Maid-servant
entering excitedly, attended by bearers bringing in a covered corpse
Oh! ladies, where is Hecuba, our queen of sorrow, who conquers all in tribulation, men and women both alike?
[660]
No one shall dispute the crown with her.
Chorus Leader
What now, unhappy one with your cry of misery? Your evil tidings never seem to rest.
Maid-servant
It is to Hecuba I bring my bitter news; no easy task is it for mortal lips to speak smooth words in sorrow.
Chorus Leader
[665]
Look, she is coming even now from the shelter of the tent, appearing just in time to hear you speak.Hecuba comes out of the tent.
Maid-servant
O mistress, most hapless beyond all words of mine to tell; you are ruined, you no longer exist, though you are alive; of children, husband, city bereft; hopelessly undone!
Hecuba
[670]
This is no news but insult; I have heard it all before. But why have you come, bringing here to me the corpse of Polyxena, on whose burial Achaea's army was reported to be busily engaged?
Maid-servant
She knows nothing, but mourns
[675]
Polyxena, not grasping her new sorrows.
Hecuba
Ah! woe is me! you are surely not bringing here frenzied Cassandra, the prophetic maid?
Maid-servant
You speak of the living; but the dead you do not weep is here.Uncovering the corpse Mark well the body now laid bare;
[680]
is not this a sight to fill you with wonder, and upset your hopes?