Enter Thoas from the temple.
Thoas.
Who makes this outcry at the Goddess' fane,
Smiting the doors, and hurling noise[1] within?
Messenger.
Falsely these said—would so have driven me hence—
That thou wast forth, while yet wast thou within. 1310
Thoas.
What profit sought they?—hunted for what gain?
Messenger.
Their deeds hereafter will I tell. Hear thou
The trouble at the doors. The maid that here
Served at the altars, Iphigeneia, is fled
With yonder strangers, and the holy image 1315
Hath taken. Nought but guile that cleansing was.
Thoas.
How say'st? What wind of fortune hath she found?
Messenger.
To save Orestes. Marvel thou at this!
Thoas.
Orestes?—him whom Tyndareus' daughter bare?
Messenger.
Him whom the Goddess hallowed for her altars. 1320
- ↑ One MS. has φόβον, "alarm."
