Hecuba

Polymestor, led by the handmaid, enters with his young sons and some attendants. He addresses Hecuba as a friend, saying he pities her suffering. In the ensuing exchange, Hecuba tells Polymestor that she has some business to discuss with him in private. Polymestor tells his attendants to leave. When Hecuba asks about Polydorus, Polymestor lies that he is well and that his gold is safe. Hecuba, concealing that she has already found Polydorus’s body, entices Polymestor with the promise of more riches. She promises to reveal to him the location of Priam’s hidden vaults so that he can pass on the information to her son. She also adds that she has smuggled some treasure from Troy that she wishes to give him in her tent. Polymestor and his sons follow her into her tent.

As Hecuba, Polymestor, and his sons exit the stage, the Chorus remains outside. In a brief interlude, they sing of the retributive justice exacted by the gods upon those who do wrong. As they sing, Polymestor’s cries are heard off-stage. Hecuba reenters, mocking Polymestor and declaring that she has blinded him and killed his sons.