come weep, for Ilium is now a smouldering ruin; and I, like some mother-bird that over her fledgelings screams, will begin the strain; not the same as that I once sang to the gods, as I leaned on Priam’s staff and beat with my foot in Phrygian time to lead the dance!

First Semi-ChorusO Hecuba! why these cries, these piercing shrieks? What do your words mean? For I heard your piteous wail echo through the building, and a pang of terror shoots through each captive Trojan’s breast, as within these walls they mourn their slavish lot.HecubaMy child, even now at the ships of the Argives—First Semi-ChorusThis part of the line is assigned to Hecuba in the translation and has been moved to align with the Greek.The rower’s hand is busy?Ah, woe is me! what is their intent? Will they really carry me away from my country in their fleet?HecubaI do not know, though I guess our doom.