IPHIGENIA. In him Revere the king, who was my second father. Forgive me, brother, that my childlike heart Hath plac'd our fate thus wholly in his hands. I have betray'd your meditated flight, And thus from treachery redeem'd my soul. ORESTES. Will he permit our peaceable return? IPHIGENIA. Thy gleaming sword forbids me to reply. ORESTES, _sheathing his sword_. Then speak! thou seest I listen to thy words. SCENE V. ORESTES. IPHIGENIA. THOAS. _Enter_ PYLADES, _soon after him_ ARKAS, _both with drawn swords_. PYLADES. Do not delay! our friends are putting forth Their final strength, and yielding step by step, Are slowly driven backward to the sea.-- A conference of princes find I here? Is this the sacred person of the king? ARKAS. Calmly, as doth become thee, thou dost stand, O king, surrounded by thine enemies. Soon their temerity shall be chastis'd; Their yielding followers fly.--their ship is ours. Speak but the word, and it is wrapt in flames. THOAS. Go, and command my people to forbear! Let none annoy the foe while we confer. (_Arkas retires_.) ORESTES. I willingly consent. Go, Pylades! Collect the remnant of our friends, and wait The appointed issue of our enterprize. (_Pylades retires_.) SCENE VI. IPHIGENIA. THOAS. ORESTES. IPHIGENIA. Believe my cares ere ye begin to speak. I fear contention, if thou wilt not hear The voice of equity, O king,--if thou Wilt not, my brother, curb thy headstrong youth. THOAS. I, as becomes the elder, check my rage. Now answer me: how dost thou prove thyself The priestess' brother, Agamemnon's son? ORESTES. Behold the sword with which the hero slew The valiant Trojans. From his murderer I took the weapon, and implor'd the Gods To grant me Agamemnon's mighty arm, Success, and valour, with a death more noble. Select one of the leaders of thy host, And place the best as my opponent here. Where'er on earth the sons of heroes dwell, This boon is to the stranger ne'er refus'd. THOAS. This privilege hath ancient custom here To strangers ne'er accorded.