Full Chorus. Strophe I.
Oh mother, hear me, Mother Night,
Who brought me forth, a living dread,
To scare the living and the dead,
Latona's son does me despite;—
Stealing away my trembling prey,
Destined a mother's murder to requite.
Thus o'er the victim chant we our refrain,
Frenzy's dread carol, madness-fraught,
The Furies' hymn, from Hades brought,
Soul-binding, lyreless, mortal-blighting strain.
Antistrophe I.
For Fate unswerving span, that we 320
This office hold for evermore:—
Mortals imbrued with kindred gore
We chase, till under earth they flee;
And when in death they yield their breath,
Not e'en in realm of Hades are they free.
Thus o'er the victim chant we our refrain,
Frenzy's dread carol, madness-fraught,
The Furies' hymn, from Hades brought,
Soul-binding, lyreless, mortal-blighting strain.
Strophe II.
For even at birth Fate assigned our career 330
Apart from the gods;—we approach not their sphere;
Our banquets they share not,
White garments we wear not,
