I have heard the prophetic maiden, who gave a clear answer within the palace: Menelaos is not yet dead and buried, gone to the land of shadows where darkness takes the place of light;but he is still wearing out his life on the ocean swell and has not yet reached the haven of his country, wretched in his wandering life,bereft of every friend, approaching every land in his sea-going ship from the land of Troy.

HelenHere I am, once again coming back to the sanctuary of this tomb, after learning the welcome words of Theonoe,who knows all things truly; she says my husband is alive and sees the light of day; he is roaming here and there on countless voyages, not without practice in wandering, and he shall come here when he finds an end to his suffering.But she left one thing unsaid: if he will escape when he has come? And I refrained from asking that question clearly; I was so glad when she told me he was safe. She said that he was near this land somewhere, cast up, shipwrecked, with a few friends.Oh, when will you come? How much I long for your arrival!Ah! Who is this? I am not being ambushed by the plots of Proteus’ impious son, am I? Shall I not, like a young racehorse or a worshipper of Bacchus, reach the tomb? There is something wildabout the looks of this man who is hunting me down.MenelaosYou there! the one trying with fearful effort to reach the base of the tomb and the pillars of burnt sacrifice, stay where you are. Why do you flee? I am amazed and speechless at the sight of your body.HelenWomen, I am being ill-treated. This man is keeping me from the tomb, and he wants to take me and give me to the king, whose wooing I was seeking to avoid.MenelaosI am no thief, nor a servant of evil men.HelenAnd yet the clothes you are wearing are unsightly enough.MenelaosPut fear aside and stop your rapid flight.HelenI do so, now that I have reached this spot.MenelaosWho are you? Whom do I see in you, lady?HelenBut who are you? The same reason prompts us both.MenelaosI never saw a closer resemblance.HelenO gods! For the recognizing of friends is a god.MenelaosAre you a woman from Hellas, or a native of this land?HelenFrom Hellas; but I want to learn your story too.MenelaosYou seem to me very much like Helen, lady.HelenAnd you seem to me like Menelaos; I don’t know what to say.MenelaosWell, you have correctly recognized a most unfortunate man.HelenOh, at last you have come to the arms of your wife!MenelaosWhat do you mean by wife? Do not touch my robe.HelenThe one whom Tyndareus, my father, gave to you.MenelaosO torch-bearing Hekate, send visions that are favorable!HelenYou see in me no specter of the night, attendant on the queen of phantoms.MenelaosAs one man, I am certainly not the husband of two women.