CHOR. It is pardonable, when any one suffers greater misfortunes than he can bear, for him to be desirous to quit a miserable life.
AGAMEMNON, POLYMESTOR, HECUBA, CHORUS.
AGA. I came having heard the clamor: for Echo, the mountain's daughter, did not sound in gentle strains through the army, causing a disturbance. But did we not know that the Phrygian towers are fallen beneath the Grecian spear, this tumult might have caused no little terror.
POLY. O my dearest friend (for I know thee, Agamemnon, having heard thy voice), seest thou what I am suffering?
AGA. Ah! wretched Polymestor, who hath destroyed thee? who made thine eyes sightless, having drowned their orbs in blood? And who hath slain these thy children? Sure, whoe'er it was, felt the greatest rage against thee and thy sons.
POLY. Hecuba with the female captives hath destroyed me—nay, not destroyed me, but more than destroyed me.
AGA. What sayest thou? Hast thou done this deed, as he affirms? Hast thou, Hecuba, dared this inconceivable act of boldness?
POLY. Ah me! what wilt thou say? Is she any where near me? Show me, tell me where she is, that I may seize her in my hands, and tear piecemeal and mangle her body.
AGA. What ho! what are you doing?
POLY. By the Gods I entreat thee, suffer me to lay my raging hand upon her.