that thy nights were nights of love, O king, or will my daughter receive any recompense for her most fond embraces, and I through her? [For from the secret shade, and from night’s joys, the greatest delight is wont to spring to mortals.] Now then attend.  Thou seest this corse?  Him assisting, thou wilt assist one joined to thee in affinity.  One thing my speech wants yet.  I would fain I had a voice in my arms, and hands, and in my hair, and in my footsteps, or by the skill of Daedalus, or some God, that each at once might hold thy knees, weeping, and imploring in all the strains of eloquence.  O my lord.  O greatest light of the Greeks, be persuaded; lend thy hand to avenge this aged woman, although she is of no consequence, yet avenge her.  For it belongs to a good man to minister justice, and always and in every case to punish the bad.

Chor.  It is strange, how every thing happens to mortals, and laws determine even the fates, making the greatest enemies friends, and enemies of those who before were on good terms.

Aga.  I, O Hecuba, have pity both on thee and thy son, thy misfortunes, and thy suppliant touch, and I am willing in regard both to the Gods and to justice, that this impious host should give thee full revenge, provided a way could be found, that both you might be gratified, and I might in the eyes of the army not seem to meditate this destruction against the king of Thrace for Cassandra’s sake.  For there is a point in which apprehension hath reached me.  This man the army deems a friend, the dead an enemy; but if he is dear to thee, this is a private feeling and does not affect the army.  Wherefore consider, that thou hast me willing to labor with thee, and ready to assist thee, but backward, should I be murmured against among the Greeks.

Hec.  Alas! no mortal is there who is free.  For either he is the slave of money or of fortune; or the populace of the city or the dictates of the law constrain him to adopt manners not accordant with his natural inclinations.  But since thou fearest, and payest too much regard to the multitude, I will liberate thee from this fear.  For consent with me, if I meditate vengeance against the murderer of this youth, but do not act with me.  But should any tumult or offer of assistance arise from out of the Greeks, when the Thracian feels the punishment he shall feel, suppress it, not appearing to do it for my sake:  but of the rest be confident:  I will dispose all things well.

Aga.  How then?  What wilt thou do?  Wilt thou grasp the sword in thine aged hand, and strike the barbarian? or with poison wilt thou work, or with what assistance?  What hand will conspire with thee? whence wilt thou procure friends?

Hec.  These tents inclose a host of Trojan dames.

Aga.  Meanest thou the captives, the booty of the Greeks?

Hec.  With these will I avenge me of my murderer.