Thoas: Extravagant thy interest in the fate Of these two strangers. Tell me who they are.

Thoas:

Iphigenia: They are—they seem, at least—I think them Greeks.

Iphigenia:

Thoas: Thy countrymen; no doubt they have renewed The pleasing picture of return.

Thoas:

Iphigenia (after a pause): Attend, O king, and honour truth in me. A plot Deceitfully and secretly is laid Touching the captives thou dost ask in vain. They have escaped. The eldest is Orestes, Whom madness seized, my brother; Pylades, His early friend and confidant, the other. From Delphi, Phoebus sent them to this shore, To steal away the image of Diana, And to him bear back the sister thither. And for this, deliverance promised he The Fury-haunted son.

Iphigenia

Thoas: The traitors have contrived a cunning web, And cast it round thee, who, secluded long, [Pg 28] Giv'st willing credence to thine own desire.

Thoas:

[Pg 28]

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.

Iphigenia:

[Enter Orestes, armed.

Orestes

Orestes (addressing his followers): Redouble your exertions! Hold them back! And keep a passage open to the ship! (To Iphigenia) We are betray'd; brief time remains for flight!

Orestes

Iphigenia

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