"A
thousand
warriors have died on my account on the banks of
the Scamander.
the Scamander.
Aristophanes
MNESILOCHUS (_as Helen_). "These shores are those of the Nile with the
beautiful nymphs, these waters take the place of heaven's rain and
fertilize the white earth, that produces the black syrmea. "[624]
SEVENTH WOMAN. By bright Hecate, you're a cunning varlet.
MNESILOCHUS. "Glorious Sparta is my country and Tyndareus is my
father. "[625]
SEVENTH WOMAN. He your father, you rascal! Why, 'tis Phrynondas. [626]
MNESILOCHUS. "I was given the name of Helen. "
SEVENTH WOMAN. What! you are again becoming a woman, before we have
punished you for having pretended it a first time!
MNESILOCHUS.
"A thousand warriors have died on my account on the banks of
the Scamander. "
SEVENTH WOMAN. Why have you not done the same?
MNESILOCHUS. "And here I am upon these shores; Menelaus, my unhappy
husband, does not yet come. Ah! how life weighs upon me! Oh! ye cruel
crows, who have not devoured my body! But what sweet hope is this that
sets my heart a-throb? Oh, Zeus! grant it may not prove a lying one! "
EURIPIDES (_as Menelaus_). "To what master does this splendid palace
belong? Will he welcome strangers who have been tried on the billows of
the sea by storm and shipwreck? "[627]
MNESILOCHUS.
