Part 84 (1/2)

IPH. Yea. I will persuade him, and will myself embark him on the s.h.i.+p's hull.

OR. Swear, but do thou commence such oath as is holy.

IPH. Thou must say ”I will give this [letter] to my friends.”

PYL. I will give this letter to thy friends.

IPH. And I will send thee safe beyond the Cyanean rocks.

PYL. Whom of the G.o.ds dost thou call to witness of thine oath in these words?

IPH. Diana, in whose temple I hold office.

PYL. But I [call upon] the king of heaven, hallowed Jove.

IPH. But if, deserting thine oath, thou shouldst wrong me--

PYL. May I not return? But thou, if thou savest me not--

IPH. May I never living set footprint in Argos.

PYL. Hear now then a matter which we have pa.s.sed by.

IPH. There will be opportunity hereafter, if matters stand aright.

PYL. Grant me this one exception. If the vessel suffer any harm, and the letter be lost[94] in the storm, together with the goods, and I save my person only, that this mine oath be no longer valid.[95]

IPH. Knowest thou what I will do?[96] for the many things contained in the folds of the letter bear opportunity for many things.[97] I will tell you in words all that you are to convey to my friends, for this plan is safe.

If indeed thou preservest the letter, it will itself silently tell the things written, but if these letters be lost at sea, saving thy body, thou wilt preserve my message.

PYL. Thou hast spoken well on behalf of the G.o.ds[98] and of myself. But tell me to whom at Argos I must needs bear these epistles, and what hearing from thee, I must tell.

IPH. Bear word to Orestes, the son of Agamemnon, (_reading_) ”she[99] that was sacrificed at Aulis gives this commission, Iphigenia alive, but no longer alive as far as those in Argos are concerned.”

OR. But where is she? Does she come back again having died?

IPH. She, whom you see. Do not confuse me with speaking. (_Continues reading_) ”Bear me to Argos, my brother, before I die, remove me from this barbarian land and the sacrifices of the G.o.ddess, in which I have the office of slaying strangers.”

OR. Pylades, what shall I say? where shall we be found to be?[100]

IPH. (_still reading_) ”Or I will be a cause of curses upon thine house, Orestes,” (_with great stress upon the name and turning to Pylades_,) ”that thou, twice hearing the name, mayest know it.”

PYL. O G.o.ds!

IPH. Why callest thou upon the G.o.ds in matters that are mine?

PYL. 'Tis nothing. Go on. I was wandering to another subject. Perchance, inquiring of thee, I shall arrive at things incredible.[101]

IPH. (_continues reading_) ”Say that the G.o.ddess Diana saved me, giving in exchange for me a hind, which my father sacrificed, thinking that it was upon me that he laid the sharp sword, and she placed me to dwell in this land.” This is the burden of my message, these are the words written in my letter.