Page:The tragedies of Euripides Vol I Buckley.pdf/37

18 HECUBA. 746–777. struction on this man's thoughts, whereas he bas no evil in- tention towards me? AGA. If thou art willing that I shopkd nothing of this affair, thou art of a mind with me, for neither do I wish to bear. HEC. (aside) I cannot without him tako vengeance for my children. Why do I tbus hesitate ? I must be bold, whether I succeed, or fail. Agamemnon, by these knees, and by thy beard I implore thee, and by thy blessed hand AGA. What thy request? Is it to pass thy life in freedom ? for this is easy for thee to obtain. Hec. Not this indeed ; but so that I avenge myself on the bad, I am willing to pase my whole life in slavery. Aga. And for what assistance dost thou call on me? Hzc. In none of those things which thou imaginest, O king. Seest thou this corse, o'er which I drop the tear? AGA. I see it; thy meaning however I cannot learn from this. HEC. Him did I once bring forth, bim bore I in my bosom. AGA. Is this indeed one of thy children, Ounhappy woman? Hec. It is, but not of the sods of Priam who fell under the walls of Troy. Aca. Didst thou then bear any other besides those, O lady? Hec. In vain, as it appears, this whom you Bea. AGA. But where did he chance to be, when the city fall ? Hec. His father sent him out of the country, dreading his death. AGA. Whither, having removed him alone of his children then alive? Hec. To this country, where he was found a corse. AGA. To him who is king over this state, to Polymestor ? Hec. Hither was he sent, the guardian of gold, which proved most destructive to him. AGA. By whose hand then he is dead, and having met with what fate ? Hec. By whom else should he? The Thracian host slew him, AGA. O wretch! was he so inflamed with the desire of obtaining the gold ? Hec. Even so, after he had heard of Troy's disasters. AQs. And where didst thou find him, or who brought the body ?