Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/368
Helen.
As thou hadst died at sea, I'll pray the king
For leave to entomb thee in a cenotaph.
Menelaus.
This granted, how shall we without a ship
Escape by raising this void tomb for me? 1060
Helen.
A vessel will I beg, to cast therefrom
Into the sea's arms burial-gifts for thee.
Menelaus.
Well said, save but for this—if he bid rear
On land my tomb, fruitless is thy pretence.
Helen.
Nay, will we say, this is not Hellas' wont, 1065
On land to bury such as die at sea.
Menelaus.
This too thou rightest. I with thee embark,
And in the same ship help to stow the gifts.
the audience may be hinted for the employment of a device now somewhat staled, since it may have been utilized in a score of plays besides the Choëphorœ and Electra (of Sophocles). Possibly the point may be that, though out of the question in Greece, it was good enough for a barbarian. Hermann (followed by Paley), would read ἀπαιόλη, "Sooth in thy words a cunning stratagem lurks;" but the arguments for it do not seem strong, for l. 1055, as well as M.'s two following speeches, intimate that he was thoroughly sceptical as to the utility of the proposal; and so γὰρ naturally introduces his reason.