Chorus Leader
A terrible anger from the gods has boiled up against the race of Tantalus and drives them through torments.
Iphigenia
Before you came here, I was eager
[990]
to be in Argos and see you, my brother. Your wish is mine: to release you from torment, and restore our father's afflicted house, for I am not angry at the one who killed me; it is my wish. I would set my hand free from your slaughter
[995]
and save our house. But I worry about concealment from the goddess and the king, when he finds the stone pedestal empty of the statue. How will I escape death? What argument will I have? But if this one thing happens all together,
[1000]
that you take the statue and bear me away on your lovely ship, the venture is a noble one. If I am separated from this, I am lost, but you might settle your affairs well and have a safe return. Indeed, I do not shrink from it, not even if I must die
[1005]
to save you. No, for when a man dies and is gone from the home, he is longed for; but women are powerless.
Orestes
I would not be the murderer of you as well as my mother; her blood is enough; I would rather have an equal share of life or death, in common with you.
[1010]
I will bring you home, if I myself escape from here, or if I die, I will remain here with you. Listen to what I think: if Artemis were hostile to this, how could Loxias have prophesied that I would take the statue of the goddess to Pallas' city . . .
[1015]
and see your face. Putting all these things together, I have hope of our return.