The Flight of Xerxes

I saw him on the battle eve,
When like a king he bore him!
Proud hosts in glittering helm and greave,
And prouder chiefs before him;
The warrior, and the warrior’s deeds,
The morrow, and the morrow’s meeds, —
No daunting thoughts came o’er him
He look’d around him, and his eye
Defiance flash’d to earth and sky!

He look’d on ocean, — its broad breast
Was covered with his fleet;
On earth, — and saw from east to west
His banner’d millions meet;
While rock, and glen, and cave, and coast,
Shook with the war-cry of that host.
The thunder of their feet!
He heard the imperial echoes ring—
He heard, and felt himself a king!

I saw him next alone; — nor camp
Nor chief his steps attended,
Nor banners’ blaze nor coursers' tramp,
With war-cries proudly blended: —
He stood alone, whom Fortune high
So lately seem’d to deify,
He who with heaven contended
Fled, like a fugitive and slave;
Behind, the foe, — before, the wave!

He stood, — fleet, army, treasure gone.
Alone, and in despair!
While wave and wind swept ruthless on.
For they were monarchs there;
And Xerxes in a single bark,
Where late his thousand ships were dark
Must all thy fury dare; —
Thy glorious revenge was this,
Thy trophy, deathless Salamis!