ORESTES. O Pallas, Saviour of my father's house, Restorer of the exile's hope, Athena, I praise thee! Now belike some Greek will say, The Argive man revisiteth the homes And fortunes of his father, by the aid Of Pallas, Loxias, and Jove the Saviour All-perfecting, who pled the father's cause, Fronting the wrathful Furies of the mother! I now depart: and to this land I leave, And to this people, through all future time, An oath behind me, that no lord of Argos Shall ever brandish the well-pointed spear Against this friendly land.[f21] When, from the tomb, {165} I shall perceive who disregards this oath Of my sons' sons, I will perplex that man With sore perplexities inextricable; Ways of despair, and evil-birded paths[f22] Shall be his portion, cursing his own choice. But if my vows be duly kept, with those That in the closely-banded league shall aid Athena's city, I am present ever. Then fare thee well, thou and thy people! Never May foe escape thy grasp! When thou dost struggle, Safety and victory attend thy spear! [_Exit._ CHORUS. Curse on your cause, Ye gods that are younger! O'er the time-hallowed laws Rough ye ride as the stronger. Of the prey that was ours Ye with rude hands bereave us, 'Mid the dark-dreaded Powers Shorn of honor ye leave us. Behold, on the ground From a heart of hostility, I sprinkle around Black gouts of sterility! A plague I will bring, With a dry lichen spreading; No green blade shall spring Where the Fury is treading. To abortion I turn The birth of the blooming, Where the plague-spot shall burn Of my wrath, life-consuming. I am mocked,[f23] but in vain They rejoice at my moaning; They shall pay for my pain, With a fearful atoning, Who seized on my right, And, with wrong unexampled, On the daughters of Night High scornfully trampled. {166} ATHENA. Be ruled by me: your heavy-bosomed groans Refrain. Not vanquished thou, but the fair vote Leapt equal from the urn, with no disgrace To thee. From Jove himself clear witness came; The oracular god that urged the deed, the same Stood here to vouch it, that Orestes might not Reap harm from his obedience. Soothe ye, therefore; Cast not your bolted vengeance on this land, Your gouts of wrath divine distil not, stings Of pointed venom, with keen corrosive power Eating life's seeds, all barrenness and blight. A home within this land I pledge you, here A shrine, a refuge, and a hearth secure, Where ye on shining thrones shall sit, my city Yielding devoutest homage to your power.