252
EURIPIDES.
Hath she begun yon strangers' sacrifice?
Are they ablaze with fire in the holy shrine? 1155
Chorus.
Here is she, king, to tell thee clearly all.
Enter Iphigeneia bearing the image of
Artemis in her arms.
Artemis in her arms.
Thoas.
Why bear'st thou in thine arms, Agamemnon's child,
From its inviolate base the Goddess' statue?
Iphigeneia.
King, stay thy foot there in the portico!
Thoas.
What marvel hath befallen in the fane? 1160
Iphigeneia.
Avaunt, pollution, in religion's name!
Thoas.
What strange thing dost thou preface? Plainly tell.
Iphigeneia.
Unclean I found thy captured victims, king.
Thoas.
What proof hast thou?—or speak'st thou but thy thought?
Iphigeneia.
Back from its place the Goddess' statue turned. 1165
