byAeschylustranslatedbyE。D。A。MorsheadCHARACTERSINTHEPLAY
THEPYTHIANPRIESTES
APOLLO
ORESTES
THEGHOSTOFCLYTEMNESTRA
CHORUSOFFURIES
ATHENA
ATTENDANTSOFATHENA
TWELVEATHENIANCITIZENSh
EUMENDIDES
（SCENE:—BeforethetempleofAPOLLOatDelphi。ThePYTHIAN
PRIESTESSentersandapproachesthedoorsofthetemple。）
THEPYTHIANPRIESTES
First，inthisprayer，ofallthegodsInameTheprophet—motherEarth；andThemisnext，Secondwhosat—forsowithtruthissaid—
Onthishermother’sshrineoracular。
Thenbyhergrace，whounconstrainedallowed，TheresatthereonanotherchildofEarth—
TitanianPhoebe。She，inaftertime，Gaveo’erthethrone，asbirthgifttoagod，Phoebus，whoinhisownbearsPhoebe’sname。
HefromthelakeandridgeofDelos’isleSteeredtotheportofPallas’Atticshores，Thehomeofships；andthencehepassedandcameUntothislandandtoPamassus’shrine。
Andathisside，withawereveringhim，TherewentthechildrenofHephaestus’seed，Thehewersofthesacredway，whotameThestubborntractthaterstwaswilderness。
Andallthisfolk，andDelphos，chieftain—kingOfthistheirland，withhonourgavehimhome；
AndinhisbreastZeussetaprophet’ssoul，Andgavetohimthisthrone，whereonhesits，Fourthprophetoftheshrine，and，Loxiashight，GivesvoicetothatwhichZeushissiredecrees。
SuchgodsInameinmypreludingprayer，Andafterthem，IcallwithhonourdueOnPallas，wardressofthefane，andNymphsWhodwellaroundtherockCorycian，Whereinthehollowcave，thewildbirds’haunt，Wanderthefeetoflessergods；andthere，RightwellIknowit，BromianBacchusdwells，SinceheingodshipledhisMaenadhost，DevisingdeathforPentheus，whomtheyrentPiecemeal，ashareamongthehounds。Andlast，IcallonPleistus’springs，Poseidon’smight，AndZeusmosthigh，thegreatAccomplisher。
ThenasaseeresstothesacredchairIpassandsit；andmaythepowersdivineMakethismineentrancefruitfulinresponseBeyondeachformeradvent，triplyblest。
Andiftherestandwithout，fromHellasbound，Menseekingoracles，leteachpassinInorderofthelot，asuseallows；
Forthegodguideswhate’ermytongueproclaims。
（Shegoesintotheinteriorofthetemple；afterashortinterval，shereturnsingreatfear。）
Thingsfelltospeakof，fellforeyestosee，HavespedmeforthagainfromLoxias’shrine，Withstrengthunstrung，movingerectnomore，Butaidingwithmyhandsmyfailingfeet，Unnervedbyfear。Abeldame’sforceisnaught—
Isasachild’s，whenageandfearcombine。
ForasIpacetowardstheinmostfaneBay—filletedbymanyasuppliant’shand，Lo，atthecentralaltarIdescryOnecrouchingasforrefuge—yea，amanAbhorredofheaven；andfromhishands，whereinAswordnew—drawnheholds，bloodreekedandfell:
Awandhebears，theolive’stopmostbough，TwinedasofpurposewithadeepclosetuftOfwhitestwool。This，thatIplainlysaw，PlainlyItell。Butlo，infrontofhim，Crouchedonthealtar—steps，agrislybandOfwomenslumbers—notlikewomenthey，ButGorgonsrather；nay，thatwordisweak，NormayImatchtheGorgons’shapewiththeirs！
SuchhaveIseeninpaintedsemblanceerst—
WingedHarpies，snatchingfoodfromPhineus’board，—
Butthesearewingless，black，andalltheirshapeTheeye’sabominationtobehold。
Fellisthebreath—letnonedrawnightoit—
Exudethedamneddropsofpoisonousire:
AndsuchtheirgarbasnoneshoulddaretobringTostatuesofthegodsorhomesofmen。
IwotnotofthetribewherefromcancomeSofellalegion，norinwhatlandEarthCouldrear，unharmed，suchcreatures，noravowThatshehadtravailedandhadbroughtforthdeath。
But，fortherest，beallthesethingsacarpUntothemightyLoxias，thelordOfthisourshrine:healerandprophethe，Discernerheofportents，andthecleanserOfotherhomes—behold，hisowntocleanse！
（Shegoesout。Thecentraldoorsopen，disclosingtheinteriorofthetemple。ORESTESclingstothecentralaltar；theFURIES
lieslumberingatalittledistance；APOLLOandHERMESappearfromtheinnermostshrine。）
APOLLO（toORESTES）
Lo，Ideserttheenever:totheend，Hardatthysideasnow，orsunderedfar，Iamthyguard，andtothineenemiesImplacablyopposeme:lookonthem，Thesegreedyfiends，beneathmycraftsubduedI
See，theyarefallenonsleep，thesebeldamesold，UntowhosegrimandwizenedmaidenhoodNorgodnormannorbeastcane’erdrawnear。
Yea，evilweretheyborn，forevil’sdoom，EvilthedarkabyssofTartarusWhereintheydwell，andtheythemselvesthehateOfmenonearth，andofOlympiangods。
Butthou，fleefarandwithunfalteringspeed；
FortheyshallhunttheethroughthemainlandwideWhere’erthroughoutthetractoftravelledearthThyfootmayroam，ando’erando’ertheseasAndislandhomesofmen。Faintnotnorfail，ToosoonandtimidlywithinthybreastShepherdingthoughtsforlornofthisthytoil；
ButuntoPallas’citygo，andthereCrouchathershrine，andinthinearmsenfoldHerancientimage:therewewellshallfindMeetjudgesforthiscauseandsuasivepleas，SkilledtocontrivefortheedeliveranceForbymyhestthoudidstthymotherslay。
ORESTES
OkingApollo，sincerightwellthouknow’stWhatjusticebids，haveheed，fulfilthesame，—
Thystrengthisall—sufficienttoachieve。
APOLLO
Havethoutooheed，norletthyfearprevailAbovethywill。Anddothouguardhim，Hermes，Whosebloodisbrotheruntomine，whosesireThesamehighGod。Mencalltheeguideandguard，Guidethereforethouandguardmysuppliant；
ForZeushimselfreverestheoutlaw’sright，Boonoffairescort，uponmanconferred。
（APOLLO，HERMES，andORESTESgoout。TheGHOSTOFCLYTEMNESTRA
rises。）
GHOSTOFCLYTEMNESTRA
Sleepon！awake！whatskillsyoursleeptome—
Me，amongallthedeadbyyoudishonoured—
Mefromwhomnever，intheworldofdeath，Dieththiscourse，’Tisshewhosmoteandslew，AndshamedandscornedIroam？Awake，andhearMyplaintofdeadmen’shateintolerable。
Me，sternlyslainbythemthatshouldhaveloved，Medothnogodarousehimtoavenge，Hewndowninbloodbymatricidalhands。
Markyethesewoundsfromwhichtheheart’sbloodran，Andbywhosehand，bethinkye！forthesenseWhenshutinsleephaththenthespirit—sight，Butinthedaytheinwardeyeisblind。
List，yewhodranksooftwithlappingtongueThewinelessdraughtbymeoutpouredtosootheYourvengefulire！howoftonkindledshrineIlaidthefeastofdarkness，atthehourAbhorredofeverygodbutyoualone！
Lo，allmyservicetrampleddownandscorned！
Andhebathbaulkedyourchase，asstagthehounds；
Yea，lightlyboundingfromthecirclingtoils，Hathwriedhisfaceinscorn，andfliethfar。
Awakeandhear—formineownsoulIcry—
Awake，yepowersofhell！thewanderingghostThatoncewasClytemnestracalls—Arise！
（TheFURIESmuttergrimly，asinadream。）
Mutterandmurmur！Hehathflownafar—
Mykinhavegodstoguardthem，Ihavenone！
（TheFURIESmutterasbefore。）
Odrowsedinsleeptoodeeptoheedmypain！
Orestesflies，whome，hismother，slew。
（TheFURIESgiveaconfusedcry。）
Yelping，anddrowsedagain？UpandbedoingThatwhichaloneisyours，thedeedofhell！
（TheFURIESgiveanothercry。）
Lo，sleepandtoil，theswornconfederates，Havequelledyourdragon—anger，oncesofell！
THEFURIES（mutteringmorefiercelyandloudly）
Seize，seize，seize，seize—mark，yonder！
GHOST
Indreamsyechaseaprey，andlikesomehound，Thateveninsleepdothplywoodlandtoil，Yebellandbay。Whatdoye，sleepinghere？
Benoto’ercomewithtoil，nor，sleep—subdued，Beheedlessofmywrong。Up！thrillyourheartWiththejustchidingsofmytongue，—SuchwordsAreasaspurtopurposefirmlyheld。
Blowforthonhimthebreathofwrathandblood，Scorchhimwithreekoffirethatburnsinyou，Wastehimwithnewpursuit—swift，houndhimdown！
（TheGHOSTsinks。）
FIRSTFURY（awaking）
Up！rouseanotherasIrousethee；up！
Sleep’stthou？Riseup，andspurningsleepaway，Seeweiffalsetousthispreluderang。
CHORUSOFFURIES（singing）
strophe1
Alack，alack，Osisters，wehavetoiled，Omuchandvainlyhavewetoiledandborne！
Vainly！andallwewroughtthegodshavefoiled，Andturnedustoscorn！
Hehathslippedfromthenet，whomwechased:hehath’scapeduswhoshouldbeourprey—
O’ermasteredbyslumberwesank，andourquarryhathstolenaway！
antistrophe1
Thou，childofthehighGodZeus，Apollo，hastrobbedusandwronged；
Thou，ayouth，hastdown—troddentherightthattogodshipmoreancientbelonged；
Thouhastcherishedthysuppliantman；theslayer，theGod—
forsaken，Thebaneofaparent，bycraftfromoutofourgraspthouhasttaken；
Agod，thouhaststolenfromustheavengersamatricideson—
Andwhoshallconsiderthydeedandsay，Itisrightfullydone？
strophe2
ThesoundofchidingscornCamefromthelandofdream；
DeeptomineinmostheartIfeltitthrillandburn，Thrustasastrong—graspedgoad，tourgeOnwardthechariot’steam。
Thrilled，chilledwithbitterinwardpainIstandasonebeneaththedoomsman’sscourge。
antistrophe2
Shameontheyoungergodswhotreaddownright，Sittingonthronesofmight！
Woeonthealtarofearth’scentralfane！
Clottedonstepandshrine，Behold，theguiltofblood，theghastlystain！
strophe3
Woeuponthee，Apollo！uncontrolled，Unbidden，hastthou，prophet—god，imbruedThepurepropheticshrinewithwrongfulblood！
ForthoutooheinousarespectdidstholdOfman，toolittleheedofpowersdivine！
AndustheFates，theancientsoftheearth，Didstdeemasnothingworth。
antistrophe3
Scornfultomethouart，yetshaltnotfendMywrathfromhim；thoughuntohellheflee，Theretooarewe！
Andhetheblood—defiled，shouldfeelandrue，ThoughIwerenot，fiend—wraththatshallnotend，Descendingonhisheadwhofoullyslew。
（APOLLOentersfromtheinnershrine。）
APOLLO
Out！Icommandyou。Outfromthismyhome—
Haste，tarrynot！Outfromthemysticshrine，LestthylotbetotakeintothybreastThewingedbrightdartthatfrommygoldenstringSpeedshissingasasnake，—lest，piercedandthrilledWithagony，thoushouldstspewforthagainBlackfrothyheart’s—blood，drawnfrommortalmen，Belchingthegoryclotssuckedforthfromwounds。
Thesebenohallswheresuchasyoucanprowl—
Gowheremenlayonmenthedoomofblood，Headsloppedfromnecks，eyesfromtheirspherespluckedout，Hackedflesh，theflowerofyouthfulseedcrushedout，Feethewnaway，andhands，anddeathbeneathThesmitingstone，lowmoansandpiteousOfmenimpaled—Hark，hearyeforwhatfeastYehankerever，andtheloathinggodsDospituponyourcraving？Lo，yourshapeIsalltoofittedtoyourgreed；thecaveWherelurkssomelion，lappinggore，werehomeMoremeetforyou。Avauntfromsacredshrines，NorbringpollutionbyyourtouchonallThatnearsyuu。Hence！androamunshepherded—
Nogodthereistotendsuchherdasyou。
LEADEROFTHECHORUS
OkingApollo，inourturnhearus。
Thouhastnotonlypartintheseillthings，Butartchiefcauseanddoerofthesame。
APOLLO
How？stretchthyspeechtotellthis，andhavedone。
LEADER
Thineoraclebadethismanslayhismother。
APOLLO
Ibadehimquithissire’sdeath，—whereforenot？
LEADER
Thendidstthouaidandguardred—handedcrime。
APOLLO
Yea，andIbadehimtothistempleflee。
LEADIER
Andyetforsoothdostchideusfollowinghim！，APOLLO
Ay—notforyouitis，tonearthisfane。
LEADER
Yetissuchofficeours，imposedbyfate。
APOLLO
Whatoffice？vauntthethingyedeemsofair。
LEADER
Fromhometohomewechasethematricide。
APOLLO
What？toavengeawifewhoslaysherlord？
LEADER
Thatisnotbloodoutpouredbykindredhands。
APOLLO
HowdarklyyedishonourandannulThetrothtowhichthehighaccomplishers，HeraandZeus，dohonour。Yea，andthusIsAphroditetodishonourcast，Thequeenofraptureuntomortalmen。
Know，thatabovethemarriage—bedordainedFormanandwomanstaddethRightasguard，Enhancingsanctityoftrothplightsworn；
Therefore，ifthouartplacabletothoseWhohavetheirconsortslain，norwill’sttoturnOnthemtheeyeofwrath，unjustartthouInhoundingtohisdoomthemanwhoslewHismother。Lo，IknowtheefullofwrathAgainstonedeed，butalltooplacableUntotheother，minishingthecrime。
ButinthiscauseshallPallasguardtheright。
LEADER
Deemnotmyquestshalleverquitthatman。
APOLLO
Followthen，makethee，doubletoilinvainLEADER
Thinknotbyspeechmineofficetocurtail。
APOLLO
Nonehastthou，thatIwouldacceptofthee！
LEADER
Yea，highthinehonourbythethroneofZeus:
ButI，drawnonbyscentofmother’sblood，Seekvengeanceonthismanandhoundhimdown。
（TheCHORUSgoesinpursuitofORESTES。）
APOLLO
ButIwillstandbesidehim；’tisformeToguardmysuppliant:godsandmenalikeDodreadthecurseofsuchanonebetrayed，AndinmeFearandWillsayLeavehimnot。
（Hegoesintothetemple。）
（ThescenechangestoAthens。IntheforegroundistheTempleofATHENAontheAcropolis；herstatuestandsinthecentre；ORESTESisseenclingingtoit。）
ORESTES
Lookonme，queenAthena；lo，IcomeByLoxias’behest；thouofthygraceReceiveme，drivenofavengingpowers—
Notnowared—handslayerunannealed，Butwithguiltfading，half—effaced，outwornOnmanyhomesandpathsofmortalmen。
Fortothelimitofeachland，eachsea，Iroamed，obedienttoApollo’sbest，Andcomeatlast，OGoddess，tothyfane，Andclingingtothineimage，bidemydoom。
（TheCHORUSOFFURIESenters，questinglikehounds。）
LEADEROFTHECHORUS
Ho！clearisherethetraceofhimweseek:
Followthetrackofblood，thesilentsign！
Liketosomehoundthathuntsawoundedfawn，Wesnuffalongthescentofdrippinggore，Andinwardlywepant，formanyadayToilinginchasethatshallfordotheman；
Foro’erando’erthewidelandhaveIranged，Ando’erthewidesea，flyingwithoutwings，SwiftasasailIpresseduponhistrack，Whonowhardbyiscrouching，wellIwot，Forscentofmortalbloodalluresmehere。
CHORUS（chanting）
Follow，seekhim—roundandroundScentandsnuffandscantheground，Lestunharmedheslipaway，Hewhodidhismotherslay！
Hist—heisthere！SeehimhisarmsentwineAroundtheimageofthemaiddivine—
Thusaided，forthedeedhewroughtUntothejudgmentwillshetobebrought。
Itmaynotbe！amother’sblood，pouredforthUponthestainedearth，Nonegathersup:itlies—bearwitness，Hell！—
ForayeindelibleAndthouwhosheddestitshaltgivethineownThatsheddingtoatone！
Yea，fromthylivinglimbsIsuckitout，Red，clotted，goutbygout，—
Adraughtabhorredofmenandgods；butWilldrainit，sucktheedry；
Yea，Iwillwastetheeliving，nerveandvein；
Yea，forthymotherslain，Willdragtheedownward，therewherethoushaltdreeTheweirdofagony！
Andthouandwhosoe’erofmenhathsinned—
HathwrongedorGod，orfriend，Orparent，—learnyehowtoallandeachThearmofdoomcanreach！
Sternlyrequiteth，intheworldbeneath，Thejudgment—seatofDeath；
Yea，Death，beholdingeveryman’sendeavour，Recordethitforever。
ORESTES
I，schooledinmanymiseries，havelearntHowmanyrefugesofcleansingshrinesAndwhenimposethsilence。Lo，IstandFixednowtospeak，forhewhosewordiswiseCommandsthesame。Look，howthestainofbloodIsdulluponminehandandwastesaway，AndlavedandlosttherewithisthedeepcurseOfmatricide；forwhiletheguiltwasnew，’TwasbanishedfrommeatApollo’shearth，Atonedandpurifiedbydeathofswine。
LongweremywordifIshouldsumthetale，Howoftsincethenamongmyfellow—menIstoodandbroughtnocurse。Timecleansesall—
Time，thecoevalofallthingsthatare。
Nowfrompurelips，inwordsofomenfair，IcallAthena，ladyofthisland，Tocome，mychampion:so，inaftertime，Sheshallnotfailofloveandserviceleal，Notwonbywar，frommeandfrommylandAndallthefolkofArgos，vowedtoher。
Now，beshefarawayinLibyanlandWhereflowsfromTriton’slakehernatalwave，—
Standshewithplantedfeet，orinsomehourOfrestconcealthem，championofherfriendsWhere’ershebe，—Orwhethero’ertheplainPhlegraeanshelookforth，aswarriorbold—
Icrytohertocome，where’ershebe，（Andshe，asgoddess，fromafarcanhear）
Andaidandfreeme，setamongmyfoes。
LEADEROFTHECHORUS
TheenotApollonorAthena’sstrengthCansavefromperishing，acastawayAmidtheLost，wherenodelightshallmeetThysoul—abloodlesspreyofnetherpowers，Ashadowamongshadows。AnswerestthouNothing？dostcastawaymywordswithscorn，Thou，preypreparedanddedicatetome？
Notasavictimslainupontheshrine，Butlivingshaltthouseethyfleshmyfood。
Hearnowthebindingchantthatmakestheemine。
CHORUS（chanting）
Weavetheweirddance，—beholdthehourToutterforththechantofhell，Ourswayamongmankindtotell，Theguidanceofourpower。
Ofjusticeareweministers，Andwhosoe’erofmenmaystandLiftingapureunsulliedhand，Thatmannodoomofoursincurs，Andwalksthro’allhismortalpathUntouchedbywoe，unharmedbywrath。
Butif，asyonderman，hehathBloodonthehandshestrivestohide，Westandavengersathisside，Decreeing，Thouhastwrongedthedead:
Wearedoom’switnessestothee。
Thepriceofblood，hishandshaveshed，Wewringfromhim；inlife，indeath，Hardathissidearewe！
strophe1
Night，MotherNight，whobroughtmeforth，atormentTolivingmenanddead，Hearme，Ohear！byLeto’sstriplingsonIamdishonoured:
Hehathta’enfrommehimwhocowersinrefuge，Tomemadeconsecrates—
Arightfulvictim，himwhoslewhismother，Giveno’ertomeandfate。
refrain1
Hearthehymnofhell，O’erthevictimsounding，—
Chantoffrenzy，chantofill，Senseandwillconfounding！
RoundthesoulentwiningWithoutluteorlyre—
Soulinmadnesspining，Wastingaswithfire！
antistrophe1
Fate，all—pervadingFate，thisservicespun，commandingThatIshouldbidetherein:
Whosoe’erofmortals，madeperverseandlawless，Isstainedwithbloodofkin，Byhissidearewe，andhunthimeveronward，TilltotheSilentLand，Therealmofdeath，hecometh；neitheryonderInfreedomshallhestand。
refrain1
Hearthehymnofhell，O’erthevictimsounding，—
Chantoffrenzy，chantofill，Senseandwillconfounding！
RoundthesoulentwiningWithoutluteorlyre—
Soulinmadnesspining，Wastingaswithfire！
strophe2
WhenfromwombofNightwesprang，onusthislabourWaslaidandshallabide。
Godsimmortalareye，yetbewareyetouchnotThatwhichisourpride！
Nonemaycomebesideusgatheredroundtheblood—feast—
ForusnogarmentswhiteGleamonafestalday；forusadarkerfateis，Anotherdarkerrite。
refrain2
ThatisminehourwhenfallsanancientlineWheninthehousehold’sheartTheGodofblooddothslaybykindredhands，—
Thendowebearourpart:
Onhimwhoslayswesweepwithchasingcry:
Thoughhebetriplystrong，Wewearandwastehim；bloodatonesforblood，Yewpainforancientwrong。
antistrophe2
Iholdthistask—’tismine，andnotanother’s。
Theverygodsonhigh，ThoughtheycansilenceandannultheprayersOfthosewhoonuscry，Theymaynotstrivewithuswhostandapart，AracebyZeusabhorred，Blood—boltered，heldunworthyofthecouncilAndconverseofHeaven’slord。
strophe3
ThereforethemoreIleapuponmyprey；
UpontheirheadIbound；
Myfootishard；asonethattripsarunnerIcastthemtotheground；
Yea，tothedepthofdoomintolerable；
Andtheywhoerstweregreat，Anduponearthheldhightheirprideandglory，Arebroughttolowestate。
Inunderworldtheywasteandarediminished，ThewhilearoundthemfleetDarkwavingsofmyrobes，and，subtlywoven，Thepacesofmyfeet。
antistrophe3
Whofallsinfatuate，heseesnotneitherknowsheThatweareathisside；
Socloselyroundabouthim，darklyflitting，Thecloudofguiltdothglide。
Heavily’tisuttered，howaroundhishearthstoneThemirkofhelldothrise。
strophe4
Sternandfixedthelawis；wehavehandst’achieveit，Cunningtodevise。
Queensareweandmindfulofoursolemnvengeance。
NotbytearorprayerShallamanavertit。Inunhonoureddarkness，Farfromgods，wefare，Lituntoourtaskwithtorchofsunlessregions，Ando’eradeadlyway—
DeadlytothelivingastothosewhoseenotLifeandlightofday—
Huntweandpressonward。
antistrophe4
WhoofmortalshearingDothnotquakeforawe，HearingallthatFatethro’handofGodhathgivenusForordinanceandlaw？
Yea，thisrighttous，indarkabysmandbackwardOfagesitbefell:
Noneshallwrongmineoffice，tho’innetherregionsAndsunlessdarkIdwell。
（ATHENAenters。）
ATHENA
FaroffIheardtheclamourofyourcry，AsbyScamander’ssideIsetmyfootAssertingrightuponthelandgiveno’erTomebythosewhoo’erAchaea’shostHeldswayandleadership:noscantypartOfalltheywonbyspearandsword，tomeTheygaveit，landandallthatgrewthereon，AschosenheirloomformyTheseus’clan。
Thencesummoned，spedIwithatirelessfoot，—
Hummedonthewind，insteadofwings，thefoldOfthismineaegis，bymyfeetpropelled，As，linkedtomettledhorses，speedsacar。
Andnow，beholdinghereEarth’snetherbrood，Ifearitnought，yetaremineeyesamazedWithwonder。Whoareye？ofallIask，Andofthisstrangertomystatueclinging。
Butye—yourshapeislikenohumanform，Liketonogoddesswhomthegodsbehold，Liketonoshapewhichmortalwomenwear。
YettostandbyandchideamonstrousformIsallunjust—fromsuchwordsRightrevolts。
LEADEROFTHECHORUS
OchildofZeus，onewordshalltelltheeall。
WearethechildrenofeternalNight，AndFuriesintheunderworldarecalled。
ATHENA
Iknowyourlineagenowandekeyourname。
LEADER
Yea，andeftsoonsindeedmyrightsshaltknow。
ATHENA
FainwouldIlearnthem；speakthemclearlyforth，LEADER
Wechasefromhomethemurderersofmen。
ATHENA
Andwhereatlastcanhethatslewmakepause？
LEADER
Wherethisislaw—Alljoyabandonhere。
ATHENA
Say，doyebaythismantosuchaflight？
LEADER
Yea，forofchoicehedidhismotherslay。
ATHENA
Urgedbynofearofotherwrathanddoom？
LEADER
Whatspurcanrightlygoadtomatricide？
ATHENA
Twostandtoplead—oneonlyhaveIheard。
LEADER
HewiRnotswearnorchallengeustooath。
ATHENA
Theformofjustice，notitsdeed，thouwillest。
LEADER
Provethouthatword；thouartnotscantofskill。
ATHENA
Isaythatoathsshallnotenforcethewrong。
LEADER
Thentestthecause，judgeandawardtheright。
ATHENA
Willyetomethenthisdecisiontrust？
LEADER
Yea，reverencingtruechildofworthysire。
ATHENA（toORESTES）
Omanunknown，makethouthypleainturn。
Speakforththyland，thylineage，andthywoes；
Then，ifthoucanst，avertthisbitterblame—
If，asIdeem，inconfidenceofrightThousittesthardbesidemyholyplace，Claspingthisstatue，asIxionsat，AsacredsuppliantforZeustocleanse，—
Toallthisanswermeinwordsmadeplain。
ORESTES
OqueenAthena，firstfromthylastwordsWillIagreatsolicituderemove。
Notoneblood—guiltyamI；nofoulstainClingstothineimagefrommyclinginghand；
WhereofonepotentproofIhavetotell。
Lo，thelawstands—Theslayershallnotplead，TillbythehandofhimwhocleansesbloodAsucklingcreature’sbloodbesprinklehim。
LongsincehaveIthisexpiationdone，—
Inmanyahome，slainbeastsandrunningstreamsHavecleansedme。ThusIspeakawaythatfear。
Next，ofmylineagequicklythoushaltlearn:
AnArgiveamI，andrightwellthouknow’stMysire，thatAgamemnonwhoarrayedThefleetandthemthatwentthereintowar—
ThatchiefwithwhomthyhandcombinedtocrushToanuncitiedheapwhatoncewasTroy；
ThatAgamemnon，whenhehomewardcame，Wasbroughtuntonohonourabledeath，Slainbythedark—souledwifewhobroughtmeforthTohim，—enwoundandslaininwilynets，Blazonedwithbloodthatinthelaverran。
AndI，returningfromanexiledyouth，Slewher，mymother—lo，itstandsavowed！
Withbloodforbloodavengingmylovedsire；
AndinthisdeeddothLoxiasbearpart，Decreeingagonies，togoadmywill，Unlessbymetheguiltyfoundtheirdoom。
Dothoudecideifrightorwrongweredone—
Thydooming，whatsoe’eritbe，contentsme。
ATHENA
Toomightyisthismatter，whosoe’erOfmortalsclaimstojudgehereofaright。
Yea，me，evenme，eternalRightforbidsTojudgetheissuesofblood—guilt，andwrathThatfollowsswiftbehind。Thistoogivespause，ThatthouasonewithalldueritesperformedDostcome，unsinning，pure，untomyshrine。
Whate’erthouart，inthismycity’sname，Asuncondemned，Itaketheetomyside。—
Yethavethesefoesofthinesuchduesbyfate，O’erthrowninjudgmentofthecause，forthwithTheiranger’spoisonshallinfecttheland—
Adroppingplague—spotofeternalill。
Thusstandwewithawoeoneitherhand:
Staythey，orgoatmycommandmentforth，Perplexityorpainmustneedsbefall。
Yet，asonmeFatehathimposedthecause，IchooseuntomejudgesthatshallbeAnordinanceforever，settoruleTheduesofblood—guilt，uponoathdeclared。
Butye，callforthyourwitnessandyourproof，Wordsstrongforjustice，fortifiedbyoath；
AndI，whoe’eraretruestinmytown，ThemwillIchooseandbring，andstraitlycharge，Lookonthiscause，discriminatingwell，Andpledgeyouroathtoutternoughtofwrong。
（ATHENAwithdraws。）
CHORUS（singing）
strophe1
Nowaretheyallundone，theancientlaws，Ifheretheslayer’scausePrevail；newwrongforancientrightshallbeIfmatricidegofree。
Henceforthadeedlikehisbyallshallstand，Tooreadytothehand:
ToooftshallparentsintheaftertimeRueandlamentthiscrime，—
Taught，notinfalseimagining，tofeelTheirchildren’sthrustingsteel:
Nomorethewrath，thaterstonmurderfellFromus，thequeensofHell，Shallfall，nomoreourwatchinggazeimpend—
Deathshallsmiteunrestrained。
antistrophe1
HenceforthshalloneuntoanothercryLo，theyarestricken，lo，theyfallanddieAroundme！andthatotheranswershim，Othouthatlookestthatthywoesshouldcease，Behold，withdarkincreaseTheythrongandpressuponthee；yea，anddimIsallthecure，andeverycomfortvain！
strophe2
Letnonehenceforthcryout，whenfallstheblowOfsudden—smitingwoe，CryoutinsadreiteratedstrainOJustice，aid！aid，OyethronesofHell！
SothoughafatheroramotherwailNew—smittenbyason，itshallnomoreavail，Since，overthrownbywrong，thefaneofjusticefell！
antistrophe2
Know，thatathronethereisthatmaynotpassaway，Andonethatsittethonit—evenFear，Searchingwithsteadfasteyesman’sinnersoul:
Wisdomischildofpain，andbornwithmanyatear；
Butwhohenceforth，Whatmanofmortalmen，whatnationuponearth，ThatholdethnoughtinawenorinthelightOfinnerreverence，shallworshipRightAsintheolderday？