ears. {726}

_Antistrophe III: back to Altar._

The time-honored saying is that Prosperity grown big will not die
childless, its offspring will be a Woe insatiable. I say no, it is not
the Prosperity, it is an Impious deed that breeds Impious deeds like the
parent stock. {737}

_Strophe IV: from Altar to Left._

Recklessness begets Recklessness, this begets full-flushed Lust and
Godforgetting Daring, two black curses to a household. {746}

_Antistrophe IV: back to Altar._

Justice will dwell in houses blackened with smoke where life is ruled by
law, but averts her eyes from gold-decked mansions conjoined with hands
denied: and it is this Justice that is directing the course of things to
its appointed goal. {755}

_At this point, a grand Procession of the returning Warriors from Troy
enters Stage and Orchestra by the Left Side-Door (signifying distance):
Agamemnon in his chariot, followed in another chariot by Cassandra as
captive, but still in the garb of prophetess: then a train of Soldiers
laden with trophies and leading a train of Troian captive women. The
Chorus fall into their Episode position to receive them._

EPISODE III

_Chorus_ (_in marching rhythm as the Procession traverses the long
Stage._)

Son of Atreus, how are we to hit upon welcome that shall be fit for thee,
not missing or overshooting the mark? In both condolence and
congratulation men's faces often belie their hearts; thou who knowest
thine own sheep, should'st be able to tell kindness from flattery. We
confess, when thou wentest forth on thy expedition, thou wast to us like
a face limned by an unskilled artist, in the deed thou did'st to inspire
false courage. Now, without a thought unfriendly, we say--all is well
that ends well, and thou wilt soon hear who has deserved well of thee in
thy absence. [Observe their guarded tone.] {782}

_Agamemnon_ [_the metre now settling into ordinary 'Blank Verse'_].
First thanks to the Gods by whose help we have laid Troy low, the ruins
of which are still sending up clouds of smoke as sweet incense to the
Deities of Vengeance. And your sentiments, both then and now, I approve:
prosperity too often misses true sympathy amidst the envy it excites;
envy that has the double pang of missing its own and seeing another's
good. Experience has taught me the difference between professing and
true friends: my unwilling comrade Ulysses alone proved true to me. As
to the state we will deliberate i