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THE PERSIANS
Alas, Darius! one brief word must tell thee all the tale—
The Persian power is in the dust, gone down in blood and bale!
Ghost of Darius
Speak—by what chance? did man rebel, or pestilence descend?
Atossa
Neither! by Athens' fatal shores our army met its end.
Ghost of Darius
Which of my children led our host to Athens? speak and say.
Atossa
The froward Xerxes, leaving all our realm to disarray.
Ghost of Darius
Was it with army or with fleet on folly's quest he went?
Atossa
With both alike, a twofold front of double armament.
Ghost of Darius
And how then did so large a host on foot pass o'er the sea?
Atossa
He bridged the ford of Helle's strait by artful carpentry.
