u doubly for my life, and this 340
Most gorgeous gift, which renders it more precious.
But must I bear no answer?

_Sar._ Yes,--I ask
An hour's truce to consider.

_Her._ But an hour's?

_Sar._ An hour's: if at the expiration of
That time your masters hear no further from me,
They are to deem that I reject their terms,
And act befittingly.

_Her._ I shall not fail
To be a faithful legate of your pleasure.

_Sar._ And hark! a word more.

_Her._ I shall not forget it,
Whate'er it be.

_Sar._ Commend me to Beleses; 350
And tell him, ere a year expire, I summon
Him hence to meet me.

_Her._ Where?

_Sar._ At Babylon.
At least from thence he will depart to meet me.

_Her._ I shall obey you to the letter. [_Exit Herald_.

_Sar._ Pania!--
Now, my good Pania!--quick--with what I ordered.

_Pan._ My Lord,--the soldiers are already charged.
And see! they enter.

_Soldiers enter, and form a Pile about the Throne, etc._[31]

_Sar._ Higher, my good soldiers,
And thicker yet; and see that the foundation
Be such as will not speedily exhaust
Its own too subtle flame; nor yet be quenched 360
With aught officious aid would bring to quell it.
Let the throne form the _core_ of it; I would not
Leave that, save fraught with fire unquenchable,
To the new comers. Frame the whole as if
'Twere to enkindle the strong tower of our
Inveterate enemies. Now it bears an aspect!
How say you, Pania, will this pile suffice
For a King's obsequies?

_Pan._ Aye, for a kingdom's.
I understand you, now.

_Sar._ And blame me?

_Pan._ No--
Let me but fire the pile, and share it with you. 370

_Myr._ That _duty's_ mine.

_Pan._ A woman's!

_Myr._ 'Tis the soldier's
Part to die _for_ his sovereign, and why not
The woman's with her lover?

_Pan._ 'Tis most strange!

_Myr._ But not so rare, my Pania, as thou think'st it.
In the mean time, live