DARIUS. And, doing this, my son hath done a deed Whose heavy memory shall not die. For never Fell such mischance on Susa's halls, since when Jove gave his honor that one sceptre sways Sheep-pasturing Asia. First the Mede was King Of the vast host of people.[n29] Him his son Succeeded, ending well things well begun; For wisdom still was rudder to his valour. Cyrus, the third from him, a prosperous man, Brought peace to all his friends. The Lydian people, The Phrygians, the Ionians, he subdued: With him no god was wroth; for he was wise. The fourth was Cyrus' son: he was a leader Of mighty hosts. Him, the fifth, Mardus followed, A blot to Persia, and the ancestral throne; Whom in the palace slew Artaphrenes, Sworn, with a chosen band of faithful friends, To give him secret riddance. Maraphis next, And seventh Artaphrenes: myself Then won the lot I coveted. I marched My hosts to many wars, but never brought Mishap like this on Susa. My son, Xerxes, Being young hath young conceits; and takes no note Of my advisement. Ye, who were my friends, And fellows in the government, can witness, We suffered loss, but we preserved the state. CHORUS. Liege lord Darius, to what issue tend Thy words? With greedy ears we wait to hear How Persia henceforth may her strength repair. DARIUS. Learn from your loss, and never march your armies Again to Hellas, were they twice as strong. Not man alone, the land fights for the foe. {324} CHORUS. How mean'st thou this? how fights the land for them? DARIUS. Our mighty multitudes their barren coast Kills by sheer famine. CHORUS. But with a moderate host? DARIUS. A moderate host remains; but, of that few, Few shall see Persian land. CHORUS. How? Shall the army Not all from Europe cross by Helle's frith?