At the origins of European dramatic literature is the gigantic, unique, like the Egyptian pyramids, the drama of Aeschylus, the only historical drama of the ancients that has come down to us: The Persians. The influence that this drama has had, and is likely to continue to have on our understanding of the character and history of the ancient Greeks, is immeasurable. We are accustomed to consider the Persian wars as one of the most important milestones in the history of mankind, as a miraculous victory of an insignificant minority over a huge, cruel horde of barbarians. It can, however, be assumed that in reality these wars were by no means such an important event in Persian history and that the punitive expedition against Athens, at least in part, but achieved its goal; for in the end Athens was destroyed, and a large part of the Greek army destroyed. One way or another, but it is quite obvious that, even if this expedition failed, the power of the Persian state was not undermined.
The superhuman and heroic in the battles of the Greeks most often seems to be a literary fiction. We see these battles as our descendants are likely to see our war two thousand years from now, provided, of course, that only the patriotic poetry of the French and the messages of the Tan survive. True, with the only difference that Aeschylus's "Persians" and the stories of Herodotus, which borrowed their color from them, are written incomparably more convincingly and strongly than is available to any of our contemporaries.
“The poetry of the Greeks,” says Friedrich Schlegel, “so inaccessibly rises above everything that was written after them, as far as it is perfect in itself. She is objectively beautiful; its beauty is the beauty of a flower or some other living being, which, developing according to internal laws, cannot but become impeccable. But the consciousness awakened in man began to hinder the organic impulse of his growth. Modern poetry, which is guided by reason, lacks completeness, unity, so natural to organic life; the analytical mind ceaselessly dismembers all that strives to be whole.”
If Schlegel is right, then it becomes clear why our patriotic dramaturgy can never achieve what Aeschylus did so naturally, as if by itself. After all, our patriotism is abstract; at least insofar as it can find literary expression. Do we hate the Isle of Wight? Or the British Museum? Bernard Shaw? Mr Smith or Mr Johnson? No, we hate England. As a concept, as a state. But can this kind of hatred give rise in literature to anything other than phrases, can hatred of a completely comprehensible by the mind, but intangible concept, give birth to true poetry?
It is characteristic that it is in The Persians, the most powerful patriotic work of all times, that the word "Persia" does not occur at all. Aeschylus speaks of the Persian land, Persian warriors, women, army, gods, the Persian language and Persian customs; but he does not speak of Persia. His patriotism is by no means conceptual, it is naive, objective. The word "fatherland", which the ancient Greek orators and historians used so willingly, also occurs only once in the Persians. Aeschylus's patriotism, no matter how full-sounding, is not rhetorical, but creative, figurative. And just as his gods are amazingly tangible, his religion, which he resolutely returns to the realm of the real, as soon as it tries to soar into transcendental heights, so his patriotism, permeated with religious feeling, is not the fruit of a philosophizing mind, but the fruit of living feelings. Hence his restrained, severe strength, his creative power, his conviction that convinces us.
The Persians are rather imperfect in terms of technical skill, and the work itself does not quite correspond to the strict and beautiful canons of Greek tragedy. The play has not yet completely passed from the epico-lyrical element to the dramatic. "Persians" were rightly compared with those archaic statues, in which the legs are closed, and the arms are pressed to the body. And in general the play is extremely unsophisticated. Many of the horrifying events of that time, which the poet and the audience themselves fully experienced, he omits or interprets them in a way that is more suitable for his play. Aeschylus himself took part in the battle of Marathon, he wished that only this was said in his epitaph, where not a word is mentioned about his victories in the competitions of tragic poets. And yet Aeschylus portrays the matter as if Darius never undertook an unsuccessful campaign against Hellas. Darius built a bridge across the Thracian Bosporus and personally commanded the army during the ill-fated campaign against the Scythians: the poet pretends that these important events did not happen at all. Queen Atossa, according to the Greeks, was a dangerous intriguer, something like the ancient Empress Eugenia, the direct instigator of wars with Hellas: Aeschylus turns her into a respectable, almost divine woman; for only in such an interpretation is it suitable for his design. In general, he is full of careless sincere naivety. His Persians incessantly call themselves barbarians, which, it is true, sounds softer in Greek, and their language is dissonant.
A remarkable contrast to this essentially ingenuous subjectivity is his objectivity in the perception of major events. Here measure is observed everywhere, there is not a trace of swagger. To enhance the oriental flavor, the poet cites a huge number of peculiar-sounding Persian names - and not a single Greek one. Not even the name of Aeschylus's favorite Aristide, whom the poet always admired, is not mentioned. It was not cunning, not courage, not the best strategy that won the victory, but the gods. The poet does not blaspheme the Persians; no one in his tragedy calls them treacherous. On the contrary, they are brave; after all, even the arrogance of Xerxes, challenging the gods, seems to be excused by the youth of the king, and old Darius, contrary to everything that the poet knew about him, appears in the play as a condescending, noble, god-equal ruler. In "Persians" there are no intoxicating cries of "Hurrah", but everywhere there is an unshakable, proud and natural trust in the gods and submission to their will. “Not a single Greek,” wrote Heinrich Foss, “comprehended the idea of Nemesis, punishing human arrogance, so sublimely and as deeply as Aeschylus; Napoleon, who was overwhelmed by the dream of becoming crowned Emperor of the East and who is now imprisoned on the island of Elba, could be an excellent model for his brush. When The Persians was first staged in Athens, it must have made a huge, absolutely incredible impression. A messenger appeared on the stage and began to tell the mother of Xerxes about the terrible defeat of the army of many thousands, moving from a plaintive piano to a thunderous fortissimo. Every word of Aeschylus becomes a laudatory, majestic song to an insignificant handful of Greeks who, trusting the gods and filled with sacred courage, defeated the wild horde. On this occasion, a statue of Nemesis was carved - from the very block of marble that the Persian king was carrying with him to erect a monument in honor of the victory over the Greeks.
The "Persians" are easily reproached for lack of action. It can be said that this play is nothing but an endless series of variations on the theme: “Ah! We poor Persians are defeated!” Fine, but what are these variations! Here is a grandiose story about the battle of Salamis, and a strange, mournful, soul-stirring song that appeals to the dead Darius in Hades; here is the gloomy prophecy of the old tsar, resigned to fate; here all this seething, moaning, screeching, screaming, roaring, throwing themselves to the ground, tearing their hair, tearing their chests to blood, a crowd drunk with an orgy of exotically violent sorrow.
And this is expressed in the language of Aeschylus, in which everything becomes a movement, an image, acquires visibility, life, soul. And this is expressed in long, thunderous senarii, in an unusually impressive alternation of choral stanzas, which, for all their unbridled power, are able to perfectly convey any change of mood. The boldness of his alliterations, his sound painting defies translation. His extremely organic oriental exclamations enrich the bright range of Persian lamentations, bringing them to the grotesque, for which, by the way, Aristophanes ridiculed the poet maliciously. But Aeschylus is allowed to reach the highest point, and we, the people of today, can only admire the infallibility of his taste. Where is the director who could find such an exact measure of the stage embodiment of this mournful oriental orgy, tamed in Hellenic rhythms?
CHARACTERS
Choir of Persian Elders. Atossa. Messenger. Shadow of Darius. Xerxes.
Square in front of the palace in Susa. The tomb of Darius is visible.
The entire Persian army went to Hellas.
And we old people stand guard
Golden palaces, expensive houses
Native land. The king himself ordered
Son of Darius, Xerxes,
To their eldest, tested servants
Keep this land sacred.
But the soul is confused by the anxiety of things,
He smells bad. Will the king return home with victory, will the army return,
Shining with power?
All Asia color in a foreign side
Fighting. The wife cries for her husband.
And the army does not send any foot messengers,
No cavalry to the capital of the Persians.
From everywhere - from Susa, Ekbatan, from the gate
Towers of ancient Kissian
And in the ranks of the ship, and in the cavalry,
And in the ranks of the foot soldiers, in a continuous stream, 20 soldiers left for the battle.
They were led on a campaign by Amistre, Artafren,
Megabat and Astasp - four kings
Under the greatest king,
Persians glorious leaders, chiefs of troops,
Shooters-strongmen on fast horses,
Severe in appearance, hot in battle,
Adamant soul, full of courage
And glorious formidable prowess.
Then Artembar, on horseback, 30 Masist and well-aimed archer Have,
Glorious fighter, then Farandak
And the horseman Sostan behind them.
The fruitful Nile sent others,
Mighty stream. Susiskan went,
The Egyptian Pegastagon went,
The king of holy Memphis has gone,
Great Arsames, and Ariomard,
Lord and leader of the ancient Thebes,
And the rowers that live in the swamps of the Delta, 40 Countless went in a crowd.
Behind them are the Lydians, pampered people,
They have the whole continent under their thumb.
And the Lydian army was led on a campaign
Mitrogat and Arktey, leaders and kings.
And from Sardis golden by the will of the lords
Chariots with fighters rushed into the distance,
Now fours of horses, then sixes of horses,
Look - and freeze with fear.
And the sons of Tmola, the sacred mountain, 50 wished to put a yoke on Hellas
Mardon, Taribid, spear-throwing army
Misiytsev. And Babylon itself is golden,
Gathering his army from everywhere,
Sent to war - and on foot
Shooters, and ships, one after another.
So Asia is all at the call of the king
I took up arms, and took off from the place,
And moved menacingly to Greece.
So the power and beauty of the Persian land 60 War carried away.
All Asia is a mother about those who left,
Yearning in tears, languishing with anxiety.
Parents and wives are counting the days.
And time goes on and on.
Verse 1 The army of the king invaded the country of neighbors,
What is on the other side of the Strait of Gella
Athamantides, tying the rafts with a rope, 70 Loading the sea around their necks
A heavily built bridge with a heavy yoke.
Antistrophe 1 Drives the army by land and water,
Full of rage, lord of Asia,
Dotted with people. Believe in their leaders
Strong, severe, persistent, 80 offspring of Danae, equal to the gods.
Verse 2 He looks blue-black
With the gaze of a predatory dragon,
From the Assyrian chariot
Ships and fighters
Driving, and towards
He sends arrows to the spears of the enemy.
Antistrophe 2 No barrier to hold back
The onslaught of crowded hordes, 90 No dam to storm
She stood before the sea.
The inexorable army of the Persians,
It is impossible to overcome him. Verse 3 But what a mortal is capable of
Unravel the cunning of God?
Which of us is easy and simple
Escape from the trap?
Antistrophe 3 God lures in a net
A man's cunning caress, 100 And mortal is no longer able to
Leave the web of fate.
Stanza 4 So it was decided by the gods and fate,
So from ancient times it was commanded to the Persians:
To fight, sweeping away the walls,
Reveling in horse slashes,
Occupying the city from the raid.
Antistrophe 4 And people are accustomed to look without fear 110 At the gray-haired, furious with the wind
Dal sea, learned
Weave mooring ropes,
Build bridges over the abysses.
Verse 5 That's why black fear
And it hurts my chest, alas!
Fear that, having lost his army,
Suddenly empty Susa
And the capital will scream in pain.
Antistrophe 5 And the Kissians cry out Suz 120 They will echo, and - alas!
Crowds of women crying and screaming
In tatters will be on themselves
To tear apart a thin-woven dress.
Verse 6 Who is on horseback, who is on foot
Behind the leader set off on the road,
All the people left the house with a swarm of bees, 130 So that, with one team
Connecting shore to shore
Cross the strait, where the capes
The two lands are separated by waves.
Antistrophe 6 And in the pillows bye
Persian wives shed tears,
Yearning for dear husbands,
Weep silently for those
Who's gone to the fight to the death
And left the poor wife
Longing for an empty bed.
EPISODIUM ONE
choir leader
140 Well, Persians, it's time! We sit by the walls
Here are the old
And strain the mind: the need has come
In difficult and important decisions.
What about Xerxes the king? Where is Daria's son,
Whose ancestor, Perseus,
Did he give the name of our tribe?
Did the bow strike the enemy,
Or an enemy spear
Spearhead won?
Atossa appears, accompanied by maids
150 But behold, like the radiance of the eyes of a deity,
Queen, the great king's mother,
Appears to us. Rather fall down
And all, as one, their queen
Honor with a welcoming speech!
Oh, hello to you, queen of the Persians, Daria's wife,
Xerxes' low-girded mother, mistress!
You were the wife of God, you are the mother of the god of Persia,
If the ancient demon of happiness did not leave our troops.
That's why I went out, leaving the golden house and the peace that served as a bedroom for me and Darius.
And anxiety gnaws at me. Frankly, my friends
I say: fear and fear are not alien to me either.
I'm afraid in the dust of the campaign all the wealth that I collected
Darius, with the help of the immortals, will themselves turn into dust.
Therefore, with double care, I am unspeakably punished:
After all, wealth is dishonorable if there is no power behind it,
But even in power there is little glory if you live in poverty.
Yes, we have full prosperity, but fear takes over the Eye
I call the owner with the eye of home and prosperity. 170 Now, O old Persians, my faithful servants,
Help me with advice, judge how to be here.
All my hope is on you, I expect encouragement from you.
Oh, believe me, queen, you won't have to ask us twice,
So that in word or deed, to the best of your ability, you
We helped: we really are your good servants.
All the time I dream at night since then,
As my son, having equipped the army, went
Devastate and plunder the Ionian region.
But there has not yet been such a clear 180 Dream as last night. I'll tell him.
I saw two well-dressed women:
One in a Persian dress, the other with a headdress
Dorian was, and both of these current
And growth, and wonderful beauty of his
Exceeded, two consanguineous
Sisters. Alone in Hellas to live permanently
He appointed a lot, in a barbarian country - another.
Having learned - so I dreamed - that some
Send them strife, son, so that the arguing 190 Calm and calm, harnessed to the chariot
Both and put on both women
A yoke around the neck. Harness this rejoicing,
One of them obediently took the bit,
But the other, uplifted, horse harness
I tore it apart with my hands, threw off the reins
And immediately broke the yoke in half.
My son fell here, and stands, mourning, over him
His parent is Darius. Seeing his father, 200 Xerxes tears his clothes furiously.
This is what I dreamed about tonight.
Then I got up, spring hands
She rinsed with water and, carrying in her hands
A cake, a sacrifice to lapel demons,
As custom requires, I came to the altar.
I look: an eagle at the altar of Phoebov
Current page: 1 (total book has 2 pages)
Aeschylus
Persians
CHARACTERS
Choir of Persian Elders. Atossa. Messenger. Shadow of Darius. Xerxes.
Square in front of the palace in Susa. The tomb of Darius is visible.
The entire Persian army went to Hellas.
And we old people stand guard
Golden palaces, expensive houses
Native land. The king himself ordered
Son of Darius, Xerxes,
To their eldest, tested servants
Keep this land sacred.
But the soul is confused by the anxiety of things,
He smells bad. Will the king return home with victory, will the army return,
Shining with power?
All Asia color in a foreign side
Fighting. The wife cries for her husband.
And the army does not send any foot messengers,
No cavalry to the capital of the Persians.
From everywhere - from Susa, Ekbatan, from the gate
Towers of ancient Kissian
And in the ranks of the ship, and in the cavalry,
And in the ranks of the foot soldiers, in a continuous stream, 20 soldiers left for the battle.
They were led on a campaign by Amistre, Artafren,
Megabat and Astasp - four kings
Under the greatest king,
Persians glorious leaders, chiefs of troops,
Shooters-strongmen on fast horses,
Severe in appearance, hot in battle,
Adamant soul, full of courage
And glorious formidable prowess.
Then Artembar, on horseback, 30 Masist and well-aimed archer Have,
Glorious fighter, then Farandak
And the horseman Sostan behind them.
The fruitful Nile sent others,
Mighty stream. Susiskan went,
The Egyptian Pegastagon went,
The king of holy Memphis has gone,
Great Arsames, and Ariomard,
Lord and leader of the ancient Thebes,
And the rowers that live in the swamps of the Delta, 40 Countless went in a crowd.
Behind them are the Lydians, pampered people,
They have the whole continent under their thumb.
And the Lydian army was led on a campaign
Mitrogat and Arktey, leaders and kings.
And from Sardis golden by the will of the lords
Chariots with fighters rushed into the distance,
Now fours of horses, then sixes of horses,
Take a look - and freeze with fear.
And the sons of Tmola, the sacred mountain, 50 wished to put a yoke on Hellas
Mardon, Taribid, spear-throwing army
Misiytsev. And Babylon itself is golden,
Gathering his army from everywhere,
Sent to war - and on foot
Shooters, and ships, one after another.
So Asia is all at the call of the king
I took up arms, and took off from the place,
And moved menacingly to Greece.
So the power and beauty of the Persian land 60 War carried away.
All Asia is a mother about those who left,
Yearning in tears, languishing with anxiety.
Parents and wives are counting the days.
And time goes on and on.
Verse 1 The army of the king invaded the country of neighbors,
What is on the other side of the Strait of Gella
Athamantides, tying the rafts with a rope, 70 Loading the sea around their necks
A heavily built bridge with a heavy yoke.
Antistrophe 1 Drives the army by land and water,
Full of rage, lord of Asia,
Dotted with people. Believe in their leaders
Strong, severe, persistent, 80 offspring of Danae, equal to the gods.
Verse 2 He looks blue-black
With the gaze of a predatory dragon,
From the Assyrian chariot
Ships and fighters
Driving, and towards
He sends arrows to the spears of the enemy.
Antistrophe 2 No barrier to hold back
The onslaught of crowded hordes, 90 No dam to storm
She stood before the sea.
The inexorable army of the Persians,
It is impossible to overcome him. Verse 3 But what a mortal is capable of
Unravel the cunning of God?
Which of us is easy and simple
Escape from the trap?
Antistrophe 3 God lures in a net
A man's cunning caress, 100 And mortal is no longer able to
Leave the web of fate.
Stanza 4 So it was decided by the gods and fate,
So from ancient times it was commanded to the Persians:
To fight, sweeping away the walls,
Reveling in horse slashes,
Occupying the city from the raid.
Antistrophe 4 And people are accustomed to look without fear 110 At the gray-haired, furious with the wind
Dal sea, learned
Weave mooring ropes,
Build bridges over the abysses.
Verse 5 That's why black fear
And it hurts my chest, alas!
Fear that, having lost his army,
Suddenly empty Susa
And the capital will scream in pain.
Antistrophe 5 And the Kissians cry Susa 120 They will echo, and - alas!
Crowds of women crying and screaming
In tatters will be on themselves
To tear apart a thin-woven dress.
Verse 6 Who is on horseback, who is on foot
Behind the leader set off on the road,
All the people left the house with a swarm of bees, 130 So that, with one team
Connecting shore to shore
Cross the strait, where the capes
The two lands are separated by waves.
Antistrophe 6 And in the pillows bye
Persian wives shed tears,
Yearning for dear husbands,
Weep silently for those
Who's gone to the fight to the death
And left the poor wife
Longing for an empty bed.
EPISODIUM ONE
choir leader
140 Well, Persians, it's time! We sit by the walls
Here are the old
And strain the mind: the need has come
In difficult and important decisions.
What about Xerxes the king? Where is Daria's son,
Whose ancestor, Perseus,
Did he give the name of our tribe?
Did the bow strike the enemy,
Or an enemy spear
Spearhead won?
Atossa appears, accompanied by maids
150 But behold, like the radiance of the eyes of a deity,
Queen, the great king's mother,
Appears to us. Rather fall down
And all, as one, their queen
Honor with a welcoming speech!
Oh, hello to you, queen of the Persians, Daria's wife,
Xerxes' low-girded mother, mistress!
You were the wife of God, you are the mother of the god of Persia,
If the ancient demon of happiness did not leave our troops.
That's why I went out, leaving the golden house and the peace that served as a bedroom for me and Darius.
And anxiety gnaws at me. Frankly, my friends
I say: fear and fear are not alien to me either.
I'm afraid in the dust of the campaign all the wealth that I collected
Darius, with the help of the immortals, will themselves turn into dust.
Therefore, with double care, I am unspeakably punished:
After all, wealth is dishonorable if there is no power behind it,
But even in power there is little glory if you live in poverty.
Yes, we have full prosperity, but fear takes over the Eye
I call the owner with the eye of home and prosperity. 170 Now, O old Persians, my faithful servants,
Help me with advice, judge how to be here.
All my hope is on you, I expect encouragement from you.
Oh, believe me, queen, you won't have to ask us twice,
So that in word or deed, to the best of your ability, you
We helped: we really are your good servants.
All the time I dream at night since then,
As my son, having equipped the army, went
Devastate and plunder the Ionian region.
But there has not yet been such a clear 180 Dream as last night. I'll tell him.
I saw two well-dressed women:
One in a Persian dress, the other with a headdress
Dorian was, and both of these current
And growth, and wonderful beauty of his
Exceeded, two consanguineous
Sisters. Alone in Hellas to live permanently
He appointed a lot, in a barbarian country - another.
Having learned - so I dreamed - that some
Send them strife, son, so that the arguing 190 Calm and calm, harnessed to the chariot
Both and put on both women
A yoke around the neck. Harness this rejoicing,
One of them obediently took the bit,
But the other, uplifted, horse harness
I tore it apart with my hands, threw off the reins
And immediately broke the yoke in half.
My son fell here, and stands, mourning, over him
His parent is Darius. Seeing his father, 200 Xerxes tears his clothes furiously.
This is what I dreamed about tonight.
Then I got up, spring hands
She rinsed with water and, carrying in her hands
A cake, a sacrifice to lapel demons,
As custom requires, I came to the altar.
I look: an eagle at the altar of Phoebov
Seeking salvation. Numb with horror
I stand and see: a hawk on an eagle, whistling
Wings, falling from the fly and into the head
He is stabbed with claws. And the eagle drooped 210 And surrendered. If it was scary to listen to you,
What a sight for me! You know:
The son will win - everyone will be delighted,
And if he doesn’t win, there is no demand for the city
From the king: he remains, if alive, the king.
Not to scare you too much, nor to encourage you too much,
Our mother, we won't. If you are a bad sign
I saw that misfortune to avert the moths of the gods
And ask yourself, and your son, and the state, and friends
Give only one benefit. A libation then 220 Make the earth and the dead and humbly ask,
So that your husband Darius - at night you saw him
From the depths of the underground, I sent goodness to my son and you,
And he hid the evil in the black darkness of the depths of the valley.
Here is the advice of a humble insightful mind.
But we will hope for a happy fate.
With this kind speech, the first interpreter of my
Dreams, you did a service to me and the house.
May everything be done for good! And the gods, as you command,
And we will honor our beloved shadows with rituals, 230 Returning to the house. But first I want to know, friends,
Where is Athens located, how far is this region?
Far in the land of sunset, where the god of the sun fades.
Why does my son want to take over this city?
Because all Hellas would have submitted to the king.
Is the army of the city of Athens so huge?
This army caused many troubles to the army of the Medes.
What else is that city famous for? Is it not the wealth of houses?
There is a silver vein in that land, a great treasure.
These people throw arrows by straining the bowstring?
240 No, they go out with a long spear and a shield.
Who is their leader and shepherd, who is the lord over the army?
They serve no one, they are not subject to anyone.
How do they hold back the onslaught of a foreign enemy?
So that Darieva even managed to destroy the army.
Your speech is terrible for the hearing of those whose children have gone into battle.
Soon, however, you will know for sure about everything:
Judging by the hurried gait, the Persian is coming here
And reliable news brings us - for joy or misfortune.
The messenger enters.
O cities of all Asia, O Persia, 250 center of great wealth,
With one blow, our life is happy
Broken. The color of the native earth is fading.
Though it is bitter for me to be a herald,
I must tell you the terrible truth,
O Persians: the barbarian army is all dead.
Verse 1 Terrible news! Woe, pain!
Cry Persians! Let the rivers of tears
Will be your answer.
260 Yes, everything ended there, everything ended,
And I no longer believed that I would return home.
Antistrophe 1 It is too long, my long age,
If I, an old man, had to
Woe to know this.
I saw everything with my own eyes. Not from the words of strangers
I will tell you, Persians, how trouble befell.
Verse 2 Woe! Not at a good time
Armed to the teeth, 270 Asia moved to Hellas,
Invaded the terrible land!
The bodies of those who accepted a deplorable death,
Now the seaside of Salamis is completely covered.
Antistrophe 2 Woe! By the will of the waves
Among the coastal rocks, you say
The corpses of our loved ones are rushing about,
Dressed in white foam!
What was the use of the arrows? We were rammed
All our army was destroyed by the ship battle.
Verse 3 280 Weep, cry out in sorrow,
Curse your fate!
The Persians got an evil lot,
The gods sent an army to their doom.
O Salamis, O hateful name!
When I remember Athens, I'm ready to scream.
Antistrophe 3 Will be Athens in memory
To live in eternal damnation:
So many in Persia now
Husbandless wives, childless mothers!
290 I've been silent for a long time, stunned
Hit it. Too much trouble
To say a word or ask a question.
However, woe that the gods sent,
We, the people, must take it down. Tell us everything
Overcoming moans, coping with himself.
Tell me who is alive and who to cry about
From commanders? Who among those who carry the rod
Killed fell in battle, exposing the detachment?
Xerxes himself remained alive and sees the light of the sun,
300 Your words are like the sun to our house,
As after the darkness of the night - a radiant day.
But Artembara - ten thousand horsemen
He led - the surf shakes at the Silenian rocks.
And from the ship Dedak, head of the thousand,
He flew off like a fluff, yielding to the force of the spears.
And the brave Tenagon, a resident of Bactria,
On the island of Ayanta now found a home.
Liley, Arsam, Argest crushed their heads
Himself on the rocks of the rocky shore 310 That island land that feeds pigeons.
Of the Egyptians who grew up in the upper reaches of the Nile,
Arcteus, Adey and the third shield-bearing leader,
Farnukh, - all died on the ship alone. 314 Matall died, who ruled the many thousands of 316 Khrisian army, - a scarlet paint beard
He poured his thick one, giving up the spirit. 318 Arab magician and Artam from Bactria, 315 That thirty thousand black horsemen 319 He led into battle, forever lay down in that land. 320 And Amphistraeus, our experienced spearman,
With Amester, and Ariomard the daredevil (about him
Weep in Sardis), and Sisam from Moesia,
And the leader of two and a half hundred courts Tarib,
Lirnessian by birth - oh, what a handsome man he was!
All the poor perished, all were overtaken by death.
And Cieness, bravest of the bravest,
The leader of the Cilicians - he is one and then a thunderstorm
He was a great enemy - he fell a glorious death.
Here are the generals I have named for you. 330 There were many troubles, and my report is short.
Oh, woe, woe! I found out the worst.
Shame on us Persians! Just right and sob and howl!
But you tell me, returning to the former,
Are there so many ships?
The Greeks had that in the battle with the Persians
They decided to go to the sea ram?
Oh no, in number - there is no doubt - barbarians
Were stronger. About three hundred total
The Greeks turned out to have ships, and 340 Chosen ten to them. And Xerxes has a thousand
There were ships - this is not counting those
Two hundred and seven, special speed,
What he also led. Here is the balance of power.
No, we were not weaker in this battle,
But some god ruined our troops 346 By not dividing the fortune equally.
348 The city of Athens, then, is still intact?
349 They've got people. This is the strongest shield.
347 Pallas fortress is strong by the power of the gods. 350 But how, tell me, did the battles of the sea break out?
Who started the battle - the Hellenes themselves
Or my son, proud of his number of ships?
All these troubles are the beginning, O mistress,
There was some kind of demon, really, some kind of evil spirit.
Some Greek from the Athenian army
He also came to Xerxes your son and said,
That the Greeks as soon as the darkness of the night comes,
They will not sit anymore, but will crumble
On the ships and, ruling in all directions, secretly 360 They will go away, just to save their lives.
The insidiousness of the Greek, as well as envy
Gods, without feeling, the king, as soon as he finished his speech,
He gives orders to his shipbuilders:
As soon as the sun stops burning the earth
And the sky will be covered with the darkness of the night,
Build ships in three squads,
To cut off all paths for sailors,
Ayants island is surrounded by a dense ring.
And if the Greeks suddenly avoid death 370 And find a secret way out for their ships,
Heads of the barrier do not demolish heads.
So he ordered, possessed by pride,
I did not know that the gods predetermined everything.
Order obeyed, as expected.
Dinner was prepared, and to the oarlocks
Each rower hurried to adjust the oars,
Then when the last ray of the sun went out
And the night has come, all the rowers and warriors
With weapons, as one, they boarded the ships, 380 And the ships, lining up, called to each other.
And so, keeping to the order that was indicated,
Goes to sea and in sleepless swimming
The ship's people are regularly serving.
And the night has passed. But nowhere did
Attempts by the Greeks to secretly bypass the barrier.
When will the earth be white again
The luminary of the day filled with bright radiance,
There was a roar of rejoicing in the camp of the Greeks,
Similar to a song. And he was answered 390 with a thundering echo of the rock of the island,
And immediately the fear of the bewildered barbarians
Proshiblo. The Greeks did not think about flight,
Singing the solemn song
And went to battle with selfless courage,
And the roar of the trumpet kindled hearts with courage.
The salty abyss was foamed together
Consonant strokes of Greek oars,
And soon we saw everyone with our own eyes.
Went ahead, in excellent formation, the right 400 Wing, and then proudly followed
The entire fleet. And from everywhere at the same time
A mighty cry rang out: "Children of the Hellenes,
Fight for the freedom of the motherland! children and wives
Free, and native gods at home,
And great-grandfathers graves! The fight is on!"
Persian speech of our many-tongued rumble
Answered the call. It was impossible to delay here.
A ship with a copper-studded prow at once
Hit the ship. The Greeks began the attack, 410 ramming the Phoenician through the stern,
And then the ships went to each other.
At first, the Persians managed to hold back
Head. When in a narrow place there are many
Ships accumulated, no one to help
I could not, and the beaks directed copper
Own in their own, destroying oars and rowers.
And the Greeks ships, as they planned,
We were surrounded. The sea was not visible
Because of the wreckage, because of the overturned 420 Vessels and lifeless bodies, and the corpses
The shallows were covered and the coast was completely.
Find salvation in a disorderly flight
The entire surviving barbarian fleet tried.
But the Greeks of the Persians, like tuna fishermen,
Anyone with anything, boards, debris
Ships and oars were beaten. Screams of terror
And the cries resounded the salty distance,
Until the eye of the night hid us.
All troubles, lead me even ten days in a row 430 A sad story, I can’t list it, no.
I'll tell you one thing: never before
So many people on earth did not die in a day.
Alas! On the Persians and on everyone who is a barbarian
Born into the world, a sea of evil rushed in!
But you don't know half of the troubles yet.
Another misfortune befell us,
Which is twice as heavy as the rest of the losses.
What grief could be worse?
What kind of misfortune, answer 440 Happened to the army, so that evil would double?
All Persians, shining with youthful strength,
Courage impeccable, kind noble,
The most faithful of the ruler's faithful servants,
They fell to an inglorious death - to their own shame.
Oh, evil share! Woe to me, my friends!
What fate befell them, tell me.
There is a small island near Salamis,
It is difficult to approach him. There along the shore
Pan often leads round dances to Krutoy. 450 The king sent them there, so that if the enemy
From the wreckage of ships escaping to the island
Swimming rushes, beat the Greeks without a miss
And get out on land to help your own.
The king was a bad seer! On the same day when
God sent victory to the Greeks in a naval battle,
They, in copper armor, descended from the ships,
Whole surrounded the island, so there's nowhere to go
The Persians had to go and they did not know
What to do. Stones hail in the advancing 460 Arrows flew from the hands, from a tight bowstring
Flying, they killed the fighters on the spot.
But the Greeks invaded with a friendly onslaught
On this island - and went to chop, chop,
Until they were all wiped out.
Xerxes wept when he saw the depth of the trouble:
He is on a high hill near the shore
He sat where he could see the whole army.
And tearing clothes and a long groan
Having issued, he ordered the infantry to immediately 470 Take to flight. Here's another one for you
Trouble in addition, to shed tears again.
Oh evil demon, how did you manage to shame
Persian Hope! Found bitter revenge
My son to Athens glorious. Few barbarians
Already ruined the marathon fight before?
The son hoped to avenge those killed
And only the darkness of misfortune brought upon himself!
But the ships, tell me, survived
Where did you leave? I'm waiting for a clear answer.
480 Surrendering to the will of the wind, randomly
The leaders of the surviving ships fled.
And the rest of the army is all in Boeotia
Died, near the key, life-giving
The water is tormented by thirst. We are barely breathing
They came to Phocaea, made their way, tired,
To Dorida, reached the Melian
The bay where the river Sperhei waters the fields,
From there we, not having eaten, moved again
Seek shelter in the cities of Thessaly, 490 In the Achaean lands. Most died there.
Some from thirst, hunger killed others.
We then went to the region of Magnesia
And into the land of the Macedonians, and, the Axian ford
Having passed and swamp Bolby, we are in Edonida,
To Mount Pangea, we went out. God is not on time
Sent frost that night, and froze
Stream sacred Strymon. And not honored
The gods are still here with a prayer of earnest
They began to cry out to earth and sky in fear. 500 Prayed long. And when finished
The army prayed, the river crossed over the ice.
Who crossed before the god scattered
The rays of the day, that one of us was saved there.
After all, soon the sun's luminous flame
The scorching heat melted the fragile bridge.
People fell on each other. happy
Those who, without tormenting for a long time, gave up their spirit.
And the rest, all who survived then,
With great difficulty they passed through Thrace 510 And they return to their homes
An insignificant handful. Lay tears, mourn
The capital of the Persians, the young flower of the fatherland!
All this is true. But more about the many
Trouble, I kept silent that God brought down on us.
choir leader
O hated demon, you are heavy
All our Persian people trampled down the fifth.
Oh, woe to me, unfortunate! The troops are no more.
Oh, the dream of this night is prophetic,
How unambiguous was its evil meaning 520 And how wrong is your interpretation of the dream!
And yet, obeying your word,
First I'll go to pray to the gods,
And having prayed, I will leave the house again
And as a gift to the earth and the dead I will bear bread.
I know that sacrifice can't fix the past
But the future may be more rewarding.
And you advice in these circumstances
I, as before, should be helped by the good,
And if my son appears here earlier than me, console him and direct him to the house,
So that the new pain does not multiply the old pain.
Exeunt ATHOSSA with Servants and Messenger.
STASIM FIRST
You are the Persians, O Zeus, a huge army,
What strength is firm and glory is proud
Was, lost
You are the night of trouble, you are the darkness of longing
Covered Ecbatana and Susa.
And mothers tear with a trembling hand
their clothes,
And tears pour down on the breasts of 540 Tortured women.
And young wives, having lost their husbands,
They grieve for those with whom the bed of love,
Joy and happiness of flowering years,
Shared, on soft basking carpets,
And cry in anguish inescapable.
I also mourn for the fallen fighters,
I cry about their sorrowful share.
Verse 1 All Asia groans now,
Orphaned Land: 550 "Xerxes led them,
Their death is the fault of Xerxes,
All this grief foolish Xerxes
Prepared for the ships.
Why, not knowing troubles,
Ruled by Darius, ancient Susa
dear lord,
Glorious archers chief?"
Antistrophe 1 Sailors together with the infantry
On dark-breasted ships sailed, 560 On swift-winged vessels sailed,
Towards death - on the courts,
To meet the enemy, right on the blade
Ionian sword.
The king and that one, we are told
Miraculously escaped and fled
According to Thracian, field,
Cold chained roads.
Verse 2 Poor those who are evil at will
Roca died first there, 570 Off the coast of Kirchei! yell,
Cry without restraint, scream, sob,
Raise a piercing moan to the sky
Pain and sorrow, pour out melancholy
With a long click, torment the hearts
Mournful howl!
Antistrophe 2 Carries a wave of the marine body,
Greedily mute children of the deeps
The corpses are torn to pieces with their teeth!
The empty house is full of melancholy, 580 Mother and father are killed by grief,
The breadwinner son of the elderly
Taken away. Here they come
Terrible news.
Verse 3 Asia will be no more
Live according to the Persian decree.
There will be no more nations
To bring tribute to the autocrats,
People will not be afraid
Fall to the ground. 590 Royal power is gone today.
Antistrophe 3 People keep their mouths shut
Immediately stop holding:
He who is free from the yoke
Also free in speech.
Ayanta Island, with blood
Drenched, became a grave
Happiness of the proud Persians.
EPISODIUM TWO Atossa comes out of the palace, accompanied by servants who carry sacrificial gifts.
Those who have been in misfortune, those by experience,
Friends, it is known that when 600 Misfortunes roll in, everything already scares us,
And if life is calm, then we hope
That so, with a fair wind, we will live forever.
And today everything instills fear in me.
God's hostility is seen everywhere to the eyes.
In the ears is not a song of victory - a loud cry rings.
The timid spirit is so shaken by the blow.
I'm not in a carriage, not in the usual luxury
I came back here, no, I came from the palace
On foot, so that the one whom my son was conceived, 610 To honor with a tomb sacrifice. I carry milk
I am white from a blameless cow,
And transparent honey, a gift of industrious bees,
And this water is spring, clean,
And this noble, undiluted,
Vine, once wild, spawned sap.
And golden, ripe, fragrant
Evergreen olive trees fruits,
And basketry from sheets, children of the earth.
In honor of this sacrifice to the dead, you now, friends, 620 Sing a song and to the aid of Darius
Summon Shadow! I'm a libation
I will hasten to create the gods underground.
O Queen, O Lady of Persia,
You sent gifts to the underground peace,
We will, singing a song, ask
So that counselors shower
They showed mercy in the underworld.
Sacred deities of the subsoil,
Gaia and Hermes, and the king over the shadows, 630 Release the spirit from the dark depths.
He alone can help
Trouble with tearful advice.
Verse 1 Do you, equal to the gods, hear,
Our dead king, my groans,
barbarian cries?
I cry loudly, I call mournfully,
I cry, I complain, I cry,
I beg heartily, howl.
Do you hear in hell?
Antistrophe 1 Gaia and you, all others 640 Darkness leaders, gods of the depths!
Release into the light
Proud shadow of the god-king,
Pet Suz. Let him come out!
The Persians haven't buried yet
Equal to him, lord.
Verse 2 Dear King! Hill dear,
Where is the dear heart hidden?
Aidoneus, into the daylight 650 Bring you out, Aidoneus,
Darius only from the realm of the night!
Antistrophe 2 He did not destroy people in wars,
Didn't send them to their death
He, reputed to be a God-wise king,
He was wise, for he knew how
It is wise to rule the Persian army.
Verse 3 Baal, O ancient Baal, come, come,
Climb high on this mound, shining with your shining Tiara,
Walking in saffron Eumarides,
Antistrophe 3 To hear about new grief, about trouble,
Lord of lords, you come today.
The Stygian night hung over us: 670 All our young growth perished.
Gentle King, Father Darius, appear!
Epod King, your death
Eternal wound for your loved ones.
If you are still a power
Rules, we wouldn't have to
Today weep from double pain.
After all, no more than 680 ships sail, my ships.
The Shadow of Darius Appears
Shadow of Darius
The truest of the faithful, my young years
Gray-haired comrades! What happened in the country?
She beats in sobs, and the earth cracks.
I see my wife with fear around
Graves, - favorably, however, accepted the gift,
And you, crowded at the tombstone, cry
And mournfully, with spells and cries,
Call me. Step out into the light of day
Not so easy: the gods of the underworld 690 They prefer to take than to give back.
But I am held in high esteem there, and therefore
I went out. Hurry, so as not to delay me.
What new sadness oppresses the Persians?
The stanza I'm afraid to see you,
I'm afraid to say a word
I tremble before you, as before.
Shadow of Darius
If, having heeded your spells, I left the kingdom of darkness,
You without long digressions, briefly about everything
Tell me, casting aside shyness before my special.
Antistrophe 700 No, I can't obey,
No, I can't decide
Say the unsaid to a friend.
Shadow of Darius
Well, when, as before, timidity binds your mind,
You, venerable friend, my companion,
Stop crying and crying and at least tell me a word
Really! Such is the fate of mortals - to endure sorrows.
Indeed, on land and at sea, many troubles are destined
Anyone can experience it if it heals on earth.
O happiest of mortals, kindly exacted by fate, 710 If in the days when you looked at the sun, you were worthy
Only envy is your lot, god-equal king of the Persians,
Then your death is enviable: you did not live to see trouble.
Everything that happened, Darius, I will cover in a short speech
And I will say without hesitation: the relics of the Persians are not there.
Shadow of Darius
What's wrong? Has the rebellion, the pestilence, ruined the state?
Not a rebellion, not a pestilence. In Athens, our army was killed.
Shadow of Darius
Who is; went there to fight from my sons, tell me.
Xerxes is furious, to devastate the whole continent.
Shadow of Darius
Did he embark on a land or sea campaign, fool?
720 Both sea and land. He went two ways.
Shadow of Darius
How could such a darkness of infantry cross?
The bridge was built to pass through the waves of Hella on dry land.
Shadow of Darius
Has the powerful Bosporus managed to lock it up?
Managed. The demon, apparently, helped to do the job.
Shadow of Darius
And how powerful is this demon, if he drove the king crazy!
By the end, you can see how much evil he can do.
Shadow of Darius
What happened to them? Why are you all in tears?
The defeat of the naval forces brought death to the infantry.
Shadow of Darius
So, the enemy spears destroyed all the fighters?
730 Therefore Susa groans: the glorious city is deserted.
Shadow of Darius
I pity the valiant army, I pity our militias.
And the unfortunate Bactrians perished, all the youth.
Shadow of Darius
O madman, he destroyed the very flower of the allied forces!
Xerxes, left, as they said, with a small number of fighters ...
Shadow of Darius
Where and how did you disappear? Is there any hope that he will be saved?
He passed, fortunately, to the bridge that connected the two lands.
Shadow of Darius
And this, then, came out the mainland. Is the news true?
Yes, it is quite. There can be no doubt about this.
Shadow of Darius
Oh, how quickly the predictions were confirmed! He punished the son of Zeus 740 with a predicted fate. And I thought
That the gods will not soon fulfill their will.
But the one who himself strives for the pit, God will push him.
Zev in front of my loved ones opened the well of troubles,
My son, not seeing that, flashed with youthful insolence:
Hellespont sacred current, God's Bosporus stream,
He decided to tie with chains, like an obstinate slave,
And, with a yoke of iron shackles, blocking the path with the current,
He laid a wide path for a large army.
In the blindness of vanity, mortal, he decided to argue with the gods and Poseidon himself! Is it not insanity
Struck him? I'm afraid that my labors are the fruits,
That our wealth will be able to capture the first comer.
Xerxes, blundering in heeding the advice of evil instigators,
Did it. They said that wealth to sons
You got it with a spear, and he, they say, is only brave at home
And he did not in the least multiply what his father had acquired.
And, these reproaches are often from unkind hearing lips,
He finally decided to go with the army to Greece.
Shadow of Darius
That's how it happened, it's terrible! 760 He will be remembered forever. Never before
There was no such ruin in Susa,
Since Zeus, the lord, sent down the law,
So that the whole land of the herd of growing Asia
There has always been only one ruler, the iron-bearing leader.
Mid was our first commander,
Then the son of Midov came to this position,
He who knew how to subordinate his heart to his mind.
And the third was Cyrus, the happiest of mortals.
He peace, having reached power, bestowed on friends. 770 He bequeathed Lydia and Phrygia
And he conquered the Ionian region by force.
He was very smart, the gods did not quarrel with him,
And Cyrus the son of our fourth became the leader.
And the fifth ruled Mardis, who disgraced
His ancient throne and fatherland. This
Worthy Artafren with faithful friends
Cunningly killed in the palace, as duty ordered.
The sixth was Marathis, and Artafren the seventh.
And I, I, too, the field of the desired 780 I achieved and went on campaigns with the army,
But I did not bring such troubles to the country.
And Xerxes, my young son, out of frivolity,
The usual for the young, I forgot my testament.
To someone, and to you, my peers,
It is known that none of us rulers
Powers of this, did not do so many troubles.
choir leader
To what, Vladyka Darius, his speech
Are you summarizing? Like the people of Persia
Is it better to get out of such trouble?
Shadow of Darius
790 Do not go to war against the Greeks in the future,
No matter how strong our army may be:
Their very land is at one with them in battle.
choir leader
But how can the earth itself fight?
Shadow of Darius
Starvation of darkness and darkness of the enemies of execution.
choir leader
We will better equip the selected fighters.
Shadow of Darius
What's the use? Even those fighters in Greece
Now they have remained, they will not return to their father's land.
choir leader
How? It means that they do not return from Europe,
Barbarians will not cross the Strait of Helle?
Shadow of Darius
800 Only a handful will return. God's prophecies
We must believe, judging by the events:
If something is confirmed, everything will be confirmed.
And this means - a select army,
Believing in an empty hope, the son left there.
It is on that plain where Asop flows,
Good drinker of Boeotian pastures,
And where in retribution for godless dreams
And for pride, grief awaits those
Who, having appeared in Greece, allowed himself 810 Idols to steal saints or burn temples.
The altars are destroyed to the ground,
Statues are knocked down and broken from the foothills.
So, no lesser evil was rewarded for this
Now there will be villains. Not exhausted
Cup of suffering. The trouble is still full.
And they will make a bloody libation
With a Dorian spear, the Greeks under Plataea,
And the chain of graves will remain until the third
Knee silent edification: 820 Do not be carried away, they say, mortal, not to your face.
I'm patching up gaps in the field of ancient literature. This time I read a tragedy Persians by Aeschylus translated by Apt. The play of the great Greek tragedian was staged in 472 and, as far as I know, is the only come down to us an example of an ancient tragedy on a historical plot(the rest of the Greek tragedies are written on mythological subjects). Another tragedy is notable for the fact that for the first time in the history of world drama, it uses reception of the appearance of the shadow of the deceased(Greetings to Hamlet's father!).
Plot. In the village of Persia, Susa, they learn that their king Xerxes(hello to the "Three hundred Spartans"!) suffered a crushing defeat from the Greeks. Therefore, mother of Xerxes and the Persians grieve fiercely. Then the surviving Xerxes comes running and they mourn fiercely together. The final: the Persians are hysterical on two and a half pages. They do this under the guidance of Xerxes, who constantly replies that they do not yell enough, they execute themselves and tear their hair out ... This is not a joke! =)
Main pathos. The Greeks are brave, strong and well done, not like those shameful Persians. Xerxes did not respect the gods, for which he paid. Xerxes destroyed religious buildings in Greece and, the most disgusting thing, built pontoon bridge over the Hellespont, that is, he connected the sea with a bridge as a slave. Scoundrel! Could the gods endure this? The stump is clear that it is not.
By the way, about the bridge. This is the same bridge over the abyss, which According to the legend first the storm swept away and for which Xerxes ordered to carve the sea. But this historical anecdote is not mentioned in the play, that is, according to the tragedy, the sea gods punish Xerxes for the very puffy idea of the bridge and the accomplished fact of its construction, and not for the legendary flogging! =)
The plot is really historical, but elements of mythology also woven. In the play there are remembrances of all sorts deities, description prophetic dream about two women and the Omen with birds of prey at the altar. There is a scene sacrifice to the spirit of the deceased and the already briefly mentioned phenomenon shadows of the deceased king Darius. There is a humorous moment here. When the royal dead man appeared, his wife Atossa wailed like a woman in fear, and he immediately hinted at her: chore to talk, they let her go for a while, state it briefly!
Quotes I love:
"But the one who himself aspires to the pit, God will push."
"Their land itself is at one with them in battle."
"Even in the midst of sorrows / Give your soul daily joy, / After all, after death there is no happiness even in wealth."
"Guilt ears - these are the fruits of arrogance, / Bloomed magnificently. Such a bitter harvest."
"Here I burn a bitter bitter gift!" (Interestingly, the Russian translation conveys the design of the phrase in the original?)
CHARACTERS
Choir of Persian Elders. Atossa. Messenger. Shadow of Darius. Xerxes.
Square in front of the palace in Susa. The tomb of Darius is visible.
The entire Persian army went to Hellas.
And we old people stand guard
Golden palaces, expensive houses
Native land. The king himself ordered
Son of Darius, Xerxes,
To their eldest, tested servants
Keep this land sacred.
But the soul is confused by the anxiety of things,
He smells bad. Will the king return home with victory, will the army return,
Shining with power?
All Asia color in a foreign side
Fighting. The wife cries for her husband.
And the army does not send any foot messengers,
No cavalry to the capital of the Persians.
From everywhere - from Susa, Ekbatan, from the gate
Towers of ancient Kissian
And in the ranks of the ship, and in the cavalry,
And in the ranks of the foot soldiers, in a continuous stream, 20 soldiers left for the battle.
They were led on a campaign by Amistre, Artafren,
Megabat and Astasp - four kings
Under the greatest king,
Persians glorious leaders, chiefs of troops,
Shooters-strongmen on fast horses,
Severe in appearance, hot in battle,
Adamant soul, full of courage
And glorious formidable prowess.
Then Artembar, on horseback, 30 Masist and well-aimed archer Have,
Glorious fighter, then Farandak
And the horseman Sostan behind them.
The fruitful Nile sent others,
Mighty stream. Susiskan went,
The Egyptian Pegastagon went,
The king of holy Memphis has gone,
Great Arsames, and Ariomard,
Lord and leader of the ancient Thebes,
And the rowers that live in the swamps of the Delta, 40 Countless went in a crowd.
Behind them are the Lydians, pampered people,
They have the whole continent under their thumb.
And the Lydian army was led on a campaign
Mitrogat and Arktey, leaders and kings.
And from Sardis golden by the will of the lords
Chariots with fighters rushed into the distance,
Now fours of horses, then sixes of horses,
Look - and freeze with fear.
And the sons of Tmola, the sacred mountain, 50 wished to put a yoke on Hellas
Mardon, Taribid, spear-throwing army
Misiytsev. And Babylon itself is golden,
Gathering his army from everywhere,
Sent to war - and on foot
Shooters, and ships, one after another.
So Asia is all at the call of the king
I took up arms, and took off from the place,
And moved menacingly to Greece.
So the power and beauty of the Persian land 60 War carried away.
All Asia is a mother about those who left,
Yearning in tears, languishing with anxiety.
Parents and wives are counting the days.
And time goes on and on.
Verse 1 The army of the king invaded the country of neighbors,
What is on the other side of the Strait of Gella
Athamantides, tying the rafts with a rope, 70 Loading the sea around their necks
A heavily built bridge with a heavy yoke.
Antistrophe 1 Drives the army by land and water,
Full of rage, lord of Asia,
Dotted with people. Believe in their leaders
Strong, severe, persistent, 80 offspring of Danae, equal to the gods.
Verse 2 He looks blue-black
With the gaze of a predatory dragon,
From the Assyrian chariot
Ships and fighters
Driving, and towards
He sends arrows to the spears of the enemy.
Antistrophe 2 No barrier to hold back
The onslaught of crowded hordes, 90 No dam to storm
She stood before the sea.
The inexorable army of the Persians,
It is impossible to overcome him. Verse 3 But what a mortal is capable of
Unravel the cunning of God?
Which of us is easy and simple
Escape from the trap?
Antistrophe 3 God lures in a net
A man's cunning caress, 100 And mortal is no longer able to
Leave the web of fate.
Stanza 4 So it was decided by the gods and fate,
So from ancient times it was commanded to the Persians:
To fight, sweeping away the walls,
Reveling in horse slashes,
Occupying the city from the raid.
Antistrophe 4 And people are accustomed to look without fear 110 At the gray-haired, furious with the wind
Dal sea, learned
Weave mooring ropes,
Build bridges over the abysses.
Verse 5 That's why black fear
And it hurts my chest, alas!
Fear that, having lost his army,
Suddenly empty Susa
And the capital will scream in pain.
Antistrophe 5 And the Kissians cry out Suz 120 They will echo, and - alas!
Crowds of women crying and screaming
In tatters will be on themselves
To tear apart a thin-woven dress.
Verse 6 Who is on horseback, who is on foot
Behind the leader set off on the road,
All the people left the house with a swarm of bees, 130 So that, with one team
Connecting shore to shore
Cross the strait, where the capes
The two lands are separated by waves.
Antistrophe 6 And in the pillows bye
Persian wives shed tears,
Yearning for dear husbands,
Weep silently for those
Who's gone to the fight to the death
And left the poor wife
Longing for an empty bed.
EPISODIUM ONE
choir leader
140 Well, Persians, it's time! We sit by the walls
Here are the old
And strain the mind: the need has come
In difficult and important decisions.
What about Xerxes the king? Where is Daria's son,
Whose ancestor, Perseus,
Did he give the name of our tribe?
Did the bow strike the enemy,
Or an enemy spear
Spearhead won?
Atossa appears, accompanied by maids
150 But behold, like the radiance of the eyes of a deity,
Queen, the great king's mother,
Appears to us. Rather fall down
And all, as one, their queen
Honor with a welcoming speech!
Oh, hello to you, queen of the Persians, Daria's wife,
Xerxes' low-girded mother, mistress!
You were the wife of God, you are the mother of the god of Persia,
If the ancient demon of happiness did not leave our troops.
That's why I went out, leaving the golden house and the peace that served as a bedroom for me and Darius.
And anxiety gnaws at me. Frankly, my friends
I say: fear and fear are not alien to me either.
I'm afraid in the dust of the campaign all the wealth that I collected
Darius, with the help of the immortals, will themselves turn into dust.
Therefore, with double care, I am unspeakably punished:
After all, wealth is dishonorable if there is no power behind it,
But even in power there is little glory if you live in poverty.
Yes, we have full prosperity, but fear takes over the Eye
I call the owner with the eye of home and prosperity. 170 Now, O old Persians, my faithful servants,
Help me with advice, judge how to be here.
All my hope is on you, I expect encouragement from you.
Oh, believe me, queen, you won't have to ask us twice,
So that in word or deed, to the best of your ability, you
We helped: we really are your good servants.
All the time I dream at night since then,
As my son, having equipped the army, went
Devastate and plunder the Ionian region.
But there has not yet been such a clear 180 Dream as last night. I'll tell him.
I saw two well-dressed women:
One in a Persian dress, the other with a headdress
Dorian was, and both of these current
And growth, and wonderful beauty of his
Exceeded, two consanguineous
