Scaife ATLAS

CTS Library / Persians

Persians (249-290)

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0085.tlg002.perseus-eng2:249-290
Refs {'start': {'reference': '249', 'human_reference': 'Line 249'}, 'end': {'reference': '290', 'human_reference': 'Line 290'}}
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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
—the whole barbarian host is lost.
256
Chorus
Grievous, grievous disaster, strange and cruel. Alas, Persians, weep now that you hear of this calamity.
260
Messenger
Yes, weep, for you hear that the whole army is utterly destroyed; and I myself unexpectedly behold the day of my return.
262
Chorus
The life which has been given to us elders is too long, for we have now heard
of this unexpected misery.
266
Messenger
Since I myself was present and did not merely hear what happened from the report of others, I can tell you exactly what kind of disaster was wrought.
268
Chorus
Alas, alas! In vain did our vast and variously armed host
go forth from the land of Asia against the hostile soil of Hellas.
272
Messenger
Full of the bodies of men who perished by a miserable fate are the shores of Salamis and all the neighboring coasts.
274
Chorus
Alas, alas! You say that the bodies of our loved ones,
battered by the brine and drenched, are tossing, washed back and forth among the reefs.
278
Messenger
Our bows were of no use, and the whole host has perished, overwhelmed when ship charged on ship.
280
Chorus
Raise a doleful and mournful wail for the Persians, the wretched Persians, since they have met with complete and utter ruin. Alas for the destruction of our host!
284
Messenger
O name of Salamis most odious to my ears!
Alas, how I groan when I recall the memory of Athens!
286
Chorus
Ah, hateful indeed is Athens to her foes. Now must we remember how many Persian women she has deprived of sons and husbands, lost all in vain.
290
Atossa
Long have I kept silent in my misery, struck with dismay at our disaster; for this calamity is so great that it is not possible to say or even to ask about its extent. Nevertheless mortals must endure affliction when it is heaven-sent.

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