Aeschylus Persians An open square in Susa, capital of Persia. In the background, a building reached by steps. Nearer to the spectator, and probably in the center of the Translated by Janet Lembke & C.J. Herington dancing-floor, a mound representing the tomb of Darius.

Originally performed in 472 BC, Enter the CHORUS right, marching slowly and delivering produced by Pericles anapestic (marching) chant. seven years after the Battle of Salamis, which is reported during the play. Parodos (lines 1-158 in Greek = 1-200 in this translation)

CHARACTERS CHORUS We the old men while Persia's young strength has gone CHORUS of old men, regents of Persia onto Greek soil stay at home appointed their Faithful, ATOSSA the Queen, the lavish and goldwinning throne's (widow of the last king Darius, mother of current king Xerxes) loyal regents whose age and experience he MESSENGER a Persian reporting from the war in Greece Lord Xerxes King son of Darius chose himself GHOST of DARIUS to safeguard his country. 10 previous king of Persia King royal army blazoned in gold XERXES King of Persia, son of Darius WILL THEY COME HOME?

Summary of meters used in this play: My heart's ragged beat prophesies doom: Iambic: built around the beat ba-BOOM, all Asia's strong sons this is the default meter for dialogue. are gone gone and now rumors bruit Trochaic: this meter is the inverse of the iambic (BOOM-ba), the young King's name used mostly for excited scenes of dialogue. but not one runner and not one rider bring word to Persia's capital. 20 Sung: the songs are all unique but none of the music survives, only the lyrics. They rallied, they marched leaving Susa's defenses and Ekbatana's Line numbers in the right-hand margin of the text refer to the English and safe ancient stones that barricade Kissa translation only, while designations of sections also indicate the line some mounted on horses, others on ships numbers of the original Greek. foot soldiers, too, stepping it steady eager for combat man packed on man.

You, Amistres and you, Artaphrenes you, Megabates 30 2 and you, Astaspes Persian commanders And pressing on them kings in your own right under the Great King Lydia's neighbors leaders who hurl on the battling horde who live in eyes' reach of her godswept peak you bowtamers, horsebreakers Mardon, Tharybis, lance-breaking anvils chilling to watch Mysians, too, masters of javelins— deadly in war all, all have vowed 70 because endurance gleams hard in your souls. to throw slavery's yoke firm on the Greeks. You, Artembares, war-joyful horseman you, Masistres 40 And Babylon the gold-proud you, the bowtamer shining Imaios fields motley troops in long horizon-crowding lines you, Pharandakes some for a ship's bench you, too, stallion-driver Sosthanes. others who trust bowtugging rage and scimitars from every fort in Asia And you surge behind whose command fertile Nile outpoured obeying the King's Sousiskanes born in Persia deadly orders to march. 80 Pegastagon sundark Egyptian and godbelov'd Memphis' lord, towering Arsames The CHORUS come to a halt. and satrap at Old Thebes, Ariomardos with swampskippers, rowers 50 This oars dipping silent is the flower of Persian earth dangerous men, too many to number. the men now gone and Asia's land that held their roots And following close throng groans out loud, the Lydian thousands aflame with yearning. who relish the rich life Parents, wives in cold beds and lord it over every last man count the days. of the Asia-born race whom Time stretches thin. Mitrogathes They wait and shiver. 90 and valiant Arkteus kingsent commanders 60 The CHORUS begin to sing and dance the invasion of Greece. and goldladen Sardis made to wheel out, chariots clanging The army HAS won through! Persians, three horses, four, each Breakers-of-cities, the King's men a fear-breeding sight. sweep countries lying on the far shore

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They've crossed the strait Wage tower-splitting war that honors Hell ê Hurl forward horse-drawn battle glee by binding their ships Lay cities waste and clamping a bolt-studded road— a yoke And they have learnt 130 hard on the Sea's neck! when galewinds lash the saltroad white to look unshaken And teeming Asia's headstrong 100 at the Sea's deep shrine: lord has shepherded his flocks entrusting life to slender godsped against the world on two fronts ropes and man-supporting tricks land and sea they stride the waves and trusts his leaders stern rocks among men But how crafty As heir to a gold-showered line the scheme of God! he gleams What mere man outleaps it? casting a god's light What human foot jumps fast enough 140 to tear loose But the heart of his eye darkens, from its sudden grip? the death-dealing stare of a snake 110 Countless its hands! For with gestures Countless the ships! of kindness as bait And he while his chariot sings Blind Folly fawns a man has targeted War's taut bow into her net, nor can he hope on spearmen trained for close combat to work loose and escape unhurt And not one has proved he can stand up to men in a ceaseless stream The CHORUS begin a lament, ominous in its prematurity. nor ever build a sure seawall My thoughts to stay the unstoppable waves 120 scratched raw by fear 150 Resistless, Persia's armed flood wear black and the war-joy that crests in her sons Shall we wail WAAAAW! For gods decree for the wide-ranging Persians? Fate's age-old power here and she What word for our people? has long charged Persians That Susa's great heart is with a holy task: bled empty of men?

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for need presses close. And will Kissa's old walls How does he fare din back Xerxes our King son of Darius? that death caw WAAAAW! 160 Where lies the victory? 190 and the thump of the womanhorde howling and croaking Taut bow ripping fine linen and or lance's spearing force— pummeling breasts? which one has conquered?

For horseback troops With her retinue ATOSSA enters right in a chariot. and troops on foot all, all of them Look up! have left home Dazzling as gods' eyes, in a stinging swarm behind their chief a light moves toward us. and all have crossed 170 Mother of the Great King, the Sea-dividing span My Queen. that juts from two shores yoking two lands Prostrate yourselves! Salute her as adorns her dignity. 200 Here double beds bereft of men Episode 1 (159-255 in Greek = 201-425) are filled with tears and each wife The CHORUS prostrate themselves. (ATOSSA and the CHORUS speak in who has rushed to war a headstrong spear unaccompanied trochaic verse from here through line 269.) is left to spend her gentle elegance CHORUSLEADER My lady, all honor. bereft of love, one 180 My lady most blest yoked but alone among sonbearing women, grey mother of Xerxes, At ode's end the CHORUS are scattered, each member Darius' wife standing alone to give visual emphasis to the last line. born to share CHORUSLEADER (chanting) Persians! Assemble. our god's bed Gather on the steps below this ancient roof. and born also We should discuss to mother a god unless— our carefullest, most deep-debated thoughts, unless the age-old 210

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Lust for Winning has no matter what their bodies' strength. taken itself from our men. Surely our wealth is beyond reproach! ATOSSA descends from her chariot. The CHORUS rise. My fear centers on the Eye, ATOSSA Yes, there's for in my mind 250 the reason urging me the house's Eye to leave the gold-wrapt is its master's presence. shadow of my house There and room where once my thoughts rest. Darius slept beside me. Persians, Sharpest care is old faithful confidants, clawing at my heart. 220 advise me. It's you, good friends, All, to whom I'd speak out all my hopes lie in you. unvoiced thoughts. Guide me. 260 Nothing guards my inmost self CHORUS Our country's Queen, against the fear no need that vast Wealth, to ask twice. kicking up dust A word, an act— as it pelts headlong, 230 we'll help if we can may overturn when you continued joy command our counsel. in the prosperity We do intend Darius to serve you well. by some god's grace lifted high. ATOSSA (in unaccompanied iambic verse) Night after night 270 There's the reason since my son left with the army he mustered an unspeakable, two-pronged I am joined with many dreams. anxiety sits at my core: He's gone, not to bow low 240 gone to Greece, honoring bent on making it Persian and his. a manless treasure-hoard But never has a vision showed more clear nor does a light shine than what I saw last night on the treasureless, in the kind-hearted dark.

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I'll tell you: he shreds around his body It seemed to me 280 the clothes that a king wears. two well-dressed women— one robed with Persian luxury, I tell you the other in a plain Greek tunic— I did see these things last night. came into view, both taller far than any woman now living, Today, when I'd risen and flawless in beauty, and dipped both hands in a clear-rippling spring 320 and sisters from the one same to cleanse me of bad dreams, parentage. hands busy with offerings, And for a fatherland, a home, I stood by Phoibos' altar one was allotted Greek soil, 290 wanting to give mixed honey and wine, the other, the great world beyond. their expected due, to the undying Powers that turn away evil. Then I saw And I see the two of them build bitter quarrels, an eagle one against the other, fleeing toward the altar's godbright flame. and when my son learned this, he tried to curb and gentle them: Frightened, mute, my friends, I 330 under his chariot just stood there, he yokes the two, and on their necks and soon I see a hawk in downstoop he straps broad leather collars. raising wings to break the fall and working And the one towered herself 300 talons in the eagle's head, and the eagle did proud in this harness nothing, and she kept her mouth only cringed and offered up well-governed by the reins. its flesh. But the other bucked stubborn and with both hands Terrors! I saw them! she wrenches harness from the chariot fittings Now you've heard them. and drags it by sheer force, And you surely know 340 bridle flung off, and she that if my son succeeds, he'll be marveled at, shatters the yoke mid-span but if he fails, and he falls, 310 his people cannot call him to account. my son falls, When he is safely home, and his father is standing beside him— he'll rule the country as he always has. Darius, pitying him, and when Xerxes sees that,

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(From here through line 416 ATOSSA and the CHORUS speak in trochaic everything verse.) shall 380 turn out well. CHORUS Mother, here's advice ATOSSA Yes, you meant neither to alarm the first nor overgladden you. to read my dream, Gods abide: 350 with goodwill toward my son and house, turn toward them suppliant, have found if anything you saw stirs faintest doubt, its true interpretation. praying them Would that the omens to turn it away and bring turn out well! goodness to its peak I'll do all you say 390 for you and for gods and old friends under earth children in your line, when I go home. for Persia, too, But first and those you love. I'd like to know, dear friends, Afterward, pour out 360 where the drink due Earth Athens is. and give the thirsty dead their sip and pray, appeasing him, CHORUSLEADER Far west where the Lord Sun fades out. your husband Darius- you say you saw him ATOSSA My son really wanted to hunt down this city? in the kind-hearted night- asking him to send up CHORUSLEADER Yes, so all Greece would bend beneath a Shah. from his depth into our light blessings for you and your son ATOSSA Does it field a manhorde of an army? 400 and hold the reverse back 370 earth-coffined CHORUSLEADER Such that it has worked evils on the Medes. till it molders in that dark. ATOSSA Then bowtugging arrows glint in their hands? For this advice I have consulted CHORUSLEADER No. Spears held steady, and heavy shields. my prophetic heart. Be appeased, ATOSSA What else? Wealth in their houses? for as we read the signs, CHORUSLEADER Treasure, a fountain of silver, lies in their soil.

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Ode 1 (lines 256-289 in Greek = 426-469) ATOSSA But who herds the manflock? Who lords the army? CHORUS (singing from here through line 469) CHORUSLEADER They're not anyone's slaves or subjects. Cruel cruelest evil newmade, consuming Oh ATOSSA Then how can they resist invaders? weep, Persians, who hear this pain CHORUSLEADER So well that they crushed Darius' huge and shining army. MESSENGER Everything over there has ended. And I— 430 against all hope, I'm here, seeing this light. ATOSSA 410 Terrible words! You make the parents of those gone shudder. CHORUS Life stretches long CHORUS (severally) too long for grey old men But I think you will soon hear the whole story. who hear of all hope Someone's coming! undone

He's ours— MESSENGER I was there . I can tell you, no hearsay, a Persian clearly by the way he runs. the evils that sprang up hurtling against us.

Something's happened. Good or bad, CHORUS No nonono he brings the plain truth. That bright storm of arrows showing Asia's massed colors 440 The MESSENGER enters left. advanced all for NOTHING into hostile Greece? MESSENGER (in unaccompanied iambic verse throughout this episode) Listen! cities that people vast Asia. MESSENGER They met hard deaths. The corpses Listen Persian earth, great harbor of wealth. pile on Salamis and every nearby shore. One stroke, one single stroke has smashed great prosperity, 420 CHORUS No nonono and Persia's flower is cut down. Bitter, being first to tell you bitter news, You're saying but need presses me to unroll the full disaster. those we love are floating, foundering Persians, awash our whole expedition is lost. DEAD MEN shrouded 450 in sea-drowned cloaks?

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MESSENGER Our arrows didn't help. The whole force when gods send it down. went down, broken, when ship rammed ship. You must 480 compose yourself: speak out, CHORUS Rage unrolling all the suffering, for the Persians killed though you groan at our losses. Wail the death howl Who is not dead? All that began well And whom shall we mourn? comes to the worst end CRY! Of all the leaders CRY OUT whose hands grip authority for the army slaughtered! 460 which one left his post unmanned, deserted MESSENGER Salamis, I hate that hissing name. when he died? 490 And Athens, remembering makes me groan. MESSENGER Xerxes—he lives and sees light— CHORUS Athens bears Persia's hate ATOSSA You speak: light blazes in my house, We will recall and white day after a black-storming night! wives she has widowed mothers with no sons NO! MESSENGER —but Artembares, and all commander of ten thousand horse, ALL FOR NOTHING! is hammered along Sileniai's raw coast and thousand-leader Dadakes, Episode 2 (290-531 in Greek = 470-867) spearstuck, danced back without any effort I could see (ALL speak in iambic verse from here through line 867.) overboard 500 and Tenagon, ATOSSA Silence has held me till now 470 pureblooded Bactrian and chief, heartsore, scrapes against Ajax' sea-pelted island. struck by the blows of loss, for this disaster so exceeds all bounds Lilaios, that one can neither tell, Arsames, nor ask, and a third, Argestes, wave-tumbled around that dove-broody island, about the suffering. kept butting resistant stones and so did Phamoukhos Yet there is terrible need whose home was Egypt, by Nile's fresh flow, 510 for people to bear pain

10 and so did they who plunged from one same ship, The CHORUS cry out sharply. Arkteus, Adeues, ATOSSA Noooo ! and a third, Pheresseues. These words I hear And Matallos from a golden city, lift evil to its height. leader of ten thousand, O the shame cast on Persians, dying, stained his full beard's tawny brush and the piercing laments! changing its color with sea-purple dye. But tell me, 550 And the Arab, Magos, 520 turn back again, with Artabes the Bactrian, was the count of Greek ships so great who led thirty thousand black horse, they dared launch their rams took up land as an immigrant against Persia's fleet? by dying there on that harsh ground. MESSENGER If numbers were all, believe me, Asia's navy would have won, Amistris for Greek ships counted out and Amphistreus, at only ten times thirty whose spear delighted in trouble, and ten selected to lead out that line. and bright-souled Ariomardos, But Xerxes, this I know, 560 whose loss brings Sardis down grieving, 530 commanded a full thousand, and Seisames the Mysian, two hundred and seven Tharybis, too, the fastest ever built. sealord of five times fifty ships, That is our count. Perhaps you thought Lymaian by descent, a hard-bodied man, we were outnumbered? lies dead, No. a wretch whose luck went soft, It was some Power— and Syennesis, Something not human— first in courage, the Cilicians' chief, whose weight tipped the scales of luck one man who made most trouble for the enemy, and cut our forces down. 570 died with glory. 540 Gods keep Athens safe for her goddess.

These are the leaders ATOSSA You're saying that Athens is not yet sacked? of whom I bring my memories. But we suffered many losses there. MESSENGER Long as her men live, her stronghold can't be shaken. I report a mere few.

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ATOSSA But at the beginning, when ship met ship, There was no disorder. Obediently tell me, who started the clash? the crews prepared their suppers, Greeks? and each sailor, taking a thong, 610 Or my son made his oar snug to the tholepin. who exulted in his thousand ships? And when Sun's glow faded and Night was coming on, MESSENGER My lady, each oarlord, the first sign of the disaster came 580 each expert man-at-arms when Something vengeful— boarded his ship. or evil and not human— Squadron on squadron, cheers for the warships appeared from somewhere out there. roared from the decks, and they sailed, For a Greek, each captain maintaining his position. 620 who came in stealth from the Athenian fleet, And all night long the lords of the fleet whispered this to your son Xerxes: kept fully manned vessels plying the channel. As soon as black night brought its darkness on, And night was wearing on. Greeks would not maintain their stations, no, The Greek forces never but springing on the rowing benches, tried sailing out secretly. scattering here, there in secret flight, Not once. would try to save their own skins. But when Day rode her white colt And at once, dazzling the whole world, for he had listened not understanding the first thing we heard the man's treachery nor the gods' high jealousy, was a roar, a windhowl, Greeks 630 he gave all his captains this command: singing together, shouting for joy, As soon as Sun's hot eye let go of Earth and Echo at once hurled back and darkness seized the holy vault of Sky, then that warcry they should deploy ships loud and clear from island rocks. in three tight-packed ranks Fear churned in every Persian. to bar outsailings and the salt-hammered path, 600 We'd been led off the mark: while others circled Ajax' island. the Greeks And if the Greeks should somehow slip the trap weren't running, no, by setting sail, finding a hidden route, but sang that eerie triumph-chant Xerxes stated flatly as men 640 that every last captain would lose his head. racing toward a fight So he commanded in great good spirits. and sure of winning. He could not know the outcome set by gods. Then the trumpet-shriek blazed

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through everything over there. whole oarbanks shattered. A signal: Then the Greek ships, seizing their chance, instantly swept in circling and struck and overturned their oars struck salt. our hulls, We heard and saltwater vanished before our eyes— that rhythmic rattle-slap. shipwrecks filled it, and drifting corpses. It seemed no time till they 650 Shores and reefs filled up with our dead all stood in sight. and every able ship under Persia's command We saw them sharp. broke order, First the right wing, scrambling to escape. 690 close-drawn, strictly ordered, We might have been tuna or netted fish, led out, and next we saw for they kept on, spearing and gutting us the whole fleet bearing down, we heard with splintered oars and bits of wreckage, a huge voice while moaning and screams drowned out Sons of Greece, go! the sea noise till Free fatherland, Night's black face closed it all in. free children, wives, 660 shrines of our fathers' gods, Losses by thousands! tombs where our forefathers lie. Even if I told Fight for all we have! the catalogue for ten full days I Now! could not complete it for you. 700 Then on our side shouts in Persian But this is sure: rose to a crest. never before in one day We didn't hold back. have so many thousands died. That instant, ship rammed bronzeclad beak on ship. ATOSSA It's true, then, true. It was 670 Wild seas of loss have come crashing down, a Greek ship started the attack down over Persians and all Asia's tribes. shearing off a whole Phoenician stern. Each captain steered his craft MESSENGER You must understand: straight on one other. disaster— At first the wave of Persia's fleet I've told you less than half. rolled firm, but next, as our ships The next load of suffering 710 jammed into the narrows and outweighed the first twice over. no one could help any other and our own bronze teeth bit into ATOSSA What more hateful Luck our own strakes, 680 could still beset our men?

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Answer me! hit home killing them. What fresh disaster, what It ended new losses weighted them down? when the Greeks gave one great howl and charged, chopping meat 750 MESSENGER Persians at the peak of life, till every living man was butchered. best in soul, brightest in lineage, first always to give the King loyalty— Then Xerxed moaned out loud they're dead without glory, 720 to see how deep disaster cut. and shamed by that fate. Throned on a headland above the sea, he'd kept his whole army clear in sight. ATOSSA (to the CHORUS ) Cruel chance! And he ripped his clothes O my friends, it hurts me. and screamed (to the MESSENGER ) and gave shrill hasty shouts to his whole land force How did they die? Can you say? dismissing them. They fled in disorder. 760 MESSENGER An island fronts the coast of Salamis— tiny, harborless, Here is disaster greater than the first where dance-wild to make you groan. Pan likes stepping it light through the breakers. There ATOSSA (looking up into the sky ) You! Xerxes posted these chosen men, 730 Hateful, nameless, not human Power, planning that when the shipwrecked enemy how You cheated Persians of their senses! swam ashore desperate for safety, How bitter the vengeance they'd kill that Greek force easily meant for this talked-of Athens and rescue friends caught in the narrows. that found its way to my son! How badly he misread the future, Marathon killed men. Weren't they for after some god had enough? 770 handed Greeks the glory in the seafight, It was for them that same day my son cast retribution they fenced their bodies in bronze armor and hauled in countless cruelties and leapt from their ships 740 upon himself and us. and cordoned off the island so completely that our men milled But the ships that outran doom— helpless, where did you leave them? not knowing where to turn Do you know what happened? while stones battered at them and arrows twanging from the bowstrings

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MESSENGER The captains of the ships left but when the fireball of Sun came up, ran in no order before the wind. blazing light and heat, And the army left 780 its flame melted the iceroad midstream kept dropping off, first on Boiotian ground, and men kept falling, some of thirst, falling one on another, and he is lucky, yes, though water flowed beside them whose life breath was quickest cut. 820 out of exhaustion's reach, while some of us, And those of us left to gain safety, empty from panting, working through Thrace against hard odds, drove through to the Phokians' land have slipped away, and Doris' fields not many, and the Melian Gulf where and come back to our homefires, Sperkheios quenches the plain with earthkindly drink, 790 to this earth of home. and after that Akhaian soil and the cities of Thessaly took us in Reason enough, chief city of Persians, when we were starving. to cry out There the most died. longing for your best beloved youth. Thirst and hunger, True reasons, though there's much both of them stalked us. I've left untold of horrors And slogging north that a god hurled on to Magnesia and on to Macedon, crackling down on Persians. we reached the Axios' ford and Bolbe's reed-choked marsh 800 The MESSENGER exits right. and Mt. Pangaios where Edonians live. It was that night CHORUS (looking skyward ) You! Troublebringer! some god nameless and not human, blew down winter out of season and froze how hard . holy Strymon bank to bank. You've jumped both feet into Persia's people! Then any man who'd once thought gods were nothing ATOSSA I am heartsick. The army slaughtered! sought them out, praying, begging O vision in the night as he lay face down before Earth and Sky. that roiled through dreams, 840 When the army finished its godcalls, 810 the cruelties you clearly promised me it started to cross the icelocked water, came true. and those of us who step out quick before the god can shed his rays (to the CHORUS ) And you, find ourselves safe, you read them much too lightly.

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Even so, there's only your advice and mothers to seize and act on. whose gentle hands savage their veils whose eyes rain tears on breasts already drenched I will give tongue to sorrow first of all pray to the gods, then bring gifts from my royal house— and wives, Persian brides wine poured out with honey— 850 wailing softly to soothe the appetites of Earth and ghosts. longing to see the men who were yokemates When these are done, I shall stripping the soft beds where bursting youth reveled 880 return to you. wail, wail out the hungriest grief There's no regaining what is gone, I understand that, And I, too, but I act so that something better raise a griefswollen voice may happen in days to come. at the fate of men gone dead and gone And you, (singing and dancing ) with due regard for what has happened, Listen To the outmost ends must, as my Faithful, 860 Asia's earth groans now give advice worthy of my faith. emptied of sons Xerxes convoyed them My son— He CONVOYED THEM 890 if he comes back before I can return, Xerxes destroyed them comfort him, He DESTROYED THEM escort him home so that he heaps on existing evils Xerxes the hothead brought on the whole rout no self-inflicted evil. he and his riverdhows rigged for the sea

ATOSSA remounts her chariot and exits right with her attendants. Once we knew Darius' rule Ode 2 (532-597 in Greek = 868-960) a bowchief who never volleyed such hurt CHORUS (chanting ) God, greatest King! and Susa's men loved him The Persians' proud and manswollen army, now WHY HAVE TIMES CHANGED? 900 You've destroyed it, 870 You've hidden Soldiers and seamen lost! Susa and Ekbatana in lowering grief Sailwings unfurled, bluedark eyes on the sea

16 warships convoyed them Grieve Ships CONVOYED THEM you houses robbed of your men warships destroyed them Wail, childless parents, wail Ships DESTROYED THEM inhuman anguish warships brought every one of them down and learn in your grey years rammed them and left them to Greeks' hacking 910 the whole reach of pain hands And those who live on Asia's broad earth Now will not long be ruled we learn the King himself by Persian law by slender chance nor longer pay tribute runs for life down snowblocked under empire's commanding grip roads in sweeping Thrace nor fling themselves earthward 950 HOW CAN THIS BE? in awe of kingship whose strength now lies dead Those doomed to die first DOOMED No longer will tongues in vassal mouths are left be kept under guard there was no choice 920 for people are freed, LEFT set loose to bark freedom to wash on Salamis' wavebroken rocks now that dominion's yoke is snapped THEY ARE GONE The bloodsodden beaches Groan of Ajax's sea-bruised island Bite lips till the blood shows now hold Persia's heart 960 Howl, griefweighted voices, howl anguish at heaven Episode/Ode 3 (598-702 in Greek = 961-1134) Hold sorrow's burden till breath sobs and breaks 930 ATOSSA, on foot and dressed in mourning, enters right with her ladies, who carry the jars and garlands needed for making libations. Flesh torn in the surge TORN ATOSSA (speaking in iambic verse ) Good friends, is stripped whoever lives leans by experience clean off the bone that when a wave of evils crests STRIPPED and breaks, it's natural for humankind by voiceless young of the unsoilable Sea to be afraid of everything, THEY ARE GONE but when the deathless Power flows calm,

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to trust to beg kindness from those who marshal that Fortune's wind will always blow fair. 1000 But now, for me, men's shadows through Earth. everything is packed with fear, 970 before my eyes the gods' hostility shows plain, ATOSSA and her ladies make their ceremonies of libation, while the and the roar in my ears is battle din, CHORUS look on with increasing anxiety. When she has finished, they not a healing song: begin the ghostraising. ATOSSA, weeping, muffled, sits at the tomb's base. Evils attack so fiercely panic storms my heart. CHORUS (chanting ) Help us, You Powers undying and holy That's the reason I've returned that thrive beneath graves. without a chariot or queenly luxury You, Earth and the Soul-Guide to bring my son's father the appeasing drinks and You who are King of the dead below us, that serve as sweeteners to dead men: send him out of his utter darkness, (pointing to the jars her ladies carry) send his spirit up into light. an unblemished Cow's white freshtasting milk and the Flowerworker's droplets, lightsteeped honey, 980 Disasters keep stalking us, with moisture poured sparkling from a virgin Spring and if and unwatered drink from a wild country mother— he knows of any cure 1010 this, the ancient Vine's new brightness, more powerful than offerings and prayer, and the fresh-scented harvest of one who blooms life only risen near us into light always in her leaves, the sundrenched Olive Tree— can he reveal it. here it is, (singing and dancing ) and woven flowers, children of Allbearing Earth. Can he hear me? Blest in death But, O my friends, and potent as a deathless Force these libations to the ones below can my King hear these broken words need solemn hymns. 990 earthmuffled Chant them tumbling from my lips and touching and call his spirit, call up Darius every note of pain in 1020 while I send down ceaseless sorrow-roughened breath? these Earthdrunk honors to the gods below. Or must I shout so that my anguish reaches him? CHORUSLEADER (chanting ) Our Queen, our lady, Can he heed me in his buried dark? whom Persians revere, yes, Wake and hear me send your libations to Earth's hidden rooms Earth and You while we, chanting, calling, pour out our breath Who rule that world where dead men go

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Give complete consent to prayer: Go to the high prow of your tomb set free Make yourself known his proud and deathless glory 1030 showing signs of your kingship Let Persia's god, born a man in Susa crocus-dyed shoe 1060 rise now from his funeral house turban's upright crest Now, speed him up Make yourself seen whose peer does not nor ever shall Break free rest hidden in this Persian earth Father who brought us no evil Darius Man I loved, yes break free tomb I love, for everything I love lies covered there Wake and hear loud suffering Hand of Death Hear strange Yours alone the power to open graves 1040 new pain and lead him lightward Lord of our lord, find daylight form 1070 Hand of Death The deathmist free our hallowed lord Darius Free him that grows on the eyes of the dying opens dark wings: Never once the young men, our sons did he kill men with are all of them gone Folly's blind and life-devouring haste Wake now He was Father who brought us no evil called the Persians' godbright counselor Darius and godbright counselor 1050 awake he was The CHORUS, moaning, slowly stand. who steered the army on a true course. Why, why 1080 Free him must friends who deeply mourned your death [now mourn again— The CHORUS fall to their knees and begin to hammer and claw at the earth sorrows twice borne, new grief exciting old?] as if to help free the GHOST OF DARIUS. Where have we erred? The fleet all Asia built In their next words they invoke him directly. is smashed and sunk, the three-tiered Shah once and Shah forever ships come close ghostships ghostships. break through The GHOST OF DARIUS rises, spectral, from his tomb.

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DARIUS (speaking in iambic verse ) (speaking in trochaic verse ) Most Faithful of the faithful, 1090 DARIUS Because you chanted spells 1120 comrades of my youth, persuading me to leave the buried world, Persians grown honorably grey, I come. what trouble oppresses my people? Tell everything, not rambling on, The earth ceiling groans— but make the story brief. hammered, scratched open. Speak and be done. (to ATOSSA ) I frighten you? And seeing you, who shared my bed, here Then reverence exceeds its bounds. huddled now beside my tomb, Let reverence go. I sense fear. Yes, (singing ) I dread you I drank the sweetenings that you poured down. 1100 and would not displease (to the CHORUS ) 1130 And you who stand before my tomb I dread you wail dirges but cannot find speech and dolefully chant out soulraising spells to tell those I love to summon me. news better left untold There is no easy exit: Gods in the underrealms have always been Episode 4 (703-851 in Greek = 1135-1398) better at taking than letting go. Yet, now that I am one of them and powerful, ATOSSA laments. (DARIUS and ATOSSA speak in trochaic verse I come. from here through line 1254.) Be quick, for I would have 1110 no blame for moments spent beneath the sun. DARIUS Because you feel the old dread What new strange evils pounding in your hearts, weigh down my Persians? restraining you, then let the one ATOSSA sobs. The CHORUS prostrate themselves. who shared my bed, my aged lady wife, 1140 CHORUS (singing ) I praise you cease her lamenting and awe blinds my eyes to give me I praise you plain account. but awe binds my tongue Mankind is Your nearness fills me bound to suffer with death's age-old chill the hurts of being human.

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Many the evils spawned in the sea and many on land DARIUS But how could footsoldiers cross the sea? for you who must die. And the longer you live, 1150 ATOSSA He made a path by yoking the Hellespont. the greater your pain. DARIUS What? He closed mighty Bosporos?

ATOSSA My husband, you ATOSSA Yes. I think Something divine gave him help. 1180 above all other men were destined to a wealth of happiness. DARIUS Something so monstrous it twisted his good sense! How fortunate you were! While your living eyes ATOSSA And we see his achievement— disaster. beheld the sun, Persians, DARIUS What happened? Why do you groan? filled with praise and envy, 1160 called you a god. ATOSSA Because the ships sank, the army was lost. Now do I envy you because you died DARIUS You mean the whole army fell to the spear? before you looked in the depths of loss. Listen, Darius ATOSSA And Susa's man-empty streets are groaning. I need few words to tell you everything: DARIUS Lost, a great army! Our defense, lost! Persia's power, her prosperity ATOSSA And Bactria's men, even the old ones, are all dead. are completely crushed. 1170 DARIUS Wretched man! He killed his allies' young sons. DARIUS How? Thunderbolts of plague? Civil war? ATOSSA But Xerxes —it's said that he and a few others— 1190 ATOSSA Neither. Near Athens the whole expedition was lost. DARIUS Is he safe? DARIUS Which of my sons invaded Greece? ATOSSA —happily did reach the bridge yoking two shores. ATOSSA Headstrong Xerxes. He emptied Asia. DARIUS And arrived safe in Asia? You're sure? DARIUS Stubborn child! Did he go by land or sea? ATOSSA Yes, it's been clearly reported. There is no doubt. ATOSSA Both. With a double front of two contingents.

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DARIUS Too swiftly then The wealth the Oracles came true, I earned by my own hard work and on my son may be overturned, Zeus hurled down becoming nothing more than prophecy completed, spoils to the first looting hand. and I had somehow 1200 hoped that gods ATOSSA Consort with evil-minded men would take a longer time taught headstrong Xerxes to work their plan. what to think: But when a man they told him 1240 speeds toward his own ruin, that the vast wealth a god gives him help. you handed on Now a fountain of defeats was won at spearpoint has been struck while he, for everyone I love. not half the man, And my son in his ignorance, 1210 secretly played toy spears at home his reckless youth, and added nothing brought on its spurt: to inherited prosperity. he hoped to dam Hearing such taunts the flow of holy Hellespont— over and again 1250 the Bosporos from evil-minded men, that streams from god— he planned by locking it his expedition in shackles like a slave and the invasion of Greece. and he altered the strait (ALL speak in iambic verse from here till the end of the episode. ) and, casting over it 1220 hammered chains, DARIUS And so did his work, made a footpath the greatest ever, broad enough to be remembered always, for his broad array of troops. such work as never before fell Mere man that he is, and emptied out Susa he thought but not on good advice, since the Lord Zeus granted this honor: 1260 he'd overrule all gods, that one man Poseidon most of all. should rule vast sheepbreeding Asia, How can this not be his scepter held a sickness of mind 1230 as a steersman holds the rudder. that held my son? The Mede himself was the army's first leader,

22 and another, his son, gained the succession DARIUS Beware: mount no soldiers against Greek holdings. because reason stood at his passions' helm, Beware: not even if Medes count more soldiers. 1300 and third after him Cyrus ruled, Know: Earth Herself is their ally. Heaven's favorite, who gave peace to everyone he loved 1270 CHORUS What do you mean? How, their ally? and made subject Lydia's people and Phrygia's and rounded up all Asian Greeks by force DARIUS She starves a manglutted enemy. nor did the god despise him, for his heart was righteous, CHORUS But you must know and Cyrus' son, fourth, piloted the army, we shall select choice, action-ready troops. and fifth Mardos led, a disgrace to fatherland and long-established throne, DARIUS But you must learn but there was plotting the army still remaining on Greek soil and Artaphrenes, potent in virtue, shall not see a day of safe return. helped by friends whose duty it was, 1280 cut him down inside the palace. CHORUS What are you saying? Then I ruled. That not all the forces left 1310 Chosen by lot, I gained what I wished for will cross the Hellespont from Europe? and fought a thousand times with my fighting thousands but never DARIUS Few out of thousands, threw evil like this on the nation. if one can trust godspoken oracles. But Xerxes my son, green in years, But when you look at those that have come true, thinks green you know they are fulfilled— and forgets what I taught him. complete, not just in part. (to the CHORUS ) And if this be so, then But you, men of my own generation, 1290 empty hopes have persuaded him plainly understand to leave behind a force selected from the army, that everyone of us who has held power and there they linger 1320 cannot be shown where Asopos pours kind floods on Boiotia's soil: to have worked such devastation. for them the height of evil waits implacable to pay them back in suffering CHORUS What next, lord Darius? for pride and godlessness Where will your prophecy attain who came to Greek earth lacking the reverence its end? How, after the worst, to stay their hands may we, Persia's people, win through to the best? from desecrating gods' images and putting temples to the torch, and altars are vanished

23 and shrines dedicated to the undying 1330 aged mother whom Xerxes loves, Dead are torn, root and branch, from their bases after you have gone to your house and shattered. and found him splendor that suits a king, It is sure go out to face your son that having done evil, no less whose anguish at the fullness of disaster do they suffer and more in the future has torn his bright embroideries 1370 and not yet has evil's wellspring run dry to shredded rags around his body. but still spurts unchecked: But speak kind words in a calming voice. so great shall be new He will listen only to you sacrifices of clotting blood and only you can comfort him. poured out 1340 on Plataia's battleground by Dorian spears, DARIUS begins to descend into the tomb, his voice fading. so great the piles of bones, even to the third generation they shall be I go, I must, seen by human eyes as speechless warnings down below earth to the shadowworld. that those who must die Goodbye, wise old friends. not overreach themselves: Though evil surrounds you, when stubborn pride has flowered, it give joy to your souls ripens to self-deception all the days that you live 1380 and the only harvest is a glut of tears. for wealth is (directly to the CHORUS ) useless to These are the punishments 1350 the dead and as you behold them, remember Athens and remember Greece DARIUS vanishes. lest someone scorning the immediate blessings Heaven grants, CHORUSLEADER lusting for others, Disasters present and disasters coming on— pour away his worldly goods and happiness. I listened with anguish Zeus the Pruning Shear of arrogance run wild to the Asians' fate. is set over you, a grim accountant. Because events have prophesied ATOSSA (looking skyward ) You! Nameless, inhuman! that my son learn to know himself, 1360 How cruel the anguish teach him in gentle admonitions invading me! And one disaster to stop most of all bites deep— 1390 wounding gods with young reckless pride. to hear that shame's clothing (to ATOSSA ) hangs in ragged shreds around my son's body. And you, (to the CHORUS)

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But I'm going home, and when I've taken piled on the floodplain near Strymon's gulf kingly splendor from my house, and hillguarded cattletowns in Thrace I'll try to face him. Though evil surrounds us, and cities east of the coastal marshes— I shall not forsake my best beloved son. tower-enclosed mainland cities bowed to him as lord, With her ladies ATOSSA exits right. and boastful cities by Helle's broad current Ode 4/Exodus (852-1076 in Greek = 1399-1714) and strung on the shores of the Inland Sea 1430 and cities clustered at the Black Sea's mouth CHORUS (singing and dancing ) GOD, PITY US And wave-caressed islands for once we knew held in the Sea's arm the life of grandeur and virtue 1400 close off our homeshores: under stable rule Lesbos when he whose years and dignity we honored— and olive-silvery Samos the All-Enabler, the Evil-Shunner, Khios the Battle-Winner— and Paros when King Naxos Darius cast a god's light Mykonos 1440 and governed us wholly Tenos, too that rises out of the deep near AND PITY US Andros for once we showed and salt-embraced islands an armed force whose praises rang sharp 1410 set in the Sea's midst— through the chastened world he mastered them, too: The laws that steered us stood bold on towers Lemnos and days of return led men safely home and Ikaros' settling place Unwearied, unwounded, Rhodes, Knidos the men and Cypriote cities— 1450 of Persia came back from war Paphos to houses that prospered and Soloi Salamis, too How many cities he captured whose mother-city now causes without once crossing the Halys river our groans nor leaving his hearth: 1420 city on city— And more, the Rivergod's cities that rich estate Ionia

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teeming with Greeks— the sweeping primacy of Persia's rule, he bent it to his will and the straight rows of men and drew on strength that never failed: 1460 some deathless Power cut flat. fighters under heavy arms allies from a thousand tribes CHORUS (rising from chant into full song ) And Earth herself 1490 But now mourns. Listen! She cries out beyond a doubt wailing her own young slaughtered by Xerxes we must endure who crammed them into the huge maw of Death, being god-overturned in war, for those now dead for we are tamed were thousands of men greatly tamed the country's flower by seastruck blows tamers of great bows thickets of men all wasted and withered XERXES enters left hidden from view in a curtained carriage drawn by by tens of thousands. ragged men. A few other survivors straggle in, pulling worn equipment Cry! Can you cry? 1500 carts. Their courage kept us safe. And Asia XERXES (chanting ) No! whose mountains and plains you rule Nonono! is forced forced in blood Heartsick have I confronted hateful doom. down on her knees. No warning signs, not one, foretold me some undying Lust for human flesh XERXES, dressed in rags, climbs from the carriage. Both he and the would stamp savagely on Persia's clans. CHORUS sing from this point until the end. What now? I am helpless, XERXES Look at me my body's last current of strength runs out and weep and I must I am face townfathers, fathers of sons. 1480 your sorrow, a sad hollow son to Earth and my fathers 1510 Dear God! born to bring home woe Would that I were with the men now gone. I wish CHORUS There are greetings for your safe return: the doom of death had curtained me. bleak howls of woe bleak melodies of woe CHORUSLEADER (chanting ) My King, torn from the throats of devote your sorrow to the skillful thousands, dirge-keening men

26

I promise you Where, Pharandakes? promise you Where are Sousas, Pelagon, Dotamas? 1550 tear-darkened notes Where, Agdabatas, Psammis, too and where Sousiskanes XERXES Let every breath 1520 who left Ekbatana? you draw sound out WHERE ARE THEY NOW? a din of endless lamenting Divine wind has shifted XERXES Past all help Heaven I had to leave them blows against me now They fell from a Tyrian ship CHORUS Every breath drawn shall din a lament and washed on sounding your pain Salamis 1560 and sea-battered sorrows rocks and there they died But listen! a nation on that wave-broken shore howls for her children 1530 And I ring CHORUS Thousands I ring out the thousands! a tear-spilling change Where are the others? Where, your Pharnoukhos XERXES It was Greeks and Ariomardos? who stole our victory! Where is his brave heart? Yes, Greeks And where, lord Seualkes for whom ship-armored War or highborn Lilaios? 1570 decided Where are Memphis, Tharybis, Masistras? to harvest Where, Artembares, Hystaikhmas, too? the black as night plain We ask you, keep asking you and that Luck-hated shore over and over

CHORUS Thousands WHERE ARE THEY NOW? the thousands! Anguish puts questions: XERXES Sorrow Where are the friends sorrow who marched legion behind you? is mine, mine Where, the men Looking with one same look at who stood proud beside you? Athens old as time, anciently hated 1580

27 all of them now at one same sweeping stroke ten thousand nomads are cast on the dry land and war-hungry Ankhares, too to lie there Diaixis with another, Arsakes lie there horselords both of them gasping for breath and Egdadatas and more, Lythimnas Tolmos, too, whose spear always thirsted CHORUS Then it's true? I am stunned 1620 Your most faithful Persian stunned your very own Eye They'll not march again whose rollcall counted those thousands beside these men, these few TEN thousands— 1590 who came home Batanokhos' son Alpistos following your carriage wheels [you left HIM there] with the son of Sesames, Megabates' son? XERXES Gone, the leaders who set my army's pace Parthos, too, and brawny Oibares? You left them all CHORUS Gone, gone, their names become dust left them slaughtered or drowned? XERXES Ache aching sorrow To Persia's old men you call out a roll CHORUS Sorrow sorrow of grief, unbounded grief 1600 Undying Powers 1630 You willed this hopeless loss XERXES Sorrow wide and chilling as Blind Folly's gaze sorrow If only I XERXES Struck, we are struck lifelong by Luck's blows could charm back the souls of CHORUS Struck, struck down, I know it to the bone brave men comrades you make me remember as you call the roll of boundless grief XERXES By new strange new anguish hateful, unforgettable grief My heart howls CHORUS From the moment howls Greek sailors from its bony cage loomed on fortune's horizon War-broken no, not Persia's sons! CHORUS And I ache with longing for others: Xanthes who led out

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XERXES How not? 1640 Thousands lost— XERXES Far more than despair struck through my army I suffer CHORUS Disasters by twos, disasters by threes CHORUS Great fool! What is NOT XERXES In my shame I give joy to our enemies ruined that made Persia proud? CHORUS And strength is wholly destroyed XERXES (fingering his rags ) Do you see the remnant left as my cover? XERXES My bodyguard's gone, I am naked

CHORUS I see, I do see! CHORUS Stripped of friends, tricked at sea

XERXES (holding up his quiver ) XERXES Wail tearsongs, wail pain, wail me home And see this arrow-concealing— CHORUS Gone, gone, they are gone, dead and gone CHORUS You're telling us something is saved! XERXES Din back my howling, my thumping 1670 XERXES —this storehouse where shafts were crowded? 1650 CHORUS Sad voices sadly moan sadness CHORUS Few left of many, too few XERXES Cry doomsongs, tune them to mine XERXES Defenders are few, we are helpless CHORUS Gone gone CHORUS Greeks never ran from the spear & dead and gone XERXES gone XERXES War-mad, they made me CHORUS How brutal the losses on land and sea see shame I never expected— How helpless my grief

CHORUS You speak XERXES Strike deathnotes, drum breasts, drum me home of DEFEAT! Ship-armored thousands went down CHORUS Dead, dead, they are dead and I weep

XERXES —and I tore my clothes when I saw them drowning 1660 XERXES Din back my howling, my thumping 1680

CHORUS Despair despair CHORUS Lead and I follow, my lord

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XERXES Lift voices, beat out the dirge XERXES Lament as you go to your houses

CHORUS Gone gone CHORUS Sorrow the sorrow & dead and gone Hard now to tread Persia's downtrodden Earth XERXES gone XERXES Wail as you step through the city CHORUS And black-bruising hands and voice bruised black now mingle in grief CHORUS Wailing wails, weeping

XERXES And keep striking breasts and keep crooning wails XERXES Tread soft as you sob out your dirges

CHORUS Wail thousands the thousands CHORUS Sorrow our sorrow Hard now to tread Persia's downtrodden Earth XERXES And tug, pull out white hair from your beards 1690 XERXES Mourn mourn 1710 CHORUS With tearing, tearing nails and a dirge the men in the ships three-tiered ships Mourn mourn XERXES And rake air with cries your sons dead and gone dead and gone

CHORUS Hear my cries CHORUS To slowdinning dirges we shall lead you home

XERXES And rip heavy robes with fingers hooked The CHORUS surround XERXES. Together, lamenting and making all the gestures of mourning, they circ1e the stage as if wa1king through the city. CHORUS Mourn thousands the thousands Exeunt ALL right. XERXES And strip out your hair, lament an army lost

CHORUS With tearing, tearing nails and a dirge

XERXES And eyes rain down tears

CHORUS See my tears

XERXES Din back my howling, my thumping 1700

CHORUS Thousands the thousands