Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/203

Rh O Zeus, O Earth, O Sun, O Night!

Whether by charms or by wizardry,

Or stolen by Gods—not there was she!

What chanced thereafter I know not, I;

For with stealthy feet from the halls did I fly.

Ah, with manifold travail and weary pain

Menelaus hath won from Troy again

Helen his bride—in vain!

But unto strange things, lo, strange things succeed;

For sword in hand before the halls I see

Orestes come with passion-fevered feet.

Enter Orestes.

Where is he that fleeing from the palace hath escaped my sword?

Crouching to thee in barbaric wise I grovel, O my lord!

Out! No Ilium this is, but the land of Argos spreads hereby.

Everywhere shall wise men better love to cling to life than die.

Didst thou not to Menelaus shout the rescue-cry but now?