Iphigenia in Tauris
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Original / primary: Perseus Eng2
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Chorus Leader
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Unhappy Iphigenia, you will die with your brother, if you come again into the hands of the king.
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Thoas
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All citizens of this barbarian land, hurl the reins on your horses, rush to the coast and seize what the Hellene ship
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casts forth! With the goddess’ help, be eager to hunt down these impious men! Drag the swift ships to the sea! So that by sea and with pursuit on horseback by land, you may take them; and hurl their bodies from the hard rock,
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or impale them on the stake.
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(Turning to the Chorus.) As for you women, who knew about these plots, I will punish you later, when I am at leisure. But now in this present urgency, I will not remain still.
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Athena
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Where, where are you carrying this pursuit, lord Thoas? Listen the words of Athena, who is here. Cease to follow or to send an army pouring forth; for Orestes came here, destined by the oracles of Loxias, to flee from the anger of the Furies,
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and to bring his sister to Argos and take the holy statue to my land, thus gaining a release from his present miseries. Thoas, I am speaking to you: you expect to take Orestes in the sea-swell and kill him; but Poseidon, for my sake,
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now lets him sail over the back of the waveless sea.
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And you, Orestes, attend to my commands, for you hear the goddess’ voice even though not present: go away with the statue and your sister; and when you come to Athens, built by the gods,
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there is a place on the farthest borders of the Attic land, neighbor to the ridge of Carystia, sacred, and my people call it Halae. There build a temple and set up the image in it; it will have its name from the Tauric land and from your labors,
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which you have endured, wandering through Hellas and goaded by the Furies. And mortals will in future times celebrate Artemis Tauropolos with hymns. And establish this law: whenever the people keep the festival, let a sword be held
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to a man’s throat and draw out blood, in atonement for your sacrifice, so that the goddess may have her honors, and holiness is revered.
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You, Iphigenia, must be key-holder for this goddess on the hallowed stairs of Brauron, and will die there and be buried;
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and they will dedicate adornment to you, finely-woven robes which women who have died in childbirth leave in their homes. I charge you to send these Hellene women to their country, for their correct intentions. . . . For I saved you
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before also, Orestes, on Ares’ hill when the votes were equal; and this will be the custom, for the one with equal votes to win. But, son of Agamemnon, take your sister away from this land. And you, Thoas, do not be angry.
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Thoas
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Lady Athena, whoever hears the words of the gods and does not obey, is not thinking rightly. I am not angry at Orestes, for going off with the goddess’ image, or at his sister; for what good is it to contend against the strength of gods?
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Let them go to your land with the statue of the goddess, and let them establish it there, with good fortune. I will send these women also to fortunate Hellas, as you bid me. And I will stop the army
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and the ships I raised against the strangers, as you think this right, goddess.
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Athena
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I commend you; for necessity rules both you and the gods.
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Go, winds, carry the son of Agamemnon to Athens by sea; I will journey with them, and keep safe the holy image of my sister.
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Chorus
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Go with good fortune, blessed in having your portion of safety.
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Pallas Athena, holy among immortals and mortals, we will do as you command.
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For we receive your voice in our ears with great and unexpected pleasure.
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I am lost, lost! My father’s house is no more; alas for my vanished family,
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We could not see these shapes; but he alternated the sounds of sheep and howling of dogs . . . to send forth the Furies’ imitations.
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Chorus
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The rocks that rush together, the sleepless shores of Phineus—how did they cross them, running along the salty coast
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on Amphitrite’s surge, where the fifty daughters of Nereus . . . the circular choruses sing,
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with wind in the sails, the guiding rudder creaking under the stern, with southern breezes or by the blasts of the west wind,
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to the land of many birds, the white strand, Achilles’ lovely race-course, over the Black Sea?
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Chorus
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Would that, by my mistress’ prayers, Helen, Leda’s dear child,
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might happen to leave Troy and come here, where she might die, crowned over her hair by the bloody water,
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her throat cut by the hands of my mistress, and so pay her requital. But what a sweet message I should receive, if a sailor came from Hellas,
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to put an end to my wretched slavery! For may I even in dreams be at home and in my ancestral city, the enjoyment of pleasant sleep,
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a grace we have in common with prosperity.
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Chorus
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And you, lady, the Argive penteconter will bear you home;
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the wax-bound reed of the mountain god Pan, piping, will shout to the oars, and Phoebus the prophet, with the ring of his seven-stringed lyre,
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singing, will guide you well to the gleaming land of the Athenians. Leaving me here, you will go with splashing oars. In the breeze, the forestays of the ship that carries you swiftly
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will spread out over the front beyond the prow.
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Chorus
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May I come to the bright race-course, where the sun’s fire goes;
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over the chambers of my home, may I cease to flutter the wings on my back. May I take my stand in the dances of glorious marriages, where I stood as a maiden,
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twirling about in the dancing bands of other girls, away from my dear mother; rushing on to the contest of charms, the luxuriant strife of hair, I covered my cheeks with the multi-colored veil
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and shadowed them with the locks of my hair.
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Iphigenia
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(stopping to address Pylades.) So that you may know the name, hearing it twice.
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Iphigenia
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Why do you invoke the gods in my affairs?
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Thoas
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It is for you to make it known.
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Thoas
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Where could they escape you?
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Thoas
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(to his servants.) Go to get chains, attendants.
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Thoas
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It will be so.
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Thoas
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Before the light of the sun.
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Thoas
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These will attend you.
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Thoas
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That what has happened?
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Thoas
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So that they do not come in contact with murder?
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Thoas
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(to a servant.) Go and announce—
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Thoas
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You are taking good care of the city
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Thoas
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You mean this for me.
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Thoas
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The whole city marvels at you, with reason.
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Thoas
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What shall I do?
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Thoas
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So that you may return to find it pure.
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Thoas
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What must I do?
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Thoas
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So that I do not receive the pollution.
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Thoas
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What limit of the delay should I keep in mind?
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Thoas
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Carry out the rites of the goddess well, since you have leisure.
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Thoas
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I pray along with you.
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Greatly revered Victory, may you occupy my life and never cease to crown me!