but with thee I am to make a beginning. Never may such longing for horses seize me that I should slay my friends! This is the work of Odysseus. Who of all the Argives but he would have devised or carried out such a deed? I fear him much; and somewhat my mind misgives me lest he have met and slain Dolon as well; for 'tis long since he set out, nor yet appears.
Cha. I know not this Odysseus of whom thou speakest. 'Twas no foe's hand that smote me.
Hec. Well, keep that opinion for thyself, if it please thee.
Cha. O land of my fathers, would I might die in thee!
Hec. Die! No! Enough are those already dead.
Cha. Where am I to turn, I ask thee, reft of my master now?
Hec. My house shall shelter thee and cure thee of thy hurt.
Cha. How shall murderers' hands care for me?
Hec. This fellow will never have done repeating the same story.
Cha. Curses on the doer of this deed! On thee my tongue doth fix no charge, as thou complainest; but Justice is over all.
Hec. Ho! take him hence! Carry him to my palace and tend him carefully, that he may have no fault to find. And you must go to those upon the walls, to Priam and his aged councillors, and tell them to give orders for the burial of the dead at the place where folk turn from the road to rest.
Cho. Why, with what intent doth fortune change and bring Troy once again to mourning after her famous victory? See, see! O look! What goddess, O king, is hovering o'er our heads, bearing in her hands as on a bier the warrior slain but now? I shudder at this sight of woe.
The Muse. Behold me, sons of Troy! Lo! I the Muse, one of the sisters nine, that have honour among the wise,
