The Persians: Translation by F L Light

The Persians, A Translation from Aeschylus. There is no drama where the total multiplicity of horror in defeat is more cogently presented than in the Persians by Aeschylus, who fought in the Athenian triumph at Salamis, where the Persian fleet was rammed and wrecked. At the beginning of this play, the senior councilors of Susa, Xerxes' place of state, in anxious wonder apprehend that there is no news of his expedition to Hellas.

After a messenger from the army arrives, they understand what mourners must endure. "It is always gratifying, it elevates the human spirit to see one our fellows...set his aim unbelievably high and incredibly hit the mark!"

David Madgalene, bilingual author of I Hear A Journeyman Singing and many other books of verse.