Euripides, Helen, ed. Gilbert Murray, 1206

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

View: By Scene

← Previous Next →

Θεοκλύμενος

ποδαπὸς δʼ ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ καὶ πόθεν κατέσχε γῆν;

Ἑλένη

Ἕλλην, Ἀχαιῶν εἷς ἐμῷ σύμπλους πόσει.

Θεοκλύμενος

θανάτῳ δὲ ποίῳ φησὶ Μενέλεων θανεῖν;

Ἑλένη

οἰκτρόταθʼ, ὑγροῖσιν ἐν κλυδωνίοις ἁλός.

Θεοκλύμενος

ποῦ βαρβάροισι πελάγεσιν ναυσθλούμενον;
1210

Ἑλένη

Λιβύης ἀλιμένοις ἐκπεσόντα πρὸς πέτραις.

Θεοκλύμενος

καὶ πῶς ὅδʼ οὐκ ὄλωλε κοινωνῶν πλάτης;

Ἑλένη

ἐσθλῶν κακίους ἐνίοτʼ εὐτυχέστεροι.

Θεοκλύμενος

λιπὼν δὲ ναὸς ποῦ πάρεστιν ἔκβολα;

Ἑλένη

ὅπου κακῶς ὄλοιτο, Μενέλεως δὲ μή.
1215

Θεοκλύμενος

ὄλωλʼ ἐκεῖνος. ἦλθε δʼ ἐν ποίῳ σκάφει;

Ἑλένη

ναῦταί σφʼ ἀνείλοντʼ ἐντυχόντες, ὡς λέγει.

Θεοκλύμενος

ποῦ δὴ τὸ πεμφθὲν ἀντὶ σοῦ Τροίᾳ κακόν;

Ἑλένη

νεφέλης λέγεις ἄγαλμα; ἐς αἰθέρʼ οἴχεται.

Θεοκλύμενος

ὦ Πρίαμε καὶ γῆ Τρῳάς, ὡς ἔρρεις μάτην.
1220

Ἑλένη

κἀγὼ μετέσχον Πριαμίδαις δυσπραξίας.

Θεοκλύμενος

πόσιν δʼ ἄθαπτον ἔλιπεν ἢ κρύπτει χθονί;

Ἑλένη

ἄθαπτον· οἲ ἐγὼ τῶν ἐμῶν τλήμων κακῶν.

Θεοκλύμενος

τῶνδʼ οὕνεκʼ ἔταμες βοστρύχους ξανθῆς κόμης·

Ἑλένη

φίλος γάρ ἐστιν, ὅς ποτʼ ἐστίν, ἐνθάδʼ ὤν.
1225

Θεοκλύμενος

ὀρθῶς μὲν ἥδε συμφορὰ δακρύεται —

Ἑλένη

ἐν εὐμαρεῖ γοῦν σὴν κασιγνήτην λαθεῖν.

Θεοκλύμενος

οὐ δῆτα. πῶς οὖν; τόνδʼ ἔτʼ οἰκήσεις τάφον;

Ἑλένη

τί κερτομεῖς με, τὸν θανόντα δʼ οὐκ ἐᾷς;

Θεοκλύμενος

πιστὴ γὰρ εἶ σὺ σῷ πόσει φεύγουσά με.
1230

Ἑλένη

ἀλλʼ οὐκέτʼ· ἤδη δʼ ἄρχε τῶν ἐμῶν γάμων.

Θεοκλύμενος

χρόνια μὲν ἦλθεν, ἀλλʼ ὅμως αἰνῶ τάδε.

Ἑλένη

οἶσθʼ οὖν ὃ δρᾶσον; τῶν πάρος λαθώμεθα.

Θεοκλύμενος

ἐπὶ τῷ; χάρις γὰρ ἀντὶ χάριτος ἐλθέτω.

Ἑλένη

σπονδὰς τέμωμεν καὶ διαλλάχθητί μοι.
1235

Θεοκλύμενος

μεθίημι νεῖκος τὸ σόν, ἴτω δʼ ὑπόπτερον.

Ἑλένη

πρός νύν σε γονάτων τῶνδʼ, ἐπείπερ εἶ φίλος —

Θεοκλύμενος

τί χρῆμα θηρῶσʼ ἱκέτις ὠρέχθης ἐμοῦ;

Ἑλένη

τὸν κατθανόντα πόσιν ἐμὸν θάψαι θέλω.

Θεοκλύμενος

τί δʼ; ἔστʼ ἀπόντων τύμβος; ἢ θάψεις σκιάν;
1240

Ἑλένη

Ἕλλησίν ἐστι νόμος, ὃς ἂν πόντῳ θάνῃ —

Θεοκλύμενος

τί δρᾶν; σοφοί τοι Πελοπίδαι τὰ τοιάδε.

Ἑλένη

κενοῖσι θάπτειν ἐν πέπλων ὑφάσμασιν.

Θεοκλύμενος

κτέριζʼ· ἀνίστη τύμβον οὗ χρῄζεις χθονός.

Ἑλένη

οὐχ ὧδε ναύτας ὀλομένους τυμβεύομεν.
1245

Θεοκλύμενος

πῶς δαί; λέλειμμαι τῶν ἐν Ἕλλησιν νόμων.

Ἑλένη

ἐς πόντον ὅσα χρὴ νέκυσιν ἐξορμίζομεν.

Θεοκλύμενος

τί σοι παράσχω δῆτα τῷ τεθνηκότι;

Ἑλένη

ὅδʼ οἶδʼ, ἐγὼ δʼ ἄπειρος, εὐτυχοῦσα πρίν.

Helen. Euripides. ed. Gilbert Murray. Oxford. 1913.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

Ἑλένη (Greek) (Euripides. Euripidis Fabulae, Vol. III. Murray, Gilbert, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1913. (Reprinted 1920-1978))

Translations (3)

Helen Perseus (Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Vol. I. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1906. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 1206 focus

Theoklymenos

What is this man’s country, and where did he come from, to land here?

Helen

He is a Hellene, one of the Achaeans who saiIed with my husband.

Theoklymenos

What kind of death does he say Menelaos died?

Helen

The most piteous, in the watery waves at sea.

Theoklymenos

On what part of the barbarous ocean was he sailing?
1210

Helen

He was cast up on the harborless rocks of Libya .

Theoklymenos

How did this man not perish if he was sailing with him?

Helen

There are times when common men have more luck than their betters.

Theoklymenos

Where did he leave the wreckage of his ship before coming here?

Helen

Where ruin may come upon it— but not on Menelaos!
1215

Theoklymenos

He is already ruined. In what ship did this man come?

Helen

Sailors happened to meet him and took him up, as he says.

Theoklymenos

Where then is that mischievous creature that was sent to Troy in your place?

Helen

You mean the cloud image? It has gone into the air.

Theoklymenos

O Priam, and Trojan lands, how you have perished in vain!
1220

Helen

I too have shared misfortunes with Priam’s race.

Theoklymenos

Did he leave your husband unburied, or did he hide him in the earth?

Helen

He is unburied; I am so unhappy in my troubles!

Theoklymenos

It is for this that you have cut your locks of golden hair?

Helen

Yes, for he is dear to me, whoever he is, being here.
1225

Theoklymenos

She rightly weeps for this misfortune. . .

Helen

It is certainly easy to escape your sister’s notice!

Theoklymenos

No, indeed. Well, what now? Will you continue to live at this tomb?

Helen

Why do you jeer at me? Won’t you let the dead man be?

Theoklymenos

No, for you are loyal to your husband and avoid me.
1230

Helen

No longer; begin my wedding now.

Theoklymenos

It has come after a long time, but still I commend you for it.

Helen

Do you know what you should do? Let us forget what is past.

Theoklymenos

On what terms? One good turn deserves another.

Helen

Let us make a truce; be reconciled to me.
1235

Theoklymenos

I relinquish my quarrel with you; may it go away on wings.

Helen

Now by your knees, since you are indeed a friend—

Theoklymenos

What thing do you hunt after, that you stretch out a suppliant hand to me?

Helen

I wish to bury my dead husband.

Theoklymenos

What? Is there a tomb for the absent? Or will you bury a shadow?
1240

Helen

It is customary among the Hellenes, whenever someone dies at sea—

Theoklymenos

To do what? The race of Pelops is certainly clever in such matters.

Helen

To carry out the funeral rites in empty woven robes.

Theoklymenos

Hold the funeral; set up the tomb wherever you wish.

Helen

We do not give burial like this to sailors who have perished.
1245

Theoklymenos

How then? I know nothing of the customs in Hellas .

Helen

We take out of harbor to the sea all that is the dead man’s due.

Theoklymenos

Then what am I to give you for the dead man?

Helen

This man knows, but I have no experience, as I was fortunate before.

Helen (OCR draft) Experimental (Helen. Robert Potter's English verse translation, first published in 1781–1783; text from the 1808 Oxford printing.)

No corresponding passage available

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1845; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (Euripides. Deutsch in den Versmaßen der Urschrift. Volume 2, Heidelberg: C. F. Winter, 1845. Harvard OCR compared with an independent BSB copy. Native Donner verse citations, Murray reference cards, explicitly located notes and page facsimiles. Unresolved OCR, verse divisions, unlocated notes and printed errata are documented in the source review.) — 1206 focus

Wer ist er, und von wannen kam er hergeschifft?

Helena.

Der Achder Einer, meines Gatten Schiffsgenoß.

Theoklymenos.

Und welches Todes, sagt er, daß Menelaos starb?
1155

Helena.

Des jammervollsten, in des Meeres nasser Flut.

Theoklymenos.

Wo trieb er um auf fremder unwirthbarer See?

Helena.

An Libya's portlosen Klippen scheitert' er.

Theoklymenos.

Und dieser kam nicht um, und war im gleichen Schiff?

Helena.

Oft haben Edle mindres Gluck, als Niedere.
1160

Theoklymenos.

Wo ließ der Mann die Trümmer seines Schiffs zurück?

Helena.

Wo Frevler sterben sollten, doch Menelaos nicht!¹

Theoklymenos.

Er ist dahin: sei's! Aber wie kam dieser her?

Helena.

Ihn nahm ein Schiff auf, sagt er, das vorüberfuhr.

Theoklymenos.

Wo weilt das Unheil, das für dich nach Troja zog?
1165

Helena.

Du meinst das Wolkenbild? Zum Aether schwand's hinauf.

Theoklymenos,

Priamos und Troas, welch ein Nichts gab euch den Tod!

Helena.

Am Loos der Priamiden ward auch mir mein Theil.

Theoklymenos,

Begrub er oder ließ er ihn grablos zurück?

Helena.

Grablos. Ich Ungluckvolle, welch ein bittres Loos!
1170

Theoklymenos,

Drum schnittest du des blonden Haares Locken ab?

Helena.

Lieb ist ja, wer es Einmal war, dort unten auch,

Theoklymenos,

So wird mit Recht ein solches Ungemach beweint?

Helena.

Du trügest wohl gleichgultig deiner Schwester Tod?

Theoklymenos.

Mitnichten. Aber bleibst du stets am Grabe hier?
1175

Helena.

Was krånkst du mich, und lassest nicht den Todten ruhn?

Theoklymenos.

Treu bist du deinem Gatten und mich fliehst du ja.

Helena.

Nicht långer; jezo denk' an mein Vermählungsfest.

Theoklymenos.

Spåt kamst du damit; aber dennoch lob' ich es.

Helena.

Nun hore: was vergangen, soll vergessen sein.²
1180

Theoklymenos.

Was wirst du bieten? Gunst um Gunst sei dir gewährt.

Helena.

Laß einen Bund uns schließen, sei mir wieder hold.

Theoklymenos.

Nicht länger groll' ich: mag der Wind den Groll verwehn!³

Helena.

Bei deinen Knieen, weil du mir so freundlich bist -

Theoklymenos.

Wonach verlangend, wirsst du dich zu meinen Knien?
1185

Helena.

Dem todten Gatten möcht' ich, Herr, ein Grab erbaun.

Theoklymenos.

Dem Fernen? Oder willst du's einem Schatten weihn?

Helena.

Hellenenbrauch ist, wer in Meeresfluten stirbt, -

Theoklymenos.

Was thun sie? Pelops' Sohne sind der Dinge kund.

Helena.

In leeren Trauergewanden wohl begråbt man ihn.
1190

Theoklymenos.

Bestatt' ihn, bau' im Lande, wo du willst, ein Grab.

Helena.

Nicht so begråbt man Schiffer, die das Meer verschlang.

Theoklymenos.

Wie denn? Die Brauch' in Hellas' Volke kenn' ich nicht.

Helena.

Man wirft in Meeresfluten, was den Todten ziemt.

Theoklymenos.

Was soll ich dir denn geben für den todten Freund?
1195

Helena.

Weiß nicht; ich bin unkundig, weil ich glucklich war.

(zu Menelaos)

Theoklymenos.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Θεοκλύμενος ποδαπὸς δʼ ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ καὶ πόθεν κατέσχε γῆν;

Ἑλένη Ἕλλην, Ἀχαιῶν εἷς ἐμῷ σύμπλους πόσει.

Θεοκλύμενος θανάτῳ δὲ ποίῳ φησὶ Μενέλεων θανεῖν;

Ἑλένη οἰκτρόταθʼ, ὑγροῖσιν ἐν κλυδωνίοις ἁλός.

Θεοκλύμενος ποῦ βαρβάροισι πελάγεσιν ναυσθλούμενον; 1210

Ἑλένη Λιβύης ἀλιμένοις ἐκπεσόντα πρὸς πέτραις.

Θεοκλύμενος καὶ πῶς ὅδʼ οὐκ ὄλωλε κοινωνῶν πλάτης;

Ἑλένη ἐσθλῶν κακίους ἐνίοτʼ εὐτυχέστεροι.

Θεοκλύμενος λιπὼν δὲ ναὸς ποῦ πάρεστιν ἔκβολα;

Ἑλένη ὅπου κακῶς ὄλοιτο, Μενέλεως δὲ μή. 1215

Θεοκλύμενος ὄλωλʼ ἐκεῖνος. ἦλθε δʼ ἐν ποίῳ σκάφει;

Ἑλένη ναῦταί σφʼ ἀνείλοντʼ ἐντυχόντες, ὡς λέγει.

Θεοκλύμενος ποῦ δὴ τὸ πεμφθὲν ἀντὶ σοῦ Τροίᾳ κακόν;

Ἑλένη νεφέλης λέγεις ἄγαλμα; ἐς αἰθέρʼ οἴχεται.

Θεοκλύμενος ὦ Πρίαμε καὶ γῆ Τρῳάς, ὡς ἔρρεις μάτην. 1220

Ἑλένη κἀγὼ μετέσχον Πριαμίδαις δυσπραξίας.

Θεοκλύμενος πόσιν δʼ ἄθαπτον ἔλιπεν ἢ κρύπτει χθονί;

Ἑλένη ἄθαπτον· οἲ ἐγὼ τῶν ἐμῶν τλήμων κακῶν.

Θεοκλύμενος τῶνδʼ οὕνεκʼ ἔταμες βοστρύχους ξανθῆς κόμης·

Ἑλένη φίλος γάρ ἐστιν, ὅς ποτʼ ἐστίν, ἐνθάδʼ ὤν. 1225

Θεοκλύμενος ὀρθῶς μὲν ἥδε συμφορὰ δακρύεται —

Ἑλένη ἐν εὐμαρεῖ γοῦν σὴν κασιγνήτην λαθεῖν.

Θεοκλύμενος οὐ δῆτα. πῶς οὖν; τόνδʼ ἔτʼ οἰκήσεις τάφον;

Ἑλένη τί κερτομεῖς με, τὸν θανόντα δʼ οὐκ ἐᾷς;

Θεοκλύμενος πιστὴ γὰρ εἶ σὺ σῷ πόσει φεύγουσά με. 1230

Ἑλένη ἀλλʼ οὐκέτʼ· ἤδη δʼ ἄρχε τῶν ἐμῶν γάμων.

Θεοκλύμενος χρόνια μὲν ἦλθεν, ἀλλʼ ὅμως αἰνῶ τάδε.

Ἑλένη οἶσθʼ οὖν ὃ δρᾶσον; τῶν πάρος λαθώμεθα.

Θεοκλύμενος ἐπὶ τῷ; χάρις γὰρ ἀντὶ χάριτος ἐλθέτω.

Ἑλένη σπονδὰς τέμωμεν καὶ διαλλάχθητί μοι. 1235

Θεοκλύμενος μεθίημι νεῖκος τὸ σόν, ἴτω δʼ ὑπόπτερον.

Ἑλένη πρός νύν σε γονάτων τῶνδʼ, ἐπείπερ εἶ φίλος —

Θεοκλύμενος τί χρῆμα θηρῶσʼ ἱκέτις ὠρέχθης ἐμοῦ;

Ἑλένη τὸν κατθανόντα πόσιν ἐμὸν θάψαι θέλω.

Θεοκλύμενος τί δʼ; ἔστʼ ἀπόντων τύμβος; ἢ θάψεις σκιάν; 1240

Ἑλένη Ἕλλησίν ἐστι νόμος, ὃς ἂν πόντῳ θάνῃ —

Θεοκλύμενος τί δρᾶν; σοφοί τοι Πελοπίδαι τὰ τοιάδε.

Ἑλένη κενοῖσι θάπτειν ἐν πέπλων ὑφάσμασιν.

Θεοκλύμενος κτέριζʼ· ἀνίστη τύμβον οὗ χρῄζεις χθονός.

Ἑλένη οὐχ ὧδε ναύτας ὀλομένους τυμβεύομεν. 1245

Θεοκλύμενος πῶς δαί; λέλειμμαι τῶν ἐν Ἕλλησιν νόμων.

Ἑλένη ἐς πόντον ὅσα χρὴ νέκυσιν ἐξορμίζομεν.

Θεοκλύμενος τί σοι παράσχω δῆτα τῷ τεθνηκότι;

Ἑλένη ὅδʼ οἶδʼ, ἐγὼ δʼ ἄπειρος, εὐτυχοῦσα πρίν.

Current edition Perseus

Theoklymenos What is this man’s country, and where did he come from, to land here?

Helen He is a Hellene, one of the Achaeans who saiIed with my husband.

Theoklymenos What kind of death does he say Menelaos died?

Helen The most piteous, in the watery waves at sea.

Theoklymenos On what part of the barbarous ocean was he sailing? 1210

Helen He was cast up on the harborless rocks of Libya .

Theoklymenos How did this man not perish if he was sailing with him?

Helen There are times when common men have more luck than their betters.

Theoklymenos Where did he leave the wreckage of his ship before coming here?

Helen Where ruin may come upon it— but not on Menelaos! 1215

Theoklymenos He is already ruined. In what ship did this man come?

Helen Sailors happened to meet him and took him up, as he says.

Theoklymenos Where then is that mischievous creature that was sent to Troy in your place?

Helen You mean the cloud image? It has gone into the air.

Theoklymenos O Priam, and Trojan lands, how you have perished in vain! 1220

Helen I too have shared misfortunes with Priam’s race.

Theoklymenos Did he leave your husband unburied, or did he hide him in the earth?

Helen He is unburied; I am so unhappy in my troubles!

Theoklymenos It is for this that you have cut your locks of golden hair?

Helen Yes, for he is dear to me, whoever he is, being here. 1225

Theoklymenos She rightly weeps for this misfortune. . .

Helen It is certainly easy to escape your sister’s notice!

Theoklymenos No, indeed. Well, what now? Will you continue to live at this tomb?

Helen Why do you jeer at me? Won’t you let the dead man be?

Theoklymenos No, for you are loyal to your husband and avoid me. 1230

Helen No longer; begin my wedding now.

Theoklymenos It has come after a long time, but still I commend you for it.

Helen Do you know what you should do? Let us forget what is past.

Theoklymenos On what terms? One good turn deserves another.

Helen Let us make a truce; be reconciled to me. 1235

Theoklymenos I relinquish my quarrel with you; may it go away on wings.

Helen Now by your knees, since you are indeed a friend—

Theoklymenos What thing do you hunt after, that you stretch out a suppliant hand to me?

Θεοκλύμενος

ποδαπὸς δʼ ὅδʼ ἁνὴρ καὶ πόθεν κατέσχε γῆν;

Ἑλένη

Ἕλλην, Ἀχαιῶν εἷς ἐμῷ σύμπλους πόσει.

Θεοκλύμενος

θανάτῳ δὲ ποίῳ φησὶ Μενέλεων θανεῖν;

Ἑλένη

οἰκτρόταθʼ, ὑγροῖσιν ἐν κλυδωνίοις ἁλός.

Θεοκλύμενος

ποῦ βαρβάροισι πελάγεσιν ναυσθλούμενον;
1210

Ἑλένη

Λιβύης ἀλιμένοις ἐκπεσόντα πρὸς πέτραις.

Θεοκλύμενος

καὶ πῶς ὅδʼ οὐκ ὄλωλε κοινωνῶν πλάτης;

Ἑλένη

ἐσθλῶν κακίους ἐνίοτʼ εὐτυχέστεροι.

Θεοκλύμενος

λιπὼν δὲ ναὸς ποῦ πάρεστιν ἔκβολα;

Ἑλένη

ὅπου κακῶς ὄλοιτο, Μενέλεως δὲ μή.
1215

Θεοκλύμενος

ὄλωλʼ ἐκεῖνος. ἦλθε δʼ ἐν ποίῳ σκάφει;

Ἑλένη

ναῦταί σφʼ ἀνείλοντʼ ἐντυχόντες, ὡς λέγει.

Θεοκλύμενος

ποῦ δὴ τὸ πεμφθὲν ἀντὶ σοῦ Τροίᾳ κακόν;

Ἑλένη

νεφέλης λέγεις ἄγαλμα; ἐς αἰθέρʼ οἴχεται.

Θεοκλύμενος

ὦ Πρίαμε καὶ γῆ Τρῳάς, ὡς ἔρρεις μάτην.
1220

Ἑλένη

κἀγὼ μετέσχον Πριαμίδαις δυσπραξίας.

Θεοκλύμενος

πόσιν δʼ ἄθαπτον ἔλιπεν ἢ κρύπτει χθονί;

Ἑλένη

ἄθαπτον· οἲ ἐγὼ τῶν ἐμῶν τλήμων κακῶν.

Θεοκλύμενος

τῶνδʼ οὕνεκʼ ἔταμες βοστρύχους ξανθῆς κόμης·

Ἑλένη

φίλος γάρ ἐστιν, ὅς ποτʼ ἐστίν, ἐνθάδʼ ὤν.
1225

Θεοκλύμενος

ὀρθῶς μὲν ἥδε συμφορὰ δακρύεται —

Ἑλένη

ἐν εὐμαρεῖ γοῦν σὴν κασιγνήτην λαθεῖν.

Θεοκλύμενος

οὐ δῆτα. πῶς οὖν; τόνδʼ ἔτʼ οἰκήσεις τάφον;

Ἑλένη

τί κερτομεῖς με, τὸν θανόντα δʼ οὐκ ἐᾷς;

Θεοκλύμενος

πιστὴ γὰρ εἶ σὺ σῷ πόσει φεύγουσά με.
1230

Ἑλένη

ἀλλʼ οὐκέτʼ· ἤδη δʼ ἄρχε τῶν ἐμῶν γάμων.

Θεοκλύμενος

χρόνια μὲν ἦλθεν, ἀλλʼ ὅμως αἰνῶ τάδε.

Ἑλένη

οἶσθʼ οὖν ὃ δρᾶσον; τῶν πάρος λαθώμεθα.

Θεοκλύμενος

ἐπὶ τῷ; χάρις γὰρ ἀντὶ χάριτος ἐλθέτω.

Ἑλένη

σπονδὰς τέμωμεν καὶ διαλλάχθητί μοι.
1235

Θεοκλύμενος

μεθίημι νεῖκος τὸ σόν, ἴτω δʼ ὑπόπτερον.

Ἑλένη

πρός νύν σε γονάτων τῶνδʼ, ἐπείπερ εἶ φίλος —

Θεοκλύμενος

τί χρῆμα θηρῶσʼ ἱκέτις ὠρέχθης ἐμοῦ;

Ἑλένη

τὸν κατθανόντα πόσιν ἐμὸν θάψαι θέλω.

Θεοκλύμενος

τί δʼ; ἔστʼ ἀπόντων τύμβος; ἢ θάψεις σκιάν;
1240

Ἑλένη

Ἕλλησίν ἐστι νόμος, ὃς ἂν πόντῳ θάνῃ —

Θεοκλύμενος

τί δρᾶν; σοφοί τοι Πελοπίδαι τὰ τοιάδε.

Ἑλένη

κενοῖσι θάπτειν ἐν πέπλων ὑφάσμασιν.

Θεοκλύμενος

κτέριζʼ· ἀνίστη τύμβον οὗ χρῄζεις χθονός.

Ἑλένη

οὐχ ὧδε ναύτας ὀλομένους τυμβεύομεν.
1245

Θεοκλύμενος

πῶς δαί; λέλειμμαι τῶν ἐν Ἕλλησιν νόμων.

Ἑλένη

ἐς πόντον ὅσα χρὴ νέκυσιν ἐξορμίζομεν.

Θεοκλύμενος

τί σοι παράσχω δῆτα τῷ τεθνηκότι;

Ἑλένη

ὅδʼ οἶδʼ, ἐγὼ δʼ ἄπειρος, εὐτυχοῦσα πρίν.

Theoklymenos

What is this man’s country, and where did he come from, to land here?

Helen

He is a Hellene, one of the Achaeans who saiIed with my husband.

Theoklymenos

What kind of death does he say Menelaos died?

Helen

The most piteous, in the watery waves at sea.

Theoklymenos

On what part of the barbarous ocean was he sailing?
1210

Helen

He was cast up on the harborless rocks of Libya .

Theoklymenos

How did this man not perish if he was sailing with him?

Helen

There are times when common men have more luck than their betters.

Theoklymenos

Where did he leave the wreckage of his ship before coming here?

Helen

Where ruin may come upon it— but not on Menelaos!
1215

Theoklymenos

He is already ruined. In what ship did this man come?

Helen

Sailors happened to meet him and took him up, as he says.

Theoklymenos

Where then is that mischievous creature that was sent to Troy in your place?

Helen

You mean the cloud image? It has gone into the air.

Theoklymenos

O Priam, and Trojan lands, how you have perished in vain!
1220

Helen

I too have shared misfortunes with Priam’s race.

Theoklymenos

Did he leave your husband unburied, or did he hide him in the earth?

Helen

He is unburied; I am so unhappy in my troubles!

Theoklymenos

It is for this that you have cut your locks of golden hair?

Helen

Yes, for he is dear to me, whoever he is, being here.
1225

Theoklymenos

She rightly weeps for this misfortune. . .

Helen

It is certainly easy to escape your sister’s notice!

Theoklymenos

No, indeed. Well, what now? Will you continue to live at this tomb?

Helen

Why do you jeer at me? Won’t you let the dead man be?

Theoklymenos

No, for you are loyal to your husband and avoid me.
1230

Helen

No longer; begin my wedding now.

Theoklymenos

It has come after a long time, but still I commend you for it.

Helen

Do you know what you should do? Let us forget what is past.

Theoklymenos

On what terms? One good turn deserves another.

Helen

Let us make a truce; be reconciled to me.
1235

Theoklymenos

I relinquish my quarrel with you; may it go away on wings.

Helen

Now by your knees, since you are indeed a friend—

Theoklymenos

What thing do you hunt after, that you stretch out a suppliant hand to me?

Helen

I wish to bury my dead husband.

Theoklymenos

What? Is there a tomb for the absent? Or will you bury a shadow?
1240

Helen

It is customary among the Hellenes, whenever someone dies at sea—