Alas for thee! how some deity, whose hand is heavy on thee, hath sent thee troubles beyond all other mortals! But yonder I see our lord and master Agamemnon coming; so let us be still henceforth, my friends.
(AGAMEMNON enters.)
AGAMEMNON
Hecuba, why art thou delaying to come and bury thy daughter? for it was for this that Talthybius brought me thy message begging that none of the Argives should touch thy child. And so I granted this, and none is touching her, but this long delay of thine fills me with wonder. Wherefore am I come to send thee hence; for our part there is well performed; if herein there be any place for "well."(He sees the body.)Ha! what man is this I see near the tents, some Trojan's corpse?
'tis not an Argive's body; that the garments it is clad in tell me.
HECUBA (aside)
Unhappy one! in naming thee I name myself; O Hecuba, what shall do? throw myself here at Agamemnon's knees, or bear my sorrows in silence?
AGAMEMNON
Why dost thou turn thy back towards me and weep, refusing to say, what has happened, or who this is?
HECUBA (aside)
But should he count me as a slave and foe and spurn me from his knees, I should but add to my anguish.
AGAMEMNON
I am no prophet born; wherefore, if I be not told, I cannot learn the current of thy thoughts.
HECUBA (aside)
Can it be that in estimating this man's feelings I make him out too ill-disposed, when he is not really so?
AGAMEMNON
If thy wish really is that I should remain in ignorance, we are of one mind; for I have no wish myself to listen.
HECUBA (aside)
Without his aid I shall not be able to avenge my children. Why do still ponder the matter? I must do and dare whether I win or lose. (Turning to AGAMEMNON) O Agamemnon! by thy knees, by thy beard and conquering hand I implore thee.
AGAMEMNON
What is thy desire? to be set free? that is easily done.
HECUBA
Not that; give me vengeance on the wicked, and evermore am Iwilling to lead a life of slavery.
AGAMEMNON
Well, but why dost thou call me to thy aid?
HECUBA
'Tis a matter thou little reckest of, O king. Dost see this corpse, for whom my tears now flow?
AGAMEMNON
I do; but what is to follow, I cannot guess.
HECUBA
He was my child in days gone by; I bore him in my womb.
AGAMEMNON
Which of thy sons is he, poor sufferer?
HECUBA
Not one of Priam's race who fell 'neath Ilium's walls.
AGAMEMNON
Hadst thou any son besides those, lady?
HECUBA
Yes, him thou seest here, of whom, methinks, I have small gain.
AGAMEMNON
Where then was he, when his city was being destroyed?
HECUBA
His father, fearful of his death, conveyed him out of Troy.
AGAMEMNON
Where did he place him apart from all the sons he then had?
HECUBA
Here in this very land, where his corpse was found.
AGAMEMNON
With Polymestor, the king of this country?
HECUBA
Hither was he sent in charge of gold, most bitter trust!
AGAMEMNON
By whom was he slain? what death o'ertook him?
HECUBA
By whom but by this man? His Thracian host slew him.
AGAMEMNON
The wretch! could he have been so eager for the treasure?
HECUBA
Even so; soon as ever he heard of the Phrygians' disaster.
AGAMEMNON
Where didst find him? or did some one bring his corpse?
HECUBA
This maid, who chanced upon it on the sea-shore.
AGAMEMNON
Was she seeking it, or bent on other tasks?
HECUBA
She had gone to fetch water from the sea to wash Polyxena.
AGAMEMNON
It seems then his host slew him and cast his body out to sea.
HECUBA
Aye, for the waves to toss, after mangling him thus.
AGAMEMNON
Woe is thee for thy measureless troubles!
HECUBA
I am ruined; no evil now is left, O Agamemnon.
AGAMEMNON
Look you! what woman was ever born to such misfortune?
HECUBA
There is none, unless thou wouldst name misfortune herself. But hear my reason for throwing myself at thy knees. If my treatment seems to thee deserved, I will be content; but, if otherwise, help me to punish this most godless host, that hath wrought a deed most damned, fearless alike of gods in heaven or hell; who, though full oft he had shared my board and been counted first of all my guest-friends and after meeting with every kindness he could claim and receiving my consideration, slew my son, and bent though he was on murder, deigned not to bury him but cast his body forth to sea.
I may be a slave and weak as well, but the gods are strong, and custom too which prevails o'er them, for by custom it is that we believe in them and set up bounds of right and wrong for our lives.
