Could I in full recount them. Be assured

That never yet so great a multitude

Died in a single day as died in this.

Atoss. Ah, me! Great then the sea of ills that breaks

On Persia and the whole barbaric host.

Mess. Be sure our evil fate is but half o'er:

On this has supervened such bulk of woe,

As more than twice to outweigh what I've told.

440

Atoss. And yet what fortune could be worse than this?