The goddess for reflection grants thee time.
THOAS
To thee this time seems also opportune.
IPHIGENIA
If to this cruel deed thy heart is steel'd,
Thou shouldst not come! A king who meditates
A deed inhuman, may find slaves enow,
Willing for hire to bear one-half the curse,
And leave the monarch's presence undefil'd.
Enrapt in gloomy clouds he forges death,
Flaming destruction then his ministers
Hurl down upon his wretched victim's head,
While he abideth high above the storm,
Calm and untroubled, an impassive god.
THOAS
A wild song, priestess, issued from thy lips.
IPHIGENIA
No priestess, king! but Agamemnon's daughter;
While yet unknown, thou didst respect my words
A princess now,—and think'st thou to command me?
From youth I have been tutor'd to obey,
My parents first and then the deity;
And thus obeying, ever hath my soul
Known sweetest freedom. But nor then nor now
Have I been taught compliance with the voice
And savage mandates of a man.