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 MENELAUS

How big would be your boasts, had you a shield!

TEUCER

Shieldless, I would outmatch you panoplied.

MENELAUS

How terrible a courage dwells within your tongue!

TEUCER

He may be bold of heart whose side right favours.

MENELAUS

Is it right that my assassin should be honoured?

TEUCER

Assassin? How strange, if, though slain, you live!

MENELAUS

Heaven saved me: I was slain in his intent.

TEUCER

Do not dishonour then the gods who saved you.

MENELAUS

What, I rebel against the laws of heaven?

TEUCER

Yes, if you come to rob the dead of burial.

MENELAUS

My own foes! How could I endure such wrong?

TEUCER

Did Aias ever confront you as your foe?

MENELAUS

He loathed me, and I him, as well you know.

TEUCER

Because to defraud him you intrigued for votes.

MENELAUS

It was the judges cast him, and not I.