ORESTES
Of Loxias the mighty oracle
Will not betray me; He to this emprize
Hounded me on,-against my inmost reins
Denouncing freezing curses, should I not
Requite the authors of my father's death.
Stript bare and goaded on by forfeiture,
He bade me slay them as my sire they slew,
Declaring I should else atonement make
With my own life and many grievous woes.
First evils dire, from earth that spring, he showed,
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Soothing to hostile powers; naming these plagues,—
A leprous canker, cleaving to the flesh,
That eats with rancorous tooth the vital strength,
And through disease blanches the youthful locks;
Next of the Furies other dread assaults
He pictured, springing from my father's blood.
For the dark shafts of those beneath the earth,
(The slain who cry for vengeance to their kin,)
With frenzy wild, and groundless fear at night,
Disturb and harass his distracted soul,
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Who clearly in the darkness Phobos sees
To knit his brow. Thus from the town they chase
The wretch all mangled with the brazen scourge.
Moreover to such caitiff is denied
Or festal cup to share, or solemn pledge,
While from the altars, him, a father's wrath
Unseen excludes ;-him may no host receive
To cleanse, with purifying rite, from guilt;—
Till, friendless and dishonoured, dies the wretch,
The shrivelled prey of all-destructive doom;
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Such oracles I needs must trust; and e'en
Mistrustful were I, vengeance must be wrought;
For many divers promptings mingle here;—
The god's command, heart-sorrow for my sire,
And indigence hard-pressing: never then
Should citizens, of mortals most renowned,
Who, with heroic spirit, wasted Troy,
Be slaves of women twain. For, sooth, his soul
Is womanish, as trial quick may tell.
