Iphigeneia.
Damsels beloved, I raise mine eyes to you.
Mine all is in your hands—for happiness,
Or ruin, and for loss of fatherland,
Of a dear brother, and a sister loved.
Of mine appeal be this the starting-point— 1060
Women are we, each other's staunchest friends,
In keeping common counsel wholly loyal.
Keep silence; help us to achieve our flight.
A loyal tongue is its possessor's crown.
Ye see three friends upon one hazard cast, 1065
Or to win back to fatherland or die.
If I escape,—that thou mayst share my fortune,—
Thee will I bring home. Oh, by thy right hand
Thee I implore—and thee!—by thy sweet face
Thee,—by thy knees—by all thou lov'st at home![1] 1070
What say ye? Who consents?—Who sayeth nay—
Oh speak!—to this?—for if ye hearken not,
I and mine hapless brother are undone.
Chorus.
Fear not, dear lady: do but save thyself. 1075
I will keep silence touching all the things
Whereof thou chargest me: great Zeus be witness.
Iphigeneia.
Heaven bless you for the word! Happy be ye!
(To Or. and Pyl.) 'Tis thy part now, and thine, to pass within;
- ↑ Line 1071, "By mother, father, babes—if any hath babes," is omitted by most editors, as inconsistent with line 130 of this play.
