Stasimon 1
[Episode]
You have me, and I have you; although it was hard to live through so many days, I now understand the actions of the goddess. My joy is tearful; it has more
Menelaos
delight than sorrow.
655
Helen
What can I say? What mortal could ever have hoped for this? I hold you to my heart, little as I ever thought to.
Menelaos
And I hold you, whom we thought to have gone to Ida’s city and the unhappy towers of Ilion.
By the gods, how were you taken from my home?
660
Helen
Ah! ah! You are setting out on a bitter beginning. Ah! ah! You are asking about a bitter tale.
Menelaos
Speak; all gifts from the gods should be heard.
Helen
I detest the story I am now to introduce.
Menelaos
Tell it anyway. It is sweet to hear of troubles.
665
Helen
Not to the bed of the young barbarian, on the wings of oars, on the wings of desire for lawless marriage—
Menelaos
What god or fate tore you from your country?
Helen
Ah, my husband! The son of Zeus, of Zeus, brought me to the Nile.
670
Menelaos
Amazing! Who sent you there? O dreadful story!
Helen
I have wept bitterly, and my eyes are wet with tears; the wife of Zeus ruined me.
Menelaos
Hera? Why did she want to bring trouble to the two of us?
675
Helen
Alas for my terrible fate, the baths and springs, where the goddesses brightened the beauty from which the judgment came.
Menelaos
Regarding the judgment, Hera made it a cause of these troubles for you?
Helen
To take me away from Paris—
680
Menelaos
How? Tell me.
680
Helen
To whom Kypris had promised me.
Helen
Unhappy, unhappy; and so she brought me to Egypt.
Menelaos
Then she gave him a phantom instead, as I hear from you.
Helen
Sorrow, sorrow to your house,
Menelaos
What do you mean?
685
Helen
My mother is no more; through shame of my disgraceful marriage she tied a noose around her neck.
Menelaos
Alas! Is our daughter Hermione alive?
Helen
Ah, my husband! Unmarried, and without children, she mourns my
