Part 11 (2/2)

Set the great orb of Hector's s.h.i.+eld to lie Here on the ground. 'Tis bitter that mine eye Should see it.... O ye Argives, was your spear Keen, and your hearts so low and cold, to fear This babe? 'Twas a strange murder for brave men!

For fear this babe some day might raise again His fallen land! Had ye so little pride?

While Hector fought, and thousands at his side, Ye smote us, and we perished; and now, now, When all are dead and Ilion lieth low, Ye dread this innocent! I deem it not Wisdom, that rage of fear that hath no thought....

Ah, what a death hath found thee, little one!

Hadst thou but fallen fighting, hadst thou known Strong youth and love and all the majesty Of G.o.dlike kings, then had we spoken of thee As of one blessed ... could in any wise These days know blessedness. But now thine eyes Have seen, thy lips have tasted, but thy soul No knowledge had nor usage of the whole Rich life that lapt thee round.... Poor little child!

Was it our ancient wall, the circuit piled By loving G.o.ds, so savagely hath rent Thy curls, these little flowers innocent That were thy mother's garden, where she laid Her kisses; here, just where the bone-edge frayed Grins white above--Ah heaven, I will not see!

Ye tender arms, the same dear mould have ye As his; how from the shoulder loose ye drop And weak! And dear proud lips, so full of hope And closed for ever! What false words ye said At daybreak, when he crept into my bed, Called me kind names, and promised: 'Grandmother, When thou art dead, I will cut close my hair And lead out all the captains to ride by Thy tomb.' Why didst thou cheat me so? 'Tis I, Old, homeless, childless, that for thee must shed Cold tears, so young, so miserably dead.

Dear G.o.d, the pattering welcomes of thy feet, The nursing in my lap; and O, the sweet Falling asleep together! All is gone.

How should a poet carve the funeral stone To tell thy story true? 'There lieth here A babe whom the Greeks feared, and in their fear Slew him.' Aye, Greece will bless the tale it tells!

Child, they have left thee beggared of all else In Hector's house; but one thing shalt thou keep, This war-s.h.i.+eld bronzen-barred, wherein to sleep.

Alas, thou guardian true of Hector's fair Left arm, how art thou masterless! And there I see his handgrip printed on thy hold; And deep stains of the precious sweat, that rolled In battle from the brows and beard of him, Drop after drop, are writ about thy rim.

Go, bring them--such poor garments hazardous As these days leave. G.o.d hath not granted us Wherewith to make much pride. But all I can, I give thee, Child of Troy.--O vain is man, Who glorieth in his joy and hath no fears: While to and fro the chances of the years Dance like an idiot in the wind! And none By any strength hath his own fortune won.

[_During these lines several Women are seen approaching with garlands and raiment in their hands_.

LEADER.

Lo these, who bear thee raiment harvested From Ilion's slain, to fold upon the dead.

[_During the following scene_ HECUBA _gradually takes the garments and wraps them about the Child_.

HECUBA.

O not in pride for speeding of the car Beyond thy peers, not for the shaft of war True aimed, as Phrygians use; not any prize Of joy for thee, nor splendour in men's eyes, Thy father's mother lays these offerings About thee, from the many fragrant things That were all thine of old. But now no more.

One woman, loathed of G.o.d, hath broke the door And robbed thy treasure-house, and thy warm breath Made cold, and trod thy people down to death!

CHORUS.

_Some Women_.

Deep in the heart of me I feel thine hand, Mother: and is it he Dead here, our prince to be, And lord of the land?

HECUBA.

Glory of Phrygian raiment, which my thought Kept for thy bridal day with some far-sought Queen of the East, folds thee for evermore.

And thou, grey Mother, Mother-s.h.i.+eld that bore

THE TROJAN WOMEN

A thousand days of glory, thy last crown Is here.... Dear Hector's s.h.i.+eld! Thou shalt lie down Undying with the dead, and lordlier there Than all the gold Odysseus' breast can bear, The evil and the strong!

CHORUS.

_Some Women._

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