Marsyas

[hephty]

This first post is reserved for the final draft of 'Marsyas' which I will be completing over the next week or so, and adding in an edit to keep the work at the top of the page.

[hephty]

This is the reworked plot for scene 1 of 3 of Marsyas.

Scene 1: The Meeting of Marsyas and Apollo

Marsayas is sitting on a bank by the river
entertaining the hours with song.
Apollo, passing near, hears his melody,
and, spotting the young satyr, intrigued, draws near.


Marsyas spies the god and stops his song,
looks to the god, and boasts,
"I'm glad to see I've drawn such audience
as one of the gods, although fitting,
for I really shouldn't be all that surprised
my songs would please even one like you, a divinity,
as I'm praised among the woods and glens
as truly the best musician around."

Apollo replies, "I, myself, am a fine musician.
In fact, I am the god of music, I invented it,
I, the one who gave sound such meaning,
and, I attest, no one can match the divinely
inspired songs I play. If you truly are great,
do you care to make a bet, so sure you are
that you're the best, implying even better than I?
Yet, what proof do you have of such claims?"

Marsyas returns, "Everyone knows my skill!
Everyone among the forrests and glades, who've heard me play,
likes my music! The nymphs, my brother satyrs,
even the sylvan gods, often listen in awe
and admire me for my songs. They will confirm,
that I've a way of touching hearts
with my delightful music. Is that not proof enough?
But, still, I would bet anything that many
would prefer my playing to yours!'

They then agree to a contest, one in which
the honorable elders of the vale
should listen to each one play their melody,
and judge between them who plays better.