me and for my sister.

(_To_ IPHIGENIA, _without perceiving_ THOAS.)

Come with speed!
We are betray'd,--brief time remains for flight.

(_He perceives the king_.)

THOAS (_laying his hand on his sword_)

None in my presence with impunity
His naked weapon wears.

IPHIGENIA

Do not profane
Diana's sanctuary with rage and blood.
Command your people to forbear awhile,
And listen to the priestess, to the sister.

ORESTES

Say, who is he that threatens us?

IPHIGENIA
In him
Revere the king, who was my second father.
Forgive me, brother, that my childlike heart
Hath plac'd our fate thus wholly in his hands.
I have betray'd your meditated flight,
And thus from treachery redeem'd my soul.

ORESTES

Will he permit our peaceable return?

IPHIGENIA

Thy gleaming sword forbids me to reply.

ORESTES (_sheathing his sword_)

Then speak! thou seest I listen to thy words.

SCENE V

ORESTES, IPHIGENIA, THOAS

_Enter_ PYLADES, _soon after him_ ARKAS _both with drawn
swords_.

PYLADES

Do not delay! our friends are putting forth
Their final strength, and, yielding step by step,
Are slowly driven backward to the sea.--
A conference of princes find I here?
Is this the sacred person of the king?

ARKAS

Calmly, as doth become thee, thou dost stand,
O king, surrounded by thine enemies.
Soon their temerity shall be chastiz'd;
Their yielding followers fly,--their ship is ours,
Speak but the word and it is wrapt in flames.

THOAS

Go, and command my people to forbear!
Let none annoy the foe while we confer.
[ARKAS _retires_.]

ORESTES

I willingly consent. Go, Pylades!
Collect the remnant of our friends, and wait
The appointed issue of our enterprize.
[PYLADES _retires_.]

SCENE VI

IPHIGENIA, THOAS, ORESTES

IPHIGENIA

Relieve my cares ere ye begin to speak.
I fear contention, if thou wilt not hear
The voice of equity, O king,--if thou
Wilt not, my brother, curb thy headstrong youth.

THOAS

I, as becomes the elder, check my rage.
Now answer me: how dost thou prove thyself
The priestess' brother, Agamemnon's son?

ORESTES

Behold the sword with which the hero slew
The valiant Trojans. From his murderer
I took the weapon, and implor'd the Gods
To grant me Agamemnon's mighty arm,
Success, and valor, with a death more noble.
Select one of the leaders of thy host,
And place the best as my oppon