Theoklymenos No, for you are loyal to your husband and avoid me.
Helen No longer; begin my wedding now.
Theoklymenos It has come after a long time, but still I commend you for it.
Helen Do you know what you should do? Let us forget what is past.
Theoklymenos On what terms? One good turn deserves another.
Helen Let us make a truce; be reconciled to me.
Theoklymenos I relinquish my quarrel with you; may it go away on wings.
Helen Now by your knees, since you are indeed a friend—
Theoklymenos What thing do you hunt after, that you stretch out a suppliant hand to me?
Helen I wish to bury my dead husband.
Theoklymenos What? Is there a tomb for the absent? Or will you bury a shadow?
Helen It is customary among the Hellenes, whenever someone dies at sea—
Theoklymenos To do what? The race of Pelops is certainly clever in such matters.
Helen To carry out the funeral rites in empty woven robes.
Theoklymenos Hold the funeral; set up the tomb wherever you wish.
Helen We do not give burial like this to sailors who have perished.
Theoklymenos How then? I know nothing of the customs in Hellas.
Helen We take out of harbor to the sea all that is the dead man’s due.
Theoklymenos Then what am I to give you for the dead man?
Helen This man knows, but I have no experience, as I was fortunate before.
Theoklymenos Stranger, you have brought welcome news.
Menelaos Not for me, certainly, nor for the dead man.
Theoklymenos How do you bury those who have died at sea?
Menelaos Each according to his means.
Theoklymenos As far as wealth goes, say what you want, for her sake.
Menelaos There must be a blood-offering first to the dead.
Theoklymenos Blood of what? Explain it to me, and I will obey.
Menelaos You decide that yourself; whatever you give will suffice.
Theoklymenos Among barbarians it is customary to sacrifice a horse or a bull.
Menelaos If you make a gift, take care to give nothing mean.
Theoklymenos I have no lack of such in my rich herds.
Menelaos Next, a couch empty of the body is decked and carried in procession.
Theoklymenos It will be done; what else is it customary to add?
Menelaos Bronze arms; for war was his delight.
Theoklymenos These will be worthy of the race of Pelops, and these we will give.
Menelaos And for the rest, all the lovely offspring that the earth bears.
Theoklymenos How then? In what way do you let them fall into the waves?
Menelaos A ship must be ready, and rowers.
Theoklymenos How far from the shore does the ship put out?
Menelaos So far that the foam in her wake can scarcely be seen from the land.
Theoklymenos But why? Why does Hellas observe this custom.
Menelaos So that the waves may not wash pollution back ashore.
Theoklymenos A swift Phoenician ship will be there.
Menelaos That would be well done, and pleasing to Menelaos, too.
Theoklymenos Can you not perform these rites well enough without Helen?
Menelaos This task belongs to mother, or wife, or children.
Theoklymenos According to you, the work of burying her husband belongs to her.
Menelaos Yes indeed; piety demands that the dead be not robbed of their due.
Cite This Text