Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/338

Enter Helen.

Lo, to my session at the tomb again
I come, who have heard Theonoë's glad words,
Who knoweth all things truly. Yet alive, 530
Saith she, my lord beholds the light of day,
But roameth sailing sea-tracks numberless
Hither and thither, and with wanderings spent
Shall come, when he hath reached his sufferings' goal;—
Yet said not if at last he shall escape; 535
For I refrained from closely questioning this
For gladness, when she spake him yet alive.
And somewhere nigh this land is he, she said,
From shipwreck cast ashore with friends but few.
When wilt thou come to me?—how long-desired! 540
Menelaus advances from back of stage.
Ha! who is this?—and am I haply snared
By plots of Proteus' god-contemning son?
Swift as a racing steed or bacchanal
Shall I not seek yon tomb? Of ruffian mien
Is yonder man who holdeth me in chase. 545

Thou that with fearful effort strainest on
To the tomb's basement and the altar-pillars,
Stay!—wherefore flee?—with one glimpse of thy form
Thou with tongue-tied amazement fillest me.

I am outraged, women! for I am held back 550
Of this man from the tomb! He hath caught me, fain
To give to his lord, whose marriage-yoke I fled.