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The eumenides in dramatis personae, priestess of apollo and ghost of clytemnestra.
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Translated in verse by Robin Bond (2014) University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
The Oresteia of Aeschylus : Eumenides by Robin Bond (Trans) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10092/
The Oresteia of Aeschylus : Eumenides
The Oresteia of Aeschylus : Eumenides
were massed and saw upon the altar there a man accursed 40 of gods; he was a suppliant in that place, dripping blood from his hands, which held a sword, freshly drawn, and a branch of olive from high on the bush, all wrapped with great care in a long piece of wool from a fleece of fine colour. So far at least I am coherent in my speech. But in front of this man there slept an awesome company of women settled there among the chairs, and yet I cannot call them women, Gorgons rather - yet again I could not even liken them to Gorgons in their form. I once before did see a painting of the beasts that snatched 50 the food from Phineus' mouth; well, such were these, but lacking wings, and black, abominations totally, that snored out breath miasmic, unapproachable, while from their eyes there oozed unlovely pus. Their dress was such it was not right to bring before the statues of the gods, nor even underneath a mortal's roof. I have not ever seen the tribe to which this company belongs, nor know a land which boasts of rearing such a brood, unharmed and cheerful at the labour it sustained. And now what follows next within these halls 60 I leave to the care of Lord Apollo, great in strength. He is the healer-prophet and the one who reads the signs, the god whose task it is to purify the homes of men.
Orestes Apollo, lord, you know what constitutes injustice; 85 and, since you know, be sure, do not forget it now. 86 Yours is the strength in which to place my trust. 87 Apollo I shall not forsake you, rather be your guardian until 64 the end, and whether by your side, or far away, I shall not be gentle to those that are your enemies. You see these rabid creatures even now are captive; Unspeakable, grizzled and ancient children, plunged in virgin sleep; no god, nor any man, nor even beast would ever dare to mix with them in intercourse. 70 Engendered for evil they were, these things that haunt the evil dark of Tartarus beneath the earth, anathema both to mortal men and to Olympus' gods. And yet take flight you must and stiffen your resolve. For they will track you down, as, endlessly, you make
The Oresteia of Aeschylus : Eumenides
your way across the trodden vastness of the earth, beyond the sea itself and all the island cities it surrounds. Do not too soon grow weary as you labour on your way, but coming to Athene's citadel, stop there and take in your embrace her ancient image carved in wood. 80 That is the place where we will find the judges for this matter, and we shall have beguiling argument and strategy to win your full acquittal in this case. For I it was persuaded you to end your mother's life. Take care your senses are not overwhelmed with fear. And you my brother, Hermes, sibling of a single sire, watch over him, be true to your appointed task 90 as guide, so named, escort this man who is my suppliant. Lord Zeus himself respects the rights of refugees, of those that go among men well protected by you.
Ghost of Clytemnestra I pray you, slumber on! Hey there! What use asleep? It is because of you that I am so despised among the others who are dead - insults from those I killed are constant in this underworld of withered death, my place of shameful wandering. I say to you that I have suffered blame severely at their hands; and at the hands of nearest kin I suffered death - 100 and not one of the gods feels rage on my behalf, or at my slaughter at the hands of matricides. Behold each one of you these wounds of mine, [for even in sleep the heart's darkness is lit by the eyes, although the fate of mortal men is hidden in the day.] Indeed my hands have gorged your lapping tongues with offerings propitiate of drink, not poured from wine, while on the flaming hearth I sacrificed a feast for you, nocturnal, holy, in the time not shared by other gods. And all of this I see is effort trampled underfoot. 110 And he is gone, escaped and lightly running like some fawn, and that from out the nets we set for him. He has sprung clear away and mocks you mightily. Hear me! For what I say concerns my very soul, and understand, you goddesses that live beneath the earth, that Clytemnestra's ghost makes this appeal.
The Oresteia of Aeschylus : Eumenides
[str. b. Distressful dreams reproaching me have come, have struck me to the heart with the force of a goad, a charioteer's, here deep inside. I can feel the scourge's inward chill of pain, 160 cutting deep and heavy to bear.
[ant. b. Such are the actions of the younger gods, totalitarian their rule beyond what is just. Steeped in blood the throne, from head to foot - I can see this very centre of the earth has won a grim and guilty prize of blood. [str. c. A prophet himself, he has defiled the inner sanctum of his home, himself the agent and the cause, 170 has honoured what is mortal and destroyed the ancient dispensations, against the law of god. [ant. c. And, offensive to me, he will not to save this man, who, though he flee beneath the earth, he will a captive be and, suppliant or no, his journey's end will find him retribution.
Ap. Out from my house, I say, and quickly now! Begone, and free the mantic chamber of yourselves, 180 or else you may receive a winged, shimmering snake, sped from my bowstring, hammered all of gold, and vomit from your lungs in pain black spume of clotted blood, sucked out from slaughters past. It is not right your presence should defile this house. Your home is where beheadings are and thumbing out of eyes and ritual slaughter, where the bloom of youth is spoiled and made emasculate, where mutilation is and death by stoning, where piteous victims loudly moan, impaled beneath their spines. Hear, will you, how the gods 190 despise these kinds of rite and sacrificial feast you have such taste for? Your manners and your form betray your nature utterly. Creatures such as you should live inside a lion's cave, where blood is drunk, and not wipe off your filth in holy precincts such as these. Be gone, you wandering herd of unattended goats! No one of the gods is well disposed to such a crew.
The Oresteia of Aeschylus : Eumenides
Ch. Great lord Apollo, listen also in your turn. You are yourself no mere accessory to this crime, but yours alone the deed and so the total guilt. 200 Ap. How so? So much and no more extend your explanation. Ch. Yours was the word to prompt the stranger's matricide. Ap. Mine was the word to prompt a father's retribution. Ch. You offered to host a bloodstained murderer. Ap. I sent him to this shrine to come as suppliant. Ch. And do you dare to heap abuse upon this company? Ap. Because you are not fit to come and go inside this house. Ch. This office has been prescribed for us - Ap. What is this office? Come, boast about your noble privilege! Ch. The hounding from home of those who do their mothers harm. 210 Ap. And what of a woman who murders her man? Ch. That is not the same as the spilling of kindred blood. Ap. You count as insubstantial and quite worthless then the marriage rites and pledges sworn by Hera and by Zeus? So Aphrodite too is thrown aside, who is the source of things most dear to mortals, is dishonoured by your argument. For the marriage bed, apportioned to a man and wife, has much more moment than any legally binding oath. If you relax your quest when such as these do kill each other, do not punish them nor even grimly scrutinize 220 their crime, then I deny the justice of your hounding of Orestes. A mother's rights I know you take too much to heart, a father's clearly are of less concern to you. However, Pallas herself will oversee the hearing of this case. Ch. There is no way in which I shall ever let this man go free. Ap. Pursue him then and store up greater trouble for yourself. Ch. Do not curtail in argument the privileges which are mine. Ap. I would not even take your privileges as a gift, Ch. No, for by the throne of Zeus at least you are reputed great; but, since it is a mother's blood that drives me, I 230 will seek for what is just and hunt this fellow down. Ap. I will, however, guard the suppliant and rescue him; for among men and gods alike the anger of the suppliant is terrible indeed, should one betray him willingly.
The Oresteia of Aeschylus : Eumenides
ties of hospitality, or parents near and dear. For Hades is huge, calls men to reckonings within the earth, scrutinising all with watchful diligence.
Or. From bitter experience of my own I know, have learned the many times when it is right to speak and equally when to hold one's tongue, but in this matter I now have been advised to speak by a teacher who is wise; Blood fades and the stain upon my hand grows faint, 280 pollution born of matricide is being washed away. For at the hearth of Phoebus, while still fresh, the stain was driven out and cleansed with sacrifice of swine. It would take me long to tell the story from the start of how many men I've met to whom I've caused no harm. [Time in its lengthy passage heals and cleanses all.] And now from mouth untainted let me call in piety upon the mistress of this land of Athens, call on her to be my saviour; she will gain as her reward, no force of arms expended, both myself and the Argive land 290 and men as trusted friends, just allies evermore. Now whether her martial foot is set upon the sands of Libya, or by the surge and lift of Triton's flood she helps her friends in war or, bold as any mortal hero, she surveys the flat Phlegraean plain, why let her come - however far away, a goddess hears - that she might gain for me acquittal in this case. Ch. Neither Apollo nor Athena's strength might serve to save you, from your fate, abandoned as you are and lonely, and from losing any sense of happiness, a bloodless shadow only, tit-bit for the nether gods. Do you not even deign reply, but merely splutter words, although you are already fatted and prepared for me? Your living flesh will feast me prior to the ritual butchery. Hear now this song to bind your very soul.
Let us join in the dance, for we have decided to show off our muse in its horror, and tell of the duties apportioned 310 our band among men.
The Oresteia of Aeschylus : Eumenides
We think of ourselves as honest and just. Upon the man who can show his hands free of guilt there steals no malice born of us, he shall go through his life unscathed. But the guilty ones, like this man here, that seek to hide their bloodied hands, we appear as their victims' witnesses, and stand at last before the culprit, avengers of the blood that spilled. 320
[str. a. Mother that gave me birth, yes mother Night, spirit of vengeance among both the quick and the dead, hear me, I pray. For Leto's adolescent son dishonours me, has robbed me of this quarry, sacrifice well set to cleanse a mother's death.
[ephymn. a. And when he has been sacrificed, this song above his corpse to bring insanity, to bring destruction of the mind, 330 the Furies' hymn, no lyre, to wither in chains the soul of mortal man.
[ant. a. Fate spun this our fatal task, allotted it to us to be our own in perpetuity: pursuit of those of mortal men on whom the guilt of heinous crime has chanced to fall until the underworld, but even then the dead are not entirely free. 340
[ephymn. b. And when he has been sacrificed, this song above his corpse to bring insanity, to bring destruction of the mind, the Furies' hymn, no lyre, to wither in chains the soul of mortal man.
The Oresteia of Aeschylus : Eumenides
[str. d. He will keep! We are skilled and powerful, mindful of the evil done, stern we are and hard for men to deviate, following our trade, despised, outcasts of gods and other, in the sunless humid steeps, where blind and sighted stumble both as one.
[ant. d. Who does not fear me now, which man has never feared 390 on hearing of my role, established by fate, conceded absolute by gods? Still I keep my ancient privilege, am not without respect, although my place beneath the ground is sunless, dark.
Athena From far away I heard the shouts and summoning cry, from Scamander's bank, where I had taken there possession of the land allotted as choice gift to Theseus' sons for all eternity, our share substantial of the spoils of war, won by the spear 400 and granted by the leading warriors of the Argive host. From there I came in haste, my feet unwearied, borne along wingless in the rustle and whir of the Aegis' fold. But what is this strange gathering I see below? It's not that I'm afraid, but the spectacle is strange indeed. Who are you? My words are for you all. Yes, you, the stranger, clinging to my image there! You too that are like no race of things begotten, 410 nor seen by gods nor deemed as goddesses by them, nor stamped yet in the shapes that mortals wear - but piety and justice both forbid my speaking ill of these congregated here when I have no knowledge of a crime. Ch. Virgin daughter of Zeus, soon all will be revealed. We are the stygian children of Night and in our homes beneath the earth we are called Arai, the Curses. Ath. I know your race and all the names that you are called.
The Oresteia of Aeschylus : Eumenides
Ch. And soon you will understand the office that I hold. Ath. I would like that, if one of you would clearly tell me. 420 Ch. We hound out murderers from their homes. Ath. And where is the end that is set to the killer's flight? Ch. In a place where happiness is never more allowed. Ath. And such is the exile you wish to hurl on him? Ch. It is - he chose for himself the role of matricide. Ath. Was he constrained through fear of someone's wrath? Ch. Where is the goad to justify a mother's death? Ath. Both parties are present, but only half the case. Ch. He would not accept an oath or wish to give his own. Ath. You wish to be reputed just, but not to act as such. 430 Ch. Explain yourself! Your wit is not impoverished. Ath. Injustice must not win, I say, because of technicalities. Ch. Then question him and fairly judge the case yourself. Ath. And would you vest authority for this case in me? Ch. Of course! We honour you as you have honoured us. Ath. What answer, stranger, do you wish to make in turn? Announce your place of birth, your race and fate at first, and then defend yourself against this charge, if indeed it is the case that, trusting in the justice of your case, you set yourself to guard this statue at 440 my hearth, a solemn suppliant, a second Ixion. Respond to every point that I might clearly understand. Or. Athena, lady, first I shall dispel the worry that I see from what you said just now disturbs you most. I am not a suppliant, nor had I any stain upon my hands when I sat down beside your statue here. I will tell you certain proof of all of this: it is the law that any blood polluted man must hold his peace, until the slaughterings of new born beasts, by a man well versed, can clean away the blood with blood. 450 Long since at the homes of other men I was absolved of blood guilt both with running streams and victims dead. This scruple then, I say, should cause you no embarrassment. As to my race and standing that shall you swiftly learn. I am an Argive; my father - ask, and make me proud! - was Agamemnon, commander of the sea-borne warriors, in company with whom you made the Trojan town of Ilium a town no more. This man, he died disgracefully on his return to home. My mother, black of heart and mind,
The Oresteia of Aeschylus : Eumenides
[ant. a. Our manic watchdog role abandoned, we will not visit wrath, 500 inspired by crime, upon the guilty ones. Execution will be random. And men will seek from each and every one, proclaiming all their neighbours' ills, some end and surcease of the pain, but there will be no certain salve that might effect a cure. [str. b. And let not even any one call out and scream appeals, disaster striking: 510 " O Justice, enthroned Furies!" So might perhaps a father or a mother, fresh struck-down, make piteous appeal, but the house of justice is dead.
There is a time and place for dread and it should keep its place as watchdog of the will; A moderating pressure helps 520 in times of stress. What man who has a heart untouched by dread, what city of likeminded men holds justice in respectful awe?
[str. c. Do not approve a life of anarchy, nor yet a life subject to tyranny. The god has ever granted power to moderates, 530 although the objects of his choice may change. Moderation is the creed I preach. Hybris is the true born child of blasphemy. From sanity of mind derives that friend of all, much loved reward of wealth.
The Oresteia of Aeschylus : Eumenides
[ant. c. For all of time I say to you, respect the shrine of justice; Your eyes on profit 540 never spurn her underneath your impious heel, for vengeance will pursue. The fated end awaits. In the light of this let each man honour his parents well and let him respect also the rights of guests that come to his gate.
[str. d. The man who is just without constraint will not be unrewarded; 551 total destruction could never be his. Yet I say the transgressor, in boldness of heart, embarking much plunder, past all that is just, shall, in time's fullness, feel the storm's force strike sail in the wreckage and tangle of sheets.
[ant. d. Grappling the whirling eye of the storm he prays, but none listen to him; the god rather laughs at the hot-headed man, 560 had seen that man boast, " Never me!" Helpless beneath the downrushing crest; this man, who once had been glad in his life, smashes down on justice's reef, destroyed, unwept, forgot.
Ath. Give tongue and call to order, herald, all the folk and you, sir, fill your mortal lungs and let the trumpet's blast speak loud its piercing note to heaven's vault and all the gathered throng. For, while this council now convenes, my demand 570 is silence so the city all may learn the ordinances I have set in perpetuity, and also these two parties here, in order that this case for murder may be fairly tried. Ch. Apollo, lord, you have no jurisdiction here. Pray tell us what your interest is in this affair. Ap. I come to act as witness in defence - for by the law this man is suppliant to me, dependent of my hearth and home,
The Oresteia of Aeschylus : Eumenides
You will realise the strength our case possesses when I say to you, you must yourselves obey my father's will. 620 Not even your oath is stronger than the will of Zeus. Ch. And was it Zeus, as is your claim, that backed the oracle that told Orestes here to exact vengeance for a father's death and hold of no account at all a mother's claim? Ap. Of course! For a man of noble blood, invested by the gods with regal sceptred power, for him to die outweighs by far a woman's death, especially if it was a woman killed him, not with an Amazon's swift shafts, but rather in the way that you shall learn, Athena, as will also those sat here to judge this case. 630 She welcomed him back from the war with words that smiled, this man that had done very well, but when he took his bath, to make an end, she threw a shrouding cloth upon her husband, tripped him, hacked him down, engulfed in crafty all enfolding robes. This is the fate that I describe befell a man, a warrior, revered by all in all respects, the captain of the fleet. That I might rouse the anger of the folk whose task this trial is, I also have described this woman as she was. Ch. Zeus honours first the father's side by your account, 640 but Zeus himself chained Kronos up, his ancient sire! Does this not mean you contradict yourself? I formally request you gentlemen to hear and note this evidence. Ap. Foul, loathsome beasts you are and execrated by the gods! Zeus might yet release those chains and end that custody, for many the ways and means there are to freedom; but when the thirsty dust sucks in a man's lifeblood, when once he's dead, there is no resurrection for him. My father did not make up spells that might accomplish this, although all else he can redispose, 650 completely rearrange the universe by force of will alone. Ch. Take care how you are pleading for this man's release. Shall he inherit his father's property in Argos, when he has spilled his mother's blood, his own, upon the ground? At what shrines and public altars will he make observance? The brotherhoods will bar him from their lustral rites. Ap. I will answer this, and note the soundness of my argument. A mother, so called, is not, in fact, the parent of the child, merely the vessel that nurtures, protects the new sown seed;
The Oresteia of Aeschylus : Eumenides
the father that sows the seed makes life, while she plays host, 660 keeps safe the plant, unless some god brings hurt to it. I shall demonstrate to you the proof of this; a father might give birth without a mother's help - close by, a witness to the fact is Athena, daughter of Olympian Zeus. She was not even fostered in the darkness of a womb, was rather such a child as no plain goddess could produce. Athena, in so far as I am able - and in all respects - I will bring great advantage to your city and its populace, wherefore I sent this man to be a suppliant at your hearth, that he might be your trusted friend for evermore, 670 that you might gain him, goddess, as an ally for yourself, as well as his descendents, while these proceedings ever will remain an earnest of your own care for Athens' future state. Ath. And might I now instruct these jurymen to bring their well considered and just verdict in, both statements made? Ap. For our part we have fired our every shaft. I wait to hear the outcome of the case. Ath. Well, what shall I do to stay quite blameless in your eyes? Ch. You have heard what you have heard - so cast your votes, my friends, respecting in your hearts the oaths you swore. 680 Ath. Pray hear my dispensations, gentlemen of Attica, that sit in judgement here in this initial case of bloody homicide. The people of Athens shall have from this day forth, for evermore, a permanent council of judges to meet upon this rocky hill, where once the Amazons did pitch their tents what time, enraged at Theseus, they launched their expedition against him and raised, upon this spot, a new uprearing city, threatening the old, and here they sacrificed to Ares, wherefore, this place is named the rock of Ares, "Areopagus"; the mana of this place, 690 and the inborn dread of citizens, that quells injustice, shall, both day and kindly night alike, prevent the citizens from introducing laws that foster revolution by foul and muddy means. If once you make the water bad that once was clear, you nevermore will find it fit to drink. I counsel you, the citizens in government, to honour neither anarchy nor despotism, nor yet to banish from the city totally the sense of dread. For justice is the child of fear among all mortal men. So if you, the citizens, maintain a healthy sense of dread, 700
