How by one stroke our full prosperity
Hath shatter'd been, and blighted Persia's flower.
Woeful his office first who heralds woe!
Yet all our sorrow must I needs unfold.—
Persians! the whole barbaric host is lost.
Chorus. Strophe I.
Grievous, O grievous woe, 260
Strange, dismal overthrow,
Weep, Persians, hearing of this dreadful blow.
Messenger.
Yonder our all is ruined utterly
Myself, past hope returning, view the light.
Chorus. Antistrophe I.
Oppressed by weight of years,
Too long our life appears,
When this unlooked-for woe assails our ears.
Messenger.
Present myself, not hearing others' words,
Persians! I can report what ills befel.
Chorus. Strophe II.
In vain, alas, in vain, 270
That many-nationed, diverse-weaponed band,
Against illustrious Hellas' land,
From Asia sped amain.
Messenger.
Corpses of men ill-fated choke the coasts
Of Salamis, and all the region near.
