Teucer Never again, my fellow Salaminians, will I be amazed if some nobody by birth does wrong, when those who are reputed to be born of noble blood employ such wrongful sentiments in their arguments. Come, tell me from the first once more—do you really say that you brought Ajax here to the Greeks as an ally personally recruited by you? Did he not sail of his own accord? As his own master? On what grounds are you his commander? On what grounds have you a right to kingship over the men whom he brought from home? It was as Sparta’s king that you came, not as master over us. Nowhere was it established among your lawful powers that you should order him any more than he you. You sailed here under the command of others, not as a supreme commander who might at any time exercise authority over Ajax. No, rule the troops you rule, and use your reverend words to punish them! But this man, whether you or the other general forbid it, I will lay in the grave as justice demands, and I will not fear your tongue. It was not at all for your wife’s sake that Ajax made this expedition, as did those toil-worn drudges. No, it was for the sake of the oath by which he had sworn, and not at all for you, since it was not his habit to value nobodies. And so when you come here again, bring more heralds, and the leader of the expedition, too. Your bluster could not make me turn to notice you, so long as you are what you are.
Chorus Again, I say, in these troubles I cannot approve of such a tone. Harsh words sting, however just they are.
Menelaus The bowman seems to feel no little grandeur.
Teucer I do, since it is no lowly skill that I possess.
Menelaus How you would boast, if you had a shield!
Teucer Even without a shield I would be a match for you fully armed.
Menelaus What a tongue you have! What dreadful anger it feeds!
Teucer When right is with him, a man’s thoughts may be grand.
Menelaus What, is it right that the man who murdered me should prosper?
Teucer Murdered you? It is truly a strange happening, if in fact you live after being killed.
Menelaus A god rescued me. So far as that corpse is concerned, I am in Hades.
Teucer Then since it was the gods who saved you, do not dishonor the gods.
Menelaus What, would I find fault with divine law?
Teucer Yes, if by your presence here you prevent burial of the dead.
Menelaus Prevent it I do, since he was at war with me and I with him. Burial in such a case would not be right.
Teucer What do you mean? Did Ajax ever stand forth publicly to war with you?
Menelaus He hated me as I hated him, and you knew it, too.
Teucer Yes, he hated you because you had been caught fixing the votes in order to rob him.
Menelaus At the hands of the jurymen, not mine, he suffered that loss.
Teucer You could make a thousand stealthy crimes look pretty.
Menelaus That sentiment leads to pain for someone I know.
Teucer The pain will be no greater, I think, than that which we will inflict.
Menelaus I will tell you once and for all—there is to be no burial for him.
Teucer And hear my reply—he shall be buried immediately.
Menelaus Once I saw a bold-tongued man who had urged sailors to set sail during wintertime. Yet in him you could have found no voice when the worst of the storm was upon him. No, hidden beneath his cloak he allowed the crew to trample on him at will. And so it is with you and your raging speech—perhaps a great storm, even if its blast comes from a small cloud, will extinguish your shouting.
Teucer Yes, and I have seen a man stuffed with foolishness who exulted in his neighbor’s misfortunes. It turned out that a man like me and of similar temperament stared at him and said, Man, do not wrong the dead; for, if you do, rest assured that you will come to harm. So he warned the misguided man before him. Take note—I see him now, and I think that he is no one but you. Have I spoken in riddles?
Menelaus I will go—it would be a disgrace to have it known that I argue when I have the power to use force.
Teucer Leave then! The worst disgrace for me is that I should listen to a fool’s empty chatter.
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