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, 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? I could not. No, since you endured your horrid crime, endure as well its painful consequence.
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!
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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 just rising to waft us home. May we reach our country well and find all well at home, released from troubles here!
Chorus
Away to the harbour and the tents, my friends, to prove the toils of slavery! for such is fate’s relentless hest.
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