sons of Hellas, when, oh! when will you sack the citadel of Ilium, and seek your homes?

ChorusI left my bed, wearing only a tunic, like a Dorian girl,and sought in vain, ah me! to station myself at the holy hearth of Artemis; for, after seeing my husband slain, I was led away over the broad sea; with many a backward look at my city,when the ship began her homeward voyage and parted me from Ilium’s strand; till alas! for very grief I fainted,

ChorusCursing Helen the sister of the Dioscuri, and Paris the baleful shepherd of Ida;for it was their marriage, which was no marriage but misery sent by some demon, that robbed me of my country and drove me from my home.Oh! may the sea’s salt flood never carry her home again; and may she never set foot in her father’s halls!

Hecuba comes out of the tent as Polymestor, his children and guards enter.PolymestorMy dear friend Priam, and you no less, Hecuba, I weep to see you and your city thus, and your daughter lately slain.Ah! there is nothing to be relied on; fair fame is insecure, nor is there any guarantee that prosperity will not be turned to woe. For the gods confound our fortunes, tossing them to and fro, and introduce confusion, so that our perplexity may make us worship them. But what use is it to lament these things, and make no advance ahead of trouble? If you are blaming me at all for my absence, stop a moment; I happened to be away in the very heart of Thrace when you came here; but on my return,just as I was starting from my home for the same purpose, your maid fell in with me, and gave me your message, which brought me here at once.HecubaPolymestor, I am held in such wretchedness that I blush to meet your eye;for my present evil case makes me ashamed to face you who saw me in happier days, and I could not look on you with unfaltering gaze. Do not then think it ill-will towards you, Polymestor; there is another cause as well,I mean the custom which forbids women to meet men’s gaze.PolymestorNo wonder, surely. But what need do you have of me? Why did you send for me to come here from my house?HecubaI wish to tell you and your children a private matter of my own; please bid your attendants withdraw from the tent.Polymestorto his attendantsRetire; this desert spot is safe enough. The guards go out; to Hecuba You are my friend, and this Achaean army is well-disposed to me. But you must tell me how prosperity is to help its unlucky friends; for I am ready to do so.HecubaFirst tell me of the child Polydorus, whom you are keeping in your house, received from me and his father; is he alive? The rest I will ask you after that.PolymestorYes, you still have a share in fortune there.HecubaWell said, dear friend! how worthy of you!PolymestorWhat next would you learn of me?Hecubahas he any recollection of me his mother?PolymestorYes, he was longing to steal away here to you.HecubaIs the gold safe, which he brought with him from Troy?PolymestorSafe under lock and key in my halls.HecubaDo save it, but do not desire your neighbor’s goods.PolymestorNot I; may I benefit by what I have, lady!HecubaDo you know what I wish to say to you and your children?