The Tragedies of Euripides, Volume I.

487

The Cambridge editor here takes notice of Aristotle's charge of inconsistency, ‛οτι ουδεν εοικεν ‛η ‛ικετευουσα [Iphigenia] τηι ‛υστεραι. He well remarks, that Iphigenia at first naturally gives way before the suddenness of the announcement of her fate, but that when she collects her feelings, her natural nobleness prevails.

488

Cf. Lucret. i. 88. "Cui simul infula virgineos circumdata comtus, Ex utraque pari malarum parte profusa est."

489

Read παγας with Reiske, Dind. ed. Camb. There is much corruption and awkwardness in the following verses of this ode.

490

On the sense of μεμονε see ed. Camb., who would exclude δι' εμον ονομα.

491

Cf. Soph. Ant. 806 sqq. The whole of this passage has been admirably illustrated by the Cambridge editor.

492

There is much awkwardness about this epithet πατρωιαι. One would expect a clearer reference to Agamemnon. I scarcely can suppose it correct, although I do not quite see my way in the Cambridge editor's readings.

493

Porson, Præf. ad Hec. p. xxi., and the Cambridge editor (p. 228 sqq.) have concurred in fully condemning the whole of this last scene. It is certain that in the time of Ælian something different must have been in existence, and equally certain that the whole abounds in repetitions and inconsistencies, that seem to point either to spuriousness, or, at least, to the existence of interpolations of a serious character. In this latter opinion Matthiæ and Dindorf agree.

494

An allusion to the celebrated picture of Timanthes. See Barnes.

495

I have done my best with this passage, following Matthiæ's explanation, which, however, I do not perfectly understand. If vs. 1567 were away, we should be less at a loss, but the same may be said of the whole scene.

496

This verse and part of the following are set down among the "oil cruet" verses by Aristophanes, Ran. 1232. Aristotle, Poet. § xvii. gives a sketch of the plot of the whole play, by way of illustrating the general form of tragedy. Hyginus, who constantly has Euripides in view, also gives a brief analysis of the plot, fab. cxx. For a description of the quadrigæ of Pelops, see Philostratus Imagg. i. 19. It must be observed, that Antoninus Liberalis, § 27, makes Iphigenia only the supposititious daughter of Agamemnon, but really the daughter of Theseus and Helen. See Meurs. on Lycophron, p. 145.

497

I must confess that I can not find what should have so much displeased the critics in this word. Iphigenia, in using such an epithet, evidently refers to her own intended sacrifice, which had rendered the recesses of Aulis a place of no small fame.

498

But Lenting prefers Αχαιους, with the approbation of the Cambridge editor.

499

See Reiske apud Dindorf. Compare my note on Æsch. Ag. 188, p. 101, ed. Bohn. So also Callimachus, Hymn. iii. μειλιον απλοϊης, ‛οτε ‛οι κατεδησας αητας.

500

Sinon made the same complaint. Cf. Virg. Æn. ii. 90.

501

Cf. Æsch. Ag. 235.

502

This whole passage has been imitated by Ovid, de Ponto, iii. 2, 60. "Sceptra tenente illo, liquidas fecisse per auras, Nescio quam dicunt Iphigenian iter. Quam levibus ventis sub nube per aera vectam Creditur his Phœbe deposuisse locis." Cf. Lycophron, p. 16, vs. 3 sqq. Nonnus xiii. p. 332, 14 sqq.

503

Observe the double construction of ανασσει. Orest. 1690. ναυταις μεδεουσα θαλασσης.

504

The Cambridge editor would expunge this line, which certainly seems languid and awkward. Boissonade on Aristænet. Ep. xiii. p. 421, would simply read τα δ' αλλα ς. τ. θ. φοβουμενη: θυω γαρ. He also retains ‛ιερειαν, referring to Gaisford on Hephæst. p. 216.

505

The Cambridge editor would throw out vs. 41.

506

The Cambridge editor refers to Med. 56, Androm. 91, Soph. El. 425. Add Plaut. Merc. i. 1, 3. "Non ego idem facio, ut alios in comœdiis vidi facere amatores, qui aut nocti, aut die, Aut Soli, aut Lunæ miserias narrant suas." Theognetus apud Athen. xv. p. 671. Casaub. πεφιλοσοφηκας γηι και ουρανωι λαλων. Cf. Davis, on Cicero, Tusc. Q. iii. 26, and Lomeier de Lustrat. § xxxvii.

507

Θριγκον is properly the uppermost part of the walls of any building (Pollux, vii. 27) surrounding the roof, στεγος is the roof itself.

508

Cf. Meurs. ad Lycophron, p. 148.

509

I read ειμ' εισω with Hermann and the Cambridge editor.

510

This line is condemned by the Cambridge editor. Burges has transposed it.

511

But διαδρομαις, the correction of the Cambridge editor, seems preferable.

512

An interpolation universally condemned.

513

See Barnes, and Wetstein on Acts xix. 35.

514

On the wanderings of Orestes see my note on Æsch. Eum. 238 sqq. p. 187, ed. Bohn.

515

See the note of the Cambridge editor, with whom we must read εισβησομεσθα.

516

‛ων ουδεν ισμεν ad interiora templi spectat. HERM.

517

We must read γεισα τριγλυφων ‛οποι, with Blomfield and the Cambridge editor. See Philander on Vitruv. ii. p. 35, and Pollux, vii. 27.

518

The sense is ουτοι, μακραν ελθοντες, εκ τερματων (sc. a meta) νοστησομεν. ED. CAMB.

519

The Cambridge editor appositely compares a fragment of our author's Cresphontes, iii. 2, αισχρον τε μοχθειν μη θελειν νεανιαν.

520

On the whole of this chorus, which is corrupt in several places, the notes of the Cambridge editor should be consulted.

521

This last lumbering line must be corrupt.

522

Compare the similar scene in Soph. El. 86 sqq.

523

Cf. Elect. 90. νυκτος δε τησδε προς ταφον μολων πατρος. Hecub. 76. Æsch. Pers. 179. Aristoph. Ran. 1331.

524

Compare my note on Æsch. Pers. 610 sqq.

525

See on Æsch. Choeph. 6.

526

Markland's emendation has been unanimously adopted by the later editors.

527

Schema Colophonium. The Cambridge editor compares vs. 244. Αργει σκηπτουχον. Phœn. 17. Θηβαισιν αναξ. Heracl. 361. Αργει τυραννος.

528

I have marked lacunæ, as some mythological particulars have evidently been lost.

529

An imperfect allusion to the Thyestean banquet. Cf. Seneca Thyest. 774. "O Phœbe patiens, fugeris retro licet, medioque ruptum merseris cœlo diem, sero occidisti – " vs. 787 sqq.

530

Cf. Æsch. Ag. 1501 sqq. Seneca, Ag. 57 sqq.

531

i. e. the demon allotted to me at my birth (cf. notes on Æsch. 1341, p. 135, ed. Bohn). Statius, Theb. i. 60, makes Œdipus invoke Tisiphone under the same character. – "Si me de matre cadentem Fovisti gremio."

532

See the note of the Cambridge editor.

533

εβησαν is active.

534

The Cambridge editor aptly refers to Hecub. 464.

535

These participles refer to the preceding αιμορραντων ξεινων.

536

See on Heracl. 721.

537

The Cambridge editor would omit these two lines.

538

Cf. vs. 107. κατ' αντρ', ‛α ποντιος νοτιδι διακλυζει μελας. On αγμος (Brodæus' happy correction for ‛αρμος) the Cambridge editor quotes Nicander Ther. 146. κοιλη τε φαραγξ, και τρηχεες αγμοι, and other passages. The manner of hunting the purple fish is thus described by Pollux, i. 4, p. 24. They plat a long rope, to which they fasten, like bells, a number of hempen baskets, with an open entrance to admit the animal, but which does not allow of its egress. This they let down into the sea, the baskets being filled with such food as the murex delights in, and, having fastened the end of the rope to the rock, they leave it, and returning to the place, draw up the baskets full of the fish. Having broken the shells, they pound the flesh to form the dye.

539

εφθαρμενους. Cf. Cycl. 300. Hel. 783. Ed. Camb.

540

Compare Orest. 255 sqq.

541

χιτωνων is probably corrupt.

542

Cf. Lobeck on Aj. 17. Hesych. κοχλος τοις θαλαττιοις (i.e. κοχλοις) εχρωντο, προ της των σαλπιγγων ευρεσεως. Virg. Æn. vi. 171. "Sed tum forte cava dum personat æquora concha."

543

"Moriamur, et in media arma ruamus." Virg. Æn. ii.

544

Such seems to be the sense, but εξεκλεψαμεν is ridiculous, and Hermann's emendation more so. Bothe reads εξεκοψαμεν, which is better. The Cambridge editor thinks that the difficulty lies in πετροισι.

545

I would omit this line as an evident gloss.

546

See the Cambridge editor.

547

Reiske's emendation, ‛οσια for ‛οια, seems deserving of admission.

548

The Cambridge editor would omit these lines.

549

This line also the Cambridge editor trusts "will never hereafter be reckoned among the verses of Euripides."

550

Such is the proper sense of αντιθεισα.

551

νιν is νυμφευματα.

552

Read κασιγνητηι.

553

I read τοις μεν and τοις δ' with the Cambridge editor. Hermann's emendation is unheard of.

554

This clause interrupts the construction. δραμοντες must be understood with all the following sentence, as no finite verb is expressed except επερασαν.

555

I have partly followed Hermann, reading επεβαιην … απολαυων, but, as to reading ‛υπνων for ‛υμνων, the Cambridge editor well calls it "one of the wonders of his edition." I should prefer reading ολβου with the same elegant scholar.

556

I follow the Cambridge editor in reading διδυμας, from Ovid, Ep. Pont. iii. 2, 71. "Protinus immitem Triviæ ducuntur ad aram, Evincti geminas ad sua terga manus."

557

"displays while she offers" i.e. "presents as a public offering" ED. CAMB.

558

I am but half satisfied with this passage.

559

Read εσεσθε δη κατω with the Cambridge editor.

560

We must read νω with Porson.

561

Probably a spurious line.

562

Read Μυκηνων γ', ay, from Mycenæ, with the Cambridge editor.

563

Hermann seems rightly to read ‛ος γ' εν.

564

Dindorf rightly adopts Reiske's emendation συ τουδ' ερα.

565

The Cambridge editor rightly reads τινά with an accent, as Orestes obviously means himself. Compare Soph. Ant. 751. ‛ηδ' ουν θανειται, και θανουσ' ολει τινά.

566

Such is the force of δη.

567

I would read εξεπραξατο with Emsley, but I do not agree with him in substituting κακην. The oxymoron seems intentional, and by no means unlike Euripides.

568

The Cambridge editor would read εστ' ουτις λογος.

569

But χαριν, as Matthiæ remarks, is taken in two senses; as a preposition with γυναικος, ob improbam mulierem, and as a substantive, with αχαριν added. Cf. Æsch. Choeph. 44. Lucretius uses a similar oxymoron respecting the same subject, i. 99. "Sed casta inceste nubendi tempore in ipso Hostia concideret mactatu mæsta parentis."

570

This passage is very corrupt. The Cambridge editor supposes something lost respecting the fortunes of Orestes. Hermann reads ‛εν δε λυπεισθαι μονον, ‛ο τ' ουκ αφρων ων. But I am very doubtful.

571

These three lines are justly condemned as an absurd interpolation by Dindorf and the Cambridge editor.

572

This seems the easiest way of expressing και συ after συ δ'.

573

I am partly indebted to Potter's happy version. The Cambridge editor is as ingenious as usual, but he candidly allows that conjecture is scarcely requisite.

574

i. e. thou seemest reckless of life.

575

προστροπη, this mode of offering supplication, i.e. this duty of sacrifice.

576

Diodorus, xx. 14. quotes this and the preceding line reading χθονος for πετρας. He supposes that Euripides derived the present account from the sacrifices offered to Saturn by the Carthaginians, who caused their children to fall from the hands of the statue εις τι χασμα πληρες πυρος. Compare Porphyr. de Abst. ii. 27. Justin, xviii. 6. For similar human sacrifices among the Gauls, Cæsar de B.G. vi. 16, with the note of Vossius. Compare also Saxo Grammaticus, Hist. Dan. iii. p. 42, and the passages of early historians quoted in Stephens' entertaining notes, p. 92.

577

Cf. Tibull. i. 3, 5. "Abstineas, mors atra, precor, non hic mihi mater, Quæ legat in mæstos ossa perusta sinus; non soror, Assyrios cineri quæ dedat odores, et fleat effusis ante sepulchra comis."

578

This must be what the poet intends by κατασβεσω, however awkwardly expressed. See Hermann's note.

579

Compare vs. 468 sq.

580

This line is hopelessly corrupt.

581

I read μεν ουν with the Cambridge editor.

582

αζηλα is in opposition to the whole preceding clause.

583

See the note of the Cambridge editor on Iph. Aul. 1372.

584

I should prefer εστι δη,"she surely is."

585

We must evidently read either διηλθον with Porson, or διελθε with Jan., Le Fevre, and Markland.

586

I almost agree with Dindorf in considering this line spurious.

587

For this construction compare Ritterhus. ad Oppian, Cyn. i. 11.

588

I can not help thinking this line is spurious, and the preceding θηται corrupt. One would expect θησηι.

589

Cf. Kuinoel on Cydon. de Mort. Contem. § 1, p. 6, n. 18.

590

Literally, "no longer a hinderance," i.e. "that I be no longer responsible for its fulfillment."

591

The Cambridge editor, however, seems to have settled the question in favor of οισθ' ‛ουν ‛ο δρασον.

592

I must candidly confess that none of the explanations of these words satisfy me. Perhaps it is best to regard them, with Seidler, as merely signifying the mutability of fortune.

593

i. e. as far as the fulfilling of my oath is concerned.

594

The letter evidently commences with the words ‛η 'ν Αυλιδι σφαγεισα. I can not imagine how Markland and others should have made it commence with the previous line.

595

i. e. in what company.

596

This line is either spurious or out of place. See the Cambridge editor.

597

The Cambridge editor in a note exhibiting his usual chastened and elegant judgment, regards these three lines as an absurd and trifling interpolation. For the credit of Euripides, I would fain do the same.

598

The same elegant scholar justly assigns these lines to Iphigenia.

599

So Erfurdt.

600

See the Cambridge editor.

601

This line seems justly condemned by the Cambridge editor.

602

With καμπτεις understand δρομον = thou art fast arriving at the goal of the truth.

603

Read απεδεξω with ed. Camb.

604

"I remember it: for the wedding did not, by its happy result, take away the recollection of that commencement of nuptial ceremonies." CAMB. ED.

605

i. e. Iphigenia sent it with a view to a cenotaph at Mycenæ, as she was about to die at Aulis. See Seidler.

606

"This Homeric epithet of an only son is used, I believe, nowhere else in Attic poetry. Its adoption here seems owing to Hom. Il. Ι. 142 and 284. τισω δε μιν ‛ισον Ορεστηι ‛Ος μοι τηλυγετος τρεφεται θαλιηι ενι πολληι." ED. CAMB.

607

This is Musgrave's elegant emendation, which Hermann, unwilling to let well alone, has attempted to spoil. See, however, the Cambridge editor, who possesses taste and clear perception, unbiased by self-love.

608

Read εμοις with the Cambridge editor.

609

But φυγηις, and ω φιλος, the emendation of Burges, seems far better, and is followed by the Cambridge editor.

610

i. e. I can imagine your sufferings at Aulis.

611

The Cambridge editor compares Hec. 684. ‛ετερα δ' αφ' ‛ετερων κακα κακων κυρει.

612

This is Reiske's interpretation, taking the construction πριν ξιφος παλ. επι ‛αιματι. But Seidler would recall the old reading πελασαι, comparing Hel. 361. αυτοσιδαρον εσω πελασω δια σαρκος ‛αμιλλαν. This is better, but we must also read ετι for επι with the Cambridge editor.

613

‛ριπαι ποδων is a bold way of expressing rapid traveling.

614

Read ανα with Markland, for αρα.

615

I read η δια κυαν. with the Cambridge editor. The following words are rendered thus by Musgrave, "Per … est longum iter."

616

Unintelligible, and probably spurious.

617

The Cambridge editor finds fault with the obvious clumsiness of the expression, and proposes εχειν for λαβειν. I have still greater doubts about εκβαντας τυχης. The sense ought to be, "'tis the part of wise men, when fortune favors, not to lose the opportunity, but to gain other advantages."

618

See Dindorf's notes. But the Cambridge editor has shown so decided a superiority to the German critics, that I should unhesitatingly adopt his reading, as follows: ου μη μ' επισχηις, ουδ' αποστησεις λογου, το μη ου πυθεσθαι … φιλα γαρ ταυτα, (with Markland,) although πρωτον may perhaps be defended.

619

See the Cambridge editor. The same elegant scholar has also improved the arrangement of the lines.

620

"Quanquam animus meminisse horret, luctuque refugit, Incipiam." Virg. Æn. i.

621

I read ενθ' εμον ποδα with Herm. and Dind.

622

Cf. Elect. 1258 sqq., and Meurs. Areop. § i. ψηφος seems here used to denote the place where the council was held. The pollution of Mars was the murder of Hallirothius. Cf. Pausan. i. 21.

623

An instance of the nominativus pendens.

624

So Valckenaer, Diatr. p. 246, who quotes some passages relative to the treatment of Orestes at Athens.

625

See the Cambridge editor.

626

See Barnes, who quotes the Schol. on Arist. Eq. 95. Χους was the name of the festival.

627

εμοι is the dativus commodi.

628

I am indebted to Maltby for this translation.

629

Cf. Piers, on Mœr. p. 351, and the Cambridge editor.

630

But see ed. Camb.

631

Such is the force, of ου γαρ αλλ'.

632

These lines are very corrupt, and perhaps, as Dindorf thinks, spurious.

633

Markland rightly reads ‛ιεροφυλακες.

634

"dicam me daturam." MARKLAND.

635

‛οδ' is the correction of Brodæus.

636

νεως πιτυλος seems not merely a periphrase, but implies that the oars are in the row-locks, as if ready for starting.

637

But the Cambridge editor very elegantly reads ει τοι.

638

Put φθεγξασθε in an inclosure, and join ταυτα with θελει. See ed. Camb.

639

Schol. Theocr. Id. vii. 57. θρηνητικον το ζωιον, και παρα τοις αιγιαλοις νεοττευον. Cf. Aristoph. Ran. 1309, who perhaps had the passage in view.

640

αγορος is a somewhat rare word for αγυρις.

641

Cf. Hecub. 457 sqq.

642

So Matthiæ, "locum ubi Latona partum edidit."

643

Read κυκλιον with Seidler. On the λιμνη τροχοειδης at Delos, see Barnes.

644

"I was conveyed by sailors and soldiers." ED. CAMB.

645

The same scholar quotes Soph. Ph. 43. αλλ' η' πι φορβης νοστον εξεληλυθεν, vhere νοστος is used in the same manner as here, simply meaning "a journey."

646

But see Camb. ed.

647

I read ζηλουσα ταν with the same.

648

The Cambridge critic again proposes μεταβολαι δ' ευδαιμονια, which he felicitously supports. Musgrave has however partly anticipated this emendation.

649

Dindorf has shown so little care in editing this passage, that I have merely recalled the old reading, αερι δ' ‛ιστια προτονοι κ. πρ. ‛υπερ στολον εκπ., following the construction proposed by Heath, and approved, as it appears, by the Cambridge editor. Seidler's note is learned and instructive, but I have some doubts about his criticism.

650

i. e. I wish I might become a bird and fly homeward.

651

See ed. Camb.

652

But see ibid. Dindorf's text is a hopeless display of bad readings and worse punctuation.

653

Reading γεννας, I have done my best with this passage, but I can only refer to the Cambridge editor for a text and notes worthy of the play.