You are right; a dilemma. Well, what if I were to hide in the house and kill the king with this two-edged sword?HelenHis sister would never be silent or allow you to intend her own brother’s death.MenelaosNor indeed is there a ship in which we might safely escape; for the sea holds the one we had.HelenListen to me, if even a woman can say something wise.Are you willing to be called dead in word, though you are not dead?MenelaosIt is a bad omen; but if I profit by it, I am ready to be called dead in word, though I am not dead.HelenAnd truly I would mourn you, as women do, with hair cut short and laments before this impious man.MenelaosWhat saving remedy does this have for us two? There is a flavor of deception in your scheme.HelenI will beg the tyrant of this country for permission to bury you in an empty tomb, as if you had really died at sea.MenelaosSoppose he allows it; then how shall we escape with no ship,when we have buried my body in the empty tomb?HelenI will urge him to give me a vessel, from which I shall have the offerings from your tomb let down into the sea’s embrace.MenelaosYou have spoken well, except for one thing: if he commands you to set up a tomb on the dry land, your pretext comes to nothing.HelenBut I will say it is not the custom in Hellas to bury those who have died at sea on the dry land.MenelaosYou are setting this right, too; then I will sail with you, and help let down the funeral offerings, in the same ship.