Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/214

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EURIPIDES.

Against her. Of her evil work in Troy
Nought know'st thou: thus arrayed shall all the tale
Doom her to death beyond all hope to 'scape. 910


Menelaus.

This asks delay: yet, if she fain would speak,
Let her. For thy words' sake I grant her this,
But not for her sake, let her be assured.


Helen.

Perchance, or speak I well, or speak I ill,
Thou wilt not answer, counting me a foe. 915
Yet, as I deem—wouldst thou implead me now—
Thou wouldst accuse, so will I meet thy pleas,
Confronting accusations, thine and mine.
First, she brought forth the source of all these ills,
Who brought forth Paris: then, both Troy and me 920
The old king ruined, slaying not the babe
Alexander, baleful semblance of a torch.[1]
Thereafter, how befell the sequel, hear:—
Judge he became of those three Goddesses.
This guerdon Pallas offered unto him— 925
"Troy's hosts to vanquish Hellas shalt thou lead."
Lordship o'er Asia, and o'er Europe's bounds,
If Paris judged her fairest, Hera proffered.
Kypris, with rapturous praising of my beauty,
Cried, "Thine she shall be if I stand preferred 930
As Fairest." Mark what followeth therefrom:—
Kypris prevails: this boon my bridal brought
To Greece—ye are not to foreign foes enthralled,

  1. ↑ Hecuba, just before the birth of Paris, dreamed that she bore a blazing torch, which set Troy on fire.
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