Helen (123-170)

Is Menelaos already at home with his wife?

No; he is neither in Argos nor by the streams of the Eurotas.

Alas! This is evil news for those to whom you bring it.

He is said to have disappeared with his wife.

Wasn’t there the same passage for all the Argives?

Yes; but a tempest scattered them in every direction.

On which surface of the salty ocean?

While they were crossing the Aegean in mid-channel.

And from that time does no one know of Menelaos’ arrival?

No one; but throughout Hellas he is reported to be dead.

I am wholly lost. Is the daughter of Thestius alive?

You speak of Leda? She is dead and gone, indeed.

It wasn’t Helen’s disgraceful fame that killed her, surely?

Yes, they say she tied a noose around her noble neck.

Are the sons of Tyndareus still alive or not?

They are dead, and not dead: it is a double story.

Which report is the stronger? I am so unhappy at these evils!

Men say that they are gods in the likeness of stars.

That is good news; but what is the other story?

That they killed themselves because of their sister. But enough of such talk! I do not need to grieve twice. As to why I came to this royal palace,

wanting to see the prophetess Theonoe, you be my patron, so I might obtain an oracle: how I should steer a favorable course to the island of Cyprus, where Apollo has declared I am to live, giving it the island name of

Salamis in honor of that fatherland over there.

The voyage itself will explain that, stranger; leave this land and escape, before the son of Proteus, the ruler of this land, catches sight of you; now he is away with his trusty hounds tracking his savage quarry to the death;

for he kills every visitor from Hellas that he catches. Do not seek to learn his reason, and I will not say; for how could I help you?

Lady, you have spoken well. May the gods grant you a return for your kindness!

Although you have a body like Helen’s, your heart is not like hers, but very different. May she die miserably, and never reach the streams of Eurotas! But may you always have good fortune, lady.