Xerxes Gone are they who were leaders of the host.
Chorus Gone, alas, ingloriously.
Xerxes Alas, alas!
Chorus Alas, alas, you powers divine, you brought ruin upon us, unexpected, unmistakable to see, as is the glance of calamity.
Xerxes We have been stricken by misfortune such as will endure for ages.
Chorus We have been stricken; it is abundantly clear.
Xerxes By strange woe, strange woe!
Chorus It was with bad luck that we encountered Ionia’s mariners. Unfortunate in war, indeed, is Persia’s race.
Xerxes How true it is. In the loss of so great an army I have indeed been dealt a blow, wretched as I am.
Chorus What that belonged to Persia, unfortunate one, has not been destroyed?
Xerxes Do you see this remnant of my royal robe?
Chorus Yes, I do indeed.
Xerxes And this quiver—
Chorus What is this you say has been saved?
Xerxes Treasury for shafts?
Chorus Truly a small remnant from an ample store.
Xerxes We have been deprived of defenders.
Chorus Ionia’s people shrink not from the spear.
Xerxes They are a war-like people. I have lived to behold a calamity I never expected.
Chorus Are you speaking of the routed multitude which manned your ships?
Xerxes And I rent my robe at the disastrous event.
Chorus Alas, alas!
Xerxes No, far worse than alas.
Chorus Yes, for twofold and threefold—
Xerxes Pain to us, but exultation to our enemies
Chorus Yes, and our strength has been maimed.
Xerxes I am stripped of my escort.
Chorus By the disasters of your comrades upon the sea.
Xerxes Weep, weep over our calamity, and depart to your homes.
Chorus Alas, alas, woe, woe!
Xerxes Cry aloud now in response to me.
Chorus A wretched offering from the wretched to the wretched.
Xerxes Cry out, tuning your strain to mine.
Chorus Oh, oh! That which has happened is grievous indeed. Alas, for I too share in your sorrow.
Xerxes Strike, strike, and groan for my sake.
Chorus I weep in lamentation!
Xerxes Now cry aloud in response to me.
Chorus This care, my lord, is mine.
Xerxes Lift up your voice now in lamentation.
Chorus Oh, oh! And with our wailing, alas, will be mingled bruising blows and shrieks of pain.
Xerxes Beat your breast too, and raise the Mysian wail.
Chorus Anguish, anguish!
Xerxes And tear, I beg of you, the white hair from your beard.
Chorus With clenched nails, with clenched nails, with loud wailing.
Xerxes And utter shrill cries.
Chorus This too I will do.
Xerxes And with your fingers tear the robe which drapes you.
Chorus Anguish, anguish!
Xerxes Pluck out your locks, and lament our host.
Chorus With clenched nails, with clenched nails, with loud wailing.
Xerxes Let tears moisten your eyes.
Chorus I am drenched with tears.
Xerxes Cry aloud now in response to me.
Chorus Alas, alas!
Xerxes With sounds of wailing go to your homes.
Chorus Alas, alas!
Xerxes Alas! through the city.
Chorus Alas, indeed!
Xerxes Pour forth your wails as you move along with soft steps.
Chorus Alas, alas, O Persian land, grievous now to walk upon!
Xerxes Ah me! Those that perished in three-tiered galleys, ah me!
Chorus I will escort you with dismal sounds of woe.
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