Euripides, Iphigenia in Tauris, ed. Gilbert Murray, 1153

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Θόας

ποῦ ʼσθʼ ἡ πυλωρὸς τῶνδε δωμάτων γυνὴ

Ἑλληνίς; ἤδη τῶν ξένων κατήρξατο;

ἀδύτοις ἐν ἁγνοῖς σῶμα λάμπονται πυρί;
1155

Χορός

ἥδʼ ἐστίν, ἥ σοι πάντʼ, ἄναξ, ἐρεῖ σαφῶς.

Θόας

ἔα·

τί τόδε μεταίρεις ἐξ ἀκινήτων βάθρων,

Ἀγαμέμνονος παῖ, θεᾶς ἄγαλμʼ ἐν ὠλέναις;

Ἰφιγένεια

ἄναξ, ἔχʼ αὐτοῦ πόδα σὸν ἐν παραστάσιν.

Θόας

τί δʼ ἔστιν, Ἰφιγένεια, καινὸν ἐν δόμοις;
1160

Ἰφιγένεια

ἀπέπτυσʼ· Ὁσίᾳ γὰρ δίδωμʼ ἔπος τόδε.

Θόας

τί φροιμιάζῃ νεοχμόν; ἐξαύδα σαφῶς.

Ἰφιγένεια

οὐ καθαρά μοι τὰ θύματʼ ἠγρεύσασθʼ, ἄναξ.

Θόας

τί τοὐκδιδάξαν τοῦτό σʼ; ἢ δόξαν λέγεις;

Ἰφιγένεια

βρέτας τὸ τῆς θεοῦ πάλιν ἕδρας ἀπεστράφη.
1165

Θόας

αὐτόματον, ἤ νιν σεισμὸς ἔστρεψε χθονός;

Ἰφιγένεια

αὐτόματον· ὄψιν δʼ ὀμμάτων ξυνήρμοσεν.

Θόας

ἡ δʼ αἰτία τίς; ἦ τὸ τῶν ξένων μύσος;

Ἰφιγένεια

ἥδʼ, οὐδὲν ἄλλο· δεινὰ γὰρ δεδράκατον.

Θόας

ἀλλʼ ἦ τινʼ ἔκανον βαρβάρων ἀκτῆς ἔπι;
1170

Ἰφιγένεια

οἰκεῖον ἦλθον τὸν φόνον κεκτημένοι.

Θόας

τίνʼ; εἰς ἔρον γὰρ τοῦ μαθεῖν πεπτώκαμεν.

Ἰφιγένεια

μητέρα κατειργάσαντο κοινωνῷ ξίφει.

Θόας

Ἄπολλον, οὐδʼ ἐν βαρβάροις ἔτλη τις ἄν.

Ἰφιγένεια

πάσης διωγμοῖς ἠλάθησαν Ἑλλάδος.
1175

Θόας

ἦ τῶνδʼ ἕκατι δῆτʼ ἄγαλμʼ ἔξω φέρεις;

Ἰφιγένεια

σεμνόν γʼ ὑπʼ αἰθέρʼ, ὡς μεταστήσω φόνου.

Θόας

μίασμα δʼ ἔγνως τοῖν ξένοιν ποίῳ τρόπῳ;

Ἰφιγένεια

ἤλεγχον, ὡς θεᾶς βρέτας ἀπεστράφη πάλιν.

Θόας

σοφήν σʼ ἔθρεψεν Ἑλλάς, ὡς ᾔσθου καλῶς.
1180

Ἰφιγένεια

καὶ μὴν καθεῖσαν δέλεαρ ἡδύ μοι φρενῶν.

Θόας

τῶν Ἀργόθεν τι φίλτρον ἀγγέλλοντέ σοι;

Ἰφιγένεια

τὸν μόνον Ὀρέστην ἐμὸν ἀδελφὸν εὐτυχεῖν.

Θόας

ὡς δή σφε σῴσαις ἡδοναῖς ἀγγελμάτων.

Ἰφιγένεια

καὶ πατέρα γε ζῆν καὶ καλῶς πράσσειν ἐμόν.
1185

Θόας

σὺ δʼ ἐς τὸ τῆς θεοῦ γʼ ἐξένευσας εἰκότως.

Ἰφιγένεια

πᾶσάν γε μισοῦσʼ Ἑλλάδʼ, ἥ μʼ ἀπώλεσεν.

Θόας

τί δῆτα δρῶμεν, φράζε, τοῖν ξένοιν πέρι;

Ἰφιγένεια

τὸν νόμον ἀνάγκη τὸν προκείμενον σέβειν.

Θόας

οὔκουν ἐν ἔργῳ χέρνιβες ξίφος τε σόν;
1190

Ἰφιγένεια

ἁγνοῖς καθαρμοῖς πρῶτά νιν νίψαι θέλω.

Θόας

πηγαῖσιν ὑδάτων ἢ θαλασσίᾳ δρόσῳ;

Ἰφιγένεια

θάλασσα κλύζει πάντα τἀνθρώπων κακά.

Θόας

ὁσιώτερον γοῦν τῇ θεῷ πέσοιεν ἄν.

Ἰφιγένεια

καὶ τἀμά γʼ οὕτω μᾶλλον ἂν καλῶς ἔχοι.
1195

Θόας

οὔκουν πρὸς αὐτὸν ναὸν ἐκπίπτει κλύδων;

Ἰφιγένεια

ἐρημίας δεῖ· καὶ γὰρ ἄλλα δράσομεν.

Θόας

ἄγʼ ἔνθα χρῄζεις· οὐ φιλῶ τἄρρηθʼ ὁρᾶν.

Ἰφιγένεια

ἁγνιστέον μοι καὶ τὸ τῆς θεοῦ βρέτας.

Θόας

εἴπερ γε κηλὶς ἔβαλέ νιν μητροκτόνος.
1200

Ἰφιγένεια

οὐ γάρ ποτʼ ἄν νιν ἠράμην βάθρων ἄπο.

Θόας

δίκαιος ηὑσέβεια καὶ προμηθία.

Iphigenia in Tauris. Euripides. ed. Gilbert Murray. Oxford. 1913.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

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

Translations (3)

Iphigenia Among the Tauri Perseus (Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 1153 focus

Thoas

Where is the gate-keeper of this temple, the woman of Hellas ? Has she already begun the rites on the strangers?

Are they glowing with fire in the holy sanctuary?
1155

Chorus Leader

Here she is, to tell you everything clearly, lord.

Thoas

Oh! Daughter of Agamemnon, why have you lifted up in your arms the statue of the goddess from its pedestal that must not be moved?

Iphigenia

Lord, stand there in the entrance!

Thoas

Iphigenia, what has happened in the temple?
1160

Iphigenia

I spit out the pollution; (turning to Thoas to explain.) I say this for Holiness.

Thoas

What is this news in your introduction? Tell it clearly.

Iphigenia

The victims you caught for me are not pure, lord.

Thoas

What taught you this? Or are you only saying what you think?

Iphigenia

The image of the goddess turned back from its place.
1165

Thoas

By itself, or did an earthquake turn it?

Iphigenia

By itself; it closed up its eyes.

Thoas

What was the reason? Was it the uncleanness of the strangers?

Iphigenia

That was the reason, and nothing else; for they have done dreadful things.

Thoas

What, have they killed one of the barbarians on the shore?
1170

Iphigenia

They come with murder done at home.

Thoas

What murder? For I strongly want to know.

Iphigenia

They killed their mother together with their swords.

Thoas

Apollo! No barbarian would have dared this.

Iphigenia

They were driven in pursuit from all of Hellas .
1175

Thoas

Is it for this that you bring the statue outside?

Iphigenia

Yes, to the holy air, to remove it from slaughter.

Thoas

How did you know the blood-pollution of the strangers?

Iphigenia

I questioned them, because the image of the goddess had turned back.

Thoas

Hellas has brought you up to be clever; how well you understood this.
1180

Iphigenia

And yet they dangled a sweet lure for my heart.

Thoas

Reporting to you some charm of news from Argos ?

Iphigenia

That Orestes, my only brother, is happy.

Thoas

So that you might save them, for the delight of their messages.

Iphigenia

And that my father is alive and doing well.
1185

Thoas

But you turned to the goddess, with reason.

Iphigenia

Yes, for I hate all Hellas , which has ruined me.

Thoas

Tell me, what shall we do with the strangers?

Iphigenia

We must reverence the law as it stands.

Thoas

But the libations and your sword are not at work?
1190

Iphigenia

First I want to wash them, with holy purification.

Thoas

In fountain waters, or the drops of the sea?

Iphigenia

The sea washes away all men’s evils.

Thoas

They would certainly be holier victims for the goddess.

Iphigenia

And in this way my plans would succeed better.
1195

Thoas

Doesn’t the wave beat against this very temple?

Iphigenia

This requires solitude; and I shall do more.

Thoas

Then where you wish; I do not want to see what should not be seen.

Iphigenia

I must purify the image of the goddess also.

Thoas

Yes, if a stain from the matricide has fallen on it.
1200

Iphigenia

For I would not have lifted it from its base otherwise.

Thoas

Your piety and forethought are correct.

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.) — 1153 focus

Wo weilt des Tempels Hüterin, die griechische

Jungfrau? Sie hat wohl eingeweiht die Fremdlinge?

Und ihre Körper flammen schon im Heiligthum?

(Iphigenia kommt mit der Bildsäule der Göttin aus dem Tempel.)

Hier ist sie, die dir Alles deutlich sagt, o Fürst.
1110

Ha!

Was trågst du, Kind Agamemnons, hier das Gottesbild

Vom unentweihten Fußgestell' im Arme fort?

Iphigenia.

Herr, bleibe stehen, wo du stehst, am Säulengang.

Thoas.

Was gibt es Neues im Tempel, Iphigenia?

Iphigenia.

Entseklich! Also ruf ich aus, die Priesterin.
1115

Thoas.

Welch Unerhörtes meinst du? Sprich es deutlich aus.

Iphigenia.

Kein reines Opfer habt ihr uns erjagt, o Fürst.

Thoas.

Wer gab dir Kunde von diesem? Oder ahnst du bloß?

Iphigenia.

Das Bild der Göttin wandte sich von seinem Siz.

Thoas.

Von freiem? Oder weil gebebt der Erde Grund?
1120

Iphigenia.

Von freiem; und der Augen Lieder drückt' es ein.

Thoas.

Was war der Grund wohl? Gråuelthat der Fremdlinge?

Iphigenia.

Nichts Andres; Grausenvolles, Herr, verübten sie.

Thoas.

Erschlug ihr Arm am Ufer einen Taurier?

Iphigenia.

In ihrer Heimat haben sie den Mord verübt.
1125

Thoas.

Welch einen? Denn zu fragen kam die Lust mich an.

Iphigenia.

Die Mutter würgten Beide durch vereinten Mord.

Thoas.

O Phobos! Auch kein Wilder håtte das gewagt.

Iphigenia.

Verfolgt vom ganzen Hellas flohn sie außer Lands.

Thoas.

Aus diesem Grunde trågst du denn das Bild hinaus?
1130

Iphigenia.

In heil'gen Aether, daß es fern dem Grauel sei.

Thoas.

Woraus erkanntest du die Schuld der Fremdlinge?

Iphigenia.

Ich zich die Beiden, als das Bild sich umgewandt.

Thoas.

Zur Weisen zog dich Hellas, daß du's wohl erkannt.

Iphigenia.

Nun haben sie mir süßen Köder vorgesezt,
1135

Thoas.

Aus Argos etwas Liebes dir verkündigend?

Iphigenia.

Daß mein Orest, mein einziger Bruder, glucklich sei.

Thoas.

Daß ob der frohen Kunde du sie rettetest?

Iphigenia.

Auch lebe noch mein Vater, leb' in Wohlergehn.

Thoas.

Doch du verbliebst der Göttin, wie sich ziemt, getreu.
1140

Iphigenia.

Ich hasse ja ganz Hellas, das mich mordete.

Thoas.

Was also thun wir, sage, mit den Fremdlingen?

Iphigenia.

Den alten Brauch bewahren heißt die strenge Pflicht.

Thoas.

Nun, hast du nicht Weihwasser, nicht dein Schwert zur

Hand?

Iphigenia.

Durch fromme Waschung will ich erst sie reinigen.
1145

Thoas.

Mit Wasserquellen oder Meereswellenthau?

Iphigenia.

Des Meeres Flut spult alle Schuld der Menschen ab.

Thoas.

Der Göttin mehr gefällig sterben Beide dann.

Iphigenia.

Und meiner Pflicht auch leb' ich so getreuer nach.

Thoas.

Nun, spålt an unsern Tempel nicht die Meeresflut?
1150

Iphigenia.

Der Einsamkeit bedarf es; Andres thun wir noch --

Thoas.

Geh, wo du hinwillst; kein Geheimniß will ich sehn.

Iphigenia.

Das Bild der Göttin muß ich auch entſundigen.

Thoas.

Wohl, wenn des Muttermordes Mal es schåndete.

Iphigenia,

Sonst hatt' ich's nie von seinem Marmorsiz entführt.
1155

Thoas.

Der fromme Sinn, die weise Vorsicht ist gerecht.

Iphigenia.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Θόας ποῦ ʼσθʼ ἡ πυλωρὸς τῶνδε δωμάτων γυνὴ Ἑλληνίς; ἤδη τῶν ξένων κατήρξατο; ἀδύτοις ἐν ἁγνοῖς σῶμα λάμπονται πυρί; 1155

Χορός ἥδʼ ἐστίν, ἥ σοι πάντʼ, ἄναξ, ἐρεῖ σαφῶς.

Θόας ἔα· τί τόδε μεταίρεις ἐξ ἀκινήτων βάθρων, Ἀγαμέμνονος παῖ, θεᾶς ἄγαλμʼ ἐν ὠλέναις;

Ἰφιγένεια ἄναξ, ἔχʼ αὐτοῦ πόδα σὸν ἐν παραστάσιν.

Θόας τί δʼ ἔστιν, Ἰφιγένεια, καινὸν ἐν δόμοις; 1160

Ἰφιγένεια ἀπέπτυσʼ· Ὁσίᾳ γὰρ δίδωμʼ ἔπος τόδε.

Θόας τί φροιμιάζῃ νεοχμόν; ἐξαύδα σαφῶς.

Ἰφιγένεια οὐ καθαρά μοι τὰ θύματʼ ἠγρεύσασθʼ, ἄναξ.

Θόας τί τοὐκδιδάξαν τοῦτό σʼ; ἢ δόξαν λέγεις;

Ἰφιγένεια βρέτας τὸ τῆς θεοῦ πάλιν ἕδρας ἀπεστράφη. 1165

Θόας αὐτόματον, ἤ νιν σεισμὸς ἔστρεψε χθονός;

Ἰφιγένεια αὐτόματον· ὄψιν δʼ ὀμμάτων ξυνήρμοσεν.

Θόας ἡ δʼ αἰτία τίς; ἦ τὸ τῶν ξένων μύσος;

Ἰφιγένεια ἥδʼ, οὐδὲν ἄλλο· δεινὰ γὰρ δεδράκατον.

Θόας ἀλλʼ ἦ τινʼ ἔκανον βαρβάρων ἀκτῆς ἔπι; 1170

Ἰφιγένεια οἰκεῖον ἦλθον τὸν φόνον κεκτημένοι.

Θόας τίνʼ; εἰς ἔρον γὰρ τοῦ μαθεῖν πεπτώκαμεν.

Ἰφιγένεια μητέρα κατειργάσαντο κοινωνῷ ξίφει.

Θόας Ἄπολλον, οὐδʼ ἐν βαρβάροις ἔτλη τις ἄν.

Ἰφιγένεια πάσης διωγμοῖς ἠλάθησαν Ἑλλάδος. 1175

Θόας ἦ τῶνδʼ ἕκατι δῆτʼ ἄγαλμʼ ἔξω φέρεις;

Ἰφιγένεια σεμνόν γʼ ὑπʼ αἰθέρʼ, ὡς μεταστήσω φόνου.

Θόας μίασμα δʼ ἔγνως τοῖν ξένοιν ποίῳ τρόπῳ;

Ἰφιγένεια ἤλεγχον, ὡς θεᾶς βρέτας ἀπεστράφη πάλιν.

Θόας σοφήν σʼ ἔθρεψεν Ἑλλάς, ὡς ᾔσθου καλῶς. 1180

Ἰφιγένεια καὶ μὴν καθεῖσαν δέλεαρ ἡδύ μοι φρενῶν.

Θόας τῶν Ἀργόθεν τι φίλτρον ἀγγέλλοντέ σοι;

Ἰφιγένεια τὸν μόνον Ὀρέστην ἐμὸν ἀδελφὸν εὐτυχεῖν.

Θόας ὡς δή σφε σῴσαις ἡδοναῖς ἀγγελμάτων.

Ἰφιγένεια καὶ πατέρα γε ζῆν καὶ καλῶς πράσσειν ἐμόν. 1185

Θόας σὺ δʼ ἐς τὸ τῆς θεοῦ γʼ ἐξένευσας εἰκότως.

Ἰφιγένεια πᾶσάν γε μισοῦσʼ Ἑλλάδʼ, ἥ μʼ ἀπώλεσεν.

Θόας τί δῆτα δρῶμεν, φράζε, τοῖν ξένοιν πέρι;

Ἰφιγένεια τὸν νόμον ἀνάγκη τὸν προκείμενον σέβειν.

Θόας οὔκουν ἐν ἔργῳ χέρνιβες ξίφος τε σόν; 1190

Ἰφιγένεια ἁγνοῖς καθαρμοῖς πρῶτά νιν νίψαι θέλω.

Θόας πηγαῖσιν ὑδάτων ἢ θαλασσίᾳ δρόσῳ;

Ἰφιγένεια θάλασσα κλύζει πάντα τἀνθρώπων κακά.

Θόας ὁσιώτερον γοῦν τῇ θεῷ πέσοιεν ἄν.

Ἰφιγένεια καὶ τἀμά γʼ οὕτω μᾶλλον ἂν καλῶς ἔχοι. 1195

Θόας οὔκουν πρὸς αὐτὸν ναὸν ἐκπίπτει κλύδων;

Ἰφιγένεια ἐρημίας δεῖ· καὶ γὰρ ἄλλα δράσομεν.

Θόας ἄγʼ ἔνθα χρῄζεις· οὐ φιλῶ τἄρρηθʼ ὁρᾶν.

Ἰφιγένεια ἁγνιστέον μοι καὶ τὸ τῆς θεοῦ βρέτας.

Θόας εἴπερ γε κηλὶς ἔβαλέ νιν μητροκτόνος. 1200

Ἰφιγένεια οὐ γάρ ποτʼ ἄν νιν ἠράμην βάθρων ἄπο.

Θόας δίκαιος ηὑσέβεια καὶ προμηθία.

Current edition Perseus

Thoas Where is the gate-keeper of this temple, the woman of Hellas ? Has she already begun the rites on the strangers? Are they glowing with fire in the holy sanctuary? 1155

Chorus Leader Here she is, to tell you everything clearly, lord.

Thoas Oh! Daughter of Agamemnon, why have you lifted up in your arms the statue of the goddess from its pedestal that must not be moved?

Iphigenia Lord, stand there in the entrance!

Thoas Iphigenia, what has happened in the temple? 1160

Iphigenia I spit out the pollution; (turning to Thoas to explain.) I say this for Holiness.

Thoas What is this news in your introduction? Tell it clearly.

Iphigenia The victims you caught for me are not pure, lord.

Thoas What taught you this? Or are you only saying what you think?

Iphigenia The image of the goddess turned back from its place. 1165

Thoas By itself, or did an earthquake turn it?

Iphigenia By itself; it closed up its eyes.

Thoas What was the reason? Was it the uncleanness of the strangers?

Iphigenia That was the reason, and nothing else; for they have done dreadful things.

Thoas What, have they killed one of the barbarians on the shore? 1170

Iphigenia They come with murder done at home.

Thoas What murder? For I strongly want to know.

Iphigenia They killed their mother together with their swords.

Thoas Apollo! No barbarian would have dared this.

Iphigenia They were driven in pursuit from all of Hellas . 1175

Thoas Is it for this that you bring the statue outside?

Iphigenia Yes, to the holy air, to remove it from slaughter.

Thoas How did you know the blood-pollution of the strangers?

Iphigenia I questioned them, because the image of the goddess had turned back.

Thoas Hellas has brought you up to be clever; how well you understood this. 1180

Iphigenia And yet they dangled a sweet lure for my heart.

Thoas Reporting to you some charm of news from Argos ?

Iphigenia That Orestes, my only brother, is happy.

Thoas So that you might save them, for the delight of their messages.

Iphigenia And that my father is alive and doing well. 1185

Θόας

ποῦ ʼσθʼ ἡ πυλωρὸς τῶνδε δωμάτων γυνὴ

Ἑλληνίς; ἤδη τῶν ξένων κατήρξατο;

ἀδύτοις ἐν ἁγνοῖς σῶμα λάμπονται πυρί;
1155

Χορός

ἥδʼ ἐστίν, ἥ σοι πάντʼ, ἄναξ, ἐρεῖ σαφῶς.

Θόας

ἔα·

τί τόδε μεταίρεις ἐξ ἀκινήτων βάθρων,

Ἀγαμέμνονος παῖ, θεᾶς ἄγαλμʼ ἐν ὠλέναις;

Ἰφιγένεια

ἄναξ, ἔχʼ αὐτοῦ πόδα σὸν ἐν παραστάσιν.

Θόας

τί δʼ ἔστιν, Ἰφιγένεια, καινὸν ἐν δόμοις;
1160

Ἰφιγένεια

ἀπέπτυσʼ· Ὁσίᾳ γὰρ δίδωμʼ ἔπος τόδε.

Θόας

τί φροιμιάζῃ νεοχμόν; ἐξαύδα σαφῶς.

Ἰφιγένεια

οὐ καθαρά μοι τὰ θύματʼ ἠγρεύσασθʼ, ἄναξ.

Θόας

τί τοὐκδιδάξαν τοῦτό σʼ; ἢ δόξαν λέγεις;

Ἰφιγένεια

βρέτας τὸ τῆς θεοῦ πάλιν ἕδρας ἀπεστράφη.
1165

Θόας

αὐτόματον, ἤ νιν σεισμὸς ἔστρεψε χθονός;

Ἰφιγένεια

αὐτόματον· ὄψιν δʼ ὀμμάτων ξυνήρμοσεν.

Θόας

ἡ δʼ αἰτία τίς; ἦ τὸ τῶν ξένων μύσος;

Ἰφιγένεια

ἥδʼ, οὐδὲν ἄλλο· δεινὰ γὰρ δεδράκατον.

Θόας

ἀλλʼ ἦ τινʼ ἔκανον βαρβάρων ἀκτῆς ἔπι;
1170

Ἰφιγένεια

οἰκεῖον ἦλθον τὸν φόνον κεκτημένοι.

Θόας

τίνʼ; εἰς ἔρον γὰρ τοῦ μαθεῖν πεπτώκαμεν.

Ἰφιγένεια

μητέρα κατειργάσαντο κοινωνῷ ξίφει.

Θόας

Ἄπολλον, οὐδʼ ἐν βαρβάροις ἔτλη τις ἄν.

Ἰφιγένεια

πάσης διωγμοῖς ἠλάθησαν Ἑλλάδος.
1175

Θόας

ἦ τῶνδʼ ἕκατι δῆτʼ ἄγαλμʼ ἔξω φέρεις;

Ἰφιγένεια

σεμνόν γʼ ὑπʼ αἰθέρʼ, ὡς μεταστήσω φόνου.

Θόας

μίασμα δʼ ἔγνως τοῖν ξένοιν ποίῳ τρόπῳ;

Ἰφιγένεια

ἤλεγχον, ὡς θεᾶς βρέτας ἀπεστράφη πάλιν.

Θόας

σοφήν σʼ ἔθρεψεν Ἑλλάς, ὡς ᾔσθου καλῶς.
1180

Ἰφιγένεια

καὶ μὴν καθεῖσαν δέλεαρ ἡδύ μοι φρενῶν.

Θόας

τῶν Ἀργόθεν τι φίλτρον ἀγγέλλοντέ σοι;

Ἰφιγένεια

τὸν μόνον Ὀρέστην ἐμὸν ἀδελφὸν εὐτυχεῖν.

Θόας

ὡς δή σφε σῴσαις ἡδοναῖς ἀγγελμάτων.

Ἰφιγένεια

καὶ πατέρα γε ζῆν καὶ καλῶς πράσσειν ἐμόν.
1185

Θόας

σὺ δʼ ἐς τὸ τῆς θεοῦ γʼ ἐξένευσας εἰκότως.

Ἰφιγένεια

πᾶσάν γε μισοῦσʼ Ἑλλάδʼ, ἥ μʼ ἀπώλεσεν.

Θόας

τί δῆτα δρῶμεν, φράζε, τοῖν ξένοιν πέρι;

Ἰφιγένεια

τὸν νόμον ἀνάγκη τὸν προκείμενον σέβειν.

Θόας

οὔκουν ἐν ἔργῳ χέρνιβες ξίφος τε σόν;
1190

Ἰφιγένεια

ἁγνοῖς καθαρμοῖς πρῶτά νιν νίψαι θέλω.

Θόας

πηγαῖσιν ὑδάτων ἢ θαλασσίᾳ δρόσῳ;

Ἰφιγένεια

θάλασσα κλύζει πάντα τἀνθρώπων κακά.

Θόας

ὁσιώτερον γοῦν τῇ θεῷ πέσοιεν ἄν.

Ἰφιγένεια

καὶ τἀμά γʼ οὕτω μᾶλλον ἂν καλῶς ἔχοι.
1195

Θόας

οὔκουν πρὸς αὐτὸν ναὸν ἐκπίπτει κλύδων;

Ἰφιγένεια

ἐρημίας δεῖ· καὶ γὰρ ἄλλα δράσομεν.

Θόας

ἄγʼ ἔνθα χρῄζεις· οὐ φιλῶ τἄρρηθʼ ὁρᾶν.

Ἰφιγένεια

ἁγνιστέον μοι καὶ τὸ τῆς θεοῦ βρέτας.

Θόας

εἴπερ γε κηλὶς ἔβαλέ νιν μητροκτόνος.
1200

Ἰφιγένεια

οὐ γάρ ποτʼ ἄν νιν ἠράμην βάθρων ἄπο.

Θόας

δίκαιος ηὑσέβεια καὶ προμηθία.

Thoas

Where is the gate-keeper of this temple, the woman of Hellas ? Has she already begun the rites on the strangers?

Are they glowing with fire in the holy sanctuary?
1155

Chorus Leader

Here she is, to tell you everything clearly, lord.

Thoas

Oh! Daughter of Agamemnon, why have you lifted up in your arms the statue of the goddess from its pedestal that must not be moved?

Iphigenia

Lord, stand there in the entrance!

Thoas

Iphigenia, what has happened in the temple?
1160

Iphigenia

I spit out the pollution; (turning to Thoas to explain.) I say this for Holiness.

Thoas

What is this news in your introduction? Tell it clearly.

Iphigenia

The victims you caught for me are not pure, lord.

Thoas

What taught you this? Or are you only saying what you think?

Iphigenia

The image of the goddess turned back from its place.
1165

Thoas

By itself, or did an earthquake turn it?

Iphigenia

By itself; it closed up its eyes.

Thoas

What was the reason? Was it the uncleanness of the strangers?

Iphigenia

That was the reason, and nothing else; for they have done dreadful things.

Thoas

What, have they killed one of the barbarians on the shore?
1170

Iphigenia

They come with murder done at home.

Thoas

What murder? For I strongly want to know.

Iphigenia

They killed their mother together with their swords.

Thoas

Apollo! No barbarian would have dared this.

Iphigenia

They were driven in pursuit from all of Hellas .
1175

Thoas

Is it for this that you bring the statue outside?

Iphigenia

Yes, to the holy air, to remove it from slaughter.

Thoas

How did you know the blood-pollution of the strangers?

Iphigenia

I questioned them, because the image of the goddess had turned back.

Thoas

Hellas has brought you up to be clever; how well you understood this.
1180

Iphigenia

And yet they dangled a sweet lure for my heart.

Thoas

Reporting to you some charm of news from Argos ?

Iphigenia

That Orestes, my only brother, is happy.

Thoas

So that you might save them, for the delight of their messages.

Iphigenia

And that my father is alive and doing well.
1185

Thoas

But you turned to the goddess, with reason.

Iphigenia

Yes, for I hate all Hellas , which has ruined me.

Thoas

Tell me, what shall we do with the strangers?