Prologos
Teucer
No; he is neither in Argos nor by the streams of the Eurotas.
Helen
Alas! This is evil news for those to whom you bring it.
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Teucer
He is said to have disappeared with his wife.
Helen
Wasn’t there the same passage for all the Argives?
Teucer
Yes; but a tempest scattered them in every direction.
Helen
On which surface of the salty ocean?
Teucer
While they were crossing the Aegean in mid-channel.
130
Helen
And from that time does no one know of Menelaos’ arrival?
Teucer
No one; but throughout Hellas he is reported to be dead.
Helen
I am wholly lost. Is the daughter of Thestius alive?
Teucer
You speak of Leda? She is dead and gone, indeed.
Helen
It wasn’t Helen’s disgraceful fame that killed her, surely?
135
Teucer
Yes, they say she tied a noose around her noble neck.
Helen
Are the sons of Tyndareus still alive or not?
Teucer
They are dead, and not dead: it is a double story.
Helen
Which report is the stronger? I am so unhappy at these evils!
Teucer
Men say that they are gods in the likeness of stars.
140
Helen
That is good news; but what is the other story?
Teucer
That they killed themselves because of their sister. But enough of such talk! I do not need to grieve twice. As to why I came to this royal palace,
wanting to see the prophetess Theonoe, you be my patron, so I might obtain an oracle: how I should steer a favorable course to the island of Cyprus, where Apollo has declared I am to live, giving it the island name of
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