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.

  1. your country’s crops? Whom do you expect to persuade into believing that? If you would only speak the truth, it was the gold that slew my son, and your greedy spirit. Now tell me this: why, when Troy was victorious, when her ramparts still stood round her,
  2. when Priam was alive, and Hector’s warring prospered, why did you not then, if you were really minded to do Agamemnon a service, slay the child, for you had him in your palace beneath your care, or bring him with you alive to the Argives? But when the enemy took us from the light
  3. and our city made a signal by its smoke, you murdered the guest who had come to your hearth.
  4. Furthermore, to prove your villainy, hear this; if you were really a friend to those Achaeans, you should have brought the gold, which you say you are keeping not for yourself but for this man,
  5. and given it to them, for they were in need and had endured a long exile from their native land. But not even now can you bring yourself to part with it, but persist in keeping it in your palace. Again, had you kept my son safe and sound, as your duty was,
  6. a fair renown would have been your reward, for it is in trouble’s hour that the good most clearly show their friendship; though prosperity by itself in every case finds friends. If you were in need of money and he were prosperous, that son of mine would have been as a mighty treasure for you to draw upon;
  7. but now you have him no longer to be your friend, and the benefit of the gold is gone from you, your children too, and you yourself are in this sorry plight. I say to you, Agamemnon, if you help this man, you will show your worthlessness; for you will be serving a guest-friend neither pious nor to be trusted where he should be,
  8. not devout, not just; while I shall say you delight in evil-doers, being such a one yourself; but I do not abuse my masters.
Chorus Leader
  1. Ah! how a good cause always affords men an opening for a good speech.
Agamemnon
  1. To be judge in a stranger’s troubles goes much against my grain, but still I must; yes, for to take this matter in hand and then put it from me is a shameful course. My opinion, that you may know it, is that it was not for the sake of the Achaeans or me that you killed your guest,
  2. 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?
  3. I could not. No, since you endured your horrid crime, endure as well its painful consequence.
Polymestor
  1. Woe is me! worsted by a woman and a slave, I am, it seems, to suffer by unworthy hands.
Hecuba
  1. Is it not just for your atrocious crime?
Polymestor
  1. Ah, my children! ah, my blinded eyes! woe is me!
Hecuba
  1. You grieve; but what of me? Do you think I do not grieve for my son?
Polymestor
  1. You wicked wretch! Is your delight in mocking me?
Hecuba
  1. Yes, for I am avenged on you; have I not cause for delight?
Polymestor
  1. It will soon cease, when ocean’s flood—
Hecuba
  1. Shall convey me to the shores of Hellas?