Iphigenia in Tauris | Page 3

shalt recall.
IPHIGENIA.?How! doth the monarch purpose what no man?Of noble mind, who loves his honest name,?Whose bosom reverence for the gods restrains,?Would ever think of? Will he force employ?To tear me from this consecrated fane??Then will I call the gods, and chiefly thee,?Diana, goddess resolute, to aid me;?Thyself a virgin, thou'lt a virgin shield,?And succour to thy priestess gladly yield.
ARKAS.?Be tranquil! Passion, and youth's fiery blood?Impel not Thoas rashly to commit?A deed so lawless. In his present mood,?I fear from him another harsh resolve,?Which (for his soul is steadfast and unmov'd,)?He then will execute without delay.?Therefore I pray thee, canst thou grant no more,?At least be grateful--give thy confidence.
IPHIGENIA.?Oh tell me what is further known to thee.
ARKAS.?Learn it from him. I see the king approach;?Thou honour'st him, and thy own heart will prompt thee?To meet him kindly and with confidence.?A noble man by woman's gentle word?May oft be led.
IPHIGENIA, alone.
I see not how I can

Follow the counsel of my faithful friend.?But willingly the duty I perform?Of giving thanks for benefits receiv'd,?And much I wish that to the king my lips?With truth could utter what would please his ear.
SCENE III.
IPHIGENIA. THOAS.
IPHIGENIA.?Her royal gifts the goddess shower on thee!?Imparting conquest, wealth, and high renown,?Dominion, and the welfare of thy house,?With the fulfilment of each pious wish,?That thou, who over numbers rul'st supreme,?Thyself may'st be supreme in happiness!
THOAS.?Contented were I with my people's praise;?My conquests others more than I enjoy.?Oh! be he king or subject, he's most blest,?Who in his home finds happiness and peace.?Thou shar'dst my sorrow, when a hostile sword?Tore from my side my last, my dearest son;?Long as fierce vengeance occupied my heart,?I did not feel my dwelling's dreary void;?But now, returning home, my rage appeas'd,?My foes defeated, and my son aveng'd,?I find there nothing left to comfort me.?The glad obedience, which I used to see?Kindling in every eye, is smother'd now?In discontent and gloom; each, pond'ring, weighs?The changes which a future day may bring,?And serves the childless king, because compell'd.?To-day I come within this sacred fane,?Which I have often enter'd to implore?And thank the gods for conquest. In my breast?I bear an old and fondly-cherish'd wish.?To which methinks thou canst not be a stranger;?Thee, maid, a blessing to myself and realm,?I hope, as bride, to carry to my home.
IPHIGENIA.?Too great thine offer, king, to one unknown;?Abash'd the fugitive before thee stands,?Who on this shore sought only what thou gav'st,?Safety and peace.
THOAS.
Thus still to shroud thyself

From me, as from the lowest, in the veil?Of mystery which wrapp'd thy coming here,?Would in no country be deem'd just or right.?Strangers this shore appall'd; 'twas so ordain'd?Alike by law and stern necessity.?From thee alone--a kindly welcom'd guest,?Who hast enjoy'd each hallow'd privilege,?And spent thy days in freedom unrestrain'd--?From thee I hop'd that confidence to gain?Which every faithful host may justly claim.
IPHIGENIA.?If I conceal'd, O king, my name, my race,?'Twas fear that prompted me, and not mistrust.?For didst thou know who stands before thee now,?And what accursed head thy arm protects,?A shudd'ring horror would possess thy heart;?And, far from wishing me to share thy throne,?Thou, ere the time appointed, from thy realm?Wouldst banish me perchance, and thrust me forth,?Before a glad reunion with my friends?And period to my wand'rings is ordain'd,?To meet that sorrow, which in every clime,?With cold, inhospitable, fearful hand,?Awaits the outcast, exil'd from his home.
THOAS.?Whate'er respecting thee the gods decree,?Whate'er their doom for thee and for thy house,?Since thou hast dwelt amongst us, and enjoy'd?The privilege the pious stranger claims,?To me hath fail'd no blessing sent from Heaven;?And to persuade me, that protecting thee?I shield a guilty head, were hard indeed.
IPHIGENIA.?Thy bounty, not the guest, draws blessings down.
THOAS.?The kindness shown the wicked is not blest.?End then thy silence, priestess; not unjust?Is he who doth demand it. In my hands?The goddess plac'd thee; thou hast been to me?As sacred as to her, and her behest?Shall for the future also be my law.?If thou canst hope in safety to return?Back to thy kindred, I renounce my claims:?But is thy homeward path for ever clos'd--?Or doth thy race in hopeless exile rove,?Or lie extinguish'd by some mighty woe--?Then may I claim thee by more laws