}

CHORAL INTERLUDE III

_Strophe I: to the Right._

Why is it that forebodings haunt the gate of our hearts, and we lack
steadfast trust to fling them away as visions? It is not long since that
fatal starting for Troy, {959}

_Antistrophe I: back to Altar_

and now we have seen with our own eyes the safe return: and yet our mind,
self-taught, keeps chanting within itself a dirge of fate. These inner
pulses cannot be in vain: heaven send they prove false oracles! {971}

_Strophe II: to the Left._

When Wealth o'erflows, Restlessness, as a near neighbor with only a wall
between, presses it on with perpetual desire for more, till Prosperity
strikes suddenly on an unseen rock--yet even then, by sacrificing a
portion of the cargo, the rest may be saved; so by plenteous harvests
sent from Zeus, hunger and pestilence may be allayed: {986}

_Antistrophe II: back to Altar._

but when blood has once been poured upon the ground, what charm can bring
it back? Zeus struck dead the Healer who found how to restore life. I
would give my misgiving relief in pouring out words of warning: but I
know that fate is certain and can never be escaped; so I am plunged in
gloom, with little hope ever to unravel my soul that burns with its hot
thoughts. {1001}

EXODUS, OR FINALE

_Re-enter Clytaemnestra to fetch Cassandra_. _Clyt._ addresses Cassandra
in moderate tone, bidding her adapt herself to her new life and yield to
those who wish to soften her captivity. [_Cassandra pays no attention
and seems gazing into vacancy._] The Chorus endorses Clytaemnestra's
advice. At length it occurs to Clytaemnestra that Cassandra cannot speak
Greek, and she bids her give some sign. [_No sign, but a shudder
convulses her frame._] Thinking she is obstinate Clytaemnestra will wait
no longer [_exit Clyt. into Palace to the sacrifice_]. The Chorus renew
their advice to Cassandra: _She at length leaves the chariot and suddenly
bursts into a cry of horror_. {1038}

Then follows, marking the crisis of the drama, a burst of lyrical
excitement. The dialogue between Chorus and Cassandra falls into lyrical
strophes and antistrophes: Cassandra, by her prophetic gift, can see all
that is going on and about to be consummated within the Palace. Her
wailings reproach her patron and lover Apollo, who has conducted her to a
house of blood; she sees the past murders that have stained the house,
she sees the preparations for the present deed, t