Orestes
Who will sacrifice me and dare such a dreadful deed ? Iphigenia
I will; for I hold the office of this goddess. Orestes
It is not envied, lady, and not blessed. Iphigenia
[620] But I am dedicated to necessity, which must be kept. Orestes
Do you yourself, a woman, sacrifice men with the sword? Iphigenia
No; but I sprinkle the holy water around your hair. Orestes
Who is the slayer? If I may ask this. Iphigenia
That charge belongs to those within this temple. Orestes
[625] What sort of tomb will receive me, when I die? Iphigenia
The sacred fire within and the wide hollow of a cave. Orestes
Ah! Would that my sister's hand might lay out my body! Iphigenia
You have prayed in vain, unhappy youth, whoever you are; for she lives far from a barbarian land. [630] Yet indeed, since you happen to be an Argive, I too will not leave out any favor that I can do. I will set much ornament on the tomb and quench your body with yellow oil, and throw onto your funeral pyre the gleaming honey, that streams from flowers, [635] of the tawny mountain bee. But I will go and bring the tablet from the temple of the goddess; take care not to bear me ill-will. Guard them, attendants, without chains. Perhaps I will send unexpected news to one of my friends, [640] whom I especially love, in Argos; and the tablet, in telling him that those whom he thought dead are alive, will report a joy that can be believed.She enters the temple.