[Enter THOAS.]
THOAS. Where is the Grecian woman who keeps the gate of this temple? Has she yet begun the sacrifice of the strangers, and are the bodies burning in the flame within the pure recesses?
CHOR. Here she is, O king, who will tell thee clearly all.
TH. Ah! Why art thou removing in your arms this image of the Goddess from its seat that may not be disturbed, O daughter of Agamemnon?
IPH. O king, rest there thy foot in the portico.
TH. But what new matter is in the house, Iphigenia?
IPH. I avert the ill—for holy[[159]] do I utter this word.
TH. What new thing art thou prefacing? speak clearly.
IPH. O king, no pure offerings hast thou hunted out for me.
TH. What hath taught you this? or dost thou speak it as matter of opinion?