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Opera in English, in two acts. Based on the original tragedy by Sophocles, and following the structural scenic form of the ancient Greek Drama.
Song Info
Track Files
MP3
MP3 7.7 MB • 128 kbps • 8:21
Story behind the song
Teucer returns, in haste. He has spotted from a distance the approach of Agamemnon -- the King of Mycenae, Commander of All Greek Expeditionary Forces, and brother to Menelaus. The words exchanged between Agamemnon and Teucer are not friendly.
Lyrics
21. Exode Part A.
(Teucer quickly returns).
(Agamemnon approaches from the other side)
Teucer
I have made haste: Agamemnon makes towards us, flowing with wicked words.
Agamemnon
You have become so conceited that you are able to mock us with impunity in threatening speech. You, you, the spawn of a war captive?
Do you think it strange, if our proud person were as arrogant if his mother's blood were noble? Would he, a nonentity himself, yet still lift his head and rise in rebellion against us ... all for the sake of a nonperson!
You would yet swear, that I am not in free command of the Greek Armed Expeditionary Forces, Nor above you; you are your own master - or so you would say - and Ajax sailed here. Is there any decency in having a slave speak thus?
And who is he, that you brag so impudently?
Where did he go, where I stepped back? What cruel pressures did he face, where I turned away?
Really, is it possible there are no men among the Greeks, other than him?
The contest for the armor of Achilles was wrongly declared because of our cowardice, if the opinion of Teucer is to be believed!
And, disgracefully, always ready in an instant to strike with a raised sword, or in stealth to secretly wound us. Such manners and ways are not to be, and have no place among people who install and maintain order, The honor and place is ours to do as we please with victory! Not on the broad shoulders do we rely, It is not the back's spine which is smart and clever ... no, Strength is not higher than intelligence. The side of the ox is huge ... yet an unseemly whip successfully guides him in everything.
If your mind is not infected, perhaps this is not the medicine you need. You are not mad? Really your brother is no one, He has become a shadow; and on his behalf you dare to take it into your head to abuse us. You have left your senses.
And when you speak, although you are freely provided for here, keep in mind your place in birth, that your replies to us may be kept in check.
I do not understand your speech: I am not versed in barbaric language.
Chorus
I will desire nothing more, when both of you come to your senses.
Teucer
How quickly gratitude to the dead melts, As if they are readily unfaithful to everyone!
Here is a man; from the enemy he so often saved you; Ajax, from his own heart sacrificed his life -- as if by words he would remember you! All disappears.
(To Agamemnon)
Your elocutionary effort is a disappointing specimen of logomachy!
You have forgotten, and everything forgotten is traceless, being locked in the ship's entrenchments, where you sat, when only he could save you from death, which you saw before your eyes, after running from the army.
Flames were already soaring to the top of the ships stern; Hector drove his horse across the ditch at a running jump, marshaling his forces to threaten the boats;
Who held him? Ajax, the very same, that neither slayed, nor effected the enemy by any way or means, by your words! He did not fulfill duty? After, remember, how he willingly entered single hand to hand combat against Hector.
He did not take to the water to sail away from fate like a lump of wet clay -- no, not thus,-- at the first attempt to tear off his helmet!
So he was, and I, his friend. I -- a slave of barbaric birth. Unhappiness! You have something to say to me in this?
Was not your grandfather Pelops, father of your parents, himself a barbarian, Phrygian son of the earth.
Your father, Atreus, gave his brother to partake in a godless pie of the flesh of his children?
Isn't it so, you are the son of a Cretan mother, whose own father, forced her from a slave on her bed, and then fixed her to be food for mute fishes?
Such is the fame of your family - and you mock my parentage?
My father -- Telamon; first among warriors. His valor and prowess were rewarded, and received my mother -- A queen by birth, daughter of Laomedon, from the hand of He
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