Ah me, my child, what shall I do? We must not sit idle:—nay,810 I too will go as far as I have strength. Away—let us be quick—'tis no time to rest, if we would save a man who is in haste to die.
Ch. I am ready, and will show it in more than word; speed of act and foot shall go therewith.
The scene changes to a lonely place on the sea-shore.
Enter Ajax.
Aj. The slayer stands so that he shall do his work most surely,—if leisure serves for so much thought,—the gift of Hector, that foeman-friend who was most hateful to my soul and to my sight; 'tis fixed in hostile soil, the land of Troy,820 with a new edge from the iron-biting whet; and I have planted it with heedful care, so that it should prove most kindly to me in a speedy death.
Thus on my part all is ready; and next be thou, Zeus—as is meet—the first to aid me: 'tis no large boon that I will crave. Send, I pray thee, some messenger with the ill news to Teucer, that he may be the first to raise me where I have fallen on this reeking sword, lest I be first espied by some enemy, and cast forth a prey to dogs and birds.830 For thus much, O Zeus, I entreat thee; and I call also on Hermes, guide to the nether world, that he lay me softly asleep, without a struggle, at one quick bound, when I have driven this sword into my side.
And I call for help to the maidens who live for ever, and ever look on all the woes of men, the dread, far-striding Furies; let them mark how my miserable life is