Theoklymenos and his hunting attendants enter.
Theoklymenos
[1165]
Greetings, tomb of my father! For I buried you, Proteus, in the passageway so that I could address you; and always as I leave and enter the house, I, your son Theoklymenos, call on you, father. You servants, take the hounds and hunting nets
[1170]
into the palace. I have rebuked myself many times; for do we not punish evil men with death? And now I have heard that some Hellene has come openly to the land, without the guards' notice,
[1175]
either as a spy or thievishly hunting after Helen; he will die if only I can catch him. Ah! But it seems I have found everything in ruins; for the daughter of Tyndareus has deserted her seat at the tomb and has been carried away from the land.
[1180]
Ho there! undo the bars; loose the horses from their stalls, servants, and bring out my chariot, so that the wife whom I long for may not be carried away from this land without my notice, for want of effort.
Wait! for I see that the one I am pursuing [1185] is still in the house, and has not fled.
Helen enters from the palace, clad in mourning.
You there, why have you put black robes instead of white on your body, and cut the hair from your noble head with a sword, and why do you drench your cheeks with pale tears,
[1190]
lamenting? Do you mourn, persuaded by dreams in the night, or have you broken your heart with grief because you heard some voice within?
Helen
My lord—for now I give you that name—I am destroyed; everything of mine is gone and I am nothing.
Theokylmenos
[1195]
In what misfortune are you plunged? What has happened?
Helen
Menelaos—alas, how shall I say it?—is dead, my husband.
Theoklymenos
I do not rejoice at your words, but it is good fortune for me. How do you know? Did Theonoe tell you this?
Helen
Both she, and one who was there when he perished.
Theoklymenos
[1200]
Someone has come who announces this for certain?
Helen
Someone has come; and may he go where I want him to go!
Theoklymenos
Who is it? Where is he? so that I may learn this more clearly.
Helen
That one, who is sitting crouched at this tomb.
Theoklymenos
Apollo! He certainly has unattractive clothing.
Helen
[1205]
Alas! I think my husband is in the same situation also.