第2章

ANDROMACHE Alas，alas！itseemsasecondAiashathappearedtowrongthydaughter；buttherebeotherillsforthee。 HECUBA Ay，beyondallcountormeasurearemysorrows；evilvieswithevilinthestruggletobefirst。 ANDROMACHE ThydaughterPolyxenaisdead，slainatAchilles’tomb，anofferingtohislifelesscorpse。 HECUBA Owoeisme！ThisisthatriddleTalthybiuslongsincetoldme，atruthobscurelyuttered。 ANDROMACHE Isawherwithmineeyes；soIalightedfromthechariot，andcoveredhercorpsewithamantle，andsmoteuponmybreast。 HECUBA Alas！mychild，forthyunhallowedsacrifice！andyetagain，ahme！forthisthyshamefuldeath！ ANDROMACHE Herdeathwasevenasitwas，andyetthatdeathofherswasafterallahappierfatethanthismylife。 HECUBA Deathandlifearenotthesame，mychild；theoneisannihilation，theotherkeepsaplaceforhope。 ANDROMACHE Hear，OmotherofchildrengiveeartowhatIurgesowell，thatI maycheermydroopingspirit。’Tisallone，Isay，ne’ertohavebeenbornandtobedead，andbetterfarisdeaththanlifewithmisery。Forthedeadfeelnosorrowanymoreandknownogrief；buthewhohasknownprosperityandhasfallenonevildaysfeelshisspiritstrayingfromthesceneofformerjoys。Nowthatchildofthineisdeadasthoughshene’erhadseenthelight，andlittlesherecksofhercalamity；whereasI，whoaimedatafairrepute，thoughIwonahigherlotthanmost，yetmissedmylickinlife。Forallthatstampsthewifeawomanchaste，IstrovetodoinHector’shome。Inthefirstplace，whetherthereisasluruponawoman，orwhetherthereisnot，theveryfactofhernotstayingathomebringsinitstrainanevilname；thereforeIgaveupanywishtodoso，andabodeeverwithinmyhouse，norwouldIadmittheclevergossipwomenlove，butconsciousofaheartthattoldanhonesttaleIwascontenttherewith。AndeverwouldIkeepasilenttongueandmodesteyebeforemylord；andwellIknewwhereImightrulemylord，andwhere’twasbesttoyieldtohim；thefamewhereofhathreachedtheAchaeanhost，andprovedmyruin；forwhenIwastakencaptive，Achilles’sonwouldhavemeashiswife，andImustserveinthehouseofmurderers。AndifIsetasidemyloveforHector，andopemyhearttothisnewlord，Ishallappearatraitresstothedead，while，ifIhatehim，Ishallincurmymaster’sdispleasure。Andyettheysayasinglenightremovesawoman’sdislikeforherhusband；nay，Idohatethewomanwho，whenshehathlostherformerlord，transfersherlovebymarryinganother。Note’enthehorse，iffromhisfellowtorn，willcheerfullydrawtheyoke；andyetthebruteshaveneitherspeechnorsensetohelpthem，andarebynatureman’sinferiors。O Hectormine！intheeIfoundahusbandamplydoweredwithwisdom，noblebirthandfortune，abravemanandamighty；whilstthoudidsttakemefrommyfather’shouseaspotlessbride，thyselfthefirsttomakethismaidenwife。Butnowdeathhathclaimedthee，andItoHellasamsoontosail，acaptivedoomedtoweartheyokeofslavery。HathnotthenthedeadPolyxena，forwhomthouwailest，lesseviltobearthanI？Ihavenotsomuchashope，thelastresourceofeveryhumanheart，nordoIbeguilemyselfwithdreamsoffuturebliss，theverythoughtwhereofissweet。 CHORUS Thouartintheself—sameplightasI；thylamentationsforthyselfremindmeofmyownsadcase。 HECUBA Ineveryethavesetfootonaship’sdeck，thoughIhaveseensuchthingsinpicturesandknowofthemfromhearsay。Nowsailors，iftherecomeastormofmoderateforce，arealleagernesstosavethemselvesbytoil；oneatthetillerstands，anothersetshimselftoworkthesheets，athirdmeantimeisbalingouttheship；butiftempestuouswavesarisetooverwhelmthem，theyyieldtofortuneandcommitthemselvestothedrivingbillows。EvensoI，byreasonofmycountlesstroubles，amdumbandforbeartosayaword；forHeavenwithitssurgeofmiseryistoostrongforme。Cease，Ohcease，mydarlingchild，tospeakofHector’sfate；notearsofthinecansavehim；honourthypresentlord，offeringthysweetnatureasthebaittowinhim。Ifthoudothis，thouwiltcheerthyfriendsaswellasthyself，andthoushaltrearmyHector’schildtolendstoutaidtoIlium，thatsothychildrenintheafter—timemaybuildherupagain，andourcityyetbestablished。Butlo！ourtalkmusttakeadifferentturn；whoisthisAchaeanmenialIseecominghither，senttotellusofsomenewdesign？ EnterTALTHYBIUS。 TALTHYBIUS Ohhatemenot，thouthaterstwertHector’swife，thebravestofthePhrygians！formytonguewouldfainnottellthatwhichtheDanaiandsonsofPelopsbothcommand。 ANDROMACHE Whatisit？Thypreludebodethevilnews。 TALTHYBIUS ’Tisdecreedthysonis—howcanItellmynews？ ANDROMACHE Surelynottohaveadifferentmasterfromme？ TALTHYBIUS NoneofallAchaea’schiefsshalleverlorditoverhim。 ANDROMACHE Isittheirwilltoleavehimhere，aremnantyetofPhrygia’srace？ TALTHYBIUS Iknownowordstobreakthesorrowlightlytothee。 ANDROMACHE Ithanktheeforthyconsideration，unlessindeedthouhastgoodnewstotell。 TALTHYBIUS Theymeantoslaythyson；thereismyhatefulmessagetothee。 ANDROMACHE OGod！thisisworsetidingsthanmyforcedmarriage。 TALTHYBIUS SospakeOdysseustotheassembledHellenes，andhiswordprevails。 ANDROMACHE OhonceagainahmethereisnomeasureinthewoesIbear。 TALTHYBIUS Hesaidtheyshouldnotrearsobraveafather’sson。 ANDROMACHE Maysuchcounselsyetprevailaboutchildrenofhis！ TALTHYBIUS FromTroy’sbattlementshemustbethrown。Letitbeevenso，andthouwiltshowmorewisdom；clingnottohim，butbearthysorrowswithheroicheart，norinthyweaknessdeemthatthouartstrong。 Fornowherehastthouanyhelp；considerthisthoumust；thyhusbandandthycityarenomore，sothouartinourpower，andIaloneammatchenoughforoneweakwoman；whereforeIwouldnotseetheebentonstrife，oranycoursetobringtheeshameorhate，norwouldIheartheerashlycursetheAchaeans。Forifthousayaughtwhereatthehostgrowwroth，thischildwillfindnoburialnorpityeither。Butifthouholdthypeaceandwithcomposuretakethyfate，thouwiltnotleavehiscorpseunburied，andthyselfwiltfindmorefavourwiththeAchaeans。 ANDROMACHE Mychild！myownsweetbabeandpricelesstreasure！thydeaththefoedemands，andthoumustleavethywretchedmother。Thatwhichsavesthelivesofothers，provesthydestruction，eventhysire’snobility；totheethyfather’svaliancyhasprovednoboon。Othewoefulweddingrites，thatbroughtmeersttoHector’shome，hopingtobethemotherofasonthatshouldruleo’erAsia’sfruitfulfieldsinsteadofservingasavictimtothesonsofDanaus！Dostweep，mybabe？dostknowthyhaplessfate？Whyclutchmewiththyhandsandtomygarmentcling，nestlinglikeatenderchickbeneathmywing？ Hectorwillnotriseagainandcomegrippinghisfamousspeartobringtheesalvation；nokinsmanofthysireappears，normightofPhrygianhosts；oneawfulheadlongleapfromthedizzyheightandthouwiltdashoutthylifewithnonetopitytheeOhtoclaspthytenderlimbs，amother’sfondestjoy！Ohtobreathethyfragrantbreath！Invainitseemsthesebreastsdidsucklethee，wrappedinthyswaddling—clothes；allfornaughtIusedtotoilandworemyselfaway！ Kissthymothernowforthelasttime，nestletoherthatbarethee，twinethyarmsaboutmyneckandjointhylipstomine！OyeHellenes，cunningtodevisenewformsofcruelty，whyslaythischildwhoneverwrongedany？ThoudaughterofTyndarus，thouartnochildofZeus，butsprung，Itrow，ofmanyasire，firstofsomeevildemon，nextofEnvy，thenofMurderandofDeath，andeveryhorrorthattheearthbegets。ThatZeuswasneversireofthineIboldlydoassert，baneasthouhastbeentomanyaHelleneandbarbariantoo。 Destructioncatchthee！ThosefaireyesofthinehavebroughtashamefulruinonthefieldsofgloriousTroy。Takethebabeandbearhimhence，hurlhimdownifsoyelist，thenfeastuponhisflesh！ ’Tisheaven’shighwillweperish，andIcannotwardthedeadlystrokefrommychild。Hidemeandmymisery；castmeintotheship’shold； for’tistoafairweddingIamgoing，nowthatIhavelostmychild！ CHORUS UnhappyTroy！thythousandsthouhastlostforonewoman’ssakeandheraccursedwooing。 TALTHYBIUS Come，child，leavefondembracingofthywofulmother，andmountthehighcoronalofthyancestraltowers，theretodrawthypartingbreath，asisordained。Takehimhence。Hisshouldthedutybetodosuchherald’swork，whoseheartknowsnopityandwholovethruthlessnessmorethanmysouldoth。 ExeuntANDROMACHEandTALTHYBIUSwithASTYANAX。 HECUBA Ochild，sonofmyhaplessboy，anunjustfaterobsmeandthymotherofthylife。Howisitwithme？WhatcanIdoforthee，mylucklessbabe？fortheeIsmiteuponmyheadandbeatmybreast，myonlygift；forthataloneisinmypower。Woeformycity！woeforthee！Isnotourcupfull？Whatiswantingnowtoourutterandimmediateruin？ CHORUS OTelamon，KingofSalamis，thefeedinggroundofbees，whohastthyhomeinasea—girtislethatliethnightheholyhillswherefirstAthenamadethegreyolive—branchtoappear，acrownforheavenlyheadsandagloryuntohappyAthens，thoudidstcomeinknightlybrotherhoodwiththatgreatarcher，Alcemena’sson，tosackourcityIlium，indaysgoneby，onthyadventfromHellas，whattimeheledthechosenflowerofHellas，vexedforthesteedsdeniedhim，andatthefairstreamofSimoishestayedhissea—borneshipandfastenedcablestothestern，andforththerefromhetookthebowhishandcoulddeftlyshoot，tobethedoomofLaomedon；andwiththeruddybreathoffirehewastedthemasonrysquaredbyPhoebus’lineandchisel，andsackedthelandofTroy；sotwiceintwoattackshaththebloodstainedspeardestroyedDardania’swalls。 Invain，itseems，thouPhrygianboy，pacingwithdaintystepamidthygoldenchalices，dostthoufillhighthecupofZeus，aservicepassingfair；seeingthatthelandofthybirthisbeingconsumedbyfire。Theshorere—echoestoourcries；and，asabirdbewailsitsyoung，sowebewailourhusbandsorourchildren，orourgrey—hairedmothers。Thedew—fedspringswherethoudidstbathe，thecoursewherethoudidsttrain，arenownomore；butthoubesidethethroneofZeusartsittingwithacalm，sweetsmileuponthyfairyoungface，whilethespearofHellaslaysthelandofPriamwaste。Ah！Love，Love，whooncedidstseektheseDardanhalls，deep—seatedintheheartsofheavenlygods，howhighdidstthoumakeTroytotowerinthosedays，allyingherwithdeities！ButIwillceasetourgereproachesagainstZeus；forwhite—wingeddawn，whoselighttomanisdear，turnedabalefuleyeuponourlandandwatchedtheruinofourcitadel，thoughshehadwithinherbridalbowerahusbandfromthisland，whomonadayacarofgoldandspangledstarscaughtupandcarriedthither，greatsourceofhopetohisnativecountry；butallthelovethegodsoncehadforTroyispassedaway。 EnterMENELAUS。 MENELAUS Hail！thouradiantorbbywhosefairlightInowshallcaptureherthatwasmywife，e’enHelen；forIamthatMenelaus，whohathtoiledsohard，IandAchaea’shost。ToTroyIcame，notsomuchasmensupposetotakethiswoman，buttopunishhimwhofrommyhousestolemywife，traitortomyhospitality。Buthe，byheaven’swill，hathpaidthepenalty，ruined，andhiscountrytoo，bythespearofHellas。AndIamcometobearthatSpartanwomanhence—wifeIhavenomindtocallher，thoughsheoncewasmine；fornowsheisbutoneamongtheotherTrojandameswhosharethesetentsascaptives。 Forthey—theverymenwhotoiledtotakeherwiththespear—havegrantedhertometoslay，or，ifIwill，tospareandcarrybackwithmetoArgos。NowmypurposeisnottoputhertodeathinTroy，buttocarryhertoHellasinmyseaborneship，andthensurrenderhertodeath，arecompensetoallwhosefriendswereslaininIlium。Ho！mytrustymen，enterthetent，anddragherouttomebyherhairwithmanyamurderfoul；andwhenafavouringbreezeshallblow，toHellaswillweconveyher。 HECUBA Othouthatdostsupporttheearthandrestestthereupon，whosoe’erthouart，ariddlepastourken！bethouZeus，ornaturalnecessity，orman’sintellect，totheeIpray；for，thoughthoutreadesto’eranoiselesspath，allthydealingswithmankindarebyjusticeguided。 MENELAUS Hownow？Strangetheprayerthouofferestuntoheaven！ HECUBA Ithankthee，Menelaus，ifthouwiltslaythatwifeofthine。 Yetshunthesightofher，lestshesmitetheewithregret。Forsheensnarestheeyesofmen，o’erthrowstheirtowns，andburnstheirhouses，sopotentareherwitcheries！WellIknowher；sodostthouandthosehervictimstoo。 EnterHELEN。 HELEN Menelaus！thispreludewellmayfillmewithalarm；forIamhaledwithviolencebythyservants’handsandbroughtbeforethesetents。 Still，thoughIamwell—nighsurethouhatestme，yetwouldIfaininquirewhatthouandHellashavedecidedaboutmylife。 MENELAUS Tojudgethycaserequirednogreatexactness；thehostwithoneconsent—thathostwhomthoudidstwrong—handedtheeovertometodie。 HELEN MayIanswerthisdecision，provingthatmydeath，iftodieIam，willbeunjust？ MENELAUS Icamenottoargue，buttoslaythee。 HECUBA Hearher，Menelaus；lethernotdieforwantofthat，andletmeanswerheragain，forthouknowestnaughtofhervillainiesinTroy； andthewholecase，ifthussummedup，willinsureherdeathagainstallchanceofanescape。 MENELAUS Thisboonneedsleisure；still，ifshewishestospeak，theleaveisgiven。YetwillIgrantherthisbecauseofthywords，thatshemayhearthem，andnotforherownsake。 HELEN Perhapsthouwiltnotanswerme，fromcountingmeafoe，whethermywordsseemgoodorill。YetwillIputmychargesandthineoveragainsteachother，andthenreplytotheaccusationsIsupposethouwiltadvanceagainstme。First，then，shewastheauthorofthesetroublesbygivingbirthtoParis；next，oldPriamruinedTroyandme，becausehedidnotslayhisbabeAlexander，balefulsemblanceofafire—brand，longago。Hearwhatfollowed。ThisPariswastojudgetheclaimsofthreerivalgoddesses；soPallasofferedhimcommandofallthePhrygians，andthedestructionofHellas；HerapromisedheshouldspreadhisdominionoverAsia，andtheutmostboundsofEurope，ifhewoulddecideforher；butCyprisspokeinraptureofmyloveliness，andpromisedhimthisboon，ifsheshouldhavethepreferenceo’erthosetwainforbeauty；nowmarktheinferenceI deducefromthis；Cypriswonthedayo’erthem，andthusfarhathmymarriageprovedofbenefittoHellas，thatyearenotsubjecttobarbarianrule，neithervanquishedinthestrife，noryetbytyrantscrushed。WhatHellasgained，wasruintome，avictimformybeautysold，andnowamIreproachedforthatwhichshouldhavesetacrownuponmyhead。ButthouwiltsayIamsilentontherealmatteratissue，howitwasIstartedforthandleftthyhousebystealth。 Withnomeangoddessathissidehecame，myevilgenius，callhimAlexanderorParis，asthouwilt；andhimdidstthou，thriceguiltywretch，leavebehindtheeinthyhouse，andsailawayfromSpartatothelandofCrete。Enoughofthis！ForallthatfollowedImustquestionmyownheart，notthee；whatfranticthoughtledmetofollowthestrangerfromthyhouse，traitresstomycountryandmyhome？ Punishthegoddess，showthyselfmoremightye’enthanZeus，who，thoughhelordsito’ertheothergods，isyetherslave；whereforeImaywellbepardoned。Still，fromhencethoumightestdrawaspeciousargumentagainstme；whenParisdied，andEarthconcealedhiscorpse，IshouldhavelefthishouseandsoughttheArgivefleet，sincemymarriagewasnolongerinthehandsofgods。ThatwaswhatIfainhaddone；yea，andthewardersonthetowersandwatchmenonthewallscanbearmewitness，forofttheyfoundmeseekingtoletmyselfdownstealthilybycordsfromthebattlements；buttherewasthatnewhusband，Deiphobus，thatcarriedmeoffbyforcetobehiswifeagainstthewillofTroy。Howthen，mylord，couldIbejustlyputtodeathbythee，withanyshowofright，seeingthatheweddedmeagainstmywill，andthosemyothernaturalgiftshaveservedabitterslavery，insteadofleadingontotriumph？If’tisthywillindeedtomastergods，thatverywishdisplaysthyfolly。 CHORUS Omyroyalmistress，defendthychildren’sandthycountry。’scause，bringingtonaughtherpersuasivearguments，forshepleadswellinspiteofallhervillainy；’tismonstrousthis！ HECUBA FirstwillItakeupthecauseofthosegoddesses，andprovehowshepervertsthetruth。ForIcanne’erbelievethatHeraorthemaidenPallaswouldhavebeenguiltyofsuchfolly，astosell，theone，herArgostobarbarians，orthatPallase’erwouldmakeherAthenssubjecttothePhrygians，comingastheydidinmerewantonsporttoIdatocontestthepalmofbeauty。ForwhyshouldgoddessHerasetherheartsomuchonsuchaprize？WasittowinanoblerlordthanZeus？orwasAthenabentonfinding’mongstthegodsahusband，shewhoinherdislikeofmarriagewonfromhersiretheboonofremainingunwed？Seeknottoimputefollytothegoddesses，intheattempttoglozeo’erthyownsin；neverwiltthoupersuadethewise。Nextthouhastsaid—whatwellmaymakemenjeer—thatCypriscamewithmysontothehouseofMenelaus。CouldshenothavestayedquietlyinheavenandbroughttheeandAmyclaetoboottoIlium？ Nay！mysonwaspassingfair，andwhenthousawesthimthyfancystraightbecamethyCypris；foreverysensualactthatmencommit，theylayuponthisgoddess，andrightlydoeshernameofAphroditebeginthewordfor\"senselessness\"；sowhenthoudidstcatchsightofhimingorgeousforeigngarb，ablazewithgold，thysensesutterlyforsookthee。Yea，forinArgosthouhadstmovedinsimplestate，but，oncefreeofSparta，’twasthyfondhopetodelugebythylavishoutlayPhrygia’stown，thatflowedwithgold；norwasthepalaceofMenelausrichenoughforthyluxurytoriotin。Ha！mysoncarriedtheeoffbyforce，sothousavest；whatSpartansawthis？whatcryforhelpdidstthoueverraise，thoughCastorwasstillalive，avigorousyouth，andhisbrotheralso，notyetamidthestars？ThenwhenthouwertcometoTroy，andtheArgiveswereonthytrack，andthemortalcombatwasbegun，whenevertidingscametotheeofMenelaus’prowess，himwouldstthoupraise，togrievemyson，becausehehadsopowerfularivalinhislove；butifsotheTrojansprospered，Menelauswasnothingtothee。ThyeyewasfixedonFortune，andbysuchpracticewertthoucarefultofollowinhersteps，carelessofvirtue’scause。Andthen，inspiteofall，thoudostassertthatthoudidsttrytoletthyselfdownfromthetowersbystealthwithtwistedcords，asiflothtostay？Praythen，wertthoueverfoundfasteningthenooseaboutthyneck，orwhettingtheknife，asnoblewifewouldhavedoneinregretforherformerhusband？ AndyetfulloftIadvisedtheesaying，\"Gettheegone，daughter，andletmysonstakeotherbrides；Iwillhelptheetostealaway，andconveytheetotheAchaeanfleet；ohendthestrife’twixtusandHellas！\"Butthiswasbitterinthyears。ForthouwertwantoninginAlexander’shouse，faintohaveobeisancedonetheebybarbarians。 Yes，’twasaproudtimeforthee；andnowafterallthisthouhastbedizenedthyself，andcomeforthandhastdaredtoappearunderthesameskyasthyhusband，revoltingwretchlBetterhadstthoucomeintatteredraiment，coweringhumblyinterror，withhairshornshort，ifforthypastsinsthyfeelingwereoneofshameratherthaneffrontery。OMenelaus，heartheconclusionofmyargument；crownHellasbyslayingherasshedeserves，andestablishthislawforallothersofhersex，e’endeathtoeverytraitresstoherhusband。 CHORUS Avengethee，Menelaus，onthywife，asisworthyofthyhomeandancestors，clearthyselffromthereproachofeffeminacyatthelipsofHellas，andletthyfoesseethyspirit。 MENELAUS Thythoughtswithminedocoincide，thatshe，withoutconstraint，leftmypalace，andsoughtastranger’slove，andnowCyprisisintroducedformerebluster。Awaytothosewhoshallstonethee，andbythyspeedydeathrequitethewearytoilsoftheAchaeans，thatthoumaystlearnnottobringshameonme！ HELEN Oh，bythyknees，Iimplorethee，imputenotthatheaven—sentafflictiontome，norslayme；pardon，Ientreat！ HECUBA Benotfalsetothyallies，whosedeaththiswomancaused；ontheirbehalf，andformychildren’ssake，Isuetothee。 MENELAUS Peace，reverenddame；toherIpaynoheed。Lo！Ibidmyservantstakeherhence，aboardtheship，whereinsheistosail。 HECUBA Ohneverlethersetfootwithinthesameshipasthee。 MENELAUS Hownow？issheheavierthanofyore？ HECUBA Wholovethonce，mustlovealway。 MENELAUS Why，thatdependshowthoseweloveareminded。Butthywishshallbegranted；sheshallnotsetfootuponthesameshipwithme；forthyadviceissurelysound；andwhenshecomestoArgossheshalldieashamefuldeathasisherdue，andimpresstheneedofchastityonallhersex；noeasytask；yetshallherfatestriketheirfoolishheartswithterror，e’enthoughtheybemorelosttoshamethanshe。 ExitMENELAUS，draggingHELENwithhim。 CHORUS SothenthouhastdeliveredintoAchaea’shand，OZeus，thyshrineinIliumandthyfragrantaltar，theofferingsofburntsacrificewithsmokeofmyrrhtoheavenuprising，andholyPergamos，andglensofIdatangledwithivy’sgrowth，whererillsofmeltingsnowpourdowntheirflood，aholysunlitlandthatboundstheworldandtakesthegod’sfirstrays！Gonearethysacrifices！gonethedancer’scheerfulshout！ gonethevigilsofthegodsasnightclosedin！Thyimagesofcarvengoldarenownomore；andPhrygia’sholyfestivals，twelvetimesayear，ateachfullmoon，areendednow。’Tisthisthatfillethmewithanxiousthoughtwhetherthou，Oking，seatedonthesky，thyheavenlythrone，carestatallthatmycityisdestroyed，apreytothefuriousfieryblast。Ah！myhusband，fondlyloved，thouartawanderingspectre；unwashed，unburiedliesthycorpse，whileo’ertheseatheshipspedbywingswillcarrymetoArgos，landofsteeds，wherestandCyclopianwallsofstoneuprearedtoheaven。Thereinthegatethechildrengather，hangingroundtheirmothers’necks，andweeptheirpiteouslamentation，\"Omother，woeisme！tornfromthysightAchaeansbearmeawayfromtheetotheirdarkshiptorowmeo’erthedeeptosacredSalamisortothehill’ontheIsthmus，thato’erlookstwoseas，thekeytothegatesofPelops。\"Ohmaytheblazingthunderbolt，hurledinmightfromitsholyhome，smitethebarqueofMenelausfullamidshipsasitiscrossingtheAegeanmain，sinceheiscarryingmeawayinbittersorrowfromtheshoresofIliumtobeaslaveinHellas，whilethedaughterofZeusstillkeepshergoldenmirrors，delight—ofmaidens’hearts。NevermayhereachhishomeinLaconiaorhisfather’shearthandhome，norcometothetownofPitaneorthetempleofthegoddess’withthegatesofbronze，havingtakenashiscaptiveherwhosemarriagebroughtdisgraceonHellasthroughitslengthandbreadthandwofulanguishonthestreamsofSimois！Ahme！ahme！newtroublesonmycountryfall，totaketheplaceofthosethatstillarefresh！Behold，yehaplesswivesofTroy，thecorpseofAstyanax！whomtheDanaihavecruellyslainbyhurlinghimfromthebattlements。 EnterTALTHYBIUSandattendants，bearingthecorpseofASTYANAXonHECTOR’sshield。 TALTHYBIUS Hecuba，oneshipalonedelaysitsplashingoars，anditissoontosailtotheshoresofPhthiafreightedwiththeremnantofthespoilsofAchilles’son；forNeoptolemusisalreadyoutatsea，havingheardthatnewcalamitieshavebefallenPeleus，forAcastus，sonofPelias，hathbanishedhimtherealm。Whereforeheisgone，tooquicktoindulgeinanydelay，andwithhimgoesAndromache，whodrewmanyatearfrommewhattimeshestartedhence，wailinghercountryandcryingherfarewelltoHector’stomb。AndshecravedhermasterleavetoburythispoordeadchildofHectorwhobreathedhislastwhenfromtheturretshurled，entreatingtoothathewouldnotcarrythisshield，theterroroftheAchaeans—thisshieldwithplatesofbrasswherewithhisfatherwouldgirdhimself—tothehomeofPeleusortothesamebridalbowerwhithershe，herselfthemotherofthiscorpse，wouldbeled，abittersighttoher，butletherburythechildthereininsteadofinacoffinofcedaroratombofstone，andtothyhandscommitthecorpsethatthoumaystdeckitwithrobesandgarlandsasbestthoucanstwiththypresentmeans；forsheisfarawayandhermaster’shastepreventedherfromburyingthechildherself。Sowe，whenthouthecorpsehastdecked，willheaptheearthaboveandsetthereonaspear；butdothouwiththybestspeedperformthyallottedtask；onetoilhoweverhaveI alreadysparedthee，forIcrossedScamander’sstreamandbathedthecorpseandcleanseditswounds。ButnowwillIgotodigagraveforhim，thatourunitedeffortsshorteningourtaskmayspeedourshiptowardshome。 ExitTALTHYBIUS。 HECUBA Placetheshieldupontheground，Hector’sshieldsodeftlyrounded，apiteoussight，abittergriefformetosee。OyeAchaeans，morereasonhaveyetoboastofyourprowessthanyourwisdomIWhyhaveyeinterrorofthischildbeenguiltyofmurdernevermatchedbefore？DidyefearthatsomedayhewouldrearagainthefallenwallsofTroy？itseemsthenyewerenothingafterall，when，thoughHector’sfortunesinthewarwereprosperousandhehadtenthousandotherarmstobackhim，westillweredailyovermatched；andyet，nowthatourcityistakenandeveryPhrygianslain，yefearatenderbabelikethis！Outuponhisfear！sayI，whofears，butneveryethathreasonedoutthecause。Ah！mybeloved，thineisapiteousdeathindeed！Hadstthoudiedforthycity，whenthouhadsttastedofthesweetsofmanhood，ofmarriage，andofgodlikepowero’erothers，thenwertthoublest，ifaughthereinisblest。Butnowafteroneglimpse，onedreamthereofthouknowestthemnomore，mychild，andhastnojoyofthem，thoughheirtoall。Ah，poorbabe！howsadlyhavethyownfather’swalls，thosetowersthatLoxiasreared，shornfromthyheadthelocksthymotherfondled，andsooftcaressed，fromwhichthroughfracturedbonesthefaceofmurdergrins—brieflytodismissmyshockingtheme。Ohands，howsweetthelikenessyeretainofhisfather，andyetyelielimpinyoursocketsbeforeme！Dearmouth，sooftenfullofwordsofpride，deathhathclosedthee，andthouhastnotkeptthepromisethoudidstmake，whennestlinginmyrobe，\"Ah，mothermine，manyalockofmyhairwillIcutoffforthee，andtothytombwillleadmytroopsoffriends，takingafondfarewellofthee。\"Butnow’tisnotthyhandthatburiesme，butI，onwhomiscomeoldagewithlossofhomeandchildren，amburyingthee，atenderchilduntimelyslain。Ahme！thosekissesnumberless，thenurturethatIgavetothee，thosesleeplessnights—theyallarelost！Whatshallthebardinscribe—uponthytombaboutthee？ \"Argivesonceforfearofhimslewthischild！\"FoulshameshouldthatinscriptionbetoHellas。Ochild，thoughthouhastnopartinallthyfather’swealth，yetshaltthouhavehisbrazenshieldwhereintofindatomb。Ah！shieldthatdidstkeepsafethecomelyarmofHector，nowhastthoulostthyvaliantkeeper！Howfairuponthyhandlelieshisimprint，andontherim，thatcirclesroundthetarge，aremarksofsweat，thattrickledoftfromHector’sbrowashepressedit’gainsthisbeardinbattle’sstress。Come，bringforth，fromsuchstoreaswehave，adornmentforthehaplessdead，forfortunegivesnochancenowforofferingsfair；yetofsuchasIpossess，shaltthoureceivethesegifts。Foolishmortalhe！whothinkshislucksecureandsorejoices；forfortune，likeamadmaninhermoods，springstowardsthisman，thentowardsthat；andnoneeverexperiencesthesameunchangingluck。 CHORUS Lo！allisreadyandtheyarebringingatthybiddingfromthespoilsofTroygarnituretoputuponthedead。 HECUBA Ah！mychild，’tisnotasvictoro’erthycomradeswithhorseorbow—customsTroyesteems，withoutpursuingthemtoexcess—thatHector’smotherdeckstheenowwithornamentsfromthestorethatoncewasthine，thoughnowhathHelen，whomthegodsabhor，refttheeofthineown，yea，androbbedtheeofthylifeandcausedthyhousetoperishrootandbranch。 CHORUS Woe！thricewoe！myheartistouched，andthouthecause，mymightyprinceindaysnowpassed！ HECUBA AboutthybodynowIswathethisPhrygianrobeofhonour，whichshouldhavecladtheeonthymarriage—day，weddedtothenoblestofAsia’sdaughters。Thoutoo，dearshieldofHector，victoriousparentofcountlesstriumphspast，acceptthycrown，forthoughthousharethedeadchild’stomb，deathcannottouchthee；forthoudostmerithonoursfarbeyondthosearms’thatthecraftyknaveOdysseuswon。 CHORUS Alas！ahme！thee，Ochild，shallearthtaketoherbreast，acauseforbitterweeping。Mourn，thoumother！ HECUBA Ahme！ CHORUS Wailforthedead。 HECUBA Woeisme！ CHORUS Alas！forthyunendingsorrow！ HECUBA ThywoundsinpartwillIbindupwithbandages，awretchedleechinnamealone，withoutreality；butfortherest，thysiremustlooktothatamongstthedead。 CHORUS Smite，ohsmiteuponthyheadwithfrequentblowofhand。Woeisme！ HECUBA Mykind，goodfriends！ CHORUS Speakout，goodthewordthatwasonthylips。 HECUBA ItseemstheonlythingsthatheavenconcernsitselfaboutaremytroublesandTroyhatefulintheireyesaboveallothercities。 Invaindidwesacrificetothem。Hadnotthegodcaughtusinhisgripandplungedusheadlong’neaththeearth，weshouldhavebeenunheardof，noreversunginMuses’songs，furnishingtobardsofafter—daysasubjectfortheirminstrelsy。Go，burynowinhispoortombthedead，wreathedalldulyasbefitsacorpse。AndyetIdeemitmakesbutlittledifferencetothedead，althoughtheygetagorgeousfuneral；forthisisbutacauseofidlepridetotheliving。 ThecorpseiscarriedofftoburialCHORUS Alas！forthyunhappymother，whoo’erthycorpsehathclosedthehighhopesofherlife！Bornofanoblestock，countedmosthappyinthylot，ah！whatatragicdeathisthine！Ha！whoarethoseIseeonyonderpinnaclesdartingtoandfrowithflamingtorchesintheirhands？SomenewcalamitywillsoononTroyalight。 EnterTALTHYBIUSabove。SoldiersareseenonthebattlementsofTroy，torchinhand。 TALTHYBIUS Yecaptains，whoseallottedtaskitistofirethistownofPriam，toyouIspeak。Nolongerkeepthefirebrandidleinyourhands，butlaunchtheflame，thatwhenwehavedestroyedthecityofIliumwemaysetforthingladnessonourhomewardvoyagefromTroy。Andyou，yesonsofTroy—toletmyorderstakeatonceadoubleform—startfortheAchaeanshipsforyourdeparturehence，soonasevertheleadersofthehostblowloudandclearuponthetrumpet。Andthou，unhappygreyhaireddame，follow；foryondercomeservantsfromOdysseustofetchthee，fortohimthouartassignedbylottobeaslavefarfromthycountry。 HECUBA Ah，woeisme！Thissurelyisthelast，theutmostlimitthis，ofallmysorrows；forthfrommylandIgo；mycityisablazewithflame。Yet，thouagedfoot，makeonepainfulstruggletohasten，thatImaysayafarewelltothiswretchedtown。OTroy，thatersthadstsuchagrandcareeramongstbarbariantowns，soonwiltthoubereftofthatsplendidname。Lo！theyareburningthee，andleadinguse’ennowfromourlandtoslavery。Greatgods！Yetwhycallonthegods？Theydidnothearkene’enaforetimetoourcall。Come，letusrushintotheflames，fortodiewithmycountryinitsblazingruinwereanobledeathforme。 TALTHYBIUS Thysorrowsdrivetheefrantic，poorlady。Go，leadherhence，makenodelay，foryemustdeliverherintothehandofOdysseus，conveyingtohimhisprize。 HECUBA OsonofCronos，princeofPhrygia，fatherofourrace，dostthoubeholdoursufferingsnow，unworthyofthestockofDardanus？ CHORUS Heseesthem，butourmightycityisacitynomore，andTroy’sdayisdone。 HECUBA Woe！thricewoeuponme！Iliumisablaze；thehomesofPergamosanditstoweringwallsarenowonesheetofflame。 CHORUS Asthesmokesoarsonwingstoheaven，sosinksourcitytothe’groundbeforethespear。Withfurioushastebothfireandfoeman’sspeardevoureachhouse。 HECUBA Hearken，mychildren，hearyourmother’svoice。 CHORUS Thouartcallingonthedeadwithvoiceoflamentation。 HECUBA Yea，asIstretchmyagedlimbsupontheground，andbeatupontheearthwithbothmyhands。 CHORUS Ifollowtheeandkneel，invokingfromthenetherworldmyhaplesshusband。 HECUBA Iambeingdraggedandhurriedaway。 CHORUS Othesorrowofthatcry！ HECUBA Frommyowndearcountry，todwellbeneathamaster’sroof。Woeisme！OPriam，Priam，unburied，leftwithoutafriend，naughtdostthouknowofmycruelfate。 CHORUS No，foro’erhiseyesblackdeathhathdrawnhispall—aholymanbysinnersslain！ HECUBA Woeforthetemplesofthegods！Woeforourdearcity！ CHORUS Woe！ HECUBA Murderousflameandfoeman’sspeararenowyourlot。 CHORUS Soonwillyetumbletoyourownlovedsoil，andbeforgotten。 HECUBA Andthedust，mountingtoheavenonwingslikesmoke，willrobmeofthesightofmyhome。 CHORUS Thenameofmycountrywillpassintoobscurity；allisscatteredfarandwide，andhaplessTroyhasceasedtobe。 HECUBA Didyehearthatandknowitspurport？ CHORUS Aye，’twasthecrashofthecitadel。 HECUBA Theshockwillwhelmourcityutterly。Owoeisme！trembling，quakinglimbs，supportmyfootsteps！away！tofacethedaythatbeginsthyslavery。 CHORUS Woeforourunhappytown！AndyettotheAchaeanfleetadvance。 HECUBA Woeforthee，Olandthatnursedmylittlebabes！ CHORUS Ah！woe！ ExeuntOMNES。