You are the master of what other wife?MenelaosThe one hidden in the cave, whom I am bringing from Troy.HelenYou have no other wife but me.MenelaosCan it be that I am in my right mind, but my sight is failing?HelenDon’t you think that when you look at me you see your wife?MenelaosYour body resembles hers, but the real truth robs me of this belief.HelenLook; what more do you need? Who knows better than you?MenelaosYou are like her; I will not deny that at least.HelenWho then shall teach you, if not your own eyes?MenelaosIt is there that I am ailing, because I have another wife.HelenI did not go to Troy; that was a phantom.MenelaosAnd who fashions living bodies?HelenThe air, out of which you have a wife that the gods labored over.MenelaosWhat god’s handiwork? You are saying things beyond hope.HelenHera’s, as a substitute, so that Paris would not have me.MenelaosHow then could you be here and in Troy at the same time?HelenThe name may be in many places, though not the body.MenelaosLet me go! I have come here with enough pain.HelenWill you leave me, and take that phantom bride away?MenelaosYes, and fare well, for your likeness to Helen.HelenI am ruined! I found you, my husband, but I will not have you.MenelaosThe greatness of my troubles over there convinces me; you do not.HelenAh 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.MenelaosWhat is it? Surely you are not being plundered by the foreigners?MessengerIt is a miracle; what I say is of less account than what happened.MenelaosTell me; for, judging by this eagerness, you are certainly bringing something new.MessengerI say that you have suffered countless labors in vain.MenelaosYou are mourning over old sorrows; what is your message?