Euripides, Iphigenia in Tauris, Edward P. Coleridge (Translator), 1017

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Iphigenia

But how may we live, and take what we want? For our return home suffers from this; but the will is present.

Orestes

Could we murder the king?
1020

Iphigenia

A fearful suggestion, for foreigners to kill their host!

Orestes

But we must dare it, if it brings our safety.

Iphigenia

I could not; yet I approve your eagerness.

Orestes

What if you were to hide me secretly in the shrine?

Iphigenia

So that we might take advantage of the darkness and escape?
1025

Orestes

Yes, for the night belongs to thieves, the light to truth.

Iphigenia

There are secred guards within, who will notice us.

Orestes

Alas, we are ruined! How can we be saved?

Iphigenia

I think I have a new stratagem.

Orestes

What is it? Let me know; share your thought.
1030

Iphigenia

I will use your sorrows as my contrivance.

Orestes

Women are wonderfully good at devising crafty plans!

Iphigenia

I will say that you came from Argos after killing your mother.

Orestes

Make use of my troubles, if you gain by it.

Iphigenia

And that it is not right to sacrifice you to the goddess.
1035

Orestes

With what reason? I have a suspicion.

Iphigenia

Because you are not pure; I will frighten what is sacred.

Orestes

How does this help us to seize the statue of the goddess?

Iphigenia

I shall want to purify you in the waves of the sea—

Orestes

The image that we have sailed for is still in the temple.
1040

Iphigenia

I will say that I have washed that also, since you have touched it.

Orestes

Where? Do you mean the watery inlet of the sea?

Iphigenia

Where your ship is moored by its roped anchor.

Orestes

Will you or some other bear the image in your hands?

Iphigenia

I shall; it is holy for me alone to touch it.
1045

Orestes

But Pylades here—how will he be assigned to our labor?

Iphigenia

His hands, it will be said, are stained like yours with blood-pollution.

Orestes

Will you do all this secretly from the king, or with his knowledge?

Iphigenia

I shall persuade him; I could not hide it from him.

Orestes

Well then, my ship, with its quick stroke of oars, is at hand.
1050

Iphigenia

You must indeed take care of the rest, so that it goes well.

Orestes

We need only one thing more, that these women conceal our plans; you approach them and find persuasive words. A woman has power over pity.

The rest, perhaps—. May all turn out well!
1055

Iphigenia in Tauris. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

Iphigenia Among the Tauri (English) (Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891. (Modernized by Perseus.))

Editions (1)

Ἰφιγένεια ἐν Ταύροις Perseus (Euripides. Euripidis Fabulae, Vol. II. Murray, Gilbert, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1913. (Reprinted 1921-1962)) — 1017 focus

Ἰφιγένεια

πῶς οὖν γένοιτʼ ἂν ὥστε μήθʼ ἡμᾶς θανεῖν,

λαβεῖν θʼ ἃ βουλόμεσθα; τῇδε γὰρ νοσεῖ

νόστος πρὸς οἴκους· ἡ δὲ βούλησις πάρα.

Ὀρέστης

ἆρʼ ἂν τύραννον διολέσαι δυναίμεθʼ ἄν;
1020

Ἰφιγένεια

δεινὸν τόδʼ εἶπας, ξενοφονεῖν ἐπήλυδας.

Ὀρέστης

ἀλλʼ, εἰ σὲ σώσει κἀμέ, κινδυνευτέον.

Ἰφιγένεια

οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην· τὸ δὲ πρόθυμον ᾔνεσα.

Ὀρέστης

τί δʼ, εἴ με ναῷ τῷδε κρύψειας λάθρα;

Ἰφιγένεια

ὡς δὴ σκότον λαβόντες ἐκσωθεῖμεν ἄν;
1025

Ὀρέστης

κλεπτῶν γὰρ ἡ νύξ, τῆς δʼ ἀληθείας τὸ φῶς.

Ἰφιγένεια

εἴσʼ ἔνδον ἱεροὶ φύλακες, οὓς οὐ λήσομεν.

Ὀρέστης

οἴμοι, διεφθάρμεσθα· πῶς σωθεῖμεν ἄν;

Ἰφιγένεια

ἔχειν δοκῶ μοι καινὸν ἐξεύρημά τι.

Ὀρέστης

ποῖόν τι; δόξης μετάδος, ὡς κἀγὼ μάθω.
1030

Ἰφιγένεια

ταῖς σαῖς ἀνίαις χρήσομαι σοφίσμασι.

Ὀρέστης

δειναὶ γὰρ αἱ γυναῖκες εὑρίσκειν τέχνας.

Ἰφιγένεια

φονέα σε φήσω μητρὸς ἐξ Ἄργους μολεῖν.

Ὀρέστης

χρῆσαι κακοῖσι τοῖς ἐμοῖς, εἰ κερδανεῖς.

Ἰφιγένεια

ὡς οὐ θέμις γε λέξομεν θύειν θεᾷ,
1035

Ὀρέστης

τίνʼ αἰτίαν ἔχουσʼ; ὑποπτεύω τι γάρ.

Ἰφιγένεια

οὐ καθαρὸν ὄντα· τὸ δʼ ὅσιον δώσω φόβῳ.

Ὀρέστης

τί δῆτα μᾶλλον θεᾶς ἄγαλμʼ ἁλίσκεται;

Ἰφιγένεια

πόντου σε πηγαῖς ἁγνίσαι βουλήσομαι,

Ὀρέστης

ἔτʼ ἐν δόμοισι βρέτας, ἐφʼ ᾧ πεπλεύκαμεν.
1040

Ἰφιγένεια

κἀκεῖνο νίψαι, σοῦ θιγόντος ὥς, ἐρῶ.

Ὀρέστης

ποῖ δῆτα; πόντου νοτερὸν εἶπας ἔκβολον;

Ἰφιγένεια

οὗ ναῦς χαλινοῖς λινοδέτοις ὁρμεῖ σέθεν.

Ὀρέστης

σὺ δʼ ἤ τις ἄλλος ἐν χεροῖν οἴσει βρέτας;

Ἰφιγένεια

ἐγώ· θιγεῖν γὰρ ὅσιόν ἐστʼ ἐμοὶ μόνῃ.
1045

Ὀρέστης

Πυλάδης δʼ ὅδʼ ἡμῖν ποῦ τετάξεται πόνου;

Ἰφιγένεια

ταὐτὸν χεροῖν σοὶ λέξεται μίασμʼ ἔχων.

Ὀρέστης

λάθρα δʼ ἄνακτος ἢ εἰδότος δράσεις τάδε;

Ἰφιγένεια

πείσασα μύθοις· οὐ γὰρ ἂν λάθοιμί γε.

Ὀρέστης

καὶ μὴν νεώς γε πίτυλος εὐήρης πάρα.
1050

Ἰφιγένεια

σοὶ δὴ μέλειν χρὴ τἄλλʼ ὅπως ἕξει καλῶς.

Ὀρέστης

ἑνὸς μόνου δεῖ, τάσδε συγκρύψαι τάδε.

ἀλλʼ ἀντίαζε καὶ λόγους πειστηρίους

εὕρισκʼ· ἔχει τοι δύναμιν εἰς οἶκτον γυνή.

τὰ δʼ ἄλλʼ ἴσως — . ἅπαντα συμβαίη καλῶς.
1055

Translations (2)

Iphigenia in Tauris (OCR draft) Experimental (Iphigenia in Tauris. Robert Potter's English verse translation, first published in 1781–1783; text from the 1808 Oxford printing.)

No corresponding passage available

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1845; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (Euripides. Deutsch in den Versmaßen der Urschrift. Volume 2, Heidelberg: C. F. Winter, 1845. Harvard OCR compared with an independent BSB copy. Native Donner verse citations, Murray reference cards, explicitly located notes and page facsimiles. Unresolved OCR, verse divisions, unlocated notes and printed errata are documented in the source review.) — 1017 focus

Wie wird es möglich, daß wir uns dem Tod' entziehn
975

Und unser Ziel erreichen? Denn hieran allein

Mag unsre Heimkehr scheitern; nicht mein Wille fehlt.¹

Orestes.

Den Herrn des Landes, könnten wir ihn morden wohl?

Iphigenia.

Der Fremdling morden seinen Wirth - ein grauses Wort !

Orestes.

Doch wenn es rettet dich und mich, so sei's gewagt.
980

Iphigenia.

Ich kann es nicht; doch loben muß ich deinen Muth.

Orestes.

Wie, wenn du heimlich uns verbärgst im Tempel hier?

Iphigenia.

Daß wir die Nacht erwarten und von dannen fliehn?

Orestes.

Nacht ist der Diebe Freundin, Wahrheit liebt das Licht.

Iphigenia.

Die Tempelwach' ist innen, der wir nicht entgehn.
985

Orestes.

Weh mir! Verloren sind wir! Wie entrinnen wir?

Iphigenia.

Ich habe, dünkt mir, etwas Neues ausgedacht.

Orestes.

Und was denn? Laß mich hören, daß auch ich es weiß.

Iphigenia.

Als kluger Vorwand diene mir dein Seelenleid.

Orestes.

Im Ränkespinnen sind die Fraun doch gar geschickt.
990

Iphigenia.

Als Muttermorder fldhst du, sag' ich, Argos' Land.

Orestes.

Benüze nur mein Leiden, wenn dir's frommen mag.

Iphigenia.

Drum wolle, sag' ich, Artemis dein Opfer nicht -

Orestes.

Um welches Grundes willen? Doch ich ahne schon.

Iphigenia.

Du wårest unrein, und das Reine toot' ich nur.
995

Orestes.

Warum erleichtert diese List des Bildes Raub?

Iphigenia.

Ich woll' in Meeresfluten dich entſundigen.

Orestes.

Das Bild, um das wir kamen, ist im Tempel noch.

Iphigenia.

Auch dieses woll' ich waschen, weil du's angerührt.

Orestes.

Wo das? Du meinst wohl, wo die Flut das Land bespült?
1000

Iphigenia.

Dort, wo dein Schiff an slåchsenen Ankertauen ruht.

Orestes.

Trågst du das Bild in Hånden, oder Andere?

Iphigenia.

Ich; denn es anzurühren ist nur mir erlaubt.

Orestes.

Doch welche Stellung geben wir dem Pylades?

Iphigenia.

Die gleiche Blutschuld haft' an ihm, erklären wir.
1005

Orestes.

Geschieht es heimlich, oder weiß der Fürst darum?

Iphigenia.

Ich überred' ihn; denn verborgen blieb ich nicht.

Orestes.

Des Schiffes rasches Ruderwerk, es steht bereit.

Iphigenia.

Du mußt besorgt sein, daß das Andre wohlgelingt.

Orestes.

Eins thut allein noth: dieser Fraun Verschwiegenheit.
1010

Erfind' ein überredend Wort, beschwore sie;

Die Kraft zu rühren wohnt ja doch den Frauen bei.

Das Andre mag dann alles glucklich endigen.

Iphigenia.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Iphigenia But how may we live, and take what we want? For our return home suffers from this; but the will is present.

Orestes Could we murder the king? 1020

Iphigenia A fearful suggestion, for foreigners to kill their host!

Orestes But we must dare it, if it brings our safety.

Iphigenia I could not; yet I approve your eagerness.

Orestes What if you were to hide me secretly in the shrine?

Iphigenia So that we might take advantage of the darkness and escape? 1025

Orestes Yes, for the night belongs to thieves, the light to truth.

Iphigenia There are secred guards within, who will notice us.

Orestes Alas, we are ruined! How can we be saved?

Iphigenia I think I have a new stratagem.

Orestes What is it? Let me know; share your thought. 1030

Iphigenia I will use your sorrows as my contrivance.

Orestes Women are wonderfully good at devising crafty plans!

Iphigenia I will say that you came from Argos after killing your mother.

Orestes Make use of my troubles, if you gain by it.

Iphigenia And that it is not right to sacrifice you to the goddess. 1035

Orestes With what reason? I have a suspicion.

Iphigenia Because you are not pure; I will frighten what is sacred.

Orestes How does this help us to seize the statue of the goddess?

Iphigenia I shall want to purify you in the waves of the sea—

Orestes The image that we have sailed for is still in the temple. 1040

Iphigenia I will say that I have washed that also, since you have touched it.

Orestes Where? Do you mean the watery inlet of the sea?

Iphigenia Where your ship is moored by its roped anchor.

Orestes Will you or some other bear the image in your hands?

Iphigenia I shall; it is holy for me alone to touch it. 1045

Orestes But Pylades here—how will he be assigned to our labor?

Iphigenia His hands, it will be said, are stained like yours with blood-pollution.

Orestes Will you do all this secretly from the king, or with his knowledge?

Iphigenia I shall persuade him; I could not hide it from him.

Orestes Well then, my ship, with its quick stroke of oars, is at hand. 1050

Iphigenia You must indeed take care of the rest, so that it goes well.

Orestes We need only one thing more, that these women conceal our plans; you approach them and find persuasive words. A woman has power over pity. The rest, perhaps—. May all turn out well! 1055

Current edition Perseus

Ἰφιγένεια πῶς οὖν γένοιτʼ ἂν ὥστε μήθʼ ἡμᾶς θανεῖν, λαβεῖν θʼ ἃ βουλόμεσθα; τῇδε γὰρ νοσεῖ νόστος πρὸς οἴκους· ἡ δὲ βούλησις πάρα.

Ὀρέστης ἆρʼ ἂν τύραννον διολέσαι δυναίμεθʼ ἄν; 1020

Ἰφιγένεια δεινὸν τόδʼ εἶπας, ξενοφονεῖν ἐπήλυδας.

Ὀρέστης ἀλλʼ, εἰ σὲ σώσει κἀμέ, κινδυνευτέον.

Ἰφιγένεια οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην· τὸ δὲ πρόθυμον ᾔνεσα.

Ὀρέστης τί δʼ, εἴ με ναῷ τῷδε κρύψειας λάθρα;

Ἰφιγένεια ὡς δὴ σκότον λαβόντες ἐκσωθεῖμεν ἄν; 1025

Ὀρέστης κλεπτῶν γὰρ ἡ νύξ, τῆς δʼ ἀληθείας τὸ φῶς.

Ἰφιγένεια εἴσʼ ἔνδον ἱεροὶ φύλακες, οὓς οὐ λήσομεν.

Ὀρέστης οἴμοι, διεφθάρμεσθα· πῶς σωθεῖμεν ἄν;

Ἰφιγένεια ἔχειν δοκῶ μοι καινὸν ἐξεύρημά τι.

Ὀρέστης ποῖόν τι; δόξης μετάδος, ὡς κἀγὼ μάθω. 1030

Ἰφιγένεια ταῖς σαῖς ἀνίαις χρήσομαι σοφίσμασι.

Ὀρέστης δειναὶ γὰρ αἱ γυναῖκες εὑρίσκειν τέχνας.

Ἰφιγένεια φονέα σε φήσω μητρὸς ἐξ Ἄργους μολεῖν.

Ὀρέστης χρῆσαι κακοῖσι τοῖς ἐμοῖς, εἰ κερδανεῖς.

Ἰφιγένεια ὡς οὐ θέμις γε λέξομεν θύειν θεᾷ, 1035

Ὀρέστης τίνʼ αἰτίαν ἔχουσʼ; ὑποπτεύω τι γάρ.

Ἰφιγένεια οὐ καθαρὸν ὄντα· τὸ δʼ ὅσιον δώσω φόβῳ.

Ὀρέστης τί δῆτα μᾶλλον θεᾶς ἄγαλμʼ ἁλίσκεται;

Ἰφιγένεια πόντου σε πηγαῖς ἁγνίσαι βουλήσομαι,

Ὀρέστης ἔτʼ ἐν δόμοισι βρέτας, ἐφʼ ᾧ πεπλεύκαμεν. 1040

Ἰφιγένεια κἀκεῖνο νίψαι, σοῦ θιγόντος ὥς, ἐρῶ.

Ὀρέστης ποῖ δῆτα; πόντου νοτερὸν εἶπας ἔκβολον;

Ἰφιγένεια οὗ ναῦς χαλινοῖς λινοδέτοις ὁρμεῖ σέθεν.

Ὀρέστης σὺ δʼ ἤ τις ἄλλος ἐν χεροῖν οἴσει βρέτας;

Ἰφιγένεια ἐγώ· θιγεῖν γὰρ ὅσιόν ἐστʼ ἐμοὶ μόνῃ. 1045

Ὀρέστης Πυλάδης δʼ ὅδʼ ἡμῖν ποῦ τετάξεται πόνου;

Ἰφιγένεια ταὐτὸν χεροῖν σοὶ λέξεται μίασμʼ ἔχων.

Ὀρέστης λάθρα δʼ ἄνακτος ἢ εἰδότος δράσεις τάδε;

Ἰφιγένεια πείσασα μύθοις· οὐ γὰρ ἂν λάθοιμί γε.

Ὀρέστης καὶ μὴν νεώς γε πίτυλος εὐήρης πάρα. 1050

Ἰφιγένεια σοὶ δὴ μέλειν χρὴ τἄλλʼ ὅπως ἕξει καλῶς.

Wie wird es möglich, daß wir uns dem Tod' entziehn 975 Und unser Ziel erreichen? Denn hieran allein Mag unsre Heimkehr scheitern; nicht mein Wille fehlt. 1

Orestes. Den Herrn des Landes, könnten wir ihn morden wohl?

Iphigenia. Der Fremdling morden seinen Wirth - ein grauses Wort !

Orestes. Doch wenn es rettet dich und mich, so sei's gewagt. 980

Iphigenia. Ich kann es nicht; doch loben muß ich deinen Muth.

Orestes. Wie, wenn du heimlich uns verbärgst im Tempel hier?

Iphigenia. Daß wir die Nacht erwarten und von dannen fliehn?

Orestes. Nacht ist der Diebe Freundin, Wahrheit liebt das Licht.

Iphigenia. Die Tempelwach' ist innen, der wir nicht entgehn. 985

Orestes. Weh mir! Verloren sind wir! Wie entrinnen wir?

Iphigenia

But how may we live, and take what we want? For our return home suffers from this; but the will is present.

Orestes

Could we murder the king?
1020

Iphigenia

A fearful suggestion, for foreigners to kill their host!

Orestes

But we must dare it, if it brings our safety.

Iphigenia

I could not; yet I approve your eagerness.

Orestes

What if you were to hide me secretly in the shrine?

Iphigenia

So that we might take advantage of the darkness and escape?
1025

Orestes

Yes, for the night belongs to thieves, the light to truth.

Iphigenia

There are secred guards within, who will notice us.

Orestes

Alas, we are ruined! How can we be saved?

Iphigenia

I think I have a new stratagem.

Orestes

What is it? Let me know; share your thought.
1030

Iphigenia

I will use your sorrows as my contrivance.

Orestes

Women are wonderfully good at devising crafty plans!

Iphigenia

I will say that you came from Argos after killing your mother.

Orestes

Make use of my troubles, if you gain by it.

Iphigenia

And that it is not right to sacrifice you to the goddess.
1035

Orestes

With what reason? I have a suspicion.

Iphigenia

Because you are not pure; I will frighten what is sacred.

Orestes

How does this help us to seize the statue of the goddess?

Iphigenia

I shall want to purify you in the waves of the sea—

Orestes

The image that we have sailed for is still in the temple.
1040

Iphigenia

I will say that I have washed that also, since you have touched it.

Orestes

Where? Do you mean the watery inlet of the sea?

Iphigenia

Where your ship is moored by its roped anchor.

Orestes

Will you or some other bear the image in your hands?

Iphigenia

I shall; it is holy for me alone to touch it.
1045

Orestes

But Pylades here—how will he be assigned to our labor?

Iphigenia

His hands, it will be said, are stained like yours with blood-pollution.

Orestes

Will you do all this secretly from the king, or with his knowledge?

Iphigenia

I shall persuade him; I could not hide it from him.

Orestes

Well then, my ship, with its quick stroke of oars, is at hand.
1050

Iphigenia

You must indeed take care of the rest, so that it goes well.

Orestes

We need only one thing more, that these women conceal our plans; you approach them and find persuasive words. A woman has power over pity.

The rest, perhaps—. May all turn out well!
1055

Ἰφιγένεια

πῶς οὖν γένοιτʼ ἂν ὥστε μήθʼ ἡμᾶς θανεῖν,

λαβεῖν θʼ ἃ βουλόμεσθα; τῇδε γὰρ νοσεῖ

νόστος πρὸς οἴκους· ἡ δὲ βούλησις πάρα.

Ὀρέστης

ἆρʼ ἂν τύραννον διολέσαι δυναίμεθʼ ἄν;
1020

Ἰφιγένεια

δεινὸν τόδʼ εἶπας, ξενοφονεῖν ἐπήλυδας.

Ὀρέστης

ἀλλʼ, εἰ σὲ σώσει κἀμέ, κινδυνευτέον.

Ἰφιγένεια

οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην· τὸ δὲ πρόθυμον ᾔνεσα.

Ὀρέστης

τί δʼ, εἴ με ναῷ τῷδε κρύψειας λάθρα;

Ἰφιγένεια

ὡς δὴ σκότον λαβόντες ἐκσωθεῖμεν ἄν;
1025

Ὀρέστης

κλεπτῶν γὰρ ἡ νύξ, τῆς δʼ ἀληθείας τὸ φῶς.

Ἰφιγένεια

εἴσʼ ἔνδον ἱεροὶ φύλακες, οὓς οὐ λήσομεν.

Ὀρέστης

οἴμοι, διεφθάρμεσθα· πῶς σωθεῖμεν ἄν;

Ἰφιγένεια

ἔχειν δοκῶ μοι καινὸν ἐξεύρημά τι.

Ὀρέστης

ποῖόν τι; δόξης μετάδος, ὡς κἀγὼ μάθω.
1030

Ἰφιγένεια

ταῖς σαῖς ἀνίαις χρήσομαι σοφίσμασι.

Ὀρέστης

δειναὶ γὰρ αἱ γυναῖκες εὑρίσκειν τέχνας.

Ἰφιγένεια

φονέα σε φήσω μητρὸς ἐξ Ἄργους μολεῖν.

Ὀρέστης

χρῆσαι κακοῖσι τοῖς ἐμοῖς, εἰ κερδανεῖς.

Ἰφιγένεια

ὡς οὐ θέμις γε λέξομεν θύειν θεᾷ,
1035

Ὀρέστης

τίνʼ αἰτίαν ἔχουσʼ; ὑποπτεύω τι γάρ.

Ἰφιγένεια

οὐ καθαρὸν ὄντα· τὸ δʼ ὅσιον δώσω φόβῳ.

Ὀρέστης

τί δῆτα μᾶλλον θεᾶς ἄγαλμʼ ἁλίσκεται;

Ἰφιγένεια

πόντου σε πηγαῖς ἁγνίσαι βουλήσομαι,

Ὀρέστης

ἔτʼ ἐν δόμοισι βρέτας, ἐφʼ ᾧ πεπλεύκαμεν.
1040

Ἰφιγένεια

κἀκεῖνο νίψαι, σοῦ θιγόντος ὥς, ἐρῶ.

Ὀρέστης

ποῖ δῆτα; πόντου νοτερὸν εἶπας ἔκβολον;

Ἰφιγένεια

οὗ ναῦς χαλινοῖς λινοδέτοις ὁρμεῖ σέθεν.

Ὀρέστης

σὺ δʼ ἤ τις ἄλλος ἐν χεροῖν οἴσει βρέτας;

Ἰφιγένεια

ἐγώ· θιγεῖν γὰρ ὅσιόν ἐστʼ ἐμοὶ μόνῃ.
1045

Ὀρέστης

Πυλάδης δʼ ὅδʼ ἡμῖν ποῦ τετάξεται πόνου;

Ἰφιγένεια

ταὐτὸν χεροῖν σοὶ λέξεται μίασμʼ ἔχων.

Ὀρέστης

λάθρα δʼ ἄνακτος ἢ εἰδότος δράσεις τάδε;

Ἰφιγένεια

πείσασα μύθοις· οὐ γὰρ ἂν λάθοιμί γε.

Ὀρέστης

καὶ μὴν νεώς γε πίτυλος εὐήρης πάρα.
1050

Ἰφιγένεια

σοὶ δὴ μέλειν χρὴ τἄλλʼ ὅπως ἕξει καλῶς.

Wie wird es möglich, daß wir uns dem Tod' entziehn
975

Und unser Ziel erreichen? Denn hieran allein

Mag unsre Heimkehr scheitern; nicht mein Wille fehlt.¹

Orestes.

Den Herrn des Landes, könnten wir ihn morden wohl?

Iphigenia.

Der Fremdling morden seinen Wirth - ein grauses Wort !

Orestes.

Doch wenn es rettet dich und mich, so sei's gewagt.
980

Iphigenia.

Ich kann es nicht; doch loben muß ich deinen Muth.

Orestes.

Wie, wenn du heimlich uns verbärgst im Tempel hier?

Iphigenia.

Daß wir die Nacht erwarten und von dannen fliehn?

Orestes.

Nacht ist der Diebe Freundin, Wahrheit liebt das Licht.

Iphigenia.

Die Tempelwach' ist innen, der wir nicht entgehn.
985

Orestes.

Weh mir! Verloren sind wir! Wie entrinnen wir?

Iphigenia.

Ich habe, dünkt mir, etwas Neues ausgedacht.

Orestes.

Und was denn? Laß mich hören, daß auch ich es weiß.

Iphigenia.

Als kluger Vorwand diene mir dein Seelenleid.