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.
- 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.
- 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.
- But now appoint someone to give us a ship in which to carry these gifts, so that I may have your kindness in full.
- (to an attendant.)You, go and give them a Sidonian ship of fifty oars, and rowers also.
- This man who is ordering the funeral will be in command of the ship, won’t he?
- Most certainly; my sailors must obey him.
- Repeat the order, so that they may clearly understand you.
- I repeat the order, and a third time too, if you wish it.
- May you have benefit from it—and I from my plans!
- Do not ruin your skin with too much weeping now.
- This day will show my gratitude to you.
- The state of the dead is nothingness; toil for them is vain.
- There is something of what I say both there and here.
- You will not find in me a husband at all inferior to Menelaos.
- You are not at fault in any way; good luck is all I need.
- That is in your power, if you show kindness to me.
- This is not a lesson I shall have to learn now, to love my friends.
- Would you like me to send out the equipment in person, working together with you?
- Not at all! Do not become a slave to your slaves, lord.
- Come then! I have no concern with the customs of the race of Pelops.