Aeschylus' The Persians Date Accessed: 8.22.05 470 BC THE PERSIANS by Aeschylus translated by Robert Potter -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The electronic text version of this translation comes from the Eris Project at Virginia Tech, which has made it available for public use. The hypertext version presented here has been designed for students of Ancient History at the University of Calgary. I have added line numbers (to facilitate specific citation or to find a specific passage from a citation; note: the line numbers of a Greek text do not always fit as smoothly as one might like into a translation) and made occasional minor modifications, generally following the line ascriptions of more recent scholars; in the final discussion between Xerxes and the chorus, I have followed Potter's assemblage into two speeches, rather than attempt the almost impossible task of adapting his translation into the interplay between the two parties. Another HTML version of the complete text, with no numeration if you prefer this, is available at the Internet Classics Archive from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. J. Vanderspoel, Department of Greek, Latin and Ancient History, University of Calgary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY ATOSSA, widow of Darius and mother of XERXES MESSENGER GHOST OF DARIUS XERXES CHORUS OF PERSIAN ELDERS, who compose the Persian Council of State (SCENE:-Before the Council-Hall of the Persian Kings at Susa. The tomb of Darius the Great is visible. The time is 480 B.C., shortly after the battle of Salamis. The play opens with the CHORUS OF PERSIAN ELDERS singing its first choral lyric.) CHORUS While o'er the fields of Greece the embattled troops Of Persia march with delegated sway, We o'er their rich and gold-abounding seats Hold faithful our firm guard; to this high charge Xerxes, our royal lord, the imperial son 5 Of great Darius, chose our honour'd age. But for the king's return, and his arm'd host Blazing with gold, my soul presaging ill 10 Swells in my tortured breast: for all her force Hath Asia sent, and for her youth I sigh. Nor messenger arrives, nor horseman spurs 15 With tidings to this seat of Persia's kings. The gates of Susa and Ecbatana Pour'd forth their martial trains; and Cissia sees Her ancient towers forsaken, while her youth, Some on the bounding steed, the tall bark some Ascending, some with painful march on foot, Haste on, to arrange the deep'ning files of war. 20 Amistres, Artaphernes, and the might Of great Astaspes, Megabazes bold, Chieftains of Persia, kings, that, to the power Of the great king obedient, march with these 25 Leading their martial thousands; their proud steeds Prance under them; steel bows and shafts their arms, Dreadful to see, and terrible in fight, Deliberate valour breathing in their souls. Artembares, that in his fiery horse Delights; Masistress; 30 and Imaeus bold, Bending with manly strength his stubborn bow; Pharandaces, and Sosthanes, that drives With military pomp his rapid steeds. Others the vast prolific Nile hath sent; Pegastagon, that from Aegyptus draws 35 His high birth; Susiscanes; and the chief That reigns o'er sacred Memphis, great Arsames; And Ariomardus, that o'er ancient Thebes Bears the supreme dominion; and with these, Drawn from their watery marshes, numbers train'd To the stout oar. 40 Next these the Lycian troops, Soft sons of luxury; and those that dwell Amid the inland forests, from the sea Far distant; these Metragathes commands, And virtuous Arceus, royal chiefs, that shine In burnish'd gold, 45 and many a whirling car Drawn by six generous steeds from Sardis lead, A glorious and a dreadful spectacle. And from the foot of Tmolus, sacred mount, Eager to bind on Greece the servile yoke, 50 Mardon and Tharybis the massy spear Grasp with unwearied vigour; the light lance The Mysians shake. A mingled multitude Swept from her wide dominions skill'd to draw The unerring bow, in ships Euphrates sends From golden Babylon. With falchions arm'd 55 From all the extent of Asia move the hosts Obedient to their monarch's stern command. Thus march'd the flower of Persia, whose loved youth The world of Asia nourish'd, and with sighs 60 Laments their absence; many an anxious look Their wives, their parents send, count the slow days, And tremble at the long-protracted time. Already o'er the adverse strand In arms the monarch's martial squadrons spread; 65 The threat'ning ruin shakes the land, And each tall city bows its tower'd head. Bark bound to bark, their wondrous way They bridge across the indignant sea; The narrow Hellespont's vex'd waves disdain, 70 His proud neck taught to wear the chain. Now has the peopled Asia's warlike lord, By land, by sea, with foot, with horse, 75 Resistless in his rapid course, O'er all their realms his warring thousands pour'd; Now his intrepid chiefs surveys, And glitt'ring like a god his radiant state displays. 80 Fierce as the dragon scaled in gold Through the deep files he darts his glowing eye; And pleased their order to behold, His gorgeous standard blazing to the sky, Rolls onward his Assyrian car, Directs the thunder of the war, Bids the wing'd arrows' iron storm advance 85 Against the slow and cumbrous lance. What shall withstand the torrent of his sway When dreadful o'er the yielding shores The impetuous tide of battle roars, And sweeps the weak opposing mounds away? 90 So Persia, with resistless might, Rolls her unnumber'd hosts of heroes to the fight. For thus from ancient times the Fates ordain That Persia's sons should greatly dare, 95 Unequall'd in the works of war; Shake with their thund'ring steeds the ensanguined plain, Dreadful the hostile walls surround, And lay their rampired towers in ruins on the ground. 100 Taught to behold with fearless eyes The whitening billows foam beneath the gale, They bid the naval forests rise, Mount the slight bark, unfurl the flying sail, And o'er the angry ocean bear To distant realms the storm of war. 105 For when misfortune's fraudful hand Prepares to pour the vengeance of the sky, What mortal shall her force withstand? What rapid speed the impending fury fly? 110 Gentle at first with flatt'ring smiles She spreads her soft enchanting wiles, So to her toils allures her destined prey, Whence man ne'er breaks unhurt away. For this with many a sad and gloomy thought 115 My tortured breast is fraught: Ah me! for Persia's absent sons I sigh; For while in foreign fields they fight, Our towns exposed to wild affright An easy prey to the invader lie: Where, mighty Susa, where thy powers, To wield the warrior's arms, and guard thy regal towers? 120 Crush'd beneath the assailing foe Her golden head must Cissia bend; While her pale virgins, frantic with despair, Through all her streets awake the voice of wo; And flying with their bosoms bare, Their purfled stoles in anguish rend: 125 For all her youth in martial pride, Like bees that, clust'ring round their king, Their dark imbodied squadrons bring, Attend their sceptred monarch's side, 130 And stretch across the watery way From shore to shore their long array. The Persian dames, with many a tender fear, In grief's sad vigils keep the midnight hour; Shed on the widow'd couch the streaming tear, 135 And the long absence of their loves deplore. Each lonely matron feels her pensive breast Throb with desire, with aching fondness glow, Since in bright arms her daring warrior dress'd Left her to languish in her love-lorn wo. Now, ye grave Persians, that your honour'd seats 140 Hold in this ancient house, with prudent care And deep deliberation, so the state Requires, consult we, pond'ring the event Of this great war, which our imperial lord, The mighty Xerxes from Darius sprung, 145 The stream of whose rich blood flows in our veins, Leads against Greece; whether his arrowy shower Shot from the strong-braced bow, or the huge spear High brandish'd, in the deathful field prevails. But see, the monarch's mother: like the gods 150 Her lustre blazes on our eyes: my queen, Prostrate I fall before her: all advance With reverence, and in duteous phrase address her, (ATOSSA enters with her retinue. The Elders do their obeisance to her.) LEADER OF THE CHORUS Hail, queen, of Persia's high-zoned dames supreme, 155 Age-honour'd mother of the potent Xerxes, Imperial consort of Darius, hail! The wife, the mother of the Persians' god, If yet our former glories fade not from us. ATOSSA And therefore am I come, leaving my house That shines with gorgeous ornaments and gold, 160 Where in past days Darius held with me His royal residence. With anxious care My heart is tortured: I will tell you, friends, My thoughts, not otherwise devoid of fear, Lest mighty wealth with haughty foot o'erturn And trample in the dust that happiness, Which, not unbless'd by Heaven, Darius raised. For this with double force unquiet thoughts 165 Past utterance fill my soul; that neither wealth With all its golden stores, where men are wanting, Claims reverence; nor the light, that beams from power, Shines on the man whom wealth disdains to grace. The golden stores of wealth indeed are ours; But for the light (such in the house I deem The presence of its lord) there I have fears. 170 Advise me then, you whose experienced age Supports the state of Persia: prudence guides Your councils, always kind and faithful to me. LEADER Speak, royal lady, what thy will, assured We want no second bidding, where our power In word or deed waits on our zeal: our hearts In this with honest duty shall obey thee. 175 ATOSSA Oft, since my son hath march'd his mighty host Against the lonians, warring to subdue Their country, have my slumbers been disturb'd With dreams of dread portent; but most last night, With marks of plainest proof. I'll tell thee then: 180 Alethought two women stood before my eyes Gorgeously vested, one in Persian robes Adorn'd, the other in the Doric garb. With more than mortal majesty they moved, Of peerless beauty; sisters too they seem'd, 185 Though distant each from each they chanced to dwell, In Greece the one, on the barbaric coast The other. 'Twixt them soon dissension rose: My son then hasted to compose their strife, Soothed them to fair accord, beneath his car 190 Yokes them, and reins their harness'd necks. The one, Exulting in her rich array, with pride Arching her stately neck, obey'd the reins; The other with indignant fury spurn'd The car, and dash'd it piecemeal, rent the reins, 195 And tore the yoke asunder; down my son Fell from the seat, and instant at his side His father stands, Darius, at his fall Impress'd with pity: him when Xerxes saw, Glowing with grief and shame he rends his robes. This was the dreadful vision of the night. 200 When I arose, in the sweet-flowing stream I bathed my hands, and on the incensed altars Presenting my oblations to the gods To avert these ills, an eagle I behold 205 Fly to the altar of the sun; aghast I stood, my friends, and speechless; when a hawk With eager speed runs thither, furious cuffs The eagle with his wings, and with his talons Unplumes his head; meantime the imperial bird Cowers to the blows defenceless. Dreadful this To me that saw it, and to you that hear. 210 My son, let conquest crown his arms, would shine With dazzling glory; but should Fortune frown, The state indeed presumes not to arraign His sovereignty; yet how, his honour lost, How shall he sway the sceptre of this land? LEADER We would not, royal lady, sink thy soul With fear in the excess, nor raise it high 215 With confidence. Go then, address the gods; If thou hast seen aught ill, entreat their power To avert that ill, and perfect ev'ry good To thee, thy sons, the state, and all thy friends. Then to the earth, and to the mighty dead Behooves thee pour libations; gently call 220 Him that was once thy husband, whom thou saw'st In visions of the night; entreat his shade From the deep realms beneath to send to light Triumph to thee and to thy son; whate'er Bears other import, to inwrap, to hide it Close in the covering earth's profoundest gloom. This, in the presage of my thoughts that flow Benevolent to thee, have I proposed; And all, we trust, shall be successful to thee. 225 ATOSSA Thy friendly judgment first hath placed these dreams In a fair light, confirming the event Benevolent to my son and to my house. May all the good be ratified! These rites Shall, at thy bidding, to the powers of heaven, And to the manes of our friends, be paid In order meet, when I return; meanwhile 230 Indulge me, friends, who wish to be inform'd Where, in what clime, the towers of Athens rise. LEADER Far in the west, where sets the imperial sun. ATOSSA Yet my son will'd the conquest of this town. LEADER May Greece through all her states bend to his power! ATOSSA Send they embattled numbers to the field? 235 LEADER A force that to the Medes hath wrought much wo. ATOSSA Have they sufficient treasures in their houses? LEADER Their rich earth yields a copious fount of silver. ATOSSA From the strong bow wing they the barbed shaft? LEADER They grasp the stout spear, and the massy shield. 240 ATOSSA What monarch reigns, whose power commands their ranks? LEADER Slaves to no lord, they own no kingly power. ATOSSA How can they then resist the invading foe? LEADER As to spread havoc through the numerous host, That round Darius form'd their glitt'ring files. ATOSSA Thy words strike deep, and wound the parent's breast Whose sons are march'd to such a dangerous field. 245 LEADER But, if I judge aright, thou soon shalt hear Each circumstance; for this way, mark him, speeds A Persian messenger; he bears, be sure, Tidings of high import, or good or ill. (A MESSENGER enters.) MESSENGER Wo to the towns through Asia's peopled realms! Wo to the land of Persia, once the port 250 Of boundless wealth, how is thy glorious state Vanish'd at once, and all thy spreading honours Fall'n, lost! Ah me! unhappy is his task That bears unhappy tidings: but constraint Compels me to relate this tale of wo. Persians, the whole barbaric host is fall'n. 255 CHORUS (chanting) O horror, horror! What a baleful train Of recent ills! Ah, Persians, as he speaks Of ruin, let your tears stream to the earth. MESSENGER It is ev'n so, all ruin; and myself, 260 Beyond all hope returning, view this light. CHORUS (chanting) How tedious and oppressive is the weight Of age, reserved to hear these hopeless ills! 265 MESSENGER I speak not from report; but these mine eyes Beheld the ruin which my tongue would utter. CHORUS (chanting) Wo, wo is me! Then has the iron storm, That darken'd from the realms of Asia, pour'd 270 In vain its arrowy shower on sacred Greece. MESSENGER In heaps the unhappy dead lie on the strand Of Salamis, and all the neighbouring shores. CHORUS (chanting) Unhappy friends, sunk, perish'd in the sea; 275 Their bodies, mid the wreck of shatter'd ships, Mangled, and rolling on the encumber'd waves! MESSENGER Naught did their bows avail, but all the troops In the first conflict of the ships were lost. CHORUS (chanting) Raise the funereal cry, with dismal notes 280 Wailing the wretched Persians. Oh, how ill They plann'd their measures, all their army perish'd! MESSENGER O Salamis, how hateful is thy name! And groans burst from me when I think of Athens. 285 CHORUS (chanting) How dreadful to her foes! Call to remembrance How many Persian dames, wedded in vain, Hath Athens of their noble husbands widow'd? ATOSSA Astonied with these ills, my voice thus long 290 Hath wanted utterance: griefs like these exceed The power of speech or question: yet ev'n such, Inflicted by the gods, must mortal man Constrain'd by hard necessity endure. But tell me all, without distraction tell me, All this calamity, though many a groan Burst from thy labouring heart. Who is not fallen? 295 What leader must we wail? What sceptred chief Dying hath left his troops without a lord? MESSENGER Xerxes himself lives, and beholds the light. ATOSSA That word beams comfort on my house, a ray 300 That brightens through the melancholy gloom. MESSENGER Artembares, the potent chief that led Ten thousand horse, lies slaughtered on the rocks Of rough Sileniae. The great Dadaces Beneath whose standard march'd a thousand horse, Pierced by a spear, fell headlong from the ship. 305 Tenagon, bravest of the Bactrians, lies Roll'd on the wave-worn beach of Ajax' isle. Lilaeus, Arsames, Argestes, dash With violence in death against the rocks Where nest the silver doves. Arcteus, that dwelt 310 Near to the fountains of the Egyptian Nile, Adeues, and Pheresba, and Pharnuchus Fell from one ship. Matallus, Chrysa's chief, That led his dark'ning squadrons, thrice ten thousand, 315 On jet-black steeds, with purple gore distain'd The yellow of his thick and shaggy beard. The Magian Arabus, and Artames From Bactra, mould'ring on the dreary shore Lie low. Amistris, and Amphistreus there 320 Grasps his war-wear spear; there prostrate lies The illustrious Ariomardus; long his los Shall Sardis weep: thy Mysian Sisames, And Tharybis, that o'er the burden'd deep Led five times fifty vessels; Lerna gave The hero birth, and manly race adorn'd His pleasing form, but low in death he lies 325 Unhappy in his fate. Syennesis, Cilicia's warlike chief, who dared to front The foremost dangers, singly to the foes A terror, there too found a glorious death. These chieftains to my sad remembrance rise, Relating but a few of many ills. 330 ATOSSA This is the height of ill, ah me! and shame To Persia, grief, and lamentation loud. But tell me this, afresh renew thy tale: What was the number of the Grecian fleet, That in fierce conflict their bold barks should dare 335 Rush to encounter with the Persian hosts. MESSENGER Know then, in numbers the barbaric fleet Was far superior: in ten squadrons, each Of thirty ships, Greece plough'd the deep; of these One held a distant station. Xerxes led 340 A thousand ships; their number well I know; Two hundred more, and seven, that swept the seas With speediest sail: this was their full amount. And in the engagement seem'd we not secure 345 Of victory? But unequal fortune sunk Our scale in fight, discomfiting our host. ATOSSA The gods preserve the city of Minerva. MESSENGER The walls of Athens are impregnable, Their firmest bulwarks her heroic sons. ATOSSA Which navy first advanced to the attack? 350 Who led to the onset, tell me; the bold Greeks, Or, glorying in his numerous fleet, my son? MESSENGER Our evil genius, lady, or some god Hostile to Persia, led to ev'ry ill. Forth from the troops of Athens came a Greek, 355 And thus address'd thy son, the imperial Xerxes:- "Soon as the shades of night descend, the Grecians Shall quit their station; rushing to their oars They mean to separate, and in secret flight 360 Seek safety." At these words, the royal chief, Little conceiving of the wiles of Greece And gods averse, to all the naval leaders Gave his high charge:-"Soon as yon sun shall cease To dart his radiant beams, and dark'ning night Ascends the temple of the sky, arrange 365 In three divisions your well-ordered ships, And guard each pass, each outlet of the seas: Others enring around this rocky isle Of Salamis. Should Greece escape her fate, And work her way by secret flight, your heads 370 Shall answer the neglect." This harsh command He gave, exulting in his mind, nor knew What Fate design'd. With martial discipline And prompt obedience, snatching a repast, Each mariner fix'd well his ready oar. 375 Soon as the golden sun was set, and night Advanced, each train'd to ply the dashing oar, Assumed his seat; in arms each warrior stood, Troop cheering troop through all the ships of war. 380 Each to the appointed station steers his course; And through the night his naval force each chief Fix'd to secure the passes. Night advanced, But not by secret flight did Greece attempt 385 To escape. The morn, all beauteous to behold, Drawn by white steeds bounds o'er the enlighten'd earth; At once from ev'ry Greek with glad acclaim Burst forth the song of war, whose lofty notes The echo of the island rocks return'd, 390 Spreading dismay through Persia's hosts, thus fallen From their high hopes; no flight this solemn strain Portended, but deliberate valour bent On daring battle; while the trumpet's sound Kindled the flames of war. But when their oars 395 The paean ended, with impetuous force Dash'd the resounding surges, instant all Rush'd on in view: in orderly array The squadron on the right first led, behind Rode their whole fleet; and now distinct we heard 400 From ev'ry part this voice of exhortation:- "Advance, ye sons of Greece, from thraldom save Your country, save your wives, your children save, The temples of your gods, the sacred tomb Where rest your honour'd ancestors; this day The common cause of all demands your valour." 405 Meantime from Persia's hosts the deep'ning shout Answer'd their shout; no time for cold delay; But ship 'gainst ship its brazen beak impell'd. First to the charge a Grecian galley rush'd; Ill the Phoenician bore the rough attack, 410 Its sculptured prow all shatter'd. Each advanced Daring an opposite. The deep array Of Persia at the first sustain'd the encounter; But their throng'd numbers, in the narrow seas Confined, want room for action; and, deprived Of mutual aid, beaks clash with beaks, and each 415 Breaks all the other's oars: with skill disposed The Grecian navy circled them around With fierce assault; and rushing from its height The inverted vessel sinks: the sea no more Wears its accustomed aspect, with foul wrecks And blood disfigured; floating carcasses 420 Roll on the rocky shores: the poor remains Of the barbaric armament to flight Ply every oar inglorious: onward rush The Greeks amid the ruins of the fleet, As through a shoal of fish caught in the net, Spreading destruction: the wide ocean o'er 425 Wailings are heard, and loud laments, till night With darkness on her brow brought grateful truce. Should I recount each circumstance of wo, Ten times on my unfinished tale the sun 430 Would set; for be assured that not one day Could close the ruin of so vast a host. ATOSSA Ah, what a boundless sea of wo hath burst On Persia, and the whole barbaric race! MESSENGER These are not half, not half our ills; on these 435 Came an assemblage of calamities, That sunk us with a double weight of wo. ATOSSA What fortune can be more unfriendly to us Than this? Say on, what dread calamity Sunk Persia's host with greater weight of wo. 440 MESSENGER Whoe'er of Persia's warriors glow'd in prime Of vig'rous youth, or felt their generous souls Expand with courage, or for noble birth Shone with distinguish'd lustre, or excell'd In firm and duteous loyalty, all these Are fall'n, ignobly, miserably fall'n. ATOSSA Alas, their ruthless fate, unhappy friends! 445 But in what manner, tell me, did they perish? MESSENGER Full against Salamis an isle arises, Of small circumference, to the anchor'd bark Unfaithful; on the promontory's brow, That overlooks the sea, Pan loves to lead The dance: to this the monarch sends these chiefs, 450 That when the Grecians from their shatter'd ships Should here seek shelter, these might hew them down An easy conquest, and secure the strand To their sea-wearied friends; ill judging what The event: but when the fav'ring god to Greece Gave the proud glory of this naval fight, 455 Instant in all their glitt'ring arms they leap'd From their light ships, and all the island round Encompass'd, that our bravest stood dismay'd; While broken rocks, whirl'd with tempestuous force, 460 And storms of arrows crush'd them; then the Greeks Rush to the attack at once, and furious spread The carnage, till each mangled Persian fell. 465 Deep were the groans of Xerxes when he saw This havoc; for his seat, a lofty mound Commanding the wide sea, o'erlook'd his hosts. With rueful cries he rent his royal robes, And through his troops embattled on the shore Gave signal of retreat; then started wild, And fled disorder'd. To the former ills 470 These are fresh miseries to awake thy sighs. ATOSSA Invidious Fortune, how thy baleful power Hath sunk the hopes of Persia! Bitter fruit My son hath tasted from his purposed vengeance On Athens, famed for arms; the fatal field Of Marathon, red with barbaric blood, 475 Sufficed not; that defeat he thought to avenge, And pull'd this hideous ruin on his head. But tell me, if thou canst, where didst thou leave The ships that happily escaped the wreck? MESSENGER The poor remains of Persia's scatter'd fleet 480 Spread ev'ry sail for flight, as the wind drives, In wild disorder; and on land no less The ruin'd army; in Boeotia some, With thirst oppress'd, at Crene's cheerful rills Were lost; forespent with breathless speed some pass The fields of Phocis, some the Doric plain, 485 And near the gulf of Melia, the rich vale Through which Sperchius rolls his friendly stream. Achaea thence and the Thessalian state Received our famish'd train; the greater part 490 Through thirst and hunger perish'd there, oppress'd At once by both: but we our painful steps Held onwards to Magnesia, and the land Of Macedonia, o'er the ford of Axius, And Bolbe's sedgy marshes, and the heights Of steep Pangaeos, to the realms of Thrace. 495 That night, ere yet the season, breathing frore, Rush'd winter, and with ice incrusted o'er The flood of sacred Strymon: such as own'd No god till now, awe-struck, with many a prayer Adored the earth and sky. When now the troops Had ceased their invocations to the gods, 500 O'er the stream's solid crystal they began Their march; and we, who took our early way, Ere the sun darted his warm beams, pass'd safe: But when this burning orb with fiery rays Unbound the middle current, down they sunk 505 Each over other; happiest he who found The speediest death: the poor remains, that 'scaped, With pain through Thrace dragg'd on their toilsome march, A feeble few, and reach'd their native soil; 510 That Persia sighs through all her states, and mourns Her dearest youth. This is no feigned tale: But many of the ills, that burst upon us In dreadful vengeance, I refrain to utter. (The MESSENGER withdraws.) LEADER OF THE CHORUS O Fortune, heavy with affliction's load, 515 How hath thy foot crush'd all the Persian race! ATOSSA Ah me, what sorrows for our ruin'd host Oppress my soul! Ye visions of the night Haunting my dreams, how plainly did you show These ills!-You set them in too fair a light. Yet, since your bidding hath in this prevail'd, 520 First to the gods wish I to pour my prayers, Then to the mighty dead present my off 'rings, Bringing libations from my house: too late, I know, to change the past; yet for the future, 525 If haply better fortune may await it, Behooves you, on this sad event, to guide Your friends with faithful counsels. Should my son Return ere I have finish'd, let your voice Speak comfort to him; friendly to his house 530 Attend him, nor let sorrow rise on sorrows. (ATOSSA and her retinue go out.) CHORUS (singing) Awful sovereign of the skies, When now o'er Persia's numerous host Thou badest the storm with ruin rise, All her proud vaunts of glory lost, Ecbatana's imperial head 535 By thee was wrapp'd in sorrow's dark'ning shade; Through Susa's palaces with loud lament, By their soft hands their veils all rent, The copious tear the virgins pour, That trickles their bare bosoms o'er. 540 From her sweet couch up starts the widow'd bride, Her lord's loved image rushing on her soul, Throws the rich ornaments of youth aside, And gives her griefs to flow without control: Her griefs not causeless; for the mighty slain 545 Our melting tears demand, and sorrow-soften'd strain. Now her wailings wide despair Pours these exhausted regions o'er: Xerxes, ill-fated, led the war; 550 Xerxes, ill-fated, leads no more; Xerxes sent forth the unwise command, The crowded ships unpeopled all the land; That land, o'er which Darius held his reign, Courting the arts of peace, in vain, 555 O'er all his grateful realms adored, The stately Susa's gentle lord. Black o'er the waves his burden'd vessels sweep, For Greece elate the warlike squadrons fly; 560 Now crush'd, and whelm'd beneath the indignant deep The shatter'd wrecks and lifeless heroes lie: While, from the arms of Greece escaped, with toil 565 The unshelter'd monarch roams o'er Thracia's dreary soil. The first in battle slain By Cychrea's craggy shore 570 Through sad constraint, ah me! forsaken lie, All pale and smear'd with gore:- Raise high the mournful strain, And let the voice of anguish pierce the sky: 575 Or roll beneath the roaring tide, By monsters rent of touch abhorr'd; While through the widow'd mansion echoing wide Sounds the deep groan, and wails its slaughter'd lord: Pale with his fears the helpless orphan there 580 Gives the full stream of plaintive grief to flow; While age its hoary head in deep despair Bends; list'ning to the shrieks of wo. With sacred awe The Persian law No more shall Asia's realms revere; 585 To their lord's hand At his command, No more the exacted tribute bear. Who now falls prostrate at the monarch's throne? His regal greatness is no more. 590 Now no restraint the wanton tongue shall own, Free from the golden curb of power; For on the rocks, wash'd by the beating flood, 595 His awe commanding nobles lie in blood. (ATOSSA returns, clad in the garb of mourning; she carries offerings for the tomb of Darius.) ATOSSA Whoe'er, my friends, in the rough stream of life Hath struggled with affliction, thence is taught That, when the flood begins to swell, the heart Fondly fears all things; when the fav'ring gale 600 Of Fortune smooths the current, it expands With unsuspecting confidence, and deems That gale shall always breathe. So to my eyes All things now wear a formidable shape, And threaten from the gods: my ears are pierced With sounds far other than of song. Such ills 605 Dismay my sick'ning soul: hence from my house Nor glitt'ring car attends me, nor the train Of wonted state, while I return, and bear Libations soothing to the father's shade In the son's cause; delicious milk, that foams 610 White from the sacred heifer; liquid honey, Extract of flowers; and from its virgin fount The running crystal; this pure draught, that flow'd From the ancient vine, of power to bathe the spirits 615 In joy; the yellow olive's fragrant fruit, That glories in its leaves' unfading verdure; With flowers of various hues, earth's fairest offspring Inwreathed. But you, my friends, amid these rites Raise high your solemn warblings, and invoke 620 Your lord, divine Darius; I meanwhile Will pour these off'rings to the infernal gods. CHORUS (chanting) Yes, royal lady, Persia's honour'd grace, To earth's dark chambers pour thy off'rings: we With choral hymns will supplicate the powers 625 That guide the dead, to be propitious to us. And you, that o'er the realms of night extend Your sacred sway, thee mighty earth, and the Hermes; thee chief, tremendous king, whose throne Awes with supreme dominion, I adjure: Send, from your gloomy regions, send his shade 630 Once more to visit this ethereal light; That he alone, if aught of dread event He sees yet threat'ning Persia, may disclose To us poor mortals Fate's extreme decree. Hears the honour'd godlike king? These barbaric notes of wo, 635 Taught in descant sad to ring, Hears he in the shades below? Thou, O Earth, and you, that lead Through your sable realms the dead, Guide him as he takes his way, And give him to the ethereal light of day! Let the illustrious shade arise 640 Glorious in his radiant state, More than blazed before our eyes, Ere sad Susa mourn'd his fate. Dear he lived, his tomb is dear, Shrining virtues we revere: 645 Send then, monarch of the dead, Such as Darius was, Darius' shade. 650 He in realm-unpeopling war Wasted not his subjects' blood, Godlike in his will to spare, In his councils wise and good. 655 Rise then, sovereign lord, to light; On this mound's sepulchral height 660 Lift thy sock in saffron died, And rear thy rich tiara's regal pride! Great and good, Darius, rise: 665 Lord of Persia's lord, appear: Thus involved with thrilling cries Come, our tale of sorrow hear! War her Stygian pennons spreads, Brooding darkness o'er our heads; For stretch'd along the dreary shore The flow'r of Asia lies distain'd with gore. 670 Rise, Darius, awful power; Long for thee our tears shall flow. Why thy ruin'd empire o'er Swells this double flood of wo? 675 Sweeping o'er the azure tide Rode thy navy's gallant pride: Navy now no more, for all Beneath the whelming wave. 680 (While the CHORUS Sings, ATOSSA performs her ritual by the tomb. As the song concludes the GHOST OF DARIUS appears from the tomb.) GHOST OF DARIUS Ye faithful Persians, honour'd now in age, Once the companions of my youth, what ills Afflict the state? The firm earth groans, it opes, Disclosing its vast deeps; and near my tomb I see my wife: this shakes my troubled soul With fearful apprehensions; yet her off'rings 685 Pleased I receive. And you around my tomb Chanting the lofty strain, whose solemn air Draws forth the dead, with grief-attemper'd notes Mournfully call me: not with ease the way Leads to this upper air; and the stern gods, Prompt to admit, yield not a passage back 690 But with reluctance: much with them my power Availing, with no tardy step I come. Say then, with what new ill doth Persia groan? CHORUS (chanting) My wonted awe o'ercomes me; in thy presence 695 I dare not raise my eyes, I dare not speak. GHOST OF DARIUS Since from the realms below, by thy sad strains Adjured, I come, speak; let thy words be brief; Say whence thy grief, tell me unawed by fear. CHORUS (chanting) I dread to forge a flattering tale, I dread 700 To grieve thee with a harsh offensive truth. GHOST OF DARIUS Since fear hath chained his tongue, high-honour'd dame, Once my imperial consort, check thy tears, Thy griefs, and speak distinctly. Mortal man 705 Must bear his lot of wo; afflictions rise Many from sea, many from land, if life Be haply measured through a lengthen'd course. ATOSSA O thou that graced with Fortune's choicest gifts Surpassing mortals, while thine eye beheld Yon sun's ethereal rays, lived'st like a god 710 Bless'd amid thy Persians; bless'd I deem thee now In death, ere sunk in this abyss of ills, Darius, hear at once our sum of wo; Ruin through all her states hath crush'd thy Persia. GHOST OF DARIUS By pestilence, or faction's furious storms? 715 ATOSSA Not so: near Athens perish'd all our troops. GHOST OF DARIUS Say, of my sons, which led the forces thither? ATOSSA The impetuous Xerxes, thinning all the land. GHOST OF DARIUS By sea or land dared he this rash attempt? ATOSSA By both: a double front the war presented. 720 GHOST OF DARIUS A host so vast what march conducted o'er? ATOSSA From shore to shore he bridged the Hellespont. GHOST OF DARIUS What! could he chain the mighty Bosphorus? ATOSSA Ev'n so, some god assisting his design. GHOST OF DARIUS Some god of power to cloud his better sense. 725 ATOSSA The event now shows what mischiefs he achieved. GHOST OF DARIUS What suffer'd they, for whom your sorrows flow? ATOSSA His navy sunk spreads ruin through the camp. GHOST OF DARIUS Fell all his host beneath the slaught'ring spear? ATOSSA Susa, through all her streets, mourns her lost sons. 730 GHOST OF DARIUS How vain the succour, the defence of arms? ATOSSA In Bactra age and grief are only left. GHOST OF DARIUS Ah, what a train of warlike youth is lost! ATOSSA Xerxes, astonished, desolate, alone. GHOST OF DARIUS How will this end? Nay, pause not. Is he safe? 735 ATOSSA Fled o'er the bridge, that join'd the adverse strands. GHOST OF DARIUS And reach'd this shore in safety? Is this true? ATOSSA True are thy words, and not to be gainsay'd. GHOST OF DARIUS With what a winged course the oracles Haste their completion! With the lightning's speed Jove on my son hath hurled his threaten'd vengeance: 740 Yet I implored the gods that it might fall In time's late process: but when rashness drives Impetuous on, the scourge of Heaven upraised Lashes the Fury forward; hence these ills Pour headlong on my friends. Not weighing this, My son, with all the fiery pride of youth, Hath quickened their arrival, while he hoped To bind the sacred Hellespont, to hold 745 The raging Bosphorus, like a slave, in chains, And dared the advent'rous passage, bridging firm With links of solid iron his wondrous way, To lead his numerous host; and swell'd with thoughts Presumptuous, deem'd, vain mortal! that his power Should rise above the gods, and Neptune's might. And was riot this the phrensy of the soul? 750 But much I fear lest all my treasured wealth Fall to some daring hand an easy prey. ATOSSA This from too frequent converse with bad men The impetuous Xerxes learn'd; these caught his ear With thy great deeds, as winning for thy sons Vast riches with thy conquering spear, while he 755 Tim'rous and slothful, never, save in sport, Lifted his lance, nor added to the wealth Won by his noble fathers. This reproach Oft by bad men repeated, urged his soul To attempt this war, and lead his troops to Greece. GHOST OF DARIUS Great deeds have they achieved, and memorable For ages: never hath this wasted state 760 Suffer'd such ruin, since heaven's awful king Gave to one lord Asia's extended plains White with innumerous flocks, and to his hands Consign'd the imperial sceptre. Her brave hosts A Mede first led; the virtues of his son 765 Fix'd firm the empire, for his temperate soul Breathed prudence. Cyrus next, by fortune graced, Adorn'd the throne, and bless'd his grateful friends With peace: he to his mighty monarchy Join'd Lydia, and the Phrygians; to his power 770 Ionia bent reluctant; but the gods His son then wore the regal diadem. With victory his gentle virtues crown'd His son then wore the regal diadem. Next to disgrace his country, and to stain The splendid glories of this ancient throne, Rose Mardus: him, with righteous vengeance fired 775 Artaphernes, and his confederate chiefs Crush'd in his palace: Maraphis assumed The sceptre: after him Artaphernes. Me next to this exalted eminence, Crowning my great ambition, Fortune raised. In many a glorious field my glittering spear Flamed in the van of Persia's numerous hosts; 780 But never wrought such ruin to the state. Xerxes, my son, in all the pride of youth Listens to youthful counsels, my commands No more remember'd; hence, my hoary friends, Not the whole line of Persia's sceptred lords, 785 You know it well, so wasted her brave sons. LEADER OF THE CHORUS Why this? To what fair end are these thy words Directed? Sovereign lord, instruct thy Persians How, mid this ruin, best to guide their state. GHOST OF DARIUS No more 'gainst Greece lead your embattled hosts; 790 Not though your deep'ning phalanx spreads the field Outnumb'ring theirs: their very earth fights for them. LEADER What may thy words import? How fight for them? GHOST OF DARIUS With famine it destroys your cumbrous train. LEADER Choice levies, prompt for action, will we send, 795 GHOST OF DARIUS Those, in the fields of Greece that now remain, Shall not revisit safe the Persian shore. LEADER What! shall not all the host of Persia pass Again from Europe o'er the Hellespont? GHOST OF DARIUS Of all their numbers few, if aught avails 800 The faith of heaven-sent oracles to him That weighs the past, in their accomplishment Not partial: hence he left, in faithless hope Confiding, his selected train of heroes. These have their station where Asopus flows 805 Wat'ring the plain, whose grateful currents roll Diffusing plenty through Boeotia's fields. There misery waits to crush them with the load Of heaviest ills, in vengeance for their proud And impious daring; for where'er they held Through Greece their march, they fear'd not to profane 810 The statues of the gods; their hallow'd shrines Emblazed, o'erturn'd their altars, and in ruins, Rent from their firm foundations, to the ground Levell'd their temples; such their frantic deeds, Nor less their suff'rings; greater still await them; For Vengeance hath not wasted all her stores; 815 The heap yet swells; for in Plataea's plains Beneath the Doric spear the clotted mas Of carnage shall arise, that the high mounds, Piled o'er the dead, to late posterity Shall give this silent record to men's eyes, 820 That proud aspiring thoughts but ill beseem Weak mortals: for oppression, when it springs, Puts forth the blade of vengeance, and its fruit Yields a ripe harvest of repentant wo. Behold this vengeance, and remember Greece, Remember Athens: henceforth let not pride, Her present state disdaining, strive to grasp 825 Another's, and her treasured happiness Shed on the ground: such insolent attempts Awake the vengeance of offended Jove. But you, whose age demands more temperate thoughts, With words of well-placed counsel teach his youth 830 To curb that pride, which from the gods calls down Destruction on his head. (To ATOSSA) And thou, whose age The miseries of thy Xerxes sink with sorrow, Go to thy house, thence choose the richest robe, And meet thy son; for through the rage of grief 835 His gorgeous vestments from his royal limbs Are foully rent. With gentlest courtesy Soothe his affliction; for is duteous ear, I know, will listen to thy voice alone. Now to the realms of darkness I descend. My ancient friends, farewell, and mid these ills 840 Each day in pleasures battle your drooping spirits, For treasured riches naught avail the dead. (The GHOST OF DARIUS vanishes into the tomb.) LEADER These many present, many future ills Denounced on Persia, sink my soul with grief. ATOSSA Unhappy fortune, what a tide of ills 845 Bursts o'er me! Chief this foul disgrace, which shows My son divested of his rich attire, His royal robes all rent, distracts my thoughts. But I will go, choose the most gorgeous vest, And liaste to meet my son. Ne'er in his woes 850 Will I forsake whom my soul holds most dear. (ATOSSA departs as the CHORUS begins its song.) CHORUS Ye powers that rule the skies, Memory recalls our great, our happy fate, Our well-appointed state, 855 The scenes of glory opening to our eyes, When this vast empire o'er The good Darius, with each virtue bless'd That forms a monarch's breast, Shielding his subjects with a father's care 860 Invincible in war, Extended like a god his awful power, Then spread our arms their glory wide, Guarding to peace her golden reign: Each tower'd city saw with pride Safe from the toils of war her homeward-marching train. Nor Haly's shallow strand 865 He pass'd, nor from his palace moved his state; He spoke; his word was Fate. What strong-based cities could his might withstand? Not those that lift their heads Where to the sea the floods of Strymon pass, Leaving the huts of Thrace; 870 Nor those, that far the extended ocean o'er Stand girt with many a tower; Nor where the Hellespont his broad wave spreads; Nor the firm bastions' rampired might, 875 Whose foot the deep Propontis laves; Nor those, that glorying in their height Frown o'er the Pontic sea, and shade his darken'd waves. Each sea-girt isle around 880 Bow'd to this monarch: humbled Lesbos bow'd; Paros, of its marble proud; Naxos with vines, with olives Samos crown'd: Him Myconos adored; Chios, the seat of beauty; Andros steep, 885 That stretches o'er the deep To meet the wat'ry Tenos; him each bay Bound by the Icarian sea, 890 Him Melos, Gnidus, Rhodes confess'd their lord; O'er Cyprus stretch'd his sceptred hand: Paphos and Solos own'd his power, And Salamis, whose hostile strand, 895 The cause of all our wo, is red with Persian gore. Ev'n the proud towns, that rear'd Sublime along the lonian coast their towers, Where wealth her treasures pours, Peopled from Greece, his prudent reign revered. 900 With such unconquer'd might His hardy warriors shook the embattled fields, Heroes that Persia yields, And those from distant realms that took their way, And wedged in close array Beneath his glitt'ring banners claim'd the fight. But now these glories are no more: 905 Farewell the big war's plumed pride: The gods have crush'd this trophied power; Sunk are our vanquish'd arms beneath the indignant tide. (XERXES enters, with a few followers. His royal raiment is torn, The entire closing scene is sung or chanted.) XERXES Ah me, how sudden have the storms of Fate, Beyond all thought, all apprehension, burst On my devoted head! O Fortune, Fortune! 910 With what relentless fury hath thy hand Hurl'd desolation on the Persian race! Wo unsupportable! The torturing thought Of our lost youth comes rushing on my mind, And sinks me to the ground. O Jove, that I 915 Had died with those brave men that died in fight. CHORUS O thou afflicted monarch, once the lord Of marshall'd armies, of the lustre beam'd From glory's ray o'er Persia, of her sons 920 The pride, the grace, whom ruin now hath sunk In blood! The unpeopled land laments her youth By Xerxes led to slaughter, till the realms Of death are gorged with Persians; for the flower 925 Of all the realm, thousands, whose dreadful bows With arrowy shower annoy'd the foe, are fall'n. Your fall, heroic youths, distracts my soul. And Asia sinking on her knee, O king, 930 Oppress'd, with griefs oppress'd, bends to the earth. XERXES And I, O wretched fortune, I was born To crush, to desolate my ruin'd country! CHORUS I have no voice, no swelling harmony, 935 No descant, save these notes of wo, Harsh, and responsive to the sullen sigh, Rude strains, that unmelodious flow, To welcome thy return. 940 XERXES Then bid them flow, bid the wild measures flow Hollow, unmusical, the notes of grief; They suit my fortune, and dejected state. CHORUS Yes, at thy royal bidding shall the strain Pour the deep sorrows of my soul; 945 The suff'rings of my bleeding country plain, And bid the mournful measures roll. Again the voice of wild despair With thrilling shrieks shall pierce the air; XERXES For high the god of war his flaming crest 950 Raised, with the fleet of Greece surrounded, The haughty arms of Greece with conquest bless'd, And Persia's wither'd force confounded, Dash'd on the dreary beach her heroes slain, Or whelm'd them in the darken'd main. CHORUS To swell thy griefs ask ev'ry circumstance. 955 Where are thy valiant friends, thy chieftains where? Pharnaces, Susas, and the might Of Pelagon, and Dotamas? The spear Of Agabates bold in fight? Psammis in mailed cuirass dress'd, And Susiscanes' glitt'ring crest? 960 XERXES Dash'd from the Tyrian vessel on the rocks Of Salamis they sunk, and smear'd with gore 965 The heroes on the dreary strand are stretch'd. CHORUS Where is Pharnuchus? Ariomardus where, With ev'ry gentle virtue graced? Lilaeus, that from chiefs renown'd in war 970 His high-descended lineage traced? Where rears Sebalces his crown-circled head: Where Tharybis to battles bred, Artembares, Hystaechmes bold, Memphis, Masistress sheath'd in gold? XERXES Wretch that I am! These on the abhorred town Ogygian Athens, roll'd their glowing eyes 975 Indignant; but at once in the fierce shock Of battle fell, dash'd breathless on the ground. CHORUS There does the son of Batanochus lie, Through whose rich veins the unsullied blood 980 Of Susamus, down from the lineage high Of noble Mygabatas flow'd: Alpistus, who with faithful care Number'd the deep'ning files of war, The monarch's eye; on the ensanguined plain Low is the mighty warrior laid? Is great Aebares 'mong the heroes slain, And Partheus number'd with the dead?- Ah me! those bursting groans, deep-charged with wo, 985 The fate of Persia's princes show. XERXES To my grieved memory thy mournful voice, Tuned to the saddest notes of wo, recalls My brave friends lost; and my rent heart returns 990 In dreadful symphony the sorrowing strain. CHORUS Yet once more shall I ask thee, yet once more, Where is the Mardian Xanthes' might, The daring chief, that from the Pontic shore Led his strong phalanx to the fight? Anchares where, whose high-raised shield Flamed foremost in the embattled field? Where the high leaders of thy mail-clad horse, Daixis and Arsaces where? 995 Where Cigdadatas and Lythimnas' force, Waving untired his purple spear? Entomb'd, I saw them in the earth entomb'd; Nor did the rolling car with solemn state 1000 Attend their rites: I follow'd: low they lie XERXES (Ah me, the once great leaders of my host! Low in the earth, without their honours lie. CHORUS O wo, wo, wo! XERXES Unutterable wo CHORUS The demons of revenge have spread; 1005 And Ate from her drear abode below Rises to view the horrid deed. XERXES Dismay, and rout, and ruin, ills that wait On man's afflicted fortune, sink us down. CHORUS Dismay, and rout, and ruin on us wait, And all the vengeful storms of Fate: XERXES Ill flows on ill, on sorrows sorrows rise; 1010 CHORUS Misfortune leads her baleful train; Before the Ionian squadrons Persia flies, Or sinks ingulf'd beneath the main. Fall'n, fall'n is her imperial power, And conquest on her banners waits no more. XERXES At such a fall, such troops of heroes lost, How can my soul but sink in deep despair! Cease thy sad strain. 1015 CHORUS Is all thy glory lost? XERXES Seest thou these poor remains of my rent robes? CHORUS I see, I see. XERXES And this ill-furnish'd quiver? 1020 CHORUS Wherefore preserved? XERXES To store my treasured arrows. CHORUS Few, very few. XERXES And few my friendly aids. CHORUS I thought these Grecians shrunk appall'd at arms. 1025 XERXES No: they are bold and daring: these sad eyes Beheld their violent and deathful deeds. CHORUS The ruin, sayst thou, of thy shattered fleet? XERXES And in the anguish of my soul I rent My royal robes. 1030 CHORUS Wo, wo! XERXES And more than wo. CHORUS Redoubled, threefold wo! XERXES Disgrace to me, But triumph to the foe. CHORUS Are all thy powers In ruin crush'd? 1035 XERXES No satrap guards me now. CHORUS Thy faithful friends sunk in the roaring main. XERXES Weep, weep their loss, and lead me to my house; Answer my grief with grief, an ill return Of ills for ills. Yet once more raise that strain Lamenting my misfortunes; beat thy breast, Strike, heave the groan; awake the Mysian strain To notes of loudest wo; rend thy rich robes, Pluck up thy beard, tear off thy hoary locks, And battle thine eyes in tears: thus through the streets Solemn and slow with sorrow lead my steps; Lead to my house, and wail the fate of Persia. 1040 CHORUS Yes, once more at thy bidding shall the strain Pour the deep sorrows of my soul; The suff'rings of my bleeding untry plain, And bid the Mysian measures roll. Again the voice of wild despair With thrilling shrieks shall pierce the air; For high the god of war his flaming crest Raised, with the fleet of Greece surrounded, The haughty arms of Greece with conquest bless'd, And Persia's withered force confounded, Dash'd on the dreary beach her heroes slain., Or whelm'd them in the darken'd main. 1076 THE END -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Back to the List of Texts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last modified 9 January 1997