Chorus Leader
But look! I see Menelaus approaching the palace in haste; no doubt he has heard what is happening here. Descendants of Atreus within, make haste and secure the doors with bars. A man in luck is a dangerous adversary for luckless wretches like you, Orestes.
Menelaus I have come at the report of strange and violent deeds perpetrated by a pair of lions, men I do not call them. What I heard was that my wife was not dead, but had vanished out of sight, an idle rumor which someone fooled by his own fear brought me. But that is a plot of the matricide’s—ridiculous! Open the doors! I tell my servants to force the gates, so that I may rescue my child at any rate from the hands of those blood-stained men and recover my poor wretched wife, while the ones who destroyed her must die at my hands.
Orestes You there! Keep your hands off those bolts; I mean you, Menelaus, towering in your audacity! Or I will tear off the ancient parapet, the work of masons, and shatter your skull with this coping-stone. The doors are bolted and barred, which will prevent your eagerness to bring aid and keep you from entering.
Menelaus Oh! What is this? I see a blaze of torches and men standing at bay on the top of the house, with a sword guarding my daughter’s throat.
Orestes Would you question me or hear me speak?
Menelaus Neither; but I suppose I must hear you.
Orestes I intend to kill your daughter, if you want to know.
Menelaus After slaying Helen, you will add murder to murder?
Orestes Would I had accomplished that, instead of being duped by the gods!
Menelaus Do you deny having slain her, and say this out of wanton insult?
Orestes Yes, I do deny it, to my sorrow. If only I had—
Menelaus Done what? You frighten me!
Orestes Hurled the pollution of Hellas to Hades!
Menelaus Give back my wife’s dead body, so that I may bury her.
Orestes Ask the gods for her; but I will kill your daughter.
Menelaus This matricide is adding murder to murder.
Orestes This champion of his father, betrayed by you to death.
Menelaus Are you not content with the present stain of your mother’s blood?
Orestes I would not grow tired if I had these wicked women to slay for ever.
Menelaus Are you too, Pylades, a partner in this bloody work?
Orestes His silence says he is; let it suffice for me to say it.
Menelaus You’ll say it to your cost, unless you fly away!
Orestes We will not try to escape; we will set fire to the palace.
Menelaus What! will you destroy the home of your ancestors?
Orestes Yes, so that you don’t have it, and I will offer this girl in sacrifice on the fire.
Menelaus Kill her; and if you do, I will punish you for it.
Orestes All right, then.
Menelaus No, no! Don’t do it!
Orestes Silence! Your sufferings are just; endure them.
Menelaus Well, is it just that you should live?
Orestes And rule a kingdom, yes.
Menelaus A kingdom, where?
Orestes Here in Pelasgian Argos.
Menelaus You are so well qualified to handle holy water!
Orestes And why not?
Menelaus And to slay victims before battle!
Orestes Well, are you?
Menelaus Yes, my hands are clean.
Orestes But not your heart.
Menelaus Who would speak to you?
Orestes The one who loves his father.
Menelaus And the one who honors his mother?
Orestes He was born fortunate.
Menelaus Not like you!
Orestes No, for I do not delight in these wicked women.
Menelaus Remove that sword from my daughter!
Orestes You are a liar.
Menelaus Will you kill my daughter?
Orestes Now you are not a liar!
Menelaus Ah me! what shall I do?
Orestes Go to the Argives and persuade them—
Menelaus Persuade them what?
Orestes Not to kill us; entreat the city.
Menelaus Or you will slay my child?
Orestes That is correct.
Menelaus O wretched Helen—
Orestes Am I not wretched?
Menelaus I brought you back from Troy to be a victim—
Orestes If only she had been!
Menelaus After innumerable troubles.
Orestes Except where I was concerned.
Menelaus I have suffered dreadfully!
Orestes Yes, for you would not help me then.
Menelaus You have me there.
Orestes Your own cowardice has you. Fire the palace from beneath, Electra; and, Pylades, my most trusty friend, kindle the parapet of these walls.
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