Eksodos
Messenger
fall, some stood upright, you would have seen others lying dead. But Menelaos, in full armor, wherever he spied that his comrades were suffering, would go there, sword in hand; and so we dived
1605
from the ship, and he cleared the benches of your rowers. Then going to the helmsman he told him to sail a straight course to Hellas. So they set up the mast, and favoring breezes blew.
1610
They are gone from here. But I escaped death and let myself down by the anchor into the sea;
and just as I was worn out, some fisherman took me up, and put me out on land, to bring you this report. Nothing is more useful to mankind than a prudent distrust.
1615
Chorus Leader
I never would have believed that Menelaos could have eluded both us
and you, O king, the way he did on his arrival.
1620
[Episode]
Caught by a woman’s tricks, unhappy that I am! My bride has escaped me. If the ship could have been pursued and overtaken, I would have made an effort to catch the strangers at once; but now I will avenge myself upon my treacherous sister,
Theoklymenos
for she saw Menelaos in my house and did not tell me. Therefore she will never deceive another man by her oracles.
1625
Servant
You, there! Where are you rushing off to, my lord? to what bloody deed?
Theoklymenos
Where justice calls me. Get out of my way!
Servant
I will not let go of your robe, for you are striving after great wickedness.
Theoklymenos
Will you rule over your master, although you are a slave?
1630
Servant
Yes, for I am in my right mind.
1630
Theoklymenos
Not in my opinion, if you will not let me—
Servant
No, I will not let you!
Theoklymenos
Let me kill my most wicked sister—
Servant
No, she is most pious.
Theoklymenos
Who betrayed me—
Servant
It was a noble betrayal, correctly done.
Theoklymenos
When she gave my bride to another.
Servant
To the one who had a better right.
Theoklymenos
Who has rights over my property?
1635
Servant
The one who received her from her father.
1635
Theoklymenos
But fortune gave her to me.
Servant
And necessity took her away.
Theoklymenos
It is not for you to judge my affairs.
Servant
Yes, if my counsel is better.
Theoklymenos
So I am your subject, not your ruler.
Servant
Subject to do right, not wrong.
Theoklymenos
It seems you desire to be killed.
