_Dar._ But since I came by thy complaints persuaded, From below rising, spin no lengthened tale; But shortly, clearly speak, and tell thy story, And leave awhile thine awe and fear of me. _Chor._ I dread thy wish to grant, *I dread to say thee nay,[51] Saying things that it is hard for friends to speak. _Dar._ Nay, then, since that old dread of thine prevents thee, Do thou [_to_ ATOSSA], the ancient partner of my bed,700 My noble queen, from these thy plaints and moanings Cease, and say something clearly. Human sorrows May well on mortals fall; for many evils, Some on the sea, and some on dry land also, Happen to men if life be far prolongèd. _Atoss._ O thou, who in the fate of fair good fortune Excelled'st all men, who, while yet thou sawest The sun's bright rays, did'st lead a life all blessed, Admired, yea, worshipped as a God by Persians, Now, too, I count thee blest in that thou died'st Before thou saw'st the depth of these our evils. For now, Dareios, thou shalt hear a story Full, yet in briefest moment. Utter ruin, To sum up all, is come upon the Persians. 710 _Dar._ How so? Hath plague or discord seized my country? _Atoss._ Not so, but all the host is lost near Athens. _Dar._ What son of mine led that host hither, tell me?[52] _Atoss._ Xerxes o'er-hasty, emptying all the mainland. _Dar._ Made he this mad attempt by land or water? _Atoss._ By both; two lines there were of two great armies. _Dar._ How did so great a host effect its passage? _Atoss._ He bridged the straits of Helle, and found transit. _Dar._ Did he prevail to close the mighty Bosporos? _Atoss._ So was it; yet some God, it may be, helped him. 720 _Dar._ Alas! some great God came and stole his wisdom. _Atoss._ Yea, the end shows what evil he accomplished. _Dar._ And how have they fared, that ye thus bewail them? _Atoss._ The naval host, o'ercome, wrecked all the land-force. _Dar._ What! Is the whole host by the spear laid prostrate? _Atoss._ For this doth Susa's city mourn her losses. _Dar._ Alas, for that brave force and mighty army! _Atoss._ The Bactrians all are lost, not old men merely. _Dar._ Poor fool! how he hath lost his host's fresh vigour! _Atoss._ Xerxes, they say, alone, with but few others.... 730 _Dar._ What is his end, and where? Is there no safety? _Atoss._ Was glad to gain the bridge that joins two mainlands. _Dar._ And has he reached this mainland? Is that certain? _Atoss._ Yea, the report holds good. Here is no discord.[53]