Stasimon 4
[Episode]
Where shall I stay or turn my steps, like a ship that lies anchored at sea, gathering close my linen robe and rushing to that chamber of death, to guard my children?
1080
Chorus Leader
Woe to you! what grievous outrage has been done to you! a fearful penalty for your foul deed has the deity imposed, whoever he is whose hand is heavy upon you.
1085
Polymestor
Woe is me! Ho! my Thracian spearmen, armed,
a race of knights whom Ares inspires! Ho! Achaeans! sons of Atreus! To you I loudly call; come here, by the gods! Does any one hearken, or will no one help me? Why do you delay? Women, captive women have destroyed me.
1090
A fearful fate is mine; ah me! my hideous outrage! Where can I turn or go?
1095
Shall I take wings and soar aloft to the mansions of the sky, where Orion and Sirius dart from their eyes
1100
a flash as of fire, or shall I, in my misery, plunge to Hades’ murky flood?
1105
Chorus Leader
It is pardonable, for a man suffering from evils too heavy to bear, to rid himself of a wretched existence.
Agamemnon
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.
1110
Polymestor
Best of friends! for by your voice I know you,
Agamemnon; do you see my piteous state?
1115
Agamemnon
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.
Polymestor
Hecuba, helped by the captive women, has destroyed me—not destroyed, far worse than that.
1120
Agamemnon
What do you say? Was it you that did this deed, as he says? You, Hecuba, that have ventured on this inconceivable daring?
Polymestor
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.
1125
Agamemnon
You creature, what are you about?
Polymestor
By the gods I entreat you, let me vent on her the fury of my arm.
Agamemnon
Hold! banish that savage spirit from your heart
