[Re-enter Athena, with twelve Athenian citizens.
ATHENA
O herald, make proclaim, bid all men come.
Then let the shrill blast of the Tyrrhene trump,
Fulfilled with mortal breath, thro’ the wide air
Peal a loud summons, bidding all men heed.
For, till my judges fill this judgment-seat,
Silence behoves,—that this whole city learn,
What for all time mine ordinance commands,
And these men, that the cause be judged aright.
[Apollo approaches.
CHORUS
O king Apollo, rule what is thine own,
But in this thing what share pertains to thee?
APOLLO
First, as a witness come I, for this man
Is suppliant of mine by sacred right,
Guest of my holy hearth and cleansed by me
Of blood-guilt: then, to set me at his side
And in his cause bear part, as part I bore
Erst in his deed, whereby his mother fell.
Let whoso knoweth now announce the cause.
ATHENA (to the Chorus)
’Tis I announce the cause—first speech be yours;
For rightfully shall they whose plaint is tried
Tell the tale first and set the matter clear.
CHORUS
Though we be many, brief shall be our tale.
(To Orestes) Answer thou, setting word to match with word;
And first avow—hast thou thy mother slain?
ORESTES
I slew her. I deny no word hereof.
CHORUS
Three falls decide the wrestle—this is one.
ORESTES
Thou vauntest thee—but o’er no final fall.