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Good afternoon.

I've tried to parse the following clue, without success. Anyone see the setter's 'mind'?

Scope,we hear, for Hecuba's tears (5)R?E?M

The solution is quite clear, RHEUM = tears (poetic) BUT where does Hecuba come into it? I know all about the various Hecubas, the principal one having experienced great tradegy. BUT, what's the requirement for Hecuba in the clue.

Scope, we hear, for tears (5) would be a fine clue. We hear 'room'(scope) and rheum = tears (poetic).

Am I missing something simple?

I think its from Hamlet.

Seems the setter has chosen Hecuba , as one who is known to shed tears...

"Hecuba’s "tears drowned in the desert of her grief"

Can see no other real reason for her inclusion.

I think the word "rheum" is in Hamlet's description of Hecuba to the players about how to play her, so maybe the setter is nudging or just being unnecessarily clever?

'Run barefoot up and down, threatening the flames With bisson rheum; ...'

Thank you GWA and Mamya (how nice to see you x).
Yes, I had the quotation "...."Gertrude has no tears to shed for Old Hamlet, Hecuba's tears drowned in the...."; BUT I was wondering the relevance of putting the ref to Hecuba in the clue. "tears" already forms a part of the clue. Hecuba is totally redundant (in my opinion). It's not even a decent 'misleader' in the context of the clue.

... and ab and Ari.
ab: I fully agree, "unecessarily clever" is well put.

Ari, how very poetic of you so early in your mornind. lol! Hope Sandy is, by now, a bad memory and that you are out of danger.

I think it makes sense, Jolan. It's Hecuba's bisson rheum, isn't it?

Sure enough, Ari! You're spot-on. I'm actually a bit of a Philistine and have had no more that a few very fleeting encounters with The Bard. Oh! The shame of it all!!! I think I've noticed some rheum flowing down my bearded cheeks.