Parodos.

CHORUS.

The Egyptians are slaves to Persia. Yet they rejoice. Wherefore? Because three Persian hosts have been destroyed? Think of the millions yet in reserve! Some friends are lost, but many more remain. But they rejoice with a religious joy. Their gods, perchance, have inflicted on us these wounds. Yet let us not insult the people who are in festival, but honour King Nomos, though in a strange land. The divine has many forms. Who can tell if Apis be not Ormuzd in disguise?

First Epeisodion.

CAMBYSES.

CHORUS.

Cambyses enters with a blood-stained sword, and recounts his feat upon the bull Apis. He vents his wrath on the Egyptian gods, who have sent famine and the sandstorm on the armies of Persia. No gods of flesh and blood shall triumph over Ormuzd and the seed of Cyrus.

First Stasimon.

CHORUS.

(1) Will Cambyses, our lord, escape from heavenly wrath? He is already inclined to frenzy. The seed of the Achaemenidae hath still been rash. (2) This deed is terrible. Dreadful was the

famine in the forest: first they lived on the insane root, then ate each other. Dreadful the sand-whirlwind that overwhelmed the fifty thousand. But more dreadful is the guilt now incurred, the anger of a people whose religion is outraged, perchance also the fury of their gods.

Second Epeisodion.

CAMBYSES.

PRAXASPES.

Cambyses tells his dream: how Smerdis was sitting in his throne, his head reaching the sky. But Cambyses will not brook that another should sit in the seat of Cyrus. Either he, Cambyses, must exalt the greatness of the Persian name, or the universe may go to wreck.

Praxaspes replies submissively, deprecating evil. Cambyses gives him sealed orders, and exit. Praxaspes claims the sympathy of the Chorus. Should aught untoward result from this commission, let the blame rest on him whose will cannot be resisted.

Second Stasimon.
CHORUS.

The Chorus find the situation increasingly

grave. This may only be the beginning of troubles. The moods of princes are to be feared. (2) Dreams give a wonderful impression of reality, but are not always true. Cambyses'

dream may have been sent by a deceiving god,

perhaps by Osiris.

The event must show.

Third Epeisodion.

PARYSATIS-CAMBYSES-PRAXASPES-HERALD. After a scene between Parysatis and Cambyses, in which the king grows more and more violent, Praxaspes returns. He is welcomed and goes in with Cambyses to the palace. Parysatis remains and, in lyrics from the stage (Commation), complains to the Chorus of the misery of her lot. They sympathise with her. Praxaspes comes forth again, and after securing from all present a promise of secrecy, confesses the truth -Smerdis, son of Cyrus and brother of Cambyses, is no more. Parysatis goes silently within.

The Herald then arrives, and Cambyses is called forth. The Herald reports that Smerdis is on the throne. Cambyses rages at Praxaspes, who insists that the king's order was obeyed. Cambyses orders the son of Praxaspes to be arrested as a hostage. forth by the guards. go within.

Praxaspes himself is led Cambyses and the Herald

Third Stasimon.

CHORUS.

(1) The Chorus give utterance to their consternation. They recall the greatness of Cyrus, his wisdom, his temperance, his personal bravery.

Yet how sad his end!

They remember also the

youthful promise of Cambyses, his generous ardour, his accomplishments, his feats of strength.

(2) Now, what is the condition of the royal home? Disorder, fratricidal feud, and usurpation -by a brother or a stranger?

(3) Thus it comes to pass when men mount high in pride. They fall down low.

(4) Destruction of three armies, the outrage of sanctities, madness, and loss of empire (here the least of ills) are together fallen on Cambyses.

Croesus enters, supported by a slave, and calls forth Cambyses. He soothes his rage and prevails on him to cross-examine the Herald. In the course of this dialogue a light breaks on the leader of the Chorus. "Smerdis is no other than the Magian whom Cambyses left in charge of his treasures. The king is suddenly convinced of this orders the release of Praxaspes (whose son is unfortunately already slain), and calls to horse. Then exeunt.

Hyporchema.
CHORUS.

The Chorus hereupon break out in an excited strain of mingled grief and hopefulness-appealing

to the Sun and all the gods not to allow the Empire to pass away from the Achaemenian

name.

Fifth Epeisodion.

The Second Messenger enters in haste and reports that in mounting his horse Cambyses has accidentally been wounded by his own sword in the very place where he had wounded the bull. The narrative ended, Cambyses is brought in on a litter, accompanied by Croesus, who speaks of his own old sorrows and attempts to console the dying king. The suicide of Parysatis is reported and her corpse disclosed. Cambyses then addresses the Chorus, lamenting his own errors and exhorting his friends to vindicate the Persian He blames his flatterers, who when they could find no law to justify his acts, invented the other law, "The king can do his will."

name.

The Commos follows, in which Cambyses, Croesus, and the Chorus lament antiphonally together.

Exodus and Exodion.

As he is carried into the palace to die, the leader of the Chorus moralises the situation in a few impressive lines.

A romantic drama of the milder Euripidean type, or, as Dryden phrases it, one of "that

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