(XENOS, a stranger,
KRISA, wearing a flower wreath,
AUTOS, HOMER, and NAUSIKAA, observing from the side,
and KEPHISIS, a lake,
are at the lake, near a path, with some trees nearby.)

KRISA: the lake rests here unchanged;
or at least,
smelling like an unchanged diaper;

XENOS: but still, o queen-lady, take pity(she was taking pity);
for suffering many ills(we)supplicate you as(much as)the first.

ἀλλά, ἄνασσ᾽, ἐλέαιρε: σὲ γὰρ κακὰ πολλὰ μογήσας
ἐς πρώτην ἱκόμην

KRISA: we dont hear him,
but we greet it like we have;
we have good lake manners;

XENOS: but(we)havent seen(dont know)any other human beings,
who(by it)have(and hold)(by having and holding)
this(-she)city and(this)earth.

τῶν δ᾽ ἄλλων οὔ τινα οἶδα
ἀνθρώπων, οἳ τήνδε πόλιν καὶ γαῖαν ἔχουσιν.

KRISA: o beloved Iaopaian, we are speaking-through,

KEPHISIS: but still(to)by(for)you we will speak out,

ἀλλ᾽ ἔκ τοι ἐρέω,

KRISA: and countless times; we listen to
your message on the wind,

XENOS: but show(to)by(for)me the town,

ἄστυ δέ μοι δεῖξον,

KRISA: but show(to)by(for)me the heart,
he says,

KEPHISIS: but you(throw)into your phrenes(heart)throw(yours),

σὺ δ᾽ ἐνὶ φρεσὶ βάλλεο σῇσι,

KRISA: and it comforts me; we touch it
with our foot, then we look in
to the water, and we see . . .

KEPHISIS: (it will)plunge you into ruin(you will be plunged)always,
(the)noise(crash!bang!din!neighhh!)of swift horses!

KRISA: oh no — what was that!
(shocked and upset)
how could you show us horses?

XENOS: but(the)thumos commands(orders-bids-enjoins)me.

κέλεται δέ με θυμός.

KRISA: like it has and will,
but we are terrified of horses —
anything but horses!

KEPHISIS: and waterings(o waterings)(symposia)of mules(o mules)

KRISA: mules! o mules!?
how could you, this evil —

KEPHISIS: (will-throwing-up)of my(sacred)shrine(consecrating)
of stout(big-mighty-solidly-put-together-salt-white)
running-waters(streams-founts-sources-springs);

πημανέει σ᾽ αἰεὶ ( κτύπος ἵππων ὠκειάων )
ἀρδόμενοί τ᾽ οὐρῆες ἐμῶν ἱερῶν ἀπὸ πηγέων:

KRISA: streams? and springs?
what blasphemy; what even is salt?
why must you show us these horrible things!?

XENOS: but(the)thumos commands(orders-bids-enjoins)me.

κέλεται δέ με θυμός.

KRISA: (fretfully) how could you despoil this sacred place —
with horses?

KEPHISIS: thither(where)someone among human beings
will wish to look-in at the well-made chariot,
(indeed)of the swift-footed(crash —
bang — din — )(theyll crash and stamp — )(we crash —
and sound — and thundering — ! — hooves
of)horses,

ἔνθα τις ἀνθρώπων βουλήσεται εἰσοράασθαι
ἅρματά τ᾽ εὐποίητα καὶ ( ὠκυπόδων κτύπον ἵππων )

KRISA: horses! again!
as long as we keep coming back to look,
are you only going to show us horses?

KEPHISIS: or(ah!why!wherefore!)(beings),
and the great(big)temple(beings)dwelling,
and(indeed)the possessions(o possessions)(beings)many,
(o many)(o dyad-many-dyads)being.

ἢ νηόν τε μέγαν καὶ κτήματα πόλλ᾽ ἐνεόντα.

KRISA: possessions?
(scandalized)
were sorry, we have to stop.
possessions are —
the bottom of the bottom,
the worst of the worst —

XENOS: but give(me)a rag to throw-around(myself),
if somehow a wrapping of scraps(sowing)you have(and hold),
hither(thither)coming(and going),

δὸς δὲ ῥάκος ἀμφιβαλέσθαι,
εἴ τί που εἴλυμα σπείρων ἔχες ἐνθάδ᾽ ἰοῦσα.

KEPHISIDOS: but if still(surely-binding-and-needful)
someoone(of wine-jar-drunk)
would(be)persuaded,

ἀλλ᾽ εἰ δή τι πίθοιο,

KRISA: oh, no. oh, no.
not us. not we.
not.
at.
all.
(pauses)
okay, well take a sip.
(sits down next to a tree to recite prayer — )

O beloved Pan and as many other gods
and goddesses, by gazings, there be
for-by-to this here, please throw yourself
into my(phrenes)heart; and make-build-prepare
whatever there;

(XENOS snaps to attention)

KRISA: but first, we have a questionnaire;
question one. in return, what will you do for me?

XENOS: but(to)by(for)you may the gods(and goddesses)give so vast
and as much as your phrenes(heart)(to)by(for)would desire,

KRISA: o? but what does my phrenes(heart)desire?

XENOS: (a)man and(indeed a)house, and(indeed)(they would)follow
(it with)good sameness-of-heart-and-mind;

σοὶ δὲ θεοὶ τόσα δοῖεν ὅσα φρεσὶ σῇσι μενοινᾷς,
ἄνδρα τε καὶ οἶκον, καὶ ὁμοφροσύνην ὀπάσειαν

KRISA: but what if we dont need another mind,
and we already have a man?

KEPHISIDOS: but youre(better)mightier(stronger)and(indeed)
(arent you related to Ares?)(better-stronger-braver-
more-stout, you)are,
o lord, of(-we-)being,

σὺ δὲ ( κρείσσων καὶ ἀρείων )
ἐσσί, ἄναξ, ἐμέθεν,

XENOS: or when same-being-of-heart-and-mind-dyad,

KRISA: question two. could you impersonate the god of war?

XENOS: by noema(thoughts-ideas-notions-intelligences-dispositions-
purposes-designs-intentions-devices-inspirations), (dyad)man-
and-woman, would have(and hold)a house-dwelling,

KRISA: (frowns) well record that as a no. question three.
how do you propose to gratify us?

XENOS: many(she-dyad)pains(would be)(to)by(for)ill-willers,

ἢ ὅθ᾽ ὁμοφρονέοντε νοήμασιν οἶκον ἔχητον
ἀνὴρ ἠδὲ γυνή: πόλλ᾽ ἄλγεα δυσμενέεσσι,

KRISA: yall have discovered our secret motivation.

KEPHISIS: but your strengh(we-)is(-are)the greatest(mega-most),

KRISA: aha, the we-is-are.
that leads us to question four.
what superpowers does it give him?

KEPHISIS: (be)made(poetry)in Krisa(distinct-
discerning-judgment-turning-
point-trial-crisis-
looming)

KRISA: question five. do you remember a Sesame Street skit
gameshow, “this is your life”?

KEPHISIS: under the(shield-)fold(leaf)(cleft)(plate)

KRISA: question six — whats the name
of the street where little-me grew up?
its a little garbled —

KEPHISIS: (tablet)(o slab)of Parnassus(mountain-woodland-

KRISA: close enough. question seven —
where do we live?

KEPHISIS: heights-branching-growth-minding-
alone-remote)

σεῦ δὲ σθένος ἐστὶ μέγιστον,
ἐν Κρίσῃ ποίησαι ὑπὸ πτυχὶ Παρνησοῖο.

KRISA: but thats right, we live in an isolated
and remote community. so we wont
be showing you to-for-by the city;

XENOS: (crestfallen) but(the)thumos commands(orders-bids- enjoins)me.

κέλεται δέ με θυμός.

KRISA: nope, cant happen. o lord, we live in a small
dyad-community of like-and-other-like-minded dyads; living
under the mountain, where we grow and eat our own
biodynamic corn; and we dont
allow horses;

KEPHISIS: there(where)neither beautiful chariots will shake
nor(to)by(for)you(the)noise(crash!stomp!thunder!)of swift-footed horses
(it-we)will be well-built around(the)altar(base)(pedestal),

ἔνθ᾽ οὔθ᾽ ἅρματα καλὰ δονήσεται οὔτε τοι ( ἵππων
ὠκυπόδων κτύπος ) ἔσται ἐύδμητον περὶ βωμόν,

KRISA: we also have a few rules against, for example, fame;
o lord, forever, we used to think about fame; then
we realized that was un-golden; now,
we keep our practices secret;
for discretions sake;

XENOS: but delights(joys)(would be)(to)by(for)well-wishers,

χάρματα δ᾽ εὐμενέτῃσι,

KRISA: but o lord, such things, o Zevron,
our cherished guru, teaches us, are irrelevant
to divine goldenbodyhood;
have you heard of goldebodyhood?
have you heard, o lord, were grown
from fallen stars?
(begins swaying back and forth
chanting-wailing-crying)
iiiiieeeeeee paaaaiiiiee — oh-en!

(XENOS dismayed)

KEPHISIS: but still(they)would(lead)bring(carry)-gifts-
through(for-to)you, as(o)Iepaieon(o healer, o cure, and she
has already demonstrated your form of address), (dyad-)famous
(glorious, renowned)among the races(tribes-classes-
nations)of human beings;

ἀλλά τοι ὣς προσάγοιεν Ἰηπαιήονι δῶρα
ἀνθρώπων κλυτὰ φῦλα:

KRISA: iiiiiieeeee paaaiiieeee — oh-en!
(she appears to be in a trance)
okay o lord, were fully dilated in spirit-heart-vessel —
were ready to receive the seeds of your propagaion —
our heart and tongue-womb are purified and open
to your shining light — let it in, lord —

XENOS: but they(selves)heard at most—

KRISA: iiiiiieeeee paaaiiieeee — oh-en!
make it more musical, o lord! we hear —
iiiiiieeeee paaaiiieeee — oh-en!
some crystal singing bowls! —
iiiiiieeeee paaaiiieeee — oh-en!
were being healed by your sounds o lord! —
iiiiiieeeee paaaiiieeee — oh-en!
you sound like Enya! theyre releasing —
iiiiiieeeee paaaiiieeee — oh-en!
were releasing! — iiiiiieeeee paaaiiieeee — oh-en!

)you,

(panting to recover her breath)
o lord, that was amazing;
we feel totally healed, and had,
and held, and we super-appreciate
your message —

“)you,”

we feel so reflected-upon;
“you” right back at “you”, o lord;
(smiling-glowing-weeping)

μάλιστα δέ τ᾽ ἔκλυον αὐτοί.

(XENOS gestures hopelessly at blessed KRISA)

KEPHISIS: but you, rejoicing-around(your)phrenes(heart-
mind-built-deep), receive(take-accept-welcome-expect-wait-
contain-admit)(the)beautiful shrines(o sacred-dyad)
of(these)round-about-dwelling human beings.

σὺ δὲ φρένας ἀμφιγεγηθὼς
δέξαι᾽ ἱερὰ καλὰ περικτιόνων ἀνθρώπων.’

KRISA: o lord, we already follow o Zevron,
but we-think my mind is pretty open
to persuasion and influence
from a radiant divinity
especially a sound healer
with a cute man-bun like you
(pats the stranger on the head)

(XENOS feels the top of his head
and feels as for the first time
his hair in a man-bun

AUTOS, HOMER, and NAUSIKAA step forward, as KEPHISIS fades into the background)

AUTOS: so she-saying(by saying)(o she-saying)(of the Far-thrower)
persuaded(persuade, you, the)phrenes(heart-mind-built-deep)
of the Far-thrower,

so that(there would be)fame(glory-rumor-report)
across the earth(she suffers)(suffer her)(she lets)(let her)
by-him for by-herself Telphousa,
but not of the Far-thrower.

ὣς εἰποῦσ᾽ Ἑκάτου πέπιθε φρένας, ὄφρα οἱ αὐτῇ
Τελφούσῃ κλέος εἴη ἐπὶ χθονί, μηδ᾽ Ἑκάτοιο.

KRISA: actually, we heard that Telphousa
built an amazing temple-dwelling
for Hera, with millions of followers on tiktok,
where they post video shorts
of perfect —

HOMER: but again(bow wow)Nausikaa of-white-arms
(of the loom)set-against him was speaking;

NAUSIKAA: o stranger(guest-friend, wanderer, refugee, foreigner), since
(youre following the dyad-word-song)
(and)neither(for)by(to)evil(bad-ugly)
nor(for)by(to)senselessness(a-phron)
(but)(to)by(for)daylight(a man)
(you)seem(to be),

τὸν δ᾽ αὖ Ναυσικάα λευκώλενος ἀντίον ηὔδα:
‘ξεῖν᾽, ἐπεὶ οὔτε κακῷ οὔτ᾽ ἄφρονι φωτὶ ἔοικας:

KRISA: hes such a daylight man,
my o lords a daylight man;
in the valley below,
where ancient secrets reveal themselves —

AUTOS: but(hither)thither further(than earlier)(dyads-
earlier)(you)were going, o throws-from-afar Apollo,

ἔνθεν δὲ προτέρω ἔκιες, ἑκατηβόλ᾽ Ἄπολλον:

KRISA: this tree is breathing . . .
we see it dancing . . .
we hear the mycelium singing . . .
o lord, we feel your mood strongly . . .
or . . . is that indigestion, o lord — ?

NAUSIKAA: but Zeus Olympos-dwelling himself distributes(dyad-
wooded-glades)happiness(wealth, bliss)(to)for(by)human beings,
and(to)by(for)good(things)and(to)by(for)evil(ugly-bad)things,
as(he)would be willing, (to)for(by)each;
and(somewhere)somehow(to)for(by)you
(he)gives this-she-dyad,

Ζεὺς δ᾽ αὐτὸς νέμει ὄλβον Ὀλύμπιος ἀνθρώποισιν,
ἐσθλοῖς ἠδὲ κακοῖσιν, ὅπως ἐθέλῃσιν, ἑκάστῳ:
190 καί που σοὶ τάδ᾽ ἔδωκε,

KRISA: but my thoughts were interrupted —
you should eat more probiotics, o lord;
we make the best ferments,
we sell jars of it to the military —

AUTOS: but(you)came to the city of(the)hubristic(insolent,
violent, wanton, outrageous)Phleguan(flaming-limbs-of-body-
fire)men, those who(by him)on earth(we)were dwelling,
having no care(respect-regard-concern)for Zeus,
in(a)beautiful(stood)glen,

of Kephisis(drone-declaration-
iron-form)nearby
(the)lake.

ἷξες δ᾽ ἐς Φλεγύων ἀνδρῶν πόλιν ὑβριστάων,
οἳ Διὸς οὐκ ἀλέγοντες ἐπὶ χθονὶ ναιετάασκον
280 ἐν καλῇ βήσσῃ Κηφισίδος ἐγγύθι λίμνης.

KRISA: where they have changed
our names, for discretions sake, but not
our adjectives; hail and welcome
to drone-declaration-iron-form, o lord;

our political structure is based
on an old book —
(her eyes twinkle)

(XENOS groans loudly)

NAUSIKAA: but(you)must take(it)upon you(all the)same.

σὲ δὲ χρὴ τετλάμεν ἔμπης.

from hym to Apollo
Od. 6.175-190
Il. 10.534