ATOSSA.
And what hath she, besides her men? enow of wealth in store?
CHORUS.
A mine of treasure in the earth, a fount of silver ore!
ATOSSA.
Is it in skill of bow and shaft that Athens’ men excel?
CHORUS.
Nay, they bear bucklers in the fight, and thrust the spear-point well.
ATOSSA.
And who is shepherd of their host and holds them in command?
CHORUS.
To no man do they bow as slaves, nor own a master’s hand.
ATOSSA.
How should they bide our brunt of war, the East upon the West?
CHORUS.
That could Darius’ valiant horde in days of yore attest!
ATOSSA.
A boding word, to us who bore the men now far away!
CHORUS.
Nay—as I deem, the very truth will dawn on us to-day.
A Persian by his garb and speed, a courier draws anear—
He bringeth news, of good or ill, for Persia’s land to hear.