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310 Euripides [171-207]
(calling) My child, come forth; come forth, thou daughter of the
queen of sorrows; listen to thy mother's voice, my child, that thou
mayst know the hideous rumour I now hear about thy life.
(POLYXENA enters from the tent.)
POLYXENA
O mother, mother mine! why dost thou call so loud? what news is
it thou hast proclaimed, scaring me, like a cowering bird, from my
chamber by this alarm?
Alas, my daughter!
HECUBA
POLYXENA
Why this ominous address? it bodeth sorrow for me.
Woe for thy life!
HECUBA
POLYXENA
Tell all, hide it no longer. Ah mother! how I dread, ay dread the
import of thy loud laments.
HECUBA
Ah my daughter! a luckless mother's child!
POLYXENA
Why dost thou tell me this?
HECUBA
The Argives with one consent are eager for thy sacrifice to the son
of Peleus at his tomb.
POLYXENA
Ah! mother mine! how canst thou speak of such a horror? Yet
tell me all, yes all, O mother dear!
HECUBA
'Tis a rumour ill-boding I tell, my child; they bring me word that
sentence is passed upon thy life by the Argives' vote.
POLYXENA
Alas, for thy cruel sufferings! my persecuted mother! woe for thy
life of grief! What grievous outrage some fiend hath sent on thee,
hateful, horrible! No more shall I thy daughter share thy bondage,
hapless youth on hapless age attending. For thou, alas! wilt see thy
hapless child torn from thy arms, as a calf of the hills is torn from