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But the strange visions which the night brought with it, I will tell to the air, if that is any relief. I dreamed that I had left this land
to live in
Argos
, and to sleep in the midst of the maidens’ rooms; but the earth’s back was shaken by a tossing swell. When I escaped and stood outside, I saw the cornice of the house fall, and the whole roof hurled in ruins on the ground, from the highest pillars.
45
One support of my father’s house was left, I thought, and it had yellow locks of hair waving from its capital, and took on human voice. In observance of the art of slaughtering strangers that I practice here, I gave it holy water as if it were about to die, while I wept.
50
This is my interpretation of this dream: Orestes, whom I consecrated by my rites, is dead. For male children are the supports of the house; and those whom I purify with holy water die.
I cannot connect this dream to my friends,
55
for Strophius, when I perished, had no son. Now I wish to give libations to my brother, though he is absent from me—for I would be able to do this—with the attendants given me by the king, Hellene women. But why
60
are they not yet here? I will go inside this temple of the goddess where I live.
Exit Iphigenia.
65
But the strange visions which the night brought with it, I will tell to the air, if that is any relief. I dreamed that I had left this land
to live in
Argos
, and to sleep in the midst of the maidens’ rooms; but the earth’s back was shaken by a tossing swell. When I escaped and stood outside, I saw the cornice of the house fall, and the whole roof hurled in ruins on the ground, from the highest pillars.
45
One support of my father’s house was left, I thought, and it had yellow locks of hair waving from its capital, and took on human voice. In observance of the art of slaughtering strangers that I practice here, I gave it holy water as if it were about to die, while I wept.
50
This is my interpretation of this dream: Orestes, whom I consecrated by my rites, is dead. For male children are the supports of the house; and those whom I purify with holy water die.
I cannot connect this dream to my friends,
55
for Strophius, when I perished, had no son. Now I wish to give libations to my brother, though he is absent from me—for I would be able to do this—with the attendants given me by the king, Hellene women. But why
60
are they not yet here? I will go inside this temple of the goddess where I live.
Exit Iphigenia.
65
Iphigenia in Tauris. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
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