Ben-Hur Translation Page 25: What Kind of King?

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Ben-Hur is so overwhelmed by Balthasar’s story that he finds it difficult to put his thoughts into words.

Benhur sic affectus est propter Baltassaris narrationem ut vix possit cogitationes eloqui.

Ὁ Βενὼρ οὕτως πέπονθε διὰ τὸν τοῦ Βαλτασὰρ λόγον ὥστε μόλις δύναται τὰ νοήματα φθέγγεσθαι.

Then you, Balthasar, were one of the three wise men who made the journey to the inn in Bethlehem!

Tu ergo, o Baltassar, unus trium magorum fuisti, qui ad deversorium in Bethlehem processerunt!

Σύγε ἄρα, ὦ Βαλτασάρ, εἷς τῶν τριῶν μάγων ἦσθα, τῶν πρὸς τὸ πανδοκεῖον ἐν Βηθλέεμ πορευθέντων.

It was at God’s command. Since then 29 years have passed. Whom I first saw as a child must now be nearly ready to carry out his divine mission.

Jussu Dei factum est. Ex quo undetriginta anni transierunt. Quem ideo prius vidi infantem, nunc necesse est ut fere paratus sit ad exsequendum divinum suum mandatum.

Κελεύσει τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐγένετο. Ἐξ οὗ εἴκοσιν ἐννέα ἔτη διῆλθεν. Ὃν οὖν πρότερον εἶδον παιδίον ὄντα, νῦν ἀνάγκη ἐστὶ σχεδὸν ἕτοιμον εἶναι ἐπιτελέσαι τὴν θείαν ἑαυτοῦ ἐντολήν.

Ah, this new king will herald the downfall of Rome. At last the Jews shall triumph in long-sought revenge.

Ehem, hic novus rex prædicabit ruinam Romæ. Tandem enim Judæi vindictam longe quærentes vincent.

Ὤ, οὗτος ὁ νέος βασιλεὺς κηρύξει τὸ πτῶμα τῆς Ῥώμης. Ὕστερον γὰρ οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι τὴν τιμωρίαν μακρῶς ζητοῦντες νικήσουσιν.

Exalt not power and vengeance, my son, for I say this child came not to conquer by arms. He will be king of men’s souls, drawing them to him by love and forgiveness.

Neque potestatem neque vindictam extuleris, fili. Puer iste, inquam, aderit ne armis vincat. Erit autem rex animorum, qui homines caritate et remissione ad se trahat.

Μήτε τὴν δύναμιν μήτε τὴν τιμωρίαν ἐξάρῃς, τέκνον. Λέγω μὲν ὅτι τοῦτο τὸ παιδίον ἥξει ἵνα μὴ ἐν ὅπλοις νικᾷ. Ἔσται δὲ βασιλεὺς τῶν ψυχῶν, ὁ τοὺς ἀνθρώπους ἐν ἀγάπῃ καὶ ἀφέσει πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ἕλκων.

Nay, the prophets have revealed that when our Messiah comes he shall truly be king of the Jews -- Our Caesar! Under his banner we shall conquer the world!

Minime. Prophetæ enim revelaverunt, cum venerit Christus, vere fore regem Judæorum. Cæsarem nostrum. In cujus signo vincemus mundum.

Οὐχί. Οἱ γὰρ προφῆται ἀπεκάλυψαν ὅτι, ὁτὰν ἔλθῃ ὁ Χριστὸς, ἀληθῶς ἔσται βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων. Ὁ Καῖσαρ ἡμῶν. Καὶ ἐν τῷ σημείῳ αὐτοῦ νικήσομεν τὸν κόσμον.

That cannot be, for we understood that he was to be not only a savior of the Jews, but of all mankind as well.

Istud fieri nequit. Intelleximus enim illum non tantum salvatorem Judæorum futurum, sed et omnium hominum.

Ἀδύνατα ταῦτα. Συνήκαμεν γὰρ ἐκείνον οὐ μόνον σωτῆρα τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἔσεσθαι, ἀλλὰ καὶ πάντων τῶν ἀνθρώπων.

You were told no more than to search for him who is to be king of the Jews. I believe he will be king, and therefore he will act as a king.

Tu non amplius audisti quam tibi requirendum Judæorum regem venturum. Ego autem credo ipsum regem futurum, propter quod et ut regem acturum.

Σὺ μὲν οὐ μεῖζον ἐπύθου ἢ δεῖν σε ζητεῖν τὸν τῶν Ἰουδαίων βασιλέα μέλλοντα. Ἐγὼ δὲ πιστεύω αὐτὸν βασιλέα ἔσεσθαι, διὸ καὶ ὡς βασιλέα πράξειν.

Be that as it may, the time is near at hand when all of us must help him!

Esto. Hora autem adpropinquat ut omnes adjuvemus eum!

Ἔστω τοῦτο. Ἡ δ' ὥρα ἐγγὺς γίγνεται ὥστε πάντες βοηθοῦμεν αὐτῷ.


He will need soldiers and arms which my wealth can command. When I have won over Messala in the race, I am resolved to return to my homeland and offer myself and all that is mine to the Messiah.

Nam indigebit militibus ac armis, ad quos dives possum adjuvare. Cum autem Messalam in certamine vicero, consilium est mihi in patriam revertendi ut offeram Christo memet ipsum meaque omnia.

Χρείαν γὰρ ἕξει στρατιωτῶν τε καὶ ὁπλῶν, εἰς οὓς πλούσιος ὢν δύναμαι συλλαμβάνεσθαι. Ὅταν δὲ τὸν Μεσσάλαν ἐν τῷ ἀγῶνι νικήσω, γνώμην ἔχω εἰς τὴν πατρίδα ἐπανιέναι, προσοίσων τῷ Χριστῷ ἐμαυτόν τε καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐμά.

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