The less’ning breakers of a desert isle,
So Tauris lay behind me.  But the voice
Of faithful Arkas wakes me from my dream,
Reminding me that those whom I forsake
Are also men.  Deceit doth now become
Doubly detested.  O my soul, be still! 
Beginn’st thou now to tremble and to doubt? 
Thy lonely shelter on the firm-set earth
Must thou abandon? and, embark’d once more,
At random drift upon tumultuous waves,
A stranger to thyself and to the world?

SCENE IV

IPHIGENIA, PYLADES

PYLADES

Where is she? that my words with speed may tell
The joyful tidings of our near escape!

IPHIGENIA

Oppress’d with gloomy care, I much require
The certain comfort thou dost promise me.

PYLADES

Thy brother is restor’d!  The rocky paths
Of this unconsecrated shore we trod
In friendly converse, while behind us lay,
Unmark’d by us, the consecrated grove;
And ever with increasing glory shone
The fire of youth around his noble brow. 
Courage and hope his glowing eye inspir’d;
And his exultant heart resigned itself
To the delight, the joy, of rescuing
Thee, his deliverer, also me, his friend.

IPHIGENIA

The gods shower blessings on thee, Pylades! 
And from those lips which breathe such welcome news
Be the sad note of anguish never heard!

PYLADES

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?

IPHIGENIA

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.