The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 19

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.