Page:The Plays of Euripides Vol. 1- Edward P. Coleridge (1910).djvu/353

Rh. And did ye capture that Spartan dame?

. Menelaus caught her by the hair, and was for dragging her away.

. Didst thou thyself behold that unhappy one? or art thou speaking from hearsay?

. As plain as I now see thee, I then saw her.

. Consider whether ye were but indulging an idle fancy sent by heaven.

. Bethink thee of some other topic; no more of her!

. Are you so sure this fancy was reliable?

. With these eyes I saw her face to face, if so be I see thee now.

. Hath Menelaus reached his home by this time with his wife?

. No; he is neither in Argos, nor yet by the streams of Eurotas.

. Ah me! here is evil news for those to whom thou art telling it.

. 'Tis said he disappeared with his wife.

. Did not all the Argives make the passage together?

. Yes; but a tempest scattered them in every direction.

. In what quarter of the broad ocean?

. They were crossing the Ægean in mid channel.

. And after that, doth no man know of Menelaus' arrival?

. No, none; but through Hellas is he reported to be dead.

. Then am I lost. Is the daughter of Thestius alive?