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Maid-servant
entering excitedly, attended by bearers bringing in a covered corpse
Oh! ladies, where is Hecuba, our queen of sorrow, who conquers all in tribulation, men and women both alike?
No one shall dispute the crown with her.
660
Oh! ladies, where is Hecuba, our queen of sorrow, who conquers all in tribulation, men and women both alike?
No one shall dispute the crown with her.
660
Chorus Leader
What now, unhappy one with your cry of misery? Your evil tidings never seem to rest.
What now, unhappy one with your cry of misery? Your evil tidings never seem to rest.
Maid-servant
It is to Hecuba I bring my bitter news; no easy task is it for mortal lips to speak smooth words in sorrow.
It is to Hecuba I bring my bitter news; no easy task is it for mortal lips to speak smooth words in sorrow.
Chorus Leader
Look, she is coming even now from the shelter of the tent, appearing just in time to hear you speak.
Hecuba comes out of the tent.
665
Look, she is coming even now from the shelter of the tent, appearing just in time to hear you speak.
Hecuba comes out of the tent.
665
Maid-servant
O mistress, most hapless beyond all words of mine to tell; you are ruined, you no longer exist, though you are alive; of children, husband, city bereft; hopelessly undone!
O mistress, most hapless beyond all words of mine to tell; you are ruined, you no longer exist, though you are alive; of children, husband, city bereft; hopelessly undone!
Hecuba
This is no news but insult; I have heard it all before. But why have you come, bringing here to me the corpse of Polyxena, on whose burial
Achaea
’s army was reported to be busily engaged?
670
This is no news but insult; I have heard it all before. But why have you come, bringing here to me the corpse of Polyxena, on whose burial
Achaea
’s army was reported to be busily engaged?
670
Maid-servant
She knows nothing, but mourns
Polyxena, not grasping her new sorrows.
675
She knows nothing, but mourns
Polyxena, not grasping her new sorrows.
675
Hecuba
Ah! woe is me! you are surely not bringing here frenzied Cassandra, the prophetic maid?
Ah! woe is me! you are surely not bringing here frenzied Cassandra, the prophetic maid?
Maid-servant
You speak of the living; but the dead you do not weep is here.
Uncovering the corpse Mark well the body now laid bare;
is not this a sight to fill you with wonder, and upset your hopes?
680
681
You speak of the living; but the dead you do not weep is here.
Uncovering the corpse Mark well the body now laid bare;
is not this a sight to fill you with wonder, and upset your hopes?
680
Hecuba
Ah me! it is the corpse of my son Polydorus I behold, whom the Thracian man was keeping safe for me in his halls. Alas! this is the end of all; my life is over.
chanting O my son, my son,
alas! I now begin the laments, a frantic strain I learned just now from some avenging fiend.
685
Ah me! it is the corpse of my son Polydorus I behold, whom the Thracian man was keeping safe for me in his halls. Alas! this is the end of all; my life is over.
chanting O my son, my son,
alas! I now begin the laments, a frantic strain I learned just now from some avenging fiend.
685
Maid-servant
What! so you knew your son’s fate, poor lady?
What! so you knew your son’s fate, poor lady?
Hecuba
I cannot, cannot credit this fresh sight I see.
chanting
One woe succeeds to another; no day will ever pass without groans and tears.
690
I cannot, cannot credit this fresh sight I see.
One woe succeeds to another; no day will ever pass without groans and tears.
690
Chorus Leader
Alas! poor lady, our sufferings are cruel indeed.
Alas! poor lady, our sufferings are cruel indeed.
Hecuba
chanting
O my son, child of a luckless mother,
what was the manner of your death? by what fate do you lie here? by whose hands?
695
O my son, child of a luckless mother,
what was the manner of your death? by what fate do you lie here? by whose hands?
695
Maid-servant
I do not know. I found him on the sea-shore.
I do not know. I found him on the sea-shore.
Hecuba
chanting
Cast up on the smooth sand, or thrown there
after the murderous blow?
700
Cast up on the smooth sand, or thrown there
after the murderous blow?
700
Maid-servant
The waves had washed him ashore.
The waves had washed him ashore.
Hecuba
chanting
Alas! alas! I now know the vision I saw in my sleep; the dusky-winged phantom
did not escape me, the vision I saw of you, my son, now no more within the bright sunshine.
705
Alas! alas! I now know the vision I saw in my sleep; the dusky-winged phantom
did not escape me, the vision I saw of you, my son, now no more within the bright sunshine.
705
Chorus Leader
Who slew him then? Can your dream-lore tell us that?
Who slew him then? Can your dream-lore tell us that?
Hecuba
chanting
It was my own familiar friend, the knight of
Thrace
, with whom his aged father had placed the boy in hiding.
710
It was my own familiar friend, the knight of
Thrace
, with whom his aged father had placed the boy in hiding.
710
Chorus Leader
O horror! what will you say? did he slay him to get the gold?
O horror! what will you say? did he slay him to get the gold?
Hecuba
chanting
O dreadful crime! O deed without a name! beyond wonder!
impious! intolerable! Where are the laws between guest and host? Accursed of men! how have you mangled his flesh, slashing the poor child’s limbs
715
with ruthless sword, lost to all sense of pity!
720
O dreadful crime! O deed without a name! beyond wonder!
impious! intolerable! Where are the laws between guest and host? Accursed of men! how have you mangled his flesh, slashing the poor child’s limbs
715
with ruthless sword, lost to all sense of pity!
720
Chorus Leader
Alas for you! how some deity, whose hand is heavy on you, has sent you troubles beyond all other mortals! But I see our lord and master
Agamemnon; so let us be still from now on, my friends.
725
Agamemnon enters.
Alas for you! how some deity, whose hand is heavy on you, has sent you troubles beyond all other mortals! But I see our lord and master
Agamemnon; so let us be still from now on, my friends.
725
Agamemnon
Hecuba, why are you delaying to come and bury your daughter? for it was for this that Talthybius brought me your message begging that no one of the Argives should touch your child. And so we granted this, and are not touching her,
but this delay of yours fills me with wonder. And so I have come to send you from here; for our part there is well performed—if here there is any place for
well.
730
He sees the body. Oh! what man is this I see near the tents, some Trojan’s corpse? It is not an Argive’s body;
that the garments it is clad in tell me.
735
Hecuba, why are you delaying to come and bury your daughter? for it was for this that Talthybius brought me your message begging that no one of the Argives should touch your child. And so we granted this, and are not touching her,
but this delay of yours fills me with wonder. And so I have come to send you from here; for our part there is well performed—if here there is any place for
well.
730
He sees the body. Oh! what man is this I see near the tents, some Trojan’s corpse? It is not an Argive’s body;
that the garments it is clad in tell me.
735
Hecuba
aside
Unhappy one! in naming you I name myself; Hecuba, what shall I do? throw myself here at Agamemnon’s knees, or bear my sorrows in silence?
Unhappy one! in naming you I name myself; Hecuba, what shall I do? throw myself here at Agamemnon’s knees, or bear my sorrows in silence?
Agamemnon
Why do you turn your back towards me and
weep, refusing to say what has happened? Who is this?
740
Why do you turn your back towards me and
weep, refusing to say what has happened? Who is this?
740
Hecuba
aside
But if he should count me as a slave and foe and spurn me from his knees, I would add to my anguish.
But if he should count me as a slave and foe and spurn me from his knees, I would add to my anguish.
Agamemnon
I am no prophet born; therefore, if I am not told, I cannot learn the current of your thoughts.
I am no prophet born; therefore, if I am not told, I cannot learn the current of your thoughts.
Hecuba
aside
Can it be that in estimating this man’s feelings I make him out too ill-disposed, when he is not really so?
745
Can it be that in estimating this man’s feelings I make him out too ill-disposed, when he is not really so?
745
Agamemnon
If your wish really is that I should remain in ignorance, we are of one mind; for I have no wish myself to listen.
If your wish really is that I should remain in ignorance, we are of one mind; for I have no wish myself to listen.
Hecuba
aside
Without his aid I shall not be able to avenge
my children. Why do I still ponder the matter? I must do and dare whether I win or lose.
Turning to Agamemnon Agamemnon, by your knees, by your beard and conquering hand I implore you—
750
Without his aid I shall not be able to avenge
my children. Why do I still ponder the matter? I must do and dare whether I win or lose.
Turning to Agamemnon Agamemnon, by your knees, by your beard and conquering hand I implore you—
750
Agamemnon
What is your desire? to be
set free? that is easily done.
755
What is your desire? to be
set free? that is easily done.
755
Hecuba
Not that; give me vengeance on the wicked, and I am willing to lead a life of slavery forever.
Not that; give me vengeance on the wicked, and I am willing to lead a life of slavery forever.
Agamemnon
Well, but why do you call me to your aid?
Well, but why do you call me to your aid?
Hecuba
It is a matter you little know of, king.
Do you see this corpse, for whom my tears now flow?
760
It is a matter you little know of, king.
Do you see this corpse, for whom my tears now flow?
760
Agamemnon
I do; but what is to follow, I cannot guess.
I do; but what is to follow, I cannot guess.
Hecuba
He was once my child; I bore him in my womb.
He was once my child; I bore him in my womb.
Agamemnon
Which of your sons is he, poor sufferer?
Which of your sons is he, poor sufferer?
Hecuba
Not one of Priam’s race who fell beneath
Ilium
’s walls.
Not one of Priam’s race who fell beneath
Ilium
’s walls.
Agamemnon
Did you indeed have another son besides those, lady?
765
Did you indeed have another son besides those, lady?
765
Hecuba
Yes, the one you see here, of whom it seems I have small gain.
767
Yes, the one you see here, of whom it seems I have small gain.
Agamemnon
Where then was he, when his city was being destroyed?
Where then was he, when his city was being destroyed?
Hecuba
His father, fearful of his death, conveyed him out of
Troy
.
His father, fearful of his death, conveyed him out of
Troy
.
Agamemnon
Where did he place him apart from the sons he then had?
Where did he place him apart from the sons he then had?
Hecuba
In this very land, where his corpse was found.
770
In this very land, where his corpse was found.
770
Agamemnon
With Polymestor, the king of this country?
With Polymestor, the king of this country?
Hecuba
He was sent here in charge of gold, most bitter trust!
He was sent here in charge of gold, most bitter trust!
Agamemnon
By whom was he slain? What death overtook him?
By whom was he slain? What death overtook him?
Hecuba
By whom but this man? His Thracian host slew him.
By whom but this man? His Thracian host slew him.
Agamemnon
The wretch! could he have been so eager for the gold?
775
The wretch! could he have been so eager for the gold?
775
Hecuba
Just so, when he heard of the Phrygians’ disaster.
Just so, when he heard of the Phrygians’ disaster.
Agamemnon
Where did you find him? or did some one bring his corpse?
Where did you find him? or did some one bring his corpse?
Hecuba
This woman, who happened upon it on the sea-shore.
This woman, who happened upon it on the sea-shore.
Agamemnon
Was she seeking it, or bent on other tasks?
Was she seeking it, or bent on other tasks?
Hecuba
She had gone to fetch water from the sea to wash Polyxena.
780
She had gone to fetch water from the sea to wash Polyxena.
780
Agamemnon
It seems then his host slew him and cast his body out to sea.
It seems then his host slew him and cast his body out to sea.
Hecuba
Yes, for the waves to toss, after mangling him in this way.
Yes, for the waves to toss, after mangling him in this way.
Agamemnon
Woe to you for your measureless troubles!
Woe to you for your measureless troubles!
Hecuba
I am ruined; no evil now is left, Agamemnon.
I am ruined; no evil now is left, Agamemnon.
Agamemnon
Ah! what woman was ever born to such mischance?
785
Ah! what woman was ever born to such mischance?
785
Hecuba
There is no one, unless you would name Chance herself. But hear my reason for throwing myself at your knees. If my treatment seems to you deserved, I will be content; but, if otherwise, help me to punish
this most godless host, fearless alike of gods in heaven or hell, who has done a most unholy deed; who, though often he had shared my board and been counted first of all my guest-friends
790
meeting with every kindness he could claim—. And receiving my consideration, he slew my son, and bent though he was on murder, did not think it right to bury him, but cast his body forth to sea.
795
I may be a slave and weak as well, but the gods are strong, and Custom too which prevails over them,
for by custom it is that we believe in them and set up boundaries of right and wrong for our lives. Now if this principle, when referred to you, is to be set at nothing, and they are to escape punishment who murder guests or dare to plunder the temples of gods,
800
then all fairness in human matters is at an end. Consider this then a disgrace and show regard for me, have pity on me, and, like an artist standing back from his picture, look on me and closely scan my piteous state. I was once a queen, but now I am your slave;
805
a happy mother once, but now childless and old alike, bereft of city, utterly forlorn, the most wretched woman living.
810
812
as Agamemnon is turning away. Ah! woe is me! where would you withdraw your steps from me? My efforts then will be in vain, ah me! Why, oh! why do we mortals toil, as we must, and seek out all other sciences,
but Persuasion, the only real mistress of mankind, we take no further pains to master completely by offering to pay for the knowledge, so that any man could convince his fellows as he pleased and gain his point at once?
815
How shall anyone hereafter hope for prosperity? All those my sons are gone from me, and she, my daughter, is a slave and suffers shame. I am lost; I see the smoke leaping over my city. Further—though this is perhaps idly urged,
820
to plead your love, still I will put the case—at your side lies my daughter, Cassandra, the inspired maiden, as the Phrygians call her. How then, king, will you acknowledge those nights of rapture, or what return shall my daughter or I her mother have
825
for the love she has lavished on her lord?
For from darkness and the endearments of the night mortals have their keenest joys. Listen, then; do you see this corpse? By doing him a service, you will do it to a kinsman of your bride’s.
830
I have only one thing yet to urge. Oh! would I had a voice in arms, in hands, in hair and feet, placed there by the arts of Daedalus or some god, that all together they might with tears embrace your knees,
835
bringing a thousand pleas to bear on you! O my lord and master, most glorious light of
Hellas
, listen, stretch forth a helping hand to this aged woman, for all she is a thing of nothing; still do so. For it is always a good man’s duty to help the right,
840
and to punish evil-doers wherever found.
845
There is no one, unless you would name Chance herself. But hear my reason for throwing myself at your knees. If my treatment seems to you deserved, I will be content; but, if otherwise, help me to punish
this most godless host, fearless alike of gods in heaven or hell, who has done a most unholy deed; who, though often he had shared my board and been counted first of all my guest-friends
790
meeting with every kindness he could claim—. And receiving my consideration, he slew my son, and bent though he was on murder, did not think it right to bury him, but cast his body forth to sea.
795
I may be a slave and weak as well, but the gods are strong, and Custom too which prevails over them,
for by custom it is that we believe in them and set up boundaries of right and wrong for our lives. Now if this principle, when referred to you, is to be set at nothing, and they are to escape punishment who murder guests or dare to plunder the temples of gods,
800
then all fairness in human matters is at an end. Consider this then a disgrace and show regard for me, have pity on me, and, like an artist standing back from his picture, look on me and closely scan my piteous state. I was once a queen, but now I am your slave;
805
a happy mother once, but now childless and old alike, bereft of city, utterly forlorn, the most wretched woman living.
810
as Agamemnon is turning away. Ah! woe is me! where would you withdraw your steps from me? My efforts then will be in vain, ah me! Why, oh! why do we mortals toil, as we must, and seek out all other sciences,
but Persuasion, the only real mistress of mankind, we take no further pains to master completely by offering to pay for the knowledge, so that any man could convince his fellows as he pleased and gain his point at once?
815
How shall anyone hereafter hope for prosperity? All those my sons are gone from me, and she, my daughter, is a slave and suffers shame. I am lost; I see the smoke leaping over my city. Further—though this is perhaps idly urged,
820
to plead your love, still I will put the case—at your side lies my daughter, Cassandra, the inspired maiden, as the Phrygians call her. How then, king, will you acknowledge those nights of rapture, or what return shall my daughter or I her mother have
825
for the love she has lavished on her lord?
For from darkness and the endearments of the night mortals have their keenest joys. Listen, then; do you see this corpse? By doing him a service, you will do it to a kinsman of your bride’s.
830
I have only one thing yet to urge. Oh! would I had a voice in arms, in hands, in hair and feet, placed there by the arts of Daedalus or some god, that all together they might with tears embrace your knees,
835
bringing a thousand pleas to bear on you! O my lord and master, most glorious light of
Hellas
, listen, stretch forth a helping hand to this aged woman, for all she is a thing of nothing; still do so. For it is always a good man’s duty to help the right,
840
and to punish evil-doers wherever found.
845
Chorus Leader
It is strange how each extreme meets in human life! Custom determines even our natural ties, making the most bitter foes friends, and regarding as foes those who formerly were friends.
It is strange how each extreme meets in human life! Custom determines even our natural ties, making the most bitter foes friends, and regarding as foes those who formerly were friends.
Agamemnon
Hecuba, I feel compassion for you and your son and your ill-fortune, as well as for your suppliant gesture, and I would gladly see that impious host pay you this forfeit for the sake of heaven and justice, if I could only find some way to help you
850
without appearing to the army to have plotted the death of the Thracian king for Cassandra’s sake. For on one point I am assailed by perplexity: the army count this man their friend, the dead their foe; that he is dear to you
855
is a matter apart, in which the army has no share. Reflect on this; for though you find me ready to share your toil and quick to lend my aid, yet the risk of being reproached by the Achaeans makes me hesitate.
860
864
Hecuba, I feel compassion for you and your son and your ill-fortune, as well as for your suppliant gesture, and I would gladly see that impious host pay you this forfeit for the sake of heaven and justice, if I could only find some way to help you
850
without appearing to the army to have plotted the death of the Thracian king for Cassandra’s sake. For on one point I am assailed by perplexity: the army count this man their friend, the dead their foe; that he is dear to you
855
is a matter apart, in which the army has no share. Reflect on this; for though you find me ready to share your toil and quick to lend my aid, yet the risk of being reproached by the Achaeans makes me hesitate.
860
Hecuba
Ah! there is not in the world a single man free;
for he is a slave either to money or to fortune, or else the people in their thousands or the fear of public prosecution prevents him from following the dictates of his heart.
865
But since you are afraid, deferring too much to the rabble, I will rid you of that fear.
Thus: be aware of my plot if I devise mischief against this murderer, but refrain from any share in it. And if any uproar or attempt at rescue breaks out among the Achaeans, when the Thracian is suffering his doom, check it without seeming to do so on my account.
870
For what remains—take heart—I will arrange everything well.
875
Ah! there is not in the world a single man free;
for he is a slave either to money or to fortune, or else the people in their thousands or the fear of public prosecution prevents him from following the dictates of his heart.
865
But since you are afraid, deferring too much to the rabble, I will rid you of that fear.
Thus: be aware of my plot if I devise mischief against this murderer, but refrain from any share in it. And if any uproar or attempt at rescue breaks out among the Achaeans, when the Thracian is suffering his doom, check it without seeming to do so on my account.
870
For what remains—take heart—I will arrange everything well.
875
Agamemnon
How? what will you do? will you take a sword in your old hand and slay the barbarian, or do you have drugs or some means to aid you? Who will take your part? Where will you procure friends?
How? what will you do? will you take a sword in your old hand and slay the barbarian, or do you have drugs or some means to aid you? Who will take your part? Where will you procure friends?
Hecuba
Sheltered beneath these tents is a crowd of Trojan women.
880
Sheltered beneath these tents is a crowd of Trojan women.
880
Agamemnon
Do you mean the captives, the booty of the Hellenes?
Do you mean the captives, the booty of the Hellenes?
Hecuba
With their help I will punish my murderous foe.
With their help I will punish my murderous foe.
Agamemnon
How are women to master men?
How are women to master men?
Hecuba
Numbers are a fearful thing, and joined to craft a desperate foe.
Numbers are a fearful thing, and joined to craft a desperate foe.
Agamemnon
True; still I have a mean opinion of the female race.
885
True; still I have a mean opinion of the female race.
885
Hecuba
To a servant And you are to draw near my Thracian friend and say,
Hecuba, once queen of
Ilium
, summons you, on your own business no less than hers, your children too, for they also must hear what she has to say.
The servant goes out. Defer awhile, Agamemnon,
890
the burial of Polyxena lately slain, so that brother and sister may be laid on the same pyre and buried side by side, a double cause of sorrow to their mother.
895
To a servant And you are to draw near my Thracian friend and say,
Hecuba, once queen of
Ilium
, summons you, on your own business no less than hers, your children too, for they also must hear what she has to say.
The servant goes out. Defer awhile, Agamemnon,
890
the burial of Polyxena lately slain, so that brother and sister may be laid on the same pyre and buried side by side, a double cause of sorrow to their mother.
895
Agamemnon
So shall it be; yet if the army were able to sail, I could not have granted you this favor;
but as it is, for the god sends forth no favoring breeze, the army must wait and look for a calm voyage. Good luck to you, for this is the interest alike of individual and state, that the wrong-doer be punished and the good man prosper.
Agamemnon departs as Hecuba withdraws into the tent.
900
So shall it be; yet if the army were able to sail, I could not have granted you this favor;
but as it is, for the god sends forth no favoring breeze, the army must wait and look for a calm voyage. Good luck to you, for this is the interest alike of individual and state, that the wrong-doer be punished and the good man prosper.
Agamemnon departs as Hecuba withdraws into the tent.
900
Hecuba. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.