Helen: Are the sons of Tyndareus still alive or not?
Teucer: Dead, and yet alive: 'tis a double story.
Helen: Which is the more credible report? Woe is me for my sorrows!
Teucer: Men say that they are gods in the likeness of stars.
Helen: That is happy news; but what is the other rumour?
Teucer: That they by self-inflicted wounds gave up the ghost because
of their sister's shame. But enough of such talk! I have no wish to
multiply my griefs. The reason of my coming to this royal palace was
a wish to see that famous prophetess Theonoe. Do thou the means afford,
that I from her may obtain an oracle how I shall steer a favourable
course to the sea-girt shores of Cyprus; for there Apollo hath declared
my home shall be, giving to it the name of Salamis, my island home,
in honour of that fatherland across the main.
Studies
