Ghost of Darius
By nevermore assailing Grecian lands,
Even tho' our Median force be double theirs—
For the land's self protects its denizens.
Chorus
How meanest thou? by what defensive power?
Ghost of Darius
She wastes by famine a too countless foe.
Chorus
But we will bring a host more skilled than huge.
Ghost of Darius
Why, e'en that army, camped in Hellas still,
Shall never win again to home and weal!
Chorus
How say'st thou? will not all the Asian host
Pass back from Europe over Helle's ford?
Ghost of Darius
Nay—scarce a tithe of all those myriads,
If man may trust the oracles of Heaven
When he beholds the things already wrought,
Not false with true, but true with no word false
If what I trow be truth, my son has left
A chosen rear-guard of our host, in whom
He trusts, now, with a random confidence!
They tarry where Asopus laves the ground
