LIBRARY ^ 
 
 UNIVERSITY OP 
 CALIFORNIA 
 SAN DIEGO
 
 vr-
 
 
 
 
 *"
 
 THE 
 
 AGAMEMNON OF .ESCHYLUS.
 
 PRINTED BY KKMIKK AND SON , 
 TTTBECHT.
 
 THE 
 
 AGAMEMNON OF/^SCHYLUS 
 
 REVISED AND TRANSLATED 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN FLETCHER DAYIES, B,A,, 
 
 FIKST CLASSICAL MASTEB IN KINGSTOWN SCHOOL, IEELAND. 
 
 WILLIAMS AND NORGATE, 
 
 14, HENEIETTA STREET, CO VENT GARDEN, LONDON 
 
 AND 20, SOUTH FREDERICK STREET, EDINBURGH. 
 
 KEMINK AND SON, 
 UTRECHT. 
 
 1868.
 
 " Farthermore there were lefte out in diners places of the warke lines 
 and columes, ye and sometyme holle padges, which e caused, that this 
 moste pleasant auctour coude not well he perceiued: for that, and chaun- 
 geyng of wordes, and misordryTige of sentences, wold haue mased his 
 mynde iu redyng, that had hen very well lerned: and what can be a 
 greatter hlemisshe vnto a nohle auctour ? And for to preise worthily vnto 
 you the great lernyng of this auctour, I know my selfe right muche 
 vnable, ye shal your selfe now deme, whan ye shal see hym (as nere as 
 I can) set forth in his owne shappe and likenes." Preface to Gower's 
 Poems.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 The principal features of this Edition are: 
 
 (1) an attempt to reproduce the metres of the Greek Text in 
 a literal line-for-line Translation, 
 
 (2) the correction of the Text by the aid of the most recent 
 ^schylean literature, 
 
 (3) the arrangement of the lines of the choral odes according 
 to the principles laid down by Boeckh, 
 
 (4) the explanation of the Text in an entirely new Commen- 
 tary, 
 
 (5) a statement of the rhythm of each verse in the play. 
 
 (1) The deviations from an exact representation of the Greek 
 metres are the substitution of the English decasyllabic for the 
 Greek iambic trimeter and the contraction of resolved syllables 
 in paeons, cretics, and dochmiacs. The anapaestic lines, also, 
 correspond only as consisting of anapaestic feet, i. e. , anapaests, 
 dactyls, and spondees. The correspondence, therefore, consists 
 in the facts that the Greek arsis is represented by the English 
 accent, and that the Greek and English lines have the same 
 number of morse. 
 
 A work of so much difficulty partakes largely of the nature
 
 vi PREFACE. 
 
 of a first experiment which is soon superseded by something better 
 from a more skilful hand; and the Editor naturally hopes for 
 some indulgence from the reader. 
 
 By a 'literal' Translation the Editor means one which follows 
 the construction of the Greek. With the exception of minor 
 points, such as '<r<yw hush!' and the passages which could not 
 be literally rendered in any idiomatic prose version , this professes 
 to be a literal translation. Of course the ordinary and well- 
 known deviations from the Greek to the English idiom are 
 systematically made. A peculiarity of the English language is 
 its neglect of connecting particles between the periods. The 
 logical connexion is always defined in Greek by the proper par- 
 ticles-, in English the reader is nearly always left to discover it 
 without assistance. The participle and finite verb usually become 
 two finite verbs. The aorist participle is most frequently rendered 
 by the English present. The present and imperfect tenses with 
 a word of time must be translated by the perfect and pluperfect 
 with 'been', thus: 'I have been asking'. The force of yp in 
 a monostichia may be given by other words besides 'for'. The 
 gnomic aorist, as it is called, should always be turned into the 
 present. Sometimes the Greek idiom prefers the singular number , 
 while the English demands the plural; and vice versa. In the 
 use of 'you' and 'thou' the translator must be guided by the 
 tone of the passage, and the earnestness of the speaker; but, 
 in general, the former is to be preferred. And so on. Without 
 the observance of these and other idioms the Translation could 
 not have passed even for English prose with poetic licenses. 
 Where words are supplied for the sake of the metre they are 
 written in italics, and care has been taken to use such words 
 as would merely help to put the idea more clearly without adding 
 to or subtracting from the sense or colouring of the sentence. 
 Such words as are implied in the Greek but not expressed are 
 not distinguished by italics.
 
 PREFACE. vii 
 
 The transcription of Greek proper names is made as nearly 
 as possible like the Greek: thus, Casandra, JEgaean; the Greek 
 names of divinities should, undoubtedly, be retained, but the 
 Editor has once or twice availed himself of 'Jove', 'Mars', and 
 'Furies' for the sake of the metre. He has always written 'Erinnys' 
 where the Greek name is retained, in order that the proper 
 pronunciation may be evident from the form of the word. 
 
 (2) The Text has been corrected with the aid of the Editions of 
 Professor Karsten 1855, Professor Weil 1858, (whose Eumenides, 
 1861, contains an appendix to his Agamemnon, and his Persae, 
 1867, another appendix) Heimsoeth 1861 and 1862, and Enger 
 1863. These authors have given an account of the critical disco- 
 veries of Schneidewin, Ahrens, and many others. Professor 
 Weil's appendix to his Persae brings us up to the year 1867. 
 The Editor's own corrections are the result of nearly seven years' 
 special and constant study of this one Text. As a test of his 
 vigilance in retaining or rejecting a vulgate reading the following 
 examples , in which he dissents from the latest Editors , are such 
 as he can most readily call to mind: 
 
 Eur. Pho3n. 784 793 is sound throughout: the following an- 
 notations alone are necessary for the explanation of this excep- 
 tionally fine passage. Ka,re%ei 'inspired with a spirit of bloodshed 
 and death' K&TO%OS si. OVK enl xAA<^6poi$ etc. 'thou dost not, 
 (like Bacchus) to win the prize of the 'elegant chorus (i. e. in 
 dramatic contests) let loose the curl of youthful loveliness 
 (veavtSci; wp$) and modulate to the breathings of the flute a 
 strain in which are the charms that move the dance'. IT* with 
 the dat. , as in the phrase eTn r<v< 6Aft/e<v. siri 5wpo, sTripta-Su, 
 ejrl ffoQtp. eTriTrvevffcis ctifji.tx.rt Qjf3x$ is a similar use of s^ri 
 'inspired (trans.) with a desire to win the blood of Thebe '. ovS' 
 VTTO 6upo-0juve7 etc. 'nor to the music of the maddened thyrsus- 
 bearer dost thou career with fawn-skins, but thou makest the 
 solid-hoofed colt curvet to the rattle of chariots and quartets of
 
 vin PREFACE. 
 
 trappings', i/iro with dat. as in the phrase T' i/AtjT5?p< e 
 vx ctvXu, vTfb wpvm, and for the idea compare Horn. H. 7. 240 
 < peXTrsff&ai "Apvt'i 'to dance to the discord of the destroyer 
 Ares'. Swevstv is both trans., and intrans., in Homer. The 
 difficulty arose from overlooking the carefully arranged antithesis 
 and the meanings of e-xi and VTTO. 
 
 It is shown in the Commentary that Horn. II. 3. 224 is not 
 spurious. 
 
 Tetpxpftevat JEsch. Sept. 792 is undoubtedly sound, and Her- 
 mann's corrrection re&pvftftsvzi is absurd. 7ra7$es VTO wrepuv 
 is a periphrasis for xo'p<. 
 
 nuv Theocr. 4. 22 is sound, and rightly explained 
 by the scholiast ustxbq els TO %py<rfat O.VTU rivet 'for the towns- 
 people drive hard bargains'. Battus is speaking of a bullock for 
 sacrifice-, and Virgil knew what he meant, for he says in his 
 imitation Eel. 1. 35 ' quamvis multa meis exiret mctima septis , 
 pinguis et ingrate premeretur caseus urbi': i. e. 'sold many a 
 victim for sacrifice, and many a cheese to the townspeople who 
 showed little gratitude in the price they gave'. 
 
 T<S uq Soph. Phil. 758 is sound, whether you take 
 to mean 'a planet' or 'an epidemic disease', or to con- 
 tain an allusion to both. 
 
 In Demosthenes' speech against Meidias p. 179. (C. Tauchnitz) 
 p. 525 Reiske, irorepcc (ty Su Six rovroSixviv, % pii^a Soiy SIXZ'IUG, 
 is sound and does not require the xv which Bekker, Schafer, 
 and Buttmann wish to introduce. Translate: 'whether shall we 
 say 'let him, on this account, not be punished'; or 'would that 
 he might suffer greater punishment, as he deserves'? In the same 
 speech p. 190 (538) xsil rov Trpayftzros ru Travzovn the xcii has 
 got out of place; it should come after yrpdypstros. 
 
 On the other hand there are some which he rejects although they 
 have never been suspected. 
 
 Eur. Med. 240 is corrupt and untranslatable. The lady has
 
 PKEFACE. ix 
 
 had her husband chosen for her; the question is how to accom- 
 modate her disposition and habits to his. We must read 3V$ for 
 oru and translate 'and coming into contact with a person of strange 
 habits and rules of conduct , one must be a diviner, since we cannot 
 bring the knowledge from home, how one should treat a husband'. 
 In the same play, v. 710, ^flova must be changed to %flov< 
 i. e. Corinth. 
 
 In Soph. Ant. 585 yevsas must be changed to -yeveZv. At 
 v. 596 yeve&v must be changed to yevea. 
 
 In the same play v. 990 the vulgate, and Dindorfs, uvr* 
 is absurd. Read T>} , and you have sense. 
 The Manuscripts of the Agamemnon are: 
 
 M. Codex Mediceus , preserved at Florence. It was written about 
 the 10th. century A.D. , and has been collated by Niebuhr , 
 Bekker and C. F. Weber for Hermann , and by John Franz. 
 It is of parchment. A whole quaternio is lost after v. 295. 
 A quaternio is four sheets of parchment (written on both sides) 
 laid on one another and folded once; and so answering to 
 a printer's sheet folded to octavo size and cut , except that 
 these parchments were twice as long as broad , so that , after 
 folding, the leaf is square. Of the next quaternio there is 
 only the first leaf and its fellow the last; the intermediate 
 six leaves are lost. That first leaf contains w. 1026 1118. 
 The fellow-leaf goes on at the top with Choeph. v. 10 ri 
 MVP* hevffffw; The average number of lines on a leaf is 
 9H. Thus : 1026295 = 731 which divided by 8 gives 
 91| : and 11181026 = 92: there are 45 lines on the fac- 
 simile page exhibited by Dindorf JEsch. Scholia p. 140. Then 
 for the six lost leaves we get 549 lines, which added to 
 1118 gives 1667. Subtract 1644, the number of lines in 
 the Agamemnon according to the Fl. Ms., a copy of M. , 
 (and also in the editions of Hermann, Enger etc.) and we 
 have remaining 23 lines. Now the Argument of the Eume-
 
 x PREFACE. 
 
 nides is only about four lines. Allow as many for that of 
 the Choephoroe, and 7, the exact number required for the 
 Title and Dramatis Personse, and we have a remainder of 
 12 as the number of lines lost in the prologue of the Cho- 
 ephoroe. But , by applying Professor Weil's theory , we find 
 that the latter part of the prologue consists of 6. 4. 2 = 12 
 lines ; therefore the preceding part which is lost was probably 
 6. 4. 2 = 12 , of which 7 lines and parts of two have been 
 recovered. Therefore the lacunas still existing in the Pro- 
 logue of the Choephorce amount to 3 lines and parts of 2. 
 This calculation and the interpretation of the word quaternio , 
 which the Ed. has made out from some data furnished in the 
 editions of Hermann and Enger , require to be verified by inspec- 
 tion of the Ms. It is assumed that the names of the Dramatis 
 Personae occupied each a line. 
 G. Codex Guelpherbytanus , of the 15th-century. A copy 
 
 of M. after the losses mentioned above. 
 
 FL Codex Florentinus , of the 14 th. century. It contains 
 
 the Agamemnon entire , and was copied from M. before 
 
 the leaves were lost. It does not contain the Choephoroe. 
 
 F. Codex Farnesianus, copied by Dem. Triclinius at the 
 
 end of the 14th. century from Fl. 
 
 Ven. Codex Venetus, of the 13th. century. It contains the 
 
 same plays as FL, but has a lacuna in the Agamemnon 
 from v. 45 to v. 1054. It was copied from M. before 
 the loss. 
 
 Bess. Bessarionis codex , probably of the 13 th. century. It 
 contains the first 333 verses of the Agamemnon , copied 
 from M. when entire. 
 The early editions quoted are: 
 A. The Aldine, printed from G. in February, 1518 A. D. , 
 
 at Venice. 
 R. Robortelli's edition, from M.; Venice, 1552 A. D.
 
 PREFACE. xi 
 
 T. The edition of Turnebus, printed at Paris shortly 
 
 after R. in the same year. 
 V. or Viet. Edited by Peter Victorias and printed by H. Stephens 
 
 at Paris in 1557 A. D. This is the first edition which 
 
 contained the Agamemnon entire. Victorius used M., 
 
 FL, and F. 
 Canter's Edition was published at Antwerp in 1580 A. D. ; 
 
 Stanley's in London, 1663 A. D. 
 
 "Hermann procured the conjectural emendations of John 
 Auratus and Joseph Scaliger from a manuscript of Spanhemius 
 in the Royal Library at Berlin. Ezechiel Spanhemius had tran- 
 scribed them from (notes written in) copies of the edition of 
 Victorius which belonged to Isaac Voss. These copies are now 
 in the Library of Leyden." Haupt's Preface to Hermann's Edition. 
 (3) The text also differs from the text of previous editions in 
 the arrangement of many lines in the choral odes. Even Enger 
 (1863) did not venture to make any change. But when the prin- 
 ciples of Greek Metres had been so clearly explained by Boeckh 
 in his three books 'de metris Pindari' there could be no reason 
 why the change should not be made. In the choruses, then, 
 as here arranged, the verses always begin out, the rhythmical 
 orders, of which the verses are composed, begin in. The 
 verses are divided at the points most convenient for scanning and 
 printing 5 for this is a matter which has to do with the breadth 
 of the page. Boeckh's Pindar is in quarto, but even so there 
 is not room for the longer verses to be written in one line. In 
 the anapaestic systems the first line begins out and the rest, 
 down to the parcemiac, begin in. This arrangement is justified 
 by the synapheia , and it seems to be a convenient arrangement. 
 Since editors have often divided the verses capriciously, it, seems 
 necessary to inform the reader that there is only one right way 
 in this, as in every thing else; and that the most convenient 
 division of verses which leaves the orders and the feet undivided
 
 xn PKEFACE. 
 
 is the right one to adopt for the lines. For the information of 
 junior students it may be added that the verses are determined by 
 hiatus, the syllable of doubtful quantity 'anceps', the nature of 
 the clausula and catalexis, or by the anacrusis and base which 
 commonly announce the commencement of a new verse. A correct 
 ear, well practised in Greek rhythms, is also necessary to the 
 discovery of the verses. 
 
 (4) Besides these innovations in the form of the Translation , 
 in the text, and in the arrangement of the lines, a Commentary 
 is added which is almost entirely new, and in which nothing 
 is inserted but what seemed quite necessary to a right under- 
 standing of the play. One principal feature is the frequency 
 of quotations from Hesiod and the Gnomic poets. The Editor 
 had often read the Hesiod before he discovered that the phrase and 
 thoughts of ^Eschylus in this play were to so great an extent 
 the reflection of those of Hesiod. In the Choephoroa he was 
 constantly reminded of the Odyssey ; but very much more of the 
 works of Hesiod in his minute study of the Agamemnon. This is 
 a discovery which has a twofold relation: we can interpret the 
 play from Hesiod, and we ascertain that the Theogony and The 
 Shield of Hercules were read by JEschylus as part of Hesiod's 
 poems. There are some sins of omission in the Commentary. 
 For instance; it should be said respecting v. 227 that 
 is in apposition with fluo-/av implied in flvrijp yfveo-fla/ 
 Trotsto-bai, and that ovv in v. 34 refers back to v. 11, the Watch- 
 man's statement of Clytemnestra's confident assurance that Aga- 
 memnon would return, ovv in v. 473 refers to a conclusion which 
 might have been inferred from the line above. So in Soph. Ant. 
 722 ovv signifies "if not, as you might infer from my saying 
 7rpe<rj3ft/g<v". On XTJJV>J, v. 129, it should be said that it is 
 directly taken from Horn. II. 18. 512 XTYKTIV otrviv TrroMe&pov 
 eirypstTov evrbq sepysi, a line which finally determines the genu- 
 ineness of the word
 
 PREFACE. xin 
 
 (5) Finally, this is the first of English editions to give an 
 explanation of the rhythm and metre of each line in the play. 
 And here it may be added for the further information of junior 
 students that rhythm is the regular succession of arsis and thesis 
 in a verse; metre, the regular succession of long and short 
 syllables arranged for the expression of rhythm. 
 
 It was part of the Editor's ambition to dedicate this Essay 
 in Translation and Criticism to his University, Trinity College, 
 Dublin , and so give some expression to his gratitude for inestimable 
 benefits: but neither now, nor on a former occasion, could he 
 bring himself to think that the offering was worthy of formal 
 presentation; and he can only add that what is good in his book 
 is the offspring of studies in which he willingly engaged at the 
 dictation and with the indispensable aid of his Alma Mater.
 
 PMFATIO ADNOTATIONIS CRITICS. 
 
 En vobis, lectores eruditi, ea tradenda curavi quae amore 
 atque labore ducibus, omnium illis rerum victoribus, ad hanc 
 fabulam emendandam reperire potui. Nam quum versio Anglica 
 in hnjus opens consilio primas partes teneret, et Commentarium 
 version! explicandae inserviret, non absurde, ut mihi videtur, 
 linguam Anglicam in Commentario quoque adhibui. Praefatio 
 autem prior versionem meam maxime spectat talesque res quales 
 intellexisse popnlarium meonun potissimum intererat. Itaque fact- 
 urn est ut notas criticas tantnm Latine scripserim : id quod quam 
 brevissime feci et fortasse non ita ut jejunitatis crimen evitem. 
 Sed vos ii estis coram quibus si quis oculum modo, ut aiunt, 
 conniveat, plura intelligatis, quam vulgus hominum profanorum 
 si quis aliquid inculcando in aevum perstet. 
 
 Usus sum Karsteni, Engeri, Weilii editionibus; praesto erant 
 et libri duo quibus editis de nobis optime meritus est Heim- 
 soethius. His dictis, vix est cur addam me duro tirocinio im- 
 butum esse in Wellaueri , Bothii, Blomfieldii, Hermanni, E. Ahr- 
 entis, Paleii, Coningtoni, Dindorfii editionibus perlegendis. Sed 
 nondum aderat, etiamnunc abest, Dindorfii editio quinta Poe- 
 tarum Scenicorum Graecorum ; earn partem dico in qua Dindorfius 
 li relliquias tractabit.
 
 PBJSFATIO ADNOTATIONIS CRITICS. xv 
 
 Quod ad rem metricam pertinet rationes secutus sum Boeckhii, 
 supra quod enarrari potest, viri clarissimi. 
 
 Restabat solum ut vobis congratularer quod haec fabula in eo 
 est ut et facilior intellects et mendarum purior evadat quam 
 ulla alia fabula Graeca. Tantum valuit indomitus virorum doct- 
 orum labor et ingenitus nudae veritatis amor. 
 
 Dabam Kingstownii apud Dublinium, 
 a. d. VI Id. Maias, MDCCCLXVIII.
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 In the Argument. Page 5 , last line murder. 
 
 In the Text. P. 8, Z. 1. *TAAS. V. 276 inlmtv. V. 584 ew. F. 1078 TOT. 
 F. 1238 ISoxet. V. 1245 aOA'. F. 1292 tnetyopiu. V. 1457 irtri. 
 F. 1492 fyourjJiXTt. 
 
 In the Translation. F. Ill soldiers'. F. 121 victor. Fc. 203, 4 sAowZd 
 centra iw. F. 205 /or thus read then. Ft?. 245 , 256 should begin out. 
 Vv. 355, 433 place commas after beloved and remembers. F. 545, 
 604, 650 for host. war. Greeks: read, host? war? Greeks? F. 515 
 heralds'. F. 572 /or wish read bid. F. 689 for knell-like to read 
 death-knell of. F. 750 pronounced. F. 794 for gladness read mirth. 
 F. 795 should begin out. F. 825 place a comma at town. F. 826 , 7 
 read set: and. F. 1090 for god-hating read god-hated. F. 1114 for 
 view read view? F. 1133 /or men: read! men? F. 1342 should begin in. 
 F. 1371 /or see read know. F. 1535 'Ae, Right' read the, Bight. 
 
 In notis criticis. F. 30 Sic Viet. F. 102 Sic FL F. 304 try (ubi 
 legitwr TriJ.) F. 345 poena. F. 373 dele n. F. 585 (libri Ipj). 
 F. 557 itpam&w subaud. /t^/sos. F. 562 rpi%x. F. 817 gravidam. 
 F. 1017 adscripta. F. 1041 (woi Ze^i/ar 421) nullo. F. 1092 audieris. 
 F. 1251 libri. F. 1354 i/secv. F. 1590 'AT/SSI*' 
 
 In the Commentary. F. 2 explained. T*. 17 Anfaopos. V. 105 also. Page 
 181 , Ziree 4 that, line 33 (none in. V. 123 learn. F. 246 perfonn-ing. 
 J'. 612 follow-ing. F. 829 substituted.
 
 AIIXTAOT AFAMEMNftN.
 
 TA TOT APAMATOZ 
 
 <DTAAH. 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 KATTAIMNHZTPA. 
 
 KHPTH. 
 
 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 KA2ANAPA. 
 
 M. non habet personarum indicem. 
 
 TxXQvfiios KvjpuZ libri. Ego Talthybium ejeci quia , me judice , 
 Medicei codicis archetypus eum non habuit. Haec M. post nomen 
 fabulae: dspciTruv 'AyaftsftvovOr o Trpohoyi^dfts voc , ou%) 6 VTTO 
 AlyttrQou ra%6eit;. Qui ea scripsit lectores admonendos curavit 
 JEschyleam narrationem ab Homerica ilia (Od. 4. 524) discrepare. 
 Is igitur Arg. non scripsit. Porro autem M. habet Arg. sec. 
 Dind. , non habet sec. Franz. Hie ideo mihi fidem facit quod 
 Arg. habet Talthybium.
 
 PERSONS REPRESENTED. 
 
 A WATCHMAN: acted by the Deuteragonist, who speaks 
 
 about 490 lines altogether. 
 CHORUS. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA : acted by the Protagonist: about 340 lines. 
 A HERALD: 
 AGAMEMNON: 
 CASANDRA: ^teragonist. 
 
 ^GISTHUS : 
 
 THE MUTE ACTORS ARE: 
 
 Attendants of Clytemnestra vv. 92, 595. 
 Personator of Casandra v. 950: his place is taken 
 
 by the Deuteragonist after v. 974, by 
 
 stage-contrivance. 
 
 Attendants of Agamemnon v. 944. 
 Personators of Agamemnon and Casandra lying 
 
 dead vv. 1404, 1440. 
 Attendants of JEgisthus v. 1650.
 
 r n o e E z i 
 
 s [tvccv sic "iKiov XKIUV TJJ KhuTXiftvyvTpx , } 
 ero rye tzvryc. Jjftlpott <ry,uxtviv Six TOU 
 odfv trxoTrbv ixxfaew STTI ftKrdu KA.UTXi,uv)i<rTpx , "vex. 
 
 TOV TTUpffOV. XtXl ftV J^OJI/ tXTr^^Sl^SV ' O.VTYI 5f TOV T&V 
 
 7rp<r(3vT&v c%t.oy [tsTtZTrepTrsTOLi Trsp} TOU Truprou epoutrx' ii; 5 
 
 UV JC/zi %0pbq (TVslVTiXTtZl' OITIVSC <X,KOV<TX.VTC TTtZlXVlfylHTl. 
 
 per' ou Kohv 5f xxi TaxQvfiioc; Trapxylvfrxi xai tot, Trep} 
 TOV TTAoiiv ZnjyetT&t. 'Ayxftsftvuv 3' ITT} onryvyq ep^srou' 
 ii7TTO Sf xuTbi Tpx txTTyvy , svQx vjv TX haQvpx xxt yj 
 Kxurav^px. XUTOC jCtfv ovv 7rpOi<rp%T<xi sit; TOV otxov vvv Ty 10 
 
 fixalteix slcsXOslv , TOV sxuTiji; xxi TOV 'Ayx^e^vovoq QXVXTOV 
 xx} Tyv si; *O/3f <TTOU [tyrpoxTOVixv , xx} itcTT^x IMC 
 
 TX GTfftfAXTX. TOVTO $ TO (ASpOC TOU 
 
 UC X7Tty%lV 1%W Xx} oJxTOV 'iXXVOV. IdlVC. 5f 15 
 
 TOV 'Ayxftf/tvovx 7r} ffxyvyc xvxipi7^xi TOisl ', 
 TOV Sf Kxtrxvdpxc (TiaTr^trxc Oxvxrov vfxpxv XVTW VTTS- 
 
 T AfyiaQov XX} KAllTXlftVyTTpXV XXTpOV 
 7Tp} T^
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Agamemnon on his setting out for Ilion promised Clytemnestra , 
 if he sacked Ilion, to send the intelligence the same day by a 
 tire-signal. So Clytemnestra set a paid watchman to look out 
 for the fire-signal; and when he saw it he brought word. Then 
 she sends for a number of elders to tell them about the fire-signal , 
 and of these the Chorus is composed. On hearing the news they 
 sing a thanksgiving hymn. Not long after Talthybius arrives 
 and gives an account of the voyage. Next, Agamemnon comes 
 on a mule-car: another car was following, in which were the 
 spoils of war and Casandra. He himself goes on before into the 
 house with Clytemnestra 5 Casandra, before going into the palace, 
 predicts the death of herself and Agamemnon , and the matricidal 
 deed of Orestes; then, throwing off her diviner's badge, hurries 
 in to die. This part of the drama is admired for its power to 
 inspire horror and pity. In a peculiar manner Aeschylus represents 
 Agamemnon as being killed on the stage, and exhibited the 
 corpse of Casandra though he said nothing about her death, 
 and has made Aegisthus and Clytemnestra justify the murder 
 each on one plea; the latter by the mnrder of Iphigenia, the
 
 6 AFAMEMNIIN. 
 
 T# XVXlp<Tt 'Kpl?V IXq , TOV 5f TOlt; TOU TTXTpbg U<TTOV 20 
 
 TO pxfta m ap%cyTO$ 
 trsi dsurspy. irpuTO? AJ<r%uAo$ ' 
 poit:, E&funfotf TlpccTfT a-xrvpiKS}. %opyyi S 
 
 25 
 o^oyl^et Sf o $vAa, 
 
 1. 16. irrt axrjv^j. I. e. tarn prope a scena ut ejus clamores a specta- 
 toribus exaudiri possent.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 7 
 
 former, by the misfortunes brought upon his father Thyestes 
 by Atreus. 
 
 The drama- was exhibited in the archonship of Philocles, in the 
 second year of the eightieth Olympiad. Aeschylus was first with 
 the tragedies, Agamemnon, Choephoroe, Eumenides, and the 
 satyric drama, Proteus. Xenocles of Aphidnae was choregus. 
 
 The watchman , a servant of Agamemnon , speaks the prologue.
 
 <1>TAAS. 
 
 XITU 
 
 7TOVUV 
 
 xyxxfav , 
 
 xxroiSx vvxTfpuv o[/,yyvptv , 
 xxi TQVS Qspoyrx? Xfifiot, xxi depot; (3pOTo7<; 
 KKftarpcibG %jva<rTzc , s/^TrpsTrcvT 
 Kxi vvv (pvhdxrtru Kx-^oi^o^ TO 
 xvyyv Trvpoq Qspcuffav sx Tpoizc (bx 
 
 T @Z%IV &$ ^xp XpXTfT 
 
 avSpoftov: ov fAT/^bv xxp. 
 EUT' xv 5f vvxTiTThxyxrov tv^povcv T' 
 svvyv ovfipois oux 7ri>rxo7rov[tvyv 
 ftyv , Qofioz yxp xvF VTTVCV 7rxpx<TTXT7 
 TO IAYI (3{Bxiu$ phstpzpx 
 orxv 5' asi$iv 
 
 V7TVOV To 
 
 10 
 
 15 
 
 2. eretaj' /iijxos S' rs M. /u^x 
 Fl. cet. Edd. inde a Victorio. 
 
 3. ureyai; libri. uTr/>]j Schneidew. 
 zyxxdtv libri. Fortassc ^.v(a.9sv le- 
 gendum , monente Engero ; idque in- 
 vitis Schol. et Gramm. Henn. sibi 
 
 ipse imposuit, nimirum et aliie, ra- 
 tiunculis suis de hujus voc. sign.; 
 quod non fecisset , si sir' Ayxuvo; 
 recte vertisset 'cubito presso'. At 
 ille 'in ulnis' , ambigue. 
 
 Post v. 6. sequitur v. dy-repa;,
 
 WATCHMAN. 
 
 I have been asking of the gods relief 
 from these my toils a year-long sentry's space; 
 in which couched dog-like on the Atreids' roof 
 I've learned the host of nightly grouping-stars, 
 5 the bearers both of cold and heat to men, 
 bright rulers who in aether keep their state. 
 And still I'm watching for the beacon's sign, 
 the flare of fire which bears report from Troy, 
 
 10 news of its capture-, so our lady's wit, 
 
 hopeful, with manlike reasoning, proves 't will be. 
 And whensoe'er I take my dewy rest 
 broke by night wanderings, not o'erlooked by dreams - 
 for fear 's my comrade in sleep's stead, and so 
 
 15 my eyelids have no firm set-to with sleep - 
 and when I have a mind to sing or hum, 
 plying that knife of song to cure my sleep, 
 
 ot xv p9ivtojiv, &vTotes rs TWV, aperte 'specilli loco'; nam vulg. corruptum 
 
 spurius. ease vel infanda vertendi difficultas 
 
 14. tyt>jy. Sicet Bum. 578, Suppl. ostendit: neque vero ineptum est 
 
 366 in hac sede cum interpunctione. militem quondam vulneratum hoc 
 
 17. Sic libri. Malira ivTixjjiw dicere.
 
 10 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 la TOT (HXOU TOV$ OVftQOfilV <7TVUV, 
 OV% &$ TX TrpOtTP XptFTX ^<T7rOTOV{AVOV. 
 
 NDv 5' UTU%W ysvoiT zTrxhhxyy TTOVUV, 20 
 
 svxyyihov <fixvVTO$ opQvxlou 
 
 TTtxuaxuv xati %opuv 
 
 iv "Apyst T%t$s 
 'lov lov. 25 
 
 IV , fTTfp 
 , &q (pp'JXTO? K'yy&hUV 7rp7Tl. 30 
 
 xurog r syuyf Qpolftiov %opu<ro,u<xi. 
 
 a V 7T(70VTX 
 
 TVOITO ' oyv 
 
 avtzxToq dtxuv Tyfe fiavTxa-txi %pL 35 
 
 Tot y ahhx <nyu ' (3ov<; STTI yhdHrffy [Aeyxs 
 oixog 5' XVTOS, i QQoyyyv Aix/3o/, 
 
 T 1 XV hsi;l 
 
 xvdu, xou 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 ftlv Toq ro'S' 7rii Ylpixftov 40 
 
 ibixoi; , 
 civxt; ffi ' 
 
 19. SteTrovou/x&oy libri. Corr. Eng. , 25. lau lou libri. Corr. Herm. 
 
 Dubner, Schmidt, ego olim. 26. <7r)/ttvw M. Corr. in Fl.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 11 
 
 then, sighing, I deplore this household's lot, 
 
 which is not as before most fairly ruled. 
 20 Now may there be a blest release from toil 
 
 by advent of the evangel gloom- wrapt ray. 
 
 Welcome, thou lamp of night! revealing beams 
 
 like daylight, and in Argos many a choir's 
 
 glad marshalling because of this event. 
 25 Io! lo! 
 
 I '11 plainly signal Agamemnon's dame 
 
 to rise with haste from bed and in the house 
 
 to high notes tune a jovial salute 
 
 for yonder flame: of course; since Ilion's town 
 30 is taken, as the beacon beams report. 
 
 I'll dance a prelude too all by myself. 
 
 I'll wager on the masters's lucky throws 
 
 for this fire-signal throws me triple-sice. 
 
 Heaven send he may return, that in this hand 
 35 I may hold clasped the palace-lord's dear hand. 
 
 For the rest, hush! a great ox on my tongue 
 
 treads; and the house itself if it got speech 
 
 would tell the truest tale; since freely I 
 
 tell those who know, to those who dont, forget. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 40 This year is the tenth since that when the great 
 foeman of Priam, 
 king Menelaus and king Agamemnon, 
 
 30. Sic. Viet. ctyyrfJt6>v Fl. M. 42. Et hie suspectus Boissouadio , 
 
 32. Versus auspectus; non mihi. Karst. , Eug.
 
 12 ArAMEMNflN. 
 
 AidQsv xxi 
 , o%upbv ^su'/ 
 'Apyftav wMovxvTyv 45 
 
 SK QV;MU xhafyvret; 
 rpOTrov alyjTTiuv , 
 O/T' sxTTXTioiq ahysffi TrxiSuv 50 
 
 VTTXTOt 
 
 ' xi'wv % TIS 'ATTOAA^V, 55 
 
 *l Ilav, % Zeu? f oi 
 yoov o^vfioxv roivSf 
 
 OVTCO S' 'Arftef TTXI^X^ o xpsiira'cov 60 
 
 fTT* 'AAf^y^pcj TTS^TTSI ^eviog 
 u^, Trohvavopos ix(t(p} yuvxtxbi; 
 rj&afafaeret xott yviofixpy 
 xovix,i<nv spst^o^ivov 
 
 T' ev TrpOTsteioit; 65 
 
 i&i;. "E^r/ ' ony viiv 
 <TTI ' rsXelrxi ' sg TO 
 
 45. ^(Atovaurav libri. --/jv Dind. , 57. Omnino abjiciendum comma, 
 
 probaute Engero. T. p.. peudet ab 'E. : sic TS'XVWV 'E/SJVUJ , 
 
 47. ct/xayobjv M. sec. Diud. ->jv E\ir. Med. 1389. 
 
 Eng. v. 73 cit. 64. ^coo/u.^vou M. ipsmofi.e-jou Fl.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 13 
 
 holding from Zeus twin-throned twin-sceptred 
 
 honour, a firm-paced pair of Atreidae, 
 45 launched from this land an army of Argives 
 
 borne in a thousand barks, 
 
 an avenging legion of heroes: 
 sending forth from the soul loud clamour of war, 
 
 like two vultures 
 50 which in distracting grief for their offspring 
 
 to the utmost height over their nests float in curves, 
 
 rowing themselves with their oars of pinions, 
 
 having lost the brood-care 
 
 which before at the nest had detained them: 
 55 and in the highest some dweller, Apollo, 
 
 or Pan, or Zeus, hearing the shrill-voiced 
 
 wail of the mourning birds sends the departed 
 
 fledgelings' Erinnys 
 
 with a late levied doom 'gainst the sinners. 
 60 So doth the master Zeus, patron of host and guest, 
 
 'gainst Alexander send the Atreidae, 
 
 and for the lady of many a lover 
 
 will impose on Achaeans and Trojans alike 
 
 many encounters fatiguing the sinews 
 65 where the knee of the hero is pressed in the dust 
 
 and the spear- shaft snapt in the foremost 
 orgies of battle. And now things are 
 
 as they are; but will end in the issue decreed. 
 
 Not by burnt nor drink offering after the sin 
 
 S ad IT supra scripto ; ut vulg. Bess. 69. oiS' into*, Herm. , quod ne- 
 
 66. xa//axo i/xo/u;. hsec in mo- cessarium sit ; sed licet per me poetis 
 nom. et paroem. digessit Eng. asyndeto uti. uiroxia/wv libri , UTTOXKCUV 
 
 67. 8nt) vulg. i'Trrj Herm. Casaubou, (-e<uv Dind.)
 
 14 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 OVT Sctxpvuv XTTvpcuv hpuv 70 
 
 OKTirOU 
 
 rye TOT 
 
 V[Jt,ovTt; JIT} trx^TTTpon; . 75 
 
 T y& 
 
 <rirp vvt; , pyis oux evi 
 T'I vTTfpyypui; , (fiu}.h<xdo<; ifiiv) 
 
 [Av odovq 80 
 
 ovxp 
 
 / %pioq; T'I viov ; T'I S' 7rai<rdo(6vii 85 
 
 7TvQoi 
 
 TTOLVTUV 5f df&V TUV 
 
 T&V T Qvpxiuv T&V T' ayopxlttv 90 
 
 70. Airiipuv Ispuv. Vide Comment. 78. ^upSt M. ^w/ 3 ? ^Ig- 'i n P ue " 
 
 72. e^TtTcet M. <*TtTc Fl. , et sic rorum pectore non est ; dens indiges'. 
 
 recte recentt. , 'vacantes militia mu- Sic yw<>} , owe cvear' "A/js ^Esch. 
 
 nere'. Supp. 749. 
 
 76. ore libri. 8 re Auratus. 79. TiOrnspyifus M.corr. Martin.; 
 
 77. eivetiTffwv libri. corr. Herm. , prseclara eademque diu desiderata 
 recentt. emendatio.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 15 
 
 70 nor by tears will he charm the intensified wrath 
 
 which he roused by contempt of religion. 
 But we (for our old flesh exempt from the war) 
 
 left behind by the vengeful -armada that day 
 
 stay at home, and apply 
 75 to our staves a strength equal to childhood's. 
 
 For the young vital juice throbbing up in the breast 
 
 of a child is as weak 
 
 as old age, nor does Ares inhabit the spot: 
 
 and what of the man past old age, when the leaves 
 80 are now fading away? on his three-footed walks 
 
 he goes, and no more fit for war than a child, 
 
 like a dream in the daylight, he wanders. 
 But thou, Tyndareus' child, 
 
 Clytemnestra queen-reffenl , what is the cause? 
 85 what the news? what intelligence hast thou received? 
 
 on what tidings' report 
 
 dost thou serve out and kindle the incense? 
 for of all the town-governing gods, the most high, 
 
 those of the underworld, 
 90 gods of the doorway , and gods of the market , 
 
 the altars with gifts are illumined: 
 and on every side darting its rays to the sky 
 
 rises a flambeau 
 
 drenched with the virgin nard's guileless and undefiled 
 
 82. rtftsp6fx-rov M. corr. in cet. 90. tw T' avpaviuv libri. Huiic 
 
 87. 7t0ai yulgo, ituOol 1. -nsuOoi versum ejecit Porsonus, Engerus 
 
 Scaliger, probantibus Herm., Diiid. emeudatum restituit. 
 
 cet. (hooxtvsl; libri, nisi quod M. 91. Sic F. Weapon eet. 
 
 sec. Dind. Ouovxvtlf a pr. m. ; id ab 94. xpi<tn&-ro$ Fl. , vulg. 
 
 Ahrente commendatum recepit Eug. M. Herm. , recentt.
 
 16 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 ic aboXoun TTtxpyyoplxiz , 95 
 
 TO'JTUV Af'|;#/ o ri xx] 
 
 tx.lv siv 
 re yevov 
 
 % vvv TOTS ftv xxxdQpav TshsQst, 100 
 
 Tore 5' ex, Qutritiv ayava 
 
 yv QvfM@opov (ppsvi hvTntv. 
 
 Kupto? ii{ii 6pos7v odtov xpxTO<; otiviov a 
 
 tw eri yxp QsdQev XXTXTTVSISI 105 
 
 ouv ' 
 (MQpovov xptXTO? , ' 
 
 110 
 
 7T(t7rl GVV 0p Jtx %p TTptZXTOpt doVptO? OpVtg 
 
 Tfuxpltf STT' aixv 
 
 oluvuv (3tx<nhfj(; fixvitevcri vsuv , o xs- 
 
 , T %07TIV dip? fa , 115 
 
 ftfhzQpUV %,pOS X 
 
 v sdp/xta-iv 
 
 T < /vvxv 
 
 96. Tie)c4vw vulgo , sed M. sec. ex. Hesiodeo illo sumptus nepvAxZo Ss 
 Franzii apographon -&, quod Eng. GJ/J.& a'Aysa 6uf/.oj3of,eiv Op. 795. Veris- 
 recepit. Ego 7rvro9v TtXqQwopxt scri- simam Pauwii corr. recepi Porsono 
 bere Trsiavw. probatam. Junge: &/J.WSL ypsvi. ppriv 
 
 97. A^a<r' vulgo. corr. Hartung. ap. ^Esch. diaphragma est , s. fons co- 
 
 98. elntlv Fl. gitationis; minime vero ipsa cogitatio. 
 
 102. Sic. Fl. (xitlstaTcv M. 105. exreiewv libri, quo nihil me- 
 
 103. T>JV OupopOipov iu7tis pp&x lius si modo recordaris Hes. Op. 464 
 M. T>jv 6<jfj.o^6pov iuTTjj ypiva. Fl. et 472. 
 
 Schol. M. legit Oup.oj36f,ov. Sermo 107. nolii&v M. a p. m.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 17 
 
 95 soft and essentially odorous blandishments, 
 
 with the treasure-room's rick royal unguent. 
 Tell me of these things whatever to utter is 
 lawful and possible, 
 and be healer for me of this inward concern, 
 
 100 which now at one moment sadly forebodes, 
 
 and then again hope, from the frankincense-fires 
 kindly beaming, repels the insatiate care, 
 this heart-gnawing grief, from my bosom. 
 
 I have full powers to tell of the strong men's omen of conquest 
 105 seen on the march; (for my being still one with its birthmate 
 
 vigour of harmony 
 
 breathes forth god-given eloquence;; 
 
 how martial bird sends with the spear and the sentence-exacting 
 110 arm to the Teucrian 
 
 land the Achaean s' twin-throned royalty, Hellas's soldiers 
 
 one-hearted chiefdom: 
 
 kings of birds to the kings of the galleys appearing, the 
 115 dark one, and he with tail argent, 
 
 before the halls , fast by the hand that poises the spear-shaft , 
 
 on conspicuous perches, [burden 
 
 feasting themselves on the full-wombed child of the hare and her 
 
 109. tySav libri. corr. ex Ar. Ran. 116. So/surraAToy libri, Enger. Sopt- 
 1284 opt. codd.. mUrou cum T. V. vulgo. 
 
 110. TOV yv M. corr. in Fl. 117. Tta.[j.-Kptnoi<; iv ftpataiv M. 
 
 111. vv Fl. xat libris omissum TtxpitptTcoiatv f8oaj Fl. 7r/i7Tc;rr0tj 
 ex. Ar. Ran. 1289 revocatum est. ^y gtpowri Bess. 
 
 114. /Jaotieuj libri. /3aa><s Ear- 119. tpixv/ixix <p4p/j.<ttt M. ^stxu- 
 sten, -% ego, ut J3pxj3?,g v. 230, yuova <ptpfi<mo Fl. iptxufuxfa ei He- 
 /Saati^j Soph. Ai. 189. sychii glossareceperuntKarst., Dind., 
 
 115. efyyfas libri. y$ Blomf. , Eng. yip^a. re Ahr., quern sequor, 
 Dind. , recentt. voce ^ia^rfvra ductus. 
 
 2
 
 18 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 120 
 
 AfalVOV , OUhlVOV /Vf, TO 3' V VlKXTto 
 
 AT. K&vbt; 5f (rrpiZTOftxvTK; Iduv $vo 
 
 OUT&) 3' /7T TSptjl&V ' 125 
 
 %povy (tlv xypeJ Hpidftov TTO'AIV ads Kt 
 
 7TUVT(X> % TTVpyUV 
 XTtyVJf 7TpO<T& TOi 
 
 irpos TO filxtov. 130 
 
 Oiov [ty Tig Kyot, QsdQev meQoiay TrpoTv- 
 
 TTSV GTOfttov {ikyot, Tpottxt; 
 (TTpxTccQev ovtrov yap sTriQdovos v ApT,u,i$ ayva 135 
 
 TTTXVOltnV KVGl TTXTpOt; 
 
 UVTQTOKOV TTpO AO%Cy [AOySpOiV TTTOiKOi 
 
 VTWytf Sf "SsiTTVOV OilETUV 
 
 afaivov, oiihivov f/Vf, TO 3' sit 
 
 140 
 
 &SOVTUV 
 
 l , TSpTTVOC, 
 TOVTUV KlTSl %U[Jt,ftoKK 
 
 122. Probabile mihi videtur voc. Weil., Dind. Vera lectio incerta. 
 8e, hoc genus versus prommtiando , 129. npoaSe-ra M. itp6fOsrx Bess. 
 iSi factaiu esse. Avj/^aot Sto-uouj libri; npdvSe ra valgo. Mutare nolim. 
 recte Dind. Anj^aatv Tuous. Sjyati37rir)^ libri , Sii^toTtAvjQ^a O. Mul- 
 
 123. 'AT/5e'8aj vulgo. 'AT^osfSas ler, Eng. ; nee desunt alise epicse 
 Monk. formse in hoc carmine. MoJ^o' t 
 
 124. 7ro/*7rous T' &px*s M. , ace. illo vulgo. Ut editur, P., recentt. 
 corr. , ci^ous Fl. 7ro/t7is <i^ous Karst. , 131. sera libri, a'ya Herm.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 19 
 
 120 from further running all debarred. 
 
 Speak the refrain of the dirge, but may good prove victor 
 
 And the shrewd army-diviner, observing the two gallant Atreids 
 
 matched in mood, was apprised of the cavalcade-leading 
 
 hare-tribe butchers; 
 125 and thus spake he divining : 
 
 "in time this route bindeth its quarry the city of Priam; 
 
 then all its towers' 
 
 substance hitherto stored by the people fate shall in violent 
 130 fashion demolish: 
 
 granted only no grudge from the deities tarnish the 
 
 bit for Troy forged and in grandeur 
 135 embattled; since undefiled Artemis hating as much these 
 
 feathered hounds of her father, 
 
 butchering , litter and all , the poor trembler before her deliv'ry, 
 
 (for she abhors the eagles' food) 
 
 speak the refrain of the dirge , but may good prove victor : - 
 
 140 as she, the beauteous one, delights 
 
 in tiny cubs dropped by the fierce-souled lions; 
 and all ravening animals' pap-fond 
 younglings, prays her sire to accomplish 
 mystic omens pleasing these favorites. 
 
 134. o?xw libri, vulgo. Suaov ego; supra scripta, et echol. M. confic- 
 
 quo recepto, r6aaov nep v. 140 tole- turn. /jL^spdv OVTWV M. isdvruv Stan- 
 
 rari potest. leius, ex B. M. sub v. Sp<ty.t. Diud. 
 
 140. svppuv xA M. & xxXoc Fl. , inseruit T m. c. Ahr. mavult letdvTw. 
 vulgo. 143. <J/3^A<w(7( M. , sed ou in 01 
 
 141. 2^a<jot<j(v oUiTTTotj M. Sp6vo(utv mutato. ttpma. cum glosaa "Aprs/jLtg 
 cVTTTotj Fl. , Bess. Zp6aoi<rt Itnrois in F.; sed cum ?6/u/3oAa jungi debet. 
 Wellauer. A pro A posita est, A 144. xponott M. xp&vott Fl. 
 
 2*
 
 20 ArAMEMNHN. 
 
 X ftsv, xvretfMfetp* Se (px<r[tXTx (bxv&v. 145 
 
 'lyiov $e xxhfv Tlatxvx, 
 (Ay Tivxg <x,vTi7Tv6ou$ AxvxoTt; xpovi- 
 
 150 
 
 , OtVOfAOV 
 
 veixsuv TSXTOVX crv^vrov , cy 
 yap Qoftepa TTtzhlwpTOS 
 
 olxOVOftOS ^OXltX, (AVOLfAttV (WViq TSMOTTOlVOg. 155 
 
 Totals Kuh%u<; %uv ^eyx^oiq a 
 (tdptrifA' KIT opvi&uv oSiuv o'ixoit; 
 roiq ^' oftdtpcovov 
 ofihivov , xiXivov itTre , TO S' s v vixxra. 
 
 atp.iz. Zsvg , OCTIS TTCT* <TT1V , si T0'5' &\J- 160 
 
 TOJ 
 
 rourd viv 
 
 TTXVT' s 7ri<rT<xQ{tcl)(t vex; , 
 iifV A/Jc, fl TO {tarav KTTO (ppovTi^ot; K%Qoc; 165 
 
 eivr.a. 
 
 Sfflt 6px<ri fipuuv, 
 
 &V 170 
 
 0? ' 7TIT' fCpy 
 
 Zfjvx c> Tit; TrpoQpdvui; STTUIXIX xhx&v 
 
 TU^TXl Qpfvtiv TO 7TXV ' 175 
 
 145. j>ccff/JtTa vrpouOuv M. rfiiv gerus non recepit. 
 mpovBtM Fl. iftxitfi.oi.-cy. pavfiiv Heim- 149. ^sv/)foa libri. corr. Blomf. 
 
 soeth. quam certissimam emend. En- 150. AnMxf M. reufrj 7rio('a?
 
 AGAMEMNON. 21 
 
 145 Good is the vision of eagles, but chequered with evil. 
 
 But I invoke the deliv'rer Paean 
 
 lest she should work for the Greeks any foul-blowing, 
 150 lingering, ship-staying, adverse-weather, 
 
 craving a different victim , unlawful , not yielding a banquet , 
 
 cognate framer of bickerings, no poor craven, for housewife- 
 rancour is waiting to-break-out- 
 155 afterwards, dire, ever-mindful, treach'rous, offspring-avenging." 
 
 Such were the fates which, mixed with large benisons, learnt from the omens 
 
 seen at the starting , Calchas rehearsed to imperial households : 
 
 whereto in concert 
 
 speak the refrain of the dirge, but may good prove victor. 
 
 160 Zeus (if, whosoeer he is, he be 
 
 titled thus acceptably 
 by this name I speak of him: 
 I've no power to strike a balance, 
 
 when I bring each plea to scale, 
 
 165 whether or not I should truly reject from my thought as 
 idle burden all but Zeus: 
 
 not he, who in former times was great, 
 
 with all-bearding boldness full, 
 170 ev'n as 'one who was' will be 
 named; and he who next arose 
 
 met his conqu'ror and is gone) 
 Zeus is he whom if man heartily greet with ovations 
 175 he will reach the sum of wit: 
 
 Eng., m. c. ; fortasse recte. e*7iAot'aj 165. el riSj libri. corr. Pauw. 
 
 T. Viet. 170. ouSiv Mou libri ouSi Atfj 
 
 157. dntxloujitv M. Ahr. a recentt. receptum.
 
 22 AFAMEMNIIN. 
 
 TOV 
 
 GXVTX, TOV 
 
 xv plus s%eiv. 
 ^^f/ ' sv 6' vTrvy Trpb xxp^lxq 
 
 TTOVOC; , KKI nap' a- 180 
 
 TTOV 
 
 Kou rotf viysftuv o Trpe- 
 
 <ru<; vsuv 'AauxZv 185 
 
 fur' iXTTAoicf, Kevayytf (3apv- 
 vovr' 'A%iztixb<; Afc5^, 
 
 pXV f%0)V TTXhtppO- 190 
 
 sv A&&9$ TOTTOH; , 
 
 X7TO 
 
 tuutfoj&ffw, 
 
 (3pOTUV X^Oil , V&V T XXI TrSlVfAXTUV B$i&(l$ , 195 
 
 irs&jf&fttjxij %povov 
 
 Tpifty XKT%&IVOV avQot; 
 * \ *>\ \ 
 
 STTSl XXI 
 
 (3plQvTpOV TTpOftOKTlV 200 
 
 177. T<S> libri. rbv Schutz. recentt. quam ap. Thucydidem. 
 
 179. TS est 'etiam' ut nonnun- 190. Kxhpp66oi$ libri ; dediAhreu-
 
 AGAMEMNON. 23 
 
 him who guides in wisdom's way 
 
 mortals, who makes absolute 
 teaching which is got with pain. 
 There drop ev'n in sleep by conscience seen- 
 180 qualms that rouse thought of pain, so to men 
 
 wisdom comes against their will; 
 such, I trow, the daemons' grace, superbly 
 
 seated on majestic thrones. 
 
 Thereupon the elder-born 
 185 captain of Achaean ships, 
 
 blaming now no seer, "but with 
 chances veering as they caught his sails; 
 when the Greek fighting-men lay depressed 
 
 by the store-exhausting gales 
 190 off the Chalcid land on Aulis' shores of 
 flowing and receding tides: 
 
 and Strymon-blasts coming with disastrous 
 
 repose and dearth, making unsafe moorings, 
 195 men's path-perplexers, heeding not cost of ships and tackle , 
 
 a twice-told length of time expended 
 
 in waste, and tore all to shreds the Argives' flow'r: 
 
 and when the seer one plan 
 
 yet to the leaders chanted 
 200 ev'n than the bitter storm-wind 
 
 harder to bear, urging in plea 
 
 Artemis, such plan that the two 
 
 tis em.; alii alia. cum Pors. recentt. 
 
 195. vafiiv xat libri. vt&v re xal 201. cxistyfe libri. corr. Pors.
 
 24 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 7rixpOL><nzvTx<; 'Arpsl- 
 
 (X.V3&, S' TTpStrfivq TcV S17TS QUVUV ' 205 
 
 AW Hyp TO (ty 7ri6s<rdar 
 ', si TSWOV SO?$M, Sof 
 
 pstQpoit; irterrpcpout ^spas Trshac pupov. 210 
 
 T/ 
 
 TIu<; ' 
 
 yap 
 
 6" alfitnoq op- 215 
 
 ' v yap 
 
 Qpevot; Trviuv 
 
 avot-yvov , tzvispov , ToQsv 220 
 
 TO 7TOiVTClTO 
 
 BpoTovs Qpavwsi yap ed 
 
 TOL^CX-IVX TTX 
 
 ' ovv QuTyp yevk- 225 
 
 vcov TroAfjCta!!/ apuyav 
 xai TroTsteia vxav. 
 
 205. ro8' libri. rdr' Stanl. , ab spondseum illic sedere nefas ; itaque 
 
 Herm. aliisque merito receptum. Eng- Titpotj, aut simile quid susp. 
 
 210. pstQpon et /Sw/xoii TteAa; libri. 212. ri TTWJ M. Fl. re et re ye- 
 
 hoc Blomf. , illud Pors. corr. : sed VU/JLXI M. Fl. Ut vulg. F.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 25 
 
 kings with their staves smiting the ground 
 did not refrain from weeping: 
 
 205 the elder lord thus replied, exclaiming: 
 
 "a grievous doom that of non-compliance 
 
 and grievous if I slay my child, beauty of the palace, 
 
 and stain with streams of maiden-murder - 
 
 210 her father's hands nigh the altar. Which of these 
 is free from wrong? But how 
 be by the ships deserted , 
 losing the leaguers' aid? No! 
 for that we crave with a desire 
 
 215 passing desire off ring of maid's 
 
 wind-lulling blood, this is god's-will; 
 Yes! for I hope fair issue." 
 
 And when he donned destiny's broad collar 
 
 and breathed a mood impious, unholy, 
 220 impure, his former love's reverse, 
 
 he then resolved any deed to venture. 
 
 It makes men bold, shameful-deeds-contriving 
 
 unblest fanaticism, grief's fore-runner. 
 225 Thus he had the heart to turn 
 
 woman-child-slayer, aid in wars 
 woman-avenging, dared this 
 
 voyage-inauguration. 
 
 215. Tispt6pyus libri. ace. corr. telligas. 
 Blomf. 222. /3/soTolj libri. fipotous Schutz. 
 
 217. y/9 tv t'ifi Fl. Non opus Herm. autem primus ante ftp. inter- 
 
 erit ii i at at u. si versionem recte in- punxit.
 
 26 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 <*vr.8'. Airat; $e xxi 
 
 TS TrapGsveiov 230 
 
 (3pa(3>i<; 
 
 TTtXVTl Uf4C} 
 
 hxfisTv asp- 235 
 
 $'/!V (rTOft&TOt; T 
 
 pov (pvhotxuv xxTt<r%e7v 
 QQoyycv txpxiov otxoit; 
 
 (3i<ji %aA.iv&v r' avaii 
 
 Kpdwv fixQas ' si; T 
 
 f/S^AA 1 XffTOV duly- 240 
 
 pav xii oftftx 
 7rp7rov<ra &' , &q sv 
 Qe Aoytr' , eves} 
 
 bs XOCT" civdpuvxt; eu 
 otyvq, ^> 
 
 ov suTTOTftov 7r<x,i- 245 
 
 xvtx, 
 
 ebr.. Tot 5' I vQf V OUT* *$OV OUT W7r<U ' 
 
 'Kdh%&VTO<; oux axpavroi, 
 TOiq [tev TTK&olj- 
 
 <TIV (tOtQslv 7rtpp7Tl TO ftfkkOV ' 250 
 
 TO 
 
 230. otl&vx napQcvtav M. odta T 236. jjyAaxqt Blomf., fortasse recte. 
 
 O. Mviller. nxpQtvsiw Fl. ultima syll. 238. T' in S' mutavit Tricl. , 8' 
 
 est anceps. in prox. v. omisso. Quippe impe-
 
 AGAMEMNON. 27 
 
 The chieftains then lusting for the battle 
 230 set down as naught prayers and mid appeals to 
 
 her father, and her virgin life. 
 
 The father bade, after prayer, the priestly 
 
 esquires to lift high upon the altar, 
 
 like mountain-goat, the maid who with outspread 
 235 attire, sense and all, had sunk 
 
 prone; and to keep a guard on those 
 lips of her lovely face 'gainst 
 
 family-cursing accents 
 
 by force and rude might of speech-bridling bands. 
 And shedding her crocus -tinctured tunic 
 
 240 to earth, she smote each of her 
 
 slayers with a pity-kissing eye-dart; 
 and made a show, as in painted forms, as fain 
 to speak; for she many a time 
 within her sire's rich-spread hero-guest-halls 
 had sung, and with voice all pure, free from mate, trilled with love 
 
 245 her loving sire's hymn of praise for happy 
 
 fortune, at third-bowl-mixing. 
 
 I neither saw what ensued nor relate; 
 but Calchas' schemes failed not of completion. 
 The law-of-right turns the scale 
 
 250 then to know the future when you 've felt it: 
 
 farewell to news ere the thing has been, I say, 
 
 ritum offendit sermonis continuatio. 245. tav M. HM&VX Hartung; 
 
 244. yy libri. ayvot Schutz. Mox formam tragicam Eng. 
 au&x M. 249. Kaflousc libri.
 
 28 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 ropbv yap ^st vuvopdpov 
 
 ' OVV TtXTTl TOVTOltTlV VKptX^iq , 255 
 
 TO<? x r /%t<rTOv 'ATTIX? yxi- 
 
 trsv <rv , 
 yap IGTI 0am&$ otpxtfyov risiv 
 
 ipyftccQsvTog apcevoi; dpdvou. 260 
 
 5' / n xsftvbv SITS /ay 
 
 ' xv svQpuv cuds (riyutry (p66vo<;. 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA. 
 
 ftsv, 
 
 sag yevoiro ftyTpbs sutppovys Trxpx. 265 
 
 TlsviTfi xapfta [ttffyv SXTT'I^OC xhueiv 
 Tlpiaftov yxp ypyx.x(rtv 'Apysioi 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 
 Hug tyys; TrsQfuyf TOVTTOS it; xT 
 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA. 
 Tpolxv 'A%auuv ovvxv v\ 
 
 XOPOS. 
 Xxpx (A vQepTTsi Dxxpvov sxxxhovfASVti. 270 
 
 252. TO Se 7T/;oxAustv e-ntyfrorr ccv tarn in textum receperint. Scilicet 
 
 Try!oxt/oTw M. idem Fl. nisi x et i literae similes sunt. Kectis- 
 
 quod insl ysvotr\ TO Sg ttpoMeiv omi- sime, mea sententia, Heimsoeth. , quse 
 
 sit P. v xyiuots corrupte legitur dedi. TO pitiov 3' ind ycvotr m xJluots 
 
 ctwjxOois in A. , ov }) Aufftj in T. V. Tr/so^aj^e'Tu (s. 7^26 -/aufitdi) Bam- 
 
 Fuerunt qui glossam adeo corrup- berg., Schn. , Dind., Weil., Ahr. ,
 
 AGAMEMNON. 29 
 
 as equalling grief before: 
 
 all bright 't will come dawning with the morn-beams. 
 255 At least in all after this may there be fortune-fair 
 as wishes you puissant sole-protecting 
 tow'r of the land of Apis. 
 
 With homage, Clytemnestra , to your rule 
 I come: 'tis right a royal chieftain's dame 
 
 260 to honour, when the male's state-seat is void. 
 
 
 Whether you 're burning incense having heard 
 
 good, or, if not, in hope of cheering news, 
 
 I'd gladly hear, nor, if you 're mute, bear grudge. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 May there be born from mother of good cheer, 
 265 as says the proverb, morning of good news. 
 You '11 hear a joy passing your hope to hear: 
 the Argive men have taken Priam's town. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 How say you? through mistrust the word escaped. 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 That Troy is the Achaeans': do I speak plain? 
 
 CHORUS. 
 270 Joy steals upon me, calling forth a tear. 
 
 Eng. An credam igitur jEsch. dixisse auyatj Herm. 
 
 i-ntl -/tvotr' a'v ? At -npiv ytvotto recte 255. suTr/ja? j libri. qiiam vocem 
 
 sequitur vocem ^auptrta, quse valet quum Lobeck. Grsecitati abjudicet, 
 
 Xaiptw M'/otp &v. sit Ttp&$is scribunt Eng., Karst. 
 
 254. auvopOov at/rx($ M. ouvapOpov 261. she libri. in M. ultima $ e 
 
 40res Fl. F. owop6pov Wellauer. , correctione. si rt Aur. , recentt.
 
 30 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 KATTAIMNH2TPA. 
 
 Ey yocp (ppovouvrot; oftfAtx. <rov 
 XOPOS. 
 
 T/ yxp ; To TTHTTOV strn TUV$ <rOt 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA. 
 
 "EOT/I/' TI 5' ov%r, jCtJJ ^o^utracvrog Qsov. 
 XOPOS. 
 
 ovspoM 
 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA. 
 
 Oy ^o^oiv xv hajBoifti fipifyvo-ys Qpsvoc. 275 
 
 XOPOS. 
 'AAA' % v ernxvev 
 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA. 
 vsx? ><; Kiipr' iftuft 
 XOPOS. 
 %povov Sf xxi TTSTTOP^T 
 
 KATTAIMNH2TPA. 
 Tij<; vuv rexovvys (pas ro'S' evQffoti 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 Kai Tiq ro'S' ei-ixoir xv tzyy&av rxxfls ; 280 
 
 272. ti yxp TO libri. vl yap; 280. Sic libri; sed in M. sec. 
 
 Schutz : alia dici poterant , hoc apte. Franzii apographoii post A litera
 
 AGAMEMNON. 31 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 The look of one well pleased accuses you. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Of course: but have you the sure proof of it? 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 I have: how not? unless a god played false. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Do you esteem dream phantoms credible? 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 275 I would not take belief from slumbering sense. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Has some unfledged report inflated you? 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 You greatly blame my wit as some young girl's. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Since what time has the city been destroyed? 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 This night, I tell you, mother of yon dawn. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 280 And pray what herald could attain this speed? 
 
 erasa eat ; quapropter etyyc >Uv Earst. est valde probabilis correctio. 
 corr. ; Kind. , Ahr. receperunt. Sane
 
 32 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA. 
 
 AXfATTpOV SXTTSftTTUV tTS^Otq ' 
 
 Ot; $s QpuKrbv $vp' oiTr xyyxpov irupbt; 
 
 7TU,7TV "Ify (AW TTpbq 'EpftXUV hST 
 
 , TrposxiQpifyixrx yrff 
 
 f4,y<XV 5f 7TXVOV 
 
 OUTTOS Zyvb<; I^S^XTO ' 285 
 
 re TTOVTOV uqrs 
 
 TTQpSVTOV hOtfATTQ&OS TTftOS 
 
 TO xputrofayyss %<; nq 
 
 wMpeetyyffaaffA Maxttrrov 
 b ' OVTI ftshXuv ouai 1 <z(pp<z<Tfto'vu<; uTrvy 290 
 
 viKupsvoq TrapfJKfv otyylhov ftspos' 
 sxas f (ppuxTOu Q&t; sir ILvpiTrov pcx$ 
 
 o'l ' xvrsXx^xv KX} TTXF/i'yyeihxv 7rpd<ru 
 
 ixi; speixti? Qvpov x\jjxvrsg irvpi. 295 
 
 Qxtcipxt; vehvivyt; , ?rpb<; 
 
 Q>xo<; Sf TtftJmftanv oux yvxivsTQ 300 
 
 (ppovpd , Trhsov xxlova-x TUV iipmtsvccv 
 3* uirsp Topy&TTiv 
 
 T 7? AtylTThXyXTOV %lXVOUftVOV 
 
 282. cJTray/e'Aoy M. a pr. m. , CKTT' tamen ut v. eite/tTrev, cum Ahr. , 
 
 &. , a. sec. m. Schutz ex E. M. , mutaret, sed v. TTSUXTJ (i. e. irsoxrij), 
 
 cet. restituit &Tt' Ayy&pau. ad v. 288 injuria deturbatam , proxi- 
 
 284. Hie Heims. intexuit frag, a mo versui prseficeret. Res tantum 
 
 Dind. primo ex Hesych. allatum , non certa, me judice. Mox paviv 
 
 TtpQSMOpi^owy. Tt6fi.i:ifjLov ?/.6-/y. : noa libri. TTKVOV Pors.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 33 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 Hephaestus, who from Ida sent bright flame: 
 
 and beacon kept despatching beacon here, 
 
 with fire as courier: Ida to Hermes' cliff 
 
 in Lemnos, darting high a carrier blaze 
 
 of pine wood: thirdly Athos, steep of Zeus, 
 285 received a mighty flambeau from the isle, 
 
 and rising high to clear the sea's broad back 
 
 the travelled lamplight's strength with transport sprang, 
 
 and ushered in the rays of golden sheen 
 
 like a sun-mw# to Makistus' peaks. 
 290 And he, no loiterer, nor unheedfully 
 
 subdued by sleep, sent on his share of news: 
 
 and far the fire-sign to Euripus' streams 
 
 came, and gave notice to Messapion's guards. 
 
 They lit in turn and sent the watchword on, 
 295 kindling with fire a heap of grizzled heath. 
 
 And the stark lamplight, even yet not dimmed, 
 
 o'erleaping Asop's plain, in manner of 
 
 the radiant moonbeam, to Cithaeron's rock, 
 
 awaked a fresh relay of fire express. 
 300 The frontier-guard spurned not the light despatched 
 
 from far, but lit up more than was imposed: 
 
 so the light flashed across Gorgopis' lake 
 
 and having reached the mountain ^Egiplanct 
 
 285. oiOeaov libri. corr. Blomf. 301. Hie Dind. posuit fragm. 
 
 286. jjwTi'aai Musgr. ; id quod illud, de quo dixi; eum enim of- 
 quivis alius, prater JEsch. , dixisset. fendit frigida locutio TtAe'ov rfiiv slpvi- 
 
 288. Trguxvj TO libri. $%ev, tb ego /./-:>,)>. Immo vivida eat: vigiles,ne 
 in locum absentia renunciavi. cf. Pers. desint opera? , immoderate abundant. 
 469 Tia/sayysMas >ji?s, et Comment. 
 
 3
 
 34 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 urpuvs svitv (ty ftsyctpsiv (tot 
 
 "%' avdaiovreg dtQQovy ftsvsi 305 
 
 [tsyxv Trayava xxi "Lapuvixov 
 
 KKTOTTTOV TTp&v' V7Tp(3<ZM.lV 
 
 sir" t-vxyipsv s<; r' a 
 ofi7ro$ , 
 
 it; ro^e vxyTTTSi GTS? etc 310 
 
 rod' ovx XTTXTTTTOV 'i 
 Toiofes TO'I IJL 
 
 S' TTfUTOg KOtl 
 
 nap* xhhou 
 
 p TOIOUTO o-vftfiohdv rs <roi hsyu, 315 
 
 7rapzyyi}.izvTO<; IK Tpolxg 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 f olq (jt.lv audit , u yuvat , 
 axoucrat 
 
 XV 
 
 KATTAIMNH2TPA. 
 
 'A%xtoi Tytf s^ovd sv yftsptp. 320 
 
 @oyv &ftixTov sv Trotet Vpfctt*. 
 T' aAsiQtx, T' tykKq TXVTUI 
 
 civ, QV 
 T&V KhOVTUV KXt 
 
 304. pi] xxpi^eadou nupk libri. 347 et 478. //>j miserum, toties 
 
 Sed %xpi$e<iOcti est glossa ad /MY) /XE- consortis viduum; quotiescumque , 
 
 yoiipsiv adscripts , et postea in. libros nisi me fallit , corrigunt TT>J. 
 recepta noa sine ptf. Habes ckpftovriTu 307. XKTOTTT/JOV libri. xcSroTtrov Can- 
 
 prox. v. Est autem signum in Me- ter. 
 
 garide , quod argumentum melius 308. ?T' dpixero libri. e? T' Stanl. 
 
 erit non contemnere. Vide infra v. eg*' alii, vera 1. incerta.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 35 
 
 roused up the edict not to stint me fire: 
 305 they made a blaze, and sent with zeal ungrudged 
 
 a mighty beard of flame even to o'ershoot 
 
 the headland that looks down on Saron's frith 
 
 illuming it: then flashed until it reached 
 
 the Arachnaean steep, heights near the town. 
 310 Then to the Atreids' roof, there, shot the flame 
 
 not without far descent from Ida's fire. 
 
 Such my lamp-bearing racers' rules o' the course: 
 
 each wins, the first-stage-runner and the last, 
 
 all run the full course by relief of each. 
 315 Such proof I give you and concerted sign, 
 
 my lord transmitting it from Troy to me. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Anon, o lady, I'll address the gods; 
 
 for I would have you speak these words throughout 
 
 again, that I may listen and admire. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 320 The Greeks hold Troy this day; and in the town 
 I fancy cries incongruous are rife. 
 If you poured oil and verjuice in one jar 
 you 'd style them as dissentients, and not friends: 
 the captives' and the conquerors' cries one may 
 
 310. iarbys M. 319. Vulg. dubitanter recepi, nam 
 
 312. TOW/S' i-roipoi Besa. , F. roioi'S' Both, ouj pro j commendat. Verti 
 ft-u/wi Fl. ,.Vict. Schutz. corr. cum Heima. 
 
 313, 314 inverse' ordine leguntur 322. ex^rfas Hbri. corr. Canter, 
 in libris. Olim repoaui , ut syntaxis 323. o\i piA libri. pUu Stanl. 
 recte incederet. Sunt qui illud interpretari poaaint. 
 
 315. TOIOUTOV Fl. F. 
 
 3*
 
 36 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 Kxovsiv eeri <rv/^0opx.c S/TAif?. 325 
 
 Of ftsv yap u,yti$i <rc!:f4a<riv 
 
 xxt 
 
 [tpov. 
 Toy? $ <xvT vuxTiTThayxTOS IK (A<X>; Troves 330 
 
 ap(TTOl<riV UV %l 
 V 
 
 'Ev xixitKXuTOic Tpuixolg 
 
 vfty, rSiv jTraiQpluv TTtiycav 335 
 
 sutfipovyv. 
 
 El 3' u<rpou<ri roy? 7ro^iff<rov^ovi; Qeovc; 
 rove rye ahovtryt; "yyi; 6sav 6' icipuf&XTix, 
 oS T&V &OVTSI; avQic ccvQa.XoiV xv. 340 
 
 Sf [AVI TIS TTpOTfpOV fftTTlTTTy (TTpXTCJ) 
 
 olxovq vo<TTiftou 
 dtavhov QixTfpov xuhov irtzhiv. 
 
 it (tdhoi ffrxro^ 345 
 
 pyyopq TO Trtftx ruv 
 
 &V, 1 -TTpOGTTOllZ, [Ay IXftapTOl XXXX. 
 
 327 , 328. Sic libri. fvro^fuoi itxi- omittere v. 8rf. 
 
 Swv y^sovrej Weil. , ab Enger. recep- 336. wj ScnrSac'yuovs; libri. !j 3' eu5. 
 
 turn. Sed et series interfici oportet , Stanl. Verti (mm Martino. cf. v. 1236. 
 
 ut nemo nisi pueri mulieresque su- 340. ovx. &v y FL oux eSvsiivTes 
 
 persint; nee nisi vulg. retento Pri- Bess, oj TOV Herm. oux v tuetur 
 
 ami cadaver spectare possum. Ahr. ov enim ex >$ ov ortum esse, 
 
 331. vJjiyrts FL vjaTsts F. , recentt. ut Spx ex ^ xpx. Utinam consentire 
 
 vjJsTJs Ahr. possem. Deinde u 9ovoir-i FL dev 
 
 333. Enger. primus post TroAov Oxvotev Bess. foOjAoisv Aurat. accen- 
 
 interpunxit. Idem Iv S' proi. v. ; turn corr. Blomf. 
 
 sed nescio an JEschyli proprium sit 341. /*7rnrro< F. sic Dind., alii;
 
 AGAMEMNON. 37 
 
 325 hear, each distinct, rising from different lots: 
 
 those, sunk with arms around a husband's corse 
 
 or brother's, children clasping the dead forms 
 
 of aged sires, no longer through free throats, 
 
 as heretofore, bemoan the loved one's fate: 
 330 but these night-wandering turmoil after fight 
 
 sets hungry down at meals of what the place 
 
 holds, with no ticket to admit in turn 
 
 but as each drew the billet of his luck. 
 
 In captive Trojan homesteads they dwell now, 
 335 from hoarfrosts underneath the clear cold sky 
 
 and dews released; and how luxuriously 
 
 they '11 sleep the night out with no watch to keep! 
 
 And if they reverence city-guarding gods, 
 
 those of the captured land, and gods' abodes, 
 340 the captors will not in their turn be caught. 
 
 But let no lust meanwhile befal the host 
 
 to long for things unfit, o'ercome by gain: 
 
 there's need of home-arriving safe-return, 
 
 and to bend back the bistade's other limb. 
 345 Ev'n if the host come sinless towards the gods 
 
 the lost ones' woe will be awake to see 
 
 if unexpected ills can hit the mark. 
 
 sed monito opus est , non voto. Chorus , ut ilia , parum ex auimo , 
 
 342. ttopQtiv libri, excepto quod respondet eup/sivws liyets 'beue oini- 
 
 Vict. , et Fl. sec. Herm. noOelv. naris'. Adde quod e^TriebojToj (s. 
 
 345. v oc/A7rAx7)TOs Fl. dfolat 3' potius -rrfj) est vox nihili , ut videtur. 
 
 e*/ji7rAa:xiToj cum Stanl. , Herm. alii. 346. iyp-^yopov libri. corr. Pors. , 
 
 Sed nexus est; 'Esto: deorum nu- tuetur Alir. 
 
 mina non laeserunt; homicidii ta- 347. /) tu-%01 libri. Try rsu^ot 
 
 men (Iphigeniae et Trojanorum) psena Ahr. , Eng. Weil. Sed , ut ego vidi , 
 
 danda est'. Nam salutem in neutram /*>j satis frugi est ; at v. TU^OJ ne- 
 
 partem augurari yult Clyt. Prseten- quam, quae vocis de/*a/ro sedem 
 
 dit quidem rb 8' eu xpxrolr) ; ad qua; prseoccupaverit , contempta voce pj.
 
 38 AFAMEMNQN. 
 
 Toiavr/x TOI yvvxixb? e% Hftou xhufa;' 
 
 TO 5' v xpxroivi , w di%oppo7ru<; ISi/, 
 
 TToMuv yap V0Ai/ TVJV ovyaw iikofAyv. 350 
 
 XOPOS. 
 Yvvai , K&T' civdpa c&Qpov svQpovus 
 
 lyu ' OiKOUffXC TTltTTOC, (TOV 
 
 TrpossiTTsTv ev 7nzptz<r 
 yap ow xripoi; slpyxtrrxi irwav 
 
 r H Zsu /3a<nAu, KOU vv!- Qihia 355 
 
 (teyoihuv xo<Tftuv xrsareipa, 
 vrf ITTI Tpotas irupyoi/; f/ 
 vreyavov WKTUCV w$ 
 ovv vexpav riv' 
 
 360 
 
 Ala TOI %viov ftsyxv xi 
 
 TOV Ta&e Trpx^acvT 1 , IT? ' 
 
 TSIVOVTX TTUhXl TO^OV OTTUq OCV 
 
 (jt,vjT Kpb xaipou [AyO* vTTtp qttra-ov 365 
 
 %OIHTIV 
 , TOUTO (? ^ 
 
 348. xAiiois Fl. xJiuets Bess. , nee 360. Versus suspectus Schutzio , 
 
 aliter iufra v. 1431 axoustj. Eng. cet. , sed sensus integer: 'ser- 
 
 350. TroAAuv euWfiv et sexcenta alia vitutis rete jaciilum , exitii instru- 
 
 in hac fabula Hesiodo derivata sunt. mentum'. Sic infra v. 771 6p<xao? 
 
 353. ew cum ita.p. vel caesura duce TS 'temeritas exitii effectrix'. 
 
 conjungo. 363. Interpunctionem post 'AA-
 
 AGAMEMNON. 39 
 
 Such woman's words you hear from me; but may 
 good win, in no mere equipoise with ill, 
 350 for I prefer the bliss of plenteous joys. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Lady , like man of judgement , cheerfully 
 
 you speak; and I, hearing your trusty proofs, 
 
 duly prepare me to address the gods, 
 
 for grace is wrought well worth the task of praise. 
 
 355 Zeus, prime king, and thou Night the beloved 
 
 of glories majestic possessor! 
 who also didst fling on the bulwarks of Troy 
 
 a fast-holding net, so that no full-grown, 
 
 no, nor a young one rose and emerged from 
 360 slavery's drop-net 
 
 immense, of all-trapping perdition! 
 I venerate Zeus, great lord of the board, 
 
 who accomplished these deeds ; who has long had his bow 
 
 levelled at Paris in order to launch no 
 365 fatuous arrow whizzing onward before 
 
 opportunity's hint, nor behind it. 
 
 'A stroke from Zeus' we now can warrant 
 'they have', and trace this story's progress. 
 
 Herm. pr. delevit. 367. Sic libri. ego commata ap- 
 
 365. un'ep otorpuv libri, quod de- posui ut sit: 'hoc habent; Jovis 
 
 fendi nequit. 'vrttp^aym Weil. Scripsi ictum' : vox ab arena tralata. 
 divisim. Jam optimum sensum ha- 368. -ndtpeiTt libri. corr. Karat. , 
 
 bee, sicut rerti; <rr/ewv autein cor- Heims. TOWT' if. Fl. TOUTO 6' Eng. 
 rectio erat.
 
 40 ArAMEMNIlN. 
 
 "EtJFpai^W ws Kpivtxv. Oux e$x rig 
 
 Qeoi)^ fipor&v afyoup&ast (tsteiv 370 
 
 b'<roi<; aQiKTUv %tx>pit; 
 ' o 5* ovx 
 
 375 
 
 SOVTUV (Atlv 
 
 TO 
 
 sv TrXTruv haovrr 380 
 
 oil 
 
 TThOUTOU TTpg KOpOV 
 
 Bl&TXt $' & TXXOMtX, 7TlQu, 385 
 
 oyAo? Trait/; aQspros x 
 % TTXV (tuTiXicv ow 
 
 Kaxou f %txhnou ToTrov 390 
 
 xoti 
 
 /f 7Tl 
 
 Trait; Troraivov opviv, 
 
 369. (is ftrpafev ws sxpxvsv libri. Paride non loquitur poeta, 8ed ad 
 
 Prius wj delevit Herm. en/salav Franz., v. 400. Tentare possis e^/Jijv vtv. 
 
 Herm. alii : necessario ; nan i hie ge- licenter. 
 
 neraliter loqui oportet, non de Pa- 373. Locus misere vexatus. Le- 
 
 ride. Ego exptvm , ut xpivu 3' i'pfiovov geudum iyysvjjs et "A/SYJS ut ego et 
 
 o>/3ov v. 471. Neque enim sxpavsv Karst. vidimus (lyydvou* et &prj libri). 
 
 de Jore dici potest, iieque expxvxv Sic omnia prospere eveniunt. Et 
 
 intransitive de Trojanis ; ceterum de g'xyovos optime conveniret , sed veri
 
 AGAMEMNON. 41 
 
 They fared as they made choice. One said 'the gods , they 
 370 deign not to heed men by whom homage due 
 
 to things debarred mortal touch 
 
 is spurned' : but he prayed not well. 
 
 A strife for things denied 
 375 to lust is proved innate 
 
 in men unduly breathing pride, 
 
 in houses overwell o'erflowing, 
 
 beyond what 's best: let the good painless be, 
 
 such as to suffice him 
 380 who has his share of wisdom; 
 
 for there rises no refuge 
 
 when, through fulness of wealth, man 
 
 kicks at Justice's altar high, 
 kicks it, to his exstinction. 
 
 385 But sad Temptation drags him onward, 
 
 foreplotting , fatal child of ruin: 
 
 and cure is all-abortive; 'tis not hidden, 
 
 the bane, but shines clear, a dire-gleaming light: 
 390 like metal base, which by wear 
 
 and testing stone's touch assayed 
 
 displays black streaks; for he 's 
 
 a child in chase of bird 
 
 swift- winged , who brings a fatal taint on 
 
 similiuB est postremam partem vocis 379. &<JTS xofcna/sxstv F. Tricliiiii 
 
 ly/ovous corruptam esse. "Apris ch-oA- infausta correctio. 
 
 /jtjjrwv dictum est ut gpt s dyxOw. 380. Aaxwra libri. corr. Ahr. 
 
 'ferocitas (quse propria est Tptiuv 383. p.ey*^* libri. corr. Canter. 
 
 uTTe^ptaiwv , //d^Yjs eixo/5>}Twv , Cic. Div. 386. npofioi/MTtxts libri. Ttp6fio<j).os 
 
 2. 39. 82) rerum inconcessarum cap- Ttatj Karst. Res manifesto, 
 
 tatrix'. Sententia e Menelai oratione 391. Tr/so/Soiats libri. corr. Stanl. 
 est sumpta, Horn. II. TC. 13. 620 sq.
 
 42 
 
 ATAMEMNHN. 
 
 xtpfprov ivQziq 
 
 395 
 
 tf tixouei /&y CVTIZ &uv 
 rbv 5' 7rl<rTpo<pov Sy 
 
 (pur' 
 
 xai Hapis , sh& 
 TOV 
 
 400 
 
 yuvatxog. 
 
 at p. ft'. Al7TOV<TlX $ XtTTOlGlV XtTTTl 
 
 405 
 
 xyovcx r 3 avTitpfpvcv 'lA/cj (p&opxv , 
 
 @@XXV *pi[A($)X $IX TTUhaV, 
 
 a<TX. II0AA# 3' <TTV01/ 
 
 VV7TOVTt; (SofA&V TTpoQfJTXl ' 
 
 la, la ^5>i/,x } 3&[Ax xxi Trpdftor 
 
 XXI (TTloi 
 
 410 
 
 395. 7rravdv libri. corr. Schutz. 
 
 395. Gets Fl. corr. Triclin. 
 
 397. rwvSe libri. 3ij ^o, ejecto 
 TUV. 'cultorem scilicet'. TUV eat scrip- 
 tons librarii peccatum. 
 
 400. TUV Fl. Viet. TOV F. 
 
 405. re xal, post txaitiaTOpxg in 
 libris lectum , in ordinem coegit 
 Ahr. , 9' post vay/Saras addito. 
 
 407. /8e'/3axe Fl. corr. in F. Viet. 
 
 408. 7roiu 3' dmiavewj Fl. Quod 
 
 415 
 
 Pauw. conjecerat, rcoAia 8* earevov, 
 id F. praebet, omnes receperunt. 
 
 409. roS' Fl. Viet. T8' Aur. 
 
 410. lu Sw/jta, utrumque semel, 
 Fl. (Engeri typographus omisit al- 
 terurn 8fii/ta.) 
 
 412. Tidpevrt vc/a; derj/ioj aiot'So/;5j 
 aSwroj cipj/t^vojv iSecv libri. Vides 
 atyaj perisp. esse. Sit ur/sej ut ^/syy; 
 supra: magnum posco; sit tamen. 
 dripus est oiix imrtfwv. Deinde Schol.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 43 
 
 395 his state , then seeks for expiation : 
 
 for now no god hears his prayers, none-, but each 
 
 sweeps away the guilty 
 man who, forsooth, turns towards him. 
 Such was Paris; to Atreus' 
 400 sons' abode having come, he 
 
 outrage foul to the friendly board 
 did by theft of the host's wife. 
 
 And leaving her country-men battle shocks 
 405 with shields and spears, ships to mount , fleets to build and furnish, 
 
 and bearing for a dowry ruin to Dion 
 
 she lightly goes the gates between; 
 
 ill-daring darer. Much they mourned 
 
 the palace-seers mourned with exclamation: 
 410 "Alas, sad home! sad the home and sad the chiefs! 
 
 sad bed! and form where she fondled her true lord! 
 
 he stands by mute, breathing not vengeance nor reproach, 
 
 aghast at sights most sweet before; 
 
 and missing her <w0-beyond- 
 415 seas a ghost seems to rule the palace. 
 
 Now the charms of her statues 
 
 fair is loathed by the husband, 
 
 F. , qui TjStarjj interpretatur , legit quidem , et Helen corporis vestigia 
 
 SJ<TT. Jam velim adeas Med. cod. 8t<jTa fuerant ll&v. Aliorum con- 
 
 apographon quod Dindorfius, vir jecturae ap. Engeri ed. prostant. 
 
 optimus , nobis in manus dedit. Non- 416. xoloaaoi, ut aperte enarrem 
 
 ne qusevis litera <p eadem est quse S, quare vir. doct. conjecturas spreve- 
 
 recta liueola per mediam postea de- rim , sunt Helen statue ligneee , e 
 
 rnissa ? Hinc ego <2oyj/xov>v 'obstupe- quibus una in lecto Menelai sub 
 
 factus'. Putes et Sat/iovSv, formam noctem posita est; quemadmodum 
 
 tragicam , sed vox notior mansisset , Admetus conjugi pollicitus est Eur. 
 
 ilia injuries obnoxia erat. 3(jT' cum Ale. 348 sq. <f>i>x(>bv 
 &tiv conj ungo. Et lectus jugalis
 
 44 AFAMEMNX1N. 
 
 V 
 
 sppsi note' 'A(ppo$iT<x. 
 
 420 
 
 ^o^txi Qspovtrai %<x,piv (totTOtiw 
 yap, VT ow <rdhd Tig Soxtiv opip , 
 
 (3s(3axv cfyis ou ftfdvtrTfpov 425 
 
 7TTpo<; aovff VTTVOU 
 "Tot [tsv %<ZT 
 
 Kttl 
 
 To Troiv 3' d,(p' "Ehhtzvog x'l 
 
 T/\.y(riK<xp<$io<; 430 
 
 EXMTTIp TTpSTTSl. 
 
 ^ youv Qiyy&vsi Trpbt; 
 
 
 ffl KOU <nrO(&$ iig kxx- 435 
 
 'O %pVJrftOl@W (? " 
 
 o xoii Tah&VTQu'Xpq & t*&XM dopog , 
 
 lv % 'lA/oy 440 
 
 418. ctxYiviais hie, me judice, a 427. i<p lurtas libri. corr. Voss. 
 voce x^yjva derivatur. 428. Sic libri , vulg. Halm, non 
 
 419. 'A^oStTvi 3T1. probat mihi T ' et interpunct. suam 
 422. Soxfiiv bp&v libri. opy Prienius. post a'^/j. 
 
 426. inaSots libri. oTraSouu' Do- 429. 'EAA8os libri. "E^Aavos Franz, 
 
 brseus, 431. T^riaixtxpStog unice verum est ;
 
 AGAMEMNON. 45 
 
 and for lack of the love-lit eyes 
 rapture perishes wholly. 
 
 420 And, seen in dreams, fancies fair dashed with fond 
 regret are there, bringing joys empty of fruition: 
 for hope-deluding, when in thought one sees delight, 
 the dream-sprite gliding from the embrace 
 
 425 is gone, and afterwards returns on wings 
 no more, the next slumber's paths attending. 
 The griefs at home, home with consecrated hearth, 
 are these, and more, these surpassing; but the full 
 amount for those who from Greece sailed in company 
 
 430 death-wail from hearts inured to grief 
 in each one's home rises clear. 
 Much in truth, pierces to the marrow: 
 whom each sent, he remembers 
 but, in place of the stalwart 
 
 435 heroes, urns and the burnt-remains 
 back return to each homestead. 
 
 For Mars who discounts the slain warrior's corpse, 
 and holds the scales also in the fight with spears, 
 440 to friends from Troy sends the dust 
 with fire refined, weighty dust, 
 cause of weeping, when he freights 
 
 vox enira usitata inter Pythagoreos , 433. Pors. inseruit rtj. 
 
 T^riaflf 8^ x/saSn). 436. sl^xyixviitxi Fl. corr. Pors. 
 
 431. 8<5/twv libri. At hie Halmio 439. 6 addidit Weilius. 
 
 maims do; prsecepit enim Ziftu \. 441. Inviolata v. 
 ixtxatou libri. JX<*<TTW Eng.
 
 46 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 ryvopoc < 
 
 ' fu Xsyovrst; &v- 445 
 
 5/:# TOV f/,v &$ lAKXtfc ISpit; ' 
 TOV J iv Qovous xotKuq Trstrovr' 
 
 x^orplxc $iai yuvxi- 
 
 KO$' rods clyot, Tit; (3ocv- 
 
 %sr Qdovspbv ' UK' atyoc; ep- 450 
 
 7Ti 
 Ol ' auTou 
 
 K/ZTS%OV<TtV %- 
 
 ot ' e^ovrxq Ixpvtyev. 455 
 
 ^ CttTTUV (pctTlS !;UV KO 
 TO fyftOXpaVTOU $ fyKS TlVSl 
 
 Mevsi & axouctzi TI (tou 
 
 (AspifAva vuxTypsQss ' 460 
 
 T&V TTOhuxTdvuv yotp ovx 
 
 &TK07TOI dfol 
 
 VKI S' 'Epivvft; 
 
 qi /3/oy 465 
 
 ' TO 
 
 444. eu^Tou libri. corr. Auratus. Vulgatum servari non posse in 
 
 448. 8ta libri. Sjal Herm. , 'et ita Comment, ostendi. Glossema est 
 
 legitur in Crameri Anecd. I. p. 119 su/jLoppot , cujus in locum restitui 
 
 13 Oxon.' Eng. veram lect. euxaAot, quod Dorice 
 
 454. eujtoppoi Fl. V. sj/jt6/)j>ug F. scriptum pro eux)Ao corrector a voce
 
 AGAMEMNON. 47 
 
 lightly wielded urns with burnt- 
 ashes representing men. 
 445 This man they mourn and, lauding, say 
 
 how skilled he was in fight; and this 
 as nobly fall'n in bloody fray 
 
 (all for another's wife;) but one 
 silently murmurs this; and woe 
 450 mixed with dislike assails the king- 
 
 principals in the quarrel. 
 Others round the redoubts, there, 
 resting peacefully, tenant 
 tombs of Ilian earth, and with 
 455 hate it covered its winners. 
 
 The townsmen's talk joined with spite carries weight, 
 and claims the debt sanctioned by a people's curse. 
 My care abides yet to hear 
 460 a something now screened by night: 
 for of these great homicides 
 
 not unwatchful are the gods; 
 
 and in time the Furies dark 
 by fate-reversing blotting-out 
 465 of mortal life his light eclipse 
 
 who prospers not with right; and for 
 
 him who exists among th' unseen 
 
 help there is none; and praise beyond 
 
 x'/si; derivari opinatus est. Vide 462. ditfaxoitot Fl. 
 
 Comment. 465. ito^ivru^ Fl. corr. Scaliger. 
 
 458. ri ipse addidi , post xrw 468. intepxfaus libri. corr. QTO- 
 
 omissum. $i)/jLoxponov libri. corr. Pors. tius.
 
 48 
 
 ArAMEMNHN. 
 
 yap o- 
 
 Aiddsv xspavvdc;. 
 Kp/Vw ' &tj)6ovov chpov 
 
 470 
 
 ovv 
 
 @ 
 
 ov 
 
 TIvpb<; ' UTT 
 
 TTOhlV ctiyKSl (>OK 
 
 @<xt;t<;' f/ 3' In 
 Tig cidsv , ^ TI 6f7dv SGTI 
 bs % (ppsvuv 
 
 475 
 
 ov 
 
 480 
 
 vsoig 
 
 xapSlav, 
 
 b.y'. 
 
 63'. 
 
 OC. 7Tp7Tl 
 
 TOU 
 
 ay xv o 
 ' oc.'^'hot, 
 
 opoc 7rtv[tTXi 
 
 485 
 
 sr ovv 
 
 7Tvp<; 
 /V ovsipxTuv 
 
 490 
 
 469. Sortrofj libri. oyxoej Hartung. 
 Hoc meum feci; dignissimum enim 
 est quod in amissse vocis locum acci- 
 piatur. Et quidni verum sit , quum 
 plurale in mathematicis libellis adhuc 
 exstet , et jEsch. Pythagoreus fuerit ? 
 
 474. xaTs'8o(/x libri. corr. Valck. 
 bn aAAwv sicut UTT' ofxpxvtaT&v Soph. 
 
 Ai. 512. 
 
 477. erjjTy/jiwj libri. corr. Aur. 
 
 478. *j, -roi dslov lain ^ fyiOos 
 Fl. /) rot F. V. 17 TI Dind. Ridi- 
 culum est ut vertunt ; Paleius enim 
 'quis novit utrum yerum sit , an ve- 
 rum?' sic utique debebat 'not-a- 
 deception'. Hermannus , (qui ef rt
 
 AGAMEMNON. 49 
 
 meed is a load; at thing of size 
 470 thunder from Zeus is vollied. 
 
 I choose wealth without-envy : 
 no town-captor would I be , 
 no, nor, captive myself, behold 
 
 my life subject to others. 
 
 475 But see, a swift rumour roused 
 
 by fire the glad messenger 
 
 through the city speeds, but if 
 
 'tis true, who knows? or some mysterious work divine. . 
 
 Who is so childish or in sense so dull of edge 
 480 as from the pass-words of flame 
 
 to catch at heart fever-heat and afterwards 
 languish on the story's change? 
 
 It seems to suit woman's mood 
 
 t' assent to what pleases ere the thing appears: 
 485 too fond, the female field of faith is trespassed on 
 
 and soon o'errun, but, soon defunct, 
 
 a rumour dies when by woman heralded. 
 
 We shall soon know of these relays of fire, 
 490 of cresset signals and light-wafting lamps , 
 
 if, as she says, they 're true, or like some dreams 
 
 correxit,) etiam festivius: 'verumne 480. -npb TOW, (vide Comment.), 
 
 ait, quis novitP'niai deorum men- est itpb rtvij. Verto: 'mulieris eat, 
 
 dacium eat; continuo enim colligi antequam gratia evidenter accepta 
 
 posset, verum eeae'. Ahr. apponit eat, acceptam referre'. 
 
 TTIJ, toujours ity. Quidmulta? ^u0oj 485. yuvxixox^puxrov Viet. 
 
 est glossa ad ou axptj adacripta. Quae 489. Hos versua libri Clytemne- 
 
 dedi verto 'an divinum aliquid ait, atrse tribuunt, Scaliger Choro: rea 
 
 ut ne ait recte intellectum'. non incerta.
 
 50 AFAMEMNIIN. 
 
 TspTrvbv TO'$' shdbv (pus stpfacavsv 
 Kypux' KIT' txxTijs TOV& opu xxTXtrxiov 
 ti; shaitx,: ' (MtpTups? $s {tot XXTH; 
 oD %vvoupoq di^ix xovtc; rods' 495 
 
 we our" 1 xvxu^o? OUTS <roi Sxiuv 
 yA^i? opsix? ffy(/.xvsJ XXTTVM Trvpdt; , 
 ^AA' >5 TO %<x.ipsiv fAxhhov x(3<zt;si 
 TOV aivTiov Sf Toftf <x,7ro<TTpyu Xoyov 
 sv yxp Trpoc su QavsTtri 7rpo<r6yxti TT&OI. 500 
 
 i/TOg Qpewv xxpiroTTO TVJV a 
 KHPTH. 
 
 'lu TTXTpyov ovdxi; 'Apysia 
 SSXXTOU trs Qsyysi Tffi <z$ixd(t*jv 
 
 TTOhhUV pX^SKTUV S^Tfl^UV (MXq TU%&V. 505 
 
 Ou yap TTOT' yv%ouv rffi sv 'Apysia xflovi 
 
 ' >jA/ou Qdtot; , 
 
 TS %upas Zsi>$ , o IIvQids r &vat- 
 TO^oiq IXTTTUV [tyxT > sis yftxi; /3fA>; ' 510 
 
 vuv 3' afire euTyp IcQi xx} 
 ava% "AsroAAov. Tov<; r ayuvloix; Qsovq 
 rposoivbu , TOV T sftbv Tiftxopov 
 , (pihov xi/spuxx , Kvipvxuv <rs(3xi; , 515 
 
 ypcat; TS TOVC 7r{t\];xvTXt; , suftsvsJt; 
 Ss%s<rQxi TOV tehsiftftsvov 
 
 492. lp>}A&)(re libri. corr. Pors. terpunxit post Kupos; nam rulgo 
 
 496. &s FL plene interpungebatur. 
 
 497. Dind. primus commate in- 504. Ssxarou libri. SSXKTW Wund.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 51 
 
 that pleasing light which came befooled the mind. 
 Yonder I see a herald bound from shore 
 brow-screened with olive-sprays; and thirsty dust 
 
 495 mud's sister and next neighbour bears me out: 
 since not as mute nor lighting you a flame 
 of mountain wood he '11 teach by smoke of fire; 
 but speaking will proclaim superior joy 
 or but I disallow that tale's reverse. 
 
 500 Fair may the adjunct be to fair displays. 
 
 "Who for our state prays thus in other sense, 
 may he, alone, reap fruit from his thought's sin. 
 
 HERALD. 
 
 Hail to thee, Argive land's paternal soil! 
 
 thus have I reached thee in this tenth year's light, 
 505 and after many hopes were wrecked, gained one. 
 I never fancied in this Argive earth 
 
 to die and get my grave-land share most sweet. 
 
 Now hail! my land, and hail! sunlight, to thee; 
 
 to Zeus the land's Most High, and Pytho's king, 
 510 who with his bow aims shafts at us no more: 
 
 unkind enough thou cam'st, Apollo king, 
 
 to the Scamander; now our Saviour be 
 
 and Leech again. The gods of combat all 
 
 I next invoke, and my own patron-god 
 515 Hermes, dear herald, herald's reverence, 
 
 and the conducting heroes, with good will 
 
 to take again the spear-surviving host. 
 
 511. 3A0' supra scripto e f Fl. Grseci aptam ease existimabant , quod 
 ?>Mss F. V. W Bl. faff Herm. 'at e Soph. Ai. 702 intelligi pot8t, 
 veuiendi notio non apta' Eng. Immo 512. nstyfaios Fl. corr. Dobrseua. 
 
 4*
 
 52 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 'la ftshxdpx fixirtheuv, Qlhxi 
 
 l TS Qxxoi, dxiftovst; T* avrfatot, 
 
 7TOV TTXXXl (pxt$pSl<ri TC/<7/' 0(Jl.fMVTl 520 
 
 yap u/tfv (put; sv sv(pp;vy (pepuv 
 xxi Toicl? aTTsuri xotvbv 'Ayxftsftvuv avxt;. 
 'AAA' sv viv tzv-Tratracrds , xxi yoc,p ovv TrpsTrst , 
 Tpolxv xzTxtrxx-^xvTX TOV dixytpopcv 525 
 
 ry xxrsipyxtrTXi TT&OV , 
 i$mr&At/rai xfiovot;. 
 ovdf Tpolp TTsptpxAuv QvxTypiov 
 
 y? fvdxiftcav xvyp 530 
 
 , Tl<rQzi <? xfydlTXTOt; 
 
 TUV vuv TIxpis yxp ovrs 
 
 TO "(ipXfttZ TOll TTXQOVZ 
 
 yxp apTTxyy? TS xx} xhO 
 TGV putrlcu & 1 yftxpTS xx] Trxvuhsdpov 535 
 
 XOP02. 
 
 ^ *A%xiuv %,x7pf TUV XTTO 
 
 KHPTH. 
 
 ipu T } TS&VXVXl T OVXST XVTSpS) fad?*;. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 tj^s yys <r iyuftvxtrsv ; 540 
 
 520. Yjitau libri. et TTOU Aur. , re- 8' a&rroi xal OsBiv t8/w/*aTa ex Pers. 
 
 centt. iude a Stanl. Deinde tfones 811. Immane peccatum; quod Salz- 
 
 Aiir. ; sed prseco TowfS' injecit omi- mannus primus notavit. Scilicet poeta 
 
 nis evitandi causa. sacirilegii reum Agamemnonem sedulo 
 
 527. Hue vulgo obtrusus /3w;uoi non facit.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 53 
 
 Hail! mansions of our kings, beloved roofs, 
 
 and awful thrones, and gods who face the sun; 
 520 if ever erst ye did, with bright eyes, these, 
 
 receive in state the king after long time: 
 
 king Agamemnon comes with light in night 
 
 for you and all in common who stand here. 
 
 Yea, greet him kindly, for indeed 'tis fit, 
 525 who hath dug up the Troad with the spade 
 . of right-restoring Zeus; with it the soil 
 
 is tilled, and all the land's seed quite cleared out. 
 
 Having cast such a yoke-band over Troy 
 530 the elder king Atreides, hero blest, 
 
 is come, of living men most worthy fame. 
 
 Not Paris, nor the country co-assessed 
 
 boasts that the act outdid the suffering dealt: 
 
 cast in the suit for rape and theft he both 
 535 has lost the goods he seized and with the land 
 
 mowed down in ruin full his father's house; 
 
 and Priam's folk paid double mulct-for-sin. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Rejoice, thou herald of the embattled Greeks. 
 
 HERALD. 
 I do; I'll say no more to heaven 'gainst death. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 540 Love of this fatherland kept you sore tried? 
 
 534. opAwv libri. corr. Bl. F. et Paleio 'facinoris pretium'. 
 
 536. iQplatv a sec. m. in Fl. su- 539. %y.ipv -rsOv&vai 8' libri (' in 
 pra scriptum. Fl. omisaum) ^a^w re Herm. olim , 
 
 537. 8&p<xf>Ttx. Verto cum Sch. quod Heims. recepit , 8" in f' mutatp,
 
 54 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 KHPT5. 
 
 iv y' ftftftOffn %xpxs VTTO. 
 XOPO2. 
 
 oi vovov. 
 
 KHPTH. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 oivrspuvruv l^fp 
 
 KHPTH. 
 J^vSf yijv (TTpxrov \kyeiq; 545 
 
 XQPOS. 
 
 'AA' K(AXvpaq IK (Dpsvdt; yt avxa-Tevstv. 
 KHPTH. 
 
 TO $LHT(ppOV TOUT' STTijV (TTSVOS Af (JJ J 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 TO triyav (pxpftaxov (3&d(3y<; %u. 
 KHPTH. 
 
 } TTU<;; XTTOVTUV xotpxvdiv er/Jf/s TIVKC-, 
 
 541. exSaxpetv T. whitt. 
 
 542. ?(TTS Fl. >STS F. xjsre Ahr. 546. /*' Scaliger addidit. 
 
 543. Interpunxit Schutz. 547. iruyog arpxru libri. Nebu- 
 
 544. TteTrArjy/itevos libri. corr. Tyr- lones ambo. ffrwo; ^o , vocibus dvx<t-
 
 AGAMEMNON. 55 
 
 HERALD. 
 So that tears start within my eyes for joy. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Then you were smit with that delightful pain. 
 
 HERALD. 
 
 How so? when taught I '11 own to that remark. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Pierced with desire for those who loved again. 
 
 HERALD. 
 545 You say this land pined for its pining host. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 So that I often sighed from gloomy thought. 
 
 HERALD. 
 Whence this sad sigh that weighed upon the state? 
 
 CHORUS. 
 I 've long held silence mischiefs remedy. 
 
 HERALD. 
 Why? feared you any, with the masters gone? 
 
 Tvv et itt-fiv ductua ; Itf? Helms. quinetiam verum ease puto ; et 
 
 549. tupKfVuv Fl. V. xoip&vcav F. supra erat 'malum'. Cf. proverbium 
 
 Hsec suapicor correctoria ease pur- 'absente domino strepunt servuli'. 
 pureos pannos. Malim
 
 56 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 'fit; vvv , TO dbv S>f, KOii Qavsw TTOAAJJ %dpig. 550 
 
 KHPTH. 
 
 Eu yap TTSTTpXXTai. To&TOt, ' V 
 
 ret ftsv rig xv he^sisv U7TTug e%siv 
 TO, $' avTs xa7ri{to(t<pa. Tig 3s TTA^ 
 
 TTti^CCV TOV /' XlSlVO? %f&W, 
 
 yap si hsyoifti xai 3u<rauhl<;, 555 
 
 Trap^sig xai xawtrTpuTOw; rl 3' ou 
 oi> h&xovTsq vfisoi; f^spog; 
 
 TK ' tXVTS %p<TU, KOtl TTpO^V TTXtOV ffTVyOS ' 
 
 evvai yap %<rav ciafav TTpbs Tsl^striv 
 
 s!; oupavou Sf KXTTO yyt; Ksipuwt&S 560 
 
 s xafyv , 
 TiQivrsg ev 
 
 ' si hsyot Tig oluvoxTcvov 
 oJov TTOipsl^ uQspTOv 'l^xla %id)v , 
 
 t} 6a^.7rog SVTS TTOVTOS sv (tSGyitftpivofis 565 
 
 KOiTaig iZKVftuv vyvsftoit; e'v&oi 
 
 T/ TKUTX TTevdsW 5f 
 
 f TOI<TI 
 
 550. <5v vuv libri. corr. Scaliger. scriptum ease, ut simile ipdueeus 
 
 556. xaxoT/90JTOus Fl. V. corr. in F. exemplum , quemadmodum laudatur 
 
 557. ou I*x6rres tipx-tos libri , cor- in E. M. s. v. >5oj. Velim mini 
 rupte. At quid, malum, vjSeos? Di- redd as unde unde extricatum v. ^8/^a 
 cam : editores certatim castigant in- vel simile quid ; nam Hesychius non- 
 sontem Aa^ovrej quum , me judice , dum ad me devertit. 
 
 noxam admiserit v. vjfjuxros- Expecto 559. Srjfwv libri. corr. Dind. 
 
 yjSovfiiv pspog, ut Tt/saTTf'dwv pipo^ v. 560. y<xp libri. Si Pearson. ; quod 
 
 380. ; sed turn , unde >5'/AaTos ? Cedo ni recipias , hsereo. tei/j.wla.1 Fl. V. 
 
 >7'Seos, jamque apparet ^KTOJ supra corr. Schutz.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 57 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 550 So that death now were, as you say, quite sweet. 
 
 HERALD. 
 
 True: for we 've tasted good. Thus in long time 
 one might declare that some things fall out well, 
 and some again not faultless: save the gods 
 who through his lifetime is quite free from pain? 
 
 555 If I should tell of toils and sorry berths , 
 
 the close and ill-spread deckways but at what 
 did we not sigh? getting no share of joy. 
 Then things on land were horrors greater yet: 
 for close by hostile walls our beds were laid, 
 
 560 and pelting drops from heaven and meadowy earth 
 besprinkled us, and to the wild-beast's fur 
 of our apparel searching damage caused. 
 And should one tell of the bird-killing cold 
 past-bearing which Idaean snows brought on, 
 
 565 or melting heat whene'er the waveless deep 
 
 in breezeless rest at noontide dropped asleep 
 but why deplore it? now the pain is past; 
 aye , for the dead so past that they no more 
 
 560. Ip6aoi libri. fiolot ego. Vox Stanl. ; hanc vocem si quis noverit 
 desideratur quse O&TTO xwvou sit, et vertet 'crispatam et nitido colore 
 pluviam , rorem , grandinem , prui- florentem'. Vix id voluit praeco. Ego 
 nam , nives significet , qualis est /Se'Ajj nihil melius quam iv Ortp&v tpiyl re- 
 Soph. Ant. 358. Suidas /36Xof ij perire potui. iv Oe&v xplact infra v. 
 Spdaos. Gloss igitur Spoaoi quae 1289. Cave suspiceris vocem Ttfl&rej: 
 iliu Be male habuit, tandem vale valde earn amat . K-<-li. Locus ex 
 dictum est. Hesiodo sumptus ut ostendam in 
 
 561. xKT*ifaxov mavult Dind. Comment. 
 
 562. evOriov tix libri.
 
 58 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 TO fiyTTOT* avQiq (Jt,vj<? a 
 
 T/ Tcvq tzvahuQsvTixs iv ^(py Asyu; 570 
 
 TOV ^uvrtx 5' xXysiv %py' Tv%tf$ Trxhiyxdrou 
 
 &ipsiv cruftQopai; xotT<x%iu. 
 s rolg ^.onroTtriv 'Apysiuv 
 vixiji TO xspSot; } Tryfta S' OLIK 
 
 u$ KOftTTtxtrat r^'5' s'txa*; faiou Qxsi 575 
 
 u^-f/j Qahourvys K<X: 
 Tpolxv JAovrfu ^TTOT' ''Apystav 
 
 KQvpOt TXVTX TOiq KOid' ' 
 
 7nx.<T(rdtevffxv xp^xiov 
 
 xhvovTas svhoysTv TTO'A/V 580 
 
 xxi TOUC crTpzTyyovi; ' xat 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 hoyoitriv ovx xvotiv 
 ctii yap y(3a. Tolq yspoueiv 
 
 TIXUTX xai K^uTXtf^v^(TTpiy, hsyfiv 585 
 
 <rvv Sf TrhouTi&iv i(Mi. 
 
 KATTAIMNHZTPA. 
 
 VTTO , 
 
 o 7rpiTO<; vv%ioc; .y/^oi; irupcx; 
 ikbHTiv 'lA/oy T' xvoiffTounv ' 
 
 KXl TIC fjC 6V17TTUV /W, (fipVXTUpUV ^IX 590 
 
 570. ie'ystv libri. Arfyw, cum sign. 572. auppopods libri. 
 
 interrog. , ego. v. jueUstv , ut solet , utpote qui probe sciret verbum Jleystv 
 
 injuriam intulit. Subinde colon ad cum dat. , v. xaraftoDv cum ace. con- 
 
 %pri posui , interpunct. post xaTalzu sti'ui. Et hie et ssepius Herm. sibi 
 
 delevi. Manet asyndeton ut supra persuasit , et multia aliis , nil intra 
 
 v. 567. oleam esae duri.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 59 
 
 retain a wish ever to rise again: 
 570 and why count up the lost ones in my list? 
 the living ought to grieve: nay, to the turns 
 of wayward fate I wish a long goodbye: 
 since for us remnants of the Argive host 
 the good prevails and pain does not outweigh: 
 575 so that we fairly crow to yon sunbeam, 
 we fliers over sea and land: "Of yore 
 a host of Argives having taken Troy 
 through Hellas to the gods within their fanes 
 nailed up these spoils, a trophy of the past." 
 580 Hearing these things 'tis fit ye laud the state 
 and its host-leaders; honoured too shall be 
 Jove's grace which wrought the deed. Thou hast the whole tale. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Won by your words I cavil not: one thing 
 is always young with old men, learning well. 
 585 But 'tis most fit you tell it to the house 
 and to the queen, and with me enrich them. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 I shouted praise for joy a while ago 
 when came the first night messenger of fire 
 reporting Ilion's sack and overthrow: 
 590 and one said chiding me: "by signal-men 
 
 577. rpolff> Fl. corr. in F. (libri. Ipi); nee dubium est quin 
 
 585. ptltiv libri. Frigide, immo Chorum illud dicere oporteat. 
 
 absurde dictum; cujus rice liysiv 587. cbw/aMfa/xsv libri. corr. Steph. 
 
 repoaui , nam pttttv eat gloasema ad 590. ivlmtw Fl. <ppvxrtip(av Si 
 
 x-Mysiv adscriptum. Deinde e^oi ego , libri. eorr. Schutz et Dind.
 
 60 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 Tpolxv vvv 
 
 vi xaprot, Trpbc yuvzixbz xtpstr&xi xsxp. 
 TOIOVTOIC 
 ' fduov , xai 
 
 Otrot, irroKiv 595 
 
 iv Qf&v sdpais 
 
 dtyov xxivouvres suudy Qhoyx. 
 Kxi vvv roc, fAtztrfu [Jt,ev TI Sf? cr' i/toi hh/siv; 
 O? oiurou TTI&VTX Trsvtrofttxt hdyov 
 
 apicTTix rov f/,bv xldtfcv Trdtriv 600 
 
 TTXhlV fJLO^OVTtX, ^^XvOotl ' Tl 
 
 TOUTOU Qsyyoz ffiiov 
 
 civol^ai ; TOUT tzTra 
 
 605 
 
 yvvaxa. WTW sv ^oit; supot 
 
 OUV fAf/TTf, %U[MX,TUV XVVIX 
 
 sxsivc,), TrotefAizv rciz 
 xxi rasAA' b[u>i(x,v TTKVTX 
 
 sv f&yxei %pdvov. 610 
 
 Tsp\l>iv oyS' brtyayw tpanv 
 nap" ccvSpos ftahhov % %txhxoi> 
 
 KHPTH- 
 
 <? o xdftTTOt; T*j<; oi 
 oux <zi<r%poi; ug yvvxixi ysvvxitf. 
 
 597. xot/iwvrej libri. Hoc nemo haereas si modo raemoria retineas 
 
 explicavit. Conjecerunt xatovrsj Ca- quse scholl. dixerunt ad Hes. Op. 
 
 saub. , xotfiwres Henn. , xunowre; Ahr. 161, et Plut. de Pyth. or. p. 102 
 
 Dedi xatvowrej 'inaugurantes'. Tauchn. Proverbium eat antiquas 
 
 612. Sic libri. Neque erit cur cupri ?TO/AW<J alludens, quse multis
 
 AGAMEMNON. 61 
 
 cheated, dost think that Troy is now destroyed? 
 this heart-excitement is full womanish". 
 By such remarks I was shown up as crazed: 
 but still they offered; and in woman's key 
 
 595 on each side some one through the city raised 
 the cry of joy, and with fair words renewed 
 on the gods' altars spice-fed fragrant flame. 
 As for the larger news why tell it me? 
 I '11 hear the whole tale from the king himself. 
 
 600 Now will I haste to greet as best I can 
 my honoured lord on his return; for what 
 light's sweeter for a wife to see than this, 
 to ope the gates when god has brought back safe 
 her husband from the war. Bear him back word 
 
 605 to come at his best speed, the city's love; 
 
 and let him find at home , having come , his wife 
 true, such as her he left, a house-dog staunch 
 to him, at war with those who wish him ill; 
 and in all else the same; her, who in length 
 
 610 of time has tampered with no signet stamp. 
 Of cheer or word of shame from other man 
 I know no more than of bronze-tempering. 
 
 HERALD. 
 
 That sort of boast freighted with truth is not 
 unseemly for a true wife to proclaim. 
 
 ante sseculis usu interciderat. Tern- 613, 14. in libris prseconi tri- 
 
 perantiam dico , neutiquam vero tine- buuntur. Mirere si quis innoyare 
 
 turam, ut Paleius perperam. Bee- velit; fuerunt tameu, Hermanno ip- 
 
 tiua Kingsleii Argonaut aibi induunt BO , quern e longinquo veneror, prse- 
 
 'swords of tempered bronze'. ludente.
 
 62 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 AuVjf ftV OVTUS f/Vf f^OivStXVOVTl (TOt 615 
 
 Topotviv ep(^vjV\J7iv sinrpsTrag hoyov. 
 
 2u 5' f/TTf, XypuZ , MfVfAfWV f TTSvQo/tiXt, 
 s't VOtTTlftdt; T KO,} <T<TUV[AevOt; TTOiXlV 
 
 ijt-si vvv vftiv, rtj^e yys Qihov xpxro?. 
 
 KHPTH. 
 Owe 1(7^' 5Vw? Af'^a// r^ fy&ji x^Aa 620 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 yx VKpv~Ta yiyvsrou rtx^s. 
 KHPTH. 
 
 TS xtzi rb Trhotov ' ov ijjfv'Sfj hsyu. 625 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 Tlorspov dtvaxfiiic iftQavKS ii; 'lA/oy , 
 xoivbv 
 
 KHPTH. 
 
 "Exvptrut; ugrs TO^OTYIC, axpo? 
 
 615. 'Sic tibi tironi verbs, dedit 622. TU^S Fl. TUXI V. TU^I 
 
 periti judicis seutentia pulchre'. supra scripto F. TU^O'S corr 
 
 618. ye libri. re Henn.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 63 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 615 For you, a novice, she thus framed her tale 
 to shrewd exponents with propriety. 
 But, herald, say I ask of Menelaus - 
 if he is to return and safe again 
 will come with you, this land's beloved chief. 
 
 HERALD. 
 
 620 I could not so report fair tidings false 
 
 as that my friends would long reap pleasant fruit. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Would you might chance to tell us true good news; 
 but, sundered, these two things are hard to hide. 
 
 HERALD. 
 
 That man is missing from the Achaean fleet, 
 625 he and his ship. I speak things not untrue. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Left he Troy openly alone, or did 
 
 some common storm-grief tear him from the host? 
 
 HERALD. 
 
 Like first-rate archer you have hit the mark, 
 and curtly stated a long tale of woe. 
 
 624. dvi)p libri. corr. Herm. se de Homerica narratione declinare. 
 
 626. Hoc versu ostendit poeta 628. Tofoxs Fl.
 
 64 ATAMEMNnN. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 TloTfpx yap auTOu %uvro<; % TfQvyxoroi; 630 
 
 KHPTH. 
 
 Owe ofeev ovbeis , U$T' omotyyeihou 
 iv TOV rpstpovToq 'HA/oy xflovbt; (pvtriv 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 yap hsysit; %i(4&>va 
 
 i TS dxipovuv wry; 635 
 
 KHPTH. 
 
 vji^xp ou Trpiirei 
 
 y Qeuv. 
 "Orav c? aTTSvxTa TT^XT' ay/shot; 
 
 640 
 
 V TO ftlOV TU% v 
 
 tx.v%ptx,q $t7rhy (ttiyTiyi, ryv "Apys 
 v , (potviav %uvupi!ia, 
 f&evTOi TryftctTav Gsvayfikvov 
 
 sTrst hsyeiv TTXIXVX ro'vS' ''E.pivvcav. 645 
 
 'Lurypiuv Sf 
 ijxovra 7rpb<; 
 
 z roli; xxxoTn a-jftftii;u h 
 ^xioJi; ovx, f/,yvirov Sf&v; 
 yap, cvrsc %Qi<rroi TO Trplv, 650 
 
 644. aeaacyptvuv libri. corr. Pors. rivS', v. 645, eat rivS* ecyytiov.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 65 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 630 Wait: was there no report of him alive 
 or dead by other sailors talked about? 
 
 HERALD. 
 
 No one knows aught, so as to clearly tell, 
 save the earth's offspring nurser Helios. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 What account give you how the storm came on 
 635 the fleet and ended through the daemons' spite? 
 
 HERALD. 
 
 Day of fair words with ill-news-telling tongue 
 to soil beseems not: to each god apart 
 is homage paid; and when a messenger 
 with dismal face brings word of woes accursed 
 
 640 of a lost host, that one, a public wound, 
 befals the state of many men, from homes 
 many, lashed gravewards by the double whip 
 that Ares loves, his two-barbed death, his team 
 of two blood-reds, saddled with such distress 
 
 645 one should repeat the Furies' hymn of joy. 
 But I, returning to a state in weal 
 rejoicing, with good news of things which leave 
 life safe, how can I mix kind words with cross 
 and tell of tempests not-uncaused-by-wrath 
 
 650 of gods to Greeks : for two conspired , before 
 
 649. 'A^oftfiv et Btols libri. Correierunt Dobrieus , Herm. , Bl. , plerique.
 
 66 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 irvp xxi 6xhx<r<rx, xxi rx w/W 
 (j&glfwn TOV SUVTIIMV 'Apyfltov <rrpxTOv. 
 5 Ev VVXTI S'jyxuftxvTX ' apupei xxxu ' 
 vxu<; yxp Trpbs xhhyhXKri Qpyxtxi TTVOX} 
 ypsixov txi Sf xsporvTTOvftsvai $ict, 655 
 
 r oftPp 
 
 KXXOU 
 
 faiov 
 
 KV&OUV TT&oi'yo!; Myouov vsxpoti; 
 'A%aiuv vavTixcTt; r' spsnrloig. 660 
 
 ye plv 3y vauv r' axypiXTCv (rxtkpo? 
 
 YfTQl rii; ^X^^V J} '^^T^(7^T(J 
 
 6eo? TIG, oiix MftHFOft oiotxoi; Qiyuv 
 vxvv ^eAoyir' eQ^ero , 
 
 Xyv e%iv 665 
 
 Ttpt; x,pa.TO,Xuv xflovct. 
 
 7TOVTIOV 
 
 KX.T yftap, ou 
 
 VOV 
 
 x/xftdvTOt; xixi xxxut; <77ro$ovftyou. 670 
 
 Kxt vvv ixf/vuv ft riq forty E 
 
 uq dhukOTas ' ri 
 
 TVOITO 5' us api<TT<x. MfvfAf^v yap ouv 
 
 Trpurov T xxi yMXwrot, irpo^oxx ^otelv ' 675 
 
 / S' ovv Tiq XXTIS falou vn 
 
 654. dli>jii(T FL V. corr. ia P. ceperunt recentt. Etenim scriba vocis 
 
 655. xe^wTuiroiyxevat libri. corr. vsxpdis oblitus erat. 
 
 Wasaius. 662. Sic emendatus ab JEschylo 
 
 660. vaurtxwv T' Ipcniw Fl. F. profectus eat. 
 
 ipemiuv V. Aurati correctionem re- 664. vcaj<no'tov<i Casaubon, quern
 
 AGAMEMNON. 67 
 
 most hostile, fire and sea, and proved their troth 
 by havoc of the woebegone Greek fleet. 
 Wild-billowy troubles in the night arose, 
 for Thracian squalls dashed foul our vessels one 
 
 655 against another, and they, rudely gored 
 
 by typhoon's tempest with its rain-lashed surge, 
 as in a crush caused by an awkward swain 
 passed out of view. And when the sun's bright light 
 came up we saw the ^gsean main in bud 
 
 660 with Grecian corpses and the wrecks of ships. 
 Us, and our ship, at least, unharmed in hull, 
 some being stole away or begged us off - 
 a god, it was no man, and held our helm, 
 and Luck, prompt Saviour, took a seat on board. 
 
 655 So at our moorings we had no wave-swell, 
 and struck against no shore of stubborn rock. 
 Then, having 'scaped the death-god of the sea, 
 in the white dawn, mistrusting our own fate, 
 in thought we watched a flock of recent woes 
 
 670 of our disabled and hard-battered fleet. 
 
 And now, if any one of them yet breathes, 
 they speak of us as lost; of course: and we 
 conjecture that they 've got as much. But may 
 the best betide: first and most fondly look 
 
 675 for Menelaus to return; and if 
 
 some sunbeam, as I said, knows him to be 
 
 nonnulli secuti sunt; temere, me aitolslv eat d^Ouvtiv , sed non sine 
 judice. lusu vocem TriSaj adhibente. 
 
 670. xaT(T7ro3/*A<ouMeineke,quod 674. 8' dip' mn Aur. fortasse recte. 
 
 non multum abest quin mihi per- ouv autem revocat v. 617, ut proii- 
 suadeat; nam hiems mane desierat. mum ow (v. 676) v. 633. 
 
 5*
 
 68 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 T KXl 
 
 CUTTCC QshovTOs %avahut7txi ysv 
 rig aurbv 
 
 axovtrcti; 't<rQi rahydij xhuuv. 680 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 7TOT 
 $ TO 7TOCV 
 
 TI$ ovrtv" ov% opu- 
 
 685 
 
 row $op!yxft(3pov &ft(j)ivi- 
 
 xfj 6' 'EAtvtfi/; sTTfi 7rp7r6v- 
 
 rus ttevciii; , fhav^poz , lAfTrrsA/^ X 
 
 ruv aftpOTryvuv 7rpox,a,Xv[A(Jt,tx,ruv eTAfu- 690 
 
 au- 
 
 r (pa<r7ri$t; xuvx- 
 yoi xx,r 1%,voq TTharav aQavrov 695 
 
 elf Zptv aiftaro'strfftxv. 
 
 'IA/W $ KV$Qq Op- 700 
 
 rp<X7T- 
 
 677. xal ?fijvra xai libri. Toupius Et est sane cur heereas in v. e5vi/xa?sv. 
 
 correxit ex Hesychio; recentt. 689. lie'vas libri. lA&aus Elmsl., 
 
 680. xiuwv Fl. eiv ab eadem manu ut ii7T<5vaus. Schneid. olim lievaj, ut 
 supra scripto. l^ev^s. Vera lectio incerta. 
 
 681. Herm. dubitat an cSv<5/xfev 690. a/S^ort'/Awv libri. corr. Sal- 
 dixerit poeta , ut opT/5ia,MevK Supp. masius , recentt. 
 
 38, et fortasse ae/3tf&j infra T. 785. 695. Trvldtrav libri, Triarccv Heath.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 69 
 
 both hale and living, by device of Zeus 
 not willing yet to extirpate his race, 
 there is some hope that he '11 come back again. 
 630 Hearing so much, know that you hear the truth. 
 
 CHOEUS. 
 
 Who, I wonder, named her thus 
 
 altogether truthfully, 
 (was it one whom we behold 
 
 not by sight, who with prescience of the doom 
 685 deftly modulates the tongue?) 
 
 named the spear- wedded , gage of strife, 
 Helena? since conformably, 
 knell-like to navies cities and men, from between 
 690 daintily- worked curtains she came and sailed away, 
 
 borne by the earth-born Zephyr's breeze: 
 so , with a band numberless , huntsmen bearing shields 
 635 sailed on their oar-blades' vanished footprint 
 
 (theirs , who now had attained the fair 
 
 Simois' verdure-swelling 
 banks) for bloody contention. 
 
 700 And the wrath of Gods, to Troy, 
 
 bent on full reprisals, sped 
 marring-marriage , not misnamed, 
 
 ab hac voce pendet xeAwavrcov. Im- men ofcx^iTopMAous , mentis epitheton , 
 
 pedita structure, sensus hand obs- corrupto antistr. v. motus. 
 cunts , ut verti. 701. T&taiippuv ^- V. corr. in F. 
 
 698. in <x$tyvttout Fl. V. gl s de- 702. tt<rc et eJ T ^w fv' Fl. V. 
 
 f tfiiUous F. Nihil verius Pauwii jjAaoe et &{/**>; absque fv % F. illud 
 
 correctione, quam dedi; Paleius ta- Pors. hoc Canter, corr.
 
 70 
 
 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 %vve<TTiov Alb 
 TO v 
 
 rov- 
 
 # ?' vftevxtov , o? TOT' 
 
 vov npidftov TTO^H; yepai- 
 a, TrohuQpyvov lAkyot. KOU O-TSVSI 
 vxoveot. Tlapiv TOV ulvd 
 yv Trohvdpyvw xl- 
 5)v& diai 
 
 705 
 
 710 
 
 715 
 
 viv f 
 dtvyp 
 
 sv 
 
 TrpOTetelois 
 
 720 
 
 7r%<xpTOv 
 Tlohsx ' tv% ev 
 
 vsorpo'Qou TSXVOV 
 
 TTOTI xeTpx (rut 
 vav Te yatTTpb? 
 
 725 
 
 707. y' inserui, metro flagitante; 
 simul et meliorem sensum prsebvd: 
 'etsi facinus ipsi non patraverunt 
 tamen a Paride factum ad se rece- 
 perunt'. ineppsrt M. ineppensv Viet. 
 snsnpsnsv F. Ineppsitev Herm. , re- 
 centt. , metro pessumdato. Weil. 
 dedit Ineppsns, nescio an primus. 
 
 714. Tca.p.np6<j6r) libri. Impavidus 
 
 innovavi. Et Ix/mptis et 0-^ ap. JEsch. 
 inveniuutur. Illud autem pavep&s 
 non ^vS(5|<u significare omnibus no- 
 turn est; et sic Stud. s. v. Quod 
 ad (h)v attinet , suspicor earn ex iis 
 vocibus esse quas poeta Athenas 
 Syracusis adscivit. Saepius occurrit 
 ap. Horn., et Theocr. ; ap. Hes. , 
 nou item. Mox itoivQ-wav est me-
 
 AGAMEMNON. 71 
 
 for despite done to board and hearth-god Zeus 
 levying in the time to come 
 705 payment from those who, voice and soul, 
 joined in the madrigal which then 
 lauding the bride had fall'n to the dole of her new 
 kinsmen to sing. Then: but the venerable queen- 
 710 city of Priam learning now 
 
 different notes full of laments , groans much , and styles 
 Paris, I trow, 'the sadly-bedded': 
 for quite clearly she passed a life 
 715 full of laments for woful 
 
 poured-out blood of her people. 
 
 So man nurses a lion's cub 
 
 weaned from milk, in his household, 
 
 enamoured yet of the mother's 
 720 pap, in the dawn of existence 
 
 gentle, beloved by the children, 
 
 and a delight to the aged: 
 
 then in the arms it oft reclines 
 
 as babes take their first repasts-, 
 725 fawning comes to the hand with eyes 
 bright in serfdom of hunger. 
 
 dulla hujus sententise. omnibus probata. 
 
 715. l&v ixfupl itoU-rav libri. no- 723. &/ suspectum est. verti 
 
 In&v Aur. atava Stal Emper. His cum Herm., aliis. 
 
 receptis, omnia ei mea sententia 724. vtirpopov Fl. 
 
 procedunt. Vides literas ft.pt con- 725. Verti cum Boissonad. <rafvv 
 
 fusas ease et ? pro 8' scriptam , ut T <p. TT. % Weil, mavult fxtipvn&i 
 
 supra v. 413. et <rafvovra. Tngeniosissime ille qui- 
 
 717. Arfovra alviv libri. Movros Ivtv dem, sed fortasse paulo violentius. 
 est egregia Coningtoni emendatio .
 
 72 
 
 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 Xpovurdstt; & otirebsil-ev y- 
 
 60S TpOTTOU? T TOXV/UV 
 
 %aptv rpotpa? yap zftsifiav 
 trvv arxit; 
 
 730 
 
 cvoq TTO^UKTOVOV ' 
 ex. Qeov 5' ispsvt; TI$ a- 
 
 735 
 
 n&p&VTa $ i^dsTv i$ 'lA/cy 
 
 xv Qpovvifiot, tiev vyvsftov yaha 
 
 740 
 
 v- 
 
 Qo$. Tlapuxhlvxir' sirexpa- 
 vsv f yaftou Trixpxg rsteu- 
 
 KXl 
 
 744 
 
 TTOfATTU 
 
 ' iv (3pOTo7$ yepuv hoyot; TSTUK- 
 ran, (isyav 
 
 @ov 
 
 750 
 
 728. sdog TO itpbs TOXJJWV Fl. V. 730. 
 
 F. >j9os Conington. , rpdnous F. V. 
 
 re Enger.; uterque felicissime. 
 
 729. x*/* lv 7"/ T/soyjxj FL V. 
 euutv F. Corr. Pearson. 
 
 iVats Fl. arawtv 
 aw aratj Fix et 
 Ahr. , ab Eng. receptum. Quotus 
 quisque est qui vocis a'T>) vim recte 
 intelligat? ap.^EIsch. dico. Hicautem
 
 AGAMEMNON. 73 
 
 But he, waiting a while, displays 
 bent and mood of his parents; 
 
 and, paying fee for his food with 
 730 havoc of sheep which he slaughters, 
 
 makes him a feast uninvited; 
 
 home is defiled with the bloodshed; 
 
 he the inmates' doughty grief, 
 
 killing many, wasting much, 
 735 by some god was begot and reared 
 
 priest of death to the household. 
 
 And, I would say, thus to Dion's state a temper came 
 740 tuned to breezeless calm; wealth's soft eyes'-delight; 
 
 melting arrow-glances; love's exotic 
 stinging the soul to sweet desire. 
 But she altered and bitter ends 
 745 wrought for the match, proving a sad 
 
 sharer of seats and intercourse; 
 
 who on a fell mission from Zeus , 
 
 god of the board, sped unto Priam's 
 folk, like a Fury espoused 
 bringing tears by her marriage. 
 
 750 An ancient saw long pronouced among mankind hath been 
 framed, that man's success great and fully grown 
 gets an heir, and does not perish childless: 
 
 rectissime de ovium csede usurpatur , 743. 3jf/0u/iov integrum est, me 
 
 ut ap. Soph. Ai. 307. judice. 
 
 733. > x o> 8' Fl. corr. in F. 747. iipi*nfau<n FL V. 
 
 736. Ttpotnp&fti libri. corr. Heath. 749. Sic Fl. ipim* F. V. 
 
 741. 3' inaeruit Pors. , T' Hera.
 
 74 
 
 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 ix 3' txyaQa/; TV%X<; ytvsi 
 
 (3^X<TTXVIV XxdpfffTOV ol- 
 
 Qiv. &l%a 5' tfAAwv 
 iipi* TO 5ycnrf/3f^ yap />- 
 yov (ATa ftsv Trtelcvx TIX- 
 Ti , (rQfTfpx 3' s'txdrx ysvva. 
 O/xwv yap ei>6v$ixuv 
 txsl. 
 
 755 
 
 760 
 
 v@pi<; ft 
 x vsafyutrav v xaxoT*; fiporuv 
 
 U@plV , TOT % 70$' OTXV TO XVftOV 
 
 rdxou' 
 
 T'ITOW , oipoixpv , 
 xvtspov Qpavoc; ftshal- 
 
 765 
 
 770 
 
 TOV 
 
 756. 
 
 758. 
 
 ocrix 
 
 w libri. corr. Pauw. 
 yap libri. corr. Pors. 
 
 V 
 
 ivaffiftov Ttt 
 
 (TUV 
 
 775 
 
 759. JUJTOE libri. /xe'ra Herm. Nee 
 libet credere , et licet in variis opi- 
 nionibus. 
 
 761. Particula y/xp quam Aur. 
 mutabat huic loco unice conrenit : 
 'scelus, inquam, exitii parens est; 
 nam justonun hominum sora non 
 nisi felicitatis genetrix est'. 
 
 766. Sic Ubri , et omnia integra ; 
 
 v. ex anacr. , basi , dact. , troch. dim. 
 cat. est confictus. Non vidit hoc 
 Herm., non Eng. ; hie tamen proxi- 
 morum verborum mendas vexpx p&ous 
 xfaov acutissime perspectas habvdt. 
 vep<x enim primo fiiisse vsxpxv , glos- 
 sema ad vsaouav adscriptum ; deinde 
 cetera, literis in ordinem suum res- 
 titutis , prodire poj rixou. Hucusque 
 igitur locum olim impeditissimum 
 prorsus emendatum habemus. Quod
 
 AGAMEMNON. 75 
 
 755 for to a race from fortune fair 
 springs a grief that is never full. 
 I from the rest thinking apart 
 say that the sin, and not success , 
 afterwards breeds more, to their kind 
 760 likened; for homes practising-even- 
 
 right have a fortune for aye 
 blest with beautiful offspring. 
 
 But Pride grown old loves to breed Pride that spends 
 765 wanton youth rioting in mortals' ills, 
 
 (betimes or later, whene'er th' appointed birth-day comes) 
 
 a vengeful fiend 
 
 not to be contended with or warred against; 
 770 in unhallowed recklessness, 
 
 families' black perdition, 
 
 taking its parents' likeness. 
 
 But Justice shines brightly on smoke-defiled 
 775 homes, and pays homage to the upright man: 
 
 with eyes averted she, leaving halls picked out with gold 
 
 and filthy deeds, 
 
 sheds her rays only upon holy spots; 
 
 reliqua luce clariora aunt gratia re- 776. 0Aa libri. "S0Aa Auratus , 
 
 ferenda eat Heimsoethio. qua una correctione optime de pos- 
 
 768. ts TV libri. rtrav Heims. teris meriturus erat. 
 Jam mine interprete vix opus eat: 779. npostfiot. TOU libri. -npotifixle 
 'Lasciviam , quoad impiam temeri- olim Herm. , quo nihil verius ; nam 
 tatem domibus exitiosam , parentium A/XT] adumbratur ut quse Homerici 
 instar'. 'Yfipts est pater, mater, fi- 'HsAi'ou instar sit, qui npasfitiMii 
 lia; sed non intelligunt hsec in .^Eschy- Apovpocg. TOU autem est pars post- 
 lea dictione tyipotBtis. erior v. TT^OUTOU. Ceterum et hie et 
 
 775. S/*cw Fl. corr. in F. post alibi pro virili parte versus rectius 
 
 rttt libri ingerunt /3/ov. ejecit Ahr. distinii.
 
 76 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 ou psfiovtra TT&OV- 780 
 
 TOU 
 7TXV 5' 
 
 "Ays Sty, QatriAs u , Tpoig T 
 'ATplus ysvsfaov , 
 nag <T TrposeiTru, nut; trs Gefiify, 785 
 
 xxipv 
 
 (3pOTUV TO 
 
 r STTKTTSVK^SIV 790 
 
 XtXl !-U 
 
 7rpo<ru7ra> 
 
 795 
 
 OVX <TTl hX07v OfAft&TX 
 
 TK ^OKOvvT 1 fvQpovot; ix 
 <ralvt 
 
 TOT jCt 
 
 , oi 7^p o"' 7riXu<ra , 800 
 
 /JT' aTTOftoutrui; y<rQiX, 
 
 U 
 
 <zxov<Tiov 
 
 783. Kolinopti' libri. corr. BL 791. 8sty/*a Bl. V. 8>iy/ia F. et 
 
 785. eeptu Fl. hanc formam Stobseus. 
 
 Herm. adamarit non tamen amplexa- 793, 794. xal |i7x a '/ OOUIJtv /^ Ja " 
 
 tus est. aepi$u F. V. Hoc systema ?<5/xevot libri. Eecepi Weilii conjec- 
 
 in sei w. redigunt, ut responsioaem turam, Pers. p. 120. %a.ipov<siv est 
 
 efficiant, quse effici non potest nisi participium. 
 
 lacunis illatis ubi sensus integer est. 797. T est relativxun. 
 
 790. 5' libri. corr. Herm. 798. uatvetv libri. Casauboni conj.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 77 
 
 780 courting not the pow'r of wealth 
 
 falsely impressed with honour 
 guides to its goal each action. 
 
 Come now my king, Troy's city-destroyer, 
 
 offspring of Atreus, 
 
 785 how shall I greet thee and do thee obeisance, 
 
 so as to neither run wide nor turn short of 
 honour's due measure? 
 many of mortal men practise by preference 
 the appearing to be, and transgress truth: 
 790 and to bemoan in response to the hapless 
 
 each one is ready, but from their sorrow 
 no sting finds its way to the bosom: 
 and along with the joyful taking the same mien 
 
 they constrain features which laugh without gladness. 
 795 But whoever is skilful in noting his sheep, 
 
 the face of a man cannot be hid from him 
 which seeming to do so from feelings of joy 
 but smiles with a watery affection. 
 Then when you led forth the army for Helen's 
 800 sake, for I will not keep it concealed from you, 
 
 to my eye you were very ungracefully drawn; 
 not as skilfully wielding the tiller of thought, 
 when you brought 'gainst their will 
 
 aotivti necessaria est. 803. Optxaos exouacov libri. 
 
 800. Muagr. inseruit a'. Sed for- Canter, otpos Heims. '<Jj>s>los xl 
 
 tasse ouS' iTtixsuau vera lectio est, ySA/3oj dxovaiw'. Heaych. Vox eat 
 
 nam poeta ob oculos habuisse vide- jEachylea huic loco optime conve- 
 
 tur II. 5. 816 rfi tot itpoppovfas niens. Cf. II. 1. 410 incwpw>ra.t 
 
 ipito g'Ttoj ouS' l-ntxtueu. Cf. infra /Saaii^oj , et Hea. Op. 258 , unde 
 
 r. 805. li" ' aiunpta aunt.
 
 78 AFAMEMNIIN. 
 
 ai/Spain tivytrxoutri 
 Nuv 5' oux KTT' oiKpocq Qpsvbi; outf x(pi^.u<; 805 
 
 svQpuv voot; u 
 
 f %pdvc,) 
 rdv TS $txuia$ xxi TOV txxxip 
 
 TTOhlV olxGVOWTiX TTOhlTUV. 
 
 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 Hp&rov (AW "Apyot; jcxi Qsoui; y%ccplovt; 810 
 
 , rout; iftdi f/^rxirlouq 
 , Sixxtuv &' &v iTrpx^tzftyv woXiv 
 
 yap oux txTrb yhuvGyc 6foi 
 
 ou cii%oppc7ru<; 815 
 
 MSVTO ' rS> 5' ivtxvrltj} KV 
 
 ou 
 
 thoutra vuv ST 
 tivshh/xi ^Sxri ' a-uvdv 
 
 mbv*f TT^OUTOU Trvo&g. 820 
 
 TIVEIV STTflTTfp KOt,X'AOi'/Ot,i; U 
 
 . xai yvvtx.iy.bt; 
 
 YTTTTOV vfowdt; Jbmt&itw Afw^, 825 
 
 806. TTOVOJ libri. 1:1160$ Weil. v6os est yaor^/J (axuros ' YI /J.YI xuoyua E. 
 
 Heims. M. s. v.) , -npo^st dicitur ut itpostevat 
 
 813. Cf. Supp. 934. yuvatxt, x^/" 70 * nimirum est 'sterilis'. 
 
 814. pBofxxs libri. corr. Dobrseus. deaique nhpoufj.fru refert phrasin 
 Cetera sana sunt. it^pouv ywoiixx. Imago : dii de Trojse 
 
 817. x sl fa libri. x^/"s e g- Nem- aut salute aut exitio suffragia ferunt : 
 
 pe ylpaot primo fuit , non i,ta pridem adatant duae urnse , altera salutaris , 
 
 , jamdiu ^stpdf. Ecce egregium altera letalis: hanc, inquit, cruoris 
 
 ubertatis exemplum : XUTOJ virorumque necis implent , sed illam
 
 AGAMEMNON. 79 
 
 on the dying the fruit of your actions. 
 805 Now with no surface-thought nor unlovingly 
 my mind is rejoiced that you end well: 
 and in time by a thorough inquiry you '11 know 
 him who uprightly and him who unfittingly 
 of the people keeps house in the city. 
 
 AGAMEMNON. 
 
 810 First Argos and the country's gods 'tis fit 
 that I address, parties along with me 
 in my return and the redress I've won 
 from Priam's state. For gods who hear not suits 
 hy word of mouth dropped no mere make-weight votes 
 
 815 in bloody ballot-box for Dion's sack, 
 
 votes dooming men to death : dry , barren Hope 
 came to the opposite vase which was not filled. 
 The town still certifies its fall by smoke: 
 only death's storm- wrack lives; the embers too 
 
 820 dying gasp out rich breath from wealth devoured. 
 For this we must repay the gods a meed 
 of long remembrance; since we claimed and took 
 monstrous reprisals, and for a woman's sake 
 the Argive beast, a horse's colt in form 
 
 825 of a shield-bearing host, has razed a town 
 
 ne unum quidera vitse gennen gravi- cetera omnia. 
 
 dem reddit. At sic maris vice fungitur 822. xal Troyaj 'vnspxorous libri. 
 
 Spes. Its: id voluit poeta. Ceterum IUud Ahr. , hoc Heath., emend, 
 
 confer, si tanti est, plura in Comment. Quum vero certum mihi videretur 
 
 819. Sic libri. xxj 0uoy<j<v dtUri xsti n&yx? corrupta ease, non opus 
 
 Hes. Th. 874. Hie hujus fabula? erat Paleii, Hermaimi cet. i<pp<n- 
 
 correctores admonere libet , pluris <kp.taOx falsi arguere. Junge : xoci JTT. 
 esse Hesiodi, Theognidis, Solonis 825. &ai:i&wrp6<pos Fl. V. Aant- 
 
 si qua extent ter pure legisse , quam Zovrpdpos F. Corr. Bl.
 
 80 ArAMEMNflN. 
 
 Trydyft opovvaq oiftQ} Tlhsuxduv $u<riv' 
 
 VTTSpQopUV C) TTUpyOV UfAVjVTViq Afl/ 
 
 aSyv tei%v XI^XTO? 
 
 TO. 5' <; TO (7ov (ppdvypa, ftfftviiftai xhvuv 830 
 
 i rxuTOi KX} avvfoopw (& %[<;. 
 
 ihov TOV VTU%OUVT' avfu (frdovou <rf/3f/v 
 
 yap }oq xxp'Mav TTpowftfvoi; 
 
 g ^iTrXol^Et r) 7T7raf/,v/p votrov , 835 
 
 T' oivTbq ctvTOv Tniftaviv (3<zpvvsTixt 
 
 XXI TOV QutMOV Ch@OV ilSO&V <TTVSl. 
 
 
 Oftihia? xuTOTTTpov, stduhov 
 
 ^OXOVVTaC ftVXl KXpTK 7TpU(tV7i; (Ml. 840 
 
 "Movot; ' ' 
 
 SIT' ovv QavovTOt; iT KXI %UVTO<; Trspi 
 Af^w. "Toe y othha,, 7rpb<; TTO^JV T xai 
 xoivous ayuvai; $VTt; iv Tr/zvyyvpfi 845 
 
 ' KXI TO 
 
 V (AVl 
 
 xai ^i (papfukxttv 
 
 vd<rou. 850 
 
 eg f4hapa KKI 
 
 826. fysotaaj PI. Temeritatis eat, 831. raura libri. corr. Aur. 
 me judice, hujusmodi versus corri- 833. j>0dvv PI. corr. in P. V. 
 gere. ty&you Stobseus. 
 
 827. isnepOop&v Fl. F. onepOoptov V.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 81 
 
 taking its spring just as the Pleiads set. 
 And, having cleared the wall, like lion fed 
 on raw flesh, lapped to surfeit royal blood. 
 I have stretched out this prelude to the gods: 
 
 830 as for your sentiments; I heard and bear 
 in mind, and say the same; in me you have 
 a fellow-pleader. Tis innate in few 
 to court a prosperous friend without dislike. 
 Ill-natured venom seated at the heart 
 
 835 doubles the load for him who has got the sore, 
 for he is both oppressed by his own woes, 
 and sighs at sight of wealth outside his door. 
 I'll speak from knowledge: well I wot that those 
 who seemed to be quite complaisant to me 
 
 840 were only friendship's mirror, a shade's ghost. 
 But one, Ulysses, who was loth to sail, 
 when harnessed was a trace-horse prompt at call. 
 Thus, whether of a living man or dead, 
 I speak. As for the rest touching the state 
 
 845 and gods we '11 summon public courts in full 
 assembly and consult; and must contrive 
 that what is sound may last and well abide. 
 And if a man needs healing remedies 
 by cautery or by cutting kindlily 
 
 850 we '11 strive to avert the pain of his disease. 
 
 Now having reached my halls and chambers round 
 my hearth, I will first clasp the gods' right hands 
 
 835. 7r7ia,u/^v<u libri. corr. Pors. 850. TTHJ^KTOJ -rptycu v6aov. Dedi 
 
 836. ovsrov et Truant Fl. prseclaram Porsoni em. omnibus , 
 842. aipxapopos V. prseter Herm. , probatam.
 
 82 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 7rp<7u TTCftijavTSt; vfyuyov 
 vixy ' iTTsiTTfp SCTTST' 
 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA. 
 
 TTOAITXI , 7rp<r(3os "Apysluv roSf, 855 
 
 oux xly^uvou^cxi Toug Qthxvopxc 
 Ke^xi Trpot; uftas' sv %pwy 
 
 TO Ttip(3o<; ZvdpCOTTOlPlV. Ol>X X 
 
 0<70V7Tp OVTOS VjV V7T* 'lA/^J. 860 
 
 To ts 
 
 XXI TOV (AV XIV , TOV 7Tl<;(plV XXXOU 
 
 xaxtov akho , Tryittx, hxtrKOVTOtg "^o^otq. 865 
 
 1 TO<TUV TVy%aVV 
 lxOV &%TUTO 
 SlJCTUOV TTAfW hfyflV. 
 
 El S' yv T6vy,x,do<; , dj$ STrXyOvov hdyoi , 
 
 Oi; TXV Typuuv 6 cifurfpog 870 
 
 KXTCO yap ou hsyco , 
 
 SKOUTTU xxrdixvuv 
 iav^' fxxri xhydovuv 
 
 v^q (tjg <$pyi; 875 
 
 og fiixv teh 
 'Ex rwi/Sf TO i iraus evQxX 1 ou 
 
 863. yjSovas iibri. Auratus ille commate post a'AAo posito. 
 correxit. 867. dvrip Iibri. Corr. Herm. w 
 
 864,865. Satis placent, ut verti, TSUSTO Iibri. Corr. Heath.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 83 
 
 who sent me forth and brought me back, and since 
 victory went with me may she fast abide. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 855 Men citizens, the Argives' senate here, 
 
 I'll not be shamed from telling you the traits 
 
 of my love for my lord: in time that fear 
 
 withers for mortals. Not by others taught, 
 
 shall I describe my own untoward life 
 860 so much as passed when he was camped at Troy. 
 
 First, for a wife abandoned by the male 
 
 to sit forlorn at home is frightful woe, 
 
 and hear word-omens many unassuaged; 
 
 croakers of home-distress one just come in, 
 865 when, lo, a second loads bad news with worse. 
 
 And if this man received as many wounds 
 
 as rumour's watercourse led streaming home; 
 
 he 's punctured , so to speak , more than a net : 
 
 and had he died as swoln tidings ran 
 870 truly this second Geryon with three forms 
 
 would boast of getting thrice his share of thick 
 
 upper mould-blanket of the under one 
 
 I speak not if he died in each shape once. 
 
 Because of these word-omens unassuaged 
 875 others, when I was caught, unloosed perforce 
 
 above me many a neck-encircling noose. 
 And hence the boy is not here standing by, 
 
 868. J><HS Fl. TtftyJwTat lihri. ticara Pors. 
 
 TifT/>Y)Ta< Ahr. 870. T' av libri. Corr. Wellauer. 
 
 869. IntyOwov libri. Formam At- 871. Facete loquitur insidiatrix. 
 
 6*
 
 84 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 Sf&UV T XXt (TUIV XVplO$ 
 
 ws XfiJV) 'OpsfTys' [t^s Oavpxtrys 
 stpst yap XUTOV V(tvy<; dopvt-svot; 880 
 
 o Oojjcfus, 
 
 {(> TTpOtpuVUV , TOV 
 
 xlvdvvov , si TS 
 
 xrapptyfiw ' U?TS 
 
 OTtn TOV TTSVOVTX hOtXTlGiXl TTAfOl/. 885 
 
 fVTOi <TKJ\ISI$ ou SOAOV Qepei. 
 
 , outf ilvi <7T<xyc!)V ' 
 nv fthafixs e%u , 
 ts &[/,()} GO} Khxlovtry. ^xi/.r^pou^lxt; 890 
 
 OuuffffOVTOf , tx.[/,(fi (roi TT& 
 opavtx Trtelu rou ^uvfu^ovrog %povou. 
 
 TKUTtX, TTaVTO, That?' , XTTSV&yjTCf CjD/JfW - 895 
 
 OV $ TXVX'yKxJOV ZK&jy SIV X7TXV - 902 
 
 on &v$pa rovfo ruv vrxOpuv xvva, 
 
 (TTUhOV TTC&ypy, [MVQ'/Ev!; TSKVOV 
 
 <ptxv7<rav vaurlteiq Trap' f 
 
 900 
 
 Tryyxiov 
 roi viv 
 
 878. mtrreuptxTcav libri. Corr. 889. xia/3s Fl. 
 
 Herm. coll. Bum. 214. 896. Hie versus vulgo post v. 901 
 
 888. xaT<r/3>5xa<rjv , 9 supra T et legitur: transposuit Eng. 
 
 T supra yS adscriptis Fl. , ut sit xa- 897. Sunt quos articulus ofiendat. 
 
 0<7T>jxacw. T<5vS' syw Weil.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 85 
 
 who holds the pledge of my good faith and yours, 
 
 Orestes, as he ought; be not surprised; 
 880 our kind ally is entertaining him, 
 
 the Phocian Strophius, who forewarned me of 
 
 sorrow's dilemma, your own risk at Troy, 
 
 and should the people's clamorous rioting 
 
 fling down the senate; since it is innate 
 885 in man to spurn the fallen all the more. 
 
 A plea of this kind surely hears no guile. 
 
 And now for me the gushing founts of tears 
 
 are quenched; there is not even one trickling drop: 
 
 I've weakness in my late-reposing eyes, 
 890 for your sake weeping the fire-signal-stacks 
 
 ever, it seemed, neglected: then, in dreams 
 
 while in my fear for you I saw more woes 
 
 than my sleep-fellow time could bring, I waked 
 
 at the light wing-strokes of the buzzing gnat. 
 895 Now having borne all this, with mind ungrieved 
 902 for sweet is flight from all that comes perforce 
 
 I'd call this man a watch-dog of the folds; 
 
 a stay, the vessel's saviour; a high roof's 
 
 firm-footed prop; to a father, his one child; 
 
 the land descried by sailors past all hope; 
 900 after a storm a day most fair to see; 
 
 a fountain's stream to thirsty traveller. 
 
 Such are the titles which I deem his due: 
 
 898. at6iov Fl. (miAovF. V. Ace. et 8fi/*' asiirrov v. 911, dubitari non 
 corr. T)ind. potest quid sit scribendum. 
 
 899. xai yijv libri. Sed quum cer- 902. -roio'i^s TOIVUV libri. Corr. 
 turn sit hffic ab Homerico illo sumpta Schutz. 
 
 ease yacav asirrea owxsv IfaoOcu , nam
 
 86 ATAMEMNHN. 
 
 dvo$ 5' aTT&TU ' TTO^X yxp rot, trpiv xxxx 
 yvi%dft<r6x. Nyv 3e /cw/, (plhov xxpx, 905 
 
 exfixiv A-yvys Tijs$ yw XW" ri&itg 
 TOV trbv Trotf , uva% } 'lA/oy TropQyTOpa. 
 
 l, Tl ^CtfAAf^', I? STTSO-TXhTtXt TSfoi; 
 
 (rrpuvvvvxt TTS Ttitrftxffiv ; 
 suQug ysvso-Qu Troptpupdo-Tpuros Trdpos 910 
 
 ^ da ft xehTTTOv uq a,v 
 Tx 3' x>J.x 
 
 <ruv 
 
 ArAMEMNHN. 
 
 cc7rov<rla pev elTrxg iixorus ifty , 915 
 
 pxxpxv 
 
 Kx} T&MX M yvvxixbg ev rpdiron; 
 
 %Xftxi7TTi; Qcyftx WjOf%/bn0 spot, 920 
 
 &Gour" imtpQovov trdpov 
 
 iv TroixiMig Sf Qvyrbv C-JTCK. xxhte 
 (3xlviv a(Mi [tv ovdaiAut; avfu (pdfiov. 
 
 u XXT avtyx, M Qfdv, vkfitiv l^k. 925 
 
 T XXI TUV 5TO/X/AOJI/ 
 
 wv xvTi' xx} TO [j,y xaxut; Qpovrfv 
 $ipov ' oh(3i<rxi Sf xpy 
 
 V V<TTOj 
 
 904. Karsten. et Eager, malunt 905. 8' IpA libri. Corr. Scho- 
 
 ro nplv. lefield.
 
 AGAMEMNON. . 87 
 
 let envy keep aloof, for many were 
 905 the ills we bore before. Now, my beloved, 
 
 step from this car, and set not on the ground 
 
 thy foot, my king, that ravager of Troy. 
 
 Why wait ye, maids, for whom the task is set 
 
 to spread his pathway's ground with draperies? 
 910 let the way instantly be purple-spread, 
 
 that his desert may lead him to a home 
 
 unhoped for. By god's help my care, sleep-proof, 
 
 shall justly settle, as ordained, the rest. 
 
 AGAMEMNON. 
 
 Leda's descendant , guardian of my halls , 
 915 you 've made such speech as suits my absence well; 
 you stretched it to great length: but fittingly 
 to praise that prize from others must proceed. 
 And, for the rest, treat me not softly like 
 a woman, nor as suits a Phrygian chief 
 920 mouth out to me a lowly-bent address: 
 
 nor make my path by spreading it with cloth 
 a mark for envy; we must court the gods 
 with these; and, sooth, that I a mortal man 
 should tread on broidered beauties is no way 
 925 devoid of fear. I bid you worship me 
 
 as man, not god. Without these carpetings 
 and figured-cloths fame talks. God's largest gift 
 is, not to cherish pride. We must count blest 
 him who has closed his life in sweet welfare. 
 
 908. -rttof Fl. V. T45 F. /3<fcj/*a F. ft6a/j.* V. vulgo. Illud 
 
 920. fi6y.ij.x Fl. , j supra scripto. tueutur Boat, et Eiiger.
 
 88 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 ILiTrov TxS" an; 7rpx<r<roi[6 xv i/Qxp<ry<; syu. 930 
 
 KATTAIMNH2TPA. 
 Kx} fiyv rod' f/Vf (Ay Trxpx yvdftyv 
 
 AFAMEMNflN. 
 v (jt,lv taQt (ty dicXpQspovvr' eps 
 
 KATTAIMNH2TPA. 
 Qedii; %ei<ra,<; ow w' ep^eiv 
 AFAMEMNHN. 
 TIG, sffi&i; y' sv 
 
 KATTAIMNH2TPA. 
 T/ S 5 xv $oxe7 trot Tlplxftoi; } ii rx$ yvursv; 935 
 
 AFAMEMNflN. 
 'Ev TTOixihoK; xv xxprx (toi (3*jvxi 
 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA. 
 M^ wv rov xvQp&TTeiov ou 
 
 AFAMEMNI1N. 
 4>j^jf ye fjt,vroi ^[M&povg ftsyx 
 
 KATTAIMNH2TPA. 
 'O $' tzdovyTOi; OVK f 
 
 930. d TrovTa 8' us -npotaaoip v, Weilius : 'hsec dixi sic ut equidem 
 libri. Tipdaaoifjiev Dind., av tV]v, si agenda fidenter periclitarer'. 
 diis placet , subaudito. Bern perspexit 933. Eectissime interpretatus est
 
 AGAMEMNON. 89 
 
 930 Thus have I said and thus should boldly act. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTEA. 
 Pray do not speak so as to thwart my will. 
 
 AGAMEMNON. 
 My will be sure that I shall not corrupt. 
 
 'CLYTEMNESTEA. 
 
 In fear you might have vowed the gods this act. 
 AGAMEMNON. 
 
 None more; I spoke to that end well advised. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTBA. 
 935 What think you Priam, this achieved, had done? 
 
 AGAMEMNON. 
 Walked on the damask certainly, I think. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTEA. 
 Be not abashed then at mere human blame. 
 
 AGAMEMNON. 
 Yet much the commons' murmuring talk prevails. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTEA. 
 At least the unenvied man is not admired. 
 
 Bl., si ftsiaxs, yjwfw et. 937. xtit<j6s\s El. afSs<70}s F. 
 
 935. aoxjj libri. Corr. Stanl. aflifr Aur. 
 
 936. ooxij FL V. Corr. in F.
 
 90 AFAMEMNJ1N. 
 
 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 OUTOI yvvouxoc; etrrtv l^slpsiv ftxw;. 940 
 
 KATTAIMNH2TP A . 
 ' ohfitotg ys xxi TO vtx&rQat 
 
 AFAMEMNnN. 
 xai ffy vixy 
 
 KATTAJMNHSTPA. 
 xptzTOs ftsvrot Trapes y* sxuv 
 
 AFAMEMNHN. 
 * si ^oxsl trot rotvQ' , VTT&I rig a 
 
 945 
 
 (Jt? iftfialvovQ' ahcupyttriv ds&v 
 l&v) Tit; TrpovuQsv o^i^XTOt; @dhoi (pQdvo$. 
 IToAAi( yap aidus 
 (pQsipovra TTXovTQv 
 Tovruv y&v OVTU. T>ji/ i-svyv f Trpsupsvuc 950 
 
 ' TOV 
 
 evftsvx; 
 exuv yap audits Souhiy %pijrxi 
 
 A.VTVI 5f ^OAAWV 
 
 avdcg , GTpXTOv ^apm*,' , epsi i-uv<r7TTO. 955 
 
 'ETf/ ' axoueiv GOV xxT<rTpa,uf/,izi TX$ , 
 Up <; doftuv ft&txQpiX, iropQvpas TTXTUV. 
 
 942. Sic Ubri. Verto: 'egone so- 946. Sic Fl. <tw rowSe F. V. 
 
 lus , an tu quoque hanc certaminis Deinde l/x/Satvovr' dL Fl. F. corr. 
 Tictoriam afiectas? in V.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 91 
 
 AGAMEMNON. 
 940 'Tis not a woman's part to court dispute. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 On fortune's favourites ev'n defeat looks well. 
 
 AGAMEMNON. 
 Do you too prize such victory in a strife 1 ? 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA, 
 Comply: yet freely yield the palm to me. 
 
 AGAMEMNON, 
 
 Well, if it please you, some one quickly loose 
 945 these shoes, the foot's mock -lacquey stepping-place. 
 
 And may no god's eye's envy, as I tread 
 
 these sea-dyed tissues, smite me from afar. 
 
 It is great scandal to despoil the house 
 
 by spoiling treasure with one's feet, the webs 
 950 weighed against silver. Thus / deem of this. 
 
 But greet this maiden-stranger courteously: 
 
 the gentle conquerer god regards from far 
 
 with favour; for none willingly puts on 
 
 the slavish yoke. She followed me, the flower 
 955 selected from much wealth, an army's gift. 
 
 And since I'm bent to obey you in this act, 
 
 I'll pace the purple to my palace-halls. 
 
 948. gupxTopQopttv Tfoaiv libri. 710- Sensus est , quern dedi in versione. 
 alv Scaligcr. Sw/tarop 6optlv Schutz. , 950. TOU/XOV pit OUTU Emper. ; Eng. 
 
 quern Bl. , Herm. , Eng. secuti sunt. 954. /rij libri. stung Aur.
 
 92 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 KATTAIMNHZTPA. 
 
 "EOT/I/ Qahairtra , ric, 5f viv xxTa<r(3<rfr, 
 Tp(pou<ru. TrcAAifc TTOpQupas fotxpyvpov 
 
 TTayxtxivitrTOv , eipAmv fiouQ&t;. 960 
 
 ' U7raip%i TUV$ <rvv Qeois 
 
 Trsvse-Qtxi ' oux ivl<rrarrcu 
 Trxrytrftbv 5' slfuerav xv 
 7rpovv%QEVTOi; ev %py<TTyploi<; , 
 xdfMTTpa rvj&e /Mi%avu[tvii. 965 
 
 exiav vKspreivoutot, Efiplou xvvd$. 
 
 vov (tohovTot; 3u/^xTTriv kvri&v , 
 
 (Jt>V V 
 
 OTXV f TU%10 Zsvs d&Tr' OftQxxo*; TTixpas 970 
 
 oivov, rod' ^5u 
 
 ZfV , Z, 
 
 31 TGI <rdi ravTTfp av 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 arp.<x. Tl7TT (Ml T0<? ifAK&aG 975 
 
 959. els oipyvpav libri. Corr. Sal- adscriptam. Eng. conj. yi/*wv. Possis 
 masius. et /3/suetv vel ntyOeiv, inepta omnia; 
 
 960. oZxoj libri. o?xw , quod BL nam TrAowrew unice respondet voci 
 conjecerat , ego scripsi. Scilicet viuxp- neveaOxt. 
 
 xet. eat Atticum illud, quod valet 962. x ' v li^ri. -nXomtlv ego. 
 
 'contigit' ut Dem. Ph. 1. vn&pxst. 963. SJ//TW libri. Corr. Aur. , 
 
 u/xlv xpyuOxi et passim. Deinde vo- et Canter. 
 
 cabula ruvSe et TtsvssBxi satis demon- 965. /*]^avwyuwij libri. Corr. Aur. 
 
 strant ejcv ease glossam ad Triourelv Huic mendse causam prsebuit v. T%.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 93 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 There is the sea and who shall dry it up ? - 
 which for much purple cloth breeds juice as dear 
 
 960 as silver, ever fresh for use, robe-dyes. 
 
 Of this our house, sire, by god's grace, can boast 
 rich store-, the house knows not to lack. I would 
 have vowed much raiment- trampling , had that been 
 prescribed the house by oracles, when I 
 
 965 was planning means to escort thy life safe home. 
 For, now the root lives, leaves come to the house, 
 spreading a screen against dog Sirius; 
 and by your coming to the family hearth 
 you notify that warmth has come in frost: 
 
 970 and when Zeus makes the wine from unripe grapes, 
 then is there coolness sweet at home, if in 
 the house a husband fully blest sojourns. 
 Zeus, fulfilment's god, fulfil my prayers, 
 and see to that which thou wilt now fulfil. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 975 Why does this presentiment 
 
 domineering steadily * 
 
 o'er my portent-scanning spirit hover? 
 
 967. imep-ctvoujx Fl. corr. inF. V. 972. lKtaTpe*pup.4vai> Fl. intarpo- 
 
 u-ngfrcdvowa Aur. , Bind, sine idonea pu/*rfvou F. corr. in V. 
 
 causa. 974.' /*&>), supra scripto ot, fa 
 
 969. /*<Wwvlibri. Corr.Voss.etBl. not Fl. p&oi 8s rt not V. pttot Is 
 
 970. {* r ATI' F. V. is T <*7r' rot <rw F. ad Pore. 
 
 Fl. T' delevit Aur. 976. Sety/xa Fl. V. S/* a F. sec. 
 
 971. -rbr >?Si libri , ut quod maxi- Bekk.; idem conj. Aur. I fly [tat. esset 
 me, putidum. r<J0' j8w Aur. recte, 'indiculum' idque ridiculum. 
 
 ut ille fere omnia. 'frigus amabile'.
 
 94 
 
 ATAMEMNHN. 
 
 J 5' xxstevvTOs xfticrQoi; xotix 
 ou5' XTroTTTvexv dlxxv 
 diHrxpiTuv ovfipxTuv 
 Qxptros VTTi6sq t- 
 
 bs tyihov Qpovov., 
 
 980 
 
 XTXI; trapy- 
 sv, evP VTT" "Ikiov 
 upro vxu(3<zT<a; 
 
 985 
 
 br.. TlSuftOU tZTr 
 
 VOffTOV } aVTOfAXpTVS UV. 
 
 Tov S' xvfu hvpxq opus 
 Qpyvov *E/j/vuc otuTodiHiXK 
 
 , Oil TO TTKV %UV 
 
 990 
 
 OVTOI f&xriii- 
 bs iv^ixon; 
 
 995 
 
 JLu%of<uu 
 
 S TO py Tte<r(j)opov. 
 .p. Mxhx </ TOI TO 
 
 980. dnoTttuaots FL V. 
 F. Corr. Scaliger. 
 
 982. eurrtflis libri. Corr. Rossbach 
 et Westphal , m. gr. t^et FL tfet F. 
 V. Corr. Scaliger. 
 
 984. -/jAvoi S' eirsl (tol F.) itpvpvn- 
 at'wv %ws{j.p6\ois ftxpfjiixs dxotrx (dxtx- 
 ras F. V.) libri Hsec miris modis 
 confusa, corrupta, prsepostere col- 
 locata, tantum non glossis foedata 
 snnt. Causam praebuit huic ruinse 
 
 1000 
 
 perperam scripts prima voi Ttf>ufj.vr)- 
 8&v, quse sane satis probabiliter 
 Tr^uyavrjat&iv correcta est : hinc adeo 
 lintres in arena hserebant , et funibus 
 simul alligatis, yel, remis in nu- 
 merum adductis , sesquiversus allisus 
 est. Cfr. ycca/taTa yiavfiv supr. T. 
 145. iSwv est Calchas. Si spondseus 
 in quinta sede offendit, scribe xe'a/s 
 xwaoO/ijvov in v. antist. 
 
 990. onu; libri. Corr. Stanl. Dein-
 
 AGAMEMNON. 95 
 
 why does song play the diviner unbidden, unguerdoned? 
 980 why, not spurning it like dreams 
 hard to sift, does confidence 
 firm in faith not retain 
 
 its own seat within my breast? 
 
 and yet the time has passed its prime since he forewarned 
 985 who in types saw the sprites 
 
 of destruction when to Troy 
 sped the ship-ascending host. 
 
 From my eyes I learn, my own 
 witness, of his home-return; 
 990 yet without the lyre my soul self-lessoned 
 
 strikes up within me a solo, a wail of Erinnys; 
 not retaining its beloved 
 fullest confidence of hope. 
 995 Nor for naught starts my breast 
 
 at the midriffs truthful tale, - 
 
 my heart , that whirls in rounds which bring an end fulfilled. 
 But I pray that my fears 
 
 failing promise may in lies 
 1000 issue, in no end fulfilled. 
 
 Truly each stage of health far advanced 
 
 de libri u/tvuScI, quod ex i/tvwSst rigere voluisset si v. stroph. quern 
 
 correctum est , quum yuovwSst debuit. dedi invenisset. 
 
 Prseterea prime ante se habuit v. 999. fuoij Fl. F. </*/8>5 V. Corr. 
 
 SfjLUf. Quid si sensus quoque boc Stephanas. 
 
 verb, mavult? At si duobus locis 1001. /weia '/&p toi T> rcoAAaj 
 
 corruptis clemus syll. ujj.v corripi ir/<c'a; Fl. V. podx ys (y<xp snpra 
 
 posse, nihil certi erit usquam. scripto) -rot 817 cet. F. Hsec Herm. 
 
 991. ipivwi libri. Corr. Herm. et in formulam maxime probabilem 
 
 Pors. redegit, nee multum discrepat, me 
 
 995. [ia.fo.^ti libri. Corr. Herm. judice, ab ea quam -Slsch. promul- 
 
 998. Sic Fl. nee quisquam cor- gavit.
 
 96 
 
 ATAMEMNHN. 
 
 axpstrrov TspfAct vovos yap o.i ys 
 
 TUV 0(tOTOi%o<; spsiHet ' 
 KXI TTOTftot; fuQu-opuv 
 
 xv^pbg 7rxi(rV Trpbs xtpxvTOv s 
 Kxi TO [tv irpb 
 
 1005 
 
 ATT' evftsrpou 
 
 1010 
 
 OUK y TrpOTTou; 
 
 TOI o<ri? x 
 
 T KOil % X 
 
 vd<rov 
 
 1015 
 
 67TTElxV 
 
 r.p'. TO 5' eTTi yos,v Treeov <x,irot% 
 
 TOV 
 
 TUV 
 
 El 3f [MI 
 Moipa (&o7pxv ix 
 
 , TIG ccv TOUT' 
 
 1020 
 
 1025 
 
 1002. Bl. addidit &sl, probante 
 
 Herm. Ceterorumconj.nequam sunt. 
 
 1006. Inserui -ufa. Cf. v. antistr. 
 
 1008. to p.ev valet toino /xev 'hoc 
 si accidit', coi opponendum erat 
 TOWTO 8 in v. antistr. 'at si illud , 
 scilicet , homicidium'. 
 
 1009. oxvoj Hbri. oxvov ego. 'do- 
 mus , inquit , si opes perdendi cunc- 
 tationem projecit , non tota submer- 
 gitur'. Jimge: Sxvov itpb 
 
 (non Ttpoficduv TO p.kv 
 'cunctationem , quae quasi propugnat 
 pro salute opum'. 
 
 1011. Ap. Hes. est 7iaj j&os, 
 sensus idem; Op. 687. 
 
 1012. irj/ioas FL F. corr. in V. 
 1016. x&% FL corr. in F. V. 
 
 1018. -nzsmtf 7ra libri. Corr. 
 Pauw. f? enim ad v. Bxvixstfiov per- 
 tinet : sic Eng. , Porsoni corr. spreta. 
 
 1019. ttponxp Fl. corr. in F. V. 
 Deinde rig T' tiyxaAeffatT' T. omisso 
 nodiv quod Fl. V. prsebent ante eJyx. 
 Recte: nam glossa erat ad c*-/x- ad- 
 cripta. T' ilia superest de psene 
 evanido TOUT', quod restitui. 
 
 1024. &VOT/SIV ^eif tnn ljtxua& ETT'
 
 AGAMEMNON. 97 
 
 is without cloy: sickness, a neighbour who shares one 
 
 wall, is for ever assailing. 
 1005 And a man's state as it sails 
 
 fair on its course strikes on an unseen breaker. 
 Then by casting overboard 
 fear to lose acquired wealth, 
 1010 from a wisely-weighted sling, 
 all the house does not go down 
 over-freighted with its bane, 
 nor in deep sea sinks the ship. 
 1015 Large boon, doubtless, from Zeus in exuberance 
 
 and from the furrows which yield in the autumn 
 kills a famine's fell disease : 
 
 but if it has first to earth fallen once 
 
 giving death place, who can call up any more a 
 1020 man's ruddy life-blood by charming? 
 
 else would not Zeus have debarred 
 
 him who was well skilled to bring back the lost ones. 
 1025 And if no appointed Doom 
 
 barred a god-sent doom from all 
 
 Fl. aur' ftraua' tn tuJMfisla. Jovis leges; alioqui neque Asclepium 
 
 y V. cun' errata" in c*/3Aa/3eiac yt F. a mortuis arcuisset, ne excitaret'. 
 Jam Canterus hsec magna ex parte 1025 1033. Sic libri, aoywrepov 
 
 scholio deberi vidit; quern secutus quam aflarepov fateor, sed omnia 
 
 Henn. scripsit Zeuj Si tbv dfOooa.^ prorsus sana; 1/lolpx scrips! 
 
 r&v yOtpivtiiv dvccyetv rnstuarv. Sed ilia vulgo) et comma post 
 
 vocis zii transpositio violentior est ; delevi. Vide Comment. Quod autem 
 
 inxwev autem est interpretatio ; nam ad hoc et cetera -3schyli eenigmata 
 
 certissimum mihi videtur idem ver- attinet, nou ea sunt quorum sen- 
 
 bum quod v. 1027 usurpatur, et tentiam quisquam, etiamsi acerrimo 
 
 hie esse restituendum. Itaque scripsi ingenio preeditus in Grsecis literis 
 
 elpHsv cum prseeunte dh. Jam nihil diu lateque versatus sit , primo im- 
 
 aliui I opus erat quam ut Zswj dvdyeiv petu compertam habere possit. 
 scriberem. Verto: 'quippe vetant
 
 98 ATAMEMNflN. 
 
 slpye (MI TrXsov Qspsiv , 
 
 ocv TocS" %(. 1030 
 
 VtX, 7TOTS XXtplOV S 
 
 (ppsvot;. 
 
 KATTA1MNHZTPA. 
 
 K&I <rv' Konroiv^poiv Atyor 1035 
 
 7Tl G 
 
 xoivuvv ivxt 
 
 XTV<TIOU afMv 
 
 Kxi TTxicliX yap rot (pztrtv 'A^x/^^t)<; TTOTS 1040 
 
 TrpxQevTot, Thijvxi douhlxi; (Axfyis Q 
 
 E/ %' OVV U.VO.'yx.Vl Tijstf STTlppfTTOl 
 
 O/ $' OVTTOT h7r!< 
 
 UfMl T ^OUAO/ TTOWTtX, XXI TTO-pOi tTTadftyV. 1045 
 
 nap' yyiMV oiXTTfp VQ 
 XOPOZ. 
 
 roi 
 
 1036. ^/ir)vtTU5, xcpvipuv , xryaiou tatis monimenta prse se fert aptis- 
 duplicem sensum habent. simeque dicitur si personas , bane 
 
 1037. /ze'ra libri, pe-rx Herm. et illam, consideras. Sed ft.^t film 
 421. Souicta; /^dris /2t'a FL xai non potuit dici; nam intelligi potest 
 
 JjuySv fliygiv /Si'oc F. V. Quod Bl. quid sit Aoyw /St'os sed Aa-/aiy /S/oj 
 
 scripsit SowAtaj /x^r) /St'ov id proxime putidum est. Deinde ^w/wv Otyetv 
 
 accessit ad ver. lect. Ex iia 8ouA/as 'jugum attingere' pariter atque iliud 
 
 'cibarii panis' omnia ingenui- absurdum est; oportuit esse j>/set,
 
 AGAMEMNON. 99 
 
 mitigation, then my heart, 
 faster than my tongue could speak, 
 these misgivings would pour out: 
 1030 now it sighs, in darkness sunk, 
 
 spirit-sore, with no hope that it ever will 
 
 spin from the flame-enwrapt distaff of reason 
 aught to suit the present need. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 1035 Go you in too, I mean Casandra, since 
 Zeus not vindictively has made you share 
 our household's cleansing-rite, with many slaves 
 placed near the altar of the treasure-god. 
 Step from this car, and cherish no high thoughts. 
 
 1040 They say, you know, that once Alcmena's son 
 was sold and took the slavish barley dole. 
 And if this lot's constraint should turn the scale 
 great thanks are due for lords enriched of old. 
 Those who, not hoping it, reap largely, pass 
 
 1045 the plumb-line and are harsh to slaves all ways; 
 you get from us just what is usual. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 To you she speaks plain words, and makes a pause; 
 
 j xaw'?etv, Suvat. Mese rationes 1044. o/S'Fl. <& 3' V. Corr. Stanl. 
 
 hujusmodi aunt : /ia^j male sciptum 1045. Traysauretfl/twv Fl. -nxpx ot&6- 
 
 /JL&Z-K, cum interpr. $<syG>v supra ad- pap 'ad amussin' Theogu. 543 non 
 
 dita, secuta est vox Oiyslv; y8ia autem est Attice dictum, 
 
 est pars interpretationis ad r^vecc 1046. Ifetj Aur. Sed sensus est : 
 
 pertinentis, quse mullo modo in itp' rj/^v 8s ol 5ou)o t-^waiv o. v 
 
 teitum recipienda erat. Sic Eager.
 
 100 ArAMEMNHN. 
 
 XV QV7X 
 
 xv, sl 
 
 K ATT AIMNH 2TP A. 
 
 'AAA' s'tTrsp arr/ fty %^ovoq SiKyv 1050 
 
 xyvSiTX (fiuvyv fiapftapov 
 
 s<ru Qpsvuv Xsyoutrx TrsiQa viv 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 TX hatTTK, TV 
 
 lQoil , XlTTOVGlX, TOVe? X 
 
 KATTAIMNH2TPA. 
 
 Ovrot Ovpxixv T>;I/' iftoi (r%ohyv Tnxpx 1055 
 
 r/j//3f/v ' rx (tsv yap tvrixt; 
 
 u$ OVTTOT 
 
 2w 3' el TI dptxtrstg r&vds , [ty <r%chyv rldsi. 
 
 E; ' <xt~vvvj(/.uv ovirx [ty $,i hdyov 1060 
 
 XOPOZ, 
 
 OIXV % %V 
 
 g vsxiprov. 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA. 
 H (Mtiyered rs xx} KXKUV xAu/ (ppsvuv, 
 
 1048. twbf libri. ^XTOJ Herm. Et Haupt. , Eng. , Karst. : 'captiva es , i. 
 
 sane v et x liter similes sunt ; quod e. , non tui juris , itaque utrum mavis 
 
 si non essent tamen hoc reciperem facies'. Quanto rectius : 'si captiva 
 
 sententise ergo, evroj S' ioyu conj. non esses , turn demum consensus
 
 AGAMEMNON. 101 
 
 and, were you free from fatal toils, if you 
 complied, why, you 'd comply, perhaps not comply. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTEA. 
 
 1050 Well, if she is not swallow-like possessed 
 but of some barbarous jargon, then I speak 
 within her ken, and move her by my words. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Since she suggests the present turn's best choice 
 comply, and leave this car-inserted seat. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 1055 I cannot waste this time outside the door: 
 before the hearth, our house's centre-boss, 
 now stand the sheep for slaughter; as for those 
 who never hoped to get this joy: and if 
 you will do aught of this, make no delay: 
 
 1060 but if through ignorance you decline discourse 
 in lieu of speech make signs with alien hand. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The stranger seems to need exponents shrewd. 
 Her ways are like some wild thing's just ensnared. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 Surely she raves and heeds an evil wit, 
 
 pro arbitrio foret". 1053. gnou. T libri. ^7ri ra Helms. 
 
 1052. netOto ex iis verbis est quo- 1055. sxoty libri. Corr. Weiseler. 
 
 rum prsesens tempus fere idem valet 1057. nvpdi libri. Corr. Musgrav. 
 
 quod perfectum. 1064. rj Fl. corr. in F. V.
 
 102 
 
 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 JfT/? hlTTOlKTO!. ftV TTOXlV VSXlpSTOV 
 
 %xsi ' %xhtvbv ' OUK eTr'uTTXTXi Qepeiv 
 irpiv 
 
 ixou<r 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 yap, ou 
 rovV spyiAuvour' o%ov, 
 rffis xxivieov Qjydv. 
 
 KASANAPA. 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 
 T/ TOVT xvaTOTU^x? a(4,(pi Aofyou; 
 ov yap roiovToq ugre Qpyvyrou ru^e'iv. 
 
 KA2 ANAPA. 
 
 'OTOTOTO! TTQTTOI 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 'H ' XVTS $v<r(fiy{tov<7<z rov Qsbv 
 Trpo^xovr" sv yooiq 
 
 KASANAPA. 
 
 , 'AiroMuv 
 
 1065 
 
 1070 
 
 1075 
 
 1080 
 
 1071. |XOU<T' libri. Corr. Hob. 
 
 1072. d-TO-rororoi M. corr. in Fl. qiii tamen -no/j-itol habet.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 103 
 
 1065 who having left her country just ensnared 
 
 has come, and knows not how to wear the bit 
 before she foams away her rage in blood. 
 I'll vent no further speech and be disdained. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 But, for I pity her, I'll not be wroth. 
 1070 Come, thou unhappy one, vacate this car, 
 yield to this fate, and try the new yoke on. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 Oh woe, woe! alas, earth! 
 Apollo! Apollo! 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Why shout ye woe for Loxias? he's not 
 1075 the sort to come into a mourner's hands. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 Oh woe, woe! alas, earth! 
 Apollo! Apollo! 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Again with grief she calls upon a god 
 not bound at wailings to be standing by. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 1080 Apollo! Destroyer! 
 
 1073. wrroJQsv bis M. ei-notiov bis Fl. et sic infra. Corr. Herm. 
 1078. JJS' M. corr. in cet.
 
 104 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 yap ou (tdht*; TO eievrepov. 
 XOPOS. 
 
 v eoiKsv ap rv auTfji; xaxv. 
 
 TO $S70V cuA/f 7Tp V QpSVl. 
 
 KASANAPA. 
 
 , 'Asro'AAwv 1085 
 
 ot. TTOI icar vpyxyst; pe; Trpt; TTOIXV 
 XOPOS. 
 
 Tlpb? Tyv 'Ar/jf i$5>v ' si <rv [ty rc'S' svvostt; 
 syu Afyw <roi ' xxi Ttxd' OVK speic; \frvdy. 
 
 KA2ANAPA. 
 
 <rrp.y'. MtcrdQsOV ftEV GUV, TTOAA^ (TVVlfTOpa 1090 
 
 TS KXKX 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 Eoixsv svpit; y t-svyi xuvbg 
 
 fJt,<x.Tevi $* av avwpyvfi Qdvov. 
 
 1081. fywy.t M. c*yw*r' G. F. Fl. 1089. & & pmmittit M., om.Fl. 
 (hie sec. Franz, properisp.) AyuiSi-r Zwircopa M. corr. in Fl. 
 
 Eob. ex Sophiani emend; et sic infra. 1091. xa/srotvat M. Fl. x^ravaj 
 
 1082. ou /AO>IS est 'non parum' F. Herm. inseruit TS m. gr. Em- 
 Herm. perio Kayser. , Enger. , videtur xa- 
 
 1083. swTijs codices, aurijs T. /jarfyia esse corrigendum, Eomano, 
 Viet. scilicet, et posteriore more deceptis; 
 
 1084. Ttxp lv M. nxpev Fl. TTK/JOV nam quis. Grsecus, prseter Perseum, 
 F. (Herm.) Corr. Schutz. alteri caput prsecidit unquam ? quod 
 
 1086. cfyyt'a-r' Fl.; cet. ut v. 1081. idem interrogari non potest de sus-
 
 AGAMEMNON. 105 
 
 the street-god, my destroying god! 
 
 for twice thou hast destroyed me, not almost. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 She seems about to augur her own woes. 
 
 God's gift abides though in a bondsman's breast. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 1085 Apollo! Destroyer! 
 
 the street-god, my destroying-god! 
 
 Oh whither hast thou led me? to what roof? 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The Atreids': you might know; but if you dont 
 I tell you; and you '11 say this is not false. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 1090 No, a god-hating roof, privy to many crimes, 
 murders of kinsfolk, strangling-cords ; 
 a men's-throat-cutting place, a sink of blood. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The stranger seems keen-scented like a hound, 
 and tracks the game she starts by trace of blood. 
 
 pendio heroinarum. xpsx-r6/j. conj. 1093. evpts M. tj in litura. eupts 
 
 Weil. Fl. Corr. fora. Bl. mavult sljpiv. 
 
 1092. &v%pbs op&ytov libri, in M. 1094. /xavrsuttv M. [iwrtuti Fl. 
 
 t in litura. optxyttov T. apzyeicv Pors. yuareueiv T. uv xv sltprio-n M. GK Rob. , 
 
 <*vS/sotTjjaystov Dobrse. Deinde TT^Sov Iptupfaet Fl. F. Viet, av Avsupfast T. 
 
 pavrripiov libri , sed in M. pr. m. Recepi Porsoni em. sed ita ut idem 
 
 scripserat -n&op. Tts&oppxvTjptov Dind. valeat quod v gvpot. Jampridem 
 
 at quid hoc significet ab ipso an- Paleius recte vertebat 'quorumcuaque 
 
 dieris melius. povoppxrrjptav Enger. cruorem homicidio fusum invenorit, 
 
 Etenim Trriov est gloBsa. eum investigat'.
 
 106 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 KA2ANAPA. 
 
 <*vr./. MxprupiOKri yap rdiq'S' farwreUoftM ' 1095 
 
 TX$S fipsQy vtyxyxs 
 
 TS (TUpXXS TTpO? TTXTpOq 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 TOVTUV 
 
 KA2ANAPA. 
 
 'lu TTOTTOl, Tl TTOTe /Z^STXl', 1100 
 
 r/ roS 1 a%oi; vsov (tkyoi 
 
 y' sv ddftoitri ToTgSs ftydsrxi icxxbv 
 
 XX XX<; 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 Touruv aifipit; it pi r&v {txvrsuftxTUv' 1105 
 
 ixswx S' syvuv f TTXVX <yxp Trofat; fioqi. 
 
 KA2ANAPA. 
 
 dvr.8'. 'Iw TXhXlVX, T0$ </Xp T Xslt; ', 
 TOV OfAOeifftVlOV TTOVIV 
 
 hovrpotvi Qxtipuvxtrx TT&I; (ppavu reAcs; 
 
 1095. pxprvplot; yap M. /A. /tev Pors. 
 
 y<kp M. Corr. Pauw. roesSe neneiOo- 1099. jj/xev M. Fl. cet. ijv supra 
 
 yttat libri. Corr. Abresch. scripto in G. , unde >j /A>JV Aid. Ttirn. 
 
 1096. Sic M. ra Fl. >5s/v Pors. , Bl. , Herm. , Bind. Sed 
 1098. ^ y>]v a pr. m. M. , alia neutrum horum hie ferri potest; 
 
 manus, ut yidetur, ^/tev superscripsit. neque ^ /tijv yff/*> neque iieTtus/jifroi 
 
 Fl. cet. jj/tev Eob. ^ ^v corr. yaftev. Weilium solvun habeo quern
 
 AGAMEMNON. 107 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 1095 Yes! for I credit these tokens, the crying babes 
 these that wail their own butchery 
 and roasted flesh of which their father ate. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 True, we had heard of your divining fame, 
 but these are things for which we seek no seers. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 1100 God! what's this? what is she compassing? 
 what this novel heinous woe, 
 this heinous woe she 's plotting in this house? 
 an ill past her friends' strength to bear, hard to cure; 
 help withdraws far away. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 1105 In these revealings I'm unversed, but those 
 I knew; for all the city talks of them. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 hapless one! you will act it out? 
 
 having by bathing beautified 
 
 your bedmate lord how shall I tell the end? 
 
 sequar, nee meliorem ducem qusero. Engerus omittit /*'/, et it6<nv in 
 
 Is enim dedit 3/xev v. 1098 et, pro v. antist. ; id quod nondum mihi 
 
 prave iterata eadem voce, TOI/TWV, veri simile videtur. 
 ut quod ><i Inn i hie stare potuerit. 1103. Sic F. yiXotii cet. cUxiv Fl. 
 Mox /*a<rrsi/o/tev libri. Corr. Schutz. 1106. /3o$ noAtj Fl. 
 
 1101. A-^Dof M. A^of supra scripto.
 
 108 AFAMEMNQN. 
 
 yap roT ea-r&r irporsivei Sf %eip 1110 
 
 ex. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 ' vuv yot,p H; xl 
 
 KAZAN AP A. 
 
 <rcpt. "E I , Travail Tra-TTxT, rl robs 
 
 TI ?' ArSou; 1115 
 
 Qdvov. 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 i TTopQiizQ iv ; Q\J ft (ptxtdpvvfi hoyos. 1120 
 
 T/ Sf xapdixv 
 
 , KT 
 
 vTSi (3!ov ^u 
 
 KTtX, 
 
 KASANAPA. 
 
 r A x' l$ov l$ou' UTTERS TVIS (3ob<; 1125 
 
 TOV TKVpOV V TTET 
 
 1110. x sl P <k X S[ PS opsyopbx M. 1114. si M. 
 
 %slp ix xspbg dpiy/icva. Fl. dpey/jLouri 1115. rj M. j Aid. 
 
 Schol. Corr. Herm. Cf. Theocr. 1117. AxopecTos libri. Corr.Bothe. 
 
 22. 102 eT&iff xepai TT/joSetxvwj. 1119. ^tvuv M. 
 
 1113. Sic M. V. G. in d. Fl. P.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 109 
 
 1110 for soon that will be. Now she puts forth her hand 
 and makes trial-thrusts. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 I don't yet understand: your riddles' end 
 is that I am posed by cloudy oracles. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 Oh, oh! good God! good God! what now comes in view 
 1115 a casting-net of Hades? 
 
 but she the wife, a stake-net, shares the guilt 
 
 of blood. And let a band, ne'er appeased 
 
 by her race, sing for joy while the stoned victim dies! 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 What Fury 's this you summon in the house 
 1120 to raise her cry? your words dont gladden me. 
 To my heart has rushed , and left sallow hues , 
 the flow which for men struck down mortally 
 runs its course along with their life's-sunset-beams; 
 then death comes apace. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 1125 Take care! take care! the bull, keep liim from 
 the cow! for, having caught him 
 in robes, with dark-horned implement she gores 
 
 1121. &py.pe xpoxop*<pi)S libri. ego, monente Engero. So/st eat glos- 
 Corr. Enger. sems. 
 
 1122. xi %opix.TtT(aaifj.os fuvavureZ 1127. fjLtXayxtptoi M. v super i 
 M. eadem Fl. nisi quod Supta. xat- scripta. /jtsiayx^wv Fl. Sensus : /xrfiavi 
 pltf ego; fuvscvwr Pors. , TtTwaf/xotj /p urntpti xtpxri-
 
 1 10 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 TVTTTSl ' 7TITVSI V fVUd XVTfl. 
 
 <roi 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 oavr St. Oy xo{A7r<x,(rxi[6 av QsvQstTocv yvuftuv axpoc 1130 
 
 slvoti xaxcf} f Tcj Trpo^sixa^u T<X%S. 
 xT&v rlc xyxQot, (pans 
 
 ; xax&v yap Sixi 
 TS%VXI QetTTTiCitio} (pdftov 
 
 1135 
 
 KA2ANAPA. 
 
 TV%Ot,l ' 
 
 TO yap epw poa 
 
 Hoi $y fts dsupo ryv rahzivotv 
 
 ouSsv TTOT it fty %uvOxvou,'j.viiv TI yxp ; 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 3>pVO(tiZV)is Tiq si QsotyopyToq , yt,- 1140 
 
 (pi S' auras &pOic 
 
 j oiot, TI$ %cu$a 
 fioait; , (pv , ra^xlvxiq (ppswv 
 "ITVV "Iruv <TTVOi>(r' aftQtQxtii xxxdic 
 
 a$uv @iov. 1145 
 
 KASANAPA. 
 'iw Jw iwysfat ftdpov 
 
 1128. iv addidit Schutz. t^si 1134. morels Fl. dssTTtwtSov M. 
 
 libri. xuret Bl. , Herm. OeantuZbv Fl. flsirTrtwSfiv Casaub. Me- 
 
 1132. TIS M. lius Herm., quod dedi. flsffTttwSov 
 
 1133. ySprolut Fl. argMsTxt libri. yx5/3ov hie dici non potuit. 
 
 Corr. Herm., et Emper. 5ta M. S^ 1135. y>^eoyrtv Fl. absque v cet. 
 
 xl Fl. Corr. Herm.
 
 AGAMEMNON. Ill 
 
 and he within the filled vessel sinks. 
 I thus tell you the wily pan's fatal hap. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 1130 I would not boast in words inspired to be 
 nice judge; but this I liken to some harm. 
 And from words inspired what good tidings spring 
 to men : for because of men's present woes 
 the seer's god-inspired wordy lore brings a fear 
 
 1135 to learn what it means. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 Alas , alas ! the lost one's inauspicious doom ! 
 for I now relate my own following fate. 
 Oh whither hast thou led me the forlorn? 
 for nothing but to die with him: what else? 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 1140 A mind-maddened one, by god moved art thou, 
 
 and about thyself 
 
 chantest tunes tuneless, as some brown 
 nightingale, alas! mourning with thoughts of grief 
 Itys, Itys, his story that bloomed with woes 
 1145 from both parents sprung. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 lo, io, the portion of shrill nightingale! 
 
 1137. littyxfaaa M. i7ray^^Fl. &x6pstof Aid. pu taluzivSt M. j>- 
 
 Recepi Karsteni em., Heimsoethio Jioixrotj raAaiv" ppiolv Fl. Glossema 
 
 probatam. jHMxrotj ab Herm. receptum eat. 
 
 1141. aura? M. Mox ota. M. 1146. A^6vof /J.6pov libri. Corr. 
 
 1143. AxdptoTos fioSts M. /3os Fl. Herm.
 
 112 
 
 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 yap ol TrrepoQopov %{ 
 &o: yhvxvv T actavx xhavpc&Tuv &rsp 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 peea.vv.j3'. TldQsv 7ri<r(ri>TOu<; QfoQdpous %it; 
 
 1150 
 
 TO, 
 
 o/uou T' opQiois iv 
 
 opovc 
 
 1155 
 
 'la 
 
 KASANAPA. 
 
 (Mi Htxp&oq fas 
 
 OU TTtZTplOV 7TOTOV. 
 
 T K<Z%pOU(TtOVi; 
 
 1160 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 7TO<; 
 
 TOpOV 
 
 v oyvos aiv Qpdov 
 
 5' OTTUC; $dxi 
 
 1147. ire/5s/3AovT97/5oi M. (Dind. a librario supra scriptum in M. 
 nescit utrum ita.p- an nsp-) nspi- 1150. T' ante x s s wcte deleyit 
 /3aA5vrs5 y<xf> ol Fl. Illud -TO ex ye Herm. u 
 
 pro ya.p quondam scripto ortum eat, 1152. iTtipo^wt M. snifofia. Fl. 
 
 unde et -TSJ in Fl. Insolita forma Corr. Aur. 
 
 nepsfi- confirmatur simili ilia Emu. 1153. o/iou T'jure suspectum est. 
 
 634 nepeaxrivuaev. oifiova' Schoemann. Fortasse vo'/ioc; 
 
 1148. v.-jwy. libri, sed yp. cd&vn T' dpOiois
 
 AGAMEMNON. 113 
 
 for the gods put on her a wing-bearing form, 
 and let her spend a sweet life free from tears: 
 for me a gash waits with a two-edged blade. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 1150 Say from whence thou hast these fierce god-impelled, 
 
 these thine idle griefs; 
 how thou dost mould to melody 
 with that ominous scream horrors in high-pitched key, 
 and find landmarks for this thine inspired path 
 
 1155 of ill-omened words. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 The match ! my brother's match ! which brought ruin home : 
 alas, Scamander's stream, drink of my native land! 
 by thy margin, then, I the ill-fated one 
 
 throve on thy nourishings; 
 
 1160 but now it seems I soon shall sing my strains 
 upon Cocytus' banks and Acheron's. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 What this too distinct speech thou hast uttered means, 
 
 a child might understand the cry: 
 
 and I'm pierced as with deadly sting by thy 
 
 1154. >] Fl. ordodochmiisseinterposuit, utssepe. 
 
 1158. rcUatva Fl. 1164. bnb S^art libri. Corr. 
 
 1163. AvOpuTtuv libri. oivOpoavego. Henn. Illud est glossa; nam Saxoj 
 
 vfoyvo,- v Aippm&v quod Meineke de- <rfi/jixlvsi xal 8jy/ia E. M. s. v. Enger. 
 
 dit, Enger. recepit, mihi quidem mayult TTJUjy/xart , cujus vocis 
 
 sonat infantem delirum. lambicus ut mihi videtur, ignarus fuit.
 
 114 ATAMEMNHN. 
 
 r\)%of, (tivupx xxxx dpsupevxc , 1165 
 
 * itoi xhvsiv. 
 
 KAZ ANAPA. 
 
 l# 7TOVOI 7TOVOI 
 TO 7TXV' Ik TTpOTTVpyOl 
 TTOhUXXyfTi; fioTUV TTOlOVOftUV &XOG S' 
 
 outisv E7ri!ipx<ra,v , 1170 
 
 TO ft*) TTOhtV (tV UGTTSp OVV 6%t 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 
 'ETTOftfVX TTpOTSpOUTl T0$f i 
 
 2f Tig xaxoQpovuv Tify- 
 
 rsppxpfa ifiTTiTvuv 1175 
 
 yospx 
 
 KASANAPA. 
 
 Kxt ftyv o %py<rftbs ouxsT 1 ex 
 
 bi; S' toixfv fatov 7rpb$ izvTohxs 1180 
 
 TTVSUV ecc^siv 
 
 1165. SyToyyei libri. Corr. Canter. 1171. Z%st Fl. ut Yidetnr, corr. 
 Deinde Qpeoft.^* libri. Corr. Enger. in F. 
 
 1166. 9pxu[jM-f Fl. GxufjLx-r' F. 1172. eyw libri. xdyu quod sensus 
 recentt. Illud tuetur Enger., 'id postulat, metrum maviilt, Heims. 
 quod frangit'; sed nemini id pro- l/tTr^&u ySxiii libri. e/iTtsifii Ahrens., 
 babit. Ne forte dubites, Oxupz? it&to ego. Jam Tides cur ^Tt^Sw 
 cbcousxc est ap. Hes. Th. 834. scriptxim sit. fiyj.u est stolida in- 
 
 1167. itdlsos <W.u/irf>a; Fl. noise*; terpretatio aut complementum. Quse 
 V. Corr. Pore. autem corrigunt Ozp/ibv ouj Canter.,
 
 AGAMEMNON. 115 
 
 1165 sad, sad lot, while thou plaintively mournest woes, 
 a strange tale to hear. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 Alas, the woes, the woes of my country lost, 
 all-lost! alas, my sire's offerings before the walls, 
 when grass-pastured kine many were slain! and yet 
 1170 they served naught for cure, 
 
 to save my country's ailing as she ailed; 
 
 I too, brain-fevered, soon shall sink to earth. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 There thou spakest words following hard upon 
 the former track. Some ill-disposed 
 
 1175 daemon with ponderous weight falls on and makes thee chant 
 sufferings like a dirge , fraught with death ; how 't will end 
 I am all in doubt. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 But soon the augury will look out no more 
 like bride new-married from behind veil-folds: 
 1180 but to the sunrise blowing, clear of clouds, 
 
 will hurtle forth, it seems, and wave-like wash 
 
 Herm., Oipfibv povn Musgr. , illud 0f/x4vo!>j verum ease posse, 
 
 absurdum est, immane quantum; 1173. itporsfoi? libri. Corr. Pauw. 
 
 hoc vero comico poetae couvenit. 1174. xal TIJ as libri. xat T/ as 
 
 Verto : "Civitas mea , cui uulla me- Butler. , vulgo. at fig ego. xxo- 
 
 dicina utilis fuit, morbo periit; et fpavslv libri. Corr. Scbutz. 
 
 ego quoque, nunc morbo delirans, 1176. Ox-jxrop6px Fl. , corr. in F. 
 
 mox (quum furor quievit) humi pro- 1179. vu/zpaj Fl. , corr. in F. 
 
 cumbam'. itt\& %QtrA Prom. V. 284. 1180. fc$jfvFl. lyfttc\. Herm. 
 
 Apparet, opinor, nihil aliud nisi vulgo. iitfitv Bothe. 
 
 8*
 
 116 
 
 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 Kxt 
 
 Trpot; <xvya$ rov^s 
 Qpsvutru ' CVKST* 0; 
 
 uvripoftui; 1%vot; xtxxuv 
 ruv TrxXoit TTSTrpayftsvuv. 
 yap tsrkyw r ryv$ > OUTTOT SK^SITTSI 
 GvitQQo'y'yoq OVK eu(pavo<;, ou yap sv 
 Kxi (Jt,yv TTSTTUXUS y', uz &pa<Tuv<rQat 
 (3pOTiov ou^y, KUftot; sv cidftoit; (tsvsi 
 u vwyyovuv 'Epivuuv. 
 
 7rpc)T<xp%ov ryv ' v 
 
 suva? o&ehQov TM Trxrouyn 
 
 "Hftaprov ; tj Kvpti TI 
 
 TIG 
 
 TO (A 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 1185 
 
 1190 
 
 1195 
 
 Trut; oc,v opxoz , Trfjftx yevv&uc 
 
 yevoiTO-., d<xu(ta& 3s vs 
 TTOVTOU TTSpav TptzQsivxv a ' 
 
 hsyouvav , usTrep ii 
 
 1200 
 
 1182. x^uswHbri. Corr. Aur. Cf. 
 Solon Frag. 5. 17. xpqapbs eat tl- 
 news patefactio s. r/atj ipsa; riS* 
 Trvjyua est 'meum (Casaadrse) malum', 
 cujus se participem esse Chorus af- 
 firmavit; prseterea ipsa csesura de- 
 monstat rouSe Tc^ftxrog non cum scuyaj 
 conjungendum esse, sed a voce/iov 
 i. e. yust^ovirij/iapendere. SicetHerm. 
 
 1187. <rvp.poyyo$ Fl. , corr. in F. 
 
 1192. Tr/soira/sxos Fl., coir, in F. V. 
 
 1194. r^filibri. ftj^aAur. xu/>w 
 Ahr. Et 0y)/5iS certe de sagitta? ictu 
 dici nequit. Scilicet x et >j literse 
 eandem formam habent in M. 
 
 1196. Sic libri omnes: 'de me 
 hucusque absente nunc testamini , 
 quod ex verbis (Aoyw) meis jam sci- 
 tis, me scelerum gnaram esse'. Par- 
 tern enim solum suae significations
 
 AGAMEMNON. 117 
 
 up to the daybeams woe far worse than this 
 of mine. But I by riddles will instruct no more. 
 And bear me witness as I coursingly 
 
 1185 hunt down the track of crimes wrought long ago. 
 This roof a choir ne'er quits, well-matched in tune 
 but not well-toned, for it speaks no good words. 
 And having drunk men's blood, to dare the more, 
 this wassail-rout of kindred Furies still 
 
 1190 stays in the house, hard to be sent away. 
 Set firmly in its halls they chant a hymn, 
 the primal death-crime ; and in turn they loathe 
 a brother's bed, its trampler's ruthless foe. 
 I missed? or do I, marksman-like, hit aught? 
 
 1195 am I a quack-seer? a door-pestering cheat? 
 
 first swear, then witness from my words that I 
 though absent know this household's ancient sins. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 How could an oath, a pain in good faith pledged, 
 be curative? yet I'm amazed that bred 
 1200 beyond sea in a strange-tongue-speaking land 
 you tell the truth, as if you stood close by. 
 
 voi ix/A. tenet; quod Chorus testa- poense, quas aliquis ex animi sen- 
 
 bitur de absente coram ea de qua teutia jurejurando sibi confirmat'. 
 
 testator. TTSUWVIOV autem valet 01x04. 
 
 1198. Sic libri. opxou Trijy/ja Aur. 1199. Ttat&wos P. Si oou libri. 
 
 opxof , Trijy/xa Pors. ab Herm. , aliis oe <rs Aur. , cet. , prseter Herm. 
 
 receptum. Sed 'opxo; quater ap. 1200. Ati60pow Tio/tv libri. dUd- 
 
 Hes. Trij/xa dicitur, et Tirjpx multo Opu 'v itilu Enger. Res manifest*; 
 
 meliorem sensum prsebet. Spernen- nam AlWpovi nihil aliud est quam 
 
 dum igitur est Hermanui, Porsoni, jSocpfiypo; E. M., s. v. 
 ceterorum nfypy.. Verte 'perjurii
 
 118 AFAMEMNIIN. 
 
 KASANAPA. 
 yJ 'AT&AAW ru$' sTrsffTytrsv retet. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 .&V xxi 6ed<; Trsp l/^spa TrsTrhyyftsvog; 
 
 KAZANAPA. 
 
 oij (J&V oCtiut; vjv spot hkytiv TO&. 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 
 yap iras TI$ ev irpaatruv TT^SOV. 1205 
 
 KASANAPA. 
 
 jv TrahaitrTys napr* spot TTVSUV %txpiv. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 'H Kxi rexvuv si: spyov yjXQsTy 
 
 KASANAPA. 
 
 s.uvouv<r,XGix. Ao^ltxv fysuexfAyv. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 KASANAPA. 
 
 Tra. 1210 
 
 12025. In libris legwntur ad hunc modum: Gas. 1202, 1204; Cho. 
 J203, 1205. Reposuit Herm.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 119 
 
 CA SANDRA. 
 This office seer Apollo laid on me. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Not pierced with love of you, and he a god? 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 Ere now I was ashamed to speak of it. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 1205 True: every one when prosperous is more nice. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 He sought the prize, much fired with love for me. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Came ye to child-begetting by love's law? 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 After consenting I played Loxias false. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 When now possessed by god-implanted lore? 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 1210 I had foretold my people all their woes. 
 
 1205. pxpuvsroii F. 
 
 1207. >?A0Tov libri. Corr. Elmsl. vi/xw est 'amantium more'.
 
 120 
 
 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 Hue 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 <r6a Ao%!ou xorov; 
 KA2ANAPA. 
 
 Lldsv' OU$V, Kg Toti? 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 ye (Jt.lv 5>j TTKTTOC, Qsa-TTi 
 KAZANAPA. 
 
 'lov lov. 
 
 'TV* KV (AS ^sivog opQoiAXVTeisu; Trovog 
 
 vrpofiei } Tapaavuv (f)poif/,ioi<; ' u a 
 
 'Opars TOU$S TOV<; ^opoiq sCpyusvoui; 
 
 veou?, ovtipuv TrpovQspsii; /x,op(pc!)[Aa<riv ; 
 
 TTOU^SI; QXVOVTSS usTrspsi 7Tpb<; T&V (plhuv, 
 
 X,eipa,c; tcpsSiv TrhyQovTSt; dlxslxs 
 
 <rvv evrspois roc, 
 
 TTpsTroutr' %OVTS<; t uv 
 
 'Ex Tuvbe Troivixt; tyypi fioutevsiv nvoc, 
 
 Xeovr otvothKiv v Af'j^f/ (rTpuQccftsvov 
 
 o'lXOUpdv , olftOl , TU [AOhOVTl <r7T0'T#, 
 
 f'/Aw' Qepeiv yap %fa TO ^OV 
 
 1215 
 
 1220 
 
 1225 
 
 1211. a'vaxTO? ria0x Ao|t'ou xirw; 
 libri. avaroi Canter. , recentt. avox- 
 TOS ^u5a Aoiou XOTOV; Wieseler. , pro- 
 bante Ahr. Canteri em. erit 'qui 
 factum est , quseso , ut exitii expers 
 evaseris per Loxiae iram ? Absurde 
 dictum ; et recte hsesit Blom. Sequi 
 debebat non XOTW sed ofxrw vel si- 
 mile quid; et sic tamen inepte res- 
 
 pondetur. Weiseleri autem est : quo- 
 nam modo Loxise iram cognovisti 
 h. e. expertus es? Tt&is SJJT' non. idem 
 est quod xal TTWJ, lit laudari possit 
 Choeph. 532. xai TTWJ dcrpwrov oiiQap 
 >jv; 'illse mammae , opinor , non il- 
 Isesse erant'. yats pro -ifisns citatur 
 ex Soph. Colchis E. M. p. 439. 1. 
 Schol. F. interpretatur 7ro3>
 
 AGAMEMNON. 121 
 
 CHORUS. 
 And how, pray, did you feel king Loxias' wrath? 
 
 CASANDEA. 
 I made none credit aught, since thus I sinned. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 To us you seem to prophecy the truth. 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 Ugh! ugh! 
 1215 again true divination's dread pain racks 
 
 and frets me with its boding words. Oh woe! 
 
 see ye these young ones, seated in the rooms, 
 
 like Jfonns that come in dreams ? babes slain as if 
 
 by a kinsman, with hands full of flesh, meat made 
 1220 from their own carcases-, they hold to view 
 
 the inwards with the bowels, most piteous meal 
 
 of which their father ate. For this, I say, 
 
 a craven lion couching in his bed, 
 
 a stay-at-home, is compassing revenge 
 1225 on him who has returned, the master, mine, 
 
 ah me! for one must bear the slavish yoke. 
 
 roi> 'ATtiAiwvoj; sit, id quoque dum pueros intuetur 
 
 1212. ou8*v ouSev libri. Corr. Can- comperit. 
 
 ter. 1221. Dedi T (libri T); nam TS 
 
 1214. lw lov, & u xaxac libri, et infirmius est quam lit hanc sedem 
 
 ppot/jiloif ifrtfjL^vous v. 1216. Mirum occupet. 
 
 est Engerum Weilii emendationem 1226. $uyiv Fl. antea fuerat uyO. 
 
 spreviase, quse lau lov. et moi ypot- 1227. 7r/Jxo libri. iita.p%os Can- 
 
 - <u w xaxat. reposuit. ter. Illud tuetur Ahr. 
 
 1219. Casandra, ut quse hariola conj. Spaahem.
 
 122 
 
 ATAMEMNHN. 
 
 oux oidsv OIK <y},5)iT<r(x, 
 ' xaxTfivoura 
 
 lou, Tu!;Tai 
 
 xvvoq 
 
 1230 
 
 ' r viv 
 xv ; 
 
 olxourav sv 7rTpai(ri, v/xurlhuv fihapqv 
 Qvovcocv cpttv hyrop' , ot,<?7rov%ov r' "A/j 
 <$b,oit; Trviovvav ; 'Us 
 
 1235 
 
 Kai TUV<? b'ftoiov si n p 
 jjf^f/. Ka) <7y 
 
 r 
 
 Trapuv 
 
 1240 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 tot, AA axouir^ e dpdftou TT<TUV Tps%u. 1245 
 
 KAZANAPA. 
 
 ; (T (pyft iTrfywQoii pdpov. 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 fLv<$vi[Jt,ov , w T&houvtx, , xolftytrov (rTOfta. 
 
 1229. xa^xTftvatra Fl. xal xTstvaoa 1232. Suaptieuj Fl. 
 
 F. V. Corr. Canter. 1235. Ovouam. Sou /tyiri/j' Fl. 
 
 1230. Locus suspectrus. Ahrentis IJJTO/J' ceteris conjecturis 
 
 1231. TotS ToA/*ae ^AujFl. Yen. prsestat, quam ex Hesychii glossa 
 Totaura Toilet eijAus F. V. Corr. M-copef tipetai, et schol. Lycophr. 
 Ahrens. , et Eager.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 123 
 
 And the ships' admiral, nion's ravager, 
 
 knows naught of what the brutal lewd one's tongue 
 
 spoke and enlarged on in mock-radiant mood, 
 
 1230 like lurking death, and by sad fate will win. 
 The plot is this: the female is the male's 
 assassin. What foul monster shall I best 
 surname her? amphisbaena? or the pest 
 of sailors, Scylla, housed in rocks? a mad 
 
 1235 priestess of Hades, breathing ruthless war 
 
 against her kin? and how she screamed for joy, 
 the all-daring, as in battle's rout, and seemed 
 joyed at his home-arriving safe-return! 
 'Tis all one should you credit naught: what else? 
 
 1240 what will, will come. You too shall soon stand by 
 and pitying say I was a seer too true. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Thyestes' feast on children's flesh I knew 
 and shudder at; and fear takes hold of me 
 as I hear truly things not fancy-framed. 
 1265 Hearing the rest I lose scent and run wide. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 I say you '11 look on Agamemnon's corse. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Lull, hapless one, thy tongue to fairer words. 
 
 991 ly-rapxaf b Iripdaios ts/ssvj revo- 1241. dfyav y' libri. y deletum 
 
 cavit. Cf. itptvs -nj KTXS supra. est a Bl. et Bothio. 
 
 Delude Apu.v libri. Corr. Herm. 1242. watS/wv libri. Corr. Schutz. 
 
 1238. ooxil libri. ifoxtt ego. 1244. l?six*<rpiv F. Cf. efxa- 
 
 1240. xat au ft.r t v libri. Corr. Aur. ftfvos' 7r7risc<T/^voj Suid. s. v.
 
 124 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 KAZAN APA. 
 i 
 
 'AAA' CVT/ Ylxiav rajS* eTTHTT&Tel Xoyq. 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 
 , siTrep IVTM y' #AA# fty yivono 
 KAZANAPA. 
 
 [AW XXTV%1 , T^ 5' tXTTOXTslvflV (JLStel. 1250 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 7T/30? avdpbt; TOUT' oiyoq noptrvvs TXI ; 
 KA2ANAPA. 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 
 Tovi; yap T&OVVTOK; ov ^vvyxa 
 
 KAZANAPA. 
 Kx} (Ayv <x,y<x,v y' "EAAJjv' fwiffT&fUU QXTIV. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 Kxi yap TOC TruQoxpuvTa ' %v<r(4,a6ij 5' opus. 1255 
 
 KAZANAPA. 
 
 1249. oyx ei nocpsarxt / libri. scripto super rjf. Fl. -nstpsoxd-neis V. 
 
 Corr. Schutz. u pro so Herm. , vulgo ; Apxv Aur. , 
 
 1251. oe^og iibri. Corr. Aur. Canter. Hartung. emendavit quern 
 
 1252. ^ xdp-t oip' Av notpsoxiirris , ad modum edidi. Corruptelse origo
 
 AGAMEMNON. 125 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 In naught does Paean superintend this tale. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 No ; if it is to be : Heaven send it mayn't. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 1250 You pray; their care is to assassinate. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 By what man is the impious deed performed? 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 You were much cheated of my augury's drift. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Yes: for I don't see who fulfil the plot. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 And yet I know full well the Hellenic tongue. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 1255 So do you Pythian verdicts; yet they're dark. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 Oh misery! 
 
 non obscura est. itupexiitris autem 1255. ZuanxOi) libri. Corr. Canter. 
 
 est 'fraudatus es'. 1236. 7r7tai , oiov rb -nip xri. libri. 
 
 1253. TOW y/ Tsiouvro,- libri. Corr. Recepi Weilii em. TTU/S est 'febris', 
 
 Heims. cf. v. 1172.
 
 126 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 ' SfTTSl TTVp ' 7Tp%TXl Sf fMl ' 
 
 , Avxei' "ATTCAAOI/, o* syu , eyu' 
 
 H; hetxivix, (ruyxoiftccftsvti 
 Xvxcf, xiovroq efysvovg <x7rov<r!a, 
 y.TVi (AS TVJV Txh&ivav uq $ (pxpftxxov 1260 
 
 XOC/AOU lAluQo 
 
 Qyyovcra QUTI 
 
 vTiTivsvQai (povov. 
 Ti ^tjr" sfiKVTviq KXTayshuT s%u 
 xxi trxiJTTTpX' xtxi fA&VTsfa Trepi $pi/j GrkQy, 1265 
 
 ffCpe [tsv Trpb ftolpxg rvjq 
 IT $ QQdpov TTSVOVT ' syu 
 TIV' aryq KVT spou 
 
 ixSvccv ifte 
 
 [/.e 1270 
 
 KtXV TfSfie K0<7l/.0iq KtX.TOt'yXU[/,ivYIV 
 
 , ov $t%ppffauf 
 
 , rahatva 
 Kxi vvv o (AKVTiq ftavTiv X7rpd!-txt; [* 1275 
 
 tXVT 
 
 ov tunrehnif (poivlcp 
 
 Ov (AW oi,Tt[Aoi y' SK fa&v 
 
 1258. Snwoyj Fl. F. ( corr. in V. 1262. Ins^fM libri. Corr.Dind. 
 
 1261. XOTIU libri. Corr. Aur.^wOos 1263. AmviaxaBM libri. Eecepi 
 
 eat et hariolae et scorti merces, ilia Blomfieldii conj. 
 enim jre'Aavoj dicebatur, teste Suida; 1266. as p.\v libri. Corr. Aiir. 
 
 hsec piaQujj.*. Hie utroque sensu ad- 1267. ayaflw S' ^etiio/xat libri. 
 
 hibetur. Mox addit 'naulum' etywy% Prseclare corr. Herm. 
 /j.i<s66'j. TIOTOJ autem est medicina quse 1268. TW* Fl. TIV libri. Corr. 
 
 Agamemnonis male factis medeatur. Staul.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 127 
 
 how fierce this fever grows! for me it comes! 
 
 alas, Lycean Apollo! alas, for me! 
 
 that biped lioness bedding with a wolf 
 
 in absence of the noble lion, next, 
 1260 will kill me hapless; and, as if she mixed 
 
 a medicine, to the draught will add my fee: 
 
 and, whetting for her lord the blade, will boast 
 
 that she '11 recoup herself my fare in blood. 
 
 Why do I keep these mockeries of myself, 
 1265 the wand, and prophet's garland round my neck? 
 
 I will destroy them ere my own decease. 
 
 Go! fall to ruin: I shall follow you: 
 
 enrich with woe some other in my stead. 
 
 Lo! here Apollo's self is stripping me 
 1270 of my diviner's garb; he who looked on 
 
 when in these trappings I was harshly mocked - 
 
 unjustly, the scale proves, by friends unkind. 
 
 And I, as crazy, had to bear being called, 
 
 forlorn and famished, an alms-begging tramp. 
 1275 And now the seer, unmaking me a seer, 
 
 has brought me to this deadly pass: instead 
 
 of our domestic altar waits a block 
 
 warm with the crimson spurt when I am cleft. 
 
 Yet not by god unhonoured shall we die: 
 
 1270. 3* / Fl. into-nTivoas F. exauguravit me vatem' , et voci x3uv 
 
 1271. yurfra libri. peyx Herm. alludit v. 1269. 
 
 1272. Junge ou 3t^. /*TVJV 'baud 1277. avrsn^vov Fl. , priore ace. 
 dubie falao irrisam'. om. in cet. Corr. Aur. et Canter. 
 
 1274. Xtfj.6fams vulgo. Corr. El- 1278. Oepp& libri. Corr. Schutz. 
 berling. itpdafxy^a. est profluvium sanguinis 
 
 1275. 2xTr/sfas fiMvttv est 'qui mactatee victimse.
 
 128 
 
 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 yap 
 
 v 
 
 TroivxTUp 
 
 yap opxog c siv 
 
 K^eiV VIV , V7TTitlG[tK XSt[tVCU 
 T/ ^T yu K#,TOIK 
 fast TO TTpUTOV sTfiOV ' 
 
 irpa!;ot,GiX:V us sTrpac^sv 01 <? sihov 
 QVTUS <z7TizhA.ci<r<rov<nv ev Qsuv xii 
 
 TO 
 
 5f 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 1280 
 
 1285 
 
 1290 
 
 1295 
 
 yuvott, ftaxpav 
 TOV 
 
 Oux 
 
 KASANAPA. 
 
 ;/, ou, i-svot' %povoi 
 
 1284. Hunc versum qui post v. vocem Hpy.pt ease sumptam. u 
 
 1290 in libris legitur Herm. hue est 'id quod quis precatur manibus 
 
 revocavit. LaudaturinCrameriAnec. supinis'. 
 
 I. p. 88 otpxpe ya/ opxog. Inde 1285. ?etv vuv Fl, cc'fst vtv P., 
 
 Schneidew. cipxps pey yxp. Sed En- corr. in V. 
 
 geri conj. tantum non certa est, 1286. xarotxoj libri, corrupte. 
 
 T. 1290 olim ita se habere &pp Corr. Scaliger. 
 lava. cet. , et inde errore grammatici 1288. stym libri. Corr. Musgr.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 129 
 
 1280 one will again, as our avenger, come, 
 
 a mother-slaying, sire's-blood-price-levying son; 
 an exile, wanderer, outcast from this land, 
 will come to raise the top-stone for his race 
 of death-crimes: by the gods a mighty oath 
 
 1285 is sworn to bring him, as his fallen sire 
 
 will pray with hands upturned. Why wail I then, 
 thus doleful? since I first beheld Troy's town 
 fare as she fared; and those who sacked the town 
 come off thus by the judgement of the gods? 
 
 1290 I'll go and take my lot, endure the death: 
 but I address these gates of death and pray 
 to get a mortal stroke, that so I may 
 without a struggle, when with easy death 
 the blood has flowed away, shut-to these eyes. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 1295 woman much unblest, in much, too, wise, 
 
 thou hast stretched far thy words. But if in truth 
 thou know'st thy doom, how dost thou, heifer-like 
 god-driven, to the altar boldly tread? 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 There's no escape, friends, none: the times are full. 
 
 1289. ix 6e&v Fl. TtA/w omnes. Et equidem non video 
 
 1290. Recipienda erat Engeri con- quid displiceat in repetita negatione. 
 jectura si ille ostendisset unde vox Weil. conj. ov, %tvoi, xptvot TrAe'w. 
 Tr/safw orta sit. Sic illud l-froi frigide interponitur. 
 
 1291. vocf ;*yw libri. Corr. Aur. Sed xpwot -nUia recte dicitur, et 
 et Canter. partim ex Theogn. 817 sumitur, 
 
 1295. ok ffo^Fl. Corr. iriF.V. partim ex Hes. Op. 790 
 
 1299. ou, frfvot Fl. w F. V. xP^V Interpunxi igitur post ivot. 
 
 9
 
 130 ATAMEMNflN. 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 'O $ uerrarrfa ?e TOV %pcvou Trpsv fisusrai. 1300 
 
 KA2ANAPA. 
 "H;c i T0T VI^KP ' (rfttxp 
 
 XAPOS. 
 'AAA' T^/ rhyftuv our' KIT 
 
 KAZANAPA. 
 
 tXXOUSl TtZUTO, TCOV 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 svxteuc; rot K&rQaveiv %dpi<; (3pory. 
 KA2ANAPA. 
 
 'lOJ TT&Tfp (7011 <TUV T ySWOlittV TSXVUV. 1305 
 
 'AAA' iyi.i xxv $o[toi<ri xaxva-ov?' iftyv 1313 
 
 ds TS fjuiipav. 'Apxflra ftiot;. 1314 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 T/ S' sffri %pij(ta; rii; < 
 
 KAZANAPA 
 
 1300. In eo lusus est quod et e. , quam longissima mora) maiimi 
 
 K^oivoy et %p6vov ad aures veoire pos- sestimantur'. 
 
 sit : quorum illud erit , 'Zsoj minimus 1303, 1304. Hos versus inverse 
 
 ille natu e K.pdvou natis principatum. ordine posuit Heath., quern omnes 
 
 tenet'; hoc autem, 'vi morituro no- edd. secuti sunt , exceptis Coningtono 
 
 yissima quseque yitse momenta, (i. et Paleio. Scilicet Chorus id agit
 
 AGAMEMNON. 131 
 
 CHORUS. 
 1300 At least Time's latest birth takes foremost rank. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 This day is come : I little gain by flight. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Know thou art firm from an intrepid soul. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 None of the happy has this said to him. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 But to die bravely has a charm for man. 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 1305 Alas, my sire, for thee and thy brave brood! 
 
 1313 But I'll go wail even in the house my fate 
 
 1314 and Agamemnon's. Let past life suffice. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Why, what is this? what terror makes thee start? 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 Faugh! faugh! 
 
 ut soletur Casandrain; ilia tamen illic inepti essent, hie autem Ca- 
 fovet querelas. Res manifesta est. sandram aliquid loqui oporteret undo 
 
 1305. t&v re libri. a&v te Aur. intelligeretur earn in sedes introitu- 
 
 1306, 1307. Hi duo versus vulgo ram esse, hue revocandos censuit 
 post T. 1312 leguutur; sed quum Enger. 
 
 9*
 
 132 ATAMEMNflN. 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 
 T; TOUT e$eu%<; ; si ti py (ppsvuv 
 KA2ANAPA. 
 
 QOVOV $0(401 7TVOU<riV x'lfAXTOtrTXyy. 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 
 Kl TrU?', TOS" 0^l Qu(Jt,&TUV sQstTTLUV. 1310 
 
 KASANAPA. 
 
 "OfMlO$ XTfMS toSTTep X, TCttpOU TTpSTTSl. 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 Ou Zvpiov ayhaivftx $u{AaTuv Xeysts. 
 
 KA2ANAPA. 
 'ti> oi. 1315 
 
 OUTOI (tvtrcl^u Qaftvov &<; opvi 
 AAw^' Qavovcry [^txprvpeiTS ftot 
 OTOCV yvvy yuvaixbs OCVT" sftou 
 &vvip TS (ivtrdaftizpTO*; <ZVT' avS 
 
 TXVTX S' do; Qavouftsvq. 1320 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 Thy [tov , olxTslpa <rs Qs&QxTOu ftdpou. 
 
 1309. tpdfim libri. v super /3scripto 1317. aAA' wj ftxvowY] libri. Corr. 
 i n F. Corr. Aur. et Canter. Herm. Et sane aensus postiilat 'AJlw. 
 
 1310. Interrogandi sign, primus At, inquit, avis non frustra timet. 
 Pauw. posuit. Immo yero nostrates quidem ares
 
 AGAMEMNON. 133 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Why 'faugh'? unless it be the mind's disgust. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 These rooms breathe horrid fumes from dripping blood. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 1310 Why 'horrid'? the hearth's victims yield the smell. 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 As from a grave a ghostly mist appears. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 You name no Syrian luxury for the house. 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 1315 Ah friends! I scream 
 
 for fear not idly, as at a shaking bush 
 a bird: and when I'm dead attest me this: 
 when woman has for me a woman died, 
 and man for man ill- wived has fallen; this 
 
 1320 I, as one dying, charge you with, as friends. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Brave heart, I pity thee for thy god-taught doom. 
 
 non magis intrepid aunt quam Ho- nun neutrum est inane periculum , 
 
 ratii hinnuleus si mobilibus veris ulla ratio habetur. 
 
 inhorruit adventua foliis. Hie enim 1320. 'Hoc ego ut moritura com- 
 
 neque visci neque serpentium, quo- mendo vobis ut amicis',
 
 134 AtAMEMNnN. 
 
 KA2ANAPA. 
 
 "Aired; IT' siTTslv %pvi Trpiv j$ Qpyvov 
 
 iftbv TOV at'jriji; >jA/w S' 7Tv%o{txi 
 
 7rpb$ vtTTXTGv (pug, SfffTTor 
 
 %8po7t; <povu<ri rdic i/wis rivsiv O/MU 1325 
 
 S0yA>7 leamfatf, svftapovt; ^sipa^xroq. 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 'la @POTSI TrpxyfAxr'' eimi^oitvrx (jt.lv 
 TIC xv Kptysiev el S 
 
 olxTfipu TroAu. 1330 
 
 To (&tv 
 
 OUTK; 
 
 Kai ro55f WA/v fJt.lv etelv fdovav 1335 
 
 TIplXftO'J ' 
 
 ' oiKO$ ixavfi' 
 
 vuv ^ si Trporspcav ou(jC x7TOTi<ri 
 
 1322. clnei* pijaiv -Q Oprjvov 0e>l nam nihil aliud hie stare potuit; 
 
 libri. pftaiv quod nemo tolerare po- non utique /Saatis'&ij , xoipavou, similia. 
 
 tuit ex xpijatv deprayatum eat, quod 1326. His dictis Casaudra sedes 
 
 et ipsum pro ypn a prave correctum ingreditur. Id Weilius solus om- 
 
 erat. Correxi %f>i] Ttplv. Sed %pfiatv nium vidit; rj/wtj y&p itxT^pcitv. Et 
 
 ansam dedit corruptioni TOCIS Jiryiu pro certo habeo Casandram non po- 
 
 quam restitui. Quid autem xpy" 1 -* tuisse ea dicere quse sequuntur. Quid 
 
 ct pij<ri$ significent omnibus notum si Chorus solet prius quatuor versus 
 
 est, et neutrum hie dici posse. iambicos loqui quam cantilenam 
 
 1324. rots ipois rtfj.ot,6pois libri. canit. 
 
 Scribse enim oculi ad proximum 1328. axiA rts dtvrp&pitev libri. v 
 
 Tersum aberraverunt. SSOTTOTWV ego , rpfystev Pors. itptyeiev Boissonad. ,
 
 AGAMEMNON. 135 
 
 CASANDRA. 
 
 Yet must I speak once ere I sing my dirge, 
 my own. I pray to Helios, the last light 
 I see, that the avengers of my lord 
 1325 may likewise pay my hated murderers, mine, 
 the slave's who died, an easy victory. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Alas the state of man ! if good betide , 
 one might compare it to a sketch; if ill, 
 a wet sponge by its touch wipes out the lines: 
 1330 I pity each, but this far more than that. 
 
 Success is for all men a thing without cloy; 
 
 and from halls at whose splendour the finger is raised 
 no one, contented, repels it and says this: 
 "do not enter here more". 
 
 1335 To this hero the blessed gods granted to sack 
 Priam's metropolis, 
 
 and with honour from heaven he returns to his home. 
 But now if he pays back their blood who before 
 
 Herm. , e Photii glossa itptyy.t rb loribus inditis : hoc dicit 'res secundse 
 
 6/uot<u<7ac: Ate^uios, et Hesychii it pi- imaginem delineant, quam res ad- 
 
 i//a' elxa.afjLbo$ , elxxvfaif. Sed illud rersse detergent', id est: hominum 
 
 requirit <m quod Wieseler et Co- vita, si optime se habet, vanitas 
 
 nington corr. , hoc autem axix ut est; sed hac vanitate pejus quiddam 
 
 sit: si ei/ruxokj , <TXI TIJ eixaa/irfv>j est, siquando ex rebus secundis in 
 
 av eftj. Id agitur, utrum horum sit adversas migrandum est. 
 
 rectum , nam constat de voce itptystsv. 1331. npii-rrstv libri. Corr. Pors. 
 
 Et, me quidem judice, xi prae- 1332. fipoTois libri. Corr. Pauw. 
 
 stat; et Photius locum aliquem male SaxruviaSjixTuv libri. Corr. Schutz. 
 
 interpretatus est. Ceterum in hac 1334. /ujx*n 8' elfttOris libri. Corr. 
 
 similitudine nihil omnino est de co- Herm.
 
 136 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 xxt To(ri xxvoutri 
 
 Troivxt; QXVXTUV 7Tixpxlvi , 1340 
 
 OT xv u%xiro (3pOT&v ounvsl 
 
 , TX<? XXOVUV'., 
 
 AFAMEMNIIN. 
 
 xatpiav Trhyyyv s<ru. 
 KOAT4>AIOZ. 
 ' TIS TTtwyyv xurei xxtplat; 
 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 audit;, $UTpxv TrsTTtyyfAsvo*;. 1345 
 
 KOPT4>AIOS. 
 
 Tovpyov iip 
 
 KO iv ccv upsQ 3 xv TTUI; 
 
 XOPETTHS x. 
 {Jt,lv uftiv ryv iftyv 
 
 7rpb<; 
 
 XOPETTHS /3'. 
 
 TX%I<TTX / sftTTstrsfv Soxef 1350 
 
 &?% IV %VV VfOppUTC;) %l(pl. 
 
 1339. 6xov<st Kbri. xravouat Can- tulit Tricl. ut versum acatalecticum , 
 ter. , qui xavouat voluit. Insolentius more suo, efficeret. 
 
 illud 'moriendo mortuis' conciliare 1341. rej &v sulatro libri. Dedi 
 
 mihi non potui. Hermanni et Ahrentis correctionem. 
 
 1340. Intxpxvei libri, ocyxv prse- rt'j av i%ev%afro Schneid. 
 
 eunte in F. Corr. Herm. yv in- 1343. eaw non tarn ineptum est
 
 AGAMEMNON. 137 
 
 perished, and, dying, ordains for his slayers 
 1340 additional deaths' retribution, 
 
 what mortal ever will boast, when he hears it, 
 that he lives with a lot that is painless? 
 
 AGAMEMNON. 
 Ah me! I'm struck a mortal stroke; struck home! 
 
 CORYPHAEUS. 
 Hush ! who cries that he is stricken with a home-thrust mortally ? 
 
 AGAMEMNON. 
 
 1345 Ah me! again ah me! struck yet again! 
 CORYPHAEUS. 
 
 Done, it seems to me, the deed is, from the monarch's groaning cry. 
 But let us in common counsel, what, if any, plans are safe. 
 
 CHORISTER 1. 
 
 % 
 
 I give you my advice: to raise a cry 
 and call the townsmen to the palace here. 
 
 CHORISTER 2. 
 
 1350 To rush in with all speed seems best to me, 
 and with its reeking blade convict the deed. 
 
 ut inept ius quiddam corrigi non gulabat'; ubi Schneid. 'ictu valido'. 
 
 possit , e. gr. iticvp&v Sau. Verti Moriens enim admonere videtur intro 
 
 'ictu valido'; sed neacio an melius ire auxilio oportere. 
 
 esset 'intus'. Sic enim recte Jebb. 1347. div n&i libri. Corr. Herm. 
 
 Soph. Ai. 235 uw opu$e 'intus ju- fiouhvptrrx libri. Corr. Enger.
 
 138 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 XOPETTHZ /. 
 
 TOIOVTOV yvuf&xrog xoivuvoc av 
 TI tyxv TO M ca'AAfiv 5' x 
 
 XOPETTHZ S'. 
 
 To ^pxv 7rxps<7Ti' (ppotfAHxfyvTXi yap &<; 
 
 (rviitsi' apa<r<TOVT<; notei. 1355 
 
 XOPETTHS e. 
 
 yxp' cl 3f rijt; /icfAAoD? 
 
 TTXTOUVTSi; OU 
 
 XOPETTHS 
 
 Oux oi$a fiovtijs VICTIVOS TU%UV 
 
 TOV dpuvTog sffTi xizi TO @ovteu<rau irepi. 
 
 XOPETTHZ '. 
 
 yu TOIOVTOS sift' , strii $v<rfty%&vu 1360 
 
 
 TOV QXVOVT' at 
 
 XOPETTHZ jj. 
 
 @IOV 
 
 1354. bpxv Tfaptmi libri, quod eM<r9a.t <toi i:tipe<mv e| ifj.<fj. 
 mirum est edd. tamdiu ferre posse. 1355. ffyj/isia npfaaavres libri. Et 
 
 Non sic JEschylua. roS^scfvego, ut hicindignorexstitissequiidjEschylo 
 
 sit 'agendi senteatia adest', breviter inscriberent, quod si puer in ludo 
 
 dictum pro 'licet tibi , per meam literario admisisset infortunium ha- 
 
 sententiam, agere, TO S/sv -nape<rri beret, orj/tet' Apdasovres ego ; jamque 
 
 <JQI 1% I/JLOU\ CL Bum. 867 rotaufl' adeo, si Atticismum vulgati soloe-
 
 AGAMEMNON. 139 
 
 CHORISTER 3. 
 
 I, too, partaking in this judgement, vote 
 to act; the moment's need is no delay. 
 
 CHORISTER 4. 
 
 Here is a vote to act. They start the tune 
 1355 and strike the notes of tyranny for the town. 
 
 CHORISTER 5. 
 
 Because we dally: they, trampling to earth 
 
 the praise of caution, sleep not with their hands. 
 
 CHORISTER 6. 
 
 I doubt which counsel I shall rightly give ; 
 a doer should also ponder well kis deed. 
 
 CHORISTER 7. 
 
 1360 I too am of that mind, since I've no plan 
 by words to raise the dead to life again. 
 
 CHORISTER 8. 
 
 But shall we to our lives' end thus succumb 
 to these king's-house-defilers as our chiefs? 
 
 cismi loco recipias , Iu8um in voce nam locutio sumpta est ex Sol. Fr. 
 
 'ferire' habebis; et, fortasse, aj]/*eTa 27. 4 yuxva$ xat xaTata^ovas xirfoj. 
 sunt 'not tonorum musicorum'. 1357. TirfSov libri. Com Herm. 
 
 1356. T/JS /wJUouffTjs xJHos libri. 1359. Cf. Eur. Hec. 504 'Aysc- 
 
 Herm. corr. ei Tryphone Gramma- /xrf/xvovos Trrf/^avros, St yuvai, yurra. 
 tico. Idem parum scite affirmat vo- 1362. xretvovres libri. Corr. Can- 
 
 cem y&piv hie non male lectum iri; ter.
 
 140 AFAMEMNXIN. 
 
 XOPETTH2 6' 
 
 'AAA* ovx toaqrfo. #AAa: xxrdxvsTv 
 
 rye Tvpocvv&os. 1365 
 
 XOPETTH2 /. 
 H ya 
 
 Ttzvtipbt; &<; 
 XOPETTHS /. 
 
 TO yap TOKot^eiv TOV anx^ stisvtzi 
 KOPTOAIOS. 
 
 Tavryv sTrctivsTv TruvroQsv TrhyQuvoftui , 1370 
 
 rpav&t; 'Arpst^v sldsvai xupovvff arras. 
 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA. 
 
 ri0AA<2i/ Trxpoidsv xotiplut; iipvipsvuv 
 
 nxvxvrl' iiTTEiv ovx 7rat<r%uvd)i<ro(4,<xi. 
 
 Hut; yap TIC i%Qpo7i; %Qpa Troptruvuv <p!hoi<; 
 
 eiOXOlHTIV SWlXl TTyftOVijS apXlHTTXT' XV 1375 
 
 Qpdi-stsv vtyog xpsTwov s 
 ' xyuv 5'5' ovx 
 
 ' evP sTrat?' STT s^stpyav pivots. 
 OUTU 5* sTrpx^x, xxi r#5' oux txpvy trocar 1380 
 
 dig (tyre Qsvysiv ftyr' tx[tuv<r6(Xi [tdpov , 
 
 1364. x/sarst libri. Corr. Casau- Ahrens et Herm. 
 bon. 1375. TTHJ/WV^V ofcysxuffTocTov libri. 
 
 1368. puBouadou libri. Corr. E. /tovijj Aur. frptuatan xv Ehnsl.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 141 
 
 CHORISTER 9. 
 
 Intolerable! nay, death's advice is best; 
 1365 it is a milder lot than tyranny. 
 
 CHORISTER 10. 
 
 But shall we thus on proofs derived from groans 
 forecast as if the hero were destroyed? 
 
 CHORISTER 11. 
 
 We must, quite certain of it, rouse our ire; 
 conjecture's far removed from certainty. 
 
 CORYPHAEUS. 
 
 1370 On all grounds I go with the stream to approve 
 this to see clearly how Atreides fares. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 I will not blush to say the opposite 
 
 of many words fitly pronounced before. 
 
 How else could one, when scheming hostile deeds 
 1375 for foes who look like friends, fence the net-stakes 
 
 of sorrow to a height too great for a leap? 
 
 This bout came off for me at last, and not 
 
 without long brooding on a long-lived feud. 
 
 I stand where I did strike, with all achieved. 
 1380 'Twas thus I managed, and I'll not deny 't: 
 
 against his flight or parrying of his doom, 
 
 1378. vixjjf libri. Corr. Heath. 1381. dfj.vva<t$t codices, cJ/xuve 
 
 1379. WF1.V. Corr.inVen.F. <j0t V.
 
 142 AFAMEMNQN. 
 
 ^a , TThOUTOV ilfi&TOi; XXXOV ' 
 7TXIU Sf VIV 5/ XXV %VOIV olftuyfAKTOlV 
 
 XUTOU xuhx ' xx} TTSTTTCCXOTI 1385 
 
 tryjv $va&foai(U t TGV KOLTK xfiovos 
 vexpuv iruTijpoi; euxTxloiV %aptv. 
 Ovra TOV ctvrov Quftov opvyxvsi 
 o^ei&v X^X 
 
 ipfftviji \jjxxxdi Qoivixt; 5poV<?y 1390 
 
 %xipov<rxv ovdsv ytrtrov vj 
 yxvsi GTTOpyTOt; xahvxo<; sv 
 'Xl w^ e%,6vTuv, TTpivpoq 'Apysluv robs, 
 XxipoiT 1 xv, ei %xlpoiT , iyu S 5 7Tv%0{&xi' 
 
 it 5' V)V TTpfTTOVTUV UST 7THT7rV$lV VXp& ' 1395 
 
 TOtS" XV dlXXl&G VjV ' U7Tp$lX,a<; (Jt.lv OVV ' 
 
 TO<TOV$ xpxrfjp' sv $d[toi<; xaxuv cSf 
 xpxlav XUTOS X.mvi 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 
 <TOU 
 
 tfrii; TOidvS 1 7? xv$p} xo(47rx%i<; hoyov. 1400 
 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA. 
 
 ftov yvvKixoq u 
 
 lX TTpOt; l$OTXi; 
 
 1383. ir/scrrOx t '? wv Fl. Tteptaroi- 1388. aurou librL Corr. Schutz. 
 X?w V. Ttspisfi-jfl^ F. bp/JMtvei libri. dpvyixvet. core. Herm. 
 
 1384. oip.uy/j.xatv libri. olficayfi<x- et sententia ductus et Hesychii glossa 
 toiv Elmsl. , cui invitus obtemperavi ; opuyocvei ' ifievysrxi. 
 
 nam displicet dualis ille vehemens , 1391 , 1392. Sto vfau y&v. si Fl. 
 
 ut si dicas 'par gemituum'. yav' el Ven. Corr. Porsonus. <mi>- 
 
 1387. Afoouvex^fiiv libri. AiojEnger. /WITO, codices. Corr. in V.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 143 
 
 I with a sort of fish-net hedge him round, 
 
 with no way out ill treasure of a dress. 
 
 I hit him twice; and with two groans he there 
 1385 did let his limbs collapse. When he is down 
 
 I give a third to boot, a votive gift 
 
 to the underground Zeus who keeps dead men safe. 
 
 So fallen he doth ruckle forth his breath; 
 
 and puffing out a nimble jet of blood 
 1390 smites with a dark-red shower of murder-dew 
 
 me greeting it not less than corn-field doth 
 
 the god-sent rain-joy at the wheat-ear's birth. 
 
 Things being so, if you, those Argive lords, 
 
 rejoice, why, you '11 rejoice; but I exult: 
 1395 would we had liquors fit to drench his corpse! 
 
 it would be right, nay, more than right; so great 
 
 a bowl of cursed woes he mixed within 
 
 the house and came and drank it off himself. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 We marvel at thy tongue, how bold thou art 
 1400 in speech, who vauntest o'er thy lord such words. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 You sound me as some woman without plan: 
 but I with dauntless soul tell you who know 
 and should you choose to praise me or upbraid 
 
 1395. Hsec eat &%$ M <p6i/j.tvu. plus mali ei inferre possem'. #' 
 
 'utinam adessent idonei liquores quos pro si 8' conjici potest , et rfiS' pro 
 
 in mortuum libarem ; iiam indigemus TotS' cum Tyrwhitt. in prox. v. , sed 
 
 eorum quos decet; ipse enim post- non prorsus necessario. 
 
 quam crateram malorum in his sedi- 1397. roswos libri. roaivSe conj. 
 
 bus impleverat , domum reversus , Bl. , quod mihi necessarium videtur. 
 ad fa;cein hausit': hoc eat 'utinam
 
 144 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 OfAOlOV. OvrOS <TT1V ' 
 
 irons, vsxpbs 5f rijc&e lefyixq %pfa, 1405 
 
 ilpyov Sixtxlxs TSKTOVOS. Tatf. atf %! 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 or/5. T/ xaxdv, a yvvai . 
 
 davbv % TTOTOV 
 pura? % abbs oppevov 
 sTrsdou Qvos dyftodpdow; T' apxs 
 
 ; 'AsrerAftift' wroiroKic, 5' I<7/, 1410 
 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA. 
 
 K 
 
 KI (tiros affTuv biftpue T %sw txpag, 
 
 ovStv rdr' xv^p} rffi WXVTIOV (ptpuv ' 
 
 o<; oil TTporipuv, usirepsi /3oroD ftdpov, 1415 
 
 (ptedvruv fUTrdxots voftV(/,x<riv , 
 
 XVTOV TTOU^K , 
 
 uefiv' , ITTC&OV Qpyxtuv owifionuv . 
 Oy TOUTOV ex yfjs rfjs^s %p>jv tr' 
 
 {JUOUT (AXTMV &7TOIV ' j STT^XOOS ' efi&V 1420 
 
 ' &7Tihiv , us T 
 
 1405. Prsestat interpunctio post 1409. Post &p$ interrogandi si- 
 Xep6s, ut vulgo; post spyov V. , Can- gnum vulgo ponitur. 
 
 ter., Tyrwhitt. , Enger. 1410. ctrre'Stxes ^TT^ra^sj a'TroAts 8' 
 
 1406. Stxaia TS'XTWV duplici sensu e3, in &i:frct/j.es ad alterum super- 
 usurpatxtr; quse meritas pcenas ex- scripto e in Fl. Weilium secutus in- 
 petit, et, quse opus locanti probat, terpunxi post eJTre'Stxtj et scripsi cJjrs- 
 par lanificse illius Homericse quse T/A]S. c^TrdTioAfj corr. Seidler. 'ex- 
 fuit %spvti-ris ciAy)9>}s. cussisti exsecrationes et induisti 
 
 1408. pvsxs Fl. /suiSs F. V. Corr. insaniam'. 
 Stanl. bpupevw Fl. Corr. Abresch. 1411. o/x/3/9t/*ov Ven. F. Herm.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 145 
 
 'tis all the same here's Agamemnon, here! 
 1405 my husband and this right hand's victim dead, 
 
 a right good craftsman's work. That's how it stands. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Woman, what poison- food 
 earth-grown or from the flowing sea 
 sprung hast eaten? and put on this frenzied mind, 
 and hast cast away fear of the people's curse ? 
 1410 thou art sheer cut off, and shalt an outcast be, 
 monstrous hate of the people. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTEA. 
 
 Now you adjudge me exile from this land, 
 
 to bear the townsmen's hate, the people's curse, 
 
 though then you voted this man naught untoward 
 
 1415 who, reckoning it a brute beast's death, no more, 
 when his flocks teemed with fleecy pasturers, 
 butchered his own child, and my best-beloved 
 birth-pain, as charm against the Thracian blasts. 
 Should you not as his foul deeds' penalty 
 
 1420 have driven him from this land? but of my deeds 
 when arbiter you are an angry judge. 
 I bid you threaten thus I being prepared 
 
 1414. ouSev r<58' libri. Corr. Voss. nem excludit num principalis verbi 
 
 1416. gur<ixos Ven. Schneidewin. subjectum dum agat, id revera in- 
 
 1418. Opwtuv rs (vel T*) Ayi/t/xar&jv telligat, vel (si futuri temporis par- 
 libri. Corr. Canter. ticipium sequitur) id ipsum sibi 
 
 1419. xpri libri. %p}jv Pora. proposition habeat, quod hac par- 
 1422. Hunc versum ejecit Enger. ticula subjungatur. Qua formula 
 
 Equidem non video quid hie sit usus ubique explicare poteris hsec 
 
 quod offendat; omittitur ipov, sed et similia, ws (itpbf oraisso) /3aArfa, 
 
 facile potest subintelligi. Ceterum wj iAiyfwv, wj sllfaw, wj (np'oi vel 
 
 hie et alibi particula wj dubitatio- vo/*t'?wv omiaso) Z8<5Tj , us 
 
 10
 
 146 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 X TUV 
 
 ' eav TcvftTrafav xpxivy 
 
 iis fye youv TO <ru(ppov7v. 1425 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 
 OUV 
 
 Tl <T %p 
 TUftftOt TUftfAXTl TltTKl. 1430 
 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA. 
 
 XXOVSH; optclav ipuv 
 
 tyv Tfteiov rys IMS TTXI^O? 
 
 'Epivuv (f ouvi rovd' ftrtya!;' syce , 
 ov pot (pdfiov (tfhaQpov ihTri*; eftTroiTeiv 
 eat; a.v otfQy irup $* ktrriotg iftfa 1435 
 
 , Uq TO 7TpO<T$V V QpOVUV {601 ' 
 
 yap y(juv ouniit; ov (tixpa Qpxtroug. 
 
 yvvxixaq Ty<$ 
 Xpvay'i'duv /ctf/A/y^a TUV VTT' 
 
 % T OUXJJL&KtoTOS V$ JCXl T pXtTKOTTOi; , 1440 
 
 XMI xotvoteXTpos 
 
 i<rorpi(3)i<;. "ATI/^X 5' oux 
 
 1427. itepifpova hie fere idem va- itpiTtsi d-risrov F. Corr. Aur. et 
 let quod -nxptxtppava. t ut proximo Canter. 
 
 versu ostenditur. 1430. ru/x/xa Tu/Jt/*oc tiaou. Corr. 
 
 1428. Alirej libri. Corr. Pors. illud Voss., hoc Pors. 
 Deinde eu KpsTtei dvfterov ert at %pr) 1433. iptww libri. 
 
 Fl. eunpfnetx* rierov Ven. V. eu 1434. i/7rTeZV. s/xTraret codices.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 147 
 
 with similar threats to rule me when by force 
 you 've conquered. Should god grant the alternative 
 1425 you '11 know, though taught it late, what good sense is. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 An arch-schemer thou! 
 and declaimest in raving words: 
 and what wonder? thy mind is distracted by 
 thy gore-blotted state: blots of blood glare on thy 
 visage. Yet must thou, spurned and bereft of friends, 
 1430 stricken pay for this striking. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 This solemn form, too, of my words on oath 
 
 thou hearest; by my child's full Recompense, 
 
 by Ate and Erinnys, those to whom 
 
 I slew that man, I have no hope to tread 
 1435 Fear's house, while on my hearth ^gisthus lights 
 
 the fire, love-loyal as before to me; 
 
 for he's my shield of trust and that not small. 
 
 Here lies this wife's insulter, and the pet 
 
 of the Chryseides at Troy: here too 
 1440 the captive portent-scanner and this man's 
 
 couch-sharing utterer of words inspired; 
 
 a faithful bed-mate, now, as when she pressed 
 
 the same ship's-deck-boards. Not unsuitably 
 
 Illud recepi : 'quamdiu' inquit 'Mgis- 1438. yuvaixi,- rijjSs idem eat quod 
 
 thus domi meae versatur, non eat Ipw ut ch<fy>6> TOVCS passim. Sic et 
 
 exspectandum fore ut Timoris do- /U/IT/SOJ r*5i8e (Clyt.) Eum. 122. 
 
 mum frequentem'. 1441. ^ pro xl Karsten. , Enger. 
 
 1435. ivclxf l/jLi libri. Corr. 1443. iarorpt^ilibri. Corr. Pauw. 
 Pora. 
 
 10*
 
 148 
 
 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 o ftsv yx,p auras ' 
 TOV UVTXTOV 
 XSITXI 
 
 3s rot xvxvcu 
 dxvizviftov yoov 
 spa] 
 
 1445 
 
 XOPO2 
 
 xv sv TX%SI fty 
 
 TOV aiii Qspovv' sv vj 
 
 U7TVCV, 
 
 yuvxixbt; 
 
 1450 
 
 rxg 
 
 (3lov. 
 
 1455 
 
 , TXS TTXVU 
 
 } VTTO Tpoia. 
 
 V17TTOV , 
 
 1446. fi^tus Fl. 
 
 1447. nxpo'pdvft/j.^ libri. Corr. Ca- 
 saubon. Nihil hie dicitur de pa- 
 ropside nihil de paropsemate, quo- 
 rum hoc obsonium est vel bellaria , 
 ilia autem obsonii plena patella, 
 extra ordinem apposita. ity.po^>cav(i/j.y. 
 est obsonium clam paratum ut clam 
 edatvir. Sic Casandra Agamenmoni 
 erat quasi libidinia pulpamentum 
 subsecundarium quod cupedise ejus 
 clam inserviret, si quando legitimi 
 concubitus eum tederet. Hoc igitur 
 dicit Clyt. 'quantam illi clandesti- 
 nam voluptatem prsebihira erat , tan- 
 tum gaudii advectitii et addititii 
 Iffititiae meffi prsebuit'. ira/Jo^/i/xa est 
 hujus interpretationis quod derisor 
 ilia et ipsa jamdiu probe callebat 
 
 quidnam esset concubitus Ka.f/o^eavrt/j.a.. 
 Of. Ar. Eccl. 226 et Schol. Soph. 
 Tr. 360. JEsch. Supp. 296. Si- 
 monid. itsp't yuvxtx&v v. 46. 
 
 1448. A numeratione harum stro- 
 pharum et systematum quam Herm. 
 statuit intra certos fines declinavi; 
 quod ubique systemata propriis nu- 
 meris a strophis distinxi; et hoc 
 quidem simplicitati concedendum 
 erat. Praeterea , lacunis autiquatis , 
 in duobus locis systemata inter se 
 inaequalem versuum numerum ha- 
 bentia exhibui; hoc enim sententia? 
 dare sequum videbatur. Nam xit se 
 habent yersus nihil omnino refert 
 ubi lacunam ponas , adeo nulla esset 
 lacunae suspicio nisi responsionem 
 pra?stare in animum induxisset Her-
 
 AGAMEMNON. 149 
 
 they 've fared: for he the way I told you; she, 
 1445 having swan-like trilled her last death-wail, lies down 
 his own sweet love; and for my transport's zest 
 brought a love-dalliance-dainty-on-the-sly. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 that some destiny joined with no pain extreme, 
 
 no bed-keeping confinement, 
 
 1450 would quickly come bringing o'er us slumber 
 ever-unending, for our most loving 
 guardian hath been overcome: 
 who for one woman bore many toils, 
 and hath now lost his life by woman's hands. 
 1455 Alas, alas, Helen infatuate! 
 
 of that number, that very great number, of lives 
 in the Troad the single destroyer! 
 now she hath poured out a crowning indelible blood-stream , 
 
 mannus. Neque ille quidem, me 1454. AnfySiaev fiiov ut quod maii- 
 judice , sine aliqua ratione ; sed non me corruptum est. Vide Comm. 
 ut operae pretium sit bonum sensum 1455. lu iuxp!xv6fj.ous libri. Alte- 
 importunis illis asteriscis interrum- rum iw addidit Bl. iJxpdvous corr. 
 pere. Quo autem modo choristae Herm. 
 hsec inter se partiti sint res admo- 1457. 6Maxs Fl. 
 dum dubia est. Probabile tamen 1458, 1459. vijv Ss reiseav TioAu/x- 
 videtur medium quatuor choristarum VHJTTOV eTtfivBiau 8t' afyt' txvnrrov libri. 
 ?uyov octo illas strophas antistro- Hsec Heimsoethius in formam quam 
 phasque y' , 8', et systemata anti- maxime probabilem redegit, quam 
 syatemataque y' , 8' sortitum esse; exhibui. Hermannus, qui satis mul- 
 ct ceteras duodecim strophas anti- tos asseclas habuit, lacunas signa 
 strophasque cl, y3', i et systemata post rsielxv posuit et versum 1459 
 antisystemataque , /3', rf inter octo ad hunc modum ordinavit: >5 TTO- 
 primanos et tertianos choristas quo- Au/Avanrov In-^vQiaot at/*.' oivntrov. Sed 
 quo ordine esse distributa. Hermanni auctoritas non tanta est 
 1450. Sic libri. Itp rijj.lv Herm. ut credam v. Troiy/^vairTov voci iirt- 
 1453. xl ttoMoc libri. xat ejecit TU/X/SJOJ respondere. Lacunae signa, 
 Franz. TW^ corr. Wieseler. et Enger. si lacuna est ubi sensus integer
 
 150 
 
 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 vfriq tip iv "$6[JU>i(; YJV 
 
 1460 
 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA. 
 
 QaVXTOU (JUJipXV 7Tl>%OV 
 
 XOTOV 
 
 <xv$pohTip' , ug 
 
 1465 
 
 zi-lKTTXTOV 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 
 ' l(rd\}jv%ov & yuv/xtxcx; 
 
 1470 
 
 xopaxot; i%Qpov 
 
 &7ru%TOV { 
 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA 
 
 <*vTi<rw<rr./3'. Nuv 5' &pQu<rxt; 
 
 TOV 
 
 mansit, ponenda sunt post Tpoiet- 
 8t' est ant literarum at repetitio aut 
 cerrectoris cujusdam additamentum. 
 TroAu/tvauTov vero manifesto est glossa 
 ad ^f/tvoterriuTOs adscripta , qua? vox 
 reginse nomini aperte alludit, xiirrii 
 pwisTeix. Deinde iit^tQiau est pec- 
 catnm librarii qui hoc verbo Hele- 
 nam compellari somuiavit. Haec 
 Heimsoeth. , qui lacunam non agnoscit 
 nedum sex versuum. 
 
 1475 
 
 1460, 1461. ^rts $v TOT' ev So/uot$ 
 e/s e/jiS/tToj ocvSysoj it?u> libri. Ver- 
 stun 1460 hoc modo corr. Heims. 
 ^T TOT' & Sfytwj ^*. Sed TOT' est 
 metri complementum , et pro ea <xp' 
 scripai quod ansam dedisse videtur 
 ei qui ept; scripsit , nam a/ et ep 
 eandem fere formam habent in M. 
 
 1464. exTpex>i? ^1- Corr. in V. 
 
 1466. <3)e'<rov Fl. fai<sa.<s' F. 
 
 1468. ^rttTtrstj libri. Corr. Can-
 
 AGAMEMNON. 151 
 
 1460 she, who at home was staying 
 
 her husband's much-wooed tribulation. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 Pray not at all for the portion of death, 
 weighed down by these deeds, 
 nor against Helena turn your resentment, 
 1465 saying that she the manslayer, the single 
 
 destroyer of many Greek warriors' lives , 
 wrought out ineffaceable sorrow. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Daemon, who savagely crushest this house and the 
 
 two sons, Tantalus' offspring, 
 1470 and dost impose, swayed by equal rancour, 
 rule by a woman, that stings my bosom; 
 and now like a raven fell 
 by the corpse perched dost hymn, well attuned 
 to the deed, execrable hymns of death! 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 1475 Now thou hast righted the sense of thy language 
 by thus invoking this 
 
 ter. Stputlat libri. Siputoiai corr. 1473. pot x6poixos libri. Corr. 
 
 Herm., quse vox formatur ex 8lj et Frauz. ixvrf/xwj F. V. perperam. 
 puibs filius. Mox Tavroit'Seatv Fl. 1474. u/uvov u/xvecv ^su^erou libri. 
 
 1470. r inseruit Herm. xpuros Deest unus pes. Scripsi u/xvetj Antv- 
 Ii6<jnjxav est 'imperium quod tui si- xevov jj.6pou ut probabilem sensum 
 milem auimum gerit'. Deinde ix extunderem. Prsedicatio autem fit 
 ywvfluxflv libri. ix ywauxbf conjecit per invocationem. 
 
 Sri nit/., recepit Enger. , nam de 1475. vwv / Aur. 'sed S refertur 
 
 ^Jgistho non agitur. ad suppressum Ttp6oQtv /xsv oux' Herm. 
 
 1471. xa/sSt'a OTJXTOT libri. Corr. 1476. rptnaj^iiov libri. Corr. Bam- 
 Abresch. berger.
 
 152 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 ex. TOV yap 
 
 Vlpl Tp 
 
 rb TTX^XIOV x%c(; vsoc 1a. 1480 
 
 XOPO2. 
 />./. "^ 
 
 X.& 
 
 , KOMOV OUVOV XTt)- 
 pXt; TVX&S UJCOpSfTTOV 
 
 lu , ly, Six} A/o^ 1485 
 
 TI yotf (SpOToJc avsv A/oc 
 rl TOCV& ou Qfdxpavrdv fVr/v; 
 wffT-y'. 'lu la /3anAfD, fiznteu, 
 
 ITS (itxxpvvu ; 1490 
 
 SK <pitia$ ri TTOT' emu; 
 
 sv 
 dursfisT QXVXTU @icv SXTTVSUV. 
 
 QfMl (Ml , XOITXV TXvtf aVSteufapOV ' 
 
 1495 
 
 KATTAIMNHZTPA. 
 
 uaT.S'. Ay%f r^ f fv*/ ro'Sf rovpyov iftov , 
 
 1479. e//j dativum esse ignoti vetapa;, ad vjjarst adscripts, ortum 
 
 vocabuli vgipos intimum locum signi- esse. 
 
 ficantis statuit Herm. Cf. Suidas 1481. ^ /teyav otxotj TotjSs libri, 
 
 s. v. velxpcf TOTIOJ UXTOS T>jsysti7T/>(5s quse v. antistr. non respondent. Pro- 
 
 et s. v. y/f<ms TO fisrct^ii TiJ? x^u/a, habile mihi videtur orxoi; TotjS- esse 
 
 XM TOV UTOJJ.(XXOV svrspov, 'intestinum interpr. Itaque /jLeytxpotat scripsi, 
 
 jejunum'. Suspicor veipti ex glossa vocabulum alioqui tragicis ignotum.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 153 
 
 family's trebly-gorged daemon of evil. 
 For from him is this blood-lapping appetite nursed 
 in its bowels; before the old sore has surceased, 
 1480 lo , fresh blood already it flouring. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Truly thou fablest a dire 
 
 fiend for this house, and with hate full-laden. 
 
 Oh! oh! the calamitous uncloyed 
 
 fortune's ruinous story! 
 1485 alas! alas! by means of Zeus, 
 
 the cause of all, the doer of all! 
 for what's achieved by mortals Zeus-unaided? 
 of this, what is not god-determined? 
 alas! alas! my king! my king! 
 1490 how shall I mourn thee? 
 
 from my loving heart what shall I utter? 
 for there in that spider-spun web thou dost lie, 
 
 by unholy death breathing thy life out. 
 Ah me! me! this couch base and inglorious! 
 1495 by a wily death subdued! 
 
 death from her hand by that two-edged weapon! 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 You fancy this deed to be mine; but append 
 not the name, and declare 
 
 1485. Kxvtpyt-cav Fl. Ven. Corr. 8' snds^s F. pi 8' tntlit-ys Vos- 
 
 in F. V. sius et Frauz. 'daemon' inquit 'meam 
 
 1489. lu semel Fl. Ven. bis F. formam indutus hoc faciuus patra- 
 
 V. et sic v. 1513. vit; ne ei Clytemuestrse nomen in- 
 
 1494. T5v3' Fl. dideria' itaque non concedit suum 
 
 1498. i)o emMOrjs Fl. Ven. /i ease facinus.
 
 154 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 
 ivx ft 
 f yuvxtxi vsxpou 1500 
 
 X7TTl<7V 
 
 vsxpoTt; 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 ehnr.y'. 'fl? (tV OtVOilTIO? SI 1505 
 
 Qdvou, rig o 
 
 7rrup ysvoir' ocv cchourrup. 
 
 OfMVTTOpOlG 
 OUf&XTCCV 1510 
 
 "Apw, QTTOI ^ixxv 
 ^cf. xoupopdpu TTxpst-et. 
 
 WffT.y'. 'iftj la fixffl 
 TTUX; <T 
 
 (ppsvbs ex QiXixi; ri TTOT' etna; 1515 
 
 xslvxi ' apx%vyi; sv uC>x<r{AXT( T<JJ$' 
 
 (Tf/3fr &XVXTC;) (3lOV SXTTVfUV. 
 
 "flftot ftoi f KOITXV Txvt? x 
 
 1520 
 K ATT AIMNH STP A. 
 
 1511. 8s XK libri. 8/xav corr. 1512. na^va libri. Corr. Herm. 
 
 Butler. Tr/sos/Saivwv libri. Correxit 1517. svvefiel FL 
 
 Canter. 1521. oiir' aveisuSd/sov oi/xat 6avTOv
 
 AGAMEMNON. 155 
 
 that I'm the wife of king Agamemnon: 
 1500 for likened in form to the wife of this corse 
 
 the former time's guilt-unforgiving fierce fiend, 
 roused by the merciless banqueter Atreus, 
 served the debt upon him 
 and has slain him full-grown for the children. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 1505 Who is the man who will bear 
 
 witness that thou of this death art guiltless? 
 whence? whence? but a fiend his father 
 
 roused might be thine abettor: 
 for dreadful Ares presses on 
 1510 with frequent streams of kindred blood 
 
 to the goal to which advancing he '11 avenge the 
 clotted gore of the eaten children. 
 Alas! alas! my king! my king! 
 
 how shall I mourn thee? 
 
 1515 from my loving heart what shall I utter? 
 
 for there in that spider-spun web thou dost lie, 
 
 by unholy death breathing thy life out. 
 Ah me! me! this couch base and inglorious! 
 by a wily death subdued! 
 1520 death from her hand by that two-edged weapon. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 And did not he also bring on the family 
 
 ytveeOxt, quse ante ouSe yap sententia et hiatu motus; et sir 
 iii libris leguntur, JEschylo omncs recc. 
 abjudicavit Seidler., frigidaineptaque
 
 156 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 spvog xspdfv 1525 
 
 VIZ^K 
 
 , xvx^ix 7rd 
 
 Tc>} Titrtzi; xirsp ept-sv. 1530 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 Trrvovroq oxov. 
 f cftfipou XTVTTOV 
 TOV etifumfffa' ^KXXS Sf 
 A/x^v 5' OT' <xAAo Trpctyptx, Qyyowei (Shapy; 1535 
 
 n-pbi; KKh&iq fyyavxiiri MoTpa. 
 'la ya, yot, , side tf s^a 
 
 1540 
 
 T/c o Qxtyuv viv ; rig o 6pyvyG-uv; 
 
 % GV T0(f fp^Xl 
 
 xreivour &v$x TOV 
 
 xvr' spyuv 1545 
 
 1524. Interrogandi signum ad- TroAuxAaurov TiatS' 'lyxyovyjv Ahrens. In- 
 
 didit Schutz. " credulus odi tarn TioAjxAai/ryiv quam 
 
 1526. tYff TroAuxAauTov T* 'ipiyevitav 'iptysveiyv } qua3 Dind. corr. 
 
 dv<x%M 8jOi7as fta Traa^wv libri. Cor- 1527. '? S^3aas dtfia Trai^wv 
 
 rexit C. H. Weise. Quod ad dise- Herm., alii. 
 
 resin attinet, cf. vv. 1555 et 1557. 1530. <xnsp fySev libri. t/sf ev En- 
 
 Sic et sensus pulchrior exit, 'ipi- ger. , alii. 
 
 T^V rcoAuxAauTvjv Karsten. T^V 1531. jj^ovrt'Swv F. V.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 157 
 
 treacherous murder? 
 
 1525 Well: having treated unfairly my blossom 
 
 raised from him, much-mourned Iphigenia, 
 let him too treated unfairly not boast 
 loud in the chambers of Hades; in his death 
 by the mischievous sword 
 
 1530 having paid us back that he inflicted. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 I am perplexed spoiled of deftly-working 
 counsel's adroit conclusion 
 which way to turn now the house is falling. 
 I fear the shower's palace-overturning splash, 
 the bloody splash, for the sprinkle ceases: 
 1535 and Fate on other whetstones whets the sword of Right 
 for yet one deed of mischief-dealing. 
 earth! earth! would thou hadst taken me 
 
 ere I had seen him tenant that lowly bed 
 1540 on the floor of the silver-walled laver! 
 
 Who shall his burier be? who his lamenter? 
 
 wilt thou dare to perform 
 
 this task, who didst slay him, thine own wedded lord? 
 
 to bewail, and in face of these heinous deeds 
 1545 insincerely present 
 
 1532. euTraia/tvov p.tpifj.vy.v libri. itaque comma post &/JL. posui. 
 
 Quse dedi, ea Karsten. et Enger. 1534. <j/ex<xs libri. Corr. Bl. 
 
 inveaerunt; recte, me judice. Nam 1535. St'xij FL 3t'x superscr. n 
 
 etsi syntaxis patitur yu^oj/ivav, tun ion Ven. Sfea superscr. >j F. SixyjvAur. 
 
 eurreUa/uioi est subject! epithetoa, ut Delude Gfytt libri. 0jyv Herm. 
 
 fptrsriox corrigere deberemus si et 1 536. 0r/va( libri. Corr. Pauw. 
 
 genitivus hie stare non posset. Con- 1537. Sic F. stO" "/*' cet. 
 
 structio est cJ/f/)X av6 oitct rpdnu/jLM , 1544. dTroxwxuaat libri.
 
 158 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 dvr/s'. T/V ' TriTU,u{3ioi; ojvog STT' avdpi fate? 
 o-uv daxpvon; itxvTav 
 a^Yj^ict (ppsvuv Trovfosi; 1550 
 
 KATTAIMNHETPA. 
 
 aver 4- Ou (Tf TTpO^Xfl TO 
 
 TOVTO ' 
 
 011% V7TO KhXuQlAUV T&V % OtXUV , 
 
 AA' 'Kptysvsid viv da-TTatriut; 1555 
 
 XVTtOUTXyOC, TTpOq UXVTTOpOV 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 dw.4. "Ovf&Ot; %Kl TOf? (XVT 3 OVlcioV*' 1560 
 
 KTlVl XXIVUV. 
 
 % (ilfUK&foQ sv Qpovy Aib<; 
 
 TOV Sp^XVTiX ' QfVftlOV yOif. 
 
 Tic; av yovav ap/ziov ixfidhot doftav; 1565 
 
 ysvcx; 
 
 1549. Sax/suotv Fl. V. Coir, in 1559. xeipe Pors. sine idonea 
 
 Ven. F. causa. pjAyjur) libri. Oorr. Jacob. 
 
 1551. //trj/*a Myetv libri. Corr. 1563. %p6vcp libri. Bpdvcp corr. 
 
 Karsten. et Schneid. Schutz. Et ne forte dubites cf." 
 
 1555. Iptyfreixv fv' libri. Corr. Orph. Fr. 1 ouroj ya/3 (Zeus) x&3utstm 
 
 Jacob. Ante hunc v. lacunam pomint. is oupxvbv la-cqpixrat xpuafa slvi Opivu.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 159 
 
 to his shade an unthankworthy tribute? 
 What panegyric pronounced on the godlike hero, 
 aiming its words with weeping, 
 1550 shall do its work with true emotion? 
 
 CLYTEMNESTBA. 
 
 It belongs not to thee to harbour the thought 
 of this care: by my hand 
 as he fell, as he died, so will I bury him: 
 with no escort of wailings in pomp from his home , 
 1555 but lovingly Iphigenia his child, 
 
 as it behoves her, 
 
 shall come to the swift-flowing channel of woes 
 and, meeting her sire, 
 shall throw her arms round him and kiss him. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 1560 Here comes a charge th' other charge rebutting: 
 
 hard is the strife to judge them. 
 
 One robs a thief; he who killed takes ransom. 
 
 Yet it abides, long as Zeus enthroned abides, 
 
 that 'he who does , suffers' : 'tis an ord'nance. 
 1565 Who shall drive out a curse's seed from families? 
 
 'tis fixed so as to bind the offspring. 
 
 1564. Interpunctionem post yp vehementius. Hoc dicitur: 'dirarum 
 recte posuerunt edd. recentt. semen ita genti agprlutinatum est ut 
 
 1565. yovuv pxov libri. Corr. Herm. sobolemquoquesibiconnectat'. Itaque 
 
 1566. Sic libri. Ti/sdj 'T* Bl. vulgatum retinui. 
 'agglutinata est gens exitio' , justo
 
 160 AFAMEMNHN. 
 
 KATTAIMNH2TPA. 
 
 3jj yv cchyQstty, 
 fyu 5* ovv 
 
 opxout; Qfftfvy TX$ [v trrspystv 1570 
 
 3u<TTA^T TTSp OV&"' 5f 
 
 SK Tuvbe %6[JMV 
 
 Tpifisiv bot.vu.TOii; oiit 
 
 KTS&VUV 5f ftspoi; 
 
 (3xibv %ovtriji TTXV aTroxpy (Mt 1575 
 
 Airi20O2. 
 
 ltjv a,v >$)? vuv fiporuv 
 ug ctvcaQfv yijs sTroTrrsusiv 
 
 ItiuV UtplXVTOJq V TTfTT^Ol? 'EplVVUV 1580 
 
 TOV oivdpa, rdvde Ksifrfvov (plhas iftol , 
 
 'Ar/ji/ yap apx/vv Ty& yijt; , TCUTOV 
 TTxrlpx &uyr^v rbv f^ov t &<; rop&s 
 
 XUTOU T OttfhQov, <XfA$lhXTOS UV Xp&TSl, 1585 
 
 ytrfv ix Troteui; T x 
 
 } TTpOfTTpOTTXlOg fyTlXG [S.OhUV TTX 
 
 15G7. tvifin libri. Corr. Canter. 'AO^vxiots xat KepiattufJitvtos auv rfii < 
 
 1571. SiffTr/7]T itsp Fl. ypdpgrxt E. M. s. v. 
 
 1574. re fifyo; libri. Corr. Aur. 1576, 1577. /xoi 3' eUijjJojptfvsu,- 
 
 1575. &Tt6xpij- itdfiK roif TraJlatoIj /uavtaj yueiafl/j&w. Transposuit Er-
 
 AGAMEMNON. 161 
 
 CLYTEMNESTBA. 
 
 You advert with good reason to that divine law: 
 
 I then am willing 
 
 to take oath to the Pleisthenids' daemon of ill 
 1570 that with things as they are I will be satisfied, 
 
 hard to bear though they be : and for what yet remains , 
 
 that he go from this house , and with murderous deaths 
 
 waste in some other age its descendants. 
 
 And, though scanty the share 
 1575 of the wealth that I own, it suffices me quite, 
 
 if I sweep from the house 
 
 these mad-fits of mutual slaughter. 
 
 ^GISTHUS. 
 
 joyful light of the vengeance-bringing day! 
 
 now will I grant that gods above as man's 
 
 right- vindicators scan the crimes of earth; 
 1580 now that I see there, grateful sight to me, 
 
 that man lie in the Furies' own-spun robes, 
 
 atoning for his father's hand's device. 
 
 For Atreus, this land's king and that man's sire, 
 
 having his rule disputed, drove my sire 
 1585 Thyestes, mine, to speak explicitly, 
 
 and his own brother, from his state and home. 
 
 Then coming back, as suppliant at the hearth, 
 
 Thyestes sad got safe conditions, not 
 
 furdt, ejecto 8i, quod ad vitandum 1585. ai/rou libri. aurou Elmsl., 
 
 liiui urn additum eat. Dind. 
 
 / 1579. &xn libri. y>j corr. Aur. 1588. YJU/SJT' Dind. 
 
 11
 
 AFAMEMNnN. 
 
 TO ftl) dxv&V TTXTp&OV XlftX^Xl 7T&OV 
 
 'txurd$. ssvix, rov^s ^ueQsoq Trxryp 1590 
 
 xpsovpybv yftxp suQufAMi; xysw 
 Trapse %s SXITX TrxiSsluv xps&v. 
 Tx (tsv TroSypy KX} %puv xxpovg Krivxq 
 
 ' , xvufav x^px xpsx KX} bkpyC even; 1595 
 
 ' o $' XUT&V XVTIX,' xyvolx hxfiuv 
 
 @OpXV XGUTOV, fa Opfa , fiVfl. 
 
 spyov ou xxrxia-iov 
 S' XTTO aQxyyv ipav, 
 
 ' xQfpTOV ns^OTTl^Xli: 7TV%TXl , 1600 
 
 SflTTVOU %UViv.U$ T&Siq XpJi. 
 TUVtif 001 TTfVOVTX TOV%' IdfJv TTXpX. 
 
 rou Qdvov px(>v$' 
 rplrov yxp ovv (AS TrxlW fV xdhiy Trxrp] 1605 
 
 OVT V ( 
 
 Tpx(psvTX ' xudit; vj 
 
 1590. aurou' l^vta 8s libri. aurij. , 
 corr. Bl. In vulg. 8equitxir : 'AT/>SOS 
 TtpoOvfuas /tgAAov % jjt'Awj , Tcotrpi quern 
 versum , ex glossis ad narijp et siidu/jLUf 
 adscriptis concinuatum , recte ejece- 
 runt Schutz. et Enger. 
 
 1595, 1596. eOpuTtT > xvuOsv on^px- 
 xs xcx.6riff.svog. a:'(7)aa 3' KUTWV libri. 
 expuK-c' corr. Tyrwhitt. , et ut de 
 intrito taceam , hsec verba Qpumeiv 
 et xpuTtretv in codd. non semel per- 
 mutata sunt. Non minus certe a'svj/*' 
 b S' aurwv Bind. Restat Avfyxxxs 
 xxBrtpsvos nam diveaOsv integrum est. 
 Illud 'viritim sedens' significat; quod 
 prorsus absurdum est. Nee multum 
 lucraris recepta Herm- corr. xaOr,- 
 p.evots, nam nonnisi comici poetse 
 esset et ceteros convivas Thyestse 
 puerorum carnibus farcire. Videamus 
 
 igitur quid fecerit nefarius Atreus. 
 Quum heroicse setatis more siugulse 
 singulis convivis mensae (rpoats^mt) 
 appositse essent , boTinam scilicet 
 ceteria , Thyestse vero csesorum pue- 
 rorum caruem subministrandain cu- 
 ravit; hanc autem in satis alta pa- 
 tina ita disposuit, ut crudi pedum 
 et manuum digiti imam sedem te- 
 nerent , et mollibus accurateque coctis 
 carnibus superimpositis tegerentur; 
 quibus comesis , Thyestes digitos 
 offendit et rem comperit. Hunc ego 
 sensvun secutus correxi a8/}a x/ssfa 
 *ai 64pp ^velj, nam digiti erant 
 Ivpol et <puxpoi carnes vero superim- 
 positse S/Jai et Oeppxi. Vox Iveis 
 duplici sensu usurpatur; quorum 
 alter est 'injiciens' , ut quum He- 
 lena p/s/*xov ev^jxe rrorfii Od. 4. 232 ;
 
 AGAMEMNON. 163 
 
 to die and stain with blood his native ground 
 
 1590 himself. In token, this man's impious sire 
 pretending festively to spend a day 
 of fresh-meat-food, gave mine a feast on flesh 
 of children; hid foot-joints and palm's end-combs, 
 
 1595 setting above them plump hot bits that gave 
 no sign: he forthwith ignorantly partook 
 and ate food costly to the race, you see. 
 Then when he knew th' inhuman deed, he groaned, 
 fell back, threw off the murder-flesh, called down 
 
 1600 a fatal doom on Pelops' line; and couched 
 
 in his curse the spurn he gave the food, and Right 
 concurred. For this you may behold this man 
 lie there. I also was this murder's right 
 
 1605 concocter: me the third child yet, a babe 
 in swaddling clothes, with my unhappy sire 
 he banished and, when grown, the Right restored. 
 
 alter, 'immittens', hoc eat fallaci 1605. T/JITOV yxp ovra // sitl S&' 
 
 specie (oirvfix) ad aliquam rem illi- <*0Jl/ mxrpl libri. M S*x' corruptum 
 
 ciens , et hie quidem ad edendum. esse docuit Emper. , id quod moni- 
 
 Origo corruptelae erat satis proba- tore vix egebat ; nam nihil absurdius 
 
 bilis literarum evanidarum oSpocxor- sonare potuit quam ea quse leguntur. 
 
 x0s/Mv(s correctio ; et certe quum Hermannus l-n&ex ostendit taatum , 
 
 primum avS/Ja pro S/sa correctum nemini enim probavit. Melius sftl 
 
 erat , cetera prona erant. aovjyua di- Su' AOMotv Ahr. , Sri Zuaa.OMc? G-. C. 
 
 citur ut oiavpos ip-/drn)$ , 'quern nullo W. Schneider. Sed verisaime statuit 
 
 signo argueres' Soph. Ant. 252. Enger. neque iitl neque frt ap. -2Esch. 
 
 1599. <u/*w|ev oiv. TCITITSI 8' &i:b in trimetris sub ictu cadere. Prse- 
 
 ofotyris ipHiv libri. ApitiTiTst corr. terea OVTOC corruptum esse repetitum 
 
 Canter. Deinde e/xfiv conj. Aur. , recte ovra in proiimo v. ostendit. Inde 
 
 sprevit Karsten. , apayvjj in apccyi)v ego rplrov yp ouv /xe TiatS" IT'. Quod 
 
 mutato cum Hartung. autem Herm. statuit exquisitius ali- 
 
 1601. dpS~FL &p&. F. V. ipy Ven. quod vocabulum hie latere, id nihili 
 
 Deinde in libris sequuntur OUTWJ est; nam is locus est ut omnia prater 
 
 dMsGott TfSv -rb nleioOtvoui ytvos , quae simplicissima quaeque prorsus res- 
 
 ineptiaa Schutzius primus intellexit puat. 
 ab JEsch. non esse profeetas. 
 
 11*
 
 164 AFAMEMNAN. 
 
 Kxt Tdvds rxv&poq yj^x^v dvpxToi; usv } 
 
 OTJTCC xxhov ty xxi TO XXT&XVEIV e/Mi, 1610 
 
 TOVTOV Ttjt; 'Sixqq sv 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 Oil 
 
 J ITTOIKTOV TOV^S @outei><rxi Qdvov' 
 
 OU (p*l(A XhV%lV SV SlXIfl TO VOV XXpX 1615 
 
 Ainseos. 
 
 TXUTX (avec vspTspa 
 
 TUV 7Tt %uyu Sopot; ; 
 av cac 3i3x7X<r6xi @xpu 
 (rutppovf'iv iipy/zsvov. 1620 
 
 xx] TO "yyxt; ou T 
 
 vTfi?. 01% Qfcf.q opav TX& ; 
 
 XVTpX ft)} &XXTl%, ^ 7TXl<TX<; 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 Tvvxi o~u, TOVS %XOVTX$ X paxfts {AMUV 1625 
 
 oixovpos , vvyv xvdpbs xlo-^wxg Zftx, 
 
 fiovKv<rtx.i; popov; 
 
 1612. Post hunc versum lacunae 1621. Sea^iv 8s PI. Ven. Corr. 
 
 signa posuit Herrn. in P. V. 
 
 1620. Comma post TvjAtxwrw su- 1624. Trujffaj libri. ntttaxs Schol. 
 
 stulit Karsten. Pind. ad finem Pyth. 2. quod Herm.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 165 
 
 Ami I, though absent, laid my hands on him, 
 and patched up all the fatal plot's design. 
 1610 This done, for me 'twere glorious even to die, 
 having seen him lie in Retribution's nets. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 JEgisthus, I dont hold with scorn in woe: 
 you say you killed this man designedly 
 and planned this piteous murder all alone : 
 1615 I say your head will not escape when tried, 
 
 know 't well, the people's curses hurled with stones. 
 
 JEGISTHUS, 
 
 You say this sitting at the lower-deck oar 
 though the ship's main-deck men have mastery? 
 greybeard, you '11 know how hard it is to learn 
 1620 when one so old is bidden to be wise. 
 
 But chains, age, hunger -pangs , for teaching this 
 are the mind's most expert physician-seers. 
 Seeing this, do you yet not see 't? Dont kick 
 against the goads; lest, striking them, you smart. 
 
 CHOKUS. 
 
 1625 You woman, who for men returned from fight 
 
 stayed housewife-like 5 shamed, too, a true man's bed, 
 you planned this host-commanding hero's death? 
 
 recte recepit. Alii Butleri conj. Deinde vim libri. pfrw corr. Wie- 
 
 TTTawaj probarunt, cui yerbo nihil seler. 
 
 negotii est cum stimulis. 1626. akxiwjua' libri. Corr.Henn, 
 
 1625. ywvtj yii conj. Meiueke.
 
 166 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 Ainseoz. 
 
 Kati TXUTX 
 
 'Op(pf7 Sf yAwtrovsv ryv svxvrixv e%sic' 
 
 o ftv yap %ye TTXVT XTTO (pQoyytjg %,xpiji, 1630 
 
 (TV 3' %op!va<; 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 $ 3*7 <ru [&oi Tvpxvvoe; 'Apysiuv ecrst , 
 ovx, sTTstiy T' l(3oi>teu<ra<; ftdpov, 
 
 oS' epyov ovx sThys KVTOXTOV&X;. 1635 
 
 To yap doh&trat 7rpb$ yuvtxtxbt; yv 
 iyu S' UTTOTTTOG e 
 'Ex TUV Sf rovSe 
 
 Trohircav rbv 5f 
 
 i>u (3xpitxi?, OVTI yw trsipxQdpov 1640 
 
 TTwAoi/* ^AA' o 
 VOIKO? [taxQtZKOv vty' 7r6 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 
 T/ >J TOV XV^pX TOV^ XTTO 
 
 oux xvrbi; yivxpi^sg; #AA# vtv 
 
 %,c!)pxt; [tixaiAX xx} Qfuv ty%tfploov t 1645 
 
 1631. rtmoif libri. vrintots coir. hunc versum lacunam notavit Herm. ; 
 
 Jacob., recentt. sed ingratum. lacunarum exquiren- 
 
 1634. raiSe ySouAsixras Fl. Ven. darum laborem aversati sunt Meineke 
 
 Corr. in V. F. et Heimsoeth. 
 
 1637. r} libri. ^j corr. Pors. Post 1637. e TwySe libri. Corr. Jacob.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 167 
 
 .EGISTHUS. 
 
 These words are also harbingers of tears. 
 You have the contrary of Orpheus' tongue: 
 1630 he by his voice led all things with delight; 
 you by your silly howls will drive them wild 
 and lead them so. Mastered, you '11 look more tame. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 That you, my god! should be the Argives' king! 
 who , when you 'd planned his doom , dared not perform 
 1635 the killing act in person, no, not you. 
 
 ^EGISTHUS. 
 
 Enveigling clearly was a woman's part; 
 I was a foe from ancient date suspect. 
 But with his treasures I will try to rule 
 the people; and will yoke with heavy bands 
 1640 him who won't heed the driver; not as some 
 gay grain-fed prancer; no, unlovely Fast 
 that dwells with Darkness shall behold him meek. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 
 
 Why, with your craven soul, did you not kill 
 this man yourself? no, but a woman did - 
 1645 stain of her country and the tutelar gods 
 
 Et equidem scire velim quomodo F. Ven. , et sic Pollux 7. 24. 
 
 etiam lacunae ope illud explicare 1641. xirw libri. UXOTW Auratus. 
 possint. 1644. eJJUa <tw yuv>} libri, Corr. 
 
 1640. aeipxapopov Fl. Corr. in Spanhem.
 
 168 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 KTIV. 
 
 $vpo TrpsvftsvsT rv 
 roTvds 
 
 AITI20O2. 
 
 s^ft ^OKS'II; rd>' spdeiv xxi heysiv yvuvsi rd^a. 
 
 XOPO2. 
 ******* 
 
 AITI20O2. 
 
 Eiot $y, <pfaoi XQWTOU, roupyov ou% sxx<; rods. 1650 
 
 XOPO2. 
 
 EWJ S^, ZtyOG TTpOKUTTOV 7TX/; TIG 
 
 xdyu wf&uane oux AvaJvopuu QavsTv. 
 XOPO2. 
 
 KATTAIMNH2TPA. 
 
 ' ctv^pav, aX 
 
 1648. Interrogandi signum post Chorum omnimodis et non verbis 
 
 Franzius delevit. Hos sex tantum ab Oreste stare propositum 
 
 versus post v. 1632 posuit Engerus, habere. Et de convicio illo inertiam 
 
 hue transpositis w. 1633 5, quod suam tangente ^gisthus cavillari 
 
 sic nexus melius procedat et syste- potuit ; hoc tamen de Oreste ad vim 
 
 matum responsio fiat simplicior. Sed et arma instigat. Hsec et similia 
 
 hffic 'Optrnqs &p<x nou xrA. sunt ul- reputans nihil mutavi, et prox. v. 
 
 tima ea verba qua? aperte declarent incolumem reliqui.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 169 
 
 she slew him. 'Tis for this Orestes lives, 
 that he by favouring fortune here restored 
 may be the all-conquering slayer of them both. 
 
 .EGUSTHUS. 
 Well , since you think fit to act thus and to speak you soon shall know. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 #*##*** 
 
 ^GISTHUS. 
 1650 Come on now , my trusty guardsmen , this affair is not remote. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Yes, come on; let each one fairly hold prepared his unsheathed sword. 
 
 ^EGISTHUS. 
 
 I too , with my sword unsheathed , I do not refuse to die. 
 CHORUS. 
 
 'Die' you say, we take the omen; for ourselves we take our lot. 
 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 Nay, my dearest husband, let us do no further deeds of harm: 
 
 1649. Sic libri, nisi quod yvaiffrj Idem unius versus lacunam ante 
 ut solent. xo) Jlrfyetv Herm. eUl}' hunc versum recte posuit. 
 
 ifi el Soxfii T3' epZeiv xou Aeyv En- 1652. dUot xcfcyw /gv libri. Corr. 
 
 ger. , omnibus nominibus , ut mihi Pors. -np6xonos Fl. Corr. in Ven. V. 
 
 videtur, sine idonea causa. 1653. ipwptQx libri. aipov/tsdx 
 
 1650. Signa personarum in libris Auratus. Certa est emendatio. 
 confusa in ordinem redegit Herm. 1654. SpKaoftsv codices. Corr. in V.
 
 170 
 
 AFAMEMNON. 
 
 1655 
 
 x/^xprsTv rby xpXTOuvr' xl<r%o? 
 
 El 
 
 (TV %Q yepovrss Trpos 
 ap^ixi r' axotlpuv 
 TOI iJt,o%fittv yivotro 
 
 fttx-peici 
 hdyog yvvaixds, si TI$ 0,^10! 
 
 Ainseos. 
 
 xv 
 
 1660 
 
 TTYJ TOIXUTX $xt[tovo<; -T 
 
 XOPOS. 
 Ovx, xv 'Apysiuv T& sty <$>rx Trposvxivetv xxxov. 1665 
 
 'AAA* iyu <r' ev iKTTspxKrtv jftspxtt; 
 
 XOPO2. 
 Oux, sxv $xi{,cav 'Opsffryv $up' X 
 
 1655. 6 g/soj libri. Qipos est Schutzii 
 correctio , ab omnibus recepta. 
 
 1656. TTTJ/IOWJS S' At? y urta/s^e 1 
 /xrjSiv j/Tw/ie6a libri. TTJJ/XOV^S Ajj 
 8' Herm. (map^si et t/tTw/xe9 
 Auratus ille, quern nemo digne lau- 
 dare potuit. />)3' s9' Bl. 
 
 1657. Hie versus qui post v. 1663 
 in libris legitur, hue ab Herm. re- 
 positus est. dcfuxpTrjrav x/sarouvra 
 libri. dcpxpreiv T^V xpotTouvrx corr. 
 Casaubon. Desunt verba sex mora- 
 
 rum mensuram habentia, quae for- 
 tasse , ut in praelongo versu , supra 
 scribebantur. Versionis mee causa 
 in textum recepi aluxoj /*^V*j 1 U8B 
 jEschylo digna suppeditarit Herm. 
 1658. aTj/^sre S' oi yipovrts ftpbs 
 Si/ious TrsTT^aj/tte'vouj roujSs libri. Quse 
 dedi, Franzio debentur; sed hujus 
 correctionis rationes equidem per- 
 spectas nondum habeo. Apta est; 
 sed veram esse nego. ToujSe deleyit 
 Scaliger ; incertum an recte. Cf. Soph.
 
 AGAMEMNON. 171 
 
 1655 to have reaped ev'n these, so many, yields a miserable crop. 
 
 There is suffering in abundance: let us spill no further blood. 
 
 For a prince to miss the prudent counsel is a great disgrace. 
 
 Go, both you and these the elders, to the homes assigned by Fate, 
 
 ere they rue, and broach untimely deeds : 'twas fated as we fared. 
 
 Sure , if this might be enough of trouble we would acquiesce , 
 1660 by the daemon's painful talon sadly torn as we have been. 
 
 If 'tis worth one's while to listen, thus a woman's word directs. 
 
 ^GISTHUS. 
 
 Shall I brook it that they scatter on me silly talk like leaves, 
 
 and give vent to speech of this sort, braving what the god may send? 
 
 CHORUS. 
 1665 It would not be like the Argives at a coward's feet to cringe. 
 
 JEGISTHUS. 
 On some future day I'll bring you yet to your account for this- 
 
 CHORUS. 
 No, if fortune guide Orestes hither to return again. 
 
 O. R. 637. adscriptam. Delude iTr/safa/xvjv Ven. 
 
 1659. -nplv itaOelv. e/sfavrs xoupiv Proximo autem versu &Uj y' eyplfidf 
 
 Fl. tiplv itxBelv. tpl-xrcx xoiipb* Ven. afv libri. Corr. Martin. Ceterum et 
 
 V. F. , qui meliorem lectionem prse- -rot in TW mutandum ease videtur. 
 bent. Inde ego, fere nulla mutati- 1660. yoly Fl. V. jpiAi} Ven. F.; 
 
 one, a^fou T' dx&lpuv, quod dicitur nihil enim ineptius voce x^?> 'bile 
 
 ut &pyju.v dci/.uv ^gip&v. Sed totus petiti' , quod Paleius notavit. 
 hie locus adeo comiptus eat ut 1663. Sat/tovaj libri. Corr. Ca- 
 
 desperatus jure dicatur. Non amo saubon. 
 
 insolens illud -nenptopcvovs quod glos- 1665. rcpoaxlvttv Fl. V. Oorr. in 
 
 sam corruptam olet ad %pijv r8' Ven. F.
 
 172 AFAMEMNflN. 
 
 /T iyu (pfuyovras avSpaq ihir$&$ <rtTovf*evov<;. 
 
 XOPOZ. 
 , malvou, (Ai&ivcav ryv Stxyv, sirs] Tcxpx. 
 
 Ainzeos. 
 
 itrtit ftoi davuv oiTTOivx, Tij$e [AUpttug %cipiv. 1670 
 
 XOPOS. 
 
 Qtxpcruv , ahtxTup &STS Qytelou; 
 KATTAIMNHSTPA. 
 
 KXl <7V fytTOftfV JCptXTOVVTS TUV$e 
 
 1671. Oxpp&v libri. Corr. Pors. sis; sed Heathius satis probabiliter 
 &fnep libri. Corr. Scaliger et Canter. TOC. fyu ex schol. F. revocayit , et 
 
 1672. uioy /*OTV libri, ceterisomis- uAecy/tscfl' wj corr. Eauchenstein , ut
 
 AGAMEMNON. 173 
 
 JEGISTHUS. 
 
 I know well that men in exile on their hopes are wont to feed. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Thrive on, feedthee fat, defiling justice, since thou hast the chance. 
 
 ^GISTHUS. 
 1670 Be assured that you shall pay me reckoning for this foolishness. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Crow and chuckle fearing nothing, like a cock that's near the hen. 
 CLYTEMNESTRA. 
 
 Dont regard these silly creatures' yelpings past their worth, for I, 
 I and thou will fairly settle, as its sovereigns, this domain. 
 
 verbo itportfi^a^s constructio sua deest; cujus vestigia Heathius et 
 
 servaretur. Canterus in schol. F. , ut ipsis vi- 
 
 1673. Et huic versui pes unus sum est , consecuti, xaJfij addiderunt.
 
 COMMENTARY. 
 
 1 39. Prologue. Time: night. The scene probably represented 
 moon and stars , the belvedere of the palace of the Atreidse 
 at Argos , and the watchman , armed , standing by a watch- 
 fire. At v. 22 a new light is seen somewhere to the right, 
 on Mt. Arachnaeum. The watchman makes his exit by 
 stairs leading to the interior of the house, and this scene 
 is changed at v. 39. 
 
 1. aaraAAayiiv. The first word which indicates the 5Jo?, 'dis- 
 
 charge', 'relief. 
 
 2. (ppovfctG. Genitive after /Mijxos, which word of time gives 
 
 alru the force of a perfect-, so $v to X&TQ&U. v. 4. The 
 Gramm. distinguish sreioq 'lasting a year' from 
 'occurring once a year' See v. 1016. ayxafieu = 
 is 'away on the top'; They wrong the poet who construe 
 'head on hand, like a dog' and Herm. did not intend 
 this; but 'with the body raised and propped on the arm 
 bent at the elbow, the forearm lying on the ground'. 
 Even so, the simile of the dog is ludicrous, xvvo$ Stxyv 
 is correctly explained by the Sch. 'because of its watch- 
 fulness and fidelity'. 
 
 4. The soldier speaks: 'a host of constellations who marshal 
 themselves by night'. The distinction &rrpov, 'sidus', and 
 u<rr4(, 'stella' is always observed in correct writers. 
 
 6. All the ancient Greeks from Orpheus to Aristotle , not excep- 
 ting Epicharm. ace. to Menand. Mein. p. 196, believed the 
 sun moon and stars to be divine persons, 'animates decs' 
 Apul. De Dogm. Plat. I. 11; Plut. de PI. Phil, passim. 
 Lucretius 1. 5 proves that they are not. More literally 
 'showing themselves conspicuously in aether'.
 
 176 , COMMENTARY. 
 
 10 xpareT = wx = vincit = 'proves'; so v. 1364, 
 
 fT 'death carries the day', like /aoAf7v eviwrev, the 
 Soph. Ant. 233. avp6/3ovAov is 'giving her opi- 
 nion (/3oyAj v. 1358) with masculine assurance and force 
 of reasoning'. 
 
 14. Literally: 'for fear (of falling asleep) is my comrade (next 
 man to the right or left) so that my eyelids do not re- 
 solutely fall-to with sleep'. Here we have the soldier 
 again: if fl^po-o? (about falling asleep) were his comrade, 
 then he would come to an engagement at once; but with 
 only fear to support Mm he avoids it. vnvopitxw in 
 Aristoph. is ' fight against sleep '. But for the word (pofiot; 
 it might be proposed to take <rv/K/3aAf7v in another of its 
 meanings 'come to a league or covenant with'. But this 
 is peculiarly the part of a general. 
 
 17. Of all the possible meanings of avrfco ATOV it seems best to 
 take it as formed on the analogy of vTtppovo<; 'which 
 opposes song to sleep' with an allusion to UVTITOPOV wich 
 appears to mean 'a medicinal herb either cut out of the 
 ground or chopped up as a remedy against'. But ftv^jjv 
 avripurfov Suppl. 270 is 'memory in place of fee* and 
 according to this we should expect ftoAjrifo vflt/7rvev. 
 VT/A<JJAOV, formed (by the Ed.) like xvri(pepvov v. 406, 
 would mean 'slipping in this probe-like cure for sleep'. 
 But we want a cutting instrument used as if he were in 
 a swoon or a lethargy. 'Evrepvuv. The meaning 'chop- 
 ping up herbs or roots upon', given by Stanley and all 
 editors, seems to be without any support whatsoever 
 except their authority. It should have been iT/nrao-o-wv, 
 see Suid. s. v. 7rdA<ow. repvitv is 'to lance' Arist. Probl. 
 1. 32 etc. evropeii are 'incisions' or 'punctures' Hie- 
 rocles (p. 280 Dacier.) x>j ropcrta Supp. 268, Choe'ph. 
 537 are 'effectual cures by amputation'; cf. Jarpo? TO- 
 Topoq in Plut. Apophth. Catonis 'a surgeon fond of 
 desperate remedies', ropsti Find. P. 3. 53 are punctures ' 
 or 'amputations', evrspvew a(pd<ytov is 'to make an in- 
 cision in a victim for the purpose of examining the inwards'. 
 itself is KVf'tuq jt Siet ffiSvpov fepHTretct E. M. s. V. 
 Hierocl. , Iambi., Porphyr. often allude to the 
 surgeon's knife , seldom to medicines. Add that the watch- 
 man ought here to say nothing about song , which is fully
 
 COMMENTARY. 177 
 
 expressed before. A few trials will soon convince that it 
 is impossible to translate the line fairly and not absurdly, 
 and that it is incredible that it should have proceeded from 
 the poet in its present form. 
 
 22. Lit. 'hail, Lamp, son of Night'; the salutation is couched 
 
 in the usual form, e. gr. Eur. Med. 665 5 fcaTpf, itctt 
 rizviovo$. Alyev. 
 
 23. opwv xctTKo-Tatrtv. Instead of the present <pt/Axv xzru- 
 
 26. ffvtfjtcttvsiv rofus is the usual military phrase. See Suid. s. v. 
 
 T0f6v. 
 
 30. Lit. 'is clearly seen reporting'-, 'beams' in the Trans, is a 
 verb. 
 
 32. The meaning is: 'I will take the master's lucky throws as 
 my own' i. e. lay my money on them, and be quite sure 
 that such as are good for him will bring me luck. The 
 allusion is to some game at dice , perhaps like backgammon. 
 
 35. P*ffrii<Tcti. See Suid. s. v. Stct<ry))tu<rzi. But here it is simply 
 
 a soldier's word , which he usually applied to the bearing 
 of arms, his spear or shield. 
 
 36. Besides the passages cited by Schutz and Blomf. there is 
 
 (3oi/v uQuvi&s exl TJV yAaJcnrarv |3^AjMevo< Philost. V. S., 
 Scopelianus; and ovS' si fiovs poi, TO Xeyopevov, Q&ey- 
 %ctiro Alciphr. 2. 4. 3. The Spartans (Plut. Instt. Lac. 
 25) sacrificed an ox to Ares after a victory gained by 
 artifice, and the noisy cock when victorious by open force. 
 It is evident, therefore, that the ox was an emblem of 
 silence. Compare TTUXVS y%( 1$ ensir" 1 ex-l at^a. Menand. 
 Fr. p. 10 Mein. which is only a variation to express the 
 swinish gluttony, not the bovine silence, of Dionysius. 
 
 38. eicSnv is correctly explained by Paley. 
 
 40. Parodos. Time: morning. Scene: the front of the palace 
 of the Atreidse at Argos. 
 
 42. This line, in apposition with jweya? xvriStxos, expresses 
 the Athenian view of the paradox that two kings at 
 Sparta should be the povap^o; of the state; a monarchical 
 form with two kings. 
 
 44. Hes. Op. 427. Since the adoption of words and phrases 
 from Hesiod is so remarkable a feature of this play, the 
 reader will be reminded of it even in the less important 
 instances. 
 
 12
 
 178 COMMENTARY. 
 
 48. KC,T cttyvTrtoi /ufyaAa xXetfyvrs pct%fffav u$ of (Hercules 
 and Cycnus) xtxA^yovrf? sir* AA>jAo<0-<v opov<rv Hes. Sc. 
 405. 412. 
 
 50. f/cTT/o;$ 'which make them leave their ordinary path of 
 
 flight'. So Bellerophontes in his frenzy TTKTOV v6pT<uv 
 aAsefvwv II. 202. 
 
 51. VXKTOI takes the gen. through its positive uTf'p. Cf. 'pro- 
 
 pius montem' Sail. J. 49 etc. 'Le Vaillant saw at an 
 immense height a flock of Vultures (the Oricou) gradually 
 descending in concentric circles (curves?) and seeming to 
 come out of the vault of heaven '. Bree's History of the 
 Birds of Europe. TreptQspss Ss v.v TO TTT^X TUV oluvuv 
 Suid. s. v. TTTJ}/^. The parallelism is very close in the 
 words ex^ctrioiq . Xe^suv . sp. efeffffoftsvoi . SepvtoT-fpy. The 
 Greeks sail far away from home because the partner of 
 Menelaus' bed is lost. 
 
 55. Lit. 'some one who goes by the name of Apollo etc.' Observe 
 the caution of a Pythagorean in mentioning the name of 
 a god. 
 
 57. rwvJf ftfToixuv are, of course, the young birds which have 
 been carried away from home , like Helen. So the Schol. 
 It is gen. after "Eftvvv. 
 
 63. y-Jta. Tr'oSzt; xxi %elifz<; II. 5. 122. So the Scholl. passim. 
 
 64. Alluding to the Homeric description yvv 5' S?P<T' 
 
 II. 5. 68, 309, etc. 
 
 65. and here to passages like II. 13. 162. ev xat/Aw 
 
 69. vTToxztuv. i~~b has the force of OVrfpov. Weil compares 
 
 Hdt. 3. 159 7va <r$t "ysvea vTrcytvyircti. 
 
 70. The best interpretation hitherto current is based on Soph. 
 
 Ant. 1007 where the unwillingness of the fire of a sacrifice 
 to burn is an omen of evil. But this is only a sign of 
 displeasure at something which has been done before; 
 assuredly the sacrifice itself is no cause of intense wrath. 
 That interpretation, therefore, is false, a/rupa /epa are 
 acts in which the gods and their laws are disregarded, 
 as they would be when a sacrifice was offered and no 
 6i/nAa*, etirzp%zi or xzTXfy^xTz burnt in their honour. 
 The Orphic code was promulgated under divine sanction , 
 and every infraction was an act of irreligion. S^vpa fepct 
 are the same as afii/T tepee. Soph. Fr. 601. Suid. s. v.
 
 COMMENTARY. 17!) 
 
 In the case of Paris there are no sacrifices at 
 all, good or bad, but an act in defiance of the law of 
 Zeus , the rape of Helen. Clytemnestra is Zfofa o$ -ywtt 
 Cho. 46, the unjust man is afleos Euro. 540. So Virg. 
 in the often -quoted line 'discite jnstitiam moniti et non 
 temnere divos' 'learn not to defy the gods by injustice'. 
 In ^Esch. all unjust acts are &rt/pa le$d. 
 
 71. krevel re VOM Hes. Th. 661. in Tfv>te represents ayv 
 
 ace. to Donaldson. 
 
 72. T<TJ is 'which does not pay' and here 'which pays no 
 
 military service' as being vvst rov KaraAoyov which 
 phrase was 5rapo</K< Jw ruv yeyypzxoruv Suid. S. v. 
 sir'trcts Eum. 257 is 'without paying for his crime'. 
 
 75. Paraphrase of Hes. Op. 113 in so far as he describes old 
 
 age with reference to the feet and arms. Comp. Anth. 
 6. 25 yjjpaAf'ov vvv VT TrctvoTrXiyt; ^unTpov uftstfyuftevss. 
 The warriors , on the other hand , apply full-grown strength 
 to the spear. 
 
 76. /MveAbs is 'the blood'. In Horn. Od. 0. 290 K^ITO, is 
 
 (Avs^bt; xvSpuv because it makes the blood. 
 
 78. 'Ares is not an indigenous god in a child's breast' ovx evt 
 %Uf<>t is for 7rt%upto$. eyj^Wfioq, or sy^upoq ' o iv ry 
 %,upqi uv E. M. S. V. So Schol. M. TW TOTTU ettsivu. 
 
 80. From Hes. Op. 531 Tp<Vo3< (Sporw Ifot. 
 
 82. The Homeric "Ove<p$ makes easy the comparison of a per- 
 son to a dream. Hopes, the fancies of poets, and the 
 musings of lovers are eypxyopcrwv JVVTV<. 
 
 95. 5dAor< implies a fear of 2oAo$ in the mind of the speakers. 
 
 irp. 'blanditiae' Prop. 5. 6. 72. See Soph. Fr. 340. 
 
 96. srfAavw. AeyTa< Ss TeAavo$ xcii TO Trewyos tea} efypctft- 
 
 psvov bxuSes Sdxfvov ofov A</3varo{, xsja/^< Suid. s. \. 
 For the torches compare Aristsen. 1. 10 fin. exdovro Ss 
 Supxrat SuiSiq EX Xifiatvurov ffwyxtifiievcti. u$re 
 
 KCII bvfAtciffQKi itsii 7rctp%iv TO (put; jue 
 103. From Hes. Op. 795. See Crit. Notes, bvpoptpoq ' * TJJV 
 $vx,* v S'*$&eipovffx Suid. s. v. is very like a scholium 
 on this passage written when the text was as yet uncor- 
 rupted. 
 
 105. fxreAfo Hes. Op. 464 is 'having arrived at full growth 
 and mature strength', the r^Ao$ of ib. 472. ol reAo< 
 at Sparta were married men in the flower of their age 
 
 12*
 
 180 COMMEXTABY. 
 
 Pint. Apoph. Leon. 15. See alo Pint. Instt. Lac. 15. 
 fleoSev. From. Hes. Op. 660. 
 
 106. po\7rav aXxqi is the amxnuro^ aJj of Hes. Th. 39. 
 
 107. ffvpQuros is the avroQufa of Hes. Th. 813 'grown in one 
 
 piece'; etiuiv ffyfizivfi rov rtjt; w>}$ %povov E. M. S. \. $-/.v. 
 Literally, then, poetic power is here said to be one being 
 with their term of life, so that the might of song abides 
 with them in their old age. Soph, makes the poetic 
 faculty and the term of life foster-children Fr. 768 ovx 
 SffTt ytjpa? TUV ff&Quv ev oiq o vov$ Qsicp %vv<rriv yifttptz 
 re&pzfftsvo$ which seems to mean: 
 
 those gifted ones have no old age in whom 
 dwells genius nursed with days ordained by god. 
 And so JEsch. at 67 years of age is now exhibiting the 
 Agamemnon. 
 
 110. Hes. Sc. 50 OVKI& Upa. (ppovsovre' Kstfffyvtrto ys pev {J<TTHV. 
 
 111. yrpdxrwp is properly 'a collector of taxes' Suid. s. v. jrp^x- 
 
 ruf and (popo^oyoq. 
 
 113. Pythagoras recognised divination from dreams as previsions 
 of the soul, from fortuitous words (xAjSov$), from birds, 
 and the smoke of incense, Diog. L. V. Pyth. , not from 
 sacrifices Pint, de PI. Phil. 5. 1. This latter fact seems 
 to explain 2Esch. Sept. 24 ev u<ri vupuv xai 
 
 115. ?rpo$ 5l TSJV S<4' P* V r v &ZTUV voftifyw %f$j xdl TO, O.TCO- 
 
 TeXevpitnt yivfff&zt Artemidorus 2. 20. The white-tailed 
 eagle is the representative of Agamemnon ; and the white 
 tail seems to forebode death to him at the end of this 
 successful expedition; see ib. 2. 3 rl $2 /ueAav l^dnov 
 ffurypictv yrfoirwctivst, and for the passage generally ib. 
 2. 20 TOv <Sf7w 7r1 yJ"jAoTTW TOTTU ayafiov roT? ETJ 
 
 TTfS^lV OfftUffl. 
 
 116. VxTf Hes. Th. 691 where the Schol. ex rov a-vveyyvt; . u$ 
 
 TO rov lKvovp.cn %pwwT< 5f ol rpayucol rq Af'^f*. 
 
 120. p^uTrrsiv with gen. occurs three times in Theognis, vv. 
 223, 705, 938, in this sense of 'debarring'. fiXzphrct 
 is, of course, the mother-hare and her (peppx, (JEsch. 
 Supp 690) 'the young she is still carrying'. 
 
 122. First Stasimon. xeSvoq' trvviros. yuQtuv ) $p6vtpos Suid. 
 s. v. loot in the end of a line Hes. Op. 531. In Homer 
 Menelaus is more merciful than Agam. but not less brave :
 
 COMMENTARY. 181 
 
 how readily he accepts the challenge of Paris, and is 
 the only one of all the bravest to close without hesitation 
 with Hector's, II. 7. 96. It is suggested In the critical 
 note thut 5^, in such a position, was pronounced l$e. 
 Ss, }$ and \$i seem to be different forms of the same 
 word as its pronunciation was varied in an age when 
 there was little or no writing. (So llviv, fav, fa. set, 'eov, , 
 for the first person imperfect of efc'% preceded %v , the 
 form fixed by writing.) The meaning of each was ' like- 
 wise' Latin 'item'. The I in J, and i in 'item' 
 and 'idem' are probably the neuter of * the nominative 
 (in E. M. and a Fragment of Sophocles) of the so- 
 called reflexive pronoun, which is not reflexive in the 
 early Greek language. The fixed form os cannot stand 
 first , probably because the I in order to be lost in pro- 
 nunciation required a word to be pronounced before it 
 without a pause. Perhaps a similar reason may be given 
 for the fact that que (itque, idque) quidem (iquidem, 
 equidem), and the rest, cannot stand first. So 'nam' 
 had an original form 'enim' which was pronounced 'nim' 
 in conversation, but was used to complete a dactyl in 
 poetry, ^sv must not stand first for the same reason; 
 it had a vowel sound before it, as in iiptv. 'et' is pro- 
 bably the first part of an original form of which 'que' 
 is the last; thus 'i', the pronoun and 'que', which seems 
 to be the Sanscrit 'cha', would formique, idque, itque 
 or etque 'it too'; and so 'et' lost 'que' by collision 
 with the following word, and 'que' loses 'et' through a 
 preceding word. Nevertheless 'jet' is sometimes second 
 word in poetry. So there seems to be no reason why 
 ISs should not be sounded in some places where we now 
 read $. But in twenty-four instances of its occurrence 
 in the Homeric poems, and the four in Hesiod none (in 
 'The Works and Days) it is always first word. Now 
 x5^, a much more artificial form, occurs too often for 
 the instances to be all given in Seber : and the suffers 
 elision probably because it does not belong to the root, 
 and is only a sound , with no meaning , added to help 
 the metre like the Sanscrit 'hi'. The % in $ arose 
 through hyperthesis of the e in <$<?, and l$2 cannot suffer 
 elision because S3 is the root, possibly the same as
 
 182 COMMENTARY. 
 
 Sanscrit 'tu'. In Soph. Ant. 969 we must either read 
 ISs ppxwv, or pronounce I? b corrupt. <$' requires cor- 
 rection also in some very recent imitations of Homeric 
 verse. This rare occurrence of <3 as compared with 
 $ the less likely form, the frequent occurrence of 
 $e re in epic poetry in places where the re is so hard 
 to explain, and the existence of passages like pouvcyevijs 
 $e naii; e'fa Hes. Op. 374 (for the i$ in tf&lq is repeatedly 
 short in Homer, and is long in only one peculiar pas- 
 sage II. % 492, 497) lead to the conclusion that the 
 Alexandrine editors or their predecessors removed ISs 
 from every place in which the metre allowed $s to stand , 
 from such as Hes. Op. 510, for example, 6>jpe? S2 $pi<r- 
 ffoviri and a hundred like it. The result is that ISs 
 occurs only as first word, for of course they could not 
 substitute $2 where l$e stood first in a clause. The pe- 
 culiarities of ISe besides that already mentioned , that its 
 s is not elided , are (1) that it has the digamma (the 
 readily evanescing v and $ being sometimes placed before 
 it) , and this digamma was derived from '' , as before 
 suggested; (2) that it makes the two short syllables of 
 a dactyl seven times out of twenty-eight instances in 
 which the particle occurs in Homer and Hesiod , so that 
 the statement in Liddell and Scott's lexicon requires cor- 
 correction, and (3) in the remaining twenty one (in six 
 after re} it is used to complete a dactyl and take the 
 arsis before two consonants or a liquid; and it is so 
 used in the present passage, if the Editor's suspicion 
 be correct. 
 
 The apparent anomaly involved in the elision of e in 
 Ss whereas t$e does not suffer elision is , perhaps , capable 
 of explanation in the following way. F<2' would represent 
 only the pronoun F, as in the Latin; but ' with the 
 slight vowel-sound which remains after elision, or by a 
 synizesis with the following vowel , would be a sufficient 
 representative of the conjunction. It is still easier to 
 account for 'nam' standing first; but this subject is 
 interminable. Enough has been said to explain the Edi- 
 tor's reasons, and to show that as there is no reason 
 in the nature of things why ISe should not stand second, 
 so there are several reasons why it should be replaced
 
 COMMENTARY. 183 
 
 as second word in many passages where we now read 
 2e, and this will have been learnt from a consideration 
 of this passage, because of the exact correspondence of 
 the choral odes of JEschylus. 
 
 123. iSelti = oluvovi; sxftvsv Hes. Op. 799 and 826. To intrude 
 a little on the province of philologists, the roots la, 
 'divide' and xp<v 'separate' appear to approach very 
 closely in meaning. So &&*) means 'was made to see 
 them distinct from everything which they were not' and 
 this is to leard what a thing really is so far as it can 
 be known. 
 
 126. ype7. 'bindeth' in the Trans, is the hawker's word for 
 ' seizes '. 
 
 129. XTYIW is a fit word for property which consisted chiefly in 
 cattle; (that of Augeas is xT>?<n<; Theocr. 25. 57. and 
 xTfuva v. 109) e-pecially at a time when the value of 
 a thing was estimated in cattle. In Hesiod the men of 
 the golden age are uQvetoi pyXoiffi, and the avSpwvxipw&iv 
 9f7ov ytvos fight /u^'Awv eveii O<2<?ro3o Op. 119, 162. 
 
 135. The syntax is: 'for Artemis disliking these eagles as much 
 as she loves their young victims prays (Zeus) to fulfil 
 the omens which please the latter' i. e. please by aven- 
 ging them. For SW&v TO<T<TCV, compare II. #. 42 eVfie 
 6eo7<ri (fiihoq TtxrvovSz yevoiro offeov epo'i. o'tKu of the Mss. 
 was first condemned by Scaligei\ 
 
 137. uiiroTOKov. It is impossible to preserve the parellelism in 
 the English version. All of these words apply also to 
 Iphigenia, when CIVTOTOKOV will mean 'begotten by him- 
 self, i. e. by Agam. 
 
 144. ctlrei 'begs of Zeus', like the gods in Homer. 
 
 145. Hes. Op. 12 r^v IASV xe\> 7rativy<rfie vofozs, y 5' C?TJMWJM>)TVI. 
 
 XXTX. in KZTdponQce, in its distributive sense, ^"n , pro- 
 perly the lammer-geier, is HSoc bpveov 'taov cteru Suid. s. v. 
 
 151. All these epithets are by contrast; neither could be said 
 
 of the hare. 
 
 152. ffv^vT^v is as before, v. 107. ov Zeitrtvopa applies to Cly- 
 
 temnestra. 
 
 155. i*Yvt$ $s iffTtv bfyj n$ yreTraXcttuttev*), eviKOTo; netl tirtry- 
 
 fY.Tixt. Diog. L. 7. 113. 
 
 156. &7rsx\x'yt-iv KA, Lat. 'clango', is properly said of birds 
 
 of omen, and here of Calchas as it he were one.
 
 184 COMMENTAKY. 
 
 160. Zev$ is nominative by a sort of inverse attraction to 
 
 for the thought to be expressed is 'Zeus, and not Ar- 
 temis, nor any of these vulgar gods, none, in truth, 
 but the one living god, is he whom if man worships 
 from the heart, he (man) will hit the sum of wisdom'. 
 His real name is known only to the immortals, Orph. 
 Fr. 3. 
 
 163. TTpoGsixdffiti is 'compare either alternative to a preponder- 
 
 ating scale'. 
 
 164. ffTttfoaffQui is to put weights <TT6^<, aTttbpti, into a scale 
 
 3-A<my. here 'to put opposite arguments into the op- 
 posite scales, philosophy and priestcraft'. %p<$ yap T 
 TUV (pihoffotpuv xal TWV lefEuv bfifffAa.'Tx, Damasc. cited by 
 Suidas. 
 
 167. Oypv6$, as in Hesiod and Orph. Fr. Ined. 20. (C. Tauch- 
 
 nitz.) 
 
 168. fifveiv takes a dat by preference; a gen. pretty frequently; 
 
 and an ace. of a neuter adj. as fifvetv yafi Hes. 
 171. Kpdvo$, as in Hes. and Orph. Fr. 1. c. With rfiuxrSJtos 
 compare Orph. F. 7 xai xparepot ?rfp sovrsq xpeivovo$ 
 avriaffccvrei;, the Titans and Zeus, srpjv wv in the line 
 above is 'as being the Zeus (from >Jv, Plato) of that 
 time'. 
 
 178. KVfiuq, properly of a law or a judicial decision. 
 
 179. We are made eye-witnesses , as it were, of a dream of the 
 
 Eum. v. 94 foil. This prophetic faculty of the soul in 
 sleep seems to have been universally believed by Greek 
 philosophers , except perhaps Democritus who refers them 
 to fV5A and xwt<rei$. For the Pythagorean view see 
 Phot. Ex. V. Pyth. 5 , Iambi. V. Pyth. p. 51 Artemid. 4. 2. 
 With Aristotle (de Div. in Somnoj dreams are not fleo- 
 Tf/iTT* because el rv%6vTes, x*i ret &AAa w have 
 them; rather they are St^sv<, from daemons. So with 
 the Pythagoreans they came from daemons and heroes. 
 "During the Algerian campaigns it was observed that 
 privation of food, thirst, and fatigue singularly predis- 
 posed the soldier to have the most extraordinary dreams ; 
 the soul was gifted with a power of clairvoyance which 
 would be incredible if not attested by facts". All the 
 Year Round; Aug. 24. 1861. Epicurus, ace. to Lucr. 
 5. 1161 foil., thought that men got their notion of the
 
 COMMENTAEY. 185 
 
 existence of gods from seeing their real forms in dreams. 
 This belief in gods is the strangest thing in that phi- 
 losophy; for by parity of reason there are centaurs and 
 chimseras. Diog. L. p. 235 V. Epic, puts it rather dif- 
 ferently evotpyvis yap otlruv >i yvutris 'men's knowledge 
 of gods and their nature is a manifest fact'. <rra&i 
 seems to allude to the first drops of a shower. *po 
 xxpStzi; is Tifo OWKTUV (Cho. 817) T?? xp$/$, or rather 
 the heart is the eye of the soul in sleep. Comp. Sv Aoyav 
 e%et O^H; iv o$flaAjws7$ TOVTOV %etv vovv ev $ v %y a para- 
 phrase from Aristotle Top. by Alex. Aphrod. ap. Suid. 
 180. See Macrob. S. S. p. 11 (Gron.) 'somnium. proprium est 
 quum se quis patientem aliquid somniat'; ibid. p. 31 'hanc 
 habere legem omnia somnia ut de adversis oblique aut 
 denuntient, aut minentur, aut moneant'. 
 
 182. Daemons in JEsch. are the daemons described by Hesiod, 
 
 as left by Zeus as his representatives and agents when 
 he and the other divinities were compelled by the sins 
 of the iron age to leave the world. So Plato in Apul. 
 de D. PI. 1. 12 'daemonas vero ministros deorum arbi- 
 tratur (et) hominum interpretes si quid a deis velint'; 
 They were the spirits of the men of the golden age. 
 
 183. Lit. 'by right of power seated', on the vice-regal thrones 
 
 in which they were installed by Zeus. 
 
 186. Blaming not the seer when called upon to slay his child, 
 
 but he did blame the seer when he was told to send 
 back Chryseis. 
 
 187. 'Conspiring with the winds of chances as they struck upon 
 
 his course'. 
 190. E. M. S. w. /MprS and 2)jpbv' y Tti^a,, TVJ$ ntfctq, 
 
 191. Hes. Op. 649, and for the next line ib. 505. With 
 
 comp. A<|Mvjv evoppos Hes. Sc. 207. 
 196. w&Xmpfam. See Suid. s. v. a-#A<v<rx/' TO yap Trdhiv eni- 
 
 rocffn SyXot. Rather 'long time and then long time again'. 
 208. yAjM ' e$' w T<$ yAAf ra< xa* <)<?< E. M. s. v. Ajax 
 
 is . ^oAc/u u ) Socrates a. <ro<J>fa$, Athens &. Scttpovuv, 
 
 Helen a. TT*.OVTOV. 'what one claims as one's own with 
 
 pride and joy'. 
 210. The three wrong things are sufficiently indicated in the 
 
 Trans. Comp. Cho. 338 where three evils are expressed
 
 186 COMMENTARY. 
 
 in r&$o$. (Herat;. (pwyuScts and there is a play in x 
 
 'not without the complete number three'. TU-J 
 ZKUV ev was a proverb Suid. s. v. 
 
 216. TreptopySt; (fr. 5rep<spy>j$ Suid. where the ace. is rightly 
 
 given) means 'with yearning which transcends every other, 
 even that to save the maiden'. 
 
 217. Hes. Sc. 447. 
 
 218. He puts on the collar of necessity when he persuades him- 
 
 self that it is god's will, $><, that he should slay his 
 child. This line is based on Theognis 195 ev 
 (ttv avdyxv. evrvei . y T vipo$ rMftovx byxs vcov. 
 evrem Find. P. 4. 418. 
 
 219. rpoTraiz in Arist, Probl. 26. 5 is the reverse of a wind 
 
 blowing off land. Here it is a change of feeling, the 
 desire to save his child, into the opposite, the desire 
 to kill her. 
 
 220. avayvas is the 'improbus' of Hor. Sat. 2. 3. 200. 
 
 221. Lit. 'he thereupon adopted in its stead the all-daring spirit'. 
 
 223. TTzpzitoTra. is 'religious fanaticism' which ever leads men 
 
 into the greatest absurdities and violations of the plainest 
 natural laws ; exactly as it is put by Lucretius 1. init 
 
 'harbinger of suffering' is an unusual cpd. 
 
 E. 5. 194 is an epithet of a chariot whose 
 new-made parts, vivrevxij, would be put together for 
 the first time or near the first, if it were used. 
 
 224. The preposterous thing is the killing an innocent woman 
 
 as a help in taking vengeance for the abduction of one 
 still alive who was not innocent. 
 
 231. flf/KTTOT3Ao< j3<r<A5jf? Hes. Fr. p. 314 Heins. 
 
 232. The words fat/ier, priestly-flayers, after prayer are a triplet 
 
 like that at v. 20'.'. aoo<s, from the same root as 
 is explained by payeipoi in Suid., and VTTV- 
 in E. M. 
 
 233. The ^/a<pa was the proper offering to Artemis a'/poTspa. 
 
 Ael. V. H. 2., 25, and the well-known passage in Xen. 
 A iial i. 'vitula' Hor. 
 
 237. apzia O'IKOK; Eur. Med. 608. 
 
 238. Lit. 'by force and mute energy of bridles'. See Suid. s. v. 0tuo7. 
 
 239. airfSv T&S TUV etpsffrpiSuv fizQaq. Philost. V. Sap. Isaeus. 
 
 241. I. e- 4 a look of loving welcome to pity if it would come'. 
 
 242. 'as in painted forms' i. e. with mute expression.
 
 COMMENTARY. 187 
 
 244. But now might not speak. aTsivpuro$ follows up the com- 
 
 mon comparison of a maiden to a heifer. 
 
 245. 4><Ao$ is 'loving', (pfaios 'loved'; with exceptions. The 
 
 third libation was to Zeus 2Tvjp, the Life-preserver. 
 
 246. 9r.u)v yip vpvoq ev%api<rTJpiQ$ Suid. ripav, rteiv v. 706, 
 
 and <n-/3/<-iv often mean 'to honour a thing by perfor- 
 ming it'. Comp. Hes. Op. 16 sftv rtpSifft. 
 
 247. This reads as if the old men had gone to Aulis; but the 
 
 opposition is only between relating and not relating, 
 none of the things described having been actually seen 
 by the Chorus, except the start from Argos. 
 
 250. A<*. 'scire nefas' , 'nee scire fas est', 'si mortalis ultra 
 fas trepidat' Hor. 
 
 254. "t will come' i. e. the knowledge of to-morrow's events 
 will come with to-morrow's light. The nom. is TO p? AAov. 
 
 355. TrsXotTo u$ flfAe* seems to be a variation of the common 
 form 'may you have all you desire' which the Pytha- 
 goreans changed to oaa. v flf$$ teA;?. 
 
 256. ayrrov is translated by the Ed. as being nearly equal 
 
 to -en^nves. Agam. is the supreme ruler, but he is 
 absent, and his power is not felt. Clyt. is the regent, 
 and her power is displayed by acts which are seen and 
 felt. So Suppl. 1036 Svvotrat yap A<&? ayxiarz trtiv 
 "Hpp. 
 
 257. eAfyg Si ovro$ rt%vi elvcct T?$ "ZirupTyiq rov$ vsovs Plut. 
 
 Apoph. Lac. Antalc. 7. ^wpa? AcAe<TTa< ftouvo? civil 
 trot $t\a% Chorus, of Creon Soph. 0. T. 1418. 
 
 265. ei/(pp6w,i;. The euphemistic name of Night. So in Hes. Op. 
 558 'the long festive nights of winter'. 
 
 267. Comp. Lysander's despatch eaAwxavn rctl 'MZvat. 
 
 271. 'accuses you' of being well pleased. 
 
 275. The irreligious soul, from a Pythagorean point of view. 
 
 276. 'unfledged' 'inflated'; quite different metaphors, which is 
 
 a sign of excited feeling. 
 
 280. Lit. 'and who of messengers could attain this speed'. But 
 
 Prof. Karsten's correction should be adopted, ayyeAAwv. 
 
 281. There were three torch-races at Athens, 
 
 ffrsiz, nv&6t}v<a. Suid. S. V. 
 283. Juno's stages, II. 14, 225, are Olympus, Athos, Lemnos, 
 
 Imbros, Ida. 
 286. From Hes. Th. 781. yyeA/>j TwAeTra* ITT' elfe* vura
 
 188 COMMENTARY. 
 
 SaAa<r<r>K- vuri&iv seems to be formed like 
 Comp. vwfi' tVa-wv eTrip^vTSs Hes. Sc. 286. "TTTTUV vurotffiv 
 sipwevot; Theogn. 249. Several of the words in this 
 celebrated passage are chosen for their suggestiveness : 
 "lS*t. iSs7v, 'Efftatov v. 283, epp, the string of lights; 
 'Aflwov v. 285, without damage; Mscniirrov v. 289 the 
 stage of greatest length , /KXTTOV <re'Aa$ JEsch. Fr. 283 
 Did.; Elf!* v. 292, ft*-* fair beam; FopySjnv v. 302, 
 A<y<5rAayxTOv V. 303 , <y<$ and perhaps a'/yAt? ; (tryciipsw 
 v. 304 Megaris , which country the light is then traver- 
 sing; Ttuyuvse. V. 306, Tpoi&vtot; A^ijv ovru xaAov/ttsvo? 
 Suid. s. v. ; jrpwv' v. 307 , ripwv was the hill on the side 
 of which Hermione stood Paus. 2. 34. No doubt there 
 are others which the Ed. has been unable to detect. 
 288. This passage is a direct imitation of the following: 6 5' 
 ap* en S/v>}5 cfjopov<rx$, Jjil-ev TriSioto 7ro<fi xpcti7rvo7<ri TTS- 
 Tstrfiott Horn. II. 21. 245, where vii^ev stand first in a 
 verse. Compare also ibid. 302 rov 5' v^6<re yowvar' 
 eir&cc ztffffovTO$ , and sftftzvsl ffKifrymnn v.yffov Prom. 
 V. 676 , where ?<r<rev is again first word. In Persae 470 
 
 7nr' is the reading of M. , most of the other Mss. have 
 >/ > 
 
 
 295. Heath must grow to a much larger size in Greece than 
 with us, as is evident from Theocr. 5. 64 SpvTopix; t-v- 
 ho%i<r$Tai r&s iffitcxs. E. M. s. v. epexw. !peoj ilSos 
 SevSpov sv^sfuq ff%ify(Aevov' yevro 5' spsixttq ffxyxciviov 
 Suid. s. v. oyxtf. 
 
 301. Perhaps there is an allusion in tppovpct to a block-house 
 guarded by TeptToAo*. 
 
 304. uTfvvs flfffjuov is from orpvvew TropTrijv Horn. Od. 7. 151; 
 8. 30; D. 10. 158. 'the edict' i. e. those who were to 
 execute it. Perhaps the earliest instance of the verb 
 (Aiyctifeiv is Sol. Fr. 1. 2 pv.Se psycttpe. ctneyxQTOq is 
 found in Horn., Hes., and at least twice in ^Esch. 
 
 314. Lit. 'they win first and last alike, fulfilling the course by 
 taking up the running one from another'. 
 
 322. aAet^ap is liquid fat, oil; ffrsctp hard fat, dripping; 5n/ueA>} 
 
 soft fat, like lard. Suid. s. v. jn/ttcAt}. 
 
 323. TrpcsevveTTfiv is 'to say with reference to' and so equals 
 
 'speak to' when you expect a reply, and 'speak of 
 when you do not.
 
 COMMENT AKY. 189 
 
 327. Editors object without reason to the vulgate. The poet 
 
 wishes to remind us of such scenes as the death of 
 Priam. In the F. Scholia correct yiveraii (frvr^Kpioi; (sic). 
 Compare (Pvrxhpiu Trttrpl Soph. Fr, 538. 
 
 328. 'Heretofore' i. e. as before their slavery they used to do. 
 332. Seems to allude to some arrangement by drawing lots for 
 
 securing order at the e<sTid<ret$. Compare Ar. Eccl. 681 
 foil. n^vifUffu Truvrcts eu$ &v elS&e; o Aa%a)v &*iy 
 %ctifuv ev O7roiu ypttftftxri 5e<5rve7 xrA. 
 
 335. ctHptct is aijp vve4>fAa$ in which /waAAov $vx,ot; yiverut 
 
 Arist, Prob. 25. 18. 
 
 336. Comp. Menand. p. 96 Meineke. Vxv eyo> roi/s 5rAot/<n'oi/< 
 
 ov ffrevsiv T$ vvxrcts . ovSs ffTpsQoftevovs civu xciru o'ipoi 
 Af'yefv. >)Dv Se xoti yrfZov rivet VTTVOV netdsvSstv . aAAa TUV 
 
 5TTfcl%WV TlVCt. 
 
 344. As if the whole course were a straight piece of wire which 
 
 the runner bends at the middle making the two halves 
 parallel to one another. The two strings of a sling were 
 called xA Suid. s. v. 
 
 345. av&'tTKH; flvaT<jn Hes. Op. 118. Clyt. is stating all the 
 
 chances against the victors : let them be as pious as they 
 will, they have shed much blood; and the spirits of the 
 dead will not rest until their slayers have paid the 
 penalties of homicide. 
 
 350. Lit. 'for I have chosen the enjoyment of many blessings'. 
 
 trvv !<rflAo7<r<v xoheeffirtv Hes. Op. 118. 
 
 351. evtppovut; 'cheerfully' because hopefully. The last two lines 
 
 of the queen's speech have two meanings. The Chorus 
 understand them to signify a sincere desire for the wel- 
 fare of the Greeks; or they speak insincerely and praise 
 her for that in which her speech was deficient, et'^pwv 
 in JEsch. always means 'cheerful'. The gnome that a 
 sensible man will hold fast to good hope is of common 
 occurrence in Greek. 
 
 352. rsxpypiov is &A>jfl<vov <rt)^e7av, for ffypelov may be false. 
 
 Suid. s. v. 
 
 354. Lit, 'not unworthy of our pains' in the following ode. 
 
 355. "fl Zev TravaAwTou. The predication is blended with the 
 
 invocation. Thus f3a<nAf7 equals 'assuredly thou art 
 king' and so on; and often elsewhere. Nv* irri yctp 
 vt vv% 6eb$ vTrep ttoffpov Procl. on Hes. Op. 17. Her
 
 190 COMMENTARY. 
 
 peculiar yspas is petvTOffvvy a.^s\jly^ Orph. Fr. p. 168 
 
 C. Tauch. 
 358. ffreyzvbv is 'holding fast whatever is enclosed in it'. So of 
 
 a water-tight ship Supp. 134. Suid. s. v. TO MA<axbv 
 
 irAsTsv; of a tower which keeps out the enemy Theb. 
 
 797; of a roof that keeps out wet, Diodoras cited by 
 
 Suid. s. v. 
 367. See Critical notes. 
 
 374. voD$ syysvts Soph. El. 1328; x6vos eyyevrt; jEsch. Cho. 466; 
 
 x?3:$ syyeves ,ZEsch. Supp. 336; eyyevy x>}A7$2 ri}^ xzxias 
 Plut. De Sera N. V. 20. s-yyovos is 'produced in' not 
 necessarily from birth; sxyovot^ is 'born from'; fyyevfo 
 is 'born in', inherent from birth. 
 
 375. As this passage relating to the Trojans is directly taken 
 
 from II. 13. 620 foil., the student will do well to read 
 over the whole of Menelaus' speech. 5>?p<< fwtuv Supp. 
 412. 6fffot; 3 5r;o$ b'A/3 Hes. Op. 317. 
 
 376. Compare the phrase TOA{/$ yrveiv. 
 
 378. oA/3<o$ o$ vxlei T-//UVTO$ Hes. Th. 955. ovx spapxt 
 
 oi>y sv%oftzt , AA' epoi s'ty t$v JTO TW 
 
 %,OVTl 7TOVOV ThCOgn. 1155. 
 
 379. TOffffov xfo-Toq, o'ffffov s Tpxe7v Sol. Fr. 20. 1. asrapxgTv is 
 
 retained in deference to the Codex Fl. It should be 
 clearly understood by the reader that these quotations 
 from Hesiod Theognis and Solon are not given as il- 
 lustrations but as the actual source from which the ideas 
 and phrase of ^schylus were immediately derived. 
 
 380. This is directly from Theogn. 353 el yvuws cA^e<; (tepos 
 
 and fifTfov ex,uv ffotpfaq \. 876, and remotely from Horn. 
 Od. 8. 547 oA<yov vrep eyri^zvaif TrpxTriSsfffffV 'who has 
 even a slight touch of sense'. It may be observed in 
 passing that Theocr. 21. 4 xv oA/yov VVXTO$ TH; e?r<- 
 bctiiGMSi is taken directly from the latter passage; so 
 that 'and if he does get a little touch of night' will be 
 the poetic form of ^<xpbv 5' vxvov Xz%uv Xen. Anab. 3. 
 1. 4, and will approximate to Tennyson's 'and ever 
 failed to draw the quiet night into her veins'. Here 
 you may contrast the ancient and modern from of ex- 
 pression ; and observe how florid the latter is even in our 
 most chaste of poets. It should be added that the editors 
 wish to correct the passage in Theocr. ; for which see Paley.
 
 COMMENTARY. 191 
 
 385. xa< /MS (3Sra!< o7vo< Theogn. 503; pv <rs fiizff&u >yzffrvf 
 
 ibid. 486; TSV/JJ? Se jt*v fpya (3<Sra< Sol. Fr. 5. 41. 
 
 386. 'fatal child of Ruin'. Htpfproi; in JEsch. is applied only 
 
 to what is in the highest degree pernicious. "ATJJ is 
 here the goddess of death and destruction; Temptation, 
 her daughter and coadjutor by quasi-Hesiodic genealogy. 
 
 387. ovSs xct&upaiov eupvtrsi rus a/u7rAax/s Tu.\>rx$ u.xo$. STT^ yap 
 
 TZVTeit TIJC zSlltitf, KCtt TO $Xl(t6vtOV SLffVyyVUf4QTa,TOV yiVSTXt. 
 
 Stob. 74, 61. 
 
 396. QV yap roiye nXvavrtv , uTroTrrvovtri $t T' #pa< Hes. Op. 724. 
 
 afle'p' e A<TV Apoll. Rh. 2. 477. vt/v e%v TraAivrposrov 
 oJ/<v Iv XtTz7<rtv JEsch. Supp. 173. 
 
 397. 'each' is taken out of oi/V/s, as always in this sort of 
 
 sentence. The meaning required for iT/Vrpo^ov is clear, 
 but it is a singular fact that it only occurs in Gram- 
 marians in this sense of 'worshipper, one who turns 
 towards a god in prayer'. Prof. Weil cites Eustathius 
 Opuscula 2. 48; 247. 10. There is besides Moschop. 
 Hes. Op. 725 where also e^<o-Tpo0ij is 'worship', and 
 TOU A<o$ sTTUTTpoQi) E. M. s. v. (Heioftui. For this use of 
 5ij compare 2oxf7re 3$ Prom. V. 955, ra<; ercup'tScu; lv> 
 Xen. Hell. 4. 56 , (pi^ovt; $*> OVTUS Thuc. 6. 80 and often. 
 
 407. pift(p is partly like xoZQa, |3.0$ Hes. Sc. 223 and partly 
 
 like fstSius = 'temere'. It occurs Hes. Sc. 342, 378- 
 Compare 'domo levis exsilit' Hor. Sat. 2. 6. 98. 
 
 408. Lit. 'daring things not to be dared'. arA^Ta TfTovSw? 
 
 Theogn. 1029; Theocr. 25. 203. 
 
 411. ffTtfioi. 'form' as in the phrase 'a hare's form'. 
 
 412. ciT'ipaq is from Ttpy in the sense of 'penalty' as in the 
 
 verb eT<T<jtt2v. In fact T<^>J appears to be radically a 
 neutral word like 'pretium' 'cum et recte et perperam 
 facto pretium deberetur' Livy. 5. 47. If ay do pan comes 
 from a root of neutral signification, e. gr. ay*v, it can 
 mean (1) 'regard as in excess', and so, of a good thing , 
 'admire', or (2) of a bad thing 'disparage'. With the latter 
 interpretation Horn. II. 3. 224 is sound, though rejected 
 by all the editors, ol TOTS y 5' 'O^yffijo 
 elSot; tSovTes. Odyss. 10. 249 is like it, AA' oVe 
 7rcivT<; ayuffffdpi6' s^speovTs^ 'regarded him as overdoing 
 his sorrow and silence' 'surprised at him', with a 
 mixture of contempt.
 
 192 COMMENTARY. 
 
 413. alivTu. iSetv. So Aeyxwv (Ss7v at the extremities of a verse 
 Supp. 720. XAATTOV ei<;i$eiv infra v. 900. aSu^ovwv 
 has a neuter ace. like Sccipovuv %%* AT. Thesm. 1054. 
 Contrast a woman's frantic grief at the sight of the mar- 
 riage bed in the case of Jocasta Soph. 0. R. 1242, of 
 Deianira Trach. 913, of Halcyone Ov. Met. 11. 471 
 foil. The grief of Menelaus is silent <r<y$, which is 
 the exact meaning of uSypovSv. V$ yap 2<' bnovv 
 T>JV j>v%*)v TO AvsroDv exAaAwv eTrncouQi&i rys 
 TO /3pe$ Aristsen. 1. 17. By this word Suid. 
 and E. M. explain khvstv, cthvirbxiveiv , A&rov<v. <rA- 
 Ae<v , ciTTOpeiv . a/wtj^aveTv. 
 
 416. ro7$ rpOTTxion; Ktti ro7q xoAocro-oT? Plut. de Her. M. p. 225. 
 
 where it may mean merely ' statues'. For the custom comp. 
 (in addition to Eur. Ale. 248. 356) 'imagines defuncti, 
 quas ad habitum dei Liberi formaverat , divinis percolens 
 honoribus ipso sese solatia cruciabatf Apul. Met. 8. 7. 
 
 417. l %dpt<; verbum Venereum est, et Attici 
 
 xopttffut vocant puellas in guarum oculis apparet 
 
 D. Heins. Hes. p. 127. %ap*$ yap ovv % rov 
 V7rt%i$ ru cippsvi xexhyrcii Trpoq TUV TraXxtuv 
 
 Plut. Amat. 5. This is the meaning also infra v. 421. 
 
 418. %nv<<$ is, in this passage, from k and xs'^jjva, i. e. JEsch. 
 
 uses it in that sense, and his is the only derivation of 
 any importance for the interpretation of his poems. Love 
 is an affection which flows (/e7 and so gp$) from the 
 eyes of the loved one through the eyes of the lover into 
 his soul. This derivation may seem absurd , but , for the 
 student of Greek Literature, it is the only right one. 
 Eur. proposed Trrepus but only playfully. 
 
 426. T^ yap <is TrapepxsTxt, u$ 'ovctp, ?(3>j Theoc. 27. 8. So 
 Prof. Conington makes 'volucri Somno Virg. jEn. 2. 794 
 equal to Somnio and at ib. 6. 282 the 'Isomnia vana' are 
 in the form of birds. 
 
 430. rhviffixdpSKH; is formed like T#Aax*p2<o$ Hes. Sc. 429, and 
 has the meaning indicated in the Critical note. 
 
 432. %wpf7 5rpo5 ?Tp St/jj Soph. Ai. 938. esfpetaff&TO 6tv*ov 'laid 
 his hand on my soul' Horn. II. 20. 425. 
 
 435. From Horn. II. 7 333 rp Kuruxfopsv uvrotis, rvrdov 
 
 , U$ K OffTSCt TTUtff^V 
 
 ctvre veupebct Tr&rptSa ycttctv.
 
 COMMENTARY. 193 
 
 437. Ares is like a money-changer who gives gold for small 
 coin, little gold for much inferior metal; since he takes 
 the corpse and gives back a few precious ashes. 
 
 441. pzpv. The gold is heavy, and the ashes are the cause of 
 much grief. 
 
 443. ev&erovs. The specific gravity is great but the quantity 
 of the gold (i. e. ashes) is small , so that the vessel con- 
 taining it may be called light, ev&erov ffeixoq Sept. 642. 
 evMrou; iv ap/3i;Aa; JSsch. Fr. 255. 
 
 454. tv[4op(pot Mss. Paley's interpretation 'unburnt', which Herm. 
 would accept if the reading were epftopQot, is untenable 
 for the following reasons. The custom at Troy 1. c. is 
 for the Greek bodies to be burnt and the ashes brought 
 home; the Trojans burn their dead and then bury them; 
 for it is the native land of the deceased. Some Greek 
 heroes, as Patroclus, seem to have had their bones, 
 after burning , enclosed in cinerary urns and then buried 
 in the Troad II. 23. 244. Apparently , there is no other 
 mode of burial. Ajax , Soph. Ai. 1403 , died by suicide , 
 and in such a case the form of burial was certainly 
 different in some respects, and probably in this, that 
 he was buried entire. Without doubt the full rites in- 
 cluded burning both in the time of Homer and of Thu- 
 cydides (2. 52 end; 2. 34). In the case of an enemy 
 burial without burning appears to be the custom ; it was 
 the more careless and unceremonious mode. Thus the 
 body of Astyanax has an O(,VKTO<; Tu(po$ Eur. Tro. 1153; 
 but the Seven are burnt, Eur. Supp. 349. Rhesus is 
 burnt, Eur. Rh. 960. Alcestis was intended to be burnt, 
 Eur. Ale. 739. Polyxena's pyre is raised by the Greeks 
 themselves, for she is the bride of Achilles, Eur. Hec. 
 574, 575. But even if some corpses were buried entire 
 ivpoptpot could not express so much. We want a word 
 which will express the difference between resting at Troy 
 in the polyandrion heaped over their ashes, and being 
 carried home across the sea. The objections, then, to 
 this interpretation are, (1) the Homeric account; (2) the 
 indignity to brave men; (3) the custom of the time 
 of ^Esch. (4) the inadequateness of the word 
 to express it. Efywop0o< is a gloss written to 
 the Doric *form of ivxtj^ot. Which of these two forms 
 
 13
 
 194 COMMENTAEY. 
 
 is to be chosen is uncertain, but svxctXoi is the cause 
 of the gloss. Compare evSov 5' evxuXoi Horn. Od. 14. 
 479 ; and evxyXot Sixyovtriv ev< fftysrefoiffi Sopoiffiv Horn. 
 H. Heph. 7 from which this passage seems to be derived. 
 It is not clear that the Spartans buried the corpse 
 without burning, Diet. Ant. p. 555, for Pausanias was 
 a criminal, Thuc. 1. 134, and the passage in Plut. proves 
 nothing. tvxijAo* occurs Hes. Op. 669. 
 458. Lit. 'and exacts the debt imposed by a curse which the 
 
 people sanctions'. 
 
 463 467. 'Ep<vt/e$. rov$ $e TroiftTrav zvtttTOvs ctirwffziievYis rye 
 $ rpirt) xsti ayfiUTdrvi rwv 'ASpZffTsizi; inrovpyuv 
 TS xxt %aAfr#$ ZTTZVTZS YI$ZVHT xctl 
 TO appxTCv xzi zopctTOV Plut. de Sera N. 
 V. 22, who here lays down the Orphic doctrine more 
 clearly than Plato Phsed. 70. By rro*, then, JEsch. 
 means the spirits of unjust men undergoing punishment 
 after their existence on earth is closed. It is the VWW/KVO* 
 of Hes. Op. 153. "Avev 5<'x$ apzvpov is from Hes. Op. 
 319 si y&f TI$ HOC} xepffl fiiy pzyzv 'oA(3ov ctpyrxi fftct 
 $e fj.iv ftetvpivffi 6eoi. Ovns a\icd. xttxov $ oltc ~< 
 
 Hes. Th. 876. TfAcfl(r Op. 199. 
 ev <fov Tpo^ /3ox6f<av ov& T-< 
 
 zt;. Damascius ap. Suid. s. v. 
 The unjust man after death is in the hands of Adrasteia 
 from whom there is no escape. 'Aitrroti;. Theog. 152 
 vpt u nfXXei (Zfvs) %wwv olSepictv Qspevctt. Linus 
 Fr. 1. 3 K?ps . " Tf /3f /3Av o^Aov ctiVTuffcti uraii; 
 
 7Tp~i xd.VTCt TTfSuffl. 
 
 469. fiufv cyxo<$. ^ /uvfrxf vQeupZro TO pd.po$ rov o'lxov xxi 
 TOV oyxov Plut. Amat. 2. Jv by 0*5 yap elffi TO TS b%v 
 xzi TO fictpv Philop. ap. Suid. S. \. oj-. TOV oyxov -rij? 
 TvpzvviZo$ ib. S. V. Ti^ptot;. xctru TS npoyovuv 'oyxov 
 Dion. H. ib. S. v. no<rTO/tfiC{. si THOVTOV y.v oyxw TO 
 ov Babr. 28. 
 
 481. xvfutevret xapZictv xctpeiv. The metaphor is given in the 
 Trans. The heart's 'catching fire from the fever-poison' 
 is probably in strict conformity with medical science in 
 the tune of JEsch. xcepsTv alludes to the languor and 
 prostration which follow upon febrile excitement. See 
 also vv. 1172, 1255.
 
 COMMENTAKY. 195 
 
 483. alxpt in at least three places in JEsch. is equal to 
 
 P. V. 405, Cho. 630 and here. They are from syno- 
 nymous roots ffiffffu and Mu. 
 
 484. Tffl rov (Petvfvrot; is vpl T<V&$ 4>v^vTO just as you write 
 
 yrfi ffov and not irpd <rou. The grammarians confine this 
 rule to personal pronouns; if they are right we must 
 read jrpo" TOW. Lit. 'before the appearance of anything'. 
 'In preference to what is clearly seen' is absurd, and 
 thoroughly untrue. 
 
 485. TriQctvol $s ovrus stffl T<VEC usre xplv slSsvcti TO irpstr- 
 
 roftevov Trpbrepov TreiQeffbeti Xen. ap. Suid. s. v. This 
 is precisely what the poet says 'women are prone to 
 credit what is pleasing, before it is actually proved to 
 be true'. There is a double meaning in o"po$ (1) 'axiom, 
 or, admitted truth' (2) 'boundary land'. The right 
 interpretation of this passage was discovered by Donald- 
 son to whose genius and genuine scholarship we are so 
 greatly indebted. 
 
 492. Qykuffctt ' Trctpu. TO oNpaAAw E. M. s. V. o-</4>jjAo$. 
 
 494. ncLffiq TnjAoD tcoviq. This relationship was probably so de- 
 fined by Pythagoras ; else it is a poetic expansion of one 
 of his ipse-dixits. From him no doubt Plato derived 
 that which is ascribed to him by Apuleius De Dogm. 
 PL 1. 8 'et sicut ignis aeri cognatione conjungitur ita 
 humor terrena affinitati jugatur'. They mean, 'a proof 
 from something of an opposite nature to fire, and of a 
 "more substantial character'. With %vctv$o$ cp. ayysAo? 
 $0oyye$ of a fire signal, Theogn. 549. 
 
 500. Lit. 'may an adjunct to fair appearances turn out fairly'. 
 
 501. This is a demonstrative proof that they understood the 
 
 queen's prayer at v. 349 TO 5' ev xpuroi*! to mean 'that 
 which is favourable to me'. 
 
 505. fotyeKTuv lit. 'snapped'; but when the cable snaps the ship 
 is wrecked. rv%u)v seems to be from a different me- 
 taphor, or it is used in its unfigurative use. 
 
 507. 'grave-land share' is opposed to a share of land for cul- 
 tivation during life. 
 
 511. glfffla II. 10. 450, 'ibis'. It has not yet been clearly put 
 by any editor that in Soph. Ai. 172 foil. "APTS/MK 
 TavpoToAa and 'Evi^A<o$ are proposed by the Chorus 
 as the probable agents of the madness of Ajax because 
 
 13*
 
 196 COMMENTARY. 
 
 they were indigenous divinities-, that is Soph, with imper- 
 fect knowledge of the localities regards the Artemis of 
 the Taurian peninsula (this is all that T*upo5r6Aa means) 
 and "Apn$ the Thracian war-god, as gods of the land; 
 and they pray that Phoebus of the Argive land, v. 187, 
 may put forth a more powerful influence in favour of 
 Ajax. 
 
 520. If he said $at$po7$ iSSvrss oftpsurtv (Voss, Weil) it would 
 imply that that they were not then looking with glad 
 eyes. 
 
 526. The time for sharpening the share %fitff<ro^fvoto ffiSjpov 
 and turning up the soil was at the setting of the Pleiads, 
 so that for this reason alone we could not be very much 
 offended with line 826 of this play. See Hes. Op. 382, 
 608. pgxAA)<v* TO Trapci ro7$ KOIVOIS T^KTTIOV Moschop. 
 1. c. The philologists must decide whether r^&nov has 
 anything to do with 'spade'. 
 
 528. The metaphor is taken from clearing land. 
 
 532. ffvvreXe7s ovv 01 ffvvSxTrctvuvrss xa.1 ffwetsQeponrss Suid. S. V. 
 
 535. pvffiz Sevres Sol. Fr. 19. 3 is said of unjust men punished 
 by the gods. Here it seems to be 'the property seized 
 by Paris and claimed back by the Atreidae. 
 
 537. 2<TA2 ace. to Hes. Op. 709 $1$ rosa rivvrtsii (ttftwfrttvot;. 
 is rightly explained by Sch. F. 6 /t*Krflb$ rfc 
 
 . 
 
 539. Xon jam mortem deprecor. Sail. J. 24 end. In Soph. Fr. 
 494 Did. KVTaipovfftv' civriXeyovffiv , read avrspovtrtv. 
 
 542. voffyft' epuros TOUT' eQipepov xctxov Soph. Fr. 646. 
 
 543. 3e<TTo<r, not 'master the meaning of but 'make the^tate- 
 
 ment my own; own to it'; so Ssffvo^stv $6(3*1$ Choeph. 188. 
 546. 'latere petitus imo spiritus'; a sign of love. 
 548. |3A<|3 is Lat. 'malum' the punishment of slaves, rvpawuv 
 
 Fl. V. and xmpitvuv F. in the next line are glosses on 
 written by some one who took offence at the 
 
 comparison. 
 
 550. Nunc est profecto interfici cum perpeti me possem Ter. 
 Eun. 3. 5. 3. 
 
 554. TTctvttTryinuv Hes. Op. 809. 
 
 555. ov$ JTOT' yftap irctdffovroii xxpitrov xcii o'i%vo$. ovSe ri 
 
 vvxrup QQstpopevot aAA' f/^7r>}5 xai roltri pepi^-eTcu 
 ^ Kxo7<fiv Hes. Op. 174. The herald complains in
 
 COMMENTARY. 197 
 
 v. 557 that they had only xaxa without the admixture 
 of Jo-flAo". 
 
 556. 7r&w%iq seems to be the same as irelpoSos 'a passage from 
 one end of the deck to the other by the side of the 
 rowers, Lat. 'agea',' L. and S. yrctpoZov xctl e?n/3aflpav 
 Artemid. III. proem, 'gang-way' in both senses. 
 
 560. The generation of dew is accurately described Arist. Meteor. 
 1. 10; Apul. de Mundo 8. 
 
 562. The common interpretation of 2vfl>jpov 'like that of wild 
 beasts ' having been at length deservedly exploded , some 
 editors have fallen back on Stanley's conj. vfl>jpdv which 
 is even worse. Something might be said, in despair, 
 for f'vfijjpov but avflnpov is a blunder without any redeeming 
 feature. For it means 'like a flower' in glossiness, luxu- 
 riance, richness of colour, and curliness: compare, for 
 example, e?rvfle7v' o ffypctivei /uaAAov TO 2a<rD E. M. s. v. 
 STrevyvo&e , Trhoxxpot avfltjpo'i xa< evctvhoi Callist. Ecphr. 
 p. 524 Aldine Ed. Tft%bq avfljo-<v ibid. 'Like the hyacinth' 
 in the Odyssey is rightly referred by Hayman to the curl 
 of the petals. Again , if Stanley's conj. be said to mean 
 'grey', avflo? has in itself no notion of whiteness. In a 
 word like QttAavQos , avfl signified 'sprouting', and <A 
 the whiteness; so $aAxpo$ is 'white at top' and Suid. 
 s. v. is mistaken. Aevxav6f$ xapa Soph. 0. T. is another 
 place where avfl has no shade of white in it, and 3v- 
 Qtrpevov Soph. El. 43 is wrongly rendered by Jebb ' with 
 this silver hair'; it should be 'thus tricked out', as 
 Wunder and others. That nothing may be left unsaid 
 in vindication of that impossible reading avfl*ipov, there 
 is Hes. Fr. p. 312 D. Heyne xa< yap <r(piv KsQahyrt 
 xctru. xpvoq ctlvbv e%evev , aACpo? yap ^po'a Travra xare- 
 <r%gflfv' ev Ss vv %ctircii sppeov etc xe^aAewv ' 4'<AwTO 2 
 xaAa x^pjjva, and Plut. Quaest. Nat. 6. where dew is 
 said to have a septic property, TO Sytcrtxov. Hes. Op. 
 537 "vet rot rpi%es otTpepsuffi fityS' opflat (ppitrffuirtv aei- 
 popevcu KKT ffupct. The last is of hair standing erect 
 through cold, and if the Ed. is right it was not this 
 passage which JEsch. had in mind but ibid. 553, 554. 
 The considerations in support of epTreSov rivot; rAtvres 
 l fljpwv Tpi%l efffaftctTuv are the following. Hesiod re- 
 commends for winter clothing (and jEsch. is speaking of
 
 1 98 COMMENTARY. 
 
 cold weather) undergarments of wool, ox-leather boots 
 with linings of compressed wool, a kid-skin cloak, and 
 a felt cap covering the ears, 7v (vsro^ OVUTX ^ xotrct- 
 v. 552, and ^TTOTS v ovpctv6bev VKOTOSV vttpos 
 %pTa re (AvSuheov &eiy, tcara 6' e'i p at. T at, 
 Op. 553, 554. T fixes means the hair and skin 
 Horn. Od. x 239. Hesiod states that the North wind 
 can penetrate every kind of skin and hair except a 
 sheep's rpi%i;, and , probably without knowing that Hes. 
 had said it 26 centuries before him, a writer in the 
 Times shortly before the army started for the Crimea 
 gave warning that no amount of woollen clothing, but 
 only sheep-skin with the wool, would avail against the 
 cold in that peninsula. Among the chiefs at Troy, Paris 
 and Menelaus wear leopard-skins H. K. 29: y. 17, the 
 common soldiers probably wore sheep-skins in winter; 
 caps made of the skin of various animals are frequently 
 mentioned in the Iliad. Lastly Ibycus p. 218 Schneid. 
 speaks of (rrtpQuTypst crrpctTov 'an army clothed in skins', 
 and Theogn. v. 55 AA' (ol ?rp6o-fl') &(t( 
 
 569. TO [tfaoT* etc. gives the result or consequence of the state- 
 ment made, exactly as v. 15 TO py /3e|3/$ etc. 
 
 571. TOV %uvrx 5' Aye7v ^pij. The dead have no further cause 
 
 for grief , but the living have , for they are still exposed 
 to the caprices of fortune. So JLsch. Fr. 
 
 JtTTOfftU^OV (JLS TOV Tgflv)jJOTO$ TOV VT 
 
 Soph. Fr. 785 o*u 5' xvSfa fiv^Tov el nxre^tro 
 eiSuS TO jUfAAov ovSsv el xspSos (pepit. 
 
 572. See Critical note. 
 
 575. xorupevoH; is a direct allusion to Theogn. 237 foil. 
 
 577. SJTTOTS in order to mean 'of yore' must be for J^ 
 
 584. Comp. Anth. 6. Ill xuxov 5' IT) y^pao; vif 
 
 vioruws vev'ni , Philost. V. S. s. v. Herodes 
 n'cti y^pdffnovTt TO ^cvfiavf<v, ^Esch. Supp. yfiuvret 
 S 1 evyhuffffu (ppsvi. ev (4U&s7v is equal to fv^afleVtv slvxt 
 Ho be quick at learning', just as $vff(ta6e7v Choeph- 
 225 is 'to be slow at learning (who I am)'. 
 
 590. (ppvxrwpot; is 'a man who tends a signal -fire'. Paley accents 
 rightly with Schutz, but translates wrongly. 
 
 592. 'parvis mobili rebus muliebri animo' Livy 6. 34.
 
 COMMENTARY. 190 
 
 597. xxtvouvret; is 'consecrating a thing when it is first used'. 
 607. SupciTuv xv'vx is from Hes. Op. 602. The next line is from 
 
 Sol. Fr. 5. 5 yAwxDv $s Qikoic; ex&fdtiri $s xtxpov. 
 609. ret TXHSIH. ff*f4t)vxfAevoi; xaritetnev Plut. Instt. Lac. 23. 
 
 611. 'mulier sine culpa, sine fabula'. Apul. De Magia 69. 
 
 612. The passage in Plutarch is the following: p' ovv 
 
 T<$ >jv Kiel (peififtxt-^ ruv 7rA< T%viriuv yr 
 u$7Tp y XsyopevYi ruv !-i(puv ffroputrn; 
 ex%((ixv tr% 5roAe/w<xwv tpywv o %aAxo$; de Pyth. Or. 
 p. 102 (C. Tauchn.), It is evident that he is not alluding 
 to the existence of any 'dye' for bronze, but to some 
 alloy which in time produced the bluish-green colour : 
 for he goes on to speak of 'Corinthian brass' which 
 neither he nor any one else, we may presume, ever 
 supposed to be dyed. He also proves that there was a 
 well-known tradition of some long lost mode of temper- 
 ing copper to the strength of steel, as in the follo- 
 wing: Sia, rov %X\KOV % ra ysufyiKO. spyct eipytifyvTO , 
 Six T<VO$ fiaffis ffTefpGTTiHovvTes ctiirov Mosch. Hes. Op. 
 150. 5< Tvb$ /3a4>iJ$ TOV ^Axov ffrsppoTrotovvrss, force, 
 (pvffsi ftcthctxov exA<7rovff$ Se rtj$ fictQys STfl ryv rov 
 eAflfi'v, Procl. 1. C. %Axo7? yp TO TTU- 
 M %i$efft xcti ysu^ymolq epyxheiote; 
 {j rtvl rzvrct ffTOftovvret; ' 
 
 5e ryq tTTOpoveys fiaffis rov %Axov. ^pwjwefla TW 
 J. Tz. 1. c. 
 
 615. Lit. 'thus she told her tale to you a learner (who have 
 much to learn about her conduct) cleverly in the opinion 
 of sharp-witted interpreters (those who know the whole 
 story) of her words. There is no reason for hesitation 
 in the case of ropotyiv eppyvtvirtv. Cp. Soph. Fr. 305, 
 Didot: Ktti rbv flebv rowvrov e%7riffrafcti. <ro(po7$ psv 
 otlvtxrijpa &ff(piir<av ei . <7xa<o7$ Se (pzuXov xctv " 
 
 such, as I've learned, is god: he speaks his will 
 always in riddles to the wise; to fools 
 he is a poor and curt interpreter. 
 
 620, 1. ne me in breve conjicias tempus gaudio hoc f also frui' 
 Ter. Hec. 5. 4. 2. Ae^<(M, because without oux eVS' 
 oV$ the form would be e} A^/^< oux &v KXf7ro7vro. 
 623. <r%rfl^vT ruSs , i. e. rakytfi and rat whet, the other com-
 
 200 COMMENTARY. 
 
 binations being TAJJ&? x#x<, and TO. ^sv$>j xs3vei. Si- 
 milarly Evenus Fr. 3 vpot; ffo<piz juev exsiv ToA/^av ^Aa 
 strri, %up1s Ss fiXxfiepy. That is papist with 
 , and <ro</ with 2e<A/ are not good. 
 
 626. jtvz%6els epQavuq. This is the Homeric account, which 
 JSsch. does not follow; Horn. Od. 3. 151, 168. xotvov 
 is 'common to the whole fleet'. 
 
 641. The dead body is #yo$, hence e^styifytv may be said of 
 carrying a corpse out of a house. But the 'callida 
 junctura' gives the word a new meaning as if it might 
 also come from st-aysw to drive out. The latter is more 
 prominent, and is so rendered in the Trans. 
 
 645. Tov2' is TOV^' ayyet.ov. 
 
 649. (Jeopyvtct TWV 6At7<r/v Suipovuv Procl. Hes. Op. 664. 
 
 651. Trvp V^XTI (tiyvCvati. TO Trctfoiftiot^opsvov sv rots uSwaTotq 
 Plut. de Primo Frigore p. 410 (C. T.); see Theogn. 1245. 
 
 659. 'Turn mare velivolum florebat navibus' Lucr. 5. 1441. 'Ar- 
 
 riKUTepov 51 TO A'/y*ov Suid. s. v. whom the Ed. was 
 unwilling to follow, in the absence of any confirmation. 
 A<y7ov contains an allusion to 1j/f? and so keeps up 
 the imagery in xepoTU5rat/jttfv<, Troiftsvos <rrpof3 and \. 
 670; for T /*fyA xvftarz 1ya$ e\> ry rvvqtefo 
 Aeyoj!*ev Artimid. 2. 12. 'vagues' and 'Waegen, Wogen' 
 contain the same root as 7ye$ ace. to Reiffius 1. c. who 
 quotes the erroneous explanation of Varro de L. L. 4 
 '^Egseum dictum ab insulis a similitudine caprarum'. 
 Compare also Alyxiov TreXzyoq' TO 0oj3epwTTov Suid. 
 s. v. so that it was a proverb, as in Hor. 'tutum per 
 ^Ega3os tumultus'. 
 
 660. vexpuv ;rept % vitvctyiuv ov$s ensvoovv etlr^ffcct uvxipefiv Thuc. 
 
 7. 72; in which passage the vexpot are the dead bodies 
 floating in the water, and the vuvuytct the wrecks as 
 containing many corpses in the lower decks; otherwise 
 avuipsffii; would not be either asked , or said of the latter. 
 So vxvitytov to a Greek would mean nearly the same as 
 ToAAoi vsxpo't. 
 
 662. 'saved either by fraud or intercession'. Instances of si- 
 milar rescues occur in Homer; but both verbs seem to 
 be taken from the law-courts at Athens. 
 
 664. u,sl $s #yfl>j % xxtosfyftevy iTw^t)) Artemid. 2. 37. % rw AAow 
 ov ITTI ru xocp%yffiu xxQefyftevov Luc. de M. C. 1.
 
 COMMENTARY. 201 
 
 677. avov cnrb %hupov T/*V(IV Hes. Op. 751. &6v re x p- 
 repiat Horn. II. 5. 515. xcti tfivTU, noil flaAAovra Soph. 
 Trach. 235. #Ap6v ' rb axpd&v. MevctvSpot;. Harp. s. v. 
 
 682. e$ ri xZv occurs eight times in the Eumenides. 
 
 683. t*v] TI$ i. e. one of the daemons 'quos licet sentire, 11011 
 
 datur cernere' Apul. Flor. 2. 10. The only visible di- 
 vinities are the sun, moon and stars Apul. de Deo. S. 
 1 and 2. Trpovotcttirt is the knowledge of the individual's 
 pot pa, possessed by the daemons. Plutarch (after Plato, 
 and Plato interpreting the Orphic doctrines) explains 
 
 TTfOVOfOt (1) ft TOV TTfUTOV &SOV (TOV 71C&VTUV 7TZTp6$ TS X'JU 
 
 Syftiovfyov^ voy<ris tire xcti &ovhwt$. (2) >j SevTfpuv Qsuv, 
 TUV XT' ovfxvov IOVTUV (sun, moon and the other op 
 povov, 'hands of Time'), (3) 7rf6voi re x T 
 ruv otroi Trepl y>Jv $xif*ov$ TsrctyiAevoi ruv a 
 7Ff%euv (pvhzxet; re xzi iviffxoTrol etfft. De Fato 9. 
 
 686. aptptvetxij Aydveipav Soph. Tr. 104. 
 
 689. 'Death-knell of navies etc.' This trans, is given as being 
 slightly less odious than that which has hitherto been 
 adopted by translators. The word 'hell' is so entirely 
 theological, un-Attic, and in every way objectionable 
 that it ought on no account to be admitted. 
 
 692. yiyctq is the same as y>jyev^. ov$ xAfOt/<r< y<yvT$ 
 ouvexa rife lyevovro Orph. Fr. 50; so E. M. o yiyevif$ 
 ffTpctTOt; TiyeivTtav Soph. Trach. 1058. fi$2 ryq yeveffeuq 
 (TUV a.ve(4uv) up%tj S^Aov uq en yvis effTiv Arist. Meteor. 
 2. 4. venti, qui facti e telluris halitu constent terrigencR 
 nuncupantur, Apul. de Mundo c. 10. r&v ytiyevij xcti 
 X,pffx7ov ttsfst is opposed to rtv evzhov tccii Trehstytov 
 Plut. de Pr. Fr. 20. A wind blowing off the land, which 
 Helen would require, is called jroye< Arist. Probl. 26. 
 23 , 25 TO ex TK y>5$ x^s rijv flATT*v Trvsvpu yevo- 
 psvov. Lastly ytyzvTos has a side-meaning of aytpovs 
 xcti Qeo(Asi%ov Suid. S. v. yjjyeve7$, as in yyyevel (pvff^^ctTi 
 Ar. Ran. 825 and jrpbs To\)q rvyfvs7<; Ar. Nub. 853. 
 That the winds were believed to be earth-born in the 
 Orphic Theogony is clear from Suid. and E. M. s. v. 
 . Tp<To-Topf$. Thus we have the three meanings (1) earth- 
 born, like all winds; (2) blowing off land, proper to 
 this particular wind; (3) breathing the impious spirit of 
 the Giants (Typhos, Kottos, Briareus, Gyges all wind-
 
 202 COMMENTARY. 
 
 gods). yiyetvros' peydhov, i<r%vpov E. M. S. V. is a 
 
 wrong interpr. of this word. 
 698. f<$tJAAoy$ , the genuineness of which is beyond doubt, is 
 
 from Hes. Op. 392 w$ rot fxatrrz apt' ef JT<. Compare 
 
 JEsch. Supp. 856 v5p evflev e^6^evov T/ua fiforo'to'i fi^AAf*. 
 700. Pandora is x^a Avypa Hes. Op. 49. 
 
 706. sx(paru$. Svatpdru v, 1152. ct(pxr6^ re (puros re Hes. 
 
 Op. 3. 
 
 707. From Hes. Sc. 273 foil, rol 5' #v$pg$ ev u,yXdiu.i$ re opo7$ 
 
 re repj/<v t'^ov jroAiJ? 5' vfAsvaws bpupei. See on v. 737. 
 709. nerupetvfavMffx is accurately explained in Suid. s. v. ^fljj^. 
 
 711. /Kfy ffrevet. From Hes. Sc. 90 foil, {j'^rot/ ToAAa /tte- 
 
 re<rro voty^i^e r j Qirifftru ^v tiryv o%suv. xtxXytrxu is 
 
 especially used of a cognomen: 'A$poS<Vjv 
 
 Hes. Th. 197 from a$po$. xopuv^rvjv civSpss 
 
 Horn. II. 7. 138; <J>' ov 2ij 'Pifyjov xixA>?(rxTa< .3Esch. 
 
 Fr. 324, and often. 
 
 712. a<v6Agxrpov. In the marriage-hymn he was 
 714. A#/Kjrpw$. Aa^Tpw? '5e7v Choe'ph. 810. 
 
 Eum. 797. AajMTrpwc xov^fv ctlvixrvifluq Prom. V. 833 
 which equals fvapy$ Sept. 139. AfAf^c'vwv Af<5rpw$ 
 TWV ffTTovSuv Thuc. 2. 7 AajMTpws sXeyero ibid. 8. 67 
 where the Schol. explains by Qaveput;, uvctptpfffpyryrui;. 
 rctvr ovv eTre^y Ajtt-pa trvppct'tvst Soph. Trach. 1174 
 where the Sch. (pctvspii, ffztptj, TrpoSjjAa. Aa^srpw?' TO 
 <$vepw?. ou TO IvSo'lfw? Suid. s. v. The phrases in which 
 fljjv occurs are, in Homer ou 6>iv, twice; ov JM^V flv, 
 twice; riijAei/? fl^v . ^.ei^sre byv . v> flviv, twice; vj fl^v ?rou. 
 
 5 fl>1V (4V ftzXz. OU fljjV 0'^', U$ 5>JV X< yp fl>)V. 7161 
 
 fljjv. in Theocritus, TV fl>iv. twice, x7 yap fljjv 
 fljjv Xeysrctl riq. AfyM f< ^ Trpuzv fl^v, xeifif. 6v 
 rs^tlTcti. In ^flsv (Prom. V. 202, 986 etc.) fluv is 
 shortened to flev, as pjv to /ev. 
 
 717. The false notion that Paris is the subject of this allegory 
 
 of the lion's cub arose from the mention of him v. 713 
 But he is introduced there only for the purpose of show- 
 ing the mistake which was made in calling him g&Aex- 
 Tpo$, and Helen is the burden of all these four first 
 strophes and antistrophes. 
 
 718. ayAxTov is 'weaned from his mother's milk', Toyey-
 
 COMMENTARY. 203 
 
 720. jrpoTeAe<o; contains a side-meaning of Tpv fvreAij ye- 
 
 vtfffaf. 
 
 723. itffz , 'haesit' Herm. The meaning should rather be as 
 Prof. Weil would have it like exsfvos $' avrl (rb 
 xarf^wv ev rots xfaTrots Ps-Babr. App. 6. 6. 
 725. Compare ?rp>ivve<v exl %e~tpa Hes. Op. 795. xvv 
 
 rijv %e7p xaSajn-p xvuv Philost. Apoll. 3. 4. The Ed. 
 has followed Bamberger and others , in construing trctbuv 
 re $cu$puiros-7roTl-%e7pet. 
 
 728. Jjflo? is very common in Hes. and Theognis. Nothing could 
 be more complete and absolutely certain than Professor 
 Conington's correction of this and the strophic line. The 
 metre and the sense are alike thoroughly changed to 
 that which is exactly right. For instance, no one would 
 think of Uoq in such a passage ; and in all the precisely 
 similar passages the word is jjflos, Pind. 01. 11. 21, 
 Philost. Apoll. 4, 38, Plut. de Sera N. V. 20. TpoVo?' 
 >jJo$ Suid. 300$ avflpwTou Suipuv a saying attributed to 
 Heraclitus is either an lonicism or we should read 
 Uoq Plut. Plat. Qusest. 1. 
 
 733. ctftuxov The meaning 'prodigious', which is so common 
 in later writers, seems to be got by a confusion with 
 ctfji.ctt(ji.dxTo<; (IffToq Horn. Od. . 311); as to the deriva- 
 tion E. M. hesitates between wxos. i*,u.tpd<Tffu , and /M^%>J. 
 JEsch. uses it in that sense derived from i*,dx#. 
 737. 'eijffirurpov FT' uTrjvys vjyovr' avSpj ywvaTxa and the rest of 
 the passage Hes. Sc. 273; see Stesich. Fr. 27 Bgk. We 
 must imagine Paris and Helen riding in a chariot from 
 the ship to the city while the Trojan citizens sing songs 
 of love and marriage, and scatter roses, myrtle, violets, 
 quinces. Gower C. A. Book 5 tells the story remarka- 
 bly well: 
 
 Paris vnto the quene wente 
 and hir in both his armes hente 
 with hym, and with his felauship; 
 and forth thei beare hir vnto ship. 
 Up goth the saile, and forth thei wente: 
 692. and suche a wynde fortune hem sent 
 696. till thei the hauen of Troie caught, 
 where out of ship anone thei straught, 
 and gone hem forth towarde the towne:
 
 204 COMMENTAKY. 
 
 706, 7, 8. the whiche came with procession 
 ayene Paris, to sene his praie. 
 And euery man began to saie 
 to Paris and to his felauship 
 all that they couthen of worship. 
 Was none so littell man in Troie 
 that he ne made mirthe and joye, 
 of that Paris had wonnen Heleyne. 
 
 But all that mirthe is sorow and peyne 
 to Helenus and to Cassandre. 
 1156. For thei it tolden shame and sklandre 
 395, 6. and losse of all the common grace, 
 
 401. that Paris out of holy place 
 
 402. by stelth hath take a mans wife: 
 whereof he shall lese his life 
 
 715,1305. and many a worthy man thereto, 
 1171. and all the citee be fordo, 
 
 whiche neuer shall be made ayene. 
 And so it fell right as thei seyne: 
 70. the sacrilege whiche he wrought 
 was cause why the grekes sought 
 unto the town, and it belaie, 
 and wolden neuer part awaie, 
 till what by sleight and what by strength 
 thei had it wonne in brede and length, 
 818. and brente and slayne that was within. 
 yidfuvra, is /rap' xvrct along of this, i. e. 'like this'. 
 
 742. /uA$2X9v. AA' ("Efuq) e%a,7rrtra,i paAaxw^ . xeit 
 
 olov exrtjxuv SUVTOV Pint, de Am. 4. He tries to describe 
 the glance which, for all its softness, pierces the soul. 
 
 743. $*i%iQv[iov #vfio. The metaphor is as yet unexplained. 
 
 Perhaps the allusion is only to the bewitching beauty of 
 some flowers. 
 
 744. AA# TrcepxMvuffi Hes. Op. 260. 
 
 750. yef, uv Aoyo$. See Iambi. V. Pyth. p. 65 ovoftd^ct^i Ss ru.q 
 axpaffiyv re xoii 7r\eove%iyv ' a.nQu Ss Tfokvyovoi 
 ib. 145 r~b yrpurov TUV x&xuv $ xAoi//uevv) 
 rpvQy, Sevrsfov vppi$, rtfrov oAfflpo^. 
 758. The impious i. e. the unjust deed. 
 
 760. enxoTot rexvet yovevo'tv Hes. Op. 233. 
 
 761. fvflwS/xwv is from Hes. Op. 228 UvSixw which Eustathius
 
 COMMENTARY. 205 
 
 explains by sv6v$ixyv. t&eiyirt Sixvri ibid. 36, 224, Th. 
 85 is opposed to <rxoA^<r lixyai Op. 217, 248, 260 etc. 
 The metaphor seems to be taken from the scales of a 
 balance. For the meaning see Theogn. 197. 
 
 762. xAA<:r<$, is explained by Hes. Op. 223 235 from which 
 
 this passage is taken. Plato calls Phaedrus xAA/ira<<, 
 that is, '/T<O<; woAAwv x< xaAwv A^ywv. See Babr. 11 
 xxt xcthMxctis ci^yiTg^ ehviSuv 7r\ypjt;. 
 
 763. After enumerating the beautiful offspring of Justice Hes. 
 
 1. c. goes on to contrast that of C'/3p<$. There is no word 
 
 either in Latin or English equivalent to v|3p<$. See Sail. 
 
 Jug. 41 ea quse res secundae amant lascivia atque superbia. 
 765. ved^ovtrav sv xctxott; is the vfifiv ctrdv^ct^ov of Hes. Op. 133, 
 
 239, opposed to fl^AAowo-tv S 1 ctyx6o7<rt v. 234. Now 
 
 T<r0*Aov is always explained by 6^AAoi/<rv iv arxu; 
 
 (Scholl. and Gramm.) It is clear that this is what Hes- 
 
 intended, and 2Esch. accepted as the etymon. 
 771. Construe 'an avenging daemon like her parents in unholy 
 
 recklessness of (which works) black ruin to families'. 
 
 flpao-os eiSophvi roxevnv is like Msvropi slSopsvy ^usv 
 fee xxi etvSjv Horn. Od. last line, and often. For 
 compare Hes. Op. 319 <'2w$ rot ;rpo$ voA/3<?j, 
 5' STri TT^OVTU. (Jt,\ctiva.$ U.TKI; is after the model 
 
 Of /weAxi; flvTO$ Op. 153. 
 773. I'M* 3' virep vfiptoi; '!<rx,ei e$ re'Ao? e^eAflou<r Hes. Op. 215 
 
 where Procl. explains by IXA^TS*. Electra's hut, Eur. 
 
 El. 1140 is TTOhvXXTTVOV ffT^yOf. 
 
 776. Ztpvsiov e^eflAov (Rome) Dion. Per. 0. D. 356. fepov erxsv 
 e^eflAov Ap. Rh. 4. 331. In each place the penult, is long. 
 The word is also quoted from Antimachus Fr. 87 which 
 the Ed. is unable to verify. <rvv TTIVW xepuv. xxxbrvri 
 re xetptts V*TTTO$ Hes. Op. 738. 
 
 779. !Tpo</3aAA apoypa? ('H^A<o?) Horn. II. . 421 , Od. r. 433. 
 
 782. el py> ftotp' evl rsppct fidXot Theogn. 1188. 
 
 786. vTrepyp&v' vTfpe(3(rv, not 'over' but 'past', Suid. s. v. 
 
 787. AA Soxei psv Truffiv cntii yAwo-fftj? Qihos fivat Theogn. 63. 
 795. fluffy /JTTroyvwjwova ^Esch. Fr. 238. 
 
 803. o(pp ctTroriffy Zyftos urctffDciXiKS (3a<r<A/wv, o'< Avypa 
 voevvres xrA. Hes. Op. 258, and the passage cited in 
 the Cr. notes. There is no doubt of the correctness of 
 Heimsoeth's emendation.
 
 206 COMMENTABY. 
 
 809. Lit. 'keeps the house of the city' as if they were stewards 
 of the state in the absence of the king. 
 
 812. 'won': lit. 'exacted from'. 
 
 813. UKO yA<r<r}$ is opposed to in (ppevbs Theogn. 63. and to 
 
 $i ypctpftaruv in Thuc. and SO equal to VTTO pvyftys, 
 but here it is 'not according to the speeches of the 
 two litigants' Comp. OVTQI 2<xe ravrct pxprvpuv viro 
 "ApK Supp. 934. 
 
 814. avpo6vi?T$ is opposed to T$ ffufyvircts. 
 
 816, 817. See critical note. The literal translation would be 
 something like 'Hope, impotent, went in to th' adverse 
 unimpregnated womb-vase '. Here we may compare Soph. 
 Ant. 615 which stands in need both of correction and 
 interpretation: a yap 5i 5roAv5rAayxTO$ eA5ri$ Truvpoti; 
 psv ovxtrit; avSpuv. 3roAAo7$ $' UTT^TH xovtpovoav epwruv 
 (vctvpoft; Ed. 5roAAo7$ vulg.) 'wayward Hope is fruition 
 (of love) for a few , for many she is a mockery of light- 
 thoughted desires'. 
 
 819. The genuineness of 6iJgAA< is unquestionable, and Her- 
 mann's flujjAat undeserving even of mention. The meaning 
 is sufficiently given in the Trans. fltJsAAa Ss, xvevftcc 
 fitfiouov, Kxi citpvu x-poscthXdftfvov Arist. de Mundo c. 4. 
 This is very fitly said of the smoke of a consumed city. 
 
 826. . 'quurn fatalis equus saltu super ardua venit Pergama' Virg. 
 ^n. 6. 515. It is needless to add that there is no 
 allusion here to any wooden horse. - - a/t<4>* n^stdSuv 
 Stew. This is aptly added as part of the description 
 for the following reasons: the Sun (A/xij of v. 774) is 
 then in Libra; and at v. 815 we had ov $i%oppo7rus, 
 'with no even-weighted scales'; it accounts for the storm 
 of retribution implied in fltffAAa* v. 819; and for the 
 physical storm which came upon the Greek fleet v. 649 ; 
 there was a tradition that Electra the seventh Pleiad, 
 mother of Dardanus by Zeus , fled from the sight of the 
 destruction of Ilion; it was the time for turning up the 
 soil and sharpening the coulter, v. 526, 528. Svais $2 
 eua b'retv b ?A<o? ? Jv Zvyu Procl. Hes. Op. 384. svr' 
 Sv IIAiV^Je$ o-flevo? o|3p/^ov 'flpiuvos (pevyovtrm TriTTTtairiv 
 eq yspoftSeet 7r6vrov S*j Tore Tutvroiuv aivepuv &VOVITIV ct^Tcn 
 Hes. Op. 617. Iv yp rj sl$ Oe6?rpofAOv xoivipctTi Qyfft 
 (Aratus) 0wye7v TJJV 'HA^xT^ay teat (w v?rofte!vw ISeiv
 
 COMMENTARY. 207 
 
 TOV yap 
 
 'HAf'xTpa$ g7v< Sch. Arat. Ph. 259. p%eo-fle otporoio 
 Svtropevciuv (nAnVaSv) Hes. Op. 382, where J. Tzetzes 
 Tit$ /3Aof$ T>Jc yJfc vao-Tpe(J)e Ty Sfxe'AAfl. Add. Ar- 
 temid. 2. 36 T o"Tpa ;gifC6Jvo; airix. Si/ffbvp'iKs xcti 
 rxpzxeti; fft)/*xivov<ri. J. Tzetzes Post-Horn. 761 to the 
 end will also repay for perusal. 
 
 829. Athenseus 13. 573 sxTeivacq XOC.TO, TOV Al<r%vhov yrsfi ersupuv 
 alludes to this use of the verb exreivetv here, to the 
 subject of this fats i. e. srxtpeist, and there is an equi- 
 voque in !T<PWV, wittily substituded for lr<pv. 
 
 833. For the idea see Stob. Fl. ireji QMvov 32, 43, 60. 
 
 834. (pdovo$' voffypct tyv%%q . tiiti iff&iov $>V%YIV, u$7rep <o$ TOV 
 
 <r/S}pov Suid. s. v. 
 
 839. Sxtpovwv ffxtctv Eum. 302 i. e. 'the shadow of an invisible 
 being' is a similar hyperbole. Compare Menand. Mein. 
 p. 205. Trsftrr&v o'lsr' et-evpyxsv&t ayaflov JsKxtrros %v 
 
 841. Ulysses is the ^pdv^o? avvjp of Socrates, who alone does 
 
 not grieve at a friend's good fortune. 
 849. T Ss Trefi T$ T0/tt5 re xcti xctvyets yxHrrct TTKVTUV 
 
 s xctl TUI$ 7Fuettq Tp? evtee, ruv otppuy- 
 Iambi. V. Pyth. p. 139. svtppovui; goes with 
 
 854. 'As Victory followed me when I went, so may she abide 
 
 with me where I stay'. 
 
 855. The original of this passage is Hes. Op. 371. 
 
 as voov Truyoo-ToAos JJ-aTraT^Tw //ivA 
 865. TOV fjisv T&V 5' depend on ex?r ay Aov XXKOV, and 
 is in apposition with them. 
 
 869. fjrAtj'Suov. 'ran in a full stream'. See v. 1370. 'swoln', 
 
 without the metaphor, is 'exaggerated'. 
 
 870. A^yeT< 3 xat Typvuv xsil Typvovyq xzi Tvipvovevs Eust. 
 
 Dion. Per. 561 , and E. M. s. v. 
 
 872. jgA7v TTO SXTOS xxi ir%vTepov, jj<Tft)v TO evSore'pu Mosch. 
 Hes. Op. 536. ^A7v TO wa^v xcti ^e/Mfp<vbi/ </^T<OV 
 Suid. s. v. That it was used for a blanket is clear from 
 Theoc. 18. 19 Zvd$ TO< flt/yTjp i5?ro TV piotv Ix 
 %A7vav. ib. 24. 61 TOV AAcv VTT' aftvtixv &STO %,&s 
 
 874. 7rA<yxoTv. 'unassuaged' i. e. inflaming and festering 
 over again.
 
 208 COMMENTAKY. 
 
 880. TOV a-po TOV Qsvyuv x,t vov Eum. 462 where Orestes is 
 
 speaking of himself as an absentee by force of circumstan- 
 ces; for Clyt. had sent him away at nine or ten years 
 of age. At that age, because the Watchman, both in 
 Horn, and JEsch., has been at his post only for a year; 
 and that she sent him away of her own will is proved 
 by Choeph. 913, 914. The story is handled differently 
 in Soph. El. and in the Editor's opinion far less skil- 
 fully. $ofvf-evo$ ' Sopv^hov^ xx\ovv Ktti robq OTTUSOVV 
 eirtt-vu$vra$. Suid. s. v. 
 
 881. 'of sorrows to be mentioned in each alternative'. 
 
 890. The light being Aa/Msr-rJip v. 22, the stack of wood is 
 
 891. T>}/ttfAffTOt$ ' A<v >i/^eA>}/Kfvoi$ Suid. s. v. OUK 
 xixivvovi; Alciphron 3. 55. 3. Tjj/KeAe 
 
 ' Qpovrfozt Suid. s. vv. 
 893. ptiraw. 'wing-strokes'. So Prom. V. 126 yrrepvyuv ftTrui*;. 
 From Hes. Op. 582 faerx, rerrt% A<yt/p>jv evixeuer' 
 o<S>jv TTVKVOV VTTO TTTifvyuv. Quv% belongs only to ani- 
 mals that have lungs, ctl Ss pvtxt rots TrrepoHs rpu- 
 
 OVffl TT^TTOVffl TSV OLSfCt. KCtl %%OVfflV' ClfAsXll (TTX- 
 
 OVKSTI Poftfiovri Philop. ap. Suid. foo^. 
 896. From Theogn. 472 yrZv yap avayxztov TrfZyp' avojpov s(pv. 
 So Alciph. 3. 37. 3 xaAdv /uev yap aTe/pao-rov elva< ruv 
 or* $s ov% vifds.fx, st rovro, 
 
 898. (tovvoywijt; iri$ Hes. Op. 374. 
 
 899. Klausen's interpretation of tccti yyv is very ingenious. 'The 
 
 preceding metaphors are taken from things which simply 
 give safety or comfort: xxt introduces a new set, taken 
 from such as relieve from imminent danger or pain'. 
 But Ki is proved to be wrong by the passage in the 
 Odyssey. 
 
 901. This is worked out by Catullus 68. 57. 
 
 904. That is , the envy which under ordinary circumstances would 
 be roused by the eulogies. 
 
 911. Justice leads him in, and Premeditation does the rest. 
 
 912. Lit 'not overcome by sleep'. 
 
 919. pttpfictpou 4>ro$ 2<xjjv is wrongly explained by Blomfield 
 and others; rightly by Enger and Paley: the latter 
 translates 'as if I were some Eastern king'. There are
 
 COMMENTARY. 209 
 
 not many examples of 5<><jjv used in this way, but the 
 last line of Dauae's lullaby to the infant Perseus affords 
 one-, rtxvotpi Stxuv ffvyyvuM poi 'forgive me as if I were 
 a child'. This, again, is wrongly rendered by Jortin in 
 Dr. Holden's Folia Silvulse p. 125. 
 
 923. juv} Trfss et*e TO. TTOIKI^X, ctvr"t rov rets re%v&s Greek Prov. 
 
 Suid. S. V. TTOixihct. yretxtXyv Ss SV^TCC e^etv 
 xctl y QoivixoQeitjs j 5TOf4)t/po{3ai#tj$ 
 Artem. 2. 3. 
 
 924. xcit 7re<pvhz%o ye rctvra. nots'iv OTTOITX $fldvov *V^e Golden 
 
 Verses 36. 
 
 927. Sed his (animi virtutibus) prsestare prudentiam 
 Apul. de Dogm. PL 2. 1. 
 
 929. A>ifcojp<Toc 6 'A/35>jp/TH$ reXoc T>JV svQufttzv slvai 
 
 xafl' yv ycthwuq xui ev&rx&us y J/f^vj Sizyet' 
 
 UVTJV slsffru Diog. Laert. Democr. So truly spoke 
 
 the venerable precursor of the 'deus ille, deus' Epicurus. 
 
 930. elxov Ss xctl TTfiv . ovx civtu Syftov reiSs TT p d% a. t ft* civ 
 
 Suppl. 398 is a strong corroboration of Prof. Weil's 
 correction. 
 
 933. Lit. 'if you had feared anything, you would have made a 
 vow to the gods to act thus'; she means that there is 
 no ground for fear, nor for acting as if there were. 
 
 943. 'None more' i. e. in fear of exciting the envy of the gods. 
 938. From Hes. Op. 761 as observed by others. 
 
 944. Compare Plutarch's anecdote of that precocious young lady 
 
 Gorgo , daughter of Cleomenes, rbv $' 'Aptarctyofuv I/TTO 
 OIXSTUV v7roSov(4i>ov (having his ap(3t/A$ put on) 
 nTfp e<pv) . 6 |;evo$ %f<"pa$ ovx %si. Lac. Apoph. 
 
 945. 5rp6ot>Acv sppciinv. The shoe follows the foot like a slave 
 
 supplying it with a suitable stepping-place. An Eastern 
 prince might also, on occasion, make a slave lie down 
 to be trodden on. Hdt. 2. 107 is something like this, 
 XVTOVS $s en' exsivuv STrifiuivovrtxt; exoufyffQcii. 
 950. rovftov /ufv ovra is Emper's conjecture, adopted by Enger. 
 The Ed. has retained the Mss. reading, but no very in- 
 telligible explanation of it could be given. It is translated 
 as if it were veil rovruv OVTU 3oxf7 pot. The following 
 are similar expressions: retm piv OVT&I? Babr. 116, 15; 
 ovrui; '<Vfl< Theogn. 31; Golden Verses 9; 
 v $*) rzvr Prom. V. 500; TXVTX pev ovv 
 
 14
 
 210 COMMENTARY. 
 
 Plut. de Sera N. V. 7 and elsewhere. The pass- 
 age is not yet emended. 
 
 960. jrayxawffTov. Lit. 'all' or 'on every occasion, used for 
 
 the first time', so that none need be used twice. The 
 meaning of xw'w, in ^sch. , forbids the adoption of 
 Paley's interpretation 'ever-renewable', which is object- 
 ionable on other grounds, and especially because such 
 an allusion implies a lack of cloth to replace the old. 
 
 961. This and the following verse have a double meaning 'our 
 
 house can claim to be rich in purple (blood) etc.' That 
 idiomatic use of i/ir^pxei requires no illustration. 
 
 967. 'Letfiov xi/v6$. Apposition; TOV xvvct TOV Zetpiov JEHan Suid. 
 s. v. 'I%i?v. "Zeifios' o aurrpSoi; KVUV ib. s. v. 'Zeipiov' 
 rov xuva. ib. b KVUV b f<p*o$ KuXovpevos Sch. Arat. 327. 
 "Zeiptos uffryp thrice in Hes. 
 
 970. i. e. 'ripens unripe grapes'; an expansion of flep?* ?T' 
 opQctKsi; <6AAovrj Hes. Sc. 399. 
 
 972. xar' olxov errpwtpZro Archil. Fr. For reAf/ou compare 
 .3<]sch. Fr. 31. It means 'with felicity complete as man , 
 husband, father of a son and heir'. 
 
 974. Lit. 'let there be a care to thee for those things whatsoever 
 they are which thou art about to fulfil'. 
 
 976. The degrees of <J)6/3o$ are $e!(jict. o*ve<;. a<<r%i/v. ex5rAf<$. 
 6opu(3o?. ayuviet Diog. Laert, Zeno. The fear of the 
 Chorus is a 'presentiment' without any material found- 
 ation, unless it be their knowledge of the queen's 
 perfidy. The purple spread on the ground was a bad 
 omen if you compare Horn. II. <r. 538 fT/ua SctQotveov 
 ctin&rt QurSv and similar passages. The Spartans wore 
 (powtxiSts in battle , and were buried in them Plut. Instt. 
 Lac. 18 , 24 ; and Arist. in Suid. s. v. 4>owx/S. These 
 and other omens might be found , but the Chorus speaks 
 as if the presentiment was independent of omens. 
 
 976. xpoffTzryitiov is translated as if it were derived from srpo- 
 
 and TTfOffTure'tv as in Eur. El. 932 ulir%pov yv- 
 poffTXTfUv yt Suftaruv. But the other meaning 
 is also intended as in irpoffrxrvpizs 'AprsptSos Sept- 
 450 etc. The former, 'domineering over' like a Tpo- 
 ffTKrvit; over a JUFTO<XO, is the more prominent. 
 
 977. /KvT<?roAf7 is formed like ov*<po5roA2. #/KKrflo<;, alluding to 
 
 the diviner's fee; see v. 1261.
 
 COMMENTARY. 211 
 
 984. vpovnvw'. TTfov^uro 'advised beforehand' Xen. An. 7. 
 3. 18. 7rpOjMvT< rl (tot yvupa. 'forewarns me of Soph. 
 0. C. 1075. |-UAi/36Ao<$. |uju(3oAov opxiv (pourtv' 
 
 eiroiovv rout; yrpura trvv ctvrZvT x$ , xttl 
 TI ffyfAetivovrcts Suid. S. V. 
 
 285. Trctfv.&Yiffsv. v\ 5 1 #p>} irupciitftpviTctt Hes. Op. 407. 
 
 fivxrsii' TrKpxK/tciffcti Suid. s. v. The meaning is, that 
 the most dangerous crisis is past , since he has returned 
 in triumph from the expedition which was led forth by 
 those evil-boding eagles. 
 
 089. voffTos ' $\ o'txzSs 7ruvo$ot; Suid. s. v. 'home-return' as in 
 Shakspere. 
 
 990. a.vv At/p$. The phrase was wpo$ At/pv $5s/v, and w3; 
 %p55o-fla< Trpos Avpav is one of the symbols of Pythagoras, 
 who recommended his disciples to practise only such 
 music as was of an inspiriting and cheering character. 
 /wovw5e7. The passages referred to in the critical note 
 are Bacchse 71 and Epich. Fr. ap. Hephaest. p. 15. 
 Herm. has also left a syllable short before /KV at v. 
 1459 without giving the reader notice; and he has so 
 rendered it in his metrical translation 'hei memorique 
 etc.' In this palpable error he is followed by all editors 
 except Heimsoeth. 
 
 996. TeAf<r$opo<$ Sivctn;. An astronomical allusion: as the sun 
 and moon by repeated daily revolutions accomplish the 
 period of a year and a month, or any other comple- 
 ted cycle. 
 
 1008. ?rpo xpypitruv 'OKVOV is 'a shrinking in defence of, that is 
 'from a desire to save the wealth'. The preposition 
 has this meaning both in Greek and Latin. 
 
 1011. 7rpOT? 3o/uos is from Hes. Op. 687 /u^ CT< vyvriv ciirzvru, 
 fiiov xoiXyfft r<fle<rfla<. 
 
 1014. 'Sinks', in the Translation, is an active verb. 
 
 1015. up(piXu(pu<; %ovirci TpvQvpuTwv Alciph. 3. 60. 3. 
 
 1016. eyrsTsiZv. See v. 2. Lucretius 5. 1364 uses k tempestiva' 
 
 with this meaning 't. examina pullorum' 'swarms of 
 young shoots in due season' Munro. There is a side- 
 meaning of iwerctvuv 'plentiful'. 
 
 1021. fTTcttiSuv. 'effri $s tccii OTTOV xcii xdfa xcil voffypetrci rivet 
 v , w$ Qxff'iv . eirfoovTes us aAt]$u. xat sixot; 
 xoQev rcvvon* rovro et$ psffov T 
 
 14*
 
 212 COMMENTARY. 
 
 TO T?$ ?rw5>?s. Iambi. Y. Pyth. p. 96. >rv yip 
 xxl Tpo? voirsus ffupuTuv xatuvix. e - 
 xeipvovTZi;. Porph. \. Pyth. p. 96. Kuster's Ed. 
 
 1023. TV Qbipsvvv. uv 6f>< itf-yet 2Esch. Supp. 38. 
 
 1024. The story of the death of Asclepius by a thunder-stroke 
 
 from Zeus is told in a fragment of Hesiod, p. 319. 
 D. Heyne. In Philost. Her. p. 146 Boiss. Palamedes 
 says to Cheiron xal AAu; TO v-xefffoQov crou T>?$ 
 
 Zifaiv &v TO, *Ao-xAjjr<ot/ EI pi) XTA. where the Schol- 
 a? rbv optffpov ruv Moipuv xnrcikvovra cticobotnelv 
 
 TOV 'AffXAtJTIOV. 
 
 1026. Motfx po7fzv. In the temple at Delphi there were statues 
 
 of only two Moerae Plut. de Ei ap. Delph. 2; for 
 ITTUS xati XeytTa.1 xail voe"tTXf ' y (tsv yetf 
 evepyux, it 5' oi/ffix. ^ Ss MXT"" olffizv eoixev slvxt 
 G\Hi.-xa.aa. y TSV xorpov fywxsi XTA. Plut. de Fato 1. 2. 
 i. e. one is the divine being who decides the lot of each 
 created thing, and the other the operation of her will 
 in each individual instance. This is 6foAoy<xs or XT 
 rat. Of(ptxd, and was adopted by Plato. The meaning of 
 this passage is "if 6 T>?$ $v<rfu$ vopos (Mc7p or El- 
 Itctpps-**! T xstSoAiv ffvftTrt-fikzfipzvovffii) did not deter- 
 mine that the fate, '/*o7pv', of the individual, here 
 Agamemnon , should gain no advantage from any inter- 
 position". The first is Tpouyovpf'vfc'<j 'antecedently' as 
 containing that which operates universally TO xafioAou, 
 the second is Ix-cpe'vac 'consequently', the application in 
 particular cases, TO xfi' i>x6fc(rtv, ibid. c. 4. Kjjp also 
 has this double signification (1) MoTpa, and especially 
 as the Death-goddess 5 (2) ^oTpa, for in the Vvxoffrzaix 
 of .ZEsch. the xSJpe of Memnon and Achilles are weighed 
 against one another. The Scholl. wrongly explained by 
 4/^%a and censure JEsch. $ eSf'^xro 4>a^A A<V^wAo^. 
 They did not understand him. 
 
 1027. TrAf'ov <pspew. Usually TAfov e%eiv or wo*f7v as in Plato 
 
 Apol. 2. end, and /f7ov sx ftv - 
 
 1028. i. e. 'my heart would prompt words faster than my tongue 
 
 could speak them'. 
 
 1031. 6t/^*Ayn'<: Hes. Th. 629, 635. 
 
 1032. JxToAt/srfvo-eiv ^aAfTOv JTOVCV exroXvTrevffcts Hes. Sc. 44.
 
 COMMENTARY. 213 
 
 This metaphor is suggested by the name xAwSw, and 
 perhaps rerxy^eva. v. 1025 implies "ArpOTro^. 
 
 1033. uxvf*j<rctt xupius erri TO ex pixfov o*T<v$>jpo$ QWUVTO, 
 (tfydXY.v <J)A6y vaJ/a< Suid. S. V. 
 
 103G. awviTus. The latent meaning is 'independently of the 
 /K*IV$ Txv5To<vo$' of v. 155 ; so in fpvif3v there lies 
 concealed 'the act by which Agamemnon's sin is to be 
 purged away'. 
 
 1038. ZeD? Krxtnoc cv xctl ev ro7$ Tctpneiotq ISpvovro w? TTAOVTO- 
 JO'THV Suid. s. v. Her second meaning is nAojJrwv a 
 surname of A75>j<j. ^w/tcoD, as a victim to be slain. 
 
 1040. Heracles also went down to the chambers of Hades. 
 
 1041. Lit. 'being sold took heart to touch the slavish barley- 
 
 dole'. n2%otv' TO ipdv xxi fTfff'dv zfriSiov J. Tz. Hes. 
 Op. 588. It was black bread, as is evident from the 
 proverb Aei/xijv /ua^av (pv^u <roi ' 7rpo*^/a eTri TUV IAS- 
 y^A i/7rHr%vov(tv<av. j o ffTp^<J)vb$ apro^ Suid. S. V. 
 1043. aAxvjv /ufv yap e^w^fv 'OAi//^7r<o$ A/ax<iS^ff<, votv 5' 'Aftv- 
 6ov<'5a<$. TrAovrov ^e Tfp 'ATpe<5i)(7<v Hes. Fr. p. 317 
 D. Heyne. 
 
 1045. ffTCtQfty , %TtS <TT\ ff%Q~ivO$ TSKTOVlXtj UTTOf&lVffZ Tit %vX 
 
 Eustath. ad Dion. Per. 341. KXTCI OTO.^^' opfiw?, 
 
 u*p t pu<;. Sch. Theocr. 25. 194. 
 1047. Silence JT; ye ro7? ffoQurTctit; meant refusal, and not 
 
 consent, Artemid. 3. 24. 6Vf netTs^a.'Cffa.To 5roAA slxuv. 
 
 Plut. Apoph. Lac. Agis 9. 
 1068. i. e. not deemed worthy of a reply. 
 1075. See Plut. de Ei ap. Delph. who cites Pind. , Eur., Soph., 
 
 Stesich. in proof. 'The god of Gladness' Byron. 
 
 1081. 'Ayt/<ei/$ Si evii xiuv s}$ o%v At^ywv ov tffTZtri ?rpo TUV 
 
 6vfuv. TOV Aot-iav ov Vfo TUV fofuv exaaTOc, 
 Suid. S. V. ctyviui. uyvtevt; ' b jrpb TUV fli/pwv < 
 sv ff^v^oLTi K'IQVOS papas E. M. S. V. 
 
 1082. ov ^6^*5. 'nou parum' Herm. 
 
 1090. ffwiffTOfx is equivalent to yvveiSv^nv. 
 
 1091. ctfT&VY, *i SK TUV xuXuSiuv ay^o'vn E. M. s. V. 
 
 1092. <r$ayg7ov ' TO TOU V/uaTO$ SSXTIX^OV ciyyelov Suid. 8. V. 
 
 Paley compares av3poxTovf7ov Bekk. Anecd. 1. p. 28. 
 (povopfctvTJftov is aptly changed from ?rep<ppvT^p<ov 'a 
 place sprinkled with lustral water* to 'a place sprinkled 
 with the blood of murdered men'.
 
 214 COMMENTARY. 
 
 1294. Lit. 'she hunts those whosesoever blood-shed-by-murder 
 she may discover'. 
 
 1103. &(pfTov. jEsch. applies this word only to that which is 
 superlatively bad; he knows no stronger word. 
 
 1105. l'ivof 'tipiss eiftev Hes. Sc. 351. 
 
 1110. Lit. *hand after hand (thrust after thrust; puts forth its 
 outstretching'. By comparing Prom. 777 xporsivuv 
 x/p,5o$ we see that the meaning is 'making an offer to 
 strike'. 
 
 1115. The long broad mantle which Clytemnestra is about to 
 throw over Agamemnon is 2<xTi/ov, and she is p 
 because she is like a stake holding up a net. 
 o-yfvjj. |36Ao$ are the same in Babr. 8. 4, 6, 8. #p 
 TO 6*j|5fVT<jcbv SIKTVOV (in its abstract sign.). 
 *i uffTspx o-uAAa/3>} ex} Tifo opfiiji; Suid. s. v. It is short 
 here, at any rate. TO rov s'ipyw E. M. s. v. 
 
 1118. KTfl!Aei/V/|KOv ' TOV xt-icv TOV .KCtTctXevtrbvivcti UTTS Affvap^o? 
 sv T xara. Avxovpyov Suid. s. v. 'ut cuncti conclama- 
 verint lapidibus obrutum publicum malum publice vin- 
 dicari' Apul. Met. 10. 6. 
 
 1121. TWV yap (pofiovftEvuv TCI u.vu Af<$a</tte7 Arist. Probl. 4. 8. 
 xpoxopct(pyt; expresses no property of <7Tywv, but the 
 effect of its action, p/t*e, upon something else, viz. 
 the colour of the face. With a transitive verb the pro- 
 leptic case is of course the accusative, and with an 
 intransitive, the nominative. So in Choe'ph. 185 2<4o< 
 Tfivrovffi vTctywtq, the effect of the rush of tears is 
 that the eyes are left dry. 
 
 1123. (3('oy SVVTOI;. Translated by Lucret. 5. 987 'labentis lu- 
 mina vitae'. 
 
 1127. No translation is worthy of the name which does not 
 preserve the obscurity of the oracular language. The 
 dark -horned implement is the sword; compare such 
 expressions as xt A<vo7$ f /<J>f<nv Soph. Ai. 231 ; but if 
 she is a cow, v. 1125, the sword is her horn. 
 
 1130. Perhaps faffQctroyvupuv axpos like 7rpo/3Toyvw^wv ay*6oV, 
 v. 795. 
 
 1133. TO TTXpOV 01 CtV^pUTTOt XCUCO$UI(AGV!ZVT$ OpUffl KZt KSIXQVS 
 
 bviipovs ffyfty-vrixov/; TWV SVKTTUTUV KCIKVV Artemid. 4. 
 21. A man in trouble went to a soothsayer with feel- 
 ings like those of a person who goes to consult a phy-
 
 COMMENTARY. 215 
 
 sician, knowing that he is seriously ill, and in fear of 
 what he may hear because of the nature of his pain. 
 In the M. Schol. ft^ep^o^evott; (on going in to the temple) 
 is sound, (it is changed by Weil and Enger); but Qxvepat 
 must be changed to <J)s(3fp with Euger, a change ant- 
 icipated by the Ed. 
 1138. 'thou' Clytemnestra , 'him', in the next v. , Agamemnon. 
 
 1144. /M$6aA5J. The meaning in this passage is that given in 
 
 the Trans. 5 'fecunda pcenis' is only a part of the 
 meaning. 
 
 1145. She felicitates the bird upon its happy lot. 
 
 1149. uftQfxfi Soft in the loose language of prophecy means 'a 
 two-edged blade'. The oracle about Cleomenes, Hdt. 
 6. 77, has Zoupl octpzff&eit;, which neither Herodotus 
 nor Pausanias, 2. 20. 7, seems to have understood. It 
 means 'bound in wood' for Cleomenes died ev %**, 
 ib. c. 75. 
 
 1153. Suid. s. v. bftov quotes Isaeus for the signification 'simuT. 
 but this is too tame for .ZEsch. '6p6io<; $s #VA>JT<JC&$ vo^os, 
 OVTU xctXaiifJiSVoq. cJov evrovos ncti avxTeiariv s^wv Suid. 
 S. v. was ptyce. re Sewbv re 'op&ut Horn. II. A. 10. 
 
 1156. This is Casandra's answer to the question 'whence etc.' 
 
 1158. i'9v<;. sir' viioivn "Zx&fAcivSpu II. 5. 35 etc. 
 
 1159. rpo(pcc7<;. Compare JEsch. Sept. 309 , Supp. 856. Arist. 
 
 Probl. 1. 13 tj OT< TO v$u(i ytverui rpoQl; Procl. Hes. 
 Op. 735 ol irothzio} x\ x&ffctv (tsv TYJV TUV uSdruv (pvirtv 
 ut; rpotytpov ncti av$-v>rixyv TWV QCireav ispctv evopifyv 
 ilvzi ruv ^uoySvuv fteuv, pccXurrz Se rcvq usvdovq ~o- 
 ranovs xrA. So Sch. Hes. Th. 347. 
 
 1168. So Hecuba, Eur. Tro. 1242, /MT>>V $' epov&vrovpfv. In 
 CMOS, sTripxsffzv , xttbtlv , fifp/u6voi/$ there is the metaphor 
 of a physician's unsuccessful treatment of a patient. 
 ^Sov* ireAw Prom. V. 282. As soon as the delirium of 
 her fever subsides she too will sink to earth and die. 
 
 1178. SK xakvppdTtav , that is with her face concealed by a veil. 
 There is no allusion to the unveiling of the bride. 
 
 1180. The description is based on Solon Fr. 5. 17 foil., which 
 may be translated: 
 
 " suddenly 
 
 as a wind instantly scatters clouds 
 in spring: having stirred the billowy unreaped sea's
 
 216 COMMENTARY. 
 
 deep water, and over the wheat-bearing earth 
 ravaged fair farms, it arrives at the gods' abode, 
 
 high heaven, and makes us again behold clear sky; 
 and the sun's strength shines over the boundless earth, 
 
 beautiful, and one can see a cloud no more: 
 such is the vengeance of Zeus; not in each case, 
 like a mortal man, is he moved to wrath. 
 The oracle, ^pyjo-jwo?, contains the denunciation of the 
 vengeance , and , therefore , the same imagery is employed. 
 But JEsch. , for whom no language is rich , grand , and 
 graphic enough, introduces a second simile, and the 
 wind becomes a monstrous wave which sweeps the deed 
 of vengeance into the sunlight , so as to be most clearly 
 seen. VTT' xvy 6$ ' UJTO TOV TrstpuTtff/tsvov Kfu Suid. s. v. 
 1189. Pporetov atpx. The drink of the Erinnyes, Eum. 264 foil. 
 
 1193. oq T xxftyvtroio iov u.vu, ^s^vtu, fiuivy Hes. Op. 326. 'tori 
 
 genialis calcato foedere Apul. Met. 9. 26. 
 
 1194. Another argument in favour of xvpu is the repetition of 
 
 the word by the Chorus v. 1201 xvfslv Xsyowuv 'hit 
 the mark in speaking'. 
 
 1196. fxpaprvftlv (putrl TO heysw ov% %7rep avros sl^sv #AA' cz 
 srspuv vixQwe AeyovTwv' ixftxprvpiat yap 
 uvayiyvwffxTUt, OTXV TI$ % rehsvv/iaaq ij 
 Suid. s. v. and E. M. s. v. It means, therefore, to 
 read the affidavit, or deposition on oath, of an absent 
 person. So Eum. 461 hovrpuv %eptzpTv'pi (povov, 'bore 
 witness for Agamemnon in his absence'. 
 
 1198. The passages are Hes. Op. 802. Th. 232, 784, 792. There 
 is not the slightest excuse for adopting Tryypx. 
 
 1205. or 'is more prim'. 
 
 1206. Lit. 'he was a wrestler'. 
 
 1218. Why should not an inspired person see something in the 
 appearance of the two children from which to infer 
 that they had been killed by a relative? 
 
 1228. /w<ffvjTf<a s y i$ TK 'A$poSi<riz xp<r Suid. s. v. HSVSTOI 
 beoi. E. M. derives it either from ^re7v or from 
 
 1245. Lit. 'I run falling out of the course'. 
 
 1246. Observe the metaphor in ejroj/fo-fla* (autopsis, and a phy- 
 
 sician's visit), xo'twirov 'lull the pain', Uat&v 'the god 
 who relieves pain', and Ao'yw, TT^K vpoa-Soxizv for
 
 COMMENTARY. 217 
 
 1251. xopirvvsi ' EToiftd^si Suid. s. v. 
 
 1260. Cpap/aaxf/at Se . OTXV Six TIVO$ ffxtvatrizq (cookery) 6vaT>i- 
 
 (fiopov So&y run Six. <TTO(j.a,To^ Suid. s. v. payeiit. 
 
 1261. piff&dv. piffQuftct ' o ftitrdos o fT<p<x6$. xoi eTXtpix'ov $- 
 
 <Txov<rz elv'a, i^'urbunce, Suid. s. v. w^Aavos was o TU 
 (ttzvrei SiSoftevoq (turbos o|3eAoc Suid. s. v. ite Avo$. Tlie 
 payment for the affront of bringing her, 'for her pass- 
 age', does not come till v. 1263. 
 
 1263. i. e. 'what she had paid in mortification for my passage 
 here '. 
 
 1269. The Trans, shows that Enger's correction ovxSuuv is not 
 required. 
 
 1272. Lit. 'not with even scales untruly' i. e. 'untruly, without 
 any doubt.'-, construe 'mistakenly derided'. 
 
 1275. ex7rpK%zs. This is much the same as exSvuv spe v. 1269. 
 ett$i$KffKi is 'unteaches' Soph. Ant. 298. 
 
 1278. uKoxreivei (Clytemnestra Casandram) fie/r/ww ru sreAf'xfj 
 Philostr. Imm. K#<ravp. TrpoffQuypa, is the jet of blood 
 from a victim's throat. 
 
 1281. The Spartan mother killed her coward son and said ovtc 
 Epbv TO (p'tTvpa Plut. Apoph. Lac. She meant that he 
 was his father's child and not hers. 4><TUju in 2Esch. 
 is the child of the father i. e. son. 6pe>/a is the child 
 of the mother i. e. daughter, as in .ZEsch. Sept. 182, 
 and ibid. v. 792 xzilfs pyrepuv rtQpctftftivctt needs no 
 correction for it is equivalent to x6p<, as the Ed. has 
 already shown at Choeph. 502, o'Ursipe 6>jAyv xpa-evo'q 
 6' OIAOV yovov 'pity the female's offspring (the daughter) 
 and likewise that of the male (the son)'. 6Ai/<rjropo$ 
 yewa. Prom. V. 855 is 'a brood begotten by the female, 
 the mother's children, i. e. daughters'; so the same 
 daughters call themselves fljjAvyevi? v. 29, but the sons 
 of .ZEgyptus are po-evoyfv>5 v. 818, begotten by the 
 father. This is a great point in the Eumenides v. 606 
 where Orestes says that he is no more ^*</"o with 
 his mother than Agamemnon was. To Arist. G. A. 4. 1 
 cited by Klausen, and Apollod. 1. 7. 2, Plut. PI. Phil. 
 5. 7 cited by the Ed. add (pirvo-r evil TOV Trarpo? r<fl>j<nv, 
 7ri 2 wrtbi; oi/xen, AA# yewtjcxi Suid. s. v. 
 
 1284. flewv psyuv opxov Hes. Th. 784. 
 
 1285. vTTTiatfffAet is 'a lifting up of the hands, with the palms
 
 218 COMMENTARY. 
 
 uppermost, in prayer'. See Prom. V. 1005 and 
 OTOVOVS A<T<*$ Sept 173. The meaning is that Aga- 
 memnon, as he lies expiring, will either lift or try 
 to lift his hands with a prayer that Orestes may 
 avenge him , or that the gods will so interpret his dying 
 thoughts. 
 
 1290. All attempts to explain ?rp^w are futile. It is rendered 
 in the Editor's translation as if it were a repetition 
 from TrpciZuffstv w? expat- sv \. 1288. The best suggestion 
 is Enger's, but it is imperfect until the existence of 
 7Tfd%u is explained, for that word could hardly be a 
 gloss on rMffopoit , which would rather be uTo/^fvw as 
 in Suid. s. v. 
 
 1293. ciffQaSzffToe;. <r(pz$ci&iv SvffticcvzTsJv Suid. s. V. 
 
 1297. bY,XKTQV ($60$. TO $ lfs7oV KVTOftSlTOV TU fiufAU 7TpO$lff- 
 
 rtxsi Philost. Her. p. 254 Boiss. ruv evysvuv olxs'tov, 
 o &i\j(*uv Aeyet, Trpoq TOV Trohfftov xzi (jcivitTov opouf<v, 
 a $ tps7si Meineke's Men. et Phil. Rell. p. 531. 
 
 1299. Av<$. Ki/pv' sfAirvif 5' on (to7pz TrxdeTv. ovx ffffl' virci- 
 
 Al/^<?' 0,TTl $ fto7p TTzfaJv, OV T SsSotXU TTCtfalv. 
 
 Theogn. 817. 
 
 1300. TWV viyovftsvuv xerfti Trpsff^svircii Plut. Apoph. Lac. Lye. 
 
 20. 'obedience to rulers takes foremost rank'. (e/aAAo<) 
 (piho$v%ov<ri (*E%pts eff^KTov. Suid. S. v. <|)<Ao\}/u^^o-avTa. 
 A person condemned to die values most highly the latest 
 reprieve he can obtain. 
 
 1301. The day of sacrifice is come, and I, the appointed vic- 
 
 tim, shall gain little by flight from the altar. 
 
 1302. They wish to comfort her by expressing their sense of 
 
 her courage. Heath's transposition of the two next 
 
 verses was very perverse. 
 1305. T<? TroiTep' uivyffei el ftij xxxoSctiftovK TSKVX ; 'ttruq e7n TWV 
 
 srpoyowxa av^payaS^ara 7rpo(pep6vruv. Greek Proverb 
 
 in Suid. s. v. 
 1313. She sings her death-wail in the palace, v. 1445. She 
 
 here goes up to the door and starts back with a gesture 
 
 of loathing. 
 1311. TQffuvTyv SvffuSizv et-STrepTrtv u$ ovSsv TUV ev T$O<$ 
 
 SixXvQsvTuv Sicttpepeiv. Suid. S. v. Mx^tfttvo^. 'ghostly' 
 
 because vps-vsi implies that a thing is either actually 
 
 seen, or may be conceived as visible.
 
 COMMENTABY. 219 
 
 1316. ddftvov is sound, so that we need not think of fla/uV 
 
 MH* occurs in Hes. Op. 350. The line is sufficiently 
 
 explained in the critical note. 
 1320. 7r^evov(4xi is exactly rendered in the Trans. xTe- 
 
 svuftevo* Choeph. 706 is 'bound by my relation to him 
 
 as i-f'vos'. 
 1322. flpijvov Xeyeiv. Xsystv zotSsts xpo TOV SaveTv Soph. Ant. 883. 
 
 The word ^<nv betrays the Grammarian ; see Sch. Soph. 
 
 Ai. v. 815. 
 1328. Prosperity is the outline of a picture; adversity is a 
 
 wiping-out of that outline. Thus the state of man at its 
 
 best is but the shadow of a semblance. 
 1331. cixopsffTav. Theognis says the same of wealth and wis- 
 
 dom, v. 1157. 
 
 1333. u,irsncuv. Crying 'hold, enough'. 
 1338. sov $6[Aov etsz<pixzv Hes. Sc. 45. 
 1340. s xixpcivai ' Ti*i xetpatffi xaruvsvirai Suid. s. v. , hinting at 
 
 a root xiipa. 
 
 1354. eTreiSii SpZv xxTvpQuffzi (ppsvt Choe'ph. 512. 
 
 1355. etfdffffovrss has a double meaning ' striking with the sword' 
 
 and; 'striking notes on the lyre' from the phrase 
 
 apaitrffstv Aupv. So crtipeJct 'signs of tyranny', and, 
 
 probably, 'musical notes in score'. 
 1364. Lit. 'death wins the day'. See note on v. 10. 
 1370. Lit. 'I flow with a full stream swoln by tributaries from 
 
 all quarters'. 
 1374 ev xwTfAAs rov e%bpbv' OTZV 5' vyro^dftoq 'eh&y Tlffxi vv 
 
 7rpo(pu<rtv wSeftlciv Qeftevo*; Theogn. 363. 
 1379. Lit. 'verily in time at least', but none the less surely 
 
 because late. 
 1382. el^s Ss xepfflv 'i%bvstv ufitpipXyffrpov Hes. Sc. 215. 
 
 1390. epepvos has the same root' as spigot; and this probably the 
 
 same as epeMu and Latin 'rub-er', the red of the 
 western sky; 'furvus' belongs to the same root 'ruf, 
 the colour of the infernal regions. 
 
 1391. fleo<5oT Hes. Op. 318. 
 
 1392. yvo$ ' v$up , %up[Ast. E. M. S. v. ycyavw/u^vo^. xuXv% is 
 
 the bud of a flower before it blows, or the sheath 
 which contains the ear of wheat, ylrov expohyv. ou- 
 
 ZTO.V o <rrei%v<; ryq xuhvxos exQvyrut Suid. 8. V. 
 
 From Hes. Sc. 398
 
 220 COMMENTARY. 
 
 T*.s&ovfft, rovq re Qspet yveifovvi v. Lit. 'at 
 the bringing-to-bed of the wheat-sheath '. 
 1398. Tute hoc intristi : tibi omne est exedendum Ter. Ph. 2. 2. 5. 
 
 1406. xXvra. t-pyx 7rfpi(ppsvo<; 'H(pxi<rTOto Hes. Sc. 313. 
 
 1407. 'what poisonous thing solid or fluid', it- Ao? oppevov is 
 
 an allusion to the old belief that rivers are formed by 
 the percolation of sea-water through the earth; as in 
 Homer Ocean is the father of rivers, and Lucret. 5. 
 269 partim quod subter per terras diditur omneis. 
 
 1409. She has put on the sacrificial incense in the form of frenzy , 
 a side-meaning of fl:/'o$, and has thrown off the curses 
 of the people. So she is like a victim ready to be 
 sacrificed in one respect, and unlike in the other. 
 
 1420. yop5js STFXXOV'OV Hes. Op. 29. When applied to the gods 
 it means 'hearing propitiously'-, in a forensic use, 
 'umpire', or, 'judge'; generally, 'a hearer'. Mosch. 
 Hes. p. 15 N. Heyne; Theocr. 8. 25; Choe'ph. 980; 
 Eum. 732. Callinus Fr. 236. 
 
 1430. Lit. 'pay for blow (given) with blow (received)'. 
 
 1434. The house of Fear is opposed to the house of .ZEgisthus. 
 
 1438. (povevi; pyTfoq rijqSe Eum. 122 'this mother's slayer' Clyt., 
 speaking of herself. 
 
 1444. xvxvot /ufyaA' yxvov Hes. Sc. 316. xvxvo$ w Trporspov 
 (pbs'yysTcii et ny vpos ru ctTrobviffxefv % Artemid. 2. 20, 
 where Reiffius quotes Paulinus Vidalinus in praise of 
 the musical and charming notes of the swans in Iceland ; 
 but the story of their singing only when about to die 
 seems to be fabulous. See the passages cited by Blom- 
 field. 
 
 1447. 'Brought an additional relish for the luxury of my tri- 
 umph, as agreeable to me as the pleasure she was to 
 afford him in secret would have been to him'. 
 
 1452. As if he were ruv ffrzfauv xvuv as at v. 896. 
 
 1454. 5rf'4>6<(rev (Siev. zvSfxi; aTroQMffsie bzhztrtrz. Hes. Op. 664. 
 But 7rf$5rfv /3/ov is an expression so strange as to 
 defy all explanation. It is usually translated as if 
 a:rf'$flrev were the exact equivalent of a7rwAf<rev, an 
 unscrupulous procedure which the Ed. has imitated 
 most unwillingly. For the metre forbids our ejecting 
 /3/ov with Karsten ; rather a supplement must be obtained 
 for the antistrophic verse. No well-trained ear can
 
 COMMENTARY. 221 
 
 endure the trochaic monometer with monosyllabic clau- 
 sula. It must be either an ithyphallic or a dimeter 
 catalectic. There is a corruption ; and probably ctTtetyburiv 
 is a gloss. 
 
 1459. &vnrros Hes. Op. 728. 
 
 1460. Probably suggested by Horn. II. 2. 137 / 3' aAo^o* sizr 
 
 evl fjLsyiifOis iroTtSeypsvctt. 
 
 1461. eftpvctffTeuTos. apvjo-rsvTz. Metrod. Fr. v. 180. Such al- 
 
 lusions to the meaning of proper names are very 
 common, and many instances are given in Dilthey's 
 Cydippe pp. 36 41. Perhaps the first two lines of 
 the Iliad may be added, for 'A#<o7$ Aye# is equi- 
 valent to &%,* Aa7$, just as 'OSvytrsvi; is the hero 
 against whom Poseidon U$V<T<TZTO , and the selection of 
 the names, like that of Helena and others would be 
 ascribed to the foreknowledge of the daemons who sug- 
 gested the names to the minds of the parents-, as, in 
 the case of 'O3i/<nrei>$ , to Autolycus by reminding him 
 of the oSvffffeiu, or enmity, which he had himself in- 
 curred. A<y*W, xuJeV -yctiuv II. 1. 404 is another; 
 Virgil gives several etymologies, e. gr. 'cm-a penum 
 struere et flammis adolere Penates' .2En. 1. 704. There 
 are also cases like 'qua semita monstrat' which shows 
 that Virgil took semita to be connected with o-if/wa, 
 <r/M*/v, 'the road which points out the way'. Here 
 we may correct Soph. Ant. 990 which up to the present 
 time (Bind. Poet. Sc. Gr. 1868) has appeared as aCVu 
 xf'Aft/flo? ex irpovjyjjToD jre'Af*, which no one can translate. 
 It should be UT>* x^Attyfloc xrA. 'a road, which is a 
 sufficient guide to others is itself travelled by a blind 
 man by means of a second guide'. It is plain that if 
 Virgil's notion of the primary meaning of semita has 
 been correctly pointed out, it is not of the smallest 
 importance to the reader of Virgil what philologists 
 may decree to be its root. It is of some importance 
 to them, but not to scholars, olfys <>DA yvvutKuv. 
 TryfACt y.tya. bvyrolffi /ut T' v5paV< vattsrdovffH Hes. Th. 592. 
 
 1468. SiQviotfft is exactly equivalent to Svo'tv fattrt. 
 
 1470. 'Rule dispensed by a woman, and prompted by a spirit 
 like thine own; who, after throwing thine antagonist, 
 savagely fallest with all thy weight upon him'.
 
 222 COMMENTAKY. 
 
 1473. py rot A$*jifo| xpufy &a.xpv& xopuvv Hes. Op. 745. 
 
 u$7rsf ol xopctx$ TTCtpeSpevovTsq %opvffffovffi rovq TUV 
 vxpuv otyb ccXftov $ Plut. Perd. Fr. 27. 
 
 1474. Predication by invocation, as often. 
 
 1480. l%up. Ixupos' TO vrsirvi'ybs aJpct Suid. S. V. Xetpuveiov 
 i'Afcos ' Tfzvftz Siyvsxus 'Zupxs exxp7vov Suid. S. v. 
 
 1482, 3. <vf7$. Tvov (ctlvov wrongly, in Didot's Edition by 
 E. A. Ahrens). efivos is 'an allegory' afivoi;' Xoyos va- 
 
 $Ut(pft pvboV TU TOV xlvOV fti] 
 
 pz$ KSTrowffbcii xcit py Trpoq 
 /wdvov, ciXXli xxl TTZpaivefffv s^si rwci Suid. S. V. Hesi- 
 od's lines about the hawk and nightingale are an 
 Op. 206. 
 
 1486. From Hes. Op. 667 ev TO!$ <yap Tf'Ao? erriv opus u 
 re xctxuv re, and Theognis 172 ov rt &rep beuv 
 cc,v&pu7roiq , OUT' cty&V . ovre xuxtt. So Cleanthes, Hymn 
 to Zeus, v. 15. But Pythagoras according to Iambi. 
 178 a?reSf<^ev ori ol 6eo< TUV xaxuv ctvaiTiol elftv. How 
 he proved it is not told. There is a sentence in Seneca 
 'quidquid facimus mortale genus, quidquid patimur 
 venit ex alto'. 
 
 1591. sTrtAsyst' Trpo? To7 ipy(t6voi$ Qviffiv Suid. s. v. 
 
 1501. ahdtrrwp. cthdffTopcts xcii Trx&zfAvaiovs ovoftd^ovtriv uq 
 
 TWUV HO.} TTCtXlKUV (AIU$ftUTUV f4VVf*ZlS 1T- 
 
 Plut, de Def. Or. 15. 
 1507. 'Whence, whence would lie come? earl TO ftv TTU Aupiov, 
 
 rt&epevov UVT} TOV Trodiv Suid. s. v. jr&J/MaAa. 
 1526. avz%tiz. TO TOV ciyu ci'i-u %%io$' TO jMfTaC^opa? TUV 
 
 fTaftpuv TVJV Virijv fOTryv iftovTuv E. M. s. V. 
 1534. x3' S' Up' a.n ov$itvbfev ijiiciScts /3Afv uiftctTOf anas , ff%(4& 
 
 T^sis Hes. Sc. 384. 
 1539. Iv uppyixTOKrt SOUOHTI of the vase in which 'EA?ri$ was 
 
 confined Hes. Op. 96. 
 
 1544. o ZUVTU /3Aa^-Twv w vfxpov IAS df^velrw Babr. 14. 
 1547. In prose sTruivts eKiTdtyios. icifycti' enn/SaAfTv Suid. s. v. 
 1550. TovwVf*' 'perform its task of praise' as at v. 354. 
 1562. <n> Se Tfs^ovTst. TOVTOV TpE(ptq Philost. Her. p. 12 B. 
 1566. a<$4 /a '' 5rpo^xoAA?ff< Suid. s. v. exe'tvw o Sctipuv 
 
 srpo^J/ev Dion. Hal. 7. in Suid., of Regulus. 
 1574. From Hes. Frag. p. 314 (D. Heyne) xcti XTSKVUV
 
 COMMENTARY. 223 
 
 1579. Sxinovtt;. Qvhctxss flvTwv avflpwTwv, ot fct (pvhctffffovffiv re 
 Sixcts Kiti ff%r\tct epyas Hes. Op. 123; 252. 
 
 1586. 'Epivvuv i/tpuvTov ctptptphyffTpov Sopli. Trach. 1051. 
 
 1585. Lit. 'being disputable in his rule' i. e. liable to have his 
 claims to the throne disputed. 
 
 1588. ev'fgr' ev A<T7$ JEsch. Supp. 270. 
 
 1590. The following passage is ascribed to Hecatseus by Natal. 
 
 Com. 9. 9, cited by Klausen, Hecat. Fr. p. 157; $ v 
 (A<) auro* (ol Avxdovos 7rz7$eq) xzheffavres sift %sviot. 
 tvoi ruv 7ri%upiuv TTCuSxpiuv ffQdrrovft xxi rot 
 
 TTctpsQevro ry rpctTrefy. rovro $e 
 [*vffu%bi-'i$ T^V (tsv rpciTrel-civ avfTpfvf/fv 
 If it is rightly ascribed to Hecataeus ^sch. imitated 
 him in several particulars. 
 
 1591. The spurious verse was clearly made up of glosses, (jrarijp 
 
 V. 1590) 'ArpfD^ (el&vvui; \. 1592) TrpoMput; y <p<'A$ 
 (rupu v. 1592) jrarp/. So Enger and Schutz. 
 
 1594. TO^'PK are the joints attached to the feet i. e. the toes. 
 %fp5v ' uxfovs XTSVCK; is in the style of Hesiod's 
 6&to 'the trunk with five branches' i. e. the hand. 
 
 1597. sfftetv occurs three times in Hes. Op. utrurov. 
 
 E. M. s. v. &TTO$, in a transitive sense will mean 
 'saving' and arro$ applied to things will be 'not 
 saving' i. e: costing much, or, expensive. 
 
 1599. b Ixrpos UTrepZv a:rnvayx<rev Alciph. 3. 7. 2. 
 
 1601. ev upuq efljjjce ftepet' ffvpirroiftviv u$ exetvos Suid. S. V. apa?. 
 
 1605, 6. evei p en Tvrfiov sovrct Horn. II. 6. 222. jr7c %T 
 uv sv ff7fci(.yd\>ott; Choeph. 755. TrctiS ST > olfftx. Soph. 
 Trach. 557. rvrlov Hes. Op. 467. The notion that 
 Atreus killed and cooked twelve children of all ages, 
 and feasted a whole party of people with their flesh, 
 is not only irresistibly ludicrous, but is absolutely 
 without foundation in any tradition respecting this or 
 any similar story. 
 
 1608. flypa7c$ 'absent from the house at the time of the mur- 
 der'. It means nothing more; perhaps only 'not in 
 the room when he was killed'. 
 
 1612. Enger translates 'I do not think much of a coward's insolence'. 
 
 1613. o-D S' evidently follows Jyw ^sv implied in ys^u. 
 
 1617. vsprepos' narurepos Suid. s. v. who connects it with gvfpfle
 
 224 COMMENTARY. 
 
 1618. ti(ppuv y oq x eflf'Afl xpot; xpsio-ffovzs uvrtQepiQiv Hes. 
 
 Op. 208. 
 1626. av^pi ffrfzrvyS. 'a man and leader of men'. 
 
 1640. &v-y\viv Mo-XoQov Theogn. 847. 
 
 1641. A<pov %5pbv ffvvotxvnijpet. Svepsw fieov Simonid. yrept yw. 
 
 101. rdi$Se TOV AI/MOV ffvvouti&Ts Alciph. 1. 20. 2. 
 
 1650. From Hes. Sc. 119 oixen TijAoD vaplvy Hes. Sc. 119. 
 
 AO^OS ' irvffTVftz it- uvSfuv OXTU' ol Se, % ctvlpuv ifi'. 
 01 % . % tq'. Suid. s. v. 
 
 1651. irpoKUTrov sx. uv T ^'4'? avri TOW yu/wvov Suid. S. V. 
 1653. Chorus in Sept. 263 avv AAo<$ Treitrofjicti TO /K0p<r<^ov. 
 
 to which Eteocles replies TOVT' VT' sxsivov TGVTTOI; 
 atpovftcti ffifav. rsfdffKOTrov d atpovpzi Choeph. 551. 
 In addition to the fact that sp and ctp cannot be dis- 
 tinguished in the Medicean Ms., there is no doubt 
 that alpovpsSz. is right, were they ever so unlike. 
 1655. %ZHK fif'pcs Pers. 222. The idea is taken from Horn. D. 
 19. 222 cilfya, re $t/Ao5r/2o$ TtzXtTzi x6f.o$ 
 y,c,T -xte'tfTY.v pev xxXxpyv x&cvi ^aAxb? s%Vv. 
 y oAyTTG$ eTrJjv xAvy<r< raAavra Z,v$. apyTos is 
 commonly read, with an interpretation like that given 
 in Liddell and Scott's Lexicon p. 667. But the meaning is: 
 'very soon doth a surfeit of fighting arise in men, for 
 the swathe which the blade strews on the ground is 
 thick , but the crop is scanty , when Zeus makes either 
 scale to fall' i. e. there is plenty of straw in war, but 
 little real good comes from war. Ulysses is the speaker, 
 and he is always the interpreter of the poet's own 
 sentiments. 
 
 1659. ou5' av fo<Vjv W$T' %tv rivets fftbtv Eum. 228. 
 
 1660. OTAJJ is a solid hoof like that of a horse; ^nA>5 is a 
 
 cloven hoof like that of a sheep, goat, or ox; or a 
 
 foot with claws. See Scholl. on Hes. Op. 488 and Hes. 
 
 Sc. 62. 
 
 1669. mctivuv etW/3f<av Sept, 344. 
 1672. For the proper case with Tpor^av see Eum. 640, 739. 
 
 The (Ed. T. of Soph. , and the Ion of Eur. also end 
 
 with trochaic tetrameters.
 
 EXPLANATION OF THE METRES, 
 
 Prologue: vv. 1 38, iambic trimeters. 
 
 According to Professor Weil iambic systems are composed of 
 periods which correspond in number of lines, and consist of 
 members also corresponding in number of lines, both periods 
 (periodi) and members (cola, articuli) having for the most part 
 a definite relation to one another in meaning. This symmetry 
 arose, he says, from the correspondence of the choral odes; for 
 tragedy was at first one chorus-, and JEschylus who introduced 
 the iambic and trochaic systems would naturally make them 
 resemble the chorus in the responsion of their several periods. 
 This theory has not yet been fairly tested , nor had Professor 
 Weil discovered it when he edited his Agamemnon in the year 
 1858. His own account of it is to be found in his edition of 
 the Choephoroe page V foil., and its application to the Aga- 
 memnon in his Eumenides page 125 foil. The ordinary notation 
 is adopted in the present edition, and no lacunae are marked 
 except in the dialogue. It is, therefore, inconvenient to give 
 more than this one example of correspondence in the iambic 
 systems. Thus, the Prologue consists of three periods: 
 
 6 lines; 14 (4, 8, 2); 14 (4, 8, 2); 4. 
 
 Introductory, intermediate, and concluding members (proodi, 
 mesodi, epodi) are sometimes placed alone; so here the first 6 
 are a proodus and the last 4 an epodus. Interjections like QsV 
 Qev count as a verse. 
 
 Parode: vv. 40 257. It consists of three parts, 
 (1) 10 anapaestic systems: 5 (6,6, 44, 74, 4J) = 284 lines, 
 relating to the past; the march from Argos, the sin 
 of Paris, the certainty of vengeance: and 5 (10, 4, 34, 
 
 15
 
 226 EXPLANATION OF THE METKES. 
 
 4, 6 1) = 28 1 relating to the present, and the action 
 of the drama. This requires Enger's text at w. 42, 66. 
 
 (2) An ode consisting of strophe, antistrophe, epodus. The 
 
 verses of the str. and antistr. , w. 104 139, are: 
 
 1. dactylic hexam. 2. dactylic pentam. 3. dactylic 'dim. 
 
 4. dactylic trim. 5. iambic dipodia, dactylic tetram. 
 
 6. dactylic dim. 7. dactylic hexam. 8. dactylic dim. 
 9. dactylic octam. 10. iambic dip., dactylic tetram. 
 11. dactylic trim. 12. dactylic hexam. 13. iambic dim. 
 14. dactylic tetram , ecbasis i. e. a base , in form , taking 
 the place of a trochaic clausula. (All dact. orders are cat.) 
 
 The epodus w. 140159. 
 
 1. iambic dim. 2. iambic dip.-, logaoedic order (dactyl, 
 trochaic dip.) 3. dactylic tetram. 4. log. (base, dactyl, 
 trochaic dip.) 5. dactylic tetram. 6. dactylic pentam. 
 
 7. anacrusis, base, dactylic trim. 8. dactylic hexam., 
 dactylic dim. 9. dactylic hexam. 10. dactylic hexam., 
 dactylic trim. 11, 12, 13. dactylic hexam. 14. dactylic 
 dim. 15. dactylic tetram., ecbasis. 
 
 (3) An ode consisting of five strophes and antistrophes w. 
 
 160257. 
 
 Str. &. 1. base , two trochaic dimeters cat. 2. trochaic 
 dim. cat. 3. two trochaic dimeters cat. 4. dactylic pentam. 
 
 5. trochaic dim. cat. 
 
 Str. (3'. 1. two trochaic dimeters cat. 2. trochaic dim. 
 cat. 3. base, trochaic dim. cat. 4. cretic trim., trochaic 
 dim. cat. 5. three trochaic orders: tripodia, dipodia, 
 dim. cat. 
 
 Str. y 1 . 1, 2. iambic dip., trochaic trip. 3. iambic 
 dim., trochaic trip. 4. anacr., base, trochaic trip. 
 5. iambic dip. , trochaic trip. cat. , ecbasis. 6. iambic trip. 
 7 , 8. log. (dactyl , trochaic dip.) 9. log. (choriambic hexa- 
 podia, dactyl, trochaic dip.) 
 
 Str. I 1 . 1, 2. iambic dip., trochaic trip. 3. iambic 
 dim. 4 , 5. iambic dip. , trochaic trip. 6. iambic trip. , 
 trochaic dip. 7. log. (iambus, trochaic trip, cat., dactyl, 
 trochaic trip, cat, dactyl, trochaic dip.) 8. dactyl, tro- 
 chaic dip. 
 
 Str. s. 1. iambic dip., cretic dim. 2. iambic dip., 
 trochaic trip. 3. iambic dip., cretic, trochaic trip., tro- 
 chaic dip. 4. iambic dip., trochaic dim. cat. 5. iambic
 
 EXPLANATION OF THE METRES. 227 
 
 dip. , cretic. 6. iambic dip. , trochaic trip. 7. iambic dip. , 
 cretic trim. 8. log. (iambic dip., trochaic trip., dactyl, 
 trochaic dip.) 
 
 First Episode: iambic trimeters, w. 258 354. 
 
 First St&simon, consisting of, 
 
 (1) three anapaestic systems : 2 , 4 , 5. w. 355 366 : 
 
 (2) an ode of three strophes and antistrophes and an epodus, 
 
 w. 367488. 
 
 Str. . 1,2. anacr. , base (or bacchius , or syncopated 
 iambic dip.), troch. trip. 3. anacr., troch. dip., troch. 
 trip. 4. iambic dip., cretic dim. 5, 6. iambic dip., 
 cretic. 7, 8. anacr., base, cretic. 9, 10. anacr., base, 
 trochaic trip. 11. iambic dip., cretic dim., trochaic trip. 
 12. log. (dactyl, trochaic dip. 13, 14. Pherecratic (base , 
 dactylic dim.) 15. Gly conic (base, dactyl, cretic.), Phe- 
 recratic. 
 
 NJB. Cretic is only a convenient name for a trochaic dip. 
 cat. , and a trochaic trip, is called an Ithyphallic. In 
 the same way a verse which consists of cretics having 
 the arsis uniformly resolved is called Poeonic. This 
 multiplication, however, of technical terms which 
 are not absolutely necessary is unscientific , and bears 
 the appearance of pedantry. Probably all metres 
 could be fully explained by the use of about a score 
 technical terms. 
 
 Str. ft'. 1. iambic dip., cretic dim. 2. iambic dip., 
 cretic, trochaic trip. 3. iambic hexapodia. 4. anacr., 
 base, trochaic trip, cat, 5. iambic pentap. 6. iambic 
 dip., trochaic trip. 7 , 8. iambic dip., trochaic dim. cat. 
 9. iambic dip. , cretic , trochaic trip. cat. 10. iambic dim. 
 11. iambic dip., cretic. 12. cretic, trochaic trip. 13, 
 14 , 15. as in strophe . 
 
 Str. y. 1. iambic dip., cretic dim. 2. iambic dip., 
 trochaic dim. cat. 3, 4. iambic dip., cretic. 5. trochaic 
 order: three trochaic dimeters cat. 6 iambic order: two 
 iambic dimeters. 7. log. (iambic dim., dactyl, trochaic 
 trip. cat. dactyl , trochaic trip. cat. , dactyl , trochaic trip, 
 cat., dactyl, trochaic dip.) 8, 9, 10. as 13, 14, 15 
 in d, ft'. 
 
 Epodus. 1 , 2. iambic dip. , cretic. 3. trochaic dim. 
 cat. 4, 5. iambic trim. 6. iambic dip., cretic. 7. iambic
 
 228 EXPLANATION OF THE METEES. 
 
 dip., two trochaic dimeters cat. 8. iambic dip., cretic. 
 9. iambic dip., trochaic dim. cat. 10. iambic trim. 
 11. iambic dim. 12. iambic dip., trochaic dim. cat. 
 Second Episode: iambic trimeters w. 489 680. 
 Second Stasimon: an ode of four strophes and antistrophes , 
 vv. 681782. 
 
 Str. d- 1. two trochaic dimeters cat. 2. trochaic dim. 
 cat., cretic, trochaic dim. cat. 3. trochaic dim. cat. 
 4. log. (dactyl, trochee, cretic; dactyl, trochee, cretic; 
 dactyl, trochee, dactyl, choriambic dim., dactyl, trochee, 
 cretic; dactyl, trochee, cretic; choriambus, dactyl, trochee, 
 cretic; dactyl, trochaic trip.) 5. log. (base, dactyl, cre- 
 tic, dactyl, trochaic dip.) 6. Pherecratic (base j^v; 
 dactylic dim.) 
 
 Str. (3'. 1. log. (iambus, dactyl, cretic, trochee, dac- 
 tylic dim.) 2. anacr. , base, dactylic dim. 3, 4, 5. dac- 
 tylic trim. 6, 7. trochaic dim. cat. 3. log. (base, dactyl, 
 cretic; trochee, dactylic dim.) 
 
 Str. y'. 1. iambic dip., trochaic dip., three trochaic 
 tripodias cat; trochaic dip., trochaic trip. 2. dactyl, 
 trochaic trip. cat. 3. log. (base, dactyl, cretic; chor- 
 iambic dim. ; dactyl , trochaic trip. cat. ; choriambic trim. , 
 dactylic dim.) 4. anacr., base, dactylic dim., (monosyllabic 
 catalexis). 5. pherecratic (base, dactylic dim.) 
 
 Str. $'. 1. iambic dip., cretic trim., trochaic dim. cat. 
 2. log. (anacr. , base , dactyl , trochaic dim. cat.) 3. iambic 
 dip. 4. Cretic trim. 5. log. (trochaic dip., cretic, dactyl, 
 trochaic dip.) 6. dactyl, trochaic dip. 
 N.B. In verse 4 the cretic order is either catalectic, or 
 
 has the last syllable common. 
 Third Episode: vv. 783 974. (1) six anapaestic systems vv. 
 
 783809. (2) iambic trimeters vv. 810974. 
 Third Stasimon: an ode of two strophes and antistrophes vv. 
 9751034. 
 
 Str. A. 1, 2. trochaic dim. cat. 3. trochaic dip., 
 trochaic trip. 4. dactylic pentam. 5,6, trochaic dim. 
 cat. 7. cretic dim., trochaic dim. cat. 8. iambic trim. 
 9. cretic dim., trochaic dim. cat. 10. trochaic dim. cat. 
 
 Str. 0'. 1 paeonic trim. 2. ionic a minore (= anacr. 
 
 vv and base ), two dactylic trimeters cat. 3. log. 
 
 (dactyl, choriambic dim., dactyl, trochaic dip.) 4, 5, 6,
 
 EXPLANATION OF THE METRES. 229 
 
 7, 8, 9. trochaic dim. cat. 10. base, dactylic heptam. 
 11. trochaic dim. cat. 
 
 Fourth Episode: vv. 1035 1330. (1) iambic trimeters vv. 
 1035 1071. (2) Commatica: seven strophes and anti- 
 strophes, vv. 1072 1177. 
 
 Str. d. 1,2. bacchiac dim. 
 
 Str. p. 1. bacchiac dim. 2-. bacchius , dochmius. 
 3. iambic trim. 
 
 Str. y. 1. dochmiac dim. 2. cretic, dochmius. 3. iam- 
 bic trim. 
 
 Str. 5'. 1. iambic dip., dochmius. 2. trochaic dim. cat. 
 
 3. iambic trim. 4. dochmius, cretic tetram. 
 
 Str. t. 1. dochmiac dim. 2. iambic dim. cat. 3. iam- 
 bic trim. 4. iambic dip., dochmius. 5. dochmius, cretic 
 dim. Mesostrophe d, : 1,2. iambic trim. 3 , 4. dochmiac 
 dim. 5. dochmius, cretic dim., dochmius. 
 
 Str. q'. 1. iambic dim. cat., dochmius. 2. dochmiac 
 dim. 3, 4. iambic trim. Mesostrophe ft': 1. dochmiac 
 trim. 2. cretic, dochmius. 3. dochmius, cretic dim. 
 
 4. dochmiac trim. 
 
 Str. '. 1 , 2. iambic trip. , dochmius. 3. dochmiac 
 
 trim. 4, 5. iambic trim. Mesostrophe y ': 1. dochmiac 
 
 dim. 2. iambic dim. 3. dochmiac dim. 4. dochmius, 
 
 cretic dim. 5. dochmius. 
 
 (3) vv. 1178 1330, iambic trimeters, except v. 1307 (psv <peD 
 
 an iambus, and vv. 1214. 1256, 1315 iambic dipodias. 
 Three anapaestic systems, vv. 1331 1342, occupy the place 
 
 of the Fourth Stasimon. 
 
 Fifth Episode: vv. 1343 1447, iambic trimeters, except vv. 
 1344 ,6,7, trochaic tetram. cat. , and a strophe and ant- 
 istrophe vv. 14071411; 14261430: 
 
 v. 1. dochmius. 2. iambic dim. 3, 4. dochmiac dim. 
 
 5. iambic trip, dochmius. 6. pherecratic (base , dactylic dim.) 
 Commatica: five strophes and antistrophes alternating with 
 
 ten anapaestic systems, vv. 1448 1577. 
 
 Str. A. 1. log. (dactyl, cretic, dactyl, cretic, phere- 
 cratic.) 2. iambic dip., trochaic trip. 3. log. (dactylic 
 dim. , trochaic dip.) 4. trochaic dim. cat. 5. cretic tetram. , 
 trochaic dim. cat. 
 
 Str. ft'. 1. log. (dactylic trim., trochaic dip.) 2. log. 
 (dactyl, trochaic dip.) 3. anacr., base, trochaic trip.
 
 230 EXPLANATION OF THE METKES. 
 
 Str. y'. 1. dactylic trim, with monosyllabic catalexis. 
 2. log. (dactylic dim., trochaic dip.) 3. log. (anacr. , 
 dactyl, trochaic dip., pherecratic). 4, 5. two iambic 
 dimeters. 6. iambic trim. cat. 7. log. (iambus, dactyl, 
 trochaic dip.) 
 
 Str. $'. 1. anacr., two bases, dactyl, cretio. 2. ionic 
 a minore, cretic. 3. log. (dactylic dim., trochaic dip.) 
 
 Str. 4. 1. iambic dip., trochaic trip. 2. log. (dactyl, 
 trochaic dip.) 3. iambic dip., trochaic trip. 4. iambic 
 dip., trochaic dim. cat. 5. iambic dip., trochaic trip. 
 5. iambic trim. 7. anacr., base, trochaic trip. 
 Exode: vv. 15781673, 
 
 vv. 1578 1648, iambic trimeters: vv. 1649 1673 
 trochaic trimeters catalectic.
 
 ADDITIONS. 
 
 V. 893 , Commentary. The experiments of Professor Burmeister 
 have proved that this is incorrect. Breathing is the true cause 
 of the sound made by insects, which is in reality a whistle. 
 Insects hum after their wings are cut off, but not when the air- 
 holes of the thorax are closed up. Again, the common house- 
 fly, for instance, does not always hum during its flight. 
 
 V. 1110. 'And then he adjusted it very carefully in his grasp , 
 and made two or three experimental picks with it in the air'. 
 The murderer in 'Uncle Silas' by J. S.Le Fanu, Vol. HI. p. 302. 
 
 Having at length , August 7 th. 1868 , obtained a copy of 
 Canter's edition, after the final impression of all these sheets 
 except the last , I am enabled to give a short description of that 
 rare book. It is in 32mo. , 3 inches broad by 4i long , and 
 about | of an inch thick. It contains 368 pages. The critical 
 notes to the seven plays take up 124 of these little pages. Here 
 is a translation of the Title-page: "The Seven Tragedies of^Eschylus. 
 In which besides the removal of an infinite number of blemishes, 
 the structure of the odes, which was hitherto unknown, is now 
 first explained; by "William Canter of Utrecht. Published at 
 Antwerp, from the press of Christopher Plantinus. 1580." It is 
 dedicated in Greek to Peter Victorius , whose text Canter adopts 
 without inserting his own corrections. At the end we have the 
 Approbatio of 'Thomas Gozeus a Bellomonte, Professor of The- 
 ology and Inspector of Books': "I have read through a Sophocles 
 and JEschylus and the observations made upon them by William
 
 232 ADDITIONS. 
 
 Canter, and have found nothing objectionable. Done at Louvain , 
 April 1, 1570." 
 
 Canter prefaces his critical notes to the Choephorce as follows: 
 "Quemadmodum haec tragredia principio caret , sic etiam iis quse 
 insuper prseponi debent , destituitur : quorum nos utrique , quantum 
 poterimus adferemus remedii. Hsec igitur praeponenda sunt. 
 
 *H (tsv ffJCJjvi} TOV SpctpuToq ev "Apyst VTTOXSITUI' b $s %opb$ ex 
 vvsffrvjKSV , cii rct$ %out; ?rpo$ TOV 'Aya/we^vovo^ 
 $' vyrodetris, 'OpsffTys ex (pwyyq STTCIVIUV . xui 
 ryv rs KhurctifAvfarpav Zpet xoii TOV A'/y<o*6ov XTE/VWV." 
 
 This Argument, it will be observed, is 'about four lines' as 
 I have supposed above. Trctp&svav is wrong: it should be yvvutxuv. 
 svroTrluv is right; as I have proved at p. XII of my Choephoroe, 
 independently of Canter. With reference to the lacuna in the 
 Prologue of the Choephoroe he says: "Jam quod ad principium 
 tragcedise pertinet, id nobis fere to'um conservavit in Ranis 
 Aristophanes." 
 
 THE END. 

 
 115437 
 
 from which it was borrowed