You are the master of what other wife? Menelaos The one hidden in the cave, whom I am bringing from Troy . Helen You have no other wife but me. Menelaos Can it be that I am in my right mind, but my sight is failing? Helen Don’t you think that when you look at me you see your wife? Menelaos Your body resembles hers, but the real truth robs me of this belief. Helen Look; what more do you need? Who knows better than you? Menelaos You are like her; I will not deny that at least. Helen Who then shall teach you, if not your own eyes? Menelaos It is there that I am ailing, because I have another wife. Helen I did not go to Troy ; that was a phantom. Menelaos And who fashions living bodies? Helen The air, out of which you have a wife that the gods labored over. Menelaos What god’s handiwork? You are saying things beyond hope. Helen Hera’s, as a substitute, so that Paris would not have me. Menelaos How then could you be here and in Troy at the same time? Helen The name may be in many places, though not the body. Menelaos Let me go! I have come here with enough pain. Helen Will you leave me, and take that phantom bride away? Menelaos Yes, and fare well, for your likeness to Helen. Helen I am ruined! I found you, my husband, but I will not have you. Menelaos The greatness of my troubles over there convinces me; you do not. Helen Ah me! Who was ever more miserable than I am? Those whom I love best are leaving me, and I shall never reach the Hellenes or my own country. Messenger (entering hurriedly.) Menelaos, I find you, after taking great trouble to look for you, wandering over the whole of this foreign land; I am sent by the comrades whom you left behind. Menelaos What is it? Surely you are not being plundered by the foreigners? Messenger It is a miracle; what I say is of less account than what happened. Menelaos Tell me; for, judging by this eagerness, you are certainly bringing something new. Messenger I say that you have suffered countless labors in vain. Menelaos You are mourning over old sorrows; what is your message?