1990–2000 | ||
11
– AGAMEMNON’S RETURN | Poem: Alasdair Gray © 2005 | |
summons
a thousand ships to war on but cannot set sail before Gods send a westerly gale. “The cost of the wind you need,” says a priest, “is your daughter’s blood.” Agamemnon thinks twice about ordering that sacrifice but orders it all the same. God’s weather, not he, is to blame. The ninety thousand men he demanded though idle, need feeding and pay. If the calm lasts and funds run out they’ll depose him, if not disbanded. Girl
bleeds. Gale blows. Fleet sails. King conquers and homes to wife. Her joy is a pretence: she loved her daughter more than military offence. “Come in dear. Have a bath. The water’s hot.” He strips. The robe flung around him is a net. Out steps her lover, sword in hand. The
king is soon very wet. | |||
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