To Xerxes, reign'd in Thessaly. There glow Inviolate the shrubs. There branch the trees, Sons of the forest. Over downy moss Smooth walks and fragrant, lucid here and broad, There clos'd in myrtle under woodbine roofs, Wind to retreats delectable, to grots, To sylvan structures, bow'rs, and cooling dells, Tigranes and Phraortes repair to Xerxes, whom Enliven'd all and musical with birds they find seated on a throne, surrounded by his Of vocal sweetness, in relucent plumes satraps in a magnificent pavilion; while the Innumerably various. Lulling falls Magi stand before him, and sing a hymn, conOf liquid crystal from perennial founts taining the religion of Zoroastres. Xerxes, notAttune their pebbled channels. Here the queen, withstanding the arguments of his brothers, Hy- The noble dames of Persia, here the train peranthes and Abrocomes, gives no credit to the of royal infants, each with eunuch guards, ambassadors, who report, that the Grecians are In rich pavilions, dazzling to the sight, determined to maintain the pass against him; Possess'd, remote from onset and surprise, but by the advice of Artemisia, the queen of A tranquil station. Ariana here, Caria, ascends his chariot to take a view of the Ill-destin'd princess from Darius sprung, Grecians himself, and commands Demaratus, an Hangs, undelighted, o'er melodious rills exiled king of Sparta, to attend him. He passes Her drooping forehead. Love-afflicted fair! through the midst of his army, consisting of All inharmonious are the feather'd choirs many nations, differing in arms, customs, and To her sad ear. From flow'rs, and florid plants, manners. He advances to the entrance of the To her the breezes, wafting fresh perfumes, straits, and, surprised at the behaviour of the Transmit no pleasure. Sedulous in vain, Spartans, demands the reason of it from Dema- Her tender slaves in harmony with lutes ratus; which occasions a conversation between Of soothing sound their warbled voices blend them on the mercenary forces of Persia, and the To charm her sadness. This, the precious part militia of Greece. Demaratus, weeping at the Of Asia's camp, Artuchus holds in charge, sight of his countrymen, is comforted by Hype-A satrap, long experienc'd, who presides ranthes. Xerxes, still incredulous, commands O'er all the regal palaces. High rank'd, Tigranes and Phraortes to bring the Grecians Bold, resolute, and faithful, he commands bound before him the next day, and retires to his The whole Sperchean vale. In prospect rise pavilion. Artemisia remains behind with her The distant navy, dancing on the foam, son, and communicates to Hyperanthes her ap- Th' unbounded camp, enveloping the plain, prehensions of a defeat at Thermopyla. She With Xerxes' tent, august in structure plac'd takes an accurate view of the pass, chooses a A central object to attract the eyes convenient place for an ambuscade, and on her Of subject millions, Thither now resort departure to the Persian camp is surprised by a Tigranes and Phraortes. Him they find reproof from a woman of an awful appearance on Enclos'd by princes, by illustrious chiefs, a cliff of mount Eta. The potentates of Asia. Near his side Abrocomes and Hyperanthes wait, His gallant brothers, with Mazæus brave, Pandates, Intaphernes, mighty lords. Their scepter'd master from his radiant seat Looks down imperious. So the stately tow'r Of Belus, mingling its majestic brow With Heav'n's bright azure, from on high survey'd The huge extent of Babylon with all Her sumptuous domes and palaces beneath. This day his banners to unfurl in Greece The monarch's will decides; but first ordains, That grateful hymns should celebrate the name Of Horomazes: so the Persians call'd The world's great author. Rob'd in purest white, The Magi rang'd before th' unfolded tent. Fire blaz'd beside them. Tow'rds the sacred flame They turn'd, and sent their tuneful praise to Heav'n. From Zoroastres was the song deriv'd,
THE plain beyond Thermopyla is girt
Half round by mountains, half by Neptune lav'd. The arduous ridge broken deep in clefts, Which open channels to pellucid streams In rapid flow sonorous. Chief in fame, Spercheos, boasting once his poplars tall, Foams down a stony bed. Throughout the face Of this broad champaign numberless are pitch'd Barbarian tents. Along the winding flood To rich Thessalia's confines they extend. They fill the vallies, late profusely bless'd In Nature's vary'd beauties. Hostile spears Now bristle horrid through her languid shrubs, Pale die her flow'rets under barb'rous feet. Embracing ivy from its rock is torn. The lawn, dismantled of its verdure, fades. The poplar groves, uprooted from the banks, Leave desolate the stream. Elab'rate domes, To Heav'n devoted in recesses green, Had felt rude force, insensible and blind To elegance and art. The statues, busts, The figur'd vases, mutilated, lie
With chisell'd columns, their engraven fricze, Their architrave and cornice, all disjoin'd.
Yet unpolluted, is a part reserv'd
Ju this deep vale, a patrimonial spot Of Aleuadian princes, who, allies
Who on the hills of Persia from his cave, By flow'rs environ'd, and melodious founts, Which sooth'd the solemn mansion, had reveal'd, How Horomazes, radiant source of good, Original, immortal, fram'd the globe In fruitfulness and beauty: how with stars By him the Heav'n's were spangled: how the Sun, Refulgent Mithra, purest spring of light,
And genial warmth, whence teeming Nature smiles, Burst from the east at his creating voice; When straight beyond the golden verge of day Night show'd the horrours of her distant reigu,
Truth, temperance, and wisdom sprung from When Arimanins blacken'd all the soul With falsehood and injustice, with desires Insatiable, with violence and rage,
Malignity and folly. If the hand
Of Horomazes on precarious life
Reject thy proffer'd clemency. They choose To magnify thy glory by their fall."
The monarch, turning to his brothers, spake. Say, Hyperanthus, can thy soul believe These tidings? Sure these slaves have never dar'd To face the Grecians, but delude our ears With base impostures, which their fear suggests." He frown'd, and Hyperanthes calm reply'd. "O from his servants may the king avert His indignation! Greece was fam'd of old For martial spirit, and a dauntless breed.
I once have try'd their valour. To my words Abrocomes can witness. When thy sire And ours, Darius, to Athenian shores With Artaphernes brave and Datis sent
Sheds wealth and pleasure; swift th' infernal god Our tender youth; at Marathon we found,
With wild excess, or av'rice blasts the joy. "Thou Horomazes, victory dost give.
By thee with fame the regal head is crown'd. Great Xerxes owns thy succour. When in storms The hate of direful Arimanius swell'd The Hellespont; thou o'er its chafing breast The destin'd master of the world didst lead, This day his promis'd glories to enjoy: When Greece affrighted to his arms shall bend; Ev'n as at last shall Arimanius fall Before thy might, and evil be no more." The Magi ceas'd their harmony. Behold, From her tall ship between a double row Of naval warriors, while a golden ray Shoots from her standard, Artemisia lands. In her enrich'd accoutrements of war,
The full-wrought buckler, and high-crested helm, In Caria first devis'd, across the beach Her tow'ring form advances. So the pine, From Taurus hewn mature in spiry pride, Now by the sailor in its canvass wings Voluminous, and dazzling pendants dress'd, On Artemisia's own imperial deck Is seen to rise, and overtop the grove Of crowded masts surrounding. In her heart Deep scorn of courtly counsellors she bore, Who fill with impious vanity their king; As when he lash'd the Hellespont with rods, Amid the billows cast a golden chain To fetter Neptune. Yet her brow severe Unbent its rigour often, as she glanc'd On her young son, who, pacing near in arms Of Carian guise, proportion'd to his years, Look'd up, and waken'd by repeated smiles Maternal fondness, melting in that eye, Which scowl'd on purpled flatterers. Her seat At the right hand of Xerxes she assumes, Invited; while in adoration bow'd Tigranes and Phraortes. Prone they lay, Across their foreheads spread their servile palms, As from a present deity, too bright For mortal vision, to conceal their eyes. At length in abject phrase Tigranes thus.
"O Xerxes, live for ever! Gracious lord, Who dost permit thy servants to approach Thy awful sight, and prostrate to confess Thy majesty and radiance. May the pow'r Of Horomazes stretch thy regal arm O'er endless nations from the Indian shores To whose wide floods, which beat Iberian strands, From northern Tanais to the source of Nile! Still from thy head may Arimanius bend Against thy foes his malice! Yonder Greeks, Already smit with frenzy by his wrath,
How weak the hope, that numbers could dismay A foe, resolv'd on victory or death. Yet not, as one contemptible, or base, Let me appear before thee. Though the Greeks With such persisting courage be endu'd, Soon as the king shall summon to the field, He shall behold me in the dang'rous van Exalt my spear, and pierce the hostile ranks, Or sink beneath them." Xerxes swift rejoin'd. Why over Asia, and the Libyan soil, With all their nations doth my potent arm Extend its sceptre? Wherefore do I sweep Across the Earth with millions in my train? Why shade the ocean with unnumber'd sails? Why all this pow'r, unless th' almighty's will Decreed one master to the subject world; And that the Earth's extremity alone Should bound my empire? He for this reduc'd The Nile's revolted sons, enlarg'd my sway With sandy Libya, and the sultry clime Of Ethiopia. He for this subdu'd The Hellespontic foam, and taught the sea Obedience to my nod. Then dream no more, That Heav'n, deserting my imperial cause, With courage, more than human, will inspire Yon despicable Grecians, and expunge The common fears of nature from their breasts." The monarch ceas'd. Abrocomes began. "The king commands us to reveal our thoughts. Incredulous he hears. But time and truth Not Horomazes can arrest. Thy beams
To instant light'ning, Mithra, mayst thou change For my destruction; may th' offended king Frown on his servant, cast a loathing eye; If the assertion of my lips be false: Our further march those Grecians will oppose." Amid th' encircling peers Argestes sat, A potent prince. O'er Sipylus he reign'd, Whose verdant summits overlook'd the waves Of Hermus and Pactolus. Either stream, Enrich'd by golden sands, a tribute pay'd To this great satrap. Through the servile court Yet none was found more practis'd in the arts Of mean submission; none more skill'd to gain The royal favour; none, who better knew The phrase, the look, the gesture of a slave; None more detesting Artemisia's worth, By her none more despis'd. His master's eye He caught, then spake. "Display thy dazzling state, Thou deity of Asia. Greece will hide Before thy presence her dejected face."
Last Artemisia, rising stern, began. "Why sits the lord of Asia in his tent, Unprofitably wasting precious hours
In vain discussion, whether yonder Greeks, Rang'd in defence of that important pass, Will fight, or fly? A question by the sword To be decided. Still to narrow straits By land, by sea thy council hath confin'd Each enterprise of war. In numbers weak Twice have th' Athenians in Eubœa's frith Repuls'd thy navy-But whate'er thy will, Be it enforc'd by vigour. Let the king The diff'rence see, by trial in the field, Between smooth sound and valour. Then dissolve These impotent debates. Ascend thy car. The future stage of war thyself explore, Behind thee leave the vanity of hope, That such a foe to splendour will submit, Whom steel, not gold, must vanquish. Thou provide Thy mail, Argestes. Not in silken robes, Not as in council with an oily tongue, But spear to spear, and clanging shield to shield, Thou soon must grapple on a field of blood."
The king arose "No more. Prepare my car. The Spartan exile, Demaratus, call. We will ourselves advance to view the foe."
The monarch will'd; and suddenly he heard His trampling horses. High on silver wheels The iv'ry car with azure sapphires shone, Cerulean beryls, and the jasper green, The emerald, the ruby's glowing blush, The flaming topaz with its golden beam, The pearl, th' empurpled amethyst, and all The various gems, which India's mines afford To deck the pomp of kings. In burnish'd gold A sculptur'd eagle from behind display'd His stately neck, and o'er the royal head [steeds, Outstretch'd his dazzling wings. Eight gen'rous Which on the fam'd Nisæan plain were nurs'd In wintry Media, drew the radiant car. Not those of old, to Hercules refus'd By false Laomedon, nor they, which bore The son of Thetis through the scatter'd rear Of Troy's devoted race, with these might vie In strength, or beauty. In obedient pride They hear their lord. Exulting, in the air They toss their foreheads. On their glist'ning chests The silver manes disport. The king ascends. Beside his footstool Demaratus sits. The charioteer now shakes th' effulgent reins, Strong Patiramphes. At the signal bound Th' attentive steeds; the chariot flies: behind, Ten thousand horse in thunder sweep the field. Down to the sea-beat margin, on a plain Of vast expansion, in battalia wait
The eastern bands. To these th' imperial wheels, By princes follow'd in a hundred cars, Proceed. The queen of Caria and her son With Hyperanthes rode. The king's approach Swift through the wide arrangement is proclaim'd. He now draws nigh. Th' innumerable host Roll back by nations, and admit their lord With all his satraps. As from crystal domes, Built underneath an arch of pendent seas, When that stern pow'r, whose trident rules the floods, With each cerulean deity ascends, Thron'd in his pearly chariot, all the deep Divides its bosom to th' emerging god; So Xerxes rode between the Asian world, On either side receding: when, as down Th' immeasurable ranks his sight was lost, A momentary gloom o'ercast his mind, While this reflection fill'd his eyes with tears;
That, soon as time a hundred years had told, Not one among those millions should survive. Whence to obscure thy pride arose that cloud? Was it, that once humanity could touch A tyrant's breast? Or rather did thy soul Repine, O Xerxes, at the bitter thought, That all thy pow'r was mortal? But the veil Of sadness soon forsook his brightning eye, As with adoring awe those millions bow'd, And to his heart relentless pride recall'd. Elate the mingled prospect he surveys Of glitt'ring files unnumber'd, chariots scyth'd, On thund'ring axles roll'd, and haughty steeds, In sumptuous trappings clad, barbaric pomp. While gorgeous banners to the Sun expand Their streaming volumes of relucent gold, Preeminent amidst tiaras gemm'd,
Engraven helmets, shields emboss'd, and spears In number equal to the bladed grass, Whose living green in vernal beauty clothes Thessalia's vale. What pow'rs of sounding verse Can to the mind present th' amazing scene? Not thee, whom Rumour's fabling voice delights, Poetic Fancy, to my aid I call;
But thou, historic Truth, support my song, Which shall the various multitude display, Their arms, their manners, and their native seats. The Persians first in scaly corselets shone,
A gen'rous nation, worthy to enjoy The liberty their injur'd fathers lost, Whose arms for Cyrus overturn'd the strength Of Babylon and Sardis. Pow'r advanc'd The victor's head above his country's laws. Their tongues were practis'd in the words of truth, Their limbs inur'd to ev'ry manly toil, To brace the bow, to rule th' impetuous steed, To dart the javelin; but, untaught to form The ranks of war, with unconnected force, With ineffectual fortitude they rush'd, As on a fence of adamant, to pierce Th' indissoluble phalanx. Lances short, And osier-woven targets they oppos'd To weighty Grecian spears, and massy shields. On ev'ry head tiaras rose like tow'rs, Impenetrable. With a golden gloss Blaz'd their gay sandals, and the floating reins Of each proud courser. Daggers on their thighs, Well-furnish'd quivers on their shoulders hung, And strongest bows of mighty size they bore. Resembling these in arms, the Medes are seen, The Cissians and Hyrcanians. Media once From her bleak mountains aw'd the subject east. Her kings in cold Ecbatana were thron'd. The Cissians march'd from Susa's regal walls, From sultry fields, o'erspread with branching palms, And white with lilies, water'd by the floods Of fam'd Choaspes. His transparent wave The costly goblet wafts to Persia's kings. All other streams the royal lip disdains. Hyrcania's race forsook their fruitful clime, Dark in the shadows of expanding oaks, To Ceres dear and Bacchus. There the corn, Bent by its foodful burden, sheds, unreap'd, Its plenteous seed, impregnating the soil With future harvests; while in ev'ry wood Their precious labours on the loaden boughs The honey'd swarms pursue. Assyria's sons Display their brazen casques, unskilful work Of rude barbarians. Each sustains a mace, O'erlaid with iron. Near Euphrates' banks
Within the mighty Babylonian gates
They dwell, and where still mightier once in sway Old Ninus rear'd its head, th' imperial seat Of eldest tyrants. These Chaldæa joins, The land of shepherds. From the pastures wide There Belus first discern'd the various course Of Heav'n's bright planets, and the clust'ring stars With names distinguish'd; whence himself was The first of gods. His sky-ascending fane [deem'd In Babylon the proud Assyrians rais'd.
Drawn from the bounteous soil, by Ochus lav'd, The Bactrians stood, and rough in skins of goats The Paricanian archers. Caspian ranks From barren mountains, from the joyless coast Around the stormy lake, whose name they bore, Their scimitars upheld, and cany bows. The Indian tribes, a threefold host compose. Part guide the courser, part the rapid car; The rest on foot within the bending cane For slaughter fix the iron-pointed reed. They o'er the Indus from the distant verge Of Ganges passing, left a region, lov'd
By lavish Nature. There the season bland Bestows a double harvest. Honey'd shrubs, The cinnamon, the spikenard, bless their fields. Array'd in native wealth, each warrior shines. His ears bright-beaming pendants grace; his hands, Encircled, wear a bracelet, starr'd with gems. Such were the nations, who to Xerxes sent Their mingled aids of infantry and horse.
Now, Muse, recite, what multitudes obscur'd The plain on foot, or elevated high On martial axles, or on camels beat The loosen'd mould. The Parthians first appear, Then weak in numbers, from unfruitful hills, From woods, nor yet for warlike steeds renown'd. Near them the Sogdians, Dadices arrange, Gandarians and Chorasmians. Sacian throngs From cold Imaus pour'd, from Oxus' wave, From Cyra, built on laxartes' brink,
A bound of Persia's empire. Wild, untam'd, To fury prone, their deserts they forsook. A bow, a falchion, and a pond'rous axe The savage legions arm'd. A pointed casque O'er each grim visage rear'd an iron cone. In arms like Persians the Saranges stood. High, as their knees, the shapely buskins clung Around their legs. Magnificent they trod In garments richly tinctur'd. Next are seen The Pactian, Mycian, and the Utian train, In skins of goats rude-vested. But in spoils Of tawny lions, and of spotted pards The graceful range of Ethiopians shows An equal stature, and a beauteous frame. Their torrid region had imbrown'd their cheeks, And curl'd their jetty locks. In ancient song Renown'd for justice, richies they disdain'd, As foes to virtue. From their seat remote, On Nilus' verge above th' Egyptian bound, Forc'd by their king's malignity and pride, These friends of hospitality and peace, Themselves uninjur'd, wage reluctant war Against a land, whose climate, and whose name To them were strange. With hardest stone they The rapid arrow. Bows four cubits long, [point Form'd of elastic branches from the palm, They carry; knotted clubs, and lances, arm'd With horns of goats. The Paphlagonians march'd, From where Carambis with projected brows O'erlooks the dusky Euxin, wrapt in mists,
From where through flow'rs, which paint his vary'd banks,
Parthenius flows. The Ligyan bands succeed; The Matienians, Mariandenians next; To them the Syrian multitudes, who range Among the cedars on the shaded ridge Of Libanus; who cultivate the glebe, Wide-water'd by Orontes; who reside Near Daphne's grove, or pluck from loaded palms The foodful date, which clusters on the plains Of rich Damascus. All, who bear the name Of Cappadocians, swell the Syrian host, With those, who gather from the fragrant shrub The aromatic balsam, and extract
Its milky juice along the lovely side
Of Jordan, winding, till immers'd he sleeps Beneath a pitchy surface, which obscures Th' Asphaltic pool. The Phrygians then advance, To them their ancient colony are join'd, Armenia's sons. These see the gushing founts Of strong Euphrates cleave the yielding earth, Then, wide in lakes expanding, hide the plain; Whence with collected waters, fierce and deep, His passage rending through diminish'd rocks, To Babylon he foams. Not so the stream Of soft Araxes to the Caspian glides; He, stealing imperceptibly, sustains The green profusion of Armenia's meads. Now strange to view, in similar attire, But far unlike in manners to the Greeks, Appear the Lydians. Wantonness and sport Were all their care. Beside Caijster's brink, Or smooth Maæander, winding silent by, Beside Pactolean waves, among the vines Of Timolus rising, or the wealthy tide Of golden sanded Hermus, they allure The sight, enchanted by the grateful dance; Or with melodious sweetness charm the air, And melt to softest languishment the soul. What to the field of danger could incite These tender sons of luxury? The lash Of their fell sov'reign drove their shiv'ring backs Through hail and tempest, which enrag'd the main And shook beneath their trembling steps the pile, Conjoining Asia and the western world. To them Moonia hot with sulph'rous mines Unites her troops. No tree adorns their fields, Unbless'd by verdure. Ashes hide the soil; Black are the rocks, and ev'ry hill deform'd By conflagration. Helmets press their brows. Two darts they brandish. On their woolly vests A sword is girt; and hairy hides compose Their bucklers round and small. The Mysians left Olympus wood-envelop'd, left the meads, Wash'd by Caïcus, and the baneful tide Of Lycus, nurse to serpents. Next advance An ancient nation, who in early times By Trojan arms assail'd, their native land Esteem'd less dear than freedom, and exchang'd Their seat on Strymon, where in Thrace he pours A freezing current, for the distant flood Of fishy Sangar. These, Bithynians nam'd, Their habitation to the sacred feet Of Dindymus extend. Yet there they groan Beneath oppression, and their freedom mourn On Sangar now, as once on Strymon lost. The ruddy skins of foxes cloth'd their heads. Their shields were fashion'd like the horned Moon. A vest embrac'd their bodies; while abroad, Ting'd with unnumber'd hues, a mantle flow'd.
But other Thracians, who their former name Retain'd in Asia, fulgent morions wore, With horns of bulls in imitating brass, Carv'd o'er the crested ridge. Phoenician cloth Their legs infolded. Wont to chase the wolf, A hunter's spear they grasp'd. What nations still On either side of Xerxes, while he pass'd, Their huge array discov'ring, swell his soul With more than mortal pride? The cluster'd bands Of Moschians and Macronians now appear, The Mosynœcians, who, on berries fed, In wooden tow'rs along the Pontic sands Repose their painted limbs; the mirthful race Of Tibarenians next, whose careless minds Delight in play and laughter. Then advance In garments, buckled on their spacious chests, A people, destin'd in eternal verse, Ev'n thine, sublime Moonides, to live. These are the Milyans. Solymi their name In thy celestial strains, Pisidia's bills Their dwelling. Once a formidable train They fac'd the strong Bellerophon in war. Now doom'd a more tremendous foe to meet, Themselves unnerv'd by thraldom, they must leave Their putrid bodies to the dogs of Greece. The Marians follow. Next is Aria's host, Drawn from a region horrid all in thorn, A dreary waste of sands, which mock the toil Of patient culture; save one favour'd spot, Which from the wild emerges like an isle, Attir'd in verdure, intersper'd with vines Of gen'rous nurture, yielding juice which scorns The injuries of time: yet Nature's hand Had sown their rocks with coral; had enrich'd Their desert hills with veins of sapphires blue, Which on the turban shine. On ev'ry neck The coral blushes through the num'rous throng. The Allarodians and Sasperian bands, Equipp'd like Colchians, wield a falchion small. Their heads are guarded by a helm of wood, Their lances short, of hides undress'd their shields. The Colchians march'd from Phasis, from the strand, Where once Medea, fair enchantress, stood, And, wond'ring, view'd the first advent'rous keel, Which cut the Pontic foam. From Argo's side The demigods, descended. They repair'd To her fell sire's inhospitable hall. His blooming graces Jason there disclos'd. With ev'ry art of eloquence divine
He claim'd the golden fleece. The virgin heard, She gaz'd in fatal ravishment, and lov'd. Then to the hero she resigus her heart. Her magic tames the brazen-footed bulls. She lulls the sleepless dragon. O'er the main He wafts the golden prize, and gen'rous fair, The destin'd victim of his treach'rous vows. The hostile Colchians then pursu'd their flight In vain. By ancient enmity inflam'd, Or to recall the long-forgotten wrong Compell'd by Xerxes, now they menace Greece With desolation. Next in Median garb A crowd appear'd, who left the peopled isles In Persia's gulf, and round Arabia strewn. Some in their native topaz were adorn'd, From Ophiodes, from Topazos sprung; Some in the shells of tortoises, which brood Around Casitis' verge. For battle range Those, who reside, where, all beset with palms, Erythras lies entomb'd, a potent king, Who nam'd of old the Erythræan main.
On chariots scyth'd the Libyans sat, airay'd In skins terrific, brandishing their darts Of wood, well-temper'd in the hard'ning flames. Not Libya's deserts from tyrannic sway Could hide her sons; much less could freedom dwell Amid the plenty of Arabia's fields:
Where spicy Cassia, where the fragrant reed, Where myrrh, and hallow'd frankincense perfume The Zephyr's wing. A bow of largest size Th' Arabian carries. O'er his lucid vest Loose floats a mantle, on his shoulder clasp'd. Two chosen myriads on the lofty backs Of camels rode, who match'd the fleetest horse. Such were the numbers, which, from Asia led, In base prostration bow'd before the wheels Of Xerxes' chariot. Yet what legions more The Malian sand o'ershadow? Forward rolls The regal car through nations, who in arms, In order'd ranks unlike the orient tribes, Upheld the spear and buckler. But, untaught To bend the servile knee, erect they stood; Unless that, mourning o'er the shameful weight Of their new bondage, some their brows depress'd, Their arms with grief distaining. Europe's sons Were these, whom Xerxes by resistless force Had gather'd round his standards. Murm'ring here, The sons of Thrace and Macedonia rang'd; Here on his steed the brave Thessalian frown'd; There pin'd reluctant multitudes, of Greece Redundant plants, in colonies dispers'd Between Byzantium, and the Malian bay.
Through all the nations, who ador'd his pride, Or fear'd his pow'r, the monarch now was pass'd; Nor yet among those millions could be found One, who in beauteous feature might compare, Or tow'ring size with Xerxes. O possess'd Of all but virtae, doom'd to show how mean, How weak without her is unbounded pow'r, The charm of beauty, and the blaze of state, How insecure of happiness, how vain! Thou, who couldst mourn the common lot, by Heav'n From none withheld, which oft to thousands proves Their only refuge from a tyrant's rage; Which in consuming sickness, age, or pain Becomes at last a soothing hope to all: Thou, who couldst weep, that Nature's gentle hand Should lay her weary'd offspring in the tomb; Yet couldst remorseless from their peaceful seats Lead half the nations, victims to thy pride, To famine, plague, and massacre a prey; What didst thou merit from the injur'd world? What suff'rings to compensate for the tears Of Asia's mothers, for unpeopled realms, For all this waste of Nature? On his host Th' exulting monarch bends his haughty sight, To Demaratus then directs his voice.
"My father, great Darius, to thy mind Recall, O Spartan. Gracious he receiv'd Thy wand'ring steps, expell'd their native home. My favour too remember. To beguile Thy benefactor, and disfigure truth, Would ill become thee. With consid'rate eyes Look back on these battalions. Now declare, If yonder Grecians will oppose their march." To him the exile. "Deem not, mighty lord, I will deceive thy goodness by a tale To give them glory, who degraded mine. Nor be the king offended, while I use The voice of truth. The Spartans never fly." Contemptuous smil'd the monarch, and resum'd.
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