A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

—
lyo
The War Between Greece and Persia
Archers and
oarsmen.
There are bow-triumphant archers, there are riders of the steed,
Men terrible to look on, men dread in battle-deed
In the grim determination of a spirit hot for war. . . .
There be they that mighty Nile sent forth, the nation-nursing
flood— . . .
The marshmen they that row the rafts that skim the river-slime,
Men cunning in the oarsman's craft, a multitude untold.
Lydians.
And the dainty-living Lydians followed with their battle-throng.
They which people all the mainland; and Mitrogathes the strong
And Arcteus led them onward, each a satrap and a king.
There were gold-abounding Sardians, and their chariot-riders pressed
Swiftly on, with chariot-horses yoked by two, by three abreast
A sight of terror to the eyes that marked their marshalling.
Came the borderers on Tmolus the hallowed, all aglow
Around the neck of Hellas the bondage-yoke to throw:
There were Tharubis and Mardon, stubborn anvils of the spear;
There were Mysian javelin-hurlers: gold-abounding Babylon
Sent forth a mingled multitude in long lines sweeping on,
Riders on the sea-steeds, trusty archers void of fear.
All Asia.
Bridging the
Hellespont.
The king.
And the people of all Asia, wielders of the scimitar,
Have followed the dread summons of the Great King to the war.
Oh, the flower of all the Persian realm hath vanished from our gaze:
And ah the land of Asia which hath fostered them doth sigh;
With the passion of the yearning of bereavement doth she cry;
And the wives and mothers shudder as they count the weary days.
For the army of the king, for the city-wasting host
Long since hath passed the channel of the fronting neighbor-coast;
For they linked the rafts together with the cables cunningly,
So that Hellas' strait was spanned,
Land was riveted to land,
And man had cast a yoke upon the wild neck of the sea!
And myriad-peopled Asia's King, a battle-eager lord,
From utmost east to utmost west sped on his countless horde
In unnumbered squadrons marching, in fleets of keels untold,
Knowing none dared disobey.
For stern overseers were they
Of the godlike king begotten of the ancient Race of Gold.