place apart from men."

"So be it; go where thou wilt; I would not look on things forbidden."

"The image also must be purified."

"Surely, if the pollution from these murderers of their mother hath
touched it. This is well thought of in thee."

Then she instructed the King that he should bring the strangers out of
the temple, having first bound them and veiled their heads. Also that
certain of his guards should go with her, but that all the people of the
city should be straitly commanded to stay within doors, that so they
might not be defiled; and that he himself should abide in the temple,
and purify it with fire, covering his head with his garments when the
strangers should pass by.

"And be not troubled," she said, "if I seem to be long doing these
things."

"Take what time thou wilt," he said "so that thou do all things in
order."

So certain of the King's guards brought the two young men from out of
the temple, and Iphigenia led them towards the place where the ship of
Orestes lay at anchor. But when they were come near to the shore, she
bade them halt nor come over near, for that she had that to do in which
they must have no part. And she took the chain wherewith the young men
were bound in her hands, and set up a strange song as of one that sought
enchantments. And after that the guard sat where she bade them for a
long time, they began to fear lest the strangers should have slain the
priestess, and so fled. Yet they moved not, fearing to see that which
was forbidden. But at the last with one consent they rose up. And when
they were come to the sea, they saw the ship trimmed to set forth, and
fifty sailors on the benches having oars in their hands ready for
rowing; and the two young men were standing unbound upon the shore near
to the stern. And other sailors were dragging the ship by the cable to
the shore that the young men might embark. Then the guards laid hold of
the rudder, and sought to take it from his place, crying, "Who are ye
that carry away priestesses and the images of our Gods?" Then Orestes
said, "I am Orestes, and I carry away my sister." But the guards laid
hold of Iphigenia; and when the sailors saw this they leapt from the
ship; and neither the one nor the other had swords in their hands, but
they fought with their fists and their feet also. And the sailors being
strong and skilful, the King's men were driven back sorely bruised and
wounded. And when they fled to a bank that was hard