Supplices

Aeschylus

Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.

  1. . . . old man.
  1. You will get yourself speedily on board, on board, I say, whether you will or not, by force, by force. . . .
  1. Alas, alas! So may you perish past all help, driven from your course over the surging waves by eastern breezes off
  2. the sandy tomb of Sarpedon!
Herald
  1. Wail and shout and call upon the gods—you will not escape the Egyptian ship.
  2. Cry out, utter a strain of woe more bitter still.
  1. Alas, alas the brutal outrage with which, you crocodile, you boast arrogantly, bellowing on the sea. May the mighty
  2. Nile, who watches you, overwhelm your arrogance and destroy you.
Herald
  1. Go to the double-prowed ship as quickly as possible. Let no one delay, for dragging by force has no mercy on locks of hair.
Chorus
  1. Alas, father; the help of the sacred images deludes me. Like a spider, he is carrying me seaward step by step—a nightmare, a black nightmare! Oh! Oh!
  2. Mother Earth, mother Earth, avert his fearful cries! O father Zeus, son of Earth!
Herald
  1. I do not fear the native gods, be assured. They did not rear me, nor by their nurture did they bring me to old age.
Chorus
  1. He rages close to me, the two-footed serpent. Like some viper he lays hold of me and bites my foot. Alas, alas! Mother Earth, mother Earth,
  2. avert his fearful cries! O father Zeus, son of Earth!
Herald
  1. If you will not resign yourself and get to the ship, rending will have no pity on the fabric of your garments.
Chorus
  1. We are lost! O King, we are suffering impious violence![*](l. 908)
Herald
  1. [*](l. 906)Oh, you will soon see many kings in Aegyptus’ sons. Be of good cheer: you will not have to blame lack of government.
  1. Listen! Chiefs and rulers of the city, I am threatened with violence![*](l. 905)
  1. I think I will have to seize you by the hair and drag you off[*](l. 909)