Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/359
Menelaus.
And I, of thee bereft, to end my life. 840
Helen.
How, dying, shall we then with honour die?
Menelaus.
On the tomb's crest thy life I'll spill, then mine.
But first in strife heroic will I strive
For thee, beloved: let who dare draw nigh.
I will not shame the glory achieved at Troy, 845
Nor flee to Greece, to meet a nation's scoff.
I,—I, who Thetis of Achilles spoiled,
Who saw Telamonian Aias slaughtered lie,
And childless Neleus' son[1]—for mine own wife
Shall I not count me man enough to die? 850
Yea, verily:—for, if the Gods are wise,
The valiant man who dies by foemen's hands
With dust light-sprinkled on his tomb they shroud,
But dastards forth on barren rock they cast.
Chorus.
Gods, grant at last fair fortune to the line 855
Of Tantalus, and rescuing from ills!
Helen.
Woe, hapless I!—my lot is cast in woe!
Undone, Menelaus!—from the hall comes forth
- ↑ Nestor, whose son Antilochus was killed. Menelaus is not referring to any record of his own prowess or importance, but instancing better men than himself who so freely gave their lives in another's cause.