The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume I Part 34

Thy countrymen; no doubt they have renew'd The pleasing picture of return.

IPHIGENIA (_after a pause_)

Doth man Lay undisputed claim to n.o.ble deeds?

Doth he alone to his heroic breast Clasp the impossible? What call we great?

What deeds, though oft narrated, still uplift with shuddering horror the narrator's soul, But those which, with improbable success, The valiant have attempted? Shall the man Who all alone steals on his foes by night, And raging like an unexpected fire, Destroys the slumbering host, and press'd at length By rous'd opponents on his foeman's steeds, Retreats with booty--be alone extoll'd?

Or he who, scorning safety, boldly roams Through woods and dreary wilds, to scour the land Of thieves and robbers? Is naught left for us?

Must gentle woman quite forego her nature, Force against force employ, like Amazons Usurp the sword from man, and bloodily Revenge oppression? In my heart I feel The stirrings of a n.o.ble enterprize; But if I fail--severe reproach, alas!

And bitter misery will be my doom.

Thus on my knees I supplicate the G.o.ds!

Oh, are ye truthful, as men say ye are, Now prove it by your countenance and aid; Honor the truth in me! Attend, O king A secret plot deceitfully is laid; Touching the captives thou dost ask in vain; They have departed hence and seek their friends, Who, with the ship, await them on the sh.o.r.e.

The eldest,--whom dire madness lately seiz'd, And hath abandon'd now,--he is Orestes, My brother, and the other Pylades, His early friend and faithful confidant.

From Delphi, Phoebus sent them to this sh.o.r.e With a divine command to steal away The image of Diana, and to him Bear back the sister thither, and for this He promised to the blood-stained matricide, The Fury-haunted son, deliverance.

I have surrender'd now into thy hands The remnants of the house of Tantalus.

Destroy us--if thou canst.

THOAS

And dost thou think That the uncultured Scythian will attend The voice of truth and of humanity Which Atreus, the Greek, heard not?

IPHIGENIA

'Tis heard By every one, born 'neath whatever clime, Within whose bosom flows the stream of life, Pure and unhinder'd.--What thy thought? O king, What silent purpose broods in thy deep soul?

Is it destruction? Let me perish first!

For now, deliv'rance hopeless, I perceive The dreadful peril into which I have With rash precipitancy plung'd my friends.

Alas! I soon shall see them bound before me!

How to my brother shall I say farewell?

I, the unhappy author of his death.

Ne'er can I gaze again in his dear eyes!

THOAS

The traitors have contrived a cunning web, And cast it round thee, who, secluded long, Giv'st willing credence to thine own desires.

IPHIGENIA

No, no! I'd pledge my life these men are true.

And shouldst thou find them otherwise, O king, Then let them perish both, and cast me forth, That on some rock-girt island's dreary sh.o.r.e I may atone my folly. Are they true, And is this man indeed my dear Orestes, My brother, long implor'd,--release us both, And o'er us stretch the kind protecting arm Which long hath shelter'd me. My n.o.ble sire Fell through his consort's guilt,--she by her son; On him alone the hope of Atreus' race Doth now repose. Oh, with pure heart, pure hand, Let me depart to purify our house.

Yes, thou wilt keep thy promise; thou didst swear, That were a safe return provided me, I should be free to go. The hour is come.

A king doth never grant like common men, Merely to gain a respite from pet.i.tion; Nor promise what he hopes will ne'er be claim'd.

Then first he feels his dignity supreme When he can make the long-expecting happy.

THOAS

As fire opposes water, and doth seek With hissing rage to overcome its foe, So doth my anger strive against thy words.

IPHIGENIA

Let mercy, like the consecrated flame Of silent sacrifice, encircled round With songs of grat.i.tude, and joy, and praise, Above the tumult gently rise to heaven.

THOAS

How often hath this voice a.s.suag'd my soul!

IPHIGENIA

Extend thy hand to me in sign of peace.

THOAS

Large thy demand within so short a time.

IPHIGENIA

Beneficence doth no reflection need.

THOAS

'Tis needed oft, for evil springs from good.

IPHIGENIA

'Tis doubt which good doth oft to evil turn.

Consider not; act as thy feelings prompt thee.

SCENE IV

ORESTES (_armed_), IPHIGENIA, THOAS

ORESTES (_addressing his followers_)

Redouble your exertions! hold them back!

Few moments will suffice; maintain your ground, And keep a pa.s.sage open to the ship For 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