They come with murder done at home.ThoasWhat murder? For I strongly want to know.IphigeniaThey killed their mother together with their swords.ThoasApollo! No barbarian would have dared this.IphigeniaThey were driven in pursuit from all of Hellas.ThoasIs it for this that you bring the statue outside?IphigeniaYes, to the holy air, to remove it from slaughter.ThoasHow did you know the blood-pollution of the strangers?IphigeniaI questioned them, because the image of the goddess had turned back.ThoasHellas has brought you up to be clever; how well you understood this.IphigeniaAnd yet they dangled a sweet lure for my heart.ThoasReporting to you some charm of news from Argos?IphigeniaThat Orestes, my only brother, is happy.ThoasSo that you might save them, for the delight of their messages.IphigeniaAnd that my father is alive and doing well.ThoasBut you turned to the goddess, with reason.IphigeniaYes, for I hate all Hellas, which has ruined me.ThoasTell me, what shall we do with the strangers?IphigeniaWe must reverence the law as it stands.ThoasBut the libations and your sword are not at work?IphigeniaFirst I want to wash them, with holy purification.ThoasIn fountain waters, or the drops of the sea?IphigeniaThe sea washes away all men’s evils.ThoasThey would certainly be holier victims for the goddess.IphigeniaAnd in this way my plans would succeed better.ThoasDoesn’t the wave beat against this very temple?IphigeniaThis requires solitude; and I shall do more.ThoasThen where you wish; I do not want to see what should not be seen.IphigeniaI must purify the image of the goddess also.ThoasYes, if a stain from the matricide has fallen on it.