Scaife ATLAS

CTS Library / Persians

Persians (680-720)

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0085.tlg002.perseus-eng2:680-720
Refs {'start': {'reference': '680', 'human_reference': 'Line 680'}, 'end': {'reference': '720', 'human_reference': 'Line 720'}}
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ships that are no more, no more?
681
The ghost of Darius rises from his tomb
Ghost of Darius
O most faithful of the faithful, comrades of my youth, aged Persians, what is it that is troubling the state? The earth groans and is furrowed by the stamp of men. As I behold my wife by my tomb,
I feel alarm, and I accept her libations in kindly mood; while you, standing near my tomb, make lament, and with shrill cries that summon the spirits of the dead, invoke me piteously. Not easy is the path out of the tomb, for this reason above all, that the gods beneath the earth
are readier to seize than to release. Nevertheless, since I have obtained dominion among them, I have come. But make haste, so that I may not incur blame regarding the time of my sojourn. What is this unexpected ill that weighs the Persians down?
694
Chorus
I shrink in awe from gazing upon you.
I shrink in awe from speaking in your presence by reason of my former dread of you.
697
Darius
Since, in compliance with your moanings, I have come from the world below, lay aside your awe of me; make your tale not long, but brief; speak out and deliver your story in its entirety.
700
Chorus
I fear to do your bidding; I fear to speak in your presence and deliver to those I love news hard to utter.
703
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.
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.
715
Darius
How did it happen? Did some stroke of pestilence or factional strife come upon the State?
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.

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