Triptych and Iphigenia (13 page)

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The lines are broken up and can be given as desired.
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YOUNG GIRLS

What all men fear.

Gold and silver brought back in the Aegean ships.

The captive women of Troy.

Cassandra, daughter of Priam, Virgin of Apollo, chosen by

Lord Agamemnon to be his concubine.

In contempt of the gods and all pious feeling.

Brought back to the House of Atreus.

You will greet your war-torn husband with every appearance of delight.

Unroll the purple carpet.

Lead him to the bathhouse.

When he steps out of the bath, eager for banquet, you will come forward …

As if to wrap a towel about him but instead …

It is a net …

Entangled in it like a fish, Agamemnon will perish at the hands of Aegisthus, son of Thysetes and corruptor of your marriage bed.

The broad blade driven in to Agamemnon's garlanded throat.

He falls on the silver-sided bath, his brain awhirl, in death convulsion, his eyes staring in disbelief at you, at you his queen.

Will add her hand to the hand of Aegisthus and drive the blade clean home into your king's breast, exacting the full price …

On the thirteenth day of Gamelian.

Not troubling to close his eyeballs and wiping the blood off your hands, you will return to the feast, unafraid of divine retribution.

CLYTEMNESTRA

Sweeter to me your words

Than heaven's raindrops

When the cornland buds.

Darkness.