Darius

Since dread long ingrained in your mind restrains you,

cease, noble woman, venerable partner of my bed, from your tears and laments, speak to me with all frankness. Afflictions ordained for human life must, we know, befall mankind. For many calamities from the sea, many from the land, arise to mortal men if their span of life is extended far.

705

Atossa

O you who in prosperity surpassed all mortal men by your happy destiny,

since, so long as you gazed upon the beams of the sun, you lived a life of felicity, envied of all, in Persian eyes a god, so now too I consider you fortunate in that you died before you beheld the depth of our calamities. The whole tale, O Darius, you will hear in brief space of time: the power of Persia is ruined almost utterly.

710

Darius

How did it happen? Did some stroke of pestilence or factional strife come upon the State?

715

Atossa

Neither; but near Athens our whole host has been brought to ruin.

Darius

Tell me, what son of mine led our army there?

Atossa

Impetuous Xerxes, depopulating the whole surface of the continent.

Darius

Was it by land or sea that he made this mad expedition, the reckless man?

Atossa

By both. There was a twofold front of double armies.

720

Darius

But how was it that so vast a land force won a passage to the farther shore?

Atossa

By a clever device he yoked the Hellespont so as to gain a passage.

Darius

What! Did he succeed in closing the mighty Bosporus ?

Atossa

Yes indeed. One of the divine powers must have assisted him in his purpose.

Darius

Alas! Some mighty power came upon him so that he was not able to think clearly.

725

Atossa

Yes, since we can see the outcome, what ruin he wrought.

Darius

And how then did they fare that you now lament them?

Atossa

Disaster to the naval force brought ruin to the force on land.

Darius

And did the whole army utterly perish by the spear?

Atossa

Yes, and it is for this reason that the whole city of Susa groans at its desolation.

730

Darius

Alas for the loss of our warriors’ valiant force and defence!

Atossa

And the host of the Bactrians is lost, wholly destroyed: not even an old man is left.

Darius

Unhappy man, since he has brought to ruin the youth of our allies.

Atossa

But Xerxes, alone and forlorn, with scanty train, they say—

Darius

Met his end, how, tell me, and where? Of his safety is there any hope?

735

Atossa

To his joy he reached the bridge yoking the two continents.

Darius

And reached our continent in safety? Is this certain?

Atossa

Yes, a proven report establishes this. Doubt there is none.

Darius

Alas! The fulfilment of the oracles has indeed come swiftly, and it is my son upon whom

Zeus has caused their issue to descend. Yet I was confident that, only after long lapse of time, the gods would in some way bring them to accomplishment; nevertheless, when man hastens to his own undoing, the god too participates with him. A fountain of misfortune has now, I think, been discovered for all I love. A son of mine it was who, in his ignorance, brought these things to pass through youthful recklessness;

740

for he conceived the hope that he could by shackles, as if it were a slave, restrain the current of the sacred Hellespont , the Bosporus , a stream divine; he set himself to fashion a roadway of a new type, and, by casting upon it hammer-wrought fetters, made a spacious causeway for his mighty host. Mortal though he was, he thought in his folly that he would gain the mastery of all the gods,

745

yes, even over Poseidon. Must this not have been a disease of the soul that possessed my son? I fear that the plenteous treasure amassed by my toil may become the prey of the spoiler.

750

Atossa

This lesson impetuous Xerxes learned through conversation with evil men. For they kept telling him that, whereas you

won plentiful treasure for your children by your spear, he, on his part, through lack of manly spirit, played the warrior at home and did not increase his father’s wealth. Hearing such taunts many a time from evil counsellors, he planned this expedition and army against Hellas .

755

Darius

Therefore a calamity

dreadful and unforgettable has been caused by him, a desolating calamity such as never before befell this city of Susa since our Lord Zeus first ordained that one ruler should bear sway over all Asia with its flocks and wield the sceptre of its government.

760

For Medus was first to be the leader of its host; and another, his son, completed his work since wisdom ruled his spirit. Third, after him, Cyrus, blessed in good fortune, came to the throne and established peace for all his people.

765

The Lydians and Phrygians he won to his rule, and the whole of Ionia he subdued by force; for he won the favor of the gods through his right-mindedness. Fourth in succession, the son of Cyrus ruled the host. Fifth in the list, Mardus came to power, a disgrace to his native land

770

and to the ancient throne; but he was slain in his palace by the guile of noble Artaphrenes, with the help of friends whose duty this was. Sixth came Maraphis, and seventh Artaphrenes. ¹ And I in turn attained the lot I desired,

775

and many a campaign I made with a valiant force; but disaster so dire as this I brought not upon the state. Yet Xerxes my son, youth that he is, has the mind of youth and does not remember my injunctions. Be sure of this, my age-mates:

780

all of us who have held this sovereign power cannot be shown to have wrought ruin as great as this.

785

Chorus

What then, O king Darius? What is the intention of your words? How, after this reverse, may we, the people of Persia , best prosper in time to come?

Darius

If you do not take the field against the Hellenes’ land, even if the forces of the Medes outnumber theirs. The land itself is their ally.

790

Chorus

What do you mean? In what way their ally?

Darius

It wastes with famine an enemy force which is too large.

Chorus

But we will dispatch a force of select and easily managed troops.

795

Darius

Not even the host which now remains in Hellas will be able to return to safety.

Chorus

How is that? Will not the whole barbarian army cross from Europe over the Hellespont ?

Darius

Few indeed out of many, if it is right to put any faith in the oracles of Heaven, with regard to what has just been brought to pass; for they are fulfilled, not just some, while others fail. And if this is truth, it is through persuasion of vain hopes that he is leaving behind a body of picked troops.

800

They are now lingering where the plain is watered by the stream of Asopus which nourishes Boeotia ’s fields. Here they will meet their crowning disaster in requital for their presumptuous pride and impious thoughts. For, on reaching the land of Hellas ,

805

restrained by no religious awe, they ravaged the images of the gods and set fire to their temples. Altars have been destroyed, statues of the gods have been thrown from their bases in utter ruin and confusion. Therefore, since they wrought such evil, evil they suffer in no less measure; and other evils are still in store:

810

the spring of their woes is not yet quenched, but it still wells forth. For so great will be the mass of clotted gore spilled by the Dorian lance upon Plataean soil that heaps of dead will reveal, even to the third generation, a voiceless record for the eyes of men

815

that mortal man should not vaunt himself excessively. For presumptuous pride, when it has matured, bears as its fruit a crop of calamity, from which it reaps an abundant harvest of tears.
  Bear in mind that such are the penalties for deeds like these, and hold Athens and Hellas in your memory. Let no one of you,

820

through disdain of present fortune and lust for more, squander his abundant wealth. Zeus, in truth, is a chastiser of overweening pride and corrects with heavy hand. Therefore, now that my son has been warned to be prudent by the voice of God,

825

instruct him with admonitions of reason to cease from drawing the punishment of Heaven on himself by his vaunting rashness. And as for you, beloved and venerable mother of Xerxes, withdraw to the palace and bring from there clothing which is suitable for him, and prepare to meet your son. For

830

through grief at his misfortunes, the embroidered apparel which he was wearing has been torn into tattered shreds. Soothe him with words of kindness; for it is to your voice alone, I know, that he will listen. As for me, I depart to the darkness beneath the earth.

835

Farewell, Elders, and despite your troubles, rejoice while each day is yours; for wealth does not profit the dead at all. The ghost of Darius descends

840

Chorus

I grieve as I hear the many misfortunes that are now, and are yet to be, the lot of the barbarians.

Atossa

O God! How much grief assails me! But most of all this sorrow wounds me, to hear of the shameful clothes which are now worn by my son. But I will depart, and when I have brought appropriate garments from the palace,

845

I will make attempt to meet my son; for I will not forsake him whom I love so well in his affliction. Exit

850

ATOSSA

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.

ATOSSA

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?

ATOSSA

Both. There was a twofold face of two armaments.

GHOST OF DARIUS

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.

GHOST OF DARIUS

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.

GHOST OF DARIUS

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.

GHOST OF DARIUS

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.

GHOST OF DARIUS

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

.

GHOST OF DARIUS

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

?

GHOST OF DARIUS

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—

GHOST OF DARIUS

—ended how and where? is there any escape?

ATOSSA

—arrived gladly at the bridge that links the two continents 4

.

GHOST OF DARIUS

—and reached in this continent? is this true?

ATOSSA

Yes: a clear account prevails; in this, at all events, there is no dispute.

GHOST OF DARIUS

LA REINE

O toi dont l'heureuse fortune a dépassé la félicité de tous les mortels — puisque, aussi longtemps que
tu as vu les rayons du soleil, tu as vécu, envié des Perses, une vie de béatitude pareille à celle d'un dieu, et qu'aujourd'hui encore je dois t'envier d'être mort avant d'avoir vu s'ouvrir l'abîme de nos douleurs — tu vas tout savoir en peu de mots, Darios : la puissance perse, je puis le dire, est anéantie.

DARIOS

Et comment ? est-ce la famine, est-ce la guerre civile qui s'est abattue sur l'État ?

LA REINE

Non, mais près d'Athènes notre armée a péri tout entière.

DARIOS

Quel de mes fils a donc là-bas porté la guerre ?

LA REINE

L'impétueux Xerxès, en vidant les plaines de notre continent.

DARIOS

Est-ce par terre ou mer qu'il a, le malheureux, tenté cette folie ?

LA REINE

Par les deux routes à la fois : ses deux armées offraient un double front.

DARIOS

Et comment telle armée de terre est-elle arrivée à franchir la mer ?

LA REINE

Il a jeté ses engins comme un joug sur le détroit d'Hellé, pour se faire un passage.

DARIOS

Il a été jusque là ! fermer le grand Bosphore !

LA REINE

Un dieu sans doute avait touché ses esprits.

DARIOS

Terrible dieu, pour l'avoir à ce point aveuglé !

LA REINE

Le dénouement en effet est là : quelle ruine il a consommée !

DARIOS

Mais qu'est-il advenu de nos troupes, pour que vous gémissiez ainsi ?

LA REINE

La débâcle de l'armée navale a perdu l'armée de terre.

DARIOS

Le désastre est-il si complet qu'un peuple entier ait péri au combat ?

LA REINE

Si complet que tout Suse pleure, désormais vide de ses hommes...

DARIOS

Hélas ! sur notre armée, notre bon soutien, notre réconfort !

LA REINE

que le peuple bactrien succombait, anéanti, et n'aura plus de vieillards...

DARIOS

Le malheureux ! quelle jeunesse il a pris à nos alliés !

LA REINE

Et que Xerxès, dit-on, seul, abandonné, avec de rares compagnons...

DARIOS

Comment et où a-t-il vu s'achever son sort ? est-il pour lui une chance de salut ?

LA REINE

— a été trop heureux d'atteindre le pont qui joignait les deux continents...

DARIOS

Et serait parvenu vivant en Asie : est-ce vrai ?

LA REINE

Oui, sur ce point, des rapports précis font foi, et nul désaccord.

DARIOS

Ah !

ATOSSA.

Not ſo: near Athens periſh'd all our troops.

DARIUS.

Say, of my ſons which led the forces thither?

ATOSSA.

Th' impetuous Xerxes, thinning all the land.

DARIUS.

By ſea or land dared he this raſh attempt?

865

ATOSSA.

By both: a double front the war preſented.

DARIUS.

An hoſt ſo vaſt what march conducted o'er?

ATOSSA.

From ſhore to ſhore he bridg'd the Helleſpont.

DARIUS.

What, cou'd he chain the mighty Boſphorus?

ATOSSA.

E'en ſo, ſome God aſſiſting his deſign,

870

DARIUS.

Some God of pow'r to cloud his better ſenſe.

ATOSSA.

Th' event now ſhows what miſchiefs he atchiev'd.

DARIUS.

What ſuffer'd they, for whom your ſorrows flow?

ATOSSA.

His navy ſunk ſpreads ruin thro' the camp.

DARIUS.

Fell all his hoſt beneath the ſlaught'ring ſpear?

875

ATOSSA.

Suſa, thro' all her ſtreets, mourns her loſt ſons.

DARIUS.

How vain the ſuccour, the defence of arms?

ATOSSA.

In Bactra age and grief are only left.

DARIUS.

Ah, what a train of warlike youth is loſt!

ATOSSA.

Xerxes, aſtoniſh'd, deſolate, alone-

880

DARIUS.

How will this end? Nay, pauſe not. Is he ſafe?

ATOSSA.

Fled o'er the bridge, that join'd the adverſe

ſtrands.

DARIUS.

And reach'd this ſhore in ſafety? Is this true?

ATOSSA.

True are thy words, and not to be gainſaid.

885

DARIUS.

ATOSSA

No: ma tutta contro Atene si fiaccò la nostra possa.

815

DARIO

E qual mai dei miei figliuoli, mosse, dimmi, a questa guerra?

ATOSSA

Serse fu, l'impetuoso, che vuotò d'Asia ogni terra.

DARIO

E per terra o su navigli prova tal tentò lo stolto?

ATOSSA

E per terra e in mare: doppio dell'esercito fu il volto.

DARIO

Come dunque a tanto esercito di pedoni il passo apria?

820

ATOSSA

Cinse un giogo, all'Ellesponto, di congegni, e aprí la via.

DARIO

E tanta opera ardí compiere? Il gran Bosforo rinchiuse?

ATOSSA

Tanto fece: senza dubbio tal pensiero un Dio gl'infuse.

DARIO

Ahi! Possente giunse un Dèmone che gli tolse l'intelletto.

ATOSSA

Quale male suscitasse, puoi vederlo dall'effetto.

825

DARIO

E che cosa avvenne adesso che il tuo pianto provocò?

ATOSSA

La rovina della flotta l'altre schiere sterminò.

DARIO

Sterminata sotto l'aste fu cosí tutta la gente?

ATOSSA

Tanto, ch'or, deserta d'uomini, piange Susa amaramente.

DARIO

Che? L'esercito è perduto, nostro ausilio e baluardo?

830

ATOSSA

Tutto il popolo dei Battrî sterminato e niun vegliardo.

DARIO

Ahi!, tapino! E tanta dunque gioventú per lui si perse!

ATOSSA

Dicon poi che, derelitto, con pochi altri, il solo Serse...

DARIO

Morto anch'egli? Come e dove? O trovò scampo da morte?

ATOSSA

Giunse al ponte che congiunge le due sponde; e fu gran sorte.

835

DARIO

È ben certo questo? E salvo fu, giungendo al nostro lido?

ATOSSA

Bene esplicito, e contrasto non si dà, ne corre il grido.

DARIO

Ato.

Nequağ, sed circu Athenas ois exercitus interijt.

Da.

Quis meoru filiorŭ illuc duxit exercitu?dicito.

Ato.

Bellicofus Xerxes euacuas totū cõtinētis folũ.

665

Da.

Pedestri itinere, ait amarihac experientia.ſtultè egit mifer.

Ato. Vtroque modo, duplex agmě erat duorŭ ducu.

Dar.

Quõ tatus exercitus pedestris potuit traſire?

Ato.

Machinis cõruxit fretű Elles, ut uadū habuerint.

Dar.

Et hoc fecit, ut Bosphorŭ decantaret magnu.

670

Ato.

Sic se babet, huius rei fententia aliquis Deorum illi adaptauit.

Da.

Heu magnus aliqs uenit demõ, ne ſaperet bene.

Ato.

Vt tande liceat uidere, quali modo mala peracta ſint.

Da.

Quid iſtis peractis, lugetis fic?

Ato.

Naualis exercitus profligatus, pdidit pedestrē exercitum.

675

Da.

Sic igitur funditus perijt omnisexercitus hasta.

Ato.

Ad hæc ut Suforŭ urbs lugeat hominŭ uacuitatē.

Da.

O damones uacui auxilij,& cure exercitus

Ato.

Bactriorum corruptus est omnis populus neqs fenex

Da.

O' miſer, quale pubě ſociorŭ perdidit?

680

At.

Solŭ uerò Xerxě defertũ nõ cũ multis aiūt remafiße.

Da.

Quo quò euaſitenŭ aliqua ſalus erat?

Ato.

Lubētē aiut illu põtē annexū duob.i locis trafiuiſſe.

D.

Et ad häc cõtinëtë feruatu eße, nữ hoc ueru(se.

Ato.

Ne fermo uerus uincit, in hoc no eſt dißidiū.

685

Da.

Atossa

Neither! by Athens' fatal shores our army met its end.

730

Ghost of Darius

Which of my children led our host to Athens? speak and say.

Atossa

The froward Xerxes, leaving all our realm to disarray.

Ghost of Darius

Was it with army or with fleet on folly's quest he went?

Atossa

With both alike, a twofold front of double armament.

Ghost of Darius

And how then did so large a host on foot pass o'er the sea?

735

Atossa

He bridged the ford of Helle's strait by artful carpentry.

Ghost of Darius

How? could his craft avail to span the torrent of that tide?

Atossa

'Tis sooth I say—some unknown power did fatal help provide!

Ghost of Darius

Alas, that power in malice came, to his bewilderment!

Atossa

Alas, we see the end of all, the ruin on us sent.

740

Ghost of Darius

Speak, tell me how they fared therein, that thus ye mourn and weep?

Atossa

Disaster to the army came, through ruin on the deep!

Ghost of Darius

Is all undone? hath all the folk gone down before the foe?

Atossa

Yea, hark to Susa's mourning cry for warriors laid low!

Ghost of Darius

Alas for all our gallant aids, our Persia's help and pride!

745

Atossa

Ay! old with young, the Bactrian force hath perished at our side!

Ghost of Darius

Alas, my son! what gallant youths hath he sent down to death!

Atossa

Alone, or with a scanty guard—for so the rumour saith—

Ghost of Darius

He came—but how, and to what end? doth aught of hope remain?

Atossa

With joy he reached the bridge that spanned the Hellespontine main.

750

Ghost of Darius

How? is he safe, in Persian land? speak soothly, yea or nay!

Atossa

Clear and more clear the rumour comes, for no man to gainsay.

Ghost of Darius

Atossa.

Nimmermehr! Die Stadt Athen war's, die vertilgt dein ganzes Heer.

690

Dareios.

Sage, wer von meinen Söhnen führte dorthinaus das Volk?

Atossa.

Xerxes: ungestümen Muthes leert' er alles feste Land.

Dareios.

Hat mit Landmacht oder Seevolk er den Zug gewagt, der Thor?

Atoſſa.

Beides: zwiefach Stirn und Antlik zeigte sein zwiefältig Heer.

Dareios.

Wie hat solch zahlloses Landheer nur den Uebergang vollbracht?

695

Atossa.

Künstlich band er Helle's Fluten, schlug sich durch das Meer die Bahn.

Dareios.

Und gelang ihm das, verschloß er Bosporos' gewaltig Meer?

Atossa.

Wohl gelang's ihm, und ein Dämon, scheint es, half die That vollzieh'n.

Weh!

Dareios.

Mächtig stürmt' auf ihn ein Dämon, und berückte seinen Geist.

Atoſſa.

Ja, der Ausgang lehrt, (o Grauen!) welches Ziel der Frevel fand.

700

Dareios.

Welches Unglück denn betraf sie, daß ihr also seufzt und klagt?

Atoſſa.

Seine Seemacht rif das Landheer mit hinab in ihren Sturz.

Dareios.

Also ward die ganze Menge ganz hinweggerafft vom Speer?

Atoffa.

Dede, todt sieht alle Gassen Susa's Burg und jammert laut-

Dareios.

Götter, ach! Solch edles Kriegsheer sank dahin, des Landes Wall!

705

Atossa.

Auch der Baktrer armes Volk fiel, keine wehrlos greise Schaar.

Dareios.

Ha, der Thor! Welch tapfrer Jugend Blüte ward durch ihn geknickt!

Atossa.

Xerxes selbst, allein, verlassen, heißt es, nur mit Wenigen -

Dareios.

Wie und wo hat er geendet? Gibt es Rettung noch für ihn?

Atoſſa.

Froh gelangt' er auf die Brücke, welche Land mit Land vereint.

710

Dareios.

Und betrat er wohlbehalten unser Festland? Ist es wahr?

Atossa.

Also melden sichre Kunden, und kein Zwiespalt waltet hier.

Dareios.