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. No longer; begin my wedding now.
Theoklymenos
  1. It has come after a long time, but still I commend you for it.
Helen
  1. Do you know what you should do? Let us forget what is past.
Theoklymenos
  1. On what terms? One good turn deserves another.
Helen
  1. Let us make a truce; be reconciled to me.
Theoklymenos
  1. I relinquish my quarrel with you; may it go away on wings.
Helen
  1. Now by your knees, since you are indeed a friend—
Theoklymenos
  1. What thing do you hunt after, that you stretch out a suppliant hand to me?
Helen
  1. I wish to bury my dead husband.
Theoklymenos
  1. What? Is there a tomb for the absent? Or will you bury a shadow?
Helen
  1. It is customary among the Hellenes, whenever someone dies at sea—
Theoklymenos
  1. To do what? The race of Pelops is certainly clever in such matters.
Helen
  1. To carry out the funeral rites in empty woven robes.
Theoklymenos
  1. Hold the funeral; set up the tomb wherever you wish.
Helen
  1. We do not give burial like this to sailors who have perished.
Theoklymenos
  1. How then? I know nothing of the customs in Hellas.
Helen
  1. We take out of harbor to the sea all that is the dead man’s due.
Theoklymenos
  1. Then what am I to give you for the dead man?
Helen
  1. This man knows, but I have no experience, as I was fortunate before.
Theoklymenos
  1. Stranger, you have brought welcome news.