IPHIGENIA. Long ere you came my heart hath yearned to be In Argos, brother, and so near to thee: But now--thy will is mine. To ease thy pain, To lift our father's house to peace again, And hate no more my murderers--aye,'tis good. Perchance to clean this hand that sought thy blood, And save my people... But the goddess' eyes, How dream we to deceive them? Or what wise Escape the King, when on his sight shall fall The blank stone of the empty pedestal? ... I needs must die ... What better can I do? And yet, one chance there is: could I but go Together with the image: couldst thou bear Both on the leaping seas! The risk were fair. But how? Nay, I must wait then and be slain: Thou shalt walk free in Argolis again, And all life smile on thee ... Dearest, we need Nor shrink from that. I shall by mine own deed Have saved thee. And a man gone from the earth Is wept for. Women are but little worth. ORESTES. My mother and then thou? It may not be. This hand hath blood enough. I stand with thee One-hearted here, be it for life or death, And either bear thee, if God favoureth, With me to Greece and home, or else lie here Dead at thy side.--But mark me: if thou fear Lest Artemis be wroth, how can that be? Hath not her brother's self commanded me To bear to Greece her image?--Oh, he knew Her will! He knew that in this land we two Must meet once more. All that so far hath past Doth show his work. He will not at the last Fail. We shall yet see Argos, thou and I. IPHIGENIA. To steal for thee the image, yet not die Myself! 'Tis that we need. 'Tis that doth kill My hope. Else ... Oh, God knows I have the will! ORESTES. How if we slew your savage king? IPHIGENIA. Ah, no: He sheltered me, a stranger. ORESTES. Even so, If it bring life for me and thee, the deed May well be dared. IPHIGENIA. I could not ... Nay; indeed I thank thee for thy daring. ORESTES. Canst thou hide My body in the shrine? IPHIGENIA. There to abide Till nightfall, and escape? ORESTES. Even so; the night Is the safe time for robbers, as the light For just men. IPHIGENIA. There be sacred watchers there Who needs must see us. ORESTES. Gods above! What prayer Can help us then? IPHIGENIA. I think I dimly see One chance. ORESTES. What chance? Speak out thy fantasy. IPHIGENIA'. On thine affliction I would build my way. ORESTES. Women have strange devices. IPHIGENIA. I would say Thou com'st from Hellas with thy mother's blood Upon thee. ORESTES. Use my shame, if any good Will follow. IPHIGENIA. Therefore, an offence most high It were to slay thee to the goddess! ORESTES. Why? Though I half guess.