I bring yet more,--for Fortune, like a prince, Comes not alone, but well accompanied. Our friends and comrades we have also found. Within a bay they had conceal'd the ship, And mournful sat expectant. They beheld Thy brother, and a joyous shout uprais'd, Imploring him to haste the parting hour. Each hand impatient long'd to grasp the oar, While from the shore a gently murmuring breeze, Perceiv'd by all, unfurl'd its wing auspicious. Let us then hasten; guide me to the fane, That I may tread the sanctuary, and win With sacred awe the goal of our desires. I can unaided on my shoulder bear The goddess' image: how I long to feel The precious burden!
(_While speaking the last words, he approaches the Temple, without perceiving that he is not followed by_ IPHIGENIA: _at length he turns around_.)
Why thus lingering stand? Why art thou silent? wherefore thus confus'd? Doth some new obstacle oppose our bliss? Inform me, hast thou to the king announc'd The prudent message we agreed upon?
I have, dear Pylades; yet wilt thou chide. Thy very aspect is a mute reproach. The royal messenger arriv'd, and I, According to thy counsel, fram'd my speech. He seem'd surpris'd, and urgently besought, That to the monarch I should first announce The rite unusual, and attend his will. I now await the messenger's return.
Danger again doth hover o'er our heads! Alas! Why hast thou failed to shroud thyself Within the veil of sacerdotal rites?
Pure soul! thy scruples will destroy alike Thyself and us. Why did I not forsee Such an emergency, and tutor thee This counsel also wisely to elude?
Chide only me, for mine alone the blame. Yet other answer could I not return To him, who strongly and with reason urged What my own heart acknowledg'd to be right.
The danger thickens; but let us be firm. Nor with incautious haste betray ourselves; Calmly await the messenger's return, And then stand fast, whatever his reply: For the appointment of such sacred rites Doth to the priestess, not the king, belong. Should he demand the stranger to behold, Who is by madness heavily oppress'd, Evasively pretend, that in the fane, Well guarded, thou retainest him and me. Thus you secure us time to fly with speed, Bearing the sacred treasure from this race, Unworthy its possession. Phoebus sends Auspicious omens, and fulfils his word, Ere we the first conditions have perform'd. Free is Orestes, from the curse absolv'd! Oh, with the freed one, to the rocky isle Where dwells the god, waft us, propitious gales. Thence to Mycene, that she may revive; That from the ashes of the extinguish'd hearth, The household gods may joyously arise, And beauteous fire illumine their abode! Thy hand from golden censers first shall strew The fragrant incense. O'er that threshold thou Shalt life and blessing once again dispense, The curse atone, and all thy kindred grace With the fresh bloom of renovated life.