137-158

Labor exoritur dūrus et omnēs

agitat cūrās aperitque domōs.

pāstor gelidā cāna pruīnā

grege dīmissō pābula carpit;140

lūdit prātō līber apertō

nōndum ruptā fronte iuvencus;

vacuae reparant ūbera mātrēs;

errat cursū levis incertō

Ode 1

As Fitch argues (p. 163) this first ode is “indispensable for our understanding of the play. It establishes a standard of normality in the conduct of human life, and indicates that by that standard Hercules is condemned.” This normality is established in the first half of the ode, as the Chorus describes the human and animal inhabitants of the countryside rising with the dawn to go about their day. This humble country life is contrasted with stereotypical ambitions of city dwellers, and especially those who do not know how to enjoy the present moment.

125-136

Chorus

Iam rāra micant125

sīdera prōnō languida mundō;125bis

nox vīcta vagōs contrahit ignēs

lūce renātā;

cōgit nitidum Phōsphoros agmen;

signum celsī glaciāle polī

septem stēllīs Arcados Ursa130

109-124

Iūno, cūr nōndum furis?

mē mē, sorōrēs, mente dēiectam meā110

versāte prīmam, facere sī quicquam apparō

dignum novercā. vōta mūtentur mea:

nātōs reversus videat incolumēs pater

manūque fortis redeat. invēnī diem,

invīsa quō nōs Herculis virtūs iuvet.115

100-109

Incipite, famulae Dītis, ārdentem citae100

concutite pīnum, et agmen horrendum anguibus

Megaera dūcat atque lūctificā manū

vastam rogō flagrante corripiat trabem.

hōc agite, poenās petite vitiātae Stygis.

concutite pectus, ācrior mentem excoquat105

quam quī camīnīs ignis Aetnaeīs furit;

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