Persians
Aeschylus
Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.
- By strange woe, strange woe!
- It was with bad luck that we encountered Ionia’s mariners. Unfortunate in war, indeed, is Persia’s race.
- How true it is. In the loss of so great an army
- I have indeed been dealt a blow, wretched as I am.
- What that belonged to Persia, unfortunate one, has not been destroyed?
- Do you see this remnant of my royal robe?
- Yes, I do indeed.
- And this quiver—
- What is this you say has been saved?
- Treasury for shafts?
- Truly a small remnant from an ample store.
- We have been deprived of defenders.
- Ionia’s people shrink not from the spear.
- They are a war-like people. I have lived to behold a calamity I never expected.
- Are you speaking of the routed multitude which manned your ships?
- And I rent my robe at the disastrous event.
- Alas, alas!
- No, far worse than alas.
- Yes, for twofold and threefold—
- Pain to us, but exultation to our enemies