Agamemnon - Opening

SCENE: Argos, before the palace of King Agamemnon. The Watchman, who speaks the opening lines, is posted on the roof of the palace. Clytamestra's entrances are made from a door in the center of the stage; all others, from the wings.

(The Watchman, alone.)

I ask the gods some respite from the weariness

of this watchtime measured by years I lie awake

elbowed upon the Atreidae's roof dogwise to mark

the grand processionals of all the stars of night

burdened with winter and again with heat for men,

dynasties in their shining blazoned on the air,

these stars, upon their wane and when the rest arise.

The University of Chicago Press, Chicago 60637

The University of Chicago Press, Ltd., London

1953 by The University of Chicago

Agamemnon: Copyright 1947 by Richmond Lattimore

All rights reserved. Published 1953

Printed in the United States of America

All rights of performance, professional and amateur, are strictly reserved. Requests for permission should be addressed to the publisher.