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。