Prologos
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?
95
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.
100
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?
105
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.
110
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?
115
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!
120
Helen
Are you so sure this fancy was reliable?
Teucer
I saw it with my own eyes; and the mind has sight.
Helen
Is Menelaos already at home with his wife?
