The Battle of Frogs and Mice
Βατραχομυομαχία
Headnote
The Batrachomyomachia — the “Battle of Frogs and Mice” — travelled through antiquity, Byzantium and the Renaissance under Homer’s name, copied and printed alongside the Iliad and the Odyssey, and it is not Homer’s. It belongs to the Homerica: the body of later work that the tradition attached to the poet. Antiquity was itself unsure whose it was; one ancient report assigns it to Pigres of Halicarnassus, a kinsman of the Carian queen Artemisia, in the fifth century BC. The language argues for something a good deal later — a Hellenistic poem, most probably of the second century BC, made by someone who knew the epic diction from the inside and could reproduce it exactly. Its afterlife ran far beyond its length: because it was short, comic and unmistakably Homeric in its verse, it became for centuries the first Greek poem a student read.
It is a mock-epic, and the oldest one to survive entire. A mouse drowns while riding on a frog’s back; the mice arm and the frogs arm; the gods hold a council; a single day’s battle is fought and heaven intervenes. Every element of that plot is the machinery of the Iliad, worked at the scale of an inch. The method of the poem is that the epic register never breaks. The wounds are given the anatomical exactness Homer reserves for the spear’s path through a body; the arming scenes are laid out in the full formal order — greaves, breastplate, shield, spear, helmet — with split bean-pods, a lamp’s centre-boss, a needle and a chickpea husk standing in for bronze; the fixed epithets and the speech-frames arrive precisely where the tradition demands them. Nothing winks. This translation holds the same line: the joke is in the Greek, and English comedy laid on top of it would smother it.
The names carry the humour, and they are rendered here as speaking names — Puff-Jaw the frog king, Crumb-Snatcher and Bread-Nibbler and Mill-Licker among the mice, Pot-Creeper the herald, Lick-Platter, Morsel-Snatcher, and, on the frogs’ side, a rank of kitchen-garden plants: Beetroot, Leek, Calamint and noble Marjoram. The Greek forms are kept in the glossary. Watch too for the one passage where the Hellenistic world shows through the epic surface. Athena, declining to help either party, complains that the mice have gnawed the robe she wove, that the mender has since presented his bill, and that she cannot settle it because she spun the thread on borrowed money. A goddess in debt to a creditor is not a scene the Iliad could hold.
The text is unstable, as school texts tend to become. The transmitted numbering runs to 303 verses, but the vulgate printed here omits thirty-six of them and carries four variant or interpolated lines, giving 271 in all; the section labels are the starting verse numbers of each sense-section, so the citation numbers jump wherever the tradition does. Square brackets mark an athetized line, angle brackets an editor’s supplement, and the dagger a corrupt reading — all of them the edition’s, and kept where they stand rather than quietly repaired. The close is the poem at its most assured: five unbroken verses of epic compound adjectives — anvil-backed, scissor-mouthed, shell-skinned, eight-footed, two-headed — sustained to the edge of exhaustion before the poem condescends to name the creatures it has been describing.
Beginning the first page, I pray the chorus from Helicon
come into my heart, for the sake of the song
which I set just now in my tablets upon my knees:
a boundless strife, the war-clamouring work of Ares,
praying to cast it into the ears of all mortal men —
how the mice went among the frogs and proved the best,
imitating the deeds of the earth-born men, the Giants,
as the tale ran among mortals. And such was its beginning:
come into my heart, for the sake of the song
which I set just now in my tablets upon my knees:
a boundless strife, the war-clamouring work of Ares,
praying to cast it into the ears of all mortal men —
how the mice went among the frogs and proved the best,
imitating the deeds of the earth-born men, the Giants,
as the tale ran among mortals. And such was its beginning:
Ἀρχόμενος πρώτης σελίδος χορὸν ἐξ Ἑλικῶνος
ἐλδεῖν εἰς ἐμὸν ἧτορ ἐπεύχομαι εἵνεκʼ ἀοιδῆς,
ἣν νέον ἐν δέλτοισιν ἐμοῖς ἐπὶ γούνασι θῆκα,
δῆριν ἀπειρεσίην, πολεμόκλονον ἔργον Ἄρηος,
εὐχόμενος μερόπεσσιν ἐς οὔατα πᾶσι βαλέσθαι
πῶς μύες ἐν βατράχοισιν ἀριστεύσαντες ἔβησαν,
γηγενέων ἀνδρῶν μιμούμενοι ἔργα Γιγάντων,
ὡς λόγος ἐν θνητοῖσιν ἔην. τοίην δʼ ἔχεν ἀρχήν·
ἐλδεῖν εἰς ἐμὸν ἧτορ ἐπεύχομαι εἵνεκʼ ἀοιδῆς,
ἣν νέον ἐν δέλτοισιν ἐμοῖς ἐπὶ γούνασι θῆκα,
δῆριν ἀπειρεσίην, πολεμόκλονον ἔργον Ἄρηος,
εὐχόμενος μερόπεσσιν ἐς οὔατα πᾶσι βαλέσθαι
πῶς μύες ἐν βατράχοισιν ἀριστεύσαντες ἔβησαν,
γηγενέων ἀνδρῶν μιμούμενοι ἔργα Γιγάντων,
ὡς λόγος ἐν θνητοῖσιν ἔην. τοίην δʼ ἔχεν ἀρχήν·
A thirsty mouse once, escaping the peril of a weasel,
set his greedy chin down close beside a pool,
delighting in the honey-sweet water. But him there saw
the pool-delighting, loud-voiced one, and uttered such a word:
set his greedy chin down close beside a pool,
delighting in the honey-sweet water. But him there saw
the pool-delighting, loud-voiced one, and uttered such a word:
Μῦς ποτε διψαλέος γαλέης κίνδυνον ἀλύξας
πλησίον ἐν λίμνηι λίχνον παρέθηκε γένειον,
ὕδατι τερπόμενος μελιηδέϊ· τὸν δὲ κατεῖδε
λιμνόχαρις πολύφημος, ἔπος δʼ ἐφθέγξατο τοῖον·
πλησίον ἐν λίμνηι λίχνον παρέθηκε γένειον,
ὕδατι τερπόμενος μελιηδέϊ· τὸν δὲ κατεῖδε
λιμνόχαρις πολύφημος, ἔπος δʼ ἐφθέγξατο τοῖον·
"Stranger, who are you? Whence have you come to these shores? Who begot you?
Tell it all truly, that I may not catch you in a lie.
For if I judge you a worthy friend, I will bring you home,
and I will give you guest-gifts, many and good.
I am the king Puff-Jaw, who throughout the pool
am honoured as leader of the frogs all my days;
and my father Mud-Man reared me, when with Water-Queen
he had mingled in love by the banks of the Eridanus.
And I see you too are handsome and valiant beyond the rest,
a sceptred king and a fighter in the wars.
But come, declare your lineage quickly."
Tell it all truly, that I may not catch you in a lie.
For if I judge you a worthy friend, I will bring you home,
and I will give you guest-gifts, many and good.
I am the king Puff-Jaw, who throughout the pool
am honoured as leader of the frogs all my days;
and my father Mud-Man reared me, when with Water-Queen
he had mingled in love by the banks of the Eridanus.
And I see you too are handsome and valiant beyond the rest,
a sceptred king and a fighter in the wars.
But come, declare your lineage quickly."
«Ξεῖνε τίς εἶ; πόδεν ἦλθες ἐπʼ ἠϊόνας; τίς ὁ φυσάς;
πάντα δʼ ἀλήθευσον, μὴ ψευδόμενόν σε νοήσω.
εἰ γάρ σε γνοίην φίλον ἄξιον, ἐς δόμον ἄξω·
δῶρα δέ τοι δώσω ξεινήϊα πολλὰ καὶ ἐσθλά.
εἰμὶ δʼ ἐγὼ βασιλεὺς Φυσίγναθος, ὃς κατὰ λίμνην
τιμῶμαι βατράχων ἡγούμενος ἤματα πάντα·
καί με πατὴρ Πηλεὺς ἀνεδρέψατο, Ὑδρομεδούσηι
μιχθεὶς ἐν φιλότητι παρʼ ὄχθας Ἠριδανοῖο.
καὶ σὲ βλέπω καλόν τε καὶ ἄλκιμον ἔζοχον ἄλλων,
σκηπτοῦχον βασιλῆα καὶ ἐν πολέμοισιν μαχητὴν
ἔμμεναι· ἀλλʼ ἄγε θᾶσσον ἑὴν γενεὴν ἀγόρευε.»
πάντα δʼ ἀλήθευσον, μὴ ψευδόμενόν σε νοήσω.
εἰ γάρ σε γνοίην φίλον ἄξιον, ἐς δόμον ἄξω·
δῶρα δέ τοι δώσω ξεινήϊα πολλὰ καὶ ἐσθλά.
εἰμὶ δʼ ἐγὼ βασιλεὺς Φυσίγναθος, ὃς κατὰ λίμνην
τιμῶμαι βατράχων ἡγούμενος ἤματα πάντα·
καί με πατὴρ Πηλεὺς ἀνεδρέψατο, Ὑδρομεδούσηι
μιχθεὶς ἐν φιλότητι παρʼ ὄχθας Ἠριδανοῖο.
καὶ σὲ βλέπω καλόν τε καὶ ἄλκιμον ἔζοχον ἄλλων,
σκηπτοῦχον βασιλῆα καὶ ἐν πολέμοισιν μαχητὴν
ἔμμεναι· ἀλλʼ ἄγε θᾶσσον ἑὴν γενεὴν ἀγόρευε.»
Then Crumb-Snatcher answered him in turn and said:
"Why do you ask after my race? It is plain among all
men and gods and the winged things of heaven.
Crumb-Snatcher I am called; and I am the son
of my great-hearted father Bread-Nibbler; and my mother
is Mill-Licker, daughter of King Ham-Nibbler.
She bore me in a hut and hid me away to feed on
figs and nuts and food of every kind.
How make me your friend, who am nothing like you in nature?
For your life is in the water; but for me
it is custom to nibble what men have. Nor does it escape me,
the thrice-kneaded loaf out of the well-rounded basket,
nor the trailing-robed cake, heavy with sesame-cheese,
nor a slice from the ham, nor livers in white tunics,
nor cheese newly curdled from sweet milk,
nor good honey-cake, which even the blessed long for,
nor what the cooks make ready for the feasts of mortal men,
dressing their pots with seasonings of every kind.
I do not nibble radishes, nor cabbages, nor gourds,
I do not graze on green leeks, nor on celery:
these are your foods, the foods of those in the pool."
"Why do you ask after my race? It is plain among all
men and gods and the winged things of heaven.
Crumb-Snatcher I am called; and I am the son
of my great-hearted father Bread-Nibbler; and my mother
is Mill-Licker, daughter of King Ham-Nibbler.
She bore me in a hut and hid me away to feed on
figs and nuts and food of every kind.
How make me your friend, who am nothing like you in nature?
For your life is in the water; but for me
it is custom to nibble what men have. Nor does it escape me,
the thrice-kneaded loaf out of the well-rounded basket,
nor the trailing-robed cake, heavy with sesame-cheese,
nor a slice from the ham, nor livers in white tunics,
nor cheese newly curdled from sweet milk,
nor good honey-cake, which even the blessed long for,
nor what the cooks make ready for the feasts of mortal men,
dressing their pots with seasonings of every kind.
I do not nibble radishes, nor cabbages, nor gourds,
I do not graze on green leeks, nor on celery:
these are your foods, the foods of those in the pool."
Τὸν δʼ αὖ Ψιχάρπαξ ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·
«Τίπτε γένος τοὐμὸν ζητεῖς; δῆλον δʼ ἐν ἅπασιν
ἀνθρώποις τε θεοῖς τε καὶ οὐρανίοις πετεηυοῖς.
Ψιχάρπαξ μὲν ἐγὼ κικλήσκομαι· εἰμὶ δὲ κοῦρος
Τρωζάρταο πατρὸς μεγαλήτορος· ἡ δέ νυ μήτηρ
Λειχομύλη, θυγάτηρ Πτερνοτρώκτου βασιλῆος.
γείνατο δʼ ἐν καλύβηι με καὶ ἔκρυψʼ ἐννεμέθεσθαι
σύκοις καὶ καρύοις καὶ ἐδέσμασι παντοδαποῖσιν.
πῶς δὲ φίλον ποιῆι με, τὸν ἐς φύσιν οὐδὲν ὁμοῖον;
σοὶ μὲν γὰρ βίος ἐστὶν ἐν ὕδασιν· αὐτὰρ ἔμοιγε
ὅσσα παρʼ ἀνθρώποις τρώγειν ἔδος· οὐδέ με λήθει
ἄρτος τρισκοπάνιστος ἀπʼ εὐκύκλου κανέοιο,
οὐδὲ πλακοῦς τανύπεπλος ἔχων πολὺ σησαμότυρον,
οὐ τόμος ἐκ πτέρνης, οὐχ ἥπατα λευκοχίτωνα,
οὐ τυρὸς νεόπηκτος ἀπὸ γλυκεροῖο γάλακτος,
οὐ χρηστὸν μελίτωμα, τὸ καὶ μάκαρες ποθέουσιν,
οὐδʼ ὅσα πρὸς θοίνας μερόπων τεύχουσι μάγειροι,
κοσμοῦντες χύτρας ἀρτύμασι παντοδαπτοῖσιν.
οὐ τρώγω ῥαφᾶνους, οὐ κράμβας, οὐ καλοκύνθας,
οὐ πράσσοις χλωροῖς ἐπιβόσκομαι, οὐδὲ σελίνοις·
ταῦτα γὰρ ὑμέτερʼ ἐστὶν ἐδέσματα τῶν κατὰ λίμνην.»
«Τίπτε γένος τοὐμὸν ζητεῖς; δῆλον δʼ ἐν ἅπασιν
ἀνθρώποις τε θεοῖς τε καὶ οὐρανίοις πετεηυοῖς.
Ψιχάρπαξ μὲν ἐγὼ κικλήσκομαι· εἰμὶ δὲ κοῦρος
Τρωζάρταο πατρὸς μεγαλήτορος· ἡ δέ νυ μήτηρ
Λειχομύλη, θυγάτηρ Πτερνοτρώκτου βασιλῆος.
γείνατο δʼ ἐν καλύβηι με καὶ ἔκρυψʼ ἐννεμέθεσθαι
σύκοις καὶ καρύοις καὶ ἐδέσμασι παντοδαποῖσιν.
πῶς δὲ φίλον ποιῆι με, τὸν ἐς φύσιν οὐδὲν ὁμοῖον;
σοὶ μὲν γὰρ βίος ἐστὶν ἐν ὕδασιν· αὐτὰρ ἔμοιγε
ὅσσα παρʼ ἀνθρώποις τρώγειν ἔδος· οὐδέ με λήθει
ἄρτος τρισκοπάνιστος ἀπʼ εὐκύκλου κανέοιο,
οὐδὲ πλακοῦς τανύπεπλος ἔχων πολὺ σησαμότυρον,
οὐ τόμος ἐκ πτέρνης, οὐχ ἥπατα λευκοχίτωνα,
οὐ τυρὸς νεόπηκτος ἀπὸ γλυκεροῖο γάλακτος,
οὐ χρηστὸν μελίτωμα, τὸ καὶ μάκαρες ποθέουσιν,
οὐδʼ ὅσα πρὸς θοίνας μερόπων τεύχουσι μάγειροι,
κοσμοῦντες χύτρας ἀρτύμασι παντοδαπτοῖσιν.
οὐ τρώγω ῥαφᾶνους, οὐ κράμβας, οὐ καλοκύνθας,
οὐ πράσσοις χλωροῖς ἐπιβόσκομαι, οὐδὲ σελίνοις·
ταῦτα γὰρ ὑμέτερʼ ἐστὶν ἐδέσματα τῶν κατὰ λίμνην.»
At this Puff-Jaw smiled and spoke to him in answer:
"Stranger, you boast too much of your belly. We too have
many wonders to see, in the pool and on the land.
For Cronion gave the frogs a double-lived pasture:
to leap over the land, to hide the body in the waters.
If you wish to learn these things too, it is easy:
climb onto my back, and hold on, that you never slip,
so that you may come rejoicing to my house."
"Stranger, you boast too much of your belly. We too have
many wonders to see, in the pool and on the land.
For Cronion gave the frogs a double-lived pasture:
to leap over the land, to hide the body in the waters.
If you wish to learn these things too, it is easy:
climb onto my back, and hold on, that you never slip,
so that you may come rejoicing to my house."
Πρὸς τάδε μειδήσας Φυσίγναθος ἀντίον ηὔδα·
«Ξεῖνε λίην αὐχεῖς ἐπὶ γαστέρι· ἔστι καὶ ἡμῖν
πολλὰ μάλʼ ἐν λίμνηι καὶ ἐπὶ χθονὶ θαύματʼ ἰδέσθαι.
ἀμφίβιον γὰρ ἔδωκε νομὴν βατράχοισι Κρονίων,
σκιρτῆσαι κατὰ γαῖαν, ἐν ὕδασι σῶμα καλύψαι·
εἰ δʼ ἐθέλεις καὶ ταῦτα δαήμεναι εὐχερές ἐστι·
βαῖνέ μοι ἐν νώτοισι, κράτει δέ με μήποτʼ ὀλίσθηις,
ὅππως γηθόσυνος πρὸς ἐμὸν δόμον εἰσαφίκηαι.»
«Ξεῖνε λίην αὐχεῖς ἐπὶ γαστέρι· ἔστι καὶ ἡμῖν
πολλὰ μάλʼ ἐν λίμνηι καὶ ἐπὶ χθονὶ θαύματʼ ἰδέσθαι.
ἀμφίβιον γὰρ ἔδωκε νομὴν βατράχοισι Κρονίων,
σκιρτῆσαι κατὰ γαῖαν, ἐν ὕδασι σῶμα καλύψαι·
εἰ δʼ ἐθέλεις καὶ ταῦτα δαήμεναι εὐχερές ἐστι·
βαῖνέ μοι ἐν νώτοισι, κράτει δέ με μήποτʼ ὀλίσθηις,
ὅππως γηθόσυνος πρὸς ἐμὸν δόμον εἰσαφίκηαι.»
So he spoke, and gave his back; the other climbed on at once,
holding his hands on the soft neck in a light clasp.
And at first he rejoiced, seeing the moorings close by,
delighting in Puff-Jaw’s swimming. But when at last
he was flooded over by the dark waves, weeping much
he blamed his useless change of mind and tore his hair,
and clenched his feet to his belly; and the heart within him
throbbed at the strangeness, and he longed to reach land;
and terribly he groaned under the force of chill fear.
First he laid his tail out on the water like an oar,
trailing it, and praying to the gods to reach the land;
he was flooded by the dark waters, and cried out much;
and he spoke such a word, declaring it from his mouth:
holding his hands on the soft neck in a light clasp.
And at first he rejoiced, seeing the moorings close by,
delighting in Puff-Jaw’s swimming. But when at last
he was flooded over by the dark waves, weeping much
he blamed his useless change of mind and tore his hair,
and clenched his feet to his belly; and the heart within him
throbbed at the strangeness, and he longed to reach land;
and terribly he groaned under the force of chill fear.
First he laid his tail out on the water like an oar,
trailing it, and praying to the gods to reach the land;
he was flooded by the dark waters, and cried out much;
and he spoke such a word, declaring it from his mouth:
Ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη καὶ νῶτʼ ἐδίδου· ὁ δʼ ἔβαινε τάχιστα
χεῖρας ἔχων τρυφεροῖο κατʼ αὐχένος ἅμματι κούφωι.
καὶ πρῶτον μὲν ἔχαιρεν ὅτʼ ἔβλεπε γείτονας ὅρμους,
νήξει τερπόμενος Φυσιγνάθου· ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥα
κύμασι πορφυρέοις ἐπεκλύζετο, πολλὰ δακρύων
ἄχρηστον μετάνοιαν ἐμέμφετο, τίλλε δὲ χαίτας,
καὶ πόδας ἔσφιγγεν κατὰ γαστέρος, ἐν δέ οἱ ἥτορ
πάλλετʼ ἀηθείηι καὶ ἐπὶ χθόνα βούλεθʼ ἱκέσθαι·
δεινὰ δʼ ὑπεστενάχιζε φόβου κρυόεντος ἀνάγκηι.
οὐρὴν πρῶτʼ ἐπελάσσεν ἐφʼ ὕδασιν ἠύτε κώπην
σύρων, εὐχόμενος δὲ θεοῖς ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι
ὕδασι πορφυρέοισιν ἐκλύζετο, πολλὰ δʼ ἐβώστρει·
καὶ τοῖον φάτο μῦθον ἀπὸ στόματός τʼ ἀγόρευσεν·
χεῖρας ἔχων τρυφεροῖο κατʼ αὐχένος ἅμματι κούφωι.
καὶ πρῶτον μὲν ἔχαιρεν ὅτʼ ἔβλεπε γείτονας ὅρμους,
νήξει τερπόμενος Φυσιγνάθου· ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥα
κύμασι πορφυρέοις ἐπεκλύζετο, πολλὰ δακρύων
ἄχρηστον μετάνοιαν ἐμέμφετο, τίλλε δὲ χαίτας,
καὶ πόδας ἔσφιγγεν κατὰ γαστέρος, ἐν δέ οἱ ἥτορ
πάλλετʼ ἀηθείηι καὶ ἐπὶ χθόνα βούλεθʼ ἱκέσθαι·
δεινὰ δʼ ὑπεστενάχιζε φόβου κρυόεντος ἀνάγκηι.
οὐρὴν πρῶτʼ ἐπελάσσεν ἐφʼ ὕδασιν ἠύτε κώπην
σύρων, εὐχόμενος δὲ θεοῖς ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι
ὕδασι πορφυρέοισιν ἐκλύζετο, πολλὰ δʼ ἐβώστρει·
καὶ τοῖον φάτο μῦθον ἀπὸ στόματός τʼ ἀγόρευσεν·
Then suddenly a water-snake appeared, a bitter sight
to all alike; it held its neck straight above the water.
Seeing it, Puff-Jaw dived, in no way considering
what a companion he was leaving behind to perish.
He sank to the depth of the pool and escaped the black doom.
But the other, let go, fell at once on his back on the water,
and clenched his hands, and squeaked as he perished.
Often he sank beneath the water, and often again
came up kicking; but there was no escaping his doom.
His soaking hairs dragged a greater weight upon him;
and perishing in the waters he uttered such words:
to all alike; it held its neck straight above the water.
Seeing it, Puff-Jaw dived, in no way considering
what a companion he was leaving behind to perish.
He sank to the depth of the pool and escaped the black doom.
But the other, let go, fell at once on his back on the water,
and clenched his hands, and squeaked as he perished.
Often he sank beneath the water, and often again
came up kicking; but there was no escaping his doom.
His soaking hairs dragged a greater weight upon him;
and perishing in the waters he uttered such words:
Ὕλλος δʼ ἐξαπίνης ἀνεφαίνετο, πικρὸν ὅραμα
πᾶσιν ὁμῶς· ὀρθὸν δʼ ὑπὲρ ὕδατος εἶχε τράχηλον.
τοῦτον ἰδὼν κατέδυ Φυσίγναθος, οὔ τι νοήσας
οἷον ἑταῖρον ἔμελλεν ἀπολλύμενον καταλείπειν.
δῦ δὲ βάθος λίμνης καὶ ἀλεύατο κῆρα μέλαιναν.
κεῖνος δʼ ὡς ἀφέθη, πέσεν ὕπτιος εὐδὺς ἐφʼ ὕδωρ,
καὶ χεῖρας ἔσφιγγε καὶ ὀλλύμενος κατέτριζε.
πολλάκι μὲν κατέδυνεν ὑφʼ ὕδατι, πολλάκι δʼ αὖτε
λακτίζων ἀνέδυνε· μόρον δʼ οὐκ ἦν ὑπαλύξαι.
δευόμεναι δὲ τρίχες πλεῖον βάρος εἷλκον ἐπʼ αὐτόν·
ὕδασι δʼ ὀλλύμενος τοίους ἐφθέγξατο μύθους·
πᾶσιν ὁμῶς· ὀρθὸν δʼ ὑπὲρ ὕδατος εἶχε τράχηλον.
τοῦτον ἰδὼν κατέδυ Φυσίγναθος, οὔ τι νοήσας
οἷον ἑταῖρον ἔμελλεν ἀπολλύμενον καταλείπειν.
δῦ δὲ βάθος λίμνης καὶ ἀλεύατο κῆρα μέλαιναν.
κεῖνος δʼ ὡς ἀφέθη, πέσεν ὕπτιος εὐδὺς ἐφʼ ὕδωρ,
καὶ χεῖρας ἔσφιγγε καὶ ὀλλύμενος κατέτριζε.
πολλάκι μὲν κατέδυνεν ὑφʼ ὕδατι, πολλάκι δʼ αὖτε
λακτίζων ἀνέδυνε· μόρον δʼ οὐκ ἦν ὑπαλύξαι.
δευόμεναι δὲ τρίχες πλεῖον βάρος εἷλκον ἐπʼ αὐτόν·
ὕδασι δʼ ὀλλύμενος τοίους ἐφθέγξατο μύθους·
"You will not escape notice, Puff-Jaw, for doing this by guile,
throwing me off your body like a shipwrecked man off a rock.
On land you would not be my better, you vilest of creatures,
in pancratium, in wrestling, or in the race. But you led me astray
and threw me into the water. God has an avenging eye."
throwing me off your body like a shipwrecked man off a rock.
On land you would not be my better, you vilest of creatures,
in pancratium, in wrestling, or in the race. But you led me astray
and threw me into the water. God has an avenging eye."
«Οὐ λήσεις δολίως Φυσίγναθε ταῦτα ποιήσας,
ναυηγὸν ῥίψας ἀπὸ σώματος ὡς ἀπὸ πέτρης.
οὐκ ἄν μου κατὰ γαῖαν ἀμείνων ἦσθα κάκιστε
παγκρατίωι τε πάληι τε καὶ εἰς δρόμον· ἀλλά πλανήσας
εἰς ὕδωρ μʼ ἔρριψας. ἔχει θεὸς ἔκδικον ὄμμα.»
ναυηγὸν ῥίψας ἀπὸ σώματος ὡς ἀπὸ πέτρης.
οὐκ ἄν μου κατὰ γαῖαν ἀμείνων ἦσθα κάκιστε
παγκρατίωι τε πάληι τε καὶ εἰς δρόμον· ἀλλά πλανήσας
εἰς ὕδωρ μʼ ἔρριψας. ἔχει θεὸς ἔκδικον ὄμμα.»
So saying he breathed his last in the water. And him there saw
Lick-Platter, sitting on the soft banks;
and he shrieked terribly, and ran and told the mice.
When they learned his fate, dread anger entered all.
And then they ordered their heralds, at daybreak,
to proclaim an assembly at the house of Bread-Nibbler,
the wretched father of Crumb-Snatcher, who along the pool
lay stretched on his back, a dead body, no longer by the banks
was the poor wretch, but floated in the mid-deep.
And when they came hurrying at dawn, first stood up
Bread-Nibbler, angered over his son, and spoke a word:
Lick-Platter, sitting on the soft banks;
and he shrieked terribly, and ran and told the mice.
When they learned his fate, dread anger entered all.
And then they ordered their heralds, at daybreak,
to proclaim an assembly at the house of Bread-Nibbler,
the wretched father of Crumb-Snatcher, who along the pool
lay stretched on his back, a dead body, no longer by the banks
was the poor wretch, but floated in the mid-deep.
And when they came hurrying at dawn, first stood up
Bread-Nibbler, angered over his son, and spoke a word:
Ὣς εἰπὼν ἀπέπνευσεν ἐν ὕδασι· τὸν δὲ κατεῖδεν
Λειχοπίναξ ὄχδηισιν ἐφεζόμενος μαλακῆισιν·
δεινὸν δʼ ἐξολόλυξε, δραμὼν δʼ ἤγγειλε μύεσσιν.
ὡς δʼ ἔμαθον τὴν μοῖραν ἔδυ χόλος αἰνὸς ἅπαντας.
καὶ τότε κηρύκεσσιν ἑοῖς ἐκέλευον ὑπʼ ὄρθρον
κηρύσσειν ἀγορὴν ἐς δώματα Τρωξάρταο,
πατρὸς δυστήνου Ψιχάρπαγος, ὃς κατὰ λίμνην
ὕπτιος ἐξήπλωτο νεκρὸν δέμας, οὐδὲ παρʼ ὄχθαις
ἦν ἤδη τλήμων, μέσσωι δʼ ἐπενήχετο πόντωι.
ὡς δʼ ἦλθον σπεύδοντες ἅμʼ ἠοῖ, πρῶτος ἀνέστη
Τρωξάρτης ἐπὶ παιδὶ χολούμενος, εἶπέ τε μῦθον·
Λειχοπίναξ ὄχδηισιν ἐφεζόμενος μαλακῆισιν·
δεινὸν δʼ ἐξολόλυξε, δραμὼν δʼ ἤγγειλε μύεσσιν.
ὡς δʼ ἔμαθον τὴν μοῖραν ἔδυ χόλος αἰνὸς ἅπαντας.
καὶ τότε κηρύκεσσιν ἑοῖς ἐκέλευον ὑπʼ ὄρθρον
κηρύσσειν ἀγορὴν ἐς δώματα Τρωξάρταο,
πατρὸς δυστήνου Ψιχάρπαγος, ὃς κατὰ λίμνην
ὕπτιος ἐξήπλωτο νεκρὸν δέμας, οὐδὲ παρʼ ὄχθαις
ἦν ἤδη τλήμων, μέσσωι δʼ ἐπενήχετο πόντωι.
ὡς δʼ ἦλθον σπεύδοντες ἅμʼ ἠοῖ, πρῶτος ἀνέστη
Τρωξάρτης ἐπὶ παιδὶ χολούμενος, εἶπέ τε μῦθον·
"Friends, though I alone have suffered many evils
from the frogs, the trial is made an evil for us all.
I am a wretched man, since I have lost three sons.
And the first of them she killed, snatching him up —
the weasel, our bitterest foe, taking him outside the hole.
The second, again, pitiless men dragged to his doom,
contriving by newer arts a wooden trap;
the third was beloved to me and to his careful mother,
and him Puff-Jaw drowned, leading him down to the deep.
But come now, arm yourselves, and let us go out against them."
from the frogs, the trial is made an evil for us all.
I am a wretched man, since I have lost three sons.
And the first of them she killed, snatching him up —
the weasel, our bitterest foe, taking him outside the hole.
The second, again, pitiless men dragged to his doom,
contriving by newer arts a wooden trap;
the third was beloved to me and to his careful mother,
and him Puff-Jaw drowned, leading him down to the deep.
But come now, arm yourselves, and let us go out against them."
«Ὦ φίλοι, εἰ καὶ μοῦνος ἐγὼ κακὰ πολλὰ πέπονθα
ἐκ βατράχων· ἡ πεῖρα κακὴ πάντεσσι τέτυκται.
εἰμὶ δʼ ἐγὼ δύστηνος ἐπεὶ τρεῖς παῖδας ὄλεσσα·
καὶ τὸν μὲν πρῶτόν γε κατέκτανεν ἁρπάξασα
ἔχθιστος γαλέη, τρώγλης ἔκτοσθεν ἑλοῦσα.
τὸν δʼ ἄλλον πάλιν ἄνδρες ἀπηνέες ἐς μόρον εἷλξαν
καινοτέραις τέχναις ξύλινον δόλον ἐξευρόντες,
ὁ τρίτος ἦν ἀγαπητὸς ἐμοὶ καὶ μητέρι κεδνῆι,
τοῦτον ἀπέπνιξεν Φυσίγναθος ἐς βυθὸν ἄξας.
ἀλλʼ ἄγεθʼ ὁπλίζεσθε καὶ ἐξέλθωμεν ἐπʼ αὐτούς.»
ἐκ βατράχων· ἡ πεῖρα κακὴ πάντεσσι τέτυκται.
εἰμὶ δʼ ἐγὼ δύστηνος ἐπεὶ τρεῖς παῖδας ὄλεσσα·
καὶ τὸν μὲν πρῶτόν γε κατέκτανεν ἁρπάξασα
ἔχθιστος γαλέη, τρώγλης ἔκτοσθεν ἑλοῦσα.
τὸν δʼ ἄλλον πάλιν ἄνδρες ἀπηνέες ἐς μόρον εἷλξαν
καινοτέραις τέχναις ξύλινον δόλον ἐξευρόντες,
ὁ τρίτος ἦν ἀγαπητὸς ἐμοὶ καὶ μητέρι κεδνῆι,
τοῦτον ἀπέπνιξεν Φυσίγναθος ἐς βυθὸν ἄξας.
ἀλλʼ ἄγεθʼ ὁπλίζεσθε καὶ ἐξέλθωμεν ἐπʼ αὐτούς.»
Saying this, he persuaded them all to arm themselves.
First they fitted greaves upon their two thighs,
splitting green beans and working them well,
beans they had set upon in the night and gnawed away.
For breastplates they had hides stitched over reeds,
which they had made skilfully after flaying a weasel.
Their shield was the centre-boss of a lamp; their spear
a long needle, an all-bronze work of Ares;
and their helmet on their temples was a chickpea husk.
First they fitted greaves upon their two thighs,
splitting green beans and working them well,
beans they had set upon in the night and gnawed away.
For breastplates they had hides stitched over reeds,
which they had made skilfully after flaying a weasel.
Their shield was the centre-boss of a lamp; their spear
a long needle, an all-bronze work of Ares;
and their helmet on their temples was a chickpea husk.
Ταῦτʼ εἰπὼν ἀνέπεισε καθοπλίζεσθαι ἅπαντας·
κνημῖδας μὲν πρῶτον ἐφήρμοσαν εἰς δύο μηρούς,
ῥήξαντες κυάμους χλωρούς, εὖ δʼ ἀσκήσαντες,
οὓς αὐτοὶ διὰ νυκτός ἐπιστάντες κατέτρωξαν.
θώρηκας δʼ εἶχον καλαμορραφέων ἀπὸ βυρσῶν,
οὓς γαλέην δείραντες ἐπισταμένως ἐποίησαν.
ἀσπὶς δʼ ἦν λύχνου τὸ μεσόμφαλον· ἡ δέ νυ λόγχη
εὐμήκης βελόνη, παγχάλκεον ἔργον Ἄρηος·
ἡ δὲ κόρυς τὸ λέπυρον ἐπὶ κροτάφοις ἐρεβίνθου.
κνημῖδας μὲν πρῶτον ἐφήρμοσαν εἰς δύο μηρούς,
ῥήξαντες κυάμους χλωρούς, εὖ δʼ ἀσκήσαντες,
οὓς αὐτοὶ διὰ νυκτός ἐπιστάντες κατέτρωξαν.
θώρηκας δʼ εἶχον καλαμορραφέων ἀπὸ βυρσῶν,
οὓς γαλέην δείραντες ἐπισταμένως ἐποίησαν.
ἀσπὶς δʼ ἦν λύχνου τὸ μεσόμφαλον· ἡ δέ νυ λόγχη
εὐμήκης βελόνη, παγχάλκεον ἔργον Ἄρηος·
ἡ δὲ κόρυς τὸ λέπυρον ἐπὶ κροτάφοις ἐρεβίνθου.
So the mice stood in armour. And when they perceived it,
the frogs rose out of the water, and coming to one place
they gathered a council for the evil war.
While they considered whence the quarrel, or what the uproar,
a herald came near, carrying a staff in his hands,
Pot-Creeper, son of great-hearted Cheese-Carver,
announcing the evil word of war; and he said such things:
the frogs rose out of the water, and coming to one place
they gathered a council for the evil war.
While they considered whence the quarrel, or what the uproar,
a herald came near, carrying a staff in his hands,
Pot-Creeper, son of great-hearted Cheese-Carver,
announcing the evil word of war; and he said such things:
Οὕτω μὲν μύες ἦσαν ἔνοπλοι· - ὡς δʼ ἐνόησαν
βάτραχοι, ἐξανέδυσαν ἀφʼ ὕδατος, ἐς δʼ ἕνα χῶρον
ἐλθόντες βουλὴν ξύναγον πολέμοιο κακοῖο.
σκεπτομένων δʼ αὐτῶν πόθεν ἡ στάσις ἢ τίς ὁ θρύλλος,
κῆρυξ ἐγγύθεν ἦλθε φέρων ῥάβδον μετὰ χερσίν,
Τυρογλύφου υἱὸς μεγαλήτορος Ἐμβασίχυτρος,
ἀγγέλλων πολέμοιο κακὴν φάτιν, εἶπέ τε τοῖα·
βάτραχοι, ἐξανέδυσαν ἀφʼ ὕδατος, ἐς δʼ ἕνα χῶρον
ἐλθόντες βουλὴν ξύναγον πολέμοιο κακοῖο.
σκεπτομένων δʼ αὐτῶν πόθεν ἡ στάσις ἢ τίς ὁ θρύλλος,
κῆρυξ ἐγγύθεν ἦλθε φέρων ῥάβδον μετὰ χερσίν,
Τυρογλύφου υἱὸς μεγαλήτορος Ἐμβασίχυτρος,
ἀγγέλλων πολέμοιο κακὴν φάτιν, εἶπέ τε τοῖα·
"Frogs, the mice have threatened you and have sent me
to tell you to arm yourselves for war and battle.
For they saw Crumb-Snatcher in the water, whom your king
Puff-Jaw killed. So fight,
whoever among the frogs are born to be the best."
to tell you to arm yourselves for war and battle.
For they saw Crumb-Snatcher in the water, whom your king
Puff-Jaw killed. So fight,
whoever among the frogs are born to be the best."
«Ὦ βάτραχοι, μύες ὔμμιν ἀπειλήσαντες ἔπεμψαν
εἰπεῖν ὁπλίζεσθαι ἐπὶ πτόλεμόν τε μάχην τε.
εἶδον γὰρ καθʼ ὕδωρ Ψιχάρπαγα ὅν περ ἔπεφνεν
ὑμέτερος βασιλεὺς Φυσίγναθος. ἀλλὰ μάχεσθε
οἵ τινες ἐν βατράχοισιν ἀριστῆες γεγάατε.»
εἰπεῖν ὁπλίζεσθαι ἐπὶ πτόλεμόν τε μάχην τε.
εἶδον γὰρ καθʼ ὕδωρ Ψιχάρπαγα ὅν περ ἔπεφνεν
ὑμέτερος βασιλεὺς Φυσίγναθος. ἀλλὰ μάχεσθε
οἵ τινες ἐν βατράχοισιν ἀριστῆες γεγάατε.»
So saying he made it known; and the blameless word, entering
their ears, troubled the wits of the lordly frogs.
And as they cast blame, Puff-Jaw stood up and said:
their ears, troubled the wits of the lordly frogs.
And as they cast blame, Puff-Jaw stood up and said:
Ὣς εἰπὼν ἀπέφηνε· λόγος δʼ εἰς οὔατʼ ἀμύμων
εἰσελθὼν ἐτάραξε φρένας βατράχων ἀγέρωχων·
μεμφομένων δʼ αὐτῶν Φυσίγναθος εἶπεν ἀναστάς·
εἰσελθὼν ἐτάραξε φρένας βατράχων ἀγέρωχων·
μεμφομένων δʼ αὐτῶν Φυσίγναθος εἶπεν ἀναστάς·
"Friends, I did not kill the mouse, nor did I see him
perishing. Surely he drowned playing beside the pool,
imitating the swimming of frogs. And these vilest of creatures
now blame me, who am guiltless. But come, let us seek
a plan, how we may utterly destroy the treacherous mice.
So then, I will say what seems to me to be best.
Having arrayed our bodies, let us all stand in armour
along the topmost brink, where the ground falls sheer;
and when they set out and come against us,
let us seize by the helmet whoever comes near against us,
and throw them straight into the pool, helmet and all.
For so, having drowned those creatures that cannot swim,
we shall set up in good heart the mouse-slaying trophy here."
perishing. Surely he drowned playing beside the pool,
imitating the swimming of frogs. And these vilest of creatures
now blame me, who am guiltless. But come, let us seek
a plan, how we may utterly destroy the treacherous mice.
So then, I will say what seems to me to be best.
Having arrayed our bodies, let us all stand in armour
along the topmost brink, where the ground falls sheer;
and when they set out and come against us,
let us seize by the helmet whoever comes near against us,
and throw them straight into the pool, helmet and all.
For so, having drowned those creatures that cannot swim,
we shall set up in good heart the mouse-slaying trophy here."
«Ὦ φίλοι, οὐκ ἔκτεινον ἐγὼ μῦν, οὐδὲ κατεῖδον
ὀλλύμενον· πάντως δʼ ἐπνίγη παίζων παρὰ λίμνην,
νήξεις τὰς βατράχων μιμούμενος· οἱ δὲ κάκιστοι
νῦν ἐμὲ μέμφονται τὸν ἀναίτιον· ἀλλʼ ἄγε βουλὴν
ζητήσωμεν ὅπως δολίους μύας ἐξολέσωμεν.
τοιγὰρ ἐγὼν ἐρέω ὥς μοι δοκεῖ εἶναι ἄριστα·
σώματα κοσμήσαντες ἔνοπλοι στῶμεν ἅπαντες
ἅκροις πὰρ χείλεσσιν, ὅπου κατάκρημνος ὁ χώρος·
ἡνίκα δʼ ὁρμηθέντες ἐφʼ ἡμέας ἐξέλθωσι,
δραξάμενοι κορύθων, ὅς τις σχεδὸν ἀντίος ἔλθηι,
ἐς λίμνην αὐτοὺς σὺν ἐκείνωιʼ εὐθὺ βάλωμεν.
οὕτω γὰρ πνίξαντες ἐκείνους τοὺς ἀκολύμβους
στήσομεν εὐθύμος τὸ μυοκτόνον ὧδε τρόπαιον.»
ὀλλύμενον· πάντως δʼ ἐπνίγη παίζων παρὰ λίμνην,
νήξεις τὰς βατράχων μιμούμενος· οἱ δὲ κάκιστοι
νῦν ἐμὲ μέμφονται τὸν ἀναίτιον· ἀλλʼ ἄγε βουλὴν
ζητήσωμεν ὅπως δολίους μύας ἐξολέσωμεν.
τοιγὰρ ἐγὼν ἐρέω ὥς μοι δοκεῖ εἶναι ἄριστα·
σώματα κοσμήσαντες ἔνοπλοι στῶμεν ἅπαντες
ἅκροις πὰρ χείλεσσιν, ὅπου κατάκρημνος ὁ χώρος·
ἡνίκα δʼ ὁρμηθέντες ἐφʼ ἡμέας ἐξέλθωσι,
δραξάμενοι κορύθων, ὅς τις σχεδὸν ἀντίος ἔλθηι,
ἐς λίμνην αὐτοὺς σὺν ἐκείνωιʼ εὐθὺ βάλωμεν.
οὕτω γὰρ πνίξαντες ἐκείνους τοὺς ἀκολύμβους
στήσομεν εὐθύμος τὸ μυοκτόνον ὧδε τρόπαιον.»
So saying, he persuaded them all to arm themselves.
With leaves of mallow they covered round their shins,
for breastplates they had fine green beet-leaves,
the leaves of cabbages they worked well into shields,
for a spear a long sharp rush was fitted to each,
and the shells of slender snails covered their heads.
Fenced round, they took their stand on the high banks,
shaking their spears; and each was filled with spirit.
With leaves of mallow they covered round their shins,
for breastplates they had fine green beet-leaves,
the leaves of cabbages they worked well into shields,
for a spear a long sharp rush was fitted to each,
and the shells of slender snails covered their heads.
Fenced round, they took their stand on the high banks,
shaking their spears; and each was filled with spirit.
Ὣς εἰπὼν συνέπεισε καθοπλίζεσθαι ἅπαντας·
φύλλοις μὲν μαλαχῶν κνήμας ἑὰς ἀμφεκάλυψαν,
θώρηκας δʼ εἶχον καλῶν χλοερῶν ἀπὸ σεύτλων,
φύλλα δὲ τῶν κραμβῶν εἰς ἀσπίδας εὖ ἤσκησαν,
ἔγχος δʼ ὀξύσχοινος ἑκάστωι μακρὸς ἀρήρει,
καὶ ῥα κέρα κοχλιῶν λεπτῶν ἐκάλυπτε κάρηνα.
φραξάμενοι δʼ ἔστησαν ἐπʼ ὄχθαις ὑψηλαῖσι
σείοντες λόγχας, θυμοῦ δʼ ἔμπλητο ἕκαστος.
φύλλοις μὲν μαλαχῶν κνήμας ἑὰς ἀμφεκάλυψαν,
θώρηκας δʼ εἶχον καλῶν χλοερῶν ἀπὸ σεύτλων,
φύλλα δὲ τῶν κραμβῶν εἰς ἀσπίδας εὖ ἤσκησαν,
ἔγχος δʼ ὀξύσχοινος ἑκάστωι μακρὸς ἀρήρει,
καὶ ῥα κέρα κοχλιῶν λεπτῶν ἐκάλυπτε κάρηνα.
φραξάμενοι δʼ ἔστησαν ἐπʼ ὄχθαις ὑψηλαῖσι
σείοντες λόγχας, θυμοῦ δʼ ἔμπλητο ἕκαστος.
Then Zeus called the gods to the starry heaven,
and showed the multitude of war and the mighty fighters,
many and great, and carrying long spears,
such as the army of the Centaurs comes on, or of the Giants;
and laughing sweetly he asked: "Who are helpers to the frogs,
or to the mice in their distress?" And he addressed Athena:
and showed the multitude of war and the mighty fighters,
many and great, and carrying long spears,
such as the army of the Centaurs comes on, or of the Giants;
and laughing sweetly he asked: "Who are helpers to the frogs,
or to the mice in their distress?" And he addressed Athena:
Ζεὺς δὲ θεοὺς καλέσας εἰς οὐρανὸν ἀστερόεντα,
καὶ πολέμου πληθὺν δείξας κρατερούς τε μαχητάς,
πολλοὺς καὶ μεγάλους ἠδʼ ἔγχεα μακρὰ φέροντας,
οἷος Κενταύρων στρατὸς ἔρχεται ἠὲ Γιγάντων,
ἡδὺ γελῶν ἐρέειυε· «Τίνες βατράχοισιν ἀρωγοὶ
ἢ μυσὶν τειρομένοις;» καὶ Ἀθηναίην προσέειπεν·
καὶ πολέμου πληθὺν δείξας κρατερούς τε μαχητάς,
πολλοὺς καὶ μεγάλους ἠδʼ ἔγχεα μακρὰ φέροντας,
οἷος Κενταύρων στρατὸς ἔρχεται ἠὲ Γιγάντων,
ἡδὺ γελῶν ἐρέειυε· «Τίνες βατράχοισιν ἀρωγοὶ
ἢ μυσὶν τειρομένοις;» καὶ Ἀθηναίην προσέειπεν·
"Daughter, will you go, then, to bring help to the mice?
For they all leap about your temple continually,
delighting in the savour of fat and in food of every kind."
For they all leap about your temple continually,
delighting in the savour of fat and in food of every kind."
«Ὦ θύγατερ, μυσὶν ἦ ῥα βοηθήσουσα πορεύσηι;
καὶ γὰρ σοῦ κατὰ νηὸν ἀεὶ σκιρτῶσιν ἅπαντες
κνίσηι τερπόμενοι καὶ ἐδέσμασι παντοδαποῖσιν.»
καὶ γὰρ σοῦ κατὰ νηὸν ἀεὶ σκιρτῶσιν ἅπαντες
κνίσηι τερπόμενοι καὶ ἐδέσμασι παντοδαποῖσιν.»
So spoke the son of Cronus; and Athena addressed him:
"Father, never yet would I go to the mice in their distress
as a helper, since they have done me many evils,
ruining my garlands and my lamps, for the oil’s sake.
And this bit my mind exceedingly, the thing they did:
they gnawed through my robe, which I wove with labour
out of fine woof, and I spun the long warp for it;
and they made holes in it, and the mender is upon me
and exacts interest — a chilling thing for immortals —
for I spun on borrowed money, and have nothing to repay.
But not even so shall I be willing to help the frogs;
for they too are not steadfast in their wits: the other day,
when I came back from war and was utterly worn out,
and needed sleep, they would not let me, with their uproar,
close my eyes even a little; and I lay sleepless
with an aching head, until the cock crowed.
But come, gods, let us cease to help these creatures,
lest one of you be wounded by a sharp missile;
for they fight hand to hand, even if a god comes against them.
Let us all take our delight from heaven, watching the strife."
"Father, never yet would I go to the mice in their distress
as a helper, since they have done me many evils,
ruining my garlands and my lamps, for the oil’s sake.
And this bit my mind exceedingly, the thing they did:
they gnawed through my robe, which I wove with labour
out of fine woof, and I spun the long warp for it;
and they made holes in it, and the mender is upon me
and exacts interest — a chilling thing for immortals —
for I spun on borrowed money, and have nothing to repay.
But not even so shall I be willing to help the frogs;
for they too are not steadfast in their wits: the other day,
when I came back from war and was utterly worn out,
and needed sleep, they would not let me, with their uproar,
close my eyes even a little; and I lay sleepless
with an aching head, until the cock crowed.
But come, gods, let us cease to help these creatures,
lest one of you be wounded by a sharp missile;
for they fight hand to hand, even if a god comes against them.
Let us all take our delight from heaven, watching the strife."
Ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη Κρονίδης· τὸν δὲ προσέειπεν Ἀθήνη·
«Ὦ πάτερ, οὐκ ἂν πώ ποτʼ ἐγὼ μυσὶ τειρομένοισιν
ἐλθοίμην ἐπαρωγός, ἐπεὶ κακὰ πολλὰ μʼ ἔοργαν
στέμματα βλάπτοντες καὶ λύχνους εἵνεκʼ ἐλαίου.
τοῦτο δέ μοι λίην ἔδακε φρένας οἷον ἔρεξαν -
πέπλον μου κατέτρωξαν ὃν ἐξύφηνα καμοῦσα
ἐκ ῥοδάνης λεπτῆς καὶ στήμονα μακρὸν ἔνησα·
καὶ τρώγλας ἐτέλεσσαν, ὁ δʼ ἠπητής μοι ἐπέστη
καὶ πράσσει με τόκον· τὸ δὲ ῥίγιον ἀθανάτοισιν,
χρησαμένη γὰρ ἔνησα καὶ οὐκ ἔχω ἀνταποδοῦναι.
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς βατράχοισιν ἀρηγέμεν οὐκ ἐθελήσω·
εἰσὶ γὰρ οὐδʼ αὐτοὶ φρένας ἔμπεδοι, ἀλλά με πρώιην
ἐκ πολέμου ἀνιοῦσαν ἐπεὶ λίην ἐκοπώθην,
ὕπνου δευομένην οὐκ εἴασαν θορυβοῦντες
οὐδʼ ὀλίγον καταμῦσαι· ἐγὼ δʼ ἄϋπνος κατεκείμην
τὴν κεφαλὴν ἀλγοῦσα, ἕως ἐβόησεν ἀλέκτωρ.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε παυσώμεσθα θεοὶ τούτοισιν ἀρήγειν,
μή κέ τις ὑμείων τρωθῆι βέλει ὀξυόεντι·
εἰσὶ γὰρ ἀγχέμαχοι, εἰ καὶ θεὸς ἀντίον ἔλθοι·
πάντες δʼ οὐρανόθεν τερπώμεθα δῆριν ὁρῶντες.»
«Ὦ πάτερ, οὐκ ἂν πώ ποτʼ ἐγὼ μυσὶ τειρομένοισιν
ἐλθοίμην ἐπαρωγός, ἐπεὶ κακὰ πολλὰ μʼ ἔοργαν
στέμματα βλάπτοντες καὶ λύχνους εἵνεκʼ ἐλαίου.
τοῦτο δέ μοι λίην ἔδακε φρένας οἷον ἔρεξαν -
πέπλον μου κατέτρωξαν ὃν ἐξύφηνα καμοῦσα
ἐκ ῥοδάνης λεπτῆς καὶ στήμονα μακρὸν ἔνησα·
καὶ τρώγλας ἐτέλεσσαν, ὁ δʼ ἠπητής μοι ἐπέστη
καὶ πράσσει με τόκον· τὸ δὲ ῥίγιον ἀθανάτοισιν,
χρησαμένη γὰρ ἔνησα καὶ οὐκ ἔχω ἀνταποδοῦναι.
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς βατράχοισιν ἀρηγέμεν οὐκ ἐθελήσω·
εἰσὶ γὰρ οὐδʼ αὐτοὶ φρένας ἔμπεδοι, ἀλλά με πρώιην
ἐκ πολέμου ἀνιοῦσαν ἐπεὶ λίην ἐκοπώθην,
ὕπνου δευομένην οὐκ εἴασαν θορυβοῦντες
οὐδʼ ὀλίγον καταμῦσαι· ἐγὼ δʼ ἄϋπνος κατεκείμην
τὴν κεφαλὴν ἀλγοῦσα, ἕως ἐβόησεν ἀλέκτωρ.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε παυσώμεσθα θεοὶ τούτοισιν ἀρήγειν,
μή κέ τις ὑμείων τρωθῆι βέλει ὀξυόεντι·
εἰσὶ γὰρ ἀγχέμαχοι, εἰ καὶ θεὸς ἀντίον ἔλθοι·
πάντες δʼ οὐρανόθεν τερπώμεθα δῆριν ὁρῶντες.»
So she spoke, and the other gods were persuaded by her,
and all of them went in together into one place.
And then the gnats, holding their great trumpets,
sounded terribly the din of war; and from heaven
Zeus the son of Cronus thundered, a portent of the evil war.
and all of them went in together into one place.
And then the gnats, holding their great trumpets,
sounded terribly the din of war; and from heaven
Zeus the son of Cronus thundered, a portent of the evil war.
Ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη, καὶ τῆι γε θεοὶ ἐπεπείθοντʼ ἄλλοι,
πάντες δʼ αὖτʼ εἰσῆλθον ἀολλέες εἰς ἕνα χῶρον.
καὶ τότε κώνωπες μεγάλας σάλπιγγος ἔχοντες
δεινὸν ἐσάλπιγξαν πολέμου κτύπον· οὐρανώθεν δὲ
Ζεὺς Κρονίδης βρόντησε, τέρας πολέμοιο κακοῖο.
πάντες δʼ αὖτʼ εἰσῆλθον ἀολλέες εἰς ἕνα χῶρον.
καὶ τότε κώνωπες μεγάλας σάλπιγγος ἔχοντες
δεινὸν ἐσάλπιγξαν πολέμου κτύπον· οὐρανώθεν δὲ
Ζεὺς Κρονίδης βρόντησε, τέρας πολέμοιο κακοῖο.
First High-Croaker wounded Lick-Man with his spear
standing among the front-fighters, in the belly, through the middle of the liver;
and he fell forward, and his soft hairs were fouled with dust.
After him Hole-Dweller hurled his javelin at the son of Mud-Man
and fixed the stout shaft in his chest; and as he fell
black death took him, and his spirit flew from his body.
Then Beetroot struck Pot-Creeper in the heart and slew him,
and stripped Cheese-Eater’s armour on the banks themselves.
Calamint, seeing Ham-Carver, was seized with fear
and leapt into the pool, throwing away his shield as he fled.
Then blameless Mud-Coucher slew Litraeus,
striking him on the crown with a boulder; and his brains
dripped from his nostrils, and the earth was spattered with blood.
Lick-Platter killed blameless Mud-Coucher,
rushing on him with his spear; and darkness covered his eyes.
Leek saw it and dragged the killer off by the foot,
and drowned him in the pool, gripping his sinew with his hand.
Crumb-Snatcher fought in defence of his dead companion
and struck Leek in the belly, through the middle of the liver,
and he fell down before him, and his spirit had gone to Hades.
Cabbage-Treader saw it and flung a handful of mud at him
and smeared his forehead and came near to blinding him.
At that he grew angry, and taking up in his thick hand
a mighty stone that lay on the ground, a burden to the field,
with it he struck Cabbage-Treader below the knees; and all
his right shin was shattered, and he fell backward in the dust.
The son of Bawler came to the rescue and went at him again,
and struck him in the middle of the belly; and the whole
sharp rush sank into him, and all his bowels poured out
on the ground as the shaft was dragged back by his thick hand.
Bread-Nibbler struck Puff-Jaw on the tip of the foot —
and last of all he came up from the pool, sorely distressed.
And when Leek saw him fallen forward, still half-breathing,
he came through the front-fighters and hurled his sharp rush;
but he did not break the shield, and the spear’s point stuck.
Nor did he strike the blameless four-potted helmet —
noble Marjoram, imitating Ares himself,
who alone among the frogs proved the best in the throng;
he rushed upon him, but the other, seeing him, did not stand.
(And Bread-Eater saw it, and blameless Ham-Carver
came to bring help, but the frog did not stand against)
the mighty heroes, but sank into the depths of the pool.
standing among the front-fighters, in the belly, through the middle of the liver;
and he fell forward, and his soft hairs were fouled with dust.
After him Hole-Dweller hurled his javelin at the son of Mud-Man
and fixed the stout shaft in his chest; and as he fell
black death took him, and his spirit flew from his body.
Then Beetroot struck Pot-Creeper in the heart and slew him,
and stripped Cheese-Eater’s armour on the banks themselves.
Calamint, seeing Ham-Carver, was seized with fear
and leapt into the pool, throwing away his shield as he fled.
Then blameless Mud-Coucher slew Litraeus,
striking him on the crown with a boulder; and his brains
dripped from his nostrils, and the earth was spattered with blood.
Lick-Platter killed blameless Mud-Coucher,
rushing on him with his spear; and darkness covered his eyes.
Leek saw it and dragged the killer off by the foot,
and drowned him in the pool, gripping his sinew with his hand.
Crumb-Snatcher fought in defence of his dead companion
and struck Leek in the belly, through the middle of the liver,
and he fell down before him, and his spirit had gone to Hades.
Cabbage-Treader saw it and flung a handful of mud at him
and smeared his forehead and came near to blinding him.
At that he grew angry, and taking up in his thick hand
a mighty stone that lay on the ground, a burden to the field,
with it he struck Cabbage-Treader below the knees; and all
his right shin was shattered, and he fell backward in the dust.
The son of Bawler came to the rescue and went at him again,
and struck him in the middle of the belly; and the whole
sharp rush sank into him, and all his bowels poured out
on the ground as the shaft was dragged back by his thick hand.
Bread-Nibbler struck Puff-Jaw on the tip of the foot —
and last of all he came up from the pool, sorely distressed.
And when Leek saw him fallen forward, still half-breathing,
he came through the front-fighters and hurled his sharp rush;
but he did not break the shield, and the spear’s point stuck.
Nor did he strike the blameless four-potted helmet —
noble Marjoram, imitating Ares himself,
who alone among the frogs proved the best in the throng;
he rushed upon him, but the other, seeing him, did not stand.
(And Bread-Eater saw it, and blameless Ham-Carver
came to bring help, but the frog did not stand against)
the mighty heroes, but sank into the depths of the pool.
Πρῶτος δʼ Ὑψιβόας Λειχήνορα οὔτασε δουρὶ
ἑσταότʼ ἐν προμάχοις κατὰ γαστέρα ἐς μέσον ἧπαρ·
κὰδ δʼ ἔπεσεν πρηνής, ἁπαλὰς δʼ ἐκόνισεν ἐθείρας.
Τρωγλίτης δὲ μετʼ αὐτὸν ἀκόντισε Πηλείωνα,
πῆξεν δʼ ἐν στέρνωι στιβαρὸν δόρυ· τὸν δὲ πεσόντα
εἷλε μέλας θάνατος, ψυχὴ δʼ ἐκ σώματος ἔπτη.
Σευτλαῖος δʼ ἂρ ἔπεφνε βαλὼν κέαρ Ἐμβασίχυτρον,
Τυροφάγον δʼ αὐτῆισιν ἐπʼ ὄχθαις ἐξενάριξεν.
Πτερνογλύφον δʼ ἐσιδὼν Καλαμίνθιος ἐς φόβον ἦλθεν,
ἥλατο δʼ ἐς λίμνην, φεύγων τὴν ἀσπίδα ῥίψας.
Λιτραῖον δʼ ἀρʼ ἔπεφνεν ἀμύμων Βορβοροκοίτης,
χερμαδίωι πλήξας κατὰ βρέγματος· ἐγκέφαλος δὲ
ἐκ ῥινῶν ἔσταξε. παλάσσετο δʼ αἵματι γαῖα.
Λειχοπίναξ δʼ ἔκτεινεν ἀμύμονα Βορβοροκοίτην,
ἔγχει ἐπαΐξας· τὸν δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψεν.
Πρασσαῖος δʼ ἐσιδὼν ποδὸς εἵλκυσε νεκρώσαντα,
ἐν λίμνηι δʼ ἀπέπνιξε κρατήσας χειρὶ τένοντα.
Ψιχάρπαξ δʼ ἤμυνʼ ἑτάρου περὶ τεθνειώτος
καὶ βάλε Πρασσαῖον κατὰ νηδύος ἐς μέσον ἧπαρ,
πῖπτε δὲ οἱ πρόσθεν, ψυχὴ δʼ Ἀϊδόσδε βεβήκει.
Κραμβοβάτης δʼ ἐσιδὼν πηλοῦ δράκα ῥίψεν ἐπʼ αὐτόν,
καὶ τὸ μέτωπον ἔχρισε καὶ ἐξετύφλου παρὰ μικρόν.
ὠργίσθη δʼ ἄρʼ ἐκεῖνος, ἑλὼν δʼ ἄρα χειρὶ παχείηι
κείμενον ἐν δαπτέδωι λίθον ὄβριμον, ἄχθος ἀρούρης,
τῶι βάλε Κραμβοβάτην ὑπὸ γούνατα· πᾶσα δʼ ἐκλάσθη
κνήμη δεξιτερή, πέσε δʼ ὕπτιος ἐν κονίηισι.
Κραυγασίδης δʼ ἤμυνε καὶ αὖθις βαῖνεν ἐπʼ αὐτόν,
τύψε δὲ οἱ μέσσην κατὰ γαστέρα· πᾶς δὲ οἱ εἴσω
ὀξύσχοινος ἔδυνε, χαμαὶ δʼ ἔκχυντο ἅπαντα
ἔγκατʼ ἐφελκομένωι ὑπὸ δούρατι χειρὶ παχείη.
Τρωξάρτης δʼ ἔβαλεν Φυσίγναθον ἐς ποδὸς ἄκρον -
ἔσχατος δʼ ἐκ λίμνης ἀνεδύσετο, τείρετο δʼ αἰνῶς.
Πρασσαῖος δʼ ὡς εἶδεν ἔθʼ ἡμίπνουν προπεσόντα,
ἦλθε διὰ προμᾶχων καὶ ἀκόντισεν ὀξύσχοινον·
οὐδʼ ἔρρηξε σάκος, σχέτο δʼ αὐτοῦ δουρὸς ἀκωκή·
οὐδʼ ἔβαλε τρυφάλειαν ἀμύμονα καὶ τετράχυτρον
δῖος Ὀριγανίων, μιμούμενος αὐτὸν Ἄρηα,
ὃς μόνος ἐν βατράχοισιν ἀρίστευεν καθʼ ὅμιλον·
ὥρμησεν δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπʼ αὐτόν· ὁ δʼ ὡς ἴδεν οὐχ ὑπέμεινεν.
(Ἀρτοφάγος δʼ ἐσιδὼν καὶ Πτερνογλύφος ἀμύμων
ἦλθον ἀρηγέμεναι, ὁ δὲ βάτραχος οὐχ ὑπέμεινεν)
ἥρωας κρατερούς, ἀλλʼ ἔδυνε βένθεσι λίμνης.
ἑσταότʼ ἐν προμάχοις κατὰ γαστέρα ἐς μέσον ἧπαρ·
κὰδ δʼ ἔπεσεν πρηνής, ἁπαλὰς δʼ ἐκόνισεν ἐθείρας.
Τρωγλίτης δὲ μετʼ αὐτὸν ἀκόντισε Πηλείωνα,
πῆξεν δʼ ἐν στέρνωι στιβαρὸν δόρυ· τὸν δὲ πεσόντα
εἷλε μέλας θάνατος, ψυχὴ δʼ ἐκ σώματος ἔπτη.
Σευτλαῖος δʼ ἂρ ἔπεφνε βαλὼν κέαρ Ἐμβασίχυτρον,
Τυροφάγον δʼ αὐτῆισιν ἐπʼ ὄχθαις ἐξενάριξεν.
Πτερνογλύφον δʼ ἐσιδὼν Καλαμίνθιος ἐς φόβον ἦλθεν,
ἥλατο δʼ ἐς λίμνην, φεύγων τὴν ἀσπίδα ῥίψας.
Λιτραῖον δʼ ἀρʼ ἔπεφνεν ἀμύμων Βορβοροκοίτης,
χερμαδίωι πλήξας κατὰ βρέγματος· ἐγκέφαλος δὲ
ἐκ ῥινῶν ἔσταξε. παλάσσετο δʼ αἵματι γαῖα.
Λειχοπίναξ δʼ ἔκτεινεν ἀμύμονα Βορβοροκοίτην,
ἔγχει ἐπαΐξας· τὸν δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψεν.
Πρασσαῖος δʼ ἐσιδὼν ποδὸς εἵλκυσε νεκρώσαντα,
ἐν λίμνηι δʼ ἀπέπνιξε κρατήσας χειρὶ τένοντα.
Ψιχάρπαξ δʼ ἤμυνʼ ἑτάρου περὶ τεθνειώτος
καὶ βάλε Πρασσαῖον κατὰ νηδύος ἐς μέσον ἧπαρ,
πῖπτε δὲ οἱ πρόσθεν, ψυχὴ δʼ Ἀϊδόσδε βεβήκει.
Κραμβοβάτης δʼ ἐσιδὼν πηλοῦ δράκα ῥίψεν ἐπʼ αὐτόν,
καὶ τὸ μέτωπον ἔχρισε καὶ ἐξετύφλου παρὰ μικρόν.
ὠργίσθη δʼ ἄρʼ ἐκεῖνος, ἑλὼν δʼ ἄρα χειρὶ παχείηι
κείμενον ἐν δαπτέδωι λίθον ὄβριμον, ἄχθος ἀρούρης,
τῶι βάλε Κραμβοβάτην ὑπὸ γούνατα· πᾶσα δʼ ἐκλάσθη
κνήμη δεξιτερή, πέσε δʼ ὕπτιος ἐν κονίηισι.
Κραυγασίδης δʼ ἤμυνε καὶ αὖθις βαῖνεν ἐπʼ αὐτόν,
τύψε δὲ οἱ μέσσην κατὰ γαστέρα· πᾶς δὲ οἱ εἴσω
ὀξύσχοινος ἔδυνε, χαμαὶ δʼ ἔκχυντο ἅπαντα
ἔγκατʼ ἐφελκομένωι ὑπὸ δούρατι χειρὶ παχείη.
Τρωξάρτης δʼ ἔβαλεν Φυσίγναθον ἐς ποδὸς ἄκρον -
ἔσχατος δʼ ἐκ λίμνης ἀνεδύσετο, τείρετο δʼ αἰνῶς.
Πρασσαῖος δʼ ὡς εἶδεν ἔθʼ ἡμίπνουν προπεσόντα,
ἦλθε διὰ προμᾶχων καὶ ἀκόντισεν ὀξύσχοινον·
οὐδʼ ἔρρηξε σάκος, σχέτο δʼ αὐτοῦ δουρὸς ἀκωκή·
οὐδʼ ἔβαλε τρυφάλειαν ἀμύμονα καὶ τετράχυτρον
δῖος Ὀριγανίων, μιμούμενος αὐτὸν Ἄρηα,
ὃς μόνος ἐν βατράχοισιν ἀρίστευεν καθʼ ὅμιλον·
ὥρμησεν δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπʼ αὐτόν· ὁ δʼ ὡς ἴδεν οὐχ ὑπέμεινεν.
(Ἀρτοφάγος δʼ ἐσιδὼν καὶ Πτερνογλύφος ἀμύμων
ἦλθον ἀρηγέμεναι, ὁ δὲ βάτραχος οὐχ ὑπέμεινεν)
ἥρωας κρατερούς, ἀλλʼ ἔδυνε βένθεσι λίμνης.
Now among the mice was one Morsel-Snatcher, surpassing the rest,
the dear son of blameless Cnaeson, the plotter against bread.
Going home, he bade his son take part in the war;
and he himself stood exulting beside the pool.
This one threatened to tear up the race of the frogs,
and splitting the middle ridge of a nutshell into two parts
he set his hands into the two hollows, like a fence;
and they, quickly taking fright, went all down into the pool.
And he would have finished it, for great strength was in him,
had not the father of men and gods perceived it sharply.
And then Cronion pitied the frogs as they perished,
and shaking his head he uttered such a voice:
the dear son of blameless Cnaeson, the plotter against bread.
Going home, he bade his son take part in the war;
and he himself stood exulting beside the pool.
This one threatened to tear up the race of the frogs,
and splitting the middle ridge of a nutshell into two parts
he set his hands into the two hollows, like a fence;
and they, quickly taking fright, went all down into the pool.
And he would have finished it, for great strength was in him,
had not the father of men and gods perceived it sharply.
And then Cronion pitied the frogs as they perished,
and shaking his head he uttered such a voice:
Ἦν δέ τις ἐν μύεσσιν Μεριδάρπαξ ἔξοχος ἄλλων,
Κναίσωνος φίλος υἱὸς ἀμύμονος ἀρτεπιβούλου·
οἴκαδʼ ἰών πολέμοιο μετασχεῖν παῖδʼ ἐκέλευεν·
αὐτὸς δʼ ἑστήκει γαυρούμενος κατὰ λίμνην.
οὗτος ἀναρπάξαι βατράχων γενεὴν ἐπαπείλει,
καὶ ῥήξας καρύοιο μέσην ῥάχιν εἰς δύο μοίρας
φράγδην ἀμφοτέροισι κενώμασι χεῖρας ἔθηκεν·
οἱ δὲ τάχος δείσαντες ἔβαν πάντες κατὰ λίμνην.
καί νύ κεν ἐξετέλεσσεν ἐπεὶ μέγα οἱ σθένος ἦεν,
εἰ μὴ ἄρʼ ὀξὺ νόησε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε.
καὶ τότʼ ἀπολλυμένους βατράχους ὤικτειρε Κρονίων,
κινήσας δὲ κάρη τοίην ἐφθέγξατο φωνήν·
Κναίσωνος φίλος υἱὸς ἀμύμονος ἀρτεπιβούλου·
οἴκαδʼ ἰών πολέμοιο μετασχεῖν παῖδʼ ἐκέλευεν·
αὐτὸς δʼ ἑστήκει γαυρούμενος κατὰ λίμνην.
οὗτος ἀναρπάξαι βατράχων γενεὴν ἐπαπείλει,
καὶ ῥήξας καρύοιο μέσην ῥάχιν εἰς δύο μοίρας
φράγδην ἀμφοτέροισι κενώμασι χεῖρας ἔθηκεν·
οἱ δὲ τάχος δείσαντες ἔβαν πάντες κατὰ λίμνην.
καί νύ κεν ἐξετέλεσσεν ἐπεὶ μέγα οἱ σθένος ἦεν,
εἰ μὴ ἄρʼ ὀξὺ νόησε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε.
καὶ τότʼ ἀπολλυμένους βατράχους ὤικτειρε Κρονίων,
κινήσας δὲ κάρη τοίην ἐφθέγξατο φωνήν·
"Ah me, this is a great marvel that I see with my eyes:
no small blow does Morsel-Snatcher strike, who along the pool
ranges as a snatcher among the frogs. But with all speed
let us send war-clamouring Pallas, or Ares too,
who will hold him back from the fighting, mighty though he is."
no small blow does Morsel-Snatcher strike, who along the pool
ranges as a snatcher among the frogs. But with all speed
let us send war-clamouring Pallas, or Ares too,
who will hold him back from the fighting, mighty though he is."
«Ὢ πόποι, ἦ μέγα θαῦμα τόδʼ ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρῶμαι·
οὐ μικρὸν πλήσσει Μεριδάρπαξ ὃς κατὰ λίμνην
ἅρπαξ ἐν βατράχοισιν ἀμείβεται· ἀλλὰ τάχιστα
Παλλάδα πέμψωμεν πολεμόκλονον ἢ καὶ Ἄρηα,
οἵ μιν ἐπισχήσουσιν μάχης κροπερόν περ ἐόντα.»
οὐ μικρὸν πλήσσει Μεριδάρπαξ ὃς κατὰ λίμνην
ἅρπαξ ἐν βατράχοισιν ἀμείβεται· ἀλλὰ τάχιστα
Παλλάδα πέμψωμεν πολεμόκλονον ἢ καὶ Ἄρηα,
οἵ μιν ἐπισχήσουσιν μάχης κροπερόν περ ἐόντα.»
So spoke the son of Cronus; and Ares answered him with a word:
"Neither Athena’s strength, son of Cronus, nor that of Ares
is enough to ward off sheer destruction from the frogs.
But come, let us all go as helpers; or let your own weapon
be set in motion — for so will be taken whoever is best,
just as once you killed Capaneus, that mighty man,
and great Enceladus, and the wild tribes of the Giants."
"Neither Athena’s strength, son of Cronus, nor that of Ares
is enough to ward off sheer destruction from the frogs.
But come, let us all go as helpers; or let your own weapon
be set in motion — for so will be taken whoever is best,
just as once you killed Capaneus, that mighty man,
and great Enceladus, and the wild tribes of the Giants."
Ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη Κρονίδης· Ἄρης δʼ ἀπαμείβετο μύθωι·
«Οὔτʼ ἄρʼ Ἀθηναίης, Κρονίδη, σθένος οὔτε Ἄρηος
ἰσχύει βατράχοισιν ἀμυνέμεν αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε πάντες ἴωμεν ἀρηγόνες· ἢ τὸ σὸν ὅπλον
κινείσθω· οὕτω γὰρ ἁλώσεται ὅς τις ἄριστος,
ὥς ποτε καὶ Καπανῆα κατέκτανες ὄβριμον ἄνδρα
καὶ μέγαν Ἐγκελάδοντα καὶ ἄγρια φῦλα Γιγάντων.»
«Οὔτʼ ἄρʼ Ἀθηναίης, Κρονίδη, σθένος οὔτε Ἄρηος
ἰσχύει βατράχοισιν ἀμυνέμεν αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε πάντες ἴωμεν ἀρηγόνες· ἢ τὸ σὸν ὅπλον
κινείσθω· οὕτω γὰρ ἁλώσεται ὅς τις ἄριστος,
ὥς ποτε καὶ Καπανῆα κατέκτανες ὄβριμον ἄνδρα
καὶ μέγαν Ἐγκελάδοντα καὶ ἄγρια φῦλα Γιγάντων.»
So he spoke; and the son of Cronus took the flashing thunderbolt
and first he thundered, and made great Olympus shake,
[but then the thunderbolt, the terrifying weapon of Zeus]
he whirled and let fly; and it flew from the lord’s hand.
With his cast he frightened them all, † upon these and the mice;
but not even so did the mice’s army give over, but still more
it hoped to sack the race of the spear-wielding frogs.
(and soon, after terrible struggling, they would indeed have won,)
had not Cronion from Olympus taken pity on the frogs,
who straightway sent helpers to them in their destruction.
and first he thundered, and made great Olympus shake,
[but then the thunderbolt, the terrifying weapon of Zeus]
he whirled and let fly; and it flew from the lord’s hand.
With his cast he frightened them all, † upon these and the mice;
but not even so did the mice’s army give over, but still more
it hoped to sack the race of the spear-wielding frogs.
(and soon, after terrible struggling, they would indeed have won,)
had not Cronion from Olympus taken pity on the frogs,
who straightway sent helpers to them in their destruction.
Ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη· Κρονίδης δʼ λαβὼν ἀργῆτα κεραυνὸν
πρῶτα μὲν ἐβρόντησε, μέγαν δʼ ἐλέλιξεν Ὄλυμπον,
[αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα κεραυνὸν δειμαλέον Διὸς ὅπλον]
ἧκʼ ἐπιδινήσας· ὁ δʼ ἄρʼ ἔπτατο χειρὸς ἄνακτος.
πάντας μέν ῥʼ ἐφόβησε βολὼν † ἐπὶ τούσδε τε μύας·
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς ἀπέληγε μυῶν στράτος, ἀλλʼ ἔτι μᾶλλον
ἔλπετο πορθήσείν βατράχων γένος αἰχμητάων.
(καὶ τάχα δʼ ἂν δεινῶς οὖν ἀθλήσαντες ἐνίκων,)
εἰ μὴ ἀπʼ Οὐλύμπου βατράχους ἐλέησε Κρονίων,
ὅς ῥα φθειρομένοισιν ἀρωγοὺς εὐθὺς ἔπεμψεν·
πρῶτα μὲν ἐβρόντησε, μέγαν δʼ ἐλέλιξεν Ὄλυμπον,
[αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα κεραυνὸν δειμαλέον Διὸς ὅπλον]
ἧκʼ ἐπιδινήσας· ὁ δʼ ἄρʼ ἔπτατο χειρὸς ἄνακτος.
πάντας μέν ῥʼ ἐφόβησε βολὼν † ἐπὶ τούσδε τε μύας·
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς ἀπέληγε μυῶν στράτος, ἀλλʼ ἔτι μᾶλλον
ἔλπετο πορθήσείν βατράχων γένος αἰχμητάων.
(καὶ τάχα δʼ ἂν δεινῶς οὖν ἀθλήσαντες ἐνίκων,)
εἰ μὴ ἀπʼ Οὐλύμπου βατράχους ἐλέησε Κρονίων,
ὅς ῥα φθειρομένοισιν ἀρωγοὺς εὐθὺς ἔπεμψεν·
There came suddenly the anvil-backed, the crook-clawed,
the sidelong-walking, the twisted, the scissor-mouthed, the shell-skinned,
the bone-grown, the broad-backed, gleaming at the shoulders,
bandy-legged, with stretched-out lips, looking out from their chests,
eight-footed, two-headed, handless — and they are called
crabs; and they cut off the tails of the mice with their mouths,
and their feet and hands too; and their spears were bent back.
These the cowardly mice feared, and stood their ground no more,
but turned to flight; and the sun was already setting,
and the rite of the war, one day long, was accomplished.
the sidelong-walking, the twisted, the scissor-mouthed, the shell-skinned,
the bone-grown, the broad-backed, gleaming at the shoulders,
bandy-legged, with stretched-out lips, looking out from their chests,
eight-footed, two-headed, handless — and they are called
crabs; and they cut off the tails of the mice with their mouths,
and their feet and hands too; and their spears were bent back.
These the cowardly mice feared, and stood their ground no more,
but turned to flight; and the sun was already setting,
and the rite of the war, one day long, was accomplished.
Ἦλθον δʼ ἐξαίφνης νωτάκμονες, ἀγκυλοχεῖλαι,
λοξοβάται, στρεβλοί, ψαλιδόστομοι, ὀστρακόδερμοι,
ὀστοφυεῖς, πλατύνωτοι, ἀποστίλβοντες ἐν ὤμοίς,
βλαισοί, χειλοτένοντες, ἀπὸ στέρνων ἐσορῶντες,
ὀκτάποδες, δικάρηνοι, ἀχειρέες, οἱ δὲ καλεῦνται
καρκίνοι, οἵ ῥα μυῶν οὐρὰς στομάτεσσιν ἔκοπτον
ἠδὲ πόδας καὶ χεῖρος· ἀνεγνάμπτοντο δὲ λόγχαι.
τοὺς καὶ ὑπέδ‹δ›εισαν δειλοὶ μύες οὐδʼ ἔτʼ ἔμειναν,
ἐς δὲ φυγὴν ἐτράποντο· ἐδύετο δʼ ἥλιος ἤδη,
καὶ πολέμου τελετὴ μονοήμερος ἐξετελέσθη.
λοξοβάται, στρεβλοί, ψαλιδόστομοι, ὀστρακόδερμοι,
ὀστοφυεῖς, πλατύνωτοι, ἀποστίλβοντες ἐν ὤμοίς,
βλαισοί, χειλοτένοντες, ἀπὸ στέρνων ἐσορῶντες,
ὀκτάποδες, δικάρηνοι, ἀχειρέες, οἱ δὲ καλεῦνται
καρκίνοι, οἵ ῥα μυῶν οὐρὰς στομάτεσσιν ἔκοπτον
ἠδὲ πόδας καὶ χεῖρος· ἀνεγνάμπτοντο δὲ λόγχαι.
τοὺς καὶ ὑπέδ‹δ›εισαν δειλοὶ μύες οὐδʼ ἔτʼ ἔμειναν,
ἐς δὲ φυγὴν ἐτράποντο· ἐδύετο δʼ ἥλιος ἤδη,
καὶ πολέμου τελετὴ μονοήμερος ἐξετελέσθη.