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.PolymestorWoe is me! worsted by a woman and a slave, I am, it seems, to suffer by unworthy hands.HecubaIs it not just for your atrocious crime?PolymestorAh, my children! ah, my blinded eyes! woe is me!HecubaYou grieve; but what of me? Do you think I do not grieve for my son?PolymestorYou wicked wretch! Is your delight in mocking me?HecubaYes, for I am avenged on you; have I not cause for delight?PolymestorIt will soon cease, when ocean’s flood—HecubaShall convey me to the shores of Hellas?PolymestorNo, but will close over you when you fall from the masthead.HecubaWho will force me to take the leap?PolymestorOf your own accord you will climb the ship’s mast.HecubaWith wings upon my back, or by what means?PolymestorYou will become a dog with bloodshot gaze.HecubaHow did you know of my transformation?PolymestorDionysus, our Thracian prophet, told me so.HecubaAnd did he prophesy to you nothing of your present trouble?PolymestorNo, for you would never have caught me thus by guile.HecubaDead or alive shall I complete my life here?PolymestorDead; and to your tomb shall be given a name—;HecubaRecalling my form, or what will you tell me?PolymestorThe hapless hound’s grave, a mark for mariners.HecubaIt is nothing to me, now that you have paid me the penalty.PolymestorFurther, your daughter Cassandra must die.HecubaI scorn the prophecy! I give it to you to keep for yourself.PolymestorThe wife of Agamemnon, grim keeper of his palace, shall slay her.HecubaNever may the daughter of Tyndareus do such a frantic deed!PolymestorAnd she shall slay this man as well, lifting high the axe.AgamemnonYou creature, are you mad? are you so eager to find sorrow?