AGAMEMNON

If you went mad, Ajax, and killed only yourself, instead of all of us as you had intended, why do you blame Odysseus? Why wouldn’t you look at him the other day, when he came to consult the prophet, ¹ or even deign to speak to your fellow-soldier and comrade, but went striding past him with your head in the air?

AJAX

And quite right, too, Agamemnon. He was personally to blame for my madness, by being my only rival for the arms. ²

AGAMEMNON

Did you expect to be unopposed and to overcome us all without a struggle?

AJAX

Yes, under the circumstances. The armour belonged to me by natural right, as it was my cousin’s, and the rest of you, though far superior to him, wouldn’t compete, but left the prize for me; the son of Laertes, however, whom I’d often saved when in danger of being cut to pieces by the Phrygians, claimed he was my superior and more deserving of the arms.

AGAMEMNON

Blame Thetis, then, my good man. She ought to have left you the arms as a legacy to a kinsman, but she brought them and delivered them up to the community.

AJAX

No, Odysseus is to blame, as the only one to make a rival claim.

AGAMEMNON

There’s some excuse for him, Ajax, as he’s only a man, and was eager for glory, the sweetest thing of all, the thing for which each of us faced danger, especially as he was judged your better—and, what’s more, by Trojans. ³

AJAX

I know who voted against me, but it’s not right to discuss the gods. However, as far as Odysseus is concerned, I couldn’t stop myself from hating him, even if Athena herself ordered me to do so.

Protesilaus

Lord, King, our Zeus! and thou, daughter of Demeter! grant a lover’s boon!

Pluto

What do you want? who are you?

Protesilaus

Protesilaus, son of Iphiclus, of Phylace, one of the Achaean host, the first that died at Troy. And the boon I ask is release and one day’s life.

Pluto

Ah, friend, that is the love that all these dead men love, and none shall ever win.

Protesilaus

Nay, dread lord, ’tis not life I love, but the bride that I left new wedded in my chamber that day I sailed away—ah me, to be slain by Hector as my foot touched land! My lord, that yearning gives me no peace. I return content, if she might look on me but for an hour.

Pluto

Did you miss your dose of Lethe, man?

Protesilaus

Nay, lord; but this prevailed against it.

Pluto

Oh, well, wait a little; she will come to you dne day; it is so simple; no need for you to be going up.

Protesilaus

My heart is sick with hope deferred; thou too, O Pluto, hast loved; thou knowest what love is.

Pluto

What good will it do you to come to life for a day, and then renew your pains?

Protesilaus

I think to win her to come with me, and bring two dead for one.

Pluto

It may not be; it never has been.

Protesilaus

Bethink thee, Pluto. 'Twas for this same cause that ye gave Orpheus his Eurydice; and Heracles had interest enough to be granted Alcestis; she was of my kin.

Pluto

Would you like to present that bare ugly skull to your fair bride? will she admit you, when she cannot tell you from another man? I know well enough; she will be frightened and run from you, and you will have gone all that way for nothing.

Persephone

Husband, doctor that disease yourself: tell Hermes, as soon as Protesilaus reaches the light, to touch him with his wand, and make him young and fair as when he left the bridal chamber.

Pluto

Well, I cannot refuse a lady. Hermes, take him up and turn him into a bridegroom. But mind, you sir, a strictly temporary one,