782.6 
 Of 2 b 
 1867 
 
 l y 
 
 THE LATEST EDITION OF 
 
 HELEN; 
 
 OR, 
 
 TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 
 
 % burlesque, 
 
 IN THREE SCENES, 
 
 A Companion Picture to “ Paris; or , Vive Lempriere !" 
 
 BY 
 
 F. C. BURNAND, Esq., 
 
 {Member of the Dramatic Authors' Society ), 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 
 Patient Penelope, or The Return ot Ulysses ; Ixion, or the Man at the Wheel ; 
 Alonzo the Brave, or Faust and the Fair Imogene ; Villikins and his Dinah; 
 Lord Lovel and Lady Nancy Bell; Romance under Difficulties; In for a 
 Holiday; Dido ; King- of the Merrows; Deerfoot; Fair Rosamond; Robin 
 Hood, or The Foresters’ Fete ; Acis and Galatsea ; The Deal Boatman; Madame 
 Berliot’s Ball, or the Chalet in the Valley; Rumplestiltskin, or The Woman 
 at the Wheel; Snowdrop, or the Seven Mannikins and the Magic Mirror ; Cupid 
 and Psyche, or as Beautiful as a Butterfly ; Ulysses, or the Iron Clad Warrior 
 and the Little Tug of War; Pirithous, the Son of Ixion; Windsor Castle; 
 Dido (second edition); Paris, or Vive Lempriere; L’Africaine (opera-bouffe) ; 
 L’Africaine (burlesque, Liverpool) ; Boabdil el Chico, or the Moor the Merrier : 
 Sappho, or Look before you Leap; Our Yachting Cruise (G. Reed’s); Der 
 Freischutz, or a good Cast for a Piece ; Antony and Cleopatra, or His-story and 
 Her-story in Modern Nilo-metre; Olympic Games, or the Major, the Miner, 
 and the Cock-a-doodle-doo ; The Latest Edition of Black-eyed Susan, or the 
 Little Bill that was Taken up; Guy Fawkes, or the Ugly Mug and the Couple 
 of Spoons, &c., &c. 
 
 AND PART AUTHOR OF 
 
 B. B. ; Volunteer Ball; Turkish Bath; Carte de Visite ; The Isle of 
 St. Tropez; Easy Shaving; &c., &c. 
 
 %* An adaptation of “ La Belle Helene ,” in Three Acts, (with Offenbach’s 
 music) by the same Author, was performed at the Adelphi. 
 
 THOMAS HAILES LACY, 
 
 THEATRICAL PUBLISHER, 
 
 LONDON. 
 

HELEN ; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 3 
 
 
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OR, 
 
 TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 
 
 HELEN ; 
 
 Scene First. — Exterior of the Temple of Jupiter , at 
 
 Sparta . 
 
 Chorus of Devotees, discovered presenting their offerings , 
 chiefly flowers , before the Temple . The Temple door is 
 opened , Calchas enters, followed by Philocomenos, 
 
 c. Devotees Slaves, carrying the offerings 
 
 into the Temple . 
 
 Calchas. Business is bad. It's very hard to state 
 That Jove has not been patronized of late. 
 
 I seldom see ’em to our Temple going ; 
 
 Men are becoming so uncommon knowing. 
 
 Philocomenos. But, reverend Mister Calchas, I’ve heard 
 
 tell, 
 
 The priest of Venus does uncommon well. 
 
 Calch. The priest of Venus goes on well ; but how? 
 ’Cos, Phil, that goddess is the rage just now. 
 
 For wasn’t she proclaimed the fairest by 
 Young Paris, on Mount Ida? Ah, that’s why. 
 
 But stir yourself, to day’s the annual fete 
 Of great Adonis, which to celebrate, 
 
 Helen, our queen, will hold a festive court 
 
 To all the Grecian Princes ; and I ought 
 
 To give an oracle to-day — a tip 
 
 For next year’s Derby — can’t let this chance slip. 
 
 Old Calchas’s right again, so pay your fees ! (music) 
 
 What’s that? 
 
 Philo. 
 
 Queen Helen and her devotees. 
 
 (goes up steps , c.) 
 
SC. 1.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 5 
 
 Music. — Enter , r. u. e., four Ladies, with double flutes t 
 four with cymbals , then Helen, followed by two Ladies, 
 with offerings. 
 
 Hymn to Adonis . — “ C y est le devoir des Femmes FillesF 
 
 Helen. Adonis lie was killed by a little boar ; 
 
 He was no less than loved by Venus — 
 
 No less, no more — 
 
 Killed by a boar, 
 
 He is no more. 
 
 Chorus. He is no more. 
 
 Helen. Adonis, dear, we’ll thus address you ; 
 
 Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle, little star; 
 
 To shed a tear will not distress you, 
 
 Since high above the world you are. 
 
 I’m sure you’ll hear us, Venus ; 
 
 Oh, Venus, up yonder; 
 
 I’m sure you’ll hear us, Venus, up yonder. 
 Lovely goddess (between us), 
 
 No one of him was fonder, 
 
 Whose praise we sing to you — 
 
 Whom we hymn to you. 
 
 Chorus. Lovely Venus up yonder, 
 
 Of that youth none fonder, 
 
 Of him no one was fonder than you. 
 
 (Calchas invites them to enter the Temple — the 
 Maidens accept his kind invitation — Helen 
 stops on the first step and beckons Calchas — they 
 come down) 
 
 Helen. A word with you. 
 
 Calch. ( obsequiously ) Queen Helen ! (bows) 
 
 Helen. ( stopping him) That’ll do ; 
 
 I simply said, I want a word with you ; 
 
 But if those foolish attitudes you strike, 
 
 I shall have words with you which you won’t like. 
 Tell me that Ida business. 
 
 Calch. ( taken by surprise) Most unfottinit. 
 
 Ida! now Fd ha y thought you had forgotten it. 
 (coaxingly) Don’t think about it, queen. 
 
6 HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 1. 
 
 Helen. ( impetuously ) What ! Gods above ! 
 
 (Calchas is startled , and Helen continues meditatively ) 
 Paris ! ( quietly ) Yes, Venus promised him the love 
 Of the most beauteous woman man could see 
 As his reward, {looking at Calchas meaningly) Who 
 can that person be? [she walks up and down , 
 Calchas watching her) 
 
 The loveliest woman in the world. Well, who 
 D’ye think ? 
 
 Calch. There’s not a doubt of it. 
 
 Helen. Who ? 
 
 Calch. You! 
 
 (Helen is startled and jumps away from Calchas) 
 Helen, {recovering herself ) Ah ! that’s your fun, old man. 
 Calch. No. 
 
 Helen. Go along o’ you 
 
 To talk like that — ( pettishly and coquettishly) 
 
 Absurd ! It’s very wrong o’ you. 
 
 Calch. ( rapturously ) The loveliest you 
 
 Helen, {solemnly) You’ll swear. 
 
 Calch. I may — {is about to swear , Helen stops him , and 
 he says apologetically) Mad -am! 
 
 Helen. Well, now you mention it, I think I am. 
 
 When at my toilette I can not help seeing, 
 
 That I am out and out the loveliest being ; 
 
 And Paris is to win me, is he? Stay, 
 
 Isn’t there Menelaus in the way ? 
 
 Calch. Your husband? Yes, {with piety extraordinary) 
 
 but if the gods dispose 
 
 Helen. Exactly ; and if Paris should propose 
 
 Calch. Precisely. 
 
 Helen. Menelaus — on the whole, 
 
 Poor fellow ! he’s a very worthy soul. 
 
 Among the Kings there isn’t one above him ; 
 
 {with rapture) I’ve every reason, every cause to love 
 I’d cling to him as does the tender plant [him ! 
 About the oak. {utterly changing) And yet somehow 
 I can’t. 
 
 Calch. You chose him from a hundred rivals, queen. 
 Helen. Imagine what the others must have been. 
 
 Calch. Your majesty 
 
7 
 
 SC. 1.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 
 
 Helen, [meditatively) The loveliest ! 
 
 Calch. Will it please 
 
 The queen to join the other devotees? 
 
 ♦ [motioning her towards the Temple , whence comes 
 the refrain of the chorus) 
 
 You hear those strains ? the ladies 
 
 Helen. Make that row. 
 
 [regarding her own dress) Those strains ! these trains 
 are all the fashion now. 
 
 [goes towards Temple , her train interferes with her 
 walking — Music within — Exit Helen up steps 
 and into Temple) 
 
 Calch. Now to attend upon the Jove-ial rites. 
 
 [goes up steps — turns on the tap and looks at the lights) 
 That’s waste of oil ; Til put out those two lights. 
 I’ll make ’em blaze again when all is done, 
 
 At luncheon time — say something light by one. 
 
 Enter Paris, l., addressing him enquiringly . 
 
 Paris. Coolchas ? [further ? 
 
 Calch. [correcting him) No, Calch-as. I am he. What 
 Paris. Calchas ! I thought you were some ass or other. 
 Calch. Young man, I am the Reverend Calchas. 
 
 Paris. Eh ? 
 
 Do I address the vicar, then, of Bray? 
 
 Oh, no offence. 
 
 Calch. [going) I can’t attend ! 
 
 Paris, [superciliously) Oh, can’t you ? 
 
 Calch. [angrily) And what is more, I shan’t attend. 
 Paris, [coolly) Oh, shan’t you ! 
 
 Have you by any chance received to-day 
 A letter from the Goddess Venus — eh? 
 
 Calch. Don’t be absurd ! 
 
 Paris. My pigeon should have brought it ; 
 
 A clever bird, and alLit’s learnt I’ve taught it ; 
 
 It knows the way here, each mile, foot, and half inch. 
 Calch. [sceptically) Old birds aren’t caught with chaff. 
 Paris. ’Tis not a chaff- inch, 
 
 More like a dove — she’s here ! [Music) And brings 
 Calch. [derisively) She knows her letters ? [the news. 
 Paris. . Yes; the hens and coos. 
 
8 HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 1. 
 
 ( the Pigeon flies to Paris, and flap its wings ; 
 Paris extracting letter from underneath the 
 Bird’s wing) 
 
 From Cytherea ! he’s come very far. 
 
 Calch. The pigeon’s done. 
 
 Paris. Done ! pigeons mostly are. 
 
 (: to Pigeon, who flies away) 
 Fly, Dicky, fly ! Dicky’s himself again. 
 
 ( reading ) Calchas, addressed to you — read, ’twill explain. 
 Calch. [reads] Venus presents her compliments 
 To Calchas, and infers, 
 
 From all she knows of him, 
 
 And can suppose of him, 
 
 That there needs no excuse, 
 
 For her to introduce, 
 
 A nice young friend of hers, [he looks at Paris) 
 A youth whose cultivated taste 
 Meets with her approbation, 
 
 Who will be well received and placed 
 High in your estimation. 
 
 To him, she, Venus, promised this 
 For work that needs no mention ; 
 
 The loveliest lady should be his, 
 
 You’ll work out this intention. 
 
 [he looks at Paris) 
 And Venus wishes you to take, 
 
 The very first occasion 
 To bring her friend — her word’s at stake — 
 ’Neath Helen’s observation. 
 
 Venus presents her compliments again to you, 
 
 And all the rest young Paris will explain to you. 
 Calch. Then you are Paris ; Priam, your papa 
 The King of Troy ? 
 
 Paris. In slang phrase, right you are. 
 
 Calch. Introduce you to Helen ? I must do 
 Whatever Venus orders, so must you. 
 
 Her husband’s my great friend ; but in all dealings 
 With gods, one must suppress one’s private feelings. 
 So I am yours. 
 
 [Musio— during which Helen and Attendant 
 re-enter from Temple , c.) 
 
SC. 1.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 
 
 I'll introduce 
 Paris. 
 
 She comes. You lucky dog, 
 
 Not yet ; I’ll stay incog . 
 
 (Helen observes Paris — exit Attendants) 
 Helen. Calchas! 
 
 Calch. Great Queen. 
 
 Helen. Just tell me, if you can, 
 
 Who is 
 
 Calch. ( obsequiously ) The loveliest 
 
 Helen. ( sharply ) No, that nice young man. 
 
 Calch. ( confused ) Heis a country gentleman — a pheasant. 
 Helen. A what? 
 
 Calch. [aside) I'm so confused, [aloud) I mean a 
 peasant. 
 
 Helen. He's very handsome ; what a sweet expression. 
 What is he ? 
 
 Calch. Hem ! a shepherd by profession. 
 
 Helen. If shepherds all are like the one I see, 
 
 How happy must the shepherdesses be ! 
 
 Calch. You'd better question him. 
 
 Helen. That I will do, 
 
 I recognize the voice of Jove in you ; 
 
 Whose will 'tis pleasure to obey when known, 
 
 And when it fits exactly with one's own. 
 
 Calch. I leave you. 
 
 Helen. Yes, Jove's voice again. Don't wait. 
 
 Calch. [aside) What must be, must ; it's all arranged 
 by fate. Exit into Temple , c. 
 
 Helen, [aside) Dear me, I feel a kind of palpitation. 
 
 [bashfully eyeing Paris) 
 
 Paris, [aside) There seems to be a little hesitation ; 
 Than her no lovelier woman could I find ! 
 
 Venus, upon my word, you're very kind. 
 
 Helen. Ahem! 
 
 Paris. Ahem ! 
 
 Helen. I 
 
 Paris. 
 
 Helen. 
 
 You- 
 
 Eh ? did you speak ? 
 {aside) We shan’t get on at this rate for a week. 
 [aloud) Remarks on personal appearance you'd 
 ^ ^nsider from a stranger rather rude ; 
 
10 HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 1. 
 
 But when on you at first I set my eyes, 
 
 I said, he is a god, and in disguise, 
 
 Coming as Jupiter once courted Leda. 
 
 Paris ( modestly ) Pm but a shepherd, ma’am ; of sheep 
 a feeder. 
 
 Helen. Can you be that ? My views of folks Agrarian, 
 
 Is that they all are more or less barbarian. 
 
 Paris. Such an employment’s not beneath my station, 
 Though p’raps it is a bar-bar - ous occupation. 
 
 Helen. Why, may I ask, then, have you left your place? 
 Paris. To make my fortune. 
 
 Helen. It is in your face ; 
 
 I’m something of an artist, be my model. 
 
 Paris, [aside) An artist ! then she paints. 
 
 Helen. Just turn your noddle, 
 
 Half round — that way ; the other way I said. 
 
 Paris. This is enough to turn a fellow’s head. 
 
 Helen, [aside) A common man in quite a common coat, 
 And p’raps not rich enough to have a vote I 
 I’m queen, [shakes off her sentimentality and changes 
 the conversation) What is the time, sir, by 
 the sun? 
 
 What do you think ? 
 
 Paris, [with tenderness) I think, ma’am, about one. 
 Helen. My watch, [feeling for it) 
 
 Paris. They’re not invented. But I may 
 
 [significantly) Observe, I’m quite up to the time of day. 
 ’Tis three. 
 
 Helen. u Two’s company, but three is not,” 
 
 And at that hour a court of kings I’ve got ; 
 
 All sorts of stupid fun they’re going to try, 
 Charades, conundrums. 
 
 Calch. [appearing on temple steps) They approach. 
 Helen, [to Paris) Good bye. 
 
 [Music — Helen and Paris regard each other lovingly) 
 
 Paris, [slowly) Good bye. 
 
 Helen. Good bye. [slowly) We’ll meet 
 
 again once more. 
 
 Paris. We shall; then not u Good bye,” 0 reservoir . 
 Helen, 0 reservoir ? 
 
S'C. 1.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 11 
 
 Calch. ( looking off ) Here come the two first ranks! 
 Helen, (to Paris) 0 reservoir . 
 
 Paris, (to Helen) For that word many tanks . 
 
 Exit, r. 
 
 Calch. (to Helen) The throne you must ascend; some 
 preparation ! 
 
 You’ll want. 
 
 Helen, (rousing herself) I shall “Get up” for the 
 occasion. Exit, l. 
 
 Enter Orestes, r. — Servants place seats during following 
 March . 
 
 Calch. (patronizingly) Well, young Orestes. 
 
 Orest, (brusquely) Quite well, thanks. The session 
 Begins with pa' and Kings in grand procession. 
 
 March and Chorus , — A March , the now popular Braban- 
 qonne of the Belgians , or the Sultan 9 s March — “ Couplets 
 des Roisf from u La Belle Helene 
 
 Ajax 1st entering with Ajax 2nd, r. 
 
 We two looking like two lancers, 
 
 -king like two lancers, 
 
 -king like two lancers, 
 
 We’re the two Ajax ! 
 
 Orest. £f Calch. They are two Ajax ! 
 
 Ajax 1st. Who rudely comes and answers, 
 
 -ly comes and answers, 
 
 -ly comes and answers, 
 
 Will get crushing cracks. 
 
 Orest, fy Calch. They will get crushing cracks. 
 
 Ajax 1st. Who’ll for battle axe with us, 
 
 Who sees the battle axe ! 
 
 Both. Of muscular looking lancers ! 
 
 Ajax. -lar looking lancers, 
 
 -lar looking lancers, 
 
 Like the two Ajax. 
 
 Orest. 'I Such muscu-lar looking lancers, 
 
 Calch. V -lar looking lancers, 
 
 Chorus. ) Like the two Ajax ! 
 
12 HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 1. 
 
 Enter Achilles, r. 
 
 Achil. And I’m val-i-ant Achilles, 
 
 -i-ant Achilles 
 -i-ant Achilles 
 Of Dons, the great don. 
 
 Orest., both Ajax, fy Calch. He’s the great myr-mi-don. 
 Achil. Plains of Daffydowndillies, 
 
 Daffydowndillies, 
 
 Daffydowndillies, 
 
 Hither I’ve trod on. 
 
 Calch. both Ajax, fy Orest. To come here he’s trod on. 
 My heel is my only weak point, 
 
 Ma’ did not anoint. 
 
 I am Pe-li~des Achilles, 
 
 -ides Achilles, 
 
 -ides Achilles, 
 
 The great mummydon, 
 
 The mum, the mum- my don ! 
 
 1 Yes, he’s Pelides Achilles, 
 
 -ides Achilles, 
 
 * The great mummydon. 
 
 Yes, he’s Pelides Achilles, 
 
 -ides Achilles, 
 
 The great mum-my-don! 
 
 Enter Menelaus, r. 
 
 We are Mon-arch Menelaus, 
 
 -arch Menelaus, 
 
 -arch Menelaus, 
 
 Helen’s hus-i-band. 
 
 Calch. Orest, both Ajax. Achil. Queen Helen’s husiband. 
 She’s too faithful to betray us, 
 
 -ful to betray us, 
 
 -ful to betray us. 
 
 Mum ! you understand. 
 
 Calch. both Ajax. Orest. Achil. We under- dunder- stand. 
 Menel. But je-a-lousee may play us 
 Tricks if that flame’s fann’d, 
 
 I am Mon-arch Menelaus, 
 
 -arch Menelaus, 
 
 -arch Menelaus, 
 
 Achil. 
 
 Orest. 
 
 both 
 
 Ajax. 
 
 Calch. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Menel. 
 
SC. 1.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 13 
 
 He-len’s husi-band, 
 
 The hussy’s husi-band. 
 
 Calch. Orest, both Ajax. Achil. Chorus. Yes, he’s 
 Mon-arch Menelaus, 
 
 -arch Menelaus, 
 
 Helen’s husiband. 
 
 Yes, he’s Mon-arch Menelaus, 
 
 -arch Menelaus, 
 
 Helen’s hus-i-band ! 
 
 Enter Agamemnon, r. 
 
 Agamem. Cock-a-hoop is my manner, 
 
 -hoop is my manner, 
 
 -hoop is my manner. 
 
 I’m Aga-mem-non. 
 
 Calch. Orest. Achil. both Ajax. $ Menel. A-gay — 
 Aga-memnon. 
 
 Agamem. Of war-ri-ors I’m a tanner, 
 
 -ors I’m a tanner, 
 
 -ors I’m a tanner, 
 
 Whom I come upon. 
 
 Calch; Orest. Achil. both Ajax, Menel. Whom he 
 may come upon. 
 
 Agamem. Enough to proclaim my name, 
 
 For you to know my fame. 
 
 Quite cock-a-hoop is my manner, 
 
 -hoop is my manner, 
 
 -hoop is my manner, 
 
 Of A-gay-memnon — 
 
 A- gay — A-gay-memnon. 
 
 Calch. Orest. &c., and Chorus. Yes, cock-a-hoop is 
 the manner, 
 
 -hoop is the manner, 
 
 Of A-gay-mem-non. 
 
 Yes, cock-a-hoop is the manner, 
 
 -hoop is the manner, 
 
 Of A-gay-mem-non. 
 
 A-gay — A - gay — A-gay-m emnon. 
 
 ( every one on the Stage now joins in the finishing 
 figure of u La Belle Helene ” quadrilles — dance) 
 
 B 
 
14 HELEN; OK, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 1. 
 
 Enter Helen, down , c. 
 
 Calc. ( announces ) The Queen! 
 
 [grand flourish of trumpets — the Kings are all 
 assembled — Helen, l., on the throne , seated next 
 her is Menelaus, Agamemnon, Achilles, both 
 Ajax, Orestes, Calchas, Philocomenos, and 
 Euthycles, grouped — Crowd at back) 
 
 Agamem. Well, here we are ; a fact scarce worth repeating. 
 King Menelaus will address the meeting. 
 
 Orest. Bravo ! (Menelaus is put out by this interruption) 
 Agamem. My son. 
 
 Orest. Pa. 
 
 Agamem. Not another word, 
 
 Small boys like you are seen, but mayn’t be heard. 
 
 Menel. [remonstrating) If you are going on 
 
 Agamem. We’re not. 
 
 Menel. [annoyed) I say, 
 
 “If” 
 
 Agamem. We’re not. 
 
 Menel. [more annoyed) If 
 
 Agamem. ( testily ) We’re not. 
 
 If- 
 
 Menel. [more emphatically) 
 
 Orest. Fire away. 
 
 Menel. [bottles up his feelings and proceeds) Hem l 
 unaccustomed as I am to — um — 
 
 Um — public speaking — a — the time has come 
 When, I may say, that is I have observed 
 That — you’ll excuse my — um — it is reserved 
 For others to express, at least I mean, 
 
 Speaking for self and partner — that is, Queen. 
 
 (Agamemnon prompts him) 
 Who? eh ? yes. Oh, of course, you’ve all met here 
 To celebrate the — (Helen prompts him) 
 
 Yes, I know, my dear, 
 
 To celebrate the fete of Adonis 
 
 Among ourselves, and meet a few old cronies. 
 
 Orest. Hear ! hear ! 
 
 Menel. Don’t interrupt your king, because I 
 
 Don’t like it. Agamemnon, here ! where was I ? 
 
 (Agamemnon whispers 
 
15 
 
 SC. 1.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 
 
 Speak up ; oh, yes. To-day your recreation 
 Will be an intellectual occupation, 
 
 Riddles, charades, you'll guess at different times, 
 And then you'll have to make impromptu rhymes, 
 
 To any given word that may be read. 
 
 (Agamemnon gives papers to Helen) 
 And as this is a contest of the head, 
 
 Helen our queen will handsomely come down, 
 
 And wreath the victor with a laurel crown ; 
 
 We all can try, whatever be our station, 
 
 In this competitive examination ; 
 
 Now sharpen up your wits, we’ll keep this one day, 
 Henceforth among ourselves as Greek Whit Monday 
 Now crumpets — I mean trumpets. ( fanfare ) 
 
 First charade. 
 
 (Menelaus sits down — Helen rises with riddle 
 paper) 
 
 Helen. My first is — ( pauses ) 
 
 Menel. Come, that isn't very hard. 
 
 Helen. Silence ! 
 
 My first is what I'd say to a horse, 
 
 That is, if I were a driver of course. 
 
 Menel. Horse ! Let me see. 
 
 Helen. (< continues ) My second you’ll see at half- past one. 
 Achil. (suddenly) Luncheon — no — dinner. 
 
 (Ajax 2nd is coming forward with an idea but is 
 restrained) 
 
 Helen. ( continues ) When in summer shines the noon-day 
 sun. 
 
 (Menelaus, Ajax 1st. Achilles, Agamemnon, 
 all strike different attitudes of thought and 
 exclaim) Sun ! 
 
 Helen. My third is close or nigh to both, 
 
 The fourth and the second, but I'm loth 
 To put it much clearer. My fourth is said, 
 
 When you meditate on what you've read; 
 
 Or when you've got something to think about, 
 
 Which puzzles you rather to make out. 
 
 The whole you may see in a shop, (stop) or instead 
 You're likely to meet with it (stop) near a bed. 
 
 (all puzzled) 
 
16 HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 1. 
 
 I’m masculine, feminine, neuter, all three, 
 
 Tell me, my friends, what can this be? 
 
 Ajax 1st. Cupidity!'! 
 
 Ajax 2nd. Trotters! v [all repeat together) 
 
 Achil. Wonderfully! ) 
 
 Agamem. Explain cupidity. (Menelaus is lost in thought) 
 Ajax 1st. ( putting aside Ajax 2nd) Fd say, “come up” 
 To any horse, which shortened thus, is u c’up,” 
 
 And c’up begins cupidity. 
 
 Agamem. Stupidity ! 
 
 How, may I ask, do you explain the u idity ?” 
 
 Ajax 2nd. Trotters ! — I — let me see — no, I can’t guess. 
 Achil. I’ve got it — “ wonderfully I” 
 
 Agamem. I confess 
 
 I do not see the way. 
 
 Achil. Oh, yes, you know, 
 
 Of course, to horses ev’ry one says u wo.” 
 
 Double U 0 spells wo, you see, and then 
 
 Agamem. Then comes an “n.” 
 
 Achil. Ah, never mind the “ w,” 
 
 But (is bothered) 
 
 Menel. (suddenly) Canterbury ! “ Canter-bu” and “ ry.” 
 You see it. 
 
 Agamem. No I don’t. 
 
 Menel. (unable to see it) No more do I. 
 
 (retires disheartened ) 
 
 Enter Paris, r., from among the crowd at baclc — Helen 
 starts . 
 
 Agamem. Well, no more guesses. 
 
 Paris. That charade to answer 
 
 I come, and I’m the only one who can, sir ! 
 
 The syllables 
 
 Achil. He calls us silly-billies ! 
 
 Menel. Perhaps you’ll hold your stupid tongue, Achilles. 
 Achil. Rash boy ! 
 
 Paris. What I would say to a horse would be 
 
 “ Gee !” 
 
 Ajax 1st. Oh, yes. 
 
 Ajax 2nd. Of course ! 
 
 Menel. Oh, yes, I thought of 11 gee.’ 
 
SC. 1.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 17 
 
 Paris. My second you’ll see when the sun shines — u ra.” 
 Menel. The very thing that I was going to say ! 
 
 Paris. The third is close or nigh to both, 
 
 The fourth and second, that is, “ni.” 
 
 Gee-ray- nigh — 
 
 The fourth I say when I’m considering some 
 Slight puzzle like the present one, it’s — “urn.” 
 Ge-ra-ni-um, it doesn’t want the cranium 
 Of a great scholar ( looking at Menel aus, who is 
 trying to spell it) to make out “ geranium.” 
 Menel. Geranium ! I’ve found it out ! 
 
 Achil. Pooh ! 
 
 Ajax 1st. Pooh! 
 
 Helen. The first prize, shepherd, I adjudge to you. 
 Achil. The first to him ! a snob ! who don’t deserve it. 
 Agamem. Your name, sir ? 
 
 Paris. For the present I’ll reserve it. 
 
 [he retires , r., at hack) 
 
 Orest. Musicians play, u The conquering hero comes,” 
 Menel. Blow all the trumpets, beat the co-nun- drums. 
 
 {fanfare very much in discord) 
 Helen. Now for the rhymes, I give four words ; your wit 
 Will make them neatly into verses fit. 
 
 Each word must end a line — 
 
 Life — lot — knife — knot. 
 
 Menel. I can do that. 
 
 Every one who lives has a life , 
 
 Any body with a good appetite can eat a lot 
 Of dinner, if he’s got a plate, a fork, and a knife , 
 
 But I can not. 
 
 Agamem. That’s not verse. 
 
 Menel. Every one who lives has a life. 
 
 All. Turn him out. 
 
 (Menelaus explains ^oCalchas, Pooh poohs” 
 him) 
 
 Ajax 2nd. My life, 
 
 Your lot ; 
 
 A knife 
 And knot. 
 
 Agamem. That’s pretty. 
 
 Achil. {disparaginly) Sounds well. 
 
18 HELEN; OK, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 1. 
 
 Agamem. Yes; don’t take offence, 
 
 The rhyme is rhyme I own ; but where’s the sense ? 
 Menel. Yes, where’s the sense? Look here — 
 Everybody who lives has a life ; 
 
 Anybody with 
 
 All. Oh, order! order! 
 
 Paris, (re- appearing as before ) I’m in order. 
 
 Achil. You? 
 
 Paris. Yes; I can give you rhyme and reason too. 
 
 (Menelaus comes r. of Paris, Helen, l. — all attention) 
 Paris. Two happy folks for life 
 
 Are joined by lot ; 
 
 Fate gives the third a knife 
 To cut the knot . 
 
 Calch. (to Menelaus) How do you like it? 
 
 Menel. Oh, the rhyme I praise ; 
 
 But don’t much like the moral it conveys. 
 
 “ Fate gives a third the knife” — the notion’s queer. 
 Helen. ’Tis such a prettily expressed idea. 
 
 Calch. Come, don’t be jealous! 
 
 Menel. I should be a flat 
 
 To care a penny for a man like that ! 
 
 A rhymster, who, to judge from style I s’pose 
 Is some relation to the poet Close. 
 
 Jealous ! (aside) I’d like to come behind his back 
 In some dark place and fetch him such a crack ; 
 
 I’d show him that I wasn’t jealous. 
 
 Helen. Now, 
 
 To place the victor’s crown upon his brow. 
 
 Finale. — Chorus , u Sound , Sound the Trumpets ” (from 
 Puritani). 
 
 Riddles are so laborious 
 
 This shepherd, yes, this shepherd is victorious, 
 Hurrah, let us be uproarious, 
 
 In a jolly noisy sort of way 
 
 Chord changes to u All among the Barley 
 Achil. What ! conquered by a peasant ! 
 
 Menel. Now tell us who you am ? 
 
 Paris. Well, sir, my name is Paris (start) 
 
 The son of old Priam. 
 
SC. 1.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 19 
 
 [executes a run and change the air to chorus of) 
 11 Champagne Charley .’* 
 
 Young Prince Paris is my name ! 
 
 Young Prince Paris is my name! 
 
 Good for any little game, my boys, 
 
 Yes, young Prince Paris is my name ! 
 
 All. Yes, young Prince Paris is his name, &c., &c. 
 
 “ On yonder Rock ,” [ Fra Diavolo .) 
 
 Menel. Pm glad you’re not a peasant, 
 
 For if you were it never would do, 
 
 For Helen, my Queen, a grand present 
 To give to a cad like you. 
 
 You’ll dine with us? 
 
 Paris, [to Menelaus) Delighted! [aside to Calchas) If 
 Menelaus sent off could be. 
 
 Calch. [aside to him ) He’ll go by an oracle frighted, [goes 
 up to temple steps) 
 
 Helen, [aside) Is this fatalitee / 
 
 (Philocomenos strikes the thunder on steps at hack) 
 Calch. Tr-r-r-remble ! [thunder) 
 
 Down on your knees from your feet ! 
 
 Helen. Jupiter’s oracle thunders. 
 
 Calch. Menelaus - - - must go - - - to Crete ! 
 
 All. Tr-r-r-remble ! [thunder) 
 
 Helen. Will you that order repeat ? 
 
 [repeat as above except Menelaus) 
 Menel. [with them last line) Why should - - - I go - - - 
 to Crete ! 
 
 ( rumbling of thunder — they all come round — 
 Menelaus, c., with the last chord — Tableau) 
 
 Couplets des Rois . — u La Belle Helene .” 
 
 Helen. Away Ju-pi-ter him summons, 
 
 -pi-ter him summons, 
 
 -pi-ter him summons, 
 
 To Crete, ’tisn’t far. 
 
 All. To Crete, it is not far. 
 
 Menel. To Crete ! oh, ain’t it far. 
 
 Helen. Fate’s decrees ! very rum’uns, 
 
 -crees, very rum ’uns, 
 
 -crees, very rum ’uns, 
 
20 HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 2. 
 Ta, ta ! to Sparta ! 
 
 All. To Sparta, ta, ta, ta ! 
 
 (Menelaus takes umbrella and carpet bag from 
 Helen, and prepares to start as scene closes on 
 tableau) 
 
 Scene Second. — Queen Helen's Private Apartment in the 
 Palace of Sparta ; doors to open at back , with view of 
 gardens and country ; a large picture of Leda , r., at 
 back , the swan is seen in the background . 
 
 Helen enters , l., attended by her Maids and Glauce. 
 
 Helen. I'll change that dress of state. 
 
 Glauce. I wouldn't do it. 
 
 Helen. A cotton ? well, I rather cotton to it. 
 
 Glauce. But there's a supper party of the princes ; 
 
 The cook's been making apple tarts with quinces. 
 
 They'll all be here, and then to see you thus 
 
 Helen. My worthy Glauce, do not make a fuss ; 
 
 I've dressed myself for ev'ning as but few do. 
 
 I know what I'm about as well as you do. 
 
 Till Menelaus shall return, my vow 
 Is to remain just dressed as I am now. 
 
 Glauce. 'Tis fortunate that every one's aware 
 That you're indeed the fairest of the fair ; 
 
 Or if they saw what I now see 
 
 Helen. ( severely , but much agitated) Miss Glauce, 
 
 I do not pay your wages to be saucy. 
 
 Enter a Slave, c., who speaks to Glauce. 
 
 Helen. ( aside to herself) Fairest ! 'tis hard against fate's 
 hand to guard 
 
 One heart ; I guard two honours and 
 
 Glauce. ( presenting what the Slave has given her) A card. 
 Helen. His Royal Highness Paris ! Won't receive him — 
 Say “ out." 
 
 Glauce. He’s found you u out," and won't believe him. 
 
 ( points to Slave) 
 
 (slily) But you don't fear him ? 
 
 Helen. Fear him — bah ! 'twould need a 
 
 Better than he to fright the child of Leda ! ( points 
 
 to picture) 
 
SC. 2.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 21 
 Admit him ! 
 
 Exeunt , c., Glauce and Slave — Glauce ushers in 
 Paris, and exit. 
 
 Helen. Prince — ( curtseys profoundly ) 
 
 Paris. Good evening, madam, [they sit) Pleasant 
 Weather. 
 
 Helen. Yes, very fine, {pause) 
 
 Paris. No rain at present, {pause) 
 
 Helen. But yesterday was wet. 
 
 Paris. Ah, yes, becos 
 
 It rained, {pause) The day before was fine. 
 
 Helen. It was. 
 
 [pause) You don't seem very happy. 
 
 Paris. Madam, no. {silence) 
 
 Helen. As you won't talk, excuse me if I sew. 
 
 {takes some work up , and pretends to occupy 
 herself with the needle — keeping her eyes on 
 him) 
 
 You're looking at my dress ; it does for stitching in. 
 Paris. Madam, it is a dress you look bewitching in ! 
 
 (Helen starts hut resumes her work) 
 Helen. I'm mending all my husband's overcoats. 
 
 Paris. You sew domestic tares , men sow wild oats. 
 Helen, {nervously) I do not understand you. 
 
 Paris. Yes you do ; 
 
 Paris is wild, {rises) and, while wild , doats on you. 
 
 (Helen, terrified , rises) 
 
 Have you e'er seen the face of one who's taken 
 A resolution which shall not be shaken ? 
 
 Helen. Oh, you alarm me ! 
 
 Paris. Pray sit down, and go 
 
 On with your sewing quietly — just so. 
 
 The goddess, Yenus, promised a reward 
 To me ; she gave me what she could afford. 
 
 It was 
 
 Helen. What was? 
 
 Paris, {coolly) The great reward she guv' me? 
 
 The loveliest woman in the world to love me. 
 
 How she'd fulfil it was, at first, above me ; 
 
 But you're the loveliest ! 
 
 Helen. Sir ! 
 
 Paris. And don't you love me? 
 
22 HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 2. 
 Helen. Sir! 
 
 Paris. If you do not love me, it is clear 
 
 The loveliest woman’s somewhere else, not here. 
 Helen. ( rising angrily ) Then whom d’you think the 
 loveliest woman, eh ? 
 
 Paris. Oh ! ’pon my word I can’t pretend to say, 
 
 But of the goddess’ word I have no doubt, 
 
 And who loves me' s the loveliest woman out. 
 
 Helen. Ah ! who can that be ? 
 
 Paris. Well, they very few are, 
 
 There is, in fact, but one 
 
 Helen. The loveliest 
 
 Paris. You are, 
 
 Therefore the fatal consequence must follow 
 That you are mine. 
 
 Helen If you come near, I’ll hollo. 
 
 Paris. What ! from obeying Venus do you shrink? 
 Helen, [aside) I hope he hasn’t had too much to drink. 
 Paris. Hear me, there are three ways to gain your heart. 
 Helen. Stop there ! we can talk very well apart. 
 
 Paris. First then ; by love, you love me ? 
 
 Helen. ( agitated ) No ! 
 
 Paris. Once ? 
 
 Helen. No ! 
 
 Paris. Twice ? 
 
 Helen. No. 
 
 Paris. Thrice ? 
 
 Helen, [with feigned anger) No ! 
 
 Paris. Well; on again we go. 
 
 The next by right of might — 
 
 Helen. Oh ! keep your distance ! 
 
 Paris, [solemnly) Who help themselves receive the gods’ 
 assistance. 
 
 Princess ! [advancing towards her } and almost 
 throwing himself at her feet) 
 
 Helen, [running away , calls) Here — Glauce ! 
 
 Enter Glauce, l. 
 
 Glauce. Madam, did you call ? 
 
 Helen, (r., embarrassed) I wished to know if you were 
 there, that’s all. (to Paris) 
 
SC. 2.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 23 
 
 And the third mode you mentioned ? 
 
 Paris, (c., very respectfully and deliberately) You’ll excuse 
 My only hinting that the third’s — a ruse. 
 
 (lie bows very politely , and exit, c., Glauce replaces 
 the chairs in their former positions) 
 
 Helen. A ruse ! a stratagem ! why, if I knew it ! 
 
 Venus encourages the youth to do it. ( music without) 
 What’s that? 
 
 Glauce. The kings are coming to the palace 
 
 To dine ; we’ll see them very soon. 
 
 Helen. ( careless as to grammar) Oh ! shall us ? 
 
 Enter Orestes, Agamemnon, both Ajax, Achilles, 
 c. and l., and Calciias gaily . 
 
 Helen, (r.) Good evening, Agamemnon. Have you heard 
 From Menelaus yet? 
 
 Agamem. (c.) No, not a word. 
 
 Helen. He might have telegraphed. 
 
 (Orestes shakes his head — Helen looks enquiringly) 
 Orest. To be explicit, he 
 
 Knows nothing in the world of electricity. 
 
 Achil. Our party isn’t full. 
 
 Ajax 1st. No, where’s that chap? 
 
 Achil. Where’s Paris ? 
 
 Orest. ( chaffingly ) Oh, you’d better get a map. 
 
 Helen. Paris has gone ; I think so. 
 
 Agamem. Now let’s dine. 
 
 Orest. Come on, or they will over ice the wine. 
 
 Music — Exeunt r., Orestes and party joyously , 
 except Calchas, who on a sign from Helen 
 remains behind . 
 
 Helen. Glauce, I shall not want you any more. 
 
 (Glauce is going) 
 
 Stop. (Glauce returns) Place some extra slaves about 
 my door. Exit, Glauce, c. and l. 
 
 The third way is a stratagem, a ruse, 
 
 So if he tries, some guards will hear his shoes. 
 Calcii. (r.) Here are the guards ; no thief would face that 
 row. (Slaves are heard marching off) 
 
 Helen, (l. c. ) You hear the stamps — they’re paid. ( silence ) 
 And posted now. 
 
24 HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 2. 
 
 Calch. Yes, in their separate boxes, {seeing Helen about 
 to lie down on her couch , r. c.) To recline 
 You'd like at once. ( looking to where the Kings have 
 gone off — aside) I want to go and dine. 
 Helen. I’m going to sleep — ( lies down sleepily) Sit 
 down — ( more sleepily) Upon the floor — 
 Anywhere, [dropping off) Don’t mind me, [dropping 
 off) I never snore, [sleep) 
 
 Calch. I hope a little soup for me they'll save. 
 
 She's very lovely ! if [approaching Helen) 
 
 Enter Paris, c., disguised as a slave — comes down , and 
 touches Calchas on the shoulder . 
 
 How dare you, slave ! 
 
 Calch. What ! Paris ! You don't say — 
 
 Paris. I don't. 
 
 Calch. ( deprecatingly ) You won't? 
 
 Paris. Shan't ! Now go away. 
 
 Exit c., Calchas — Paris comes forward — Music — 
 Paris regards the Queen, who is still sleeping 
 Paris. I knew that Venus couldn't tell a lie. 
 
 Let’s see, then, here's the Queen, and here am I. 
 
 She and I, 
 
 And nobody by, 
 
 And Menelaus gone ! 
 
 {“Hip hip , and he's a jolly good fellow sung without) 
 
 Who is it sings ? 
 
 Orestes, and a lot of tipsy Kings ; 
 
 That's what I 'spose they call, in phrase political. 
 
 A conference, when things are looking critical. 
 
 (Helen wakes and sees Paris) 
 Paris, (l. c.) Silence! (Helen snores) She dreams. 
 Helen, (r.) Paris ! it can't be Paris ! 
 
 Paris, (l. c.) She will scream. 
 
 Helen. It cannot be ; it is a lovely dream. 
 
 [satisfies herself entirely upon that point) 
 Paris. She takes me for a dream ! the sleepy pet ! 
 
 I never was a man of substance yet. 
 
 Sonnambula ! she’s walking in her sleep ! yet gleam 
 Her eyes, [suddenly) A happy thought! I'll be a 
 dream ! 
 
25 
 
 Sc. 2.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 
 
 Duet — Air , 11 Tootle turn , tootle turn tay .” 
 
 Helen. Is it truly a beautiful dream ? 
 
 It does seem 
 Quite a dream ; 
 
 If awake, I am sure I should scream, 
 
 In a loud and violent way. 
 
 Paris. ’Tis a dream, though I see with surprise, 
 
 That your eyes, 
 
 Such a size, 
 
 Are quite open, so all I advise 
 
 Is tootle turn, tootle turn tay. 
 
 Which chorus, dear, isn’t errotic, 
 
 The words are in fact idiotic, 
 
 Tootle turn tootle turn (bi$.) 
 
 Tootle turn, tootle turn tay, 
 
 Both. The chorus isn’t errotic, &c., &c. 
 
 u Serin gap at a rn . ’ ’ 
 
 Helen. They tell me on Mount Ida there, 
 
 You saw three Goddesses? 
 
 Paris. Yes, Venus, with such tresses fair. 
 
 Helen. As beautiful as these ? 
 
 Paris. Though she’s the Queen of Beauty and 
 A bright divinity, 
 
 Yet hers and every face I’ve scann’d, 
 
 And you’re the queen for me. 
 
 I love you so, sweet Helen, 
 
 In words there is no tellin’; 
 
 Let’s fly my sweet, the King’s in Crete, 
 
 ’Tis as far as Seringapatam-tam-tam. 
 
 Both. He’s calling me his Helen, &c. 
 
 I love you, &c. 
 
 Why did we meet? — the King’s in Crete, &c. 
 
 Helen. The situation’s very strong, 
 
 I’ve half a mind to scream ; 
 
 It would of course be very wrong 
 If it were not a dream. 
 
 Paris. But as it is a dream, to scream 
 A useless fuss would make ; 
 
 So keep, for if you’re fast asleep 
 You’re very wide awake. 
 
 I love you so, &c. 
 
 c 
 
26 HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 2. 
 
 (Menelaus suddenly appears c., at the curtains at 
 hack. He utters a tremendous cry , as also does 
 Helen, who then falls into her husband's arms) 
 Menel. ( pensively ) And this is “ Home, sweet Home ! 11 
 It is delicious, 
 
 Thus to return — um — I am not suspicious, 
 
 And yet on first appearances, one might 
 Begin to fancy something wasn’t right ; 
 
 And the suspicion, as one thinks, grows strong, 
 
 Until one’s certain that there’s something wrong; 
 This hour is not the time to hold a levee, 
 
 My queen — ( she is still upon his shoulder) Move off ! 
 
 you're getting very heavy. 
 
 Heavy ! alas ! from what I see to night 
 I am afraid your conduct’s getting light. 
 
 Helen. ( as if waking up) And is it you, my husband ! 
 flesh and bone ? 
 
 Menel. (c., looking at Paris who is hiding his face) So 
 slave ! 
 
 Helen, (r., uncertain as to whether she is dreaming or not) 
 I’ll try him. [pinches Menelaus) 
 Menel. Do leave me alone ! 
 
 That hurts, you know, enough to make me scream. 
 Helen. Then ’tis reality! and not a dream. 
 
 Menel. [enraged) Come take it off. 
 
 Paris, (l., loudly) I won’t. 
 
 Menel. ( startled ) That cannot be 
 
 The tone in which he would atone to me ; 
 
 I know it — once the man had my esteem. 
 
 (Menelaus attempts to pull away the cloak which 
 Paris holds up to his face) 
 
 Paris. Don’t. 
 
 Menel. Won’t I ? 
 
 Paris, [unable to resist , throws off his disguise) Paris ! ! ! 
 Helen. Then it’s not a dream. 
 
 Menel. A dream ! I’d kill you, but, young Paris, I’d 
 Mach rather not become a parricide, 
 
 But if my sword, just there, a wound makes wide, 
 ’Twill only be a case of Ho! my side ! 
 
 Which is, my legal knowledge is reliable, 
 
 Under the circumstances justifiable. 
 
 If I’d a sword, I’d do it now. 
 
SC. 2.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 27 
 
 Helen. Oh, cruel. 
 
 Paris. Hut as you haven’t we will fight a duel, 
 
 In which the chances are that, after all, 
 
 It may be you, instead of I, who’ll fall. 
 
 Menel. Pooh ! I object to any such transaction, 
 
 Why, if I’m killed, where is the satisfaction ? 
 
 Paris. I shall be satisfied. 
 
 Helen. And I 
 
 Menel. That’s good ? 
 
 Helen. That you have fallen as a hero should. 
 
 Menel. Hero ! no ! I will not chance being trounced i 
 Paris you shall be publicly denounced. 
 
 Hi ! everybody ! anybody ! man and wum’un ! 
 Somebody! hang it, I can summon some'un! 
 
 Helen, (c.) Don’t make that noise, you’d better far be 
 dumb. 
 
 Menel. (r.) I’m master, missis, and I won’t be mum. 
 
 Hi, hi! 
 
 Paris, (l.) Be quiet, donkey ! 
 
 Menel. (c.) Oh, of course ! 
 
 Donkey ! I’ll shout till I’m a little hoarse. 
 
 ( ivildly ) Here ! Kings, I’ve found a knave. 
 
 Paris. They come. 
 
 Menel. Sweet youth, 
 
 From them, and not from you, I’ll know the truth. 
 I’ve half a mind to send for the police, 
 
 But won’t. ( shouts ) I say, come here, you Kings of 
 Greece ! 
 
 Enter the Kings, Agamemnon, Calciias, Orestes, r. 
 
 Agamem. The King eome back ! 
 
 Orest. And Paris here ! 
 
 Menel. Precisely. 
 
 You had to guard my wife — you’ve done it nicely. 
 Orest. He’s shewn himself up here without permission. 
 Menel. Shewn ! a nice kind of Paris exhibition ! 
 
 How dare you? 
 
 Agamem. Dare ! eome, you just drop that tone. 
 
 The bruit, if fault there was, is all your own. 
 
 Menel. My own ! 
 
 Paris. Your own. 
 
 Helen. Your own. 
 
28 HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 2. 
 
 Menel. Say that again. 
 
 Helen. Your own. (Menelaes is restrained by Agamemnon, 
 fyc.) In a few words I will explain. 
 
 Song , Helen, u Un mari sage” 
 
 When husbands take 
 A portmanteau 
 A tour to make, 
 
 And off they go, 
 
 Then they should write 
 Just a note to say 
 That u on such a night, 
 
 Or such a day, 
 
 I shall return. 
 
 So be readee 
 With the wine or urn, 
 
 To dine or tea.” 
 
 How could I learn 
 Without a note 
 Of his return ? 
 
 He never wrote, 
 
 He never wrote, 
 
 He never wrote, 
 
 All. How could she learn 
 
 Without a note, &c. 
 
 Helen. A husband go- 
 
 ing off to pack 
 Should let one know 
 When he’ll come back, 
 
 Or else, if there 
 
 Is the slightest doubt, 
 
 My wife (’tis fair) 
 
 May have just stepped out ! 
 
 She’ll at a doz • 
 
 En places be, 
 
 With ma’ or cous- 
 in, taking tea. 
 
 How can one learn 
 Without a note 
 Of a return ? 
 
 He never wrote ! 
 
 How can she learn, &c. [chord) 
 
 All. 
 
SC. 2.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 29 
 
 Menel. ( monotone or recitative) Ladies and gentlemen, 
 You Kings of Greece, {chord) this Paris, {chord) 'tis 
 quite clear, 
 
 Like Mr. Ferguson does not lodge here, [chord) 
 Therfore you'll join with me I have no doubt ; [chord) 
 And [chord) in two minutes we will kick him out. 
 [chord, chord — movement of one leg on the part of 
 the Kings) 
 
 Helen sings . — u Offenbach ” 
 
 I fear they will do, 
 
 As they said, 
 
 Your head 
 
 An injury. 
 
 My dear, upon you 
 Could I doat 
 If note- 
 
 Ing any black eye ? 
 
 We're here for to do 
 (As we said) 
 
 Your head 
 An injury. 
 
 Come near any two, 
 
 Though you fight 
 They'll smite 
 And blacken each eye. 
 
 II Upon the Ohio.” 
 
 Paris. Your menaces I still defy. 
 
 All. ( Our eye ! our eye ! 
 
 Helen. ( Their eye ! his eye l 
 
 Paris. To kick me out you'd better try. 
 
 All. ( We'll try ! we’ll try ! 
 
 Helen. ( They'll try! they'll try. 
 
 Paris. By Venus led I do not care. 
 
 All. Don't care ! don't care ! 
 
 Paris. But any danger I will dare 1 
 All. He’ll dare ! he'll dare ! 
 
 Menel. Oh is'nt it annoying 
 
 That a fellow cannot go, 
 
 Far away himself enjoying 
 But he is treated so ; 
 
30 HELEN'; OR} TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 3. 
 
 But we our hands employing, 
 
 Will give him such a blow. 
 
 All. Oho ! oho ! 
 
 Men-el. That down at once he’ll go. 
 
 All. ( chorus ) Oh, isn’t it, &c., 
 
 Paius and Helen. Oh, it must be annoying, &c., 
 
 But they their hands, &e., 
 
 So off at once I’ll go, 
 
 So off at once I’ll go. 
 
 (the grand breakdown dance at the end of the 
 a Upon the Ohio ” — Exit Paris, by curtains , c., 
 Kings, r. and l., Menelaus and Helen, r.) 
 
 Scene Third. — Nauplia — Fashionable Watering Place . 
 
 Bathers discovered in various costumes. — Music — then 
 enter Agamemnon and Calc has, l., in bathing gowns. — 
 Orestes, c. — the two Ajax, Achilles, tyc., come 
 down , r. 
 
 Orest. Here comes papa! long live my ’pa, the king! 
 All. Hurrah ! 
 
 (Agamemnon and Calchas advance , c., in extraor- 
 dinary bathing costume) 
 
 Hurrah ! 
 
 Agamem. ( bowing to people) I like this sort of thing. 
 
 You’ve bathed ? (to Ajax) 
 
 Ajax 1st. The man gave us a sudden poosh 
 Into the water, ’twas the very Douche ! 
 
 (Calchas wipes his eyes with large handkerchief ) 
 Achil. (to Calchas) But you do not seem happy ; why 
 those tears? 
 
 Galch. I’ve got salt water in my eyes and ears. 
 
 Both my eyes smart as if they’d trapped a midge. 
 Agamem. I see; it is Ji eye water near the bridge. 
 
 Calch. ( solemnly ) My eyes ! now laughing, ’stead of 
 Jove invoking. (Agamem. becomes suddenly serious) 
 Ajax 1st. (l. c.) Be Agamemnon King, and don’t be 
 Jo-king. 
 
 Ajax 2nd. All Greece is going to the bad, and why? 
 Agamem. Ah, why? 
 
 Calch. (r. c., to them) It’s dreadful, (to Agamemnon) 
 Let’s go in and dry. 
 
31 
 
 Sc. 3.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK* 
 
 Achil. ’Cos Menelaus won’t to Venus yield, 
 
 But lie against her favourite takes the field. 
 
 But everything goes wrong while Venus wreaks 
 Her vengeance on us poor, unhappy Greeks. 
 
 (to Orestes) Have you seen Menelaus and the 
 Queen here ? 
 
 Orest. I’ve not been to my uncle’s since I’ve been here ; 
 I “ pop” in sometimes, when I take a walk ; 
 
 But since that row lie’s moody and won’t talk. 
 
 My aunt is very angry. 
 
 Achil. While we’re talking, 
 
 Here comes the happy pair, together walking. 
 
 Music — all retire gradually — then Helen enters , l., at 
 hack followed hy Menelaus, who is in deep thought, and 
 occasionally starts , rubs his head, and slaps his forehead . 
 
 Menel. “ Then it is not a dream,” — that horrid phrase, 
 Has haunted me for these last past eight days. 
 u Then it is not a dream,” the words so went. 
 
 (meditates) 
 
 Hang me, if I can find out what she meant ! 
 
 And dictionaries all, however bulky, 
 
 Won’t help me here ; and she won’t, she’s so sulky. 
 u Then it is not a dream,” — what’s “it?” the row? 
 Of course not. I can’t ’it “ it ’ anyhow. 
 
 “ Then it is not a dream !” I emphasize it 
 In different ways ; no matter how one tries it, 
 
 I am obliged at last to ask my Queen. ( softly ) 
 
 Helen, my dear, you know, what does “ it” mean. 
 Helen, (r. c., abstractedly) It? 11 it ” means “ it.” 
 Menel. (l. c.) No, no ! 
 
 Helen. ( provokingly indifferent) Well, then, it doesn’t. 
 Menel. (aside) Oh ! I could lose my temper, but I 
 mustn’t, (aloud, sweetly) 
 
 I mean the phrase. 
 
 Helen, (as before) Well. 
 
 Menel. (angrily aside) Well, (aloud, still sweetly) The 
 phrase that’s been 
 Mentioned. 
 
 Helen, (coolly) If you mean that, that’s what you mean. 
 Menel. (irritated) Madame, I’ve tried in many diff rent 
 To get some explanation of the phrase : [ways 
 
32 HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 3* 
 
 u Then it is not a dream.” You needn’t smile. 
 You’re so provoking, it’s enough to rile 
 A saint it is, which Menelaus ain’t, 
 
 And so his fiery spirit needs restraint. 
 
 That’s neither here nor there — where am I ? Oh, 
 You used that curious phrase eight days ago — 
 
 ’Tis not a laughing matter. You’ve refused 
 To tell me what you meant by those words used. 
 Now, look here, I don’t want to lose my temper, 
 
 A woman’s various, et mutdbile semper . 
 
 Which means, she wears silk one day, next day 
 satin, 
 
 Being a Greek , I don’t know much of Latin . 
 
 I picked it up when young at school in Tempe, 
 
 And know enough for quoting like an M.P. 
 
 As verbum personale nominativo 
 In numero and ketch ’em all alive oh ; 
 
 But this is a digression. Ah ! where was I? 
 
 Oh ! I was saying we’ve come here becos I 
 By change of air wish to remove depression, 
 
 And having had one blow, to get a fresh ’un 
 From the sea breeze of this mild Grecian Dover, 
 
 So that the nine days’ wonder might blow over. 
 Helen. What good’s sea air unless you cease to tease ? 
 Menel. ’Tis for your good I’m kicking up a breeze. 
 You’re either rightly or you’re wrongly blamed. 
 
 Now if you’d only say 
 
 Helen. Aren’t you ashamed 
 
 Of going on like this before each visitor ? 
 
 ( pointing to People at back ) 
 Do leave the whole affair to your solicitor ; 
 
 And if you’re bent upon a separation 
 
 Menel. I’m bent upon your weal ; one explanation 
 Of “Then ’tis not a dream,” I want; that phrase 
 Still remains hidden by a sort of haze. 
 
 Helen. Then do pierce through the haze — you drive me 
 crazy. 
 
 Menel. {puzzled) The haze? 
 
 Helen. ( superciliously ) Not difficult. 
 
 Menel. Oh, no, it’s h’aisy. 
 
 But we will drop the subject, if you’ll say 
 One word to clear the clouds of doubt away. 
 
SC. 3.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 33 
 
 All the suspicions which you chose to raise 
 
 Would be 
 
 Helen. Well? 
 
 Menel. [softly) What’s the meaning of that phrase, 
 “ Then it is not a dream?” Come, Nelly, don’t 
 Illuse your Mene — tell me. 
 
 Helen. No I won’t. 
 
 Menel. Won’t, won’t you? Oh, you won’t! then I insist 
 on it. 
 
 You shall explain to me, and there’s my fist on it. 
 You daughter of a swan’s egg, meant to men trick, 
 One might eggspect your deeds to be eggscentric. 
 No, I do not forget you’re Leda’s darter ; 
 
 A darter with the name of such a mater 
 Has got an antecedent fame to start her. 
 
 But u honi soit qui mal y pense” — see Garter. 
 
 Were I a judge of faces like Lavater, 
 
 Who’s going to live a very long time arter, 
 
 I might have drawn perhaps a sort of chart, a 
 Plan of your temper, whether mild or tartar, 
 
 Before I was to marriage made a martyr, 
 
 A martyr- imonial — no martter , 
 
 I blush for you the colour of tomata ; 
 
 And as my crown for happiness I’d barter, 
 
 The truth I’ll have from you by fire or water, 
 
 Or I’m not Menelaus, King of Sparta ! 
 
 Helen. Well, when you’ve done I’ll speak, I am a 
 lamb on 
 Every occasion. 
 
 Menel. Which in Greek is u gammon.” 
 
 Helen, [sharply) What did you say ? 
 
 Menel. [a little disconcerted) It was a sort of stammer. 
 Helen. u Gammon,” I think. 
 
 Menel. ( meanly ) No, a Greek letter, Gamma. 
 
 Helen. Gammon, you said, and you have too much pride 
 To own it. 
 
 Menel. If ’twas gammon ’twas a side. 
 
 Helen. You meant you’ve been deceived. 
 
 Menel. ( deprecatingly ) You’re getting warm. 
 
 Helen. ( her tone and anger gradually rising ) I’ll prove 
 that I as well as you can storm, 
 
34 HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 3. 
 
 I’ve heard you rave and rant, and roar and riot, 
 
 And for the last eight days I kept quite quiet ; 
 You’ve played the frantic madman for a week, 
 
 While I have sat down injured, calm, mild, meek, 
 Afraid to cry, almost afraid to speak, 
 
 So you’ve gone on. I understand you fully, 
 
 The hero Menelaus ! sneak and bully ! 
 
 Menel. (l., whistles surprised) A piping bully. 
 
 Helen. ( meaningly ) For your pipe then this’ll 
 
 Do well ; for any explanation, whistle ! 
 
 You dare to threaten ; you, a wretched Greek ! 
 
 Who, on a memorable night last week, 
 
 Took off his sandals that they mightn’t creak ; 
 
 And sneaked up to my room, yes, I said “sneak,” 
 Sneaking all through the passages and garden — 
 
 To threaten — I should like 
 
 She approaches him menacingly . He steps bach and 
 
 treads on Agamemnon’s toe , who , with Calchas enters , l. 
 at the moment . 
 
 Menel. ( confused ) I beg your pardon. 
 
 Agamem. What, Menelaus going to get a warming — 
 
 The reigning Queen too ! 
 
 Menel. Reigning ! gad, she’s storming. 
 
 Helen, (r.) I own that I was getting up the steam. 
 Calch. Why? 
 
 Menel. (c.) ’Cos she said, “Then it is not a dream,” 
 Eight days ago. 
 
 Helen, shrugging her shoulders ) Yes! that’s, you hear, 
 his craze. 
 
 Menel. And she refuses to explain the phrase. 
 
 An explanation I will have. 
 
 Helen. Don’t bawl. 
 
 Menel. That phrase ! 
 
 Helen. Well, I will answer once for all. 
 
 Song . — 14 The Wonderful Scholar .” 
 
 I am tired with your botheration ! 
 
 If you won’t believe what I sav true, 
 
 You may just take my own explanation 
 Or not ; which you like of the two. 
 
SC. 3 .] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 35 
 
 You’re aware you’ll lose all my esteem thus, 
 
 By doubting my mo-ra-li-tee. 
 
 If you go on all for a dream thus 
 You’d prefer p’raps the re-a-li-tee. 
 
 The phrase means ri fol de rol loddy 
 Tooral ri tooral di doddy, 
 
 Twiddle turn twiddle, you noddy, 
 
 AVhy, that is all I’ve got to say. 
 
 Exit, k . — after she's gone, pause. Menelaus, Aga- 
 memnon and Calchas look at one another 
 puzzled , then come forward. 
 
 Chorus . 
 
 Menel. The phrase means ri fol de rol loddy. 
 
 Agamem. Tooral ri tooral di doddy. 
 
 Calch. Twiddle turn twiddle, you noddy. 
 
 All. And that is all she’d got to say. 
 
 Menel. (c.) I do not call that explanation, 
 
 Although every word may be true ; 
 
 I’ll ask on another occasion, 
 
 Perhaps I shall hear something new. 
 
 Agamem. (l.) Ri fol de rol lol isn’t sense though, 
 
 No more is ri tooral re dum. 
 
 Calcii. (r.) But I do think she meant no offence though, 
 At her meaning we couldn’t well come. 
 Menel. The phrase means ri fol, &c. (as before) 
 
 (ensemble) The phrase means, &c. 
 
 Menel. If she calls that explaining a queer phrase, 
 
 I don’t — that’s what I’ve waited for, eight days. 
 
 Oh, Agamemnon what a state of doubt ! 
 
 I once was bold ! but now I feel bowled out ! 
 
 Women are nuisances! all women! cuss ’em! 
 
 I’ve nurtured a young viper in my buzzum. 
 
 Agamem. Your curses on that Paris should be showered. 
 Calch. The shepherd, Paris? 
 
 Menel. Shepherd ! he’s a coward. 
 
 Calch. At all events you’re wrong in what you’ve done, 
 For all the Greeks are suffering for one ; 
 
 Husbands desert their wives and wives their spouses. 
 Menel. Paris ! 
 
 Agamem. And you ! a plague o’ both your houses. 
 
36 HELEN; OR) TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 3. 
 
 Menel. What can I do if men and women flirt? 
 
 The rage of Venus how can I avert? [weaken 
 
 Tell me, ( to Calchas) my venerable friend, don't 
 Your eyes by snivelling, revered archdeacon ! 
 
 Words from your honied lips let fall, not funny 'uns, 
 Mellifluous words of wisdom, sage and honey ’uns. 
 
 Calch. You’ll sacrifice 
 
 Menel. A ram — a sheep — 
 
 Calch. 'Twon't pay, 
 
 You'll sacrifice yourself! ! 
 
 Menel. What's that you say ? 
 
 Calch. Yourself. 
 
 Agamem. Yourself. 
 
 Calch. It’s for the general good. 
 
 Agamem. You will? 
 
 Calch. You will. 
 
 Menel. ( horrified and astonished) I will ! ! 
 
 Agamfm | -(shaking his hand) We thought you would. 
 
 Calch. (to Menelaus) Yes, noble, generous man. 
 
 (offers to embrace him) 
 
 Menel. Get out ! 
 
 Agamem. (enthusiastically) I knew you would ! Run this 
 scientifically through you. 
 
 (drawing his sword and presenting it to Menelaus) 
 Calch. You're a monopoliser, with a wife ! 
 
 Venus says, 44 Give her up !" you say, 44 With life !" 
 You'll try the free trade principle, and then if it 
 Succeeds, one suffers for the public benefit. 
 
 Agamem. Yes, as 'tis evident you'll never give 
 Her up with life, why you must cease to live ! 
 
 (attempts to stab him politely) 
 Menel. Stop, stop ! then Helen will have freedom got ! 
 A rich young widdy — an in-widi-ous lot ! 
 
 Pooh ! I've done something better. ( confidentially ) 
 I may mention. 
 
 Now that I've carried out a good intention, 
 
 I've written to Cythera, and between us 
 Have passed some letters. 
 
 Calch. Us! who? 
 
 Menel. Me and Venus. 
 
 I’ve sent there for the Augur. 
 
SC. 3.] HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 37 
 
 Agamem. Of Cythera ? 
 
 Calch. But I'm the Augur! 
 
 Menel. He'll make matters clearer. 
 
 He comes from Venus on a special mission. 
 
 Calch. Another Augur ! 
 
 Menel. Yes, sir, competition. 
 
 Calch. A rival ? hang it ! I will not allow 
 
 Menel. Why, 'twas your own advice to me just now ! 
 We'll introduce free trade, and smash monopoly. 
 
 One suffers ; but the public gains, and properly. 
 Calch. ( t furiously ) That Augur is a humbug. 
 
 Agamem. Take care ; libel ! 
 
 ( bell rings) What's that ? 
 
 Calch. The Temple bell (going, r.) 
 
 Menel. Or Helen, my belle ! 
 
 Who rings (to Calchas) for your attendance. 
 
 (bell again) 
 
 Calch. [going) Still 'tis knellin i 
 
 Menel. It summons you to Heaven or to Helen. 
 
 (Calchas is about to exit, r., stopped by a cry of a 
 Mob without) 
 
 Crowd, (without l. and r.) A boat! a boat! 
 
 Agamem. (to Calchas) Why do you shilly shally. 
 
 Calch. [looking off, r.) It is not Helen. 
 
 Menel. [looking off, r.) But a little galley. 
 
 Enter Orestes, Achilles, the Ajax 1st and 2nd, 
 Philocomenos, l. u. e. and r. u. e., ^c., with tele- 
 scopes and opera glasses . 
 
 Orest, (r., to Menelaus) What larks ! there is as much 
 excitement here, 
 
 As when the packet touches Ramsgate pier. 
 
 Menel. [up r. c.) It must be very clear to everybody's 
 Telescope 'tis the galley of a goddess. 
 
 Orest, [looking through glass) 'Tis — Who? 
 
 Menel. [taking it away from him) Cythera’s Augur, who, 
 young shaver, 
 
 Will teach us how to gain the goddess's favour, 
 Kneel , pious people, as he comes to dry land, 
 
 He'll think he's to an eel pie' ouse island. 
 
 Music — during the chorus a beautiful galley, containing 
 the grand Augur of Venus glides on from R. to c. at 
 
38 HELEN; OR, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. [Sc. 3. 
 
 back — it is decked with roses and manned by Cupidons, 
 the grand Augur is Paris, disguised in a splendid dress , 
 and crowned with flowers — he descends from the ship and 
 comes down stage while the Kings and People kneel 
 to him,) 
 
 Paris, (c.) I come from Venus and have full permission 
 To pardon ev'ry one, on one condition 
 Which Menelaus shall himself fulfil. 
 
 Menel. (l. c.) I will, if 
 
 Paris. No, no u ifs” ( turning to go, they 
 
 implore him) 
 
 Menel. Well then, I will. 
 
 Paris. Queen Plelen must alone a visit pay 
 To Venus, she must start this very day. 
 
 This ship shall there her ladyship convey. 
 
 All. Where to ? 
 
 Paris. Cythera ; isle of corn and fruit ! 
 
 We'll go the cheapest and the shortest route. 
 
 With her own hand the sacrifice she'll make, 
 
 Venus will pardon all for Helen's sake. 
 
 What says the King ? 
 
 Agamem. Say yes. 
 
 Menel. With all my heart, 
 
 Wait but one moment and the Queen will start. 
 [calls) Helen ! 
 
 Agamem. Should she refuse ? 
 
 Menel. [proudly) She shall obey us. 
 
 ( solemnly ) People, I've done it. 
 
 All. Long live Menelaus ! 
 
 Enter Helen, r. 2 e. 
 
 Finale . — u Ah non Giunge ." 
 
 Helen. I quickly shawl'd me — 
 
 Your noise appalled me; 
 
 Why here have you hauled me ? 
 
 Yes, pray say why have you called me? 
 Menel. A vessel's moored there, 
 
 You'll go aboard there. 
 
 By Venus, we-e, 
 
 Made so happy shall be. 
 
 Paris, [aside to her) You'll come with me, dear. 
 
 Helen, [aside) That voice ! 'tis he here. 
 
SC. 3.] HELEN; OK, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 
 I’m hesitating. 
 
 Menel. And we are waiting. 
 
 t T *) Don’t shilly shally. 
 
 llELEN. , / the A 
 
 Menel. j Ascend j my j galley, 
 
 And sail away, ay, 
 
 And sail away. 
 
 11 My Skiff is on the Shore .” 
 
 Paris. My skiff is on the shore. 
 
 Menel. Yes, go I command you. 
 
 Helen. What! stay here no more? 
 
 Paris. Up allow me to hand you. 
 
 Menel. Mere formalitee ! 
 
 Regard what I say. 
 
 Helen. This is fa-ta-li-tee 
 
 If I obey ! 
 
 i£ Couplets des Rois.” 
 
 Menel. Go di-rect-lee in his galley, 
 
 -lee galley, galley, 
 
 -lee galley, galley, 
 
 For my good, my dear. 
 
 All. The king, the king you hear! 
 
 Orest. Don’t, dear lady, dilly-dally, 
 
 — di, dilly-dally, 
 
 — di, dilly-dally, 
 Calch. Not one moment more. 
 
 All. Away, we all implore. 
 
 Agamem. More passengers for Cythera ! 
 
 Train’s about to start ! 
 
 Helen and Paris. Shall we de-part for Cythera, 
 
 — part for Cythera, 
 — part for Cythera, 
 If it gives them pleasure, 
 
 Yes, with all my heart. 
 
 Paris. Start for Cythera, start for Cythera, 
 Start for Cythera, start, start, start ! 
 
 All the way by water ! 
 
 Start for Cythera, start for Cythera ! 
 Farewell, Leda’s daughter. 
 
 Chorus. Start for Cythera, &c., &c. 
 
 39 
 
40 HELEN; OK, TAKEN FROM THE GREEK. 
 
 (“ Upon the Ohio .” — Paris and Helen walk round to the 
 symphony — the people applauding them at the u Oho’s” 
 — they ascend the galley — one plank alone remains 
 resting with one end on the galley , one on the shore) 
 Cythera is enticing 
 To Venus she will go, 
 
 Herself she’s sacrificing 
 To end a people’s woe. 
 
 And what is most surprising 
 Is what I now will show. 
 
 [discovers himself — drum — start) 
 Hullo! Hullo! 
 
 Well, here’s a jolly go ! ! 
 
 ’Tis Paris who’s enticing 
 Her ladyship to go, 
 
 His coolness is quite icing ! 
 
 To think he’d do us so ! 
 
 Pm S sta S§ ered now > but why sing, 
 
 Instead of acting so. 
 
 (Agamemnon draws sword — Menelaus recovers 
 himself and does so too — All drav: — the galley 
 begins to move off away from the shore , backwards 
 towards c.) 
 
 All. 1 They go — they go! 
 
 Paris and Helen. ) We go — we go ! 
 
 [ropes thrown back on shore) 
 All. ) We’ll give him such a blow. 
 
 Paris. j Now then look out below. 
 
 (Menelaus rushes at the plank , gains the middle — 
 the ship moves off suddenly , the plank disappears , 
 and Menelaus falls into the water — he is picked 
 out by Agamemnon and can only gesticulate 
 wildly as the galley goes farther away , and the 
 curtain descends — the music of chorus is kept up 
 to and through the end) 
 
 Helen. Paris, {on the ship) 
 
 Agamemnon. Menelaus. Calchas. Ajax 1st. 
 Orestes. Ajax 2nd. 
 
 r. r. c. c. l. c. L. 
 
 Curtain* 
 
 Paris. 
 
 All. 
 
 Menel. 
 
 Chorus.