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.MenelausOh! 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.OrestesWould you question me or hear me speak?MenelausNeither; but I suppose I must hear you.OrestesI intend to kill your daughter, if you want to know.MenelausAfter slaying Helen, you will add murder to murder?OrestesWould I had accomplished that, instead of being duped by the gods!MenelausDo you deny having slain her, and say this out of wanton insult?OrestesYes, I do deny it, to my sorrow. If only I had—MenelausDone what? You frighten me!OrestesHurled the pollution of Hellas to Hades!MenelausGive back my wife’s dead body, so that I may bury her.OrestesAsk the gods for her; but I will kill your daughter.MenelausThis matricide is adding murder to murder.OrestesThis champion of his father, betrayed by you to death.MenelausAre you not content with the present stain of your mother’s blood?OrestesI would not grow tired if I had these wicked women to slay for ever.MenelausAre you too, Pylades, a partner in this bloody work?