ORES.  Do not make up thy opinion, but having first heard my words, then deliberate.

MEN.  Say on; for thou hast spoken rightly; but there are seasons where silence may be better than talking, and there are seasons where talking may be better than silence.

ORES.  I will speak then forthwith:  Long speeches have the preference before short ones, and are more plain to hear.  Give thou to me nothing of what thou hast, O Menelaus, but what thou hast received from my father, return; I mean not riches—­yet riches, which are the most dear of what I possess, if thou wilt preserve my life.  Say I am unjust, I ought to receive from thee, instead of this evil, something contrary to what justice demands; for Agamemnon my father having collected Greece in arms, in a way justice did not demand, went to Troy, not having erred himself, but in order to set right the error, and injustice of thy wife.  This one thing indeed thou oughtest to give me for one thing, but he, as friends should for friends, of a truth exposed his person for thee toiling at the shield, that thou mightest receive back thy wife.  Repay me then this kindness for that which thou receivedst there, toiling for one day in standing as my succor, not completing ten years.  But the sacrifice of my sister, which Aulis received, this I suffer thee to have; do not kill Hermione, I ask it not.  For, I being in the state in which I now am, thou must of necessity have the advantage, and I must suffer it to be so.  But grant my life to my wretched father, and my sister’s, who has been a virgin a long time.  For dying I shall leave my father’s house destitute.  Thou wilt say “impossible:”  this is the very thing I have been urging, it behooves friends to help their friends in misfortunes.  But when the God gives prosperity, what need is there of friends?  For the God himself sufficeth, being willing to assist.  Thou appearest to all the Greeks to be fond of thy wife; (and this I say, not stealing under thee imperceptibly with flattery;) by her I implore thee; O wretched me for my woes, to what have I come? but why must I suffer thus?  For in behalf of the whole house I make this supplication.  O divine brother of my father, conceive that the dead man beneath the earth hears these things, and that his spirit is hovering over thee, and speaks what I speak.  These things have I said, with tears, and groans, and miseries,[17] and have prayed earnestly, looking for preservation, which all, and not I only, seek.

CHOR.  I too implore thee, although a woman, yet still I implore thee to succor those in need, but thou art able.