There is certainly inspiration enough in these verses for a more pretentious group than the simple terra cotta cup presents, but lacking all other Greek monuments bearing upon this scene one may prize this witness as a valuable inheritance from the Hellenistic period. Agamemnon speaks; he loves his child and realizes full well the meaning of the sacrifice, but he must obey the clamourings of the Greeks.
Iphigeneia and her mother remain alone with the chorus and bewail the bitterness of their sorrow, vs. 1276–1345, when a company of men is observed approaching. Among them is Achilles. His attempt to intercede in behalf of the doomed Iphigeneia had been of no avail. The Achaeans were inexorable; her blood must be spilt. Nevertheless he promises them his assistance, and encourages Klytaimestra to resist Odysseus and the others who come to drag her daughter away to the altar, vs. 1338–1433. The early part of this scene is recognizable in the remaining group.
Iph. διαχαλᾶτέ μοι μέλαθρα, δμῶες, ὡς κρύψω δέμας.
Kly. τί δέ, τέκνον φεύγεις;
Iph. Ἀχιλλέα τόνδ’ ἰδεῖν αἰσχύνομαι.
Kly. ὁς τί δέ;
Iph. τὸ δυστυχές μοι τῶν γάμων αἰδῶ φέρει.
Kly. οὐκ ἐν ἁβρότητι κεῖσαι πρὸς τὰ νῦν πεπτωκότα.
ἀλλὰ μίμν’· οὐ σεμνότητος ἔργον, ἢν δυνώμεθα.
Ach. ὦ γύναι τάλαινα, Λήδας θύγατερ. vs. 1340–1345.