_The Proceedings from this part are exactly modelled on those of the Court of the Areopagus_. The _Chorus_ called on to open, cross-examine Orestes in stichomuthic dialogue, who admits the deed, and pleads justification that she slew his father.--_Cho._ rejoin she has been paid by death, Orestes still lives. Why, then, _Orestes_ enquires, did they not pursue her while alive? _Chorus_ rest on plea that hers was not kindred blood. On this _Orestes_ joins issue and appeals to _Apollo_. He answers: Though the Jurors are on oath, yet Zeus gave the oracle, and he is mightier than an oath.--_Cho._ What, Zeus take a matricide's part?--_Apollo_ details the base manner of Agamemnon's murder.--_Cho._ taunt Apollo that Zeus himself rose by imprisoning his father.--_Apollo_ rejoins that imprisonment is remediable, but blood once spilt can never be brought back.--_Cho._ appeal to impossibility of restoring such a criminal to the house he has polluted.--Then _Apollo_ puts forth the essence of his case (in a subtle plea which would delight the litigious Athenians): the mother is only the nurse, the father is the true parent; as proof here is Pallas sprung from a Father without any Mother; none can be shown born without Father. {650} Both parties join issue, and then (_amidst intense political excitement_) _Athene_ delivers the Inauguration Address of the Court of the Areopagus. _Athene_. Hear ye my order, O ye Attic people, In act to judge your first great murder-cause. And henceforth shall the host of Aegeus' race For ever own this council-hall of judges: And for this Ares' hill, the Amazons' seat And camp when they, enraged with Theseus, came In hostile march, and built as counterwork This citadel high-reared, a city new, And sacrificed to Ares, whence 'tis named As Ares' hill and fortress: in this, I say, The reverent awe its citizens shall own, And fear, awe's kindred, shall restrain from wrong By day, nor less by night, so long as they, The burghers, alter not themselves their laws: But if with drain of filth and tainted soil Clear river thou pollute, no drink thou'lt find. I give my counsel to you, citizens, To reverence and guard well that form of State Which is nor lawless, nor tyrannical, And not to cast all fear from out the city; For what man lives devoid of fear and just? But rightly shrinking, owning awe like this, Ye then would have a bulwark of your land, A safeguard for your city, such as none Boast or in Skythia's or in Pelops' clime. This council I establish pure from bribe, Reverend, and keen to act, for those that sleep An ever-watchful sentry of the land. {676}