Classic Greek Drama_ 10 Plays by Euripides in a Single File [NOOK Book] - Euripides [112]
[42] But we must read [Greek: gymnados hippou] with Reiske, Brunot, and Dindorf. See his notes. [Greek: podi] must be joined with [Greek: gym. hippou]. B.
[43] [Greek: potmon apotmon]. B.
[44] [Greek: Autaisin arbylaisin]. Some have supposed [Greek: arbyle] to mean a part of the chariot, but this seems at variance with the best authorities (see Monk's note); perhaps the expression may mean what is implied in the translation; that Hippolytus did not wait to change any part of his dress. TR. But I agree with Dindorf, that [Greek: autaisin] is then utterly absurd and useless. The Scholiast seems correct in saying, [Greek: tais ton harmatos peri ten antyga, entha ten otasin echei ho heniochos]. B.
[45] "Adeo ut deficerent a visu, ne cernere possem, Scironis alta." B.
[46] [Greek: Kachlazo], a word formed from the noise of the sea--[Greek: ho gar echos tou kymatos en tois koilomasi ton petron ginomenos, dokei mimeisthai to kachla, kachla].--_Etym. Mag._
[47] [Greek: Trikymiai]. See Blomfield's _Glossary to the Prometheus_, 1051.
[48] Musgrave supposes that Hippolytus wound the reins round his body; but on this supposition, not to mention other objections, the comparison with the sailor does not hold so well. It is more natural to suppose that he leaned back in order to get a purchase: in this attitude he is made to describe himself in Ov. _Met._ xv. 519, _Et retro lentas tendo resupinus habenas._ If there be any doubt of [Greek: eis toumisthen himasin] being Greek, this objection is obviated by putting a stop after [Greek: himasin], and making it depend on [Greek: helkei].
[49] i.e. in Crete. See Dindorf's note. B.
[50] [Greek: Exorizetai], _valde prorumpit, liberat terminos, quibus hactenus septum fuit_. REISKE.
[51] Heath translates [Greek: anekouphisthen] _adtollebam corpus_, honoris scilicet gratia. Compare Iliad, [Greek: O]. 241. [Greek: atar asthma kai hidros pauet', epei min egeire Dios noos aigiochoio], which Pope translates,
"Jove thinking of his pains, they pass'd away:"
in which the idea is much more sublime; for there the thought of a Deity effects what the presence of one does here.
[52] Probably meaning Adonis. See Monk. B.
___________
ALCESTIS .
PERSONS REPRESENTED.
APOLLO.
DEATH.
CHORUS OF PHEROEANS.
ATTENDANTS.
ALCESTIS.
ADMETUS.
EUMELUS.
HERCULES.
PHERES.
THE ARGUMENT.
Apollo desired of the Fates that Admetus, who was about to die, might give a substitute to die for him, that so he might live for a term equal to his former life; and Alcestis, his wife, gave herself up, while neither of his parents were willing to die instead of their son. But not long after the time when this calamity happened, Hercules having arrived, and having learned from a servant what had befallen Alcestis, went to her tomb, and having made Death retire, covers the lady with a robe; and requested Admetus to receive her and keep her for him; and said he had borne her off as a prize in wrestling; but when he would not, he unveiled her, and discovered her whom he was lamenting.
ALCESTIS
APOLLO.
O mansions of Admetus, wherein I endured to acquiesce in the slave's table,[1] though a God; for Jove was the cause, by slaying my son AEsculapius, hurling the lightning against his breast: whereat enraged, I slay the Cyclops, forgers of Jove's fire; and me my father compelled to serve for hire with a mortal, as a punishment for these things. But having come to this land, I tended the herds of him who received me, and have preserved this house until this day: for being pious I met with a pious man,[2] the son of Pheres, whom I delivered from dying by deluding the Fates: but those Goddesses granted me that Admetus should escape the impending death, could he furnish in his place another dead for the powers below. But having tried and gone through all his friends, his father and his aged mother who bore him, he found not, save his wife, one who was willing to die for him, and view no more the light: who now within the house