Stasimon 4
[Episode]
and our city made a signal by its smoke, you murdered the guest who had come to your hearth.
1215
Hecuba
Furthermore, to prove your villainy, hear this; if you were really a friend to those Achaeans, you should have brought the gold, which you say you are keeping not for yourself but for this man,
and given it to them, for they were in need and had endured a long exile from their native land. But not even now can you bring yourself to part with it, but persist in keeping it in your palace. Again, had you kept my son safe and sound, as your duty was,
1220
a fair renown would have been your reward, for it is in trouble’s hour that the good most clearly show their friendship; though prosperity by itself in every case finds friends. If you were in need of money and he were prosperous, that son of mine would have been as a mighty treasure for you to draw upon;
1225
but now you have him no longer to be your friend, and the benefit of the gold is gone from you, your children too, and you yourself are in this sorry plight. I say to you, Agamemnon, if you help this man, you will show your worthlessness; for you will be serving a guest-friend neither pious nor to be trusted where he should be,
1230
not devout, not just; while I shall say you delight in evil-doers, being such a one yourself; but I do not abuse my masters.
1235
Chorus Leader
Ah! how a good cause always affords men an opening for a good speech.
Agamemnon
To be judge in a stranger’s troubles goes much against my grain, but still I must; yes, for to take this matter in hand and then put it from me is a shameful course. My opinion, that you may know it, is that it was not for the sake of the Achaeans or me that you killed your guest,
1240
but to keep that gold in your own house. In your trouble you make a case in your own interests. Perhaps among you it is a light thing to murder guests, but with us in Hellas it is a disgrace. How can I escape reproach if I judge you not guilty?
1245
I could not. No, since you endured your horrid crime, endure as well its painful consequence.
1250
Polymestor
Woe is me! worsted by a woman and a slave, I am, it seems, to suffer by unworthy hands.
Hecuba
Is it not just for your atrocious crime?
Polymestor
Ah, my children! ah, my blinded eyes! woe is me!
1255
Hecuba
You grieve; but what of me? Do you think I do not grieve for my son?
Polymestor
You wicked wretch! Is your delight in mocking me?
Hecuba
Yes, for I am avenged on you; have I not cause for delight?
Polymestor
It will soon cease, when ocean’s flood—
Hecuba
Shall convey me to the shores of Hellas?
1260
Polymestor
No, but will close over you when you fall from the masthead.
Hecuba
Who will force me to take the leap?
Polymestor
Of your own accord you will climb the ship’s mast.
Hecuba
With wings upon my back, or by what means?
Polymestor
You will become a dog with bloodshot gaze.
1265
Hecuba
How did you know of my transformation?
Polymestor
Dionysus, our Thracian prophet, told me so.
Hecuba
And did he prophesy to you nothing of your present trouble?
Polymestor
No, for you would never have caught me thus by guile.
Hecuba
Dead or alive shall I complete my life here?
1270
Polymestor
Dead; and to your tomb shall be given a name—;
Hecuba
Recalling my form, or what will you tell me?
