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. in order to to set up the trophies of countless barbarians, whenever we embark on the oared ship. I adorned him with robes in place of his shipwrecked garments, and I washed him, a long-delayed bath in water from the stream.
  2. But I must be silent, for the man is coming from the house who thinks he holds my marriage ready in his hands; and I claim your goodwill and strict silence, so that, when we have saved ourselves, we may be able some day to save you also.
Theoklymenos
  1. Advance in order, servants, as the stranger directed, bearing the funeral gifts for the sea. But you, Helen, if you will agree with my words, be persuaded and stay here; for you will do your husband equal service whether you are present or not.
  2. For I am afraid that some sudden passion should persuade you to throw your body into the swelling waves, stricken by love for your former husband; you are grieving for him too much, although he is lost.
Helen
  1. O my new husband, I must honor
  2. my first marriage-bed and the one whose company I shared as a bride; for I could even die with my husband, I loved him so much. But how could he thank me, if I were to share death with him? Let me go and pay funeral rites to the dead in person.
  3. May the gods give to you the things I wish and also to this stranger here, for his assistance! And you will have in me such a wife at home as you ought to have, since you are doing a good service to Menelaos and to me; for surely these events are leading to some good fortune.
  4. But now appoint someone to give us a ship in which to carry these gifts, so that I may have your kindness in full.
Theoklymenos
  1. (to an attendant.)You, go and give them a Sidonian ship of fifty oars, and rowers also.
Helen
  1. This man who is ordering the funeral will be in command of the ship, won’t he?
Theoklymenos
  1. Most certainly; my sailors must obey him.
Helen
  1. Repeat the order, so that they may clearly understand you.
Theoklymenos
  1. I repeat the order, and a third time too, if you wish it.
Helen
  1. May you have benefit from it—and I from my plans!
Thoeklymenos
  1. Do not ruin your skin with too much weeping now.