Selected Poems (138 page)

They who have nothing more to fear may well

Indulge a smile at that which once appall’d;

240

As children at discover’d bugbears.

[
Re-enter
PANIA
.]

PANIA
:’Tis

As was reported: I have order’d there

A double guard, withdrawing from the wall

Where it was strongest the required addition

To watch the breach occasion’d by the waters.

245

SARDANAPALUS
: 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

250

Press’d by a nobler weight than e’er it bore –

Though a long line of sovereigns have lain down

Along its golden frame – as bearing for

A time what late was Salenenes). Search

The secret covert to which this will lead you;

255

’Tis full of treasure; take it for yourself

And your companions: 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.

260

Then launch the regal barks, once form’d for pleasure,

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!

PANIA
:Under your protection!

265

So you accompany your faithful guard.

SARDANAPALUS
: No, Pania! that must not be; get thee

hence

And leave me to my fate.

PANIA
: ’Tis the first time

I ever disobey’d: but now—

SARDANAPALUS
:So all men

Dare beard me now, and Insolence within

270

Apes Treason from without. Question no further;

’Tis my command, my last command. Wilt
thou

Oppose it?
thou
!

PANIA
: But yet – not yet.

SARDANAPALUS
:Well, then,

Swear that you will obey when I shall give

The signal.

PANIA
:With a heavy but true heart,

275

I promise.

SARDANAPALUS
: ’Tis enough. Now order here

Faggots, pine-nuts, and wither’d 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;

280

Bring frankincense and myrrh, too, for it is

For a great sacrifice I build the pyre;

And heap them round yon throne.

PANIA
:My lord!

SARDANAPALUS
:I have said it,

And
you
have
sworn
.

PANIA
:And could keep my faith

Without a vow.

[
Exit
PANIA
.]

MYRRHA
:What mean you?

SARDANAPALUS
:You shall know

285

Anon – what the whole earth shall ne’er forget.

[
PANIA
,
returning with a
HERALD
.]

PANIA:
My king, in going forth upon my duty,

This herald has been brought before me, craving

An audience.

SARDANAPALUS
: Let him speak.

HERALD
:The King Arbaces —

SARDANAPALUS
: What, crown’d already? – But,

proceed.

HERALD
:Beleses,

290

The anointed high-priest —

SARDANAPALUS
:Of what god or demon?

With new kings rise new altars. But, proceed;

You are sent to prate your master’s will, and not

Reply to mine.

HERALD
:And Satrap Ofratanes —

SARDANAPALUS
: Why,
he
is
ours
.

HERALD
[
showing a ring
]:Be sure that he is now

295

In the camp of the conquerors; behold His signet ring.

SARDANAPALUS
: ’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.

300

Proceed.

HERALD
: They offer thee thy life, and freedom

Of choice to single out a residence

In any of the further provinces,

Guarded and watch’d, but not confined in person,

Where thou shalt pass thy days in peace; but on

305

Condition that the three young princes are

Given up as hostages.

SARDANAPALUS
[
ironically
]: The generous victors!

HERALD
: I wait the answer.

SARDANAPALUS
:Answer, slave! How long

Have slaves decided on the doom of kings?

HERALD
: Since they were free.

SARDANAPALUS
:Mouthpiece of mutiny!

310

Thou at the least shalt learn the penalty

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
.]

PANIA
: I never yet obey’d

315

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.

HERALD
:A single word:

My office, king, is sacred.

SARDANAPALUS
:And what’s
mine
?

320

That thou shouldst come and dare to ask of me

To lay it down?

HERALD
:I but obey’d my orders,

At the same peril if refused, as now

Incurr’d by my obedience.

SARDANAPALUS
:So there are

New monarchs of an hour’s growth as despotic

325

As sovereigns swathed in purple, and enthroned

From birth to manhood!

HERALD
: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

330

Such as is that of Nimrod, to destroy

A peaceful herald, unarm’d, 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?

335

SARDANAPALUS
: 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.

340

HERALD
: I thank you doubly for my life, and this

Most gorgeous gift, which renders it more precious.

But must I bear no answer?

SARDANAPALUS
:Yes, – I ask

An hour’s truce to consider.

HERALD
:But an hour’s?

SARDANAPALUS
: An hour’s: if at the expiration of

345

That time your masters hear no further from me,

They are to deem that I reject their terms,

And act befittingly.

HERALD
:I shall not fail

To be a faithful legate of your pleasure.

SARDANAPALUS
: And hark! a word more.

HERALD
:I shall not forget

it,

350

Whate’er it be.

SARDANAPALUS
: Commend me to Beleses;

And tell him, ere a year expire, I summon

Him hence to meet me.

HERALD
:Where?