when on earth the crimson gore Of man hath fallen, never more May charm or spell the vanished life evoke ;
Hence he of old, whose mystic lore 900
Was skilled the dead from Hades to restore, Fell, blasted by the Thunderer's wiirniug stroke. fNow did not Fate — a heaven-sent Fato — BafHe my impulse, ere too late,
Agamemnon. 43
Leaving beliind the lagging tongue, My heart its bodeful strain had sung. But now it raves ; no cheering rays
My anguished spirit knows, And hopeless to unravel Fate's dark maze 1000
With fiery ardour glows.
[Enter Clytemnestra, stepping hastily out of the palace."]
Clytemnestra. Come thou too in, Cassandra, thee I mean ; For not in wrath Zeus placed thee in our house A sharer in our lustral rites to stand, With many slaves beside his household altar. Now from this car descend ; be not too proud, For e'en Alcmena's son, — so runs the tale, — Sold as a slave, endured the forceful yoke ; But if such fate befal thee, great the boon Heirs of ancestral wealth to own as lords ; 1010
For upstarts, beyond hope who fortune reap, — These reckless are and cruel to their slaves. From us thou hast what usuage warranteth.
Chorus. Thee in clear words she hath addressed, and thou. Meshed as thou art within the toils of Fate, Yield if thou canst ; mayhap thou wilt not yield.
Clytemnestba. Nay, an she be not, swallow -like, possessed Of an unknown, barbaric tongue, my words, Beaching her mind, must move her to comply.
44 Agamemnon.
Cliorus. Follow ! She counsels for thy need the best .- 1020 Bo thou persuaded; — leave thy chariot-seat.
Cltte^inestba. No leisure have I here before the gates To linger ; for, beside the central hearth, The victims wait the sacrificial fire ; A favour that our fondest hope transcends. But thou, if aught wilt do of what I say, Make no delay ; but if, of sense bereft, Thou canst not catch the meaning of my words, In lieu (jf voice, speak with barbarian hand.
Gho)nis,
A clear interpreter the stranger n6eds : [1030
Distraught she seems, like creature newly caught.
Clytemnestra.
Nay, she is mad ; to her distempered thoughts She listens ; from a newly-captured town She Cometh here, nor knows the yoke to bear, Till quelled in foam the passion of her blood. But words I'll waste no more, thus to bo sconied.
Chorua. '•
But I, by pity moved, will not be wroth ; Come, wretched sufferer, this car forsake ; To Fortune yielding, hansel this new yoke.
Cassandra. Strophk L
Ah mo ! alas ! Gods, Earth I
Apollo, 0 Apollo 1 10-10
Agamemnon. 45
Chorus.
Why raise for Losias tlicsc cries of bale ? Not lie tLo god to need the mourner's wail.
CaSSAXDEA. ANTISTROPnE I. Ah me ! iJas ! Gods, Earth I Apollo, 0 Apollo !
Chorus.
Once more she calleth with ill-omened cry, The god who hath no part in misery.
Cassaxdka. Strophe II.
Apollo, 0 Apollo ! Thou way-god ! my destroyer ! Once more thou hast destroyed mo utterly.
Chorus, She seems about to augur her own ills ; 1050
Heaven's breathing e'en in bonds her spirit fill?.
Cassandra. Antistrophe IL
Apollo, 0 Apollo ! Thou way-god ! my destroyer ! Ah, whither hast thou led me ? to what roof?
Chorus.
To the Atrcidan ; an thou dost not know I tell thee ; thou'lt not say it is not so.
46 Agamemnon.
Cassandra. Stbophe III. Ah! Ah! A heaven-detested house, whose walls of yore Halters have seen, and streams of kindred gore ; A human shambles with blood-reeking floor. 1060
Chorus Keen scented seems the stranger, like a ho'Jnd ; Ay, and the blood she's tracking will be found.
Cassandea. Antistbophe m. Ah! Ah! Lo ! v.-itnesses trust-worthy ! Vouchers dire ! These babes, who weep their death- wound, faith inspire, Their roasted members eaten by their sire 1 Cliorus. Thy fame oracular hath reached our ear ; But certes sejk we now no prophet here.
Cassandra. Strophe IV. Alas ! ye gods ! What is she plotting? what nciv blow ? A mighty mischief plots she 'ncath this roof; 1070
An unimaginable cureless woe, Unbearable to friends. Help stands aloo£.
Chorus. Dark are these oracles ; tlio first I know ; For, them the city voucheth wholly true.
Cassandra. Antistrophb IV. Ah wretched one ! The deed wilt consummate ? With guile
Agamemnon. 4cl
Wilt in the bath thy wedded consort cheer ? How Bpeak the issue ? Soon it will be here ; — Hand after hand is lifted. Woe the while ! 1080
Chorus. I comprehend her not ; this mystic lore, These blear-eyed oracles perplex me sore.
Cassandra. Strophe V. Woe ! woe I Look ! look ! What see I there ?
Is it, ye gods, a net of hell ? The wife herself, joint-slayer, is the snare.
Now o'er the accursed rite
Let the dread brood of Night, Unglutled with the race, their chorus swell !
Cliorus. Strophe VI, What Fury 'gainst this house doth summon ? What, The shriek to raise ? Such utt'rance cheers me not.
Pallid through every vein 1090
Blood to my heart doth run, Which to the battle-slain
Quencheth life's sun ; But Ate comes amain.
Cassandra. Antistkophe V. Hold ! hold i Woe ! woe ! The heifer there Keep from the bull. In meshes fell fOf black-woofed garb entangled, — guileful snare, — Catching, — she smites him dead ; — Prone in his watery bed He falls. Thelavor's guileful doom 1 tell.
48 Agamemnon.
Cliorus. Antisteophe YI. I boast not to be skilled in auguries, Yet mischief here I cannot but surmiBe. 1100
Through spells, say, if ye knov, To mortals here below, What grateful cheer is sent ? Th- ir wordy arts from human woe Breed dark presentiment.
Cassakdba. Strophe YII. Woe ! woe! my wretched ill-starred lot!
Wailing another's fate mine own I mourn ;
Why hast tliou led me hither, all forlorn, Unless with thee to perish ? Wherefore not ?
Chonis. Stkophe VIII.
Thou'rt frenzied, by some god posscst,
And tuneless quircst forth thy doom, 1110
Like nightingale, with dusky plume
Sateless of song. From heart opprcst, Ceaseless her Itys, Itys, flows,*
Her life bewailing, rich alone in woes.
Cassandba. Antistbophe YII. Woo ! woe ! Clear-voiced bird, ari'ayed In plumed shape, by powers divine ;
* In the Odyssey (xix. 518) Penelope compares herself to Pandarcos' child, the sylvan nightingale which, in the oiien- in::; spring, perched amid the dense foliage of the trees, warbles beautifully, with frequent change of key, lamenting her boy, her beloved Itylos, son of King Zethus, whom, through insensate folly, she had slain. This is the oldest form of the legend.
Agamemnon. 49
Sweet life, unmarred by tears, is thine : But me awaits the double-edged blade.
Chorus. Antistrophe YIII. Whence hast thou these prophetic throes,
Rushing athwart thy soul, in vain ? 1120
Why body forth in dismal strain, Blcut with shrill cries, these direful woes ?
W'hcnce cometh thus to vex thy soul Of prophecy the dark, ill-omened goal ?
Cassandra. Stbophe IX. Oh, nuptial rite, oh, nuptial rite,
Of Paris, fraught with doom ! Scamander ! whence my fathers drank, Nourished of yore upon thy bank, I throve in youthful bloom, ]\Ic now Cocytos and the streams of night 1130
To augur on their dismal shores invite.
Chorus. Strophe X. What thought hast uttered all too clear ? An infant might interpret here. Smitten within am I with gory sting. The while thy bird-like cry to hear My heart doth wring.
Cassandra. Antistrophe IX. Oh deadly coil, oh, deadly coil
Of Iliou, doomed to fall I Alas, the flowor-cropping kine Slain by my father at the shrine
E
50 Agamemnon.
To save Ler sacrod wall! 1140
But cure was none : she perished ; vain the toil ! I too, soul-kindled, soon shall press the soil.
CJiorus. Antistkophe X. This tallies with thy former strain ; Sure some ill demon smites thy brain, And falling on thee moves thee thus to tell In piteous chant thy doleful pain. The end I cannot spell.
Cassandra. In sooth the oracle no more shall peer Forth from a veil, like newly wedded bride ; 1150
But flushing on the soul, like wind that blows Sunward, it dasheth 'gainst the orient beams A mighty surge that doth this grief o'ertop. No more through dark enigmas will I teach ! And bear me witness, how in eager chase The track I scent of crimes wrought long ago. For from this roof departeth never more A choir, concordant but unmusical, To evil tuned. Ay, drunk with human blood. And by the draught made bold, within these hulls 1160 Abides a rout, not easy to eject, Of sister Furies ; lodged within these walls They chant in chorus the primeval curse. Hostile to him his brother's couch who trod, In turn they tell their loathing. Ilavc I missed, Ur, like true archer, have I hit the mark ? Or fitiolling cheat, or lying prophet am I ?
Agamemnon. 51
Before I die, attest ye now on oath
That of these halls the hoary crimes I know.
Chorus. And how can oath be healer of a woe Inherent in the race? Yet marvel I 1170
That, nurtured o'er the sea, thou know'st to speak Of foreign city as though native there.
Cassakdba. Loxias, the seer, me with this grace endowed.
CJiortis. How ! passion-smitten was he, though a god ?
Cassandea. Till now it shamed me to speak of this.
Choms. True ; for who fareth well grows over-nice.
Cassandea. Love-wrestler was he, warm his favour brcathed-
Chorus. Came ye in course to rite conjugial ?
Cassandea. Consent I gave, but cheated Loxias.
Chorus. Mistress already of presaging art? 11 SO
52 Agamemnon.
Cassandba. Ay, to the townsmen all tlieii- woes I spelled.
Chorus. How then by wrath of Loxias unharmed ?
Cassandra. No credence won I after this oflfenco.
Chorus. To us thy oracles seem all too true.
Cassandba. Woe ! woe ! alas ! alas ! ye miseries ! Of faitliful auEjury the direful toil Kacks me once more, with bodeful preludings Vexing my soul. — Seated within these halls, See, temlcr boys, like dreamy phantoms; children, 1190 As by their dear ones done to dtath, their hands Filled with their proper flesh, for nutriment ; Their heart and vitals, — loathsome, piteous, meal, — Look, how thoy hold, — their sire has tasted, look 1 For these, I say, vengeance devising, waits A ilastard lion, wallowinj^ in be<l ; House-warden, sooth, to him that's come, my miister. For the slave's yoke, alas ! I needs must bear. The naval leader, leveller of Troy, lie knows nut that the fell shenlug, whose tongue Spoke words of guileful welcome, long drawn out. Like lurking Ate, will achieve his doom. 1200
Such things she dares ; the female slays the nmlo !
Agamemnon. 53
Her, — what detested monster may I name •Vnd hit the mark ? — Some basilisk, or Scylla
Housing in rocks, deadly to- mar'ners.
Infuriate dam of Hades, breathing f 'rfch,
Against her dearest, curse implacable ?
What triumph-notes ex iltautly she raised,
All daring one, as in the turn of fight.
Feigning to gratulate his safe return !
What boots it whether I persuade or no ? 1210
The dioraed must come ; ere long to pity moved,
Me thou wilt own a prophet all too true.
Chorus. Thyestes' banquet of his children's flesh I knew and shudder at ; fear takes my soul, Hearing the truth, no imaged counterfeit. The rest I heard, but f.dlow not the track,
Cassandba. On Agamemnon dead, I say, thou'lt look.
Chorus. Lull, i^oor forlorn one, thy ill-omened tc-uguo.
Cassandra. Yet o'er this speech no healing god presides.
Chorus. If be it must ; but may it never be ; 1220
Cassandra. The while thou prayest, theirs it is to slay.
54 Agamemnon.
CJiorut. What man deviseth this accursed deed ?
Cassandba. Widely thy glance hath missed mine oracles.
Chorus. Ay, for the plotter's scheme to me is dark.
Cassandra. Yet in Hellenic speech my words are couched.
Chorus. So too are Pythian chants, yet hard to spelL
Cassandra. Alas ! what fire is this ! It seizes me. Woe! woe I Lykeian god ! Apollo! Woe I The biped lioness, that with the wolf In absence of the noble lion couclied, 1230
Will me, her victim, slaughter, and as one Poison who mixeth, she my doom will add To crown her vengeance ; whetting 'gainst her lord The murderous knife, she boastoth to exact His death, as payment for escorting me. Why longer wear this scorn-provoking gear. This wand, these wreaths prophetic round my neck? Thee I will shatter ere mysolf am doomed. Hence to destruction : I will follow soon ; Anothnr, in my place, enrich with woes. Beliold, Apollo's self doth strip nn- bare 121(^
Of the prophetic robe ; coldly he gazed,
Agamemnon. 55
What time, in these adornments vainly tricked,
To friends and enemies, with one consent,
All undeserved, a laughter I became :
Vagrant yclept, poor hunger-stricken wretch,
A strolling mountebank, I bare it all ;
And now the seer (his vengeance wreaked on me
The seeress) calls me to this deadly fate.
My father at the altar fell, but me
The slaughter-block awaiteth, smitten down
By stroke relentless, reeking with hot gore.
Yet not unhonoured of the gods we fall ; 1250
For other champion of our cause shall come.
Seed matricidal, venger of his sire.
An exiled wanderer, from this land estranged,
Eeturns, this vengeance for his friends to crown.
For, lo, the gods a mighty oath have sworn,
His fatlier's prostrate form shall lead him home.
But why, an alien here, pour I my wail ?
When that I first have seen my Ilion fare
As fared it hath, and they who won the town
In sorry plight, through judgment of the gods. 1260
I'll do 1 I'll suffer 1 I will dare to die.
lliese gates, as gates of Hades, I adjure,
One prayer I offer, " mortal be the stroke ;"
Free from convulsive throes, in easy death,
While ebbs my life-blood, may I close mine eyes.
Chorus. Oh woman, thou most wretched and most wise ; Lengthy thy speech hath been ; but if thou knowest Truly thine own sad doom, how walkest thou Like heaven-led victim, boldly to the altar ?
56 Agamemnon.
Cassandra. There's uo escape ; brief respite, notliing more. 1270
Chorus. Yet to be last is gain at least of time.
Cassandra. The day is come, small were my gain by flight.
Chorus. Enduring art thou, and of dauntless mind.
Cassandra. Yet dear to mortals is a glorious death.
Chorus. Such words none heareth from the fortunate.
Cassandra. Alas, my sire, for thee and thy bravo sons I
[6'Ae sittideiily starts back, Chonis. What may this mean ? Wliat terror drives thoo back t
Cassandra. Alas I alas !
Chorus. Why this alas, uuIcsh somu hunur bcaru thoe?
Cassandra. Dlood-reeking murder brcathoth from those Imlls. 1280
Agamemnon. 57
Chorus 'Tis but the scent of victims at the Iioarth.
Cassandra. Niiy, but such breath as issues from a tomb.
Choriis. No Syrian odour tcll'st thou for the hou>,9.
Cassandea. Well ! I will go, within these palace halls To wail mine own and Agamemnon's doom. Enough of life ! Strangers ! Alas ! Akvs I Yet quail I not, as birde at the brake, Tdly ; in death my vouchers be in this, When, in my place, woman for woman dies. And when for man ill-wedded, man shall fall. 1290 Dying, this hospitable grace I crave.
Chorus. Poor wretch ; Thy fateful doom my pity moves.
Cassandra. Once more I fain would speak, but not to poxvr Mine own funereal wail ; but to the Sun, Looking my last upon his beams, I pray That my avengers pay my murderers back, Requiting me, poor slave, tlieir easy prey. Alas, for man's estate ! If Fortune smile, A shadow may o'erturn it ; should she frown,
58 Agamemnon.
A moistened sponge the picture doth destroy. 1300 More than the first this doom my pity moves.
\_Exit into the palace. Chorua.
All are of boundless weal insatiate ; —
None warneth from his halls Him at whom Envy points, as rich or great,
Saying, " Come here no more." — So to this man the Blessed Ones have given To capture Priam's walls ; — Home he returns, beloved of Heaven ; — But must he now the blood repay Of ancient murder ; must he die,
And dying expiate, 1310
With his own death, their deaths who died of yore ; Who, being mortal, this can hear, nor pray. That he were born to pcathless destiny ?
Agamemnon.
[/n the palace. Woe's me ! I'm smitten with a deadly blow !
Chonis. Hush ! Wounded unto dcath»who lifts tliis cry.
Agamemnon. Woe's me ! Again ! a second time I'm struck.
CJiornjihiem. By the groaning of the monarch, wrought mothinks is
now tho dcoci ; But together taking counsel, wenyo wo now some
prudent scheme.
Agamemnon, 59
Cliorus.
1. To you my counsel is to raise the cry,
And to the palace call the citizens. 1320
11. To me seems best, at quickest, breaking in, To prove the deed by newly-dripping blade.
III. I, this opinion sharing, give my vote For action ; — not to dally is the point.
IV. 'Tis manifest ; for they, thus preluding, Give to the city signs of tyranny.
V. Ay, we delay ; — they, treading under foot
All thoughts of dalliance, sleep not with the hand.
VI. No plan I know to fashion or propose ; Against the guilty doer we must plot. 1330
VII. That view I share, for no device I know, By words, the dead man to restore to life.
VIII. What ! dragging on our lives, shall we obey These home-polluters ? Them our leaders make?
IX. That were past hearing, better far to die ; For milder doom were death than tyranny.
X. How ! may we not on evidence of groans Augur full surely that the man is dead ?
XI. Ere we can argue, we must know the facts ;
Assurance differs widely from surmise. 1340
xii. This I commend, taking the general vote,
Plainly to know how fareth Atreus' son.
GO Agamemnon.
[ 'llie doors of the royal palace are thrown open ; Ci.ytemxestba is discovered stduding with tht axe owr hrr shoiddtr. Be- hind her, under a cover, are the bodies of AciASiEMSOx and
Cassandra.]
Clttesinestea.
Though much to suit the times before was said,
It Bhames me not the opposite to speak :
For, plotting against foes, — our seeming friends, —
How else contrive with Ruin's wily snare.
Too high to overleap, to fence them roimd ?
To me. not mindless of an ancient ftnjd,
Hath come at last this contest ; — late indeed.
The deed achieved, here stand I, where I slew. 1350
So was it wrought (and this I'll not deny),
That he could neither 'scape, nor ward his doom ;
Around him, like a fish-encircling net,
This giimont's deadly splendour did I cast; —
Him twice I smote, and he, with twofold groan.
His limbs relaxed ; — then, prostrate whore he lay.
Him with third blow I dowered, votive gift
To nether Hades, saviour of the dead.
Thus as he fell he chafed his soul away ;
And gurgling forth the swift dcath-tido of blood, 1360
He smites mo with black drops of gory dow,
Not less exultant than, with lioavcn-sont joy
The corn-sown land, in birth-hour of the oar.
For this great issue, Argivo Senators,
Joy ye, if joy ye can, but I exult.
Nay, o'er the slain were oS"rings nioct, — with right
Hero Were they poured, — with cmpliasis of right.
Agamemnon. 61
Such goblet having filled with cursed ills At home, — himself on his return drains off.
Chorus. We marvel at thy tongue, how bold thy speech, 1370 Who o'er thy husband makest so thy vaunt.
Clttemnestba. As witless woman are ye proving me ; But I with steadfast heart, to you who know, Proclaim, — and whether ye will praise or blame, It recks me not, — this man is Agamemnon, — My husband, dead, the work of this right hand, Doer of righteous deed ; — so stands the case.
Chorus. Strophe.
O woman, what earth-nurtured bane. What jjotion, upsent from the wind-ruffled sea. Hast tasted, that on thine own head dost heap 1380 Cui ses, for incense, folk-mutter'd and deep !
Hast cast otf, hast slain ; — Out-cast, uucitied, thyself shalt be. Huge hate of the townsmen blasting theo.
Clttemnestba. j\Ie thou dost doom to exile, — to endure The people's hate, their curse deep-muttered, — thou, Who 'gainst this man of yore hadst naught to urge. He, all uniioved, as though brute life he quenched, The while his fleecy pastures teem'd with flocks,
62 Agamemnon.
His own child slaughtered, — of my travail throes 1390
To me the dearest, -charm for Thracian blasts.
Him gbouldst thou not have chased from land and home
Just guerdon for foul Jeed ? Stern judge thou art
When me thou dost arraign ; — but, mark my words,
(Nerved as I am to threat on equal terms,)
If with strong hand ye conquer me, then rule ; —
But should tlic god decree ihe opposite.
Though late, to sober sense shalt thou be schooled.
Chorus. Antistrophb.
0 haughty of council art thou ; —
And haughtily-minded thou vauntest amain, 1400 As raveth thy mind neath blood-reeking fate. Calling for vengeance, glares forth on thy brow
Of blood the foul stain ; — Forsaken of friends, the common hate, Death-blow with death-blow shalt ex2)iate.
Clttf.mxestra. This solemn sanction of mine oaths thou hcarest ; — By the accomplished vengeance of my child, By Ate, by Erinyes, unto whom
1 slew this man, — Expectancy for me
Treads not the halls of Fear, while on my hearth, 1410 iEgisthos, kind as heretofore, bums fire ; — For ho of Inddtiess is no puny shield. Tiiere prostrate lies this woman's outrager, Minion to oach Chryscis iwdor Troy.
Agamemnon. 63
There too, this captive shive, this auguress,
And this man's concubine, — this prophetess,
His faithful bedfellow, who shared with him
The sailor's bench. Xot unrequited wrought they ;
For he lies — thus. While she, in swan-like fashion,
Having breathed forth her last, her dying wail, 1420
Lies here, to him a paramour, and so
Adds keener relish to my sweet revenge.
Chorus. Strophe I.
Oh might some sudden Fate
Not tethered to a weight Of couch-enchaining anguish, hither waft
The boon of endless sleep ! For our most gracious guardian slain we weep,
In woman's cause of yore
Full many a pang who bore. And now lies smitten by a woman's craft.
Strophe II. Woe ! frenzied Helen, woe ! 1430
Through thee alone, through one, How many souls, how many, were undone ; What havoc dire 'neath Troia thou hast wrought. » * * » •
Steophe m. And now the cureless woe, Heirloom of blood, shed long ago. Through thee hath blossomed, causing strife Unquenchable, with husband-murder rife.
64 Agamemnon.
Clytemnestra. STRornE IT.
Bowed beneath sorrow's weight,
Invoke not deadly Fate, Nor in thine anger Helen thus arraign, 1440
As though through her, through one,
Fell many a Danaan son ; — She-man-destroycr, working cureless bane !
Chorus. Antistrophe I.
Demon, who now dost fall
Kuthlcss on Atrcus' hall Making the twin Tautalidte thy prey, ■fThrough women's haughty reign. Gnawing my heart, thou dost confirm thy sway.
Like bodeful raven hoarse.
She standeth o'er the corse. And chants exulting her discordant strain. 145Q
ClYTEMNESTKA. ANTISTROrnE IV.
Ay now thy speech in sooth
Runs even with the truth, Calling the thrice-dread demon of this race ;
For in their veins is nursed,
By him, the quenchless thirst
For blood ; ore ])aU's the trace 01 ancient pang, now ichor flows apare.
Cliorns. Strophe V.
Miglity tijo demon, dire his hate, Whom hero thou boastest to preside ;
Agamemnon, 65
Woe ! woe ! ill-omened praise of Fate, 1460
Baneful and still unsatisfied ! Alas ! 'Tis Zeus, in will, in deed, Sole cause, sole fasLioner ; for say What comes to mortals undecreed By Zeus, what here, that owneth not his sway ?
Strophe VI.
Woe ! woe ! King ! King ! how thee shall I bewail ? How voice my heartfelt grief? Thou liest there Entangled in the spider's guileful snare; In impious death thy life thou dost exhale. 1470
Strophe VII.
Ah me ! ah me ! to death betrayed, Sped by the two-edged blade, On servile couch now ignominious laid.
Clttemnestra. Strophe VIIL
Dost boast as mine this deed ?
Then wrongly thou dost read, fTo count me Agamemnon's wife ; — not so ;
Appearing in the mien
Of this dead monarch's queen, The ancient fiend of Atreus dealt the blow ; —
Eequiting his grim feast, 1480
For the slain babes, as priest. The full-grown victim now he layeth low.
60 Agamemnon.
Clioi-us. Antistrophb V That thou art guiltless of this blood Who will attest? Yet by thy side, Haply, as thy accomplice, stood The Fury who doth here preside. Through streams of kindred gore Prcsscth grim Ares on to claim Eequital for the deed of shame ;— The clotted blood of babes devoured of yore. 1490
Antistbophe VI. TVoe ! woe? King ! King ! thee how shall T bewail ? How voice my heartfelt grief '? Thou liest there Entangled in the spider's guileful snare, 111 impious death thy life thou dost exhale.
AirrisTROPHE VII.
Ah me 1 ah me ! to death betrayal. Sped by the two-edged blade, On servile couch now ignominious laid.
Clttemnestba. Antistbophb VIIL
By no unjust decree
Perished this man, for ho 1500
Tlirough guile hath household death enacted hero : —
His pro^KT child ho slew,
Swoot bud from mo that grow, Ipliigcnia, wept witli many a tear.
Foul quittance fur foul deed ; —
Agamemnon. fi7
He reaped the sword's due meed, Hence no proud boast from liim let Hades hear ! Chorus. Strophe IX.
Perplexed I am, bewildered sore
Which way to turn ; escape is vain ; 1510
Totters the house ; I dread the crimson rain That with loud plashing shakes these walls ; no more Falleth in niggard droppings now the gore. And bent on deed of mischief, Fate anew On other whetstones, whetteth vengeance due.
ANTl&TIiOPHE II.
Earth ! Earth ! oh hadst thou been
My shroud ere I my king Prone in the silver-sided bath had seen ! Who will inter him ? Who his dirge shall sing? So hardy thou? Wilt thou who didst assail 1520
Thy husband's life, thyself uplift the wail ? Wilt to his shade, for the great deeds he wrought, Eender a graceless grace, with malice fraught ?
Antistbophe III.
With tears of honest grief
Weeping the godlike chief, Above the tomb who now shall raise The funeral hymn ? Who speak the hero's praise ? Clttemnestra. Stbophe X.
Not thine the task to counsel here.
By us he fell : this man we slew ;
Ours be it to inurn him too; 1530
Borne from the palace, o'er the bier
k
68 Agamemnon.
Shall sound no notes of wailing ; — no, But him, with blandishments, shall meet Iphigenia ; by the rapid streams Of Acheron, his daughter, as beseems. Facing her father, sball around him throw Her loving arms, and him with kisses greet.
Chorus. Antistbophe IX.
That taunt still answers taunt we see.
Here to adjudge is hai'd indeed. Spoiled be the spoiler ; who sheds blood must bleed. While Zeus surviveth shall this law survive. . 1510 Doer must suffer ; 'tis the Fates' decree ; Who from the house the fated curse may drive ? The race is welded to calamity.
ClTTEMNESTBA. AKTISTROPnE X.
Ay ! now on Truth thou dost alight !
I with the demon of this race —
The Pleisthenid — an oath will plight.
My doom, though grievous, I embrace.
But for the rest, hence let him haste I Leaving this honse, let him another race ISoO
Harass with kindred murders. For myself, When from these halls blood-frcuzy I have chased, Small pittance shall I crave of worldly pelf.
\_Entcr iEiJ.iSTHQS, arrayed in roi/al rohts, and tcith anncd altcndauts.J
JEOISTUOS.
Hail, joyous light of justice-beariTig day I At length I can avur that Guds supernal.
Agamemnon. 09
Judges of mcD, look down on earthly woes,
Beholding, in the Erinyes' woven robes,
This man, thus prostrate, welcome sight to me,
The wiles atoning compassed by his sire. 1560
For Atreus, Argos' ruler, this man's father,
Did from the city and his home expel
Thyestes, rival in the sovereignty, —
My father, to be plain, and his own brother.
But coming back, a suj^jiliant of the hearth.
Wretched Thyestes found a lot secure,
Not doomed his natal soil with blood to stain,
Here in his home : but this man's godless sire,
Atreus, with zeal officious more than kind.
Feigning a joyous banquet-day to hold, 1570
Served to my sire, for food, his children's flesh.
Their feet indeed, the members of their hands, — •
Seated aloof, in higher place, he hides.
Partaking of the undistinguished parts,
In ignorance, Thyestes eats the food,
Curse-laden, as thou seest, to the race.
Discerning then the impious deed, he slirieked,
And back recoiling the foul slaughter spewed.
Spurning, with righteous curse, th' insulted boaTd
Dread doom he vows to the Pelopida?; — 1580
" So perish the whole race of Pleisthcnes."
Hence is it that ye see this man laid low ;
The righteous planner of his death am I.
For me, the thirteenth child, in swathing clothes,
He with my wretched sire, to exile drove.
But, grown to manhood. Justice led me back,
And I, although aloof, liave reached this man,
70 Agamemnon.
The threads combining of the fatal plot. Now for myself 'twere glorious to die, Seeing this man entrapped in Justice' toils.
Chorus. To honour insolence in guilt, uEgisthos, 1590
I know not ; — that with purpose thou didst kill This man, thou boastest ; of his piteous doom Sole author thou : — I tell thee thine own head To Justice brought, be sure shall not escape The cursG of stoning by the people's hand.
^GISTHOS.
Plying the lowest oar, dost menace us
Who from the upper benches sway the helm ?
Being old thou know'st how bitter at thy years
Wisdom by stern necessity to learn.
But bonds and hunger-pangs, to cure the mind
Of stubborn eld, are skilful leeches found. 1600
Hast eyes, yet seest not this ? Against the pricks
Kick not, lest stumbling, thou shouldst come to griet.
Chorus. W oman, house-mate to him from recent war licturn'd,— defilor of thy husband's bed. Death thou didst plot against tliis warriot chief.
^eiSTHOS.
These words will ftmntnins be of bitter tears. Tliy tongue the opposite to Orplieus is; For ho drew all by rapture of his voice,
Agamemnon. 71
"VMiile thou, by idle bark, dost all things stir jTo hate ; — when conquered, thou wilt taraer show. • 1610
Clwrus. Shalt thou be ruler of the Argives, thou, Who, when that thou hadst plotted this man's death. Didst courage lack to strike the blow thyself ?
-^GISTHOS.
To spread the snare was plainly woman's part, For I, his ancient foeman, was suspect ; But armed with this man's treasure, be it mine To rule the citizens. Th' unruly colt That, barley-fed, turns restive, I will bind fWith heavier thong than yokes the trace-horse ; — him, Darkness' grim comrade, Famine, shall see tamed.
Clwrus.
This man why didst thou not, 0 base of soul. Slaughter thyself ? But him his wife, with thee, The land polluting, and her country's gods, Hath slain. Orestes, sees he still the light, That, home-returning with auspicious Fate, He may, with mighty stroke, deal death to both ?
^GISTHOS.
Since thou art minded thus to act, not talk alone, know quickly.
72 Agamemnon.
[To hia attendants Come on, my faithful body-guard, the fray is not far distant.
Chorus. Come on then, and wfth hand on hilt, his sword let each make ready.
^GISTHOS.
Be well assured, with hand on hilt, to die I too refuse
not.
Cliorus. To die, — thine utterance we accept, and take as thy death-omen.
Clytemnestra. Dearest of husbands let us not, I pray, work further
mischief. Already in our many woes reaped have we wretched
harvests. Of sorrow there hath been enough ; let us forbear
more bloodshed. Go thou, and ye too aged men, seek your appointed
mansions. Ere aught ye do to work miscbanco. As fate enjoined
we've acted. If trouble is the lot of man, enough have we on-
couutorcd ; Sore smitten by the heavy hoof of some avenging
demon. 'J'lius ye a woman's counsel have, if any deign to
hearken.
Agamemnon. 73
^GISTHOS.
To think that .their vain tongue 'gainst me into such
speech should blossom ; — That they should hurl forth words like these, their
proper doom" thus tempting : They against sober reason err, thus to insult their
ruler.
Cliorus. Upon the evil man to fawn is not the wont of Argives.
^Egisthos. But, be assured, some future day, I yet shall overtake you. L Chorus.
I Not so if hither to return some god should guide Orestes.
^GISTHOS.
Full well I know that exiles still on hopes are wont to
batten.
Cliorus. Work as thou listest. Gorge thy fill. Stain justice.
Thou canst do it.
.^GISTHOS.
Be sure tliat thou to me shalt pay the forfeit of thy folly. \ Cliorus.
Be boastful and be bold, like cock beside his partner strutting.
74 Agamemrum.
Clttehxestba.
These senseless barkings heed not thou ; thyseK and
I together,
Ruling within these royal halls, will all things wisely
order.
[Exeunt.
Agamemnon. 75
NOTES TO THE AGAMEMNON.
[Mt friend the translator wishing to obviate the charge of arbitrarily departing from -lEschylus, requests me to draw up a list of the conjectural emendations of the text which I have suggested. Space forbids my here justifying them. I will state them as briefly as I can. F. W. N.]
Agamemnon.
Vekse 7. Omit dartpas as an interpretation of dwda-ras, and read orav (pOlvacrtv, avroXas re twv8 , opa.
138. Read—
X rocraov X yap ev(f)p(ov ["Aprepls fori] KaXa
dpoaoicn XfTrroiaiv X paKaKav re X ^ay^f • • • 142, Teprrva [Se daip-ova diairiv 6 p-civris]
TovTuiv airel rrvplBoXa Kpuvai,
6e|ta p^ev Kara/Lio/j.0a 8e (f)dapara | Kpivcov.
" Irfiov X avKuXfco
Uaiava [^delov], ptjTivas avrnTvoovs
Aavaois )(povias exevt/das
+ *A'ypeia Tfv^r], (nrfvbopeva dv(Tiav
frepav ....
la 142, 146, such words as I insert seem to be deficient.
In 144 I have written KpLvav for the absurd arpovdav.
In 148 a nominative, expressive of Artemis, is deficient. I have changed dirXotas, which can hardly bear the epiihet avTiTTvoovs, into''Aypeia (huntress).
76 Agamemnon.
164. Eead ev^erai for the old Xe|et. Oi/Bev fv^erai Trpiv Kov • " will not vauut that he was aught of yore."
175. For Se nov read ye ttov, and remove the stop after crci'Ppovelv. Join oKovras with &o>(f)pov(li', ^Xfie with /:iiaia)s. " And to men, loath to learn sobrict}-, there cometh forcibly a grace (1 trow) of deities, who sit on holy bench." The " grace " is the painful wisdom learned by sufleriug.
226. For Trpovairrj read TrpovotTre'is.
233. After ypa<i)ais insert [TrotKiXats]. In the antistrophe do not omit irpoKKixiv, biit for infl read n^, and omit f] liefore Xvtrts. To fXfXXov 8f npOKXvfiv, tttj yivcir j av Xvcrir, Trpo- ;(aip€r<».
278. For Itrx^s read ocrx'"-^ or oa-xo^s, "tivigs'" of flame; sug$;ested by irevKrj, the pine. In the corrupt irpos fjBovrjv a verb is concealed, sucli as Tzpo/ixnaa-ev, wpojjKpia-ev, vibrated, perked forward. npoo-ijXoo-ei/ is I'ossible, but was less likely to be corrupted than some rarer verb, as irpocrrjdpiafv, imifted.
290. Before (pXtyova-av a whole line seems to Ijc lost, such as [avyr)v K(\fvov(T , doTpanais etiayytKois] (jiXtyovaav.
327. For wf bvabaifxovfs Blomfield well gave in S eiSui- fiovfs.
365. Treading in Blomfield's steps, I attempt the corrupt
passage thus —
Tr(<^avrai S % fyyevfjf drapTTjpoiV Aprj TTVfovTfov, fxtl^ov ^ Bucaiujs.
CpXtOVTUV ^(Om'tTlOV VTTfpCPfVf X oil TOVTO tii\Tl(TT6v X fOT
ov5' dT:i]p.(tirroi> ....
(TovTO, the fact of excessive abuudmce.)
412. For irdptffTi criyht lirifios dXoiSopos libiaros d(f>ffjLii'(oi' i^flv: read (until we ^ct soniethim; Ixtter)^
irdpt(TTi (Tiya Kar o'fiovi, diXol8npoSt aiarovs €(pi€fxtv<nv litty.
Agamemnon. 77
Join aiya e(piefj.iv(ov. " There is silence along (her) paths, while they long to view the viewless." I understand this of Helen's o/li^Xi/cij;. In antistrophe for 'EXXaSos read "EXKdvos.
54:1. For ov Xaxom-es, which is nonsense, read ao-;(a\Xorrey, and in 540, naKoppodovs for KaKocrrpwrovy.
741. This viery corrupt passage admits of an approximate solution, thus —
V^plV, TOT I] rod', 0T€ TO KvpiOV /jtoXj,
% veapois X 4>avoi(Tav % tokouti daipova % iravropd^av uv'upov 6pd(Tos peXai- vas pf'Kd0poiaiv''ATas, flZopivav TOKeixTiv.
Vulgo, f vea f (paovs kotov | Baipovd f Tf t ■'"o" "/^"X*"' "^O" Xe/xoi/"] dvUpov .... Qpdcros Attjs is put for dpdcreia "Att/, and d5opevi],/em., agrees with it. If peXaivas is correct, it seems to mean " gloomy (funereal)," and is joined with the dative peKddpoi^. Then the antistrophe is (omitting /St'oi* in 749, and reading eSe^Xa with Dindorf, &c.) —
TO ;^pvo"o7raGrra 6' eSe^a aiiv ttIvco ^epav TvaXivTpcnrois oppacriv XnToiKT, 'Ocrlav Ttpoai^a, ....
(for vuhj., o(Tia).
776. Adi-pting from Franke fn dvcnav for eKovcriov, read also dpr]aKoi<Ti for dvrja-Kovai., which cannot be right. Then, we get
Opdaos f< Bvaiciv
avhpacn 6pr](TK0i(Ti Kopi^oiv.
" infusing into religious men confidence from the sacrifices.' 844, noXX^v . . . Xe'yo). Schiitz, if I remember, regards
the line as spurious, and with good reason.
957. iraprjliTja-ev ought to be Traptj-uvrja-ev, they moored by
evvdiai.
990. ovSe TOP 6p6obarj .... is quite unsatisfactory. I
conjecture oixi • . • ; has not Jupiter put a stop to it ?
78 Agamemnon.
99-i. For fiolpa fiolpav, which is nonsense, read fjiolp afioipd p! ; and compare vats avats, ydpos aya^oy.
1C95. For p.(XayK4pa>v, by all means read peXayKpoKa, and for eV TTeTrXowri perhaps ffnrXaKfura.
1422. I think ttJs fpi^S ought to be ttivS" tprji, fur irrriyaytv must have Agamemnon as nominative. ■napQy\r(ovripa, a delicate side dish, can only mean Cassandra. It cannot mean " a relish." XXibjis cannot be right, but perhaps the participle xXtSaJj/.
1446. For Kpdros la-oy^vxov (which is defective in metre as well as sense), read Kpdros a-ivoylrvxoVf " thou establishest a soul-blighting sway by means ol" women.'' Hermann by inserting t after Kpdros did not imjirove the sense.
1610. For o^fi read e^dei, thou art hated, in contrast to Xapa.
1618. For <Teipa(f>6pov read aeipacjjopuv : " bands heavier than common harues.C
CHOEPHORL
DRAMATIS PERSONS
Okestes.
Chokus of Captive WosiEJr.
Electea.
Clytemnestba.
iEciSTHOS.
Pylades.
Nurse.
Attendant.
[Scene. — Tlic royal palace in Argos, as in the preriotta tragedy. The tomh of Agamemnon is seen in the orchestra. Ouestes and Pylades enter in the garb of travellers. They approach the tonib. Okestes ascends the steps.]
CHOEPHORI*
Orestes.
THEE, sliade-escorting Hermes, I invoke, In Hades guardian of my royal sire, — To me, tliy suppliant, be saviour thou, IVIy firm ally, — for to this land I come Exile no more ; — on this sepulchral mound Father I call thee, — hearken to my cry 1 — * ♦ « ♦ *
A primal lock, as nurture- gift, I vowed To Inachos, and now this second lock. Griefs token. Father, I devote to thee, — For, absent from thy funeral obsequies, I could not then as mourner wail thy death, Nor speed with outstretched hand thy royal bier.
[The Chorus, arrayed in mourning costume, come forth from the palace. Electra closes the procession.']
What sight is this ? What company of women 10 Is wending hitherward, in sable weeds
* The libation-pourers.
82 Choepliori.
Conspicuous ? What disaster bringeth tb(!m ? Doth a new sorrow fall upon our house ? Or rightly may I deem that to my sire They bear libations, — soothing to the dead ? It must be so, for yonder, as I think, Steering this way, Electra comes, my sister. Signal by depth of woe. Oh, grant me, Zeus, To venge my father's death ; — be thou to me Ally propitious ! — Now, my Pylades, Stand we apart, that I may clearly learn What may import this suppliant female train.
\They conceal thera'dves.
[Tf7«7e the Ohorus encircle the tomb, they sing the following
Ode.}
CJiorua. Sthophe I. Sent from the palace, forth I tread, 20
Libations bearing to the dead, Guiding, with hands swift-clapped, a doleful train. Marred is my cheek with many a gory slain,
Nail-jdoughed each new-cut furrow bleeds ; My heart on cries of dolour sateless feeds. Eendiug my flaxen-tissued vest, With smiloless passion, uncontrolled, Grief doth my sorrow-stricken breast Dismantle of the garment's decent fold.
AxTISTROPnE I.
For, shrill of voice, hair-bristling Fe.ir,
In Atrous' household vision -seer, 80
Choeijhori. 83
Breathing forth rage in sleep, — at dead of night
From the recesses of these royal halls, Eang out a cry of wild affright
That heavy on the women's chambers falls. And dream-interpreters proclaim, Pledged to the truth, in Heaven's name, That unavenged 'neath earth, the slain
Against their slayers wrathfully complain.
Steophe II. Such graceless grace, against the threatened ill
Devising cure, (oh fostering earth !) The godless woman sends me to fulfil.
To speak the words prescribed I dread ; 40
For ah ! when blood hath once been shed. Falling to earth, what ransom can be paid ?
Woe for the sorrow-stricken hearth "Woe for the home in ruin laid !
Sunless, of men abhorred, a murky cloud Doth through the master's fall the dwelling shroud.
Antistbophe II. The majesty invincible of old,
Matchless, supreme, who filled the ear Of faithful lieges, and their heart controlled,
Standeth aloof ;— Fear reigneth now.
For to Prosperity men bow, 60
Which they as God, ay more than God, revere.
But Justice' stroke some swift doth whehn
84 Choephori.
In light who dwell ; on others wait, fLingering, their woes in Darkness' glimmering
realm ; Others sheer Night enshrouds in blackest fate.
Steophe m. When nurturing earth is blood-drenched, lo Fixed is for aye the vengeance-crying gore ; — And he who shed it, paying Ate's score, fDoth burgeon out in all-entangling woe. 60
Antistrophe III. The bridal couch if man profane, fHopeless is cure ; though in one common flood. To purify the hand defiled by blood, All streams commingling flow, they flow in vain.
Epode. But for myself, through Heaven's command. The captured city's doom I share ; — Led hither from my native land, 'Tis mine the menial's lot to bear. Their acts, whose will my fortune sways, Just or unjust, I needs must praise : 70
t Beneath ray vest grief's angiiished throes Shrouding, I quell my bitter hate ; — While numbed in heart by secret woes, Of my true lords I weep the hapless fate.
Elkctra. Yc captive women, yo who tend this homo.
Choephori. 85
Since ye are present to escort with me
These lustral rites, your counsel now I crave.
How, while I pour these off'rings on the tomb,
Speak friendly words ? and how invoke my Sire ? 80
Shall I declare that from a loving wife
To her dear lord I bear them ? from my mother ?
My courage fails, nor know I what to speak,
Pouring libations on my father's tomb.
Or shall I pray, as holy wont enjoins,
That to the senders of these chaplets, be
Eequital may accord, ay ! meed of ill.
Or, with no mark of honour, silently,
For so my father perished, shall I pour
These offerings, potion to be drunk by earth,
Then, tossing o'er my head the lustral m-n,
(As one who loathed refuse forth has cast,) 90
With eyes averted, back retrace my steps ?
Be ye partakers in my counsel, friends.
For in this house one common hate we share.
Through fear hide not the feelings of your heart ;
For what is destined waits alike the free
And him o'ermastered by another's hand ; —
If ye have aught more wise to urge, say on.
Choirus.
Thy father's tomb revering as an altar,
Since thou commandest, I will speak my thoughts.
Electra. Speak, as my father's tomb revering. 100
86 Clioepliori.
Chorus.
Poux — High claims uplifting for the wise of heart.
Electra. But of our friends whom thus may I address ?
Ch(yrus. First name thyself and whoso hates -ffigisthos.
Electra. Then for myself and thee pour I this prayer.
Clionis. Hearing my words, do thou interpret them.
Electra. Whom else to number with this friendly band ?
Chorus. Think of Orestes though an exile stilL
Electra. ' Tis well, — not vainly hast thou prompted mo.
Cliorus. Now for the guilty, — mindful of his death, —
Electra. What shall I say? miskillcd, instruct me thou. 110
Chorus. Pray that to them may come or god, or mortal,^
Electra. As judge or oa avenger meanest thou '?
Choe^ihori, 87
CJtorus, Say plainly, who shall death with death requite.
Electba. May I the gods thus pray nor impious bo ?
Chorus. How not requite an enemy with ill?
Electea. Of powers above the earth and powers below Herald supreme, escorter of the shades, Hermes, now summon to attend my prayer The guardians of my father's house, dread powers. Throned in the nether world, and mother Earth, 120 W ho all things bringeth forth, who fosters all, And doth of all receive again the germ. And I, libations pouring to the dead, Thus pray, my Sire invoking ; — " Pity mo, And dear Orestes pity ; — how shall wo Eule in our palace-hoiue V for sold, alas ! By her who bare us, we as outcasts stray ; \Vhile, for -^gisthos, 'complice in thy death, Her lord she bartered ; — slavish is my lot, Orestes exiled from his wealth, the while Eevel the twain, exulting in thy toils. 130
That home Orestes may at length return, By glad success escorted, I implore. Give ear, and grant me. Father, to become Sounder of mind by far than is my mother, With hands more pure. For us these orisons;
88 Choephori.
But for thy foes, Father, this prayer I urge,
That Justice, thine avenger, may appear,
So that thy slayers may in turn be slain.
For them an evil utterance I pour.
To us upsend these blessings from below, 140
With gods, and Earth, and Justice conquest-crowned."
Over such prayers, libations, lo ! I pour.
Yours be it now, lifting the solemn wail.
To crown with dole the paean of the dead.
[While the Chorus sings the following Ode, Electra ascends the steps of the tomb, and pours the libation.']
Chorus. Strophb. ■fDrop ye for the dead Tears with pattering sound ; Lustral rain is shed O'er the hallowed mound, From the pure which screeneth bale, While the powers of Evil qtiail. Hear, 0 master, at thy tomb, loO
Whispered sounds from sorrow's mui'ky gloom.
Antistrophb. Now in measured flow Tune the notes of woo ! When will warrior brave, f( War-god strong to save Houses in the dust laid low,) Hurl the spear, from homed bo\f Wing the arrow's deadly flight, Or wield the hilled brand in closer fi^ht?
Clioejpliori. 89
Electba. These earth-drained offrings hath my sire received.
\She perceives the lock of hair laid by Orestes.] Ha ! this new wonder ponder now with me.
Chorus. Speak on ; yet palpitates my heart with fear ?
Electra. Laid on the tomb this lock new shorn I see. 160
Chorus. Shorn from what man, or what deep-girdled maid ?
Electra. WTio here will guess may easily diviao.
Chorus. Although the elder, I from thee would learn.
Electra. There is but one who could have shorn this hair.
CJiorus. True, foes are they who with the lock should mourn.
Electra. And further, it is like, yea, very like —
Chorus. Like what ? Like whose ? That I am fain to learn.
90 Choephori.
Electba. In sooth I find it greatly like mine own.
Chorus. Then should it be Orestes' stealthy gift ?
Electba. The semblance of his clust'ring locks it bears. 170
Chorus. But hither how could he have dared to come ?
Electba. He this shorn lock hath sent to grace his sire.
Chorus. Not less bewept by me what now thou sayest, If, living, he may never tread this land.
Electba.
Eolls o'er my heart a surge of bitterness,
Smitten am I as with a piercing shaft ;
And from these eyes, while gazing on this lock.
The thirsty drops of sorrow's wintry flood
Flow unrestrained. For how may I couceivo
That other of the townsmen owns this hair ? ISO
And certes, she who slew him sheared it not,
My mother,— all unworthy of the name,
Who towards her children bears a godless mind.
Yet how with full assurance may I call
This oflf'riug his, dearest of mortal men,
Choephori. 91
Orestes, — still, hope fawns upon my heart.
Alas!—
Oh had it, herald-like, a friendly voice,
So I by doubt no more should be distraught.
Then had it clearly counselled me this lock
To loathe, if severed from a foeman's head, 190
Or else, akin to me, had shared my grief,
Gracing this tomb, an honour to my sire.
CIl07-l(S.
But let us call upon the gods, who know In what dire storms, like sailors, we are whirled ; Since if by them our safety is ordained, From tiny seed may spring a mighty stock.
[Electra, descending the stej>s of the tomh.']
Electea, And lo, these traces — yet another sign ; Footprints that tally with my own ; — and see, Two diverse outlines are impressed, his o^Mi, And also of some fellow-wayfarer. 200
The impress of this foot, from heel to toe, Thus measured, hath the symmetry of mine. Travails my heart — disordered is my wit.
[Oeestes approaching /ierj]
Orestes.
Acknowledging to Heaven thy prayers fulfilled. Pray that the further issue may be blest.
92 Choephori.
Electba. What have I won by favour of the gods?
Orestes. Thou Beest those for whom thou long hast prayed.
Electba. How knowest thou for whom I raised the prayer ?
Obestes. I know Orestes in thy heart enshrined.
Electba. And say wherein are now my prayers fulfilled ? 210
Obestes. Myself am he ; — seek none than me more dear.
Electba. Stranger, around me wouldst thou weave some snare ?
Obestes. Myself against myself would then contrive.
Electba. Wouldest thou mock at my calamity ?
Obestes. I at mine own should mock, mocked I at thine.
Eleotra. Art thou Orestes f Thou to whom I speak ?
Obkstks.
Myself thou seost, and discornest not ; Yet gazing on this lock of mourning hair,
CJtoe^Jiori. 93
And in my footprints marking well my track,
Thy fluttered thoughts did paint me to thine eye. 220
This lock, thy brother's, like in hue to thine,
Mark well, applying it whence it was shorn ;
Mark too this garment, by thy shuttle wrought,
Scenes of the chase, embroidered by thy hand.
Be calm, — through joy lose not thy self-control ;
For deadly are, I know, those near in blood.
EliECTEA.
Oh ! cherished darling of thy father's house,
Hope of our race, thou precious seed, long wept,
Trusting in thy strong arm thou shalt regain
Thy natal home. 0 name beloved, in which 230
Centre four dear affections ; for perforce,
Thee I must hail as father, and on thee
Love for my mother, justly hated, falls ;
And for my sister, pitilessly slain.
My faithful brother hast thou ever been.
My pride, my awe ; — only may Strength and Eight,
With Zeus supreme, third Saviour, aid thy cause.
Orestes.
Zeus, Zeus, beholder be thou of these woes ; —
Mark the young brood, reft of their eagle-sire,
Who perished in the folds, the snaky toils 240
Of direful serpent ; — orphaned they endure
The pangs of hunger ; not yet strong of wing
To carry to the nest the eagle's prey.
So mayest thou behold us twain, myself,
94 Choei^hori.
And her, Electra, oflfspring sire-bereft,
Thus doomed to common exile from our home.
Electba. And if of sii"c, who greatly honoured thee With many a sacrifice, thou slay the brood, Whence, from like hand, wilt festive gifts obtain ? As none, if thou the eaglets slay, henceforth 250
To mortals will thy trusty omens bear ; Nor, if all withered, shall this royal stock. On sacrificial days, support thine altars. O foster it, and raise, from low estate, A house which now seems fallen utterly.
Cliorus. Oh children, Saviours of your father's hearth. Forbear, lest some one should o'erhear your words And all, with gossip-loving tongue, rehearse To those in power ; whom dead I fain would see Llazing 'mid spirting piuc-wood's pitchy brands. 260
Orestes.
Of Loxias the mighty oracle Will not bttray me, urging mc to brave This peril, oft exhorting me, and 'gainst My inmost reins tempestuous ills denouncing, Failed I to chase my father's murderers. Stript bare and goaded on by forfeiture, He bade me slay them as my sire they slew, Declaring I should else atonement moke With my own life and many grievous woes.
Clioepliori. 95
For earth-born med'cines, that to other mortals 270
Are poison-antidotes, shall in us twain,
So he avers, show forth these maladies; —
A leprous canker, cleaving to the flesh,
That eats with rancorous tooth the vital strength.
And through disease blanches the youthful locks ;
Xext of the Furies other dread assaults
He pict^ed, springing from my father's blood.
For the dark shafts of those beneath the earth,
(The slain who cry for vengeance to their Idn,)
With frenzy wild, and groundless fear at night,
Disturb and harass his distracted soul, 280
Who clearly in the darkness Phoebos sees
To knit his brow. — Thus from the town they chase
The wretch all mangled with the brazen scourge.
Moreover to such caitiff is denied
Or festal cup to shai'e, or solemn pledge,
While from the altars, him, a father's wrath
Unseen excludes ; — him may no host receive
To cleanse, with purifying rite, from guilt ; —
Till, friendless and dishonoured, dies the wretch.
The shrivelled prey of all-destructive doom ;
Such oracles I needs must trust ; and e'en 290
!llistrustful were I, vengeance must be wrought ;
For many divers promptings mingle here ; —
The god's command, heart-sorrow for my Fire,
And indigence hard-pressing, these forbid
That citizens, of mortals most renowned,
Who, with heroic spirit, wasted Troy,
Be slaves of women twain. For womanish
His soul ! If not, the issue soon he'll know.
96 ChoejpJiori.
Chorus.
Ye mighty Fates, end ye the great emprize,
As Right, with Heaven's high sanction, hath
decreed ; — 300
" Let tongue of Hatred pay back tongue of Hate ;" Thus with her mighty utt'rance Justice cries, Due penalty exacting for each deed. *' Let murder on the murderous stroke await !" — " Doer of wrong must sufifer." — This sage lore,
Tradition utters, trebly hoar.
Orestes. Strophe L What word or deed of mine,
Father unblest, Can I, from this confine, Waft to thy couch of rest, 310
Changing thy murky gloom
Into bright day ! Natlilcss to grace thy tomb. Welcome to Atreus' line,
Pour wc the lay. —
Chorus. STRornE IL My son, the wasting jaws of fire Quell not the spirit of the dead, Full late he mauifosts his ire. — When mourned is he whoso blood is shed. The slayer is revealed. In time, For slaughtered parents, righteous cry 320
Of orphans, raised unceasingly, A vailcth to search out the hidden crimo.
Clioephori, 97
Electba. Antistrophe I, In turn, our tearful strain,
O Father, hear ! Hark how thy children twain Wail forth their anthems di'ear ! Exiles, we seek thy tomb,
Sad, suppliant pair ; Say what of good is here ! What hoi^e relieves otir gloom ! 330
Triumphs despair.
Cliorus. Strophe. And yet, should so the god ordain, Hereafter, gladder notes shall sound ; — Instead of this funereal strain In palace-halls shall ring amain A pasan to the dear one newly found.
Orestes. Strophe III.
Oh haddest thou, 'neath Ilion's walls,
But perished, by some Lycian spear
Transfixed, my father, to thy halls Glory bequeathing, while thy proud career
A lustre o'er the path had shed S4.0
Which now in gloom thy children tread ; Beyond the wave, by numbers reared, a mound, No burthen to thy house, thou then hadst found.
Chorus. Antistrophe II. Dear to the dear ones in the fight Who perished nobly, thou hadst lain,—
98 CJioejjJiori.
"Witli majesty arrayed, and miglit, A king in Pluto's gloomy reign, Serving the great ones who command 350
In Hades. — For in upper day King was he over kings, whose hand The fatal sceptre wields which men obey.
Electba. Antistrophe III. Nay, Father, tiuder Troia's wall With other victims of the spear, What need for thee in death to fall, And near Scamandcr grace a foreign bier ? Oh rather might the murderous twain Themselves have met their death-blow, slain 360 [By kindred hands, so from afar the tale Had reached thine ear, shielded thyself from bale. •
Chorus. [Mesode.] Eichev, my child, thy words than gold ; — Bliss Hyperborean they excel, fit may not be ! Of scourge twofold The clang resounds. — Already dwell 'Neath earth your chanipious ; here who reign Have hands unclean ; hateful to me the twain ; Them in more direful hate these chihli-eu hold.
Electra. SrnornE IV. Like dart thy word of dread. Piercing mine car, hath sped. Zeus, Zeus, upsondiug from below Late thine avenging blow, —
Choephori. 99
Upon man's daring, crafty deed, tTo parents tliou dost deal their righteous meed.
Chorus. Strophe V. Oh be it mine to celebrate, Triumphantly, the howl of pain. From caitiff smitten to the death. From woman yielding up her breath ! 380
jFor why the rage dissemble now That shakes my soul ? at my heart's prow Relentless gales of vengeful hate, And stormful rancour, blow amain.
Orestes. Antistrophe IV. Oh that, with arm of might Great Zeus, who guards the right, fWoe, woe, — would strike the guilty pair 1 Come peace to this domain ! Just meed may the unjust obtain 1 390
Eaiih, and ye powers of Hades, hear my prayer.
Chorus. Axtistrophe.
For law it is, when on the plain
Blood hath been shed, new blood must fall.
Carnage doth to the Fury call ;
Avenger of the earlier slain.
She comes, new Euin leading in her train.
Electba. Strophe VI. Oh Earth, and ye who rule below,
100 , ChoepJiori.
Behold, and ye dread Furies of the slain,
Biihold us, outcast, miserable twain ;
Poor remnant of the Atridaj ; — whither go ? 400
Oh ! Rov'reign Zeus, what refuge from our woe ?
Chorus. Antisteophe V.
ThroLbeth my woman's heart with fear, The while thy dirge mine ear assails ; At one time hopeful courage wanes, And darkness o'er my inmost reins Jiroods, as the doleful sound I hear. Then once again kind hope prevails ; She with new strength uplifts my heart. And, full of grace, bids conscious grief depart
Oeestes. Antisteophe VI.
Can grief by flattery be siibdued, 410
Or southed by fawning ? No, to quell the pain By parent's hate engendered, charms arc vain ; Like savage wolf that ravens for its food, Tameless fi'om birth is sorrow's torturing brood.
Chorus. SiitornE VII.
With Arian beat I strike my breast ; My outstretched hands in wild unrest, With Kissian mourner's rhythmic woe, In quick succession, — to and fro. Shower from all quarters blow on blow ; While with the burly rings amain "My battci'ed head and my distracted brain. 420
Choojjhori. 101
Electra.
Cruel, all-daring, Mother, woe I Alas, as foeman buries foe, A king, no trusty liegemen near, Thy wedded lord without a tear, Thou hadst the heart unwailed to send below.
Orestes. Strophe VIII.
All the dishonour thou hast shown : Therefore shall she our Sire's disgrace atone,
Far as the gods prevail,
Far as my hands avail ; Then may I perish when she lieth prone I 430
Chorus. Antistrophe VIII.
Maimed was he ; — let this whet thy hate ; And with like outrage him she did entomb,
That for thy life his fate
Might be too sore a weight. Such was thy Father's ignominious doom !
Electra. Antistrophe VII.
Our Father's lot thy words proclaim ; While I, despised, a thing of nought, Shut out like vicious cur with shame, Forgot to smile ; alone, I sought Solace in weeping, — anguish-fraught. 4.10
Hearing the tale my lips impart, Grave it, my brother, on thy inmost heart.
102 Choephori,
CJiorus.
Piercing thine ear, oli may my word Find access to the depths within I True is the tale. Thy sjiirit gird To hear what yet thou hast not heard ! Now, with undaunted heart the strife begin.
Oeestes. Strophe IX. Thine aid, 0 Father, to thy dear ones lend 1
Elkctra. "Weeping sad tears, my voice with his I blend.
Chorus. Our prayers, in concert, to the shades descend ;
Give car, and rising to the day 450
Against our foes join thou the fray.
Orestes. A>'tisteophe IX. Aies shall cope with Ares, — Right with Eight.
Electra. Ye gods, give righteous judgment in the fight.
Chorus.
Hearing your prayers, I tremble : hid in night,
Tarries from Eld the doom of Fate ;
Invoked it comcth, sure, though late.
Orestes and Electra. Strophe X. Oh curse that in our house doth roign I T)i8cordant Ate's murd'rous blow I
ChoepJiori. 103
Alas intolerable pain 1 4C0
Alas for cureless woe !
Chorus. AxTiSTRornE X. No foreign aid can bring relief; No ! from yourselves the cure must flow. 'Tis blood must staunch your household grief. So chant we to the gods below.
Cliorus-Leader.
Hear, blessed powers ; Beneath the earth our orisons attend I
And with aspect benign, Succour and conciuest to these children send !
Okestes. ily Father, in no kingly fashion slain, 470
To me, thy suppliant, grant to sway thy house.
Electea. I too, my Father, need thy gracious aid. That scathkss I may work .^gisthos' doom.
Obestes. So mortal men to thee shall dedicate The solemn banquet ; — else, unhonoured thou, When grateful reek rich off 'rings to the dead.
Electka. Nuptial libations of my heritage I too will bring from the paternal home, And chief in honour will this tomb adorn.
104 ChoepJiori,
Orestes. 0 Earth, my sire upsend to watch the fray. 480
Electra. Persephone, oh grant us fair success I
Orestes. Think, Father, of the bath that reaved thy life.
Electra. Think of the net in which they tangled thee.
Orestes. In shackles, not of brass, wast snared, my father.
Electra. Basely enveloped in the treacherous folds.
Orestes. Art thou not roused by these reproaches. Sire ?
Electra. Dost to thy deal' ones not uplift thine bead?
Orestes. Eitlier send Justice, ally to thy friends, Or give them in like grasp thy foes to hold, If tliou, o'crthrown, wouldst victor bo in turn. 490
Electra. And licarkcn, Father, this my last appeal ; Dchold thy ilctlgliugs utstlcd on thy tomb;
Choeiiliori, 105
Pity thy progeny of either sex,
Nor Pelops' remnant seed exterminate ;
For thus, though dying here, thou art not dead.
For children are as voices that prolong
The dead man's fame ; like corks they float the net,
The flaxen line upbearing from the deep.
Hearken ! For thine own sake this wail we raise ; 500
Thyself art saved in honouring this plaint.
Chorus. Unblamed in sooth have ye your speech prolonged, Due to his tomb and unlamented fate. But since to action now thy soul is braced, To work forthwith I Put Fortune to the test.
Orestes. So be it ! yet not out of course I ask What mean these off rings ? By what motive swayed, Seeks she too late to med'cine cureless bale ? For to the dead, who heeds it not, she sends A sorry tribute ; — I divine it not ! Her crime o'er tops the gift ; — for should we pour 510 Earth's treasures to atone for one man's blood, Vain were the toil ; — so runs the ancient saw. But if thou knowest answer to my prayer.
Cliorus. That can I, son, for I was there ; — by dreams. And troublous terrors of the night appalled, The godless woman sent these sacred rites.
Orestes. Heard yc the dream, and truly can rehearse?
106 Choepliori.
Cliorus. She, as hereeK relates, a dragon bare.
Orestes. And what the scope, the issue, of tbe t.;le?
Cliorns. In swathing-clothes she moored it as a child. 520
Orestes. What nurture might the new-born horror crave?
Clwrust. She, in her dream, herself held forth the breast.
Oeestes. How by the pest the nipple then unscathed ?
Clwrus. With nurture-milk it sucked the clotted blood.
Or.ESTES.
Not vain the dream but by her husbaud sent ; —
Chonis. In terror shrieked she, waking up from sleep. And many torches, in the darkness quenched. Gleamed through the palace in our mistress' aid ; Libations to the tomb forthwith she ^euds Devising for her woe a sovereign cure. 530
Okestes. I to this earth and to my father's tomb Pray that this dream bo consummate in me. And as I read it, sooth, it tallies well.
Choe[Jiori. 107
For if the snake, quitting the self-same womb, Was girded straightway with my swathing-clothcs, And, gaping round the breast that nourished me, Sucked with my nurture-milk the clotted blood, While she in terror, at the portent shrieked ; — Clear is it, as she reared the ghastly pest, So forceful must she die. I, drag< >n-like, 510
Myself shall slay her, as this dream declares.— As augur of these portents thee I choose.
Chorus.
So let it be ! But now direct thy friends, These how to act, or those aloof to bide.
Orestes. Hear then, in brief ;— Sister, go thou within; But these I counsel to conceal my plans. For as with guile an honoured man they slew. Themselves with guile shall be entrapped, and die In the same toils, foretold by Loxias, Apollo Lord, no faithless seer of yore. — 550
For I, equipped for travel, with this man. With Pylades, will reach the outer gate ; I as a stranger ; — he as ransom-friend ; — Familiar both with the Parnassian speech, The tongue of Phocis we will imitate. And if no friendly warder, on the plea That by dire evils is the house possessed. Will give us entrance, we without will bide, Until some passer guess our plight, and say,
lOS ChoejyJiori.
'^ If that ^gisthos knoweth, being at home, 5G0
Why 'gainst the suppliant doth he shut the door?"
Then if the threshold of the gates I cros3,
And him discover on my father's eeat, —
Or should he meet me face to face, and set
His eyes on me, ere he can speak the word,
" Whence is this stranger ? " — I will lay him dead.
Spitting his body round my nimble steel.
The Fury thus, of gore insatiate,
Shall blood untempered quaflf, thii'd, crowning draught.
[To Electra. Go thou, — keep watchful guard within the house, 570 That all, well ordered, fitly may combine.
[To the Chorus. To you a tongue of wisdom I commend, To speak in season, or from speech refrain. —
[To Ptlades. And for the rest let this man look to it, When in the strife of swords this arm hath won.
[Exeunt Orestes and Pylades. Electra enters the palace^
Chorus. Strophe I.
Full many a horror drear
And ghastly, Earth doth rear ; — With direful monsters teems encircling Ocean ;
Meteors, with threatening sheen, 5S0
Hang heaven and earth between ;— The tempest's wrath still raves with wild commotion ; These, and dire winged things, and things that crawl.
Thou mayst dcscribo thorn all.
Clioeplwri. 109
Antistrophe L
But man's audacious might
What words can paint aright, Or woman's daring spirit who may tell ?
Her passion's frenzied throes,
Co-mates of mortal woes ? For love unlovely, when its evil spell 590
'Mong brutes or men the feebler sex befools,
Conjugial bands o'errules.
Strophe II. Let him confirm the truth I sing, Whose thoughts soar not on Folly's wing, Knowing full well what Thestios' daughter planned*; —
* ITie story of Meleager, as related by Phoenix to Achilles (IL ix. 529), is fundamentally opposed to that of the later poets. In Homer nothing is heard of the fatal brand. Meleager had, in some unfortunate fray, killed his mother's brother ; upon which his mother solemnly cursed him, and prayed to Pluto and Persephone for his death. At this he was so indignant (or so paralysed for battle by believing in the curse), that he refused to defend his native city, Calydon, at a critical moment, and was only at last prevailed on by his wife to take arms and save it. Here the story ends in Homer ; though he says that the Fury who stalks in darkness heard the mother's curse.
According to the later poets, Meleager had slain seven brothers of his mother. At his birth she had been informed by the Fates that he would live until a certain log of wood then burning on the hearth was consumed. On this she snatched it off, extinguished it, and kept it car.efully in a chest. But now, in rage for the loss of so many brothers, she threw it into the fire, and forthwith her son perished.
110 CJioejyhori.
Her fiery plot, child-murdering ; Wretched, who burnt her son's coeval brand. Bom with him when he cried First from the mother's womb ; — Like-aged with him it died, COO
Whon dawned his day of doom.
Antistrophe II.
Needs must we loathe another dame,
The bloody Scylla, known to fame,* AYho, lured by Minos' gifts of fine-wrought gold,
Neck-gear from Crete, — devoid of shame, Nisos, her father, to his foemen sold.
Deep-breathing, free from care,
In slumber while he lay,
Ruthless she cut th' immortal hair : 610
And Hermes seized his prey.
Stbophe IIL
But since these direful woes have burst,
fUntimely, into song : — Be the foul wedlock too accursed,
That doth this palace wrong. — And cursed be the plot that snared
* Nisos, king of Mcgara, ia said to have had on his head a certain purple lock, upon which, according to the words of an oracle, his life dci>en(led. Scylla, liis daughter, knew it, and bribed by a pohicn necklace, the gift of Minos, king of Crete, she cut the fatal luck, and thus caused her father'* j. aih.
Clioepliori. Ill
(By woman's brain devised,) The armed chief who foemen scared,
"Whom faithful lieges prized. Dear is to me the imstained hearth, and dear In woman's hand the unaudacious spear.
Antistkophe III.
But first of woes in every clime, 620
The Lcmnian is deplored; — * And still the most detested crime
As Lcmnian is abhorred. Branded with infamy by men,
The impious disappear ; For whom the righteous gods condemn,
No mortal dares revere. — The lore which thus we chant in choral strain, Say ye, doth Reason at her bar arraign ?
Stropde IV.
Eight through the lungs doth Justice' hand
Drive home the bitter steel ; G30
The majesty of Zeus they dared withstand, And to the ground, with reckless heel, Trampled his high command.
• Herodotus, after relating how the Lemnian women hnd been put to death by their husbands, ad Is, " From this crime, aud that which the women perpetrated before this, who, with the assistance of Thoas, killed their own husbands, all cruel actions are wont to be called Lemnian thi'oughout Greece."' — (vi. 133.)
1 12 ClioepJiori.
Antistrophe IV. Firm based is Justice ; Fate of yoro
Forged weapon for the blow; Deep-souled Erinys dotli in time restore
Th' avenger to his home, and, lo !
Of ancient blood he pays the score.
[Enter Orestes and Pylades, tvith Attendants, aU in tht garb of travellers.^
Orestes.
[KnocJcing at the gate.
Boy, hear the Imocking, at the outer gate ; — G40
Who is within ? Hola ! Again I call. —
For the third time I crave a parley here,
If that .^^gisthos heeds the stranger's rights.
Attendant. Well, well, I hear. Who art thou, friend, and whence ?
Orestes. Me to the rulers of this house announce, For unto them, bearer of news, I corae. Haste, for Night's dusky car rolls on apaco, And time it is for weary traveller Anchor to drop in hospitable homo. Let. one in trust, a woman bearing rulo, 6o0
Come forth ; yet more decorous were a man. For when by bashfulncss the tongue is swayed Darkened is speech ; — Ixildly man speaks to man, And tells his message forth without icscrve.
[Exit Atlcndaxt.
ChoepJiori. 113
[Clytemnestra comes forth from the palace ivith Attendants.']
Clytemnestra. Strangers, if aught ye need, say on, for here Is whatsoe'er best em 3 th halls like these ; — Warm baths, the easeful couch that charmeth toil, The welcome presence too of honest eyes. But if your mission here doth counsel crave, 'Tis men's concern: — we will inform them straight. 660
Orestes. From Kiocis I, a Daulian, stranger here. — What time my home I left, for Argos bound, Starting on foot, with baggage self-equipped, A man to me unknown, as I to him. Met me, inquired my route and told me his Strophios, the Phocian, as in talk I learned. " Stranger," he said, " since Argos is thy goal. Say to the parents," — strictly mark my words, — *' Dead is Orestes ; — grave it on thy mind ; — Whether the counsel of his friends prevail 670
To bring him home, or give him sepulture, Alien for aye ; — bear thou their mandates back ; For now the brazen urn doth shroud from sight The ashes of the hero duly wept." Such words I heard, and tell thee ; — if to those Who here bear rule I speak, kin to the dead, I know not;— but 'tis meet his sire should know.
Electra. Woe's mc I Then are we utterly undone I
Ill Choephori.
0 liouschold Fury, hard to grapple with, How mauy, tbuugh aloof, thou visitest, Piercing with well-aimed arrows from afar, AVhile wretched me thou hast stript bare of friends. And now, Orestes, who, by lucky chance, His foot from ruin's slough had well-nigh freed, Cancels by death our cherished hope, sole cure Of the ill revelry that reigneth here.
Orestes. "With hosts so richly dowered I fain had sought Acquaintance and kind cheer, as messenger Bearing more welcome tidings ; for what bond More friendly than of stranger to his hosts? G90
Yet not to consummate for friends a charge So weighty, deemed I an impiety, By promise bound, and pledges of good-will.
Clytemnestra. Worthy regard not less shalt thou receive ; Nor have the less fair welcome to this house. Another all the same had brought thy news. But time it is that strangers who have made A day-long journey should their strength recruit.
• [To an attendant.
To the men's chambers usher him as guest ;
liis escort too, and fellow-traveller. 70U
There be they tended as botits this house.
Do yo my will as who must give aocnunt.
Ourselves will to the riders of this house
Choephori. 115
Impart the tidings, and not poor in friends, We will take counsel touching this mischance.
[Exeunt all except the Chorus.
Chorus. Dear handmaidens ! Sisters dear I When, oh when, full voiced and clear, Shall we, for Orestes' sake, Loud the joyous Pffian wake ?
Hallowed Earth I Oh shrine revered !
Funeral barrow high upreared, 710
O'er the naval hero-king,
Now give ear, deliv'rance bring !
Strikes the hour; — persuasive Guile Enters now the lists. The while Hermes leads to watch the fight Of murd'rous swords and subtle wile, ■fErinys, brood of Night.
[Enter Kilissa, the Nurse, u'eejnnfj."]
Chorus-Leader. This stranger, as it seems, is causing bale, For I behold Orestes' nurse in tears ; Where wcndest thou, Kilissa, past the gates ? Sorrow, I trow, unbidden goes with thee. 720
Nurse. My mistress bade me summon with all speed ^gisthos to the strangers, that he may More clearly learn, as man from man, this tale
116 CJioejjJiori.
Newly announced. Before the menial train,
She, at the tidings by these strangers brought,
'Neath mournful eyes a lurking smile hath veiled,
Exulting in events joyous for her,
But to this house with direst issue fraught ; —
But he no doubt will in his soul rejoice,
Hearing the tale. Alas ! unhappy me I 730
How did the ancient troubles, hard to bear,
Whose blended horror darkened Atreus' house,
With anguish pierce my heart ! But ne'er before,
Have I a sorrow like to this endured.
All other ills I patiently have borne,
But dear Orestes, darling of my soul,
Whom from his mother's womb I fondly reared,
Whose piercing summons waked me up at night,
And for whose sake full many a fruitless toil
I bore ungrudging ; — for like lamb unweaned, 740
The witless infant we perforce must rear
According to its mood ; — how otherwise 1
For while in swathing-clothes no voice it hath,
When pressed by hunger, thirst, or nature's call,
But wilful is each tender organ's play.
Such wants presaging, ay, and oft deceived,
As cleanser of his swaddling bands, I ween,
Fuller and nurse had common duty there.
I thus installed in double handicraft,
The young Orestes for his father reared.
Oh wretched mo to hear that he is dead ; 750
But now I go, the spoiler of this house
To seek ;— right gladly will he learn the tale.
Choephori. 117
CJwrus. And how equipped doth she then bid him come ?
Nurse. How ? Speak again that I may clearly know.
Chorus. Whether with body-guards, or all alone ?
Nurse. Spear-bearing followers she bids him bring.
Chorus. Bear not this message to our hateful lord. But with all speed do thou with cheerful mien Bid him approach, that fearless he may hear ; For crooked M'ord the messenger makes straight. 760
Nurse. How ! art thou sound of mind such tidings hearing ?
Chorus. But haply Zeus a change-wind may vouchsafe.
Nurse. And how ? Orestes gone, hope of the house,
Cliorus. Not yet 1 Dull prophet might interpret here.
Nurse. What I knowest aught beyond what hath been told ?
118 Choejihori,
Chorus. Go, bear thy message. Do as we enjoin, What the gods purpose, that will they effect.
Nurse, Well, go I will, obeying thy behest. Fair be the issue by the gift of Heaven 1
lExit.
Chorus. Stkophe I. Sire of Olympian gods, thy suppliant calls I 770
Oh waft propitious Fortune to these halls 1 Dispensing justice with omniscient might,
fBless thou my longing sight ! This boon I crave I Guard him, great Zeus, and save I
Strophe II. Him, in these halls ancestral, place Before his foeman ; — bring them face to face I Him if thou lift to greatness, Power divine, Kequital double, three-ft)ld, shall bo thine.
ANTisTuornE I. Of him whom thou didst love behold the son 780
Orphaned, a colt harnessed in sorrow's trace ; fSet thou a limit to his toilsome race ! Grant him his course to run. With steps firm planted, and well-ordered pace !
Strophe m. Yon too, frequenting the recess tOf wealth-rejoicing homes, I now address ;
CJioejyJiori. 119
Hear, je consentient Gods ! Through bloody deed Eetributive, wash out the gore, 7^10
Dread heirloom from those slain of yore.
Let murder in this palace cease to breed, When paid the bloody score !
Mesobe.
Thou tenant of the cave, — great Spirit,
Give to the hero to inherit
His halls ancestral ; — may his eyes,
Fearless and bright. Peer freely forth from sorrow's veiled night.
Antisteophe III.
■fMay Tlaia's son, well-versed in guile, Upon the righteous cause propitious smile 1 800
Dark words and subtle speaking, he by night
Men's eyes o'ercloudeth, nor by day
More manifest his secret way. Yet many a deed, in darkness veiled awhile, By him is brought to light.
Stuophe IV.
The work achieved, we'll chant the glorious ode ;
Our woman's strain. Propitious, with the mourners' stringed refrain, Shall ransom this abode. fThen shall we own the sway of righteous laws, While Ate from our friends her curse withdraws. SW
120 Choephori.
Antisteophe II. "When the fierce business must be done, When in thine ear she whimpers forth, " My Son ;** Steeling thy heart, invoke tliy slaughtered sire, f And consummate unblamed the vengeance dire.
Antistrophe IV. With heart of Perseus steadfast in thy breast,
For the dear love Of friends below the earth, and friends above,
jComplete the sacrifice ; — Within the house jdant thou grim Death, — dire gnest, — And let the murderer forfeit murder's price. 820
[Enter iEcusTiios.]
yEcisTHOs. Not uninvoked I come, but liither called; — For strangers, as I learn, are here arrived, Bearers of news, unwelcome to our ears, — Oiestes' death, — which, charged upon this house, From former wound still ulcerate and sore, To mc a burden were, dripping with fear. But say, — these tidings must I lu)ld for true, Or rumours deem them, coined by women's fears, 830 That aimless cleave the air, and aimless die ? Knowest thou aught that may my mind assiu'O ?
Chorus. We have but heard : going thyself within, Qucpticm khoBo Btrangcrs ; — second-hand reports Avail not as to hour the talo oneself.
ChoejjJiorL 121
^GISTHOS.
E'coin would I see the messenger and learn
Whether himself was present at the death,
Or if from blind report this tale he heard ;
A mind clear-sighted they will not deceive.
[Exit into the pulace. Chorus.
Zeus, great Zeus, how frame my cry 810
Thine aid to win ? How, invoking thee on high,
My strain begin ?
For anon with murderous blow,
Either shall the gory blade Atreus' royal house o'erthrow, — ■
Prone in dust for ever laid, — Or in Freedom's sacred name,
Kindling fire and holy light, Shall the rightful heir reclaim
fWealth and crown, — his twofold right. 850
Sole against the tyrant pair.
To such deadly grapple hies Agamemnon's godlike heir ; —
None to follow if he dies ! * Crown, oh crown, the great emprizo I
iEGISTHOS.
[^Behind the scene."] Alas, woe's me ! Alas !
* "E^eSpoj, an antagonist in reserve. The Chonis uses the technical lauiiuase of wrestlers in the cranies.
122 CJwej^Jiori.
ClioriiSt Hark ! Hark ! again 1 How is't ? What's wrought within ? Stand we aloof while Slaughter does her work, That of these ills we guiltless may appear : For now achieved the issue is of strife.
[!Z7ie Chorus retire to the further side oftlie tomb^
Servant.
[Rushing out of the palace.']
Oh woe 1 oh grievous woe ! our master's slain ; 8G0 Yet once again, and for the third time, woe. ^gisthos is no more. — With utmost speed
[jffe knocks at the door of the womerCs palace."]
Fling open now, and of the women's doors, The bars unloose ; full strength is needed here, Not for the slain ; what bootcth aid to him ? Alas ! alas ! what, shout I to the deaf, Or clamour vainly in dull sleepers' cars ? What doeth Clytcmuestra ? Where is she? Her neck it seems toucheth the razor's edge ; Herself, ere long shall perish, justly slain. 870
Clytemnestua. {^Enters hurriedly, unattinded."] What is't ? What tumult raise ye in the housa ?
Servant. 'J'ho dead, I tell you, now the living slays.
I
ChoejyJiori. 123
Clytejinestha. Alas ! of these dark words the sense I catcli ; Through guile we perish, as through guile we slew. Quick, bring a deadly axe ; — -
{^Exit Scrvarit,
"We'll see anon Whether we vanquished are, or vanquisher ; For to this crisis hath the eAdl come.
[Oeestes and Pstlades come forth from the palace, the door of which remains open.]
Oeestes, Thee too I seek, — he there hath had his duo.
Clttemnestea. Alas ! beloved ^gisthos, art thou dead ?
Oeestes. Dost love this man ? With him, in the same tomb, 880 Then shalt thou lie ; — still faithful found in death.
Clytejinestra. Hold! hold! my son ; — Eevere, my child, this breast From which, a sleeping infant, thou full oft, With toothless gums, thy nurture-milk hast sucked.
Orestes. Speak, Pylades ; — Through filial reverence, Shall I forbear to shed a mother's blood ?
Pylades. The Pythian oracles, still unfulfilled.
121 Choepliori.
Wliere are they, and thine own firm-plighted vows ? Choose all for foemen rather than the gods.
Orestes. Thou hast prevailed ; wisely thou promptest me ;
\_To Clytemnestba. So follow ; — by his side I thee would slay. 890
In life thou didst exalt him o'er my sire ; Since him thou lovest, sleep with him in death ; Whom thou wast bound to love thou didst abhor.
Clytemxestra. I nourished thoo ; — with thee I would grow old.
Orestes. Thou, slayer of my father, dwell with me I
Olytemnestra. Fate was, my child, accomplice in these woes.
Orestes. And Fate it is who doth this death ordain.
Olytemnestra. Dost not a parent's curse revere, my child ?
Orestes. My mother, thou didst cast me forth for woo.
Olytemnestra. Not outcast wast thou in a friendly house. 000
Orestes. Sold doubly was I, scion of free sire.
Choej)lwn. 125
CLTTEilNESTRA.
Where tlien the price for which I bartered thee ?
Oeestes, It shameth me, in sooth, to charge thee homo.
Clttemnestra. But tell with mine the errors of thy siie.
Oeestes. Sitting at home blame not abroad who toils.
Clytemnestea. For wives 'tis grievous to live spouseless, child.
Oeestes. The husband's toil supports the wife at home.
Clttemkestra. Thy mother, 0 my child, art nerved to slay ?
Oeestes. Thyself art guilty of thy death, not I.
Clytemnestea. Take heed, beware thy mother's vengcfal hounds. 910
Oeestes. Those of my sire how 'scape if thee I spare?
Clytemnestea. Living, vain meanings to a tomb I pour.
Oeestes. Ay, foi' my fathers fate doth work thy doom.
126 CJioephori.
Clytemnestra. Ah me ! this snake it is I bare and reared-
Orestes. True prophet was thy dream-engendered fear. Him thou didst slay whom thou shouldst not have slain. So doom unseemly suffer in thy turn.
[Orestes drags his mother into the palace, followed hy Pylades.]
Chorus. E'en of this pair I weep the twofold woo. But since Orestes hath the bloody height Achieved of dire revenge, one hope remains. Not quenched the eye of Atrcus' royal house. 920
SxRornE I.
Justice, in time, with heavy doom.
Smote all of Priam's name ; So Agamemnon, to thy home, Twin Lions, twofold Ares, camo :
Suppliant at Pythos' shrine,
By oracles divine, Sped on his way, the exile wins the game.
Strophe II. Hail jubilant the house redeemed from bale I The godless pair no more
Shall waste its gathered store. 930
Hail, joyous riddance, hail I
Clioephori. 127
Antistrophe L Subtle of soul, Eequital came,
Dark- veiled who joins the fight ; — Daughter of Zeus, whom mortals name Justice, their aim thus pointing right ;
She with firm hand, the knife
Unsheaths for mortal strife, "While 'gainst her foes she breathes destruction's blight.
Stkophe III. fFor Loxias, the king, 940
Who in Parnassian cavern holds his seat,
Doth vengeance hither bring, Guilelessly guileful ; lame, yet sure her feet. Weighty the utterance ; the power divine, No consort is of guilt ; needs must we pay Homage to His heaven-ruling sway. Clearly the light doth shine !
Antisteophe II. tReft was I of the sun whose sudden ray Did with new joy illume
These halls, long sunk in gloom ; 950
It gleamed, — then died away.
Antistbophe III. fAnon, the cheering light, Xew kindled, in this house .shall shine once more,
What time, with lustral rite. From the polluted hearth is purged the gore,
128 CJioepJiori,
And Ate put to flight. With form benign. Fortune, long time an alien, comes to claim
Her home, redeemed from shame.
Clearly the light doth shine I
\_TJie scene opens, and Orestes is discovered standing over the bodies. Pylades with him and servants dis},lay tic role of Agamemxox.]
Orestes. Behold the tyrants of this land, the twain 960
My sire who murdered, and this palace reaved. Majestic once sat they upon their thrones, United now, as by their fate appears, And faithful to their pledges, e'en in death. Death to my wretched sire conjoined they swore. Conjoined to die ; — well havo iLey kept thcix oath. But fmther, ye who hearken to these woes, Mark this device, my wretched father's snare, His hands which fettered and his feet which yoked. Unfold it, — form a ring, — and, standing near, 970
Display the Hero's dcath-robc, that the Sire, Not mine, but He who all these woes surveys, Helios, my mother's impious deeds may mark ; So in my trial, at some future time, He by my side may stand, and «-itness bear That justly I did prosecute to death My mother ; — for of base ^Egisthos' doom Eeckcth mo not ; — he, as adulterer, The lawful forfeit of his crime hath paid. But for the woman who this snare devised Against the husband, unto whom she bore
ChoepJiori. 129
Tlie tender weight of children 'neath her zone, Burden once dear, but now her deadly foe ; 980
What deem ye of her ? Might she not have been A viper, or torpedo, which by touch Corrupteth where it bites not ? true if judged For reckless daring and unrighteous will. How name this thing, using well-omened words ? Toil for wild beast, the laver's ghastly pall, Shrouding the dead man's feet ? A net, a snare, Might'st call it, or a feet-entangling robe. Such were some robber's gear, whose trade it is Strangers to dupe and plunder of their wealth ; While slaying many a one with such device, 990
With many a crime his seething brain might teem. May no such woman house with me ! Ye gods, Devote me rather to a childless death !
Cliorus. Strophe. Alas ! alas, for doings fraught with doom ! A loathsome death has brought thee to the tomb.
Woe! Woe! To the survivor grief is but in bloom.
Okestes. Did she the deed or not ? . To me this robe
Attests that she ^gisthos' sword imbrued ;
Behold the death-stain tallies with the time 1000
Marring the broidered garment's varied dyes.
One while I praise my slaughtered sire, anon,
As present at the scene 1 wail his death.
130 Clwephori.
This robe invoking that achieved his doom, Deeds T lament, and woes, and all my race, Pollution reaping from this victory.
Chorus. Aktistbophe. Alas ! alas ! no son of mortal race, Unscathed life's pathway to the end may trace.
Woe! Woe! Fadeth one grief, another comes apace.
OUESTES.
That ye betimes may learn, (since I myseK 1010
Know not the issue,) for as charioteer
With steeds ungoverncd, from the course I swerve ;
Thoughts past control are whirling me along,
Their captive slave ; while terror in my heart
Her p.Tan and her frenzied dance prepares.
Hear me, my friends, while Ecasou holds her seat ;
With Justice' sanction I my mother smote,
]My father's slayer, a god-hated pest.
As prime incitement to the daring act
Of Loxias I plead this oracle ;
That, if I slew, blameless I should bo held ; 1020
But if I failed ; — my doom I will not speak;
For bowshot cannot reach such mighty woe.
And now behold, — boariug this olive-branch,
Enwrcathed \\"ith wool, as suppliant I seek
Earth's navel stone, Apollo's seat, where burns
The flame of fire, dcatldoss tliat hath been named,
Fleeing from kindred blood. For other hearth
Choejohori, 131
Did Loxias forbid me to approach.
And let all Argive men, in after time,
Bear witness for me how these woes were wrought ;
Living, an exile from this land I roam ;
Leaving behind, when dead, these fateful words.
Chorus. Noble thy deed, then yoke not now thy mouth To bodeful speech, nor vent ill-omened words, Since thou, wdth lucky stroke lopping the head From serpent twain, all Argos' state hast freed.
[TAe Furies art seen rising in the background^
Okestes.
Ah ! ah ! ye handmaids, Gorgon-like they come, Vested in sable stoles, their locks entwined "With clustering snakes. No longer may I bide.
Cliorus.
Dearest of mortals to thy father, say, 1040
What fancies scare thee ? Hold, yield not to fear.
Orestes. To me no woe-engendered fancies these ; Too well I know my mother's vengeful hounds.
Clwnis.
Still reeking is the blood upon thy hand. Hence is it that distraction smites thy brain.
132 ChoephoH.
Obestes. Apollo lord 1 swarming they press around, And from tteir eyes there drippeth loathsome gore.
Chorus. One cleanser hast thou, cling to Loxias, He will uphold thee, and will free from bale.
Obestes.
These shapes ye see not, but I see them. Lo, 1050
They drive me forth, — no longer can I bide.
[/7e rushes out. Chorus.
But blessings on thee, and, in direst strait, May He who views thee graciously protect !
[ While singing thefolloiving Ode the Clu/rus enters the palace.']
Now in Mycenae's royal halls.
The storm, o'er Atreus' race that lowers. Running its course, for the third time hath burst.
Child-devouring horror first,
Brooded o'er these walls ;
Next a monarch's deadly bale,
"When the chief whom we bewail, War-lcader'to Achaea's martial powers, 1060
In the bath lay dead.
Now, behold a third is come, —
Saviour, shall I say, or doom '? From what quarter sped ?
Full-accomplished, when shall Fate,
Lulled to rest, her stormy ire abate ?
Gwephoru 133
CHOEPHOEL A FEW NOTES ON THE Text, by F. W. Newman.
The text of this play, esj^ecially in the Choral Odes, is mani- festly very corrupt, and the corruption may have been a thousand years earlier than any ilS. of it which came down to the age of printing. The Greek Commentator, whom we call the Scholiast, is often puerile, and absiu-dly satisfied with a very erroneous text. Thereby we are driven to con- jectural improvement, if we are to attain a text worthy of the poet. Some of the following suggestions, I believe, seemed to my friend ^liss Anna Swanwick to deserve her acceptance, v. 56. Read ytivei ;fpoi'i'foj/ray n;^?;, omitting jSpvet.
64. Here retain ^pveiv, probably with irayKapripas for iravapKiras.
65. For (K p.ias obov, I wish e< TrayKvfiias oftov.
67. lov(Tav uTTju all reject, p-drr^v meets general approval ; but we seem to need Kkva-tifv av pdrrfv before metre and sense are satisfied.
71, 72, we require [Sti] dUaia, pf) dUaia, [/xiy] irpiirovT ap)(al<n pov, for apxais ^lov ', and in 73, ^iaia (f>vpiopeva)v for ^iat, (^epopAvav.
150. (TeQacra must be wrong ; o-fjSdo-ta (reverential), though not in our dictionaries, may be right. This piece is Anti- strophic, but the Antistrophe abounds in small errors. I propose : 152, for avi)p to read av tJkoi ; in 154, tIs (k Kfpoiv nakiVTovow evepyoi for vulg. rd r iKytpo'iv naXivTova iv epyco.
134 Choeplwri.
270. Hermann has arbitrarily changed fifiKiyixara (as- suagements) into its opposite, firjvi^aTa, but ni(f)ai/(TKa)v is the faulty word. The smallest available change is to place a comma after ^poro'is (other mortals), and write nitpaiia-Kdv eine rucrde vav. . . . Here nKpavaKeiv means Trpocjjaivfiv, with a future idea as presently in inavrt'Weiv.
361. The sense seems manifestly to require irdpos di, Toiis KTUvovras viv ovroi bafiTJvai, [/caurcoi'] 6av. , . .
368. For ddvpaa-ai, Dindorf has 8vva(Tai, but the sense requires ov Svvaaai.
370. For tS>v fxev dpayol, which is unintelligible, I believe the poet wrote in continuation, SoCttos lAci'elrai cr(f)av piv dputybv. . . . Even so it is quite unexplained what is the " double scourge." Orestes complains of Penury, Electra of Dishonor. These inciy well be the double misery which (says the Chorus) thou art unable [to avert]. To me a whole line seems lost, such as :
ov 8vvacrai yap [a-irdi'iv dpyaXiav xv^pw dneipyav^. dWci dLTrXrji yap rrjadf papdyvrjs dovnos iKvfiTai (r(pav pev dpayov Kara y^s ^8t],
Thus bvvaa-ai has an infinitive dnfipydv to complete it, " To wish for lofty success is useless, when you cannot [even rej^el Penury and Insult]." The crack of this double scourge reaches now your champion in the underworld."
374. irai(Ti 8f pdWov ytyivrfrai is hopeless nonsense. MaXXoj/ has nothing to compare. Teyivyjrai, " it has be- come," has neither Predicate nor Subject. Neither word is hero endurable. I find nothing more proKiblc than to write Tfppav for TovTuv, with : SrvytpStv T(pp<ov | naiat d' iS/iiXXwj' nfTTovTfrai. " But for (or by) tlie children a limit of hateful contests has been hard-earned." The unusual position of f>i in the fourth place may have led to punctuating after rippw. On this would f Mow a general corrv})tion.
Clioepliori. 135
377. For riKe'irai, I propose i-eXet crv.
384-407. Strophe and Antistrophe both corrupt. In my notion : —
384 (f)p(v6s oiov (^nas
TTOTarai, ndpoidev re npapas arjrai, {_Krjpos] tjKOTOv oTvyos ;
[Spt/iv? Kapbias 6vpi6s being a mere interpretation.] 407. anXdyxva 84 pot KfKaivov-
rai TTpos enos ' tot av 8' avr' tTra\3r}s X'^P^ P**' aTricTTacrev akyos, TTpos T fcravev alKokoas. OP. Ti cravavTfs TV\oipeu av. Tamp
iradoipev a^ea TTpos y irSiV ; [omitting TeKo/iej/wi/] TTapecTTi craiviiv, ....
391. Read Iltcrra 8' iXoiTo. ..." may (Jupiter) elect Trustees, Regents."
400. Omit (f)6ip€vav.
613. For uKaipas 8e, I suggest ^Axaio'is ye. For aTreiixfTov, I accept Blomfield's aTrevnTeov. For (ttikotco, metre and sense require vTTfpK&rco. Place a colon after it : then for o-e'/Say tl(ov I claim af^aareop.
633. A verb is lost to which the vulgate TTapeK^avres is nomin. and to pf] depis TraTevpevov is accusative. The particle ov makis sheer nonsense. I propose, instead of it, the verb a>X(aav. In the Antist. to contrast child and father, I imaiiine TtKvov 6' fVetcr^epci ScJ/ioicri [roTy TTUTpos, x ] alpaTav. No one will say that TTUTpbs is here superfluous, nor can any smaller change reconcile the metres.
773. In this eminently corrupt Ode, nothing but audacity can succeed. I propose :
773,4. 86s Tvxas TrXelv 86pois Kvplcos, TTavau<pa adevei paiopiva <t Iheiv 8i.a8iKdaai.
783. For eV 8p6pu> Trpoa-Tideis, I suggest k&v 8p6p<o npoa-- TldflT]!. . . ,
136 Choejjliori.
784, 5. Perhaps: /cnVas aco^ofxevov pvdfia nore Biadd ffjiiTebov. . . .
[<ricraj is my conjecture, or say, stop-gap, for the impossible TLs av.]
793. Bead ToIvSe koXus Krafitvoiv, and herewith end the
third strophe.
795, For dvi8e7v, which caimot here be right, perhaps avoTTvelv, gain respite.
799. For eVt^opwraTor, metre and sense suggest 6 tpapia- raros. (To change vop.iCfTe in the strophe for the con- venience of this eVtc^opwTaroff cannot be approved.)
801. For KpvTTT acTKOTTOv 8*, I icquire Kpv(f>afjLtv tvaKorrov &, giving right metre and sense.
802. For vvKTa irp6 t op-fiarav read vvicrap rrpovfxpiaTav.
803. For fp.(f)av((rTfpos, Schiitz well \vTites fp,c})av€aTfpo». XPTli^^ is a superfluous word. I think ttoXXq bk KoKka <^v(\ should close the 3rd antistrophe.
805. The 4th and 5th are variously comipt. I beUeve in Koi TOT uibav, k\vt6v ^(OfxaTCiv \vTpov — \^Song, opposed to twanging of the lyre.] I try further :
808. llt6T](T0fl(V TTfiXfl • TO 8' tV'
povv tuoiyt Kfpbos av^
avd rdB', Ara S' anfcrTa (f)i\.avl
Td8f nomin, will mean " Songs and ^lusic." No smaller changes can succeed ; but the words (vvow (fioiyt are neces- sarily very uncertain. Vtdg, tv tp-ov tpov.
815. For ntpa'ivav excellently Blomf. has irtpaiv ovk.
820. nponpa^ov xapiv nipayus XvTTjpos is a ]>ossibf€ text. In next line Ti^rk can hardly Ix! right. The sense wanted is " from thy inmost heart venting rage." Kadtls or fitOtls is ix)ssible. Paley's correction of <f>otvia» arav into (fmiviap nyav (sanguinary rancour) quite commends itself.
CJwephori. 137
940-7 is terribly corrupt. No one can make goo I sense, good structure, and good metre without grave changes. I have proposed
tS)v Trepi Aortas, 6 Tlapvaa-crias. . . , firoxdeiop, rav aSoKcos SoXiav, ^XayjriTrovv, iv ^povois olaiv [for dflcriu] \tTroix(Tai, or olai nfToixfTai,
Next: Kparel roi Xoyof, to, Beiov nep ovra /ii; vnovpyiiv [At'a] KaKoii, .... rather /i»j8' ? or htf okv ?
949. A new enigma. The word in brackets might be Toifjifva. I do not believe it was. It might be pLtlpaxa ; but the edd. give us ■\|/-aXtoi/. I have imagined roXiSa, equivalent to napOivov, and here used of a young man, as ■napBivov notoriously may be. That the termination does not necessitate a feminine idea, we see in -^akiba. Then for "^akiov oIki&v duayefiav So/iotf, I suggest :
fieyav d(f>Dp(dr)v [rfiXiSa], ^aKeav ayafiov iv 86p.ois.
In 951, after del add [rvxas dfifitvav] as the lost line, an in next verse xpo"? ^^r xpo^os. Presently for Opeopivois fiiToiKoi, I wish T* ipaiiipoKTip firroiKon.
F. W. Newman.
EUMENIDES.
DRAMATIS PEESON^.
Pythian Prophetess.
Apollo.
Orestes.
Ghost of Clttemnestra.
Chorus of Fdries.
Athesa.
Escort.
I
\^The Temple of Apollo ot Delphi In the hacl-grotind the summits of Paruossits. The orchestra represents the open court in front of the temple. Tlie Pythoness appears praying at an altar adorned icith images of the successive divinities of the sanctuary.]
EUMENIDES.
Pythoness. Tj^ lEST, witli this prayer, I honour of the gods * -■- Earth, prophetess primeval ; Themis next, On this her mother's seat oracular Second who sat — for so tradition tells ; Third by decree of Fate, with her good will, Doing despite to none, took here her seat, Another power Titanian, child of Earth, Phoebe ; she gave it as a birth-day gift To Phoebos, who from Phoebe takes his name.
* In a passage of deep significance ^schylus traces the successive steps in the history of Kevelation, as it passed from the Chthonian (earthly) to the Olympian powers. Earth herself was the first prophet. In the simplest phenomena of nature she first spoke to men of the divine character and will. As time went on she gave place to "Right "(Themis), a daughter who was born to her; lor the teaching of society and life carries us forward in the knowledge of God. " Right " in turn gave place to a younger sister, Phoebe, the embodiment of light, the symbol of spiritual intelligence. With her ministry the office of the earthly powers was fulfilled, and she transferred her charge, not by claim of succession, but as a voluntary offering, to the bright God of heaven, Phoebus, who himself adopted her name for his own. — Brook F. Westcott.
142 Eumenides.
Leaving the lake and Delos' rocky isle,
At Pallas' ship-frequented shores he lands, 10
Then gains this region, those Parnassian seats ;
Him onward speed, and mightily adore,
Hephaestos' sons, road-fashioners, who wrought,
Taming for him the savage wilderness.
Him, when he comes, highly the people honour,
King Delphos also, steersman of this land.
Zeus with prophetic art his mind inspired,
And throned him on this sacred seat, fourth seer ;
So Loxias* now is prophet of his sire.
These gods I worship with preluding prayers. 20
But be Pronflfean :}: Pallas likewise hailed
With words of honour ! you too I salute.
Nymphs who frequent Korykia's cavomed rock,
Kindly to birds, and haunt of deities.
Bromios, full well I wis, the region holds,
Since with his Thyads thence the god made war,
And Pentheus coursed, like doubling hare, to death.
The fouuts of Pleistos, and Poseidon's might
Invoking, and high-consummating Zeus,
Ah prophetess I now assume this scat.
Beyond the past my entrance may they crown 30
With fair response 1 Are sons of Hollas hero, —
* Loxias, an epithet of Apollo, interpreted by most etymo- logists as allndinp to the ambi,i;uitics (Xo^a) of Delphian oracles; some, indoo*!, think it cm be referred to Xoyof, s}>ccch, as imi>lyiiig th.it Apollo is the interpreter of Zeus.
X rron.T.in, an epithet of Athena at Delphi, as havinj;^ a chapel or statue there in front of the great temple of A])<)llo.
Eumenides. 1 43
Let tliem, as custom is, approach by lut, For as the god doth guide, I prophesy.
[She retires into the temple, and after a brief pause returns terror-stricken.']
Things dire to tell, direful for eyes to sec.
Have forced me from the fane of Loxias,
So that no strength I have, no power to move ;
But lacking speed of limb, with hands I run ;
For age, when scared, is nought ; a very child.
Towards the wreath-encircled nook I creep,
And at earth's navel-stone, behold a man 40
Defiled before the gods, as suppliant.
Holding his seat ; — his hands still dripping gore,
His sword new-drawn, his lofty olive-branch
With ample fillets piously enwreathed,
"White bands of wool ; — for so I speak it plain.
But lo ! before this man, on seats reclined,
A wondrous company of women sleeps ;
Women ? nay, Gorgons let me say ; nor yet
To Gorgonean types compare I them.
Ere now in paintings [Harpies] I have seen,
Snatching the meal of Phineus. These to sight 50
Are wingless, black, and loathsome utterly.
With breathings unapproachable they snore.
Forth from their eyes drippeth a loathsome rheum ;
Their garb too vile the effigies to touch
Of gods immortal, or the roofs of men.
Tribe of this sisterhood I ne'er have seen ;
Neither may region boast such brood to rear
144 Eumenides.
Scathless, iinvisitcd by penance-tliroe.
But for the issue, let lord Loxias,
Mighty, who rules these seats, himself provide ; 60
For prophet-leech, and portent-seer is he,
Who can for others purify their homes.
[Exit Pythokess.
[Th» interior of the sanctuary is disclosed, and exhibits the following group. Apollo appears standing beside Obzstes, who is seated on the Omphalos* The Furies are reclined on seats, fast asleep. Hebmes in the background.']
Apollo.
I'll ne'er betray theo : to the end thy gnard,
Beside thee standing, or when far aloof ;
Nor will be gracious to thy enemies.
And captured now this maddened crew thou seest.
By sleep the loathsome virgins are o'erpowercd,
Hoary primeval progeny, — with whom
Nor god, nor man, nor beast, will e'er consort. 70
For Evil's sake brought forth, in evil gloom
Of subterranean Tartaros they dwell,
Abhorred of men and of Olympian gods.
But hie theo hence, nor o'er relax thy speed,
Fer as thou trcad'st the wand'rcr-tramplcd earth.
They'll track theo o'er the ample continent,
O'er the wide ocean and the citied isles ;
• On the hwirth [of the Delphian temple] burnt a per- petual fire, and near it was the omphalos, or uavcl-atonc, which was supiv)sod to mnrk the middle point of the earth — Smitu'b Classical Geography,
Eumenides. 145
And faint thou not nor fail before the time.
O'er this toil brooding ; hie to Pallas city ;
As suppliant her ancient image clasp.
There having judges of thy cause, and words 80
Of suasive power, some means we shall devise
For evermore to free thee from these toils ;
For at my bidding was thy mother slain.
Orestes. Apollo lord, justice full well thou knowest ; Since then thou knowest, learn to practise it. Of good success thy might is warranty.
Apollo.
Kemember, nor let fear unnerve thy mind.
[To Hermes. But thou, true brother mine, blood of my sire, Hermes, protect him ; — faithful to thy name, Be thou his escort, shepherding this man, 90
My suppliant ; for Zeus himself reveres The sacred right of outlaws, which to mortals From thy safe convoy cometh. Fortune's boon.
\_Exit Orestes, conducted by Hermes.
\_Ghost of Clytem:n"estra appears behind Apollo. She is arrayed in her robe of state, sombre and shadotv-like. Her hreast is bare, and the bloody wound visible near the neck.}
Ghost. Sleep on ! Ho there ! what need of sleepers here ? But I by you, among the other dead, Dishonoured thus, from them the keenest taunts, For his sake whom I slew, must needs endure. In deep disgrace I wander ; — this I tell yon,
L
146 Eiimenides.
Reproach among the shades forsakes me not;
Dire evil I have borne from those most dear, 100
And yet for me, by matricidal hands
Ruthlessly slain, no god is moved to wrath.
Behold these direful heart-wounds, whence they came,
For clear in sleep the vision of the mind,
While unforeseen by day the fate of men.
Full many gifts of mine have ye lapped up ;
Wineless libations, sober, soothing rites,
And feasts, I offered on the sacred hearth.
At dead of night, the hour no god may share.
All these down-trampled now I must behold. 110
But gone is he, escaping like a fawn.
And, lightly bounding o'or tho himter's net,
At you he mocked, with many a scornful jeer.
Hear ye, how, pleading for my life, I speak.
Awake, dread demons of tho lower world ;
For Clytemnesti'a calls you, I, a dream.
Chorus. [Moaning.] *
Clytkmnestba. Moan on, but gone tho man, flying far off; For him are patron-gods, though not for mo.
Chorum [Moaning.]
Cl,TT|:MNESTnA.
By sleep oppressed, thou pitiost not my woo,
His mother's murderer, Orestes, flics. 120
Eumeiiides. 147
Chorus. [Groans.]
Clytemnestba. Dost groan, dost sleep, nor on the instant rise ? What have ye done except to work me bale ?
Chorus. [Groans.]
Clytemnestba. Slumber and toil, worthy conspirators, Have sorely wasted the fell dragon's might.
Cho7-us, [Redoubled and shrill groans.]
CJiorua-leader.* Take heed there.
Seize.
Seize. - Seize. - - - - Seize. - - - - Seize.
Seize.
- - - Seize.
Clytemnestba. In dreams dost track the game, yelping amain, Like hound that never intermits the chase.
* MuUer, p. 61. These exclamations are uttered by the leader and the other Furies in rapid succession,
148 Eumenides.
What dost thou ? Rise, be not subdued by toil, Nor yet, relaxed by sleep, to grief be blind. By just reproaches let thy heart be stung, 130
For to the prudent sharp they are as goads. fBut on thy quarry wafting gory breath, Scorch him with fiery vapour from thy maw ; — Chase hard, with second coursing wear him down.
[2%e GJiost vanishes. The Chorus-leader starts from her seat!]
Leader.
Awake 1 Awaken her, as I wake thee !
Sleep est thou still ? Arise, and slumber spurn ;
Then try we whether vain our prelude be.
\_Thc Furies start up one after another from their seats, and range themselves upon the stage, right and left of their leader."]
Chorus. Strophe L
let Fury. Woe ! woo ! alack ! Friends, we have Buffered
scorn. 2. Much have I suffered and in vain.
1. Alack ! dire anguish we have borne, 140
Intolerable pain !
2. Burst from the toils, fled is the game away.
3. By sleep o'crmastcrod I have lost the prey.
Antistkophe I.
4. Fio! Son of Zousl Thou thievish art, I
trow;
5. Us, hoary gods, thou youngster ridcst down ;
Eumenides. 149
4. This godless wight, bitter to parents, thou
As suppliant dost own.
5. A god the matricide has filched away.
6. That aught herein is just will any say ?
Steophe II.
7. Voice of reproachful blame, to me in dreams
that came 150
Smote me, like charioteer with scourge grasped
tight, *Neath heart and reins. Such chilly pang I
8. know
f As from the public scourger's ruthless blow.
An'tistkophe II.
9. The upstart doings these of younger deities. Usurping power beyond the sway of right.
jDark-smeared from foot to crown, earth's
10. navel-stone 160 Blood's horrible defilement now doth own.
Strophe III.
11. 12. But Thou, the seer, with hearth-stain hast
thy shrine Polluted, self-invited, self- impelled ; Eevering mortal things 'gainst law divine The Fates thou hast dishonoured, grey
with eld.
Antistbophe III. 13, 14. file while he plagues, himself he shall not free;
150 Eumenidea.
A captive still, though under earth he fled, For, stained with blood, another after me, ■fAvcnger stem, shall light upon his head.
Apollo. Avaunt, I charge thee, leave those hallowed scats ; 170 Depart with speed from this prophetic shrine, Lest thou, — by winged glistering snake transfixed. Shot from this golden-twisted cord, — through pain, Shouldst vomit forth black gore, the clots disgorging Which thou from slaughtered men hast ruthless sucked. Thee it befits not to approach these seats, But where head-lopping, eye-outscooping rage, With vengeance that doth sap youth's vital powers, Where slaughters, mutilations, stonings reign, 180
And where impaled, wretches with cruel throes Groan forth their anguish. These the feasts yc love. And therefore are ye hateful to the gods. Your whole aspijct attests it, — such should dwell In blood-gorged lion's den, not tarry hero Bringing pollution to these hallowed seats. Begone, yc grisly troop, imshophcrded. For to such flock no heavenly power is kind.
Chorus. Apollo lord, do thou in turn give ear ; No mere accomplice art thou in those ills ; 190
Euthcr of all, sole author thou, sole cause.
AroLLO. How BO I To greater length extend thy speech.
Eumenides. 151
Chorus. The stranger tliou didst promiDt to matricide.
Apollo. To avenge his sire I prompted him ; why not ?
Cliorus. With promise this new bloodshed to defend,
Apollo. And bade him seek as suppliant this shrine.
Chorus. And these, his escort, thou forsooth re vilest.
Apollo. Because not meet their presence for these scats.
Chorus. Yet unto us hath been assigned this charge.
Apollo. What function this ? Extol thy fair employ. 200
Chorus. All mother-slayers from their homes we chase.
Apollo. How if the wife her husband should have slain ?
CJiorus. Not one in blood were she with him she slew.
152 Eiunenides,
Apollo.
Greatly thou dost misprise and set at nouglit
The nuptial bond of Hera and of Zeus ;
Dishonoured too is Kypris by these words,
Prom whom to mortals come their dearest joys ;
For, under Justice' shield, the nuptial couch,
'Twixt man and wifo the heaven-appointed bond,
Is mightier than oath ; to wedded pair,
"When one slays other, if thou lenient be, 210
These not pursuing with keen-sighted wrath,
Not justly then Orestes thou dost chase ;
For thee, right earnest in his case I find,
But openly in hers more mild in sooth.
But Pallas shall both sides with justice scan,
Cliorus.
Never will I desist this man to chase.
AroLLo. Pursue him then, prolong thy fruitless toil.
Clioriis. Claim not by word my honours to abridge.
Apollo. Ileuours liko thine I would reject with scorn.
Chorus. For trrcat thy rank bcfciro the throne of Zens. 220
But I, led on by mother's blood, this man To death will chase ; I follow on his track.
[Lxil Churu*.
Eumenides. 153
Apollo.
But I will aid, will save, the fugitive ;
For dire with men and gods the suppliant's wrath,
If I his cause should wilKngly betray.
^Tlie scene changes to Athens, and the temple of Apollo is transfoitned into the terriple of Athexa Polias o/i the Acropolis.J
Obestes, emhacing the sacred image of Palla8.
Athena, Queen, at Loxias' hest I'm come ;
A wretched outcast graciously receive,
Not blood-polluted, nor with hands unclean,
For blunted now and worn the edge of crime
At other homes, and in the paths of men. 230
Holding my course alike o'er land and sea,
Faithful to Loxias' word oracular,
I to thy fane am come, thy image, goddess.
Here keeping guard, I will abide my doom.
\Enter the Leader of the Chorus, followed hy the Furies. As they advance they spread themselves out towards both sides of the orchestra.']
Leader,
'Tis well ; sure token this, the man is here. Follow the leading of this voiceless guide ; For still we track, as hound the wounded fawn. By blood and reeking drops, our destined prey ; Spent with full many man-outwearing toils.
154 Eumenides.
Pant my deep vitals, for on every spot
Of the wide earth my charge I shepherded, 240
And now in hot pursuit with wingless flight I
Swift as swift galley o'er the sea I course ;
Here in some nook ensconced, crouching he lies ;
Of human blood the odour gladdens me.
{^The Furies having taken their stations opposite to one another in the orchestra, sing the following Strophes in responsive order. "]
Chorus.
1, 2. Look here ! Look there I
Peer everywhere ; Lest, scathless in flight, illuding our sight, The matricide 'scape unaware, y, 4. He refuge hath found ;
With arms twined around The goddess immortal, this murderous wight A verdict now seeks through her aid 'gainst the right 250
5, 6. But baseless his trust ;
Mother's blood from the dust Is hard to recover ; — once shed on the plain, The life-blood is gone, it returns not again. 7, 8. Lo, suflbr thou must
In rcipiital most just. And I the red clot from thy members will drain. 9, 10. The foul draught I'll taste.
Thy strength I will waste. Then drag thoo wtill living to regions below, The forfeit to pay for thy mothcr'a death-blow.
Eumenides. 155
11, 12. There thou shalt see in durance drear,
'Gainst god or guest or parents dear, 260
Like thee who sinned, receiving their due meed.
13, 14. For Hades, ruler of the nether sphere, Exactest auditor of human kind, Graved on the tablet of his mind Doth every trespass read.
Orestes.
To me, long disciplined in woe, are known
Divers lustrations ; when to speak I know,
When to be silent ; but in present need
By sapient teacher I was charged to speak.
The blood now sleepeth, fading from my hand ; 270
Washed clean away the matricidal stain ;
For while yet fresh, by rites of slaughter'd swine,
At Phocbos' altar it was duly purged ; —
Tedious the tale, were I to reckon o'er
How many fared with me nor suffered harm.
Time, waxing old, doth all things purify ;
Now, with pure lip, I piously invoke
Athena, of this region queen, to come,
My pleader : so she weaponless shall earn
Myself, my realm, and all the Argive host, 280
Honestly true, allies for evermore.
But whether on the Libyan plain, beside
Her natal Triton wave, she stand erect,
Or sit, with foot enveloped, to her friends
Dispensing aid ; — or on Phlegraian fields.
Like warlike leader, marshal her array, —
156 Eumenides.
Oh may she come (a goddess hears from far), Aud be my savioxir from these miseries.
Cliorus. Thee nor Apollo, nor Athena's might Can save from perisliiug, an outcast, spurned ; 290 With heart of joy oblivious, thou shalt pine, The Furies' blood-sucked victim, a mere shade. — How ! no reply 1 Dost thou contemn my words, Thou, fattened fur me, thou, my victim doomed. Slain at no altar, but my living prey ? — Our hymn, as chain to bind thee, thou shalt hear.
[T7ie Chorus-leader ascends the steps of the altar. The rest of the Chorus arrange themselves in the orchestra, and sing the following Strophes.']
Choral Hymn. Haste we now the dance to wind, Since beseems in dread refrain, To utter how our bodeful train 300
Deal the lots to mortal kind. Loyal are we to the Eight ; — "Whosoe'er clean hands exteudeth, Not on him our wrath may light, Scathlcss still through life ho wcndeth. But when wretch, like yonder wight, Gory hands to hide is fain. Blood-avengers, — for the slain True witnesses, — still lurking near, — His doom at length completing, wc appear. 810
I
Eumenides. 157
Full Chorus. Strophe I.
Oh mother, hear me, Mother Night, Who brought me forth, a living dread, To scare the living and the dead, Latona's son does me despite ; — Stealing away my trembling prey, Destined a mother's murder to requite.
Thus o'er the victim chant we our refrain, Frenzy's dread carol, madness-fraught, The Furies' hymn, from Hades brought,
Soul-binding, lyreless, mortal-blighting strain.
Antisteophe L
For Fate unswerving span, that we 320
This ofBce hold for evermore : — Mortals imbrued with kindred gore "We chase, till imder earth they flee ; And when in death they yield their breath. Not e'en in realm of Hades are they free.
Thus o'er the victim chant we our refrain. Frenzy's dread carol, madness-fraught, The Furies' hymn, from Hades brought,
Soul-binding, lyreless, mortal-blighting strain.
Steophe II.
For even at birth Fate assigned our career 330
Apart from the gods ; — we approach not their sphere ;
Our banquets they share not,
White garments we wear not,
158 Eumenides,
Men's homes to destroy is the Furies' employ. When Ares in strife Kobs a brother of life, tRelentless, the blood-dripping caitiff we chase ; — Though girded with strength, he must falter at length, And falls, overpowered in the race.
Antisteophe II.
No partner brook we in our time-honoured cai'es, 340 fXor share with the gods jurisdiction nor prayers.
For, us, — the detested, —
Blood-stained, sable-vested, High Zeus from his hall did exclude one and all.
So downward wc stoop
On our foe with fell swoop, And crush him with heavy footfall where he lies ; IThesc limbs overthrow both the swift and the slow ;
Once prostrate, our victims ne'er rise. 350
Strophe III.
Men's glory, though beneath the sky Proudly august, below tho earth Dwindles dishonoured, nothing worth, Before our dark-stolcd company. What time in bodeful dance, untircd, our foot wo ply.
Antistropue III. Through evil blind, tho wrctcb, though prone, Knows not his fall ; for dark tho cloud That doth tho guilty mind o'crshroud ;
Eumenides. 159
And Fame proclaims with heavy groan, The doom, like murky cloud, that wraps a house
o'erthrown.
Strophe IV. For such Fate's decree : — awful ministers we, — 360 Keen-eyed to conceive what untired we achieve ; 'I'Of crime ever mindful, obdurate to prayer. Apart from the gods our loathed mission we bear ; — To living and dead, 'neath our sunless torch-ray,
Dark and rugged our way.
Antistrophe IV.
Who tiien without fear among mortals can hear My Fate-sanctioned law, and who quail not with awe, Mine oflfice thus learning, my god-given right ? For not with dishonour I wield my dread might, Although my hoar mission, in darkness profound, I hold 'neath the ground.
[Athena appears in a chariot, and alights.2
Athena. A voice I heard from far Scamander's banks Invoking me, what time the land I claimed, — Fair portion of the booty, spear-achieved, Which chiefs and leaders of Achaia's host Apportioned, root and branch, for ever mine, To Theseus' sons a chosen heritage. 380
Thence have I come, urging unwearied feet Of prime young coursers harnessed to my car ; My swelling ^gis rustling, without wings. And now, beholding here these uncouth guests,
160 Eumenides.
I fear not, yet the marvel takes mine eye.
Who are ye ? I address myself to all,
To you and also to this stranger here,
Who as a suppliant at mine image sits.
But no begotten race do ye resemble,
Neither of goddesses by gods beheld,
Nor in similitude of mortal shapes ; — 890
But to speak ill of those who harm us not
Eeason forbids, and Justice stands aloof.
Cliorus. Daughter of Zeus, all shalt thou hear in brief. The progeny of ancient Night are we, " Curses " yclept in homes beneath the earth.
Athena. I know your lineage and the names ye bear.
Cliorus. My honours also quickly shalt thou learn.
Athen'a. IMine ears are open, be the word but plain.
ChorxiB. 'Tis ours men-slayers from their homes to chaso,
Athena. And to the slayer's flight what goal is fixed ? 400
Cliona. Where to rejoice not is th' appointed doom.
Eumenides. 161
Athena. And to this bourn thou houndest now this man^
Chorus. Yea, for he chose his mother's blood to shed.
Athena. Urged by no mandate whose strong dread he feared ?
Chorus. Where is the goad should urge to matricide ?
Athena. Two parties plead, one only have I heard.
Chorus. But neither will he take nor tender oath.
Athena. Repute of justice, not just act, thou wishest.
Chorus. How ? Tell me. For no lack of wit is thino.
Athena. By oaths win not unjust success, I say. 410
Chorus. Question then put, and rightful verdict give.
Athena. Leave ye to me the ruling of the cause ?
1G2 Eumenides.
Chorus. Why not ? just homage just regard requites.
Athena.
"What wilt thou, stranger, to this charge reply ?
Thy land, thy race, and thy misfortunes tell,
And then ward off the blame thus cast on thee.
If, trusting in the right, thou thus dost sit
Clasping mine image, near my sacred shrine,
Ixion-like, a suppliant revered, —
To all these queries give me clear reply. 420
OUESTES.
Athena queen ! matter of grave import
First will I from thy closing words remove.
Not blood-polluted am I, nor doth stain
Cleave to thine image from thy suppliant's hand.
Sure proof of this will I adduce ; — 'tis law
That voiceless lives the man defiled by blood,
Till purifier's hand hath him besprent
With victim's blood, slain in life's budding prime.
Long since in other homes have been performed,
With victims and with streams, these lustral rites. 430
Thus then this care, as cancelled, I dismiss.
My lineage, what it is, thou soon shalt hoar.
Argivo am I, my sire thou knowcst well,
l\Iarshal of naval heroes, Agamemnon,
In league with whom thou madcst Ilion,
Troin's proud city, and uncited waste.
Keturuing homo, ho without honour perished ;
Eumenides. 163
For him, my mother, black of soul, hath slain, Wrapt in her subtle toils, which witness bare To the foul murder in the laver wi'ought. Myself, long time an exile, coming home, Slew her who bare me, — I deny it not, — Avenging my dear father, blood for blood, — And sharer in the blame is Loxias, Who goads of anguish to my heart announced, Unless the guilty found from me their due. My deed, or just, or unjust, do thou judge ; — Whate'er thy verdict, I shall be content.
Athena.
Too grave the cause for mortal to adjudge,
Nor is it lawful for myself to try
A suit of murder freighted with sharp wrath. 450
Moreover, though, all needful rites performed,
My shrine thou visitest as suppliant,
Harmless and pure ; yet in my city's cause,
Hurtful to it, I claim, thou shalt not be.
For these hold fimctions hard to set aside,
And not triumphant in their suit, henceforth,
The poison of their hate, falling to earth,
Will to this land breed dire and cureless plague. —
So stands the matter ; — each alternative,
For them to stay, for me to banish them.
Is mischief-fraught, nor know I remedy.
But since this weighty cause hath lighted here, 460
Judges of murder, bound by oath, I'll choose, —
Solemn tribunal for all future time.
164 Eumenides.
But for yonrselves call witnesses and proofs,—
Sworn evidence collect to aid your suit ;
And having from my townsmen culled the best,
Them will I set, truly to judge this cause,
Sworn nought to utter adverse to the Right.
[Exit. Chorus. Strophe I.
Subversion born of upstart laws Will anarchy and discord breed, If he the matricidal deed Who wrought, prevail, and win the caase. Such verdict shall to reckless crime Embolden mortals ; — through all time Murder, henceforth, unchecked shall reign, 470
And parents perish, by their children slain.
Antistrophk L For as on evil deeds no more Fierce anger from this frenzied train. Keen watch o'er mortals who maintain. Shall steal full surely, as of yore ; — To murder I will give the rein. Who tells his neighbour's sorrow o'er, 480
fShall hear in turn Griefs angriished moan ; Who comforts other's woo, himself must groan.
SxRoruE II. Let none, 'neath Sorrow's stroke Writhing, our aid invoke, Pleading witli ancruishcd moan, *' 0 Justice, Justice, 0 Eriuys' throuo l" Some father thus may wail,
Eumenides. 105
Some motlier smit with bale^ Vainly, since Justice' altar lieth prone. 490
Antistrophe II.
f Throned in the heart let Awe,
Guardian of sacred law,
There hold her stcdfast reign ! Well earned is wisdom at the cost of pain. —
But who in blithesome cheer
That lives, absolved from Fear, Or man, or State, will Justice long revere ?
Strophe III.
Neither life by law unblest, 600
Nor by tyrant yoke opprest,
Sanction thou ; — All extremes the gods detest ; They the golden mean, I trow, Stamp with might. The truth I speak Weighty is. Defiant scorn Is from godless folly born ; While from inward health doth flow, Beloved of all, true bliss which mortals seek.
Antistrophe III. This, the sum of wisdom, hear ; — 510
Justice' altar aye revere,
Nor ever dare. Lusting after worldly gear, With atheist foot to spurn ; beware, Lurketh Eetribution near,
166 Eumenides.
Direful issue doth impend ; Honour then with holy fear Thy parents. — household rights revere, Nor guest-observing ordinance offend.
Stbophe IV.
But who unforced, with spirit free 620
Dares to be just, is ne'er unblest ;
Whelmed utterly he cannot be :
But for the wretch with lawless breast,
Bold seizer of promiscuous prey, —
I warn you, — he, perforce, his sail In time shall strike, when troubles him assail, And breaks his yard-arm, neath the tempest's sway.
Antistrophe IV.
He cries, but mid the whirlpool's roar
None heeds him ; for the gods deride,
fEyeing the boaster, proud no more, 530
Struggling amid the surging tide ;
Shorn of his strength he yields to Fato ;—
The cape ho weathers not, but thrown
On Justice' sunken reef, with precious freight,
He perishoth for aye, unwept, unknown.
[Athena enters at the head of the twthv Areopagites,.who take their settts in the orchestra.^
Atuena. Herald, proclaim I Hold back the multitude, Let Tyrrhene trumpet, filled with mortal breath, Piercing the welkin with sonorous blast, King out its brazen summous to the crowd :
Eumenides. 167
For, while this council-liall the jurors fill, 540
Silence to keep availeth, and to learn (Yea, the whole city and this stranger too) What laws for time eternal I ordain ; So may the cause be righteously adjudged. [Apollo appears on the stage.l Chorus. Apollo lord, rule thou thine own domain ; — In this affair say, what concern hast thou ?
Apollo. Twofold my errand here. As witness, first : For this man at my shrine is suppliant, Guest of my hearth ; by me from murder cleansed. Also I come as pleader in his cause ; For of his mother's death-blow mine the blame. 550
[To Athrna. Now, as thy wisdom prompteth, open thou The trial, Pallas : legalize the suit.
Athena.
[To tie Chorum.
'Tis yours to speak ; — thus I commence the suit. Since that the plaintiff, taking first the word, To state the argument may justly claim.
Chorus. Though we be many, brief shall be our speech,
[To Obestes. Do thou in turn make answer, word for word : — And first declare, — didst thou thy mother slay ?
168 Etimenides.
Orestes. I slew her, nor have e'er denied the deed.
Cliorm. Thus of three wrestling-bouts the first is ours.
Obestes. Not prostrate he o'er whom this vaunt thou makest. 56' »
CJwrus. Bchoveth thee to tell how thou didst slay.
Orestes. This hand, my drawn sword wielding, smote her neck.
Chorxis. By whom persuaded, and by whose advice ?
Orestes. Ey Phccbos' words : he witnosscth for me.
Chorus. How ? did the prophet counsel matricide ?
Orestes. Certes, — nor thus far havo I blamed my lot.
Cliorus. Caught by tho vote, another tune thou'lt sing.
OUKSTES.
Fftitli have I : from the tomb my aire will aiiL
Eumenides, 169
Chorus. Good : having slain thy mother, trust the dead I
Obestes. Polluted was she with a twofold stain. 570
Cliorus. How 1 To the jurors make the matter clear.
Orestes. Slaying her husband, she my father slew.
Chorus. But thou art living, — she through death is free.
Obestes. Her while she lived, why didst thou not pursue ?
Clwriis. Not of one blood was she with him she slew.
Oeeste3. But am I with my mother one in blood ?
Chorus. Thee 'neath her zone she nourished; — blood-stained
wretch, A mother's dearest blood dost thou disown ?
Obestes. Now bear me witness and expound for me, Apollo, whether I with justice slew. 580
170 Eumenides.
The deed, as wrought, we do not disavow; — But whether justly shed, or not, this blood, Judge thou, that answer I may make to these.
Apollo. To you, Athena's great tribunal, now Justly I'll speak ; a prophet may not lie ; — Ne'er from my throne prophetic spake I aught Either of man, of woman, or the state. Which Zeus, Olympian sire, hath not ordained. Learn ye how potent is the plea I urge ; — The Father's will I charge you to obey ; 590
For oaths are not of greater force than Zeus.
Chorus. Zeus, as thou sayest, gave this oracle, And bade Orestes here, his father's death Avenging, to despise a mother's rights.
Apollo. Unlike the case, when dies a highborn man, Richly adorned with sceptres Hcaveu-bestowed, Dies too by woman's craft, not slain in war By Amazon's far-shooting, eager bow. But Pallas, as thyself shalt hear, and these Who sit, by ballot to adjudge this cause. 600
For when from distant warfare ho returned. With fair successes crowned, receiving him With friendly welcome, she, the while bo bathed, The laver curtain'd o'er, from head to foot, Then, tangled in inextricable maze Of broider'd garment, slio her husband smites. As I have told you, such the hero's death,
Eumenides. 171
By all revered, marslial of naval hosts ; — Her thus I signalize, their hearts to prick Who here have mission to decide this cause.
Chorus. A father's death Zeus honours, — so thou sayest, — 610 Yet he his father, aged Kronos, chained : — How prove this deed not adverse to thy word ? Here I invoke you, judges, to give heed.
Apollo. Oh hateful progeny, of Heaven abhorred ! Fetters he might unloose, — this ill hath cure, And yields to many a method of release. But when the dust hath once the blood sucked up Of murdered man, he riseth never more. No charm for that, my father hath ordained, Who all things else upturneth as he will, 620
Nor with the toil panteth his mighty heart.
Chorus.
Beware of voting for this man's escape. Shall he, a mother's kindred blood who shed. Dwell safe in Argos, in his father's house ? What altars of his people may he touch ? How share the lustral water with his tribe ?
Apollo.
Thus I declare, learn ye how just my words.
Not mother of her so-called child is she,
Who bears it ; — she is but the embryo's nurse ;
He who begets is parent ; she for him, 630
172 Eumenides.
As stranger for a stranger, rears the germ.
Unless the god should blight it in the bud.
Sure warrant of my word I will adduce ; —
Without a mother may a father be ;
Witness this daughter of Olympian Zeus,
Not nurtured in the darkness of the womb,
Yet such a scion goddess never bare.
In will, in action, Pallas, be it mine
Thy city and thy people to exalt.
This man I sent, a suppliant to thy shrine.
That faithful ho might be for evermore. 6i0
That, goddess ! thou for allies mightest win
Him and his after-race, and that these pacts
Might last eternal, blessed by men imbom,
Athexa. I do command you, as your judgment leads, Just verdict give, — of pleadings now enough.
Chorus. By us in sooth our shafts have all been shot, The issue of the cause I wait to hear.
Athena. How may I rule the cause, imblamed by you ?
Chorus. Ye heard what ye have board ; — now in your hoaits, Your oaths revering, strangers, give your votea. 650
Athkna. Hear yo my statute, men of Attica, —
Eumemdes. 17S
Ye who of bloodshed judge this primal cause.
And for the host of ^Egeus shall abide
This court of jurors, sacred evermore.
The Hall of Ares this, of Amazons
The seat and camping ground, what time of old,
In hate of Theseus, waging war they came,
And 'gainst this city, newly fortified,
A counter-fortress for themselves upreared.
To Ares they did sacrifice, and hence
This rock is titled Areopagus.
Here then shall sacred Awe, and Fear, her kin, 660
By day and night my lieges hold from wrong,
Save if themselves do innovate my laws.
With influx base or mud, if thou defile
The sparkling water, thou no drink shalt find.
Nor Anarchy, nor Tyrant's lawless rule
Commend I to my people's reverence ; —
Nor let them from their city banish Fear
For who 'mong men, imcurbed by fear, is just ?
Thus holding Awe in seemly reverence, 670
A bulwark for your state shall ye possess,
A safeguard to protect your city-walls,
Such as no mortals other-where can boast,
Neither in Scythia, nor in Pelops' realm.
Behold ! This court august, untouched by bribes,
Sharp to avenge, wakeful for those who sleep.
Establish I, a bulwark to this land.
This charge, extending to all future time,
I give my lieges. Meet it is ye rise,
Assume the pebbles, and decide the cause,
Your oath revering. All hath now been said. G30
174 Eumenides.
{Tlie first Areopagite rises, takes a pehhle from the altar, and drops it into the urn. Tfie rest follow in succession betvjeen the following distichs."]
Chorus.
This sisterhood, oppressive to the land,
My council is that ye in no wise shame.
Apollo. And I enjoin yon, fear mine oracles ; From Zeus they issue, fruitless make them not.
Chortis. Usurping championship of bloody suit, No longer shall thine oracles be pure.
AroLLO. Did then my Father towards Ixion err, Who first as blood-stained suppliant, sued for aid ?
CJionis. Say on I but I, defrauded in my suit, In turn will haunt the land, dread visitant. 690
Apollo. Alike of younger and of elder gods Art thou unhonoured. I the cause shall win.
Chortis.
So whilom wroughtcst thou in Phores' house, Moving the Fates mortals from death to free.
AroLLO.
Was it not just my votary to aid, Tlicu chioOy in his hour of sorest nood ?
Eumenides. 175
Chorus. But thou the prime allotments didst o'errulo With wine deluding the hoar goddesses.
Apollo. But thou, full soon, defeated in thy suit, Wilt spew thy venom, harmless to thy foes. 700
CJiorus. Since thou, young god, o'erridest my hoar ago, The issue I await with list'ning ear, And doubtful stay my wrath against the town.
[After the twelfth Areopagite has dropped his pehble into tJte urn, Athexa takes one from the altar, and holds it in her hand."]
Athena .
With me it rests to give the casting vote,
And to Orestes I my suffrage pledge.
For to no mother do I owe my birth ;
In all, save wedlock, I approve the male,
And am, with all my soul, my father's child.
Nor care I to avengo a woman's death
Who slew her husband, guardian of the house. 710
Orestes, judged by equal votes prevails.*
The pebbles now pour quickly from the urns,
Judges, to whom this office is assigned.
Obestes. Phoebos Apollo, how will end this suit?
* Athena's ballot is the mythic expression of the principle, that where Justice is imdecided Mercy prevails. — Muller.
176 Eumenides.
Chorus. 0 Night, dark mother, seest thou these things ?
Obestes. The noose awaits me, or to see the light.
Chorus. Ruin for us, or firm prerogative.
[^The pehbles are poured out of the urn and counted.'] Apollo. Now strangers, count the pebbles with duo care ; And while yo tell them o'er, let justice reign; Lack of right judgment brecdeth mighty woe, 720
Tho while one suffrage hath a house restored.
Athena. This man acquitted is from charge of blood. For equal arc the numbers of the votes.
Obestes. Hail Pallas I Hail thou saviour of my house I l^Ie, when bereft of my internal land, Thou leadest homo : haply some Greek will say, " The man an Argivo is once more, and dwells On his paternal heritage, by aid Of Piillas, and of Loxias, and Ilim, Third Saviour, mighty consummator, Zeus," — Wlio, honouring my father's death, saves mo, 730
Beholding these my mother's advocates. Now to my native Argos I depart. Pledged to this country and thy lieges hero
Eumenides. 177
By oath to be revered for evermore,
That never helmsman of the Argive State
Shall hither bear the well-appointed spear.
For we, ourselves, though couching in the gravo.
On those who violate these present oaths
By sore perplexities will work, and send
Iq march despondency, in crossing streams 74.0
Omens averse, till they repent their toil.
But unto those who keep this pledge, anl Loncur
Athena's city with confederate spear,
To them will we be gracious evermore.
Hail goddess, and these city-wardens, hail !
Still may your gripe be fatal to your foes,
While victory and safety crown your spear.
[^Exil.
Chorus.
1. Ye upstart gods, time-honoured laws Down-riding, ye have seized my prey.
2. But I, dishonoured, stung by grief, 750 Woe, woe, my torture to allay,
On all the gi'ound, will cast around
Yenom, whose baleful drops shall cause
Where it doth light a sterile blight,
Fatal alike to germ, to leaf. The pest, 0 Justice, scouring o'er the plain, Shall fling abroad its man-destroying stain.
3. I groan anew ; what dare ? what do ? My pangs the citizens shall rue ;
Alas, most wretched are thy daughters, Night ! Enduring this dishonouraldL' slight. 7C0
178 Eumenides.
Athena. l:5e moved by me to stay these heavy groans ; Xot vanquished are ye, nor to your disgraco Fell justicje, equal- voted, from the um. Besides from Zeus clear oracles were seut, And he who uttered them himself avouched, Orestes for this deed should know no scath. Hull not your heavy verath upon this laud ; Your rage abate, cause not sterility, Nor rain your poison-drops, like venomed daits, Ruthless devourers of each tender genu. 770
For I most righteously do promise you Both sanctuaries and shrines in this just land ; Seated at hearths with imctuous off'rings fed. And held in honour by my lieges herec
Choru$.
1. Ye upstait gods, time-honoured laws Down-riding, ye have seized my prey.
2. But I, dibhonoured, stung by grief, Woe, woe, my torture to allay,
On aU the groimd, will cast around
Venom, whose baleful drops shall causo 7S0
Where it doth light a sterile blight,
Fatal alike to germ, to leaf. The pest, 0 Justice, scouring o'er the plain, Shall fling abroad its man destroying stain.
3. I groan anew ; what daro ? what do? My pangs the citizens shull rue;
Alas, most v^Tetched are tliy daughters, Night I Enduring this dishonourable slight.
Eumenides. 179
Athena. Not slighted are ye, powers august ! througli rage Curse not with hopeless blight the abode of mau. I too on Zeus rely ; why speak of that ? 790
And sole among the gods 1 know the key That opes the halls w^here sealed thunder sleeps. But such we need not. Be appeased by me, Nor scatter o'er the land, from froward tongue. The harmful seed that turneth all to bane. Of bitter rage lull ye the murky wave ; Be venerated here and dwell with me. Sharing the first fruits of this ample realm, For children offered, and for nuptial rite, This word of mine thou wilt for ever praise. 800
Ch.rus.
1. That I should suffer this, oh Fio 1
2. That, old in wisdom, I on earth should dwell Dishonour'd ! Fie ! Debasement vile !
3. Rage I breathe forth, and wrath no stint that knows. L Fie ! Fie ! 0 earth, alas !
5. What agony of pain creeps o'er my heart !
6. Hear, Mother Night, my passion.
7. Mark for scorn, By crafty gods deluded, held for nought, Of ancient honour I am basely shorn.
Athena. I'll bear thine anger, for mine elder thou, 810
And wiser art, in that regard, than I. Yet me, with wisdom, Zeus not meanly dowers.
180 Eumenides.
But yc, if now ye Feck some alien soil, Will of this land enamonr'd be ; of this You I forewarn ; for onward-flowing time Shall these my lieges raise to loftier fame ; And thou, in venerable seat enshrined Hard by Erectheus' temple, shalt receive Honours from men and trains of women, such As thou from other mortals ne'er may'st win. But cfist ye not abroad on these my realms, 820
To waste their building strength, whetstones of blood. Evoking frantic rage not bom of wine ; Nor, as out-plucking hearts of fighting-cocks, Plant ye among my townsmen civil strife. Reckless of kindred blood ; let foreign war Eagc without stint, aftording ample scope For him who burns with glory's mighty rnge. No war of home-bred cocks, I ween, is that ! Such terms I proflfer, thine it is to choose ; Blessing and blest, with blessed rites revered, 830 To share this country dear unto the gods. CJiorns.
1. That I should suffer this, oh Fiel
2. That, old in wisdom, I on earth should dwell Dishonour'd ! Fie ! Dtbascmcnt vilo !
3. Kago I brorttlic forth, nnd wrath no stint that knows.
4. Fio ! Fie ! O earth, alas !
T). What atjony of i>aiii cri'i-ps o'er my licart !
G. Hear, ]Motlirr Night, my passion.
7. ^lark for scorn. By crafty pods deluded, hold for nought. Of ancient honour I am basily shorn. 810
Eumenides. 181
Atuena.
I will not weary to entreat thee fair ;
For ne'er witli justice shalt thou urge the plaint,
That thou, the elder deity, by me
The younger, and these city-guarding men,
Wert, like an outcast, banished from the land.
But if Persuasion's power ye hold in awe, —
The charm and honeyed sweetness of my tongue,
Tarry thou must ; but if thou wilt not tarry,
Not justly wouldst thou on this city huid
EeVenge, or wrath, or do my people wrong ;
For thine it is to share with me this land, 850
In aye-enduring honour justly held.
Chorus. Athena, (jueen, what seat dost offer me ?
Athena. One where no sorrow scathes. Eeceive it thou !
Chorus. If I consent, what honour waiteth me ?
Athena. No house uftblest by thee shall henceforth thrive.
Chorus. This wilt thou do ? endow me with such might ?
Athena. Ay, and will prosper him who worships thee.
182 Eumenides.
Chorus. Wilt thou sure warrant give me for all time ?
Athexa. I may not pledge what I will not perform.
Chorus. Thine utterance soothes me ; — I relax my wrath. 860
Athena, Established here thou wilt be rich in friends.
Clwms. What blessings shall we hymn for this thy land ?
Athexa. Such as, with gracious influence, from earth, From dew of ocean, and from heaven, attend On conquest not ignoble. That soft airs, "With sunshine blowing, wander o'er the land ; That earth's fair fruit, rich increase of the flocks, Fail not my citizens for evermore, With safety of the precious human seed ; — But, for the impious, — weed them promptly out. 870 For I, like one who tendeth plants, do love This race of righteous men, by grief unscathed : — Such be thy charge. Be mine not to endure That, among mortals, in wars splendid toils, Athena's city be not conqaest-crowncJ.
Chorus. Stkoi'HE I. I'allfts, thy chosen scat henceforth be mine ! No more the city I despise
Eumenides. 1S3
Wliicli Zeus omnipotent and Ares prize, Stronglaold of gods, altar-protecting slirine
Of Hellas' deities, 880
For which, with friendly augury I pray ;
Springing to light from earth's dark womb. May life's fair germs prolific bloom, Lured by the solar ray.
Athena, I for my citizens with gracious mind
These blessings mediate ; these deities Installing here, mighty and hard to please.
For unto them hath Fate assigned 890
The destinies to fix of human kind.
But whoso findeth them severe Knows not whence come life's strokes ; for crime, Dread heritage from bygone time, Doth lead him to these powers august. Him noiseless Euin, midst his proud career, With hostile anger, levels with the dust.
Chorus. Aktistrophe I. Here may no tree-destroying mildew sweep, —
(So show I forth my grace), May no fierce heat within these bounds alight, 900 Blasting the tender buds ; no sterile blight,
Disastrous, onward creep. But in due season here may flocks of worth Twin yeanlings bear ; and may this race, Enriched with treasures of the earth, Honour the Heaven-sent grace I
184 Eumenides,
Atoexa,
Ye city-guardians do ye hear aright VvTiat thus she promises. For great the might 910 Erinys wields— dread brood of night — Alike with Hades and the Olympian Powers ; O'er men confessed and absolute her reign, To some she giveth song, and some she dowers "With life, tear-blindcd, marred by pain.
Chorus. Stbophe II.
Here may there fall no man-destroying blight ! And ye, great Powers, o'er marriage who preside, In wedlock bands each lovely maid unite ; — Ye too, dread sisters, to ourselves allied, 920
Awful dispensers of the Right,
In every human homo confessed,
In every age made manifest, By righteous visitations ; — aye revered, And, everywhere, of deities most feared.
Athena.
While thus ye ratify with friendly zpal
These blessings to my country, I rejoice.
And love Persuasion's eye, who moved my voice
To soothe these stern refusers, passiou-stuug. 930
But Zeus hath conquered, swayer of the tongue,
Gcxl of tho Forum. Triuinphs now for ayo
In noble benefits our rivalry.
Eumenides. 185
CTionis. Antistrophe II. Witliin this city ne'er may civil strife, Insatiate of ill, tumultuous roar ; Nor thirsty dust quaff deep the purple gore Of citizens ; nor rage, with murder rife,
Snatch greedily the vengeful knife 1
But studious of the common weal
May each to each in turn be kind, 940
Hate may they ever with one common mind ; This among mortals many a woe can heal.
Athena.
Grow they not wise, as they the pathway find
Of tongue propitious ? From these shapes of fear,
I to my lieges see rich gain. For here,
If ye these gracious ones with gracious mind
Adore and magnify, — your state and town
Ye shall for evermore with justice crown.
Chonis. Steophe III.
Farewell, farewell, enriched with wealth's fair prize, Farewell, ye people of the city, near 950
To Zeus himself who dwell, to Pallas dear, Friends to the friendly Virgin ; — timely wise ; 'Neath Pallas' wings who rest, her feither doth revere.
[Athexa stations herself at the head of the Chorus in the orchestra, where they are joined by the escort of females with torches. ]
Athena.
Ye too farewell ! Mine is it first to show
186 Eumenides.
Your destined seats and thitherward to lead.
Escorted by the torchlight's sacred glow,
The while in sacrifice the victims bleed 9G0
The downward slope descend. Wliate'er is baneful to the land restrain, And conquest's gracious ministry upsend To this my city. Tutelary train, Children of Cranaos, it belongs to you. These alien settlers to their homes to guide ; And with my lieges may there aye abide, Discernment rightful of the Eight and True.
Chorus. Antistrophe III, Farewell once more, my farewell I repeat, 970
All ye, or gods or mortals, who reside In Pallas' city, and who here preside. Holding in pious awe my hallow'd scat, The fortunes of your life ye never-more shall chide.
Athena. The utt'rance of your pious vows I praise ; — I will escort you with the flashing light Of torches, to your cavernous abodes Beneath tlie earth, with sacred ministers, And those mine image loyally who guard. For now, of all the land of Tlicscns let 980
The eye come forth, — a glorious company Of girls, of wives, of matrons lioar witli ehl, In festive garb apparelled, vcrmoil-hued, — Proceed ond let the torch-flame load the way, Tliat evormnro this gracious sisterhood May, witli events auspicous, bless this land.
Eumenides. 187
[Durinq the foUovnng Chant the procession leaves the temple and descends escorting the Erinnyes to their Shrines.']
Chorus of the Escort. Stbophe I. Niglit's hoary children, venerable train, "With friendly escort leave the hallowed fane.
AIL llnstics, glad shouts of triumph raise.
Chorus. Antistrophe I. In ancient crypts remote from light, Victims await you and the hallowed rite. 990
All. People, ring out youi' notes of praise.
Chorus. Strophe 11. With promise to this land of blessings rare, Down the steep path ye awful beings wend, Rejoicing in the torchlight's dazzling glare.
All. Your cries of jubilee ring out amain.
Chorus. Antistuophb 11. Let torchlights and libations close the rear. Thus Zeus, all-seeing, and the Fates descend, To bless these citizens to Pallas dear.
All. Your cry of jubilee ring out amain.
] 88 Eumetiides,
NOTES ON THE TEXT,
EUMENIDKS.
132. fTrovpta-naa rw. This use of rw for airra is un- doubtedly corrupt in 1G6 and 337 ; so, also, as I think, in Agam. 7. I have no Index that will tell of other such jias- sages, but I think this ought to be fnovpla-aa-d tw, i.e. nvi, " some one."
155. ^apv TO nepi^apv is clearly wrong jSapu n, ntpl^apv, proposed by Wakefield, is adopted by Schutz and Uenuann.
158. For dpovov Dindorf reads 6p6p.^ov, which has no syntax. I can believe in dpon^ot or dpofx^oisy joining (f>ovo-
\l^rj to 6p.(j)cik6v.
166. Kcii Tov is absurd : iavrov gives the necessary sense. The simplest change is xuvtov foi koI t6v.
168. Linwood condemns fv Kiipa. Certainly eV \\'i5n is more to the purpose, especially with tK y tp.ov.
169. fKftpov. Scholefield proposed t^ tfiov ; qi(., €« y' f'fiov ? But Hermann suggested tariv 6v.
337. Dindorf excellently changes eVi t6v Z to cVirdi/o>v. and ovd' ofiinas to ovra ntp, o/ia)t (perliaps following Hermann ) ; and bolder still, writes ftouifiov in place of ix^' aifutros viov. It must Iw admitted that tiie last words are a more interpre- tation of some adjective whose place they liave U8Ur]H'd ; but I should look rather for an ndjeetivo which did tu>t contain the word alfxa, as vtoOtjyfj or vfoapSfj.
Eumenides. 189
341. In (fia7ai Xirals I suspect tliat efiols dXlrais, " my criminals," is hidden. We need such a phrase to make edvos ToSf clear. The rare word aktrrjs (Homeric dXeiTTjs) would easily be mistaken.
343. alfxaToa-rayis is metrically refuted, but Dindorf s in- novations (here and in the strophic line also) are extreme. We must drop out aifxaToa-Tayes ; thereupon we find a tro- chaic word needful belore e'dvos. The lost word may have been (poLvov, interpreted by difMaroa-rayes.
348. (T(j)aXepa seems to be active, and koX to have been lost after it : " my limbs, which trip up even swift; runners."
352. Kara ydv, if opposed to vw aWepi, should be Kara yds.
3G3. aTLfTai is against the metre. Drop it entirely, and the theoiy of a hiatus in the antistrophe drops with it,
448. A corrupt and doubtful word is df^Portpa. Mus- grave's (nificpopd gives good sense. Av(nTJ]p,avTa, I believe, ought to be dva-TTeTravTa.
456. rj^o) cannot be right. Better Ta^w (Dind. 3rd. ed. V. 488.)
457 is a very doubtful line. Perhaps
opKov Trapivras firjBev eKdiKois Cppecriv.
481. iiTTodoaiv, "a diminution," gives a wrong sense: Xrj^iv enidocnv re, " allotment and augmentation," is what we ex2)ect ; yet eirlSoaiv would not have been corrupted into vnodoa-iv. Is it not possible that X^^is is the first allotment of tax, and LnoSoa-is means " a/ifer-payment," a second rate, when the first has proved insufiBcient ?
492—4. Vulg. 8€ip.alv€i is impossible. I suggest Bapvarai. Also o'lKoi, "within," "in the heart," for fv /cat, which is nonsense.
497. fv (/)dfi Kupdiav is clearly wrong. The obviously right sense is given, with right metre, by tls 8e fxr]b4v €p.(f>vfi KTipi, 8(7pop dvarpicpav, ffj-noXis ^porois. [f/ ttoKis ^pOTOs & is not Greek.]
190 Eumenides.
531. Tov ovnoT avxovvT. — I think ovttot should be ot/<«T.'
553. Toiyap, therefore, is against the sense. Perhaps ri yap ; will set it right.
570. TTKJyavcrKa 8' vufi is corrupt. Read ^ov\p Se (^dcricw 8(lu.
582. TO. nXei(TT dfifivov (v(^pocnv. — "Xfidvov' is obviously corrupt. I believe the poet wrote dfiiWais (vfppoaiv, and in next line, napelx^ Xourpa, Kam 8tpp.aTi. There is no reason for supposing a line lost.
677. Linwood's Stavojias, for Baipiovas, removes all difficulty.
F. W. N.
THE PERSIANS.
DRAMATIS PERSONS.
Chorus of Persian Elders. Ato?6a, Mother of XEBXEa Ghost of Dabids. Xerxes. Me^senoeb.
[Scene. — Susa, before the Palace of the Persian htngs. TJie Thijmcle * arranged to represent the tomb of Darius. Enter a procession of Persian Elders forming tJie Chorus.^
* The thymcle was a raised platform in the centre of the orchestra, which served as resting-place for the Chorus when it took up a stationary position. — K. 0. MuUer.
INTEODUCTION.
This drama, founded upon the Persian War, and pro- duced only seven years after its termiuation (b.c. 472), is invested with peculiar interest, not only as the earliest ^schylean drama which has come down to us, but also as our earliest extant Greek history, the first recorded recitation of Herodotus having taken place at the great Panathenaea at Athens (b.c. 446). It ex- hibits, moreover, the same principles of dramatic art. and the same conceptions respecting the divine govern- ment which characterise the purely imaginative pro- ductions of the " warrior-bard." For its full apprecia- tion we must endeavour to realise the magnitude of the struggle which it commemorates, together with the momentous consequences to Hellas and to the world which resulted from the Hellenic victory.
About eighty years before the battle of Salamis (fought B.C. 480) the Persians had made their fii-st appearance in history, when, under their leader. Cyrus, they overthrew the empire of the Medes (b.c. 659). Within this comparatively brief interval they had brought under subjection not only the native peoples of Asia, but also large areas of Europe and
194 The Persians.
Africa. At the timo of onr drama tlicir empire ex- tended southward over Egypt to Cjrcnaiea, while to the north it comprised Maritime Thrace, Pfeonea, and apparently Macedonia, as far as the borders of Thessaly, besides nearly all the islands of the iEgean, north of Krete and east of Euboea. Their ambition expanded ^th their conquests, till, at length, they aspired to universal dominion. " The conquest of Greece was represented by Xerxes as caiTying with it that of all Europe, so that the Persian empire would become co- extensive with the iEther of Zeus, and the limits of the Sun's course."
The idea upon which this colossal empire was based was that of the despotic force of personal will, involving obligation of universal personal service, especially in war. During the expedition of Xerxes the tributaries of the Persian king were virtually slaves, working under the lash, and driven on to the charge in battle with the scourge. The profound humiliation of the subject peoples is forcibly depicted by the Chorus, in the ode wherein they lament the overthrow of the Persian power (v. 586).
Meanwliilc, in the hc^rt of ITellas, a now phase uf politicftl life had been developed ; Athens had thrown off tlie yoke of her tyrants, the Pisistratids, and the world saw, for the first time, a state comi>osed of free and equal citizoiis. The revolution of Klcisthcncs had established the principles of free spoccli and equal law, while as yet this now-born liberty had not degene- rated into liconcc. Adverting to the Athcuir.n cou-
The Persians. 195
stitution at tha time ■when the Persians made their attack on Hellas, Plato says, " Eeverence was then our queen and mistress, and made us willing to live in ohedience to the laws." The strength of patriotic sentiment generated by the new constitution inspired the amazing courage required in the Athenians to encounter the hitherto unconquered hosts of Persia ; upon the plain of Marathon they triumphed, and their glorious victory arrested, for a time, the encroachments of the Persian king.
His son Xerxes undertook to avenge the disaster which had befallen the Persian arms : after enormous preparations, he set forth on his expedition, at the heaxl of an army compose! of forty-six different nations, cac)i with its distinct national costume and local leaders, while eight other nations furnished the fleet. Well might the contemporary world be overawed by the spectacle of so prodigious an armament, and regard the cause of Hellenic independence as desperate.
The victory of Salamis shattered the power of the barbarians, and changed the destiny of the world.
" ' Let there be light !' said Liberty, And, like sunrise from the sea, Athens arose."
In celebration of the victory thus achieved by struggling and triumphant freedom, and in honour of the city of Pallas, which had won immortal glory at Salamis, iEschylus composed his drama of 'The Persians.' It has been justly remarked that *• ^schylus is the prophet of Greek tragedy." " A
196 The Persians.
single episode, a single generation, was insuflBcient for the display of the dependence of life upon life, and the moral infinitude of action which it was his design to exhibit. Thus he habitually composed groups of three connected plays, which gave full scope for the development of thought and work."*
Unfortunately, we possess only the second member of the trilogy, which, consisting of three separate dramas, severally entitled, Phineus, The Persians, and Glaukos,! appears to have been known among the ancients by the general name of ' The Persians.' To this trilogy was appended; the Satyric drama of " Prometheus, the Fire-kindler." Though the second member of this trilogy is alone based upon history,
* " iEschylus as a Religious Teacher." — Brook F, West- cott.
t The ancient Greek argument informs us that ini. MtVojvor Tpay<^ho>v Alax^'^os (vUa ^ivd, Ufptrais, FXavKw noTi-i*!, llpofxriOf't. Fragments, however, exist of another iEticliylian drama, entitled Glaukos Pontios, and various arguments are adduced by "W'elckcr and Gruppe to prove that this ditima, rather than the Glaukos Potnieus, formed the third member of the Persian trilogy. This view is supported by W, v. Humboldt, Schlegel, K. 0. Miiller, and other learned men. It seems, I confess, hard to understand why the error should have been made on several diflcrcnt occasitms by several diflereut writers. The princijial rejison for regarding Glaukos Potnieus as wrong seems to bo the diftlcully of discovering any link of connection Ix-twecn that le^^cndary hero, tlie father of Bellerophontes, and the tonuination of the IVrsian war. In the text I have adopted the hyixithesis of Welckcr and Grupjie, and have given a brief epitome of their views rcsiK.'Cting the Glaukos Fontios.
The Persians. 197
while the first and third, together with the Satyric drama, draw their materials from mythological sources, it appears almost certain that these apparently in- congruous elements constituted together one grand poetic whole ; the leading idea giving unity to the detached dramas being the struggle between Asia and Europe, which, originating in the dim ages of my- thology, had at length culminated in the triumph of Hellas over the non-Hellenic races. In the same manner Herodotus has based his history upon the notion of a primeval enmity subsisting between the Hellenes and the nations of the East, This apparent incongi'uity vanishes when we remember that the con- temj)oraries of -^schylus cherished the firmest belief in the existence of their legendary heroes, whose pro- tection and assistance were continually invoked, while their appearance on the scene of action, with super- human stature and imposing mien, was hailed as an omen of victory. jiEschylus has, moreover, in the second member of the trilogy, so treated the events of contemporary history as to bring them into liarmony with the occurrences of the mythical past, invested, as it was, in the popular imagination, with a halo of glory and sublimity. This was rendered possible by the remoteness of Persia, which was selected as the scene of the drama ; by the gorgeous splendoiir which surrounded Oriental life; by tiie vastness of the armies assembled under the sceptre of the great king, together with the strangeness of the barbaric physiognomy and costume. "These, exaggerated to
198 The Persians.
still greater proportions in tlic popular imagination, produced an impression of dim and indefinite grcatnesSy not unlike that in which the midst of time veiled the heroes of mythology.''*
Another feature of the iEschylean ago is the im- portance attached to prophecy, which, as wc learn from Herodotus, not unfrequcntly determined the judgments of men, both Greeks and Asiatics ; which also we find employed by our poet as the most convenient link for connecting the separate members of his trilogies. Thus, in the Orestcift, the Agamemnon is connected with the Choei)hori through Cassandra's prophecy of the vengeance which was speedily to fall upon the guilty pair. If we turn now to the drama of ' The Persians,' we find the Ghost of Dai-ius referring in tho most emphatic manner to certain ancient oracles (v. 739), of which tho calamities which had befallen the Persians were tho recognised fulfilment. It has been remarked by "Welcker that in this passage allusion is obviously mado to something which had been brought betbro tho minds of the spectators in tho previous drama, and this hypothesis is confirmed by the prophetic ciiaractcr of Pliineus, from whom tho first member of tho trilogy derives its name.
Phineus is ropres'^utod in mythohigical story as ono of tho sons of Agrnor,f tho father of tho beautiful Europa ; and it is rolr ted of Agt'nor by Ovid, and other classical writers, that lie sent forth his sons in quest of
* " iE'cliyhi8." — hci^inald S. Coplostone.
t Aixjlloniua; At2,oi auts (ii. v. 237); Gruppc
The Persians. 199
their sister, whose abduction by Zeus was reprosented by Persian literati as the first act of the conflict between the Eastern and the Western world : this version of the Phineus legend would ofTer, as remarked by Gruppe, an obvious link of connection with the Persian war. There are other versions of the story which, notwithstanding some discrepancies as to the genealogy of Phineus, and the circumstances of his blindness, agree in investing him with the prophetic character, and in bringing him into connection with the Argo- nauts, the grand national adventurers of Hellas.
In the single extant fragment of the ^schylean Phineus reference appears to be made to the Harpies :
Kai ■^fv868enrva ttoXXo fiapyaarjs yvadov (ppvala^ov (TTojiaros iv TvpaTTj X'^P?*
Phineus, according to the ancient legend, was delivered from the Harj)ies by the Boreades ; * and it is related by ApoUonius (xi. 317) that, after his deliverance, he prophesied, and foretold to the Argonauts the success- ful issue of their enterprise. In accordance with the spirit of the age, which linked together the successive conflicts between Europe and Asia, the expedition of the Argonauts, with that of the Hellenes against Ilium, is associated, by Herodotus, with the Persian
* Gruppe refers to two paintings upon ancient Greek vases, where Phineus is represented surrounded by the Argonauts, with the Harpies driven away by the Boreades. In Ruskin's • Queen of the Air ' (p. 24), the reader will find an interest- ing exposition of the signification of the Harpies, and of the antagonism subsisting between them and the Boreades.
200 The Persians.
war : iEschylus would probably give greater scope to tbe prophecies of Phineus, and would thus have an opportunity of carrying back the imagination of the audience to the traditionary commencement of the great struggle which had recently been brought to so glorious a termination. Thus, according to Welcker, the mythological drama of Phineus would form a kind of prophetic prelude to the historical drama of ' The Persians.'
Eeference has already been made to the tendency of jSlschylus to group together a long scries of events, having reference to some connecting principle. It might therefore excite surprise that, in treating so momentous a subject as the Persian war, he should have contented himself with celebrating the battle of Salamis alone, which, however glorious for Athens, left the fate of Hellas still undecided. This would be brought home with peculiar force to the Athenians who, only ten months after the retreat of Xerxes, had been obliged to migrate a second time to Salamis, while Athens became once more the head-quarters of their dreaded foe. The victory of Plattea, which insured the final deliverance of ITellas, would there- fore bo regarded as second in importance only to Salamis. Moreover, in the drama of ' The Persians, ' tlio ghost of Darius alludes to the battle -field of Plataja on which the ruin of the Persian host was to bo con- summated, as the just punishment inflicted by Zeus upon their impiety and overweening thoughts.
Tliis prophecy alone would suggest the probability of
The Persians. 201
some reference being made to tMs important victory in the third member of the trilogy, the Glaukos Potnieus. According to popular tradition Glaukos was a fisher- man, who became a marine demigod by eating of the divine life-giving herb sown by Krouos : one version of the legend represents him to have Leon one of the Argonauts, who, having fallen from his galley, suffered this transformation. The so-called grotto of Glaukos was situated near the little town of Authedon in Boeotia : this marine deity, accompanied by strange monsters of the sea, was accustomed, once a year, to visit the surrounding coasts and islands, and there to prophesy impending calamity. His approach was anticipated by the fishermen, by whom he was held in peculiar veneration, who also offered sacrifice and prayers to avert the threatened woe. It is mentioned by Pausanias (ix. 22, 6), that what Pindar and .ffischylus heard from the dwellers at Anthedon con- cerning this marine deity had furnished materials to both poets, and had sufficed to JEschylus for the creation of a drama. According to Welcker, the extant fragments of this drama seem to indicate that Glaukos describes a voyage which he made from Anthedon to Sicily. Passing the promontory of Euboea, the shore of Zeus Kenasus, and the tomb of the unhappy Lichas (frag. 27), he came to Ehegium (frag. 31, 189 ; Herm. p. 12), and arrived finally at Himera (frag. 28) in Sicily. In the neighbourhood of this city was fought the battle of Himera, on which occasion the Sicilian Hellenes repulsed the
202 The Persians.
Carthaginian invaders, wliose attack took place simul- taneously with that of Xerxes upon Hellas. It is hardly to he supposed that ^schylus would iutroducc into his drama the name of Ilimera without com- memorating a victory, which his contemporary, Pindar (Pyth. i. 152), represents as not inferior in importance to those of Salamis and PlatiBa, the circumstances of which also were peculiarly susceptible of poetic treat- ment. The Boeotian sea-god, moreover, would form the most appropriate herald of the Boeotian victory, and tliu'', in his third drama, iEschylus would have the opportunity of bringing the battles of Himera and Plata)a into connection with that of Salamis, which formed the main feature in the Persian trilogy.
The plastic art of the Hellenes illustrates their tendency to regard the successive victories of Hellas over Oriental barbarism as phases of the great struggle between the higher and lower elements of civilization, which formed so prominent a feature in their my- thology. Thus, in the tcmplo of Hera, at Myccnaa (Paus. xi. 17, 3), and in that of Zeus at Agrigeutum (Diod, xi. 82), the capture of Hium was associated with the overthrow of the giants by tlio Olympian gods.* Their recent splendid victories would doubtloss bo similarly regarded by them as the nltiraato triumph of civilization over barbarism, brought about by tho intervention of the higher powers. This coucoptiou has found artistic expression in tlio beautiful painting on tho so-called Darius vnso, " on which tho celestial • Wclckcr.
i
The Persians. 203
rl cities are represented as consoling the terrified Hellas in face of the tnreatcning purposes and preparations of the mighty king of Asia." Moreover, "out of the gigantic block of Persian marble at Ehamnus, three leagues from Marathon, which the Persians are said to have intended for a trophy, Phidias (also a prophet) created one of the most sublime of the Greek statues of the gods, that of Nemesis, whose stern form and gesture admonished the Greeks : ' Be not lifted up ; to God alone belongs the glory !' "*
It may be remarked, in conclusion, that this drama, by the profound humiliation of Xerxes, strikingly enforces the Hellenic principle that the supreme intelligence, which ^schylus invariably identifies with the will of Zeus, cannot suffer any inferior power, human or divine, to overpass its legitimate limits, and thus interfere with the harmonious working of the whole. At the same time the dignity of the Persian empire is vindicated by the description of the glorious and happy life which the Persians enjoyed under the rule of Darius, which had been forfeited by their impiety in acting in opposition to the divine decrees ; moreover, by introducing the ghost of the mighty king, not only as the stern rebuker of his son's overweening pride, but also as deprecating in the most emphatic manner any subsequent invasion of Hellas, we see, in this early historical drama, an approach to the great principle of classical dramatic art, which finds its
* Bunsen's ' God in History.' Translated by Miss Winkwortb.
204 Tae Persians.
perfect fulfilment in the Oresteian trilogy, namely, the final re-establishment of harmony between the contending powers whose collision has formed the main action of the drama.
The Satyric drama, which invariably followed the trilogy, was a relic of the original dithyrarabic chorus sung at the festival of Diouysos by groups of Satyrs who followed the chariot of the vintage-god; it was probably intended to relieve the serious impression produced by the tragedy, and to furnish amusement to the populace. It is doubtful whether these Satyric pieces were ever in such organic connection with the three dramas which they followed as to justify calling them a tcirahny ; the significance of the " Prometheus," as the concluding member of • The Persians,' must however be admitted. Welcker has shown that we must distixiguish between " Prometheus the fire- bringer," and " Prometheus the fire-kindler ;" the latter being the title of the Satyric drama in question, which he maintains had reference to the establishment of the Promethea, the torch-race, at Athens, an artisan festival of which Prometheus was regarded as the founder. The kindling of the sacred fire might well be hailed as the symbol not only of victory, but also of the brighter day which had just dawned for the Hellenic race ; while the association of the poorer classes, by the introduction of their fiivourito festival, would impart to the drama a peculiarly popular fharnctfr, and render it the appropriate expression of tlio national enthusiasm.
THE PERSIANS.
Clwrus.
THE Faithful these, advisers old Of Persians, gone to Hellas' strand, Guards of these halls and plenteous gold Here treasured, \vhom, as elders' meed, Lord Xerxes, King, Darius' seed. Chose wardens of the land.
But touching now the safe return
Of King and gold-trickt host, My heart within me, doleful seer Of mischief, harrow'd is by fear, — 10
For all the martial strength is gone, Nurtured in Asia, — and doth yearn For our young hero ; news is none ; Nor horseman reacheth yet nor post
Our Persia's central home.
But they forsaking Susa's walls, Agbatana and Kissia's hold. Eight ancient, forth to battle sped, Some borne on steeds, in galleys some, Others in march, with measured tread,
War's serried ranks displayed. 20
206 TJie Persians.
Such were Amistres, Artapbren, Astasp and Megabazes, — tbey, Marsbals of Persia, kings tbeniselvcs, But to the mighty King submiss, Speed forth, o'erseers of vast array, With arrow puissant, borne on steeds, Fearful to sight and dread in fight,
Through their bigh-souled resolve
And steed-exultant Artcmbar,
Masistres and Imaeus brave, 80
Puissant with bow ; Pharaudakcs,
Sosthanes too, steed-driver;
Others Nile's vast, life-teeming wavo
Sent to the war ; Susiskanes,
And Pegasti'igon, Egvpt-born,
Him too who sacred Mcnii)his sways,
Mighty Arsamcs ; Ariomard,
Whose rule Ogygian Thebes obeys ;
And rowers from the marshy shore,
Their barks who guide with sturdy car,
Well-skilled, a countless host 40
And Lydians, a lururious train, Who the whole native people hold, Of Asia's niaiiiland ; these the twain, Metragathcs and Arkteus bravo, Kingly commanders, lead to war, Sent ft)rth by Sardis rich in gold, Mounted upon full uiauy a car,
Tlie Persians. 207
Witli steeds yoked tliree and four abreast, Terrific to beliold.
And dwellers sacred Tmolos near
Are pledged the slavisli yoke to cast 50
On Hellas ; — ^Mardon, Tbarubis,
Dread anvils of tbe spear ; And Mysians skilled the dart to tbro'^ ; "While Babylon, the golden, sends Her motley throng, which sweeps along, Some upon galleys borne, and those
Whose valour trusts the bow.
Thus 'neath the King's commandment dread Each sabre-wielding race has sped
From Asia's every reign. Such bloom of men from Persia's plain 60
Hath gone, and all the Asian earth. Yearning for those whom from their birth
She fostered, groans amain ; While wives and parents count each day, Still trembling at the long delay.
SxnopHE I.
Already hath the royal host. Spoiler of cities, gained the adverse coast ; O'er cordage-fastened raft * the channel they
• Darius, about thirty-five years before, had caused a bridge to be thrown over the TLracian Bosphoms, and crossed it in his march to Scythia ; but this bridge, though constructed by the lonians, and by a Samian Greek, having
208 The Persians.
Of Athamanticl Helle passed, 70
"What time tlieir many-bolted way
On the sea's neck, as servile yoke, they cast.
Antristrophe L
Thus the fierce king, who holds command O'er populous Asia, drives through all the laud, In twofold armament, his flock divine,
Land troops, and these who stem the brine ;
Strong in his stalwart captains, he Of gold-born* race the god-like progeny. 80
Strophe IT.
From eyes like deadly dragon's, flashing a lurid gleam, With men and galleys countless, driving his Syrian
car, 'Gainst spear-famed men he Icadeth his arrow-puissant
war.
had reference only to distant regions, seems to have been little known or little thought of among the Gneks generally, as we may infer from the fiict that the poet ^schylus' speaks as if he bad never heard of it, while the bridge of Xerxes was ever remem bored both by Persians and by Greeks as a most imjosing display of Asiatic omnipotence. — Grote's Ilixfory of Greece.
* An allusion is hero made to the popular Ivlief that the name of Persia was derived from Perseus, the son of Danao by Zeus, who visiteil her in a shower of goUL
An interesting exposition of the original signification of the legend will bo found in Cox's ' Slythology of the Aryan Nations.'
» Pcrs. 731. 754, 871
The Persians. 209
AXTISTROPHE 11.
And none of valour proven against the miglity stream 90
May stand, a living bulwark, and that fierce billow stem ;
For Persia's host resistless is, and her stout-hearted men.
Me s ODE.
But ah ! what mortal baiHe may * A god's deep-j)lotted snare, — "Who may o'erleap with foot so light ? fAte at fii'st, with semblance fair, IGO
Into her toils allui'es her i)rey,
Whence no mere mortal wight May break away.
Strophe III.
In olden time by Heaven's decree
Fixed was the Persians' destiny ; —
Tower-battering war was theirs by Fate,
The turmoil when steed-mounted foes
In shock of battle fiercely close,
And cities to make desolate. 110
* The sudden transition of the Chorus from unboucded confidence to gloomy foreboding is characteristic of the reh- gious conception common alike to Greek and Persian in the ^schylean acre, namely, that the gods cherished a jealous enmity towards vast power and overweening aspirations in men.
210 The Persians.
Antistbophe IIT. Now have they learned firm gaze to cast On the vext sea, what time the blast Makes hoary its broad- furrowed plain. Confide they now in naval craft, Cables fine-wove, device to waft Armies across the main.
Strophe IV. Hence, swartly robed, my heart by fear Is tortm-ed, lest ere long the State — Woe for the Persian army ! hear 120
That Susa's mighty fort is desolate.
AXTISTKOPHE IV. And Kissia's stronghold shall reply Beat unto beat on doleful breast, While crowds of women raise the cry. Woe ! woe I and rend their flaxen-tissiicd vest
Stuophe V. Fur all the troops that draw the rein, And all who tread the dusty plain, Like ssvarming bees, with him who led ISO
Their martial host, abroad have sped. The jutting boat- way crossing o'er, Sea-washud, and common to each adverse shoro.
ANTisTRornK V. And yearning hivo witli many a tear The couch bcdcwcth, louu and dic;ir;
Tlie Persians. 211
The wives of Persia, steeped in woe, Lament, of their dear lords bereft, For her fierce spouse against the foe 140
Each sent spear-armed, and mourns unmatcd left.
But Persian elders, come, And seated in our ancient hall of state Devise we counsel, with deep-thoughted care.
For great in sooth the need ; —
How haply fares our king, Darius' seed, Xerxes, from him derived whose name we bear- On bending of the bow doth conq^uest wait '?
Or hath the might 150
Of iron-headed spear-shaft won the day ?
[Atossa is seen approaching in a royal chariot, attended hy a numerous train J]
But lo, in brightness like the eyes of gods,
Comes forth a light — The mother of my royal lord, my queen. Do we obeisance, falling at her feet ;
Yea, it behoves us all With words of salutation her to greet.
[They prostrate themselves before her, touching the earth luith their for eh eads?^
Of Persia's deep-zoned daughters supreme in rank,
0 Queen, Hoar mother of King Xerxes, spouse of Darius, hail !
212 The Persians
Once consort, now the mother of Persia's god art
thou, Unless our ancient fortune abandons now the host. 160
Atossa. Therefore I come forsaking our gold-trickcd palace
halls, The common nuptial chamber, Darius' and mine
own. Me too at heart care rendeth : my thoughts to you
I'll speak, Being by no means fearless touching myself, O
fr-iends, Lest mighty wealth retreating, o'ertum with foot of
haste, Fortune which great Darius not without Ucav'n
upreared. Hence care, all words surpassing, twofold my bosom
rends, For small the honour yielded to wealth, if men be
lost. And liglit to strength proportioned, shines not where
riches fail. Our wealth may none disparage, but for our Eye wo
fear, 170
For I the master's presence esteem the eye of home. Wherefore since Fate hath ordered that thus affairs
should stand, Be my advisors, Persiajis, mine aged, tnisty, friends; For aU my hope of counsol is centred now iu yon.
The Persians. 213
CJiorus. Queen of this land, kuow surely, thou needest nut
to utter, Or word or deed twice over, whate'er thy powei
commands ; For we to counsel summoned, devoted are to thee.
Atossa. Ever have nightly visions manifold* Beset me, since, intent on ravaging Ionia's soil, my son led forth his power. 180
But never saw I dream so manifest As that of yesternight ; — I'll tell it thee ; — Me thought two women came before my sight, Eichly apparelled, this in Persian robes Was habited, and that in Dorian garb ; In height above their sex pre-eminent, Faultless in beauty, sisters of one race. As Fatherland the one by lot had gained Hellas, the other the Barbaric land. Bet«-ecn these twain, for so methought I saw, 190 Some feud arose, which learning, straight my son Strove to appease and soothe ; he to his car Yoked them, and placed the collar on their nocks. Proudly the one exulted in this gear, And kept her mouth submissive to the reins ; Eestive the other was ; she with her hands The chariot-harness rends, then, without bit,
* The narrative of Atossa recalls the premonitory dream which, according to Herodotus, was sent by the gods to Xerxes and Artabanus prior to their expedition against Greece.
214 Tlie Persians.
Whirls it along, snapping the yoke asunder. Prone falls my son, and close at hand his sire, Darius, pitying stands, whom when he sees, 200 The robes about his person Xerxes rends. Such was, I say, my vision of the night. When I arose and with my hands had touched Fountain clear-flowing, I the altar ncared With sacrificial hand, wishing to pay To the averting gods, to whom belong Such rites, oblations ; forthwith I behold An eagle fleeing straight to Phoebos' hearth. Speechless I stood through terror, friends ; anon, A kite I see borne forward on swift wing, Tearing with talons fierce the eagle's head ; 210 Meanwhile the eagle nothing did but cower, His body tamely yielding to the foe. Dreadful these portents are to me who saw And you who hear : for well ye know, my son, If victor, were a man with glory crowned. Yet worsted, to the state gives no account. And saved, he none the less this realm will sway.
Chorus. Thee neither would we, mother, o'erfrighten by our
words, Nor yet too much encourage ; but, prayerful, seek the
gods ; If aught hast scon of evil, that pray thoni to avert, Rut for thysolf and children, the state, and all thy
friends, 220
The Persians. 215
All good things to make perfect; next, meet it is to
pour To eartli and to the Manes, libations ; but tby spouse, Darius, whom thou sayest in dream to have beheld. Entreat to send up blessings, for thee and for thy son, From neath the earth to daylight, while inauspicious
things, Held under earth in durance, may fade away in gloom, Thus we, with mind presageful, counsel with kind
intent. Trustful that from these omens the issue fair will
prove.
Atossa.
Well thou, the first expounder of these my dreams,
hast given An explanation friendly toward my son and house. May the good find fulfilment ? The rites which to the
gods And to our buried dear ones thou biddest, we will
pay
Soon as we gain the palace. Meanwhile, I fain would
know Where on the earth stands Athens,* as men report, my
friends.
Chorm. Far to the west, where waneth our sovereign lord, the
sun.
• Herodotus relates that Darius, on hearing of the burning of Sardis, inquired who the Athenians were.
216 Tlie Persians.
Atossa. NY hat I hath my son then hankered this town to make his prey ?
Chorus.
Ay, to our king all Hellas would then submissive prove.
Atossa. Of men then in their army have they so vast array ?
CJiorus. Of such sort was their army, it wrought the Medes great bale.
Atossa. And what besides? AVealth have they sufficient in their homes ?
Chorus. A fount is theirs of silver; a treasure of their soil.* 240
* It is first in an emphatic passacce of the poet iEschylus that we hear of the silver mines of Laurium, in Attica, and the valuable produce which they rendered to the state. We are told by Herodotus that there was in the Athenian trea- sury, at the time when Thcniistokles made his proposition to enlarge the naval force, a great sum arising from the Laurian mines, out of which a distribution was on the point of being made among the citizens — ten drachms to each man. Themistokles availed himself of this precious oppor- tunity, and jirevaikd upon the jieople to forego the promised distribution for the purpose of obtaining an efficient navy, — Grote's Ilisturi/ </ (hrecc. When wc niUienilxT that this navy was the salvation not oidy of Athens herself but of Greece also, we arc not surprisoil that the jxwt should make such emphatic mention of " this fount of silver, this treasure of tho soil."
Tlie I'ersians. 217
Atossa. Is the bow-stretcliing arrow conspicuous in their hands ?
CTionis. Nay, lances for close fighting, and equipage of shield.
Atossa.
And who then is their shepherd ? Who lords it o'er
their host ?
Clwrus.
To no man are they vassals, nor yield they to com- mand.
Atossa.
How then, if foe invade them, may they the shocli sustain ?
Clwrus. So that Darius' army, gallant and large, they quelled.
Atossa. Dreadful thy words to parents whose sons to war are sped.
Chorus. But soon, if I mistake not, thou the whole truth shalt
learn, For here a courier speedeth whose gait proclaimeth him Persian, and he wall bring us clear news of weal or woe. 250
[^Enter Messekgeb.^
Messenger. 0 fenced homes of all the Asian earth, 0 soil of Persia, haven of vast wealth,
218 TJie Persians.
How by one stroke oui- full prosperity
Hath shatter'd been, and blighted Persia's flower.
Woeful his oflBce first who heralds woe !
Yet all our sorrow must I needs uufold. —
Persians 1 the whole barbaric host is lost.
Chorus. Strophe I. Grievous, 0 grievous woe, 2G0
Strange, dismal overthrow, Weep, Persians, hearing of this di-eadfol blow.
Messenger. Yonder our all is ruined utterly Myself, past hope returning, view the light.
Chorus. Antistbophe I. Oppressed by weight of years, Too long our life appears, When this unlooked-for woe assails our ears.
Messenger. Present myself, not hearing others' words, Persians ! I can report what ills befcL
CJtorus. Strophe IL
In vain, aliis, in vain, 270
That many-natioucd, diverse-weaponed band, Against illustrious Hellas' land,
From Asia sped amain.
Mhssenokb. Corpses of men ill-fated clmko the coasts Of Sulamis, and all the region near.
The Persians. 219
Cliorus. Antistp.ophe IL
Woe for their end forlorn ! The bodies, thou dost say, of dear ones lcJ6t, Full oft immersed, in death are tost,
Bj floating robes upborne.*
Messenger. Nothing our bows availed ; but all our host 2S0 Perished, by shock o'ercome of naval prows.
Cliorus. Strophe III. Shriek out a bitter wail For those in death laid low ; How have the gods in all things wrought us bale ! j Woe for the perished army! woe !
Messenger. 0, Salamis, most hateful name to hear ! Athens, alas ! remembering thee I groan.
Chorus. Antistrophe III. O Athens, name of dread To foes! For we recall
* TrXayKrois eV bt-TrkaKecra-iv. These words have given rise to a variety of interpretations. They have been supposed to refer to the ebbing and flowing surface of the tide ; to the two opposite shores of the strait ; to the twofold surface of land and sea ; to fragments of wrecked ships, &c. The word 6t7rXa| is however known in Homer as a double cloak (cloak with ca])e), and in the context most probably refers to the floating mantles of the slain.
t TTavrq. So Hermann for Trarrd, and he also adds 6foi, to complete both sense and metre, from a gloss in one MS. — • Taley.
•220 Ths Persians.
How many wives of Persia vainly wed, 290
By her are widows made, bereft of all.
Atossa.
Long have I silence kept, struck down by ills,
Wretched : — for so transcendent this mischance.
Our grief may be nor told nor questioned of.
Yet mortals needs must bear calamities
Sent by the gods ; wherefore, our sum of loss
Unfolding, though thou groanost at our ills.
Yet in well-ordered narrative rehearse
Who hath from death escaped ; whom must we wail
Of princely leaders that the truncheon held
Who now, by death has left his post unmanned. 300
Messengkr. Xerxes himself still lives and sees the light
Atossa.
Great light, in sooth, thou speakest to my house, And day clear shining, after murky night.
Messenger.
But Artembarcs, lord of myriad horse,
'Gainst the Siloui's rugged shores is dashed ;
And Dadaces, the chiliarch, spcar-struck,
Forth from his galley kapt with nimble bound.
And Tenagon, of Bactria's true stock
Bravest, the Bea-lash'd islo of Ajax haunts.
Lilaios, Arsanu's, Argcstop, these 310
Koiuid tlio dovo-nurturiug ishiud overpowered,
TJie Persians. 221
On the hard coast lay butting to and fro.
Neighbour to Egypt's Nile-springs, Arkteus too,
Adeues, Pheresseues, Pharnuchos,
All these together from one vessel fell,
Chrysian Matallos, captain of vast hosts,
Leader of thrice ten thousand sable horse,
In death his ruddy beard, bushy and thick,
With purple gore distaining, changed its hue.
The Magian Arabos, and Artames, 320
From Bactria, settler on a rugged soil, t
There perished. Wielder of no idle spear, -^
Amphistreus, and the doughty Ariomard,
By Sardis mourned ; Amistris, Seisames,
The Mysian ; — of five times fifty ships
Commander, Tharybis, in Lyrna born,
A comely man, no mark for envy now.
Prone lies in death. Foremost in valour too,
Syennesis, Cilicia's host who led,
Whose single prowess wrought the foe most bale, 330
A glorious end hath found. I of such chiefs
Now make report ; but mid the throng of ills
Which overwhelm us, I relate but few.
Atossa.
Woe I woe ! The very crown of ills, I hear. To Persians shame and matter for shrill wail ; But on thy track returning, tell me this, How great the number of the Hellenes' fleet, That they with Persia's armament should dare Battle to join in shock of naval prows ?
222 The Persians.
Mr.SSENGEB.
Had conquest waited upon numbers, queen,
Then Persia's ships were victor, for the fleet 340
Of Hellas counted but three hundred ships,*
And other ten selected, in reserve.
But Xerxes, this I know, led fifty score,
While those for swiftness most pre-eminent
Two hundred were and seven : such the tale.
Seem we to thee the weaker in this battle ?
Rather some power divine destroyed the host,
The scale depressing with unequal fortune.
Grods save the city of the goddess, Pallas.
Atossa. Is then the Athenians' city still unsack'd ? f 350
* The combined fleet which had now got together at Salamis consisted of 366 ships. . . . We may doubt, however, whether this total, borrowed from Herodotus, be not largt r than that which actually fought a little afterwards at the battle of Salamis, and which ^schylus gives decidedly as consisting of 300 sail, in addition to ten prime and chosou ships. That great fX)et, himself one of the conib:itants, and si)caking in a drama rcprescntal only seven years after the battle, is better authority on the point even than Herodotus. — G rote's Ilhtory of Greece.
t The sulTorings endured by the Atheninns in consscquenco of the Persian occupation of Attica, when the temples of the Acropolis were pillaged, and all its buildings, sacreil as well as profane, were consigne<l to the flames, were so recent and terrible, that any direct allusion to them would have jarred uix)n the feelings of a largo jortion of the audience. Wo cinnot but admire the skill of the jxict in evading the question which ho attributes to the Persian qucco.
The Persians. 223
Messengee. Her sons surviving, she firm bulwark hath.
Atossa.
What the commencement of the sea-fight ? Say.
Did the Hellenes first the onset lead,
Or did my son, proud of innumerous ships ?
Messenqeb. All our disaster, Queen ! from spirit of ill Or vengeful power, none knoweth whence, began. For a Hellene from out the Athenian host Came to thy son, to Xerxes, with this tale,* That when the gloom of dusky night set in, The Hellenes would not stay, but, springing straight On to the benches of their ships, would seek, 360
Some here, some there, safety by secret flight. But he, when he had heard, perceiving not The Hellenic guile, or envy of the gods, To all his captains issues this command ; When with his beams the sun to scorch the earth Should cease, and darkness hold the expanse of sky. Their squadrons they should marshal in three lines, Guarding the outlets and the biUowy straits. And others station around Aias' isle : — 370
For did the Hellenes 'scape a wretched fate,
* Allusion is here made to the desperate stratagem of Themistokles, by which he thwarted the resolution of the Grecian leaders to remove the fleet to the Isthmus, a resolu- tion which, if taken, would have involved the ruin of the Hellenic cause.
224 T}ie Persians.
Finding by stealth an outlet for their ships,
Stern was the warning, — every head should fall.*
Such words he spake from mind infatuate,
For what impended from the gods he knew not.
And they, without disorder, but with minds
Obedient to command, their meal prepared,
Afid roimd true-fitting lock each mariner
Strapp'd well his oar. But when the sunlight waned
And night came on, each master of an oar J 380
Went to his ship, and each one versed in arms ;
Of the long galleys line still cheering line,
Forth sail they, as to each had been prescribed.
And through the live-long night the admirals.
With naval force entire, cruised to and fro.
Darkness advanced, yet not in secret flight
Ionia's host was minded to escape ;
But when white-steeded Day, bright to behold.
Held the wide earth, from the Hellenes first.
Like joyous chant, rang out their battle-cry, 390
And forthwith Echo, from the island rocks.
Sent back responsive an inspiring shout.
On all the Persians, cheated in their hojics.
Fell terror; for by no means as in flight
Their solemn jwean did th' Hellenes sing,
But with stout courage speeding to the fray.
• In ilhistrntiou of this command, reference may be madf to the wrath of Xerxes when appristnl of tlic licstructiDii of the first bridge of Iniate thrown over the HelU'six>nt, when he causcti the heads of the chief cni^inccrs to be struck off.
X The phrase in the original proKibly means " each boHt- swain of a crew. "
Tlie Persians. 225
The trumpet's blare fired all their ranks, and straight,
With simultaneous dip of sounding oar,
They at the signal smote the surging brine,
And instant all conspicuous were to sight. 400
First the right wing, well marshall'd, took the lead :
Then their whole naval force in fair array
Bore down against us. All at once was heard
A mighty shout : " Sons of Hellenes, on.
Your country free, your children free, your wives.
The temples of your fathers' deities,
Your tombs ancestral ; for your all ye fight."
And from our side clamour of Persian speech
In answer rose ; no time was then for pause,
But inst-ant galley against galley dashed 410
Her armat;ire of brass. A ship of Hellas
Led the encounter, and from Punic barque
Sheared her high crest. Thereon as fortune led,
Ship drave on ship ; at first the Persian host,
A mighty flood, made head ; but soon their ships
Thronged in the strait, of mutual aid bereft,
Each against other dashed with brazen beak,
Crushing the oar-banks of their proper fleet ;
While the Hellenes ships, not without skill,
Circling around them smote : dead hulks of ships 42C
Floated keel-upwards, and, with wrecks o'erstre^^Ti
And slaughtered men, lost was the sea from sight,
Ay, shores and reefs were crowded with the dead.
In flight disordered every ship was rowed,
Poor remnant of the Persian armament.
Then as men strike at tunnies, or a haul
Q
226 Tlie Persians.
Of captured fisbes, the Hellenes, armed
With splint of oar, or fragment from the wreck,
Batter'd, and clave with dislocating blows.
Shrieks and loud wailing filled the ocean brine.
Till all 'neath eye of swarthy night was lost. 430
But all our losses, though for ten whole days
I told them over, could I not recount.
Of this be sure, that never in one day
Perished of men so vast a multitude.
Atossa. Woe ! Woe ! Of ills a mighty sea hath burst On Persia, and on all the Asian race.
Messenger. Be thou assured, but half our loss thou knowest ; Upon them came calamity so vast As twice to overweigh the ills yet told.
Atossa. What Fortune could than this more hostile be ? 440 Say, what this woe which came, as thou dost state, Upon the host, charged with still heavier bale ?
Messenger. All Persia's sons, in ftiircst bloom of life, Bravest of soul, pre-eminent by birth. And to the king himself still first in trust,— These died ignobly, by inglorious doom.
Atossa. Ah wretched me, my friends, for deadly chancol But say, what ft)rm of ruiu these o'crwhulm'd?
i
The Persians. 227
Messengeb. An isle there is that frontetli Salamis, Small, with bad anchorage, whose sea- washed beach 450 Dance-loving Pan doth haunt ; thither the King Sendeth these chiefs, that, when the worsted foe Should in the isle seek safety, Persia's sons Might slay the host of Hellas, easy prey. And from the briny channels save their friends, Ill-guessing the to-come : for when the god The Hellenes crowned with glory of the fight, On that same day, with shields of well-wrought brass Fencing their bodies, from their ships they leapt. And the whole isle encompassed ; so our men Knew not which way to turn ; oft time by stones 460 Pelted from foeman's hand, while arrows keen, Thick raining from the bow-string, smote them down ; Eushing at last with simultaneous shout, The Hellenes hacked and caiwed the victims' limbs. Till they, poor wretches, all of life were reaved. But Xerxes groaned, seeing the depth of ills ; For on a lofty height, hard by the sea, His seat he held, o'erlooking all the host. His garments rending, a shrill cry he raised, 470
To his land troops forthwith dispatch'd command, And sped in flight disordered. Thine it is To wail this sorrow added to the first.
Atossa. 0 hateful Demon, how thou hast belied The hopes of Persians ! Bitter punishment
228 Tlie Persians.
'Gainst famous Athens hath my son devised; Nor did the deaths suffice of Asia's host Whom Marathon destroyed ; for them my son Thought to exact requital, but instead, Upon himself hath drawn this host of ills. But speak, the ships that have destruction 'scaped, — 48C Where didst thou leave them? This canst clearly tell?
Messentjee. Of the surviving ships the captains straight Before the wind took flight in disarray. But of the host the remnant met their death In the Bo&otian's land. Some pressed with thirst
Round sparkling fount, some breathless, spent by toil.*
» » » * • •
Thence crossed we over to the Phocian land,
To soil of Doris and the Mclian giilf.
Whoso plain Spercheios' stream with kindly draught
Waters ; thereafter the Achaiau soil, 490
And cities of Thessalians us received,
Straitened for food ; there died the greater part
Of thirst and hunger, for both ills bcfel.
Magnesia and the INIacedonian land
Traversed we then, far as to Axios' ford,
To Bolbo's marshy reed, and to the height
Of Mount Pangaios and the Edonian land ;
But on that night, winter, out of duo time.
Some god aroused, who Strymon's holy stream
Through its whole course congealed ; then who before
* A ]iassagc of some length has been lost from the originaL
The Persians. 229
The gods had held for nought, with fervent prayers 500 Invoked them now, bowing to earth and sky. When from their frequent orisons the host Had ceased, the stream's firm crystal straight they
cross ; Then those among us who their march began. Ere the god darted forth his rays, were saved ; For, flaming mth his beams, the sun's bright orb Pierced the mid river, warming with his blaze ; Then each on other fell, and blest was he Whoever earliest snapt the breath of life. But the poor remnant, they who safety found, 510 With toil and many a hardship crossing Thrace, Rescued, arrive, not many, to a land Of hearths domestic. Now let Susa groan, Sore yearning for our country's much-loved youth. True are these things, but many ills untold I leave, which God upon the Persians hm-led.
Chorus.
0 baleful Demon ! with what heavy weight Thy feet have trampled on all Persia's race I
Atossa. Ah, woe is me for ruin of the host ! Oh nightly vision manifest in dreams, 520
To me how surely didst thou ills portend I
To the Chorus. But ye too lightly did interpret it. Nathless, since your response did sanction this, First, I desire to supplicate the gods ;
230 The Persians.
Then, bringing from my house libations, gifts To Earth and to the Manes, I will come ; Too late, I know, for evils past recall, But more auspicious may the future prove I Meanwhile 'tis meet that, touching these events, Ye faithful counsel with the faithful hold, 530
My son, ere my return, should he arrive, Console ye, and escort him to his home. Lest to these ills some further ill accrue.
Chorus.
0 sovereign Zeus, who Persia's host Countless and boasting loud Hast now destroyed, Lo I Susa and Agbatana By thee are wrapt in sorrow's murky shroud. And many a maid her mantling vest
With tender hands now teareth ; 540
^A'hile drenching tears bedew her breast,
The general grief that shareth. And Persia's women, delicate in woe, Longing their new-wed lords to see again, Their bridal couch with dainty covers dight, Abandon'd now, their tender youth's delight,
With sateless moan complain ; |i
While I, in fitting strain, Wail for the fates of those in death laid low.
SiuornK L For now all Asia moans, left desolate. 550
Tlie Persians. 231
Xerxes led forth, woe ! woe !
Xerxes hath all laid low ! Xerxes hath wrought malignant overthrow
To many a sea-borne raft. Why did Darius rule unharmed the state,
Lord of the archers' craft,
Susa's beloved leader ?
Antisteophb I. Landmen and seamen flax- winged galleys bare: * 560
Galleys led forth ; woe ! woe I
Galleys wrought overthrow, Galleys, by deadly crash of blue-faced prow,
But through Ionian hands. The king hath 'scaped, we hear, by fortune rare.
Through Thracia's wide-spread lands ;
Paths swept by storms of winter.
Strophe II. . The first, alas ! laid low, 570
Perforce unurned, woe ! woe ! Around Kychreia's shores spray-drenched lie. Pour the lament, uplift on high To heaven deep notes of pain ; Eaising the dismal cry. Your voices strain.
Antistbophe II. By eddying currents torn, Gnawed are their limbs, woe ! woe I
* KivoTTTfpoi. I have adopted the emendation proposed by Schiitz.
232 The Persians.
By voiceless children of tlie unsullied deep. 680
Mourncth each dwelling, left forlorn ; Parents bereaved, and elders mourn These heaven-sent griefs, and weep Their sum of woe.
STBOr-HE III. Already through aU Asia's land None owncth Persia's sway ; None, at their sovereign lord's command,
Henceforth will tribute pay : Nor, falling prostrate, own his right 590
Them to enthrall ; for kingly might Hath passed away.
Antistrophe III. No more the tongue is guarded now
By mortals ; from this hour. Free are the throng to speak, I trow,
Since loosed the yoke of power ; And Aias' sea-encircled isle, In blood-stained fields holds what erowhile "Was Persia's flower.
[^Re'enter Atossa, without regal state, accompanied by Attendants bearing utensils/or sacrijice.']
Atossa. My friends, whoso is versed in sorrow, knows COO
That when on mortals comes a surge of ills, Prone are they then to fear ; but when the tide
'^
Tlie Persians. 233
Of fortune smootlily glides, fondly they trust
That the same fortune still will waft them on.
So now to me are all things full of fear ;
Woes sent of Heaven are present to mine eyes ;
Eings in mine ear a cry, no psean strain :
Such terror from these evils scares my soul.
Wherefore without my cars and wonted pomp,
Once more I issue from my home, and bring 610
To my son's royal sire, libations kind,
Whate'er is soothing to the honoured dead.
White milk, sweet di-aught from heifer undefiled ;
The flower-distiller's dew, translucent honey,
And crystal water drawn from virgin spring ;
Here joyance too I bring of ancient vine,
Draught unadulterate from mother wild ;
From pale green olive-tree, that while it livea
With constant leafage blooms, this odorous fruit ;
And wreathed flowers, brood of all-teeming Earth. 620
But, 0 my friends, chant ye well-omened hymns
O'er these libations offered to the dead;
Darius' mighty ghost do ye invoke,
While I, these honours, which the earth shall di'ink,
Myself will send to deities below.
Chorus.
0 royal lady, to whom Persians bow, Do thou, to halls below, libations send, AVhile we in solemn lay Those who escort the dead will pray Beneath the earth their gracious aid to lend.
234 The Persians.
Dread Powers who dwell below, 630
Hermes and Earth and Thou, Monarch of Hades, do ye now His spirit to the light tipscnd ; For, if a cure for these dire ills he know. Alone of mortals he may speak the end.
Stbophe L
Me doth our blessed, godlike monarch hear, Pouring these varied doleful notes of woe,
Broken by sighs ? To him is my barbaric utterance clear. Telling our wretched griefs in piercing cries ? 640
Me doth he hear below ?
ANTISTROniE I.
But thou, 0 Earth, and ye dread powers of night, Send from your sunless realms to upper air
A shade of might ; The monarch, Susa-bom, the Persians' god, Upsend ye, — Him whose equal Persia ne'er
Hath shrouded 'ueath her sod.
Stbopiik it.
Dear was the hero, dear his tomb,
For dear the manners it doth hide ; 650
Aidoncus, thou, from nether gloom,
l^scort and guide, Aidonous, hear our prayer, — f The king of Persians scud, true king, to upper air.
.
Tlie Persians. 235
AXTISTBOPHE II,
For ne'er in ■war's disastrous game Doom'd he his warriors to the grave ; No ; godlike counsellor the name
His Persians gave ; Godlike in sooth was he, tSince still his subject host he governed worthily.
Stbophe in. Khan,* ancient Khan ! oh come, draw near, Come to the topmost summit of this mound ; 6 GO Lifting thy foot in saffron slipper dight, The crest of thy tiara's kingly round
Giving to sight : Appear, Darius, blameless sire, appear 1
Antistbophe IIL ■j"0 monarch, come, that thou may'st hear "Woes, strange, unheard of, by our monarch borne ; For o'er us now some Stygian gloom doth lour, Since sunk in utter ruin lies forlorn
Our martial flower. Appear Darius ! blameless sire, appear 1
Epode. 0 Thou in death by friends bewailed sore, 670
fWhy, king of kings, say why Hath dire calamity, Of blind infatuation bom,
• The original word is BaX^i/, a Phoenician word, signifying Lord-
236 The Persians. I
With stroke redoubled, whelm'd oui* land forlorn?
All her lost triremes we deplore, No triremes now, alas, no, never more,
\The Ghost of Darids rises.]
Darius,
0 faithful of the faithful, ye whilome
My youth's compeers, elders of Persia, say
With what sore travail travaileth the state?
The land, breast-smitten and with furrowed check,*
Moaneth, and I, beholding near my tomb 680
My consort, troubled am, but graciously
Her offrings I received ; ye also stand
Lifting the dirge beside my sepulchre.
And, shouting loud with shade-evoking strains,
Piteously call me : but the upward path
Lies not too open ; for the gods below
More ready are to seize than to let loose.
Yet, rank among them holding, I am como ;
But haste, that time rebuke not my delay.
What this new ill that weighs the Persians down ?
* (TTfUfi, KfKOTTai, Koi )(apa(T(reTai TrtSov. Considerable divcreity of opinion prevails as to the corrtxt interpretation of this iiassa.;o. When it is rcmemlx^n.'tl, however, that Koirrofiat, mcd., means to boat the breast in grief, like Lat. phnifjcrc, it seems evident that xapua-atrait taken in connection with aTfvti and KtKOTrrai, csin refer only to the irap^Bav a/ivynnt. I thcrefiTe conclnde that by a bold Imago the poet ascribes to the very soil the horrors of frenzied mournings with the modes of which the Greeks wore familiar.
Tlie Persians. 237
CJwrus.
To look upon thee awes me ; 690
To speak before thee awes mo : By ancient fear subdued.
Dabius.
Cut since from Hades I have come, by thy complaints
persuaded, Give to mine ear no long discourse, but tell thy tale
concisely ; Laying aside thine awe of me, reveal the whole full
quickly.
Chorus.
I tremble to obey thee, Tremble to speak before thee Things harsh for friends to hear.
Daeitjs.
"^Yell, since thine ancient reverence thy spirit thus
impedeth, Hoar partner of my royal couch, do thou, much
honoured lady, 700
These cries and lamentations leave, and somewhat tell
distinctly. That upon mortal men should come afflictions, is but
human. Many calamities by sea, many by land still happen To mortals, if to wider scope their life should be
extended.
238 The Persians. f
Atossa. 0 thou in happy fortune blest beyond the lot of
mortals, la envied glory, while thine eyes still gazed upon the
sunlight, Leading a life of happiness, a god unto the Persians. Happy, in sooth, I deem thee now, dying before thou
sawest Our depth of ill. Thou in brief space the tale shall
hear, Darius. In utter ruin, so to speak, prostrate lies Persia's
fortune. 710
Dakitts.
How, pritheo ? Came contagion's blast or discord o'er
the city ?
Atossa.
By neither, but near Athens' walls hath our whole host
been routed.
Darius.
What son of mine an armament hath thither led? Inform me.
Atossa.
Impetuous Xerxes, all the life of wide-spread Asia
draining.
Darius.
By land or sea, unhappy man, made be this mad
endeavour ?
Atossa.
By both in sooth ; a twofold front there was of two- fold army.
I
The Persians. 239
Darius. But how could armament so vast on foot pass from tho
mainland ?
Atossa.
0 er Helle's strait he artful threw a bridge, and so
foxmd passage.
Darits.
Thus hath he wrought,'and so hemm'd in the Bosphoros' strong current I
Atossa.
So was it, yet some demon-power did haply aid his purpose. 720
Daeius.
Alas, some mighty demon came, and hath befool'd his judgment.
Atossa.
True, for the issue clearly shows what evil he ac- complished.
Darius. And what hath been the fate of those o'er whom ye gi-oan, lamenting?
Atossa.
The naval army, worsted, drew the land force to de- struction.
Darius. So utterly by hostile spear hath the whole army perished ?
Atossa.
Ay, emptied of her warriors, moans all the town of
Susa.
240 The Persians.
Dabius. Woe for our levies vainly made, and many-nationed army !
Atossa. Perifihed hath Bactria's martial strength, and not hex elders only
Darius.
O hapless son, of our allies the youth how hath he ruined?
Atossa.
Alone, abandoned, so they say, Xerxes, with but few others — 730
Dabius.
jIow hath he met his end, and where ? or is there hope of safety ?
Atossa.
Was fain to reach the bridge that links two continents together.
Dabius.
And hath he to this mainland come in safety ? Is this certain ?
Atossa.
Ay, 60 prevaileth the report ; in that is no dissension.
Dabius. Alas ! full speedily hath come the oracles' fulfilment. Upon my son bath Zeus hurled down tho end of the
predictions ; T hoped it would be long indeed, ore Heaven these ills
accomplished ;
The Persians. 241
But when in haste man presses on, the god still keeps
beside him. A fount of ills for all my friends seems now to be
discovered ; All this my son through ignorance hath wrought and
youthful daring, 740
Who Helle's sacred tide, forsooth, as it had been his
vassal, And Bosporos, the stream of god, did hope to cui-b
with fetters ; The current fashioned he anew, and hammer-beaten
shackles Casting around, for mighty host achieved a mighty
causeway. Though mortal, all the gods he thought, infatuate, to
master, Ay, e'en Poseidon ; was not this sheer frenesy of spirit That held my son ? In fear I am lest all the ample
treasure My toil amassed, become to men the spoil of the fii'st
comer.
Atossa.
Converse with evil-minded men hath taught impetuous
Xerxes Such lessons ; for thy spear, they say, won for thy sons
vast riches, 750
While he, through cowardice of soul, his spear at home
still wieldeth. Thus adding nothing to the wealth bequeathed him by
his father.
B
242 The Persians.
Hearing from evil-minded men full often these re- proaches, This expedition did he plan and armament to Hellas.
Dabixjs.
Therefore by him hath ruin been achieved
Portentous, aye to be remembered, such
As ne'er before on Susa's city fell
To drain it utterly, since Sovereign Zeus
Ordained this honour, that one potentate
O'er all sheep-pasturing Asia sway should bear,
The sceptre wielding of command ; for fii'st 760
A Median led the host ; another then,
His son, succeeding, the emprize achieved,
For reason swayed the rudder of his mind.
Third after him, Cyrus, god-favoured man,
Eeigncd, and for all his friends established peace ;
O'er Lydia's host and Phrygia spread his rule,
And all Ionia forcibly subdued.
For, such his wisdom, God was not his foo.
A son of Cyrus fourth the army ruled ;
Fifth, Mardos governed, to his fatherland 770
An outrage, and to Persia's ancient throne ;
And him, by stratagem, brave Artaphron,
In league with friendly chiefs whoso work this was,
Slew in his palace.* Next myself obtained
"The sixth was Maniphis, ami tho si'ventli Artaplircncs." As this lino is ahuost universally ro^an'.ed as spurious, I have thousht it better to omit it from tho context. It has beeo
Tlie Persians. 243
The lot I craved, and witli a miglity host
Full many a •warlike expedition led ;
But ne'er on Susa brought I bale like this.
But Xerxes, young in years, is young of soul,
And my paternal charge remembers not.
For, be assured, ye my compeers in age, 780
Not all of us, of yore these powers who held,
Shall e'er be proven to have wrought such ills.
Chorus. What then, 0 King Darius ? "What the goal To which thine utterance tends ? How in this strait May we, thy Persians, fare hereafter best ?
Darius. March ye no more against the Hellenes' land, Not though the Median host outnumber theirs ; The soil itself to them is an ally.
UhoTi-us. How meanest thou ? In what way their ally ?
Darius. By famine slaying bloated armaments. 790
Chorm. What if choice force we levy, well-cfiuipped ?
reasonably conjectured that a diligent reader had written out in verse the names of the seven conspirators, here calleri friendly chiefs, Maraphis and Artaphrencs being the two last names.
244 Tlie Persians.
Dabius. Not e'en tLe army which remains behind In Hellas, will achieve a safe return.
Chorus. How eay'st thou ? Doth not all the Asian host Cross back from Europe over Helle's strait?
Darixts.
Of many few, if it behoveth one,
Beholding tilings accomplished, to have faith
In god-sent oracles ; for ne'er of these
Do some fulfilment find while others fail.
If this be so, persuaded by vain hopes,
A large and cbosen force he leaves behind. 800
These linger where Asopos floods the plain,
Kind source of fatness to Boeotia's fields.
There them awaits to bear of ills the crown,
Just meed of insolence and godless thoughts.
For reaching Hellas, awe forbade them not
Statues of gods to spoil or shi-ines to fire.
Altars are swept away, and hallowed fanes,
Uprooted from their basement, ruined lie ;
Hence, having evil wrought, evil themselves
Not less they sutt'ur, and shall suflor more ; 810
Not yet is reached the bottom of their woe.
But still it wellcth up, a quenchless flo<.)d ; *
Such gouts of bloody slaughter shall there lie
• (Kni6fv(Tai. The Greek word being wholly uncertain, 1 have adopted the onuiuiation of Schiitz, who is followed by Bluniticld and Diudoil My version slightly amplifies the original.
The Persians. 245
Upon PlatfEa's soil from Dorian spear —
Tea, and to cliildren's children, heaps of slain
Voiceless, shall record bear to eyes of men,
That thoughts too lofty suit not mortal man ;
For bursting into blossom, Insolence
Its harvest-ear, Delusion, ripenoth,
And reaps most tearful crop. Beholding then,
Such the requital of these impious deeds,
Eemember Athens, Hellas, — and let none 820
Disdaining present fortune, lusting still
For other, squander great prosperity.
For Zeus, chastiser of o'erweening thoughts,
Is aye at hand, an auditor * severe.
Wherefore, with timely warning, counpel him,
Lacking in wisdom, that he henceforth cease
'Gainst Heaven to sin, with overweening pride.
But thou, O Xerxes' aged mother dear,
Enter thy home, and taking fit attire
Go meet thy son ; for the embroidered robes, 830
Through grief of heart at these calamities.
Around his person all are torn to shreds ;
Soothe him with kindly words, fur well I wot,
Thy voice alone will he endure to hear.
But I to nether darkness now depart.
Farewell, ye elders ; although Uls surround,
Yet to your souls give joyance, day by day.
For to the dead no profit is in wealth.
[^Ghost of Darius descends.']
• Political metaphor, from the revision of the accounts by ft public officer.
246 The Persians.
Chorus. Hearing of Persia's sorrows manifold, Present and yet to come, sorely I grieved. 840
Atossa. 0 Fate unblest ! How many grievous ills Upon me fall, yet most this sorrow stings, That of my son's dishonour I must hear, His royal limbs in tatter' d garb arrayed. But I will go, and taking from my home Costly attire, meet, if I may, my son. For ne'er will wo our dearest fail in woe.
\_Exit Atossa.] Chorus. Strophe I. Noblo and blest in sooth our city-ruling Hfe,
"What time our monarch hoar, 850
Eesourceful, blameless, imsubdued in strife, Godlike Darius ruled our coimtry o'er.
Antistbophe I. As chiefs of glorious hosts were wo displayed,
fFirm laws did all things guide, While scathless and unworn, when war was laid, |Iu triumph to their homes our warriors hied.
Strophe II. How many a town ho took, yet seldom ho 8G0
The Ilalys crossed, or from his hearth would roam ; *
* The Ilalys (which has licen idontifieil with the nicvlcrn Kizil Irmaq) was the ancient boundary of the Lydian and Persian monarchies. It was nioaovcr a very dangerous
The Persians. 247
The cities such of the Strymonian Sea, The AchelodeSj near the Thracians' home.
Antistrophe II. And those tower- girded, distant from the coast, Towns of the mainland, recognised his sway. Those near Propontis' gulfs their site which
boast, 870
Eound Helle's ample frith and Pontes' bay.
Strophe III.
And islands of the main, Fronting the headland that o'erlooks the sea,
Hard by this Asian plain ; Lesbos, and Samos crowned with olive-trees, Myconos, Pares, Naxos, Chios, these, And Andros, joining Tenos neighbourly.
Antistbophe III. Ay, and each isle that lies Midway between the mainlands he controlled ; Icaros' seat of old ;
river to overpass, being situated at the bottom of a deep rocky chasm, at least in a considerable part of its course. The celebrated oracle, " If Crocsos passes over the Halys, he shall destroy a great kingdom," adds significance to the poet's words.
By the hearth of the Great King we may understand Persepolis, or some other royal city of Persia, and may inter- pret the poet to mean that Darius, like a wise ruler, subdued many distant countries by the arms of his generals, without taking the field himself.
248 Tlie Persians.
Ehode, Lemnos, Cnidos; Cyprian towns of fame, 880
Paphos and Soli, Salamis, dread name, Whose mother-city wakes these doleful cries.
Epode. And to his will Ionia's towns he bent, Well peopled by Hellenes, opulent ; And strength exhaustless his of mailed array.
Of allies too, a motley band ; But now, not dubiously, by God's own hand,
Smitten with mighty blow
Thi'ough naval overthrow, 890
Behold we former glories swept away.
\^Enttr Xerxes, with Attendants.']
Xekxes.* Ah, wretciied me, whom Fate With most uulookM-fur blow Hath smitten ! With what hato A God on Persia's race Hath trampled ! What dire woe Is mine ! Unhappy wight !
* The account given by Herodotus of the lamentntions of the Persian host on occasion of the death of Masistius, general of the Persian cavalry at the brittle of Plat.-va, may be quoted as illustrating the prolonged wail which includes •the drama of the Persians. " The grief was violent and unboundttl, manifested by wailings so loud as to echo over all Bccotia ; while the hair of men, horses, and cattle was abundantly cut iu token of mourning." — Grote's Ilistory of Greece.
The Persians. 249
Loosed is my strength of thew,
These elders meeting face to face.
Would that, 0 Zeus, me too,
With the brave men laid low, 900
Death's doom had veiled in night.
Cliorus. Woe, king, for our brave army ! Woe For honours vast of Persia's reign.
Her warriors of renown, Whom Fate hath now mown down ! Earth mourns her martial bloom, Growth of her soil, by Xerxes slain, Who crowds with Persians Hades' gloom. "fFull many chiefs, our country's flower,
Lords of the conquering bow, Now tread the paths of doom, 910
. For multitudinous the power
Of men by death laid low. Woe for our trusty forces ! woe ! For Asia's land, upon her knee, In direful fall, 0 king ! sinks direfully.
Xebxes. Steophe L Ah, miserable me, Worthy of pity, wretched, bom to be To race and fatherland a direful ilL
1st Chorus. And I, thy home-return to hail, An evil-omened dirge will trill.
250 The Persians.
A voice well versed in pain ; Like Mariandyne mourner's strain, 920
A doleful, tear-fraught waiL
Xerxes.' Antistbophe L Ponr notes of doleful sound, A voice of wailing, fraught with gi'ief profound ; From me hath changeful Fortune turned away.
2nd Chorus.
With groans I too will pay Due honour to our city's bale —
Our sea-inflicted woes ;
Yea, like the anguished throes Of child-reft sire, shall sound my tear-fraught wail.
Xerxes. Strophe II.
Our ship-fenced Ares from the Ionian's might Dire mischief did sustain.
In shock of changeful fight ; 930
The moui'uful-fatfd coast shearing * and land- bound main.f
Chorus. Cry woo ! search out the worst ; woe, woe 1
* K(p(Tdfi€vos. Blomfickl says, with rofcrrnco to this won\ "Interpreters render it, 'havinr; devastated.' But I liave nowhere met Ktipofim in the middle voice, except to mean, shear the locks in si;jn of grief."
t Hermann admits the conjecture of Pauw and Heath, fivx}nv TrXdxa. — Palry.
Tlie Persians. 251
"Where now tlie friendly band Wont at thy side to stand ? Such was Pharandaces, Susas, Pelagon, Psammis, Dotamas, Such Agdabates, such Susiscanes, Agbatana who left. Oh say
Where now be they ? 940
Xebxes. Antisteophe it. Death-stricken from a Tyrian galley thrown. Yonder I left them prone j Amid the billowy roar, The rock-bound coast they beat on Salaminian shore.
Chorus.
Where thy Phamuchos ? Woe,' on woe ! Brave Ariomard and he, Warrior of high degree, Lilaios and the king
Seualces ; Memphis where and Tharybis, Where are Masistras, and brave Artembar, Ay, and Hystaechmas ? Say, oh say, 950 Where now be they ?
Xebxes. Stbophe m.
Ah me ! Alas ! Woe ! Woe 1
They saw the city hoar,
Athene's hated wall. And with convulsive struggle, one and all, Poor wretches, were laid gasping on the shore.
2o2 Tlie Persians.
Chorus. Him, thine all -trusty eye, The hosts of Persia who told o'er 960
By ten times fifty score, Alphistos, Batanochos' heir, Sesames' son, who owed his birth To Megabates, him didst leave, Parthos and great Qllbares there
Didst leave to die ? Unhappy men ! ah me ! Persians of highest worth ! For them dire ills on ills I hear from thee. And sighs of anguish heave.
Xebxeb. Antbistrophe TTT.
Ah me 1 Alas ! Woe ! Woe 1
A thrill of tender pain
For my brave comrades' sake, Telling of ills most hateful, thou dost wake. 970 Cries out my very heart, yea, cries amain.
CJiorus. We for another mourn, Of Mardia's myriad host the head,
Xanthos ; — Ancharcs, Arian-bom,
Diaexis and Arsaccs, who
Afield oQr mountrd forces led,
Kigdagatas and Lythimnas,
War-craviug Tolmos — these, alas, 980
These mom-n wo too.
Sorrow ostonnds, ah mc,
Sorrow astouuds my mind
Tlie Persians. 253
These cMefs on tented cars no more to see Thy royal pomp behind.
Xeexes. Steophe IY. For lost are they our host who led,
Chorus. Lost amid the nameless dead.
Xerxes. Woe! Woe! Alas! Woe! Woe!
Chorus. Woe ! Woe ! in sooth, for lo ! Ill so unlooked for and pre-eminent As Ate ne'er beheld, the gods have sent.
Xeexes. Antisteophb IV. Stricken are we by heaven-sent blow. 990
Chorus. Stricken, in sooth, too plain our woe.
Xerxes. Fresh griefs, fresh griefe, ah me !
Chorus. Meeting Ionian seamen, we Have now, alas, encountered dire disgrace ; Unfortunate in war is Persia's race.
Xeexes. Steophe V. Stricken, too true, with host so great
254 The Persians.
Chorus. Perislaed hath Persia's high estate,
Xebxes. Dost see this remnant of my warlike gear ?
Chorus. Tea, I behold. 1000
Xerxes. This also — arrows that should hold V
Chorus. What sayest saved hath been ?
Xebxes. Casket for missiles keen.
Cliorus. Small rest of ample store.
Xebxes. None left to aid us more.
Chorus. Ionia's people flee not from the spear.
Xebxes. Antistrophb V. Too warlike they ! I've seen unlooked-for woe.
CItorus. Wilt tell of flight and naval overthrow ?
Xeuxks, At this sod chauco my robes I rout.
The Persians. 265
Cliorus. All me ! Ah me I 1010
Xeexes. Worse than ali vie I ay, worse I
Chorm. Double, ay, threefold curse.
Xeexes. Joyful to foes, to us despair.
Chorus. Maimed prowess we lament.
Xeexes. Naked of escort I, and bare.
Cliorus. Through the disasters of thy friends at sea.
Xebxes. Steophe VI. Weep, weep our loss, and to the palace go.
Cliorus. Aksl Alas! Woe! Woel
Xerxes. Eesponsive cries intone.
Chorus. An ill bequest of ill to ilL 1020
Xerxes. Wail forth thy cadence shrill.
256 The Persians.
Chorus. Woe I Woe! Alas! Woe! Woe!
Xebxes. Heavy, in sooth, the blow.
Chorus. Which sorely I bemoan.
Xebxes. Antistbophe VI. Ply, ply the stroke, lift for my sake your criea
Chorus. Woe-fraught, I weep amain.
Xebxes, Wail with responsive groan,
Cliorus. This care, my liege, I own,
Xerxes. Swell loud the doleful strain.
Chorus. Woo! Woe! Alas! Woe! Woe I 1030
Xerxes. Mingled with many a blow t
Clwriis. Yea, black, and fraught with sighs.
Tlie Persians. 257
Xerxes. Strophe VII. Ay, beat thy breast, and raise the Mysian wail.
Chorus. Pain, grievous pain 1
Xerxes. And from thy chin pluck out the silver hair.
Chorus. Woe-fraught, we pluck amain I
Xerxes. Picnd with shrill cries the air.
Cliorus. Cries shall not fail.
Xerxes. Antistrophe VII. With forceful hand tear thou thy bosom's stole. 1040
Chorus. Pain, grievous pair. !
Xerxes. Our host lamenting rend thy tresses too.*
Chorus. Woe-fraught, we rend amain !
* ylrdWt. I dc not venture to give the literal translation, twang. It seems impossible to peruse the close of this drama without recognizing that the poet's aim was no longer tragedy. He evidently wishes to gratify his Athenian spectators by the grief of the Persians, which he holds up to contempt.
S
258 The Persians.
Xebxes. Let tears thine eyes bedew.
Chorus. Tears downward rclL
Xebxes. Epode. Wail forth responsive cries
CJiorus. Alas! Alas! Woe! Woe I
Xebxes. Now with loud wailing to the palace wend.
Ckona. Alas I with wailing Persia's land resounds.
Xebxes. Through Susa let your motms ascend.
CJiorus. I moan, yea, moan aniain. 1050
Xerxes. Slowly advancing pour your sighs.
CJiorus. Alas ! with wailiut; Pcrs'.a's land rusouudfl.
The Persians. 259
Xerxes. For those who perished in our triremes, woe I
Chorus. Thee I'll escort with piteous notes of pain.
[Exeunt in aolemn procession."]
NOTEa
The Persians.
99. In Blomfield and Scholefield I read <pi\6(f)p(ov yap aaivovcra ro irpwrov, rrapdyei | ^poTov eiy apKixTrara. It se'-ms iindeniable that apK-uarara is rightly corrected to apKvas "Ara, aaivovaa agreeing with *Ara : also Hermann well changes a-aivova-a to iroTia-aivova-a, as metre seems to require. But Dindorf, in 3rd ed., strangely cuts it down into (Pi\6<ppcov yap Tvapacralvd | ^porov (Is apuvas "Ara : and the Oxford ed. of 1851 (perhaps by misprint) wholly omits tti apicvas Ara.
653. Aapeloi' oiov avaicra Aapeiav. Schiitz corrected oioi' into delov. To me daifiova Sdov, tivaKxa Hfpaav is plausible.
658. For ev tirobaKfi, I suggest ev TrfbioKec. In Theocritus, p-fToiKw is transitive, cause to migrate. If you so interpret TreSwKft, it means that Darius successfully superintended the systematic migrations (that is, changes of encampment) of his vast standing army.
664. Kaivd Tf — vta Tf cannot be right. Perhaps KoivaXyj] — via Tf, which suits the metre.
260 The Persians.
C71. The corrupt bwara seems to me to conceal the lost verb. The sjTitax of the sentence may have been something like this : n'y rdBe telv' eTiTrjvar in "px? I <''? ^'■^^f^v 8i uvoiav dfjidpria ; Who has inflicted on thy empire this dreadful penalty for double folly ?
857. TTvpyiva conceals deep error.
861. The word lost may be avBpas. Thus, av8pas (s ev TTpdcraovTas ayov oikovs.
920, For aiSou, I want aba, " dire hamesser of Persians."
921. 'A-ySa^arat. I accept unhesitatingly Blomfield's correction, 'Addvarot, from Herodotus, vii. 83, which further convinces me that yap (jivirris ought to be xP^awrts, covered loith gold lace.
942. I can only understand this to mean that (Asiatic) Greeks fighting for Xerxes, though aided by Tyrians, were defeated by (European) Greeks. " Greeks," says Xerxes^ " were beaten by Greeks."
F. W. N.
THE SEVEN AGAINST THEBES.
DRAMATIS PERSONS.
Eteocles.
Messenger.
Chorus of Theban Maidens.
Ismene.
Antigone.
Herald,
[Scene. — Thebes, in front of the Acropolis. The stage, adorned icith altars and statues of the gods, is occupied hy a crowd of Theban citizens. Enter Eteocles with his train,^
INTRODUCTION.
The trilogy to which this drama belonged was repre- Bented b.c. 467, five years after* " The Persians," and consisted, as we learn from the Didascalia given in the Medicean manuscript, of Laios, CEdipus, and " The Seven against Thebes," followed by the Satyric drama of the Sphinx. It has been appropriately styled the dramatic epos of the House of Labdacos, for though the conflicting emotions in the soul of Eteocles are portrayed with true tragic insight, yet in " The Seven," as in " The Persians," narrative so far prepon- derates over action as to render the treatment of their respective subjects epic rather than dramatic.
In this, as in the other dramas of -3]schylus, the aim of the poet is to vindicate the divine government, and to exhibit the ultimate triumph of order and justice. The principle more especially emphasized, that of divine retribution — " the key-stone of the universal order" — was embodied by the Greeks in the word Nemesis : passing from the domain of conscience, it became in later times a divinity, and has been aptly characterized by Bunsen as the '' Muse of Justice." In accordance with her teaching, the eternal laws can • Paley.
264 Tlie Seven agaitist Tlitbes.
never bo violated with impunity : witli sleepless vigilance tlie dread avenger follows on the track of crime : for a season, perhaps, no muttering is heard of the coming storm; but not the less inevitably does punishment eventually overtake the wrongdoer, or his posterity. Associated with this inexorable law of retribution, the poet, in the Theban tragedy, exhibits the working of those mysterious tendencies to moral evil which, like hereditary disease, not unfrequently accompany the fatal heritage of crime, and which, if not counteracted by the force of personal will, issue in the final destruction of the sin-polluted race. A brief outline of the hoary legend, the main features of which would doubtless be embodied in the first two members of the trilogy, the Laics and the CEdipus, is essential for the due appreciutl-in of the concluding drama.*
The crime of Laios may be regarded as the fatal seed-corn from which he and his descendants reaped a tear-fraught harvest. This is indicated in the choral ode of " The Seven against Thebes " (v. 737), which it has been truly said strikes the key-note of the drama. Eeccived as a guest into the house of Pelops, ho, according to the legend, carried off Chrysippus, the son of his host, whose curse against the ravishcr is subsequently confirmed by Apollo, who thrico warns liim from his sacred shrine to save the State by dying childless. Ilecdless of the divine monition, ho, in nu
* An intcrcstinjT exposition of the solar character of the Tliebaii le;;cnd will bo found in Coxc's " ilytliology of the Aryan Nations," chap. x.
The Seven against Tliebes. 265
evil hour, " begat bis proper woe, in CEclij^us the parricide " (v. 747).
Laios, in order to evade the oracle which had declared that himself would be slain by any son whom he might beget, caused the infant, as soon as bom, to be exposed on Mount Cithajron, the savage scenery of which harmonizes with the dark passages of Hellenic lore with which it is associated. Here he is found by the herdsmen of Polybos, king of Corinth, who carry him to their master, by whom he is reared as his own child. ^\ hen grown to manhood, doubts having been cast upon his descent, he repairs to Delphi, in order to discover the truth as to his parentage. Warned by the oracle not to return to his country, he proceeds towards BcEotia, and at the spot called the divided way, encounters Laios, whom in a skirmish he slays, not knowing him to be his father. Pursuing his journey he arrives at Thebes, where, after solving the riddle of the Sphinx, he obtains the kingdom, and marries Jocasta, by whom he becomes the father of two sons, Eteocles and Polyneikes, and of two daughters, Antigone and Ismene. The truth respecting his un- happy marriage being at length brought to light, he in despair puts out his eyes, and resigns the government to his sons. They, wishing that the family shame should be concealed from the eyes of men, place him in confinement, and it is related in one fragment of the Thebais, that instead of the shoulder of the victims sacrificed on the altar, they sent him the less honour- able portions. This, in his rage, he cast upon the
266 Tlie Seven against Thebes.
ground, and, at the same time, prayed to the gods that his sons might perish, each by the hand of the other. Reference appears to be made to this ancient form of the tradition in the Seven (v. 787). The brothers, fearing lest their father's curse should be fulfilled, make an agreement to reign over the Theban territory in turn, each for the space of a year. Eteocles, as the elder, reigns first, and at the appointed time Polyneikes comes to demand the sceptre, which his brother refuses to resign. Polyneikes retires to Argos, and persuades Adrastos, his father-in-law, to assist him to recover the throne. Accordingly, that prince and five other chiefs, accompanied by Polyneikes, march against the Cadmeian city. With their appearance before the walls the third member of the trilogy opens.
Such, in outline, is the terrible story which ushers in " The Seven against Thebes." The first tragedy probably ended ^vith the death of Laios, while the wrath of CEdipus, and his curse, twice pronounced against his sons, would doubtless form a principal feature of the second drama. This wo may infer from the prominence given to the curse in the concluding member of the trilogy.
I cannot but think, however, that we should misread the poet did wo imagine that the death of the brothers resulted from the inevitable operation of their father's curse. Eteocles, though courageous, is full of in- satiable rage, and instead of yielding to the pathetic pleading of the Chorus, exults in the prospect of fratricide ; whilo Polyneikes is roprescnteil as sharing
,
The Seven against Thebes, 267
the malignant hatred of his brother (v. 652). Eteocles, moreover, by retaining the sovereignty, violates the claims of justice ; and Polyneikes, by seeking to regain it with the assistance of an invading host, is guilty of impiety towards his country : thus the death of the brothers, through mutual slaughter, is the penalty due to their respective wrongdoing, and, as such, offers no violence to our sense of justice. King Apollo, it is true, the awful Seventh, is represented as taking his station at the seventh gate, and avenging upon the sons of CEdipus the ancient transgression of Laios ; at the same time the poet makes us feel that they have themselves succumbed to the evil tendencies inherent in the race, and thus it is that their father's curse has exercised its dread ascendency over their destiny.
Had the trilogy terminated with the death of the brothers such a catastrophe would have violated an essential canon of classical dramatic art, which requires the final reconciliation of the principles brought into collision during the action of the play. These principles, in the drama before us, are — duty to the family, and duty to the State ; the harmonious action of which is necessary to the well-being of society. Thus it would appear that the decree of the senate respecting the burial of the royal brothers, which has been regarded as a dramatic bliinder on the part of ^schylus, is in fact essential for bringing about a satis- factory denouement. When, in spite of the prohibition of the senate, Antigone proclaims her heroic determi- nation to inter her brother, she claims our warmest
268 The Seven against Th^hes.
sympathy and admiration : bad she stood alone, her heroism and sisterly affection would have offered a refreshing relief to the deadly hatred of tho brothers. The action of the Chorus gives, however, a deeper significance to the episode. The Chorus, it must be remembered, represents in the Greek theatre the moral conscience of the age, in its most elevated form ;* a character strikingly exemplified in the drama before us. At the commencement, indeed, they are timid Theban women, who, vividly realizing the brutal outrages offered to women after the capture of a beleaguered city, are possessed by overwhelming fear. As the drama develops, however, they gradually assume a loftier tone ; the words of expostulation addressed by them to Eteocles are full of piety and wisdom : when, therefore, one half of the Chorus follow, with Antigone, the body of Polyneikes, and the other half, with Ismene, that of Eteocles, wo may understand that the poet intended thus to recognise the equal sacredness of the principles respectively repre- sented by the sisters, namely, allegiance to the holy tio of kindred-blood, and fealty to the State — the object, in Greek civilization, of the most ardent patriotism.
The great Tlu^ban trilogy, as remarked by Biiusen, begins and ends with deeds of horror ; but as the last and heaviest judgnicnt is exccutiHl, gracious images of the future surround the bodies of tho slain ; the devoted^ heroism displayed by tlic Theban women " is a living pledge for the moral order of tho world," and offers a
Tlie Seven againd Thebes. 209
spectacle commensui-ate in grandeur with the darker features of the drama.
Yery interesting is tbe protest thus offered by the pro- phet-lard of antiquity against that want of respect for women, and that jealousy of their participation in the functions of men, which find such frequent expression in Greek literature, and which are embodied in the insolent language addressed by Eteocles to the Chorus at the commencement of the drama (v. 169).
Such examples as that of the Theban women may have inspired the wise utterance of Plato, who declares that for the legislator to leave women without educa- tion, and without sufficient scope for their energies, is materially to cripple the power of the State.*
With regard to the political bearing of the drama, K. O. Miiller remarks that ^schylus strove to moderate the restless struggles of his countrymen after democracy and dominion over other Greeks. The description of the upright Amphiai'aus, who wished not to seem, but to be the best ; the wise general from whose mind, as from the deep furrows of a well- ploughed field, noble counsels proceed, was universally applied by the Athenian people to Aristeides, and was doubtless intended by iEschylus for him. In conclu- sion, I may allude to the passage in the Iliad which relates how, when the invading army reached Asopos' banks, Tydeus was sent forward to Thebes to speak the common message of the host. Admitted into the palace of Etoocles, undaimted though alone, he * Laws, vii. 805.
270 TJie Seven agaimt Thebes.
challenged the Cadmeians to combat, and, through Athena's aid, came off victorious. Whereupon the Cadmeians sought to compass his returning steps, and planted an ambush of fifty warriors ; these Tydeus slew, one only being left to bear the tidings homeward. This treachery on the part of the Cadmeians furnishes a motive for the impetuous eagerness manifested by Tydeus to advance to the attack : it may also throw light upon the iron-hearted purpose of the infuriated chiefs, which found expression in their terrible oath —
" the town to raze, And ravage the Cadmcian's citadtl. Or, dyiug, to imbrue this earth with blood."
THE SEVEN AGAINST THEBES.
Eteocles.
BURGHERS of Cadmos, timely words beseem Him at the stem who guards the city's weal, Guiding the helm with lids unsoothed by sleep ; For, if we prosper, God alone is praised, But if, which Heaven forefend, mischance befall, One man, Eteocles, through all the town, In noiseful rhymes and wailings manifold Would by the folk be chanted ; which may Zeus, True to his sacred name, Averter, turn From our Cadmeian city ; you meanwhile It now behoveth — him alike who fails Of youth's fair prime, and him whose bloom is past, Yet nursing still his body's stalwart strength, And each one grown to manhood, as befits — The State to aid and shrines of native gods, That ne'er their honours be erased ; to aid Your children too, and this your mother earth, Beloved nurse, who, while your childish limbs Crept on her friendly plain, all nurture-toil Full kindly entertained, and fostered you Her denizens to be, in strait like this Shield-bearing champions, trusty in her cause.
272 The Seven against Thebes.
And so far, to the present day, in sooth
God in our favour hath inclined the scale ;
For unto us, so long beleaguered here,
War prospers in the main, through heaven's high w-ill ; —
But now, so speaks the seer, augur divine,
Without fire omens, but in ear and mind
Marking, with faultless skill, presageful birds, —
He, lord of these divining arts, declares
That the prime onset of the Achaian host,
Night-plotted, threatens even now the town ;
Haste, to the turrets then and bastion-gates 30
Rush in full panoply ; — the breastworks throng,
Take station on the platforms of the towers,
And, biding at the outlets of the ports,
Be of good courage, nor this alien swarm
Dread over-much ; God will rule all for good.
Myself have scouts sent forth and army spies,
Who, as I trust, no bootless journey make ;
And having heard their tidings, in no wise
Shall I by guileful stratagem be caught.
[^Exeunt Citizens, [Enter JIessexqeb.]
Messenger. Noble Etoocles, Cadmeians' lord,
I come clear tidings bringing of the host ;— 40
Myself eye-witness am t)f what bcftl ; For s(>vcn impetuous warriors, captains bold, Slaying the sacrod bull (mt black-rimmod shield. And ti niching with thtir hands tlio victim's goro.
TJie Seven against Thebes. 273
Ares, Enyo, and blood-thirsting Fear
Invoked, and by them sware, our town to raze,
And ravage the Cadmeian's citadel,
Or, dying, to irobrue this earth with blood.
And for their parents whom at ho"Eae they left,
With their own hands around Adrastos' car 50
Memorials they were hanging, shedding tears,
But from their lips no word of ruth was heard ;
For iron-hearted purpose, all aglow
With manly courage, breathed as lions breathe.
Whose eyeballs glare with battle. Such my news,
Which by no sluggishness have been delayed.
I left them casting lots that each might lead.
As Fate assigned, his squadron to the gates ;
Hence at their outlets marshal with all speed
Our bravest men, our city's chosen sons ;
For near already, raising dust, comes on,
Full-armed, the Argive host, while glistening foam 60
Mottles the plain with jflakes from panting steeds.
But thou, like prudent helmsman of the ship,
Make stanch the city, before Ares' blasts
Swoop down ; for loud the army's land-wave roars ;
Thou, for this charge, the swiftest moment seize:
Myself, sure watch, a wary eye will keep.
And thou, through certain tidings, knowing all
Outside that happens, without scath shalt be.
\_Exit. Eteocles. O Zeus, and Earth, and Gods our town who guard, And thou strong curse, Erinys of my sire, 70
274 The Seven against Thebes.
My city, where the speech of Hellas flows,
With utter ruin, captured by the foe.
Uproot ye not, nor our domestic hearths.
But grant that our free land and Cadmos' town
In vasgal bondage never may be held.
Be ye our strength ; — our common weal, I urge,
For thriving cities honour best the gods.
[Exit. [Enter Chorus of TJieban Maidens.']
Chorus. I wail forth mighty, fear-inspiring woes ! An army hurries, from its camp set free I A mounted host onward in ample tide
Towards our city flows. 80
Dust that on air doth ride, Dumb herald, clear and true, pcrsuadeth mc. Clatter of horse-hoofs on my natal plain Brings to mine ear war's dismal sound ;
Air-borne it floats around ; Like mountain-lashing flood's resistless flow It roars amain. Alas ! ah mc ! Ye gods and goddesses, oh turn aside The impending woo.
Leader of the let Half Chorus. "With battle-shout, straight to our city-wall The host white-shielded speeds in fair array. 90
lat Maiden. Who will deliver ?
Tlie Seven against Thehes. 275
2nd Maiden.
Succour us who may, Or god or goddess ?
Srd Maiden.
Prostrate shall I fall Their shrines before ?
Ath Maiden.
Ye Blest ones here who reign Now is the time to clasp your statues, now.
5/^ Maiden. Burdened with sorrow, why, oh why delay ?
&th Maiden. The clash of shields meets it, or not your ear ?
1th Maiden.
■{"When, if not now, shall we our prayers begin
With sacred peplus and wool-tufted bough ?
8//j Maiden. I mark the rattling din ! It is the clatter of no single spear. 100
9</« Maiden. 0 Ares, tutelary god of old, Thy proper soil betraying what wilt gain ?
10/^ Maiden. O golden-helmed god, the State behold Which once to count beloved thou didst deign.
270 The Seven against Theles.
Leader of \st Half Cliorus. |Ye tutelary gods, the land who hold, Come ye, come all, look on this virgin train Who, dreading bonds, as suppliants on you calL
Leader of 2nd Half Cliorus. For lo ! with slanting plumes A surge of warriors round our city wall, On blasts of Ares riding, hoarsely booms. 110
Chorus. Strophe I. |Do thou, 0 Zeus, all-perfect Sire, do thou Avert, thou canst, our capture by the foe ; For Cadmos' fort Argives encircle now ; Weapons of war my heart appal, for lo, To chargers' mouths made fast, their metal gear Kings slaughter, and with pride elate, Seven chiefs, conspicuous o'er the host,
With panoply of spear. Each having gained by lot his post, Stand, prompt for battle, at the seventh gate. « « » . * •
Mesode. Thou too, Zeus-born, war-loving power, do thou, 120 PaHas, our city from destruction save ; Equestrian Lord, thou ruler of the wave, Poseidon, with fish-piercing trident now Grant respite from our fears, grant respite tboa.
Antistuoi'UK I. Arcs, alas I Our town, the uauio which bears
The Seven against TJiehes. 277
Of Cadmos, guard ;— show forth thy care divine ;
Kypris, do thou, fore-mother of our line,
These ills avert, for from thy blood we came ;
Thee we approach with god-invoking prayers. 130
Thou too, Lykeian * Lord, thy name
Attesting, as our groans ascend, Smito thou the hostile host ; — J
And thou from Leto who dost boast Thy heavenly birth, thy bow, dread virgin, bend.
Strophe II. The din of chariot wheels, alas, ah me,
Around our walls I hear ;
0 Hera, mighty queen ! From axles overburden'd creak the naves. 140
0 Artemis mostdeai: j Madden'd by hurtling spears vext ether raves. What ails the city ? What its doom will be ? God guides the issue to what goal unseen ?
Antistrophe II. A stone-shower hits the towers, alas, ah me, Striking their very crown.
* The word \vKeios, as an epithet of Apollo, has been variously interpreted to mean, 1st, the wolf-destroyer, from \vKos, a wolf ; 2nd, the Lycian god, from 'KvKrjyevfjs, Lycian- born ; 3rd, the god of Ught, from a supposed ancient noun, XvKT], light. In the text it is generally understood to bear the first of these significations. Sophocles, in the ' Electra ' (6), calls Apollo the wolf-slaying god (\vkokt6vos).
X AvKfios yfvov — a pun upon the epithet "AvKftos" — be a wolf-dcstro^-er to the hostile host.
278 The Seven against Thebes.
Apollo, our dear Lord ! With clang of brass-bound sliiolds our gates resound.
fZeus only can accord 150
With rigbteous issue tbat tbe strife be crowned. 0 Onca,* here enthroned, blest Deity, Do thou protect our seven-gated town.
Stbophe IIL
0 ye all-puissant powers, Dread guardians of our towers, Of either sex, oh hear us, nor betray A city toiling 'neath the spear,
* Our poet cannot have mistaken the names borne by the gates of Thebes in his own day ; but two of tliem, Oncan and Borrha?an, differ from the names as given by Pausanias some four centuries later. Pausanias has the four names, I'roitid, Eloctran, Nc'itan aud Homoloid, in common with iEscbylus ; but besides, he lias the Ogygian, the Crena^n, and the Hypistai (supreme), or gates of Sujireme Jupiter, who had a temple near them, ^schylus informs us that Athena had a temple near the Oncan gates ; probably she was hence locally entitled Oncan Athena. Oncan was thought to be a Phoenician epithet introduced into Thebes by Cadmos. We can only guess that they were the gates called Ogygian (ancient) in the time of Pausanias. Onca, aa a Hebrew word, cannot be confidently interpreted ; but it may belong to the same root as An.ak, a celebrated family (if giants, .^schylus does not name the seventh gate, which may have been the Ilyjistan. It is quite possible that Porrhaian (or Porrhcian, in some editions) meant simply the north gate, and was a secondary appellation. We have Bo/j/jar (tive^of), with double p, in Tliucydides.
I am indebted for the al>ovc note to my friend Professor Newman.
The Seven against Thebes. 279
To hosts of alien speect. These virgins hear,
Most justly hear, with outstretched hands who pray. 160
Antisteophe ni.
Divinities most dear,
As Saviours mustering near Our city walls — show forth the love ye bear.
Care for our fanes, with aspect kind, And caring for them save. O hear our prayer, Our sacrificial rites call ye to mind.
\_Ee-enter Eteocles.]
Eteocles (to tlie Chorus).
I ask you, ye insufferable brood,
Is this course best, fittest the State to save,
The leaguered host to hearten — falling thus
Before the statues of our city's gods.
To shout and wail — a nuisance to the wise ?
In trouble or in dear prosperity,
Ne'er be it mine with womankind to dwell.
In rule, her insolence keeps all aloof,
In fear, worse ill she brings to home and State ;
So have ye now, rushing in hurried flight,
Eoused in our townsmen soulless cowardice.
Ye serve, as best ye may, the foe without, ISO
While we within bring ruin on ourselves ;
Such aid he reapeth who with women dwells.
So if there be who heeds not my command,
Or man or woman, or aught else between.
The fatal pebble shall decide their doom,
280 2726 Seven againd TJiebes.
Nor death by stoning at the people's hand Shall they escape. "What passeth out of doors Is man's concern ; let woman counsel not. Bide thou witliin, and no more mischief cause. Dost hear or not ? Or speak I to the deaf ?
CJtorus. Strophe I. Dear son of (Edipus, I trembled sore, 190
Hearing of rattling cars the roar, the roar, When wheel-impelling axles shrieked amain.
When sounded on mine ear
The noise of fire- wrought gear — Within the chargers' mouths their guiding rein.
Eteocles. What then ? doth sailor means of safety find, •The stern forsaking for the prow, what time His vessel labours mid the ocean wave '?
Chorus. AxTiSTRorHE I. Relying on the gods, as was but meet, When at our gates pattered the deadly slcct, 200
With liurrying pace I sought their statues old ;
By fear possest, I there
Poured to the Blest my prayer, That they our city's prowess would uphold.
Eteocles. Pray that our towers be stanch 'gainst foemon's spear.
Chorus. Grant not the gods this boon ?
* Tho sailiT prayed to the fij^iiri" of hi.s tutelary god upon the prow.
TJie Seven against Thebes. 281
Eteocles,
Ay, but 'tis said, That from a captured town the gods depart.
Chorus. Strophe II. Ne'er may this conclave of the gods take flight
While I behold the day ; And never may this city meet my sight 210
Foe-trampled, and to hostile fire a prey.
Eteocles.
The gods invoking, be not ill-advised ;
Obedience mother is of good success,
Sure pledge of safety ; — so the saying runs.*
Chorus. Antristrophe II.
True, but the strength of god is mightier still,
And oft, in direst strait. It lifteth from the lowest depths of ill Him who, with cloud-veiled eyes, was desperate.
Eteocles. Men's j^art it is to offer sacrifice
And victims to the gods, when foes assail ; 220
Thine to be silent and to bide within.
Chorus. Strophe III. 'Tis through the gods we dwell In city unsubdued ; Through them our towers repel The hostile multitude. "What anger can this move ?
* The text of this hne is uncertain.
2S2 Tlie Seven against TJiehes.
Eteocles.
I grudge thee not duo homage to the gods ; But lest faint-hearted ye the burghers make, Tranquil abide, nor yield o'ermuch to icar.
Chorus. Antistrophe III. Hearing unwonted din, In tumult and in fear. Trembling my heart within, I drew this fortress near ; This seat of gods above. 230
Eteocles. If now of dying or of wounded men Ye hear, bear them not off with loud laments, For 'tis on human slaughter Ares feeds.*
CJiorus. But bark 1 the snorting of the steeds I hear.
Eteocles. Hear, if thou must ; but hear nut over-loud.
Chorus. Groans from its base our fort, girt round by foes.
Eteocles. Mine is the task to couusol in this strait.
• *oj'w /3poTwi». It is not easy to decide whether we bHouM retain t/xJi/M, tlio rcailing of the best MSS., or a^lopt <p6fi<f, with BloiiilifM ami Diiuiurf, from the Aldine. — Paly.
The Seven against Thebes, 283
Chorus. Woe's me ! More loud the rattling at the gates.
Eteocles. Hush, nor alarm the city with these cries.
j^ Chorus.
|y Associate gods, our towers abandon not. 24^
Eteocles. Plague on thee ! canst thou not in silence bear ?
Chorus. Co-burgher gods ! save me from slavery,
Eteocles, Thyself enslavest, thee and all the town.
Cliorus. All-puissant Zeus, turn 'gainst the foe thy bolt.
Eteocles. Zeus ! what a gift to man was womankind !
Chorus. Wretched as men are in a captured town.
Eteocles. The statues touching, dost renew thy cries ?
CJiorus. Through want of heart fear seizes on my tongue,
Eteocles. I pray thee grant me but one trifling boon.
284 2726 Seven against Thebes.
Cliorm. Speak quickly then, so shall I quickly know. 250
Eteocles. Be still, unhappy one, scare not thy friends.
Chorus. Still am I ; — with the rest I'll bear my doom.
Eteocles.
This word I to thy former words prefer.
Moreover keeping from these shrines aloof,
Proffer the better prayer, e'en that the gods
Our allies prove ; then having heard my prayers,
Do thou the auspicious, sacred Prcau raise,
Hellas' accustomed shout of sacrifice,
Clicering to friends, dispelling di'cad of foes. —
Unto our country's tutelary gods, 2G0
The plain who haunt, the market-place who guard,
To Dirka's fountains, and Ismcnos' waters,
Make I this iiromise, that — if all go well.
And this our town be saved — with blood of sheep
Dyeing the sacred hearths, and slaying bulls
In the gods' honour, trophies I will plant.
And will aloft on spears, the shrines before,
Hang in the sacrod fanes the spoils of war.
Pray to the gods such pr.ayors, not with fond moans,
Neither with sobs of anguish vain and wild.
For none the more wilt thou osoapo thy doom. 270
Meauwhile, six men of war, myself the seventh.
The Seven against Thebes. 285
I, at the seven outlets of the ports, In gallant style will marshal 'gainst the foe, Ere hurrying scouts and swiftly-rushing news Arrive, and by the stress set all ablaze.
lExit Eteoci.cs.
Chorus. Strophe I.
I heed, but terror leaves my heart no rest, And in my bosom anxious care. Sad neighbour, doth enkindle there
Dread of the wall-surrounding multitude ;
Like trembling dove am I, that for her brood 280
Doth serpents fear, fell inmates of her nest ; For some against our towers, A ^varlike throng, in numbers strong. Advance ; — ah what will me betide ?
Others, 'gainst citizens on every side Sore pelted, hurl the rugged stone ;
Put forth, 0 kindi-ed gods, your utmost powers,*
Save host and State as Sire who Cadmos own. 290
Antistrophe I.
And say what soil of earth will ye obtain
Better than this, if ye betray
To foreign foes this fertile land And Dirka's water, richest draught of all That the earth-circling God sends forth amain,
* This follows the conjectural Travrl rpoira fie, a-vyytvels 6eol, answering metrically to koI iroXeats pvrrjpes e\\6eT.
286 The Seven against TJiehes.
And progeny of Tethys.* Hence we call, 300
Gods, on your guardian band ; —
Into the powers outside our towers
Sending the coward's deadly fear, Which fatuous casts the shield away,
Earn for these burghers glory. Hear. Oh hear my shrill-voiced wailings and retain, As Saviours of our State, your stedfast reign.
Stkophe II. For sad it were, before its time 310
To hurl, enslaved, as booty of the spear, A city famed of old, to Hades drear, In crumbling ashes laid by Argive foe, Through heaven's high will, in shameful overthrow; That women old and virgins in their prime Like horses by their hair be dragged, ah me, Their robes aroimd them rent, to slavery. "Wailcth the city emptied of its store,
While captives, to destruction led 820
Lamenting, swell the mingled roar. This heavy doom forebodingly I dread.
Antistbophe II. For maids whose bloom is at the full, Before the rites the scarce ripe fruit that cull,
Tethys. An ancient sca-pxldtss, one of tlie daughters of Heaven and Earth, wife of Okcanos. Rivers and streams were said to be their progeny. Aniphitrita is understood to be anoflier nnnio of this goddess, and Tliefis to be only another form of the name Tctliys. So Virgil, in 4tb Eclogue, nses Thetis.
The Seven against Thehes. 287
How grievous 'tis far from their homes to wend
On hateful journey ! "What then ? I declare
Who sleep in death than these far better fare.
Full many woes a captured town attend ;
As captive one his enemy doth seize, 330
Another slays, or round him scatters fire,
While the whole city is with smoke defil'd.
And people-taming Ares, wild
With frenesy, all sanctities Foully polluting, doth their rage inspire.
Stbophe m.
Loud clamour through the town prevails, Destruction's net draws near, And man by man is slaughtered with the spear ; The new-born infant wails, 340
Its gory bleating at the breast is heard ; There Rapine, sister to wild Tumult, reigns.
Spoiler to spoiler gives the word ; The empty-handed empty-handed hails, Seeking a partner in his gains. Each greedy for nor Icrs nor equal share. In scenes like these how may we hope to fare?
Antistrophe III.
And fruitage too of every sort 350
Is wasted ruthlessly. Earth-strewn, sad sight to housewife's cheerless eye ; And earth's fair gifts, the sport Of worthless surge, are swept a\Yay
2SS Tlie Seven against TJieles.
In common ruin ; maidens in their prime
Are with new sorrow filled ; for they Of haughty foemen now must own the sway.
Forceful their wretched couch who climb ; 360 Their hope that death, their tear-fraught woes to end, O'er them may soon her sheltering night extend.
Leader of 1st Half Chorum. The army-scout, to me it eccmeth, friends. Brings us some recent tiding from tlic host, Plying in haste his charioteering feet.
Leader of 2nd Half Chorus. And lo ! our king, offspring of CEdipus, Comes in fair time the herald's news to hear. Unmeasured too his footsteps are through haste
[^Enter Eteocles a7id Train.'] Messenger. I, the foe's movements knowing, can report 370
How at the gates each hath his post by lot. Tydeus already at the I'roitid gates Eaves ; but to cross Ismcnos' fonl the seer Forbids, for inauspicious arc the rites. But Tydeus, frenzied, hankering for fight. Blusters with yoll like serpent's noonday hiss, And at the skilful seer, Oiclcs' son, Aimeth the taunt that ho, through cowardice, Fawneth on death and battl(>. Shouting thus, A triple shadowy plume, his h^lmot's mane, He shakes, and underneath his hollow Bhiold, 380
The Seven against Thebes. 289
Bells, wrought of brass, clang terror ; and he bears, Enchased upon its front, this proud device — The nightly firmament ablaze with stars, And in mid-buckler shines the fuU-orb'd moon Conspicuous, queen of stars and eye of night. Thus raving, he, in haughty garniture, Shouts near the river banks, in love with war, As charger, panting fiercely 'gainst the curb, Hearing the trumpet's blare, with fury chafes. Whom, as antagonist, to him wilt set ? Who, when the bolts are loosed, may warrant give, As champion to defend the Proitid gates ? 390
Eteocles.
I tremble at no panoply of man. Neither have mere devices power to wound ; Plumage and bell bite not without the spear. This Night too, glittering with stars of heaven, Which is, thou sayest, set upon his shield, If spelled aright, may truthful omen prove. For if in death night fall upon his eyes, Then to its bearer will this proud device. Justly and fitly, answer to its name, 400
And 'gainst himself his pride shall prophesy. To Tydeus, this braVe son of Astacos I will oppose, as warden of the gates ; lie, nobly bom, revereth honour's throne, And boastful words abhors ; to shameful deeds Laggart, no craven soul he loves to be. Scion of heroes sprung from dragon's teeth.
U
290 The Seven against TJiehes.
Whom Ares spared, true oflFspring of the soil
Is Melanippos ; Axes will decide
The issue by the die ; — but his true kin,
Justice, hath sent him forth, her champion, 410
From his own mother foeman's spear to >ard.
Chorus. Strophe I.
Grant to my champion victory.
Ye deities, since forth he wends To battle justly and our State defends. But ah, by fear possest, I dread to see Their gory fates who perish for their friends.
Messenqeb.
Him may the gods thus with fair fortune crown 1
The Electran gates hath Capaneus by lot,
A giant he, o'ertopping him first nam'd.
His vaunt outsoareth mortal pride ; these towers 420
He threats with horrors, which may Fate avert.
For, God assenting or in God's despite.
He vows our town to ravage ; not heaven's wrath,
JDown leaping on the plain, e'en at his foot,
Sliall hold him back ; lightnings and thunderbolts
To noonday solar beams he likcneth.
A naked man his blazon, bcixring fire ;
Flares in his hands a torch, for Bcrvico prompt;
In golden characters, ho cries aloud.
Tub City I will burn. Against this man
Send thou — but who suth fociimu will confront? 430
This bootitcr who will moot uud tremble not?
Tlie Seven against TJiebes. 291
Eteocles.
Here also gain accrueth upon gain.
When in o'erweening ttoughts vain men indulge
Their true bewrayer is their proper tongue.
Now threatens Capaneus, for fight equipped,
Scorning the gods ; and, practising his tongue,
"With senseless joy, though mortal, he to heaven,
High surging words upsends, defying Zeus ;
Full faith have I that Zeus, with justice' aid,
Him with his fire-charged thunderbolt will smite,
No whit resembling noonday's solar beams. 4i0
Him to confront, despite his raving tongue,
Is hero marshall'd, ay, a soul of fire,
Stout Polyphontes ; trusty bulwark he,
By grace of tutelary Artemis,
And kindly aid uf other guds. Tell on.
Who against other gates the lot hath drawn ?
Chorus. Antistbophe I.
Perish who vaunteth mightily
Against our city ! His career May thimder check, ere, with o'erweening spear, My home invading, me as captive prey ioO
He driveth from my girlish haunts away!
Messengeb.
Him next who drew his station at the ports I'll name. For to Eteocles, third chief, From uptum'd brazen casque leapt the third lot, His band against Neistan gates to leod.
292 The Seven against Thebes.
His steeds, loud snorting in their frontlet-gear, Eager to reach the gates, circling he drives ; Whistle their nozzles in barbaric guise, With breath sonorous from their nostrils filled. With no mean blazon is his shield adorned; 4C0 A man in armour, to his foeman's tower, Eager to storm it, climbs a ladder's rungs ; And he too shouts in written characters. That him not Arcs from the walls shall hurl. Against this man a trusty champion send, The yoke of bondage from this town to ward.
Eteoclbs.
Him will I straight with happy omens send ; Yea, sent is Megareus, whose vaunts are deeds ; Scion of Creon, from the heroes sprung Full-armed who rose from earth-sown dragon's teeth, He from the gates will not retire dismayed 470
By noisy snorting of infuriate steeds ; But either, dying, will repay our land His nurture-fee, or, seizing warriors twain. Ay, and the city on his foeman's shield. Will with the spoils his father's house adorn. Now of another brag, nor grudge thy words.
Chorus. Stbophk II.
For him success I pray, O champion of my homo ; for them instood
Ill-fortimo ; and as they. With frenzied spirit, utter 'gainst our town
The Seven against TJiehes. 293
High-sounding words, may Zeus, Avenger dread, By wrathful ire possest, on them look down I 480
Messengeb.
One more, a fourth, the neighbour-gate who holds,
Onca- Athena's, shouting stands hard by ;
The mighty form of huge Hippomedon ;
I shook with terror, I deny it not.
As the vast orb he whirled, his buckler's disk ;
Certes no vulgar artist was the man
Who this device hath wrought upon his shield ;
Typhon forth darting from fire-breathing lips
Flame's quivering sister, smoke of dusky hue ;
And all around the hollow-bellied shield 490
Circled a coil of intertwining snakes.
HimseK hath raised his war-cry, and inspired
By Ares, raves like Thyiad for the fight.
Death in his glance. Against such man's attack
Needs must we be prepared, for at our gates
Piout is already boastfully proclaimed.
Eteocles.
First Onca-Pallas, near our city gates Holding her seat, hating man's insolence, Shall him ward off, like fell snake from her brood. Him to oppose hath CEnops' valiant son, Hyperbios, been chosen — man to man, 500
Willing at Fortune's call his fate to prove. Neither in form, in courage, nor in arms Blameworthy ; them hath Hermes fairly matched
294 The Seven against TTiebes.
Since foe will foe confront, wlule on their shields
They into conflict bring two hostile gods.
For Typhon, breathing fire, the one doth bear,
While Father Zeus upon Hyperbios' shield
Sits, firmly throned, wielding his fiery bolt ;
But Zeus defeated no one yet hath seen.
Such on each side the friendship of the gods ; 510
We with the victors, with the vanquish'd they.
Thus will it with the mortal champions fare,
If Zeus than Typhon stronger be in tight ;
And to Hyperbios, as the legend reads
Set on his shield, a saviour Zeus will prove.
Chorus. Antistbophe IL
Firm is my trust that he The hateful form who beareth on his shield
Of earth-born deity, Adverse to Zeus, to men a shape of dread And to the long-lived gods, prone in the field, Before our gate shall fling his own proud head. 520
Messengeb.
Such be the issue! At the northern gates The fifth is marshalled, near the tomb which holds Zeus-bom Amphion. By bis spear he swears. Which more than God he honours, or hi.s oyos. That the Cadnu-iau's stronghold ho will .'^poil. Despite of Zeus. So speaks the stripling hero. Scion fair-faced of m(»th(.T mountiiin-reared ; Over his cheek spreadt-th tlio ton^lcr down,
Tlie Seven against Thebes. 295
Hair thickly sprouting of youth's budding prime. 530
But he with savage temper, which belies
His maiden name, and with an eye of dread,
Taketh his post ; — yet stands he at our gates
Not without vaunt, for on his shield brass-wrought,
His body's rounded bulwark, he doth wield
The raw-devouring Sphinx, our city's shame.
Her form stud-fastened, brilliantly embossed.
A man she holds beneath her, a Cadmeian,
A target so for missiles thickly showered.
Hither he comes no peddling fight to wage, 540
Nor the long route he traversed to disgrace;
Parthenopaios, an Arcadian bom,
But denizen of Argos ; such a man
Dcth Argos* kindly nurture now repay
By threats against our towers, which heaven avert I
Eteocles.
From the high gods may they the doom obtain Planned against us ; so, with these godless vaunts, Themselves, o'erthrown, shall perish utterly. 'Gainst this Arcadian, him thou tellest of, The warrior Actor stands ; no boaster he, But with a hand which sees the thing to do ; Brother of him whom I before described. 550
No fluent, deedless, tongue will he admit Within our gates to aggravate our ills, Nor him allow to pass, on hostile shield Who bears the image of that hateful pest.
296 The Seven against Thebes.
No! 'ncath our walls, sore-batter'd, she will rail At him who fain would carry her within. If heaven so wills, herein I truth shall speaL
Chorus. Strophb III.
His word my breast doth rend, Standeth my hair on end.
Hearing the haughty boast 560
Of haughty men profane ; Ye Gods, above who reign, Here, in our land, smite ye their alien host I
Messengeb.
Sixth, let me name a man most sage of heart,
Amphiaraos, prophet, first in arms ;
He, marshall'd at the Uomoloian gates,
Tydcus with keen reproaches oft assails.
As homicide, disturber of the State,
To Argos prime instructor in these harms,
Erinys' herald. Slaughter's minister, 67
Adviser to Adrastos of these ills ;
And on thy brother Polyneikes' might.
Ho calls, dissecting his ill-omened namo ; •
Then in conclusion, twice with emphasis
His namo repeating, utters fortli these words:
" Pleasing to gods in sooth is such a deed,
Lovely for future years to hear and toll,
The city of thy sires and native gods
To spoil, made captive by an alien host
* noXvvttKrjs — much strilo.
The Seven against Theles. 297
Can Justice the maternal fountain quench ? * 580
Thy Fatherland, if captnr'd through thy zeal,
How can it e'er again be thine ally ?
Myself I shall this land enrich, a seer
'Neath hostile earth sepulchred. Fight we now !
For no dishonourable doom I look."
Thus spake the seer, wielding his rounded shield.
All brass, but no device was on its orb ;
For just to be, he longs, not just to seem,
Ripe wisdom reaping from his deep-plough'd mind,
Whence honest counsels grow. Against this man 590
Champions, I charge thee, send, skilful and brave,
For terrible is he who fears the gods.
Eteocles. Woe for the omen which the righteous makes Companion of the impious ; nought is worse In any cause than evil fellowship ; Its fruit may not be garner'd ; Ate's field Yields death for harvest ; yea, the godly man. With headstrong sailors bent on villainy. Mounting the bark, sinks with the heaven-loathed crew ; 600
Or, just himself, but leagued with citizens Ruthless to strangers, heedless of the gods, Caught in the self-same snare, he prostrate lies, Smitten with them by God's impartial scourge. So too this seer himself^ Oicles' son,
• Alluding to the device of Justice upon his shield.
298 The Seven against TJiebes.
A righteous man, pious, discreet, and brave, —
This mighty soothsayer, with bold-tongued men
Unholy, in despite of reason, joined,
Their march who trail to reach the far-oflf city, — *
He, if Zeus wiU, with them shall down be dragged. 610
But he, methinks, our gates will not assail ;
Not by faint heart withheld or dastard will,
But knowing 'tis his doom in fight to perish,
If fruit there be in Loxias' oracles ;
And He or silence keeps or speaks in season.
Yet against him stout Lasthenes we'll post,
A stranger-hating warden of the gates ;
He, old in mind, yet blooms in youthful prime.
With eye swift-glancing, ;[ and not slow of hand
To snatch from 'neath his shield the naked spear. 620
But victory is still the gift of God.
Chorus. Antistrophe III.
Our just entreaties crown,
Ye gods, and bless our town !
On the invading powers
Turn ye war's spear-wrought woe I
May Zeus, outside our towers, With his dread thunder smiting, lay them low 1
Mksssnoeb. Now at the seventh gate the seventh chief, Thy proper mother's son, I will announce,
* Fie intimates sarc.istically that they arc marchinc not. n.s thoy piiriHise, to the city of ThoKs, but to the far-oll city of Hades.
i Literally, " swift-footed."
The Seven against Thebes. 299
What curses for tlie state he imprecates ; That he may stand upon the walls, he prays : — That, heralded as king to all the land, With paeans for its capture, he with thee Fighting, may slay thee, dying by thy side, Or thee, who wrong'd him, chasing forth alive, Eequite in kind his proper banishment. Such words he shouts and calls upon the gods, Who o'er his race preside and Fatherland,
With gracious eye to look upon his prayers.*
*****
A well-wrought buckler, newly forged, he bears.
With two-fold blazon riveted thereon ; 640
For there a woman leads, with sober mien,
A mailed warrior, enchased in gold ; —
Justice her style, and thus the legend speaks :
" This man I will restore, and he shall hold
The city and his fathers' palace-homes."
Such the devices of the hostile chiefs.
'Tis for thyself to choose whom thou wilt send ;
But never shalt thou blame my herald-words;
To guide the rudder of the State be thine !
Eteocles. O heaven-demented race of CEdipus, 650
My race, tear-fraught, detested of the gods. Alas, our father's curses now bear fruit. But it beseems not to lament or weep, Lest lamentations sadder still be bom.
* I omit a line which is regarded as spuriotis.
300 The Seven against Thebes.
For him, too truly Polyneikes named,— What his device will work we soon shall know; Whether his braggart words, with madness fraught, Gold-blazoned on his shield, shall lead him back. Had Justice, virgin child of Zeus, in sooth Guided his deeds and thoughts, this might have
been; 660
But neither when he fled the darksome womb, Nor in his childhood, nor in youth's fair prime, Nor when his chin thick hair o'erspread, with hiui Hath Justice converse held, or claimed him hers ; Nor in this outrage on his Fatherland, Deem I she now beside him deigns to stand. For Justice would in sooth belie her name Did she with this all-daring man consort. In these regards confiding will I go, Myself will meet him. Who with better right ? 670 Brother 'gainst brother, chieftain against chief. And foeman against foe, I'll take my stand. Quick, bring my greaves, bulwark 'gainst spear
and stones. ^
Dearest of mortals, son of (Edipus, Be not in wrath like him of fatal name ; Let Argivc warriors with Cadmeians fight • It is enough ; their blood may be atoned ; But death of brothers, each by other slain,— Old age to such pollution never couics.
Eteoclks. If any one boar evil, let it bo 680
The Seven against Thebes. 801
Wittout disgrace, sole profit to the dead ; On base and evil deeds no glory waits.
Chorus. Strophe IV.
TVtat art so eager for, my son ?
Let not Infatuation's spell, Spear-frenzied, soul-possessing, bear thee on : No, the first germ of evil passion quell.
Eteocles. Since God himself the matter presses on, Let all of Laios' race, 'neath Phoebos' ban, Drift with the breeze, Cocytos' wave its goal.
Chorus, Antistrophe IV. Thee passion biting to the quick O'er masters, onward thou art led, A bitter-fruited deed to consummate 690
Of blood, unlawful for thy hand to shed.
Eteocles. E'en so, for my dear father's hostile curse. Now ripe, broods over my dry tearless eyes, Telling that later doom hath prior gain.*
* \iyov(Ta Ktphos TTporepov vcrrepov p.6pov. Two translations of this line are offered :
1. Announcing gain prior to later doom.
2. Announcing prior gain of later doom.
I have adopted the latter, where nporepov is used as anti- thetic to varepov, but means superior, not earlier. The annoimcement may be regarded as a sarcastic intimation that there is no hope of Ufe ; that the only advantage that either brother can gain is to be the last to die.
302 The Seven against Thebes.
Chorus. Strophe V. But do not thou press on ; Thy life if Fortune crowneth, none As coward thee will brand. Thy hoock) Erinys, black with storm, will leave,
When, proffer'd by thy hand, Due meed of sacrifice the gods receive.
Eteocles. The gods, methinks, have long neglected us, Our doom the only ofiering they esteem. 700
Why longer fawn then upon deadly fate ?
Chorus. Antistrophb V.
Now is the very hour When near she stands. Her hostile power
At length may own the sway Of tardy change-wind, and in kindlier mood
Attend thee on thy way ; Eut now she seethes with fury unsubdued.
Eteocles. Seethed over hath the curse of CEdipus. Too true the Phantoms of my nightly dreams, Ghastly dividers of our father's wealth.
Chorus. To women yield, although thou Ioto them not.
Etkoclks. Say what may yet be dune, and speak in brief. 710
Tfie Seven against Thehes. 303
Chorus. Tread not this pathway to the seventh gate.
Eteoolbs. My whetted soul with words thou shalt not blunt.
Chorus.
Such conquest, in defeat, the God respects.
Eteocles. The armed warrior brooks not such a word.
Chorus. Wouldst thou in sooth cull thine own brother's blood ?
Eteocles. Grant but the gods, from harm he shall not 'scape.
'[Exit Eteocles.
Chorus. Steophe I. I shudder lest the house-destroying Might, Unlike to gods, true prophetess of iU, A sire's invok'd Erinys, now fulfil 720
The wrathful curses, fraught with bitter hate,
Of CEdipus infatuate. Child-slaying Eris urges on the fight.
Antistrophe I.
The lots between them doth a stranger deal, Chalybian colonist from Scythia's bound, Divider stern of wealth, raw-hearted steel,
304 Tlie Seven against Thebes.
Who to the twain allotteth so much ground
To dwell on as they hold when slain, Stript of all portion in their wide domain. 730
Stbophe II. But when in death they lie, Spear-mangled, each by other slain ; — When drinks their native dust the gory rain. Who then with lustral rites may purify ?
Who cleanse them from that stain ? 0 horrors new upon this house that wait, Blent with the direful ills of earlier date I
Antistbophe II.
For of the crime I tell On which of old swift vengeance fell, 740
Yet whoso dread issue the third age doth wait ; When Laios, 'gainst Apollo's will divine,
From Pythia's central shrine Who thrice proclaimed the sacred oracle, " Die without issue wouldst thou save the State, — "
Strophe III. Yet he, by friends o'erpowor'd, perverse of mind,
Begat his proper woe In OEdipns, the parricide, who dared, In field unhallow'd whence he sprang, to sow 750
A bloody of&hoot Frenzy blind In wedlock the infatuate couple paired.
AsTisTuornE III. And ncnv a sea of ill kinls wave on u-ave ; —
The Seven against Thebes. 305
One falls and one doth rear Against the city's stem, with clamour rude Its triple crest — between, fence slight to save, 760
The breadth of wall extends. I fear Lest with its kings the city be subdued.
Strophe IV. For the dread reconcilements now at last, Of curses breathed of old, fulfilment find, Nor doth the fated mischief lag behind.
When wealth of merchants seeking gain O'erweighted is, into the briny main From the ship's stern the precious freight is cast.
Antisteophe IV.
For to what mortal did or gods or men,
His co-mates of the State, such honour pay, 770
And diverse-nurtured multitudes', as then
To CEdipus they paid, whose hand Had from the ravening monster purgeel the land, That riddling post which seized on men for prey.
Steophe V.
But when, unhappy wight. Apprised of his dire wedlock, anguish-fraught,
Stung with intolerable pain. Frenzied at heart, he twofold mishcief wrought ; For with the hand that had his father slain, 780 His proper eyes he did bereave of sight.*
* The epithet Kpeiaa-oreKvav being considered corrupt, I have omitted it.
306 The Seven againd Thebes.
Antistrophe V. And at his 6ons he flung, By ignominious treatment vex'd at heart,
Curses, alas, with bitter tongue, That they with iron-wiehling hand should part One day their wealth. I tremble lest that vow Erinys, swift of foot, accomplish now.
\_Enter Messexgeb.
Messenger.
Ye maidens, mother-nurtured, courage take, Our city hath escaped the vassal yoke ; 790
The boasts of haughty men are come to nought. Our city floats in calm, and from the shock Of many billows yet hath sprung no leak. Staunch are our towers ; the champions whom we
set, In single combat to defend our gates, Their pledges have rcdeem'd. At the six gates All prospers in the main ; the seventh gate Apollo, King, the a%vful seventh, chose. Avenging on the sons of CEdipus Laios' ill-counselled trespass wrought of old.
Chorus. What new event hath to the city chanced ? 800
Messenger. Saved is the city, but the brother kings —
Chorum. What saycst thou ? Through fear I am distraught.
TJie Seven against Thebes. 307
Messenger. Be calm and listen. CEdipus' two sons —
Chorus. Ah wretched me ! Prophet I am of ills.
Messenger. Earth drinks their Wood, each by the other slain.
Chorus. Came they to this ? 'Tis horrible, yet speak.
Messenger. Dead are our chiefs by fratricidal hands.
Chorus. Then are they slain by hands too brotherly.
Messenger. Prone in the dust they lie, too true the tale.
Chorus. Thus dealt the god impartially with both.
Messenger. Yea, he himself destroys th' ill-fated race.
Chorus. Cause have we here for gladness and for tears. 810 The city prospers but its governors, Twin captains have, with Scythia's welded steel, Between them portioned all their heritage, Holding what each received in sepulture, Borne onward by their father's direful curse.
308 The Seven against TJieles.
Chorus.
0 mighty Zeus, and all ye guardian powers Who save, in very sooth, these towers
Of Cadmos, whether now 820
Shall I rejoice, and in triumphant strain, Our town's unharming saviour, Fortune, hail,
Or those war-chiefs bewail, Wretched, ill-fated, childless twain,
Who rightly, as their names avow — * Names full of glory and of strife. Are through intent unhallowed reft of life.
STROrHE.
Dark curse, with full completion crowned, Of CEdipus, inherent in the race! Hovers an evil chill my heart around. 830
Like Bacchanal, when on mine ear The tidings fell that the blood-dripping slain Through evil Fate had died— their tomb to grace,
A dirge I wove, sad strain. — Ill-omened is this concert of the spear.
Antistrophb. Their father's baleful curse hath wrought, Untired, its battle to the bitter end ; Now Laios' wilful counsels have their meed.
* o? bf)T. As only one of the brotliers, Polyncikcs, couM be said to liavc porishcd 6p6a>s Kar tnu>wniav, Ilointann thinks part of a verse lost with an allusion to the name of Kteoclcs. — Vahy, I liavo adopted Mr. Newman's sug- RCStion, JcdpT* irtoKKui Ka\ irokvvtlKdi.
The Seven against TJieles. 309
Around the city hovers care ; Not blunted are the oracles ; — this deed 840
[2%e bodies of the brothers are brought in.']
Which ye have wrought, oh lamentable pair,
All credence doth transcend. Dire woes are come, not by mere rumour taught.
Epode. Lo, obvious now to sight the herald's tale ! Twofold anxieties, disasters twain
Of pride * and mutual slaughter, fraught With twofold doom. To their dread issue are these evils brought. What can I sing ? What but the grievous La' o Fixed at the heart of this ill-fated home ?
But now, in escort of the dead.
Oh friends ! adown grief's sobbing gale.
With measured beat of hands on head, 850
Ply ye the oar-stroke, ply amain, Which over Charon's river evermore
Wafteth the galley, black of sail, J
Unchartered, to the sunless reign,
Untrodden by the god of light,
Invisible to mortal sight,
The all-receiving shore.
* Hermann reads, bl8vfi dyavopea.
t The dark-rigged boat of Charon is here contrasted with the sacred white-sailed galley which went on an annual public mission from Athens to Deles, the favourite scat of Apollo.
810 TJie Seven against Tliebes.
[As the funeral procession advances, Antigone and Ismexb are seen approaching^
But for a task of bitter pain, Their brothers' requiem to intone, Antigone draws with Ismene near ;
From lovely, deep-zoned breasts, I deem Will they, in no ambiguous strain. With fitting wail their woes deplore, And ere their utterance reach our ear,
Usj too, it doth beseem 860
Erinys' harsh-toned hymn to sing, And hostile pfean chant to Hades' King. Oh most unhappy in your brothers, ye Of all who round their garments cast the zone ;
I weep, I moan, — Here is no guile, — these wailings that I pour Come from my very heart, unfcignedly.
Semi-chorus I. Strophe I.
Woe! Woe! Ye frantic ones, your friends who disobeyed. By sorrow unsubdued, unhappy twain, 870
Spear-armed your father's house who captive made.
Semi-chorus II. Wretched in sooth, wretched their doom, both slain, Their house o'orwholming in their overthrow.
Semi-chorus I. Antistbophb I. Woo ! Woo ! O ye your household walls in dust who laid,
The Seven against Thebes. 311
Who bitter kingship tasted ; war's keen blade To you, at length, hath reconcilement brought.
Semi-cliorus II. The dread Erinys of their sire hath wrought,
Fiilfilling his stern curse, this stubborn woe.
Semi-chorus I. Strophe II. Both smitten through the breast, Yea, through the heart, sprung from one common
womb !
* * * * »
Woe ! Woe ! ye fiend possest !
Woe for the curse of mutual-slaughtering doom !
Semi-chorus II. Smitten, as ye relate. Smitten in home and life, with ruin dire, By Wrath transcending speech, and vengeful Hate, 890 Sprung from the curse of CEpidus, their sire.
Semi-chorus I. Antbistbophe II.
The city groans amain, The turrets groan, groans the man-loving plain ;
But with their kin doth bide Their wealth, dire cause to that ill-fated twain Of strife, whose issue death to either side.
Semi-chorus II. With hearts keen whetted they Their wealth apportioned, equal shares they gain ; — Friends blame the umpire,* neither may their fray 900 Be now applauded in triumphal strain.
* The umpire alluded to is the sword.
312 The Seven against Thebes.
Semi-chorus I. Strophe III. Steel-smitten, hapless pair ! Steel-smitten, lie they there. What fortune, one perchance may ask, Awaiteth them ? — A share In their ancestral tomb.
Sevii-chorus U.
Grief, with heart-piercing groan, Escorts them from their home — sad task ; — Sorrow unfeigned and unfeigned moan,
Distressful, joyless, din ! 910
Wasteth my heart as from its depths within True tears I shed, weeping those princes' doom.
Semi-chorus I. Antistrophe IIL This o'er them one may say, O'er that unhajipy twain ; — That to their friends much bale they wrought And to the alien host. Slaughtered in deadly fray.
Semi-chorus II.
Of womankind on earth, Of all, the mother's name who boast, 920
Most wretched she who gave them birth ; —
Wedding her son these forth she brought. By kindred hands and mutual murder slain.
Semi-chorus I. Stuopiie IV. Brothers indeed together reft of life,
The Seven against Thebes. 313
Severed in conflict rude ; — Falling in frenzied strife, So did they end their feud.
Semi-chorus II.
Stayed is their hate, and on the gory plain 930
Commingled is their life ; Too truly of one blood these foemen now.
Stern umpire of their strife. The fire-born stranger from beyond the main, The whetted steeL Hostile was Ares too, Bitter apportioner of wealth, I trow, Making the curse paternal all too true.
Semi-chorus L Antistkophe IV.
Of heaven-sent woe allotted shares have they ; —
Unhappy, doom'd from birth I 940
Lies 'neath their lifeless clay Wealth fathomless of — earth.
Semi-chorus II. Oh ye who your own house have caused to bloom
With many bitter woes ! O'er you at last these curses their shrill lay
Have chanted, fraught with doom; For now your race is turned to flight, In utter rout. Ay, on the very gate
Where fell your deadly blows, Stands Ate's trophy ; — and the fiend elate After her twofold conquest ceased from fight. 950
314 The Seven against Thebes.
\_Enter Antigose and Ismexe. — The former addresses the corpse of Polyneikes, the latter that of Eteocles.]
Antigone, Smiting, thou wast smitten.
ISMENE.
Slaying, thou wast slain.
Antigone. Thou with spear didst slaughter.
ISMENE.
Thee the spear laid low.
Antigone. In thy toil most wretched.
ISMENE.
Wretched in thy woe.
Antigone. Pour forth lamentations.
ISMENE.
Mourners, weep amain.
Antigone. Prostrate lies the slayer.
ISMENE.
Near him lies the slain.
Antioonk. SrnopnE. Alas! with wailing raves my spirit. •»60
The Seven against Theles. 315
ISMENE.
Moans my heart within my breast.
Antigone. "Worthy thou of all lamentings,
ISMENE.
Direst fate hath thee oppressed.
Antigone. By thy fi-iend wert reft of life.
ISMENE.
Thou thy friend hast slain in strife.
Antigone. Twofold horrors to relate.
Isjiene. Twofold to behold.
Antigone. Brothers these by brothers slain.
Ismene. Near them stand we, sisters twain.
Antigone. Deadly deeds to tell of. 970
Ismene. Deadly to behold.
316 TJie Seven against TJieles.
Chorus.
Woe, woe, for wretched Fate,
Donor of baleful dower ! Woe for the shade august of CEdipus I O swart Erinys strong art thou in power !
Antigone. Antistbophe. Woes, alas, to sight distressing,
ISMEN^.
Showed he me, his exile past.
Antigone. After slaying he returned not
ISMENE.
Saved, his breath away he cast.
Antigone. Perished hath he ; all too true,
IsMENE.
Ay, and him he also slew.
Antigoxb. Wretched kindred 1
ISMENB.
Wretched fate I
Antigonb. Cores from kindred strife that flow.
The Seven against Thebes. 317
ISMENE.
Steeped, alas, in threefold woe.
Antigone. Deadly deeds to tell of.
ISMENE,
Deadly to behold.
Chorus.
Woe, woe, for wretched Fate,
Donor of baleful dower ! Woe for the shade august of CEdipus I 990
0 swart Erinys strong art thou in power I
Antigone. Epode. This in sooth by proof thou knowest.
ISMENE.
Thou not later this hast learned.
Antigone. To this city when thou earnest.
ISMENE.
And 'gainst him thy spear hast turned.
Antigone. Woe I alas ! Dire trouble !
Ismene. Woe ! alas ! Dire grief.
318 The Seven against Thebes.
Antigone. On our house hath fallen.
ISMENE.
Ay, and on this land.
Antigone. On me above all others.
Ismene. On me who forward see. 1000
Antigone. Woe for these wretched brothers I
Ismene. "Woe, Leader-King, for thee I
Antigone. Of all men most lamented I
Ismeke.
• • « • •
Antigone. O ye possessed by Ate 1
Ismene. Where shall wo lay the twain ?
Antkionj:. In spot most rich in honour.
I
Tlie Seven against Thebes. 319
ISMENE.
Woe, Sire, thy wedded-bane I
\^Enter HbhaIiDi* Herald.
Me it behoves to publish the resolve,
And statute of Cadmeia's senators.
Eteocles, for love he bore the land, 1010
Shall be with kindly obsequies interred.
For in our city, warding off her foes.
Death he encountered ; free from all offence
Against his country's rites, blameless, he died
Where for the young to die is glorious.
Of him, I thus am ordered to proclaim.
But this, his brother Polyneikes' corse,
Unburied to cast forth, of dogs the prey,
As ravager of this Cadmeian land.
Unless against his spear some god had stood ;
Thus e'en in death polluted he will lie, 1020
Cursed of ancestral gods in scorn of whom.
With alien host, he sought the town to capture.
By winged fowl entombed, inglorious,
For him this just requital is decreed ; —
No rearing of the mound by pious hands,
No shrill-voiced wail shall grace his funeral,
Unhonour'd thus with tender obsequies.
So they who rule Cadmeians have ordained.
Antigone. But to Cadmeia's rulers I declare. If none will join in burying this man, 1030
Myself will bury him, and take the risk,
320 The Seven against Thehes.
Interring mino own brother :— shame is none
To cancel fealty and brave the State.
Dread tie the common womb from which we sprang, —
Of wretched mother bom and hapless sire.
Wherefore my soul, do thou take willing share
In woes he willed not ; living, aid the dead
With sisterly aflFection ; his dear flesh
No hollow-bellied wolves shall piecemeal rend ;
Let none suppose it ; — woman though I be,
Tomb and interment will I scheme for him : 1010
Ay, bearing earth in fold of flaxen robe,
Him will I shroud ; — let none suppose aught else.
Courage ! Effectual means will fail me not.
Herald. I warn thee not to disobey the State.
Antigone. I warn thee publish no vain words to me.
Herald. Harsh is the people just escaped from harm.
Antigone. Harsh let them be ; unearthed ho shall not lie.
Herald. Whom the State loathes wilt honour with r tomb?
Antigone. Ay, for the gods have not dishonoured him.* 1050
• Whatever the true Greek text, this sf^cms to be tin- scntimeDi.
The Seven against Thebes. 321
ELekald. Not till he peril brought upon this land.
Aktigone, The TSTong he bore with wrongs hu would requite.
Herald.
Ay, but 'gainst all he wrought instead of one,
Antigone. Last of the gods is Strife to close dispute. Yet h"im I will inter , spare then tby words.
Herald. But know thou headstrong art, and I forbid.
Chorus. "Woe I Woe ! Dire mischiefs, vaunting loud, House-miners, ye Furies dread, Wbo from its roots have quenched in doom 1060 The race of CEdipus ; — alas ! "What must I do ? "What sorrows bear ? "What plan devise ? How may I dare Neither for thee the tear to shed Nor to escort thee to the tomb ? But from tbe terrors of the crowd Trembling, I shrink. Thou wilt obtain
^Addressing the corpse of Eteocles.]
Many to weep thy death, — but he Forlorn, unwept, will pass,
Y
322 The Seven against TJiebes.
Moui-n'd by a sister's louely-wailiug strain. "Who may to tliis agree ?
Semi-chorus I.
Let the city strike with doom, 1070
Or not, who Polyncikes mourn ; We will go and to the tomb Him escort, — a train forlorn ; For this woe is common dower,
And the claims of right
In our townsmen's sight
Vary with the hour.
Semi-chorus II.
But this other follow we,
As the city doth ai)prove
And Justice ; — for in sooth 'twas ho,
After those who reign above.
And might of Zeus, — Cadmeia's realm 1080
Who in chief did save
From the alien wave Wliich threatened to o'erwhclm.
\_Exciint in solemn procession. Antigosb aud Semi-chorua J, foUow the corpse of Polvneikes; Ismenb and Semi' chorus II, that of Etbocles.]
TJie Seven against Ththes. 323
NOTES.
TuE Seven agaixst Thebes.
286. The abrupt ri yiva^iai ; cannot be right. I make no doubt that the poet's syntax was continuous; whether (TTelxovai <jT{(f)av(iirai, or, ttotI irvpyov .... areixcvai aTecpdvufia, as iu Soph. Antig., or again, o-rfydvco/ia, the roof.
338. KopKopvyai S' dv aarv, ttotI iroKiv 8' | opKava Trvp- yioTis, should be responded to by iravrobanos 8e Kapiros Xap.d8is Treo-wj' | dXyvvfi. Kvprjaas. First, I make little doubt that TTOTt 776X11; should be noTnrCKvaTai (approaches) which answers all the conditions of the case. Xext, the Cretic opudva convicts the Molossus dXyvvei as false. Ilvpywris is wrong both in metre and in sense. 'OpKdva must be the net- rope, by which victors swept the streets and squares, and caught runaways. It seems to be alluded to iu liiad, v. 487, where it has the epithet irdvaypos, which in the tragic poets may be iravrdypos, or here, perhaps, Travrdypevris.
In 356-364 Hermann has rightly discerned, that the vvKTepov reXos does not mean death, but violation of the person: that iXiris means apprehension, fear, and that fvvdv has been inserted by some one who did not imderstand the word Ti\os aright. For rX^/xofes evvav Hermann lias rXrifiov alcriv : but it seems to me that we rather need (writing ck TvxovTo^, " any random man," for (vtvxovvtos) —
324 Tlie Seven against Theles.
rXijfMocriv yap alx^fiuXcorov du5p6s (K TV^ovTos (a>9 8vap€v<i}U vneprepuiv) e\ni9 fcm vvKTepov reXor fioXdv, ^aKXavTtov dXyiav tTvlppodov.
Here alxfidXarov must agree with riXos — rather harsh ; and f-iptioBov expresses, that this is a new misery superadded — an after-clap. I have changed the singulars, bvapitvovs, vneprepov, into plurals.
781. Kpet(r(TorfKV(ov is clearly absurd, p.icroT€KV(ov a highly probable correction.
728. It is incredible that the poet should have writttn lipaias dpas, as in the old text ; and to alter dpalas into dpas makes a very weak tautology. I feel some conviction that the poet wrote dypias Tpo(povs, fierce nurses, which he then expounds to be the 'Apar.
826. I think the true text must be —
01 8^t' opdciiS Kar' tnaivvptav [^KapT eVeoKXeis] Ka\ iroXvi'(iKf7t—
in fiict, Koi demands eVfOKXely preceding.
998. nripa irarpl ndpfwov. IlrJ/xa is interpreted of Jocast.i ; but could a pious daughter abruptly call her mother a pest? To me it seems that the death of the two brethren was a v:oe sleeping in the grave by the side of the father.
1041. oil dtareTifirfTat is obviously corrupt. I suggest —
TJ^rj TO Tovb' ov brJT drifxr^T rjv 6(oii.
"Hitherto his fortunes have not lieen dishonoure<l by the goils." The reply is : " No ; not before he attacke<l this country " — which quite agrees,
F. \V. N.
PROMETHEUS BOUND,
DEAMATIS PEESOX^
Prometheus.
OCEASOS.
Heph^stos.
Hermes.
Strength and Force.
lo, Daughter of Inachos.
Chorus of Nymphs, Daughters of Oceakos.
Scene. — Scythia ; to the right a rodnj promontory of Cancasos, to the left the Euxine. Enter Heph.estos, icith hummer and chains : Prometheus is led in by SiiiENGTH and Force.]
INTRODUCTION.
The combat between tlae Titans and the Olympian Gods, issuing in the triumph of the latter, constrtutes, as Hegel remarks, the central fact of Hellenic my- thology. This hoary legend may be regarded as symbolizing in the physical universe the emergence of order out of chaos, while in the history of religious thought it marks a period of transition, characterized mainly by the metamorphosis of the nature-powers, the objects of men's earlier worship, into the humanized divinities of Hellas, involving the recognized supremacy of the higher over the lower elements of being.
One phase of this struggle is treated by ^schylus in the drama of the Eumenides ; there the hoary god- desses, the dark vengeance-powers of the primeval world, are brought into harmonious subordination to Pallas Athena, the impersonation of the wisdom and benignity of Zeus. Another aspect of the conflict formed the subject of the Promethean trilogy, wliich set forth the relation between the finite and the supreme will, in their antagonism and their reconciliation.
Among the grand ideals bequeathed to the world by Hellenic genius there is none, perhaps, which has more deeply impressed the poetic imagination than the much-
328 Prometheus Bound.
enduring Titan ; none, certainly, which has for a longer period coloured the stream of philosophic thought. The Promethean myth, it must be remembered, was not the invention of either Hesiod or iEschylus ; its root, as Bunsen remarks, is older than the Hellenes themselves. Even at the present day, the legend, in its rudest form, may be traced among the Iranian tribes of the Caucasus, while in our western world it has in- spired the genius of more than one great poet of modem times.
The three dramas of which the trilogy consisted are believed to have been " Prometheus, the Fire-bringer," " Prometheus Bound," and " Prometheus Unbound," of which the second has alone survived.* Prometheus there appears as the champion and benefactor of man- kind, whose condition, at the close of the Titanic age, is depicted as weak and miserable in the extreme :
" Seoincr, they saw in vain ; ITcaring, they heard not ; but like.shaixs in dreams. Through the long time all things at random mixed."
Zeus, it is said, proposed to annihilate these puny ephemerals, and to plant upon the earth a new race in their stead. Prometheus represents hiniself as having frustrated this design, and as being conseciucntly sub- jected, for the sake of mortals, to the most agonising pain, inflicted by the remorseless cruelty of Zeus. Wo
• Gruppo has, I think, satisfactorily rofnfod the pl.iusiblo liypofhesia of Hermann, that the " Prometheus Unlwuntl " was comjxKe*! prior to, and independently of, the ** Viv- mcthcu;> Uouud."
Prometheus Bound. 329
have tlius the Titan, the symbol of finite reason and free will, depicted as the sublime philanthropist, while Zeus, the supreme deity of Hellas, is portrayed as the cruel and obdurate despot, a character peculiarly re- volting to Athenian sentiment.
The attempt to explain this apparent anomaly has given rise to a variety of theories and speculations. It is urged by some that at the time of ^schylus so sharp a line \\as drawn, in the minds of educated men, between religion and mythology, that the latter was accepted simply as poetical imagery, and was employed by the poet without any definite moral aim. Others imagine, with Welcker, that ^Silschylus, as a contemporary of Zenophaues, and one initiated into the Eleusinian mysteries, maintained an antagonistic attitude towards the traditional creed, and that in the Promethean trilogy he seized the opportunity to enter his protest against it, by represcjnting the head of the Olympian system under so revolting an aspect. It must be remembered, how- ever, that the Athenian drama formed part of a solemn religious festival, celebrated by the entire population, and that the popular theology was intertwined with the national and political life not only of Athens, but of Hellas. The magnificent statues of Pallas Athena and of Olympian Zeus, executed at enormous cost by Phidias, the contemporary of .Slschylus, were doubtless regarded by the multitudes assembled at the national festivals as symbols of divine and very awful realities ; and if we turn to the remaining dramas of the poet we find his delineation of these divinities in harmony with
330 Prometheus Bound.
tliis conception, Zeus, more especially, is represented as uniting in h'msclf the sublimest attributes of deity. The Chorus, in their Bolcmn invocation (Ag, 160), lay peculiar stress upon the name of Zeus, as the supreme deity, the prime source of consolation and of wisdom. He is elsewhere portrayed as the almighty ruler (Sup. 795), who by ancient law directs destiny (Sup. 655), and without whose will nothing is accom- plished for mortals (Sup. 804). He is invoked as king of kings, most blest among the blest, of powers on high most perfect power (Sup, 519). He is likewise apo- strophised as father, creator, king, supreme artificer, wielding no delegated sway, and whose deed is prompt as his word to execute the designs of his deep-coun- selling mind (Sup. 587). He is the all-seeing father (Sup. 130) ; lord of ceaseless ages (Sup. 567) ; the guardian of the guest (Ag. 353) ; thepunishcr of over- weening pride (Per. 822) ; the upholder of the righteous law of retribution (Ag. 154). Many more passages of a similar character might bo adduced, from which it would appear that the poet, though not emancipated from the errors and limitations of Polytheism, had, nevertheless, risen to the sublime ideal of one supremo ruler, whose righteous will was identified with the eternal decrees of destiny. Instead of placing himself in antagonism with tho popular religion, ho seems rather, as the prophet of Polytlioism, to have striven to elevate the jwpnlar conception of Zius, and of tho other Hellenic divinities, more especially Apollo and Pallns Athena, who are represented in tho Oresteia as tlio
Prometheus Bound. 331
ttilling but subordinate executors of their father's will. It seeras improbable that in the Promethean trilogy alone he should assume an attitude towards the popular religion utterly irreconcilable with the tendencies manifested in his remaining works ; the apparent con- tradiction has doubtless arisen from the loss of the concludiug drama. I agree with those critics who think that if we possessed it we should see the majesty of Zeus fully vindicated, and reconciliation established between the contending powers.
As it seems unreasonable to accept, without quali- fication, the gross picture of Zeus as represented, in the extant drama, by his exasperated adversary, Prometheus, so we must look elsewhere for the true ground of the antagonism subsisting between him and the Olympian divinities, all of whom are arrayed against him. Though the Promethean myth, as related by Plato, in the " Protagoras," differs in many essential features from the version of u3Eschylus, yet the fundamental thought there embodied is so completely in harmony with the teaching of the prophet-bard, that it may be referred to as. perhaps, throwing light upon the moral significance of the trilogy. In the " Protagoras " a distinction is drawn between the wisdom which minis- ters to physical well-being, and political wisdom which enables men to live in organized communities. Pro- metheus is represented as having endowed men with the former, but as unable to invest them with the latter, which involved the exercise of justice, and was under the special guardianship of Zeus. Now it is this
332 Prometheus Bound.
quality of justice which was bestowed upon mortals by Zeus that iEschylus extols with peculiar emphasis. "Riches," be says, " afford no bulwark to him who spurns the mighty altar of justice" (Ag. 381); firm based is justice (Cho, 635) ; " all must perish who withstand her mandates" (Cho. 630). Justice is styled the daughter of Zeus (Cho. 934) ; reverence for her altar is characterized as the sum of \visdom (Eum. 510).
It was, moreover, an idea familiar to the /Eschylcan age that all excellence was the gift of the gods, more especially of Zeus, and that it could not be obtained without their intervention. " God alone is good," sang Simonidcs ; " no one wins virtue without the aid of the gods, neither a state nor an individual." *' Zeus, the great virtues attend upon mortals from thee," sang Pindar ; " and," he adds, " prosperity lives longer with those who revere thee, but with perverse minds it docs not equally abide, thriving for all time" (Isthni. Odo iii.) " Through the favour of God man blooms with a wise heart."* "An imtaintod mind," according to iEschylus, is " heaven's first gift." The Chorus remind Prometheus of " the dreamlike feebleness that fetters tho blind race of mortals " (Pro. 55C) ; an expression which recalls Pindar's description of men as "tho dream of a shadow ;" "yet," he adds. " when sjilondiMir given by tho god comes to them, a brilliant light falls upon men and a sweet lifo " (Pyth. Odo viii. Epodo 5). Not only was Prometheus unable to endow mortals • These 1 assa^es aro cited by 5?clioom;xuu.
Prometheus Bound. 333
with these higher attributes ; by conferring upon them benefits contrary to the will of Zeus, he, in fact, alienated them from the gods, in fellowship with whom, according to the Greek ideal, men foimd their highest well-being.
He may thus be regarded as personifying that in- surgent condition of the will which, blind to the per- ception of higher truth, is full of arrogant self-con- fidence and all-defying pride. In many respects ho offers a parallel to Milton's Satan, " a creation requiring in its author almost the spiritual energy with which he invests the fallen Seraph." The Titan chained to his solitary rock, and the archangel prone upon the lake of fire, stand alone, the one in ancient, the other in modern literature, as stupendous examples of indomitable will ; of both it may be said with truth that, " what chains us, as with a resistless spell, in such a character, is spiritual might made visible by the racking pains which it overpowers."*
For the Titan, however, there is deliverance, and the- extant fragments of the concluding member of the trilogy enable us to form some idea as to the agency by which it was accomplished. At the opening of the " Prometheus Unbound" the Titan was seen brought once more to light, after the lapse of ages, from the abyss into which he had been hurled at the conclusion of the " Prometheus Bound." He was still chained to the rock, with the additional torment of the eagle. which daily preyed upon his liver. The punishnicats
• Clianning.
334 Prometheus Bound.
of the Titans, like the Titanic powers tlicmsclves, re- present the absence of rule or measure ; the restless iusatiability of the lower passions and desires when, with self-asserting insolence, they bid defiance to the restraints of law. Under his prolonged torment the spirit of Prometheus is somewhat subdued ; this change he himself prophesies in the previous drama (Pro. 520), where he says —
*' By myriad panas and woes Bowed down, thus shall I 'scape tbuse bonds."
Wc are here reminded of the poet's utterances respect- ing the discipline of suffering, which afford a clue to the significance of this feature of the legend —
" To sober thought Zeus paves the way, And wisdom liuks with pain.
A;j;ainst their will Eebellious men are tutored to be wise." — (Alj. 170.)
" Well-earned is wisdom at the cost of pain." — (Eum. 499.)
The Chorus consisted of the twelve Titans, six male and six female personages, who, redeemed from Xar- taros, visibly rcj^rcscnt one of tlic two worlds whoso strife and reconciliation formed the subject of the trilogy. The elementary forces of nature, personified as gods, must be defeated in order to assure dominion to a more spiritual order of divinities ; but when the triumph of mind has been assured, tlio once rebellious nature-powors reappear, as beneficout but subordiuato agents.*
♦ Uo;rcl.
Prometheus Bound. 335
They open the drama with an ode in which they describe the journey they have taken in order to pay Prometheus a visit of sympathy.
In the well-known fragment translated by Cicero, Prometheus, in return, narrates his sufferings, describes the torment he endures from the eagle, and longs for death as the goal of his anguish.
Herakles* next appears upon the scene, and in him Prometheus recognizes his heaven-appointed deliverer. Nowhere are the noble and the repulsive features of Hellenic mythology more remarkably associated than in the numerous legends which gather round the person of Herakles. The fundamental idea embodied in this Zeus-born hero is, however, that of irresistible power, " whose action is as beneficent to the children of men as it is fatal to the enemies of light." The heroic deeds of Herakles are glorified by Pindar (Nem. i. 33, 34, 62-72), who also appeals to them as authenticating his divine vocation ; while, according to the rhetorician Aristides, he was styled by men their saviour, the averter of evil. Nowhere, however, is he introduced in this character more significantly than as the liberator of Prometheus.
According to Hellenic mythology,f Herakles closed the line of heroes, the earth-born sons of Zeus, whose mission it was to ennoble and elevate the human race. He therefore exhibited the highest result of the fellow-
* An interesting analysis of the siunificance of the story of Herakles will be found in Cox's "Mythology of the Arj-an Nations." f Scboemann.
336 PrometJieus Bound.
ship of Zeus with mortals, of which lo was one of the first recipients. Hence the significance of her appear- ance in the " Prometheus Bound.'' She, like the Titan, resisted the divine will, and, like him, must sxiffer the penalty of her rebellion ; accordingly the account of her sufierings, as, wailing and distraught, she pursues her toilsome wanderings, serves to heighten the impres- sion of the cruel tyranny of Zeus, which it is the object of that drama to produce.
In " The Suppliants," however, Zeus appears in rela- tion to lo, not as the obdurate tyrant, but as the beneficent deity, whose severest judgments issue in blessings to the individual and to mankind. Doubtless, under this aspect he would have been represented in the third member of the Promethean trilogy.
Heraklcs inquires from Prometheus his way to the gardens of the Hesperides ; the Titan, in reply, de- scribes his journey thither, and announces the dangers which ]:e will liave to encounter. Forthwitli the eagle appears, winging its flight towards Prometheus : Heraklcs utters the exclamation, " Archer Apollo, surely guide mine arrow," draws his bow, and slays the pest.
In what manner the subsequent liberation of Pro- metheus was efFocted wo have no means of determining ; whether Ileraklos h msclf unloosed his chains, or whctlier tliis was accom])lislied through the int<Tvontion of Hermes, or some other divinity ; whether Hcraldcs prevaihd upon Zens to accept Chciron as a substittito for Piometheus, ond whether Chciron voluntarily
Prometheus Bound. 337
descended into Hades ; and, finally, ^vhcther the Gods appeared upon the scene, to celebrate, with Promethens and the Titans, the nuptials of Peleus and Thetis — these are questions to which neither the fragments themselves, nor the testimony of other witnesses, enable us to return a satisfactory answer, and I conse- quently abstain from entering upon them.
The chief interest, however, centres in the mind of Prometheus, and upon the agency by which the arch- rebel was transformed into the willing subject and minister of Zeus. The spectacle of his brother and sister Titans and Titanesses redeemed from durance would tend to correct the false impression which had possessed his mind respecting the ruthless tyranny of Zeus, and consequently the gnawing desire to witness his humiliation would give place to the unreluctant re- cognition of his supremacy. He would accordingly no longer refuse to reveal the secret, upon the disclo- sure of which he, in his blindness, imagined the main- tenance of that supremacy to depend.* In Hesiod Zeus is represented as allowing himself to be apparently deceived by Prometheus, when he taught men to bring worthless offerings to the Gods ; the Titan there ap- pears as the trickster caught at last in his own wiles. That the reign of Zeus, whom the poet elsewhere extols as " The Lord of ceaseless ages," " Blost blessed among the blest," should be conceived of by him as contingent upon the word of Prometheus, seems to mo incredible. The voluntary revelation of his supposed
• This view is expounded at greater length by Schoemann.
z
338 Prometheus Bound.
secret was tlie token that the all-defying rebel was transformed into tlie willing subject and minister of Zeus.
It is related * tbat Zeus, wlien be released Prome- tbeus from his chains, required him, as a slight volun- tary punishment, to bind his head with branches of the agnus-castus (^vyor), a plant frequently employed for religious purposes.
The same symbolic signification was, in after times, attached to the ring of Prometheus, referred to by Catullus and Pliny. The former relates that when Prometheus appeared at the marriage festival of Peleus and Thetis, he wore a ring, as a slight token of his ancient punishment :
" Extenuata gcrcns veteris vestigia pa?na? ; % Quam quondam silici restrictus membra catena Persolvit, pendens e verticibus prajruptis."
Not as an ornament, says Pliny (xxxiii. 4), has Prometheus worn the iron ring, but as a chain ; and (xxxvii. 1), as a slight token of punishment, a piece of the rock to which he had been fastened was inserted in the ring instead of a gem.
The iron fiugcr-ring is not. like the lugos-crown, expressly referred back to ^schylus ; the same signi- fication, however, attaches to both, and it is not probable,
• As his authority for this statement, Welckcr refers to Athenanis and Monndotus.
X This and tho following references are quoted from Wolcker.
Prometheus Bound. 339
as Welcker remarks, that they should not liave been associated in the ancient legend.
Thus the dignity of man, of whom Prometheus may be regarded as the representative, is fully vindicated, when, instead of rebelling against the restraints of law, he joyfully accepts them, and finds his true liberty in obedience; thenceforth the crown, the token of sub- mission, is transformed into an honourable adornment, and the iron ring becomes the symbol of a holy con- secration.*
Thus we may imagine was brought about the re- conciliation of the powers whose antagonism formed the subject of the " Prometheus Bound." We cannot but admire the marvellous art with which the poet, while making his personages the representatives of certain ab- stract principles, at the same time endows them with life and sharply-defined individuality. This impression of reality is heightened in Prometheus by the allusion of the Chorus to his marriage with their sister Hesione. The chorus of colossal Titans, delivered at length from their mighty toils, and assisting at the deliverance of Prometheus, seems to me one of the grandest conceptions that ever entered a poet's mind. It harmonizes with the .iEschylean conception of Zeus, as head of the Olympian hierarchy, reigning supreme in the domain of nature and of mind.
In concluding this very inadequate study of a great subject, I will allude, in a few words, to the theory propounded by Professor Kuhn, with reference to the * "Welcker.
340 Prometheus Boun.l.
Prometliean myth.* He considers the name of the Titan to be derived from the Sanscrit word Pramantha, the instrument used for kindling fire. The root mand, or mantli, implies rotatory motion, and the word manthami, used to denote the process of fire-kindling, acquired the secondary sense of snatching away ; hence we find another word of the same stock, pramaiha, signi- fying theft.
The word manthami passed into the Greek language, and became the verb manthan6,to learn ; that is to say to appropriate knowledge ; whence prometheia, fore- knowledge, forethought. Prometheus, the fire-bringcr, is the Pramantha personified, and finds his prototype in the Aryan Matarisvan, a divine or semi-divine per- sonage, closely associated with Agni, the fire-god of the Vedas. We have thus another curious instance of the common elements which may be detected in the Vedic and Hellenic mythology, while the development of the Promethean myth affords an instructive illustra- tion of the mode in which words, originally having reference to natural phenomena, gradually became l::vested with new and more spiritual significance when transplanted to the soil of Hellas.
* An epitome of Professor Kuhn's work, entitled "Dio Herabkunft des Feuers und des Gijttertianks," may be found in Kelly's " Indo-Eurojx'an Tradition and Folk-lore," from which the above notice is abridged.
PROMETHEUS BOUND.
Strength.
TO cartli's remotest plain we now are come, To Scytliia's confine, an untrodden waste. HepliOBstos ! Thou tlie mandates must observe Enjoiu'd. thee by thy sire ; this miscreant 'Gainst lofty-beetling rocks to clasp in fetters Of adamantine bonds, unbreakable. For that the splendour of all-working fire, Thy proper flower, he stole, and gave to mortals. Such crime he to the gods must expiate ; So may he learn the sovereignty of Zeus 10
To bear, and cease from mortal-loving wont.
Hepji^stos Ho ! Strength and Force, for you the word of Zeus Its goal hath reached, no obstacle remains ; But I of daring lack, a brother god Fast to this storm-vexed cleft perforce to bind. Yet so to dare is sheer necessity ; For grievous 'tis the father's words to slight.
[ITo Pkojietiieus.] *Eiglit-jndging Themis' lofty-thoughtcd son, Thee 'gainst thy will must 1 unwilling nail
342 Prometheus Bound.
With stubborn sliacklcs to tliis desert height, 20
Where neither voice nor form of living man
Shall meet thy ken ; but, shrivelled by the blaze
Of the bright sun, thy skin's fair bloom shall wither ;
\\'elcome to thee shall glittering-vestured night
O'erveil the brightness ; welcome too the sun
Shall with new beams scatter the morning rime ;
Thus evermore shall weight of present ill
Outwear thee : for as yet is no one bom
Who may relieve thy pain : such meed hast thou
From mortal-loving wont ; — for thou, a god,
Not crouching to the wrath of gods, didst bring
To mortal men high gifts, transgressing right. 30
Hence shalt thou sentinel this joyless rock,
Erect, unsleeping, bending not the knee ;
And many a moan shalt pour and many a plaint.
Vainly ; for Zeus obdurate is of heart ;
And harsh is every one when new of sway.
Strength.
Let be ! Why dally and vain pity vent ? This god, to gods most hateful, why not hate, Who thy prerogative to men betrayed ?
ITeph^stos. Awful is kindred blood, and fellowship.
Strength.
True, but the father's word to disobey — 40
How many that be? Foarcst not tluit still iimrcV
Prometheus Bound. 343
HEPttSSTOS.
Ave ruthless art thou, full of insolence.
Stbength. Him to bemoan availeth nought ; — but thou Spend not thy strength in toil that profits not.
Heph^stos. Alas ! my much-detested handicraft I
Strength, Why hate thy craft ? for, sooth to say, thine art Is no way guilty of these present woes.
Heph^stos. Yet would that it to other hand had fallen.
Stkength. All save o'er gods to rule, vexatious is, For none is free, save father Zeus alone. 50
Heph^stos. Too well I know it : answer have I none.
Strength.
Haste then : around the culprit cast these bonds Lest father Zeus behold thee loitering.
Heph.s:3to8. Behold the shackles ready here for use.
344 Prometheus Bound.
Strength. Cast them around his hands : with mighty force Smite with the hammer, nail him to the rocks.
Hepiijestos. The work so far is finished ; — not amiss.
Strength. Strike harder yet : clench fast : be nowhere slack. His wit will find a way where no way is.
Heph^stos. This arm, at least, is fast beyond escape. 60
Strength. This too clamp firmly down ; so may he learn, Shrewd though he be, he duller is than Zeus.
Hepilestos. No one but he could justly censure me.
Strength.
Of adamantine wedge the stubborn fang
Straight through his breast now drive, right sturdily.
HEPHiESTOS.
Alas ! Prometheus 1 I lament thy pangs.
Strength.
Dost shrink, lamenting o'er the foes of Zcur? Beware, lest some day for thyself thou grieve.
Prometheus Bound. 345
HEPHiGSTOS.
A sight thou seest, grievous to the eye.
Strength. I see him meeting with his own deserts : 70
But come, around his sides the girdings cast.
Hephjsstos. Do it I must ; urge me not over-much.
Strength.
Urge thee I will ; ay, hound thee to the work ; Get thee below ; forceful enring his legs.
Hi:PHiESTOS.
There, finished is the work, nor great the toil.
Strength.
Now the bored fetters strike right lustily; For stern the overlooker of these works.
HEPHiESTOS.
Like to thy shape the utterance of thy tongu&
Strength.
Be thou soft-hearted but upbraid not me,
For stubborn will and ruggedncss of heart. 80
Heph^stos. Let us begone ; his limbs are iron-meshed.
346 Prometheus Bound.
Stkength to Peomethkus.
Hero taunt away, and the gods' honours filching, Bestow on creatures of a day ; from thee How much can mortals of these woes drain off? Thee falsely do the gods Prometheus * name, Fur a Prometheus thou thyself dost need, To plan releasement from this handiwork.
[Exeimt Heph^stos, Stbength, and Fokce.
Pbomethetjs. Oh holy ether, swiftly-winged gales, Fountains of rivers, and of ocean-waves rnnumerable laughter, general mother Earth, 90
And orb all-seeing of the sun, I call : Behold what I, a god, from gods endure.
See, wasted by what pains Wrestle I must while myriad time shall flow I
Such ignominious chains
Hath he who newly reigns, Chief of the blest, devised against rao. Woe ! Ah woe ! the torture of the hour
I wail, ay, and of anguish'd throes The future dower. How, when, shall rise a limit to these woes? 100
And yet what say I ? clearly I foreknow All that must happen ; nor can woo betide Stranger to mo ; the Destined it belioves, As best I may, to bear, for well I wot
* From npo, n.r)Tit—fortthought.
Prometheus Bound. ^17
How incontestable the strength of Fate. Yet in such strait silence to keep is hard, — Hard not to keep ; — for, bringing gifts to mortals. Myself in these constraints hapless am yoked. Stored within hollow wand fire's stealthy fount I track, which to mankind in every art 110
Hath teacher proved, and mightiest resource. Such forfeits I for such offences pay, — Beneath the welkin nailed in manacles.
Hist ! Hast ! what soimd, What odour floats invisibly around, Of God, or man, or intermediate kind ?
Comes to this rocky botmd, One to behold my woes or seeking aught ? A god yc see in fetters, anguish-fraught ; The foe of Zeus, in hatred held of all The deities who throng Zeus' palace-hall ; 120 For that to men I bore too fond a mind. Woe, woe ! what rustling sound Hard by, as if of birds, doth take mine ear ?
Whistles the ether round With the light whirr of pinions hovering CfCar. Whate'er approaches fiUeth me with fear.
\_Erder Chorus of Ocean-Nymphs home in a winf/ed car.]
Chorus. Strophe I. Fear not ! a friendly troop we reach On rival-speeding wing this cliff forlorn ; 130
Our sire's consent wringing by suasivc speech, Me swift-escorting gales have hither borne.
348 Prometheus Boiuhi.
For iron's clanging note Piercing our caves' recesses rang, And bashful shyness from me smote; — Forthwith on winged car, unshod, aloft I sprang.
Prometheus.
Alas I alas ! Woe ! woe I Prolific Tethys' offspring, progeny 140
Of sire Oceanos, whose sleepless flow All the wide earth encircles ! gaze and see P>ound with what fetters, ignominiously, I, on the summit of this rock-bound steep,
Shall watch unenvied keep.
CllOrUS. AUTISTKOPHE I.
I sec, Prometheus, and through fear Doth mist of many tears mine eyes bedew, As, 'gainst this rock, parched up, in tortures drear Of adamantine bonds, thy form I view. 150
For helmsmen new of sway Olympos hold ; by laws new-mado Zeus wieldeth empire, inii)ulse-?wayod ; The mighty ones of old he sweeps away.
Prometheus. Neath earth, 'neath Hades' shade-receiving plains, Sheer down to Tartaros' unmeasured gloom Would he had hurled mo ruthless, Ixiund with chaiiiH That none may looso ; — So then at this my doom IGO Had no one mock'd, — nor god, nor other kind. But now most wretched, sport of every wind, Foes triumph o'er my pains.
Prometheus Bound. 349
Cliorus. Strophe IL
Who of the gods a heart doth own
So hard, to mock at thy despair ?
Who at thy woes, save Zeus alone,
Doth not thine anguish share ?
But ruthless still, with soul unbent, The heavenly race he tames, nor will refrain 170
Till sated to his heart's content ; Or till another, by some cunning snare, Wrest from his grasp the firmly guarded reign.
Prometheus.
Yet e'en of me although now wrunj;
In stxibbom chains sliall he have need,
This ruler of the blest — to read
The counsel new by which his sway
And honours shall be stript away.
But not persuasion's honied tongue
My stedfast soul shall charm ; 180
Nor will I, crouching in alarm. Divulge the secret, till these savage chains He loose, and yield requital for my pains.
Chorus. Antistrophe II.
Daring thou art and yieldest nought For bitter agony ; with tongue Unbridled thou art all too free. But by keen fear my heart is stung ; I tremble for thy doom — ah, me ! Thy barque into what haven may'st thou steer, 190
350 Protnetheus Bound.
Of these dire pangs tlie end to see ? For inaccessible, of mood severe Is Kronos' son, inflexible his thought.
Pbomethexjs.
That Zens is stem full well I know,
And by his will doth measure right.
But, smitten by this destined blow,
Softened shall one day be his might.
Then curbing his harsh temper, he
FuU eagerly will hither wend, To join in league and amity with me, Eager no less to welcome him as friend. 200
CJiorus.
To us thy tale unfold ; the whole speak out ; Upon what charge Zeus, seizing thee, doth thus Outrage with harsh and ignominious pain ? Inform us if the telling breed no harm.
Prometheus.
Grievous to mo it is these things to tell,
Grief to be silent : trouble every way.
Wlicn first the heavenly powers were moved to mge,
And in opposing factious ranged their might,
These wishing Kronos from his scat to burl
That Zeus forsooth might rcigu ; these,countcr-wiso, 210
Resolved that o'er the gods Zeus no'er should rule ;
Then I witli ^aj^cst couu.slI si rove to move
The Titans, progeny of llcavcu and Earth,
Prometheus Bound. 351
But strove in vain ; for they, in stubborn souls
Of (Tafty wiles disdainful, thought by force,
An easy task, the mastery to gain.
But me, not once but oft, my mother Themis,
And Earth (one shape \vith many names) had told
Prophetic, how the future should be wrought.
That not by strength of thew or hardiment 220
Should mastery be compassed, but by guile ;
But when this lore I did expound in words.
They deigned me not a single look ; whereon,
Of courses free to choose, the wisest seemed
Leagued with my mother, of my own free will
The will of Zeus to meet, siding with him.
And by my counsels black-roofed Tartaros'
I\Iurky abyss primeval Kronos now
Engulfs with his allies ; such benefits
From me the tyrant of the gods received, 230
And hath requited with these base returns.
For, someway, cleaveth aye to tyranny
This fell disease ; to have no faith in friends.
But toTiching now your question, on what charge
He thus maltreats me ; this will I make clear.
When seated on his father's throne, forthwith.
He to the several gods was dealing out
Their several honours, marshalling his realm ;
But he of toil-worn mortals took no count;
The race entire he ardently desired 240
To quench, and plant a new one in its stead.
And none but I opposed his purposes ;
I dared alone ; — I saved the mortal raco
•^'G2 Prometheus Bound.
From sinking blasted down to Hades' gloom.
For tliis by these dire tortures I am bent,
Grievous to suffer, piteous to behold.
I who did mortals pity, of liku grace
Am decm'd unworthy, — but am grimly thus
Tuned to his will, a sight of shame to Zeus.
Chonis. Iron of heart, ay, fashion'd out of rock 250
Who at thy pangs thine anger shareth not, Prometheus ; for myself, fain had I shunned This sight ; — beholding it, my heart is wrung.
Pbometheus. To friends, in sooth, a spectacle of woe.
Chorus. But beyond this didst haply aught essay ?
Prometheus. Mortals I hindered from foreseeing death.
Cliorus. Finding what medicine for this disease ?
Prometheus. Blind hopes I caused within their hearts to dwell.
Chorus. Vast boon was this thou gavest unto mortals.
Prometheus Yea, and besides 'twas I that gave them fira 2G0
Prometheus Bound. 353
Clwrus. Have now these short-lived creatures flame-eyed fire ?
Prometheus. Ay, and by it full many arts will learn.
CJwrus. Upon such charges doth Zeus outrage theo, Nor aught abateth of thy miseries ? To this dire struggle is no term assigned ?
Pkometheus. No other but what seemeth good to him.
Chorus. How may this be '? What hope ? Seest thou not That thou hast erred ? But in what way hast erred, That to unfold, — while me it gladdens not, To thee is pain. Forbear we then this theme ; But from this struggle seek thou some escape. 270
Peometheus. Whoso his foot holdeth unmesh'd of harm, For him 'tis easy to exhort and warn One sorely plagued. But this I all foreknew ; Of will, free will, I erred, nor will gainsay it. Mortals abetting I myself found bale ; Not that I thought, with penalties like these. To wither thus against sky-piercing rocks, Doom'd to this drear and solitary height. But ye, no further wail my present woes, But, on the ground alighting, hear from me 280
2 A
354 Prometheus Bound.
On-gliding fate — so sliall ye learn the end. Yield to me, prithee jrield, and grieve with him Who now is wretched. Thus it is that grief Ranging abroad alights on each in torn.
Chorus. To no unwilling ears thy words Appeal, Prometheus ; and with nimble feet Leaving our swiftly wafted seat And holy ether, ti'ack of birds, I to this rugged groimd draw near ; 290
Thy woes from first to last I fain would hear.
\^Enter Oceaxos.]
OCEANOS.
The goal of my long course I gain,
And come, Prometheus, to thy side. This swift-winged bird without a bit I rein.
My will his only guide. Compassion for thy fate, be sure, I feel ; Thereto the tie of kin constraineth me : But blood apart, to no one would I deal
More honour than to thee. 300
That true my words thou soon shalt know ;
No falsely glozing tongue is mine ; Come, how I may assist thco plainly show, For than Occanos a friend more leal
Thou ne'er shalt boast as thine.
PuoMETHErS.
litt! What means this '? Art thou too hither conifc
Prometheus Bound. 355
Spectator of my pangs ? How hast thou dared
Quitting thy namesake flood, thy rock-roof d caves
Self-wrought, this iron-teeming land to reach ?
Art come indeed to gaze upon my doom, 310
And with my grievous woes to sympathize ?
A spectacle behold ; — this friend of Zeus,
This co-appointer of his sovereignty,
By what dire anguish I by him am bow'd.
OCEANOS.
I see, Prometheus, and would fain to thee,
All subtle as thou art, best counsel give;
Know thine own self, thy manners mould anew,
For new the monarch who now rules the gods ;
But if thou thus harsh, keenly- whetted words
Still huiiest, Zeus, though thron'd so far aloft, 320
Mayhap may hear thee, so the pangs which now
His wrath inflicts but childish sport may seem.
But come, 0 much enduring, quell thy rage ;
Seek thou releasement from these miseries;
Stale may appear to thee the words I speak;
Yet such the penalty that waits, Prometheus,
On a too haughty tongue ; But thou, e'en now
Nowise art hiunbled, nor dost yield to ills,
But to the present wouldest add new woe;
Therefore, I charge thee, hearkening my rede, 330
Kick not against the pricks, since harsh the king
Who now holds sway, accountable to none.
And now I go and will forthwith essay
If I avail to free thee from these toils.
356 Prometheus Bound.
But be thou calm nor over-rash of speech ;
Knowest thou not, being exceeding wise,
That to the froward tongue cleaves chastisement.
Pbometheus.
Much joy I give thee scatheless as thou art. Though in all plots and daring leagued with me. But now let he ; forbear thy toil : for Him 34.0
Persuade thou canst not : Him no suasion moves ; Nay, lest the joui-ney breed thee harm, beware.
OCEANOS.
More cunning art thou others to advise
Than thine own self. By deed I judge, not word ,
But, fixed is my resolve, hold me n^^t back;
For sui-e I am, yea, sure, that Zeus to mo
Will grant this boon, and loose thee from these pains.
Prometheus. For this I praise thee, uor will cease to praise ; For nought of kindly zeal thou lackcst ; yet, Toil not, for vain, nor helpful unto mo, 350
Thy toil will prove, — if toil indeed thou wilt ; — But hold thee quiet rather, keep aloof; For I, though in mishap, not therefore wish Wide-spreading fellowship of woo to see. No truly, for my brother Atlas' doom Grieves mo, who. stationed on the western verge, The pillars on his shoulders bcarcth up Of heaven and earth ; burtlien of painful grasp. So. in Cilician caves with ruth I saw
Prometheus Bound. 357
Their earth-bom tenant, hostile prodigy, 360
The hundred-headed, cuib'd by violence;
Raging Typhoeiis, all the gods who braved,
ELissing out slaughter from his horrid jaws.
Forth from his eyeballs flash'd a hideous glare.
As though by force the reign of heaven to storm.
But on him fell the sleepless dart of Zeus,
The thunder-bolt down-rushing, breathing flame,
\STiich him from his high-worded boasting hurl'd
Prostrate ; for, smitten to his inmost reins.
With strength burnt out, he lightning-blasted fell. 370
And now his frame, helpless and sprawling lies
Hard by the salt-sea narrows, sorely prest
Beneath the roots of ^Etna. Seated there,
Upon the topmost peaks, Hephfestos smites
The molten masses, whence one day shall burst
Torrents of fire, devouring with fierce jaws
The level fields of fruitful Sicily.
Such rage Typhoeus shall anew belch forth
With scorching missiles of fire-breathing storm
Insatiate ; by the fierce bolt of Zeus 380
Blasted, but imconsum'd. No tiro thou.
Nor dost my teaching need. Save thou thyself
As best thou knowest how. But be assured
I to the dregs my present doom will drain.
Until the heart of Zeus relax its ire.
OCEANOS.
Know'st thou not this, Prometheus, that wise words To a distemper'd mind physicians are ?
358 Prometheus Bound.
Prometheus. Ay, if well-timed they mollify the heart, Nor with rudo pressiire chafe its swelling ire.
OOEANOS.
True : but if forethought be with boldness leagued. What lurking mischief seest thou ? Instruct me. 390
Pkometheus. Light-minded folly and superfluous toiL
OCEAKOS.
Still from this ailment let me ail, since most The wise it profiteth not wise to seem.
Prometheus. But haply mine this error may appear.
OCEANOS.
Certes, thine argument remands me home.
Prometheus. Good ! Lest thy plaint for me work thee ill-will.
Ocean OS. With him now-scatcd on the all-ruling thi-uno ?
Promrtheus. Of him beware that ne'er hia heart bo vosod.
Ooeanos. Thy plight, Prometheus, is my monitor.
Prometheus Bound. 359
Prometheus. Speed fortli ! Begone ! Cherisli tliy present mood. 400
OCEANOS,
To me right eager liast thou bayed that word, For my four-footed bii-d, with wings outspread, Fans the clear track of aether ; fain, in sooth, In wonted stall to bend the weary knee.
[Exit OcEANOS.
CJioi-iis. Strophe I. Prometheus, I bewail thy doom of woe ;
From their moist fountains rise.
Flooding my tender eyes, Tears that my cheek bedew. 0, cruel blow ! 410
For Zeus by his own laws doth now hold sway, And to the elder gods a haughty spear display.
Antistrophe I. Eings the whole country now with echoing groans. The grand time-honour'd sway, Mighty now passed away, Of thee and of thy brethren, it bemoans. And all who dwell on Asia's hallowed shore 420
Thy loud-resounding griefs with kindred grief deplore.
Strophe II. And Colchis' virgin daughters, 111 fight a dauntless train ; And round Mfeotis' waters The Scythian tribes, holding earth's outmost reign.
360 Prometheus Bound.
Antistkophe II. Aud thoso with sharp spears clanging "Who dwell, a hostile power, Fortress'd on rocks o'erhanging, 430
Near Caucasos, — Arabia's martial flower.*
Epode. One only of the gods before thus bent Have I beheld, 'neath adamantine pains. Atlas, the Titan, who with many a groan
Still on his back sustains, Vast burthen, the revolving firmament. Chiming in cadence ocean-waves resound ; 440
Moans the abyss, and Hades' murky gloom Bellows responsive in the depth profound ; While fountains of clear-flowing rivers moan
His piteous doom.
Pbometheus. Think not that I through pride or stxibbomncss Keep silence ; nay, my brooding heart is gnawed Seeing myself thus marred with contumely ; And yet what other but myself marked out To these new gods theii* full prerogatives?
* The word Arabia, with Xenophon, inchided Jrosopotaniia, as \xiTt of the land on which Arabs roam. My fi ietul Professor Newman conjectures that ^lanlin, built on :\ limestone rock, which is said to be 2000 feet hijjh, was the city vy\flKpr)yivnVy of which the ]X)et had heard. The Arabs still nvini up to the base of this little mountain. No Greek, in .d^schylus'.s day, knew the geography of Courdistftn ; so it was natural t<' include the whole of the wonderful " Asiatic Switzerland " in Caucoiios.
Prometheus Bound. 361
Bat I refrain ; for, nought my tongue would toll
Save what ye know. But rather list the ills 450
Of mortal men, how being babes before,
I made them wise and masters of their wits.
This will 1 tell, not as in blame of men,
But showing how from kindness flow'd my gifts.
For they, at first, though seeing, saw in vain ;
Hearing they heard not, but, like shapes in dreams.
Through the long time all things at random mixed ;
Of brick-wove houses, sunward-turn'd, nought knew.
Nor joiner's craft, but burrowing they dwelt 460
Like puny ants, in cavern 'd depths unsunned.
Neither of winter, nor of spring flower-strewn,
Nor fruitful summer, had they certain sign.
But without judgment everything they wrougkt.
Till I to them the risings of the stars
Discovered, and their settings had to scan.
Nay, also Number, art supreme, for them
I found, and marshalling of written signs,
Handmaid to memory, mother of the Muse.
And I in traces first brute creatures yok'd,
Subject to harness, with vicarious strength 470
Bearing in mortals' stead their heaviest toils.
And 'neath the car rein-loving steeds I brought,
Chief ornament of wealth-abounding pomp.
And who but I the ocean-roaming wain
For mariners invented, canvass- winged ?
Such cimning works for mortals I contrived.
Yet, hapless, for myself find no device
To free me from this present agony.
362 Frometheus Bound.
Cliorus. Unseemly woe thou bearest. Driven astray 480
Flounders thy judgment, and like sorry leech Falling distemper'd, spiritless thou art, Nor remedies canst find thyself to cure.
Prometheus. Hearken the rest, and thou wilt marvel more What arts and what resources I devised. This chief of all ; if any one fell sick, No help there was, diet nor liniment. Nor healing draught ; but men, for lack of drugs Wasted away, till I to them revealed Commixtures of assuaging remedies 490
Which may disorders manifold repel. Of prophecies the various modes I fixed, And among dreams did first discriminate The truthful vision. Voices ominous. Hard to interpret, I to them made known : And way-side auguries, the flight of birds With crooked talons, clearly I defined ; Showed by their nature which auspicious arc, And which ill-omened — taught the modes of lllb Native to each, and what, among themselves Their feuds, affections, and confederacies. 600
Touching the smoothness of the vital parts, And what the hue most pleasing to the gotla, I taught them, and the mottled symmetry Of gall and liver. Thighs encased in fat With the long chine I burnt, ami mortals guided
PromeiJieus Bound. 363
To a mysterious art ; of fire-eyed signs,
I purged the vision, over-filmed before.
Such were the boons I gave ; and 'neath the earth
Those other helps to men, concealed which lie,
Brass, iron, silver, gold, who dares affirm 510
That before me he had discovered them ?
No one, I know, but who would idly vaunt.
The sum of all learn thou in one brief word ;
All arts to mortals from Prometheus came.
Chonis. Not now for mortals beyond measure care Thy hapless self neglecting ; since, in sooth. Good hope have I that, loosen'd from these bonds, In might thou'lt prove an equal match for Zeus.
Prometheus. Not yet nor thus is it ordained that fate These things shall compass ; but by myriad pangs 520 And tortures bent, so shall I 'scape these bonds ; Art than necessity is weaker far.
Chorus.
Who then is helmsman of necessity ?
Pkometheus. The triform Fates and ever-mindful Furies.
Chorus. Is Zeus in might less absolute than these ?
Prometheus. E'en he the forc-ordain'd cannot escape.
304 Prometheus Bound.
Cliorus. What is orclain'd for Zeus, save aye to reign ?
Pkometheus. No further may'st thou question ; urge mo not.
Clioriis. Deep mystery, methinks, thou kecpest vcil'd.
Prometheus.
Turn to some other theme ; not meet it is 630
N^ow to discourse of this, but close to wrap In strictest silence ; for, this secret kept. Unseemly bonds I 'scape and tortures keen.
Chorus. Strophe I.
Never may Zeus, who sole doth reign.
My will with adverse might oppose ;
Nor I to serve the gods refrain.
With rites of slaughter'd kine, where flows Father Oceanos' exliaustless tide ; 6-40
Neither in word may I transgress ! Deep in my heart's recess, Steadfast for aye may this resolve abido.
AMTIbTliOl'UK I.
'Tis sweet to run life's long career By hopes attended strong and bold, Feeding the heart in blithesome cheer ; But thco I shudder to behold
Prometheus Bound. 365
By myriad tortures rack'd in sore distress. 550
For thou, of Zeus unaw'd, hast still, In pride aud sheer silf-will, Mortals, Prometheus, honour'd in excess.
Stbophe n.
^Vhat boots it, friend, when grace by grace
Is unrequited ? In distress
Say, from ephemera what aid ?
Hast not discerned the feebleness.
Dream-like and weak, that man's blind race Cramps and confines ? No scheme by mortals laid 5G0 The harmony of Zeus shall e'er transgress.
Antisteophe II.
This lesson from thy doom of pain
I learnt, Prometheus. On mine ear
Alighteth now far other strain
Than that, 'mid Hymeneal mirth,
Which erst, the bath and couch beside,
I sang, what time our sister dear, Hesione, as thine espoused bride 570
Thou wast escorting, won by gifts of worth. {Eater lo.]
lo.* What country ? What race ? who is he, This man, whom, rock-bound, I survey,
* For an exposition of the theory which resolves the life of lo into the life of the moon, in its several phases from full to new, and then back to the full again, the reader is referred to Cos's " Mythology of the Aryan Nations," ii. 139.
366 Prometheus Bound.
Storm-battered ? What trespass hath thee
Thus doomed to destruction ? Oh, say, To what region of earth have I wandered, forlorn ? Ah me ! The dire anguish ! Ah me !
Again the barbed pest doth assail !
Thou phantom of Argos,* earth-bom ;
Avert him, O earth ! Ah, I quail, 580
The herdsman beholding with myriad eyes. With crafty look, onward, still onward he hies ; Not even in death is he hid 'neath the earth ;
But, e'en from the shades coming back. He hounds me, forlorn one, in anguish of dearth, To roam by the sea- waves' salt track.
Strophe. Still droneth the wax-moulded reed, Slu'ill-piping, a sleep-breathing strain. 590
Ah me ! The dire anguish ! Woe ! Woe ! Ah, whither on earth do these far roaraings lead ? Wliat trespass canst find, son of Kronos, in me. That thou yokest me ever to pain ? Woe ! Ah, woe ! And wherefore with brize-driven fear torture so
A wretched one, phrenzied in brain ? Oh bum mo with fire, or o'erwhclm 'neath the soil, Or fling mo to ravenous beasts of the sea.
• Argos Panoptes, according to modern niythologists, is the star-ilhimincd sky watching over the moon as she wanders —
" pftlo for very wearinc.'«« Of climbing heaven."
Cox's Mythology of the Aryan Sationi.
Prometheus Bound. 367
Begrudge not, 0 lord ! to my prayers to give heed. 600 Enough hath out-worn me my much-roaming toil. Nor wist I from torment how may I be freed. The voice dost thou hear of the cow-horned maid ?
Pbometheus. And how not hear the maid of Inachos, Brizc-driven, who the heart of Zeus with love Doth warm, and now in courses all too long, Through Hera's hate, is rudely exercised ?
lo. Antisteophe. Whence know'st thou to speak my sire's name ? 610 Oh answer a wretched one's prayer ; — Ah me ! the dire anguish ! Woe ! Woe ! Who art thou, jwor ^vretch, who dost truly proclaim My plague, with its phrenzying torture, that came From Zeus and doth sting to despair ? Woe ! ah woe ! With boundings, by food-craving anguish pursued,
On rushing with passionate throe. By wrathful devices of Hera subdued, I come. Of the wretched are any who know 620
Such pangs as I suffer ? But now by clear sign, Reveal what for me yet remaineth to bear ; What cure for my plague. If such knowledge be
thine, Forthwith to the sud-roaming maiden declare.
Pbometheus. Plaiii-iy I'll tell thee all thou wouldest learn, Not weaving riddles, but in simple phrase.
3t)8 Prometheus Bound.
As meet it is with friends to ope the lips. Prometheus sccst thou, giver of fire to mortals, 63C
lo.
As mortals' common benefactor known, Hapless Prometheus, why art suffering thus ?
Pbometheus. Scarce have I ceased singing my dirge of woe,
lo. To me then wilt thou not vouchsafe this boon ?
Pkometueus. Say what thy quest, all shalt thou learn from me.
lo.
Reveal, in this ravine who fastened thee V
PxiOMETHEUS.
The will of Zeus, but 'twas HephoGstos' hand.
lo. And of what crimes dost thou the forfeit pay ?
Pbometueub. Thus much alone to tell thee may suflico.
Id.
Then further of my roamiugs tell the goal. 640
What time to mo, poor outcast, yet must ran ?
PUOMETUKCS.
This not to learn wcro better than to learn.
Prometheus Bound. 369
lo. Yet from me hide not wlaat I needs must suffer.
Pbometheus. Not cliary am I of such boon to thee.
lo.
Then why delayest to make known the whole ?
Peomethetjs. Nothing I grudge, but shrink to vex thy heart.
Id.
Care not for me more than to me is sweet.
Pbometheus. Thine eager wish constrains my tongue ; give ear.
Chorus. Not yet : to me my dole of pleasure deal ; Enquire we first into this maiden's plague, 650
Herself relating her sore-wasting fortunes. Her residue of toil then teach us thou.
Pbometheus. lo, thy task it is their wish to grant. The more so as thy father's sisters they. Besides, fair guerdon waits on lengthened tale, When to deplore and wail one's evil plight Draws from the listeners the kindly tear.
lo.
I know not how I can deny your wish,
2 B
370 Prometheus Bound.
So in clear word all ye desire to know
That shall ye hear ; — Yet am I shamed to tell 660
Wherefore on me, forlorn one, burst the storm
Heaven-sent and whence this form's disfigurement.
For evermore would nightly visions haunt
My virgin chambers, gently urging me
With soothing words ; — " 0 damsel, highly blest,
Why longer live in maidenhood when thee
Wait loftiest nujitials '? For by passion's dart
Inflamed is Zeus for thee and fain would share
The yoke of Kypris. Spurn not thou, 0 child,
The couch of Zeus, but to the grassy mead 670
Of Lerna hie thee, to thy father's herds
And cattle-stalls, that so the eye of Zeus
From longing may find respite." By such dreams
From night to night still was I visited.
Unhappy one ; till, taking heart at length,
My night-born visions to my sire I told.
Then he to Pytho many a herald sent
And to Dodona ; seeking to be taught
How best, by deed or word, to please the gods.
But they returned, announcing oracles
Of riddling import, vague and hard to spelL fs '
At length to Inachos came clear response.
By voice oracular commanding him
From home and father-land to thrust me forth.
At largo to range, as consecrate to heaven,
Far as earth's utmost bounds. Should ho refuse,
From Zeus would come the fiery thunderbolt,
And his whole race extirpate utterly.
Prometheus Bound. ^'^
Then yielding to sucli Loxian Oracles,
He drave me forth, and barred me from his home,
Against his will and mine ; but, forcefully,
The curb of Zeus constrained him this to do. 690
Forthwith my shape and mind distorted were.
And horned, as ye behold me, goaded on
By gad-fly, keen of fang, with frenzied Loimds
I to Kerchneias' limpid current rush'd,
And foimt of Lerna. Then the earth-born herdsman.
Hot-tempered Argos, ever dogged my steps,
Gazing upon me with his myriad eyes.*
But him a sudden and unlooked-for fate
Did reave of life ; but I, brize-tortured, still
Before the scourge divine am driven on 700
From land to land ; the past thou hearest ; now
If thou canst tell my future toils, say on.
Nor, pity-moved, soothe me with lying tales,
For garbled words, I hold, are basest ills.
Chorits. Alas Alas ! Let be ! Never, oh never, had I thought That words with such strange meaning fraught
Would reach mine ear, 710
Nor that such horrors, woes, such cruel ill,
♦ In the lo m}th Hermes appears as the god of the morning, who with his magic rod lulls even Argos to slumber. The thousand eyes are closed in death as the stars go out when the morning comes, and leave the moon alone. — Cox's Mythology, ii. 139.
372 Prometheus Bound.
So hard to gaze on, and so hard to bear,
With double-pointed goad, my soul would chill.
Fate ! Fate ! ah me 1 ah me 1 1 shudder lo's woeful plight to see.
Prometheus. Too soon thou groanest and art full of fears. Forbear till hSard the remnant of my tale.
Chorus. Speak, teach the whole. To ailing ones 'tis sweet Clearly their coming sorrow to foreknow.
Pkometheus. Your former boon from me lightly ye won, For first ye craved from lo's self to learn 720
The story of her toil. The rest now hearken, What trials this young maid hath yet to bear From Hera. ThoTi, too. seed of Inachos, Cast in thy heart my words, that thou in full May'st of thy weary travel learn the goal. First, turning hence towards the rising sun. Traverse uncultured wastes ; so shalt thou reach The Scythian nomads, who, 'ncath wattled roofs,* Uplifted dwell on waggons amply-wheeled, And are accoutred with far-darting bows. 730
Approach not these but, skirting with thy foot The sounding breakers, hie thee from their laud. Towards the left the iron-workers dwell, The Chulybcs, of whom thou must })oware,
* The wicker huts in uso among tlic Scythian nomads are (IcscrilK'd liv rleiodotna (iv. 4G).
Frometlieiis Bound. 373
As all uncouth, of strangers ill-approached.
Hybristes' * river then — not falsely named —
Thou'lt reach ; the ford, for hard it is to cross,
Attempt not until Caucasos thou gain,
Highest of mountains, from whose very brow
The river spouteth forth its might ; forthwith
Its crest surmounting, neighbour to the stars, 740
Southward direct thy course until thou reach
The host of man-abhorring Amazons,
Who Themiscyra, near Thermodon's stream,
Shall one day people, where the cruel jaw
Of Salmydessus | hems the briny sea,
Rude host to sea-men, step-dame unto ships ;
These will conduct thee and right willingly ;
Then the Kimmerian isthmus § thou shalt gain
Hard by the narrow portals of the lake,
Which it behoveth thee with dauntless heart
To leave, and traverse the Masotic strait ; 750
* The river which the poet calls Hybristes (i. e., insolent or violent) agrees with none so well as with the Kouban, which runs down violently from the Caucasos into the Crimean Bosporos.
J Salmydessos. " This name was originally applied to the whole coast, from the promontory of Thynia to the entrance of the Bosporos ; and it was from this coast that the Black Sea obtained the name of Pontus "A^evos, or inhospitable ;" afterwards changed to Euxeinos, or hospitable.
§ Leaving the Kimmerian isthmus (the Crimea), she was to cross the Bosporos, which flows into the Mieotic Lake (the Sea of Azov). It may be remarked that in the fore- going account of lo's wanderings no consistency with our known geography is attainable.
^74 Promdliens Bound.
And evermore among manldnd shall live
The mighty record of thy passage there,
For men from thee shall call it Bosiioros,
Quitting the plain of Europe, thou shalt come
To Asia's continent. — How think ye ? say,
Seems not the monarch of the gods to be
Ruthless alike in all ? For he, a god,
Yearning to meet in love a mortal maid.
Upon her did impose these wanderings ?
A bitter wooer hast thou found, 0 maid,
For wedlock bond ; — for what thine ears have heard
Account not e'en the prelude to thy toils. 760
lo.
Ah woe is me ! "Woe ! Woe !
Prometueus. Anew dost shriek and moan ? What wilt thou do When thou the remnant of thy woe hast heard ?
Chorus. How, hast thou aught of sorrow yet to tell?
Prometheus. Ay, sea tempestuous of all-baleful grief.
lo.
What boots it then to live ? Why not with speed
Hurl myself headlong from this rugged cliff,
That, dashed upon the ground, I from my woes
Tvospito may find? Bettor to die at once
Tluui all my days to linger out in pain. 77 0
Prometlieus Bound. 375
Projietheus. II] wouldst thou bear, metliiiiks, my agonies, To whom it is not fore-ordained to die, For death would be roleasement from my pangs. But now there is no limit to my woes, Before that Zeus from sovereignty be hurled.
lo. How ! Shall Zeus ever be from empire hurled ?
Peomethetjs. Thou wouldest joy, methinks, such hap to see.
lo. How should I not who suffer ill from Zeus ?
Prometheus. That thus it shall be it is thine to learn.
Id.
By whom despoiled of his imperial sway ? 780
Prometheus. Spoiled by himself and his own senseless plans.
lo. But how ? Declare, if telling bring no harm,
Prometheus. Wedlock contracting he shall one day rua
lo. Divine, or human ? If permitted, speak.
376 Promeilieus Bound.
Prometheus. What matters it ? This may not be disclosed.
lo. Shall then his consort drive him from his throne ?
Prometheus. Ay, a son bearing stronger than his sire.
lo. Is there for him no refuge from this doom ?
Prometheus. No, none ; unless I be from bonds released.
lo.
Who shall release thee 'gainst the will of Zens ? 790
Prometheus. One of thy progeny, 'tis so ordained,
lo.
How so ? shall child of mine free thee from bale ?
Prometheus. Count ten descents, and after them a third.
lo. Not easy is this oracle to spell.
Prometheus. So neither seek thy proper grief to learn,
lo. Nay, hold not forth a boon and straight withdraw it
Prometheus Bound. 377
Prometheus. Of two narrations I will grant thee one.
Id.
Set forth the twain, the choice then leave to me.
Prometheus. Granted : Shall I the remnant of thy woes Plainly declare, or who shall set me free ? 800
Chorus. Of these to her the former grace vouchsafe To me the latter ; spurn not my request. To her the sequel of her course disclose, To me thy rescuer ; for this I crave.
Prometheus. Since ye are eager I will thwart you not, Nor will withhold what ye desire to know. First, To, thy vex'd course to thee I'll tell, Which in thy mind's recording tablets grave. When thou hast crossed the flood, limit betwixt Two continents, fronting the burning East * 810
Trod by the sun, [then onward hold thy course. Fierce northern blasts thou wilt encounter first ;
* The poet here takes up the journey of lo where he left it in V. 754. The stream which is the limit of the continents is evidently the Kimmerian Bosporos. She now travels towards the sun (t. e., eastward). This is, in Herodotus, the course of merchants travelling for gold, no doubt, to the Ural Mountains. In this journey the Volga must be crossed, most naturally at Asterakhan, where, it has been conjectured, its numerous mouths, and the Caspian, may explam the ttovtov <p\oi(T^ov of our poet.
378 Prometheus Bound.
Shun thou their downward rush, lest, unaware,
In wintry tempest thou be rudely caught.]
The roaring sea-wave skirt thou then until
Kisthene's* Gorgoneian jjlains thou reach,
Where dwell the Phorkidcs,t maids grey with eld.
Three, swan-shaped, of one common eye possessed,
One common tooth, whom neither with his beams
The sun beholdeth, nor the nightly moon ;
And near them dwell their winged sisters three,
Gorgons, with snaky locks, of men abhorred ;
Whom mortal may not lobk upon and live.
This for thy warning I relate to thee ; 820
List now another spectacle of dread.
The unbarking hounds of Zeus, sharp-mouthed, beware, —
The Grifl&ns ; and the Arimaspian J host,
* Kisthene, The character and situation of this legendary region vary according to the theory entertained as to the direction of Jo's wanderings. Mr. Palcy, to whose note I must refer for the gruinuls of his hyix)thesis, identifies it with Mont Blanc. This seems, however, directly to contra- dict the poet's statement that lo, after crossing the Kimme- rian Bosporos, travelled eastward on Asiaiic ground.
t Tlie swan-shaped daughters of Phorkys are resolved by modern mythologists into the weird .ind dusky clouds never illumined by tlie light of the sun ; while their more terrible sisters, the Gorgons, arc the hideous storm-clouds, that rush with fury across the sky. — Cox's Mi/fhohn/i/, ii. 287. These legendary lieings are placed by Hesiod in the far west (Theog. 274).
X The Arimasjii are jilnced by Herodotus to the cast of riis Scythia, which was the regiim north of the Euxine, bounded probably by the Tanais on the east (Ilcrod. iv 13-27).
Prometheus Bound. 379
Horse-mounted, single-eyed, around the stream
Who dwell of Pluto's gold-abounding flood.*
To these approach not ; a far border-land
Thou next shalt reach, where dwells a swarthy race.
Near the sun's founts, whence is the iEthiop river. i
Along its banks proceed till thou attain
The mighty rapids, where from Bybliue heights 830
Pure draughts of sacred water Neilos sends.
He to the land, three-cornered, thee shall guide.
Encircled by the Nile, where 'tis ordained,
Id, for thee and for thy sons to found
A far-off colony ; lo, if aught of this
Seem dark to thee, or difficult to spell,
* The theory which identifies " the ford of Pluto " with the Tavtessos of Spain (the Guadalquivir) seems also at variance with the express statement of the poet. My friend Professor Newman conjectures that this gold-flowing stream was the Ural. The gold of the Ural mountains is still cele- brated. The Arimaspi, with the Grypes, were, moreover, the recognised inhabitants of this gold region.
% lo is told by Prometheus that she is to travel eastward till she comes to the river /Ethiops, which she is to follow till it falls into the Nile. According to the geographical theories of the earliest Greeks, this condition was fulfilled by the Indus. Arrian (vi. 1) mentions that Alexander the Great, when preparing to sail down the Indus (having seen crocodiles in the river Indus, and in no other river except the Nile . . . ), seemed to himself to have discovered the sources of the Nile ; as though the Nile, rising from some place in India, and flowing through much desert land, and thereby losing its name Indus, next .... flowed through inliahited land, being now called Nile by the Ethiopians of those parts, and afterwards by the Egyptians. Virgil, in the 4th Georgic, echoes the obsolete error.
380 Prometheus Bound.
Repeat thy questions and be taught in full ; For leisure have I, more than I desire.
CJiorus. If aught untold of her sore-wasting course Remains by thee to be unfolded, speak. But if thou hast told all, to us vouchsafe 840
The boon we craved ; its scope full well thou knowest.
Pkometheus. She of her roaming hath the limit heard, That she not vainly to have heard may know, Her woes ere coming here I will relate, Sure pledge thus giving that my tale is true. Tedious array of words I shall omit. And of thy roamings reach at 6nce the goal ; For when Molossia's plains thy foot had trod, Round lofty-ridged Diidoua, where is found The scat prophetic of Thesprotian Zeus, 850
And, portent past belief, the speaking oaks, By which thou clearly, in no riddling phrase, Wort hailed as the illustrious spouse of Zeus, Fate-destined,— if this flatter thee at all, — Thence, fiercely stung, along the sea-washed tract, To Rhea's mighty gulf didst hurry, — whence In courses retrograde wert rudely tossed. And through all future time know certainly That sea-gulf shall the name Ionian bear, To all mankind memorial of thy way ; 8G0
These then to theo bo tokens of my mind, That more disccrneth than doth moot the sense.
Prometheus Bound. 381
{To the Chorus:\ The rest for you and her I will relate. The track regaining of my former words. On the land's verge a town, Canobos, stands, At Neilos' very mouth and sand-bar, — there, Zeus shall restore thy reason, — stroking thee With touch alone of unalarming hand ; Then thou dark Epaphos shalt bear, whose name 870 Records his sacred gendering, who shall reap All regions watered by broad-flowing Nile. Fifth in descent from him a female race. Fifty in number, shall return to Argos, Not willingly, but wedlock to avoid Of cousins ; these, with passion-winged hearts, Falcons that follow close on doves, shall come Chasing unlawful wedlock, but the god Shall grudge them such fair prey ; Pelasgian soil Shall harbour them, what time, made bold by night. Woman's fell prowess shall o'er men prevail ; 880
For every bride her spouse shall reave of life, The two-edged weapon bathing in his neck. — May Kypris visit in such guise my foes ! — But of the maids shall one, by love beguiled, Her partner fail tu slay ; — her will's keen edge Blunted, she will of evils twain prefer Eepute of weakness to bloodguiltness. She shall a kingly race in Argos bear ; This to set forth at large needs lengthy speech ; But from this seed shall dauntless hero spring, 890 Bow-famous, who shall free me fi'om these toils.
382 Prometheus Bound.
Such oracle my mother, born of eld,
Themis, hoar Titaness, to me rehearsed.
But how and where, to tell, needs lengthy speech,
Nor would the knowledge aught advantage thcc.
lo.
Ah me ! ah woe is me ! Brain-smiting madness once again Inflames me, and convulsive pain. The gad-fly's barb, not wrought with fire.
Stings me ; against my breast Kicks my pent heart with fear oppressed. O*^"
Mine eyeballs roll in dizzy gyre ; Out of my course by fi-enzy's blast , I'm borue. My tongue brooks not the rein,
And turbid words, at random cast, 'Gainst waves of hateful madness beat in vain.
{Exit.
Chorus. Strophe I. Sago was the man, ay, sago in sooth. Who in his thought first weighed this truth, And then in pithy phrase cxpress'd : —
" That wedlock in one's own degree is best."
That not where wealth saps manly worth, 91 U
Nor where pride boasts its lofty birth.
Should son of toil repair in marriage quest.
Antistbophk I. Never, oh never, Fates, may ye, Dread powers primeval, gaze on me
Prometheus Bound. 383
Sharing his couch who reigns above, Or joined with son of heaven in ties of love 1
For filled with dread am I to see
lo's love-shunning virgin-state, Consunied in wanderings dire through Hera's hate.
Stbophe II.
Wedlock, when equal-yoked, to me 920
Nought dreadful seemeth, terror-free. But ne'er may mighty god, with eye of love, Escape forbidding, mai'k me from above.
Antistbophe IL
A battle to be fought by none,
Fruitful of fruitless woe, were this ; Nor can I see the end ; — for well I wis, The deep designs of Zeus I may not shun.
Prometheus. Yea verily shall Zeus, though stubborn-soulcd, Be humbled yet ; such marriage he prepares Which from his throne of power to nothingness 9^0 Shall hurl him down ; so shall be all fulfilled His father Kronos' curse, which erst he spake What time he fell from his primeval throne. From such disasters none of all the gods To Zeus escape can show, save I alone ; I know it and the way. Let him then sit Fearless, confiding in supernal thunder, The bolt, fire-breathing, wielding in his hands; Fur these shall not avail, but fall ho shall,
38-i Prometheus Bound.
A fall disgraceful, not to be endured. 940
Such wrestler now, himself against himself, He arms for battle ; — portent hard to quell ; Who flame shall find surpassing lightning's glare, And crash more mighty than the thunder-roll ; Who the sea-trident, earth-convulsing plague, Poseidon's sceptre, shall to pieces rend ; Against this evil stumbling, Zeus shall learn How wide apart are sway and servitude.
Chorus. Such talk 'gainst Zeus thy wish, I trow, inspires.
Peometheus. Both what shall be, I speak, and what I wish. 950
Clioriis. And must we look for one o'er Zeus to reign ?
PUOJIETHEUS.
Yea, pangs than these more crushing shall he bear.
Chortis. How canst thou fail to fear, hurling such words ?
PnOMETHKUS.
What should I fear who am not doomed to die?
CJiorus. To keener struggle he may sentence thee.
PuOMETnEUS.
So let him tlion ! all is by mo foreseen.
Frometlieiis Bound. 385
Chorus. The wise are they who worship Nemesis.
Peojietheus. Kevere, adore, cringe aye to him who reigns, For me, at loss than nought I value Zeus. For this brief hour let him both do and reign, 960
E'en as he will ; — not long he'll rule the gods. But yonder I behold the scout of Zeus, Of this new potentate the servitor ; — Doubtless some news to herald he has come. lE7iter Hekmes.] Hermes. To thee, professing wisdom, steeped in gall, Who 'gainst the gods hast sinned, on short-lived men Prerogatives bestowing, thief of fire. To thee I speak ; the Father bids thee tell What nuptials these thou vauntest of, by which Himself shall fall from sway ; and nought in riddles, 970 But point by point explain ; nor cause to me, Prometheus, double journeys ; * for thou seest, Not by such dealing is Zeus mollified.
Prometheus. Full of high spirit and augustly mouthed This speech, as fits an underling of gods. Younglings and young of sway, ye think to dwell Henceforth in griefless citadels. From these
• This passage is also interj^reted —
" Nor set before me ambiguous replies."
2 c
3S6 Prometheus Bound.
Have ] not known two potentates oast down ?
Ay, and a third, now reigning, I shall see
In basest and most sudden overthrow. 980
Seem I to thee before these upstart gods
To quail or cringe ? Far from it, nay, no whit.
But get thee back with speed the way thou earnest,
For of thy quest thou'lt nothing learn from me.
Hekmf.s. E'en by such haughty wilfulness before Didst thou to these dirge moorings waft thyself.
Prometheus. This my ill-fortune, be thou well assured, I would not barter with thy servitude. This rock to lackey better 'tis in sooth Than trusty scout be born to father Zeus. 990
Thus, as is fitting, scorn replies to scorn.
Hermes. Thou seem'st to revel in thy present state.
PnOMETnEUS.
Ecvel ? Oh might I in such revel sec
My foes ! And thee among them do I count
Hermes. Mo too thou boldest guilty of thy ills ?
Prometheus. Shortly to speak, all gods I liatc, whoe'er, By me bestead, maltreat mc wrongfully.
Trometheus Bound, .387
Heemes. By what I hear, not slight thy madness is.
Peometheits. Mad let me be, if to hate foes be madness.
Heemes. Unbearable wert thou if prosperous. 1000
Pbomethexts.
Alas!
Heemes.
That word, I trow, Zeus knoweth not.
Prometheus. Time as it waxeth old can all things teach.
Heejies. But thou not yet hast sober wisdom learned.
Peo3ietheus. Else I with thee, a menial, had not talked,
Heemes. It seems thoult answer nought the sire demands.
Prometheus. Grace since I owe him, grace must I repay.
Heemes. Thou floutcst me as though a child I were I
Prometheus. Art not a child, ay, simpler than a child, If thou cspectest aught to learn from me ?
388 Promeiheits Bound.
No torture is there, no device whereby 1010
Zeus shall persuade me to reveal these things
Before these woe-inflicting bonds be loosed.
Let then his blazing lightnings hurtle do'.\'n ;
^Vith white-winged snow and earth-born thunderings
Let him in ruin whelm and mingle all ;
For none of these shall bend my will to tell
By whom fi'om einpcry he needs must fall.
Hermes. Mark now if heli)ful this may seem to fhce.
PnOMETHEUS.
Of old my course was looked to and resolved.
Hermes. Take heart, 0 foolish one, take heart at length 1020 To deal discreetly with these present ills.
Prometheus. Idly, as though a wave thou should'st exhort, Thou troublest me. Harbour no more the thought That I, iu terror at the will i.f Zeus, Effeminate of mind shall e'er become. And supplicate whom hugely I abhor, "With woman-aping palms to heaven upturned, To loose me from these fetters. Not a whit.
Hkumes. Much may I speak, it seems, and speak in vain ; For nothiug moved or softened is thy heart By prayers ; but thou, like nowly yoked colt, 1030
I
Prometheus Bound. . 389
Cliamping the bit, dost fight against the rein
Fiercely ; yet futile the device wherein
Madly thou trustest ; for mere stubbornness
Avails the foolish-hearted less than nought.
But mark, if unpersu'tded by my words,
What storm and triple crested surge of ills
Shall o'er thee burst escapeless. Yea : for first,
With thunder and with lightning- flame, the Sire
This rugged crag shall rend, and hide thy frame
Deep in the rocks embraces rudely clasped. 1040
But when time's lengthened course thou hast fulfilled,
Back shalt thou come to daylight. Then, in sooth,
Zeus' winged hound, the eagle red with gore,
Shall of thy flesh a huge flap rudely tear ;
Coming, unbidden guest, the live-long day
He on thy black-gnawed liver still shall feast.
But of such pangs look for no term, until.
Some god, successor of thy toils, appear,
Willing to Hadea' rayless gloom to wend.
And to the murky depths of Tartaros. ] 050
WTierefore take counsel : — since not feigned in sooth
Is this bold threat, but all too truly spoken.
Trust me, the mouth of Zeus knows not to lie,
But every word eomplettth. So do thou
Look round, take heed, nor deem that stubbornness
Shall ever better than good counsel prove.
Chorus. Timely to us the word of Hermes seems, For he exhorts thee, dropping thy self-will.
390 . Prometheus Bound.
To search for prudent counsel. Be advised I
For to the wise it bringeth shame to err. lOGO
Peometheus.
To me who knew them, hath he told His messages, with utterance shrill.
But nowise I imseemly hold
That foe from foe should suffer ill.
So 'gainst me now be hurled amain
Curled lightning's two-edged glare t
By thunder and spasmodic whirl Of savage gales be upper air
Madly convulsed ! Let hurricane
Earth from its deep foundation rend,
E'en from its roots. Let ocean's wave,
Surging aloft, tumultuous rave.
And, foaming, with the courses blend 1070
Of heavenly stars I Ay, let him hurl
This body to the murky gloom
Of Tartaros, in stubborn whirl
Of fortune caught ! Do what he will My death he may not doom.
Hebmes. From fools brain-stricken may one hear Such counsels and such words. But say, — What sign of madness lackcth here ? What respite knows his frenzied ire ? Natlilcss do ye, who tlius condole 1080
With his sore pangs, far hence retire ;
Prometheus Bound. 391
Go quicjdy, lest harsh thunder's bray With terror smite your soiil.
Chorus. In other style exhort and preach If to persuade me thou art fain ; For all unbearable this speech Which from thy lips hath burst amain. How canst thou bid me consummate A dastard's part ? With him the worst I'll brave, for I have learn'd to hate 1090
Traitors, than whom no pest is more accursed.
Hermes. Then my fore warnings mark, nor dare When tangled in fell ruin's snare Fortune to blame, nor ever say That Zeus hath plunged you imaware In doleful plight ; — nay, truly nay, But ye yourselves ; for not untaught, Not stealthily, by sudden blow, Ye through sheer folly will be caught
In net of boundless woe. 1100
Peometheus. And lo in act, in word no more. Earth totters ; — from below Loud bellows the discordant roar Of thunder ; lightning's wreathed glow Blazes around me ; dust elate Eides on the whirlwind ; forward leap
392 Prometheus Bound.
Of every wind rude blasts that sweep In strife of rancoiir-breathing bate. The sky is mingled with the deep. Such tui'moil to arouse my fear Comes visibly from Zeus. Oh thou, 1110
Mother revered ! Oh upper air, "WTio sheddest from thy circling sphere The common light ! Behold ye now What pangs unjust I bear,
NOTES.
Prometheus Bound. 550. After diuKvaiofievov a word is lost. I suggest—
fivpiois fiox^oi-i 8iaKvaic'ifi(vov (Kav^atpfTotr). 869. Tuv Aioj yevvTjfiuTov. Every one feels that the pot't cannot have written thus. I suggest tmj/S* oaioytvinj^arti)''. as close to the letters of the text.
914. A word is lost, fidlpat ^fiaKpatavts^ \e\€(t>p ....
will satisfy metre and sense. The old text in the strophe i?, ij (T(icf)os, ^ cr6c})os 7;i;, I OS . . . .
920-27 appear to rae to be antistrophic. Porlmps thus: (orp.} ffioi 8 , oTTOTf fuv ofuiKos, 6 yafios aipo^os'
oi/bf dfdia, nfj deSiv tov
Kp(l(T(T6vu>V (p<i)S i?0V»Ct'
ofifiora TTpoabpaKfj p.t. (di/T.) aTToXfpov oSe y 6 TToXf^os, 'mopa iropifxof
oii6' f\(i) Ti'f if yeuoifiav Tav Aii'is yup ov\ i'tpct>
fitpriv ona (f>vyoip!' uv.
F. W. N.
THE SUPPLIANTS.
I
DRAMATIS PERSOX^S.
Choeus, the Daughtebs of Danaos.
Dakaos.
Pelasgos, KiiJG OF Aegos.
Hebald.
[Scene. — The sea-shore : on one side the sea, on the other the gates of Argos. Tlie Thymele is ado)-ned tcith statues of Apollo, Artemis, Hzbmes, and other divinities. Enter from the shore the fifty daughters of Danaos, accompanied by their father — they are arrayed in Egyptian costume, and hear in their hands the suppliant bough, tcreathed icith tcool. They form the chorus, and as they advance twelve of their number chant the following odeJ\
INTRODUCTION.
The trilogy to wliicli tliis drama belonged, like that of wkicli " The Seven against Thebes " formed the con- cluding member, was founded upon an ancient epic, by an unknown author. Of this poem little is known, except that it contained five thousand five hundred verses, and bore the title of " The Danaides,"
The story which it embodied appealed powerfully to that passion for legendary genealogies which formed such a striking feature of the Grecian character. Alleged descent from a common ancestor was the bond of union between the members of every Grecian com- munity, great or small ; and as this legendary personage was usually of divine or semi-divine origin, even the humblest citizen thus felt himself brought into more or less direct filiation with the gods. The divine element thus, according to the popular conception, incarnated in humanity, culminated in the great national hero, Herakles, " the most renowned and ubiquitous of all the semi-divine personages worshipped by the Hellenes " — the only mortal who, from a life of toil and sufiering on eai-th, was admitted to the god- head, and received into the society of Olympos. His
396 Tlie SiipiManis.
descendants, moreover, the Heraklcids, associated with the Dorians in the conquest of the Peloponnesus, were glorified in the popular imagination as the founders of the great Dorian cities of Argos, Sparta, and Messcnia, and as the introducers in those localities of a new social order. Peculiar interest thus attaches to lo, the progenitrix of Herakles, and to the bii'th of her oflf- spring, Epaphos, an event celebrated in such glowing strains by the chorus of Suppliants (v. 580).*
In thus veiling the grosser featiires of the lo legend, as popularly conceived, while, at the same time, investing it with a more spiritual meaning, ^schylus appears not only as the great creative poet, but also as the true prophet of his generation. The nmncrous legends of which the story of lo may be regarded as a typical example embodied, in a vulgar form, the idea that it was only through association with the divine principle that man could rise to his true ideal as man. The poet seizes upon this idea, separates it from the grosser elements of the popular symbol, and extols the benignity of Zeus in thus seeking fellowship with mortals — giving prominence to the idea that through this agency alono the human race was raised to a higher level, physical and moral, than it could otherwise have attained.
The introductory character of "The Suppliants" has been inferred from the extreme simplicity of tlu^ plot, and from other considerations ; accordingly, it is
• I liavc uot ftlhidctl to the solar character of the Hellenic legends — a subject u|xin which so much light has bcia thrown by Piofcssor Max Miillcr and Mr. Cox.
The Sui^pliants. 397
now generally regarded as forming the first member of a trilogy of which the succeeding dramas were " The Egyptians," and " The Danaides," both of which have been lost. Though deficient in dramatic interest, this piece is characterized by the remarkable beauty of the choral odes, which, from their sublime simplicity, and from the high conception which they embody of Zeus, as the supreme and omnipotent ruler, remind us occa- sionally of the Hebrew psalms.
It must be remembered, moreover, that, at the time of ^schylus, the national legends had not yet lost their hold upon the popular belief, and accordingly mythical events, such as the arrival of the Danaides in Argos, were considered not only as having influenced the subsequent destinies of Greece, but also as having been brought about by the inscrutable counsels of Zeus; the unfolding of whose designs, through the medium of tragedy, was regarded as the highest function of the poet.
The ancient legend tells of the strife between the sons of Belos ; how Danaos was driven from his home by ^gyptos, who usurped his throne ; how the latter sought to force the Danaides to marry his sons, and how Athena herself exhorted Danaos to flee with his daughters to the land of lo.
The introductory drama opens with their arrival, in tlie character of suppliants, at Argos, and is founded upon the protection accorded to them by the Argives and their king, Pelasgos : the appearance of the Egyptian herald, at the conclusion of the play, toge-
398 The Supj^lianis.
ther with his forcible attempt to carry off the suppliants, prepares the spectator for the arrival of the Egyptian pursuers in the succeeding drama. Attention has been called to the picturesque beauty of the opening scene, where, holding in their hands their wool-wreathed myrtle boughs, and arrayed in white apparel, which formed a striking contrast to their swarthy limbs, the suppliants grouped themselves under the statues of the gods : they would, moreover, be regarded with peculiar interest as wanderers from the valley of the Nile, " the wondrous river fed with snow," upon whose fountains no human eye had been permitted to gaze.
Of " The Egyptians," unfortunately, no fragments remain ; it doubtless embodied the main incident in the tragic story of the Danaides. It is related in the legend that Danaos was elected king by the Argives, in plucc of Pelasgos; being unable to cope with iEgyptos and his sons, who still press their suit, ho is compelled to yield to their demand, and promises to give his daughters in marriage to their detested suitors. In secret, however, he furnishes each with a dagger, enjoining her, at the same time, to slay her lord during the nuptial niglit. The terrible deed was executed. Ilypermuestra alone, soothed by love, and preferring the reputation of cowardice to that of blood-guiltrness (Pro. 887), spared Lynceus, the partner of her couch. Hero one duty could not bo observed without violating another, and thus was brought about tluit collision between two priinarv principles of liunian nature, the reconciliation of which constitutes the csscuco of tho
TJw Suppliants. 399
^schylean drama. The remark of Grotewith reference to tliis feature of Grecian tragedy will be perused with interest : " The tragedian," he says, " not only appeals more powerfully to the ethical sentiments than poetry had ever done before, but also, by raising these grave and touching questions, addresses a stimulus and chal- lenge to the intellect, spurring it on to ethical specu- lation."
From the Hellenic point of view, Hypermnestra was regarded as a criminal, while the bloody deed of her sisters was extolled as an act of heroism, enjoined not only by their father, but by the gods themselves.
The suitors, moreover, are represented from the first as in the highest degree insolent and overbearing : barbarians, they had dared to invade the sacred soil of Hellas, and the vengeance which had overtaken them would ally itself in the popular imagination with the destruction of the Oriental hosts which had so recently crowned the grand contemporary conflict between Persia and Hellas. This feeling would be heightened by the war between Egypt and Athens, which began B.C. 462.
The trial of Hypermnestra most probably formed the principal subject of " The Danaides," the concluding member of the trilogy. From a fragment of the pro- logue which has been preserved, we learn that the drama opened with the hymn with which it was cus- tomary to awaken the newly-married pair :
" Since now arises the bright lamp of day, The bridegrooms I awake with friendly lay, Chanted by choral bands of youths and maids."
■lOO Tlie SuiyjjUanis.
The horrors of the bridal night would thus be revealed, together with what was regarded as the treacherous clemency of Hyjiermnestra, According to the ancient story, she was cast by her father into prison, and subsequently brought to trial before a court with the constitution of which we are not acquainted. The goddess Aphrodite herself appears to plead hor cause, reminding us of the trial of Orestes before the court of Areopagus, when Pallas Athena, as president, gave her casting vote in his favour.
One fragment fi'om the address of Aphrodite has been preserved :
" Longs the pure sky to blend ^vith Earth, and Love Doth Earth impel to yield to his embrace ; The rain-shower, falling from the slumberous heaven. Kisses the Earth ; and Earth brings forth for mortals Pasture for sheep-flocks and Dcmetcr's grain. The woods in spring their dewy nuptials hold ; And of all these I am in part the cause."
Hypermnestra was acquitted, and from her union with Lynceus sprang in course of time the demigoil Herakles. The remaining daughters of Dauaos were purified from the stain of blood by Athena and Hermes, or, according to another form of the legend, by Zeus himself.
THE SUPPLIANTS.
MAY Zeus, by Suppliants revered, Propitious view our naval train, From Nile's fine-sanded mouths who steered Across the billowy main. The heavenly region left behind Whose fields with Syria's fields unite, Guiltless we roam, not blood-defiled And by the state's decree exiled, But wedlock with abhorrent mind Shunning ; for by -S^gyptos' brood. Kin of our blood, to marriage woo'd.
We flee the unhallowed rite. 10
Danaos, our father and our guide,* Prime councillor of wisdom tried. Casting for these afiairs the die, Of ills the noblest chose, to fly. Free from constraint, the sea-wave o'er, And anchor drop on Argos' shore. Whence, boasting its descent, our line, From her, the heifer hornet-stung.
* (TTaa-iapxos — party leader.
2 D
402
The Sujpplianfs.
Through breathing and through touch divine Of Zeus, hath whilom sprung. Wherefore, on what more friendly land Than this, a refuge could we find. These sacred branches, wool-entwined,
Bearing with suppliant hand ? 0 city ! Earth ! O waters clear I Supernal gods, and powers severe Guarding the tombs who hold your reign, And Zeus, third saviour, (guardian thou Of righteous men,) our suppliant train Tender of sex, receive ye now, With kindly reverence native here. But for iEgyptos' haughty brood, Swarm of rude males, or e'er they gain Firm footing on this marshy coast, Their s\vift-oared galley and their host Sweep seaward ; there by hurricane. By thunder, lightning, and by rain Tempestuous driving, — ere, as prize^ They seize this kindred sisterhood, And our unuTlling beds jirofane. Trampling time-honoured sanctities, — O'crwholm them in the savage flood.
20
SO
Stropue L
Him I invoke, beyond the sea Our champion, progeny divine *
40
• dlov iropTii/— literally, diviuc calf.
The SiqjjjUajifs. 403
Of her who browsed the flowery lea,
Ancestral mother of our line
Through breath and touch of Zeus. For time,
When to full jjlenitude it came,
Brought Epaphos to light, whose name
Showed forth the touch sublime.
Antistrophe I.
His name rehearsing, where of old
His mother trod the grassy wold, — 60
Eecalling now her ancient toil,
I to the holders of this soil
Sure tokens of my bii'th will show ;
Ay, of my words shall proofs appear
In season Jue, unlooked-for, clear,
That all their truth may know.
Strophe II.
And should there chance to linger near Some native augur, on his ear
When falls our plaintive wail ; Will he not deem the anguished note Of Tereus' bride * around doth float.
The hawk-chased nightingale? GO
* Reference is here made to the storj' of Procne, daughter of Paudion, king of Attica, who, married to Tereus, king of Thrace, became by him the mother of Itys. Hearing of the outrage which her sister Philomela had suffered from Tereus, Procne slew her child, and, being pursued by her husband, was changed into a nightingale, and he into a hawk. There are other versions of the story of Procne,
404 The Suppliants. i
Antistrophe II.
Driven from her streams and woodlands green, Lamenting the familiar scene,
She pom's a strange wild strain. Her child she mourns in tuneful breath, By her own hand consigned to death,
Through rage maternal slain.
Strophe III. Thus in Ionian strain, Of plaint enamoured, I complain. The while my soft, Nile-mellowed cheek I rend. And heart aflood with tears. Blossoms I cull of grief, while fears Possess me, lest our suppliant band, 70
Escaped from that mist-shrouded land. Find here no guardian friend.
Antistrophe IIL But natal gods, whose eye Justice regardeth, hear our cry. Nor, beyond right, let youth its goal attain ; Abhorring haughty wrong. Let sacred law o'er wedlock reign. From bale, in war who worsted fly The altar shieldoth, — bulwark strong, — Dread awe of gods on high.
SxRornE IV. Though Zeus plan all things right,* 80
* The text is corrupt.
Tlie Suppliants. 405
Yet is his heart's desire full hard to trace ;
Nathless in every place Brightly it gleameth, e'en in darkest night, Fraught with black fate to man's speech-gifted race.
Antistrophe IV.
Stedfast, ne'er thrown in fight,* The deed in brow of Zeus to ripeness brought ; For wrapt in shadowy night. Tangled, unscanned by mortal sight, Extend the pathways of his secret thought.
Stkophe V.
From towering hopes mortals he hurlcth prone 90 To utter doom ; but for their fall No force arrayeth he ; for all
That gods devise is without eifort wrought.
Seated aloft upon his holy throne,
He from afar works out his secret thought.
Antisteophe V.
But let him mortal insolence behold ; — How with j)roud contumacy rife, Wantons the stem in lusty life 100
My marriage craving ; — phreuzy over-bold, Spur ever-pricking, goads them on to fate, By ruin taught their folly all too late.
* The metaphor, taken from the custom of the wrcstliug- school, changes to the tangled paths through a forest.
406 The Sujyjylianfs.
Strophe VI.
Thus I complain, in piteous strain,
Grief-laclcn, tear-evoking, shrill ; Ah woe is me ! woe ! woe !
Dirge-like it soimds : mine own death-trill
I pour, yet breathing vital air.
Hear, hill-cro-^vTied Apia, hear my prayer!
Full well, 0 land, 110
My voice barbaric thou canst understand ;
While oft with rendings I assail My byssine vesture and Sidonian veil.
Antistrophe VI.
My nuptial rite in heaven's pure sight
Pollution were, death-laden, rude ; Ah woe is me ! woe ! woe I
Alas for sorrow's murky brood !
Where will this billow hurl me ? Where ?
Hear, hill-crowned Apia, hear my prayer ; 120 Full well, 0 land, My voice barbaric thou canst understand.
While oft with rendings I assail My byssine vesture and Sidonian veiL
Strophe VII.
The oar indeed and liome with saila Flax-tisKUcd, swelled witli favouring gnlos, Staiuich to tlio wave, from siiinr-storm fi*co, Have to this shore escorted me,
The Sup;pliants. 407
Nor so far blame I destiny.
But may the all-seeing Father send 130
In fitting time propitious end ; So our dread Mother's mighty brood, The lordly couch may 'scape, ah me, Un wedded, unsubdued!
Antistrophe VII,
Meeting my will with will divine, Daughter of Zeus who here dost hold Stedfast thy sacred shrine, — Me, Artemis unstained, behold. Do thou, who sovereign might dost wield, Virgin thyself, a virgin shield ; 140
So our dread Mother's mighty brood, The lordly couch may 'scape, ah me, Un wedded, unsubdued!
Stkophe VIII.
But if she hide her face
Our swart, sun-smitten race, Bearing our wool-wreathed boughs, to Zeus will go,
Lord of the dead below,
Hailer of many a guest.
To him our suppliant train
Will wend, by nooses slain, 150
If gods Olympian heed not our request.
Oh Zeus, for lo's sake, The wrath of heav'n, alas, doth us o'ertake ;
408 nie Suppliants.
The vengeful ire I recognize Of tliy di'ead consort who subdues the skies. For still the tempest raves amain After the hurricane.
Antistrophe Vin.
Then how may Zeus be free
From righteous obloquy, The offspring slighting, scion of his race, 160
Whom erst the heifer bare.
If now he hide his face
From us who seek his grace ? Nay, but on high may he attend our prayer 1
Oh Zeus, for lo's sake The wrath of heaven, alas, doth us o'ertake;
The vengeful ire I recognize Of thy di'ead consort who subdues the skies.
For still the tempest raves amain 170
After the hurricane.
Danaos.
Needful is prudence, children. — Ye have come
With prudent sire, this trusty pilot old,
And taking forethought also here ashore
I charge you guard my words, well tiibktcd. —
Dust, voiceless herald of a host, I see ; —
The wheel-naves keep not silence, axle-driven ; —
And now a shielded baud with brandished spears.
With steeds and curved chariots, I descry. —
rerchauco the rulers of this land, apprized 180
Tlie Suppliants, 409
By messengers, to eye us liitlier come.
But whether harmless, or, with ruthless ire
Whetted, some leader ui-ges on the host, —
Whate'er betide, damsels, 'tis best to take
Seats on the mound of these Agonian gods.
Stronger than tower an altar is ; a shield
Inviolate ; hence with all speed advance,
And holding in left hand, with reverent gi'asp,
Your suppliant boughs, white wreathed, ensigns of Zeus,
The god of mercy, with respectful words, 190
Urgent and sad, befitting aliens here,
Answer these strangers, setting plainly forth
That this your flight by blood is undefiled.
Let naught imseemly wait upon your voice ;
And from your sober brow and quiet eye
Let no vain glance proceed ; in your discourse
Kor voluble, nor over-tedious be ;
Jealous of such this race. Be prompt to yield.
For foreign art thou, fugitive and poor;
Boldness of speech beseemeth not the weak.
Cliorus.
Well thou advisesl, sire, the well-advised. 200
I thy wise bests will in remembrance guard ; And may ancestral Zeus our cause behold I
Danaos. May he behold it with propitious eye I
Chorus. Beside thee now my seat I fain would take.
I
410 The Suj>plian{3,
Da>'aos. Then dally not ; be your design achicvocL
[_The Chorus place themselves near Dakaos.]
CJtorns. 0 Zeus I my sorrows pity ere I die.
Danaos.
If He be gracious, all may yet be welL
Chorus. • • • » « »
Danaos. Now do ye invocate this bird of Zeus.*
CllOitlS.
Lo ! we invoke the Sun's sustaining beams.
Danaos. Apollo too, pure god, exile from heaven. 210
Chorus. Knowing this lot, he can for mortals feeL
Danaos.
So may he now, and stand our prompt ally.
• " The bird of Zeus " is interpreted by the schoh'ast to mean the sun, for it arouses us frum sleep as the cock docs Fausanias distinctly asserts that the cock was considered sacred to the sun (lib. v. 25, 5) ; and that the sun was worshipped by the Argives (lib. ii. 18, 3). PmkiMy thero was some fancietl conniction Iftwoini aiXtKrap aud fjXticroip, the Homeric title of the suu (II. xix. 398 j llymn. ad AjijlL SGd).— Foley.
Tlie buijpliants. 411
Cliorus, Whom nest of all these gods shall I involic ?
Danaos.
This trident see I, ensign of the god.
Chorus. WeU hath he sped ns, well may he reccivol
Danaos.
Here Hermes also after Hellas' rites.
Chorus. May he good tidings herald to the free 1
Danaos.
Of all these gods the common shrine revere,
And in these holy precincts take your seats,
Like flock of doves scared by like-feathered hawks, 220
Our kin, yet foes, polluters of the race.
Can bird, devouring bird, be undefiled ?
Who takes in marriage an unwilling bride,
From sire unwilling, how can he be pure ?
Xot e'en in realm of Hades, after death,
Shall one so reckless fail to be arraigned.
For there, among the shades, another Zeus,
'Tis said, offence by final verdict dooms.
Look out, and on this place your station take,
So happy issue your emprizo shall crown.
\Enter Knxo, followed hy atlendnnts^
412 The Suiy])liant8.
King.
As from what soil this troop may wo salute, 230
Band un-Hellenic, in barbaric robes
And folds luxuriant ? This female gear
Nor Argos knows, nor any tract of Hellas.
How without heralds, without public hosts,
E'en destitute of guides, ye to this land
Fearless have dared to come, is maiTcllous !
Branches, indeed, as is the suppliant's wont,
Lie near you, hard by these Agonian gods;
By this alone may Hellas form surmise ;
And many other things to guess were just, 210
Were none at hand by living voice to telL
Chorus.
Touching my garb not falsely hast thou spoken ; But whom do I address ? A citizen. Or tempi c-guai'd, or leader of the state?
Kixo.
In that regard speak thou and answer make
Fearless ; earth-born Palaechthon's son am I,
Of this Pelasgic country potentate.
And they this soil who reap, from me, their lord,
Race of Pclasgi rightfully are named.
For all the land through which clear Strymon flows, 250
Towards the sotting sun, my sway doth own.
My realm the lands of the Pcrrhaibi gird,
Those l>oyond Pindus to Pjicdnia near,
And high Dodoua ; ocean's watery boumo
I
The Suiipliants. 413
Cats it sheer oflf; witliin these bounds I rule.
This plain itself, this Apian land, of old
In -R-ise physician's honour gained its name.
For Apis, prophet-leech, Apollo's son,
Arriving from Naupactos, o'er the sea,
This land from man-destroying monsters purged, 2 GO
Whom earth, by stains of ancient blood defiled,
Sent up in anger, dragon-progeny,
Co-dwellers fierce. Apis, as leech and seer.
Blameless, for Ai'givc land these ills hath cured,
And for reward huth mention in our prayers.
Having from me these tokens, in return
Show forth your lineage, and further speak.
Yet long discourse this city brooketh not.
CTim-us.
Brief be my tale and clear. Of Argive race, — 270 .Seed of the heifer in her ofispring blest. We boast ourselves. All this -will I confirm.
King.
Incredible, O strangers, soimds your tale,
That this your race from Argos is derived;
For Libya's daughters ye resemble most,
In no wise like to women native here;
Such progeny might Xeilos rear perchance ;
Such too the Cyprian character impressed
In female moulds by male artificers.
Of nomad Indian women too I hear, 280
^^'ho, pannier-borne, on steed-like camels ride,
414 The ISiq^jManfs.
Dwellers in land hard by tte /Ethiops' home. Haply, if armed with bows, I you had deemed Unlorded flesh-devouring Amazons. Instructed,! shall better understand How ye descent and race from Argos claim.
CTiorus.
They say that lo, in this Argive land. Of Hera's temple bare of yore the keys.
KlXG.
True, certes ; — widely the report prevails. —
Euns not the tale that Zeus a mortal loved ? 290
CJiorus. Ay, and with dalliance not from Hera veiled.
Kino. How ended then these royal jealousies ?
CJtorus. The goddess to a heifer changed the maid.
King. Zeus surely ne'er would touch a fair-horned heifer.
CJtorits. In fashion of a bull they say he come.
Kiso. What further wrought the mighty spouso of Zens?
The Siqjplianfs. 415
Chorus. Slie o'er the heifer placed tli' all-seeing guard.
King. What heifer-guard all-seeing meanest thou ?
CJioriis. Argos, the son of earth, whom Hermes slew. 300
KiKG.
What else devised she 'gainst the ill-starred heifer ?
Chorus. The herd-tormenting brize, relentless pest. — Oestros those call it who near Neilos dwelL
King, That from the land di-ave her in lengthened course ?
Chorus. This too thcu speakest consonant with me.
King. And to Canobos came she and to Memphis ?
Chorus. There Zeus, with soothing hand, a race did plant.
King. Who boasts himself the heifer's "seed divine ?
CJiorus. He by the liberating touch of Zeus Distinguished lightfully as Epaphos.
416 Tlie Sup2)Iiant3»
King. [Wiat offspring then had Zeus-bom Epaplios?*j310 Cliorus. Libya, with name adorned of mightiest land.
King. "What other scion of this stock dost name ?
CJiorus. Sire of two sons, Belos, my father's father. [Pointing to Dakaos.]
King. Tell me, I pray, his name with wisdom franghtl
C^iorus. Danaos, whose brother boasteth fifty sons.
King. Of him too grudge not to declare the name.
CJiorus. ^gyptoB. — Knowing now mine ancient race 'Tis thine an Argivo train from dust to raise.
King. To me some ancient tie ye seem to hold With this our soil. But your parental homo 820
How have je dared to leave ? "What chance bcfel ? *
Chorus. Pelasgic king, chequered are huniau ills ; • Tliis Hue is conjectural.
I
Tlie Suppliants. 417
Sorrows like-featliered never wilt tliou see. For who might guess that, in unhoped-for flight, Thine ancient kindred should to Argos drift, Cowering through horror of the nuptial couch.
King.
From these Agonian gods what your request, Holding these white-wreathed branches newly-culled ?
Chorus. That to -ffigyptos' sons I be not slave.
King.
Speakest from hate or fearing tie unlawful ? 330
Clwrus. One's kinsmen who would wish to buy as lords ? *
King. By such alliance waxeth strength to mortals.
Chorus. Ay, and the wretched to desert is easy.
King.
How then towards you pious may I prove ?
* The MS. gives wvoiro, which I have retained, and which seems to me to give a more satisfactory meaning than ovocto, the correction of Boissonade. I'aley ado])ts the latter, and translates the line thus : " Why, who would object to masters if they were friends?"
2 E
418 Tlie Supj^liants,
Chorus. Us yield not, wlien ^gyptos' sons demand.
King. Grave the request new war to undertake.
CJiorus, But patron to lier champion Justice stands.
King. True, if at first I had a party been.
Chorus, "Revere the city's stern thus garlanded.*
King. With awe these seats I mark shaded with boughs. 310
Chorus. Grievous the wrath of Zeus, the suppliant's god.
Chorus. Steophk I. Son of Palacchthoii, hear ! With heart benign hear mo, Pelasgic l<inpr. Me siippliaut mark, exile loue-waudcriug ; Like heifer, wolf-chased, that on rocky height '
Lowoth, confiding in assistance uchr, The herdsman warning of Ler dismal plight.
King.
By bouglis new-culled o'crshadow'd, I behold
* Reference is made to the statues of the Agouiau guds as pilots uf the state.
The Suppliants. 419
*Tliis briglit assembly of Agonian gods. No mischief may this claim as town-guests breed ; 350 Nor from event unlooked for, unjirepared. Be quarrel born ; unwelcome to the state.
Chorus. Antistrophe I, That mischief on our flight Wait not, may she, Giicldess of Suppliants, grant, Themis, from Zeus, supreme Allotter, sprung ! Thou, eider-minded, learn from me more young ; — The suppliant aiding, never shalt thou want, Nor will the gods the good man's offering slight.
King. Not at«my private hearth suppliant ye sit. But if some common guilt the state pollute_. 360
In common let the people work the cure. No pledge I give, till, touching these events, Counsel I hold with all my citizens.
Cliorus. Strophe II. Thou art the state, the people, thou alone : — Ruler accountable to none ; With sovereign nod, the altar-stone, The hearth, thou swayest, of the laud, — ■ And from sole-sceptred throne, All issues canst command. Oh then pollution shun.
King.
Pollution rest upon mine enemies 1 370
But you I cannot succour without bale,
* I accept Mr. Newman's emendation, yavCiiiG ofxiKov Tovbf.
420 The Suppliants.
Nor gracious is it to despise these prayers. Perplexed I am and fear my heart distracts, To act or not to act, and bide my chance.
Chorus. Antisteophe IT.
The jealous watcher mark enthroned on high, Guardian of mortals travail-worn, Who to those near for aid apply. And find tlieir lax^'ful claims denied. At suppliants' wail forlorn The wrath of Zeus doth bid©
Implacable for aye. 380
King.
But if ^gyptos' sr ns have power o'er thee. As next of kin, pleading their city's laws, Who would desire such pleading to withstand ? To native customs thou must make appeal, That legal rights ngainst thee they have none.
Chorus. Steopde III.
Ne'er may I subject be to men's rude might ;
Escape from baleful marriage-tie.
Star-guided, I mark out in flight. But Justice' self now taking for ally, Side with the holy gods and judge the right. 390
King. Judgment not easy : choose me not for judge. Before I told you, I, though cliief in sway, Cannot herein without my people act. —
Tlie Suppliants. 421
Ne'er shall the throng aver, shoiild ill befal, — " Strangers revering, thou the state hast wrecked."
Clutrus. Aktisteophe III.
Allied to both, Zeus, with impartial ken,
These things beholdeth ; evil men
Fitly with bale doth he requite. The good with blessing : wherefore fearest then, Since fair the balance, to uphold the right ? iOO
King.
Deep salutary counsel need we here.
An eye clear-sighted, not with wine surcharged,
To plunge like diver to the lowest deep,
That these events, first, harmless to the state
May prove, and next bring vantage to ourselves.
So may not ye be booty of the strife,
Nor ice, by yielding you, near holy seats
Of gods established, bring, to haunt our land.
The all-destroying Might, Avenger stern,
Who e'en in Hades' realm frees not the dead. 410
Seems there not need of salutary thought ?
Chorus. SxnoruE I.
Ponder, and with just heed, To me in my sore need God-fearing patron be ! Surrender not One, by unrighteous meed, Who shares the exile's loL
422 TJie Suppliants.
AxTISTUOPHE L
Sco me not borne a.'xa.y, Tiiou who the land dost sway With might all-potent, from these gods' blest shrine.
Men's insolence survey, 420
And dread the wrath divine.
Strophe II. Endure not to behold Me from these statues, aprainst right, impressed. Thy suppliant, like steed in forceful hold, Dragged by my tresses and embroidered vest.
Antisthophe II. Whatever thy decree. Know well, thy sons, ay, all thy house must pay Like reckoning, by war's stem arbitry. 430
These just commands from Zeus, firm-thoughted weigh.
King.
Well have I weighed them. Hither drives my bark.
Escape is none, but mighty war to wage
Either with gods or men ; * fixed is the hull,
As if by naval capstans hauled ashore.
Which way I turn, grief meets me everywhere.
For gear from plundered homesteads other gear,
]\rore than the loss, though mighty freight the spoil,
By favotir of Zeus Ktesios J may accrue ;
So when tlie tongue hath shot untimely forth 440
• Literally, " Eitlicr with tliesc or those." X Presiding over housebold property.
The Sufplianis 423
The stinging phrase, provoking direful wrath,
The wound by word inflicted word may heal.
But to avert the stain of kindred blood,
la sacrifice must many a victim.blced,
To many gods, — for remedy of ill.
Sooth ! from this fray fain would I keep aloof,
Unslvilled in evils rather let me be
Than wise 1 Beyond my hope may good prevail I
Chorus. Of many solemn words hear now the goal.
Keng. I listen. Speak. Thy words shall 'scape me not. 450
Chorus. Girdles and zones have I my robes to clasp.
King.
Such garniture beseems the woman's lot.
Cliorus. By means of these, know well, contrivance fair —
King. Speak ; what this word which thou wilt utter forth ?
Chorus. Unless some pledge thou givest to this train —
King. "What will device of zones for thee effect ?
•i24 The Suppliants.
Chorum. With tablets new these statues they shall grace
King. Thy words are riddles ; plainer be thy speech I
Chorus. "We from these gods forthwith ourselves will hang.
King. A word I hear piercing my very heart. 460
Chorus. Thou hast it now, for I thine eyes have purged.
Krs'G.
Divers these troubles, hard to struggle with ;
A host of ills bursts o'er me like a flood ;
Euin's unfathomed sea, full hard to cross,
This have I entered : harbour there is none,
For should I spurn your prayers, poUntiou uiro
Tliou namest, ovortowering arrow's flight.
But if before the walls taking my stand,
I try the issue with /Egyptos' sons,
Thy kinsmen ; — bitter is the cost to stain 470
With blood of men the soil, for women's sake.
Yet needs must I revere the wrath of Zeus,
The suppliants' god ; for, among mortal men
No awe more dread. Do thou then, of tht-se maids
Thn aged sire, these branches in thine arms
Taking, on other shrines of native gods
The Suppliants. 425
Lay them ; that all the citizens may see
Tokens of this thy visit. Touching mo
Let fall no random word ; for ever prone
The people are to blame authority.
These things beholding, some, to pity stirred, 4,80
The insolence may hate of this male troop.
So with the folk more favour shall ye find.
For to the weaker side all bear good will.
Danaos. A precious boon is this for us, to win A patron so august, the reiguing prince.* But native escort and interpreters Send thou with us ; so may we surer find The temple-fronting altars, and abodes. Friendly to guests,| of city-guarding gods, And may in safety pass amid thy town. For we by nature are unlike in form ; 490
Not the same race rear Nile and Innchos ; Beware, lest rashness slaughter breed ; § ere now, Hath friend, through ignorance, by friend been slain.
King.
March with him guards, for well the stranger speaks. Lead to the city altars, seats of gods ;
* I adopt f'yKpfovra — Mr. Newman's emendation for ev pfovra.
X For the second TroXia-a-ovxav, which is certainly corrupt, several adjectives are plausibly suggested; I have here adopted iroXv^tivovs-
§ (povov seems to me to give better sense than t^o^ov.
426 TJie Supplianis.
And changing watchwords, needless is miich talk, While ye this seaman guide, suppliant of gods.
[Exit Danaos, with attendants.'\
Chorus. He hath thy hest, thus tutored let him go ; But for myself, — how act ? Where safety find ?
King.
Leave here these branches, token of thy need. 500
Chorus. Thy hand and voice obeying, them I leave.
King. Now to this open grove betake thyself.
Chorus. But how should grove unhallowed shelter me ?
King. As prey to birds we will not give thee up.
Charm. What if tu men more dire than dragon-brood ?
King. A kindly answer give to kindly words.
Clionis. No marvel if I anxious am, through fear.
Kino. But fear to gontlo blood unseemly is.
Tlie Supi^Jiants. 427
Cliurus. Cheer then by deeds, as by thy words, niy heart.
King.
Thee no long time thy sire forlorn will leave. 510
But I, the people of the land convening, Will in thy favour move the multitude, And how to frame his speech instruct thy sire. Wait therefore and our native gods entreat, With orisons, thine heart's desire to grant, But I to urge thy cause will now depart ; Slay suasion and effective fortune follow. \_Exeunt KiXG and attendants^ Chorus. Strophe I. Hail, King of Kings ! Most Blest Among the blest ! Of powers on high Most perfect Power ! Our prayerful cry 520
Hear, blissful Zeus, and hate-possest, Of hateful men ward off the lawless pride ; Ay, deep beneath the purple tide
Whelm thou their dark-benched pest.
Antistrophe L Viewing with eye benign Our v/oman's cause, our ancient raco, Her tale recall who shared thy grace, Ancestral mother of our line. Soother of lo, mindful be once more
Of her, through whom we from this shore 530 Our boasted lineafre trace.
428 The Suppliants.
Strophe II. Back where my mother trod the wold, Her ancient haunts, flower-gendering meads, Pastures where yet the heifer feeds, I now betake me, — whence of old, Brize-goaded, and distracted, speeds Through many a tribe of mortal men, lo ;— and while she holds in ken * The adverse shore, straight through the sea, A path she cleaveth, led by Destiny. 640
Antistbophe IL Through Asia's land in wild career. Eight o'er sheep-pasturing Phrygia's plain, Till Teuthras' Mysian towers appear. And Lydian vales, — she scours amain ; Cilicia's and Pamphylia's height Leaving behind, she speeds her flight O'er banks of ever-flowing streams, To the fair land with corn that teems. Region deep-soiled to Aphrodite dear.
Strophe III. Pierced by her winged herdsman's sting, 550
The lea she gains all fostering, —
• It is difTicult to determine how the words ought to be joined. I place the comma after KvyLariav, and intt-rprct op/fft, she fixes as her goal. If tlie comma is placed after SiaTf'fivovaa, the passacje may be translated thus ; " And auspiciously tiividinj^ the two continents, she fixes the billowy strait as the limit between them,"
The Suppliants. 429
That heavenly meadow fed from snow, O'crswept by Typlion's strength,
And by the bale-averting flow
Of Neilos' water ; — there, at length, Frenzied she comes by toils unseemly spent, And goading pangs by jealous Hera sent.
Antistrophe III.
And mortals who the land possessed,
While pallid terror shook their breast, 560
Amazed a shape unwonted saw, —
Half heifer and half maid, Mortal and brute, bi-formed. With awe, The wondrous portent they surveyed. Who then was he who gently soothed to rest Far-roaming lo, brizc-stung, sore distrest ?
Stkophe IV.
Zeus, lord of ceaseless ages, thine.
Oh thine was that uuharming might ! 670
The breathing of thy love divine
Arrests at length her toilsome flight,
And gently, with the mournful tide
Of modest tears, her woes subside. Then, as Fame truly tells, receiving there Thy germ divine, her blameless child she bare,
Antistrophe IV.
From age to age supremely blest.
Hence the whole earth proclaims, " this seed
430 The Suppliants.
Life teeming, springs in very deed From Zeus, for who but he the pest 580
Could stay, devised! by Hera's spite ? " Thine, Zeus, the gracious work was thine ! Hence, whoso speaketh of our race divine From Epaphos as sprung, errs not from right.
Strophe V.
Whom of the gods more fitly now
May I invoke for deeds of grace ?
Father, Creator, King art thou,
Whose forming hand begat our race ; Artificer supreme, ancient of days, Zeus, the all-wise, whose breath each purpose sways.
Antistrophe V.
Nor seated upon lower throne
Wieldeth he delegated sway ; 590
Nor doth as his superior own
liuler whose word he must obey ; — No, on his sovereign fiat waits the deed, To execute his minds decjvponder'd rede,
[^Re-enter Daxaos.]
Danaos [to his daughters). Take courage, with the natives all goes wclL Decrees all-perfect have the people passed.
CJiorus. Hail, sire revered ; herald to mo most dear ; But say what mcasmc hath been ratified, Whereto the pooplo's h;\nd oat uumbering swayed?
TJi.e Supplianis. 431
Danaos.
Not by divisioii did tlie Argives vote,
But so as to make young mine aged heart. 600
For in full mote, with raised right-liands the air
Bristled, while this decree they ratified,
That we in Argive laud might settle, free,
Not subject to arrest, inviolate ;
That no one, native here or foreigner,
Should seize us ;— but, should violence be used.
And any of these burghers fail to aid,
An outlaw should he be, to exile doomed.
Thus in our favour spake Pelasgia's king,
Persuasive, warning lest the mighty wrath 610
Of Zeus, the supjjliant's god, in future time.
The city should weigh down, and two-fold wrong,
To us as strangers and as citizens,
Upon the state two-fold pollution bring.
Food of disaster irremediable.
Hearing such things the Argives, by their hands,
('onfirmed, ere herald summoned, these decrees.
The orator's persuasive winding speech
Heard the Pelasgi, but Zeus wrought the end.
Chorus.
Come now for Argos' race
Chant we the gracious prayer 620
lleciuiting kindly grace.
May Zeus, the stranger's friend. From strangers' lips regard with favour rare Thu orisons, and cro\»n with prosperoas end.
432 The Suppliants.
Strophe I.
Ye gods, heaven-born, if e'er before, Hear now the prayers that for this race we pour !
Never may this Pelasgic town,
Fire-wasted, lift the joyless cry
Of Ares, wanton deity, Who men in other harvest-fields mows down ! For that a gracious law They passed, to mercy stirred ; 630
And for this pity-moving herd. Thy supplicants, oh Zeus ! felt righteous awo
Antistrophe I. Nor, voting on the side of men, The women's cause did they disdainful slight ; But the di'ead watcher held in ken, Full hard to cope with, vengeful Might, Whom on its roofs what house could bear Wrathful ? For heavily he sittcth there. Yea, sith their proper kin, Suppliants of Zeus severe. They venerate with pious foar ; Hence with pure altars they heaven's grace shall win. 640
Strophe II. Therefore, in tuneful rivalry, lot vowr Ascend from lips shaded by olive bouglis. May pestilence ne'er di-ain Of manly strength this town ; Nor discord's la^vloss reign
I
The Supiolianis. 433
With native corpses strow
This land's ensanguined plain !
Still may youth's gracious flower Unsickled blow ; Nor Aphrodite's spouse, man-slaying power, Eelentless Ares, mow its blossom down 1 650
Antistbophe n. May offerings blaze in every sacred fane,* By foreign elders throng'd, an honoured train,
That well may fare the State !
Zeus let them hail, the Great, —
The stranger's god, who fate
By hoary law doth rein.
Fresh produce may the fields For ever bear, And may dread Artemis, her bow who wields, View women's travail-pangs and kindly spare. G60
Strophe HI. And let no man-destroying mischief lay This town in ruins, arming for the fray, Ares, the source of tears, of ruthless mood,
Danceless and lyreless. May the brood Of fell disease far from these burghers wing
* Another reading gives —
" With gifts of honour may the altars blaze, Crowded with envoys, who shall sound the praise Of this well-ordered State. Zens let them hail, the Great, The stranger's god, who fate By law primeval sways."
2 P
434 TJie Suitpliants.
Its joyless fliglit, and the Lykeian king The nation's youth propitiously sursey !
Antistkophe III. With every season's wealth may Zeus benign 670
Crown the rich earth, and mightily increase Before the city walls the pasturing kine !
Ne'er may the gods' rich blessing cease I May the well-oraencd song from every shrine Ascend, and from chaste lips the solemn strain, Joy -laden, lyre-enamoured, sound amain I
Strophe IV. Still may the people guard with constant zeal * Their honours for the vii'tuous, while the sway 680 Of prudent councillors the city's weal Makes stcdfast ; and, ere arming for the fray, May they, unscathed, just pacts with strangers seal I
Antistrophe IV. And let them, to the gods this land who hold. With sacrifice and laurel bough draw near, Jealous to keep their fathers' rites of old. For venerable Justice hath enroll'd This her third statute : — " Parents aye revere." |
* Among the various emendations which have Iven pro- posed of this corrupt passage tliat of Mr. Newmau, alcrlfxoiai r»/i«r for drifiiai rifias, api^ars to me to give the b«.'st sense.
t Tlic laws of Draco, called Sfa-fio], arc alluded to, amoi^ which this triple precept occurretl, borrowed, as was s;iid, from Triptolcmus : yofflf Tifxaw ^roiij Kapnoli d)^aK\fiv fwa ^7 (Tivtadai. — Paleii. In the text the triad of comniaud- ments seems comi)letoil by, Honour the national gods, and hoDour the national magistrates.
Tlie Suppliants. 435
Danaos. These sober prayers, daughters beloved, I praise. 690 But though ye from your father tidings hear New and unlooked for, keep a stedfast heart. For from this suppliant-guarding eminence The barque I see ; well-marked it 'scapes me not ; — The swelling sails, the bulwarks on each side, The prow in front, scanning its way with eyes. And, as to us unfriendly, all too well Hearing the guiding rudder at the stern. Distinctly now the sailors may be seen. Their swart limbs manifest in white attire. 700
Now ope to view the rest, the attendant ships ; — Meanwhile this one, the leader, with furled sails, Towards the shore is rowed, with equal stroke. You it behoves, calmly, with stedfast mind, Viewing the danger, not to slight these gods. With champions I'll return and advocates, Should haply herald come or embassy. Eager to seize you as the prize of war. But thus it may not be ; fear not the event. Yet were it best, should we be slow to aid, 710
In no wise to forget your shelter here. Courage ! when strikes the appointed day and hour, Due fine that man shall pay who slights the gods.
Chorus. Strophe I.
Father, afraid I am, since swift of wing
The ships advance ; full soon will they be here.
My spirit fails me, scared by anxious fear,
436 The Sujp;pUanis.
Lest that my lengthened flight no profit bring. Father, I faint through dread.
Danaos.
Children, since ratified the Argives' vote,
Take courage ; well I know, for you they'll fight. 720
Cliorus. Antistrophe L Insatiate of battle, fierce and lewd ^gyptos' race ; — to one who knows I speak. In timbered ships, blue-prowed, their rage to wreak, Hither with many a follower, sable-hued, In prospcroiis wrath they sped.
Danaos.
Ay, but they hero a numerous host will find. With thews well hardened in the noon-tide heat.
Chorus. Strophe II. Oh leave me not alono, father, I pray ; Woman abandoned to herself is nought. In her no war-god dwells. Crafty are they 730
In mind and counsel ; dissolute in thought. Neither, like crows, for alt^irs care they aught.
Danaob. Our interest, children, it would much avail Wore they to gods as hateful as to thee.
Chorus. Antistrophi II. No awe of gods before whose shrines we stand, Or of these sacred tridents, 0 my sire,
Tlie Sup;pliants. 437
From us will hold tteir sacrilegious hand ;
Too proud their hearts, mad with unhallowed fire,
Eeckless as dogs, they scorn the gods' command.
Danaos But wolves o'ermaster dogs, so runs the redo ; 740
And fruit of byhlos is no match for corn.
Clwnis. Since they the tempers have of brutes unclean And wanton, of their power we must beware.
Danaos. No speedy task the manage of a fleet, Nor yet to fix its moorings, nor ashore Safely to bring the stern-ropes ; nor at once Are shepherds of swift galleys wont to trust Their anchor-hold, the more when they approach A region harbourless, what time the sun Sinks into night ; for anxious travail-throes 750
In wary pilot night is wont to breed. Trust me, the army will not disembark, Till in her moorings safe the galley rides ; Though fear-oppressed, beware, slight not the gods, Who succour brought ; nor shall the city blame Your herald, old, but young in eloquence.*
Chorus. Strophe I. O hilly land, which all revere, What woe awaits us ? where, oh where, • fvyXwcrcrw (})p(vi — literally, with ivell-tonjued heart.
438 Tlie Suppliants.
In land of Apia, shall we flee, If refuge dark lurk anywhere ? As sable smoke, ah, might I be, That to the clouds of Zeus draws near, 7C0
Or, soaring without wings, ah me, Unseen, like viewless dust dissolve in air I
Antistrophe I. Scapclcss is now the threatened doom ; Throbbcth my spirit steeped in gloom ; Me hath thine out-look ruined, sire ! I faint with dread. Let me expire, By twistings of the girdle slain. Or e'er the man by me abhorred, T]iis form approach with touch profane ! 770
Eathcr, in death, let Hades be my lord !
Strophe II. Oh for a seat in upper air Where the dank vapours turn to snow ; — Or might some beetling crag forlorn, Smooth, steep, unfriendly, lonesome, bare, The vultures' haunt, my plunge below Witness, ere forceful I am toi'n, Ileart-inercing wedlock's dreaded yoke to share.
Antistrophe IL That food of d.igs I then should be, 780
Or gorge the prey-birds, native hero,
Appals me not ; for death is free From ills that sorrow's plaint endear.
The Suppliants. 439
Yea, that its doom may come, I pray, Ere I such nuptial couch ascend ; — Or other refuge is there, say, From nuptial-bonds or other savioui* friend ?
Stkophe III.
Lift to heaven the voice of wail.
Hymns and supplications sing ; — 790
Prayers that may perchance avail
Eescue from the gods to wring.
View the conflict from the skies,
Great Father! — Violence behold
With righteous and not friendly eyes ; In dear regard do thou thy suppliants hold, — Zeus, ruler of the earth, all-mighty king !
Antistrophe III.
For ^gyptos' haughty race,
Male of sex, a lawless brood,
Me, poor fugitive, still chase.
And with noiseful clamour rude.
Seek to capture. But thy beam COO
O'er all is poised, — Thou king supreme ; For say, to mortal men apart from thee, Dread arbiter, what may accomplished be ?
Choi~a8. 1st. Woo, woe ! alas ! ah me !
Lo the sea-robber nears the land. 2ud. Wrecked be the pirate ere his hand
On me lays forceful hold.
ft2XK!mwiiK«avjL<«tmikr««««iktviw*iifv<w«iiaB.^>.^_.„_.
440 Tlie Suppliants.
3rd. Loudly I raise the voice of waiL 4th. Preludes to insult I behold
That me will soon assail. 5th. Hasten, to shelter quickly flee, 810
6th. Cruel of heart are they, I trow ;
Unbearable by land and sea. 7th. Our patron, King ! be thou.
[Enter Herald of the So7is o/'^gtptos.] Hebald. Haste to the barque, away, away 1
Chorus. Eendings, ay tendings of the hair. And cruel stripes I now must bear ; Lopping of heads will come amain,
And murder's gory rain. 820
Hebald. Plague on you, to the barque away.
Chortis. Stkophe I. Would that where surging billows rave, Exulting in thy lordly pride, — Thou and thy nail-clenched barque besido, Had perished neath the wave !
Heuald. Like to a captured run-a-way, Thee to my stocks I soon will bind. — Hence, I advise thco, put away The foolish phrcnzy of thy mind.
TJie Suppliants. 4-il
Ho there I The altars quit, I say ; 830
Hence to the barque ; — I know no fear For what is held in reverence here.
Chorus. Antistrophe L Never again, oh never more May I the cattle-nurturing flood Behold, whence life-sustaining blood Thi'ough mortals doth more amply poui' 1 *
Herald. Cling to the shrine with reverent hand, Yet to the ship ye must away ; 840
Willing or not, ye must obey ; — Off, off, ye wretches, to the strand, Lest, forcefully, against your will, Ye at my hands bear ruder ill.
Chorus. StropUe II.
Alas ! ah me 1 0 may'st thou 'neath the* billowy wave
Perish, -with none to save. Driven from thy course with adverse blast, And on Sarpedon's sandy headland cast !
Herald. Wail and lament and call upon the gods ; 8o0
The Egyptian barque thou shalt not overleap, E'en though a strain thou pour more bitter still.
Chorus,
Alas ! ah me For this pollution I Words of dread • ^poToiai is the text of the MSS,
442 Tlie Su])pliants.
Thou spcakest, mad with prido ; May mighty Xcilos, thee that bred, O'crwhelm thee, and thy ruthless phrenzy hide I
Hebald.
Off with you to the galley doublc-prowcd, — Such my command, full speed, let none delay ; — Who captives hale, hold not in awe their locks. 860
Strophe III. From these altars, father dear, With the spider's stealthy tread Or like vision, vision dread, Seaward now he draggcth me
CO
Woe, alas, ah mc ! Mother earth, 0 mother earth, Turn aside the voice of fear ! Zeus ! great king, thou son of earth I
ITerald. These gods of Argos fear I not, fr they Nor reared me up, nor nurtured mc to eld. 870
Cliorus. ANTiSTRornE III. Near mc now he ragcth, near, Biped serpent, void of ruth ; Or liko viper, whose fell tooth Wounds the foot, he holdoth nio.
Woo, alas, ah me ! Mother earth, O mi ther earth, Turn aside the voice of fear ! Zeus I great king, thou son of earth 1
The Su;piylianis. 443
Herald.
Unless, my mandate heeding, each one hies 8S0
Ship ward, her tunic shall no mercy know.
Chorus. Ho ! City-leaders, princes all, Your suppliant they now euthi-all.
Herald. Force I must use and drag you by your lochs, Since to my words ye lend no ready ear.
Chorus. We perish utterly, 0 king. Unlooked-for outrage suffering. —
Herald. Soon many kings, ^gyptos' sons, thou'lt see ;— Cheer up ! that rulers fail, ye shall not say.
\Enter King vjith Attendants."]
KlXG.
Sirrah, what doest thou? Through what conceit
This land dost outrage of Pelasgic men ?
Or thinkest to a woman's town art come ? 890
Thou, a barbarian, — too insolent
Thy dealing with Hellenes. Having erred
In many things, nought judgest thou aright.
Herald. How in despite of justice have I erred?
444 The Suppliants.
King. A^ stranger to behave, first, know'st thou not.
Herald. How so ? when I, thus finding what was lost . . . «
Kdjo. What native patrons having first addressed ?
Hebald.
Hermes, chief patron, prime Inquisitor.
King.
Addressing gods, these gods thou honourest not.
Hebald. The deities of Neilos I revere.
King. Those here are nought, as from thy lips I learn. 900
Hebald.
\_Pointing to the Supjiliants. These lead I hence if no one snatch them from me.
KrNG. Touch them, thou'lt rue it, and right speedily.
Herald. Certes, no hospitable word I hear.
King. Who spoil the gods find me iubospitablo.
Tlie Suppliants. 445
Herald.
Go to iEgyptos' sons and tell them this.
King.
Such utterance my spirit brooketh not.
Herald. But that with knowledge I may speak more plainly, (For it beseems a herald to report Clearly each circumstance,) how, and by whom, Shall I, on my return, declare myself Eobbed of this female train, as kindred claimed? 910 Ares such plea by voice of witnesses Decidcth not ; neither by silver's worth Compoundeth quarrel ; but, ere comes the end, With bitter wrench from life falls many a hero.
King.
Why tell to thee my name ? Tutored by time, Know it thou shalt and those who sail with thcc. As for these maids, provided they consent With willing hearts, — if pious word prevail, — Them thou may'st take ; but by the public voice, Unanimous, hath this decree been passed ; — Ne'er on compulsion to deliver np 020
A female train ; — firmly through this resolve The nail is driven, so to abide unmoved. Neither inscribed on tablets nor sealed up In folds of books these matters are, but them Plainly thou hearcst from free-spoken tongue. Now, \vith all speed, betake thee from my sight.
446 Tlie Sui^plianta,
Herald. 'Tis then thy pleasure to incur new war : — May victory and strength be with the males I
T- \Exit.
But in this land male dwellers ye shall find. Drinking, I trow, no draughts of barley wine. 930
[To the Suppliants
But maidens, taking heart, repair ye all,
With friendly escort, to the well-fenced town,
Shut in with deep device of many a tower.
The State owns many mansions, and myself
A palace have, built with no grudging hand,
If 'tis your choice full happily to dwell
With many others ; yet, if such your wish,
Make ye in separate abodes your home.
Choose of these offers that which sccmcth best,
Most pleasing to your sisterhood ; myself 9iO
Your patron am, and all these burghers here,
For you their vote who pledged, — "^liy wait ye then
For others armed with more authority ?
Ch.ru^. In return for deeds of grace May thy lot with grace be crowned, ITcro of Pelasgic race ! But hither send, with purpose kind, Our sire, of brave and wary mind, Danaos, prime councillor and guido. Ilis counsel will direct us here
The Suppliants. ^^"^
Whore we must dwell, and he decido
The place where malice may not reach.
For ready every one is found 950
Strangers to blame. But may the best betide ! — With fair repute and with un wrathful speech
Of citizens, handmaidens dear ! Your places take, as Danaos hath assigned, A maid, as marriage portion, unto each.
[^Enter "Daxaos, toith Attendants.']
Danaos.
Ye to the Argives should with sacrifice,
As to Olympian gods, libations pour,
My daughters ! for deliverers they have proved,
Beyond dispute. 'Gainst those assiduous friends, 960
Your cousins, all that had been done they heard,
Indignant, and forthwith, this body-guard,
As mark of honour they assigned to me,
Lest too, by secret spear-thrust slain, my death
Should curse undying bring upon the land.
Such favours reaping, justice bids us liold
In higher honour still their kindly grace.
These admonitions too ye shall inscribe
With many prudent maxims of your sire,
That Time this stranger company may test. 970
Each 'gainst the alien bears an evil tongue,
From which the slanderous word full lightly falls.
But, I exhort you, do me no disgrace,
Crowned as ye are w^th youth's attractive bloom.
Not easy tender ripeness is to guard ;
448 The Snjyj^Uajits.
Wild beasts despoil it, — mortals too no less,
And wingud tribes and trcaders on the eartli.
Her gusbing fruitage Kypris heraldeth,
Nay, tbe unripe scarce suffers she to stay ;
And at the virgin's daintiness of form, 980
Eacb passer-by, o'ercome by fond desire,
Sends from bis eye a shaft of suasive spell.
Forget we not then wherefore many a toil,
And breadth of sea was furrowed by our keel. —
Shame to ourselves, but triumph to our foes.
Let us not work. A two-fold dwelling here,
(One dotli Pelasgos give, the city one,)
Awaits us, free of charge ; — easy the terms.
Tbis only, — guard tbe mandates of your sire.
And honoiir bold in more respect than life. 990
CJtorus. Be the Olympians gracious in all else I Toncbing my youthful bloom take courage, father ; — For I, unless new plans the gods devise. Will never from my mind's first pathway swerve.
Semi-choms A. StRornE I. Praise the blest gods, state-ruling powers supreme,
The city's tutelary guardians praise.
And those who hauut old Erasinos' stream.
Scmi-chonit B.
Companions of our way, take up the theme ; 1000
For this Pelasgic city let us pour The song, nor Ncilos' mouths henceforth adore With choral luya
Tlie Suppliants. 449
Semi-chorus A. Antkistrophe I. Nay, but tliose rivers whose glad waters lave, Witli increase fraught, this region where they rise, Soothing the earth with fertilizing wave.
Semi-chorus B. View us, Chaste Artemis, with pitying eyes ; 1010 On us may Kythereia ne'er impose "Wedlock, with forceful rites ! No, may such prize Reward our foes.
Semi-cJiorus A. Strophe II. Not that this friendly hymn disdains her sway Who empire wieldeth, Zeus and Hera near, Goddess of guileful spells, Kypris, whose reign, O'er solemn rites extending, all revere.
Semi-chorus B. Sharing her honours, on their mother dear 1020
Desire attends and Suasion, who in vain, Her plea ne'er urgeth ; Loves with whispering play, And sweet Harmonia, these too share her sway, And wait on Aphrodite.
Semi-chorus A. Antistrophe TL For us, poor fugitives, dire woes I dread, Yea, bloody wars my bodeful heart appal ; Since hither sailing, eager in pursuit. In swiftly- wafted ships our foes have sped. 1030
Semi-chorus B. Whate'er is fated that must sure befiil ; The will of Zeus, almighty, absolute,
2 a
450 TJie Suppliants.
None may transgress. May wedlock find at last, As to full many women in the past, For us a happy issue.
Semi-chorus A. Strophe III.
From marriage with ^gyptos' seed Thy suppliants, mighty Zeus, defend !
Semi-chorus B. All yet propitiously may end.
Semi-chorxis A» Cure seekest thou for cureless ill. 1040
Semi-chorus B. But certes thou the future canst not read. ,
Semi-chorus A. Antisteophe IIL
How search of Zeus the hidden will ? A fathomless ahyss, I trow.
Semi-chorus B. For modest blessings pour thy prayer.
Semi-chorus A. What moderation urgcst thou ?
Scmi-chorufi B. What Heaven ordaincth, that with patience bear. 1050
Semi-chorus A. Stuoi'IIE IV. From us this wedlock's hateful hostile rite May sovereign Zeus avert, of old who freed
The SupiManis. 451
lo from bale, — the while her frenzied speed With healing hand he checked, working with gracious might.
Semi-chorus B. Antisteophe IV. May He with victory crown our woman's side I The better part, though blent with ill, be mine ! O'er our just cause may Justice' self preside, Kesponsive to my prayer, through saving-arts divine I
\Exeunt in jorocession.
452 Hie Suppliants.
NOTES.
The Scppmants,
7. For yvioa-delaai I think should be read f^acrdflaai, extruded.
8. avToyivrjTov (f)v^dvopa is the old text. The sense seems to require an epithet meaning voluntary, in contrast to Jec/al expuhion. Perhaps the word avrayptros (Ionic for avdalpfros) has been dropped out, from its similarity to avToyivqrov. Then Ave obtain, with perfect sense and emphasis —
aXX' [airaype'ratf] avroyfvrjrov (f)v^avop[iais^ ydp.ov A^yvTrrov Traidayv dcrefifi t ovora^vpevai.
In 27, 38, 40, it is difficult for me to believe that so care- ful a poet as iEschj'lus would write 8€^ai6\ (r(PeT(pi$dfj.evo», fTriKeKXdp.(vai ; which make tiie syntax as loose as that of Thucydides. I believe in be^aiadf (in apposition to Trtpylrarf), (T(^fT(pi^apivovs (^plural, as oXoti/ro) (mKtK\op.fva (in apjx)si- tion to (TTiXt^apepa).
45. ((f)ayl/Lv has no s^itisfactory syntax ; in 43 the old text was dvdovopov ray. Porson changed it to dvBovofiovaas, which is not plausible to me.
.52. The old text to re vvv, should, I think, Iw yfytrdv, Avhich completes the splendid conjectural correi'tions of Hermann and others, who chanf'e rfKptjpin rd r dvdpoi' oid' to T(KfiT]pi\ & yainvnpoia-ti'. This one example may justly incite us in nonsensical passages to conjecture Ixildly.
G2. dno ^u>p(ov noranmv r is Certainly wrong. A very simple correction will be dno x"/Ji"w>' noTnfiS>v t, from her
Tlie Suppliants, 453
feeding-places and streams, or even from her crofts ami streams. In Pindar we find xopros Xiovros : in Eur. Iph. T. 134, xoprav evBivdpcov. (Hermann's ano p^Xwpcoj/ TreToXcot eypo/ieVa is audacity out of place.)
70. If Beipaivova-a be right, we have to join etVis with y6f8va ... in the sense of *' I lament whether," which is cer- tainly unnatural. Dindorf prints Sei/xa fievovaa, I suppose merely to show what the metre requires.
78. For the old reading jSw/^os "Ap»7s (j)iyaaiv, which is certainly wrong, an obvious correction is ^apos apei(f)iryaaiv, which would be unexcnptionable if we foimd it in the text. But other possibilities occur: thus the poet may have written ^AprjacpvyeTov in imitation of the word KprjcKpyyerov.
80. El OfiT] Aios ev Travakrjdas I This is nonsense. To change Atos to 6e6s has no plausibility ; all remains abrupt ; 6f6s followed by Aio? is scarcely possible. My present belief is that we get the poet's sense by ^Idela Aios ev TravaXrjde'i .... which means, " In the straight line of Jove, thmigh drawn with perfect accuracy, the heart's desire of Jove is not easy to trace." Then the abruptness vanishes and the argu- ment is soliil. Moreover, in the next line toi seems to introduce a general maxim. This suggests to me that iravra, which is w^eak, ought to l^e ^povra,
93. rav airoivov (the old text) is manifestly indefensible. Critics do not seem to have observed that in place of it we need the accusative after i^enpa^fv. Then we must put a full-stop alter e'^on-Xt'fet, and the sense needed will be given by Ylavra voov baifiovluiv | fivjjfjLov avw (ppovrjfid ncof j avTo^fv i^inpa^fv . . .
104. The little word koX offends me, and suggests that Koi biavoiav should possibly be 7r«t66? avoiav. Is the spondee in the third foot satisfactory ?
107. Eemove the stop and join ifnrpfnT} with y.e.
115, 116. TTfXouevwv Ka\a>s \ €Tri8pofia>s odi ddvaros anf). This is mere chaos. The general sense needed is, that
454 Tlie Suppliants.
"incestuous marriages involve the gods in guilt:" ivayia must be the predicate. I propose to change neXofxtvap to TreXot av oii, which gives the sense excellently. On com- paring the strophe, it seems likely that v. 116 contains epithets of reXfo, as v. 105 of /xAea. To read for v. 116 cTTt'Spo/ia, voda, davaroaayrj, would be very close to the letters ; but I think davaToaa-rrri, " laden with death," more likely, and it is but T for n. 'En-i'6po/xa I render invasive.
118, 119. Punctuate with comma after vovoi, and with full-stop after dird^ei, and interpret, " The distresses are indefinable, into what the wave is to carry us;" that is, " It is doubtful, into what "
127. I do not think that Sofxos 8op6s can mean a house of timber, as Scholefield seems to join it, but 5op6s perhaps ought to be 8opals hides.
203-206, of Scholefield, but 207-10, of the Oxford pocket edition, seem to be out of order. The first two lines should change places, and the fourth should be first.
244. rrjpov is difficult to justify and difiScult to condemn ; but I think Up6pa^8ov to be a fair and satisfactory correction of lepov pa^dov.
309. It seems impossible that pvcriav can be correct. I suggest ^^ava-fdv, strokings, caresses, equivalent to eVa0»;- cr(o)v. The next line, which is lost, may have been rls ovp ds''E,7Ta(})ov (or Tis 8rjTa Kfivco) KXfwov ava(j}(p(i y(i>os.
394. p.q rmov, for unlucky, evil, is not plausible, fifi TtpiTvov may suggest itself; but there are too many other possibilities. I conjecture p.tp.iTTlov.
485. For the unmeaning «i5 ptovra I suggest ryuc ptoyra, equivalent to ffi^aaiktvovra.
488. TToXio-o-ovx*"*' ^^^ regard as ^vrongly re}ieateil from the preceding line. One may suggest ttoXvXXiWow, or iroXv- (ftVoi'f (8pns. Palcy's iTfpiirrvXovs is also good.
The Suppliants. 455
492. The old ^ojSov seems to me quite right, and the change to (^oi/oC needless. " Beware lest too much confidence produce alarm."
510. Perhaps ovri should be ov ere, as the sense seems to require.
521. TTidov T€ (tat yevf (t6co. Obviously to me yevfcrdfo has supplanted some epithet of avBpav. The nearest word that I think of is navfx'^^v. This is in itself irreprovable : Tridov re, Koi TraVf}(6S>v \ akevaov avbpav v^piv.
528. yevov TroXvuvrjo-Tap cannot be right. Dindorf prints iTo\vp.vTj(TTop metri causa, I suppose, rightly regarding v^ptj; as a pyrrhic in the strophe. Apparently for TToXvp-vfja-Tcop we need an accusative epithet of atvov, and for yevov a geni- tive or dative, such as yovov or yovfj (not yevovs, for that occurs twice besides in the sentence). I doubtfully propose vfoxTov fv^poi/' aivov | yovov TToXvpvrjaTov. In the next line, Toi must be either interpreted croi, I suppose, or changed into (ToL "'EvoiKoi seems to be for the prosaic eiroiKoi, settlers.
550. ei(TiKvovp.fvov, after iKvelrai, is hardly credible. Din- dorfs ficn.Kvovp.ivr) does not remove this objection. Hermann's conjecture €y(cexP"Mf'*"? seems to me quite justified.
555. Surely vba>p to Nei'Xou ought to be v8(op re NfiXou. The poet says that the wind of the desert (rv^w pevos) and the water of Nile come upon the snow-fed fields of Egypt Like Herodotus, he supposed that snow, melting in the highlands of Abyssinia, kept the Kile full through the summer.
558. dflas is clearly wrong, yet it is hard to beUeve Bvias right. My last thought is 80X175 ^aSeaia-ov.
572. I do not see how ^la can be nominative to dn-ooTa'fet. lo must be nominative to d-rroaTd^ei, therefore jSt'a is corrupt. I conjecture [tj S' olKicrpaTOi aifcO] Aios t' aTrrjpApra k.t.X.
574. I protest against rendering Ip/ui, hallast, as an utter monstrosity, and suggest that it means gem, germ. Compare Iliad, iv. 177, and epnara for gems, fpy^os, a necklace.
456 The Suppliants.
580. The logic of tU yap proves that the previous lines asf^ert the progeny to have been Jupiter's ; hence Zr]v6s must be predicate, and to 8t] cannot possibly be right. I propose to change it to toSc.
628. dpoTois iv oKXois implies that aporos in a literal sense has been named in the previous lines : I think, therefore, that a)(opov has somehow come in place of the word aporos. In the antistrophe, for npaKTopd re aKoirov, which is certainly wrong, I would suggest irpdnrop' avroa-Konov.
672. Paley well changes tws to yds,
674. I hke the Aldine reading iin^a>nav better than eVl ^(ofjMU or /3o)fxotff. We probabh* all adopt fioxxrav Bfiar, with Ahrens and Hermann, for fwva-ai deal re.
678-680. The common text is certainly wrong; yet it may be corrected in more ways than one. For t6 tttoXiv KpuTvvai I wish Koi noKiv Kparvvoi, which explains syntax and sentiment, so as to open the poet's meaning, probably, thus : (pvXdacroi r alcripoiai rificis \ to 8f]piov Ka\ ndXiv Kparvvoi I TTpofiadiais ^I'vuprjris dpx^d. This is the {xiet's ideal of a well-temi^ered free state. "Let the folk reserve honours (public offices) for the virtuous, and let a mapstracy of common counsel stablish the city by previous delibera- tions." npojidOiai is poetical for irpo^ovKevfiara. For aiai- fioia-i the old text has drifilas, which is manifestly wrong.
775. dnp6cr8eiKros, a rock that " cannot be pointed at " ! Rather, I think, dnp6(Tp.iKros, iriaccessibJe.
786. Tiv' dficj)' avrCis trt ndpov | ripva yafwv Kai Xvrrfpia. This chaos would be desjiei ate, only that the metre of the strophe giiides us. (Dindorf there changes Kap8ias to Kdp(ai, quite causelessly.) I see nothing for it but audacious con- jecture, thus : f\0tra) p^pos npo Koi | ras yrpjjXiov, tv\o>v I TacS' ii^dv, r(^((r(f)upnv | dtpvitov ydpnv KaXi-Trrpav. \ Here ravS' v(f)dv is the (rdpyavai of v. 708, and KoXvirrpav is accusative in ai)|K)sition to the sentence, as in Ag. 218, where wc supply X^yo) with dpmytiv.
Tlie Suppliants. 457
979. Kokapa KoiKvova-av ur fxiveiv epw, is confessedly non- sense. The first word is corrected to Kau>pa, rather (I think) Kavapa, since Herodotus has aj/wpoy and avapla. "Aj/copa, as less usual than aapa, might get corrupted. Further, I suggest, Kavcopa [ur Ka\ \k(i)pa\ kwXvouct' KcoXvovcra era p-eveiv epa : that is, ipa (0tXei) Ko>\vov(ra, " she loves to hinder the Tinripe from abiding safe."
983. For pf] nadtopeu I think we need ^17 XaOupeff (" let us not/orget "), unless a whole line is lost after 8opi.
F. W. N.
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