第2章

LEADER Thywordso’erbearmydoubt:fornewsofgood，Theearofagehatheveryouthenow: ButthosewithinandClytemnestra’sselfWouldfainhearall；gladthoutheirearsandmine。 （CLYTEMNESTRAentersfromthepalace。） CLYTEMNESTRA Thatnight，whenfirstthefierycouriercame，InsignthatTroyista’enandrazedtoearth，Sowildacryofjoymylipsgaveout，ThatIwaschidden—HaththebeaconwatchMadesureuntothysoulthesackofTroy？ Averywomanthou，whoseheartleapslightAtwanderingrumours！—andwithwordsliketheseTheyshowedmehowIstrayed，misledofhope。 YetoneachshrineIsetthesacrifice，And，inthestraintheyheldforfeminine，Wentheraldsthro’thecity，toandfro，Withvoiceofloudproclaim，announcingjoy； AndineachfanetheylitandquenchedwithwineThespicyperfumesfadingintheflame。 Allisfulfilled:Ispareyourlongertale— Thekinghimselfanonshalltellmeall。 RemainstothinkwhathonourbestmaygreetMylord，themajestyofArgos，home。 Whatdaybeamsfaireronawoman’seyesThanthis，whereonsheflingstheportalwide，Tohailherlord，heaven—shielded，homefromwar？ Thistomyhusband，thathetarrynot，Butturnthecity’slongingintojoy！ Yea，lethimcome，andcomingmayhefindAwifenootherthanhelefther，trueAndfaithfulasawatch—dogtohishome，Hisfoemen’sfoe，inallherdutiesleal，TrustytokeepfortenlongyearsunmarredThestorewhereonhesethismaster—seal。 Besteeldeep—dyed，beforeyelooktoseeIlljoy，illfame，fromotherwight，inme！ HERALD ’Tisfairlysaid:thusspeaksanobledame，Norspeaksamiss，whentruthinformstheboast。 （CLYTEMNESTRAwithdrawsagainintothepalace。） LEADER Sohasshespoken—beityourstolearnByclearinterpretersherspeciousword。 Turntome，herald—tellmeifanonThesecondwell—lovedlordofArgoscomes？ HathMenelaussafelyspedwithyou？ HERALD Alas—briefboonuntomyfriendsitwere，Toflatterthem，fortruth，withfalsehoodsfair！ LEADER Speakjoy，iftruthbejoy，buttruth，atworst— Tooplainly，truthandjoyareheredivorced。 HERALD TheheroandhisbarkwereraptawayFarfromtheGrecianfleet；’tistruthIsay。 LEADER Whetherinallmen’ssightfromIlionborne，Orfromthefleetbystressofweathertorn？ HERALD Fullonthemarkthyshaftofspeechdothlight，Andoneshortwordhathtoldlongwoesaright。 LEADER Butsay，whatnowofhimeachcomradesaith？ Whattheirforebodings，ofhislifeordeath？ HERALD Askmenomore:thetruthisknowntonone，Savetheearth—fostering，all—surveyingSun。 LEADER Say，bywhatdoomthefleetofGreecewasdriven？ Howrose，howsankthestorm，thewrathofheaven？ HERALD Nay，illitweretomarwithsorrow’staleThedayofblissfulnews。ThegodsdemandThanksgivingsunderedfromsolicitude。 IfoneasheraldcamewithruefulfaceTosay，Thecursehasfallen，andthehostGonedowntodeath；andonewidewoundhasreachedThecity’sheart，andoutofmanyhomesManyarecastandconsecratetodeath，Beneaththedoublescourge，thatAresloves，Thebloodypair，thefireandswordofdoom— Ifsuchsoreburdenweigheduponmytongue，’Twerefittospeaksuchwordsasgladdenfiends。 But—comingashecomeswhobringethnewsOfsafereturnfromtoil，andissuesfair，Tomenrejoicinginawealrestored— DareItodashgoodwordswithill，andsayForfireandsea，thaterstheldbitterfeud，Nowsworeconspiracyandpledgedtheirfaith，WastingtheArgiveswornwithtoilandwar。 NightandgreathorroroftherisingwaveCameo’erus，andtheblaststhatblowfromThraceClashedshipwithship，andsomewithplungingprowThro’scuddingdriftsofsprayandravingstormVanished，asstraysbysomeillshepherddriven。 Andwhenatlengththesunrosebright，wesawTh’Aegaeansea—fieldfleckedwithflowersofdeath，CorpsesofGrecianmenandshatteredhulls。 Forusindeed，somegod，aswellIdeem，Nohumanpower，laidhanduponourhelm，Snatchedusorprayedusfromthepowersofair，Andbroughtourbarkthro’all，unharmedinhull: AndsavingFortunesatandsteeredusfair，Sothatnosurgeshouldgulfusdeepinbrine，Norgrindourkeeluponarockyshore。 So’scapedwedeaththatlurksbeneaththesea，But，underday’swhitelight，mistrustfulallOffortune’ssmile，wesatandbroodeddeep，ShepherdsforlornofthoughtsthatwanderedwildO’erthisnewwoe；forsmittenwasourhost，Andlostasashesscatteredfromthepyre。 Ofwhomifanydrawhislife—breathyet，Bewellassured，hedeemsofusasdead，Asweofhimnootherfateforebode。 Butheavensaveall！IfMenelauslive，Hewillnottarry，butwillsurelycome: Thereforeifanywherethehighsun’srayDescrieshimuponearth，preservedbyZeus，Whowillsnotyettowipehisraceaway，Hopestillthereisthathomewardhemaywend。 Enough—thouhastthetruthuntotheend。 （TheHERALDdeparts。） CHORUS（singing） strophe1 Say，fromwhoselipsthepresagefell？ Whoreadthefuturealltoowell，Andnamedher，inhernatalhour，Helen，thebridewithwarfordower’TwasoneoftheInvisible，Guidinghistonguewithprescientpower。 Onfleet，andhost，andcitadel，War，sprungfromher，anddeathdidlour，Whenfromthebride—bed’sfine—spunveilShetotheZephyrspreadhersail。 Strongblewthebreeze—thesurgeclosedoerThecloventrackofkeelandoar，Butwhileshefled，theredrovealong，Fastinherwake，amightythrong— Athirstforblood，athirstforwar，Forwardinfellpursuittheysprung，ThenleaptonSimois’bankashore，Theleafycoppicesamong— Norangers，they，ofwoodandfield，Buthuntsmenoftheswordandshield。 antistrophe1 Heaven’sjealousy，thatworksitswill，SpedthusonTroyitsdestinedill，Wellnamed，atonce，theBrideandBane； Andloudrangoutthebridalstrain； ButtheytowhomthatsongbefellDidturnanontotearsagain； Zeustarries，butavengesstillThehusband’swrong，thehousehold’sstain！ He，thehearth’slord，brooksnottoseeItsoutragedhospitality。 Evennow，andinfarothertone，Troychantsherdirgeofmightymoan，WoeuponParis，woeandhate！ Whowooedhiscountry’sdoomformate— Thisistheburthenofthegroan，WherewithshewailsdisconsolateTheblood，somanyofherownHavepouredinvain，tofendherfate； Troy！thouhastfedandfreedtoroamAlion—cubwithinthyhome！ strophe2 Asucklingcreature，newlyta’enFrommother’steat，stillfullyfainOfnursingcare；andoftcaressed，Withinthearms，uponthebreast，Evenasaninfant，hasitlain； Orfawnsandlicks，byhungerpressed，Thehandthatwillassuageitspain； Inlife’syoungdawn，awell—lovedguest，Afondlingforthechildren’splay，Ajoyuntotheoldandgrey。 antistrophe2 ButwaxingtimeandgrowthbetraysTheblood—thirstofthelion—race，And，forthehouse’sfosteringcare，Unbiddenall，itrevelsthere，Andbloodyrecompenserepays— Rentfleshofkine，itstalonstare: Amightybeast，thatslays，andslays，Andmarswithbloodthehouseholdfair，AGod—sentpestinvincible，Aministeroffateandhell。 strophe3 EvensotoIlion’scitycamebystealthAspiritasofwindlessseasandskies，Agentlephantom—formofjoyandwealth，Withlove’ssoftarrowsspeedingfromitseyes— Love’srose，whosethorndothpiercethesoulinsubtlewise。 Ah，well—a—day！thebitterbridal—bed，WhenthefairmischieflaybyParis’side！ WhatcurseonpalaceandonpeoplespedWithher，theFurysentonPriam’spride，ByangeredZeus！whattearsofmanyawidowedbride！ antistrophe3 Long，longagotomortalsthiswastold，HowsweetsecurityandblissfulstateHavecursesfortheirchildren—somenhold— Andforthemanofall—tooprosperousfateSpringsfromabitterseedsomewoeinsatiate。 Alone，alone，Ideemfarotherwise； Notblissnorwealthitis，butimpiousdeed，Fromwhichthatafter—growthofilldothrise！ Woespringsfromwrong，theplantisliketheseed— WhileRight，inhonour’shouse，dothitsownlikenessbreed。 strophe4 Somepastimpiety，somegreyoldcrime，Breedstheyoungcurse，thatwantonsinourill，Earlyorlate，whenhapsth’appointedtime— Andoutoflightbringspowerofdarknessstill，Amaster—fiend，afoe，unseen，invincible； Aprideaccursed，thatbroodsupontheraceAndhomeinwhichdarkAteholdshersway— Sin’schildandWoe’s，thatwearsitsparents’face； antistrophe4 WhileRightinsmokycribsshinesclearasday，Anddeckswithwealhislife，whowalkstherighteousway。 Fromgildedhalls，thathandspollutedraise，Rightturnsawaywithproudavertedeyes，Andofthewealth，menstampamisswithpraise，Heedless，topoorer，holiertempleshies，AndtoFate’sgoalguidesall，initsappointedwise。 （AGAMEMNONenters，ridinginachariotandaccompaniedbyagreatprocession。CASSANDRAfollowsinanotherchariot。 TheCHORUSsingsitswelcome。） Hailtothee，chiefofAtreus’race，ReturningproudfromTroysubdued！ HowshallIgreetthyconqueringface？ Hownorafulsomepraiseobtrude，Norstintthemeedofgratitude？ FormortalmenwhofalltoillTakelittleheedofopentruth，Butseekuntoitssemblancestill: TheshowofweepingandofruthTotheforlornwillallmenpay，But，ofthegrieftheireyesdisplay，Noughttotheheartdothpierceitsway。 And，withthejoyous，theybeguileTheirlipsuntoafeignedsmile，Andforceajoy，unfeltthewhile； ButhewhoasashepherdwiseDothknowhisflock，canne’ermisreadTruthinthefalsehoodofhiseyes，WhoveilsbeneathakindlyguiseAlukewarmloveindeed。 Andthou，ourleader—whenofyoreThoubadestGreecegoforthtowarForHelen’ssake—IdareavowThatthenIheldtheenotasnow； ThattomyvisionthoudidstseemDyedinthehuesofdisesteem。 Iheldtheeforapilotill，Andreckless，ofthyproperwill，EndowingothersdoomedtodieWithvainandforcedaudacity！ Nowfrommyheart，ungrudgingly，Tothosethatwrought，thiswordbesaid— Wellfallthelabouryehavesped— Lettimeandsearch，Oking，declareWhatmenwithinthycity’sboundWereloyaltothekingdom’scare，Andwhowerefaithlessfound。 AGAMEMNON（stillstandinginthechariot） First，asismeet，aking’sAll—hailbesaidToArgos，andthegodsthatguardtheland— Godswhowithmeavailedtospeedushome，WithmeavailedtowringfromPriam’stownThedueofjustice。InthecourtofheavenThegodsinconclavesatandjudgedthecause，Notfromapleader’stongue，andattheclose，UnanimousintotheurnofdoomThissentencegave，OnIlionandhermen，Death:andwherehopedrewnightopardon’surnNohandtherewastocastavotetherein。 AndstillthesmokeoffallenIlionRisesinsightofallmen，andtheflameOfAte’shecatombislivingyet，Andwherethetowersindustyashessink，RisetherichfumesofpompandwealthconsumedForthismustallmenpayuntothegodsThemeedofmindfulheartsandgratitude: ForbyourhandsthemeshesofrevengeClosedontheprey，andforonewoman’ssakeTroytroddenbytheArgivemonsterlies— Thefoal，theshieldedbandthatleaptthewall，WhattimewithautumnsankthePleiades。 Yea，o’erthefencingwallalionsprangRavening，andlappedhisfillofbloodofkings。 Suchpreludespokentothegodsinfull，ToyouIturn，andtothehiddenthingWhereofyespakebutnow:andinthatthoughtIamasyou，andwhatyesay，sayI。 Forfewaretheywhohavesuchinborngrace，Astolookupwithlove，andenvynot，Whenstandsanotherontheheightofweal。 Deepinhisheart，whomjealousyhathseized，Herpoisonlurkingdothenhancehisload； Fornowbeneathhisproperwoeshechafes，Andsighswithaltoseeanother’sweal。 Ispeaknotidly，butfromknowledgesure— Therebewhovauntanutterloyalty，Thatisbutastheghostoffriendshipdead，Ashadowinaglass，offaithgoneby。 Oneonly—hewhowentreluctantforthAcrosstheseaswithme—Odysseus—heWasloyaluntomewithstrengthandwill，Atrustytrace—horsebounduntomycar。 Thus—beheyetbeneaththelightofday，Ordead，aswellIfear—Ispeakhispraise。 Lastly，whate’erbeduetomenorgods，Withjointdebate，inpubliccouncilheld，Wewilldecide，andwarilycontriveThatallwhichnowiswellmaysoabide: Forthatwhichhaplyneedsthehealer’sart，Thatwillwemedicine，discerningwellIfcauteryorknifebefitthetime。 Now，tomypalaceandtheshrinesofhome，Iwillpassin，andgreetyoufirstandfair，Yegods，whobademeforth，andhomeagain— AndlongmayVictorytarryinmytrain！ （CLYTEMNESTRAentersfromthepalace，followedbymaidensbearingcrimsonrobes。） CLYTEMNESTRA OldmenofArgos，liegesofourrealm，ShameshallnotbidmeshrinklestyeshouldseeTheloveIbearmylord。SuchblushingfearDiesatthelastfromheartsofhumankind。 Frommineownsoulandfromnoalienlips，IknowandwillrevealthelifeIbore。 Reluctant，throughthelingeringlivelongyears，ThewhilemylordbeleagueredIlion’swall。 First，thatawifesatsunderedfromherlord，Inwidowedsolitude，wasutterwoeAndwoe，tohearhowrumour’smanytonguesAllbodedevil—woe，whenhewhocameAndhewhofollowedspakeofillonill，KeeningLost，lost，alllost！thro’hallandbower。 Hadthismyhusbandmetsomanywounds，Asbyathousandchannelsrumourtold，Nonetworke’erwasfullofholesashe。 Hadhebeenslain，asoftastidingscameThathewasdead，hewellmightboasthimnowAsecondGeryonoftripleframe，Withtriplerobeofearthabovehimlaid— Forthatbelow，nomatter—triplydead，Deadbyonedeathforeveryformhebore。 Andthusdistraughtbynewsofwrathandwoe，Oftforself—slaughterhadIslungthenoose，Butotherswrencheditfrommyneckaway。 HencehapsitthatOrestes，thineandmine，Thepledgeandsymbolofourweddedtroth，Standsnotbesideusnow，asheshouldstand。 Normarvelthouatthis:hedwellswithoneWhoguardshimloyally；’tisPhocis’king，Strophius，whowarnedmeerst，Bethinkthee，queen，WhatwoesofdoubtfulissuewellmayfallThylordindailyjeopardyatTroy，Whilehereapopulaceuncurbedmaycry，\"Downwitkthecouncil，down！\"bethinktheetoo，’Tistheworld’swaytosetaharderheelOnfallenpower。 Forthychild’sabsencethenSuchmineexcuse，nowilyafterthought。 Forme，longsincethegushingfountoftearsIsweptaway；nodropislefttoshed。 Dimaretheeyesthateverwatchedtilldawn，Weeping，thebale—fires，piledforthyreturn，Nightafternightunkindled。IfIslept，Eachsound—thetinyhummingofagnat，Rousedmeagain，again，fromfitfuldreamsWhereinIfelttheesmitten，sawtheeslain，Thriceforeachmomentofminehourofsleep。 AllthisIbore，andnow，releasedfromwoe，Ihailmylordaswatch—dogofafold，Assavingstay—ropeofastorm—tossedship，Ascolumnstoutthatholdstheroofaloft，Asonlychilduntoasirebereaved，Aslandbeheld，pasthope，bycrewsforlorn，Assunshinefairwhentempest’swrathispast，Asgushingspringtothirstywayfarer。 Sosweetitisto’scapethepressofpain。 WithsuchsaluteIbidmyhusbandhailNorheavenbewroththerewith！forlongandhardIborethatireofold。 Sweetlord，stepforth，Stepfromthycar，Ipray—nay，notonearthPlanttheproudfoot，Oking，thattroddownTroy！ Women！whytarryye，whosetaskitisTospreadyourmonarch’spathwithtapestry？ Swift，swift，withpurplestrewhispassagefair，Thatjusticeleadhimtoahome，atlast，Hescarcelylookedtosee。 （Theattendantwomenspreadthetapestry。） Forwhatremains，ZealunsubduedbysleepshallnervemyhandToworkasrightandasthegodscommand。 AGAMEMNON（stillinthechariot） DaughterofLeda，watchero’ermyhome，Thygreetingwellbefitsmineabsencelong，Forlateandhardlyhasitreacheditsend。 Know，thatthepraisewhichhonourbidsuscrave，Mustcomefromothers’lips，notfromourown: SeetoothatnotinfashionfeminineThoumakeawarrior’spathwaydelicate； Notuntome，astosomeEasternlord，Bowingthyselftoearth，makehomageloud。 StrewnotthispurplethatshallmakeeachstepAnarrogance；suchpompbeseemsthegods，Notme。AmortalmantosethisfootOntheserichdyes？Iholdsuchprideinfear，Andbidtheehonourmeasman，notgod。 Fearnot—suchfootclothsandallgaudsapart，LoudfromthetrumpofFamemynameisblown； Bestgiftofheavenitis，inglory’shour，Tothinkthereonwithsoberness:andthou— Bethinktheeoftheadage，CallnoneblestTillpeacefuldeathhavecrownedalifeofweal。 ’Tissaid:Ifainwouldfareunvexedbyfear。 CLYTEMNESTRA Nay，butunsayit—thwartnotthoumywill！ AGAMEMNON Know，Ihavesaid，andwillnotmarmyword。 CLYTEMNESTRA Wasitfearmadethismeeknesstothegods？ AGAMEMNON Ifcausebecause，’tismineforthisresolve。 CLYTEMNESTRA What，think’stthou，inthyplacehadPriamdone？ AGAMEMNON Hesurelywouldhavewalkedonbroideredrobes。 CLYTEMNESTRA Thenfearnotthouthevoiceofhumanblame。 AGAMEMNON Yetmightyisthemurmurofacrowd。 CLYTEMNESTRA Shrinknotfromenvy，appanageofbliss。 AGAMEMNON Warisnotwoman’spart，norwarofwords。 CLYTEMNESTRA Yethappyvictorswellmayyieldtherein。 AGAMEMNON Dostcravefortriumphinthispettystrife？ CLYTEMNESTRA Yield；ofthygracepermitmetoprevail！ AGAMEMNON Then，ifthouwilt，letsomeonestooptolooseSwiftlythesesandals，slavesbeneathmyfoot； Andsteppingthusuponthesea’srichdye，Ipray，LetnoneamongthegodslookdownWithjealouseyeonme—reluctantall，Totramplethusandmarathingofprice，Wastingthewealthofgarmentssilver—worth。 Enoughhereof:and，forthestrangermaid，Leadherwithin，butgently:GodonhighLooksgraciouslyonhimwhomtriumph’shourHasmadenotpitiless。NonewillinglyWeartheslave’syoke—andshe，theprizeandflowerOfallwewon，comeshitherinmytrain，Giftofthearmytoitschiefandlord。 —Now，sinceinthismywillbowsdowntothine，Iwillpassinonpurplestomyhome。 （Hedescendsfromthechariot，andmovestowardsthepalace。） CLYTEMNESTRA ASeathereis—andwhoshallstayitssprings？ Anddeepwithinitsbreast，amightystore，Preciousassilver，ofthepurpledye，Wherebythedippedrobedothitstintrenew。 Enoughofsuch，Oking，withinthyhallsTherelies，astorethatcannotfail；butI— IwouldhavegladlyvoweduntothegodsCostofathousandgarmentstroddenthus，（Hadoncetheoraclesuchgiftrequired） Contrivingransomforthylifepreserved。 Forwhilethestockisfirmthefoliageclimbs，Spreadingashade，whattimethedog—starglows； Andthou，returningtothinehearthandhome，Artasagenialwarmthinwinterhours，Orasacoolness，whenthelordofheavenMellowsthejuicewithinthebittergrape。 SuchboonsandmoredothbringintoahomeThepresentfootstepofitsproperlord。 Zeus，Zeus，Fulfilment’slord！myvowsfulfil，Andwhatsoe’eritbe，workforththywill！ （ShefollowsAGAMEMNONintothepalace。） CHORUS（singing） strophe1 WhereforeforeveronthewingsoffearHoversavisiondrearBeforemybodingheart？astrain，Unbiddenandunwelcome，thrillsmineear，Oracularofpain。 Notasofolduponmybosom’sthroneSitsConfidence，tospurnSuchfears，likedreamsweknownottodiscern。 Old，oldandgreylongsincethetimehasgrown，WhichsawthelinkedcablesmoorThefleet，whenerstitcametoIlion’ssandyshore； antistrophe1 Andnowmineeyesandnotanother’sseeTheirsafereturn。 YetnonethelessinmeTheinnerspiritsingsabodingsong，Self—prompted，singstheFuries’strain— Andseeks，andseeksinvain，Tohopeandtobestrong！ Ah！tosomeendofFate，unseen，unguessed，Arethesewildthrobbingsofmyheartandbreast— Yea，ofsomedoomtheytell— Eachpulse，aknell。 Lief，liefIwere，thatallTounfulfilment’shiddenrealmmightfall。 strophe2 Toofar，toofarourmortalspiritsstrive，Graspingatutterweal，unsatisfied— Tillthefellcurse，thatdwellethhardbeside，Thrustdownthesunderingwall。Toofairtheyblow，ThegalesthatwaftourbarkonFortune’stide！ Swiftlywesail，thesoonerantodriveUponthehiddenrock，thereefofwoe。 ThenifthehandofcautionwarilySlingforthintotheseaPartofthefreight，lestallshouldsinkbelow，Fromthedeepdeathitsavesthebark:evenso，Doom—ladenthoughitbe，oncemoremayriseHishousehold，whoistimelywise。 Howoftthefamine—strickenfieldIssavedbyGod’slargegift，thenewyear’syield！ antistrophe2 Butbloodofmanoncespilled，Onceathisfeetshedforth，anddarkeningtheplain，— Norchantnorcharmcancallitbackagain。 SoZeushathwilled: ElsehadhesparedtheleechAsclepius，skilledTobringmanfromthedead:thehanddivineDidsmitehimselfwithdeath—awarningandasign— Ahme！ifFate，ordainedofold，Heldnotthewillofgodsconstrained，controlled，Helplesstous—ward，andapart— SwifterthanspeechmyheartHadpoureditspresageout！ Now，fretting，chafinginthedarkofdoubt，’TishopelesstounfoldTruth，fromfear’stangledskein；and，yearningtoproclaimItsthought，mysoulisprophecyandflame。 （CLYTEMNESTRAcomesoutofthepalaceandaddressesCASSANDRA，whohasremainedmotionlessinherchariot。） CLYTEMNESTRA Gettheewithinthoutoo，Cassandra，go！ ForZeustotheeingraciousmercygrantsTosharethesprinklingsofthelustralbowl，Besidethealtarofhisguardianship，Slaveamongmanyslaves。What，haughtystill？ Stepfromthecar；Alcmena’sson，’tissaid，Wassoldperforceandboretheyokeofold。 Ay，harditis，but，ifsuchfatebefall，’TisafairchancetoservewithinahomeOfancientwealthandpower。Anupstartlord，Towhomwealth’sharvestcamebeyondhishope，Isasaliontohisslaves，inallExceedingfierce，immoderateinsway。 Passin:thouhearestwhatourwayswillbe。 LEADEROFTHECHORUS Clearuntothee，Omaid，ishercommand，Butthou—withinthetoilsofFatethouart— Ifsuchthywill，Iurgetheetoobey； YetImisdoubtthoudostnorhearnorheed。 CLYTEMNESTRA Iwot—unlesslikeswallowsshedothuseSomestrangebarbariantonguefromoversea— Mywordsmustspeakpersuasiontohersoul。 LEADER Obey:thereisnogentlerwaythanthis。 Stepfromthecar’shighseatandfollowher。 CLYTEMNESTRA Trucetothisbootlesswaitingherewithout！ Iwillnotstay:besidethecentralshrineThevictimsstand，preparedforknifeandfire— Offeringsfromheartsbeyondallhopemadeglad。 Thou—ifthoureckestaughtofmycommand，’Twerewelldonesoon:butifthysensebeshutFromthesemywords，letthybarbarianhandFulfilbygesturethedefaultofspeech。 LEADER Nonativeisshe，thustoreadthywordsUnaided:likesomewildthingofthewood，New—trapped，behold！sheshrinksandglaresonthee。 CLYTEMNESTRA ’Tismadnessandtheruleofminddistraught，Sinceshebeheldhercitysinkinfire，Andhithercomes，norbrooksthebit，untilInfoamandbloodherwrathbechampedaway。 Seeyetoher；unqueenly’tisforme，Unheededthustocastawaymywords。 （CLYTEMNESTRAentersthepalace。） LEADER Butwithmepitysitsinanger’splace。 Poormaiden，comethoufromthecar；nowayThereisbutthis—takeupthyservitude。 CASSANDRA（chanting） Woe，woe，alas！Earth，MotherEarth！andthouApollo，Apollo！ LEADER Peace！shrieknottothebrightpropheticgod，Whowillnotbrookthesupplianceofwoe。 CASSANDRA（chanting） Woe，woe，alas！Earth，MotherEarth！andthouApollo，Apollo！ LEADER Hark，withwildcurseshecallsanewonhim，Whostandsfaroffandloathesthevoiceofwail。 CASSANDRA（chanting） Apollo，Apollo！ Godofallways，butonlyDeath’stome，Onceandagain，Othou，Destroyernamed，Thouhastdestroyedme，thou，myloveofold！ LEADER Shegrowspresagefulofherwoestocome，Slavetho’shebe，instinctwithprophecy。 CASSANDRA（chanting） Apollo，Apollo！ Godofallways，butonlyDeath’stome，OthouApollo，thouDestroyernamed！ Whatwayhastledme，towhatevilhome？ LEADER Know’stthouitnot？ThehomeofAtreus’race: Takethesemywordsforsoothandasknomore。 CASSANDRA（chanting） HomecursedofGod！Bearwitnessuntome，Yevisionedwoeswithin— Theblood—stainedhandsofthemthatsmitetheirkin— Thestranglingnoose，and，spatteredo’erWithhumanblood，thereekingfloor！ LEADER Howlikeasleuth—houndquestingonthetrack，Keen—scenteduntobloodanddeathshehies！ CASSANDRA（chanting） Ah！cantheghostlyguidancefail，Wherebymyprophet—soulisonwardsled？ Look！fortheirfleshthespectre—childrenwail，Theirsoddenlimbsonwhichtheirfatherfed！ LEADER Longsinceweknewofthypropheticfame，— Butforthosedeedsweseeknoprophet’stongue— CASSANDRA（chanting） God！’tisanothercrime— Worsethanthestoriedwoeofoldentime，Cureless，abhorred，thatoneisplottinghere— Ashamingdeath，forthosethatshouldbedearAlas！andfaraway，inforeignland，Hethatshouldhelpdothstand！ LEADER Iknewth’oldtales，thecityringswithal— Butnowthyspeechisdark，beyondmyken。 CASSANDRA（chanting） Owretch，Opurposefell！