Life

I figured if I was going to subject you to my rantings about my (stupid) Latin speech, I might as well post it for y'all to see. it's only fair...
Is anyone familiar with the story of Niobe????

It's over now. My husband is gone, my children are gone; my wealth, my power-- gone. But could I not elude misfortune? Was I not untouchable? no. I never was. Not until now-- now with nothing more to lose. I am only unconquerable when conquered.

Did not my people worship me enough that I had to belittle a titan? No, nothing was ever enough. I was happily married-- Amphion was an unrivaled musician, able to move stones with his lyre. I had fourteen perfect children-- seven girls; the fairest, softest and most beautiful creatures in the land-- and seven boys; the strongest, swiftest and wisest. I was wealthy beyond compare, and powerful. The ueen of Thebes. And I threw it away. And while my father is tortured in the underworld by unquenchable thirst and insatiable hunger-- I have my own personal underworld, here.

The fruits that I will never reach stand before me. I will never regain my wealth, I will never regain my power. And I stand in a pool kindred to my father's for I shall never see my family again. This torment is my own doing, for it was I who stole Leto's temple.

'Throw doen your wreaths and put out your incence! Leave your sacrifices for another day-- or perhaps another deity... Why do you worship Leto when you could worship me?' said I, 'My children are better and more plentiful. Only tiny, ahborre dDelos would take her in when it came time to birth her children, and Leto is nothing more than a common whore to Zeus. Also, you can see me, see the effects of my power. See my beauty and my wealth. I am something to be worshipped and admired-- I bore fourteen perfect children. Maidens, this temple shall be closed until tomorrow, lead your sacrifices home and come back at the dawn's first break, and go then to my temple and burn inscence in my name.' They were thoughtless words, but my people obeyed, for who were they to oppose their queen?

The news of the event drifted to Leto, who upon hearing this, sent her murderous, but admittedly superior children to kill mine. And they did.
Agenor was an exuestrian, and full of fire, so it wasa only wise that his steed should be fire, itself. He was racing his brothers on horseback when Apollo struck. A golden arrow fell at the feel of the fire stallion, and not even a dancing flame can escape revenge. My others were slain in the same manner, and due to Apollo's brutality, nothing could peirce the darkness settling inside of my heart now.

Siplyus and Phylomache were fencing with wooden swords, too young to be given real swords, or to recieve their war steeds. Phylomache was slain instantly, while Siplyus called for mercy-- MERCY!-- but the arrow had already flown. My husband killed himself, dissappointed by his lack of heirs, and at their funeral, Artemis caught up with my baby girls.

I watched my ladies fall to the silver arrows, the light of my life treated in the same way by Artemis that Apollo had treated my sons, with an unfeeling bloodthirsty hand. I plead for the life of Astyoche, my youngest. She was a dreamer, who like Astycratia, could always see the beauty of the world. She was my favorite, and Artemis did not have the heart to let me keep just one daughter. Now, with thanks to the ruthless hunter deities, I have lost everything-- and I had everything to lose.

And now I stand wishing my heart, too would stop. Wishing that Zephyr's caress would not affect me. But something is changing...

I do not feel the wind upon my face, nor does my heart beat. My countentance is twisted forever into a paoned gromace, and my skin is a pallid, stony gray... but the tears still flow.

Please tell me what you think! Brutal honesty is a must!!