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    The Odyssey: A Stage Version

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      For my mother.

      (The SUITORS draw back, stumbling. Light from an open door. PENELOPE, veiled, crosses.)

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      They part like hills for a sail entering harbour.

      TELEMACHUS

      They are stunned by her passage each time she appears.

      EURYCLEIA

      She begging the poet to stop praising the war.

      (The SUITORS jostle, crowding PENELOPE.)

      AMPHINOMUS

      Aim for my heart! Arch that white arm!

      EURYMACHUS

      It’s been three years.

      CTESIPPUS

      Not Leodes. His sex is soft wax. It’d dissolve!

      LEODES

      Not vain Ctesippus, plucking his brows in mirrors!

      CTESIPPUS

      Little shrimp prick!

      LEODES

      His own face is all he can love.

      EURYMACHUS

      Unveil the shrine of that brow to its worshippers!

      CTESIPPUS

      Those eyes, black olives, that forehead whose marble stuns!

      (PENELOPE unveils her face.)

      AMPHINOMUS

      Her smile is like the sunlight edging a window.

      CTESIPPUS

      Till it brightens Antinous, her favoured prince.

      (PENELOPE, BILLY BLUE and MAIDS, except MELANTHO, exit. TELEMACHUS crosses to the SUITORS.)

      TELEMACHUS

      I mourned my father’s absence. Soon I’ll avenge it!

      CTESIPPUS

      Such sweet impetuosity, Telemachus!

      EURYMACHUS

      There’s a hundred of us, boy. How will you manage it?

      TELEMACHUS

      Pigs! From today you will stop uprooting my house!

      (The SUITORS exit.)

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      Steer for the wide sands of Pylos. Look for Nestor.

      TELEMACHUS

      Right now?

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      Next, Sparta. Find red-haired Menelaus.

      TELEMACHUS

      Those are two long journeys, Captain. What’s the quest for?

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      Do you want your father’s shadow to cross this house?

      TELEMACHUS

      God!

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      I’ve twenty oarsmen waiting, hunched on their oars.

      TELEMACHUS

      One for each year I’ve missed him. Manning whose vessel?

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      A beaked yellow ship, like a hawk? Antinous’.

      TELEMACHUS

      You seized it?

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      Borrowed it. Well, it was there to seize.

      TELEMACHUS

      And it’s fitted?

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      With amphora of ground barley.

      TELEMACHUS

      All right. So I get to Pylos. What next once I’m there?

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      Assemble the elders. Demand a big parley.

      TELEMACHUS

      Those old men love quarrelling. Bunch of rattling sticks.

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      The cord of your voice must bind those sticks together.

      TELEMACHUS

      I envy my father’s authority.

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      Or tricks.

      TELEMACHUS

      Tricks?

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      I too saw the wooden horse blocking the stars.

      (MELANTHO exits.)

      EURYCLEIA

      You see?

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      Troy fell for it.

      TELEMACHUS

      Was he that brilliant?

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      A horse foaling men? They thought it ridiculous.

      EURYCLEIA

      Him could convince a grasshopper it was a ant.

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      Look there! A swallow trying to get through the roof!

      (He exits.)

      EURYCLEIA

      Me don’t see it. Now where him gone? How that happen?

      TELEMACHUS

      He was Athena! Do you need any more proof?

      EURYCLEIA

      No.

      TELEMACHUS

      Then I’ll follow the winged heels of my captain.

      (He exits. PENELOPE returns, attended by MELANTHO, who whispers in PENELOPE’s ear.)

      PENELOPE

      Who told you to stay so close to me, Melantho?

      EURYCLEIA

      Because Melantho have ambitions of her own.

      MELANTHO

      Ambitions?

      EURYCLEIA

      Madame, it have things that you don’t know.

      PENELOPE

      You can have my sorrow, Melantho, with my throne.

      MELANTHO

      I don’t want your throne, she’s lying. Eurycleia!

      PENELOPE

      Look, girl, there are ways of putting your fire out.

      EURYCLEIA

      You didn’t boast to me in the kitchen?

      MELANTHO

      Liar!

      EURYCLEIA

      That some prince in there go marry you?

      MELANTHO

      LIES!

      PENELOPE

      DON’T SHOUT!

      EURYCLEIA

      Madame …

      PENELOPE

      He left with this stranger? Are you crazy?

      MELANTHO

      Some shining young captain was here who fought at Troy.

      PENELOPE

      Stay in the kitchen.

      MELANTHO

      Not for long. Please excuse me.

      (She exits, brushing past EURYCLEIA. A burst of song from the SUITORS.)

      EURYCLEIA

      Madame, him is of age, him no longer a boy.

      PENELOPE

      The bloody war’s over. Can’t they sing something else?

      EURYCLEIA

      Him gone and pack him things.

      PENELOPE

      Pack his things? He’s gone? Where?

      EURYCLEIA

      God, whatever we suffer we bring on we selves!

      PENELOPE

      Talk!

      EURYCLEIA

      Some swallow talk to him, then it disappear.

      PENELOPE

      Swallow? Old woman, you want my palm on your face?

      EURYCLEIA

      Hit me, go on.

      PENELOPE

      Why not tell me he was leaving?

      (She embraces EURYCLEIA.)

      EURYCLEIA

      Melantho who tell you. She is always the first.

      PENELOPE

      Melantho helps me to unravel my weaving.

      EURYCLEIA

      True.

      PENELOPE

      We fold his clothes in camphor. Unoccupied.

      EURYCLEIA

      So long in their press, them fit Telemachus now.

      PENELOPE

      I’ve knelt by our olive-tree bed, I’ve prayed and prayed.

      EURYCLEIA

      But him knew you would last.

      PENELOPE

      How in hell could he know?

      EURYCLEIA

      Mistress, is strong-timbered virtues uphold this house.

      PENELOPE

      Till my patience cracks and it plunges in chaos.

      EURYCLEIA

      Because none in there can match the husband you choose.

      PENELOPE

      Yes, choose and then lose him. Who next? Telemachus?

      (She breaks down. EUMAEUS enters.)

      EURYCLEIA

      Not now, Eumaeus, a family crisis here.

      EUMAEUS

      Since when am I excluded from this family?

      EURYCLEIA

      Back to the kitchen, old man.

      EUMAEUS

      I brought the order.

      PENELOPE

      Eumaeus, listen! My one son has left this house.

      EUMAEUS

      Where’s he gone, Mistress?

      EURYCLEIA

      Why you don’t mind your business?

     
    ; EUMAEUS

      It’s her business, fifty hogs and fifty prime sows.

      EURYCLEIA

      Go!

      EUMAEUS

      The stock’s running out at a rate. Now this news.

      PENELOPE

      Eumaeus, you believe the Master’s safe, don’t you?

      EUMAEUS

      Safe? ‘Fine day,’ I thought, goading pigs up the white road.

      PENELOPE

      Say he’s safe, Eumaeus. Now my son has gone, too.

      EUMAEUS

      Their trotters dancing. Happy at being slaughtered.

      (EURYCLEIA shows EUMAEUS out.)

      PENELOPE

      He dotes on Odysseus. That’s the weight he bears.

      EURYCLEIA

      Him old, but take good care of the stock all the same.

      PENELOPE

      They raced by rivers together, hunting wild boars.

      EURYCLEIA

      His ears does prick like the dog at Odysseus’ name.

      (ANTINOUS enters.)

      ANTINOUS

      Does your son believe he’s the master of this house?

      PENELOPE

      He is. He’s of age.

      ANTINOUS

      He shouted at your suitors.

      EURYCLEIA

      Dat is him right, sar! His father still Odysseus.

      ANTINOUS

      SHUT UP!

      (To PENELOPE) See how a servant talks in front of us?

      PENELOPE

      She is this house’s foundation. She was his nurse.

      ANTINOUS

      Well, her dugs are dry now.

      (To EURYCLEIA) Listen, you! No more noise!

      PENELOPE

      ‘If I die, marry,’ he said, and sloped to his wars.

      ANTINOUS

      To lead an army of shadows. Death is his bride.

      PENELOPE

      When you prove my divorce, I’ll follow his orders.

      ANTINOUS

      Ord-ysseus is lost since Troy, his wish disobeyed.

      PENELOPE

      You’re the great pine above those suppliant princes.

      ANTINOUS

      You’ve made a hundred men think they’re like no one else.

      PENELOPE

      You’ll soon win your siege. I’ve run out of devices.

      ANTINOUS

      Then that wall is down that you built between ourselves?

      PENELOPE

      The wall has cracks in its face.

      ANTINOUS

      Bend that proud neck. Nod.

      PENELOPE

      A nod could be final.

      ANTINOUS

      Let one nod finish me.

      PENELOPE

      Another dead husband?

      ANTINOUS

      One nod is all I need.

      PENELOPE

      To die?

      ANTINOUS

      For one arrow from those eyes? Happily.

      (MELANTHO enters.)

      MELANTHO

      Don’t punish me, sir, but I have serious news.

      ANTINOUS

      Better make it good, girl, or I’ll lop off that nose.

      MELANTHO

      The boy has gone.

      EURYCLEIA

      Melantho!

      ANTINOUS

      Gone? Telemachus?

      MELANTHO

      Look in the harbour. He stole your ship, Antinous.

      PENELOPE

      Poor girl! You were the last jewel left of my trust.

      ANTINOUS

      There was some sea captain here. You know who he was?

      (He grabs EURYCLEIA.)

      EURYCLEIA

      Me no see no sea cap’n, sir! Leggo me wrist!

      (ANTINOUS releases EURYCLEIA.)

      MELANTHO

      She’s been unravelling the same shroud for three years.

      ANTINOUS

      Ah! I understand. Call in the others. Right now!

      (MELANTHO exits.)

      PENELOPE

      You touch my son and you’ll face my husband’s revenge.

      ANTINOUS

      Your husband is dead. What sword can slice a shadow?

      PENELOPE

      No!

      ANTINOUS

      Let him return. He’ll see how your patience ends.

      PENELOPE

      My patience wasn’t slavery, it was pure trust.

      ANTINOUS

      And mine for three years. Get our marriage bed ready.

      PENELOPE

      Look, sir, my vows aren’t brooches I wear till they rust.

      ANTINOUS

      Neither is my star, that’s kept its distance, lady.

      (AMPHINOMUS and CTESIPPUS enter, armed.)

      AMPHINOMUS

      The girl told us.

      ANTINOUS

      Arm two fast vessels!

      CTESIPPUS

      There’s no wind.

      ANTINOUS

      If you lose him, hide in some cranny of the coast.

      AMPHINOMUS

      Right!

      ANTINOUS

      Post sentinels on the crags of each island.

      AMPHINOMUS

      They’ll roost till they turn into eagles, Antinous!

      ANTINOUS

      Very odd! He’s never acted this way before.

      AMPHINOMUS

      Well, with this ambush he won’t act this way after.

      ANTINOUS

      He was simply sullen, until this visitor.

      CTESIPPUS

      Then this island is ours. No more son, no father!

      (AMPHINOMUS and CTESIPPUS exit.)

      ANTINOUS

      If he dies your stubbornness put him in the earth.

      PENELOPE

      You think I’d step over his grave into your arms?

      ANTINOUS

      I’d rather not kill him. But if that’s what you’re worth.

      PENELOPE

      I’ll bend when the bow bends.

      ANTINOUS

      What bow?

      PENELOPE

      The one that aims.

      (Points at his heart.)

      ANTINOUS

      You’re like some olive tree, waiting for her shadow.

      PENELOPE

      And you would wrench her last leaves: son, Eurycleia.

      ANTINOUS

      That hot blue sea stays empty. That sail you pine for.

      PENELOPE

      Its line is my bow-string, and its waves my lyre.

      (ANTINOUS exits.)

      EURYCLEIA

      Me lost a husband too. Him was a damn scoundrel.

      PENELOPE

      Eurycleia!

      EURYCLEIA

      But me miss the scamp all the same.

      PENELOPE

      My hope is like a little lamp on a black hill.

      EURYCLEIA

      Yes, and when night coming down, is the worse, madam.

      PENELOPE

      Our bed is white and quiet. It’s smooth with silence.

      EURYCLEIA

      Me know how linen keep still when somebody die.

      PENELOPE

      His shadow slides on my wall. I feel his presence.

      EURYCLEIA

      Oh, ma’am!

      PENELOPE

      I turn, and my glance makes his shadow fly.

      (They exit. Shadows of crossing oars, increasing speed. BILLY BLUE enters.)

      CHORUS OF OARSMEN (Chanting off)

      Ayis! Do-o! Trayis! Tetra! Pente! Ex!

      Ayis! Do-o! Trayis! Tetra! Pente! Ex!

      BILLY BLUE (Sings)

      A one, a two, a three, four, five, six goes the mattock

      Of the boatswain as the oarsmen bend their necks

      Racing like mullet from the shadow of a sea-hawk.

      Ayis! Do-o! Trayis! Tetra! Pente! Ex!

      So mowers will increase the circle of their scythes,

      Flailing at the waves of grass bowing from the wind

      So the long blades of the rowers race for their lives

      Towards Pylos, past Samos, leaving their hunters behind

      Who spin back like sea-hawks, tired of the chase,

    >   The oars fanned towards Pylos, then closed near Nestor’s palace.

      (Exits.)

      SCENE III

      Nestor’s palace. Interior. TELEMACHUS and CAPTAIN MENTES waiting.

      TELEMACHUS

      You got here fast. Been to Temesa already?

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      A following wind.

      TELEMACHUS

      Struck a good deal with the bronze?

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      The bronze? Oh, the bronze! Let’s say the wind was steady.

      TELEMACHUS

      Wasn’t your cargo iron?

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      What’s the difference?

      TELEMACHUS

      Athena …

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      Wait. Your hunters, what happened to them?

      TELEMACHUS

      They got tired like hawks. We cheered, watching them turn.

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      You had twenty great oarsmen.

      TELEMACHUS

      Like scythes in rhythm.

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      Those hawks will hover in inlets for your return.

      (NESTOR enters, with ATTENDANTS.)

      TELEMACHUS

      Is this Nestor? That aged?

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      Surf-haired. He always was.

      NESTOR

      I cracked brine-seasoned whips over foaming horses.

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      Sir, Captain Mentes. This prince is Telemachus.

      NESTOR

      He enraged the sea, your father, Odysseus.

      FIRST ATTENDANT

      The sea’s a maw that devours.

      NESTOR

      A god who saves.

      TELEMACHUS

      He saved you.

      FIRST ATTENDANT

      To his shame, image of Odysseus.

      SECOND ATTENDANT

      From Poseidon’s charging herd, the unbridled waves.

      NESTOR

      No whip dipped in brine can steer the sea’s white horses.

      TELEMACHUS

      The sea’s ungovernable, is that what you mean?

      NESTOR

      Does he love questions? Another Odysseus!

      TELEMACHUS

      Sir …

      NESTOR

      Young Odysseus! You finish what I mean!

      TELEMACHUS

      Where’s my father? Each dusk the sea-swallow steers home.

      NESTOR

      There’s brilliance in here.

      FIRST ATTENDANT

      Your eyes, watering. The glare.

      (NESTOR peers at MENTES.)

      NESTOR

      No. Like when your bright feet, Athena, skim the foam.

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      I’m Captain Mentes, sir.

      NESTOR

      No. The clouds’ messenger.

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      When was that, sir?

      NESTOR

      At Troy. A swallow twittering.

      TELEMACHUS

      That was when you last saw my father. Is that right?

      NESTOR

      We looked up, unhelmeted, every blood-grimed king.

      FIRST ATTENDANT

      All of Troy’s sorrow is borne in a swallow’s flight.

      NESTOR

      Ten years! And my heart is stabbed by a bird’s twitter.

      CAPTAIN MENTES

      Kites cried there, and ravens, the sky one black complaint.

      NESTOR

      Her voice was as close as yours.

     

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