Stasimon 2
[Episode]
Though he is just, he does not have good fortune from the gods.
560
Iphigenia
Did Agamemnon leave any other children in his house?
Orestes
He left one virgin daughter, Electra.
Iphigenia
What else? Is there any report of the daughter who was sacrificed?
Orestes
None, except that she is dead and does not see the light.
Iphigenia
Unhappy girl, and also the father that killed her!
565
Orestes
As a thankless favor to an evil woman, she died.
Iphigenia
Does the dead father’s son live at Argos?
Orestes
He lives, the miserable one, both nowhere and everywhere.
Iphigenia
False dreams, farewell; after all, you were nothing.
Orestes
And those who are called wise divinities are not less false than winged dreams. These is much confusion, both in divine affairs and in human; but only this is a grief to the one who was not foolish, but trusted in the words of prophets
570
and died—as he died to those that know.
575
Chorus Leader
Ah! What about me, and my parents? Are they alive? Are they not? Who can say?
Iphigenia
Listen to me; I have come to a subject which means benefit both to you, strangers,
and to me, by your efforts. A good action is especially so, if the same matter is pleasing to all. Would you, if I should save you, go to Argos and take a report of me to my friends there, and bring a tablet,
580
which a captive wrote for me in pity? He did not think my hand murderous, but that the victims of the goddess, who holds these things just, die under the law. For I have had no one to go back to Argos with that message, who,
585
being saved, would send my letter to one of my friends. But you—if, as it seems, you are not hostile to me, and you know Mycenae and those whom I want you to know—be rescued, and have this reward, not a shameful one, safety for the sake of this small letter.
590
But let him, since the city exacts it, be the offering to the goddess, separated from you.
595
Orestes
Stranger, you have spoken all well but this: to sacrifice him would be a heavy grief to me. I am the pilot of these misfortunes,
he sailed with me for the sake of my troubles. For it is not right for me to do you a favor and get out of danger, on condition of his death. But let it happen this way: give him the letter and he will take it to to Argos, for your well-being;
600
