Listen! For I am fallen upon a thought, Strangers, of some good use to you and me. * * * * * Stranger, if I can save thee, wilt thou bear To Argos and the friends who loved my youth {252} Some word? There is a tablet which, in ruth For me and mine ill works, a prisoner wrote, Ta'en by the king in war. He knew 'twas not My will that craved for blood, but One on high Who holds it righteous her due prey shall die. And since that day no Greek hath ever come Whom I could save and send to Argos home With prayer to any friend: but thou, I think, dost loathe me not; and thou dost know Mycenae and the names that fill my heart. Help me! Be saved! Thou also hast thy part, Thy life for one light letter-- (_Orestes looks at Pylades._) For thy friend, The law compelleth. He must bear the end By Artemis ordained, apart from thee. _Orestes._ Strange woman, as thou biddest let it be, Save one thing. 'Twere for me a heavy weight Should this man die. 'Tis I and mine own fate That steer our goings. He but sails with me Because I suffer much. It must not be That by his ruin I should 'scape mine own, And win thy grace withal. 'Tis simply done. Give him the tablet. He with faithful will Shall all thy hest in Argolis fulfil. {253} And I--who cares may kill me. Vile is he Who leaves a friend in peril and goes free Himself. And, as it chances, this is one Right dear to me; his life is as my own. _Iphigenia._ O royal heart! Surely from some great seed This branch is born, that can so love indeed. God grant the one yet living of my race Be such as thou! For not quite brotherless Am even I, save that I see him not, Strangers--Howbeit, thy pleasures shall be wrought. This man shall bear the message, and thou go To death. So greatly thou wilt have it so. Orestes then asks somewhat of the ritual by which Iphigenia will consecrate the victim, and where he will be buried. Iphigenia promises that he shall be duly buried according to the Greek customs, and then she goes into the temple to get the tablet. During her absence Orestes and Pylades have a long argument as to which shall bear the tablet to Argos, and which remain in the island to be sacrificed. It is finally decided that Pylades shall go back to Greece and Orestes shall remain. (_Enter Iphigenia from the Temple._) _Iphigenia._ Go ye within; and have all things of need In order set for them that do the deed. There wait my word. (_Attendants go in._) {254} Ye strangers, here I hold The many-lettered tablet, fold on fold. Yet--one thing still.