Euripides, Orestes
E. P. Coleridge, Ed.

Orestes
All right, then.

Menelaus
No, no! Don't do it!

Orestes
Silence! Your sufferings are just; endure them.

Menelaus
[1600] Well, is it just that you should live?

Orestes
And rule a kingdom, yes.

Menelaus
A kingdom, where?

Orestes
Here in Pelasgian Argos.

Menelaus
You are so well qualified to handle holy water!

Orestes
And why not?

Menelaus
And to slay victims before battle!

Orestes
Well, are you?

Menelaus
Yes, my hands are clean.

Orestes
But not your heart.

Menelaus
[1605] Who would speak to you?

Orestes
The one who loves his father.

Menelaus
And the one who honors his mother?

Orestes
He was born fortunate.

Menelaus
Not like you!

Orestes
No, for I do not delight in these wicked women.

Menelaus
Remove that sword from my daughter!

Orestes
You are a liar.

Menelaus
Will you kill my daughter?

Orestes
Now you are not a liar!

Menelaus
[1610] Ah me! what shall I do?

Orestes
Go to the Argives and persuade them—

Menelaus
Persuade them what?

Orestes
Not to kill us; entreat the city.

Menelaus
Or you will slay my child?

Orestes
That is correct.

Menelaus
O wretched Helen—

Orestes
Am I not wretched?

Menelaus
I brought you back from Troy to be a victim—

Orestes
If only she had been!

Menelaus
[1615] After innumerable troubles.

Orestes
Except where I was concerned.

Menelaus
I have suffered dreadfully!

Orestes
Yes, for you would not help me then.

Menelaus
You have me.

Orestes
Your own cowardice has you. Calling from the roof to Electra Fire the palace from beneath, Electra; and, Pylades, my most trusty friend, [1620] kindle the parapet of these walls.The palace is seen to be ablaze.

Menelaus
O Danaid earth! Dwellers in Argos, city of horses, put on your armor and come to help! For this fellow is forcing his life from your whole city, though he has caused pollution by shedding his mother's blood.