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The members of the Chorus deliver their opinion on the course to be taken

—I tell you my advice: summon the townsfolk to bring rescue here to the palace.

[1350] —To my thinking we must burst in and charge them with the deed while the sword is still dripping in their hands.

—I, too, am for taking part in some such plan, and vote for action of some sort. It is no time to keep on delaying.

—It is plain. Their opening act [1355] marks a plan to set up a tyranny in the State.

—Yes, because we are wasting time, while they, trampling underfoot that famous name, Delay, allow their hands no slumber.

—I know not what plan I could hit on to propose. It is the doer's part likewise to do the planning.

[1360] G. I too am of this mind, for I know no way to bring the dead back to life by mere words.

—What! To prolong our lives shall we thus submit to the rule of those defilers of the house?

—No, it is not to be endured. No, death would be better, [1365] for that would be a milder lot than tyranny.

—And shall we, upon the evidence of mere groans, divine that our lord is dead?

—We should be sure of the facts before we indulge our wrath. For surmise differs from assurance.

[1370] —I am supported on all sides to approve this course—that we get clear assurance how it stands with Atreus' son.

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