Stasimon 2
[Episode]
the one slain at Aulis sends you this, Iphigenia, who is alive, though no longer alive to those there—
770
Orestes
Where is she? Has she come back from the dead??
Iphigenia
The one you are looking at; don’t confuse me by your talk. Bring me to Argos, my brother, before I die.
Take me away from the barbarian land and the sacrifices of the goddess, where I hold the office of killing foreigners.
775
Orestes
Pylades, what shall I say? Where have we found ourselves?
Iphigenia
Or I will be a curse to your house.
Iphigenia
(stopping to address Pylades.) So that you may know the name, hearing it twice.
Iphigenia
Why do you invoke the gods in my affairs?
780
Pylades
No reason; finish your words; my thoughts were elsewhere. Perhaps, if I question you, I will not arrive at things I cannot believe.
Iphigenia
Tell him that Artemis saved me, by giving a deer in exchange for me; my father sacrificed it,
thinking that he drove the sword sharply into me; and she settled me in this land. This is my letter, this is the writing in the tablet.
785
Pylades
You have bound me with an easy oath, and sworn very well. I will not take much time
to carry out the oath I swore.
790
See, Orestes, I bring you a tablet from your sister here, and give it to you.
Orestes
I do receive it, but first I will pass over the letter’s folds to take a joy that is not in words.
(Approaching to embrace Iphigenia.) My dearest sister, with what astonishment and delight I hold you in my unbelieving arms, after learning these marvels!
795
Chorus Leader
Stranger, you are wrongly defiling the attendant of the goddess, by putting your hands on her robe that should not be touched.
Orestes
My own sister, born from my father Agamemnon, do not turn away from me, when you hold your brother and thought you never would!
800
Iphigenia
You are my brother? Stop this talk! He is well known in Argos and Nauplia.
Orestes
Unhappy girl, your brother is not there.
805
Iphigenia
But did Tyndareus’ daughter, the Spartan, give birth to you?
Orestes
Yes, and my father was Pelops’ grandson.
Iphigenia
What are you saying? Do you have some proof of this for me?
Orestes
I do; ask me something about our father’s home.
Iphigenia
Well, it is for you to speak, for me to learn.
810
Orestes
I will say first what I have heard from Electra. Do you know of the strife that was between Atreus and Thyestes?
Iphigenia
I have heard of it; the quarrel concerned a golden ram.
Orestes
Did you not weave these things in a fine-textured web?
