Menelaos Oh! these are coward’s words, unworthy of those days at Troy.
Helen You could not kill the tyrant, your possible intention.
Menelaos Does he then have a body that cannot be wounded by a sword?
Helen You will hear. But to undertake impossibilities is no mark of wisdom.
Menelaos And so I am to offer my hands to be bound, in silence?
Helen You are in a dilemma; we need some contrivance.
Menelaos Yes, for it is sweeter to die in action than by not acting.
Helen There is one hope, and only one, for our safety.
Menelaos Are we to buy it, or dare it, or win it with words?
Helen If the tyrant were not to learn of your arrival.
Menelaos Will any one tell him about me? He will certainly not know who I am.
Helen He has within an ally equal to the gods.
Menelaos A voice that has settled in the inmost parts of his house?
Helen No, but his sister; she is called Theonoe.
Menelaos The name is prophetic; tell me what she does.
Helen She knows everything, and she will tell her brother that you are here.
Menelaos We must die; for I cannot escape her notice.
Helen Perhaps we might persuade her by supplication—
Menelaos To do what? What hope are you leading me to?
Helen Not to tell her brother that you are here in this land.
Menelaos If we persuade her, could we get away from this country?
Helen Easily, in common with her; but secretly we could not.
Menelaos The task is yours; it is suitable for women to deal with women.
Helen Be sure that I will clasp her knees.
Menelaos Well, then, what if she rejects our proposals?
Helen You will die. And I, the unhappy one, will be married by force.
Menelaos You would be a traitor; that force of yours is all an excuse.
Helen But I have sworn a sacred oath by your life—
Menelaos What do you mean? To die? And never to take his bed in exchange for mine?
Helen Yes, by the same sword; I will lie at your side.
Menelaos Then on these conditions touch my right hand.
Helen I touch it, swearing that I will leave the light of day if you die.
Menelaos And I will end my life if I lose you.
Helen How then shall we die so as to insure our reputation for this?
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