IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS
The Second Maiden
Can hands even from Hellas be so useless 460
Against this ritual!
The Fourth Maiden
O Artemis, if Tauris in Thy sight
Win honor by such gift
As never Greece would take, receive this blood! 465
Iphigenia
Once more I must believe that Artemis
Desires this worship, once again I serve Her.
(To some of the Soldiers, who bring in the
two youths.)
Loosen their hands. For in the temple court,
As in the temple during consecration,
Chains are unhallowed things.
(To the Temple Maidens, who obey.)
Enter the temple. 470
Prepare the altar for the sacrifice.
(Turning to the captives, with Soldiers still by them.)
I wonder who your mother was, your father,
Whether you have a sister who must lose
Her brothers and lament their bravery.
Fate comes and goes, invisible and mute, 475
And never whispers where Her blow shall fall.
None of us ever sees Her in the dark
Or understands Her cruel mysteries.
Tell me, unfortunate men, where are you from—
You who are far from home and yet must go 480
Farther away from home even than this?
Orestes
But who are you, feeling concern for us?
What could we mean to you that you should care
389