Hecuba
First tell me of the child Polydorus, whom you are keeping in your house, received from me and his father; is he alive? The rest I will ask you after that.
Polymestor
Yes, you still have a share in fortune there.
Hecuba
[990]
Well said, dear friend! how worthy of you!
Polymestor
What next would you learn of me?
Hecuba
has he any recollection of me his mother?
Polymestor
Yes, he was longing to steal away here to you.
Hecuba
Is the gold safe, which he brought with him from Troy?
Polymestor
[995]
Safe under lock and key in my halls.
Hecuba
Do save it, but do not desire your neighbor's goods.
Polymestor
Not I; may I benefit by what I have, lady!
Hecuba
Do you know what I wish to say to you and your children?
Polymestor
No; your words will declare it.
Hecuba
[1000]
O you who are as dear to me as you now are, there are—
Polymestor
What is it that I and my children must learn?
Hecuba
Ancient vaults filled full of gold by Priam's ancestors.
Polymestor
Is it this you would tell your son?
Hecuba
Certainly, through you; for you are a righteous man.
Polymestor
[1005]
What need then of these children's presence?
Hecuba
It is better they should know it, in case of your death.
Polymestor
Well said; it is also the wiser way.
Hecuba
Then do you know where the shrine of Trojan Athena is?
Polymestor
Is the gold there? what is there to mark it?
Hecuba
[1010]
A black rock rising above the ground.
Polymestor
Is there anything else you want to tell me about the place?
Hecuba
I wish to keep safe the treasure I brought from Troy.
Polymestor
Where can it be? inside your dress, or have you hidden it?
Hecuba
It is safe among a heap of spoils within these tents.
Polymestor
[1015]
Where? This is the station built by the Achaeans to surround their fleet.
Hecuba
The captive women have huts of their own.
Polymestor
It is safe to enter? are there no men about?
Hecuba
There are no Achaeans within; we women are alone. Enter then the tent, for the Argives
[1020]
are eager to set sail from Troy for home; and, when you have accomplished all that you must do, you shall return with your children to the place where you have lodged my son.Hecuba leads Polymestor and his children into the tent.
Chorus
Not yet have you paid the penalty, but perhaps you will.
This text is part of:
Search the Perseus Catalog for:
Table of Contents:
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.
The Annenberg CPB/Project provided support for entering this text.