Agamemnon - V:1190

Cassandra

No longer shall my prophecies like some young girl

new-married glance from under veils, but bright and strong

as winds blow into morning and the sun's uprise

shall wax along the swell like some great wave, to burst

at last upon the shining of this agony.

Now I will tell you plainly and from no cryptic speech;

bear me then witness, running at my heels upon

the scent of these old brutal things done long ago.

There is a choir that sings as one, that shall not again

leave this house ever; the song thereof breaks harsh with menace.

And drugged to double fury on the wine of men's

blood shed, there lurks forever here a drunken rout

of ingrown vengeful spirits never to be cast forth.

Hanging above the hall they chant their song of hate

and the old sin; and taking up the strain in turn

spit curses on that man who spoiled his brother's bed.

Did I go wide, or hit, like a real archer? Am I

some swindling seer who hawks his lies from door to door?

Upon your oath, bear witness that I know by heart

the legend of ancient wickedness within this house.