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    Contents:
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  • Choral 1
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    		•

    Euripides, Hecuba (ed. E. P. Coleridge)

    Polyxena

    Editions and translations: Greek (ed. Gilbert Murray) | English (ed. E. P. Coleridge)
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    Chorus Leader

    See where Odysseus comes in haste, to announce some fresh command to you, Hecuba.

    Odysseus enters with his attendants.
    Odysseus

    Lady, I think you know already the intention of the army, and the vote that has been passed; still I will declare it. [220]  It is the Achaeans' will to sacrifice your daughter Polyxena at the mound heaped over Achilles' grave; and they appoint me to take the maid and bring her there, while the son of Achilles is chosen to preside over the sacrifice and act as priest. [225]  Do you know then what to do? Do not be forcibly torn from her, nor match your might against mine; recognize the limits of your strength, and the presence of your troubles. Even in adversity it is wise to yield to reason's dictates.

    Hecuba

    Alas! a dreadful trial is near, it seems, [230]  full of mourning, rich in tears. Yes, I too escaped death where death had been my due, and Zeus did not destroy me but is still preserving my life, that I may witness in my misery fresh sorrows surpassing all before. But if the bond may ask the free [235]  of things that do not grieve them or wrench their heart-strings, you ought to speak in answer to my questions and I ought to hear what you have to say.

    Odysseus

    Granted; put your questions; I do not grudge you that delay.

    Hecuba

    Do you know when you came to spy on Ilium, [240]  disguised in rags and tatters, while down your cheek ran drops of blood?

    Odysseus

    I do; for it was no slight impression it made upon my heart.

    Hecuba

    Did Helen recognize you and tell me only?

    Odysseus

    I well remember the great risk I ran.

    Hecuba

    [245]  Did you embrace my knees in all humility?

    Odysseus

    Yes, so that my hand grew dead and cold upon your robe.

    Hecuba

    Was it I that saved and sent you forth again?

    Odysseus

    You did, and so I still behold the light of day.

    Hecuba

    What did you say then, when in my power?

    Odysseus

    [250]  Doubtless I found plenty to say, to save my life.


    There are a total of 4 comments on and cross references to this page.

    Cross references from Herbert Weir Smyth, A Greek Grammar for Colleges:
    1842 [NEGATIVE (PROHIBITIONS)]

    Cross references from Raphael Kühner, Bernhard Gerth, Ausführliche Grammatik der griechischen Sprache (ed. Ildar Ibraguimov):
    397 [d. Imperativ.]

    Cross references from Raphael Kühner, Bernhard Gerth, Ausführliche Grammatik der griechischen Sprache (ed. Ildar Ibraguimov):
    591 [Von der Beantwortung der Frage.]

    Cross references from Sir Richard Jebb, Commentary on Sophocles: Antigone:
    * [988-1114]: kardias dêktêria

    Preferred URL for linking to this page: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Eur.+Hec.+216

    The Annenberg CPB/Project provided support for entering this text.

    This text is based on the following book(s):
    Euripides. The Complete Greek Drama, edited by Whitney J. Oates and Eugene O'Neill, Jr. in two volumes. 1. Hecuba, translated by E. P. Coleridge. New York. Random House. 1938.
    OCLC: 42737896


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