Persians

Aeschylus

Aeschylus, Volume 1. Smyth, Herbert Weir, translator. London; New York: William Heinemann; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1922.

  1. I am stripped of my escort.
Chorus
  1. By the disasters of your comrades upon the sea.
Xerxes
  1. Weep, weep over our calamity, and depart to your homes.
Chorus
  1. Alas, alas, woe, woe!
Xerxes
  1. Cry aloud now in response to me.
Chorus
  1. A wretched offering from the wretched to the wretched.
Xerxes
  1. Cry out, tuning your strain to mine.
Chorus
  1. Oh, oh! That which has happened is grievous indeed.
  2. Alas, for I too share in your sorrow.
Xerxes
  1. Strike, strike, and groan for my sake.
Chorus
  1. I weep in lamentation!
Xerxes
  1. Now cry aloud in response to me.
Chorus
  1. This care, my lord, is mine.
Xerxes
  1. Lift up your voice now in lamentation.
Chorus
  1. Oh, oh! And with our wailing, alas, will be mingled bruising blows and shrieks of pain.
Xerxes
  1. Beat your breast too, and raise the Mysian wail.
Chorus
  1. Anguish, anguish!
Xerxes
  1. And tear, I beg of you, the white hair from your beard.
Chorus
  1. With clenched nails, with clenched nails, with loud wailing.