Epeisodion 5
KASSANDRA.
Well then, the oracle from veils no longer
Shall be outlooking, like a bride new-married:
But bright it seems, against the sun’s uprisings
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Breathing, to penetrate thee: so as, wave-like,
To wash against the rays a woe much greater
Than this. I will no longer teach by riddles.
And witness, running with me, that of evils
Done long ago, I nosing track the footstep!
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For, this same roof here — never quits a Choros
One-voiced, not well-tuned since no well it utters:
And truly having drunk, to get more courage,
Man’s blood — the Komos keeps within the household
— Hard to be sent outside — of sister Furies:
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They hymn their hymn — within the house close sitting —
The first beginning curse: in turn spit forth at
The Brother’s bed, to him who spurned it hostile.
Have I missed aught, or hit I like a bowman?
False prophet am I, — knock at doors, a babbler?
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Henceforward witness, swearing now, I know not
By other’s word the old sins of this household!
CHOROS.
And how should oath, bond honourably binding,
Become thy cure? No less I wonder at thee
— That thou, beyond sea reared, a strange-tongued city
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Shouldst hit in speaking, just as if thou stood’st by!
KASSANDRA.
Prophet Apollon put me in this office.
CHOROS.
What, even though a god, with longing smitten?
KASSANDRA.
At first, indeed, shame was to me to say this.
CHOROS.
For, more relaxed grows everyone who fares well.
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KASSANDRA.
But he was athlete to me — huge grace breathing!
CHOROS.
Well, to the work of children, went ye law’s way?
