Ancient Greek-English translation by Matthew Wainwright

priestess of Apollo, had the curse that she could give true prophecies which would never be believed: a natural choice for the theme of prophecy.

ENGLISH Agamemnon (1214-1241)

translated by Matthew Wainwright

Cassandra

Agh! Agh! What evils! Once again the terrible pain of accurate prophecy Spins me about, troubling me with its...introductions. Do you see them there, sitting in their homes, Youthful, like dreams in their appearance? Like children slaughtered by loved ones, Hands full of the homely food – their flesh, Clearly holding their entrails and innards, A most pitiful burden that their father savoured. For that deed, I tell you, a lion plots his revenge, Impotent, lying in his bed, A housebound coward – Oh no! – for the returning master: My master, since I must bear the yoke of slavery. The Leader of men and Troy’s Bane, He does not know what will come to evil fruition By the hateful bitch, whose tongue licked his hand, Who stretched her ears in gladness, in the manner of Skulking Ruin.

ANCIENT GREEK τοιάδε τόλμα· θῆλυς ἄρσενος φονεύς· ἔστιν—τί νιν καλοῦσα δυσφιλὲς δάκος τύχοιμ’ ἄν; ἀμφίσβαιναν, ἢ Σκύλλαν τινὰ οἰκοῦσαν ἐν πέτραισι, ναυτίλων βλάβην, 1235 † θύουσαν Ἅιδου μητέρ’ † ἄσπονδόν τ’ Ἄρη φίλοις πνέουσαν; ὡς δ’ ἐπωλολύξατο ἡ παντότολμος, ὥσπερ ἐν μάχης τροπῇ. δοκεῖ δὲ χαίρειν νοστίμῳ σωτηρίᾳ. καὶ τῶνδ’ ὅμοιον εἴ τι μὴ πείθω· τί γάρ; 1240 τὸ μέλλον ἥξει. καὶ σύ μ’ ἐν τάχει παρὼν ἄγαν γ’ ἀληθόμαντιν οἰκτίρας ἐρεῖς.

Aifric Doherty, Cassandra POV Edvard Munch