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。