Euripides lived in 485-406 B.C. (see info below)
The poem in Ancient Greek:
Ἔρωτες ὑπὲρ μὲν ἄγαν
ἐλθόντες οὐκ εὐδοξίαν
οὐδ᾽ ἀρετὰν παρέδωκαν
ἀνδράσιν· εἰ δ᾽ ἅλις ἔλθοι
Κύπρις, οὐκ ἄλλα θεὸς εὔχαρις οὕτω.
Μήποτ᾽, ὦ δέσποιν᾽, ἐπ᾽ ἐμοὶ χρυσέων τόξων ἀφείης
ἱμέρῳ χρίσασ᾽ ἄφυκτον οἰστόν.
Lyrics in contemporary Greek and their English translation:
Καθώς προβάλλει ο Έρωτας
με ορμή περίσσια τόση
την αρετή δεν μας φυλά
μήτε και τη σωστή τη γνώση.
Κι᾽ όμως σα φτάνει ανάλαφρη
η Κύπριδα καμία
άλλη θεά δεν βρίσκεται
να’ ναι στις χάρες ίδια.
Ω Δέσποινα πάνω μου ποτέ
με τα χρυσά σου τόξα
μη στείλεις την αλάθητη
-τη βαπτισμένη στη φωτιά
του πόθου σου – σαΐτα.
As Eros emerges,
with such excessive impetus,
virtue can guard us no more,
nor shall proper knowledge.
Yet, as Cypris (Aphrodite) ,
arrives carefree,
no other goddess
matches her in charms.
Oh Despoina,
with your golden bow!
Never send upon me the infallible,
baptized in fire
arrow of desire.
Please note that we provide above translation of the lyrics (from contemporary Greek to English). You may also visit “links” for sources translating the ancient text to English.
Brief info about the poet and the poem:
Euripides: He was born in 485 BC in the deme of Phlya and died in 406 BC in Macedonia during the reign of Archelaus. He won the first prize at the Dionysia only four times, while Sophocles had 18 victories. In this choral ode from “Medea,” the insane power of love is emphasized.
*”Afyktos oistos” could be translated as “unlaunched arrow”
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