Orestes (above).
Ho there!—lay not thine hand unto these bolts,
Thou Menelaus, tower of impudence;
Else with this coping will I crush thine head,
Rending the ancient parapet's masonry.1570
Fast be the doors with bars, to shut out thence
Thy rescuing haste, that thou force not the house.
Menelaus.
Ha, what is this?—torches agleam I see,
And on the house-roof yonder men at bay—
My daughter guarded—at her throat a sword!1575
Orestes.
Wouldest thou question, or give ear to me?
Menelaus.
Neither: yet needs must I, meseems, hear thee.
Orestes.
I am bent to slay thy child—if thou wouldst know.
Menelaus.
How? Helen slain, wouldst thou add blood to blood?
Orestes.
Would I had done that, ere Gods baffled me!1580
Menelaus.
Thou slew'st her!—and for insult dost deny!
Orestes.
Bitter denial 'tis to me: would God—
