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EURIPIDES.
Iphigeneia.
Artemis, in whose fane I hold mine office.
Pylades.
And I by Heaven's King, reverèd Zeus.
Iphigeneia.
What if thou fail thine oath, and do me wrong?750
Pylades.
May I return not. If thou save me not?—
Iphigeneia.
Alive in Argos may I ne'er set foot.
Pylades.
Hear now a matter overlooked of us.
Iphigeneia.
Not yet is this too late, so it be fair.
Pylades.
This clearance grant me—if the ship be wrecked,755
And in the sea-surge with the lading sink
The letter, and my life alone I save,
That then of this mine oath shall I be clear.
Iphigeneia.
"For many a chance have many a shift"[1]— hear mine:—
All that is written in the letter's folds760
- ↑ A proverbial expression, like "'Tis well to have two strings to your bow."