by any fountain in the woods, and suffer not thine eyes to sleep. And
beware lest the chariot bearing the Queen and her daughter pass thee
where the roads divide. And see that thou keep the seal upon this letter
unbroken."

So the old man departed with the letter. But scarcely had he left the
tent when King Menelaüs spied him and laid hands on him, taking the
letter and breaking the seal. And the old man cried out--

"Help, my lord; here is one hath taken thy letter!"

Then King Agamemnon came forth from his tent, saying, "What meaneth this
uproar and disputing that I hear?"

And Menelaüs answered, "Seest thou this letter that I hold in my hand?"

"I see it: it is mine. Give it to me."

"I give it not till I have read that which is written therein to all the
army of the Greeks."

"Where didst thou find it?"

"I found it while I waited for thy daughter till she should come to the
camp."

"What hast thou to do with that? May I not rule my own household?"

Then Menelaüs reproached his brother because he did not continue in one
mind. "For first," he said, "before thou wast chosen captain of the