CantaClassics

Well, I have just risen from a most delightful slumber as the sun has finally decided to shine on us. I had a boring breakfast of porridge (again) and got washed and dressed into the same toga I have been wearing for the past week. I crept around quietly feeling as though the entire cenaculum was going to fall. Our cenacula is in the attic, and I wake every morning utterly surprised that the building is still standing. As I leave my bed the building swings to and fro and I hurriedly get ready to begin work in the gardens in the courtyard. I worry about my father. One more fall and he will be unable to work. The narrow staircases have already caused him much pain and if the building was to come down with him in it I would shed tears not only for him, but for all those who are forced to live in these buildings that are nothing more than shacks. I envy those in their roomy villas or the wealthy in their private domus. Living in the insulae is pure hell, the men always crowd to catch a glimpse of me undressing and father has forbidden me from talking to the teenaged boys.

I am glad to be returning home for a siesta, the heat reminds me of out previous cenacula which caught fire when a clumsy servant knocked over a candle and set fire to the building. At least we were close to the exit that time. I don’t know why father insists on sending me to school I would be much more help at home. But he says I must think of my future, the future he is taking charge of. I am glad that my schooling will be finished I cannot bear to be in a room with those stinking boys. Do they not know how to wash in the mornings? Finally, I am approaching home. I wish they would clean the streets, they are so dusty and dirty and the beggars always try to get close to single girls like me. I just tell them that I’m married, which I am soon to be.

Wow. My father has just told me that my beauty means I am sought after by many wealthy men and I am to be sent to live with a rich man in his domus. I have always dreamed of living in a house with a room to myself. I would tend the flowers in the peristylium and admire the stone columns that have each been carved into a beautiful goddess. I would feed the fish of the fish pond and at night sleep with my dear husband. The domus is only around the corner from here as we are near the edge of the city and so my family would be able to visit me any time they wish it. I am glad to be leaving my dirty poor home into that of a man with money

oh what a day! all those suitors do is sit and eat, and drink and eat, and sleep and eat, eat and eat! it’s driving me insane! oh how i wish my noble father would come home and rid this house of their presence, but alas he has fallen and gone to hade’s halls and will never cross the thresshold of his own house once again. enough of my childlike meanderings, i’m a man! but a strange thing happend today, as i sat helplessly with the suitors as they ate my oxen and sheep i caught site of a stranger standing at the gate, he was armed only with a bronze spear, which i took from him to store away as i led him to an ordanate chair with a linen cloth spread over so he might be comfortable as he sat and ate his meal, and when he had satisfied his hunger and thirst i questioned him on the werabouts or final resting place of my father odysseus. he told me his name was mentes and that he was bound for the port of temesa to trade iron for bronze but then he told me the most extraordaniry thing, he told me that my father was alive.

_{Catching site of the darkened figure looming about the gate, Telemachus set off at once to allow this stranger into his home.}

_{Shame worn upon his face, Telemachus beckoned in the mysterious, spear bearing man and greeted him according to custom, but though  his face and words spoke of shame, it was an uneasiness that began to ferment within Telemachus.}

_{He offered his guest a beautifully carved chair, which was accepted, and went on to take from the guest his spear, heart quickening, though always being sure to never seem distrusting to the Darkened One.}

_{Away from the Suitors sat Telemachus and his menacing visitor, for Telemachus wished not to offend a guest in his home, unaware of the reaction the Darkened One may give: as such a man couldnt possibly respond kindly if offended by the mindless babble of Suitors.}

_{The maids proceeded with their work, setting meats, breads and wine before the guest, and the Suitors also proceeded with their ways; to eat their fill of food and drink before resorting to music and dance. The music, however pleasant, however relaxing, however loud, could not drown away the gaze of the Darkened One, that gaze set upon Telemachus, whose body and spirit were caving beneath the weight of such eyes…
“How, ah, easy it is for such men to dance,” started youthful Telemachus, “When they live off the life of another…”. Telemachus was silent, fearful of the Darkened One, whos unearthly being seemed to feast on Telemachus’ fear and anxiety.}

_{‘My guest must be displeased’ thought Telemachus, as a sinister grin spread across theDarkened Ones face…}