Priam’s palace from within. All is confusion and terror. Women rush from room to room, with disheveled hair streaming, and with cries of wild despair. A crowded mass of men are attempting to defend the main entrance. Overhead can be seen and heard the defenders on the roof opposing the attack from without.
In the central open court of the palace, upon the steps of a great altar overshadowed by a laurel tree, Hecuba and a group of women have seated themselves, huddling there in the hope of protection from the sanctity of the altar. Suddenly old Priam comes out into the court, hurriedly adjusting his armor.
Hecuba, calling to him (519-524):
What dost thou there, of reason all bereft,
O wretched husband? What avail those arms?
Or whither speedest thou with tottering steps?
Such aid and such defense as thou canst give
Cannot avail us now, nor Hector’s self,
Could he come back to us. Come hither then;
These sacred altar stairs shall shield us all,