Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/185

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In several chambers will we bar them out.

And whoso keeps not silence must we slay.

Then shall the deed's self point the path to us,—

To Helen's death: the watchword know I well.

Thou say'st: and hear how noble is mine intent.

For, if we loosed the sword against a dame

More virtuous, were that slaying infamous.

But she shall for all Hellas' sake be punished,

Whose sires she slew, whose children she destroyed,

Whose brides she widowed of their yokefellows.

There shall be shouting, fires to heaven shall blaze,

With blessings many invoked on thee and me,

For that we shed a wicked woman's blood.

Slay her, thou shalt not matricide be called:

This cast aside, thou shalt find fairer lot,

Styled Slayer of Helen, a nation's murderess.

It must not be that Menelaus thrive,