but from health of soul comes happiness, dear to all, much prayed for.

ChorusAnd as for the whole matter, I say to you: respect the altar of Justiceand do not, looking to profit, dishonor it by spurning with godless foot; for punishment will come upon you. The appointed fulfilment remains.Therefore, let a man rightly put first in honor the reverence owed to his parents, and have regard for attentions paid to guests welcomed in his house.

ChorusWhoever is just willingly and without compulsion will not lack happiness; he will never be utterly destroyed. But I say that the man who boldly transgresses, amassing a great heap unjustly—by force,in time, he will strike his sail, when trouble seizes him as the yardarm is splintered.

ChorusHe calls on those who hear nothing and he struggles in the midst of the whirling waters.The god laughs at the hot-headed man, seeing him, who boasted that this would never happen, exhausted by distress without remedy and unable to surmount the cresting wave. He wrecks the happiness of his earlier life on the reef of Justice,and he perishes unwept, unseen.

Enter, in procession, Athena, a herald, the jury of the Areopagus, a crowd of citizens. Orestes removes to the place appointed for the accused. Apollo appears after Athena’s first speech.AthenaHerald, give the signal and restrain the crowd; and let the piercing TyrrhenianThe Etruscans were regarded as the inventors of the trumpet. trumpet, filled with human breath, send forth its shrill blare to the people!For while this council-hall is filling, it is good to be silent, and for my ordinances to be learned, by the whole city for everlasting time, and by these appellants, so that their case may be decided well. Enter Apollo.ChorusLord Apollo, be master of what is yours.Say what part you have in this matter.ApolloI have come both to bear witness—for this man was a lawful suppliant and a guest of my sanctuary, and I am his purifier from bloodshed—and to be his advocate myself. I amresponsible for the murder of his mother. To Athena. Bring in the case, and, in accordance with your wisdom, decide it. AthenaTo the Furies. It is for you to speak—I am only bringing in the case; for the prosecutor at the beginning, speaking first, shall rightly inform us of the matter. ChorusWe are many, but we will speak briefly. To Orestes. Answer our questions, one by one. Say first if you killed your mother. OrestesI killed her. There is no denial of this. ChorusOf the three falls that win the wrestling match, this one is already ours. OrestesYou make this boast over a man who is not down yet.ChorusYou must, however, say how you killed her. OrestesI will say it: with drawn sword in hand, I stabbed her in the throat. ChorusBy whom were you persuaded and on whose advice? OrestesBy the oracles of this god here; he is my witness. ChorusThe prophet directed you to kill your mother?OrestesYes, and to this very hour, I do not blame my fortune. ChorusBut if the jury’s vote catches hold of you, you’ll soon speak differently. OrestesI have good confidence. My father will send protection from his grave. ChorusPut your confidence in the dead now, after you have killed your mother! OrestesI do, for she was twice afflicted with pollution.