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

(THOAS and his retinue enter.)
THOAS
Where is the Grecian lady, to whose charge
This temple is committed Have her rites
Hallow'd the strangers Do their bodies burn
In the recesses of the sacred shrine
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
She comes, and will inform thee, king, of all.
(IPHIGENIA comes out of the temple. She is carrying the sacred statue of Diana.)
THOAS
Daughter of Agamemnon, what means this
The statue of the goddess in thine arms
Why dost thou bear, from its firm base removed
IPHIGENIA
There in the portal, monarch, stay thy step.
THOAS
What of strange import in the shrine hath chanced
IPHIGENIA
Things ominous: that word I, holy, speak.
THOAS
To what is tuned thy proem Plainly speak.
IPHIGENIA
Not pure the victims, king, you lately seized.
THOAS
What showd thee this Or speak'st thou but thy thought
IPHIGENIA
Back turn'd the sacred image on its base.
THOAS
Spontaneous turn'd, or by an earthquake moved
IPHIGENIA
Spontaneous, and, averted, closed its eyes.
THOAS
What was the cause The blood-stain'd stranger's guilt
IPHIGENIA
That, and naught else; for horrible their deeds.
THOAS
What, have they slain some Scythian on the shore
IPHIGENIA
They came polluted with domestic blood.
THOAS
What blood I have a strong desire to know.
IPHIGENIA
They slew their mother with confederate swords.