So spake the matron. Hector left in haste The mansion, and retraced his way between The rows of stately dwellings, traversing The mighty city. When at length he reached The Scaean gates, that issue on the field, His spouse, the nobly-dowered Andromache, Came forth to meet him⁠—daughter of the prince Eëtion, who, among the woody slopes Of Placos, in the Hypoplacian town Of Thebé, ruled Cilicia and her sons, And gave his child to Hector great in arms. She came attended by a maid, who bore A tender child⁠—a babe too young to speak⁠— Upon her bosom⁠—Hector’s only son, Beautiful as a star, whom Hector called Scamandrius, but all else Astyanax⁠— The city’s lord⁠—since Hector stood the sole Defence of Troy. The father on his child Looked with a silent smile. Andromache Pressed to his side meanwhile, and, all in tears, Clung to his hand, and, thus beginning, said:⁠—