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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 6.4 MB • 128 kbps • 7:01
Story behind the song
The King of Sparta, Menelaus, arrives and forbids anyone from touching the corpse of Ajax. Teucer openly defies Menelaus, and asserts his intention to honor the life and service of Ajax with a ritual burial. Menelaus retires, warning of reprisals, if the decree is ignored.
Lyrics
18. Sixth Episode
(Menelaus appears)
Menelaus
Eh, from the dead man leave off your hands, friends! Let him here lie: leave him in his place.
Teucer
To whose pleasure do you waste so much words?
Menelaus
My own, and that of the Supreme Commander.
Teucer
Please give the reason for your will!
Menelaus
Reason, yes. We relied on him as ally and friend, and to Troy he was brought. But he turned out to be as hostile as the Trojans. He thought to kill, in a night raid of treachery, the whole army with his sword, and if not for the help of god, he would have laid us all down in shameful death, and would be alive himself..
But, by the will of god, his intentions were deterred, and the valiant champion directed his rage on sheep…on other cattle...
He will not be honored by burial, but be left here on coarse sand and become food for coastal birds.
Thus, I request you restrain your arrogant spirit. If he could not honor our command while alive, in death he will be subdued, despite your malice.
Truly, now, we have our rule over him.
During his lifetime, as a matter of fact, my words he never obeyed.
The soldier who is incapable of obeying his leaders is useless and incompetent. At best, the State falls into decay, not so much due to not guarding sensible self-control for the law, as to the absence of fear and shame.
Everyone must know, that, to think these are, perhaps, insignificant reasons, would be a meaningless trap. No. Shame and fear: these two join, and in that a guarantee of salvation is found. And where there are no obstacles to the dishonorable self-willed citizen – such a community, though its happiness be the wind blowing, will not avoid the fatal abyss. How sacred the saving bulwark of fear!
And what is your soul prepared to do? The changing fates….the shifting fortunes... Look, suffer that your heart is not adverse. Not very long ago, he was hot, arrogant in temper – and now, the turn is mine. And so, one more time: Leave off your hands! or, you yourself in a grave will be put to bed.
Chorus
The excess of wisdom in your words, punish the lifeless with disgrace, king!
Teucer
What wonder, friends, when to treason the lowborn nourish inclination, when the noblest in the Arcadian host is not shamed by such words!
(To Menelaus)
Tell me, what authority established him as a subordinate to you? What authority brought him to Troy? When were you leader and Subject him to dispose?
You, instigator of war, are the established Spartan king, not ours: He was not governed by anyone, and not even you had authority over him. Did he not voluntarily sail the sea here?
Reign above the subordinates you have and castigate their world with your terrible words... I, brother to Ajax, shall commit him to the earth, as I should, - even if You have forbidden it - you or the other lord I shall not fear.
He was at war not for the sake of Your wife, but obliged oaths he had sworn. He did not honor the insignificant. You - in Sparta are king, but to us you are not lord.
Chorus
This speech does no benefit: its sharpness is harmful.
Menelaus
My, possessed by pride our archer!
Teucer
An archer who is free, - and does not work for pitiful bribes.
Menelaus
You will need your shield, archer!
Teucer
Though you and with a shield, I shall not turn my back!
Menelaus
Your tongue nurses your courage!
Teucer
Proud, and right.
Menelaus
Our hatred is mutual, you know.
Teucer
You thieved his votes.
Menelaus
Judges cast the vote, not I.
Teucer
You are able to embroider many villainies.
Menelaus
From these words ... Someone will be brought to judgment!
Teucer
No worse, I dare to think, than another...
Menelaus
I saw: somebody, brave in words, force his seamen to sail in a storm. But the storm played, and the gallant lost his tongue...his fellow mariners trampled on him there and then. Know, great storms can rise from small clouds and put out your d
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