Stasimon 6
[Choral 1]
Behold me, alas, a fitting subject for lamentation, born a source of ruin to my race and fatherland.
Chorus
As a greeting for your return home I will lift up an ill-omened cry of woe, the voice, versed in lamentation, of a Mariandynian mourner,
935
a wail attended by many a tear.
940
Xerxes
Utter a strain of lamentation, plaintive and discordant. For Fortune has now veered and turned against me.
Chorus
I will indeed utter the song of lamentation
in commemoration of your sufferings and of our strongly-manned ships, buffeted by waves; the plaintive strain of our land which mourns its sons. And I will cry aloud in lamentation, shedding many a tear.
945
[Choral 2]
Yes, for the Ionian naval force, turning the tide of battle, swept them away, the Ionian host, ravaging the dark sea and the shore of doom.
950
Chorus
Woe! woe! cry aloud, learn about the whole disaster. Where is the rest of the multitude of your comrades? Where are those who stood by your side, such as Pharandaces, Susas, Pelagon, Dotamas, and
955
Agdabatas, Psammis, and Susiscanes of Agbatana?
960
Xerxes
By the shores of Salamis, dashing against its rugged shore,
I left them, fallen in death from a Tyrian ship.
965
Chorus
Woe! woe! cry aloud! Where is your beloved Pharnuchus, and the courageous Ariomardus? Where is prince Seualces,
or Lilaeus of noble lineage, Memphis, Tharybis and Masistras, Artembares and Hystaechmas? This I ask you.
970
[Choral 3]
Woe, woe is me!
Xerxes
They beheld ancient and hateful Athens and with one convulsive struggle (alas, alas !) poor wretches, they lie gasping on the shore.
975
Chorus
Did you really lose your trusty eyeThe Persian kings had in their service officers called their eyes and ears, charged to make report of what they saw and heard.there, that which
counted tens upon tens of thousands of the Persians, Batanochus’ son Alpistus . . . son of Sesames, Megabates’ son, Parthos and mighty Oebares, did you leave these behind?
980
Alas, alas, the unhappy men! You speak of woe, surpassing woe, for noble Persians.
985
Xerxes
In truth you stir yearning in me for my gallant comrades
when you tell me of woe, surpassing woe, hateful and unforgettable. The heart within me cries out aloud for the wretched ones.
990
Chorus
And yet there are others too whom we miss: Xanthis, commander of a myriad Mardian men, and warlike Anchares,
Diaexis, too, and Arsaces, captains of the horse, Cegdadatas and Lythimnas, and Tolmus, insatiate in war. I marvel,
995
that they do not follow behind around your wheeled tent.
1000
[Choral 4]
Gone are they who were leaders of the host.
Chorus
Gone, alas, ingloriously.
Chorus
Alas, alas, you powers divine, you brought ruin upon us, unexpected, unmistakable to see, as is the glance of calamity.
1005
Xerxes
We have been stricken by misfortune such as will endure for ages.
Chorus
We have been stricken; it is abundantly clear.
Xerxes
By strange woe, strange woe!
1010
Chorus
It was with bad luck that we encountered Ionia’s mariners. Unfortunate in war, indeed, is Persia’s race.
[Choral 5]
How true it is. In the loss of so great an army
Xerxes
I have indeed been dealt a blow, wretched as I am.
1015
Chorus
What that belonged to Persia, unfortunate one, has not been destroyed?
Xerxes
Do you see this remnant of my royal robe?
Xerxes
And this quiver—
1020
Chorus
What is this you say has been saved?
Xerxes
Treasury for shafts?
Chorus
Truly a small remnant from an ample store.
Xerxes
We have been deprived of defenders.
Chorus
Ionia’s people shrink not from the spear.
1025
Xerxes
They are a war-like people. I have lived to behold a calamity I never expected.
Chorus
Are you speaking of the routed multitude which manned your ships?
Xerxes
And I rent my robe at the disastrous event.
1030
Xerxes
No, far worse than alas.
Chorus
Yes, for twofold and threefold—
Xerxes
Pain to us, but exultation to our enemies
Chorus
Yes, and our strength has been maimed.
1035
Xerxes
I am stripped of my escort.
Chorus
By the disasters of your comrades upon the sea.
[Choral 6]
Weep, weep over our calamity, and depart to your homes.
Chorus
Alas, alas, woe, woe!
Xerxes
Cry aloud now in response to me.
1040
Chorus
A wretched offering from the wretched to the wretched.
Xerxes
Cry out, tuning your strain to mine.
Chorus
Oh, oh! That which has happened is grievous indeed.
Alas, for I too share in your sorrow.
1045
Xerxes
Strike, strike, and groan for my sake.
Chorus
I weep in lamentation!
Xerxes
Now cry aloud in response to me.
Chorus
This care, my lord, is mine.
Xerxes
Lift up your voice now in lamentation.
1050
Chorus
Oh, oh! And with our wailing, alas, will be mingled bruising blows and shrieks of pain.
[Choral 7]
Beat your breast too, and raise the Mysian wail.
Chorus
Anguish, anguish!
1055
Xerxes
And tear, I beg of you, the white hair from your beard.
Chorus
With clenched nails, with clenched nails, with loud wailing.
Xerxes
And utter shrill cries.
Chorus
This too I will do.
Xerxes
And with your fingers tear the robe which drapes you.
1060
Xerxes
Pluck out your locks, and lament our host.
Chorus
With clenched nails, with clenched nails, with loud wailing.
Xerxes
Let tears moisten your eyes.
Chorus
I am drenched with tears.
1065
[Choral]
Cry aloud now in response to me.
Xerxes
With sounds of wailing go to your homes.
Xerxes
Alas! through the city.
Xerxes
Pour forth your wails as you move along with soft steps.
Chorus
Alas, alas, O Persian land, grievous now to walk upon!
Those that perished in three-tiered galleys, ah me!
1075
Chorus
I will escort you with dismal sounds of woe. Exeunt omnes