iver.
[SALEMENES _bears her off_.

_Sar._ (_solus_). This, too--
And this too must I suffer--I, who never
Inflicted purposely on human hearts
A voluntary pang! But that is false--
She loved me, and I loved her.--Fatal passion!
Why dost thou not expire at _once_ in hearts
Which thou hast lighted up at once? Zarina![ah]
I must pay dearly for the desolation
Now brought upon thee. Had I never loved 430
But thee, I should have been an unopposed
Monarch of honouring nations. To what gulfs
A single deviation from the track
Of human duties leads even those who claim
The homage of mankind as their born due,
And find it, till they forfeit it themselves!

_Enter_ MYRRHA.

_Sar._ _You_ here! Who called you?

_Myr._ No one--but I heard
Far off a voice of wail and lamentation,
And thought----

_Sar._ It forms no portion of your duties
To enter here till sought for.

_Myr._ Though I might, 440
Perhaps, recall some softer words of yours
(Although they _too were chiding_), which reproved me,
Because I ever dreaded to intrude;
Resisting my own wish and your injunction
To heed no time nor presence, but approach you
Uncalled for:--I retire.

_Sar._ Yet stay--being here.
I pray you pardon me: events have soured me
Till I wax peevish--heed it not: I shall
Soon be myself again.

_Myr._ I wait with patience,
What I shall see with pleasure.

_Sar._ Scarce a moment 450
Before your entrance in this hall, Zarina,
Queen of Assyria, departed hence.

_Myr._ Ah!

_Sar._ Wherefore do you start?

_Myr._ Did I do so?

_Sar._ 'Twas well you entered by another portal,
Else you had met. That pang at least is spared her!

_Myr._ I know to feel for her.

_Sar._ That is too much,
And beyond nature--'tis nor mutual[ai]
Nor possible. You cannot pity her,
Nor she aught but----

_Myr._ Despise the favourite slave?
Not more than I have ever scorned myself. 460

_Sar._ Scor