Epeisodion 5
Messenger
Friends, my first news is this:
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
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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
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had been plucked from sheaths and were drawn in their hands. But then the conflict, 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.
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Chorus
He is not inside, but is recently departed. He has yoked a new purpose to his new mood.
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Messenger
No! Oh, no! Too late, then, was he who sent me on this errand, or I myself came too slowly.
Chorus
What is this urgent matter? What part of it has been neglected?
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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 at the gods.
Messenger
These words betray great foolishness, if there is any wisdom in the prophecies of Calchas.
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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 who sat in council,
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
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if he wished ever to look on him alive. For this day alone will the anger of divine
Athena lash at him. That was the prophet’s warning. Yes, the seer went on
to explain, lives that have grown too proud and no longer yield good fall
on grave difficulties sent from the gods,
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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, 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 within my grasp.
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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—he answered her with words terrible and blasphemous, Queen, stand beside the other Greeks; 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 save him.
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With those words the seer 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.
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Chorus
Poor Tecmessa, born to misery,
come out and see this man and his news. The razor lies close at our throat, poised to cut off all joy.
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Tecmessa
Why do you stir me from my place of rest, when I have just found peace from those relentless troubles?
Chorus
Listen to this man, and
hear the news of Ajax that he has brought us—news at which I felt sudden grief.
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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
Teucer strictly commands that you keep Ajax under shelter of his tent and not allow him to go out alone.
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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
Oh, misery! From whom can he have learned this?
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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;
let others go to the westward bays, and others to the eastward, and there seek the man’s
disastrous path. I see now that I have been deceived by my husband and cast
out of the favor that I once had with him. Ah, my child, what shall I do? I
must not sit idle.
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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 a man who is eager for death.
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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.
Ajax
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,
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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.
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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
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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.
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And I call for help to the eternal maidens who eternally attend to all sufferings among mortals, the dread, far-striding Erinyes, asking them to learn how my miserable life is destroyed by the Atreidae.
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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!
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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 and my fate to my aged father and to the unhappy woman who nursed me.
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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!
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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
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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.
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The rest he will tell to the shades in Hades.
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