and he observes all things and within his mind inscribes them. OrestesTaught by misery, I know many purification rituals, and I know where it is right to speak and equally to be silent; and in this case, I have been ordered to speak by a wise teacher.For the blood is slumbering and fading from my hand, the pollution of matricide is washed away; while it was still fresh, it was driven away at the hearth of the god Phoebus by purifying sacrifices of swine. It would be a long story to tell from the beginning,how many people I have visited, with no harm from association with me. Time purges all things, aging with them. So now with a pure mouth I piously invoke Athena, lady of this land, to come to my aid. Without the spear,she will win me and my land and the Argive people as faithful and true allies for all time. But whether in some region of the Libyan land, near the waters of Triton, her native stream, she is in action or at rest,Literally, she places her foot upright or covered over. The poet may have in mind statues of the goddess: ὀρθόν referring to upright posture, κατηρεφῆ to her long garment falling over her foot when she was represented as sitting.aiding those whom she loves, or whether, like a bold marshal, she is surveying the Phlegraean The scene of the battle of the Gods and Giants, in which Athena slew Enceladus. plain, oh, let her come—as a goddess, she hears even from far away—to be my deliverer from distress!

ChorusNo, neither Apollo nor Athena’s strengthcan save you from perishing abandoned, not knowing where joy is in your heart—a bloodless victim of the gods below, a shadow. You do not answer, but scorn my words, you who are fattened and consecrated to me?Living, you will be my feast, not slain at an altar; now you will hear this hymn, a spell to bind you.

ChorusCome now, let us also join the dance, since we are resolved to display our hated songand to declare our allotted office, how our party directs the affairs of men. We claim to be just and upright. No wrath from us will come stealthily to the one who holds out clean hands,and he will go through life unharmed; but whoever sins, as this man has, and hides his blood-stained hands, as avengers of bloodshed we appear against him to the end, presenting ourselves as upright witnesses for the dead.

ChorusO mother Night, hear me, mother who gave birth to me as a retribution for the blind and the seeing. For Leto’s son dishonors meby snatching away this cowering wretch, a proper expiation for his mother’s blood.

ChorusThis is our song over the sacrificial victim—frenzied,maddened, destroying the mind, the Furies’ hymn, a spell to bind the soul, not tuned to the lyre, withering the life of mortals.

ChorusFor this is the office that relentlessFate spun for us to hold securely: when rash murders of kin come upon mortals, we pursue them until they go under the earth; and after death,they have no great freedom.

ChorusThis is our song over the sacrificial victim—frenzied, maddened, destroying the mind,the Furies’ hymn,a spell to bind the soul, not tuned to the lyre, withering the life of mortals.

ChorusThis office was ordained for us at birth;but the immortal gods must hold back their hands from us, nor does any of them share a feast in common with us; and I have neither lot nor portion of pure white ceremonial robes

ChorusFor I have chosen the overthrow of houses,whenever violence raised in the home seizes someone near and dear. So speeding after this man, we weaken him, even though he is strong, because of the fresh blood.

ChorusWe are eager to take these cares away from another, and to establish for the gods exemption from my concerns, so that it will not come to trial;for Zeus has considered us, a blood-dripping, hateful band, unworthy of his council.

ChorusFor I have chosen the overthrow of houses,whenever violence raised in the home seizes someone near and dear. Speeding after this man, we weaken him, even though he is strong, because of the fresh blood.

ChorusAnd men’s thoughts, very proud under the sky, waste away and dwindle in dishonor beneath the earth,