78.

"Darius turned his chariot and drove

From Gaugamela’s route, giving the field

To Alexander as he had at coastal Issus.

Philip of Macedon’s child he wouldn’t meet

On equal footing, nor all Persia forfeit –

Regardless of how many times the Greeks

Might trick him with their dubious tactics, he

Would flee into the mountains, the defiles

Of Media. Let the phalanx chase him! Fast!

He left without his wife at Issus, loses

More worldly treasure now as he retreats –

What good to yield and live but not to rule? 

His mother, children, chattel, troops remain

In Alexander's camp; these came to Egypt

With them as trophies; they parade them east.

And when he stretched a hole in staggered ranks,

And seized his chance to pierce the Persian line -- 

A second time, a second glorious route -- 

The king, not thinking of his wounded thigh,

Thrust toward the tyrant’s chair, striking the teeth

Of Darius’ guard.