Stasimon 1
[Episode]
But I wander miserably over the swelling waves of the gray ocean, ever since I sacked the towers of Ilion; and although I long to come home, I am not thought worthy by the gods to achieve this. I have sailed to Libya’s deserts and all its inhospitable landing-places;
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Menelaos
and whenever I draw near my native land, the blast drives me back again, and no favoring wind has ever entered my sails to let me come home.
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And now I am cast up on this shore, a miserable shipwrecked sailor who has lost his friends; and my ship is
broken into many pieces against the rocks. But out of its cleverly-wrought fastenings the keel was left, on which I made my difficult escape by an unexpected chance, and also Helen with me, whom I dragged away from Troy. But I do not know the name of this country
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and its people; for I was embarrassed to burst into a crowd and make inquiries, and so I concealed these shabby clothes, in shame over my misfortune. For whenever a man of high degree is badly off, he falls into an unaccustomed state which is worse than that of one who has long been unfortunate.
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But poverty is wearing me away; for I have neither food, nor clothes around my body; one can compare what I am wearing to rags cast out of the ship. The sea snatched away all the robes I once wore, splendid clothes and ornaments. Deep in a cave
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I hid the woman who caused all my troubles, and have come here, after compelling those of my friends who survived to guard my wife. I have come alone, seeking help for those friends there, if I may find it somehow after careful search.
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When I saw this home, surrounded by walls, and the majestic gateways of some prosperous man, I came near; sailors can hope to get something from wealthy homes; but from those who have no livelihood—they could not help us, even if they wanted to.
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Hello! Is there some gatekeeper who might come from the house and announce my troubles within?
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Old woman
Who’s at the door? Get away from the house and don’t annoy my master by standing at the court-yard gate! Or else you will die because you are
a Hellene, and they have no business here.
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Menelaos
My good woman, you can say these same words in a different tone, for I shall be persuaded; but let go your angry speech.
Old woman
Go away! Stranger, my orders are to let no Hellene come near this house.
Menelaos
Ah! Do not push me, or thrust me away by force.
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Old woman
You are to blame, for not heeding what I say.
Menelaos
Announce to your master inside—
Old woman
I think someone would be sorry, if I announced your words.
Menelaos
I come as a shipwrecked man and a guest; such people are safe from violence.
Old woman
Well, go to some other house instead of this one.
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Menelaos
No; I am going inside. You listen to me.
