._ 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._