O woman most wretched and most wise, to a great length hast thou spoken. But if thou truly knowest thine own doom, how is it that thou steppest with good courage to the altar, like a heifer led by heaven?
CASSANDRA
There is no escape, strangers, nothing is to be gained by time
3
.
There is no escape, strangers, nothing is to be gained by time
3
.
CHORUS
Yet the last has the advantage in time.
Yet the last has the advantage in time.
CASSANDRA
This day has arrived; 'tis little I shall gain by flight.
This day has arrived; 'tis little I shall gain by flight.
CHORUS
Be sure, thou hast stout resolution in thy undaunted spirit.
Be sure, thou hast stout resolution in thy undaunted spirit.
CASSANDRA
Yet to die gloriously is surely a gratification to a mortal.
Yet to die gloriously is surely a gratification to a mortal.
CHORUS
No one hears these sentiments from the happy
4
.
No one hears these sentiments from the happy
4
.
CASSANDRA
Alas, my sire, for thee and for thy noble children!
[She starts back, as she approaches the door.]
Alas, my sire, for thee and for thy noble children!
CHORUS
What is the matter? what terror turns thee away?
What is the matter? what terror turns thee away?
CASSANDRA
Faugh! faugh!
Faugh! faugh!
CHORUS
Why criest thou, faugh! unless there be something which thy heart loaths?
Why criest thou, faugh! unless there be something which thy heart loaths?
CASSANDRA
The palace reeks with blood-dripping murder.
The palace reeks with blood-dripping murder.
CHORUS
How sayest thou? this is the smell of victims at the hearth.
How sayest thou? this is the smell of victims at the hearth.
CASSANDRA
'Tis plainly like a fume from the grave.
'Tis plainly like a fume from the grave.
CHORUS
No Syrian luxury art thou describing in the house.
No Syrian luxury art thou describing in the house.
CASSANDRA
But I will go to shriek over my own destiny and that of Agamemnon also within the palace. Enough of life. Alas, strangers! Yet do I not vainly quail in terror, like a bird at a bush
1
. Do ye bear this testimony to me dying, when a woman shall perish for me a woman, and a man shall fall for one that was ill-mated. These boons I claim from you as on the point of death.
But I will go to shriek over my own destiny and that of Agamemnon also within the palace. Enough of life. Alas, strangers! Yet do I not vainly quail in terror, like a bird at a bush
1
. Do ye bear this testimony to me dying, when a woman shall perish for me a woman, and a man shall fall for one that was ill-mated. These boons I claim from you as on the point of death.
CHORUS
Wretched one, I pity thec for thy predicted doom.
Wretched one, I pity thec for thy predicted doom.
CASSANDRA
Yet once more do I wish to utter a speech, or mine own dirge
2
. And (looking upon) his light for the last time, I pray the sun, upon my hated murderers, that they may at the same time pay the penalty for a slave, that dies an easy victim, to my avengers their murderers
3
. Alas for the condition of mortals! them when prosperous a shadow may overturn; but if they be in adversity, a moistened sponge blots out the picture: and for this I have far greater pity thau for that.
[CASSANDRA enters the palace.]
Yet once more do I wish to utter a speech, or mine own dirge
2
. And (looking upon) his light for the last time, I pray the sun, upon my hated murderers, that they may at the same time pay the penalty for a slave, that dies an easy victim, to my avengers their murderers
3
. Alas for the condition of mortals! them when prosperous a shadow may overturn; but if they be in adversity, a moistened sponge blots out the picture: and for this I have far greater pity thau for that.
CHORUS
Agamemnon. Aeschylus. Theodore Alois Buckley (Translator). London. 1849.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by Volunteer.