XERXES.
Wail, wail the miserable doom, and to the palace hie!

CHORUS.
Alas, alas, and woe again!

XERXES.
Shriek, smite the breast, as I!

CHORUS.
An evil gift, a sad exchange, of tears poured out in vain!

XERXES.
Shrill out your simultaneous wail!

CHORUS.
Alas the woe and pain!

XERXES.
O, bitter is this adverse fate!

CHORUS.
I voice the moan with thee!

XERXES.
Smite, smite thy bosom, groan aloud for my calamity!

CHORUS.
I mourn and am dissolved in tears!