Ben-Hur Translation Page 26: The Race Draws Near

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bedwere
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Ben-Hur Translation Page 26: The Race Draws Near

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Many thanks for your help!

Ben-Hur is now more resolved than ever to defeat Messalla in the great chariot race. With Maluch, he inspects sheik Ilderim’s marvelous steeds…

Quam firmissimum nunc est Benhuri consilium superandi Messalam in magno quadrigarum certamine. Qui, comitante Maloch, inspicit senioris Ilderimi miros equos...

Ὡς βεβαιοτάτην ὁ Βενὼρ νῦν ἔχει γνώμην κρατῆσαι τοῦ Μεσσάλα ἐν τῷ μεγάλῳ τῶν τεθρίππων ἀγῶνι. Ἀκολουθοῦντος αὐτῷ τοῦ Μαλώχ, ἐπισκοπεῖται τοὺς τοῦ πρεσβυτέρου Ἰλδεριμοῦ θαυμασίους ἵππους...

It has come to my ears that Messala is wagering his entire fortune on the race but my four finest will carry you to victory.

Audivi Messalam sponsionem omnium opium in certamine facere, optimi autem mei quaterni
te vehent ut vincas.

Ἀκήκοα μὲν τὸν Μεσσάλαν περὶ πάντων τῶν χρημάτων ἐν τῷ ἀγῶνι περιδίδοσθαι, οἱ δὲ ἄριστοι τέσσαρές μου ὀχήσουσί σε ὥστε νικήσεις.

I shall practice with them to be ready. Now, Malluch, to you falls a task of utmost secrecy.

Exercebo cum eis ut paratus fiam. Nunc autem tibi, o Maloch, nimis clandestinum opus incumbit.

Ἀσκήσω μὲν μετ' αὐτῶν ἵνα ἕτοιμος γένωμαι. Νῦν δὲ σοί, ὦ Μαλώχ, λίαν κρύφιον ἔργον τι ἐπίκειται.

Seek to measure the exact height of the wheel hubs of Messala’s chariot and I shall have mine made slightly lower. If in the race Messala leans on treachery, I will know how to deal with him.

Ζήτει μὲν ἀκριβῶς μετρῆσαι τὸ τοῦ ἄξονος ἐν τῷ τοῦ Μεσσάλα τεθρίππῳ ὕψος, ἐγὼ δὲ κελεύσω τοὐμὸν ὀλίγον βραχύτερον ποιηθῆναι. Ἐὰν δόλον τι ἐν τῷ ἀγῶνι ὁ Μεσσάλας ὑφήνῃ, εὖ χρήσομαι αὐτῷ.

Quære quidem exacte metiri axis in Messalæ quadriga altitudinem, ego autem jubebo meum paulo breviorem fieri. Si dolum quemdam in certamine Messala nexuerit, bene utar eo.

As the day draws near for the race, Ben-Hur has made every preparation. His only distraction is Iras, the daughter of Balthasar, whose strange allure leads him to forget the shy and lovely Esther.

Die certaminis appropinquante, Benhur universa paravit. Cujus animum sola Iras distrahit, filia Baltassar. Quæ, cum peregrina sit, ita allicit eum ut obliviscatur pudicæ ac formosæ Esther.

Τῆς τοῦ ἀγῶνος ἡμέρας ἐπιγιγνομένης, ὁ Βενὼρ ἅπαντα παρεσκεύασται. Τὸν δὲ νοῦν αὐτοῦ μόνη ἡ Ἰρὰς διασπᾷ, ἡ θυγάτηρ τοῦ Βαλτασάρ. Ἡ δὲ ξένη οὖσα οὕτως ἐπάγεται αὐτὸν ὥστε ἐπιλανθάνεσθαι τῆς τε ἁγνῆς καὶ καλῆς Ἐσθήρ.

The beautiful Egyptian is waiting for me again. After this run I shall go to her.

Venusta Ægyptia iterum me expectat. Post hunc cursum adibo ad eam.

Ἡ ἐπαφρόδιτος Αἰγυπτία αὖ προσδοκᾷ με. Μετὰ τοῦτον τὸν δρόμον προσελεύσομαι αὐτῇ.

You will be a worthy rival for Messala. Although he is deemed as handsome as the god Apollo, do not forget that his strength and skill surpass his charm.

Dignus Messala competitor eris. Etsi autem tam speciosus æstimatur quam Apollo, noli oblivisci ejus vires artemque etiam gratiam superare.

Ἄξιος τοῦ Μεσσάλα ἀνταγωνιστὴς ἔσει. Καίπερ δὲ οὕτως ὡραῖος τιμᾶται ὡς Ἀπόλλων, μὴ ἐπιλάθῃ τήν τε ἰσχὺν αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν τέχνην ἔτι τὴν χάριν ἐπικρατεῖν.

At times, sweet Iras, you seem to favor me and then again I think you would not be too unhappy if your friend Messala should come out victor.

Aliquando, o dulcis Iras, videris gratificari mihi, aliquando autem arbitror te non perdolituram esse, si amicus tuus Messala vincat.

Τότε μέν, ὦ γλυκεῖα Ἴρας, δοκεῖς χαρίζεσθαί μοι, τότε δ' οἶμαι ὅτι οὐ παραλυποῖο ἄν, εἰ ὁ φίλος σου ὁ Μεσσάλα νικῆσαι.

How can you doubt me? My father has told me that a life of fame and glory lies ahead for you and all your friends.

Quid dubitas de me? Nam pater mihi dixit magnam gloriam tibi et universis amicis tuis incumbere.

Τί ἀπορεῖς περὶ ἐμοῦ; Ὁ γὰρ πατὴρ εἶπε μεγάλην δόξαν σοι καὶ ἅπασι τοῖς φίλοις σου ἐπικεῖσθαι.

Whatever the future may hold, remember I am not in this race for victory alone. Vengeance rides in the chariot with me. Let Messala beware.

Quidcumque futurum sit, recordare me non solum ut vincam adesse cursui isto. Nam Nemesis mecum vehitur in curru. Caveto Messala.

Ὅ τι ἂν τὸ μέλλον ἔχῃ, μίμνησκε ἐμὲ οὐ μόνον ἵνα νικήσω παρεῖναι τούτῳ τῷ δρόμῳ. Ἡ γὰρ Νέμησις σὺν ἐμοὶ ἐλαύνει ἐν τῷ ἅρματι. Φυλασσέσθω ὁ Μεσσάλας.

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Re: Ben-Hur Translation Page 26: The Race Draws Near

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Ῥωμαϊστί

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Græce

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