Orestes
What I myself have seen, I will say for proof: an old spear of Pelops, in my father’s house, which he brandished in his hand when he won Hippodamia, the maiden of Pisa, and killed Oenomaus; it was hung up in your rooms.
Iphigenia O dearest, for you are my dearest, none other, I have you, Orestes, far from our country of Argos, my darling.
Orestes And I have you, who were thought to be dead. Tears, and laments mixed with joy, fill your eyes and also mine.
Iphigenia I left you still a baby, young in the arms of your nurse, young in the house. O my soul, you have been more fortunate than words can say. I have come upon things that are beyond wonder, far from speech.
Orestes For the rest of time, may we be fortunate with each other!
Iphigenia O my friends, I have found an extraordinary joy; I am afraid that he will fly from my hands into the air. O Cyclopean hearths; o my country, dear Mycenae, I thank you for his life, for his nourishment, because you brought up this light of the house, my brother.
Orestes We are fortunate in our family, but in our circumstances, my sister, we were born to be unfortunate in life.
Iphigenia I was unhappy, I know, when my wretched father put the sword to my throat.
Orestes Alas! Though I was not present, I seem to see you there.
Iphigenia O brother, when I was brought, not a bride, to the treacherous bed of Achilles; but beside the altar there were tears and wails. Alas for the libations there!
Orestes I also mourned for the daring act of our father.
Iphigenia Fatherless was the fate I received, fatherless. One thing comes from another, by divine fortune.
Orestes Yes, if you had killed your brother, unhappy one!
Iphigenia
O wretched, in my dreadful daring! How dreadful were the things I endured, alas, my brother! By only a little you escaped an unholy death, slain by my hands. But how will these things end? What fortune will assist me? What way will I find to send you from this city, from slaughter, to your native Argos, before the sword draws near to your blood? This is your business, unhappy soul, to find out. On the dry land, not in a ship? But if you go on foot, through trackless paths and barbarian tribes, you will draw near to death. But through the dark rocks of the narrow passage is a long way for flight by ship. I am unhappy, unhappy! Who, either god or mortal or something unexpected, might accomplish a way that is no way, and reveal a release from troubles for the only two children of the house of Atreus?
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