IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS

The Third Maiden
Alas, the falling tears, the towers fallen,

The taking of our towns!
Alas, the clang of bright and angry spears
Which drove me, captive, to an alien ship, mo

Whence I was sold away
To be an exile here, a handmaiden

With Agamemnon's daughter,
Doomed to the bloody rites of Artemis! 1115

The Fourth Mdden
And at this altar where the sacrifice

Is not of sheep but men,
I envy those unhappy from their birth,
For to be bred and seasoned in misfortune

Is to be iron to it,
But there is something in the pang of change 1120

More than the heart can bear,
Unhappiness remembering happiness.

The Second Maiden
Lady, a ship is here to take you home,
And in the rowers' ears
Pan shall be sounding all his pointed notes, 1125
Great mountains echoing to His little reed,
And Phoebus on His lyre
Shall strike profound the seven strings and sing
To you of Attica, 1130
Shall sing to you of home and lead you there.
Oar after oar shall dip and carry you,
Lady, away from us,
Oar after oar shall push the empty waves
Wider, wider, leaving us lonely here,
Leaving us here without you,
And forward over the unceasing bow
The sail shall faster run, 1135
Ever refilling with the unspent wind.
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