Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/258

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230
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

  1. A proverbial expression, like "'Tis well to have two strings to your bow."