No More Learning

Now he breaks
Through all the clouds, and fills my eyes with light
That shuts the world out. I can look no more.

_Bal. _ Hark! heard you not a sound?

_Myr. _ No, 'twas mere fancy;
They battle it beyond the wall, and not 60
As in late midnight conflict in the very
Chambers: the palace has become a fortress
Since that insidious hour; and here, within
The very centre, girded by vast courts
And regal halls of pyramid proportions,
Which must be carried one by one before
They penetrate to where they then arrived,
We are as much shut in even from the sound
Of peril as from glory.

_Bal. _ But they reached
Thus far before.

_Myr. _ Yes, by surprise, and were 70
Beat back by valour: now at once we have
Courage and vigilance to guard us.

_Bal. _ May they
Prosper!

_Myr. _ That is the prayer of many, and
The dread of more: it is an anxious hour;
I strive to keep it from my thoughts. Alas!
How vainly!

_Bal. _ It is said the King's demeanour
In the late action scarcely more appalled
The rebels than astonished his true subjects.

_Myr. _ 'Tis easy to astonish or appal
The vulgar mass which moulds a horde of slaves; 80
But he did bravely.

_Bal. _ Slew he not Beleses?
I heard the soldiers say he struck him down.

_Myr. _ The wretch was overthrown, but rescued to
Triumph, perhaps, o'er one who vanquished him
In fight, as he had spared him in his peril;
And by that heedless pity risked a crown.

_Bal. _ Hark!

_Myr. _ You are right; some steps approach, but slowly.

_Enter Soldiers, bearing in_ SALEMENES _wounded, with a
broken javelin in his side: they seat him upon one of
the couches which furnish the Apartment_.

_Myr. _ Oh, Jove!

_Bal. _ Then all is over.

_Sal. _ That is false.
Hew down the slave who says so, if a soldier.

_Myr. _ Spare him--he's none: a mere court butterfly, 90
That flutter in the pageant of a monarch.

_Sal. _ Let him live on, then.

_Myr. _ So wilt thou, I trust.

_Sal. _ I fain would live this hour out, and the event,
But doubt it. Wherefore did ye bear me here?

_Sol. _ By the King's order. When the javelin struck you,
You fell and fainted: 'twas his strict command
To bear you to this hall.

_Sal. _ 'Twas not ill done:
For seeming slain in that cold dizzy trance,
The sight might shake our soldiers--but--'tis vain,
I feel it ebbing!

_Myr. _ Let me see the wound; 100
I am not quite skilless: in my native land
'Tis part of our instruction. War being constant,
We are nerved to look on such things. [an]

_Sol. _ Best extract
The javelin.

_Myr. _ Hold! no, no, it cannot be.

_Sal. _ I am sped, then!

_Myr. _ With the blood that fast must follow
The extracted weapon, I do fear thy life.

_Sal. _ And I _not_ death. Where was the King when you
Conveyed me from the spot where I was stricken?

_Sol. _ Upon the same ground, and encouraging
With voice and gesture the dispirited troops 110
Who had seen you fall, and faltered back.

_Sal. _ Whom heard ye
Named next to the command?

_Sol. _ I did not hear.

_Sal. _ Fly, then, and tell him, 'twas my last request
That Zames take my post until the junction,
So hoped for, yet delayed, of Ofratanes,
Satrap of Susa. Leave me here: our troops
Are not so numerous as to spare your absence.

_Sol. _ But Prince----

_Sal. _ Hence, I say! Here's a courtier and
A woman, the best chamber company.
As you would not permit me to expire 120
Upon the field, I'll have no idle soldiers
About my sick couch. Hence! and do my bidding!
[_Exeunt the Soldiers_.

_Myr. _ Gallant and glorious Spirit! must the earth
So soon resign thee?

_Sal. _ Gentle Myrrha, 'tis
The end I would have chosen, had I saved
The monarch or the monarchy by this;
As 'tis, I have not outlived them.

_Myr. _ You wax paler.

_Sal. _ Your hand; this broken weapon but prolongs
My pangs, without sustaining life enough
To make me useful: I would draw it forth 130
And my life with it, could I but hear how
The fight goes.

_Enter_ SARDANAPALUS _and Soldiers_.

_Sar. _ My best brother!

_Sal. _ And the battle
Is lost?

_Sar. _ (_despondingly_). You see _me here_.

_Sal. _ I'd rather see you _thus! _
[_He draws out the weapon from the wound, and dies_.

_Sar. _ And _thus_ I will be seen; unless the succour,
The last frail reed of our beleagured hopes,
Arrive with Ofratanes.

_Myr. _ Did you not
Receive a token from your dying brother,
Appointing Zames chief?

_Sar. _ I did.

_Myr. _ Where's Zames?

_Sar. _ Dead.

_Myr. _ And Altada?

_Sar. _ Dying.

_Myr. _ Pania? Sfero?

_Sar. _ Pania yet lives; but Sfero's fled or captive. 140
I am alone.

_Myr. _ And is all lost?

_Sar. _ Our walls,
Though thinly manned, may still hold out against
Their present force, or aught save treachery:
But i' the field----

_Myr. _ I thought 'twas the intent
Of Salemenes not to risk a sally
Till ye were strengthened by the expected succours.

_Sar. _ _I_ over-ruled him.

_Myr. _ Well, the _fault's_ a brave one.

_Sar. _ But fatal. Oh, my brother! I would give
These realms, of which thou wert the ornament,
The sword and shield, the sole-redeeming honour, 150
To call back----But I will not weep for thee;
Thou shall be mourned for as thou wouldst be mourned.
It grieves me most that thou couldst quit this life
Believing that I could survive what thou
Hast died for--our long royalty of race.
If I redeem it, I will give thee blood
Of thousands, tears of millions, for atonement,
(The tears of all the good are thine already).
If not, we meet again soon,--if the spirit
Within us lives beyond:--thou readest mine, 160
And dost me justice now. Let me once clasp
That yet warm hand, and fold that throbless heart
[_Embraces the body_.
To this which beats so bitterly. Now, bear
The body hence.

_Sol. _ Where?

_Sar. _ To my proper chamber.
Place it beneath my canopy, as though
The King lay there: when this is done, we will
Speak further of the rites due to such ashes.
[_Exeunt Soldiers with the body of_ SALEMENES.

_Enter_ PANIA.

_Sar. _ Well, Pania! have you placed the guards, and issued
The orders fixed on?

_Pan. _ Sire, I have obeyed.

_Sar. _ And do the soldiers keep their hearts up?

_Pan. _ Sire? 170

_Sar. _ I am answered! When a king asks twice, and has
A question as an answer to _his_ question,
It is a portent. What! they are disheartened?

_Pan. _ The death of Salemenes, and the shouts
Of the exulting rebels on his fall,
Have made them----

_Sar. _ _Rage_--not droop--it should have been.
We'll find the means to rouse them.

_Pan. _ Such a loss
Might sadden even a victory.

_Sar. _ Alas!
Who can so feel it as I feel? but yet,
Though cooped within these walls, they are strong, and we 180
Have those without will break their way through hosts,
To make their sovereign's dwelling what it was--
A palace, not a prison--nor a fortress.

_Enter an Officer, hastily_.

_Sar. _ Thy face seems ominous. Speak!

_Offi. _ I dare not.

_Sar. _ Dare not?
While millions dare revolt with sword in hand!
That's strange. I pray thee break that loyal silence
Which loathes to shock its sovereign; we can hear
Worse than thou hast to tell.

_Pan. _ Proceed--thou hearest.

_Offi. _ The wall which skirted near the river's brink
Is thrown down by the sudden inundation 190
Of the Euphrates, which now rolling, swoln
From the enormous mountains where it rises,
By the late rains of that tempestuous region,
O'erfloods its banks, and hath destroyed the bulwark.

_Pan. _ That's a black augury! it has been said
For ages, "That the City ne'er should yield
To man, until the River grew its foe. "

_Sar. _ I can forgive the omen, not the ravage.
How much is swept down of the wall?

_Offi. _ About
Some twenty stadia. [29]

_Sar. _ And all this is left 200
Pervious to the assailants?

_Offi.
_ For the present
The River's fury must impede the assault;
But when he shrinks into his wonted channel,
And may be crossed by the accustomed barks,
The palace is their own.

_Sar. _ That shall be never.
Though men, and gods, and elements, and omens,
Have risen up 'gainst one who ne'er provoked them,
My father's house shall never be a cave
For wolves to horde and howl in.

_Pan. _ With your sanction,
I will proceed to the spot, and take such measures 210
For the assurance of the vacant space
As time and means permit.

_Sar. _ About it straight,
And bring me back, as speedily as full
And fair investigation may permit,
Report of the true state of this irruption
Of waters. [_Exeunt_ PANIA _and the Officer_.

_Myr. _ Thus the very waves rise up
Against you.

_Sar. _ They are not my subjects, girl,
And may be pardoned, since they can't be punished.

_Myr. _ I joy to see this portent shakes you not.

_Sar. _ I am past the fear of portents: they can tell me 220
Nothing I have not told myself since midnight:
Despair anticipates such things.

_Myr. _ Despair!

_Sar. _ No; not despair precisely. When we know
All that can come, and how to meet it, our
Resolves, if firm, may merit a more noble
Word than this is to give it utterance.
But what are words to us? we have well nigh done
With them and all things.

_Myr. _ Save _one deed_--the last
And greatest to all mortals; crowning act
Of all that was, or is, or is to be-- 230
The only thing common to all mankind,
So different in their births, tongues, sexes, natures,
Hues, features, climes, times, feelings, intellects,[ao]
Without one point of union save in this--
To which we tend, for which we're born, and thread
The labyrinth of mystery, called life.

_Sar. _ Our clue being well nigh wound out, let's be cheerful.
They who have nothing more to fear may well
Indulge a smile at that which once appalled;
As children at discovered bugbears.

_Re-enter_ PANIA.

_Pan. _ 'Tis 240
As was reported: I have ordered there
A double guard, withdrawing from the wall,
Where it was strongest, the required addition
To watch the breach occasioned by the waters.

_Sar. _ You have done your duty faithfully, and as
My worthy Pania! further ties between us
Draw near a close--I pray you take this key:
[_Gives a key_.
It opens to a secret chamber, placed
Behind the couch in my own chamber--(Now
Pressed by a nobler weight than e'er it bore-- 250
Though a long line of sovereigns have lain down
Along its golden frame--as bearing for
A time what late was Salemenes. )--Search
The secret covert to which this will lead you;
'Tis full of treasure;[30] take it for yourself
And your companions:[ap] there's enough to load ye,
Though ye be many. Let the slaves be freed, too;
And all the inmates of the palace, of
Whatever sex, now quit it in an hour.
Thence launch the regal barks, once formed for pleasure, 260
And now to serve for safety, and embark.
The river's broad and swoln, and uncommanded,
(More potent than a king) by these besiegers.
Fly! and be happy!

_Pan. _ Under your protection!
So you accompany your faithful guard.

_Sar. _ No, Pania! that must not be; get thee hence,
And leave me to my fate.

_Pan. _ 'Tis the first time
I ever disobeyed: but now----

_Sar. _ So all men
Dare beard me now, and Insolence within
Apes Treason from without. Question no further; 270
'Tis my command, my last command. Wilt _thou_
Oppose it? _thou! _

_Pan. _ But yet--not yet.

_Sar. _ Well, then,
Swear that you will obey when I shall give
The signal.

_Pan. _ With a heavy but true heart,
I promise.

_Sar. _ 'Tis enough. Now order here
Faggots, pine-nuts, and withered leaves, and such
Things as catch fire and blaze with one sole spark;
Bring cedar, too, and precious drugs, and spices,
And mighty planks, to nourish a tall pile;
Bring frankincense and myrrh, too, for it is 280
For a great sacrifice I build the pyre!
And heap them round yon throne.

_Pan. _ My Lord!

_Sar. _ I have said it,
And _you_ have sworn.

_Pan. _ And could keep my faith
Without a vow. [_Exit_ PANIA.

_Myr. _ What mean you?

_Sar. _ You shall know
Anon--what the whole earth shall ne'er forget.

PANIA, _returning with a Herald_.

_Pan. _ My King, in going forth upon my duty,
This herald has been brought before me, craving
An audience.

_Sar. _ Let him speak.

_Her. _ The _King_ Arbaces----

_Sar. _ What, crowned already? --But, proceed.

_Her. _ Beleses,
The anointed High-priest----

_Sar. _ Of what god or demon? 290
With new kings rise new altars. But, proceed;
You are sent to prate your master's will, and not
Reply to mine.

_Her. _ And Satrap Ofratanes----

_Sar. _ Why, _he_ is _ours_.

_Her. _ (_showing a ring_). Be sure that he is now
In the camp of the conquerors; behold
His signet ring.

_Sar. _ 'Tis his. A worthy triad!
Poor Salemenes! thou hast died in time
To see one treachery the less: this man
Was thy true friend and my most trusted subject.
Proceed.

_Her. _ They offer thee thy life, and freedom 300
Of choice to single out a residence
In any of the further provinces,
Guarded and watched, but not confined in person,
Where thou shalt pass thy days in peace; but on
Condition that the three young princes are
Given up as hostages.

_Sar. _ (_ironically_). The generous Victors!

_Her. _ I wait the answer.

_Sar. _ Answer, slave! How long
Have slaves decided on the doom of kings?

_Her. _ Since they were free.

_Sar. _ Mouthpiece of mutiny!
Thou at the least shalt learn the penalty 310
Of treason, though its proxy only. Pania!
Let his head be thrown from our walls within
The rebels' lines, his carcass down the river.
Away with him! [PANIA _and the Guards seizing him_.

_Pan. _ I never yet obeyed
Your orders with more pleasure than the present.
Hence with him, soldiers! do not soil this hall
Of royalty with treasonable gore;
Put him to rest without.

_Her. _ A single word:
My office, King, is sacred.

_Sar. _ And what's _mine_?
That thou shouldst come and dare to ask of me 320
To lay it down?

_Her. _ I but obeyed my orders,
At the same peril if refused, as now
Incurred by my obedience.

_Sar. _ So there are
New monarchs of an hour's growth as despotic
As sovereigns swathed in purple, and enthroned
From birth to manhood!

_Her. _ My life waits your breath.
Yours (I speak humbly)--but it may be--yours
May also be in danger scarce less imminent:
Would it then suit the last hours of a line
Such as is that of Nimrod, to destroy 330
A peaceful herald, unarmed, in his office;
And violate not only all that man
Holds sacred between man and man--but that
More holy tie which links us with the Gods?

_Sar. _ He's right. --Let him go free. --My life's last act
Shall not be one of wrath. Here, fellow, take
[_Gives him a golden cup from a table near_.
This golden goblet, let it hold your wine,
And think of _me_; or melt it into ingots,
And think of nothing but their weight and value.

_Her. _ I thank you doubly for my life, and this 340
Most gorgeous gift, which renders it more precious.
But must I bear no answer?

_Sar. _ Yes,--I ask
An hour's truce to consider.

_Her. _ But an hour's?

_Sar. _ An hour's: if at the expiration of
That time your masters hear no further from me,
They are to deem that I reject their terms,
And act befittingly.

_Her. _ I shall not fail
To be a faithful legate of your pleasure.

_Sar. _ And hark! a word more.

_Her. _ I shall not forget it,
Whate'er it be.

_Sar. _ Commend me to Beleses; 350
And tell him, ere a year expire, I summon
Him hence to meet me.

_Her. _ Where?

_Sar. _ At Babylon.
At least from thence he will depart to meet me.

_Her. _ I shall obey you to the letter. [_Exit Herald_.

_Sar. _ Pania! --
Now, my good Pania! --quick--with what I ordered.

_Pan. _ My Lord,--the soldiers are already charged.
And see! they enter.

_Soldiers enter, and form a Pile about the Throne, etc. _[31]

_Sar. _ Higher, my good soldiers,
And thicker yet; and see that the foundation
Be such as will not speedily exhaust
Its own too subtle flame; nor yet be quenched 360
With aught officious aid would bring to quell it.
Let the throne form the _core_ of it; I would not
Leave that, save fraught with fire unquenchable,
To the new comers. Frame the whole as if
'Twere to enkindle the strong tower of our
Inveterate enemies. Now it bears an aspect!
How say you, Pania, will this pile suffice
For a King's obsequies?

_Pan. _ Aye, for a kingdom's.
I understand you, now.

_Sar. _ And blame me?

_Pan. _ No--
Let me but fire the pile, and share it with you. 370

_Myr. _ That _duty's_ mine.

_Pan. _ A woman's!

_Myr. _ 'Tis the soldier's
Part to die _for_ his sovereign, and why not
The woman's with her lover?

_Pan. _ 'Tis most strange!

_Myr. _ But not so rare, my Pania, as thou think'st it.
In the mean time, live thou.