Vocal

A set of five choir songs for choir based on the Strategikon of Byzantine Emperor Maurice. The text, which is not in the audio mock-up, is below and were created in the form of found poems:

I
Early at the first sound
of night before day,

Lead the horses to water
when the time comes.

Worship into danger,
pray to a friend,
by deceit or by hunger,
be enticed into action.

Apart from some plot,
carefully compare a disastrous end
to accomplish more.

The lay of the land has been helpful.

II
Nature produces but few brave men.
Care in courage to keep them busy and
things which are unexpected must be just.

Habitual spells, a prudent mutiny,
drive out some evil purpose:
draw forth the uneven terrain.

If we have been betrayed,
take council with only a few
and observe
fonder fear and rewards.

III
Assembled by meros,
we find ourselves with ways strange to us.

Not knowing the safest thing,
take our own to a time of hay and grass.

IV
We remedy the heart on deception and come to forget
good spirits and good reasons, too weak the oath compelled.

The vanquished become the confident
until the lances shine as heralds,
when the confusion is sung and divided.

V
More by hunger than by force
be put to death, be cast down
at night during day.

Harsh and indulgent,
a truce to break:
the disfavor of God be true to our strength.

Maneuver the sun behind his vision,
quickly be ready to neglect
those who could have been saved:
flight must be restrained, while terror ought to adapt.