IPHIGENIA: They are--they seem, at least--I think them Greeks. THOAS: Thy countrymen; no doubt they have renewed The pleasing picture of return. 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. THOAS: The traitors have contrived a cunning web, And cast it round thee, who, secluded long, Giv'st willing credence to thine own desire. 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. [_Enter_ ORESTES, _armed_. 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! [_He perceives the king_. THOAS: None in my presence with impunity His naked weapon wears! IPHIGENIA: Do not profane Diana's sanctuary with rage and blood. In him revere the king, my second father! ORESTES: Will he permit our peaceable return? IPHIGENIA: Thy gleaming sword forbids me to reply. [_Enter_ PYLADES, _followed by_ ARKAS, _with drawn swords_ PYLADES: Do not delay, our friends are putting forth Their final strength! ARKAS: They yield; their ship is ours! THOAS: Let none annoy the foe while we confer. [ARKAS _retires_. THOAS: Now, answer me; how dost thou prove thyself The priestess' brother, Agamemnon's son? 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! 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, Was to deprive me of Diana's image! 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. 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! THOAS: Then go! IPHIGENIA: Not so, my king! I cannot part Without thy blessing, or in anger from thee.