Euripides, Hecuba, Edward P. Coleridge (Translator), 953-1295

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Hecuba comes out of the tent as Polymestor, his children and guards enter.

Polymestor

My dear friend Priam, and you no less, Hecuba, I weep to see you and your city thus, and your daughter lately slain.

Ah! there is nothing to be relied on; fair fame is insecure, nor is there any guarantee that prosperity will not be turned to woe. For the gods confound our fortunes, tossing them to and fro, and introduce confusion, so that our perplexity
955

may make us worship them. But what use is it to lament these things, and make no advance ahead of trouble? If you are blaming me at all for my absence, stop a moment; I happened to be away in the very heart of Thrace when you came here; but on my return,
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just as I was starting from my home for the same purpose, your maid fell in with me, and gave me your message, which brought me here at once.
965

Hecuba

Polymestor, I am held in such wretchedness that I blush to meet your eye;

for my present evil case makes me ashamed to face you who saw me in happier days, and I could not look on you with unfaltering gaze. Do not then think it ill-will towards you, Polymestor; there is another cause as well,
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I mean the custom which forbids women to meet men’s gaze.
975

Polymestor

No wonder, surely. But what need do you have of me? Why did you send for me to come here from my house?

Hecuba

I wish to tell you and your children a private matter of my own; please bid

your attendants withdraw from the tent.
980

Polymestor
to his attendants

Retire; this desert spot is safe enough. The guards go out; to Hecuba You are my friend, and this Achaean army is well-disposed to me. But you must tell me how prosperity

is to help its unlucky friends; for I am ready to do so.
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986

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.

Polymestor

Yes, you still have a share in fortune there.

Hecuba

Well said, dear friend! how worthy of you!
990

Polymestor

What next would you learn of me?

Hecuba

has he any recollection of me his mother?

Polymestor

Yes, he was longing to steal away here to you.

Hecuba

Is the gold safe, which he brought with him from Troy ?

Polymestor

Safe under lock and key in my halls.
995

Hecuba

Do save it, but do not desire your neighbor’s goods.

Polymestor

Not I; may I benefit by what I have, lady!

Hecuba

Do you know what I wish to say to you and your children?

Polymestor

No; your words will declare it.

Hecuba

O you who are as dear to me as you now are, there are—
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Polymestor

What is it that I and my children must learn?

Hecuba

Ancient vaults filled full of gold by Priam’s ancestors.

Polymestor

Is it this you would tell your son?

Hecuba

Certainly, through you; for you are a righteous man.

Polymestor

What need then of these children’s presence?
1005

Hecuba

It is better they should know it, in case of your death.

Polymestor

Well said; it is also the wiser way.

Hecuba

Then do you know where the shrine of Trojan Athena is?

Polymestor

Is the gold there? what is there to mark it?

Hecuba

A black rock rising above the ground.
1010

Polymestor

Is there anything else you want to tell me about the place?

Hecuba

I wish to keep safe the treasure I brought from Troy .

Polymestor

Where can it be? inside your dress, or have you hidden it?

Hecuba

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.
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Hecuba

The captive women have huts of their own.

Polymestor

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

Chorus

Not yet have you paid the penalty, but perhaps you will.

1025

Chorus

Like one who slips and falls into the surge with no haven near, so shall you lose your own life for the life you have taken. For where liability to justice coincides with heaven’s law;
1025

there is ruin full of death and doom. Your hopes of this journey shall cheat you, for it has led you, unhappy wretch! to the halls of death; and to no warrior’s hand shall you resign your life.
1030

1035

Polymestor
within the tent

O horror! I am blinded of the light of my eyes, ah me!
1035

Chorus Leader

Did you hear, friends, that Thracian’s cry of woe?

Polymestor
within

O horror! horror! my children! 0 the cruel blow.

Chorus Leader

Friends, there is strange mischief afoot in yo.

Polymestor
within

No, you shall never escape for all your hurried flight;

for with a blow I will burst open the inmost recesses of this building.
1040

Chorus Leader

Hark! how he launches a bolt with weighty hand! Shall we force an entry? The crisis calls on us to aid Hecuba and the Trojan women.

Hecuba enters, calling back into the tent.

Hecuba

Strike on, spare not, burst the doors!

you shall never replace bright vision in your eyes or see your children, whom I have slain, alive again.
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Chorus Leader

What! have you foiled the Thracian stranger and is he in your power, mistress? Is all your threat now brought to pass?

Hecuba

A moment, and you shall see him before the tent,

blind, advancing with blind random step; and the bodies of his two children whom I with my brave women of Troy killed; he has paid me the penalty; here he comes from the tent, as you see. I will withdraw out of his path and stand aside
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from the hot fury of the Thracian, my deadly foe.
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1056

Polymestor rushes out. Blood is streaming from his eyes.

Polymestor

Woe is me! where can I go, where halt, or turn? shall I crawl like a wild four-footed beast on their track, as my reward? Which path shall I take first,

this or that, eager as I am to clutch those Trojan murderesses that have destroyed me? You wretched, cursed daughters
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of Phrygia ! to what corner have you fled cowering before me? O sun-god, would you could heal, could heal my bleeding eyes, ridding me of my blindness!
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Ha! hush! I catch the stealthy footsteps of the women here. Where can I dart on them and gorge on their flesh and bones, making for myself a wild beasts’ meal, inflicting mutilation
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in requital of their outrage on me? Ah, woe is me! where am I rushing, leaving my children unguarded for maenads of hell to mangle, to be murdered and ruthlessly cast forth upon the hills, a feast of blood for dogs?
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Where shall I stay or turn my steps, like a ship that lies anchored at sea, gathering close my linen robe and rushing to that chamber of death, to guard my children?
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1085

Chorus Leader

Woe to you! what grievous outrage has been done to you! a fearful penalty for your foul deed has the deity imposed, whoever he is whose hand is heavy upon you.
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1089

Polymestor

Woe is me! Ho! my Thracian spearmen, armed,

a race of knights whom Ares inspires! Ho! Achaeans! sons of Atreus! To you I loudly call; come here, by the gods! Does any one hearken, or will no one help me? Why do you delay? Women, captive women have destroyed me.
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A fearful fate is mine; ah me! my hideous outrage! Where can I turn or go?
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Shall I take wings and soar aloft to the mansions of the sky, where Orion and Sirius dart from their eyes
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a flash as of fire, or shall I, in my misery, plunge to Hades’ murky flood?
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1107

Chorus Leader

It is pardonable, for a man suffering from evils too heavy to bear, to rid himself of a wretched existence.

Agamemnon and his retinue enter.

Agamemnon

Hearing a cry I have come here; for Echo,

child of the mountain-rock, has sent her voice loud-ringing through the army, causing a tumult. If we had not known that Troy ’s towers were levelled by the might of Hellas , this uproar would have caused no slight panic.
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Polymestor

Best of friends! for by your voice I know you,

Agamemnon; do you see my piteous state?
1115

Agamemnon

What! hapless Polymestor, who has stricken you? who has blinded your eyes, staining the pupils with blood? who has slain these children? whoever he was, fierce must have been his wrath against you and your children.

Polymestor

Hecuba, helped by the captive women, has destroyed me—not destroyed, far worse than that.
1120

Agamemnon
addressing Hecuba

What do you say? Was it you that did this deed, as he says? You, Hecuba, that have ventured on this inconceivable daring?

Polymestor

Ha! what is that? is she somewhere near?

Show me, tell me where, that I may grip her in my hands and rend her limb from limb, bespattering her with gore.
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Agamemnon

You creature, what are you about?

Polymestor

By the gods I entreat you, let me vent on her the fury of my arm.

Agamemnon

Hold! banish that savage spirit from your heart

and plead your cause, so that after hearing you and her in turn I may fairly decide what reason there is for your present sufferings.
1130

Polymestor

I will tell my tale. There was a son of Priam, Polydorus, the youngest, a child by Hecuba, whom his father Priam sent to me from Troy to bring up in my halls,

suspecting no doubt the fall of Troy . I killed him; but hear my reason for killing him, how cleverly and wisely I had thought it out. My fear was that if that child were left to be your enemy, he would repeople Troy and settle it afresh;
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and the Achaeans, knowing that a son of Priam survived, might bring another expedition against the Phrygian land, and then harry and lay waste these plains of Thrace , for the neighbours of Troy to experience the very troubles we were lately suffering, O king.
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Now Hecuba, having discovered the death of her son, brought me here on the following pretext, saying she would tell me of hidden treasure stored up in Ilium by the race of Priam; and she led me apart with my children into the tent, that no other might hear her news.
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So I sat down on a couch in their midst to rest; for there were many of the Trojan maidens seated there, some on my right hand, some on my left, as if beside a friend; and they were praising the weaving of our Edonian handiwork, looking at this robe as they held it up to the light;
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while others examined my Thracian spear and so stripped me of two-fold protection. And those that were young mothers were dandling my children in their arms, with loud admiration, as they passed them on from hand to hand to remove them far from their father;
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and then after their smooth speeches—would you believe it?—in an instant snatching daggers from somewhere in their dress they stab my children; while others, like foes, seized me hand and foot;
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and if I tried to raise my head, anxious to help my children, they would clutch me by the hair; while if I stirred my hands, I could do nothing, poor wretch! for the numbers of the women. At last they did a fearful deed, worse than what had gone before; for they took their brooches
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and stabbed the hapless pupils of my eyes, making them gush with blood, and then fled through the chambers; up I sprang like a wild beast in pursuit of the shameless murderesses, searching along each wall with hunter’s care,
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dealing buffets, spreading ruin. This then is what I have suffered because of my zeal for you, Agamemnon, for slaying an enemy of yours. But to spare you a lengthy speech, if any of the men of former times have spoken ill of women, if any does so now, or shall do so hereafter,
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I will say all this in one short sentence; for neither land or sea produces such a race, as whoever has had to do with them knows.
1180

Chorus Leader

Curb your bold tongue, and do not, because of your own woes, thus embrace the whole race of women in one reproach.

For though some of us, and those a numerous class, deserve to be disliked, there are others among us who rank naturally among the good.
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1187

Hecuba

Never ought words to have outweighed deeds in this world, Agamemnon. No! if a man’s deeds were good, so should his words have been;

if, on the other hand, evil, his words should have been unsound, instead of its being possible at times to speak injustice well. There are, it is true, clever persons, who have made a science of this, but their cleverness cannot last for ever; a miserable end awaits them; no one ever yet escaped.
1190

This part of my prelude belongs to you. Now will I turn to this fellow, and will give you your answer, you who say it was to save Achaea double toil and for Agamemnon’s sake that you killed my son. No, villain, in the first place
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the barbarian race would never be friends with Hellas , nor could it be. Again, what interest did you have to further by your zeal? was it to form some marriage, or on the score of kinship, or what reason? or was it likely that they would sail here again and destroy
1200

your country’s crops? Whom do you expect to persuade into believing that? If you would only speak the truth, it was the gold that slew my son, and your greedy spirit. Now tell me this: why, when Troy was victorious, when her ramparts still stood round her,
1205

when Priam was alive, and Hector’s warring prospered, why did you not then, if you were really minded to do Agamemnon a service, slay the child, for you had him in your palace beneath your care, or bring him with you alive to the Argives? But when the enemy took us from the light
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and our city made a signal by its smoke, you murdered the guest who had come to your hearth.
1215
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Furthermore, to prove your villainy, hear this; if you were really a friend to those Achaeans, you should have brought the gold, which you say you are keeping not for yourself but for this man,

and given it to them, for they were in need and had endured a long exile from their native land. But not even now can you bring yourself to part with it, but persist in keeping it in your palace. Again, had you kept my son safe and sound, as your duty was,
1220

a fair renown would have been your reward, for it is in trouble’s hour that the good most clearly show their friendship; though prosperity by itself in every case finds friends. If you were in need of money and he were prosperous, that son of mine would have been as a mighty treasure for you to draw upon;
1225

but now you have him no longer to be your friend, and the benefit of the gold is gone from you, your children too, and you yourself are in this sorry plight.
I say to you, Agamemnon, if you help this man, you will show your worthlessness; for you will be serving a guest-friend neither pious nor to be trusted where he should be,
1230

not devout, not just; while I shall say you delight in evil-doers, being such a one yourself; but I do not abuse my masters.
1235

Chorus Leader

Ah! how a good cause always affords men an opening for a good speech.

Agamemnon

To be judge in a stranger’s troubles goes much against my grain, but still I must; yes, for to take this matter in hand and then put it from me is a shameful course. My opinion, that you may know it, is that it was not for the sake of the Achaeans or me that you killed your guest,
1240

but to keep that gold in your own house. In your trouble you make a case in your own interests. Perhaps among you it is a light thing to murder guests, but with us in Hellas it is a disgrace. How can I escape reproach if I judge you not guilty?
1245

I could not. No, since you endured your horrid crime, endure as well its painful consequence.
1250

1252

Polymestor

Woe is me! worsted by a woman and a slave, I am, it seems, to suffer by unworthy hands.

Hecuba

Is it not just for your atrocious crime?

Polymestor

Ah, my children! ah, my blinded eyes! woe is me!
1255

Hecuba

You grieve; but what of me? Do you think I do not grieve for my son?

Polymestor

You wicked wretch! Is your delight in mocking me?

Hecuba

Yes, for I am avenged on you; have I not cause for delight?

Polymestor

It will soon cease, when ocean’s flood—

Hecuba

Shall convey me to the shores of Hellas ?
1260

Polymestor

No, but will close over you when you fall from the masthead.

Hecuba

Who will force me to take the leap?

Polymestor

Of your own accord you will climb the ship’s mast.

Hecuba

With wings upon my back, or by what means?

Polymestor

You will become a dog with bloodshot gaze.
1265

Hecuba

How did you know of my transformation?

Polymestor

Dionysus, our Thracian prophet, told me so.

Hecuba

And did he prophesy to you nothing of your present trouble?

Polymestor

No, for you would never have caught me thus by guile.

Hecuba

Dead or alive shall I complete my life here?
1270

Polymestor

Dead; and to your tomb shall be given a name—;

Hecuba

Recalling my form, or what will you tell me?

Polymestor

The hapless hound’s grave, a mark for mariners.

Hecuba

It is nothing to me, now that you have paid me the penalty.

Polymestor

Further, your daughter Cassandra must die.
1275

Hecuba

I scorn the prophecy! I give it to you to keep for yourself.

Polymestor

The wife of Agamemnon, grim keeper of his palace, shall slay her.

Hecuba

Never may the daughter of Tyndareus do such a frantic deed!

Polymestor

And she shall slay this man as well, lifting high the axe.

Agamemnon

You creature, are you mad? are you so eager to find sorrow?
1280

Polymestor

Kill me, for in Argos there awaits you a murderous bath.

Agamemnon

Ho! servants, drag away him from my sight!

Polymestor

Do my words pain you?

Agamemnon

Stop his mouth!

Polymestor

Close it now; for I have spoken.

Agamemnon

Make haste

and cast him upon some desert island, since his mouth is full of such exceeding presumption. Go, unhappy Hecuba, and bury your two corpses; and you, Trojan women, must draw near your masters’ tents, for lo! I perceive a breeze
1285

just rising to waft us home. May we reach our country well and find all well at home, released from troubles here! Polymestor is dragged away by Agamemnon’s guards.
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1293

Chorus

Away to the harbour and the tents, my friends, to prove the toils of

slavery! for such is fate’s relentless hest.
1295

Hecuba. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1891.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

Hecuba (English) (Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891. (Modernized by Perseus.))

Editions (1)

Ἑκάβη Perseus (Euripides. Euripidis Fabulae, Vol. I. Murray, Gilbert, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902. (Reprinted 1906-1974)) — 953-1295 focus

Πολυμήστωρ

ὦ φίλτατʼ ἀνδρῶν Πρίαμε, φιλτάτη δὲ σύ,

Ἑκάβη, δακρύω σʼ εἰσορῶν πόλιν τε σὴν

τήν τʼ ἀρτίως θανοῦσαν ἔκγονον σέθεν.
955

φεῦ·

οὐκ ἔστι πιστὸν οὐδέν, οὔτʼ εὐδοξία

οὔτʼ αὖ καλῶς πράσσοντα μὴ πράξειν κακῶς.

φύρουσι δʼ αὐτοὶ θεοὶ πάλιν τε καὶ πρόσω

ταραγμὸν ἐντιθέντες, ὡς ἀγνωσίᾳ

σέβωμεν αὐτούς. ἀλλὰ ταῦτα μὲν τί δεῖ
960

θρηνεῖν, προκόπτοντʼ οὐδὲν ἐς πρόσθεν κακῶν;

σὺ δʼ, εἴ τι μέμφῃ τῆς ἐμῆς ἀπουσίας,

σχές· τυγχάνω γὰρ ἐν μέσοις Θρῄκης ὅροις

ἀπών, ὅτʼ ἦλθες δεῦρʼ· ἐπεὶ δʼ ἀφικόμην,

ἤδη πόδʼ ἔξω δωμάτων αἴροντί μοι
965

ἐς ταὐτὸν ἥδε συμπίτνει δμωὶς σέθεν

λέγουσα μύθους, ὧν κλύων ἀφικόμην.

Ἑκάβη

αἰσχύνομαί σε προσβλέπειν ἐναντίον,

Πολυμῆστορ, ἐν τοιοῖσδε κειμένη κακοῖς.

ὅτῳ γὰρ ὤφθην εὐτυχοῦσʼ, αἰδώς μʼ ἔχει
970

ἐν τῷδε πότμῳ τυγχάνουσʼ ἵνʼ εἰμὶ νῦν

κοὐκ ἂν δυναίμην προσβλέπειν ὀρθαῖς κόραις.

ἀλλʼ αὐτὸ μὴ δύσνοιαν ἡγήσῃ σέθεν,

Πολυμῆστορ· ἄλλως δʼ αἴτιόν τι καὶ νόμος,

γυναῖκας ἀνδρῶν μὴ βλέπειν ἐναντίον.
975

Πολυμήστωρ

καὶ θαῦμά γʼ οὐδέν. ἀλλὰ τίς χρεία σʼ ἐμοῦ;

τί χρῆμʼ ἐπέμψω τὸν ἐμὸν ἐκ δόμων πόδα·

Ἑκάβη

ἴδιον ἐμαυτῆς δή τι πρὸς σὲ βούλομαι

καὶ παῖδας εἰπεῖν σούς· ὀπάονας δέ μοι

χωρὶς κέλευσον τῶνδʼ ἀποστῆναι δόμων.
980

Πολυμήστωρ

χωρεῖτʼ· ἐν ἀσφαλεῖ γὰρ ἥδʼ ἐρημία.

φίλη μὲν εἶ σύ, προσφιλὲς δέ μοι τόδε

στράτευμʼ Ἀχαιῶν. ἀλλὰ σημαίνειν σὲ χρῆν·

τί χρὴ τὸν εὖ πράσσοντα μὴ πράσσουσιν εὖ

φίλοις ἐπαρκεῖν; ὡς ἕτοιμός εἰμʼ ἐγώ.
985

986

Ἑκάβη

πρῶτον μὲν εἰπὲ παῖδʼ ὃν ἐξ ἐμῆς χερὸς

Πολύδωρον ἔκ τε πατρὸς ἐν δόμοις ἔχεις,

εἰ ζῇ· τὰ δʼ ἄλλα δεύτερόν σʼ ἐρήσομαι.

Πολυμήστωρ

μάλιστα· τοὐκείνου μὲν εὐτυχεῖς μέρος.

Ἑκάβη

ὦ φίλταθʼ, ὡς εὖ κἀξίως λέγεις σέθεν.
990

Πολυμήστωρ

τί δῆτα βούλῃ δεύτερον μαθεῖν ἐμοῦ;

Ἑκάβη

εἰ τῆς τεκούσης τῆσδε μέμνηταί τί μου;

Πολυμήστωρ

καὶ δεῦρό γʼ ὡς σὲ κρύφιος ἐζήτει μολεῖν.

Ἑκάβη

χρυσὸς δὲ σῶς ὃν ἦλθεν ἐκ Τροίας ἔχων;

Πολυμήστωρ

σῶς, ἐν δόμοις γε τοῖς ἐμοῖς φρουρούμενος.
995

Ἑκάβη

σῶσόν νυν αὐτὸν μηδʼ ἔρα τῶν πλησίον.

Πολυμήστωρ

ἥκιστʼ· ὀναίμην τοῦ παρόντος, ὦ γύναι.

Ἑκάβη

οἶσθʼ οὖν ἃ λέξαι σοί τε καὶ παισὶν θέλω;

Πολυμήστωρ

οὐκ οἶδα· τῷ σῷ τοῦτο σημανεῖς λόγῳ.

Ἑκάβη

ἔστʼ, ὦ φιληθεὶς ὡς σὺ νῦν ἐμοὶ φιλῇ —
1000

Πολυμήστωρ

τί χρῆμʼ ὃ κἀμὲ καὶ τέκνʼ εἰδέναι χρεών;

Ἑκάβη

χρυσοῦ παλαιαὶ Πριαμιδῶν κατώρυχες.

Πολυμήστωρ

ταῦτʼ ἔσθʼ ἃ βούλῃ παιδὶ σημῆναι σέθεν;

Ἑκάβη

μάλιστα, διὰ σοῦ γʼ· εἶ γὰρ εὐσεβὴς ἀνήρ.

Πολυμήστωρ

τί δῆτα τέκνων τῶνδε δεῖ παρουσίας;
1005

Ἑκάβη

ἄμεινον, ἢν σὺ κατθάνῃς, τούσδʼ εἰδέναι.

Πολυμήστωρ

καλῶς ἔλεξας· τῇδε καὶ σοφώτερον.

Ἑκάβη

οἶσθʼ οὖν Ἀθάνας Ἰλίας ἵνα στέγαι;

Πολυμήστωρ

ἐνταῦθʼ ὁ χρυσός ἐστι; σημεῖον δὲ τί;

Ἑκάβη

μέλαινα πέτρα γῆς ὑπερτέλλουσʼ ἄνω.
1010

Πολυμήστωρ

ἔτʼ οὖν τι βούλῃ τῶν ἐκεῖ φράζειν ἐμοί;

Ἑκάβη

σῶσαί σε χρήμαθʼ οἷς συνεξῆλθον θέλω.

Πολυμήστωρ

ποῦ δῆτα; πέπλων ἐντὸς ἢ κρύψασʼ ἔχεις;

Ἑκάβη

σκύλων ἐν ὄχλῳ ταῖσδε σῴζεται στέγαις.

Πολυμήστωρ

ποῦ δʼ; αἵδʼ Ἀχαιῶν ναύλοχοι περιπτυχαί.
1015

Ἑκάβη

ἰδίᾳ γυναικῶν αἰχμαλωτίδων στέγαι.

Πολυμήστωρ

τἄνδον δὲ πιστὰ κἀρσένων ἐρημία;

Ἑκάβη

οὐδεὶς Ἀχαιῶν ἔνδον, ἀλλʼ ἡμεῖς μόναι.

ἀλλʼ ἕρπʼ ἐς οἴκους· καὶ γὰρ Ἀργεῖοι νεῶν

λῦσαι ποθοῦσιν οἴκαδʼ ἐκ Τροίας πόδα·
1020

ὡς πάντα πράξας ὧν σε δεῖ στείχῃς πάλιν

ξὺν παισὶν οὗπερ τὸν ἐμὸν ᾤκισας γόνον.

Χορός

οὔπω δέδωκας, ἀλλʼ ἴσως δώσεις δίκην·

1025

Χορός

ἀλίμενόν τις ὡς εἰς ἄντλον πεσὼν
1025

λέχριος ἐκπεσῇ φίλας καρδίας,

ἀμέρσας βίοτον. τὸ γὰρ ὑπέγγυον

Δίκᾳ καὶ θεοῖσιν οὐ συμπίτνει·

ὀλέθριον ὀλέθριον κακόν.
1030

ψεύσει σʼ ὁδοῦ τῆσδʼ ἐλπὶς ἥ σʼ ἐπήγαγεν

θανάσιμον πρὸς Ἅιδαν, ἰὼ τάλας·

ἀπολέμῳ δὲ χειρὶ λείψεις βίον.

1034

Πολυμήστωρ

ἔσωθεν

ὤμοι, τυφλοῦμαι φέγγος ὀμμάτων τάλας.
1035

Χορός

— ἠκούσατʼ ἀνδρὸς Θρῃκὸς οἰμωγήν, φίλαι;

Πολυμήστωρ

ὤμοι μάλʼ αὖθις, τέκνα, δυστήνου σφαγῆς.

Χορός

— φίλαι, πέπρακται καίνʼ ἔσω δόμων κακά.

Πολυμήστωρ

ἀλλʼ οὔτι μὴ φύγητε λαιψηρῷ ποδί·

βάλλων γὰρ οἴκων τῶνδʼ ἀναρρήξω μυχούς.
1040

Χορός

— ἰδού, βαρείας χειρὸς ὁρμᾶται βέλος.

— βούλεσθʼ ἐπεσπέσωμεν; ὡς ἀκμὴ καλεῖ

Ἑκάβῃ παρεῖναι Τρῳάσιν τε συμμάχους.

Ἑκάβη

ἄρασσε, φείδου μηδέν, ἐκβάλλων πύλας·

οὐ γάρ ποτʼ ὄμμα λαμπρὸν ἐνθήσεις κόραις,
1045

οὐ παῖδας ὄψῃ ζῶντας οὓς ἔκτεινʼ ἐγώ.

Χορός

ἦ γὰρ καθεῖλες Θρῇκα, καὶ κρατεῖς, ξένον,

δέσποινα, καὶ δέδρακας οἷάπερ λέγεις;

Ἑκάβη

ὄψῃ νιν αὐτίκʼ ὄντα δωμάτων πάρος

τυφλὸν τυφλῷ στείχοντα παραφόρῳ ποδί,
1050

παίδων τε δισσῶν σώμαθʼ, οὓς ἔκτεινʼ ἐγὼ

σὺν ταῖς ἀρίσταις Τρῳάσιν· δίκην δέ μοι

δέδωκε. χωρεῖ δʼ, ὡς ὁρᾷς, ὅδʼ ἐκ δόμων.

ἀλλʼ ἐκποδὼν ἄπειμι κἀποστήσομαι

θυμῷ ῥέοντι Θρῃκὶ δυσμαχωτάτῳ.
1055

1056

Πολυμήστωρ

ὤμοι ἐγώ, πᾷ βῶ,

πᾷ στῶ, πᾷ κέλσω;

τετράποδος βάσιν θηρὸς ὀρεστέρου

τιθέμενος ἐπίχειρα κατʼ ἴχνος; ποίαν

ἢ ταύταν ἢ τάνδʼ ἐξαλλάξω, τὰς
1060

ἀνδροφόνους μάρψαι χρῄζων Ἰλιάδας,

αἵ με διώλεσαν;

τάλαιναι κόραι τάλαιναι Φρυγῶν,

ὦ κατάρατοι,
1065

ποῖ καί με φυγᾷ πτώσσουσι μυχῶν;

εἴθε μοι ὀμμάτων αἱματόεν βλέφαρον

ἀκέσαιʼ ἀκέσαιο τυφλόν, Ἅλιε,

φέγγος ἐπαλλάξας.

ἆ ἆ,
1070

σίγα· κρυπτὰν βάσιν αἰσθάνομαι

τάνδε γυναικῶν. πᾷ πόδʼ ἐπᾴξας

σαρκῶν ὀστέων τʼ ἐμπλησθῶ,

θοίναν ἀγρίων θηρῶν τιθέμενος,

ἀρνύμενος λώβαν

λύμας ἀντίποινʼ ἐμᾶς; ὦ τάλας.
1075

ποῖ πᾷ φέρομαι τέκνʼ ἔρημα λιπὼν

Βάκχαις Ἅιδου διαμοιρᾶσαι,

σφακτά, κυσίν τε φοινίαν δαῖτʼ ἀνή-

μερον τʼ οὐρείαν ἐκβολάν;

πᾷ στῶ, πᾷ κάμψω, πᾷ βῶ,
1080

ναῦς ὅπως ποντίοις πείσμασιν, λινόκροκον

φᾶρος στέλλων, ἐπὶ τάνδε συθεὶς

τέκνων ἐμῶν φύλαξ ὀλέθριον κοίταν;

1085

Χορός

ὦ τλῆμον, ὥς σοι δύσφορʼ εἴργασται κακά·
1085

δράσαντι δʼ αἰσχρὰ δεινὰ τἀπιτίμια.

δαίμων ἔδωκεν ὅστις ἐστί σοι βαρύς.

1089

Πολυμήστωρ

αἰαῖ, ἰὼ Θρῄκης λογχοφόρον ἔνο-

πλον εὔιππον Ἄρει κάτοχον γένος.
1090

ἰὼ Ἀχαιοί. — ἰὼ Ἀτρεῖδαι. — βοὰν βοὰν ἀυτῶ, βοάν.

ὢ ἴτε· μόλετε πρὸς θεῶν.

κλύει τις ἢ οὐδεὶς ἀρκέσει; τί μέλλετε;

γυναῖκες ὤλεσάν με, γυναῖκες αἰχμαλωτίδες· δεινὰ

δεινὰ πεπόνθαμεν.
1095

ὤμοι ἐμᾶς λώβας.

ποῖ τράπωμαι, ποῖ πορευθῶ;

ἀμπτάμενος οὐράνιον
1100

ὑψιπετὲς ἐς μέλαθρον,

Ὠαρίων ἢ Σείριος ἔνθα πυρὸς φλογέας ἀφίη-

σιν ὄσσων αὐγάς, ἢ τὸν ἐς Ἀίδα
1105

μελάγχρωτα πορθμὸν ᾄξω τάλας;

1107

Χορός

συγγνώσθʼ, ὅταν τις κρείσσονʼ ἢ φέρειν κακὰ

πάθῃ, ταλαίνης ἐξαπαλλάξαι ζόης.

Ἀγαμέμνων

κραυγῆς ἀκούσας ἦλθον· οὐ γὰρ ἥσυχος

πέτρας ὀρείας παῖς λέλακʼ ἀνὰ στρατὸν
1110

Ἠχὼ διδοῦσα θόρυβον· εἰ δὲ μὴ Φρυγῶν

πύργους πεσόντας ᾖσμεν Ἑλλήνων δορί,

φόβον παρέσχεν οὐ μέσως ὅδε κτύπος.

Πολυμήστωρ

ὦ φίλτατʼ· ᾐσθόμην γάρ, Ἀγάμεμνον, σέθεν

φωνῆς ἀκούσας· εἰσορᾷς ἃ πάσχομεν;
1115

Ἀγαμέμνων

ἔα·

Πολυμῆστορ· ὦ δύστηνε, τίς σʼ ἀπώλεσεν;

τίς ὄμμʼ ἔθηκε τυφλὸν αἱμάξας κόρας,

παῖδάς τε τούσδʼ ἔκτεινεν; ἦ μέγαν χόλον

σοὶ καὶ τέκνοισιν εἶχεν ὅστις ἦν ἄρα.

Πολυμήστωρ

Ἑκάβη με σὺν γυναιξὶν αἰχμαλωτίσιν
1120

ἀπώλεσʼ — οὐκ ἀπώλεσʼ, ἀλλὰ μειζόνως.

Ἀγαμέμνων

τί φῄς; σὺ τοὔργον εἴργασαι τόδʼ, ὡς λέγει;

σὺ τόλμαν, Ἑκάβη, τήνδʼ ἔτλης ἀμήχανον;

Πολυμήστωρ

ὤμοι, τί λέξεις; ἦ γὰρ ἐγγύς ἐστί που;

σήμηνον, εἰπὲ ποῦ ʼσθʼ, ἵνʼ ἁρπάσας χεροῖν
1125

διασπάσωμαι καὶ καθαιμάξω χρόα.

Ἀγαμέμνων

οὗτος, τί πάσχεις;

Πολυμήστωρ

πρὸς θεῶν σε λίσσομαι,

μέθες μʼ ἐφεῖναι τῇδε μαργῶσαν χέρα.

Ἀγαμέμνων

ἴσχʼ· ἐκβαλὼν δὲ καρδίας τὸ βάρβαρον

λέγʼ, ὡς ἀκούσας σοῦ τε τῆσδέ τʼ ἐν μέρει
1130

κρίνω δικαίως ἀνθʼ ὅτου πάσχεις τάδε.

Πολυμήστωρ

λέγοιμʼ ἄν. ἦν τις Πριαμιδῶν νεώτατος,

Πολύδωρος, Ἑκάβης παῖς, ὃν ἐκ Τροίας ἐμοὶ

πατὴρ δίδωσι Πρίαμος ἐν δόμοις τρέφειν,

ὕποπτος ὢν δὴ Τρωικῆς ἁλώσεως.
1135

τοῦτον κατέκτεινʼ· ἀνθʼ ὅτου δʼ ἔκτεινά νιν,

ἄκουσον, ὡς εὖ καὶ σοφῇ προμηθίᾳ.

ἔδεισα μὴ σοὶ πολέμιος λειφθεὶς ὁ παῖς

Τροίαν ἀθροίσῃ καὶ ξυνοικίσῃ πάλιν,

γνόντες δʼ Ἀχαιοὶ ζῶντα Πριαμιδῶν τινα
1140

Φρυγῶν ἐς αἶαν αὖθις ἄρειαν στόλον,

κἄπειτα Θρῄκης πεδία τρίβοιεν τάδε

λεηλατοῦντες, γείτοσιν δʼ εἴη κακὸν

Τρώων, ἐν ᾧπερ νῦν, ἄναξ, ἐκάμνομεν.

1145

Ἑκάβη δὲ παιδὸς γνοῦσα θανάσιμον μόρον
1145

λόγῳ με τοιῷδʼ ἤγαγʼ, ὡς κεκρυμμένας

θήκας φράσουσα Πριαμιδῶν ἐν Ἰλίῳ

χρυσοῦ· μόνον δὲ σὺν τέκνοισί μʼ εἰσάγει

δόμους, ἵνʼ ἄλλος μή τις εἰδείη τάδε.

ἵζω δὲ κλίνης ἐν μέσῳ κάμψας γόνυ·
1150

πολλαὶ δὲ χεῖρες, αἳ μὲν ἐξ ἀριστερᾶς,

αἳ δʼ ἔνθεν, ὡς δὴ παρὰ φίλῳ, Τρώων κόραι

θάκους ἔχουσαι, κερκίδʼ Ἠδωνῆς χερὸς

ᾔνουν, ὑπʼ αὐγὰς τούσδε λεύσσουσαι πέπλους·

ἄλλαι δὲ κάμακα Θρῃκίαν θεώμεναι
1155

γυμνόν μʼ ἔθηκαν διπτύχου στολίσματος.

ὅσαι δὲ τοκάδες ἦσαν, ἐκπαγλούμεναι

τέκνʼ ἐν χεροῖν ἔπαλλον, ὡς πρόσω πατρὸς

γένοιντο, διαδοχαῖς ἀμείβουσαι χερῶν·

κᾆτʼ ἐκ γαληνῶν — πῶς δοκεῖς; — προσφθεγμάτων
1160

εὐθὺς λαβοῦσαι φάσγανʼ ἐκ πέπλων ποθὲν

κεντοῦσι παῖδας, αἳ δὲ πολεμίων δίκην

ξυναρπάσασαι τὰς ἐμὰς εἶχον χέρας

καὶ κῶλα· παισὶ δʼ ἀρκέσαι χρῄζων ἐμοῖς,

εἰ μὲν πρόσωπον ἐξανισταίην ἐμόν,
1165

κόμης κατεῖχον, εἰ δὲ κινοίην χέρας,

πλήθει γυναικῶν οὐδὲν ἤνυον τάλας.

τὸ λοίσθιον δέ, πῆμα πήματος πλέον,

ἐξειργάσαντο δείνʼ· ἐμῶν γὰρ ὀμμάτων,

πόρπας λαβοῦσαι, τὰς ταλαιπώρους κόρας
1170

κεντοῦσιν, αἱμάσσουσιν· εἶτʼ ἀνὰ στέγας

φυγάδες ἔβησαν· ἐκ δὲ πηδήσας ἐγὼ

θὴρ ὣς διώκω τὰς μιαιφόνους κύνας,

ἅπαντʼ ἐρευνῶν τοῖχον ὡς κυνηγέτης

βάλλων ἀράσσων. τοιάδε σπεύδων χάριν
1175

πέπονθα τὴν σὴν πολέμιόν τε σὸν κτανών,

Ἀγάμεμνον. ὡς δὲ μὴ μακροὺς τείνω λόγους,

εἴ τις γυναῖκας τῶν πρὶν εἴρηκεν κακῶς

ἢ νῦν λέγων ἔστιν τις ἢ μέλλει λέγειν,

ἅπαντα ταῦτα συντεμὼν ἐγὼ φράσω·
1180

γένος γὰρ οὔτε πόντος οὔτε γῆ τρέφει

τοιόνδʼ· ὁ δʼ αἰεὶ ξυντυχὼν ἐπίσταται.

Χορός

μηδὲν θρασύνου μηδὲ τοῖς σαυτοῦ κακοῖς

τὸ θῆλυ συνθεὶς ὧδε πᾶν μέμψῃ γένος.

πολλαὶ γὰρ ἡμῶν, αἳ μέν εἰσʼ ἐπίφθονοι,
1185

αἳ δʼ εἰς ἀριθμὸν τῶν κακῶν πεφύκαμεν.

1187

Ἑκάβη

Ἀγάμεμνον, ἀνθρώποισιν οὐκ ἐχρῆν ποτε

τῶν πραγμάτων τὴν γλῶσσαν ἰσχύειν πλέον·

ἀλλʼ, εἴτε χρήστʼ ἔδρασε, χρήστʼ ἔδει λέγειν,

εἴτʼ αὖ πονηρά, τοὺς λόγους εἶναι σαθρούς,
1190

καὶ μὴ δύνασθαι τἄδικʼ εὖ λέγειν ποτέ.

σοφοὶ μὲν οὖν εἰσʼ οἱ τάδʼ ἠκριβωκότες,

ἀλλʼ οὐ δύνανται διὰ τέλους εἶναι σοφοί,

κακῶς δʼ ἀπώλοντʼ· οὔτις ἐξήλυξέ πω.

καί μοι τὸ μὲν σὸν ὧδε φροιμίοις ἔχει·
1195

πρὸς τόνδε δʼ εἶμι καὶ λόγοις ἀμείψομαι·

ὃς φῂς Ἀχαιῶν πόνον ἀπαλλάσσων διπλοῦν

Ἀγαμέμνονός θʼ ἕκατι παῖδʼ ἐμὸν κτανεῖν.

ἀλλʼ, ὦ κάκιστε, πρῶτον οὔποτʼ ἂν φίλον

τὸ βάρβαρον γένοιτʼ ἂν Ἕλλησιν γένος
1200

οὐδʼ ἂν δύναιτο. τίνα δὲ καὶ σπεύδων χάριν

πρόθυμος ἦσθα; πότερα κηδεύσων τινὰ

ἢ συγγενὴς ὤν, ἢ τίνʼ αἰτίαν ἔχων;

ἢ σῆς ἔμελλον γῆς τεμεῖν βλαστήματα

πλεύσαντες αὖθις; τίνα δοκεῖς πείσειν τάδε;
1205

ὁ χρυσός, εἰ βούλοιο τἀληθῆ λέγειν,

ἔκτεινε τὸν ἐμὸν παῖδα, καὶ κέρδη τὰ σά.

ἐπεὶ δίδαξον τοῦτο· πῶς, ὅτʼ εὐτύχει

Τροία, πέριξ δὲ πύργος εἶχʼ ἔτι πτόλιν,

ἔζη τε Πρίαμος Ἕκτορός τʼ ἤνθει δόρυ,
1210

τί δʼ οὐ τότʼ, εἴπερ τῷδʼ ἐβουλήθης χάριν

θέσθαι, τρέφων τὸν παῖδα κἀν δόμοις ἔχων

ἔκτεινας ἢ ζῶντʼ ἦλθες Ἀργείοις ἄγων;

ἀλλʼ ἡνίχʼ ἡμεῖς οὐκέτʼ ἐσμὲν ἐν φάει —

καπνῷ δʼ ἐσήμηνʼ ἄστυ — πολεμίων ὕπο,
1215

ξένον κατέκτας σὴν μολόντʼ ἐφʼ ἑστίαν.

1217

πρὸς τοῖσδε νῦν ἄκουσον, ὡς φανῇς κακός.

χρῆν σʼ, εἴπερ ἦσθα τοῖς Ἀχαιοῖσιν φίλος,

τὸν χρυσὸν ὃν φῂς οὐ σὸν ἀλλὰ τοῦδʼ ἔχειν

δοῦναι φέροντα πενομένοις τε καὶ χρόνον
1220

πολὺν πατρῴας γῆς ἀπεξενωμένοις·

σὺ δʼ οὐδὲ νῦν πω σῆς ἀπαλλάξαι χερὸς

τολμᾷς, ἔχων δὲ καρτερεῖς ἔτʼ ἐν δόμοις.

καὶ μὴν τρέφων μὲν ὥς σε παῖδʼ ἐχρῆν τρέφειν

σώσας τε τὸν ἐμόν, εἶχες ἂν καλὸν κλέος·
1225

ἐν τοῖς κακοῖς γὰρ ἁγαθοὶ σαφέστατοι

φίλοι· τὰ χρηστὰ δʼ αὔθʼ ἕκαστʼ ἔχει φίλους.

εἰ δʼ ἐσπάνιζες χρημάτων, ὃ δʼ εὐτύχει,

θησαυρὸς ἄν σοι παῖς ὑπῆρχʼ οὑμὸς μέγας·

νῦν δʼ οὔτʼ ἐκεῖνον ἄνδρʼ ἔχεις σαυτῷ φίλον,
1230

χρυσοῦ τʼ ὄνησις οἴχεται παῖδές τε σοί,

αὐτός τε πράσσεις ὧδε. σοὶ δʼ ἐγὼ λέγω,

Ἀγάμεμνον, εἰ τῷδʼ ἀρκέσεις, κακὸς φανῇ·

οὔτʼ εὐσεβῆ γὰρ οὔτε πιστὸν οἷς ἐχρῆν,

οὐχ ὅσιον, οὐ δίκαιον εὖ δράσεις ξένον·
1235

αὐτὸν δὲ χαίρειν τοῖς κακοῖς σὲ φήσομεν

τοιοῦτον ὄντα δεσπότας δʼ οὐ λοιδορῶ.

Χορός

φεῦ φεῦ· βροτοῖσιν ὡς τὰ χρηστὰ πράγματα

χρηστῶν ἀφορμὰς ἐνδίδωσʼ ἀεὶ λόγων.

Ἀγαμέμνων

ἀχθεινὰ μέν μοι τἀλλότρια κρίνειν κακά,
1240

ὅμως δʼ ἀνάγκη· καὶ γὰρ αἰσχύνην φέρει,

πρᾶγμʼ ἐς χέρας λαβόντʼ ἀπώσασθαι τόδε.

ἐμοὶ δʼ, ἵνʼ εἰδῇς, οὔτʼ ἐμὴν δοκεῖς χάριν

οὔτʼ οὖν Ἀχαιῶν ἄνδρʼ ἀποκτεῖναι ξένον,

ἀλλʼ ὡς ἔχῃς τὸν χρυσὸν ἐν δόμοισι σοῖς.
1245

λέγεις δὲ σαυτῷ πρόσφορʼ ἐν κακοῖσιν ὤν.

τάχʼ οὖν παρʼ ὑμῖν ῥᾴδιον ξενοκτονεῖν·

ἡμῖν δέ γʼ αἰσχρὸν τοῖσιν Ἕλλησιν τόδε.

πῶς οὖν σε κρίνας μὴ ἀδικεῖν φύγω ψόγον;

οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην. ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ τὰ μὴ καλὰ
1250

πράσσειν ἐτόλμας, τλῆθι καὶ τὰ μὴ φίλα.

1252

Πολυμήστωρ

οἴμοι, γυναικός, ὡς ἔοιχʼ, ἡσσώμενος

δούλης ὑφέξω τοῖς κακίοσιν δίκην.

Ἀγαμέμνων

οὔκουν δικαίως, εἴπερ εἰργάσω κακά;

Πολυμήστωρ

οἴμοι τέκνων τῶνδʼ ὀμμάτων τʼ ἐμῶν, τάλας.
1255

Ἑκάβη

ἀλγεῖς· τί δʼ; ἦ ʼμὲ παιδὸς οὐκ ἀλγεῖν δοκεῖς;

Πολυμήστωρ

χαίρεις ὑβρίζουσʼ εἰς ἔμʼ, ὦ πανοῦργε σύ;

Ἑκάβη

οὐ γάρ με χαίρειν χρή σε τιμωρουμένην;

Πολυμήστωρ

ἀλλʼ οὐ τάχʼ, ἡνίκʼ ἄν σε ποντία νοτὶς —

Ἑκάβη

μῶν ναυστολήσῃ γῆς ὅρους Ἑλληνίδος;
1260

Πολυμήστωρ

κρύψῃ μὲν οὖν πεσοῦσαν ἐκ καρχησίων.

Ἑκάβη

πρὸς τοῦ βιαίων τυγχάνουσαν ἁλμάτων;

Πολυμήστωρ

αὐτὴ πρὸς ἱστὸν ναὸς ἀμβήσῃ ποδί.

Ἑκάβη

ὑποπτέροις νώτοισιν ἢ ποίῳ τρόπῳ;

Πολυμήστωρ

κύων γενήσῃ πύρσʼ ἔχουσα δέργματα.
1265

Ἑκάβη

πῶς δʼ οἶσθα μορφῆς τῆς ἐμῆς μετάστασιν;

Πολυμήστωρ

ὁ Θρῃξὶ μάντις εἶπε Διόνυσος τάδε.

Ἑκάβη

σοὶ δʼ οὐκ ἔχρησεν οὐδὲν ὧν ἔχεις κακῶν;

Πολυμήστωρ

οὐ γάρ ποτʼ ἂν σύ μʼ εἷλες ὧδε σὺν δόλῳ.

Ἑκάβη

θανοῦσα δʼ ἢ ζῶσʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἐκπλήσω βίον;
1270

Πολυμήστωρ

θανοῦσα· τύμβῳ δʼ ὄνομα σῷ κεκλήσεται —

Ἑκάβη

μορφῆς ἐπῳδόν, ἢ τί, τῆς ἐμῆς ἐρεῖς;

Πολυμήστωρ

κυνὸς ταλαίνης σῆμα, ναυτίλοις τέκμαρ.

Ἑκάβη

οὐδὲν μέλει μοι σοῦ γέ μοι δόντος δίκην.

Πολυμήστωρ

καὶ σήν γʼ ἀνάγκη παῖδα Κασάνδραν θανεῖν.
1275

Ἑκάβη

ἀπέπτυσʼ· αὐτῷ ταῦτα σοὶ δίδωμʼ ἔχειν.

Πολυμήστωρ

κτενεῖ νιν ἡ τοῦδʼ ἄλοχος, οἰκουρὸς πικρά.

Ἑκάβη

μήπω μανείη Τυνδαρὶς τοσόνδε παῖς.

Πολυμήστωρ

καὐτόν γε τοῦτον, πέλεκυν ἐξάρασʼ ἄνω.

Ἀγαμέμνων

οὗτος σύ, μαίνῃ καὶ κακῶν ἐρᾷς τυχεῖν;
1280

Πολυμήστωρ

κτεῖνʼ, ὡς ἐν Ἄργει φόνια λουτρά σʼ ἀμμένει.

Ἀγαμέμνων

οὐχ ἕλξετʼ αὐτόν, δμῶες, ἐκποδὼν βίᾳ;

Πολυμήστωρ

ἀλγεῖς ἀκούων;

Ἀγαμέμνων

οὐκ ἐφέξετε στόμα;

Πολυμήστωρ

ἐγκλῄετʼ· εἴρηται γάρ.

Ἀγαμέμνων

οὐχ ὅσον τάχος

νήσων ἐρήμων αὐτὸν ἐκβαλεῖτέ που,
1285

ἐπείπερ οὕτω καὶ λίαν θρασυστομεῖ;

Ἑκάβη, σὺ δʼ, ὦ τάλαινα, διπτύχους νεκροὺς

στείχουσα θάπτε· δεσποτῶν δʼ ὑμᾶς χρεὼν

σκηναῖς πελάζειν, Τρῳάδες· καὶ γὰρ πνοὰς

πρὸς οἶκον ἤδη τάσδε πομπίμους ὁρῶ.
1290

εὖ δʼ ἐς πάτραν πλεύσαιμεν, εὖ δὲ τἀν δόμοις

ἔχοντʼ ἴδοιμεν τῶνδʼ ἀφειμένοι πόνων.

1293

Χορός

ἴτε πρὸς λιμένας σκηνάς τε, φίλαι,

τῶν δεσποσύνων πειρασόμεναι

μόχθων· στερρὰ γὰρ ἀνάγκη.
1295

Translations (2)

Hecuba (OCR draft) Experimental (Hecuba. Robert Potter's English verse translation, first published in 1781–1783; text from the 1808 Oxford printing.)

No corresponding passage available

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1841; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (Euripides. Deutsch in den Versmaßen der Urschrift. Volume 1, Heidelberg: C. F. Winter, 1841. Harvard OCR compared with an independent BSB copy. Native Donner verse citations, Murray reference cards, explicitly located notes and page facsimiles. Unresolved OCR, verse divisions, unlocated notes and printed errata are documented in the source review.) — 953 focus

Der Menschen Liebster, Priamos!

Du Liebste, weinend seh' ich dich und deine Stadt,
925

Und deine Tochter, welche jungst im Tod erblich.

Ach!

Nichts ist im Leben sicher, nicht erhabne Macht,

Nicht, daß das Ungluck ewig flieht den Glücklichen.

Denn seine Loose, Wohl und Weh, mischt ohne Wahl

Ein Gott verwirrend, daß wir Unerfahrnen ihn
930

Verehren sollen. Doch warum beklag' ich das?

Die Klage bringt ja nie zurück, was früher war.

Du, willst du schelten, daß ich nicht erschien vor dir,

Halt' ein: im Thrakerlande fand ich ferne mich,

Als du daherkamst; eben war ich heimgekehrt,
935

Und aus der Wohnung sezt' ich schon hierher den Fuß,

Da traf mich deine Dienerinn und meldete

Die Worte, die vernehmend ich zu dir geeilt.

Hekabe.

Ich scheue, Polymestor, dir in's Angesicht

zu blicken, da mich solches Leid umfangen hålt.
940

Denn wer im Glücke mich gesehen, ich scháme mich,

Vor den in diesem Ungemach zu treten jezt;

Ich wag' es nicht, dich offnen Blickes anzusehn.

Nicht wähne deßhalb, daß ich übelwolle dir,

Polymestor; auch verbeut die Sitte ja,
945

Daß Frauen Männern offen schaun in's Angesicht.

Polymestor.

Kein Wunder ist mir's. Doch wozu bedarfst du mein?

Warum beriefst du mich daher aus meinem Haus?

Hekabe.

Zu dir und deinen Söhnen wünscht' ich gern ein Wort,

Das mich betrifft, zu reden: doch befiehl vorerst,
950

Von diesen Zelten fern zu gehn, der Dienerschaar.

Polymestor.

Geht ferne! Sicher ist es hier am stillen Ort;

Du bist mir wohlbefreundet, auch die Danaër

Sind wohlgesinnt uns. Aber nun erkläre mir:

Wie kann dem unglückselgen Freund der glückliche
955

Hülfreich sich zeigen? Gern bin ich bereit dazu.

Hekabe.

So sprich vor Allem: lebt er noch in deinem Haus,

Der Knabe, den dir Priamos' und meine Hand

Vertraut? Hernach befrag' ich um das Andre dich.

Polymestor.

Wohl lebt er; glucklich bist du, was den Sohn betrifft.
960

Hekabe.

Theurer, gut und deiner würdig redest du!

Polymestor.

Was willst du weiter hören noch aus meinem Mund?

Hekabe.

Gedenkt er solcher Mutter noch, gedenkt er mein?

Polymestor.

Hierher sogar verlangt' er ingeheim zu dir.

Hekabe.

Ist auch das Gold da, das er bracht aus Ilion?
965

Polymestor.

Gewiß; in meinem Hause wird es aufbewahrt.

Hekabe.

Bewahr' es, und verlange nicht des Nächsten Gut.

Polymestor.

Mitnichten: was ich habe, das erfreue mich.

Hekabe.

Und weißt du, was ich diesen, was dir sagen will?

Polymestor.

Nicht weiß ich's; deine Rede wird es deuten mir.
970

Hekabe.

Du, sonst geliebt mir, wie du's jezo bist - es gibt -¹

Polymestor.

Was gibt es, das ich wissen soll und diese da?

Hekabe.

Goldgruben meines Stammes aus uralter Zeit.

Polymestor.

Das ist es, was du deinem Sohn bezeichnen willst?

Hekabe.

Gewiß, durch dich, Freund; denn du bist ein frommer Mann.
975

Polymestor.

Wozu bedarf es meiner Söhne Gegenwart?

Hekabe.

Gerathner ist es: wenn du stirbst, so wissen sie's.

Polymestor.

Du redest klug; wohl wird es also besser sein.²

Hekabe.

Du weißt Athene's Heiligthum in Ilion?

Polymestor.

Da liegt das Gold wohl? Was bezeichnet mir den Ort?
980

Hekabe.

Ein schwarzer Fels, der aus der Erde sich erhebt.

Polymestor.

Und weiter willst du Nichts von dort mir sagen mehr?

Hekabe.

Den Schaz bewahren sollst du mir, mit dem ich kam.

Polymestor.

Wo ist er? Birgst du innerhalb des Kleides ihn?

Hekabe.

In diesen Zelten, bei der Beute, liegt das Gold.
985

Polymestor.

Wo? Hafenzelte sind ja dies von Argos Heer.

Hekabe.

Gesondert wohnen hier die kriegsgefangnen Fraun.

Polymestor.

Und ist es innen sicher, ist kein Mann daselbst?

Hekabe.

Kein Mann des Heers ist innen, sondern wir allein.

Nun geh' hinein (schon rüsten Argos Schiffe sich,
990

Heimwårts zu richten ihren Lauf von Ilion:)

Daß, ist gethan das Deine, mit den Knaben du

Dorthin zurückkehrst, wo du meinen Sohn verbargft.

(Sie gehen ab.)

Chor.

Noch såumt' an dir die Rache; nun ereilt sie dich:

Wie in des hafenlosen Meers tiefe Flut³
995

Ein Mann jah' hinabstürzend, den Tod umarmt:

So in des Todes Hand stürzest du! Wer dem Recht⁴

Verfiel, wen ein Gott schuldig erfand, es trifft

Sichres Verderben ihn.⁵

Dich trügt die Hoffnung dieses Wegs, Unsel'ger, die
1000

Dich hinführt in Hades' graunvolle Nacht!

Unter der Schwachen Hand hauchst du das Leben aus.

Polymestor (im Zelte).

Das Licht der Augen blenden sie mir Armen, weh!

Chor.

Habt ihr des Thrakers Weheruf vernommen, Fraun?

Polymestor.

Und aber weh mir, daß man euch, o Kinder, würgt!
1005

Chor.

Ihr Theuren, Unerhortes wird im Zelt verübt.

Polymestor.

Ha, nimmer sollt ihr mir entfliehen mit raschem Fuß:

In Trümmer brech' ich, sturz ich hier die Winkel ein.

Chor.

Seht, wie der Wurf ihm machtig saust vom starken Arm!

Auf, last hinein uns stürzen; denn uns ruft die Noth,
1010

Der Hekabe zu helfen und den Troërfraun.

Hekabe (kommt aus dem Zelte).

Schlag' ein die Pforten, schone Nichts, zertrümmre sie!

Dem Auge bringst du nie zurück sein helles Licht,

Schaust nie die Sohne lebend mehr, die ich erschlug!

Chor.

Du trafst den falschen Thrakerfreund, o Herrinn, hast
1015

Ihn überwunden? Was du sagst, ist ausgeführt?

Hekabe.

Du wirst sofort ihn sehen, vor das Zelt heraus

Den Augenlosen treten sehn mit irrem Fuß,

Auch beider Sohne Leichen, die ich todtete

Mit diesen edeln Troërfraun: wohl hat er mir
1020

Gebußt. Er tritt hier eben aus des Zeltes Thor.

Doch weg von hier, ich muß dem Unmuthschnaubenden⁶

Entweichen; schwierig würde mir der Kampf mit ihm.

Polymestor.

Weh mir, weh!

Wo geh' ich, tret' ich, entwande' ich?
1025

Die Hand, gleich dem vierfüßigen Waldesthier,

Zum Tritt' aufgestüzt, tast' ich der Spur nach.

Ach, welchen der Weg', hierhin? dorthin?

Wo schreit' ich hinaus?

Ich erhaschte so gern' euch, ilische Fraun,
1030

Die, von Blut triefend, gemordet mich!

Ihr Unsel'gen, ihr, Dirnen vom Phrygervolk!⁷

Ha, wo in die Winkel entfliehn sie, wohin,

Die Versluchten, vor mir?

Daß du das Augenlied mir, das geblendete,
1035

Das verwundete, heiltest, daß du mir das Licht,

Helios, wiedergåbst!

Ach, ach! Still, still!

Ich vernehme den heimlich schleichenden Tritt

Der verruchtesten Fraun. Wie sturz ich auf sie,
1040

Und sättige mich an Fleisch und Gebein,

Und bereite die Speise des Raubwilds mir,

Die Schmach råchend, ha!

Die Schmach meiner Schandung? Weh' über mich!

Wo irr' ich, wohin, und lasse die Sohn'
1045

Allein den Månaden des Todes zurück,

Sie zu zerfleischen, lasse sie, ein blutig Mahl,⁸

Den Hunden und des Berges Wild?

Wo ruh'n, wo steh'n, wo weilen ?

Scheu, dem Meerschiffe gleich, zich ich die Seget ein,
1050

Hierher an das Lager des Todes verſtürmt,

Zu meiner Kinder Schuz,

An ihr Todesbett.

Chor.

Welch grauses Leid geschah dir, Unglückseliger!

Doch furchtbar ist die Strafe, die den Frevler trifft.⁹
1055

Daher, Thrakia's

Polymestor.

Speerschwingendes, rostummelndes, wehrkundiges Volk, welches der Kriegsgott liebt!

Daher, Achder! Daher, Atreiden!

Geschrei, Geschrei, von mir tont Geschrei!

kommt, o kommt, o, bei den Göttern, eilt!¹⁰
1060

Hört Einer? Steht uns Keiner bei? Was saumet ihr!

Frau'n waren mein Verderben,

Die kriegsgefangnen Troërfraun!

Schweres, Schweres erduldet' ich!

Wehe der Schmach, weh mir!
1065

Wo entfliehn, wohin mich wenden?

Soll ich auffliegen in des Aethers Höhn,

Zu der erhabnen Wohnung,

Wo den Glutglanz Seirios oder Drion herab aus den Flammenaugen sendet?

Oder entschwing' ich Unseliger mich zu des
1070

Aïdes distrem Strand?

Chor.

Verzeihlich ist es, wenn man unerträglich Leid

Erlitt, ein Dasein enden, das so traurig ist.

Agamemnon.

Ein Schrein vernehmend, komm' ich: denn das stille Kind

Der Bergesfelsen tonte nicht durch unser Heer,
1075

Den Lärm erregt nicht Echo. Wüst' ich nicht gewiß,

Daß unter Hellas Speere sank die Phrygerburg;

Nicht kleine Schrecken weckt' in uns dies Wehgeschrei.

Polymestor.

Mein Freund Agamemnon, denn ich kenne wohl den Laut

Von deiner Stimme, - siehst du, was ich leiden muß?
1080

Agamemnon.

Spa!

Polymestor, Unglückseliger! Wer hat dich verderbt?

Wer traf das Auge blendend dir mit blut'gem Schlag?

Erschlug dir deine Kinder? Wer es immer war,

Dir und den Sihnen wahrlich hegt' er schweren Groll.

Polymestor.

Vereint den kriegsgefangnen Fraun, schuf Hekabe
1085

Verderben, nicht Verderben, mehr als dieses, mir.

Agamemnon.

Was hdr' ich? Du hast, sagt er, diese That verubt?

Du, Hekabe, des Ungeheuren dich erkühnt?

Polymestor.

Wie sagst du? Weh mir! Ist das Weib uns nahe wo ?

zeige, ſprich, wo ist sie, daß mit Händen ich
1090

Sie fasse, sie zerfleische, bad' in ihrem Blut.

Agamemnon.

Du, was beginnst du?

Polymestor.

Bei den Göttern fleh' ich dir:

Vergonne, daß ich leg' an sie die grimme Hand.

Agamemnon.

Halt ein, verbann' aus deiner Brust die wilde Wuth1

Sprich, daß ich richtig sehe, weshalb dies Geschick
1095

Dich traf, nachdem ich dich gehört, und diese dann.

Polymestor.

Vernimm! Des Priamos jüngster Sohn und Hekabe's

War Polydoros, welchen mir aus Ilion

Sein Vater sendet' und in's Haus in meine Zucht,

Vorahnend Troja's Untergang, mir übergab.
1100

Und ihn erschlug ich: doch warum ich ihn erschlug,

Das hore, mit welch gutem, weisem Vorbedacht.

Ich sorgte, leb' er, euer Feind, er könnte sich

Die Troër sammeln, Ilion von neuem baun,

Und hörten Argos Söhne, daß ein Priamssohn
1105

Noch lebe, mochten sie den Bug in's Phrygerland

Erneun, und raubend diese Thrakerflur sodann

Weithin verheeren, daß wir Nachbarn Ilions

Das Leid erführen, das wir, Herr, nun ausgekämpft.

Da hört von ihres Sohnes Loos die Königinn,
1110

Und mich berückt sie durch das Wort, sie wolle mir

Der Priamiden goldne Scház' in Ilion

Entdecken, führt mit meinen Kindern mich in's Zelt,

Allein, damit kein Andrer das erkundige.

Ich size mitten auf dem Bett, das Knie gebeugt,
1115

Und viele Jungfraun Ilions, zur Linken die,

Zur Rechten andre, sezten, wie zum Freunde, sich

Zu mir, betrachtend mein Gewand am Sonnenlicht,

Und lobten staunend solch Gewirk von Thrakerhand;

Noch andre sahn bewundernd auf den Thrakerspeer,
1120

Und also wurde mir entwandt mein Doppelschmuck.

Die Mütter waren, wiegten voll Verwunderung

Die Sohne schmeichelnd auf dem Arm, und ließen sie

Von Hand zu Hand gehn, daß sie fern vom Vater sein.

Und was bedunkt dich? - jezo nach den freundlichsten
1125

Gesprächen ziehn sie Dolche rasch aus ihrem Kleid,

Durchbohren mir die Kinder; andre greifen mich,

Gleich Feinden, halten Füße mir und Arme fest.

Indeß ich suchte, meinen Kindern beizustehn,

Ward ich am Haar gehalten, wenn ich mein Gesicht
1130

Emporzurichten strebte; regt' ich eine Hand,

Vermocht' ich Armer vor dem Schwarm der Weiber Nichts.

Zulezt - o Schmach, o Frevel, dem kein andrer gleicht! —

Verübten sie das Grause; sie durchbohren mir

Der Augen unglücksel'ge Stern', in ihrer Hand
1135

Die Spangen, daß es blutig stromt, entweichen dann

Durch ihr Gemach: ich, gleich dem Wilde, spring' empor,

Und seze nach den blutbefleckten Hündinnen,

Im ganzen Zelt umspürend, wie der Jägersmann,

Schlag' ein, zertrümmre. Dieses hab' ich deinethalb
1140

Erlitten, weil ich deinen Feind ermordete,

Agamemnon! Doch was dehn' ich lang die Rede noch?

Wenn Einer vor mir ehemals geschmäht die Fraun,

Wenn Einer nun sie schmåhet, oder kunstig schmäht;

Dies Alles press ich kurzgefast in dieses Wort:
1145

Solch eine Brut hegt nicht die Erde, nicht das Meer;

Das weiß ja Jeder, der mit ihr zusammenlebt.

Chor.

Nicht übermüthig hebe dich, nicht also schilt

Ob deines Unglucks ohne Wahl der Fraun Geschlecht:

Viel' unser strahlen neidenswerth in Tugendglanz,
1150

Andere gesellen sich der Zahl der Bösen bei.

Hekabe.

Wohl, Agamemnon, sollte bei den Sterblichen

Die Zunge niemals mehr vermogen als die That.

Wenn Einer Gutes übte, sprech' er Gutes auch,

Und that er Boses, set die Red' unmächtig stets,
1155

Und nicht vermögend, Uebles gut zu nennen je.

Die solches gründlich lernten, nennt man weise wohl;

Doch bis zum Ende können sie nicht weise sein,

Und gehen unter; Keiner noch entfloh der Schmach.

Mit diesen Worten redet' ich bisher zu dir:
1160

Nun geh' ich wider diesen, und erwieder' ihm.

Du sagst, um Hellas nicht zu mühn in neuer Noth,

Wegen Agamemnons, habest du mein Kind entseelt.

Doch wird mit Hellas Volke, du Verruchtester,

Ein Stamm Barbaren nimmermehr befreundet sein,
1165

Und kann es niemals werden. Wem zu Gunsten denn

Bewiesest du den Eifer? Trieb ein Eidam dich,

Ein Blutsverwandter? Oder war's ein andrer Grund?

Sie möchten wiederkehrend euch der Felder Saat

Bertreten? Wo war' Einer, der das glaubte dir?
1170

Wenn du die Wahrheit sagen willst, es war das Gold,

Ja, deine Habsucht war es, die mein Kind erschlug.

Denn sonst erkläre dieses! wie, da Troja noch

Im Glücke war, noch Wall' umgaben unsre Stadt,

Mein Gatte lebte, Hektor kühn die Lanze schwang,
1175

Was hast du da nicht, war es dir um Hellas Gunst

Zu thun, den Knaben, der in deinem Hause war,

Ermordet, oder lebend zugeführt dem Heer?

Nein, als des Glückes Sonne nicht mehr lächelt' uns,

Und Rauch verkundete, daß der Feind die Stadt gewann,
1180

Erschlugst du jenen, welcher kam zu deinem Heerd?

Zudem vernimm nun, wie verrucht du noch erscheinst.

Du mußtest, warst du anders Freund der Danaër,

Das Gold, (du hast es selber sein, nicht dein, genannt)¹¹

Den Armen geben, die so lange Zeit bereits
1185

Auf fremder Erd' umirrten, fern vom Vaterland.

Du aber willst auch jezo nicht aus deiner Hand

Es lassen, und behältst es noch voll Troz daheim.

Ja, wenn du, wie's dir ziemte, meinen Sohn erzogst,

Und ihn erhieltest, krönte dich ein schöner Ruhm:
1190

Im Ungemache wird erprobt ein edler Freund;

In guten Tagen findet sich der Freund von selbst.

Und wenn du arm geworden, und er blüht' im Glück;

Ein großer Schaz noch wäre dir mein Knabe dann.

Nun hast du keinen Freund an ihm; verblichen ist
1195

Der Glanz des Goldes; deine Kinder sind dahin;

Du bist des Unglücks armer Sohn, - Agamemnon, dir,

Dir sag' ich: wenn du diesem hilfst, erscheinst du schlecht;

Denn keinen Frommen, Keinen, der den Freunden sich

Als treuen, biedern Freund erprobt, beschůzest du:
1200

Ja, thust du dieses, sag' ich, daß der Frevel dich

Erfreue: doch nicht schmåhen will ich meinen Herrn

Chor.

wie so reichen Stoff gewährt den Sterblichen

Bu guten Worten immerdar die gute That!

Agamemnon.

zu richten über fremdes Leid, fällt schmerzlich mir;
1205

Doch muß ich wohl: denn Schande wär' es, wenn ich das,

Wozu ich einmal mich erbot, verweigerte.

So höre denn: erschlagen hast du deinen Gast,

Nicht mir zuliebe, glaub' ich, noch den Danaërn,

Nein, um des Goldes Herr zu sein in deinem Haus.
1210

Verstrickt in Ungluck, sagst du, was dir frommen mag.

Den Freund zu morden, dünkt vielleicht ein Kleines euch,

Doch uns, Achaia's Sohnen, scheint es frevelhaft.

Wie wär' ich also tadellos, entband' ich dich

Von Schuld? Ich kann es nimmer. Weil du Schåndliches
1215

Zu sån vermochtest, arnte nun auch Widriges

Polymestor.

Von einer Sklavinn, scheint es, weh! bin ich besiegt,

Und büßen muß ich einer viel Geringeren.

Hekabe.

Wohl nicht mit Unrecht, wenn du schlecht an ihr gethan.

Polymestor.

Weh mir! D meine Kinder! Weh, mein Augenlicht!
1220

Hekabe.

Du klagst? Und glaubst, ich klage nicht um meinen Sohn?

Polymestor.

Dir macht es Freude, mich zu hohnen, Frevlerinn?

Hekabe.

Ich sollte mich nicht freuen, daß du mir gebüst?

Polymestor.

Das wirst du nimmer, wann dich einst die Meeresflut.

Hekabe.

Nach Hellas Gränze tragen wird im hohen Schiff ?
1225

Polymestor.

Bedecken, wann vom Maste du herabgestürzt.

Hekabe.

Wer zwånge mich zu so gewaltsam kühnem Sprung?

Polymestor.

Zum Maste klimmst du mit den Füßen selbst hinauf.

Hekabe.

Beschwingt mit Flügeln auf dem Rücken, oder wie?

Polymestor.

Zum Hunde wirst du, drohend mit dem Feuerblick.
1230

Hekabe.

Woher vernahmst du meines Leibs Umwandelung?

Polymestor.

Der Seher Thrake's, Dionysos, sagt' es mir.

Hekabe.

Von deinem Ungluck hat er dir Nichts offenbart?

Polymestor.

Dann hättest du mich also nie durch das Licht berückt.

Hekabe.

Vollend' ich dort todt oder lebend mein Geschick?
1235

Polymestor.

Du stirbst: und deines Grabes Hügel wird genannt

Hekabe.

Wohl meine Wandlung oder was bezeichnet er?

Polymestor.

Das Grab der Hündinn, warnend Mal den Schiffenden.

Hekabe.

Mich kummert's nicht mehr, weil ich dich gezüchtiget.

Polymestor.

Kassandra, deine Tochter, sie mus sterben auch.
1240

Hekabe.

Nichts acht' ich deine Rede: das komm' über dich!

Polymestor.

Die schndde Hausfrau dieses Manns ermordet sie.

Hekabe.

So wuthe niemals Tyndareus' erhabnes Kind!

Polymestor.

Und todtet ihn auch, schwingt das Beil hoch über ihm.

Agamemnon.

Du rasest, du; nach neuem Unheil lüstet dich.
1245

Polymestor.

Morde mich! In Argos wartet dein das Todesbad.

Agamemnon.

Ihr Knechte, greift ihn, schaffet ihn mir gleich hinweg!

Polymestor.

Die Kunde schmerzt dich?

Agamemnon.

Båndigt ihr ihm nicht den Mund ?

Polymestor.

Ja, schließt mich ein; es bleibt gesagt.

Agamemnon.

Werft ihn sogleich

Nach einer Insel, unbewohnt von Menschen, aus,
1250

Ihn, der so schamlos trozig schwazt und ohne Maaß!

Doch du bestatte, jammervolle Hekabe,

Die beiden Todten; aber ihr Troaden geht

In eurer Herren Belte: denn bereits erhebt

Sich guter Wind hier, welcher uns nach Hause trågt.
1255

Sei denn die Heimfahrt glucklich, und o fånden wir,

Frei dieser Muhen, Alles wohlbestellt zu Haus!

Chor.

Zu dem Port, zu den Zelten, o Freundinnen, geht,

Zu versuchen der Herrn mühseligen Dienst!

Unbeugsam waltet das Schicksal.
1260

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Polymestor No wonder, surely. But what need do you have of me? Why did you send for me to come here from my house?

Hecuba I wish to tell you and your children a private matter of my own; please bid your attendants withdraw from the tent. 980

Polymestor to his attendants Retire; this desert spot is safe enough. The guards go out; to Hecuba You are my friend, and this Achaean army is well-disposed to me. But you must tell me how prosperity is to help its unlucky friends; for I am ready to do so. 985

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.

Polymestor Yes, you still have a share in fortune there.

Hecuba Well said, dear friend! how worthy of you! 990

Polymestor What next would you learn of me?

Hecuba has he any recollection of me his mother?

Polymestor Yes, he was longing to steal away here to you.

Hecuba Is the gold safe, which he brought with him from Troy ?

Polymestor Safe under lock and key in my halls. 995

Hecuba Do save it, but do not desire your neighbor’s goods.

Polymestor Not I; may I benefit by what I have, lady!

Hecuba Do you know what I wish to say to you and your children?

Polymestor No; your words will declare it.

Hecuba 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?

Hecuba Ancient vaults filled full of gold by Priam’s ancestors.

Polymestor Is it this you would tell your son?

Hecuba Certainly, through you; for you are a righteous man.

Polymestor What need then of these children’s presence? 1005

Hecuba It is better they should know it, in case of your death.

Polymestor Well said; it is also the wiser way.

Hecuba Then do you know where the shrine of Trojan Athena is?

Polymestor Is the gold there? what is there to mark it?

Hecuba A black rock rising above the ground. 1010

Polymestor Is there anything else you want to tell me about the place?

Hecuba I wish to keep safe the treasure I brought from Troy .

Polymestor Where can it be? inside your dress, or have you hidden it?

Hecuba 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

Hecuba The captive women have huts of their own.

Polymestor It is safe to enter? are there no men about?

Chorus Not yet have you paid the penalty, but perhaps you will.

Polymestor within the tent O horror! I am blinded of the light of my eyes, ah me! 1035

Chorus Leader Did you hear, friends, that Thracian’s cry of woe?

Polymestor within O horror! horror! my children! 0 the cruel blow.

Chorus Leader Friends, there is strange mischief afoot in yo.

Polymestor within No, you shall never escape for all your hurried flight; for with a blow I will burst open the inmost recesses of this building. 1040

Chorus Leader Hark! how he launches a bolt with weighty hand! Shall we force an entry? The crisis calls on us to aid Hecuba and the Trojan women.

Hecuba Strike on, spare not, burst the doors! you shall never replace bright vision in your eyes or see your children, whom I have slain, alive again. 1045

Chorus Leader What! have you foiled the Thracian stranger and is he in your power, mistress? Is all your threat now brought to pass?

Chorus Leader Woe to you! what grievous outrage has been done to you! a fearful penalty for your foul deed has the deity imposed, whoever he is whose hand is heavy upon you. 1085

Chorus Leader It is pardonable, for a man suffering from evils too heavy to bear, to rid himself of a wretched existence.

Agamemnon Hearing a cry I have come here; for Echo, child of the mountain-rock, has sent her voice loud-ringing through the army, causing a tumult. If we had not known that Troy ’s towers were levelled by the might of Hellas , this uproar would have caused no slight panic. 1110

Polymestor Best of friends! for by your voice I know you, Agamemnon; do you see my piteous state? 1115

Agamemnon What! hapless Polymestor, who has stricken you? who has blinded your eyes, staining the pupils with blood? who has slain these children? whoever he was, fierce must have been his wrath against you and your children.

Polymestor Hecuba, helped by the captive women, has destroyed me—not destroyed, far worse than that. 1120

Agamemnon addressing Hecuba What do you say? Was it you that did this deed, as he says? You, Hecuba, that have ventured on this inconceivable daring?

Polymestor Ha! what is that? is she somewhere near? Show me, tell me where, that I may grip her in my hands and rend her limb from limb, bespattering her with gore. 1125

Agamemnon You creature, what are you about?

Polymestor By the gods I entreat you, let me vent on her the fury of my arm.

Agamemnon Hold! banish that savage spirit from your heart and plead your cause, so that after hearing you and her in turn I may fairly decide what reason there is for your present sufferings. 1130

Chorus Leader Curb your bold tongue, and do not, because of your own woes, thus embrace the whole race of women in one reproach. For though some of us, and those a numerous class, deserve to be disliked, there are others among us who rank naturally among the good. 1185

Chorus Leader Ah! how a good cause always affords men an opening for a good speech.

Polymestor Woe is me! worsted by a woman and a slave, I am, it seems, to suffer by unworthy hands.

Hecuba Is it not just for your atrocious crime?

Polymestor Ah, my children! ah, my blinded eyes! woe is me! 1255

Hecuba You grieve; but what of me? Do you think I do not grieve for my son?

Polymestor You wicked wretch! Is your delight in mocking me?

Hecuba Yes, for I am avenged on you; have I not cause for delight?

Polymestor It will soon cease, when ocean’s flood—

Hecuba Shall convey me to the shores of Hellas ? 1260

Polymestor No, but will close over you when you fall from the masthead.

Hecuba Who will force me to take the leap?

Polymestor Of your own accord you will climb the ship’s mast.

Hecuba With wings upon my back, or by what means?

Polymestor You will become a dog with bloodshot gaze. 1265

Hecuba How did you know of my transformation?

Polymestor Dionysus, our Thracian prophet, told me so.

Hecuba And did he prophesy to you nothing of your present trouble?

Polymestor No, for you would never have caught me thus by guile.

Hecuba Dead or alive shall I complete my life here? 1270

Polymestor Dead; and to your tomb shall be given a name—;

Hecuba Recalling my form, or what will you tell me?

Polymestor The hapless hound’s grave, a mark for mariners.

Hecuba It is nothing to me, now that you have paid me the penalty.

Polymestor Further, your daughter Cassandra must die. 1275

Polymestor

No wonder, surely. But what need do you have of me? Why did you send for me to come here from my house?

Hecuba

I wish to tell you and your children a private matter of my own; please bid

your attendants withdraw from the tent.
980

Polymestor
to his attendants

Retire; this desert spot is safe enough. The guards go out; to Hecuba You are my friend, and this Achaean army is well-disposed to me. But you must tell me how prosperity

is to help its unlucky friends; for I am ready to do so.
985

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.

Polymestor

Yes, you still have a share in fortune there.

Hecuba

Well said, dear friend! how worthy of you!
990

Polymestor

What next would you learn of me?

Hecuba

has he any recollection of me his mother?

Polymestor

Yes, he was longing to steal away here to you.

Hecuba

Is the gold safe, which he brought with him from Troy ?

Polymestor

Safe under lock and key in my halls.
995

Hecuba

Do save it, but do not desire your neighbor’s goods.

Polymestor

Not I; may I benefit by what I have, lady!

Hecuba

Do you know what I wish to say to you and your children?

Polymestor

No; your words will declare it.

Hecuba

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?

Hecuba

Ancient vaults filled full of gold by Priam’s ancestors.

Polymestor

Is it this you would tell your son?

Hecuba

Certainly, through you; for you are a righteous man.

Polymestor

What need then of these children’s presence?
1005

Hecuba

It is better they should know it, in case of your death.

Polymestor

Well said; it is also the wiser way.

Hecuba

Then do you know where the shrine of Trojan Athena is?

Polymestor

Is the gold there? what is there to mark it?

Hecuba

A black rock rising above the ground.
1010

Polymestor

Is there anything else you want to tell me about the place?

Hecuba

I wish to keep safe the treasure I brought from Troy .

Polymestor

Where can it be? inside your dress, or have you hidden it?

Hecuba

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

Hecuba

The captive women have huts of their own.

Polymestor

It is safe to enter? are there no men about?

Chorus

Not yet have you paid the penalty, but perhaps you will.

Polymestor
within the tent

O horror! I am blinded of the light of my eyes, ah me!
1035

Chorus Leader

Did you hear, friends, that Thracian’s cry of woe?

Polymestor
within

O horror! horror! my children! 0 the cruel blow.

Chorus Leader

Friends, there is strange mischief afoot in yo.

Polymestor
within

No, you shall never escape for all your hurried flight;

for with a blow I will burst open the inmost recesses of this building.
1040

Chorus Leader

Hark! how he launches a bolt with weighty hand! Shall we force an entry? The crisis calls on us to aid Hecuba and the Trojan women.

Hecuba

Strike on, spare not, burst the doors!

you shall never replace bright vision in your eyes or see your children, whom I have slain, alive again.
1045

Chorus Leader

What! have you foiled the Thracian stranger and is he in your power, mistress? Is all your threat now brought to pass?

Chorus Leader

Woe to you! what grievous outrage has been done to you! a fearful penalty for your foul deed has the deity imposed, whoever he is whose hand is heavy upon you.
1085

Chorus Leader

It is pardonable, for a man suffering from evils too heavy to bear, to rid himself of a wretched existence.

Agamemnon

Hearing a cry I have come here; for Echo,

child of the mountain-rock, has sent her voice loud-ringing through the army, causing a tumult. If we had not known that Troy ’s towers were levelled by the might of Hellas , this uproar would have caused no slight panic.
1110

Polymestor

Best of friends! for by your voice I know you,

Agamemnon; do you see my piteous state?
1115

Agamemnon

What! hapless Polymestor, who has stricken you? who has blinded your eyes, staining the pupils with blood? who has slain these children? whoever he was, fierce must have been his wrath against you and your children.

Polymestor

Hecuba, helped by the captive women, has destroyed me—not destroyed, far worse than that.
1120

Agamemnon
addressing Hecuba

What do you say? Was it you that did this deed, as he says? You, Hecuba, that have ventured on this inconceivable daring?

Polymestor

Ha! what is that? is she somewhere near?

Show me, tell me where, that I may grip her in my hands and rend her limb from limb, bespattering her with gore.
1125

Agamemnon

You creature, what are you about?

Polymestor

By the gods I entreat you, let me vent on her the fury of my arm.

Agamemnon

Hold! banish that savage spirit from your heart

and plead your cause, so that after hearing you and her in turn I may fairly decide what reason there is for your present sufferings.
1130

Chorus Leader

Curb your bold tongue, and do not, because of your own woes, thus embrace the whole race of women in one reproach.

For though some of us, and those a numerous class, deserve to be disliked, there are others among us who rank naturally among the good.
1185

Chorus Leader

Ah! how a good cause always affords men an opening for a good speech.

Polymestor

Woe is me! worsted by a woman and a slave, I am, it seems, to suffer by unworthy hands.

Hecuba

Is it not just for your atrocious crime?

Polymestor

Ah, my children! ah, my blinded eyes! woe is me!
1255

Hecuba

You grieve; but what of me? Do you think I do not grieve for my son?

Polymestor

You wicked wretch! Is your delight in mocking me?

Hecuba

Yes, for I am avenged on you; have I not cause for delight?

Polymestor

It will soon cease, when ocean’s flood—

Hecuba

Shall convey me to the shores of Hellas ?
1260

Polymestor

No, but will close over you when you fall from the masthead.

Hecuba

Who will force me to take the leap?

Polymestor

Of your own accord you will climb the ship’s mast.

Hecuba

With wings upon my back, or by what means?

Polymestor

You will become a dog with bloodshot gaze.
1265

Hecuba

How did you know of my transformation?

Polymestor

Dionysus, our Thracian prophet, told me so.

Hecuba

And did he prophesy to you nothing of your present trouble?

Polymestor

No, for you would never have caught me thus by guile.

Hecuba

Dead or alive shall I complete my life here?
1270

Polymestor

Dead; and to your tomb shall be given a name—;

Hecuba

Recalling my form, or what will you tell me?

Polymestor

The hapless hound’s grave, a mark for mariners.

Hecuba

It is nothing to me, now that you have paid me the penalty.

Polymestor

Further, your daughter Cassandra must die.
1275

Hecuba

I scorn the prophecy! I give it to you to keep for yourself.

Polymestor

The wife of Agamemnon, grim keeper of his palace, shall slay her.