Stasimon 5
[Episode]
Ah! there I see the sepulchre ready e’en now for Capaneus, his consecrated tomb, and the votive offerings Theseus gives unto the dead outside the shrine, and nigh yon lightning-smitten chief
980
Chorus
I see his noble bride, Evadne, daughter of King Iphis. Wherefore stands she on the towering rock, which o’ertops this temple, advancing along yon path?
985
[Episode 1]
What light, what radiancy did the sun-god’s car dart forth, and the moon athwart the firmament, while round her in the gloom swift starsNone of the proposed emendations of this corrupt passage are convincing. Hermann’s λάμπαι δ’ ὠκύθοοί νιν ἀμφιππεύουσι is here followed. Nauck has λαμπαδ’ ἱν’ ὠκυθόαι νύμφαι ἱππεύουσι. careered,
990
Evadne
in the day that the city of Argos raised the stately chant of joy at my wedding, in honour of my marriage with mail-clad Capaneus?
995
Now from my home in frantic haste with frenzied mind I rush to join thee, seeking to share with thee the fire’s bright flame and the self-same tomb, to rid me of my weary
1000
life in Hades’ halls, and of the pains of existence; yea, for ’tis the sweetest end to share the death of those we love, if only fate will sanction it.
1005
Chorus
Behold yon pyre, which thou art overlooking, nigh thereto,
set apart for Zeus! There is thy husband’s body, vanquished by the blazing bolt.
1010
Evadne
Life’s goal I now behold from my station here; may fortune aid me in my headlong leap from this rock
in honour’s cause, down into the fire below, to mix my ashes in the ruddy blaze
1015
with my husband’s, to lay me side by side with him, there in the couch of Persephone; for ne’er will I, to save my life, prove untrue to thee where thou liest in thy grave.
1020
Away with life and marriage too! Oh!The following verses are corrupt almost beyond hope of emendation, nor is it quite clear what the poet intended. By reading φανεῖεν, as Paley suggests, with τέκνοισιν ἐμοῖς and supplying the hiatus by εἴη δ’, it is possible to extract an intelligible sense, somewhat different, however, from that proposed by Hermann or Hartung, and only offered here for want of a better. may my children live to see the dawn of a fairer, happier wedding-day in Argos! May loyalty inspire the husband’s heart,
1025
his nature fusing with his wife’s!
1030
Chorus
Lo! the aged Iphis, thy father, draweth nigh to hear thy startling scheme, which yet he knows not and will grieve to learn.
Iphis
Unhappy child! lo! I am come, a poor old man,
with twofold sorrow in my house to mourn, that I may carry to his native land the corpse of my son Eteocles, slain by the Theban spear, and further in quest of my daughter who rushed headlong from the house, for she was the wife of Capaneus
1035
and longed with him to die. Ere this she was well guarded in my house, but, when I took the watch away in the present troubles, she escaped. But I feel sure that she is here; tell me if ye have seen her.
1040
Evadne
Why question them? Lo, here upon the rock, father, o’er the pyre of Capaneus, like some bird I hover lightly, in my wretchedness.
1045
Iphis
What wind hath blown thee hither, child? Whither away? Why didst thou pass the threshold of my house and seek this land?
Evadne
It would but anger thee to hear what I intend, and so I fain would keep thee ignorant, my father.
1050
Iphis
What! hath not thy own father a right to know?
Evadne
Thou wouldst not wisely judge my intention.
Iphis
Why dost thou deck thyself in that apparel?
Evadne
A purport strange this robe conveys, father.
1055
Iphis
Thou hast no look of mourning for thy lord.
Evadne
No, the reason why I thus am decked is strange, maybe.
Iphis
Dost thou in such garb appear before a funeral-pyre?
Evadne
Yea, for hither it is I come to take the meed of victory.
Iphis
Victory! what victory? This would I learn of thee.
1060
Evadne
A victory o’er all women on whom the sun looks down.
