Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/288

260 Blood-stain I may cleanse,—with flash of torches, and with what beside,

As I bade, the strangers and the Goddess shall be purified.

Now I warn the city-folk to shrink from this pollution far:—

Ye that, with pure hands for heaven's service, temple-warders are,

Whoso purposeth espousals, whoso laboureth with child,

Flee ye; hence away, that none with this pollution be defiled.

Queen, O child of Zeus and Leto, so the guilt from these I lave,

So I sacrifice what meet is, stainless temple shalt thou have;

Blest withal shall we be—more I say not, yet to Gods who know

All, and, Goddess, unto thee, mine heart's desire I plainly show.

[Thoas enters temple. Exeunt Iphigeneia,

Orestes, Pylades, and attendants.

A glorious babe in the days of old

Leto in Delos bare,

Mid its valleys of fruitage manifold,

The babe of the golden hair,—

Lord of the harp sweet-ringing, king of the bow sure-winging