Sophocles' TRACHINIAE Complete

Translated by R. Jebb.

Sophocles Bilingual Anthology  Studies  Sophocles in Print

57 Pages

Page 8

Leader of the Chorus: Hush- no more ill-omened words; I see a man
approaching, who wears a wreath, as if for joyous tidings. (A Messenger
enters.)

Messenger: Queen Deianeira, I shall be the first of messengers to
free thee from fear. Know that Alcmena's son lives and triumphs, and
from battle brings the first-fruits to the gods of this land.

Deianeira: What news is this, old man, that thou hast told me?

Messenger: That thy lord, admired of all, will soon come to thy house,
restored to thee in his victorious might.

Deianeira: What citizen or stranger hath told thee this?

Messenger: In the meadow, summer haunt of oxen, Lichas the herald
is proclaiming it to many: from him I heard it, and flew hither, that
I might be the first to give thee these tidings, and so might reap
some guerdon from thee, and win thy grace.

Deianeira: And why is he not here, if he brings good news?

Messenger: His task, lady, is no easy one; all the Malian folk have
thronged around him with questions, and he cannot move forward: each
and all are bent on learning what they desire, and will not release
him until they are satisfied. Thus their eagerness detains him against
his will; but thou shalt presently see him face to face.

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