Parodos
[Choral]
or you must see your daughter fall before the tomb, her crimson blood spurting in deep dark jets from her neck encircled with gold.
150
Hecuba
Woe, woe is me! What words,
or cries, or lamentations can I utter? Ah me! for the sorrows of my closing years! for slavery too cruel to endure, to bear! Woe, woe is me! What champion do I have? Family,
155
and city—where are they? Aged Priam is no more; no more my children now. Which way am I to go, either this or that? Where shall I turn my steps? Where is any god or divine power to come to my aid?
160
Ah, Trojan maids! bringers of evil tidings! Messengers of woe! you have made an end, an utter end of me; life on earth has no more charm for me. Oh! luckless steps, lead on,
165
guide your aged mistress here to the tent. My child, daughter of a most wretched woman, come forth; listen to your mother’s voice.
170
so that you may know the hideous rumor I now hear about your life, my child.
175
Polyxena
Oh! mother, mother, why do you call so loud? what news is it you have proclaimed, scaring me, like a cowering bird, from my chamber by this alarm?
Hecuba
Alas, my daughter!
180
Polyxena
Why this ominous address? it means sorrow for me.
Hecuba
Woe for your life!
Polyxena
Tell it, hide it no longer. Ah mother! how I dread, I dread
the import of your loud laments.
185
Hecuba
Ah my daughter! a luckless mother’s child!
Polyxena
Why do you tell me this?
Hecuba
The Argives with one consent are eager for your sacrifice to the son of Peleus
Polyxena
Ah! my mother! how can you speak of such a dire mischance? Tell me all, mother, yes all!
Hecuba
It is an ill-boding rumor I tell, my child;
they bring me word that sentence is passed upon your life by the Argives’ vote.
195
