through the plots of Agamemnon’s daughter; they are escaping from this land, with the holy image deep within a Hellene ship.Chorus LeaderWhat you say is incredible; but the one you want to see, the lord of the country, has gone in haste from the temple.MessengerWhere? For he should know what has been done.Chorus LeaderWe don’t know; but go after him, and report these things to him where you find him.MessengerSee, what a faithless race you women are! You also have a share in what has been done.Chorus LeaderYou are mad! What do we have to do the the flight of the strangers? Go as quickly as you can to the ruler’s door!MessengerNo! Not until this interpreter brings word if the king is inside or not. Ho there! Unbar the doors—I am speaking to those within— and inform the master that I am at the gate with a burden of bad news.Thoas(appearing at the temple door.)Who is raising this clamor at the temple of the goddess, striking at the gates and sending his noise within?MessengerAh! These women told me that you were outside; they would have driven me away from the temple, but you were inside after all.ThoasWhat advantage were they expecting and hunting after?MessengerI will tell you about them later; hear what is currently at hand. The girl who presided at this altar, Iphigenia, has left the country with the strangers, and takes with her the holy statue of the goddess; the purification was a cheat.ThoasWhat are you saying? What influence in her character brought her to this?MessengerTo save Orestes; here is a marvel for you!ThoasTo save whom? Clytemnestra’s son?MessengerThe one whom the goddess was dedicating to herself at this altar.ThoasMarvelous! for what more can it be called?MessengerDo not think of that, but listen to me; consider it clearly and when you hear, devise a pursuit to hunt down the strangers.