And though a mortal, thought, with no good counsel,

To master all the Gods, yea, e'en Poseidon.

Nay, was not my poor son oppressed with madness?

And much I fear lest all my heaped-up treasure

Become the spoil and prey of the first comer.

Atoss. Such things the o'er-hasty Xerxes learns from others,

750

By intercourse with men of evil counsel;[[54]]

Who say that thou great wealth for thy son gained'st

By thy spear's might, while he with coward spirit