Classic Greek Drama_ 10 Plays by Euripides in a Single File [NOOK Book] - Euripides [147]
[51] An obscure hint at the impending fate of Pentheus. Nonnus has led the way to the catastrophe by a graphic description of Agave's dream. Dionys. 45. p. 751.
[52] [Greek: pheromenos] may mean either "carried in a litter," or "carried to burial." There is a somewhat similar play in the epigram of Ausonius, xxiii. "Mater Lacaena clypeo obarmans filium, cum hoc, inquit, aut in hoc, redi."
[53] Burges more rightly reads [Greek: matros te Gas]. See Elmsley's note.
[54] As one must make some translation, I have done my best with this passage, which is, however, utterly unintelligible in Dindorf's text. A reference to his selection of notes will furnish some new readings, but, as a whole, quite unsatisfactory.
[55] Compare the parallel account in Nonnus, 46. p. 784.
[56] Alluded to by Oppian, Cyn. iv. 300. [Greek: apte selas phlogeron patroion, an d' elelexon Daian, atarteron d' opason tisin oka tyrannou]. He then relates that Pentheus was transformed into a bull, the Maenads into panthers, who tore him to pieces.
[57] [Greek: stochos] is either the aim itself, or the mark aimed at, as in this passage, and Xenoph. Ages. 1. 25.
[58] I have done my best with this extraordinary expression, of which Elmsley quotes another example from Archilochus Fragm. 36. Perhaps the notion of excessive rapidity is intended to be expressed.
[59] [Greek: ther] seems metaphorically said, as in AEsch. Eum. 47. Nonnus, 45. p. 784, 23. above, 922.
[60] Compare Nonnus, 46. p. 784.
[Greek: Kai tote min lipe lyssa noosphaleos Dionysou,] [Greek: kai proteras phrenas esche to deuteron: amphi de gaiei] [Greek: geitona potmon echon kenyren ephthenxato phonen.] * * * * * * [Greek: meter eme dysmeter apeneos iocheo lysses,] [Greek: thera pothen kaleeis me ton hyiea.]
The whole passage is very elegant, and even pathetic.
[61] Alluding to the horns of Bacchus. Cf. Sidon. Apoll. Burg. Pontii Leontii, vs. 26, "Caput ardua rumpunt Cornua, et indigenam jaculantur fulminis ignem." See some whimsical reasons for this in Isidor. Origg viii. 2. Albricus de Deor. Nu. xix. But compare above, vs. 920. [Greek: Kai tauros hemin prosthen hegeisthai dokeis, kai soi kerate krati prospephykenai].
[62] Elmsley has rightly shown that [Greek: helika] could not of itself mean "a bull" or "heifer," although Homer has [Greek: eilipodas helikas bous]. I have therefore followed Hermann, who remarks, "[Greek: helix] seems properly to be meant for the clusters of ivy with which the thyrsus was entwined. Hence Agave says that she adorns the thyrsus with a new-fashioned wreath, viz. the head of her son." Such language is, however, more like the proverbial boldness of AEschylus, than the even style of our poet.
[63] "[Greek: korytha], ornamentum capitis, vix potest dubitari quin pro ipso capite posuerit." HERMANN. There is considerable variation in the manner in which the following lines are disposed.
[64] Or, "Bacchus-mad."
[65] I have marked a lacuna with Dindorf.
[66] See the commentators on Virg. AEn. i. 11. "Tantaene animis coelestibus irae?"
[67] After [Greek: tlemones phygai] supply [Greek: menousin]. ELMSLEY.
[68] A word is wanting to complete the verse.
[69] See Musgrave. Cranes are chiefly celebrated for parental affection.
[70] These verses are found at the ends of no less than four others of our author's plays, viz. Andromacha, Helen, Medea, and Alcestis.
_________
THE HERACLIDAE.
PERSONS REPRESENTED.
IOLAUS.
COPREUS.*
CHORUS.
DEMOPHOON.
APOLLO.
MACARIA.*
SERVANT.
ALCMENA.
MESSENGER.
EURYSTHEUS.
_Note_.--The names of Copreus and Macaria were wanting in the MSS., but have been supplied from the mythologists. See Elmsley on vss. 49 and 474.
THE ARGUMENT.
Iolaus, son of Iphiclus, and nephew of Hercules, whom he had joined in his expeditions during his youth, in his old age protected his sons. For the sons of Hercules having been driven out of every part of Greece by Eurystheus, he came with them to Athens; and, embracing the altars of the Gods, was safe, Demophoon