ACT V SCENE I THOAS, ARKAS ARKAS I own I am perplex'd and scarcely know 'Gainst whom to point the shaft of my suspicion, Whether the priestess aids the captives' flight, Or they themselves clandestinely contrive it.

SCENE II THOAS (alone)

SCENE III IPHIGENIA, THOAS IPHIGENIA Me hast thou summon'd?

THOAS Wherefore delay the sacrifice?

THOAS From thee I wish to hear them more at large.

THOAS To thee this time seems also opportune.

THOAS These men, methinks, lie very near thy heart, When sympathy with them can lead thee thus To violate discretion's primal law, That those in power should never be provok'd.

Thou know'st we are, and yet wilt thou compel me? THOAS Obey thine office, priestess, not the king.

THOAS I more respect them than a brother's sword.

THOAS Do not incautiously condemn thyself.

THOAS Thy countrymen; no doubt they have renew'd The pleasing picture of return.

THOAS And dost thou think That the uncultured Scythian will attend The voice of truth and of humanity Which Atreus, the Greek, heard not? IPHIGENIA 'Tis heard By every one, born 'neath whatever clime, Within whose bosom flows the stream of life, Pure and unhinder'd.

THOAS The traitors have contrived a cunning web, And cast it round thee, who, secluded long, Giv'st willing credence to thine own desires.

THOAS As fire opposes water, and doth seek With hissing rage to overcome its foe, So doth my anger strive against thy words.

THOAS How often hath this voice assuag'd my soul!

THOAS Large thy demand within so short a time.

THOAS 'Tis needed oft, for evil springs from good.

(To IPHIGENIA, without perceiving THOAS.)

SCENE V ORESTES, IPHIGENIA, THOAS Enter PYLADES, soon after him ARKAS both with drawn swords.

THOAS Go, and command my people to forbear!

SCENE VI IPHIGENIA, THOAS, ORESTES IPHIGENIA Relieve my cares ere ye begin to speak.

THOAS This privilege hath ancient custom here To strangers ne'er accorded. ORESTES

Shall I adduce the likeness to his sire, Or the deep rapture of my inmost heart, In further token of assurance, king? THOAS E'en though thy words had banish'd every doubt, And I had curb'd the anger in my breast, Still must our arms decide.

THOAS (extending his hand)

In this scene, "Les Terreurs de Thoas," those rapidly changing expressions of the features, those statuesque attitudes melting into each other, which we all remember in Rachel, indicated a common origin.