To execute their project of escape,
They hasten to the sea, where in a bay
Their comrades in the vessel lie conceal’d
And wait a signal.  Me they have supplied
With artful answers, should the monarch send
To urge the sacrifice.  Alas!  I see
I must consent to follow like a child. 
I have not learn’d deception, nor the art
To gain with crafty wiles my purposes. 
Detested falsehood! it doth not relieve
The breast like words of truth:  it comforts not,
But is a torment in the forger’s heart,
And, like an arrow which a god directs,
Flies back and wounds the archer.  Through my heart
One fear doth chase another; perhaps with rage,
Again on the unconsecrated shore,
The Furies’ grisly band my brother seize. 
Perchance they are surpris’d?  Methinks I hear
The tread of armed men.  A messenger
Is coming from the king, with hasty steps. 
How throbs my heart, how troubl’d is my soul
Now that I see the countenance of one,
Whom with a word untrue I must encounter!

SCENE II.

IPHIGENIA.  ARKAS.

ARKAS. 
Priestess, with speed conclude the sacrifice,
Impatiently the king and people wait.

                 IPHIGENIA. 

I had perform’d my duty and thy will,
Had not an unforeseen impediment
The execution of my purpose thwarted.

ARKAS. 
What is it that obstructs the king’s commands?

IPHIGENIA. 
Chance, which from mortals will not brook control.

                   ARKAS. 

Possess me with the reason, that with speed
I may inform the king, who hath decreed
The death of both.

IPHIGENIA. 
The gods have not decreed it. 
The elder of these men doth bear the guilt
Of kindred murder; on his steps attend
The dread Eumenides.  They seiz’d their prey
Within the inner fane, polluting thus
The holy sanctuary.  I hasten now,
Together with my virgin-train, to bathe
Diana’s image in the sea, and there
With solemn rites its purity restore. 
Let none presume our silent march to follow!

ARKAS. 
This hindrance to the monarch I’ll announce: 
Do not commence the rite till he permit.

IPHIGENIA. 
The priestess interferes alone in this.

ARKAS. 
An incident so strange the king should know.

IPHIGENIA. 
Here, nor his counsel nor command avails.

ARKAS. 
Oft are the great consulted out of form.

IPHIGENIA. 
Do not insist on what I must refuse.

ARKAS. 
A needful and a just demand refuse not.

IPHIGENIA. 
I yield, if thou delay not.

ARKAS. 
I with speed
Will bear these tidings to the camp, and soon
Acquaint thee, priestess, with the king’s reply. 
There is a message I would gladly bear him: 
’Twould quickly banish all perplexity: 
Thou didst not heed thy faithful friend’s advice.