They come with murder done at home. Thoas What murder? For I strongly want to know. Iphigenia They killed their mother together with their swords. Thoas Apollo! No barbarian would have dared this. Iphigenia They were driven in pursuit from all of Hellas . Thoas Is it for this that you bring the statue outside? Iphigenia Yes, to the holy air, to remove it from slaughter. Thoas How did you know the blood-pollution of the strangers? Iphigenia I questioned them, because the image of the goddess had turned back. Thoas Hellas has brought you up to be clever; how well you understood this. Iphigenia And yet they dangled a sweet lure for my heart. Thoas Reporting to you some charm of news from Argos ? Iphigenia That Orestes, my only brother, is happy. Thoas So that you might save them, for the delight of their messages. Iphigenia And that my father is alive and doing well. Thoas But you turned to the goddess, with reason. Iphigenia Yes, for I hate all Hellas , which has ruined me. Thoas Tell me, what shall we do with the strangers? Iphigenia We must reverence the law as it stands. Thoas But the libations and your sword are not at work? Iphigenia First I want to wash them, with holy purification. Thoas In fountain waters, or the drops of the sea? Iphigenia The sea washes away all men’s evils. Thoas They would certainly be holier victims for the goddess. Iphigenia And in this way my plans would succeed better. Thoas Doesn’t the wave beat against this very temple? Iphigenia This requires solitude; and I shall do more. Thoas Then where you wish; I do not want to see what should not be seen. Iphigenia I must purify the image of the goddess also. Thoas Yes, if a stain from the matricide has fallen on it.