Stasimon 2
[Episode]
Who are you? How well you ask about Hellas!
540
Iphigenia
I am from there; while still a child I was lost.
Orestes
Then rightly you desire to know what has happened there, lady.
Iphigenia
What about the general, who is said to be happy?
Orestes
Who? The one I knew was not happy.
Iphigenia
There was said to be a certain lord, Agamemnon, son of Atreus.
545
Orestes
I do not know; leave this subject, lady.
Iphigenia
No, by the gods, but tell me, stranger, to delight me.
Orestes
The wretched man is dead, and in addition he destroyed another.
Iphigenia
Dead? By what fate? I am unhappy!
Orestes
Why do you mourn for this? It doesn’t concern you, does it?
550
Iphigenia
I grieve for his former prosperity.
Orestes
Yes, for he was dreadfully murdered by a woman.
Iphigenia
O miserable the slayer . . . and the slain!
Orestes
Stop now, and do not ask further.
Iphigenia
Only this much, if the wife of the wretched man is alive.
555
Orestes
She is not; she was killed by the son that she bore.
Iphigenia
O house thrown into confusion! What was his intent?
Orestes
To avenge on her the death of his father.
Iphigenia
Ah! How well he exacted an evil justice!
