CHARACTERS
HELENA, the Queen
TSUMU, a black woman, slave to Helena
MENELAUS, the King
ANALYTIKOS, the King's librarian
PARIS, a shepherd
SCENE: Is that archeolological mystery, a Greek interior. A door on the right leads to the KING'S library, one on the left to the apartments of the QUEEN. Back right is the main entrance leading to the palace. Next this, running the full length of the wall, is a window with a platform, built out over the main court. Beyond is a view of hills bright with lemon groves, and in the far distance shimmers the sea. On the wall near the QUEEN'S room hangs an old shield rusty with disuse. A bust of Zeus stands on a pedestal against the right wall. There are low coffers about the room from which hang the ends of vivid colored robes. The scene is bathed in intense sunlight.
TSUMU is massaging the QUEEN.
HELENA. There's no doubt about it.
TSUMU. Analytikos says there is much doubt about all things.
HELENA. Never mind what he says. I envy you your complexion.
TSUMU [falling prostrate before HELENA]. Whom the Queen envies should beware.
HELENA [annoyed]. Get up, Tsumu. You make me nervous tumbling about like that.
TSUMU [still on the floor]. Why does the great Queen envy Tsumu?