The Supernatural in the Tragedies of Euripides 45 



" Phoebus, why Is thy word again my snare, 

 When I have slain my mother, and avenged 

 My sire? From tired Fiends Fiends take up the chase, 

 And exiled drive me, outcast from my land. 

 In many a wild race doubling to and fro. 

 To thee I came and asked how might I win 

 My v/hirling madness' goal, my troubles' end. 

 Wherein I travailed, roving Hellas through. 

 Thou badst me go unto the Taurian coasts 

 Where Artemis, thy sister hath her altars, 

 And take the Goddess' image, which, men say, 

 Here fell into this temple out of heaven, 

 And, winning it by craft or happy chance. 

 All danger braved, to the Athenians' land 

 To give it — nought beyond was bidden me ; — 

 This done, should I have respite from my toils. 

 Hither I came, obedient to thy words. 

 To a strange land and cheerless." 



Orestes had slain his mother in obedience to an oracle of 

 Apollo. Pursued by the Furies in consequence of this deed, a 

 second oracle had directed him to Athens to be tried before the 

 court of Areopagus. The votes for and against were equal, but 

 though Athena thereby declared him acquitted he did not escape 

 the continued persecution of the Furies. Again Orestes sought 

 counsel of Apollo at Delphi. He was bidden to convey to Attica 

 from the land of the Taurians the image of Artemis worshipped 

 there, with the promise that his sufferings shall end. He sails 

 with his faithful friend Pylades to perform this exploit. At their 

 arrival at Taurica Orestes learns from Pylades that strangers are 

 sacrificed at the temple of Artemis. He then impressed with the 

 danger of their position appeals to Artemis, yy £f. 



But Orestes who thus impeached the God is reprimanded by 

 Pylades not to speak evil of the oracle of the God : 



I. T. 105- 



Tov Tov ^eov de xftV^l^o" ov KaKLtyrkov . 

 " Nor craven may we be to the oracle." 



Then we hear Orestes say : 



99 



