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. Is Menelaos already at home with his wife?
Teucer
  1. No; he is neither in Argos nor by the streams of the Eurotas.
Helen
  1. Alas! This is evil news for those to whom you bring it.
Teucer
  1. He is said to have disappeared with his wife.
Helen
  1. Wasn’t there the same passage for all the Argives?
Teucer
  1. Yes; but a tempest scattered them in every direction.
Helen
  1. On which surface of the salty ocean?
Teucer
  1. While they were crossing the Aegean in mid-channel.
Helen
  1. And from that time does no one know of Menelaos’ arrival?
Teucer
  1. No one; but throughout Hellas he is reported to be dead.
Helen
  1. I am wholly lost. Is the daughter of Thestius alive?
Teucer
  1. You speak of Leda? She is dead and gone, indeed.
Helen
  1. It wasn’t Helen’s disgraceful fame that killed her, surely?
Teucer
  1. Yes, they say she tied a noose around her noble neck.
Helen
  1. Are the sons of Tyndareus still alive or not?
Teucer
  1. They are dead, and not dead: it is a double story.
Helen
  1. Which report is the stronger? I am so unhappy at these evils!
Teucer
  1. Men say that they are gods in the likeness of stars.
Helen
  1. That is good news; but what is the other story?
Teucer
  1. That they killed themselves because of their sister. But enough of such talk! I do not need to grieve twice. As to why I came to this royal palace,