The Trojan Women

Euripides

Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. I. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1906.

  1. Your fate, royal mistress, now you know; but for me, what Helene or Achaean is master of my destiny?
Talthybius
  1. Go, servants, and bring Cassandra forth to me here
  2. at once, that I may place her in our captain’s hands, and then conduct to the rest of the chiefs the captives each has had assigned. Ha! what is the blaze of torches there within? What are they doing? Are they firing the chambers,
  3. because they must leave this land and be carried away to Argos? Are they setting themselves aflame in their longing for death? Truly the free bear their troubles in cases like this with a stiff neck. Open up! lest their deed, which suits them well
  4. but finds small favor with the Achaeans, bring blame on me.
Hecuba
  1. It is not that they are setting anything ablaze, but my child Cassandra, frenzied maid, comes rushing wildly here.
Cassandra
  1. Bring the light, uplift and show its flame! I am doing the god’s service, see! see! making his shrine to glow with tapers bright.
  2. O Hymen, lord of marriage! blessed is the bridegroom; blessed am I also, soon to wed a princely lord in Argos. Hail Hymen, lord of marriage!