The Love of the Nightingale

I came not out of greed but in the cause of justice

No I must return north there has been trouble while I conducted this war what I want is to bring some of your country mine manners ease civilized discourse

I have always that culture was kept by the women

But they have a reputation for wisdom is that false

so

I will love and respect you

she didn’t explain she insisted I come to you and I did what she asked

She was well when I left she has her child companions

You’re her father

I only meant Procne would accept any decision you made it is a long journey

No

That sound

We do not encourage art

Her own stepson thats wrong isn’t it

Why should we pity her these plays condone vice

Terrible advice

and to a brother let her speak Pandion

we have no art no philosophy in Thrace philomele

ah

no

nothing the heat

you pity her philomele

she could keep silent about it

how do you know all this philomele

philomele

phaedra has lied thats vile

i have expert sailors i dont think well crash against the rocks

we’ll travel swiftly Procne is so impatient to see her sister we much go soon or she’ll fall ill with worry

tomorrow

youre crying philomele

why are the sails up captain

take them down

we’re sailing too fast its frightening philomele

why arent you asleep

athos yes the hooded men

lower the sails captain

this isnt a battle we have time

not yet come and talk to me philomele

well you were talking easily enough when i came above

i’ve already told you

i dont know she has women with her

what women talk about i didnt ask you to grill me philomele talk to me talk to me about the night

the night something what were you saying to the captain

do you want to be marrie philomele

you can go niobe

youre beautiful

in the moonlight your skin seems transparent

i dont know

philomele

what sort of man do you want to marry a king

not necessarily from Athens

wise

you are born a king nothing can change that

philomele would you marry a king

if procne were

if procne were to become ill

i didnt say that but it

things happen

yes but should

philomele

yes

speak

i have my reasons

you must trust me am i not your leader

my knowledge is greater than yours…that glory fame i have seen it all along

i have information

I know this is difficult for you…trust me and youll understand all in time

philomele

philomele

philomele

philomele

philomele

procne procne procne is dead…perhaps better not to find it

mourn philomele mourn with me she was my wife

sister beloved sister my sister

traitor traitor traitor a young girl defenseless go to the underworld with your shame around your neck be more careful philomele

here a delay

a wild beast or a god in disguise unnameable

not here

but i am here

now i wish you didnt exist

explain

i dont know what to do with you

what

thats enough

quiet

i said that was enough

i warn you

i will keep you quiet

you should have kept quiet i did what i had to do you threatened the order of my rule how could i allow rebellion i had to keep you quiet i am not sorry except for your pain but it was you or me you are more beautiful now in your silence i could love you you should have allowed the god to have his way you should kept quiet niobe you will look after her this is to ease the pain why werent you more careful let me kiss those bruised lips you are mine my sweet my songless my caged bird

no

but you’ll be a king itys thats almost as good and almost as powerful

yes

not yet

i wish to spend time with itys

i now believe his is the only thing in this world i have ever truly loved and you

its daylight at last the revels are over time to go home its time for you to go home go on stager home procne tell your women to go home

i had wanted to say

if i could explain

beyond words