波斯人

埃斯庫羅斯（公元前525－公元前456年）與索福克勒斯和歐里庇得斯一起被稱為古希臘三大悲劇詩人，有“悲劇之父”的美譽。《波斯人》的背景是波斯王宮，由報信人報告波斯海軍在薩拉彌斯全軍覆沒，裏面的人物和歌隊全是波斯人，劇中的情景很能引起他們的憂慮和感傷。

《波斯人》摘錄

CHORUS ^[1] 

While o'er the fields of Greece the embattled troops

Of Persia march with delegated sway,

We o'er their rich and gold-abounding seats

Hold faithful our firm guard; to this high charge

Xerxes, our royal lord, the imperial son

Of great Darius, chose our honour'd age.

But for the king's return, and his arm'd host

Blazing with gold, my soul presaging ill

Swells in my tortured breast: for all her force