The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 8

_Arb._ And ever thwarted: what would you have more To make a rebel out of? A fool reigning, 100 His blood dishonoured, and himself disdained: Why, it is _his_ revenge we work for.

_Bel._ Could He but be brought to think so: this I doubt of.

_Arb._ What, if we sound him?

_Bel._ Yes--if the time served.

_Enter_ BALEA.

_Bal._ Satraps! The king commands your presence at The feast to-night.

_Bel._ To hear is to obey.

In the pavilion?

_Bal._ No; here in the palace.

_Arb._ How! in the palace? it was not thus ordered.

_Bal._ It is so ordered now.

_Arb._ And why?

_Bal._ I know not.

May I retire?

_Arb._ Stay.

_Bel._ (_to Arb. aside_). Hus.h.!.+ let him go his way. 110 (_Alternately to Bal._) Yes, Balea, thank the Monarch, kiss the hem Of his imperial robe, and say, his slaves Will take the crumbs he deigns to scatter from His royal table at the hour--was't midnight?

_Bal._ It was: the place, the hall of Nimrod. Lords, I humble me before you, and depart. [_Exit_ BALEA.

_Arb._ I like not this same sudden change of place; There is some mystery: wherefore should he change it?

_Bel._ Doth he not change a thousand times a day?

Sloth is of all things the most fanciful-- 120 And moves more parasangs in its intents Than generals in their marches, when they seek To leave their foe at fault.--Why dost thou muse?

_Arb._ He loved that gay pavilion,--it was ever His summer dotage.

_Bel._ And he loved his Queen-- And thrice a thousand harlotry besides-- And he has loved all things by turns, except Wisdom and Glory.

_Arb._ Still--I like it not.

If he has changed--why, so must we: the attack Were easy in the isolated bower, 130 Beset with drowsy guards and drunken courtiers; But in the hall of Nimrod----

_Bel._ Is it so?

Methought the haughty soldier feared to mount A throne too easily--does it disappoint thee To find there is a slipperier step or two Than what was counted on?

_Arb._ When the hour comes, Thou shall perceive how far I fear or no.

Thou hast seen my life at stake--and gaily played for: But here is more upon the die--a kingdom.

_Bel._ I have foretold already--thou wilt win it: 140 Then on, and prosper.

_Arb._ Now were I a soothsayer, I would have boded so much to myself.

But be the stars obeyed--I cannot quarrel With them, nor their interpreter. Who's here?

_Enter_ SALEMENES.

_Sal._ Satraps!

_Bel._ My Prince!

_Sal._ Well met--I sought ye both, But elsewhere than the palace.

_Arb._ Wherefore so?

_Sal._ 'Tis not the hour.

_Arb._ The hour!--what hour?

_Sal._ Of midnight.

_Bel._ Midnight, my Lord!

_Sal._ What, are you not invited?

_Bel._ Oh! yes--we had forgotten.

_Sal._ Is it usual Thus to forget a Sovereign's invitation?

_Arb._ Why--we but now received it. 150

_Sal._ Then why here?

_Arb._ On duty.

_Sal._ On what duty?

_Bel._ On the state's.

We have the privilege to approach the presence; But found the Monarch absent.[k]

_Sal._ And I too Am upon duty.

_Arb._ May we crave its purport?

_Sal._ To arrest two traitors. Guards! Within there!

_Enter Guards_.

_Sal._ (_continuing_). Satraps, Your swords.