I envy thee in death: yea, count it bliss
Not to have lived to search the black abyss,
The bottomless pit of sorrow. Dear my lord,
Darius, to sum all in one brief word;
Persia lies waste—a kingdom desolate!
Darius.
Speak'st thou of plague and famine! Or is the state
By rancour of domestic faction rent?
Queen.
Nothing of this; her mighty armament
Hath suffered ruin round the Athenian coast.
Darius.
Tell me; what son of mine led forth our host?
Queen.
Impetuous Xerxes: and to fill his train
Emptied of manhood Asia's vasty plain.
Darius.
And on this rash attempt, of folly born,
Went he by land or sea?
Queen.
With either horn,
Broadening the thrust of his battle-front, he planned
A double enterprise by sea and land.
Darius.
How found he means o'er all the realms that lie
'Twixt us and Persia, plains and mountains high,
To launch on foot an armament so vast?
Queen.
A yoke on Helle's stormy frith he cast
And made a causeway through the unruly sea.
