Because of blood that mother earth has drunk, The guilt of slaughter that will vengeance work Is fixed indelibly; And Atè, working grief, 60 Permits awhile the guilty one to wait, That so he may be full and overflow *With all-devouring ill. ANTISTROPHE III For him whose foul touch stains the marriage bed[405] No remedy avails; and water-streams, Though all as from one source Should pour to cleanse the guilt *Of murder that the sin-stained hand defiles, *Would yet flow all in vain *That guilt to purify. EPODE But now to me, since the high Gods have sent A doom of bondage round my city's walls, (For from my father's home They have brought on me fate of slavery,) Deeds right and wrong alike Have been as things 'twas meet I should accept, 70 Since this slave-life began, Where deeds are done by violence and force,— And I must needs suppress *The bitter loathing of my inmost heart, *And now beneath my cloak I weep and wail *For all the frustrate fortunes of my lords,[406] Chilled through with secret grief. _Elect._ Ye handmaids, ye who deftly tend this house, Since ye are here companions in my task As suppliants, give me your advice in this, What shall I say as these funereal gifts I pour? How shall I speak acceptably? 80 How to my father pray? What? Shall I say “I bring from loving wife to husband loved Gifts”—from my mother? No, I am not bold Enough for that, nor know I what to speak, Pouring this chrism on my father's tomb,[407] Or shall I say this prayer, as men are wont, “Good recompense make thou to those who bring These garlands,” yea, a gift full well deserved By deeds of ill? Or dumb, with ignominy Like that with which he perished, shall I pour Libations on the earth, and like a man That flings away the lustral filth, shall I Throw down the urn and walk with eyes not turned?[408] 90 Be sharers in my counsels, O my friends; A common hate we cherish in the house; Hide nothing in your heart through fear of man. Fate's doom firm-fixed awaits alike the free, And those in bondage to another's hand. Speak, if thou can'st a better counsel give. 100 _Chor._ [_laying their hands on Agamemnon's tomb._] Thy father's tomb as altar honouring, I, as thou bidd'st, will speak my heart-thoughts out! _Elect._ Speak, then, as thou my father's tomb dost honour, _Chor._ Say, as thou pour'st, good words for those that love, _Elect._ Which of my friends shall I address as such! _Chor._ First then thyself, and whoso hates Ægisthos. _Elect._ Shall I for thee, as for myself, pray thus? _Chor._ Now that thou'rt learning, judge of that thyself. _Elect._ Whom shall I add then to this company?