Cassandra And now, no more shall my prophecy peer forth from behind a veil like a new-wedded bride; but it will rush upon me clear as a fresh wind blowing against the sun’s uprising so as to dash against its rays, like a wave, a woe far mightier than mine. No more by riddles will I instruct you. And bear me witness, as, running close behind, I scent the track of crimes done long ago. For from this roof never departs a choir chanting in unison, but singing no harmonious tune; for it tells not of good. And so, gorged on human blood, so as to be the more emboldened, a revel-rout of kindred Furies haunts the house, hard to be drive away. Lodged within its halls they chant their chant, the primal sin; and, each in turn, they spurn with loathing a brother’s bed, for they bitterly spurn the one who defiled it. Have I missed the mark, or, like a true archer, do I strike my quarry? Or am I prophet of lies, a door-to-door babbler? Bear witness upon your oath that I know the deeds of sin, ancient in story, of this house.
Chorus How could an oath, a pledge although given in honor, effect any cure? Yet I marvel at you that, though bred beyond the sea, you speak truth of a foreign city, even as if you had been present there.
Cassandra The seer Apollo appointed me to this office.
Chorus Can it be that he, a god, was smitten with desire?
Cassandra Before now I was ashamed to speak of this.
Chorus In prosperity all take on airs.
Cassandra Oh, but he struggled to win me, breathing ardent love for me.
Chorus Did you in due course come to the rite of marriage?
Cassandra I consented to Loxias but broke my word.
Chorus Were you already possessed by the art inspired of the god?
Cassandra Already I prophesied to my countrymen all their disasters.
Chorus How came it then that you were unharmed by Loxias’ wrath?
Cassandra Ever since that fault I could persuade no one of anything.
Chorus And yet to us at least the prophecies you utter seem true enough.
Cassandra Ah, ah! Oh, oh, the agony! Once more the dreadful throes of true prophecy whirl and distract me with their ill-boding onset. Do you see them there—sitting before the house—young creatures like phantoms of dreams? Children, they seem, slaughtered by their own kindred, their hands full of the meat of their own flesh; they are clear to my sight, holding their vitals and their inward parts (piteous burden!), which their father tasted. For this cause I tell you that a strengthless lion, wallowing in his bed, plots vengeance, a watchman waiting (ah me!) for my master’s coming home—yes, my master, for I must bear the yoke of slavery. The commander of the fleet and the overthrower of Ilium little knows what deeds shall be brought to evil accomplishment by the hateful hound, whose tongue licked his hand, who stretched forth her ears in gladness, like treacherous Ate. Such boldness has she, a woman to slay a man. What odious monster shall I fitly call her? An Amphisbaena? Or a Scylla, tenanting the rocks, a pest to mariners, a raging, devil’s mother, breathing relentless war against her husband? And how the all-daring woman raised a shout of triumph, as when the battle turns, the while she feigned to joy at his safe return! And yet, it is all one, whether or not I am believed. What does it matter? What is to come, will come. And soon you, yourself present here, shall with great pity pronounce me all too true a prophetess.
Chorus Thyestes’ banquet on his children’s flesh I understood, and I tremble. Terror possesses me as I hear the truth, nothing fashioned out of falsehood to resemble truth. But as for the rest I heard I am thrown off the track.
Cassandra I say you shall look upon Agamemnon dead.
Chorus To words propitious, miserable girl, lull your speech.
Cassandra Over what I tell no healing god presides.
Chorus No, if it is to be; but may it not be so!
Cassandra You do but pray; their business is to slay.
Chorus What man is he that contrived this wickedness?
Cassandra Surely you must have missed the meaning of my prophecies.
Chorus I do not understand the scheme of him who is to do the deed.
Cassandra And yet all too well I understand the Greek language.
Chorus So too do the Pythian oracles; yet they are hard to understand.
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