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But while Reason yet holds her seat he asserts his righteousness, and pleads the injunction of Apollo. Taking in his hands a suppliant's olive-branch with its festoons of white wool, he turns to go to Delphi, an exile and a wanderer, to seek there the protection of the god he has obeyed. And now he sees the Furies. They rise in the background:—

And though the Chorus cannot see them, they press round him more closely and more hideous; his frenzy grows, and covering his face with his hands he rushes in madness from the place.

The Chorus still bless him, and pray that he may obtain protection, and march back up the steps across the stage, and through the palace-gates, chanting this song:—

Thrice the Atridan storm hath burst

O'er Mycenæ's halls.

Child-devouring horror first

Brooded o'er these walls.

Next a king's disaster came,

When the chief who led

Hellas' warriors, known to fame,

In the bath lay dead.