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Menelaus
I have come at the report of strange and violent deeds perpetrated
by a pair of lions, men I do not call them. What I heard was that my wife was not dead, but had vanished out of sight, an idle rumor which someone fooled by his own fear brought me. But that is a plot
1555
of the matricide’s—ridiculous!
1560
Open the doors! I tell my servants to force the gates, so that I may rescue my child at any rate from the hands of those blood-stained men and recover my poor wretched wife,
while the ones who destroyed her must die at my hands.
1565
I have come at the report of strange and violent deeds perpetrated
by a pair of lions, men I do not call them. What I heard was that my wife was not dead, but had vanished out of sight, an idle rumor which someone fooled by his own fear brought me. But that is a plot
1555
of the matricide’s—ridiculous!
1560
Open the doors! I tell my servants to force the gates, so that I may rescue my child at any rate from the hands of those blood-stained men and recover my poor wretched wife,
while the ones who destroyed her must die at my hands.
1565
Orestes
from the roof.
You there! Keep your hands off those bolts; I mean you, Menelaus, towering in your audacity! Or I will tear off the ancient parapet, the work of masons,
and shatter your skull with this coping-stone. The doors are bolted and barred, which will prevent your eagerness to bring aid and keep you from entering.
1570
You there! Keep your hands off those bolts; I mean you, Menelaus, towering in your audacity! Or I will tear off the ancient parapet, the work of masons,
and shatter your skull with this coping-stone. The doors are bolted and barred, which will prevent your eagerness to bring aid and keep you from entering.
1570
Menelaus
Oh! What is this? I see a blaze of torches and men standing at bay on the top of the house,
with a sword guarding my daughter’s throat.
1575
Oh! What is this? I see a blaze of torches and men standing at bay on the top of the house,
with a sword guarding my daughter’s throat.
1575
Orestes
Would you question me or hear me speak?
Would you question me or hear me speak?
Menelaus
Neither; but I suppose I must hear you.
Neither; but I suppose I must hear you.
Orestes
I intend to kill your daughter, if you want to know.
I intend to kill your daughter, if you want to know.
Menelaus
After slaying Helen, you will add murder to murder?
After slaying Helen, you will add murder to murder?
Orestes
Would I had accomplished that, instead of being duped by the gods!
1580
Would I had accomplished that, instead of being duped by the gods!
1580
Menelaus
Do you deny having slain her, and say this out of wanton insult?
Do you deny having slain her, and say this out of wanton insult?
Orestes
Yes, I do deny it, to my sorrow. If only I had—
Yes, I do deny it, to my sorrow. If only I had—
Menelaus
Done what? You frighten me!
Done what? You frighten me!
Orestes
Hurled the pollution of
Hellas
to Hades!
Hurled the pollution of
Hellas
to Hades!
Menelaus
Give back my wife’s dead body, so that I may bury her.
1585
Give back my wife’s dead body, so that I may bury her.
1585
Orestes
Ask the gods for her; but I will kill your daughter.
Ask the gods for her; but I will kill your daughter.
Menelaus
This matricide is adding murder to murder.
This matricide is adding murder to murder.
Orestes
This champion of his father, betrayed by you to death.
This champion of his father, betrayed by you to death.
Menelaus
Are you not content with the present stain of your mother’s blood?
Are you not content with the present stain of your mother’s blood?
Orestes
I would not grow tired if I had these wicked women to slay for ever.
1590
I would not grow tired if I had these wicked women to slay for ever.
1590
Menelaus
Are you too, Pylades, a partner in this bloody work?
Are you too, Pylades, a partner in this bloody work?
Orestes
His silence says he is; let it suffice for me to say it.
His silence says he is; let it suffice for me to say it.
Menelaus
You’ll say it to your cost, unless you fly away!
You’ll say it to your cost, unless you fly away!
Orestes
We will not try to escape; we will set fire to the palace.
We will not try to escape; we will set fire to the palace.
Menelaus
What! will you destroy the home of your ancestors?
1595
What! will you destroy the home of your ancestors?
1595
Orestes
Yes, so that you don’t have it, and I will offer this girl in sacrifice on the fire.
Yes, so that you don’t have it, and I will offer this girl in sacrifice on the fire.
Menelaus
Kill her; and if you do, I will punish you for it.
Kill her; and if you do, I will punish you for it.
Orestes. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
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