Epeisodion 3
Thoas
Where is the gate-keeper of this temple, the woman of Hellas? Has she already begun the rites on the strangers?
Are they glowing with fire in the holy sanctuary?
1155
Chorus Leader
Here she is, to tell you everything clearly, lord.
Thoas
Oh! Daughter of Agamemnon, why have you lifted up in your arms the statue of the goddess from its pedestal that must not be moved?
Iphigenia
Lord, stand there in the entrance!
Thoas
Iphigenia, what has happened in the temple?
1160
Iphigenia
I spit out the pollution; (turning to Thoas to explain.) I say this for Holiness.
Thoas
What is this news in your introduction? Tell it clearly.
Iphigenia
The victims you caught for me are not pure, lord.
Thoas
What taught you this? Or are you only saying what you think?
Iphigenia
The image of the goddess turned back from its place.
1165
Thoas
By itself, or did an earthquake turn it?
Iphigenia
By itself; it closed up its eyes.
Thoas
What was the reason? Was it the uncleanness of the strangers?
Iphigenia
That was the reason, and nothing else; for they have done dreadful things.
Thoas
What, have they killed one of the barbarians on the shore?
1170
Iphigenia
They come with murder done at home.
Thoas
What murder? For I strongly want to know.
Iphigenia
They killed their mother together with their swords.
Thoas
Apollo! No barbarian would have dared this.
Iphigenia
They were driven in pursuit from all of Hellas.
1175
Thoas
Is it for this that you bring the statue outside?
Iphigenia
Yes, to the holy air, to remove it from slaughter.
Thoas
How did you know the blood-pollution of the strangers?
Iphigenia
I questioned them, because the image of the goddess had turned back.
Thoas
Hellas has brought you up to be clever; how well you understood this.
1180
Iphigenia
And yet they dangled a sweet lure for my heart.
Thoas
Reporting to you some charm of news from Argos?
Iphigenia
That Orestes, my only brother, is happy.
Thoas
So that you might save them, for the delight of their messages.
Iphigenia
And that my father is alive and doing well.
1185
Thoas
But you turned to the goddess, with reason.
Iphigenia
Yes, for I hate all Hellas, which has ruined me.
Thoas
Tell me, what shall we do with the strangers?
Iphigenia
We must reverence the law as it stands.
Thoas
But the libations and your sword are not at work?
1190
Iphigenia
First I want to wash them, with holy purification.
Thoas
In fountain waters, or the drops of the sea?
Iphigenia
The sea washes away all men’s evils.
Thoas
They would certainly be holier victims for the goddess.
Iphigenia
And in this way my plans would succeed better.
1195
Thoas
Doesn’t the wave beat against this very temple?
Iphigenia
This requires solitude; and I shall do more.
Thoas
Then where you wish; I do not want to see what should not be seen.
Iphigenia
I must purify the image of the goddess also.
Thoas
Yes, if a stain from the matricide has fallen on it.
1200
Iphigenia
For I would not have lifted it from its base otherwise.
Thoas
Your piety and forethought are correct.
[Episode]
Do you know what to do for me now?
Thoas
It is for you to make it known.
Iphigenia
Put chains on the strangers.
Thoas
Where could they escape you?
Iphigenia
Hellas knows no faith.
1205
Thoas
(to his servants.) Go to get chains, attendants.
1205
Iphigenia
And let them bring the strangers here.
Iphigenia
And veil their faces with their robes.
Thoas
Before the light of the sun.
Iphigenia
And send some of your servants with me.
Thoas
These will attend you.
Iphigenia
And send someone to announce to the city—
Thoas
That what has happened?
Iphigenia
That all remain indoors.
1210
Thoas
So that they do not come in contact with murder?
1210
Iphigenia
Yes, for such things are polluted.
Thoas
(to a servant.) Go and announce—
Iphigenia
That no one come near the sight. An attendant departs.
Thoas
You are taking good care of the city
Iphigenia
And of the friends to whom I owe the most.
Thoas
You mean this for me.
Thoas
The whole city marvels at you, with reason.
Iphigenia
You stay here before the shrine of the goddess.
1215
Thoas
What shall I do?
1215
Iphigenia
Purify the house with fire.
Thoas
So that you may return to find it pure.
Iphigenia
When the strangers come outside—
Iphigenia
Hold your robe over your eyes.
Thoas
So that I do not receive the pollution.
Iphigenia
If I seem to delay too long—
Thoas
What limit of the delay should I keep in mind?
Iphigenia
Do not wonder at it.
1220
Thoas
Carry out the rites of the goddess well, since you have leisure.
1220
Iphigenia
May this purification fall out as I wish!
Thoas
I pray along with you.
Iphigenia
I see the strangers coming out of the temple now, and the ornaments of the goddess and the new-born lambs, because I will wash blood-pollution away with blood, and the flash of torches and all the rest that
I have set out as purification for the strangers and the goddess.
1225
I proclaim to the citizens to keep away from this pollution, if any guard of the temple is purifying his hands for the gods, or if anyone is coming to form a marriage alliance, or is weighted down by childbirth— begone, stand away, so that this defilement does not fall on anyone.
(Aside.) O lady, maiden daughter of of Leto and Zeus, if I cleanse the stain of murder from these men, and make the sacrifice where I ought to make it, you will dwell in a pure home, and we will be fortunate. I do not speak the rest, but I indicate it to those who know more, the gods and you, goddess. Exit Iphigenia.
1230