Pylades: Think not of death! [Pg 22] But mark if not the gods perchance present Means and fit moment for a joyful flight. The gods avenge not on the son the deeds Done by their father.

Pylades:

[Pg 22]

Orestes: It is their decree Which doth destroy us.

Orestes:

Pylades: From our guards I learn A strange and god-like woman holds in check The execution of the bloody law.

Pylades:

Orestes: The monarch's savage will decrees our death; A woman cannot save when he condemns.

Orestes:

Pylades: She comes: leave us alone. I dare not tell At once our names, nor unreserv'd confide Our fortunes to her. Now retire awhile.

Pylades:

[Exit Orestes. Enter Iphigenia.

Orestes

Iphigenia

Iphigenia: Whence art thou? Stranger, speak! To me thy bearing Stamps thee of Grecian, not of Scythian race.

Iphigenia:

[She unbinds his chains.

The gods avert the doom that threatens you!

Pylades: Delicious music! Dearly welcome tones Of our own language in a foreign land! We are from Crete, Adrastus' sons; and I Am Cephalus; my eldest brother, he, Laodamas. Between us stood a youth Whom, when our sire died (having return'd From Troy, enrich'd with loot), in contest fierce My brother slew! 'Tis thus the Furies now For kindred-murder dog his restless steps. But to this savage shore the Delphian god Hath sent us, cheer'd by hope. My tale is told.

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