10. The Second Episode, Ajax before the chorus
Ajax before the Chorus and Tekmessa.
Opera in English, in two acts. Based on the original tragedy by Sophocles, and following the structural scenic form of the ancient Greek Drama.
Story behind the song
Ajax, carrying a sword, is going to prepare purification rites to appease the Gods, and is going to bury the Sword of Hector deep in the Earth. He bids Tekmessa to pray that his will may be accomplished.
Lyrics
10. The Second Episode
(Ajax comes out of the tent, in clean garments. Tekmessa and servants, bearing towels, a small shoulder-travel bag, with a small digging spade tied to the outside of it, and a simple pine box containing the Sword of Hector, follow.)
Ajax
Immense, above numbers, time hides the visible, and opens secrets. All waits upon time, and everything is possible... Time breaks oaths and strength of mind, with awful power. And here, I, hard in will and mind, have softened suddenly, from female words, cooled down, as a sword in water.
I shall go to a bathing place, on coastal meadows, and by a ritual cleansing bath clear the heavy anger of a goddess.
(Ajax takes a couple of small towels from a servant. Servants open the pine box. Ajax carefully places towels over the blade of the sword. Servants secure the box shut.)
A little-used place I shall bury this hated sword, far from human eyes, where only Night and Hell may observe it. From Hector, the most capable of the enemy, the sword, since received by me as a gift, bringing no good will from the Argives. The saying is true: "A Gift from the enemy is no gift " ... So, I resolve now to concede To the will of the gods. I shall honour henceforth the Atreidae, I shall obey their leaders...
For Both power and might must concede to authority.
So the snows of winter are declined before the summer gift of fruits;
So the dark dome of night yields Before the radiant white steeds of the sun in the afternoon; The furious wind calms - and the sea falls and ceases its groans; and the all mighty dream of life holds the person...and then lets go....
I - shall learn... The Reasonableness of Wisdom, and have recently understood, foe can be friend and friend foe. That tomorrow we can grow fond of the foe we hate today; To serve a friend but remember, That he can be one's foe tomorrow.
Yes, the quay of friendship is often unreliable... I must go...You, O friends, do as I have asked - and soon All will be good...and the fate of this suffering will be learned.
(Ajax takes the small travel knapsack, the pine box with sword, and leaves. Tekmessa goes into tent, with servants.)
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