Open the doors! I tell my servants to force the gates, so that I may rescue my child at any rate from the hands of those blood-stained men and recover my poor wretched wife, while the ones who destroyed her must die at my hands. Orestes from the roof. You there! Keep your hands off those bolts; I mean you, Menelaus, towering in your audacity! Or I will tear off the ancient parapet, the work of masons, and shatter your skull with this coping-stone. The doors are bolted and barred, which will prevent your eagerness to bring aid and keep you from entering. Menelaus Oh! What is this? I see a blaze of torches and men standing at bay on the top of the house, with a sword guarding my daughter’s throat. Orestes Would you question me or hear me speak? Menelaus Neither; but I suppose I must hear you. Orestes I intend to kill your daughter, if you want to know. Menelaus After slaying Helen, you will add murder to murder? Orestes Would I had accomplished that, instead of being duped by the gods! Menelaus Do you deny having slain her, and say this out of wanton insult? Orestes Yes, I do deny it, to my sorrow. If only I had— Menelaus Done what? You frighten me! Orestes Hurled the pollution of Hellas to Hades! Menelaus Give back my wife’s dead body, so that I may bury her. Orestes Ask the gods for her; but I will kill your daughter. Menelaus This matricide is adding murder to murder.