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?
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.
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.
Chorus
I fear to do your bidding; I fear to speak in your presence and deliver to those I love news hard to utter.
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.
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.
Darius But how was it that so vast a land force won a passage to the farther shore?
Atossa By a clever device he yoked the Hellespont so as to gain a passage.
Darius What! Did he succeed in closing the mighty Bosporus?
Atossa Yes indeed. One of the divine powers must have assisted him in his purpose.
Darius Alas! Some mighty power came upon him so that he was not able to think clearly.
Atossa Yes, since we can see the outcome, what ruin he wrought.
Darius And how then did they fare that you now lament them?
Atossa Disaster to the naval force brought ruin to the force on land.
Darius And did the whole army utterly perish by the spear?
Atossa Yes, and it is for this reason that the whole city of Susa groans at its desolation.
Darius Alas for the loss of our warriors’ valiant force and defence!
Atossa And the host of the Bactrians is lost, wholly destroyed: not even an old man is left.
Darius Unhappy man, since he has brought to ruin the youth of our allies.
Atossa But Xerxes, alone and forlorn, with scanty train, they say—
Darius Met his end, how, tell me, and where? Of his safety is there any hope?
Atossa To his joy he reached the bridge yoking the two continents.
Darius And reached our continent in safety? Is this certain?
Atossa Yes, a proven report establishes this. Doubt there is none.
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