|
The poet Phernazis is composing the important part of his epic poem. How Darius, the son of Hystaspes, assumed the kingdom of the Persians.
|
|
|
|
 |
 | |  |
| ...we must analyze the sentiments that Darius must have felt, perhaps arrogance and drunkenness; but no- rather like understaning of the vanity of grandeur | |
 | |  |
|
|
|
|
But he is interrupted by his servant, who enters running, and announces the gravest news.
|
|
|
|
| | |
| The war with the Romans has begun. The bulk of our army has crossed the frontiers. | |
| | |
|
 |
| | |
| What a catastrophe! How can our glorious king...possibly occupy himself now with Greek poems? | |
| | |
|
|
|
|
...But let us see if we have any security at all...the Romans are the most horrible enemies...
|
|
|
|
| | |
| ...yet among all his agitation and the trouble, the poetic idea persistently comes and goes | |
| | |
|
|
| | |
| The most probable, surely, is arrogance and drunkenness; Darius must have felt arrogance and drunkenness. | |
| | |
|
|
|
