Helen comes out of the palace alone.
Helen
My friends, all goes well for us inside;
[1370]
for the daughter of Proteus, who aids us in our theft, has told her brother nothing when questioned as to my husband's coming; for my sake she said that he was not alive, but dead and buried. . . . My husband has snatched up by chance fine things indeed;
[1375]
for he is carrying away the armor he was intending to let fall into the sea, putting his noble arm through the shield-strap and holding a spear in his right hand, on pretence of joining in the service to the dead. He has equipped his body with weapons conveniently for the battle,
[1380]
in order to to set up the trophies of countless barbarians, whenever we embark on the oared ship. I adorned him with robes in place of his shipwrecked garments, and I washed him, a long-delayed bath in water from the stream.
[1385]
But I must be silent, for the man is coming from the house who thinks he holds my marriage ready in his hands; and I claim your goodwill and strict silence, so that, when we have saved ourselves, we may be able some day to save you also.
Theoklymenos and Menelaos enter, with a train of attendants bearing the offerings for the funeral rites.
Theoklymenos
[1390]
Advance in order, servants, as the stranger directed, bearing the funeral gifts for the sea. But you, Helen, if you will agree with my words, be persuaded and stay here; for you will do your husband equal service whether you are present or not.
[1395]
For I am afraid that some sudden passion should persuade you to throw your body into the swelling waves, stricken by love for your former husband; you are grieving for him too much, although he is lost.
Helen
O my new husband, I must honor
[1400]
my first marriage-bed and the one whose company I shared as a bride; for I could even die with my husband, I loved him so much. But how could he thank me, if I were to share death with him? Let me go and pay funeral rites to the dead in person.
[1405]
May the gods give to you the things I wish and also to this stranger here, for his assistance! And you will have in me such a wife at home as you ought to have, since you are doing a good service to Menelaos and to me; for surely these events are leading to some good fortune.
[1410]
But now appoint someone to give us a ship in which to carry these gifts, so that I may have your kindness in full.