What mortal man then doth not bow in awe And fear before all this, Hearing from me the destined ordinance Assigned me by the Gods? 370 This task of mine is one of ancient days; Nor meet I here with scorn, Though 'neath the earth I dwell, And live there in the darkness thick and dense, Where never sunbeam falls. _Enter_ ATHENA, _appearing in her chariot, and then alights_ _Athena._ I heard far off the cry of thine entreaty E'en from Scamandros,[500] claiming there mine own, The land which all Achaia's foremost leaders, As portion chief from out the spoils of war, Gave to me, trees and all, for evermore, A special gift for Theseus' progeny. 380 Thence came I plying foot that never tires, Flapping my ægis-folds, no need of wings, My chariot drawn by young and vigorous steeds: And seeing this new presence in the land, I have no fear, though wonder fills mine eyes; Who, pray, are ye? To all of you I speak, And to this stranger at my statue suppliant. And as for you, like none of Nature's births, Nor seen by Gods among the Goddess-forms, Nor yet in likeness of a mortal shape.... 390 But to speak ill of neighbours blameless found Is far from just, and Right holds back from it. _Chor._ Daughter of Zeus, thou shalt learn all in brief; Children are we of everlasting Night; [At home, beneath the earth, they call us Curses.] _Athena._ Your race I know, and whence ye take your name. _Chor._ Thou shalt soon know then what mine office is. _Athena._ Then could I know, if ye clear speech would speak. _Chor._ We from their home drive forth all murderers. _Athena._ Where doth the slayer find the goal of flight? 400 _Chor._ Where to find joy in nought is still his wont. _Athena._ And whirrest thou such flight on this man here? _Chor._ Yea, for he thought it meet to slay his mother. _Athena._ Was there no other power whose wrath he feared? _Chor._ What impulse, then, should prick to matricide? _Athena._ Two sides are here, and I but half have heard. _Chor._ But he nor takes nor tenders us an oath.[501] _Athena._ Thou lov'st the show of Justice more than act. _Chor._ How so? Inform me. Skill thou dost not lack! _Athena._ 'Tis not by oaths a cause unjust shall win.[502] 410 _Chor._ Search out the cause, then, and right judgment judge. _Athena._ And would ye trust to me to end the cause?[503] _Chor._ How else? Thy worth, and worthy stock we honour. _Athena._ What dost thou wish, O stranger, to reply? Tell thou thy land, thy race, thy life's strange chance, And then ward off this censure aimed at thee, Since thou sitt'st trusting in thy right, and hold'st This mine own image, near mine altar hearth, A suppliant, like Ixion,[504] honourable. Answer all this in speech intelligible. 420