Of all Persians envied, living like a god on earth, no less

Happy wert thou in thy dying, ere thou didst behold the depth

Of this present woe, Darius. Thou, in short phrase shalt hear all.

Persia’s strength is gone: the army lost: all ruined. I have said.

Darius.

How? Did pestilence smite the city, or did foul sedition rise?

Atossa.

Neither. Near far Athens routed was the Persian host.

Darius.

Who marched?