Dread things to tell, and dread for eyes to see, Have sent me back again from Loxias' shrine, *So that strength fails, nor can I nimbly move, But run with help of hands, not speed of foot; A woman old and terrified is nought, A very child. Lo! into yon recess With garlands hung I go, and there I see Upon the central stone[477] a God-loathed man, 40 Sitting as suppliant, and with hands that dripped Blood-drops, and holding sword but newly drawn, And branch of olive from the topmost growth, With amplest tufts of white wool meetly wreathed; For this I will say clearly.[478] And a troop Of women strange to look at sleepeth there, Before this wanderer, seated on their stools; Not women they, but Gorgons[479] I must call them; Nor yet can I to Gorgon forms compare them: I have seen painted shapes that bear away 50 The feast of Phineus.[480] Wingless, though, are these, And swarth, and every way abominable. *They snort with breath that none may dare approach, And from their eyes a loathsome humour pours, And such their garb as neither to the shrine Of Gods is meet to bring, nor mortal roof. Ne'er have I seen a race that owns this tribe, Nor is there land can boast it rears such brood, Unhurt and free from sorrow for its pains. Henceforth be it the lot of Loxias, 60 Our mighty lord, himself to deal with them: True prophet-healer he, and portent-seer, And for all others cleanser of their homes. _Enter_ APOLLO _from the inner adytum, attended by_ HERMES _Apol._ [_To_ ORESTES.] Nay, I'll not fail thee, but as close at hand Will guard thee to the end, or though far off, Will not prove yielding to thine adversaries; And now thou see'st these fierce ones captive ta'en, These loathly maidens fallen fast in sleep. Hoary and ancient virgins they, with whom Nor God, nor man, nor beast, holds intercourse. 70 They owe their birth to evils; for they dwell In evil darkness, yea in Tartaros Beneath the earth, and are the hate and dread Of all mankind, and of Olympian Gods. Yet fly thou, fly, and be not faint of heart; For they will chase thee over mainland wide, As thou dost tread the soil by wanderers tracked, And o'er the ocean, and by sea-girt towns; And fail thou not before the time, as brooding O'er this great toil. But go to Pallas' city, And sit, and clasp her ancient image[481] there; 80 And there with judges of these things, and words Strong to appease, will we a means devise To free thee from these ills for evermore; For I urged thee to take thy mother's life. _Orest._ Thou know'st, O king Apollo, not to wrong; And since thou know'st, learn also not to slight: Thy strength gives full security for act.