Iphigenia Before you came here, I was eager to be in Argos and see you, my brother. Your wish is mine: to release you from torment, and restore our father’s afflicted house, for I am not angry at the one who killed me; it is my wish. I would set my hand free from your slaughter and save our house. But I worry about concealment from the goddess and the king, when he finds the stone pedestal empty of the statue. How will I escape death? What argument will I have? But if this one thing happens all together, that you take the statue and bear me away on your lovely ship, the venture is a noble one. If I am separated from this, I am lost, but you might settle your affairs well and have a safe return. Indeed, I do not shrink from it, not even if I must die to save you. No, for when a man dies and is gone from the home, he is longed for; but women are powerless.
Orestes I would not be the murderer of you as well as my mother; her blood is enough; I would rather have an equal share of life or death, in common with you. I will bring you home, if I myself escape from here, or if I die, I will remain here with you. Listen to what I think: if Artemis were hostile to this, how could Loxias have prophesied that I would take the statue of the goddess to Pallas’ city . . . and see your face. Putting all these things together, I have hope of our return.
Iphigenia But how may we live, and take what we want? For our return home suffers from this; but the will is present.
Orestes Could we murder the king?
Iphigenia A fearful suggestion, for foreigners to kill their host!
Orestes But we must dare it, if it brings our safety.
Iphigenia I could not; yet I approve your eagerness.
Orestes What if you were to hide me secretly in the shrine?
Iphigenia So that we might take advantage of the darkness and escape?
Orestes Yes, for the night belongs to thieves, the light to truth.
Iphigenia There are sacred guards within, who will notice us.
Orestes Alas, we are ruined! How can we be saved?
Iphigenia I think I have a new stratagem.
Orestes What is it? Let me know; share your thought.
Iphigenia I will use your sorrows as my contrivance.
Orestes Women are wonderfully good at devising crafty plans!
Iphigenia I will say that you came from Argos after killing your mother.
Orestes Make use of my troubles, if you gain by it.
Iphigenia And that it is not right to sacrifice you to the goddess.
Orestes With what reason? I have a suspicion.
Iphigenia Because you are not pure; I will frighten what is sacred.
Orestes How does this help us to seize the statue of the goddess?
Iphigenia I shall want to purify you in the waves of the sea—
Orestes The image that we have sailed for is still in the temple.
Iphigenia I will say that I have washed that also, since you have touched it.
Orestes Where? Do you mean the watery inlet of the sea?
Iphigenia Where your ship is moored by its roped anchor.
Orestes Will you or some other bear the image in your hands?
Iphigenia I shall; it is holy for me alone to touch it.
Orestes But Pylades here—how will he be assigned to our labor?
Iphigenia His hands, it will be said, are stained like yours with blood-pollution.
Orestes Will you do all this secretly from the king, or with his knowledge?
Iphigenia I shall persuade him; I could not hide it from him.
Orestes Well then, my ship, with its quick stroke of oars, is at hand.
Iphigenia You must indeed take care of the rest, so that it goes well.
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