Stasimon 2
[Episode]
What if you were to hide me secretly in the shrine?
Iphigenia
So that we might take advantage of the darkness and escape?
1025
Orestes
Yes, for the night belongs to thieves, the light to truth.
Iphigenia
There are secred guards within, who will notice us.
Orestes
Alas, we are ruined! How can we be saved?
Iphigenia
I think I have a new stratagem.
Orestes
What is it? Let me know; share your thought.
1030
Iphigenia
I will use your sorrows as my contrivance.
Orestes
Women are wonderfully good at devising crafty plans!
Iphigenia
I will say that you came from Argos after killing your mother.
Orestes
Make use of my troubles, if you gain by it.
Iphigenia
And that it is not right to sacrifice you to the goddess.
1035
Orestes
With what reason? I have a suspicion.
Iphigenia
Because you are not pure; I will frighten what is sacred.
Orestes
How does this help us to seize the statue of the goddess?
Iphigenia
I shall want to purify you in the waves of the sea—
Orestes
The image that we have sailed for is still in the temple.
1040
Iphigenia
I will say that I have washed that also, since you have touched it.
Orestes
Where? Do you mean the watery inlet of the sea?
Iphigenia
Where your ship is moored by its roped anchor.
Orestes
Will you or some other bear the image in your hands?
Iphigenia
I shall; it is holy for me alone to touch it.
1045
Orestes
But Pylades here—how will he be assigned to our labor?
Iphigenia
His hands, it will be said, are stained like yours with blood-pollution.
Orestes
Will you do all this secretly from the king, or with his knowledge?
Iphigenia
I shall persuade him; I could not hide it from him.
Orestes
Well then, my ship, with its quick stroke of oars, is at hand.
1050
Iphigenia
You must indeed take care of the rest, so that it goes well.
Orestes
We need only one thing more, that these women conceal our plans; you approach them and find persuasive words. A woman has power over pity.
The rest, perhaps—. May all turn out well!
1055
