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.
 Chorus Grievous, grievous disaster, strange and cruel. Alas, Persians, weep now that you hear of this calamity.
 Messenger Yes, weep, for you hear that the whole army is utterly destroyed; and I myself unexpectedly behold the day of my return.
 Chorus The life which has been given to us elders is too long, for we have now heard of this unexpected misery.
 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.
 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 .
 Messenger Full of the bodies of men who perished by a miserable fate are the shores of Salamis and all the neighboring coasts.
 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.
 Messenger Our bows were of no use, and the whole host has perished, overwhelmed when ship charged on ship. 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!
 Messenger O name of Salamis most odious to my ears! Alas, how I groan when I recall the memory of Athens !
 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. 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.