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56 That scrupled for thee. All, all with one will

Gave thee to me, whom thou hast wronged, to kill!

And is it granted that I speak, or no,

In answer to them ere I die, to show

I die most wronged and innocent?

I seek

To kill thee, woman; not to hear thee speak!

O hear her! She must never die unheard,

King Menelaus! And give me the word

To speak in answer! All the wrong she wrought

Away from thee, in Troy, thou knowest not.

The whole tale set together is a death

Too sure; she shall not 'scape thee!

'Tis but breath

And time. For thy sake, Hecuba, if she need

To speak, I grant the prayer. I have no heed

Nor mercy—let her know it well—for her!

It may be that, how false or true soe'er

Thou deem me, I shall win no word from thee.

So sore thou holdest me thine enemy.

Yet I will take what words I think thy heart

Holdeth of anger: and in even part

Set my wrong and thy wrong, and all that fell.