Hence it was that Priam's son his cursed barque did build, and sped by barbarian oars sailed unto my home, in quest of beauty, woman's curse, to win me for his bride; and with him sailed the treacherous queen of Love, on slaughter bent, with death alike for Priam's sons, and Danai too. Ah me! for my hard lot! Next, Hera, stately bride of Zeus, seated on her golden throne, sent the son of Maia, swift of foot, who caught me up as I was gathering fresh rose-buds in the folds of my robe, that I might go to the "Brazen House," and bore me through the air to this loveless land, making me an object of unhappy strife 'twixt Hellas and the race of Priam. And my name is but a sound without reality beside the streams of Simois.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Well I know thou hast a bitter lot to bear; still 'tis best to bear as lightly as we may the ills that life is heir to.
HELEN
Good friends, to what a fate am I united? Did not my mother bear me to be a monster to the world? For no woman, Hellene or barbarian, gives birth to babes in eggs inclosed, as they say Leda bare me to Zeus. My life and all I do is one miracle, partly owing to Hera, and partly is my beauty to blame. Would God I could rub my beauty out like a picture, and assume hereafter in its stead a form less comely, and oh! that Hellas had forgotten the evil fate that now I bear, and were now remembering my career of honour as surely as they do my deeds of shame. Now, if a man doth turn his eyes to a single phase of fortune, and meets ill-usage at heaven's hands, 'tis hard no doubt;but still it can be borne; but I in countless troubles am involved.
First, although I never sinned, my good name is gone. And this is a grief beyond the reality, if a man incurs blame for sins that are not his. Next, have the gods removed me from my native land, to dwell with men of barbarous ways, and reft of every friend, I arn become a slave though free by birth; for amongst barbarians all are slaves but one. And the last anchor that held my fortunes, the hope that my husband would return one day, and rid me of my woes, is now no more, lost since the day he died. My mother too is dead, and I am called her murderess, unjustly it is true, but still that injustice is mine to bear; and she that was the glory of my house, my darling child, is growing old and grey, unwedded still; and those twin brethren, called the sons of Zeus, are now no more. But 'tis fortune, not my own doing, that hath crushed me with sorrow and slain me. And this is the last evil of all; if ever I come to my native land. they will shut me up in prison, thinking me that Helen of Ilium, in quest of whom Menelaus came thither. Were my husband still alive, we might have recognized each other, by having recourse to tokens which ourselves alone would know. But now this may not be, nor is there any chance of his escape. Why then do I prolong my life? What fortune have I still in store? Shall I choose marriage as an alternative of evils, and dwell with a barbarian lord, seated at his sumptuous board? No! when a husband she loathes is mated with a woman, even life is loathly to her. Best for her to die; but how shall I die a noble death? The dangling noose is an uncomely end; even slaves consider it disgrace; to stab oneself hath something fair and. noble in it; 'tis a small thing that moment of ridding the flesh of life. Yes, it must be; I am plunged so deep in misery; for that beauty, which to other women is a boon, to me hath been a very bane.
LEADER
Helen, never believe that the stranger, whoe'er he was that came, has spoken naught but truth.
HELEN
Yet he said so clearly that my lord was dead.
LEADER
There is much that falsehood seems to make quite clear.
HELEN
The word of truth hath a very different sound to falsehood.
LEADER
Thou art inclined to misfortune, rather than to luck.
HELEN
Fear girds me with terrors as with a garment, and takes me in her train.
LEADER
What friends hast thou within the palace?
HELEN
All are my friends here save him who seeks to wed-me.
LEADER
Thy action then is clear; leave thy seat at the tomb.
HELEN
To what words or advice art thou leading up?
LEADER
Go in and question the daughter of the ocean Nereid, who knoweth all things, even Theonoe, whether thy husband is still alive, or whether he hath left the light of day; and when thou knowest for certain, be glad or sorrowful, as fits thy fortune. But before thou hast right knowledge, what shall sorrow avail thee? Nay, hearken to me; leave this tomb and seek the maiden's company, that she may tell thee the truth, for from her shalt thou learn all. If thou abide here in this seat, what prospect hast thou? And I will myself go in with thee, and with thee inquire of the maiden's oracles; for 'tis a woman's bounden duty to share a sister's trouble.
(The following lines are chanted responsively by HELEN and the CHORUS.)HELENKind friends, I welcome your advice. Come in, come in, that ye may learn the result of my struggle within the palace.
CHORUS
Thy invitation comes to very willing ears.
HELEN
Woe for this heavy day! Ah me! what mournful tidings shall hear?
CHORUS
Dear mistress mine, be not a prophetess of sorrow, forestalling lamentation.
HELEN
What is the fate of my poor husband? Doth he still behold the light turning towards the sun-god's chariot and the stars in their courses? Or among the dead, beneath the earth, is he to death consigned?
CHORUS
Of the future take a brighter view, whatever shall betide.
HELEN
On thee I call, and thee adjure, Eurotas green with river-reeds, to tell me if this rumour of my husband's death be true.
CHORUS
What boots this meaningless appeal?
HELEN
About my neck will I fasten the deadly noose from above, or drive the murderous knife with self-aimed thrust deep into my throat to sever it, striving to cut my flesh, a sacrifice to those goddesses three and to that son of Priam, who in days gone by would wake the music of his pipe around his steading.
CHORUS
Oh may sorrow be averted otherwhither, and thou be blest!
HELEN
