Talthybius.
What shall I say, Zeus?—that thou look'st on men?
Or that this fancy false we vainly hold
For nought, who deem there is a race of Gods,490
While chance controlleth all things among men?
This—was she not the wealthy Phrygians' queen?
This—was she not all-prosperous Priam's wife?
And now her city is all spear-o'erthrown;
Herself a slave, old, childless, on the earth495
Lieth, her hapless head with dust defiled.
Ah, old am I, yet be it mine to die
Ere into any shameful lot I fall!
Arise, ill-starred, and from the earth uplift
Thy body and thine head all snow-besprent.500
Hecuba.
Ha, who art thou that lettest not my frame
Rest?—why disturb my grief, whoe'er thou be?
Talthybius.
Talthybius I, the Danaans' minister,
Of Agamemnon sent, O queen, for thee.
Hecuba.
Friend, friend, art come because the Achaians will505
To slay me too?—How sweet thy tidings were!
Haste we—make speed—O ancient, lead me on.
Talthybius.
Lady, that thou mayst bury thy dead child
I come in quest of thee; and sent am I
Of Atreus' two sons and the Achaian folk.510
