The gods had held for nought, with fervent prayers 500
Invoked them now, bowing to earth and sky.
When from their frequent orisons the host
Had ceased, the stream's firm crystal straight they cross;
Then those among us who their march began,
Ere the god darted forth his rays, were saved;
For, flaming with his beams, the sun's bright orb
Pierced the mid river, warming with his blaze;
Then each on other fell, and blest was he
Whoever earliest snapt the breath of life.
But the poor remnant, they who safety found, 510
With toil and many a hardship crossing Thrace,
Rescued, arrive, not many, to a land
Of hearths domestic. Now let Susa groan,
Sore yearning for our country's much-loved youth.
True are these things, but many ills untold
I leave, which God upon the Persians hurled.
Chorus.
O baleful Demon! with what heavy weight
Thy feet have trampled on all Persia's race!
Atossa.
Ah, woe is me for ruin of the host!
Oh nightly vision manifest in dreams, 520
To me how surely didst thou ills portend!
[To the Chorus.]
But ye too lightly did interpret it.
Nathless, since your response did sanction this,
First, I desire to supplicate the gods;
