Theoklymenos
[1250]
Stranger, you have brought welcome news.
Menelaos
Not for me, certainly, nor for the dead man.
Theoklymenos
How do you bury those who have died at sea?
Menelaos
Each according to his means.
Theoklymenos
As far as wealth goes, say what you want, for her sake.
Menelaos
[1255]
There must be a blood-offering first to the dead.
Theoklymenos
Blood of what? Explain it to me, and I will obey.
Menelaos
You decide that yourself; whatever you give will suffice.
Theoklymenos
Among barbarians it is customary to sacrifice a horse or a bull.
Menelaos
If you make a gift, take care to give nothing mean.
Theokylemnos
[1260]
I have no lack of such in my rich herds.
Menelaos
Next, a couch empty of the body is decked and carried in procession.
Theoklymenos
It wall be done; what else is it customary to add?
Menelaos
Bronze arms; for war was his delight.
Theoklymenos
These will be worthy of the race of Pelops, and these we will give.
Menelaos
[1265]
And for the rest, all the lovely offspring that the earth bears.
Theoklymenos
How then? In what way do you let them fall into the waves?
Menelaos
A ship must be ready, and rowers.
Theoklymenos
How far from the shore does the ship put out?
Menelaos
So far that the foam in her wake can scarcely be seen from the land.
Theoklymenos
[1270]
But why? Why does Hellas observe this custom.
Menelaos
So that the waves may not wash pollution back ashore.
Theoklymenos
A swift Phoenician ship will be there.
Menelaos
That would be well done, and pleasing to Menelaos, too.
Theoklymenos
Can you not perform these rites well enough without Helen?
Menelaos
[1275]
This task belongs to mother, or wife, or children.
Theoklymenos
According to you, the work of burying her husband belongs to her.
Menelaos
Yes indeed; piety demands that the dead be not robbed of their due.
Theoklymenos
Let her go; it is in my interest to foster piety in a wife. Go inside and choose adornment for the dead;
[1280]
I will not send you away from the land empty-handed either, since you have done her a favor. As you have brought me good news, you will receive clothing instead of going in rags, and food, so that you may reach your country, since now I see you doing very badly indeed.
[1285]
As for you, poor lady, do not wear yourself out in a hopeless case; Menelaos has met his doom, and your dead husband could not return to life.
Menelaos
This is your duty, young woman; you must be content with the husband at your side, and let go the one that no longer exists;
[1290]
for this is best for you, according to what has happened. And if I come to Hellas and find safety, I will put to an end your former bad reputation, if you are such a wife as you ought to be to your husband.
Helen
I will; my husband will never find fault with me;
[1295]
you yourself will be at hand to know it. Now go inside, unhappy man, and find the bath, and change your clothes. I will show my kindness to you without delay. For you will perform the due services with more kindly feeling for my dearest Menelaos,
[1300]
if you get from me what you ought to have.Theoklymenos, Helen, Menelaos enter the palace.