The World's Greatest Books — Volume 17 — Poetry and Drama
Thoas: Now, answer me; how dost thou prove thyself The priestess' brother, Agamemnon's son?

Thoas:

Iphigenia: See here, the mark on his right hand impress'd As of three stars, which on his natal day Were by the priest declar'd to indicate Some dreadful deed therewith to be perform'd!

Iphigenia:

Thoas: E'en though thy words had banish'd every doubt, Still must our arms decide. I see no peace; Their purpose, as thou didst thyself confess, [Pg 29] Was to deprive me of Diana's image!

Thoas:

[Pg 29]

Orestes: The image shall not be the cause of strife! We now perceive the error which the god Threw o'er our minds. His counsel I implor'd; He answer'd, "Back to Greece the sister bring, Who in the Tauris sanctuary abides." To Phoebus' sister we applied the words, And she referred to thee.

Orestes:

Iphigenia: Oh, let thy heart Be moved by what an honest tongue has spoken. Look on us, king; an opportunity For such a noble deed not oft occurs!

Iphigenia:

Thoas: Then go!

Thoas:

Iphigenia: Not so, my king! I cannot part Without thy blessing, or in anger from thee.

Iphigenia:

Thoas (extending his hand): Fare thee well!

Thoas

FOOTNOTES:

[B] Goethe's fascinating and noble drama, "Iphigenia in Tauris," was first written in prose, and recast into verse in 1786. Inspired partly by his feelings towards Frau von Stein, whom Goethe "credited with knowing every trait of his being," and partly by the "Iphigenia in Tauris" of Euripides, the play is totally different from anything that had as yet come from his pen. Although it lacks some of the pomp and circumstance of the best Greek tragedy, it is written with great dignity in the 
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