第 4 节
作者:
美丽心点 更新:2021-04-30 16:15 字数:9322
out of this perplexity; we must seek some other land; for he this
country fain would save。
MACARIA
Are these indeed the terms on which our safety depends?
IOLAUS
Yea; on these; if; that is; we are successful otherwise。
MACARIA
No longer then cower before the hated Argive spear; for I; of my
own free will; or ever they bid me; am ready to die and offer myself
as a victim。 For what excuse have we; if; while this city deems it
right to incur great danger on our behalf; we; though we might save
ourselves; fly from death; by foisting our trouble on others? No!
indeed; 'twere surely most ridiculous to sit and mourn as suppliants
of the gods; and show ourselves but cowards; children as we are of
that illustrious sire。 Where among the brave is such conduct seen?
Better; I suppose; this city should be taken and I (which Heaven
forefend!) fall into the hands of the enemy; and then; for all I am my
noble father's child; meet an awful doom; and face the Death…god
none the less。 Shall I wander as an exile from this land? Shall I
not feel shame then; when someone says; as say they will; 〃Why are
ye come hither with suppliant boughs; loving your lives too well?
Begone from our land! for we will not succour cowards。〃 Nay; if
these be slain and I alone be saved; I have no hope in any wise of
being happy; though many ere now have in this hope betrayed their
friends; For who will care to wed a lonely maid or make me mother of
his children? 'Tis better I should die than meet such treatment;
little as I merit it。 This were fitter treatment for some other; one
that is not born to fame as I am。 Conduct me to the scene of death;
crown me with garlands; and begin the rites; if so it please you; then
be victorious o'er the foe; for here I offer my life freely and
without constraint; and for my brothers and myself I undertake to die。
For I; by loving not my life too well; have found a treasure very
fair; a glorious means to leave it。
LEADER
Ah; what shall I say on hearing the maid's brave words; she that
is ready to die for her brothers? Who can speak more noble words or do
more noble deeds henceforth for ever?
IOLAUS
Daughter; thou art his own true child; no other man's but
Heracles'; that godlike soul; proud am I of thy words; though I sorrow
for thy lot。 Yet will I propose a fairer method: 'tis right to
summon hither all the sisters of this maiden; and then let her; on
whom the lot shall fall; die for her family; for that thou shouldst
die without the lot is not just。
MACARIA
My death shall no chance lot decide; there is no graciousness in
that; peace! old friend。 But if ye accept and will avail you of my
readiness; freely do I offer my life for these; and without
constraint。
IOLAUS
Ah; this is even nobler than thy former word; that was
matchless; but thou dost now surpass thy bravery and noble speech。 I
cannot bid; will not forbid thy dying; O my daughter! for by thy death
thou dost thy brothers serve。
MACARIA
A cautious bidding thine! Fear not to take a stain of guilt from
me; only let me die as one whose death is free。 Follow me; old friend;
for in thy arms I fain would die; stand by and veil my body with my
robe; for I will go even to the dreadful doom of sacrifice; seeing
whose daughter I avow myself。
IOLAUS
I cannot stand by and see thee bleed。
MACARIA
At least do thou beg me this boon of the king; that I may
breathe out my life in women's arms instead of men's。
DEMOPHON
It shall be so; unhappy maid; for this were shame to me to
refuse the honour due; for many reasons: because thou hast a soul so
brave; because 'tis right; and thou hast shown more courage than any
of thy sex my eyes have ever seen。 Now; if thou hast aught to say to
these children or thy aged guide。 oh! say the last thou hast to
say…then go。
MACARIA
Farewell; old friend; farewell and prithee teach these children to
be like thyself; wise at every point; let them strive no further;
for that will suffice them。 And seek to save them from death; even as
thou art anxious to do; thy children are we; thy care it was that
nurtured us。 Thou seest how I yield my bridal bloom to die for them。
For you; my brothers gathered here; may you be happy! and may every
blessing be yours; for the which my blood shall pay the price!
Honour this old friend; and her that is within the house; Alcmena; the
aged mother of my sire; and these strangers too。 And if ever heaven
for you devise release from trouble and a return to your home;
remember the burial due to her that saved you; funeral fair as I
deserve; for I have not failed; but stood by you; and died to save
my race。 This shall be my pearl of price instead of children; and
for the maiden life I leave; if there be really aught beyond the
grave…God grant there may not be! For if; e'en there; we who are to
die shall find a life of care; I know not whither one shall turn;
for death is held a sovereign cure for every ill。
IOLAUS
Maiden of heroic soul; transcending all thy race; be sure the fame
that thou shalt win from us; in life; in death; shall leave the rest
of women far behind; farewell to thee! I dare not say harsh words of
her to whom thou art devoted; the goddess…daughter of Demeter。
(DEMOPHON leads MACARIA away。)
Children; I am undone; grief unnerves my limbs; take hold and
support me to a seat hard by; when ye have drawn my mantle o'er my
face; my sons。 For I am grieved at what hath happened; and yet; were
it not fulfilled; we could not live; thus were our fate worse;
though this is grief enough。
CHORUS (singing)
strophe
Without the will of heaven none is blest; none curst; I do
maintain; nor doth the same house for ever tread the path of bliss;
for one kind of fortune follows hard upon another; one man it brings
to naught from his high estate; another though of no account it crowns
with happiness。 To shun what fate decrees; is no wise permitted;
none by cunning shall thrust it from him; but he; who vainly would
do so; shall have unceasing trouble。
antistrophe
Then fall not prostrate thou; but bear what heaven sends; and
set limit to thy soul's grief; for she; poor maid! in dying for her
brothers and this land; hath won a glorious death; and splendid fame
shall be her meed from all mankind; for virtue's path leads through
troublous ways。 Worthy of her father; worthy of her noble birth is
this she does。 And if thou dost honour the virtuous dead; I share with
thee that sentiment。
(The SERVANT OF HYLLUS enters。)
SERVANT OF HYLLUS
All hail; ye children! Where is aged Iolaus? where the mother of
your 'sire; absent from their place at this altar?
IOLAUS
Here am I; so far as I can be here at all。
SERVANT
Why dost thou lie there? Why that downcast look?
IOLAUS
There is come a sorrow on my house; whereby I suffer。
SERVANT
Arise; lift up thy head。
IOLAUS
I am old; and all my strength is gone。
SERVANT
But I come with tidings of great joy for thee。
IOLAUS
Who art thou? Where have I met thee? I have no remembrance。
SERVANT
I am a vassal of Hyllus; dost not recognize me now?
IOLAUS
Best of friends; art thou come to save us twain from hurt?
SERVANT
Assuredly; and moreover thou art lucky in the present case。
IOLAUS
Alcmena; mother of a noble son; to thee I call! come forth; hear
this welcome news。 For long has anguish caused thee inwardly to waste;
wondering if those; who now are here; would ever come。
(ALCMENA enters from the temple in answer to the call。)
ALCMENA
What means that shout; that echoes throughout the house? Hath
there come yet a herald from Argos; O Iolaus; and is he treating
thee with violence? Feeble is any strength of mine; yet thus much
let me tell thee; stranger; never; whilst I live; shalt thou drag them
hence。 Shouldst thou succeed; no more let me be thought the mother
of that hero。 And if thou lay a finger on them; thou wilt struggle
to thy shame with two aged foes。
IOLAUS
Courage; aged dame; fear not; not from Argos is a herald come;
with hostile messages。
ALCMENA
Why then didst raise a cry; fear's harbinger?
IOLAUS
I called thee to come to me in front of this temple。
ALCMENA
I know not what it means; who is this?
IOLAUS
A messenger who says thy grandson cometh hither。
ALCMENA
All hail to thee for these thy tidings! But why is he not here;
where is he? if in this land he hath set foot。 What hath happened to
keep him from coming hither with thee; to cheer my heart?
SERVANT
He is posting the army he brought with him; and seeing it
marshalled。
ALCMENA
Then have I no concern herein。
IOLAUS
Yes; thou hast; though it is my business to inquire。
SERVANT
What then wouldst thou learn of these events?
IOLAUS
About how many allies has he with him?
SERVANT
A numerous force; I cannot otherwise describe the number。
IOLAUS
The leaders of the Athenians know t