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Greatly thou dost misprise and set at nought

The nuptial bond of Hera and of Zeus;

Dishonoured too is Kypris by these words,

From whom to mortals come their dearest joys;

For, under Justice' shield, the nuptial couch,

'Twixt man and wife the heaven-appointed bond,

Is mightier than oath; to wedded pair,

When one slays other, if thou lenient be,

These not pursuing with keen-sighted wrath,

Not justly then Orestes thou dost chase;

For thee, right earnest in his case I find,

But openly in hers more mild in sooth.

But Pallas shall both sides with justice scan.

Never will I desist this man to chase.

Pursue him then, prolong thy fruitless toil.

Claim not by word my honours to abridge.

Honours like thine I would reject with scorn.

For great thy rank before the throne of Zeus.

But I, led on by mother's blood, this man

To death will chase; I follow on his track.

[Exit Chorus.