That is why I have left my gold-decked homeand the royal bed I shared with Darius [160]and have come here. For worries rend my heart. 140My friends, I will confide in you—I am afraidthat our vast wealth will quickly stir up dustand with its foot cast down the great successwhich—thanks to the assistance of some god—king Darius achieved. And that is whymy mind is burdened with a double care,which I find difficult to speak about.The common folk do not respect great wealthunless backed up with men, and though the poormay have great strength, the light of their success 150will never shine. Now, we have wealth enough,but still I fear for what I hold to beour finest treasure, true riches in the home,the lord and master’s eye. Since that is so, [170]Persians, you old trustworthy counsellors,advise me what to do, since all my hopesfor level-headed guidance rest on you.

We are here as trustworthy delegatesfor all those Persians who have marched awayto the land of Greece. Thanks to our old age,we are the guardians of the royal home,so rich in gold, the men Xerxes himself,our king, son of Darius, has chosento supervise his realm. But here inside,my heart has for a long time been troubledabout our golden army’s journey homeand the king’s return. It senses trouble. 10 [10]For all the power born out of Asiahas gone, responding to our young king’s call,and yet here in the Persians’ capitalno horseman has come back, no courier.Streaming out of Susa and Agbatanaand the ancient parapets of Kissa,our forces moved away, some on horseback,some by ship, some on foot—a close-packed mass [20]prepared for war—men like Artaphrenes,Amistres, Pastas, and Megabates, 20commanders of Persia’s warrior host,all kings and yet all ruled by our Great King,leaders of a vast army on the march,experts in archery and horsemanship,fearful to look at and terrible in war,their spirits steeled for battle. With them thereis Artembares the charioteer, [30]as well as Masistes, noble Imaeus