THOAS. I yield no higher honour or regard To the king's daughter than the maid unknown; Once more my first proposal I repeat; Come, follow me, and share what I possess.
IPHIGENIA. How dare I venture such a step, O king? Hath not the goddess who protected me Alone a right to my devoted head? 'Twas she who chose for me this sanctuary, Where she perchance reserves me for my sire, By my apparent death enough chastis'd, To be the joy and solace of his age. Perchance my glad return is near; and how If I, unmindful of her purposes, Had here attach'd myself against her will? I ask'd a signal, did she wish my stay.
THOAS. The signal is that still thou tarriest here. Seek not evasively such vain pretexts. Not many words are needed to refuse, By the refus'd the _no_ alone is heard.
IPHIGENIA. Mine are not words meant only to deceive; I have to thee my inmost heart reveal'd. And doth no inward voice suggest to thee, How I with yearning soul must pine to see My father, mother, and my long-lost home? Oh let thy vessels bear me thither, king! That in the ancient halls, where sorrow still In accents low doth fondly breathe my name, Joy, as in welcome of a new-born child, May round the columns twine the fairest wreath. Thou wouldst to me and mine new life impart.
THOAS. Then go! the promptings of thy heart obey; Despise the voice of reason and good counsel. Be quite the woman, sway'd by each desire, That bridleless impels her to and fro. When passion rages fiercely in her breast, No sacred tie withholds her from the wretch Who would allure her to forsake for him A husband's or a father's guardian arms; Extinct within her heart its fiery glow, The golden tongue of eloquence in vain With words of truth and power assails her ear.
IPHIGENIA. Remember now, O king, thy noble words! My trust and candour wilt thou thus repay? Thou seem'dst, methought, prepar'd to hear the truth.
THOAS. For this unlook'd-for answer not prepar'd. Yet 'twas to be expected; knew I not That 'twas with woman I had now to deal?
IPHIGENIA. Upbraid not thus, O king, our feeble sex! Though not in dignity to match with yours, The weapons woman wields are not ignoble. And trust me, Thoas, in thy happiness I have a deeper insight than thyself. Thou thinkest, ignorant alike of both, A closer union would augment our bliss; Inspir'd with confidence and honest zeal Thou strongly urgest me to yield consent; And here I thank the gods, who give me strength To shun a doom unratified by them.