Oh, rather, let my only son be slain!—650
And canst thou, mother, see thy helpless child
To awful death given up? Canst thou behold
His body whirling from the battlements?
I can, I shall endure and suffer this,
Provided only, by his death appeased,
The victor's hand shall spare my Hector's bones.—
But he can suffer yet, while kindly fate655
Hath placed his sire beyond the reach of harm.
Why dost thou hesitate? Thou must decide