A hawk that darted on the eagle’s head,

And tore it with his claws, the royal bird

Yielding his glory meekly to be plucked.

These things I saw in fear, as ye in fear

Must hear them. Ye know well, my son commands

Supreme in Persia. Should success attend him,

’Tis well; but should mischance o’ertake him, he

Will rule in Susa as he ruled before;

No power is here to whom he owes account.

Chorus.