Chorus Leader Alas for you! how some deity, whose hand is heavy on you, has sent you troubles beyond all other mortals! But I see our lord and master Agamemnon; so let us be still from now on, my friends.
Agamemnon Hecuba, why are you delaying to come and bury your daughter? for it was for this that Talthybius brought me your message begging that no one of the Argives should touch your child. And so we granted this, and are not touching her, but this delay of yours fills me with wonder. And so I have come to send you from here; for our part there is well performed—if here there is any place for well. Oh! what man is this I see near the tents, some Trojan’s corpse? It is not an Argive’s body; that the garments it is clad in tell me.
Hecuba Unhappy one! in naming you I name myself; Hecuba, what shall I do? throw myself here at Agamemnon’s knees, or bear my sorrows in silence?
Agamemnon Why do you turn your back towards me and weep, refusing to say what has happened? Who is this?
Hecuba But if he should count me as a slave and foe and spurn me from his knees, I would add to my anguish.
Agamemnon I am no prophet born; therefore, if I am not told, I cannot learn the current of your thoughts.
Hecuba 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 your wish really is that I should remain in ignorance, we are of one mind; for I have no wish myself to listen.
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