Epeisodion 5
Darius
Since dread long ingrained in your mind restrains you,
cease, noble woman, venerable partner of my bed, from your tears and laments, speak to me with all frankness. Afflictions ordained for human life must, we know, befall mankind. For many calamities from the sea, many from the land, arise to mortal men if their span of life is extended far.
705
Atossa
O you who in prosperity surpassed all mortal men by your happy destiny,
since, so long as you gazed upon the beams of the sun, you lived a life of felicity, envied of all, in Persian eyes a god, so now too I consider you fortunate in that you died before you beheld the depth of our calamities. The whole tale, O Darius, you will hear in brief space of time: the power of Persia is ruined almost utterly.
710
Darius
How did it happen? Did some stroke of pestilence or factional strife come upon the State?
715
Atossa
Neither; but near Athens our whole host has been brought to ruin.
Darius
Tell me, what son of mine led our army there?
Atossa
Impetuous Xerxes, depopulating the whole surface of the continent.
Darius
Was it by land or sea that he made this mad expedition, the reckless man?
Atossa
By both. There was a twofold front of double armies.
720
Darius
But how was it that so vast a land force won a passage to the farther shore?
Atossa
By a clever device he yoked the Hellespont so as to gain a passage.
Darius
What! Did he succeed in closing the mighty Bosporus?
Atossa
Yes indeed. One of the divine powers must have assisted him in his purpose.
Darius
Alas! Some mighty power came upon him so that he was not able to think clearly.
725
Atossa
Yes, since we can see the outcome, what ruin he wrought.
Darius
And how then did they fare that you now lament them?
Atossa
Disaster to the naval force brought ruin to the force on land.
Darius
And did the whole army utterly perish by the spear?
Atossa
Yes, and it is for this reason that the whole city of Susa groans at its desolation.
730
Darius
Alas for the loss of our warriors’ valiant force and defence!
Atossa
And the host of the Bactrians is lost, wholly destroyed: not even an old man is left.
Darius
Unhappy man, since he has brought to ruin the youth of our allies.
Atossa
But Xerxes, alone and forlorn, with scanty train, they say—
Darius
Met his end, how, tell me, and where? Of his safety is there any hope?
735
Atossa
To his joy he reached the bridge yoking the two continents.
Darius
And reached our continent in safety? Is this certain?
Atossa
Yes, a proven report establishes this. Doubt there is none.
Darius
Alas! The fulfilment of the oracles has indeed come swiftly, and it is my son upon whom
Zeus has caused their issue to descend. Yet I was confident that, only after long lapse of time, the gods would in some way bring them to accomplishment; nevertheless, when man hastens to his own undoing, the god too participates with him. A fountain of misfortune has now, I think, been discovered for all I love. A son of mine it was who, in his ignorance, brought these things to pass through youthful recklessness;
740
