he has dwelt amongst men
and no impurity has been brought on them; this and all-cleansing Time
show that the stain of matricide is removed, and with pure hands he can
clasp Athene, queen of this land, and pledge the Argive alliance for
her City [_one of the political hits of the piece_] if she will
befriend him. _The Furies suddenly spring up_: Not Apollo nor Athene
can save thee from thy doom! _Orestes clings convulsively to the
Statue_. Thou resistest? then feel our spell! {296}

_Chanting in marching rhythm they rapidly descend the Orchestra
staircase, form about the Altar and then proceed to_

CHORAL SPELL (FOR ENTRY ODE)

_in four Strophes and Antistrophes._

_Strophe I_

O Mother who didst bear me, mother Night,
A terror of the living and the dead,
Hear me, oh hear!
The son of Leto puts me to disgrace
And robs me of my spoil,
This crouching victim for a Mother's blood:
And over him as slain,
We raise this chant of madness, frenzy-working,
The hymn the Erinnyes love,
A spell upon the soul, a lyreless strain
That withers up men's strength.

_Antistrophe I_

This lot the all-pervading destiny
Hath spun to hold its ground for evermore,
That we should still attend
On him on whom there rests the guilt of blood
Of kin, shed causelessly,
Till earth lie o'er him; nor shall death set free.
And over him as slain,
We raise this chant of madness, frenzy-working,
The hymn the Erinnyes love,
A spell upon the soul, a lyreless strain,
That withers up men's strength. {328}

_Strophe II_

Such lot was then assigned us at our birth:
From us the Undying Ones must hold aloof:
Nor is there one who shares
The banquet-meal with us;
In garments white I have nor part nor lot;
My choice was made for overthrow of homes,
Where home-bred slaughter works a loved one's death:
Ha! hunting after him,
Strong though he be, 'tis ours
To wear the newness of his young blood down.

_Antistrophe II_

Since 'tis our work another's task to take,
The Gods indeed may bar the force of prayers
Men offer unto me,
B