I gave up all to him, obeyed his words,
My mother slew—and perish now myself!715
Pylades.
Thine shall a tomb be: ne'er will I betray
Thy sister's bed, O hapless: I shall still
Hold thee a dearer friend in death than life.
Yet thee hath the God's oracle not yet
Destroyed, albeit thou standest hard by death.720
Nay, misery's blackest night may chance, may chance,
By fortune's turn, to unfold a sudden dawn.
Orestes.
Peace! Phœbus' words avail me nothing now;
For yonder forth the temple comes the maid.
Enter Iphigeneia.
Iphigeneia (to guards).
Depart ye, and within make ready all725
For them whose office is the sacrifice.[Exeunt guards].
Strangers, my letter's many-leavèd folds
Are here: but that which therebeside I wish
Hear:—in affliction is no man the same
As when he hath passed from fear to confidence.730
I dread lest, having gotten from this land,
He who to Argos should my tablet bear
Shall set my letter utterly at nought.
Orestes.
What wouldst thou then? Why thus disquieted?
Iphigeneia.
Let him make oath to bear to Argos this735
To them to whom I fain would send my script.
