章节正文
410 BC
THE PHOENISSAE
by Euripides
translated by E. P. Coleridge
CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY
JOCASTA, wife of OEDIPUS
OLD SERVANT, an attendant of ANTIGONE
ANTIGONE, daughter Of OEDIPUS
CHORUS OF PHOENICIAN MAIDENS
POLYNEICES, exiled son of OEDIPUS
ETEOCLES, now King of Thebes; son of OEDIPUS
CREON, brother of JOCASTA
TEIRESIAS, a blind prophet
MENOECEUS, son of CREON
FIRST MESSENGER
SECOND MESSENGER
OEDIPUS, formerly King of Thebes
Daughter of TEIRESIAS, guards, attendants
PHOENISSAE
THE PHOENISSAE
(SCENE:-Before the royal palace of Thebes. JOCASTA enters from the
palace alone.)
JOCASTA
O SUN-GOD, who cleavest thy way along the starry sky, mounted on
golden-studded car, rolling on thy path of flame behind fleet
coursers, how curst the beam thou didst shed on Thebes, the day that
Cadmus left Phoenicia's realm beside the sea and reached this land! He
it was that in days long gone wedded Harmonia, the daughter of Cypris,
and begat Polydorus from whom they say sprung Labdacus, and Laius from
him. I am known as the daughter of Menoeceus, and Creon is my
brother by the same mother. Men called me Jocasta, for so my father
named me, and I am married to Laius. Now when he was still childless
after being wedded to me a long time, he went and questioned
Phoebus, cravingmoreover that our love might be crowned with sons
born to his house. But the god said, "King of Thebes for horses famed!
seek not to beget children against the will of heaven; for if thou
beget a son, that child shall slay thee, and all thy house shall
wade through blood." But he, yielding to his lust in a drunken fit,
begat a son of me, and when his babe was born, conscious of his sin
and of the god's warning, he gave the child to shepherds to expose
in Hera's meadow on mount Cithaeron, after piercing his ankles with
iron spikes; whence it was that Hellas named him Oedipus. But the
keepers of the horses of Polybus finding him took him home and laid
him in the arms of their mistress. So she suckled the child that I had
borne and persuaded her husband she was its mother. Soon as my son was
grown to man's estate, the tawny beard upon his cheek, either
because he had guessed the fraud or learnt it from another, he set out
for the shrine of Phoebus, eager to know for certain who his parents
were; and likewise Laius, my husband, was on his way thither,
anxious to find out if the child he had exposed was dead. And they
twain met where the branching roads to Phocis unite; and the
charioteer of Laius called to him, "Out of the way, stranger, room for
my lord!" But he, with never a word, strode on in his pride; and the
horses with their hoofs drew blood from the tendons of his feet.
Then-but why need I tell aught beyond the sad issue?-son slew
father, and taking his chariot gave it to Polybus his foster-father.
Now when the Sphinx was grievously harrying our city after my
husband's death, my brother Creon proclaimed that he would wed me to
any who should guess the riddle of that craftymaiden. By some strange
chance, my own son, Oedipus, guessed the Sphinx's riddle, and so he
became king of this land and received its sceptre as his prize, and
married his mother, all unwitting, luckless wretch! nor did I his
mother know that I was wedded to my son; and I bore him two sons,
Eteocles and the hero Polyneices, and two daughters as well; the one
her father called Ismene, the other, which was the elder, I named
Antigone. Now when Oedipus, that awful sufferer, learnt that I his
wedded wife was his mother too, he inflicted a ghastlyoutrage upon
his eyes, tearing the bleeding orbs with a golden brooch. But since my
sons have grown to bearded men, they have confined their father
closely, that his misfortune, needing as it did full many a shift to
hide it, might be forgotten. He is still living in the palace, but his
misfortunes have so unhinged him that he imprecates the most unholy
curses on his sons, praying that they may have to draw the sword
before they share this house between them. So they, fearful that
heaven may accomplish his prayer if they dwell together, have made
an agreement, arranging that Polyneices, the younger, should first
leave the land in voluntary exile, while Eteocles should stay and hold
the sceptre for a year and then change places. But as soon as Eteocles
was seated high in power, he refused to give up the throne, and
drove Polyneices into exile from the kingdom; so Polyneices went to
Argos and married into the family of Adrastus, and having collected
a numerous force of Argives is leading them hither; and he is come
up against our seven-gated walls, demanding the sceptre of his
father and his share in the kingdom. Wherefore I, to end their strife,
have prevailed on one son to meet the other under truce, before
appealing to arms; and the messenger I sent tells me that he will
come. O Zeus, whose home is heaven's radiant vault, save us, and grant
that my sons may be reconciled! For thou, if thou art really wise,
must not suffer the same poor mortal to be for ever wretched.
(JOCASTA re-enters the palace, as the OLD SERVANT appears on the
roof.)
OLD SERVANT
Antigone, choice blossom in a father's house, although thy
mother allowed thee at thy earnest treaty to leave thy maiden
chamber for the topmost story of the house, thence to behold the
Argive host, yet a stay moment that I may first reconnoitre the
path, whether there be any of the citizens visible on the road, lest
reproach, little as it matters to a slave like me, fasten on thee,
my royal mistress; and when I am quite sure will tell thee
everything that I saw and heard from the Argives, when carried the
terms of the truce to and fro between this city and Polyneices. (After
a slight pause) No, there is no citizen approaching the palace; so
mount the ancient cedar steps, and view the plains that skirt
Ismenus and the fount of Dirce to see the mighty host of foemen.
(ANTIGONE appears beside him. She chants her replies to him.)
ANTIGONE
Stretch out thy hand to me from the stairs, the hand of age to
youth, helping me to mount.
OLD SERVANT
There! clasp it, my young mistress; thou art come at a lucky
moment; for Pelasgia's host is just upon the move, and their several
contingents are separating.
ANTIGONE
O Hecate, dread child of Latona! the plain is one blaze of bronze.
OLD SERVANT
Ah! this is no ordinary home-coming of Polyneices; with many a
knight and clash of countless arms he comes.
ANTIGONE
Are the gates fast barred, and the brazen bolts shot home into
Amphion's walls of stone?
OLD SERVANT
Never fear! all is safe within the town. But mark him who cometh
first, if thou wouldst learn his name.
ANTIGONE
Who is that with the white crest, who marches in the van,
lightly bearing on his arm a buckler all of bronze?
OLD SERVANT
A chieftain, lady-
ANTIGONE
Who is he? whose son? his name? tell me, old man.
OLD SERVANT
Mycenae claims him for her son; in Lerna's glens he dwells, the
prince Hippomedon.
ANTIGONE
Ah! how proud and terrible his mien! like to an earth-born giant
he moves, with stars engraved upon his targe, resembling not a child
of earth.
OLD SERVANT
Dost see yon chieftain crossing Dirce's stream?
ANTIGONE
His harness is quite different. Who is that?
OLD SERVANT
Tydeus, the son of Oeneus; true Aetolian spirit fires his breast.
ANTIGONE
Is this he, old man, who wedded a sister of the wife of
Polyneices? What a foreign look his armour has! a half-barbarian he!
OLD SERVANT
Yes, my child; all Aetolians carry shields, and are most
unerring marksmen with their darts.
ANTIGONE
How art thou so sure of these descriptions, old man?
OLD SERVANT
I carefully noted the blazons on their shields before when I
went with the terms of the truce to thy brother; so when I see them
now I know who carry them.
ANTIGONE
Who is that youth passing close to the tomb of Zethus, with long
flowing hair, but a look of fury in his eye? is he a captain? for
crowds of warriors follow at his heels.
OLD SERVANT
That is Parthenopaeus, Atalanta's son.
ANTIGONE
May Artemis, who hies o'er the hills with his mother, lay him
low with an arrow, for coming against my city to sack it!
OLD SERVANT
May it be so, my daughter; but with justice are they come
hither, and my fear is that the gods will take the rightful view,
ANTIGONE
Where is he who was born of the same mother as I was by a cruel
destiny? Oh! tell me, old friend, where Polyneices is.
OLD SERVANT
He is yonder, ranged next to Adrastus near the tomb of Niobe's
seven unwed daughters. Dost see him?
ANTIGONE
I see him, yes! but not distinctly; 'tis but the outline of his
form the semblance of his stalwart limbs I see. Would I could speed
through the sky, swift as a cloud before the wind, towards my own dear
brother, and throw my arms about my darling's neck, so long, poor boy!
an exile. How bright his golden weapons flash like the sun-god's
morning rays!
OLD SERVANT
He will soon be here, to fill thy heart with joy, according to the
truce.
ANTIGONE
Who is that, old man, on yonder car driving snow-white steeds?
OLD SERVANT
That, lady, is the prophet Amphiaraus; with him are the victims,
whose streaming blood the thirsty earth will drink.
ANTIGONE
Daughter of Latona with the dazzling zone, O moon, thou orb of
golden light! how quietly, with what restraint he drives, goading
first one horse, then the other! But where is Capaneus who utters
those dreadful threats against this city?
OLD SERVANT
Yonder he is, calculating how he may scale the towers, taking
the measure of our walls from base to summit.
ANTIGONE
O Nemesis, with booming thunder-peals of Zeus and blazing
levin-light, thine it is to silence such presumptuous boasting. Is
this the man, who says he will give the maids of Thebes as captives of
his spear to Mycenae's dames, to Lerna's Trident, and the waters of
THE PHOENISSAE
by Euripides
translated by E. P. Coleridge
CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY
JOCASTA, wife of OEDIPUS
OLD SERVANT, an attendant of ANTIGONE
ANTIGONE, daughter Of OEDIPUS
CHORUS OF PHOENICIAN MAIDENS
POLYNEICES, exiled son of OEDIPUS
ETEOCLES, now King of Thebes; son of OEDIPUS
CREON, brother of JOCASTA
TEIRESIAS, a blind prophet
MENOECEUS, son of CREON
FIRST MESSENGER
SECOND MESSENGER
OEDIPUS, formerly King of Thebes
Daughter of TEIRESIAS, guards, attendants
PHOENISSAE
THE PHOENISSAE
(SCENE:-Before the royal palace of Thebes. JOCASTA enters from the
palace alone.)
JOCASTA
O SUN-GOD, who cleavest thy way along the starry sky, mounted on
golden-studded car, rolling on thy path of flame behind fleet
coursers, how curst the beam thou didst shed on Thebes, the day that
Cadmus left Phoenicia's realm beside the sea and reached this land! He
it was that in days long gone wedded Harmonia, the daughter of Cypris,
and begat Polydorus from whom they say sprung Labdacus, and Laius from
him. I am known as the daughter of Menoeceus, and Creon is my
brother by the same mother. Men called me Jocasta, for so my father
named me, and I am married to Laius. Now when he was still childless
after being wedded to me a long time, he went and questioned
Phoebus, cravingmoreover that our love might be crowned with sons
born to his house. But the god said, "King of Thebes for horses famed!
seek not to beget children against the will of heaven; for if thou
beget a son, that child shall slay thee, and all thy house shall
wade through blood." But he, yielding to his lust in a drunken fit,
begat a son of me, and when his babe was born, conscious of his sin
and of the god's warning, he gave the child to shepherds to expose
in Hera's meadow on mount Cithaeron, after piercing his ankles with
iron spikes; whence it was that Hellas named him Oedipus. But the
keepers of the horses of Polybus finding him took him home and laid
him in the arms of their mistress. So she suckled the child that I had
borne and persuaded her husband she was its mother. Soon as my son was
grown to man's estate, the tawny beard upon his cheek, either
because he had guessed the fraud or learnt it from another, he set out
for the shrine of Phoebus, eager to know for certain who his parents
were; and likewise Laius, my husband, was on his way thither,
anxious to find out if the child he had exposed was dead. And they
twain met where the branching roads to Phocis unite; and the
charioteer of Laius called to him, "Out of the way, stranger, room for
my lord!" But he, with never a word, strode on in his pride; and the
horses with their hoofs drew blood from the tendons of his feet.
Then-but why need I tell aught beyond the sad issue?-son slew
father, and taking his chariot gave it to Polybus his foster-father.
Now when the Sphinx was grievously harrying our city after my
husband's death, my brother Creon proclaimed that he would wed me to
any who should guess the riddle of that craftymaiden. By some strange
chance, my own son, Oedipus, guessed the Sphinx's riddle, and so he
became king of this land and received its sceptre as his prize, and
married his mother, all unwitting, luckless wretch! nor did I his
mother know that I was wedded to my son; and I bore him two sons,
Eteocles and the hero Polyneices, and two daughters as well; the one
her father called Ismene, the other, which was the elder, I named
Antigone. Now when Oedipus, that awful sufferer, learnt that I his
wedded wife was his mother too, he inflicted a ghastlyoutrage upon
his eyes, tearing the bleeding orbs with a golden brooch. But since my
sons have grown to bearded men, they have confined their father
closely, that his misfortune, needing as it did full many a shift to
hide it, might be forgotten. He is still living in the palace, but his
misfortunes have so unhinged him that he imprecates the most unholy
curses on his sons, praying that they may have to draw the sword
before they share this house between them. So they, fearful that
heaven may accomplish his prayer if they dwell together, have made
an agreement, arranging that Polyneices, the younger, should first
leave the land in voluntary exile, while Eteocles should stay and hold
the sceptre for a year and then change places. But as soon as Eteocles
was seated high in power, he refused to give up the throne, and
drove Polyneices into exile from the kingdom; so Polyneices went to
Argos and married into the family of Adrastus, and having collected
a numerous force of Argives is leading them hither; and he is come
up against our seven-gated walls, demanding the sceptre of his
father and his share in the kingdom. Wherefore I, to end their strife,
have prevailed on one son to meet the other under truce, before
appealing to arms; and the messenger I sent tells me that he will
come. O Zeus, whose home is heaven's radiant vault, save us, and grant
that my sons may be reconciled! For thou, if thou art really wise,
must not suffer the same poor mortal to be for ever wretched.
(JOCASTA re-enters the palace, as the OLD SERVANT appears on the
roof.)
OLD SERVANT
Antigone, choice blossom in a father's house, although thy
mother allowed thee at thy earnest treaty to leave thy maiden
chamber for the topmost story of the house, thence to behold the
Argive host, yet a stay moment that I may first reconnoitre the
path, whether there be any of the citizens visible on the road, lest
reproach, little as it matters to a slave like me, fasten on thee,
my royal mistress; and when I am quite sure will tell thee
everything that I saw and heard from the Argives, when carried the
terms of the truce to and fro between this city and Polyneices. (After
a slight pause) No, there is no citizen approaching the palace; so
mount the ancient cedar steps, and view the plains that skirt
Ismenus and the fount of Dirce to see the mighty host of foemen.
(ANTIGONE appears beside him. She chants her replies to him.)
ANTIGONE
Stretch out thy hand to me from the stairs, the hand of age to
youth, helping me to mount.
OLD SERVANT
There! clasp it, my young mistress; thou art come at a lucky
moment; for Pelasgia's host is just upon the move, and their several
contingents are separating.
ANTIGONE
O Hecate, dread child of Latona! the plain is one blaze of bronze.
OLD SERVANT
Ah! this is no ordinary home-coming of Polyneices; with many a
knight and clash of countless arms he comes.
ANTIGONE
Are the gates fast barred, and the brazen bolts shot home into
Amphion's walls of stone?
OLD SERVANT
Never fear! all is safe within the town. But mark him who cometh
first, if thou wouldst learn his name.
ANTIGONE
Who is that with the white crest, who marches in the van,
lightly bearing on his arm a buckler all of bronze?
OLD SERVANT
A chieftain, lady-
ANTIGONE
Who is he? whose son? his name? tell me, old man.
OLD SERVANT
Mycenae claims him for her son; in Lerna's glens he dwells, the
prince Hippomedon.
ANTIGONE
Ah! how proud and terrible his mien! like to an earth-born giant
he moves, with stars engraved upon his targe, resembling not a child
of earth.
OLD SERVANT
Dost see yon chieftain crossing Dirce's stream?
ANTIGONE
His harness is quite different. Who is that?
OLD SERVANT
Tydeus, the son of Oeneus; true Aetolian spirit fires his breast.
ANTIGONE
Is this he, old man, who wedded a sister of the wife of
Polyneices? What a foreign look his armour has! a half-barbarian he!
OLD SERVANT
Yes, my child; all Aetolians carry shields, and are most
unerring marksmen with their darts.
ANTIGONE
How art thou so sure of these descriptions, old man?
OLD SERVANT
I carefully noted the blazons on their shields before when I
went with the terms of the truce to thy brother; so when I see them
now I know who carry them.
ANTIGONE
Who is that youth passing close to the tomb of Zethus, with long
flowing hair, but a look of fury in his eye? is he a captain? for
crowds of warriors follow at his heels.
OLD SERVANT
That is Parthenopaeus, Atalanta's son.
ANTIGONE
May Artemis, who hies o'er the hills with his mother, lay him
low with an arrow, for coming against my city to sack it!
OLD SERVANT
May it be so, my daughter; but with justice are they come
hither, and my fear is that the gods will take the rightful view,
ANTIGONE
Where is he who was born of the same mother as I was by a cruel
destiny? Oh! tell me, old friend, where Polyneices is.
OLD SERVANT
He is yonder, ranged next to Adrastus near the tomb of Niobe's
seven unwed daughters. Dost see him?
ANTIGONE
I see him, yes! but not distinctly; 'tis but the outline of his
form the semblance of his stalwart limbs I see. Would I could speed
through the sky, swift as a cloud before the wind, towards my own dear
brother, and throw my arms about my darling's neck, so long, poor boy!
an exile. How bright his golden weapons flash like the sun-god's
morning rays!
OLD SERVANT
He will soon be here, to fill thy heart with joy, according to the
truce.
ANTIGONE
Who is that, old man, on yonder car driving snow-white steeds?
OLD SERVANT
That, lady, is the prophet Amphiaraus; with him are the victims,
whose streaming blood the thirsty earth will drink.
ANTIGONE
Daughter of Latona with the dazzling zone, O moon, thou orb of
golden light! how quietly, with what restraint he drives, goading
first one horse, then the other! But where is Capaneus who utters
those dreadful threats against this city?
OLD SERVANT
Yonder he is, calculating how he may scale the towers, taking
the measure of our walls from base to summit.
ANTIGONE
O Nemesis, with booming thunder-peals of Zeus and blazing
levin-light, thine it is to silence such presumptuous boasting. Is
this the man, who says he will give the maids of Thebes as captives of
his spear to Mycenae's dames, to Lerna's Trident, and the waters of
- attendant [ə´tendənt]
n.随员 a.伴随的 (初中英语单词) - formerly [´fɔ:məli] ad.从前，以前 (初中英语单词)
- moreover [mɔ:´rəuvə] ad.再者，此外，而且 (初中英语单词)
- drunken [´drʌŋkən] a.喝醉的；常醉的 (初中英语单词)
- conscious [´kɔnʃəs] a.意识的；自觉的 (初中英语单词)
- meadow [´medəu] n.草地；牧场 (初中英语单词)
- mistress [´mistris] n.女主人；情妇；女能手 (初中英语单词)
- estate [i´steit] n.财产；庄园；等级 (初中英语单词)
- learnt [lə:nt] learn 的过去式(分词) (初中英语单词)
- likewise [´laikwaiz] ad.同样地；也，又 (初中英语单词)
- maiden [´meidn] n.少女 a.未婚的 (初中英语单词)
- fearful [´fiəfəl] a.可怕的；担心的 (初中英语单词)
- agreement [ə´gri:mənt] n.同意；一致；协议 (初中英语单词)
- hither [´hiðə] ad.到此处 (初中英语单词)
- messenger [´mesindʒə] n.使者；送信人 (初中英语单词)
- blossom [´blɔsəm] n.花；开花期 vi.开花 (初中英语单词)
- earnest [´ə:nist] a.认真的 n.认真；诚恳 (初中英语单词)
- thence [ðens] ad.从那里；因此 (初中英语单词)
- visible [´vizəbəl] a.可见的；明显的 (初中英语单词)
- fasten [´fɑ:sən] v.扎牢；闩住；钉牢 (初中英语单词)
- harness [´hɑ:nis] vt.上马具 n.马具 (初中英语单词)
- armour [´ɑ:mə] (=armor) n.甲胄，盔甲 (初中英语单词)
- distinctly [di´stiŋktli] ad.清楚地，明晰地 (初中英语单词)
- outline [´autlain] n.外形 vt.画出...轮廓 (初中英语单词)
- prophet [´prɔfit] n.预言家；先知；提倡者 (初中英语单词)
- dreadful [´dredful] a.可怕的；讨厌的 (初中英语单词)
- measure [´meʒə] n.量度；范围 vt.测量 (初中英语单词)
- sprung [sprʌŋ] spring的过去分词 (高中英语单词)
- finding [´faindiŋ] n.发现物；判断；结果 (高中英语单词)
- shrine [ʃrain] n.神龛；神殿；圣地 (高中英语单词)
- strode [strəud] stride的过去式 (高中英语单词)
- chariot [´tʃæriət] n.古时双轮战车 (高中英语单词)
- riddle [´ridl] n.谜(语) v.解(谜等) (高中英语单词)
- ghastly [´gɑ:stli] a.苍白的；可怕的 (高中英语单词)
- outrage [´aut,reidʒ] n.残暴 vt.虐待；伤害 (高中英语单词)
- misfortune [mis´fɔ:tʃən] n.不幸；灾祸 (高中英语单词)
- throne [θrəun] n.宝座；王位 (高中英语单词)
- radiant [´reidiənt] a.发光的 n.光源(体) (高中英语单词)
- mortal [´mɔ:tl] a.致命的 n.凡人 (高中英语单词)
- mighty [´maiti] a.强有力的 ad.很 (高中英语单词)
- countless [´kauntlis] a.无数的 (高中英语单词)
- bearing [´beəriŋ] n.举止；忍耐；关系 (高中英语单词)
- restraint [ri´streint] n.抑制；管束；克制 (高中英语单词)
- starry [´stɑ:ri] a.星光照耀的，闪亮的 (英语四级单词)
- wedded [´wedid] a.(已)结婚的；献身的 (英语四级单词)
- warning [´wɔ:niŋ] n.警告；前兆 a.预告的 (英语四级单词)
- whence [wens] ad.从何处；从那里 (英语四级单词)
- sufferer [´sʌfərə] n.受苦的人；患者 (英语四级单词)
- voluntary [´vɔləntəri] a.自愿的；义务的 (英语四级单词)
- wherefore [´weəfɔ:] ad.为什么；因此 (英语四级单词)
- brazen [´breizən] a.黄铜制的；无耻的 (英语四级单词)
- semblance [´sembləns] n.外表；伪装；相似 (英语四级单词)
- craving [´kreiviŋ] n.渴望，热望 (英语六级单词)
- piercing [´piəsiŋ] a.刺(贯)穿的；尖刻的 (英语六级单词)
- phoebus [´fi:bəs] n.太阳神 (英语六级单词)
- taking [´teikiŋ] a.迷人的 n.捕获物 (英语六级单词)
- crafty [´krɑ:fti] a.狡猾的 (英语六级单词)
- brooch [brəutʃ] n.胸针 (英语六级单词)
- chieftain [´tʃi:ftən] n.(强盗)首领；族长 (英语六级单词)
- rightful [´raitfəl] a.正义的；合法的 (英语六级单词)
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