4–2
ACHILLES
You give your advice out of friendship; but somehow I am distressed by my memory of life above, just as I think each of you is. If you won’t admit it, you show yourselves my inferiors, by submitting to it without protest.
ANTILOCHUS
No, but your betters, Achilles. We see the uselessness of speaking. We’ve resolved to say nothing, and to bear and endure it all, for fear that we too become a laughing-stock, as you have by indulging in wishes of that sort.
AEACUS
Why do you dash at Helen, and choke her, Protesilaus?
PROTESILAUS
It was because of her that I was killed, Aeacus, and left my house half-built, Cf. Iliad, II, 701. and my newly-wed wife a widow.
AEACUS
Then blame Menelaus, for taking you to Troy to fight for a woman like that.
PROTESILAUS
Quite right. I should blame him.
MENELAUS
Don’t blame me, my good man; it would be fairer to blame Paris. Though I was his host, he carried off my wife with him, contrary to all justice. Paris ought to be strangled, and not by you only, but by all the soldiers on both sides, for bringing death to so many.
5
PROTESILAUS
A better idea; then you, accursed Paris, Cf. Iliad, III, 39, etc. are the one I’ll keep forever in my grip.
PARIS
That would be unjust too, Protesilaus, for I practise the same craft as you; I’m a lover too, and subject to the same god; you know how it’s none of our wishing, but some divine power leads us wherever it chooses, and it’s impossible to resist him.
PROTESILAUS
True enough. Well, I wish I could catch Eros here.
