Many years mighty Troy was under siege And remained an unconquerable fort. If the Trojans harked Cassandra’s speech Maybe Troy would still be holding court. With eyes delirious, the maiden Kept on saying, "I see my Troy in ashes and alight!" But prophets, like the witnesses all ended On stakes. And always burned with equal light. That day from Horse’s belly death descended. It was a wingED one as lore dictates. In murder’s bloody reign neverending, They yelled, "This witch must perish at the stake!" With eyes delirious, the maiden Kept on saying, "I see my Troy in ashes and alight!" But prophets, like the witnesses all ended On stakes. And always burned with equal light. That night, and in that chaos, that unreason When all her prophesies played out to the letter, The mob would find... no better season To execute her and her fame shattered. With eyes delirious, the maiden Kept on saying, "I see my Troy in ashes and alight!" But prophets, like the witnesses all ended On stakes. And always burned with equal light. Her end was simple, vexing, but no wonder. Some Greek had found her remote shelter. And started using her not as Cassandra, But as a plain and simple subjugator. With eyes delirious, the maiden Kept on saying, "I see my Troy in ashes and alight!" But prophets, like the witnesses all ended On stakes. And always burned with equal light.
© Eugene Derbarmdiker. Translation, 2005