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Atossa
For this very reason I have left the gold-decorated palace
and the chamber which belongs to Darius and myself, and have come here. My heart, too, is racked with anxiety, and to you, my friends, will I make a disclosure. For I am by no means free from apprehension that wealth, grown great, will, raising a cloud of dust upon the ground, trip up the prosperity which Darius raised not without the favor of some god.
160
It is for this reason that there is a double concern in my mind: neither to hold in honor vast wealth without men, and that the light of success does not shine, in proportion to their strength, on men without riches. Our wealth, at all events, is ample, but my anxiety is for the light, the salvation of the house, which I regard to be the presence of its lord.
165
Therefore, since things stand as they do, lend me your counsel in this concern, Persians, my aged trusty servants. For all my hopes of good counsel depend on you.
170
For this very reason I have left the gold-decorated palace
and the chamber which belongs to Darius and myself, and have come here. My heart, too, is racked with anxiety, and to you, my friends, will I make a disclosure. For I am by no means free from apprehension that wealth, grown great, will, raising a cloud of dust upon the ground, trip up the prosperity which Darius raised not without the favor of some god.
160
It is for this reason that there is a double concern in my mind: neither to hold in honor vast wealth without men, and that the light of success does not shine, in proportion to their strength, on men without riches. Our wealth, at all events, is ample, but my anxiety is for the light, the salvation of the house, which I regard to be the presence of its lord.
165
Therefore, since things stand as they do, lend me your counsel in this concern, Persians, my aged trusty servants. For all my hopes of good counsel depend on you.
170
Chorus
Be assured, our country’s Queen, that you need not twice mention either word or deed regarding that in which it is possible for us to direct you.
For we whom you summon as counsellors in these matters are well disposed towards you and your interests.
175
176
Be assured, our country’s Queen, that you need not twice mention either word or deed regarding that in which it is possible for us to direct you.
For we whom you summon as counsellors in these matters are well disposed towards you and your interests.
175
Atossa
I have been haunted by a multitude of dreams at night since the time when my son, having despatched his army, departed with intent to lay waste the land of the Ionians. But never yet have I beheld so distinct a vision
as that of the last night. This I will describe to you.
I dreamed that two women in beautiful clothes, one in Persian garb, the other in Dorian attire, appeared before my eyes; both far more striking in stature than are the women of our time,
180
flawless in beauty, sisters of the same family. As for the lands in which they dwelt, to one had been assigned by lot the land of
Hellas
, to the other that of the barbarians. The two, as I imagined it, seemed to provoke each other to a mutual feud, and my son, when he had become aware of this,
185
attempted to restrain and placate them. He yoked them both to his car and placed the collar-straps upon their necks. The one bore herself proudly in these trappings and kept her mouth obedient to the rein. The other struggled and with her hands
190
tore apart the harness of the car; then, free of the curb, she dragged it violently along with her and snapped the yoke in two. My son was hurled to the ground and his father Darius stood by his side filled with pity. But Xerxes, when he caught sight of him, tore the garments covering his body.
195
200
Such was the vision I beheld in the night. But when I had risen and dipped my hands in the clear-flowing water of a spring, I drew near to an altar with incense in my hand, intending to make an offering of sacrificial cake to the divinities that avert evil, those to whom these rites are due.
200
But I saw an eagle fleeing for safety to the altar of Phoebus—and out of terror, my friends, I stood speechless. Thereupon I caught sight of a falcon rushing at full speed with outstretched wings and with his talons plucking at the head of the eagle, which did nothing but cower and
205
yielded its body to his foe.
These are the terrors I beheld, terrors too for you to hear. Be assured that if my son should suceeed, he would prove to be remarkable indeed, but if he fails, he does not have to answer to the state; if he returns safely, he will hold sway in this land as he did before.
210
215
I have been haunted by a multitude of dreams at night since the time when my son, having despatched his army, departed with intent to lay waste the land of the Ionians. But never yet have I beheld so distinct a vision
as that of the last night. This I will describe to you.
I dreamed that two women in beautiful clothes, one in Persian garb, the other in Dorian attire, appeared before my eyes; both far more striking in stature than are the women of our time,
180
I dreamed that two women in beautiful clothes, one in Persian garb, the other in Dorian attire, appeared before my eyes; both far more striking in stature than are the women of our time,
flawless in beauty, sisters of the same family. As for the lands in which they dwelt, to one had been assigned by lot the land of
Hellas
, to the other that of the barbarians. The two, as I imagined it, seemed to provoke each other to a mutual feud, and my son, when he had become aware of this,
185
attempted to restrain and placate them. He yoked them both to his car and placed the collar-straps upon their necks. The one bore herself proudly in these trappings and kept her mouth obedient to the rein. The other struggled and with her hands
190
tore apart the harness of the car; then, free of the curb, she dragged it violently along with her and snapped the yoke in two. My son was hurled to the ground and his father Darius stood by his side filled with pity. But Xerxes, when he caught sight of him, tore the garments covering his body.
195
Such was the vision I beheld in the night. But when I had risen and dipped my hands in the clear-flowing water of a spring, I drew near to an altar with incense in my hand, intending to make an offering of sacrificial cake to the divinities that avert evil, those to whom these rites are due.
200
But I saw an eagle fleeing for safety to the altar of Phoebus—and out of terror, my friends, I stood speechless. Thereupon I caught sight of a falcon rushing at full speed with outstretched wings and with his talons plucking at the head of the eagle, which did nothing but cower and
205
yielded its body to his foe.
These are the terrors I beheld, terrors too for you to hear. Be assured that if my son should suceeed, he would prove to be remarkable indeed, but if he fails, he does not have to answer to the state; if he returns safely, he will hold sway in this land as he did before.
210
These are the terrors I beheld, terrors too for you to hear. Be assured that if my son should suceeed, he would prove to be remarkable indeed, but if he fails, he does not have to answer to the state; if he returns safely, he will hold sway in this land as he did before.
Chorus
Mother, we would neither alarm you unduly by our words nor raise your hopes too high. If, however, it is something inauspicious that you have seen, visit the gods with supplication and entreat them to avert the evil and to bring to pass what will be beneficial to you, your children, the kingdom, and all else that you hold dear. Next, it is appropriate that you should
215
offer libations to Earth and the dead; and use auspicious words to address your husband Darius, whom you say you have seen in the night, and ask him to send into the light of day from beneath the earth blessings for you and your son; ask too that the reverse of this may be held in bondage beneath the earth and fade away in gloom. Such is the advice I, relying on my instincts, offer you with kind intent.
220
According to our interpretation of these portents, the issue will in all respects prove prosperous to you.
225
Mother, we would neither alarm you unduly by our words nor raise your hopes too high. If, however, it is something inauspicious that you have seen, visit the gods with supplication and entreat them to avert the evil and to bring to pass what will be beneficial to you, your children, the kingdom, and all else that you hold dear. Next, it is appropriate that you should
215
offer libations to Earth and the dead; and use auspicious words to address your husband Darius, whom you say you have seen in the night, and ask him to send into the light of day from beneath the earth blessings for you and your son; ask too that the reverse of this may be held in bondage beneath the earth and fade away in gloom. Such is the advice I, relying on my instincts, offer you with kind intent.
220
According to our interpretation of these portents, the issue will in all respects prove prosperous to you.
225
Atossa
You, its first interpreter, have indeed read the meaning of my dream with goodwill, at least, toward my son and house. May the outcome then prove beneficial! When I return to the palace, I will perform for the gods and my dear ones beneath the earth all those rites which you recommend. Meanwhile, my friends, I would like to learn
where
Athens
is located.
230
232
You, its first interpreter, have indeed read the meaning of my dream with goodwill, at least, toward my son and house. May the outcome then prove beneficial! When I return to the palace, I will perform for the gods and my dear ones beneath the earth all those rites which you recommend. Meanwhile, my friends, I would like to learn
where
Athens
is located.
230
Chorus
Far from here, to the west where the last rays of our Lord the Sun set.
Far from here, to the west where the last rays of our Lord the Sun set.
Atossa
Can it then really be that my son had the keen desire to make this city his prey?
Can it then really be that my son had the keen desire to make this city his prey?
Chorus
Yes, for then all
Hellas
would be subject to the King.
Yes, for then all
Hellas
would be subject to the King.
Atossa
Does their army have such a multitude of men?
235
Does their army have such a multitude of men?
235
Chorus
Yes, it is an army of such magnitude that it has caused great disaster for the Medes.
Yes, it is an army of such magnitude that it has caused great disaster for the Medes.
Atossa
And what else have they besides? Do they have sufficient wealth in their homes?
And what else have they besides? Do they have sufficient wealth in their homes?
Chorus
Of silver they possess a veritable fountain, a treasure chest in their soil.
Of silver they possess a veritable fountain, a treasure chest in their soil.
Atossa
Is the bow-stretching arrow particularly suited to their hands?
Is the bow-stretching arrow particularly suited to their hands?
Chorus
Far from it; they have lances for close fight and shields that serve them for armor.
240
Far from it; they have lances for close fight and shields that serve them for armor.
240
Atossa
And who is set over them as shepherd and is master of their host?
And who is set over them as shepherd and is master of their host?
Chorus
Of no man are they called the slaves or vassals.
Of no man are they called the slaves or vassals.
Atossa
How then can they withstand the attack of an invading foe?
How then can they withstand the attack of an invading foe?
Chorus
So well as to have destroyed Darius’ great and courageous host.
So well as to have destroyed Darius’ great and courageous host.
Atossa
In truth, your words have given the fathers and mothers of those who are now on their way there dire food for thought.
245
In truth, your words have given the fathers and mothers of those who are now on their way there dire food for thought.
245
Chorus
No, rather I think that you will soon learn the truth of the matter. For here comes one who is beyond a doubt a Persian courier. He bears clear tidings of some issue, be it good or bad.
249
No, rather I think that you will soon learn the truth of the matter. For here comes one who is beyond a doubt a Persian courier. He bears clear tidings of some issue, be it good or bad.
Messenger
O cities of all the land of
Asia
,
O realm of
Persia
, and bounteous haven of wealth, at a single stroke all your plenteous prosperity has been shattered, and the flower of the Persians has fallen and perished! Ah, it is a terrible task to be the first to deliver news of disaster. And yet, Persians, I must relate the entirety of the calamity
250
—the whole barbarian host is lost.
255
O cities of all the land of
Asia
,
O realm of
Persia
, and bounteous haven of wealth, at a single stroke all your plenteous prosperity has been shattered, and the flower of the Persians has fallen and perished! Ah, it is a terrible task to be the first to deliver news of disaster. And yet, Persians, I must relate the entirety of the calamity
250
—the whole barbarian host is lost.
255
Persians. Aeschylus. Herbert Weir Smyth (Translator). New York. 1922.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.