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

—
172 The War Between Greece and Persia
The battle.
The messenger
is a
Persian, who
brings news
of the battle
to the queen
and chorus.
Greece, 132-4;
A ncient
World, 175-7.
The deception
here mentioned
was
the work of
Themistocles.
^schylus refrains
from
mentioning
Greeks by
name.
Messenger
'Twas this began all our disaster, Queen:
A demon or fell fiend rose—who knows whence?
For from the Athenian host a Hellene came,
And to thy son, to Xerxes, told this tale.
That when the mirk of black night should be come,
The Greeks would not abide, but, leaping straight
Upon the galley thwarts, this way and that
In stealthy flight would seek to save their lives.
Soon as he heard, discerning neither guile
In that Greek, nor the jealousy of heaven,
This word to all his captains he proclaims,
That, when the sun should cease to scorch the earth.
And gloom should fill the hallowed space of sky.
In three lines should they range their throng of ships
To guard each pass, each seaward-surging strait;
And others should enring all Aias' Isle:
Since, if the Greeks should yet escape fell doom.
And find their ships some privy path of flight,
Doomed to the headsman all these captains were.
Thus spake he, in spirit over-confident,
Knowing not what the Gods would bring to pass.
With hearts obedient, in no disarray,
Then supped our crews, and every mariner
To the well-rounded rowlock lashed his oar.
But when the splendor faded of the sun,
And night came on, each master of the oar
A-shipboard went, and every man-at-arms.
Then rank to rank of long ships passed the word:
And, as was each appointed, so they sailed.
So all night long the captains of the ships
Kept all the sea-host sailing to and fro.
And night passed by, yet did the Hellene host
Essay in no wise any secret flight.
But when the day by white steeds chariot-borne,
Radiant to see, flooded all earth with light.
First from the Hellenes did a clamorous shout
Ring for a triumphant chant; and wild and high
Pealed from the island rock the answering cheer