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Three Millennia of Greek Literature
 

Euripides Bilingual Anthology
TO RECOGNISE OUR FRIENDS IS OF GOD

from Euripides' Helen, * Lines 1-67, 557-560, * Translated by E.P.Coleridge, * Greek Fonts


ELPENOR EDITIONS IN PRINT
Page 4

Now as long as Proteus gazed upon yon glorious sun, I was safe from marriage; but when o'er him the dark grave closed, the dead man's son was eager for my hand. But I, from regard to my former husband, am throwing myself down in suppliant wise before this tomb of Proteus, praying him to guard my husband's honour, that, though through Hellas I bear a name dishonoured, at least my body here may not incur disgrace.
[...]
MENELAUS Who art thou? whom do I behold in thee, lady? HELEN Nay, who art thou? The self-same reason prompts us both. MENELAUS never saw a closer resemblance. HELEN Great God! Yea, for to recognize our friends is of God.

 

ἕως μὲν οὖν φῶς ἡλίου τόδ΄ ἔβλεπεν Πρωτεύς͵ ἄσυλος ἦ γάμων· ἐπεὶ δὲ γῆς σκότωι κέκρυπται͵ παῖς ὁ τοῦ τεθνηκότος θηρᾶι γαμεῖν με. τὸν πάλαι δ΄ ἐγὼ πόσιν τιμῶσα Πρωτέως μνῆμα προσπίτνω τόδε ἱκέτις͵ ἵν΄ ἀνδρὶ τἀμὰ διασώσηι λέχη͵ ὡς͵ εἰ καθ΄ Ἑλλάδ΄ ὄνομα δυσκλεὲς φέρω͵ μή μοι τὸ σῶμά γ΄ ἐνθάδ΄ αἰσχύνην ὄφληι.
[...]
ΜΕΝΕΛΑΟΣ: τίς εἶ; τίν΄ ὄψιν σήν͵ γύναι͵ προσδέρκομαι; ΕΛΕΝΗ: σὺ δ΄ εἶ τίς; αὑτὸς γὰρ σὲ κἄμ΄ ἔχει λόγος. ΜΕΝΕΛΑΟΣ: οὐπώποτ΄ εἶδον προσφερέστερον δέμας. ΕΛΕΝΗ: ὦ θεοί· θεὸς γὰρ καὶ τὸ γιγνώσκειν φίλους.
 

Cf. HOMER : Returning to Ithaca, The Underworld ||| PLATO : Lovers, Birth in good and beauty ||| GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN : God with Gods is being united ||| BASIL THE GREAT : Glorifying the greatness of His deity, Love can not be taught ||| PAPATSONIS : Hestia 

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Reference address : https://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/ancient-greece/euripides-friendship.asp?pg=4