ORESTES:
(ORESTES turns to APOLLO.)
Bear me witness - show me the way, Apollo! 615
Did I strike her down with justice?
Strike I did, I don't deny it, no.
But how does our bloody work impress you now? -
Just or not? Decide.
I must make my case to them.
(Looking to the judges.)
APOLLO:
Just, 620
I say, to you and your high court, Athena.
Seer that I am, I never lie. Not once
from the Prophet's thrones have I declared
a word that bears on man, woman or city
that Zeus did not command, the Olympian Father. 625
This is his justice - omnipotent, I warn you.
Bend to the will of Zeus. No oath can match the
power of the Father.
LEADER:
Zeus, you say,
gave that command to your oracle? He charged
Orestes here to avenge his father's d**h 630
and spurn his mother's rights?
APOLLO:
- Not the same
for a noble man to die, covered with praise,
his sceptre the gift of god - murdered, at that,
by a woman's hand, no arrows whipping in
from a distance as an Amazon would fight. 635
But as you will hear, Athena, and your people
poised to cast their lots and judge the case.
Home from the long campaign he came, more won
than lost on balance, home to her loyal, waiting arms,
the welcome bath...
he was just emerging at the edge, 640
and there she pitched her tent, her circling shroud -
she shackled her man in robes,
in her gorgeous never - ending web she chopped him down!
Such was the outrage of his d**h, I tell you,
the lord of the squadrons, that magnificent man. 645
Her I draw to the life to lash your people,
marshalled to reach a verdict.
LEADER:
Zeus, you say,
sets more store by a father's d**h? He shackled
his own father, Kronos proud with age.
Doesn't that contradict you? 650
(To the judges.)
Mark it well. I call you all to witness.