IPH.  As not being pure, but I will [say that I will][139] give what is holy to sacrifice.

OR.  How then the more will the image of the Goddess be obtained?

IPH.  I [will say that I] will purify thee in the fountains of the sea.

OR.  The statue, in quest of which, we have sailed, is still in the temple.

IPH.  And I will say that I must wash that too, as if you had laid hands on it.

OR.  Where then is the damp breaker of the sea of which you speak?

IPH.  Where thy ship rides at anchor with rope-bound chains.

OR.  But wilt thou, or some one else, bear the image in their hands?

IPH.  I, for it is lawful for me alone to touch it.

OR.  But in what part of this contrivance will our friend Pylades[140] be placed?

IPH.  He will be said to bear the same pollution of hands as thyself.

OR.  And wilt thou do this unknown to, or with the knowledge of the king?

IPH.  Having persuaded him by words, for I could not escape notice.

OR.  And truly the well-rowed ship is ready for sailing.[141]

IPH.  You must take care of the rest, that it be well.

OR.  There lacks but one thing, namely, that these women who are present preserve our secret.  But do thou beseech them, and find words that will persuade.  A woman in truth has power to move pity.  But all the rest will perchance fall out well.

IPH.  O dearest women, I look to you, and my affairs rest in you, as to whether they turn out well, or be of naught, and I be deprived of my country, my dear brother, and dearest sister.  And let this first be the commencement of my words.  We are women, a race well inclined to one another, and most safe in keeping secret matters of common interest.  Do ye keep silence for us, and labor out our escape.  Honorable is it for the man who possesses a faithful tongue.  But behold how one fortune holds the three most dear, either a return to our father-land, or to die.  But, being preserved, that thou also mayest share my fortune, I will restore thee safe to Greece.  But, by thy right hand, thee, and thee [addressing the women of the chorus in succession] I beseech, and thee by thy beloved cheek, and thy knees, and those most dear at home, mother, and father, and children, to whom there are such.[142] What say ye?  Who of you will, or will not [speak!] these things.[143] For if ye assent not to my words, I am undone, and my wretched sister.

CHOR.  Be of good cheer, dear mistress, and think only of being saved, since on my part all shall be kept secret, the mighty Jove be witness! in the things thou enjoinest.

IPH.  May your words profit ye, and may ye be blest.  ’Tis thy part now, and thine [to the different women] to enter the house, as the ruler of this land will straightway come, inquiring concerning the sacrifice of the strangers, whether it is over.  O revered Goddess, who in the recesses of Aulis didst save me from the dire hand of a slaying father, now also save me and these, or the voice of Loxias will through thee be no longer truthful among mortals.  But do thou with good will quit the barbarian land for Athens, for it becomes thee not to dwell here, when you can possess a blest city.