Epeisodion 1
Old man
Strange daring yours, Menelaus, where you have no right.
Menelaus
Stand back! You carry loyalty to your master too far.
Old man
The very reproach you have for me is to my credit.
305
Menelaus
You shall rue it, if you meddle in matters that do not concern you.
Old man
You had no right to open a letter, which I was carrying.
Menelaus
No, nor you to be carrying sorrow to all Hellas.
Old man
Argue that point with others, but surrender that letter to me.
Menelaus
I shall not let go.
310
Old man
Nor will I let loose my hold.
310
Menelaus
Why then, this staff of mine will be dabbling your head with blood before long.
Old man
To die in my master’s cause would be a noble death.
Menelaus
Let go! you are too wordy for a slave.
Old man
Master, he is wronging me; he snatched
your letter violently from my grasp, Agamemnon, and will not heed the claims of right.
315
[Episode]
Ah! what is this uproar at the gates, this indecent brawling?
Menelaus
My tale, not his, has the better right to be spoken.
Agamemnon
You, Menelaus! what quarrel do you have with this man, why are you dragging him here? Exit ATTENDANT.
Menelaus
Look me in the face! May that be the prelude to my story.
320
Agamemnon
Shall 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.?
Menelaus
Do you see this tablet, the bearer of a shameful message?
Agamemnon
I see it, yes; now, you first of all surrender it.
Menelaus
No, not till I have shown its contents to all the army.
Agamemnon
What! have you broken the seal and know already what you should never have known?
325
Menelaus
Yes, I opened it and know to your sorrow the secret machinations of your heart.
Agamemnon
Where did you get it? O gods! what shameless heart you have!
Menelaus
I was awaiting your daughter’s arrival at the camp in Argos.
Agamemnon
What right have you to watch my doings? is not this a proof of shamelessness?
Menelaus
My wish to do it gave the spur, for I am no slave to you.
330
Agamemnon
Infamous! Am I not to be allowed the management of my own house?
Menelaus
No, for you think crooked thoughts, one thing now, another formerly, and something different presently.
