TEUCER
Begone then. For to me 'twere worst disgrace
That I should listen to a fool's idle blustering.
[Exit Menelaus.]
CHORUS
Soon mighty and fell will the strife be begun.
But speedily now, Teucer, I pray thee,
Seek some fit place for his hollow grave,
Which men's memories evermore shall praise,
As he lies there mouldering at rest.
[Enter Tecmessa with Eurusakes.]
TEUCER
Look yonder, where the child and wife of Aias
Are hastening hither in good time to tend
The funeral rites of his unhappy corpse.
My child, come hither. Stand near and lay thy hand
As a suppliant on thy father who begat thee.
And kneel imploringly with locks of hair
Held in thy hand—mine, and hers, and last thine—
The suppliant's treasure. But if any Greek
By violence should tear thee from this corpse,
For that crime from the land may he be cast
Unburied, and his whole race from the root
Cut off, even as I sever this lock.
There, take it, boy, and keep it. Let none seek
To move thee; but still kneel there and cling fast,
And you, like men, no women, by his side
Stand and defend him till I come again,
When I have dug his grave, though all forbid.
[Exit Teucer.]
CHORUS
When will this agony draw to a close?
When will it cease, the last of our years of exile?
Years that bring me labour accurst of hurtling spears,
Woe that hath no respite or end,
But wide-spread over the plains of Troy
Works sorrow and shame for Hellas' sons.
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