Polymestor.
Hecuba, with the captive woman-throng,1120
Destroyed me—nay, destroyed not—O, far worse!
Agamemnon.
What say'st thou?—Thine the deed, as he hath said?
Thou, Hecuba, dare this thing impossible!
Polymestor.
Ha! what say'st thou?—and is she nigh at hand?
Tell where is she, that I may in mine hands1125
Clutch her and rend, and bathe her flesh in blood.
Agamemnon. (holding him back).
Ho thou, what ails thee?
Polymestor.
By the Gods I pray thee,
Unhand me—loose my frenzied hand on her!
Agamemnon.
Forbear: cast out the savage from thine heart.
Speak, let me hear first thee, then her, and judge1130
Justly for what cause thus thou sufferest.
Polymestor.
Yea, I will speak. 'Twas Priam's youngest son
Polydorus, Hecuba's child—from Troy to me
Him his sire sent to nurture in mine halls,
Misdoubting, ye may guess, the fall of Troy.1135
Him slew I. For what cause I slew him, hear:
Mark how I dealt well, wisely, prudently:—
