The Libations

I am counting on Electra to say a prayer to Agamemnon on my behalf while she pours the libation offerings (honey and milk, wine, and water). I hope she tells him that they come from a loving wife. Agamemnon, I did love you, but you went too far. You left me alone to tend to the city, you lied to me, and then you killed our daughter. And now you’re dead by my doing. I have no regrets. What’s done cannot be undone. But after the nightmare last night, I realized that I should have given you a proper burial. Is that why you are haunting me in my dreams? Are you the vicious snake that bites me?...Please I beg you, don’t kill me. What do you want from me? I have already sent our daughter to give you libations. Isn’t that enough?

My head hurts. All I hear is your stupid laughter. Get out of my head!!! What is this? That damned spot on my hand won’t go away. The stench of your blood stains my body. Who would have thought that an old man like you would have so much blood? Will these hands ever be cleansed? I hope I am not going crazy. I must go to bed. Yeah, that’s right to bed. Maybe I’ll just lie down for a second.

I closed my eyes for a few minutes, but I couldn’t get any sleep. I could hear from my room the shrieks of Electra and the slave-women (Chorus). Gosh, won’t they just shut up? How long does it take to lament someone? It’s not like Agamemnon is some kind of hero or anything. Yes, I know Agamemnon is Electra’s father, but doesn’t she realize that he killed her sister? Why does she love her father more than me? I guess the only person that truly loves me is Aegisthus. By the way, where is he?

I’m going to go look for him. I’ll write later. Wait, there’s a knocking at the gate. Visitors from Phocis have just come to the gates and are calling for me. I wonder what they are here for.