Iphigenia in Tauris Part 10

SCENE III.

IPHIGENIA, _alone_.

These words at an unseasonable hour Produce a strong revulsion in my breast; I am alarm'd!--For as the rushing tide In rapid currents eddies o'er the rocks Which lie among the sand upon the sh.o.r.e; E'en so a stream of joy o'erwhelm'd my soul.

I grasp'd what had appear'd impossible.

It was as though another gentle cloud Around me lay, to raise me from the earth, And rock my spirit in the same sweet sleep Which the kind G.o.ddess shed around my brow, What time her circling arm from danger s.n.a.t.c.h'd me.

My brother forcibly engross'd my heart; I listen'd only to his friend's advice; My soul rush'd eagerly to rescue them, And as the mariner with joy surveys The less'ning breakers of a desert isle, So Tauris lay behind me. But the voice Of faithful Arkas wakes me from my dream, Reminding me that those whom I forsake Are also men. Deceit doth now become Doubly detested. O my soul, be still!

Beginn'st thou now to tremble and to doubt?

Thy lonely shelter on the firm-set earth Must thou abandon? and, embark'd once more, At random drift upon tumultuous waves, A stranger to thyself and to the world?

SCENE IV.

IPHIGENIA. PYLADES.

PYLADES.

Where is she? that my words with speed may tell The joyful tidings of our near escape!

IPHIGENIA.

Oppress'd with gloomy care, I much require The certain comfort thou dost promise me.

PYLADES.

Thy brother is restor'd! The rocky paths Of this unconsecrated sh.o.r.e we trod In friendly converse, while behind us lay, Unmark'd by us, the consecrated grove; And ever with increasing glory shone The fire of youth around his n.o.ble brow.

Courage and hope his glowing eye inspir'd; And his free heart exulted with the joy Of saving thee, his sister, and his friend.

IPHIGENIA.

The G.o.ds shower blessings on thee, Pylades!

And from those lips which breathe such welcome news, Be the sad note of anguish never heard!

PYLADES.

I bring yet more,--for Fortune, like a prince, Comes not alone, but well accompanied.

Our friends and comrades we have also found.

Within a bay they had conceal'd the ship, And mournful sat expectant. They beheld Thy brother, and a joyous shout uprais'd, Imploring him to haste the parting hour.

Each hand impatient long'd to grasp the oar, While from the sh.o.r.e a gently murmuring breeze, Perceiv'd by all, unfurl'd its wing auspicious.

Let us then hasten; guide me to the fane, That I may tread the sanctuary, and seize With sacred awe the object of our hopes.

I can unaided on my shoulder bear Diana's image: how I long to feel The precious burden!

[_While speaking the last words, he approaches the Temple, without perceiving that he is not followed by Iphigenia: at length he turns round._]

Why thus ling'ring stand.

Why art thou silent? wherefore thus confus'd?

Doth some new obstacle oppose our bliss?

Inform me, hast thou to the king announc'd The prudent message we agreed upon?

IPHIGENIA.

I have, dear Pylades; yet wilt thou chide.

Thy very aspect is a mute reproach.

The royal messenger arriv'd, and I, According to thy counsel, fram'd my speech.

He seem'd surpris'd, and urgently besought, That to the monarch I should first announce The rite unusual, and attend his will.

I now await the messenger's return.

PYLADES.

Danger again doth hover o'er our heads!

O priestess, why neglect to shroud thyself Within the veil of sacerdotal rites?

IPHIGENIA.

I never have employ'd them as a veil.

PYLADES.

Pure soul! thy scruples will destroy alike Thyself and us. Why did I not foresee Such an emergency, and tutor thee This counsel also wisely to elude?

IPHIGENIA.

Chide only me, for mine alone the blame.

Yet other answer could I not return To him, who strongly and with reason urg'd What my own heart acknowledg'd to be right.

PYLADES.

The danger thickens; but let us be firm, Nor with incautious haste betray ourselves; Calmly await the messenger's return, And then stand fast, whatever his reply: For the appointment of such sacred rites Doth to the priestess, not the king belong.

Should he demand the stranger to behold Who is by madness heavily oppress'd, Evasively pretend, that in the fane, Securely guarded, thou retain'st us both.

Thus you secure us time to fly with speed, Bearing the sacred treasure from this race, Unworthy its possession. Phbus sends Auspicious omens, and fulfils his word, Ere we the first conditions have perform'd.

Free is Orestes, from the curse absolv'd!

Oh, with the freed one, to the rocky isle Where dwells the G.o.d, waft us, propitious gales!

Thence to Mycene, that she may revive; That from the ashes of the extinguish'd hearth, The household G.o.ds may joyously arise, And beauteous fire illumine their abode!

Thy hand from golden censers first shall strew The fragrant incense. O'er that threshold thou Shalt life and blessing once again dispense, The curse atone, and all thy kindred grace With the fresh bloom of renovated life.

IPHIGENIA.

As doth the flower revolve to meet the sun, Once more my spirit to sweet comfort turns, Struck by thy words' invigorating ray.

How dear the counsel of a present friend, Lacking whose G.o.dlike power, the lonely one In silence droops! for, lock'd within his breast, Slowly are ripen'd purpose and resolve, Which friendship's genial warmth had soon matur'd.

PYLADES.

Farewell! I haste to re-a.s.sure our friends, Who anxiously await us: then with speed I will return, and, hid within the brake, Attend thy signal.--Wherefore, all at once, Doth anxious thought o'ercloud thy brow serene?

IPHIGENIA.

Forgive me! As light clouds athwart the sun, So cares and fears float darkling o'er my soul.

PYLADES.

Oh, banish fear! With danger it hath form'd A close alliance,--they are constant friends.

IPHIGENIA.

It is an honest scruple, which forbids That I should cunningly deceive the king, And plunder him who was my second sire.

PYLADES.

Him thou dost fly, who would have slain thy brother.

IPHIGENIA.

To me, at least, he hath been ever kind.

PYLADES.

What Fate commands is not ingrat.i.tude.

IPHIGENIA.