ORES. Where is he that fled from my sword out of the palace?
PHRY. I supplicate thee, O king, falling prostrate before thee after the
barbaric fashion.
ORES. The case before us is not in Ilium, but the Argive land.
PHRY. In every region to live is sweeter than to die, in the opinion of the
wise.
ORES. Didst thou not raise a cry for Menelaus to come with succor?
PHRY. I indeed am present on purpose to assist thee; for thou art the more
worthy.
ORES. Perished then the daughter of Tyndarus justly?
PHRY. Most justly, even had she three lives for vengeance.
ORES. With thy tongue dost thou flatter, not having these sentiments
within?
PHRY. For ought she not? She who utterly destroyed Greece as well as the
Phrygians themselves?
ORES. Swear, I will kill thee else, that thou art not speaking to curry
favor with me.
PHRY. By my life have I sworn, which I should wish to hold a sacred oath.
ORES. Was the steel thus dreadful to all the Phrygians at Troy also?
PHRY. Remove thy sword, for being so near me it gleams horrid slaughter.
ORES. Art thou afraid, lest thou shouldest become a rock, as though looking
on the Gorgon?
PHRY. Lest I should become a corse, but I know not of the Gorgon's head.
ORES. Slave as thou art, dost thou fear death, which will rid thee from thy
woes?
PHRY. Every one, although a man be a slave, rejoices to behold the light.
ORES. Thou sayest well; thy understanding; saves thee, but go into the
house.
PHRY. Thou wilt not kill me then?
ORES. Thou art pardoned.
PHRY. This is good word thou hast spoken.
ORES. Yet we may change our measures.
PHRY. But this thou sayest not well.
ORES. Thou art a fool, if thou thinkest I could endure to defile me by
smiting thy neck, for neither art thou a woman, nor oughtest thou to be
ranked among men. But that thou mightest not raise a clamor came I forth
out of the house: for Argos, when it has heard a noise, is soon roused, but
we have no dread in meeting Menelaus, as far as swords go; but let him come
exulting with his golden ringlets flowing over his shoulders, for if he
collects the Argives, and brings them against the palace seeking revenge
for the death of Helen, and is not willing to let me be in safety, and my
sister, and Pylades my accomplice in this affair, he shall see two corses,
both the virgin and his wife.