Hecuba
Ah! there is not in the world a single man free; for he is a slave either to money or to fortune, or else the people
in their thousands or the fear of public prosecution prevents him from
following the dictates of his heart.
Polyxena
Farewell, my mother! farewell, Cassandra!
Hecuba
“Fare well!” others do, but not your mother, no!
Πολυξένη
χαῖρ᾽, ὦ τεκοῦσα, χαῖρε Κασάνδρα τ᾽ ἐμοί,
Ἑκάβη
χαίρουσιν ἄλλοι, μητρὶ δ᾽ οὐκ ἔστιν τόδε.
Tr. E. P. Coleridge:
Polyxena:
Here I close my eyes upon the light, free as yet, and dedicate myself to
Hades. Lead me away, Odysseus, and do your worst,
for I see nothing within my reach to make me hope or expect with any
confidence that I am ever again to be happy. Mother, do not seek to
hinder me by word or deed, but join in my wish for death before I meet
with shameful treatment undeserved.
For whoever is not used to taste of sorrows, though he bears it, yet
it galls him when he puts his neck within the yoke; far happier would he
be dead than alive, for life bereft of honor is toil and trouble.
Talthybius (recounting Polyxena's last words):
O Argives, who have sacked my city! of my free will I die; let no one lay hand on me; for bravely will I yield my neck. By the gods, leave me free; so slay me, that death may find me free; for to be called a slave among the dead fills my royal heart with shame.
Hecuba
Do you know when you came to spy on Ilium, 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
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
Doubtless I found plenty to say, to save my life.
