But now they learnt to look on ocean plains,[16] The wide sea hoary with the violent blast, Waxing o'er confident In cables formed of many a slender strand, And rare device of transport for the host. STROPHE IV So now my soul is torn, As clad in mourning, in its sore affright, Ah me! ah me! for all the Persian host! 120 Lest soon our country learn That Susa's mighty fort is void of men. ANTISTROPHE IV And through the Kissians' town Shall echo heavy thud of hands on breast. Woe! woe! when all the crowd of women speak This utterance of great grief, And byssine robes are rent in agony. STROPHE V For all the horses strong, And host that march on foot, Like swarm of bees, have gone with him who led 130 The vanguard of the host. Crossing the sea-washed, bridge-built promontory That joins the shores of either continent.[17] ANTISTROPHE V And beds with tears are wet In grief for husbands gone, And Persian wives are delicate in grief, Each yearning for her lord; And each who sent her warrior-spouse to battle 140 Now mourns at home in dreary solitude. But come, ye Persians now, And sitting in this ancient hall of ours, Let us take thought deep-counselling and wise, (Sore need is there of that,) How fareth now the great king Xerxes, he Who calls Dareios sire, Bearing the name our father bore of old? Is it the archers' bow that wins the day? Or does the strength prevail 150 Of iron point that heads the spear's strong shaft? But lo! in glory like the face of gods, The mother of my king, my queen, appears: Let us do reverent homage at her feet; Yea, it is meet that all Should speak to her with words of greeting kind. _Enter_ ATOSSA _in a chariot of state_ _Chor._ O sovereign queen of Persian wives deep-zoned, Mother of Xerxes, reverend in thine age, Wife of Dareios! hail! 'Twas thine to join in wedlock with a spouse Whom Persians owned as God,[18] And of a God thou art the mother too, Unless its ancient Fortune fails our host. 160