BYRON’S WORKS.
510
Myr. All ?
Pan. Too many.
Sar. Spare not of thy free speech
To spare mine ears the truth.
Pan. My own slight guard
Were faithful, and what’s left of it is still so.Myr. And are these all the force still faithful ?Pan. No—
The Bactrians, now led on by Salemenes,
Who even then was on his way, still urgedBy strong suspicion of the Median chiefs,
Are numerous, and make strong head againstThe rebels, fighting inch by inch, and formingAn orb around the palace, where they meanTo centre all their force, and save the King.
(He hesitates.) I am charged to-
tfyr. ’Tis no time for hesitation.
Pan. Prince Salemenes doth implore the KingTo arm himself, although but for a moment,
And show himself unto the soldiers ; hisSole presence in this instance might do moreThan hosts can do in his behalf.
Sar. What, ho!
My armour there.
Myr. And wilt thou ?
Sar. Will I not ?
Ho, there !—but seek not for the buckler: ’tisToo heavy:—a light cuirass and my sword.Where are the rebels ?
Pan. Scarce a furlong’s length
From the outward wall the fiercest conflict rages.Sar. Then I may charge on horseback. Sfero,ho!
Order my horse out.—There is space enoughEven In our courts, and by the outer gate,
To marshal half the horsemen of Arabia.
[Exit Sfero for the armour.Myr. How I do love thee 1Sar. I ne’er doubted it.
Myr. But now I know thee.
Sar. (to his Attendant). Bring down my speartoo.—
Where’s Salemenes ?
Pan. Where a soldier should be,
In the thick of the fight.
Sar. Then hasten to him-Is
The path still open, and communicationLeft 'twixb the palace and the phalanx ?
Pan. ’Twas
When I late left him, and I have no fear:
Our troops were steady, and the phalanx form’d.Sar. Tell him to spare his person for the pre-sent,
And that I will not spar© my own—and say,
I come.
Pan. There’s victory in the very word.
[Exit Paiiia.
Sar. Altada — Zames — forth, and arm ye!There
Is all in readiness in the armoury.
See that the women are bestow'd in safetyIn the remote apartments: let a guardBe set before them, with strict charge to quitThe post but with their lives—command it,Zames.
Altada, arm yourself, and return here ;
Your post is near our person.
[Exeunt Zames , Altada , and all save Myrrha .
Enter SFERO and others with the King’sArms, &c.
King 1 your armour.
Sar. (arming himself ). Give me the cuirass—so : my baldric; now
My sword: I had forgot the helm—where is it ?That’s well—no, ’tis too heavy: you mistake,too—
It was not this I meant, but that which bearsA diadem around it.
Sfe. Sire, I deem’d
That too conspicuous from the precious stonesTo risk your sacred brow beneath—and trust me,This is of better metal, though less rich.
Sar. You deem’d ! Are you too turn’d a rebel ?Fellow!
Your part is to obey : return, and—no—
It is too late—I will go forth without it.
Sfe. At least, wear this.
Sar, Wear Caucasus ! Why, ’tis
A mountain on my temples.
Soldier goes not forth thus exposed to battle.
All men will recognise you—for the stormHas ceased, and the moon breaks forth in herbrightness.
Sar. I go forth to be recognised, and thusShall be so sooner. Now—my spear! I’m arm’d.
[In going, stops short, and turns to Sfero.Sfero—I hadrforgotten—bring the mirror.
Sfe. The mirror, sire ?
Sar. Yes, sir, of polished brass,
Brought from the spoils of India —but be speedy.
[Exit Sfero.
Sar. Myrrha , retire unto a place of safety.Why went you not forth with the other damsels ?Myr. Because my place is here.
Sar. And when I am gone--
Myr. I follow.
Sar. You! to battle ?
Myr. If it were so,
T’were not the first Greek girl had trod thepath.
I will await here your return.
Sar. The place
Is spacious, and the first to be sought out,
If they prevail; and, if it be so,
And I return not-
Myr. Still we meet again.
Sar. How ?
Myr. In the spot where all must meet at last—In Hades ! if there be, as I believe,
A shore beyond the Styx; and if there be not,.
In ashes.
Sar. Harest thou so much PMyr. I dare all things
Except survive what I have loved, to beA rebel’s booty: forth, and do your bravest.
Re-enter SFERO with the mirror.
Sar. (loolcing at himself). This cuirass fits mewell, the baldric better,
And the helm not at all. Methinks I seem
[Flings away the helmet after trying it again.Passing well in these toys; and now to provethem.
Altada! Where’s Altada ?
Sfe. Waiting, sire,
Without: lie has your shield in readiness.
Sar. True; I forgot he is my shield-bearerBy right of blood, derived from age to age.Myrrha , embrace me; yet once more —oncemore—
Love me, whate'er betide. My chiefest gloryShall be to make me worthier of your love.