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 TECMESSA

Yes, he is gone. I am racked to know thy meaning.

MESSENGER

Teucer commands you to keep him within doors,

And not to let him leave his tent alone.

TECMESSA

And where is Teucer, and why speaks he thus?

MESSENGER

He has but now returned, and he forbodes

That this going-forth will prove fatal to Aias.

TECMESSA

Woe's me, alas! From whom has he learned this?

MESSENGER

From the seer, Thestor's son, this very day,

Which is fraught either with his death or life.

TECMESSA

Ah me, pay friends, avert this threatening doom!

Speed some of you to hasten Teucer hither:

Others go search the bays, some west, some east,

And track my lord's ill-omened going-forth.

Yes, now I know I have been deceived by him,

And from his former favour quite cast out.

Alas, child, what shall I do? Sit still I must not:

But far as I have strength I too will go.

Let us start quickly: 'tis no time for loitering,

If we would save one who is in haste to die.

CHORUS

I am ready, as not words alone shall prove,

But speed of act and foot to make words good.