But why? This matter is surely an unfortunate one. Teucer The death of my brother Aias at Troy was my ruin. Helen How so? You didn’t take his life with your sword, did you? Teucer He threw himself on his own sword and died. Helen Was he mad? For what sensible man would dare such a thing? Teucer Do you know a certain Achilleus, the son of Peleus? Helen Yes; he came to woo Helen once, so I hear. Teucer When he died, he left a contest for his armor to his allies. Helen Well, if he did, what harm is this to Aias? Teucer When someone else got the arms, he took his own life. Helen Then are you ill through his suffering? Teucer Yes, because I did not die together with him. Helen So you went to the famous city of Ilion , stranger? Teucer Yes, and by helping to sack it, I destroyed myself as well. Helen Has it already been set alight and completely consumed by fire? Teucer So that not even a trace of the walls is evident. Helen O miserable Helen! Because of you, the Phrygians have been destroyed. Teucer And also the Achaeans; great evils have been committed. Helen How long is it since the city was sacked? Teucer Almost seven years have gone full circle, with their harvests. Helen And how much longer were you waiting at Troy ? Teucer For many months; the moon held its course through ten years. Helen And did you capture the Spartan woman? Teucer Menelaos caught her by the hair to drag her away. Helen Did you yourself see the wretched creature? Or do you speak from hearsay? Teucer I saw her with my own eyes, just as I see you, no less. Helen Consider whether you had some fancy, sent by the gods. Teucer Think of some other topic, not that woman still! Helen Are you so sure this fancy was reliable? Teucer I saw it with my own eyes; and the mind has sight.