Hecuba
Euripides
Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891.
- Hearing a cry I have come here; for Echo,
- child of the mountain-rock, has sent her voice loud-ringing through the army, causing a tumult. If we had not known that Troy’s towers were levelled by the might of Hellas, this uproar would have caused no slight panic.
- Best of friends! for by your voice I know you,
- Agamemnon; do you see my piteous state?
- What! hapless Polymestor, who has stricken you? who has blinded your eyes, staining the pupils with blood? who has slain these children? whoever he was, fierce must have been his wrath against you and your children.
- Hecuba, helped by the captive women, has destroyed me—not destroyed, far worse than that.
- What do you say? Was it you that did this deed, as he says? You, Hecuba, that have ventured on this inconceivable daring?
- Ha! what is that? is she somewhere near?
- Show me, tell me where, that I may grip her in my hands and rend her limb from limb, bespattering her with gore.
- You creature, what are you about?