Atossa
Ay! old with young, the Bactrian force hath perished at our side!
Ghost of Darius
Alas, my son! what gallant youths hath he sent down to death!
Atossa
Alone, or with a scanty guard—for so the rumour saith—
Ghost of Darius
He came—but how, and to what end? doth aught of hope remain?
Atossa
With joy he reached the bridge that spanned the Hellespontine main.
Ghost of Darius
How? is he safe, in Persian land? speak soothly, yea or nay!
Atossa
Clear and more clear the rumour comes, for no man to gainsay.
Ghost of Darius
Woe for the oracle fulfilled, the presage of the war
Launched on my son, by will of Zeus! I deemed our doom afar
In lap of time; but, if a king push forward to his fate,
The god himself allures to death that man infatuate!
