Lastly, Aias, reared in Salamis,was joining his right wing to the leftThis line is corrupt, and perhaps the next also. The attempted version follows Weil. of those near whom he was posed, closing the line with his outermost ships, twelve barques obedient to the helm, as I heard and thensaw the crews; the one who brings his barbaric boats to grapple Aias shall obtain no safe return. There I sawThe word ἄιον before εἰδόμαν is probably a gloss on that verb. Some editors adopt Hermann’s οἶον, but there is no certainty in it.the naval armament, but some things I heard at home about the gathered army, of which I still have a recollection.

Old manas Menelaus wrests a letter from him.Strange daring yours, Menelaus, where you have no right.MenelausStand back! You carry loyalty to your master too far.Old manThe very reproach you have for me is to my credit.MenelausYou shall rue it, if you meddle in matters that do not concern you.Old manYou had no right to open a letter, which I was carrying.MenelausNo, nor you to be carrying sorrow to all Hellas.Old manArgue that point with others, but surrender that letter to me.MenelausI shall not let go.Old manNor will I let loose my hold.MenelausWhy then, this staff of mine will be dabbling your head with blood before long.Old manTo die in my master’s cause would be a noble death.MenelausLet go! you are too wordy for a slave.Old manseeing Agamemnon approachingMaster, he is wronging me; he snatchedyour letter violently from my grasp, Agamemnon, and will not heed the claims of right.

AgamemnonAh! what is this uproar at the gates, this indecent brawling?MenelausMy tale, not his, has the better right to be spoken.AgamemnonYou, Menelaus! what quarrel do you have with this man, why are you dragging him here? Exit ATTENDANT. MenelausLook me in the face! May that be the prelude to my story.AgamemnonShall I, the son of Atreus, close my eyes from fear?The point lies in the play on the name Ἀτρεύς, i.e., the fearless, shall I the son of fearlessness, fear, etc.?MenelausDo you see this tablet, the bearer of a shameful message?AgamemnonI see it, yes; now, you first of all surrender it.MenelausNo, not till I have shown its contents to all the army.AgamemnonWhat! have you broken the seal and know already what you should never have known?MenelausYes, I opened it and know to your sorrow the secret machinations of your heart.AgamemnonWhere did you get it? O gods! what shameless heart you have!MenelausI was awaiting your daughter’s arrival at the camp in Argos.