Ve Also Found. Within A Bay They Had Conceal'D The Ship, And Mournful Sat Expectant. They Beheld Thy Brother, And A Joyous Shout Uprais'D, Imploring Him To Haste The Parting Hour. Each Hand Impatient Long'D To Grasp The Oar, While From The Shore A Gently Murmuring Breeze, Perceiv'D By All, Unfurl'D Its Wing Auspicious. Let Us Then Hasten; Guide Me To The Fane, That I May Tread The Sanctuary, And Seize With Sacred Awe The Object Of Our Hopes. I Can Unaided On My Shoulder Bear Diana'S Image: How I Long To Feel The Precious Burden! [While Speaking The Last Words, He Approaches The Temple, Without Perceiving That He Is Not Followed By Iphigenia: At Length He Turns Round.] Why Thus Ling'Ring Stand. Why Art Thou Silent? Wherefore Thus Confus'D? Doth Some New Obstacle Oppose Our Bliss? Inform Me, Hast Thou To The King Announc'D The Prudent Message We Agreed Upon? Iphigenia. I Have, Dear Pylades; Yet Wilt Thou Chide. Thy Very Aspect Is A Mute Reproach. The Royal Messenger Arriv'D, And I, According To Thy Counsel, Fram'D My Speech. He Seem'D Surpris'D, And Urgently Besought, That To The Monarch I Should First Announce The Rite Unusual, And Attend His Will. I Now Await The Messenger'S Return. Pylades. Danger Again Doth Hover O'Er Our Heads! O Priestess, Why Neglect To Shroud Thyself Within The Veil Of Sacerdotal Rites? Iphigenia. I Never Have Employ'D Them As A Veil. Pylades. Pure Soul! Thy Scruples Will Destroy Alike Thyself And Us. Why Did I Not Foresee Such An Emergency, And Tutor Thee This Counsel Also Wisely To Elude? Iphigenia. Chide Only Me, For Mine Alone The Blame. Yet Other Answer Could I Not Return To Him, Who Strongly And With Reason Urg'D What My Own Heart Acknowledg'D To Be Right. Pylades. The Danger Thickens; But Let Us Be Firm, Nor With Incautious Haste Betray Ourselves; Calmly Await The Messenger'S Return, And Then Stand Fast, Whatever His Reply: For The Appointment Of Such Sacred Rites Doth To The Priestess, Not The King Belong. Should He Demand The Stranger To Behold Who Is By Madness Heavily Oppress'D, Evasively Pretend, That In The Fane, Securely Guarded, Thou Retain'St Us Both. Thus You Secure Us Time To Fly With Speed, Bearing The Sacred Treasure From This Race, Unworthy Its Possession. Phoebus Sends Auspicious Omens, And Fulfils His Word, Ere We The First Conditions Have Perform'D. Free Is Orestes, From The Curse Absolv'D! Oh, With The Freed One, To The Rocky Isle Where Dwells The God, Waft Us, Propitious Gales! Thence To Mycene, That She May Revive; That From The Ashes Of The Extinguish'D Hearth, The Household Gods May Joyously Arise, And Beauteous Fire Illumine Their Abode! Thy Hand From Golden Censers First Shall Strew The Fragrant Incense. O'Er That Threshold Thou Shalt Life And Blessing Once Again Dispense, The Curse Atone, And All Thy Kindred Grace With The Fresh Bloom Of Renovated Life. Iphigenia. As Doth The Flower Revolve To Meet The Sun, Once More My Spirit To Sweet Comfort Turns, Struck By Thy Words' Invigorating Ray. How Dear The Counsel Of A Present Friend, Lacking Whose Godlike Power, The Lonely One In Silence Droops! For, Lock'D Within His Breast, Slowly Are Ripen'D Purpose And Resolve, Which Friendship'S Genial Warmth Had Soon Matur'D. Pylades. Farewell! I Haste To Re-Assure Our Friends, Who Anxiously Await Us: Then With Speed I Will Return, And, Hid Within The Brake, Attend Thy Signal.--Wherefore, All At Once, Doth Anxious Thought O'Ercloud Thy Brow Serene? Iphigenia. Forgive Me! As Light Clouds Athwart The Sun, So Cares And Fears Float Darkling O'Er My Soul. Pylades. Oh, Banish Fear! With Danger It Hath Form'D A Close Alliance,--They Are Constant Friends. Iphigenia. It Is An Honest Scruple, Which Forbids That I Should Cunningly Deceive The King, And Plunder Him Who Was My Second Sire. Pylades. Him Thou Dost Fly, Who Would Have Slain Thy Brother. Iphigenia. To Me, At Least, He Hath Been Ever Kind. Pylades. What Fate Commands Is Not Ingratitude. Iphigenia. Alas! It Still Remains Ingratitude; Necessity Alone Can Justify It. Pylades. Thee, Before Gods And Men It Justifies. Iphigenia. But My Own Heart Is Still Unsatisfied. Pylades. Scruples Too Rigid Are A Cloak For Pride. Iphigenia. I Cannot Argue, I Can Only Feel. Pylades. Conscious Of Right, Thou Shouldst Respect Thyself. Iphigenia. Then Only Doth The Heart Know Perfect Ease, When Not A Stain Pollutes It. Pylades. In This Fane Pure Hast Thou Kept Thy Heart. Life Teaches Us To Be Less Strict With Others And Ourselves; Thou'Lt Learn The Lesson Too. So Wonderful Is Human Nature, And Its Varied Ties Are So Involv'D And Complicate, That None May Hope To Keep His Inmost Spirit Pure, And Walk Without Perplexity Through Life. Nor Are We Call'D Upon To Judge Ourselves; With Circumspection To Pursue His Path, Is The Immediate Duty Of A Man. For Seldom Can He Rightly Estimate, Or His Past Conduct Or His Present Deeds. Iphigenia. Almost Thou Dost Persuade Me To Consent. Pylades. Needs There Persuasion When No Choice Is Granted? To Save Thyself, Thy Brother, And A Friend, One Path Presents Itself, And Canst Thou Ask If We Shall Follow It? Iphigenia. Still Let Me Pause, For Such Injustice Thou Couldst Not Thyself Calmly Return For Benefits Receiv'D. Pylades. If We Should Perish, Bitter Self-Reproach, Forerunner Of Despair, Will Be Thy Portion. It Seems Thou Art Not Used To Suffer Much, When, To Escape So Great Calamity, Thou Canst Refuse To Utter One False Word. Iphigenia. Oh, That I Bore Within A Manly Heart! Which, When It Hath Conceiv'D A Bold Resolve, 'Gainst Every Other Voice Doth Close Itself. Pylades. In Vain Thou Dost Refuse; With Iron Hand Necessity Commands; Her Stern Decree Is Law Supreme, To Which The Gods Themselves Must Yield Submission. In Dread Silence Rules The Uncounsell'D Sister Of Eternal Fate. What She Appoints Thee To Endure,--Endure; What To Perform,--Perform. The Rest Thou Know'St. Ere Long I Will Return, And Then Receive The Seal Of Safety From Thy Sacred Hand. Scene V. Iphigenia, Alone. I Must Obey Him, For I See My Friends Beset With Peril. Yet My Own Sad Fate Doth With Increasing Anguish Move My Heart. May I No Longer Feed The Silent Hope Which In My Solitude I Fondly Cherish'D? Shall The Dire Curse Eternally Endure? And Shall Our Fated Race Ne'er Rise Again With Blessings Crown'D?--All Mortal Things Decay! The Noblest Powers, The Purest Joys Of Life At Length Subside: Then Wherefore Not The Curse? And Have I Vainly Hop'D That, Guarded Here, Secluded From The Fortunes Of My Race, I, With Pure Heart And Hands, Some Future Day Might Cleanse The Deep Defilement Of Our House? Scarce Was My Brother In My Circling Arms From Raging Madness Suddenly Restor'D, Scarce Had The Ship, Long Pray'D For, Near'D The Strand, Once More To Waft Me To My Native Shores, When Unrelenting Fate, With Iron Hand, A Double Crime Enjoins; Commanding Me To Steal The Image, Sacred And Rever'D, Confided To My Care, And Him Deceive To Whom I Owe My Life And Destiny. Let Not Abhorrence Spring Within My Heart! Nor The Old Titan'S Hate, Toward You, Ye Gods, Infix Its Vulture Talons In My Breast! Save Me, And Save Your Image In My Soul! An Ancient Song Comes Back Upon Mine Ear-- I Had Forgotten It, And Willingly-- The Parc?'S Song, Which Horribly They Sang, What Time, Hurl'D Headlong From His Golden Seat, Fell Tantalus. They With Their Noble Friend Keen Anguish Suffer'D; Savage Was Their Breast And Horrible Their Song. In Days Gone By, When We Were Children, Oft Our Ancient Nurse Would Sing It To Us, And I Mark'D It Well. Oh, Fear The Immortals, Ye Children Of Men! Eternal Dominion They Hold In Their Hands. And O'Er Their Wide Empire Wield Absolute Sway. Whom They Have Exalted Let Him Fear Them Most! Around Golden Tables, On Cliffs And Clouds Resting The Seats Are Prepar'D. If Contest Ariseth; The Guests Are Hurl'D Headlong, Disgrac'D And Dishonour'D, And Fetter'D In Darkness, Await With Vain Longing, A Juster Decree. But In Feasts Everlasting, Around The Gold Tables Still Dwell The Immortals. From Mountain To Mountain They Stride; While Ascending From Fathomless Chasms, The Breath Of The Titans, Half Stifl'D With Anguish, Like Volumes Of Incense Fumes Up To The Skies. From Races Ill-Fated, Their Aspect Joy-Bringing, Oft Turn The Celestials, And Shun In The Children To Gaze On The Features Once Lov'D And Still Speaking Of Their Mighty Sire. Thus Sternly The Fates Sang Immur'D In His Dungeon. The Banish'D One Listens, The Song Of The Parc?, His Children'S Doom Ponders, And Boweth His Head. Act The Fifth. Scene I. Thoas. Arkas. Arkas. I Own I Am Perplex'D, And Scarcely Know 'Gainst Whom To Point The Shaft Of My Suspicion, Whether The Priestess Aids The Captives' Flight, Or They Themselves Clandestinely Contrive It. 'Tis Rumour'D That The Ship Which Brought Them Here Is Lurking Somewhere In A Bay Conceal'D. This Stranger'S Madness, These New Lustral Rites, The Specious Pretext For Delay, Excite Mistrust, And Call Aloud For Vigilance. Thoas. Summon The Priestess To Attend Me Here! Then Go With Speed, And Strictly Search The Shore, From Yon Projecting Land To Dian'S Grove: Forbear To Violate Its Sacred Depths; A Watchful Ambush Set, Attack And Seize, According To Your Wont, Whome'Er Ye Find. [Arkas Retires. Scene Ii. Thoas, Alone. Fierce Anger Rages In My Riven Breast, First Against Her, Whom I Esteem'D So Pure; Then 'Gainst Myself, Whose Foolish Lenity Hath Fashion'D Her For Treason. Man Is Soon Inur'D To Slavery, And Quickly Learns Submission, When Of Freedom Quite Depriv'D. If She Had Fallen In The Savage Hands Of My Rude Sires, And Had Their Holy Rage Forborne To Slay Her, Grateful For Her Life, She Would Have Recogniz'D Her Destiny. Have Shed Before The Shrine The Stranger'S Blood, And Duty Nam'D What Was Necessity. Now My Forbearance In Her Breast Allures Audacious Wishes. Vainly I Had Hop'D To Bind Her To Me; Rather She Contrives To Shape An Independent Destiny. She Won My Heart Through Flattery; And Now That I Oppose Her, Seeks To Gain Her Ends By Fraud And Cunning, And My Kindness Deems A Worthless And Prescriptive Property. Scene Iii. Iphigenia. Thoas. Iphigenia. Me Hast Thou Summon'D? Wherefore Art Thou Here? Thoas. Wherefore Delay The Sacrifice? Inform Me. Iphigenia. I Have Acquainted Arkas With The Reasons. Thoas. From Thee I Wish To Hear Them More At Large. Iphigenia. The Goddess For Reflection Grants Thee Time. Thoas. To Thee This Time Seems Also Opportune. Iphigenia. If To This Cruel Deed Thy Heart Is Steel'D, Thou Shouldst Not Come! A King Who Meditates A Deed Inhuman, May Find Slaves Enow, Willing For Hire To Bear One Half The Curse, And Leave The Monarch'S Presence Undefil'D. Enwrapt In Gloomy Clouds He Forges Death, Whose Flaming Arrow On His Victim'S Head His Hirelings Hurl; While He Above The Storm Remains Untroubl'D, An Impassive God. Thoas. A Wild Song, Priestess, Issued From Thy Lips. Iphigenia. No Priestess, King! But Agamemnon'S Daughter; While Yet Unknown, Thou Didst Respect My Words: A Princess Now,--And Think'St Thou To Command Me From Youth I Have Been Tutor'D To Obey, My Parents First, And Then The Deity; And Thus Obeying, Ever Hath My Soul Known Sweetest Freedom. But Nor Then Nor Now Have I Been Taught Compliance With The Voice And Savage Mandates Of A Man. Thoas. Not I, An Ancient Law Doth Claim Obedience From Thee. Iphigenia. Our Passions Eagerly Catch Hold Of Laws Which They Can Wield As Weapons. But To Me Another Law, One Far More Ancient, Speaks, And Doth Command Me To Withstand Thee, King! That Law Declaring Sacred Every Stranger. Thoas. These Men, Methinks, Lie Very Near Thy Heart. When Sympathy With Them Can Lead Thee Thus To Violate Discretion'S Primal Law, That Those In Power Should Never Be Provok'D. Iphigenia. Speaking Or Silent, Thou Canst Always Know What Is, And Ever Must Be, In My Heart. Doth Not Remembrance Of A Common Doom, To Soft Compassion Melt The Hardest Heart? How Much More Mine! In Them I See Myself. I Trembling Kneel'D Before The Altar Once. And Solemnly The Shade Of Early Death Environ'D Me. Aloft The Knife Was Rais'D To Pierce My Bosom, Throbbing With Warm Life; A Dizzy Horror Overwhelm'D My Soul; My Eyes Grew Dim;--I Found Myself In Safety. Are We Not Bound To Render The Distress'D The Gracious Kindness From The Gods Receiv'D? Thou Know'St We Are, And Yet Wilt Thou Compel Me? Thoas. Obey Thine Office, Priestess, Not The King. Iphigenia. Cease! Nor Thus Seek To Cloak The Savage Force Which Triumphs O'Er A Woman'S Feebleness. Though Woman, I Am Born As Free As Man. Did Agamemnon'S Son Before Thee Stand, And Thou Requiredst What Became Him Not, His Arm And Trusty Weapon Would Defend His Bosom'S Freedom. I Have Only Words But It Becomes A Noble-Minded Man To Treat With Due Respect The Words Of Woman. Thoas. I More Respect Them Than A Brother'S Sword. Iphigenia. Uncertain Ever Is The Chance Of Arms, No Prudent Warrior Doth Despise His Foe; Nor Yet Defenceless 'Gainst Severity Hath Nature Left The Weak; She Gives Him Craft And Wily Cunning: Artful He Delays, Evades, Eludes, And Finally Escapes. Such Arms Are Justified By Violence. Thoas. But Circumspection Countervails Deceit. Iphigenia. Which A Pure Spirit Doth Abhor To Use. Thoas. Do Not Incautiously Condemn Thyself. Iphigenia. Oh, Couldst Thou See The Struggle Of My Soul, Courageously To Ward The First Attack Of An Unhappy Doom, Which Threatens Me! Do I Then Stand Before Thee Weaponless? Prayer, Lovely Prayer, Fair Branch In Woman'S Hand, More Potent Far Than Instruments Of War, Thou Dost Thrust Back. What Now Remains For Me Wherewith My Inborn Freedom To Defend? Must I Implore A Miracle From Heaven? Is There No Power Within My Spirit'S Depths? Thoas. Extravagant Thy Interest In The Fate Of These Two Strangers. Tell Me Who They Are, For Whom Thy Heart Is Thus So Deeply Mov'D. Iphigenia. They Are--They Seem At Least--I Think Them Greeks. Thoas. Thy Countrymen; No Doubt They Have Renew'D The Pleasing Picture Of Return. Iphigenia, After A Pause, Doth Man Lay Undisputed Claim To Noble Deeds? Doth He Alone To His Heroic Breast Clasp The Impossible? What Call We Great? What Deeds, Though Oft Narrated, Still Uplift With Shudd'Ring Horror The Narrator'S Soul, But Those Which, With Improbable Success, The Valiant Have Attempted? Shall The Man Who All Alone Steals On His Foes By Night, And Raging Like An Unexpected Fire, Destroys The Slumbering Host, And Press'D At Length By Rous'D Opponents Or His Foemen'S Steeds, Retreats With Booty--Be Alone Extoll'D? Or He Who, Scorning Safety, Boldly Roams Through Woods And Dreary Wilds, To Scour The Land Of Thieves And Robbers? Is Nought Left For Us? Must Gentle Woman Quite Forego Her Nature,-- Force Against Force Employ,--Like Amazons, Usurp The Sword From Man, And Bloodily Revenge Oppression? In My Heart I Feel The Stirrings Of A Noble Enterprize; But If I Fail--Severe Reproach, Alas! And Bitter Misery Will Be My Doom. Thus On My Knees I Supplicate The Gods. Oh, Are Ye Truthful, As Men Say Ye Are, Now Prove It By Your Countenance And Aid; Honour The Truth In Me! Attend, O King! A Secret Plot Is Laid; 'Tis Vain To Ask Touching The Captives; They Are Gone, And Seek Their Comrades Who Await Them On The Shore. The Eldest,--He Whom Madness Lately Seiz'D, And Who Is Now Recover'D,--Is Orestes, My Brother, And The Other Pylades, His Early Friend And Faithful Confidant. From Delphi, Phoebus Sent Them To This Shore With A Divine Command To Steal Away The Image Of Diana, And To Him Bear Back The Sister, Promising For This Redemption To The Blood-Stain'D Matricide. I Have Deliver'D Now Into Thy Hands The Remnants Of The House Of Tantalus. Destroy Us--If Thou Canst. Thoas. And Dost Thou Think The Savage Scythian Will Attend The Voice Of Truth And Of Humanity, Unheard By The Greek Atreus? Iphigenia. 'Tis Heard By All, Whate'Er May Be Their Clime, Within Whose Breast Flows Pure And Free The Gushing Stream Of Life.-- What Silent Purpose Broods Within Thy Soul? Is It Destruction? Let Me Perish First! For Now, Deliv'Rance Hopeless, I Perceive The Dreadful Peril Into Which I Have With Rash Precipitancy Plung'D My Friends. Alas! I Soon Shall See Them Bound Before Me! How To My Brother Shall I Say Farewell? I, The Unhappy Author Of His Death. Ne'er Can I Gaze Again In His Dear Eyes! Thoas. The Traitors Have Contriv'D A Cunning Web, And Cast It Round Thee, Who, Secluded Long, Giv'St Willing Credence To Thine Own Desires. Iphigenia. No, No! I'D Pledge My Life These Men Are True. And Shouldst Thou Find Them Otherwise, O King, Then Let Them Perish Both, And Cast Me Forth, That On Some Rock-Girt Island'S Dreary Shore I May Atone My Folly. Are They True, And Is This Man Indeed My Dear Orestes, My Brother, Long Implor'D,--Release Us Both, And O'Er Us Stretch The Kind Protecting Arm, Which Long Hath Shelter'D Me. My Noble Sire Fell Through His Consort'S Guilt,--She By Her Son; On Him Alone The Hope Of Atreus' Race Doth Now Repose. Oh, With Pure Heart And Hands Let Me Depart To Expiate Our House. Yes, Thou Wilt Keep Thy Promise; Thou Didst Swear, That Were A Safe Return Provided Me, I Should Be Free To Go. The Hour Is Come. A King Doth Never Grant Like Common Men, Merely To Gain A Respite From Petition; Nor Promise What He Hopes Will Ne'er Be Claim'D. Then First He Feels His Dignity Complete When He Can Make The Long-Expecting Happy. Thoas. As Fire Opposes Water, And Doth Seek With Hissing Rage To Overcome Its Foe, So Doth My Anger Strive Against Thy Words. Iphigenia. Let Mercy, Like The Consecrated Flame Of Silent Sacrifice, Encircl'D Round With Songs Of Gratitude, And Joy, And Praise, Above The Tumult Gently Rise To Heaven. Thoas. How Often Hath This Voice Assuag'D My Soul! Iphigenia. Extend Thy Hand To Me In Sign Of Peace. Thoas. Large Thy Demand Within So Short A Time. Iphigenia. Beneficence Doth No Reflection Need. Thoas. 'Tis Needed Oft, For Evil Springs From Good. Iphigenia. 'Tis Doubt Which Good Doth Oft To Evil Turn. Consider Not: Act As Thy Feelings Prompt Thee. Scene Iv. Orestes (Armed). Iphigenia. Thoas. Orestes, Addressing His Followers. Redouble Your Exertions! Hold Them Back! Few Moments Will Suffice; Retain Your Ground, And Keep A Passage Open To The Ship For Me And For My Sister. To Iphigenia, Without Perceiving Thoas. Come With Speed! We Are Betray'D,--Brief Time Remains For Flight. Thoas. None In My Presence With Impunity His Naked Weapon Wears. Iphigenia. Do Not Profane Diana'S Sanctuary With Rage And Blood. Command Your People To Forbear Awhile, And Listen To The Priestess, To The Sister. Orestes. Say, Who Is He That Threatens Us? Iphigenia. In Him Revere The King, Who Was My Second Father. Forgive Me, Brother, That My Childlike Heart Hath Plac'D Our Fate Thus Wholly In His Hands. I Have Betray'D Your Meditated Flight, And Thus From Treachery Redeem'D My Soul. Orestes. Will He Permit Our Peaceable Return? Iphigenia. Thy Gleaming Sword Forbids Me To Reply. Orestes, Sheathing His Sword. Then Speak! Thou Seest I Listen To Thy Words. Scene V. Orestes. Iphigenia. Thoas. Enter Pylades, Soon After Him Arkas, Both With Drawn Swords. Pylades. Do Not Delay! Our Friends Are Putting Forth Their Final Strength, And Yielding Step By Step, Are Slowly Driven Backward To The Sea.-- A Conference Of Princes Find I Here? Is This The Sacred Person Of The King? Arkas. Calmly, As Doth Become Thee, Thou Dost Stand, O King, Surrounded By Thine Enemies. Soon Their Temerity Shall Be Chastis'D; Their Yielding Followers Fly.--Their Ship Is Ours. Speak But The Word, And It Is Wrapt In Flames. Thoas. Go, And Command My People To Forbear! Let None Annoy The Foe While We Confer. (Arkas Retires.) Orestes. I Willingly Consent. Go, Pylades! Collect The Remnant Of Our Friends, And Wait The Appointed Issue Of Our Enterprize. (Pylades Retires.) Scene Vi. Iphigenia. Thoas. Orestes. Iphigenia. Believe My Cares Ere Ye Begin To Speak. I Fear Contention, If Thou Wilt Not Hear The Voice Of Equity, O King,--If Thou Wilt Not, My Brother, Curb Thy Headstrong Youth. Thoas. I, As Becomes The Elder, Check My Rage. Now Answer Me: How Dost Thou Prove Thyself The Priestess' Brother, Agamemnon'S Son? Orestes. Behold The Sword With Which The Hero Slew The Valiant Trojans. From His Murderer I Took The Weapon, And Implor'D The Gods To Grant Me Agamemnon'S Mighty Arm, Success, And Valour, With A Death More Noble. Select One Of The Leaders Of Thy Host, And Place The Best As My Opponent Here. Where'Er On Earth The Sons Of Heroes Dwell, This Boon Is To The Stranger Ne'er Refus'D. Thoas. This Privilege Hath Ancient Custom Here To Strangers Ne'er Accorded. Orestes. Then From Us Commence The Novel Custom! A Whole Race In Imitation Soon Will Consecrate Its Monarch'S Noble Action Into Law. Nor Let Me Only For Our Liberty,-- Let Me, A Stranger, For All Strangers Fight. If I Should Fall, My Doom Be Also Theirs; But If Kind Fortune Crown Me With Success, Let None E'Er Tread This Shore, And Fail To Meet The Beaming Eye Of Sympathy And Love, Or Unconsol'D Depart! Thoas. Thou Dost Not Seem Unworthy Of Thy Boasted Ancestry. Great Is The Number Of The Valiant Men Who Wait Upon Me; But I Will Myself, Although Advanc'D In Years, Oppose The Foe, And Am Prepar'D To Try The Chance Of Arms. Iphigenia. No, No! Such Bloody Proofs Are Not Requir'D. Unhand Thy Weapon, King! My Lot Consider; Rash Combat Oft Immortalizes Man; If He Should Fall, He Is Renown'D In Song; But After Ages Reckon Not The Tears Which Ceaseless The Forsaken Woman Sheds; And Poets Tell Not Of The Thousand Nights Consum'D In Weeping, And The Dreary Days, Wherein Her Anguish'T Soul, A Prey To Grief, Doth Vainly Yearn To Call Her Lov'D One Back. Fear Warn'D Me To Beware Lest Robber'S Wiles Might Lure Me From This Sanctuary, And Then Betray Me Into Bondage. Anxiously I Question'D Them, Each Circumstance Explor'D, Demanded Signs, And Now My Heart'S Assur'D. See Here, The Mark As Of Three Stars Impress'D On His Right Hand, Which On His Natal Day Were By The Priest Declar'D To Indicate Some Dreadful Deed By Him To Be Perform'D. And Then This Scar, Which Doth His Eyebrow Cleave, Redoubles My Conviction. When A Child, Electra, Rash And Inconsiderate, Such Was Her Nature, Loos'D Him From Her Arms. He Fell Against A Tripos. Oh, 'Tis He!-- Shall I Adduce The Likeness To His Sire, Or The Deep Rapture Of My Inmost Heart, In Further Token Of Assurance, King? Thoas. E'En Though Thy Words Had Banish'D Every Doubt, And I Had Curb'D The Anger In My Breast, Still Must Our Arms Decide. I See No Peace. Their Purpose, As Thou Didst Thyself Confess, Was To Deprive Me Of Diana'S Image. And Think Ye That I'Ll Look Contented On? The Greeks Are Wont To Cast A Longing Eye Upon The Treasures Of Barbarians, A Golden Fleece, Good Steeds, Or Daughters Fair; But Force And Guile Not Always Have Avail'D To Lead Them, With Their Booty, Safely Home. Orestes. The Image Shall Not Be A Cause Of Strife! We Now Perceive The Error Which The God, Our Journey Here Commanding, Like A Veil, Threw O'Er Our Minds. His Counsel I Implor'D, To Free Me From The Furies' Grisly Band. He Answer'D, "Back To Greece The Sister Bring, Who In The Sanctuary On Tauris' Shore Unwillingly Abides; So Ends The Curse!" To Phoebus' Sister We Applied The Words, And He Referr'D To Thee! The Bonds Severe, Which Held Thee From Us, Holy One, Are Rent, And Thou Art Ours Once More. At Thy Blest Touch, I Felt Myself Restor'D. Within Thine Arms, Madness Once More Around Me Coil'D Its Folds, Crushing The Marrow In My Frame, And Then For Ever, Like A Serpent, Fled To Hell. Through Thee, The Daylight Gladdens Me Anew. The Counsel Of The Goddess Now Shines Forth In All Its Beauty And Beneficence. Like To A Sacred Image, Unto Which An Oracle Immutably Hath Bound A City'S Welfare, Thee Diana Took, Protectress Of Our House, And Guarded Here Within This Holy Stillness, To Become A Blessing To Thy Brother And Thy Race. Now When Each Passage To Escape Seems Clos'D, And Safety Hopeless, Thou Dost Give Us All. O King, Incline Thine Heart To Thoughts Of Peace! Let Her Fulfil Her Mission, And Complete The Consecration Of Our Father'S House. Me To Their Purified Abode Restore, And Place Upon My Brow The Ancient Crown! Requite The Blessing Which Her Presence Brought Thee, And Let Me Now My Nearer Right Enjoy! Cunning And Force, The Proudest Boast Of Man, Fade In The Lustre Of Her Perfect Truth; Nor Unrequited Will A Noble Mind Leave Confidence, So Childlike And So Pure. Iphigenia. Think On Thy Promise; Let Thy Heart Be Mov'D By What A True And Honest Tongue Hath Spoken! Look On Us, King! An Opportunity For Such A Noble Deed Not Oft Occurs. Refuse Thou Canst Not,--Give Thy Quick Consent. Thoas. Then Go! Iphigenia. Not So, My King! I Cannot Part Without Thy Blessing, Or In Anger From Thee. Banish Us Not! The Sacred Right Of Guests Still Let Us Claim: So Not Eternally Shall We Be Sever'D. Honour'D And Belov'D As Mine Own Father Was, Art Thou By Me: And This Impression In My Soul Remains. Should E'En The Meanest Peasant Of Thy Land Bring To My Ear The Tones I Heard From Thee Or Should I On The Humblest See Thy Garb, I Will With Joy Receive Him As A God, Prepare His Couch Myself, Beside Our Hearth Invite Him To A Seat, And Only Ask Touching Thy Fate And Thee. Oh, May The Gods To Thee The Merited Reward Impart Of All Thy Kindness And Benignity! Farewell! Oh, Do Not Turn Away, But Give One Kindly Word Of Parting In Return! So Shall The Wind More Gently Swell Our Sails, And From Our Eyes With Soften'D Anguish Flow The Tears Of Separation. Fare Thee Well! And Graciously Extend To Me Thy Hand, In Pledge Of Ancient Friendship. Thoas, Extending His Hand. Fare Thee Well!