Act II

Scene 1

The servants, workmen, Mestra, and Erysichthon sit with their masks on and all sing,/ hum the “Hunger Theme” during the narrator’s speech, accompanied by an occasional bell or triangle. When the speech is over, the hum must fade.

N: A week has passed since Solones disappeared in the hills. And, despite Mestra's clear distress, her father has not even seemed to notice her apparent sorrow, so occupied is he with the construction of the new palace. Even so, despite appearances, not all is well with Erysichthon. His sleep grows troubled with fantastic nightmares of a mysterious woman, draped in tattered black garments, who hovers over his bedside at night. She has a terrifying aspect: whisps of grey, matted hair hang limply over her ivory-white eyes, her lips twist into a grimace revealing blackened gums sprouting a few loose, yellow fangs. Her bony hands caress his body as he sleeps, unable to move, unable to resist. AT times he imagines he sees her shriveled breasts hanging like empty sacks from between the filthy shreds of her cloak. Her ribs can be seen protruding through her white, emaciated skin, as she bends over him in his sleep. He is unable to wake from these night-terrors and, by daylight, unable to forget them.

E: (Lowering his mask while the chorus softly hums the “Hunger Hum” until he calls for the servant.)

What a dream! What a nightmare!

I need to clear my mind: forget.

There’s much I wish I could forget.

(But by the gods I’m hungry now!

Such a hunger as might drive

Me to forget these dreams, these strange

And twisted phantoms of my mind.)

Is this guilt? Guilt? For what!?

I bear no guilt nor any shame

For what I’ve done. I was provoked.

(But how a violent hunger strikes!

As if some creature gnaws within,

I must find something I can eat!)

I must collect my thoughts…

(E. Pauses to look about, finds some bread on a plate and begins tearing away at it ravenously. He continues his monologue while tearing at the bread with his teeth.)

Ah, yes

The time has come: I must arrange

To see my precious daughter wed

And so must find a worthy man,

To husband her in bed –

But comes again the hideous pain!

Yet, what of this? Shall hunger reign?

Shall men be paralyzed thereby?

Postpone my plans? Oh no, not I.

I’ll call in the servants and send out the word:

Ariadne, come here! (Chorus ends hum.)

S1: (Lowering mask.) Good morning, my lord.

E: Today is a day of great celebration

I want a feast served, without hesitation.

I’ll want bread dipped in olive oil, basil and sage.

Let the cook kill the pheasant that’s been kept in the cage,

Buy some figs from the market, bring me wine from my cellar

S1: If your daughter inquires, then what should I tell her?

E: You can tell her the feast is to honor her future

For today is the day we’ll start seeking her suitor.

For this we must have something grand:

A lavish feast.

S1: As you command. (Raises mask again.)

E: And thus by words the task is done.

But still my hunger lingers on.

So to the pantry I’ll repair

To satisfy my hunger there

(Raises mask.)