Helen

Euripides

Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. I. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1906.

  1. He was cast up on the harborless rocks of Libya.
Theoklymenos
  1. How did this man not perish if he was sailing with him?
Helen
  1. There are times when common men have more luck than their betters.
Theoklymenos
  1. Where did he leave the wreckage of his ship before coming here?
Helen
  1. Where ruin may come upon it— but not on Menelaos!
Theoklymenos
  1. He is already ruined. In what ship did this man come?
Helen
  1. Sailors happened to meet him and took him up, as he says.
Theoklymenos
  1. Where then is that mischievous creature that was sent to Troy in your place?
Helen
  1. You mean the cloud image? It has gone into the air.
Theoklymenos
  1. O Priam, and Trojan lands, how you have perished in vain!
Helen
  1. I too have shared misfortunes with Priam’s race.
Theoklymenos
  1. Did he leave your husband unburied, or did he hide him in the earth?
Helen
  1. He is unburied; I am so unhappy in my troubles!
Theoklymenos
  1. It is for this that you have cut your locks of golden hair?
Helen
  1. Yes, for he is dear to me, whoever he is, being here.
Theoklymenos
  1. She rightly weeps for this misfortune. . .
Helen
  1. It is certainly easy to escape your sister’s notice!
Theoklymenos
  1. No, indeed. Well, what now? Will you continue to live at this tomb?
Helen
  1. Why do you jeer at me? Won’t you let the dead man be?
Theoklymenos
  1. No, for you are loyal to your husband and avoid me.