ChorusNever, oh! never will I commend rival wives or sonsἀμφιμάτορας κὀρους is explained as meaning brothers by different mothers but the same father.
of different mothers, a cause of strife, of bitterness, and grief every house. I would have a husband content with one wife whose rights he shareth with no other.
ChorusNot even in states is dual monarchy better to bear than undivided rule; it only doubles burdens and causes faction amongst the citizens. Often too will the Muse sow strife ’twixt rivalsReading τόνων θ᾽ ὕμνου σθνεργάταιν δυοῖν for τεκτόνοιν θ᾽ ὕμνοιν ἐργάταιν. The emendation was due to Hermann (τόνων) and Duport. in the art of minstrelsy.
ChorusAgain, when strong winds are drifting mariners, the divided counsel of the wise is not conducive to steering, and their collective wisdom has less weight than the inferior intelligence of the single man who has sole authority;Such is Paley’s interpretation of this very difficult piece of Greek. He reads διδύμα γνώμα (nom.) with a colon after the latter word; and ὃ δυωασις, the correction of Hermann for ἁ. for this is the essence of power alike in house and state, whene’er men care to find the proper moment.
ChorusThis Spartan, the daughter of the great chief Menelaus, proves this; for she hath kindled hot fury against a rival, and is bent on slaying the hapless Trojan maid and her child to further her bitter quarrel. Tis a murder gods and laws and kindness all forbid. Ah! lady, retribution for this deed will visit thee yet.