e one.

_Sar._ But fatal. Oh, my brother! I would give
These realms, of which thou wert the ornament,
The sword and shield, the sole-redeeming honour, 150
To call back----But I will not weep for thee;
Thou shall be mourned for as thou wouldst be mourned.
It grieves me most that thou couldst quit this life
Believing that I could survive what thou
Hast died for--our long royalty of race.
If I redeem it, I will give thee blood
Of thousands, tears of millions, for atonement,
(The tears of all the good are thine already).
If not, we meet again soon,--if the spirit
Within us lives beyond:--thou readest mine, 160
And dost me justice now. Let me once clasp
That yet warm hand, and fold that throbless heart
[_Embraces the body_.
To this which beats so bitterly. Now, bear
The body hence.

_Sol._ Where?

_Sar._ To my proper chamber.
Place it beneath my canopy, as though
The King lay there: when this is done, we will
Speak further of the rites due to such ashes.
[_Exeunt Soldiers with the body of_ SALEMENES.

_Enter_ PANIA.

_Sar._ Well, Pania! have you placed the guards, and issued
The orders fixed on?

_Pan._ Sire, I have obeyed.

_Sar._ And do the soldiers keep their hearts up?

_Pan._ Sire? 170

_Sar._ I am answered! When a king asks twice, and has
A question as an answer to _his_ question,
It is a portent. What! they are disheartened?

_Pan._ The death of Salemenes, and the shouts
Of the exulting rebels on his fall,
Have made them----

_Sar._ _Rage_--not droop--it should have been.
We'll find the means to rouse them.

_Pan._ Such a loss
Might sadden even a victory.

_Sar._ Alas!
Who can so feel it as I feel? but yet,
Though cooped within these walls, they are strong, and we 180
Have those without will break their way through hosts,
To make their sovereign's dwelling what it was--
A palace, not a prison--nor a fortress.

_Enter an Officer, hastily_.

_Sar._ Thy face seems ominous. Speak!

_Offi._