Is it on Perseus'citadel thou callest,that town Cyclopean workmen build IPHIGENIATo be a light to Hellas didst thou rear me,and so Isay not No to death.

CHORUS

Thou art right;no fear that fame will e'er desert thee!

IPHIGENIA

Hail to thee,bright lamp of day and light of Zeus!Adifferent life,different lot is henceforth mine.Farewell Ibid thee,light beloved!

Exit IPHIGENIA.

CHORUS

Behold the maiden on her way,the destroyer of Ilium's town and its Phrygians,with garlands twined about her head,and drops of lustral water on her,soon to besprinkle with her gushing blood the altar of a murderous goddess,what time her shapely neck is severed.

For thee fair streams of a father's pouring and lustral waters are in store,for thee Achaea's host is waiting,eager to reach the citadel of Ilium.But let us celebrate Artemis,the daughter of Zeus,queen among the gods,as if upon some happy chance.

Olady revered,delighting in human sacrifice,send on its way to Phrygia's land the host of the Hellenes,to Troy's abodes of guile,and grant that Agamemnon may wreathe his head with deathless fame,a crown of fairest glory for the spearmen of Hellas.

Enter MESSENGER.

MESSENGER

Come forth,OClytaemnestra,daughter of Tyndareus,from the tent,to hear my news.

Enter CLYTAEMNESTRA.

CLYTAEMNESTRA

Iheard thy voice and am come in sad dismay and fearful dread,not sure but what thou hast arrived with tidings of some fresh trouble for me besides the present woe.

MESSENGER

Nay,rather would Iunfold to thee a story strange and marvellous about thy child.

CLYTAEMNESTRA

Delay not,then,but speak at once.

MESSENGER