Iphigenia in Tauris Euripides Translated by Robert Potter eBooks ...

At Aulis, Iphigenia, sends thee this:
She lives, but not to those who then were there.
ORESTES
Where is she From the dead return'd to life
IPHIGENIA
She whom thou seest: but interrupt me not.
To Argos, O my brother, ere I die,
Bear me from this barbaric land, and far
Remove me from this altar's bloody rites,
At which to slay the stranger is my charge.-
ORESTES
What shall I say Where are we, Pylades
IPHIGENIA
Or on thy house for vengeance will I call,
Orestes. Twice repeated, learn the name.
ORESTES
Ye gods!
IPHIGENIA
In my cause why invoke the gods
ORESTES
Nothing: proceed: my thoughts were wandering wide:
Strange things of thee unask'd I soon shall learn.
IPHIGENIA
Tell him the goddess saved me, in exchange
A hind presenting, which my father slew
A victim, deeming that he plunged his sword
Deep in my breast: me in this land she placed.
Thou hast my charge: and this my letter speaks.
PYLADES
O, thou hast bound me with an easy oath:
What I have sworn with honest purpose, long
Defer I not, but thus discharge mine oath.
To thee a letter from thy sister, lo,
I bear, Orestes; and I give it thee.
(PYLADES hands the letter to ORESTES.)
ORESTES
I do receive it, but forbear to unclose
its foldings, greater pleasure first to enjoy
Than words can give. My sister, O most dear,
Astonish'd ev'n to disbelief, I throw
Mine arms around thee with a fond embrace,
In transport at the wondrous things I hear.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Stranger, thou dost not well with hands profane
Thus to pollute the priestess of the shrine,
Grasping her garments hallow'd from the touch.