138 EURIPIDES [l. '214-278 its outrage, never a tear I shed ; nay, death is become to me a happier lot than life. Cho. See where Odysseus comes in haste, to announce some fresh command to thee, Hecuba. Ody. Lady, methinks thou knowest already the inten- tion of the host, and the vote that has been passed ; still will I declare it. It is the Achaeans' will to sacrifice thy daughter Polyxena at the mound heaped o'er Achilles' grave ; and they appoint me to take the maid and bring her thither, while the son of Achilles is chosen to preside o'er the sacrifice and act as priest. Dost know then what to do ? Be not forcibly torn from her, nor match thy might 'gainst mine ; recognize the limits of thy strength, and the presence of thy troubles. Even in adversity 'tis wise to yield to reason's dictates. Hec. Ah me ! an awful trial is nigh, it seems, fraught with mourning, rich in tears. Yes, I too escaped death where death had been my due, and Zeus destroyed me not but is still preserving my life, that I may witness in my misery fresh sorrows surpassing all before. Still if the bond may ask the free of things that grieve them not nor wrench their heart-strings, 'tis well that thou shouldst make an end and hearken to my questioning.^ Ody. Granted ; put thy questions ; that short delay I grudge thee not. Hec. Dost remember the day thou camest to spy on Ilium, disguised in rags and tatters, while down thy cheek ran drops of blood ? Ody. Remember it ! yes ; 'twas no slight impression it made upon my heart. Hec. Did Helen recognize thee and tell me only ? ^ This is Hermann's view of this difficult passage ; but Paley inter- prets thus : "it is to you that our words must be spoken, and it is for us who ask to hear your reply ; " and this is the explanation given by the Schol.
