第1章

THETROJANWOMEN byEuripidesCharactersinthePlayPoseidonAthenaHecubaChorusofCaptiveTrojanWomenTalthybiusCassandraAndromacheMenelausHelenBeforeAgamemnon’sTentintheCampnearTroy。HECUBAasleep。EnterPOSEIDON。 POSEIDON Lo！fromthedepthsofsaltAegeanfloodsI，Poseidon，come，wherechoirsofNereidstripinthemazesofthegracefuldance；forsincethedaythatPhoebusandmyselfwithmeasurementexactsettowersofstoneaboutthislandofTroyandringeditround，neverfrommyhearthathpassedawayakindlyfeelingformyPhrygiantown，whichnowissmoulderingando’erthrown，apreytoArgiveprowess。For，fromhishomebeneathParnassus，PhocianEpeus，aidedbythecraftofPallas，framedahorsetobearwithinitswombanarmedhost，andsentitwithinthebattlements，fraughtwithdeath；whenceindaystocomemenshalltellof\"thewoodenhorse，\"withitshiddenloadofwarriors。 Grovesforsakenstandandtemplesofthegodsrundownwithblood，andatthealtar’sverybase，beforethegodwhowatchedhishome，liesPriamdead。WhiletoAchaeanshipsgreatstoreofgoldandPhrygianspoilsarebeingconveyed，andtheywhocameagainstthistown，thosesonsOfHellas，onlywaitafavouringbreezetofollowintheirwake，thataftertenlongyearstheymaywithjoybeholdtheirwivesandchildren。VanquishedbyHera，Argivegoddess，andbyAthena，whohelpedtoruinPhrygia，IamleavingIlium，thatfamoustown，andthealtarsthatIlove；forwhendreardesolationseizesonatown，theworshipofthegodsdecaysandtendstoloserespect。 Scamander’sbanksre—echolongandloudthescreamsofcaptivemaids，astheybylotreceivetheirmasters。Arcadiatakethsome，andsomethefolkofThessaly；othersareassignedtoTheseus’sons，theAthenianchiefs。AndsuchoftheTrojandamesasarenotportionedout，areinthesetents，setapartfortheleadersofthehost；andwiththemSpartanHelen，daughterofTyndarus，justlycountedamongthecaptives。Andwouldstthouseethatqueenofmisery，Hecuba，thoucanst；fortheresheliesbeforethegates，weepingmanyabittertearformanyatribulation；foratAchilles’tomb—thoughsheknowsnotthis—herdaughterPolyxenahasdiedmostpiteously；likewiseisPriamdead，andherchildrentoo；Cassandra，whomthekingApollolefttobeavirgin，frenziedmaid，hathAgamemnon，incontemptofthegod’sordinanceandofpiety，forcedtoadishonouredwedlock。 Farewell，Ocityprosperousonce！farewell，yerampartsofhewnstone！ hadnotPallas，daughterofZeus，decreedthyruin，thouwertstandingfirmlystill。 EnterATHENA。 ATHENA MayIaddressthemightygodwhomHeavenreveresandwhotomyownsireisverynighinblood，layingasideourformerenmity？ POSEIDON Thoumayst；foro’erthesoulthetiesofkinexertnofeeblespell，greatqueenAthena。 ATHENA Forthyforgivingmoodmythanks！SomewhathaveItoimpartaffectingboththyselfandme，Oking。 POSEIDON Bringstthoufreshtidingsfromsomegod，fromZeus，orfromsomelesserpower？ ATHENA Fromnoneofthese；butonbehalfofTroy，whosesoilwetread，amIcometoseekthymightyaid，tomakeitonewithmine。 POSEIDON What！hastthoulaidthyformerhateasidetotakecompassiononthetownnowthatitisburnttoashes？ ATHENA Firstgobacktotheformerpoint；wiltthoumakecommoncausewithmeintheschemeIpurpose？ POSEIDON Aysurely；butIwouldfainlearnthywishes，whetherthouartcometohelpAchaensorPhrygians。 ATHENA Iwishtogivemyformerfoes，theTrojans，joy，andontheAchaeanhostimposeareturnthattheywillrue。 POSEIDON Whyleap’stthouthusfrommoodtomood？Thyloveandhatebothgotoofar，onwhomsoevercentred。 ATHENA DostnotknowtheinsultdonetomeandtotheshrineIlove？ POSEIDON Surely，inthehourthatAiastoreCassandrathence。 ATHENA Yea，andtheAchaeansdidnaught，saidnaughttohim。 POSEIDON Andyet’twasbythymightyaidtheysackedIlium。 ATHENA ForwhichcauseIwouldjoinwiththeetoworktheirbane。 POSEIDON Mypowersarereadyatthywill。Whatisthyintent？ ATHENA AreturningfraughtwithwoewillIimposeonthem。 POSEIDON Whileyettheystayonshore，orastheycrossthebrinydeep？ ATHENA WhentheyhavesetsailfromIliumfortheirhomes。OnthemwillZeusalsosendhisrainandfearfulhail，andinkytempestsfromthesky；yea，andhepromisestograntmehislevin—boltstohurlontheAchaeansandfiretheirships。Anddothou，forthypart，maketheAegeanstraittoroarwithmightybillowsandwhirlpools，andfillEuboea’shollowbaywithcorpses，thatAchaeansmaylearnhenceforthtoreverencemytemplesandregardallotherdeities。 POSEIDON Soshallitbe，fortheboonthoucravestneedsbutfewwords。I willvexthebroadAegeansea；andthebeachofMyconusandthereefsroundDelos，ScyrosandLemnostoo，andthecliffsofCaphareusshallbestrownwithmanyacorpse。MountthoutoOlympus，andtakingfromthyfather’shandhislightningbolts，keepcarefulwatchagainstthehourwhenArgos’hostletsslipitscables。Afoolishewhosacksthetownsofmen，withshrinesandtombs，thedeadman’shallowedhome，foratthelasthemakesadesertroundhimself，anddies。Exeunt。 HECUBA（Awakening） Liftthyhead，unhappylady，fromtheground；thyneckupraise； thisisTroynomore，nolongeramIqueeninIlium。Thoughfortunechange，endurethylot；sailwiththestream，andfollowfortune’stack，steernotthybarqueoflifeagainstthetide，sincechancemustguidethycourse。Ahme！ahme！Whatelsebuttearsisnowmyhaplesslot，whosecountry，children，husband，allarelost？Ah！thehigh—blownprideofancestors！howcabinednowhowbroughttonothingafterallWhatwoemustIsuppress，orwhatdeclare？WhatplaintivedirgeshallIawake？Ah，woeisme！theanguishIsufferlyingherestretcheduponthispallethard！Omyhead，mytemples，myside！Ah！couldIbutturnover，andhenowonthis，nowonthat，torestmybackandspine，whileceaselesslymytearfulwailascends。Fore’enthisismusictothewretched，tochanttheircheerlessdirgeofsorrow。 Yeswift—prowedships，rowedtosacredIliumo’erthedeepdarksea，pastthefairhavensofHellas，totheflute’sill—omenedmusicandthedulcetvoiceofpipes，eventothebaysofTroyland（alacktheday！），whereinyetiedyourhawsers，twistedhandiworkfromEgypt，inquestofthathatefulwifeofMenelaus，whobroughtdisgraceonCastor，andonEurotasfoulreproach；murderesssheofPriam，sireoffiftychildren，thecausewhyI，thehaplessHecuba，havewreckedmylifeuponthistroublousstrand。OhthatIshouldsithereo’eragainstthetentofAgamemnonForthfrommyhometoslaverytheyhalemyagedframe，whilefrommyheadinpiteouswisethehairisshornforgrief。Ah！haplesswivesofthosemail—cladsonsofTroy！ Ah！poormaidens，lucklessbrides，comeweep，forIliumisnowbutaruin；andI，likesomemother—birdthato’reherfledglingsscreams，willbeginthestrain；howdifferentfromthatsongIsangtothegodsindayslongpast，asIleanedonPriam’sstaff，andbeatwithmyfootinPhrygiantimetoleadthedance！ EnterCHORUSOFCAPTIVETROJANWOMEN。 SEMI—CHORUSI OHecubawhythesecries，thesepiercingshrieks？Whatmeanthywords？ForIheardthypiteouswailechothroughthebuilding，andapangterrorshootsthrougheachcaptiveTrojan’sbreast，aspentwithinthesewallstheymourntheirslavishlot。 HECUBA Mychild，e’ennowthehandsofArgiverowersarebusyattheirships。 SEMI—CHORUSI Ah，woeisme！whatistheirintent？Willtheyreallybearmehenceinsorrowfrommycountryintheirfleet？ HECUBA Iknownot，thoughIguessourdoom。 SEMI—CHORUSI Omisery！woetousTrojandames，soontoheartheordergiven，\"Comeforthfromthehouse；theArgivesarepreparingtoreturn。\" HECUBA Oh！donotbidthewildCassandraleaveherchamber，thefranticprophetess，forArgivestoinsult，nortomygriefsaddyetanother。 Woetothee，ill—fatedTroy，thysunisset；andwoetothyunhappychildren，quickanddeadalike，whoareleavingtheebehind！ SEMI—CHORUSII Withtremblingstep，alas！IleavethistentofAgamemnontolearnofthee，myroyalmistress，whethertheArgiveshaveresolvedtotakemywretchedlife，whetherthesailorsattheprowaremakingreadytoplytheiroars。 HECUBA Mychild，afearfuldreadseizedonmywakefulheartandsentmehither。 SEMI—CHORUSII HathaheraldfromtheDanaialreadycome？TowhomamI，poorcaptive，givenasaslave？ HECUBA Thouartnotfarfrombeingallottednow。 SEMI—CHORUSII Woeworththeday！WhatArgiveorPhthiotianchiefwillbearmefarfromTroy，alas！untohishome，orhaplytosomeislandfastness？ HECUBA Ahme！ahme！WhoseslaveshallIbecomeinmyoldage？inwhatfarclime？apoorolddrone，thewretchedcopyofacorpse，settokeepthegateortendtheirchildren，IwhoonceheldroyalrankinTroy。 CHORUS Woe，woeisthee！Whatpiteousdirgewiltthoudevisetomourntheoutragedonethee？NomorethroughIda’sloomsshallI—plytheshuttletoandfro。Ilookmylastandlatestonmychildren’sbodies； henceforthshallIenduresurpassingmisery；itmaybeastheunwillingbrideofsomeHellene（perishthenightandfortunethatbringsmetothis！）；itmaybeasawretchedslaveIfromPeirene’ssacredfountshalldrawtheirstoreofwater。 OhbeitourstocometoTheseus’famousrealm，alandofjoy！ Never，neverletmeseeEurotas’swirlingtide，hatefulhomeofHelen，theretomeetandbetheslaveofMenelaus，whosehandlaidTroylandwaste！YonholylandbyPeneusfed，nestlinginallitsbeautyatOlympus’foot，issaid，sohaveIheard，tobeaverygranaryofwealthandteemingfruitage；nexttothesacredsoilofTheseus，I couldwishtoreachthatland。TheytellmetooHephaestus’home，beneaththeshadowofAetna，frontingPhoenicia，themotherofSicilianhills，isfamousforthecrownsitgivestoworth。OrmayI findahomeonthatshorewhichliethverynighIonia’ssea，alandbyCrathiswatered，lovelystream，thatdyesthehairanauburntint，feedingwithitsholywavesandmakinggladtherewiththehomeofheroesgoodandtrue。 Butmark！aheraldfromthehostofDanai，withstoreoffreshproclamations，comeshastinghither。Whatishiserrand？whatsaithhe？List，forweareslavestoDorianlordshenceforth。 EnterTALTHYBIUS。 TALTHYBIUS Hecuba，thouknowestmefrommymanyjourneystoandfroasherald’twixttheAchaeanhostandTroy；nostrangerItothee，lady，evenaforetime，ITalthybius，nowsentwithafreshmessage。 HECUBA Ah，kindfriends，’tiscome！whatIsolonghavedreaded。 TALTHYBIUS Thelothasdecidedyourfatesalready，ifthatwaswhatyoufeared。 HECUBA Ahme！Whatcitydidstthousay，Thessalian，Phthian，orCadmean？ TALTHYBIUS Eachwarriortookhisprizeinturn；yewerenotallatonceassigned。 HECUBA Towhomhaththelotassignedusseverally？WhichofusTrojandamesdothahappyfortuneawait？ TALTHYBIUS Iknow，butaskthyquestionsseparately，notallatonce。 HECUBA Thentellme，whoseprizeismydaughter，haplessCassandra？ TALTHYBIUS KingAgamemnonhathchosenheroutforhimself。 HECUBA Tobetheslave—girlofhisSpartanwife？Ahme！ TALTHYBIUS Nay，tosharewithhimhisstealthylove。 HECUBA What！Phoebus’virgin—priestess，towhomthegodwithgoldenlocksgrantedtheboonofmaidenhood？ TALTHYBIUS Thedartoflovehathpiercedhisheart，loveforthefrenziedmaid。 HECUBA Daughter，castfromtheethesacredkeys，andfromthybodyteartheholywreathsthatdrapetheeintheirfolds。 TALTHYBIUS Why！isitnotanhonourhighthatsheshouldwinourmonarch’slove？ HECUBA Whathaveyedonetoherwhomlateyetookfromme—mychild？ TALTHYBIUS DostmeanPolyxena，orwhomdostthouinquireabout？ HECUBA Towhomhaththelotassignedher？ TALTHYBIUS ToministeratAchilles’tombhathbeenappointedher。 HECUBA Woeisme！Ithemotherofadeadman’sslave！Whatcustom，whatordinanceisthisamongstHellenes，goodsir？ TALTHYBIUS Countthydaughterhappy：’tiswellwithher。 HECUBA Whatwildwordsarethese？say，isshestillalive？ TALTHYBIUS Herfateisonethatsetsherfreefromtrouble。 HECUBA Andwhatofmail—cladHector’swife，sadAndromache？declareherfate。 TALTHYBIUS Shetoowasachosenprize；Achilles’sondidtakeher。 HECUBA Asformewhosehairiswhitewithage，whoneedtoholdastafftobetomeathirdfoot，whoseservantamItobe？ TALTHYBIUS Odysseus，kingofIthaca，hathtakentheetobehisslave。 HECUBA OGod！Nowsmitetheclose—shornhead！tearyourcheekswithyournails。Godhelpme！IhavefallenasaslavetoatreacherousfoeIhate，amonsteroflawlessness，onethatbyhisdoubletonguehathturnedagainstusallthatoncewasfriendlyinhiscamp，changingthisforthatandthatforthisagain。Ohweepforme，yeTrojandames！Undone！undoneandlost！ahwoelavictimtoamostunhappylot！ CHORUS Thyfate，royalmistress，nowthouknowest；butforme，whatHelleneorAchaeanismasterofmydestiny？ TALTHYBIUS Ho，servants！hasteandbringCassandraforthtomehere，thatI mayplaceherourcaptain’shands，andthenconducttotherestofthechiefsthecaptiveseachhathhadassigned。Hawhatistheblazeoftorchestherewithin？WhatdotheseTrojandames？Aretheyfiringthechambers，becausetheymustleavethislandandbecarriedawaytoArgos？Aretheysettingthemselvesaflameintheirlongingfordeath？Ofatruththefreebeartheirtroublesincaseslikethiswithastiffneck。Ho，there！open！lesttheirdeed，whichsuitsthemwellbutfindssmallfavourwiththeAchaeans，bringblameonme。 HECUBA ’Tisnotthattheyaresettingaughtablaze，butmychildCassandra，frenziedmaid，comesrushingwildlyhither。 EnterCASSANDRAcarryingtorchesCASSANDRA Bringthelight，upliftandshowitsflame！Iamdoingthegod’sservice，see！Imakinghisshrinetoglowwithtapersbright。OHymen，kingofmarriage！blestisthebridegroom；blestamIalso，themaidensoontowedaprincelylordinArgos。HailHymen，kingofmarriage！ Sincethou，mymother，arteverbusiedwithtearsandlamentationsinthymourningformyfather’sdeathandforourcountrydear，Iatmyownnuptialsammakingthistorchtoblazeandshowitslight，inthyhonour，OHymen，kingofmarriage！Grantthylighttoo，Hecate，atthemaiden’swedding，asthecustomis。Nimblyliftthefootaloft，leadonthedance，withcriesofjoy，asiftogreetmyfather’shappyfate。TodanceIholdasacredduty；come，Phoebus，leadtheway，for’tisinthytemplemidthybay—treesthatIminister。HailHymen，godofmarriage！Hymen，hail！Come，mothermine，andjointhedance，linkthystepswithme，andcircleinthegladsomemeasure，nowhere，nowthere。Salutethebrideonherwedding—daywithhymnsandcriesofjoy。Come，yemaidsofPhrygiainraimentfair，singmymarriagewiththehusbandfateordainsthatIshouldwed。 CHORUS Holdthefranticmaiden，royalmistressmine，lestwithnimblefootsherushtotheArgivearmy。 HECUBA Thougodoffire，’tisthinetolightthebridaltorchformen，butpiteousistheflamethoukindlesthere，beyondmyblackestbodings。 Ah，mychild！howlittledidIeverdreamthatsuchwouldbethymarriage，acaptive，andofArgostoolGiveupthetorchtome；thoudostnotbearitsblazearightinthywildfranticcourse，norhavethyafflictionslefttheeinthysobersenses，butstillartthouasfranticasbefore。Takeinthosetorches，Trojanfriends，andforherweddingmadrigalsweepyourtearsinstead。 CASSANDRA Omother，crownmyheadwithvictor’swreaths；rejoiceinmyroyalmatch；leadmetomylord；nay，ifthoufindmelothatall，thrustmetherebyforce；forifLoxiasbeindeedaprophet，Agamemnon，thatfamouskingoftheAchaeans，willfindinmeabridemorefraughtwithwoetohimthanHelen。ForIwillslayhimandlaywastehishometoavengemyfather’sandmybretheren’sdeath。ButofthedeeditselfIwillnotspeak；norwillItellofthataxewhichshallsevermyneckandthenecksofothers，oroftheconflictendinginamother’sdeath，whichmymarriageshallcause，noroftheoverthrowofAtreus’house；butI，forallmyfrenzy，willsofarriseabovemyfranticfit，thatIwillprovethiscityhappierfarthanthoseAchaeans，whoforthesakeofonewomanandoneman’sloveofherhavelostacountlesshostinseekingHelen。Theircaptaintoo，whommencallwise，hathlostforwhathehatedmostwhatmostheprized，yieldingtohisbrotherforawoman’ssake—andsheawillingprizewhomnomanforced—thejoyhehadofhisownchildreninhishome。ForfromthedaythattheydidlanduponScamander’sstrand，theirdoombegan，notforlossofstolenfrontiernoryetforfatherlandwithfrowningtowers；whomsoAresslew，thoseneversawtheirbabesagain，norweretheyshroudedforthetombbyhandofwife，butinaforeignlandtheylie。Athomethecasewasstillthesame；wivesweredyingwidows，parentswereleftchildlessintheirhomes，havingrearedtheirsonsforothers，andnoneislefttomakelibationsofblooduponthegroundbeforetheirtombs。Trulytosuchpraiseasthistheirhostcanmakeanampleclaim。Tisbettertopasstheirshameinsilenceby，norbeminetheMusetotellthateviltale。ButtheTrojansweredying，firstfortheirfatherland，fairestfametowin； whomsotheswordlaidlow，allthesefoundfriendstobeartheirbodieshomeandwerelaidtorestinthebosomoftheirnativeland，theirfuneralritesalldulypaidbyduteoushands。AndallsuchPhrygiansasescapedthewarrior’sdeathlivedeverdaybydaywithwifeandchildrenbythem—joystheAchaeanshadleftbehind。AsforHectorandhisgriefs，pritheehearhowstandsthecase；heisdeadandgone，butstillhisfameremainsasbravestofthebrave，andthiswasaresultoftheAchaeans’coming；forhadtheyremainedathome，hisworthwouldhavegoneunnoticed。SotoowithParis，hemarriedthedaughterofZeus，whereas，hadheneverdoneso，thealliancehemadeinhisfamilywouldhavebeenforgotten。Whosoiswiseshouldflyfrommakingwar；butifhebebroughttothispass，anobledeathwillcrownhiscitywithglory，acoward’sendwithshame。Wherefore，mothermine，thoushouldstnotpitythycountryormyspousal，forthismymarriagewilldestroythosewhomthouandImosthate。 CHORUS Howsweetlyatthyownsadlotthousmilest，chantingastrain，which，spiteofthee，mayprovetheewrong！ TALTHYBIUS HadnotApolloturnedthywitsastray，thoushouldstnotfornothinghavesentmychiefswithsuchominouspredictionsforthontheirway。But，afterall，theseloftyminds，reputedwise，arenothingbetterthanthosethatareheldasnaught。ForthatmightykingofallHellas，ownsonofAtreus，hasyieldedtoapassionforthismadmaidenofallothers；thoughIampoorenough，yetwouldI ne’erhavechosensuchawifeasthis。Asforthee，sincethysensesarenotwhole，Igivethytaunts’gainstArgosandthypraiseofTroytothewindstocarryaway。Followmenowtotheshipstogracetheweddingofourchief。Andthoutoofollow，whensoe’erthesonofLaertesdemandsthypresence，forthouwiltserveamistressmostdiscreet，asalldeclarewhocametoIlium。 CASSANDRA Acleverfellowthismenial！Whyisitheraldsholdthenametheydo？Allmenuniteinhatingwithonecommonhatetheservantswhoattendonkingsorgovernments。ThousayestmymothershallcometothehallsofOdysseus；wherethenbeApollo’swords，socleartomeintheirinterpretation，whichdeclarethatheresheshalldie？Whatelseremains，Iwillnottauntherwith。Littleknowshe，thelucklesswight，thesufferingsthatawaithim；orhowtheseillsIandmyPhrygiansendureshallonedayseemtohimpreciousasgold。ForbeyondthetenlongyearsspentatTroyheshalldragoutothertenandthencometohiscountryallalone，bytheroutewherefellCharybdislurksinanarrowchannel’twixttherocks；pastCyclopsthesavageshepherd，andLigurianCircethatturnethmentoswine； shipwreckedoftuponthesaltsea—wave；faintoeatthelotus，andthesacredcattleofthesun，whosefleshshallutterinthedaystocomeahumanvoice，fraughtwithmiserytoOdysseus。Buttobrieflyendthishistory，heshalldescendalivetoHades，and，thoughhe’scapethewaters’flood，yetshallhefindathousandtroublesinhishomewhenhearrives。EnoughwhydoIrecountthetroublesofOdysseus？Leadon，thatIforthwithmaywedmyhusbandforhishomeinHades’halls。Basethouart，andbaselyshaltthoubeburied，inthedeadofnightwhendayisdone，thoucaptainofthathostofDanai，whothinkestsoproudlyofthyfortune！Yea，andmycorpsecastforthinnakednessshalltherockychasmwithitsfloodofwintrywatersgivetowildbeaststomaketheirmealupon，hardbymyhusband’stomb，methehandmaidofApollo。Farewell，yegarlandsofthatgodmostdeartome！farewell，yemysticsymbols！Ihereresignyourfeasts，myjoyindaysgoneby。Go，Itearyefrommybody，that，whileyetminehonourisintact，Imaygivethemtotherushingwindstowafttothee，myprinceofprophecyIWhereisyongeneral’sship？WhithermustIgototakemyplacethereon？Losenofurthertimeinwatchingforafavouringbreezetofillthysails，doomedasthouarttocarryfromthislandoneofthethreeavengingspirits。Faretheewell，mothermine！drythytears，Ocountrydear！ yetalittlewhile，mybrotherssleepinginthetombandmyownfathertrue，andyeshallwelcomeme；yetshallvictorycrownmyadvent’mongstthedead，whenIhaveoverthrownthehomeofourdestroyers，thehouseofthesonsofAtreus。 ExeuntTALTHYBIUSandCASSANDRA CHORUS Yeguardiansofthegrey—hairedHecuba，seehowyourmistressissinkingspeechlesstotheground！Takeholdofher！willyeletherfall，yeworthlessslaves？liftupagain，fromwhereitlies，hersilveredhead。 HECUBA LeavemelyingwhereIfell，mymaidensunwelcomeservicegrowsnotwelcomeever—mysufferingsnow，mytroublespast，afflictionsyettocome，allclaimthislowlyposture。Godsofheaven！smallhelpIfindincallingsuchallies，yetistheresomethingintheformofinvokingheaven，whensowefallonevildays。FirstwillI descantuponmyformerblessings；soshallIinspirethegreaterpityformypresentwoes。Borntoroyalestateandweddedtoaroyallord，Iwasthemotherofaraceofgallantsons；nomereciphersthey，butPhrygia’schiefestpride，childrensuchasnoTrojanorHellenicorbarbarianmothereverhadtoboast。AllthesehaveI seenslainbythespearofHellas，andattheirtombshaveIshornoffmyhair；withthesemyeyesIsawtheirsire，myPriam，butcheredonhisownhearth，andmycitycaptured，nordidothersbringthisbitternewstome。ThemaidensIbroughtuptoseechosenforsomemarriagehigh，forstrangershaveIrearedthem，andseenthemsnatchedaway。 NevermorecanIhopetobeseenbythem，norshallmyeyesbeholdthemeverinthedaystocome。Andlast，tocrownmymisery，shallIbebroughttoHellas，aslaveinmyoldage。Andtherethetasksthatleastbefittheeveningofmylifewilltheyimposeonme，towatchtheirgatesandkeepthekeys，meHector’smother，orbaketheirbread，andonthegroundinsteadofmyroyalbedlaydownmyshrunkenlimbs，withtatteredragsaboutmywastedframe。ashamefulgarbforthosewhooncewereprosperous。Ah，woeisme！andthisiswhatIbearandamtobearforoneweakwoman’swooing！Omydaughter，OCassandra！whomgodshavesummonedtotheirfrenziedtrain，howcruelthelotthatendsthyvirgindays！Andthou，Polyxena！mychildofsorrow，where，oh！whereartthou？NoneofallthemanysonsanddaughtershaveIborncomestoaidawretchedmother。Whythenraisemeup？Whathopeisleftus？Guideme，whoersttrodsodaintilythestreetsofTroy，butnowambutaslave，toabedupontheground，nighsomerockyridge，thatthenceImaycastmedownandperish，afterIhavewastedmybodywithweeping。Ofalltheprosperouscrowd，countnoneahappymanbeforehedie。 CHORUS Singme，Muse，ataleofTroy，afuneraldirgeinstrainsunheardasyet，withtearsthewhile；fornowwillIupliftforTroyapiteouschant，tellinghowImetmydoomandfellawretchedcaptivetotheArgivesbyreasonofafour—footedbeastthatmovedonwheels，inthehourthatAchaea’ssonsleftatourgatesthathorse，loudrumblingonitsway，withitstrappingsofgoldanditsfreightofwarriors；andourfolkcriedoutastheystoodupontherockycitadel，\"Upnowyewhosetoiliso’er，anddragthissacredimagetotheshrineoftheZeus—bornmaiden，goddessofourIlium！\"Forthfromhishousecameeveryyouthandeverygrey—headtoo；andwithsongsofjoytheytookthefatalsnarewithin。ThenhastenedalltheraceofPhrygiatothegates，tomakethegoddessapresentofanArgivebandambushedinthepolishedmountain—pine，Dardania’sruin，awelcomegifttobetoher，thevirginqueenofdeathlesssteeds；andwithnoosesofcordtheydraggedit，asithadbeenaship’sdarkhull，tothestone—builtfaneofthegoddessPallas，andsetitonthatfloorsosoontodrinkourcountry’sblood。But，astheylabouredandmademerry，cameonthepitchynight；loudtheLibyanflutewassounding，andPhrygiansongsawoke，whilemaidensbeatthegroundwithairyfoot，upliftingtheirgladsomesong；andinthehallsablazeoftorchlightsheditsflickeringshadowsonsleepingeyes。InthathouraroundthehousewasIsingingasIdancedtothatmaidenofthehills，thechildofZeus；whenlo！thererangalongthetownacryofdeathwhichfilledthehomesofTroy，andlittlebabesinterrorclungabouttheirmothers’skirts，asforthfromtheirambushcamethewarrior—band，thehandiworkofmaidenPallas。AnonthealtarsranwithPhrygianblood，anddesolationreignedo’ereverybedwhereyoungmenlaybeheaded，agloriouscrownforHellaswon，ay，forher，thenurseofyouth，butforourPhrygianfatherlandabittergrief。 Look，Hecuba！dostseeAndromacheadvancinghitheronaforeigncar？ andwithher，claspedtoherthrobbingbreast，isherdearAstyanax，Hector’schild。 EnterANDROMACHE。 HECUBA Whitherartthouborne，unhappywife，mountedonthatcar，sidebysidewithHector’sbrazenarmsandPhrygianspoilsofwar，withwhichAchilles’sonwilldecktheshrinesofPhthiaonhisreturnfromTroy？ ANDROMACHE MyAchaeanmastersdragmehence。 HECUBA Woeisthee！ ANDROMACHE Whydostthouinnoteofwoeutterthedirgethatismine？ HECUBA Ahme！ ANDROMACHE Forthesesorrows。 HECUBA OZeus！ ANDROMACHE Andforthiscalamity。 HECUBA Omychildren！ ANDROMACHE Ourdayispast。 HECUBA Joyisfled，andTroyo’erthrown。 ANDROMACHE Woeisme！ HECUBA Deadtooallmygallantsons！ ANDROMACHE Alackandwell—a—day！ HECUBA Ahmeformy— ANDROMACHE Misery！ HECUBA Piteousthefate— ANDROMACHE Ofourcity，HECUBA Smoulderinginthesmoke。 ANDROMACHE Come，myhusband，cometome！ HECUBA Ahhaplesswife！thoucallestonmysonwholiethinthetomb。 ANDROMACHE Thywife’sdefender，come！ HECUBA Dothou，whoerstdidstmaketheAchaeansgrieve，eldestofthesonsIbaretoPriaminthedaysgoneby，takemetothyrestinHades’halls！ ANDROMACHE Bitteraretheseregrets，unhappymother，bitterthesewoestobear；ourcityruined，andsorrowevermoretosorrowadded，throughthewillofangryheaven，sincethedaythatson’ofthineescapedhisdoom，hethatforabrideaccursedbroughtdestructionontheTrojancitadel。ThereliethegorycorpsesoftheslainbytheshrineofPallasforvulturestocarryoff；andTroyiscometoslavery’syoke。 HECUBA Omycountry，Ounhappyland，Iweepfortheenowleftbehind；nowdostthoubeholdthypiteousend；andthee，myhouse，Iweep，whereinIsufferedtravail。Omychildren！reftofhercityasyourmotheris，shenowislosingyou。Oh，whatmourningandwhatsorrow！ oh，whatendlessstreamsoftearsinourhouses！Thedeadaloneforgettheirgriefsandnevershedatear。 CHORUS Whatsweetrelieftosufferers’tistoweep，tomourn，lament，andchantthedirgethattellsofgrief！ ANDROMACHE Dostthouseethis，motherofthatHector，whooncelaidlowinbattlemanyasonofArgos？ HECUBA Iseethatitisheaven’swaytoexaltwhatmenaccountednaught，andruinwhattheymostesteemed。 ANDROMACHE HencewithmychildasbootyamIborne；thenoblearetoslaverybrought—abitter，bitterchange。 HECUBA Thisisnecessity’sgrimlaw；itwasbutnowCassandrawastornwithbrutalviolencefrommyarms。