In what way? came there any blast of pestilence, or a rebellion on the city?
ATOSSA
By no means; but the whole host hath been utterly destroyed about Athens.
By no means; but the whole host hath been utterly destroyed about Athens.
GHOST OF DARIUS
And which of my sons led an armament thither? tell me.
And which of my sons led an armament thither? tell me.
ATOSSA
Impetuous Xerxes, after draining the whole surface of the continent.
Impetuous Xerxes, after draining the whole surface of the continent.
GHOST OF DARIUS
Was it by land or by sea that he, wretched, made this mad attempt?
Was it by land or by sea that he, wretched, made this mad attempt?
ATOSSA
Both. There was a twofold face of two armaments.
Both. There was a twofold face of two armaments.
GHOST OF DARIUS
And how too did such large land forces accomplish their passage?
And how too did such large land forces accomplish their passage?
ATOSSA
With machines he bridged the frith of Helle, so as to have a passage.
With machines he bridged the frith of Helle, so as to have a passage.
GHOST OF DARIUS
And did he effect this, so as to shut up the mighty Bosporus?
And did he effect this, so as to shut up the mighty Bosporus?
ATOSSA
Such is the fact: but some daemon, I ween, abetted his inclination.
Such is the fact: but some daemon, I ween, abetted his inclination.
GHOST OF DARIUS
Alas! some mighty daemon came, so that he had not his right senses.
Alas! some mighty daemon came, so that he had not his right senses.
ATOSSA
Yes—so that we can see how evil an issue he accomplished.
Yes—so that we can see how evil an issue he accomplished.
GHOST OF DARIUS
And how fared they over whom ye are thus pouring your lament?
And how fared they over whom ye are thus pouring your lament?
ATOSSA
The naval force being worsted was the destruction of the land armament.
The naval force being worsted was the destruction of the land armament.
GHOST OF DARIUS
And hath the whole host thus utterly been destroyed by the spear?
And hath the whole host thus utterly been destroyed by the spear?
ATOSSA
Aye, so that, moreover, the whole city of Susa mourns its desolation
1
.
Aye, so that, moreover, the whole city of Susa mourns its desolation
1
.
GHOST OF DARIUS
O ye gods! good
2
was the support and assistance of the army!
O ye gods! good
2
was the support and assistance of the army!
ATOSSA
And the whole Bactrian population hath perished in utter ruin, and that no aged people
3
?
And the whole Bactrian population hath perished in utter ruin, and that no aged people
3
?
GHOST OF DARIUS
O wretched man! how much of the youth of our allies then hath he destroyed.
O wretched man! how much of the youth of our allies then hath he destroyed.
ATOSSA
They say too that Xerxes alone and destitute, with not many—
They say too that Xerxes alone and destitute, with not many—
GHOST OF DARIUS
—ended how and where? is there any escape?
—ended how and where? is there any escape?
ATOSSA
—arrived gladly at the bridge that links the two continents
4
.
—arrived gladly at the bridge that links the two continents
4
.
GHOST OF DARIUS
—and reached in this continent? is this true?
—and reached in this continent? is this true?
ATOSSA
Yes: a clear account prevails; in this, at all events, there is no dispute.
Yes: a clear account prevails; in this, at all events, there is no dispute.
GHOST OF DARIUS
Persians. Aeschylus. Theodore Alois Buckley (Translator). London. 1849.
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