3. Prologue B, Athena and Ajax
Dialogue between Ajax and Athena.
Opera in English, in two acts. Based on the original tragedy by Sophocles, and following the structural scenic form of the ancient Greek Drama.
Story behind the song
Athena does not simply tell Odysseus about the involvement of Ajax in the slaughter She summons Ajax himself out of his tent, who, inflated with self importance, proclaims his triumph over Odysseus and the Atreidae, unaware, by the spell cast by Athena, that he has mistakenly attacked innocents, and that Odysseus and his sailors, are at hand, watching over, and hearing every word.
Lyrics
3. Prologue B
(Athena calls Ajax)
Hey! Tormenter of fettered captives! Here! You I call for, Ajax! Leave your tent!
Odysseus
Why, Athena? Do not call him!
Athena
Stay quiet, and wait a013 do not be a coward.
Odysseus
I ask, to let him not come out of his tenta026.
Athena
What do you fear? He is just a man! Is it not sweet to laugh at an enemy?
Odysseus
I am fully satisfied to do so in a tent.
Athena
You are fearful of his fury?
Odysseus
If he were in sound mind, I would not be fearful.
Athena
Do not fear him, he will not even see you. He has sight, but does not see what is before his eyes.
Odysseus
The power of the gods a013 everything is possible for them.
Athena
Ajax! Ajax! To you I call again,- With such slight regard you honour an ally?
(Ajax appears.)
Ajax
Greetings to you, Athena, daughter of Zeus! Your arrival is most welcome: I present to you the purest gold -- the honour of victory.
Athena
It will be soa026..but say, you have steeped your sword in the blood of the argonauts?
Ajax
Better to not deny the truth, rather than boast!
Athena
You have, as well, raised your arms against the Atreidae?
Ajax
Henceforth they will never offend Ajax!
Athena
So, I am to understand, they have been killed?
Ajax
They are dead! a013 Let them now take my armour away!
Athena
So, so... And where is the son of Laertes? What unhappy fate has befallen him? Was he rescued?
Ajax
You consider him a clever fox?
Athena
Yes. Where is your rival, Odysseus?
Ajax
In a tent he sits, sovereign mistress... He is bound and tied. It is better...to not let him die right away.
Athena
And what is next? What are your intentions?
Ajax
What? a013 I have tied him to a post, in a tent...
Athena
For what unfortunate punishment do you prepare?
Ajax
He will bleed to death under a whip.
Athena
Do not torment the poor creature so cruelly...
Ajax
In all other things, Athena, according to your will...But he will die by this punishment
Athena
Well, then, fulfill your purpose - Give vent to your anger if it so pleases you.
Ajax
I go to take care of the business! And I ask you to always favour me as an ally!
(Leaves.)
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