[Choral  Entry Song — Parodos]

(their chant in unison can be heard long before they can be seen) [185]

Truly! I had thought that only in most holy Ath-

-ens could one find columned app-

-ealing temples of the gods, or faceless plinths of Agy-

-ieus Apollo, protector of ways, worshipped.

 

But here also in the home of twisty Loxias,

Son of Leto do those twin eyes shine:

the Jewels of the face gleaming with beautiful light

 

(as they come into view, the unified chorus splits apart, individuals excitedly running to different places on the stage and everyone speaking in a babble. Occasional voices can be heard more clearly)

Scholars believe that the statues are present although they are more divided on the friezes.

 

—Oh! Look there —

Statues as big as life! The monster born from the dark earth – the Lernaen Hydra– slain

By the golden sickle of the very son of Zeus!

Do you see it my friend – right before our very eyes!

 

–I see! And near him an-

other raises to its neck a torch, bronzed flames blazing bright.

But who could it be?

 

– Can it really be the one whom I always sing

About while we weave…

Our idol: Iolus the shield-bearer — he willingly

Helps shoulder the weight of his friend’s heavy burdens

even though the son of Zeus is pressed down under such labours (200)

 

–Amazing! Oooh — Look at this hero over here:

Mounted on a winged horse

He passes through fiery breath and slays

Another of Earth’s monsters: the three-bodied terror, Chimaera

 

-Everywhere I turn my eyes are

Riveted. Look, up in the temple frieze —

it is the war in heaven against the children of the Earth: the Gigantomachy!

–Oh my friends, I can’t believe it but we see it too.

 

–Over here – locked in battle with the horrible Gigant lord Enceladus–

Do you see her? Defending herself with the round shield, gorgon’s face staring out?

–I can’t believe my eyes: it is Pallas Athena – our very own goddess.

 

–Oh do you see the legendary thunder-bolt,

Both-Ends-ablaze? Zeus holds it

in his hands like a javelin, poised to far-throw?

–I see it: And I see his target, the horrible monster

Mimas already burning in the fire.

 

–And there – the loud roaring-one — you can tell it

By seeing his famous undefeatable ivy staff – he is

killing another monster born from Gaia.  It that truly Bacchus?!

 

— End of entrance song—