But still the block of Vengeance firm doth stand, And Fate, as swordsmith, hammers blow on blow; And then with thoughts that none can understand, Erinnys comes far known, though working slow, And to the old house brings the youthful heir, That deeds of blood wrought out of olden time May the due judgment bear For each polluting crime. VERSES 769-820 STROPHE I Oh, hear me, hear my prayer, thou mighty Lord! Sire of all Gods that on Olympos dwell, Hear Thou, and grant my longing heart's desire, That those who wise of heart would fain do well May see each prayer for right Fulfilled in holiest might; That prayer, O Zeus, I pray. STROPHE II Do Thou protect him, yea, O Zeus, and bring Before his foes on yonder secret way; For if thou raise him high, then Thou, O king, Shalt to thy heart's content Receive a twofold, threefold recompence, For that thine anger bent Against each old offence. ANTISTROPHE I Look on the son of one whom Thou did'st love, Like orphan colt fast bound to car of woes; Set Thou a mark that may as limit prove; Ah, might one watch his footsteps as he goes, In measured course and true, This his own country through! STROPHE III And ye who in our home Stand in the shrine with plenteous wealth full stored, Hear, O ye Gods, and come, Yea, come with one accord, Lead him on, wash away With vengeance new the blood of crime of old; Let not the old guilt stay To breed fresh offspring where our home we hold. MESODE But grant him good success, O Thou who dost within the great cave dwell! With upward glance of joy our chief's house bless, And that he too, full well, Freely and brightly with the dear, loved eyes, May look from out the veil of cloudy skies. ANTISTROPHE III And then may Maia's son Assist him, as is meet, in this his task! Through Him success is won, The boon that now we ask: And many secret things will He make clear, If that should be His will; But should He choose the truth should not appear, Before men's eyes He still Brings darkness and the blackness of the night, Nor is He clearer in the day's full light. STROPHE IV And then will we pour forth All that our house contains of costliest worth, Past evil to redeem, And through the city we will raise the strain Shrill-voiced of women's chant yet once again. All this as good I deem; This, this my gain increaseth more and more, And far from those I love is sorrow's bitter stour. ANTISTROPHE II