The old hero Peleus, raging in sorrow over the news of the death of his grandson Neoptolemus, his only legitimate heir and the son of his beloved son Achilles, killed at the hands of Orestes and his thugs with the help of the god Apollo in the sanctuary at Delphi, bitterly cries out that he wishes Neoptolemus had died back in Troy.

LYRICS: What a disaster I see and touch
In my own home, Thessaly –
It’s over now; we are destroyed; no children are left!
Beloved cub of Achilles—
You should have died in Troy!
If only your fortune had struck you down
By Simoïs’ riverbanks, back in Troy! (Should have died in Troy)

My family is gone: my gaze cannot find
a loved one to delight me–
O beloved mouth, cheek, hands,
Beloved cub of Achilles—
You should have died in Troy!
If only your fortune had struck you down
By Simoïs’ riverbanks, back in Troy!

What’s left to your days, old man?
What’s left to your days?
Nothing, ah: (Should have died in Troy)

And my tears fall in streams
(And my tears fall in streams)

Hermione’s marriage has brought you down
into the Underworld, ah!
May lightning strike her dead!

Apollo has taken two children from me
Let me strike my own head now
Beloved cub of Achilles,
You should have died in Troy!
(Should have died in Troy)
You should have died in Troy!