MENELAUS
How big would be your boasts, had you a shield!
TEUCER
Shieldless, I would outmatch you panoplied.
MENELAUS
How terrible a courage dwells within your tongue!
TEUCER
He may be bold of heart whose side right favours.
MENELAUS
Is it right that my assassin should be honoured?
TEUCER
Assassin? How strange, if, though slain, you live!
MENELAUS
Heaven saved me: I was slain in his intent.
TEUCER
Do not dishonour then the gods who saved you.
MENELAUS
What, I rebel against the laws of heaven?
TEUCER
Yes, if you come to rob the dead of burial.
MENELAUS
My own foes! How could I endure such wrong?
TEUCER
Did Aias ever confront you as your foe?
MENELAUS
He loathed me, and I him, as well you know.
TEUCER
Because to defraud him you intrigued for votes.
MENELAUS
It was the judges cast him, and not I.
47
