Epeisodion 5
Chorus
Listen to this man, and
hear the news of Ajax that he has brought us—news at which I felt sudden grief.
790
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.
795
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?
800
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.
805
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.
810
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,
815
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.
820
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
825
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.
830
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.
835
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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