τοῦ συζύγου τ' ἔτ' ὄντος, οὐ κατ' ἄστρα πω; | did you ever raise, though Castor was still alive, a vigorous youth, and his brother also, not yet among the stars? Then when you had come to Troy , and the Argives were on your track, and the mortal combat had begun, whenever tidings came to you of |
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ἐπεὶ δὲ Τροίαν ἦλθες ̓Αργεῖοί τέ σου | did you ever raise, though Castor was still alive, a vigorous youth, and his brother also, not yet among the stars? Then when you had come to Troy , and the Argives were on your track, and the mortal combat had begun, whenever tidings came to you of |
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κατ' ἴχνος, ἦν δὲ δοριπετὴς ἀγωνία | did you ever raise, though Castor was still alive, a vigorous youth, and his brother also, not yet among the stars? Then when you had come to Troy , and the Argives were on your track, and the mortal combat had begun, whenever tidings came to you of |
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εἰ μὲν τὰ τοῦδε κρείσσον' ἀγγέλλοιτό σοι | did you ever raise, though Castor was still alive, a vigorous youth, and his brother also, not yet among the stars? Then when you had come to Troy , and the Argives were on your track, and the mortal combat had begun, whenever tidings came to you of |
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Μενέλαον ᾔνεις, παῖς ὅπως λυποῖτ' ἐμὸς | Menelaus’ prowess, you would praise him, to grieve my son, because he had so powerful a rival in his love; but if the Trojans prospered, Menelaus was nothing to you. Your eye was fixed on Fortune, and by such practice you were careful to follow in her steps, careless of virtue’s cause. |
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ἔχων ἔρωτος ἀνταγωνιστὴν μέγαν: | Menelaus’ prowess, you would praise him, to grieve my son, because he had so powerful a rival in his love; but if the Trojans prospered, Menelaus was nothing to you. Your eye was fixed on Fortune, and by such practice you were careful to follow in her steps, careless of virtue’s cause. |
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εἰ δ' εὐτυχοῖεν Τρῶες, οὐδὲν ἦν ὅδε. | Menelaus’ prowess, you would praise him, to grieve my son, because he had so powerful a rival in his love; but if the Trojans prospered, Menelaus was nothing to you. Your eye was fixed on Fortune, and by such practice you were careful to follow in her steps, careless of virtue’s cause. |
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ἐς τὴν τύχην δ' ὁρῶσα τοῦτ' ἤσκεις, ὅπως | Menelaus’ prowess, you would praise him, to grieve my son, because he had so powerful a rival in his love; but if the Trojans prospered, Menelaus was nothing to you. Your eye was fixed on Fortune, and by such practice you were careful to follow in her steps, careless of virtue’s cause. |
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ἕποι' ἅμ' αὐτῇ, τῇ ἀρετῇ δ' οὐκ ἤθελες. | Menelaus’ prowess, you would praise him, to grieve my son, because he had so powerful a rival in his love; but if the Trojans prospered, Menelaus was nothing to you. Your eye was fixed on Fortune, and by such practice you were careful to follow in her steps, careless of virtue’s cause. |
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κἄπειτα πλεκταῖς σῶμα σὸν κλέπτειν λέγεις | And then you assert that you tried to let yourself down from the towers by stealth with twisted cords, as if unwilling to stay? Where were you ever found fastening the noose about your neck, or whetting the knife, as a noble wife would have done in regret for her former husband? |
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πύργων καθιεῖς', ὡς μένους' ἀκουσίως; | And then you assert that you tried to let yourself down from the towers by stealth with twisted cords, as if unwilling to stay? Where were you ever found fastening the noose about your neck, or whetting the knife, as a noble wife would have done in regret for her former husband? |
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ποῦ δῆτ' ἐλήφθης ἢ βρόχους ἀρτωμένη | And then you assert that you tried to let yourself down from the towers by stealth with twisted cords, as if unwilling to stay? Where were you ever found fastening the noose about your neck, or whetting the knife, as a noble wife would have done in regret for her former husband? |
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ἢ φάσγανον θήγους', ἃ γενναία γυνὴ | And then you assert that you tried to let yourself down from the towers by stealth with twisted cords, as if unwilling to stay? Where were you ever found fastening the noose about your neck, or whetting the knife, as a noble wife would have done in regret for her former husband? |
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δράσειεν ἂν ποθοῦσα τὸν πάρος πόσιν; | And then you assert that you tried to let yourself down from the towers by stealth with twisted cords, as if unwilling to stay? Where were you ever found fastening the noose about your neck, or whetting the knife, as a noble wife would have done in regret for her former husband? |
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καίτοι ς' ἐνουθέτουν γε πολλὰ πολλάκις: | And yet often I advised you saying, Get away, daughter; my sons will take other brides, and I will belp you to steal away, and convey you to the Achaean fleet; oh, end the strife between us and Hellas ! But this was bitter to you. |
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̓͂Ω θύγατερ, ἔξελθ': οἱ δ' ἐμοὶ παῖδες γάμους | And yet often I advised you saying, Get away, daughter; my sons will take other brides, and I will belp you to steal away, and convey you to the Achaean fleet; oh, end the strife between us and Hellas ! But this was bitter to you. |
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ἄλλους γαμοῦσι, σὲ δ' ἐπὶ ναῦς ̓Αχαιϊκὰς | And yet often I advised you saying, Get away, daughter; my sons will take other brides, and I will belp you to steal away, and convey you to the Achaean fleet; oh, end the strife between us and Hellas ! But this was bitter to you. |
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πέμψω συνεκκλέψασα: καὶ παῦσον μάχης | And yet often I advised you saying, Get away, daughter; my sons will take other brides, and I will belp you to steal away, and convey you to the Achaean fleet; oh, end the strife between us and Hellas ! But this was bitter to you. |
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̔́Ελληνας ἡμᾶς τε. ἀλλὰ σοὶ τόδ' ἦν πικρόν. | And yet often I advised you saying, Get away, daughter; my sons will take other brides, and I will belp you to steal away, and convey you to the Achaean fleet; oh, end the strife between us and Hellas ! But this was bitter to you. |
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ἐν τοῖς ̓Αλεξάνδρου γὰρ ὕβριζες δόμοις | For you were wantoning in Alexander’s house, wishing to have obeisance done you by barbarians. Yes, it was a proud time for you; and now after all this you have adorned yourself, and come forth and have dared to appear under the same sky as your husband, revolting wretch! |
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καὶ προσκυνεῖσθαι βαρβάρων ὕπ' ἤθελες: | For you were wantoning in Alexander’s house, wishing to have obeisance done you by barbarians. Yes, it was a proud time for you; and now after all this you have adorned yourself, and come forth and have dared to appear under the same sky as your husband, revolting wretch! |
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μεγάλα γὰρ ἦν σοι. — κἀπὶ τοῖσδε σὸν δέμας | For you were wantoning in Alexander’s house, wishing to have obeisance done you by barbarians. Yes, it was a proud time for you; and now after all this you have adorned yourself, and come forth and have dared to appear under the same sky as your husband, revolting wretch! |
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ἐξῆλθες ἀσκήσασα κἄβλεψας πόσει | For you were wantoning in Alexander’s house, wishing to have obeisance done you by barbarians. Yes, it was a proud time for you; and now after all this you have adorned yourself, and come forth and have dared to appear under the same sky as your husband, revolting wretch! |
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τὸν αὐτὸν αἰθέρ', ὦ κατάπτυστον κάρα: | For you were wantoning in Alexander’s house, wishing to have obeisance done you by barbarians. Yes, it was a proud time for you; and now after all this you have adorned yourself, and come forth and have dared to appear under the same sky as your husband, revolting wretch! |
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ἣν χρῆν ταπεινὴν ἐν πέπλων ἐρειπίοις | Better if you had come in tattered raiment, cowering humbly in terror, with hair cut short, and if your feeling for your past sins were one of shame rather than effrontery. Menelaus, hear the conclusion of my argument; |
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φρίκῃ τρέμουσαν, κρᾶτ' ἀπεσκυθισμένην | Better if you had come in tattered raiment, cowering humbly in terror, with hair cut short, and if your feeling for your past sins were one of shame rather than effrontery. Menelaus, hear the conclusion of my argument; |
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ἐλθεῖν, τὸ σῶφρον τῆς ἀναιδείας πλέον | Better if you had come in tattered raiment, cowering humbly in terror, with hair cut short, and if your feeling for your past sins were one of shame rather than effrontery. Menelaus, hear the conclusion of my argument; |
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ἔχουσαν ἐπὶ τοῖς πρόσθεν ἡμαρτημένοις. | Better if you had come in tattered raiment, cowering humbly in terror, with hair cut short, and if your feeling for your past sins were one of shame rather than effrontery. Menelaus, hear the conclusion of my argument; |
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Μενέλα', ἵν' εἰδῇς οἷ τελευτήσω λόγον | Better if you had come in tattered raiment, cowering humbly in terror, with hair cut short, and if your feeling for your past sins were one of shame rather than effrontery. Menelaus, hear the conclusion of my argument; |
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στεφάνωσον ̔Ελλάδ' ἀξίως τήνδε κτανὼν | crown Hellas by slaying her as she deserves, and establish this law for all other women: death to every one who betrays her husband. Chorus Leader |
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σαυτοῦ, νόμον δὲ τόνδε ταῖς ἄλλαισι θὲς | crown Hellas by slaying her as she deserves, and establish this law for all other women: death to every one who betrays her husband. Chorus Leader |
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γυναιξί, θνῄσκειν ἥτις ἂν προδῷ πόσιν. | crown Hellas by slaying her as she deserves, and establish this law for all other women: death to every one who betrays her husband. Chorus Leader |
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Μενέλαε, προγόνων τ' ἀξίως δόμων τε σῶν | Avenge yourself, Menelaus, on your wife, as is worthy of your home and ancestors |
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τεῖσαι δάμαρτα κἀφελοῦ, πρὸς ̔Ελλάδος | Avenge yourself, Menelaus, on your wife, as is worthy of your home and ancestors |
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ψόγον τὸ θῆλύ τ', εὐγενὴς ἐχθροῖς φανείς. | clear yourself from the reproach of effeminacy at the lips of Hellas , and let your foes see your spirit. Menelau |
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ἐμοὶ σὺ συμπέπτωκας ἐς ταὐτὸν λόγου | Your thoughts coincide with mine, that she, without constraint, left my palace, and sought a stranger’s bed, and now Cypris is introduced for mere bluster. Away to those who shall stone you |
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ἑκουσίως τήνδ' ἐκ δόμων ἐλθεῖν ἐμῶν | Your thoughts coincide with mine, that she, without constraint, left my palace, and sought a stranger’s bed, and now Cypris is introduced for mere bluster. Away to those who shall stone you |
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ξένας ἐς εὐνάς: χἡ Κύπρις κόμπου χάριν | Your thoughts coincide with mine, that she, without constraint, left my palace, and sought a stranger’s bed, and now Cypris is introduced for mere bluster. Away to those who shall stone you |
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λόγοις ἐνεῖται. — βαῖνε λευστήρων πέλας | Your thoughts coincide with mine, that she, without constraint, left my palace, and sought a stranger’s bed, and now Cypris is introduced for mere bluster. Away to those who shall stone you |
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πόνους τ' ̓Αχαιῶν ἀπόδος ἐν μικρῷ μακροὺς | and by your speedy death requite the weary toils of the Achaeans, so that you may learn not to bring shame on me! Helen |
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θανοῦς', ἵν' εἰδῇς μὴ καταισχύνειν ἐμέ. | and by your speedy death requite the weary toils of the Achaeans, so that you may learn not to bring shame on me! Helen |
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μή, πρός σε γονάτων, τὴν νόσον τὴν τῶν θεῶν | Oh, by your knees, I implore you, do not impute that heaven-sent affliction to me, or slay me; forgive me! Hecuba |
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προσθεὶς ἐμοὶ κτάνῃς με, συγγίγνωσκε δέ. | Oh, by your knees, I implore you, do not impute that heaven-sent affliction to me, or slay me; forgive me! Hecuba |
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μηδ' οὓς ἀπέκτειν' ἥδε συμμάχους προδῷς: | Do not betray your allies, whose death this woman caused; |
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ἐγὼ πρὸ κείνων καὶ τέκνων σε λίσσομαι. | on their behalf, and for my children’s sake, I entreat you. Menelau |
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παῦσαι, γεραιά: τῆσδε δ' οὐκ ἐφρόντισα. | Peace, revered lady; to her I pay no heed. I bid my servants take her away, aboard the ship, in which she is to sail. Hecuba |
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λέγω δὲ προσπόλοισι πρὸς πρύμνας νεῶν | Peace, revered lady; to her I pay no heed. I bid my servants take her away, aboard the ship, in which she is to sail. Hecuba |
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τήνδ' ἐκκομίζειν, ἔνθα ναυστολήσεται. | Peace, revered lady; to her I pay no heed. I bid my servants take her away, aboard the ship, in which she is to sail. Hecuba |
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μή νυν νεὼς σοὶ ταὐτὸν ἐσβήτω σκάφος. | Oh never let her set foot within the same ship as you. Menelau |
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τί δ' ἔστι; μεῖζον βρῖθος ἢ πάροιθ' ἔχει; | Why is that? is she heavier than before? Hecuba |
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οὐκ ἔστ' ἐραστὴς ὅστις οὐκ ἀεὶ φιλεῖ. | The one who loves once, must love always. Menelau |
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ὅπως ἂν ἐκβῇ τῶν ἐρωμένων ὁ νοῦς. | Why, that depends how those we love are minded. But your wish shall be granted; she shall not set foot upon the same ship with me; for your advice is surely sound; |
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ἔσται δ' ἃ βούλῃ: ναῦν γὰρ οὐκ ἐσβήσεται | Why, that depends how those we love are minded. But your wish shall be granted; she shall not set foot upon the same ship with me; for your advice is surely sound; |
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ἐς ἥνπερ ἡμεῖς: καὶ γὰρ οὐ κακῶς λέγεις: | Why, that depends how those we love are minded. But your wish shall be granted; she shall not set foot upon the same ship with me; for your advice is surely sound; |
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ἐλθοῦσα δ' ̓́Αργος ὥσπερ ἀξία κακῶς | and when she comes to Argos she shall die a shameful death as is her due, and impress the need of chastity on all women. No easy task; yet shall her fate strike their foolish hearts with terror, even though they are more lost to shame than she. Exit Menelaus, dragging Helen with him. Choru |
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κακὴ θανεῖται καὶ γυναιξὶ σωφρονεῖν | and when she comes to Argos she shall die a shameful death as is her due, and impress the need of chastity on all women. No easy task; yet shall her fate strike their foolish hearts with terror, even though they are more lost to shame than she. Exit Menelaus, dragging Helen with him. Choru |
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πάσαισι θήσει. ῥᾴδιον μὲν οὐ τόδε: | and when she comes to Argos she shall die a shameful death as is her due, and impress the need of chastity on all women. No easy task; yet shall her fate strike their foolish hearts with terror, even though they are more lost to shame than she. Exit Menelaus, dragging Helen with him. Choru |
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ὅμως δ' ὁ τῆσδ' ὄλεθρος ἐς φόβον βαλεῖ | and when she comes to Argos she shall die a shameful death as is her due, and impress the need of chastity on all women. No easy task; yet shall her fate strike their foolish hearts with terror, even though they are more lost to shame than she. Exit Menelaus, dragging Helen with him. Choru |
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τὸ μῶρον αὐτῶν, κἂν ἔτ' ὦς' ἐχθίονες. | and when she comes to Argos she shall die a shameful death as is her due, and impress the need of chastity on all women. No easy task; yet shall her fate strike their foolish hearts with terror, even though they are more lost to shame than she. Exit Menelaus, dragging Helen with him. Choru |
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