Stasimon 1
[Choral 1]
Grievous, grievous disaster, strange and cruel. Alas, Persians, weep now that you hear of this calamity.
Messenger
Yes, weep, for you hear that the whole army is utterly destroyed; and I myself unexpectedly behold the day of my return.
260
Chorus
The life which has been given to us elders is too long, for we have now heard
of this unexpected misery.
265
Messenger
Since I myself was present and did not merely hear what happened from the report of others, I can tell you exactly what kind of disaster was wrought.
[Choral 2]
Alas, alas! In vain did our vast and variously armed host
Chorus
go forth from the land of Asia against the hostile soil of Hellas.
270
Messenger
Full of the bodies of men who perished by a miserable fate are the shores of Salamis and all the neighboring coasts.
Chorus
Alas, alas! You say that the bodies of our loved ones,
battered by the brine and drenched, are tossing, washed back and forth among the reefs.
275
Messenger
Our bows were of no use, and the whole host has perished, overwhelmed when ship charged on ship.
[Choral 3]
Raise a doleful and mournful wail for the Persians, the wretched Persians, since they have met with complete and utter ruin. Alas for the destruction of our host!
280
Messenger
O name of Salamis most odious to my ears!
Alas, how I groan when I recall the memory of Athens!
285
Chorus
Ah, hateful indeed is Athens to her foes. Now must we remember how many Persian women she has deprived of sons and husbands, lost all in vain.