Classic Greek Drama_ 10 Plays by Euripides in a Single File [NOOK Book] - Euripides [46]
[31] Some would understand by [Greek: monopolon] not that Aurora was borne on one horse, but that this alteration in the course of nature took place for one day. SCHOL.
[32] [Greek: kai apo tonde, etoi meta tauta.] PARAPH.
[33] [Greek: paraseiros] is used to signify a loose horse tied abreast of another in the shaft, and is technically termed "the outrigger." The metaphorical application of it to Pylades, who voluntarily attached himself to the misfortunes of his friend, is extremely beautiful.
[34] Or, _"I will not be at all behind thy slaughter."_
[35] [Greek: eu] in this passage _interrogat oblique_, see Hoogeveen, xvi. Sec. 1. 15.
[36] Strophius, the father of Pylades, married Anaxibia, Agamemnon's sister.
[37] [Greek: oneide, ton euergesion tas hypomneseis]. SCHOL. Ter. And. i. 1. "isthaec commemoratio quasi exprobratio est immemoris benefici."
[38] i.e. being a barbarian, and therefore not knowing whither to go.
[39] [Greek: harmateion], such a strain as that raised over Hector, [Greek: helkomeno, dia tou harmatos]. See two other explanations in the Scholia.
[40] [Greek: hipposyna, hetis hyperches hippelasia tou G.] BRUNCK.
[41] Literally, _her Mycenian slipper_.
[41a] Read [Greek: thanein] with Pors. Dind.
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ADDITIONAL NOTES.
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[A] But Dindorf reads [Greek: ktypou e egaget'. ouchi]; interrogatively, thus: "Ye were making a noise. Will ye not ... enable him," etc.?
[B] Dindorf would continue this verse to Orestes.
[C] Dindorf supposes something to be wanting after vs. 314.
[D] The use of [Greek: allos heteros] is learnedly illustrated by Dindorf.
[E] Elmsley, on Heracl. 852, more simply regards the datives [Greek: soi sei t' adelphe] as dependent upon [Greek: episeiso], understanding [Greek: hoste dounai diken]. This is better than to suppose (with Porson) that [Greek: dounai diken] can mean to _inflict_ punishment.
[F] Dindorf (in his notes) agrees with Porson in omitting the following verse.
[G] Dindorf's text and punctuation must be altered.
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THE PHOENICIAN VIRGINS.
PERSONS REPRESENTED.
JOCASTA.
TUTOR.
ANTIGONE.
CHORUS OF PHOENICIAN VIRGINS.
POLYNICES.
ETEOCLES.
CREON.
MENOECEUS.
TIRECIAS.
MESSENGERS.
OEDIPUS.
_The Scene is in the Court before the royal palace at Thebes_.
THE ARGUMENT.
Eteocles having gotten possession of the throne of Thebes, deprived his brother Polynices of his share; but he having come as an exile to Argos, married the daughter of the king Adrastus; but ambitious of returning to his country, and having persuaded his father-in-law, he assembled a great army for Thebes against his brother. His mother Jocasta made him come into the city, under sanction of a truce, and first confer with his brother respecting the empire. But Eteocles being violent and fierce from having possessed the empire, Jocasta could not reconcile her children.--Polynices, prepared as against an enemy, rushed out of the city. Now Tiresias prophesied that victory should be on the side of the Thebans, if Menoeceus the son of Creon would give himself up to be sacrificed to Mars. Creon refused to give his son to the city, but the youth was willing, and, his father pointing out to him the means of flight and giving him money, he put himself to death.--The Thebans slew the leaders of the Argives. Eteocles and Polynices in a single combat slew each other, and their mother having found the corses of her sons laid violent hands on herself; and Creon her brother received the kingdom. The Argives defeated in battle retired. But Creon, being morose, would not give up those of the enemy who had fallen at Thebes, for sepulture, and exposed the body of Polynices without burial, and banished Oedipus from his country; in the one instance disregarding the laws of humanity, in the other giving way to passion, nor feeling pity for him after his calamity.
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THE PHOENICIAN VIRGINS.
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JOCASTA.
O thou that cuttest thy path through the constellations[1]