And all the cavern thunders with the god. 'Twas to this spot that maddened Atreus came, His brother's children dragging in his train. The sacrificial altars are adorned-- Oh, who can worthily describe the deed? Behind their backs the noble captives' hands 685 Are bound, and purple fillets wreathe their brows. All things are ready, incense, sacred wine, The sacrificial meal, and fatal knife. The last detail is properly observed, That this outrageous murder may be done In strict observance of the ritual! _Chorus:_ Who lays his hand unto the fatal steel? 690 _Messenger:_ He is himself the priest; the baleful prayer He makes, and chants the sacrificial song With wild and boisterous words; before the shrine He takes his place; the victims doomed to death He sets in order, and prepares the sword. He gives the closest heed to all details And misses no least portion of the rite. 695 The grove begins to tremble, earth to quake, And all the palace totters with the shock, And seems to hesitate in conscious doubt Where it shall throw its ponderous masses down. High on the left a star with darkling train Shoots swift athwart the sky; the sacred wine Poured at the altar fires, with horrid change, 700 Turns bloody as it flows. The royal crown Fell twice and yet again from Atreus' head, And the ivory statues in the temple wept. These monstrous portents moved all others sore; But Atreus, only, held himself unmoved, And even set the threat'ning gods at naught. And now delay is at an end. He stands 705 Before the shrine with lowering, sidelong gaze. As in the jungle by the Ganges stream A hungry tigress stands between two bulls, Eager for both, but yet in doubtful mood Which first shall feel her fangs (to this she turns 710 With gaping jaws, then back to that again, And holds her raging hunger in suspense): So cruel Atreus eyes the victims doomed To sate his curséd wrath; and hesitates Who first shall feel the knife, and who shall die The next in order. 'Tis of no concern, But still he hesitates, and gloats awhile 715 In planning how to do the horrid deed. _Chorus:_ Who then is first to die? _Messenger:_ First place he gives (Lest you should think him lacking in respect) Unto his grandsire's namesake, Tantalus. _Chorus:_ What spirit, what demeanor showed the youth?