The Tragedies of Euripides, Volume I.

334

See Matthiæ.

335

i. e. step. This is ridiculed by Aristoph. Ran. 100, where the Scholiast quotes a similar example from our author's Alexandra.

336

Compare Havercamp on Lucret. ii. sub init.

337

Compare Virgil, Æn. iv. 469. "Et solem geminum, et duplices se ostendere Thebas." In the second passage of Clemens Alexandrinus quoted by Elmsley, γερων is probably a mistaken reference to Tiresias.

338

An obscure hint at the impending fate of Pentheus. Nonnus has led the way to the catastrophe by a graphic description of Agave's dream. Dionys. 45. p. 751.

339

φερομενος may mean either "carried in a litter," or "carried to burial." There is a somewhat similar play in the epigram of Ausonius, xxiii. "Mater Lacæna clypeo obarmans filium, cum hoc, inquit, aut in hoc, redi."

340

Burges more rightly reads ματρος τε Γας. See Elmsley's note.

341

As one must make some translation, I have done my best with this passage, which is, however, utterly unintelligible in Dindorf's text. A reference to his selection of notes will furnish some new readings, but, as a whole, quite unsatisfactory.

342

Compare the parallel account in Nonnus, 46. p. 784.

343

Alluded to by Oppian, Cyn. iv. 300. απτε σελας φλογερον πατρωιον, αν δ' ελεληξον Δαιαν, αταρτηρον δ' οπασον τισιν ωκα τυραννου. He then relates that Pentheus was transformed into a bull, the Mænads into panthers, who tore him to pieces.

344

στοχος is either the aim itself, or the mark aimed at, as in this passage, and Xenoph. Ages. 1. 25.

345

I have done my best with this extraordinary expression, of which Elmsley quotes another example from Archilochus Fragm. 36. Perhaps the notion of excessive rapidity is intended to be expressed.

346

θηρ seems metaphorically said, as in Æsch. Eum. 47. Nonnus, 45. p. 784, 23. above, 922.

347

Compare Nonnus, 46. p. 784.

Και τοτε μιν λιπε λυσσα νοοσφαλεος Διονυσου,και προτερας φρενας εσχε το δευτερον: αμφι δε γαιηιγειτονα ποτμον εχων κενυρην εφθεγξατο φωνην.* * * * * *μητερ εμη δυσμητερ απηνεος ιοχεο λυσσης,θηρα ποθεν καλεεις με τον ‛υιεα.

The whole passage is very elegant, and even pathetic.

348

Alluding to the horns of Bacchus. Cf. Sidon. Apoll. Burg. Pontii Leontii, vs. 26, "Caput ardua rumpunt Cornua, et indigenam jaculantur fulminis ignem." See some whimsical reasons for this in Isidor. Origg viii. 2. Albricus de Deor. Nu. xix. But compare above, vs. 920. Και ταυρος ‛ημιν προσθεν ‛ηγεισθαι δοκεις, και σωι κερατε κρατι προσπεφυκεναι.

349

Elmsley has rightly shown that ‛ελικα could not of itself mean "a bull" or "heifer," although Homer has ειλιποδας ‛ελικας βους. I have therefore followed Hermann, who remarks, "‛ελιξ seems properly to be meant for the clusters of ivy with which the thyrsus was entwined. Hence Agave says that she adorns the thyrsus with a new-fashioned wreath, viz. the head of her son." Such language is, however, more like the proverbial boldness of Æschylus, than the even style of our poet.

350

"κορυθα, ornamentum capitis, vix potest dubitari quin pro ipso capite posuerit." HERMANN. There is considerable variation in the manner in which the following lines are disposed.

351

Or, "Bacchus-mad."

352

I have marked a lacuna with Dindorf.

353

See the commentators on Virg. Æn. i. 11. "Tantæne animis cœlestibus iræ?"

354

After τλημονες φυγαι supply μενουσιν. ELMSLEY.

355

A word is wanting to complete the verse.

356

See Musgrave. Cranes are chiefly celebrated for parental affection.

357

These verses are found at the ends of no less than four others of our author's plays, viz. Andromacha, Helen, Medea, and Alcestis.

358

Such seems to be the force of εις ανηρ.

359

But the construction is probably αληται γης, (compare my note on Æsch. Eum. 63,) and απεστερημενοι is bereaved, destitute.

360

Cf. Æsch. Eum. 973.

361

i. e. Œnoe, Marathon, Probalinthus, and Tricorythus.

362

Elmsley compares Med. 1209. τις τον γεροντα τυμβον ορθανον σεθεν τιθησι; so the Latins used "Silicernium." Cf. Fulgent. Expos. Serm. Ant. p. 171, ed. Munck.

363

αντλος, sentina, bilge-water. See Elmsley.

364

See Elmsley's note.

365

See Dindorf, who repents of the reading in the text, and restores σοι γαρ τοδ' αισχρον χωρις εν πολει κακον. He, however, condemns this and the two next lines as spurious.

366

i. e. if I neglect them.

367

Cf. Hor. Od. iii. 6, 48. "Ætas parentum, pejor avis, tulit Nos nequiores, mox daturos Progeniem vitiosiorem."

368

Cf. Soph. Ant. 127. Ζευς γαρ μεγαλης γλωσσης κομπους ‛Υπερεχθαιρει.

369

Cf. Æsch. Sept. c. Th. 40 sq., also Soph. Œd. T. 6 sqq.

370

i. e. μαντεις κατ' αστυ θυηφολουσι. ELMSLEY.

371

Pausanias, i. 32, states that the oracle expressly required that one of the descendants of Hercules should be devoted, and that upon this Macaria, his daughter by Deianira, voluntarily offered herself. Her name was afterward given to a fountain. Enripides probably omitted this fact, in order to place the noble-mindedness of Macaria in a stronger light. The curious reader may compare the similar sacrifices of Codrus, (Pausan. vii. 25. Vell. Patere. i. 4,) Menœceus, (Eur. Phœn. 1009, Statius Theb. x. 751 sqq.,) Chaon (Serv. on Virg. Æn. iii. 335). See also Lomeier de Lustrationibus, § xxii., where the whole subject is learnedly treated.

372

Cf. Æsch. Ag. 206 sqq.

373

I prefer understanding ‛ενεκα εξοδων εμων with Elmsley, to Matthiæ's forced interpretation. Compare Med. 214 sqq.

374

The cognate accusative to δρασειεν must be supplied from the context.

375

There is some awkwardness in the construction. Perhaps if we read σπερμα, της θειας φρενος! πεφ. the sense will be improved.

376

The construction is thus laid down by Elmsley: παλαι γαρ ωδινουσα [περι] των αφιγ. ψ. ετ. ει. ν. [αυτων] γενησεται. He remarks that νοστος often means "arrival," in the tragedians.

377

See Matthiæ. I should, however, prefer παις for που, with Elmsley.

378

κατα is understood, as in Thucyd. v. 67. ELMSLEY.

379

See Alcest. 662, Iph. Taur. 245, and Elmsley's note on this passage.

380

γυμνος, expeditus. As in agriculture it is applied to the husbandman who casts off his upper garment, so also in war it simply denotes being without armor.

381

κευθειν.

382

I have corrected κελευσμασιν Αργους, with Reiske and Dindorf.

383

I have adopted Dindorf's correction, ‛ησσονες παρ' εμοι θεοι φανουνται.

384

i. e. the last, says Brodæus. But Elmsley prefers taking it for the νουμηνια or Kalends, with Musgrave.

385

δορος, which is often used to signify the fight, is here somewhat boldly put for the arrangement of the battle.

386

Cf. Æsch. Soph. c. Th. 14 sqq. Elmsley's notes on the whole of this spirited passage deserve to be consulted.

387

κρατουντα can not be used passively. κλαιοντα is the conjecture of Orelli, approved by Dindorf. I have expressed the sense, not the text.

388

See Musgrave's note (apud Dindorf). Tyrwhitt considers all the dramatis personæ wrongly assigned.

389

Ironically spoken.

390

There seems to be something wrong here.

391

See Matthiæ, who explains it: "me et supplicem, qui mortem deprecetur, et fortem, qui mortem contemnat, dicere licet."

392

From the answer of the old man, Porson's conjecture, σπευδε, seems very probable.

393

See Hermann's note. The passage has been thus rendered by Ennius:

AG. "Quid nocti" videtur in altisono Cœli clupeo?

SEN. Temo superat stellas, cogens Sublime etiam atque etiam noctis Itiner.

See Scaliger on Varr. de L.L. vi. p.143, and on Festus s.v. Septemtriones. All the editors have overlooked the following passage of Apuleius de Deo Socr. p. 42, ed. Elm. "Suspicientes in hoc perfectissimo mundi, ut ait Ennius, clypeo," whence, as I have already observed in my notes on the passage, there is little doubt that Ennius wrote "in altisono mundi clypeo," of which cœli was a gloss, naturally introduced by those who were ignorant of the use of mundus in the same sense. The same error has taken place in some of the MSS. of Virg. Georg. i. 5, 6. Compare the commentators on Pompon. Mela. i. 1, ed. Gronov.

394

Such seems the force of επι πασιν αγαθοις. The Cambridge editor aptly compares Hipp. 461. χρην σ' επι ‛ρητοις αρα Πατερα φυτευειν.

395

The συννυμφοκομος was probably a kind of gentleman usher, but we have no correlative either to the custom or the word.

396

Hermann rightly regards this as a hendiadys.

397

δρομωι for μορωι is Markland's, and, doubtless, the correct, reading. μονος is merely a correction of the Aldine edition.

398

But read τας – δελτους with the Cambridge editor, = "in relation to my former dispatches."

399

ταν should probably be erased before κολπωδη, with the Cambridge editor. He remarks, "the sea-port, although separated from the island by the narrow strait of Euripus, is styled its wing." On the metrical difficulties and corruptions throughout this chorus, I must refer the reader to the same critic.

400

But λεκτρον, uxorem, is better, with ed. Camb.

401

It is impossible to get a satisfactory sense as these lines now stand. I have translated εξορμα. There seems to be a lacuna. The following are the readings of the Camb. ed. εν γαρ π. αντησηις, παλιν εξ. ς. χαλινους, επι κυκλωπων νιν ‛ιεις θυμ.

402

But αγχιαλον is better, with ed. Camb. from the Homeric χαλκιδα τ' αγχιαλον. He remarks that this word, in tragedy, is always the epithet of a place.

403

i. e. to exact satisfaction for her abduction.

404

i. e. the tents containing the armed soldiers.

405

ηδομενους refers both to Πρωτεσιλαον and Παλαμηδεα, divided by the schema Alcmanicum. See Markland.

406

Cf. Homer, Il. Β. 763 sqq.

407

Cf. Monk on Hippol. 1229. I have translated συριγγας according to the figure of a part for the whole. The whole of the remainder of this chorus has been condemned as spurious by the Cambridge editor. See his remarks, p. 219 sqq.

408

Can θετον refer to αγαλμα understood?

409

This part of the chorus is hopeless, as it is evidently imperfect. See Herm.

410

The Cambridge editor would assign this line to Menelaus.

411

I read ευ κεκομψευσαι, with Ruhnken. The Cambridge editor also reads πονηρα, which is better suited to the style of Euripides.

412

The same scholar has anticipated my conjecture, σαφης for σαφες.

413

Compare the similar conduct of Pausanias in Thucyd. i. 130, Dejoces in Herodot. i., with Livy, iii. 36, and Apul. de Deo Socr. p. 44, ed. Elm.

414

I read το Πριαμου with Elmsley. See the Camb. ed.

415

With the Cambridge editor I have restored the old reading εχοντες.

416

But see ed. Camb.

417

αυ is a better reading. See Markland and ed. Camb.

418

There is little hope of this passage, unless we adopt the readings of the Cambridge editor, ‛ους λαβων στρατευμ'. ‛ετοιμοι δ' εισι. The next line was lost, but has been restored from Theophilus ad Autol. p. 258, and Stob. xxviii. p. 128, Grot.

419

Cf. Soph. Antig. 523. ουτοι συνεχθειν, αλλα συμφιλειν εφυν.

420

Dindorf condemns the whole of this speech of the messenger, as well as the two following lines. Few will perhaps be disposed to follow him, although the awkwardness of the passage may be admitted. Hermann considers that the hasty entrance of the messenger is signified by his commencing with half a line.

421

There seems an intended allusion to the double sense of προτελεια, both as a marriage and sacrificial rite. See the Cambridge editor, and my note on Æsch. Agam. p. 102, n. 2, ed. Bohn.

422

"Auspicare canistra, id quod proximum est." MUSGR.

423

I think this is the meaning implied by νυμφευσουσα, as in vs. 885. ‛ιν' αγαγοις χαιρουσ' Αχιλλει παιδα νυμφευσουσα σην. Alcest. 317. ου γαρ σε μητηρ ουτε νυμφευσει ποτε. The word seems to refer to the whole business of a mamma on this important occasion.

424

The Cambridge editor on vs. 439, p. 109, well observes, "the actual arrival of Iphigenia having convinced Menelaus that her sacrifice could not any longer be avoided, he bethinks him of removing from his brother's mind the impression produced by their recent altercation; and knowing his open and unsuspicious temper, he feels that he may safely adopt a false position, and deprecate that of which he was at the same time most earnestly desirous."

425

So Markland, but Hermann and the Cambridge editor prefer the old reading μετεστι σοι.

426

This and the two following lines are condemned by Dindorf.

427

Bœckh, Dindorf, and the Cambridge editor rightly explode these three lines, which are not even correct Greek.

428

λησομεν, latebo faciens.

429

παρα for παρον, ed. Camb.

430

i. e. by the gift of Venus. For the sense, compare Hippol. 443.

431

Read διαφοροι δε τροποι with Monk, and ορθως with Musgrave.

432

But παιδευομενων is better, with ed. Camb.

433

I have partly followed Markland, partly Matthiæ, in rendering this awkward passage. But there is much awkwardness of expression, and the notes of the Cambridge editor well deserve the attention of the student. εξαλλασσουσαν χαριν seems to refer to μετρια χαρις in vs. 555, and probably signifies that the grace of a reasonable affection leads to the equal grace of a clear perception, the mind being unblinded by vehement impulses of passion.

434

i. e. quiet, domestic.

435

ενων is only Markland's conjecture. The whole passage is desperate.

436

I read μυριοπληθη with ed. Camb. The pronoun ‛ο I can not make out, but by supplying an impossible ellipse.

437

The Cambridge editor rightly reads ιου, ιου, as an exclamation of pleasure, not of pain, is required.

438

Dindorf condemns this whole paragraph.

439

The Cambridge editor thinks these two lines a childish interpolation. They certainly are childish enough, but the same objection applies to the whole passage.

440

But read ‛οι δ' with Dobree. The grooms are meant.

441

Porson condemns these four lines, which are utterly destitute of sense or connection.

442

These "precious" lines are even worse than the preceding, and rightly condemned by all.

443

See Elmsl. on Soph. Œd. C. 273. The student must carefully observe the hidden train of thought pervading Agamemnon's replies.

444

τα Μενελεω κακα must mean the ills resulting from Menelaus, the mischiefs and toils to which his wife led, as in Soph. Antig. 2. των απ Οιδιπου κακων, "the ills brought about by the misfortunes or the curse of Œdipus." But I should almost prefer reading λεχη for κακα, which would naturally refer to Helen.

445

This line is metrically corrupt, but its emendation is very uncertain.

446

I have endeavored to convey the play upon the words as closely as I could. Elmsley well suggests that the proper reading is ‛εστηξεις in vs. 675.

447

οφθηναι κοραις, "non, ut hic, a viris et exercitu." BRODÆUS.

448

Porson on Orest. 1090, remarks on that ‛ο κυριος was the term applied to the father or guardian of the bride. We might therefore render, "Jove gave her away," etc.

449

If this be the correct reading, we must take καλως ironically. But I think with Dindorf, that κακως, αναγκαιως δε.

450

This verse is condemned by the Cambridge editor.

451

Barnes rightly remarked that ηιξα is the aorist of αισσω, conor, aggredior.

452

These three lines are expunged by the Cambridge editor.

453

I have expressed the sense of η μη τρεφειν (= μη εχειν γυναικα), rather than the literal meaning of the words.

454

I must inform the reader that the latter portion of this chorus is extremely unsatisfactory in its present state. The Cambridge editor, who has well discussed its difficulties, thinks that Περγαμον is wrong, and that ερυμα should be introduced from vs. 792, where it appears to be quite useless.

455

I have ventured to read δακρυοεν τανυσας with MSS. Pariss., omitting ερυμα with the Cambridge editor, by which the difficulty is removed. The same scholar remarks that δακρυοεν is used adverbially.

456

There is obviously a defect in the structure, but I am scarcely pleased with the attempts made to supply it.

457

Read και παιδας with Musgrave.

458

But see ed. Camb.

459

But see ed. Camb.

460

But the Cambridge editor admirably amends, εις μελλοντα σωσει χρονον, i.e. "it will be a long time before it preserves them," a hit at the self-importance of the old gentleman.

461

I have little hesitation in reading πελας μοι with Markland, in place of γελαι μοι.

462

There is much difficulty in this passage, and Markland appears to give it up in despair. Matthiæ simply takes the first part as equivalent to ‛υψηλοφρον εστι, referring μετριως to both verbs. The Cambridge editor takes διαζην as an infinitive disjoined from the construction. Vss. 922 sq. are indebted to Mr. G. Burges for their present situation, having before been assigned to the chorus.

463

I have closely followed the Cambridge editor.

464

See the notes of the same scholar.

465

Dindorf has rightly received Porson's successful emendation. See Tracts, p. 224, and the Cambridge editor.

466

Read σοις τε μελλουσιν with Markland.

467

The Cambridge editor would omit vs. 1022. There is certainly a strange redundancy of meaning.

468

Read εστασεν with Mark. Dind.

469

So called, either because he was carried off by Jove while hunting in the promontory of Dardanus, or from his Trojan descent.

470

I have adopted Tyrwhitt's view, considering the words inclosed in inverted commas as the actual words of the epithalamium. See Musgr. and ed. Camb. Hermann is strangely out of his reckoning.

471

Read, however, Νηρηιδων with Heath, "first of the Nereids."

472

The Cambridge editor would read νυμφοκομοι, Reiske νυμφοκομον. There is much difficulty in the whole of this last part of the chorus.

473

Such is Hermann's explanation, but βεβηκοτος can not bear the sense. The Cambridge editor suspects that these five lines are a forgery.

474

The Cambridge editor rightly, I think, condemns this line as the addition of some one "who thought that something more was wanting to comprise all the complaints of the speaker." I do not think the sense or construction is benefited by their existence.

475

"Verum astus hic astu vacat." ERASMUS.

476

Dindorf has apparently done wrong in admitting προσουδισας, but I have some doubt about every other reading yet proposed.

477

See Camb. ed., who suspects interpolation.

478

Cf. Lucret. i. 94. "Nec miseræ prodesse in tali tempore quibat, Quod patrio princeps donarat nomine regum." Æsch. Ag. 242 sqq.

479

The Cambridge editor clearly shows that μοι is the true reading, as in vs. 54, το πραγμα δ' απορως ειχε Τυνδαρεωι πατρι, and 370.

480

There is much doubt about the reading of this part of the chorus. See Dind. and ed. Camb.

481

I have partly followed Abresch in translating these lines, but I do not advise the reader to rest satisfied with my translation. A reference to the notes of the elegant scholar, to whom we owe the Cambridge edition of this play, will, I trust, show that I have done as much as can well be done with such corrupted lines.

482

Achilles is supposed to lay his hand on his sword. See however ed. Camb.

483

Obviously a spurious line.

484

I have punctuated with ed. Camb.

485

See ed. Camb.

486

ευφημησατε here governs two distinct accusatives.