Stasimon 5
[Episode]
Woe, woe! It was in quest of you, yes, you, great lord of my city, that I went, when I brought news to you that the Argive army was kindling fires about the ships;
820
Chorus
for by the springs of Simois I vow my eye kept sleepless watch by night, nor did I slumber or sleep. Do not be angry with me, my lord; I am guiltless of all.
825
Yet if hereafter you find that I in word or deed have done amiss, bury me alive beneath the earth; I ask no mercy.
830
Charioteer
Why threaten these? Why try to undermine my barbarian mind with your subtle words, you yourself a barbarian?
You did this deed; neither they who have died nor we who are wounded will believe it was any other. A long and clever speech you’ll need to prove to me you did not slay your friends because you coveted the horses, and to gain them murdered
835
your own allies, after strongly imposing on them come. They came, they are dead; Paris found more decent means to shame the rights of hospitality than you, who killed your allies. No, do not tell me some Argive came and slaughtered us. Who could have passed the Trojan lines
840
and come against us without detection? You and your Phrygian troops were camped in front of us. Who was wounded, who was slain among your friends, when that foe you speak of came? It was we, far off, were wounded, while some have met a sterner
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fate and said farewell to the sunlight. Briefly, then, I blame no Achaean. For what enemy could have come and found the lowly bed of Rhesus in the dark, unless some god were guiding the murderers’ steps? They did not know so much
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as know of his arrival. No, this is your plot!
855
Hector
For a long time now I have had to do with allies, yes, ever since Achaea’s army settled in this land, and never a harsh word have I known them say of me; but with you I am to make a beginning. Never may such longing
for horses seize me that I should slay my friends! This is the work of Odysseus; for who of all the Argives but he would have devised or carried out such a deed? I fear him; and my mind is a little troubled lest he should have met and slain Dolon as well;
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for he has been gone a long time and does not appear.
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Charioteer
I do not know this Odysseus of whom you speak. It was no enemy’s hand that struck us.
Hector
If it pleases you to think that, do so.
Charioteer
O land of my fathers, would I might die in you!
Hector
Die! No! Enough are those already dead.
870
Charioteer
Where am I to turn, I ask you, bereft of my master?
Hector
My house shall shelter you and cure you of your hurt.
Charioteer
How shall murderers’ hands care for me?
Hector
This fellow will never have done repeating the same story.
