Menelaus.
Woman, these are but trifles, all unworthy
Of my state royal,—thou say'st it,—and of Greece.
Yet know, when one hath set his heart on aught,
More than to take a Troy is this to him.
I stand my daughter's champion, for I count 370
No trifle robbery of marriage-right.
Nought else a wife may suffer matcheth this.
Losing her husband, she doth lose her life.
Over my thralls her lord hath claim to rule,
And over his like right have I and mine: 375
For nought that friends have, if true friends they be,
Is private: held in common is all wealth.
Waiting the absent, if I order not
Mine own things well, weak am I, and not wise.
But I will make thee leave the Goddess' shrine. 380
For, if thou die, this boy escapeth doom;
But, if thou wilt not die, him will I slay.
One of you twain must needs bid life farewell.
Andromache.
Woe! Dire lot-drawing, bitter choice of life,
Thou giv'st me! If I draw, I am wretched made; 385
And if I draw not, all unblest I am.
O thou for paltry cause that dost great wrong,
Hearken: why slay me?—for what crime?—what town
Have I betrayed?—have slain what child of thine?—
Have fired what home? Beside my lord I couched 390
Perforce—and lo, thou wilt slay me, not him,
The culprit; but thou passest by the cause,
And to the after issue hurriest.
Woe for these ills! O hapless fatherland,
