[Exit Arkas. Enter Pylades.

Arkas

Pylades

Pylades: Thy brother is restor'd! The fire of youth [Pg 26] With growing glory shines upon his brow. Let us then hasten; guide me to the fane. I can unaided on my shoulder bear The goddess' image; how I long to feel The precious burden! Hast thou to the king Announced the prudent message as agreed?

Pylades:

[Pg 26]

Iphigenia: The royal messenger arrived, and I, According to thy counsel, fram'd my speech.

Iphigenia:

Pylades: Danger again doth hover o'er our heads. Alas! Why hast thou failed to shroud thyself Within the veil of sacerdotal rights?

Pylades:

Iphigenia: I never have employed them as a veil.

Iphigenia:

Pylades: Pure soul! Thy scruples will alike destroy Thyself and us. Come, let us be firm. Nor with incautious haste betray ourselves.

Pylades:

Iphigenia: It is an honest scruple, which forbids That I should cunningly deceive the king, And plunder him who was my second father.

Iphigenia:

Pylades: Him dost thou fly, who would have slain thy brother. If we should perish, bitter self-reproach, Forerunner of despair, will be thy portion; Necessity commands. The rest thou knowest. [Exit.

Pylades:

Iphigenia: I must obey him, for I see my friends Beset with peril. Yet my own sad fate Doth with increasing anguish move my heart 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!

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