_Chorus:_ Thou hold'st our minds in dire uncertainty. Speak out and tell us what this horror is, And who its author. Yet would I inquire Not who, but which he is. Speak quickly, then. 640 _Messenger:_ There is upon the lofty citadel A part of Pelops' house that fronts the south, Whose farther side lifts up its massive walls To mountain heights; for so the reigning king May better sway the town, and hold in check The common rabble when it scorns the throne. Within this palace is a gleaming hall, 645 So huge, it may a multitude contain; Whose golden architraves are high upborne By stately columns of a varied hue. Behind this public hall where people throng, The palace stretches off in spacious rooms; And, deep withdrawn, the royal sanctum lies, 650 Far from the vulgar gaze. This sacred spot An ancient grove within a dale confines, Wherein no tree its cheerful shade affords, Or by the knife is pruned; but cypress trees And yews, and woods of gloomy ilex wave Their melancholy boughs. Above them all 655 A towering oak looks down and spreads abroad, O'ershadowing all the grove. Within this place The royal sons of Tantalus are wont To ask consent of heaven to their rule, And here to seek its aid when fortune frowns. Here hang their consecrated offerings: Sonorous trumpets, broken chariots, Those famous spoils of the Myrtoan sea; 660 Still hang upon the treacherous axle-trees The conquered chariot-wheels--mementoes grim Of every crime this sinful race has done. Here also is the Phrygian turban hung Of Pelops' self; and here the spoil of foes, A rich embroidered robe, the prize of war. An oozy stream springs there beneath the shade, 665 And sluggish creeps along within the swamp, Just like the ugly waters of the Styx Which bind the oaths of heaven. 'Tis said that here At dead of night the hellish gods make moan, And all the grove resounds with clanking chains, And mournful howl of ghosts. Here may be seen 670 Whatever, but to hear of, causes fear. The spirits of the ancient dead come forth From old, decaying tombs, and walk abroad; While monsters, greater than the world has known, Go leaping round, grotesque and terrible. The whole wood gleams with an uncanny light, And without sign of fire the palace glows. Ofttimes the grove re-echoes with the sound 675 Of threefold bayings of the dogs of hell, And oft do mighty shapes affright the house. Nor are these fears allayed by light of day; For night reigns ever here, and e'en at noon The horror of the underworld abides. From this dread spot are sure responses given 680 To those who seek the oracle; the fates With mighty sound from out the grot are told,