Methought the haughty soldier fear'd to mount Than what was counted on? Arb. When the hour comes, Thou shalt perceive how far I fear or no. Thou hast seen my life at stake-and gaily play'd'for— But here is more upon the dye a kingdom. Bel. I have foretold already-thou wilt win it: Then on, and prosper. 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? Bel. Oh! yes-we had forgotten. Thus to forget a sovereign's invitation?. Is it usual Then why here? Arb. On duty. Salem. On what duty? Bel. On the state's. We have the privilege to approach the presence; Salem. And I too Am upon duty. Arb. May we crave its purport? Salem. To arrest two traitors. Guards! Within there! Enter Guards. Salem. (continuing). Your swords. Satraps, Bel. (delivering his). My lord, behold my scimitar. Arb. (drawing his sword). Take mine. Salem. (advancing). Arb. I will. But in your heart the blade How! dost thou brave me? The hilt quits not this hand. 'Tis well-this saves a trial, and false mercy. Soldiers, hew down the rebel! Soldiers! Ay Alone! foolish slave What is there in thee that a prince should shrink from Thy strength: thy tooth is nought without its venom- Bel. (interposing). Arbaces! are you mad? Have I not render'd My sword? Then trust like me our sovereign's justice. Of my own breath and body-so far that Salem. (to the Guards). ~· Take him not,-kill. You hear him, and me. [The Guards attack ARBACES, who defends himself valiantly and dexterously till they waver. Salem. Is it even so; and must I do the hangman's office? Recreants! see How you should fell a traitor. Sardan. [SALEMENES attacks ARBACES. Hold your hands Enter SARDANAPALUS and Train. Upon your lives, I say. What, deaf or drunken ? My sword! Oh fool, I wear no sword: here, fellow, [To a Guard, [SARDANAPALUS snatches a sword from one of the soldiers, and makes between the combatants-they separate. In my very palace! What hinders me from cleaving you in twain, Sardan. Audacious brawlers? Strike! So the blow's repeated What-him! Salem. Sardan. I! Indeed! Salem. Upon yon traitor-whom you spare a moment, I trust, for torture-I'm content. Sardan. Who dares assail Arbaces? Prince, you forget yourself. Upon what warrant ? Salem, (showing the signet). Thine. Arb. (confused). Salem. The king's! Yes! and let the king confirm it. Sardan. I parted not from this for such a purpose. Employ'd it for the best. Pronounce in person, I was your representative. Sardan. Your swords. Then sheathe [ARBACES and SALEMENES return their swords to the scabbards. Salem. Mine's sheathed: I pray you sheathe not yours; 'Tis the sole sceptre left you now with safety. Sardan. A heavy one; the hilt, too, hurts my hand. (To a Guard). Here, fellow, take thy weapon back. Well sirs, What doth this mean? Bel. The prince must answer that. Salem. Truth upon my part, treason upon theirs. Sardan. Treason-Arbaces! treachery and Beleses! That were an union I will not believe. Bel. Where is the proof? Salem. I'll answer that, if once The king demands your fellow traitor's sword. Arb. (to SALEMENES). A sword which hath been drawn as oft as thine Against his foes. Salem. And now against his brother, And in an hour or so against himself. Sardan. That is not possible: he dared not; no- You must have been deceived, my brother. Let him deliver up his weapon, and Sardan. First Why, if I thought so But no, it cannot be; the Mede Arbaces→→→ The 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. Salem. (delivering back the signet). Monarch, take back your signet. Sardan. But use it with more moderation. Salem. No, retain it; Sire, I used it for your honour, and restore it Bestow it on Arbaces. Without that hollow semblance of respect. Bel, I know not what hath prejudiced the prince So strongly 'gainst two subjects, than whom none Salem. Peace, factious priest and faithless soldier! thou Unit'st in thy own person the worst vices Of the most dangerous orders of mankind. Bel. Hear him, My liege the son of Belus! he blasphemes Sardan. Oh! for that I pray you Let him have absolution. I dispense with Am mortal, and believing that the race From whence I sprung are-what I see them-ashes. Bel. King! Do not deem so: they are with the stars, And Surdan. You shall join them there ere they will rise, If you preach farther.-Why, this is rank treason. Sardan. To school me in the worship of Assyria's idols! Let him be released→→ Give him his sword. Salem. I pray ye pause. Sardan. My lord, and king, and brother, Yes, and be sermonized, And dinn'd, and deafen'd with dead men and Baal, And all Chaldea's starry mysteries. Bel. Monarch! respect them. Sardan. Oh! for that--I love them; I love to watch them in the deep blue vault, The tremulous silver of Euphrates' wave, |