Athena.
The form of justice, not its deed, thou willest.
Chorus.
Prove thou that word; thou art not scant of skill.
Athena.
I say that oaths shall not enforce the wrong.
Chorus.
Then test the cause, judge and award the right.
Athena.
Will ye to me then this decision trust?
Chorus.
Yea, reverencing true child of worthy sire.
Athena (to Orestes).
O man unknown, make thou thy plea in turn;
Speak forth thy land, thy lineage, and thy woes;
Then, if thou canst, avert this bitter blame—
If, as I deem, in confidence of right
Thou sittest hard beside my holy place,
Clasping this statue, as Ixion sat,
A sacred suppliant for Zeus to cleanse,—
To all this answer me in words made plain.
Orestes.
O queen Athena, first from thy last words
Will I a great solicitude remove.
Not one blood-guilty am I; no foul stain
Clings to thine image from my clinging hand;
Whereof one potent proof I have to tell.
Lo the law stands—The slayer shall not plead,
Till by the hand of him who cleanses blood
