Stasimon 2
[Episode]
Hecuba, do you see Andromache advancing here on a foreign chariot?
Chorus Leader
and with her, clasped to her throbbing breast, is her dear Astyanax, Hector’s child. Where are you being carried, unhappy wife, mounted on that chariot, side by side with Hector’s brazen arms and Phrygian spoils of war,
570
with which Achilles’ son will deck the shrines of Phthia on his return from Troy?
575
[Episode 1]
My Achaean masters are leading me away.
Andromache
Why do you in note of woe utter the dirge that is mine?
Andromache
For these sorrows—
Andromache
And for this calamity.
580
Andromache
Our day is past.
Hecuba
Joy is gone, Troy is gone.
Hecuba
For my gallant sons
Hecuba
Alas indeed, for my
Hecuba
Piteous the fate
585
Hecuba
Smouldering in the smoke.
[Episode 2]
Come to me, my husband, come to me!
Hecuba
Ah, hapless wife! you call on my son who lies in the tomb.
Andromache
Your wife’s defender!
590
Hecuba
Oh, you, who before made the Achaeans grieve, eldest of the sons I bore to Priam, take me to your rest in Hades’ halls!
[Episode 3]
These great griefs—
595
Hecuba
Unhappy one, bitter these woes to bear.
595
Andromache
Our city ruined—
Hecuba
And sorrow to sorrow added.
Andromache
Through the will of angry heaven, since the day that son i.e., Paris, who had been exposed to die on account of an oracle foretelling the misery he would cause if he grew to man’s estate; but shepherds had found him on the hills and reared him. of yours escaped death, he that for a hated bride brought destruction on the Trojan citadel. There lie the gory corpses of the slain by the shrine of Pallas for vultures to carry off;