Myrrha. And wilt thou? Will I not? Ho, there!-But seek not for the buckler; 'tis . Where are the rebels? Panią. Scarce a furlong's length From the outward wall, the fiercest conflict rages. Sardan. Then I may charge on horseback. Sfero, ho! Order my horse out.-There is space enough Even in our courts, and by the outer gate, [Exit SPERO for the armour. Myrrha, How I do love thee! SARDANAPALUs (to his attendant). Where's Salemenes? Pania. Bring down my spear, too Where a soldier should be Then hasten to him- -Is In the thick of the fight. The path still open, and communication Pania. When I late left him, and I have no fear: 'Twas Our troops were steady, and the phalanx form'd. Sardan. Tell him to spare his person for the present, And that I will not spare my own-and say, I come. Pania. There's victory in the very word. [Exit PANIA. Sardan. Altada-Zames-forth, and arm ye! There Is all in readiness in the armoury. See that the women are bestow'd in safety In the remote apartments: let a guard Be set before them, with strict charge to quit The post but with their lives-command it, Zames. Your post is near our person. [Exeunt ZAMES, ALTADA, and all save MYRRHA. Enter SFERO and others with the King's Arms, &c. Sfero. King your armour. SARDANAPALUS (arming himself). Give me the cuirass-so: my baldric; now Sfero. Sire, I deem'd That too conspicuous from the precious stones Sardan. You deem'd? Are you too turn'd a rebel? Your part is to obey: return, and-no- Sfero. At least wear this. Sardan. Wear Caucasus! why, 'tis A mountain on my temples. Sfero. Sire, the meanest Soldier goes not forth thus exposed to battle. All men will recognize you-for the storm Has ceased, and the moon breaks forth in her brightness. [In going stops short, and turns to SFERO. [Exit SFERO. Sardan. Myrrha, retire unto a place of safety. Why went you not forth with the other damsels? Myrrha Because my place is here. Sardan. And when I am gone (1) Such the mirror Otho held Myrrha, If it were so, 'Twere not the first Greek girl hath trod the path. I will await here your return. Sardan. The place Is spacious, and the first to be sought out, Myrrha. Sardan. How? Myrrha. Still, we meet again. In the spot where all must meet at last In Hades! if there be, as I believe, A shore beyond the Styx; and if there be not, Sardan. Dar'st thou so much? I dare all things Except survive what I have loved, to be A rebel's booty: forth, and do your bravest. Re-enter SFERO, with the mirror. [SALEMENES (looking at himself.) This cuirass fits me well, the baldric better, [Flinging away the helmet after trying it again. Passing well in these toys; and now to prove them. Altada? Where's Altada? Sfero. Waiting, sire, Without he has your shield in readiness. Sardan. True; I forgot he is my shield-bearer Myrrha, embrace me; yet once more-once more- [Exit SARDANAPALUS and SFERO. All are gone forth, and of that all how few Me perish! If he vanquish not, I perish; Now, now, far more than-Hark-to the war shout! [She draws forth a small vial. This cunning Colchian poison, which my father Learn'd to compound on Euxine shores, and taught me How to preserve, shall free me! It had freed me Long ere this hour, but that I loved, until -where all I half forgot I was a slave : Are slaves save one, and proud of servitude, That shackles worn like ornaments no less Are chains. Again that shout? and now the clash Enter ALTADA. Ho, Sfero, ho! Myrrha. He is not here; what wouldst thou with him? How Goes on the conflict? Altada. Myrrha. And the king? Dubiously and fiercely. Like a king. I must find Sfero, Make him a mark too royal. Every arrow And the broad fillet which crowns both. Myrrha. Ye gods, Who fulmine o'er my fathers' land, protect him! Altada. By Salemenes, Without the knowledge of the careless sovereign, He must be there. Myrrha, [Exit ALTADA. 'Tis no dishonour-no- Enter an OFFICER. Officer. Lost almost past recovery. Zames! Where Myrrha. Lost, Posted with the guard appointed To watch before the apartment of the women. MYRRHA (solus). [Exit OFFICER. He's gone; aud told no more than that all's lost! What need have I to know more? In those words, A line of thirteen ages, and the lives Of thousands, and the fortune of all left With life, are merged; and I, too, with the great, |