THE PERSIANS
103
And Tolmus good at need,
A greedy fighter fell to fill
With the red meat of war;
I marvel that they follow not
Thy crimson-curtained car.
Xerxes.
All, all have gone the darkling way
With that great host they led!
Chorus.
All, all are gone the darkling way
Down to the unmemoried dead!
Xerxes.
Forbear! This stabs me to the heart!
Chorus.
O unseen power, whoe'er thou art,
Thou hast hurled down a gleaming woe,
Bright ruin's ghastly meteor-glow!
Xerxes.
A stroke hath fallen resonant
To the last beat of time.
Chorus.
A stroke hath fallen resonant
To earth's remotest clime.
Xerxes.
O strange, new pang! Sharp agony!
Chorus.
Ionia, mistress of the sea
We struck under an evil star;
Yea, Persia hath ill-hap in war!
