Read the foul indictment, falsehood After falsehood rolling on; Far away my thoughts shall wander, Thinking of the moments gone, When with tears and prayers ye dragged me Hither to your council-hall, Young and old, and wives and children, Echoing one despairing call,-- "Speak some word of comfort, Archon, Ere the Persian dig our grave! Speak, Themistocles, and save us,-- Thou alone hast power to save!" Is it over? Let me hear it,-- Let me hear once more the end,-- "For Themistocles betrays us, And is sworn the Persian's friend--" No, not that! Take back the falsehood! Curse the hand that wrote the lie; Charge what deadly crime it lists you, 'Tis no dreadful thing to die. But shall all my free devotion, All my care for Athens' weal, Turn to treason and corruption, Stamped with such a lying seal? Was 't for Persia then I led you Up to proud Athena's height,-- Bade you view this barren country, And the sea to left and right,-- Bade you leave your plain and mountain,-- Save to dig their shining ore,-- Bade you grasp the ocean's sceptre, Spoil the wealth of every shore, Spread your white sails to the breezes, Unrestrained like them and free, Lords of no contracted city, But the monarchs of the sea! Persia's friend! Have ye forgotten How the lord of Persia came, Bridging seas, and cleaving mountains, With the terrors of his name,-- How he burst through Tempe's portal, Trod the dauntless Spartan down, Dragged the vile Boeotian captive, Dared e'en Delphi's sacred crown? And the craven wail of terror Rang through Athens' every street; Then ye came and begged for counsel, Kneeling, clinging to my feet. Then I bade you leave your city, Leave your temples and your halls, Trusting, as the god gave answer, To your country's wooden walls. And the Persian, entering proudly, Found a city of the dead; Athens' corpse his only victim, Her immortal soul had fled!