_Chor._ O'er-long doth life appear To me, bowed down with years, On hearing this unlooked-for misery. _Mess._ And I, indeed, being present and not hearing The tales of others, can report, ye Persians, What ills were brought to pass. STROPHE II _Chor._ Alas, alas! in vain The many-weaponed and commingled host 270 Went from the land of Asia to invade The soil divine of Hellas. _Mess._ Full of the dead, slain foully, are the coasts Of Salamis, and all the neighbouring shore. ANTISTROPHE II _Chor._ Alas, alas! sea-tossed The bodies of our friends, and much disstained: Thou say'st that they are drifted to and fro *In far out-floating garments.[29] _Mess._ E'en so; our bows availed not, but the host Has perished, conquered by the clash of ships. STROPHE III _Chor._ Wail, raise a bitter cry 280 And full of woe, for those who died in fight. How every way the Gods have wrought out ill, Ah me! ah me, our army all destroyed. _Mess._ O name of Salamis that most I loathe! Ah, how I groan, remembering Athens too! ANTISTROPHE III _Chor._ Yea, to her enemies Athens may well be hateful, and our minds Remember how full many a Persian wife 290 She, for no cause, made widows and bereaved. _Atoss._ Long time I have been silent in my woe, Crushed down with grief; for this calamity Exceeds all power to tell the woe, or ask. Yet still we mortals needs must bear the griefs The Gods send on us. Clearly tell thy tale, Unfolding the whole mischief, even though Thou groan'st at evils, who there is not dead, And which of our chief captains we must mourn, And who, being set in office o'er the host, Left by their death their office desolate. 300 _Mess._ Xerxes still lives and sees the light of day. _Atoss._ To my house, then, great light thy words have brought, Bright dawn of morning after murky night.