Aeschylus, Persians 249–289: Second episode: the Messenger announces the defeat

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.

Grievous, grievous disaster, strange and cruel. Alas, Persians, weep now that you hear of this calamity.

Yes, weep, for you hear that the whole army is utterly destroyed; and I myself unexpectedly behold the day of my return.

The life which has been given to us elders is too long, for we have now heard of this unexpected misery.

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.

Alas, alas! In vain did our vast and variously armed host go forth from the land of Asia against the hostile soil of Hellas.

Full of the bodies of men who perished by a miserable fate are the shores of Salamis and all the neighboring coasts.

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.

Our bows were of no use, and the whole host has perished, overwhelmed when ship charged on ship.

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!

O name of Salamis most odious to my ears! Alas, how I groan when I recall the memory of Athens!

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.