I can fix nothing further of my thoughts, Save that I longed for thee, and sought for thee, In all these agonies,--and woke and found thee.
_Myr._ So shalt thou find me ever at thy side, Here and hereafter, if the last may be.
But think not of these things--the mere creations Of late events, acting upon a frame Unused by toil, yet over-wrought by toil-- 170 Such as might try the sternest.
_Sar._ I am better.
Now that I see thee once more, _what was seen_ Seems nothing.
_Enter_ SALEMENES.
_Sal._ Is the king so soon awake?
_Sar._ Yes, brother, and I would I had not slept; For all the predecessors of our line Rose up, methought, to drag me down to them.
My father was amongst them, too; but he, I know not why, kept from me, leaving me Between the hunter-founder of our race, And her, the homicide and husband-killer, 180 Whom you call glorious.
_Sal._ So I term you also, Now you have shown a spirit like to hers.
By day-break I propose that we set forth, And charge once more the rebel crew, who still Keep gathering head, repulsed, but not quite quelled.
_Sar._ How wears the night?
_Sal._ There yet remain some hours Of darkness: use them for your further rest.
_Sar._ No, not to-night, if "tis not gone: methought I pa.s.sed hours in that vision.
_Myr._ Scarcely one; I watched by you: it was a heavy hour, 190 But an hour only.
_Sar._ Let us then hold council; To-morrow we set forth.
_Sal._ But ere that time, I had a grace to seek.
_Sar._ "Tis granted.
_Sal._ Hear it Ere you reply too readily; and "tis For _your_ ear only.
_Myr._ Prince, I take my leave.
[Exit MYRRHA.
_Sal._ That slave deserves her freedom.
_Sar._ Freedom only!
That slave deserves to share a throne.
_Sal._ Your patience-- "Tis not yet vacant, and "tis of its partner I come to speak with you.
_Sar._ How! of the Queen?
_Sal._ Even so. I judged it fitting for their safety, 200 That, ere the dawn, she sets forth with her children For Paphlagonia, where our kinsman Cotta[26]
Governs; and there, at all events, secure My nephews and your sons their lives, and with them Their just pretensions to the crown in case----
_Sar._ I perish--as is probable: well thought-- Let them set forth with a sure escort.
_Sal._ That Is all provided, and the galley ready To drop down the Euphrates; but ere they Depart, will you not see----
_Sar._ My sons? It may 210 Unman my heart, and the poor boys will weep; And what can I reply to comfort them, Save with some hollow hopes, and ill-worn smiles?
You know I cannot feign.
_Sal._ But you can feel!
At least, I trust so: in a word, the Queen Requests to see you ere you part--for ever.
_Sar._ Unto what end? what purpose? I will grant Aught--all that she can ask--but such a meeting.
_Sal._ You know, or ought to know, enough of women, Since you have studied them so steadily[af], 220 That what they ask in aught that touches on The heart, is dearer to their feelings or Their fancy, than the whole external world.
I think as you do of my sister"s wish; But "twas her wish--she is my sister--you Her husband--will you grant it?
_Sar._ "Twill be useless: But let her come.
_Sal._ I go. [_Exit_ SALEMENES.
_Sar._ We have lived asunder Too long to meet again--and _now_ to meet!
Have I not cares enow, and pangs enow, To bear alone, that we must mingle sorrows, 230 Who have ceased to mingle love?
_Re-enter_ SALEMENES _and_ ZARINA.
_Sal._ My sister! Courage: Shame not our blood with trembling, but remember From whence we sprung. The Queen is present, Sire.
_Zar._ I pray thee, brother, leave me.
_Sal._ Since you ask it.
[_Exit_ SALEMENES.
_Zar._ Alone with him! How many a year has pa.s.sed[27], Though we are still so young, since we have met, Which I have worn in widowhood of heart.
He loved me not: yet he seems little changed-- Changed to me only--would the change were mutual!
He speaks not--scarce regards me--not a word, 240 Nor look--yet he _was_ soft of voice and aspect, Indifferent, not austere. My Lord!
_Sar._ Zarina!
_Zar._ No, _not_ Zarina--do not say Zarina.
That tone--That word--annihilate long years, And things which make them longer.
_Sar._ "Tis too late To think of these past dreams. Let"s not reproach-- That is, reproach me not--for the _last_ time----
_Zar._ And _first_, I ne"er reproached you.
_Sar._ "Tis most true; And that reproof comes heavier on my heart Than----But our hearts are not in our own power. 250
_Zar._ Nor hands; but I gave both.
_Sar._ Your brother said It was your will to see me, ere you went From Nineveh with----(_He hesitates_.)
_Zar._ Our children: it is true.