Tal. I know no words to break the sorrow lightly to thee.
And. I thank thee for thy consideration, unless indeed thou hast good news to tell.
Tal. They mean to slay thy son; there is my hateful message to thee.
And. O God! this is worse tidings than my forced marriage.
Tal. So spake Odysseus to the assembled Hellenes, and his word prevails.
And. Oh once again ah me! there is no measure in the woes I bear.
Tal. He said they should not rear so brave a father's son.
And. May such counsels yet prevail about children of his!
Tal. From Troy's battlements he must be thrown. Let it be even so, and thou wilt show more wisdom; cling not to him, but bear thy sorrows with heroic heart, nor in thy weakness deem that thou art strong. For nowhere hast thou any help; consider this thou must; thy husband and thy city are no more, so thou art in our power, and I alone am match enough for one weak woman; wherefore I would not see thee bent on strife, or any course to bring thee shame or hate, nor would I hear thee rashly curse the Achæans. For if thou say aught whereat the host grow wroth, this child will find no burial nor pity either. But if thou hold thy peace and with composure take thy fate, thou wilt not leave his corpse unburied, and thyself wilt find more favour with the Achæans.
And. My child! my own sweet babe and priceless treasure! thy death the foe demands, and thou must leave thy wretched mother. That[1] which saves the lives of others, proves thy destruction, even thy sire's nobility; to thee thy father's valiancy has proved no boon. O the woful wedding rites, that brought me erst to Hector's home, hoping to be the
- ↑ Nauck considers 737 and 738 spurious.
