Did you really lose your trusty eyeThe Persian kings had in their service officers called their eyes and ears, charged to make report of what they saw and heard.there, that whichcounted tens upon tens of thousands of the Persians, Batanochus’ son Alpistus . . . son of Sesames, Megabates’ son, Parthos and mighty Oebares, did you leave these behind?Alas, alas, the unhappy men! You speak of woe, surpassing woe, for noble Persians.

XerxesIn truth you stir yearning in me for my gallant comradeswhen you tell me of woe, surpassing woe, hateful and unforgettable. The heart within me cries out aloud for the wretched ones. ChorusAnd yet there are others too whom we miss: Xanthis, commander of a myriad Mardian men, and warlike Anchares,Diaexis, too, and Arsaces, captains of the horse, Cegdadatas and Lythimnas, and Tolmus, insatiate in war. I marvel,that they do not follow behind around your wheeled tent.

XerxesGone are they who were leaders of the host. ChorusGone, alas, ingloriously. XerxesAlas, alas! ChorusAlas, alas, you powers divine, you brought ruin upon us, unexpected, unmistakable to see, as is the glance of calamity.

XerxesWe have been stricken by misfortune such as will endure for ages. ChorusWe have been stricken; it is abundantly clear. XerxesBy strange woe, strange woe! ChorusIt was with bad luck that we encountered Ionia’s mariners. Unfortunate in war, indeed, is Persia’s race.

XerxesHow true it is. In the loss of so great an armyI have indeed been dealt a blow, wretched as I am.