by Karen Sunde
Photo by Jorge Lascar: Amphitheater at Kourion, Cyprus
ACHILLES
.
First we see only Briseis, the narrator, isolated in a pin spot. Up-scrim unseen is a chorus of Greek soldiers led by Patroklos, speaking like a whispered echo
.
BRISEIS
I am Briseis
only a woman
.
And so
my grasp of truth
is in shadow
my story, only a part
You will forgive me?
.
In all of my life before
I knew
its purpose was living
but one day I grew
to know
the purpose of life
is war
.
SOLDIERS (Whispered)
...is war
the purpose of life
is war
.
(Very gradually, the soldiers become visible in dim silhouette)
.
BRISEIS: When the war started
.
SOLDIERS: or why
.
BRISEIS: no one knows
.
SOLDIERS: No one knows.
.
BRISEIS: They say it was a woman...
.
SOLDIERS: Helen!
.
BRISEIS
...running from her husband
with the second son of Priam
the king
.
So she
though a queen before
in the end will be
like me
.
no more
than a prize of war
.
SOLDIERS: (Strong) A prize of war.
.
BRISEIS
My life before
was a garden-
fine parents ruling the valley
three brothers standing
like tassled grain
so tall-
.
but all
were cut down
cut clean
one dark summer's eve
when I
became the prize
of Achilles
.
(Space opens with night behind scrim; Chorus may create crickets, owl, stillness. As Briseis' story goes on, goat bleats, neighing horse, isolated sounds of a raid punctuate her description.)
.
BRISEIS
A goat bleat
in midnight air
came first
Then came the clash of bronze
.
BRISEIS and SOLDIERS: (Whisper) What moves on the mountain?
.
(Briseis, or shadows on scrim, may mime waking her husband, and etc- )
.
BRISEIS
I touched
my soft-breathing husband
gathered a fleece
round my shoulders
stepped to the door
.
Torch light
flickered
on white walls below
Voices rose
startled
from sleep
.
I saw my brother
slight in his tunic
struggling with another
all armed
.
SOLDIERS: Another all armed
.
BRISEIS
Then a grunt and a fall-
a sword blade came free
laying open the deep belly
of my brother
there on white stones
.
SOLDIERS
As the others came running
too late for all three
.
BRISEIS
My throat
opened to scream
but a hand sealed my mouth-
my sweet husband breathing
"Be still. Stay still"
and seizing his sword from the wall
.
(Chorus creates sounds of raid - donkey brays, swords clashing, muffled yells)
.
SOLDIERS
Donkeys brayed
Armor came clanking
.
BRISEIS
"No," I cried, "Stay!"
but too late
Already a torch blazed
cross his face
Gleaming silver filled our door
I staggered
my eyes frozen open
.
A sword's point
caught my sweet's chin
uprooting his teeth
splitting his tongue
twisting up into his brain
.
Blood rushed down that sword
I saw it and then saw no more
But I heard as I fell
a soft voice
.
PATROKLOS
"Don't weep, pretty child
I'll see you married now
to a prince, a young god?
.
SOLDIERS and PATROKLOS
?the finest
in all the world wide"
.
BRISEIS
That voice was Patroklos
the kindest of men
.
SOLDIERS: And the silver death-bringing god...
.
BRISEIS:?was Achilles
.
(Immediate shout from the soldiers, with drum beat)
.
SOLDIERS: Achilles. Call Achilles!
.
PATROKLOS
Achilles the champion
Our fastest, our best
Achilles!
.
(Soldiers sway with drum beat, becoming fully lit upstage of scrim, Agamemnon at their head)
.
SOLDIERS
Nine long years of seige
but Troy's wall
still stands
(Shout)
Agamemnon!
.
Nine long years of seige
but Troy's wall
still stands
Agamemnon!
.
PATROKLOS
Men and ships came
All the kingdoms of Greece
for Agamemnon
.
SOLDIERS
Nine long years of seige
but Troy's wall
still stands
Agamemnon!
.
PATROKLOS
We came for the woman
came for revenge
with Agamemnon!
.
SOLDIERS
Agamemnon
King of Mycenae
golden kingdom of Greece
.
PATROKLOS
We came with Agamemnon
came for his brother's wife
for Helen of Sparta
.
SOLDIERS: Now Helen of Troy!
.
BRISEIS:
The armies were bored
they had nothing to show
.
SOLDIERS: No reward!
.
BRISEIS: So they ravished our mountain
.
SOLDIERS
We ravished the mountain
for prizes
nights of pleasure
a dancing feast
.
BRISEIS
Now I am the prize of Achilles
but Patroklos
dear friend
promised true
.
Achilles took me
not rudely
without anger
through my tears
.
SOLDIERS
Nights of pleasure
spoil and prizes
a dancing feast
.
BRISEIS
Still, the best prize
is Agamemnon's
>
.
SOLDIERS
The blushing daughter
of a powerful priest!
.
(Sudden bright image, upscrim, of Chryseis, the priest's daughter)
.
(Chorus: noisy partying gradually overwhelmed, stilled by single ominous tone as dawn rises)
.
PATROKLOS
But at dawn
when the rose-flame ball
lifts through the mist
its trail burning purple
straight across waves
straight up the sand
.
SOLDIERS
But at dawn
something new
breaks on land
.
(Chryseis' image is disappearing)
.
BRISEIS:
A whisper
a fearful word
comes wafting
from tent into tent
.
(Soldiers begins whispers that will swell)
.
PATROKLOS
A whisper
wakens the living
to quiver
to hide
to draw tent-flaps tight
.
BRISEIS: But too late
.
SOLDIERS: (Barely audible) The plague...the plague
.
BRISEIS and PATROKLOS
The whisper
the fearful word
still hurries on
licentiously curling
like mist before dawn
.
SOLDIERS: The plague. It's the plague!
.
(The scrim lifts; the Soldiers, plague-stricken, swarm - a living fresco of victims. Briseis, surrounded, moves upstage, hidden behind Soldiers who writhe-)
.
SOLDIERS (Individuals and Chorus)
Some god has sent us this
Infection!
Stay away!
What can we do?
Stay away!
No, save us! Save us!
Stay away!
.
(Achilles entering; Soldiers swarm to the side, giving Achilles a grand entrance)
.
SOLDIERS
Achilles! Call Achilles!
Achilles the champion
the fastest, the best
Call "Achilles"
and all Trojans
even Hector the mighty
hide behind walls
Achilles!
.
(Achilles is within reach; some gasping victims try to reach him, while others hold them back. Soldiers plead-)
.
Help us, save us, heal us please!
.
(Achilles stops, aware of their reaching for him: instant silence)
.
ACHILLES
They are soldiers
Do not hold them from me
.
(A hesitation, then one soldier speaks)
.
SOLDIER
Great Achilles
They have the plague
.
(Loud murmuring, as soldiers verify their condition)
.
ACHILLES
Then their need is great
Do you think I fear plague?
.
SOLDIERS
Great Achilles
fleet as wind
loved by the gods
Tell Agamemnon
Beg him for us
You can speak
and you can save
.
It is Agamemnon
the omens tell us
it is he
who brought the plague
.
(Agamemnon enters self-satisfied, leads Chryseis the priest's daughter, her eyes shyly averted)
.
(Achilles gestures sharply; soldiers surround him. He bends to listen to them. Agamemnon stops, imperiously)
.
AGAMEMNON
What is this howling
this chaos?
And who says
I am the cause!
.
SOLDIERS: Help us, save us, heal us, please!
.
SOLDIER
Great Agamemnon
leader of the armies
they have the plague!
.
AGAMEMNON
I can see what they have
Clean it up
whatever it takes!
No attack can be launched
not even defense
in this state
.
(The soldier bows, but looks helplessly to Achilles)
.
ACHILLES
Great leader
a way has been whispered
.
AGAMEMNON: To rid us of this plague?
.
ACHILLES
One way
But the soldiers have fear
.
AGAMEMNON
Damn their fear!
What is the way?
.
ACHILLES: A beautiful girl
.
AGAMEMNON: (Startled, but pleased) My prize?
.
ACHILLES: She's the daughter of a priest?
.
AGAMEMNON: And amazingly adept
.
ACHILLES: Her father came to beg for her?
.
AGAMEMNON
Pathetic, yes
He offered ransom
.
ACHILLES: And you refused?
.
AGAMEMNON: I threw him out
.
ACHILLES
You refused
And we have plague
.
AGAMEMNON: What?
.
ACHILLES and SOLDIERS: And so we have plague
.
(Agamemnon swells with anger, eyes flashing with rage)
.
AGAMEMNON
No!
Damnable priests
They prophesy
nothing but evil!
It cannot be so
.
ACHILLES: There is one way to know
.
AGAMEMNON: (Explodes) No!
.
(The soldiers, dismayed, groan, cough, seem worse. Agamemnon, looks them over, then at Chryseis, knowing the omen is true)
.
ACHILLES: Send her home
.
(Agamemnon is furious, anguished, but draws himself up proudly)
.
AGAMEMNON
Let no one say
Agamemnon
does not tend his troops
.
(Chryseis looks up hopefully, steps forward)
.
If she must go
I'll let her go
.
(The soldiers rouse feebly, joyful. Chryseis bows gratefully to Achilles)
.
AGAMEMNON (Furious)
But you
must find me another!
.
(Achilles, mild until now, turns on Agamemnon, suddenly angry)
.
ACHILLES
Insatiate dog
How!?
We have no standing pool
of women
.
(From the soldiers, Patroklos steps toward Achilles, worried, a restraining hand out, while Achilles goes on raging)
.
ACHILLES
All prizes
have been given
Do you intend
to take one back?
.
(Agamemnon smiles at Patroklos, nods toward Chryseis)
.
AGAMEMNON
Release her
Send her home
Accept no ransom
.
(Joy from all. Two soldiers make a way for Chryseis as she begins to move out. But Ach
illes, wary, senses Agamemnon's intention)
.
ACHILLES
Return her
to her father now
and get another
when we ravish Troy
.
Unless you think
we never will?
.
(Agamemnon, still smiling, ignores Achilles' challenge. Chryseis is gone)
.
AGAMEMNON
So you keep your prize
while I give up mine?
No. Let the Greeks
find me another...
.
or I take Briseis
.
(Achilles, restrained until now, explodes)
.
ACHILLES
My prize?!
Arrogant snake
You're full of nothing
but lust and greed
Why should I fight for you?
I'll leave!
.
AGAMEMNON
Then leave!
What do I need
with a strutting
acid-tongued pup?
You set yourself
equal to me?
Now feel the power of Agamemnon
King of kings
Give her up!
.
(Enraged, Achilles roars and draws his sword. But just as he raises it to strike, his head jerks backward; he is frozen in dazzling light)
.
VOICE OF ATHENA: (Amplfied) Stop your sword!
.
(Light and sound projections as Briseis narrates the supernatural moment)
.
ACHILLES: (To the light) Let go!
.
BRISEIS
Down swept Athena
golden daughter of Zeus
unseen by all
but her dear Achilles
With her terrible eyes
ablaze
she yanked his fiery hair
.
VOICE OF ATHENA
Put back your sword
Slash him only with words
Another day
he will pay
Obey!
.
(Achilles head is released. Alarmed, Patroklos has his hand on Achilles as he speaks to Agamemnon. Achilles lowers his sword, still gazing upward)
.
PATROKLOS
Wise Agamemnon
Though you have more power
do not take the girl
that was given to him
And Achilles, you...
.
ACHILLES
The Goddess stopped my hand.
I would have killed him, Patroklos
.
(Agamemnon stands calm, smiling)
.
AGAMEMNON
Soft-voiced Patroklos
this quarrelsome boy
does not deserve you
.
(Achilles whirls on Agamemnon)
.
ACHILLES
Wine-sot! Dog-face
without any gut!
.
PATROKLOS
Achilles, please
You owe him allegiance!
.
ACHILLES
He's not my Lord!
I am a Prince!
.
(Challenging Agamemnon)
.
Do you ever
stand in frontlines
of the battle?
When do you venture
on a raid?
.
AGAMEMNON: (Warmly, to Patroklos) Why not leave him?
.
ACHILLES
Never!
Never do you dare
a fight!
.
PATROKLOS (Sadly)
Achilles
You're making
the Trojans rejoice
.
ACHILLES (Spins on Patroklos)
I have no quarrel with Trojans!
What have Trojans done to me?
Have they raided my cattle, my horses
Have they cut my harvests
from off the rich plain?
No!
I came to battle
for this man's revenge
and he, he alone
offends me
.
(Achilles whirls on Agamemnon in a towering rage, raising his scepter in the air. Soldiers cower, terrified at Achilles' rage)
.
ACHILLES
Thief!!
By this scepter
which will nevermore sprout leaf
or shoot or bud
being once carved from its tree
I swear
in the day of your distress
when you come to fall
at the hand of Hector
you will look and not find me
you will know not what to do
you will tear your heart with rage
for the day you insulted
the greatest of the Greeks
.
(Achilles hurls his scepter to the ground. Stunned pause. Soldier who took Chryseis away runs on excited, but stops, frightened by the stony silence)
.
SOLDIER (Announcing)
His daughter is delivered
safe to the priest
.
(Soldiers straighten, feeling beginning of relief from plague, but all still riveted on Achilles' glare at Agamemnon)
.
AGAMEMNON (Looking at Achilles)
Patroklos?
Give me his girl
.
(Patroklos looks at Achilles, who doesn't flinch)
.
ACHILLES (Softly)
Yes
It is fit
.
It was you who first
brought her to me-
.
Bring Briseis
.
(Patroklos troubled, moves to get Briseis. Soldiers part, and Briseis is revealed happily approaching Achilles, who looks longingly at her, then turns away)
.
(Patroklos holds out his hand and Briseis steps forward to go with him, but when she sees she's where he's leading her, she sadly turns to gaze back at Achilles when she is handed to Agamemnon)
.
(Achilles refuses to watch as Agamemnon exits with Briseis, in grand procession. The soldiers, relieved the plague is lifting, follow Agamemnon, cheering)
.
(The stage grows darker and darker while Achilles is left alone; he is now at the edge of the sea in a storm. Sounds of waves crashing, and rolling surf)
.
(Alone, a gigantic roar erupts from Achilles. When he has roared to the peak of his anguish, he weeps. When his weeping becomes deep and loud, he calls-)
.
ACHILLES
Thetis. (Waits) Thetis!
.
(The surf becomes louder, and Achilles calls his loudest-)
.
Mother!!
.
(Sudden quiet, then softer wave music. Then, out of dark sea and mist, Thetis comes dancing. A grand, mysterious entrance. Sea may be created only by lighting and sound, or by colored streamers, flowing fabric, and mime)
.
(When Thetis sings, the Chorus may echo her, singing from offstage. When he sees Thetis coming, Achilles joins her dancing beside the waves)
.
THETIS
Seek no answer
from the sea
The rolling mother of all
knows not why
she needs no reason
to be
.
She only flows
bounded by
dappled sway
deep streaming light
dancing bright
through indigo
turquoise
marine
.
Seek no answer
from the sea
she knows
not why
she needs no reason
to be
.
Only flow
in tomorrow
Let it embrace you
leaving no trace
of today
.
Seek no answer
from the sea
Only flow
Be still and know
your future
in her endless
sigh
.
(Thetis teases Achilles back and forth with the dance, says laughing-)
.
THETIS
There once was a boy
who ran off to the sea
Was it you?
.
But he ran and he ran
so fast
faster than even the wind
had seen
a boy run
.
Then he sang and he sang
so well
better than even the birds
had heard
a boy sing
.
So they whispered
he must be a God...
What does this boy
want with me?
.
(Achilles, drawn away from his sorrow, laughing, suddenly remembers his anguish, and sits abruptly, rude-)
.
ACHILLES
Why do you ask
what you know?
.
THETIS
You seldom call
You've become such a man
.
ACHILLES: Agamemnon...
.
THETIS: He's no one beside you
.
ACHILLES
He dishonored me!
He stole my Briseis
The woman. My prize
.
(Thetis suddenly frightened, leans to stroke Achilles)
.
THETIS
Calm. Oh, be calm
Not too much anger
dear son
born in pain
only to die
do not choose
to be taken too soon
by the greedy God
ruby-stained War
Calm. Oh, be calm
.
ACHILLES
Like waves at dusk, Mother
I'm glass-smooth
And I will not fight
.
THETIS (Joyful)
You'll leave the war?
You'll go home!
.
ACHILLES
Perhaps I will
but first I need
a deed you alone
can do
.
(She is over-joyed, embraces, cradles him)
.
THETIS
I can save you from all
but death
.
ACHILLES
It's a promise, then?
You'll do this favor for me?
.
THETIS: Whatever you need
.
ACHILLES
Then make sure
the Greeks lose
.
THETIS: (Frightened) Your own side lose?
.
ACHILLES: Someone must lose
.
THETIS: Then Hector wins
.
ACHILLES: Hector is worthy
.
THETIS
But I fear him
Him beyond all
.
(As though from out of her mind, Hector appears, upstage, a powerful, mysterious figure. She sways, beginning her exit)
.
THETIS
Seek no answer
from the sea...
.
ACHILLES: Is he stronger than me?
.
THETIS: None is stronger than you
.
ACHILLES: (Bitterly) No one mortal
.
THETIS
But him
you must fear
.
ACHILLES: I must fear?
.
THETIS
Soon after he dies
so will you.
.
ACHILLES (Sharply)
But I have your promise?
The Greeks will lose
.
THETIS (Sad, vanishing)
You do
I know not why
the Trojans will rise
I only flow
Be still and know
.
(A bold battle cry, and Trojan soldiers come running on, to surround Hector)
.
TROJAN SOLDIERS: (Marching chant) Hector! Hector!
.
(Upstage of them, in kingly state, appears Priam, looking on. In great spirits, they take battle stances, tumble, march)
.
THETIS (Voice amplified)
With the ancient pride
of Priam their King
the Trojans will rise
and a thousand spears clash
with one trumpeting voice
to boldly rejoice
.
PRIAM
My brilliant son, Hector-
Rejoice!
.
(Thetis and Achilles are gone)
.
HECTOR
My honored father
We Trojans strike harder than Greeks
here under the eyes
of our children
and wives
.
SOLDIERS
Hector! Hector! Hector!
His face grows dark
as sudden night
his eyes flash fire
like lightening in a storm
as we strike
in a raging pack
close on the cry
of Hector
.
PRIAM
Strike as you will
fulfilling
my ancient pride
for Achilles
sits coolly
aside!
.
(A great cheering battle cry; then sounds of battle, as the stage darkens and the soldiers swirl into the fight. Last seen - roaring Hector as Priam salutes him)
.
(Isolated light on Briseis. Behind her, the tent of Achilles is swirled into place)
.
BRISEIS
A prize is passed on
and no one asks
Is there a difference
'tween tent and tent?
Oh yes
.
The tent of Achilles
yes, I remember
.
If I woke with pain
on my heart
for the arbor of clustered grapes
over my hearth-room door
or the three olive trees
on the hill
there came music
soft from beyond the drape
delicate music
smoothing my tear-stained face
.
(Achilles may enter like a dream)
.
Light gathered round
his face and limbs
moving on him
like an easy cloud
.
I shied
like a kid
behind its mother
In the sunset's wash
of orange gold
the murmur and sudden laugh
of old stories told
new politics and plans
were never denied me
.
He minded not
my listening
would even stop
to explain
though I
was only a woman
.
(Dawn. Achilles sits alone, playing a harp, in his tent)
.
BRISEIS
But now I am gone
and he sits with his harp
alone...
.
(Scene expands to Achilles' idle soldiers sluggishly cleaning their weapons)
.
BRISEIS
...while his soldiers
grow old
their purpose in life
no longer sharp
out of battle
.
(Briseis disappears when the soldiers speak, surly and bored)
.
SOLDIER 1
Watch where you swing
that thing
.
SOLDIER 2
Aw, go soak yours
in brine
.
SOLDIER 3
You, pretty face
were in my dream
.
SOLDIER 1: And you in mine
.
SOLDIER 3
That old watchdog at home
was screwing your wife
.
(They fight, but Achilles strikes a strong chord and begins a story-song-)
.
ACHILLES
Sing a song
of Peleus
chosen by the gods
.
SOLDIER 2: Chosen for what?
.
ACHILLES
To play a slippery game
under a blistering
moon
.
SOLDIER 3: Chosen why?
.
ACHILLES
Why is a long
winding tale
Why is a falling
of stars
.
SOLDIER 1
Then sing "Peleus"
the song of your father
.
SOLDIER 2
Sing Peleus
sire to Achilles
.
ACHILLES
Deep beneath
flowing crystal
way down under
clear green waves
quietly was born
a thing of such grace
that the king of the gods
came near to lose his place
.
SOLDIER 3: That isn't Peleus
.
SOLDIER 1
That's Thetis
his mother
.
ACHILLES
She knew only
the melody of waters
the wisdom of the sands
no trace of the powers
her grace could command
.
Old man of the ocean
he saw Thetis first
could barely contain
the mighty thirst
she aroused
He wanted marriage
.
SOLDIER 3: That's Poseidon?
.
ACHILLES
But already his brother
the king of the skies
had seen the lightning
in Thetis' eyes
She must be his bride
.
SOLDIER 1
That's Zeus
but come to Peleus!
.
ACHILLES
The stage was set for battle
rival kings of sea and sky
while the female
commanding all
cared for nothing
but the tides
.
But before
the sky-god winner
could claim Thetis
for his bride
a potent sign
swept down to drown
these love-crazed rites
.
SOLDIER 3 (Boldly, as oracle)
A son of Thetis
will be mightier
than his father!
.
SOLDIER 2: Hah. That will limp his stick!
.
ACHILLES
If Zeus so wed
the poor sky-god
would live in dread
of being overthrown
by his own
son
He could not have her
.
And furthermore
to be sure
he must forestall
by any means at all
Thetis from bearing sons
of power
.
SOLDIER 3: Get Peleus!
.
ACHILLES
Yes, Peleus
A fine man
but mortal
A son greater
than Peleus
would threaten
no god
.
(Soldiers begin to mime the story; it may be danced in silhouette on the scrim)
.
SOLDIER 1
So the gods
showed this mortal
.
SOLDIER 2: Peleus!
.
SOLDIER 3: Where to wait
.
ACHILLES
Behind a jutting rock
on a tiny island
unknown to men
Sandy cove
cave underwater
inlet sparkling
turquoise
"She'll come naked
to bathe at noon"
they told him
so Peleus would wait
.
They had warned him
to blind his eyes
for in seeing her
he would lose
the strength to attack
.
When she came swimming near
he did not forget
and pulled a weed-clogged net
before his eyes
When he heard Thetis climb
onto the rock
he dived
and caught her by surprise
She struggled mightily
turning first...
.
SOLDIER 2: Into a dolphin!
.
ACHILLES: Huge, leaping off the rock
.
SOLDIER 3: But he clung fast
.
ACHILLES
She turned next
into an octopus
squeezing
the life from him
.
SOLDIER 1: But he still breathed
.
ACHILLES
She turned then into
a slippery serpent
then a spiny clawing lobster
then an ink-spitting fish
.
So for hours and hours
he clung gasping
sticky, stung
covered with ink
until she yielded
lying at last
herself
within his arms
and they slaked passion then
rolling foam-tossed
in the waves
.
SOLDIER 2: Come to the wedding gifts now
.
SOLDIER 3: Come to the son!
.
(Achilles looks up suddenly, seeing Patroklos exhausted, at the tent's entrance)
.
SOLDIER 1: Patroklos!
.
SOLDIER 2: How goes the war?
.
PATROKLOS
Not well
.
(Soldiers cheer)
.
For the Greeks
.
SOLDIER 1: (Confused) What?
.
SOLDIERS: Tell! Tell!
.
PATROKLOS: I don't have that much breath
.
ACHILLES: But they'd like to hear
.
PATROKLOS
How can they hear?
Roaring surf
against the dry shore
is not so loud
as the deafening scream of death
released by our armies
.
ACHILLES: That's well.
.
(Soldiers gasp, staring at Achilles)
.<
br />
PATROKLOS: Achilles, you must come to fight!
.
(Achilles turns away)
.
SOLDIER 1: Was Hector there?
.
PATROKLOS: Hector ran
.
SOLDIER 2: He ran?
.
PATROKLOS
Close on the heels
of our fleeing Greeks
like a lion snapping their backs
butchering the last
spurring the rest
with terror
.
(Achilles laughs. Soldiers shrink from Achilles toward Patroklos-)
.
SOLDIER 2 and 3: Tell, tell!
.
PATROKLOS
I saw Chromios caught in his buttock
The spearhead drove
past pelvis bone
into his bladder
.
He dropped to his knees
with a gasp
then extending like a worm
let his dark blood
drench the earth
.
SOLDIERS: (Reacting lustily) Uuuhaah!
.
PATROKLOS (To Achilles)
That was Chromios
composer of sweet verses
Do you still laugh?
.
(Achilles does not respond; Patroklos presses-)
.
PATROKLOS
Abas, only joy of his father
was struck on the forehead
over the nose
smashing the bones
so both eyes dropped
and lay in the dirt
at his feet
.
(Soldiers terrified, but afraid to cry, giggle like children at a horror movie)
.
ACHILLES: Patroklos, what are you doing?
.
(But Patroklos expands, like a comic giving his audience more-)
.
PATROKLOS
Hector even speared Phaistos
planter of seedlings
who stumbled
on the rim of his own shield
running
to get to the ships
so "pop" - with nothing but his belly
Phaistos received Hector's spear
then like a helpless turtle
squirmed
.
(Soldiers' laughter explodes, but Patroklos breaks down. Stunned silence, except his weeping)
.
ACHILLES
What is it
Has your father died?
Or mine?
You look like a child
who's run after his mother
begging to be held
pulling on her dress
.
PATROKLOS: People are dying!
.
ACHILLES: It's a war
.
PATROKLOS
They're our friends!
Gods save me
from anger like yours
.
ACHILLES
What's wrong with dying?
Life is only a moment
we all will lose
.
PATROKLOS
You feel nothing!
You're not human
Don't tell me
your father was Peleus
It was the grey sea
smashed
on towering rocks
that bore you
in the image of a man
Where is your loyalty?
.
ACHILLES: I am alone.
.
PATROKLOS
Not when you've pledged
to fight with the armies!
Where is your honor?
.
ACHILLES
Ask Agamemnon!
It is he
who took it from me
.
PATROKLOS
The Trojans
have reached our ships
and you sit
pouting like a child!
Will you fight?
.
(No response)
.
Then let me!
.
(Startled, Achilles looks sharply at Patroklos. Briseis and Thetis apart, alarmed)
.
BRISEIS: No...
.
THETIS: (Amplified whisper) No...
.
ACHILLES: You?
.
PATROKLOS
Let me go fight!
With your men
.
ACHILLES (Roars)
With men
who whine and grumble
behind my back?!
.
(Patroklos scared, freezes. But Achilles suddenly laughs, magically playful)
.
ACHILLES
You call me
a pouting child?
Then let's play-
Pretend you're me!
.
Stand here, my friend
and prepare
to wear a gift
from the gods
Bring me Peleus' wedding gifts!
.
(The Soldiers at first surprised, then run to bring Achilles' gleaming armor. Briseis and Thetis, as though in Achilles mind, try to intervene-)
.
BRISEIS: This is wrong, Achilles.
.
THETIS: The god Apollo loves Hector
.
BRISEIS and THETIS: Do not let him go to the fight!
.
(Achilles seems not to hear them, as Patroklos is ritually dressed in his armor)
.
ACHILLES
Patroklos-
it was you at my side
when I held my first sword
you as the guide
when I took my first run
through the edging tide
Now
you will wear
my armor
.
(Achilles handles the armor with affection)
.
This came to Peleus
my father
with great gratitude
on the day he married
the goddess of the sea
All the gods rejoiced
now she was bedded safe
that Thetis' progeny would be
no more dangerous
than me
.
Wear it in health
beloved friend
.
THETIS: Don't let him go!
.
ACHILLES
When you stride out alone
the sight of you
upon the hill
will chill the Trojans' bones
They'll think you're me
.
Fear will take hold of them
while your spirit will fly
Unleashed by
my armor
you'll do amazing deeds
You'll push them back
from off the ships!
Then come back here
.
Do not chase them cross the plain
Do not venture to the walls
Do not engage great Hector
He is meat for me
The sun god fights for him
So let him be
.
(In spot, in Achilles' armor, Patroklos strikes a battle pose; light brightens, isolating him; soldiers gather eagerly and sweep away the tent)
.
CHORUS (Whispering on the fly)
Achilles?
Achilles?
Is it Achilles!
.
PATROKLOS: Now this is life!
.
(As Achilles backs away, watching, battle begins. Patroklos and soldiers give battle cry, turn to attack a swarm of Trojan soldiers who run in to fight them. Briseis, isolated in light, narrates-)
.
BRISEIS
>
As out of clear air
shrieking
the hurricane comes on
so loud was the scream of battle
.
CHORUS (As fight begins)
Is it Achilles?
Is it Achilles?
.
BRISEIS
Brave Patroklos
touched by the spirit of Achilles
Achilles whom he worships
Achilles whom he longs to be
.
(All fight. Patroklos' energy phenomenal; Trojans begin to be beaten back. Briseis speaks at regrouping times, between actions)
.
BRISEIS
Patroklos wheels
All Trojans turn about
seeking only to escape
screaming death
.
(Trojans are pushed back. Briseis cries out to Patroklos-)
.
BRISEIS
They're on the run
They've left the ships!
Return now
Go back and tell Achilles
Do not chase them cross the plain
Do not venture to the walls
Do not engage...
.
(But Patroklos' fury only grows, he leads soldiers chasing the Trojans)
.
BRISEIS
Brave Patroklos
touched by the spirit of Achilles
Achilles whom he worships
Achilles whom he longs to be
Plain Patroklos
beloved of the boy god
older, wiser than Achilles
now feels life-purpose
surging to its peak
.
(Trojans, fighting for their lives, escape through their city wall - and create the closed barrier by lining their tight wall of shields against Patroklos)
.
BRISEIS: Do not venture to the wall!
.
(But Patroklos storms the shield-wall)
.
BRISEIS
But oh the sparkle
of excellence sublime
of clear soaring spirit
like Achilles
Oh...to be pure hero
however alone
like Achilles
.
(As he climbs the wall, Patroklos' head is suddenly thrown back, frozen in dazzling light, and he topples down.)
.
BRISEIS
Three times Patroklos climbed
Three times he fell to earth
but as he rose to try a fourth
high atop the wall
the sun-god Apollo stood blazing
and hurled him down.
.
GOD VOICE (Apollo amplified)
Proud fool
Troy will not crumble
for you
.
(As Patroklos falls again, Achilles' helmet topples to the ground. Patroklos stands bewildered, panting, but undaunted. The shield-wall parts slightly and through it comes Hector. The wall, in chorus, keeps repeating Achilles' order-)
.
CHORUS
Do not engage great Hector...
Just let him be!
.
(As Patroklos tries to gather his strength, a Trojan darts out, stabbing him in the back. Though Patroklos still fights ferociously, Hector bears down on him, throws him to the ground, stabs him in the belly, still gripping his sword)
.
HECTOR
Achilles sent you to kill me
and your fool's heart
agreed?
.
PATROKLOS (Gasping)
No need
Patroklos is no one
but you do name
your angel of death:
Achilles
.
HECTOR: Unless I am his
.
(Hector jerks his sword out of Patroklos.)
.
PATROKLOS: (Dying cry) Achilles!!
.
(The instant of Patroklos death, Achilles stands, hearing his cry...
...and Hector lifts Achilles' helmet over his own head...
...the action freezes in a MIE pose...
...an unearthly cry of fury and anguish echoes far away)
END ACT ONE
ACT TWO
Briseis, alone. Soldiers behind. Dark. Lights play on the scrim and mimed shadows of the actions described may appear.
.
BRISEIS
It was a long time
before I knew
the kindest of men
was gone
Sweet Patroklos
If he gave his life
to war-
War must be a great god
.
SOLDIERS
Patroklos no longer knew
either sun or rain
as Trojans swarmed
like locusts
upon him
tearing off the armor of Achilles
.
BRISEIS
Bold Hector longed
to slice Patroklos' gentle head
from its soft neck
to thrust it up
atop a stake
to fling his mutilate body
to ravenous dogs
.
SOLDIERS: But Greeks came screaming down
.
BRISEIS
So like two screeching vultures
clash
above a single prey
.
SOLDIERS
The armies met and clawed
above Patroklos
One hitched his foot
to a shield
whipping its sling
fast round his tendons
to drag him away
.
But that one was hit
through the cheek of his helmet
and so
with soft brain bleeding
down the spear
through his eyehole
he fell as well
upon Patroklos
.
BRISEIS
Only the horses
given by gods
to Peleus
stood aside
refused to move
leaned their heads along the ground
.
SOLDIERS: ...and wept warm tears
.
BRISEIS: ...for Patroklos
.
SOLDIERS
Ranged in a circle
the armies pulled
pulled in all directions
pulled Patroklos
as at the stretching of an oxhide
stretching till it's flat
till the moisture squeezes out
and the fat soaks in
so the armies leaned and pulled
and there was slaughter
on both sides
until the earth ran with blood
beneath Patroklos
.
BRISEIS and SOLDIERS
Until a sound
struck the air above
that made them all stop still
a sound so strange
unearthly
piercing not the ear
but down beneath
the root of life
a wail
that wedged new terror
even in the boldest throat
of all who heard
.
(Battle sounds build until air is split with a SCREAM heard as high as Olympus and down to the depths of the sea. Briseis and soldiers fade back. Achilles stumbles on screaming, and throws himself down flailing and groaning)
.
(Thetis entering, draws Achilles into a violent dance to match his raging heart)
.
THETIS (Urging in rhythm)
Speak...you must speak
Let it go
or the heart will break
.
(Achilles will not speak, only dances mor
e wildly)
.
THETIS
I would Peleus had wed
a mortal
instead of me
For you, my son
are much too great
Too great in grief
Too great in love
Too great in arrogance
in bravery
in anger
.
ACHILLES: (Scream) Aaaaahh!
.
THETIS: Too great in anger.
.
(Tortured Achilles finally collapses. Thetis catches and cradles him)
.
THETIS: Speak, speak...
.
ACHILLES
Sweet sweet anger
As dripping honey
slows the wind
it swarms like smoke
until it chokes
my heart
.
I sat
a barren burden
on the land
and let my friend
be butchered!
.
Was this why
you feared
the monster Hector?
.
THETIS: No
.
ACHILLES: He wears my armor now
.
THETIS: You said you would leave this land
.
ACHILLES
Soon
.
Mother
you must get me
what I need:
a new armor
.
(Thetis alarmed, backs away)
.
THETIS: You must not meet Hector
.
ACHILLES: Why? If I am the stronger
.
THETIS
Your destiny is clear my son
Two ways
lie there for you
You may choose life
or glory
.
ACHILLES
What life?!
The gods have life
not I
No man can choose
Life is only a thing he will lose
.
And my second choice is glory?
But what will glory mean
Perhaps a sweet release-
Until I kill
the demon Hector
I will have no peace
.
THETIS
If you kill him
you will die
Let Hector be
.
ACHILLES
Unless I kill him
I cannot live
So get the armor
for me
.
(Achilles raises his hand; Thetis bows, dance of armor begins. The chorus mimes assembling the armor made by the Fire God for Achilles)
.
THETIS
Peleus
in wedding me
could not make me
mortal
But you
in childbed
have done it
even so
.
The mortal mother
coils a line of woe
no goddess knows
It grapples her
with his first cry
and binds her
evermore
A pull
from him to her
command inexorable
to abandon earth and sky
upon that cry
saying
.
I am the cause
of his life
and I
must keep him in it
Try as he will
to die
.
Let the armor woo you
away from war
It celebrates sweet life
fashioned by the God of Fire
to hold no limbs but yours
.
(Achilles moves, eager to wear his new armor, but the Chorus wants to sing of it)
.
CHORUS
The fire-god etched
the earth upon it
and the sky
the great sea's water
and the tireless sun
the moon waxed full
and all the constellations
.
And in great beauty spread
two glorious cities
with marriages and festivals
a council and a court
herds of cattle
sheep and shepherds
soft fields tilled
and teams with plows
A great ox slaughtered
grape-bearers dancing
girls and boys
and all
upon an Ocean River
binding strong the outward rim
.
(As Achilles receives his glittering armor, drumming signals a procession coming)
.
SOLDIERS (Off)
Nine long years of seige
but Troy's wall still stands
Agamemnon!
.
THETIS
The god did these carvings
of this earth before
there was war
.
SOLDIERS (Off)
Massed armies of Greece
are beaten down by this land
Agamemnon!
.
THETIS (Disappearing)
Choose life, my son
choose life
.
(A partition screens Achilles from delegation moving toward him; he, donning his new armor, occupies one side; wounded soldiers, led by Agamemnon, also limping, on the other. Soldiers catching sight of Achilles are dazzled, shield their eyes from his brilliance. They may be cloaked to under-dress Trojan uniforms.)
.
ACHILLES (Amazed, to himself)
I feel the armor work
Life spilling
its feast of joy
filling my veins until
all my fury is distilled
to gentle wisdom
and now I see it all
like a god
.
AGAMEMNON
A long time away
great Achilles!
.
(Agamemnon waits on his side, but Achilles does not respond)
.
Too long, may I say?
Petty quarrels
shouldn't keep us from...
Perhaps you'd like news
of the war?
.
(Silence)
.
Often I've thought
our angry words were...
.
ACHILLES (Interrupts)
Enough!
Your news: the war?
.
AGAMEMNON
Well, we...
Difficulties come upon us
Hector rages irresistibly, and...
.
ACHILLES: I have some word of that
.
AGAMEMNON
And so many of us gone
and of those still alive
the bravest
lie down among the ships
all hit by arrow or by spear
.
ACHILLES: Yet you are here
.
AGAMEMNON
Because I want...
we want...
We need you back, Achilles
And there are gifts
I wish to offer you
in restitution
for your injury
.
ACHILLES: Agamemnon...
.
AGAMEMNON (Loud, insisting-)
Seven unfired tripods
Ten talents' worth of gold
.
ACHILLES
You dishonored me
What does it matter now?
.
AGAMEMNON: And twenty shining cauldrons...
.
ACHILLES
You took
the bride of my heart...
Now what did we come here for
Helen, was it not?
.
AGAMEMNON: Twelve horses - racers all!
.
ACHILLES
Yes, it was Helen
Each man
loves his own
as I loved mine
.
AGAMEMNON: And seven women of Lemnos...
.
ACHILLES
If you gave me
twenty times what you possess
as many gifts
as there are grains of sand
.
AGAMEMNON
Their handwork is superb
and their beauty...
.
ACHILLES
I would still go home
.
My father Peleus
will give me a bride
My one desire
is to enjoy with her
the pleasures
of my own sweet land
.
(Agamemnon, astonished and dismayed, plays his last card)
.
AGAMEMNON
I've brought one
who misses you more
Achilles
.
ACHILLES
All the fabled majesties of Troy
cannot be worth my life
Cattle and sheep can be had
for the lifting
and tripods can be won
and tawny heads of horses
but a man's life cannot be lifted
or won again
once it has crossed the line
.
AGAMEMNON
I return her to you now
and before all gods
I swear that she
never has been touched
by me
.
(Agamemnon pulls Briseis forward, beautifully adorned, and pushes her across toward Achilles. Briseis lifts a hand to him. Seeing her, Achilles is moved, reaches to her, then stops himself-)
.
ACHILLES
She should have died
before I took her
for all the pleasure
she can give me now
.
(Briseis stung, twists away, looking for the kind man she misses)
.
BRISEIS
Where's my friend?
Where is Patroklos?
.
(Achilles - struck by her words as if they were a dagger - roars, all his pain and rage rekindled. He strikes down the screen, and Agamemnon sees him bright in his armor. The soldiers cheer, and Achilles' roar winds him straight into battle. Briseis, stepping away from the tumult, narrates. The tent is swirled away)
.
BRISEIS
Like a lion
when spear-hit
spins
foam breaking on his teeth
Then deep in his chest
his mighty heart groans
and lashing his ribs with his tail
he rears-
so Achilles' eyes raged
full glazed
for the fight
.
(Drums. Fighting. A crush of Trojans Achilles whips like a whirlwind, killing one after another)
.
BRISEIS
In fury
Achilles swept - like fire
raised by whirling wind
blazing
through a dry wood mountain -
while the black earth ran blood
.
(Soldiers fall in heaps and begin to fill the River - which may be presented by a long blue cloth stretched across the stage; shaken, to ripple and flow by Koken)
.
BRISEIS
The noble River
full with corpses
heaved in anguish
unable at last
to cast his waters
into the sparkling sea
so congested was he
with the Trojan dead
Achilles killed
so brutally
.
(Achilles grabs an unarmed boy-soldier stumbling past him; the boy slips to the ground, clutching Achilles' knees in supplication)
.
LYCAON: Achilles!
.
(Achilles pulls the boy's head by his hair and recognizes Priam's son, Lycaon)
.
ACHILLES
How is this?
The Trojans I killed
long ago
rise up to face me
.
LYCAON: My life must be charmed
.
ACHILLES
You silly child of Priam
could the grey sea not hold you?
I scraped you from a hedge before
and sold you off in Lemnos
.
LYCAON
Great Achilles, I escaped
and I'm weary of the fight
What is it worth?
You see I've stripped my helmet off
and thrown down my sword
.
ACHILLES: Then feed the earth
.
(Achilles casts his spear, but the boy squirms away, then scrambles back, clinging again to Achilles' knees)
.
LYCAON
You got a hundred oxen for me!
Spare me now
You've cut the throats
of both my brothers
My mother
was not Hector's!
Spare me
Only spare me
.
ACHILLES
You cry?
Why?
Patroklos is dead
who was better than you
And even I
splendid, invincible
with a mother immortal
will die
.
(Lycaon lets go of Achilles, lifting his hands to screen himself. Achilles kills him and flings him into the river, which bellows up angrily)
.
ACHILLES
Lie where fishes
caring not for anyone
can feed
on the shining fat
of Priam's son
.
(The River lurches, the armor of the floating dead clang together)
.
BRISEIS
The rushing water
spewed
masses of armor
cresting bodies
sputtering foam and blood
until the River itself
enraged
rose on its precious flood
to curse Achilles
.
RIVER GOD (Chorus amplified)
Brutal man
do not kill more!
My living flow is choked
with your glut of death
.
(As though rising, the dead challenge Achilles from within the swirling river. Angry at the challenge, Achilles jumps in to fight the River)
.
ACHILLES
All Trojans die!
Or give Hector to me
No howling river
can save you
.
BRISEIS
Achilles leapt to the middle
Deep-swirl
of boiling surge heaved-
beating down his shield
with its swallowing waves
.
(Achilles is overwhelmed by the river, and disappears within it)
.
BRISEIS
Achilles swept off his feet
catching at branches
of an uprooted elm
dragged the whole cliff away
The waters ran above him
and fiercely beneath
rolling the soil
from under his feet
.
(Achilles struggles to get free as water wraps round him. He tries to run, but the Rive
r runs after with soldiers making a huge roar, and River falling on his shoulders. He falls and twists to fight back, surfaces gasping, screams-)
.
ACHILLES: Gods save me!
.
(Red (fire) now streams from the sky, to overwhelm the River)
BRISEIS
When Achilles cried out
all the gods heard
so down swept the Fire-god
hurling gales of flame
to fight
the heaving River
.
(Flowing streamers - red for fire, blue for water - whipped by Chorus/Koken into undulating curliques that fight for dominance amid loud fire and water sounds)
.
(Gasping Achilles, still fighting, is finally freed, exhausted, when the blue of the River retreats, followed by the red of the fire, and he turns to look across the plain, where a Wall of Shields has formed)
.
ACHILLES
Great Wall of Troy
will even you
do battle?
.
(The Wall - chorus members behind each shield - is screaming like a crowd in terror, then through the Wall steps Hector in Achilles' old armor)
.
(The Wall screams, tries to pull Hector back inside. Above the Wall, the head of an old man appears, pleading-)
.
PRIAM
Hector, my son
stay inside our wall
Have mercy on me
We all will die
if you fall
.
A young man
can lie butchered
still in beauty
But an old king
his white hair smeared
with dung
and eaten by dogs
is pitiful
.
(Hector salutes his father, but stays rooted, in armor he stripped from Patroklos, to fight Achilles alone. Achilles sees Hector, rears roaring, begins a slow advance. Wall emits a low tone that builds as Achilles moves closer)
.
ACHILLES
You died
the moment
you drew the blood
of my beloved
Patroklos
.
Still there you stand
brazen
in armor stripped
from my dearest friend
.
Now it will sear your skin
till flesh and metal blend
for in stealing it
you stole my honor
.
My spirit sears you now
It can't release
and fly to me
until it sees you
to your end
.
(Just as Achilles comes within striking distance, and both brace for the impact, Hector spins and evades Achilles by running away)
.
(Startled at first, Achilles sharply laughs, and runs after Hector. They may run in place with the wall moving opposite, behind them)
.
BRISEIS
As in a dream
a man is not able
to catch one who runs
nor the one who runs
to get away
.
As when a hawk
swoops for a dove
but she slips loose
and flies
while he
shrill screaming
close after
plunges again and again
furious
to take her...
.
so Hector would make for the gate
and Achilles race ahead
to prevent him
and on and on
one, two, three times
round all the great walls
Until at last Hector froze
.
(Suddenly Hector's head is flung back, frozen in dazzling light. Achilles stops)
.
BRISEIS
For down swept
golden Athena
who loved Achilles well
but to Hector she said
.
GOD VOICE (Athena tricking Hector)
Run no more!
Stand
and we'll take him
together
.
HECTOR (Amazed, to the air)
You'll fight with me?
Then Achilles
die!
.
(Hector signals Achilles with an upraised arm. Achilles faces him, waiting)
.
HECTOR
Let us swear an oath:
If I kill you
I will strip your sword and armor
but give your body
to your friends
Will you swear the same?
.
ACHILLES
What oath
can there be
'tween a lion
and a man?
.
Did you swear
such kind words
for Patroklos?!
.
(Achilles attacks viciously. They fight. Hector, loosing, looks frantically about)
.
HECTOR
Athena, help me!
Where are you?
.
(Hector is bewildered. Achilles strikes)
.
ACHILLES
The goddess tricked you
She fights for me!
.
(At Hector's vulnerable moment, dazzling light strikes them both. But Achilles, his head thrown back, realizing the choice he's making, shouts as he strikes Hector's neck at his collarbone)
.
ACHILLES
Take my life, then!
I choose glory!
.
(Hector chokes, falls, lies dying with Achilles over him)
.
HECTOR
As you love
your parents
do not fling my corpse away
.
ACHILLES
Hah!
Dogs strip your flesh
until their fangs tire
then birds rip what's left
off your bones
To see you eaten raw
is my greatest desire
.
(Achilles pulls his spear roughly out of Hector, roaring-)
.
ACHILLES
If this is glory
it's not enough!
.
(A moan rises when Hector dies, but Greek soldiers swarm to celebrate, picking Hector's corpse, tearing off the armor. They cheer and shout, but, as armor disappears in pieces, they quiet awestruck, because Achilles still roars, still stabbing and kicking the corpse of Hector.)
.
BRISEIS (Apart, in darkness)
As soldiers swarmed
to stab the corpse
again, again and again
Achilles ripped his bloody armor
off of Hector
pierced his ankles
lashing rawhide through the tendons
and whipping horses to a run...
.
(Uneasy, soldiers back away. The actor Hector has been replaced by a dummy corpse, which Achilles begins, laboriously, to drag, screaming as he does so)
.
...began to drag great Hector heavily across
the dry and rocky ground
Round and round the walls
his bare head thumped on stones
.
(Now horrified, the soldiers run off. As Achilles drags the corpse, red ribbons stream from its mouth, trailing longer and longer as they go round and round a large circle)
.
Achilles, in his grief and rage
Every day for twelve long days
dragged dead Hector
'mid billowing dust
face down
.
(Full darkness now, except for Briseis isolated in ligh
t)
.
BRISEIS
So Achilles embraced
his purpose in life
Did he grow
into a man
or beast?
.
I know only
the night of killing
is long
before the soft dawn
offers peace
.
(Dim light on Achilles, alone, perched over the corpse of Hector like a beast of prey, guarding it. Frightened Trojan soldier sneaks to edge and bows low)
.
SOLDIER
Do not strike, great Achilles
In deep secret
honored Priam
King of Troy
begs to approach
.
(From distance, Priam, disguised and filthy, shuffles hesitantly. Achilles snarls. Priam stops, still far off. His attendant, terrified, runs away. Priam begins a story-)
.
PRIAM
I sing a song
of the king of sorrows
Do you know any such king?
.
(Priam takes a step to approach, but Achilles stirs, ominous, and Priam stops)
.
PRIAM
This king once stood proud
atop his golden city
of the shining towers
brimming with riches of earth
.
And best among his riches
he counted
his fifty fine sons
And the greatest, the kindest
among all the fifty
was Hector
.
(Priam, watching Achilles, creeps closer, but Achilles snarls, rearing)
.
PRIAM
King of sorrows
he loses them one by one
his riches, his sons
and knows
when Hector
the best, is lost
he'll have none
.
(Priam stops his song, goes on humming. Pause. Achilles sharp-)
.
ACHILLES
That king was a fool
to look for more
from the gods
than pain
A mortal's life
is spun with sorrows
though it's true
he untwines
evil and good
by turns
.
PRIAM
Such a mortal I heard of
named Peleus...
.
(Achilles startled, glares at Priam, who goes on humming)
.
PRIAM
...with only one
brave son
who cares not for him
in his age
but stays
far from home
.
(Achilles painfully reacts to his own story)
.
ACHILLES
...robbing other old men
of their sons
.
(Gives a harsh laugh, nearly weeping)
.
So Peleus' boy has grown
.
(Priam dares a move to Achilles, close enough to stretch his beseeching hand)
.
PRIAM
Let me only
touch
my son
.
(Achilles screeches like a hawk, shoots up threatening to strike, but Priam dives to catch Achilles' trailing hand)
.
PRIAM
This is the hand
that killed
the best
of my sons
Is it the hand
of a lion
or only
a man?
.
(Then slowly, watching Achilles, Priam draws this hand to his lips and kisses it. Achilles crumbles, sobbing. Priam cradles Achilles. They weep together)
.
PRIAM: Why have we war?
.
(Achilles looks up at Priam. Long pause)
.
ACHILLES
We'll eat
and then sleep
I've gone many days without.
You as well?
.
(Priam looks at him, and nods "yes," then-)
.
PRIAM
First let me
see
my son
.
(Achilles springs up, sharply-)
.
ACHILLES
Do not dare
to anger me!
.
(Achilles strides away. Now begins a procession of dead and living witnesses- Hector, Lycaon, Patroklos, Agamemnon, soldiers. They gather round Achilles)
.
(Priam is separate, waiting, does not see Achilles lift high the corpse of Hector, then ritually cleanse, gently prepare the son for the father. The others slowly sway)
.
ACHILLES
A man
may gash and tear
the animal flesh
of another
letting spill
the precious nectar
of his breathing fluids
out over the earth
.
And this is called
glory
.
SOLDIERS: And this is called glory
.
(An animal is raised; Achilles cuts its throat. Priam's fallen asleep where he sits)
.
ACHILLES
I give it back
Though I cannot choose
life
I return
to the gods
their glory
.
(Lights, sound and company move, as though in a dark whirlwind. Thetis appears; all characters gather to witness the story's end)
.
BRISEIS
So deep into the night
the father and the son
honored each other
with feasting
and at last
fell into sleep
which both had refused
for many terrible
nights and days
.
CHORUS
Thetis
deep in the sea
do not weep
that he
is only a man
and not a god of the sky
.
(Thetis raises her arms in a blessing)
.
ACHILLES
Though weak of body and brain
I claim
the courage
of lions
to die
without knowing why
.
(Achilles lifts his helmet to arm himself, all others watch; Briseis questions them. They answer, singly and together as a whole society trying to understand)
.
BRISEIS: So he must die?
.
AGAMEMNON: When the war started
.
ALL: or why
.
AGAMEMNON: no one knows
.
BRISEIS: Forgive me
.
ALL: (Murmuring) no one knows
.
BRISEIS
I must try
to understand
.
PATROKLOS
Man
is no more
than man
.
LYCAON
War is a game
the gods play!
.
HECTOR
We men
are its pitiful pieces
.
AGAMEMNON
They flick us
from off their board
.
ALL: with a laugh
.
PATROKLOS: caring not
.
ALL: that our lives drip away
.
THETIS (Amplified, as a god)
the gods play
.
Child of man
can grow
only high as a man
has no choice
but to die
.
BRISEIS
Still I know
man's glory can fill
the whole sky...
.
(A loud god-laugh that echoes from the whole sky. Priam wakes, hearing the god-laugh, stands, confused, looks at the others, then answers the laugh)
.
PRIAM
Man's glory can fill
the whole sky...
.
(The others join him, and their combined answer gets louder)
.
PRIAM and ALL (Softly under Priam)
...when he stands
gazing
full in the eyes
of another
saying-
.
ACHILLES: You are as I
.
PRIAM: You are as I
.
ALL: You are as I
END OF PLAY