Orestes And those who are called wise divinities are not less false than winged dreams. There is much confusion, both in divine affairs and in human; but only this is a grief to the one who was not foolish, but trusted in the words of prophets and died—as he died to those that know.
Chorus Leader Ah! What about me, and my parents? Are they alive? Are they not? Who can say?
Iphigenia Listen to me; I have come to a subject which means benefit both to you, strangers, and to me, by your efforts. A good action is especially so, if the same matter is pleasing to all. Would you, if I should save you, go to Argos and take a report of me to my friends there, and bring a tablet, which a captive wrote for me in pity? He did not think my hand murderous, but that the victims of the goddess, who holds these things just, die under the law. For I have had no one to go back to Argos with that message, who, being saved, would send my letter to one of my friends. But you—if, as it seems, you are not hostile to me, and you know Mycenae and those whom I want you to know—be rescued, and have this reward, not a shameful one, safety for the sake of this small letter. But let him, since the city exacts it, be the offering to the goddess, separated from you.
Orestes Stranger, you have spoken all well but this: to sacrifice him would be a heavy grief to me. I am the pilot of these misfortunes, he sailed with me for the sake of my troubles. For it is not right for me to do you a favor and get out of danger, on condition of his death. But let it happen this way: give him the letter and he will take it to Argos, for your well-being; let anyone who wishes kill me. It is most shameful for anyone to save himself by hurling his friends’ affairs into catastrophe. That man is my friend, and I wish him to live, no less than myself.
Iphigenia O brave spirit! How you were born from some noble stock, and are rightly a friend to your friends! May that one of my relatives who is left be such as you! For I am not without a brother, strangers, except in so far as I do not see him. Since you wish it, I will send this man with the tablet, and you will die; a great eagerness for this seems to possess you.
Orestes Who will sacrifice me and dare such a dreadful deed?
Iphigenia I will; for I hold the office of this goddess.
Orestes It is not envied, lady, and not blessed.
Iphigenia But I am dedicated to necessity, which must be kept.
Orestes Do you yourself, a woman, sacrifice men with the sword?
Iphigenia No; but I sprinkle the holy water around your hair.
Orestes Who is the slayer? If I may ask this.
Iphigenia That charge belongs to those within this temple.
Orestes What sort of tomb will receive me, when I die?
Iphigenia The sacred fire within and the wide hollow of a cave.
Orestes Ah! Would that my sister’s hand might lay out my body!
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