fall, some stood upright, you would have seen others lying dead. But Menelaos, in full armor, wherever he spied that his comrades were suffering, would go there, sword in hand; and so we divedfrom the ship, and he cleared the benches of your rowers. Then going to the helmsman he told him to sail a straight course to Hellas. So they set up the mast, and favoring breezes blew.They are gone from here. But I escaped death and let myself down by the anchor into the sea;and just as I was worn out, some fisherman took me up, and put me out on land, to bring you this report. Nothing is more useful to mankind than a prudent distrust.Chorus LeaderI never would have believed that Menelaos could have eluded both usand you, O king, the way he did on his arrival.

TheoklymenosCaught by a woman’s tricks, unhappy that I am! My bride has escaped me. If the ship could have been pursued and overtaken, I would have made an effort to catch the strangers at once; but now I will avenge myself upon my treacherous sister,for she saw Menelaos in my house and did not tell me. Therefore she will never deceive another man by her oracles.ServantYou, there! Where are you rushing off to, my lord? to what bloody deed?TheoklymenosWhere justice calls me. Get out of my way!ServantI will not let go of your robe, for you are striving after great wickedness.TheoklymenosWill you rule over your master, although you are a slave?ServantYes, for I am in my right mind.TheoklymenosNot in my opinion, if you will not let me—ServantNo, I will not let you!