1. |
Prologue: Thyestes
05:43
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Nicole V. Gagné - Thyestes
David Avidor - Tapes, Emax, synthesizers
THYESTES
departinge from the darkened dens which Ditis low doth keepe
heere I am sent out agayne from tartar dungeon deepe
heere on prynces heads they place the royall crowne
heere in throne aloft they lye
heere theyr courts theyr place of banquetting
nay better to haunt the lothsome lakes
where parched up with burning thirst amid the waves hee sits
and payes his paynefull punishment
the Gods feast hee defilde
how great a part belonges to mee and portion of his crime
this is the olde account I speake
when our detestable deedes were done
and wickednes had wearied us to late truce taken was
the starres are kinges and rule the roste
theyr whirling wheele doth racke us all
I gorgde my brest with my chyldren
the bowels of my babes devowred up
fortune enterprising greater guilt
mee doth deprave to file my daughters bawdy bed
my daughter driven by force of fates
doth breede younge bones and lades her wombe with sinfull seede of myne
a father and grandsyre confusedly I am
in honour of thy natyve day Aegisthus they prepare
the sollemne feast with juncketing and daynty tothsome fare
Agamemnon graund captayne amonge the kinges
returnde hee is to yeelde his throate to his traytresse wyfe
with force of bloudy blade shee shall bereve him of his lyfe
the glytering swerd the hewing ax and wounding weapons moe
with bloud for bloud new set abroche shall make the floore to flow
with sturdy stroke and boystrous blow of pithy pollaxe geven
his beaten braynes are pasht abroade his cracked skull is reven
what shame abashe thee why doubt to smite
thy mother it beseeme
what now nights lynger longe
wee wayght for Phoebus
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2. |
Act 1: Choral Ode 1
04:18
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John Giorno - Voice
Rudolph Grey - Electric Guitar
CHORAL ODE 1
hee leaves for his battail
lyke lightning from fyery heaven
lyke the Furies sent downe by wrath of God
to smite those who defy sacred use and right
but the wynde forbyds his navies to passe
his priest tells him
uppon obtayning theyr request crav'de of theyr grace devine
the Gods shall graunt to thee thy passporte into Troy
offer up unto them as sacrifyse thy daughter
after crying all day
hee accepts to pull the paynful plow
without remorse
even though his neck is gald with the print of this yoke
let our fates bringe us to the good
hee declares
the priest unbarres the gate and opes the temple wide
so the clustring thronges can flock in
and see Kynge Agamemnons daughter
on stage ordeyned for her death
his owne child quaking with feare
looking rounde on every side with her tears new gushing
the Greekes them selves to griefe are movde
but do nothing
as hee fyrmely byndes her mouth
to protect him selfe
from her cries for revenge
and then braydes backe her hayre
drawing noked her neck
to taste the fatall knyfe
receiving deadly stroke
shee yeeldes to him
a bubling flood from her goary throate
and thus the vyrgin dyed
her heade hanging on his speare as an offered gift
his savory sacrifyce to move the wynde
which did move
guiding him on his road to Troy
ten yeares have passed
and they are fyghting there yet unto this howre
thee above the rest
whose powre abydes every where
how chaunt it
fortune God Jove
wee myndful are of thee and render thankefull prayse
thy lessons wee do record
and heere shall declare them plaine
that which constraynes us makes us wyse
learning is borne of payne
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3. |
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Sussan Deyhim - Chorus 1
Vera Beren - Clytemnestra
David Avidor - Emax, guitar, mandolin, violin, cello
Nicole V. Gagné - cello, violin, mandolin, guitar
CHORUS 1
o worthy queene that beares the swinging sway
Clytemnestra borne of Ledas royall bloude
what is the newes
make playn to mee thy reason
for sacrifycing at the sacred alters
CLYTEMNESTRA
Phoebus prelat is this day
this child from deepe of Lady Night
I bryng greatter joy
than hopst thou for to heare
our men have tooke Pryams princelye towres
CHORUS 1
what dost thou say
CLYTEMNESTRA
The Greekes have conquered Troy
understande
CHORUS 1
a flood of joy streames from my vapourde eyes
CLYTEMNESTRA
our love is disclosd to all
through these sighs and teares
CHORUS 1
but why cause it be descryde
that they are returning home at last
CLYTEMNESTRA
a God did tel mee of this victory
CHORUS 1
did thou thy selfe
hear this in thy silent bed
see this in the darckenesse
CLYTEMNESTRA
no drowsie dreaming doting soule am I
CHORUS 1
subdue thy fond affections
doth desprat dotage guyde and rule thy mind
CLYTEMNESTRA
my mynde to fancy fond dath not gad and runne astray
CHORUS 1
when did this victory come to him so longe in warre
CLYTEMNESTRA
on this night
mother of the day I haled
Troy fell
CHORUS 1
no man coulde run so fast
over Asia land to tell thee this
CLYTEMNESTRA
I did learne of it from fyer
first from the flashing flames
yet blasing bryght through Troy
then from the high hylles uppon another shore
where a lawrell tree with spredding braunch doth shyne eflamd
recording theyr calamityes
this glow kindled by my trusty wight
is more blasd abroade and further it is blowen
flaming fast to divers shores
where at every place a wayteth a man
who makste his owne fiery fervent heate
with al the speede hee can
winding a chayne of backe reflicting flames
which doth convay to mee
my husbands retourne from Troy
CHORUS 1
I will pray to the Gods with a glad hart
but first tel mee agayne
yet hath hee fyxt and set his foote back stepping home
CLYTEMNESTRA
Troy is orewhelm'd
the Greekes stil embrewd with gory bloud from the slaughter great
are now after Troyan boties and at randon runne
feedyng on the countrey
but they have yet to come home againe at last
Troys people have cursed them
they must not also retayne the spoyles
from its divine aulters
let them forbeare to defyle
els they wil have t'asswage the wrath of Gods and them appease
wherby the Grekish navy might have passage free by seas
let us bee free at last
from these broyles and agonies
CHORUS 1
the tydings of a message good unto mine eares is blowne
now I will celebrate and prayse God so deare
though dealing longe delay God is gracious
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4. |
Act 2: Choral Ode 2
02:51
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Fred Frith - voice, keyboards
CHORAL ODE 2
the staggring states of kynges readdy bee to reele
no day doth shine that they might say
to morrow shall wee rule as wee have done to day
what castell strongly buylt is not by fortune brought loe
downe paysed with theyr owne waight the massy things do sinke
the ramperd walles of Troy made weake by wicked warre
are cleane overthrown and broke
that skyrmishe ceases
winding both peoples in the bonds of griefe
theyr teares fall in the dust
that was the bodies of theyr sonnes
and in theyr heartes they hale out to hell
the royall courte the sonnes of Tantalus and theyr broyles
lyghtning first lyghteth on the mounts that are most hy
whose necke is larded best his throate shall first be cut
those Erinnys ever more in proud and hauty houses sit
the thinges of midle sort and of a meane degree
endure above the rest and longest dayes do see
the man of meane estate most happy is of all
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5. |
Chorus 2 and Herald
10:54
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Pauline Oliveros -Chorus 2 - voice, accordion
Phil Minton - Herald - voice
Roger Turner - percussion
CHORUS 2
I see a lyght
is it rashnes rude and blynde to declare
that the slaughters so unpure had no powre to foyle him
that hee such scourings hath escapt
and returnes tryumphant victor of long assaulted Troy
a man comes who can say
if wee might all be glad agayne
till hee speakes I pray for the good
they who do not can reap theyr harts owne calamity
HERALD
thys my natyve soyle and the Gods
in humble sort wyth reverence devoutly worship I
now paye your vowes unto the Gods
returned is agayne Prynce Agamemnon victor hee
for his people the light of heaven
for Troy the lepping lightning fyre
that teasty Jove did use to hurle provokt to swelling yre
with the lothsome actes of Priam and his stocke
that lightning downe did wryng them hard and wrapt them in its flame
with the puissant force thereof
wee did burne away and broyle
the temples and the alters of the saincts that rule theyr skyes
Priam by handy stroake did take his fatall wound
after his sonnes gashed carkas was traynd about the field
and now the Troyans doe groveling bend
theyr weary neckes in heavy yokes that wil not slacke
funerall flames and obit rightes for coyne agayne was yeld
more then a dosen tymes over
CHORUS 2
hale take leasure good and stay
HERALD
I could dye happy
taking up my tombe heere
the coast where Pelops once did raygne
CHORUS 2
did affection for thy people
way so heavy on thee
HERALD
I am as it were a conquerd man escaping home
so greevous did I longe to return to thee
CHORUS 2
wee were in bondage eake of sighes and teares
longing for ten yeres with pensive hart and sorrow for thee
HERALD
wee did grone alyke with this so monstrous ill
CHORUS 2
but wee were silent for feare as darke as hell
HERALD
suffering comes to al but the Gods
wee poor wretches who toyled agaynst that forte
wee layde for yeares uppon the naked shore of Troy
cold and shivering in the hory froth
till the day came when wee fell to part the spoyle
embathed al in Troyan bloude
may these outragious plagues
appease at length the wrath that downe from God is sent
but why should wee disposed be to mourn
the slayne layde in Troyan ground
they howle not at the ill that worketh theyr decay
wee are the quicke wee hop for joye
wee are home heavy with the goods by bloudshed woon
and with the great renoume
of beyng in his company of such a mighty fleete
all these beside the Troyans subdued wee have
all these wee blesse with burning sacrifice on this lucky day
such are the tydinges I beare thee
CHORUS 2
now by this newes a thousand ships at once released
I was wronge to doubt her
thy counsayle I shall keepe and not complayne my case
go declare to her to Clytemnestra
this glad message which pacifys our mynde
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6. |
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Vera Beren - Clytemnestra - voice
David Avidor - Emax, clarinet
Nicole V. Gagné - recorder
Phil Minton - Herald - voice
Pauline Oliveros - Chorus 2 - voice, accordion
Roger Turner - percussion
CLYTEMNESTRA
most joyfull was I when I out scand
within the mantel blacke of night
the flames that declared to mee
the heavy wofull plight of Troy
some did say
art thou glad at this
it is a very folishnes of womankind
but to us it is an augur juste and keepes his promise due
my spouse returned is
let sacryfices light the homes all rounde
with garlands greene let every head rejoysing now be crounde
God did spare him all the peril of the broyle
but my husband wil tel it mee
when before the same I doe present stand
why blabbe this long adventure
goe fetch him out of hande
tel him how his lady spouse
lyke a savage wolfe mayntayned hath
the defence of this princely court
agaynst trayterous mallice
tel him how wel shee hath kept
her wedlocke vow that shee to him her husband sware
in lewd and wanton chamber trickes shee spent no idle day
shee did know no abusing lust
nor any mischiefe did shee conspyre
no more than shee coulde beate and worke yron
HERALD
it doth mee good to gase uppon his noble wyfe
who voyces her mynde so true
CHORUS 2
what shee meanes is playn to all who wil heare her
but what of our kinges brother
doth hee yet sayle on the seas or is hee come a land
HERALD
God graunt and geve us better newes then this that thou dost crave
CHORUS 2
speake out and utter it
the hart with doubted domage greater griefe doth know
HERALD
Menela and his shippe were lost from vew
CHORUS 2
what stormes of seas dispersed our captaynes
tel mee the Gods rage that hath our navy spent
HERALD
thou biddest mee to make report of heavy woful geare
of our shippes destroid by the spyteful wil of the Furies
those hatefull hagges
with theyr toyle they helpe the wynd and weather
the force of fyre and rage of fighting seas
repayring fast from Troy
unto our shippes agayne wee came aboord
ech little hindraunce seemed to much to us in hasty plight
wee did tough our oers to guyde the way
which following on a thousand shippes did ryve
the evening first did burnish bright and paynt with starres the sky
but amounting up a litle misty clowde
came belching out in yrksome lompe and Phoebus galland beames
hee spewd uppon bestayning them
till even the lowring light of Mone was hid and blynd
more nights in one compacted
and then feareful stormes adowne did fall
one uppon another in stronger blasts
with lightning flames and floods tumulting so hye
a man would sure have thought the world did from his center slyde
the shippes agaynst eche other knockt
wherby the other hee did breake and broken was himselfe
one side with other side was crackt helme was rent with helme
and shippe from shippe was taken cleane out of each others sight
although God wot but yll for the others
our barke with hand Hee caught
and fortune did trace us a furrow through the floods
till the roring seas stayde theyr rage
when Phoebus golden beames began a freshe to render lyght
the dolefull day discried all the domage done by nyght
the waters brim bespred about with
the timber and the broken plankes of our scattred fleete
and the torne lims of our men
wee know not the fates of the other vessels
in the waters wyde turmoyld and straying farre
may all come to the good
if God wils to preserveth Menelas seede
then hee lives yet and shall come back agayne to us
from where ever his sayles did reculing flye
your wil was the truth to have
ful wel be sure that now yee have it all
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7. |
Act 3: Choral Ode 3
01:06
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"Blue" Gene Tyranny - voice, electronics
CHORAL ODE 3
couching backward downe agayne to her common course
the same shee did arest
to file his hostes spousall bed and to abuse his wyfe
hee did take his flight rapt up with her
but the brydale songe
for his darling deare
was a funerall dirge
for his people for Troy crusshed by force of armes
in remembraunce of revenge the captayne generall
drove after them and theyr offence
a fyry shafte that had to smite home
a lyon babe from its mothers bosome wrast
a man reared it in his home in his clasped armes
that boystous wight
which never yet acquayntaunce had with its owne
was borne a noble impe of dame nature
some jolly worthy lusty bloude thou fosters evermore
and so its rawfed jawes imbrewde were with the mans bloud at last
Troy the fertill tree that apples beares of golde
theyr prynce his honour budding forth with flowre
by fortune were hewed downe and sent to deadly doome
golde is the poysning teate whereof monsters grow
when tewde on by greedy mounching cramming jades
by the brethren twins
him who advaunces him selfe to shadowe the sunne
even the Gods were a number odde before hee was borne
and him with the heavy hande the fyst the clubbed brusing battring batte
the noble gentlemen in honor shyning cleare
with mettall of yellow hew well loden pack away
to trace theyr homeward wayne downe
in darcknesse deepe to lye with the hounds of hell
the good is a lyght whose beams are bright
even for them in poverty shrinking close for colde
in a dungeon comfortlesse without the lyght of skye
the good is a chariot swyfte
that will not trot with slower pace or alter course
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8. |
Chorus 3
01:52
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David Avidor - voice, tape
CHORUS 3
returning home agayne crounde
a signe of worthy victory
is Agamemnon now
thou that bestryds thy fathers steedes as hee before hath done
how thy honour to expresse
what solemn games to celebrate
a man can make vowd oblations to the gods
yet hee destroyes and batters
a man can gan his self advance
counterfayting a mourning face with teares
singe sugred ditties eke
for the lusty pompe of royall courte
the shepherd who knoweth not
the peoples heart
is in a piteous plight
my hearts hate did hang over thy head
for the cause that wild thee heather wend
an army with headlong scouring course amayne to Troy
and so longe a tyme
our sonnes hewed downe for Helen
but now most lovingly with heart and hand
with these gyftes
I gratefie and welcome home my frend
my sire who skalde and shooke the tattred Troyan walles
take heede of what you shall heare
it shall teach thee
who can stande upryght
and who yet is savage
who yet is untamed and unbridled
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9. |
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Julius Eastman - Agamemnon
Charles K. Noyes - percussion
Vera Beren - Clytemnestra
David Avidor - Emax, trumpet, French horn, trombone, sousaphone
Nicole V. Gagné - sousaphone, trombone, French horn, trumpet
AGAMEMNON
my deare loved lande and God
I gratefie
Gods courte ruled for our cause
bringing mee good successe in the revenge I exacted
ten yeares winding the lightnings flame about them
God tooke no thought of how they prayed in theyr misery
but forst ilfavourde Troy to reele and stagger
and a nimble beast sent it sprawling to the grounde
there is a pryce for those that wage
blacke cloudes over a dying people and theyr deade land
and for us the booty woon by warre
but this I know full well
a mans prosperity will cause
rusty rancours in peoples heartes
no men were with mee in this worke none
I had but one frend who did not fade
does hee yet live or is hee deade
I know not
this day will I undertake with all diligence
to hew out and burn away
whatever heere is cancred or misshapen
but now let us to th'alters worship gyve
the Gods tooke mee out to conquer Troy
and did bring mee backe to my native soyle
CLYTEMNESTRA
the remnaunt left of shamefastnes in mee
tyme hath worne away
in this publyque place I wil declare to all
how love as captive holdeth mee to my husband
hee and I this warre did plunge alike in payne
all the whyle hee was at Troy
I was layde in torments
a frantique raging wight
from every message I did heare every cryme
which the enemy could commit with desprat hand
agayne and agayne I was told
how lyfe thy lymmes hath left
even dreaming
I saw death gnawing thy guttes and gall away
I saw thy brest rent with hellish holes
there is no plague lyke unto this griefe
to cure the same I turned to fire and swoard
they did the place of salve supply
driven to utter pinch and furthest shift of all
in threatning fits I did try many tymes
to geve up the ghost
but prevented was by the earnest suite of others
doe not seeke about for thy sonne hee is gon
the people have skittish waiward wits
they are fierce in wrath
agaynst a fighter who is staggeryng
this longe warre did threat in thy affayres
therfore Orest his fatherlyke in face
was forst to flye the land
but our boy is some place safe
from thee I have no secrets
ten yeares have I bene desolate and led a widowes life
with howling crying wringing hands with sobs with sighes and teares
that weeping when it should it cannot now come out of mee
so shall I entertayne a new my husband as his wyfe
I hale this up ryght man
whose majesty doth thundring scepters shake
painted out in pompe of prayse his fame the sky doth beate
enduring many sturdy stormes with mighty toyle and payne
to day hee styll enjoys his health enhauncte in glory great
hee is the king of kinges
the sandy shore to men in theyr beaten barge
the vytall delyght of beyng freed from fatall destiny
I say what is deservde by him
though I offend some
the fault they wil it pardon graunt
in remembraunce of how I in woe hath lived longe
step downe to us victor over Troy
but doe not set thy foote
on the dampishe myry mud of our land
gyrls unfold
my maydes spread our sacred traynes
the fittest shift for thee
the best path to thy home
to the tryumph thou so longe wished to attayne
that it did become a dream past hoping for
fortune hath favored his successe and bryngs him to this day
the Gods our native destnies deale for ever
sharpe execution of theyr law I stubbernly crave
AGAMEMNON
my wyfes welcome is like the warre
it tooke to longe a tyme
honour mee as a man not as a God
I am no prynce of Asia to bee worshipped
these gorgious gyftes layde on the grounde
I cannot stryd on them without feare
CLYTEMNESTRA
it be but a tryfle small
AGAMEMNON
I will not yeelde on this
CLYTEMNESTRA
a great man what neede hee feare
a doubtful lot or how his lucke befall
AGAMEMNON
that is so
CLYTEMNESTRA
would Pryam trudge on these sheetes
AGAMEMNON
that barbarous prynce hee might do it
CLYTEMNESTRA
why faynt with feble feare
at the prating of others
AGAMEMNON
there is strength in what the people say
CLYTEMNESTRA
the grudging mynd shews the wayt
with which thy majesty is consydered
AGAMEMNON
why contend with mee
CLYTEMNESTRA
the victor if hee gently doth release his captives care
why may not I his lady spouse have hope as wel to fare
AGAMEMNON
this victory is it so deare to thee
CLYTEMNESTRA
o yeld to mee
doe it of thyne owne free wil
AGAMEMNON
let us graunt what is so wisht for
and may no mischiefe come of it
from that huge spoyle wee plucked up this flowre of Troy
heere shee submits her selfe to beare the yoake
sirs take her downe and bee good to her
the Gods savegarde is gyven victors who are milde
now bending our will for thee
wee shall goe into the royall courte our home
CLYTEMNESTRA
by fomy floods by the seas wee dwel
and they beat from banke to banke with surges hye
how ever much wee take from them
wee have tossed in theyr silver streames
all wee owne
and this noble courte never is without
all is boyled and brewed and dyed therin
I would have under troden these sacred traynes
had I an oracle to mee sware
that it would bryng thee backe agayne
from the seede to the tree with shading braunch
when what wee longe for comes how ever late
it is good
hee is retourned to us lyke the lyght of day
and goest about lyke God that doth direct the fates above the starry skye
and God all ways doth mee leade that way I meane to take
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10. |
Act 4: Choral Ode 4
01:09
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David Shea - voice, bullhorns
CHORAL ODE 4
affright rusht in
in swallowes shape
in to an olde mans thratling throate
bloude on the floore
comes backe no more
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11. |
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Vera Beren - Clytemnestra - voice
David Avidor - Emax, percussion
Nicole V. Gagné - percussion
Robert Ashley - Chorus 4 - voice
CLYTEMNESTRA
Cassandra go to
prepare thy selfe with my maydes
kindlest thou the sparkes at the altars
destiny deales gently with thee
more modest should thou be
captives geven out among the vulgar sorte
a stepdame have whose wrath wil worke theyr woe
divelish are
the wicked and ungracious stocke that winnest spoyles
above theyr hopes
wee who beare the swaye heere
longe have ruld with majesty
from the Gods wee do fetch our noble ligne
and so are by fath conjoyned fast
that thou shalt receyve thy due
CHORUS 4
chylde
fast clogde in snares
in the sacred ropes of fortune
CLYTEMNESTRA
I speake out to her
but shee stands not weting what to do
is shee so savage that shee dost faynt to talke
why dost thou loyter so
do as I say
CHORUS 4
come downe
CLYTEMNESTRA
deale I cannot with delay nor linger any more
an heyferd lilly whight a wayteth at myne aulter
the pype in sacryfice melodiously doth sounde
celebrating a delyght greatter than any wee did hope for
gyrl come apart with mee now
hale her on that shee may followe that way my spouse is gon
CHORUS 4
goe with the lady doe as shee urges
CLYTEMNESTRA
shee is wounded in her wits
snatcht from the losed rout of Troy
stil with her mynd beseging round
hereafter shall I tame her
shee must be kept with bridle at my will
wherby the more shee strives with corage cranke
the more shee teares and rents her ungracious saucy face
thy selfe dost thou haylefellowe with us esteeme
a manly stomacke stout thou hast with swelling hawty hart
subdued with sorrow learne thou shall to play a womans part
CHORUS 4
pity pearst our heart
to see her in holy day attyre face as pale as ashes
come let us ease her
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12. |
Cassandra and Chorus 4
21:44
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Shelley Hirsch - Cassandra - voice
Robert Ashley - Chorus 4 - voice
CASSANDRA
Apollo
CHORUS 4
come downe from there
CASSANDRA
Apollo Apollo hast pulde mee down
CHORUS 4
wretched soul all thy sorrowes deepe
are unknowne to Phoebus face
bewayle this lot not to him
CASSANDRA
feare this house this family
CHORUS 4
shee smels the bloud the pathe of mischiefe
CASSANDRA
the father feasted on his mangled chyldren
the man with trembling hand with axe
CHORUS 4
wee know her last renoume prophet
CASSANDRA
this despret dame her naked weapons
whose crowne shee cracke
CHORUS 4
blab it not heere
wee feede our broode in a tottring nest
mumbling words in gabling mouth
shee shroudes our brayne in a dusty cloude
CASSANDRA
within a revell rexe is kept as sore as ever was
I see the same and am thereat
weare rather thys aray
the conqueror with purple hangings all adornde
this hostile weede thy loving lady wrought
the lyon entangled in the net strugling in vayne
the bullockes necke at sacrifice
shee the priest heaves her hand the pollaxe
CHORUS 4
her privy whispering
tyckling in our ear secret thoughts that brooke much sorrow
CASSANDRA
hee hath the stroke
dispatcht it is not quite chopt of the head
it hangeth by a litle crop
myne owne distresse to moorne
my throate to bath the blade
CHORUS 4
the spryte of God shee serves in furious rage
thou myghtest well lament this sore decay this griefe accurst
lyke recording Itys
CASSANDRA
father follow thee I woulde
unto my countrey men of Troy in lowest hell
I do delight to sayle with them
it doth mee good
CHORUS 4
shee utters out what a chylde can know
CASSANDRA
I see the wery man his burning thyrst forgot
hee mourneth for the funerall that shall ensue
CHORUS 4
in our teares there is no measure to refrayne
those misereyes all measure passe
CASSANDRA
the sqally sisters
evermore deale theyr bloudy strokes theyr old privy grudges
theyr siege shall never stop
CHORUS 4
a shamefull brutishe fact franckly calde
vyrgin bewayling piteously
till the God layde handes upon her
CASSANDRA
I did sacrifice my virginity to Apollo
but chyldren I did refuse
now I play the prophet colde
these tidings I tell mad mumbling to thee
to thee berapt of sence
my prophesying spright burning myne eyes
Thyestes day
the foode hee tasted the gubs of bloude gnawed guts
beware I say of kynges
that country clowne Aegisthus hee this stocke shall overthrowe
Agamemnon graunde captayne
not knowing the dreadful destinies
entrapped by traytrous trayne
her goary handes her currish fange
cruell conqueresse whore
they both accorde unto the kynde whereof they doe proceede
Helens syster right shee is and hee Thyestes sonne
CHORUS 4
Thyestes wee know
flesh and bloude for food the fathers maw to fill
but after that
the lyght slyps away
CASSANDRA
you shall see the gasshed corpes of Agamemnon
CHORUS 4
shut up
peace chylde no
God could never brynge to passe the ruin of our natyve countrey
CASSANDRA
no praying to the heavenly ghostes
these subtle foes doe not pray they slaughter
CHORUS 4
they chiefly ought to worship God whose hearts with griefe be dull
CASSANDRA
burning inspyred with spryte
the lyonesse will stryke mee dead
off with these sacred robes
why ghost inspyre
none of thyne I am releasse me
Apollo your spyte is worne unto the stumpes
what countrey have I left
where is my syre all my sisters
the sacred tombes and altar stones
our bloud they swincke and swill
Orestes shall come revenge and restore
the fits of fury on them shall light
fredome draweth ny
death gives a courage unto mee
CHORUS 4
sad and solemn as a bull that deadly wounde doth take
CASSANDRA
the deadly wounde I pray shee stryke and leavell right
my feare by this affliction is cleane abated all
CHORUS 4
who dare to death himself betake
is a prynces peare and lyke the Gods
CASSANDRA
this stinking slaughter house spouting bloude
CHORUS 4
poore chylde that huge and fatall gyft
heavenly hands erected have and framde
CASSANDRA
on with mee into the pallace I yeelde my throate
mourning my death and Agamemnons
avengement worthy I crave prickes of fury fresh
CHORUS 4
lamenting these calamyties wee have not time and space
CASSANDRA
doubtfull standeth still the day
even myseries are nothing
CHORUS 4
to mortall man fortune gives but brytle fading joy
hee who late a conqueror tryumphed over Troy
now by destenie stoutly overcome and pulled downe
bloud for bloud and death by turnes the after age shall see
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13. |
Death of Agamemnon
02:20
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Recorded and created by David Avidor and Nicole V. Gagné
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14. |
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Ned Sublette - Chorus 5 - voice, radio
Vera Beren - Clytemnestra - voice
David Avidor - Emax, synthesizers, tape
Nicole V. Gagné - voice, found objects
CHORUS 5
and they that of his victory and comming home were glad
to sodayne mourning chaunge their myrth with heavinesse bestad
CLYTEMNESTRA
I am not ashamed herewithal
at speaking words that were not true
in working mischiefe men do take the rediest way they fynde
longe I did my husbandes death conspyre
and to day by sleight and subtil guyle
entangled hath I this man refusing cleane to be confound
my gashing sword stucke him
thrust through his ribbes
it did sucke the sappy marrow out immixed with his bloud
and this juice it conveyed every where
like the sacred raygne
launching from his gory syde
stayning every thing
in a darke wave that I stil taste of
his death is not sawst with soppes of sorrow
I doe rejoyce
in his lyfetyme hee did temper poyson strong
which to day hee did feede on him selfe
CHORUS 5
this heavy sight
this noble hearte deprived of his life
and her with her rough and churlishe lookes
CLYTEMNESTRA
I will not waver with feare
like some weak harted woman
I stroke him downe
prayes mee or curse mee
it all is the same
one law doth rule
I did keepe it
and that is that
CHORUS 5
thou hast committed sinfully a great and grievous guilt
goe purge thy hardned hands the which thy husbande bloud have spilt
scud out of my sight
CLYTEMNESTRA
now nurtures lore neglected is all ryght doth clean decay
after what sorte dost thou
declare mee an outcast banisht woman
as yet forget I not my daughter
and that infamy whose blemish staynes his bloud
yet never did makest thou him
in such reproachfulness to wade
nothing dismayde thee at Aulis Ile
to check what hee durst do
as at a wedding alter syde th'unpitiful parent stoode
and for the sacred virgins love
hee retourned death
slaughtered my child
snapped her head of with his swerd
could not that offence suffice for exile
give mee to understande
what man is hee
that should not pay his paynes and suffer death
if thou can so enstruct mee
my kingdome therfore I cast of
now wil I rove at large
if not I shall teach thee
how to a queene thy taunting to forbeare
CHORUS 5
her spotted weede with sprinkles
signe of slaughter
beare recorde of her deede
as yet they bee not dry
CLYTEMNESTRA
some man els I have
him that of my perills all dost suffer part with mee
and in my realme wil also rule with egall dignity
Aegisthus who lights the blase in my private simple bower
my husband eflamd with Troyan prophets love
retourned a prysoners spouse and Pryams sonne in law
but that trull of prynces bed did meete her death
like as the swan with a songe inspyred by Phoebus grace divine
see his breathless corse tossed uppon hers
encreasyng leaudnes still
his boyling brest doth smoke
with wound but newly stroke
and freshly still hee fedes his lust least
his chamber chast should want a stewes
CHORUS 5
my death when I shall take I shall bee pleased well to dye
hee that of thousand captaynes was graunde captayne generall
come to as great calamity as Troy it selfe did fall
CLYTEMNESTRA
Troy is become
a wyde gaping hole
with dreadfull sounds and stinking smels
yet Helen is wed to Menela agayne
now after death why dost thou seeke
with these paynes wee ryght our selves
CHORUS 5
o bussard blynde you doe delight in your brutish guise
the Furies hale them on
in this house of the Tantalus bloude
CLYTEMNESTRA
Tantalus hee hath made this stock a bloudy raunsome pay
the author of this wicked pedagrew
hee burns now with thyrst of hell
yet the graundsires payneful pangues
can not the childrens wrath asswage
with a lewde unlucky hand
hee did beginne the rusty rancours the cankred hate
which never purged is
CHORUS 5
wyddow
thy husband is bereved quight of breath his lyfe is donne
but what heere is not Gods will
CLYTEMNESTRA
all this is the sonnes of Tantalus and theyr grudge
one might not move theyr sprights
in law to theyr mynds I did not spare my husband
CHORUS 5
Agamemnons death is on thy heade
but the children doe complayne from Thyestes paunch
the fathers guilt hath caused the force of furious foes
the chariot horse with raynes clogde and overquelmed
this geare out stretched ready lies in every coast
and is spread the seas uppon
CLYTEMNESTRA
I did but returne the self same trade a new
paying il with yll
his fate deservde is by guiltles bloud of our daughter
now in hell hee seekes about for his defence
but his conscience doth pricke and bringes him
to the shame that stills his lips
CHORUS 5
fortune hales on a rayne of bloude
and with unmeasureable might
our house is topsy turvey tost our kingdomes doe decay
our ruthfull realmes to ruin ronne our stock is cast away
suffer mee take parte of sacrifice with thee
graunt mee my dome by means of death to passe unto my grave
all plunge of perills past hee is and at a quiet stay
hee is escapte and gone
who shall celebrate his funerall with dirge and solemne songe
CLYTEMNESTRA
there wil be no teares to night
no woefull waylings hard in any place about
wee shall passe him to deadly grave
but no cause of mourning have we
the people wil not mone theyr prynces death
at the blackest streame of Sticks
hee shall stand with dolor beyng prest agaynst her
our child who did take his deadly stroake
shee wil holdeth him
CHORUS 5
heere is wrath for wrath ech opprest with egall griefe
which aunswere were sufficient to please a parent just
they who sowe death
shall reap death
that is Gods fact
what person can bee free of this bloude wrath
CLYTEMNESTRA
by bloud wee win the waveryng windes
with this sacryfice wee wrap our selves out of this woe
it is the best to chuse that chaunce and follow on that way
may the lowring Gods unto us
now favourable make them selves
the furious force that makes such rigour raygne
let it thrive no more heere in
let this be the last cryme that ever in this princely court was sowen
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15. |
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Arto Lindsay - Aegisthus - voice, electric guitar, percussion
Ned Sublette - Chorus 5 - voice, radio
Vera Beren - Clytemnestra - voice
David Avidor - Emax, synthesizers, tape
Nicole V. Gagné - voice, found objects
AEGISTHUS
o daye of joy
the cruel Gods the judges
long agoe decreed this triumphant victory and conquest
Agamemnon sent to hell
proud Atreus sonne his destenie clong about him
Atreus who put in exile my father
and when Thiest returnd
he was haled out to the great preparation of suffring
my father stomacke stoute with sonnes
in greattest greefe cursed this house
now from farre out beyond this land I am returnd
to wrap this hawty king in hiddeous holde of death
CHORUS 5
the breeder of this broyle come belching out new bathde in bloude
AEGISTHUS
olde men
the subtil science of the law you doe not understand
yron boults and chaynes the counsell of payne
wil make you wyse
CHORUS 5
Aegist engroceth castels got by fornication
hee who both is to his sister sonne and brother
AEGISTHUS
thyne elvish prating stay
I am of Phoebus borne I do not shame
those wordes so cranke in misery will haunt you
CHORUS 5
what Agamemnon new is this whom shee hast got of late
with a doubtfull blade in his shivering hand
AEGISTHUS
through being clapt in prison strong
and suffring famyne faynt
truculent men are compeld to yeelde
CHORUS 5
the Furies shall move her sonne to bloude
Orestes now bee boulde
you are the onely helpe wee have
AEGISTHUS
to fyre and sword appeale
lay hands sirs on this rabblement of wretches
CHORUS 5
swerd and buckler very well this hand shall doe the deede
AEGISTHUS
on sword
this strong hearted sire feares not death
CHORUS 5
death you preach and death you shall receave
CLYTEMNESTRA
Aegist my love no
doe not move us all to desprat moode agayn
consyder these calamityes wee have reapt
and eake the cares to come
neede wee to worke more woe uppon the world to day
let us returne now to our homes
all of us
wee did but what wee had to do
weary and batred downe as wee are
under these hard destinies
please God they are stayde at last
go home every one
AEGISTHUS
those malicious men geven to scorne
picke a quarrel with theyr king
CHORUS 5
I will not take this bloudy tyrauntes hand
AEGISTHUS
yet hast thou not layde thy lips
no pardon wil there be in my jurisdiction
CHORUS 5
delight and rampe about
with the honor of the crowne whose brute abrode doth growe
whilst you can
but in thy roaring noyse make hast thy selfe to save
AEGISTHUS
thou easest feare by fickle hope
you sal pay puft up men
CHORUS 5
Orest on you shall also light revenge his fathers death
depryve with swerd th'adulterour and mother both of breath
this poore Orest such kinde of theft is piety in deede
CLYTEMNESTRA
rough and thundring threats all wynd and ayre
forget them dearest
now that wee rule throughout Micoena land
we shall keepe a meane therin and set it ryght
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