Literature and Arts c-14

Ajax

[430] Aiai! Who would ever have thought that my name would so descriptively suit my troubles [kakos, plural]? For well now may Ajax cry "Aiai"--yes, twice and three times. Such are the harsh troubles [kakos, plural] with which I have met. Look, I am one whose father's [435] prowess won him the fairest prize of all the army, whose father brought home good kleos from this same land of Ida; but I, his son, who came after him to this same ground of Troy with no less might and proved the service of my hand in no meaner deeds, [440] I am ruined and without timê from the Greeks. And yet of this much I feel sure: if Achilles lived, and had been called to award [krinô] the first place in valor to any claimant of his arms, no one would have grasped them before me. [445] But now the Atreidae have made away with them to a man without scruples and thrust away the triumphs of Ajax. And if these eyes and this warped mind had not swerved from the purpose that was mine, they would have never in this way procured votes in judgment [dikê] against another man. [450] As it was, the daughter of Zeus, the grim-eyed, unconquerable goddess, tripped me up at the instant when I was readying my hand against them, and shot me with a plague of frenzy so that I might bloody my hands in these grazers. And those men exult to have escaped me-- [455] not that I wanted their escape. But if a god sends harm, it is true that even the base [kakos] man can elude the worthier.

And now what shall I do, when I am plainly hated by the gods, abhorred by the Greek forces and detested by all Troy and all these plains? [460] Shall I leave my station at the ships and the Atreidae to their own devices in order to go home across the Aegean? And how shall I face my father Telamon, when I arrive? How will he bear to look on me, when I stand before him stripped, without that supreme prize of valor [465] for which he himself won a great crown of fame? No, I could not bear to do it! But then shall I go against the bulwark of the Trojans, attacking alone in single combats and doing some valuable service, and finally die? But, in so doing I might, I think, gladden the Atreidae. [470] That must not happen. Some enterprise must be sought whereby I may prove to my aged father that in nature, at least, his son is not gutless. It is a stain upon a man to crave the full term of life, when he finds no variation from his ignominious troubles [kakos, plural]. [475] What joy is there in day following day, now advancing us towards, now drawing us back from the verge of death? I would not buy at any price the man who feels the glow of empty hopes. [480] The options for a noble man are only two: either live with honor, or make a quick and honorable death. You have heard all.
Chorus

No man shall say that you have spoken a bastard word, Ajax, or one not bred of your own heart. Yet at least pause; dismiss these thoughts, and grant friends [philos, plural] the power to rule your purpose.

Tecmessa

[485] Ajax, my lord, the fortune that humans are compelled to endure is their gravest evil [kakos]. I was the daughter of a free-born father mighty in wealth, if any Phrygian was. Now I am a slave, for somehow the gods so ordained, [490] and even more so did your strong hand. Therefore, since I have come into your bed, I wish you well, and I do beg you, by the Zeus of our hearth, by your marriage-bed in which you coupled with me, do not condemn me to the cruel talk [495] of your enemies [ekhthros, plural], do not leave me to the hand of a stranger! On whatever day you die and widow me by your death, on that same day, be sure, I shall also be seized forcibly by the Greeks and, with your son, shall obtain a slave's portion. [500] Then one of my masters will name me bitterly, shooting me with taunts: " See the bedmate of Ajax, who was the mightiest man in the army. See what menial tasks she tends to, in place of such an enviable existence!" Such things will men say, and so will destiny afflict me [505] while the shame of these words will stain you and your family. Show respect to your father, whom you abandon in miserable old age, and respect your mother with her share of many years, who often prays to the gods that you may come home alive. [510] Pity, too, my king, your son. Pity him the great sorrow [kakos] which at your death you will bequeath both to him and to me, if robbed of nurturing care he must spend his days apart from you, an orphan tended by guardians who are neither family nor friends[philos, plural].

I have nothing left to which I can look, [515] save you, and you are the reason. Your spear ravaged my country to nothingness, and another fate has brought down my mother and father, giving them a home in Hades in their death. What homeland, then, could I have without you? What wealth? My welfare is entirely in your hands [sôzô]. [520] So remember me, too. A true man should cherish remembrance, if anywhere he takes some pleasure. It is kindness that always begets kindness. But whoever lets the memory of benefits seep from him, he can no longer be a noble man.
Chorus

[525] Ajax, I wish that pity touched your heart as it does mine. Then you would approve her words.

Ajax

She will have approval as far as I am concerned, if only she takes heart and graciously does my bidding.

Tecmessa

Dear [philos] Ajax, I will obey you in everything.

Ajax

[530] Then bring me my son, so that I may see him.

Tecmessa

But in my fear I released him from my keeping.

Ajax

Because of these troubles [kakos, plural] of mine? Or what do you mean?

Tecmessa

Yes, for fear that somehow the poor child would get in your way, and die.

Ajax

Yes, that would have been truly worthy of my destiny.

Tecmessa

[535] Well, at least I took care to avert that disaster.

Ajax

I approve of your action and of your foresight.

Tecmessa

How, then, can I serve you, as things stand now?

Ajax

Let me speak to him and see him face to face.

Tecmessa

Oh, yes--he is close by, watched by our servants.

Ajax

[540] Then why is his presence delayed?

Tecmessa

My child, your father calls you. Bring him here, servant, whichever of you is guiding his steps.

Ajax

Is the man coming? Or has he missed your call?

Tecmessa

Here now one of the servants approaches with him.

(Enter the Servant and Eurysaces.)
Ajax

[545] Lift him; lift him up here. Doubtless he will not shrink to look on this newly-shed blood, if he is indeed my true-born son and heir to his father's manners. But he must at once be broken into his father's harsh ways and moulded to the likeness of my nature. [550] Ah, son, may you prove luckier than your father, but in all else like him. Then you would not prove base [kakos]. Yet even now I may well envy you on this account, that you have no perception of these evils [kakos, plural] about us. Yes, life is sweetest when one lacks sense, [for lack of sensation is a painless evil] [555] that is, until one learns to know joy or pain. But when you come to that knowledge, then you must be sure to prove among your father's enemies [ekhthros, plural] of what mettle and of what lineage you are. Meanwhile feed on light breezes, and nurse your tender life [psukhê] for your mother's joy. [560] There is no Greek--I know it for certain--who will do violence [verb from hubris] to you with hard outrages, even when you are without me. So trusty is the guard, Teucer himself, whom I will leave at your gates. He will not falter in his care for you, although now he walks a far path, busied with the hunt of enemies.

[565] O my warriors, my seafaring comrades! On you as on him, I lay this shared task of love [kharis]: give my command to Teucer! Let him take this child to my home and set him before the face of Telamon, and of my mother, Eriboea, [570] so that he may become the comfort of their age into eternity [until they come to the deep hollows of the god. And order him that no commissioners of games, nor he who is my destroyer, should make my arms a prize for the Greeks. No, you take this for my sake, Son, my broad shield from which you have your name. [575] Hold it and wield it by the sturdy thong, this sevenfold, spear-proof shield! But the rest of my arms shall be my gravemates.
(To Tecmessa.)
Come, take the child right away, shut tight the doors and make no laments before the house. [580] God, what a weepy thing is woman. Quick, close the house! It is not for a skilful [sophos] doctor to moan incantations over a wound that craves the knife.
Chorus

I am afraid when I hear this eager haste. Your tongue's sharp edge does not please me.

Tecmessa

[585] Ajax, my lord, what can you have in mind?

Ajax

Do not keep asking me, do not keep questioning. Self-restraint [verb from sôphron] is a virtue.

Tecmessa

Ah, how I despair! Now, by your child, by the gods, I implore you, do not betray us!

Ajax

You annoy me too much. Do you not know [590] that I no longer owe any service to the gods?

Tecmessa

Hush, no impiety!

Ajax

Speak to those who hear.

Tecmessa

You will not listen?

Ajax

Already your words have been too many.

Tecmessa

Yes, because I am afraid, my king!

Ajax (To the Attendants.)

Close the doors this instant!

Tecmessa

In the name of the gods, be softened!

Ajax

You have foolish hope, I think, [595] if you plan so late to begin schooling my temper. Ajax is shut into the tent. Exit Tecmessa with Eurysaces.

Chorus

O famous Salamis, you, I know, have your happy [with favoring daimôn] seat among the waves that beat your shore, eternally conspicuous in the eyes of all men. [600] But I, miserable, have long been delayed here, still making my bed through countless months in the camp on the fields of Ida. [605] I am worn by time and with anxious [kakos] expectation still of a journey to Hades the abhorred, the unseen.

Chorus

And now a new struggle awaits me, ah, me!--a match with [610] Ajax, hard to cure, sharing his tent with a madness of divine origin. It is he whom mighty in bold war you dispatched from you once far in the past. But now he is changed; he grazes his thoughts in isolated places [615] and has been found a heavy sorrow [penthos] for his friends [philos, plural]. His hands' former achievements, deeds of prowess supreme [aretê], [620] have fallen without friends [philos, plural], without friends [philos, plural], before the unfriendly, miserable Atreidae.

Chorus

Surely his mother, companion of antiquity and [625] grey with age, when she hears that he has been afflicted with the ruin of his mind will raise a loud cry of wailing. It is not the nightingale's piteous lament [630] that she, unhappy, will sing. Rather in shrill-toned odes the dirge will rise, while the hollow sound of beating hands and the shredding of grey hair will fall upon her breast.

Chorus

[635] Yes, better hid in Hades is the man plagued by foolishness, who by the lineage from where he springs is noblest of the Achaeans who endure much ponos, yet now he is [640] constant no more in his inbred temperament, but wanders outside himself. O Telamon, unhappy father, how heavy a curse [atê] upon your son awaits your hearing, a curse which never yet has [645] any life-portion of the heirs of Aeacus nourished but his!

(Enter Ajax, sword in hand, followed by Tecmessa.)
Ajax

All things the long and countless years first draw from darkness, and then bury from light; and there is nothing which man should not expect: the dread power of oath is conquered, as is unyielding will. [650] For even I, who used to be so tremendously strong--yes, like tempered iron--felt my tongue's sharp edge emasculated by this woman's words, and I feel the pity of leaving her a widow and the boy an orphan among my enemies.

But I will go to the bathing-place and [655] the meadows by the shore so that by purging my defilements I may escape the heavy wrath [mênis] of the goddess. Then I will find some isolated spot, and bury this sword of mine, most hateful weapon, digging down in the earth where none can see. [660] Let Night and Hades keep it [sôzô] underground! For ever since I took into my hand this gift from Hector, my greatest enemy, I have gotten no good from the Greeks. Yes, men's proverb is true: [665] the gifts of enemies [ekhthros, plural] are no gifts and bring no good.
And so hereafter I shall, first, know how to yield to the gods, and, second, learn to revere the Atreidae. They are rulers, so we must submit. How could it be otherwise? Things of awe and might [670] submit to authority [timê]. So it is that winter with its snow-covered paths gives place to fruitful summer; night's dark orbit makes room for day with her white horses to kindle her radiance; the blast of dreadful winds [675] allows the groaning sea to rest; and among them all, almighty Sleep releases the fettered sleeper, and does not hold him in a perpetual grasp.
And we men--must we not learn self-restraint [verb from sôphron]? I, at least, will learn it, since I am newly aware that an enemy [ekhthros] is to be hated only as far as [680] suits one who will in turn become a friend [verb from philos]. Similarly to a friend [philos] I would wish to give only so much help and service as suits him who will not forever remain friendly. For the masses regard the haven of comradeship as treacherous.
But concerning these things it will be well. You, wife, [685] go inside and pray to the gods that the desires of my heart be completed to the very end [telos]. Exit Tecmessa.
You also, my comrades, honor [verb from timê] my wishes just as she does, and command [sêmaino] Teucer, when he comes, to take care of us, and to be kind to you at the same time. [690] I am going to where my journey inexorably leads. But you do as I say, and before long, perhaps, though I now suffer, you will hear that I have found salvation [verb from sôzô]. (Exit Ajax.)
Chorus

I shiver with rapture; I soar on the wings of sudden joy! [695] O Pan, O Pan, appear to us, sea-rover, from the stony ridge of snow-beaten Cyllene. King, dancemaker for the gods, come, so that joining with us you may set on the Nysian and the Knosian steps, [700] your self-taught dances. Now I want to dance. And may Apollo, lord of Delos, step over the Icarian sea [705] and join me in his divine form, in eternal benevolence!

Ares has dispelled the cloud of fierce trouble from our eyes. Joy, joy! Now, Zeus, now can the white radiance of prosperous days approach [710] our swift, sea-speeding ships, since Ajax forgets his pain anew, and has instead fully performed all prescribed sacrifices to the gods with worship and strict observance.
The strong years make all things fade. [715] And so I would not say that anything was beyond belief, when beyond our hopes, Ajax has been converted from his fury and mighty struggles against the Atreidae.
(Enter the Messenger, from the Greek camp.)
Messenger

Friends [philos, plural], my first news is this: [720] Teucer has just now returned from the Mysian heights. He has come to the generals' quarters mid-camp, and is being shouted at by all the Greeks at once. Recognizing him from a distance as he approached, they gathered around him [725] and then pelted him with jeers from every side--no one held back--calling him "the brother of the maniac, of the plotter against the army," and saying that he would not be able to avoid entirely losing flesh and life before their flying stones. In this way they had come to the point where swords [730] had been plucked from sheaths and were drawn in their hands. But then the conflict [eris], when it had nearly run its full course, was halted by the conciliatory words of the elders. But where shall I find Ajax, to tell him this? To our lord I must tell all.

Chorus

[735] He is not inside, but is recently departed. He has yoked a new purpose to his new mood.

Messenger

No! Oh, no! Too late, then, was he who sent me on this errand, or I myself came too slowly.

Chorus

[740] What is this urgent matter? What part of it has been neglected?

Messenger

Teucer declared that Ajax should not slip out of the house, until he himself arrives.

Chorus

Well, he is departed, I repeat, bent on the purpose that is best for him--to be rid of his anger [kholos] at the gods.

Messenger

[745] These words betray great foolishness, if there is any wisdom in the prophecies of Calchas.

Chorus

What does he prophesy? What knowledge of this affair do you bring?

Messenger

This much I know and witnessed on the spot. Leaving the royal circle of the chiefs [tyrannos] who sat in council, [750] Calchas separated himself from the Atreidae and put his right hand with all kindness into the hand of Teucer. The prophet then addressed him and strictly commanded him to use every possible resource to keep Ajax inside his tent for the duration of this day that now shines on us, and to prevent him from moving about [755] if he wished ever to look on him alive. For this day alone will the wrath [mênis] of divine Athena lash at him. That was the prophet's [mantis] warning. "Yes," the seer went on to explain, "lives [sôma, plural] that have grown too proud and no longer yield good fall on grave difficulties sent from the gods, [760] especially when someone born to man's estate forgets that fact by thinking thoughts too high for man. And Ajax, even at the time he first set out from home, showed himself foolish, when his father advised him well. For Telamon told him, 'My son, [765] seek victory in arms, but always seek it with the help of god.' Then with a tall boast and foolishly he replied, 'Father, with the help of the gods even a worthless man might achieve victory; but I, even without that help, fully trust to bring that glory [kleos] within my grasp.' [770] So much he boasted. Then once again in answer to divine Athena--at a time when she was urging him forward and telling him to turn a deadly hand against the enemy [ekhthros, plural]--he answered her with words terrible and blasphemous, 'Queen, stand beside the other Greeks; [775] where Ajax stands, battle will never break our line.' It was by such words, you must know, that he won for himself the intolerable anger of the goddess since his thoughts were too high for man. But if he survives this day, perhaps with the god's help we may find means to be his saviors [sôtêr, plural]."

[780] With those words the seer [mantis] finished, and at once Teucer rose from his seat and sent me with these orders for you to follow. But if I have been cheated of success, Ajax does not live. Otherwise Calchas has no skill [sophos].
Chorus

Poor Tecmessa, born to misery, [785] come out and see this man and his news. The razor lies close at our throat, poised to cut off all joy.

(Enter Tecmessa, with Eurysaces.)
Tecmessa

Why do you stir me from my place of rest, when I have just found peace from those relentless troubles [kakos, plural]?

Chorus

Listen to this man, and [790] hear the news of Ajax that he has brought us--news at which I felt sudden grief.

Tecmessa

Oh, no, what is your news, man? Surely we are not ruined?

Messenger

I have no clue of your condition, but know only that, if Ajax is away, I have little hope for him.

Tecmessa

But he is away, so I am in agony to know what you mean.

Messenger

[795] Teucer strictly commands that you keep Ajax under shelter of his tent and not allow him to go out alone.

Tecmessa

But where is Teucer? And why these orders?

Messenger

He has just now returned, and he suspects that such a departure carries death for Ajax.

Tecmessa

[800] Oh, misery! From whom can he have learned this?

Messenger

From Thestor's son, the prophet. His prophecy applies to today, when the issue is one of life or death for Ajax.

Tecmessa

Ah, me! My friends, protect me from the doom threatened by fate! Hurry, some of you, to speed Teucer's coming; [805] let others go to the westward bays, and others to the eastward, and there seek the man's disastrous [kakos] path. I see now that I have been deceived by my husband and cast out of the favor [kharis] that I once had with him. Ah, my child, what shall I do? I must not sit idle. [810] I too will go as far as my strength will carry me. Move, let us be quick, this is no time to sit still, if we wish to save [sôzô] a man who is eager for death.

Chorus

I am ready to help, and I will show it in more than word. Speed of action and speed of foot will follow together.

(Exeunt Tecmessa and the Chorus. A Servant takes Eurysaces into the tent. The scene changes to a lonely place on the shore. Enter Ajax, still with sword.)
Ajax

[815] The sacrificial killer stands planted in the way that will cut most deeply--if I have the leisure for even this much reflection. First, it is the gift of Hector, that enemy-friend who was most hateful to me and most hostile to my sight; next, it is fixed in enemy soil, the land of Troy, [820] newly-whetted on the iron-devouring stone; and finally I have planted it with scrupulous care, so that it should prove most kind to me by a speedy death.

Yes, we are well equipped. And so, O Zeus, be the first to aid me, as is proper. [825] It is no large prize that I ask you to award me. Send on my behalf some messenger with news of my downfall to Teucer, so that he may be the first to raise me once I have fallen on this sword and made it newly-wet, and so that I am not first spotted by some enemy [ekhthros][830] and cast out and exposed as prey to the dogs and birds. For this much, Zeus, I appeal to you. I call also on Hermes, guide to the underworld, to lay me softly to sleep with one quick, struggle-free leap, when I have broken open my side on this sword. [835] And I call for help to the eternal maidens who eternally attend to all sufferings [pathos] among mortals, the dread, far-striding Erinyes, asking them to learn how my miserable life is destroyed by the Atreidae. [840] And may they seize those wicked men with most wicked destruction, just as they see me \[fall slain by my own hand, so slain by their own kin may they perish at the hand of their best-loved offspring\]. Come, you swift and punishing Erinyes, devour all the assembled army and spare nothing! [845] And you, Helios, whose chariot-wheels climb the steep sky, when you see the land of my fathers, draw in your rein spread with gold and tell my disasters [atê] and my fate to my aged father and to the unhappy woman who nursed me. [850] Poor mother! Indeed, I think, when she hears this news, she will sing a song of loud wailing throughout the entire city. But it is not for me to weep in vain like this. No, the deed must quickly have its beginning. O Death, Death, come now and lay your eyes on me! [855] And yet I will meet you also in that other world and there address you. But you, beam of the present bright day, I salute you and the Sun in his chariot for the last time and never again. O light! O sacred soil [860] of my own Salamis, firm seat of my father's hearth! O famous Athens, and your race kindred to mine! And you, springs and rivers of this land--and you plains of Troy I salute you also--farewell, you who have nurtured me! This is the last word that Ajax speaks to you. [865] The rest he will tell to the shades in Hades.
(Ajax falls upon his sword. The Chorus reenters in two bands.)