Helen All right; so far all is well. But how you were saved, my poor husband, from Troy, there is no gain in knowing, yet friends have a desire to learn what their friends have suffered.
Menelaos Truly you have asked a great deal all at once. Why should I tell you about our losses in the Aegean, and Nauplios’ beacons on Euboia, and my visits to Crete and the cities of Libya, and the mountain-peaks of Perseus? For I would not satisfy you with the tale, and by telling you these evils I would suffer still, as I did when I experienced them; and so my grief would be doubled.
Helen Your answer is better than my question. Leave out the rest, and tell me only this: how long were you a weary wanderer over the surface of the sea?
Menelaos Besides those ten years in Troy, I went through seven cycles of years on board ship.
Helen Alas, poor man, you have spoken of a long time; and, saved from there, you have come here to the slaughter.
Menelaos What do you mean? What will you say? Ah, my wife, you have ruined me.
Helen Escape from this land and flee as quickly as possible. The man who lives in this house will kill you.
Menelaos What have I done to deserve such a fate?
Helen You have come unexpectedly to hinder my marriage.
Menelaos What! Does someone plan to marry my wife?
Helen And to act in violence against me, which I have endured.
Menelaos Does he have private power, or is he the ruler of the country?
Helen He is the lord of this land, the son of Proteus.
Menelaos This is that riddle I heard from the servant.
Helen Which one of the barbarian’s gates were you standing beside?
Menelaos This one, from which I was being driven away like a beggar.
Helen You were surely not begging for food, were you? How unhappy I am!
Menelaos That was the deed, though it did not have that name.
Helen Then you know everything, it seems, about my marriage.
Menelaos I do. But if you have escaped his bed—that I do not know.
Helen Know that I have saved myself untouched for you.
Menelaos What could persuade me of this? If true, your words are sweet.
Helen Do you see my wretched sanctuary at this tomb?
Menelaos I see a miserable bed of straw, but what do you have to do with it?
Helen Here, as a suppliant, I am asking for an escape from his bed.
Menelaos For want of an altar, or because it is the barbarians’ way?
Helen This was as good a protection to me as the temples of the gods.
Menelaos Then it’s not possible for me to take you home by ship?
Helen A sword is waiting for you, rather than my bed.
Menelaos So I would be the most wretched of mortals.
Helen Do not feel shame now, but escape from this land.
Menelaos Leaving you behind? I ravaged Troy for your sake.
Helen Yes, for that is better than that our union should cause your death.
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