Iphigenia in Tauris [4]
Sent by the maddening Furies, as they say. Together thronging, as of death assured, We sit in silence; but he drew his sword, And, like a lion rushing mid our herds, Plunged in their sides the weapon, weening thus To drive the Furies, till the briny wave Foam'd with their blood. But when among our herds We saw this havoc made, we all 'gan rouse To arms, and blew our sounding shells to alarm The neighbouring peasants; for we thought in fight Rude herdsmen to these youthful strangers, train'd To arms, ill match'd; and forthwith to our aid Flock'd numbers. But, his frenzy of its force Abating, on the earth the stranger falls, Foam bursting from his mouth: but when he saw The advantage, each adventured on and hurl'd What might annoy him fallen: the other youth Wiped off the foam, took of his person care, His fine-wrought robe spread over him; with heed The flying stones observing, warded of The wounds, and each kind office to his friend Attentively perform'd. His sense return'd; The stranger started up, and soon perceived The tide of foes that roll'd impetuous on, The danger and distress that closed them round. He heaved a sigh; an unremitting storm Of stones we pour'd, and each incited each: Then we his dreadful exhortation heard:- "Pylades, we shall die; but let us die With glory: draw thy sword, and follow me." But when we saw the enemies advance With brandish'd swords, the steep heights crown'd with wood We fell in flight: but others, if one flies, Press on them; if again they drive these back, What before fled turns, with a storm of stones Assaulting them; but, what exceeds belief, Hurl'd by a thousand hands, not one could hit The victims of the goddess: scarce at length, Not by brave daring seized we them, but round We closed upon them, and their swords with stones Beat, wily, from their hands; for on their knees They through fatigue had sunk upon the ground: We bare them to the monarch of this land: He view'd them, and without delay to the Sent them devoted to the cleansing vase, And to the altar. Victims such as these, O virgin, wish to find; for if such youths Thou offer, for thy slaughter Greece will pay, Her wrongs to thee at Aulis well avenged. LEADER These things are wonderful, which thou hast told Of him, whoe'er he be, the youth from Greece Arrived on this inhospitable shore. IPHIGENIA 'Tis well: go thou, and bring the strangers hither: What here is to be done shall be our care. (The HERDSMAN departs.) O my unhappy heart! before this hour To strangers thou wast gentle, always touch'd With pity, and with tears their tears repaid, When Grecians, natives of my country, came Into my hands: but from the dreams, which prompt To deeds ungentle, showing that no more Orestes views the sun's fair light, whoe'er Ye are that hither come, me will you find Relentless now. This is the truth, my friends: My heart is rent; and never will the wretch, Who feels affliction's cruel tortures, bear Good-will to those that are more fortunate. Never came gale from Jove, nor flying bark, Which 'twixt the dangerous rocks of the Euxine sea Brought Helen hither, who my ruin wrought, Nor Menelaus; that on them my foul wrongs I might repay, and with an Aulis here Requite the Aulis there, where I was seized, And, as a heifer, by the Grecians slain: My father too, who gave me birth, was priest. Ah me! the sad remembrance of those ills Yet lives: how often did I stroke thy cheek, And, hanging on thy knees, address thee thus:- "Alas, my father! I by thee am led A bride to bridal rites unbless'd and base: Them, while by thee I bleed, my mother hymns, And the Argive dames, with hymeneal strains, And with the jocund pipe the house resounds: But at the altar I by thee am