Sophocles, Ajax 693–814: Second stasimon: the sailors' joy; the Messenger's warning

I shiver with rapture; I soar on the wings of sudden joy! 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 Cnosian steps, your self-taught dances. Now I want to dance. And may Apollo, lord of Delos, step over the Icarian sea 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 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. 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.

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 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 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.

Chorus 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 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 at the gods.

Messenger 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?

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 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, 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. 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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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. 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.

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.