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And marriage-beds are filled with tears through longing for husbands; [135] each Persian woman has sent to the field her warlike and fiery consort, and now in grief and longing for her beloved lord, is left forsaken by her mate.

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Such are the warriors, the flower of the Persian land, who have departed, and in fierce longing for them the whole land of Asia, their foster-nurse, laments, while parents and wives, as they count the days, shudder at the lengthening delay.

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They press on, commanders of an enormous host, skilled in archery and horsemanship, formidable to look upon and fearful in battle through the valiant resolve of their souls.

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“So rich in gold, the men Xerxes himself, our king, son of Darius, has chosen to supervise his realm”

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The chorus soothes its anxiety by recalling the extent of the Persian empire: 'such is the flower of manhood, such the flower of the/Persian land [...].

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But already the heart within me/is troubled excessively, prophetic of disaster,/anxious about the homecoming of the king

Anxiety gnaws at the Persians' pride.

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Therefore my heart is wrapped in gloom and is racked with fear for the Persian army lest the state learn that the mighty capital of Susa is empty of men.

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Smooth Delusion's flattering smile

Leads but where her trap is set;

There man pays his mortal debt

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The chorus reflects on the possible loss of their soldiers and the devastating consequences of war. There is almost a sense that something terrible is about to happen. The chorus's fearful anticipation foreshadows the coming disaster.

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The Chorus begins to express subtle worry about the army's fate. Their emotional state shifts as they contemplate the long absence of news from the expedition.

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The Persian elders enter with a sense of nationalistic pride, describing the mighty Persian army that has departed for Greece.

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Chorus lists all the greatness there king Xerxes has done. "Is it the drawing of the bow that has triumphed, or is it the might of the sharp spear-head which has prevailed?"

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Here is a light like the eyes of the god, the mother of our king, my Queen. I bow low before her.

O Queen, most exalted of Persia's deep-girdled women, venerable mother of Xerxes, wife of Darius, all hail!

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But what mortal can avoid/being cunningly deceived by a god?

The chorus tempers its pride, aware that fortune and the gods are fickle.

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Showboating the resources the Persians have and how confident they are.

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The chorus notes how high the stakes are, the whole empire is empty of soldiers and the soldiers wives are weeping with worry for them.

Sprinkling her tender bed

With empty tears in vain , Weeps out her lonely life

The chorus then tries to be brave in the face of uncertainty:

Counsel is our need,

Wisdom, and courage

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the determination from Persians to conquer over the opposition during the war.

undertones of ambition and hope in "our forces moved away, some on horseback, some by ship, some on foot - a close-pack prepared for war"