Epeisodion 5
KASSANDRA.
She seems to joy at the back-bringing safety!
Of this, too, if I nought persuade, all’s one! Why?
What is to be will come. And soon thou, present,
1240
True prophet all too much wilt pitying style me.
CHOROS.
Thuestes’ feast, indeed, on flesh of children,
I went with, and I shuddered. Fear too holds me
Listing what’s true as life, nowise out-imaged.
KASSANDRA.
I say, thou Agamemnon’s fate shalt look on.
1245
CHOROS.
Speak good words, O unhappy! Set mouth sleeping!
KASSANDRA.
But Paian stands in no stead to the speech here.
CHOROS.
Nay, if the thing be near: but never be it!
KASSANDRA.
Thou, indeed, prayest: they to kill are busy.
CHOROS.
Of what man is it ministered, this sorrow?
1250
KASSANDRA.
There again, wide thou look’st of my foretellings.
CHOROS.
For, the fulfiller’s scheme I have not gone with.
KASSANDRA.
And yet too well I know the speech Hellenic.
CHOROS.
For Puthian oracles, thy speech, and hard too.
KASSANDRA
Papai: what fire this! and it comes upon me!
1255
Ototoi, Lukeion Apollon, ah me — me!
She, the two-footed lioness that sleeps with
The wolf, in absence of the generous lion,
Kills me the unhappy one: and as a poison
Brewing, to put my price too in the anger,
1260
She vows, against her mate this weapon whetting
To pay him back the bringing me, with slaughter.
Why keep I then these things to make me laughed at,
Both wands and, round my neck, oracular fillets?
Thee, at least, ere my own fate will I ruin:
1265
Go, to perdition falling! Boons exchange we —
Some other Até in my stead make wealthy!
