Page:House of Atreus 2nd ed (1889).djvu/204

168 Such as no man hath ever elsewhere known,

Nor in far Scythia, nor in Pelops' realm.

Thus I ordain it now, a council-court

Pure and unsullied by the lust of gain,

Sacred and swift to vengeance, wakeful ever

To champion men who sleep, the country's guard.

Thus have I spoken, thus to mine own clan

Commended it for ever. Ye who judge,

Arise take each his vote, mete out the right,

Your oath revering. Lo, my word is said.

[The twelve judges come forward, one by one, to the urns of decision; the first votes; as each of the others follows, the Chorus and Apollo speak alternately.

I rede ye well, beware! nor put to shame,

In aught, this grievous company of hell.

I too would warn you, fear mine oracles—

From Zeus they are,—nor make them void of fruit.

Presumptuous is thy claim, blood-guilt to judge,

And false henceforth thine oracles shall be.

Failed then the counsels of my sire, when turned

Ixion, first of slayers, to his side?

These are but words; but I, if justice fail me,

Will haunt this land in grim and deadly deed.