Chor. I dread thy wish to grant,

[*]I dread to say thee nay,[[51]]

Saying things that it is hard for friends to speak.

Dar. Nay, then, since that old dread of thine prevents thee,

Do thou [to Atossa], the ancient partner of my bed,

700

My noble queen, from these thy plaints and moanings

Cease, and say something clearly. Human sorrows

May well on mortals fall; for many evils,

Some on the sea, and some on dry land also,