Thoas. 
What?  Running water, or the sea’s salt spray?

Iphigenia. 
The sea doth wash all the world’s ills away.

Thoas. 
For sure.  ’Twill make them cleaner for the knife.

Iphigenia. 
And my hand, too, cleaner for all my life.

Thoas. 
Well, the waves lap close by the temple floor.

Iphigenia. 
We need a secret place.  I must do more.

Thoas. 
Some rite unseen?  ’Tis well.  Go where thou wilt.

Iphigenia. 
The Image likewise must be purged of guilt.

Thoas. 
The stain hath touched it of that mother’s blood?

Iphigenia. 
I durst not move it else, from where it stood.

Thoas. 
How good thy godliness and forethought!  Aye,
Small wonder all our people holds thee high.

Iphigenia. 
Dost know then what I fain would have?

Thoas. 
’Tis thine to speak and it shall be.

Iphigenia. 
Put bondage on the strangers both ...

Thoas. 
Why bondage?  Whither can they flee?

Iphigenia. 
Put not thy faith in any Greek.

Thoas (to attendants). 
Ho, men!  Some thongs and fetters, go!

Iphigenia. 
Stay; let them lead the strangers here, outside the shrine ...

Thoas. 
It shall be so.

Iphigenia. 
And lay dark raiment on their heads ...

Thoas. 
To veil them, lest the Sun should see.

Iphigenia. 
And lend me some of thine own spears.

Thoas. 
This company shall go with thee.

Iphigenia. 
Next, send through all the city streets a herald ...

Thoas. 
Aye; and what to say?

Iphigenia. 
That no man living stir abroad.

Thoas. 
The stain of blood might cross their way.

Iphigenia. 
Aye, sin like theirs doth spread contagion.

Thoas (to an attendant). 
Forth, and publish my command ...

Iphigenia. 
That none stir forth—­nor look ...

Thoas. 
Nor look.—­How well thou carest for the land!

Iphigenia. 
For one whom I am bound to love.

Thoas. 
Indeed, I think thou hat’st me not.

Iphigenia. 
And thou meanwhile, here at the temple, wait, O King,
    and ...

Thoas. 
Wait for what?

Iphigenia. 
Purge all the shrine with fire.

Thoas. 
’Twill all be clean before you come again.

Iphigenia. 
And while the strangers pass thee close, seeking the
    sea ...

Thoas. 
What wouldst thou then?

Iphigenia. 
Put darkness on thine eyes.