The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 13

Away with these vain thoughts, I will be joyous-- And here comes Joy's true herald.

_Enter_ MYRRHA.

_Myr._ King! the sky Is overcast, and musters muttering thunder, In clouds that seem approaching fast, and show In forked flashes a commanding tempest.[r] 540 Will you then quit the palace?

_Sar._ Tempest, say'st thou?

_Myr._ Aye, my good lord.

_Sar._ For my own part, I should be Not ill content to vary the smooth scene, And watch the warring elements; but this Would little suit the silken garments and Smooth faces of our festive friends. Say, Myrrha, Art thou of those who dread the roar of clouds?

_Myr._ In my own country we respect their voices As auguries of Jove.[s]

_Sar._ Jove!--aye, your Baal-- Ours also has a property in thunder, 550 And ever and anon some falling bolt Proves his divinity,--and yet sometimes Strikes his own altars.

_Myr._ That were a dread omen.

_Sar._ Yes--for the priests. Well, we will not go forth Beyond the palace walls to-night, but make Our feast within.

_Myr._ Now, Jove be praised! that he Hath heard the prayer thou wouldst not hear. The G.o.ds Are kinder to thee than thou to thyself, And flash this storm between thee and thy foes, To s.h.i.+eld thee from them.

_Sar._ Child, if there be peril, 560 Methinks it is the same within these walls As on the river's brink.

_Myr._ Not so; these walls Are high and strong, and guarded. Treason has To penetrate through many a winding way, And ma.s.sy portal; but in the pavilion There is no bulwark.

_Sar._ No, nor in the palace, Nor in the fortress, nor upon the top Of cloud-fenced Caucasus, where the eagle sits Nested in pathless clefts, if treachery be: Even as the arrow finds the airy king, 570 The steel will reach the earthly. But be calm; The men, or innocent or guilty, are Banished, and far upon their way.

_Myr._ They live, then?

_Sar._ So sanguinary? _Thou!_

_Myr._ I would not shrink From just infliction of due punishment On those who seek your life: were't otherwise, I should not merit mine. Besides, you heard The princely Salemenes.

_Sar._ This is strange; The gentle and the austere are both against me, And urge me to revenge.

_Myr._ 'Tis a Greek virtue. 580

_Sar._ But not a kingly one--I'll none on't; or If ever I indulge in't, it shall be With kings--my equals.

_Myr._ These men sought to be so.

_Sar._ Myrrha, this is too feminine, and springs From fear----

_Myr._ For you.

_Sar._ No matter, still 'tis fear.

I have observed your s.e.x, once roused to wrath, Are timidly vindictive to a pitch Of perseverance, which I would not copy.

I thought you were exempt from this, as from The childish helplessness of Asian women[t]. 590

_Myr._ My Lord, I am no boaster of my love, Nor of my attributes; I have shared your splendour, And will partake your fortunes. You may live To find one slave more true than subject myriads: But this the G.o.ds avert! I am content To be beloved on trust for what I feel, Rather than prove it to you in your griefs[u], Which might not yield to any cares of mine.

_Sar._ Grief cannot come where perfect love exists, Except to heighten it, and vanish from 600 That which it could not scare away. Let's in-- The hour approaches, and we must prepare To meet the invited guests who grace our feast.

[_Exeunt_.

ACT III.

SCENE I.--_The Hall of the Palace illuminated_--SARDANAPALUS _and his Guests at Table.--A storm without, and Thunder occasionally heard during the Banquet_.

_Sar._ Fill full! why this is as it should be: here Is my true realm, amidst bright eyes and faces Happy as fair! Here sorrow cannot reach.

_Zam._ Nor elsewhere--where the King is, pleasure sparkles.

_Sar._ Is not this better now than Nimrod's huntings, Or my wild Grandam's chase in search of kingdoms She could not keep when conquered?

_Alt._ Mighty though They were, as all thy royal line have been, Yet none of those who went before have reached The acme of Sardanapalus, who 10 Has placed his joy in peace--the sole true glory.

_Sar._ And pleasure, good Altada, to which glory Is but the path. What is it that we seek?

Enjoyment! We have cut the way short to it, And not gone tracking it through human ashes, Making a grave with every footstep.

_Zam._ No; All hearts are happy, and all voices bless The King of peace--who holds a world in jubilee.

_Sar._ Art sure of that? I have heard otherwise; Some say that there be traitors.

_Zam._ Traitors they 20 Who dare to say so!--'Tis impossible.

What cause?

_Sar._ What cause? true,--fill the goblet up; We will not think of them: there are none such, Or if there be, they are gone.

_Alt._ Guests, to my pledge!

Down on your knees, and drink a measure to The safety of the King--the monarch, say I?

The G.o.d Sardanapalus!

[ZAMES _and the Guests kneel, and exclaim_-- Mightier than His father Baal, the G.o.d Sardanapalus!

[_It thunders as they kneel; some start up in confusion_.

_Zam._ Why do you rise, my friends? in that strong peal His father G.o.ds consented.

_Myr._ Menaced, rather. 30 King, wilt thou bear this mad impiety?

_Sar._ Impiety!--nay, if the sires who reigned Before me can be G.o.ds, I'll not disgrace Their lineage. But arise, my pious friends; h.o.a.rd your devotion for the Thunderer there: I seek but to be loved, not wors.h.i.+pped.

_Alt._ Both-- Both you must ever be by all true subjects.

_Sar._ Methinks the thunders still increase: it is An awful night.

_Myr._ Oh yes, for those who have No palace to protect their wors.h.i.+ppers. 40