Ajax

By Sophocles.

Translated by Francis Storr.

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Argument

The arms of Achilles, claimed by Ajax as the bravest warrior in the host, were through intrigue given to Odysseus, and Ajax vows vengeance both on the winner and on the awarders of the prize. But Athena, his patron goddess, whom his arrogance has estranged, sends him a delusion so that he mistakes for his foes the sheep and cattle of the Greeks. Athena, when the play opens, is discovered conversing with Odysseus outside the tent of Ajax; she will show him his mad foe mauling the beasts within. The mad fit passes and Ajax bewails his insensate folly and declares that death alone can wipe out the shame. His wife Tecmessa and the Chorus try to dissuade him, but he will not be comforted and calls for his son Eurysaces. The child is brought, and after leaving his last injunctions for his brother Teucer, Ajax takes a tender farewell. He then fetches his sword from the tent and goes forth declaring that he will purge himself of his stains and bury his sword. Presently a Messenger from the camp announces that Teucer has returned from his foray and has learnt from Calchas, the seer, that if only Ajax can be kept within the camp for that day all may yet be well. The Chorus and Tecmessa set forth in quest of Ajax, and Tecmessa discovers him lying transfixed by his sword. Teucer finds the mourners gathered round the corpse and is preparing to bury him, when Menelaus hurries up to forbid the burial. After an angry wrangle with Teucer, Menelaus departs, but is succeeded by Agamemnon, who enforces his brother’s veto and is hardly persuaded by Odysseus to relent. Ajax is carried by his Salaminians to his grave, a grave (so they prophesy) that shall be famous for all time.

Dramatis Personae

Athena
Odysseus, King of Ithaca
Ajax, son of Telamon and Euboea, leader of the men of Salamis
Tecmessa, his captive wife, daughter of Teleutas, King of Phrygia
Eurysaces, their infant son
Treucer, son of Telamon by Hesione
Menelaus, King of Sparta
Agamemnon, his brother, captain of the host
Messenger, one of Ajax’s men
Chorus, mariners of Salamis

Scene: The shore on the Northern coast of the Troad before the tent of Ajax. Time: Early morning.

Ajax

	Enter Odysseus, scanning recent footprints in the sand; Athena, invisible to Odysseus, is seen by the spectators above the stage in the air.
Athena	Son of Laertes, ever on the prowl To seize some coign of vantage ’gainst thy foes, Now at the tent of Ajax by the ships, Where he is posted on the flank, I see thee Following the trail and scanning his fresh tracks, To learn if Ajax be within or no. Bravely thy long search brings thee to the goal, Like a keen-scented hound of Spartan breed; The man has even now returned, his brow Bedewed with sweat and hands besmeared with gore. No further need to peer within these doors; Say rather what the purpose of thy search Thus keenly urged, and learn from one who knows.
Odysseus	Voice of Athena, Goddess most by me Beloved, how clearly, though I see thee not, Those accents strike my ear and thrill my soul, Like some Tyrrhenian trumpet, brazen-mouthed. Yea, thou hast well divined why thus I cast About in hot pursuance of a foe, Ajax, the bearer of the sevenfold shield: Him and none other I have tracked full long. Last night a monstrous thing he wrought on us, If it be he in sooth⁠—’tis all surmise. So for the hard task of discovery I volunteered. This very morn we found Our herds, the spoil of war, all hacked and hewn, Slain with their herdsmen by some human hand. On him with one consent all lay the guilt: And by a scout who marked him o’er the plain, In mad career, alone, with reeking sword, I duly was informed, and instantly I sped upon the spoor, and now the tracks I recognise, and now am all at fault, Without a clue to tell me whose they are. Most welcome then thy advent; thine the hand That ever guided and shall guide my path.
Athena	I know, Odysseus, and set forth betimes To meet thee and abet thee in this chase.
Odysseus	Tell me, dear mistress, will my quest succeed?
Athena	Know that the guilty man is he thou seek’st.
Odysseus	What moved him to this rash, insensate deed?
Athena	Resentment touching dead Achilles’ arms.
Odysseus	Why did he fall upon the innocent sheep?
Athena	He thought his hands were gory with your blood.
Odysseus	What, was this onslaught planned against the Greeks?
Athena	Aye, and it had succeeded, but for me.
Odysseus	How could he venture such fool-hardiness?
Athena	He schemed a night attack, by stealth, alone.