Stasimon 3

Chorus

Can love be conquered by war?

Or is war best conquered with love?

Our war with Troy will be remembered for thousands of years.

Launching so many ships for the sake of a pretty face.

Leaving a proud nation in disgrace.

Fallen. Destroyed. Lost. Due to obsession with a horse.

Can money buy real love?

Can love be maintained through intimidation?

Can one hold a partner through blackmail?

How many times have we seen the desire for love become a ravenous hunger that devours all prosperity?

What soul with a warm heart does not long for the lips of the first of love of their life?

For true love people travel across the oceans to distant shores.

Aphrodite inspires the deepest desire within the soul

and mires the spirit in quests that cross the mountains, the valleys and the distant steppes.

The human spirit cannot escape the fires of passion.

Or the fires of living hell when the heart is possessed by Eros.

The plain becomes beautiful.

Fair becomes unfair.

The awkward become graceful.

The rational lose all reason.

Even kin begin to pine for days free of strife.

Clear eyed youth, the fair and healthy inspire the flames of desire.

Not even our leaders are immune to passion.

How many fall into the flames of lust to awaken in a conflagration of public condemnation.

Aphrodite rules all hearts easily emptying the mind of reason and obscuring clarity of decision.

How can we look upon this scene, knowing this young woman will be walled into living death and not feel anguish at this injustice.

Who can watch such things and not be moved to tears.