ATHENA O herald, make proclaim, bid all men come. Then let the shrill blast of the Tyrrhene trump, Fulfilled with mortal breath, thro’ the wide air Peal a loud summons, bidding all men heed. For, till my judges fill this judgment-seat, Silence behoves,—that this whole city learn, What for all time mine ordinance commands, And these men, that the cause be judged aright. [_Apollo approaches._ CHORUS O king Apollo, rule what is thine own, But in this thing what share pertains to thee? APOLLO First, as a witness come I, for this man Is suppliant of mine by sacred right, Guest of my holy hearth and cleansed by me Of blood-guilt: then, to set me at his side And in his cause bear part, as part I bore Erst in his deed, whereby his mother fell. Let whoso knoweth now announce the cause. ATHENA (_to the Chorus_) ’Tis I announce the cause—first speech be yours; For rightfully shall they whose plaint is tried Tell the tale first and set the matter clear. CHORUS Though we be many, brief shall be our tale. (_To Orestes_) Answer thou, setting word to match with word; And first avow—hast thou thy mother slain? ORESTES I slew her. I deny no word hereof. CHORUS Three falls decide the wrestle—this is one. ORESTES Thou vauntest thee—but o’er no final fall. CHORUS Yet must thou tell the manner of thy deed. ORESTES Drawn sword in hand, I gashed her neck. ’Tis told. CHORUS But by whose word, whose craft, wert thou impelled? ORESTES By oracles of him who here attests me. CHORUS The prophet-god bade thee thy mother slay? ORESTES Yea, and thro’ him less ill I fared, till now. CHORUS If the vote grip thee, thou shalt change that word. ORESTES Strong is my hope; my buried sire shall aid. CHORUS Go to now, trust the dead, a matricide! ORESTES Yea, for in her combined two stains of sin. CHORUS How? speak this clearly to the judges’ mind. ORESTES Slaying her husband, she did slay my sire. CHORUS Therefore thou livest; death assoils her deed. ORESTES Then while she lived why didst thou hunt her not? CHORUS She was not kin by blood to him she slew. ORESTES And I, am I by blood my mother’s kin? CHORUS O cursed with murder’s guilt, how else wert thou The burden of her womb? Dost thou forswear Thy mother’s kinship, closest bond of love? ORESTES It is thine hour, Apollo—speak the law, Averring if this deed were justly done; For done it is, and clear and undenied. But if to thee this murder’s cause seem right Or wrongful, speak—that I to these may tell. APOLLO To you, Athena’s mighty council-court, Justly for justice will I plead, even I, The prophet-god, nor cheat you by one word. For never spake I from my prophet-seat One word, of man, of woman, or of state, Save what the Father of Olympian gods Commanded unto me. I rede you then, Bethink you of my plea, how strong it stands, And follow the decree of Zeus our sire,— For oaths prevail not over Zeus’ command.