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So now that Orestes has made his impassioned speech for help without ever specifying what sort of help would be useful to him, it's time for Menelaus to respond by hastily denying the man one form of help that he really doesn't want to offer: namely, anything with a risk of harm. He therefore gives bad advice couched in awkward metaphors, which I will tell you right off the bat are a royal pain to translate. It involves a lot of glowering at dictionary entries and going, "Is that a spear? No, that can't mean--oh, it's a metaphorical spear. But then what are the winds doing there?"
Chorus:
And I entreat you--though I am a woman--to help those in need; and you’re that kind of man.
Menelaus:
Orestes, I do respect you, and I want to lend a hand to your troubles; for it’s necessary to help carry out the evils of one’s kinsmen in this way, if a god gives the ability, in dying and in killing their enemies. But I need to get the power from the gods again; for I have come here empty-handed, with no allied men, wandering through countless hardships, with little strength of friends left to me.
We wouldn’t overthrow Pelasgian Argos by battle; but if we could be powerful in soft words--well, we’ve come to a hope there!* For how would anyone seize the greater force using tiny deeds? Even wanting that is stupid. For whenever a town falls into passion, it’s like needing to quench a raging fire. But if someone should, by lying himself down quietly, yield and withdraw, awaiting the right moment, it’ll blow over all the same; and if the wind stops, you’ll easily happen upon whatever you want.** There’s compassion in there, and even broad-heartedness, a very valuable resource to one who’ll wait.
I’ll go on and try to persuade Tyndareos and the city to wish you well; for a ship stretched tight by a constrained sail dips under, but it stands up again if the sail’s loosened. For a god hates too much zeal, and the townsfolk hate it. So it’s necessary for me--I don’t say otherwise--to save you by smarts, not by force against stronger men. And not by strength (which you currently imagine) will I save you; for it’s not easy to stand against the winds of the evils that beset you, with only one spear. For I never induced the Argive land towards softness; and now necessity holds that the wise be slaves to fortune.
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* Given that Menelaus is generally portrayed as something of a dim bulb, and given that it’s the clever Odysseus who usually wins through “soft words”, I am sure this line was meant to be hilarious. Yes, Menelaus. Talk people into not killing Orestes. I’m sure that’ll work for you.
** I’m trying to maintain the odd wind/breath metaphor here without making it completely nonsensical. I’m not sure how much sense it makes in the Greek, either; after all, Menelaus is advising someone who’s about to be voted to death to just take it easy and let things pass.
Chorus:
And I entreat you--though I am a woman--to help those in need; and you’re that kind of man.
Menelaus:
Orestes, I do respect you, and I want to lend a hand to your troubles; for it’s necessary to help carry out the evils of one’s kinsmen in this way, if a god gives the ability, in dying and in killing their enemies. But I need to get the power from the gods again; for I have come here empty-handed, with no allied men, wandering through countless hardships, with little strength of friends left to me.
We wouldn’t overthrow Pelasgian Argos by battle; but if we could be powerful in soft words--well, we’ve come to a hope there!* For how would anyone seize the greater force using tiny deeds? Even wanting that is stupid. For whenever a town falls into passion, it’s like needing to quench a raging fire. But if someone should, by lying himself down quietly, yield and withdraw, awaiting the right moment, it’ll blow over all the same; and if the wind stops, you’ll easily happen upon whatever you want.** There’s compassion in there, and even broad-heartedness, a very valuable resource to one who’ll wait.
I’ll go on and try to persuade Tyndareos and the city to wish you well; for a ship stretched tight by a constrained sail dips under, but it stands up again if the sail’s loosened. For a god hates too much zeal, and the townsfolk hate it. So it’s necessary for me--I don’t say otherwise--to save you by smarts, not by force against stronger men. And not by strength (which you currently imagine) will I save you; for it’s not easy to stand against the winds of the evils that beset you, with only one spear. For I never induced the Argive land towards softness; and now necessity holds that the wise be slaves to fortune.
---
* Given that Menelaus is generally portrayed as something of a dim bulb, and given that it’s the clever Odysseus who usually wins through “soft words”, I am sure this line was meant to be hilarious. Yes, Menelaus. Talk people into not killing Orestes. I’m sure that’ll work for you.
** I’m trying to maintain the odd wind/breath metaphor here without making it completely nonsensical. I’m not sure how much sense it makes in the Greek, either; after all, Menelaus is advising someone who’s about to be voted to death to just take it easy and let things pass.