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Helen
Then you know everything, it seems, about my marriage.
Then you know everything, it seems, about my marriage.
Menelaos
I do. But if you have escaped his bed—that I do not know.
I do. But if you have escaped his bed—that I do not know.
Helen
Know that I have saved myself untouched for you.
795
Know that I have saved myself untouched for you.
795
Menelaos
What could persuade me of this? If true, your words are sweet.
What could persuade me of this? If true, your words are sweet.
Helen
Do you see my wretched sanctuary at this tomb?
Do you see my wretched sanctuary at this tomb?
Menelaos
I see a miserable bed of straw, but what do you have to do with it?
I see a miserable bed of straw, but what do you have to do with it?
Helen
Here, as a suppliant, I am asking for an escape from his bed.
Here, as a suppliant, I am asking for an escape from his bed.
Menelaos
For want of an altar, or because it is the barbarians’ way?
800
For want of an altar, or because it is the barbarians’ way?
800
Helen
This was as good a protection to me as the temples of the gods.
This was as good a protection to me as the temples of the gods.
Menelaos
Then it’s not possible for me to take you home by ship?
Then it’s not possible for me to take you home by ship?
Helen
A sword is waiting for you, rather than my bed.
A sword is waiting for you, rather than my bed.
Menelaos
So I would be the most wretched of mortals.
So I would be the most wretched of mortals.
Helen
Do not feel shame now, but escape from this land.
805
Do not feel shame now, but escape from this land.
805
Menelaos
Leaving you behind? I ravaged
Troy
for your sake.
Leaving you behind? I ravaged
Troy
for your sake.
Helen
Yes, for that is better than that our union should cause your death.
Yes, for that is better than that our union should cause your death.
Menelaos
Oh! these are coward’s words, unworthy of those days at
Troy
.
Oh! these are coward’s words, unworthy of those days at
Troy
.
Helen
You could not kill the tyrant, your possible intention.
You could not kill the tyrant, your possible intention.
Menelaos
Does he then have a body that cannot be wounded by a sword?
810
Does he then have a body that cannot be wounded by a sword?
810
Helen
You will hear. But to undertake impossibilities is no mark of wisdom.
You will hear. But to undertake impossibilities is no mark of wisdom.
Menelaos
And so I am to offer my hands to be bound, in silence?
And so I am to offer my hands to be bound, in silence?
Helen
You are in a dilemma; we need some contrivance.
You are in a dilemma; we need some contrivance.
Menelaos
Yes, for it is sweeter to die in action than by not acting.
Yes, for it is sweeter to die in action than by not acting.
Helen
There is one hope, and only one, for our safety.
815
There is one hope, and only one, for our safety.
815
Menelaos
Are we to buy it, or dare it, or win it with words?
Are we to buy it, or dare it, or win it with words?
Helen
If the tyrant were not to learn of your arrival.
If the tyrant were not to learn of your arrival.
Menelaos
Will any one tell him about me? He will certainly not know who I am.
Will any one tell him about me? He will certainly not know who I am.
Helen
He has within an ally equal to the gods.
He has within an ally equal to the gods.
Menelaos
A voice that has settled in the inmost parts of his house?
820
A voice that has settled in the inmost parts of his house?
820
Helen
No, but his sister; she is called Theonoe.
No, but his sister; she is called Theonoe.
Menelaos
The name is prophetic; tell me what she does.
The name is prophetic; tell me what she does.
Helen
She knows everything, and she will tell her brother that you are here.
She knows everything, and she will tell her brother that you are here.
Menelaos
We must die; for I cannot escape her notice.
We must die; for I cannot escape her notice.
Helen
Perhaps we might persuade her by supplication—
825
Perhaps we might persuade her by supplication—
825
Menelaos
To do what? What hope are you leading me to?
To do what? What hope are you leading me to?
Helen
Not to tell her brother that you are here in this land.
Not to tell her brother that you are here in this land.
Menelaos
If we persuade her, could we get away from this country?
If we persuade her, could we get away from this country?
Helen
Easily, in common with her; but secretly we could not.
Easily, in common with her; but secretly we could not.
Menelaos
The task is yours; it is suitable for women to deal with women.
830
The task is yours; it is suitable for women to deal with women.
830
Helen
Be sure that I will clasp her knees.
Be sure that I will clasp her knees.
Helen. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1906.
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