Orestes Pylades, what shall I say? Where have we found ourselves?
Iphigenia Or I will be a curse to your house.
Pylades Orestes?
Iphigenia So that you may know the name, hearing it twice.
Pylades O gods!
Iphigenia Why do you invoke the gods in my affairs?
Pylades No reason; finish your words; my thoughts were elsewhere. Perhaps, if I question you, I will not arrive at things I cannot believe.
Iphigenia Tell him that Artemis saved me, by giving a deer in exchange for me; my father sacrificed it, thinking that he drove the sword sharply into me; and she settled me in this land. This is my letter, this is the writing in the tablet.
Pylades You have bound me with an easy oath, and sworn very well. I will not take much time to carry out the oath I swore. See, Orestes, I bring you a tablet from your sister here, and give it to you.
Orestes I do receive it, but first I will pass over the letter’s folds to take a joy that is not in words. My dearest sister, with what astonishment and delight I hold you in my unbelieving arms, after learning these marvels!
Chorus Leader Stranger, you are wrongly defiling the attendant of the goddess, by putting your hands on her robe that should not be touched.
Orestes My own sister, born from my father Agamemnon, do not turn away from me, when you hold your brother and thought you never would!
Iphigenia You are my brother? Stop this talk! He is well known in Argos and Nauplia.
Orestes Unhappy girl, your brother is not there.
Iphigenia But did Tyndareus’ daughter, the Spartan, give birth to you?
Orestes Yes, and my father was Pelops’ grandson.
Iphigenia What are you saying? Do you have some proof of this for me?
Orestes I do; ask me something about our father’s home.
Iphigenia Well, it is for you to speak, for me to learn.
Orestes I will say first what I have heard from Electra. Do you know of the strife that was between Atreus and Thyestes?
Iphigenia I have heard of it; the quarrel concerned a golden ram.
Orestes Did you not weave these things in a fine-textured web?
Iphigenia O dearest, you are bending your course near to my heart!
Orestes And the image of the sun in the middle of the loom?
Iphigenia I wove that shape also, in fine threads.
Orestes And you received a ceremonial bath from your mother, for Aulis?
Iphigenia I know; for no happy marriage has taken that memory from me.
Orestes What about this? You gave locks of your hair to be brought to your mother?
Iphigenia As a memorial, in place of my body, in the tomb.
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