_Arb._ And ever thwarted: what would you have more To make a rebel out of? A fool reigning, 100 His blood dishonoured, and himself disdained: Why, it is _his_ revenge we work for.
_Bel._ Could He but be brought to think so: this I doubt of.
_Arb._ What, if we sound him?
_Bel._ Yes--if the time served.
_Enter_ BALEA.
_Bal._ Satraps! The king commands your presence at The feast to-night.
_Bel._ To hear is to obey.
In the pavilion?
_Bal._ No; here in the palace.
_Arb._ How! in the palace? it was not thus ordered.
_Bal._ It is so ordered now.
_Arb._ And why?
_Bal._ I know not.
May I retire?
_Arb._ Stay.
_Bel._ (_to Arb. aside_). Hush! let him go his way. 110 (_Alternately to Bal._) Yes, Balea, thank the Monarch, kiss the hem Of his imperial robe, and say, his slaves Will take the crumbs he deigns to scatter from His royal table at the hour--was"t midnight?
_Bal._ It was: the place, the hall of Nimrod. Lords, I humble me before you, and depart. [_Exit_ BALEA.
_Arb._ I like not this same sudden change of place; There is some mystery: wherefore should he change it?
_Bel._ Doth he not change a thousand times a day?
Sloth is of all things the most fanciful-- 120 And moves more parasangs in its intents Than generals in their marches, when they seek To leave their foe at fault.--Why dost thou muse?
_Arb._ He loved that gay pavilion,--it was ever His summer dotage.
_Bel._ And he loved his Queen-- 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, 130 Beset with drowsy guards and drunken courtiers; But in the hall of Nimrod----
_Bel._ Is it so?
Methought the haughty soldier feared to mount A throne too easily--does it disappoint thee To find there is a slipperier step or two Than what was counted on?
_Arb._ When the hour comes, Thou shall perceive how far I fear or no.
Thou hast seen my life at stake--and gaily played for: But here is more upon the die--a kingdom.
_Bel._ I have foretold already--thou wilt win it: 140 Then on, and prosper.
_Arb._ Now were I a soothsayer, I would have boded so much to myself.
But be the stars obeyed--I cannot quarrel With them, nor their interpreter. Who"s here?
_Enter_ SALEMENES.
_Sal._ Satraps!
_Bel._ My Prince!
_Sal._ Well met--I sought ye both, But elsewhere than the palace.
_Arb._ Wherefore so?
_Sal._ "Tis not the hour.
_Arb._ The hour!--what hour?
_Sal._ Of midnight.
_Bel._ Midnight, my Lord!
_Sal._ What, are you not invited?
_Bel._ Oh! yes--we had forgotten.
_Sal._ Is it usual Thus to forget a Sovereign"s invitation?
_Arb._ Why--we but now received it. 150
_Sal._ Then why here?
_Arb._ On duty.
_Sal._ On what duty?
_Bel._ On the state"s.
We have the privilege to approach the presence; But found the Monarch absent.[k]
_Sal._ And I too Am upon duty.
_Arb._ May we crave its purport?
_Sal._ To arrest two traitors. Guards! Within there!
_Enter Guards_.
_Sal._ (_continuing_). Satraps, Your swords.