Ben-Hur Translation Page 17: Sweet and Lovely Esther

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Ben-Hurs’ fighting spirit is deeply stirred by Simonides’ announcement

Benhuris animus ob Simonidæ nuntium ad bellum excitatur atque inflammatur.

Ὁ τοῦ Βενὼρ θυμὸς διὰ τὸ τοῦ Σιμωνίδου ἄγγελμα πρὸς πόλεμον ἐγείρεταί τε καὶ φλέγεται.

The prophets have for years foretold the coming of a Messiah who will lead our people to be rulers of the world. When our new king appears, he will need men and money. I can help him fill these needs.

Per multos annos prophetæ Christum venientem prophetaverunt, ad ducendum populum nostrum ut dominatores orbis terrarum fiant. Cum autem novus rex noster apparuerit, indigebit militibus opibusque. Possum ego adjuvare eum ad ista.

Διὰ πολλῶν ἐτῶν οἱ προφῆται πεπροφήτευκαν Χριστὸν ἐρχόμενον, ὅστις ἡγήσεται τῷ λαῷ ἡμῶν ὥστε ἄρχοντας τῆς οἰκουμένης γένεσθαι. Ὅταν δ' ὁ καινὸς βασιλεὺς ἡμῶν φανῇ, χρείαν ἕξει στρατιωτῶν τε καὶ χρημάτων. Δύναμαι ἔγωγε συλλαμβάνεσθαι αὐτῷ εἰς ταῦτα.

Go speak directly with Balthasar to learn more of what he saw, but do not rely too much on all he says. He vows that this king will not seek power and glory nor the vengeance which is due us.

Vadens colloquere cum Baltassar ut cognoscas quid viderit, noli autem plus confidere omnibus dictis ejus. Profitetur enim regem illum neque quæsiturum potestatem neque gloriam neque vindictam nobis debitam.

Πορευθεὶς λάλησον τῷ Βαλτασὰρ ἵνα γιγνώσκῃς ὅ τι εἶδε, μηδὲ πλεῖον πιστεύει πᾶσιν τοῖς ῥήμασιν αὐτοῦ. Ἐπαγγέλλεται γὰρ ἐκεῖνον τὸν βασιλέα οὔτε ζητήσειν ἐξουσίαν οὔτε δόξαν οὔτε τιμωρίαν τὴν ἡμῖν προσήκουσαν.

Then Balthasar has not read the prophets! The Messiah will be a warrior as was king David and will wield a power against which Rome will dash itself to pieces.

Ergo Baltassar non legit prophetas. Christus enim talis pugnator erit qualis rex David et talem potentiam habebit quæ Romam conterat.

Ὁ ἄρα Βαλτασὰρ οὐκ ἀνέγνωκε τοὺς προφήτας. Ὁ γὰρ Χριστὸς τοιοῦτος πολεμιστὴς ἔσται οἵος ὁ βασιλεὺς Δαυὶδ καὶ τοιαύτην δύναμιν ἕξει οἵη τὴν Ῥώμην συντρίψει.

Suddenly a vision of sweet loveliness appears before them. Ben-Hur is startled as he contrasts the innocent beauty of this maiden and the strange charm of the Egyptian girl he had met that morning.

Subito dulce et formosum coram eis apparet. Benhur autem miratur dum hanc castam ac pulchram virginem cum illa Ægyptia, cui mane occurrerat, venusta peregrina comparat.

Ἐξαίφνης γλυκὺ καὶ καλόν τι ἐναντίον αὐτῶν φαίνεται. Ὁ δὲ Βενὼρ θαυμάζει παραβάλλων ταύτην τὴν ἀγνήν τε καὶ καλὴν παρθένον ἐκείνῃ τῇ Ἀιγυπτίᾳ, ᾗ πρωῒ ἀπήντησεν, ἐπαφροδίτῳ ξένῃ.

My daughter, Esther, whose mother was also your father’s servant. This, my dear, is the son for whose return we all have prayed.

Ecce filia mea Esther. Cujus et mater fuit ancilla patris tui. Hic est, o cara, filius quem omnes orabamus reversurum esse.

Ἰδού, ἡ θυγάτηρ μου ᾿Εσθήρ. Καὶ ἡ μήτηρ αὐτῆς ἦν δούλη τοῦ πατρός σου. Οὖτός ἐστιν, ὦ φίλη, ὁ υἱὸς ὃν πάντες ἠυχόμεθα ἐπανίεναι.

Oh, how strong and handsome he is, my father!

O, quam robustus et speciosus est, pater!

Ὦ, ὡς ἐρρωμένος καὶ εὐπρεπής ἐστι, πάτερ.

The favor of one so fair is dearer than gold. I shall not forget this lovely one.

Hujusmodi benevolentia auro pretiosior. Non obliviscar hujus formosæ.

Ἡ εὔνοια τοιαύτης τιμιωτέρα τοῦ χρυσοῦ. Οὐκ ἐπιλήσομαι ταύτης τῆς καλῆς.

I must have a few more words with our young master, Esther. So go I pray you, and send my servant Malluch, who henceforth shall be Ben-Hur’s guard and friend.

Opus est mihi pauca cum juvene domino dicere, Esther. Vadens ideo, obsecro te, mitte ad me Maloch servum meum, qui dehinc erit Benhuri amicus ac custos.

Δεῖ με ὀλίγα μετὰ τοῦ νέου κυρίου λέγειν, ᾿Εσθήρ. Ἀπελθοῦσα οὖν, δέομαί σου, πέμψον πρὸς ἐμὲ Μαλὼχ τὸν δοῦλόν μου, ὅστις τοὐντεῦθεν ἔσται τῷ Βενὼρ φίλος τε καὶ φύλαξ.

It shall be done, my father.

Faciam, pater.

Ποιήσω, πάτερ.

Malluch will take you to Balthasar who is the guest of Sheik Ilderim, the powerful desert tribesman whose camp is called the orchard of palms.

Maloch adducet te ad Baltassar, qui deversatur apud seniorem Ilderimum, ex desertis potentem, cujus castra nominantur palmetum.

Ὁ Μαλὼχ ἄξει σε πρὸς τὸν Βαλτασάρ, ξενιζόμενον ὑπὸ τοῦ πρεσβυτέρου Ἰλδεριμοῦ, τοῦ ἐκ τῆς ἐρήμου χώρας δυνατοῦ. Τὸ δὲ στρατόπεδον αὐτοῦ ὀνομάζεται ὁ φοινικών.

I will go at once, and Balthasar already knows me -- for it was my good fortune to save him and his daughter from disaster.

Statim quidem ibo, Baltassar autem jam me scit. Fauste enim mihi evenit ut eum cum filia
ex calamitate servarem.

Εὐθὺς μὲν εἶμι, ὁ δὲ Βαλτασὰρ ἤδη οἶδέ με. Καλῶς γὰρ συνέβη μοι τὸ αὐτὸν ἅμα τῇ θυγατρὶ ἐκ συμφορᾶς σῶσαι.

[jeidsath]

Ὅταν δ' ὁ καινὸς βεσιλεὺς ἡμῶν φανῇ

[bedwere]

Χάριν ἔχω σοι, ὦ Ἰωήλ.

[bedwere]

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