Eksodos
[Episode]
But look! I see Menelaus approaching the palace
Chorus Leader
in haste; no doubt he has heard what is happening here. Descendants of Atreus within, make haste and secure the doors with bars. A man in luck is a dangerous adversary for luckless wretches like you, Orestes.
1550
Menelaus
I have come at the report of strange and violent deeds perpetrated
by a pair of lions, men I do not call them. What I heard was that my wife was not dead, but had vanished out of sight, an idle rumor which someone fooled by his own fear brought me. But that is a plot
1555
of the matricide’s—ridiculous!
1560
Open the doors! I tell my servants to force the gates, so that I may rescue my child at any rate from the hands of those blood-stained men and recover my poor wretched wife,
while the ones who destroyed her must die at my hands.
1565
Orestes
You there! Keep your hands off those bolts; I mean you, Menelaus, towering in your audacity! Or I will tear off the ancient parapet, the work of masons,
and shatter your skull with this coping-stone. The doors are bolted and barred, which will prevent your eagerness to bring aid and keep you from entering.
1570
Menelaus
Oh! What is this? I see a blaze of torches and men standing at bay on the top of the house,
with a sword guarding my daughter’s throat.
1575
Orestes
Would you question me or hear me speak?
Menelaus
Neither; but I suppose I must hear you.
Orestes
I intend to kill your daughter, if you want to know.
Menelaus
After slaying Helen, you will add murder to murder?
Orestes
Would I had accomplished that, instead of being duped by the gods!
1580
Menelaus
Do you deny having slain her, and say this out of wanton insult?
Orestes
Yes, I do deny it, to my sorrow. If only I had—
Menelaus
Done what? You frighten me!
Orestes
Hurled the pollution of Hellas to Hades!
