when he saw his friends dying on behalf of a cloud, nor did Helenos; but the city was taken by storm in vain. You might say: because the god did not want them to? Then why do we consult prophets? We ought to sacrifice to the gods and ask a blessing, but leave divination alone;for this was invented otherwise, as a bait for a livelihood, and no man grows rich by sacrifices if he is idle. But sound judgment and discernment are the best of seers. Exit Messenger.Chorus LeaderMy views about seers coincide exactly with this old man’s; whoever has the gods as friendswould have the best prophecy at home.HelenAll right; so far all is well. But how you were saved, my poor husband, from Troy, there is no gain in knowing, yet friends have a desire to learn what their friends have suffered.MenelaosTruly you have asked a great deal all at once. Why should I tell you about our losses in the Aegean, and Nauplios’ beacons on Euboia, and my visits to Crete and the cities of Libya, and the mountain-peaks of Perseus? For I would not satisfy you with the tale,and by telling you these evils I would suffer still, as I did when I experienced them; and so my grief would be doubled.HelenYour answer is better than my question. Leave out the rest, and tell me only this: how long were you a weary wanderer over the surface of the sea?MenelaosBesides those ten years in Troy, I went through seven cycles of years on board ship.HelenAlas, poor man, you have spoken of a long time; and, saved from there, you have come here to the slaughter.MenelaosWhat do you mean? What will you say? Ah, my wife, you have ruined me.HelenEscape from this land and flee as quickly as possible. The man who lives in this house will kill you.MenelaosWhat have I done to deserve such a fate?HelenYou have come unexpectedly to hinder my marriage.MenelaosWhat! Does someone plan to marry my wife?HelenAnd to act in violence against me, which I have endured.MenelaosDoes he have private power, or is he the ruler of the country?HelenHe is the lord of this land, the son of Proteus.MenelaosThis is that riddle I heard from the servant.HelenWhich one of the barbarian’s gates were you standing beside?