HECUBA. 143 Odysseus, if ye must pleasure the son of Peleus, and avoid reproach, slay not this maid, but lead me to Achilles' pyre and torture me unsparingly ; 'twas I that bore Paris, whose fatal shaft laid low the son of Thetis. Ody. 'Tis not thy death, old dame, Achilles' wraith hath demanded of the Achaeans, but hers. Hec. At least then slaughter me with my child ; so shall there be a double draught of blood for the earth and the dead that claims this sacrifice. Ody. The maiden's death suffices; no need to add a second to the first ; would we needed not e'en this ! Hec Die with my daughter I must and will. Ody. How so ? I did not know I had a master. Hec. I will cling to her like ivy to an oak. Ody. Not if thou wilt hearken to those who are wiser than thyself Hec. Be sure I will never willingly relinquish my child. Ody. Well, be equally sure I will never go away and leave her here. Pol. Mother, hearken to me ; and thou, son of Laertes, make allowance for a parent's natural wrath. My poor mother, fight not with our masters. Wilt thou be thrown down, be roughly thrust aside and wound thy aged skin, and in unseemly wise be torn from me by youthful arms ? This wilt thou suffer ; do not so, for 'tis not right for thee. Nay, dear mother mine ! give me thy hand beloved, and let me press thy cheek to mine ; for never, nevermore, but now for the last time shall I behold the dazzling sun-god's orb. My last farewells now take ! O mother, mother mine ! beneathr the earth I pass. Hec. O my daughter, I am still to live and be a slave. Pol. Unwedded I depart, never having tasted the married joys that were my due ! Hec Thine, my daughter, is a piteous lot, and sad is mine also.
