THE PERSIANS.
Chorus.
THE Faithful these, advisers old
Of Persians, gone to Hellas' strand,
Guards of these halls and plenteous gold
Here treasured, whom, as elders' meed,
Lord Xerxes, King, Darius' seed,
Chose wardens of the land.
But touching now the safe return
Of King and gold-trickt host,
My heart within me, doleful seer
Of mischief, harrow'd is by fear,—10
For all the martial strength is gone,
Nurtured in Asia,—and doth yearn
For our young hero; news is none;
Nor horseman reacheth yet nor post
Our Persia's central home.
But they forsaking Susa's walls,
Agbatana and Kissia's hold,
Right ancient, forth to battle sped,
Some borne on steeds, in galleys some,
Others in march, with measured tread,
War's serried ranks displayed. 20
