KAS.
Possess me with the reason, that with speed
I may inform the king, who hath decreed
The death of both.

IPHIGENIA.
The gods have not decreed it.
The elder of these men doth bear the guilt
Of kindred murder; on his steps attend
The dread Eumenides. They seiz'd their prey
Within the inner fane, polluting thus
The holy sanctuary. I hasten now,
Together with my virgin-train, to bathe
Diana's image in the sea, and there
With solemn rites its purity restore.
Let none presume our silent march to follow!

ARKAS.
This hindrance to the monarch I'll announce:
Do not commence the rite till he permit.

IPHIGENIA.
The priestess interferes alone in this.

ARKAS.
An incident so strange the king should know.

IPHIGENIA.
Here, nor his counsel nor command avails.

ARKAS.
Oft are the great consulted out of form.

IPHIGENIA.
Do not insist on what I must refuse.

ARKAS.
A needful and a just demand refuse not.

IPHIGENIA.
I yield, if thou delay not.

ARKAS.
I with speed
Will bear these tidings to the camp, and soon
Acquaint thee, priestess, with the king's reply.
There is a message I would gladly bear him:
'Twould quickly banish all perplexity:
Thou didst not heed thy faithful friend's advice.

IPHIGENIA.
I willingly have done whate'er I could.

ARKAS.
E'en now 'tis not too late to change thy mind.

IPHIGENIA.
To do so is, alas, beyond our power.

ARKAS.
What thou wouldst shun, thou deem'st impossible.

IPHIGENIA.
Thy wish doth make thee deem it possible.

ARKAS.
Wilt thou so calmly venture everything?

IPHIGENIA.
My fate I have committed to the gods.

ARKAS.
The gods are wont to save by human means.

IPHIGENIA.
By their appointment everything is done.

ARKAS.
Believe me, all doth now depend on thee.
The irritated temper of the king
Alone condemns these men to b