Iphigenia: Thoas: Not many words are needed to refuse, The no alone is heard by the refused. Thoas: [Pg 21] [Pg 21] Iphigenia: I have to thee my inmost heart reveal'd. My father, mother, and my long-lost home With yearning soul I pine to see. Iphigenia: Thoas: Then go! And to the voice of reason close thine ear. Hear then my last resolve. Be priestess still Of the great goddess who selected thee. From olden time no stranger near'd our shore But fell a victim at her sacred shrine; But thou, with kind affection didst enthral Me so that wholly I forgot my duty; And I did not hear my people's murmurs. Now they cry aloud. No longer now Will I oppose the wishes of the crowd. Two strangers, whom in caverns of the shore We found conceal'd, and whose arrival here Bodes to my realm no good, are in my power. With them thy goddess may once more resume Her ancient, pious, long-suspended rites! I send them here—thy duty not unknown. [Exit. Thoas: Iphigenia: O goddess! Keep my hands from blood! Iphigenia: Act II Orestes and Pylades. Act II Orestes Pylades Orestes: When I implor'd Apollo to remove The grisly band of Furies from my side, He promised aid and safety in the fane Of his lov'd sister, who o'er Tauris rules. Thus the prophetic word fulfils itself, That with my life shall terminate my woe. Thee only, friend, thee am I loath to take, The guiltless partner of my crime and curse, To yonder cheerless shore! Orestes:
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