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186 is the man who sits as suppliant at my image? The Chorus explain their titles and office; the goddess listens to them all with marked respect, but condemns their unfair attempt to deny Orestes his defence. At last they leave the issue in her hands, and she turns to the defendant:—

His answer is dignified and clear:—

Athena, queen! matter of grave import

First will I from thy words last-uttered purge.

Not blood-polluted am I, nor doth stain

Cleave to thine image from thy suppliant's hand.

Sure proof of this I will adduce;—'tis law

That voiceless lives the man defiled by blood,

Till purifier's hand hath him besprent

With victim's blood, slain in life's budding prime.

Long since at other shrines have been performed,

With victims and with streams, these lustral rites.

Thus then this care, as cancelled, I dismiss.

My lineage, what it is, thou soon shalt hear.

Argive am I, my sire thou knewest well,

Marshal of naval heroes, Agamemnon,

In league with whom thou madest Ilion,

Troya's proud city, an uncitied waste.

The hero home returned, and basely fell;

For him, entangled in a subtle net,