Menelaus By Pelops our reputed grandsire and Atreus our father, I swear to tell you the truth from my heart, without any covert purpose, but only what I think. The sight of you in tears made me pity you, and in return I shed a tear for you myself; I withdraw from my former proposals, ceasing to be a cause of fear to you; yes, and I will put myself in your present position; and I counsel you, do not slay your child or prefer my interests to yours; for it is not just that you should grieve, while I am glad, or that your children should die, while mine still see the light of day. What is it, after all, I seek? If I am set on marriage, could I not find a bride as choice elsewhere? Was I to lose a brother—the last I should have lost—to win a Helen, getting bad for good? I was mad, impetuous as a youth, till I perceived, on closer view, what slaying children really meant. Moreover I am filled with compassion for the hapless maiden, doomed to bleed that I may wed, when I reflect that we are kin. What has your daughter to do with Helen? Let the army be disbanded and leave Aulis; dry those streaming eyes, brother, and do not provoke me to tears. Whatever concern you have in oracles that affect your child, let it be none of mine; into your hands I resign my share. A sudden change, you’ll say, from my dread proposals? A natural course for me; affection for my brother caused the change. These are the ways of a man not devoid of virtue, to pursue on each occasion what is best.
Chorus Leader A generous speech, worthy of Tantalus, the son of Zeus; you do not shame your ancestry.
Agamemnon I thank you, Menelaus, for this unexpected suggestion; it is an honorable proposal, worthy of you. Sometimes love, sometimes the selfishness of their families, causes a quarrel between brothers; I loathe a relationship of this kind which is bitterness to both. But it is useless, for circumstances compel me to carry out the murderous sacrifice of my daughter.
Menelaus How so? who will compel you to slay your own?
Agamemnon The whole Achaean army here assembled.
Menelaus Not if you send her back to Argos.
Agamemnon I might do that unnoticed, but there will be another thing I cannot.
Menelaus What is that? You must not fear the mob too much.
Agamemnon Calchas will tell the Argive army his oracles.
Menelaus Not if he should die before that—an easy matter.
Agamemnon The whole tribe of seers is a curse with its ambition.
Menelaus Yes, and good for nothing and useless, when among us.
Agamemnon Has the thought, which is rising in my mind, no terrors for you?
Menelaus How can I understand your meaning, unless you declare it?
Agamemnon The son of Sisyphus knows all.
Menelaus Odysseus cannot possibly hurt us.
Agamemnon He was ever shifty by nature, siding with the mob.
Menelaus True, he is enslaved by the love of popularity, a fearful evil.
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