Oresteia

of the soul-devouring grief. original: "τῆς θυμοβόρου φρένα λύπης"
[strophe 1

It is mine to proclaim the auspicious strength of men
105 setting out on their way; for still from the gods, the peitho persuasion of song breathes upon me,
the strength of song original: "μολπᾶν"
an age-long vigor original: "σύμφυτος αἰών";
how that the Achaeans'
twin-throned command, the united leaders
110 of the youth of Hellas,
is sent with spear and avenging hand
by the thouros ornis impetuous bird against the Teucrian land,
the king of birds to the kings of the
115 ships, the black one, and the one white behind,
appearing near the palace,
on the spear-hand original: "χερὸς ἐκ δοριπάλτου"
in stations most conspicuous,
devouring a hare, a brood rich in offspring original: "ἐρικύμονα φέρματι γένναν",
120 thwarted of its last course.
Sing the song of woe, the song of woe, but may the good prevail!

[antistrophe 1

And the goodly seer of the host, seeing the two
Atreidae sons of Atreus different in temperament,
knew the hare-devourers as the leaders of the expedition;
125 and thus he spoke, interpreting the portents: