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Hecuba
First tell me of the child Polydorus, whom you are keeping in your house, received from me and his father; is he alive? The rest I will ask you after that.
First tell me of the child Polydorus, whom you are keeping in your house, received from me and his father; is he alive? The rest I will ask you after that.
Polymestor
Yes, you still have a share in fortune there.
Yes, you still have a share in fortune there.
Hecuba
Well said, dear friend! how worthy of you!
990
Well said, dear friend! how worthy of you!
990
Polymestor
What next would you learn of me?
What next would you learn of me?
Hecuba
has he any recollection of me his mother?
has he any recollection of me his mother?
Polymestor
Yes, he was longing to steal away here to you.
Yes, he was longing to steal away here to you.
Hecuba
Is the gold safe, which he brought with him from
Troy
?
Is the gold safe, which he brought with him from
Troy
?
Polymestor
Safe under lock and key in my halls.
995
Safe under lock and key in my halls.
995
Hecuba
Do save it, but do not desire your neighbor’s goods.
Do save it, but do not desire your neighbor’s goods.
Polymestor
Not I; may I benefit by what I have, lady!
Not I; may I benefit by what I have, lady!
Hecuba
Do you know what I wish to say to you and your children?
Do you know what I wish to say to you and your children?
Polymestor
No; your words will declare it.
No; your words will declare it.
Hecuba
O you who are as dear to me as you now are, there are—
1000
O you who are as dear to me as you now are, there are—
1000
Polymestor
What is it that I and my children must learn?
What is it that I and my children must learn?
Hecuba
Ancient vaults filled full of gold by Priam’s ancestors.
Ancient vaults filled full of gold by Priam’s ancestors.
Polymestor
Is it this you would tell your son?
Is it this you would tell your son?
Hecuba
Certainly, through you; for you are a righteous man.
Certainly, through you; for you are a righteous man.
Polymestor
What need then of these children’s presence?
1005
What need then of these children’s presence?
1005
Hecuba
It is better they should know it, in case of your death.
It is better they should know it, in case of your death.
Polymestor
Well said; it is also the wiser way.
Well said; it is also the wiser way.
Hecuba
Then do you know where the shrine of Trojan Athena is?
Then do you know where the shrine of Trojan Athena is?
Polymestor
Is the gold there? what is there to mark it?
Is the gold there? what is there to mark it?
Hecuba
A black rock rising above the ground.
1010
A black rock rising above the ground.
1010
Polymestor
Is there anything else you want to tell me about the place?
Is there anything else you want to tell me about the place?
Hecuba
I wish to keep safe the treasure I brought from
Troy
.
I wish to keep safe the treasure I brought from
Troy
.
Polymestor
Where can it be? inside your dress, or have you hidden it?
Where can it be? inside your dress, or have you hidden it?
Hecuba
It is safe among a heap of spoils within these tents.
It is safe among a heap of spoils within these tents.
Polymestor
Where? This is the station built by the Achaeans to surround their fleet.
1015
Where? This is the station built by the Achaeans to surround their fleet.
1015
Hecuba
The captive women have huts of their own.
The captive women have huts of their own.
Polymestor
It is safe to enter? are there no men about?
It is safe to enter? are there no men about?
Hecuba
There are no Achaeans within; we women are alone. Enter then the tent, for the Argives
are eager to set sail from
Troy
for home; and, when you have accomplished all that you must do, you shall return with your children to the place where you have lodged my son.
Hecuba leads Polymestor and his children into the tent.
1020
There are no Achaeans within; we women are alone. Enter then the tent, for the Argives
are eager to set sail from
Troy
for home; and, when you have accomplished all that you must do, you shall return with your children to the place where you have lodged my son.
Hecuba leads Polymestor and his children into the tent.
1020
Chorus
Not yet have you paid the penalty, but perhaps you will.
Not yet have you paid the penalty, but perhaps you will.
Hecuba. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
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