So be it. My foremost care must be that nothing harms The temple's holy rule.--Untie their arms. That which is hallowed may no more be bound. You, to the shrine within! Let all be found As the law bids, and as we need this day. (_Orestes and Pylades are set free; some Attendants go into the Temple._) {247} Ah me! What mother then was yours, O strangers, say, And father? And your sister, if you have A sister: both at once, so young and brave To leave her brotherless! Who knows when heaven May send that fortune? For to none is given To know the coming nor the end of woe; So dark is God, and to great darkness go His paths, by blind chance mazed from our ken. Whence are ye come, O most unhappy men? From some far home, methinks, ye have found this shore And far shall stay from home for evermore. Orestes asks Iphigenia not to make their fate worse by dwelling on it, nor to pity them. They know where they are and the cruel custom of the land. _Iphigenia._ Say first--which is it men call Pylades? _Orestes._ 'Tis this man's name, if that will give thee ease. _Iphigenia._ From what walled town of Hellas cometh he? _Orestes._ Enough!--How would the knowledge profit thee? _Iphigenia._ Are ye two brothers of one mother born? _Orestes._ No, not in blood. In love we are brothers sworn. {248} _Iphigenia._ Thou also hast a name: tell me thereof. _Orestes._ Call me Unfortunate. 'Tis name enough. _Iphigenia._ I asked not that. Let that with Fortune lie. _Orestes._ Fools cannot laugh at them that nameless die. _Iphigenia._ Why grudge me this? Hast thou such mighty fame? _Orestes._ My body, if thou wilt, but not my name. _Iphigenia._ Nor yet the land of Greece where thou wast bred? _Orestes._ What gain to have told it thee, when I am dead? _Iphigenia._ Nay: why shouldst thou deny so small a grace? _Orestes._ Know then, great Argos was my native place. _Iphigenia._ Stranger! The truth!--From Argos art thou come? _Orestes._ Mycenae, once a rich land, was my home. _Iphigenia._ 'Tis banishment that brings thee here--or what? _Orestes._ A kind of banishment, half forced, half sought. _Iphigenia._ Wouldst thou but tell me all I need of thee! _Orestes._ 'Twere not much added to my misery. _Iphigenia._ From Argos!--Oh, how sweet to see thee here! _Orestes._ Enjoy it then. To me 'tis sorry cheer. _Iphigenia._ Thou knowest the name of Troy? Far doth it flit. {249} _Orestes._ Would God I had not; nay, nor dreamed of it. _Iphigenia._ Men fable it is fallen beneath the sword? _Orestes._ Fallen it is. Thou hast heard no idle word. _Iphigenia._ Fallen! At last!--And Helen taken too? _Orestes._ Aye; on an evil day for one I knew. _Iphigenia._ Where is she? I too have some anger stored-- _Orestes._ In Sparta! Once more happy with her lord! _Iphigenia._ Oh, hated of all Greece, not only me!