Andromache

Euripides

Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891.

  1. Whene’er that comes, I am ready to bear it. But thy life will I have.
Andromache
  1. Wilt likewise slay this tender chick, whom thou hast snatched from ’neath my wing?
Menelaus
  1. Not I, but I will give him to my daughter to slay if she will.
Andromache
  1. Ah me! why not begin my mourning then for thee, my child?
Menelaus
  1. Of a truth ’tis no very sure hope that he has left.
Andromache
  1. O citizens of Sparta, the bane of all the race of men, schemers of guile, and masters in lying, devisers of evil plots, with crooked minds and tortuous methods and ne’er one honest thought, ’tis wrong that ye should thrive in Hellas.
  2. What crime is wanting in your list? How rife is murder with you! How covetous ye are! One word upon your lips, another in your heart, this is what men always find with you. Perdition catch ye! Still death is not so grievous, as[*](Hermann alters ὡς into ὃς, i.e. the death you have determined to inflict; but the change seems unnecessary.) thou thinkest, to me. No! for my life ended
  3. in the day that hapless Troy was destroyed with my lord, that glorious warrior, whose spear oft made a coward like thee quit the field and seek thy ship. But now against a woman hast thou
    displayed the terrors of thy panoply, my would-be murderer. Strike then! for this
  4. my tongue shall never flatter thee or that daughter of thine. For though thou wert of great account in Sparta, why so was I in Troy. And if I am now in sorry plight, presume not thou on this; thou too mayst be so yet.
Chorus
  1. Never, oh! never will I commend rival wives or sons[*](ἀμφιμάτορας 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
  2. he shareth with no other.
Chorus
  1. Not even in states is dual monarchy better to bear than undivided rule;
  2. it only doubles burdens and causes faction amongst the citizens. Often too will the Muse sow strife ’twixt rivals[*](Reading τόνων θ᾽ ὕμνου σθνεργάταιν δυοῖν for τεκτόνοιν θ᾽ ὕμνοιν ἐργάταιν. The emendation was due to Hermann (τόνων) and Duport.) in the art of minstrelsy.
Chorus
  1. Again, when strong winds are drifting mariners,
  2. 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.
Chorus
  1. This 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
  2. 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.