HELENA [stopping him]. Whatever made you think so?
PARIS. I've heard people talk of the King. You could never love a man
like that.
HELENA [beautifully]. A woman's first duty is to love her husband.
PARIS. There is a higher right than duty.
HELENA [with conviction]. Right is right.
PARIS [with admiration]. The world has libelled you.
HELENA. Me! The Queen?
PARIS. You are as wise as you are beautiful.
HELENA [smiling coyly]. Why, you hardly know me.
PARIS. I know you! I, better than all men.
HELENA. You?
PARIS [rapturously]. Human law has given you to Menelaus, but divine law
makes you mine.
HELENA [in amazement]. What!
PARIS. I alone appreciate your beauty. I alone can reach your soul.
HELENA. Ah!
PARIS. You hate your husband!
HELENA [drawing back]. Why do you look at me like that?
PARIS. To see if there's one woman in the world who dares tell the
truth.
HELENA. My husband doesn't understand me.
PARIS [with conviction]. I knew you detested him.
HELENA. He never listens to my aspirations.
PARIS. Egoist.
HELENA [assuming an irresistible pose]. I'm tired of being only lovely.
He doesn't realize the meaning of spiritual intercourse, of soul
communion.
PARIS. Fool!
HELENA. You dare call Moo Moo a fool?
PARIS. Has he not been too blind to see that your soul outshines your
beauty? [Then, very dramatically.] You're stifling!