Leader of the Chorus: What now, thou wretched bird of boding note?
Thy evil tidings never seem to rest.
Maid: 'Tis to Hecuba I bring my bitter news; no easy task is it for
mortal lips to speak smooth words in sorrow's hour.
Leader: Lo! she is coming even now from the shelter of the tent appearing
just in time to hear thee speak. (Hecuba comes out of the tent.)
Maid: Alas for thee! most hapless queen, ruined beyond all words of
mine to tell; robbed of the light of life; of children, husband, city
reft; hopelessly undone!
Hecuba: This is no news but insult; I have heard it all before. But
why art thou come, bringing hither to me the corpse of Polyxena, on
whose burial Achaea's host was reported to be busily engaged?
Maid: (aside) She little knows what I have to tell, but mourns Polyxena,
not grasping her new sorrows.
Studies
