A mighty beast, that slays, and slays, And mars with blood the household fair, A God-sent pest invincible, A minister of fate and hell.
strophe 3
Even so to Ilion's city came by stealth A spirit as of windless seas and skies, A gentle phantom-form of joy and wealth, With love's soft arrows speeding from its eyes-Love's rose, whose thorn doth pierce the soul in subtle wise.
Ah, well-a-day! the bitter bridal-bed, When the fair mischief lay by Paris' side!
What curse on palace and on people sped With her, the Fury sent on Priam's pride, By angered Zeus! what tears of many a widowed bride!
antistrophe 3
Long, long ago to mortals this was told, How sweet security and blissful state Have curses for their children-so men hold-And for the man of all-too prosperous fate Springs from a bitter seed some woe insatiate.
Alone, alone, I deem far otherwise;
Not bliss nor wealth it is, but impious deed, From which that after-growth of ill doth rise!
Woe springs from wrong, the plant is like the seed-While Right, in honour's house, doth its own likeness breed.
strophe 4
Some past impiety, some grey old crime, Breeds the young curse, that wantons in our ill, Early or late, when haps th'appointed time-And out of light brings power of darkness still, A master-fiend, a foe, unseen, invincible;A pride accursed, that broods upon the race And home in which dark Ate holds her sway-Sin's child and Woe's, that wears its parents' face;antistrophe 4
While Right in smoky cribs shines clear as day, And decks with weal his life, who walks the righteous way.
From gilded halls, that hands polluted raise, Right turns away with proud averted eyes, And of the wealth, men stamp amiss with praise, Heedless, to poorer, holier temples hies, And to Fate's goal guides all, in its appointed wise.
(AGAMEMNON enters, riding in a chariot and accompanied by a great procession. CASSANDRA follows in another chariot.
The CHORUS sings its welcome.)
Hail to thee, chief of Atreus' race, Returning proud from Troy subdued!