[_Exeunt_ _Scene changes to_ Athens, _in front of the Temple of Athena Polias, on the Acropolis_[489] _Enter_ ORESTES _Orest._ [_clasping the statue of the Goddess._] O Queen Athena, I at Loxias' hest Am come: do thou receive me graciously, Sin-stained though I have been: no guilt of blood Is on my soul, nor is my hand unclean, But now with stain toned down and worn away, In other homes and journeyings among men,[490] 230 O'er land and water travelling alike, Keeping great Loxias' charge oracular, I come, O Goddess, to thy shrine and statue: Here will I stay and wait the trial's issue. _Enter the Erinnyes in pursuit_ _Chor._ Lo! here are clearest traces of the man: Follow thou up that dumb informer's[491] hints; For as the hound pursues a wounded fawn, So by red blood and oozing gore track we. My lungs are panting with full many a toil, Wearing man's strength down. Every spot of earth 240 Have I now searched, and o'er the sea in flight Wingless I came pursuing, swift as ship; And now full sure he's crouching somewhere here: The smell of human blood wafts joy to me. See, see again, look round ye every way, Lest he, the murderer, slip away unscathed. He, it is true, in full security, Clasping the statue of the deathless goddess, Would fain now take his trial at our hands. 250 This may not be; a mother's blood out-poured (Pah! pah!) can never be raised up again, The life-blood shed is pourèd out and gone, But thou must give to us to suck the blood Red from thy living members; yea, from thee, May I gain meal of drink undrinkable! And, having dried thee up, I'll drag thee down Alive to bear the doom of matricide. There thou shalt see if any other man Has sinned in not revering God or guest, Or parents dear, that each receiveth there 260 The recompense of sin that Vengeance claims. For Hades is a mighty arbiter Of those that dwell below, and with a mind That writes true record all man's deeds surveys.