at a poor
way of getting at truth, and as Chorus express confidence in her
judgment she calls on _Orestes_; he details again all the rites of
purification he has gone through, and how Apollo bade him do the deed.
_Athene_ pauses: Murder stirred by wrath [_i.e., homicide as
distinguished from murder, the special province of the Court of
Areopagus_] is too much for mortal or even herself to decide; but she
hereby appoints jurors on oath [_the special distinction of the
Areopagus_] as a perpetual institution for dealing with such cases.
Let the parties prepare, she will return soon with the best of her
citizens [_observe, the Court was an Aristocratic Court_] as Jurors.
{467}

CHORAL INTERLUDE

_in four Strophes and Antistrophes._

Unless the right cause gains here there will be an outbreak of new
laws, general recklessness, and woes of slain kindred with no Furies to
avenge. Awe is good as watchman of the soul, and calm Wisdom gained by
sorrow; it is not the lawless life that is to be praised, but from the
soul's true health comes the fair fortune, loved of all mankind and aim
of many a prayer. He who reveres not the High Altar of Justice, but
dareth and transgresseth all, will, perforce, as time wears on, have to
take in sail,

When trouble makes him hers, and each yard-arm
Is shivered by the blast,

and in vain he struggles mid the whirling waves, ever failing to
weather round the perilous promontory till he is wrecked on the reefs
of Vengeance. {535}

CHANGE OF SCENE

_to Mars' Hill. Enter Athene, followed by Herald and Twelve Citizens._

EXODUS, OR FINALE

_Athene_ bids the Herald sound a summons, for the whole city is to
learn the laws she makes for all time to come. _Apollo enters above_.
The Chorus challenging his right, Apollo declares himself Witness and
Advocate for Orestes. {551}

_The Proceedings from this part are exactly modelled on those of the
Court of the Areopagus_. The _Chorus_ called on to open, cross-examine
Orestes in stichomuthic dialogue, who admits the deed, and pleads
justification that she slew his father.--_Cho._ rejoin she has been
paid by death, Orestes still lives. Why, then, _Orestes_ enquires, did
they not pursue her while alive? _Chorus_ rest on plea that hers was
not kindred blood. On this _Orestes_ joins issue and appeals to
_Apollo_. He answers: Though the Jurors are on oath, yet Zeus gave the
oracle, and he is mightier than an oa