Parados

(Enter the Chorus.)

Chorus

Sun rises to shine upon all equally.

We greet illumination as one people united in our purpose to penetrate the deeper mysteries within the compass of this day.

Together we seek enlightenment.

And it is said: Seek and ye shall find!

Morning light is soft and sweet, dances upon the dew and awakens joy within the heart for coming events.

Noon light is strong and bright.

Not all is beautiful within such brightness.

Twilight ends the day with edges fading in soft greys.

What will day reveal before the night once more conceals.

There are those who say: "it is all good",

but when they go into fields of vegetables, we do not see them eating the dung between the rows.

The seven Gates of Thebes have seven guards.

Is not every mother proud of her son in uniform?

For every soldier that falls upon the fields, is not there someone deprived by this fatality?

But for each that is vanquished there is a victor,

a smile for every tear.

Golden streams of sunlight illuminated the Argive warriors:

white shields,

full armor glistened in the sun.

Is a nation to forgive its traitors?

Those who stand with the enemy, are the enemy!

Those who would crush the economy simply to gain power deserve no forgiveness!

Polynices, like a proud Republican, rode against our nation for the sake of his own profit.

He joined with the Argives descending upon our land like vultures,

riding cold white clouds of death

seeking to feast upon the fat of our land.

Armed to the teeth,

trampling the crops beneath their feet,

they did not hesitate to crush the poor who were not fast enough in their retreat.

Encircled by the abusive cries of the Republican army of the Argos many lost their lives.

They were a bane upon our land.

But the day of his destiny became his night of doom.

Even with his super pack of foreign mercenaries the traitor did not breach a single door.

Instead he tasted the fruits of greed

which is the death of success within the jaws of defeat.

All the gold in this world cannot buy enough strength to win victory over death.

Mad science may toil at the serpent's coil at the base of life, but there is no way to slice out death except to risk the destruction of all life.

Why pray to the God of war, if peace will bring you more?

The God of war only serves the industry of war

If you pray to the God of war, you must be prepared to offer your children in sacrifice.

Zeus, Brahma, God the father, patriarchal king of energy, the rain of death leaves everything covered in blood.

When you awaken from the drunken madness of war, how long will the hangover last?

What hair of which dog can heal such a hangover?

It is easier to overcome the morning pain of drinking an entire bottle of Metaxa by oneself, than to overcome the aftermath of war.

Do not unleash the dogs of war, before you have fed the beggar at the door.

He was a warrior in a previous war,

giving his strength to protect our people.

The anguish of the people's cries is not diminished by the heel of the tyrant.

When the fields are trampled under the machinery of war, the ensuing losses mean more death in the long run.

Polynices, son and brother of Oedipus, raised his hand against his own nation.

His brother, Eteocles, opposed him, and defending us, died in opposition.

The curse of the parents may thus be visited upon their children.

Who would not be cursed being of his ilk?

Did not Oedipus unknowingly fulfill the prophecy killing his father on the crossroads, then marrying his mother who gave birth to these boys?

The strands of life are woven within all beings, though they may not be seen.

Thus the wise man or woman learns to kindle the gentle flames of kindness and lets go of anger.

Listen. Do you hear the drums? The pounding of the feet.

Nike, the goddess of victory dances in the temple of our nation,

our citizens are drunk with joyful celebration,

the dance circles weave through the town squares,

feet pounding the ground,

the people lead the victory dance.