Suddenly he sits down crushing a roll of
papyrus. He takes it up and in utter disgust reads.] "The perfect
hip, its development and permanence." Bah! [He flings it to the
floor.] I've done what I had to do, and Gods grant the bait may
be sweet enough to catch the Queen.
ANALYTIKOS. If you had diverted yourself with a war or two you
might have forgotten your troubles at home.
MENELAUS [frightened]. I detest dissension of any kind -- my
dream was perpetual peace in comfortable domesticity with a
womanly woman to warm my sandals.
ANALYTIKOS. Is not the Queen ----?
MENELAUS. No! No! The whole world is but her mirror. And I'm
expected to face that woman every morning at breakfast for the
rest of my life, and by Venus that's more than even a King can
bear!
ANALYTIKOS. Even a King cannot alter destiny. I warn you, whom
the Gods have joined together ----
MENELAUS [in an outburst]. Is for man to break asunder!
ANALYTIKOS [deeply shocked]. You talk like an atheist.
MENELAUS. I never allow religion to interfere with life. Go call
the victim and see that he be left alone with the Queen.
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