And yet it almost shames me, we shall have But to upraise my sword against this silkworm, Do not deem it: He has that in him which may make you strife yet; And were he all you think, his guards are hardy, And headed by the cool, stern Salemenes. Arb. They'll not resist. Bel. Why not? they are soldiers. Arb. True, And thrice a thousand harlotry besides— And he has loved all things by turns, except Wisdom and glory. Arb. Still-I like it not. If he has changed-why, so must we the attack Were easy in the isolated bower, Bel. Beset with drowsy guards and drunken courtiers; Arb. But here is more upon the die-a kingdom. Arb. Now were I a soothsayer, I would have boded so much to myself. But be the stars obey'd-I cannot quarrel With them, nor their interpreter. Who's here? Yes-if the time served. Sal. Arb. Well met-I sought ye both, But elsewhere than the palace. Wherefore so? Enter BALEA. Sal. "Tis not the hour. sence at The feast to-night. Bel. To hear is to obey. No; here in the palace. What, are you not invited ? Arb. How! in the palace? it was not thus Thus to forget a sovereign's invitation ? Bal. It is so order'd now. Arb. Why-we but now received it. Sal. Is it usual Then why here ? Bel. Midnight, my lord! Sal. Bel. [to ARB. aside]. Hush! let him go his way. [Alternately to BAL.] Yes, Balea, thank the monarch, kiss the hem Of his imperial robe, and say, his slaves I humble me before you and depart. [Exit BALEA. Arb. I like not this same sudden change of place, On the state's. We have the privilege to approach the presence, But found the monarch absent. Sar. Am upon duty. Arb. And I too May we crave its purport. Sal. To arrest two traitors. Guards! Within there! Sar. Your swords. Sal. Then sheath [ARBACES and SALEMENES return their swords to their scabbards. Mine's sheath'd: I pray you sheathe not yours: 'Tis the sole sceptre left you now with safety. I'll answer that, if once Against his foes. Sal. And now against his brother, And in an hour or so against himself. Sar. That is not possible: he dared not; noNo-I'll not hear of such things.-These vain bickerings Are spawn'd in courts by base intrigues, and baser Hirelings, who live by lies on good men's lives. You must have been deceived, my brother. Sal. Let him deliver up his weapon, and Proclaim himself your subject by that duty, And I will answer all. First Sar. Why, if I thought soBut no, it cannot be: the Mede ArbacesThe trusty, rough, true soldier-the best captain Of all who discipline our nations-No I'll not insult him thus, to bid him render The scimitar to me he never yielded Unto our enemies. Chief, keep your weapon. Sal. [delivering back the signet]. Monarch, take back your signet. Sar. No, retain it; But use it with more moderation. Sal. Sire, Sal. Bel. I know not what hath prejudiced the prince So strongly 'gainst two subjects, than whom none Have been more zealous for Assyria's weal. Sal. Peace, factious priest, and faithless soldier ! thou Unitest in thy own person the worst vices Bel. Sar. Oh! for that I pray you Let him have absolution. I dispense with Bel. King! do not deem so they are with the And Sar. You shall join them ere they will rise, Sal. I pray you pause. My lord, and king, and brother, Yes, and be sermonised, Bel. Monarch! respect them. We thank Sar. Priest! keep your thanksgivings for Belus; Bel. So we should be, were justice always done Were they once masters—but that's doubtful. Worlds, or the lights of worlds, I know nor care not. Your swords and persons are at liberty There's something sweet in my uncertainty I would not change for your Chaldean lore; Besides, I know of these all clay can know Of aught above it, or below it-nothing. To use them as ye will-but from this hour Arb. I will wait, Bel. If it so please you, pontiff, for that knowledge. Unto your ministry-not loving either. [Exeunt SARDANAPALUS, SALEMENES, and the Train, &c., leaving ARBACES and BELESES. Beleses! Arb. That we are lost. Now, what think you? Bel. slung o'er us Sal. [asile]. His lusts have made him mad. Then But by a single hair, and that still wavering, must I save him, Spite of himself. Sar. He spared our lives, nay, more, They would be crown'd to reign o'er-let that pass. Gave royally what we had forfeited As I have said, I will not deem ye guilty, Bel. I blush that we should owe our lives to such stars Have written otherwise. Arb. Though they came down, And marshall'd me the way in all their brightness, I would not follow. Bel. This is weakness-worse Than a scared beldam's dreaming of the dead, And waking in the dark.-Go to-go to. Arb. But this is fill'd. With worse than vacancy A despised monarch. Look to it, Arbaces : Arb. Methought he look'd like Nimrod as he Or one or both, for sometimes both are one; spoke, And if I win, Arbaces is my servant. Why not? better than be slave, Arb. If I thought so, this good sword should dig Bel. And would, perhaps, betray as well As quit me? Arb. That's a sacerdotal thought, And not a soldier's. Bel. Be it what you will— The free air of the city, and we'll shorten "Twill be shorten'd at the gates, The journey. Arb. If I but thought he did not mean my life Bel. Fool! hence-what else should despotism alarm'd Mean? Let us but rejoin our troops, and march. Which their half measures leave us in full scope.- Arb. And I even yet repenting must Relapse to guilt! Bel. Self-defence is a virtue, Sole bulwark of all right. Away, I say! Let's leave this place, the air grows thick and choking, And should therefore be decisive. This half indulgence of an exile serves But to provoke-a pardon should be full, Or it is none. Sar. And who persuaded me Sal. True; that I had forgotten; that is, sire, If they e'er reach'd their satrapies-why, then, Reprove me more for my advice. Sar. And if They do not reach them-look to it!—in safety, In safety, mark me—and securityLook to thine own. Sul. Permit me to depart; Their safety shall be cared for. Sar. Get thee hence, then, And, prithee, think more gently of thy brother. Sal. Sire, I shall ever duly serve my sovereign. [Erit SALEMENES. Sar. [solus]. That man is of a temper too severe; Hard but as lofty as the rock, and free From all the taints of common earth-while I Am softer clay, impregnated with flowers: But as our mould is, must the produce be. If I have err'd this time, 'tis on the side Where error sits most lightly on that sense, I know not what to call it; but it reckons With me ofttimes for pain, and sometimes pleasure; A spirit which seems placed about my heart To count its throbs, not quicken them, and ask Questions which no one mortal dared to ask me, Nor Baal, though an oracular deity— Albeit his marble face majestical Frowns as the shadows of the evening dim His brows to changed expression, till at times Away with these vain thoughts, I will be joyous- |