Epeisodion 6
Menelaus
A god rescued me. So far as that corpse is concerned, I am in Hades.
Teucer
Then since it was the gods who saved you, do not dishonor the gods.
Menelaus
What, would I find fault with divine law?
1130
Teucer
Yes, if by your presence here you prevent burial of the dead.
Menelaus
Prevent it I do, since he was at war with me and I with him. Burial in such a case would not be right.
Teucer
What do you mean? Did Ajax ever stand forth publicly to war with you?
Menelaus
He hated me as I hated him, and you knew it, too.
Teucer
Yes, he hated you because you had been caught fixing the votes in order to rob him.
1135
Menelaus
At the hands of the jurymen, not mine, he suffered that loss.
Teucer
You could make a thousand stealthy crimes look pretty.
Menelaus
That sentiment leads to pain for someone I know.
Teucer
The pain will be no greater, I think, than that which we will inflict.
Menelaus
I will tell you once and for all—there is to be no burial for him.
1140
Teucer
And hear my reply—he shall be buried immediately.
Menelaus
Once I saw a bold-tongued man who had urged sailors to set sail during wintertime. Yet in him you could have found no voice
when the worst of the storm was upon him. No, hidden beneath his cloak he allowed the crew to trample on him at will. And so it is with you and your raging speech—perhaps a great storm, even if its blast comes from a small cloud, will extinguish your shouting.
1145
Teucer
Yes, and I have seen a man stuffed with foolishness who exulted in his neighbor’s
misfortunes. It turned out that a man like me and of similar temperament
stared at him and said, Man, do not wrong the dead; for, if you do, rest assured that you will come to harm. So he warned the misguided man before him. Take note—I see him now, and I think that he is no one but you. Have I spoken in riddles?
1150
Menelaus
I will go—it would be a disgrace to have it known
that I argue when I have the power to use force.
1160
Teucer
Leave then! The worst disgrace for me is that I should listen to a fool’s empty
chatter.
